Oh, Sweet Graduation

Class of 2011 

Words can't describe how excited I am to walk across that stage tonight, grab my diploma, and never look back.  Everyone says it hasn't hit them yet, but it hit me about an hour ago.  I'll NEVER have to walk into that God Forsaken building ever again.  

Through bad teachers and even worse friends, I can honestly say that I'm ready for a new chapter in my life to begin.  Starting tonight, I'm a new person.  

I'm ready to head off to college.  On August 26th, I'll be moving into my apartment with a friend of mine and we'll be starting school together the following week.  

I always wondered what today would be like, and I'll tell you what its turned out to be for me.  When you try on your cap and gown the day of graduation, the thoughts never end. 

I wonder what I would be like if I was still in my old school?

I wonder what would have happened if I didn't meet my best friend?

I wonder if my parents will cry tonight at the ceremony?

I wonder if my friends will still be there for me when I go to school?

I wonder who I'll keep in touch with?

I wonder if I'll trip? ...(Totally gunna be me.)

I wonder what my future holds?

There's no stopping all of these questions once you're dressed and ready to shake some hands, give some hugs, and make a run for it after you grab your diploma.   You also have memories go through your head.  Like that time that your mom didn't let you out on a friday night and you thought it was the worst night of your life.  Or maybe losing loved ones that you wish could be with you on the night of your graduation.  Memories of endless sleepovers, drunken nights, crying on a best friend's shoulder, laughing at a Dane Cook comedy strip, coming home ten minutes past curfew and thinking you were BADASS ... All of these things ran through my mind and all I can say is I'm ready to keep the good memories and forget the bad ones. 

Congratulations class of 2011 ... We did it!

Class Night

As senior year is coming to an end, the seniors have plenty of activities to take part.  Yesterday's activity was 

Class Night.

Each of the Seniors, including myself, showed up to practice yesterday morning bright and early.  I feel as though all of the seniors are so ready to be done with this chapter in their lives that their done with giving teachers a hard time and just want to get shit done.  Especially this rehearsal.  Everyone who showed up was eager to get out of the rehearsal as fast as they can to continue with their afternoon plans. 

 Will and I outside Class Night

I personally, was not enthusiastic about this event - of course I'll never let it show in the pictures, but I really just wanted this night to be over with.  I bought a $12 dress (Marshalls!) and was ready to GO. I don't think I've ever been so ready for anything to end in my life.  

High school, as of tomorrow, is officially over for me.  

Shits crazy right? Almost done. Its unreal to think that my high school career after tomorrow is completely and totally over for me.  It seems like just a month ago I walked through the doors of Wheeler High School as a freshman, scared and uncertain of my place in the school.  Now I'm leaving, and preparing myself to be another incoming freshman at Western Connecticut State University. 

The One We Call Tyler

Tyler.

He's always in a pool, always a little punk, always acting up, always getting his way.  This is my brother and I love him to death.  

This is just a post to talk a little more about my personal life which includes my brother completely.  Since he was 5 years old, (now 10), I've been babysitting him every single day ...  And boy do I have stories.  The kid drives me nuts.  But truthfully, he's shown me what it means to feel like a family.  My family has been split up since before I can remember and don't get me wrong - I love my life the way its turning out.  But truthfully, we're not the closest family.  

My family supports me in whatever I want to do and I know they'll always be there for me so I'm not complaining at all.  Tyler is different though.  My relationship with my little brother is probably my most prized possession.  

I feel as if Tyler and I are the closest siblings out of our family - Even though he cries hysterically when my sister leaves our house to go home.  It's okay, he'll be crying when I leave for college soon ;).  

I used to bitch and moan about how I needed to put my plans to the side to watch my little brother after school, but now that he's old enough to watch himself, most of the time, I'd rather be home with him.  I know thats how siblings are supposed to be but theres a little more to the story. 

Its no secret that my sister and I don't get along.  We've never been close and to this day, she swears that its because when I was two years old, I broke her crayons.  Great start right? Its a well known fact in my family that if my sister and I are together for more than a few hours, we'll be ready to bite each other's heads off.

In the living room of our two story apartment at my dads house when I was probably 5 years old, she admits to pinching me until I woke up while sleeping in the same bed and then pretending to sleep.  Just evil.

Or how about when I was 11 and she would "watch" me after school but hide the only food that I knew how to make because she didn't want me to eat them all? - Ramen of course, but still. WTF?


Anyway, after growing up with her bullying me, I promised that I wouldn't do the same to him.  Don't get me wrong, I used to have my days and he had his.  If you threaten, badmouth, or hurt my little brother, We'll have a serious problem.  But I only hope that when he grows up, he wont think of me in a negative way at all because that's been my goal since he was born.

Anyway, this is my brother, my love, my pride and joy, my life.  I wouldn't give this kid up for the whole world.  He's a little punk, but he's my little punk.

<3

Creative, Personalized Cards

Just recently, I've gotten into the "poor college kid" mode and I'm saving literally every penny I can.  My family has always been card junkies.  My stepmom saves every card she's ever gotten because apparently, a piece of paper folded in half is a huge deal.  This is a blog showing how to save some money on the easiest gift of all - Cards.

This can work with any type of card - birthday cards, Father's/Mother's day cards, Christmas cards .. etc.

At first it seems like a lot more money than just going out to buy a $5 card at Hallmark, but I've found that in the end, these cards are much more appreciated because you can personalize them to the person that you're giving them to AND you won't have to make a trip to the store next time you forgot someone's birthday because you have all of your supplies to make a quick card.

I started out by going to Michael's Arts and Crafts and buying a box of "Brights - Solid Box of Cards" (40 A2 Printed Textured Cards & Envelopes, Acid and Lignin Free).  These are great for making your own cards, and they have other colors too!  These are about $10 - But think about it, you'll be paying $.25 per card instead of $5 for a card that says something crappy and generic like -

"Dad,

Happy Birthday, Best Wishes!

Love,

Your little girl"

....Oh yeah, thats original. 

Next, I bought Mono Multi, Liquid Glue for $3.  This glue pen is acid-free so you can be sure that your personalized card won't fall apart on Gramma before she even opens it.  Mine also has two different tips - A pen tip for precise glueing and a broad tip for projects a little bigger.

Getting bored?  Almost done, this is the fun part.


Decorate!! 

Maybe your Gramma loves to gamble like mine ... Go to the scrapbooking section and buy a little Slot Machine or some Poker cards.  Does your Dad like to fish? How about Hunting?  I swear, theres a scrapbooking sticker for EVERYTHING. Be careful though, it could be tempting to buy for everyone at once.  Then you'll be pissed because I didn't actually save you money on these cards.  You'll just have to resist the cute little faux fishing rods for dad's card and the princess outfit for your niece until their birthdays come around!

Just some examples of random leftovers that I can use for other cards 

The great part about this idea is that even if you don't know what cousin Gertrude likes and can't personalize her card, the scrapbooking isle has tons of "Happy Birthday" stickers.  I have some cards lying around just waiting for an event. :)

Trust me, everyone loves getting personalized cards.  Check out some of mine!

 This one was for my Stepmom ... She LOVES anything tropical.

 Like I said, my Gramma loves to gamble.  Casino theme was appropriate lol

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