HAPPY MERRY NEW YEARS ALMOST

Well, first and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAEVE I LOVE YOU INFINITELY <3

It has been one hell of a year, let me tell you that. I could list all the things that I'm grateful for but I mean, y'all would get pretty tired of that XD So instead, I'm probably just gonna be boring and do the same thing I did last year, which is steal a bunch of questions off the internet and fill them in.

1) What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?

The greatest quinceañera of all time, that's what. What greater birthday spent than at Disney World with your very best friends?

2) If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words, what would they be?
Challenging, exhilarating, magical.

3) What new things did you discover about yourself?

I'm way tougher than I thought I was. I also am capable of so much more than I think I am.

4) What single achievement are you most 

proud of?

Not gonna lie, I'm quite proud of many things I did this year, but choosing to say enough is enough and walking out of an abusive situation is by far the best decision I ever made this year.

5) What was the best news you received? 

Getting cast as Wednesday Addams was pretty spectacular, although finding out I got into All State might be a close second.

6) What was your favourite place that you visited in 2015?

Well this goes back to the best fifteenth birthday ever, Disney World with my people.

7) Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?

Maintaining a bubbly, sunny attitude despite all the shit going on.

8) Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?

There's no single person, but I guess I'd have to say mainly C and Claire got me through this year.

9) Which new skills did you learn?

Forgiveness, patience, and still working on stress relief.

10) What, or who, are you most thankful for?

All of my friends. Sincerely, I do not know what I would do without each and every one of you. And CJS, who never fails to make me smile.

11) If someone wrote a book about your life in 2015, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?

Yikes, that's tough... I mean, I guess you could say it started off as a drama and then morphed into a love story with its own moments of tragedy and comedy. A bit of everything, I suppose.

12) What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2015?

Be good to yourself. Always.

13) Which mental block(s) did you overcome?

Not entirely overcome, but simply realizing that I can't always make everyone happy.

14) What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?

That's really tough, but definitely Caellum, Claire, CJS, Hannah Banana, and Meagan.

15) What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?

Well... Strictly speaking, I don't exactly have a career... XD If we're talking about my academic career, dear God, did I have a lot of "break-throughs" and by that I mean I discovered I can write a three paged paper in under thirty minutes, wake up at 3am and crank out forty pages of textbook reading and writing, among many other feats.

16) How did your relationship to your family evolve?

That's somewhat of a sticky question seeing as things are sorta all over the place right now... But being at boarding school definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

17) What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?

Definitely the movie The Little Prince, without a doubt. Also, Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven.

18) What was your favorite compliment that you received this year?

Well, having someone fall in love with me was one heck of a compliment... <3

19) What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?

Squirrels. Feeling clean. Fog. Crisp air. Smiles. Hugs. Snuggles. Feeling accomplished.

20) What cool things did you create this year?

I wrote some pretty kickass blog posts, I wanna say XD I also wrote some pretty interesting new poems I'm quite proud of.

21) What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?

Umm, well I'm not very much of a static person. My moods are always changing and I never quite feel just one thing at a time, so I'd have to say it was a toss up between anxiety and excitement.

22) Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year?

I fell in love. I took medication for more than one thing. I came out to my parents and some of my friends. I finally said no.

23) What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?

Oh goodness, I am blessed to say there is not just a single moment I can pin down, simply because I have had way too many glorious moments with my people. Some of those being at Disney, others when my college peeps came back to surprise me, staying at Claire Bear's house, late night talks, among other things.

24) What major goal did you lay the foundations for?

Welllllll I mean I guess you could say I finally landed a lead...? I also continued to participate in as many musically inclined things as possible.

25) Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?

Thinking I would die come Junior year. Worrying whether someone really loved me or not. Grades are not everything. They're important, but not everything.

26) What experience would you love to do all over again?

Being surprised by my friends time and time again. Chilling with CJS on multiple occasions.

27) What was the best gift you received?

This is so hard to choooooseeeeee. Let's just stick with Christmas presents, yeah? First of all, I am beyond grateful to everyone for all the gifts I recieved, but good God, Shelby surprised me with a Simba pillow pet and I just about died.

28) How did your overall outlook on life evolve?

I wanna say it went from pessimistic to hopeful.

29) What was the biggest problem you solved?

My social life, kinda.

30) What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?

Playing Cards Against Humanity with my fam, and just lots of little moments I cannot speak of involving my friends.

31) What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?

MY OVERALLS. I FOUND THEM. FINALLY.

32) What one thing would you do differently and why?

I would learn to let go faster and hold onto the things that truly matter. I would probably also procrastinate less and remember to get my work done on time... haha... ha.

33) What do you deserve a pat on the back for?

I mean not to brag, but for being a pretty damn good friend, I think XD

34) What activities made you lose track of time?

Singing, tumblring, writing, listening to music, hanging with the peeps, calling CJS.

35) What did you think about more than anything else?

How freaking lucky I am to have so many beautiful creatures in my life.

36) What topics did you most enjoy learning about?

Ummm well, I mean in terms of school, English continues to be my favorite subject so... I guess just reading some pretty fantastic books and the like?

37) What new habits did you cultivate?

I've picked up on so many phrases and mannerisms from my friends, it's not even funny. Thanks a lot guys.

38) What advice would you give your early-2015 self if you could?

Listen, kid, this year's gonna be really rough. And I mean incredibly so. But you are gonna find that so many things will be worth it. Just hang in there and hold out for the light at the end of the tunnel, yeah? It'll come sooner than you expect it to.

39) Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?

Oh my, well, I guess you could say I finally grew a spine and declared that I had had enough of a certain situation, so that made me stronger I wanna say. I also took a risk and fell in love. That was pretty great.

40) What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?

Okay, kill me for being the most cliche person ever, but CJS has been the greatest new addition to my life and even though it's taken quite a while to get comfortable with each other, I am so so so happy that I have him. No matter what happens in the future, I am thankful for the happiness you've given me.

41) What do you want the overarching theme for your 2016 to be?

Hope. Joy. Discovery.

42) What do you want to see, discover, explore?

IRELAND <3 <3 <3

43) Who do you want to spend more time with in 2016?

I mean, I really hope my graduating friends come visit me once they're gone, but I also hope to grow closer to my own grade come senior year.

44) What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?

To chill the fuck out and not be so hard on myself.

45) Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

Endurance, perseverance, positivity.

46) What do you want your everyday life to be like?

Continuing to find joy in the little things. To not let small inconveniences get in the way of my happiness.

47) Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
Get rid of my procrastination (HA! That'll be the day...) and try and be more positive, even with the little things. 

48) What do you want to achieve career-wise?

Damn, I just wanna pass Junior year with decent grades and not have the SAT kill me.

49) How do you want to remember the year 2016 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?

Challenging, but nothing that I can't overcome without a little willpower and help from my friends and family.

50) What is your number one goal for 2016?

Let yourself be happy. Enjoy every moment. Don't let it go to waste. Forgive. Have fun. Move on.

..........

And that's somewhat of a vague-ish recap of my year! I love you all to infinity and banana. Without you guys, this year would've been absolute hell.

Hasta la próxima, 

Much love xoxo

Maya

Lazy Afternoons

Hey my lovelies.

I hope you've all had a safe holiday wherever you are <3

I know I haven't written in a while, mainly due to being super busy and spending actual quality time with people, but no matter. I've decided to do somewhat of a lazy post just because.

Enjoy another list of random facts about me :)

..........

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that show up.

Going Down For Real by Flo Rida

He Lives In You (from The Lion King Soundtrack)

Drops of Jupiter by Train

Slaves by Crywolf

Here's to Never Growing Up by Avril Lavigne

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

wow that was quite a selection.

2. If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

Oh lord, I'll get back to you on that.

3. Grab the nearest book to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

"...the bread they sold was so fresh that its warm smell filled the store..."

4. What do you think about most?

I love daydreaming about the future, believe it or not. I also love reliving my favorite memories.

5. What does your latest text message from someone else say?

"I'm gonna use it for an Instagram caption one of these days"
-Shelby <3

6. Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

That's somewhat of a complicated question...haha... I usually sleep with clothes on, but in the heat, clothing is minimal.

7. What's your strangest talent?

Uhhhhh I can fold my tongue like a clover, I guess...?

8. Girls... (finish the sentence) Boys... (finish the sentence).

Girls are beautiful. Boys are beautiful.

9. Ever had a poem or song written about you?

I think I've had poems written about me before, but I'm not sure if anyone ever went as far as to write a song...

10. When is the last time you played the air guitar?

Most likely last week in Claire's kitchen XD

11. Do you have any strange phobias?

I kinda get panicky with phone calls... Unless we're extremely close.

12. Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

I'm sure I've done the whole chopstick up the nose thing to make my brothers laugh when I was younger.

13. What's your religion?

I'm Christian, technically raised Catholic but I don't really affiliate myself with all the church's beliefs. I guess you could say I just believe in the power of love, miracles, and forgiveness.

14. If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Most likely roaming around with my best friends, causing trouble :) Juuust kidding, we'd probably just be making bad puns and laughing at each other.

15. Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

I used to find comfort behind the camera but as of late, I find myself loving being in front of it.

16. Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

Dear God, are you trying to watch me suffer? Top three though are probably: Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, and The Beatles.

17. What was the last lie you told?

What the actual deadline for something was or something... I dunno...

18. Do you believe in karma?

I believe that if you put good into the world, it will find its way back to you.

19. What does your screen name mean?

(These questions came from tumblr so I'm assuming that's what they're talking about) My tumblr url is marloeburns and that's the name of the main character of a book I was writing two years ago.

20. What is your greatest weakness; greatest strength?

I have a hard time saying no or confronting people... I'd like to say I'm pretty great at making people smile though :)

21. Who is your celebrity crush?

Oh my Thomas Brodie-Sangster is just *heart eyes*

22. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Not that I can recall, but I want to really badly.

23. How do you vent your anger?

Ideally I'll vent to a friend (y'all are lovely humans for putting up with me) or otherwise I'll just listen to angry music and write a lot until the feeling has passed.

24. Do you have a collection of anything?

My family collects Pixar movies :)

25. Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting?

Well, I sorta established my phobia of phone calls but honestly I prefer them to video chatting because at least I don't have to worry about what I look like XD

26. Are you happy with the person you've become?

I'd like to think so :)

27. What's a sound you hate? A sound you love?

Oh goodness, there are so many sounds I find unappealing haha But if I had to choose a select few, it would be people chewing with their mouth open, scratching on chalkboards, and nail files. I absolutely love the sound of laughter <3

28. What's your biggest "what if"?

What if I'm not good enough?

29. Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

I don't think so... Is believing in spirits the same thing? And who knows, there're probably tons of creatures in the universe we don't know about.

30. Stick your right arm out: what do you touch first? Do the same with your left.

A pillow. Another pillow.

31. Smell the air. What do you smell?

Strawberry yogurt and dish soap.

32. What's the worst place you've ever been to?

The hotel I stayed at the night I took the SSAT. It was next to a prison and a brothel to say the least.

33. Choose: East Coast or West Coast?

I mean, I haven't visited the West Coast very often... so I guess I'll have to choose East?

34. Most attractive singer of the opposite gender?

Ummmmmmmm too many people are pretty to look at.

35. To you, what is the meaning of life?

Cliche as it is, I think the ultimate goal is to be happy. To enjoy the little things in life and hopefully spread that happiness to others.

36. Define: Art.

An expression of the soul.

37. Do you believe in luck?

Indefinitely.

38. What's the weather like right now?

Cloudy and kinda muggy. Mostly humid.

39. What time is it?

4:19pm.

40. Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

Ha... ha... I don't drive yet.

41. What was the last book you read?

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

42. Do you like the smell of gasoline?

It makes me queasy.

43. Do you have any nicknames?

Oh lord, well I have an entire post on nicknames here. But in case you don't wanna read that mammoth of a list, my main nicknames are Maya Papaya or My-My.

44. What was the last movie you saw?

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

45. What's the worst injury you've ever had?

Someone once tried to make me do a split without actually being able to do a split... It wasn't a good time.

46. Have you ever caught a butterfly?

I believe so, but I was extremely gentle, I promise.

47. Do you have any obsessions right now?

Scented candles and stuffed animals XD

48. What's your ?

?

49. Ever had a rumor spread about you?

Middle school was a fun time. Note the sarcasm.

50. Do you believe in magic?

I believe we're as magical as we believe ourselves to be.

51. Do you tend to hold grudges against people who've done you wrong?

I do occasionally, but not for very long, I don't think.

52. What is your astrological sign?

Pisces :)

53. Do you save your money or spend it?

What money? XD

54. What's the last thing you purchased?

CJS's Christmas present <3

55. Love or lust?

I'd say it's healthy to have a bit of both ;)

56. In a relationship?

Yessir.

57. Are you a virgin?

Damn, you are not shy at all with these questions... Yes.

58. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

No, I'm not that cool.

59. Where were you yesterday?

Barnes & Noble!

60. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

My shirt...?

61. Are you wearing socks right now?

Nope.

62. What's your favorite animal?

DOLPHINS <3

63. What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

I'm not sure if this means like or LIKE like... I'm just gonna assume people in general. Just being genuinely friendly seems to work :)

64. Where is your best friend?

Oh probably somewhere in New England.

65. What is your heritage?

Dominican American and proud of it.

66. What were you doing last night at 12AM?

I'm pretty sure I was talking to CJS.

67. What do you think is Satan's last name?

I dunno, Kardashian probably.

68. Are you the kind of friend you would want as a friend?

Are you kidding? I'm like the snuggliest person I know, heck yes!

69. You are walking down the street on the way to work. There is a dog drowning on the side of the street. Your boss has told you that if you are late one more time, you're getting fired. What do you do?

First of all, I would never make a habit of being late. Therefore, I would not have the problem of being fired for being late. So saving the drowning dog would not be an issue. Problem Solved.

70. You are at the doctor's and she tells you you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

a) After letting it sink in, I'd most likely tell my family and my closest friends.
b) Make them count I guess. Do everything I want to do.
c) Yes, very. But I'd like to think I'd find my peace with it before time was up.

71. You can only have one of these things: trust or love?

Love. Definitely.

72. What's a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

Recent obsession: Cake By The Ocean by DNCE <3

73. What are the last four digits of your cell?

If I matter to you, you would already have my number.

74. In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

It's incredibly important to learn how to be independent. Of course being there for each other is great, but not having to depend on the other person comes first. That, honesty, and communication I'd say are equally important.

75. How can I win your heart?

Sorry, it's already taken...

76. Can insanity bring on more creativity?

Yikes, well, from experience, I'd probably have to say yes, although it does come with a price.

77. What is the single best decision you've made in your life so far?

Leaving home for boarding school.

78. What's your shoe size?

6 or 6.5ish?

79. What would you want written on your gravestone?

I don't want a gravestone, I want a tree.

80. What is your favorite word?

Chucherías.

81. Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word: heart.

Conor.

82. What is a saying you say a lot?

Awesome possum :)

83. What's the last song you listened to?

Grow Old With Me by Tom Odell.

84. What's your favorite color?

We've been over this. Purple all the way.

85. What is your current desktop picture?

It's a picture of me and the bros <3

86. If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?

Well that's not very nice.

87. What would be a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on?

What do you dream about?

88. You wake up in the middle of the night. You hear a noise. Oh no! You're surrounded by MUMMIES!! They're not really doing anything, they're just kinda standing around. Quick, what do you do?

I'd ask if they were tired and then offer them the bed.

89. You eat radioactive vegetables and you get a superpower. What is it?

Shape-shifting. Acting dream=accomplished.

90. You can relive any half-hour of your life. What moment would you choose?

Probably any jam session with my crew. They make me happy beyond belief.

91. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What would it be?

Too many to choose from, but besides, they've made me who I am today.

92. You have the opportunity to sleep with any music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

Um, considering they're all like waaaaay older than me... None........?

93. You just got a free plane ticket. You have to leave right now. Where do you go?

Roma.

94. Do you have any relatives currently in jail?

Not that I know of?

95. Have you ever thrown up in the car?

Once Upon a Time, little Maya was hyper prone to motion sickness... I'll let you guess the rest.

96. Ever been on a plane?

I'm an international student at a boarding school. Yes.

97. If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

Why don't you learn to love each other?

98. Give me your top 5 favorite blogs on tumblr.

spicy-vagina-tacos
urban-nightmares
southernsummer
not-your-typical-juliet
parttimewallflower

..........

Ta daaaaa another meaningless post to waste your time <3 

Hasta la próxima,

Much love xoxo

Maya