I've been doing a lot of reflecting over the past few days, and I've come to a few conclusions.  These aren't new ideas - people came up with them long before me.  I'm not sure anyone reads this thing, but if you do, I think they're some valid points.  If no one reads this except for me, that's okay too.  It's just a place for me to reflect.

If someone allows you to get close to them, you'll learn a lot about them - and you may not like everything you find:

Trust plays a major role here.  This person is going out on a limb by letting you get close, and you may see a side of them normally reserved for close family.  They are most likely trusting (and hoping) that you're going to make the attempt to accept them and all their quirks (a nice way of saying 'flaws').  Maybe they aren't consciously revealing anything.  It's only natural that as people get closer, they'll learn more - both good and bad - about each other.  You have to keep the lines of communication open.  People aren't perfect - including you - so before you make any rash decisions based off of someone's behaviors, talk to them about it.  If something about them really bothers you, talk to them.  If you're close enough (and you probably are if they're letting you onto this level), they shouldn't mind this. 

Time passes, people change, and life continues:

As time goes on and people grow up, they change.  Sometimes these changes are easily dealt with and accepted, a smooth transition into a new phase of life.  Other times, these changes can be so profound that it can feel like the friend you once knew is gone from your life.  It's the sad truth of life, but it is the truth nonetheless.  Either way, life continues - there's no stopping that.  And as hopeless as things may seem, they'll turn around if you really want them to.

So today's my Birthday, and I'm officially 19 years old.  It seems strange - the past year went by soooo fast, and the past six months have gone even faster.  It seems so strange - this is my last year of being a teenager, wow!!  ;]

I'm looking forward to seeing what this next year of life brings.  But for now, I've got to get studying for these finals!  TTFN, folks!

I don't follow horoscopes religiously, but they can be fun and sometimes they even connect to what's going on in my life on a semi-creepy level.  When I clicked the link to read the first part of my horoscope today, this is what I found:

"You know how to deal with stress like a pro today..."

Ha. Hahaha. Hahahahahaaaa.  Yeah, that doesn't exactly fit my mood right now. 

But then I kept reading, and was a bit surprised by the rest of what I found:

"This is not the time to keep your feelings bottled in -- let them out before they explode! Even if it feels like you're bringing everyone down, you still need to be honest so you can all move past this."

"Your family needs to hear more of what you have to say, and you need to make sure you're as clear as can be when it comes to feelings. It's not so hard, and you should get what you're looking for."

"The response you get back from you lover today will let you know they've been listening to what you've been telling them. Be sure to show your appreciation for their attentiveness."

Funnily enough, the first two of those three relate directly to what's going on in my life right now.  So now I just have to decide if I want to follow their advice or not, and hope that third one is a good result (and I think it will - he's a lot better than I deserve). 

Is it summer break yet?  I can't deal with school work anymore.  I just want to be able to be able to throw myself into work three days a week and be a college insomniac the rest of the time and not think about anything...

Sometimes it's just easier to hide behind a smile.
Sometimes it's just easier to lie to the people who matter most.
 

What can I say? 

This photo pretty much sums it all up.  <3