Erica Leigh,

I have not died.  Although it is my first time on here since summer began, because I’ve been swamped with busyness and haven’t had a spare moment.  Time for an extremely long update, prepare yourself.

I’m going to start with the boring stuff, feel free to jump ahead a few paragraphs if you’re not interested in what I’ve done so far this summer (although it’s pretty fascinating).  When the bell rang on the last day of school, I was videotaping everyone’s reactions…surprisingly it’s not the same as IA.  Nobody screamed, nobody cried, it was calm and collected, which I find strange, but I’ll waste no more time dwelling on that.  I raced upstairs with Shannon to meet Nicole, who then bussed (actually vanned…but that doesn’t flow too well) about 7 girls to pick up Chinese food at Ming’s (where we all had the pleasure of hugging Mr. Lee because we’re his favorite customers…shhh I don’t actually know his name, I’m just guessing here), drop off two members of the van ride at home, and head down to Keatington Beach.  It was crowded with middle schoolers, a sickening amount of almost-freshmen.  We ate noodles with our fingers, jumped off the dock, and swam back in to finish off the cookie cake Marie brought…and then I had to leave quite early.  BUT! It wasn’t too bad, because my amazing cousin (who, I hadn’t seen in exactly 6 months) came over afterward, and after making an intense summer-kickoff-checklist, we ended up throwing a bonfire.  Twelve guys, and two girls?  An interesting ratio.  But it wasn’t all fun and games, because an unexpected guest showed up…uninvited.  I guess I shouldn’t get into detail, but it wasn’t a pretty sight.  (For those of you so inclined to inquire, it was my ex boyfriend…the most recent one…yeah, not fun).  But God loves me, and it was proved once again when the tornado siren went off and my mom forced the unwanted guests to return home because she was “concerned about their safety.”  Hahaha, priceless.  Anyway, Maya and I proceeded to check off almost all the items on our list by watching The Unborn, building a kick-a** fort, pulling an all-nighter, eating a ton of junk food, prank calling people, etc.  Saturday, we headed off to Cedar Point, where we pretty much had the best time of our life looking the worst we had ever looked.  The sun was boiling, the lines were long, but we managed to ride every rollercoaster (Dragster, front row?…worth waiting for), get cute guys’ numbers, make friends in line, and so much more.  We passed out on the car ride home due to our lack of sleep the night before, and when we returned to my house watched Raise Your Voice while trying desperately to stay awake.  She and I awoke to Father’s Day with tired eyes, but we had to attend church, so we did just that.  Then my uncle came over to pick Maya up, and ended up staying for lunch.

^Phew! That was just the first weekend of summer.  I bet nobody will read this far, but for those of you that do, I congratulate you for being awesome.  Haha, moving on.  Monday had a 9 o’clock a.m. call time for me to meet Brianna at her house, where we then embarked on a journey to Troy High, to pick up Ruth from her last day.  We got there early and decided to grab a quick Starbucks, then returned to the school.  Ruth was beyond embarrassed when we yelled her name, but whatever, she loves us :) We headed back to Ruth’s house to plan our attack.  Sidd then came in the picture, and we all took a trip to Sonic and Somerset, where we unfairly forced Sidd into Victoria’s Secret with us and then granted him a two minute shopping experience in Express Men, where he amazingly picked up three things in 120 seconds…with the grand total over one hundred dollars (he has a buying problem).  Next on the agenda was Petco…where we intended on buying a hamster for Erica Gohil’s birthday present.  However, when we discovered Erica’s mom wouldn’t let her, we decided to buy it for Sidd…whose mother told him yes, but father freaked at the idea.  This led to THE HAMSTER SITUATION…we had already named the thing (Gucci Vikram Ayrab Meshnoz) and set up its starter kit as we were told to…but we had nobody to give it to.  We sent out mass texts/emails and awaited replies, all of which were negative on the ability to care for our hamster.  We ended the night with skits to go on Erica’s surprise birthday video and Moose Tracks ice cream, which was so very delicious.  After an early morning trip to Erica G’s to pick her up while her mom set up her surprise party, we headed off to Brianna’s doctor appointment, Petco (to solve the whole situation), and Kroger.  The time of the surprise approached, and we drove back to Erica’s, where she was met by a ton of friends and a successful party, complete with an epic water balloon fight and amazing cake/chocolate covered strawberries.  The night was ended by yet another trip to Sonic, and the first BEEROVER (what we call it…no alcohol involved) in six months.  The smell of chocolate chip pancakes woke us up early the next morning and it was time to part, so I ventured home and slept…all day. 

(I don’t feel the need to update you on the happenings of that Thursday, partly because I don’t recall what happened.) Friday was the date of the EDGE all night lock-in, which was a success, although I was extremely exhausted and not many people went.  I stuck with Lewi most of the night, and found myself surprised at the fact he’s not that bad to be around…haha.  I’m joking, obviously, about the surprised part.  But that’s a different story.  The rest of this week I’ve been bummin’ out, and trying to get myself super-duper healthy. :)

Here’s where you can stop, if you chose not to read about my incredibly interesting yet terribly long summer vacation to date. 

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE INTERNET/STUFF TO PONDER:

• “Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s the time I truly need it.”
• “Piglet: ‘How do you spell love?’ Pooh: ‘You don’t spell it, you feel it.”
• “If you love someone, tell him or her.  Forget about the rules or the fear of looking ridiculous.  What is truly ridiculous is passing up on an opportunity to tell someone that your heart is invested in him or her.”
• “If you’re reading this, congratulations, you’re alive.  If that’s not something to smile about, I don’t know what is.”
• “I don’t wish to be everything to everyone, but I do wish to be something to someone.”
• “You know those nights where you can’t seem to fall asleep? Maybe it’s because you’re awake in someone else’s dream.”

Update on life, not just the happenings in it: Hi, I am Erica Spitzley and I can’t seem to let go of certain people.  Colorado (we’re using nicknames again) is back in my life, yet I’ve FINALLY come to terms on the issue.  I’m crazy, and it will never work.  He is what they call a lost cause.  Not only do I know I’m not able to trust him, I don’t know why I’m attracted to him…or if I even am. As for Germany, he deserves a whole page of updates, but ever since I last talked about him on here, and that “situation” came about, I’ve been scared to mention where I stand in that area.  I will, eventually, but I’ll call him by a different name.  Baseball (new codename because I can’t think of a specific location for this guy) is a new possibility in my life, but I can’t get my hopes up…I’m so confused with the boy world.  I honestly need to find myself a quality guy.  I know that none will ever fulfill my expectations, because that’s how God wanted it (so He can fill the part that isn’t filled)…but I wholeheartedly wish a decent guy would show up.  It’s been a while.

I’ve deactivated my Facebook for the time being, to pursue other things in my life and avoid too much time consumption in social networking. (YES! That sounded so formal…haha). 

I’m in love.  With a boy.  Named _____ _____. 

And with another boy. Named _____ _______. 

But it’s not the kind of love where I want to be with them in a relationship.  Love is complicated—I’m starting to understand that.

GOD IS AMAZING. I’ll update more at a later time, because my mother is forcing me off the computer.  I LOVE LIFE & SUMMER.

<3

RUPERT WILLIAM ITHSMUS CISERO.

The name of Nicole and I’s fish.  What an interesting journey today.  A car backup in the parking lot—worst I’ve seen in a while, kids honking their horns until there was almost a song made out of it.  Then a trip to K-Mart started us off on our adventure, followed by one to Michael’s (the store, located by Petco—a.k.a. why we decided to buy a fish) to buy t-shirts/a fish-vase/paint markers/rocks/etc.  We then ventured to buy Rupert…a black beta fish with neon blue tail.  A trip to Party City was to follow, where we purchased car paint! Then we headed off to Lana Attar’s abode, and created our summer shirts :) After leaving her house [and painting amazing things on Nicole’s windows], Nicole and I picked up Shannon and went out to eat at Tom’s Coney Island, where Shannon set off a car alarm by setting her arm on it, and we narrated a couple’s date.  Back to drop Shannon off at home then off to Nicole’s, we Stickam-ed it up with guys who sang California Girls to us.  I AM SO EXCITED FOR SUMMER. ONE DAY.

I must go study for math, because later I will be videochatting with awesome folks :)

<3

It’s been a while, and boy, do I have a LOT of things to say.  Oh, and I’m just kinda glad there’s only 2days left.  Kinda?  More like extremely.

Last week was particularly uneventful.  It was not memorable at all (considering I can’t remember any of it) except for the fact that I was “sick”…a.k.a. had the WORST cramps of my life for two days straight.  This weekend, however, was incredible.  Graduation was Friday night, and Chorale was given the opportunity to sing at it.  We belted out Omnia Sol perfectly, and it was apparently one of the most touching events at the ceremony for many people.  I love choir kids, they just brighten my day…though I don’t know many, and don’t have the guts to talk to some (hahahahaha).  As our last performance as a whole choir this year, we rocked it.

Saturday was probably one of the funniest experiences ever.  Shannon and I (along with my parents) ventured to the Tiger’s game at 5…and then the thrill began.  Our seats were perfect, and coincidentally in the same section as one miss Angelica LeDonne, who seems to be a long-lost friend of mine, though I see her occasionally at school.  Our day was filled with an endless amount of pictures, as usual, as well as a guy elaborately tattooed with a forest, the “BOO” man (who pretty much sets the record for longest holding out of a word at maximum volume), poisonous hot dogs, a Maximilian Hemmrich look alike, DDW/TT+SE (the code was…de-coded), dip-n-dots, winning some text to win contest—the prize being a backpack, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, and keychain—14 pictures of some attractive young man, and finally, the car ride home…which consisted of leaning our chairs back, screaming every song that came on the radio, and pretending to be in a SPACESHIP.  <—Crazy times.  When we arrived home, Shannon forced me to watch Shutter Island…which actually turned out to be a good movie, despite the fact that half of the time I was expecting it to be scary so I was texting a multitude of people and covering my eyes with the blanket.  As it reached 4 a.m., she and I turned on the World Cup and shut our eyes.  

Church in the morning had an interesting take on kids, starring Mr. G (assistant athletic director guy) and his family in a presentation called “The Swagger Wagon,” which proved to be a hilarious part of service. 

Monday, the LAST Monday of my sophomore year, I had show choir auditions.  I ended up making LOcomotion, and I’m really happy about that, but at the same time I feel bad for maybe taking a senior’s spot.  Small group was amazing, as always, and I love those girls so much.  Tuesday I went through a sort of depression phase from lunch to the end of 4th hour, but I eventually cheered up.  Today was just like any other day, except I got my choir varsity letter, which is awesome :)

Tomorrow, is the first day of finals.  I’m so excited.  Chorale should be quite easy, and health should be even easier.  Friday is the only day I need to worry about.  I have to re-teach myself all of the math I’ve forgotten and/or never learned.  But tomorrow after school I will be at Nicole Dasich’s house making SUMMER ‘10 t-shirts, and I’m pumped for that.  Then, my summer looks like this:

June 18-1/2 day of finals, then laser tag with Shannon, Maya, Kevin, and whoever else is going (if not, we’ll be heading to the mall), then movies with whoever wants to go.  MAYA IS SLEEPING OVER (FINALLY) AND WE ARE GOING TO EAT SO MUCH AND BE REALLY COOL BUT WE HAVE TO GET SOME SLEEP BECAUSE…

June 19-CEDAR POINT WITH MAYA, BABY! Sleeping on the way home, then pulling an all-nighter.

June 20-Father’s day, although someone else is planning a bonfire at my household.  Don’t know how thrilled my parents are going to be…

June 21-With Brianna, then picking up Ruth Jimenez after school and going shopping, BER-over at Ruth’s.

June 22-With BER, heading over to Erica’s, partying it up BEER-style (Brianna, Erica, Erica, Ruth…that is).

June 25-EDGE ALL NIGHTER.

June 28-EDGE CEDAR POINT TRIP.

And that’s June in a nutshell, fill in random empty spots with spur of the moment plans, and that would be the start of my summer.

So, boys. That’s an obvious topic.  With the school year coming to a close, so are the boy issues I’ve been dealing with.  I’m hoping this summer I’ll meet someone worth being with.  The guy that I liked found out and he semi-flirts, semi-teases, but it’s not much of anything.  I don’t exactly like him any longer. I cannot talk about this other boy for fear he will see, but there is another.  And another, one from church.  But none of these are exactly…probable.  It’s alright :)

I AM GOING BACK TO BLONDE AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. Probably on father’s day. 

I LOVE GOD. I NEED SUMMER. I CAN’T WAIT.

<3

Baby, there’s a shark in the water <3

Okay, that is my new favorite song.  Anyway, let me start with a little rewind of my weekend.  Friday was spent watching Whip It (stupid movie), and listening to muffled fighting of the worst kind…but I won’t get into that.  Saturday my dad and I traveled up north to my aunt’s cabin, and I went out on the boat (cloudy day, didn’t get much sun) while my father went golfing.  And we came home.  Today = church, lunch, THE LAST EDGE FOR SUMMER.  I’m really excited.

I have decided to take a break.  I don’t know what I mean by that yet, but I’ll figure it out.  Weird, huh?  I’ve been feeling weird lately. 

Oh, yes.  I wanted to inform you that it feels incredibly good to erase every single message in your inbox…even the ones that have been locked for a while.  I got rid of all my lingering thoughts on certain people (which is a great thing).  I need a fresh start. 

FRIDAY WAS RACHEL SAIGH’S BIRTHDAY.  I LOVE HER.

<3

So, you know…the big guy in the sky?  God?  HE IS INCREDIBLE. 

Praying.  It really works.  I prayed I’d get a yearbook (they said they only had 50 left and I wasn’t allowed to buy one until distribution), I prayed today would be fantastic, I prayed to meet some nice boys.  All of which happened.  Haha, okay I’m not saying that’s the only reason praying/He’s awesome.  But if you have had the chance to be in my shoes today, you’d know where I was coming from.  He’s blessed me with wisdom and peace and guidance and strength, all of which I have asked him for.  He has slightly started to point me in His direction, and I am now able to begin to live for Him, having Him live through me.  It’s an amazing feeling. 

10:38.  It’s gloomy/cloudy outside, and Nicole/Alana/Marie/Dani and I venture toward our afternoon destination.  We stop to pick up our Chinese food, and head off to the beach.  We arrive, and proceed to eat (THE BEST CHINESE FOOD EVER) in Marie’s car.  We get out, we strip (haha), we run into the lake, out to the dock.  We repeatedly jump in.  Andrea arrives.  We swim back out to build a sand castle.  We discover a turtle laying eggs.  The turtle runs.  We go back to our sand castle.  We dig a mote so deep we reach clay&charcoal.  We get asked to play a game of volleyball with random guys, and being the nerds we are we say “After we finish our sand castle.”  —Just let us throw on pairs of thick, round, plastic glasses with tape in the middle, some pocket protectors, and some ultra-fashionable suspenders and call us Steve Urkel’s cousins.  (That was a joke, cue the laughing).  Anyway, we end up playing.  Life is good.  We definitely dominate in the game.  We run back out to the water for one last jump.  We leave and go to CVS.  We buy ice cream.  We eat ice cream.  The end. 

^And that, ladies and gentlemen, was my half day of school on this lovely day.

I just want to lay in a loft somewhere, sing/play happy songs, read Christian books, drink lemonade, get a watermelon pedicure, and eat cookies.  That would be the perfect day.  Oh, and add in a cute boy to spend it with?  Ultimate cuteness. 

I feel odd today.  I’m going to go read a book.  I like boys.  But not as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LIFE. <3

Memorial Day weekend didn’t work out quite like I expected, but it was wonderful nonetheless.  I’m pretty sure tomorrow is the last time I’ll see a lot of my friends who are seniors, besides graduation :(

Saturday night was spent with the incredible Brianna Rae Schwarcz aka Bsheezay [and/or her twenty other nicknames].  Edge Sunday was such a fun experience, I got the opportunity to chat with Amanda Sadlier for a bit, and discovered what an open, honest, and heartwarming person she really is.  I’m so thankful for people like her who run the amazing amazing amazing student ministry.  I can’t wait to lead a Breakaway small group…I think that’s going to be one of the most extraordinary things to happen in my lifetime.

MONDAY- spent at the lovely Saigh residence.  I was able to indulge in some much-needed pool and hot tub time, talk with my small group girls & some additional people, enjoy snow cones and every other food item (basically) at their house.  I’m truly blessed to have the most beautiful, most spectacular friends.

School, yuck.  Luckily, I made it through the only full day of school this week!  I honestly cannot wait for summer.  I’m still anxious, but I have a feeling God’s going to make this one great.

THE FIVE HABITS OF HAPPY PEOPLE:

1. Happy people work hard.

2. Happy people plan ahead.

3. Happy people budget well (time, energy, and money).

4. Happy people are life-long learners.

5. Happy people never quit.

^I have to work on this.  A lot.  I’m excited for my life.  Like, a new wave of energy comes over me every day, and I love it. 

<3