This Sucks!

When you lose a game, don’t like a movie, or are grounded, you may use the phrase, “this sucks!”  When one is unhappy about something, they can use it… around their friends. However, an adult will probably find it very rude and disrespectful. Other phrases that could be used are, “What a bummer,” “darn,” or “that stinks.” “This sucks!” should not be used around someone who has prepared a meal that you may not like or has just given you a present. This is a time you should probably thank them or be quiet. Some people these days, however, don’t know when to use the phrase at the right time.

Trying New Things

I like trying new things. I'm pretty open to trying a lot of things unless I know it it wrong or it is going to cause me body harm. Recently, I have picked up tenis. I am not very good at it yet, but I am working on it. I don't plan on giving up either. I know some people who don't like to try new things and if it doesn't come to them quick or turns out to be a lot of work, they give up.
I am also open to new people. I think that being friends with a variety of people is a good thing. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. One of my best friends Gracie goes to McLean County, but we love hanging out with eachothers friends. I go places with hers and she goes places with mine. We are both the types that we can get along with pretty much anyone. I have tons of opurtunities to meet new people. When there is a new Chrysalis flight, there are always new people. When I go to camp in the summer, it's never the exact same people. I think this is a good side of change.

Criticism

I try not to judge people, but i think at some point, we all have judged. Most of the time it is a prejudgement before we have walked their mile. We are a foster family and we don't always know alot about the kids situation. Recently we took in a teenager and her two sons. I knew she had been taken out of her home, but I didn't know why. The fact that she had two kids was an autoatic surprise. I didn't want to make any assumptions about her, but everyone was saying she must be trouble. Not knowing her home life or situation, there was no way I could judge her and if she was going to be staying with us then I needed to be open. I'm glad that I stayed open and got to know her. I would consider us really close. And I hate the weekends when she doesn't come over. She has been to so many of our family functions, including 2 Christmas parties. I love her boys like they are my little brothers. It goes to show, you can't judge someone until you really know them.

Who Am I?

I think that mainly everyone strives to be their best. Most of the time, that is what I want. I want the most of life. Recently, some of my friends have showed me how to relax and more carefree, instead of worrying all the time. Its kind of odd that we are writing about who we want to be because this morning I was thinking about how much I love kids and can't wait to be a mom. I know its a little early, but when I'm older, married, and have a career I am going to have kids. Some people know they were born doctors or whatever, but I know that I want kids. (But NOT now!) Sometimes, when my parents make me mad, I make a mental list of how I am going to handle the situation differently when I'm in their position. My parents most of the time, don't like to listen to my side of the story when they are mad. But, I think that you can't really solve the problem until you hear what the other one thinks. And when someone yells at me, I don't hear a word they say. It's probably because I'm thinking about how they weren't listening to what I had to say. ;)
 I hope that I can learn to be patient and calm and know how to get my point across painfree.
But, at the moment, I am a 17 year old girl. I love God, my family, and my friends. I am either at school, with my friends, or thinking about how much I want to be riding. It has been a month since I rode last, and it is definately getting to me. Riding horses is so peaceful for me, even though it's a lot of work, it is worth it in the end when I get to ride bareback to cool him down. I love jumping and going fast. I hate falling off. I love playing pranks on my friends, and laughing till we can't breathe. I love movie nights and late nights. I love the foster kids that are constantly coming and going to our house. I love my bed. I love my mom and my dad. (Even though we fight sometimes, I couldn't live without them.) I even love my sister like crazy who I can't ever seen to get along with. I love working out and I'm learning to love tenis. I LOVE my grandmothers food and laying on the couch with my Bop. I love my cousin Hadley who is connected to my hip every Sunday for about 2 hours. And I love Gatlin who I am always wresling with. I love my moms side of the family too, even though they are off their rockers. I love summer, especially when I'm at Loucon. I love laying out and playing in the ocean. I love wearing flipflops, tanktops, and shorts. I love campfires and riding 4-wheelers.
I have a lot to be thankful for :)

"Its all in the way the you say it"

My mother is constantly telling me that I need to watch how I say something. You would think that it would be what I am saying. Sometimes it probably is a little of both. This reminded me of what our discussion was last night at youth group. He talked about James 1:19- "My brothers, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." That is the opposite of how most humans react when in an argument. We half way listen to what someone is telling us becuase the whole time they are talking we are thinking about what we can say in response to them... Not that I do this or anything...
Actually, I am told alot that I have a smart mouth. This could be a compliment, but coming from my parents it's probably not. We always want to have the last word in, whether we want to admit it or not. No one likes being wrong.
So how do we controll our anger? Everyone gets angry, but it is up to us to decide how we handle it. We are the ones that decide if something is going to make us feel happy, sad, angry, or even awkward. Last night, my youth leader told us that the next time we are angry, we should sing a song. He said, "You simply can't sing a song and be mad. It's impossible. And if you are too mad to start singing, then that is when your anger is a problem and you need to fix it." You shouldn't get so angry that you can't find your favorite song and sing. There are a lot of times that a song can change my whole outlook or even mood. Most of the time KLove puts me in a better mood. There are also many times that it has helped me to see how to handle a situation or what to do. I think music is a lot of peoples get a way. Music is comforting. I think that God speaks to us through music.

What will come...

The year 2010 was very filled. There are so many experiences and stories that i could not possibly get them all down. So, instead, i am going to talk about what i want to achieve in the next year. As of today, I will find out in approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes, if i will be going to GSP. I am so nervous and have already cried twice out of stress. I know its not the end of the world, but it is my future. If I make it, I will be spending 5 weeks of my summer on a college campus. It will be a great experience and pay for my college! Between now and then, I will be finishing up my junior year. Its crazy how fast it has gone. I remember kindergarten like it was last week. Prom is coming up and I'm super excited! I went to prom last year, but not at Apollo. I already have my dress for this year, all I need are shoes, flowers, and a date. ;) The first few weeks of summer, will be spent hanging out with my friends and walking around barefoot. I so ready to not have shoes on. I know its very hickish, but I love walking around in the grass with no shoes. Then hopefully I will head off to a college. When I come back, I will probably spend a week or two counseling at Camp Loucon. That is my favorite place to be. It's basically my second home. If I don't get GSP, then most of my weeks will be spent at camp. Then in August I will start my last first day of school. How depressing?! I will be soaking up every moment i possibly can of the fun times. In October, I will officially be legal! I have a feeling that 2011 is going to be a great year!