Never once have I been on an airplane. I have never even stepped foot into an airport. Yet the first journey I take is across the world and to the country I have ALWAYS wanted to go to – go figure. I never choose the easy route. From going through security all the way to boarding the plane, it was one intense, yet fun adventure. I was incredibly nervous getting onto the plane and then I realized a miracle from God happened and I got a seat in business class. My own pod, my own pillow, my own television- it was then when I got relaxed that I knew it was going to be quite okay.

By the way, the amazingly adorable British man that was right next to my ‘pod’ helped quite a bit as well . 

I have to say though- I thought the journey was never going to end. I barely fell asleep on the plane - maybe for three hours or so. Then, I fell asleep in Heathrow. Finally when making it to Milan I was absolutely spent, exhausted, and worn out. Not to mention we still had to go to a dinner that night- which, I could not even appreciate due to my exhaustion. By the end of the night I was dragging my feet and thought for the first time I was going to pass out from exhaustion. Underneath the long travel and the exhaustion I saw my first Vespa, stepped my first foot onto Italy soil, and knew it was going to be a great trip.

Unfortunately the Dolce and Gabbana dream of a beautiful hotel in Milan was quickly ruined when I saw where we are staying. It's okay. My Mom says the beds look like cribs and they most certainly do. I get along with my roommate really well and she's extra fantastic. Minus the fact this hotel does not have air conditioning or a shower large enough to fit a two-year-old I was in Milan. I just have to say- the complaints started rolling out when I discovered the air conditioning problem. It's about 1,000 degrees here and I wish I was exaggerating. Not to mention I HATE bugs and I HATE being sweaty- and I was greeted with both.

Welcome Italia.

So i've been at college for about three months now, maybe a little less. It  felt great and liberating to be at school  and away from home, but also it felt comforting to have my family only a mere 20 minutes away at my beck and call whenever I needed them.

Things have changed.

My family moved an hour and a half away without informing me until plans were finalized. Pretty nice, huh? It feels weird to actually be 'at school.'

It's fun here, I got a 3.7 for me first "semester" I was excited. All I have to do is keep up my GPA for that scholarship I need to get me out of debt for the next 20 years after school. *crossing fingers*

I don't really know what else to say besides I can't believe I'm writing in this thing again.

I'M ALIVE!  

    I've been wanting to do this for awhile now, I just got the time today:

I wanted to just take this time and remember all of my four years through OP and how much fun it really was. To do that I just wanted to take the time and really thank everyone who made my highschool experience worth it. Without these people, I wouldn't have been able to get through some years. From freshman year being brand new to OP to senior year, being a veteran and being the top of the school. It's safe to say though, that it didn't hit me until today about how "big" we are. This whole year it never dawned on me that I, indeed, was a senior. It's so crazy how fast we all have grown up, how mature we've all gotten, and how ready we are to start out lives. I wish everyone the best of luck, I love you all.

  

Jess-I know that I can't really sum up 10 years in one little paragraph, but with you I know I don't have to. You have been my crutch, my support, my advice, my sister. I don't know what I'm going to do without you these next coming years. I have no idea who I'm going to run to and expect a laugh, and expect the best thing that toughens me up and makes me feel better instantly. I love you, but this isn't goodbye clearly, I don't even have to worry about saying goodbye to you ever. God we've ran around gifted education in third grade together, we camped outside and almost got killed and made that story a legend, we survived ghost encounters at my Dad's estate, we've made fools of ourselves together, we've created so many memories together. You are the best "best friend" anyone could ask for, and I can't thank you enough for putting up with me for 10 years..and forever.

          

Eleni-From the wee years of sixth grade and me not knowing anyone in the neighborhood, to senior year in highschool. I know we've gone in and out of I guess, being "close" but in the end, I know that you are always tehre for me when I'm upset or just looking for a good time. You were definitely a perfect asset to our monthly, weekly, yearly "shindigs." I know there are so many memorable times we've had together. From going to VCU, to "cartwheels outside avoiding dog poop", to loving life together (that's a metaphor), to you being so obnoxious all the time and not caring, to rocking out in your car with hot boys next to us. My God we've been through it all. I love you very much, and I can't thank you enough for letting me vent. There have been times in the past where I don't know what I would've done without you. Thank you so much. Good luck to you, I love you.

Brendon- Talk about tough love.  I'm pretty sure there is no one else in my life that has made my skin tougher than you have. I can recall so many times where I've called you or whined to you online to get sympathy, but in return I got "suck it up, it's not that big of a deal." I never realized how valuable that was until recently. I think you've helped shaped me into a better person through all of your tough love and encouraging advice. Especially lately, your "words of wisdom" about the adventure that I'm about to embark on this coming year has really put me at ease about college. I was/am very emotional about leaving friends, but you've told me many times about how you have kept in touch with the ones that really matter, and that's what I'll do too. We've had some good times, and I know that no matter what, I can ALWAYS joke around with you and have a good laugh. If it wasn't for you, my word usage, grammar, and spelling would still be incorrect and my music taste would still suck, very much so. D<3D! Relay for life was probably one of the best memories i think i have, you know you're talented so I'm not even going to make your head any bigger. :) Thanks bud. For everything.

Timmy- I don't really know where we stand right now, even you and I really don't know where we stand haha. BUT I had to say to you that you are genuinely one hell of a good guy. I think that you were one of the reasons that my senior year was so enjoyable. We've been through a lot together, and I think i wouldn't have bene able to get through my grandmother, my move, and everything else without you. I've relied on you too much knowing that you will be there for me no matter what, when, how, or time. In fact, when something goes wrong, you're one of the first people I call because you keep things real and you see both sides. How can I pass that up ever? You don't always jump on my side just becuase you feel like that's what you have to do to make me feel better, you just give me the other side's perspective and feelings. I think that is one quality in you that i envy the most. Also, the fact that you will do just about anything for ANYONE whenever they are in trouble. You have been my help and my support this past year, I honestly couldn't have done it without you.

 

My Feen: That JMU trip seems like so long ago doesn't it? Well, it really was the forte of our bonding experience lol. Since then, i have been smittened by your love. You are by for the most outgoing, charismatic, loving person that i have ever met (besides myself) haha just kidding. Our lives are simply on a parallel track, and we are merely attached at the hip by the similiarities that we have struggled with in our life. I couldn't get over how wonderful of a person you were/are when we got to get together for JMU. I'm pretty sure you are the most gorgeous girl, don't ever let anyone tell you differently. I think that the one night we stayed up until 6 AM with Paris, Eileen, and Jess really made my summer. Your personality exudes with gorgeousness, and I can't remember a time where I just didnt have less than an amazing day with you. I loved having you at my birthday, and I love how you are always there when I need you. I can rely on you for just about anything, and even though you are one year behind us, I'm definitely still going to call you and make sure you're fulfilling your senior duties, but you are always so on top of things, you'll be fine . I love you and I hope that you don't ever change. One bit.

My Jostie: Lauren, it's been some long year with Mr. Smith hasn't it? I think that last year was the most fun year in orchestra we've ever had, but this year sure wasn't too far behind. There were times in orchestra where I just couldn't wait for you to come in. When you didn't walk through the door in the morning, I was so sad..and then you showed up 10 minutes late and my orchestra morning was made. I think that you are by far the most caring person out of all of my friends, you get that award. I can't tell you how many mornings i looked forward to coming into class and yelling at certain people, or sitting down and playing the piano and singing alogn with you. I have gotten extremely close to you this year and I really can't explain to you how much it puts me at ease that you are going to Mason with me. We missed out on rooming together this year, but I have apartment plans for the coming years. We are going to be majoring in just about the same things, I'm going to need you this next coming four years. I love you, and you know. Jostie, my highschool orchestra career, and college career would not be the same without you. I have to thank you for always talking to me and greeting me with that gorgeous smile every morning, you've been the best!

        

Amanda-From you having "hot legs" in sixth grade, to a certain someone telling us that he would take over the planet, to having a numerous amounts of good times throughout highschool. Ive known you since sixth grade and i really couldnt ask for anyone funnier and more sweet than you. You have given me tears in my eyes from how much you have made me laugh through the years. You can always take an awkward moment and make it better by just being yourself, and not being afraid of what anyone will say. There's been so many times in fashion these past two years that i've wanted to simply bang my head up against the wall, but we've been partners in crime in that class since i can remember. I can always count on you for some good advice and some incredible laughs. I think some of my most fondest memories in highschool have you involved. You are going to tech next year and I really don't want to lose touch with you, Amanda you're amazing and I'm so priveledged to have known you for these 6 years. remember, you and rob will get married, no matter what.

  

Abbey- Ok, so I told you in your graduation card that you are the sweetest person i've ever known throughout the years, and I still stand by that today. Out of six years of long schooling, I have NEVER met anyone more empathetic as you. You are by far the nicest, most ginuwine person i have EVER met in my entire life. I'm so priveledged to be friends with you, you're so amazing. You're hilarious, and my most favorite memory of you is when we went to feaste last year, and I was trying to catch up to you to try and go out to eat and find somewhere, and you drove 25 mph down 234 with your hazard lights on until could catch up to you. You are not afraid of anyone's opinions, you do what you think is right and whatever that is, you stick with it. That is by far one of the most admirable qualities that a person can have. I hope you stay the exact same way that I've known you to be abbey, and I wish you the best of luck for the future. As I said to Amanda, I don't want to lose touch. Both of you are going to Virginia Tech and I want to come visit, so I definitely will.

 

Kristal- I know this year you and I have kind of drifted apart, but there was no way I was leaving you out of this. You definitely contributed to making my junior year the best year out of all years of being at OP. I can't even remember a time together that we had that wasn't fun. I remember going to your house for new years and then going to your house for the first time and being astounded by how awesome and gorgeous everything was. I am envious of your family, you have the most perfect parents, they are so loving and supporting of you, it's so nice to see and refreshing to know that families like yours still exist . I think you are the most talented girl I have ever met in my life, that's the award you get, most talented. The one thing that is so amazing about you though kristal, is how talented you are and how much you could brag, but you don't. You are very laid back and you take things day by day and I think that was one of the best characteristics i learned from you. You have always been such a real person in my life, and you've always come to my birthday outings or events, and I really just can't wait to go to mason with you. Thanks for my 17th birthday and all the other memories that you were with me to help create. I can't wait to go to DC with you and shop the thrift stores. It's a date.

  

Gaby- The same goes with you, I know we have drifted apart this year.. but you were also apart of making my junior year the best year at OP. You are by far the most smart, understanding, moral driven, gorgeous girl I think that I've known in highschool. I can remember many of times that I called you having a "fall out" with family matters and you sat there and you listened to me for the longest time offering some of the greatest advice and help that you could give. As goes for Kristal, goes the same for you, you are so talented. I think one of my favorite times with you was when we were sitting out in the junior lot with your guitar waiting for your mom to come pick you up, and we sat down in the middle of the junior lot playing marvin gaye and brittney spears. The reason why i chose that picture on the left, was the forte of our 'bonding.' That New Years Eve was probably the most memorable oneI will have for a long time. Remember the  "the most loudest award?" and how we snuck off to create awards, and when someone started coming up the stairs we ran so fast that we couldn't catch our breath from laughing? Gaby, I really couldn't forget you in this, I think that without you in junior year I wouldn't have gotten through it, I mean, how could i forget someone who on the first day of really hanging out with you, we went to H&M and made fools out of ourselves. I also have to formally thank you for introducing me to Daphne Loves Derby. I really think that that was one of the most valuable things you gave me lol. I really hope that you persue your goals of becoming a doctor, and I think UVa is the perfect place for you to start. Congratulations Gaby, I'm so proud of you for getting into UVa, I wish you the best of luck in life.

   

Paris and Eileen: Your names together are kind of an oxymoron lol buuuut it's perfectly ok hahaha. You two...gosh i don't even know where to start. Paris-you are by far the most vivacious, hottest grandmother, most outgoing, most crazy, most ridiculously insane person i've ever met in my life --and i KNOW you take that as a compliment, 100%. My goodness paris, i know that takling to you is going to fall nothing short of amusing. I can't even begin to recite the stories that you and I have sat down and talked about. After all, if it wasn't for you, that infamous night until the 6 AM in the morning would never of happened. Eileen-the JMU trip was so much fun. I think that through junior year and through the beginning of this year, you were so reilable to talk to and you have the most contageous laugh. Thanks so much you two for always making me have such a fun time, I really appreciate it.

 

Tim- Basically, we had this discussion today and i didn't want to leave you out. I really dont know what i would have done without you in junior year, and this year. You have always been there for me with the BEST guy advice in the entire universe. You sat there and listened to every girl cry, be upset, be angry about any guy that has treated them wrong and what do you do? You write a huge essay on how guys are assholes and you sit there and console whatever girl it may be. Let me tell you, that is one HELL of an attribute to admire. You are so successful in everything you do, whether it's socially, businessey, or money! haha. You are so amazing, and such, god, you have such a wonderful heart tim. You wouldn't hurt anyone if you even had the ability to. You are always there for me whenever you need to be, and you have seriously treated my best friend with the best care anyone could ever have. Good luck at Virginia Tech tim, you are seriously going to be the very next donald trump. I love you, and i hope you continue being successful, but you don't need me to say it for it to be done. You are so amazing, thank you for listening to me all through ms. volino's class, thank you so much tim.

 

 

So to all of you, I know i forgot some, and I'll probably end up adding more as time goes on, I thank you for making my time at Osbourn park the best four years of my life. You guys, I am at a loss of words, have really created memories with me and I wouldn't exchange them for any price or anything else. Thank you. I love you so much.

As we go on

We remember

All the times we've

Had together

And as our lives change

Come whatever

We will still be

Friends forever.

 

-Janelle