Real

I remember a time when I was in second grade watching TRL with my older brothers and a music video I had never seen before came on- Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous by Good Charlotte. I fell in love with the video, and song, immediately and began jumping around the living room, just rockin out. Little did I know, it was the same band who made a video I had seen on TRL when I was in kindergarten- Little Things. A few years later, when I was in fifth grade, a bunch of my friends were telling me about their favorite band, Good Charlotte. It took me a couple days to realize that it was the same band that I had fallen in love with all those years ago, but had never really looked into their music. So I did just that and was super impressed by all of their music. They became my favorite band pretty much over night, I was totally hooked. When I went to one of their concerts that same year, May 2005, I was even more impressed. That concert as well as every interview, etc. that I had ever seen proved just how down to earth these guys were. I thought they were the best people in the world.

Early into sixth grade, I discovered another great band- Avenged Sevenfold. It's coincidence that I discovered them on TRL as well. They were doing a live performance and were introduced by none other than Good Charlotte. For a while I went through this phase where I "hated" Good Charlotte and loved A7X instead.

About a year later, I learned that the bands were good friends with each other and I was super confused. I didn't understand how bands with such different sounds, which made them seem different in all aspects, could be such good friends.

It took me another year to realize that I still love Good Charlotte, and that just because I had a new favorite band I didn't have to give up my old favorite band altogether.

The point of this blog is just to say that both bands are astoundingly talented and super chill. Both bands are laid back and really down to earth, I'd be honored to meet either bands. They're all great people, and even though I don't actually know them, I wish them the best and will continue to support them. Also, Joel Madden's kids are sooo cute!


Good Charlotte AND A7X for LIFE! :)



XOXO

PS- in case any of you don't know, the Rev got best drummer at the Revolver Goldengods awards; RIP Jimmy! ♥

Hate is a Strong Word

For as long as I can remember, I've always been super judgmental of everyone around me, especially celebrities. I take one look at a person and decide that I "hate" them. How messed up is that? Up until recently, I never cared that I was being mean. Sometimes, I hate people for no reason, sometimes I hold grudges, sometimes I hate people out of envy. For example, over the past couple of years I've decided that I hate Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. Miley Cyrus obviously has made some poor choices, but don't we all? Who am I to judge her? I don't even know her. While I definitely do not condone a lot of her actions, that doesn't give me a right to "hate" her. With Selena Gomez, though I've never outwardly admitted it, I decided that I "hate" her because she just seemed so annoying to me, not mention I was jealous of how pretty and talented she is (as an actress anyway, I can't stand her music), and then she started dating Nick Jonas- my major celebrity crush. Also, for years now my younger brother, Dominic, and I have rarely gotten along, we are constantly butting heads. I decided a long time ago that I "hate" him because he makes me feel awful, and he doesn't even care. Just another example of my judgmental ways; just because he likes to push my buttons to the extreme, and I want to kill him sometimes, doesn't mean he doesn't love me, even if he has a hard time showing it. As a young child, I often told my mother I "hated" her because like Dominic and I, we rarely got along. Things have changed now and even though I don't always agree with her, and parts of her personality make me want to rip my hair out, I love her, just like I always have.

Overall, I need to grow up, step up to the plate, and stop judging others, especially when I don't even know them.

Lately, I've been working really hard to change that, but not hard enough. From now on, I won't use the word "hate". I'm certainly allowed to dislike people, but I have no right to judge them- that's God's job. I'm lucky that He forgives my sins, otherwise I'd be going straight to hell for a lifetime of hatred.

Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, just as everyone else on this planet, are beautiful and talented in their own special ways. I am ashamed that I have previously chosen to bash them for reasons previously mentioned. I send my best wishes to them, and everyone else I have ever judged, and God bless them.

XOXOXO

Smile, it's spring

Hello again, it feels like I haven't posted in ages. Which is pretty much true. I'm not going to attempt to fill you in on all of the happenings of the past couple months, but I'm going through a pretty rough spot right now. Mostly, I'm having trouble sticking to my motto- live in the moment. Lately, I've been feeling really attached to my past, and I don't know why. I'm constantly wishing that it was a year ago, for so many reasons. I wish my grandma didn't have dementia, I wish I could be in Disney world like I was last spring break, I wish I didn't have boy problems, I wish I didn't owe my mom $500.00, I wish it was summer, I wish it was marching band, blah, blah, blah...the list never seems to stop. Unfortunately, it's taken me about a month to realize that living in the past is my problem. Sure all of those things happening would be great, but none of them are going to happen. My grandma does have dementia, I'm still in Ferndale, not Disney world, I do have boy problems, I do owe my mom $500.00 for fixing my car, and I have to wait for summer and marching band season to come around. All that I can do at this point is hold my head up high, and persevere. Things might not be all that amazing right now, but it could be so much worse- I've been through worse. I need to stop moping through life wishing for things that can't be and live in the moment, like I've learned to do over the past couple years bringing me great joy. I've built up an amazing relationship with God, and as long as He's by side, I can do anything. I'm going to get through this. So now, as I walk down the street, or down the halls of my school, I'll think to myself, smile, it's spring.

XOXOXO.

PS

The picture in the header is MINE, please do not steal it without my permission!

Thanks.

2010

I am possibly THE worst blogger in the history of blogging. Not only have I not updated in months, the last 5-ish entries were all short and very uninformative. Not to mention I only have one reader (I LOVE YOU BRITT!).

I suppose I should start by filling you in on things that were long ago promised explanations.

Okay, homecoming. Homecoming was a blast; my friend Sarah was my "date" and we went with a group of our close friends. After the dance, we went to Rachel's house and watched "I Love You, Man". Let me tell you, if you have not seen that movie yet, GO SEE IT! Same with "The Hangover". That's pretty much it, seeing as it was months ago I'm having trouble finding up with good adjectives for the occasion. OH! The pep rally was amazing! The highlight was probably when all of the faculty danced to Michael Jackson, and dressed like him! Too funny. Here's a picture from before the dance.




Also, Stratford. Describing that trip would take way too long, and since Brittany already knows the story I'll just skip out on that. Suffice to say that we were stuck in rural Canada all day and night and didn't get home until 3:00 AM- we def did not go to school the next day. Things were pretty crazy by the end of it, here's a photo to prove it.



My dad. Okay, so in December of 2008 my dad, while high, decided to rob a gas station. This past November, he was sentenced to 6 months in the county jail, which is not all that bad considering the 5-10 years we were expecting. He has now served half of his time and hopefully when he gets out things will be different. Although I highly doubt that my siblings and I will be allowed to see him. Getting visitation time will more than likely not be all that easy after committing a felony. Sorry, no picture for this one.

Back to happy news, about marching band, we are again the flight three state champions! Our performance was amazing, every time I watch the video I get the chills. The adrenaline during and after the show was amazing, and it sure did feel great to take Stevensville down. This time, there is a picture.



Thanksgiving and Christmas were both great, and the end of 2009 flew by. My brother got a rottweiler puppy, and I am now the proud aunt of Lil' Tone Tone!



2010 came in, and Jillian and I went to see Nick Jonas and the Administration at the Fox Theatre (their CD came out yesterday, go buy it!)





I turned 16 and got a chastity ring as well as my license.That's Sarah, Imari, and I before I drove us to Julia's.


I crammed into a tiny room with my youth group.


Not much else has happened. Just small, everyday happenings that make my life great. So far, I've loved my sophomore year.






XOXOXO

HVI

Just wanted to let you all know that yesterday at the Huron Valley Invitation we again took first with all three captions and scored a 80.6!

XOXO

Infinity and Beyond (BOX 5)

[WRITTEN ON 10/30/09]

Where to begin...

I suppose I should start with an apology; I'm truly sorry that I haven't been updating. I've been so busy- although I'd be a hypocrite if I began listing excuses.

I guess an important topic could be marching band. Just yesterday something hit me- the season ends a week from tomorrow! It has went by incredibly fast. Its funny to think that as my sophomore year of marching band is ending, my sophomore year of high school is still just beginning. We broke 80 last week at Clarkston! We got first with all three captions by a landslide. Which is really exciting. I firmly believe that if we push ourselves to the edge and stay focused box five is possible. For those of you who don't know what box five is, it is the score range in the 90 percentile and above. Something that's always been a goal of ours, but also something that we have never been able to attain. We come close, but never actually received a box five score. Only 1 band in Flight 3 has ever done it in the entire history of the MCBA; that was Hudsonville about 15 years ago under the old score sheets. And boy would I love to cream Stevensville. We'll just have to wait and see though.

Last night, I was inducted into my school's chapter of the National Honor Society. The ceremony itself wasn't all that intriguing- but it was still an exciting experience; and the cookies and punch afterward were exquisite.

Jillian (my best friend) is going out with our friend Ryan again. They are possibly the cutest couple in the school. In terms of my own love life, I'm a little confused at the moment. I've been feeling more and more attracted to this kid with every day that passes. FYI, I used to have a huge crush on this kid. Like I said, I am attracted to him I wouldn't necessarily call it a crush though. Anyway, we've kinda been flirting a lot but the thing is, he's semi-flirty with everyone. So I don't know what to make of it. I'll let you know what happens with that (have you figured out who I'm talking about yet Britt?).

There's so much more that I could talk about, but its going on 11:00 and I have to get up at 6:00. I'll make sure to talk about homecoming, Stratford, as well as a couple other things next time.

PS- my dad's sentencing is on Wednesday- yet another topic to discuss next time.