Gooooodbye, Summer sunshine!

Name that tune!

*crickets*

Ok, never mind. I'm obviously the only person I know that listens to the Corrs. 

Go check them out. They're pretty awesome. 

ANYWAY.

I've neglected my poor blog this summer. Not that I've exactly been overwhelmingly busy... just overwhelmingly lazy. 

Yeah, yeah, I know. Not a good thing.

So. This summer. It's almost over. 

I have exactly 29 days until I leave SC to go to Boston. 

I'm excited. :D

About my summer. 

Emma and I went to see Wicked. It was FANTASTIC.

We had a good time. Not like I was expecting us to NOT have a good time. But it was amazing. She was GREEEEEN. SO many people asked for pictures with us. It was great. :D :D 

What else happened this summer? OH YEAH. I got addicted to True Blood. Damn you Emma. Pam's my fav. :D Lorena's pretty bad ass too. Bill is just a whimpy-ass bitch. And Eric is just too low for my liking. Just sayin'. 

Just for good measure.

I got my rooming assignment! And my roommate assignment... too bad she still hasn't emailed me back. Not gonna lie, I'm a little irked about that. BUT, you never know. She might be on a grand adventure in Europe (or foreign continent of your choosing) without access to a computer. I don't know. I just don't like the idea of going to college and the first time us meeting is when we move in. I don't like that idea at ALLLL. :\ Oh well. 

ALSO concerning college, I think I have my schedule ironed out. I do unfortunately have 8 am classes... I couldn't get out of them. :( But... my schedule's really not that bad. I like it. I still have to take a placement test for Theory (Ooh, I need to do some reviewing...) and for keyboarding. Not excited. I am excited about my Art and Religion class and my Writing Seminar, which is on Arthurian Legend. YAY. :D

Other happenings of the summer.... Emma and I went to the new Apple Store! (I love Apple. <3)

In case you haven't noticed a trend yet... I don't think Emma and I have gone more than a week without seeing each other this summer. It's amazing she doesn't hate me yet. Yet... :P

And speaking of being with Emma, we went to see Despicable Me, which is the CUTEST movie EVER.

I want a minion. NOW.

 Pleeeease??? THEY'RE SO CUTE I'M GONNA DIIIIE!!!

Ahem. Anyway. 

Things are picking up though. I'm "helping" with the Greenville Opera's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. (And by helping I mean I did some editing of parts, some minor stuff with costumes, take Emma to rehearsals, and play in the orchestra.) I get to play viola, which I'm happy about, because I've missed playing viola. 

I've also gotten repertoire from Ms. Keyes! 1st movement of Wieniawski  *gulp* and the Sinding Suit. AAAAAH. Imma die. O.o

So that's about it. I'm going to Kitty Hawk on Monday to go to the beach with my aunts, my uncle, and my grandmother. Not looking forward to the 7 hour drive. Very MUCH looking forward to family and the beach. :)

And then The Magic Flute. And then two weeks. And then Boston.

HOORAY! :D

Freeee, Free at Last!

My. I'm going to have to change the name of my blog. Because I am no longer in high school.

THANK FREAKING GOD.

Wade Hampton Graduation was last night. Ok, that's a lie. It's 2:30 am. It was two nights ago. Thursday night. Whatever. I'm just glad I could get the darn thing over with so I could go on with my summer!

And what gloriousness my summer has been since Emma and Alex finally got out of school! I get to spend so much more time with them now, which is absolutely lovely. I'm going to miss those girls so much.

AND OMG WICKED IS NEXT WEEK.

Guess who's dress still isn't done? Yeah, that would be mine. I'm thinking I might have to give up. Buuuuuut, there was a really pretty pink dress at the Clothing Warehouse... and if it's somewhere around my size... I'm getting it. Because even though it looks nothing like the "Popular" dress, it's very much Galinda-ish. And thus will do. 

AND EMMA'S GONNA BE GREEN.

It's going to be fantastic. I'm so SO SOOOO excited.

Even though I spent $10 on a scrawny little bottle of loose eye shadow just for this.

But that's ok. It's so worth it. 

Other exciting things.

I got a MacBook Pro. HOORAY. I've been wanting one FOREVER. 

It's beautiful. :)))))))))

And... It's 2:36 in the morning. Why the hell am I still awake? This has been such an ADD blog (though really, what's new?). 

Oh, seven hour hikes suck. They mess up your knees. 

I'm still pissed at Sarah Rogers for making me do that hike. 

:P

Wow. This has been a really pointless blog. I should probably attempt to go to sleep. 

But that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?

Me Graduating. :P

Because I knew you... I have been changed for good.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

[...]

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend... 

~Wicked

You guessed it. This is my annual tribute to the seniors, and since I'm one myself, a tribute to some of the underclassmen that have touched me this year (or in years past).

Strings Seniors

Beth Uhimchuk

Oh Bethy. *ahem* Beth.

We've been together since my first year at FAC. I know we had our differences in the beginning, but I'm glad these have long been put aside. Beth, you are a dear friend, and a brilliant violinist. Don't you EVER let someone undermine your talent. Ever. 

We part with many fond memories, including, but certainly not limited to the adventures of Oven Toasted Buttered Muffin and Splinters, Shostakovich Quartet, and countless GCYO and Chamber concerts.

I'm going to miss you and your craziness next year. Keep up the night job girl. ;)

Good luck next year at Cincinnati! I know you will thrive there. :)

Missy Gaddy

   Missy Gaddy! This is the exclamation that is proclaimed whenever you walk into the room, and I shall never forget it. Missy, you were in my first ever quartet at FAC. That makes you pretty freaking special. You, along with Evelyn (I'm getting to her in a minute) and Sarah Rogers made me feel welcome into the Chamber Music department at FAC. You were part of the group that helped me take my first steps at FAC.

You, my dear Missy, are one of the kindest people I have ever met in my life, and I envy your positive attitude, and your ability to NOT complain when you're having a bad day. You're always full of smiles, and I shall miss you next year. 

Good luck at Wofford!!!!

Evelyn Maris

  The thing that stands out about you... is that you're so freaking happy. 

Like... seriously. I'm pretty sure that you and Missy could have a HAPPY contest... and I think, even though it would be close, that you would win. But that's what makes you special. :)

You, like Missy, were in my very first group at FAC, which also makes you special. 

I shall miss you and your constant optimism next year (not to mention the back popping ;) ).

And, like Missy, GOOD LUCK AT WOFFORD!!

Anna Catherine Bowden

 First of all, disregard the creeping Kevin in this picture. :P

So, we FINALLY got to be in Chamber together this year.

And we didn't get to play Brahms C minor. :(

We DID, however, get to play SHOSTAKOVICH. I think that was a fair trade.

Anna, you are such a sweet person, as well as a fun, crazy, and patient friend. Thanks for tolerating me (and Beth ;)) this year. :)

Good luck at Washington and League!!

Voice Seniors

Kelsey Rigg

  Oooooooh Kelsey. Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey. 

I don't even know where to begin. You're crazy. You're beautiful. You're talented.

And I freaking love you. 

I'm always blown away by your music theater performances. Everything from "Vanilla Ice Cream" to "If" has been beyond amazing, and... I'm just blown away. You go girl. 

I've enjoyed our morning talks this past semester, as well as hanging out with you and the girls in the voice room. And thanks for doing my hair for the Voice Recital, since Lexi kinda failed... (Love you Lexi)

I love you, and good luck next year at Anderson!! You're going to blow some socks off, I know it. :)

(P.S.- CALL ME WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR BROADWAY DEBUT. I better have some front row tickets. ;) )

Samantha Schrader

(this is a problem. I don't have any pictures of us.)

Sammy, Sam, Sam. I so enjoyed getting to know you this year. You are such a sweet and talented young lady, and I can't wait to see where you go. Thanks for all the fun times, the hugs, and the laughs!!

Good luck next year!! I love you!

Lexi Aimé

 Oh Lexi. My number one diva. :)

I will admit, when I was first getting to know you, you intimidated me. But, that was silly. You are a sweet, beautiful, and extremely talented young woman.

I'm so glad we got to do Monica's Waltz together! It was an honor to get to perform with the Great Lexi Aimé, and girl, I WILL call you. And we WILL do Glitter and Be Gay. 

And I will forever be your Voice Slave. :P

Good luck at Oberlin next year!!

Underclass(wo)men

Emma Ritter

   Oh God, I haven't even typed anything and I'm tearing up. 

There is no other way to put it. You are my bestest best friend. And I know you know this. And I know I know this.

You are a beautiful, intelligent, and EXTREMELY talented young woman. You need to stop undermining your talent and GO WITH IT. And don't stress out too much next year. Yeah, easier said than done, I know. 

There are no words that I can think of that express just how much I love you and our friendship. 

I... I'm going to miss you more than you realize. 

Dammit, I'm crying. Again. 

I LOVE YOU. 

 

Alexandra Mauney

Writing this is no easier than writing Emma's. You complete our trio. You are the calm one, the one that controls Emma and me, and keeps us from getting into too much trouble. However... seeing you in a tattoo parlor was pretty funny... :)

Words again fail me when trying to express how much our friendship means to me. You are also one of my best friends, and I can't imagine how I could have survived this year without you and Emma. 

I love you so very, very, very much.

I think this warrants a picture of the three of us. 

<3 <3 <3 <3 

Chelsea Abdalla

 ABADABADOO!

Holy crap. It's been a fun three years with you. We've both been through a lot of ups and downs together, but we've always had each others' backs. We have many fond memories, my favorite probably being the Passacaglia. That was fun. 

We've survived through Physical Science. We've survived through Chamber. We've survived through AP Lang, French, and Music History. Honey, we're troopers!

My darling, I shall miss you, your beautiful smile, and your energetic playing so much. 

Thank you for everything. I love you dear. <3

Christina Beckert

 Haha, wow. It's been an interesting year. 

Well, first of all, I'm glad I was able to be a friend you could confide in, and that I could confide in as well. Our weekly Chickfila trips were epic. Especially went we blasted Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, or Britney Spears. 

I'm so glad I got to play viola with you! Joplin was pretty epic. :)

I love you, and I'm going to miss you!!

Each and every one of you has touched my heart this year. And each and every one of you have left 'a hand print on my heart'. "And, because I knew you... I have been changed for good."

Dammit. I'm crying. I can't take this shit anymore.

The home stretch....

I am taking advantage of my first free Tuesday night all year to BLOG. :)

Wow, so, this past weekend was intense. 

Saturday... wow. 

Most of you know what happened, but, in case you were one of those lame people that didn't come hear GCYO's final concert for the season, I'll fill you in.

Bruch... was interesting. The first movement was amazing. I felt so good about it. Until about 10 measures before the end (for me). I heard a *boing* and my heart sank down past the stage floor when I realized my A string had unraveled. 

Of COURSE that would happen during the concert. That's NEVER happened to me before. NEVER. Not even during my personal practice at home. So, of COURSE it would happen during the concert. 

So while the orchestra was playing that bit between the first and second movements, I fervently tried to retune my A, resulting in an A#. But I couldn't get it fixed in time, so I played most of the second movement with an A# string. I finally got it fixed in the middle of the second movement.

Long story short, first and third movements went really well.

The second movement, not so much. But it wasn't my fault. 

So I'm ok with it. :P

P.S.- I loved my dress. Loved it. So did everyone else. :) :) :)

The rest of my weekend was pretty chill. Hung out with some friends from Charleston who came to see the concert, then had FAC awards day, then attempted to get work done with Chelsea. 

I thought this week was going to be really chill and really relaxing.

Oh silly me. It's funny how quickly things get added to the week with a mark of a pencil in my agenda. 

Monday... nothing. Wonderful.

Tuesday... Graduation rehearsal... (ROY CALLED ME SARAH ROGERS...) NO GCYO! 

Wednesday... FAC Graduation... :( :( :( (Side note: I'm going to be bawling like a baby, fyi.)

Thursday... Kelsey's recital... OH YEAH, I forgot I told Emma I'd go to the Emrys foundation thing... FRENCH EXAM! AAAAH.

Friday.... LAST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL EVER! Audrey: Let's have a sleep-over!, Mrs. Parks: You're coming to the Voice Picnic, right?? *SWOOP TACKLE HUG*

Saturday: Aaron: GIG...., Mrs. Parks: AMARILLI WITH EMMA AT POINSETT CLUB?????

Sunday.... CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE. 

Oh wow, that was pretty much incoherent. Oh well. :P

I should go work on my French. Since I'm kinda failing at all those worksheets right now.

The Second Week from Hell is ALMOST OVER!

Ok, so, I guess I should have left this post until Sunday, but it's been one hell of a week, and I'm playing hooky today (Shhhhhhh, don't let WHHS know. :P) so I figured I'd blog.

Because that's what all the cool kids do, right?

...

Wow it's been a long week. A really, really LONG week. 

Monday was my least busiest day. Christina and I went shopping for our anti-prom masks, though we ended up having to buy crap to make our own. Mine's pretty simple. Her's is really elaborate. But they both look good.

Then I had dinner with Audrey, which was fun because I haven't really seen her since.... Christmas. It was good to catch up with her. (Even though she threw marinara sauce and it got ALL OVER the inside of my car. And my hoody. And my purse. <3)

Tuesday was long. Rehearsal went MUCH better than it did last week, but I'm still a nervous wreck. I also wasn't feeling well, and was kinda pissed about something that had happened earlier that day. Actually, about several things that had happened. But that's ok. :P

Wednesday was my AP Lang Exam. Like the AP Lit Exam, I felt like the multiple choice was REALLY easy. And again, like AP Lit, I felt like my essays sucked. :\ But afterwards, Emma and I had an epic time stamping "egg" onto hundreds of sticky notes, and sticking said notes onto Alexandra and Chelsea's cars, thus successfully EGGING them. Unfortunately, Mr. Radford and Mr. Tuttle didn't think it was as funny as we did, and came out and yelled at us, and told us to take all the sticky notes off. Party poopers. But at least Alex and Chelsea got to see their cars. They thought it was pretty funny too. :) THEN, I went to Sarah Roger's house, and we messed with makeup and hair for Saturday. And then did some general hanging out. It was good to see her again, because I hadn't seen her since Christmas either. <3

And yesterday, Thursday. Good day. Every time Bounds' phone rang, I kept expecting Emma and I to get sent to the office to legit get in trouble. But we didn't. :) The Chamber Concert went well, even though beforehand I was running around like a headless chicken because I was freaking out about having to switch from viola to violin so quickly. But it all went well. :) I still can't believe that was my last Chamber Concert ever at FAC. I'm still amazed I didn't cry. 

Today. Friday. I'm kind of a nervous wreck about tomorrow. And rehearsal tonight for that matter. 

That's why I decided to play hooky. I feel like a deserve it. Maybe? Well, I have a lot of cleaning that I need to do before tomorrow, so at least I'll be productive. I'm excited for Showcase this afternoon! Good luck to all my strings players playing in the Grier, and to all my voice girls singing! You guys will sound just as beautiful as always. :) 

Rehearsal tonight is going to be interesting. I kinda almost hope Mrs. Johnson doesn't show. That's going to make me more nervous than anything. Because she's going to scrutinize everything I do... and I don't feel prepared. Like... I'm prepared... but I'm not. I'm most nervous about the 1st and 2nd movements. I'll actually be able to relax a little during the third, which is ironic since it's the hardest. :P

It's going to be interesting. Tomorrow's going to be interesting. 

Ok, I'm freaking myself out. I'm going to go blast some Lady Gaga and clean my room.

I wondered why the volleyball was getting so big... and then it hit me.

Wow.

It kinda hit me last night, much to the dismay of Alexandra, that this week is my last week at FAC. Ever.

We graduate from FAC next week. 

Um... wow. It's a bit surreal. 

Sure, I'm ready to move on and go to college.

But on the other hand... I've been at FAC for three years... but I remember my first day like it was yesterday. 

Where did the time go??

Oh my, I can't start this now. I have to get through this week. 

And graduation.

BUT, I did survive the first week of May. Aren't you proud?

The AP Lit exam was horrible for me. Scratch that, the ESSAYS were horrible. The multiple choice was actually pretty easy. My essays = thumbs down. 

But oh well. At this point, I don't care. 

The Voice Recital was SO good! Amarilli was definitely the best we had ever done it, and Monica's Waltz went pretty well. It was boiling backstage, but I had fun being the Voice Slave. :)

GCYO on Tuesday was SO horrible, due to the fact that the Voice Rehearsals wore me out. I couldn't have played Twinkle properly if I had tried. But I am worried about the concert. The lack of rehearsal on the first two movements has me extremely worried, and I hope these issues will be addressed this week. Better late than never I guess. :P

Emma's musical went SO well! I'm so proud of her! She was really in her element, and this was the first time I had ever seen her truly do musical theatre. I was blown away. Yes, Emma, I think you could do VERY well in a career of musical theatre.

So, yeah, she's my best friend. And she's amazing. :)

The Volleyball Tourney was fun. French Club was THE WORST team there. But it was still fun. I got smacked in the face with a ball, but it didn't bruise, so it's ok. I had forgotten how much I actually enjoy playing volleyball. Even though I suck at it. 

Lexi's Recital was just as amazing as expected. I felt really bad, because the freaking AIR CONDITIONING WASN'T ON! So, if I was sweltering in the audience, I can't imagine how fried she was up on stage with those stupid lights. But, if she was uncomfortable, she didn't show it. The music was great, and she looked fabulous. 

So, that was my week basically. I lived. 

Today is Mother's Day.

I got my mom this perfume she really likes (though I doubt she'll use it; she'll probably hide it somewhere and then forget about it) and a potted orchid. I really like orchids. They're so pretty. 

To all the mothers out there, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Aaaaaaaaaaaand, I think I'm done. :P

It's May! It's May! The merry month of May!

WOW it's already freaking May. 

Aka- Three weeks until I graduate from FAC.

And a little over a month before I graduate from WHHS.

That is, if the first two weeks of May don't kill me first.

I think there are only 2 days during the next two weeks that I have NOTHING scheduled. 

I quite literally have something planned for everyday until May 16th. 

I have two voice rehearsals, voice concert, three (maybe four) GCYO rehearsals, GCYO concert, a violin lesson, two AP tests, a musical and a senior recital to attend, and a chamber concert. Plus Relay for Life Volleyball tournament, anti-prom, and whatever French club is doing on the 16th.

My two free days? Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th. And that is it.

I can't say I'm really stressed. I'm a bit nervous for the GCYO concert... but it's gotten to that point in the year where I just don't care anymore. Which is bad for my AP Lang, French, and Music History classes. :P

I'm just ready to graduate. Like... really.

Now. 

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

(That was me expressing my inability to focus anymore.)

I do have to say, although I'm a bit nervous about Bruch (ESPECIALLY the second movement, omg), I'm also really excited. MY DRESS IS AWESOME. :) :) :) :) :)

Yes, I'm more excited about the dress than anything else. That's really sad isn't it?

But it's SO pretty. Definitely the prettiest dress I've ever owned. 

So excited.

OH, small rant.

THOSE STUPID SHOES.

Where have they gone?!

I have no idea. 

Watch, they'll show up after the voice concert.

I'm willing to bet money on that. 

*sigh*

Wow, this is really ADD. Not that that's anything new. :P

OMG, I'm such a Facebook creeper.
Since this whole "I'm graduating, I don't care anymore" deal started, I've taken Facebook stalking to a WHOLE new level. It's kinda embarrassing.
O.o

Ok... this is just getting ridiculous.
I'm going to stop now.
Before your head explodes from this ridiculous randomness.
:P