June 23

There's been a lot going on around here this week. I've discovered that aside from writing, this is my go-to stress relief. Also, I just like to overshare. -shrugs-

• Last week, I cut off all my hair. Well, really just a lot of it. I hadn't exactly planned to--and it's been a big adjustment. It definitely took a few days for me to get used to it--and a few days more to figure out why it's been such a big change--and why I've had such an emotional connection to it.
  I was sitting in class the day after I had my hair cut and the prof was calling on people. I purposely looked down at the desk and waited for my hair to fall forward and hide my face. The surprise of that thought may have made me actually look up. Holy shiz, was not expecting that.
  So this past week has been me coming to terms with that idea and how it feels to be...revealed. It's been harder than I was expecting. But I'm getting used to it. Maybe.
• One of my dearest, sweetest friends has left for the beach for the entire summer and told my friend and I that we could ride her horses while she was gone. I've only been able to go once so far...but the summer isn't over yet! I'm so excited and it seems like a good way to get back into the stable swing before I [hopefully!] start taking lessons again in the fall (the thought of it makes me want to cry a little bit with happiness).

• The novel that I'm writing with Brit is going really well. Because we both kind of fizzled out last time, we decided to really plan it out this go-round. So far, it's been incredibly inspiring. We're both incredibly pumped (still!) and it's basically taken over our lives. I'm not complaining.

I occasionally get a little OCD. (:

• Last weekend was Allie's birthday, so I headed down to Charlotte to celebrate with her and some of her friends from high school. It was a fabulous night--we practically closed down South Park by just hanging out and visiting. I've missed her desperately. 
• also, it was my first time driving through downtown Charlotte alone...and I didn't cry. which is more than I can say for my first solo drive in Atlanta. (I sobbed. Holy goodness, it was terrifying.)

• Our French exchange student, Éline, is here! Her sister stayed with us two years ago and then Mom and I stayed with her family in Paris last year. It's fantastic to have her here and I know it's going to be an incredible three weeks. We all volunteered at the local soup kitchen yesterday and she was a total champ. It's overwhelming--even when you speak the language, but she jumped right in to help and was a pro!

• As of Tuesday morning, I am officially done with Spanish II! Spanish III starts Monday...so right now, I'm enjoying my little "vacation". Every time I get the urge to look ahead in the book (bc, yes, that's the kind of person I am), I squash it. There'll be more than enough time to do that in the next 5 weeks. 
• The real reason I wrote this was because I remembered a phone call this morning...that I was supposed to have Wednesday afternoon. With finals and our various plans and activities and the three different families that I'm house/pet-sitting for this week, it completely slipped my mind. When I remembered this morning, I frantically emailed the woman and started beating myself up. Why didn't I set a reminder, why didn't I tell my mom so she could remind me, why didn't I... It was not fun. Or helpful.
  So, I emailed her, apologized and decided to stop blaming myself (because really, what's going to change now?). Then I put on a dress, because apparently that's what makes me feel better, and my big girl pants, and felt better. It's not fixed and I still feel horrible and completely unprofessional, but...there's nothing I can do about it now. Oh well.

Off to go cuddle some kitties to make myself feel better. Pet-sitting's the best--all of the cuddles with none of the permanent responsibility. Let's just say, I'm a fan.

xo, B.

Wonderful Wednesdays...and Terrific Thursdays

Wednesdays are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week. Every Wednesday, my godfather, Sean, and his daughter Olivia, my "godsister", come over and we have dinner. It's so wonderful to get to catch up with some of my favorite people.

Yesterday, I wasn't feeling so great and just really wanted to curl up in bed and read after school...so I did. And sweet Olivia came up and snuggled with me as well and we shared some quality sister time:

After dinner, everyone but Dad, who had to study, trooped up to the auditorium to watch my school's talent show. It was fabulous; y'all missed out. There was singing, dancing, poem reading...I was super impressed with all of my school's amazing talent!

Will in his ducky pants; there was also a poem involved

There was some awesome Irish dancing by Miss Kelcie

Amanda getting ready to sing. <3

Final bows

Thursday was our last Family ever. Finals start next week, so the entire schedule gets blown entirely away...and then a lot of people just don't even have to be there. Our family is made up primarily of seniors, so to celebrate our last gathering, we all headed out to the park for the second week in a row.

There was some chillin':

Visiting:

And a lot of laughs. At one point, Will leapt on Alex's back and yells "Run Shadowfax! Show us the meaning of haste!" All Lord of the Rings fans instantly collapsed in laughter.

I'm going to miss these crazy kids. It's been a really excellent four years. Neither Amanda nor I have any finals this year, so I've gotten a head start on the whole packing-for-college, cleaning-out-schoolwork process...and the sappy nostalgia, as well. 

We've been working on our bucket list, but that deserves it's own post, so more will be coming soon!

~B

PS - I know there are some wacky formatting things going on in this post, but I've given up on trying to reason with Blogger. (: