Living With Creativity, Activity, & Service

Senior Year This year was my very last first day of high school as I started my senior year in the class of 2020. It's both exciting and scary as I know that this year will be one of many lasts as I end this chapter to start a brand new journey of new beginnings.  Change Is Hard But Good  It's especially hard for me, for I'm incredibly close with all my teachers and love the IB program so much. My school system has been a part of my life since 2nd grade and has not only made an impact on me through my education but with almost everything else as well. I've grown up with so many people who have helped me to become who I am today, and I have my mom and dad to thank for that. With my mom as a teacher in my school system, I've always had such a strong support system as her friends became my teachers. I also love getting to see my mom and dad around the school as I change classes and go to lunch. It was and still is so comfortable, and it's scary knowing that parts...

Mother Nature    I have always loved to be out in nature, taking in our Earth and all that we have. Being outside is a literal and figurative breath of fresh air. I truly believe in living in the moment, even when it can be hard to do, and being out in nature is one of the best ways for me to do so. I love mountains and hikes and forests and oceans, but waterfalls are some of my favorite things in the whole world. They're incredibly beautiful and serene, and just looking at them makes me so grateful to be alive and in this world. Little River Falls One of my favorite waterfalls is Little River Falls in Fort Payne, Alabama. You walk down these stairs and then there it is: a huge, gorgeous waterfall with a swimming area of rapids and rocks on the top and a large expanse of flowing water below that flows all the way down to a swimming hole of rushing waters and climbing rocks. We discovered this heaven of rock and water last summer and couldn't wait to visit it again. This s...

...And The Fun Continues   The next part of our trip was filled with even more adventure as we celebrated together and went on even more day trips! Thursday: July 4th, Watermelon Run, & @amberunz  Thursday was 4th of July! We started off the holiday with the Track Shack Watermelon Run 4th of July 5k. Mom walked it while I ran, and we both met up after to eat watermelon and watch the awards be given out. While we were watching, I spotted Amber Schulz, a well known Junior Olympic teen runner who I've followed on Instagram for years! I was star struck but went over to meet her. She was just as kind and inspiring as she is on social media. New Friends, Boat Rides, & Fireworks After the race, we went home to rest and get ready for our family dinner at our Aunt and Uncle's house. That night, we arrived for dinner, reconnecting with our family members before getting to meet some of their friends from Honduras; the son was enrolling in an American performing...

Florida Family Vacation Our big trip during the summer of 2019 was to visit our loving family in Florida. We couldn't wait to see them all again and had a ton of adventures planned. We left for our week long trip on a Saturday, and drove all the way down to my Nanny's house in Winter Park, Florida. Sunday: Church, Pictures, & Shopping On the first day of our trip, we went to my Nanny's church and got to meet some of her friends. After the service, we walked around the garden and took some family and senior pictures. Then, we headed home to get changed before meeting up with my Aunt Betsy to go shopping. We went to Target to get some things and then shopped with my Aunt at Ross. There, she actually surprised us with buying Zooey, mom, and me some clothing as "I Love You" presents. We got some shirts and dresses, and were so thankful to be able to spend time with our family. Monday: Family, Crescent Beach, & Ocean Views That Monday, Zooey, mom, and I le...