Meaning of Life / Taking Inventory

Q: Were you the youngest/oldest/middle/only child in your family? What were the disadvantages and advantages of this position? 
A: I am only child! And naturally, there are many perks that follow suit with that position haha. It meant there were always plenty of leftovers for me and that the only person I had to fight for shotgun was mom. However, it did mean that at times they were watching me a little closely so I couldn't get away with everything I wanted, like when I tried to scare chickens into the water trough on the farm.

Q: What were the most hallowed rules in your family? Did you ever break any of those rules?
A: Hmm...I can't recall any 'sacred' rules in our family, but I do remember a rule we had to instigate after a certain...event. Let's just say that when I was 5 I really liked soda. But really, if I could have I probably would have ad it for breakfast. I liked it so much that one day before bed, I'm in my princess jammmies, I decide it's a great idea to go take a nice swig of soda. So I open the fridge door, grab a coke bottle from the shelf and take a big 'ol gulp. Which I then proceeded to violently spit up because, unbeknownst to me, mother had decided for some god forsaken reason to put pure vinegar in an empty coke bottle not realizing that it looks exactly like coke! And that there innocent little girls who just really like soda! Naturally, after that the rule became that I had to check with the parents before I consumed anything from the fridge!

Q: Describe the family holiday you most enjoyed, including food, activities, and anything special.
A: New Years Eve! I don't even have to think about that one! The entire Bulgarian community of Lexington gets together, we bake tons of traditional food like banitsa, have tons of salads, and there's always loud music. We have this tradition were all the kids decorate a tree branch with popcorn and dried fruit and string, learn a poem, and then recite it as they lightly beat the backs of friends and family. In return, each person that gets hit has to cough up a dollar or two, you know, to bring in the new year;) I'll tell you, Bulgarian parties are amazing, especially New Years; after the ball drops and the champagne is popped, the dancing begins, and usually doesn't end until the wee hours of the morning. Our record thus far is 5 a.m.! 

Q: What has been your greatest moment of despair?
A: Oh goodness, just thinking about it brings back terrible memories. I was five, we went to Six Flags which  is this huge amusement park here in Kentucky. There, my dad wins me the HUGEST stuffed Scooby-Doo ever known to man. That's not the moment of despair though, that was a happy moment in my childhood. No, the moment of sorrow comes when you fast forward  two years and our family is getting ready to move to Barcelona. When my parents told me I would have to leave Scooby behind, it crushed my little frail heart. I was heartbroken, but I begrudgingly agreed, only because they gave it away to my best friend, Elle, who said she'd keep it safe for me until I got back. That moment came yet another two years later; fast forward again and we're back in the states, and little seven/eight year old me is giddy at the prospect of being reunited with Scooby! Forget about friends; pshh all I cared about was that stuffed dog. But then, then, I come home only to discover that Elle's mom had sold Scooby, to Goodwill. That has been my greatest moment of despair, I'll never forget it so long as I live...sigh. 

Q: How did you and your friends spend a typical Saturday night? 
A: That depends very greatly depending on what age you're referring to haha. In 7th grade, without fail, you could find Sophia and I at the mall, then this pizza restaurant called Smashing Tomato, and then the movies to see that week's newest rom-com, in that order. There was also that time when, I believe it was in 8th grade, I was with Sophia and our friend Makenzi, and we stayed out on the playground across from my house way past midnight. And we were loud, probably incredibly obnoxious to all my neighbors, and I distinctly remember playing hide and seek, or maybe it was tag, and Makenzi tripped and scraped up her knee -- it was an epic night. We didn't get home until past 1 a.m. and had cold pizza for breakfast the next morning. But as we've grown older, we've calmed down from those crazy nights out and now, you can find us hanging out and making dinner together, gossiping and whatnot. 

Q: What was your most memorable school dance? What made it memorable?
A: Well, I've only ever been to two high school dances, but both of them were pretty amazing. The first was our Spanish dance that we hosted Sophomore year and we had Hispanic food, and balloons were everywhere, and Lauren and I danced our little hearts out. I also danced with Wesley that night, to Juanes nonetheless -- a night I'll never forget;) Then the second dance, obviously, was Senior Prom 2K14! Or at least that's its twitter hashtag haha. We got a huge group, dressed all fancy, went out to dinner, and once more danced our little hearts out. And to make the night even more memorable, after 'prahm' (its pseudonym) instead of hitting up the after party, we decided milkshakes and fries sounded like a much better idea. And we were right. 

Q: What will you miss the most about high school?
A: I don't like this question. This is too sad. Why are you making me answer this? *deep breath* I guess I have yet to come to terms with the fact that we will be graduating in little over a week. What I will miss most is the community we have built for ourselves within the Academy, and all the friendships I've built over the four years. 

Q: What will you miss the least?
A: Haha this I will gladly talk about! This question doesn't make me sad like the previous. I suppose what I will miss the least is the class requirements, and the restrictions put on us such as what classes we have to take and what classes we can't take. I also won't miss teachers and students who seem as if they would much rather not be in school and doing anything else besides being in the classroom. 

Q: What one word best describes your senior year? 
A: Hmmm....the one word that could sum up my senior year...I would have to go with INTENSE. That's pretty much become my catchphrase over the past two years! But truthfully, it has been hectic and crazy and intense. But in a good way. There's been drama, but high school wouldn't be fun, hell high school wouldn't be high school, without drama! There's been tears, and happiness, and crazy moments, but the important part is that we've lived through all of those moments together, as a family.