Days are the same

Cold, grey, dismal.
I see only remnants of my childhood love for this dying town.
An escaped state of mind from long ago.
Before time dictated my thoughts.
And threatens to claim my feelings.

Slowly checking things off my list

I have a list already. Not too much stuff, of course it's still summer. But I found my favorite VHS I've watched here since I was 8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It's also 58 degrees, windy, and drizzly. This thin-blooded AZ kid is not happy at all. Sleeping with a space heater, water bottle, socks, and two blankets.

Self portrait. You can't go wrong with plaid in Minnesota.

Minnesota

I made it.
Here in this town til June 11th.

Just hanging outside with the children and adults. This is how it should be.

Minnesota-bound

I think it's a 28 hour drive?
Well I'm going with my gparents to Minnesota for my cousin's graduation. I can't wait to see Caden, Hannah, Hayden, Madison, Ian, Sam, Conner, Ann and the assortment of aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
Four days in the car tag-teaming with driving is going to be mind numbing. I don't know how I will survive. Please, text me if you want to keep me sane.
I also think I will starve the whole way. I don't eat refined sugar or processed foods anymore so travelling this way is going to be great.
On the up side, I'm going to be missing like 3 graduation parties and the AFHE graduation ceremony while I'm gone. It's not like I don't want to go, I'm just too partied out and kinda want a break from the people I know.
I can't find my camera charger so I'm bringing the Yashica for the trip. Be prepared for film pics later on! 

Graduates

Shooting baskets before the ceremony

Now I can hang my tassle on my mirror. Class of 2012

Cousins

They brought the inflatible Shamu pool toy all the way from San Diego

What's going on

Today I thought I looked pretty without makeup and styled hair.
And skinny in the dressing room mirror.

......It's obviously summer

when you were here

You taught me to be young and child-like. Even at 19.
You got me hooked on banana Cold Stone with sprinkles and gummy bears.
I remember your awesome Dback's themed room with the flat screen tv and loft. Hard to imagine you were just 17 and already making bank.
I remember when we named our dog after you. You thought it was such an honor. Even after we told you it was because she was so A.D.D.
You told some of the best stories with your brother. Like that one time you threw a gatorade bottle right through the bedroom door while your mom was gone.
You always loved rocking out to this one part in my Mozart piece. I'd play it over and over for you.
And all those late nights with you, my mom and me improvising Heart and Soul on the piano.
Every thanksgiving was party. A 'baking til 4 am party', and playing pranks on whoever fell asleep first.
You had a great taste in music. You introduced me to Peter Gabriel that one time we came over to swim.

Well now I'm passing you in age. Or at least I'm getting older than my last memory of you.
I had a dream you were back. This afternoon I heard this song, thought of you, and my heart sank to remember you aren't here with us. How could I be so stupid to believe a dream? You aren't back, you aren't here.
You're not free yet.

Mom

Prom musings

Metallic gold manicure... Couldn't help but stare at it during worship rehearsal. Is that heathen?
Prom is tomorrow

Final week of high school

So far it's turning out to be nothing I expected. Just more of the same crappy crap I've put up with for the past seven months. Nothing is getting easier, but instead it's all getting so obnoxious. Senior photos, senior paragraphs, nostalgic graduation cards, photos for a slideshow, it's all getting in the way of my homework. Grades or posterity? Which is more important? I don't even know anymore. I want to be left alone for the next seven days.

I dropped out of a writing class two weeks ago. This teacher was the antithesis of everything I loved about writing. I could not stomach it for the remainder of the year.
She never understood. She never challenged me. I'm a Senior and I wasn't doing yet another multiple choice busy work assignment. I was just done...
I don't care if I made 'the wrong decision.' Until I'm in college, my parents are the overseers of my education. That is the reason I am homeschooled.

2012

senior pics

I took my own senior pictures. All my plans fell through with the professionals we requested. Oh well, so mom and I went down to the location I wanted and I set up the shots and had her capture them. They turned out really well. :)