Summer is a popular time for teens to go to concerts.  I have been to two so far and I'm going to two more this summer.  Its really exciting to watch all the bands with your friends.  These concerts have been a highlight of my summer.  It is a great experience that left me with so many memories.  However, some people go to concerts for the wrong reasons.  These include drinking, smoking, drugs, and others.  If you go to these concerts you must be careful not to get involved in those activities. 

My favorite concert this summer was OAR at Chastain Park.  So many of my friends went, and this made it an even better experience.  It was so much fun to be able to hang out with everybody while singing along to the band OAR. 

I'm so excited for the next concert I'm going over labor day.  A bunch of my friends are going and it should be so much fun!

What is it about boys that makes girls not be able to eat and have butterflies in their stomach constantly? Is it their smile, their personality, their "manliness".... what is it?

For me, it's a boy I can spend hours to talking on the phone about anything. Someone who cares about me and asks how I REALLY am doing. Someone who can look into my eyes and I know they see me for me. Someone who will protect me.

But how can you tell the difference between just friends or "interested"? Last summer, I met this incredible guy and we dated for a while. It ended because he lived about an hour away but this summer we reconnected and I am lost in a handful of emotions. I'm not sure if I like him and the same emotions are coming back from last summer or if I'm just so used to having those emotions with him that there's nothing else to look at him as than someone I'm interested in.

However, there is a twist to it. He broke up with his girlfriend he dated about a month and a half ago and he clearly isn't interested in a relationship right now. I respect that completely. But, how do I know when its appropiate to take the next step?

Do I still care for him? Yes, more than anything. Do I like him as a boyfriend? Possibly. Does he like me? THAT IS THE QUESTION. Yesterday he came to my house with his brother and we spent from 4 in the afternoon to about 11:30 that night together hanging in my basement and going out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. From my perspective, there was def. the "eye contact" that you know is flirting and I'm interested, but at the same time we have yet to tell each other how we really feel about each other. I don't want to be the one to make the next move, but I don't want to wait around forever not even completely knowing if he likes me. He is going to college at Georgia in the fall and I'm going to be a senior in high school. Should I wait?

There is so much excitement and energy when it comes to senior year. I have been waiting to be a senior ever since I arrived at Marist in 7th grade! However, as the summer is starting to come to an end and the school year is drawing near, I have started to become quite anxious and nervous!

Being involved in theatre at Marist, the plays require so much of my time either being everyday practices from 4-6:30 or 6:30-9:30 along with practices on Sunday normally 4 hours long. Besides this I am taking 3 AP classes AND my family has season tickets to the Auburn and Vanderbilt football games that I LOVE to go to! But most importantly, I have to start filling out my applications for COLLEGE and browse around for possible scholarships. Along with all of this I am also  singing for Music Ministry, Emmaus leader, Eucharist Minister Board leader, Grade Level Coordinator, involved in Metonia, and Habitat for Humanity. The thought of all of this is alittle stressful!!! 

Thinking about all that I have coming up this year is so exciting and I know this year will be amazing but to help keep my stress level down I need to start getting some things out of the way now. It is only the 3rd week of July so I am going to start writing my college applications now, but along with that I have to finish my last 3 summer reading books.  I have quite a hectic couple months coming up, and that is why I am so anxious to start writing my college applications so I don't have that stress in the fall along with football games, school work, play practices, and of course, SENIORITIS!

Anyone who has graduated and had a crazy senior year, I would love some advice on how to keep up with everyday and not become stressed! Thanks!

Anyone in the English speaking world knows now that Lindsay Lohan got arrested again for DUI and drug possession. And why does everyone know this? Because every news station from E!News to CNN has opted to give up-to-the-minute coverage of "celebutantes'" latest arrests and meltdowns instead of world news. But I am happy to see that lately there have been some news anchors that have flat out refused to cover the celebrity gossip. One anchor on CNN recently asked that the Lohan arrest story be taken off his teleprompter, and another MSNBC anchor tried to jokingly set fire to the latest updates of Paris Hilton's stint in jail. I admire this, because the attention the media gives to girls like this has gotten so out of hand.

My solution is to just throw them all in jail. Hehe.

So many times in highschool people tell us exactly what we have to do to achieve our goals or get what we want. How to get into a great college, how to be the top player in the state, how to be popular, how to win a college scholarship. When they take over our dreams sometimes they aren't our dreams anymore. Some of us have goals that are sports related and we constantly get told by coaches exactly what we have to do to get those goals. We forget if we even really want those things or if they are right for us. I have had the experience of getting pressured into making choices, quitting other sports, and training year round for one sport. I love playing basketball more than anything, but it started to take over my life. I was letting other people tell me how to train and with who, when to play, what teams to play on, and I was starting not to enjoy it myself. I felt like I was playing for other people and that scared me. I am not quitting the sport that I love so much, but now I am taking control of how much a play, when I train, and who I play for. Its really up to me. I am going to be the one doing it. I have taken over and now its up to me to establish MY goals and decide what to chase after. Now ever one else can help me and show me how, but this time its mine.

I am not saying that we can't listen to our parents. They do usually know whats best for us, but I believe that if you tell them what you truly want, they will listen. All I want to say is do what YOU want to do. Don't let anyone else pressure you into descions regarding your future. Wheather you want to try out for the play, or start a club, make sure its what you want to do. You are never going to have fun if you always do what other people want you to do. Don't stop yourself from doing something just because it will shock people or no one thinks you can do it. Take control of your life, decide exactly what YOU want and then go out there and get it. Coaches, trainers, parents, and friends can help you along the way, but make sure its  YOUR dream that they are helping you chase down, not theirs.

There was a time when I was always annoyed by my parents and never wanted to be at home (I'm sure that teens can relate!).  My parents imposed a strict cerfew on me, and they sometimes wouldn't let me hang out with my friends or go to certain parties.  But last summer when I found out that my friend's father allowed her to smoke pot in the house, I knew I was lucky.  First, I was really shocked, but then it allowed me to step back and put my life in perspective.  My dad always told me that he was imposing these rules because he loved me so much.  I always rolled my eyes at him and told him that if he loved me, he would let me come home later, and it was such a rediculous rule.  I was one of the good kids who didn't drink alcohol, smoke, or party.  I had friends that would go home drunk or sneak out of the house, and they wouldn't get in trouble.  I got in trouble if I was 10 minutes late for curfew.  It just wasn't fair!

As much as I wanted to get away last summer, this summer I've enjoyed being home and spending time with my family.  My brother and I have been going to the movies; my Mom and I go shopping, exercising, to movies, or out to eat, and my Dad teaches me about marketing, takes me SCUBA diving, and to the movies.  My family goes on family walks, has family dinners, goes to Church, and watches shows together.  A few weeks ago, we were all in the kitchen and everyone kind of just stopped what they were doing and started talking to each other.   I sat back and thought, 'I wonder how many other families would be doing this.'  My dad always makes us laugh and we just enjoy each other's company.  My parents have ALWAYS supported me in everything I do, whether my dad allows me to do cheerleading, they come cheer for me at my half marathon and triathlons, help pay for me to attend Vanderbilt, or encourage me to be an entrepenur.  My mom went to every cheerleading competition I had, and always came to the football games at school.  She would come all day for a two and a half minute routine!  When I'm stressed out before a race or competition, I might not be the nicest person, but she puts up with me and comes anyway.  It's wonderful to have my own cheering section that will never fade!  Even though we've been through a lot of rough times, I love my family and am so glad that I'm a part of it.  I hope that my kids will grow up in a family like mine!

It seems like lately boys are coming in between so many friendships. Girls should try to avoid this as much as possible. Boys are going to come and go, but we will always have our girlfriends. Right now I am in a difficult situation. There are four of us that are best friends, and somehow two of them have let a boy come in between their friendship. That puts me and my other friend in such an awkward position. Now its like I have to choose which friend I want to hang out with because they refuse to be in the same place at the same time. I hear both sides of their stories and I just try not to say anything because I don’t want it to get back to the other girl. I use to try to ignore it and not really say anything back because I don’t want to get in the middle of it; however, it’s getting harder and harder to do that. The last thing I want to do it take sides. They both our my best friends. I just wish it didn’t turn into this and I do not know what to do. For instance, last night I hung out with one of the girls at some ones house. After we all left I met up with the other girl and then she spent the night at my house. It’s so frustrating that they have let some boy come in between their friendship. I don’t know the solution to this problem.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

My dad and I were discussing teenage drinking, and it wasn't the conversation you would expect.

My family was up in Kentucky last week visiting family, and my dad and I took a trip over to the University of Kentucky where he went to school to visit his old fraternity house. The house mom showed us around and was telling us how they had become a "dry campus" a few years prior so they were no longer allowed to have parties with alcohol at the house.  Her take on is was that it made the drinking problem worse because people were just going off campus to get drunk then driving back.

My dad started telling me about how when he was growing up the drinking age in the state he lived in was 18. His opinion is that if a person is old enough to vote for the President of the United States or go to war and fight for our country he should be able to buy a drink.

I wonder if it would make any difference in how much teens drink if the drinking age was lower. Would it be less appealing because it's not "against the rules"? What does everyone think about this?

The Peachtree Road Race turned out to be a lot of fun!  I had a 22,000 number, so I was in the heat that started after the timed runners.  It was great because I didn't have to wait a while!  The first 2 miles were great; it was nice and flat and even a little downhill.  I was running along thinking this is going to be a really easy race! 

Then came the hills... The race packet recommended that every runner should be running 20-25 miles/week by the end of June.  I was doing about 3.  Before the race I was thinking that 20-25 miles is a lot of mileage to be running for a 6.2 mile race.  Now I know why that's the recommendation.  If I wouldn't have been in shape from working out for my triathlons, I don't think I would have been able to run the whole way.  But I made it, and finished in my goal time of 60 minutes!

The race was fun, especially the first 1-2 miles, because all of the radio stations were playing music.  Additionally, Moes and Smoothie King had people throwing out t-shirts.  The Moes shirts were really cute, but I didn't want to carry the shirt for another 4 miles!  It was exciting getting my shirt at the end of the race!  I think this is a tradition that I will continue for 4th of July's to come, just next time I'll be in better running shape!

During the summer girls want to be tan. They will bake in the sun all

day in order to get darker. They think the darker the better. I can admit I

like to be tan as well; however, I do it safely. I apply sun tan lotion every

couple of hours while I am out in the sun. Some teens would never

think to use sun screen. Later in life this could catch up with them.

Skin cancer is becoming more and more common and you can help

prevent it by using sun screen.  My grandmom has had numerous

skin cancers because she was not careful when she was a kid.  She

always reminds me to use sun screen so I will not have to go through

what she has later in her life.  My dad also had skin cancer removed

on his nose.  Since I have had to watch my family deal with skin

cancer, it makes me more cautious than others would be while being

out in the sun. 

July 4th has become a really big holiday.  I used to love watching fireworks, especially the finale!  My brother and I used to run around our yard waving sparklers around.  For a few years, my extended family spent the 4th together at a beach house at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  Now on July 4th, I normally just relax and take it easy.  It's kind of sad that people look more foward to the fireworks and sparklers than the celebration of what the holiday is about --our freedom!  Many people died for this cause, and it's a great day to honor all of the heros.

This July 4th, my grandparents will be here.  We're going to have a cookout to celebrate.  For the first time, I'm also going to run the Peachtree Road Race.  With 55,000 participants, it is the largest road race in the world.  I've heard that there are some really big hills, so I'm nervous about those, but of course I'm excited about getting a t-shirt!  I will also be able to say that I've participated in one of Atlanta's greatest events!