Rest In Peace, My Dear Friends

I realized that yesterday marked the anniversary of loosing my "Fairy God Mother" Diane L. Jonasson. I will never forget being woken up to hear my mom crying because we had gotten the news that Diane had passed away. She had been my mom's best friend for longer than I could remember. She has survived ovarian cancer only to be taken down by a brain aneurysm. 

Then less than two years afterwards, I remember breaking down and crying in front of everyone at SCJ Kickball because my God Brother Erick Jonasson also left this earth. According to the doctors he died of clogged arteries, but anyone who knew him better would tell you that he died from a broken heart. He and his mom were like two peas in a pod and I know that he was hurting and struggling. 

(Yes, He was a bad a$$ pirate!)

They were both amazing and talented people who didn't deserve the hardships they were handed throughout life. They were kind and caring souls who I am proud to have been able to call family. They taught me so many things in life and was always there with a smile and words of encouragement. Every time I think of the times we spent together I still can't help but want to cry because they aren't here with me. I am truly thankful to have been able to be a part of both their memorial services. I know that they are in a better place watching over all of us and you will always stay in my heart. Rest In Peace and I love and miss you both dearly.

Dear High School Seniors..

Dear High School Seniors,

          Here are a couple of tips and tricks about surviving your senior year and the college application process. Tip number one: always remember to get stuff done ON TIME! I know its common place to wait to the last minute to get stuff done, but all this does is increase the stress on you and make your life unnecessarily more difficult. Especially when it comes down to college and scholarship deadlines YOU CANNOT PROCRASTINATE!!! Take it from someone who suffers from procrastination, colleges will not accept late applications and neither will scholarship boards. Plus, it makes you look sloppy and lazy!

          To go along with this, get a planner and in general GET ORGANIZED. Start writing everything down and set deadlines for yourself. This will help you get organized and you can avoid falling behind. Do some research on study and organization skills. Developing important organizational skills will set you leagues ahead in college if you start now! Remember to prioritize and keep everything orderly, I don't know anyone who can be organized when they are surrounded by piles of clutter. Here is a link to a powerpoint on organization put out by my school: click here! I have tried several organization methods in the past and I like this one the best because of its simplicity, but if the more complex ones work for you then have at it!

          Number three: utilize your english teacher. I can't tell you how many times I went to my English teacher and asked him to read over my application essays, and numerous times he saved my essays from being utter disasters! Ask your teachers to help you, that is what they are there for! Also, when it comes to writing application essays: often times you will come across a lot of the same questions each worded differently. So if you write a couple generic essays then you can spend a few minutes tweaking it to fit the specific essay rather than a half hour completely re-writing.

          Always remember, take a deep breath and remember why you are working so hard. Is it because you want to make something out of your life? Achieve a goal? Make yourself and those around you proud? Or is it 'All of the above'? Never give up. It will all be worth it in the end.

Sincerely,

Someone who has been in your shoes!