Just general

In all this blogging about what a cleft palate is and such, I've neglected to let people in on how my life as a cleft lip and palate survivor has been going. I fail, yes I do.

I'm twenty and go to HPU as a Criminal Justice major and I'm set to graduate... 2010 or something like that. I've got expectations to go on to become a Loss Prevention Analyst and I live with my parents, dog and two birds. Oh, and that snot nosed brat called a brother. Although I shouldn't call him that, I love my brother. He's a great guy and has been throughout my life. Sticking up for me as I've done for him and he's even said he would take my place, which is a sweet sentiment but I don't want anyone to have to take my place.

Anyhow, I'm writing this from my school's computer as I wait for my next class to start. These past couple of weekends have been busy as you know what. I've been barely at home and I'm glad of that. At least I'm getting out and having fun more. Which is something I've been working on as of late. I recently went to a Panthers game, Sunday, and I had a blast with my three friends who I went with. Eric, Brian and Philip B and I went down to Charlotte and we planned on buying tickets from scalpers down there. We got there around 10 or so and we went on a hike through downtown looking for scalpers. We found some great tickets for the Upper Deck on the 50 yard line for about 50 bucks. We got those and then went to get some food before we hiked back to where I had parked to get cameras and such. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, being the forgetful person I am, and sadly didn't get any pictures. :(

We got back to the stadium and let me tell you this; it was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I cannot believe that I waited this long to go to the stadium. I was amazed and so grateful that I was there. It was incredible. I could have stayed there forever. I loved the game and the fact that the Panthers won was always a plus. CARDIAC CATS! WHOO! But the best part was spending time with my friends, they were great fun. Then they fell asleep in the car while I drove home. haha. I drove both ways but I was okay with it, and they slept. I was tired like heck once I got home and about fell asleep on the drive home. Luckily the music was going, otherwise I would've been in a wreck.

But that Saturday I got to hang out with one of my friends who had been in Afghanistan for the past year, Josh, and Heather, Philip H, Eric, and Jeremy. We all played Rock Star, I beasted Halo and creamed Jeremy into the ground after Eric and Josh decided to call it quits. It was great fun. Unfortunately I had to work Wednesday. I don't mind working because it's just another job, but I don't really enjoy the fact that I don't get paid that much, it's purely a minimum wage job at Cold Stone but it's good for me. I meet a lot of interesting people (and people who can't order ice cream to save their lives) and I have to say that it makes me feel good that I can do a job that puts me out in the public eye as much as I am and not feel like I should go and hide. Self confidence is the best, and for someone who has been through the trauma of being a cleft palate victim, that's simple incredible.

I'm very pleased with the busyness of this week and I've got another thing planned for Friday, I'm heading to a friends house to watch a movie, after I work tomorrow, and then I am going to be watching the Panthers game once again on Sunday with my friends.

So, while I'm going to pepper this blog with interesting resources and tidbits, I want to make sure that I chronicle my own adventures to show you what you can accomplish as a cleft lip and/or palate survivor. It's awesome, once you get past your own demons with your treatment, to look back on your life and say "I did it" and then to be able to look forward and say "Bring it on!" Here's to life and living it to the fullest!