Shock

So yeah... it's been a while since I've published anything on here.  But here is the basic low down.  I haven't had time to post in the past few months because life has been absolutely insane.  The biggest changes?  I have decided to attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in the fall as a duel degree student in Journalism and Theatre (basically, I will earn a BJ (it's a degree, you five year olds) and a BA).  I already have my roommate and my address and now a pair of warm boots.  I still have to buy my first ever, real, warm, snow/freezing temperature worthy coat.  So, that should be thrilling.  I keep making jokes about how I didn't pick Mizzou for the weather.  Even the people who live there say the weather sucks, and I have enough trouble with California weather.  Also, I'm writing this post from new new Mac... which is really pretty, but I have been feeling very blond navigating through it's different features when I don't speak "Mac" yet.  That will also explain why this post has no pictures....
Any who, I leave in early August for school, so I'm just enjoying my summer right now and the many trips I have been taking.  The most noteworthy one was definitely the "Senior Trip" I took with five of my best friends!  We drove down I-5 to Disneyland and spent a day there before driving down to Del Mar and spending five days together at the beach.  My friends are awesome!  We made tons of good food, never had a disagreement and created tons of inside jokes.  I am really going to miss them next year.  We've realized how weird it is going to be without each other and I'm trying to take comfort in the accessibility of modern technology.  For now that's it.  I will be posting more soon.  Hopefully something a bit more interesting... maybe with some cool pictures.  Enjoy life!  (if you actually read my blog.... and well, same to you if you don't)!

College Update!

Current college progress:
Applied: 8
In progress:  0 I AM DONE!!!!
Declined: 0
Accepted: 4- Thank you Mizzou, University of the Pacific, University of Oregon, and George Mason University!
Essay Drafts Written: No idea.... and I'm still writing for scholarships

Having the pressure of applications removed is a wonderful feeling.  Although, there is still plenty to do ALL the time it feels like I can breath again.  Second semester is going to be insane, but I have decided to just ride the wave and make an effort to enjoy the end of my high school experience. 

Finals Finals Finals Finals

Just a few days until we're second semester seniors!  I'm still not sure if that will help anything, life will still be crazy probably, but it sounds relieving.  So I'm just gonna keep thinking that.  :)

College Update!

Current college progress:
Applied: 6
In progress:  2 (almost done!!!! Chapman and Puget Sound you are getting my apps this week!!)
Declined: 0
Accepted: 3- Thank you Mizzou, University of the Pacific, and University of Oregon
Essay Drafts Written: Lost track

So close to this process being over!!! Then I just have to wait.... keeping my figures crossed tight! 

Looking back

Ten

Time has never felt so distorted to me 

ten feels like less than one 

and although the raw burn has eased 

we are still weighted by a heavy throb. 

I yearn to hear your laughs

see your smiles, feel your excitement

and experience your futures

which are now mere fantasy

I wish I could have done as much for you

as you did for me.

You taught me what it means to truly love life

and embrace the little things

I hope you're well

I hope your possibilities are limitless 

and I hope you know how much I love you

How much we all love you. 

For the past ten months I have been composing little messages like the one above constantly.  They're not works of art, but they express what I am feeling.  Two of my closest friends, Matt Miller and Gavin Powell passed away last February during a rafting accident.  They were incredible, inspirational members of our community who had very promising futures ahead of them.  Things haven't been the same without them.  They are greatly missed.  

Saturday Night

My parents are at a party, my sister is with a friend working at a party an I am at home... sitting on my couch... yelling at the end of the republican debate.... such a fun night :P

InSaNiTy

Well, just when I thought things couldn't get crazier... they did.  Most of by big college applications are out of the way now, but I still have to rack up a ton of scholarships and grants.
Current college progress:
Applied: 5
In progress:  2
Declined: 0
Accepted: 1- Mizzou :)
Essay Drafts Written: Lost track

Also, callbacks for the spring musical, The Music Man, were tonight and I have no idea how the cast list is going to look.  I sang for two parts, but he only had us read for one.  Fingers crossed I get something :) 

Taking a Break

As always, I feel like I should be posting more, but right now there simply isn't time.  However, every once and a while I do take a break.  I leave my college essays (when I finish I will have written 11 in total) and my homework (which never ends) and enjoy the beauty of the world we live in. 

An evening at Newport Beach.  If you look closely you can see a crescent moon and the first star of the night.

A Beautiful Day for College Essays!

Today is a beautiful day that I am getting to experience through the window from my bed, where I am held up working on college essays and applications. 
Current Progress
Applied: 2
In progress: 5
Declined: 0
Accepted: 1 :) Thank you Mizzou
Essay drafts written: (approx.) 10973458979817987435089023897820935784973419234

College Essays

I write college essays
then I correct college essays
then I hate college essays
then I really hate my college essays
then I start over and try to write a new essay
then I hate what I write
then I forget what similarly named draft I was working on last
then I get fed up
then I give up
then I try to write another college essay
Then I realize I have a deadline on Tuesday
and try to get my act together
and then I write something I kind of like
then I edit
and hopefully by the end of tomorrow I will have a really strong essay.
Hopefully...
I really want to go to college.
Now.
Please accept me.
Please.

Simply Put- Senior year is INSANE

Well, once again I have failed to keep my promise by falling very far behind on this blog.  However, unlike the other time I said I would write but didn't, I actually have a good excuse for ignoring my blog. The fact of the matter is, I have NO time.  Senior year is incredibly stressful.  I have fewer classes than last year and yet my workload is still heavy, which is probably due to the fact that doing college apps is like taking on two extra AP classes.  My lack of time is also due to the fact that I am currently in my school's production my Macbeth, getting ready for homecoming with my leadership class and working on all of my regular homework... So there you have it, all of my excuses for ignoring my blog.  (And there are probably many more that I am forgetting) Stay tuned for more updates and maybe eventually an interesting post.  There is stuff I want to write about and post all  the time, but I just can't seem to get to it.

Even though senior year has been crazy so far, it's also been very very very fun!

A very random but very fun pic with Paris and Gavin :)

All of us at Sophia's birthday!

My Summer Part One

Well, I think it's safe to say that I officially suck at keeping up a blog.  However, I really like the idea of putting some effort into this, so I am going to keep trying. 
One of the reasons why it has been hard for me to keep this blog up is because I have been out of town for a large portion of the summer.  I was fortunate enough to get to spend the first week of my summer vacation at the beautiful Camp Royal.  Camp Royal is a leadership camp that is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs in Rotary district 5160.  The camp allows student leaders to learn about leadership and relaxation techniques, realize their "walls," have a lot of fun, make amazing friends, and truly be in the moment.

 

One of the stunning views of the striking Bar 717 Ranch

 The LL nine.  LL consistently has the largest group of students in attendance from any high school represented.  I love these guys!! 

 One of Lain's inspirational talks

I met so many amazing people at camp.  However, what I found truly incredible  about many of the other campers is that we live very close to each other.  Yet, we never would have met if we had not attended Camp Royal together because we attend different schools. 
After returning home from Camp Royal, I spent a few days working, then headed off to Newport Beach with my dad and wonderful best friend Paris.  We saw Chapman University and Redlands University before continuing our trip down to Del Mar, CA.  I felt like the luckiest girl in the world as I got to spend an incredible week with Paris and my other amazing friend Wesley.  And of course, let's not forget the cameos by Emily and Sam, my So Cal friends.  

 I love them soooo much!!

 Photo shoot

My sister's notorious birthday cake

Waiting for someone to buy deep fried butter

Almost immediately after getting home from Del Mar, I flew across the country for the first time to Washington DC to attend the Washington Journalism and Media Conference held at George Mason University.  The WJMC was one of the most incredibly educational experiences of my life.  After finishing the conference I felt like I had truly found something that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.  I've decided that I want to be a communications major with an emphasis in broadcast journalism in college, with my theatre minor of course.  

In Washington our group was fortunate enough to get to hear from very distinguished speakers and visit a number of national monuments.  For more information on this trip you can go to my old WordPress blog that I created for the conference: http://lesliehoward.wordpress.com/

 On the balcony of the Newseum- one of the greatest places ever!!!

My best conference friend Sean!  I miss him!

Upon my return from Washington, I slept for about 14 hours.  Then was lucky enough to have eleven days at home to hang out with my friends who claim that I am "never home," work, and rest up before my next summer excursion.  Also, in that period of eleven days, I had to pack.  Two bags for ten days stuffed with a large portion of my wardrobe and some costume pieces. 

My first stop was Stanford University, where I spent three days at the Positive Coaching Alliance's annual student conference.  The Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit organization that promotes learning life lessons through sports, instead of just striving to win.   As with my other trips this summer, I met a lot of amazing people (and caught up with some of my conference friends from last year) and had a lot of fun.  I even got back on the basketball court for a little while before my knees started to hurt.

All of the conference kids

First Post

So, at this point I am not really sure who is going to read this.  I was first required to begin blogging when I attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University last week and found that it was something I really enjoyed.  However, that blog will be linked to the conference website for at least the next year so students can reference them next year to learn more about the conference.  So, I figured I could start fresh.  This is officially my new blog.  I'm not sure how good I will be about keeping it up but I figured it can't hurt to have.  The title will probably change, because hey, it can't be "Something New" forever.  I hope you enjoy what I have to say, most of the time at least, and I hope I can find something to say.  We'll see how this goes.  Goodnight world.