Flying Closer

The end of the year is precisely a week away. One week from today is my last day of school. I find this quite incredible. The year has flown by.
I've made a billion new friends this year. And that's only a slight exaggeration.
You learn a lot in one year. That much I've realized, possibly more than anything else. I learned a ton about myself as a person, as well as the people I go to school with.
I have skill. Not to brag, but it's my confidence pretty much overflowing. In learning all this stuff about my "skill", I got a boatload of confidence. Thanks. This blog has been a huge part of it.
I'm gonna take a few minutes to thank the people who taught me stuff this year, because this might be my last post until Summer.
I want to publicly thank my mom & dad. Not only for setting this whole blog up for me, but for everything they do for me, every single day. It takes a lot of work to raise a little brat like me. Just kidding, I'm not that awful most the time, but thank you anyway.
I want to thank my extended family as well, particularly my sister, Jan3elle, and my amazing cousins, Aubree and Megan. The three of them have inspired me and pushed me to do the right thing in so many situations throughout the year, and I know, that no matter what, they always support me.
I'd like to thank some of my inspirations:
Alysia: for teaching me to be strong, and helping me to let my hair down and have fun.
Elena: for listening to my worries and complaints, and helping me through them, even when they seem to be all I have.
Katie: for teaching me about people, and the value of having good friends.
Zach: for making me laugh when I'm about to cry, and pretty much always being there for me.
Courtney: for being a real guru, and exchanging ideas and writing and laughs with me.
Olivia: for listening. For helping. For understanding. For every single thing you do for me, and relating when it seems impossible that anyone else does.
Keegan: for challenging me not only in school, but in everything you do. For showing me that it's actually quite awesome when you're smart.
I need to wrap this up, but there are still more I need to thank. So I'll have to combine some people. But you guys are just as important.
Monica, for being here, even when she's across the country. Jacob, for just being so funny, and so protective of me. Joe, for talking to me every day, even though I really do get obnoxious after a while. Josh,  for being realistic and telling me when I really suck. Jacquie & Savannah, for showing me that friendships don't go away.
That's still not all. So many people have changed me for the better this year. It's been vital to me being who I am.
Others, I love you. You all know who you are. Even if I've never met you, and you're reading this, thank you. You're amazing.
Have a freaking fantastic Friday.
Jazz on Wheels today. Wish us luck.
Let it Glee.

Music on the Horizon

I have gone to a total of one class today. That was Math. It's been the best day I've had in a long time for various, the biggest being a lack of stress.
Where have I been, then?
Across the street, at Church. Setting up for our school's Spring Concert. Because, I, my dears, am a Section Leader. There's a dress rehearsal wiping out the afternoon, promising no homework and a legit concert. Guaranteed.
I believe this is my last Computer class of the school year. The end is coming fast.
Tomorrow, there's a Flag Ceremony, at which my band will play. Then Friday, my Jazz Band (which I love so much) will be performing with Jazz on Wheels in front of my school. I'm excited. It's going to be a packed 3 days. Packed, mostly, with music.
Even more on music, my mom got me new sheet music for piano the other day. I can sort of play Bad Romance, Imagine (by John Lennon), Bad, Beat It, Billie Jean, Love Story, I Got a Feeling, and a lot more. I'm extremely grateful to my mom for the new music. I love the piano.
In fact, I just graduated from my piano class. My gorgeous cousin, Aubree, was teaching me. Hopefully I'll be teaching in the Fall.
Let the music take over.
Have a ridonkulous (if that's how you spell it) Wednesday.
Love you.
Let it Glee.

To Fight the Fire

Yesterday, I spent about an hour with the President of Flint Firefighters (or I believe that's his title), Raul Garcia. We visited the firehouse in Flint, where, in the backyard, people were being tested to become firefighters.
After all, with all the fires going on, we need help fighting them.
The tests were strenuous and looked incredibly physically draining. In on I watched, a guy had to throw five 15-lb-soaked-sponge-things into the back of the fire engine. After that, he had to lift about 25 (or so) pounds over his shoulder and walk on the edges of what looked like a laying-down ladder.
In a different test, a guy had to put on his air tank & equipment, and then grab another one of those 25-poundish things over his shoulders and run up and down 3 flights of stairs, then pull a rope through a pulley up a certain height.
Point is: It was incredible to watch. And it gave me a real appreciation for how hard our everyday heroes work. A bunch of athletically inclined people (unlike myself) will be helping protect me. I thought that was awesome.
To fight the flame, we need them.
At recess today, we were called inside because there seemed to be a fight across the street. A case of domestic violence, I believe. A lady and a little girl (and their dog) were running down the sidewalk. It was a little frightening to listen to, though one of my best friends told me stuff like that happens in his neighborhood every day. I thought that was pretty sad.
People in cases like that are experiencing a different sort of fire. This kind of fire swallows you up from the inside out, hurting sometimes even more than a physical burn. And just like in a physical fire, people are needed to put it out.
People need people. It's a fact of life. In Flint right now, I guess I'll have to admit there's quite a bit of fire. I don't really like admitting that, it kind of feels like giving in. But it's important to understand that people need help. Fires do too much damage when they just burn out by themselves.
On a somewhat lighter note, graduation is approaching for Seniors & 8th graders everywhere. I know tomorrow is the farewell Mass for the 8th grade at my school. It's going to be interesting to see what I'll be like as an 8th grader. There's a lot of pressure, you know. To be good. Since we're "setting an example for the school" and everything. Those weren't hateful quotes, by the way. Just pressurized ones.
It'll be fine. It almost always is.
Time sure does go by quickly.  Days pass.. Oh, what can you do?
That's just it. Absolutely nothing.
Have an excellent Thursday, loves.
Let it Glee.

Brain Block

While sitting in the computer lab next to Zach today, I wondered aloud what to talk about. Zach gave me many wonderful ideas. "Write about Leaderdogs!" He insisted. I started a post, got three sentences in, and deleted the whole thing. I attempted writing about graduation, Summer's arrival, and everything that's happening. He suggested writing about our Spring Concert, or something different. I pondered the fires once again, and Haiti even crossed my mind.
I couldn't write about any of these things. I have a brain block, or more commonly known as Writer's block. I hate it. Brain blocks are no use to anyone, especially someone like me who feels a need to keep her readers informed. lllkmglmfdklmgla;mrtglkjes;aujy;ilerjagijqerionjfgpowearjgtjeraioghioerjaog
That's what happens when I'm bored.
I realize this is a rather useless post, and so I'll flit around a bit.
I went to go see Iron Man 2, which was remarkable. Robert Downey Jr. is a gift from Heaven, I'll tell you that much. I went with Colton & Joseph W., and ate about half of Joseph's popcorn. The movie was that good. I eat when I'm enjoying stuff. Then there was that one beastly girl, who killed all those guys. If you know who I mean. Everyone said she was awesome, but I disagree. I'm just jealous, though, she was, in fact, awesome. Well her acting sucked. But I liked how she did things. She was very put together.
Today, my brother (who pitches!) has a double-header at some city that starts with a "C" that I've never heard of before. Four hours of baseball? Yes, please. Some people (like my mama) get exasperated watching 5th and 6th grade boys play baseball for that long, but I truly don't mind. It's rather fun. I'm bringing my iPod and speakers today, so we'll have music to watch to. T'will be a party. And we'll have pizza in between the games.
I kinda love my life. And my friends. And my iPod. And.. Well, some baseball is entertaining.
Have a Random Tuesday.
Let it Glee.

The Fires of Spring

I am so sorry. It's been ages, I'm fully aware. Hoping you guys had a fabulous Easter, I certainly did. A lot's been happening lately.
We got an overall 2 at State Festival, though a mean, misguided judge gave us a 3. Jerk.
My phone is gone, termporarily. The thing is, I'm not exactly sure I want it back at the moment. I don't know why, but I feel a lot more peaceful without a phone. I still love it and all (her name's Lola), and I will get it back eventually, but I'm going to wait. At least for a little while..
Flint caught fire. Literally.
Well, tecnically it wasn't the whole city. But it might as well be.
Has anyone besides me driven down Jane Aveune lately? Picture a battlefield. The amount of houses burned to the ground- nothing but the chimney standing- is devastating. If the person burning houses is reading this, I'm begging you. Please. Please please please. Just stop.
At first, I thought it was the firemen in a form of protest. But then I thought about it for a little while. That wouldn't make sense.
Flint's low on firepeople right now. About half of them (or so it seems) are laid off. Every night there are more fires. It's as though the whole city is getting burned to the ground.
My neighborhood, fortunately, hasn't been touched. But it still kills me to see all the ash. Normally, Summer brings the most fires. Welcome to the fires of Spring.
A few days ago, I went on a field trip with my class to Leaderdogs in Rochester Hills. I want a Leaderdog puppy right now. One to raise. I could do it. I would be pretty good at it, possibly. I'm dying to get one. My mom would oblige, too, I believe. At least, she would from what she said. My brother is more than wanting to. If we convince my dad, the chances are good. If we apply, it'll happen.
We need to put out the fires of Flint. Extinguish the flame of anger and resentment of the people who terrorized Jane Avenue.
I love you guys.
Have a Merry Monday.
Let it Glee.