How have I changed This Year?

Well first off, my blog has changed tremendously this year. I started off blogging about strictly travel related topics. Such as travel destinations mostly. I would throw in some music or video to change it up, but it was mostly about places I recommended you readers to travel to. All of the posts were in the same format with two pictures that were large sized with the same format of titling. I'm not really much of a cookie-cutter, in-the-box writer, but my earliest blogs seemed to reflect my personality as organized and straight forward person and writer, which I'm not really.

Later on throughout the year, my blogs started to become more spontaneous and random. I would tend to swerve off track with my theme and experiment more with other styles, tones, and topics. My blogs since that turn, have been the same yet different. They aren't very travel related, but they are revolved around me and my life as it goes. I like my blog as of now a bit better. It expresses me more and shows my values and beliefs. I feel as if my readers now can picture who I am and what I'm about now better then before.

As a person, I have most definitely changed this year concerning many things. My thought process has been altered a little. At the beginning of the year I was all about "starting fresh!" I would give 120% on every assignment there was even the littlest one. I even carried myself more presentably. Now, I have slightly changed. My grades have about remained the same, but I'm managing to just get by. I don't take myself as seriously now. Is that a good thing? It's not. You should never just "get by." You should always put forth effort in everything. I feel like I almost got lazier as the school year went on and now concludes.

Confidence is Key!
Source: forbes.com

My mind set has also changed, but for the good. Instead of caring what my peers think of me at school, I have started to do things for myself now, not others; which I feel is good. I would dress for other people, opposed to now, I wear what ever I want to school, because I feel confident enough to do so.

Everyone at school is always trying to fit in and be the coolest most popular, but honestly I have started to care less about all that pointless drama and hassle. I have found my true friends this year and I have started to find qualities in people that I like, and strive to possess. I realized its not about how many friends you have, but the quality of the true friends you have. Many people this year have forced their friendships with others to boost their ego and image. But friends are supposed to make you feel good, not look good.

I have also discovered that my maturity level is well above the majority of my grade. There are only a few people who truly understand how I feel concerning how immature people are. I am most definitely ready for the transition to the high school! I'm excited to start over at a new school with a different crowd, so I can hangout with my older friends and taste a new scene for a while.

My biggest goal for next you is to be happy! I can't complain about everything that's bad, but only cherish the good things that I'm blessed with. I'm read to take on a new school year. Hopefully I can't get through this one safely.

FRIENDS
Source: journey mart.com

Simple Pleasures

My friends and family have been receiving a bit of a negative attitude from me lately. I know from experience that being around gloomy people isn't always uplifting, it honestly  brings you down. You can waste so much energy trying to be negative when it's so simple to just be happy. You will run into so many people in life that try to bring you down, because the world is a rat race; so be nice to the people who aren't. Don't be like the rest of the people in the world. Its so heartbreaking to see someone who was once always happy change to being sad and somber. Being pleasant shouldn't be a burden. It's so simple to be happy! I wanted to brainstorm things that I love, that make me happy and not so pessimistic, to remind myself to be happier with things that I love.

1. Music- Music always relieves my stress. I constantly have my "buds" in. Music is a good way to express feelings. It helps you shut out the world for five minutes or an hour depending on what you want or need. Music is a necessity on my life. If I couldn't come home and listen to my favorite rock bands or indie singer/songwriters, life would be much harder than it already needs to be. Music is a source of relief that is much needed in my life.



2. The smell of sunscreen- The original scent of sunscreen never fails to make me smile. It reminds me of family trips to Tampa bay in the summer with my godparents, aunts, and uncles. When you open a bottle, it screams summer! There is only a few things that I like more than summer. I simply love the sweet scent of sunscreen.



3. Rainy days- Most people feel sad or depressed when it rains outside, but it makes me feel alive! I live in a desert so every ounce of rain we get, I cherish. Rain helps the earth and plants grow and be "green." Plants are basically happy little babies that live grounded  in soil. When the plants are happy, I'm happy!



4. Sailing at sunset- Every experience I have with sailing, I absolutely adore. Whether its 420 sailing, which is more physical and fast moving, or a big sail boat that I don't even rig or control, I love sunsets on lakes. Being on the water during a radiant sunset makes the sailing experience much more satisfying.



5. Meeting new people- When you meet a new person, you expand your possibility of friendships. Also, you start with a clean new slate to make a first good impression!



6. Conversation- Conversing with a person is so worked up nowadays. So, whenever I get the chance to have a sincere talk with a person, I value that time spent conversing.

8. Ocean hair- After a long day at the beach, tossing and twirling in the saltwater, my hair starts to soak up the salt, sand, and sun! After all, saltwater soothes the soul.





Spa Days
Source: retallackresort.co.uk

9. Spa days- A day at the spa with any friend or family member can never be regretted. A nice facial or mani-petti always feels so glamorous!



10. Friday night lacrosse games- No words can explain the love I have for my high school lacrosse team. On Friday nights we would have home games and they were always a blast! mostly, because we would always come out with the win, and my team is so lovable and supportive. The Friday night "vibe" I get from lacrosse games make me truly happy.



11. Sweet tea- Drinking sweet iced tea always can put a smile on my face, reminding me of the summers I spent in the south with my grandparents.




 Just remember to always be happy


Smile:)
Source: clipartpanda.com

My Indecisive Future

Part 1...

College is in the Future

Recently, in my mind I have been planning out my future. I have been really trying hard, and putting forth my best work and effort in school, and lacrosse. I understand that school and education comes first, and that is my number one priority. With going to school every week, comes with getting good grades. But what's the point? Many teenagers are probably contemplating that question in their developing minds right now. Some follow the wrong path and/or get caught up in stupid stuff that only matters in the moment, "the trend of the day." But, I'm starting to care about other things greater then social image in school, or how I'm going to get the most attention. I'm starting to care about how my decisions now will reflect later on in life, my future.

College is definitely something that I want to pursue. I want to go to a school that majors in a topic that I'm specifically interested in, that will show and reflect my interests when applying for jobs later down the road. 

I'm debating if I would like to shoot high, for more of a conservative lifestyle in college. Specifically a private or D3 school. Or, do I want to attend a large D1 college; generally a state school, or a big university. I have two sides of my personality and I can't come to consensus with the two and decide what I want. But, either way, hard work will play a huge role in what I end up choosing. 

Lacrosse is kind off a different story. There are really good lacrosse schools preferably on the east. But, I shouldn't be interested in a school because I like their lacrosse program. What happens after college lacrosse? The chances of a thirty year old lady trying out for the U.S. team and making the team. is pretty slim. I want a secure future, and to receive that, I will need to look at a school for their academics that meet my standards and interests.

 There are a lot of kids now days that are committing to a school just for the sport and thats generally not a very intelligent decision. I love the "broken leg test." Im sure you have heard it...if you go to a school for a sport and you break your leg, you obviously can't play. Will you like the school still? Just like a said earlier, you like a school for its schooling not its sports team. 

Lastly, is the school in an physical environment that I generally appreciate? Thats a big factor. For an example, a little Utah girl going to school in Long Island, New York, with all locals probably won't be very pleasurable. Location is something that I have been planning too.

College!

Source: vhhscougars.org

Part 2...

I Just Don't Know

Every time I visit a different part of the country, I fall in love with the different behavior and style there. When I'm chilling at home, I often find myself thinking about the beach and how awesome it would be to go to a school in California right on the water. Each time I spend in California the greater my appreciation grows. Just thinking about how fabulous my tan would be if I basked in the sun on my free time. Or, how fun it would be to play lacrosse in sunny weather. So, once I get my heart set on California, I visit the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and I just get infatuated with Washington, and I start to cherish the rain! The small towns surrounding Seattle are so cute.  I start to yearn the petite little cottages and rain boots,  the idea of pale skin isn't too horrible anymore.  Attending the University of Washington would be so exciting! I return home eccentric about Washington. Then, what do you know, we vacation in New York and my buzz for Washington is completely wiped from my mind and I just become obsessed with the city. I start to want the total opposite, the wish for material things cross my mind, and I start to absolutely love the lifestyle New York brings. Going to class at NYU, and  meeting brand new strangers everyday while sipping your overpriced coffee! I begin to think the city life is the dream.

A Washington Road
Source: wallpedes.com

I'm so indecisive of what I want for my future, yet I keep planning and thinking about what I want to do. I'm causing my own grief! I just need step back, and relax. I chose to hope that everything will fall into place. Give myself time and I might come to conclusion on what I want, I can't be deciding now, I'm too young. But, I guess I'm never too young to care and think about the future, right?