8 Years

A lot can happen in 8 years.

I lost all my baby teeth and embarked on the EVER attractive braces phase.
I quit the sport I thought I'd be a part of until my senior year and beyond.
I got my appendix removed.
I survived middle school and made it to the big ole high school.
I got my ears pierced.
I learned how to braid my hair...okay scratch that. Still haven't quite figured that one out.

A lot can happen in 8 years.
But unfortunately, my grandpa wasn't here for any of it.

8 years ago on May 24th Cyril O'Rourke, my crow-crying, pillow monster, musician grandpa passed away at home. I remember I'd been at the zoo all day, and had come home to watch The Master of Disguise, when my 2nd grade innocence was permanently altered.

Time is an irreplaceable thing that I would give anything to have.  I can only dream of going back and spending time with him, especially listening to him sing.  When I sing, I can only pray that I attempt to emulate him and his natural ease.

My grandpa has never seen me on the stage.
My grandpa has never heard me sing.
Yet, my grandpa has been with me every time I've felt the heat of the spotlight on my skin.

It's true that a lot can happen in 8 years.
But what's even more true?
The fact that he's never once left my side.
I love you Grandpa
We will meet again.

The Bestest Feeling in the World

In approximately 6 minutes I am leaving to pick up someone I've missed more than dairy.
Literally.
Everybody has that one friend who always laughs with/at you, helps you pull off all kinds of nutty stunts, and never forgets those seemingly miniscule details about you.  My "friend" is Emily.  I say "friend" because she's so much more than that.  She's my confidant, my rebel partner, my nut, and my sister all in one.  She knows every one of my flaws and still decides to hang out with me, and it's been like 8 or more years now!
Most importantly though, she knows my problems, knows I'm not really as strong as I seem, and is ALWAYS there for me.  I mean ALWAYS.
I think that's why this year's been so different for me, seeing as how we've hardly hung out cause she's such an incredible dancer and my world revolves around theatre/choir.
But in 4 minutes, I am leaving to pick up my Emmy, Fat DJ, Waluigi, and Ur Hot Stuff.
And somehow I know that everything here on out is gonna be okay.

7 Eclectic Confessions

1.  This is one of my biggest fears, actually.  The imminent arrival of college and leaving.  I've always been a Minnesota girl, born and raised, and it freaks me out to think that in about two years that's all going to change.  However I do know that I'll always be back for 1 week of the summer to get back to my land of 10,000 lakes.

2.  I don't actually understand why people study geology.  I mean, I'm sorry but you're looking at a pile of rocks?  Fossils are for sure the bomb, but just plain rocks? I don't really care how old this mountain is unless I happen to be on it when it starts to crumble or something like that.

3.  I really enjoy this particular photo https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxYbEYzv5azCxeStmigFD5oYNnIrPgpoz5zhNiLe2t8vq0ABvNw4rBNBusugnIuEEXZ1cZil5t2MU71wgW7ijrv3jz2iBvZEQHEoFYrHguX2nAMqmGsb0ckYcfni_0nb0IA6fzUIMYZj8/s1600/very_fluffy_bunny1.jpg   I mean COME ON NOW. Tell me that didn't just make you laugh a smidgen?

4.  I listen to specific artists in the morning when I'm getting ready for school.  Nothing slow or sad, it's gotta be upbeat to wake me up. Now for most normal teenagers that isn't a problem.  YEAH NOT TRUE FOR MY LIFE.  My dad and sister both SHARE an account with me, that means when shuffling my ipod you can go from Britney's "Piece of Me," to "TNT" by ACDC.  Not saying this hasn't helped to enhance my musical tastes, but it can be a real fight to get a solid jam set.

5.  I will most likely become a vegetarian because I cannot eat meat off a bone and I usually have to cover my meat with potatoes or bread.  Plus I'm still getting child-sized portions...

6.  In middle school, my dad banned me from using the phrase, "Just kidding!" because I apparently said it continually.  This has now resulted in my loss of the phrase, "Fail" because I apparently overuse that as well and he gets mad when I point out his mistakes.

7.  Mr. Lamphere put a smiley face around days that I didn't exercise in my sleep log...I'm not sure what he was trying to tell me but I will take the smiley face any day!  That or he's crazy and thought that was a sad face..or that I wrote yes...nah I'm gonna go with the logical option and assume he is cray-cray.

"And in the end, the love you take Is equal to the love you make" ~The End by The Beatles