Goodness Gracious, What A Year

In light of New Years Eve,  I've been inspired by the lovely Claire and the legen-wait-for-it-dary Fonts to write this sort of summing up post about 2014, so here goes...

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?

I ended my first year of high school and started my second one. I went to my first EON concert despite crowd anxiety and had a blast. You guys were amazing, as per usual ;) 

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Ummmmmmmmmm I can't remember making any New Year's resolutions to tell the truth, but there's definitely always room for improvement. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

One of my sort of cousins (more specifically my younger brother's godmother's daughter) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Jasmine (after the Disney princess haha) and I don't know if this counts but Gibb now has a precious baby sister, Grace, and she's the cutest thing in the world.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no, although I do pay my respects to anyone who has suffered a loss.

5. What countries did you visit?

Well the states, obviously, seeing as I go to school here for nine months of the year... But other than that, I've gone back home to DR, which has been kinda nice :)

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

More self confidence and guts. I tend to second-guess myself and fear taking risks. I want to have the guts to leap for challenges and the confidence that I'm better than I think I am. I also would love to have the determination and motivation to finish anything I start, perhaps another song or two...

7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

Goodness, that's a tough one... I'll have to get back to you guys on that one, seeing as I don't have my calendar with me at this moment.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I would say staying alive but none of you would believe me. Seriously, with a body as clumsy as mine, you'd be surprised... Apart from that, I'm quite proud of finishing writing a total of three songs: Thoughts Of A Lonely One, Coffee In The Rain, and Untitled. Getting help. I'm also extremely proud of two slam poems I've written quite recently---one about my relationship with my dad, and one about my struggles with my ethnicity. I'll probably post them on here eventually. Maybe.

Oh. And starting a blog.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Allowing myself to be a punching bag when I had no reason to be. Not speaking up when I should have.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Ha ha... ha... ha. So yeah, there's a reason I don't do track anymore... Tendonitis all the way. I missed Gibb's 17th birthday because I was quarantined in the infirmary for three days due to the fact that I got the 1% of Flu that nobody gets -_- There was also an incident where failed attempts to make a split resulted in not being able to stand up, let alone walk, for a week. Oh! and I almost forgot: that time I thought I got a concussion because Gibb decided to launch his phone at my head (okay, I'm exaggerating; it was an accident, but still).

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I actually bought Christmas presents for people this year (which is a first) so that was kinda nice. My favorite is probably the most awko taco adorable looking polar bear stuffed animal that I got for Brandt (we've promised each other that we're moving to Alaska sometime in the future because polar bear license plates). 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Anyone who has ever listened to one of my five hour long rants, aka: Sawyer, Claire, Fonts, Maeve, Caellum, Gibb, Tom, Brandt, Sophia, Lilly, Lauryn, Olivia, Amber, Alasdaire, Rory, Tiernan, Zoe, Emma... I can't thank you guys enough for your patience. You are literally the best.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled?

I was extremely hurt and disappointed and angry a fair share of times but I'm not mentioning any names.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Um... you mean my parents' money? Ha ha... ha... ha. Well, honestly, it probably went to Chinese take-out and concert tickets now that I come to think of it. The rest went to Christmas presents :)

15. What did you get really, really excited about?

Good God, you ask this question to ME? The Queen of excited squeals? Okay, well... I got really, really excited for Semi, for Winter Weekend/Pajama Day (which I started, just for the record), for Berklee, for H2$, for my birthday, for cutting my hair, for finishing freshman year, for the Kerr's first day of summer get together, for TFIOS, for dance camp, for the twins' last day of summer get together, for beginning of sophomore year, for rooming with my best friend, for attending my first real EON concert, for the day Fonts came back, for Harvey, for the Dance/Music Recital, for Thanksgiving, for Mockingjay, for Coffeehouse, for Ghost, for EON's MET performance, for Christmas, for Claire's impromptu holiday get together, for the day I showed my poems to Mrs. B, just to name a few...

16. What song will always remind you of 2014?

You've got to be kidding me.

Seventeen by Everything or Nothing
Royals by Lorde
Iris by Sleeping with Sirens
Rude by MAGIC!
All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
Run to You by Pentatonix
Samson by Regina Spektor
Less Than Likely by Everything or Nothing
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars
Get Free by Major Lazer
Female Robbery by The Neighborhood
Light 'Em Up by Fall Out Boy
Talk Dirty To Me by Jason Derulo
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? by Arctic Monkeys
Let It Go by Idina Menzel (from Frozen... don't ask)
Bedroom Eyes by Crywolf
I'm The Man by Aloe Blacc
The Best Day Of My Life by American Authors
Breakeven by The Script
Stutter by Marianas Trench
Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy
I'm Not The Only One by Sam Smith
Don't by Ed Sheeran
Partition by Beyonce
La Vie Boheme by The Cast of RENT
I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Big Shot by Billy Joel
Chandelier by Sia
Diane Young by Vampire Weekend
Take Me to Church by Hozier
Call Me In The Afternoon by Half Moon Run
Riptide by Vance Joy
I See Fire by Ed Sheeran
Piano Man by Billy Joel
Happy by Pharrell Williams 
Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
Fancy by Iggy Azalea
I Follow Rivers by Lykke Li
You Got It On by Justin Timberlake
Lupita by Chiquito Team Band
Stereo Kids by The Plastics
Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Lennon and McCartney by Dala
Bailando by Enrique Iglesias
Shower by Becky G
Pretty Hurts by Beyonce
Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
Youth by Daughter
I Get Around by The Beach Boys
On To The Next One by Jay-Z
Moviendo Caderas by Yandel ft Daddy Yankee
Love Me Again by John Newman
Happy Little Pill by Troye Sivan
Darte Un Beso by Prince Royce
Tee Shirt by Birdy
Secrets by Mary Lambert
Steal My Girl by One Direction
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
Warriors by Imagine Dragons
Miss Jackson by Panic! at the Disco 
Weightless by All Time Low
Habits by Tove Lo
Budapest by George Ezra
Waves by Mr. Probz
Common Pleasure by Jason Mraz
Falling Slowly by Once
You and Me by Disclosure
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Northern Lights by Jaymes Young
Oceans Pt. II by Crywolf
Cell Block Tango by The Cast of Chicago
Suspend My Disbelief/I Had A Life by The Cast of Ghost
Rain/Hold On by The Cast of Ghost
Night Changes by One Direction
Who Spiked The Eggnog? by Straight No Chaser

Just to name a few. Have fun listening to that playlist... ;)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

(a) This time last year<This time this year
(b) Probably thinner I think, considering dining hall food makes me sad
(c) Richer in life experiences, to put it that way

18. What do you wish you had done more of?

Enjoyed every moment of pure bliss with my friends.

19. What do you wish you had done less of?

Wallowing in self pity. Being jealous of things I couldn't control.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Quietly with my family at my aunt's house in Vermont. Much snow prevailed. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2014?

...yes.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

SherlockSherlockSherlockSherlockSherlockSherlock, Bob's Burgers, Orange Is The New Black, and The Fosters :)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Um... Hate is a big word. I prefer strongly dislike.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Mayflower, Nathaniel Philbrick 

..........

I am sooooooooooooo kidding. Anyone from the Abbey will understand XD

..........

Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrell
Macbeth, William Shakespeare
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Is it too cliche to say my friends...?

26. What did you want and get?

Friends that are more like family. Poetic success.

27. What did you want and not get?

Peace of mind.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

TFIOS, Mockingjay Part 1, Big Hero 6, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Making new friends and becoming closer to those I already had.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?

Wow. I don't even know... Colorful four-year-old meets prepubescent boy meets bubbly goody-two-shoes meets pajamas forever. If it weren't for the Abbey's dress code, I'd be in PJs 34/7. Just sayin'.

31. What kept you sane?

Ed Sheeran.
EHX.
Poetry.
Mrs. B.
The stairwell.
The Kerrs.
Non-dining-hall food.
A select few of my friends that listened to me when my feelings were all over the place. You know who you are. Thank you for being angels.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Benedict Cumberbatch. Denise Frohman. Johnny Depp---Always.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Ferguson. Without a doubt.

34. Who did you miss?

Anyone and everyone at different times of the year. My family. My other family. Suki.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.

You must first allow yourself to be happy before anything else. Your feelings are always valid. Always. You are entitled to your feelings.

36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"So when I'm ready to be bolder,

And my cuts have healed with time

Comfort will rest on my shoulder

And I'll bury my future behind

I'll always keep you with me

You'll be always on my mind

But there's a shining in the shadows

I'll never know unless I try."

"Home" by Gabrielle Aplin

Gosh this post took longer than I thought.

Well, with that I leave you magical fairy people. See ya on the other side :)

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya 

Late Night Storms

Hi.

It's me again.

Ow.

That's all I have to say.

P.S: Happy Early Birthday Maeve :)

P.P.S: I miss everyone.

P.P.P.S: Somebody make all these effing emotions go away. Just... make it stop.

P.P.P.P.S: Whoever invented teenagers should stuff a cantaloupe down their throat and paint their teeth with yellow nail polish and give birth to a neon pink anaconda and tape pictures of bad haircuts all over their body while trying to yodel the Dominican National Anthem. Fuck you.

Mandatory Impromptu Christmas Party Post

It all started on the last day of class, Thursday, December 18th.

Claire had followed Sawyer and I back to our room (did I forget to mention that Sawyer's my roommate...?) just to say a last goodbye before Sawyer's dad picked us up.

We all hoped we'd be able to see the crew sometime soon before I left (on Saturday), so Claire brought up the idea of having a little get together at her house the next day. We were psyched, but then again, it was just an idea.

Come the next day and then began the absolute nightmare that is making plans with our friends :)

See, when one person says they can go and then five minutes later says they can't, but then an hour later says they can but they can't drive, and then someone else can only catch a ride in a certain time slot, and somebody else needs to drive, you've got yourself a knot of indecisive teenagers, to say the least.

It was quite entertaining to view the plan-making from the group chat... Just sayin.

The day rolled on when Sawyer and I had been dropped off into town to do some last minute Christmas shopping because yes.

Around 4:30pm, Claire's dad (bless his soul) came to pick us up and proceeded to make hysterical jokes about trashing our rival school as we passed by. Claire, this is why we love your father.

Upon arriving at Claire's, we were greeted by the lovely Lucy's cheerful bark and joyous energy. Claire looked stunning, as per usual, but especially since according to her, Brandt had suggested the event to be a bit more above casual.

We helped consume probably half of the snacks when Brandt finally arrived, looking spiff and dapper. We couldn't expect any less.

A little while later, Zoe and Emma made quite the entrance, considering Emma's Christmas sweater was a fire hazard (cotton balls and safety-pinned Christmas lights).

We spent the next two hours nicely bitching about people we disliked and swooning over attractive human beings (I am so sorry Brandt XD).

The pizza arrived around 7 o'clock, ironically just around the same time as the idiots.

Of course they'd show up when there was food -_-

Fonts, Tom and Gibb showed up when we all moved into the living room, smushing ourselves between two couches despite the many chairs scattered about.

Unfortunately, Tree Person, or Caellum should I say, couldn't make it because of some faculty family Christmas party he decided not to know about until an hour earlier.

The evening wore on (here is where every member of the Harvey cast laughs) and Emma took lovely and not-so-lovely pictures of everyone while we goofed around.

Soon enough, Maeve arrived looking absolutely beautiful (again, we couldn't expect any less).

Before long, Claire brought out the sparkling cider and it was bizarre to say the least---envisioning us all ten years into the future, especially considering our fancy attire and the bottles in our hands.

Eventually, the coffee table was moved out of the way in order to clear a dance floor :)

Fonts, Gibb and Sawyer were lazy butts and decided not to leave their place from the couch. Meanwhile, Tom was forced to waltz around and Brandt, Claire, Maeve, the twins, and I swayed and pranced "gracefully" to Claire's Christmas playlist.

Sometime after that, my memory begins to fog, seeing as fatigue caught up with me.

The twins left first, and by the time Sawyer's dad came to pick us up, all of us were strewn across Claire's living room, some poking jokes at one another while others challenged each other in Trivia Crack---the game that is quickly consuming everyone's lives.

Saying goodbye took all of an hour and a half, I kid you not.

Christmas presents were passed around and many hugs ensued, as well as family portraits, which involved me being used as an armrest and the others pulling goofy poses whilst grabbing seductively at each other. My friends, ladies and gentlemen.

We decided the adults must be having a swell time chatting with each other, so the spark of our party fizzed out as we lay across the floor, each in their own conversation minus myself; I let my thoughts wander for a while.

Forgive me as I turn to my mushy, pensive self, but it was in the warmth of Claire's home, surrounded by my very best friends, that I sincerely felt at peace. Admittedly, perhaps that peace was simply coming from the fact that I was tired beyond belief, but it was a certain tranquility I'd been longing for a long time.

The colorful lights enveloping Claire's Christmas tree came in and out of focus as my head hit the coffee table. Sounds of muffled laughter and standard conversation rang in my ears as my attention became quite limited.

The time to really leave came sooner than anyone would have liked. I sleepily bid the rest goodbye and wished everyone Happy Holidays as I walked out the door.

Two and a half weeks is way too long to be away from you all, so I'm hoping time goes by quicker than expected. I can't wait to see you guys when school starts up again :) We definitely have to make the next a movie marathon...

Until then, hasta la próxima!

Much love xoxo

Maya

On Holding Hands

They were frail.

Withered skin, calloused and bruised from years of laborious work displayed decades of factory smog; memories flickered as quickly as the train she used to board every day and night.

Stronger ones, rougher by nature, lay still and untouched beneath the soil, no longer able to raise the grass or the flowers or the plants or the trees. He had stopped tending to them once the Winter grew in.

But he loved her.

Young veins grabbed at her own---three generations down---and yet his touch was the only one she felt.

Death had robbed her of a lifeline and made a mockery of her grief.

It was cold.

Rough fingers used to intertwine hers. It was warm back then.

At times, they'd grope and mark and bleed and bruise and hurt and 

Yet she loved him.

Two lovers, torn apart by the clock, clung to each other even after time was up and the last hour had struck.

And yet grasping one another's hands wasn't enough to bring him back, but you couldn't blame them.

They were frail.

..........

I haven't seen you in forever.

So when I hold your hand, don't you dare pull away because I fucking miss you, okay?

Are you ashamed of me? Do I make you uncomfortable? If so, please let me know.

I can go away if you really want me to, you just need to ask.

Goddammit, why do you pull away?

Can't you see that I need you?

..........

Hands are simply beautiful. Breathtaking, even.

Oftentimes, I find myself mesmerized by the gentle strums on a guitar, the careless flicks of a pen whilst scrawling away on paper, even the nervous ticks we all seem unaware of.

They're able to do so much; it's truly remarkable.

Hands can build, and paint, and write, and poke, and play, and hit, and grope, and scratch, and touch, and comfort, and caress, and heal, and hurt, and hold, and release, and tap, and move, and dance, and screw you over in more ways than one.

When they twirl around a tendril of hair, when they open a gift for the first time, when they pat reassuringly on the back, when they wipe away tears, when they grasp a utensil, when they flip the page of a book, when they type away at a phone, when they shake from anxiety, when they flip you off, when they clap in admiration, when they gesture as a part of everyday conversation, when they pick up a puppy, when they point to unbelievable sights, when they tie a ribbon in place, when they simply hold another hand. 

Hands are so utterly important to me. They are a reassurance that there is promise and that we can make something out of our lives, so why not make something together?

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

In Which The Children Ceased Sleeping

School was easy. And it was fun. And it was good.

Kindergarten consisted of muddy rain boots and scraped knees; juice boxes and ABCs.

Grade Three revolved around those who called dibs on the monkey bars, mac and cheese for lunch and who got the most stickers on their homework.

Grade Five was petty drama; nothing but who sat at what lunch table and so on.

School was easy. And it was fun. And it was good.

Grade Seven, things started to get complicated. Friends turned on each other, only to satisfy their personal needs. Snickers turned into daggers and glares into stabs.

Grade Nine, their heads filled up with fog. Everything was constantly spinning; no one knew which way was up or down or right from left. Everything was either this way or that, not a light to guide the path.

Grade Ten, they were trapped; lost beyond repair. They lost track of themselves; lost track of the time; lost track of the race. No one was routing for them, now. Not a single soul was left to care.

School was painful. And it was hard. And it was "good".

Too many smiles curled in on themselves once the ABCs turned into more than just an alphabet.

Too many passions drowned from the noise of their failures.

Too many seasons passed before they just grew accustomed to cold.

Too many teachers hooked weights onto their students' chains.

Too many children cried out as they were robbed of their youth.

Too many nights were spent wasting away.

Too many days were spent doing the same.

Too many hours put into records, dates, scores, and grades.

Too many tears shed from "not good enough".

Too many fingernails stripped raw.

Too many kids forced into adults.

School was painful. And it was hard. And it was "good".

Once upon a time, the children dreamt happily, not a care in the world.

Once upon a time, the monsters were only found in fairytales.

Once upon a time, the only darkness that surrounded them was lack of light.

Once upon a time, the pain was minimal. No need for medication.

Once upon a time, they weren't afraid of themselves.

Once upon a time, the children were CHILDREN, not forced to be anything else.

Little by little, the pain will end. And it'll be hard, but it'll be good.

M.I.W.E.

How The Crew Happened To Adopt Me

Hello humans and magical creatures.

Hold onto your ice cream; this is a long one.

As you may or may not know (if you read any of my friends' blogs, you'll most likely understand), The Music Crew is quite a popular topic throughout, and they just so happen to be all of my favorite people :) It's been an ever expanding group of friends that I was lucky enough to become a part of sometime during early winter of my freshman year.

It all started when I first auditioned for the Fall Play. I was one of two freshmen trying out and I happened to be extremely sick during the audition process. Sprawled across a stranger's backpack, I lay curled up on the rug of our auditorium's lobby. Everyone else seemed to know each other, so I didn't dare speak a word to any of them (I still had it drilled in my head that I wasn't allowed to speak to upperclassmen) and yet for some reason T walked over to me, plopping himself down by my feet. The first words he spoke were, "Hey there, freshman. I'm Tiernan," so naturally, I was beyond petrified. Throwing on what I felt was a confident facade, I coughed before introducing myself, somewhat shakily. Yeah, T, I was very much afraid of you Once Upon A Time... Also, despite Caellum performing in Twelfth Night with me, I was highly intimidated by him, too. I know. Weird.

Weeks rolled by and I still didn't speak to any of you. Quite sorry about that.

Eventually, A Cappella auditions happened. There, I reacquainted myself with T and C, and also met Zoe, Emma, Fonts, and Gibb along with various other fabulous people :)

It wasn't until the night we recorded A Cappella things---also known as the day I lost my backpack---that I even realized Gibb existed (he never came to rehearsals. Like ever  -_-).

Little freshman Maya was freaking out about not being in dress code for the video, and to this day I remember the overwhelming guilt I felt for having to borrow Caellum's vest. Dark times.

Fast forward one week to the night I got super homesick. I was about to turn into a sob-fest when I decided to see if anyone was available to talk.

And of course, no one happens to be online other than Gibb. Feeling like I would very soon regret my actions, I left him a quick message explaining that I was upset.

Of course, he doesn't reply 'till around fifteen minutes later, when I'm already in bed.

He was nice enough to give me his number, though, and we ended up texting for over two hours that night.

It was really surreal, to tell the truth. Who would've thought I'd talk to---let alone trust---a near complete stranger? Funny how these things work...

Basically, Gibb ended up being my next older brother and one could say we were probably attached at the hip. Not even sorry.

Sometime after that, I became a part of the glorious Enharmonix, where I met the flawless Soph, the remarkable Dylan, the crazy talented Rosie, the wonderful Carly, the lovely Jess, the legendary Mr. Smith and Mr. Brett, as well as re-reacquainted myself with Zoe, T, Gibb, and C. I love you all. So much.

The first Coffeehouse came 'round and I was much too much of a wimp to actually perform, but I remember watching every single one of you up on stage (even Tom!--- sorry, I still didn't know who you were at this point haha) and loved every second of it :) This was back when Gibb was dating someone else... so yeah. That was a thing that happened. Claire and I had our first real conversation together after the performance (the fog out on the football field that night was INTENSE!) and thus began our wonderful friendship.

A little while after that, Claire convinced me to start sitting at the sophomore table with the rest of y'all. Never went back (freshmen tables kinda suck).

Little by little, I met the rest of the grade, somehow became really good friends with Brandt, and got Max not to hate me.

That was always a plus. Max and I also bonded over the fact that neither of us had ever had a snowball fight before :) Then commenced the epic that was Winter Term.

Musical season was officially in session and H2$ was up and rolling. C did a wonderful job portraying the crafty J. Pierrepont Finch and Zoe was fabulous whilst playing the dreamy, not-quite-independant Rosemary. Here, ladies, gentlemen and others, is where I met my very best friend and sister, Sawyer.

I should probably mention that C, Fonts, Jake, Gibb, and his best friend Tom, were kind of a band at this point... Anyway, Everything or Nothing became a thing and beginning of January, they recorded their song "Seventeen" for the first time. To say I was ecstatic is an understatement. Claire and I would fangirl for hours, jamming to our friends' incredible talent. Once the recording was released (posted and shared all over Facebook, that is), what better surprise than to have freshman Maya walk into her commonroom, only to find a girl she'd never spoken to before jamming to the same song?

I remember flipping the flip out when I found out she liked EON's music, texting Gibb furiously that a girl in my grade actually loved their song :) And what do you know, Sawyer also happened to be in the musical, too.

One could say we got to know each other real well, real soon.

I just so happened to introduce Gibb and Sawyer to each other one day and from that day on, the three of us were inseparable.

Semi came and went but I have to say it was probably one of the best nights EVER.

Winter Weekend rolled around and by then, the three of us had gotten super close. The weekend after that was Berklee (the competition Enharmonix prepares for all year).

Berklee was a wave of overwhelming events, each with its ups and downs, and yet I would never trade that experience for anything in the world. To my EHX peeps: it was such an honor to perform with you all. Can't wait to do it again in January ;)

At Berklee, I officially met Tom, my tall, ginger friend who gives amazing hugs :) To tell the truth, dude, I was completely convinced that you hated me for the first half of the day. Don't ask me why. I was only persuaded otherwise when I had my laugh attack and you somehow thought my laugh was hilarious---or maybe you were just laughing at the fact that I tripped over myself, but I mean, details...

Basically, let's just skip to the part where Gibb and Sawyer finally revealed to me that they liked each other. Obviously (at least I hope this is obvious) at this point, Gibb was no longer with his previous girlfriend, and Sawyer was no longer with her previous boyfriend.

Of course, in the beginning, I was a bit shocked, but it wasn't something I didn't see coming. After a while, they were officially public about it and everybody seemed to be okay with it, so that was fine and dandy.

Track Season became a thing by the end of March, and of course---as if the universe found no other way to tell me what I already knew---two weeks in, I got tendonitis on both my knees, preventing me from actually being able to sports... which I was totally okay with. The real reason I loved track was because of the people. I started hanging out with Kai, Sophia, Ellie, Patrick, Haidy, Jeremy, Alasdaire, to name a few... And at least part of the Crew was reunited with Zoe, Claire, Brandt, Max, C, and Gibb.

End of the year came, and we found out that Max, the one and only, had to go back to Oklahoma. To say everyone was depressed for a while is entirely under-exaggerated.

Over the summer, I went back home to DR, while pretty much everyone else stayed here (the perks of being day students -_-). Though, despite being who knows how many freaking miles across the ocean, I was well informed that EON was taking off, something I take much pride in :)

They had their first gig midsummer and I cannot tell you how bummed I was for not being able to be there. Seriously, guys, not to pull the pity card or anything but I cried myself to sleep that night. We'll just leave it at that...

 Luckily, I was able to make their second show on September 10th, right after school had just started up again. I will admit, I wasn't planning to go (because crowds and claustrophobia) but I do not regret going for one second because that was one of the best nights of my life.

It was at this second show that I met my short Hispanic buddy, LA, and the marvelous Maeve, someone I cannot explain in words.

Beginning sophomore year was really bizarre to say the least. I was honestly just relieved that I didn't have to make friends from scratch... Then the Fall Play, Harvey, happened, in which I became closer friends with C and Emma, as well as Sophia :)

EHX was also blessed with some new members, those being Maggie, Mary, and Victor. You guys are amazing.

Most recently, musical season began again with the mesmerizing Ghost soundtrack, landing C as Sam; Sophia as Oda Mae; Dylan as Carl; and Maggie as Molly. You guys are going to absolutely kill it, no doubt about it.

The rest is surely history, and I cannot wait to record all our hilarious adventures together. Knowing these weirdos... I'm sure there'll never be a dull moment with you guys ;)

If you made it this far, I'm impressed.

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

P.S.: Below is the link to EON's shenanigans and I strongly recommend you give them a listen and buy their EP on ITunes. Such talent. So worth it.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD16zuYh97whLUDzKfIkalA/feed

Fun Facts

I currently have decided to skip breakfast because effort and class is in 15 minutes so I might as well...

Fun and Not-So-Fun Facts about Maya:

• My actual favorite color is purple, but I tell everyone it's turquoise just 'cause it sounds cooler.
• I've had an obsession with strawberries since the age of two. It's safe to say they are by far my favorite food and yet I absolutely despise strawberry ice cream. 
• I am the middle child (in between two pains in the ass, or brothers, should I say)
• Currently a sophomore at an exceedingly preppy boarding school... I know. Shocker. 
• I'm the biggest goody-two-shoes this world has ever seen. Quite sorry.
• My hands are always cold. End of story.
• Despite being Dominican American and residing nine months of the year in New England, I pretty much hate all seafood. 
• My friends are like a crazy, dysfunctional family but I wouldn't have it any other way.

AHHHH I'M GONNA BE LATE TO CLASS. BE RIGHT BACK.

...4 hours later...

Oh thank goodness, you haven't left :) 

• I live and breathe Harry Potter.
• I'm super OCD about a lot of things...
• My best friend happens to be dating my sort of older brother. Fun stuff.
• Performing is probably one of my top favorite things to do besides staying in bed all day and nomming (or eating, as you normal people call it).
• I hate shopping.
• I have major anxiety.
• I'm terrible at giving gifts.
• Singing is a thing I do.
• Acting is another thing I do. Occasionally. 
• Reading and writing are a must.
• I'm a very small person and none of my friends seem to let me forget it -_-
• Mrs. B is my favorite teacher ever. Creative Writing class is literally the best.
• My laugh is really obnoxious but I kinda love it... :)
• I am convinced I give the best hugs ever  *smirks to self*
• Give me vanilla ice cream and I will love you forever and ever and all of eternity.
• I'm claustrophobic.
• My older brother, YD, goes to an artsy school in MA and all his friends are hippies.
• YD and I came up with our little brother's name, Javier (or Javi, to all of his little 4th grade friends).
• I like to pretend I'm funny a lot more than I am. I see no problem with that.
• I don't do roller coasters or scary movies. Otherwise, I'd cry 'til the end of time.
• My dad has an assortment of nicknames for me which I do not quite appreciate (Hobbit, Twitchy, Pixie, Monkey, Sloth, Chimp, Shrimp, Smurf, the list goes on...). I love you, too, Papi.
• I'm afraid of clowns and the dark.
• I stalk my friends' blogs on a daily basis... Please don't hate me, guys.
• The stairwell is my favorite place on campus (the acoustics are awesome possum in there).
• I have the attention span of a squirrel.
• I like squirrels. So much, in fact, that YD and I tried capturing one as a pet when I was in first grade.
• If I was an animal, I'd probably be a dolphin. Because yes.
• Ed Sheeran is life.
• My writing style varies a lot. I can get super casual or switch to the complete opposite side of the spectrum when I feel like it.
• I'm really hungry right now and lunch just opened so I have a feeling I'll be migrating that-a-way pretty soon.

Alrighty, I have to skidaddle because the noms are calling to me.

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

P.S: Go read my friends' blogs because they're wonderful and it would make me really happy :)

Claire http://escapethisreality.blogspot.com/

Caellum http://forlackofasmartername.blogspot.com/

Zoe http://littleworldpoetry.blogspot.com/

Tom http://dynamiclifeasitis.blogspot.com/

Tiernan http://one-step-from-here.blogspot.com/

Fonts http://thebasicsfromabassist.blogspot.com/

Maeve http://ponderingsofaparttimewallflower.blogspot.com/

Awko Taco First Blog Post

Wow.

So... This blog thing. First of all, hello to my little corner of the internet which you are currently invading :) Just kidding, you are more than welcome to read as you please. Or not. Whatever floats your boat, really.

Second of all, if you are a stranger---
HI MY NAME IS MAYA AND I LOVE HUGS AND PLEASE LIKE ME I PROMISE I'M NICE!!!

If you actually do know me, well then, hello again :) I super duper hope that reading this and all future posts doesn't bore you to death because you'll most likely be mentioned at some point or another... Just sayin'.

Third of all, I tell really long stories (shout out to everyone who tolerates my two-hour tales), and use lots of smiley faces because why the heck not? Smiling's my favorite :)

To tell the truth, my lovely friend Claire was my main inspiration when it came to creating this blog, and then it just sort of happened. The link to her blog should be towards the bottom if I get my internet skills right...

I sincerely have no clue why I started this other than the fact that I had the strong urge to and all future posts will most likely be little tidbits of my mind palace or otherwise stuff I haven't even thought of yet. Bear with me as I figure this whole thing out, please and thank you :)

It is currently super freaking late and I have school tomorrow (hurray for Saturday classes *proceeds to cry for hours*)

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

P.S: Claire's corner of the internet--> http://escapethisreality.blogspot.com/