Into the Archives 53-Baptism

It's been a few days short of 11 years since I was baptized. One of the best decisions I've made but a hard one because the process leading up to it was terrifying. I had a really bad case of stage fright when I was younger so having a spotlight on me in any form petrified me. I knew baptism was important and I wanted to do it but I didn't want anyone to come to watch. I just wanted to get it over with. I honestly don't know what I was afraid of. I wasn't afraid of water, I didn't think I was going to embarrass myself and I wouldn't have to do any talking if I didn't want to and yet anything that involved preparing for that day was very hard. It was a struggle because I wanted a say in how the program would go but whenever I was asked to give my input, I froze up and ran away. Somehow everything was coordinated and the day came.

My birthday happened to fall on a Sunday so I was baptized a few hours after church. I dressed in my little white jumpsuit so I felt like a karate kid as I did a few air drop kicks in the hall while no one was looking. Then people started showing up. I was really hoping everyone would forget to come but apparently pretty much the whole ward decided to show up. Wonderful. I sat there just trying to keep myself calm as my bishop gave a talk and my mom sang a song. Then it was time for the baptism. I stepped into the font. Everyone has horror stories about the water being to hot or cold but this water was perfect. As soon as it was done, a rush of relief swept over me. My mom helped me dry my hair and get dressed in my new white dress. I felt like a princess. I sat through the rest of the program, way more at ease now. The next talk was given after which I was confirmed by my dad. It was done and I felt great.

Rest in Peace, My Childhood

Growing up for me has been a rough concept. I don't want to leave the comforts of my childhood but I also don't want to look needy. I've shed more than a couple tears over this dilemma and pretty much everything that has to do with adulthood. Thursday night, with less than an hour until my 18th birthday, I wrote this poem-like piece. As I wrote it, I found myself coming more and more at peace with my situation. As I went back and read what I had wrote, I hardly edited it. Very uncharacteristic of me. I couldn't believe that I had just written it. I posted it on Instagram right at midnight but I thought I'd share it here too. Maybe year's from now, I'll look back, read it again and think its stupid but it's what got me through my 18th birthday, which I had been dreading for over a year. So here it is with a bonus of a slideshow for fun.


 https://picasaweb.google.com/100916094605592356933/18Years?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPPu8o6a_s2f0wE&feat=directlink

Rest in peace, my dear Childhood. You have served me well. So many happy memories of which many I could tell. Adulthood seemed so novel when I was young. Now it's daunting and scary as it drags me along without a choice. I don't want to go there.
 Please take me back, my Childhood. I didn't appreciate you near enough. It was easy back then. There wasn't stress or a to-do list that stretched longer than I will live. Money wasn't a necessity but simply a toy and work was just chores around the house. Time came in great abundance and I could read silly fiction for hours. Schooling was simple and fun. Why did no one tell me that all of that would change so fast? To treasure it, to make it last? 

Take me back, my beautiful childhood. I had no idea how much you spoiled me until recently. Now you lay down still, leaving me in the hands of this stranger named Adulthood. Are you sure I'm safe with it? How can I be sure? Oh please, talk to me just once more! 

But wait, is that a heartbeat I hear? Is there life still left in you? Yes, come back! Your eyes open, just a crack. I grab your hand. You speak softly so only I can hear as you whisper in my ear. "Be strong, young woman. Take your memories with you and keep me in your heart, for this is just the start. Though I may be gone, my spirit will stay with you. Adulthood will lead you down many paths that I could never find. So many new opportunities that I could never give you. It's time to move on, now let me go. You have a new path to follow. Just don't forget me and you'll be fine. I love you, dear Child of mine."

My Childhood, you draw your last breath at midnight. A tear or two fall from my eyes as you slip away. I draw a shaky breath and gently rest your hand by your side. I stand and slowly face Adulthood. It's looks at me and smiles. Something is different. I realized I can become friends with it. Maybe it's not such a bad thing after all. 

My childhood, you will be greatly missed. I will now rely on Adulthood to carry me through the rest of my life. Rest in peace, my Childhood. Your resting place is in my heart where you will never be forgotten.

The Birthday Sushi Tradition

For a few years now, my parents and I, sometimes along with another friend, went to a Japanese Steak House for my birthday. I haven't really had a birthday party since I was maybe 11 or 12 either. So to change things up, I decided to have a little birthday party where we made sushi.

 To get ready, my mom and I, along with the Hales, went to the Asian supermarket. We found some strange and fun stuff there.

 Then we went to my house to start chopping veggies.

 KEW started the grill and accidentally burnt a couple grill tools.

 My friends showed up and we made sushi. Simple as that.

  My dad even bought me caviar!

 

While a few friends were waiting for rides, we went up to KEW's room to explore. Who'd have guessed it would be that interesting?

Anyway, it was a great super 17!

Timeline-2011

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is a (not so) quick but quickest overview of my 2011. If you want to know it all, just read my entire blog. Good luck!

February 11th: (which happens to be my brothers birthday) was when I started this blog! A very important event I'd say.

March 19: (no post) Stake Cinderella Ball

March 3rd: The beginning of Into the Archives. Over there under "Labels" is a tag called ITA. Click on that.

April 11th: I got the ultimate haircut of the decade! Actually I'm serious. I might not get my hair cut that short for at least 10 years. It could happen though. I'll have to see...

Mid-Mayish: I got my goodreads account. Yup that was a great idea! I'd sugest you get one if you haven't already.

May: Passed my first year of early morning seminary. Well OK maybe I did more then just pass seeing as I got the Stake Presidents award and all.

February-March-April-May: I LOVED track yet again! (That's 3 years of running yo!)

May 23rd: I turned 15.

Very end of May: Track awards ceremony.

June 10 & 11th: Stake YW 4th year high adventure-thingy.

June 2-5th: Can you say Chicago?

June 20-24th: I rocked Stake YW girls camp as a 4th year...without a voice the entire time. More info if you read that post.

June 29: (no post) I went to the local amusement park for the first time (never having been on a roller coaster) and seriously had a blast! I had no idea how my body would react to roller coasters because my dad loves then and my mom doesn't so there was a 50/50 chance whether I'd survive through the day. Well...it stayed 50/50. I was feeling sick over half the time but I couldn't help it! I LOVED the big rides! My favorite was the Patriot. A crazy loop-de-loop-really-fast ride.

My least favorite? The Boomerang. After just once I was really sick and it happened to be right before lunch...which I didn't eat. After an hour of groaning and laying on a bench I got up and ate 2 cups of ice cream and was magically better! Who would have guessed?

During a break we had fun with everyone's phones:

 When it got dark it was almost better than day light! The place looked like Christmas in June.

We were seriously there all day. About 10am-10pm. Turns out that is about the right time. Sick enough to want to go home but still satisfied that I had gone on all the rides I wanted to.

July 7-9th: Rode on school buses. AKA had a nice stake youth conference.

August 5-6th: Partied in Nauvoo with my "other ward".

August 9: (No post) Stake Seminary kickoff. (Seminary already?) We didn't do much but play on the playground...which turned out to be really fun!

October 13th: I started a blog that I post on daily. Mostly videos...but a few other things too. helloyoutube.blogspot.com

October 31: (no post) Seminary Halloween costume party. Everyone dressed up as someone or something from the Old testament. A few of them were a little stretched...

Happy 11/11/11!

December 27: I got my YW Recognition Award

December 25: Christmas Day

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

2012 is going to be awesome! (unless we all die of course :D )

Sushi is All I Really Need

So last Monday was my birthday. Nothing special. I went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner. That was delicious. And that's pretty much it because that is what will satisfy me. Just give me some sushi and I'll be good!
But there was one present that you should see. OK two. We'll start with the candy. My stake YW president gave me this adorable "chocolate shake".

And then there was the new camera from my parents that they got off of Craig's List. Didn't see that one coming. Its a 2003 Canon ESO Rebel. Unfortunately its been having some problems. First the CF card reader in the camera was having issues. Dad ended up opening it up and thankfully fixing it and successfully putting it back together. After that some of the buttons stopped working. We are thinking its because something in the camera came loose when it was taken apart. It still works and I can take pictures but there are some settings that I can't use. But its all good. My dad said he could open it up again sometime and see what he can do. Till then I can figure out how to do other things!

Into the Archives-12

5/19/2011

Because my birthday is next week I figured I should do an ITA post on a past birthday.
Well I have very few pictures of any party or a birthday something so I picked this one. It was from 2006 so that means I was turning...oh let's see...10. Wow that was 5 years ago! Anyway the theme was about monkeys or something. I think the year before it was a jungle theme so I already knew how to decorate! I used ideas from the Family Fun magazine and American Girls Snooze-a-Palooza! I just invited two friends. It was small and simple yet very fun!

A few more pictures!

https://picasaweb.google.com/beautyoftheearth3579

Into the Archives-8

It was my 4th birthday in 2000 and I adored Pooh Bear. (I still have a soft spot for that little character.) Hence the extravagant cake that mom made. What's even better...we still have those little toys from the cake.

More Pictures!