I think I'm better now.
I'm watching the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. SOOOO CUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!
As to my last entry, I think I'm better now. I know that I can never go back in time. I know that I cannot actually relive any of my memories. What is important is that I will always have the family I became part of in both Academic Decathlon and Spanish Club. All I can look forward to is getting into teaching and coaching Academic Decathlon. Granted, I still have my moments where I break down, but I'm beginning to realize that crying isn't going to change anything. Only me doing what I do best will get me to where I want to be. My purpose in life right now is to get back in high school and start a new family there.
But no matter what happens, I will never let go of these memories of my years in high school:
Freshman Year
-- The moment I walked into 3rd period Spanish 1 freshmen year. Ms. Hatch said "Hola, como te llamas?" to me. I never knew that we would become such good friends.
-- When I walked into 4th period World Geography to meet Knezek. She would end up being the only teacher I had for all four years of high school.
-- Going to my first Spanish Club state convention. I loved walking around San Antonio and going to the mall and walking along the Riverwalk. It was the first time I had gone to the Hard Rock Cafe too.
-- Working at the first Buc Days folklorico contest. I organized the shirts for all the teams coming and also timed the performances. I still remember the one little girl's dance we all loved.
Sophomore Year
-- Getting the call from Knezek that Academic Decathlon would be offered. I quickly gave up some computer class that I was going to take to put myself in the class. That was one decision that changed my life forever.
-- Being elected parliamentarian for Spanish Club. I was so happy. I got to tell everyone to shut up during the meetings, and I kept the point system straight.
-- Meeting the members of our 1st year team: Brandon, Vanessa, Armin, Jamie, C.C., Mikael, and Elisa. Granted, we didn't do very well that first year. It was to only gain experience.
-- Spanish Club convention and winning my first 1st place medal in the Civilization category. It would be a tradition that would continue for 2 more years.
-- Meeting Lisa and Theron for the first time in Spanish Club. A friendship that is still holding today.
-- Getting to walk down the field at Homecoming as the beau for Decathlon. That made me nervous. But again, it would happen for 2 more years.
-- Prom as a sophomore. Heather took me, and she wore a red dress. Red dresses would happen ... for another 2 years. (Are you beginning to see a pattern?)
-- Meeting Mrs. Hammond. 2 more years. One of the best teachers I have ever had, if not the best.
Junior Year
-- The scholarship trip I won to Mexico. I didn't want to be away from my family. But it turns out that the sponsors and my fellow students would become a second family.
-- Decathlon: Year 2. Lewis and Clark. Chief Seattle. P.J. in a Tigger suit singing to Camilla. Where's Randall? 5th place overall at Regionals. Not winning anything at State.
-- Spanish Club: Year 3. Stadium cleanup, popcorn, necklaces, keychains. State Convention. Always a blast. Pamela was president, and I was parliamentarian again.
-- Getting to know Annie and Stephanie better. Two friends that I will always love.
-- Meeting Camilla for the first time. I miss you. Come visit us one day, please. ;_;
-- Prom as a junior. Aubrie took me. Again with the red dress.
-- The English AP class got smaller. Mrs. Hammond taught us well, but I didn't get the grade I needed to get college credit from the AP test.
Senior Year
-- Decathlon: Year 3. Astronomy. Eric Chapa and Josh Cottle in the same room. Annie Backer and Josh Cottle in the same room. Sara Sharpe and Josh Cottle in the same room.
-- Meeting Sara for the first time. A great Decathlete and a great friend. I wish she would talk to me more.
-- Dressing up as Oedipus in acting out Oedipus the King. AWESOME.
-- Beating two teams of 4 by myself in a little game that we held in one of our overnight Decathlon lock-ins.
-- Watching Eric run up like a madman and hug Elisa at a practice at the Intermediate.
-- Getting a perfect score on my Speech at a practice meet.
-- Theron breaking out of her shell.
-- Eric with his shirt untucked.
-- Josh's antics at the Holmes practice meet.
-- Winning 1st place at Regionals. Winning 3rd place at State.
-- Spanish Club: Year 4. Being elected President of the Spanish Club with Lisa as Vice, Josh as parliamentarian, and Theron as historian.
-- The homecoming incident. Lisa's intense hatred of Josh begins.
-- State Convention. Lisa explodes at Josh during the Business Meeting. Good times.
-- The English AP class got even smaller. Down to 8.
-- Brandon laughing. Need I say more?
-- My graduation speech. My final act as a senior in high school.
There are many more that I've forgotten to list here. Stephanie and/or Nicole, please send me any pictures that you might have of us. I would really appreciate them.
And now I'm watching the Kitty Halftime Show of the Puppy Bowl. It makes me smile.
As to my last entry, I think I'm better now. I know that I can never go back in time. I know that I cannot actually relive any of my memories. What is important is that I will always have the family I became part of in both Academic Decathlon and Spanish Club. All I can look forward to is getting into teaching and coaching Academic Decathlon. Granted, I still have my moments where I break down, but I'm beginning to realize that crying isn't going to change anything. Only me doing what I do best will get me to where I want to be. My purpose in life right now is to get back in high school and start a new family there.
But no matter what happens, I will never let go of these memories of my years in high school:
Freshman Year
-- The moment I walked into 3rd period Spanish 1 freshmen year. Ms. Hatch said "Hola, como te llamas?" to me. I never knew that we would become such good friends.
-- When I walked into 4th period World Geography to meet Knezek. She would end up being the only teacher I had for all four years of high school.
-- Going to my first Spanish Club state convention. I loved walking around San Antonio and going to the mall and walking along the Riverwalk. It was the first time I had gone to the Hard Rock Cafe too.
-- Working at the first Buc Days folklorico contest. I organized the shirts for all the teams coming and also timed the performances. I still remember the one little girl's dance we all loved.
Sophomore Year
-- Getting the call from Knezek that Academic Decathlon would be offered. I quickly gave up some computer class that I was going to take to put myself in the class. That was one decision that changed my life forever.
-- Being elected parliamentarian for Spanish Club. I was so happy. I got to tell everyone to shut up during the meetings, and I kept the point system straight.
-- Meeting the members of our 1st year team: Brandon, Vanessa, Armin, Jamie, C.C., Mikael, and Elisa. Granted, we didn't do very well that first year. It was to only gain experience.
-- Spanish Club convention and winning my first 1st place medal in the Civilization category. It would be a tradition that would continue for 2 more years.
-- Meeting Lisa and Theron for the first time in Spanish Club. A friendship that is still holding today.
-- Getting to walk down the field at Homecoming as the beau for Decathlon. That made me nervous. But again, it would happen for 2 more years.
-- Prom as a sophomore. Heather took me, and she wore a red dress. Red dresses would happen ... for another 2 years. (Are you beginning to see a pattern?)
-- Meeting Mrs. Hammond. 2 more years. One of the best teachers I have ever had, if not the best.
Junior Year
-- The scholarship trip I won to Mexico. I didn't want to be away from my family. But it turns out that the sponsors and my fellow students would become a second family.
-- Decathlon: Year 2. Lewis and Clark. Chief Seattle. P.J. in a Tigger suit singing to Camilla. Where's Randall? 5th place overall at Regionals. Not winning anything at State.
-- Spanish Club: Year 3. Stadium cleanup, popcorn, necklaces, keychains. State Convention. Always a blast. Pamela was president, and I was parliamentarian again.
-- Getting to know Annie and Stephanie better. Two friends that I will always love.
-- Meeting Camilla for the first time. I miss you. Come visit us one day, please. ;_;
-- Prom as a junior. Aubrie took me. Again with the red dress.
-- The English AP class got smaller. Mrs. Hammond taught us well, but I didn't get the grade I needed to get college credit from the AP test.
Senior Year
-- Decathlon: Year 3. Astronomy. Eric Chapa and Josh Cottle in the same room. Annie Backer and Josh Cottle in the same room. Sara Sharpe and Josh Cottle in the same room.
-- Meeting Sara for the first time. A great Decathlete and a great friend. I wish she would talk to me more.
-- Dressing up as Oedipus in acting out Oedipus the King. AWESOME.
-- Beating two teams of 4 by myself in a little game that we held in one of our overnight Decathlon lock-ins.
-- Watching Eric run up like a madman and hug Elisa at a practice at the Intermediate.
-- Getting a perfect score on my Speech at a practice meet.
-- Theron breaking out of her shell.
-- Eric with his shirt untucked.
-- Josh's antics at the Holmes practice meet.
-- Winning 1st place at Regionals. Winning 3rd place at State.
-- Spanish Club: Year 4. Being elected President of the Spanish Club with Lisa as Vice, Josh as parliamentarian, and Theron as historian.
-- The homecoming incident. Lisa's intense hatred of Josh begins.
-- State Convention. Lisa explodes at Josh during the Business Meeting. Good times.
-- The English AP class got even smaller. Down to 8.
-- Brandon laughing. Need I say more?
-- My graduation speech. My final act as a senior in high school.
There are many more that I've forgotten to list here. Stephanie and/or Nicole, please send me any pictures that you might have of us. I would really appreciate them.
And now I'm watching the Kitty Halftime Show of the Puppy Bowl. It makes me smile.