Making Sonya Proud

Looking sexy in that Victorian era way

nothing says hipster like bonnets, instagram, and highwaisted shorts

selfies it's what we do

who's that wannabe Asian in the background

He was just too cool for me :(

TOTEMO OISHII!

Damn it we're cute!

Look Sonya I posted Pictures!!! Any way! I've been absolutely crazy which is how I always am so it's really not that crazy. Since the last time I posted I've ended my high school musical career, got into colleges, hosted foreigners and continued every day events. My last musical was bittersweet. Let's just say my time with the music/theatre dept. hasn't exactly been a dream come true. But our show this year was a lot of fun and I'm already missing some of my cast mates. Saturday I came home from the cast party to find my mom had opened another of my college letters. Woohoo! It was my acceptance to Gettysburg. That Monday I wore a GBurg tshirt like a total tool, but I didn't care. I also got accepted to Susquehanna, and Union (my safeties), Skidmore, and Franklin and Marshall. F&M is probs my 2nd choice school. I got waitlisted for a bunch of schools, rejected from one, and have the last and most important one in the mail. I'm really, really nervous and just want this whole thing to be over! Also that Saturday I was kind of asked to Prom. True, it was by my gay best friend, but at least I'm not going alone! I told my mom that James and I were going as friends and she just said "Is there another way to go to prom with James?" I love him he's so funny! For the records, he's going to be amazingly famous and successful one day I'm calling it. Yes, but Sunday after the show I met my exchange students Fumiya and Kuzen. Sonya and I spent most of the exchange worrying that our students didn't like us! This year, I tried really hard to practice and be legit with my Japanese speaking. However, my students weren't very talkative. It was really awkward cause they would both sit in the backseat of my car. Chauffeur style! But then they left me a thank you note on my dresser and I was really happy. Also Kuzen facebook messaged me so I knew he cared in the end! Thursday they left. That night my dance teacher wasn't there so the studio owner taught our class. She can be kind of intimidating. She made us do a ton of reps and really focused on our technique. Gosh, I need my double pirouette! Then I went home showered and got ready for Hunger Games with Sonya! We really enjoyed the movie but mocked it too. Me:Why don't they have two crowns? Sonya: Budget cuts. Allusions to the Lion King were also made. Friday I had off from school. I did breakfast and started photoshooting with Nicole. I had to go to school and finish my portfolio. I went on a picnic to enjoy the lovely weather. Had a voice lesson. Took some more pictures. Saw Footloose at GL. Saturday was guard, more pictures, and babysitting. Sunday was more pictures (surprised?), and random duties. I really hope these negatives come out nicely. My teacher totally tore apart my last roll. She told me they were boring and anyone could have taken them. At least she's honest. Well here's to hoping...

How?

How does this keep happening?!?! I try so hard to blog consistently! It's quite difficult considering I'm practically never home! Life is really up and down right now. For a while I was having a really rough go at things, but things are coming together now. I think I'm having an identity crisis or something I just feel kind of isolated and weird. I don't know maybe it's just being so excited to leave New Prov. I think being so close to leaving makes all the seniors go crazy. People openly don't like each other now and are starting to distance themselves. I even feel more critical. On the plus side the weather is starting to warm up! I spent a lot of time outside today and it was absolutely gorgeous! I took a roll of film in the Watchung Reservation. I took a lot of pictures of this water tower with a ton of graffiti on it. Someone wrote "swag you would kill for." New Mantra?  I'm making a portfolio as a last ditch effort to get into college. One of my photographs qualified as a finalist for a competition. I looked at some of the competing prints, they were all so beautiful it was hard to believe my print was included with them. Also most of them were digital and color. I would die to have a DSLR camera, but since they cost an arm and a leg I'll just keep drooling. This week is production week for the musical! Which means it's almost over! But seriously I don't think the show's gonna be that bad this year. Then right after the musical I'm picking up my Japanese boys! I think hosting will be fun this year since I can drive them around! Hopefully after that things will be a little calmer. But then it'll be time to get ready for my Japan trip!!! Mama Nat ordered my ticket yesterday! We're going to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukui! I'm ridiculously excited. I bought a purse with Sonya to lug all my stuff around in. Right now I'm procrastinating a Euro project but I should probs get on that ughhhhhhhhhh! Time to draw pictures of Napoleon...yay...

way too long!

It's been way to long since I've blogged! I'm not even sure what to post about! So much has happened! The birthdays of the two biggest fans of life and times! (Sonya and Nicole: I'll hit you up when I'm legal ;)) I got accepted to a college including their honors program and a scholarship (but it's my safety school so I hopefully won't even have to consider going), got deferred from another school. Took midterms and officially became a second semester senior. Ahhh it feels good to blog! I've barely been home which means I barely have time to sleep let alone document my busy life. In Psychology we're learning about motivation and desires so I'm going to make a list of things I want right now.
1) To get into my top choice school (I'm being weird and superstitious, but I feel like if I post the name I'll jinx myself!). I changed my app to Early Decision which increases my chances and means I find out at the end of the month. I'm ridiculously nervous especially since I got deferred from one of my other schools. Which by the way sent me into a self pitying low self-esteem mode. Which is stupid and I hated feeling that terrible and I complained to some supportive friends perhaps a tad too much. Any way I had two separate dreams that I got into the school so hopefully this will be a dream come true. I'm taking it as a good omen! If I get in I'm buying so much school spirit crap for me and everyone I know!
2) A love letter! I was on StumbleUpon a very amusing website that totally enables procrastination. And found this website about a girl who wrote 300 love letters. They were to friends, strangers, everyone, no one, and yes boyfriends. Also I've been watching more than my normal amount of RomComs which appeals to my sentimental side. And Valentine's Day spirit is in the air. Oh well! This one is out of my hands!
3) A ukulele! I really want one to play cool songs on. I just think I should have a portable instrument I can jam with. And ukuleles are perfect for cute, quirky girls who like singing! So I'll probs order one online with my babysitting money soon. Finding the right one is tricky though!
4) New TOMS! The pair I have are actually falling apart! I was looking at 3 pairs earlier today, but it's a big decision!I wear my current pair practically every day.
5) My cartilage pierced. I promised myself I'd get on that after I applied to colleges which I finished!!! However, now I'm considering just waiting until after musical cause I might have to take it out for the show and I would NOT want it to close up.
6) More time! I'm ridiculously busy right now! I've been putting things off so much. Doctor's appointments, getting my hair cut, shopping, cleaning my room (even with all the time in the world that'd be a struggle for me though!)
7)Springtime! I want it to be warm enough to wear my pink flowery dress again! I don't do this whole winter thing well!
8) Strike that I want to leave this state! Which comes at end of Summer. Scary but exciting! Don't get me wrong I love you garden state and I do love my life in New Prov, but it's been far too long and I need the change and the excitement of a place where no one knows my middle name! I need a fresh start too.
wow what an insightful look into my psyche that's pretty scary. Well, recently I've been very blaze about how people feel about me. If people want to judge me they can. Yes but all is well on the home front and maybe I'll try to stay more consistent with my blogging... yeah about that! 

MUN-days

Bright and early for Friday I left for the 2012 Model United Nations conference. I lugged all my stuff to the school and prepared myself for the long and cold bus ride. My stuff included my huge photography book, and my fuji camera. (What? Can't miss a day!). I found my friend Josh who was in my committee last year and this year so we caught up. As per usual New Prov delegation arrived late and missed the brunch. (Good scheduling Mitchell sensei). So before heading to committee I stopped at the Hershey Lodge coffee shop, the Cocoa Beanery, for a chocolate chai and a chocolate croissant. YUM! Everything from that cafe is amazing. From there on out my weekend was eat, sleep, committee. My committee was Envirotech for the 3rd year. Envirotech is like the best committee ever <3. We debate cool topics and have tons of fun. And this year my country was Norway. Norway had really good views for the topics and it's always amazing to have a 1st world country! There were a bunch of people who came back from last year. It was great to work with them again. On the 1st resolution we debated I passed an amendment! 3/4 authors deemed the amendment friendly so we still had to enter unfriendly amendment debate. The dissenting author was really kind of annoying so I'm happy my amendment passed. :D. Over the weekend I passed 2 other resolutions. Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Meyers are so chill as advisers though. Friday night Abs and I went to the St. Joe's hallway so my buddy Josh (his country was Myanmar hahaha) could drop off his stuff. While walking down the hallway we had several questionable comments made as us. We were referred to as "babes" and to phrase it delicately Josh was sent some encouraging words. Pretty objectifying, but also kind of flattering. Then in the hallway we ran into one of Abby's friends from committee so we went to the lobby with some nice looking catholic school boys. Oh, also while on that floor we smelled a ton of pot! Who says MUN is for geeks? Besides committee the most exciting part of Saturday is the dance/activity time. The dance is pretty sketchy. Lots of dirty dancing and hook ups with strangers. Well, none of that for me. Though I was sort of asked to the dance... Well a boy from my committee asked me if I'd be going to the dance. He also sent me a character development award in committee. Their like little compliment sheets. Haha but he didn't even say hi to me at the dance, so who knows what went down. After dance time once again Abby, Josh, and I ended up in the St. Joe's hallway. We found some of the guys we were talking to Friday. I kind of flirted with one of them... hey c'mon don't judge! He was cute and I knew nothing would come of it. Last day is always really fun. We just kind of joke around and pass fake resolutions. And we all get really sad when we say good bye. It's really weird that I won't be going back next year. I'm sad it's over but my last year was fantastic. I'm pretty sure everyone in my committee liked me, all my outfits were adorable, and I was really successful. At least it was an amazing last year.

T'was the season for not blogging tralalala

Haven't blogged in so long! haven't even blogged about Christmas. Christmas shopping and wrapping was so stressful this year! Kicking off the holiday season was an ugly sweater party. I wore one of Nicole's mom's sweater. I looked pretty awesome :P. Once again, I ended up with Nicole and Sonya taking Christmas pictures on people's lawn, but this time Abs was there too. Christmas was awesome! I got an instaprint Fuji camera and Hunter rainboots! I spent Christmas chilling, watching movies, and just enjoying the day. Also at secret Santa I got sweet oxford boots from Sonya. I gave Emma a photography print and some jewelry, I think she really liked it.My buddy Rob also gave me a photography book. I kinda, really love it. Saturday was a trip to the city to see the tree. Nicole really wanted to go! We got lunch at this delicious Korean place. I got some amazing soup! The group was Sonya, Nicole, me, Thomas and Gabe. Good talk :). Then it was time for New Year's Eve at my house. It was incredibly stressful! Some of my friends were being very obnoxious though! At least I had a cute new outfit. I started my one instaprint pic for a year. It's very challenging! We started Pirates of Penzance practices. At the read through I discovered I only have a couple of spoken lines. Which is pretty upsetting I feel pretty sad about it. So current obsession...SCRUBS! I found that it's instantly streamed on netflix. I've been watching so many episodes. It's actually hysterical! But it does prevent me from being totally productive! Tomorrow I leave for MUN! Still need to finish packing...oops. Ughhh I'm so bad at packing!

Confrontation

Valjean, at last we see each other plain! Monsieur Le Mayor you'll wear a different chain... wait, I don't mean the confrontation from Les Miserables! Though that song is fantastic... Internet sigh it just seems like I've been having a lot of confrontations recently. This week has actually been pretty terrible. I have so much crap to deal with. Of course there's my ever looming college apps. People have gotten into their schools and I haven't even sent out apps! (oh but congrats to my buddies Sonya and Nicole for getting into their dream schools!) But on the bright side I did my Lafayette interview Friday. It went really well! Ughhhh I want to get in sooooo badly! It was funny though cause my dad saw campus for the first time and in the car was like "Wow Mara that school is really nice! I'm impressed..." Yes dad don't be surprised. But back to complaining. Then I have family stuff going on...of course. Then I had two seperate confrontations with friends over the weekend. What messes?!?! I just want things to be better! And I'm trying so hard but my reationships are pretty screwed up. Like most of my relationships are pretty warped right now. I'm just one of those people who needs to fix things and right now some of my problems aren't really in my control. So I just have to wait out this rough patch and wait for my luck to turn around. Oh but there's also the story of how I didn't perform at Giants stadium. We walked out to the field saw an injured player, then they couldn't get him on the stretcher, so we missed our time block. So we awkwardly marched off after not performing. It kinda sucked that we got all cold for nothing, but I wasn't half as upset as some people. And they did invite us back for New Year's day, but I really don't want to go. Ooh old news but Thursday I got my recital info for jazz! I'm wearing a black sequin top with biker shorts and dancing to a remix of Flashdance! I was really excited compared to the other girls in my class, but that's okay. I also need to stop overeating so I can look hot in my costume ;). Saturday I took some pictures, went to lunch, went to the mall (I failed at gift shopping), the babysat. I love the family sit I babysit for. The kids are so well behaved and I made serious bank! My weekend ended with some funny Christmas pics with some funny people. Oh and funny story...apparently I'm doing indoor color guard? I went to the meeting to say I was just going to manage and then I got roped into performing... Oh well it's only gonna be January-March with 3 competitions not anything ridiculous. Time to do my Keaney project..here we go heart time!

A week in the life

Hmmmm so much has happened and yet nothing at all. Monday was boring. Tuesday was boring. Wednesday was ballet! And the rest of my class didn't show up so I got a private lesson with Ms. Jackie! It was ahmazing and she said I switch to a better class since my technique is really coming along! Then I came home and watched the Michael Buble Christmas special. Oh my gosh, I'm in love with him. He's adorable and his voice is absolutely glorious. I wish he was mine! Also on Wednesday I hung out with my friend Sam. We hadn't really hung out in a while so it was nice to chill and discuss all the drama in our lives. I went to pick my boots up from the shoe repair and now the stains aren't coming out so the entire boot has to be darkened to match : /.  Honestly if I ever find out who spilled that soup I will slap him/her across the face! And I'm usually not the violent type! Yes, so after that disappointment we went to starbucks. Sam's dating Alex. They're cute together, but I made sure she wasn't going too fast. We talked about my lack of a boyfriend...you know my favorite conversation (insert sarcastic laugh that eventually my cats will appreciate). Thursday was fine. I had one of those loving life moments. Does anyone else get those? I was driving home from a very good jazz class, had my iced nonfat mocha latte (mocha lattes are my fave), and was listening to Fleet Foxes. It felt sooo right :). Friday was really good. I had a Euro test hopefully I did well on it. I need to get an A this marking period, like really badly. I know I guessed the question on witchcraft right so at least that was right! Earlier in the week we had one of our debates and apparently AP Econ thought we were really loud! Guess we all know who got the more interesting class! Just kidding. So I got home from my voice lesson, took a nap on my couch, and then got all dolled up for Shalom Dragon/ Timequake. My hair looked pretty fantastic again not that there's really any boys to doll up for. Seriously not a lot of prospective men. At least not ones interested in me. Oh well, Nicole was my date and she appreciated my hair. Shalom Dragon/Timequake was really good! I was so proud of my friends! However I wish they would pick a band name so I can avoid all these backslashes... Afterwards we went to the diner. Overall a very nice evening. The next day I woke up fairly early for my Region II choir audition. I'm not really sure why I said I'd try out for it. My audition went pretty well. EXCEPT I asked to restart my solo and the judge said NO! I was supposed to be allowed one restart but oh well, I probs won't make it now :(. Then I came home and napped for a really long time. Then I went and babysat. The parents were hosting a party so I had to keep the kids entertained downstairs. The kids are kind of bratty. And they're kind of boring too. The one kid is a 3rd grade girl, she asked if I had a boyfriend...AWKS! (I like keeping themes running through my blogs) Seriously though at this point boys may be more trouble than they're worth! Yes and the kids were supposed to go to bed at 10 but didn't go to bed until 11. But I made some major bank so I guess it was okay. So that's a week in my life!