Taking a Step Back

2 nights ago, a 22-year-old man went on a shooting rampage on the campus of my own brother's college, UCSB. I was obviously relieved to hear that my brother wasn't affected but knowing that he heard gunshots and was across the street from a man seeking revenge on sorority girls is more than a little scary. If you've heard all the news about the man and his plan, I'm sure you share my concern. Of course there was surely a lot of different factors that will once again spark controversy, as every other shooting has. I don't want to get into all that. I just want to express how grateful I am that my brother and everyone he knows is doing well and how sad I am for the lives lost and their families. I guess at a time like this I just want to take a break from talking about what we all don't have and I'm just hoping that this post has found you all in good shape and thankful for all that you do have. 

Pictures

Always awkward right? Prom reminded me of how frustrating my left arm is when getting pictures taken. Left hand on hip...awkward. Left arm around a date...awkward. And worst of all, being in the middle of a group photo so I have to do each arm around someone...SO AWKWARD. It's hard to get my arm to even do those things and then to also have to make it photogenic is a disaster. My prom photos will attest to the difficulty and awkwardness that a brachial plexus injury brings to fancy poses.

Honestly though, I can complain but in actuality, it's not really all that noticeable. Of course I notice because I'm looking for it and of course it felt extremely uncomfortable in the moment but to the general public viewing these pictures, I look (mostly) normal. So remember, for future (or past) dances or weddings or whichever special occasion it may be, that initial awkward moment of pulling your hand onto your hip or making him switch his arm to be below yours will most definitely be forgotten if it's even noticed in the first place and even better, those pictures will fail to capture that embarrassment. So DON'T WORRY. I know my BPI is not the worst of the worst but I truly think that on these special occasions, people aren't looking at an awkward shoulder no matter how awkward. They're admiring your beautiful dress (or suit) and hair and shoes and even your date...You'll stand out because of all that, not the awkward shoulder :)

Mommy's Day

Happy Mother's Day everybody! Still being in the middle of AP tests, I'm not so sure how great of a thankful daughter I'm being today but you know I wish I could spend every second with you today, Mom. Even though I slept in and Dad made breakfast and I'm spending a lot of today studying and doing homework and even leaving for a couple hours to go to an AP review, this day is all about you!!!

Mother's Day sometimes seems kind of silly because you can't fit enough "thank you's" in one day to accurately represent everything your mother has done for you. I know my mom will laugh at this because she makes fun of me for how much I love Jimmy Fallon but I think he says it best:

So as much as you all make today special for your mothers, I think it's important to remember that they deserve that treatment for more than just today. I know we will never be able to buy enough tulips or brunches for our moms to show them how important they have been, are, and always will be to us but maybe it's enough to give them a reason to be proud of us every day. My mom deals with the worst sides of me but I try to make up for it in hugs and laughs and chores and small deeds and I think we all should remember that every day is Kids' Day so one day for mom isn't quite enough. 

I know my mom has put so much into making my life the best it can be through my brachial plexus injury and that alone can only be made up for in my own perseverance to take advantage of what she's helped me to already achieve. You are the best mommy and I hope you know how grateful I am for everything you do for me every day. 

And I hope all of you make your mothers feel special today and every day!

Stress

AP testing leaves no blogging time. So sorry.