Senior Year

I'm graduating high school in two months! Perhaps I'll write a fuller, more thoughtful school-focused reflection once I DO actually graduate, but I wanted to chew the fat a little now.

I haven't had a particularly tough time in high school, especially compared to a lot of my friends, but its been a big time of change and growth for me (for whom isn't it?) and I've recently felt extremely gratuitous for how well this year's gone for me!!!

I'll take some time, reader, to walk you through some of the best parts of my life right now. Just to brag, I guess.

1. Weight

For the first time ever, I'm losing weight!

It's a bit TMI for a blog post, but 2~ years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS and don't currently get periods. Losing weight is supposed to get my hormones under control, so my endocrinologist has prescribed me Mounjaro (its like Ozempic, I think). I've happily incorporated "fat" into part of my identity (it really does make me happy being fat!) and I wouldn't want to get SKINNY, but it's still incredibly invigorating to see the number actually go down! I still have a lot of work ahead of me in scaffolding healthy habits for the REST of MY LIFE... (being more thoughtful about my diet, having a healthy sleep schedule, making more time to exercise and such)... but I feel immensely hopeful! I've went down from 331 lbs in August to 319 lbs this month, and I swear I went down a clothing size!!! I'm so excited to have a greater variety of clothes to buy! I'm excited to not have to squeeze into chairs and desks! I'm excited.

2. Grades

Whilst I'm not the best student, (I unfortunately got rejected from the three UC schools I applied to last week), I have a lot of pride in telling you that I've had straight A's this year! So far, at least. (God willing, I'll keep it up for two more months.) I've always been a good student, but this year has been a delight. Since last year, I've put a lot more effort towards in-class participation. I appreciate all my teachers, and I've been able to put myself out there more than I used to. In my English class, I'd been actually moved to tears by how much I love the discussion, and I get excited to share my ideas. I've never been able to sustain much higher than a C+ in high school math, but A's come fairly easy to me in Probability and Statistics, and I've been actually excited to come to class due to the friends made in the table groups he places us in. I haven't dreaded school anymore. I'm fairly engaged in all my classes, and so happy!

3. Social Life

It's been my biggest hurdle all throughout high school. I had a big group of friends through elementary and junior high, but practically all was lost when I went to the smaller, more academic high school. My social skills were already fairly poor, but a year of quarantine squashed all momentum I'd built, and further set me back just in time for freshman year. The group-work and class presentations forced upon me through junior year has done a lot to build my confidence, and it's happily paid off this year! The only friend from elementary who also attends my school had left me halfway through freshman year to bigger and better social circles -- (I don't blame her, I wasn't very affable) -- had been dumped by her best friend, and we reconnected! Since then, Kenya and I spend every break at school together, and even hangout during off time. There's plenty of people at school- Emily, Zane, Sofia, Amanda- who I also consider casual friends, and I feel my experience is so much FULLER than it used to be. I actually have a friend to attend Prom with, whereas this time of year I was considering skipping out altogether. You can't know how much this means to me. Things are socially good outside of school, too. I've spent great time with Wayne and Zion, and online I've felt incredibly connected. I love you all so much!

That's all I have to say, it's kind of a boring read but I just wanted to gush a bit. Thanks!

If you'd like to respond, email me at loldogworld@gmail.com