A Glimpse into My Life

What is it really like to be a high school junior these days? I think we are far too often underestimated. Let me tell you people, high school is certainly different from twenty years ago, even ten. My mom is constantly saying things about how different it is and how we work so much harder. So today, I thought I would tell you what I'm doing in each and every one of my classes. I call it a glimpse at Hannah's hectic classes.

Physics- I thought I really liked this class at the beginning of the year. My feelings have changed. It is easy and great, but the problems always have horrible wording, which lead to confusion.
Now, we're learning about force. Net=Resisting-Applied. Force weight= mass(9.8). Net force= mass*acceleration. Equations equations equations.

Choir- I love this class. I hate the days I don't have choir because I need to sing. Just belt it out. Even if the notes are wrong. And the days we don't sing, our awesome teacher Dubbs tells us the most interesting things. People, choir really is a class where you learn things! Like, the gut feeling you get is because you have more neurons in your stomach than in your spine. So basically, you have a tiny brain in your stomach. 

Trigonomentry- Sin, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, cotangent. Unit circle. Graphs. Trig identities. So much stuff that I find unapplicable.

Strength- By far my most boring class. Because I can't do ANYTHING. Except for situps. Which have given me great abs, but still. No lifting, no hang cleans, no box jumps, no shoulders, no ladders. Stupid wrist. 

AP Lang- This class, honestly feels like a walk in the park. I have the same teacher as I did last year, and it's such a relaxed class, with only 4 guys, so it's very estrogen filled. Some rhetoric terms and vocabulary terms here and there, timed writes about once a week, practice AP multiple choice, and AP test readings. We just finished "All Quiet on the Western Front" (tragic, boring.) and we're starting "Night", which I've read before and adore. I also have an outside reading novel for that class, "Rebecca". Reading it has been like getting teeth pulled, because it feels like a waste of time. But it's required.

AP Euro- MY FAVORITE CLASS!!! I LOVE my teacher Mrs. J, she is THE BEST! European history is better than world history ANY DAY! Except, I abhor 90% of my classmates. They just need to be kicked out. We just finished learning about absolutism and constitutionalism in Western and Eastern Europe, and are now learning about the scientific revolution and Enlightenment.

Spanish IV- I feel pretty smart when I tell my freshman strength partners I'm in Spanish IV. Does that mean I'm fluent in Spanish? Heck to the no! I hate speaking and listening. Writings not my favorite either. In this class, we basically just go over everything we've ever learned and master the skills, and pick up some new vocab. We're now studying the subjunctive tense. Es muy facil. 

School is my life. Every night, I average five to six hours of homework, I kid you not. But, I know I will be well prepared for college with these fantastic classes. I look forward to even days because of 4th off with Kylee, and lunch with my friends. And the weekends are great too. Except for homework filled weekends. But school's pretty cool I guess, minus the waking up early, homework, projects, stupid kids, essays, packed halls, tests... ;) 

Maybe one of these days I'll do a day-in-the-life post.  

High schoolers aren't all know-it-all teenagers who cause trouble in public places and get wasted. Some of us do have values. The best way to get through it is to just keep going. It helps though, when you pick up some awesome friends like I have. :)

Clearly the coolest girls you will ever meet.

xo
Hannah
 

The Perks of Election Day

I sincerely adore Election Day. For a few reasons, but mainly two, those being the end of the neverending, annoying as heck political ads and having the day off from school.

My mom decided it would be fun to see "Here Comes the Boom" as a family. It was a great movie, very funny and heartwarming. Then, I had the wonderful opportunity to sleep in until 10am, which I did without a hesitation. And from that moment forward, the day was busy as heck. I picked up Olivia's friend so they could study and brought Brandon to get the new Halo game. That alone took a good hour and a half and then I met Riley, Mackenzie, and Sierra at the movies to see "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".

I read the book back in March and really enjoyed it. It was a great coming-of-age story, that I think several teenagers could walk away from with a better understanding for their peers. I thought it was pretty true to the book, and would recommend it. Any person could relate to some of the tough, emotional situations the main character Charlie deals with. I left with mixed emotions. It was almost bittersweet, that's the only way I can really describe it. 

I would also like to use this time to say that I find it quite annoying that so many people just love the book now. Considering they read it just because the movie came out. Like they would read it otherwise. End rant here. But seriously if I see one more Instagram picture of someone's book where they highlighted "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" I may go slap them.

After the movie, we had lunch at Red Robin which was delicious. I have been craving that place for weeks! We parted ways, and I went to physical therapy (as did my fellow cripple Riley). There, the therapist told my mother thinks that the doctors overlooked fractures in the little bones in my hand, or torn cartalige since the pain seems to only be getting worse. Fabulous. So we start back at square one, at a new doctor, so they can x-ray me and examine me to their hearts' content. 

On that happy note, I went home to grab some AP Lang books and went to Tattered Cover to tackle some reading with a big cup of tea. Oh and some talking with Mackenzie. 

Now, we wait for the election results. I am so so anxious and would very much love it if tomorrow, we woke up to the promise of Mr. Mitt Romney as our president. And that is all I will say of politics.

As the rest of my family surrounds the TV, I think I'll just paint my nails and watch "Breaking Amish", sporadically checking Facebook for the results. ;)

xo
Hannah

The Girl Who Held the Door For Me

Grief may be a thing we all have in common, but it looks different on everyone.
It isn’t just death we have to grieve. It’s life. It’s loss. It’s change.
And when we wonder why it has to suck so much sometimes, has to hurt so bad. The thing we gotta try to remember is that it can turn on a dime.
That’s how you stay alive. When it hurts so much you can’t breathe, that’s how you survive.
By remembering that one day, somehow, impossibly, you won’t feel this way. It won’t hurt this much.
Grief comes in its own time for everyone, in its own way.
So the best we can do, the best anyone can do, is try for honesty.
  The really crappy thing, the very worst part of grief is that you can’t control it.
  The best we can do is try to let ourselves feel it when it comes.
  And let it go when we can.
  The very worst part is that the minute you think you’re past it, it starts all over again.
  And always, every time, it takes your breath away.
There are five stages of grief. They look different on all of us, but there are always five.
  Denial.
Anger.
  Bargaining.
Depression.

Acceptance.

This morning, when I was on Facebook waiting for my cousin in the car, I saw some statuses from students at my school wanting to know if anyone knew about the student that had passed away the previous evening. I was so confused. Had someone really died? Or was it just another high school rumor? Automatically, I thought about if I had talked to my best friends within the last 12 hours. During choir, my first class, the rumor grew thicker. It was a freshman girl? No one could say for sure. As others were already feeling sad, I honestly was a little sad that a family would have to feel such great pain in loss, but was so happy because A) it had snowed and B) we got our Christmas music in choir and C) Kylee and I were going to Tattered Cover during our off period. In seminar, our teacher delivered the sad news that a freshman girl had indeed died. It gave me such goosebumps, but my life was beebopping along. I said a quick prayer thanking God for my family and friends, and went on with my life. The rest of the day, the school was somber, and I felt like I couldn't smile in the halls. The grey weather outside perfectly reflected the morose feeling inside. 

When I got home from physical therapy after school, my Facebook newsfeed was flooded with sympathy statuses. I did some creeping and finally was able to see a picture of this girl. Then, my breath was instantly taken away.

I instantly recognized this girl. I knew who she was. I saw her every single day. She was best friends with my strength partner. When I went to strength, I saw her in the athletic hall. I saw her when I would go to choir or physics. There's a lot of kids at my school, but I really do remember her face against others. 

When I had my arm in the cast and sling, life was rough. You don't realize how much you do with both hands. If you're holding something with your one able hand, then that's all you can do. One of the toughest things for me was carrying my textbooks and opening the door to the school. After I saw that picture, one thing came flying back at me. She always held the door for me, even if I was far away from the door, she would wait patiently for me to get there and with a friendly smile. This gesture may seem ordinary, I mean why is it that big a deal? People are just kind if they hold the door. But when you're struggling with textbooks, a backpack on one shoulder, and a heavy door, someone kindly holding it really means a lot.

When events like this happen, I always get irritated that kids who didn't really know the person get overdramatic about it. I understand it may bring back memories of their own suffering, but in high school, many do things for attention only. I did put myself in the shoes of one of her friends, thinking if how horrible it would be to lose one of my best friends. I hate that thought, I really do. It gives me a stomachache. These tragedies have only ever happened to people who were strangers to me. But when you can actually put a person with a name, it means so much more. 

Flood this family with prayers.

 

I am counting all my blessings tonight as I think of the girl who held the door for me, who's life was taken far too soon.

Rest in peace sweet girl.

xo

Hannah

High Five for Friday!

I love homecoming week. Even if it deprives me of sleep. Here's to a great homecoming weekend!

 1. Last week with this horrid thing!

2. Ladies and gentlemen, we're not in suburbia anymore. Freshly killed, still bloody animal skull.

3. I simply adore weddings.

4. MioEnergy, thank you for keeping me alive this week.

5. I love my mother.

xo
Hannah

High Five for Friday!

Merry Friday!

Weekend food for thought... 

"The rhythm of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it."  ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

1. Matching new phone cases. We're pretty cool kids.

2. Sunday movies are the best. "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" was beautiful, I would see it again in a heartbeat. Truly bittersweet.

3. Faith in humanity... at Starbucks, the barista asked how I broke my arm. I told him, and he kindly said the drink was on him. Made my day. :)

4. The best M&Ms. Some of my friends may remember these as "Sexy M&Ms" ;) Oh eighth grade...

5. Drinking tea constantly because of a stupid cold. Love my big Cincinnati mug. :)

xo

Hannah 

PS-If you have seen "The Odd Life of Timothy Green", watch this video of two cute kids reaction to it. I felt the same way!

A Wonderful Wednesday

Today was a fantastic day. I got to sleep in, reminisce of how perfect childhood was with Kylee, have hilarious and important conversations about our British futures at lunch with Maddison, Mack, and Jess, watch funny YouTube videos in AP Lang, come up with a creative Spanish song, get a new cast and ice cream, and had a delish dinner.

At the doctor, we were supposed to find out if I needed surgery. They recasted me and took some x-rays. Turns out, I have other broken bones besides just my radius and ulna- my styloid ulna and scaphoid. Just call me an overachiever;) So they're waiting another two weeks. I'm really working on my patience!

Now in the "neutral" position

Dad got me ice cream afterwards. :) 

And my night would not be complete without an amazing dinner!! It was leftover night (the worst night ever) but Mom got a rotisserie chicken for us to eat too. I was craving Mexican. I pulled out a corn tortilla, beans, tomato, avocado, and chicken. I didn't just want the usual avocado though, I was craving a more creamy avocado. I proudly came up with this recipe all on my own, and man alive, it is good! I spread it on the tortilla, shredded the chicken, put on the beans (we only had pinto, black were idyllic), and put on the chopped tomato. It was so so yummy!

 
Here's my avocado cream sauce recipe- I hope you enjoy it!

 Avocado Cream Sauce

Half an avocado, mashed

1/3 c. sour cream

1/4 c. mayo

2 tbsp. dry ranch mix

1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tsp lemon juice

salt to taste

I'd say for a Wednesday, it was darn good. :)

xo

Hannah

Photo Catch-up

I miss you blog. So so much. I've been bad at visiting you daily! Darn radius and ulna being broken makes typing hard to the millionth degree! So here's a picture catch up... :)

These were part of Jess' birthday present, a post I later plan to write!

Fun pictures (taken just hours before the break;))

School has started... :(

Ugh, early mornings

Homework filled afternoons and evenings

After school relaxing

 Girl Scout camp was last weekend.

It All Started With a Daisy... such a relief to be done!

Sweet girls hiking, Dad explaining some nature stuff

Someone ripped their pants

Elk on the way home

 Life goes on...

Broken bones are the WORST!

But I still smile! :) It could be worse!!

xo

Hannah

Bonanza! Part 3

The usual went on- pizza, music, talking, laughing. We were doing our same old thing and soon we were ready for the zipline! That's probably one of the best things about Jess's country. :) On went the shoes and we went running down the hill!

Watchers, smart girls;)

 So much fun!

You go Sierra!

Take note on how to properly stop

Kylee!

My fave of Sierra!

So all was happy and dandy as we zipped through the forest... then this happened. ;)

Priceless face of fear

Can't slow down!

Shoot, there's a tree!

This isn't good

And now we fly!

My personal favorite ;)

Break!

"guys, I think I need to cry!"

Man alive, that zipline goes FAST! And slowing down is not always an option. ;) Basically, I could have hit my head or fallen down. Or stopped correctly. ;) I'm pretty sure I hit my head because I know I blacked out. It was probably the funniest accident ever. I don't know who was there first, but I know Sierra had the camera, Riley was doubled over laughing and I couldn't look at her without laughing, Mackenzie, Kylee, and Maddison went into mother mode, and I don't really remember what Jess was doing (sorry Jess). I knew something was broken, my wrist was swollen FAST and
I have never had such pain! I was in shock, my teeth were chattering and I wasn't quite there. Since we had got Jessica's family to leave, we had to call them and let them know to come home, as well as my mom and dad. We sat at the picnic table as the mothers talked to my parents, got Motrin, ice, and a pillow.

Again, priceless faces

Jess's mom drove down the mountain fast and we made it to the hospital in 20 minutes flat! At the hospital, I was in the stage of shock where I laughed like a dang hyena for hours. 

Maddison came with me. :))

We finally got a room!

I broke my ulna and radius- the ulna is a clean break but my radius is pretty messed up, basically shattered. We're waiting to see if I'll need surgery (I hope not!) but they splinted me that night and I got a cast on Monday.

Broken bones

Hot doc (actually, he was a nurse...)

Jess's mom and my mom put this on me, cuz I'm a fall risk;)

Friday night fun in the ER!

Soon the shock wore off and I was in SO MUCH pain! But my wonderful friends came to visit me the next day, with flowers, balloons, and the funniest card EVER!

Aren't we gorgeous?

That's me flying off the zipline in the top left corner;)

It was definitely the birthday party NO ONE will forget! I loved every minute of it. :) It was truly the best way to finish summer!

xo
Hannah

ps- this is the reason why I haven't been posting this week, typing is super difficult!