Wallflower

Today, I started reading "The Perka of Being a Wallfower," by Stephen Chobosky.
I'm only on page seventy-three so far, of two-hundred-thirteen,
but so far it is really amazing, and I absolutely love it.

The book is about a boy named Charlie who is quiet and shy,
and about his experiences in high school
He reminds me a lot like myself, actually.

I think I am a Wallflower, like Charlie is.
I'm quiet, and observe people, and always try to be nice to them.

The only thing different s that I never really experienced high school,
at least now how other people did.
I lived at home most the time,
didn't go to any parties until senior year,
and the only dances I went to were the few I photographed for yearbook.

I really regret not being more social and experiencing high school as I should have.
I should have tried dating, I should have made an effort to make friends.
Instead, I just got straight As and read books all the time.
It really was a pretty lonely high school life.

College, however, has changed that in me; I've become a bit more outgoing.
I've experienced the world of dating, made lots of friends,
and although I haven't gone to frat parties or anything,
I've had some great little parties with my friends.

The start of this change began senior year of high school,
when I began hanging out with my friend Maria.
I had sleepovers with her, Val, and Janina,
we talked about boys and girl things,
we had adventures together, and had some neat parties.

I really wish I had started doing those things,
finding people to hand out and have fun with,
a lot sooner, a whole lot sooner.

I envy Charlie because of this.
He may be a Wallflower, like me,
but he still is enjoying what high school has to offer,
in terms of social situations and friendships,
something I never took advantage of.

When I have kids, Wallflowers or not,
I'm going to make sure that they are social,
that they make friends, and enjoy high school.
I missed out on too much,
and I don't want them regretting their high school years,
as I do.

My Brother

My brother is a really amazing person.

He's really shy and quiet, so consequently doesn't have many friends,
but the ones he does have have stayed with him for quite a long time.

He's also amazing at building things.
Legos and puzzles are two of his favorite past times.

He really inspires me, too.
A few years ago, he injured his arm, which really impacted his running speed.
He needed reconstructive surgery, and he was told he probly wouldn't have much use of it anymore.
But he worked really hard, and now has almost full use of it!
And he's one of the fastest people on his track team,
a huge improvement from a few years ago.
It's really amazing.

And you know what?
If he can overcome his problems like that, then so can I.
I may have Bipolar, but if i work hard enough, like he did,
then I'll be able to make it just a tiny part of my life,
rather than a big part like it is now.

Thank you, Brandt!