False Fall

“Autumn carries more gold in it’s pocket than any other season.”

Jim Bishop

Ahh, September. The beginning of one of the most beautiful seasons of all- fall. The air is crisp, the trees are turning, and there’s joy in the air. It’s time for a harvest of pumpkins and apples, and children jump in piles of leaves. Football season has start yet again. I love that fall has finally come. September is a pretty great month, especially since it’s my birthday month.

Except for the fact that it HASN’T! That’s right everyone, the weather has despised us once again. The other day, I was freezing and wearing a sweater and pretty certain that pumpkins were about to start pouring out of the sky any minute to signify that autumn had finally arrived. Today, however, it was literally 80 degrees. I was expecting to wear a cute sweater to church, and maybe have some apple cider to warm up. I needed to do the polar (get it, polar) opposite of warming up. I just about sweat to death walking to church this morning.

This, my friends, is an example of a little thing I like to call False Fall. It’s like you thought it was fall, but the weather just does a complete 180 to mess with you. False Fall is a whole season, just like Regular Fall is. Currently, we’re in Second Summer, and I’m sure Regular Fall is just around the corner. There are other seasons like this too, like Fool’s Spring, Mud Season, Early Frost and Eternal Winter. Let me tell you one thing kids, when they taught you back in Kindergarten that there are 4 seasons, they were so, so wrong.

I don’t understand why the environment has to lie to us like this. Like baby, just make up your mind. Is it summer, fall, or just Sunday? I have enough things to worry about as a college student, I can’t worry about the fact that the world apparently has bipolar disorder and I can’t plan my outfits according to what season it was yesterday, cause I guarantee you it’s gonna be different tomorrow.

Maybe the weather is just trying to spice up our lives a little, and make us really think about the world around us. Think about it, how often do you stop and think about the weather on a day to day basis? Maybe the weather just feels lonely, and wants some attention just like we do.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and pays a little more attention to the weather so it can stop throwing a tantrum and just be normal.

Things That WILL Happen During Your First Week of College

I’ve made it. Week one of my freshman year of college is done! Was it anything at all like I imagined it would be? Honestly, yes, besides the amount of walking I’ve done… oof definitely did not expect that. There were some other things too, but I’m getting to those.

Here’s a list of the things that happened that I didn’t expect, but wish I was prepared for ahead of time, and just some overall advice and opinions I’d like to share.

  1. Awkward Silence. No seriously, there were so many times that I was standing around waiting for a class to start or in line for a meal with a whole bunch of strangers and literally no one was talking. There’s going to be a lot of those times, but I figured out that if you just (wo)man up and start a conversation that people will join in.
  2. Get to know you games. Oh boy. I have shared some “interesting fact” about myself at least 15 times, I’m not even exaggerating. I understand that our professors and RA’s want us to get to know our peers, but standing up and saying my name, major, where I’m from and an interesting fact about myself is really not up my alley. What am I supposed to say on the spot? “Hi I’m Maiya and I like….” I don’t know what I like, dogs? Ice cream? NF? It’s quite the experience, make sure to come up with some interesting facts about yourself BEFORE you move to college.
  3. Just go to the events on campus! It’s only your first ever week of college once, and if your campus is anything like mine, they’ve spent so much time, energy and money to put on these events for you. No, you’re not “too cool” to go have some free food and dance to some music or to go play bingo and meet new people. Just do it! Live life to the fullest!
  4. You’re gonna get homesick. Unless you’re like a superhero, you’re probably gonna miss whatever you call family, including pets :(. Stay in contact with your fam and make sure someone sends you snaps of your doggy or kitty.
  5. Confusion. Man, hun, you’re gonna be real confused. No matter how prepared you think you are, I’m sorry but you’re gonna get lost. I’ve gotten lost probably once or twice every single day. All I’m gonna say is, bring a map, and don’t be afraid to ask for help (or look like a freshman).

I hope everyone has an awesome day, week, month, and heck, even year. Don’t worry boo, you got this. Week 2, here we come.

Summer Fun

“All I, all I, all I do is work. All I, all I, all I do is grind” -NF

As I sit here in the dorm room that I moved into today, I’m thinking of all the things I did this summer. I’ve compiled them all into a fun list.

  • Work at my customer service job
  • Work at my internship
  • Babysit a 1 year old and almost 3 year old (yikes)
  • Spend too much money on iced coffee

Basically, I tried to make bank but itdidn’t work because I’m addicted to espresso. (Can someone say, basic white girl?)

If we’re going to be honest here, I’m actually flabbergasted that the summer is basically over. And I’m even more shocked that I’m officially a college student living on campus. Like what in the world?

I know this was kinda a mess, but I felt like I should start this thing up again. I’m hope everyone has an awesome and safe school year!

Graduating High School????

What is going on?

Last thing I remember is going to my first day of Kindergarten and getting stuck on top of the climbing wall. (Shout out to Ashley for getting the teacher so I wasn’t stuck for eternity) Now I’m graduating high school on Saturday?

13 years at Webster School District has been great, even though about half of my graduating class has been here since Kindergarten. It’s been fun to make memories and have long lasting relationships. We’re all sick of each other by now, but hey, that’s kind of expected. Here are some of my favorite memories from my school days.

  • In Kindergarten I got invited to my first sleepover ever (and loved it, thanks Julia)
  • I got to be a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz in first grade.
  • I got perfect attendance in second grade and won a bike.
  • This one isn’t a favorite memory exactly but in 4th grade I broke my finger so badly playing basketball that I had to have surgery. (And that’s why I’m afraid of sports lol)
  • I job shadowed the 4K teacher in seventh grade and realized that being an elementary school teacher was what I wanted to do with my life.
  • In eighth grade my friends and I made homemade cheese, ice cream, and potato chips (and failed miserably at all of them)
  • Sophomore year I met some of my best friends, love you guys to death.
  • Junior year I got to start as a teacher’s aide in the 4K classrooms. I also got the lead role in the school musical.
  • Senior year I made some unexpected friendships and bonds, continued to be a teacher’s aide in 4K, and went to Disney World with some of my favorite people.

I say a lot about how much I dislike school and what a hassle it is, but in reality, I’m glad I grew up here and had the experiences that I did. Stay tuned for summertime adventures, and college updates in the fall.

It’s The Most Sneeze-y-est Time of The Year

Spring, when your nose does more running than you do.

Unknown

When you’re living in Northern Wisconsin, spring is a pretty big deal. You’ve just dealt with almost half a year of freezing temperatures and enough snow to solve the drought problem in California. The snow melts, the green grass is slowly appearing, your driveway turns into a mud pit where your car gets stuck three times a year because you’re 18 and you don’t know how to drive. Spring is when all the little bunnies, squirrels and mountain lions come out of their warm hiding spots to prance around in the flowers. Spring is beautiful.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m literally allergic to spring. Pollen, dandelions, lilacs, deer, and any small animal with fur are among the list of things that make my nose run and my eyes water. It’s honestly pretty terrible, how am I supposed to enjoy the rebirth of the world after the harsh winter, when I can’t see or breathe?

  • My hypoallergenic dog, Sienna

It’s like the world is against me. I love animals and flowers and trees. I can’t even appreciate them up close without choking on my own snot! It’s ridiculous. Everyone is always asking me if I’m sick and why I’m at school if I’m sick, and before I can answer I have to blow my nose for five minutes and then cough out something along the lines of “I’m FiNe, iT’s JuSt AlLeRgiEs.” At least I’m not allergic to my mini golden doodle, who’s pictured on the left. In other words, spring is gross, and I’m angry.

How To Make Prom The Best Ever

“I don’t know how to take anything seriously.”

Maiya Fuller

Prom, we all know what it is. We’ve all dreamed of the overly hyped up event that everyone sees in movies. The girls look glamorous, the guys dress in something other than athletic shorts for once in their lives, and then everyone awkwardly dances in a dark room until midnight. Sounds like a heck of a good time to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I went to prom Sophomore and Junior years, and I did have a good time, but the amount of money I spent for one night was absolutely ridiculous. So here’s my list of tips and tricks on how to have the best, cheapest prom possible.

  1. Don’t go out and buy a new, expensive outfit. Just go in whatever you want. Wear your swimsuit or your pajamas. Put on that muddy, blood stained pair of jeans you wear when you go hunting for goodness sake, go right ahead. After all, you’re a human being, you shouldn’t be restricted by a dress code of all things.
  2. Try to save money to afford a ticket. They’re probably going to be some outrageous price, so instead of buying lunch everyday, save your lunch money to buy a prom ticket and eat that stray french fry you find on the ground.
  3. Find the right date. Going with a group of friends to a dance is so middle school, you absolutely need a date. Ask them in a cool way, but don’t go overboard. I’d suggest hiring a sky writer to write “PROM?” in the sky above their house, then set off some fireworks or something. Make sure to buy them some custom Gucci slides to bribe them into going with you. Just something simple like that, no big deal.

In all seriousness, have fun, and be safe at prom this year. I guess this year, prom just isn’t for me.

I can’t wait to graduate.

My Favorite Part of the Day

“Miss Maiya, I love you so big.”

4 year old

Senior year is rough. No one has any motivation for classes anymore but your GPA still matters and college and graduation are rapidly approaching and you have to figure out your life and fill out scholarships and everything is your “last” of high school and it’s sad but also exciting cause you’re graduating and AHH!

It’s a lot. And it’s all new. Luckily, I’m only in the Sheol we call high school for 5 out of 8 class periods. The other 3 I spend at the elementary school as a teacher’s aide in the Tiny Tigers 4K classroom. So while all my peers are sitting in desks learning about the history of the square root of photosynthesis, I’m sitting in a tiny plastic chair trying to get little kids with attention spans of a flea with ADHD to color within the lines and for the love of God and all things holy to STOP PICKING THEIR NOSES! It’s great. My self confidence soars every time I step into that room and 18 4 and 5 year olds freak out like I’m a celebrity or something. Seriously. It’s crazy. Imagine having 5 little people run at you and hug you all at the same time screaming your name. It’s not as scary as you’d think, it’s rather humbling.

I’m going to UW River Falls in the fall for Elementary Education with a minor in Early childhood Education, and being with the tiny tigers 2 ½ hours a day is really helpful. I’m learning that teaching isn’t all fun and games and some of those kids will give you a run for your money, but I’m not having second thoughts on my major at all. In all seriousness,  feel super fortunate that I have the opportunity to explore my future career path. Many people have told me that I “don’t know what I’m getting myself into” but it reality, there’s nothing I would rather do as a career.

Why Doesn’t Anyone Care About Theater?

“I’m 102, I’ve got shingles and arthritis and when I break wind it can start the windmills on an old dutch painting.”

Grandma Addams

I’m one of those kids in high school that didn’t do any sports and focused all the energy that I could muster up on academics, school clubs,  and the school plays. Mostly the school plays. I dedicated so much time every single year to the spring musical we put on every year. I was an advocate for the plays. I was always advertising them to everyone, and I was never late to a practice (well except the very last one of this year when my friend peed her pants in her car and made us late, but that’s a different story).

If you couldn’t tell by the title of my blog, I’m currently a senior in high school, so this year was my last opportunity to perform on stage with my friends, so right from the get go I was taking everything pretty seriously. We did, “The Addams Family, School Edition” this year. It was great fun, I was Grandma Addams. We all did great, and it was an awesome show to end my high school career with.

What I don’t understand is why the school district as a whole glorifies the whole “hit ball with stick” or “throw ball far” and “run fast” sport things. Like I could never do any athletics to the amazing degree that some of my friends do, I’m definitely super proud of them and everyone who chooses to do a high school sport. What confuses me is why in my school, the culture basically says:

sports=good   the arts=stupid.

People don’t give us much credit, there’s no hype to go see the play. Why isn’t the hard work of all the students who spend hours just to entertain the public recognized by the general student body? I don’t really have an answer for that, I’m just fed up with the lack of support the school and the majority of its population gives the kids who have passions for things that aren’t only athletics.