July 21-23

When my mom went to the hospital, I thought it was a sure thing that we would no longer be going on the church retreat the following weekend. But my mom and sister both assured me that it would be no trouble, and that that's why Karla was here anyway. So I went and I stayed with my friend Jenny. It worked out 'cause my mom honestly didn't want to go in the first place.

I had a really good time. We had a guest pastor who gave some incredibly edifying sermons - I'm a fan of his preaching. I got to pray with the youth group which helped me feel much more at ease. We all spent a lot of time together and got to share the stories we'd been holding back for a while. We laughed a lot. We ate Buffalo Wild Wings. We stayed up til 3 in the morning. It was actually an incredibly relaxing weekend. The camp is always so pretty and everyone feels at home there. And some things were pretty strict compared to previous years, but others were not. No mandatory morning devotional! No curfew! We had so much more time to do what we wanted with our friends in a place where w all felt safe. It's hard to describe. I'm just really glad I went. And since my mom wasn't there, I had lots of people looking after me. I'm always grateful for their care. Plus, what better place to celebrate my 11th anniversary of my baptism but in the very place it happened?

Video to come soon, hopefully!

Now That's What I Call Summer

I basically slept until 11 today. It was glorious. That is all. Seriously. That's it. That's all I needed.

No More Junior Year

I am finished with it! Rid of it! Done with the stupid papers and all the stress and time management bull. Done with the silly boy. Said goodbye to asking a million questions and not getting enough sleep and constantly running around. No more silly stinky drama that I somehow hear about because apparently it's all my business. NO GIANT BEES. It's been so fun, I swear. Just not the school part aha. But it's done. And now I sleep. Forever sleep. Summer. Yes.

Uno Mas Uno Mas Uno Mas

Just finished my Film Analysis final. I think it went rather well. The last one is tomorrow morning. It's harder, but it's honestly only worth 10% of my grade. And it's not TOO difficult I don't think. I'll study. It'll be fine. I also have this disgusting paper due, so I'll be up writing that for forever. But seriously. Just one more. And then work. And then home. It'll be lovely.

Summer of Self-Improvement Indeed

For as long as I can remember what summer was like, I hated summer. Not 'cause of the heat. I love heat. But something bad always happened. Losing my dog. The divorce. My grandmother passing. Some boy ruining something. Some idiot from Upward Bound. Something. I've hated summer and never knew a summer that didn't leave me feeling awful about my situation and ready to move on.

Until this one. Seriously, I loved this summer. I found out a lot about myself and did so much. The whole self-improvement plan wasn't so great. Fairly certain I gained weight. There's no real change in my complexion. My hair is as dead as it's always been. But that's not the part that improved. I improved. I took steps to be a better person. And I have never felt closer to God. My spiritual life is exactly where I need it to be right now, and that feels so good you can't even imagine. I made sure that mentally and emotionally, I was heard. And in those two areas, I feel very healthy. It's such a wonderful feeling! And I have all the awesome people who spent this summer with me to thank.

I wrote letters. I saw the 1975. I watched the World Cup. I helped with Vacation Bible School. I went on my church retreat. I went to California. I saw 30 Seconds to Mars. And I spent copious amounts of time with people I love. I am a very lucky girl.

Ending the summer with Karla & Cristina is a plus. My niece was actually excited to see me. It melted my heart. I'm so glad for the time I spent at home. Now, off to new things!

Summer of Self-Improvement

SO FAR

• No make-up has been a success. I've actually been really self-conscious about it. But I feel my skin getting that little bit healthier.
• No blow drying or straightening. Hallelu! No burnt hair. It still feels smooth! That hair cut was all kinds of wonderful for me.
• No hair products has been really easy, surprisingly.
• The "diet" if you can call it that is eh. I said I'm not that serious about it, and I've been good about not cheating except for once a week which is what I allowed myself, but I'm thinking I maybe should be more serious about it. (lol the doctor weighed me today cries)
• Exercise. Whoo! I'm slackin'! I was so good the first week! Hopefully, with my aunt here, we can motivate each other.
• My teeth are whiter! Ever so slightly. I just want my dentist to be proud of me next month haha bless mouth wash, as awful as that stuff tastes. For whatever reason, no matter how many hours pass, whatever I eat after using that mouth wash tastes HORRIBLE. Ah well. Sacrifices.
• Went to the doctor today. She prescribed a face wash and a gel for my acne, so hopefully this stuff does what it's supposed to. I'm really excited about it.

I saw some wonderful people tonight at Silver Diner, and got hugs from Mr. Smeallie! Plus, afternoons with Margie & Charlotte always leave me in stitches from laughing so hard. Now I'm excited to spend some time with my tia who is visiting from El Salvador, make plans with people who I must see, and get super involved in church stuff with the Youth Group I love so much. And I WILL find time to reply to LuzKarime's letter, if not tonight then tomorrow. I feel focused. Not energized just yet. I think that comes after I'm fully in the swing of things. But I'm excited and hopeful. And optimistic! Always optimistic :)

First Day Of Summer

Had a long, well worded story time blog thought out because a lot of fun things happened today, but I'd rather just skype about them later. ANYWAY.

LAST DAY OF WORK TODAY

AND NOW MY SUMMER ACTUALLY BEGINS.

In all seriousness, I did have a lot of good times there. And I'm so absolutely grateful for this incredible opportunity. I've had my first job. I can say that. I've worked my first job. I have something for a resume now. Like, a real resume, not just one for auditions. Whoa. Anyway.

I'M FREE I'M FREE I'M SO SO HAPPY

ALMOST AS HAPPY AS WHEN I HAD MY LAST ENGLISH CLASS.

almost.

FROG

Reason 343: Our house is boiling over because, as is custom every year, something happens where we lose AC. SO at 9pm, we decide to go out and get Fro Yo. We're in the car, dancing along to 97.1's Jammin' Saturday Night ebcause our family has serious Disco Fever, and go to Sweet Frog. YUM. And then I found out something very pleasant, as the little shop played 91.9 on their radio: It's a Christian shop.

My heart was warmed in a Fro Yo place<3

I told Fabrizio about this and he replied "Oh bettt, Jesus yogurt".

Stormy Weather

Reason 320: There was a storm today. I'm sure you've heard about it with all your MD friends. Also, it's been covered by the news for a good week. It happened today. I was scared something might happen while I was at the dentist. Sure enough, it did. The lights flickered. The rain BEAT DOWN on the window for 4 minutes. And then it was gone. Of course, I would have HATED driving anywhere during that rain, you literally couldn't see a thing. But we didn't. We were safe and sterilized inside (ugh, the smell of health related offices). And then we went home where there were no branches fallen around our property, no water in our basement, and power going through the house. I'm sure you remember my HORRIBLE flood story from 2010. So after that, I'm pretty thrilled that this big and scary summer storm is done with, and for the first time in years, our house is doing fine ^_^

Wait! What's that?! What are you do- OP! NOPE! TOO LATE! Bringin' it back. Bam.

Summer Love

Reason 293: This is kind of weird, but I'm just excited about summer. That's kind of a cop out, I know, but I'm really just genuinely excited. I'm never excited about summer. I hate summer. Bad stuff always happens in the summer. But this year feels different. I feel lighter. More positive. Ready to go and be who I want to be. And just enjoy my time off. I dunno, maybe it's because this is the first year without summer reading hehe. Nonetheless, feels good!

Bringin' It Back!

Summer 2013

Reason 291: I have a job! My mom just told me today that her boss agreed to let me work the store over the summer, and I start Monday. How awesome is that?! I feel like I can finally actually contribute something to this family. After months of wondering if anyone would get back to me, finally a guaranteed job.

This summer has to be different. No more of that "worst time of the year" nonsense. I'm becoming more independent. And soon, I'll even be able to help with my niece. This time, it's all about me becoming the person I want to be. New Year's Resolution: In progress! Oh, that feels great!

Let's talk about this intro :)

Guess This Is Goodbye

Reason 290: End of exams. I go home tomorrow. I did it. I completed my freshman year at McDaniel College. Honestly, it doesn't feel like that great of an accomplishment. But that's because it didn't feel so hard. Not that I wasn't challenged or anything, because oh my yes I was stressed to the max sometimes. But overall, the memories of this year are fun and loving. Must've done something right!

A new Mars song to celebrate? For me? Oh, you shouldn't have! Thanks boys!