School Officially started this week! A week of mind blowing stress of gathering all the proper equipment to tackle the battle of the official start of school. Where the heck is Saint Augustines Confessions, and how in the world am I going to read over 100 pages in one afternoon? And then there is the fun of leaving on a trip the second week of school, and having to work out a schedule with your 4 teachers? The first, my litterature teacher, could care less if my name didnt appear on the online list of his students. The second, my science teacher, happened to schedule a test that must be sent without any excuses next week. Wait, I havent even read my science chapter yet! The third, my Spanish teacher, didnt give me a proper schedule of what I need to turn in when I come back. I hope I remember what I was supposed to do! And of course, my favorite, my fourth, my riding instuctor, is meeting me on my trip for lunch and church! Yes, I am leaving for Washington DC the same time Lisi is, and we are going to meet there. Now I know why the others are worth while!

I honestly dont know why life cant be like the  barn. At the orientation for my Spanish class (which is through Biola star program) I got to sit and listen to at least 4 people get up on stage and cry over unimportant little things. And then I stood in a corner as ditzy girls hit on big headed boys in tight pants who were just starting to grow peach fuzz on their little chins. I entertained myself by imaging what would happen if I set up a 7 foot jump in the isle between the seats, and galloped a horse down it. I think that would be fun! When I started riding there was no orientation! If people cry, it isnt because they had an amazing experience in previous years as this organization. They are usually crying because they were launched from a moving animal onto a hard serface with a sudden halt. They limp back to their horse and get on for another try. Who cares if their butt is covered in manure? Then I look back at the ditzy girls who spend about an hour in front of the mirror every morning. How dare the dress code not allow miniskirts? Manure? Isnt that what my gardener puts on the flowers?

So lets see, I can go associate with the breeding ground for teenage insecurities and stress, or I can go get on a horse, who is working with me, to build muscle, confidence, and yes, worthwile social skills. When I started riding at this barn, I was a shy, timid, socially akward kid who was afraid to say hi because it might not be cool enough. They took me in (they as in Lisi) told me to step forward, and guided me through the rougher transitions from girlhood...to teenagehood. I honestly dont care anymore if i should say Hi, Hello, Howdy, Yo, or Whats up? Because Whats up is what is the proper response to Whats Up? I think you honestly know my answer to the question of School or Horses. Horses every time. Hey, im not saying having an education is bad, in fact it is very important, but teenage socialization...not so much at the moment. Give me the barn any day!