More sap than a Maple tree

After talking to a few people at work tonight about high school I came to realize just how amazing my high school experience was.
First of all, I had the most solid close circle of friends, plus a lot of casual ones. My close inner circle included Deannie, Alli, and Lindsey-- three of the most amazing friends and people ever. One was a four year varsity softball player, talented saxophonist, and one of the funniest girls I've ever met. Another was a beyond talented performer; whether she was singing with the top singing group at our school or dancing in one of the many shows she was in, she stood out like no other. The last of the three was a total animal lover, adopting her science teacher's frogs and looking for any opportunity to take another science class to put forth for credit to become an animal trainer. All three of them are amazing listeners (and talkers), hard workers, and entirely devoted friends. I think in a way we take our friends for granted, but I am SO grateful to have had all three of them all four years of high school (and two of them since age 5!), it wouldn't have been the same without them.
I also realized that the activities I chose to participate in really shaped who I've become. I did color guard for the first two years which really taught me about discipline, hard work, and dedication. Cheer taught me that you can love a person, but hate their drama. It turns out even Link Crew was worth something! I discovered that the people that bring you into a new environment and show you the ropes really can have an effect on the way you approach your new surroundings. Journalism taught me everything I needed to know in order to choose my potential career path-- I learned so much in my time in journalism I can't begin to write it all out.
Basically high school was amazing! I feel fully prepared to head into college and learn more. I know how to deal with people and situations that I could never have without my high school experiences. Who would have thought I would appreciate high school so much after an extended summer away from it?

I'm starting a new diet I think. Not like a crash diet. In fact, it's not even because I feel like I need to lose weight, I just want to see if I have the will power to cut out certain wonderful (but unhealthy) foods. I haven't worked out the details quite yet... but I'll post the rules when I set them.