When You Were Young

When you were young did you ever think about who you were hanging out with? Or what talking to them would do to your reputation? Or what labels people might've been placing on your forehead as you walked from place to place? Did you think about how nice (or not) your shoes were? How your shirt or pants hung unflatteringly on your either too fat or too skinny body? I personally never thought about these things. I don't even know if it crossed my mind what the gender was of the kid I was playing with at the time.

This is one thing about Junior High that I can't understand why it goes on. You go to school on the first day of 7th grade and after about the first few weeks you are branded with a label that hardly ever changes throughout the next few years. You could be a 'nerd', 'jock', 'popular', 'band geek', 'choir geek', or even one of the 'untouchables'. It all depends on who your friends are, what you wear, what you like to do, stuff like that. And I'm not proud of it, but I do it too. I label. I remember the first day of school there was this cute boy in a bunch of my classes and I TOTALLY thought he was a popular kid... until I saw his shoes. That's how I knew he wasn't popular, because of the shoes he wore! Crazy, right?

I also hate this system because (unless you're working on a project together) you don't talk or associate with people of a different 'class'. Us lower down folk are practically invisible to the popular kids as we wander down the halls between classes. And there's some kids who are less than invisible... they are bullied to their faces! These kids are looked on as something to joke about, creeps who don't contribute anything worthwhile to society. I'm not proud to say I've made a few jokes about these people at some point, but I'm trying to do better. I just wish we could all get along, and look for the best in people, regardless of their status in Junior High school society.

Well, that's my rant for the day! Enjoy!

New Beginnings

"Every day is a fresh beginning, Every morn is the world made new"

-Sarah Chauncey Woolsey

My brother told me I had to write a blog entry by Christmas, so here it is! If you've read my blog before you can probably tell I've made a few changes. I think my original blogging attempt pretty much failed so I'm starting all over again! Before I was too worried about making myself sound really smart or cool or mature, but then I realized, I'm a teenager! Hellooooo! I shouldn't be trying to make myself sound like a college student or someone like that.

This time around, I am going to share crazy teenage things, complain about my life, and go off about things I don't like. If you don't like that, don't read my blog! Here is my true teenage spirit unveiled:

I like being alone. Is that normal for a teen? I don't know. Yet I find myself counting down the minutes until my parents leave me at home by myself. If I don't get some time to just clear my head and think in the week then I go insane! Sometimes it gets so hectic inside my house that I just have to go take a walk for an hour or so. My favorite time of day is night, when everyone is asleep. I get to just sit there and do what I want, uninterrupted. There are no parents breathing down my neck right then, no responsibilities, no pretending. I can do what I want, say what I want, think what I want, wear what I want--whatever I want with no expectations. You probably think I'm some self-centered chick who has no life. I probably am a bit self-centered, but isn't that how everyone is at age 14? And it's hard for me personally because I'm practically like an only child, so my parents are focusing all their attention on ME. They seem to expect so much out of me and sometimes I fall short of those expectations. And since I'm the only one at home, when I fall short I seem to fall a lot farther than everyone else. That's partially why I like being alone so much, so I don't have to deal with those pressures. Another reason is because I love the quiet and the still that comes with knowing you're the only one around. The sounds of nature, usually unnoticed, that fill up that space. The sound of crickets chirping in the summer, the pounding of rain on the roof in the spring. It makes me feel more at peace with the world.

Well, that was my two cents worth for a while. And now Tadd can't nag me about blogging anymore ;)

Birthdays!

Well, since I failed to write a blog about Cayden's birthday (sorry Cayden) I guess I'll just follow the family tradition of compiling birthdays together. So happy birthday Cayden and Elise!! I love you both and I am proud to be your aunt!

Happy Birthday Tadd!

As you can tell, this is a very special occasion. It's Tadd's birthday! He is such a great part of my life and one of my favorite people to be around because he has the talent of making me happy even when I'm sad. We've had some fun times together (see picture above).

I have to say he's my favorite brother that's less than 11 years older than me, and one of my best friends. I still don't understand why he's still single.... But for any girl who's out there looking for a husband:

Noah Baker

Ok, I didn't know this kid, but I swear every Junior High/High School aged person in Centerville has been crying the past few days (including me). Noah was a seventh grader at Centerville Junior High School. He was born with a hole in his heart (like me, but mine healed up) and ended up having some five surgeries because of it. He had a pacemaker and while doing his paper route Monday night his body for some reason rejected it, and he had a heart attack. When he was found he was brain dead. They took him to the hospital and he was on life support until around six the next evening, when they pulled it.
At school we have been signing placques and big sheets of paper with condolences to the family and I think this has probably been the main topic of most people's conversations. I didn't know Noah personally but I hear he was a great kid and Centerville Junior High will mourn the loss of their student.
If anyone who reads this believes I have the facts wrong, you can feel free to correct me. If you would like to read his obituary the link is right here:

http://www.legacy.com/DeseretNews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=122360715

I know Noah has gone to a better place and that his family will see him again. Thank goodness for this wonderful gospel or I think I would probably die if this happened to me.

Happy Birthday Dad!

well, I see I'm the last person to do a blog on Dad, but certainly he's worth one more. I just wanted to take this time to say thank you for being such a wonderful dad! I love you!

My New Locker Decoration

don't you like the addition to my locker??