Coming to an End

Isn't it interesting how we seem to remember all the negative things in the past more so than the positive? I know when I reminisce about the past, I tend to remember the things that bothered me or things I simply didn't look positively on. As 2013 came around, I promised myself to view things from a more positive perspective. I know it's hard to believe there is good in even the worst situations possible, but they're just life lessons that most of us aren't aware of. For example, we all have that one person in our lives who's our enemy, and we're theirs. Even though that person may make you feel miserable, they're sure a great example of what you DON'T want to be like. 

Over looking the negative things from this school year, I've discovered new skills and artistic abilities I didn't know I had before. Yes, there was always a certain feeling I got whenever I held a camera, but I just didn't know what it meant. I now realize it was an encouragement for me to take interest in photography. Before this school year, I wasn't ready to go on shoots because I didn't have the skills and composition yet to excel in the art. Now that I've taken Traditional Photo, I can say I actually know what I'm doing, having learned everything on a manual camera. Even though I love photography with a passion, I still believe studio engineering or music producing is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Usually you want to pursue a career that incorporates work you're familiar with or naturally talented at, but I guess for me it's the opposite. Photography is something I'm educated in more than producing, but yet I just feel like there's something about music that will always have a hold on me, having played piano since age 5. I think it's also because I have connections with artists, who are getting more and more famous each day, who can teach me how to succeed on a producing level. 

Looking back at everything this school year made me realize how quickly it went by. I really can't believe I'm going to be a senior next year. It feels like just yesterday I was walking nervously down the unfamiliar halls of Westmont as a freshman. To think I have only one year left of high school is just weird and a bit scary. As a freshman, I thought the juniors and seniors were so old. I now laugh at myself for thinking that because I realize how young I still am, as a junior. I honestly don't feel any different from when I was a freshman, other than maturing a bit more. Friends I've known since middle school have changed, good and bad, and some of my tightest friendships have been broken. It just shows me who my true friends are and I am grateful for those I have. I've known my best friend since second grade and even though she doesn't go to Westmont, we still talk every day. We've been there for each other through thick and thin. Honestly, she's like a sister to me and we do basically everything together. I have not found a friend like her at Westmont and I probably won't by senior year either, but that's just perfectly OK with me. 

Change is bound to happen in our lives even when we don't want it to. Next month, my brother will be graduating from high school and I almost feel as if I don't want him to because we won't see each other that often. He's a year older than me so seeing each other around school has been a common thing all our lives. To think he's not going to be at the same school as me next year, or not even in high school anymore, is something strange and completely foreign to me. In fact, he won't even be living at home because he'll be in a dorm in college. I'll miss him a lot, and I have no problem saying that. My brother and I have our not so pretty moments as do all siblings, but I'd say we're definitely closer than others. I'll miss talking to him about music and arguing about each other's photos from shoots we went on, but I have to accept the fact that it's time for him to start moving on with his life and doing what's best for him. I'm not used to being the only child at home, so it'll be a huge change for me. I don't even want to think about how my parents are going to feel when he finally leaves the nest. I know it'll be sad for my brother too, but I know he's more excited than anything. More importantly, all of this just prepares me for the real world, where I'll be living on my own and not always being surrounded by family.

What's the next step for me? Well, I'd like to finish high school with a good GPA and go to college after. I'm still not sure where I would like to go to college, but I have a few ideas in mind. My parents said I can go out of the country for school, so I've been looking at a few located in the UK. For me, it'd be a dream to go to school in Dublin, Ireland. While I was there over the summer, I saw numerous advertisements for a music production school located in the city. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go check it out, but I know I love Ireland enough to go to school there.

The school year is winding down and summer vacation is approaching us. I'm looking forward to this summer, after I get all the major assignments done in my classes. I just love staying up late and enjoying the sunny weather. Summer to me means concerts, pools, and relaxation. I can't wait to see One Direction (twice) and Kalin and Myles in July. I'm sure I'll also be seeing other artists throughout the summer and will hopefully be meeting them. It's been a good school year and I'll miss it, but everything has to come to an end at some point.