Four Years

Dear Class of 2016,

I don’t like change. I don’t like moving, or losing friends, or getting rid of my books. The fact that the 13th street Freddy’s rearranged itself kind of stresses me out. I don’t like thinking about all of us being spread out all over the place.

But at the same time, endings mean new beginnings. Out with the old, in with the new. Every time you finish a book you can start a new one. (That being said, I’m the kind of person who reads like four books at one time instead of waiting to finish them because I am impatient.) When people leave your life, there is space for others to come in. And it’s not the same, no. But different doesn’t mean bad.

I think our class knows that. “We’re not the same, we’re different in a good way,” to quote High School Musical. We don’t mind joking about the difference in our backgrounds and talents. That being said, it’s not like we were shoved into a box. We were encouraged -- usually by each other -- to refuse to “stick the status quo,” whether that be the Troy Boltons in Singin’ in the Rain or the fact that Will and Ethan played basketball freshman year or Elise in Pirates of Penzance, and all sorts of other overlappings in clubs and activities. We were allowed to try new things and meet other people who were different from us.

I’m so glad we’re different. I’m glad we have Keri, who’s funny and a great writer; Sarah, who’s organized and classy and optimistic; Emery, who’s good at soccer and makes us laugh in Stats; Kaleigh -- both Kaylees, Kris, Claire, Mitchell and Hannah and Lulu and Josh and Ashlyn and Tarrance and Lexi and Caleb and I can’t keep naming everyone, I don’t have time.

I remember listening to the Les Miserables soundtrack with Ellen in Mr. Grissom’s class freshmen year and wanting to be her friend -- funny how things work out. I remember sitting in the sound booth during Intro to Theater with Abby Grier and Will Morris. I remember the limo ride to freshman year homecoming with a super random group with our music blasting, shaking off our slightly nervous anticipation of our first high school dance. I remember jumping on the big, bouncy mattress that made up Antarctica at Homecoming, and giggling every time Jost or Mr. Brewer walked past, terrified that we would get in trouble. I remember Romeo and Juliet vividly, of course.  I remember… well, perhaps I shouldn’t confess to sleeping in Biology. I remember staying up late working on the Around the World Day skit in Julia’s front yard. Everyone said freshmen always get last, and we -- in a spirit of rebellion that stuck with us through the years -- obviously had to prove them wrong. We succeeded and didn’t get fourth place once that week, quite possibly out of pure determination.

Sophomore year rolled around with far more angst and homework. Mrs. B’s desserts and prayers got us through chemistry tests, Algebra II, and Red Badge of Courage. I think maybe six people in the whole class of 2016 actually read that book. Props to those six, because I didn’t make it. It was a rough year, academically, relationally, mentally. But we made it out, kids. We survived. And not everything was bad. I am so grateful for sixth hour apologetics, for curling up with blankets and talking about everything from boys to God to hell to homework to creation to dress code rules. I am so grateful for the chance to be open and real and to build relationships with that totally random but wonderful group of girls. It was relaxing and renewing and fabulous. I'm grateful for getting to live my childhood dream and dance in the "Marian the Librarian" number. (What can I say? It’s my two favorite things -- libraries and musicals.) Also, I’m told sports were really good that year. Congrats.

Junior year, for me at least, didn’t start out with much hope. In all honesty, I wouldn’t have come back if it hadn’t been for the Bible class sophomore year and the friends I’d made through it. But junior year surprised me, a lot. Philosophy was challenging and fascinating. Mr. Mueller obviously won us over without much struggle. Mr. Hendley’s enthusiasm about pre-calc was very nearly contagious -- don’t worry, I wasn’t infected. We had the first Poetry Slam, which was brilliant and full of talented poets. Pirates of Penzance was incredibly fun -- swooning over Will as the sisters, laughing offstage during the “Sighing Softly to the River” as the Pirates interpretively danced across the stage, learning four-part harmonies, and having that marvelous, wonderful cast. We downright killed Spirit Week that year, with Abby and Ethan singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” and our Finding Nemo skit and Holywood and Les Miserables. And then prom was the bomb.com. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that we were a lot more mature and confident and willing to have fun. And Grant Boesen was an amaaaazing DJ. A Little Knight Music was brilliant, with the Jared and Co. singing “Crocodile Rock” and Maddie and Ellen soloing in “Mama Who Bore Me.” Those were so good.

And then this year… Golly.

This year is over. This year, with the ridiculously long bus ride back from senior trip, with the utterly amazing Man of La Mancha, with our senioritis-filled AP Stats class. With questions and college applications and choices. We had cookie time, bonfires, Government and Music Theory -- well, I guess that last one only applies to three of us. The rest of you missed out. This year, with papers and theology and seeing the end of our time in uniforms and choir dresses and sports uniforms (jerseys? Guys, in four years you’d think I would have learned this stuff.)

This year, back where we began, with Mrs. Posson and Mr. Grissom. There’s something very poetic about that, about coming full circle.

I want to thank you, class of 2016.

Thanks for being there, together, through the good times and the bad.

Oh, we didn’t -- don’t -- always get along. No. But no one always gets along. I’m sure even Elise and Sarah must disagree sometimes.

But we did it. We made it through.

Thanks for growing up a little, and for letting me grow up with you.

Thanks for letting me go from the shy, annoyed, culture-shocked girl I was to the girl I am now.

Thanks for helping me be brave, whether that be by dancing (badly) at homecoming or trying a sport (also badly). Thanks for letting me come to your houses, for listening to me talk about books that you don’t care about, for helping me with homework, for making me laugh when I’m grumpy, for inspiring and challenging me. Thanks for being good at things that I’m not, for putting up with me when I’m being a know-it-all, for including me in everything from picnics to Ultimate Frisbee to movie nights to swimming. Thanks for the food, and laughter, and memories that last forever.

I'll miss so many little moments. Late night tea at Kris's house and talking about everything. Laying on Devin's trampoline with eight people and two blankets until three in the morning. Poetry nights. Third hour off and doing homework and lunch with my favorite people. Screaming when "Jenny" comes on at prom. Going to lunch with Julia, Kellie, Emery, and Kaylee. Praying with Abby before every show -- texting or calling each other when we're in different shows. Hanging out in the catwalk or sound booth with Hailey. Laughing at Maclaine's quick wit. Voice lessons with Mrs. Henderson. Dance parties in Newspaper. Cuddling in sixth hour apologetics. Falling out of Maddie's truck. Hearing Tarrance sing. Staying up late and talking with the M&M girls in our crazy hot cabin in Nicaragua. Bonding with David over The Name of the Wind. Quik Trip walks. Pranking Mrs. Posson. Hearing Mrs. Warren's stories at swim meets.

It's been four years of papers, of late nights, of math homework and Netflix and friendships and musicals and spirit weeks.

Four years of learning about myself and about other people.

I've loved the parties and the trips and classes (well, some of them).

But this group of people I have been privileged enough to call friends... They are what have made the tuition, the time, the tears worth it.

You’re a slightly rebellious, messy, random group of humans.

And I love you and am so thankful that this is the rebellious, messy, random group of humans I’ve spent the past four years with and now step into the future with.

Thanks for everything, fam.

Abundant Life

With our English Partners and the Vida Joven team

This post is extremely late getting up, so I apologize.

As you may or may not know, I recently(ish) went to Managua, Nicaragua on a mission trip with my Ministry and Missions class.

I'm trying to process the trip still. I'm really not sure where to start. There're so many aspects of it, and in hindsight it's all choppy and fragmented and I will leave things out, so I'm sorry.

It was beautiful
exhausting
refreshing
hilarious
draining
fulfilling
hot
fun
surprising
emotional
enlightening.

It so full of joy and wonderful people and good food and lessons learned and deep conversations and awkward moments.

No sleep. Hammocks. Swimming. Frisbee. Tight pants. Amazing people. Sweat. Dancing. Ridiculous skits. Best friends. Joy. Laughter. Jesus. Volcanoes. Lizards. Scorpions. Ella. Gilbert. Dito. Pratt. Eliezar.  Steysy. Ashley. Adda. Bonfires. Stargazing. Girl talks. Yelling until we lost our voices. Bus rides. "Self-discovery." Spanish. Taylor Swift. Folklore. Christ in Culture. Will's guitar. Relationships. Fruit. Plantains. Good, deep conversations.

One or two of the classes we worked with.

I just... I didn't expect it to be quite as fun as it was. It was so very uplifting and encouraging. I learned so, so much, and I was exhausted every night, but I was so refreshed, too.

I'm trying to put this all into words, so bear with me.

God taught me a lot about love and joy and about meeting people where they are. He taught me about finding rest and fulfillment in him. He taught me about healthy, true, positive relationships. He taught me that He is the same God working in a university in Managua as in Wichita as in Bangalore as in New York City and as large as the world is, He is infinitely bigger. It was such a good time to be reminded of that, at least for me. Everything changes in the next four, five, six months for most of us. Less time than that for Kaleigh and Pablo. But God doesn't change, whether we're in Asia or Hawaii or Chicago or Texas or New York or Kansas. And that's so very comforting.

We spent our days teaching, talking, being ridiculous, drawing people in, connecting students to Vida Joven. It doesn't sound like much, but coming up with conversation topics to last hours is super hard, not to mention tiring. Every day was a roller coaster of energy. It would be sky-high at one moment and crashing the next. Vida Joven itself is so high-energy and relational that there were moments when I, as an introvert, wanted to curl up by myself and sleep. But God gave us all energy every time we needed it.

It was like being on stage sometimes. Not that we were acting or performing (although sometimes we were), but in the sense that the actors feed off the audience's energy and vice versa. We fed off the Nicas enthusiasm and energy, and they did the same with us. It was a huge give and take.

And in the evenings, when most of us went and stargazed, there were times when I just sat on my bed/laid in my hammock to process/journal/pray/ just be alone.

There was one night where all eleven of us were in hammocks just chilling/journaling/listening to music. We weren't really talking to each other, there were soft murmured conversations and "Can you pass me that pen?" and such, but it was mostly just Matt Corby or Ben Howard or hymns and us each with our thoughts. Stargazing nights were good too. We'd lay out blankets and towels and sprawl out after swimming and dinner, a tangle of wet hair and dirty feet. We talked about the past, the present, the future. We were serious. We were silly. There were so many little moments of bonding.

But our days were so much better. Nicaragua, like most hot-climate cultures, is very, very relational. We could meet people and be best friends with them twenty minutes later. It was crazy. Everyone was full of boundless energy, whether it was midnight and they were greeting us at the airport or nine a.m. when we were in class.

The classes were really fun. We acted out the Wizard of Oz, line danced, had an Easter Egg hunt, listened to one of the most talented violinists I've ever heard, created dozens of skits, talked about ourselves, about the States, about God, about the Nicas.

This was right before an Easter Egg hunt

On Friday, the Vida Joven team came to the camp where were staying to hang out with us -- swim, hammock, eat dinner, pray, etc. -- and on the bus, I got to hang out with several of them. We bonded over music, my limited Spanish, magic tricks, and trying to draw on David's face as he slept. There were all sorts of times like that. I got to hear "Sorry" by Justin Bieber in Spanish because I heard it playing from another building and started dancing. (Guys, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift are international. And One Direction.) Another time, I said my dog's name was Oakley and one of the guys asked if it was after Tyler Oakley. And then after that we were friends.

In one of the very first classes we were in, we acted out The Wizard of Oz. This was tricky, as few -- if any -- of the Nicas had seen it. Despite this, one of the girls in my group did a perfect Wicked Witch impression, just from my vague description. It was amazing.

Dancing. Makes. Friends. We showed them swing dancing, they showed us Nicaraguan folklore dances, and we all line danced and shimmied and nae-nae-d (is that even a word?) together. It was so cool. So stinking cool.

Don't doubt the power of weird questions or wearing wigs or breaking tables.

I think part of what I loved about the trip was how natural it felt. It never felt forced. We just naturally became friends and naturally talked about God and naturally cried when we left. I think that has a lot, a lot to do with Nicaraguan culture, but I also think we got a little at living life on mission on the trip. I also loved that even when we were just discussing Guardians of the Galaxy or the Intern, we still had a purpose. Everything felt intentional, while still natural. I don't know if I'm describing this well, but I'm sure it was because of the Vida Joven team's planning. Something else that was really well done, in my humble opinion, was the fact that we connected people to the team who is permanently in Managua, at UCA. Many of them went to Vida Joven club after we left. They sent us a video. I can't tell you how excited we were to see them and pick out faces we knew.

The people we met... I hope we blessed them a fraction of how much as they blessed us. Ella, Eliezar, Steysy, Pratt, and Gilbert were our main group. They were with us basically 24/7 and they taught us soooo much. Ella was a huge encouragement to us girls, as a young, single, white girl in a foreign country alone. Steysy was overwhelming kind and patient with us, and I am so grateful to her. All the Vida Joven people were so cool and kind and helpful. And our English partners were amazing and I could talk for hours about each person, but I won't.

"White shadow!" we stage-whispered

We got to explore a lot of the city of Managua -- the hill, the lakeshore, the cathedrals. We also went to a market in Masaya, stayed at a pineapple farm, and swam in a volcanic crater. I really appreciated all the different aspects of Nicaragua we got to see, even though we were only there for a week. The area around the cathedrals had vendors selling ice cream on the street, and kids running after us asking for money. In stark contrast, the volcano beach was the most touristy place we went. There were a couple of other groups of Americans there, and every time they talked we got super confused. We were so used to knowing everyone with an American accent that it seriously threw us off.

I'm sorry, I still feel like I'm not doing the trip and the people justice, but this is the best I can express it. And sorry, it's like a month late. Oops.

This is Alex. He had us sign his shirt after we painted tables before we said good-bye on Saturday. 

Kaleigh and her English partners, Angie, Fabiola, and Cassandra

Will and William the violinist

Jenifers, Sarah, and Fernanda

Andres, T-Pa, and Devin

Bielka, Lauren, Marvin, and Allison

John, Carlos, Andres, David, Nefi, Marcos, and Alvaro

Cinthia, Julia, Scarleth, and Sahara

Team Mangos! Me, David, Elise, Pratt in the background on the phone, and the one and only Gilbert!

Gabriella with Maria Alejandra, Elise, Arianne, and Maria Gabriella

Devin and Marcos

****All photo credit to Paul, aka my hero. Seriously, knowing that someone else is photographing every second of the trip -- and photographing it well -- is so freeing. Thank you, Paul!! You're the best****

2015

2015 was... Fast. Fun. Weird? Good. Sometimes sad and confusing.
It was so full of... new-ness.
It was losing some friends to distance and being reunited with others.
It was road trips and laughter.
It was poetry nights at Abilene's and picnics in Kris' basement.
It was old vinyls and pretty dresses.
It was new friends and new experiences.
It was swim meets and singing and some of the best musicals I've ever done.
It was the library and Spotify.
It was fangirling over Troye Sivan in the Fine Arts office, rapping the entirety of "Migraine," listening to Bon Iver at night with Holly and Kensi, freaking out when "Jenny" came on at prom.
It was ridiculous costumes and spectacle points and endless coffee shops.
It was the party van and singing Les Miserables with Abby at the top of our lungs.
It was fanfiction and DragonVale, Star Wars and Man of La Mancha, C.S. Lewis and Sarah J. Maas. It was singing on buses and singing in the car.
It was second-hand weed and friends who are more like family and watching Inception four times in the same weekend.
It was shouting over key signatures and being overly competitive about naming rhythms.
It was swing-dancing and bonfires.
It was a whole lot of me realizing I don't understand people or the world or why things happen as they do.
It made me rethink what I want and who I am and all sorts of deep stuff.
It was... good.

The Force Awakens Review -- Guest Post

Let me introduce Kristopher Swanson, one of my dearest and geekiest friends. Kris loves Star Wars more than anyone I know, and when he sent me this after I saw The Force Awakens, I knew I had to post it. It should be noted that the rest of this post is absolutely overrun with spoilers and theories, so if you haven't yet seen the Force Awakens, you should probably close this. Now.
Without farther ado, I hand it over to Kris.
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STAR WARS Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Post-Premiere Thoughts

Okay, let’s be honest. I don’t think that I’m the only fan whose reaction to Disney buying Star Wars and announcing the making of Episode VII was disappointed at best. I also don’t think that I’m the only fan who has been at least slightly annoyed with all these new Star Wars “fans” that just popped up out of hyperspace. Apparently it’s okay to call yourself a fan right before the movie comes out an think you’re cool by going to the premiere. Excuse me “fan,” how many times have you seen each of the Star Wars movies? Have you dueled with plastic lightsabers before or undergone Jedi reflex training using Nerf guns? Have you ever erected a homemade fort and watched Star Wars episodes countless times on a six-inch VHS TV? I’m sorry reader; I’ll stop ranting now.  Star Wars is a lifestyle, an integral part of my childhood, life today, and my heart. So when Disney announced this, of course I denounced the notion, saying things like, “They are going to ruin Star Wars!” “I am never going to see it!” and “Does this make Leia a Disney Princess?” I was so disturbed by this that I discredited the movie altogether. It was only until everything started becoming so real that I started to open my heart to this concept; the original actors all started to announce their return, trailers were made, and behind the scenes footage leaked. I finally started to let these things stir in the jawa juice of my heart, and then, the premiere happened…

Before I begin, let me get this straight. No movies will ever surpass the original Star Wars sequels in the cellblock of my heart. Star Wars (or Episode IV "A New Hope") will always be the movie at the top of my list, regardless of any other productions, even another Star Wars movie. This is closely followed by Episode V “The Empire Strikes Back” and then of course Episode VI “The Return of the Jedi.” No movie will ever trump one belonging to the original trilogy for me, and that is just how it is. So, if you’re getting any crazy ideas, no, this is not my favorite movie, and no, this is not my favorite Star Wars movie. Period. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for…

That all being said, I was absolutely blown away by Episode VII “The Force Awakens.” Yes, the standing in line for hours upon end with hordes of other nerds in costume probably helped. Yes, it being my first IMAX movie also probably helped. But seriously, I am very impressed with Episode VII. I cannot imagine the weight J. J. Abrams had on his shoulders in directing this film. Nothing much, just around 4.4 billion dollars and the hopes and dreams of millions of fans. I am here to tell you that I am thoroughly impressed with what Abrams has done. Props to you J.J. You have done the unthinkable and followed up the prequels to the greatest movies on planet earth.

First, Episode VII “The Force Awakens” felt like Star Wars. Well thanks, Captain Obvious (or Captain Phasma in this case). But, yes, I do mean what I just said. Star Wars has a certain feel. The way the action and the effects and the music and the plot twists and everything draws you in and suspends you in a state of galactic gaping is real. This movie had it. These very things are what make Star Wars Star Wars. The combination of camera pans, jokes, duels, space battles, snarky comments, cantina scenes, and everything in between bring the movie to life. The banner at the beginning almost pixilated and low quality? Completely intentional. Bless you J.J. The original Star Wars was revolutionary. The only film of its kind. This it still is and will always be. I’m going to try and systematically arrange all these, but it is 3:00 in the morning, so we’ll see how that goes.

Second, the parallelism between the original Star Wars and VII was ingenious. I am still in awe. References filled the movie! The trash compactor and 12 parsecs! Then the Death Star and planet comparisons, small jet fighters and their miraculous victory, the trenches of the planet in the space battle, the holographic chess board, Luke’s training droid, the come-from-nothing home on desert planet with Rey’s background. When this comes out on DVD I am seriously going to buy it and make a list of parallel situations and references. These were just some of the few I caught.

Third, the action was impeccable. This is the year 2015, and graphics are great. So, this is sort of a given, but Abrams made a point to keep things classic. The space battles and low-flying action made my blood roar like a Rancor. And the lightsaber duel between Kylo and Rey was stunning. The intensity was to the next level.

Fourth, the music was sensational. John Williams cannot stop writing perfect music, and his tunes did it yet again. I can’t really say much for this topic, because a lot of my appreciation will come with listening to the soundtrack all by itself. This is absolutely necessary for, when in the midst of the movie, you are drawn in by the culmination of every masterpiece, music or non. It was Star Wars music. Blended with effects to achieve the perfect soundtrack.

Fifth, and a huge one on my list, the casting was sensational! Not only were the classic characters appropriately incorporated but also the nobodies, the new rising stars, were perfectly blended for a mixture of young and old blood. Each original actor was not simply thrown in for good measure, but they were all intricately woven into the plot. And then, where to begin with the new characters, but it has to be Kylo Ren. In all honesty, I was more than suspicious about the casting of Adam Driver. Pictures of him in Star Wars apparel juxtaposed with his typical comedy movie aura was not doing it for me. And then, the movie happened…Holy Chewbacca! He killed it! Literally. Hands down my favorite character in the movie. The complexity of his character always kept me on edge. I love complex characters! His voice with and without the mask was perfect; you could hear hints of masked Kylo in his plain speech, and this voice is iconic to the movie. His obsession with Darth Vader is also another aspect I am excited to see continued in the next few. I could see the fire in his eyes, and his anger management and destructive tendencies delivered the Sith I had been waiting to see. Sith thrive off anger and hatred, and his character unleashed that. Not to mention, his lightsaber and mask are pretty dang cool. I am ecstatic to see where his tale goes from here, and I cannot wait to continue to view the path of his villainy and darkness! Rey and Finn were also sensational, and their bond seemed to spill off the screen. And shout out to BB-8, who I dismissed as some random soccer ball droid. Wow. Boy was I ever wrong. Droid personalities. Bless you again J.J.

Sixth, the humor was up a notch. I found myself laughing countless times. BB-8’s thumbs up was pretty memorable, and who can’t love Han’s sass and constant comments?

Seventh, I was super nervous about the script writing crew having to throw in cuss words just because it is the year 2015. This is such garbage. Throw that idea down in the trash compactor too! Star Wars has never been like that, and I was really nervous that this would happen. They simply don’t fit, so I was very much impressed by what was used. I was only able to pick out the use of “damn” once and “hell” twice, and by gosh, that sure is good for 2015. Why has it come to this? Star Wars got it right. No one needs cussing in order to make a funny movie.

Eighth, the plot twists were on point. My suspicions did correctly confirm Kylo Ren to be Han and Leia’s son, but that was pretty much all I figured out. I think everyone thought Finn would be the next Jedi. Wrong. I think everyone thought Poe was dead. Wrong. I think everyone thought Rey was a nobody. Wrong.  And, it pains me to mention this, cutting to the deepest recesses of my heart, but Han…Han…Han Solo…He’s…Dead…D-D-Dead…WHAT? Talk about getting your audience’s attention! Everyone’s favorite space cowboy and beloved character was just betrayed by his own son, Kylo Ren, after the most dramatic of words and watering eyes, and slaughtered on a shining bridge over a span of nothingness, only to fall into the darkness of death. R.I.P. J.J, can I cry on your shoulder until the next Clone Wars? AH! At least the death was meaningful and about the best way I can imagine Han dying: Sacrifice of self (considering his earlier movie motives were highly focused on self). Still haven’t recovered. Never will.

Ninth, the stormtroopers were great. I think they actually might have shot something, or was that just my imagination? The new look works really well, and I am still trying to process the weaponry.

Tenth, VII ended leaving me captivated for the next one. There are so many unsolved mysteries, and I love how Abrams leaves many things to the imagination of the viewer. Of course, everyone is wondering about the mysterious Supreme Leader, and it seems that the idea of the “Eternal Emperor” is the best solution I have (thanks Jacob!). Star Wars is dualism at its core, so one side will never completely destroy the other. Good and evil, the Jedi and the Sith, they will most likely be duking it out until the end. The Emperor is essentially an essence, and he uses bodies as vessels. His life comes by draining life from the universe around him. The strangely distorted character was a hologram, so his large size is probably not a thing. Also, I propose that he looks this way because right now he has a broken body. A lot of his strength was captured when he was betrayed by Vader in Episode VI. Anyway, I know this is speculation, but it completely makes sense in the context of the movie, and it is a super cool idea. He thrives off sucking life out of people and places, misleads people, uses people, searches for a powerful vessel, and tries to regain control. In addition, can I make a crazy prediction and say that Rey is Han and Leia’s daughter? This makes her and Kylo Ren brother and sister and adds even more meaning a whole new element to the snow woods duel! And what would follow? Another meeting, duel, and attempt by Rey to bring back Kylo? The possibilities are endless. Bless you a third time J.J. Did I forget to say that after every one? Good.

Anyhow, VII captivated me beyond measure, and I was enlightsaberened in the same way that I have been with all the others. Though it will never be held to the same standard of nostalgic euphoria as the original Star Wars (Episode IV), it will always hold a special place in my heart along with all the other Star Wars movies, those which cannot be displaced. The best of the best. The greatest in the galaxy. I think I better go to bed. It is 4:11 and I am in this dream-like trance of Star Wars high yet extremely exhausted. This should be fun to read in the morning… I have a bad feeling about this…
May The Force Be With You, Always.

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There you have it. I agree with Kris on almost everything (I don't think Rey is Han and Leia's daughter, though I am inclined to believe she is related to them. I think she's Luke's daughter.) I though he covered everything wonderful about the movie quite well, and I'm very grateful he let me post this. :)

Senior Year and Stuff

First, I solemnly promise to post the last part of the Road Trip Series really, really soon.

Second, school has started.

And I really like it.

Not all of it. I do not like Personal Finance in the slightest, and staying awake through English on block days is one of the most challenging things ever, but...

For the most part, I'm very, very happy at school.

There are so many wonderful people at school, and so many wonderful things to learn, and experiences to be had and conversations to be held and every morning just seems so optimistic.

It's weird.

But golly, the past two weeks have been almost completely golden.

So. Many. Fun. Classes.

Ministry and Missions, Systematic Theology, Concert Choir and Madrigals, Music Theory, College English, even Government is kind of interesting. And AP Statistics is... bearable.

And there's so many people to talk to!

We had three days of school before leaving on senior trip. And senior trip was surprisingly fun. I really think the only thing most people got out of it was closer/new friendships, but I also know that some people were very much impacted by it. I just really loved hanging out with my friends, and with people who weren't really my friends before the trip. We did flips off diving boards, ziplined, jumped off the high dive, did the barn swing dozens of times, talked and worshiped and "bonded." And it was great.

The ride home, however... well, let's just say that 7+ hours on a bus with over forty other girls does not bring out the best in people. I mostly hid under a blanket fort with Ellen and listened to music.

But I liked the trip for the most part. There were too many athletic activities and too much segregation between the guys and girls, but overall, I had a lot of fun. And we came up with some bomb-awesome ideas for making senior year rock, several of which we have already implemented. Also, worship with that group? A-freaking-mazing. So many kids in our class are musically talented, and when everyone is channeling that towards God, it's so so so so cool.

This week has been mostly us figuring out school, since we barely had time last week. I've learned that we will get very, very little done it Stats, and get a heck of a lot done in music theory.

Music theory is just me and two guys (whom I like very much) and we are, um, a little competitive. Which is great, because we gets loads done very quickly and we're pushing each other to get better. But, it's also a wee bit scary because there are days when I think Oh gosh, we will not all make it out as friends. Let's just say we are all very smart and very used to being the smartest. At least it keeps things interesting, and if we make it out alive, I think we will all be better for this healthy competition.

Thursday afternoon, several senior girls stayed after school and covered the mirrors in two of the bathrooms with brown paper. We then proceeded to write on the paper. We wrote verses, song lyrics, quotes, all sorts of random things. Some were heartfelt, some were funny, but they all celebrated beauty that goes beyond what someone looks like. We wrote about being a strong woman, about being made in the image of God, of being wonderful and loved and valued. And I think it may have been more meaningful for us seniors who made it than any of the underclassmen who saw it.

Thursday was also Sonic's annual $0.50 corn dog day, so before we started working, Sofia and I drove to Sonic and got fifteen corn-dogs. It was glorious, and we thought it was hilarious. The guy who took our order was a little surprised by how many we wanted. They were delicious corn dogs, too.

Friday night absolutely wonderful. It was Final Friday, so Holly and I dropped by R Coffee Shop to see Maddie's artwork before it was moved/sold. It was amazing art, and an adorable shop, and really good coffee. Then we went to Sonic, got kids' grilled cheeses with tots, and headed to Trinity for the soccer game. We saw about twenty minutes of the game before it stopped for lightning. My dearest Laura was at the game, as Trinity was playing her school, so I chatted with her as we waited to find out what everyone else was going to do. We decided to head to someone's house for swing dancing. Well, we decide this, and suddenly it's pouring. Buckets of rain fall from the sky, and we are drenched in seconds. And obviously we have to sprint to our car, which about as far away as we could have parked, and everyone is screaming with delighted shock and we're running through puddles, avoiding cars, cheering and gasping and feeling suddenly, exquisitely vibrant and young. So we run, and Laura ends up in our car and we're shaking with cold and blasting the Black Keys and trying to find her parents. We find their car and drop her off and yell goodbye and exchange phone numbers with the promise to hang out soon.

Then Holly and I drive to the swing dancing party. It was a small party, really just us, five boys and six-ish other girls. But it was lovely. We played music and danced in the backyard on the basketball court and ate Chex Mix with M&Ms. I was getting fairly decent at it by the end of the evening. There is something so fun about swing dancing. It's so fast, and takes so much energy, and I mess up so much (sorry, Devin and Ethan), but it's so fun and relaxed. My goal is to be fairly competent by Barn Dance.

As the night wore on, we all got exhausted, and wound up sitting around a fire pit singing. Isaac brought his violin, Will had his guitar, and Ethan had his ukulele and an impromptu jam session happened. Will sang Untitled by Matt Corby and... wow. The feels.

Holly and I stayed until a little after midnight, singing and talking and dancing. It was really, really great. I was kind of surprised how much fun I had, since none of my "usual" friends were there. But it was nice to branch out, and amazing to get to practice dancing all night, and the jam/worship session at the end was just... Mmm. Yas. It was a good, good night.

So all in all? I'm so optimistic about this year. I have been blessed with someone wonderful friends and fabulous teachers, and I get to learn about things I actually care about.

Senior year, let's go.

Photo A Day?

We'll see if it happens...
Here's one from yesterday, and maybe I'll post one for today, later.

Last night was a perfect summer-y night. We had a good-bye party for Jahn, a German/Asian foreign exchange student. I say German/Asian, because he's from Germany... but he's Chinese.

See?

Lol, I just noticed my teacher in the background. Oops.

Anyway, the party was super fun. Bonfire, s'mores, a hammock, a water balloon fight, stars, deep talks with the thespians...

It was good.

I'll miss Jahn. He gave me book recommendations that I LOVED, so he obviously won a place in my heart. ;D Plus he's hilarious, although incredibly stubborn. We had a three hour argument over whether articles (a, an, and the) were adjectives or not (they are).

And I'm really not exaggerating about the three hour part.

Homecoming.

So homecoming was like... two weeks ago? I think so.
Anywho.
Here's some of the pictures I found. :D

 Me and the lovely Emmalie. 

 I looooved the gloves. Grandma got them for me, and I got so many compliments on them. Thanks, grandma. :D

Our attempt to look glamorous. Not sure how well it worked...

Us and Mrs. B. We loooove her so much. Greatest teacher. We'll miss her next year. :(

:D 

 We kinda looked like Christmas... oh, well. We were a hawt Christmas. ;)

This is my favorite picture. Dat photobomb. xD

Tech Week Pics

(ALSO KNOWN AS HALF A MILLION BESTIE PICTURES. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED)

Hailey, me, and Mama Hulk

Myself and Mershon, looking cheerful

Me and Cole aka the Doctor

Me and my adopted Dad

Cast and Crew

GRETCHEN!!! =D

Miss Deputy and me

Ashley and (*gasp*) me

Jared and his Infamous Eyebrows.

Moi and Micaela

Me and Caleb, our Villian

Me and Shatie

Lexi, our splendid assistant stage manager, and me.

Me, Stevie, and Hailey's poking her face in there. Well played, Hailey. 

Hailey and me and fruit smilieys 

BFFs

We are so cute. x)

<3

FAMILY PHOTO!! Adopted Dad/Awkward Uncle, Abby my twin who was born a year late, Dad who disowned me, me, Mom(?) and Grace... she's like that random person who comes to Christmas dinner. 

Besties

We were bored...

Attractive, we know.