Finding Myself

I think it's safe to say that everyone has dreaded high school in at least one part of their life. There are days when I wish I was actually sick because that would be better than having to go to school. We all have those embarrassing moments from the second grade that we can't forget about because our classmates keep reminding us, or that annoying person that you seem to get paired up with for every class project. It can be both a curse and a blessing going to a small school. It is easy to be pretty comfortable with my classmates because after all I've known a lot of them almost my whole life, but it can be hard to live in a place where everyone knows you, a place where people have already labeled you as a certain type of person.

I think it will be nice when I go to college next fall to be able to for the most part start fresh, but on the other hand my security blanket is going to be completely taken away. I won't be able to rely on my parents to take care of me and I will no longer have the security of walking into a classroom already knowing my teacher and my classmates. It's going to be a huge adjustment but I think I'm starting to get ready to spread my wings.

Although this small town is my comfort zone it has still given me a lot of room to grow. I have learned over the years that you have to take chances because that is the only way you are going to get to the places you want to go. I also learned that there are times in your life that you have to stand up for yourself and what you believe in because if you don't you will regret it.

Leaving this town to go to college is going to be bittersweet. I can almost taste the freedom already, but I am going to miss my hometown and everyone in it. Growing up here has shaped me as a person and taught me a lot of important lessons. One thing I know for sure is that no matter where I go I am going to always take the spirit of my hometown in my heart.

Turn It Up

Today as I was driving to work, and I was late, it felt like the only thing to do was turn up the radio until I couldn't hear myself think anymore. Music is the perfect stress reliever and is something I have been relying on lately while dealing with the stress of senior year.

As I started thinking about it music is a good way to deal with what you're feeling whether you're happy, sad, stressed, excited, or worried. Music can calm our nerves or make us get up and dance. Music has a very strong power that a lot of us usually take for granted.

I love to dance. Without music dancing would look like a lot of crazy jumping and jerking around. Actually, without music there probably wouldn't even be any dancing. I'm usually a pretty quiet person and music and dancing are the ways that I express myself. My world would be turned upside down without music.

Where I'm From

I am from music notes,
from sequined costumes and ballet shoes.
I am from the backyard,
I am from swingsets and sidewalk chalk,
I am from night bicycle rides.

I am from church on Christmas eve and cookies,
from unwrapping everything on my wishlist.
I am from the kids' table,
from loud chatter and even louder laughter.
I am from playing late night cards.
I am from "I walked to school uphill both ways."

I am from Margaret's house,
from splitting my chin and split pea soup.
I am from shots fired and a folded flag,
from sugar bars and loving arms.
I am from mischieveous gray kittens,
and dark basements.

I am from broken reeds,
and shaking knees.
I am from spinning silk,
and blinding smiles.
I am form "toes pointed,"
and "chin up."
I am from pride, dedication, and tradition.