SUMMER!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!! YES!

Ugh, I cannot tell how good it feels to be done. Done with school: homework, waking up at 5(actually 6, I was late to school a lot), tests, classrooms, and finals! YAY. DONE.

Today was the day of the last final, and then we have these fifteen minute periods of our whole schedule afterwards...

English- a lot of passing back papers and just talking to my friends:) got a 90 on the final, btw
Algebra- MS.CLARK. I am going to miss that women! She was so awesome to talk to her. I hugged her and thanked her for everything. I got an 89 on that one though.
Biology- It was just dumb because we've had a substitute since our teacher went out on maternity leave, but its all good. we were just on our phones the whole time, We(my friends) played "Would you Rather?" We concluded that you find out a lot about people through that game. haha
Lunch-didnt eat thats forsure
Choir-playing "heads-up with the choir fam
Spanish- saying bye to ms. Masters and taking a lot of pictures:)

Then we were FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! haha. I was so excited!!!

Ah, freshman year wasn't bad and had some really awesome moments. It went super fast ad I really can't believe its over. Everyone have an amazing summer and I'll see you soon!

Here are some pics from today:

~Simply Sears.

It's Been a Little While...

Hello Everyone!!!!
 I hope you had a great Saturday and a wonderful weekend so far!!

I have been super busy with school and stuff, I just haven't had a lot of time lately:) But , thankfully that's going to end in like seven days!!!!!!!!!!! I get out of school on the 29th. I'm overjoyed! I can't wait to just be able to chill at nights and not have to worry about homework and tests and teachers:) Even though all of that does bring excitement, I am still super scared about finals. Ugh, I hate studying for finals. First of all, I get really distracted and second, it's just boring and it FEELS pointless. I feel like i'm just reading the same info over and over again, trying to shove it in my brain.

Finals stress doesn't help my body, which doesn't help my blood sugar. I feel like I have been soooooooo high alllllllll the time. It makes me so mad. It's gotten so bad that when I'm at a normal BG, I feel low because y body's not used to it.

Someone made a comment to me the other day about my blood sugar..."Aren't you used to your symptoms by now?". Ummm..no!?! the fact just is that you don't ever get used to the severe migraines you have when your super low or super high, or the incredible nauseousness high blood sugar brings. You just get better dealing with it, You just get better at hiding it from everyone around you. You just get better and putting a smile on when you really feel super bad. It never gets easier, you just get better at it.

Tomorrow I am going with my youth group to serve at a church in Chicago.  I am super excited. I love doing stuff like that, getting to serve with my piers, serving Jesus Christ. It makes me so happy and I know it makes God happy too. Please pray for safe travels and that my diabetes will stay under control(just once, please!). I have an ongoing streak of every time I go Downtown Chicago that something always goes wrong with my Diabetes, Usually a bad set. That turns into unnoticed-until-its-to-late-blood sugar that turns into-hospital or almost hospital-trips. So please pray everything will be okay:)

HAVE AN AMAZING SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~Simply Sears

Diabetes Blog Week- Day 4

HAPPY THURSDAY! #FAVORITEDAYOFTHEWEEK

Alrighty...So today I'm gonna talk about something that is kind-of hard for me: CHANGE...

This is a really broad topic and I think I'm gonna go with some things that I feel NEED to be changed within my diabetes life. 

I would say that the number one change that I have struggled with in my life is my weight. Ugh, I can't explain the burden it has been on me for so long. I would do really good, lose some weight, then gain some back, I wouldn't care for a while, and then start caring again. I don't know if its just me, but I am the worst procrastinator in the entire world! I'll set these stupid deadlines(or start-lines) for myself and they would never happen...Like, "oh, I'll start eating right on MONDAY" or, "I'll exercise in little bit". Pointless because they would never happen. The urge to do something is there most of the time, but laziness usually gets in the way. I think that until you've been overweight, there s no way you can understand the thoughts and feelings that the person is going through. Diabetes isn't an excuse to not lose weight, but I need to stop using it as one. 

Another change I feel I need to make is consistency within my management. I feel as though sometimes I'll check my blood sugar 10-12 times and be correcting every little high one. Then I'll feel such an amazing sense of pride lie oh, today I was a good diabetic{What is a good diabetic? who sets these standards of, oh you're such a bad person because you screwed up once?}. Other days I'll maybe check my blood sugar twice{!!!}, and I'll feel like the most horrible person in the world. I think what I need to realize is that I am by no means perfect, and I need to do my best to take care of myself and that's all I can do. 

So overall, I think my issue is realizing that I am the only one who can change for myself. Not my endo, not my mom, not anybody, but me. I need to change. For myself, for God, for the better. 

HAVE AN AMAZING THURSDAY EVENING!! MAKE YOUR FRIDAY AMAZING!!!

SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY GOES TO:::

Marissa, my awesome diabetic buddy who's always there to understand every symptom I have, and to talk all my "beetus" issues with:) Love you girl, thanks for putting a smile on my face.

Diabetes Blog Week- Day 3

Hello Everyone!!

Today is already Wednesday and wow, has this week flown by already!!! Tomorrow is already my favorite day of the week...THURSDAY!

OKAY so today's topic is called "Clean It Out"...
-I'm supposed to tell you some things mentally/physically that I feel I need to "clean out", diabetes wise that is.

So as far as my diabetes supplies, I try to keep it pretty organized, as I like my stuff organized(my room)...Here's a pic of how I keep my stuff:

So the top shelf is for my perfumes, but the bottom two are my supplies. I like to take most of my sites(for my insulin pump) and put them in that green basket. The extra site and reservoir boxes go on the right of that. the middle shelf is for alcohol swabs, IV prep, reservoirs(unpacked), lancets, test strips, and cases/mini purse thingys


Speaking of test strips, those are definitely my physical thing that needs to be cleaned out!!! THEY ARE LITERALLY EVERYWHERE. I think every diabetic can attest to this!! I mean, even if you are super organized and neat, they still get everywhere! Its disgusting. and super annoying. I've had people call from sleepovers and say they found them and if I need them...There always in the bottom of my purse/backpack. All over my room and house!!!!!! And I'm pretty sure I've seen them on the school floor from when I was previously in a spot..ugh, its a serious problem..

Okay, so for mental stuff, I would have to say that the one thing I need to clean out of my "brain closet" is worry. I don't worry all the time(obviously), but when I do it can get really bad. And it usually ends with me crying and breaking down in my mom's shoulder.  Its not like I focus on that stuff but sometimes I just drift off in thought, like complications is a big worry. Kidney failure, Blindness, loss of limbs, arthritis,trouble HAVING KIDS, those are all things that could happen. Could. Doesn't mean they are going to, but they could. I need to realize that God is in control, and I'm not. I've gotta leave it up to him and stop focusing on the future, but on the now. What can I do now that will prevent those things from happening. the only thing I can do is try my best to take care of me and my disease and leave the rest up to him. :) So if you find yourself daydreaming or feeling bad about the future, just take a moment. Then leave that place in the future and come back to right here, right now and stay focused on the task at hand. Take it second by second, minute by minute, step by step.

Have a wonderful blessed night!!!!!

~Simply Sears.

SHOUT-OUT OF THE DAY:

goes to..JESSICA!! thanks for being an awesome friend and an amazing human being! You make me laugh when we work on bio and espanol together:)

Diabetes Blog Week- Day 2

HIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe that tomorrow is already Wednesday and only have like sixteen days or so until the last day of school!!! I am so ready to be done...

Okay, well today's topic is called, "keep it to yourself"...

Having diabetes affects almost every area of your life and everything you do. I know some people do tend to keep their diabetes to themselves, and hey I think that's totally fine. I know it can be really weird with some of the reactions you get, some of the looks, and all of those darn repetitive questions! It's like I know people don't understand and everything but really? No, diabetes was not caused by eating too much sugar!! Oh, AND THE WORST is when someone just comes out and acts like they just spent eight years in the study of endocrinology and suddenly became my doctor...enough with my ranting, the point is, I totally understand if you decide to keep your diabetes to yourself:)

Now me, on the other hand, I really can't keep anything inside. I feel like I need to tell people all about my life, I enjoy being different among a crowd and I really feel like diabetes is what makes me different and unique. Whenever get asked one of those icebreaker questions like, "What makes you different?", I usually always put Type 1 Diabetes. 

But...there are some things that really no one knows. Some things know one can truly know, unless you're feeling the same things I am. Whenever I'm really low in public with my family, I hate it when my family makes a big deal about it. Like when my mom rushes the drink order so I can get my coke to bring my BG out. I know I should in no way be angry or embarrassed by this, but I am. I'm not sure why, I just don't like that waiter/ress knowin' my business. 

Another thing is when I'm in gym class I try to keep a smile on my face even when I'm really high/low, because I don't want to have to sit out. But there is always those is one times when it's just too much and I do have to take a moment to sit down. Like today, before gym my BG was 354 before gym and felt so nauseous and had a huge headache. I told Amanda(One of my best friends) and of course she was totally fine. I don't know, its just the fact of having to sit out and not being able to do what I want I guess. 

The last scenario I don't like people knowing I have diabetes is when you have that SUPER EXTREMELY NOSY waitress(it's usually always a waitress). This one requires a story..It was a couple years ago, my family and I were out for a nice dinner at Chilis and this really snoopy waitress was eavesdropping on my mom and I's conversation about how I was high and I shouldn't have a milkshake. Well, when we were finishing she startwed talking and was like, "Yeah, you really shouldn't have that sweety(*pet peeve*)". Like what??? Who do you think you are entering your nose into my business? so annoying!!!!

So there's are some times/reasons I sometimes like to keep my diabetes to myself. Thank-you for reading and have a blessed night!!!

~Simply Sears.

Diabetes Blog Week-Day 1

Hello Everyone!!! I hope you're weekend was amazing, I know mine was! I was super busy and kind-of just took the weekend to chill-out with my family and stuff :) 

To all of the mothers out there: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! Thank-you for everything you do and I really don't think I could live with-out my mom<333

well then, now that we got that out of the way...

Today's Topic: "I Can"...

Okay, so first off I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in August of 2007, when I was seven years old. It was one of the scariest days of my life. When you're seven, you really don't want to be told you have to poke your body over 10 times a day:)

Living life with type 1 is difficult, its not easy, and its hard work 24/7. The absolutely only way you can get through it is by having a positive outlook, by not looking at the big picture, just taking it day-by-day. You cannot think about the fact that until a cure is found, you will have to fight everyday to stay alive. You've gotta think about how diabetes has benefited you. Yes, I know that may be hard to think about what in the world diabetes has done for you except kept you up late in the night, made you fell like you have no control of you're emotions{I know when I'm high...YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH ME OR SO HELP ME}and poke you're fingers until they're callused over, but you can do it. I know for me it's the opportunities I have had to encourage other people. I've been able to inspire so many people with my story, just sharing how I try to stay positive with everyday. I know that my personality has changed so much since I've had diabetes{except for when I'm high or really low}. Its made me more caring and compassionate towards people. I can relate with people who are going through similar situations.

 People always ask me, "How do you stay so positive?" I try to always answer that it is only through my savior Jesus Christ. And it really is. I can tell you that personally, every time I've been down, had a really bad day, felt absolutely horrible, or any time really, I run to my faith to lift me up and I can pray and talk to Jesus and I know that he cares.  Another thing that really helps me is listening to music. You can ask my parents, I ALWAYS have my ear-buds in, in the car, at home, everywhere. It just helps me relax and calm down, and to focus on what's really important. 

Another thing that helps me stay positive is surrounding myself with good, kind, caring people and also keeping a smile on your face. Putting a smile on your face can make almost any situation or circumstance better. Whether its a really bad blood sugar{I'm 465 right now btw} or a site/shot going in wrong, smiling and just leaving it to God really helps. Don't put yourself in places with discouraging people around. Make your friend group one that supports you and is encouraging(I love you squad<3). One that takes the focus of your negative situation and puts it on something funny or positive. 

I consider Diabetes as an absolute blessing in my life. I tell people all the time that if I had not been diagnosed, that I would have not had the connections with people that I have today, or some of the opportunities I'm involved in now. Having a positive outlook on situations really helps when you know those circumstances aren't going to change anytime soon. This disease is not easy and in it self is a full time job, but I know I CAN get through it with the support of friends and family and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thank-you for reading and have an amazing night!!!!!!!! Thank-you to Karen Graffeo for puttin this together and making it possible for diabetics(an non-diabetics) to come together and share experiences with each-other . 

~Simply Sears

*SHOUT-OUT TO SAVANNA BROWN FROM PHS CHOIR <333

Sickness -_-

Happy Thursday!!

I hate being sick...it affects everything. Blood sugar, emotions, school, and I did I mention blood sugar?

This morning I woke up feeling horrible, Last night, I was just balling on my mom's shoulder because my English paper didn't save..*sigh* I'm so dramatic. My teachers are so awesome because they were so understanding with the fact that diabetes can keep me up really late and prevent me from focusing and getting what things done.

I really didn't want to go to school this morning. I WAS SO TIREDDDDDD, But God gave me strength to go, I had a pretty easy day today. We got to do absolutely nothing in choir because we just got done with our final concert of the year. In Spanish we had an awesome sub who let us go on our phones and stuff:) My grandparents picked me up from school today. I love them so much<3

So....starting May 11(Monday?) I am doing this awesome thing called diabetes "blog week". I'm really excited to be able to be apart of it! It's where a;; of the diabetes blogs get together for a week, and blog every day fro a week about set topics for each day! I'm super excited!

HAVE AN AWESOME FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Sorry this blog was super short, but its late and I'm tired)
 ~Simply Sears

An Emotional Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!!!

Tonight was one of the best nights of my year. My final choir concert for the year...

At five thirty all seventy or so mixed choir students piled on to the risers to do a final run through of our two pieces. There was a huge train and a lot of traffic on the way to school, so we were all a little about everyone making it. Thank goodness they all did and our run throughs were great..we[mixed choir] felt really good about our pieces and ready for the concert. 

Time flew and it was now 7:00. yay, concert time!!! As the lights dimmed, our tears just began to shine. First up, Concert choir. Flawless, as usual. Next, us. This was it. Our big finally of the year. Time to show our progress from simple "Jambo" to complex and intense "Elijah". We rocked it. We had such great confidence and our focus was on point. I was so proud of everyone and Nadia for leading us with such poise and utter perfectness. 

Next in line was the Men's ensemble. I am WELL aware that I am not a man, but I as accompanying them on violin so..yeah. They did really well and got a great applause!! With a couple of fabulous Senior solos in between, Bel canto( A Capella ladies ensemble) was up. We did amazing and everything just seemed to come together really well!

Now it was time for recognizing the Seniors. Phew! *water works*...

Our seniors, whether a four-year student or just starting out, took over the choir with such a good quality of leadership and were immense role models.

Melanie, girl we started out as Link crew acquaintances to Section leader colleagues. You are a great leader and I wanted to thank you for being such a quick learner and a great asset to the altos:)

NADIA, ummmm...where do I start? Maybe the fact that you were a leader since the beginning or that you made us focus and made choir fun when those times we were tired or unruly. You have come in EVERY SINGLE DAY with a huge smile and something positive to say. You kept drama out and brought a sense of family and team work in. YOU have made this program great...YOU will be remembered and missed forever and always<3333


Good job to everyone tonight and I LOVE YOU ALL

~Simply Sears

Hello everyone!!!!

TODAY IS MONDAY!
I have a love/hate relationship with Mondays. On one hand they stink because you have to get up early for work or school, but on the other, they are fresh start. A new week, a new day, a new beginning...

I was up all last night with a horrible stomach ache, so I came into school late. Second period is where I make my daily entrance, due to stuff with diabetes.. Nights/mornings can sometimes b really rough:)

My day went pretty great though!!!!!!!
I didn't fail my rat practical! I mean, I got a 80 but hey, still, thats not a F!!

After school I had to stay until like 5:50 for choir. Tomorrow is our final concert of the year and I'm so sad. There are so many awesome seniors that I am going to miss so much!!

I HAVE 18 DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!
oh my word I cannot believe how incredibly fast this year has gone!!! It literally feels like yesterday was winter break! But i guess I am kind of ready to be done at the same time :}

Listening to Brad Paisley does not help my emotions, I find myself often stuck in these really, really deep thoughts, and sometimes you have to remind yourself to focus on the now too. The future is just important as the moment you are living right now.

Make Tuesday a positive one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Simply Sears.

A Weekend Filled with Family & Fun

Hello Everybody!! I had an incredible weekend and I really hope you did too!!

Saturday:

Saturday was an amzing day because it was my cousin Drew and Lily's birthday party. There birthdays are really close together so they've always had a party together as long as I can remember. Their birthdays are always fun packed,  with delicious food, cute decorations, and a bouncy house!!!!

I went over to there house around 1 to help out...I always enjoy working in the kitchen with my aunt, plus I love organizing and decorating so it worked out great!!!

They have a four-wheeler which all of us cousins/kids always ride. At one point all five of us were jumbled on there flying across the fields. I had a couple near-death experiences but then fun was totally with it!!

Today(Sunday):
Last night I ended you spending the night at my aunt Lupes/Cousin Audrey's home. It was a good time as we made decorations for an upcoming baby shower and told story's around the dining room table.

I went to church this morning, like always and Dr.Jim Burg was speaking. It was a very encouraging message on seeking and looking for Christ within our lives. He explained that we can only find something when we are looking for it. We have to seek God and he will and always has shown himself to us.


This afternoon I went to a bbq at my cousin-in-law's family's house. It was a great get together with lots of food, fun, and best of all family.

My weekend was awesome and I really don't want to go back to school tomorrow but at least I have no tests tomorrow!! Or wait...do I have English(!!!)?

MAKE YOUR MONDAY FILLED WITH SMILES!!!

~Simply Sears

My Life Verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him an he shall direct thy paths.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY WAS AWESOME!! I HOPE YOUR DAY WAS TOO!!!!!!!!!! 

This morning I woke up around 7(?) and got ready to go to Springfield, IL, for my brother's golf conference. My mom, my brother's girlfriend, and I all went together :) Things I packed:

• Blanket(Obviously)
• Tablet/phone(for music/life)
• Extra Diabetes set, insulin, syringe, etc...(gotta be responsible)
• headphones(because, duh)
• SNACKS(BECAUSE YOU CAN NEVER GO SOMEWHERE OVER AN HOUR AWAY WITHOUT SNACKS..)

We started out by making a quick stop at McDonalds...I got a double chocolate muffin and a medium french vanilla iced coffee(with cream and sugar). The muffin was actually really good...it had Oreo crumbles on top with melted chocolate chips inside(sorry for making you hungry), well done Mcdonalds. 

The drive there was pretty smooth. A lot of loss of internet connection(thank goodness for a seven-day trial of spotify premium) and a WHOLE LOT of farms! My word there was a lot...

We got to the course and rented a golf cart, man do I love driving those things around. There was this huge, very steep hill, that you had to just let your cart roll down, and I did it alone because they were too scared. To be honest, it kind of scared me a little bit because just as was reaching the end, it went flying down and made this like squeaking kind of sound(Mom said it reminded her of the titanic...thanks, Mom, made me SO much more confident;) oh, I love her)

We baked one of those really big cookies fro the team and I think they like it a lot. My brothers girlfriend did an awesome job of decorating it and making a perfect replica of the college logo. 

Drive home was tiring, but good:) Thank you Lord for goldfish...those things are life. Oh, and caffeine. I had taken a really good nap on the way home/there, so when I got home I was really full of energy..I guess that also COULD of been caused by the caffeine, but who really knows, right?

Overall, today was an amazing day and I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with my mom and Makayla:) 

Have an amazing Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!

~Simply Sears.