J4. Five months, that's it.

For my choice blog this week, I decided on writing about Graduation, seeing how it’s sneaking up on us quickly. I can’t believe that we only have about five months left until Graduation. It’s truly crazy how fast everything just keeps going by. Part of me is glad and part of me isn’t. One thing I don’t like is how people say they don’t like Alden, or hate Alden. Yes, there is something’s that I hate about Alden, but overall, I love Alden. No matter what, every school has its issues that you’re not going to like. However, you have to look more at the overall town. I like Alden and although I do have something’s to complain about, I don’t let it affect my overall view of this town. Thinking about Graduation coming up makes me happy and sad. Part of me just wants to be out of high school and the other part is because I lose so much from Graduating. You grow up with all of these people and then once Graduation comes, most of those people are just gone. You don’t know who you will see again or talk to again and that’s depressing. I do think that Alden has made me who I am today. Not only did the staff help make me who I am, but so did the students here. Alden’s what made me grow up and made me learn more of myself. It’s made me a stronger person and I know that from all I’ve become, I will do well in college and in my future. Everybody is so hyped up on leaving, me, I’m just taking it day by day. This is our last few months here in Alden High School and many truly don’t realize it or don’t care. Going from all you have known to something completely different is going to be one heck of a change but I know I can do it. So thank you, Alden.

J3. "Like tattoos on this town."

The genre of music that I listen to would be mostly country, although I do like a lot of hip hop music. However, if I had to choose a favorite musician or band it would end up being one of the country genres. I don’t have a favorite band but I do have a favorite musician. That musician would be Jason Aldean. The reason he is my favorite musician is not only because of the fact that I have listened to him for forever, but also because of his style. When I say style, I don’t just mean the way he dresses, but also his music style. The way he dresses is considered laid back. He doesn’t always dress in a cowboy hat, but also in a baseball cap. He always wears t-shirts or flannels with a pair of jeans and boots. To me, his clothing style represents him just as much as his music does. The music he sings has a very wide variety. He sings about life, memories, love, honesty, and so much more. His music gives you a message and it makes you reminisce to a time you felt that specific way, that’s the number one thing I love about his music. He’s one musician that I can instantly relate to. No matter what I’m feeling, he has a song that I can listen to that will help me. The amount of work and time Jason Aldean puts into his music is just phenomenal. I know that no matter what I have songs of his to fall back on regardless of the reason. I admire his style and effort he has put into his music. I have many musicians and bands that I love but Jason Aldean is my top number one and always will be.  I can still remember the first time I ever saw him in concert which was two summers ago. He really puts on a show for his fans and makes it a night to remember. It was the best part of my entire summer and I can’t wait to see him in concert again.

J2. Favorite elementary teacher!

Choosing my favorite school teacher from grades K-5 is a bit hard. It’s mostly hard because of the fact around that time you were quite young and you didn’t fully get to know your teacher much. Some people would choose a teacher that only taught a specific grade. Me, however, if I had to choose my favorite teacher, it would be the music teacher I had, Mrs. Olka. The reason Mrs. Olka was my favorite is because of her personality. I was lucky enough to have her every year until I went to the Middle school. She is one person I instantly think about when I think of the primary school. The reason being is due to how she came across. I can remember so much from my music classes such as the songs and activities. When I look back to this day, I can still laugh at how much fun they were. Something I love about her would be her bubbly personality. I have never seen her without a smile on her face. She’s always laughing and she is always so bright. Going to school every day becomes a drag but going to music class and seeing how happy she always was, seemed to brighten my day. I love that still to this day whenever I run into her, she still brightens my day. I believe that she is one person that definitely makes it clear that she loves her job. It’s easy to tell because of how she treats her students and how much she gets involved with them. Being a little kid in kindergarten, having music class definitely topped off my day because of how easy it was for little kids to get involved with it. I, myself was a very shy girl around that age and I feel like her music class really helped me get out of my shell. I actually miss all of those fun activities we used to do in music class back in the Primary School. That class really let you open up and show your outgoing side. It was one class where you could take a break from so much work and actually let loose. Every June my siblings, Gabby and Eddie, would walk with me to the primary just as their last days of school are approaching. We do this to go back and just visit teachers we have had in the past and truly haven’t seen in a while. Whether they remember us or not, it’s quite nice. Sadly, the past couple of times I’ve gone, I’ve missed Mrs. Olka. Someday soon I will catch her and be able to see her because it’s been such a long time, but truly; I thank her for all she did that helped me become more of myself when I was younger.

J1. "Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?"

To me the definition of a hero is anybody who puts their selves out there in day to day situations that may be dangerous and may not be. Heroes hold many different character traits and do many different things. There someone considered extraordinary to you, someone you look up to. They could have a specific title or no title at all, such as a policeman or fireman. A hero can even be a parent. It doesn’t quite matter who they are, what matters is what they do. They do things for the help and benefit of others. They do it because it makes them feel proud. It’s anybody that has done something to help others and take actions no matter how dangerous they may be. I don’t have one hero, instead, I have two. Yes I do thank all those other heroes out there that do what they do for us, but I also owe a big thank you to my parents. My dad used to be a formal firefighter and watching the effort he puts in day and night to go help out people he didn’t even know was incredible. It made me proud of him knowing that he puts his life on the line for strangers. Now, my parents don’t do anything to the extreme, there just typical parents. My dad runs his own business and aside works with Twin City Ambulance, while my mom is an accountant. To me, it isn’t their working job that makes them my hero. It’s more of what they have done and will do for me. My parents always tell my siblings and I that they would put anything on the line for us. They always mention how they would die for us and do whatever they had to do. To me, that is a hero. Knowing you have two people that would do anything for you because you mean so much to them, is just breathtaking. I can’t even explain how much that means to me. I look up to them and I know that in the end, they always have my back. They have done all they could for me and they continue to do so to this day. Nothing is much more meaningful to me than that. Yes, a hero is someone who’s a firefighter, a police officer, a veteran, etc. However, there is more heroes out their too that aren’t quite noticed such as family members. I look up and give all my thanks to all those heroes out there. Most important, I thank my parents for being my heroes, for being someone to look up to through good times and bad. No matter how old I get, they will always be my heroes and I don’t know what I would do without all they have done. I couldn’t ever thank them enough.

Family will always be there, no matter what.

New Year’s just rolled around the corner and I know for most it was a great day. However, I wish I could say the same.  A lot happened on New Year’s that brought my entire family closer than ever and I wouldn’t regret any of it. Sadly New Year’s started off with getting news on midnight about a family friend that passed away from cancer. The news was unexpected but we all understood that things happen for a reason even if you don’t know or understand that reason. It’s just life. After getting some sleep from being up all night long to watch the ball drop, I woke up at about ten in the morning. Of course like a typical teenager the first thing I did was check my Facebook. Scrolling through my newsfeed, I realized that a family member’s status said that his brother was in the hospital. That entire family is like siblings to me because we practically helped raise them so I was nervous to death because that boy is like an older brother to me. After my dad spoke with the family, we came to find out that three sober boys at a party decided to jump him and left him in the ditch. Luckily the police found him and rushed him to the hospital where he was given the chance to recover. Finding out that was the hardest thing ever and put so much weight on my shoulder because I couldn’t understand why anybody would do that to someone. I just don’t understand the way people are these days. Two days ago he was able to come home from the hospital and is recovering very well. As for the other boys, they have to deal with police. On top of all of this a few relationships ended on New Year’s Day which was very hard and upsetting. However, I had my entire family their through everything. Yes, New Year’s Day is meant to be happy, although mine wasn’t, having my family by my side was enough to me. Even though this year started off extremely bad, it was good in a way. It brought together all of my family as one. We all had to be there for one another to support, help, and guide each other. I don’t regret anything that I found out that day because in the end, I know that all I truly need forever is my family. No matter who walks out in your life, no matter who backstabs you, no matter who ditches you, etc. your family will always be there, always.

Holiday break highlight!

Holiday break just ended and I must say it was interesting in its own way. Besides sleeping in, basketball would be the highlight of my holiday break. Yes, I know I have basketball every single day, but that’s not the point. It wasn’t the practices that made it fun, it was our two tournaments. The team decided to get together and go out to eat at Town and Country Wednesday afternoon. We did this to team bond. I enjoyed really being able to get to know the girls more and have fun with them before our big game that night against the Pembroke Dragons. That tournament was difficult but we played our hearts out. We were up ahead a few baskets but somehow we lost it. Right at the end of the fourth period it was back to back scoring between us and them. They’d make a basket, we would, then they would then we do. It was constant nail biting. I’ve never heard so much noise from fans until this game. Next thing we knew, the fourth period was coming to an end. Then something amazing happened. Sammie took a shot and made it with only point two seconds left on the clock! Our entire team jumped off the chairs and ran onto the court in a huge group hug! The fans went nuts and we couldn’t believe that just happened. Finally just holding onto the ball for the last seconds, we won the game by one point! Almost every single one of us had tears in our eyes and the biggest smiles on our faces. Fans screamed as loud as ever in amazement at what just happened. This meant we won the tournament against Pembroke. Since the game between Depew and Olmstead ended with Depew as the winner, we now would be facing them.

Thursday came around and we were all so nervous but anxious. We knew that this game wouldn’t be easy either, especially since we both wanted to win. This game also was a nail biter. What made it worse were the calls the referees were giving. However, our game against the Depew Wildcats ended with Depew as the winners by one basket.  Yes, we were all disappointed but in the end we realized that we won the first part of the tournament by one basket and lost by one basket. One basket that was it, just one! Since it was a win by one and a lost by one, it showed that we played a tough game. It showed our teamwork and our energy to not give up. Those two nights back to back showed that we knew how to play tough basketball. The coach was extremely proud of the games we played and we knew we did a great job even if we did lose the second round of the tournament. That’s exactly why basketball was the highlight of my holiday break and anybody who came and watched would agree!

My bucket list!

Making a three item bucket list would probably be one of the hardest things ever. There is just so much that I would want to do which makes choosing three very hard. However, if I must choose three my list would be,

1.       Meet my favorite singer, Jason Aldean.

2.       Go to Texas on vacation.

3.       Go to Disney World one more time.

Everybody dreams of being able to meet their favorite singer and most of the time it never happens. That’s why my number one would be meeting my favorite singer, Jason Aldean. He’s been my favorite singer for many years. I’ve only been to one of his concerts so far but I plan on going to more. The only downfall about concert meet-and-greets is the fact that they usually take a photo and allow you to say only a few words. Although only a few words would be able to be said, I’d still love to be able to say something and meet him up close and in person.

Number two on my bucket list would be to go on vacation in Texas. The reason I chose Texas is because my dad used to live there. He always tells me so much about it and shows me a bunch of photos. I can’t help but be amazed at everything he says and shows. On top of that, Texas is known for a lot of country space. There’s a lot going on with rodeos, horse riding, etc. The land there is massive and I would just die to see it all someday. That would be hands down, the best vacation I have ever been on in my life and someday, I will go.

My number three may sound a little corny but I would want to go to Disney World one more time. My first time ever being there was on February break freshman year. I heard many stories about it and I was so excited to go. It also, was my mom’s first time going and my dad’s second time. To me Disney World brings out that little child in you that never wants to grow up. When you grow up, you always wish at some point that you can go back. No matter how old you are, Disney World brings out that inner child. I had so much more on vacation in Florida that I’d love to go back. Yes, it is costly but going there is amazing. It’s one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ things. I know I’m going to get older and miss the child side even more, that’s why number three is to go one more time. Just once more, at least.

New year. New resolution.

In all honesty, I usually don’t make a New Year’s resolution. I don’t think I ever truly have made one. I know many people do but it’s just something that’s never been on my mind. This year, again, I didn’t make a resolution. However, in the end I realized I actually did make a resolution without me even realizing it. Entering a new year, it’s all seen as a new start. A new year brings joy and happiness to many. Entering the year 2012, there was no happiness or joy for my family and I. Instead, we entered hardship. Instantly, right off the bat, bad things occurred. Many tears were shed and worries were spread. The hardship is still there but as of right now, it’s all beginning to die down. One thing I realized through this is that my family all truly came together. We were all there for each other, helping one another as much as possible. When I sit back and think about it all, I see that I do have a New Year’s resolution that was brought on by all of this. My New Year’s resolution this year would have to be based on family and myself. It would be to be there for my family no matter what and to make a stand for myself. Even though families fight, they are the best thing you will ever have. Being there for them should always be something instant. You may not fully realize it but once something bad happens, you see that your family is the one you can always rely on. Others may not be there, but they always will be. I also want to make a stand for myself this year. When I say this, I mean being able to say what I want. I don’t want to be holding back things anymore. I want to say what I feel or think without being nervous. My New Year’s resolution was brought on by a few tragic effects that my family and I were stuck facing. However, my resolution is much more worthy to me than anything else in this world. It has a big importance to me which is why it’ll follow through. So thank you 2012, for starting off bad but for driving me closer to being myself and always be there for my family.