The poster for the movie...maybe you've seen it...or your daughter...
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Yes, I am 18.
Yesterday was probably one of the best summer nights I have ever had. Victoria and I went to the movies. No, we did not see Transformers. No, we did not see Bad Teacher or Larry Crowne. We saw Monte Carlo, and for those unfamiliar with the title it is the movie that your little sisters/daughters want to see because Selena Gomez is in it. We were surrounded my middle schoolers and one awkward couple, and yet we were the ones caught in the thrilling suspense of finding a necklace worth millions of dollars and the search for true love. As the movie came to a close (with a happy ending, of course) and everyone had left the theater, Victoria and I ran to the front and just danced. We could careless if anyone saw us or judged us. Yes, we are both 18. Yes, we are both in college. But sometimes you just need to let loose and yesterday was our night to do that.
The Aftermath
Everything is passing by in a whirlwind. There is no time to stop and take in all of the important moments happening.
Important Moment #1: All Night Grad
Important Moment #2: My Best Friend leaves for College
Important Moment #3: Beach Week
1. all night grad. We spent hours upon hours running around the Herndon Community Center, getting our fill of free prizes, free massages, free caricatures of ourselves, fun and tiresome games, making music videos, and a mentalist's mind-blowing performance. I can't even remember all of the activities from that night, merely hours after we had graduated. I had so much fun, but in the back of my mind I just kept thinking about Annie's departure. At the end of the night, as the prizes were being announced and the time I had with her before she left kept slipping away, I was somber. Not sad because I would see her again, but somber. She was taking life by the horns, she was brave.
(By the way, I won a $25 GameStop giftcard, which I traded for a Starbucks giftcard. However I really shouldn't complain, one of my friends [a boy] won an assortment of GLEE games and girly notebooks. poor guy.)
2. annie's departure. Tears, that's all I can remember. As her car came to a stop in front of her house, I didn't even want to get out. I just wanted her to stay. But it was time, she needed to go. As we came face to face after getting out of the car, the waterworks began. I refused to face the fact that she was leaving until this moment, because it just would have been to hard. I have become so close to her and her family these past few years, and I hope that our friendship will be one that lasts!
3. beach week. I was extremely nervous about beach week. There were two groups that didn't usually mix staying in one house for a week, my friends and soccer boys. But it couldn't have worked out any better. The guys told us how much they appreciated us for being who we are and not worrying about what others had to say. We appreciated them for being completely different than what we had heard others say about them. This week was probably one of the best weeks ever. We were free to do whatever we wanted when we wanted to do it. It was a snapshot of our lives to come in college and beyond.
Important Moment #1: All Night Grad
Important Moment #2: My Best Friend leaves for College
Important Moment #3: Beach Week
1. all night grad. We spent hours upon hours running around the Herndon Community Center, getting our fill of free prizes, free massages, free caricatures of ourselves, fun and tiresome games, making music videos, and a mentalist's mind-blowing performance. I can't even remember all of the activities from that night, merely hours after we had graduated. I had so much fun, but in the back of my mind I just kept thinking about Annie's departure. At the end of the night, as the prizes were being announced and the time I had with her before she left kept slipping away, I was somber. Not sad because I would see her again, but somber. She was taking life by the horns, she was brave.
(By the way, I won a $25 GameStop giftcard, which I traded for a Starbucks giftcard. However I really shouldn't complain, one of my friends [a boy] won an assortment of GLEE games and girly notebooks. poor guy.)
2. annie's departure. Tears, that's all I can remember. As her car came to a stop in front of her house, I didn't even want to get out. I just wanted her to stay. But it was time, she needed to go. As we came face to face after getting out of the car, the waterworks began. I refused to face the fact that she was leaving until this moment, because it just would have been to hard. I have become so close to her and her family these past few years, and I hope that our friendship will be one that lasts!
Annie and me at our Class of 2011 picnic
3. beach week. I was extremely nervous about beach week. There were two groups that didn't usually mix staying in one house for a week, my friends and soccer boys. But it couldn't have worked out any better. The guys told us how much they appreciated us for being who we are and not worrying about what others had to say. We appreciated them for being completely different than what we had heard others say about them. This week was probably one of the best weeks ever. We were free to do whatever we wanted when we wanted to do it. It was a snapshot of our lives to come in college and beyond.
Victoria, me, and Brittany on the beach soaking up some sun.
RAVE/ke$ha night
After the world's greatest dance party
HHS Class of 2011
I never thought that I would feel this way about graduating from Herndon. I never liked it very much. I always wished that I could be back at my old school with all my old friends, making new memories. But it wasn't just that, I am shy and I was extremely worried about finding my place and friends that would except me for me. I was right to be worried and it took me awhile, but I finally found those friends. People who wouldn't judge me for how preppy I dressed or how goofy I acted or for how nerdy I really am. They are the best anyone could ask for.
So there I was, sitting in the George Mason Patriot Center, waiting. First, there are a few welcome speeches; then they recognize those with above a 3.8, and then those with above 4.0s (I was one of them!); next, it's one of my best friend's turn to say her speech. She was nervous about if people would like it or even care what she had to say, she was nervous that someone would get a beach ball taken away and our classmates would start booing. She had nothing to worry about, the speech was perfectly inspirational and completely Annie. Finally, it was time for our names to be called. It seemed like forever, waiting as they went through the alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, and finally S! With all my cords and medals around my neck, I crossed the stage and got my diploma. I did it. As I got back to my seat, it hit me. I was done. I would never see the majority of these people after this day. Wow, just like that, the first real milestone of my 18 years was complete.
As we processed out of the arena, I found my friend Tova (we are the only ones of our friends with last names late in the alphabet) as all of the teachers made a tunnel on either side. I hugged those that had truly made an impact on me. As Tova started to cry, the tears rose up in me, something I truly never expected. I guess I really did love Herndon.
So there I was, sitting in the George Mason Patriot Center, waiting. First, there are a few welcome speeches; then they recognize those with above a 3.8, and then those with above 4.0s (I was one of them!); next, it's one of my best friend's turn to say her speech. She was nervous about if people would like it or even care what she had to say, she was nervous that someone would get a beach ball taken away and our classmates would start booing. She had nothing to worry about, the speech was perfectly inspirational and completely Annie. Finally, it was time for our names to be called. It seemed like forever, waiting as they went through the alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, and finally S! With all my cords and medals around my neck, I crossed the stage and got my diploma. I did it. As I got back to my seat, it hit me. I was done. I would never see the majority of these people after this day. Wow, just like that, the first real milestone of my 18 years was complete.
As we processed out of the arena, I found my friend Tova (we are the only ones of our friends with last names late in the alphabet) as all of the teachers made a tunnel on either side. I hugged those that had truly made an impact on me. As Tova started to cry, the tears rose up in me, something I truly never expected. I guess I really did love Herndon.
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