There are 5 school days of high school left before I graduate. It's a nerve-wrecking thing to think about...

But how come I'm not feeling it?

I feel like it should be hitting me right now, every senior feels like it should be hitting them now, but nothing's happening. We know we're graduating, we know we will no longer be in high school, we know we're heading off to college in a few months, yet we're still acting as if we have high school next year. I guess none of us feel ready to leave yet. I know I'm not.

There's so many events going this week and in the next two weeks:

1. Club socials. Many club socials, and many of them overlapping with others or with graduation parties. I have a social this Saturday for National Honor Society, but there's also the HOSA Aloha social that same day. We originally had our Robotics social on the 27th, but it's been moved to the Memorial Day, the 26th, because the library's been booked by Video Club. Oh, and there's also the HOSA Banquet on the 29th. And that's the same night as my graduation party, along with DECA's social. I'm not in DECA, but that just further proves that club activites overlap with each other and with people's graduation parties. It's crazy.

2. Preparation for graduation. This is separate from graduation itself because even this has a "process" by itself. There's the matter of trying on our caps and gowns (which I already finished, but I have no idea how to properly put on a cap or a gown), sending graduation announcements to people (which I said "hell no" to), making leis for seniors (yup, that's a thing in Hawaii, "lei"ing people after the graduation ceremony, it's a thing, which I also have no started yet, and I have a lot of seniors to give to, LOL), and getting our graduation banners/posters finished. I have no idea how graduation's like in the contiguous states, but in Hawaii, we have posters that the seniors' families hold up after the graduation ceremony just outside the stadium to make finding a cetain senior to lei a little easier. It proves slightly effective (unless you have a senior that constantly moves around, who's less than five feet tall, and most of the time never stays by her poster). I've got my graduation banner design finished by my friend, it's just the matter of printing it out and finding cardboard and a long, study stick to stick it on.

3. Graduation. Graduation song practice (yes, that is also a thing in Hawaii, or, at least, at some high schools on my tiny rock). We have two song practices left before graduation, and our class song this year is "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors. It was way better than "Hey Ho" by The Lumineers. If our student government chose "Hey Ho," I would not step foot in that stadium AT ALL only because it is pretty much the worst graduation song to choose, let alone have as an option to vote. Other than that, practicing the actual graduation process. That only starts and happens two days before graduation. I have no idea if I'm sitting in the front (since I'm pretty short), but with my slight, maybe two inch, heels, hopefully I'm still in the front. I actually want to sit in the front. If not, second row works for me, lol. Families and friends sitting and watching (and crying). I have a strong feeling I'll cry either during or after graduation.

4. Robotics social. This has its own "thing" because I actually have to prepare for it. Robotics is my highest priority for extracurricular activities. I've been on the Robotics team for four years, and I've been a captain for two. I've grown attached to everyone. I love everyone. They're my family. Anyways, preparing for that means preparing for food. It's a potluck, and I know exactly what I'm bringing, which is a surprise to everyone except for one person because she's seen the videos that inspired me to do these. I'm a total noob at baking (even though what I'm making doesn't require baking, though they're sweets), so she's gonna help me because she makes the most amazing sweets ever. (I help her with the name: Monday Menu.) I'm not part of the "committee" (aka, the team captains) that sets up. Or, at least, I've never been told or asked to set up, so I don't have anything else to worry about.

5. Graduation parties. The first graduation party that I'm going to after graduation is on the 27th, 3 days after graduation. I know some seniors who have parties the day after graduation, but it's only for family and super close friends. After the 27th, my graduation party is on the 29th, then the following day, a best friend's graduation party, and the day after that, another best friend's graduation party. And 3 days after that, my other friend's graduation party. That's cutting it pretty close, don't you think? Especially when two of your best friends have graduation parties right before and right after yours. I did not plan that date, by the way, I just went along with my parents, but I am a lucky lucky lucky lucky lucky person to not miss either of my best friends' parties.

Well, that's just five out of many events happening this week and in the next two weeks. (Don't get me started on AP Calculus stuff. Oh, and the awards ceremony for those who are recipients of scholarships.) There's still work to be done, and then it's over. I also have to get my yearbook signed by everyone I know, and after this week's over, there's only 3 days of school left. Senioritis (not graduation) is hitting me hard. I just received my housing contract a few days ago, and there's the matter of registration and potential new freshman orientation that I might or might not do, so also college stuff to do.

So I have a question for those who don't live in Hawaii: How is graduation like where you live? I'm really curious. Do you guys have graduation songs you guys sing along to or have a band perform at some point during graduation? Do you have drum majors that control when you lean forward, stand up, sit down, and lean back? We do. Just, without the staff or any props accompanying them. Do you have families or friends that scream use the blow horn when the emcees announce your name? Do you guys have backdrops? What are the different gown colors that you have to wear? Do you line up by last name or by height? Are there certain rules, crazy or stupid or funny, that you guys have to follow? Are your graduations anything like the movies? Anything! That's how curious I am.

So aside from the impending end of high school, the progress of my stories are slowing down (especially for The Chaser) for Eternally Yours. Don't worry, I have started the 1/3 one-shot. It's just that, because of the many events occurring simultaneously, I've laid off the writing until I have everything organized again (which will most likely be this weekend). So when the weekend comes, or when it's Friday, I'll get back on writing 1/3, and I'll, hopefully, have that completed before next Monday.

As for The Chaser, I've organized the storyline and written a document for chapter organization that includes storylines, details, plots, symbols, etc. for each chapter. I'm just having a hard time trying to tie the end with what I have so far. (Although, right now, just after I wrote that last sentence, I have a great idea for that end, lol.) So hopefully I'll get back on that during summer, which is most likely yes, since I would have a lot of free time on my hands (if I don't get that internship, crosses fingers I get it). Even with the internship, though, free time is guaranteed for me to write. If you've subscribed to The Chaser, I know you miss Woohyun, Cho Ae, and Kris, because I do, too. It's time for them to make a comeback.

And with that, I'll leave you with nostalgia and a picture of our graduation last year.

Picture taken by me.