Time is fleeting. Goodbye, 2008

I almost cannot believe that the year will be over soon. 2008 has brought me many great memories. There’s something about a new year that is both exciting and scary. Exciting, because it is something fresh, something new. You can make a resolution and start off with a clean slate. Scary, because the year feels like it has gone by so fast you haven’t fulfilled every goal you wanted to accomplish in that year.

I don’t want to forget this 2008, so, I’m going to write one memory about each month of this year, one memory that made me happy, sad, or had hit me in any way. Marking the milestones, here I go.

January
What I remember from this year is my birthday. No, I didn’t have a party, but it was still a fantastic birthday to me. I come in to school and I encounter two balloons that I carry around all day. Songs were sung to me, and although I was embarrassed at the time, I secretly enjoyed the singing. And after school, I remember that I had to stay after for some reason…I wish I remembered what reason…but I come in to the PAC (Performing Arts Center) and everyone in the drama club sings to me. It was great, I didn’t even think a lot of them knew about my birthday, but they did, and I felt loved. I’ll never forget that moment.

February
This was a particularly good month, I think auditions for Big River were held during this month. Again, I don’t have a good memory, but I’m pretty sure it was this month. I got gifts on Valentine’s day, and it was all-out fun. I don’t remember this month as being stressful in IB, so that’s good.

March
Hm…I really don’t remember anything in particular happening in March. I think we were reading A Tale of Two Cities in English class, and it freaked everyone out with all the quizzing and the difficulty and the failing. Plus I had to spend time with the normals during the FCAT. It sucked. I didn’t think people could still be so dumb. Also, every so often after school, I looked forward to having Big River rehearsals, because they were really fun. Stressful, but fun.

April
Ah, yes, probably the best month of the year. The Big River shows were during this month, plus, four of the days in this month were he best ever. It was the Florida State Thespian Festival, of course! And those days were filled with fun, laughter, learning in workshops, being serenaded by a guitarist, getting a free hug, meeting brand new people, the big dance, living in a hotel not supervised by my parents, shopping at CVS, and of course, growing closer and closer to my friends. I remember a particular group that my friend and I followed around for a day, they were amazing (cute too! *wink*). I love Tampa, I mean, Tampa’s the best. I didn’t want to leave, but eventually the fun was over. However, I did fall ill this month, almost severely, and got many stares and scowls while I was coughing through watching plays during State. It was annoying more than anything. Even so, April 2008 was by far the best month of this year.

May
Finals, finals, finals!!! The end of the year was nearing and the IB freshmen were not prepared for it. Well, that’s the case for me. I remember someone stole the Biology final…What kind of an idiot does that? So, my teacher changed the test. Only one other class needed to take it. Poor things…they couldn’t mooch answers. The drama banquet was during this month. I got the Ninja Award, of course, and became an official drama club officer that day. I felt great. I was going to be the only sophomore in the officer group. I had such great expectations for the coming school year…

June
The conclusion of the school year. Excitement grew and grew until finally, the year exploded in a pile of glitter. My friend Vanita and I (she deserves to be mentioned here, because this was so epic) decided one boring geometry period that it would be cool to bring in glitter and spray it everywhere on the last day of school. Well, she was going to Trinidad the last day of school, and I happened to have a bottle of silver glitter handy. We could see trails of Vanita throughout the day :D. Silver was everywhere. On everyone’s hair, skin, clothes, classrooms, the works. You would think the teachers would be pissed, but my spanish teacher actually WANTED glitter in her hair. She’s so cool. And on the very last day, the car riders gathered and were showered in beautiful glitter. Summer had begun. I started my journey to New York the next week, it was pretty much epic. Went to the Pokemon Store, Times Square, etc. And it was jolly good fun. I’m allergic to Chinatown, but it’s okay…I think. I met two of my cousins for the first time…I was surprise I hadn’t met them before. I went to Maryland. It was forshadowing what was to come.

July
After a stint in the north, I come back. Secretly, my parents were packing up, so I wouldn’t get upset. But I kind of knew we were moving. But…I couldn’t admit that to anyone. I cried nearly every night, and I couldn’t bring myself to pack. I think I went to a Wii party first, and a week later I found out for sure we were leaving. My home, my place, my friends. It was terrifying. This was the start of the decline. The honeymoon period was over, I was descending to hell…

August
I finally got up the courage to say my goodbyes. I wish I had said them sooner. An emergency farewell party was held for me, which I would still like to thank the people responsible for it profusely, because it was a great sendoff. I got a big-ass card that I have on the wall right now. It means so much to me. And on August 3, 2008, I was off. On the yellow moving truck, away from my home, never to be seen again. I took in the scenery in the window hungrily, as if it were a feast for the eyes. Tears fell throughout that day, secretly. This was also the month of my first few days at school. I felt so alone wandering the halls. The school is effing huge, you know. And the stairs…oh God. Nothing felt real to me, and I wasn’t over moving at all.

September
I think one of the days this month I went to the beach/bay/park whatever it is. It was one of the best days I’ve had here in Maryland. Various families were gathered, and we played the whole day. However, I was beginning to think I was on the borderline of depression at this point, because I never stopped feeling sad, unless there was something like that day at the beach to distract me. I felt sad, alone, and distant from those who cared about me. Plus, there was always that distant possibility that I would go back home. And again, the feeling that nothing is real here.

October
At this time, I was still very sad. Actually, I still AM very sad now. But this was when I began to establish a solid group of friends. Sure, I had acquaintences, but I always had a small feeling that they didn’t want to be full-time friends. And of course, it’s very loserish to start having friends at such a late time. But, at least I was progressing. Even at this time, I never ceased to notice the flaws in my school and its people.

November
One of my better months. I went to two Thanksgiving parties in one week! I went to Virginia Beach and went to one there, played a brief game of Cranium, and called it a night. I also went to a kind-of party up here in Maryland, my second cousin held it. We had pizza from a place that sells theatre-themed pizza (Broadway Pizza, of course) and that day was the first day I wore my checkered fedora in public.

December
The last day of school this month, there was a water main break in Bethesda, causing the day to be cut short. But alas, a good day indeed. I went to a party that day, a celebratory xmaz party. I met some new people there too. The main attraction here, however, was that my family had a party during Christmas. Money and gifts were exchanged, and I was very tired at the end of the day. I went to Ikea for the first time in months, so that was momentous. And now, here I am, blogging about the year.

So all in all, my year started up at the top, but then down to a steep slope. It’s not going down anymore, but has reached a steady pace. Low, perhaps, but steady. No more emotional roller coaster. I can tell that there’s a difference in tone when I write my memories of the year from January to December, but I guess that was inevitable, with the move and all. I still feel like there are more things I could have done this year, but hey, there’s another year to come. Another year and a fresh slate. My New Year’s resolution? To reinvent myself for the better. Let’s call it the Laura v2.0. I’ll start off with some mirrored shades and span off from there.

Until next time! Ciao! Happy New Year everybody!!!