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It's getting harder and harder

to be at school. I seriously cannot stand sitting still for eight freaking hours five days a week. I want to enjoy my life! I wish that educatuion didn't give us way too much stuff to do. I even had an MRI (brain scan) and it looks like my huge brain is about to explode. I know a ton of stuff, and I cant fit much more in there. My brain is like a closet that you throw everything in-one more item you throw in and your closet will explode all over your room. I feel so burned out with this, and since i'm overtrying, I get massive headaches every day. My dad says I'm not trying at all! When, hello! I'm doing 3 hours of homework a night and having a tutor twice a week! It's getting so hard that i can't do it anymore. My brain is in summer mode due to overworking. Sheesh, all I want to do is real estate or acting! Do I really need to know about verb clauses to sell a house? Do I need to know the formula for the area of an octagon to play a princess or something? Seiously, elementary school is all you need. Middle and high school is just unnessecary CRAP. School takes away from precious Hillrise time. I'd like to be outside exploring Hillrise! But, NOOO! I have to be in school. Yay.

A day in Hillrise

How I long for a day in Hillrise-I could just sit back and enjoy the happiness or take a stroll around my street. But I can't. (Insert record scratching sound effect here.) Yep, I'm stuck at school! I am so pissed off because I am very outdoorsy and active yet I'm forced to be sitting in a desk INSIDE a stuffy room. School has made me lazy!! School has depressed me! Seriously, I want to live my life in Hillrise to the fullest before it's too late! When I'm 30, I can't just frolic in the fields of Hillrise and do cartwheels in the grass. I can't exactly skip over to a neighbor's house to socialize. I'll probably have my own family to takecare of. You know what just came over me? I live my life for someone else! I don't go to school for myself, I do it for my parents and teachers. I don't dress in the latest trends for myself, I do it so people will like me. I don't have time for myself, I have time for others only. If I don't live my life for someone else's happiness, I get SLAMMED! I'll get grounded, yelled at and even kicked out of places! The only part I do for myself is walk around Hillrise, shop, and go to the park! I'm being treated like an appeaser. That's what I do! Appease people! I'M SICK OF IT! CAN'T PEOPLE LET ME  LIVE MY OWN LIFE?!? I mean, seriously! I need to have some time to myself or else I'll get sick again! I do too much for everyone else! I lost my childhood to impress my fellow peers. I didn't get my first American Girl until last year, and they were so cute that I started to collect them. My dad is enraged about this. Well, not enraged, but he is trying to talk me out of it. He doesn't think it's 'normal' for a 15-year-old girl to be collecting dolls. I know of 60-year-olds who collect dolls. I tried to show him American Girl Fans Message Board , the forum I'm part of, but he didn't listen. Okay, I haven't shown it to him yet, but he knows about it. So he should just leave me alone! Also, he won't let me collect unless I have 'perfect' grades. I've secretly gotten one doll this year, and I've kept it away from my dad. He can't tell the difference between them because I have so many now (11, soon to be 12). I've tried sneaking a doll behind him before, but that was when I had only one, so it's way easier to tell if I snuck one in. I think school is also taking away from my childhood. I mean, I miss rolling in the grass and playing on the trampoline (which my dad refuses to give me because he thinks it'll ruin the view). I love shopping and all that, but being a teen is kind of sad because I miss being a child. I don't like going to parties and all that crap (though it's fun sometimes, and even if I did I still wouldn't because I'm never invited to any) I just like relaxing outside in Hillrise, enjoying the fresh air and just...being in Hillrise. People think I'm so weird for that. But I like being childish. I don't get why people would have a problem with that.
Whitney

So Completely 1970

Hey people, it's Whitney back again with the top news: I CANNOT USE PHOTOSHOP BECAUSE I AM SO COMPLETELY 1970! Here's a vocabulary deifintion
So Completely 1970-(adj.) being outdated, not knowing how to operate modern technology; stuck in the year 1970 
Yep, it's hard to believe. I, Whitney, a Facebook addict and a crazed texter (okay, I never text anymore, LOL) am like some forty-something who knows nothing of anything high-tech. I was always this way. I didn't use the Internet (or even knew what the Hillrise it was) till the third grade. I ∂idn't know what 'LOL' meant until sixth. I didn't know what 'OMG' meant until seventh.  And I learned what LMAO meant in ninth. This year, I'm using Photoshop and it is like I'm performing brain surgery! I sure wish it was 1970 sometimes. I wouldn't be a Facebook addict and I wouldn't hear the dang F word every second. Best of all, I would have seen bitty-baby Hillrise. I would have seen the model homes. I would have seen my original owners of neighbors. I wish I was in 1970-away from the crap of the 21stcentury. In 1970, kids didn't own iPods or iPads. They owned record players. The iPhone was a regular house phone because cell phones didn't exist yet. But still, the best part would be living in brand new Hillrise. I wish I coyuld have been there for it in the 1960s and 1970s. I know people who love Hillrise so much that they've stayed with it for its entire 43 years of life. I long to be one of those people! Back then, the onlything out in my city was...Hillrise. The only other thing there was the school and an actual ranch. Nowadays it's just houses built on where cows once grazed. Coyotes havehad no choice but to emigrate out of their field and into Hillrise, since it's the only area with any open space. I was laughing at an ad for the houses where the ranch used to be on because ittotally copied Hillrise's theme of nature and open space. They sure did a bad job of it because every field is concreted and used as parks. Oh, why can't things be simpler like they were in 1970?

Whitney

Weight troubles

Lately, I have put on quite a bit of weight. I do not get it at all, I mean, lately, I have been gaining 3+ pounds per week. I don't eat that much and I've been taking daily walks around Hillrise, which as you can imagine is very hilly. My mom thinks it's a medicine I've been taking. I am very displeased and upset because those 25 pounds I had lost are back. I'm on my fourth day of dieting, and so far I'm still gaining weight. What did I do wrong? I don't think I'll ever eat again with the thought of me being 170 pounds. I'm supposed to be 130. Everyone at my school has a flat tummy-except for the dweebs, of course. My stomach is as round as a ball. I swear I look pregnant! I don't know HOW THE HECK THEY DO IT, but I seriously need to go on a) a diet or b) start taking diet pills. I cannot eat anymore.
Whitney

I didn't make it.

Yep, I guess third time isn't the cgharm. You can thank my art teacher, who hates my guts. She is the one who agve me a failing grade even after I turned in THREE overdue projects. She said they didn't count. Meanwhile a kid who turned his in after a month got full credit. I waited two weeks. I don't get what the hell I did wrong, but here's what I figured out: She doesn't like the goody two shoes people who talk about, well, nothing, because they're stuck in a class full of strangers. She likes the bad a** people who talk about parties and smoking weed. It's not fair to me because I've been working harder then they have!!They deserve the F and I deserve that A+! But I had to get a crapload of a teacher. Also, one girl drew a cigarette butt when the teacher said 'no drugs of any kind'. I drew someone smoking a pipe and I got marked off. This biatch is playing favorites and it's pissing me off. She's the reason why I didn't make it...AGAIN. What an orange!
another problem is what I thought was my best academic subject, English. I'm FAILING. thanks to the bunches of mean kids who tease me daily about my love for Hillrise and just being annoying. Plus we get a truckload of homework each night! It's English, not AP Chem! Yeah, that teacher treats us horribly. That's why I'm taking English 11 next year, and from the sounds of it, it is for retards. So I should get a fricken A+ in that class. Ugh! Why does school have to be so annoying!

Cheerleading!

It's that time of the year (and I ain't talkin' Easter) and I am working like a dog! (No offense Pupcake and Buster!) I'm talking about cheerleading, my favorite sport of all time, and the tryouts this Thursday. I'm really hoping I make it this year because I have been trying way hard since freshman year. Why I didn't make it? First it was because of a knee problem, and second it was a) my special ed teacher sabotaged me and b) I didn't have my pirouette. (I tried out for song, which is more ballet/dance-y) This year everyone is telling me I'm going to get this (and I sure hope they're right!) But I have a problem: my grades.My dad says that they won't drop me because of my 1.0 GPA, but what if they do? Everyone is contradicting me!! I wish tryouts could just be over with and I could see if I made cheer or not!!! I keep picturing myself crying on my bed because I didn't make it, and also whooping because I did. I really want the whooping to happen. I don't want to spend spring break all depressed. Wish me luck-I'll need it!!! EEEP!

Not like I'm trying or anything...A Personal Poem

I do everything you say, follow your every demand
Even if you ask me to sculpt a house out of sand.
Because my goal is to please you.
If I do one thing wrong, you'd kick me out
You don't care if I scream or shout.
I do everything you say, follow your every demand
It's not like I'm trying or anything.

I do everything wrong in your eyes
No matter what I do, my problems arise
I can't keep up with you
So much to do!
Yet I still fail you.
I do everything wrong in your eyes
 It's not like I'm trying or anything.

Too much of this, too much of that
It's supposed to make my brain fat
But instead it's fried harder then grease crumbs
I'm not able to find a way so the pain numbs
I can't do this anymore
Otherwise I'll hit the floor
Too much of this, too much of that
It's not like I'm trying or anything.

This poem was written to all of my problems such as school, homework, and my dad. It's all true. These are what tear me to pieces. They keep me away from Hillrise. I was inspired by my crapload day. 
Whitney

It happened again.

I'm once again friendless. I ost some friends of mine because they claimed I started a rumor about another girl they were friends with, when in reality, she was the one who told me to grow up. Also, I was in a pissy mood and I apologized and everything. But then they bring this up again? And the sad part? One of them lives in Hillrise. why the heck are they being so mean to me? I'm still friends with a few of the girls, but some of the others turned on me much like the Cailyn scenario that I blogged about a few entries ago. I don't want another Cailyn scenario to happen. I wanna keep my friends. Luckily me and one of my friends who was in that scenario is still talking to me. If this was to happen again, they should say, "Whitney, so and so never did this to you." I would have said either yes or no. Instead of 'That's NOT OKAY! Dont be a baby and cry! Get a reality check! Quit stirring up drama!" I never wanted to stir up drama. I just misheard something. I take things really personally, and I cannot help it. This is effing middle school all over again.* I mean, those people aren't gonna treat me like everyone else anymore. Look, it all started over this dude laughing at me, and so I thought the girl was laughing too. Apparently not I guess...I guess I wanna forget this day ever happened. I was tossed around by a hell of a lot of those people, but not the girl. Here, I wrote a message for her
I'm so sorry for the crap. The kids in math around me werent too nice to me and it is NOT YOUR FAULT. I was grumpy and my dad wouldnt let me go to tumbling. So sorry for any misunderstandings. 
Whitney
I've just had a lousy day and the last thing i wanna worry about is losing friends, so I had to get that over with, so...yeah. wish me luck surviving the rest of my day.
Whitney
*-In middle school, I had to quit crying because the vice principal was sick of hearing about me crying. So I held it all in and it eventually led to depression.

Weed=YUCK!

OH MY EFFING GOD. I am PISSED OFF with the WORLD. Why? Because of the effing weed trend. You know that you inhale 5x the amount of tar as a cig when you smoke that crap!? It smells like a dead rat and it gets you cancer. Wanna know why the eff I'm so pissed? Because someone was smoking the s***....in HILLRISE. I was looking at a rental home there and my mom noticedthat the place reeked of it. I also found something wrapped in a towel. I am so upset. Weed in Hillrise upsets me even more than regular smoking. I cannot believe they almost effing legalized it here! I have a message for all you weed smokers who live in Hillrise. You all have the minds of peanuts! You smoke the stuff and you're suddenly a sex addict! So do little Hillrise a favor and GET OUTTA HERE! I'm sorry if I sound scary, I'm just THROUGH with the weed smoking. I cannot tell you how many people claim they smoke it. Especially kids my age. I'm suffering internal bleeding due to the way people treat Hillrise. Let me tell you what Hillrise does not like:

• Any type of drugs or smoking (it taints the fresh air it is known for)
• Tattoos (they give people a bad message about Hillrise)
• People who don't take care of it. (Hillrise is like a child. If no one takes care of it, it will start to wear down and eventually...I don't wanna say.)

I wish, I wish, I WISH people were nicer to my li'l Hillrise. Here's a message for Hillrise:

Hillrise,

You are so stong, you've come so far

I am proud of you just the way you are. 

So nostalgic, so down to earth.

Don't let the turkeys get you down.

Many of us have faith in you and we believe in you.

So just ignore the douchebags and remember that they won't taunt you forever.

Love, Whitney and many of us neighbors

Senses of Community!

You all know Hillrise, right? Well, tonight was the homeowners association meeting. I brought up the ideas of a community picnic and a block party...you know, some actives for Hillrise residents. Well, apparently nobody comes to them because they don't give a crap. Only three homeowners were at the association meeting (no onder they have them once a year) Things weren't this way for Hillrise back in the 60s and 70s. There were community picnics, barbecues, even Octoberfest. Everyone attended. You could find kids n every corner of every block. Everyone attended homeowners association meetings. Hillrise was even featured in movies and TV shows like Matt Houston. (Ask your parents what that is if you don't know.) Bob Hope and Elvis had even filmed some scenes in Hillrise! But in the 80s and 90s (when i was born) the kids were growing up and moving away, and my town began to suburbanize. My hometown, a snooty, rich city with huge houses, was also constructed and Hillrise was left behind in the dust. I felt bad upon hearing this, because Hillrise deserves better. It is a nostalgic, witty place with a lot to share. Although more younger couples moved into Hillrise around the tiem I was born, those people do not share the spirit of Hillrise. They ignore the friendly invites. They throw away the notices for community picnics. I plan to change that by talking to some neighbors of mine, but I'm scared that the community sense around Hillrise is fading away. I really wish people were closer to Hillrise. I'm one, and many others love Hillrise. Don;t get me wrong, people love Hillrise. I just wish they'd show it.
Whitney

NO SMOKING in Hillrise!

I was at a Hillrise garage sale (my favorite kind!!) and visiting a Hillrise-loving neighbor of mine. He was an original owner and had raised his family in Hillrise. Well, I was looking around and the smell of cigarette smoke made my senses vomit. I think Hillrise vomited too. I didn't vomit but I was so close to it. His kid was smoking a cigarette-IN HILLRISE. I tried no to mind it, but inside I was like, He grew up and was born and raised in Hillrise and he's a total fladoodle!!! I was ready to cry. (I did.) I felt bad for my neighbor because he had tried so hard to raise this dude-in Hillrise- and he drank snd smoked! Now hat's a crapload way to treat such a wholesome place like Hillrise! He also talked about the memories he had of the model homes and watching them build Hillrise-while he took a puff. I can't tell you how upset that made me. If I see someone smoking in Hillrise, I will crack like an egg. No-an egg embryo. Hillrise doesn't deserve that kind of bull crap. Seriously. Hillrise has been known for 43 years as a wholesome neighborhood with the cleanest air in the universe. That's what it has been to so many. apparently some don't care and treat it like a fricken shack. I seriously want to outlaw smoking in Hillrise. It is a crapload of crap for you and even worse for poor Hillrise. (Oh, and did I mention he threw the cig at the wall and rubbed it into the nostalgic wood paneling?!?! WHO THE HELL DOES THAT??!) I can't believe people sometimes. Neither can Hillrise. That's why I hope the fladoodles move out soon.

Whitney

Essays suck!!

I have a fricken in-class essay I have to do tomorrow and I am so nervous about it that I think I might vomit. **barfs** Yup. I hate in-class essays because I am surrounded by a bunch of people, or in this case, mean people, and I am not given enough time. I hate timed essays more than in-class ones. Same thing, sorta. But I don't want to  do it in a stuffy room filled with sweating bodies and mean looks! I have to do it on why tolerance is important. I can do a SENTENCE that tells why tolerance is important, but not a 5-paragraph essay! Here, I'll show you!
Tolerance is important in modern society because if tolerance didn't exist, everybody would kill themselves.
Now, HOW THE HELL CAN I EXPAND THAT INTO 5 PARAGRAPHS?!? Yeah, I also have to quote some books (I hate that) but all of the quotes I can think of-and their explanatons-would go into TWO simple paragraphs or ONE intense paragraph. But not five different paragraphs. I'm so stressed out because, I mean, can't the dang teacher wait until Tuesday?!? We have a pep rally! I have a history quiz! That equals COMPLETE AND TOTAL MIND DISASTER!!! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy writing, but only creative writing. Book-based ones are annoying. Oh, and also, Tuesday I'm super busy because I have a Hillrise Homeowners Association meeting that I'm way too excited for. They only have one a year! I wish they had more. Anything Hillrise is a hobby for me. I'm hoping to bring up the stuff mentioned in this blog post. Well, everything except the cussing. I can't punish anyone for cussing! Okay, getting off topic. Point is, I do NOT want to do this crapload of an in class essay! 
Whitney

Luck o' the Whitney!

Good fortune and luck came my way last night. First of all, Kaitlyn is home safe and feeling a lot better-except for soreness where she had her surgery-but that's normal. I also re-united with a friend of mine who confirmed that Cailyn (remember her from a few blogs ago?) did not turn her against me. We've been friends since seventh grade due to us living on the same street in Hillrise. We lost touch for a year when I went into eighth grade/high school. We reunited towards the end of freshman year when she got a Facebook and hung out a lot that summer. Once we hit school starting again, me and Cailyn had that fight and I avoided her friends because I didn't know them that well. Well, now that we all know each other, I am a part of that group.
Did I mention that I'm part Irish? Yup it's true. My grandmother on my mom's side immigrated to the US from there in, like, the 30's. So shamrocks and leprechauns are in my heritage! Then again, I have a lot of stuff in my heritage. Like...nail polish? (That's a joke. My great grandpa is Polish.) I also have Russian dolls (my great grandpa #2 is Russian) pizza (my grandpa is Italian) and...I have no idea what else. But, being a 3rd generation Californian, I consider myself all-American because Ive never even left the US. Plus I do have some ancestors who lived here for since the dawn of time-according to my mom I was a relative of John Hancock (who signed the Declaration) and...I don't know who else. I'll find out, though!! Anyway, back to St. Patty's Day. Didn't mean to go off topic about my heritage. :) I am wearing so much green I got mistaken for a shamrock! I'm wearing shamrock earrings and a green striped tee. As well as green eyeshadow! However, I got pinched by some douches who thought my green was yellow/blue. It's like, what the Hillrise! Speaking of which, Hillrise knows it's St. Patty's day because I'm finding clovers everywhere!! And Hillrise is wearing green (lawns, greenery, paint) so it hasn't been pinched at all. I hope no one pinches it for no reason like they did with me, though! That would be one annoying orange. Anywho, I wish you all a HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!
Whitney

Appendicitis+Best friend=Unhappy Whitney

I'm watching TV and checking my facebook. On my news feed, my best friend Kaitlyn posted something horrendous.
She's in the emergency room for appendicitis.
Appendicitis isn't a cancer. It means that you have to have your appendix removed. Kaitlyn needed hers done badly, according to her parents. She went into surgery last night and is recovering currently at a nearby hospital. Today I plan to visit her and bring her a big old balloon. It will be depressing to see your happy-go-lucky best friend in a hospital bed though-and that's what I'm going through. The only injury I ever remember Kaity having is her multiple ankle sprains. (She's a big klutz sometimes.) I wish school would end so I could go to see her. I messaged her that me and Hillrise wish her the best. She's going through a lot of pain, according to her texts. I hope she recovers soon. I hate seeing people in this kind of pain, especially my own BFFL. Feel better, Kaitlyn!!!

Get well, chicky!
Whitney

it's just a doll

Hey people, there's somehing (someone) on my mind thatI ahve to blog about. She is pissed at me for naming an American Girl doll after her. Normally I wouldn't care, but she lives in Hillrise and while on Facebook her current location popped up onto my news feed. She had labeled her house as 'Hillrise Agoura'! Now that I don't get. At all. I think she just wants to taunt me. All over a DOLL. A DOLL for heavens sake!
Here's how it all happened:
I met someone named Cailyn* at cheer tryouts one day and found out she lived in Hillrise. When I first met her, she seemed nice. She was. Then, I added her on Facebook and...she blocked me. It was that hypocritical 46 year old woman scenario all over again. I was so upset that I created a doll version of her and named her Cailyn. I created a blog and a website for her. However, after I sent doll Cailyn's head off to be customized, I befriended real life Cailyn and forgot about doll Cailyn. For three months, Cailyn and I were the best of friends, and she was even nicer than I remember. I was happy to have finally befriended her and planned a get together with her after school started. However, one day, upon web searching herself Cailyn found the doll's website. She was so mad that she stopped talking to me for a month and said her entire family was pissed at me. She also said that she could have sued me! Our get together was cancelled and everything changed for me. Cailyn's friends whom I had hung out with throughout the summer suddenly refused my friendship. Shortly after my fight with Cailyn, I met Marissa*. She knew Cailyn and lived in Hillrise as well. At first, she was super nice and understanding. But when I said 'you wouldn't care if I named an American Girl after you' (not that I would) and suddenly Marissa was on Cailyn's side. Turns out they had known each other since the beginning of time from living in Hillrise and through school. Luckily, me and Cailyn made up a month later. Marissa was still a bleak question mark. But me and Cailyn chatted and once again befriended each other. She was even nicer than she was before the fight, but we weren't that close anymore. Then, towards Thanksgiving, Cailyn found yet another doll website. This time it was the pictures on my Facebook on one of the American Girl doll groups. She threatened lawsuits and even stuck her middle finger up at me. It's been awhile now and we don't talk anymore. Marissa isn't too happy with me either, but at least we still talk. When Marissa got her Facebook, she added everyone else but me. She says she thought she accepted me, but I guess not. She probably pressed the wrong button or is covering for Cailyn's entertainment. I'm pissed at how Cailyn called her house 'Hillrise Agoura' to get back at me. I want to be friends with Cailyn again, but after her actions a few months ago (middle finger, suing me almost, etc.) I've had second thoughts. I wish Cailyn never did that stuff...especially over something as simple as a doll. I still think Cailyn is turning our mutual friends against me. Hopefully she will mature. That was the case with my friend Bernice*. She and I reunited this year after a failed Cailyn-like friendship in seventh grade.  Only difference? Bernice doesn't and never did live in Hillrise. So let's hope Cailyn matures eventually. I mean, she's just a freshman.
Whitney

*-Name has been changed.

Happier now!

Lately, I have been feeling more energized and happy. I took care of some business that I needed to take care of awhile ago yesterday, and of course I've been excited about my new bed. Finally-I can have more storage space, a place to store my iPod, and even...an electrical outlet in one of the drawers?? Yep. I am too excited. Also, next week, at school, it is dress up day. I can't wait to dress up like a wee baby on Tuesday!
And Hillrise. There's a homeowners association meeting on the 22nd, and the problem is...I haen't gotten the notice yet. This is why I don't like my dad asking them to deliver the stuff to the dang P.O. box. Then they don't believe we live in Hillrise. Either that or they are having a harder time with the mail this way. I hope I do get it soon-I bet I will, they can't forget about me!
Anyway, I also discovered a tire swing in Hillrise behind one of the homes (it's open to Hillrise residents) and let me tell you, it was so nice swinging from it. I've never been on a tire swing before (although this one is plastic) and yesterday was the perfect day, with the wind blowing through my hair. The more I think about it, my life ain't that bad. After all, I have Hillrise. (:
Whitney (:

This is gonna be one heck of a weekend.

You know the bed that my dad ordered this last weekend? It is being delivered on Saturday. I am very excited and I wish it was Saturday already so I can get that bed. Also, my mom said we can go to the American Girl store that day as well. I hope to get a new doll since I've been CRAVING one lately. (My last doll was purchased in December.) Besides that, I'll be reorganizing my room, hanging out with friends, swimming (possibly) and finally getting to wear some new earrings I bought at Claire's for cheap. (You may not recall, but I got my ears pierced the day before Valentine's Day.) I need to get thru school and crap so I can get to the effing weekend!! !!!!! !!! I miss Hillrise, I'm heavily overheated, and, as anyone else would be, IMPATIENT AS FLID* And it's only 1:30. School ends at 3. Can you spell C-R-A-P? Hopefully I will make it.
Whitney

American Girl Forum Probs

Okay, so I'm part of an American Girl doll collectors group called American Girl Fans, and awhile ago I was banned from one that will not be named. Let's call it American Girl Universe, AGU for short. And some people on the AGFans group are also on AGU, and they aren't too nice to me for my 'crappy' rep on AGU. I mean, some group members won't even private message me anymore (it is an online group) because they're so 'true' and 'close' to AGU, where people have written quite some nasty crap about me. And there's some news and updates you can't post on AGFans, but AGU has it all. But, you can only see it if you are a member. I wish people would forgive me and move on, and NOT spread crap about me.
Whitney

First post in awhile!!

Heyy peoples! I'm so sorry I han't posted in so long, I've been focussed on my garden in Hillrise, my homework, and redoing my room. Also, I've been horrendously sick (well, I just had a 24 hour cold) and I've been with my best friend(s). For Hillrise's birthday, I hung out with my neighbor/friend Kaylie, and we've definitely getting closer. Kaylie is awesome and nice and good to Hillrise. I plan to hang out with her again this weekend.
Oh, more news on Hillrise. I got my portion of the community garden in good shape and I leaned how to water the plants, LOL (it's actually complicated, the Hillrise Homeowners Association installed this water maintainer thing in a secret place to prevent kids my age from fooling around. I can understand, people are MEAN to Hillrise sometimes. Anyway, while watering the garden yesterday, I discovered a tire swing on a nearby tree by the nature trail. I really want to go on it today and swing carelessly. I also want to photograph some of my dolls around the nature paths for some of my American Girl accounts. But I just want to forget about the real world for awhile and swing on that tire-barefoot-thinking of life in Hillrise.
Also, more Hillrise news: I got my new bed!!! (Click to see!!) It only took me 8 months but I DID IT!!!! This is one of the first steps I've done towards re-doing my room. Here's what I've done so far:

• painted my room sea foam green (used to be baby pink)
• upgraded my 10 yo mattress for a brand new full mattress (that I put directly on the floor, since my bed is a platform bed)
• Got rid of my 20 yo desk
• Added three shelves

Here are the things I still need to do:

• Get a new desk
• Get a new dresser (this one matches my bedd)
• Add more shelves
• Get a bendy head light fixture

I know, expensive. But I really like the PB Teen stuff. Especially the Chelsea collection-very vintage, but at the same time cute and modern. I hope that I can inch my way towards the desk and dresser as well. I may get a cheaper one, though. I just want one that's a corner desk.
Whitney

Happy (Almost) Birthday, Hillrise!

Well, the days of Hillrise being age 42 are quickly coming to an end, and in just a day, my little Hillrise will be 43 years old-wow, I remember when I threw it a party for its 40th birthday. I said, '40 Years of Happiness, 40 Years of Hillrise!' For those who have spent those 43 years with Hillrise are in disbelief that it has been 43 years already. Being by Hillrise's side for almost four years, I'm in disbelief that it turned 43 myself. Yep, this Saturday marks the day that 43 years ago Barclay Hollander Curci first broke ground on what would be a piece of heaven known as Hillrise. Ahh, if only I was there during its first, second, and third birthdays in 1969, 1970 and 1971. Times were so much simpler. But anyway, I can't wait to celebrate my Hillrise's big day! I'm buying some cake mix, some balloons, and of course, it's birthday gift! The perk about this year is that it will snow-yes, SNOW-in Hillrise! It hasn't snowed here since Hillrise's birthday in 1989. Back then, Hillrise was turning age 21. it also snowed all the time in Hillrise's toddler years, so I think the snowfall will bring back some pleasant memories back for Hillrise and the people who have lived there since Hillrise was a toddler. In fact, one of the former model homes is being re-painted just for Hillrise's birthday. I don't know what color they will paint it, but I'm hoping it stays its reddish-burgundy color, since Hillrise is so unique. We're repaintng our house this year, but my dad din't want to do it for Hillrise's birthday-and the poor thing really wanted that for its birthday. Don't get me wrong, I love the paint and color of my Hillrise Home, but the paint is peeling and faded. It's sad to see my own Hillrise Home in this condition-it's like seeing someone you deeply care about very sick. I'm hoping that the paint can be fixed this year. But what we did get it for its birthday is a paint job for one of the bedrooms and 43 flowers to be planted in the community garden! Doesn't sound like much, but they were on Hillrise's wish list. Anything for Hillrise is a huge effort for me. I have to work extra hard for Hillrise. Why? I love it and I will do anything for it.
Whitney
Oh, P.S. Happy Birthday Hillrise!

Hillrise's HUGE birthday gift!

I checked the forecast for my town, and as you may know, it doesn't snow much in Southern California-except in the mountains. Well, NOT ANYMORE!!! Tomorrow, which is also the day of Hillrise's birthday, it is expected to snow!! It hasn't snowed since Hillrise's 21st birthday in 1989! Hillrise and I are very excited. I can't believe Hillrise is celebrating its 43rd birthday in SNOW!! And not just a few flakes, I mean a BLANKET. Old Man Winter wants to give Hillrise a spectacular birthday gift once again! I guess I can wait to plant the birthday flowers in my portion of the community garden. It will be worth it since it will be a frosty day! I've never seen Hillrise with icicles and snow-capped roofs before, for it has never snowed that much in my town. I guess I'm going to have to get Buster-and myself-some snow clothes! Imagine it-TOBOGGANING DOWN MY STREET!!! BUILDING A SNOWMAN-IN MY BACKYARD!!! And best of all, Hillrise will celebrate with its 43rd year of existence. What a gift!!
Don't forget to wish Hillrise a happy 43rd birthday tomorrow! I won't be blogging or even online tomorrow, so I might as well shout it out now:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILLRISE!

Don't ruin Hillrise!

As you know from my informative posts about how much I love Hillrise, you know Hillrise is a very family-oriented, friendly, happy-go-lucky place. There are no drugs, no fladoodles, no rebellious 20-somethings. Well, apparently there is. My childhood family friends, who are kind of on the dark side now, have friends who live there. This one girl they mentioned, named Sara*, lives in Hillrise and she supposedly has two large tattoos and smokes. While she only smokes 'occasionally', it's still hurtful to Hillrise's health and cherubic personality. I know, I'm crazy to think a housing tract has a personality. But Hillrise does. It is very special to me and so many others, and since me and Hillrise are joined at the hip, I can tell if it's having a hard time. And as you may know, smoking and tattoos are two of my biggest pet peeves. They will not be tolerated in Hillrise. Especially with Hillrise's perfect neighborhood reputation. It's been known as that for nearly 43 years and I'm not letting it lose two things it is widely known for: being a nice, friendly place, and the beyond-perfect air quality. I know that I may be over reacting, but lately I've ran into about three of 'those people' living there. Luckily, Sara will soon move. She can't live with her parents forever. (I'm actually shocked they didn't kick her out yet! HA!) She'll probably find some boyfriend and move into a crappy apartment with him. But this other dude actually owns his Hillrise home. I overheard he has sleeve tattoos, and those are the worst kind. Plus, I think that douche graffitied on Hillrise!! I cannot believe some people sometimes. The combination cannot go together. Like a happy guy at a depression clinic. Or a hot dog and chocolate sauce. Or ice cream and Jalapeno sauce. It's just two things that do not go together in any way. Plus, Hillrise deserves better than that. I know only a small 2% of the Hillrise residents do things that piss me and Hillrise off, but 2% is 2% too many. I know I cannot control it, but you've gotta admit it's annoying. Especially when you're a) a goody two shoes, and b) very concerned/involved with whatever you love, like I am. I really hope those people get a life and see what the heck they're doing to my precious Hillrise!
-Whitney
*=Name changed.

Ahhh-finally raining!

I'm super happy that its finally raining! As you can tell from a previous post of mine, I've been begging for this kind of weather. I love watching the rainfall from my living room with a cup of hot cocoa and a Snuggie wrapped around me, with the Hillrise fireplace on full blast. I wish my fireplace worked, because from experiences at neighbors' homes, Hillrise fireplaces are very cozy and perfect for chilly weather. It was a hot spot (Get it?!? Hot Spot? Since it's a fireplace??! :) LOLOL!!) for families in the 60s and 70s, who would gather around the fireplace during those cold winter days. Even nowadays, Hillrise fireplaces have brought families together for roasting marshmallows, slurping hot cocoa, waiting for Santa Claus, and just simply cozying up by the fire. Another raiy day activity I like to do is watch the storm. I like watching the lighting and listening to the thunder. It can be scary, I must admit, but luckily as long as I'm in Hillrise, watching the storm and not somewhere outside, in the storm, I'm fine. We have a killer view (my house was even in one of the advertisements for 'The View Homes of Hillrise'!) to watch the lightning flash across the sky. Luckily, Hillrise has never been struck by lightning. Anywho, my point being, I'm very excited about this weather. =)
Whitney

Ehhh, not happy for da weekend.

This week, I'm not as excited for the weekend. I'm going to be away from my dogs, Pupcake and Buster, and worst of all, I'll be away from Hillrise. I sure am going to miss Hillrise-I need to be there for it during the storms. I love my mom, she's one awesome squirrel! But it's my cigarette-addicted grandma I'm worried about. I do NOT like having to breathe in all of her carcinogens-and I better not get secondhand smoke! My dad said if she gets an air purifier, I can stay. Even though she doesn't have one yet, I don't think ONE air purifier will fog away the smell that has settled into the furniture. Also, I don't like sharing a bed. I'm scared that she won't like me anymore if my dad won't let me stay over on Saturday. Tonight, I'm going to my godmother's house, and I'm super excited for that. Don't get me wrong, my mom is the best mom you could ever have, it's just her house I have the problems with. Maybe if she sent my grandma to live with my aunt again, I'd reconsider. Because I cannot handle cigarette smoke-smoking is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. It is NOT allowed in Hillrise-the poor thing can get sick from it and it destroys the fresh air that it is known for! That is just cruel. Yes, y'all must think I'm crazy to say my neighborhood/housing tract can become ill, but Hillrise is so much more than that to me and everyone who lives there. Well, almost everyone. (There's this dude who is extremely mean to me, as well as Hillrise. He used to live there...thank porf he moved!) Hillrise has a personality, a voice, and a wonderous life to me. I cannot believe some douchebags can be so mean to it! Hillrise is VERY sensitive-more sensitive than me. So it's my job to stick up for it. I really want to be in Hillrise this weekend-I was going to spend the entire day with my mom and spend the night at home. I have no problem with it-as long as I sleep in my bed, in my room, with my dogs, in Hillrise.
Whitney

I need a break!!!!!

I am really peeved off because they said it was supposed to rain today and yesterday. However, the freaking sun decided to come out with a cheesy smile on its face. I was told via Momma Goose that when the sun is happy that the temperature rises. I really wanted it to rain, and now it is shorts weather. It keeps raining on and off, but that dang sun is out for good now. I'm in a woolly coat, a long-sleeve top, rainboots and sweats. It's been sunny for a month now, and I just need a break from the hot weather. Hillrise plants are thirsty for some rain. This may seem emo, but I love those gloomy days-especially the fact that Hillrise doesn't look dreary in any way in this kind of weather. Also, my dad said he'd pick me up if its raining, so I don't have to walk home. Even if I had to walk home, that would be so nice in the rain-it's like a shower and it perks me up to get a splash of water in my face. But the sun is out, it is DRY, it is HOT, and I'm stuck walking home. While I don't mind walking home, I am just burnt out right now. It's super hot inside my photo class, and this place would pass for air conditioned compared to the weather outside. I would love a splash of rain right now, but it's so dry outside that I have dandruff. I mean, if you were me, you'd hate these days too. I'm itchy all over!!! I really hope it does rain eventually!
Whit

Valentine's Day

Everyone has their Valentines. I have one-Hillrise-but I can't bring it to school with me! Last month, I was super psyched about V-Day but after being forgotten that disappeared. No one, not even my parents, got me a Valentine or even just the right treatment. I was given a box of chocolates by these kids in my photo class-but little did I know that they had expired last year! I was given rotten chocolates-ON PURPOSE. People laughed as I ate the candy, and I didn't know why. Then, after an intense diarrhea-vomit fest, I knew why they were laughing. I couldn't figure it out why they gave me rotten chocolates, but at the same time I did. People HATE MY GUTS. After that, I went to tumbling, where I was pooped due to being sick for three weeks. Well, I wasn't sick for three weeks, but my dad just didnt let me go for the first week I was better. So I went to open gym for a half hour, jumping on the trampoline nonstop as usual. But then my coach made me do all those warm-up jogs and kept calling me by the wrong name. I tried to tell her that my name is Whitney, but she's all 'That's NOT what it says in my book!!" Also, she yelled at me for being scared on these NARROW bars. Since I'm full-figured, I could scrape something if I drop myself. In fact, I did and it was ANNOYING. I was super slow and my coach was yelling at me non stop. All the others finished WAY before I did. I think I shouldn't have done those damn warm up jogs. (Excuse my French.) Because I had been doing them for a half an hour! It's annoying.

Also, the birthday picnic I planned for Hillrise had been denied. I was really looking forward to it, but they emailed me yesterday saying it would have to wait 7 years. I'm still crying over it-I really wanted to share my signature spaghetti sauce with the neighbors. Also, my rainbow layer cake! I haven't made it yet and I really want to. I thought a Hillrise picnic would be perfect. Back in the 60s, they had these weekly. They also had Easter parades, Easter egg hunts, 4th of July BBQ's, and even Secret Santas. When all the kids grew up and moved away and the people began to age, they stopped the events. But around the time I was born younger kids began to move to Hillrise-and since those new families had no idea about the events that went on back in the 60's and 70's, they couldn't ask them to start up again. Plus, those homeowners association representatives were long gone. I really want to start all of this up again! I want to make Hillrise feel like it's 1970 again. But for some reason no one else wants to! I'm hoping that I still can. I really have confidence in Hillrise.
Whitney

I hate modern society.

I'm sorry for the moodiness of this article, I'm just fed up with school. I mean, I hate how everything is all technology-ridden nowadays. I mean, my parents are able to check my grades every single day because it's all online. My homework is all online. My vocabulary lists are all online. With most of this going around, I am not handed the worksheets; I am handed the website to go to. I swear, I'm sick of staring at a screen just to do my freaking homework. I remember in elementary school in the early-mid 2000's that the computer was a privilege, but we still went on it daily. To take tests, to learn typing, to play games, even. Also, there's this new TV channel which basically will put all preschools out of business. It's super annoying and I think that if this technology crap keeps up, all of society will be doing nothing but staring at screens all day by the time I'm 30. Back in 1968, when Hillrise was built, things were much simpler. Computers were so big and expensive that only top companies used them. The only screen you stared at was the television set to watch programs like Rowan and Martin's Laugh In or Family Feud. But that only took up some of your time. Because unlike today, where we have 9,000 TV channels, back in the 1970's you only had seven. Sounds like torture to not have Glee or Jersey Shore or CSI, or even a cell phone or Facebook, but I'm telling you, that would be my dream life. I mean, for crying out loud, just call the person! I spend so much freaking time on Facebook and on my phone that sometimes I wish it didn't exist. But with everyone having one, I can't give it up cold turkey. I mean, in 1968, there were no flat-screens or cell phones. There was no such thing as a remote controller until the 1980s. There was a large TV set and a normal phone. Grades came in through the mail every 10 weeks. There was no online system. There was barely any crime (in Hillrise anyway, because back then, Hillrise was the only neighborhood out there) so I could walk around without my parents going freaky on me. I could even ride a HORSE to school. How cool would that be?! Sadly, I can't because of suburbia. While my town is small, it is still busy and chock-full of cars and motorcycles. The creek that once flowed through Hillrise is now a man-made concrete dump. You could no longer wander across empty fields because people had built on those fields. (Hillrise is the only neighorhood with ANY open space nowadays! It's so sad.) And with those overrated houses next to Hillrise that once used to be a park, Hillrise is often labeled as 'old' 'small' or-my ultimate cracking point-an 'eyesore'. Even those who live there (that are my age) find it to be a 'creaky old p.o.s.' I swear I will set them straight and kick them so far out of Hillrise that they'll travel to Jupiter. I think that they're just trying to push my buttons, but still, that is not OK. Hillrise still is brand new to me, and still is a happy-go-lucky piece of heaven. I mean, Hillrise is WAY sturdier than those crappy, newer homes. People actually want to STAY there. Most people, when they first move to my town, move to one of the very first neighborhoods in the area-and that includes Hillrise. But they eventually abandon their plans to move to a bigger house. Why? Because Hillrise has a personality, unlike most neighborhoods. I'm sick of people tearing down the nostalgic wooden garages and wood paneling and covering it with stucco. When I get a Hillrise Home of my own, I'm keeping it as 1970 as possible. Even in my own house, my dad tore down the nostalgic wallpaper and lamps and replaced it with-get ready for this-recessed lighting. I hate the recessed lights in my room-as well as the modern light switches and electrical outlets. My house didn't even come with a light in my room! I wish I could buy one of those lamps with 5 bendy heads that look like flowers. The recessed lighting does not feel right at ALL. It is really annoying. Also, my dad wants to replace my shower, which has been in my bathroom since 1972. Plus, the shower and the drain are aging rather fast so I have NO choice. I'm really going to miss the Hillrise flair it came with.
Basically, my point being, times were much simpler back in the 1960s and I think that all this modern online crap and Hillrise-bashing a-holes should just jump in a lake!
Whitney

Flu is never fun...

This week (or at least half of it) I have had the flu. I still have it and it's NOT fun...however o the bright side, I've missed some school and have caught up on my Hillrise spirit. But on the not so bright side, I might have to take part of the high school  exit exam next year because I was sick during the testing time. I wish I could have a different way of making up the test. Also, I've had to miss tumbling practice and I've spent my fever-ful hours watching TV, going on Facebook and trying to hold down grossly flavored cough syrups. My dad doesn't have any OJ, so I'm stuck eating these chalky, sugary tablets instead. I really hope this doesn't carry through tomorrow. I really want to get out in the fresh air and check out those Hillrise garage sales. Oh, and not to mention plan its birthday party coming up! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILLRISE!! Well, its birthday isn't today, but it is this month. I'm so happy for the middle of the month because that's when all the Hillrise things start happening! Also, another thing about February I like is Valentine's Day. While I'm single, I love all the pink, girly clothes and decorations, and not to mention the CANDY!!! Sweethearts, boxes of chocolates, cinnamon red-hots (those were HUGE when I was in elementary school) and V-Day themed marshmallow Peeps. Basically, any holiday that comes my way is a favorite of mine. Okay, holidays aside, another good thing about this sickness is that I haven't had to worry about things so much, but my dad keeps pressuring me today. I think he's irritated because he had something HUGE and I mean HUGE to do at work today and due to my sickness he had to do it over the phone. He wasn't too happy about this since it was a huge opportunity for his company and it would have been better if he was actually there. I know, I figured all of this out on my own-with some help from Mom, of course! Anywho, wish me luck on getting better!
Whit

Glad to have Hillrise in my life...

Okay, so I'm looking at pictures of Hillrise in the 60's that this woman put on her Facebook. And this woman who blocked me 3 years ago due to me using one of her Hillrise pics as her profile pics (which is a STUPID reason to hate me, if you ask me.) commented on it and said, "Hillrise was an amazing place to live." What a hypocrite. I figured with the way she treated me and the fact that she hasn't seen Hillrise in 30 years I figured she really didn't like it. Luckily that chick is history and I've moved on to Hillrise itself, who is turning 43 this year. I can't wait for February 26-Hillrise will celebrate its 43rd year of being on this planet! I'm going to write the people on the homeowners association to ask if we can have a celebration picnic. Overall, I'm in awe of how far Hillrise has come over the years. To me, it's still a country-side neighborhood away from the city noise, just like it was in the 60's. Also it looks so new to me. Like it's 1971! Speaking of which, I really want to see what Little Hillrise looked like. I know I have pictures but I really want to actually live in 1970 or 1968. I mean, I'm tired of all the crap that goes on during the 21st century, like the popularity of tattoos. Luckily with Hillrise in my life I tend to leave all those troubles behind. So no matter when I live, all I need to survive is Hillrise.

Worried SICK about Hillrise!

I was taking a walk round Hillrise today to enjoy some socializing with neighbors and...duh, Hillrise...and I walked by this house that had been graffitied on. (It might have been there before. I guess I never noticed it.) It was on purpose-apparently they had done it to be 'creative'. Yeah, it's NOT OKAY to write 'lie' 'burn' 'f***' and 'hell' on the side of a Hillrise Home! I remember one time last year someone had ripped out an ORIGINAL Hillrise door and written this thing about 'clearing her name' or else she'd post a video of a neighbor changing. NOT the kind of person I want in MY little Hillrise. That just really ticked me off that someone would do that! I tried to forget about it...and I was successful until I heard some rowdy dudes in a Hillrise Home chanting about something and one of them said, "Oh, s***!!" I tried to ignore it and tell Hillrise that it was just a couple of fladoodles. Then I ran into a sign that said 'No Tresspassing-Hillrise Residents Only' and someone had graffitied on that too! Someone had also stuck one of those skate stickers  on it. I didn't see the whole thing due to the thing being covered in ivy. I was once again way disturbed when I saw another one of those stupid stickers on a post near a hiking trail. I tried to peel it off but it wouldn't come off. I peeled off as much as I could before heading off-feeling HORRIBLE. Poor Hillrise shouldn't be treated like this! I mean, people need to have a heart because Hillrise is a desirable place and many who live here love it as well. I'm bringing this up at the homeowners association meeting next month, but still, I can't believe someone would deface a world wonder like Hillrise! I'm also really upset about this house on my street that's surrounded by trash and old, mushy newspapers. The windows are made out of foil and Saran wrap. The car never moves-plus there's a cardboard thing covering all the windows! The only person I saw there was this lady who didn't look so friendly. The lawn is barely there. It looks more like an abandoned house in Van Nuys than a perfect home in Hillrise. That was the last straw that made me crack. I can't believe someone would abandon Hillrise like that! I think the poor thing needs treatment...forever! I think the poor thing should be forclosed or sold to someone who can fix it up to look new again. I'm also going to bring this up at the homeowners association meeting. People need to have a heart and realize that Hillrise is NOT just an ordinary neighborhood. Now I'm not saying all of Hillrise is like this. In fact, Hillrise looks rather new in so many ways. It barely shows any age-and if any, it's considered nostalgic. (click here for a pic)  I just noticed these things and I can't believe people would do such a thing! Hillrise is such a well cared for community! I'm hoping we can patch it up before its 43rd birthday next month. I'm just heartbroken over all of this. From what I've heard the others are too. My opinion? Kick those people so far out of Hillrise that they'll be out of California! Out of the entire United States! I will kick their butts so far away that they'll live on the moon!! And I'll patch up my little Hillrise so it looks like new again.
Whitney

Deprived of Hillrise.

Hillrise is the life-giving rain to a dried up sapling like me. Yet there's a time that the calming rain must stop. I'm taken to a barren, dry desert full of harsh heat and humidity. There's many other saplings, but they have beautiful pastel flowers and are able to grow in this environment. Odd-looking lizards eye me, hungry for my sap.  I can barely survive or stay awake, since most of my roots were cut off. I'm about to dry up for good when I'm taken back to the rich, cool soil of Hillrise and once again soaking it up. Ahhh, the world feels right again and I'm growing better than ever. But the next day, I'm taken back to that desert with the lizards and pretty flowers. I dry up and all traces of growth are lost. Then after what seems like years, I'm finally back in the Hillrise soil where I belong. Yet for most of the week, I'm dug up (harshly) and forced into a hard, overheated planter worn down by generations of other plants. Those lizards can really scare me sometimes. I feel relieved when I'm not taken out of my perfectly soft Hillrise soil for a few days, yet on Monday that gardener comes back for me and I find myself in the desert. No one knows why we're taken to this desert; once upon a time it was a rather okay place, but years flew by and our beach has turned into a freak of nature.
What is the desert a metaphor for?
It's pretty obvious.
Here's a puzzle:
SPIDERS
THEY WILL CRAWL
THEY WILL SPIN
ONE AMAZING WEB
I GUARANTEE YOU
IT WILL BE AMAZING

There's a hidden word in here. There's one letter in each stanza. Here are the clues:
1. Letter that starts and ends the stanza
2. Third word, first letter
3. First word, second letter
4. First word, first letter
5. Third word, second letter
6. Second word, last letter
The letters will spell out what the desert metaphor is for.
Leave your answer in the comments!
Whitney

When I ordered life, I didn't know it came with crazy. :P

Life has been pretty hectic for me. I've been juggling finals, social life, tumbling, and, of course, caring for Hillrise. Right now, I'm just so glad that the weekend is finally here. I don't even care anymore about finals, since I studied so hard that my forehead blew off. Also, a big sigh of relief for me since I found out I don't have to have a back handspring to make jayvee next year. I'm still trying to get over my fear of jumping in the air onto this rounded mat. And everything is harder when you're a CHICKEN!!!
Luckily, this weekend I'm just gonna hangout with friends, walk around Hillrise, and set up my portion of the Hillrise community garden. I plan on doing some photography this weekend as well. I'm hoping to get a shot of this Hillrise Home that has been made over completely. The only thing that I'm upset about is that they replaced the original 1970 garage. Oh, well...
Yeah, that's why I haven't blogged too much. This weekend I'm probably going to blog once or something. I also have school off on Monday (Thank you, dairy farms!) to spend more time in Hillrise. This will be a great weekend!!
-Whitney

About Me!!

My best friend made a '10 Things You Must Know About Me' so I decided to do the same thing. Here they are: (*=you kind of knew that already)
1. I'm 15 years old.
2. Hillrise is probably my favorite thing ever.
3. I collect American Girl dolls.
4. I absolutely HATE tattoos. They're my BIGGEST PET PEEVE.
5. My pet peeves are not allowed in Hillrise. If I see them I will FREAK. 
6. I'm a girl who was born 27 years late because I think I belong in the 60's in brand-new Hillrise.
7. I'm VERY sensitive, but mess with me and you'll be in the hospital.
8. All of my best friends I have known for fewer than 5 years. This is because I went to a crappy elementary school in my hometown. My hometown is the kind of place that everything is fancy-like. (The Kardashians live near my elementary school.) While I played with Barbies and CareBears in kindergarten, others were talking about boys, makeup (and I mean stuff like MAC and BareMinerals) and shopping. I had a girl in my class come in wearing purple eyeshadow from Macy's (that's how she put it) and bright pink lisptick. I wasn't allowed to wear freaking Chapstick back then. The town I live in now is so much more, well, me. No one is like that at all!
9. I hate school with a passion.
10. While #9 is true, I love to write stories. So far I'm working on 'Love This Life in Hillrise', a book series about me and my friends going back to the 1970s.
These are 10 things, and you'll learn more from me through this blog. And let's not forget Hillrise!
-Whitney

I HATE being away from Hillrise...

You can see my my last two posts that Hillrise is the thing that mens most to me. And for someone my age,  that's not really normal. My best friends are the only ones who understand me and how much I love Hillrise. Others...well, aren't so understanding. In photo class today, a group of kids said, 'You won't want to live in Hillrise when you're older.' That's cause they're not small-town kids like me. I mean, the only reason I'm going to school is so I can get a good job and stay in Hillrise. I don't know how someone could be so mean to Hillrise-it's just so nice there! My best friend says it's because they want to push my buttons. And that's true-they don't understand now much Hillrise means to me. If it wasn't for Hillrise, I would be dead or some goth chick or something. I wouldn't be who I am today. Hillrise has guided me through every step of life with ease...and I'm upset that I have to go to school all day and be away from Hillrise-even though I can see it from school, it's NOT the same. The song 'A Year Without Rain' is completely how I feel about Hillrise-and I've sang the song to it several times. This weekend I'm staying at my mom's house and she lives where I grew up (which is NOT a fun place to be) and I can't tell you how much I will miss Hillrise. She's trying to move there, but I think she will because 2011 is such an amazing year so far!!! I've only had one bump in the road so far, and that's my dad being mean to me. But I've gotten over that by just being in Hillrise. You can see it's VERY hard for me to even think of being away from Hillrise. I'll really miss it this weekend. Luckily my mom is letting me see Hillrise during this time. So if you're wondering what happened to me on my blog, check my Twitter for updates on my life...
Whitney

Means The World To Me (A Personal Poem)

Hillrise. When I hear that word, I will jump up and down. I will squeal. I will blush. I'll even cry sometimes. (They're tears of joy!) That's because Hillrise just means the entire world to me.
I'll take a bullet. I'll take a knife. I'll take a wrecking ball. I'll even take my own life for Hillrise. No, I'm not some crazy messed-up freako. Hillrise just means the world to me.
I will talk to it. I will hug it. I'll even cuddle with it. Hillrise just means the world to me.
There will be haters. There will be teasers. There will be just plain mean people. I will never change my opinion that Hillrise means the world to me.
When I'm not home, I will cry. I will want to be home. I will have an empty hole in my heart the size of Jupiter. I just can't be away from Hillrise for even a minute-Hillrise just means the world to me.
If I had to, I'd walk a thousand miles just to see Hillrise. Or ten thousand. Even a million miles. It's because Hillrise just means the world to me.
You may not approve, but we all have obsessions. I'm not changing because of some douche telling me to cool it. Hillrise has, is, and will always mean the world to me. 

Yo, Wassup!

Hey world! My name is Whitney. I'm 15 years old, and a sophomore in high school. This is basically what my blog is about: It's basically like my BFF's blog (click HERE), which is kind of like my internet diary. There's a few things I will talk about constantly on here, including Hillrise. Ahh, Hillrise. There's so much to say about that li'l piece of heaven. Huh? What is Hillrise? Well, if you should know, Hillrise is the name of the housing tract I live in. It is a very special place to me, and is a LOT more than just a neighborhood. Hillrise is probably my entire life. I'd lose an arm just so I could stay in Hillrise. It's really special to me, and if you are mean to it, I'll be mean to you. Nuff said. What I'm trying to say here is that Hillrise is my entire life. Without it, I would have died due to suicide. Hillrise has kept me the goody-goody I am today, and has kept ,e motivated to get high school over with so i could just get a house of my own there. However, missing Hillrise while at school hasn't really hekped me, but as long as I have Hillrise in my life, I'm perfectly OK. Hillrise...the reason for happiness. That's what it is to me.
Also, another thing i'll talk about is my American Girl Doll collection. I have 9 right now. So far I have Just like You #22, JLY #23, Felicity, Elizabeth, Mia, Lanie, JLY #33, JLY #39, and a customized dolly. If you want to see pictures, go to American Girl Play Things (I'm sadly banned from that saite, but they have all the doll numbers) or just the American Girl site.
Another topic is my friends. Think me, only crazier. (IDK if that's even possible!)
Thanks for reading my first post! Remember to look here for a guide to the site! Here's what some things mean, since I have my own dictionary.
DINGLEFRITZ (adj.) 1. someone very ill-mannered and mean 2. a pet name for my friends
SQUIRREL-(adj.) someone of pure awesome-ity.
CINDERBLOCK-(n.) another name for basketball
FLORP (adj.) feeling groggy and tired; I feel like a florp. 
CHEESE BALL-(adj.) someone very rude; hurter of feelings.
PORP-(n.) Porta Potty
FARTY PARTY- ????
That's all, folks!
Whitney