It's a very special time of year for the Best Buddies association. Prom is just around the corner. This is a different kind of prom than you would probably imagine. This is a prom for all the kids who don't tend to get the chance to go to a regular prom. It yanks at my heart strings, that's for sure. I can definitely say that I am one proud individual for being able to be a part of it.
There are plenty of high schools around the country who have an autism support program called Best Buddies. The range of severity definitely depends on those who actually are allowed to attend the group. However, when they are together, no matter the severity, they always have fun!
I know a thursday is an odd day to have a dance on, especially if you have school the next day, but none if them really cared. For someone like me, it's hard to think about the fact that a lot of these kids don't get to go to prom, or some even a school dance in general. It breaks my heart. So when I found out that there was a dance being held for them, I wanted to go all out. I puton my prom dress, pinned my hair back nicely, slipped shoes on and went to pick up my buddy. I wanted her to experience the actual feeling of going to a dance like we have at school. Therefore, I took her out to dinner before the dance. She was all dressed up and so excited to be wearing her fancy shoes without her braces (she wears a leg and arm brace). The smile on her face lit up the entire restaurant.
After dinner we met up with the rest of the group that was taking the limo. She thought it was the coolest thing to ride in and couldnt believe she would be able to sit next to her boyfriens who was also attending the dance. When we got there, it was like any other dance I'd been to, yet better. In all honesty they got it good going to this dance. There were tables, a photo booth and refreshments! I was stunned at how well it was put together. After we got there my buddy barely paid any attention to me. But boy was it worth it to see her having fun with kids from other schools.
That there is why I find this dance so special. Even though it's only for a few hours, during those hours there is nothing seperating them from the rest of the world. They are free from anything holding them down or back and they just get to have fun. Yes it is only a dance, but to them, that dance means the world and is so special. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to imagine myself anywhere else in the world.
Thank you Best Buddies Iowa. You guys rock!
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Banquets and Leaving
It's bitter sweet. The moment where you are excited to leave, yet sad to go. It doesn't even necessarily have to be you that is leaving to make you sad. Other people can leave and you can feel these same emotions. At my school we have banquets for the activities you are in. Whether it be a sport or a club or activity, there is a banquet at the end of the season/ year.
At these banquets there tends to be senior recognition. This is the point where most people start to tear up. It's the moment when they finally start to realize that the people they have become so close to and have held so dear to their hearts are off to college. It is definitely a moment when your feelings contradict themselves. You are happy and excited that this person or even yourself has accomplished so much and is moving on to bigger and better things. Yet at the same time, you want to cry because that same person is leaving and you won't see them like you do now. I can tell you that nearly everyone experiences this contradiction.
Which emotion takes over? Well, I'd like to think that they both come out just as equally, they are just expressed in a different way than you thought they would. And then there are the banquets that are for performing activities. Boy oh boy do these ones get emotional. Normally you have a large amount of teen girls that do something they have done for as long as they can remember, and then they realize, it's their last time doing it. It's crazy to think about really. You go along and talk about your future as if there will be a next time or a next year, and then you are hit with the hard reality that it is all over. You no longer get to see these people while doing something you love so much.
I can speak from personal experiences that it definitely hits home. Even if you think that you are stronger than that, it suddenly overwhelms you. It takes over no matter how hard you try and talk yourself out of it. You can't help it. You don't even have to be a senior. It can just be that your close friend is graduating, or it is your last year doing something that you have let take over your life. And believe it or not, it's scary. When you think about the aftermath, you really don't know where you are going to go from there. There is no telling what your life will be like after this activity is gone from your life.
I'd like to take a moment and dedicate this to all the seniors as well as the people I was lucky enough to work with in all my years of show choir. I am so lucky to have got the chance to experience this lovely thing with you. You all have become very dear to my heart and I couldn't imagine spending my entire high school career with you. I will miss you very much next year. And to those of you who have another year, you can expect me up front leading all the cheers before you go on. I love you.
~Hangin' from a clothesline
At these banquets there tends to be senior recognition. This is the point where most people start to tear up. It's the moment when they finally start to realize that the people they have become so close to and have held so dear to their hearts are off to college. It is definitely a moment when your feelings contradict themselves. You are happy and excited that this person or even yourself has accomplished so much and is moving on to bigger and better things. Yet at the same time, you want to cry because that same person is leaving and you won't see them like you do now. I can tell you that nearly everyone experiences this contradiction.
Which emotion takes over? Well, I'd like to think that they both come out just as equally, they are just expressed in a different way than you thought they would. And then there are the banquets that are for performing activities. Boy oh boy do these ones get emotional. Normally you have a large amount of teen girls that do something they have done for as long as they can remember, and then they realize, it's their last time doing it. It's crazy to think about really. You go along and talk about your future as if there will be a next time or a next year, and then you are hit with the hard reality that it is all over. You no longer get to see these people while doing something you love so much.
I can speak from personal experiences that it definitely hits home. Even if you think that you are stronger than that, it suddenly overwhelms you. It takes over no matter how hard you try and talk yourself out of it. You can't help it. You don't even have to be a senior. It can just be that your close friend is graduating, or it is your last year doing something that you have let take over your life. And believe it or not, it's scary. When you think about the aftermath, you really don't know where you are going to go from there. There is no telling what your life will be like after this activity is gone from your life.
I'd like to take a moment and dedicate this to all the seniors as well as the people I was lucky enough to work with in all my years of show choir. I am so lucky to have got the chance to experience this lovely thing with you. You all have become very dear to my heart and I couldn't imagine spending my entire high school career with you. I will miss you very much next year. And to those of you who have another year, you can expect me up front leading all the cheers before you go on. I love you.
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Movie Ratings
Over the past few decades or so, the ratings on movies has changed. I'm pretty sure we have all noticed. If you think back to the eighties, something was rated Pg and it had things such as crude language, drug use, and even some nudity (to an extent). If you look at pg ratings now, we are being more sensitive as to what we are allowing in the movies. If you go to see a Pg movie now, it is most likely a cartoon. If it isn't it is definitely known as a children's movie due to content. These movies tend to have a more innocent plot line and have little to no profanity or other "inappropriate" material in it.
Then you go to Pg-13. Consider the same time periods. Back then you are looking at definite profanity, drug or alcohol use, and nudity/ sex scenes. If you look at one now, there is probably profanity and drug or alcohol use with a slight chance of nudity. Anything more and it is considered rated R or even NR.
I'd like to take a second to think about this. Has society become more protective of what they will let their children see? If so, has it effected the way society is looked at now? Yes. We have made it so that our future generations are not aloud to see movies they could have a few decades ago merely because someone was offended.
This seems to be how it all starts. Someone gets offended and then we have this big movement that ends up screwing the majority of us over. It happened with dodge ball and gymnastics in physical education classes, and it's happening with movie ratings now. In my opinion, if something bothers you or you are personally effected in a negative way by it, then you should personally avoid it. Don't make others avoid it as well. If you don't want your children hearing profanity, don't let them watch the movie. However, you shouldn't make a huge deal of it and end up changing everything for everyone else. If someone else thinks that the movie is acceptable for their children to see, they should be able to let their children go and see it. If you have doubts, there are plenty of ways to get around it.
If you think it would be alright but want to make sure first, you can always see the movie by yourself and then decide whether you want to allow your children to see it or not. You also have the ability to watch the movie with them, keep in mind. If there is a part that you see inappropriate for your child, you can cover their eyes or ears.
"Well, they're just parents that don't care about their children and want our society to be messed up". I have heard something along these lines so many times. And I have a perfect argument with it. Some people use these things as a teaching tool. Believe it or not when children watch a movie with a crude word or scene in it, they will be likely to ask about it. Who do you think they go to so they won't look dumb? Their parents! Their parents can then explain to them if something is not okay to say or do. They can also provide background knowledge about a subject so their children also know the why behind the rule. Many people find a way to have their children be ahead the rest of the children their age by watching these films some may consider inappropriate.
Therefore, before you sit there and criticize people for letting their children watch something, thinking that they don't care, think a little harder. Not everyone lives like you do. Not everyone has the same beliefs as you. I ask you to respect that before you make a big deal and change things so that they revolve around your lifestyle.
That is all
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Then you go to Pg-13. Consider the same time periods. Back then you are looking at definite profanity, drug or alcohol use, and nudity/ sex scenes. If you look at one now, there is probably profanity and drug or alcohol use with a slight chance of nudity. Anything more and it is considered rated R or even NR.
I'd like to take a second to think about this. Has society become more protective of what they will let their children see? If so, has it effected the way society is looked at now? Yes. We have made it so that our future generations are not aloud to see movies they could have a few decades ago merely because someone was offended.
This seems to be how it all starts. Someone gets offended and then we have this big movement that ends up screwing the majority of us over. It happened with dodge ball and gymnastics in physical education classes, and it's happening with movie ratings now. In my opinion, if something bothers you or you are personally effected in a negative way by it, then you should personally avoid it. Don't make others avoid it as well. If you don't want your children hearing profanity, don't let them watch the movie. However, you shouldn't make a huge deal of it and end up changing everything for everyone else. If someone else thinks that the movie is acceptable for their children to see, they should be able to let their children go and see it. If you have doubts, there are plenty of ways to get around it.
If you think it would be alright but want to make sure first, you can always see the movie by yourself and then decide whether you want to allow your children to see it or not. You also have the ability to watch the movie with them, keep in mind. If there is a part that you see inappropriate for your child, you can cover their eyes or ears.
"Well, they're just parents that don't care about their children and want our society to be messed up". I have heard something along these lines so many times. And I have a perfect argument with it. Some people use these things as a teaching tool. Believe it or not when children watch a movie with a crude word or scene in it, they will be likely to ask about it. Who do you think they go to so they won't look dumb? Their parents! Their parents can then explain to them if something is not okay to say or do. They can also provide background knowledge about a subject so their children also know the why behind the rule. Many people find a way to have their children be ahead the rest of the children their age by watching these films some may consider inappropriate.
Therefore, before you sit there and criticize people for letting their children watch something, thinking that they don't care, think a little harder. Not everyone lives like you do. Not everyone has the same beliefs as you. I ask you to respect that before you make a big deal and change things so that they revolve around your lifestyle.
That is all
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Face to Face
Do you have a cell phone? How about social media? What do you do with these things? Do you sit in a room by yourself, yet still think that you are not alone? This is what our generation is coming to. Suddenly we do not need the touch of a significant other, yet need to constantly keep a charge on our battery in case they call. Today we are happier with the applications we have on our phones than we are seeing someone we love face to face. Am I the only one to see this fault in our society? I'd like to think not.
There are plenty of people who don't own a cell phone, Facebook, or anything of that matter. I am impressed by them and root them on in the hopes that someday, someone who is more focused on books than how many likes they can get on a status, will come to want to lead our country. Then, there are the other people of society whose whole life revolves around being able to post something that will get people to like them.
While I have social media, I do have limits. I will not let my phone and accounts run my life. In fact, today I left my phone at home while I ran errands with my mom simply because I wanted to spend quality time with her and not have any distractions. Not many people my age are willing to do that. I am proud to say that I can, and willingly at that!
The one goal I have for our society is that we can step back from all of the lit up screens and still be able to come up with conversation, and have it be a valuable conversation at that! I want to be able to say that we don't need new updates to Snapchat that enable us to make video calls to each other. I want to be able to say that kids now focus on becoming better in school and focusing on their future rather than partying and posting pictures about it the next day so that people can like it and become more popular.
If we can do that, I honestly think that we could go somewhere in life. America as a whole. However, it all starts with you. I hope that this post could make you realize that there are faults in what we do today, sitting on our couches, not talking to a soul. Being alone when we think we are around all the people we could ever need. There's so much we could do to further our chances in life. So start leaving your phone at home. turn it off for a few hours. Just try unplugging yourself from the online world and try connecting to people face to face. I promise it's worth it. You don't know what you are truly missing.
Unplugged
~Hangin' from a clotheslinee
There are plenty of people who don't own a cell phone, Facebook, or anything of that matter. I am impressed by them and root them on in the hopes that someday, someone who is more focused on books than how many likes they can get on a status, will come to want to lead our country. Then, there are the other people of society whose whole life revolves around being able to post something that will get people to like them.
While I have social media, I do have limits. I will not let my phone and accounts run my life. In fact, today I left my phone at home while I ran errands with my mom simply because I wanted to spend quality time with her and not have any distractions. Not many people my age are willing to do that. I am proud to say that I can, and willingly at that!
The one goal I have for our society is that we can step back from all of the lit up screens and still be able to come up with conversation, and have it be a valuable conversation at that! I want to be able to say that we don't need new updates to Snapchat that enable us to make video calls to each other. I want to be able to say that kids now focus on becoming better in school and focusing on their future rather than partying and posting pictures about it the next day so that people can like it and become more popular.
If we can do that, I honestly think that we could go somewhere in life. America as a whole. However, it all starts with you. I hope that this post could make you realize that there are faults in what we do today, sitting on our couches, not talking to a soul. Being alone when we think we are around all the people we could ever need. There's so much we could do to further our chances in life. So start leaving your phone at home. turn it off for a few hours. Just try unplugging yourself from the online world and try connecting to people face to face. I promise it's worth it. You don't know what you are truly missing.
Unplugged
~Hangin' from a clotheslinee
AP Exams
It's the time of year when high school students start to take their AP tests. After a full year of taking a college level class as a high schooler, they test you on what you have learned. If you get a good grade on the test, then you get the credits towards your college education. If you take all these classes in high school you end up saving a ton of money! The exams cost a little bit of money, but it is certainly cheaper than taking a college course and paying for the credits.
But what toll does it take on the students? Stress is the main thing. While you are still in high school, the tests still determine a lot. Getting a good grade on the exam really makes or breaks how much you end up having to spend in college, and as we all know, college is expensive so you should save as much as you can.
Then you get to the question, will you actually be able to pass the exam? That is a question I had to ask myself. I ended up not taking any of my AP exams this year. While I feel like I have learned a lot this year, I did not think that I would be able to score well. I am not a good test taker in general. During normal classes I can participate in class while using my knowledge. Yet during the tests that we take it is almost like I never even took the class. I end up forgetting everything I have ever learned and sound like a complete and total idiot.
I'm not the only person to think this or take tests like that. There are plenty of cases. In those cases they end up getting even more stressed about the test and start studying to the point when they don't get any sleep. As you may know, sleep deprivation only makes things worse. You can end up falling asleep during the test, over sleeping and missing the test, or you can just forget even more than you already do when you take a test. The best case scenario is to study, get good rest, and study even more while you eat breakfast due to the fact that breakfast is VERY important! I never thought that breakfast could make a difference, but boy was I wrong! I really encourage you to eat at least a piece of toast. Believe it or not, it can make your whole day a little bit clearer.
There are a few other things that you can give a shot if you'd like, but no promises that it will work. I have heard that tea can really calm you down if you end up having anxiety issues. If you stay up too late studying, I suggest coffee. However, I would not recommend drinking a lot of it. If you have issues with remembering things, it is rumored that you can study chewing a certain flavor of gum, and take the test chewing the same flavor, which will make you remember things.
Before you start thinking about tactics for during the test, you really should think about whether you could score well on the test. If you do, congrats! I hope some of my tips help. If not, then don't sweat it! I'm sure you will do just as well in college as you do in the class you are currently enrolled in, if not better! Either way, good luck!
~Hangin' from a clothesline
But what toll does it take on the students? Stress is the main thing. While you are still in high school, the tests still determine a lot. Getting a good grade on the exam really makes or breaks how much you end up having to spend in college, and as we all know, college is expensive so you should save as much as you can.
Then you get to the question, will you actually be able to pass the exam? That is a question I had to ask myself. I ended up not taking any of my AP exams this year. While I feel like I have learned a lot this year, I did not think that I would be able to score well. I am not a good test taker in general. During normal classes I can participate in class while using my knowledge. Yet during the tests that we take it is almost like I never even took the class. I end up forgetting everything I have ever learned and sound like a complete and total idiot.
I'm not the only person to think this or take tests like that. There are plenty of cases. In those cases they end up getting even more stressed about the test and start studying to the point when they don't get any sleep. As you may know, sleep deprivation only makes things worse. You can end up falling asleep during the test, over sleeping and missing the test, or you can just forget even more than you already do when you take a test. The best case scenario is to study, get good rest, and study even more while you eat breakfast due to the fact that breakfast is VERY important! I never thought that breakfast could make a difference, but boy was I wrong! I really encourage you to eat at least a piece of toast. Believe it or not, it can make your whole day a little bit clearer.
There are a few other things that you can give a shot if you'd like, but no promises that it will work. I have heard that tea can really calm you down if you end up having anxiety issues. If you stay up too late studying, I suggest coffee. However, I would not recommend drinking a lot of it. If you have issues with remembering things, it is rumored that you can study chewing a certain flavor of gum, and take the test chewing the same flavor, which will make you remember things.
Before you start thinking about tactics for during the test, you really should think about whether you could score well on the test. If you do, congrats! I hope some of my tips help. If not, then don't sweat it! I'm sure you will do just as well in college as you do in the class you are currently enrolled in, if not better! Either way, good luck!
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Jelly Beans
This is why I have trust issues. Yes, I promise this relates to my post title. Recently, my friend was tending to her online shopping needs. I guess that meant it was time to buy some jelly beans. Little did I know that she would use them to go behind my back and make our friendship disintegrate in a matter of seconds. I had trust issues before, but this really pushed me further. These jelly beans weren't ordinary. They were the trick jelly beans that are in Harry Potter.
If you haven't seen this movie, which I would be surprised that you haven't, then I'll tell you what these jelly beans are about. There are a few different colors that all have two flavors to them. There is what is considered a "good" flavor and a bad flavor. In my opinion, sometimes they are both absolutely disgusting.
It is very rare to find someone who will try one of these so you have to call into your darker side and trick them. The most popular way of doing this is to have an actual bag of good jelly beans that they can see you eating. Then you can have the trick beans in your hand and offer them one. It is absolutely hilarious to see their face! You know exactly which one they get right away because of their reaction. Nine times out of ten I end up crying from laughing so hard.
What happens when you don't have a bag of jelly beans? Well, my way of doing things is to bribe them. What I tend to do is tell them that if they eat one jelly bean I will make them a dessert or something of the sort. If they have any guts or really like desserts then they will do it and chances are they get the bad bean. It is totally worth it!
Okay, my friend and I are still really good friends and no, the jelly beans did not tear our friendship apart. I still love her to death. But man oh man will I be cautious of what I eat from others from now on!
TRUST ISSUES!
~Hangin' from a clothesline
If you haven't seen this movie, which I would be surprised that you haven't, then I'll tell you what these jelly beans are about. There are a few different colors that all have two flavors to them. There is what is considered a "good" flavor and a bad flavor. In my opinion, sometimes they are both absolutely disgusting.
It is very rare to find someone who will try one of these so you have to call into your darker side and trick them. The most popular way of doing this is to have an actual bag of good jelly beans that they can see you eating. Then you can have the trick beans in your hand and offer them one. It is absolutely hilarious to see their face! You know exactly which one they get right away because of their reaction. Nine times out of ten I end up crying from laughing so hard.
What happens when you don't have a bag of jelly beans? Well, my way of doing things is to bribe them. What I tend to do is tell them that if they eat one jelly bean I will make them a dessert or something of the sort. If they have any guts or really like desserts then they will do it and chances are they get the bad bean. It is totally worth it!
Okay, my friend and I are still really good friends and no, the jelly beans did not tear our friendship apart. I still love her to death. But man oh man will I be cautious of what I eat from others from now on!
TRUST ISSUES!
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Prom 2K14
Goodness do I love the smell of hairspray and makeup. However, I did not go to a prom this year. I still loved seeing all the pictures of everyone dressed up, looking their best, with huge smiles across their face! You can just tell how happy all of them are and I love it! I had a few friends that went to prom so I got to see the process of getting ready as well. They all looked absolutely gorgeous!
Generally, there is a drill everyone follows when it comes to school dances. Prom being one of them with a special drill. It tends to start with pictures as someone's house so the parents can capture the moment of their daughters and sons getting flowers put on their wrist or tux. Then the kids finally get a chance at freedom! They get to venture off to dinner before the dance. That's when things start to unwind. Then there is the big part. The actual dance. This is where formal and nasty combine. After that, they get to go to post prom if they so desire. This tends to be where the fun and games begin. But what kind?
Well, recently it seems that more and more kids are trying to get someone of the legal age to buy them alcohol. Apparently it just makes everything so much more fun. That's just the start. Some kids also get into drugs. With all the entertaining things there, you wouldn't think that kids would need the extra stuff to get them to have fun. Yet it still happens. Keep in mind that this isn't all kids. Some are perfectly happy with what they are provided with.
When you are in a younger grade and you get asked to prom, there is another thing you have to worry about. What is the other person expecting? I know this sounds cliche and judgmental, but prom night tends to be known for one key thing in high school boys' minds. Sex. You need to keep this in mind when you think about going. It is not something you can just blow off. Yet again, this is just another possibility, it could never happen to you.
Forever envious
~Hangin' from a clothesline
Generally, there is a drill everyone follows when it comes to school dances. Prom being one of them with a special drill. It tends to start with pictures as someone's house so the parents can capture the moment of their daughters and sons getting flowers put on their wrist or tux. Then the kids finally get a chance at freedom! They get to venture off to dinner before the dance. That's when things start to unwind. Then there is the big part. The actual dance. This is where formal and nasty combine. After that, they get to go to post prom if they so desire. This tends to be where the fun and games begin. But what kind?
Well, recently it seems that more and more kids are trying to get someone of the legal age to buy them alcohol. Apparently it just makes everything so much more fun. That's just the start. Some kids also get into drugs. With all the entertaining things there, you wouldn't think that kids would need the extra stuff to get them to have fun. Yet it still happens. Keep in mind that this isn't all kids. Some are perfectly happy with what they are provided with.
When you are in a younger grade and you get asked to prom, there is another thing you have to worry about. What is the other person expecting? I know this sounds cliche and judgmental, but prom night tends to be known for one key thing in high school boys' minds. Sex. You need to keep this in mind when you think about going. It is not something you can just blow off. Yet again, this is just another possibility, it could never happen to you.
Forever envious
~Hangin' from a clothesline
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