The Goodbye

This is it fellow classmates. The final blog.

First off, I want to say that blogging all year has greatly developed me into a better writer than what I was before. I realized that there is much more to writing than just using proper grammar; one must write with emotion and passion, it is far more important than spelling. I would also like to mention how much I enjoyed this AP Language class. Although it was an AP class, it didn't always seem like one (I mean that in the best way possible Ms. Gunter). Something about the atmosphere was relaxing, and it enabled me to actually enjoy the time I spent in the room.

Secondly, I want to thank everyone for making the class, and the whole school year, a blast. I may seem like a meanie at times, and maybe even come off as arrogant to some. But I assure you, I don't mean to be. I'll deeply miss all of you next year.

James Shockley is such an inspiration. Let's face it, we all love DC. Sure, Mr. Constant would have been nice, and a win in Halls and Walls would have been too, but regardless, we love it. We are madly in love with the four years we spent here, and the people we spent them with. How could you not be? I would like for you to read a passage from a book called Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller.

And I could not have known then that if I had been born here, I would have left here, gone someplace south to deal with horses, to get on some open land where you can see tomorrow's storm brewing over a high desert. I could not have known then that everybody, every person, has to leave, has to change like seasons; they have to or they die. The seasons remind me that I must keep changing, and I want to change because it is God's way. All my life I have been changing. I changed from a baby to a child, from soft toys to play daggers. I changed into a teenager to drive a car, into a worker to spend some money. I will change into a husband to love a woman, into a father to love a child, change houses so we are near water, and again so we are near mountains, and again so we are near friends, keep changing with my wife, getting our love so it dies and gets born again and again, like a garden, fed by four seasons, a cycle of change. Everybody has to change, or they expire. Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.

With that, I want to say goodbye. Much love. Mucho grande.

The Memories

It's came to my attention that I still have two more blogs to write, so I apologize if they are in no way about Chic-Fil-A. I'm sure you won't mind that much.

Tonight was senior awards night. At first I was skeptical about how it was gonna' go, I really didn't know how many people were going to attend, or how serious it would be taken in general. I have to say, I was impressed. The auditorium was full kids and parents, most of which were adorned in nice outfits. If you didn't already know, I won the "Best Ninja" award. You may have seen me sprint to the stage and tumble across and receive my award. It was no big deal.

As soon as I got home I got on Facebook of course. I chuckled to myself as I saw numerous statuses about the end of senior year, and how no one was ready for it to be over. I'm sorry to do this, but I told you so people. The same people who had been ready to move on for so long are laying in their beds tonight lying wide awake with so many things on their minds. Things concerning the activities of their senior year of high school. They're probably thinking about all the things they missed, or the things they were just "too cool" to do. I really only have a small hint of advice for them.

Stop.

Sure, we all made mistakes as a teenager. We all at one point have done something we wish we hadn't. Or not done something we wish we had. Come one though, we have a couple weeks left. Stop fumbling through your regrets; start making up for them. I know 12 days isn't that many, but you would be surprised about how much you can do in that short amount of time, especially considering our situation. Do everything you can these next days, do a lot of things you won't regret.

I know I will.

The Memories

Recently, there has been tragedy at Chic-Fil-A. Ever since I have worked there, we have always had three good and hardworking managers. And when I say "good", I mean that they let the employees do pretty much whatever we want (to an extent). Just the other day, one of these managers was fired. Rumors and speculations quickly spread around about the reason(s) why. I really didn't believe any of them, but due to the fact that the information of why he was fired was not released to us, I have to assume that it was pretty bad.

There has been utter chaos this past week in dealing with this tragic blow. Our boss has been struggling to find another worker who is responsible enough/has enough time to take up the reigns as team manager. I have a looming feeling that whoever he appoints, will definitely not be as cool and acceptable as the old manager was. I have discussed my thoughts with other employees, and many of them share my same fears. Pray for me please, this is my future we're talking about here!

As most of you know, this past Saturday was prom, and being a senior, the night was HUGE for me. Some of you may have seen me there, I had the privilege of escorting the beautiful Mallory Osborne around and about. I would just like to say, the whole night was amazing, I enjoyed every moment and wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. It always amazes me how much fun a person can have when they live put everything behind them, forget about what's in front of them, and live in the moment. And of course, put themselves around the right people. :)

You're probably wondering how these two tales connect.

Prom is over now (in saying that, I'm also going to mention that the end of the school year is drawing to an end) , and as I woke up from my long nap today, the depression set in. People have always said to enjoy your senior year of high school, or just high school in general. Not until this moment have I realized the complete truth in their advice. Lately I have been thinking about my future in college. The saying of "turning over a new leaf" really doesn't fit me too well. Although I am slightly excited about experiencing new things and meeting new people, I really do not want to turn my leaf over. My life is great how it is right now; I am completely content, as I always have been. I have so many decisions in front of me. Decisions that will define who I am as a person, and who I want to be for the rest of my life. Am I ready to make them? Pray for me please, this is my future we're talking about here!

In closing, I would like to say one last thing. I oftentimes notice people talking about how they absolutely hate high school, and cannot think of anything but moving to college. I have even been guilty of the thought at times. Prom turned my opinion around though, strangely enough. I now believe that no one should want life to speed up, but slow down. We all take many things for granted in our everyday lives, from a cool manager to our senior year. Starting now, my plan is to stop taking these things for granted. I realize that our number of days left as high school students are limited, and I plan on enjoying every last bit of them. Take pictures, take chances, laugh, enjoy yourself, and enjoy the time spent with the people that mean the most to you. STOP wishing you were somewhere else. Soon it will all just be memories.

John Mayer - Stop This Train. Listen to it.