I'd like to give thanks...

I'd like to give thanks to everyone in my life. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am to day, as the person I am, with the amazing experiences/knowledge I have under my belt. But that doesn't even begin to express my thanks, so I'm going to go into a bit (... okay, maybe a lot) of detail about why I am thankful for all of you.

First, I'd like to say a massive thank you to my parents. You two are quite literally the reason I'm still alive and well living. You provide me with sustenance, material possessions and love beyond what I could ask for. Not that you have much to work with, but what you do is extraordinary. I am truly blessed to have both of you in my life and I couldn't have asked for better people to share my life with.
To my brothers: you are both such pains in the butts, but for some reason, I adore you both. Anthony, you are a role model to me. You, though facing your own battles, still find a way to smile and make me smile. You're a gorgeous human being with a glorious future. I can't wait to see you have a family and be a dad. I know you make mom proud, because all she ever does is brag about how big you've gotten. And Kristophor, what can I say about you? You mean the WORLD to me, and I really hope you know that. I know I push you around, scream at you, and really suck at spending time with you, but it hurts me to know you're hurting. You're an inspiration, really. I know how hard things have been for you, and yet here you are, standing tall and doing what you love. It's a hard road, growing up is, but I know you'll make it. <3 I believe you can-- and will.
To my Pop Pop: I know you won't see this because, well, you're technologically challenged, but I love you more than you will ever know. You gave my family a place to stay, and you're still willing to give more. You're truly an amazing person. I hope everything's splendid on the coast with Francis. She's kind of a doll, and the two of you make a splendid couple. I look forward to vacationing in Ocean Shores next summer ;)
To my Noni: You've been gone a while now, but I'm still extremely thankful for what you did during your lifetime. I still look back at old photos, cards, and quilts to think "I was truly blessed" and I took it for granted. You were extremely caring and an amazing mother. You made a huge impact on me, even though we weren't that close. I know you were an amazing parent, because Dad turned out fantastically. And I really hope Heaven is all it's cracked up to be. I love you, Noni, and I'm very, very thankful for the time I had with you.

Now to my friends. Izzy: I'm so thankful for your friendship. You have never given up on me, and I really hope you never will. Getting to know you this past year has been amazing. You're so smart and funny and I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. I don't think I could thank you enough for all the time and money you and your family have spent on me. I wish I could pay you back and then some, because you truly deserve it. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.
Grayce: I'm thankful for the fact that even though I'm a complete freak, I've found someone who's just as much of a freak as I. You're extremely passionate and knowledgeable  your work ethic inspires me and I adore how beautiful you are. You really take after your mother, in that department. You're so incredibly caring, and I don't know what I'd do without you. You, like Izzy, have spent so much time and money helping me along my journey and I really can't express to you how amazing I find that to be. I wish I could pay the both of you back, plus some, because you are two of the most incredible human beings I have ever encountered. Thank you.
Victoria Rose: I'm thankful for your open heart. You have never judged me, and I don't think you're even capable of it. You know me better than probably anyone else and you still haven't given up on me. How, I have no clue, but you've done it. You keep up with me intellectually and man, are you gorgeous. I'm thankful for your support the past couple of years, and I hope to continue to be your friend. I love you, darling.

Really and truly, I am thankful for my team. Without them, the past 8+ years of my life wouldn't mean half as much as they do to me. Although you're an ever-rotating cast, those of you who have known me through my drill career know that I've become truly passionate about this sport and team. You've become my backbone, really. Through a strong staff (of beautiful women!) who care so dearly about us, and a beautiful team of strong, independent, caring girls, I have really found myself. I remember my first practice still, and knowing that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful for the people whom have pushed me to my limits as a team member, making me even better as a marcher and friend. You've held my hand at the edge of the cliff and urged me to jump to the other side. I appreciate you all so, so much.
I owe a lot to the adults with the team. Counselors  you've become my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th mothers. You're some of the most beautiful people I know and I am so grateful to get to spend time with you all.
Dena, Coree, Caitlin: I've marched with all three of you, and have always looked up to you. You made the graceful move from team member to instructor and I've always been so incredibly taken aback by your leadership skills. You work hard and play hard and truly make this team what it is today. You're strong, beautiful women and I adore your company. I'm thankful for your leadership and support throughout the years. You're amazing.
Vicki: You're just fabulous. I'm so thankful for your strong, yet understanding attitude. You're inspirational in the fact that you run (flawlessly) between owning your own business, leading a personal life, and still having time to spend with the team. And you look gorgeous doing it.
Diane and Hallie: You two are truly inspirations to me, and I'm so grateful to know you both. Hallie, you've done so much for the team. You make a huge impact on all of us and really know what you're doing. I respect you and am so so so thankful that you haven't given up on us, yet. Not to mention taking on such a tremendous new role at work. I can't even imagine how stressful it must be! You're amazing. Diane, you're just a beautiful human being. You're so strong and make a huge difference not only within our team, but the entire SDTA, and the Washington State Eagles and youth program. Everyone loves you and I aspire to be as inspirational as you. I'm incredibly thankful to have known you as long as I have and to continue to know you for a long, long way to come.

To the SDTA: You guys are my rock. I know so many of you, and you're all such beautiful people. You inspire me to give my best and work towards greatness. I'm so thankful to know you all for so long and to continue to get to know more and more of you. You've made the last 8+ years of my life so unforgettable. Thank you.

Finally, I am incredibly thankful for everyone in my life. Whether I mentioned you or not, you matter to me. And I'm so, so lucky to have you with me. You rock. Thank you.

With so much love and thanks,
Marjean. xoxo

Bullying and What it Means to Me

I've always been bullied, and had my way to deal with it. Whether it was blogging about it, holding it in, or reporting it, I knew how to handle myself. Middle school was the hardest time for me. I think that's when people really start to acknowledge social differences and isolating those who stand out in any way. And then comes the harassment in all forms; cyber-bullying, physical bullying, verbal bullying.
All through elementary school, we are taught not to bully, because it's bad and mean; now as a high school Sophomore, I've been taught that bullying can lead to self-harm, depression, suicide and vast arrays of mental instability. But in middle school, and certainly now, I don't think people realized how much bullying actually affects the victims.
I don't mean to call anyone out, but my brother is harassed at school and afraid to tell administration because he fears it will only get worse or make it harder for him to fit back in after everything is said and done. And I don't blame him. He's being pushed to the edge. He's stressed that he's no longer good enough to make my parents proud or get good enough grades. He's worried girls will never like him because he's not rich enough or handsome enough. Why? Because he's belittled and berated every single day, and he can't catch a break. "Toughen up"? I think it's pretty tough, already, to sit through 6 classes a day with people who hate you. I think it's tough to not have anyone to talk to about it, because everyone judges you. I think it's tough to deal with bullying on top of your own issues. My brother is one of the toughest kids I know. He keeps his grades up, does sports, has a social life and deals with all the struggles in his life with a smile on his face. He's so much like me and he doesn't even realize. I love him so much, and I cannot believe or stand the way he's being treated by his teammates, classmates, and "friends." I don't understand how things like this go unnoticed and un-cared for when 14% of students have considered suicide and over 7% have attempted it.
I know you might not think things like this don't involve you, but I'm so tired of seeing people I hold so close to me be so hurt by bullies. So please find a way to help, whether it means reporting an instance of bullying (it doesn't make you WEAK), helping someone recieve help for being bullied, or simply being there for those who need it. You can make a difference (cheesy, but true).

Thanks for reading this, you guys. You're awesome (and I'm always here for you, so send me a message, if need be.)

xoxo,
Marjean ♥

A Fresh Start

Last year, I had a blog that I kept up to date with a lot of my personal thoughts, experiences, etc. After a while, I had started getting hate for what I had to say and what I was posting. From there, I really backed off of blogspot and kept to myself in general. But I'm back. :D This blog is going to be less about my trials and tribulations of high school or about the drama of my personal life and more about my daily thoughts and how I feel. A fresh start, really. 

I hope you guys enjoy what I have to say! 

Much love from a very happy teen! 

xoxo,
Marjean. ♥