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

Eclectic Inspirations-Black and White

 Things that have either been on my mind lately, or that I just found truly inspirational.  Hopefully you might enjoy them too!

7 Eclectic Confessions

1) My Inspiration Journal I've been working on is totally amazing. I love it so much. It's filled with anything that I find remotely inspirational, which is presently quotes, song lyrics, and a certain prayer I learned recently.

2) Apples. I think I've eaten more apples than any person on the face of the Earth should in the past week or so. I may have developed a new disease, Appleitis. Watch out world it could still be contagious.

3) I have an irrational fear of soup. There is not technical name for this, which I find slightly irritating, but oh well I can name it myself then! So I have... Soupolaphobia

4. I really want to name my guitar in my room that I have yet to learn how to play, but I can't decide its gender. Plus, I also hate spending a long time thinking about names, just GO WITH YOUR GUT. Those are the best named things anywhoo

5) I recently bought the greatest sippy cup ever. His name if Fauez which is Lebanese for something and he is 110 percent amazing.

6) I would never wish to read people's minds.

7) I think I meow like a cat too much. Other people are starting to do it now, and I want it to be known RIGHT HERE that I, BRIDGET K. MCNIFF, was the original meow-er.

Well, doo-dah-doo, life's good. Gonna ride out on some Neon Trees and probably rescue some pets with Barbie.

PS. IF ANYONE READS THIS, YOU SHOULD REALLY COME TO TARTUFFE TOMORROW AT 2 AT WHS. It's amazing, the cast has worked so diligently, and it's a truly wonderful and funny performance! We'd love to have you! Help us close out a truly unforgettable show!

Peace, love, and pixie dust

Song on a Saturday Afternoon

She stands there, small and strong

Laughing and joking,

got everybody singing along

Bet you'd never, yes

I bet you'd never guess

that there's something wrong

Cause when she gets home the walls crumble,

her perfect image is lost in the jumble

She tries to speak out, but unlike before

nobody here hears her voice over

the screams and roars

No, life it just ain't easy

but she never expected it to be

She'll never tell ya

doesn't want any sympathy

The only problem is that now

she's drowning in serenity

Always the rock, she'll answer any call

Miss 110 percent, they know she'll always give it her all

Loves her life, well most of the time

Lately it seems it's all been reason and

no rhyme

No life it just ain't easy

but she never asked it to be

She'll never tell ya doesn't want any sympathy

The only problem is that

now she's drowning in serenity

And now she's screaming as loud as she can

Everything's broken

Nothing's been spoken

It's all out of her hands

Her world is spinning while

everybody thinks she's still winning

But when she looks in the mirror all she sees

are imperfections and fears

So much noise

and still nobody hears

No life it just ain't easy

but she never expected it to be

She'll never tell ya that she's

drowning in serenity

Someday this will not control my life.