Keep Portland Weird

Yesterday, my lovely friends took me on a celebratory trip to Portland...specifically VooDoo Doughnuts!

(however, they were closed for remodeling...how convenient) 

Still! It was awesome! Even after living here for almost 19 years, I had never been to VooDoo Doughnuts. And BAM, dream come true.

   I love how perfectly our shoes define our personality. You can probably guess which ones are mine...

...and we strive to do our civic duty, and KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD

 but that wasn't all the fun. We went to H&M, F21 (bought some fake glasses, i thought i would never do that...but i did), Nordstrom Rack, Great Harvest, rode the max, and went to the other...VOODOO DOUGHNUTS

(and notice the license plate says EFY--its a sign!)

and that wraps up the best time i've ever had in Portland. EVER.

first day of summer=success!

class of 2011

I have survived four years of high school.

upon my completion of this great feat, may i offer a few wise words to those who haven't finished yet

there is life after high school

find great friends, not cool ones

skip senior year, not freshman year. i know from experience

there is more to life than high school dances

no on remembers what award you got, so get over it

make the library become your friend

it gets better, easier, and more worth it over time

stick to your standards, even when you stand alone

be happy and smile

if you don't go to football games, its okay, even if your parents beg you to

do the important things first

rise above yourself

rumors are like drugs. don't do it.

be cool and stay in school.

there is life after high school

diplomified

first commencement underway.
4 years of 6:30 AM seminary=DONE.
20,000+ hours of sleep lost in 4 years....but it was totally worth it.

yay for Seminary and CES (my new career path!)

Mad Pads. 

 We wanted you all to see that President Monson signed our diplomas. Therefore, its OFFICIAL.

Oh happy day

two thrilling things

I am so ecstatic to share 2 things with you today. 

Should I call it 2 thing Thursday?

Alright. Now. Here it is. 

1. I am (almost) DONE! I have turned in all text books, forms, papers, projects, EVERYTHING.

Did you get my point? I'M DONE!

PROOF!

2. Now, the best news....the sister missionaries called me back.

And....I GET TO GO TRACTING WITH THEM NEXT WEEK.

"insert me jumping up and down"

okay. now go have an awesome Thursday too.

The Girl Most Likely

You should all be proud.

This sister here, won an award. 

"MOST LIKELY TO DRIVE A MINI VAN IN 9 MONTHS."

(come on, they could have at least just given me 10 months...is that too much to ask for?)

also note that this award could justly go to either a mormon girl
....or a white trash girl who can't keep her pants on. seriously.
okay, sorry i didn't just say that.

Thank you Senior Class

with that said....2 days left of school.
amen.

the final bow

12 year of piano lessons.

15,000+ hours of practicing.

20,000+ dollars to pay for lessons.

10 levels. 

6 final songs.

1 last recital.

the "proud" parents. 

their very LAST recital. After having 9 children in piano recitals, this would be their end to 36 years of parenting.

Sister Alice Lyle. What a teacher.

Sister Oldham (YW Leader), Heidi McGill, me, Conner House 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you to my parents who paid for years of lessons for each child so we can learn to play on this beautiful instrument. Even when we could not afford food, we paid for piano lessons. This opportunity has been wonderful--i won't ever have a time in my life where i can do this again--I learned far more than to play black notes.

I learned patience, diligence, perseverance, humility, faith, determination, discipline, self-mastery. 

Piano has been one of the most meaningful elements in my life, thank you for giving this gift to me.

I'm done.

Temporarily.

But, for today, I did my final bow.

...................................................................................................................................................................................

“Yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me”--D&C 25:12

   

in case you didn't receive one. it's not because i don't love you. i just don't have your email or address.

the 9th and final high school graduation for the Lewis Family. Finally. That means mom and dad have been through a combined total of 117 years of public schooling for the past 9 children. bless their hearts.

Thank you for all your love, support, encouragement, motivation, and guidance!
I am honored to know you! I look forward to beginning BYU in less than a month!

Love,
the soon-to-be-graduate

con[grad]ulations

to me. 

In 1 month.
But, I am just thrilled to have actually proof that I am going to get a diploma. Even if it is just paper.

Whatever. 12 years of wasted effort in some buildings.

And to congratulate myself, i took a "mental health break" on friday (aka: ONE of my senior skip days! Because there aren't any rules that say you can only have ONE. where's the fun in that!?)

(okay, those really aren't my true feelings on public education, but at this very moment on may 14, 2011, it is.)

the world record for the fast class ever

today is fantastic. which frankly, its not too hard to be fantastic when the sun is shining and you actually have to use the AC button for the first time in 8 months.

last night I got home from a church activity around 9:30, and i was tired, so being the lazy one i am, I just slept in my clothes. I got up this morning, and in the process of dressing for school, i put on sweats. Go figure right?

It was my short day at school (short day=1 class). I didn't bother to put any make up on, or do my hair, or take a second look in the mirror...lets face it, who am i trying to impress at school....no one.

I get to my IB Biology class, only to find a sub, in otherwords, when you see a sub, you run for your life, because there are so many other things you could spend your time doing than be under the non-watchful eye of a sub. his job is so hard, i pity the man.

My brilliant Biology teacher pre-recorded his lecture of notes on his computer so that we could listen and write down what we needed to learn that day. After that was done, we had the rest of class (1 hr and 5 mins) to work on a project. Sure enough, the guy that has our project on his computer wasn't there. So...we had nothing to do.

Thats when i said, screw it, i'm leaving. It was a very thought-out, mechanical process, if you will. I used the back door that leads to a labish/storage room, that leads into another classroom, I walked through that class room, down the hall, down some stairs, out through the doors that would eventually lead me to the parking lot. Brilliant.

So, I went to school for 15 mins today. And I loved it.

I wish i could do that everyday.

I came home. I cleaned. I made meatloaf (HOLLA!). I cleaned more. And than had a school meeting. and went grocery shopping. Ha, and my parents worry about my survival during college....well, that is nonsense!


So....in all, it was a great day. And to make your day even better, watch this awesome movie about spreading kindess and charity all around. Have you ever thought about it...to be kind and charitable is FREE! SO WHY DON'T WE DO IT MORE OFTEN!?

Fun fact: 38 DAYS UNTIL MY FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE.
someone catch me, I think i'm going to pass out!

wishful thinking

me.

most days i wish i could live down this alley.

it would make me smile all the time. but no, i have calculus tests i fail, 

and assemblies i have to sit through. 

not to mention, the five hamsters that sit on my biology table 

{you think i'm kidding...but i'm not.}

oh well, this too shall pass.

or thats what i tell myself. 

on a better note, three claps for a three day weekend.

and...away from the "old things" for a day? {goody}

so here is to a weekend of sleep

{something i gave up on this week}

and homework

{another thing i gave up on this week}

and....did you hear the news....

{oh i guess you will have to wait until tomorrow for that...sorry}

{photo via}

baby, its cold outside

so due to popular demand...i am posting snoball 2010 "baby, its cold outside" pictures. (i know what you are thinking...how lame can our themes get--however, i admit, i love the song. :)
sadly, this was the first year that i didn't make my formal dress.

 

James "Chummy" Ricker--Emily Lewis

three very fine looking ladies. your royal highness...ALLIE, snoball QUEEN! (how awesome is that!?  And Julie (other BFF) :) 

I think one of my most favorite pictures of the night. Ariana is one of a kind!

Don't you love high school?

So i officailly have the most beauutiful FRIENDS, SISTERS!

I really didn't think I was going to be engaged by 18....but you know...I am MORMON.

And after all, his mom has been planing our wedding while we were still in the womb...so i am pretty sure have her blessing :)

CHUMMY'S 18th BIRTHDAY. HE'S LEGAL.

BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE, compliments to Macaroni Grill

Lastly, we like to ride in style. Yes, its real classy--compliments to me! We rode in the Birthday-Mobile!

So---comment! Because I actually posted it!

skipalong

October where have you gone? If you are anything like me I have savoring each breath of this fall air. Its more invigorating than the sun in my personal opinion. My friends and I have great plans to attend a pumpkin patch or corn maze.I'm actually acting like a teenager...weird.

Now for my picture show for this month...

My car is fully protected now thanks to 2 people--I still don't know who...let me tell you it was tons of fun to clean up in the rain, in my Sunday Dress.

Yay! I'm an optimist! On 10.07.10 I was given a complimentary breakfast at Heidi's (ironic, right? I work there.) from the Optimist Club of Gresham. Mr. Lipner nominated me for this award. Having nice words said about you and all your accomplishments does wonders for your self-esteem!

Senior Homecoming 2010

I almost didn't go, and good thing I did go, because I would have missed out on tons of fun! You'll see here that crap skirt I made in 10-15 mins before I walked out the door. I can officially call myself a bargain shopper since the fabric should have been $9 when i got it for $1.50 I love my life. :)

Concert Choir Retreat

Basically its an overnight retreat that FORCES you to bond with your singing mates. My friends and I are good about staying with each other and not meeting anyone new... i like that. Best part of retreat: Kissing Game, and I learned an African Song that Ariana (on Right) and Celena (only head visible) taught me since they went on an African mission trip this summer. 

Finally my kindred spirit, Julie, was crowned Homecoming Princess! I had to go to the game to see this! If anyone deserved princess it was julie!

And even better, not just one best friend was a Princess, but 2! Allie Gallegos! :)

After the fball game on Friday, I threw a Surprise Birthday Party for Allie's 18th Birthday at my house. Look at that cake! Its a beauty right? Well tasted just as good too! I think I've found my new forte in life. Cake making.

The attendees of the party. Things got kind of wild....as you can see.

This is Alex Vaughn. The face explains it all.

This is Conner House...yes, that is facial hair. Otherwise I would have butchered it off by now. Look what P90X can do...I can lift boys!

Thats about it for October...and I'll update you with the later half of the month later. 

comment because I was so kind to post.

xoxo

the last first day

9 kids.
12 grades.
35 years of children being in public school.
108 First days of school for Mom and Dad.




Yesterday, was their last. I'm sure they were all sorts of disappionted to have their finale child begin their first day of school for the last time in public education. Doesn't that sound amazing? I feel like I should just repeat that phrase. But, lucky for mom and dad, I think this will be the worst senior year yet. So lets pray this year goes smoothly, fast, and well, so I can (cross my fingers) go to BYU next fall. The football tickets are calling my name (oh, and cafe rio too of course!).

2nd day!

1st day (had to wear LINK CREW shirt)

I guess i'm a senior?

I'd like to think you were all itching for me to put these up here...but I'm sure you weren't. But sorry, it was inevitable (just like the flu that spread at the Lewis reunion...and in our car). As Alice-Anne likes to point out...this blog functions for one and only one purpose--that is to put pictures of me here. 

So here are the pictures to redeem myself for last post's picture...

That blue necklace was Grandma Lewis's so i had to wear it :)

All photos taken by the Dr. Seth Lewis, my good fellow brother. Just forget looking at my face and look at the gorgeous scenery!!!

Okay, I'll try to not to post anymore pictures of me for a week, heck maybe a month. This was just a bit overkill.

Love,
Emily