The first pink miniature rose in more than a year. The plant has been dormant for a long time.

#this is the most realistic portrayal of what would happen if you were to randomly burst into song 

Totally worth it.

I dreamed so vividly, like I was altogether transferred to another realm—I was with Christine, just being with her, and everything was so bright—sunlit—I remember flowers and grass, and I rested with her arms around me and we were just being together.

I was happy.

This is how my mother taught me to prune bushes. This applies to any shrub or tree.

• The idea is to curb the wanton growth of your plant so that it achieves an orderly and, ultimately, healthier pattern of living. If you see that there is a random branch shooting off practically into outer space, it is okay to trim it short.
• Overcrowding of leaves is generally potential for fungal growth and can shelter pests. Remove dead plant material, especially toward the inside of the plant, so that it doesn’t accumulate.
• If two branches are growing way close together or if they cross, you should remove one or both.
• Awkward long branches with few leaves can be cut.
• Little green nubs on the surface of the branches mark where a new stem is going to grow. I’ve found that (at least with rose bushes) newer leaves are soft and bright green, while older leaves darken over time. Assuming you want your plant to continue to grow, try to leave these alone.
• The stronger, thicker branches toward the center of the plant should probably also be left alone. They make up the plant’s core and, while it wouldn’t kill the plant, chopping the main branches or trunks of a bush or tree is going to make growth awkward and probably slow it down.

Removing excess plant material gives the plant more room to grow, and helps the plant to concentrate its energy on whatever branches remain. Since the roots have less to support, and air circulation improves, the plant as a whole is healthier and more vital, even if slightly smaller.

This is how the workers at my apartment complex prune bushes:

Today is the anniversary of asking out my girlfriend.

I may have already expressed this, but it seems silly to think of it as an “anniversary” since we’ve spent 80% of the time not in contact with each other, not allowed to publicly acknowledge that we are “going out”, and not seeing each other outside of school and school-related events. So I feel like it doesn’t make up a whole year since we only spend about two hours per week day being each other’s girlfriend.

I am not complaining. I am not saying OMG MY LIFE SUCKS BECAUSE. I’m just saying that it’s a bit of a confusing experience not really knowing how to measure the time that’s passed. It’s weird knowing that it’s our “anniversary” but having my brain rebel against this since A) this isn’t really going out, and B) do relationships even count if they’re in high school?

When I think anniversary I think of the anniversary of a couple who are married. Or who at least live together. I also think of the golden anniversary celebrated by my grandparents, which was… a big deal.

This isn’t a big deal. It’s just another day of pretending.