Day 9

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

This chick is probably my soul mate. I love her to death and even though we've only been super tight for a few months, we've been together for years. Sitting in her carafter cheer practice for an hour telling stories, staying up until ungodly hours crying together, Skyping each other every night to recap the day, laying on my bed watching Dawson's Creek until our eyes hurt from crying so much, shopping shoping shoping, our jokes, Advisory time, and the pictures... she's been with me through some of the toughest months ever... the good, and the bad. 

♥

Same. This will never change...

Except maybe an addition...

As unbelievable as it sounds... thanks for everything Chris. (:

Sleep or No Sleep?

I am still getting the hang of this college thing. I thought I had it.. but I most definitely do not. I am very, very grateful I have wonderful teaching and lab TA's. They are working closely with me to make sure I do as well as I can here at KU and beyond... it's such a blessing. Especially since I keep getting sick! Living with all these people and all these germs is kicking my immune system's behind.

Halloween was a blast here! I didn't go out much, but I still had an amazing time with my friends in my costume. I can't wait for next year!

Big Mac's Hall Gov!!

Best Friends!! (:

Mitchell from Ells!! Love that kid!

Tonight, I talked Jessica into going to Walmart with me to pick up Harry Potter 7 Part 2 at midnight!!! It's the last time I'll ever get to go to Walmart at midnight for a Harry Potter anything... I've been watching it since the moment I got home. I have CHILLS! And TEARS! Its only the second time I've seen it having been shipped to StuCo Workshop the day of the premiere. Usually I see Harry Potter movies in theaters four times.. so I have a lot of catching up to do! (Goodbye July! and Midnight Tickets are my other blogs about HP7P2.)

Mom, Dad, Erynn, and Shae are coming into Lawrence on Saturday to see us play Baylor and hang out with me. Erynn and Shae are even going to stay with Claire and I in our room! Ironically, that morning, I have to go to KC with my Honors class as a community service trip. And that Sunday, I have to work at E's... and do my homework. So it's going to be a fantastically busy weekend. (: But with Thanksgiving and Christmas so close, it's hard not to count down the days and be anxious to go home (35 days, 16 hours... for Christmas). James and Chris are both coming home that day as well, and it will be wonderful to see them again. I even got permission from James to see him at the airport because I will be in KC at a Med Center visit. (: I am wayyy too excited.

Next time this week, I will be at the Breaking Dawn Midnight Premiere! This is honestly what I love most about college; practicing my skills at staying up late and/or all night. I have successfully pulled two all nighters here at KU and many, many late nights (such as tonight). Some are homework related, others are friends keeping my butt up late... Moral of the story, however, is I wouldn't change a thing. (:

Today is 11-11-11.. supposedly a very special day. I intend to see that through. ;) Sleep or no sleep.

<3

♥Thank you to all the Veterns who have served, and are serving. You know how much you mean to me. (:

Me && My BCGs (:

It's been a weird few days around here... slightly eventful, but mostly just weird,...

Friday I was called into cooking class early, so I dragged my butt outta bed and went to make some orange julius' and french toast. After work, I went straight to James' and woke him up and laid with him until he was fully awake. He was not very happy with me, but I needed my friend. The night before, Katie came and kept me company by taking walk around town with me and getting a Sonic treat (: I stayed with James until he kicked me out at one in the morning, with the exception of the hour I went home to shower. I really have the two best friends I could ever ask for. They put up with me more then I deserve...<3

Ha. Don't we make a funny bunch? ;)

Saturday was a lazy day I believe.. I don't remember much except going to work out and I may have gone to Erynn's softball tourney... I am totally unsure lol. Sunday was much more eventful. We went to Erynn's game at noon, then I raced to work at 1:45. I now assist a gymnastics class at the MRC on Sundays and it was a blast!! I love working with kids. (: Then I raced home to change and spray some good smelling stuff on me and race to the championship game! The Wildcats won and we were all covered in dirt and sweat to prove it! I believe it was 102 and the winds blew dirt anywhere and everywhere... it was NASTY. However, I had to the race to Caitlin's to pick her up and take her to see Megan, our old cheer coach, whose grandmother had just passed away. I finally got home at seven-ish.... "TAYLOR, WE NEED YOU TO GO TO THE STORE!"

Of Course.

So Erynn and I race to the store and gas station to make it back in time for the Glee Project... we made it and I finally had time to just SIT! It was a good end to a very long and exciting day.

Today was kinda poopy in its own way... I had a doctors appointment to get my Meningococcal Vaccine (yeah I copied and pasted that.) Now, if you know me, I love shots and needles and stuff and things like that.. it fascinates me. I just remember the last time I had a shot, it hurt for a long time afterwards and made me cranky.

This time was no exception.

Erynn was even less happy... she got two. One in each arm. And yes, like a good sister, I held her hand. We got Sonic, came home and passed out on the couch in too much pain to move. My arm was sore for a very long time and was even tingling and burning for a while, but I also attribute that to my sunburn and my soreness from doing so much gymnastics (out of practice) yesterday.

The smiles were fake...fyi.

Snoopy band-aid (:

After I got home from the doctor... I noticed my eye was hurting. And I knew exactly what was happening because I've been here before... I just really hoped I was wrong..

Nope. I have another stye.

It's freaking huge. I have no idea where it came from but OMG... yeah, looks like I'll be stuck in my glasses for a few days... even though I despise wearing them in public. And I know.. I love posting pics of my injuries and battle wounds because I'm so darn proud of them... but sorry guys.. me and my BCGs are hiding out for a few days.

<3

PS. good luck, chris. <3 i'll miss you.

see you soon, dude (:

Late Summer Nights.. (:

So, this week has been pretty slow...

I was lucky enough to be called into work Monday and Tuesday. And I received a special surprise when it was cooking both days! I love those kids so much, and even though everyone knows I am NOT a morning person, I would gladly get up at eight everyday for them. Tuesday after work, I twisted Jess's arm into going to lunch with me since she wouldn't have Mercedes that day. Well, after you teach a cooking class for three hours, no one is hungry. Trust me. So we decided on Arby's Jamocha Shakes. We ended up sitting in Arby's for TWO HOURS; laughing, crying, talking... It was a very needed chat. (: I have missed this girl so much... I often say I am so thankful her and Nicole are rooming together so I only have to make one Skype call, or one trip :) Cuz there will be many of them...

Jess and I on one of our many Skype calls :)

After shakes, we went to pick up my VERY VERY MUCH MISSED car :) I hate relying on people to drive me around (especially when it's late at night lol) when I am usually perfectly capable. I don't mind taking people when we're going to the same place, but I hate asking others to take me somewhere... Thankfully, it was only for a few days, and thankfully I have some fantastic friends. <3 Jess came over after getting Beast (yes, I named my car) to watch her Graduation gift and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night" music video... like I said, I have missed this girl soooo much :)


Since it was Tuesday, it meant that my butt was going to be at Cherry Berry that night. Katie went with me and we also laughed and cried and talked about everything... it was another needed, emotional talk. Later that night, I had a similar one with James... while these kinds of talks are needed... I wish I would have spread them out a little more. Three in one day will wear out a person.

Katie and I after Cherry Berry (:

Wednesday must have been boring because I remember nothing. Thursday was (finally!) a group outing with my favorite people. James, Chris and Jess and I were going to meet at my house at 6 and head over to Derby Days. Well, when we got there, no rides were running and nothing was going on. The boys in the front seat (yes, Chris drove Jessica's car) turn to yell at me for five minutes, because it's all my fault. Turns out, I wasn't crazy. Derby was just slow :) That was super nice to hear from the boys... "Taylor, you're not crazy." We then made plans to go see the Hangover 2 and Bridesmaids at the Drive-In. We got Chris' car, and made the trek into Wichita. We got the best seat in the house because there were probably a grand total of ten cars there to start the night off. We got food and squeezed into the back of the suburban.

In the back seat while Chris is driving... scaryyy!

James <3 Oh I will miss him horribly...

YESSS! Best shot ever!

When the boys left to go pee... yes. They left the car with us! Hahaa

Right before the second movie started, it started to POUR. Many of the cars left, but we stuck it out and finished the second movie. Unlike my last drive-in experience, I was fully awake this time, the whole time... probably because it was about a million degrees hotter lol. The movies were good, the boys complained the whole time, but really... what else is new? :)

Yeah this was not an easy picture to get.. :P

They'll be announcing their engagement any day now.. lol jk.

Who does peace signs anymore, James?! Come on!

Awwww.. :)

I came home and went with James to clean out and wash his car. Then we went and watched our typical South Park episodes. All in all.. it may have been a better night then last Friday.... :D
This Friday was pretty boring. My cousin, Shae, turned 12 so we went to her birthday party and hung out with the family, but since my day didn't start until about one pm... it was a rather short day. Yesterday, I actually went and worked out... but when my mom and I went to the store for dinner, i bought cookie dough for father's day, and came home and made said cookies... Needless to say... "What workout?" lol

We could so be sisters... well I guess a few of us are! lol

I'm hoping for a fast-paced, productive week... lots of gym, and pool, and friends :) and hey, who knows?.. maybe a new blog everyday...

<3

"Last Friday Night..."

I know, I KNOW! I can practically hear Sheila all the way over here,

"Where Have You Been!?!?! xoxo"

I have been LOVING my time off. I can't even explain it. One might ask what I've been doing since graduation, and I would be most happy to answer.. I just hope you have a few minutes (:

First off, Happy 18th Birthday My BFF Jess <3 Her birthday party is this weekend and I am definitely looking forward to it!

Jess <3

Next, I started my job at the MRC this week as a substitute for the Summer Rec Program. But don't let that fool you. I still have jobs lined up for weeks. The sub list isn't long enough! This week I have been working in cooking with Jess and Nicole and I LOOOOOVE it. It is the perfect job; I don't even mind the getting up at 8 am. I adore the kids and my co-workers and the money. :) duh... lol I will post pictures as the summer goes on.

This summer, I vowed to spend time with my boys as much as possible before they sold their souls.... I mean joined the military. :D James and I watch a lot of Family Guy, American Dad, Futurama, South Park... anything that rots my brain and lowers my IQ. However, he did get me attached to a great show called Dexter! It's gory and disturbing... just my type ;) It has so much mystery and thrill involved, the rest just isn't so bad. We make a lot of late night Derby runs too: Dillons, McDonalds, etc. I give him up July 26th and I'm probably going to lose a huge chunk of myself too. 39 percent of my life is a huge part of a short eighteen years to know and care about someone... I'm just thankful it's San Antonio and California for the first seven months... Although the California is a little worrisome... :P

Chris leaves for New York in just twenty days. We have a lot of texting conversations (and late night prank phone calls) and  I'm going to miss him as well. I am now starting to feel bad for all the fighting and bickering.. when we could've been a lot closer. But, since it's nothing I can fix now, I just try to make it better... I tell them both I'm proud of them and that I love them whenever I can because I know that gift will vanish soon... <3

Chris :)

James :)

JESSICA STOP READING NOW IF I HAVE NOT GIVEN YOU YOUR GRADUATION GIFT.

My girls are not a different story. I am the only one of our bunch leaving for KU, so while they all get to go off and be with each other... I will be all by myself. So we have to party while we can! For graduation, I made the four (see side panel or graduation speech) DVDs of every picture I had of the two of us and put it to tear-jerking music. (Obviously, I have yet to give Jess hers.) Nicole and Katie both cried. I cried. James is heartless. :) So that was the easy one *Not Really.* But it was so much fun looking back at the last five years with them and laughing and crying and more laughing all at the same time.

We go to Cherry Berry... A LOT. Like, at least twice a week. So far this summer, Katie and I have seen the Hangover 2, Cherry Berried, and watched So You Think You Can Dance. Nicole joined us for Tallianos, Cherry Berry and Teen Wolf (Another New Favorite!!) recently, and the boys took us to Final Friday a couple weeks ago. I've applied to seven places and not one has called me back. I volunteered at the River Run with my mom and loved every minute of it! Even the 5:00 am wake up call. :P I have started packing my room (seriously) and it's fairly clean now. Three tubs full of crap (and a box of books) now reside at my grandparents house. I am on my iPad alllll the time and my mom gave me her old Nook! 50 bucks later I am the proud owner of all four Twilight ebooks and a few other novels to entertain me for a few days ;)

Mom and I at the River Run.. yes I am that tired looking lol

Katie and I at the Hangover!

It was a pretty sunset.

Cherry Berry!

We saw our friends Allyson and Rylee at Cherry Berry :)

The girls at Final Friday

I am trying to get back onto a schedule of sleep, work, working out, hanging out, repeat. I am trying to get everything done I want (need) to this summer... Trying. trying...

I really am starting to appreciate time more now.. It seems like just yesterday I was making plans for June 10th and suddenly... it's here. Scary...

But it's FRIDAY! Not that that means anything anymore.. But I am planning on dragging James to Derby Days with me tonight and hopefully getting my midnight curfew taken away.. lol yeah I am seventeen (eighteen in one month!!!) and this is the first time I've really ever had a set curfew. The last time I just bent it when I needed to... lol I am totally ready for another Awesome Friday Night. (:

<3

"The Promises of Tomorrow..."

I FINALLY GRADUATED!! (:

This week has been CRAZY and I have loved just about every minute of it!

Monday was everyone's last official day. We got our yearbooks, watched the senior edition of KCAT, and received our Senior Edition of Cat Tracks. It was a sad day, but not sad enough... I still had to come back the next day!! haha and later I learned I'd spend more time at school then people who were required to be there. But I did relatively well on all my finals. I did get my first D on a physics test though... but I got an A on the final... oh well! I finished my eighth and final semester with a 4.14. That brings my graduating GPA to a 4.07... which would be the school record. However, I hope it's broken soon lol. We have some insanely smart people here... just lazy.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I was at school from 8 to 5 all three days... and I technically was done with school! It was ninety percent speech practice. We worked sooooo hard on it; it was like our child. Perkins is a god-send at this stuff, so I give her most of the credit. After outdoor graduation practice on Thursday, and watching her speak.... I was praying for an indoor graduation. The delay was heinous and while I am quite comfortable speaking in front of people, this was new.

Friday was quite possibly more looked forward to then Graduation Day in my book. Senior Awards Day. I remember my first senior awards day my freshmen year; I sat with my FACS class in the stands and was in AWE. I couldn't wait for my own awards and scholarships to win. Truthfully, I didn't do too bad. I won five scholarships and four awards. The coolest scholarship I won was the Optimist Club one that was worth TWO GRAND! I was stunned. Jolee had to push me out of my seat. I also won the Alumni Association Scholarship (thank you Mom), the KAY Service Scholarship, the StuCo Academic Scholarship, and the Faculty and Staff Scholarship. I knew about all the awards I was getting, so the surprise element was gone, but it was still cool!! I was honored as a Board of Regent Scholar, a State Scholar, an ACT Award winner (you have to get a 32 or higher and I was the ONLY ONE! I about fell out of my seat), and a Co-Valedictorian. I was still shaking after the ceremony while taking pictures. I had tripped three times total that morning (Thank you Tory and Mr. Ensley for catching me), but that is SO typical.. It was the perfect lead in to the big day...

Sarah and I getting our Optimist Scholarship from the Mayor, Jim Ford.

The three Valedictorians getting their trophies (:

SATURDAY. I couldn't sleep the night before. It's like getting married I'm sure. I was anxious and excited and scared to speak and nervous and everything else all rolled into one tiny 5 foot 2 person. I got up at 5:45 (for the SECOND day in a row) and was at the school by 7:30 to practice my speech. I got my wish for an indoor graduation so speaking with the school's sound system was a breeze. We all waited around and got antsy until FINALLY Perkins called us to line up. I was shaking. Horribly. When I first walking into the gym and saw 2500 people looking at me, I wanted to run the other way. But then I realized these people are rooting for me; they have watched me grow up and love me and it will ALL be ok. I lost my shoe strap walking in (duh!) but once I got to my seat I started to calm down. Esprit sang two of the best songs ever! The Glee version of Keep Holding On and Let it Be, my favorite Beatles songs. I had to pinch myself not to cry because I knew I spoke next... I did NOT want to go onstage with tears running down my face (along with mascara, purple eyeliner and eye shadow). But all too soon, Ensley introduced us on stage... and everything went beautifully. I didn't cry in my speech like I thought I would... but I started to during my thank-yous. I name dropped a LOT in my speech and every single person I mentioned came up to me angry cuz I made them cry lol. It was all a complete surprise. No one read this speech except Perkins... not even my mother. But I couldn't have asked for a better ceremony. I didn't trip getting my diploma, however, Tay did ungraduate me on accident and Caleb White had to regraduate me! Oh the memories...(:

My walking buddy, Tory. He was a trooper walking with the biggest klutz EVER.

Jolee Graduating me (: We totally hugged after.

Me turning Tay's tassel!

Me speaking about the future...

I could not stop smiling :)

I came home to get ready for my party which was AMAZING! Thanks Mom and Dad for throwing a great shindig :) I loved seeing all my friends and classmates and teachers and family members together and I had a pretty dress and my hair was still curled and I love social events so it was definitely my forte. After the party, Chris and James showed up and we all went to Walmart and QuikTrip. James bought us all lottery tickets and I won five bucks :) We came back to my house, watched TV with my mom and then took Chris home. James and I talked in my driveway for a little while and then I came inside and passed out... rightfully so. (:

Sunday was the laziest day ever. James picked me up to go deposit our Grad presents and we went to Target to buy expensive headphones and a dress... guess who bought what:P We came back to my house, sat on the couch, and didn't move for about 6 hours. We watched Harry Potter and played with my iPad (again, thanks mom and dad!!). After we went to his house, watched our typical Family Guy, and I came home at 4 AM. I kinda like this whole graduated from high school thing.. :) I did pretty much the same thing today and it feels sooooo nice not to be stressed again. Four years.. is a long time. This relief is definitely four years overdue.

Tomorrow I am going into school for Gandolf's surprise birthday party, then I have Erynn's graduation, then the season finale of GLEE! I am so excited and sad at the same time... it's like graduation lol.

Also, my KWCH thing has been posted! Just go to http://www.kwch.com/community/top-of-the-class-2011/ and check it out! The tv spot should be online soon.

Even though it's been three days, it still hasn't hit me yet. And it may not hit me until I move into my dorm... or it may hit me tomorrow. I have no clue. All I know is that I am ok right now and I am so excited for my future... I just don't want to say goodbye to my friends... not yet. Thankfully, we still have the promises of tomorrow...

<3

Erynn and I (:

The three Hanna girls :)

James <3

Rylee <3

Nicole <3

Caitlyn <3

Katie <3

The Fam (:

Who da Thunk it...

Five Snow Days.
FIVE SNOW DAYS!!
That's an entire week of school! And since I am graduating.. It doesn't matter! We can't make it up. Haha oh the irony...

But I do miss being in school. I love seeing everyone when I know we have such limited time together. Plus, I hate the cold and that stupid groundhog said we were supposed to get an early spring. So I am hoping that this is a last "kiss my butt" message from winter, and spring comes early. It's already been a long winter...
I will give the cold this, however.. It was very pretty outside yesterday. It was straight snow and it was fluttering around and blowing everywhere and it looked just like a postcard. Then my hands got cold and I decided it wasn't very pretty anymore...

Speaking of missing school, I get to take a day off again in April :)

I am returning to Lawrence!!

I was invited to attend a scholar's day on April 4th and after I got clearance from my Cowley Professor, we signed up first thing! Later that day, I received a text from my mom saying we would be staying at the Oread! That really, really awesome hotel on campus! Since it is a non-game day, it was relatively easy my mom said.

So the schedule goes like this:
Friday April 1st- finish up everything here in Mulvane.
Saturday April 2nd- Mr. Wildcat!!
Sunday April 3rd- Leave for the best city on earth. (:
Monday- Scholars Day.

The Oread :) It's sooo pretty!

View of my future home... I'm stoked :)

I really am excited to return to Lawrence. It will give me something to look forward to and the recharging I am sure I will need 7 weeks before I graduate. (Grad-Day, T-minus 101 days!!)

Even though I am super stoked about college (and yeah, scared, nervous, terrified...), I still know I will do fine. It will take adjusting. Like everything else in life. But some people aren't so sure. My buddy, Chris, was accepted into West Point this week and I am really proud of him. We act like we hate each other 90% of the time, but the other ten we get along fine. So congrats, kid. You are going to make a great army officer.

We switched uniforms on Switch Day. Sure wish the Army could see this one ;)

So with Valentine's Day coming up, I was less then excited to celebrate it. I could have just pretended it wasn't happening and forgotten. But to make it all better, Jessica and I are going to do something together hopefully. I even promised to get her a pillow pet and she said she'd get me a teddy bear. (: I have a great best friend.

So with that, I am going to be productive today on my day off... maybe :)
<3