Iowa for a lovely wedding!

Friday May 11 I went home from school then to my dad's house and we headed to Iowa. It was a really upsetting car ride for me, including many tears. I couldn't help but think that the last time we made this drive was for my Grandma Demeter's funeral. That night we stayed at my grandparents' house. Even though Maria and I slept in the same bed in the same back bedroom next to my grandparents' room, nothing was the same. It was sad and lonely and empty feeling and I just missed both of my grandparents and the love they filled their house with.

We woke up Saturday morning (May 12), got ready, and drove a few more hours to the town where my cousin Brad was getting married. We got there just in time and sat in the pew with Aunt Chel, Tom, and precious baby Max. Seth also joined us when he saw Michael was there.

The wedding was beautiful. The dresses and the flowers and especially Brad & Laura. I was so happy to see their smiles and the way they looked at each other. I loved the way the pastor told their story of Laura first encoutering Brad on match.com (who thought he had deactivated his account and people could no longer see it). My favorite part was when they faced each other and sang a duet (plus Brad playing the guitar) of Marry Me by Train. It was so perfect and so them and just so cute!

Then after the wedding we went to the reception where we got to talk to more aunts and cousins that I had really missed and eat dinner and listen to toasts and watch everyone dance. Brad and Laura were so good at dancing. I was really impressed!

Oh and at the door we were handed the cutest wedding favors. They were CDs of songs that were significant in Brad and Laura's relationship. Not to mention they sing together and play together (unfortunately not on the CD though) so incorpotating music, something so special to the two of them, into the wedding favor to share with everyone was so perfect! I loved so many of the songs and have grown to love the ones that were new to me. But the best part was reading how each song fit into their life in the little printed booklet that came with it!

I was sad we had to leave but happy to get the chance to talk to Brad, even if it was just to say goodbye. It was my fault too, that we had to leave so early. Because we were 5 hours from home and I had to be at work at 9am the next morning. Oh I was so flustered. But we got through it.. And successfully made it to the wedding and back in time.

Hoosier Hero

Thursday May 10 was a crazy day. After school I hurried home and got ready. Then we picked up my grandparents and headed to Indianapolis.

I am one of ten winners of the Indiana Dollars for Scholars' Hoosier Hero scholarship. I wrote about my Grandma Ludwig in the category of service. There were 5 categories (2 winners for each). Both my grandma and I were recognized at the banquet.

When we got there we stood outside in a gathering area by my poster that they had made and greeted people that came in attendance like my Aunt Amy, superintendent Kathy Steele, and principal Mr. Hunt.

Then we went inside the banquet room and ate dinner and watched a video with pictures of all of the students and their heros. It had a voice in the background reading excerts from our essays, telling each of our stories.

Then I had to give a speech! They had called about a month earlier asking if I would represents the students and give a speech. They asked me to write it about what my hero means to me, my reaction from knowing i was a recipient, the value of education to me, and my future plans. I was a little nervous giving it in front of everybody, but ended up being really thankful for getting the chance to do that. It was really special. Then we were announced and each given our plaques/awards.

Then we drove home to get ready for another day of school before the weekend.

Here is the speech I wrote and gave that night:

Everyday after driving home from school, before turning into my driveway I stop by our mailbox which is across the street and get the mail. However, one winter day I did not. When I got home from gymnastics practice that evening my mom greeted me holding a big envelope. I am always excited when I receive mail, but this time excited was an understatement. I noticed the envelope was from Indiana Dollars to Scholars. I ripped it open as quickly and carefully as possible to read that I was a winner of the Hoosier Hero Scholarship! I was so surprised and full of joy and called my grandparents right away to share the news!

After dialing the long distance number to Florida where they spend their winters, I told them I had something exciting to tell them. They each held a telephone up to their ears so they could hear it first-hand from me, at the same time. My grandma asked if she should sit down and I said yes that might be good. Then I told them! I told them I had won a Hoosier Hero scholarship, writing about grandma. I could hear the smiles in their voices as they congratulated me. In the midst of talking about my Grandma, my writing, the upcoming banquet, my Grandma suddenly stopped to ask what my middle name was. I told her Ann, and she told me she was just so excited she couldn’t remember. After getting back on topic and talking a while, we said our goodbyes and I shared my thrilling news with many others.

I also paused, recalling the day when my mom brought home a flyer about a scholarship that required you to write about a Hoosier Hero. The due date was still far off, but I started thinking of who my essay would be about. A teacher? A coach? Lucious Newsome, the founder of the Lord’s Pantry? Ah Mary Ludwig! To some it is simply a name. To others, a local doctor known for treating patients without charge and giving away an apple with every visit. But most importantly, to me, she is Grandma.

My family has always been close-knit. I am thankful that of my grandparents four children, my mom is the one who ended up back in Crawfordsville. Being raised and living in Crawfordsville has allowed a close personal relationship with my Grandparents. They have been able to attend various school events, been guest speakers in my classes, gone to church together, and shared many meals.

My grandma does a great job of preparing food for our family (and offering it even if we have just eaten or if it is the middle of the night and we have just gotten to their house after a long day of traveling). But more importantly, my she provides us with love and support, and encourages us to fulfill our potential in everything we are involved with, especially school.

Her education is still very important to her, and she is one of the people who have instilled the value of education in my life. I have always worked hard in school, excelling in art and writing classes. My teachers and classmates have taught me a lot and helped me grow in so many ways. I have also learned many valuable lessons through personal experiences and everyday life. In the fall I will continue onward with my formal education, no longer as a Crawfordsville Athenian, but as a Saint Louis University Biliken. At Saint Louis University I am going to major in physical therapy, a career that will ultimately lead me to help others. This fits in well with the university’s mission of service. However, I am lucky to already have a personal connection to someone so strong and prominent in the area of serving others. My grandma has not only taught me the importance of it, has also touched my heart and taught me to love.

May days

Now that the whole month of June is officially over, I am ready to start blogging about May. Oh dear. I hope to get caught up sometime. I guess I need to be a little more ambitious about it.

Wednesday May 2 was Josue and I's eight months together. And when you're in highschool, you keep track of the months and celebrate. Well sometimes. So I got dressed up because I like to take every opportunity I get and we went out to dinner at A Country A Fair. My friend Goalie is a chef there now and it was fun getting to see her. I got a turkey and cheese wrap and Josue ordered a (giant) cheeseburger.

Then we went back to my house and took cute pictures (props to my mom for clicking the camera button. yay.).

 Saturday May 5 was the CHS Alumni banquet. At that time I wasn't an alumnus (though I can say I am now! Wooo hooo). But I was invited to attend the banquet with my family and about 7 other seniors who were being recognized for recieving a scholarship from them. I was very thankful for it!

Monday May 7 my dad was out of town and asked me to run a few errands for him after school including bringing a box to the UPS place. So Josue came with me. And afterwards we rewarded ourselves with blue snowcones!

Tuesday May 8 I met Laci and her little sister after school at the animal shelter (I skipped my nap for this) to walk doggies. Our favorite was Wilbur. He was just such a sweetie.

Getting there... eventually

Here is more of my life..

Tuesday April 22 and Thursday April 24 I had two scholarship interviews. One was for the Anna Wilson scholarship and one for the CHS Alumni scholarship. They both intimidated me, though the three interviewers at both of them were all very kind. I would just rather explain myself in writing than speaking, but I guess it was good practice.

 

Wednesday April 25 Clancy and I went out to dinner at Steak n Shake. Then we drove to Western Boone High School for an induction ceremony to the West Central Indiana Technical Honor Society. We both got in to this through our health careers class. It was fun watching a video put together by one of the broadcasting vocational classes highlighting the different classes available. When the kids came to our class to take photos we had a lot of fun showing all of the different things we have learned like taking blood pressures and giving shots to our dummy arm. We were also proud of our teacher Mrs. Guard who got a very deserved recognition/award at the ceremony.

Saturday April 28 Josue, my dad, and I went to the Lord's Pantry to volunteer. I'm always happy when I wake up early to go help with my dad, and even happier when Josue joins us. Then that evening I worked. At first I drove two of the other employees to the boy's and girl's club. Then found out that wasn't where I was supposed to be so I had to go to the Athen's art gallery for their gala. I was glad I worked that event. Though my forearm was sore, it was fun serving strawberry agua fresca and mock champagne and wearing a single white glove. There were so many people it was hard to maneuver around them, but it was fun. Made me feel like a party/event that would be on Gossip Girl.

Sunday April 29 was the last lifeteen (our youth group) night of this year. It was senior night. While the younger kids ate downstairs like we all usually do, we had a fancy home cooked meal with chicken and potatoes and salad and pie. It was yummy and fun to eat together. Then we all talked about college and future plans and expectations and one of the kids who graduated last year, Angel, was there joining us to talk about his experience and for us to ask questions. He is so joyful and it made the night even more fun. Talking about trying to keep your faith and not let it slip away during college made me feel even more sure that I made the right choice to go to SLU. At NCYC it's always so cool going from a small town with few Catholics to thousands of teenagers from all over the United States that are all Catholic! It makes me think that SLU might be similar, being a Catholic Jesuit school with a beautiful cathedral. We also had a foot washing ceremony and received cards and a candle from the younger kids and other youth leaders.

Monday April 30 Michael picked me up from school and we drove right to Indianapolis. We met Lexie and Maria, and not long after headed to the student center (? or some other building..) at IUPUI. While we waited we listened to a local band that I can't say I cared much for. Then Blake came! Blake Mycoskie (the founder/chief shoe giver of TOMs) came to talk. It was awesome and crazy seeing and hearing him in person. I loved the stories he told and the excitement and joy in his voice as he shared them with us. It is an amazing story and company that gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every shoe purchased. They have also recently expanded to eyewear and giving sight to people in need. He was so genuine and happy! I wish I could have listened to him the entire evening.

better late than never

Summer is here. And I'm still in April. Ahh. This is bad. So here we go.

Saturday April 21 was prom! That morning by myself I did my nails. I painted my toenails red and my fingernails french tips with a gold sparkly line where the white touched the pinkish part.

I packed up and headed to Sarah Warner's house. I was excited to bring my prom basket made by and given to me from Mrs. Rainwater-the teacher who was my sunshine lady this year. It was so cute! Gold nail polish, bobby pins, lip gloss, a mirror, hairspray, breath mints, gold eye shadow, oil sheets to wipe your face, scrapbooking stuff, and a key chain that you could put a picture in. Plus the handle was made with two strands of ribbon. One with Ms and one with Js. Aww it was so cute!

A lot of girls came to Sarah's house. Sarah babysits for Sarah Hutchison- who helped me with everything for homecoming. Hair, make-up, etc. I love her energy and enthusiasm for everything. She was doing hair for who ever wanted it because she loves to do hair and only has a little son. She also brought a friend- Amber who was there with tons of nail polish to do nails. Sarah did my hair and my make-up. The rest of the girls stayed for dinner and pictures, but I was off to other things.

I picked up Josue and we went to the Iron Gate where we met Elizabeth, Sam, Ally, Emma, William, Baylen, Tommy, and Tayler. I think that's all of them. It was decent food but I just kind of felt out of place a little. But that's okay.

After dinner we all headed to the Hess house. They have a brand new house and it's gorgeous! We all got dressed -the boys in the basement and the girls in Julie's bedroom. I was happy that the other mom's were there to help me out since my mom was out of town and couldn't.

Josue looked so cute in his tux. I'd never seen him more dressed up than jeans and a nice button-up shirt. He sure was handsome. We gave each other the flowers (which are just too hard to try to spell). I covered getting both of those because I just wanted them to match and to look good and not go wrong like in past years. They were beautiful and perfect.

Then we took lots of pictures. Lots of smiling. Inside of the house.

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And outside.

Everyone else headed to prom. But we had a few more stops to make. We went to my dad's house, but he wasn't home. I felt bad, but we didn't have time. We were already late. Then we went to my grandparents house and snapped a few pictures.

Finally we got to the high school. The dancing didn't quite go so well for us. Neither of us really are into dancing in front of a huge crowd. But we got out on the floor a little bit. Definitely for every slow song we were there. Oh and there was also a photo booth.

Our after prom is at the bowling alley, but that didn't really appeal to either of us. We ended up going back to his house to watch a movie. But both crashed and fell asleep pretty quickly. That was a long (and stressful) day. Then I left my lovely date and went home to bed.

Sunday my dad and I went to church then drove a long way to go horseback riding! It was so much fun. I loved actually doing something with my dad rather than just sitting at his house which often seems to happen. Neither of us had rode horses in so long. It felt good to be on a saddle again. We went in a line with a leader. But we got to trot and canter. It was a little scary at first I thought. But I really enjoyed cantering because it was so much smoother than trotting. Although my dad was a little disappointed that we walked as much as we did. I don't think I could've handled trotting/cantering the whole time though.

My dad had to leave and go to work pretty soon once we got back. I asked him to go to Applebee's, but he just had to much to do. So he gave me a gift card and Josue and I went. It was fun eating dinner with him again just the two of us.