(4/15) Summer Plans

Summer is my absolute favorite season and I try to make the most of it each time it comes around. Last year, I spent my days at the beach, playing lacrosse, and exploring. I love just being outside and feeling the sun on my skin, developing a deep tan, smelling the fresh air, and I guess you could say “being one with nature”. No matter what I do during the summer, I always love to do it with my friends. Sharing those experiences and making memories is what summer is all about and with them, there’s never a moment of silence or without laughter.

Part of the fun of summer is the freeing feeling. No worries, no problems, just you and the day. You can do whatever you want and make each day into something new. It’s a time to be spontaneous and go off on your own. You’re not confined by rules or having to deadlines or anything like that. You make your own schedule and get to live out your life to its fullest day by day. You get to meet so many new people and make so many new friends, explore and visit just about anywhere your heart desires, and make memories that will always last.

This summer, I plan to go all out since it’s basically my last one with all my high school friends. We all have been planning and thinking about what we want to do and accomplish before we all go our separate ways for college and only get to meet up for the holidays or some huge life event. Our summer plan was formed since the beginning of the school year, and thinking about and adding to it is what has gotten us through each dreadful day of this school year.

Every event, exploration, activity, or idea has compiled an enormous record of what we want to do and hope to accomplish to make this summer legendary. I guess you could say it has sort of turned into a bucket list. Whether it be small and simple or huge and elaborate, every suggestion, plan, or thought has made its way onto this list and this summer, we plan to work our hardest to succeed in doing it all.

Our list is so long because we have so many ambitions and aspire to do so much with our summer, but here’s our first 50 items of our bucket list. As you can see, they range from places to visit, concerts, places to eat, activities to do, and more. Maybe you can take a thing or two from this list and add it to yours to make your summer even more complete and memorable.

Summer 2017 Bucket List:

1. Senior Week
2. Firefly
3. Made In America
4. Chainsmokers concert
5. Sam Hunt concert
6. Hike to PA at white clay creek
7. Boardwalk
8. Kayaking
9. Go Ape
10. Phillies Game
11. Visit New York
12. Zoo
13. Aquarium
14. Delaware State Fair
15. Italian Festival
16. Restaurant 55
17. Alapocas
18. Conowingo Dam
19. Blue Rocks Game
20. Longwood Gardens
21. Running of the Bull
22. Disney Movie Marathon
23. 6 Flags
24. Mini Golfing
25. Watch the sunrise
26. Watch the sunset
27. Bonfire
28. Drive in movie
29. Swim
30. Yoga
31. Back Art
32. Learn how to surf
33. Tattoos
34. Find the best snowcones
35. Karaoke night
36. Drive and explore a random exit
37. Stone Harbor
38. Magic Gardens
39. Rosa’s Fresh Pizza
40. Tony Luke’s
41. Road Trip
42. Barbeque
43. Myrtle Beach
44. 4th of July Fireworks
45. Horseback riding
46. Outlet shopping
47. North carolina
48. Drive a truck
49. Boondocks in Smyrna
50. Star watching
    

(3/25) Gabby

I haven’t written a blog in a long, long time and the first topic that seems to come to my head is you. Our anniversary of our forever friendship is coming up and memories are just flooding my head, so Gab, my first blog post in awhile is dedicated to you.

Gabby was a gift.

She managed to fill the lives of everyone she met with kindness, happiness, and love…however in the process of doing so, she forgot to fill her life with these qualities.

I hope you’re happy now, Gab. We all miss you. It’s been about a little over 3 months now and it’s crazy how we’re all still surviving without you. You’re irreplaceable. We’re each still coping with it in different ways, but we’re making it. Not  a day goes by where something doesn’t remind me of you or you pop up in my head. I know while you’re up there, you’re watching over each and every one of us. I can’t help but see you in the sun and the moon and believe that that’s your way of telling me everything is okay because I know how much you dearly loved the sky. You found beauty in the simplicity of life and that’s how we always remember you.

It’s crazy to think that the last time I saw you was just less than a month before you decided it was time to leave us. I wish I knew the last time I was with you was going to be the last time. The last time I got to see your face. The last time I got to feel your hug. The last time I got to hear your voice. I wish I knew it was every last. I remember it all so clearly. November 18, 2016, we were supporting our sallies boys… just like we always do. That was how we had always bonded. I remember how that’s how we would always meet up and see each other. I can still picture how the night went. We were yelling into the phone trying to find each other from opposite sides of the stadium and you just kept telling me “I’m wearing a purple Patagonia and I’m standing up in the student section”. I remember the excitement that filled both of our faces when we saw each other, the huge hug that lasted an eternity because I hadn’t seen you in so long, the makeup complementing/picture taking ritual, and how at ease I felt with you. We watched some football, cheered on our boys, and caught up on everything that had been going on in life. I remember you had on these cute hoop earrings too and I think what I took away from you that night was your quote “the bigger the hoop the bigger the hoe” because it was just so you and it made me laugh so hard. I feel like the last moment I had with you was so easy going and filled with happiness because the universe wasn’t going to let us leave each other on sad terms. Yes, I wish I had spent more time with you then, talked to you more, knew how you were feeling.

I can’t help but feel some regret and responsibility for you leaving us. I knew how you felt. I knew what you were going through. I knew you trusted me. I wish I had been there for you more and made it more of a priority to see you and talk to you. You and I had been there so much for each other through our ups and downs from Josh and James to parties to our talks. All I can think about is how I wish I could’ve been there for you more. How I could’ve maybe helped stop you.

When you left us, my friend asked me “What was your favorite memory of her?” I had never thought much about it before he asked, but now it’s all I think about. I have a feeling it would’ve been your favorite memory too. I told him it was the first time I actually met you, at Sallies prom. Yes, we had been friends before that, texting each other freaking out about how we wouldn’t know anyone there, what dress we were wearing, and sending each other pictures of how incredibly bored we were at the dinner. I had no idea where you were but all of the sudden, you somehow found me and snuck up behind me. I remember turning around and thinking “Oh my God, she’s stunning” and the first words coming out of your mouth being “I’m so high right now.” I couldn’t help but start laughing because at that moment, I knew we were going to be best friends, and I was right. I remember me helping you dance the cupid shuffle the rest of the night, saving you from being left alone when Josh went off, and all the pictures we “just had to take”. From then on, you always filled my life with joy and made everything seem easier.  

You’ve brought so many people together, Gab. I know you’ll never read this but I hope you know you are not an easy person to say goodbye to. I want so badly to run up to you with excitement, give you a hug, and catch up on just about everything. I can still picture the past few months so clearly. I remember all the emotions I felt when I first found out you were gone. When I got multiple texts in the middle of class asking me “you’re friends with Gabby right? is it true?” and how I had no idea what they were talking about until I texted Joe and heard the news. I remember how I couldn’t stop shaking, my legs wouldn’t stay still and my body uncontrollably trembled, and how I never cried because I was too numb to until it finally hit me a few days later. I remember how your funeral was packed, how your casket was just as beautiful as you, and how everyone’s tears at your burial were so genuine. I do know that you are so much happier up there and you’re finally at peace with yourself, which takes a bit of the sorrow and weight off of my shoulders. You’re now my guardian angel Gab and I know that no matter what, you’ll always be up there watching over me, helping me get through life, loving me, and listening to me. You’ll want me to experience everything and live my life to the fullest, and in your honor, I intend to do so. I’ll always look at the moon or the sun and think of you and the brightness you filled my life with. It’s what I’ll hold on to until I see you again someday, lovebug.

Rest in Peace Gabriela Migdalski. I love you.

(3/18) Prom Stress

Prom may be one of the most stressful, but best moments of your life. as a typical teenage girl would say. I feel like it’s almost a sneak peek at how your wedding might go. Prom is now 27 days away, and I feel like a ball of rubber bands about to burst. Each band is just another thing to do or worry about and it’s all just piling up. It's all anyone is talking about, which makes me a bit anxious, but I feel like breaking it all down and ranting about it however may help to calm me a bit.

First of all, I still need to get tickets which I can't do until I get my dates guest form in.

Then, I need to find a dress, which I've been trying to do since January. I've visited just about every dress store in Delaware, PA, and Jersey and tried on just about every dress available in my size, but haven't liked any of them. Last year, I think I may have tried on a good handful of dresses and I immediately knew which two I wanted for my proms that year, but this year it's just not happening. I've hated just about everything I've tried on and I'm running out of options and time because I need a dress before I can pick out my makeup, hair, tan, shoes, jewelry, and just about everything else. It all revolves around the dress.

After that I've got to figure out what we’re doing for pictures because we were doing them at my house, but then we sold my house. The worst part of all of it is that move out day is prom day. I need to have everything out of the house by April 28 and it also means that that venue is out of the picture. So I need to pack while finding another place to take pictures that will make everyone happy.

After that, I need to go find shoes and jewelry that matches my dress, however my shoes can't be too tall or too short so I'm not taller than my date. I also have to decide on hair that's easy enough to get done in a couple of hours and not too complicated so the hairdresser can't mess it up. I also have to decide on a makeup look so I can send it to my girl in advance so she can go buy all the products and make sure it's going to look perfect.

Next I have to decide when to start tanning, how tan I want to be, and find time to do it. I don't want to start tanning now because we have spring break coming up and I'll be tan from that, but I don't want tan lines and what if I'm not tan enough by prom? Then I also have to decide on a nail color, shape, and length that matches everything but is still easy to work with and doesn't get in the way of everything.

After I get all of that done, I still have to stress about it all being perfect until prom actually comes because something can always go wrong. And that is why I am stressing out because 27 days is no time at all to get everything done and make sure it's completely up to my picture perfect standards.

(3/11) Countdown

Today, we seem to count everything down. Instead of living in the moment and wanting to make the most out of everything, we want to rush through it all and speed up time until we get to the moment we've been waiting for. And even then, we don't enjoy that moment. We’re constantly thinking ahead and rushing every moment. We constantly think about what could happen and what is going to happen instead of focusing on what is happening in front of us. When did we learn to live this way? I know I'm guilty of it, I've even got a countdown app on my phone. Countdown to spring break (13 days) , to prom (27 days), to graduation (49 days), and so on. It never stops. Yes, I think it's important to think and plan ahead by knowing when things are and what you're going to do, but isn't the point of living life to live in the moment and enjoy it while it lasts? You're never going to get this time back, so why rush through it?

(3/4) Happiness

I feel like happiness is the key to life. Without it, I don't really understand what people are doing with their lives. I strive to be happy and make others happy because I feel like it's a feeling everyone should be able to take part in and experience. In order to live a life filled with happiness, I live a life surrounded by the people I love, attempting to live without any regrets, and not letting life get to me. In order to bring happiness into others lives, I try to make them smile, care for them, and don't put them down. I think happiness is something that makes the world go round and if something makes you happy, you shouldn't apologize for it, you should chase after it and embrace it.

(2/25) Wishing for Summer

If you don't love summer, then I think there's something wrong with you. I long for the days filled with no worries, no cares, and genuine happiness. Nothing makes me smile more then getting to wake up each day with so much freedom and sun. Summer is such an adventure and you can make it how you want. Going down to the beach a few weeks ago just made me so happy and so ready for what this summer has in store. Endless days filled with sitting on the beach, hearing the ocean, tanning, eating boardwalk food, and just being at my happy place. Never having to go home and nights filled with so many memories. Summer is when you get to spend your time with the people you love doing what you love. From concerts to exploring to festivals, summer always just seems to have it all. I can't wait for my happiness to come.

(2/18) Top 5 Songs ATM

I've been loving just driving around and listening to music lately, so I thought I'd share my top 5 songs at the moment.

1. “Body Like a Backroad”- Sam Hunt
2. “Say you won't let go”- James Arthur
3. “Something like this”- The Chainsmokers
4. “Happier” - Ed Sheeran
5. “Issues” - Julia Michaels

(2/11) Driving Through PA

One of my favorite things to do is drive. I love going on adventures with the windows down, no destination, music up, and following a back road. You never really know what will come from it. Last week, I was in a bit of a mood after my doctors appointment and had no real motivation to do anything with my day, so I decided why not go for a drive? I started my playlist and with a full tank of gas and wawa coffee and began to drive. I wound up on a backroad taking me through Landenberg and up to Coatesville. Along the way, I was just filled with so much happiness as I took in the views of the multiple farms, rolling hills, and melting snow. All you could hear was the water rolling down hill, the wind roaring in my ear, and lyrics to a country song. I somehow ended up at French Creek State Park and spent my afternoon going for a walk and exploring the middle of PA in pure silence. It was a serene experience and I am very ready to enjoy another random road trip.

(2/4) The Night Sky

Every night during the school week I go to my boyfriends house, have dinner, do homework, watch baseball, and just enjoy spending time with him and his family. He lives up in Hockessin so the drive home takes about 20 minutes (varying depending on if someone slow is driving in front of me). I go home every night, usually around 11, and it’s amazing to look up at the sky and take it in. When you first start up in Hockessin, all you can see in the sky is darkness and the stars, but as you continue down into Newark, even though it’s night time and should be dark out, the sky starts to brighten up. When you start to come into the city, the sky changes colors. Instead of being pitch black, the stars are gone, the sky turns a dark grey, and you see colors. You see shades of oranges, pinks, yellows, and reds all light up the sky in the distance and you can see the outline of the city for miles. The ombre distance can’t help but make me think, even though it is beautiful, what life would be like without the city. Without the bright lights, the industrialization, the nightlife  What was it like before?

(1/28) College Costs

How did college become such a social norm? I remember how my parents told me back in the day that college was something some people strived for, some didn't, and either way, it was okay. It was your own personal decision. Now, it's the standard. If you don't go to college, you're an outcast and seen as a failure.

My dad went to Florida State for a year or two and dropped out because his family just couldn't afford it. According to today's norms, he would be considered a failure, but my dad is one of the most successful people I know. The moment he found out he couldn't continue his college education, he started working and he's never stopped. He's been with the same company for almost 25 years, been able to start his own business, and support our family by giving us more than enough. He basically was and had nothing and, without college, made something out of himself and became successful.

College is now supposed to be seen as something everyone should do and needs to complete, but if this is the case, why do they make it so unattainable financially. If my dad was struggling back then to pay for a simple, non necessary college education, why would colleges continue to inflate their prices. I know so many people who receive such perfect grades, are hard workers, and want the best education, but simply just can't afford it. They deserve the best of the best and are able to reach  and have it in every way possible but have to, in the end, give up their dreams because of money.

I'm not saying college should be free, but I feel as though they should rethink their cost if they're going to stay around and determine people's futures.