Senior Year Wrapped in a Bundle of Joy

SO. I know, it's been awhile since I posted. Since November 1, if we're being specific but whose keeping track? I've had so many blog ideas for this little site, but haven't been able to come around to it. Life's been busy, in the least. My dear reader, I believe it's time for a small catchup game. Okay, a big catch-up game but whatever. Let's break it down.

[DISCLAIMER: My senior year, I'll admit, was a series of ups and downs and hardtimes. I'll admit it. And, since I've always believed that it's easier to admit your life in text/writing rather than admitting it outloud, that I would tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth on this site from now. It's like a mini-treat to those who take the time to read my little blog. It's a reward, to dump my secrets on you. But don't worry--it's not a burden to carry. Tell whomever you wish. Just refer them to the site for the full story. :) ]


Christmas 2010:
I spent the time with my family up in Knoxville before flying down to see Dad and the gang in Melbourne, FL. I remember I had the assignment The Prince for my AP European History class, and I chose to watch Supernatural, Charmed, and various shows instead of doing my assignment. Bad move, considering...well, we'll get to that, now won't we? Christmas break passed without incidence, as I remember and around New Years I decided I would log onto my favourite app at the time--ChatAround. I had been on the little app for some time now, and after chasing around the one year old Adam, this little community had become my relaxation time and "me" time. Weird, I know. But anyway, I lay there New Years Eve, and decided I was tired of the community and would retire to play some games on my iPod. As always, before signing off, I said "if you want to talk, ffm me at KayyMyLove." and left the room. (For those who may or may not know, ffm is another app that's like a private message deal.) So, right before I clicked on my game, I got a message from someone. We began talking that night, and we haven't stopped yet.
His name is Brian, and to be quite honest, I've been hiding him from my family (kinda). We'll continue and elaborate on that later. But basically, after maybe two weeks of talking, me going back home and skyping the kid for like 13+ hours straight, we decided that (somehow) we felt like we should be together. Feelings developed, and he asked me to be his girlfriend. Cliche and totally '90s (kinda like the song I'm listening to now iceicebaby)? Completely! But, I said yes. So, I have been dating this guy who's six years older than me and living in Glasgow, Scotland (you read right) for about 7 months now. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

As I said, Leann, Gator, and myself returned to Knoxville for the beginning of my final semester of high school. I loved my classes, but found myself drowning in homework. Between the two AP classes and having the flu, it got bad. Halfway through February, I was forced to stay in bed, away from the classroom--where I desperately needed to be--with the flu. But, I was determined to go to my DECA competition on Thursday. I miraculously made it to competition day at the University Center at the University of Tennessee. I ended up doing phenomenal (if I were to brag, you know) and even made it to State. In the meanwhile, my grades had dropped dramatically and if I were to go to State competition, that would mean I would be gone for an entire week before Spring Break.
Oh yeah. You didn't know.
Brace yourself.
I went to Europe for spring break this year.
Go ahead, take a minute and read over that again, because you read right my dear reader. I went to Europe. Tasted the fine wine of Italy, hiked the Alps, and dined on a Bavarian pretzel (not really, I gave mine to Johnny). So, I was totally fine with the fact I couldn't go to State. I was going to Italy, Austria, and Germany for Spring Break.


Spring Break 2011:
We were delayed at the airport for what seemed like forever. So we played Spoons. It was the best. I hadn't laughed that hard in forever, and it was amazing. We finally landed in Atlanta, Georgia but thanks to our delay back in Knoxville, we had missed our connecting flight to Italy. After several hours, and a few frustrated chaperones, we had been told we had to split up into groups. Thanks to my last name, I was alphabetically determined to go to London. The other 2/3 of our group had to go to NYC. So, I did what any girl who had a British boyfriend would do--told him to get into his car and take the 10 hour drive to London. And of course, he said he couldn't. :( Sad day. But it's okay. Once Mr. Kelley, Sarah, Grace, Peyton, Stephen and I landed in the Heathrow Airport (however you spell it), Mr Kelley argued with a British official who wanted to send just him to Italy, and then we ran across the airport to catch our flight to Italy. The second flight was less eventful. The previous 8-hour flight had consisted of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, Easy A, and countless Zuma games. Ten times better than the two hour flight to Rome listening to a few flight attendants argue in Italian. I learned to get used to that. From the airport to the hotel is a blur of motorcyclists, lights, and random outburts from our taxi driver as he too yelled in Italian.
From there, the days blur so much, the best way I know how to separate them is by city.

Rome/Vatican City:
We went through the Vatican Museum and my gosh, it was amazing. I don't think I ever wished for more time then I did going through there. I wish I could've just taken all kinds of pictures in that place. I remember walking through and just seeing so much art! I wanted to buy it all--but clearly, that's impossible. My favourite piece (outside of the Sistine Chapel) was a statue of a man and his son, presumably. And the younger was on his father's shoulders, laughing and looking up at him, and their eyes were made out of colored glass. It added so much life to those blank stares, and like every good author, I decided I would incorporate it into my book The Emperor's Men. (Why no, a little self-promotion doesn't hurt, now does it?) The beautiful Sistine Chapel, however, had to be the most magnificent thing I had ever laid eyes on. It was almost worth it to sneak a picture of it. It was gorgeous. Indescribable. The only thing I can tell you, dear reader, is GO SEE IT.
We continued into the Basilica where I (being the stupid person I am) realized I had lost my hoodie on the tour, and had to venture back to try to find it. No luck. (Thankfully, a very nice young boy named Peter lent me his jacket until I could buy myself another.) While in Rome, we visited the Spanish Steps, where me and a few of my other tour members, dashed up them in a race to see the view from the top. We toured the Pantheon where I was amazed by the dome and the men who were in dresses in front of it (it was some kind of AA thing, or support group for something). The second day we were in Rome (once our other groups met up with us) we got to hear the Pope speak. I have pictures of him and everything. It was amazing. From the Vatican post office, I sent Brian a postcard and he received it about two weeks after I came home. And that, I believe wraps up the non-food excitement about Rome and the Vatican City. Other than that, we dined on pasta, pizza, and the wonderful gelato. This Italian ice cream is singlehandedly the best thing I've ever eaten. It was amazing. In total, we estimated I spent over $80 in this ice cream. It was heaven. As a group, we tried wine in Italy and threw balcony parties where we hopped over the dividers and shared cigarettes/cigars while playing with wakka-wakkas (balloons filled with flour) and drawing mustaches on Devon's face while he slept. We angered an Italian, and befriended the most awesome Canadians I think I had ever met.

Verona and Florence:
Well, on the way to Florence (I think, or maybe on the way to Bavaria...) we stopped in Verona. I decided that I would find a copy of Romeo and Juliet in Italian. It just seemed like the best thing to do. Being in that city, famed for their star-crossed lovers and romance and whatnot, I began to miss Brian. Sure, I had (and still have not) met this guy, but call me crazy. I had fallen in love with a Scotsman and being in Verona did not help. We had this little thing we would do, Brian and I, that traced back to very first night we talked, when I cleaned out from under my bed and sang "I think I Wanna Marry You" off the Glee soundtrack. And, I hope, one day we can ask each other this for real and make the plans. We ask each other "Marry Me" and hope that one day, maybe we could. (Before I get comments along the bottom filled with "you're too young--you hardly know him, etc etc. I know. It sounds crazy. But you want the truth about my trip? About my boyfriend? Here it is. I do hope that we will work, bridge the distance and be together. Cliche and romantic? You bet. Impossible? Not at all. So hush.) So, when we went through the tunnel to Juliet's courtyard, and our tour guide Melanie told us that as tradition, people write love notes on the wall, I climbed myself up to a semi-clear spot just behind the gate, and I drew my little heart, mine and Brian's name in the center and did our traditional "Marry Me" across the top. I hope to one day go back and see if it's still there. I bought my book, rubbed statue-Juliet's boob for luck, and boarded the bus. (It turned out that my book was a history of Romeo and Juliet in Italian, not the actual book.)
Whenever it was that we got to Florence, we had a blast. The Canadians sang "Barrett's Privateers" wonderfully in the sing-off. And then our team got up. With half of the Karns High Ensemble singing "Star Spangled Banner"--we won. :) We continued on with our trip, giving Johnny (another awesome Canadian) any unwanted pasta that we had. And then, we spent a day in Florence. While half of the group toured Pisa, I stuck with a group and we got lost in the "slums of Florence" as I called it and went on a shopping spree. I spent the day with an old friend, and for a little while it felt like nothing had changed. We drank shots of God-knows what with another group of Canadians and shopped the vendor's market. We ate gelato, shared some little secrets and chitchat, and I even found a stuffed elephant for Adam, and some other small gifts for the family back home. Towards the evening. a downpour came and we rushed to our meeting-point to get ready for dinner. After eating, we had another round of balcony parties as I roomed with a Canadian named Angela. Somewhere along the way, I had picked up a copy of Toy Story 2 in Italian, the only one missing from the toy Story Collection back in Tennessee. Italy had turned out to be way more fun than I had imagined, and I soon learned it only got better.

Innsbruck, Austria
Passing into Austria the next day, we had some time to kill and, after Peter led a round of "Barrett's Privateers," I led in "Rocky Top Tennessee" and then--I sang by myself. I sang "Not Alone" by Darren Criss as I traveled through the Alpine mountains to a tour bus full of people. Sure, they were all half asleep but whatever. This was a big deal. Upon arrival, it was decided that I, being of an odd number in the group and for the most part not caring who I roomed with, would once more room with Angela and another Canadian named Renee. We marveled at the wonderful Alpine mountains right at our doorstep, and I hung out with Grace and Peter throughout the night. Once more, balcony parties were to be had and we got to eat an amazing meatloaf-type dinner with a mushroom gravy and yummy mashed potatoes. I bought wifi from the hotel, and used it to skype Brian as I lit up a cigarette borrowed from Canadian-bus buddy Brad (a hypocrisy in itself since I'm always fussing at Brian for smoking). The next day, before we headed out to Germany, we visited the Swarovski Crystal factory where I bought myself a clear-crystal stretch bracelet for 15euro that I wore to prom. And then, after it was on through Austria into Bavaria, Germany. On the way, we stopped to play in the snow on the highway for the Floridians that were with us that had--somehow--never witnessed snow. So, clad in capris and a cap-sleeved shirt, I played in the snow in Austria.

Germany
Ah, Germany. I've got one word for you, dear reader. Neuschwanstein. It's okay, read it again. It'll set in what it is in a second. Still need a hint? Cinderella lived there too! Okay, well not in the castle itself but the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria did in fact inspire the Cinderella castle. This huge castle was built by the "Dream King" King Ludwig II and--it wasnt even finished yet. This was the highlight of my trip, the point I had looked forward to. See, my Mimi had this puzzle of the Castle hanging in her sewing room when I was little, and I was determined one day to go there. And here I was. We hiked a mile up, and then took the trail to the bridge to see the photo-like image of Neuschwanstein. However, being the chicken I am, I couldnt cross the bridge so Pasta-King Johnny took the pictures for me. We then went on the tour (the inside wasn't too interesting to me, just what was out the windows) and I fell in love with a castle. I'm forever telling Brian to buy me a castle to live in. (Of course, he said no. They're too expensive and too much upkeep. Sad day.) While there, one of the girls Sarah found a stuffed dragon that she showed me to buy for Adam. I loved it! I bought that, along with a few postcards to join the Italy postcards and a keychain to go along with the Italy one as well. And then, we ventured to Munich.
Munich, in my opinion, was uneventful. I bought more wifi for skype, and roomed with Angela and Renee again. When we ventured down to the old city center, I ended up getting separated from my group and roaming Munich by myself. I got a yummy sandwhich from a little sandwhich shop, and went shopping. Since it was cold and I thought that it was a bit tacky to where the Italia jacket I had bought in Germany, I went out and bought a fake leather jacket in Munich and a new shirt. And then, went bought another scarf from the H&M that was there to join my other one I had bought in Florence. That night, we discovered that the vending machine in the lobby had beer. So, like any teenagers would, we chipped in here and there and bought German beer and split it between 20 of us. And quite honestly, I'm glad I did. It was SO much fun, and was an experience worth having. The jokes, laughter, just pure happiness we all had. I wont forget it. And, before we left for the airport, the Canadians all gave us three pins each. One of the Canadian flag, one of the Nova Scotian flag, and one of the Pictou County flag, where they were from. I still have mine in my wallet and it was probably one of the saddest goodbyes ever--I'll never forget the friends I made while in Europe.

The flight hope consisted of more Zuma, watching Inception and a few other movies. All in all, as glad as I was to see my little boy's face light up as he carried around Drago the German Dragon, and hug Fanta the Italian Elephant, I still miss Europe. The culture. The excitement. I miss it all.

The End of Highschool
Well, with some help from my (boy)friend, I was able to catchup in my classes, a feat in itself, and made it through the year. For Prom, even though I had a boyfriend but no date, I still had a blast--dancing with friends and hanging out in an amazing blue layered dress and 4 1/2 inch heels despite my tendonitis in my knee. Graduation came without incident and my Dad came up to see me walk across the stage. The moment was more than bittersweet. You see, Brian was supposed to be there for the even. All he was missing was spending money and his momma back home told him "if you go to America, dont come back." So, as I walked across the stage, very proud of myself and happy that I made it with a kid in tow, I couldnt help but think "I wish Brian was here." That night ended up being a disaster. Adam was sick and threw up at dinner at the Olive Garden--the first time he's ever gotten sick like that. I soon registered for classes, and got ready for the summer.

Summer 2011
Pretty uneventful. I went down to see my dad in Florida for two weeks. With missing Adam, coping with the "new rules" and pretty much being stressed to the extreme, it wasn't as fun as I had hoped if I'm honest. When I came back, I helped my church with the Son Surf Beach Bash VBS. That entire week Adam screamed for mommy across the sanctuary and I taught a 9-11 year old class. My Summer and Spring has differed SOOO much. I am glad for the fun I had in Europe, I'm glad to have the experience in me. However, I am SO much happier being back into my church. I started a couponing ministry type of thing, where I trade coupons with other people and share these collected coupons with my church family. I do think it's gone rather well, really too. The week following VBS, I tried to live up to my 3-D cake fame and make Adam a huge Simba. It was horrible. The icing melted, tasted awful, and on top of that, the cake didnt even look like Simba. It was horrible. But the good news was that Adam had a blast. He got tons of Toy Story stuff, which just makes his world, and a bubble machine that he loves to play with "ou'side". For my 18th, I went out with Nikki and her friends, and I ended up seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 3-D. I cried, laughed, and yelled at the screen. I threw popcorn in Voldemort's face, and about stood in my chair when he died. It was fantastic.
Well....I think I will wrap it up here.
Another post may be soon to come.
I hope if you have any questions, comments, or...anything. Leave it below. As I'm sure no one will see this anyway. :P
Much love,
Kayy