The Value of Appreciation

I fell in love with the resort right away! It had the grand staircase and everything looked so elegant. The resort was in San Diego and we were on a family vacation to San Diego and L.A. Here are my highlights...

Throughout my experience at the Loews resort, the staff never babied me. My parents let me go through the resort independently and the staff never blinked an eye. I didn't realize it then but I look back and I really appreciate how they saw me.

My assistant from school, Valerie lives in San Diego. You bet we got together! First, she took me to her house which was so cool-to really see her in her element. I think people shine the most when they are in their element and she sure did! My parents invited her to go jet skiing with our family and she took Genevieve jet skiing. It was fun to see my family see why I appreciated Valerie at school. I know I don't usually talk about food but Valerie introduced me to Carne Asada which is fries, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. Oh my God! It was so good! I mean it's a heart attack on a plate but unbelievably good.

While we were touring L.A., we went to both Warner Brothers and Universal studios. We got a private tour of the WB because I could not get on the bus which did not bother me at all. Before I go on, I should tell you that the show Gilmore Girls got me through high school in a way. The main character was a lot like me and I loved the wit used in the show. I actually got to be on the set of Gilmore Girls. I stood in front of the house and other landmarks in the show. I know this sounds cheesy but it was like coming to thank the show for getting me through a tough four years. And I cannot tell ya how glad I am that high school is OVER! For those of you who are still in high school, hold your head high and know that you are probably going to kick ass in college. It goes without saying that our tour guide stepped up and gave us a stellar tour, we really appreciated it!

I must tell this very interesting story before I go on. We went to Universal studios and obviously we have to do things the way disabled guests use which I do not mind. My family loves me for shorter lines at amusement parks! And, even though I'm 20 I still LOVE going up to the characters and they love girls in wheelchairs. So, throughout the day you pretty much see the same people who need special assistance at the park. My family and I had waited in line with a woman in a rental wheelchair and we all believed she was disabled. Until lunch. My dad sat down first and saw the woman get up and run around to help her kids. She was not disabled! At all. My family and I just kept staring. I wanted to say so many, many things. Oh....the things I wanted to say. My dad and siblings all just kept staring as if to say, we know what you're doing and it is horrendous. My mom gave her the "you should be ashamed" nod. This nod is awful and my dad still remembers the ONE time he got it. I still haven't gotten it and I never want to! We didn't confront them but we are sure that family knew that they were faking it and I hope it ruined their day.

I so appreciate my mother for planning vacations. She works hard all year to make this week perfect and it always is a blast!

When I got back from vacation, my cell phone broke. I smashed it up against my desk. I had a razor which worked well for me and my needs. That night, we got a Nokia phone. I was unhappy because it didn't seem like my phone. I didn't trust it which I know is weird to say but I know what my fingers are going to be comfortable using and this wasn't it. I looked online for a Razr. I found a Razr quickly which was great. However, I need a sturdy case because of how it attaches to my chair. Well, of course I found a case that looked identical to my old one. It wasn't. This case swivels. And swivels, and swivels and swivels! This is not good for someone who needs to have her phone as stable as humanly possible. When I realized this was a problem that my parents could not fix, I started crying. I couldn't use MY phone! All I kept thinking was: everybody else can just pick up a damn phone! Everyone else had a cool touch screen phone! I was so frustrated with the situation! I realize I don't say, "Everyone else can..." a lot but after waiting for a phone for 9 days and not having it work is extremely frustrating! I scoured the internet looking for just the right case and I found it! Hallelujah! I am up and running…16 days later!

All summer, I have been working at a place called Pathways. Pathways is my therapy clinic at home. When I work there, I work with DynaVox users and motivate them to use it as much as I do. This has turned into a highlight of my week. I also work with an young man on conversation skills which is very rewarding. Finally, I write for the newsletter. I interview clients and staff about what they do. This whole experience is quite rewarding. I appreciate them giving me work experience and will miss them. Thursday was my last day and now it’s time to go back to Elmhurst!

For me, this consists of Mom and me working out a schedule for the semester for my assistants. It can be incredibly stressful because everybody has a preferred day and it gets incredibly complicated. We are missing some times but we always find the right people and make it work.

The most nerve wracking aspect about going back to school is the anticipated stress. Things get extremely stressful and I know it's going to happen. For example, when my parents came to pick me up to bring me home last year, I was literally exhausted. I was crying, sweating and I needed Mom and Dad. However, I did visit campus with my assistant Valerie and seeing those people reminded me of how exhilarating it is to go at that pace and live my own life.

I couldn't do what I do without appreciation. I appreciate the people who tirelessly support me in my dreams. However, this whole thing would not work if I didn't appreciate myself. I find that if I take 30 seconds to reflect on what I did that day and how it fits into the big picture, I go about the rest of my day with a new energy and happier. If I didn't appreciate myself, I wouldn't have a smile on my face all the time, wouldn't be able to change the energy in a room and would not be as happy. I feel like society-women especially are told to appreciate what they have. First of all, let's charge what to whom. Appreciating who you have in your life is so much more worth our priceless time that we have so little of. In retrospect, we don't have much time on God's earth, make an effort to appreciate yourself so the world can see the best YOU possible! I know that’s my plan for junior year, who knows where the value of appreciation will take me!

Hitting The Books,

Hannah!