Okay...that's it...

I'm done hiding behind PK...living in a cocoon...avoiding everyone just so I can avoid talking about it.

I've blogged...it's out there...and now it's over and done with.

I was going to save this for self-portrait Sunday (with Rose and Kelly)...but it seems appropriate for today...

I figured out how to use my self-timer on my camera. Pretty cool. Although it's hard to find somewhere to set it...I need a tri-pod.

And to try to get myself back into my scrappy groove...here's my 52 Questions entry and art journal entry that I did a few days ago...Maybe posting these will inspire me to work on my 2nd layout for the Last Scrapper Standing Challenge/Contest at J4K.

And...here's my week one entry for the LSSChallenge...

Journaling:

     I never realized how, at the age of 16, I could make a life-altering decision. You know…

one of those choices that just felt right at the time. And even though it meant going against

the flow, choosing a new direction, I knew, in my heart, that it simply felt right.

     That decision came about a month after school started in the fall of my junior year. It

seemed that over the summer, my friends and fellow classmates had changed…or maybe it was I who had changed, evolved. But whatever the reason, for the first time in over eleven years of attending school, I didn’t look forward to going. Kids were using fowl language, talking about sex, drugs, drinking, and parties…constantly trying to appear ‘cool’ and be popular. I was the complete opposite…I wanted no part of any of those activities. And not just because my parents taught me better, but because I didn’t want to.

     So I asked my parents if I could ‘drop out’ and home school instead. They talked about it, considered all the pros and con’s, realized how serious I truly was about this decision, and then allowed me to make the final choice. I chose to home school…to walk away from all my ‘friends’, teachers, dances, yearbooks, future reunions…everything. But in doing so, I also chose to turn my back on peer pressure, pre-marital sex, drinking, smoking, drugs, and parties…and I never looked back.

     Instead, I looked forward as I began home schooling. I loved it…so much freedom and flexibility to do my schoolwork when I wanted to, not because a teacher told me to. It was more about being responsible for myself and my own education. I realized that I could complete more work and learn more in three to four hours a day than I did in seven or eight hours in the public school. I began finding myself with a lot of spare time to fill.

     Six months after beginning home schooling, I got a job…my first one…as a waitress at a local hamburger restaurant, Schoop’s. One day, as I walked into work, there was a new bus boy and dishwasher. His name was Troy. He is now my best friend and husband…for always.

So the question is…where would I be if I hadn’t made that life-altering choice? Would I have given into all of the negative peer pressure? I doubt it. Would I have had a job at Schoop’s? I doubt it. Would I have found the man of my dreams…the love of my life? I doubt it. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t regret it one bit. I don’t feel as though I was running away…I simply chose a different path in life. I chose to go against the flow.

Sorry...that journaling did something really funky when I copy/pasted it...but you get the idea. ;) Send some scrappy thoughts my way...I need 'em.

Comments

[barbaraheide]

1.

hey amy!
just reading your blog entries. so heartfelt and wonderful. i love the genuine, open and honest person i see in you. i specifically love the journaling in this LO (going against the flow). it truely shows the wonderful character that you are.
thanks so much for sharing this!

[Cindy]

2.

I was hoping you would post your LSS layout so I could say I LOVED IT!!! Such a great design and your journaling is wonderful. What a cute pic of you and Troy. I'm also sending scrappy thoughts your way...love your entries in your 52 week journal and you inspired me to get started on one. The self portrait pic is a great meaningful pic...you should scrap it!!! BIG HUGS!

[erin]

3.

I am lovin' that self portrait!!!!! And you have inspired me to get going on my 52 weeks journal! THANKS!

[Shell]

4.

Why do I get the feeling you're sticking your tongue out behind that magazine? hee hee. Love the pic, and love your scrappy/arty stuff, too!

[CraftTeaLady]

5.

Hey, hey Miss Amy!

Where are the 52 questions you are coming up w/? It's one a week, I am assuming. Oh, please come to my humble little blog and tell me where they can be found. I love the idea.

[Christi]

6.

awwww what a sweet way to meet your DH! I started my 52 album. Thanks for the inspiration, Amy. You rock!!!

[Nancy]

7.

You're not hiding, you're dealing. We'll talk soon when we both get a chance. O.K.?

[Kelly]

8.

I love that Self Portrait!

[Christi]

9.

TAG! See my blog or Scrapgal!

[Tandi]

10.

Hi, just followed your link here from Resemary's site. Thanks so much for sharing that. It really is amazing how decisions that seem small can change the events of your life.