My Blog?

So after I resurrected my blog and posted about 9/11 I decided I should just put my blog private so that only I could read it, and I could just post anything I wanted and not care about what anybody thinks when they read it. Of course, I also felt it didn't matter whether or not I changed it to private in the first place, because I don't feel like anyone ever reads it anyways...

I have two wonderful ladies in my life (not counting my mom) who would NOT let me change my blog so that they couldn't read it. Even though I honestly haven't even given my blog the time and attention it deserves since...before April; and even those blog posts I don't count because they're incomplete. But they noticed that they couldn't view my blog almost immediately after I changed it. And that meant a lot to me. (I love you Aunt Val and Grandma Mickelson:)

Anyways...I got on to change my settings to allow them to view it, and decided if anyone wants to view it bad enough they can ask me for an invitation. (Or in some cases, a re-invite) And that's when I noticed that there is a "Stat" option along the different tools for your blog. And that's where I saw this:

United States 658
Russia 30
Belgium 23
Philippines 22
Netherlands 3
Germany 2
United Kingdom 2
Israel 2
Australia 1
India 1

What?? Why are people from ALL over the world checking out the extremely boring life of McKenna Terry? And I know that it's a compilation of however long I've had my blog-but still. Russia? Belgium? The Philippines? For some reason my blog made it global, and I don't get it at all. It isn't like I have friends in Russia checking up on my daily life. I've got a good friend in Germany, so I'll take the two views from there...But, I dunno it's just weird for me to think about. And when I looked at the traffic feed in the corner of my blog it told me that someone only a week ago from Russia was checkin' out my diggs.

So please, if you live in a foreign country and you take time to read or stumble across my blog...My comment section is always open to you! Help me understand why in the world you would be interested in McKenna Terry. And you people in the United States? You aren't off the hook. You should tell me why you'd be interested in McKenna Terry too. I'd love to know...

9/11

I'm resurrecting my blog for a moment to share a few of the thoughts I had about 9/11 this year. Its crazy how ten years ago today I was seven years old, school had just barely started, and my teacher turned on the television. Any kid's first thought when the teacher turns on the TV is to be excited because that ultimately means no school work. But this time was different. Its crazy how I can remember what I saw, what the classroom looked like, how the other kids reacted...nearly everything about that day. But I still didn't completely grasp what exactly I was seeing. I didn't realize that while I was watching this unfold on the television, kids my age on the other side of the country were losing a parent. Others were losing a brother, a sister, a friend. But my seven year old brain couldn't comprehend this on that day ten years ago. But now, for some reason it seems almost too real. The anniversaries following 9/11 I can remember as well. I remember the acknowledgement of the day, and I remember seeing footage and things from it, and thinking how horrible it was. I remember the day that I was in New York City and I saw ground zero, but even then it didn't seem real. This year was different for some reason. I found myself turning the channel to documentaries on 9/11 instead of watching my normal TV programs. I watched in almost disbelief as various people's personal stories were told and I could barely look away from the screen. I've always had this vision of 9/11 in my head, but never really contemplated it for more than a minute, or never really tried to grasp just how terrible this event was. Today, I felt that.

I was watching a documentary on 9/11 with my sisters a few days ago. We watched it, even though it wasn't our "normal" type of TV choice. Near the end of the show, Madi started to cry. And she didn't just start to tear up - no, she started to sob. Watching her express so much emotion over something that happened when she was only three and has no real memory of really set my mood for the occasion. I'm so proud to be an American, and proud of the fact that I live in this beautiful country where we are all free. I'm amazed by the Americans who stepped up to the plate, and who were willing to give up their lives to save other Americans. Those people are truly heroes.

Today when I was scrolling through my twitter and facebook I couldn't help but take note of all the different people who said something in reference to 9/11. And as I read I wanted to say something too, but didn't know where to place it, or what to say. Finally I decided to place it here, where I know that hopefully the only people who read this are my family, or my friends and who won't mind my jumbled thoughts on the subject. One post I read said "Say right now, the things that you would have said to your loved ones if you were on one of those flights 10 years ago today." So I just want to end my little babble about 9/11 by saying that I love you. I love my family and friends so much. I would be no where without you, you are so important to me. I know that I am who I am today because of you, and I love you! And while I'm sure only three or so people read this post, I still want to say how much I love each and every one of my family members, and each friend who makes a difference in my life. I want to also say I'm sorry, sorry to all that I've offended or wronged, and sorry that I don't always live up to my potential and what who I should be.

This year, I feel as if 9/11 has made me a stronger person, where it didn't have as much of an impact on my life ten years ago. But today, I feel a more connection with America. I felt those feelings of people who lost loved ones today watching their stories, and I have new heroes as well. 9/11 - Never forget.

Day 13

Day 13: A picture of your favorite band or artist

I LOVE Michael Buble! He has the most amazing voice that can just flip my mood in an instant! He is amazing and seeing him and hearing him sing live was the BEST!

Day 12

Day 12: A picture of something you love

*Insert a picture of my car or my license here later when I have time to take a good picture*

I looove having the ability to drive. It is a very, very big love for me. I love the privilege it is and I love my parents for giving it to me! I don't know why I waited so long to get it, the freedom it allows is amazing!

Day 11

Day 11: A picture of something you hate I hate a lot of things, but right now a big thing I hate is over dramatic people, or over dramatized things. I really hate when a simple thing has to be blown into big proportions. Or when you have to tip toe around people because you know that with one wrong step an explosion will follow and it will all blow up in your face. Sometimes I just wish things were simple and chill!

Day 10

A picture of the person you do the most messed up stuff with

When I read this and I saw "Most messed up stuff with" my mind immediately went to Hannah Zweifel. Zwiffy and I go wayyy back. We were best friends all throughout middle school and even before then. Things kinda changed when we hit high school, but I will never forget some of the crazy stuff we used to do!