Memorial Day Weekend!

So, yesterday I spent my day with Travis and his family..and his cousins apartment. The apartments had a pool, so we spent most of the day down there. It was pretty fun, his younger step sister and cousin ask the weirdest questions ever..they were totally inappropriate..it made Travis and his step brother mad..but I think I handled them pretty well. lol. They were both [the girls]
pretty sweet when they weren't together, otherwise they spent all their time trying to impress the other..so it was just..crazy. I don't really know how to swim well..so Travis was trying to teach me some..I can swim, don't get me wrong, but I'm not very good at it. I still smell like chlorine, even after my shower. They had a lot of chlorine in that pool..but it was still fun. They had barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers..so we ate that..and then they played Rock Band, I didn't play..becuase I'm not particularly good at those kind of games, i kind of wish I'd have played though. Next time though..right..? We went back to Travis's house..and hung around a bit..then Travis made dinner..mmm...it was yummy...he made pork chops, fried zucchini...=]]. It was so good. lol. Then they took me home..because it was getting pretty late. lol. It was soo much fun...and I'm really glad that I got invited to go. Otherwise I'd have been at the house all day, more then likely watching TV in my pajamas and eating a bunch of junk. It's so hot outside..and I wish I could go and swim again! I can't believe how hot it is already...it's only the end of May!?!? But anyways, Travis is all sunburned, really bad..I don't get it because he wore more sunblock then I did..but he was a lot whiter then me. I got a tan!!! =]]]]] I'll keep trying for one all summer...I think.

I'm really tired of make up..I would stop wearing it..but it makes me feel pretty. I guess that's pretty ridiculous..because I'm 16..and according to my mom.."you don't even need it". lol. I think I'll wear it this summer, but not everyday..it gets old pretty fast. The thing I hate about summer is having to shave my legs!!! Ugh..it's so annoying..I'm only doing it like..every 3 days..i don't care about what other people think..lol.

My Debate coach was talking to us today about a grant that we may be getting that is going to pay for 2 teams to go to Sanford Univerisity and debate at the tournament..for free..and then we might get to fly out to Sweden right after my graduation. I'm really excited, but kind of..not..because if we don't get it then I don't want to be too disappointed. I'm going to be ecstatic if we get to go...but I'm not holding my breath until it happens.

That's all I have really..
I'll blog more later!
-Becky

Growing up..

I think it's crazy when you hear about students from your high school committing crimes that are really serious. If you read this article then you can find out exactly what happened, but anyway...for me it's weird to see these students referred to as men, because they are hardly men..none of them have graduated, yet. It just seems so odd for these kids to have done something like this. From my understanding, they were all athletes and all of them were attending college..one I know for sure had received a full scholarship..and now all of that is gone..because they decided to be stupid for one night. I mean, I guess for me it really hits home..you shouldn't do stupid things and expect not to get caught. I am just so shocked...like..I'm not kidding. These kids graduate in a week..and all of them had bright futures...I don't even know what to think. It's insane..that's all I can say. It's weird how they are "men" now...you know? I mean, I'm turning seventeen..but I guess when you do something wrong you have made an "adult" decision, but this decision isn't really adult at all..it's juvenile and ignorant and..just something wayy out there. I think all but one were bailed, but I'm pretty sure that my parents would have been like..you got yourself in..get yourself out! Not that I would do something, but it makes you think about stuff like that..you know? Like..what if I play stupid, what consequences would that have on my future? Wow. I'm just..dang. I think it made a lot of students realize how serious the consequences a "bit of fun" could have. Maybe they should redefine what they think "fun" is..because sitting in jail....and loosing a future..is not fun at all. I think that goes all the way around, fun isn't what it used to be, suddenly it's fun to destroy the property of others and play violent video games or party until you can't remember what you've done. I'm sitting here like..it's not fun to do those things, it's more fun, in reality..to be around the people that make you most happy..to be with friends and play board games, watch movies, shop, hang out..do whatever..you know? I guess I'm speaking from a minority of students..but I am looking at my long term now.

Besides my rant on how ignorant people are, schools going okay, I need to get my Pre Calculus grade up, because I haven't been doing my homework..and I need to focus a bit more on my studies..and I'm going to start working out..b/c I realized how out of shape I am today..in debate..we went outside to read..on the bleachers..at the top..and when I got to the top..I was out of breath for a while. Travis and I are planning to go running at least 3 times a week this summer. I wonder how that'll turn out. =]] Apparently, running expands your lungs...and if your lungs have more capacity..then you can speak faster. =]] haha..that's probably true..but it's good to be in shape..you know..we do have to lug huge boxes of evidence around..up and down stairs...etc. LOL!

And finally..I don't really remember what this point was going to be about. Oh..now I do..does anyone know of a place that I can have a flexible work schedule..and that I get to work with kids as my summer job? i'm really interested if you know of anywhere that may be hiring for the summer. Cmt if you do!

Thanks!
Becky!!!

An Ode to Mothers'...and other. =]]]

So, this post is majorly dedicated to mothers. I really am looking forward to the day that I become a mother, but like I said in YW today, I have plenty of time before I know that this is going to happen. I have no interest in becoming a mother within the next five years. Everyone was telling me that you never know, but I do know that I'm not ready yet..and I'm not going to become a wife and mother until the day I feel ready.

Got a little off course, but as we sang in Relief Society today, "we learned how to love dear mother from you". Today made me reflect on how much mom's and mothers teach their kids and how much they impact their children and other peoples children's lives. The Bishop also spoke on this and it really made me realize the impact and the sacredness that comes with motherhood. It was testimony to me..that while some people don't understand a mother's role in the church, or a womens, but we have the divine power to control and teach and love children. I am looking forward to developing my skills and learning what children need in order to grow. I know, in theory how parenthood is, but I am so excited for the future and for the skills I'll be able to develop until then! Again, I'm off course here, well, I guess the whole point of this was to say Thank You, to all the mothers or mother figures out that have affect my life, or the people around me's life. Most teenagers feel pretty awkward about Mothers' Day because we don't know where we fit in this equation, yes, we celebrate our mothers', but its just a little awkward..idk. It might be the whole teenager thing. But, this is a Thank you to all Mom's. =]] Or, to be more colloquial, all women who have ever impacted the life of a child, positively. =]

Now that that's off my mind a bit, I just wanted to post about what I'm going to be up to in the next week. I'm taking the Englsih Literature AP Test on Wednesday and am going to be competing in the Speak Up, Speak Out contest, I believe it's at UT..and so I'm not sure if I'll be at mutual..but I hope I don't miss anything. I'm really sad to see so many in our ward moving away, it's like a mass...i don't know the word..but like..migration? to somewhere else. =[[ I know it's important to move on in life and that I'll be getting ready to leave for college next year, but geez..it's all happening so fast. Ack, that makes me not want to leave home..and go to college. I don't know where I'm going to school yet..I need to do research.
Later!
-Becky

Skipping Prom..and other Saturday Adventures...

I have yet to find out whether prom last night was a lot of fun or not. The reason Juniors get to go is because the Junior Class presents the Senior Class with prom. I didn't go because my boyfriend didn't want to. He did take me to Mormon Prom and he had a really grand time. I don't know whether or not I wanted to go to school prom. I have next year and its all a bunch of rap and hip hop music anyway..right? Plus, I'd much rather babysit..=]]]. [I promise that that wasn't said out of sarcasm.] No kidding, little kids are way more fun then a bunch of teenagers at a prom..with the reputations and..the stupidity..and all that. I think I enjoy those simpler things. Plus, it means more as a senior..I know I talked to some and they said they regretted not going to their Junior Prom, but I don't, I mean..it's not that big of a deal really..is it? lol.

Well, yesterday I was supposed to go bowling with Travis and his mom, but the bowling alley was doing tournaments all day so..we actually went to Wal Mart to pick up presents for his family and for Mothers' Day. [from them..not me. =]]] ] It was kind of fun..in some odd way, you know as fun as running errands can be. Then we dropped them off at their house and they rushed me home because we were running behind schedule. I have to say, it was fun...it some out of this world way..but yeah..I said "hi" to Kayla and the rest of the fam..and then I was on my way.

Hmm..so I'll probably wind up studying today..after making dinner for my mom and wishing her a happy mother's day. =]] I have my last AP test, the english language one. i had a horrible nightmare about the test..last night. I think it's just me being crazy..because we're seated in alpha order and Mr. Conrardy walks around like a madman..so there isn't a way that we can even be in the situation presented on the test. For that, I'm so thankful. I don't know if it was the AP test or the ACT, but whatever. I'm not worried. Optimism. =]] According to my English Teacher I'm expected to pass...so I'll take her word for it..brush up on my literary terms..and be done with it.

Travis's birthday is on Tuesday..and I don't know what to buy for him. I'm kind of lost, should I buy him a shirt..or what? I mean, I've done that already..so it seems lame to me. I didn't think I'd stress this much. I want him to tell me so that i don't stress..it kills me...aghhh..so any advice. I only have 13.50 to spend, plus my Monday lunch money..so about 15 dollars! lol. =]] That's enough.
Thanks.

Stress...

I think I realized why you shouldn't be a pessimist today...and it was really a "duh" moment for me. I never realized the effect that you have on people when you aren't looking to the bright side. I guess I really gained my testimony of optimism. For the last couple of days, I've been looking forward to the AP tests, that's crazy right? I mean..why look forward to a 3 and half hour test..that basically measures how much I learned in any given year. As I was being optimistic, my knowledge and my abilities seemed to expand, because I wasn't downing myself. I know I can take this test and pass it. I adopted, Mrs. McComb's motto..don't complain because it brings others down and I keep telling myself that I need to do my very best..and not worry about the things I can't do anymore. It's so strange..because I feel better about how I'm going to do on the test. Well, anyway..back to the story, today I stayed after school with some kids to prepare for the test, I'm confident, but not arrogant, I know I need to study too...but anyway..one of my friends, well..I'm kind of upset with him now..and I know he's mad at me..he had a really bad attitude. I felt kind of bad for doing well..and it really brought me down and frustrated me. Like, we started going over flashcards and I was answering and like..all this stuff you know..and he got all annoyed that I was doing well...and it made me feel bad for doing well..and it made me kind of mad, because I was willing to help him and I know that he will do good on this test..and it totally ruined the experience for me. I really learned this week, that optimism is not just for your own benefit, even though it helps so much, it's for the benefit of people around you...because if you are always looking to the bright side you are less likely to find the flaws in the way your life is going. =]] I know Heavenly Father wants us to be optimists and to count our blessings, because it's part of being grateful and it's easier to show your love for others if you have an optimistic outlook on life. If we are always complaining, then we usually forget to count the blessings we have and then we think that we have to live this life by ourselves..when in fact we don't. We live everyday with a constant and loving Heavenly Father, who looks for ways to bless our lives. If you are grateful, more blessings come to you. Be Optimistic. =]]]]]

Anyways..I'm just getting my thoughts out before I have to focus on some studying that I'm going to be doing just for preparations sake. I like to be prepared. =]]]
Wish me luck on my test!!!
-Becky

The Cycle of School..

They were talking about this the other day..and it made me think about who much I like the rhythm of school. You know, the slow start..and then the two weeks of intense testing..followed by a break and then another start of gearing up for the tests. It happens in almost all parts of academia, including college. I guess it made me think about how prepared and how much I like the rhythm. If it weren't there I would see the point of working hard. I guess I'm kind of weird, because I actually like to go to school and learn. While, I don't always learn, I like that I'm given this kind of pattern to follow. I'm not looking forward to these tests, but I know that I will do my very best on them. I took my SAT yesterday..and I was surprised at how easy the test was. Okay, so maybe I'm jumping the gun, but when I say easy, I mean that I finished with 5 minutes to go on every section of the test, including the essay. Is that to say that I'm not nervous about my score, the answer is no? I in fact, think that because I thought it was so not hard..that I'm probably going to get a score that is really really low. I also noticed that no one else finished as quickly as me, so maybe I'm just weird and totally missed something..that everyone else knew? I do know that I nailed my essay!! Who knew that...AP Classes actually prepared you for the SAT?!?

Anyways...on the other hand, I have five days, counting today, to study/review material for the APUSH exam. I'm really not super worried, I scored well on the Mock, but on the other hand..I am, because this test is what proves what I have/have not learned in this course. Okay, so maybe it doesn't prove that, because I know I have learned a lot from this course...and overall I'd do it all again if I could. Anyways, wish me luck on my studying endeavors..and on my study group for tomorrow..I am still putting it together..off to call people.

Later folks!
-Becky