Already?!

It seems that once the cold weather sets in... time decides to fly. Not that I'm really complaining, because honestly, I don't like the cold weather that much. I'm a cold-natured person, my average temperature is about 96 degrees... I don't need 30 degree weather to add to that! Not to mention I have awful allergies! But once September rolls around... I can't believe its the middle of November! Thanksgiving is just around the corner... almost literally.

Really, I'm just thankful for the fact we're almost half way through the school year.

It's a scary concept, that time can actually "fly". We take moments for advantage, or hold on to the wrong moments in life. We develop these unnecessary emotions over the smallest trifles... But that's what Thanksgiving is all about. We forget the bad things going in our lives, and join with our families to remember the good things.

Personally, I'm thankful for a lot of things. I'm thankful for my mom, who is my role model, and the rest of my family, of course. I'm even thankful for my little sister... who annoys the crap out of me, for the record. I'm thankful for my friends, too, Sarah, Krystal, Briget, Kaitlin, Brienna, Tabby, Bobby, Gray, Nathan... I don't know what I'd do without them. I'm thankful for my teachers who are setting me up for the rest of my life. I'm thankful for all the bad things God has put me through, because without them I wouldn't enjoy the good times I have. I'm thankful for cheerleading for taking so much of my time that I'm never bored. I'm thankful for technology for keeping me connected to people I wouldn't be able to talk to in any other circumstance. I'm thankful for God in general, for always being there, whether I remember that He is or not, and I'm thankful for music, one of the only ways for me to maintain sanity.

I'm still freaking out that the Holidays are right around the corner, along with the crazy shopping involved... But once it's all over, I'll just.... smile because it happened...

Smile

I guess it makes sense. When you're old, you've lost the one person you love most, or several people you love most, its hard to find happiness. When your body doesn't work the way it used to, when you don't have the same abilities you used to... It's gotta be depressing. No one likes getting old, I can't think o fone person who has ever been thankful for the fact they're getting older. In our society, getting old is associated with being closer to death... And daeth is something that is highly feared in our society, it seems. Whether it should be or not, I'm not sure. I've never died. But my faith keeps me from fearing it, because I believe that I will be taken care of afer I die...

But that's a who other bridge to cross. What about the path to that bridge, the old age portion? You lose people, you remember losing people, you miss people, you miss activities, you miss a lot of things. But at hte same time, when you age, you get to meet so many more people, experience so many more things, and be able to give advice to the young, so they won't make the same mistakes you did. The world wouldn't turn without the older people.

So, when you reach that state, how do you keep your happiness? There are some things you simply can't control, but what you can control must be taken with a positive outlook. Of course, that's easier said than done, but it takes only a little more effort to smile at whatever happens in life, than to frown. Surely you've heard the quote about how it takes almost 50 muscles to frown, but less than 5 to smile. The amout of effort someone puts into something mentally can't be counted in muscles, but think about it, doesn't life seem much easier when you smile? We were designed to be a pleasant people, to rejoice and sing and dance and laugh and smile and have fun. Our ideas of fun have changed, yes, and our lifestyles require more than pure joy to get through the day. And of course, there are always times in our lives that will upset us, bring us down. The good thing, though, is that when there are hard times, we enjoy the easy times much more because we will always remember what it was like when we had to go through that rough time.

So, remember the hard times, remember the bad, but in the end, just... smile because it happened...

Scars

"Scars can be painful, but they're a badge of courage. The strong ones are the ones who have the scars, everyone else keeps the wound."

Life goes on, and so should you. It's a simple, blunt fact of life. There's no getting around it. I mean, there is, but it's hard to catch back up. Believe me. Whatever pain you're feeling today... it'll only last for a little while. It may be the worst pain you've ever felt, or maybe the worst is to come, but either way, if there wasn't pain, there wouldn't be any enjoyment in the happiness. As a teenager especially, heart break is guaranteed, and should almost be expected. There's no way to brace yourself, or to prepare for it. It's one of the few phenomena in life that one must take as it comes, and not try to anticipate. Nothing good can come out of that.

At the same time, when someone is wounded, they try to protect that wound from as much as they can. Maybe they'll show a few people, but the rest of the world sees a bandage, a sign to not try to touch, not to ask about it, just try to ignore it. Don't stare, don't laugh: that kind of deal. And if all you do is hide that wound from the world... It's never going to get better. Sure, sometimes something will hit it again, and you'll feel the same pain you did when you first got it... or maybe you realize after a while, the pain becomes less and less unbearable, eventually causing you not to wince at all when something hits the wound.

But scars are so much easier to have. They may change your way of thinking, and your way of life forever, but at least the pain is more likely to stay away, and you can show people those scars without being ashamed or embarassed, and maybe you can use those scars to get better...

It's all a process. And time doesn't heal all wounds, the person does. If you don't want a wound to heal, it won't. Sorry. You have to put forth a little effort, and praying seems to help, if you ask me.

But since you didn't, don't be embarassed of your scars. And don't be worrying that once you do finally allow the would to heal, you'll have to explain it to everyone, because you won't. It's nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, you should be proud, because now, you can just... smile because it happened...

Randomness!!!!!

I gave blood yesterday... I'm not so sure it was a smart decision.... I was so dizzy! But I feel better today!

There's a funny taste in my mouth, I wish there was a way that I could brush my teeth at school after I eat breakfast...

I really wish this day would hurry up. Yay for early release!

Some people can be so stuck up. Kinda makes me wanna let them know... but I'll let them continue to make a fool out of themselves.

Wearing a sticker on your forehead is not attractive unless you are from India. Thanks.

No, Japanese and Chinese are NOT the same languages, and no, the food is not the same either!
I hate Chinese food, but can eat Japanese all day.

Ignorance is your new best friend, Ignorance is your new best friend! (random song!)

Ohh, my best friend is Sarah Bowley! Well, I have a few... Sarah, Krystal, Briget, Bobby, Nathan, and Kim!

I'm glad I only have a few best friends, its so much easier that way!

You make me crazier, crazier! (Another random song)

I don't think its possible for me to get any crazier... Oh man are we in trouble!

Double Double Toil and Trouble!

It's almost halloween! I'm going to a Halloween party... then probably just sleeping.

I'm so tired! I don't think I got enough sleep last night.

I'm tired of being tired!

And okay, I'm through with being random. Good night everyone, I'll be here for the next two years!

And now that this post is over, you can just... smile because it happened...

I Can See the Future!

Um... no. Not really. I can't even decide what college I want to go to, much less predict the future for anyone else. There's so much pressure on us already to decide what college we want to go to and the major we should pursue. Then, there's teh ever lasting question of "what do you want to do when you grow up?". How the heck am I supposed to know? Because I've always been on a higher education level, I've been expected to just know what I want to be. A doctor, lawyer, politician, the first female president of the United States. No. I don't like politics, I can't stand blood, and I'm not good at arguing! Besides there are so many more jobs than the typical dream professions. I've considered being and international mediator, especially with Hispanic countries. But, that's as close as I've gotten. It doesn't seem like there are a whole lot of opportunities in this world... and it doesn't look like more will come up. Honestly, after college, I'm pretty sure I'll be taking whatever job I can get at the time.

So why do we have to worry so much about what we want? In the end, it doesn't really seem to matter. There are very few people who get and education then find a career that matches that education that they truly enjoy. It just doesn't happen. And the economy... don't even get me started. all I'm saying is that this whole pressure about figuring out who and what you want to be is just too much trouble.

But I think, that once I graduate, I'll just... smile because it happened...

Think About It

This was just a thought that I had yesterday at cheerleading practice, while we were working on different stunts and jumps. What are we thinking? We've made a sport, similar to gymnastics, full of things God probably did not intend our bodies for!

Let's start with tumbling. I'm pretty sure we walk on our feet, and learn to do so as children, for a reason. Yes, sometimes its necessary to jump to get from point A to point B... but really, flying backwards, landing on your hands, snapping your feet down, and standing up... what purpose is there? None, but the sheer enjoyment of doing it. How about jumping into the air as high as you can, pulling in your knees, and flipping over to land on your feet again without your hand ever touching the ground, called the back tuck? Nope, can't think of a reason for it either! Then, there's the ever-ominous standing full, managing not only to do a complete rotation of hips over head in the air to land on your feet again, but also pulling your weight so you complete a full rotation (think of spinning in a circle while you're standing up) all at the same time... Is there a purpose? No. Is it fun? Heck yes!

Then, jumping. My coaches' favorite part of practice, it seems. Lifting your body up in the air, and pulling your legs up as high as you can, then snapping them back down to land with your feet together before gravity brings you to the floor. Yeah. It's not nearly as fun as it sounds. In fact, if you didn't stretch right, it HURTS. Badly. It takes a lot of muscles to jump like that, either in a toe touch, a pike, or a hurkey or hurdler. It's all difficult if you don't have splits down to the floor... And even with splits to the floor, it can be hard. I know my flexibility is pretty high... but its all in the explosiveness and power of your legs as you jump that makes it a good jump. Now, is there a purpose? No, not really. Does it acheive a common purpose? No, not really. But is it fun? Heck yes!

Now, the best part. Stunting. Did God intend people to lift up other people in stunts? Probably not. And if we weren't intended to lift people in stunts, we definitely were not intended to work in flips and turns and pulling your leg as close to your leg as possible into the mix. A hundred and ten pounds isn't much, that's true, but when there's no way for the top to shift her weight without endangering the stunt... it can get kind of heavy. Hands burn from friction. Eyes, shoulders, noses, lips, stomachs, even knees (if you're talented) can get hurt in the process, and that goes for all people in the stunt. But actually, stunting is my favorite part of cheerleading, even though this was the aspect that broke my nose... That's another story in itself. But over all, people were not really intended to take up other people in stunts. But is it fun? Heck yes.

Okay, so is there anything that really makes sense? Yeah, to cheerleaders, because we love it. But to anyone else, and even when you really analyze the different aspects of it? Not at all. The same could be said for gymnastics, but I'll let Sarah tell you all about that! I have literally given blood, sweat, and tears to cheerleading... I've had a broken nose, torn a ligament in my elbow, strained hip flexor, pulled muscles, bruised in the arms, legs, chest, and shoulders. I get so sore I can barely walk, I run until my lungs hurt, I lift weight until my arms give out, and I jump until my legs shake. That being said, would cheerleading be worth it to most people? Probably not. But to me, it is worth that, and probably more. It seems to be my only sanity right now, taking enough time so that I'm not bored, and taking enough time so that I feel like I have to rush, which is a feeling I actually like (another point to discuss later). When you think about it, it doesn't make sense... but in the end, once I walk off that competition floor for the last time, I'll just... smile because it happened...

You Know It's Bad When...

Okay, you know its bad when you're used to being so busy, that when fall break rolls around, you feel like you are accomplishing absolutely nothing. I mean, seriously? I've been waiting for Fall Break since school started. No, I don't have any major plans, but I just needed the break! I told myself that once Fall Break got here, I would regain enough energy to make it through the rest of the semester with a strong finish.

And now I feel lazy.

I have no cheerleading, not enough homework to fill time, the house is clean, now, its thundering. I've been to my friend's house, and I've found my homecoming dress. Now what?! Why does it kill me to not do anything?

Knowing my luck, I'll finally start to relax by Sunday... just in time to get to school the next morning. Hopefully, on winter break, I won't have this feeling! I'll just... smile because it happened...