To the perks in life

So deciding to go with a different rout with my education, and working my booty off for it everyday, has some definite perks that I didn't think about before.

Such as getting to stay home with these two nephies (some may refer to them as nephews, but I believe nephies sounds much more endearing. Right?) when they are home sick and have a blast...I mean help them get better. *cough*

Sick day with K-dub...(yes, it may have been filled with Swiss Family Robinson and a trip to Cafe Rio, but...yeah, I really don't have an excuse. We just like to party. )

Ernie and I decided that reading Harry Potter all day was the way to go for his sick day. Nope, Halloween candy was involved at all...(except for those three times.)

You've got to love these two.
There is no denying it.

So to bring it full circle: Yay for the unexpected pleasantries life brings because though I wouldn't have known it if I went a different way, I really would have missed being able to spend so much with these little munchkins. They rock my world. 

The Happiest Place on Earth...besides Costco.

Back in early 2010(I was 15) my family (well, part of my family. The (then) single gals and the parents.) took a quick trip to Disneyland and basked in its magic and have a quick get away. We (by "we" I mean mainly me) adore Disneyland and the exquisite charm it has.
So here is the documentation of that wonderful trip.

It may have started pouring...and we
most definitely got drenched. 

Yes, Mickey proposed...for the second time.

You have got to love Disneyland...and family...but mainly Disneyland ;)

Oh gosh, I just love this place. 

This thing called applying for college.

 So I sort of lucked out. All of the colleges I wanted to apply for just had me do either a short, 200 word essay or a personal statements. (Woot, woot!) In-light of the idea that this blog will be turned into a book, I decided to share them so I have them to look back on when I'm old, crippled, and read everything else moderately interesting.

    

Describe a setback you have encountered in your life. Explain how you have handled the situation and what you have learned from it/also used for personal statements.

    In the eighth grade I recognized for the first time the kind of education I wanted, and needed.   Even more, I  realized that the education I was receiving did not measure up. Therefore, I decided to take my education into my own hands. I researched the options available to me, and decided that I would home-school myself. I found a mentor, attended two classes at a local private high school and used the rest of my time studying literature and history, and taking an online course. After that, I went back to the drawing board to figure out what I wanted to do for my following year of high school. I decided first on a performing arts school, because of its excellent reputation and outstanding orchestra program. But I soon found that I needed more , so I was once again back at the drawing board. After nine months of searching, I found a school that was perfect for me. It was academically challenging, offered personal mentoring, and included classical as well as leadership education. I learned a vital lesson--I must take charge of the crucial decisions in my life and then follow up with the necessary actions. 

Tell us anything else you want us to know about yourself that you haven't had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application.

I enjoy and love a great many things. But the thing that I enjoy above all else is traveling. I adore the feeling of entering a new country or city and getting to know it--learning a whole new culture and way of living; learning the differences and similarities of the human race. 

While traveling I have discovered that each city and country has its own spirit, a spirit that exudes a rich history and the personality of its citizens.  

One of the countries that I have had this particular connection with is England. From the moment I arrived in the beautiful country I fell in love with its history and culture.

 My dream is to one day travel to Antarctica. Some may say that this an unusual wish but I find it fascinating. Antarctica is the continent that we know the least about so I am so excited to one day visit and get to know the spirit of the land from an unbiased view. I am so thrilled by the idea of going there someday.

You know, just livin' life day by day.

You know those times when you are forced to constantly be thinking about the future? Constantly working on a deadline? Just constantly doing and going? 

My life has been filled with these "constantly" things lately. Constantly thinking about college, summer jobs, internships, college, oh and did I mention college? Constantly trying to get the next outline or paper in on time. Constantly rushing to the next appointment or class. It makes sense, I'm a senior in high school, I need to be doing all these things if I plan to do anything with my life. The only problem that I'm having with it is that I just realized that all these "constants" are making it difficult to truly being aware of the present. Not paying enough attention to the around me and the many, many blessings I have.  

As the Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda said:

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.

 This is me pledging to be aware of my life, my blessings, and those around me. And though I will often be rushing to and fro, I am pledging to live life day by day, remember it's a gift, and lovin' every minute of it.