SOMETHING ELSE...

Every blog post we've submitted came with the question- "anything else?" 

My responses usually went something like this:

No

It's raining

I just baked a cake

No 

Sjeuxjskwnds 

Lovely weather we're having 

I gotta take a shower see ya

Nah

Pretty boring stuff. 

So when I saw the prompt this week was, "anything else?" My initial reaction was "no."

BUT- I owe it to myself, this class, and mr. Nelson to write SOMETHING else.

So here it goes. Let's do a recap. Time to reflect. 

Sophomore year: I was a cheerleader. I had friends in high places and I thought life was just too dang easy. This was both the greatest and worst year of my life. I learned so much about myself and realized I was not happy. I owe this partly to my English 10 class. (Writing, meeting new people, mr. Nelson, gettin real, etc.) this year ended on a very high note. 

Junior year: First year without the "cheerleader security blanket". It was awesome. I felt like I had a million more true friends than I ever had before. Felt like myself. High school was becoming a really good learning experience and I was having fun. 

Senior year: ahhhh being a senior is dumb. It's overrated and senioritis is real. I am partly to blame but by now I feel like I've just been here too long. I've learned so much here at good ol' lone peak that I really just want to move on. I feel like my high school career should have ended my jr year. But hey, that means Im pretty pumped to graduate on Friday:):)

High school is up and down and we all go through it at a different pace. I'm so thankful for the people I've met and the lessons I've learned.

LEARNING

I remember learning the colors of the rainbow in kindergarden. 

I remember learning what a crush was in first grade and embarrassment in second. 

I remember learning about fractions in fourth grade. 

I remember learning about bad friends in seventh grade.

I remember moving on to high school and the nonstop learning&learning&learning. 

I remember learning to be myself in 10th grade. 

This whole time I've been learning to graduate

and here we are. 

I wonder what I'll learn next. 

(4th grade was rough)

Stretch

Stretch. The first thing that comes to mind is stretching the truth.
Please don't.
My number one, all time, very greatest pet peeve is unnecessary lying.
I'm also unfortunately good at telling when people are lying to me. I'm the most skeptical person you will ever meet.
plz don't lie cuz u look stupid.

And to that one pathological liar-
I used to work with you, and I could always see through your dumb lies.
Because they were dumb.
There is a good chance you could be reading this..
You are not a bad person.
Just stop stretching the truth.
Because it makes me really really mad.
And You don't need to.


thank u that's all

#stolen #heart #2pac

A young heart with an old soul
How can there be peace?
How can I be in the depths of solitude
When there are two inside of me?
This duo in me causes the perfect opportunity
To learn and live twice as fast
As those who accept simplicity...

-Tupac Shakur

Passin' out and stuff

I'm supposed to have a story to tell. 

?¿$:&/???//&

One time I got a hamster from my friends. 

I have a few first kiss stories?

I (sort of) nursed a cat back to health. 

Nothing extravagant..

I used to throw tantrums. Like all the time. I had a temper my parents were afraid of. If someone made me mad I could intentionally pass out on the spot. I would hold my breath and shake and shake until I just went limp. My lips would turn blue and everything. It freaked my mom out at first, she thought I had a heart problem. We went to the doctor and he told her I was perfectly healthy, just a little bit evil and manipulative. My mom eventually got used to it and would ignore me whenever I fainted. It only bothered her when I would do it in public because of the looks we got. I was a hard toddler. 

Anyways I'm not sure what my final story that I share will be. This was just a great memory to dwell on for the moment.

The one about fear

When I was younger I had fears so large that mom started to worry. 

Burglars, kidnappers, and anything outside past 9:00 pm. 

She wondered if I was alright as I checked the locks on our doors three times each night. 

She asked Dad for his thoughts and he told her it was fine- I was just extra cautious. 

The caution turned into anxiety. 

Burglars, kidnappers, and the mysteries of 9:00 pm changed too. 

They changed to due dates, jobs, and upcoming tests. 

Locking the door three times each night turned into three deep breaths. 

But Mom's not worried this time. 

She says it's just life.

I hope I stop worrying soon too. 

Twigs (reveal)

Tahlia Barnett was born in England. She didn't meet her father until she was 18 and had to make her own way through school.  

I was born nearly 10 years later in Utah. I've always known my dad, and my family can afford college. 

We are very different people. 

Tahlia Barnett later moved to London to try and pursue a career in music. She was always the backup dancer. 

Backup dancer

Backup dancer

But she was good at what she did. 

She performed with some of the biggest names before she made one for herself. 

She calls herself FKA Twigs and she's the coolest ever, making the coolest music ever.  

We are very different people.

But I still want to be like Tahlia Barnett (fka twigs). 

Sometimes we all play the backup dancer, 

Even though we made the big move to London.

We're trying to make a name for ourselves-

My name is Lila Durtschi and I'm really happy to meet you. 

(that's me on the right- I'm a girl ok)

Unlocked

I accidentally left my heart unlocked last night 

Completely vulnerable and totally alone

I'm sure it was afraid

I woke up in panic but I quickly remembered that there is nothing to steal

Nothing to steal 

I already gave it all away 

Saturday

Today is Saturday. 

No work, school, or responsibilty, but the Earth is still orbiting around the sun and life can't be put on hold. 

Today is Saturday and this morning I was excited.

Breakfast and smiles shared with friends are making me feel naive now.

He was a son, a brother, a new engineer, a climber, and I just saw him last night. 

The truth is that tragedy has never owned a calendar and while we take weekends off, it most certainly does not. 

Tragedy is overworked and it's probably exhausted. 

It strikes and it strikes and it strikes- 

But it doesn't care that today is Saturday.  

Please, tragedy, give yourself a day off. 

He was kind, smart, and he will be missed dearly. 

r.i.p

(from a hike we did together last summer)

Things That Make Me Queasy

An unfortunate side effect of being a human is our sensitivity

My sensitive skin won't stop acting up and my stupid hormones are making me queasy 

These are the things that make my insides stir

The thought of blood or a trip to the dermatologist and forget it- I need to sit down 

The thought of an afterlife or what that even means

Everyone keeps telling me to find God but heaven is starting to look a lot like late night bonfires and holding his hand 

These are the things that make me queasy 

The first day of middle school and hoping I remember my locker combination 

36-24-18

36-24-18 

I will never forget you 

36-24-18 

Sick to my stomach when I was asked to speak in church and when I found out our uncle was back in rehab 

The side effects of being human 

Taxes and too many funerals and grade point averages and the stain on my favorite sweater and-

Im making my own head spin

A Song For When...

ur feelin excited:

u just wanna cry:

ur angry:

(New Slaves by Kanye West. He doesn't put his songs on youtube, sorry.)

ur in love<3

ur feelin gooood:

Breakfast

I love you more than pancakes 

That's pretty rare

I want everyday to begin with a breakfast date

It's the most important meal of the day after all 

I want to make you pancakes 

You and pancakes and happiness 

Every morning, please

boys

Boy in preschool,

Thank you for teaching me what a crush is. I had so much confidence in myself when we played at recess. I wish that never left. 

Little brother,

Sorry for making you my very own living doll when we were younger. Sorry if I ignore you now. 

First boyfriend,

You were too nice for me. I still feel bad sometimes even though you're on the other side of the planet. 

Mr. W,

You're the reason I still get nervous to speak in class and I won't forgive you. But thank you for making me laugh even when you didn't mean to, and thanks for teaching me about sound waves. 

Dad,

You are smart and patient and I want to be more like you every single day. You are my best example. 

Boys I associated with in Jr. High,

I'm not too fond of you. I hope you are better people these days. I think you are to blame for some nasty insecurities. 

Nice boy,

You are smart and patient and you remind me of my dad. I want to be more like you every single day. Thank you.

How Old?

Whoever said "age is just a number" was a liar.

Or maybe they were just incredibly naive. 

Age is a rule, a label, and a judgement.

That's why that boy can kiss you when you're 14, but can't take you on a date until you're both 16. 

& you can legally vote but not legally drink. 

That's why we judge those who get married too young or too old like love has a golden age or expiration date.

If age were just a number you wouldn't be telling me I'm too young to even know what love is


You're too young
you're too young
you're too young
you're too old


Age is unfortunately far more than learning to count.

Brick Flooring

"It has character"

That's what my mother told me every time I asked about the brick flooring in the kitchen

"A home needs character for us to grow into

and that's why we keep the old brick floors"

I can still see the dents from rollerblading in the house and dropping the old microwave

  But the old brick floors are here to stay

You can spot the messiest spills from life, and love, and dinner conversations on those floors

  But they've caught it all and that's why we keep them

They've been scrubbed down one too many times and may have lost some shine

  But those floors have never lost character

Rhythm from the kitchen dance parties

Anxiety from the childhood lectures

Love from everyone who steps foot on them

and character

So much character that even when we replaced the carpet, the brick floors stayed put

A home needs character for us to grow into

and we've grown our roots into the old brick floors

Unpopular Opinions

I want to live in a small house with a big yard

Baths are greater than showers

Sometimes driving in silence is best

Victoria's Secret Pink makes extremely ugly clothing

Cereal is gross

I like to shop alone

If I like a song I have to listen to the full album

Skim milk is best 

I don't need religion to be a good person

Financial lit was really interesting

Maple donuts are a no

I don't hate the kardashians 

Opinions are good and differing opinions are great 

Argue for what you love no matter how simple. 

Monday

Warning: love. 

We've already done the unimaginable- we made Monday the very best day, because that Monday in March was just the beginning. The drive up the canyon and the hike to the cave were still the beginning. Every morning at 6:10am when my alarm is blaring, I know it is just the beginning. We're nothing but part-time lovers because neither of us are old enough for a full time job. I don't mind, I'm too busy enjoying the minimum wage benefits. It's the best kind of simple. The beginning was prom night and the beginning is next Friday after school or even tomorrow at lunch. This is the intro that I don't want to end. Because there are still coffee shops to be discovered and dogs to be adopted and those will hold all new beginnings of their own. This is the intro that doesn't need an ending.

Happy Post

I hope you wake up tomorrow excited. 

Because that on it's own is something to be happy about. 

And if you look in the mirror just to find a bad hair day, I hope you remember the magic of hats. 

The magic of hats and how good you look in that hat. 

How good you look in that hat is something to be happy about.

I hope your best days are long 

And your worst days are short

I hope you become a regular at your favorite restaurant, and that one waitress always greets you with a smile and your usual order. Get excited about good food and kind smiles because they definitely qualify as things to be happy about. 

I hope your best love is your last love because good love is always something to be happy about. 

I hope that everyday never overwhelms you but rather excites you. 

And next time you wake up with hair that just won't manage, please don't forget how good you look in that hat. 

I hope you remember that even bad hair days can turn into something to be happy about.

808s & Heartbreak

I was 5-years-old when I first thought my heart was broken
I saw my preschool crush holding hands with my best friend

When I was 8 my stray cat ran away
I thought my heart had once again broken into smaller bits

I've read a lot of books involving heartache
But I'm still not an expert on the subject

When I was 12-years-old my dad stopped going to church.
I thought for sure this time my heart couldn't be fixed.

I was wrong every time.
Age 5, 8, and 12 feel so little to me now
My heart has still never truly been broken.

I've heard it explained time after time:
Heartbreak is big, dark, and it's inevitable.
I've never heard it described as little.
Soul-shattering, and world-destroying, yes.

But never little.

Not Quite an Introduction

First Impressions..
  Impression- (n) an idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone, especially one formed without      conscious thought or on the basis of little evidence.
They're not always real
They don't last
and they're never deep

I've been asked to give you my introduction. I know a little bit about those.
In my life I've been introduced to a close family, a couple different jobs, too many cats, and never enough music. But this isn't quite an introduction, it's merely a first impression.

First impressions aren't always real.

I could lie- say I'm a 6'2 male who just moved from Arizona and loves to bake. I could convince you I always keep my room clean and never fight with my mom. Maybe you'd even believe it.

First impressions don't last

I don't remember first conversations. They always seem to be overwritten with the meaningful stuff.

But most importantly; first impressions are never deep.

So please, don't expect me to tell you my hardest trials, my best days, my goals or anything a semi-close friend wouldn't know about me. I'm not going to reveal who I've loved or even what movies make me cry. That's the good stuff. (we'll get to that later) And this is just a first impression.


Hello, my name is Tahlia Barnett and I love the Fall. Blue is my favorite color and yellow is my least. I read a good amount but I never write. yikes. I prefer diet soda. I absolutely love Utah. [Insert more useless information here].

I think that's enough for now. Thanks for listening. I promise I'm not a negative person.
Stay Tuned.