Venturing Out

"Let's not travel to tick things off lists or collect half-hearted semi-treasures to be places in dusty drawers in empty rooms. Rather, we'll travel to find grounds and rooftops and tiny hidden parks, where we'll sit and dismiss the passing time, spun in the city's web 'til we've surrendered, content to be spent and consumed. I need to feel a place while I'm in it."

-Victoria Erikson

Yesterday my friend and I decided to go biking in one of our nearby state parks. 

 I loved just being outside and being active. It was a great way to get rid of stress and de-connect from all the technology and problems that might be constantly on your mind. 

Later in the day my friends and I went to a screening of a documentary called "The Search for Freedom." It was all about different action sports and what the professionals of that sport get from their experience doing what they love. It covered everything from base jumping to surfing to mountain biking. It was interesting seeing people do crazy things on bikes after my day doing a much less dangerous version of the activity. If it's playing in a theater near you it might be an interesting thing to watch. The quality of the footage was insanely good.

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the times they are a changin'

It's done. The diploma now sits on my mantle. It's done. And honestly it's freakishly weird and hasn't quite hit me yet. I think it'll slowly wash over me, or maybe it'll hit me like a thunderbolt and tears will fall uncontrollably. I'm not sure. 

The last day of school was weird. Being that close to everyone, the small class of 2015, in our tiny little senior locker area. The music was blasting. It's all surreal that its done. But as soon as the final bell rang, we were gone. I didn't sleep in my own bed for at least a week. I floated around, not ready to come home. I lived out of my LL Bean tote bag, slept on couches, on shared beds, on back-breaking floors. I became a beach bum. I found out that I really cannot bowl. I danced and danced and danced at the best concert I've been to. I reconnected with my favorite people. I've started and quit my internship. I've just begun to apply to new opportunities. I've turned my winter blues into a summer bliss.

Can't wait for what's coming next.

X.

THE END

I've spent twelve years at my school, which here I'll lovingly call simply "Academy." Now, my time is done. It's surreal to me that I have spent the majority of my life attending this institution. But it absolutely baffles me that I will never hear another senior speech; that I'll never play another intense rival game out on the varsity field; that I won't ever have another class. All of it.

My school is one of my favorite places in the world. We have a similar relationship as I do with my younger brother. I can insult it all I want--and trust me, I have--but anyone but an alum better not speak a word of contempt. I hold this place dear to my heart. The teachers who have supported me... oh my goodness. I cannot thank them enough.

 I would not be the person I am today if I hadn't gone to Academy, not even close. This school set me on a path, at the young age of 6, that has made me morally strong, enriched me to be academically curious, and pounded into me the highest level of respect.

_______________________

Things I've learned from high school:

Be nice: The simplest advice; the hardest advice; the advice that I need to remember for the rest of my life.

It's not easy (for good reason): It's not supposed to be easy. And trust me, it won't be. You will spend hours working on projects into the dark of night. You'll cry with anguish when someone you despise gets everything you've ever wanted. (It'll happen) Work hard and push yourself. If it was easy you would never learn anything, not about yourself or anything else.

You don't have to stay the same person you've always been: ... and you won't. Explore all of your interests, and recognize when something is no longer important to you. It's not a bad thing if your friends change because of it. It'll make you stronger, it'll make you you. 

It doesn't define you: High school is important; it's an important stage of growth. But high school will not define your future. Don't sweat the things that don't matter, because in the future they won't. You will always be changing and there is so much more to come. Revel in that. 

_______________________

A current college sophomore who went to my high school, inspired me to write this post on the end of high school. On her similar post, she featured this quote: 

"You get a strange feeling when you are about to leave a place. Like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you'll miss the person you are now, at this time and place, because you'll never be this way ever again." -Azar Nafisi, from her book Reading Lolita in Tehran

I'm scared for college. I'm scared to leave my comfort zone. I'm scared to see how college will change my relationship with my friends. But, I'm also excited. I'm ready to move on, because my school has ensured that. They've been preparing me to leave since I walked in the doors. Now, it's time to go.

Winter Paddleboarding

Yes, it's only two days after Christmas, meaning it should be freezing outside. 

And yes, I went paddle boarding today. 

The weather the past few days has felt a lot more like the fall than the winter. So, today I took advantage of the comfortable temperature and finally got back on my paddleboard. Hopefully the weather will continue to be moderate within the next few days so I can paddle out again

The water was freezing, but it was so nice to be back on the water doing something I love (and normally only get to do a few months of the year). This year my goal is to enter some competitions, because I want to take this hobby to a slightly higher level. 

My parents made me bring along a lifejacket, even though I never bring one, because I am so comfortable both on the board and in the water. I understand their worries, but thankfully it was not used. 

Merry Christmas, and Happy (almost) 2015.

X.

Thought 2

"in reality there is no such thing as an ordinary day"

In December, we constantly refer to this time of the year as "the season of giving." From Hanukkah to Christmas, millions of people will be passing out gifts to their friends and loved ones this time of year. But why should we reserve these chilly months for giving things to those we love? Lets find special things to give to the special people in our lives sporadically in the year. Lets give thanks for all of our blessings everyday of the year. Lets say "I love you" more. Lets live everyday like its the most special day of our lives, because no time should be taken for granted.

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