It's official. I've started the countdown: 6 weeks. 42 days. 1008 hours. 60,480 minutes. 3,628,800 seconds. It doesn't matter how you put it, the point is that it's finally here; GRADUATION... a.k.a, the day I've been waiting for my whole life. Part of me can't believe it's here and that it's come so fast, and another part of me is wondering what the heck has taken it so gosh darn long! But whether it has sped on past me or gone as slow as molasses, it doesn't matter now. Because It's here. IT IS HERE. I have had ups and downs through my school years. I have made new friends, and lost old ones, learned new things and forgot old ones. I have passed...and failed for that matter...countless tests in countless subjects. I can say I know the names of all the 50 states in America. I can say I know the ABC's, backwards and forwards. I know how to add and subtract, read chapter books, write in cursive, multiply, divide, and count to a thousand. I probably couldn't tell you the quadratic equation, the capital of Indonesia, or the phases of the moon. But that's ok. I've lived, and I've learned. I have played at recess, written papers, read books, sat through innumerable lectures, taken notes, and completed projects. For the last thirteen years, school has been my life. Day after day, class after class. Thirteen 180-day school years. 2340 school days. 56160 hours. Now, whether all of that time was actually spent at school is irrelevant. Whatis relevant, is that I'M GRADUATING.

My Mirth...

There isn't a lot in Cedar City, so I wasn't expecting anything more than a good time. I knew it would be fun and that I would get to know the people in the class really well...But I didn't expect our trip down there to have such and impact on me.

For advanced theater, we went down to Southern Utah University for the annual high school Shakespeare Festival. There, we competed with with our ensemble scene, supported those classmates who would be competing individually, watched other performances, learned a ton about Shakespeare, and most importantly, made more friends than you could have in a whole year. I didn't think it was possible to get to know, and become so close, to so many people in 48 short hours. The memories we created will never be forgotten. It was the expierience of a lifetime.

A few weeks before we presented our Night of Shakespeare, Mr Oram, one of the teachers at our school, and a highly educated man in many aspects including Shakespeare literature, came to talk to us. He began by asking us to write down the definition of the word mirth: gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter. Our ensemble scene was comedic, so he continued to tell us that we should stand on that stage, and present our mirth. From then on, mirth kind of just stuck with us. It was, in a way, our theme for our performances.

Right before our ensemble scene performance in Cedar City, we got together for circle time. We did our usual pump up activities and then Andra took over. She asked us to close our eyes and imagine our mirth; what makes us happy. She then instructed us to hold out our hand and she came around and placed a small container in one hand. When we opened our eyes, there was a glass bowl in the middle of the circle, and everyone was holding a small container of glitter. Andra then began to talk about mirth, and how we needed to present our mirth in our last performance of this scene we had worked so hard on. We went around the circle and each shared our mirth and what made us happy, and as we did so, we poured our glitter into the bowl. The glitter began to pile up as everyone shared the things that they lived for. When everyone had finished, and every last sparkle of glitter filled the glass, everyone held a small bit of everyone's combined glitter in their hands. Andra then said: "Now spread everyone's mirth on yourself." She sprinkled the mixed colors over her head. "Now you have a piece of everyone's mirth and you. Spread it around as you perform this scene. Make it cover that whole auditorium....every corner and inch of it, and don't come off stage until you have."

What an amazing feeling it was. To be united with everyone in that circle, and to be able to spread everyone's 'mirth' about, was truely incredible. I am so glad to be part of such an amazing group of people, and to get to work with such an amazing director. This is my Mirth!!

Drama

Drama...Drama...Drama...usually not a good thing, right? This drama is different. In fact, it is different than any other drama you can think of...any theater, acting, or staging class you can imagine...This one just doesn't compare. Advanced theater at Davis High school, is...what is the word I'm looking for? amazing? incredible? outstanding? maybe words just can't describe it. We are just starting this year out, but I can already tell that it is going to be incredible. At times, it's hard not to feel inadequite, but I know I will eventually discover who I really am through this class...and through everything else I will face this year.

Called to Serve...

It was nearly two months ago that Gavin recieved his Mission Call. It seemed that those two months he had to prepare would pass slowly, and that I had forever to say my goodbyes. I couldn't have been more wrong. Those eight short weeks passed before my eyes, and the next thing I knew, it was time for that final goodbye. On Sunday, He gave an amazing talk, filled with the spirit and an incredible testimony that touched me like I've never been touched before. And then, With the support of his many friends and family members, we sent him off yesterday. It was an emotional day. Singing the familiar hymn, "Called To Serve," in a room filled with newly set-apart missionaries and their family members, filled me with the spirit so much. It was so special to share that day with Gavin. Then the time came to say our goodbyes. Of course, everyone's eyes were filled with tears as we gave our final hugs and watched him leave through the 'missionary' exit. I'm so proud to have Gavin as a brother. He will be a wonderful missionary, and will bring the gospel unto those seeking it in Florida.

Oh How the Years go by

As a new day began, my thoughts began to wonder back to the time when I was a little girl. The world seemed to be simpler then; living day to day with no worries in the world. I played hard and got into more trouble than I probably should have...but life went on. It seemed like life would be like that forever; the future so far away that is was almost unreachable. Little did I know that it would fly by and that the 'future' was no future at all, but the life I lived each and every day.

I've been pondering a lot lately about time and where it all has gone. I can't believe I have come so far. I never dreamed I would be this old, attend high school, drive a car, or have a job. It seemed that only other people would get that far, and that I, being young and naive, would stay a child forever. But I wake up everyday to a new day and smell the fresh scent of reality, and the fact that I am, indeed, living the life I never thought I would.

In coming to understand the fact that I'm living in the here and now, I have learned something very important: Life travels faster than anything in this world, and if we don't take advantage of every moment of every day, we will wonder where those precious days, hours, minutes, and seconds have disappeared to. I must live everyday as if it were my last, and let every person in my life know how much they mean to me. I can't regret choices, actions, or roads taken, because at one point, it was exactly what I wanted. Living in the past isn't worth the waste of time, for when we finally make it back to the present, it will have been long gone. I must Live for today!

I did it

Well, I did it...I made it through yet another year of school. That means I am one year closer (with only one year left) to graduating. I never dreamed I would be this close. It always seemed so far away, but now my future is right around the corner. School has never been easy for me...I've struggled my way through the past 12 years of school, and hope to be able to endure one more long year...But for now, it's just a relief to have a break from it all. It's summer...and I finally feel like I can accomplish a few things and relax just a little more. Let the summer adventures begin. =]

Cali

It's only been a week, but I already miss the beaches of California. It was such a fun week...spending time with Camille, Jared, Raegan, Kade, My mom, and Gavin. We made the best of every moment. We visited the beach, and spent a day at Disneyland. It was such a blast...I can finally say that I've visited Cali, and I hope that it won't be 17 years before I go back.