I feel like I'm at the academy awards

A few people I'd like to thank, because I'm in that kind of mood.

Most of them are teachers and mentors.

First is of course, Diana. My dearest aunt, you helped shaped the way I look at the world. You showed me the beauty in nature, friendship, and love. You were true to yourself and encouraged me to become a strong, independent woman.

Next, I've got to thank Keeney. Mr. Keeney, for those of you who don't know him, is one of the greatest profound men I know. He's kind of the wise and eminent sage of my high school. He's my AP Literature & Composition teacher. He has encouraged me, from the get go, to turn my "crap detector on" which has transcended to more than just reading literature- it's helped me to see through excuses, masks, false presences and the lot (from both myself and others). He's helped me to become a more authentic person, because I've seen just how ugly inauthentic can be. With his help, I've become a more observant person. I can argue my beliefs better, because as any deconstructionalist would say, all points are valid points.

I'm thinking I've got to thank VanVeghel too. She's my bio teacher, and man is she straightforward with stuff. I enjoy her class because she doesn't treat us like kids. She respects us and talks to us like adults. She don't take no crap from nobody, and although I am still struggling with doing so, I like following her example. She gives good advice. She's helped me to believe I'm better than the crap I put up with.

Then there's Mr. Wiemer, coolest math teacher and advice giver ever. Seriously. I stay after school sometimes just talking to Wiemer about stuff. He's insightful on a lot of things. He's truthful- he doesn't sugarcoat anything, he just says what I need to hear. And that I really, really appreciate. The last few months have been less than great, and he didn't baby anything. He told the truth, even when I didn't want to hear it.

There are a lot of other people who have shaped my life for the better, and you know who you are. I could take a thousand blogs thanking people, but I wanted to take the time to just write out who I wanted to thank most and this moment of time. These people have been especially helpful lately, so don't feel left out, kids :)

I'm thinking I'm in a better place now than I was a month ago, two months ago, even three months ago. I am who I am and I am settled with that. I like it. I'm going to go off to college in the fair city of Eau Claire and it will be swell. I'll change, grow, learn and whatnot and something great will happen.

Just thought I'd share the warm fuzzies.