Catching Up...

Hey, everyone! It has been a while.

The end of summer quickly snuck up on me. I feel like we didn't get to do as much as we would have wanted to this summer, as I am sure happened to most of you. COVID-19 has caused so much devastation worldwide. I pray for those who have been impacted, especially the ones who lost close friends and family members. It has been a difficult time for everyone. This year, I am missing the start of my high school senior year, and I was devastated. We were supposed to visit my grandparents up north like we do every year, but, unfortunately, we were unable. We never know when it will be the last time we will see them, so we like to cherish the small moments.

We also visit Universal a lot during the summer, living in Florida (an hour from the parks) and being annual passholders and all. However, it was closed for the start of the summer. It opened early June, though, so we went on the opening day. Before anyone comments, we were socially distancing and wearing masks! It was way too hot, even in the early morning. We only stayed for around three hours, but we got everything we wanted to do done. We rode the Hagrid's Motorbike in 5 minutes (which usually has over a 4-hour wait), went on the Hogwarts Express, and got Butterbeer. If you cannot tell, we are big Potterheads. It was fun, but we have not been able to go since. The park has even been reaching full capacity.

I started online classes a few days later with Florida Virtual School (FLVS). I began English 4 Honors on June 22nd. Then, Chemistry Honors August 3rd. And, more recently, Calculus Honors August 17th. The work kept piling up and I spent hours working on my classes. It is my senior year, so I want to finish them as early as possible. Right now, I am only 7 assignments away from finishing the first semester of English, so I am super excited.

For the beginning of the school year, my sister and I have started live learning, although I originally did not want to. We have to get online during normal school day hours and if we decide to switch back in person, we will have all the same teachers.

This year feels different than most. Summer did not get the conclusion I wanted. I worked so hard all summer. I studied day and night for my ACT. Then, my ACT. And now I am working on schoolwork until 8 at night and it is just the first week! It has been hectic and feels like there is no end in sight.

Last Thursday was my first Girl Scout meeting, which went well. We caught up about the summer and our school plans. Then, it got me thinking about the website, which, for those of you of who don't know, is my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. I set out with a goal to better people's lives. I would do this website without it, but having a goal keeps me somewhat in check. This blog is one of the many ways I hope to achieve this. By sharing real stories, I want to inspire others to get out of their comfort zone. I have started to become more corageuous, because I have stopped caring about what others think (as much). I know it sounds cliché, but it is important to push yourself. Even if it is just a small step. One step is better than no steps. Today I was watching a vlog by Elliot Choy. He was rambling about how he decided to start saying "Yes" to everything and how it changed his life. It is so true. By changing your answer, you can change your results.

I am a very shy person, so revealing myself on the internet is a scary thing. I do not like being vulnerable. However, if everyone was more vulnerable and real, the world would change. I used to even be camera shy. It does not make any sense. I am one of the loudest people around my house, but in public it is another story.

This week has been draining: physically and mentally. There is so much to do and not enough hours in the day to do so. Schools seems more challenging than ever and teachers are demanding the same level of work, with little lenience.