Truly evil people will FAKE A BABY'S DEATH!

I was watching "All My Children" today, although it was hard to concentrate because my mom was LAUGHING SO HARD.
Admittedly, it was pretty funny.
"They took Matthew...I mean, Trevor. And they faked the baby's death! But his mother will only get custody if she moves in with the crazy father! GASP!"
Fun fun fun.
No, I didn't go to school. School isn't even out yet.
I got out of the shower and smelled something iffy, and all of a sudden, there's this uncontrollable gag reflex. So I kind of passed out on the bed and my mom agreed there was nothing important I was going to miss at school today.
Although my history teacher would have pitched a fit.
He probably did. He'll probably yell at me all day tomorrow.
Whatever. He is SO full of it.
He made a big deal about how much he loves America, and then went on to describe the reasons he hates it.
Yeah, it made a lot of sense.
So that class sucks, but Chemistry ended up being awesome!
Mr. Daniel told us a story about aliens that shot three pieces of paper, which couldn't have just been litter. No, there was a message, which he revealed with ammonia or something.
Then he showed us his squirt bottle, AKA "No-Doze", and it had at least 50 tally marks of students he'd woken with it.
Ha. You're going DOWN, Emory.
Math looks all right. Mrs. Erickson is pretty chill about homework and whatnot. WE DON'T HAVE TO TURN IN NOTES. AND I have that class with a BUNCH of my friends.
Band's all right. We were playing pep today and I missed it. Maybe we'll play at the assembly tomorrow...
There's a cute girl in my history class who may or may not be a foreign exchange student. Hmmmm...
Women's Studies might be okay once we get started. But Innovative Fitness is hopelessly boring when you're forced to listen to lectures about excercising rather than actually doing it.
Argh. Now I'm addicted to Farkle, peppermints, and Milk Duds. I'm definitely going to like it when PE actually starts up. Ryan made fun of me for taking the class, though. He told me it was "shameful". Which it is. It's mostly girls...but there are 2 guys. They look scared, excited, and bored out of their minds.
Blah. It was the most boring day of school I've ever had.
Hopefully this year will get better...but there's football on Saturday! How could I forget!
But we have to sacrifice a virgin to our star quarterback. It's the only way to keep him happy.
Hopefully it won't be me. I'll be busy.

F my life.

They changed my schedule AGAIN.
So they pretty much eliminated any chance of my having classes with friends.
I won't be seeing at least 6 of my friends all year long.
It's pretty frustrating.
Chemistry, math, and history, which tend to be my worst classes, take up the first three periods.
And the teachers seem pretty nice.
But I kind of wanted to be in a bad mood about this year.
They switched up the band schedule, so I wasn't able to take my first choice of English.
Then, all of a sudden, I'm thrown out of my second choice into Women's Studies.
WOMEN'S STUDIES!!!!!
THAT class, however, seems like it might be pretty entertaining. The teacher is pretty funny and nice, and I've heard stories about her. Funny ones.
And PE is full of other lazy teenage girls who want to do Pilates and yoga. AWESOME.
But STILL!! AAAAARGH!
I don't have classes with practically ANY band kids!
Neither with my best friend, but whatever, I guess I've been replaced. Understandable, but lamentable all the same. And irritating. But whatever.
AAAAAAAAARGH, but for some reason, I have LOTS of classes with an overly amorous male aquaintance.
NOT INTERESTED. THANKS.
It's going to be one of those years.
I was hoping to keep boy drama to a minimum. Looks like that's not going to happen.
But friend drama...I guess I'm safe in that department because I'll HAVE NO FRIENDS.
And grades? Who knows. All the teachers seem fairly reasonable.
But I was kind of depressed walking into history. Because I realized any chance of my EVER having Mr. Walker as a teacher flew out the window.
Unless I fail Chemistry and take it next year.
There is nowhere I can turn, there is no way to go oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon!
Darn. Javert is dead. The only thing left to look forward to is Marius' moving solo.
Well, that, and a rousing chorus of "Do You Hear the People Sing?"
I just realized: I HATE the song "Turning". Stupid stupid stupid. Of course they're dead. You could sound a little less happy about it!

Home again...sort of

The day we left Colorado, it started raining.
Like serious "the gods are angry" type rain.
Then we get home to Washington...and the weather's been insanely nice.
Not to mention HOT.
90 degrees?
How very Twilight Zone.
It's good to be home again.
I thought things would be different when I got home.
I'm not sure how I thought they would be different, but when I got back, everything was back to normal.
I sort of just..."fit" right back in.
I'd kind of wanted to be different somehow, like things just "weren't the same".
But then I'd be Christy Miller.
And I praise God every day that I'm not.
And that was a little...stupid, self-righteous, who knows...of me to think in the first place.
Oh well. Life goes on. And I have changed. At least a little bit.
It was a great trip.
We have a *cough* beautifully written team blog and a couple of videos.
My dad was worried watching the videos that I wasn't having a good time, because I look miserable in the videos.
But no. I was actually completely enjoying myself. I just take bad pictures.
The VBS part was great. The highest number of kids was 42 and on the last day we had 39, and at least 15 were saved!
2 out of 4 brothers in one family were saved, and 3 other kids (all in the same family) got saved and were so excited that they brought their jr. high brother.
He completely hated the VBS, but at least he got to hear the message.
And the jr. high group hadn't had kids for the first three days, so it was nice for them to finally have at least one.
The first graders were squirrelly, but so cute. One of the Australians was the youngest of 4 brothers and knew how to get his way oh so effectively. He had the most evil smile.
Another would tag-team with his younger brother and cause chaos.
But he got saved and ended up being a total sweetie. On the last day, during the carnival, it was the happiest anyone had ever seen him.
Probably because he won an ungodly amount of candy.
But still.
Ew, when Tootsie Pops lay in the sun for a long time, they cease to be delicious.
The team bonded, it was all good.
But really, I honestly feel closer to these people and I made a lot of new friends.
Woo, I sound like a kindergartener.
The encouragement board was my favorite part. I loved getting notes. One of the leaders wrote me the nicest note.
Ugh, there were a couple low points. One of the leaders was kind of a jerk.
Scratch "kind of". He was a jerk.
He was like an overgrown frat boy. He'd act like an immature loser half the time, and then suddenly expect you to give him respect. And he'd do stuff we weren't supposed to do, yet when we pulled crap like that, he'd INSULT us to no end.
Or maybe that was just me. Ugh. He was such a loser.
And then one of my teammates and I didn't get along. It was a matter of misunderstandings and differences in personality, but when I finally started trying to make amends, he LITERALLY turned his back on me. Funnily enough, we kept getting thrown together in EVERYTHING; family groups, VBS, etc. So I think we should work it out. But I don't know how he feels about it.
And, frankly, I no longer care.
Wooooooooooooooo, anyway.
There was delicious food every morning from the dream-crushing cooks, and hot showers in the CCU locker room.
CCU sounds like a cool school.
They gave us goodie bags full of college-y stuff.
I got a mug, a frisbee, a CD, and college information! Yes! For sure!
And the guy who gave us the spiel about the school was so darn convincing.
Hmm...Christian school...never really thought about that before.
Denver itself is great. Outdoor malls? What are those? Now I know! We found an epic indie bookstore, too. It was GREAT!
And there was a fantastically awkward bus ride.
Well, there were a couple of those. And not all of them were fun. :P
But the one I'm referring to was funny because it...wasn't...funny.
I ended up buying 7 ninjas and 3 books.
Don't ask.
And all for $25.75!!
Woohoo. And now I'm going to crash. To bed!

17 DAYS!!!

Really. I've run out of witty titles.
A fun, drama-filled weekend, followed by an equally challenging Monday.
Okay, deflecting is not fair.
When you're being a hypocrite and treating people like crap, you are not allowed to deflect people's comments towards your behavior and be like, "Whatever, it's just you."
>:(
And one of my friends made a BIG deal about how emotional I am all the time and how bitchy my other friend can be when she's PMS-ing.
Then she spent the whole next day snapping at people and being an emotional wreck.
Et tu, Brute?
Of course, if we said anything, we were chewed out for being insensitive.
So then a fight erupted and I got thrown in the middle.
Thanks, guys.
Guess who ended up apologizing?
Us, of course. After we were so horrible to her, after all.
-_-
Just lame. So we got that out of the way. Sort of.
Then I get to lunch and someone who's supposed to be my "friend" is ragging on me about EVERYTHING.
And he's trying to pass it off as "just joking", but he's saying really mean stuff and his body language and tone of voice are completely negative.
And when I made one joking comment back, he got REALLY offended and spent the rest of the lunch period, "Gosh, SOMEONE'S moody. And impatient. And mean. I'm not saying you're mean ALL the time [which he was], just sometimes. But whatever. You're so immature. You have an excuse for every time you screw up."
WTF????????????????
And yeah, we've been having friendship "issues" as of late.
That little "situation" I've been talking about has been going on for a whopping 6 weeks, but neither of us want to deal with it.
So we both sort of swept it under the rug.
And I was still annoyed about it, but he kept saying, "Whatever, I don't care," so in order to keep him as a friend I had to act like I didn't care either.
But I'm not the one insulting him at lunch for an entire thirty minutes without respite.
Finally, I was like, "WHAT IS YOUR DEAL? Why are you being such a jerk and targeting me? If you really have such a big problem with me, you can leave."
His witty reply?
"Whatever. You're not the boss of me."
Congratulations! You're 12-years-old! Regression becomes you.

Good haul. Excellent haul this year.

My mom made me drive to Tacoma today.
-_-
It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was definitely very irritating sitting in the car with two parents who thought my tense shoulders and annoyed expression were due to extreme nervousness rather than extreme anger.
Because it's really annoying having your mom sit in the passenger seat going, "Slow down. Speed up. Okay, speed up a little.... Okay, okay.... Lauren! Are you paying attention? He's merging! Okay, just STAY IN THIS LANE. STAY IN THIS LANE. STAY IN THIS LANE. What are you doing? Make a lane change."
And then my dad decided to compliment my driving whilst clinging desperately to the back seat.
Yes, Dad. My peripheral vision is THAT good.
Too bad that, regarding love languages, "Words of Encouragement" is bumped down to #4, right next to "Acts of Service", when I'm driving.
Ironically, we were listening to The Ting Ting's "Shut up and let me go".
But we made it, and now I've completed 7 hours of driving time.
Only 43 more hours to go.
My birthday was fairly EXCELLENT, by the way. Not to brag. It just was. And all my teachers liked my birthday chicken.
I got three of those, along with a pretty awesome promise ring, some giftcards, and a cross necklace.
Then I got more practical gifts from family.
But they all came in pink, which I'm sorry to say I really like.
The party was pretty cool, but things got kind of out-of-hand with a game of Truth or Dare when the sheltered people refused to answer Truths, but didn't want to take part in Dares (yet still insisted on playing?), and then a couple that had broken up a week previous "got back together" and made things awkward and confusing for everyone (especially the guy's Tolo date. Yeah, I know.).
Other than that, though, it was fun.
And there's no school tomorrow, which might just be the best birthday present of them all.
No car, but there's always next year.
And until then, I have a pretty sweet Buick LeSabre I can run you over with.
16 is looking good so far.
I can now legally get drunk in Germany on their crappy German beer! Woooo!

Artsy is a synonym for pornographic

It's true. Screw artsy movies. They're supposed to be "edgy" and "engaging" and "raw, coarse, and realistic", but a lot of them are just painful to watch.
Like "Le Fils de Requin"!
So pointless and lame. That kid is crazy.
Why do high school kids insist on calling them "relationships"?
It seems everyone has some kind of drama.

Your Spiritual Number is Five

You bring adventure and change to people's lives. You are willing to challenge your friends and push them to grow. Right now, your life is about figuring out where to direct your energy. If you're not careful, you can become too unreliable or flighty. You need the perfect project. You live a free form life - which allows you to be very innovative and a great problem solver. Rules, schedules, and structure practically destroy you. You have to do things your own way.

What's Your Spiritual Number?

Why is it so dang cold? Today was in the low to upper 40's. Today's high was 47 degrees.

You Are Flannel Pajamas

You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home!

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

"Love and Peaches" was completely satisfying. "Footfree and Fancyloose", not as much, but still nice...and very realistic.

It's not just how you're covered; it's how you're treated.

Hehehehe, our small group is too fun.
Jin is really into Star Wars, army men...and Barbies!!
He was really jealous of our Barbies and Polly Pockets.
I think Kristine is coming over tomorrow so we can make a Barbie soap opera.
Totally fabulous!!
I think my Homecoming date ditched me. Why, Sierra, why?
And I don't think she's mad at me...?
Urgh.
I want to give Mr. Rosendale my dad's Republican National Committee pin. He'll get the joke. But my dad won't let me wear it...even though he never does.
Ugh, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is so lame. I can't get into "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater". Why should I have to finish it?
Mwahahaha, the Rent Sims are still alive and well.
Collins and Angel's oldest son is at college with Benny's daughter. The two are engaged and have almost finished freshman year.
Mark's son and Joanne and Maureen's daughter are at college, too.
Mimi and Roger's youngest daughter just became a child.
And practically everyone is in private school.
Argh, I just want 3rd generation Rent sims.
I don't know why I'm excited about the birth of virtual babies.
And just looking at some of the parents, these are going to be some PRETTY ugly babies.
Except for Paul's kids. Whoever marries Maureen and Joanne's only son will be VERY lucky. He's BEAUTIFUL.
Which is creepy. Because he's, you know, not real.
But some Sims are competely beautiful as teenagers and then BUTT UGLY as adults.
Like J.P. and Michael.
Ugh, I'm thirsty.

Don't ask, don't tell

I wasn't sure what that meant at first.
So I retook the McCain/Obama quiz, and I am 76% for McCain and 24% for Obama.
Tie and I went on a walk with Alexis and her dogs. Cosmo was there, too, and Tie tried to eat him, but Isabel rescued him and there was a death match.
BEAT DOWN!
SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING!!! One of the best days of the year. But I really didn't need that much, so I just bought some binders and a couple T-shirts.
Where are all the composition notebooks??? I couldn't find them!!
There was a T-shirt that said "Vader for Prez '08" but I couldn't find one in my size. >:(
I would totally vote for Vader.
Take a ride on the dark side.
Eeeee, tomorrow is going to be so cool!
Spoken like a true sophomore, I know, but seriously!! I get to start AND end the day with a cool class.
Oh, but I do have PE first thing.
And the PE teacher is a psycho.
-_- Oh well, at least all my band buddies are in it.
"The Big Bang Theory" is pretty much the best show on television.
Better than "High School Musical: Get in the Picture", anyway. Too much drama. There are some pretty fine guys on it, though. STAN IS NOT ONE OF THEM!! James is in the chorus. :(
Ugh, and whenever he has a lead part and he messes up, the faculty excuses it because he's smooth, or whatever.
Isaiah is the MAN!
But Sheldon on Big Bang Theory pretty much makes my day, even though he's such a jerk. And he wears funny pants.
"I'm going to collaborate with you!"
And Daniel Kim got a girl at 15-years-old, so they're all jealous.
The first season came out on DVD today!!! WANT!

You promised me lesbians.

Yeah, sounds kind of pervertedish. I was promised them, though.
Seriously, I just can't understand "A Chorus Line". I was expecting so much more and it was so...bland. I liked the "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three" song. But the characters? "Let's introduce you to these people and their struggles, and then cruelly rip them away from you as the job they needed so badly is torn from their hands, because life is cruel, but you move on." Um...thanks.
But I didn't see the point of some of the characters (I don't care what my mom says, that creepy husband guy was really controlling/abusive) and that 18-year-old girl was SO ANNOYING, and that Asian girl? Way to live up every Asian stereotype. But my mom was explaining them and going really deep into them about what they represented and who they were and I'm like, "Um, whoa, am I that shallow?"
Apparently the stage show is so much better, and the movie only cut out like HALF THE FREAKING PLAY!
And I hated the director and all the stupid flashbacks. He was annoying.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE GOT THE SPOTS IN THE FINAL CHORUS LINE IN THE PLAY!!! I HATE THE MOVIE!!!
And Paul will never dance again.
I foresee a really good week. Math test tomorrow that I'm sure to pass, an open house at the high school, and NO MORE JAZZ BAND THIS WEEK! YAY!
Omg, I love Sims University. Only I'm not that great about throwing parties because I just want all my Sims to graduate. Only when they graduate, they become adults...oh, hadn't thought about that. Remade ALL the Princess Diaries Sims, but have yet to move them in. I have almost EVERYONE, even a Sebastiano Sim!!

Super secret Pastor Matt post

Aaargh. I just realized I REALLY hate the song "Daring Daylight Escape". I mean, the song I guess is fine, but wth?? That is one of the dumbest titles I've ever heard.
So I'm simultaneously pouting and drinking a pumpkin milkshake with sour cream, which is both good and bad, depending on the sip taken.
I don't know, I should've seen it coming, because people that leave the church receive a black mark and are usually shunned, but I didn't think I'd actually be shunned. By an adult, too. Wtf??
Just brings back BAAAAD memories of 4th/5th grade musicals. Yeah, so most of you know what this is about. Aaargh, just made me POed that I wasn't even considered. I didn't exactly reply to the e-mail, but not even considered? At all? Even a little bit??
Yeah. That was the one blemish on my otherwise pleasant Sunday. Yeah, I ACTUALLY had a good Sunday. What a concept. So I'll probably get over it way fast, seeing as I might possibly have a new oppurtunity with the worship team. At least, I'm hoping. Because I don't think they'll take a trombone player, but I can sort of carry a tune. So jealous of that bass player, he's sooooo good, do you do private lessons?? Yeah I guess I'm getting a bass for Christmas? That's pretty cool. I want to pick it out, though. Embarass my dad, too, and get a bright pink one. Then I'll apply a unicorn decal.
I like how I sort of wasted my four day weekend. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted. Now back to stupid Pre-AP. And maybe the science test. I hope, because I've gotten so many false alarms it's not even funny.
I think tomorrow, after I watch "Hairspray" again, I'm going to lock myself in my room and finish "Watership Down" and all the "book letters" I have left to do.
Oh yeah, speaking of books, I finished "Dreamcatcher", and it was really good. I was surprised to find that I actually liked it. The volley of F-words was kind of annoying, but it was a really good story, and wth one of the main characters at the end mentions God in a positive sense? Not your typical Stephen King story!! Aaah the weasels. I may never sit on a toilet again. And I'm probably never drinking water, either, in case it's been infected by a dead dog. Just saying. That spoiled some of the ending.
Aaaaaaaaah, best book I ever read, "24 girls in 7 days". Yeah, sounds perverted, but it's about the prom, and it's surprisingly well written and hilarious. And the ending was so good. It moved me.
Yeah. I have to sleep. Or watch TV. Not sure.