Today is the first day of Junior High for me, I am now officially an 8th grade college student. One of the assignments every English teacher loves to give at the beginning of the year is an essay of "What I Did on My Summer Vacation". I thought I would jump the gun on it this year and share it with you as I had a busy, but fantastic summer! It started with my week on the University of Iowa campus for the Junior Scholar Institute. I did a writing workshop this year (Last year was Japan) and upped my skills while living in the dorm and connecting with other amazing young adults from across this country. We tried a few new restaurants this time so we hit historic places like the Hamburg Inn #2. After that was my musical theater workshop - which didn't go so well. It cemented my desire to quit dance and move on to something else. (read about it here). The summer heat had really started to kick in by this time and I cringed when I heard we were going camping for the weekend. Wyalusing … [Read more...]
What Do You Do When A Friend Tries To Kill Themself?
What Do You Do When A Friend Tries To Kill Themself? This is my story of what I did. Middle school is tough enough - our bodies are changing, cliques are starting and we are trying to figure out exactly who we are going to be when we grow up. It is even tougher when you have a feeling that you are even more different than ninety percent of your peers. When you are a 12-year-old girl and you have that one zit on your forehead each month? It's like a billboard announcing you have your period. Heaven help you if you started earlier than the girls in your grade, or if you are a late bloomer. The friends you hung out with in Elementary school are now into different sports than you, different kinds of music, different games and more. The weekly sleep-overs with them have ceased and you might not be invited to birthday parties like you used to be. Your body is developing and your center of gravity is off thanks to the new boobs, or hips that seemed to pop out overnight. Sports can be a … [Read more...]
What I Did on My Summer Vacation
I can safely say this is the best summer I’ve ever hand. Here’s just a few of the things I did on My Summer Vacation: Camp Invention- I was a Counselor In Training at Camp Invention for a week along with two of my friends. It was really great to get to work with all the little kids and I had a lot of fun teaching them new things. Junior Scholar Institute- JSI is a wonderful program in Iowa where kids grades 6-8 stay in the college dorms for a week while taking a class of your choice. It was great feeling like a "real" college student! I took the Japanese course and had a lot of fun. I also made many friends during the week. Bethel Horizons: Rock and River- This camp wasn’t quite as fun as the others (I had a panic attack after almost falling off a high rocky hill) but I still enjoyed myself. We went canoeing on the Wisconsin River, then stayed overnight on a sandbar. We went rock climbing at Devil’s Lake (where I almost fell). It was a pretty good week and I met the … [Read more...]
Modeling
A lot of my friends think it is SUPER EASY to be a model but they don't have a real clue. Everything usually starts the day before a job: I get my hair conditioned and then a manicure and pedicure with clear polish. That is simple preparation for making me camera ready. An average photo shoot can take about 5 hours -- once you work with the stylist AND the photographer. You have to go through hair, clothes, and make up before you even see a camera. Often there are a few other models there and you all keep rotating through stations. Smart planning makes it easier - I have learned to bring snacks, books and even my tablet with me for all the "down time" when you are waiting your turn. Now, let's talk location! I have had to look "warm" when doing spring clothes and there was actual snow on the ground or I did one on a ranch lately that had me sitting on a pile of wood chips. Those goofy things even got into my underwear! Don't get me wrong, it has been an amazing experience and I have … [Read more...]
Summer Planning – CAMP!
My Mom is awesome -- she finds so many cool things for me to do and is very creative about it! This summer shapes up to be incredible --she has outdone herself. It's time to talk about Summer Planning - CAMP! We planned on being fairly low key as we were bringing back (and paying to do so) the girl who we had two years ago from the Ukraine in the Circle of Love project through our church. Diana is 2 years older than me and just like a big sister! SO....the rest of the summer plans were a total surprise until we reviewed the family calendar: Final Exams are over for me on May 18th...but I am going to still be in elementary school for 3 more weeks...if my Mom's trip to Cuba works out, then I only have 2 weeks of school because I would get to skip one for traveling! The week after school is out, we have Camp Invention. My Mom is the camp parent and working NOW so I can attend FREE! (More on Camp Invention HERE!) The day after camp ends, it is my birthday AND Diana arrives in our country! … [Read more...]
Spring Break
I'M SO HAPPY!!!!! I finally got the freedom I wanted for spring break. I had a blast at my grandparents, spent the day with my other grandpa, and threw up (Long story. Allergies suck!) Anyway, I'm better now, so today I have a play date with my five year old friend who should be here in a hour, have a sleepover with my bestie, and stuff my face with fritters at the Dorf Haus fish fry with my family and bestie. So yeah, today will be awesome! Tomorrow I am attending three Easter egg hunts with my bestie, finishing a movie, watching another movie, eating popcorn, eating my Easter candy, putting out my Easter basket, and enjoying my freedom. Wishing you a happy Easter! Sarah … [Read more...]
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