Finally, a summer to remember?

So, I finally got a job! Woot...I'm working at the Culvers on William Cannon. I'm really excited to start...I start on Monday at 6 pm. =]. I'm supposed to have Khaki's, so I went and bought some, they provide shorts, but I didn't want to wear shorts. I have 1 pair of Capri's and two pairs of pants. I don't like them, because they are kind of old. lol. I couldn't find any good ones at Target for a decent price, plus I'm going to work in them, so the more conservative the better? lol.

I've been shopping a lot lately, I guess that's just a summer thing for me, but I've been pretty frugal about it..so thats a definite plus. I go to Ross, a lot. haha. I found jeans for ten dollars! I bought one pair and then went back the next day with my mom and bought 2 more. I bought one pair of skinny's, one pair of straight legged, and one pair of wide legged. =] My sister is at my grandparents house, so she is getting a lot of stuff, lol. I also bought three new shirts, one with yellow and white stripes, one navy blue, and one black with white ghost-looking things...idk how to describe it. My sister brought me like..5 shirts..I think. They are mostly yellow, so I now have enough yellow to last me at least 2 weeks, wearing a different shirt everyday! I'm pretty much set when it comes to that..so I'm going to broaden my color pallet. I bought a few shirts with my birthday money too, one with smurfs and a really really pretty blue one. =] I still can't believe I bought a pair of skinny's..and liked them! They are really cute, but it's hard to get them on/off because they are skinny on the bottom part of your legs...and I have big calfs..thats where the majority of my muscle is. :) Oh, and I went to St. Vincents, lol..and I have gotten two new dresses, both of which are immodest, but not so that I can't buy something to go underneath/over to fix it. lol. One is purple and the other is black. I love them both so much!

Haha..so my summer is finally starting to pick up. I got to spend the day with Travis yesterday..and we had a blast. We went bowling, I'm not very good and i was told that i bowl funny. I guess I do, but, oh well....it works for me..sorta. haha. Mmmk..after that we went to China Harbor, and then back to his house and played xbox. Lol, we were bowling with his Aunt and cousin.....then went to China Harbor where they met up with his other cousin and grandpa. =] I had fun. =] I'm so happy to finally have a job, I've been looking all summer, now I just need to pick up on everything that I'm supposed to learn. I have to go get a Social Security Card because my mom lost mine in her mom's house, so I went to pick up a transcript at ACC, because they can use that to identify me and issue me a new card. I need that ASAP, for my job. We'll probably go down to the office on Monday...and then head over to a bank to see what I need to do to open an account...I've been bugging my parents about that for a while. =]]

Ack, so play practice. I've skipped so much, but I feel like I'm doing well at them and catching on pretty fast. I hate how we don't have mutual, but instead have play practice. It's such a drive from Del Valle and we have to leave 45 minutes early....and then we don't have time to eat dinner because we're driving down there..and then we're in until 9...ugh. Its just not easy to get there at all. Then, a few people make me really feel like I shouldn't be there..and I'm not naming names, but sometimes its better to just help and not try to correct everything that's going on. I'm happy to be a part of this play and I'm very thankful for the oppurtunity, but I'm really frustrated with how the practices are being instituted. It's hard on my family and our gas bill. I don't like giving up my Saturdays...because I love spending that time with my aunt and mom. I don't know how things are working out tomorrow....but I'll figure it out I guess.

-Becky.

A book, A Message, A Thought.

Since, we don't have cable at the moment..I've taken to reading books, of any kind, shape, length, etc. Well, I just finished a book called, "Please Stop Laughing at Me..." and it's about a teenagers plight through being bullied in Middle and High School. Throughout the whole thing I was a bit closed-minded, because I don't necessarily see bullying at Del Valle. This book made me think though, maybe it's because, as the author put it at one point, the bullying doesn't affect me..so i don't care to stop it. I'm not blind, you know..if I see it I would say something or at least reach out to the person. I mean, being popular is something that I never wanted to be a part of, well, at least since I was in elementary school. I hate to be like, the problem is this or that..because of course sometimes kids are just cruel, but I think the more you try to fit in the more you tend to stick out. I tried thinking of a solution to bullying, like what would stop it..but I realized it really can't be stopped, because if you tell someone..it automatically gets worse..if that person gets in trouble, because then your a snitch. I've never had to really worry about it, because I stopped caring about what other people, high schoolers, thought of me. My goal isn't popularity..it's contentment with my friends. Bullying is a serious problem, and I'm definitely going to look out for it, but then the question is i find it..what do I do to stop it? Do I....just be a friend to the victim or take more action to stop it. I think I'll choose the former..because it's the only logical thing to do. I have friends that I knwo are there for me, so I'm not worried about what others think of me...I just don't know if I'll have the courage to reach out to someone that I don't know..someone who probably has baggage...and needs help..but as a Daughter of God..aren't I obligated to help and love everyone..to have charity towards all who are in my path? I mean, I have to do it, if I want to say that I'm truly a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I'm not afraid of it, I just don't knw if i will be able to help someone who is truly a victim. I guess we'll see how next year goes.

I still don't have a job..Ugh...prayers would make me grateful.

Job Hunting Stinks.

I've applied so many places I think that my name is plastered with a sign of some kind saying, DO NOT HIRE. I guess I started the job hunt to late in the game, I mean, I know I'm being blessed for going to Girl's Camp and whatnot, but I haven't found a job yet and I've been looking for about two weeks, that's about 20 applications and I've had no call backs yet. I'm starting to loose faith in myself, I mean, I don't look that good on an application..and no one really asks for a resume. I'm just getting so stressed because I made a deal with my grandma that I would pay my bill when I got a job, but she'd pay it until then. I don't want her to pay my phone bill..I mean..it's my bill. I'm just getting frustrated with this no job situation...I guess its better that I know now how hard it is to get a job at the entry level without a high school diploma! I'm going to college..b/c it has to be easier if you have a college degree!! lol. I'm just freaking out..but thats the basic update of my summer. I need to go down to ACC and have a hold on my account taken off..but i haven't yet..b/c i needa register for classes. Ucky..I don't wanna go to school yet.

That basically it. =]
Much love,
-Becky

Girl's Camp.

I decided I needed to post a blog about Girl's Camp, I learned so much and feel so much closer to Heavenly Father after Camp. For me, I feel like camp started on the Saturday before, with our ward Temple Trip. It was a very great experience and it helped me prepare and open my heart to the message that we would be teaching at Girl's Camp, as JC's. I was lucky enough, to be paired with one of my best friends, Stephy, and Irene, of whom I didn't know very well. I feel like we really made a difference in the lives of our girls...just because we spoke from our hearts and not so much from what we thought was appropriate. Of course, we planned some, but when the Spirit prompted we allowed it to take over, it taught me so much about Heavenly Father's path and it's importance in our lives today. I really hope that I can go to camp next year, I'm really not sure of my schedule next year, but I know that I want to go to camp, it's like a refresher and it makes me remember why I live my life and where I'm going. I really looked up to the third year JC's, especially Angela and Natalie, they were so resilient and I feel like it really strengthen my testimony to have them as my leaders. Angela gave a really great devotional that made me think of the scriptures differently. She said that the word, "Blessed" isn't the same as the past tensed form of blessed..and it really made me think..and she said it literally means "joy"..and then someone read a scripture that said, "Blessed be the name of Christ" or something, and it made me think of the Sacrament prayer that says that we take upon the name of Christ through our baptismal covenants..and it really made me realize that those covenants are because Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful. I think so many times I forget that the church isn't just rules..that's it's the way we live..that it's our future. I'm so grateful for that devotional it really touched me...as did camp as a whole. It helped my testimony grow and be strengthened...and I know it was a lot of factors..

I guess to give an overview of my week at camp, the first day, Monday, all the JC's, minus the JC's over fourth years, were at camp. We were able to set up our tents and then we sort of went to work..unloading the trucks and putting cots up in the tents. We were so lucky that we didn't have to put the cots together this year. I was really grateful for that. Then we all went swimming, did some sun bathing, etc. It was a pretty relaxing day...then on Tuesday all of our girls started arriving and that was when the real fun began. It's all running together a bit, but I loved my girls in third year so much. I am so thankful for my ward and stake leaders, they all worked so hard and I know that it was made possible by then. I'll skip up to the return of the Fourth Years, wow..it was so cool to see them all back. Ema hurt her ankle..hopefully it's not broken or anything, because she is so active. I really love my ward girls so much and they are such sweet spirits, if only they were louder about them. On Friday Night the Bishops came down and Bishop McCullough brought us each bracelets that have this years theme. It was a really cool time. Then the fireside was on Cleaving to our Covenants, I really enjoyed it. Oh, the workshop was really good. I really was touched by the message of "feasting upon the scriptures". I'm also glad that Sister Wallace could make it to camp for a few days! But anyway..and then Saturday Morning was amazing. The spirit was so strong and so amazing. I cried so much, but it wasn't a bad cry. I love the spirit and I love the atmosphere of camp, I really miss it when I get home..because let's face it my house isn't an ideal place for the spirit..

Anyway..I feel like I grew closer to Ema, Lakrea, and Irene this year..along with Torie and Taylor and the majority of my ward this year. I learned so much about them and am so happy that I shared a ward with them. They are my ward family and it's great to go and feel loved and welcome there. I know that we all have problems with eachother sometimes, but I know that Heavenly Father doesn't want that. I feel like, even after a year, the wounds from last summer aren't fully healed. It makes me so sad to see that...I was approached by two girls that weren't involved, because they realized the hostility. It makes me so sad..and I'm trying my best to make amends..but I know that everything happens for a reason and that Heavenly Father will guide my footsteps in the right path in order to fix it.

Wow, this is getting long. I had so much fun. My Birthday is tomorrow..and I'll be 17..I don't feel 17..and I'm kind of scared. I don't want to grow up. I'm going to be a senior..I'm a legal adult..it's insane and scary!! I got my gift early, it's a black IPOD, it's an 8GB. I'm excited, but I don't even have a GB of music yet..and I couldn't figure out how to put pictures on it..I'm going to have Travis help me. =]]

I love you guys.
comment please!
-Becky.

School's Out for SUMMER! [[almost]]

Only two days left of school, and I'm feeling great! I passed Pre-Calculus, with the lowest grade I've ever received for a class...a 72. I'm really proud of myself...I passed the final, but I'm almost certain that he passed me, but either way..I passed...and to make things better, my GPA won't suffer that much, if so..it's still an A...which isn't too bad. lol. I'm proud of myself. I keep saying that, but I pretty much had a meltdown on Friday..because I was almost positive that I would fail...and yeah..total meltdown mode..I was crying..and it was so awful..thankfully travis was like.."you'll pass and you totally know it." lol. I'm thankful he was there..so I wasn't walking around by myself. All my hard finals are over, thankfully. I was only worried about my Pre Calculus final...and it's over, it was like relief..ugh. I'm happy.

Tomorrow, I have German and Ready Set Teach..and I'm not worried about either of them. Well, for German all we had to do was a "Cultural Project", which basically consisted of a written paper on the food choice, plus a recipe..and then the "physical evidence." We're pretty much going to chill in there tomorrow...and eat..and..talk..and try and save our plates from the big guys. =]] I made Schnitzel, it is yummy. I made them over at Travis's, because my kitchen was taken over by Beth..who made Brötchens. [hard rolls] It was weird cooking in someone else's kitchen..I'm used to cast iron, so it was odd for me to use the copper-bottom pan. It was so weird..and it didn't help that I'm still shy around his family. lol. I did finally get to talk to Kayla, about debate. She said I should check out Louisville, said that they were offering scholarships still. I probably will...at least then I'll know someone at the school...and won't be in some huge new arena of people. I sent my SAT scores there, but I don't know think they were very impressive. I got a 1690 on the new SAT..so it was pretty average. My essay scored a 12, which is perfect! [no joke!] My grades should look a bit better to them. lol..plus I have debate.

Looks like the trip to Stanford isn't going to happen, because they changed the deadline on the grant to January..so we have time to "perfect" our appeals and stuff. We are still probably going to Sweden! I am really excited about that, of course it's only if everything comes through. I don't know, how long does it take to get a passport, Mr. Cunningham said it took about a year..so I guess I need to start applying. And I need to start picking out colleges that I'm serious about. I'm going to start my essays this summer at some point, but I don't know what I'm going to write about. lol. I am a beast at essays, [as seen in my SAT essay] but I'm not really good at personal narratives....I can't seem to write about myself..because I'm really not that interesting. Okay, I'm totally contradicting myself..because this blog is about me..but it's different because it's not being judge by anyone. [and if it is..too bad for you!]

I'm sooo excited for Girl's Camp. I'm just..ugh!!! Excited. Excited. Excited. =] I'm JCing over third years and we have 11 girls. =] I'm just so happy to be going to camp. It's like..a refresher for the year. Plus, we have a temple trip on Saturday, it's going to be amazing. I'm so so so so looking forward to it. I love Camp!

That's it really!
-Becky

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!!!