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. (:

Day 8

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

This picture def makes me LOL. We had such a fun night that night and it was the best thing for me. I will never forget this particular girls night because I still get reminded about it from Jess. "You sent me home two hours early!!!!" Lol ;)


Now..


Still makes me laugh.. :) but I definitely have a funnier one.

Similar in nature.. but a little more violent I'd say ;) I can't wait until Spring comes so I can take more pictures with the fountain :)

Recap; 2011 Style.

I know.. I know... It's been a WHILE... Sorry!!

Here's a recap of the last few months... (: My last post of 2011!!!!

Thanksgiving-

Being back at home was wonderful. It had been a really stressful few weeks and a little escape to Mulvane was needed. Jessica was coming to Lawrence to stay the night and I wasn't allowed to leave since I had a late test, so we got to see each other after a LONG time. (: I really didn't see many friends when I was home since everyone was spread out at families and I was only home for less then five days, but I got to see my entire family and that was great. And of course Thanksgiving food!! (:

Cousins! :)

A little of Mom's Side of the Fam!

Picture Perfect :)

Aunt Lisa...

&& Uncle Corey.. :)

Finals Week-

Oh. My. God... I have never been so tired in my life after finals week. I had three "test" finals and one paper to revise and then I was coming home! They were spread out across an entire week, so it was nice, but it also added to my stress level because I was freaking out for so long. I also was forced to work fifteen hours in three days (which isn't a lot, but I was used to 3 hours every three weeks... culture shock!). So my stress level is through the roof.... and I wasn't sleeping. Out of the entire week, I probably got around 20 hours of sleep total... and thats a high estimate... realllllly high... Thank goodness all-nighters are my specialty... However, it wasn't so fun coming home and being taken to Immediate Care and being diagnosed with Laryngitis!

Last day in Lawrence :( 

Christmas-

Oh Christmas Break.. a whole month at home with no work or school.. and James was coming home! So it was panning out to be a good Christmas. I went shopping no less then FOUR times BEFORE Christmas, and I'm still not done! Lol Jessica picked me up and we went shopping for her mom, Katie and I went to Sherlock Holmes, and Allyson and I went shopping a few days later. My mom and I spent the entire day before Christmas Eve shopping at the mall, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Walgreens... It was exhausting. Christmas Eve is always with my dad's side and Christmas Day is always with my mom's  side. Just a lot of relaxing and sleeping (and a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother") during the first half of my break...

Juli!

Christmas Eve!

Grandparents and Mom, Dad and Sister!

Family Pic!

New Year's-

Unfortunately, James had to fly back to California today... His dad and I went with him to the airport and eventually, he'll be on his way to Alaska. I have no idea when I'm going to see him again, but I am grateful for the times I got to see him the last few weeks and the previous seven plus years... those memories aren't going anywhere and he'll always have a special place in my heart.

But it's not all sad... I'm going to Amanda's tonight for a New Year's bash and we have a girls day coming up! Pics soon!

As painful as it is to lose James, I know it's all going to be alright. Life goes on and not at a better moment. It's a new year, lets start over. I feel like every year of my life has a theme...

2009- Patience. I was beginning to discover just how amazing life could be with just a little patience.
2010- Courage. Stepping out of my comfort zone and fighting back is never easy, but I did it in 2010.
2011- Change. So. Much. Change.. From graduation to moving, change is inevitable... but manageable.

2012- Acceptance. I have to learn to accept things that I can't change or shouldn't change.  I can't fight everything and I can't hold on to everything... sometimes, letting go is the best option.

I just have to accept it first...

<3

..i miss you already... i am so proud of you... <3 b="b">

One Year Later!

Can you believe it?! I have been blogging for ONE YEAR!

It's been a horrible day here in the magical land of Lawrence. Daisy Hill's water line broke this morning and there was no Mrs. E's or showers, and it's bitterly cold, and I am thinking I have the flu... Ugh. So I wanted this blog post to be positive to try and help my day out a little. Plus, we all know how much I enjoy reflecting and reliving my favorite memories.

As I've said many times before, October of 2010 was one of the happiest and most memorable months of my life: everything was going great, I had a fantastic boyfriend, and I was well into my Senior Year. Some of my early blog posts, (Senior Night, KU Bound, and It's Time for a Break) are really good for me to read to remember what was going on in my head a year ago... and to evaluate my life now and figure out what I need to do to return to that happy place.

College is new. Let's be honest. It's an adjustment to me... and I will still be adjusting for a while. I am not as settled as I was a year ago. I am learning way more about myself now, and I am very excited for my future, whatever it may hold... but one year ago was a much simpler time...

*I had a set schedule.
*I had someone to wake me up in the mornings.
*I had someone tell me when to (try and) go to bed.

*I had an easy job.

*I had easy classes (for the most part).
*I had a wonderful boyfriend and second family.
*I had a best friend I could see whenever I wanted.
*I had my family.

There are of course many things college gives me that high school didn't...

*I can go for a food run at 1 am.
*I can take a nap at 1 pm.
*I can run a ELISA Test in a lab.
*I can handle NaOH in a lab.
*I can stay in a library until 2 am.
*I can have a sleepover with my friends whenever I want.
*I can (eventually) travel abroad.
*I can learn to manage my time better.
*I can make (more) lifelong friends from all over the world.
*I can mange my money.

And most importantly...

*I can wake myself up in the mornings.

But this isn't even the whole list! College and I are a perfect match, but with all couples, there has to be rough patches and bumpy spots. If there aren't, this would be a very boring and unsatisfying ride...

Typical day with Ty (:

The Three Musketeers!! (: I miss you both!!

Cheering and being a Senior!! (:

I Miss You So Much... <3

My Mom and Dad (:

My Girls!! (:

Visiting KU almost exactly one year ago (:...

Midnight Tickets (:

Monday was quite possibly the longest day ever in the history of forever... ok yeah whatever. That was the biggest lie ever. I know what the longest day ever feels like... Monday was just hot :) My mom and I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita Golf Tournament (: This was the second year in a row that we've done it and I had a blast... It's impossible not to when around RMHC people. We got to the course around 9 and first began setting up the prize table. I told my mom that someday, I was going to participate in this tourney because it gives away some FAAAABULOUS prizes. Twenty-five grand was up for grabs and lots of wine, steak, and KC Royals tickets as well... and we all know I'd lean towards the wine ;)

It doesn't matter that I prob suck at golf worse then I suck at not going a week without getting a bruise (fyi: Its impossible.) Many of the men and women who compete are just there to drink, smoke and BS with their buddies and have an excuse not to go to work. Sounds good to me :) I've never seen an all-female team though... maybe I'll get Katie, Nicole, and Jess to take a stab at it with me in a few years lol.

The partner I got to sit with at hole 5 was suuuuper cool. We just chatted the entire time and had a blast taking with the golfers and making fun of Kansas weather. I got a Hades inspired sunburn though from sitting outside so much. My right arm is slightly useless and my legs are like my own personal space heaters. No need for blankets lol. But it's finally going away.. it must have been all the sleep I got yesterday... I came home around five-ish and honest to God, came into my room, fell face first into my bed, and didn't move for about two hours. No lie. Then I took a looooong shower to help with the burn, supplemented with lots of aloe. I fell back asleep again, missed Teen Wolf, and deprived my body of ever having a normal sleep schedule again... I woke up and decided I wanted to read... I have a Nook stocked with many of my favorites, especially the Twilight books. I had just recently completed one, so I went back to the beginning and got lost in my favorite love story.

I was pleasantly surprised I was able to read this book without pain... Jess had warned me to wait awhile before reading them again...but I had no clue how awhile was... so I took a stab in the dark. These books are so special and meaningful to me; they hold a lot of weight in my life and have a special place in my heart. Nicole's favorite running joke is that I could be Bella... and sadly, she's right. Depending on my circumstances at the moment... my life has had a few erie similar parallels to the stories. I even had a lengthy discussion with James about which he's rather be lol... (he chose vampire, thank God). I often wonder if I were to be in a weird parallel with the stories, where I am now... no where near the happily-ever-after, unfortunately. I've still got a few books for that. :)

Tuesday Katie and I went to the Warren to buy our HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 MIDNIGHT TICKETS!! I am so excited to see this movie!! I can still remember going to the first HP movie ten years ago.. then going to my first midnight book purchasing at Walmart... then my first midnight movie (funnily enough, same book, Half-blood Prince)... and now it's all over. It's kind of odd that it happens right when high school ends for me... it's true closure. That part of my life has ended and it's time for a new series... even Twilight is almost done! And that makes me feel super old.. I've been to all three midnight shows for that one... and a midnight book release. I hope I can attach myself to a new series again like I have with these two.. they have helped me through so much.. and I still have a majority of my life ahead of me.. as long as I get my midnight tickets, I'll be ok (:

Yeah, those are my Harry Potter sheets :)

After tickets, we went to Cherry Berry (duh) and back to her house to catch up on Teen Wolf! It was a relaxing day catching up with my bestie and her mom (: I wonder what the rest of the week has in store for me...

<3

Good Luck to Erynn!! She's off at her first ever Cheer Camp! I'm so jealous.. I miss it so much! Have Fun, Kid(:

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 (: