I've got mail!

One of my most favorite things in the world is getting real, substantial mail in the mail box! Every day after school when I hear the mail man pull up, I usually make it outside in time to exchange smiles and mail with him.
Lately the joy of receiving cards, magazines, newspapers, and boxes full of stuff I've left in Canada has been slightly crushed by the new influx of college advertisements. When my mother calls downstairs, "Paige! You got something in the mail!", I'm already expecting to be let down. While I don't mind the odd university notifying me, hearing from the Texas Christian University every other day, as well as daily in my email account gets wearing.
This week however has been exceptional for mail receiving. First, my crisp Time magazine came a couple days early! There is nothing I enjoy more than my weekly ritual of slapping together a PB&J sandwich, and sprinting downstairs to my room with Time in hand.
Two days later my EFY counselor finally, finally sent me the note I had written to myself way back in June. I loved reading it because it made all of the memories of that wonderful week at EFY come flooding back. It also made me a little bit anxious for summer. This particular note was also interesting to read because it was actual proof staring me in the face of how I've changed over the past year.
The next surprise was a package from the homeland. I am happy to report that my missing Taylor Swift CD and ski gloves are once again in my possession!
The last piece of mail was actually another box. The best part of getting packages is guessing what's inside while you sign the form for man at the door. Inside were... My new running shoes! Just in time to hit the parkway this weekend. Oh and an added bonus: Free socks!

Twentah Five.

1. I have a really good long term memory. I can remember what people wore on the last day of 8th grade, and random things people told me years ago.
2. I am fascinated by the Holocaust, and WWII. I have read every book on the subject that I can get my hands on.
3. Actually I really just like to read. If I like a book, it will be done in two days no matter how long it is.
4. I can't stand cheese, milk, butter, eggs, and mayo. I'm not lactose intolerant, and there are some exceptions: chocolate milk, and pizza :)
5. My grandma helped me to get my citizenship in Canada for my birthday. Nice, eh?
6. This summer I conquered my fear of roller coasters.
7. I always thought I was 5'9" until an unfortunate doctor's appointment where they told me it was really 5'8". I made them measure twice.
8. I like to dance, but just when no one else it watching.
9. I have never had braces!
10. Two rounds of skittles games later, I can't stand the candy.
11. Bonfires are good for burning Stucki papers...
12. I've visited a crypt, a palace, and the filming site of The Sound Of Music! All in Prussia. I mean Austria. Ha :)
13. Violin is so ingrained into my identity that I could never let it go.
14. Uhm I am secretly obsessed with Jesse McCartney :)
15. I've always wanted to be given pink and white M&Ms.
16. I'm so easily distracted, proof of which are my half-painted nails. And the fact that I am filling this out.
17. I really love swimming, especially in lakes. I love water sports.
18. I don't mind sitting in silence, but if it's awkward silence then I will blurt out anything no matter how stupid.
19. I have a pet rabbit named Blackberry after the rabbit in the book "Watership Down". I love him.
20. I am a mock trial nerd. Public speaking is so exhilarating, and I think law is interesting.
21. I love playing chamber music! My mom started business because of my family's love for it : http://www.slyouthchamber.org/
22. Every Monday after school I read Time magazine cover to cover.
23. I live off of PB&J sandwiches, and apples.
24. The best position in volleyball is outside hitter :)
25. I went cliff jumping in British Columbia. Its so gorgeous, I want to live there.

Princess Anne and the Bear

Do you ever go through old papers and find random things you wrote years ago?
This was a nice little surprise for me in the middle of rummaging through past AP homework...

On a bright sunny day in the town of Saint Claire,
Princess Anne sat under a tree eating a pear.
Her beauty was so magnificently divine,
The passer-by princes sighed,
"I wish she were mine!".
With her nose planted so deeply in a book,
Not even the loudest disturbance demanded her look.
With sparkling blue eyes covered by long brown hair,
She didn't even notice the oncoming bear.
This bear was quite hairy and teeth were so sharp,
Now keep on reading, this is the very best part.
The passer-by princes cried,
"Hold on Anne I'll save you!"
But there appeared Prince Hunter,
Quite out of the blue.
"My very own brother!",
Princess Anne did cry.
Hunter plunged a dagger that the bear did not spy.
"Why thank you Prince Hunter!",
Princess Anne did say.
And they skipped off into the sunset,
Still alive and well to this day!