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I realize I'm only at 500, and that makes me at best lame, and at worst a hopeless n00b. But I am reaching a landmark in my life, and I wanted to mark it with some sort of post, so that I could share it with you.
A little background. I'm not a troubled teen. Both my parents raised me right and encouraged my growth in just about everything I've done. They're very cynical, so as a result, I am very cynical. I was brought up thinking it was okay to riff movies like the robots on MST3K. Heck, I still think it's okay. I've enjoyed making people laugh with my sarcasm and, once in a very great while, my wit. I remember trying to discuss politics with a friend when I was in the fifth grade. My mom is an avid reader and we both love pretty much the same genres; Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Young adult lit. I have a pretty good vocabulary from reading so much but I have problems with pronounciation because I just try to say big words phonetically, which doesn't always work. But when I'm talking big to someone it doesn't matter because they've never heard the word before either. So years went by before I learned to say five dollar words correctly.
In the ninth grade I was somehow placed in classes with kids that had really bad disciplinary problems. As a result, classes revolved around getting people to shut up instead of actually learning something. I got straight As that meant nothing, because when I finally started AP classes my sophomore year, I was grossly unprepared. I never learned to write a decent essay, so my AP English classes that I looked forward to the most put me against people who actually knew what they were doing. I became a second-rate student. It took me three years to get over the fear I had of writing essays before I finally pulled an A in AP English. It was a major victory for me.
I used to think I was pretty anti-social. But when I went to a 6 week learning program with 299 other Gifted and Talented students, I knew and liked just about everyone. And a bunch of them, by some miracle, liked me too. I wasn't used to this. I was always the weird mormon girl who went everywhere with a book under her arm. Add my weight problem to the mix and you have a veritable geek. But at Arkansas Governor's School, we were all geeks. I loved it. I realized that I was, in fact, a pretty smart person (My Junior English teacher had done much to make me doubt that) and could hold my own with other pretty smart people.
And now we get to my landmark: I got accepted to BYU, and on Monday my mom, dad, and brother are taking the Haj to Provo in my brother's car, which he's going to continue in up to BYUI. Excited isn't even the word to describe what I'm feeling. When/If I grow up I want to travel and write and travel some more, but exactly what career that entails I don't really know yet. I'm keeping my options open.
This past summer I've been trying to find a job, but have only been able to find a few days of temp work. I was really upset that the sucky economy had taken its toll on me, but the more time I spent on Hatrack, the better I felt, talking about whatever I felt like discussing with people who could carry on an intelligent written conversation. And sometimes not so intelligent. But I've really liked being a small part of a community that welcomed me, read my ideas, and responded to the particularly stupid ones. So, thanks.
Hello, world. My name is Ashley. I'm takin' you on!
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Nice to know you Ashley, and CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you don't stop sniping movies like MMMMMike and the boys!
If you ever feel like need anything at school, just remember to use that Sampo... oh, yeah. We haven't got one!
Happy 500! (Sorry about that Grammar Nazi crack, it was generic in the thread and could apply to any of us, really.) Posts: 2506 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Hi to you Reminds me of back when I was a cub in high school and all I did was read all the time. Excellent landmark post. Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Nice to get to know you as something more than a serial killer, Ashley.
Congrats on getting into BYU! It's such a wonderful place (I'm heading back next Wednesday ). We'll have to have another Provo get together sometime (that is if Jon Boy and Diosmel can fit us into their newly married life ). And if you ever need anything, email me (and I'm not just saying that...feel free to take advantage of that offer).
(Oh, and don't feel silly for doing a 500 landmark...I did one too, and I've been here for a year. )
Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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No, in my mind she's always be that stupid serial killer who killed me on the second day of my first mafia game. And I was the godfather and everything.
I'll remember you from the insult thread where you successfully insulted me! I hope you have a great first year of college. I LOVE college, especially awayfromhomemormoncollege. (Right now I'm doing livingathomestateuniversityjustsoIcanfinallygraduate) It's liberating and tons of fun. Introduce yourself, especially if you eat in the cafeteria. You'll make great friends and learn a TON!! I'm excited for you!!
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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That's so cool, Ashley! I am very glad to know you better. Sarcasm rules! Have fun at BYU. Way to go, you, for getting accepted!
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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