Prayer Chain

I had a productive (somewhat) day today.
I woke up at 11 (thank you public school!) and remembered that my senior ad is due tomorrow if I want the discount. Basically what a senior ad is, is the page that you can have dedicated to you in the back of the yearbook - you've seen them. We pick pictures and then my dad gets to write a lovely little note. All for the whopping price of $350.00 and they reduce it to $315.00 if you get it in tomorrow. I really don't think it's necessary for me to have one because the price is outrageous, but my dad wants to do it for me so I'll let him.
After going through all the pictures on my computer (which is a lot!) I finally selected the 15 and moved on with my day. I cracked open the SAT book and started another practice test, but this time I timed myself. Um that didn't go so well. I really need to speed up. I only got to question #11 out of 20 (This is all math, by the way) when my timer ran out. I did some more timed and I called my tutor who is hopefully going to meet with me tonight.
I am scared. I always get the butterflies, but this time it's terrifying. I have put so much pressure onto myself, that now it's starting to affect me and I don't need that. So that's why I'm asking you, lovely blog readers to start a prayer chain.
Basically what I'm asking is that you pray for me and ask one other person to also. Please pray that God gives me the ability to calm down, be able to focus and do my absolute best on this test. The test is Saturday morning at 8 EST. If you don't pray, than I ask you to keep me in your thoughts and send well wishes my way.
I've been repeating my favorite verse over and over, the one that says God will provide for me and not harm me, but give me a hope and a future and it helps to a point.
If you're willing to hop on board this prayer chain, than I ask that you leave a comment on the post so that I can thank you! God has blessed me tremendously, even with things that I can't appreciate now and I know He will continue to in the future.
Blessings and best wishes to you all!

Library days

I had so much fun "meeting" all you guys yesterday from Not Me Monday! I loved your blogs and comments and I can't wait until next week!

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a nanny to A who is 3. She's basically one of the loves of my life. And with that, I bring you a story of our day at the library.

I'm not even two minutes out of school yet when I get a call from D (A's momma) asking me where I was.. um school? "I'm outside" she said. Whoa, wait a minute, what? Since when was I working today!?! Thankfully I'm flexible (and don't hold grudges for long, even though I was sort of ticked that I wasn't told ahead of time I was working) and took A for the afternoon. It was pouring rain like crazy so we decided to make our monthly trip to the library. D dropped us off and A starts cuddling up to me. Like she does when she's sick... which made me suspiscious. And sure enough, I was right; A had a cold!

So now I have a somewhat wet from the rain, sick 3 year old at a library for the next 2 hours - FUN!! I tried to make it the most fun for her even though I knew she wasn't feeling well and was exhausted from traveling yesterday. We went to the kids section, picked out some books and I took off my shoes (which were making me slip, since they were wet) and sat on the floor so A could lay in my lap comfortably. And then I read, and read, and read some more. And then we took a walk around the library and I wondered why in the world they got rid of storytime, because that would have been PERFECT for us to do.

We were sitting and reading "The Little Mermaid" (thank you Disney for nice long books!) when this mom and her adorable little daughter walked over to us. "Hi A" said mom. "Do you remember Maddy from Italy?". She completely ignored me. This is the third time this has happened. Most people when they see us out will stop me first and say, "oh is that D's daughter?" And then I introduce myself and they to me and then I let them have a great old conversation with A. When people come up and don't introduce themselves right away I get a little freaked. First of all, how do you know that this child is the child you presume it is? I could have a daughter that looks similar to A. Second of all, would you mind saying SOMETHING to me?! Don't pretend like I'm not sitting there and the kid isn't IN MY LAP burring her head in my chest because she has no clue who you are. Maybe if you could introduce yourself, I could say something like, "A say hi. Do you remember playing with Maddy in Italy?" Even though I know she has no recollection of this and is now shy beyond belief because she is now sneezing directly onto my collarbone, which is OH SO PLEASANT and not gross at all.
So while said mom is standing there I do what I can and I try to make small talk. I start talking to the woman's daughter saying things like, "hi your shoes are adorable, A isn't feeling too well today, but maybe when she's feeling better we'll see you at the library again and you can play or read stories together." And then kid gets a smile on her face and says, "okay!" and skips away to go read books. Her mom is still staring me up and down wondering who the heck I am (Because I don't scream nanny, I guess. As evident when other mom's come up to me and say "your daughter is adorable." Thanks! but she's not mine.).

We read some more and I introduced her to "The Bernstein Bears" which were my absolute favorite books growing up. I have fond memories of learning how to read them and as I was reading them to her today, I could still remember some of the words before I even turned the page. Which just supports my plan that I'll just start reading my child SAT books at age 2, because than maybe she'll have a chance. I tried it with A, but she is Just not interested..Even though I know she secretly loved my lesson to her on ratios, because come on, what 3 year old wouldn't!?

Not Me Monday!

I saw this over at MckMamma's blog and it looked like so much fun that I had to do it! Basically what it is, is confessing things you did in a not so obvious way. For example I did not lock my brother outside in the rain...
Ready?! Let's Play!! For official rules and to add your name to the Mr. Linky go here.


1) I did not eat dinner in my room while on the computer, three times this week. Nope, Not me.
2) I did not lay down on the floor and tell A to jump on my back because it was killing me....nooo not me.
3) I did not go to bed at 2 AM for three days in a row on school days. Nope not me, because that would just be dumb.
4) I did not stick a McCain bumper sticker on the back of my dad's car when he wasn't looking. And I did NOT deny that it was me who put it there....hahah not me!
5) Today while I was in the grocery store and this guy who looked like a 30 year old thug started to flirt with me, I did not brush him off and start speaking French to one of the guys who works there... Nooooo definitely not me!
6) I did not go into the bathroom at Michael's Craft store to check out how good my hair looked 10 minutes after leaving the salon.
7) I did not fall asleep while studying for the SATs. NOT ON MY LIFE WOULD I DO THAT!
8) I did not leave the garbage for one of the two males in my household to take out....noooo
9) I did not say anything under my breath about the incomprehensible gym teacher and he inability to speak in sentences that make, well ,sense.
10) I did not ignore the phone when my best friend called because I was too engrossed with listening to my iPod..and I did not forget to call her back.
11) I did not check my e-mail 20 times today. While I was studying. Also I did not go on Facebook while doing math work.
12) I did not eat two spoonfuls (as in actual regular spoon) of ice cream for dinner last night because I was too exhausted to cook anything.
13) I did not do this instead of working on my essay.... Nooooo never.

And Now I challenge you guys! What did you NOT do this week!!?

Sunday Survey

If I looke​d on the bed next to you, what would​ I find?​
A pen, my Pom tea bottle and my cup..yeah

Do you go to the bathr​oom with the door open or close​d?​
open-both at home and at work. I try to close the door at work,but A pounds on the door and wants to have a party in the bathroom

Are your under​wear and socks​ folde​d in your drawe​r or just throw​n in?
folded

Sleep​ on your back or stoma​ch?​
on my side curled up with a body pillow

Are you a cuddl​er?​
absolutely

What would​ I find if I looke​d UNDER​ your bed?
A bunch of junk and dust. It's not even funny.

Somet​hing that happe​ned today​ that made you angry​?​
​My brother and his friends being annoying.

What were you doing​ befor​e this surve​y?​
​I went grocery shopping in the rain!

What will you do after​ the surve​y?​
Make dinner maybe

Marri​age or livin​g toget​her?​
Depends who it is.

What shirt​ are you weari​ng now?
I'm wearing a sun dress

Do you sing?​
I sing in the car (alone) and to A

Do you de-​label​ your beer bottl​es?​
I de-label other bottles

Do you talk about​ your feeli​ngs or hide them?​
I usually "write" them out

Is there​ somet​hing you regre​t and wish you could​ take back?​
yeah

First​ thing​ you do when you wake up?
stumble into the bathroom​

Ever had surge​ry?​
Yeah

Last argum​ent you got into with?
​I don't remember which is probably a good thing

Do you tend to rip the paper​ off water​ bottl​es?​
Yup

What'​s one good thing​ about​ your best frien​d?​
She makes me laugh

How long does it take for you to fall aslee​p at night​?​
If I have a lot on my mind it can take forever

Curre​nt song on myspa​ce?​
I don't have a myspace but if I did than the song would probably be "Green Light" by John Legend because that's whats in my head.

When you shut off your alarm​ clock​,​ do you tend to fall back aslee​p?​
oh yeah.

If you were given​ the chanc​e to take care of a monke​y for a weeke​nd,​ would​ you?
probably not lol

What are you looki​ng forwa​rd to in the next few month​s?​
My vacations and my birthday

It's midni​ght.​
Who are you texti​ng?​
Kelly

It's Wedne​sday after​noon,​ where​ are you usual​ly?
Every other weekend I'm at therapy

Hones​tly,​ if you could​ have ANYON​E in the world​,​ who would​ it be?
hmmm well there is this one hottie that I saw in a magazine for an Armani ad..

Your Chris​tmas list consi​sts of?
I haven't even begun to think that far ahead yet.

You'​re going​ to New York for schoo​l shopp​ing,​ where​ do you go first​?​
Chinatown!!! haha ... it depends, what stores are there in NY that aren't in FL?

You need a new pair of jeans​,​ what store​ do you go to first​?​
Old Navy

How do you feel about​ your hair?​
Love it right now

What movie​ is in your DVD playe​r?​
I use my laptop as my DVD player and it has my Vocab rap cd in it..

If you could​ move away,​ no quest​ions asked​,​ where​ would​ you move?​
Chicago

What'​s the great​est thing​ that happe​ned to you today​?​
Grocery shopping...because that's the only time I got to leave my house!

What would​ you chang​e about​ your life right​ now?
That I would have my stupid essays done

What’​s the best feeli​ng in the world​?​
being loved

Pictures

I take pictures a lot. Which pretty much everyone does, but I think that at sometimes I may take it to the extreme. Like when I take pictures of A and she starts to get annoyed with the flash and then she covers her face and is all like "STOP TAKING PICTURES OF ME" and I'm all but I need to remember you and she just looks at me like, Hello idiot I'm right here. But little does she know that I am creating a book for her, so hah I win. Maybe.
Seriously though she takes the camera from me and takes her own pictures, which at times is pretty cute, but I'm sort of gripping whatever object I'm next to and praying that she doesn't break the nice camera, because I'm not in the market for a new one or whatever.
So here is what she sees when she takes pictures (which surprisingly some are pretty good)


She tells her baby to smile before she takes the picture, which is pretty cute. That her dog, Dolce and that is the foamie purse that we made a while back. Notice my lovely ribbon accent.

So that's what she sees. And these? These are just some of what I see.




(From left) 22 months old on our first "sleep over"; Riding her bike and getting good at it!; We had to stop so she could "talk" on the phone on her bike..um total girl right?; I don't know what she's doing but it was one with her eyes shut!

I wish I could post some of the adorable ones with her eyes open! She has the most beautiful big brown eyes and when she looks at you with them sometimes it's very hard to discipline her.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Is is awful that I'm in Love with my hair?

So for the past year or so I've been trying to figure out what in the world I want to do with my hair. I've had it high lighted two shades of blonds (honey blond has won), have had it cut different ways, grew my bangs out, etc. For the last couple of months, since the beginning of summer I basically just decided to let it grow and see if I was happy with it. I have incredibly THICK hair and it gets so hott, so it was pretty much up in a ponytail everyday. Not worth it. Plus I couldn't really do anything with it.
So I decided that when I was going to get it highlighted again that we would cut it and get it layered. It's cut shorter than I expected, but it's sooo soft and light!! I tried to put it up in a ponytail (out of habit) and there isn't really anything to put up, except for a few inches. I was in shock when I saw all the hair on the floor, but oh my gosh it feels so good. And it's cute and it has some sort of "style" now. Next step will probably be to learn how to straighten all of it. That and learn how to style it, because I honestly have no clue what I'm doing. I'm lucky if I can put make up on (and even that goes on rarely. certainly not at school). So without further ado, my new hair cut.

Before The one on the left is from today...

After

And voila, I feel lovely. I just realized that these pictures make it look like I'm wearing a purple eyeshadow.. I'm not, that's the redness from getting my eyes brows done!! I walk around looking like a lobster and people are always like "are you okay?" and I'm all "what are you talking about??"... I usually wear sunglasses to cover it up, but I forgot those today..along with makeup that I use when I go out...basically I forgot my head today, but I DID manage to bring my SAT vocab book with me...go figure.
So that's me. I think I may even look a little bit like an 18 year old now....amazing.

Just saying

Just saying that I spent the day studying for the stupid SAT and just saying that on my one Saturday night off in forever I'm spending it studying even though I look hott due to my fabulous new haircut. Just saying.
Also just saying that I have done 40 pages of MATH SAT. I'm just saying..........

Just saying that we need to go grocery shopping as there is no food in this house and hey, Just saying I forgot (seriously I was to preoccupied with everything else) to eat today and I Would really love some take out. Just saying.

Just saying that Michaels the craft store is amazing, but it didn't help me find anything to help home school A. Just saying that I may need to read a home schooling book, since she will listen and do things for me, but her mom has no luck. A can write words if I tell her what letter to write, her mom didn't believe it until I showed her because A won't do it for her. Just saying that it looks like I may be helping the home school process. Just saying that I am utterly lost as what to do, because I'm not a teacher. Maybe I can teach her some SAT tips.. hah what a sad joke.

Just saying that I'm really loving this sentence "just saying" because it's giving me something to do while I take a break from the math book. OHHH just saying that it took me 4 math tutors who have all tried to explain how to find ratios and I couldn't do it. I picked up a book today, randomly skimmed it and BAM! it taught me how to find ratios....um wow. At least I'm a pro at ratio's now.. I have the formula stuck in my head.

Just saying that I mailed my final step of my transcripts for USF and FIU today. They were mailed with love. as in I kissed the back of the evelope, which gives the actual meaning to "sealed with a kiss"....Lipstick was not used, because that would have just been plain strange.

Just saying that while I was sitting under the hair dryer and working in my SAT vocab book a great idea popped into my head as what to write for my new essay for admissions. The beginning may possibly start with "Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to write the perfect admissions essay." Cute?

Just saying that I may go raid my bosses refridgerator as they are out of the state and won't miss a chicken burger. Plus I'll be nice and get thier mail. Even though I think that I was supposed to do that in the first place but they forgot to tell me, which is not my fault.

Just saying that I should probably get back to studying...because I sort of have my school life riding on this test..just saying.

And the SAT stands for... Study And Try

You know you go to school in the "hood" when the local rap radio station comes to host your first pep rally of the year. In all fairness it was quite exciting, but wow I still don't think I can hear out of my left ear. Our gym is very tiny so in order to get everyone in to see it, they had to have two pep rallies. Most of my friends had already left for the day (lucky internship friends!) so by the time I got to see it, I couldn't find anyone to sit with. No worries, I sat with some newspaper girls.
This was my first real pep rally in the 4 years that I've been at this school. The last principal didn't believe in extra activities for us, and as a result our school lacks in school pride. Seriously at football games our school boo's for our team. Um sad? This year's school pride is getting better though. Every Friday we're allowed to wear our "Charger" themed shirts and I got one for the first time today. It cost a nice amount, but it's my last year there and I wanted a shirt. My best friend who goes to another school in the area has a million shirts (that she gets for extremely cheap) and they are all awesome. I told her I want one since their mascot, the gator is one that I can use when I go to University of Florida games. Not sure who the Charger is the mascot for.
In newspaper news, I've been a "busy bee" (seriously someone came up to me and called me that today) creating layouts and checking articles. These kids on the staff really need to start pulling their weight. The writers are not getting their stuff in and as a result, I really can't be expected to help them when they need to rewrite their articles. Out of 10 stories in my section,I had 4 kids turn in a story to me. This paper needs to be sent to press next week. I'm pondering how in the world this is going to meet it's deadline. I'm leaning towards it's not.
It's sort of fun being a real editor though. Last year everyone on staff was pretty experienced thanks to most of us being fast learners. That and there were about 12 of us. We each had to write 3 articles per issue and design our own pages. We were all able to write and then hand our articles to each other so we could get immediate feedback. It was such a great system. There are simply far to many kids on the staff this year. Our paper just isn't big enough to accommodate everyone's story. There really isn't anything I can do about it, but it would be comforting to know that I'm giving large portions of space to kids who can actually use correct grammar. Oh yeah, I'm a grammar freak. Which you probably can't tell.
I'm so happy it's the weekend. I'm doing a cram session this weekend for SATs which are next weekend. I definitely didn't really realize it until an hour ago when I looked at the calendar and saw that, oh hey look what next weekend is. gulp.
I'm just going to start doing practice test after test so I can get adjusted to their timing schedule again. I can do the work, I just need to time myself. That and I'll listen to my Rap Vocab. And I'll do more math. And I'll pray.
Looks like my essay will be pushed back once again. Deadlines are creeping up, so I'm trying very hard not to lose focus. Tomorrow I send out my tax returns and prepaid card to the two colleges that have my application. One more thing I can check off the list (and I take great joy in doing it too!).
Have a great weekend!

Up and Down and round and round... that is my life

I think life is getting a little less hectic.
I'm learning to take things one minute at a time and as a result, things aren't so bad or overwhelming.
Making lists has been helping me too.
Last night I spent a long time writing and interviewing for my article for newspaper. Today as my teacher and I went over what would go on what pages, we realized that there were too many stories in my section and as a result we had to cut a story. I cut mine so that I would have more time to design and less to worry about. God works in mysterious ways.
Next issue I'll be able to put my story in.
Also I'm just found out that I'm going to be going to St. Louis, Missouri for a newspaper conference in early November. I've only been to the Midwest to go to Chicago, twice and I've absolutely loved it. I'll be going back to Chicago a week after my birthday for a few days because my dad has a conference. YAY!
I'm so excited to go to St. Louis. I looked at the information booklet about the course and the speakers and programs available seem so so awesome. I just hope I can take the ones I want!
I got confirmation today that both colleges have received my application. Next step for them will be to send in a copy of the tax return and my Florida Pre paid college card. I'm trying to get those ready to send for tomorrow. I have to get a few recommendations and than those will be all set.
Senior year is by far getting more and more expensive. Seriously I don't know how people are affording this. I just found out today that because last year I took two Advance Placement courses and passed English literature and composition that I have to send my score report to the colleges. All five of them. At $15 each. Times 2 because I'm sending my score report from the AP US history too.
I could have sent them for free to 4 colleges last year, but because I was concerned that I might not pass, I declined too. If I had known it was $15 per report I would have sent them regardless!!! The only good thing out of this is that it means I don't have to take English 101 and it will give me a boost on the admissions process (so they say..).
So that's life for right now. A and family went to New Jersey today until Sunday so I'm off work. I have to watch the dog though and hopefully it won't be like last time!!
Tomorrow is our school's first pep rally in my 4 years of being there. Thanks to the new principal, we now are allowed more "freedom" and that includes pep rallies. They're having the DJ's from a local rap (fittingly since my school is in the 'hood) come to DJ the event and there doing something called "Your school's idol", so I'm guessing some kids will get a chance to sing. Should be interesting and a perfect way to end a Friday. It's also Freshman Friday so I need to get my Sharpie ready!!
Happy Friday everyone!

And Boom

Exciting news. 2 applications have been sent, which means I have 3 to go. YAY! The two I sent tonight are for my "safety" schools. Seriously easiest applications ever. Neither of them required an essay (which is why I sent them) and all I had to do was pay two $30 payments. One payment went through without problem. The other college, not so easy. Not only could I not find a link to pay this $30, they didn't send me an e-mail or conformation saying that they've recieved my application...uh thanks? A little reassurance that they at least got the stupid things would be nice.
I went into guidance today and as of today, ALL of my transcripts went through just fine and all 5 colleges received them. I sort of have to take a deep breath and laugh at how backwards I'm doing this.
I planned on sending in my UCF and UF applications first, before even attempting any others. Somehow, I've reversed my entire procedure and have sent transcripts (which usually come after the application) SAT/ACT scores, recommendations first and haven't even sent in the actual application! So they have all this stuff about me, they just don't know who the heck I am.
If school 1 that I sent everything to tonight, will contact me back and let me know where to pay, I should be notified by December 31st on whether or not I have been accepted. Wow. I am crossing my fingers for this one though because it's the safety school I'll actually be okay with going too. The other one, not so much. It's in Miami and I don't even speak spanish which would probably be a problem.
Next step for those two will be sending in copies of tax returns and my florida prepaid card and then comes the waiting. Which I won't even have time for....

School is getting more crazy by the day. I swear teachers have absolutly no idea that seniors may be busy with applications or anything. I think the biggest stresser of the day was newspaper. I loved the class last year and I love journalism, don't get me wrong. I'm very limited to what I'm allowed to write for the school though and I'm starting to wonder if staying on this year is worth it. I could easily drop the class and go get a job as a teen writer at a few county wide papers. Last year as news editor my job was very minimal. I didn't have to check a ton of work because I could trust that my writers knew how to write and I could keep an eye on those that I thought would have some trouble. They also designed their own pages.
This year is completely different. Not only is the staff of writers SO much bigger (it tripled in size), I have no idea who can write and who can't. We changed the layout (Design) of the paper and it's now different from what I'm used to. Our first deadline is Thursday. As in a day after tommorow and I'm fucked. I have a story that I need to write myself which includes research and interviews. In addition to that I have to design and assign stories to 4 pages, which doesn't sound bad, but it takes so much work. I have to do them from scratch and where it was supposed to originally be 2 pages, I now have 4 because some dumb ass bitch who needs to learn responsibility girl decides to dump hers on me. Excuse me but what the hell?!
Once Thursday comes around, I have to review and edit 10 stories and have them ready by Monday. Oh hell. This is in addition to my regular school work. I don't understand how exactly this happened because I did NOT sign up for the largest section thank you very much. News however is the largest section and my butt is getting kicked big time. And everything falls apart if someone screws up and doesn't give me their article etc. They better all have at least 550 words, that's all I'm saying.
As much as I'll miss her, I'm so glad I don't have to work this weekend since they'll be in New Jersey. I'm getting my haircut on Saturday and other than that I probably won't be able to leave the house. Oh and I have a music video project that I'm supposed to be making and turning in soon. And I have to read an extremely boring novel. And I have Statistics homework. And I have to rewrite some essays. And, OH YEAH I HAVE TO STUDY FOR THE SATs. What the hell have I gotten myself into?!
I had my first math tutoring session with my new tutor today. I hired her after I worked for her by babysitting her baby daughter a few times. My brain needed the time off, but my entire brain was definitly not into it today. I learned some things yes, (as in I have to go over triangle rules again), but I'm so mentally exhausted it should be interesting to see how I do on this test. I'm preparred for the other two sections, but I'm scared. This is my last shot that the colleges will get to see and I'll be shooting myself in the foot if I fuck up. A ton of pressure has just been added to my life.
Anyone want to be a copy editor for the weekend? Let me know, I'll hand my newspaper duties off to you!!! Just let me study in peace... there are some words I never thought I would be saying...
I know in my heart I have to trust God that this will all work out and make me stronger in different ways, but it's so hard right now because I'm so stubborn. It's got to be worth it in the end though. I can't believe it's only Tuesday.. it feels like Friday!!
So thats my life. And oh my what a life it is. Never a dull moment. ever.
xo

A year in review

One thing that I do sometimes when I have to research a topic is by looking at differnt blogs of that topic. The topic I was looking at tonight is very close to my heart and private so I won't share it, but it's definitly put things into perspective for me.
The blog I was looking at was started in 2005 when they were first starting their adventure. I've seen pictures and today they are still going strong. I was browsing back at some first posts, than I hit the year mark. And then it clicked. The days that I'm going through right now may seem like forever. Tomorrow may seem like a million years, but in truth it's not that long.
Things that I'm stressed about now will be over in a few months, let alone a year. This time next year I'll be living in a new place, I'll have new friends, a new job, a new bed....it's crazy.
This time last year I had different friends, different clothes, a much younger "baby" that I was taking care of. And I survived it all and came out just fine.
I was trying to think back to what exactly I was doing a year ago today and thanks to my calendar I've managed to piece some of the things together.
I was working a year ago today. I worked today too. A was 2 last year with an adorable smile and a knack for really starting to learn her ABC's and numbers. Today A is 3 and not only can she write her ABC's, I've taught her to count to 10 in French.
Last year this time, I had never been to Canada. Today I have gotten to experience that and am planning on going back.
Last year this time, I was sixteen years old. I was in driving school (ahh the horrors!) and just starting out on the newspaper. I hadn't even written anything yet.
This year I can drive a car very well. I have my license and I'm not in driving school (thankfully!). I'm now a News Editor for the paper and I've won an award. wow.
Last year college was only talk.
This year it's all about filling out forms and mailing transcripts. Today colleges know my grades and have gotten recommendations about me.
This time last year I had to share a computer with my brother and we had DIAL UP connection (omg how did I live?!). I was off the computer by 10 because my dad needed to use the connection. I read magazines before I went to bed.
Today I have my own laptop (thanks dad!) and we have a wireless connection through out the house. No more yelling at each other to get off! I miss reading my magazines before bed, but today I read blogs and the news before I turn off the light. I read the magazines during school :)
This time last year I didn't know one of my very best friends.
Today she's in Arkansas enjoying college.
This time last year I didn't know how I was going to pass Integrated Math 3. I was struggling to get a C.
Today I've graduated from that course with a B (THANK YOU MS WALKER!) and am now struggling (sort of) in Honors Statistics...shoot me.
This time last year I had a crap cell phone that cut off my calls when the battery overheated.
Today I have a lovely phone that doesn't do that and plays obnoxious ring tones when people I love call me. Just to make me laugh.
I don't know what the future holds, hopefully wonderful amazing things. I do know that I can take joy in looking back and seeing things that I've accomplished and how I've grown in most things that I've done and continue to do.
Maybe next year at this time I can look back and compare to how I didn't have a boyfriend now, but hey in college I do....... I can always hope right?

Happy Monday

Sometimes I think I have the best job in the world. Actually I think that a lot more than just sometimes. Anyways, today I went with A and her momma to the craft store to try and help mom pick out a fabric for a friends baby shower blanket. We're standing in the aisle when A starts to tug at my hand, so I walk with her. We get to the aisle of costumes and she comes across a whole bunch of different masks that just happened to be Hillary Clinton, Obama, McCain and some other guy. A was fascinated by the Hillary Clinton one. I asked her if she knew who it was and then I told her it was Hillary Clinton (who she still has no idea who she is..). She promptly puts on the mask and goes, "HEY EVERYONE I'M HILLARY CLINTON!" I have the funniest pictures on my phone...too bad they aren't loading!!
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Later after we got home, I took A to my house because I wanted to change and I didn't really feel like going out again so I just let her chill and play with toys here. I kept an old baby stroller for her so she has a ball with that. Her new favorite toys are Barbies, disney princess dolls, etc. Basically anything action figure like. I had a whole bunch of Disney movie themed ones when I was little and for some reason I kept them and still have them to this day in the waaaaay back of my closet. I got them out for her and while I was at it, I found a little Snow Whites house. I'm taking pictures of her as she's playing, but I'm not really paying attention to what she's doing. All of a sudden, I hear this extremely creepy, old witch sounding voice go "OPEN THE DOOR, KNOCK KNOCK." and I look up to see A holding the Evil queen figure in her hand "knocking" on the door. Seriously it was the funniest noise I have ever heard. I made her do it again and again and then I got the idea for her to say "Happy Halloween" in the voice and it's hysterical. I also may have called and woken up my friend just so she could here A say things in "the voice". Definitly what I needed for a good laugh.
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I had the school send in my official transcripts to all of the colleges today. I told the woman to send them with love and a prayer. Hopefully she did. Now I just have to work up enough courage to A) either write another really great essay or b) go with the ones that I have and PUSH THE DARN SEND BUTTON.
I start math SAT tutoring again tommorow. Stupid test is on October 4th and I will be the happiest person alive when it's over. Off to go do another practice test and then pray that I'm awake enough to do actual homework. Like creating a stupid music video for one of my elective classes. The joys of being in school....

Life is sucking

This is mindless rambling that I had to get off my chest, reading it is not necessary. I'm pretty sure it doesn't even make sense. If I feel up to it, I'll tell more in detail later. Pray for me.

I already know it, but it's the phrase that keeps rolling around in my head. Life isn't fair. Obviously things happen for reasons, I'm a big believer in that as I've seen things in my life happen for different reasons, but I hate the beginning when things don't go as planned and life sucks. I'm so sick of bashing my head against this invisible wall, of walking around in circles and getting nowhere. I sick of the crying and the puffy eyes that make me look like a drunken raccoon, I hate the uncertainty and the constant thoughts of "Well maybe this is the one." I hate thinking that they will be judging me and that if they don't like it, I can be thrown into the the rejection pile. I want this whole process to be over with now.
I want people to fucking answer my questions when I ask them and to give good responses, especially if I'm paying you. I want people to stop saying, "It's not likely, but maybe you'll have a small chance," I want you to LIE to me, tell me yes and actually believe it. Then again I want you to stop lying to me so that it doesn't hurt so damn much when someone finally tells me the truth. I want my life back. I want it to stop falling apart, I can't do it all - I'm not superwoman. I can't do everything for everyone else. How about people start doing some things for me.
If I start crying don't tell me to shut up, just let me cry and comfort me you jerk. How dare you talk to me like that when you have no clue what I'm going through. You don't know the pressure that I'm under.
I want teachers to take into consideration that I have a life that doesn't involve your class. That maybe I'm trying to juggle a job, fucking college applications, other classes, a social life, etc. and that maybe I don't have time to do a ridiculous project for a class I'm not even receiving credit in, don't tell me to go above and beyond when I'm barely crawling by.
To a "colleague " in my newspaper class, stop dumping jobs on me. You want my job? FINE TAKE IT, I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE. Have it and do my writing for me while you're at it. Go a step forward and take my SATs for me.
I'm so exhausted emotionally and mentally. My life is falling apart on the inside and I want it back. This was supposed to be the weekend, the day that I sent my college applications. Instead no, once again someone had to criticize the essay and tell me that it's not good enough. When I panic and breakdown and start to cry to the point of making myself vomit maybe don't tell me to shut up and start yelling at me and don't tell me what I could have done 3 years ago. I'm trying to do my best. Don't you dare accuse me of not doing anything - I'm going above and fucking beyond. You show me someone else who is doing half the shit that I am and I'll make them my new best friend. Maybe they'll understand.
Am I angry? yes. Am I disappointed? yes. Do I want to cry and stay in bed and go sleep with an admissions officer just so I can get into their college? Yes, yes, and I'm about to that point.
I realize that none of this is in any shape or form healthy, and I realize I probably sound insane. What you're reading is months worth of pressure that is building up over time and I can't get rid of it, regardless of talking to a therapist, friends, etc. The only thing left is writing so that's what I did. I'm also hormonal right now, so that makes everything I'm feeling come down twice as much.
I'm hoping that sleep can cure things. It lets me forget temporarily and thats a miracle in itself.

Senior Pictures

I've finally uploaded my senior pictures to my computer so that all of you can see how lovely the three came out. Yes, I was somewhat happy with 3 out of 40...go figure. I think I might like the white one the best, they're very different in person because of the lighting, but hey you can still see. I showed them to A and asked her what I looked like.
She though about it for a minute and then goes, "Princess, Princess, CHICKEN!". I'm not asking for her opinion anymore! (Even though I thought it was secretly cute).



The one in the middle will be the one which goes in the yearbook.

So now that you've seen the pictures, go watch the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards on ABC. My favorites, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are presenting an award for Best supporting actor in a comedy series right now. My picks for tonight are Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order:SVU)!!

Sunday Survey

src='http://extimg.quizopolis.com/images/results/usersurvey.jpg'
alt='60 Questions People Dont Ask Survey - Fun Myspace Survey'>


60 Questions People Dont Ask Survey


When's the last time you ran? - good question

Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them? - No, I prefer that they didn\'t

What are you dreading right now? - school. SATs. Homework

Do you celebrate 420? - what? obviously not

Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night? - I wish

If anyone came to your house on your "lazy days" what would ya'll do? - today is a lazy day and I\'m really not doing anything

Who last grabbed your ass? - you don\'t need to know

Have you ever been on your school's track team? - nope. I detest running

Do you own a pair of Converse? - no

Did you copy and paste this survey? - no

Do you eat raw cookie dough? - yes

Have you ever kicked a vending machine? - maybe once or twice, but it was for water!!

Don't you hate it when the radio ruins good songs by playing them over and over? - absolutly

Do you watch Trading Spaces? - no

How do you eat oreos? - Cream first, than the cookie

Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone? - no

Are you cocky? - sometimes

Could you live without a computer? - no

Do you wear your shoes in the house? - no I like my feet barefoot

Who or what sleeps with you? - my pillows

At what age did you find out that Santa wasn't real? - 9

How many phones, house phones and cell phones are in your house? - 3 working cell phones, 4 house phones

What do you do when you're sad? - watch movies, read, journal

Who would you call first if you won the lottery? - my dad

Last time you saw your best friend? - a few weeks ago

Are you in high school? - yes

What jewelry are you wearing? - my earrings that I never take off

Is anyone on your bad side now? - not really

What's the first thing you do when you get online? - check my email

Do you watch Grey's Anatomy? - no

How do most people spell your name? - Kelsey

Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes? - to sleep in sure

Where do you work? - at a house

What are you doing tomorrow? - school and then work

Is Justin Timberlake becoming the next Michael Jackson? - no

Favorite name for a girl? - Isabella and Ava Kelly

Favorite name for a boy? - Lucas

Will you keep your last name when you get married? - nope

When was the last time you left your house? - an hour ago

Do you return your cart? - no

Do you have a dishwasher? - yes

What noise do you hear? - my air conditioning

Would you survive in prison? - probably not

Who is the youngest in your family? - my brother

If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would most likey overpack? - ME

Do you know anyone with the same name as you? - A few people

What's the last thing you purchased? - Eyeliner, mascara and a shipping box

Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you? - hahaha no

What brand are your pants right now? - Victoria\'s Secret

Ever been to Georgia (the state)? - I\'ve driven through it

What irritates you most on the internet? - pop ups

What brand is your digital camera? - Cannon

Do you watch movies with your parents? - yes

What song best describes your life right now? - I have no idea

Do you own expensive perfume/cologne? - yeah

Are you taking college classes right now? - two

Do you like sushi? - love it

Do you get your hair cut every month? - no

Do you go online everyday? - yes..

Will you pass this survey on to 5 people? - sure if they want to




Take This 60 Questions People Dont Ask Survey and other href=http://www.quizopolis.com/>Myspace Surveys at Quizopolis.com

I've got a Crush on Mr. Cook

I'm pretty sure I've got a major crush on Dane Cook.
I just got back from seeing "My Best Friend's Girl" with my friend Danielle and it's pretty safe to say that I would fight a bitch do anything to go on a date with this guy, or at least his character.
The movie has Kate Hudson in it and some guy named Jason (if I was a responsible journalist I would go look up his name, but it's my off night). Movie is oh so cute, although a little sexual oriented and some crude jokes, but the perfect one to go see with your girlfriends.
When Kate Hudson started singing to one very crude song and screams, "I almost lost my virginity to this song!" I seriously almost choked on air from laughing so hard.
I needed a good laugh and I got it. This movie delivered and I found myself wanting this perfect bad boy/lovable/soft- true-romantic guy.
So go see it, but just remember, I'm next in line for a date with Dane Cook okay?

Move over Santa, it's Barbie's holiday now

Today as I sat on the floor and cut out a ton of Disney Princess paper dolls for A, we started to talk about Halloween. I tried to explain to her what it was, but it didn't work out too well. I think she got the gist of it though. I'm all, "remember last year?! You were a butterfly and your friend Mia was a dog?! and we went to a party! And we took lots of pictures..remember?" And she's all, NO just cut out my dolls, PLEASE.

Anyways. I kept talking about it and by the 10 minute mark, I think she got it, sort of. "Someday when I grow up, I want to be Ariel." she said.
"A,YOU CAN BE ARIEL NOW! FOR HALLOWEEN! YAY!"
And then she shocked me. "No, I think I'm going to be a horse." whoa, wait, what!? Where did that come from. She doesn't even LIKE HORSES (well, that I was aware of at least). So not wanting to discourage her, I tried again (because seriously, what's cuter than a little munchkin dressed up like a tiny Disney princess? She puts on the Cinderella dress to dance, and my uterus cries). "Well, a horse is nice, but are you sure you want to be a horse? What about Dora or Goldilocks or hey, I don't know, a DISNEY PRINCESS?"
Then she starts to get excited and I see an idea pop into her little head.

"I CAN BE BARBIE FOR CHRISTMAS! AND THE BOY CAN BE A HORSE AND I CAN RIDE HIM! AND MY FRIENDS CAN BE DORA AND BARBIES' KIDS AND THE KIDS CAN BE ARIEL AND JASMINE AND CINDERELLA!"

I think that about says it all right there. She still doesn't "get" Halloween, but hey dressing up as Barbie for Christmas sounds like a perfectly good idea for her...whatever makes her happy. Just don't tell mommy that I had anything to do with it.

One more college update

One of the awesome things about being in high school is that you get to miss class for various reasons, for example college visits. In my school you get an excused absence if you go visit a college on a school day. This is awful, but once two years ago I took a trip to Chicago and wrote it off as a college visit because I went into the University of Chicago's bookstore and bought a hoodie. Anyways, now I really do get to go visit colleges, but sometimes when student's can't get to them, they come to us.
Today University of Florida representatives visited the school and I feel so much more confident about the whole process. You see, this school is by far extremely hard and competitive to get in to. Most of the kids who go there have a 4.10 average and their SAT scores are thru the roof. Me? I have about a 3.7 once they recalculate my GPA and my ACT and SAT scores, uhhh well those are private.
I had already heard most of the information that they gave out today at a seminar I went to earlier this summer at the school, but than I came home and did applications like no tomorrow and I sort of forgot what they had said. It's so much better to get information the second time around (well, in some cases).
I talked to a guy about my essay and told him what my topic was about. He said that just from what I was telling him right there that it was an essay he would want to read and then get to know more about me from. YAY!
I talked to him more about my grades, etc and he calmed my fears. I don't know this guy's name, but right now he calmed all my fears and has allowed me to have a clear head once more.
This weekend is it. As long as everything goes as planned, I am going to hit the send button on the application. Not to one school, but to two or POSSIBLY three. I think I'm ready.
I'm so excited to sort of get my life back! From this weekend, I have two weeks of studying time left until the SATs and I feel ready for those too. I don't know where this self confidence is coming from, (the well wishing of fellow blog friends?) but it's working. I picked up the phone yesterday and called another woman to review some last minute math stuff with me. I'll take a few more reading tests myself and then I'm pretty sure I'm ready. And then October will be here and I'll be busy with homecoming, my birthday and a lovely trip to Chicago. Not to mention some financial aid forms, but hey those can come a little bit later. It's time for me to have some fun in my life!

I love Foamies, but we need a change.

One of the things I like to do most with A is crafts. This is not to be confused with my lack of creativity, because trust me, I have about zero original ideas. I often take her to craft stores and we end up coming home with "foamies", which if you don't know, are the BEST things someone could make for a pre-schooler. They are these shapes made of foam and then you glue things onto them. All you need is glue, the kits ($1.99-2.99) come with everything else!
The other day I found a foamie purse at my new favorite store, Dollar Tree. The purse (Which I have pictures of, they're just currently on my camera.) looked like a mini Hermes Kelly bag one of which is my favorite design ever. Anyways, I bought some Dora and Disney Princess stickers and let her have at it. On both sides of the purse we glued a button where the velcro was, so it looked like a clasp. Than on the side that didn't have stickers on it, we used Foamie alphabet stickers to spell out her name. For a final touch, I took a red and white striped ribbon and tied it onto the handles. The project took all of 15 minutes and it was a great thing to do while she wound down for bed.

We end up doing a lot of crafts because 1) they keep her quiet and 2) they keep her busy. Her mom works from home some days and the clients come to the house. The house isn't very large so they can hear everything that A shouts and it gets old having to remind her to be quiet, plus it's not fun for her. We go outside a lot, but it get's pretty hot fast and A wants to go inside and be in the air. Some days I would love to plop her down in front of a movie, but she's not allowed to watch TV. Except for 30 min a day and somehow when I get there, she's always seemed to have used up her time. So that leaves us to our crafts.

But now, we are getting sick of our dear foamie friends. So far she's done animals, halloween themed ones, gingerbread, ect. Time for a change. So I need some help in the crafty kids department. I introduced her to fingerpainting when she was 21 months old, so that's old by now. We've done the popsicle stick men, and I'm out of ideas. I plan on looking on some websites (oh yeah, we made a really cool butterfly too!), but I'm curious, what are some of your fave kids projects? There has to be more out there than foamies!!

I love it when good stuff happens

I may be sick, but I won an iPhone!!! Thanks to the awesome people over at Parent's Bloggers Network I got selected to recieve an iPhone for my post on teaching kids about money. I'm amazed. I never win things, I guess luck is on my side. So thanks PBN!
It's a great website for parents, and for people who love the kids in their lives. Also? They have great giveaways all the time. So check it out. You never know what you might learn!

Thankful

I just wanted to say how thankful I am for such a wonderful nanny family. It's so nice to have people bring you chicken soup when you're sick. I probably shouldn't have, but I ate it in bed and it was soo good. My appetite's back so that's good. I'll probably end up going to school tomorrow, yuck.
In a way, it's good. Staying in bed today has allowed my mind to wander and worry way to much about those stupid essays. I keep having second thought about my topic, being a nanny, even though I should really trust my gut instinct and probably go with that topic. There is probably a really good reason that the topic was the first thing to pop up in my head, and the first thing that I felt good about writing.
It shows experience with people, responsibility and growth on my part. The prompts for both colleges ask how a life experience will help you in college, well I think that through my essays the reader can see how I've grown in the past years and how I can continue to grow in college thanks to my new found experiences. But than I have my doubts.
What if they can't see that? What if they just think I want to be a professional nanny? WHAT WILL THEY THINK?!
And this is why I should not be allowed to stay at home with nothing to do, I drive myself crazy.
For people who read my essays do you think that it's obvious what I'll bring to the college community? Or should I redo my topic altogether?

Welcome Fall flu

In the 18 years that I've been alive, I've only gotten the flu once. I was 8 and it was over Christmas break.
Today has become the second time in my life that I have mysteriously gotten the flu. Oh my gosh do I feel like crap, I would be sleeping, but I just woke myself up because I was uh, preoccupied sticking my head in a toilet. Fun, real fun. I woke up this morning feeling like my body was going to fall apart, my entire body ached, even my kneecaps. I could tell that something was up when I started to fall asleep during lunch.
I had to work today because boss mom had a massage appointment for herself. We had to go with her since it was right after school and I ended up taking A to the craft store. On the way there I almost passed out, my back hurt so bad. I told boss mom that I wasn't feeling well, but she insisted that it was my blood sugar - uhh no.
I got home and fell asleep, woke up at 10:30 and had a 100.4 temp, drank some Gatorade and then took a bath, which I fell asleep in. Than I woke up, got into bed and was up half an hour later to see my meal from the previous night visit the bathroom.
So now I'm staying home tomorrow and have to miss the funeral for my neighbor, which really sucks. I really want to be there, but I don't want to get anyone sick and I don't feel like getting sick in front of people...
So to all you out there, learn from my mistakes. Go get the flu shot, or take some extra vitamin C every day because you do not want this. Unless of course you enjoy being sick, because in that case come on over and pamper me with ice packs and back rubs. I'll get you sick in return.

The story of my food life

I'm about to admit something that I probably should have long ago. I don't eat hardly enough as I should, therefore my body hangs on to food for long periods of time causing it to be bloated and gain weight- fast. Before my mom left, she had some body image issues with herself that she passed on to me. She was bulimic. At meals, she would give me the tiniest amounts of food and point out overweight woman at the store and call them "blimps" while telling me not to become one. Nice. real nice.
When she left the first time around, I experienced food the for what felt like the first time. Everything wasn't fat free and oh my,it had taste! Why, even the non fat free, real thing ice cream tasted DELICIOUS. I experienced all types of food for the first time and because of being terrified that I wouldn't get to eat it again, I would eat until I made myself sick. Then she came home after 3 months and put me on a diet. A full blown diet that even her mother would agree with (but, hey they were both crazy). I was 8 and had a healthy body, but when she restriced me, I ended up starving and sneaking food constantly. For lunch she would pack me a fat free yogurt and some cucumbers. Some days it would be a small salad, but that was the gist of it.
When she left for good when I was in third grade,there was no one at home to pack my lunches anymore. Therefore I was introduced to cafeteria food and it seemed SO GOOD. The servings were actually bigger than my hand, and it was hot (for those of you who don't know me, I absolutely despise eating cold food. Except for maybe ice cream, everything else? room temp please) and filling!
My eating habits at home slowly got worse and worse as we would go out to dinner or eat fast food almost every night. If I could reverse time, I would appear as a ghost and teach my father how to cook.
As I got older, mostly when I reached high school, I stopped eating, period. I lived on water. And my body felt so weak and terrible that I could only hold myself up at school. When I got to work, the baby was asleep so I would sleep too. Thankfully my boss noticed that something was off. It was awful and I vowed to never do that to myself again. No matter what I tried, I didn't lose weight. Today, I eat and feel so much healthier.
I eat a diet of mainly organic foods that are healthy and taste delicious. For the first time in years, I am eating carrots without having them forced down my throat. I am currently addicted to hummus and I drink more water than a fish.
The only problem is, that in order to lose weight I can't skip out on meals - something I'm still guilty of. I really hate cold foods and cafeteria food is probably the most unhealthy thing in the world besides fast food, so I end up not eating lunch. That's not to say I'm not hungry - my body is practically begging me to feed it and on times when it does that I'll have the occasional pizza and then I get sick. Not something I want to keep doing.
So, now what does any of this have to do with anything at all?
I need meal suggestions. For lunch. That are not cold.
In the morning for breakfast I eat an organic nonfat Greek yogurt. For mid AM snack I have non salted peanuts and some Kashi thing. For lunch I am pretty much open to anything. I love pasta and I substitute regular pasta for organic gluten/wheat free pasta which is so much healthier for you. That, I will eat lukewarm or in this case, room temp. Sushi seems like a great option, but I don't want to get sick from it not being kept cold (Seriously, I warm it up in the microwave at home, and at restaurants it's usually warm). Salads are also delicious, but I won't eat chicken cold. I need some kind of protein in there and I'm not too fond of cheese unless its somewhat heated....can you say EXTREMELY PICKY EATER?! Another thing I won't eat - lunch meat. Never have, never will.
So now I'm lost. I love nut butters, but I try and stay away from bread. At this point, protien powder and water is sounding pretty darn good, but I'm trying to stick with the actual eating part.
So for all you crafty ladies out there, what do you suggest? I know some of you must have a talent for making lunches!

Little Fish

With the summer closely ending (in some parts of the world at least), I thought it was only fitting to tell about my recent adventure in the pool with A.
Last summer when she was 2, I convinced Mom and Dad to get her some swim lessons. A is at the beach almost every weekend,they have a pool in their backyard, and I could swim when I was 2 so I figured she should learn sometime soon too. They found a guy to come to their house and teach A and two of her other friends some lessons, but A would scream and cry everytime she went into the water. I swam with her a few times and she would hold on to me for dear life, but she was getting used to the water and that was fine.
This summer was completely different! A is such the little fish now! Mom found a great swim instructor who played games in the water with A, and she loved it! A can now swim all over the place, push her head up for air (without me screaming, BREATHE!!) and jump into the pool in the deep end. I'm so proud of her.
We went swimming Friday afternoon for an hour and a half until it started to rain. She was swimming all over the place and only held on to me once when she swallowed too much water and had quite the coughing fit, but it was all good. I was possibly stupid enough daring enough to bring my camera into the pool with us and I got some of the cutest shots. Most of them are for the book I'm making her, but I'll share some here too!

Swimming with the noodle



We found a crab near my foot!

Why smashing the pig is not an option

In an attempt to win an iPhone (can you say desperate?) I'm participating in a blogging contest who's subject is ways to teach kids about money. Let's just see how much damage teaching I can do!

Kids today have everything and more. Whether it be a TV in their bedroom or their very own iPod, it comes as normalcy to them. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've walked into a babysitting job and the kid has shown me their room only to be impressed that 1) it's far more technological advanced than mine and that 2) the 4 year old has a TV in their room. To watch Barney.
I live in a predominantly wealthy neighborhood so many of these kids have no concept of where money comes from, let alone saving it. That brand new speaker system you've been saving up for? Yeah these kids just have to say "mommmy can I..." and I can guarantee you that they've got it.

When I was younger, my parents decided to raise me unspoiled as hell like a smart kid, so therefore I learned to save. It started out as a simple allowance of maybe a dollar a week. Into the piggy bank it went. In fact, to get me excited about saving my dad got out his piggy bank from childhood and gave it to me. I still have it and I'll have you know that it is still full of loose change.

I've already started to teach A about saving money, even considering a lesson on financial education (you can never start too early!), the only thing is, she might not get it. Maybe she should learn the values of the pennies I keep giving her first. The one thing she knows for sure though is that after awhile those pennies and nickels will accumulate and eventually be able to buy something.
One way that I try to teach her the importance of money and saving it is through everyday activities. We have monthly mall trips (where she see's me whip out my debit card much too often) and I try to express the importance of saving. We go into one of her favorite stores, Pottery Barn Kids, to try out the toys. "Ooooh look at this! Can I get it?" her little voice asks. Although I'm tempted to buy her the whole dang store, not only would that put me into substantial amounts of debt, but it would teach her nothing about life. Or at least the life that involves money.

So let's say she wants the adorable little felt birthday cake. "see this, it's called a price tag, it tell's you how much it is. What does it say?" She tells me the price, we'll say $10.00. "It's $10.00, do you have $10.00 with you?" I ask her. Nope, mommy only gave you $5.00. 5 is half of 10. That means that you need 5 more dollars to get the cake. I can pay for it now and when we get home, you'll have to give me the money from your piggy bank or you can wait to buy this until it goes on sale later. The girl is smart, she doesn't want to give up her precious pennies so she passes. Now I only hope that she'll be that smart when it comes to things like purses and shoes. Maybe I should take a financial course myself!

Internet, I need your help

Today was a better day.
I woke up and eyes were puffy along with a killer headache, but I made it through the day.
I even laughed.
I got my progress report in school, I can't believe I've been back a month already. All A's and one B. I don't think they have the right girl, there is no way this could be mine. I checked it again and yup, that's my name on it. Some sort of miracle accomplished, too bad it probably won't stay that way.
Cried once in school today, but not about my loss. It was about that stupid, pathetic, please insert insulting word here, college application essay. I have narrowed it down to two of them. I was feeling pretty confident with one and didn't think it was all that different from the other. Wrong.
I'm slowly coming to find that everyone has opinions and no one's opinion is going to match mine exactly. "You should do this", they say or one has the nerve to tell me that my topic isn't even application essay material. It's my life, I think it's good.
"It's dramatic," one friend said. Well yeah, sorry but I did have some drama in my life. You have one of your parents walk out on your in favor of drugs and alcohol and then you come talk to me and tell me how it's over dramatic, ok?
"You should use a different topic," said a favorite teacher. "Talk about your accomplishments." uh did you not read my essay? It's all implied in there that I have accomplished and come a far way from who I used to be. She made me use her class period to write another. I'm not happy with it and quite frankly, once again it's not me. My gut instinct is to go with the one that I wrote. By myself. That I haven't let anyone touch. It's purely me.
I printed out a copy of number 1 and number 2 and took them to school. I forced asked people to read them (it's amazing how much teens despise reading, it's 500 words people, it won't kill you. promise.) and the majority like Number 2.
The one I wrote, with no editing changes at all, except for maybe a few help with some comma's here and there.
I can't keep dwelling on this, it will has drove me crazy. At this point I want to take a very sharp knife and stick it through my head, but what will that solve? Nothing. And then I won't even get the chance to go to college. Plus I hate pain.
Now I have a favor to ask of you, dear internet. For security and privacy purposes I will not nor cannot publish my essay on here. If someone were to copy it and hand it in as their own, I would be beyond screwed. That said, I am handing out my e-mail address. I need a few people to read Essay number 1 and Essay number 2 and tell me feedback. To those of you who already have, thank you so much, I took your opinions to heart and have added you to my tally sheet of "yes/no's" (yeah, I'm that desperate).
My e-mail address is Cityshopper1023@yahoo.com
If you're interested in reading please e-mail me and have the subject line read "essay". Than please tell me your name and location (ie, your state) and include anything else about yourself.
After reading, please send back your response telling me which one you liked better and why. Please keep in mind this is for the college application process, I need you to look at it from an admission's point of view.
For those of you who did/do this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If you don't want to read it, but still want to help please do me the favor of perhaps praying for me that I have the wisdom and skill to chose the right one to send and that the admissions staff is impressed by it. Mainly that I get into 1 of the 3 colleges I'm rooting for. University of Florida, University of Central Florida and University of South Florida.
I know this topic is so repetitive on here, but it's because it's an important part of my life. When I set out to create this blog, I started with the goal in mind to write down everything important or things that I felt during my senior year. Too often I hear of people who wish they had some sort of recollection, but don't. At the end of the year I'm going to turn this blog into a book for myself and start a new blog about my college experience. This is only a chapter in my life, but it's a very stressful one! The good news (which I'm still waiting to get) is that this is only temporary and by November 1st, hopefully even October 1st, I'll have these applications gone and waiting for a response. What a sweet day that will be.

Live for today

I forgot to mention something else about September 11. 6 years ago today, my grandfather died of a heart attack. I just now learned the news that my dear old neighbor across the street who was like a grandfather has died this evening of a heart attack. I hate this day.
Steve (my neighbor) has known me since I was born. I spent many days in his house talking with him and his wife, Suzie. I took my first steps on their driveway. He fed me my first piece of cake at my first birthday, Their daughter Laura was my first babysitter (she was 17), I was the flower girl in Laura's wedding when I was 4. I played with their grandchildren once Laura had kids, a boy and a girl.
Many Halloween after I stopped trick or treating where spent sitting with Steve and Suzie in their driveway, talking about everything under the sun. He told me about football, the news, the Buckeyes. He was a great grandfather, his eyes would light up when he saw his grand kids. He was an avid Buckeyes fan, teaching me their theme song. They were their after my mom left, made sure that I got to school. Always managed to be up for a chat.
The last time I saw him was 2 weeks ago. We talked about college applications, he told me about University of Florida, how it used to be back in his day. We joked about my driving, telling me that my dad talked to him about buying me a car soon. I told him he would be invited to my graduation party.
I knew he was sick, but I didn't think he would go so soon, so suddenly. It's the same feeling I had 6 years ago today. The one of loss and disbelief. The mourning of someone I didn't realize how much I loved until they were gone and I couldn't say it anymore.
Now I'm left to wonder what will happen with his dear wife Suzie. She probably won't stay here in their house - it's too big for one person. I feel for her. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to deal with death.
I don't even know what I feel right now, I'm more numb than anything. I guess it's shock, after all it's expected 15 minutes after you find about that someone you know has died.
Steve was someone I could always count on. He even had a spare key to my house that he would use for when I forgot mine, or when the A/C man had to be let in, or when we went away on vacations and someone needed to get the mail.
September 11 wasn't supposed to hurt anymore. It was supposed to be done with, just a remembrance of pain for a moment and a prayer for those that are hurting. I didn't think that I would be put into that category, at least not again.
It's true, you don't really know how much you'll miss someone until after their gone. I'll miss his bright orange cones that he bought to put out on his lawn when the neighbors had parties, I'll miss his giant Brutus the Buckeye inflatable that he put up every Halloween, I'll miss his laugh, his talks about politics, his insight on the world that I've yet to experience.
It's pathetic, I can't even have a moment to cry and to mourn for this loss because I have so much effing work to do. The only reason I'm blogging is because it's therapeutic and in a way it's my way of saying goodbye.

In honor of September 11

Dear Aunt Susan and Uncle Gregg,
First of all, I know I haven't told you how much I love you, but I do. I think about you both often, your New York accents stuck in my mind. The day that we played in the city, the trip to Little Italy where we got gellato and walked through the jewelry stores. I remember the cab ride where you spent telling my family about your day as a truck driver and how when you would get tickets you would use a fake name and address. When we drove through New York University, I remember looking out the window and etching it in my mind, hoping to go there for school. I remember the war ship we went on, the great view of the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 memorial wall. I remember your eyes welling up with tears and the coughing that will affect you for the rest of your life started getting harder.
You showed me pictures of the damage, the ruble, the firefighters and policemen. The brave men and woman, who like you two were also first responders. In a box in your house, you have various items that you found while searching for bodies. Picture frames, baseball hats, pens - all covered in that awful gray soot.
It's been seven years and Uncle Gregg is getting worse. Aunt Susan is having ulcers, more medical bills to be paid, but you just can't afford it. The city of New York won't even help out. You've been through lawsuit after lawsuit trying to get them to just help with the costs, after all Gregg is dying because of being a first responder.
You two have seen other first responders just like Gregg, the brave men and woman who worked devotedly at Ground Zero for no pay at all, only to serve their country, their city, their home. Seven years later and the ones that haven't died are sick. They can't go into the city anymore, their lungs are that damaged. The coughing brings blood. I wish you didn't have to breathe in all the debris when you were at the sight. Now because of that, the doctors don't give you much longer to live.
September 11, 2001. So many people died in an attack on their country, but to this day people are still dying because of it. The brave men and woman who worked for days, weeks and hours at Ground Zero, inhaling who knows what. You've been on Maury and have been interivewed by your paper, it doesn't get easier though.
The last time I saw you was in 2005. It's been three years, you have to hold on some more. I don't want to see you for the next time, at your funeral.
I have a file of pictures from that day in the city. The last one that is amung them is a picture of The 5 of us. We're standing at Penn Station before you board the train to go home. We found police men on horses, we went over to them and stood in front of them for a picture. Four of New York's finest - the two horses, Susan and Gregg.
I love you both, you're amazing in my eyes. I've started a tradition that I will follow for the rest of my life.

On September 11, I remember. I think of the people who died, the people who served afterwards and the people who like my Uncle Gregg was a first Responder who is now suffering. It's not fair that the people who tried so hard to search for any trace of living beens have to suffer now. Gregg helped clean up Ground Zero for a year before becoming so sick that he had to be hospitalized. There are more like him. They have no treatment for these people, it's just a waiting game until their lungs eventually give out. I ask you all to remember them on September 11 and to pray for them, for their familes and for their health. Seven years ago today, America was in panic. What will happen, when will the terrorists come next. I remember it vividly. Today there is not much more of a mention on the news of that tragic day. Just seven years later Americans have seemed to forgotten and more interested in what Britney Spears will do with her life. Remembering is part of not letting the terrorists win, and although it's painful, I ask you to take a minute, light a candle and just think back to where you were on this awful day and how lucky you are to be alive.

Just wait til she cuts her bangs...

I still can't believe that A is not a toddler anymore! She is 3.5 already and certainly acts like it. Yesterday I was watching her and she went into the bathroom with Barbie. I heard the water running, but I knew she hadn't go to the bathroom. "What were you doing in the bathroom?" I asked her. "Nothing" she said, with a mischievous expression on her face. I walked closer to her. "Why do you have a paint brush in your hands and a cup of water? Are you painting in your room?!" "No, but I can't tell you what I'm doing because it's a surprise. You have to go away NOW! GO! GO!"
yeah right kid, you've got a paintbrush and water, do I look stupid to you? Her mom walked out from the room that she works in and wanted to know where A was. "She has a paintbrush and a cup of water and she's in her room, but not letting me come in." I said. "Oh that's ok, she likes to paint her door with water."
What?! I have never heard of a kid doing that. ever. As long as she's not painting herself or the walls, I figure we're good. A few minutes passes and she comes out with this huge grin on her face. "LOOK I PAINTED BARBIE'S FACE! SHE GOT HER FACE PAINTED!!" oh. my. gosh. Sure enough, Barbie had her face painted with black stripes.


Excuse the picture quality, I had to take it on my phone since I didn't have my camera. Than my phone wouldn't upload to my computer, so sigh, this is what you get. If you look at the forehead and the chin, you can make out the black stripes, sort of.

The second thing I thought of after laughing at her three year old antics? Oh my gosh, how long is it until she pulls out the scissors and cuts her hair, because you KNOW that's whats coming next.

Yesterday after I came home, I got the mail. I opened the mailbox and no joke, the entire thing was full of COLLEGE BROCHURES! I have never seen so many at one time. Loyola, University of Chicago, Rollins, University of Central Florida, Chestnut Hill Academy, New York University....there they all were, sitting there, addressed to me. I haven't even checked today's mail, so who knows what I could be in store for. It's sort of nice that they want you. I just hate it when the schools I really want to go to send me stuff, because I know I can't go. I'm not applicable for financial aid and I already have my school paid for in Florida, plus a scholarship I'll receive at the end of the year for academic grades that will cover 75% of any public university in Florida. It would be a waste of money to go anywhere else, but I would LOVE to go to school in Boston or Chicago or NYC. I love the city, I can't wait to move there. There's always graduate school I suppose.... I realized I haven't been putting up pictures lately so here is a lovely collage I've made of all the college brochures I got yesterday.


Now I get to go rewrite an essay, wait for an essay to be sent back to me (after I asked for it back 3 days ago. I understand people are busy, but I need my applications in NOW!!), read a book (Light in August, anyone?), do some economics and than cook something. Tomorrow morning I don't have to go into school until 10:30 and I can't wait - I get to sleep in! Sooo happy, just wish I didn't have all this other stuff to do, but that's school I guess. At least all my classes are shorter tomorrow!

According to my teacher, I can't draw circles.

Dear University X,
I really would love to go to your university and I imagine other people do also. That said, do you really think it's the best idea to have a receptionist who clearly want's to end her life, right than at 4:30 PM, answer the phone for admissions? I understand that everyone has bad days, but when I ask the simple question of how many recommendations you require is it necessary to snap at me and then proceed to treat me like an idiot? Well excuse me for not being able to work your OVER COMPLICATED website. Seriously, please only admit those who can navigate the website, because those are the people that DESERVE to be in your college.
This said, I am still looking forward to your acceptance letter and I forgive you for your over the top, very glum receptionist. You're still my second choice and you have a very special place on my whiteboard, where I keep my college list of things to do. Your section is currently somewhat full.
Love, Kelsey.

PS. When I called the University that is highly competitive and is your competition, their receptionist was LOVELY and helpful and made me feel like I was wanted at their University. Just a heads up....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi internet!
I'm Please to announce that I am DONE filling out all sections for 2 college applications. The only thing I have left to do is send money for application fees and send SAT scores. Both require a credit card that my bank father must provide and therefore the rest is out of my hands.
Want to hear something ridiculous? Of course you do, why bother asking. My math teacher who is most likely on some kind of mind altering drug can not count, or make sense period. We had a test the other day. She marked me off because my CIRCLE WASN'T ROUND ENOUGH. Excuse me as I scream WHAT THE HELL? Than the idiot who shouldn't have a teaching degree woman subtracted her points wrong and gave me a 79. Lets see, 28 - 5 = 23, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that is correct. The answer is NOT 22. Even me, who is the slowest person in the world when it comes to math, can do that! Normally I would be cheering for a 79, but the fact that I actually had this test down, makes me pissed off that I didn't get at least a B. And that it's her grading that's screwed up. Please excuse me that I don't spend my days practicing circles, I prefer triangles. Now I have to go back to her on my time and show her that she subtracted wrong and that I should get my one point which WILL bring me up to a 80%.....tests are 70% of my grade, I have to do well or I'm dead. Bye Bye any possibility of car. BYE LIFE (or at least what's left of it).
So that was my Monday. Tuesdays are better (hopefully), nope wait just remembered I have 3 tests tomorrow. Wednesday anyone?

Operation Care Package

One of my very best friends, Alison got recruited into college early on in her senior year. Last year we spent months joking about how she would meet farmer boys and come home with an Arkansas accent. She is so far away from home now, and I miss her like crazy. We talk on the phone, but I can tell she's home sick and lonely and misses her friends. I've promised her that I would make her a care package and so far I've only come up with a couple ideas.
She is an AWESOME swimmer, the girl broke state records and was drafted with a full ride to Arkansas, where they apparently have great swim programs.
My ultimate gift that I want to give her is a nice little note and phone call from ms. Dara Torres (her swim role model) , but I have to wait until I see her again at my bosses house and of course that would also require me being quite rude in asking that favor, but it's a chance I'm willing to take.
So far I'm sending:
-A mixed CD with some of our fave songs
-post it notes
-some of her fave candy
And that's where I need YOUR Help!!! What are some good ideas of things to send? I'll probably go to Target and find some things there, but nothing can be huge, breakable, heavy, liquid or anything that melts since I have to ship this.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

The itty bitty details

Back when I had a Myspace (that sentence just made me feel old. like extremely old.), one of my favorite things to do was to look at differnt peoples "surveys" and other things that they would post and send to everyone. I am blanking out on what this procedure is called as I know that they still have it, but hey, if you're familiar with the Space than you know what I'm talking about. Those of you who have no idea? Don't worry about it. When I switched to facebook, I missed doing my surveys EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. but I found other things to occupy my time. Like working and those oh so addictive bumper sticker applications on facebook. oh and I actually started doing my homework.
A few weeks ago, I was reading one of my favorite blogs, and I saw that she was doing surveys. So I copied her and did one. Than I did another the next week. And another. Than yesterday I broke down and googled "surveys" and I filled out a 45 question one. And now the craving to answer more questions is back. For some reason, I love doing surveys, regardless of what they are. I'm one of those people who would do surveys for cash, if I was stupid enough to give a stranger my social security number.
So bare with me as I do another survey just to cure my craving. You don't have to read it, or you can. You'll pretty much just learn that I'm sleeping in green sheets, or that my favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. Nothing THAT important, but I can promise you that it could be interesting, and hey maybe you'll just find yourself doing one too.
If you're interested, I use bzoink.com. They have tons, and some of them are pretty funny!

Sunday Survey

45 of the most random things you probably never needed to know about someone

whats your name spelt backwards?: Yeslek
What did you do last night?: I worked as I do every Saturday night
The last thing you downloaded onto your computer?: My SAT rap cd
Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery?: definitly not
Last time you swam in a pool?: good question..umm summer?
What are you wearing?: my pajamas
How many cars have you owned?: none
Type of music you dislike most?: heavy metal
Are you registered to vote?: yup
Do you have cable?: yeah
What kind of computer do you use?: I have a HP laptop
Ever made a prank phone call?: some of the best
You like anyone right now?: yeah
Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?: probably bungee jumping
Furthest place you ever traveled?: I think Toronto?
What's your favorite comic strip?: Ummm I don't know actually
Do u know all the words to the national anthem?: yes
Shower, morning or night?: night
Best movie you've seen in the past month?: I saw the House Bunny
Favorite pizza toppings?: chicken, onions, spinach, just not all on the same pizza
Chips or popcorn?: popcorn
What cell phone provider do you have?: AT&T
Have you ever smoked peanut shells?: what is that?
Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?: not that I know of
Orange Juice or apple?: Florida oranges baby
Who were the last people you sat at lunch with?: Monifa, Mary, Brittany and some other people
favorite chocolate bar?: Reeces
Who is your longest friend and how long?: Kelly, since we were 2 so thats 16 years
Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?: never?
Have you ever won a trophy?: yup
Favorite arcade game?: The one where you hit the button as a light spins around and you are guaranteed to get tickets; I've gotten 2000
Ever ordered from an infomercial?: nooo
Sprite or 7-UP?: I'm not too fond of either
Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?: I went to private school for 9 years so yes
Last thing you bought at Walgreens?: nothing?
Ever thrown up in public?: yeah
Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?: true love
Do you believe in love at first sight?: possibly
SPONGEBOB OR JIMMY NEUTRON?: spongebob
Did you have long hair as a young kid?: yeah
What message is on your voicemail machine?: "Hi, you've reached my phone, I'm not here right now please leave me a message and have a lovely day.'
Where would you like to go right now?: far far away
Whats the name of your pet?: don't have on
What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it?: I have a Jansport and it currently has a pair of flip flops, pens, pencils, calculator, notebook, iPod, keys, gym clothes..you want me to go on?
What do you think about most?: life

Fill out this survey yourself
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When rap is educational

I'm on a quest to up my reading score of 570 on the SAT. I am taking the test again on October 4th and hopefully it will be the LAST time I have to take it, because if not, well let's just say it won't be good. I have studied my butt off for the math section and I tend to lack studying the reading section because hey, I'm good at it. The only problem is my lack of vocab. Sure, I know some words but not as much as I need too. Whenever I go to Barnes and Noble I browse the study aid section (lets all say it now, dork!) and today I found something that may cure my lack of vocab.
Meet my new friend:
This little book is about to be squeezed to death by me, as I can not stop hugging it. It's called Flocabulary and it is a book and A cd of HIP HOP VOCAB SONGS! I figure that if I can memorize the lyrics to "Baby Got Back" (I know it's sad) and "Lollipop", than I should be able to memorize these. I've listened to five songs so far and I love it. The vocab words and meanings are hidden in there, but I can still hear them. The book allows me to look up what the words mean, as a visual aid and then it give vocab quizzes. I love it. The music isn't that bad, and they actually rap. My favorite line so far? "More cosmopolitan than Carrie Bradshaw, with her humongous, vast, voluminous, exorbitant, extensive, esxtravagant collection of shoes, sophisticated shoes." The vocab quizzes relate to things that are up to date and pop cultured. For example, "The Bentley is the _________ of luxury vehicles, and a staple for Hollywood's elite." Don't ask me what word goes in there, I don't know - yet.
The book sells on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. I got mine at B&N for $16.95.
Now, Off to go do some educational rapping, alone far far away from people who can hear me. Beacuse I may like rap, but lets face it, I'm no Fergie or Eminimem.

No hurricane here

I'm thinking of buying my dad his very own hurricane tracker for his birthday. I have never seen a human being so interested in hurricanes! He goes to his computer every 2 hours for his hourly hurricane update on the storms and then proceeds to read it aloud to any person lucky enough to come into contact with him. I have learned more about the path of hurricane Ike, Hanna, and Josephine than I would prefer to know, mainly that they are going to be dangerous.
So far South Florida has gotten lucky and Hurricane Ike won't be gracing us with his presence this week, or the next. We won't even be getting any rain or wind. Lucky us. My house however is not so lucky, it's very dark and gloomy around here. My hurricane obsessed father put up the shutters last weekend and although I love having them up when it's raining, since it makes it feel all snug and cozy, I really would love to see the sunshine! Oh well, hurricane season ends November 1st.
I can't believe it's been another full week of school already. It seems like I never left. This morning started out rough. It was raining and I was going to be late to gym, so I started to speed walk. In heels. Like an idiot. I got into the gym before the bell rang, was still speeding to the locker room to change and I slipped and fell. I was so embarrassed I couldn't even feel the pain in my foot or knee until I looked at it. Somehow I managed to break my shoe, sprain my foot (only I could do that) and skin my knee - on the gym floor. You can't ever tell me I'm not talented! So that was fun....
I had a meeting today with the club I was president of last year. There is no way I could be in charge (even though I loved it) again this year, so I gave my title as president over to another girl. I am now the senior adviser of the club. Basically I get to veto decisions and make my own, and see that everything goes smoothly without craziness. I'm also in charge of ordering shirts- sounds a lot like my job from last year!!! Whatever will the new president do without me? I'm sure they'll manage somehow :)
And now for the really exciting news. Nothing is sure yet, but please keep your fingers crossed that my latest college application essay is the best yet and it is finally done. I'm having my newspaper advisor, a college counselor I found on line and the guy I hired all read it over this weekend so hopefully I'll get feedback by Monday. I am SO READY TO GET THIS APPLICATION GONE!! and then move onto the next 4...... at least it's a start!!
Also thanks guys for not reaming me out too badly after I've now confessed to the internet that I am a republican!! I got one not so great comment, but if I'm going to be in media than I have to learn to deal with it, plus I deal with it all day at school so it's not bad.
I hope you all have a great weekend filled with great memories!
xoxo

G.I. John and Superwoman

I am in awe with Governor Sarah Palin. I am so so proud to be voting for her and when she takes office as the first woman vice president I will be truly impressed with the people of America. Sarah Palin will bring change and it will be REAL change unlike that of Obama. I do not hate Obama, I just feel that he is fake and plays the race card a lot more than he should. Yeah, it's great that African Americans (which he can't really call himself since he's half white) have come such a long way but please do not use that as a way to get votes. The guy has skipped voting on over a hundred issues in senate and yet he's ready to be president? Ummm no. As Sarah Palin so nicely put it, "there is no present button, it's either yes or no."
Sarah Palin is down to earth and understands what life is about. She is willing to stand up for the citizens in Washington and John McCain will be right next to her leading her on. So what if her 17 yr old daughter is unmarried and pregnant? I believe that is actually how senator Obama was born. It wasn't Sarah who got pregnant, it was her DAUGHTER, you can not seriously blame her for that. What is she supposed to do, go and lock the kid in her room for her life? Teens have sex regardless of who their parents are or what they believe in. No, I haven't, but I'm not Bristal Palin. Jaimie Lynn Spears got pregnant at 16 and she got a People Magazine cover devoted to her. The governor's daughter gets pregnant and all of a suden, Sarah Palin gets accused of not spending enough time with her children and is accused of making the girl get married.
To those of you who are not yet decided on who you vote for, I urge you to listen to McCain and Palin speak. Even if you don't like them just listen to Palin's speech from last night; it's better than Obama's. (Well I'm biased, but really it's good!)
I like McCain/ Palin because they believe in America, stand up for the citizens, will help small business owners, will put the country first, will lead us out of harms way, has had ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, will help special needs children, will better our school system, will promote fitness for our children,belive in family values,have fought in the navy, has family in the army, enjoy the occasional mooseburger, will cut taxes and so much more. If you want to read more about what they are about you can go to www.johnmccain.com. If you are already voting for this dynamic duo I urge you to recruit everyone you can. My generation is the future and I want the best for me, my peers and the generations after us and to come.
Here is Sarah Palin's speech from last night. Way to go Girl!!

(I can't fit them all so watch in segments, part 2 is about her family. She gives it to Obama in part 3.)

I can only laugh at myself

I am in such a good mood today and I have no idea why, but I love it!! My diet (there is a post on that coming for sure) is working now that 5 lbs are gone, my life is good and Sarah Palin gave Mr.Obama a mouthful. I am almost done with the college essay for school number one, and I'm hoping that I can use it for school number 2 as well. I got to see my new guidance counselor today and she is soooo much more involved than the old one! Plus she seems to genuinly enjoy her job. I got a great grade on my first math quiz in statistics and the newspaper is, well that still waits to be determined.
The other night I was thinking about how funny/ironic some things in my life are so I've decided to make a list. Hope you enjoy!

• I am perfectly heatlthy, yet I have to take 5 pills a night to ensure that I stay that way. (Actually they are natural vitamins and supplements but it's still funny.)
• My best friend is only a 10 min drive from my house, yet somehow I never get to see her.
• I have no problem rewriting things for people and pointing out what's wrong in their essays/stories, but I can't do it myself for my own stuff!
• A week ago I was filmed to be on the news for a segment, but I still haven't seen it air..did they cut it?
• I live with 2 men, but I am one of the girliest girls ever.
• My dad's a doctor and says he can't afford a car for me. My friend's dad is a teacher and she's managed to have 2...um can you call my father stingy?
• Even though I've saved money for a car to buy it myself, my father still insists that he will buy it....
• I don't have a car and I'm still paying for car insurance for the invisible bat mobile...
• My brother is 12 with text messaging on his phone. I'm 17 and I don't have texting on mine, even though I never went over - always under.
• My favorite music is rap and I'm as white as snow.
• I'm a born and raised Floridian and I get asked all the time "where from up north are you?" because I have the features of a northerner and an accent.
• I go to the number 3 public high school in the nation, according to Newsweek, but I still manage to not look smart enough to my friends. (that one is sort of a what the hell?)

• I love to cook, but I hate to eat. Yeah that's strange....and sick....?

Although some of them sound like complaining, they really aren't! I really am laughing at how funny/stupid/ironic some of the stuff in my life is and I've been brought up to wait for things, that they aren't always handed to you. That's why I go to school and have a job and I don't sit around waiting for some billionaire to come give me a magical check for the rest of my life.
I can't believe it's almost Friday, where has the week gone?! It certainly can't be over yet!!! Hurricane Ike looks very bad and could possibly be coming this way, which could result in not good things. Please keep us Floridians in your thoughts and pray that Ike and Hurricane J(which is named, I just can't think of it) stay far away from here!!

Thought Provoking

I know the holiday is called Labor day and all, but can someone tell me why my teachers all came together and decided that they wanted to give me insane amounts of homework? on a holiday. If someone knows what a "Traditional Economy example" is please, feel free to tell me as google has nothing for me. Also if you're interested in doing my statistics homework for me it's the odd numbers on page 50. despite the fact that I don't have a book, but yeah I'll get on that real quick.
In all seriousness however, I have a large project due for newspaper. If you would like to place an ad in my school newspaper, "The Legend" for a price that I can tell you upon agreement, please contact me at Cityshopper1023@yahoo.com . We are broke and need money to put out the paper. If you don't want to put an ad into the paper, but want to help me get an "A" I need you to give me your business card information and allow me to sign a piece of paper with your name on it saying that I did try and sell you an ad. This is all due next Monday, so feel free to help out!!! Thanks!
Happy Labor day guys, and now I'm getting back to laboring..