Thinking out Loud

You’re such a significant part of my life, and I feel like I’m just another person in your life who thinks you’re pretty great and that idea of my own insignificance in your life makes me sad. Don’t forget me when you go—I know I won’t forget you. 

Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and my passion for listmaking…

I AM THANKFUL FOR: 

• indoor plumbing
• warm showers
• delicious food
• and the delicious aromas that waft from said food
• my iPhone
• the internet
• bandaids
• my family
• the marching band my second family
• my understanding friends
• my bed
• my cozy home
• disney movies
• charles irving bartowski
• good music
• especially michael bublé
• the trumpet
• california weather
• a great school
• fancy fridays
• travel
• living in the SGV 
• thus being able to have amazing Asian food around me
• the invention of contacts
• but also my glasses for when I’m lazy
• lotion
• john green and the amazing books he writes
• fuzzy blankets
• my health
• neosporin
• the health of my friends and family
• thanksgiving break
• hairbrushes

This list could honestly go on in detail forever, but I think I can sum everything up and just say that I’m thankful for every decision I’ve made and every person I’ve met.  To me, it doesn’t matter whether my choices were “good” or “bad,” because each one of them has led me down the path I am currently on, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Letter to a Freshman

Dear terrified freshman, 

You’re scared.  I mean, hey, it is your first year of high school, but don’t be scared.  In no time you’ll make so many amazing friends, create unforgettable memories, laugh until you cry, cry until you laugh, travel across the world, spend way too much time on the internet, stress out like a maniac, endure crazy teachers and seemingly impossible courses, and grow so, so much.  Not physically—truthfully, you’ll end up being a meager 1 inch taller and about the same weight.  You’ll cut your long hair, but don’t freak out and make a fool of yourself while you’re at the salon by wincing with each snip.

 In the next 4 years you’ll learn so much, so try to take it all in.  Have a little faith in yourself, you’ve got so much potential—if you want to do something, go for it.  You’ll dedicate your life to band, and by the time elections come around, you won’t have anything to worry about (You’ll understand in your Junior year).  These 4 years go by so fast.  You won’t believe it.  You’ll sit in that auditorium listening to the ASB, the principal, Mrs. Johnson, telling you how fast high school passes, rolling your eyes, just waiting to get out of that stuffy room.  It’s just your first day and it already seems like hours and hours have passed inside the auditorium; there’s no way 4 years could go by any faster than this.  Think again. So take a deep breath. Everything will be okay.  Sure, you’ll get lost while looking for Mr. Deng’s room, and you’ll be crazy in band, and you’ll ask dumb questions, and you’ll use Brandie’s glasses even though they’re definitely not the right prescription—you’ll make mistakes.  But it won’t be the end of the world.  You’ll survive.  You’ll do more than survive, you’ll prosper.   Here, you’ll have the best and worst times of your life.  Hold onto them—they’ll be gone before you can blink your eye. 

See you on the other side,

Future you

I went to the grocery store today and while walking down an isle, I spotted a bunch of British candy (Cadbury, Aero, fruit pastilles, etc) and promptly bought a bunch of these candies in a desperate attempt to reconnect with Europe 

I need to go back. 

Spring

Oh my gosh it is so pretty today. 

Blue skies. Warm air. Sunshine. Birds chirping.

Not even kidding, there are birds.

Outside my window. 

Chirping.

Am I in a movie? 

Tomorrow!

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!!! 

TOMORROW I WILL BE IN LONDON! THEN PARIS 5 DAYS LATER!

Our band has been practicing for months for this trip, and now it’s finally here.  It’s a surreal feeling—knowing that in less than 24 hours I will embark on a journey to Europe with some of my closest friends, playing music in remarkable, historical venues, and seeing the places where history was made.  

I’m so excited for tomorrow, and the amazing week to come :)

THOUGHTS ON GROUNDHOG DAY

A little piece of me died was violently murdered today.

Headaches and anxiety aren’t a good pair.

Oh, and also my heater died today.

Yayyyyy