When the rain is pouring DOOOWN

So I have been in MD less than three whole days, and it took my mother all of 10 minutes, to convince me to chop all of my hair off. yea. So my hair was obcenely long, like a little past half way down my back. so my mom was like, yeah we can get you a hair cut, and I was like cool. So we go to the salon, and we see this chicks hair, and my mom is like *gasp love* and im like eh its cute, then she keeps talking about this chick and her hair, and I look at it, and im like, eh its not bad, y not? and so i get like over a foot of my hair chopped off, and formed into a shorter version of this chick's hair, hopefully it will grow out a bit and turn into her hair, but yeah... pics. I like it, I'm not sure if I want to keep it as fluffed up as she made it, but I like it

Biiiiiirthday!

So yesterday I helped gabe and his mother with her union's childrens christmas party from 10-5, then I had a choir concert at eight and got home about 10pm. I studied for the two finals I had today for a few hours, and then fell asleep. Gabe being the sweet goose he is, sent me a txt message at 12:01am on the dot to tell me happy birthday... hehe. I woke up and my grandfather gave me a card, a sweatshirt and some money. Then I went to school and did my American Popular music, final, was not bad at all. Gabe met me at school even though he had no finals today, and took me to lunch at a resturaunt down the street. I went to go take one of my history finals thati had to reschedule because of my flight, and my teacher gave me a pretty good birthday present. He gave the whole class their tests and said, If you are happy with the grade you have now, you can turn in a blue book saying "leave my grade as it is" if you would like more points, do the final. I have an a or B in both of his classes, so I just turned it in, as I will do tomorrow morning with his second class :] I'm so glad I was so serious about school this semester. Then, because I had no final, i went to the mall with Gabe and my friend London. I shopped like a crazy woman. I bought two puffy jackets, one for me, one for my aunt, a sweater for Gabe's mom, a really cute shirt about saggitariuses, and a shirt to go under that. Gabe bought me, what I like to call a spider moose, because all of its legs are together and at the front of his fat little body, very cute. Gabe also bought me the first book to my vampire novel series, which makes my collection complete. We hung out a while and talked and stuff, then came home.
I got a lot of stuff this year for my birthday I really appreciate all of it. :]
Lyna- Bare minerals starter kit
Auntie- Clothes
Mom- mall gift card & books I wanted
Gabe- Lunch, moose, book
Gparents- money and sweater
Aunt Juanita- purse
Tracey- Card
Cheetara- Dollar
Aunt Mary and Chris- Card
I think thats about it... but thank you all for your birthday wishes and such <3

But my smile still stays on....

So today I have begun to relive my obsession with Queen and Freddie Mercury's voice. This week is the last week of instruction at school and I am so happy. Next week I will be across the country, with my mom and thomas and the little babies. Last weekend I basically just hung out with Gabe a bit, friday we went to my friends, keith and angela's house to watch movies, we watched the Altered, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Interview with a Vampire (which is a way better book than movie; if you haven't read it, definately one of the books I'd reccomend). Saturday I cleaned and did laundry and then Gabe and I went to the mall and hung out and ate Mexican food, then a few hours later we met his parents at the lightrail station and we went to go eat Japanese. This was not a good decision on my part, I don't know if it was the disgusting mix of Mexican and Japanese, or if I've caught something, but I have been feeling really badly since saturday night. Today I went to school anyways, i figure I can get through another week, and I'll feel better. So far, its not looking too good. I don't feel very well, buuuuut i did get a 97 on my history exam so that's good. :]

Thanks for making me who I am

So as I was sitting doing nothing this morning, it dawned over me that I am finally beginning to see a little bit of who I am. This is so surprising and exciting to me because ever since I started high school, I have been struggling to figure out who I am. This journey has taken me through ups, but sadly many more downs than anything else. None the less, the end result seems to be well worth all of the struggles my family and i have endured over the last 4 years. So this is just going to be me talking about what I have learned from each person that has become a part of me and thanking them for all that they've done.

I'd like to start with the four people who have been their for me since day 1 (which was December 17,1990)

My Grandma:

Although we now have so many differences now, we once were inseperable. Now I may not like to admit that we have things in common or that she has had any posative affect on my life, there really is no way to deny any of those things. This is the list of values, lessons, and such that I have learned from my Grandmother, that are now a part of me.

- Generosity: is really the major thing I have learned from my grandmother. She is always willing to give and help others. She has always been more than generous to all of us, her family, our friends, her friends, even random people in the street.

- Caution: Being a social worker, my grandmother lectured me and lectured me some more about being careful with men and never going places alone and to make sure to always be aware of my surroundings. After all of the years of lecturing, I can finally say its done me some good.

- Cleanliness: When I was younger, I would come back to Sacramento for the summers, and she would yell at me for leaving a towel on the floor, or clothes on the floor, and things such as that. Though it annoyed me at the time, I have learned that it really is a valuable thing to make basic cleanliness a habit, hanging your towel up, putting your dirty clothes in the hamper. it makes it more simple to do it when you visit other people's houses, and stops your room from smelling like mildew >.<>

My Grandpa:

One of the people who have always been on my side, always protecting me from myself and everyone else. Always pushing me to do better.

- My grandfather always encouraged me to do my best in school. he is the reason that I am in college right now

- He always trusted me even when I wasn't so trust worthy

- He encouraged my mom to give me a second chance even when i really didn't deserve one he is the reason i have so much faith in people

- He encouraged my love of music. Taught me to love the blues, jazz, and old R&B

- Has come to almost every performance, singing, acting, even if he had to come all the way across the country for one show.

- He has taught me that sometimes its best to sit back and deal with problems logically instead of emotionally.

My Mom:

My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She has given me so much more than most teenage single mothers ever give their kids. Much of the thanks goes to my grandparents, but the decision to let me continue into existance was no ones choice but my mothers, and I am so glad that she made that decision.

- She has taught me that sometimes things happen and they have nothing to do with you.

- she has taught me that love truly can be unconditional

- she has taught me that anything is possible

- that family is important

- to welcome change

- to love freedom

- to get the best out of a compromise

- to love books

- to welcome and adapt to change

- to know that every problem has a solution

- to care about people

- that you can always find a friend in a dog

- that I am not responsible for anyones happiness but my own

- That reggae music can become the beat you live to

- that intelligance is valued above beauty, but its awfully nice to have both

- that only I know whats best for me

- that its ok to go even if everyone else thinks you'll fail

- that people really can change

My Aunt:

My Aunt has always been one of my favorite people. Once again, one of the strongest women i know.

- She taught me that fun should never be underrated

- that big parties never get old

- that virgin daquiries are one of the most tastey things on earth

- that who you socialize with can either make you or break you

- that there is nothing wrong with rocking expensive jeans daily

- that staying fit should be a habit not a hardship

- that everyone needs their own personal cheerleader, who still roots for them, even when they miss the winning basket

- its okay to want a Hummer

- That clothes are even more fashionable when you make them yourself

- that sewing is a pretty cool hobby

- that when life deals you lemons, you can always cut them up and wedge them on the side of glass filled with a tastey beverage

- that you should never be afraid to ask for what you want

- that writing is one of the best ways to release both creativity and emotions

Now for the other people who have taught me a few things in my life time

Jennifer:

She has been my best friend since preschool. Every summer I would come back to California, and she would be there, and make me feel like I had never left. Like the sister I never had (well before evelyn). She has taught me a lot.

- never judge a book by its cover, two totally different people can be the best of friends

- some friendships can last forever

- never having an argument over 15 years of friendship really isn't as unhealthy as it sounds

- we can change but our friendship always stays the same

- supporting your friends in what they do is one of the major parts of a friendship

- that dancing and doing the hustle through the mall can really embarass your friends (lol)

Kenneth:

My cousin-brother is one of the coolest 11 year olds I know... even if I only know two. he's smart and funny and interesting. And he's always been my best friend when I had no one else.

- he has shown me that i am important. he looks up to me, wants to like the things I like and do the things I do. Gives me a reason to do right (now i have two more reasons to do my best)

- he has shown me that im beautiful, even when I don't feel it so much. he's always the first person to say *well taylor you look nice today* or *i like your shirt*

- he has shown me that even if im not considered cool by the people at school, i always have him to think I'm one of the coolest people ever (well, besides the dude on Jurassic park)

My Aunt Della and Uncle Race:

My Uncle Race is very sick. He can't move by himself, can't speak anymore, and needs someone to constantly take care of him. His wife, Della, stays home all day almost everyday to take care of him.

- the one thing that they have taught me, is that true love really does exist. She stays and takes care of him herself all day, because of how much she still loves him after all of these years, and when she walks in the room, even though he can't move or speak, you can see Uncle Race's eyes light up. True love exists, and it can last forever.

Bobby:

For a long time, Bobby was the closest thing I had to a father besides my grandpa. he taught me many things, that I have kept as a part of my life long after our lives went their seperate ways.

- Rock music isn't just noise, it's love it's pain it's anger it's nonsense its fun its life

- Country music can be good room cleaning music

- Photographs really are more than just pictures, they are memories

- Everything tastes better with fatback... except fatback doesn't taste very good by itself

- That the only good reason to watch cars drive around in circles for 4 hours straight is because NASCAR zooms in on the crashes.

- Never underestimate the healing powers of a good day at the arcade with cheese burgers, coke, and go karts

- Stuffed Mooses are only the best things to collect on earth

- Table ettiquette and saying thank you are very important

- Do more than the bare minimum in school

- Burger King (im sorry Kang) every morning before school takes about 3 school years to finally get old

- Sometimes its best to move on

- There is so much more to white people in trailers than what most people think

Thomas:

Even though he is one of the newest additions to my life. I have learned one major thing from the Thomas that we all know and love.

- that nothing is ever to broken to fix, you just gotta put a lot of effort into fixing it

Let's do the time warp agaaaaaaaain!!!!!!!

So the week is coming to an end and I am sitting in my room, discussing with Gabe why Spiderman is sooooooooo much better than Wolverine. Yes. Interesting. I know. I am also watching Rocky Horror Picture Show... which is only the best movie ever. I will be so glad when this semester is over. I have a few concerts this month in choir, and I will hopefully get the solo for O Holy Night.
Thanksgiving was cool. I went to breakfast with Gabe, his brother (Matt), and their parents at this place called Sheri's (basically Ihop with pies). Then we went to his house and hung around for a while, slept, watched t.v., played Halo and racing games and SoulCaliber on Matt's xbox. Then his aunt Lori, and her kids, Aaron (12-13 maybe?) and Viana (11 same age as kenneth) came over and we ate. Then more sleeping and watching rush hour and more Halo and I got picked up. It was a nice laid back day. Yesterday I went with Gabe, his mom, Lori, Aaron, and Viana to go see Enchanted. It was actually a really good movie, and I would recommened it for anyone who 1. wants to go see a movie with the family, 2. wants a good laugh, 3. finds huge purple talking dragons cool, or 4. is an old disney cartoon enthusiast... I promise you its the best thing disney has come out with in a long time :] and remember kids *its just a jump to the left and then a step to the riiiiiiiiiiiight*

Soooooooo

I haven't posted much on here latley, so I decided... back to blogging. Well not much has been happening over here, even though it seems like tons of things have been. This week I have turned in two term paper outlines and taken two history tests, that I have been trying to prepare for and get done for the last month or so. Monday morning my friend Juan got hit by a car (sounding like someone you know?) and he broke his femur (hey... u know someone like that) and his wrist. He is at the lovely UC Davis Medical Center here in Sacramento, he had surgery on his leg and has a cast on his arm. Davis is the hospital that did the surgery on my leg, and if you haven't noticed, I am very pleased with the results. I trust that they will take good care of him. So please send out your prayers to him, hope that his leg will work as well as mine, and that he will be out of the hospital and back at school soon :].
Ummmm other than that.... Saturday Gabe and I went to go see my friend Vicki in her play at my old highschool. Its a play by Steve Martin called "Picasso at Lapin Agile" its a very funny play (with no plot) about Einstein and Picasso talking at a bar in France. Vicki had a lead role, and as always she did a lovely job.
My aunt is doing well with her pregnancy. My grandfather is as excited about the semester being over as I am. Tomorrow I am spending Thanksgiving tomorrow with Gabe and his family. I will try to take pictures. Silas and Evelyn and my mom are doing pretty good and stuff. My birthday is in less than a month ;] I will be 17!!! and i will also be in Baltimore with my dear little family in less than month soooooo.. yes. Adios

Healthy

ok since I've started college, I have lost weight and then gained it back. Right now I am about 160lbs... And I'm not very happy about it. This is not like, the most I've ever weighed or anything, but I don't want to go back to being fat and unhappy. I don't wear weight badly perse... Most people can't really tell the difference between me at 145 and me at 160 unless they actually look at me, but it bothers me because I can tell. I feel like a big lump, my clothes don't fit right. I always feel like I'm rolling out af all of my clothes. So last night I decided that I am going to make exercise and eating well a habit, and less of a "eh" thing. Last night I did 250 crunches (which I plan on doing everyday) and stretched a little. This morning I got up at about 6am and went running/jogging/walking for about 2.5 miles. I plan on trying to eat less burritos...*sad i know* and more salads, due to the fact that they are at school no matter how hard I try to ignore them, and have at least one cup of yogurt a day (which i have both at home and school). Yougurt is good for your digestion and losing a maintaining healthy weight :]. so yes. I shall be skinny! one day.... or at least fit. lol