Brought to you straight from the bottom of my "School Stuff" Box

For the last few days, I've been cleaning out my old school stuff box.

It's been fun.

And enlightening really.

For example, here are two template poems written 6 years apart--

"If I were in Charge of the World" - January 1998 (4th grade)

If I were in charge of the world

I'd cancel getting shots,

Tomatoes except for ketchup,

Violence

And also onions except for onion rings.

If I were in charge of the world

There'd be robots to clean for you and

Candy would be for free.

If I were in charge of the world

You wouldn't have spiders,

You wouldn't have scorpions,

You wouldn't have posin (poison??) snacks

Or sharks.

You wouldn't even have ants that bite.

If I were in charge of the world

A government would be fair.

All countries would be free.

And a person who sometimes forgot to turn off lights

And sometimes forgot to practice piano

Would still be allowed to be

In charge of the world.

"If I were in Charge of the World" - 2004 (10th grade)

If I were in charge of the world

I'd cancel early mornings,

Doctor appointments

Casserole

And stupid boys.

If I were in charge of the world

There'd be closer stars

Louder laughs

And more smiles.

If I were in charge of the world

You wouldn't have homework.

You wouldn't have bad hair days.

Or "don't stay out too late".

You wouldn't even have too late.

If I were in charge of the world

Dogs would be allowed to go everywhere with you.

All ice cream would be fat free.

And a person who sometimes was a little late

And sometimes tends to procrastinate

Would still be allowed to be in charge of the world.

After comparing these two poems, I have realized two things.

1. My general concern for politics and government disappeared upon exiting the fourth grade.

2. The only common string between 4th and 8th grade me, is my passion (read: strong feelings) for food. I mean, I devote entire stanzas to offing onions and casserole. And then five seconds later, I'm commanding free candy and fatless ice cream for all.

Not to mention, at 9 years old, I was very concerned about getting rid of those "poison snacks".

They just ruin it for everyone.

Somewhere along this journey called life I became a bad blogger

Lately, I can't think of anything to say.

Or at least I can't think of how to say it.

That could be because I only blog after 12 a.m.

Which, incidentally, is after my brain turns to mush, but before it turns brilliant from a combination of exhaustion and lack of inhibitions.

Just so you know, I use the term brilliant loosely.

In fact, I use all vocabulary loosely when my brain is mush.

Also just so you know, I wish my can of V8 Fusion juice was not empty.

And finally, just so you know, there is a giant spider somewhere near or under my chair. And so I am going to bed before it eats me.

I hope someday I find something to say.

And then I find how to say it.

Because I like saying things.

'Night.

In Honor of a Certain Someone Who I Think is Awesome

"At the coco, coco banana."

"Oh... that's not Alan."

Sort of like VH1, Except without the Comedians

I'm sort of a liar.

Due to a few not-exactly-technical difficulties, my so-called summer recap is coming not as soon as I previously planned.

But not to worry.

I have thought of a way to make it up to all of you who were fooled into excitement by my brilliant marketing campaign and are now feeling a little let down.

I now bring you--

I Love the 00's.

FLASHBACK!

Okay people, it's 2006.

Lost is on TV. And people's minds are already being blown by the cast of characters that crash landed on a mysterious island.

What they don't realize, is that this show is actually Gilligan's Island with time travel.

They also don't realize that (SPOILER ALERT!) after 6 seasons of confusing plot twists and TV induced headaches, all the characters are just going to die at the end.

When Lost goes to a commercial break--since DVR is nothing more than a distant desire of the general public's imagination and since the general public is tired of watching commercials featuring insurance-buying cavemen--the people of 2006 switch the channel to their second favorite network: MTV.

There, James Blunt is telling them they're beautiful in abnormally whiny vocals while he empties his pockets during his music video that is playing between episodes of My Super Sweet Sixteen and MADE.

Meanwhile, I, a ((currently)) blond girl dressed in a pink polo, am standing in a long line of fame-seeking high schoolers who are all auditioning to be featured on that very TV show (MADE, that is).

Soon, I will try to convince the man who is somehow associated with MTV, that I am shy and insecure. And, furthermore, only learning to salsa dance and then performing at my school's next cultural assembly will cure me of my social awkwardness.*

When the MTV man asks me where the nearest drinking fountain is, I will consider it a test of how well I know my school, so I will try desperately to give him detailed directions to the hallway drinking spot, in an attempt to prove my sound school spirit.

As it will turn out, the MTV man is just thirsty.

Some students will later conclude that the MADE tryouts were just an elaborate senior prank.

But I know they were real.

Because I'm watching it on the news--MTV searching for MADE participants at local high schools makes the 6p.m. lineup.

Also in this year's news--this just in--Pluto is not a planet.

And so begins a new cultural divide. Are you for or against Pluto??

While scientists argue over the differences between dwarf planets and jupiter, I am struggling with my own scientific discoveries.

Specifically, I am looking for a broken refrigerator.

After begging the workers to let us into the dump, my group and I are standing in the middle of a landfill, wondering where to look for appliances.

The workers point us in the right direction, and soon we are videotaping somebody else's trash as we explain the complexities of thermal physics.**

We later show our fridge presentation in class. And get an A.

I do not fall asleep that day.

Speaking of things that are cold, my favorite movie, Eight Below, comes out this year.

I watch it, with my friend that I have known since first grade, on free pancake day at IHOP.

A few months later, I get lost on my way to IHOP.

All I can find is an International House of Pancakes, so I settle.

This is the day I realize that IHOP and International House of Pancakes are one in the same.***

Shortly thereafter, I graduate from high school.

Yay!

A few days before graduation, though, I ask people to sign my yearbook.

They write about MADE and about how I dyed my hair, about the length of time we have known each other and about how I sleep in class.

They don't know that four years later I will read what they wrote.

And I'll miss '06.

And I'll write a flashback on my blog (which is kind of like Live Journal, except, as far as I can tell, slightly less emo).

And I'll say it's to make up for the not-exactly-technical difficulties.

But really, it will be because...

I LOVE THE 00's!

FLASHBACK

* Yes, this really happened.

** True story.

*** I am not kidding. I was meeting friends at IHOP and almost called them to say I could only find the International House of Pancakes. I was just about to make the call when my brain finally made this connection... I-International, H- House, O-of, P-Pancakes!

Early Morning Mumbo Jumbo

It's 3 in the morning, and I am eating frozen pie and thinking it's a good thing that Netflix regularly adds new movies, because I am running out of romantic comedies to watch.

I am also thinking that I should seriously consider fixing my sleeping schedule, because it's weird that I wake up at 8 or 9 (p.m.), and then spend all night working on various projects that I like to pretend are worthwhile.

Anyway, weird or not, I can't fix my sleeping schedule. At least not tonight. On account of this pie is probably going to give me nightmares. And I prefer waking up from nightmares when it's light outside.

Besides, it's quieter at night.

Which is beneficial, especially when I'm watching romantic comedies made in the 70s and 80s on Netflix.

After all, I like to be able to hear what the talking babies are saying.

Anyway...

I'm writing mostly because I want to tell you that a real* update is COMING SOON**.

And giving you this information just so happens to have the fringe benefit of writing about frozen pie and talking babies.

Apparently.

Note:

If you're still confused regarding the purpose and meaning of this post, here's the picture version.

Disclaimer:

The picture version will probably not help with your confusion.

[Another Note: the pictures in column 1 are not mine and can be found here, here and here.)

Well, it's getting light outside.

And you know what that means.

It's time for me to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of 1980s romance streaming from my regularly updated Netflix instant play.

Good night!

* Real, as can generally be assumed on this blog, is a relative term here.

** I am working on my marketing skills, so I put this phrase in red and capital letters to excite you.

The Defense

**** ALEC'S INTERROGATION REGARDING THE DAY'S EVENTS ****

Living Room Couch.

7:00 a.m.

ALEC: What were you doing at 7:00 this morning?

KYLA: I watched Nickelodeon shows from last night.

ALEC: What shows?

KYLA: The band one.

KENNA: Big Time Rush?

KYLA: Ya. And iCarly. This is embarrassing.

ALEC: How long did this go on?

KYLA: 5 hours.

Alec's Room.

10:30 a.m.

ALEC: Did you really wake up at 10:30?

ALEC: No. Yes. Sort of. I woke up at 5:30. Moved to my bed. Woke up at 7:30. Decided it was too early to start watching TV. Went back to sleep. And woke up at 10:30.

ALEC: Then what did you do?

ALEC: I think I read. A book. About fictional terrorists. Then I put on white shirt # 1.

Kenna's room.

11:30 a.m.

ALEC: Is it true you were the only one who slept in your room for the night?

KENNA: I did sleep in my room.

ALEC: So you aren't denying your disdain for Kyla's and my habbits?

KENNA: What?

ALEC: Repeats latter question.

KENNA: I am not denying that.

ALEC: What did you do throughout the morning/ afternoon?

KENNA: *Blank stare* I don't remember. (Henceforth I will use italics to refer to anything spoken in a British accent.)

KYLA: You watched Cadet Kelly.

KENNA: Two minutes of it. Then I watched MTVs Sweet Sixteen Biggest Bash Countdown, while also watching Extreme Resorts and Extreme Water Parks. There was also a countdown of Say Yes to the Dress.

Under the fridge.

11:32 a.m.

Scorpion: *Sitting*

Harkins Theaters.

2:10 p.m.

ALEC: Did you make it on time for Shrek?

KYLA: Yes. I even saw some of the previews for the previews.

ALEC: When was the last time you made it on time for a movie?

KYLA: *Thinks for a LONG time* March 18th.

ALEC: Do you have a witness that could confirm your alibi?

KYLA: Yes.

Yogurt Land.

2:11 p.m.

ALEC: I thought you were cutting back the sugar.

ALEC: Nope.

ALEC: Good to hear.

ALEC: Yep.

Kenna's Room

3:00 p.m.

ALEC: What were you doing?

KENNA: I'm pretty sure I was still watching all my countdown's at that time.

Under the Fridge.

3:02 p.m.

SCORPION: *Sitting. Planning.*

Kenna's Room.

5:30 p.m.

ALEC: What were you doing?

KENNA: Probably still watching my countdowns. Or I was on Facebook.

(Later adds she was cleaning her room.)

Living Room Couch.

5:30 p.m.

ALEC: What were you doing.

ALEC: I got a phone call. It was from Kyla. She needed me to bail her out of jail.

Just kidding. She needed me to pick her up from the mall.

So I put on white t-shirt # 2

Mall

5:45 p.m.

ALEC: Did you notice I was wearing a different white t-shirt?

KYLA: Definitely not.

ALEC: Great. Did you enjoy Shrek the 4th final chapter that may make a reappearance in year 2030?

KYLA: That's debatable.

ALEC: Do you have an alibi that could confirm you were not in fact in jail?

KYLA: Yes.

Under the Fridge.

5:45 p.m.

SCORPION: *Sitting. Planning. Scheming.*

**** ACTUAL DIALOGUE ****

Computer Room.

7:00 p.m.

KENNA: I'm Hungry. Let's order pizza.

ALEC: Let's not. Then I'll eat it.

Kitchen

7:30 p.m.

ALEC : Let's order pizza.

KENNA: What kind do you want?

ALEC: Vegetarian.

KENNA: No, what brand.

(Insert long conversation about the pros and cons of Hungry Howies v. Papa Johns.)

(Also, insert 14 fruitless games of noes goes.)

Computer Room

7:45 p.m.

(Kenna orders pizza. Notes that it will be ready in 15-30 minutes.)

Computer Room

7:47 p.m. - 8:10 p.m.

(Job Search.)

(Alec changes into white t-shirt # 3).

Blockbuster

8:15 p.m.

ALEC: Well these movies don't look interesting.

KYLA: Let's get a Mary Kate & Ashley movie.

ALEC: Well these movies don't look interesting.

KENNA: How about we get a Mary Kate & Ashley movie.

ALEC: Okay, how about Pirate Radio?

KENNA & KYLA: *Blank stares.*

ALEC: They don't have Prison Break here. Let's leave.

BLOCKBUSTER EMPLOYEE 1: Is there anything I can help you with?

ALEC: No. Thank you!

ALEC: Oh. They do have Prison Break here!

(Insert more annoyed chatter about movies that might be worth 2 hours of our lives)

KYLA: What about Definitely, Maybe.

KENNA: Winner.

BLOCKBUSTER EMPLOYEE 2: You have a $50 credit on your account.

ALEC: WHAAAA?

BLOCKBUSTER EMPLOYEE 2: You might want to look into that.

(Leave Blockbuster)

8:40 p.m.

Fry's

8:43 p.m.

KENNA: The pizza was ready 30 minutes ago.

ALEC: What do you want to drink?

KENNA: Rootbeer.

ALEC: They don't have Barq's. We'll have to get A&W.

KENNA: %$(*#Q*&$

Papa John's

9:03 p.m.

ALEC: Do you still have our pizza?

Papa John's Employee #1: Yes.

KENNA: It's under Jennifer.

PAPA JOHN'S EMPLOYEE #1: *Confused Stare*

KENNA: No wait. It's under Kenna.

KENNA (Cont.): Oooohhh they have Barq's Rootbeer.

ALEC: We'll take one of those, too.

Under the Fridge

9:04 p.m.

SCORPION: *Still sitting. Planning. Scheming. Getting ready to escape.*

**** To save on time, a brief description, rather than a word-for-word recount, of the evening****

We watch the movie.

Eat the pizza.

Drink the Barq's rootbeer.

Consider swimming.

Turn on Toy Story.

Bake a cake.

Frost a cake.

Try to convince in-convincible sisters to eat cake.

Throw away a different cake.

Change the channel.

Watch a show about a monkey with a disease.

Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding on commercials.

Find a new book to read. One that is not about fictional terrorists.

Lose Kyla to sleep.

Lose Kenna to a messy room.

Lose Alec to a near sugar comma.

**** Back to Alec's Interrogation ****

Kitchen 2:00 a.m.

ALEC: What exactly happened before you screamed quote SCORPION unquote?

KENNA: I was walking out to get a garbage bag so I could clean my room, when I saw a scorpion.

ALEC: Could you please describe the location of said SCORPION?

KENNA: By the fridge.

ALEC: Did it look menacing? If so, please clarify.

KENNA: Yes. When I got close to it its tail went into attack motion. *Tears up* (Shows hooked finger to demonstrate position of tail.)

ALEC: Kyla, was it true you were asleep through this traumatic experience?

KYLA: No because I kept hearing AHHH!

ALEC: Is it true that you pretended to stay asleep so that you would not have to help with the situation?

KYLA: No. *Stalls* I woke up through the AHHHs! and fell asleep through the killing part.

ALEC: Likely story. Is it true, just a few weeks prior you found yourself alone with a similar perpetrator?

KYLA: Yes. It was scary. I was all alone.

ALEC: What did you do?

KYLA: Went to get a shoe. Got scared. Went under--well, it [the scorpion] went under the couch.

ALEC: Is it true Roxy may have saved your life by warning you about the invader?

KYLA: No, she just made me more scared.

ALEC: Is it possible that this was the same offender?

KYLA: Probably not.

ALEC: Is is true you were kind of a sissy through this whole scenario?

ALEC: No comment.

Kitchen.

2:02 a.m.

SCORPION: *Out from under the fridge. Possibly regretting its decision to escape on a night when everyone is hyped up on the caffeine from Barq's rootbeer.*

**** ACTUAL DIALOGUE ****

KENNA: SCORPION!

ALEC: Crap. What are we going to do?

KENNA: (Holding a shoe) Kill it.

ALEC: (Holding a shoe) It's never going to work.

KENNA: Maybe I can put on my running shoes and stomp it.

ALEC: What if it runs under the fridge. I think we should torch it.

KENNA: (Pulling a chair near the fridge) I don't think that's a good idea.

ALEC: Seriously. What do you think would happen if we just torched the tile a bit?

KENNA: What if we drop the shoe on it?

ALEC: (Leaves. Goes to the garage. Finds a hammer. Wonders if the hammer would break the tile. Goes back to the kitchen.)

KENNA: (Sits on the chair. Shoe raised.)

ALEC: We have to kill it.

KENNA: Yep.

ALEC: Maybe we could vacuum it.

(Later finds out that scorpions can crawl out of the vacuum.)

KENNA: I don't think we could get it fast enough.

ALEC: (Leaves. Makes second trip to garage. Finds a dirt devil. Brings it inside.) I don't know how strong it is. *Shrugs*

KENNA: I don't think that's going to work.

SCORPION: *Raises tail in the air menacingly.*

KENNA: *Slams shoes down on scorpion with great force.*

ALEC: *Makes a mental note to be more like Kenna.* Is it dead?

KENNA: I don't know. Its tail isn't moving. (Lifts shoe to see if scorpion is dead)

ALEC: (Screams)

KENNA: (Slams shoe down on scorpion again.)

ALEC: Is it dead?

KENNA: I don't know. Now I can't see its tail. The shoe is covering it. (Lifts shoe but flinches.)

ALEC & KENNA: (Scream)

Living Room Couch.

2:30 a.m.

KYLA: (Lifts head from couch). Alec, you're going to get arrested.

KENNA & ALEC: Laugh.

KYLA: No it's relevant.

((Side Note: It actually was relevant. Sort of.))

Kitchen.

2:32 a.m.

KENNA: I just want to take it outside.

ALEC: Do you want me to pull the chair while you pull the shoe with the allegedly dead scorpion attached?

KENNA: Kind of.

ALEC: (Pulls chair. Too far.)

KENNA: Push me closer.

Kitchen

2:35 a.m.

(Plan Fails)

Kitchen

2:37 a.m.

KENNA: Can we vacuum it up now?

ALEC: I don't know if we should. I'll Google it. (Googles.) Seems fine.

KENNA: (Tries to vacuum. Squishes allegedly dead scorpion to floor.)

Living Room Couch

2:42 a.m.

KYLA: (Offers to clean up scorpion with paper towel. Tries to throw it at Alec. Tries to flush the entire thing down the toilet.)

KENNA & ALEC: You can't flush the paper towel!

KENNA: Take it out to the big garbage.

KYLA: There's scorpions out there though!

ALEC: I'll go with you. Just let me wash my hands.

Trash Can

2:59 a.m.

SCORPION: *wrapped in a paper towel in the bottom of a black trash can.*

Alec's Room

3:00 a.m.

ALEC: (Realizes she has frosting on white t-shirt # 3)

Kenna's Room

4:29 a.m.

ALEC, KENNA & KYLA: (Finish Disclosure.)

- END-

See attached documents for photographic evidence.

My name is Alec.

I am a lucky girl.

I know this about myself from years of observation.

***

When I was 8, I had life figured out.

Brush your teeth, say your prayers, get straight A's.

I knew who I was.

I liked pants from Gap. I was going to be a marine biologist. I was the smart one. The best swimmer in swimming lessons. An excited piano player. A good student. A good friend. A good person (who wondered if there was a summer break from church).

Some days I was happy.

Other days I was sad.

But I knew, if I followed the black and white rules of life, I would accomplish my dream.

And I would never fall into the dooming category of mediocrity.

***

As I got older, and met better swimmers, better students, prettier girls, more devout church members, and piano students who didn't ruin piano recitals, the image I had of myself slowly began to disintegrate.

And then.

I was too fat.

My eyes were the wrong color.

I wasn't smart enough.

I wasn't strong enough.

My teeth were too yellow.

My hair was too flat.

Some people had better skin than me.

My clothes from Target weren't cutting it.

My nails were too short.

My fingers were too long.

I wasn't outgoing enough.

Or studious enough.

Or brave enough.

Or respectful enough.

In short, I wasn't enough.

Suddenly, an 8 year old's secrets to life just weren't cutting it anymore.

And when I could no longer solve the world's problems--my problems--with straight A's and Koolaid, I lost myself a little.

***

Today, I remembered.

For a minute.

I saw myself as a person, as a dreamer, as a potential.

Today, I'm just a girl who thinks maybe, someday, people will remember that life is about love.

Finding it.

Sharing it.

Holding it.

Remembering.

Giving it.

Today.

My name is Alec.

I am a college graduate.

And a lucky girl.

***

There a few people who I need to thank for letting me have today.

First my parents.

I have cried to my mom so many times in the last four years.

I have cried about leaving.

I have cried about staying.

I have cried about writing.

About winning.

About losing.

About being lost.

About being really lost.

And I didn't know it for a long time, but when I hung up the phone and moved on after a good cry, she held on to the sadness.

I don't know if I would have finished those papers without giving her my sadness.

I don't know if I would have gotten over losing without crying on the phone.

Maybe I would have barreled through.

Or maybe not.

What I do know, is she--my mom--made it easier.

And I need to thank her.

For being a good listener.

For loving me.

For holding me.

For helping me make it through.

Day by day.

One "it'll all work out" at a time.

Thank you.

And then there's my dad, who multiple times has had to remind me about reality.

One day, junior year of high school, on a drive to Utah, he asked me:

"What do you want to do for the rest of your life?"

My answer was serious.

"I'm going to open an amusement park."

"Okay..." he said, in that way that means: you can if you want, but are you sure?. "So what are you going to major in?"

"Business."

After more discussing, I realized I loved to write. I realized I wanted a more exciting life than a business major could probably get me. And all of a sudden I had a life plan and a major I knew I wouldn't change--

Journalism.

And even though I question whether journalism is something I want to do with the rest of my life, I wouldn't change my major even if I have a free do-over card.

It taught me who to make a phone call.

How to talk to strangers.

And how to pull off being nosy while making it look professional.

It was exactly what I needed.

He also was the one who sat down with me, and bought me a plane ticket almost a year ago.

Argentina. July 28. 2009.

In the last year, I have looked back to that trip at least 5 times.

When I feel scared, I remember being brave.

When I feel unlucky, I remember being blessed.

When I feel faithless, I remember faith and its power and its unfailingness.

I need to thank my dad.

For believing me when I said I needed to go to another country, all by myself, with half-a-command of the language and barely a plan to speak of.

I need to thank him for helping me get there.

And, ultimately, for helping me get here. To today. To graduation. And whatever is next.

Thank you Dad.

***

I can't thank my sisters here.

I have too much to say.

I will say that I have loved hanging out with them this semester.

Whether that was at stupid, depressing movies 10 (okay 20) minutes late.

Or at 2 a.m. in the computer room as we laughed about our lives as students.

I loved the time I spent with them.

And I'm so glad we're friends.

***

I need to thank my 6th grade teacher.

For throwing a 6th grade reunion.

And for being a great teacher.

And for always, even now, being a teacher who cares.

Thank you, Mrs. Foster.

I need to thank my 11th grade English teacher, Mr. Sapakie.

Because he made me realized that I could write.

And he made me think.

And he was one of the first people who made me step outside of my box and see the world in a different way.

He also taught me that caring is being a Democrat.

Which is probably why I am registered as an independent instead of a Republican.

In his class I found a writing style.

And for the first time since third grade, I thought maybe this--writing--was something I could love.

And then there's Professor Wimmer.

Who put up with me more times than any one person should.

And who, whether he knew it or not, was my chosen mentor.

He made me love journalism when I wanted to hate it.

And, whether he knows it or not, that is the best compliment I can give.

There are also fifty-some other teachers that I need to thank. Mrs. Lindsay for advising Yearbook. Mrs. Madill for making me love school so much that I cried when spring break came. Mr. Yazwa for teaching me how to play chess and helping my group win Battle of the Books. Seventh grade teachers who made Willis less awful. So on and so forth...

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

***

Okay.

Chesca & Brett.

Thank you for staying my friends.

Since high school.

Thank you for inviting me, even though I said "no" more than "yes".

Thank you for waiting for me, even though you had waited enough.

Thank you for being my friends.

Thank you for riding X3 with me.

Thank you for not falling out on Goliath.

Thank you for wearing your halloween costume to Olive Garden on Halloween night.

Thanks for staying my friends. I know it was hard sometimes.

Alicia.

Thank you for letting me cry to you at 2 a.m. even though you had work the next morning.

I would list more.

But if that sentence doesn't tell people what a good friend you are, they don't deserve to hear the rest of the reasons.

Today I watched Grey's Anatomy.

Meredith built a room for Christina in her house.

I thought of you.

Because I think we'll be best friends forever.

Next I have to thank Melissa and Neha.

My first roommates.

Without them, I would probably still be trying to decide which university I should go to.

Thank you for making me believe I had already committed to going to U of A.

Thank you for going to orientation with me.

Thank you for making me feel like I wasn't in this whole lonely deal alone.

To my current roommates:

Jillie, thank you for reminding me to party every now and again. And for canceling cable. And for going to that terrible Mexican restaurant with me.

Kelsey, thank you for hot chocolate runs and midnight walks during finals week. I don't know where I would be without them.

Back to friends:

Troy thank you for texting me at 2 a.m. (You owe me $10.) Please come back to America. I will miss you otherwise.

Josh thank you for inviting me to things in Chandler even when I lived in Tucson. Thanks for coming later than me to church that one time. And thanks for that awesome letter you sent me while you were on your mission. (You may not remember it, but I do. It came at a time when I need it, so thanks.)

Pete, Chis, and Brad. Thank you for the parties. (Brad thank you for the eloquent and inspired words on Sunday nights.) (P.S. Happy birthday Pete and Brad.)

Steve and Brandon. Thank you for inviting me to my first concert as an adult. Drowning Pool. Great show.

Brooke, Brian, Scott. You were my first friends in Tucson. Thanks for introducing me to 30 Rock. Thanks for guitar lessons and sing-a-longs. And mostly, thanks for taking me in.

***

The graduation speakers today and yesterday reminded us to thank the people who got us here.

They let us stand up and applaud our friends and family.

I was grateful for a moment to cheer for the people who have never left my side.

I've often thought (usually in the middle of the night) that I owe the universe a thank you card.

I could write hundreds.

To all the people who have left some sort of mark on my life.

From Catherine Ryan Hyde (the author of Pay it Forward) to my kindergarten next door neighbor Jeff, so many people have helped me figure out who I am, and, who I want to be.

Tomorrow I might think I'm not smart enough.

Not brave enough.

Not outgoing enough.

But today, I'm just a girl.

Who is loved.

Enough.

So to all the people who have shown love somewhere along the way--

Thank you.

Thanks to you,

I feel really lucky.