Can you outgrow Christmas?

Every year, my family goes to cut down our own tree. We fight over which tree to get, trudge up hills, and are tempted to chop a head off instead of a tree down. We go to eat pizza after, and then go home and decorate the tree, usually while watching some family favorite Christmas movie and drinking Hot Chocolate.

As my sister and I grew up, we became the ones putting up the lights and decorating the tree. Last night, it was just the two of us. Is a family tradition still a family tradition if your whole family doesn't do it?

The worst part was when I found out it was my turn to do the angel. "Ugh, I don't want to. Sarah can do it." "No! I don't want to!" Years before, Sarah and I would fight over who dad lifted up so she could put on the angel. My mom would put it on the calendar whose turn it was so we wouldn't fight. It was the best thing in the world. Now... not so much. As I stood on a chair and put our ancient angel on the top of the tree, all I could think about was how much it hurt basically standing inside a Christmas tree and how ugly the angel was. This morning, I realized how sad that made me. One of my favorite things about Christmas had become one of my least favorite.

I like to think of myself as a kid at heart, but last night, it showed me that no matter how hard I try NOT to grow up, it's going to happen. This led to many questions: Will I still want to wake up early on Christmas morning? Will I be as excited opening my stocking and eating candy right away? Will I forget the joy of Christmas?

Even at seventeen, I was waking up at 6, and looking in my stocking. There's something about Christmas morning that makes me so happy. What if I become one of those cranky teenagers who would rather sleep?

This time next year, I'm going to be stressing over finals. This was probably our last time getting the tree, all four of us. And that makes me so sad. My parents probably aren't going to want to cut down the tree next year, so we'll probably get a pre-cut one. That's okay... but we've maybe only done that once.

It's official. The worst part about growing up isn't leaving home or figuring out what you want to do. The worst part about growing up is outgrowing the magic of Christmas.

Reason number 739478 I'm glad I live in CT...

Rick Perry isn't my governor.

In this post, I'm not going to be directly attacking him (Even though he makes me want to SCREAM). Instead, I'll be saying my opinions on what he says in his "Strong" Ad. This is a disclaimer. If you don't like what I say, fine. Don't leave rude, anonymous (or non-anonymous) comments. If you disagree, and say it nicely, please, go ahead. I'd be happy to see your point of view. But be nice and courteous about it, please.

1.  Everyone knows that something is wrong with this country, no matter their religion or if they sit in the pew at church every week. However, that "something" is different to everyone. For me, it sickens me that we can kill people to show that killing is wrong. I think that this country at times has a God complex with that, but others disagree, and that's okay. Others think it's abortion, or gay marriage, or war, or economics, or health care, and the list goes on and on. 
2.  What Rick Perry sees wrong in the country in a nutshell are: a) gay people fighting in the military, b) kids not being able to pray in school and c) Not being able to say Merry Christmas. I have mixed feelings on the ending of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. But, I'll save that for another time. As to praying in school: I pray in school every day. I make the Sign of the Cross and say a Hail Mary during the Moment of Silence after The Pledge of Allegiance. I also pray before I eat lunch every day. Not once have I been prosecuted or been told "I can't do that". I've been teased by other students before, but not once has a teacher or the principal told me I couldn't pray. America has Religious Freedom, which means that OF COURSE I have the right to pray in public. However, this also means, that Joe Schmidt has freedom FROM religion, at least in a public school. We can't force him to pray. But we have the freedom to pray if we so choose. And on the topic of saying "Merry Christmas"... I always say Merry Christmas. Not once has someone freaked out on me or told me that I offended them. I've been told that they don't celebrate Christmas, and then proceeded to wish them a happy whatever they celebrate. Today, we spent the period in Spanish class talking about Christmas. My Spanish teacher is Jewish, and smiled and weighed in on what she wanted for Hanukkah. She wasn't offended at all. 

I think many people are exaggerating on the "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" issue. Not many people are offended by being told Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays was originally created to wish someone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Say what you want. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Solstice! Happy Festivus! I wouldn't be offended if any of the above were said to me. Would you?

I end with a Christmas tree. Because... I like Christmas Trees.

It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights!

Let me start off with HOW MUCH I FREAKING LOVE JASON SEGAL. He not only is one of the funniest human beings on the face of the earth, but a hysterical writer of comedy, too!

As you probably guessed, I saw "The Muppets". And it was FANTASTIC.

I actually don't have a lot of "history" with the Muppets. The only movie I've seen within the last ten years is A Christmas Carol (which, by the way, is my favorite version.). But, I love Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Disney and anything "little kid-ish", so I went.

I knew I'd love it, I'm just that type of person, but I loved it WAY more than I expected. What was great about it was that Disney successfully entertained an 18 year old, her almost 50 year old mother, and the five year old girl in front of us (and her parents, too). There was stuff kids would love, and stuff that teens and adults would love, like the different celebrity cameos.

Speaking of cameos, there were a BAJILLION cameos by famous people. To name who I saw:

Mickey Rooney
Neil Patrick Harris
Selena Gomez
Whoopi Goldberg
Sarah Silverman
John Krasinski
Jim Parsons (No words. No words.)
Jack Black
Zach Galifanakis
Emily Blunt

It was fantastic.

The music was phenomenal, kept you humming for the rest of the day (or three, in my case...) and also with a smile on your face.

I HIGHLY recommend that you see The Muppets, no matter what your age is. As long as you're a kid at heart, you'll love it.

College Visits

So, this weekend I went to go visit three colleges in the Virgina/DC/Maryland area.

Christendom College, The Catholic University of America and Mount Saint Mary's University.

The good (and bad) part is: I LOVED all three colleges. Here's a little "play-by-play" on what happened at each school.

On Saturday, we left and drove to Winchester, VA, which is about a half hour away from Christendom. Because I am SO smart, I forgot a blanket, so we stopped at a Walmart on the way and I got my future college bedding. It's cute, I know. It's also very ME.

On Sunday morning, my parents and I went to mass at Christendom. It was a lovely Latin Mass and the priest gave a wonderful homily about preparing for Christ's birth in Advent. After mass, I met my student ambassador and she took me to brunch. Then, I went back to her dorm and helped the girls decorate for the Christmas party that was that night. It was so much fun and the girls really made me feel like I had been at the school just as long as the rest of them. I went to three classes on Monday: Latin (the teacher was hysterical!), Literature (so interesting) and Theology (they were reviewing their midterm and discussing things I had no idea about. but it was interesting all the same.)

After my parents picked me up from Christendom, we went to go see the Muppets.

GO SEE IT RIGHT NOW YOUR LIFE WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL YOU DO IT IS AMAZING IT IS AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!

okay.

On Tuesday, we went to DC and got a tour of the Catholic University of America. The campus was gorgeous and IN DC!!! I LOVE DC so that is just amazing.

After that, we went to Mount Saint Mary's University. My admissions counselor let the cat out of the bag and told me I was accepted (with scholarship) before I read my letter. When I got home, I found out that scholarship was for $16,000. PER  YEAR.

So, now's the big question: Where am I spending the next four years of my life? It's a HUGE decision, exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

In Defense of Twilight

Okay... I know that Twilight is not quality literature like, say, Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice, but it isn't as awful as those trashy romances with the guy ripping the girl's clothes off on the cover. You know those paperbacks you can buy at used bookstores for $0.50? The ones that are basically softcare pornography?

Yeah.

Those are crap literature. Jane Austen and Shakespeare are quality literature. So where does Twilight fall?

This is my literature graph thing.

Crap Romance novels < Twilight < The Hunger Games < Harry Potter = Pride and Prejudice / Jane Eyre

Now, some people may disagree with me with the Hunger Games being below Harry Potter which I consider to be equalish to Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice.

I don't care. This is my blog. So MEH.

I don't find Twilight to be horrible, or immoral or anything truly evil. As you can see, it's definitely no Pride and Prejudice, but it's not the worst thing you can read. I'd much rather see teenagers reading Twilight than crap romance novel.

And no, it doesn't teach the same wondrous lessons as the bible or a saint's biography may, but in all honesty, it does teach chastity as a good thing and Bella is pro-life.

And yes I did see Breaking Dawn at midnight last night. And yes, it was FANTASTIC!

*peeks out*

Umm... Hi.

I LIVE! I blog more often over at my tumblr: Coloring Inside the Lines is Overrated . So if there's anyone still here, if you care, check out my tumblr.

But, I'll be saving the text posts and more serious stuff for Makes Me Smile, Because you know what? I've missed it.

Okay. I'm tired. So I'm going to bed. (Logical train of thought, no?)

Love,
Katie

The woes of Irene

So Irene is on her way. And she seems to want to destroy everything in her path, which, of course, includes my house. My mom's in NYC for work and the sis is there celebrating her birthday with her godmother (they're actually evacuating), so my dad and I are packing up the dog and our things and off to the grandma's. Which should be fun (Not really.)

So... here's a list of things I need to bring to gram's.

1. My laptop. See, I'm the idiot who's still doing her summer work even though school starts on Tuesday and I'm in all Honor and AP classes. *facepalm*
2. My dawg. She's cute. I can't leave her like this!
3. Binders and pencils and pens and post its. Ah the notes I have to take for AP US history...
4. My phone. What? I'm an 18 year old girl! You thought I'd leave my phone at home? FUNNY.
5. My kindle. In case everything else dies. DIES.
6. Board games. Meh, might try to have SOME family time.
7. Calculator. Stupid Math Packet. DIE DIE DIE

And I guess that's really all the important stuff. I'm actually really nervous about Irene, since we have to leave the cats at home. I hope nothing happens to them or to the house (PETA would be having a field day if they found out we were leaving the cats home.), the cats are kinda cute and this is my home. 

Stay safe everybody!

On Memorial Day

In School today, our Social Studies teachers were required to talk about Memorial Day and do a presentation or activity of some sort. We actually had veterans come to the school and talk to classes, but they left after 5th period and my Civics class is 6th period. So, we got to talk about Arlington instead. We watched a video with "Arlington" by Trace Adkins playing in the background. You have NO idea how hard it was to keep my cool. It was so touching. Then we talked about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Once again, close to impossible to keep my cool.

Since I've actually been to Arlington, it was kinda a refresher course. I think those who haven't been there before were bored by the presentation. But, I went there a few years back on one of my trips to DC. It was my favorite part of the trip. We stayed at the Tomb of the Unknowns for at least an hour. Just watching the Honor Guard walk his 21 steps and turn and face the city for 21 seconds. It's such an amazing thing to see, so touching and humbling to see what people are willing to do so that we can be free.

My aunt's father in law was actually buried there a couple years ago. He died in the winter, but the ground was frozen and they couldn't bury him until the Spring. I don't remember why we didn't go. I must have been sick or really  behind in school or something. But I remember him. My uncle, his son, could actually be buried there when he dies. Wow. Although I am only related to these incredible men by marriage, I am proud to call these heroes my family.

We also talked about family members in the military. On my dad's side, my grandpa, uncle and cousin were all in the Navy. On my mom's side, my Captain and uncle were in the Navy. My aunt's husband (the one who could be buried in Arlington) was in some branch of the military, Army, I think. My cousin is in the coast guard, and two of my cousins are in the Air Force.

We are a legit Military Family. And I couldn't be prouder.

God Bless America.

Really?

Last week in English class we were watching Into the Woods (which, by the way, is an AMAZING musical and you all should watch it. Just sayin'.). There's a part in the play when the Baker's wife is seduced by one of the Prince Charmings. In front of me was sitting a couple. Please keep in mind that the guy has cheated on his girlfriend at least twice, but they are still together. He also tells her that she is going to hell because she's Jewish. What a kind guy, huh?

Well, at the part when the Prince seduces the Baker's Wife, the guy leans over to his girlfriend and whispers in her ear "Whore."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pot  meet kettle???? Of course he didn't say anything about how the prince was already married and how HE seduced a married woman who kept saying no! It was the woman's fault! She was the whore!

I don't understand this. At all. This guy claims he's Christian, but pressured his girlfriend into sleeping with him and then cheated on her! And I don't mean "kissed another girl" cheating. FULL out cheating. As in, well, ahem.

Why is it always the woman's fault? Of course, the woman made a mistake by cheating on her husband, but apparently the prince didn't. I guess you can say I'm a feminist, but I'm only a feminist in the fact that I believe that women should have the right to work. I also think that if they want to be, they can be stay at home moms. I plan on doing that.

I feel so bad for this girl. Obviously she is really dependent on him, but she has told me that she and him are planning on breaking up before college. I don't understand why they are waiting that long when he obviously is only with her for one thing.

But then again, who am I but the prude that sits behind them in English class?

On Bad Days and the Hell that is my school.

Bad days. They happen to everybody. I get that. But today I felt the worst that I can remember in a loong time. It was just really difficult. It clicked in my brain today that I don't have any friends at school. And I began to cry. As I sat in my desk in Spanish class doing a word search Period 3. Big fat tears.

I feel so lonely, but I don't know what to do. Everybody says to just be yourself, but apparently at SHS, that's not really good enough. I mean, I have people I talk to in class and say hi to in hallways. I have people I sit with at lunch and text, but I don't think I've ever hung out with somebody outside of school. It hurts. Badly. I dread going to school and I can't stand it. So today I decided: I'm DONE.

I'm going to Community College in the Fall. I don't give a flying crap what anyone says (I already got the okay from mi mama, and that's really all that matters). I'm done feeling this way. I'm done being in a place that makes me feel bad about myself, and honestly, sorry for myself too. I don't need it. I'm there to learn, but I'm not anymore. I mean, I am, but it's just not worth it anymore.

People may be wondering: What about Senior YEAR?!?! I'll get my senior portraits taken this summer (by the beautiful and talented Maggie) and maybe a graduation party. I'll transfer during my sophomore year to either Franciscan, DeSales, Christendom or someplace else. But I'm done with SHS.

Dear Future Husband,

Dear Future Husband,

So, you're out there somewhere. Doing something. I might even know you, though I doubt it. But hey, who knows?

I don't know alot about you, but I do know that you love Jesus more than you love me, but you love me more than the world. You'd do anything for me, and I'd do anything for you. You're just that amazing. You can see past my face, scars and zits and all, and see the beauty within me. The beauty that apparently nobody can see.

I hate wearing makeup. I. Hate. It. But I'm wearing it anyway, just to make the world happy. And it hurts. I don't think I need to hide myself, but everyone else does. You don't think that, do you?

Well, I'll close with this:



Love Always,
Me

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/katiewazheere

On College

In two years, I will be finishing up my Freshman year at college. Wow. that's actually a really scary thought. Don't get me wrong, I can't WAIT to go away and start my life, but it's such a scary concept. For just over nineteen years, I will have depended on my parents for food, clothes, help, advice, etc. And then suddenly, I can't anymore. I've already gotten a taste of what it will be like in my transition from Homeschooling to public school, but it's still gonna be a huge jump for me.

Everybody's asking me, "What do you want to do?" When I reply, "Be a midwife." The looks and replies I get are actually quite humorous. "Oh, they still use those?" "Why would you want to work with people when they're at their craziest?" "EWWW!!" Okay, sorry, next time I'll just say a simple, "I dunno." Of course when I say THAT, people decide it's appropriate to  lecture me about how I SHOULD know. There's no winning in this situation!!

And there's the big, "Where are you going?" When you say "Franciscan University" at a public school, you get laughed at (which kinda sucks). But I'm sorry! I want to go there! Of course if I say "Christendom" I can just say it's a liberal arts school and people will SHUT IT.

These are the times I really miss being homeschooled. My best friend is going to the University of Dallas (which, believe it or not, is a super Catholic school) and many of my other friends are going to really Catholic schools too. It wouldn't be looked upon as strange or weird. Alot of the people I know are looking for the best "party colleges". I don't know about you, but I know a few cheaper ways to party than to go to college.

Anyway, please excuse my rant (if anyone's reading this). Getting ready for College visits (gulp!).

XOX
Katie

Long time no... anything.

I'm here. alive. Not dead. Not slipped off the face of the planet. Not extinct. Etc, etc.

I figured I'd stop by and do some blogging about the things happening in my life....

1. School It's what I do five days a week, seven hours a day. Oh, and must not forget the time it takes up AFTER the day is over, homework and extra help and such. The good news is that my grades are going up! The bad news is I'm probably going to do really badly on the Chemistry test that is scheduled on Tuesday... oops.

2. Emmaus As you may or may not know, I am very very very religious. I'm very involved with a super awesome Youth Group a couple towns over. I go from 6:30-9 ever Sunday night. Recently, the youth group put on their 6th annual Emmaus retreat, and I was blessed enough to be asked to be a leader on the retreat. Let me tell you, what. An. Experience. Honestly, one of the best of my life. Seeing those kids who I touched with my words and actions. And how they SAID I did!!! One girl told me that I really brought back her belief in God. I think that's the biggest compliment that anyone can receive.

3. Hello, Dolly! So, I was in my first ever High School Musical! It's funny, because the drama club is so diverse and nobody really cares. Disney lies, folks. Anyway, I actually got a callback to play Dolly (!!!!!), but didn't get the part. The girl who did, however, is superbly talented, so all the best to her =) I was in the ensemble, which was wicked fun. I'm really sad it's over and the songs will forever be stuck in my head. "Helloooo Dolly well Hellloooo Dolly It's so nice to have youuu bacckkk where yoouuu belonnngg!"

4. Lent As all my Catholic followers know, it's Lent! Well, it's almost over now, but whatever. I gave up Facebook and am doing really well. It really made me realize how I don't really need it. I can survive (surprisingly) without facebook. Sure, I miss it and want to go on, but I realized how much time it took up on a daily basis and how I really don't need it. I hope that after Lent, I won't be going on as often. Maybe I can use the time I used to spend on facebook for me. To read, pray, do some extra studying, actually talk on the phone, who knows! The possibilities are endless =)

Well, that's it. Hopefully I'll keep ya'll up to date a little more often =)

Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not by Thompson Square

So, I haven't posted here in a while. And I want a new blog (don't I always) so that I can review music. So... that's probably what this is gonna be. =)

We were sittin’ up there on your momma’s roof

Talkin’ bout everything under the moon

With the smell of honeysuckle and your perfume

All I could think about was my next move

Oh, but you were so shy and so was I

Maybe that’s why it was so hard to believe

When you smiled and said to me…

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

I think you know I like you a lot

But you’re ‘bout to miss your shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not

It was the best dang kiss that I’d ever had

Except for that long one after that

And I knew if I wanted this thing to last

Sooner or later I’d have to ask

For your hand

So I took a chance

Bought a wedding band

And I got down on one knee

And you smiled and said to me

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

I think you know I love you a lot

I think we’ve got a real good shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not

So, we planned it all out for the middle of June

From the wedding cake to the honeymoon

And your momma cried when you walked down the aisle

When the preacher man said say I Do

I did, and you did, too

Then I lifted that veil and saw your pretty smile

And I said…

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

Look at all the love that we’ve got

And it ain’t never gonna stop

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Yeah baby I love you a lot

I really think we’ve got a shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not