6.28.2009

I failed to post yesterday

Sorry about that... but it was dad's birthday, and kris had an ear infection SO bad his ear was swollen shut....
BUT TODAY... I led my church service... and all went well... everyone was giving me advice... but I have no trouble speaking in front of people. I just repeated over and over that I was NOT nervous... and affirmed positive outcome... and sure as hell... I rocked the church. haha. Ironic... 'sure as hell' I don't believe in hell... so I should say 'unsure as hell'

6.26.2009

Summer Connections














These are pictures... no big story!

I love little ones





I love these children. They are so bright and happy. Make my day!

6.25.2009

Ok, so.... anything can happen

Random thought... may belong in my other blog... but... anything, at any time can happen... literally. A man in china could hug me right now... I may never know it... but emotions and thoughts are so very powerful... so... if you feel loving, lend it to somebody in need... even if you don't know them

6.24.2009

accomplished a lot

OK. Today, I met with Judy and Peter.
We accomplished quite a bit for our sunday service. I will be presenting the lesson, which I have pretty much ready to go. We are so psyched about leading service again. Last time was amazing... and this time will be as well.
I am not nervous at all... I don't get nervous in front of crowds... especially at church when I know the congregation loves me even if I make a mistake.
We called Jeanne to keep her posted. She fell with her horse on some slippery rocks, and got beat up and had to have pins put in in surgery last week. She will in fact be attending and leading meditation. =)
I love these people...

6.23.2009

This past week

OK. I have been home for a few days now, and still, I feel like I am surrounded by those amazing people I met last week. Since I have been home, I have had COUNTLESS realizations, both spiritual and physical. I can not thank god enough. God, by the way, is not a man in the sky, but the pureness in every person I encounter... she is now a character in this blog... and a main one.

6.21.2009

I am home again.

Let me start by saying the past week was probably the single best week of my life, along with being the series of most life changing events I have ever been involved in. I was moved, enlightened, loved, and opened up to so much. I even cried in front of 200 of my peers.

SOOO... Last Sunday... we left church and headed to Asheville. On the way there, we stopped by Cracker Barrel for lunch. We arrived at our destination at about 5pm. Warren Wilson College was where we were staying. We registered and got our shirts, name tags, dorm numbers, and schedules. I went to my dorm and met my roommate, Alison. We got along quite well right away. Then we went to the kick off party, and had some major fun. We wrote down intentions on rice paper, and put them into a giant bowl of water. That intention was to be worked on all week. Mine was simply spiritual enlightenment. We met our family groups, which mine was amazing. I loved all of them dearly and made some great friends.

Monday, we woke up at 6:30, which would be a trend that continued for the week. I went to breakfast, and skipped along to the morning celebration. We had another family group meeting before we traveled to the river. We were canoeing down the river, and we were able to pick partners. I was with Julia, which may very well be my best friend in Y.O.U.
We paddled down the river laughing and singing. It was a 4 hour trip, of which we meditated one hour. It was quite amazing. When we woke from our meditation, and re-entered the real world, we were greeted by dragonflies... too many to count. They were beautiful. We ate dinner at the river, and arrived back at the college in time for movie night.
Unfortunately, during the movie.. my sponsor/beta-mom realized she had hurt her back at the river. I helped her to another sponsors car, and they escorted her to her dorm. I went up within a short amount of time to help her out... and I brought her food.

Tuesday, we woke up as usual, and skipped along to our morning routine. We did our meditation, and when we arrived at family groups, one of the sponsors, Cindy, had a flower in my hair, and I saw my aunt, who passed away, sitting there... she reminded me so much of her. during free time I made some jewelry, and went to our cookies craft shop. I had a BLAST decorating with icing, but, I personally don't like icing, so I secretly gave my cookie to Linda. She knew immediately that it was me, but then she had this whole debate on whether it was my cookie, or an imitation cookie. LOL. we did LeRoy's workshop... he was life changing... so insightful, and so wise. Influential epitomized. We did the shindig, and we had a blast.

Wednesday was the most emotional day for me. I woke up, and the mist was coming in the window. It was quite soothing. We rose up, and dressed in our service project clothing. We ate breakfast, and went straight to load buses for the service project. We reached hundreds of people, and really felt like we made a difference. We ate lunch, and arrived back to the college for freetime. I went up and got ready for my craft shop. It was yoga, and Jeanne was teaching, so I was psyched. Jeanne arrived in the room just in time to tell me she had brought an unexpected guest... my mom.... SO... I ran out to greet my mom, and headed back to craft shop. We did yoga, and went to dinner. My mommy was there which made my day. After dinner, we went to family groups, and I told them why it meant so much that I had my mom there.
Then we headed to the LeRoy concert. HOW amazing could it have been? well... multiply the maximum by 74385. <3 At he end of the concert, he sang us into our silence, and it was magical. No noise for 12 hours. It was pure bliss.

Thursday we broke the silence, and my mom had left the previous night. we did some discussions and then we did an angel wash. I cried through the entire angel wash, which means EVERY person there saw me cry. I faced the fear, and I overcame it. I was showed in kindness. It was life changing. We did spirit sharing, which is a giant talent show. It was amazing, and I sat with Judy, who I got to know quite well...

That is all I really feel like typing. More to come later

6.13.2009

no way jose

I can't believe I am going to SUMMER CONNECTIONS!!!!
I am thrilled. It is greatness PURE greatness. The only EEK thing is that we will have NO computers... and NO cellphones. Needless to say this is my last post for about a week... CRY....

6.12.2009

adventure is fun.

We went to Ober Gatlinburg today.
I am going to simply LIST the things we did and if I have anything to say about them... I will...
haha
Alpine slide- It's a cart thing... like concrete bobsled <3 I went super fast., My favorite part of the day
Bumper Cars
Pirate Ship
Fun House
Ice Skating- haha. I couldn't even move... and then I was standing in th middle of the rink texting
Mini Golf- I did reasonably
Blue Cyclone- was worth the wait... all the water rides were
Cable Car- Breathtaking View!
Bungee Run... I won

6.11.2009

todays sporadic events

Lots of crazy events today. I got NO sleep last night... and I had children in the house when I woke up. Long story... I am not going into detail.
Then, at like... 3, the power went out. UGH... horrible. It was out for 6 hours. I was so frustrated.
We got the drums, finger symbols, tambourines, maracas, and other things out, and jammed out with the family. It was pretty good. Then, we went to Karate, mom and I. I love having something we do... just the two of us. =)

6.10.2009

I want to go...

I want to go. I don't know where. I want to plan a HUGE trip, and just... go. I want to really just up and leave...
I don't dislike my life here... I actually have grown quite fond of it... I just want to see all the people I love so much. All of the people who are everywhere. BUT... there are so so many here who I could not stand to leave. So many.
I think I will write a book. I know I have said it previously... but... It is something I really wanted to do for a long time... and in the book... I will make a main character a 16 year old girl... much like myself... and then... the characters around her will be those in my life. And SHE, unlike me... will just... go.

6.09.2009

A good good friend

So... I have a friend I have known for quite a while... and she is pregnant. She is a GREAT friend... but here is the thing. She does not know what to do. Her home life is rough... and her family is not exactly going to be ok with knowing this. She is ready to have an abortion... and she is truly considering it.
No matter what choice she makes... I can not tell her what to do... and as her best friend... I must support her... even if I think she is making a bad choice...
Se... I don't think abortion is bad... I just happen to know that she will be extremely upset about it... and will never forget it...
hummm...
I am still a strong person... and will be strong for her... even if I am hundreds of miles away.

Salvation of mine


THIS KID IS MY SALVATION.
Brandon... I <3 you!

I am not sure...

I love how things went today. We spent the day at dollywood, and I re-tanned... have not cried in a while... and I am happy with it. I went the whole day without texting everyone... I only sent 6 texts today... that is a record.
I did, however... spend the WHOLE time reminiscing in memories I had with Casey... and then more into the 'other family' I developed in being in the relationship. I realized today how much I was influenced by him, and how much it affected my life in this new state. I moved here... and poof... I was with him all the time. It was crazy. I met all of his friends... he met none of mine... it was the weirdest relationship I have ever been in. Being away from home let me change for him... but... I don't know what to do... because I also changed religiously... and if I change back to who I was, it won't be the me I have grown to love... but, that is the me he originally fell in love with...
So... in changing back to who I was before I was changed by him, and lost him... am I changing for him...?

6.08.2009

in love still

OK. I am still in love... many months later... but I always will be in love with what I remember. I remember the beginning of the relationship. It was pure magic. EVERY night, we talked for hours... and i really felt loved... I was told I was loved... and I knew it. As things grew apart... I just held onto those first couple months. I am not in love with him now... I am in love with him then... and I think maybe just maybe... the him then was drowned out by the us... in the end. Maybe after a long break... it will be the US it was before... and not... the us it is now... =/

Looking forward

I have a GREAT summer ahead of me. Miss Optimism is back and ready. I will be taking Kristopher on his first plane ride. What an exciting journey that will be. We are going to see our grandparents, my biological father, and our aunt. I am very excited. Lots of fun to happen!

6.07.2009

I Love My Crazy Church Family



OK. We had our church's annual commUNITY picnic today. It was absolutely amazing. Elle and Gavin joined in on our uniteen fun... and we washed windows for community service. Mrs. Ridley MAY be doing one of the classes at church with us. I would be so happy. EITHER WAY, she will be joining us when I lead service...
OK... so there was a splash park at the park where we had our picnic. I finally got Brandon to jump in with me. We had a blast... BUT... douche bag gay lover of mine decided to TEXT my ex... from whose phone? MY PHONE... SO.... I got really ticked... but I got over it...
haha.
ANYWAY... I'll blog a bit more later... time to rest with my cousin who just arrived...

Love Always
--
Sami

6.06.2009

Great day indeed.

THERE IS SO MUCH to blog about.
I will start with the begining of the day. I was in a social mood, so I called one of my mommy's. I was on the phone with her, smiling, and being happy... when my mom came out to tell me that I was going to be a big sister again... but not her baby... oh no no... that would be too easy... it had to be my biological fathers baby...
FIRST, I was like, oh, blow it off... but, I then realized, it is the biological equivalent of Kris or Justin to me... and I then realized... that child will be my sibling...

OK... so then, I am sitting with my brother on the porch, and we decided to go out and play outside like when we were little. We got a ball out and played for a few hours... games with no rules... simply chasing the ball around... no objective, no points... just my turn, your turn type thing... it was so fun... we didn't come inside until 9 at night.
=D

6.05.2009

What to do?

We have a whole summer ahead of us... and I am already wanting to get back to school. I seems forever I wanted to grow up, and be out of school... now, I just want to stay in high school... and never leave. These are the greatest moments... and life is SO short.... I want to be young forever...
=(
The only person I have ever FALLEN in love with will not even acknowledge me when I walk by now... so I feel... so down... i just want to stay in school... where I am LOVED, and smart, and on top of my game...
I am just rambling on now... in a bad mood you could say... just venting

Greatest advice

You know when you here something a million times, and then you here it one day and suddenly GET it?
Well, I have been listening to Alanis Morissette A LOT lately. I was listening to Jagged Little Pill, and "Not The Doctor" came on. There is a line that was suddenly making SINCE, and I have decided it is probably the best advice ever given: "I don't want to be your other half, I believe that 1 and 1 makes 2."
I felt the need to share it... great quote!

Tie Dyed Shirts

I officially finished the tie dyed shirts. I am so excited. I will post pictures SUNDAY of the kids wearing them.
OK. 6 months ago, our church had 5 kids attending it. NOW, we have 12-15 weekly, and being that our congregation has approximately 30 people attending weekly, that is an amazing number. I have faith that we can keep the church going if the whole congregation makes a conscious effort.
We made the tie-dyed shirts for the entire youth department, and had an absolute BLAST. I am so happy we had the chance to make them.
I officially am done. I was in charge of the project by the end of it. I feel accomplished.

Yesterday was amazing epitomized

OK. So WEDNESDAY night, we had people over for church and did our tie-dye party. Amazingness.
THEN YESTERDAY... I woke up bright and early, as always, and reached for my phone to check my texts. I just KNEW it was an amazing day at the start.
We headed to my school to pick up some paperwork... and then we were off to Dollywood.
My mom and I love spending time together, even though it is something we seldom do... SO... we rode a couple rides together... and I got a text to let me know Mrs. Ridley was there to meet me... so I split to find them. I met up, and her daughter and I rode coasters all day. She and her son rode something else while we rode Thunderhead... and we met back up for Tennessee Tornado. It was a total BLAST. We met up with my mom and dad for lunch, and my mom FINALLY got to meet Mrs. Ridley... after all that. It went well, I would say.
Then they left for a game, and I took my parents on my 2 favorite coasters. AFTER that, we headed out, and went on to karate.
My mom and I have been doing karate and I really enjoy spending time with her. We always have a blast together, and now, if she ever has the urge to beat me... I have self defense... LOL. =)

6.03.2009

Readers,,, ?

I know of three absolute loyal readers...
but... I wonder how many look at my blog... I have a few hundred views on my profile... so I am curious.
I have anonymous... which is begining to need a name. I have read posts constantly, and have yet to pick out any traits: Age, Sex, Location, Name... the only thing I MIGHT know is that they don't live NEAR me... I think...
Anonymous is a great name. But I am about to rename you... I will think of something. =)

What a magnificant day


I woke up, hopped in the shower, and headed out the door.
Brandon picked me up to go to Starbucks, and we ended up ALL over Seymour.
I went in and got my report card and OFFICIALLY (secretly) know all of my electives and teachers for next year... I also know my core classes for next year... and 2 of those teachers.
I am super excited.
THEN we had our tie-dye party for church... and had to make 2 more shirts for GUESS WHO (i'm excited)?!?! Gavin and Elle, Mrs. Ridleys kids, who will be JOINING us next week... YAY!!!
THEN... tomorrow, me, my mom, my dad, and my brothers are meeting Mrs. Ridley and her kids at Dollywood. I am excited (yes, Anonymous, the dreadful dolly parton place.... haha)

6.02.2009

Teachers Pet


That's a good name for me. It really is. I went in to hang out with my teachers 10 year old today. She is, as previously mentioned, adorable.
Well... today, we made jewelry, sculptors, listened to music, and acted like secret agents. It was PURE amazingness. I love being around her because she is so well behaved... she is mature, and opinionated... what a great kid.
She looks up to me... EEK... and she is keeping my inner child alive and well... We acted like TOTAL goofballs all day. I <3 being a role model!

6.01.2009

I cried... full out

NOW... if you are an active reader of my blog... you know I only cry in the comfort of my room... nobody around... occasionally while blogging... but NEVER EVER in front of people...
WELLLLLL
Today... I ruined it.
The first time since we MOVED here that I cried in front of "non-family members." I walked out of Mrs. Ridleys room, and gave her a huge hug. I have a fear that I will not return to the school. She was standing with Mr. Charlie... who is also a familiar name to this blog.
I started to tear up, and Elle came out... then Mr. Charlies goodbye came
It went something like this:
"I love ya kid...
I hope we see you back next year... you are a great addition to our school."
Then a hug
and I bawled all the way to the bus... and part of the way home

Insight of a ten year old

I had a lot of time to spend with Elle today. She is adorable. We made sculptures with hot-glue, and bracelets, and keychains, and a bunch of other stuff. We also spoke while her mom was out getting us lunch. We began talking religion, and OHMYGOSH! She is 10, and she is SO insightful. I was amazed at all that she said. She just tore down into it, and finally told me "I just don't believe there is really a place 'down there' that God would send you if you sin."
I was immediately attatched to the conversation as I had no belief of this place either... ever... =)
She proceeded to tell me how she does not know what to believe... and she has been told what is right... but never really been able to decide for herself. I was purely AMAZED.
She said "Well, everyone else says Jesus died for our sins, so maybe thats right... but we have no way of knowing..." I nodded as she continued with "If only we could go back in time, to see what God really did."
This made me realize she acknowledges GOD as a person... or a being. She is such an amazing girl... and oh my... her mom better buy a gun...
She got the smarts... the looks... and the sense of humor. =)