I Was

     So as some of you may or may not know, I like to keep lists. They help me feel like I'm somewhat of an organized person. Grocery lists, lists of songs to download, lists of my favorite quotes.  The list of the different lists I keep goes on and on (I thought this sentence was funny, so feel free to chuckle).  As I was brainstorming ideas for this blog post, I found myself looking back on a few of these lists, two in particular titled, "These are the Moments" and "The Things I've Learned." Whenever I experience something fun or an event worth remembering 20 years from now, I write down a few phrases about it in "These are the Moments."  Whenever I experience something stressful or an event that has made me grow in some way, I write a few phrases in "The Things I've Learned."

     Reading the things I've written during my past four years of high school has definitely made me a little emotional.  The family vacation out West, the bonfires, the afternoons spent on the tennis courts, the relationships that probably shouldn't have happened in the first place.  Looking back on these memories has made me realize just how much I have changed.  All the experiences have made me into the person that I am today.  Freshman year I was this timid and awkward person who was always looking for approval from other people.  I was lost in a sea of people trying to find my place and new friends.  I felt especially lost because all of my close friends from middle school had classes and lunch without me.  They were all together and I felt extremely left out.  Now, as a senior, I am much more confident and can comfortably be myself.  I have also made the most amazing friends who have greatly impacted my life for the better (huge s/o to you guys!!!)(Especially Melanie because she read this and made me edit it).

      I feel like when we reflect on the past, we too often look back on our regrets.  The opportunities we missed, the chances we weren't brave enough to take, and all the little dumb decisions we made along the way.  I think that it is important to think about these things, but not to dwell on them too much.  You should always learn and grow from what you have experienced.  I hope to continue to learn and grow as I embark on the new adventures that life places in front of me.  I hope to appreciate every moment, every laugh, every late night study session.  I hope to be ambitious and achieve all of my dreams and the dreams that I haven't even dreamt of yet.  I hope to love and be loved. Most importantly, I hope to be to be happy and positive at all times, even in times of trial when life just isn't going the way I planned.

     On that note, I'm going to peace out.  Much love to the IB fam.  You guys certainly played a large role in my life over the last 2 years.  Can't wait to see all of the awesome things you guys accomplish!