Meg Dowell Writes

Last night I watched the new Secret Life episode on ABC Family, and I didn’t feel any better than I have the past three or four Monday nights.

The first season of this powerful drama didn’t even come close to moving me as much as the first few episodes of this season have. I didn’t even feel much emotion when Amy visited the abortion clinic. I guess, you know, it’s one of those shows that gets better and better as the storyline progresses.

It amazes me how well the story has been put together. I’ve never watched a show that seemed as real and down-to-Earth as this. These things happen in everyday life. People die. Teenagers get pregnant. People who thought they loved each other way back when get divorced. It’s a real wake-up call.

Okay. I’m done with the drama for awhile.

Yesterday’s JulNo experience was pretty interesting. I bumped my word count from just above 21,000 words to well over 25,000. I managed to boost my ranking up in the stats, from fourteen (and, at some point during the day, fifteen) all the way to twelve. Yes, I still worked on my homework. I studied for my quiz on Chapter 23 and everything. Probably not as hard as I could have/should have, but I can settle for a B. This time, anyway.

I was forced to make a tough decision today: whether I wanted to stay home and study or go tanning at the pool. Sadly, I chose to stay home. I got more done, and had a nice, long conversation with Evie-darling, but I missed the sunshine terribly. According to the weather channel, it’s supposed to rain the next couple days. I guess I can live with that; there are plenty more days left of summer.

I’m already planning my life after summer school: a trip to the dunes, a graduation party, and a few birthday parties (one of them being my own, hopefully) are in my near future. I’m very excited. It almost gives me more motivation to be strong the next fourteen weekdays. I’m not sure yet if I can pull of an A, but I’m going to do my best to prove to ma that I’m trying my hardest. (You believe me, don’t you?!)

I’m still awaiting the arrival of my senior picture proofs. I’m really excited to see how they turned out. In all honesty, I haven’t felt as pretty as I did in front of that camera in my entire life. I had the nicest photographer—he didn’t rush me through my shoot like I had a feeling that he would. He really made me feel confident, a vital necessity in my life these days. Time is flying by. I’m not a little girl anymore.

I started filling out an application the other day to Millikin University. I figure, if I ever decided to go there, I could live with my grandparents, major in creative writing, and go to school with someone sort of in my family. Not that I’m doubting ONU‘s potential. After all, I’ve wanted to go there since I was five years old. There are some promises you make to yourself that are hard to break.

Haha, I’m wearing my Olivet shirt today. That’s convenient.

I still haven’t decided what to put on my birthday list. You know, the one my mom sends out to all of my relatives so they don’t just send me money like they did for my fourteenth birthday. Money was cool and everything, but you have to admit: tangible gifts are ten times better than checks.

I’m in the middle of Chapter 20 in Reminiscence, my JulNo novel. I hate calling it that, but it’s the only way I can really categorize it now. I don’t like to think of it as a document I’m rushing through to win a contest. I treat my novels like you treat a new toy: I admire its shiny-ness while it’s brand-new, play with it until it’s finished, then set it aside for awhile. Sometimes I dig it out again, and it’s like new for a few days. But there’s nothing like the feeling you get when your story is complete.

I guess it’s time for school again. Not the most exciting thing in the world to be talking about in my blog, but it’s better than talking about socks (I clicked that thing in the top right-hand corner that sends you to a random post once…the entire thing was about socks. It scarred me for life). Not that I have anything against socks. I have some pretty cool pairs myself.

Let’s hope today is a follow-up to the good writing days I’ve been having. I’ll see y’all on the morrow, and remember: it’s not what’s on the outside, but on the inside that counts. Unless you’re a beautiful witch. Then people will only love you for your smile. But maybe that’s ugly, too.

Love&hugs, Meg♥