The thoughts of an almost graduate

High School is over.

Another stage of my life, another page of my story, has been completed.

In the whirlwind of events, prom, senior field trips, ap exams, grad parties, it's hard to stop and really let this moment set in.

I've spent the last 4 years studying, making new friends, leaving some friends behind, arguing with my parents to let me stay out later, laughing, dancing, being weird, and generally enjoying life.

I like to tell myself, and believe that I have lived high school to it's fullest. I plan to live every second of my life to the fullest.

However, there are way too many times, in retrospect, when i said "I can't wait till" In all reality I could have waited. Now that everything is over, I think to myself, what was i waiting for?

In life, the phrase "I can't wait", the endless count down of important dates, are distracting from the real joy of life. If you spend your life waiting for the next big thing, you miss the opportunity to take in the little things, like the sunrise, or a beautiful breeze, or a family dinner, a smile, a loving hug.

Now that I'm headed off to college, it hits me that this is all I've ever known. And by "this" I mean these people, this life, my parents taking care of me, my siblings being there to cheer me up after a tough day at school. My church, my youth group. St. Alban soccer. All the clubs and activities I'm involved in. Everything is going to change. And as much as it is exciting, it's scary as hell.

The memories I have made, the relationships I've built, the good reputation i have made for myself (hopefully), will not be present in college with me. Sure facebook and my cell phone will keep me in contact with the people I love, but it's not the same. I won't see the same faces in the hallway everyday that I've seen for the last 4 years, i won't be able to quote inside jokes randomly, or say remember in middle school....

I think the biggest challenge for all of us in college will be to keep our friends from high school. keeping relationships takes hard work. But facebook isn't what should keep us together, a quick phone call, even a letter, is much more effective.

High School has been so much fun. I truly loved and enjoyed every second of it. I am sad to see it go, but immensely proud of myself for using the gifts and talents God has given me to excel in school. I am so blessed and so thankful for all the opportunities i have had.

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends."

Driving.. and the little hardships that come along with it

As i have too soon discovered, driving is unpredictable and downright frightening.

Although I may be the best driver in the entire world, courteous, careful, watchful, and attentive,

there are some wackos out there in the world who really shouldn't be out on the streets at all.

Examples:

People who stop in the middle of intersections.

Ok really??? You just can't wait. You know the light is going to change and their will be people blocked up because you had to be all about you.

People who don't use their blinkers.

Oh my goodness. The car manufactures made blinkers for a reason. And guess what, they made it seemingly effortless to switch the thing on. If you feel you're too cool to use a blinker your stupid. it's one easy way to save yourself from an accident.

People who text while driving

this needs no explanation.

People who talk on the phone while driving.

Although not as big of a deal as texting, if you are caught up in a conversation you're having, you attention is divided and parts of your limited brain that should be concentrated on driving are too busy discussing something that could easily be put off for a few minutes.

People who don't know the 'every-other-car rule'.

The biggest perpetrator of this is students in the high school parking lot after school. It drives me nuts that apparently high schoolers aren't "mature" enough to be courteous to other drivers.

People who don't turn off their highs.

Again, car manufactures made this little switch easy as pie. So just switch them off. Now i understand it's easy to forget they're on. But after people flashing you with their own highs, don't you figure that it'd be best for everyone to turn yours off.

People who brake before green lights.

These drivers are those who are way too careful.

And last, but not least:

People who steal your parking spot and or People who literally wait for people to get in their cars, start their cars, and back up their cars, to snag the 'perfect spot'.

Sports

My boyfriend asks me yesterday what i though of the Matt Holliday situation. We were discussing sports, haha.. that's a joke, I was basically saying that I like watching sports (because in all honesty I don't follow anything). Anyway, the way he asked me i knew i should know who Matt Holliday was, or for that matter what sport he even played.

Yes you might view me as pathetic for not keeping up with my city's pride and joy, The Cardinals, but frankly baseball bores the crud out of me.

So, when my boyfriend asked my opinion on the $113,580,723 salary bestowed upon aforementioned Holliday, I was all in all un-opinionated.

But upon further reading, yes i do read my news (occasionally), I am a bit surprised, if not utterly outraged, at these outrageous pre-determined earnings.

First of all, why the heck do Athletes need to be paid that much money?

The minimum salary for a Pro Baseball player is $400,000 per season.

That's at least 2,000 every game. Whether they play or not. And that's only the MINIMUM!

That's an insane amount of money. An insane amount.

I just don't see the need to pay people that much money to do something they love.

It's not dangerous. It's not a vital occupation necessary for our Nation's growth. It is simply providing entertainment. And they get paid more than most doctors and lawyers combined.

Second of all, and the actual issue in this situation, is the fact that Puljos is/was paid less than what Holliday is being promised. His contract is up, and will the Cardinals have enough money to re-sign him?? Or will they just remain complacent with the fact that they now have Holliday, and deal with the loss of a great ball player.

Should the cardinals focus more on keeping a player who has been with them for his entire major league career? or should they risk putting all their money on their team newbie.

I have to admit i don't know enough about sports to answer those questions.

But it seems like a delicate decision has been made, and St. Louis Cardinal Fans will be anticipating the '11 season when Puljo's contract is finally up.