A Little Bit of Stubborn

Today, I had the opportunity to be one of the carriers of things to my sister at the high school for her marching band practice (yay for marching band!). Lucky little chick. I discovered when I got there I was not the only one- my dad was sitting directly behind me in the car park- with her dinner. I had her water. Spoiled rotten chick!! I love her the same. Where was my older sister? Oh yeah, I didn't have one...oh well, I can drive myself places now, so *check* I'm good.

Tonight is the first home football game for the Fighting Owls. You can bet I'll be there- to chat with old teachers and friends that may haphazardly show up, seeing as it's six years after graduation- I know of one teacher that will be there, proudly, but most of the people who went there have moved on to better endeavors. He still teaches there, and has a daughter there *and a lot of school pride, and shows up at every game, regardless of whether his daughter or any other relative is in the show*

It'll be nice the next few days, because we'll finally see a break in the 100+ degree temperatures...can I get a woot woot? Monday's high is forecast at 89...cold front!!! Break out the winter coats everyone!!! (Just kidding on that front...pun intended)

On that note...since when does the new month define a change in season? I was always taught that the autumnal equinox meant autumn, so the whole "September means it's fall" thing is news to me. Especially since it's still over 100 degrees for a portion of September, and over 90 degrees for another good portion. Then the winter solstice is supposed to be the beginning of winter, correct?

I know that people define "winter" by the beginning of the holiday season, which falls very close to the end of November because it tends to fall just before my birthday, sometimes on my birthday *cringe BlackFriday cringe* and then comes December, often snow. Perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned and dead set in my ways, but this is how I define seasons- Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnal Solstice, Winter Equinox. Not just months picked and chosen by their relative hot/coldness.

This is the way I will stick to, the way I was taught, although trends may state otherwise. People may tell me happy spring and I'll say "tell me that when it's really spring" because I'm not that trend follower. I may follow other trends, but not this one. As such, school returns in summer, but that's ok. School has always returned in the summer, in my mind- you know, with band camp and such- but even when there wasn't band camp. Winter break always starts in the autumn. I hate the way people define this stuff, society is so single and simple minded, making things easier for those who can't think about complex things- what's so complex about the winter solstice being on December 21?

Thank you, facebook, for inspiring a little bit of bitterness in me, but that's ok, because I'll get over it. I know that I have my ways, and I'll always have my ways, and that people will always define things a little bit differently than I do. They always have. I'm a little bit stubborn. I have people that can and will vouch for that. Stubbornness can be a good quality, when applied appropriately....or neutral, not a bother. In this case, I don't think it really matters when I define the beginning of a season, as long as I'm not a hard ass about it, which I'm not. I don't push and shove people into my will. I just nonchalantly tell people what I believe and leave it at that.

Is there anything you're stubborn about? Is there anything you believe others define differently than you do? And what kind of plans do you have for the upcoming season (whether it's spring or autumn)?

Day 7: Corky

I know she hates when I call her that. I should say, I know you hate when you call me that, because I know you'll read this. She'll read this, but she never comments or follows...that's the way my family rolls. I know they read my blog. I have no problem with that.

Warning- This could get mushy. In fact, now that I've written it, it does. Mushy level high. It's still good.

Day 7: Today, I'm showing a picture that makes me happy. This one is kind of from the vault, because we really don't have any recent, decent ones. The picture:

Why this picture? This is myself (red & khaki) and my younger sister (in my lap). Our age difference is 8 years & we don't really spend a whole lot of time together. We're very different in a lot of ways- I was the academic, she's the social butterfly; I was down on myself, she shows a lot of confidence; I was a bit large, she's rail thin; I could go on for ages.

This picture was taken most likely in 2008, when I had a job (because of the clothing), and I know I was at least 40 pounds lighter (because I no longer fit those clothes). She was in my room with me, which is something that very rarely happens, and I was playing with the timer on my camera. I said "Hey, Courtney, let's take a picture with the timer!" She wasn't so excited about it, but we went forth with it, setting the camera on the desk, and running back and forth, making sure by the picture screen that the lens was pointed at the chair, setting the timer, pushing the button, then running to jump into the chair before the camera flashed. I deleted the bad ones (lol), so this was one of the better ones that day.

It really makes me smile because my sister is one of my favorite people. I admire her a lot, although I don't know how much she knows it. I may pick on her by calling her Corky, but it's out of love, and darn I love her to bits and pieces. Seeing a picture like this, with her smiling in my lap, it brings tears to my eyes. I love this kid. She's growing up so fast, though...she's got her permit to start driving, she'll be graduating high school in a couple years, she's almost my height now...

She's independent, friendly, beautiful, strong, and she has a big heart. I admire her confidence and her beauty, I really do. She doesn't get her looks from me! In fact:

Much more recent pics of us

This was the closest I could get to putting us next to each other in a picture, and we really don't look alike (sorry Courtney, I didn't have a better picture that actually showed your face, just your hair). It doesn't happen anymore. We're older- I've got school, homework, internet and had a job, she's got high school and marching band and friends, we just don't hang out all that much. To be honest, I'd love to be closer to her than pictures on the internet and the occasional text message or "like" on facebook, but it doesn't happen. Plus, soon (hopefully, if I get a job and whatnot) I'll be moving out...then we'll never see each other. Building a relationship is difficult if you're never there, aye?

The picture makes me smile, makes me happy, because it reminds me of the way things used to be- before we moved here, we even shared a room- talk about nostalgia! I don't have pictures of that, it was before I had a camera of my own. It makes me smile because it reminds me of times when I didn't have to position our pictures next to each other to hang together for a while. The age difference makes it hard. The difference in tastes makes it hard. We're polar opposites, but I still love her.

At least I have the memories, and that's what makes me smile. It doesn't take a whole lot when looking at the pictures. I'm glad that I have the memories, because it's better than nothing at all. I can smile and remember her jumping in my lap trying to beat the flash, I can remember her holding my hand to cross the street, I can remember the day I taught her to swing, oh the many things she learnt from me. Those things will never change. That picture is a picture captured of two sisters who have loved and laughed together, despite their differences, and who lead two completely different lives. Getting all mushy, I know.

I can remember wanting a sister. Betting with my brother whether she would be a boy or a girl. Guess who won. I hated sharing a room. I think she's really the ultimate daddy's girl, but that's ok. When we get older, we'll be able to look back on the pictures and smile, just the same, and I'll remember every moment. I love you, Corky.