Ut Sementem Feeceris.

So, last night, I had my birthday/going away dinner with my friends and family. I had so much fun. Alyssa, Amy, Kristine, Xander, Brandon, Carl, Kristen, Charlene, Jackie, Kimmy, Renee, and Aric came. Alyssa & Amy came around 4:30pm to help me run some last minute errands and help me set up and stuff. Everyone else came between 7-8pm. Once we were all there, it was pretty fun! My mommy made ribs, her delicious chocolate cupcakes, her fish, and I helped her make the pasta. My uncle brought some pretty bomb ass chicken. There was also fruit and cheese & crackers. After we ate, we went to my room  and played Apples to Apples. I LOVE THAT GAME. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite games! Then I played some pieces on my flute for my guests- as a sort of practice for my auditions at the beginning of the school year. I played the exposition of the Mozart Concerto in G, a part from the Carmen Fantasy, Syrinx, and Density 21.5. They all were like…. o.0 when I played Density. I’ve actually come around to kind of like some Contemporary pieces. Afterwards, we played Sardines and everyone tried to find me (: They eventually did, it just took a while. Then, we went back into my house and chilled for a while until people had to leave. There was a good 10-15 minutes of camera whoring with everyone. I can’t wait to see those pictures (: After pretty much everyone left, Kimmy, Aric, Xander & Renee stayed behind and we played Apples to Apples & Jenga simultaneously. Xander left in the middle of that and then it was just us four. Then Kimmy had to be home at midnight, so then it was just me, Aric, & Renee. We went back to my house and Renee went and hung out with my brother & his friend, so Aric and I just went into my sister’s room and chilled because she was in the living room with her friend watching a movie/having a sleepover. Oh! The Girls (Amy, Kristine, & Alyssa) got me a gift! They got me a picture frame of pictures of all of us and each wrote me letters. I cried when I opened the picture frame thingy. Anyway, when Aric & I were hanging out, he read the letters the girls wrote me and tried to get me to cry… he did. Girls, if you’re reading this, I love you guys sooooo much. I’m gonna miss ya’ll! Anyway, ARIC LET ME DRIVE HIS MERCEDES. Ermargaddddddd. It was beautiful! I’m the only person he’s ever let drive it and he said probably the only one too (: Anyway, after Renee left, we just watched half of Lady Gaga’s HBO Special @ Madison Square Garden until like… 3:20am, cause he had to get home cause it was getting kind of late.

And that pretty much sums up my night! I had a blast with my friends and I’m going to miss all of them so much when I go back <3.

This summer has been the summer of opportunities, lessons, and change. It has been a time of change, growth, and maturity.

The summer started off quite different. Usually, summer begins and all my friends are out of school too; not this time. All my friends were still in school- high school and college. I got out of school on May 5th and got home on May 8th after the Phi Mu Alpha Spring Retreat. I’ll admit, the first couple weeks of summer, I was a couch potato, just lazing around the house and bumming around. Once my high school friends came back, I hung out with them. Then, my college friends came back and I hung out with them. Who did I spend most of my time with? My best friend of course. His name is Xander.

Let me tell you a little something about Xander. He’s that best friend you’ve always wanted since you were a kid. I don’t know what I’d do without him. This past year and a half with him as been nothing but pure joy. But the thing is… he’s more than a best friend. Much more than that. He’s like my brother. No, he’s much more than that. There are no words or phrases that describe my relationship with Xander. Some people have called us an old married couple. I laugh at that. For the past year and a half, we’ve done nothing but get closer and closer. We’ve been through so much together. And although we may fight sometimes, I know now nothing will ever break our friendship.

Anyway, back to my summer. I got my first ever job this summer! Well technically, I got two of them. My first job that I got hired at was at Pasta Pomodoro. They were super slow on finalizing my paper work, so I didn’t even start. I went job hunting again and got hired at Love Culture, because of Lena. I’ve been working there for a month now and have made about $700. I’m pretty happy with that! My co-workers are all really nice and the job is pleasant as well. Xander works with me as well. I’m kind of sad that I’m only working there until I move back, which means I’m only there for another two weeks. I’m glad I made new friends at work though! I know I’ll be keeping in touch with them!

Speaking of new friends, I made a few of those this summer. Not only the ones from work, but ones I met through Xander. Their names are Renee, Aric, and Kimmy. They are so much fun to hang out with. I’ve literally spent almost every day of the second half of summer with them. I’ve gotten so close to them, it’s kind of ridiculous. We’ve all gotten so comfortable around each other and do the stupidest things around each other. From going to the park and pretending like we’re sea animals, to playing with hangers in the middle of the night… we’re just like kids. They’re friends that I know I’m going to keep in touch with throughout the year. Just writing this makes me miss them already.

Overall, this summer has taught me so much about life. It’s opened up my eyes to so many different things. It’s not what I expected this summer to be, but I’m glad how everything turned out. I wouldn’t have it any other way. With these last 17 days in San Jose, I’m starting to get kind of sad again. Yes, I’m ready to move back to UoP physically, but mentally, there are still some goodbyes that I am not looking forward to. I have my Birthday/Going Away Dinner this weekend because all my high school friends start school next week and some other folks are going to be busy after this weekend. Alyssa, Amy, & Kristine are coming to help me set up for it in the afternoon :D! I’m super excited for it- it’s just a matter of making sure everything goes according to plan!

So in general, Summer 2012, thanks for giving me memories to last a lifetime <3.