New Adventures Galore!

         As always, it has been a great while since I have blogged! Well, welcome back! A lot has happened since my last post which was about my birthday celebration before I headed off to college! To fill you in, I've now completed my first semester in college, made some amazing friends while still managing to stay in contact with the old ones, planned a Disney vacation that will be launching in less than two weeks, saw the new Star Wars movie, maintained a part time job, and have been busier than ever! As I fast forward through the past four months of my life, understand that I will miss important parts as a lot has happened in my life recently!
           College isn't as scary as people make it seem. I mean, it can be I guess and the first week was the most difficult thing I've ever experienced in my entire life, but you make it work! I remember telling myself as I moved into my room on day one, do not let yourself be anyone but you. I love Disney, Olaf, Star Wars, and I miss my parents back home every day of my life when I'm on campus, but I can't hide that because that is me. It's who I am and I should be nothing but proud! I went through a phase in the first few days of being at Marian when I didn't think there was a place for me. I was absolutely convinced that nobody else was going to accept the girl from Seymour, Wisconsin who loved Disney and had passions that could very easily be labeled as "childish," but it was only a matter of time before I found my spot. People claim that the internet is a very dangerous place full of scary people and in some cases this is true, but for me, I had a totally different experience that took a lot of faith and trust. A lot of trust. Extra trust. I met my best friend at college on Twitter long before I started packing my bags and heading off to campus. Kelsey and I have become besties and that will never change. We annoy the living crap out of each other sometimes, but that is the best part. I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes you have to put yourself out there because you might just be looking at the person who is going to accept you for the raw person of who you are. I know with my friends I never ever have to pretend to be someone I'm not. I never have to hide my emotions.. and I never have to be anyone but myself! 
           Staying in contact with my old friends has been interesting... It works. We make it work because of how much we care. Every weekend I come home to visit family and to work and every weekend my friends find a way to give me a hug and well wishes for the week to come. It's like an incentive. I know, I should be a big girl and be able to do it on my own, and I can. I do not doubt that, but why should I force myself to be uncomfortable when an encouraging hug can make the week a bit brighter?! It gets hard at times as my friends back home and I now lead very different lives, but we have pretty much for the most part found our "new normal." Sometimes the road gets a bit rocky, but we never give up and that is what is important. Each semester of college is going to require a new normal back home. For example, second semester my classes are at different times, classes are harder, my friends in Seymour start musical rehearsal which takes more of their time, but through all of this, life goes on and I have faith that no matter what things will work out for the better. 
           As Lizzie and I call it "Operation Dole Whip" (aka our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World) is now less than two weeks out which is kind of scary to think about. There is a lot to be done in very little time, but I am excited for a trip with just us ladies (in case you haven't caught on, I'm going with my friend and her mom and we are leaving her brother and dad home). Kelsey is leaving to go to Missouri the same morning we leave for WDW so it is most certainly great to have someone to share the excitement and nerves with! My packing list is almost complete, but there are absolutely no signs of a suit case or vacation yet on my end, but I suppose I have some time. New to this trip, my friend Jonathan (who is staying home) is making a challenge list for Lizzie and I. I will get Lizzie's list and she will get mine and when we get there we will exchange the lists. Provided Jonathan actually finishes the lists on time, it should be a pretty fun adventure. Also, we are going to play a Disney Parks Edition of Hide and Seek and also make a ways to annoy Jonathan at WDW video! I'll try to keep you posted on this trip of a lifetime! 
           As finals week rounded to a close my friends back home got me tickets to go see the new Star Wars film with them! This section will be short because I do not want to say any spoilers, but to fill everyone in... THE MOVIE IS AWESOME! As a matter of fact, I just went last night to see it for a second time! In my opinion, it is my favorite Star Wars film... even though I may have cried like three times. 
           In case you haven't caught on, these past four months have been kind of crazy, but they are also a huge part of me! Thanks to my friends who are always there for me, I have made it through the first semester of college and I can only imagine the adventures that are to come! If you have a topic you want me to write about or have any suggestions for upcoming blog posts, let me know in the comments below! Thanks for listening to a lengthy rant of my life and I hope that you were able to find some enjoyment in taking a break from your own busy life to read this post! 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Where ever that may be for YOU! 

A.B

Birthday Celebration Weekend!

     After my best friends headed on a spectacular 10 day vacation to Disneyland, we were most certainly due for a get together when they returned! Conveniently, my birthday occurred while they were on vacation and my friend Jonathan (who was in Cali) had his birthday the day they returned! Due to a few of us in our group heading to college (including myself) this week, Jonathan and I quickly realized we weren't going to have enough time to have two separate birthday celebrations, but because we are all so close we were able to combined birthday parties and make things happen. We didn't just make things happen though, we made the most spectacular, enjoyable, fun, and amazing weekend before college happen. Seriously though, I could never have asked for better! 
    It started Friday evening with Jonathan having a get together with just "the guys" and Lizzie, Megan, and I getting together for what amounted to be a movie/pajama party. There were certainly points when these two events combined and we all came together to eat and open presents and such shenanigans so it turned out to be a successful Friday evening. Because we all know the guys don't like to sleep, we planned a splash of fun Saturday afternoon at my house by taking the time to relax in the pool (which was kind of cold for my taste, but they managed anyhow) and the hot tub! We then had some ice cream cake and taxied back over to Jonny's for yet another great evening of adventure! Once we all got settled we headed out for a bonfire and a couple of fireworks that Jonny decided to throw in the fire... oh, and don't forget the can of bug spray... don't ask. Just.. no questions please! 
Anyway, this too was a fantastic day overall for everyone and from what I know everyone enjoyed themselves. I can't even begin to thank EVERYONE who made it possible... Lizzie, Megan, Jonny, Logan, Tanner, Jacob, Trena, Nikki, the parents, and anyone I might be forgetting, it was truly a weekend to remember! 

Thanks for the fun everyone and remember to visit home! 
Wherever that may be for YOU! 

A.B 

A New Chapter...

           It seems like every blog post of mine starts out with something along the lines of "Well, I haven't blogged in like forever and my life is totally different now so...." and as much as I hate to say it, it's difficult for me not to start this one the same exact way. A lot has changed, and when I say a lot, I'm not kidding. In a little less than two weeks I will be exploring the big blue world (literally because Marian's main color is blue) by heading off to college for the very first time. This summer has been filled with great adventures, I am now going to be headed to Walt Disney World for the third time January (that tripped was jokingly planned and then brought to life thanks to my best friend and her family)... I found out who my roommate is going to be (S.O to the best roomie ever-- that's you Molly!)... I took a trip to Minnesota with my high school band, celebrated my 18th birthday and I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton! Anyway, I gladly hope to be getting back to blogging more frequently even though I'm sure it won't happen everyday. 

          This post is a short one as I don't have the time right now to sit and explain every detail of my life most recently, but stay tuned as I'm sure more posts will be coming soon! 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 

Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B

Fear of the Future

              I've talked about it many times before and to be completely honest, I'll talk about it many more times in the future. Many people in society claim to be "afraid of the dark" or "afraid of bears/ghosts" or something along those lines and although I may be afraid of some of those things too, none of those rank as my "biggest fear." My biggest fear (at least right now) is the future... I know, it sounds stupid, but it's not. I don't necessarily think my fear is a problem or abnormal, but I often question if there is anyone else out there that fears the future just as much as I do. Many people argue that moving to college and beyond is/was one of the best things that happened to them and because of this I don't want to live my life channeling the "best part of my life" into a tunnel of fear. After all, as my wise friend once said, "All fear stands for is false evidence appearing real." This quote will stay with me in my collection along with many others, but recently I've taken the time to reflect and think about WHAT I'm actually afraid of. What part of leaving is the least comfortable for me? Shockingly, upon my reflection, I came up with an answer. This answer (depending on how well you know me and your position in my life) can we interpreted many many different ways. None of these ways are either right nor wrong and this is because there is only one true answer and that is the one in my heart. 
            As much as I'll miss it, I'm not afraid of leaving Seymour, Wisconsin and I'm not afraid of leaving Seymour High School (the place/building itself), but what I wholeheartedly fear is that I will lost contact with those I love most. I know, I know, I can hear what you're thinking... "you'll make new friends don't worry" or "I'll call you all the time...." here's the thing... I don't want new friends. Now that sounds awful. Okay, let me rephrase that I want to meet new people and become friends, but I want to add them to my current friend group, not change my realm of friends altogether. Also, to comment on the calling me while I'm away thing... of course I want my friends to call me! I better get phone calls!!!! I want to stay in the loop! As a matter of fact, I already intend to plan out people who are going to call me after I've moved in (and my parents have left me at college). I need people and I need support and that will never ever change. Here is the one issue I have with that... I trust all of my friends I really really do, but there is going to come a point when they are going to get used to the fact that I'm not by their side every day at school. Are they going to fall victim to other people they meet taking my place? THIS, my friends, is what I'm afraid of. Going away and being replaced... and the thing I'll miss most? The people. For sure.
           Let's get this straight. People doesn't just mean friends. I'm also talking co-workers, my parents, my friends, my teachers, my band director (and student director), my neighbors. It's going to be change and it's going to be different, but I know I'll make it through and I just to put all of my faith, trust, and pixie dust (yep, I went there) into my friends and family and I know we will all be just fine!

Thanks for tuning in to tonight's rant on my biggest fear... the next episode will be posted later or whenever I get overwhelmed about this topic again :) 

Keep Calm and Visit "your future"
Where ever that may be for YOU!

A.B

Where Do I Start?

        Why, hello everyone! I haven't blogged in seriously what seems like an eternity! I don't even know where to begin. It has been pretty freaking busy in my world. As a matter of fact I don't think I've blogged since my trip to Walt Disney World in January with my friends!!! We went to Disney for a little over a week and we all had the time of our lives. For those of you who don't know this trip was also my very first time on an airplane and my friends were completely thrilled that they got to be the ones to introduce this to me. The night before we left I was pretty nervous and ended up taking my anxiety medicine which tends to many me a little bit loopy. Most people would say "get some rest" or "stay calm," but my friends had a blast with the fact that I pretty much was crazy! Apparently, I claimed to be a pretzel in a pretzel warmer and swatted packing peanuts into a laundry basket... No clue. I don't remember. Then I managed to survive a two and a half hour lecture from one of my friends (who happens to love and be very educated with planes). I started by just doing the typical "uh huh" responses, but he must have caught on because he began to quiz me so I was then forced to pay attention. The plan ride turned out to not be as scary as I thought, but I don't like going up, coming down, or turning... (is there anything even left to like?!) I mean I guess I described it as not comfortable, but thanks to my friends I survived! We had a phenomenal time at Walt Disney World and I can't wait to return "home" once more. (Random side note: my favorite feeling is walking into EPCOT). 
       Senior year has been... senior year. Full of fantastic bitter-sweet moments and memories that will last a life time. We are now one month from graduation day and it's all starting to set in. I'll turn out alright and I'll survive that much I know, but I have my moments. I have my moments where I sit in my room and look at all my Disney stuff and all of the things that make me feel at home and I just cry. I feel stupid because I do it, but I do and it's who I am so I'm not going to be ashamed. I cry because... because I'm scared. Scared of the unknown, scared of leaving my best friends in high school even though they claim I've taught them well. Scared of going into the real world "alone" and scared of leaving what I know as my life. I'm happy where I am, but I know in my heart it's time for me to move on. I think one of my biggest fears is that I'll leave and people say that they will call me often and never lose contact, but what happens when they get jobs, or they go to college. Where will that take them? One of my friends could potentially be moving to Florida or California and as absolutely thrilled as I am... that scares me too. In three years my freshmen friends will go to college--- where will they choose to go? All of these questions cross my mind day in and day out, but I need to trust that whatever happens, happens for a reason. Its going to be difficult, but this next month I'm going to hold my head high and enjoy/celebrate my last month of high school. 
        Gosh, what else to I even talk about... so much has happened and so much continues to happen. Tomorrow marks my last state solo and ensemble performance, but for me that performance connects the best of both worlds. Brandon, Jonny, and I will perform an Alto Saxophone Trio as my last event... ever. Yes, that's right... two seniors and a freshman. I don't know a better representation of my position (helping the freshman). Brandon and I have worked for this trio and some could argue that we pulled Jonny to the top, but I'll stop right there and say that those people are wrong. Brandon and I didn't pull any weight but our own. We taught lessons and made memories, but not once did we have to force practicing to happen or tell each other to "know our parts." We all knew in our hearts what needed to be done and so we did it, and now we are here. Last week Saturday I went to UW-Oshkosh for my state solo performance (due to an accompanist conflict) and I received a rating of a 2 for a performance that I should be "incredibly proud of." Was I disappointed? Kind of... I mean yea, but no. My band director explained it the best. He said "Think of it like a ladder, you start with a 5 at district and you earn all the way up to a *1 --- then, the ladder starts over and goes beyond that where at the state level you start with a 5 and could potentially earn up to a 1." This representation helped me realize exactly how far I have come and I couldn't thank him enough for this great analogy. 

We will see how things go for now and I know I'm missing plenty of topics that have occured in the past 4 months, but for now...

Keep Calm and Visit "Home"
Where ever that may be for YOU!


A.B