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THREE WAYS I AM STILL A CHILD:

1. I re-read my favorite childhood stories.
2. I still can’t cut anything out in a straight line or spell basic words properly
3. I love scooters/bikes/slides/swings

THREE WAYS I AM ALREADY OLD:

1. I am philosophical.
2. I make to-do lists
3. Oftentimes, stress keeps me awake at night.

THREE THINGS I WANT TO DO:

1. Write a book.
2. Compose a song.
3. Direct a movie.

THREE WAYS THAT I’M A STEREOTYPICAL “BOY”:

1. Hoodies and jeans all the way.
2. I make/laugh at perverted jokes.
3. Girl drama exhausts me a lot of the time.

THREE WAYS THAT I’M A STEREOTYPICAL “GIRL”:

1. I’m very sentimental.
2. I hate leaving the house looking disheveled.
3. Sometimes I read shallow, teenage novels.

THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:

1. Jump all academic hurdles with success.
2. Spend time with family and friends
3. Make unforgettable memories.

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:

1. My confidence (when I can muster it)
2. My ability to stand up for myself.
3. My eyes

THREE THINGS YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:

1. My awkwardness.
2. Lack of athleticism
3. My hands.

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:

1. Indian
2. Indian
3. Indian

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:

1. Pressure
2. Time (this is starting to sound like a chemistry equation…)
3. Failure

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:

1. Cell phone
2. Headphones
3. Lacrosse stick

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX (OR SAME) THAT APPEAL TO YOU:

1. Smile
2. Hair
3. Eyes

THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN’T DO:

1. Drive in a straight line
2. Whistle properly
3. Do a cartwheel

THREE CAREERS YOU ARE CONSIDERING:

1. Medicine (specifically, genetics)
2. Law
3. Psychology

After years of journals, blogs, writing on scraps of paper, whatever, I have finally achieved that goal, though in an unexpected way.

Writing has always been my outlet, my source to let out my emotions, thoughts and feelings. I write for myself, not for others.

Last year, I went through a difficult time in my life. And I wrote a story about it, and the person who helped me most through that period, in a fit of emotion.

And now that story is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul.

It was accidental. I didn’t expect anything. But now I’m sitting here with the stack of books in front of me, and it’s surreal. My name is in a book. My words are in a book for the world to see. Something tangible that people actually read.

It may not be a big deal, but to me it’s kind of surreal.

“Well,” she said, grinning over her wire-rimmed glasses. “Perfect.”

She handed me back my test. Minus 0. I officially had my permit!

After celebrating my minor victory, I went to the local driving school with my mom to sign up for driving lessons. And when I arrived, another surprise awaited me. There was a cancellation- and I could have my first lesson in 45 minutes!

So when the instructor came, he took me to a parking lot where I attempted to make U-Turns. Then, I was thrust head first into traffic.  I drove around the Santana Row area for over an hour while attempting to merge properly, keep my turn signals straight, and not swerve excessively. When we finally reached the target destination, I almost dropped to my knees in relief. I hadn’t crashed into anything or killed anybody. I was still in one piece.

“Hm,” my instructor said, eyebrows raised. “That wasn’t bad at all.”

Though I still have a long ways to go before I can turn sixteen and get my license, today was my first taste of freedom and independence. And my conclusion? It’s harder, but also much more exhilarating than I previously expected. And in that way, driving is a direct mirror to real life.

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. My favorite types of weather are inclement with lightning and thunder, and cold but sunny.
2. I’m more than slightly addicted to technology.
3. I secretly wish I was taller than 5’6
4. I’m not a big fan of chewing gum.
5. Music is the force that keeps the universe running.
6. I love quotes and lyrics
7. When I was 9, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. When I was 12, I wanted to be a journalist. When I was 14, I wanted to be a lawyer. Now, I honestly have no clue what I want to be.
8. Getting college emails makes me feel appreciated.
9. I’m a strong believer in fate.
10. I would be lost without my cell phone.
11. As tiring as lacrosse is, that sport is a major source of stress relief for me.
12. I take mean comments far too personally, even anonymous ones on Formspring make me feel really bad. Yet, I know I need to grow a thicker skin.
13. I’d love to have a column in my school newspaper, but I keep procrastinating writing my three examples. Over break, I WILL.
14. Joining newspaper and lacrosse are probably some of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
15. I can’t get through Fridays without a nap.
16. I love finding people who have a super similar taste to me in books, music, or movies. But I also love it when people have a unique style that differs from the norm.
17. I usually speak my mind.
18. New Motto: “Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there with open arms and open eyes.”
19. Ever since I watched the Ocean’s series/21 when I was in 8th grade, I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas, play blackjack, and outsmart the casinos.
20. My birthday is an important day to me, and I don’t like it when people forget.
21. Writing comes naturally to me. I might not be very good at it, but it rarely causes me pain, and I enjoy it.
22. Old school pop culture is ineffable.
23. Sometimes I get frustrated when people tell me things that I’m not allowed to share, and continuously vent to me. But then I remember that’s only because they trust me, and I feel better.
24. I wish I had a better sense of style.
25. I have met/gotten to know several incredible people during my last two years of high school whom I know I will never forget.

And now for my 25 things from 2009!

1. i’ve lived in 3 states, 5 homes and been to 3 different schools in 14 years.
2. i LOVE music. that’s why i started guitar, so i can play all my favorite songs. but i think the best songs are the ones with awesome lyrics
3. i love to read and re-read books. book nerds forever isha and i still read the clique series even though i started in 6th grade, its a tradition.
4. last week was the weirdest week of my life, hands down.
5. there are many things i’d like to say to some people, but i dont know how.
6. dont knock it until you try it is my motto. i hate it when people say how much they hate something without even attempting to try it too. so if you want to complain about something, at least say you’ve tried it.
7. i love photos. especially old photos. they’re so much fun to look at and reminisce about how life used to be
8. this year has taught me that it is possible to make friends with anyone if you spend enough time with them.
9. i love my friends. and my family. and especially my dog buddy =]
10. i just got a new bike and im dying to go and ride it
11. i play guitar. and i love it way more than any other instrument i’ve tried.
12. i like sports that aren’t really common.
13. im starting to run out of things to say =P
14. some things come naturally to me (guitar, around the world, knock out, sailing). other things DONT. at all.
15. my favorite quote from a song is from john mayers song the heart of life: pain throws your heart to the ground, love turns the whole thing around. no, it won’t all go the way it should, but i know the heart of life is good =)
16. i use =) and say lol/hahah online way to often
17. sometimes i wish i was taller than 5’2, but im usually okay about my height.
18. im not a super emotional person unless i get really angry/happy. and i dont cry that often either
19. physics is going to kill me
20. the movie i’ve watched the most times is the parent trap
21. i haven’t had long hair since the 6th grade. and i like it short.
22. i can say one word to my friends and we’ll crack up.
23. i look up at the weirdest times
24. my top 5 most played songs on my ipod are: my life would suck without you, fearless, wordplay, a little less sixteen candles, and lucky. not necessarily in that order.
25. love actually and the oceans series are probably my favorite movies ever.

Quite honestly, I don’t think I’ve changed all that much on the outside, but inside I know I’m stronger. I’m less hyper and happy than I was as a freshman, but that’s probably because of the increased workload.

As we travel through our teenage years, the more we lose ourselves. But the beauty of it is we always manage to find ourselves again in the end.

http://www.formspring.me/doubleA94

They will see us waving from such great
Heights, ‘come down now,’ they’ll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
‘come down now,’ but we’ll stay

I tried my best to leave this all on your
Machine but the persistent beat it sounded
Thin upon listening
That frankly will not fly. you will hear
The shrillest highs and lowest lows with
The windows down when this is guiding you home

———-

I have a slightly secret love for techno/electric pop music.

That way, I’m close enough to feel the rain on my skin and breathe in the stormy air, but far away enough to avoid any real damage to my being.

It’s a sense of inner peace.

1. Who Says-John Mayer
2. Under the Bridge-Red Hot Chili Peppers
3. Let’s Dance to Joy Division- The Wombats
4. We Belong-Tom Felton
5. I Want To Hold Your Hand-The Beatles
6. Acoustic #3-Goo Goo Dolls
7. Last Words-The Real Tuesday Weld
8. Til Kingdom Come-Coldplay
9. Wonderful-Gary Go
10. Ottoman-Vampire Weekend
11. X&Y-Coldplay
12. Geek in the Pink-Jason Mraz
13. Back to Hogwarts-Star Kid Potter (from AVPM) Oh god, don’t ask. Yes, I am a proud, extreme Harry Potter fan
14. Victoria-John Mayer
15. Broken-Lifehouse
16. Terminals- Relient K
17. Solo-Iyaz
18. Here Comes the Sun-The Beatles
19. Spaceman-The Killers
20. Teardrops on my Guitar-Taylor Swift
21. I’m Ready-Jack’s Mannequin
22. New York to California- Mat Kearney
23. The Reason-Hoobastank
24. I’d Rather be with You-Joshua Radin
25. If It’s Love-Train

Any songs in common?

And this haircut has gotten me so many comments. It was a really drastic change (my first one like, ever), and wow, I didn’t even expect half the compliments/comments I recieved. Everybody I crossed paths with noticed, from teachers to girlfriends to guyfriends to visiting alumni to random acquaintances. I got comments ranging from “you look LEGIT” to “I like it…but you look like your chemistry teacher” to “I love this style on you!”

Honestly, I’m still getting used to this short hair myself. I didn’t want it that short, but it’s turning out to be better than I expected.

Advantages of my new haircut?

1. I can wash and dry it so much faster
2. No need for hair ties for sports/chem labs
3. It doesn’t fall on my face while I’m studying

So whether I’m at peace with this style or not, I’m not sure. But the bottom line is: it’s hair. It will grow back. And the dead cells sprouting out of the top of my head don’t define who I am, right?

But my most important resolution is to take risks and be bold in order to get what I want. No longer will I sit in the sideline and watch opportunities pass me by. I need to have a can-do attitude and take hold of every challenge presented to me.

Like Joshua Radin sings, “I need to be bold, I need to jump in the cold water, need to grow older with a girl like you.”

Same here. Well, maybe not growing older with somebody quite yet (I have some time before I get there). B

I can do it.