So...I think it goes without saying that it's been a while since I've blogged at all. Six months, to be exact. Half of a year without a single blog post. I would be lying if I said it was because I had nothing to blog about at all, because a lot of stuff happened. A lot of BIG stuff. I guess it's just because I'm admittedly more than a tad bit lazy.
Today I would like to make up for my long silence by cluing everybody in to what I've been up to over the past six months, and what I'll be up to over the next few weeks. Let me give you a hint: some big stuff is happening. But first, here's 25 things I got to do and see so far this year.
1. Valentine's Day
Alright. Valentine's Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine. Not because I'm a huge romantic (I've never even been on a date), but because I feel like it's a perfect day to show your friends and family how much you care about them. In school I always liked to bring my friends treats and Valentines at lunch. The theme this year: left shark. I gave every single one of my friends a punny card that had to do with Katy Perry's Superbowl shark buddy. For some reason, I thought that was a perfect idea (and I kinda still do if I'm being honest with myself). I also made sure I got myself some flowers (the pretty tulips pictured above). I'm a big believer that loving yourself is just as important as loving others.
2. The Cosmos
It's always amazing when you find a new restaurant that you love. My sister helped me find The Cosmos in East Lansing, Michigan. It's probably the coolest pizza place I've ever seen. Just look at the walls! I've been back again since I took this picture and I sincerely hope I'll be able to go back again.
3. St. Patty's Day
Okay...I'm not going to lie. St. Patty's Day is not on the list of my favorite holidays. However, I had the image of this photo in my head and searched all evening for the perfect shamrock headband. Luckily, I found it.
4. Easter
Easter was a little different this year. Partly because I had to celebrate it early and in my sister's dorm room, partly because I had to share the day with my birthday (yay, I'm 18!), and partly because on Easter morning we were in...
5. Disney World
There were many amazing photos from this trip, but this post is too long already and I feel like this is the perfect one to sum up the whole trip anyways. I think it's safe to say that Disney World will never ever be a let down.
6. Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the best cities in the state. Period. When we got back from sunny Orlando, Florida, we decided to meet my sister on Michigan's campus for a day of exploration. This picture perfectly exhibits everything we did that day, from the Literati Bookstore and Urban Outfitter's to Babo for a little refreshment. It was a perfect day.
7. Senior Prom
Alas, my final prom. This year I got to call every single one of these girls my date. Prom is definitely much more fun when you get to scream Taylor Swift lyrics and dance to Shut Up and Dance with your very best friends. This night was definitely the highlight of my senior year.
8. Spring
I just about cried when I noticed the trees were blooming. Enough said.
9. First Beach Day
Although it was too cold to even enjoy sitting on the beach, it was still amazing to see the lake after a long, freezing cold winter. On this day, we made a little video of our fun day for our broadcasting class that ended up being played on our school announcements. That was a big moment for me. I got so much positive feedback from it that I was overwhelmed. I've never been more proud of myself!
10. First Barefoot Day
This was the warmest day we had since last year. We were finally able to grill, blow bubbles, run around barefoot, play soccer, and sit in the grass. My dog's content face says it all.
11. Last Day of High School
A day that I never thought would come. After 13 long years of grade school, I finally finished! To celebrate we went out to breakfast and asked the cook to take a picture of us. You know, the usual. I was very happy to spend my final day of high school with the coolest ladies I know!
12. Graduation
I finally made it! Does this mean I'm an adult now? How terrifying. Thinking about the future is very scary and anxiety inducing, but I'm lucky to have a family that is so supportive of me and my achievements.
13. The Farmer's Market
The perfect way to start my summer!
14. Climbing the Bleachers
A moment I've probably dreamt about for a while, I actually snuck my way onto the football field of my high school to watch the sunset. It was definitely one of my favorite memories of the summer. I've gone back multiple times because it is such a good place to see the sunset. And a good place to take pictures like this:
Definitely one of my favorites.
15. My Grad Party
Such a wonderful day filled with wonderful friends (and food)! I'm so thankful for everybody that came out just to celebrate me and my accomplishments.
16. Lake Weekend
It's always great when you're able to get away for the weekend with some great friends!
17. Peonies
Peonies are probably my favorite part about summer. They're beautiful, they smell great, and they're a reminder that it's finally warm enough for flowers. I miss them already.
18. This Sunset
Sometimes you just have to park on the side of the road so you can get out and take a picture of the sunset.
19. Birthday Beach Day
To celebrate two of my closest friends' birthdays, my little neighborhood gang decided to spend the evening at the beach eating donuts and lighting sparklers, which resulted in...
20. Sparkler Pictures
I've been trying to learn how to take the photos I want to on my camera, and my friends and I messed around until we finally got a picture that looked pretty cool (if you can't tell, that's a heart).
21. Fourth of July
I've always loved the Fourth. Every time I think of summer, I think of sitting on the beach or on the dock, lighting sparklers, watching fireworks, and eating hotdogs and s'mores by a bonfire. On the Fourth of July, I did every single one of those things.
22. Wildflowers
Nothing is cooler than a field of wildflowers. Nothing.
23. Fruit Pie
I made a blueberry pie for the first time! It definitely wasn't a four-star dish, but it certainly was fun to make.
24. Blue Moon
I finally figured out to take pictures of the moon, just in time for the largest moon I have ever seen in my life.
25. The Sky
I have fallen in love with the sky every single day this summer. Half of the pictures in my camera are of the sunset or the clouds. This is what I'll miss most when the dark clouds roll in this winter.
So, there it is. Six months in 25 of my favorite pictures.
While I have been pretty busy over the past few months with Disney World, prom, graduation, and my graduation party, I will admit that July has been pretty dead. However, I am happy to announce that this Thursday I will be on a plane to London. This will be the first time I've gone to Europe and I couldn't be more excited and nervous all at the same time. My sister has been studying abroad for about five weeks now and I've missed her so much. It will be amazing to see her again! I've always wanted to go to London, so I'm definitely crossing this one off of my bucket list. But while I am very grateful and excited for this trip, I'm also a little apprehensive. Traveling and I have never been friends and airplanes are my worst enemy. Eight hours seems like a very, very long time to fly. Also, when I get back I'll only have two weeks of summer vacation left. Thinking of another cold northern winter is enough to make me have a mental breakdown, and the thought of college still makes my stomach turn. But, more on that later.
For now, I'm happy to be going to London and I will definitely post some pictures from the trip when I get back next week.
Have a good week, everyone, and wish me luck with my travels!
