high school's a comin...

Well, there are about 4 more days of summer. Wow, that's scary. Summer always flies by, no matter how much I try to savor it. I'm always flabbergasted by how very fast each summer goes. It seems like, even though it's a shorter period of time than school is, summer is our natural habitat. School is then, unnatural. I love school, though, which most people gasp at, but really, think about it...you're with all your friends (plus some bitter enemies, not that I have any), learning together. How cool! That's not exactly how everyone looks at it, but I guess I'm the optimist. So anyways, this year will be quite a bit different than the previous. Middle school's LONG gone, and the innocence of most has dissipated. Just the other night, there was a football game that most people attended. I said "hi" to someone who's always been a bit of a drama queen, but she responded back in such a bratty way, "hhiiii." I can't fully describe it with just words. Then, I mingled over to a group of south-shorians whom I had recently started hanging around (I knew them mostly from the play), and they were all talking about boys (nothing wrong with that, I suppose) and swearing and such. I just didn't feel comfortable. But then I went over the "popular" crowd, and I actually felt much more comfortable there. Most people think that just because they're popular, that they are mean, they swear non-stop, and they don't like anyone. And they aren't like that! These are my friends, and for the most part, they accept me. Now, they are definitely not my best friends, but I have a hard time just ditching one group to start hanging out with another.

So anyways, I am really amazed by the differences (even over this 3 month summer) of people, the changes they have made, thinking it would make them look cooler. Well, it definitely doesn't make them look cooler, that's for sure. I've heard lots of stories of people in high school who drink and smoke and get into drugs. It's sad, but I can already pinpoint people who will very possibly have those problems. My goal for high school is to stay true to myself, to not let anyone deter me from being ME!

boy crazy

No, no, no... I'm not boy boy crazy. Like my age boy crazy. I mean these boys are driving me crazy! Crazy in a good...and bad way. He he. I have become a "regular" babysitter for three little boys...Joe, Matt, and Thomas. Oh, and from a nice, wealthy family! Can I get a Hoo Ha? Ha ha. Well, I have babysat for them so much that I definetely feel comfortable with them and their parents, and I know many many things about these boys. They are crazy! I mean, we have three boys in my family too, but at least there's me to keep them in line :). Well, I have come to see many traits in each of the boys. Many things that keep me challenged when I babysit. The oldest, Joe, who is 10 and in my little brother's grade, is...well, a very interesting kid. He's wierd sometimes...like he'll just start talking really really loudly about something that he saw on t.v. And in their kitchen, there's a small little t.v. in the corner (where like everything that I ever need to get to is) where he always insists on bringing his stool there and staring at the t.v. And when Joe is immersed in his show, he tunes everything else out. When I say something or ask him, I practically have to shake him to make him listen. But Joe is also a sweet kid, and will usually talk to me the most about his sports and his Grandpa's boat. Then there's Matt, who's 8 (or 9? not sure). Now, Matt is usually the easiest to put to bed, but he's also the one who provokes fights with his brothers and makes most situations worse with his teasing. However, Matt IS a pretty good listener, and he only complains once in a while :). And finally, there's Thomas, the baby of the family, who is 7. Thomas loves to do stuff with me, whether it be play outside or make cookies (like today! we made sugar cookies...yum). But when his brothers are around, he adores them, yet I feel bad because they sometimes poke fun of him since he's the youngest. He has a gentle heart, yet doesn't listen all the time. He wants to be very independant. Sometimes, I really have a hard time babysitting these kids. It's usually a challenge for me, since they are growing up and getting more and more independant. Once in a while, all I have to do is sit inside and read or something when they play outdoors with the neighbors. They don't need constant actvitiy, and sometimes I feel like I should come up with something. Yet they always seem content. And when I see the check after I'm finished, I'm always happy, too!

Kelsey

oh, by the way, that picture is not any of these boys...it's off the internet :)

little brothers, little mercy

My little brother Jacob is...well, let's just say he's a pain in the butt. Aww, who am I kidding? He's sweet and cute and adorable. No, not really. Most of the time...he's a pest. I must admit, he will be a heart breaker one day with his looks, and he can be sweet once in a great while. But the majority of his ten years of life, he has brought upon himself the title of "the annoying little brother." He knows, very well in fact, that I HATE being poked in the side. While my other two brothers have thought of this as getting old, Jacob never lets up. He repeatedly pokes me in the side, purposely pretending that he didn't hear me warn him to never do that again (I've tried to threaten him so that he'll quit, but I predict he'll be doing this until I have false teeth). Whenever he steals something of mine or tries to aggravate me in some way, he will run. Run! He LOVES to be chased. But I usually don't give him that pleasure. Plus, with my athletic (pshhh) abilities, I can't usually outrun him. A few weeks ago, we went on a family trip to Costa Rica. Now, this wasn't technically a "family" trip, considering two of my brothers couldn't come with. Oh, and guess which one COULD come with? Ahh..Jacob, of course. Most of the trip, we tried to co-operate. Tried, being the key word. Now, don't get me wrong, we don't fight and disagree all the time. In fact, we are pretty good to each other. Umm..well not exceptionally good...but anyways...We were with another family most of the time (friends of ours), and there is a young boy about Jacob's age. Once in a while, I caught him spilling my "little" secrets to him. I was not a happy camper! Then just the other day, I was saying that (this is random) it's always hard to get the ice out of the bottom of a glass when there's no water left (am I right?). So as I am repeatedly shaking the glass trying to get those last shards of ice, Jacob - the smart thinker he is - shoves on the glass, pushing it on my lip and against my braces. Ouch! I have a purple stripe on my lip as I type this.

But the odd thing is, I still have my moments of ... "aww.. my little brother...isn't he cute?" Like the other day, when I was sea-dooing with him and my dad, he sat in front of my and I held on to his little body and we had a great time. Now, I must be crazy! I can't decide what I feel about this little kid...I guess that's what you call a brother!

Kelsey

the cottage

So how do I describe the cottage? My friend, Natalie, who lives in Canada, comes back every summer for about a week. I knew her from church mostly, and another one of our friends from church owns a cottage up north. Every summer, Natalie and her family, along with many friends of each kid from their family (they have 4 kids), head up for a few days of fun at the cottage. (the picture is of Natalie 2 years ago when we got all dressed up as ditzes and went around town) The cotttage is right on a great little lake...perfect for sea-dooing. So that's what we do- we sea-doo and hang around and play baggo. But it's always a blast. Natalie, Jenna, Cobie (two other friends), and I are usually the only girls, and we have a small room with two sets of bunk beds. The room usually ends up a mess, so much that you can barely walk around in it. That's the way we like it! One year we found a drawer full of magazines...teen ones with fashion advice and celebrity gossip- our fav! So most of the day, we sat around on our lazy bums and immersed ourselves in the depressing, yet inspiring magazines (they do crazy things to your mind!). We also have gotten pretty daring with the seadoos. I'm even pulling off yanks now! Although, my first few attempts were pretty pathetic. But Jenna and Cobie, now they're crazy. I got about three bruises from riding with Jenna! But then again, when we are even tipping a little, I just jump off. It's sad...but I've heard some scary stories about getting caught under sea-doos! Haha that's me for ya..

For the past two years, the guys at the cottage (high school age) had a "baggo" tournament. Now, I realize not everyone knows what that is. But most of the time at the cottage, that's the response to the question, "What's everyone doing?"...."playing baggo." There are two players in this game, and it's basically just trying to get a little hacky sack type thing into a hole on the other side. Very entertaining to watch, I must admit. Also, this year introduced a new game...Tree Golf, otherwise known as Blanco. Ya know, those pole things with different levels, you throw this string with a golf ball on either end? Well, the first game I had luck. I won. The second, third, however many games I played against Natalie, I lost. Bigtime. And Natalie, she's not the type who empathizes and says, "oh, Kelsey, you'll do better next time, let me show you my trick." She's the type who starts acting cocky and brags and says, "Who goes first? Oh yeah, YOU, cuz you're LOSING!" Haha not in a mean way just really funny. But I was getting pretty pissed, I must say. I wanted to win! aha oh well, better luck next time..maybe :)

Kelsey

grease party!

Seems like as we grow older, the activities we do with our friends change as well. So when's the last time you had an old-fashioned kinda slumber party where you stay up all night, play truth or dare, do make-overs, and gab? (oh, don't forget the junk food!). Well, recently, I got together with a few of my friends for one of these. We played Apples to Apples (haha funny name, great game!), then did make-overs! It was totally hilarious seeing new looks on everyone. Especially Kristin (who I "did"..not funny, girls!), who looked like a sexy beast :), but looked very different than her modest self in dark eyeliner and bright red lip stick. What can I say? A masterpiece. Oh yes, don't let me forget the hairdo's we did. Another one of my dear friends, Mallory, who I also "did", has the curliest hair I've ever dealt with. Beautiful hair, hard to straiten. But I must say, she's gorgeous!! (that's a pic. of me straitening her hair) After that, we watched Grease! Hence, "grease party." That was enjoyable...not everyone had seen it (can you BELIEVE it!?). At about 1 in the morning, we got in the hottub...good times...and played truth or dare. My dare (we were all required to do one) was to roll in the cold grass and sing "I'm a little teapot." Now, strange as this may seem, I enjoyed it. We all did it. What can I say? It was about 2 and we were hyper. Like you've never been there.... Well, we stayed up until about 4:30 talking. Let me just say, we agreed to have more slumber parties!!

Kelsey

cool? or not?

So lately, I have had this wierd thought. Do ya'll remember those innocent days as an elementary school student, when we would hear a swear word (rarely) from a movie or an adult, and gasp? We would be appalled, and couldn't believe why people would say those awful words. Now, in my family, my parents are Christians, and yet they slip those words as well from time to time. As a young child, I was scared and once again, couldn't understand why they would use that choice of words. As time evolved, I think I have gotten used to hearing this crap, on t.v, in movies, and even from people. And I HATE this! I don't want to be used to it! I want my mind to decipher it and tell me over and over NEVER to use those words, they are offending God, and they are not nice. I want to be a child again and be innocent and not let these words seem normal. And don't ya know...as a teenager just entering high school, it seems ok to be using swear words. Just last year, I remember hearing kids a year older than me (my age now!) swearing like it was nothing. And I remember talking to my friends and agreeing that it didn't sound cool, that it was wrong, and we vowed we wouldn't follow the crowd. Now, I hear these same friends swearing today, not constantly and nonchalantly, but nonetheless, swearing. These same friends that at one point didn't think it sounded cool, are now following suit. And you know what's even more scary? Just the other day, when one of my friends swore and we giggled, I thought to myself, "Now, this isn't bad. I don't think that swearing is that bad. I mean, we don't swear all the time...just a little. And we don't say the REALLY bad words..." NO! I feel like I'm letting myself go...like I'm betraying God. I feel like innocent Kelsey is done for. But...then again, they're just words, right? Who are they really hurting? Me. God. My friends. That's who they're hurting. So what do you think? Comment. Help me out. Make me vow or something. Thanks for reading.

Kelsey

Hey There!

For all those who come here...I hope you bring kind words and no spam! Ha! Well, I decided Facebook was too complicated, MySpace is just plain stupid, and..remember Xanga way back when? That's just too unsafe. So I'm going with this online journal to hopefully just vent my feelings and explain my oh-so-exciting life. Enjoy!

Kelsey