Ahh the days of high school.

You know I think everyone thinks a least a little of the "good ole days", I mean high school. The last time in our life that we are free from real commitments. I think the problem is the older we get the more we think about this time as a really great time in our life now passed. I hear people talk about high school like it was some sort of amazing adventure, and worst I hear people talk about their high school accomplishments like they were the most important things in their lives. I have to admit even at times I've talked about my accomplishments with my horses during high school like it was some sort of career. At the time it was a career to me and even later I still fondly remember some of the times I had in high school and even wish I still had my old friends and oh man do I wish I could go back to worrying just about how to pay for my gas for the week not the mortgage.

With all that said and all the memories we have.. I think the biggest thing we all fail to remember is just how much being a teenager sucks at times. Boyfriends, lack of boyfriends, and in my case the fact that we moved so often that I can barely remember most of the people I went to school with much less even one single name or face of all but a handful of my teachers and even then I more remember qualities than names. Especially this one teacher I had who taught my computer programming class and had the loudest squeakiest shoes ever. Needless to say we called him Mr Squeaky and it was one of the best hours in high school I had that year. Otherwise I have to say this loud and clear, boys in high school are terrible, and I know some of you are reading out there. heh. Thank god they grow up.

American Teen is a painfully entertaining reminder of just how terrible high school can be and actually a great insight as no matter who you are/where the popular girl, the nerd, the somewhere in between slightly weird girl like myself, or even a jock well had our ups and downs with the high school experience. American Teen is a documentary that follows a set of teenagers from the same school through their senior year for better or for worst. The star athlete, the rich girl, the slightly weird artsie girl, the band geek.. pretty much someone from all the major groups in high school and the strange thing is unlike what you might have thought in school things are not so rosey on the other side either. I'm not sure I was totally like any of the kids that were featured but the one I most identify with was Hannah. Though I can't say I have any major artistic talent nor do I dream of being a film director I certainly was sort of the weird drama club kid who was friendly enough to have a few friends on both sides of the fence but being the always present new kid as we moved quite often that I was a bit too preoccupied with my owns likes and dislikes to fit into any clique. I liked artsy skater guys in bands with piercings and and long hair, hey I still do which is ironic as the only blond clean cut guy I have ever dated or considered dating is Connor's dad. How funny is that?

Hannah's life is nothing like mine was though. Her parents are a wreck, she is forced to live with her absolutely adorable grandmother who seems to really keep no tabs on her. When she is into a guy she falls hopelessly in love so much so its almost an issue. You can't help to root for her the whole time and my god watching her felt like watching myself a little as I was a monogamous dater as well I really had few relationships before my adult life and those I did were long term for the most part. A few good, a few bad, in the end they all leave their mark for better or worst.

Needless to say I loved every second of American Teen. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen and as painful as it was to relive failed high school relationships and the pressure of the world that is high school it was a great reminder that the "good ole days" were not always great. It's a nice kick in the butt to remind me that being an adult is far superior.

American Teen is available right now on DVD and you can get a copy at Target!

I have five copies of American Teen to give away to my readers!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out American Teen and tell me who you were in high school (nerd, geek, jock.. you get the picture).
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end Feb 15th at midnight!