So Long, Highschool!

Last night was that evening I have been anticipating for 14 years, my high school graduation! I have been attending the same private Christian school since I was four, and last night marked the end of my career there. As Elle Woods said, "We Did It!" Rather than sharing all the semi-boring details of the ceremony, I thought that this experience was best expressed in photos.

At my school, the girls typically decorate their graduation caps so I decided to join in the fun! I loved how it turned out and got so many compliments on it!

My favorite part of how I personalized my graduation evening was that I monogrammed my graduation gown! I have never seen it on Pinterest or Instagram and nobody at my school has ever done it, so perhaps it was a first? I'm not sure about that, but I do know that I loved how it made me stand out and be unique. Several underclassmen girls came up to me after the ceremony and said that they wanted to monogram their gowns next year too, so perhaps my legacy will carry on!

My best friend Haily and I coordinated our Lilly dresses and graduation caps so that we'd match perfectly! She has such a kind, caring heart and I am blessed to have grown so close with her over this year.

Many of my underclassmen friends came to the ceremony to support me, and I was so happy to have them there as well. Overall it was a wonderful night, and although it's bittersweet I'm glad to "kiss" high school goodbye!

XO,

Back & At My Best

Hey y'all! Long time no see!

It seems like it has been months since I posted, and while it isn't quite that bad, I still feel as though I have really fallen behind. I have been crazy busy and I just didn't have time for things like blogging which I love so much. 

This is a time in my life full of change, and it am loving every minute of it. I finished my final high school classes and exams about three weeks ago and it feels great. I finished strong, and I can proudly say that "senioritis" did not wreak havoc on my grades after all.

I never cried on my last day of high school, but two weeks ago I had my last night at work and I actually did cry later that night after my shift. It's amazing how much I loved working there and how much I care about all of my coworkers. I never imagined what a great impact my job would have had on my life when I started there over a year and a half ago. I love all the people I've met so much, and I don't know how I'll ever repay them for the lessons they taught me and friendship they gave me.

The day after my last night at work, I had a flight to London to catch! Talk about a crazy weekend. But my flight actually ended up getting delayed then canceled so I spent a total of 40 hours in the Philedelphia airport with 30 of my classmates. I'd rather not go into the details because it was a definte low point in life, but basically I drank about 15 coffees, made two trips to the airport gap for comfier clothes, resorted to pushing two chairs together in a terminal so I could lay down, had a planking contest with 3 of my classmates (and won by the way - shoutout to my trainer), used an entire bottle of dry shampoo in hopes of my hair only looking mildly depressing, did yoga from a YouTube video with my best friend in the middle of a terminal, and walked around the airport approximately 6 times (I now know the map by heart - pinkberry is in the food court, chipotle in terminal F, gap is where concourse C and B connect - pathetic I know). Highlight was when one of my teachers arranged for a sketchy white van to pick us up from the airport and take us to downtown Philly so we could get some fresh air about 30 hours into the experience. I think I may have cried when I saw a tree and heard birds chirping. I also gained a whole new appreciation for the ability to shower and the privilege of sleeping in a bed. But basically we made it and I spent 10 days in England, Ireland, and Scotland! Posts coming throughout the week with the trip recap!

Did I mention I graduate from high school on Thursday? I have also talked myself into going on a one-month health focus that includes exercising every day, cutting carbs, and banning sugar. I felt that in honor of eating poorly in Europe and graduating high school, it was the perfect time to focus on improving myself!

While my life is full of changes, I have never felt more true to myself. Honestly, being stuck in an airport for 40 hours forces you to come to terms with who you are. I am back from my blogging hiatus, and I can't wait to share all the exciting ups and downs of my summer and beginning of my first year of college with y'all! 

XO,