two thousand and nine

As 2009 begins to wind down, I've been thinkin a lot about this past year, and trying to plan for the year to come. It seems like the question "What are your plans for college" has only been asked ten thousand times in the past few months. I'm hoping to come to some sort of answer by the end of this to what seems like the never-ending question. But first of all... two thousand and nine recap! (with pictures... who woulda guessed?... kylie? pictures? nahh :))








January started off with an awesome youth-group New Years to the Lancaster's lake house in Spicewood, TX (near Austin). 3 fun-filled days with the best youth group on the history of the planet? Sounds like a great way to spend New Years to me! There was about twenty of us who went, and it was AMAZING! We spent many hours playing Catch-Phrase, hung out at the lake, straightened most of the guys hair, developed the "pelicorn", and just got to chill. It was probably the best New Years I've had in a while.








February brought the end of swim-season for Cy-Falls Varsity. After a scrumptious (SAT word?) breakfast provided by the swim-parents, the big team of 11 girls and guys (sarcasm :]) headed off to Cy-Ranch. We did pretty well, and our girls relay ended up advancing to the Regional meet. We ended up ending our season there, but we were all ready for an end I think. Not that swimming actually ended for me, Team YES would always be in season :)









March was kinda a slow month, although Revolve Tour happened this month. Revolve Tour is a concert-type thing for girls only. It is Christian-based and such an awesome experience. My youth group went with Bear Creek's youth group and it was a great time! Not only were there some moving speakers, but there were also some pretty good concerts (even though i'm more of a contemporary Christian lover), and the bonding time with the girls in my youth group was indescribable. We weren't able to go this year, and it'll be something I'll surely miss. Maybe winter 2010-2011 we'll get to go back.





Nothing significant happened in April. April was just one step closer to May, which meant being 16! School was at it's prime, Team YES swimming was winding down as far as meets are concerned, Spring polo was going on. Nothing was life-changing, just life was busy. Hmm... Oh well. May sure brought PLENTY of changes!








May. More importantly, May 12th. My 16th Birthday. My driver's license. My first taste of freedom. Along with getting my license and "inheriting" my truck, May also brought around the first weekend of summer! And the first weekend of life-guarding. I life-guarded once again this summer (and I can say I life-guarded for the last time this summer). Typically summer-league swimming would've started up now too, but I ended up swimming only Team YES this summer. It was a good experience I don't regret, but I did miss summer league. My best friend who had moved to Canada the summer before, Megan, also surprised me the weekend after my birthday by coming down. Somehow everybody else know about her visit, except for me. It was a really good time (even getting lost on the way to Fazoli's :)).









June.. let's see my Mom's cousin got married in Kemah, and so my grandparent's on my mother's side came down for that. It was a fun-filled weekend, and although the wedding was outside and miserably hot, it was gorgeous and Sherm and Becky are happy :) June was also filled with swim practices and work. And some more work. I only worked 3-4 days a week, but when I swam 3-4 mornings, and 3-4 afternoons, it made for a full week. July was going to be an exciting month, which lead June to be pretty chill and relax.










Would it be totally lame to split July into two sections? Because SO much happened in July, it just isn't fair for all of everything to be jammed into one tiny little section... The first half of July was our trek up north and around the world (or so it seemed) in our quest to see every single grandparent, cousin, aunt, uncle, significant other, and pet. I'm pretty proud to say.. we accomplished just that. First we (mom, dad, kole, KJ [my puppy], and I) drove (yes, all of this via the red sleigh known as Mom's minivan) up to Des Moines, Iowa to see Aunt Beck and Uncle Mic. It was about an eighteen hour drive, but done all in one day so it didn't seem too too horrifying. Rather short actually compared to the typical P-Ville trek. We spent the evening and night with them, and left late the next morning to drive up to Postville, Iowa. Although the visit was short, it was really good getting to see them again. About four hours later we pulled into Grandma and Grandpa Z's drive. The weather was beautiful, (70's in the middle of summer! Not that I bragged to ya'll down in the 100 degree Texas humidity or anything) and considering that both sets of grandparents live less than 2 miles apart, seeing both of them for those few days was pretty nice. We got to see Uncle Doug and Aunt Dawn aswell. Uncle Doug took us water-skiing and tubing on the Mississippi River one day, and I was able to go solemn skiing for the first time ever. We then headed east (maybe?, not too sure) to Dubuque, Iowa to spend time with Aunt Amy, Uncle Dan, Leah, and Murph. We went swimming (brrr), took plenty of walks, and just spent time together. Both dogs even got a long, without the help of the dog-whisperer (AKA daddy). After a few days in Dubuque, we left KJ there to spend time with Murph (she wasn't allowed in the hotel in Michigan), and mom, dad, kole, and i headed east to Ann Arbor, Michigan. My oldest cousin Jessi got married to Michael Jansen. The wedding was really nice, but was nicer was getting to see my dad's entire half of the family together, in one room, for the first time in over 8 years. While in Michigan mom left us and went to NYC, so then dad, kole and i finished out the rest of the week and headed back to Dubuque to pick up KJ. We stopped at some gas station that supposedly sells reeeeaaaaaaalllllllly good root beer (i wouldn't know, i HATE root beer), but we had to stop for the boys. Well, they come in bottles that highly resemble beer bottles. Of course, Dad and Kole had to have one on the way to Dubuque. Good thing a cop didn't come by.., it woulda looked like Kole and Dad were both drinking beer. haha, good times good times. We spent ne more night in Iowa, picked up KJ, then the three of us headed back to the humid south of Texas. I ended up helping drive the 19 hours it took us to get back, and drove across my first state border, haha. It was a pretty awesome vacation if I might say so myself :) And then when I got back to Texas, my best friend who had moved to Canada, Megan, had moved back. It was an awesome start to the best month of the year :)








OK, so you know how I said July was going to have to have 2 parts? Well here's the second major thing that happened in July... CAMP CHO-YEH! Best week ever, I'm pretty for sure. I had the best counselors, the best cabin (only 6 of us!!), it was just awesome. I don't know how else to describe the week. It's the one week I look forward to throughout the ENTIRE year. We got to do activities, such as ropes, and banana boating. We had big games that took place on the entire camp such as capture the flag. We had evening activities like "girls night" and "cabin vs cabin". And throughout it all everybody was loving and praising our God. Such an awesome week. It was the last year I could go as a camper, it was all bittersweet. Yes, it was the best week BY FAR, but I also knew I wouldn't be able to come back next year as a camper. Leavin everybody was really hard, but I still talk to a lot of the girls in my cabin. It was truly the best week ever, and everyday I wish I was still at camp. It's my favorite place on this Earth. (Yes, even beats the pool and the beach)




August was-blech. Once I got home from camp I had to work almost every day for the rest of August until school-started. It was not enjoyable, and as the first day of junior year doomed closer, I was not excited in any way at all. Not to go see my friends, not to go back to a routine, not anxious in anyway, shape, or form. None. Summer went WAY too fast. But as much as we didn't want the day to come, the first day did arrive. We all got up, went back to school (although I did get to drive this year!), and went back to reality. School, homework, and swimming consumed my life again. But in a way, I needed to get back. August was pretty blah, but hey, what can we do? [But as I type this... the school year is half way done!! Hooooray]











September brought polo season. And the start of high school morning practices, but more importantly, polo. September is one of those months where, ya, school is in session, but it's all first 6-weeks so kinda a review, so weekends are mostly for friends. In between polo tourneys, I grew really close to a girl who I now consider a best friend, Renee Jordan. TYES didn't have meets yet, there weren't any Cy-Falls meets, it was actually a pretty chill month. I kinda enjoyed it suprisingly!











For most people at Cy-Falls(and in the Cy-Fair school district) October brought Homecoming. The dresses, mums, dates, makeup, hair appointment, jewelry, shoes, dinner plans, after-parties.. the list goes on and on. Well for me, homecoming week wasn't typical. Yes I had a mum (that I loved making), but instead of the homecoming shananigans, I went to New Orleans, Louisiana with my best friend Renee and Mary Kathryn. We spent a weekend in LA, and it was fabulous! A bit of history, some new foods, a lot of walking, thousand pictures, and a million times of fun later... I'd do it all over again. Much better than homecoming ever coulda been. October also brought Regionals then State for Water Polo. I was co-captain this year, and was also named 2nd Team All-Region and Honorable Mention in State. Our team played for 7th against Langham Creek (the school that Renee goes to) and although we lost, we played well and I got to guard my best friend which was amazing.








November... THANKSGIVING! And Kole's Confirmation. Both sets of grandparent's flew in, and although it was a busy weekend, it was nice. Our TISCA swim meet (qualifier) was also that weekend, so it was even more busy than confirmation woulda been by itself. Thanksgiving break went by way too fast and before we knew it, we were back in school. Atleast there was a light at the end of the tunnel; Christmas Break was around the corner.








There is more to December than just Christmas Break. We had a snow day (amazing i know!!) so even though we had school we got to play outside most of the day. And then Winter Champs started off the month, which were ehh.. Didn't do too great, but not horrible, so it was all okay. Then before we could officially say helllo Christmas '09, we had to survive finals. Being a junior typically means you don't have to take many finals. But when you're in dual-credit (college class taught by college professor) you can't exempt those classes which meant I still had to take my AP US History/Dual final. And then Art, BCIS, and swimming. Once all the dreadful studying was over, and the finals were taken... HELLOOO CHRISTMAS BREAK! Which is where we are now :)

It's been a pretty good year, with ups and downs. I was going to talk about plans for the next few years, but I'm pretty sure this blog post is long enough. So what I've been thinkin about lately regarding the next few years'll be another post. But I promise, it'll be coming

<3, Kylie Jene

Reality Check

Sometimes, we all need a reality check to make sure our focus' are in the right places. I most def got one today. Sometimes we get lost in the hustle in bustle of this fast-paced world and forget about the only thing that really matters, God. I know I fall into that trap quite often. I can pray all the time, but am not very good when it comes to listening to God's answers, and sometimes accepting that I need to just "wait".

Another thing I realized today is that I need to carry out the camp-feeling throughout the year, not just the week of camp and the few days immediately following. After camp,or retreats, or anything God-centered, I feel awesome, and I know I'm doing the right things and leading my life right. But I know I falter, and within a few weeks I seem to be "going through the motions" all over again. It shouldn't just be camp and retreats where it's God-centered. My life should be God-centered. I should wake up every morning with the attitude that God is going to use today for a reason and he has a purpose. If only it was that easy, but that's my goal. I'm going to try and work on that, so that each day has a purpose and I'm honestly living each life for God, instead of just "going through the motions"

Today my best friend (ok, there are 2 girls that I use this terminology interchangeably with. I'm talking about Renee this time [sorry Megan]) and I went out and took picture in nature today. We went to Lowery and Fiest Elementaries (that's not a word!! can you believe it). We went to the security center down Telge, and we went to the neighborhood park off of Park Falls. We took pictures of pine cones, and tried finding things that spelled our names. We had some pretty intense conversations, and honestly just enjoyed each others' company. We played on the park equipment, and swings, and just had a wonderful afternoon (aside from me wiping out into a huge pile of mud). I realized just how much I need those, and how ever present God is in nature. In the pine cones and leaves, in the wind. We were the only ones out pretty much today (it was kinda chilly!), but it was a wonderful day regardless.

I had a reality check today, but it wasn't bad. I'm refocusing my life where it needs to be. Which isn't swimming, or anything else like that. Reality check's aren't always necessarily bad. Mine is going to end up with a wonderful outcome I'm hoping.

Now I'm off to go write for a little while in my journal (I just finished the last page of my old one, just so happens my grandma gave me a new one for Christmas!), and then head off to bed. Up and at em's early tomorrow morning for church! Goodnight and goodbye for now

<3, Kylie Jene

and all good things must come to an end..

It's 11:25 and sadly Christmas Day is almost over. It was a pretty good day, everybody got along, Christmas dinner went without a hitch (well heck... with appetizers and desserts as the meal, not much can go wrong). It was an overall pretty spectacularly awesome day. But all good things must come to an end..

Tomorrow is just another ordinary day. Back to the crazy hectic-ness of this world we call life. Back to the hustle and bustle. But as the Christmas and New Years season comes to a close, this year I'm going into twenty-ten with a new attitude. I'm going to be positive and upbeat. Every day is a new opportunity and I'm not dwelling on the past.

So why do all good things have to come to an end? They don't. I'm carrying the "good things" on, just because Christmas is over doesn't mean we gotta go down in the dumps. We can carry the warm fuzzy feeling (yes, I know I'm lame) of Christmas on throughout the year. Take on what life throws at us with a positive attitude. Just be happy, that's what is really the important thing.

I hope all ya'll had a great Christmas (I just typed Thanksgiving there.. whoops it's past my bedtime!), and will join me in bringing in twenty-ten.

Because all good things don't have to come to an end..

<3, Kylie Jene

Christmas 2010

OK, so I know today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas. But I'm not in the Christmas-mood. Partially because when I think of "Christmas" I think of having family together, a big-celebration. I think of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all the dogs. As I grew up we always just had our own little Christmas because everybody else lived up North, and we never wanted to battle the weather and the roads to get up there. But the past few winters we did get to go up to Iowa. So now when I think of Christmas, I think of family. I think of grandma's and grandpa's, aunts and uncles, cousins and dogs. I'm going to miss not being there this year.

The typical small simple Suddendorf Christmas has never bothered me. It still doesn't "bother" me, but I'd much rather be up North where my family is. I h-a-t-e the snow (i seriously despise it. but that is another story for another time), and i hate the cold, and i hate that i can't wear flip flops. But I'd deal with that anyday to spend time with the family I rarely get to see.

I still remember Christmas when I was three or four. We were in Ozarks and my entire mom's half of the family was there. I remember I got my first pair of roller-blades and my aunt's and uncles spent hours teaching me how to ride. I remember watching everybody else play "Hand and Foot" for hours upon hours, always wishing I was old enough to play with them. I'd sit on Aunt Amy or Becky's lap trying to teach myself how to play the ever-confusing game. It'd be a few years before I did learn how to play. But regardless, I remember the family gatherings, how everybody was crowded together, and the time we spent together. We have a family-picture of me with all my aunts and uncles and my brother. Now, I have a cousin that age. I think back to the Christmas I remember most of my childhood, and think that I was her age. If this is the Christmas she most remembers, I'm sad that I won't be there to share the memories with her.

All of my family lives up North. Either in Iowa or Michigan. We are the only ones who live down here. And don't get me wrong, I l-o-v-e Texas. But living down here means I don't get to see my family nearly as much as I like. I'm finally getting reconnected with my Daddy's side (I hadn't seen those cousins in eight years) and would have loved to been able to spend Christmas with them. That would have been the best Christmas present, spending time with my family.

So today I was thinking. What if next year all I ask for is to see my family. I'd love for everybody to come down here, even though I know not everybody will be able to. Come on, the weather is nicer down here anyways. And it'll be my last Christmas before I'm in college. It'll be my last Christmas legally as a kid. So that's what I want. That's all I'm asking for next year, to see my family at Christmastime.

Now as I head off to church to make the most of this Christmas, I look forward to this time next year, when hopefully, all my family will be getting ready to load up and go to the Christmas Eve service with me.

Merry Christmas ya'll.

Blog?

I've always been told I think way too much, and for the amount of thoughts that run through my head, I don't ever share enough of them. Well that's just me. I don't open up to anybody who I don't trust completely, and even then, my thoughts just don't translate into words very well. So I'm trying this whole "blog thing" out to see if I like it or not. So who knows? Most definitely not I! (but then again... what do I know?)

A lot has been happening in my life in the past few months. A lot has changed, but through it all some things have stayed constant (Mr. Amadio... I'm using a physics word even on Christmas break!!), one of those being my God. As everything is changing around me, I often feel like a leaf in the middle of a hurricane. Just a teenage girl who has no say-so in the world. Throughout it all, the high school filled drama and the like, my God is ever-present. No matter what is going on in the life of me, God is there. He wraps me in his arms and never leaves my side.

One of my dreams ever since I started going to camp three summers ago was to be able to work there one time. I was a measly fourteen year old then, who had NO idea what I wanted to do with my life. I just dreamt (is that a word?? I thought it was but I'm getting a red squiggly line... hmmmm) of working at Cho-Yeh. Well that dream came true. Next summer I'll be a part of Work Crew, spending three full weeks in the wonderful Livingston, Texas. I know this is what God wants me doing. I dunno what he wants me doing with the rest of my life (although I wish this would become clear before college..) but I know camp is where I need to be. I honestly can't wait. Super stoked!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, which means the Holiday craziness will be in full swing. It's just my parents and Kole who'll be together this Christmas (well, and my puppy :)) Everybody else is up in Iowa or Michigan, facing the dreaded horrid winter weather (while Texas is in the 70's!) but getting to spend time together. I wish we could be there with them. Christmas in Texas next year, I really hope.

That's all for now. I'm kinda liking this "blog thing" so we'll see how it goes. Merry Christmas everybody

<3, Kylie Jene