Here is something I struggled with.

When I moved to Georgia.  When I moved to Michigan.  And even to this day.  I struggled with letting my guard down and letting people get to know me.  Know why?  I was afraid that I would have to leave them.  I was afraid I would hear the word "relocation" and have to up and move again.  So I just stopped trying.  

Bad idea.

Here's what happens:  You look like a stuck up bitchhhh.  A goody goody.  Obnoxious, and full of yourself.  I know, because I had someone tell me so.  She is now one of my best friends.  We were walking down the hallway one day.  And we were talking about how we got to know each other.  She said that when she met me in Chemistry class, she thought I was exactly what I described above.  I thought the same about her, but, after more conversation, we realized that we were doing the same exact thing.  We were avoiding making new friends.  And that is how we became best friends.  

Now she has enlisted in the Navy and is leaving next fall.  I am saddened, but I am so glad that I let my guard down and she and I became friends, because she has been such a great friend and she helped me overcome a lot this year.  

When I moved to Georgia, I had some trouble with this whole "making friends" thing, but I finally got the hang of it and made some great friends.  But two years after that, I moved to Michigan.  I had even more trouble.  But I managed.  Michigan is a whole 'nother story...

Here are some suggestions if you are having issues with making new friends:  Talk to people.  Join in classroom conversations.  Be sociable.  Go to school functions (sports events, dances, etc.).  Make random comments to people.  Give compliments.  Do something to get the other students to notice you.  If they notice you, then there will be some who will want to get to know you.  

And that's all I've got for tonight. 

Jules =]

Hello fellow Teenagers!

My name is Jules.  I am seventeen.  I currently live in Michigan.  I love music.  And books.  And writing.  As a teenager who has been through a whole heck of a lot, I know how stressful life can be.  I know what it feels like to think that you just can't handle it anymore.
I am here to help.  The stories that I could post could be of help to you in many ways.  They could: make you laugh, give you advice in the form of a moral, or make you feel ten times better about your own stressful times.  These are just a few things.
Let me give you an idea of what I can help you with:

• Over the years, I have attended two elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools.  I am pretty much an expert on all things New Student.  
• When I was in fourth grade, my house, with all of my family's possessions, burned to the ground.  
• I have this thing called P.C.O.S. (Exclusive to girls.  Guys, I unfortunately cannot help you with any health-related problems).  P.C.O.S. is a condition that requires me to have a strict, no-carb diet and a strict exercise regime.  More on that later.
• This next thing is really hard for me to admit.  It took me six months to even get up the nerve to tell my own parents about this.  And after that, I tried to downplay it by saying that I would feel better when I got used to this new school.  Okay.  Enough rambling.  Here goes.  A few months ago, my doctor diagnosed me with clinical depression.  There.  I said it.  Now, if I leave it there and finish typing this post without erasing it, that will be a feat.  Anyone who thinks they are dealing with this, you are not alone.  Talk to me.  Or your parents.  Or an adult that you can trust.  We all can help.

These are just a few things.  

Now.  This blog will be written, as stated above, about the trials of my childhood and teenage years.  If you have any of these similar problems that you think you need help figuring out, I can help.  I understand if you are the type of person who hates asking for help.  I am that type of person.  I hate admitting defeat.  I understand if you are, and I encourage you to try not to do what I did the last few years.  I was a hermit; I avoided making friends and I stayed in my own little world most of the time.  I did this because I had a hard time dealing with the things going on in my life and I didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me.  Everyone has their own problems, I used to think, and why should I unload my own problems on them?  But it helps to talk to someone.  Really, it does.  Even if it's someone who can't talk back.  But, there are people who can, like your parents, like a counselor.  They can help.

In conclusion (I like to talk, can you tell?), I am putting myself and all my problems out here on the World Wide Web to be of assistance to someone who would like to get advice on (or just talk about) all things stressful in your teenage years.  This can be done anonymously, or not.  Send me a message.  Email me.  Facebook me.  If you need help, I am here.  

You fellow gal,

Jules