A Guide to a Junior High School Dance

I logged into my blog today and started wondering about ideas of what to write. And of course, I had nothing. I could write about more of my strange interests or the meaning of life but they didn't seem to inspire me. But then I thought and thought and thought some more and realised now is the time. The time to delve deep into my deep dark endless abyss of embarrassing moments. And what better place to start than the most dangerous place for an awkward high-schooler. A dance. And so ladies and gentlemen, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that I proudly present...

Lily's totally reliable guide to surviving a high school dance

I hope you enjoy.

1. Don't worry about someone having the same dress as you. The lighting will be dim and the crowds disguise the fact your dress is the same as someone else's. But if your best friend is the one who is wearing the same dress as you after you showed her your dress weeks ago, take back everything I said.

2. If you want/don't want boys to ask you to dance then do/don't walk through the crowds of people alone. They are way more likely to ask you if there are no other girls around to laugh at them.

3. Make the most of the free food but be sure to check your face after eating because you don't want someone loudly pointing out that you have icing on your nose or something green in your teeth. I learnt this the hard way.

4. If someone asks you to dance, remember that it takes a LOT of courage to do so. The first time someone asked me to dance came as a shock because I am an awkward potato. I had no idea what to say and quickly found a stupid excuse to leave the situation. I will forever be sorry to the boy I said no to because later I saw him looking sad on his own. I wish I could travel back in time and say that I am an awkward wreck and it was in no way his fault.

5. Avoid siblings that may have also come to the dance. They will either make fun of you or glare at you. Unless of course, the two of you are really tight, in which case I am jealous.

6. DON'T STALK THE PERSON YOU LIKE!!!! It will probably come across as creepy. But if you get the chance to talk to them TAKE IT! If you go to as single sex school this especially applies because you may not see them until the next dance. (I have no social life)

7. Probably the most important tip, REMEMBER EVERY DETAIL. If, like me you go to a single sex school this will be the only interesting thing to talk about for the whole year. This tip is also important so you can get one-up on your older brother when you tell someone you saw him kissing some girl. I have no regrets.

I hope you have found this guide an insightful and informing window into the struggles of a girl who has no idea what she is doing in social situations. Please don't make the same mistakes I did. 

Farewell, from Lily 

Awkward Silence

Welcome to the Lilyverse.

I have finally come up with a good intro. So be proud of me. The topic I wanted to rant discuss today is Awkward Silence. I happen to be a magnet for it. And not in a good way. I might be chatting casually with a friend when, without explanation, the silence ensues. I can't explain it at all! (Though it might explain why some people avoid talking to me).  Anyway, because it plagues me so much, I thought it might be time for another one of my totally reliable guides.
So, I proudly present ...

Lily's totally reliable guide for getting over Awkward Silence!

1. If the silence is really really awkward, just acknowledge it! Say something like 'That's awkward! I swear this always happens to me ... ' and then the two of you can bond over shared awkwardness.

2. Plan in advance! I know this sounds a little weird, but if you can plan in advance for a conversation, do it! Whenever I think I might meet my crush I plan ahead and think of questions I could ask him if we run out of things to say. Think along the lines of  'So have you seen the latest captain America movie?' or 'How is your exam preparation going?'

3. Don't get out your phone! Nothing says 'I really don't want to be here' more than checking your inbox.

4. If you feel like the conversation is ending, don't push it! Say a simple 'It was nice to talk to you! See you round!' and leave. This is my favoured option. As I am a total introvert at heart I prefer to leave rather than prolonging both of our suffering.

5. Comment on a shared experience. Something like: 'That service was really thought provoking' or 'Did that thunder wake you up last night?' or even 'Goldie will live on forever in all of our hearts. She was a wonderful fish.'  (I actually have had to use that last one. Don't even ask.)

6. Lastly, try and prevent the awkward silence in the first place by, a) Asking people about themselves the whole time, or b),  Not even entering in the conversation in the first place. Just kidding. Don't use that last one.

I hope this guide will help you on your way to social success! Just remember, awkward silence is inevitable sometimes, but you don't have to make it bigger than it already is.

Farewell, from Lily.