"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 (:

The Finish Line is in Sight...

I've had many times in my life where I feel like a ginormous countdown clock is attached to my head... and its not an easy way to live. I feel like I have so much to do in so little time and I panic and freak out and stress... then the day actually comes and I cry a lot. That's the typical equation. But before that, I always find myself thinking... how did I get here so quickly? I had, for example, eight weeks! How did they disappear to seven little days?....

Thankfully, since I went through these exact questions last November, I have a fairly good idea of how to handle them now. First thing: say everything that needs to be said. I've had a lot of talks with my friends this week and I don't want anything to be forgotten...its really helpful because then I don't wake up at three in the morning panicking because I forgot to tell someone I loved them or about how much they mean to me... stuff like that.

Tuesday night, Glee was on and of course it was amazing (: That show has given me something to look forward to every week and got me through a tough time... I will be so sad to see the season finale. Then Katie, Jess and I went to Cherry Berry, a new yogurt place in Derby. Not as good as Orange Leaf, but we had some great talks and we helped each other through a difficult time. I <3 my girls.

these are screenshots from video, so that's why they are blurry :)

Wednesday was Worlds of Fun (: and it was exactly what I needed to take my mind off the big day... we had soooo much fun. Katie, Jess and I rode the rip cord and we rode every roller coaster once and we ate bad-for-us-food and we just had an amazing time. Until the bus ride home... it started storming (senior trip curse...it is real) and we couldn't sleep because it was leaking ON MY HEAD and every time I would sleep, I'd have a nightmare that the van James and Chris were in was crashing because of the heavy rain. It was a looong ride home. The best part was the stop at Wendy's where we all shared horror stories of the ride and entertaining stories of the day. And the frosties... those too.

Thursday I stayed home (: I didn't care enough to go plus I had soooo much to do. The bus got back 2 hours after we were supposed to, I was sun burned, I had cut my foot and I was in a bad mood. I went to Perkins' class then left. I did my psych final (92!!), Calculus, Physics, and James' resume so he wouldn't fail advisory. Once I got all better, Friday was a cinch. It was my last Friday ever and I was super sad, but Monday is going to be soooooooo much worse. Friday night, I took Katie to see Night of the Living Dead, our schools spring play... it was a bad idea.... Since I don't want to hurt my friends who worked so hard on the plays feelings, I'm not going to talk about it. After, I rode with James to Village Inn, a theater tradition! I missed my theater friends soooo much this year... it was my first year without it. I did four shows at MHS, each time in a different area. We talked and laughed and watched James and Kenneth down bottles of syrup (nasty) and ate pie. Then James brought me home after we talked for a while and I got ready for my morning with KWCH (:

Saturday I went with my mom to Corporate Caterers and ate breakfast and got my picture taken and clip filmed for KWCH's Top of the Class. So from now on, look on KWCH.com and watch the news and look for me representing Mulvane High! I can't show pics because I want it to be a surprise... sorta lol.

That night, I went with Katie and her family and rodeo friends to Mosley Street Melodrama to see their version of GLEE! It was possibly the best night of my life. I laughed and cried and ate great food and downed two slushies (so did Katie) (: One of the actors was amazingly good looking and could sing like a God... he was a bass, tenor, alto, and soprano all in one. So amazing! After the show, Katie and her mom and dad helped me get a pic and his autograph! He's done off broadway shows, so he may become famous again and I can say I met him!! (: (He also played Kurt in the show, which is my favorite character in Glee!)

So today is my wrap up day! Get ready for my party on Saturday and finish all my work :) I am so nervous, but very excited.. I see the light at the end of the tunnel! Or maybe the finish line on the first leg of the race...

<3

Final College Grades! :)

Goin' Back to Bed...

I cannot be happy enough this week is finally over... I really can't.

Wednesday- AP TEST
The test gave me a headache, lets just go with that. I am thinking a 2, maybe 3, out of 5... which isn't usually how I go into tests thinking, but I know I won't use this test for credit, just practice. I will take it again at KU and hopefully it will click more the second time around. But I'm thinking Chris probably got a four or five so I am definitely rooting for him. (:

Thursday- Worst Day Ever
I hated Thursday. First hour- I get to class and we continue with Schindler's List... I spent the entire time trying not to cry or vomit. Then second hour physics. That class was just a headache. I don't know how to draw ray diagrams and I don't care. Topics? Black Hawk Down.. again I spent the entire end of the movie trying no to sob uncontrollably or throw up. People say "How can you be a doctor if you can't watch someones leg getting blown off?" UMMMM, Let's see. I put it back ON. I do not need to see it getting blown off. I had a serious discussion with myself a couple months ago about becoming a military doctor.. best training, they pay for it, and I get to travel. Then I saw this movie.. It's not happening. Later, the English 1 class I'm an aide for watched Romeo and Juliet, which is hands down my favorite Shakespeare. I'm a hopeless romantic and I love watching romances... but today was the end of the movie where they both die and cry over each other's dead bodies. Of course it would be the class full of freshmen, so I tried to focus on grading papers and not on how hard this was for me to watch. I came home and had a letter from KSHSAA waiting for me. I didn't get the Wanda May Vinson scholarship I had fought for... so I came back to my room and had a really hard time doing my homework. It was psych-night and I had 2 chapters worth due at eleven. But I couldn't focus, so I went and sat with my parents and cried for a while. It was just that kind of depressing day. I went to bed with very little work done, a monster headache, and two episodes of Glee watched.

Friday- well, it was Friday...
I went to school praying that it was going to be better then Thursday. I mean, honestly, how much worse could it get? It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. It was an average head-ache filled day at school: making the biggest to-do-list ever for this weekend, getting told someone wasn't going to their job because they are lazy, having to write the stupidest letter ever, and getting ditched. Awesome. I did get to see my cousins at the track meet and get outside which was nice, then I came home with a horrible headache and sinus issues... I layed down with my iPod and watched Glee. I don't remember falling asleep, but I must have because my mom came in and said I fell asleep with my contacts in again. I had so much to do last night so I was super angry at myself, but also glad I got so much sleep. I was out before nine (the exact time is unknown) and up before eight. Strange. But I couldn't breathe through my nose so I ate something, then laid back down to watch more Glee and be lazy. I took a long shower to try and stream my lungs clear and here I am trying to decide whether or not to go to a grad party... I really just want to sleep all day... but I have papers to write and speeches to think up and grad presents to finish and letters to write and I graduate in two weeks... good lord...

Maybe I will go back to sleep.

Next Week:
Monday: I'm forseeing a fairly typical day, except Mrs. Perkins is coming back from her materinty leave and I'm a little nervous... but I can't wait to see her and talk to her. Last Speech class as well!! I got a 95 on my last speech :) Ironically, thats the same grade I got on my Topics paper that was due the day of the Royal Wedding... go me. (:
Tuesday: Again, I'm thinking fairly typical. English Project and Topics Extra Credit due. Teachers are probably very sick of us by now, lol.
Wednesday: WORLDS OF FUN!! :) I can't wait!!! :D
Thursday: This day will suck after WoF. I can feel it. Psych final due at 11 pm. 200 True/ False questions... crap.
Friday: My last Friday of School. :'( I will definetly be crying.
Saturday: My day with KWCH!! I'll be on TV and online! I'll post links and pictures as soon as I can.

<3

(The pics of Katie and I dancing at the Senior Citizen Prom)

So much fun :) we had a blast. now we want to take dance lessons :)

Exhaustion= the intergal/derivative/limit of...

I have never hated math so much before...  I love math. I was so good at it.. :(
Geometry has always been one of my favorite subjects and even though trig was hard, I adapted. Calculus is a completely new subject. It's more algebra too... which sucks even more.

And scholarships?! Hate those too. My friends and I were discussing other ways we'd rather get money and none of them were very nice... but they sound better then another stinkin' essay!

I gave my last (public speaking) speech tonight.. the big speech is in three weeks... If anyone has any tips or suggestions for my graduation speech about the future... let me know! :)

Yesterday, the senior citizen  prom was a blast! I love going and hanging out with the other StuCo kids and the older kids :) They are so sweet and fun to watch dance! I danced with Katie and Taylor Hatfield... love those two :) James was being stubborn and a pain, so I asked Katie instead :)
I have just a little over twenty four hours until I take my AP calculus test... my wonderfully optimistic teacher, Mrs. Milledge, believes I will get a three or four outta five... she's crazy. lol.

And I have another scholarship due tomorrow... I am seriously debating how much I want it.. because I am so tired.... I just heard my Glee songs and Skillet songs and I want to go to bed.

And the more I type that, the greater that sounds..

Someday, when I make my blog a biography, this will be a very funny one to read :)

<3

Taylor && Taylor (:

Jordan :)

Katie and her saxophone :)

See?! Pain!

Thanks Thomas lol

Royal Wedding (:

Yes, I did wake up at four.

Yes, I made it through the entire day of school! (And until 1 am last night!)

Yes, it was everything I hoped my first Royal Wedding would be!! (:

I love happiness and romance and love and all that mushy-gushy stuff. (: its such a nice break from all the death, destruction, and economic issues of the world. Yeah, some people are going to bash it and say Britan should have spent the money on more important things. I say there is no more important thing then happiness and the celebration of love (especially in the royal family). Because of all the bad things in the world, maybe this was the best time to have it. Everyone needs something to look forward to... and I don't mean just the wedding itself. Those two are going to make the monarchy cool again and they will do amzing things for Britian and the rest of the world... to me... that's something to get excited about and  look forward to. <3

Speaking of the future, we had our potential valedictorian meeting yesterday. Its all becoming way too real... way too fast. There are only three of us, so for the first time in years... there will only be one person speaking at a time...

Hell. Yes. :D

I don't like speaking with others because I don't always know what they are thinking or what may come out of their mouths.... I barely even trust myself. I could barely contain myself when Wolgast (yes, Wolgast) was telling us this... and even better, when we were choosing either the past, present and future topics. I chose future... which means I. Go. Last!!!!

Had there only been two of us, I would have been the Valedictorian and they the S-word-I-never-learned. But I am perfectly ok with being co-valedictorians with two others. Especially two others that I like. (:

Yesterday evening, Katie and I took a drive into Wichita after Erynn's softball game for some Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt... we both needed it :) It had been a long day for both of us and we just sat there and chilled and talked about the wedding and the end of school and when we got back to her house, we sat in her driveway and chatted about everything else. It was some much needed girl time (: love you katie <3

Then after, James and I went on a walk which was good because we got to talk and he told me funny stories about people… but I think I got sick from it. When I got back to his house, I started breathing my you-have-allergies way...not good. So, I came home and called it a night... which was good...cuz it was pushing 24 long hours since I was asleep... for a bite-sized three hours. The night before I got 4 hours...

Yes, I will make a great doctor someday because I obviously don't need sleep.

Don't worry! I slept until 1 today feeling sick and worn out...so that means its a Glee and paperwork day!!! (:

Three more weeks (:

<3

Don't Stop Believin', Mulvane High

The most amazing this happened to me today!!

I can't even describe how happy I was all day!!

Ok, I'll start from the beginning (:

So, last night I fell asleep around eight, right after Glee, which is highly unusual for me to take naps (no matter how much as I want to). I woke up this morning feeling angry that I got nothing done, and like something a truck just ran over. I somehow made it to school on time and read the announcements like always.

But when I got to Mrs. Webb's room... something strange happened. The whole staff was wearing identical t-shirts (which isn't odd; our staff loves to wear Mulvane shirts) that said Don't Stop Believin' on the back... and for about 90 seconds.. something was nagging at my previous days memories... and suddenly, I remembered what it was.

Mrs Milledge (my calc teacher): "Tomorrow after the talent show, the administration and staff have an announcement to make."

I put 2 and 2 together faster then I believe I ever have at 9 am.

THE STAFF WAS GOING TO DANCE TO GLEE!

I just knew it. I had no proof, no staff slips, nothing. It's very difficult to keep secrets at Mulvane High, so I thought if something was going on, someone would have said something. But I was so sure that I was right. I told Nicole who also thought if something was going to happen, someone would have let it slip. So, I went throughout the day praying I was right because I needed something to lift my spirits (plus it was GLEE!!). I also debated about going to the talent show or going and working for an hour and a half. After my hopeful epiphany in English, however, that didn't look likely. So, at one-thirty, Nicole, Katie, Brandon, Kelsey and I sat in a row waiting to see if I was right....

At 2:15... I got my answer.

It was incredible. I cried from sheer happiness and excitement and it was exactly what I needed to get me through the next week. I have always loved Mulvane High and its staff... but this defiantly made me love them more.  The dude at the end was our superintendent with our mascot. Katie, Nicole and I (and the entire auditorium) (but especially Nicole) were SCREAMING the entire time so there is a lot of noise over the music. Click here to hear the Glee version of Don't Stop Believin’ better. My video is on Youtube and Facebook as well if this is not easy to watch.

Thank you MHS staff, and thank you Ohio State for giving them the idea :)

<3

"Next Chapter."

Have you ever gotten those stress pains that feel like you are having a gall bladder attack? While I have not  yet experienced the gall bladder issues half of my family has experienced, including the removal, I have been getting so stressed out its starting to physically hurt. Here's why...

Tonight: Math Homework, study for AP test, Scholarship, Watergate project (and thankfully GLEE!)
Wednesday: Same as above, but I have to go to a meeting at 7 instead of working like I usually get to.
Thursday: Psych-Night. All my college psych homework is due, and Watergate is due Friday as well as a Scholarship.
Friday: Up at 4 for the ROYAL WEDDING!! (: I am so excited!! I love weddings and I am thrilled I get to experience a royal wedding like Charles and Diana's. Then I'll suffer through school and come home and pass out. Hopefully, I get some work done too.
Saturday&Sunday: Scholarships out the Wazoo (due Monday), Persuasive speech (due Monday), study for AP test, Math Homework, interview a Mulvane resident who knew Dr. Cobb (anyone know anybody?) and anything else that pops up between now and then.
Monday: Scholarships that are due that week, Study for AP test, give Persuasive Speech
Tuesday: STUDYING FOR AP TEST!!!
Wednesday: You guessed it... AP Test @ 8 am. Thankfully, I am not obligated to go back to school after this.. however, I may go commandeer the library to get some scholarships done.

This is the next week of my life... and I am not looking forward to any of it. I reallllly wish Graduation would get here and this summer would pass quickly. Once I am able just to focus on one school (instead of three) and do things that I actually want and am excited to do (umm busy work anyone? no thanks) I think I'll be much happier. 5 classes instead of 9?! You bet! Classes I can leave if we aren't doing anything?! Yes, Please!

In some good news, I found these last night when I was snooping to see if I won a scholarship or not.... It's not up yet, but this will do :)

Governor's Scholar List  page 10
StuCo Newsletter page 2

Also, thank you to Jessica for giving me a new song :) I know I keep stealing yours (lol how ironic) and it did make me cry... but I love it. Thank you <3

I can't believe its almost May already. I am so ready to finish this chapter of my life and move to Lawrence to begin my next (:

Wish me luck <3

(More Prom Pics)