Over almost 17 years, I had grown into the person I was on the morning of Feb. 7, 09. Over the past 12 days, I feel like I have become a different person. Maybe "different" is the wrong word. It's not like I've changed dramatically, but my views on life have. I don't even know if I can say that.... Things that I've always known are now shining in a different light. I feel like the day I got here I started from one years old in life experience, to 17 years today. I know so many different things already and appreciate things so much differently. Here is what 17 years of life experience (mostly the past 12 days) has taught me.
The World Is a Beautiful Place.
* Never ever forget that. The world and the people in it have so much to offer us. Assume the best in people, because I've learned that the time will come when you would crawl across glass to have them assume the best in you. Don't give up on people, give people a chance, they can teach you more than any textbook can.
No One is Perfect.
* Embrace who you are. When you die, what will people remember?? At your funeral, they won't say "oh... she was a size 24." or "she failed the grade 12 english exam." They will celebrate the person you were and the things you achieved. Don't sweat the small stuff!
You Control Your Own Happiness
* If you want it to be a good day, it will be. You have the power to look at the bright side of every situation. You need to make opportunities for yourself. It would be nice if people always asked you to sit with them at lunch, but you need to take the initiative and responsibility for your own happiness.
Being "Mature" Doesn't mean...
*you can't act like a baby lion, can't laugh hysterically at stupid jokes, can't find joy in rainbows and butterflies, can't cry, can't dance with your best friends and maracas when you get excited, or you can't wrestle with your dog. It is okay to find joy in the small things in life.
Celebrate Small Successes
*When this life is so hard, milk every success for everything it is worth!
You Can Have Anything you Want
* Nothing is impossible. Put your mind to something and make it happen. You control your life, make it what you want.
You Have the Strength
* The power to overcome anything is inside you. Your family and friends have put the strength there through years of encouragement and love. Tap into that love when you need to. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
RAKs are the Way to Live.
* Random Acts of Kindness. Love Rocks in Mailboxes, smiles in the hall, a high five after an awesome serve. Just as you have the power to make your own happiness, you have the power to contribute to the happiness of others. A smile costs you nothing to give, but trust me, it can be all someone needs to make it through the day. We have so much to give back. Give every part of yourself to the world.
Don't Be Afraid.
* Let go of your fears. Breathe in. Breathe out. You can do anything. GO FOR IT! What is so important that it's holding you back??? The thoughts of others, your insecurities? Sorry, but those aren't important enough to stand in the way of the person you were born to be.
Be Passionate
* Anything you do, give it everything you have. Passion is what drives life. Throw yourself out there and love and live like you mean it!!!
After 17 years, this is what I have taken from life. I believe in the world, and I believe in myself. I can do anything. I feel like when I arrived in Quebec I started as a child again, I had to adjust to a new family, make new friends, adjust to a different lifestyle, learn a new language and find my self-confidence. I can now say I am a confident and Happy 17 year old.
Now that I have summarized for you what I have taken from the last 17 years of life, I will tell you about my day! Unfortunately for me, it started out horribly. Since I got here I have really struggled with having nightmares. I haven't once slept through the night, and last night was no exception. I think I can probably say that last night I had the worst dream I have ever had in my life. I woke up this morning and felt like I needed to get out of my room as fast as I could, and in the process I knocked over all my jewelry, my camera, and my laptop. I then remembered it was my birthday and i decided today was going to be a possum day, so I made myself Nutella and bananas on toast for breakfast!
For my birthday today, God decided that instead of making me a french master, he was going to make it snow a foot. This was super enjoyable (voice dripping with sarcasm) on the walk to school. On the way to school, we had to walk through snow that, not a word of exaggeration, was up to my hips. I was sad, because I was wearing my favorite outfit today (my orange dress and plaid scarf with leggings!) and I was all wet when I got to school! ( I know now why "egg/emu" boots are on the out list. They're not practical for this weather) Everyone I saw in the hall this morning said Happy Birthday. I don't know how they knew, but it was very sweet!
We played volleyball first class in gym, and my suspicions were confirmed that I am respectably good. I pretty much pwned everyone in my class, and I accidently served way out of the court, and my gym teacher went "whoooaa, cannon!". After class I walked into the hall, and my entire class sang to me. =)
Next class in math, my class sang to me again, and we went into groups to study. Since I have nothing to study, I wrote a story about me and my two friends. It was about us defeating the evil math monster (drawings included!), but made them laugh so hard and we had a good time!
The highlight of my lunch today was that a bought a cookie from the cafeteria. It was my birthday cookie. Everyone went to math help at lunch today, and there was no volleyball, so I decided to go to the library. **side note: They have huge speakers on the main floor, and everyday at lunch they blast dance music! Weird, eh??** The library was a bad idea. I got yelled at for checking my email on the computer, and again for having my purse with me. Sorry?? How the heck am I supposed to know you're not allowed to bring purses to the library????
After Lunch I had Technical art, in which I started making my Plexiglas skateboard. Exciting!! After that I had french, in which the teacher handed back work. Remember how a while ago I said I handed in my first composition that was like 3 sentences long? Well, i got 80% on those 3 sentences!! Yay! Small successes baby!
After school today I went to the gym for a session in which a trainer made a personal workout for me. I kind of felt like I was cheating because she spoke english with me. She was speaking french, and she could tell I didn't really understand. She said it was really important i understood how to do everything correctly, so I figured it was okay to cheat this once.
After that, I came home and the family sang happy birthday to me, and gave me a lovely gift! It is a beautiful jewelry stand in the shape of a woman who is wearing a very ornate gown. All the girls in the family have one, so I was very excited to receive it!! They also gave me so mitt warmers in the shape of the snowman who is the spokesman for Carnivale! We are doing my birthday dinner on sunday, so I still have that to look forward to!
Also, tonight one of my french friends phoned me to say happy birthday!! I cannot even tell you how happy and loved this made me feel. It was such a small thing, but I almost cried. I felt so accepted and loved, and I am realizing how much people care!!
I am so proud of who I am and who I am becoming. In twelve days of my life, I have accomplished so much and grown so much. I can't wait t see what the next few months have in store for me!
17 years of Love,
Carly
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