Awkward and Awesome Thursdays

So, about a year ago, my friend Layne told me to start doing Awkward and Awesome Thursdays. And I did them. For a week. And then I did a few sporadically throughout the past year. And now, I am going to do another.

For anyone that hasn't read any of my previous 'Thursday' posts, I basically post all the awkward and awesome things that have happened today/this week. OR you could go here. And yes, after looking through my old posts, I guess I only did one...awks. I thought I'd done multiple. Oh well. Maybe there are more, hidden like ninjas on my page. I bet that's what happened. Please wear a helmet to prevent a head slicing. I am not liable to any deaths because of this blog. Speaking of helmets, I'll get started on my 'Awkward's...

Awkward:
On the way home from Seminary, me and my sister and the freshman boy I drive, we all wear helmets. In the car. Cuz YOLO. ;) Just kidding, it's cuz we're cool. And we get so many funny looks, it's hilarious. And awkward.

There're these two kids who are walking to school as we drive home. And I think they like each other. And we've gotten into a habit of staring at them as we pass. They haven't been walking to school for the past 3 ish days...I don't know how to feel about this...we think some of this has to do with the helmet wearing as well....awkward...

I was at dinner with my sister at Pei Wei, and I was shoving a bunch of chopsticks into my purse(hey. It's free merchandise), and one of the workers glances over at me, and then does a double take.

Another time, as I was stuffing chopsticks in my bag, a guy I knew walked past and called my name and came over for a hug. I haven't seen him since this spring. It was weird. Mostly cuz I was shoving chopsticks in my purse.

I gave someone a ride home from mutual and they climbed into my car, and flipped POO cuz I have a bunch of heads in my back seat. Mannequin heads. Still, heads.

I had one such head pressed up against the rear window, that just so happens to look like Michael Jackson, in my opinion. And I was taking the trash out and I saw it as I was running back to my house. I screamed. I thought it was Michael Jackson, coming to rape me.

Someone asked me if I was expecting. MAJORLY AWKWARD. It was a fat day. Plus I was wearing my question mark shirt. It looks like I'm pregnant, but don't know what I'm having. As in gender, not species. I'm not having a parrot-human crossbreed. I'm not having anything, for that matter. I wonder if you can have a parrot-human....

I was taking pictures of my sister on the sidewalk yesterday. It is common for photographers to have awkward poses while taking pictures, just to get the right angle. I had my butt sticking out as I was taking pictures. Aaand a car full of guys drove past. Three times. I didn't realize til my sister got freaked out cuz they kept passing. We relocated. I don't like guys staring at mah butt.

I was talking to the lovely Anela in class today. Or, I said "hello" (in a much more creative way) and immediately got a message from one of the class mods "keep the chat on topic".  We then had a text conversation. It has been decided that this was his first class and he was power hungry.

My mom came in the house after using my car and asked, "Why are there heads in your car?"

I found out that SWAG stands for "Secretly We Are Gay". Yuppp...

I was babysitting last night, and I fell asleep. Which WOULD be fine. BUT she forgot her keys. So, she was ringing the doorbell, trying to wake me up. She had to call me.

I slept through my alarm, and Nicholas(The freshman I drive to seminary) was ringing my doorbell and knocking for forever til I woke up. His face when I answered the door was priceless. I looked great. Bedhead and all.


Awesome:

I went out to dinner tonight. I like food. Therefore, this is awesome.

Someone told me they wanted my bangs. Furthermore, they wanted to pull them off my head. It made me feel special. ;) (I give you permission to do one of those awkward cough laughs with a weird face. It's one of those moments. I understand.)

I had a hilariously funny conversation with my friend, who happens to be a boy, about what kissing someone with a beard feels like. His opinion about mustaches was insightful. And he is straight, yes.

I passed an assessment in Science with 21 out of 28! Woot....

I wore tie dyed pants today. That's just awesome.

I was told that I'm a cute bum.

I made cupcakes. And they taste....pretty okay. Sorta. I think I'll make other people eat them! Yay for sharing...

I shot a bunch of people. In a non-lazer lazer tag thing. It was thebomb.com. <<That's a link. I think. Don't click it...mink. (THAT ALL RHYMED :D)

My sister came home for the weekend. Stoked.

The teachers(like 14-15 year old boys) in my ward are no longer afraid of me. It's pretty cool.

When telling people at my church about wearing helmets in our car, one of the girls asked, "Oh, so do you wear them cuz your seatbelts are broken?" Made. My. Day. Cuz if my seatbelts were broken, I'd just wear a helmet. Same thing. ;)



Maybe I'll stay on top of things and post an awkward/awesome post next Thursday. Don't count on it tho. :) Good night, random citizens.

I take lots of pictures

I made a couple posts on my photography blog. Go look at them. Now. Cuz I said so. And cuz you love me.



http://sweetsmiles-photography.blogspot.com/

That's just the main link. There are two recent ones. While you're over there, follow my blog. Then tell your friends to follow it. Then tell your friends to follow this one. Cuz you know you want to. :)

Hi, my name is: Confident

There are many a misconception in this world. Here are a few that bug me.

If you think you're ugly you're trying to draw attention and compliments.
If you think you're beautiful you're conceited.

MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, PEOPLE!!

Yup. That's about where the "holy poo this pisses me off" line is drawn. There are others, but they aren't pertinent to this post.

Allow me to give you a couple of scenarios where these assumptions are and aren't accurate.

Situation 1:
*girl posts picture of herself on facebook* Ohmygawsh. I look so uglly. Liiike if you disagree!

^^That also pisses me off. She just wants attention. Feel free to think what you want.

Situation 2:
*girl talking to...anyone*
"I just don't look good today."

Okay. This last situation is harder to explain than just stating that, so I'll elaborate.

Everyone has off days. Sometimes a pretty girl looks in the mirror and realizes she's having an off day. Maybe she's on second day hair. Or she slept on her hair funny. Or she's breaking out. There could be any number of reasons for this "off" day, but these are the most common ones(or at least the ones that apply to me). If she says that she doesn't look good TODAY, or "I look like crap/shapoopy/poo", this DOESN'T mean she thinks she's ugly. She's having an off day. She's not UGLY, she just looks like crap TODAY.

Now, the beauty thing.

See, I know I'm a pretty good looking person. I just know I am. I don't need people to tell me, I don't seek out compliments. I LOVE compliments, but I don't ASK for them, ya know? And I know a lot of other pretty girls who feel like this. You know you're pretty, but if you even ACKNOWLEDGE you're good looking, people jump all over you. "Wow, conceited much?" "Need a piece of humble pie?" etc.

If I say I look pretty, I'm not conceited. It would be conceited if I went on and on and on about it, but if I casually mention "I look real good today" or something(in context...) I'm not being conceited. I'm confident. And being confident is good. It is.

I get called conceited/prideful a lot. And yes, I may be somewhat conceited, but I almost never act it, unless you're one of my best friends. Then I can be highly conceited.


Don't mix it up. Guess what guys? I look good today. Deal with it. ;)

Message in a bottle

 My love language is gifts. Pretty sure I've mentioned this before. But maybe I haven't. That's okay. Now you know. When Christmas comes around(and birthdays, for that matter), I go BIG on presents. If you don't believe me, ask anyone I send presents to. Especially Helen.

Last week, I was looking at blogs. I do that a lot. And then, after looking long enough, I get inspired to do something. Usually it doesn't last long. BUT the blog I was looking at has this long list of things you can MAIL without packages. From sponges and dodgeballs to stuff stuck inside old spice jars. I was highly intrigued. After looking up a tad bit of information, I ran to my room and started hunting for random crap. And I say that literally.

First things first. A water bottle. Terder. 

Then I had to dry it out. And it kinda sucked, so it actually wasn't totally dry when I sent it off....Oops.

Letter writing tiiimmmeee. (the friend mentioned is, indeed, Helen. Duh.)

And then I had to shove the letter in there. I had to fold it three different ways before I got it right.

This is the random crap part. Heh. Heh. Heh. I put a lot of stupid stuff in there, and it really doesn't matter WHAT I put in, cuz you're not Helen. Merher. Yes, those are sprinkles. Yes, they were a freaking pain in the BUTT to get in. 

And then I dropped it off in the big blue box. After I'd put postage and some addresses on it. I couldn't figure out how much my bottle weighed, so I just stuck a bunch of stamps on and hoped for the best. Turns out, I was 20 cents short. Oops. The story of Helen picking up the bottle is pretty humorous. Ask her about it, if you feel like it.

I felt super accomplished. It was highly fun. I totally didn't rush out of class to do it.

I'm in another highly strange mood, and chances are, you're going to get a post on a baking adventure that I am about to embark on. Chances are, it'll look like craaap.

Dare not to generalize me

I don't think that title ^^^ even works, grammatically. But, I don't want to bother changing it, so it stays.

So, I was sitting in seminary today. Like I do every week day. (I'm about to digress) I looked like a hobo that had rolled around in mud and then done something else disgusting. My brain isn't working today, and the reason why is because I woke up with a killer migraine yesterday. It sucked. However, it's mostly gone, and I am here to tell you about a thought I had.

I'll get back on topic now.

I'm sitting in seminary. And we are talking about weaknesses, the armor of God, blah blah. It was a good lesson, just one we're all forced to hear at least 2345456456782345 times a year, whether it be sunday school, YW/YM, Seminary, FHE, etc. You hear it a lot. And wouldn't you know it? We've all seen the orange analogy. ;) So, normally, this kind of lesson wouldn't be note worthy enough for me to BLOG about it.

It gets better, so keep your pants on and wait.

My teacher has a vase of water. And then pulls out an orange. Or, as I called it, a Green. It was a green orange, which is contradictory, so it's a green. Call it a green. A green. SO, she plops this orange in the water. 5 points to whoever can tell me what'll happen. If you guessed "IT'LL FLOAT!", then ding ding ding. You get a mythical prize. Enjoy that. If, for some stupid reason, you guessed "It'll sink. Derp." Then please go throw some greens in a bathtub and take as many science classes you can. Now, while you perform your science experiment, I will continue with my rant, or whatever you could call this.

When the teacher asks what will happen, we all answer "it's gonna float." in tired monotonous voices. Wouldn't ya know it, it floats. Then, she peels the green. And asks us what will happen when she puts it back in. We all say, "It's gonna sink." And then I add, because I am oh so sarcastic and always in a good mood in the morning, "Just watch. It's gonna float."

It floated.

I laughed.

My teacher than kneaded it with her hands until it was a poor, abused green, and it kinda floated near the bottom. Everyone started making jokes about how it was a "special" orange and all of that, and then one of my teachers says, "It was a homeschooled orange."

I really laughed then. NOW, before you other homeschoolers say "HEY WE AREN'T STUPID/SPECIAL!" and all you non-homeschoolers say "HAHAHAHAHA I WAS ALWAYS RIGHT!" give me a second to say a few things.

I am one of 2 homeschooled kids in my class. I don't really care. This particular teacher, she homeschooled her kids. I appreciate a funny homeschooled joke. In fact, I make them. If I do something stupid I just say, "Ya know what? I was homeschooled." And if you know me, you know that I'm being sarcastic and it's hilarious. *note* Don't make a homeschool joke around a proud homeschooler. Proud in the "I will punch you" type of way. Especially if they're ripped. Just saying.

Anyway, after all the laughing subsided, and everyone made a few homeschool comments and it was oh so funny(not exactly), and we were all ready to pay attention to the lesson, one girl(she's....special), makes a comment that all homeschoolers have good standards and therefore, they are set apart and are a higher "species" or whatever.

I call bullcrap.

In fact, as soon as she states this, my friend who sits next to me, turns to me and says, "Yeah right. I can think of plenty with bad standards." And we list a few that we both know. And then he says, "The only goody two shoes homeschoolers I know are you and Josh(the other one in my class)." For everyone that knows me better than he does, I give you permission to laugh.

Goody-two-shoes, I am not.

That's not my point tho. My point is that I am a member of three "groups" that receive a lot of generalization: I'm a mormon, homeschooled, and belong to a large family. People would think I'm the worlds biggest geek/most sheltered child. In fact, on more than one occasion, I've had people say, "YOU'RE HOMESCHOOLED?!? NO WAY! You're way too cool!"I know. I'm just super awesome that way.

APPARENTLY, If you're a Mormon, you eat jello and funeral potatoes all day, everyday. You wear turtle necks and bootleg highwater jeans, or a jumper with a long sleeved frilly shirt under it. And socks and sandals. And socks that are all frilly at the top. You get my point. We are also, apparently, little law abiders.(I'm not saying that we don't, but I'm saying that we're not high-and-mighty).

If you're homeschooled: You wear your pj's all day(only sometimes, gosh), you watch tv all day(no, that's not having an education), and do school on your bed(okay, that one is spot on...). Apparently, you also have FRICKIN HIGH STANDARDS. And you've never been on a roller coaster. And you worship Hitler(I've actually had someone ask me that once). The assumptions are ridiculous.

If you belong in a large family: You all share underwear(bull), you shop at thrift stores(which is cool), you drive a short bus(...), you're loud, your house is a WRECK, and your parents are lunatics that can't handle you or remember your name.

I have a piece of mind to share with you. I quite enjoy jello and funeral potatoes, because I'm human. However, I have had neither today. AM I NO LONGER A MORMON!?! ;) And the clothes...I don't even OWN a turtle neck, and it goes the same for the rest of the "mormon" clothing. (my dad wears socks and sandals, but he's classy. ;) ) I am law abiding. However, I speed. I've broken a few minor laws, of which I will not go into at this moment. That's need-to-know.

I have not worn my pajamas all day in eons, with the exception of when I'm sick and bed ridden. I never watch tv. And I only do school on my bed 25% of the time. I also have high standards, but not to the point where I refuse to kiss boys or wear a swim suit. There is moderation in all things. I have not only been on *A* roller coaster, but multiple, and I quite enjoy them. And Hitler....do I really have to clarify that? (no, I'm not a Nazi.)

I have MY OWN UNDERWEAR. I've never shared, and never will. Thrift stores are the frickin bomb. I've gotten some of the best stuff ever at those places. One mans trash is another mans treasure. If you're too high and mighty to shop at a thrift store...you have problems. GO SAVE MONEY. A "short bus" is the only thing  big enough to fit my whole family. Deal with it. Our house is NOT a wreck. Cheaper by the dozen makes big families look bad(I love that movie, don't get me wrong). My parents are wonderful and not only PARENT wonderfully, but they LOVE us. Sometimes people forget names. Heck, I do it all the time. To my FRIENDS. It happens. Yes, I've been called the dogs name. No, I don't care.

So, this became much more of a rant than I originally planned. So sue me.

Generalize me, I'll generalize you. As a butt head.

Way to be, bro.

Sometimes, the best way to express yourself is through music. I make playlists. Who doesn't? I usually do when I get into a relationship, among other things.

Stuff has happened. And I don't feel like writing about it, for multiple reasons. So, this will have to compensate.

Here is my latest playlist. I am highly unoriginal.

We are never ever getting back together ~ Taylor Swift

Ignorance ~ Paramore

The Story of Us ~ Taylor Swift

Gives you Hell ~ All-American Rejects

50 Ways to say Goodbye ~ Train

Whiplash ~ Selena Gomez

Gonna Get Over You ~ Sara Bareilles

Single Ladies ~ Beyonce

Forget You ~ Cee Lo Green

My Happy Ending ~ Avril Lavigne

According to You ~ Orianthi

Picture to Burn ~ Taylor Swift

That's What You Get ~ Paramore

Last Kiss ~ Taylor Swift

Decoy ~ Paramore

Long Live ~ Taylor Swift

All We Know ~ Paramore

No Hope ~ Kylar Gardner

White Horse ~ Taylor Swift

The light at the end of the tunnel looks kinda like a train...

Stress is everywhere. It can't be avoided. It piles up outside your front door, applying constant pressure, waiting for a slight crack to appear, do it can force its way into your life. Stress comes with about 470348 different things. And it's kind of hard to not always feel stressed.

Allow me to elaborate.

I'm a senior in high school. That in itself is kind of stressful. I'm making decisions about college, education, friends, etc. things that really make an impact on me and my life.

I am taking 9 classes. Or, I was until yesterday. Classes started on Wednesday. So I'd has 3 days of classes, and I was already struggling somewhat. I'd made this schedule for myself, which was sort of like a written death sentence, that I'd been following religiously. So, my parents pulled me aside yesterday and expressed their concern. With all of my classes, I have no time to work. If I don't work, I don't go to college, which makes the 9 classes sort of pointless. My family is full of problem solvers. When I say that, I mean my parents. We discussed finances and figured out a good way to get some income. We decided to drop two classes and then take them next summer. I'll still graduate, it'll just be a little bit later down the path. Which is okay with me, as long as it spares some tears.

College. Allow me to shove my face in a pillow and scream for a few minutes. To say I'm stressed about this decision would be an understatement. I keep changing the schools I'm applying to. I keep adding or taking away different schools. In July, Helen and I made a list of 7 schools we were both going to apply to.
Western Washington University
University of Oregon
California State- Chico
California State- Sacramento
Central Washington University
Washington State University
Humboldt university

These are all great schools. And they all had a combination of the majors we both wanted.

Then I applied for the ACT. And I was sending the scores to the schools, I decided I needed to narrow it down. I did some thinking, analyzing, and decided on the following list.
University of Oregon
BYU
Cornish college for the arts
Weber state
WWU.

I was content with it. I filled out applications for most of those. Everything was going okay. Helen and I were still applying for 3 of the same schools.

Then I spoke with my mom. And we decided 3 colleges was enough. It gave me enough options.
Weber
BYU
WWU.

Allow me to scream into my pillow again.

I suck at making decisions. I'm persuaded easily. I can never make up my mind. I can have a thousand people's opinions in my head and the only thing I can do about them is cry. Cry and wish they'd go away. I know I'm not the only senior to feel like this, but it doesn't make it any less hard for me. Maybe I'm just a big complainer and I should shut up now.

Life is stressful. The sooner you realize it, the happier/unhappier you'll be. You choose.