Turkey Day List #2

Onto the much more extensive part of things I'm grateful for: the magnificent people in my life. I promise I tried to keep it short and sweet, but I mean hey, here you go.

Mami: You have always been my #1 fan. You've sacrificed so much just to make us happy and you work so, so incredibly hard. You've redefined the word "woman" for me and taught me that I am just as good as anyone else. You taught me humility and pride; love and caution; fun and responsibility. You may be an inch shorter than me but you sure as heck are the most badass person I know. Te quiero de aquí hasta la luna <3

Papi: Where do I even begin? You just get me. You get me more than anyone else on this planet. We share the same spirit and that allows us to bond over music and theatre and writing and art and poetry and feelings and experiences and you believe in me more than I believe in myself. You've always been there for hugs and kisses and food and dad jokes and I cannot express how much I miss you already now that we're on opposite hemispheres, but Cambodia will do you good. Please continue too seek the beauty in everything. You're really good at that.

Yan Diego: Goddamn, you are a pain in the ass. And yet I still find myself missing you every day we're apart. You were my first companion and role model (not so much anymore XD) but even though we've both grown, I still look up to you occasionally, believe it or not. Thanks for not letting me travel alone 'cuz you know it freaks me out. Even with all the insults, you still make me laugh more than anyone else I know, so thanks for making me pee myself in public, I guess. Here's to many more years of mischievous rivalry and unconditional support. You're allright.

Javier: I'd never call you this to your face, seeing as you're turning eleven in January, but you're my little munchkin. Sure, you're a pest, as all little brothers are, but you're my pest, and you are most definitely the sweetest one out there. You're gonna break lots of hearts, that's for sure. Please don't ever let anyone tell you who to be, okay, bud? You wanna dance? You dance. You wanna sing? You sing. You wanna be the most kickass, multitalented kid in the world? Go right on ahead. Don't let anyone stop you. I continue to be so proud of you each and every day and I am beyond honored to call you my baby brother.

Suki: You're not actually a person, but you might as well be. I adore you, my little peanut rat. You've got a heart of pure gold. It probably weighs more than the rest of you. Missing you endlessly.

Abuelo: You are my hero <3

The Fam: Y'all are the loudest and touchiest group of people I know. Much love.

Madrina y Padrino: No se imaginan lo duro que sería todo esto sin ustedes. Los quiero un montón.

Pri: Vieja, tu y yo llevamos siglos. Se que casi nunca nos vemos pero tu sabes que te quiero y que te apoyo ahora y siempre <3 Vas a llegar super lejos, de eso estoy segura.

CJS: Goodness, all I can say is you're my best friend. I can't go a minute thinking about you without smiling. I am so, so lucky to have someone like you love someone like me. You put up with all my crazy and don't mind one bit. You make me feel beautiful and giddy and special and exciting and intelligent, even when I don't feel it myself. Thank you for staying up at all hours of the night just to talk to me, and for reminding me to chill when I'm winding myself up, and for going out of your way to make sure you see me at least once a day, and for your hugs and your jokes and for teaching me something new everyday. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and for being a dork and for making me so so so happy. I love you so much.

Claire: Oh Claire Bear, what can I even say that you don't already know? You're my big sister. You know that and everyone else knows that. We keep each other grounded and we make sure to brighten up the other's day when we can. You've given me a home away from home and have become a part of my ever-growing support network and you have absolutely no idea how much that means to me. Thank you for taking me shopping and jams in the car and buying me food and coming to my shows. Thanks for the lazy Saturdays just chillin' in my bed, tumblring and geeking about Hamilton, among other things. You're honestly the loveliest and anyone who has ever had the pleasure to make your acquaintance should be greatly honored. Also, thank you for eating my candy for me so I don't get fat <3 Greatly appreciated.

Caellum: I am so thankful for this past year; it's allowed us to grow as friends and I honestly could not have managed fall term without your constant support. We get each other on so many levels; there're hardly enough words to express it. You've always been there. You've always been patient with me. You've never pushed me away even when I got annoying as heck. We've been through a lot together, believe it or not. Your puns and hugs and company are enough. Thank you thank you thank you. I love you dearly.

Shelby: YOU ARE MY FAVORITE! Words cannot express how glad I am to have gotten to know you in such a short amount of time. Your daily messages make my day and never cease to make me smile. Thanks for not thinking I'm an old lady for using Pinterest and thank you for sending me a letter all the way from Texas. I cannot wait to finally meet you so we can chill and have lots of fun :) You're always reminding me of this but this time I'm reminding you: please never forget how talented and capable you are. We're allowed to make mistakes. We're allowed to have bad days. It doesn't make us any less brilliant. You're going to change a lot of lives, trust me <3

Gibb: Sitka, you already know how much you mean to me. No use in writing paragraphs about our history ('cuz I've already done that before XD). Instead, I just wanted to say thanks for still picking up the phone regardless of what time it is and for not pushing me away. I love you to infinity and banana.

Maeve: My beautiful, talented, courageous Maeve. You're obviously kicking ass at school (just as I knew you would) and even though we don't necessarily talk as much anymore, I know you're still there if I ever need you. That's how you know who your real friends are—you can go days and weeks and occasionally months without speaking to them, and yet when you pick back up, it's just where you left off, as if no time had passed at all. That's what it feels like with you. Thanks for letting me come to you with awkward, childish questions and for being my mom and for reminding me of what I'm capable of. You're absolutely fantastic. We need to chill sometime.

Max: Oh my dearest Maximiliana, you are the only thing I look forward to at the end of the day. Those five minutes talking to you before housemeeting mean so much more than you know, especially when I'm crumbling with stress. You converted me to the dyed hair cult and I guess there's no turning back now. Thanks for the sass and for letting me bitch to you about people and/or things. Your perpetual badassery is an inspiration to all, let me tell you. Winter term I gotta actually hang out with you, okay? It must be done.

Tom: Eff you and your talent and smiles and hugs. You're actually the best, Tom. Don't let my lack of words throw you off, like you are actually the greatest. Please visit soon <3

Sophia: You are a goddess. It'd take a fool not to see that. You continue to inspire me every day through your talent, hard work and dedication. Thank you for being the greatest blessing EHX has ever had. I am blessed to have you in my life and I am so glad you let me be a part of yours. Please don't forget about me when you're rich and famous and have like 60 Grammys in your basement.

Tiernan: It still shocks me how you're on the complete opposite side of the country for most of the year and yet you still wow me with your sage advice. I miss your cuddles and your teasing more than anything. Please please pleaseeeee come back when you can, yeah?

Fonts: You know how the story goes. You're my rock and all. The end.

Hannah Banana Banderbob: Bae, you are my one and only. Don't tell anyone but you are by far my favorite roommate. I adore your sugar highs just as much as you despise them and your constant studiousness and determination inspires me to be my best self everyday. Your puppy chow and pumpkin bread are to die for. Thank you for telling me when I look like trash and for putting up with my meltdowns and my craziness and every time I squeal about Conor and/or food. I sure lucked out with you, boo #TheFruits <3

Amber: You crazy, soulless Asian. I love you with all my heart. Thanks for putting up with all the shit I give you and for not kicking me out of your room in the middle of study hall when I get obnoxious and distracting XD We hate the same things and we both swear more than others give us credit for. What a solid bond we have. Please continue to slay as you do. Te quiero.

Scott: You, sir, make my life immensely more entertaining, that's for sure. Your hugs and ridiculous jokes and your sass continuously make my day and the fact that you are now a part of EHX makes me wanna squeal every time I think about it. Please don't ever leave me alone 'cuz a life without Scott Powell seems kinda depressing to be honest.

Alasdaire: Babe, you are insane. The fact that Benet's walls are so thin lets me eavesdrop on your ridiculous conversations with my favorite Asian (I'd hardly call it eavesdropping though since y'all are always screaming at each other). Either way, thanks for making me feel smart and for being a more-than-decent lab partner for Bio. Couldn't have done it without you.

Meagan K: MegMeg, how you make me smile. Your patience with me is unbelievable and you stuck with me while we endured the horrors of BrayBray and rehearsal. That alone deserves an award. You are so talented at what you do, please don't let anyone dictate your dreams, okay? Go get 'em, ese.

Emma Kerr: I still refuse to believe that you're taller than me. I also refuse to believe that you are any older than eleven. You, kiddo, are growing more talented and more beautiful every day and I am so proud of you, okay? Never forget that.

Emmalene: For some reason I keep referring to you as my fairy godmother. Thanks for always making me feel like a princess.

Nayte: From Bonin's freshman Lit squad, to Geometry with Ruda, to Algebra with Mr. C and Bonin's Junior Lit. You've always stood by me and endured it all. Go team.

Elise Banderob: Lowkey my favorite freshman. Thanks for letting us in on all the amateur drama and being our eyes on the inside XD

Jay Gibb: My dude, your hugs are life. Thanks for letting me embarrass you in front of your freshman friends xo

Ellie D: Thanks for hating the same people as I do and for being a super chill prefect. Oh! And for putting baby powder in our beds. That was heaven.

Kevin Jiang: Your passive agressiveness and sass alone could kill. You keep doing you, gurl.

David Oh: I still have to beat you up. Don't worry, I'll take it easy on you <3

Brandt: We need to catch up. I haven't seen you in centuries.

She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: Thanks for giving all of PAS a common enemy.

Haidy: You are the craziest Korean I know. God bless you child.

Jerry and Liam: You guys are definitely my favorite new additions to EHX.

James Briand: You're gonna go far, my friend. Keep doing what you do.

Megan M: You're the cutest and I love you to bits.

Matt Johnson: Your high fives are the greatest.

Will Kim: Can we get Will in here? Of course we can.

Anne from Stillman: Thanks for always asking how my day is going and for stealing me cookies when no one's watching and for wishing me happy holidays every time I leave. Your work does not go unappreciated.

Mr. McCarthy: The fact that you can call me nothing but Mia-Maya-Moya every single time you see me is impressive. You're a pretty fab advisor if I do say so myself. Thanks for using your kids as slave labor to make us food.

Dr. Davidge: You know what's up.

Bragan: Man, do you get on my nerves but you sure manage to pull off a great show.

Marilyn: I've lucked out in terms of costumes. You've managed to make me look decent in 5/6 shows so far. I'd say that's a good run.

Mrs. Smith: The fact that you don't hate me still amazes me, to be honest. Oh, and thank you for letting me date your son :)

Mrs. Bonin: You believe in my shine. Please don't let the brilliance fizzle out.

All State Judges: Holy crap thank you for choosing me.

Tyler Oakley and Zoe Sugg: How you make me laugh and smile.

Catbug: You're my friend now. We're having soft tacos later.

CryWolf: Your voice and lyrics follow me into my dreams, sometimes.

Ed Sheeran: Thanks for listening to me weep and stuff.

Johnny Depp: I swear, you're a human shape-shifter.

Emma Watson: You flawless woman, you.

Brennan's: Thank you for adopting Yan Diego into your family. Hannah means the world to him.

Doires: Oh my, my, my... The fact that you have an entire room in your house that I claim as mine must say something, right? You guys have been incredibly generous to me and my family and for that I am immensely grateful.

Mama and Papa Kerr: I think you both already know how thankful I am for y'all, but I'm gonna go ahead and say it anyway. You are my parents away from home and the fact that I get to see you throughout the day makes life at the Abbey a lot easier to bear. Thank you for adopting me and for your constant love and support. I love you guys.

My Angels in the Sky: Please continue to watch over me.

God: Thank you for listening to my prayers.

I am so blessed.

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

Turkey Day List #1

Thanks Claire for letting me steal your idea without your permission <3

Nonetheless, here are a few of the many things I am grateful for this year:

Singing: I could not go a day without you.

Poetry: For putting my thoughts and feelings into words without even asking.

Movies: For beckoning me over (even when I should be doing homework) and wrapping me up in your stories, good or bad.

Disney: For reminding me of the child that lives on inside all of us.

Hair Dye: For ridding me of my goody-two-shoes-ness.

Meds: For making my life a hell of a lot easier.

Ice Cream: For being a constant source of joy in my life. Especially on Mondays and Fridays.

My Cat Onesie: For keeping me warm and cuddly.

Mr. Bunny: For sticking around all these years and not minding when you end up on the floor.

My Crazy Dreams: For reminding me of why I want to become a writer and for making really good stories at dinner.

Music: For bringing me sanity when I have none.

Technology: For allowing me to stay in touch with my nearest and dearest.

My Red Converse: For making me feel like a cool kid since day 1, freshman year.

Sitka's Green Bracelet: For reminding me that you'll always be my big brother.

Post its: Without you, I might as well forget my head.

Hamlet: For being my most recent discovery of pure genius.

Pinterest: For keeping track of my future wedding plans XD

Tumblr: For wasting most of my time but keeping me inspired everyday.

Berklee: For the excitement, suspense, and the drive that makes us pull through.

PAS: For accepting me and letting me find some of the most amazing people I've ever met in my entire life.

The Stairwell: For holding some of my dearest memories.

Room E: For listening to me cry of heartache and squeal with joy.

Auditorium: For letting me feel like a star over and over again.

Kerr Basement: What a fantastic little cave you are.

Claire's House: For being my safe haven away from school.

Twin's House: For hosting the most legendary game of Sardines the world has ever known.

Custom House: Even though I never visit you, I know you're always there <3

Late night walks around campus: For bringing me down to earth and reminding me that I am still human.

Abbey Drama: For letting me skip sports. It does not go unappreciated.

Claire & Maya Week 2015: For the endless adventures and excursions that would not have been possible otherwise.

Sun, Wind, Moon, Sky: You never cease to amaze me.

This Blog: For making me feel a part of something bigger that might perhaps be worth it in the end.

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya

Tuesday Evenings

Tuesday Evenings

Maya Wilson

She sat down by the stone wall,

Feet dangling off into nothingness.

She felt his presence beside her and

Smiled.

He shot her a lopsided grin which forced her

To laugh. It wasn't bad.

A few moments of silence were followed by a

Stream of giggles she couldn't turn off.

This made him laugh and that made her

Happy.

It was dark out, but she could still see

His eyes

And the stars and the planes in the sky.

They found themselves looking up,

Otherwise stealing glances at each other

And it was nice. It was good.

Somehow, her head found its way to his shoulder

And what she'd give to stay like that for just a while longer.

It was peaceful. It was good.

The air was brisk and the wind nipped at her nose but

The warmth she felt there, sitting next to him, was worth it.

Sometimes, all she could hear was his breathing and

Her own heartbeat but

Somehow that was enough.

All was well.

Things would be okay.