Let's see how many of you are alive out there.

Okay, so I want you to comment on this one. Give me one (or two, or three) word[s] describing what you think of this blog, and tell me how you heard of it.

K, can't wait to see your (most likely non-existent) comments!

The truth.

Alright guys, it's time for some hard news. People are going to hurt you. You will trust people that will make you feel like trust shouldn't exist. Adults, the people you think you should look up to will let you down. Some of them will tell you that your dream will never come true. Friends will betray you.

I know that it seems like I'm just a bitter teenager, but the fact is I'm not. I've been hurt countless times. I've had teachers tell me that I'm never going to get anywhere in music, the one thing I've wanted to do since I was a kid. I've had friends tell my secrets to my enemies. And yes. I've had my "best friend" get together with my ex.

It hurts. It hurts a lot, and if you're like me it hurts for a long time. And I know that it doesn't help when people older than you listen to your problems and they look down at you and say "Well that's high school."

So yeah. People will hurt you, and you need to figure out how to deal with that. And lemme tell you, drugs and cutting is not the way to do it. Find someone to be there for you. Or, you can be like me, and just deal with it yourself. But the biggest thing is you cannot let it make you think less of yourself. Look I know that some girl writing a blog on the internet is not going to make you confident in yourself. But, maybe I'll be just one person along the way to help you out with that idea. You know who I care about in your life? YOU. I don't care who tells you that you are not good enough for something. Go out and try it!

Wanna know a secret? I'm on my school diving team. I've wanted to be on that team for 6 years.

I was kicked off that team 3 times this year.

3 times! You know who hated herself at that point? This person right here. Yeah, Jenny. The person who might seem totally confident in herself.

You know why I kept coming back after I was told time and time again that I could not do it?

The thought of wanting to prove them wrong.

I still stink at diving, but I love the fact that I went out and tried it. And no matter how bad I am now, I know that I will try, and try and try, and I will continue to prove them wrong. And I'm doing it for me. Not for them. At least not anymore.

Guys. I know you will get hurt. I know people will let you down. But find someone who can keep you happy and up. If that person is you, then never let someone tell you that you are not worth it, because you are.

Alright. Love you guys, and never forget that.

Judging people. (sorry if this is a little scatter-brained sounding...)

Judging people is something that EVERYONE does. Don't try and be all high and mighty and tell everyone else that you don't. When you first see people, or first meet people, your brain will make little tiny judgments. What makes people judgmental or not is what we do with those judgments. Will you act on it, or will you ignore it and give the person an actual chance?

Now I'm not saying that if you have this feeling that this person is an axe murderer, and he's holding an axe and looks like he's about to kill you  that you shouldn't show caution, but I think you get my point. Sometimes those kids who look totally mean, or preppy, or drama..y and you don't think you want anything to do with them could end up being your best friend if you gave them a chance.

My family is well known in my school as the "Technical People" when it comes to our drama program, and I joined high school totally up for throwing myself into my family legacy. Only... It kind of (excuse my language) sucked. Not going to go into why, but last year I was miserable, and going into my sophomore year I needed a change. Not wanted, I needed one if I wanted to get through this year without ending up in a mental hospital.

Okay.. So what's the problem? What does this have to do with judging people?

Well because I was in the Drama department.. I didn't really think much of the athletes. Unless it's track, most drama and sport people don't really mix at my school. But... in my school it seems to be Drama or Athletics. So I changed to sports. Even though I was.. yes afraid of most of the people there. I thought they would judge my lack of skill, and just think of me as the Ames in the wrong place. But guess what... that didn't happen.

I met some of the nicest people ever this year. And guess what.. these people actually cared about me. They didn't judge me instantly, or if they did, they actually gave me a chance. This year was the first year I could actually say I was happy to get up in the morning.

But judging is a two way street.  (I know.. that phrase sounds wrong doesn't it... well anyways) I would be lying if I were to say that I went into my sports non-judgmental. No, I thought that the captains and stars of my teams would just be full of themselves and look down on everyone else. I am very happy to say that once I got past that, and actually gave people a chance to show me who they really are, I was really surprised. Sports at my school.. at least the ones I was involved in are not nearly as terrible as I thought they would be.

Once I got beyond my fear of messing up or someone hating me, I actually understood what it meant to be part of a team.

So guys, don't judge people, and don't judge things. Give people and new things (like clubs) a try, even if your first impression isn't the best. If you give them a second try, it might surprise you.