Summer Breakcation

We're finally down to our last couple of months of school, and I'm resisting the urge to forget about everything and just plain call it good. As tempting as it is, that's not the kind of work ethic I happen to possess, so I'm barely holding on by a thread.

I'm burned out. Like a candle burned down to the last bit, I'm losing my appeal and my glow. I'm tired of being tired; the only cure is a summer of sleep. I'm excited to get away from Mason City for a couple of months, too. I like being in Pennsylvania because it's so hilly and beautiful. I'll also be able to drive and explore more this summer with the family's (soon-to-be-my-sister's) Subaru. (Supah Jew? Jewbaru? What?!)

Being in Penn is a nice, relaxing time for the most part. But as much as I love being away from Iowa, I miss my friends and family a lot. Sometimes it's almost awkward to come home because I've been gone for quite some time and it's hard to readjust. This summer will be interesting because my dad and step-family will be in town, so he gets to meet my friends. A couple of summers ago he took as all bowling, which was a real experience...haha.

A lot of people ask me if I have made many friends while I'm up in Penn, but it's almost difficult to make friends there because of the condo development my family lives in. A lot of older people reside there, or they have kids that are like 4 years old. Maybe I'm just weird for not wanting to hang out with senior citizens and/or babies? My dad and step-mom have been looking into houses recently and are wanting to move reallly soon. I think it'd be cool to have my own temporary "summer bedroom".

But I'm not saying that I don't have friends up there: I do. Last summer I got closer to a lot of people, which was really nice. It's fun to have friends from different places: for example, I befriended (hear me out now) my step-mom's best friend's son and his girlfriend, Ashley, (who are relatively close to my age; he's 18, she's 17) and we'll sit and talk about the things we do for fun back home and stuff. Like she thought detasseling sounded like the simplest job ever and she wished she could get paid for doing something as basic as that. They're pretty cool people and very relateable. I keep in touch via Facebook for the most part. :)

The only thing that sucks is, this summer I'm going into it with a lot of key people missing. It was hard enough being away for the summer when we all were friends, so it's even harder now that we're not. But it's okay because I've created deeper friendships with other people. (See 'Look at this Photograph'.) I get kind of excited because I love the "going away" and "coming home" parties. :) It gives me something to look forward to at the end of summer. Plus I usually am home with about 2 - 3 weeks before school starts up again anyway.

Just writing about Pennsylvania makes me want to be there so badly. The thick, humid air; the rolling hills; the beautiful sunsets; I want it so bad. I <3 IA but I'm noooot against ditching it for two glorious months. I'm excited for college in a way because I definitely want to go to school out East; it's sooo beautiful.

If you're one of those people who have never been out of the tri-state area, much less this God-forsaken town, I encourage you to explore the country. America holds beautiful things, even though it's hidden by a lot of ugly; it takes a good eye to find the positives.

Look at this Photograph

Despite all of my humorous blog posts, recently there's a bit of pain that's become embedded into my everyday life. Let me explain so I can get this off of my chest (and no, not like the Sahan escapade haha :p) :

As naive as it was for me to believe at the time, I thought that three of my supposed "best" friends would never betray me as I've seen other people do to their so-called "best friends" in high school. At school it's seemingly "okay" for the same group of friends to switch "biffles" and "besties" with each other every couple of weeks or so - you know, whenever they get bored/sick/tired/etc. of each other. Cool, huh? I didn't feel so. I had found my friends and stuck with them no matter what, good or bad. We got tired of each other, yes, but we just gave everyone space, and it just worked out.

Anyway, long story short, I lost one (friend #1, male) then I lost another (friend #2, female), then because I lost #2, I lost yet another, but final friend (friend #3, female). I mean, it's cool now; I'm not hung up on it because it forced me to recoop and test friendships with the other people around me, but God...it's weird to see them all around school and have them act like they don't even know me.

A little bit of background on all of them so that I don't seem like a total whiner:

Friend #1 is no longer my friend for completely different reasons than the other two, he isn't affiliated with the other two friends in any way, shape, or form. Things between us were messed up for a long time but for totally complex reasons that aren't even worth getting into. Let's just say due to his maturity level, I am no longer a friend of his on good ol' Facebook and have been blocked for confronting him about our problems. Awesome.

Friend #2 coincidentally became mad at me for talking to her "love interest" and giving him rides home from school when I've been very good friends with him since middle school! As of now I have been put on the dreaded "appear offline to" list on Facebook chat. Again, maturity people.
*FOR THE RECORD, "love interest" didn't even like #2 in a romantic way and told her point blank, yet I was the one blamed and ignored.

Friend #3 - follows the footprints of whateeeever it is that Friend #2 does. Sweet, someone who can't make up their own mind. Gotta love it.

Well tonight I had no homework to complete, so I sat on Facebook and MySpace - yes, Myspace - and I couldn't help but go through all of my old pictures. At first when you post last night's pictures, you don't really realize how significant they will be to you in the future, looking back into the past.

I laughed at a lot of them; all of the spontaneous things we've done are too good to be denied. I miss how random #2 was, I miss confiding in #1, and I miss hanging out for days at a time with #3. Some of the pictures brought me to tears, just seeing all of the emotion in the image. Most people wouldn't be able to pick out the stories behind some of the pictures, but they're very much there.

Even when I broke out all of the baby pictures it really killed me. I was so little and stupid back then, not knowing what was in store for me. Now I know. I can't say that I regret any of it, because I don't. And while I don't believe in the whole "no regrets" saying, I will apply it to this situation. Friendships are meant to teach you a lesson about trusting few, and learning how to let go when the time comes. It's almost sad to think that the only person you have in your life is really only yourself, but I have found that you will someday find different people that can change your mind and outlook on almost anything.

I wonder if any of us will be close ever again. It's undecided, and sure it's possible. I won't rule out any options because I don't want to make or break any promises, and I surely don't want my words to be used against me when it comes to this.

Sorry for this blog post, Mr. Dykstra. It practically oozes pathetic. Hahaha.

Kevin Gnapoor + M. Night Shyamalan = Sahan Jayawardena

Recently I have come to find that my good friend, Sahan, closely resembles some famous ethnic icons. Prime example: Kevin Gnapoor from the All-American classic Mean Girls, and M. Night Shyamalan who is a famous director that you may have heard of in the past.

Basically, I believe that Sahan also possesses some key characteristics from each of the said stars. Kevin G. is a full-time badass extraordinaire. M. Night makes confusing, depressing movies that are thought to be some of the best directed of all time. (I disagree, though; Sahan claims he will be better so I believe him.)

Now, Sahan "hates" me for saying all of these very kind things. But sometimes I catch him googling images of M. Night AND Kevin G., just to give himself a glimpse of the future. They are truly his source of inspiration and I know that he will be able to work toward the end result of being the most badass Sri Lankan filmmaker to roam the planet.

Every time someone on this earth watches Mean Girls, they definitely let Sahan know. You can tell someone has just viewed this movie by browsing (or creeping) on his Facebook wall. "OMG SAHAN YOU TOTES LOOK LIKE KEVIN G. FROM MEAN GIRLS!!!!" From girl who's already pointed this out forty-seven times in the past

Yeah yeah yeah. Sahan should honestly be flattered. Everyone knows that rap that Kevin does on stage is professional business. He should learn how to accept his awesomeness immediately so that everyone can get on with their lives and with the viewing of Mean Girls.

Sahan also is an amazing film maker. If you ever get the chance to view one of his short videos, you're truly lucky. He makes them with such a passion that you can tell this is what he enjoys to do. Everything is perfect. He has the making to replace M. Shyamalan with even better movies for the future to enjoy! Most of the Earth's population would agree that there's too much hype in M. Night's movies. The Happening was only good to me because Mark Whalberg used to be hot when he was younger.

Well after getting this off of my chest, I lost a cup size. And if I am never to be seen again, it's probably because Sahan kidnapped me and is holding me hostage in his basement. Or something like that.

Yeah! Sahan Jayawardena for President ya'll! I'm outty.

The Impossible Game

Let me have the pleasure of introducing you to the best game ever invented. The Impossible Game. Not only is this game incredibly entertaining, but it takes an elite form of gamer to exhibit the patience and determination needed in order to complete it.

Let it be clear: I am not said elite gamer. I was first introduced to this game while hanging out at my good friend Elaena's house this time last year, (we played Rockband amongst other games on the constant) when her brother - the always amazing Ben Hoekstra - suggested that we try out The Impossible Game. We all were sitting around in a group as we launched the game in complete awe and wonder.

At first glance this game contains nothing more than cubes and triangular spikes that you must avoid by pressing a single button to jump each obstacle; it's incredibly basic in design. Accompanied by some BAMF techno rave music, you must jump each block, triangle, or solid navy line in order to progress through the game. If you hit any of these obstacles, you go all the way back to where you started in the very beginning. Trust me, it sucks.

Another downside is that the game has its own built in "Attempt #" counter, which makes you feel all the more pathetic once you find that you've "attempted" winning this indie game 1904 times. It's even more pathetic when someone's recording you play it. Facebook is a powerful thing when it wants to be.

Not only is this game a great workout for your brain, it's also one for your thumbs. Dakota Osegera found it to be an excellent source of training for the Thumb War Championship, which makes no sense at all because clearly there is no such thing as a Thumb War Championship... This game comes attached with too many swear words (as do many, many other games), frustration, and overall a good time to be had with the people you're closest to.

I have not yet beat this wonderful game, but I've gotten extremely close. I'm looking forward to that day where I finally do complete it. This is without a doubt a quality game, and if you're looking for a challenge you should purchase this fine piece of software at the Xbox Marketplace. It's worth 80 Microsoft Points, or $1.

You're welcome.

My Train of Thought

I love trains.

I love sitting in my car, and waiting for trains to go by. I don't go driving around just to look for them, but when I find one I get really excited. I park right behind the last line on the |X| (sideways) and turn my radio all of the way up. I start to rock out to whatever song comes onto my favorite rock station (which happened to be The Wallflower's 'One Headlight'. Classic.) and all of the cars that are lined up behind me are probably wondering why my car is shaking and pulsing to the bass of my speakers.

Today I waited 45 minutes just for a single train to pass after I picked up something from my friend Mallory's house, and the whole escapade included the train stopping and backing up. A lot. I suppose that I just find something peaceful and serene about sitting there, completely parked, knowing that there is no stopping that train from blocking my way home. I take the opportunity whenever it presents itself.

Whenever I went to visit my grandma when I was little, I would always tell her to "follow the train" when we were driving in her car, (now, ironically, my car?) and she would. She would drive me to the next street over just to watch the train go by again, and repeat until I was satisfied. I was the train-chaser. I can't believe she did that for me, because I know that a lot of people hate trains with a burning passion.

I mean, sometimes I hate them, too, if I'm going somewhere and I'm running a tad late, but for the most part when I have nowhere to be, I enjoy the time while I can. To some this may be wasting time, but to me it's a complete luxury.

So the next time you come across a train and you have nowhere to go, just try it. Forget everything, and park. Turn on your radio, sing a few songs. It's the closest thing I have found to stopping time for a few more moments thus far. It's an amazing feeling.

Not Deserving of an Original Name = Alysha

At the beginning of the year, Mr. Dykstra found that the way I spell my name and the way it's supposed to be pronounced was "full of horse manure". Hearing this; it was like I had found out my entire life was a lie.

Although, my entire life, I've spent it being called abominations of names such as: Uh-lish-uh, and Alyssa. My personal favorite has to be Ashley. How do you even get that from my name, honestly?

Mr. Dykstra deemed me Bob from that day forth. I had no problem with such nickname between you and I, but then I found out that he's been naming other Alysha's the same thing. Wow, offensive much. I realize that we both happen to have the same name printed on our birth certificates, but maybe we should have different identifying nicknames. Sure, Bob is incredibly bland and tasteless, but maybe I wouldn't mind being dubbed as a Bill or Joe or something equally as generic.

Mr. Dykstra - I don't want you to think that I am trying to bash you on my blog. You are a very bright person and I very much enjoy your sense of humor. (Plus I actually learn about English from your class, which is something I've - sadly - not done since eighth grade with Mr. Wiedenheft.) But after finding out that you refer to people with other poorly spelled names as Bob, I got a little upset. (A little might be an understatement, though.) I went home and cried and refused to come out of my room because my mom called me by my real name, the one that haunts my birth certificate, reminding me of the seventh period events from every single day second semester.

It's a tragedy.

All in all, I felt the need to rant about my so-called individuality while having a little bit of fun.
P.S. - Sahan Jayawardena!

Licensed to kill...I mean drive.

Recently, two months after my sixteenth birthday, I finally picked up my license.

Yeah, I know what you might be thinking; I shouldn't be "allowed" to drive, I'm probably a reckless driver who's going to total her car before the end of the month.

All I can say is that is not true. I am a very responsible driver. All of my friends make fun of me because I'm so careful when I drive, but honestly why would I want to a) total my Mustang and b) get my license taken away? Clearly both of those choices aren't ideal, and my friends are just adrenaline junkie idiots. Which, I can attest to.

Well, last night I was cruising around with my sister - cruising is the best thing ever - and a girl from my school was trailing us. I knew exactly who it was because of her car. Now, I like her as a person, but as a driver she is just horrible! She shotgunned around us after riding my tail for a good mile or so, and another car was coming from the opposite way while she was passing me. That's the stupidest thing ever, at least make sure that the road is clear before you go 40 in a 25 order to pass me?

I think it's stupid how a lot of teenagers drive, and how a majority also text while driving? I like my freedom, but a lot of people abuse it by doing the stupidest things. Driving is a privilege, not a right.

As long as they stay away from me when I'm driving, I don't really care what they do.

The only thing is, even though there's all of these laws put in place about using technology while driving or driving reckless, a lot of these kids get away with it anyway. I just want to get my full license and not have to keep waiting to do so, so I'd rather take my time to get where I need to be instead of endangering myself and everyone else in the car. I want to be a driver that people feel safe being in the car with, and that's it.