Friends and Psychology

Ahhh, I love friends. I've been reconnecting with some friends lately and it feels good :). I need more friends in my life.

I'm like my dad in that social things do not come naturally to me. I have to think about it and work on it. I mean, I'm not rude or anything, but it's not like I go out of my way to do things for people or spend time with them.

I'm breaking that habit.

I've been battling myself over the years on people just accepting me the way I am or my changing myself to make other people happy. I've learned that there's no one road or choice and I shouldn't have limited myself to that. Really, it takes people accepting me for who I am and my changing some aspects about me to be more personable.

Compromise.

When I was 15, I went in for a psychological evaluation to see if I had ADD (...and I did haha). In my psychological report, I read that I do not "play well with others". What? I can laugh at that now, but back then it was true.

Speaking of psychology, I'm reading this book called

Psycho-Cybernectics by Maxwell Maltz.

It basically says that everyone, from childhood, creates their self-image based on the reactions they get from other people and things they experience in the early stages of life. If people have a negative self-image they'll find things to prove it. An example was if a person failed a class he should say, "I failed math." Instead, he usually says, "I'm a failure." Then he does or finds things that prove his self-image. It can go the same way with a positive self-image. Maltz says that if a person figures out how to change his self-image, he can change his life.

It's a very interesting book and I'll probably blog more about it when I get further into it. I recommend it!

Summer Thoughts {part two}

(I can't believe I spent the first half of my summer wishing it was fun. But that's okay because now I'm making up for it.)

To make good use of my free time, I'm volunteering at the Germantown Animal Shelter. It's a small shelter and when I got there I felt like they didn't really need me. I walked a couple dogs and played with some cats.

It's a pretty good stress reliever, surprisingly.

As of next Monday, I'll be taking ballet lessons! I'm really excited about that! I've wanted to start taking lessons again for over a year. I know I'm a little old to be beginning ballet, but this is something I want to do. Sadly, I'll only take four lessons before I go off to college, but supposedly there's a dance studio in Searcy.

I wonder if I'll be kicked out of Harding for taking dance lessons...... :P

I've been hearing about a website called www.formspring.com. I finally checked it out and it's very good for when you're bored. Here's my link:

http://www.formspring.me/SamanthaJayne7

Also, in other web news, I've made a YouTube account! I have three videos uploaded and hopefully more to come. Link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/healthys0ul

While I'm at it, here's my deviantART link:

http://im-a-bird.deviantart.com/

Well, I've finally almost got everything I need for my dorm room! I'm getting so ready for college, but it really hasn't hit me yet that I'm going. Still.

I've changed my mind about my major again, but this time I know it's what I want. I'm going to major in nursing to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. And I'm minoring in Spanish and hopefully music. I'll be able to:

pay the bills

travel

like what I do

incorporate music therapy

and actually DO something about my patients instead of just listen to them

I understand just listening is sometimes all people need, but it'll give me more satisfaction knowing I can prescribe medicine. Also, I'd be in high demand. I know it'll be hard work, but I'm getting pumped about it!

I think I'll end with asking:

Is there anyone else out there in the blog world?

Thank you and have a nice day.

Summer Thoughts {part one}

I finally realize how important friends are and how much I want them.

If I didn't have my fun group of friends, orientation would have been completely B O R I N G. Luckily, God set me up with amazing people.

: )

Anyway, so I went undeclared, set up a schedule, and am now declaring a major. Yes, I do have to find a way to make things complicated. Since Harding U doesn't have a program for music therapy, I'm majoring in psychology and minoring in music and Spanish. Hopefully that'll set me up for a good future.

Speaking of a good future, I set up my study abroad program. I'm going to Florence, Italy in the fall of 2011!! I'm already really excited about it. On the weekends I could take a train to Switzerland, Spain, or to any of the surrounding areas!

I'm ready for that adventure.

My dad and my brother, Stephen, got back from their boy scout backpacking trip today! They've been gone for 2 weeks, so I'm glad they're finally home. When they were gone I had to sleep with a light on. It's embarrassing... And sometimes I would wake up with a start in the middle of the night like someone in my room woke me up or something like that... It was weird. Maybe I can get some good sleep now.

I feel safe.

I think I'm going to try making my own soap. I bought a book that guides you through the process and it sounds interesting, so why not! It'll be...an experience, I suppose.

I really haven't done a lot this summer, so there really hasn't been that much to blog about. I just had my first set of mildly interesting events happen and my summer's already half over. But the cup is half full, I suppose. The second half should be more eventful.

Peace.

Thoughts about high school and summer.

I can't believe graduation is almost here. I'm so ready to leave!

Yes, I just might be heartless.

I don't really think I'll miss anyone from high school. Sad, I know. I'm just really ready to move on and leave the Harding Academy nonsense behind along with the White Station "youth group".

But that's another story.

Also, I will most likely be avoiding any past Harding Academy students at Harding U. Sorry, but it's just the truth.

But the cup is not half empty!

I think college will be great and I'll finally get a group of friends that I can fit into who don't have ridiculous problems. My roommate is a crazy fun girl I met during Honors Symposium and one of my suitemates is a sweet girl I met during the symposium as well. Sure, I'll be a little sad during graduation and baccalaureate, but I'm not going to cry or anything.

All things end

(thankfully)

I wish I could change the tone of this post so I don't sound cynical, but hey, I guess everyone has their moments.

Anyway,

I'm going to try to make the best of this summer.

I say that every summer and somehow it never works out haha. But seriously, this time I will. I have the most free time this summer than I've ever had in a summer. My parents want me to get a job. I think it'd be interesting, so I think I will. Also, I'll have time to get back into writing, reading, playing the guitar, and just doing things that I've wanted to do. I'm pretty excited about this summer. I have a chance to make my own plans and I'm going to take it.

Peace.

:)

Senior year(?) + college decision(!)

Wow, it's been a looong while since I've last written...

Senior year has flown by so fast! A lot of people who've graduated have told me that, but I didn't really believe them.

I do now.

Almost time for the talent show again!

I'm excited for that. I'm singing My Heart by Paramore. No what I'd originally planned, but it's cool. I wanted to sing You've Changed by Eva Cassidy. It's smooth jazz. But I like My Heart, too. I expect this year won't be quite as amazing of an experience as last year's talent show's.

Ah, good times... :)

School has been....strange..this year. It's been strange for me mainly because of me. I feel like I distanced myself from my friends for the majority of the year. I'm just getting back to realizing they're there... I think I've been putting my focus on the wrong things. I've been happier since I realized this. I know I'm being vague, but I kinda have to be.

Ha. Confusing. Sorry.

Okay, I've finally made my college decision.

I was deciding between UT Chatt or Harding U.

I chose Harding.

I chose it because of the great relationships I made during Honors Symposium. Most of the people that went are going to Harding. I know, I know: I'm going to Harding Academy and now I'm going to Harding University, Mother will always be watching, blah, blah, blah.... Believe me, I've thought about all of that. I used to be repulsed at the thought of going to Harding U. Its close to home, my relatives live there, many people from my class and people who've gone to Harding Academy in the past are going there..... But in the end, after a lot of thinking, I really actually do want to go there. Anyways, if I don't like it I can always transfer.

I'm really excited!!

Everything Happens for a Reason.

Peace.

Summer Trips : )

Wow, I haven't written in a while.. Here I go:

Honors Symposium at Harding University
I went there to get three hours of college credit in English and to check out the campus because I know my parents want me to go there. I was a little nervous because two weeks would be the longest amount of time I've spent away from home. On top of that, I was going to be spending it with fifty complete strangers.

I spent the best two weeks of my life there!

It was so different from all the other experinces I've had from meeting people. They didn't know anything about me, they were so accepting of people, and they were nice and wanted to have fun. Needless to say, I made some really good friends.
I never ever thought I'd want to go to Harding U, but that trip has made me change my mind... I'm not saying I'm set on going there, but now it's one of my top choices. I'm still keeping my options open. My roommate asked me to be her roommate for freshman year at Harding. I just jumped in and said I would. I've got all senior year to think about it, after all.


Cross Country Camp
I always have a good time on this trip, but it was so different because of the relationships I formed during Symposium. Usually, I feel close to everyone, but I realized that my relationships from Symposium are stronger than most of the ones I have at home... Normally, this would be the highlight of my summer, but too many things have changed.


White Station Jr. High Camp
Honestly, I was counting down how many days I had till I could go home. I didn't really want to be there. I'm not too close to my youth group, but I tried to make the most of it. I was a counselor for the first time and that was an interesting experience, to say the least. I had 8th grade girls. Oh, the drama.... Two girls started crying because one girl thought another girl gave her a dirty look. Are you kidding?? It makes me wonder if my drama was ever that stupid. The days came and went and it was finallly time to go home.

A relief..

To leave church camp....

Something's wrong.

Now I leave tomorrow for a cruise. That should be fun! My best friends and cousin, Meredith, is going, so it'll be a PARTY!

I seem somewhat negative in this post, but really I feel like my summer has been awesome. I'm ready for school to start so I can see everyone again. And I'm really excited about SENIOR YEAR!

Take a turn for the better.

Oh, the ebb and flow of life.

It drives me crazy.

So, I lied when I said I was letting everything go.... But maybe this time...
Things have been messed up lately, but this afternoon was da bomb! I've finally let go of all my troubles with the help from a friend I wouldn't've expected.

For now, at least.

I'm just enjoying myself right now.
Its Friday. I've got the whole weekend ahead of me! The whole weekend to be free, make things right, then pretend nothing ever happened.

I love this plan : )

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Solid fo sho.

; )