Here's to a new year!

So this is major late. Like major, major, major late.

No way to apologize, I get it, but really: things have been swamped. I'm way more involved than I was last year, in pretty much everything, and sophomore year academics at Westover are incredibly... stressful? Is that a fitting adjective?

Anyways, as soon as I stepped on campus on September 4th, the ball was rolling and I was incredibly busy. My school revamped their carpeting, and it wasn't done until after I was supposed to move in, so I was getting back from preseason sports camp, unpacking, and trying to make sense of all the exciting new students (freshmen, and super awesome sophomores) all at once.

Over the course of the four days of preseason sports camp, I ran over 25 miles with cross country - which, even if you're a runner, or maybe if you're not, is a lot if you haven't been keeping up with it over the summer. My excuse was that I was scared of environmental pollution in Korea. Maybe it's a good one. We'll never know.

We had a day off, and then classes started - and bam! It's always a surprise how much homework they can pack in the first few days. I still haven't decided if the workload decreases, or I actually get used to it. And before you know it, it's the fourth week of school and we're approaching our first long weekend.

So, here are some smidgeons of my first month as a sophomore, and some cool new things I'm doing mixed in. Cheers!

This is my new roommate B! She's from the New Haven area and our room is bright and super organized so far. She's what one would call a dream roommate.

A group of my friends and me at a local apple picking festival in our small town in Connecticut. Fried apple fritters, anyone?

- Taking art history for the first time, and man is it a doozy! I'm writing a formal analysis paper right now on this painting: 

It's called the Arrival of Marie de Medici at Marseilles and it's by Peter Paul Rubens. The class is super cool so far, and I can definitely see myself taking AP Art History at some point. 

- Taking Honors Precalc Calc and Honors Chem! Loads of work. Hopefully I won't be drowning, but no promises made.

- Switched from Latin to French II. It's really, really awesome how the class is immersion - my speaking skills are improving so much. 

- Being yearbook editor! So much work, but it's nice being in control for something that I care loads about. 

- PRd (personal record-ed) for cross country the first meet of the year. I've really been putting in my all for practices, and it's so rewarding seeing it pay off. I'm thrilled for the rest of the term and to see what kind of time I can drop.

- Started a club called Alternative Eating; it's for those of us who are vegetarian, vegan, allergic to nuts or have restrictions based on religion. Or those who just like food! We've got a decent amount of members so far, and I'm really excited for all the things we have planned for the rest of the year. 

That's all for now! I'll be posting pictures of my and B's room.

 xo

L. 

Do Good, Feel Good Phenomenon

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how impatient, frustrated and basically bitchy I can be. 

Alturism-unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.

Hardly.

The feeling you get when you do the right thing, or do something just to be kind can boost your mood drastically.

It's not selfless at all, it gives you a great feeling.

Make it a bit selfish. 

Being happy and feeling good is not just handed to you.

I hope that makes sense?

Just recently I was on vacation with my family. 

One afternoon I ran into a convenience store to get a drink. 

Maybe I have $1.35 with me? 

I was in line waiting to check out.

In front of me was a woman struggling with her baby in her arms, credit card in one hand and completely frazzled buying her groceries.

Typical Annie would be SO annoyed.

-I hate children.

-I hate waiting.

-I hate convenience stores?

But for some reason I smiled at the baby, picked up the bottle and toys she kept repeatedly dropping. 

The woman apologized 100 times. 

I simply said, "Don't worry about it!"

This alone made me feel great.

It was my turn to check out.

The man scans my drink and I didn't have enough money.

I put my drink back and headed toward the door.

Turns out the woman heard that I didn't have enough $.

She handed me a dollar and said,

"Thank you." 

Do good for others and good things will come your way.

Little things.

A.

Autumn Changes.

Each and every year I have looked forward to going back to school.

Sure, summers a ball. But after I get my share of the sun-I'm basically over it.

I love being on a schedule and getting involved. 

Keeping organized, taking notes and picking out supplies gets my so giddy. It's almost weird? 

This is my brother, Will.

He the youngest of the bunch and he started Middle School today!

So exciting, nerveracking, bittersweet and a new turning point in his life.

He's growing up. I'm growing up.

Things are changing. 

But in my opinion, good change.

"Without change, there is no opportunity for new greatness."  

Tim Jahrling 

This was once said to me when I made my transition into a new high school.

It changed my outlook completely.

I left my graduating class of 50 behind and shuffled in with 500 other students at the public high school in my town.

Basically, I was given lemons.

But I made lemonade.

;)

 To fellow student bloggers, it's a new year. 

Time to make things count.

A.