My Last Remark

I took my last final today; it ended at 8:45.
I ended up staying in school the rest of the day though.
I went to chorus, then to Shrines' room, then headed back to the chorus room.
I ended up helping Shrine start moving her stuff from A1 to E1.
For the work we did she bought us Taco bell for lunch. We sat in the back and had a family lunch. I love that we referred to it as a family lunch. I love being a part of that group, the A1 crew. It's amazing walking into a room and knowing that you are loved.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself in the next week. I have three graduation rehearsals and then graduation on the third. I'm done with high school; I'm finally entering the real world, and I couldn't be more excited.
I'm just waiting for my real life to begin.
I'm READY for my real life to begin.

My Backpacking Trek

At the end of summer and into the fall of 2009 I will be backpacking across Europe. I will be departing from Philadelphia on August 26th and arriving in Dublin. I will then travel across eight countries and take in the air. I will experience life the way it should be experienced, first hand.



The Trip starts off in Dublin, from there I'm taking the ferry to Holyhead. I'm estimating to be in Dublin for about three days. I hope to see all I can and drink real Irish Beer and whiskey.

From There I will travel throughout Great Britain and into Scotland. I want to see whatever sights I can. The major cities I plan to visit are Liverpool, Manchester, London, Cambridge, Bath, and Canterbury. There is so much history throughout Great Britain and I want to soak in what I can. I want to drink good English Beer in a real pub. I want to eat real fish and chips and walk across Abbey Road like the Beetles. I want to experience everything I've always wanted. I want to look back 50 years from now and smile thinking about what I have done.

I will then depart south either via chunnel or ferry to France. I hope to take a tour of a champagne vineyard. I will spend two days in the city of Paris. There are so many sites I want to see; The Eiffel Tower of course and the gravesite of Jim Morrison, a personal hero of mine.

From Paris I will travel Southeast into Italy where I will meet up with my mother and take her on a tour of Italy similar to that of my choir trip. The Italy section of my trip will take about a week. I hope to reconnect with my tour guide Adrien here and get a beer with him.

From Italy I will head north into Germany, the land of my ancestors. I will be arriving in time for Oktoberfest, which was the basis of my trip. I will hopefully meet up with my friends from Krefeld so I can see how real German life is. I plan on staying in Germany the longest out of any country. I will travel throughout Munich, Krefeld, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne. I plan on being in Germany for a little more than three weeks, but that is subject to change.




From Germany I'm heading to Bruges, a castle town in Belgium, for about 3 days. The town just looks like something out of a story book, which is just amazing for me.

I will then make the final stop of my trip in the great city of Amsterdam. Where I will remain for about a week. After that I will fly out of Amsterdamn and arrive back in Philly.



I was supposed to be joined by TylerDean on this endevour, but he will no longer be able to join me.

So if that sounds exciting to you...let me know and I'll work with you to come along.

I've spent less than 1000$ on plane tickets and I plan on bringing close to 2000$ with me.

My Closing Statements

My Closing Statements

I'm an arrogant, arrogant man but in this last year I can honestly say that if it wasn't for those around me, I would be nothing.

If not for my close guy: James, Michael, Nickolas, Kyle, TylerDean, Kyle, Brooks, and Joel I wouldn't have enjoyed some of the events as much. If it had been for James, Nick and Joel the play and musical would not have been as fun. If not for Joel, James, Nick and Kyle then lunch would have been quite boring. If not for Brooks and Kyle my study halls would have been more productive and less fun. If Kyle and Nick weren't with me in Italy, I wouldn't have as many great memories.

I don't know what I'd do without my girls either. Becky, Grace, Hannah, Rileigh, Tanesha, Essie, Karrie, Christine, Tare Bear. Becky and Karrie's sage senior year wisdom and encouragement. All of the memories I have with Hannah from lunch, the play, the musical and Italy. My great times with Grace and Rileigh during the play and musical. Prom with Tanesha and then the beach this past weekend were amazing times that I will surely not forget. I will truly miss all of them.

Tomorrow is my last full day of high school; it may be the last chance I get to lie out on the Daniel Boone stage and soak in the air.

I've appreciated everyone this year so much. I hope they all know how much they mean to me.
And of course where would I be without my supportive faculty; Shrine, Mrs. Risell, Mrs. Benn, Jones, Mr. Hevalow, Mrs. Fulmer, and Mrs. Parker. All there to help me during my various events this year. It was truly amazing getting to spend time with them. I'm really going to miss them.

Where do I go from here? What does life have in store for me?

I guess to answer that I'm just going to have to keep moving foward because in the end everyone writes there own story. Whether they write it in pen, pencil, type it, or just continue on verbally they'll always live on and continue to impress because that's what life should be, a continous flow of events that impress you when looking back, and it's thoughs who really pay attention and get the most out of those events who find success in life...

My Senior Year

I've always imagined I'd be "the man" in high school. I guess I've always been very ambitious, and I've always had high expectations for myself. I know that I'm arrogant, and I've grown to accept it because I still always give credit where credit is due.

This year started off for the worse. After three days of high school I went into the hospital for two weeks due to my collapsed lung. That was by far the scariest moment of my life. I sat in my bed and watched my brothers, mom, dad, cousins, and friends feel sorry for me; they were unable to help me in anyway other than be there for me.

Because of my being in the hospital, I was unable to audition for my senior year play. I still managed to secure the lead role though, thanks to my amazing director. I have done shows for her in the past, and she knew I would be able to pull the role off better than most. I worked harder than I've ever worked before, and I stood on that stage not as Christian, but as Grandpa. Saturday night, after the show, I sat back stage for a few minutes and a tear rolled down my face. I loved the play, I loved the people, but most of all I loved the feeling of accomplishment I got when I took my final bow.

I was in the dark room ninth period the week before homecoming when they announced the court. I jumped up and down screaming when they called my name. I wanted to be a part of that in the worst way, and was happy to get on. It was a lot of fun, though I would have liked to have been crowned king, I was happy just being on the court. The dance was amazing, and I got to hang out with some cool people afterwards.

About a week after the play was over we began musical auditions. Beauty and the Beast is by far my favorite Disney show, and the Beast is my favorite musical character. It seemed only right that I receive this role. I worked twice as hard as I did for Grandpa. I had to learn four songs, including my solo piece If I Can't Love her and the Reprise, two of the most beautiful and meaningful songs ever written. Our show suffered from a lack of direction and the seniors took it upon ourselves to salvage the show, along with the help from my favorite choir director Mrs. Benn.

The show received three standing ovations and had the largest turnout of any musical performed at Boone. Saturday Night, after I sang If I Can't Love Her Mrs. Benn ran back stage to find me. I've never seen Mrs. Benn so happy in my life, and she embraced me like I was her own son. "You nailed it," she said to me. I took my final bow that Sunday afterward sat back stage with Mr. Hevalow after it was over; we talked about how much fun it's been and how much he'll miss all of us now. Really, I'm the one missing him.

After the musical rapped up I went straight into Mr. Boone rehearsals. That was an experience I will never forget. I’ve been on stage plenty of times, but never have I had as much as I did with those men. I’ve never thought myself a dancer until that show, and up until this year I would have never gone on stage and sang in front of a crowd that large before. It was amazing, and I was happy to be a part of it.

Midway through Mr. Boone I went with the chorus through Italy. That was by far the most amazing experience of my life. I had so much fun with my friends and loved every minute of the trip. If I could go back and do it again with the same group, I would go in a heartbeat. I miss the sites, the food, and the experience of being there. I have added Italy to my already planned backpacking trip this fall because of the fun I had there. I can’t wait to return and see more.

I was also privileged enough to be on the prom court this year. I was also happy to be part of such a great event. I didn’t care that I wasn’t crowned king, I was just happy to be a part of the court and leave yet another mark my senior year.

Last night was my final chorus concert. It’s pretty much the reason I’m writing this. I didn’t win any special awards, and I wasn’t really acknowledged by the audience like some, but after the concert I went into Mrs. Benn’s office with Kyle Ross and she said something to me I will never forget. “Christian Kriebel, I just cannot believe it. Did you see him in beauty and the Beast? Can you believe that this is the same kid who couldn’t hit a regular G his freshman year? He has come so far in these past four years, farther than I ever imagined. I am so proud of everything he has accomplished.” That was probably the nicest thing anyone has said about me.

It didn’t hit me until last night, but I really only have three weeks of school left. I’m graduating, moving on, leaving. I can’t believe this year went by so fast. I went from hating Nick Reck, to loving him like a brother. I’ve gained new underclassmen friends and gotten closer with a few too. I’ve managed to keep my big head down as much as I could, but I know I still had my arrogant moments. I had an amazing year, and with my ambition I know I can keep the trend going. I’m going to make it out there, some way.

My Italian Journey

I have never been on a plane before. I wasn’t nervous or scared; I was very excited. I held Grace’s hand during takeoff and watched as we rose higher and higher of the New York. The sun was setting as we flew north and the bright lights of the cities below lit our path beautifully. If you’ve never seen Boston from 20,000ft at night then you’ve never seen Boston.

That sunrise was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The Alps peaked over the clouds and the sun struck them in a way that cannot be described by words alone.

After an eight hour flight we arrived in Milan airport. It was morning in Italy and I didn’t sleep a wink the entire plane ride. We breezed through customs and met up with our tour guide Adrian. We then proceeded to the castle town of Sirmione where I experienced Espresso and Gelato for the first time. I was in awe when I first saw the beautiful clear lake. It was a small town with a few cafes, shops, and gelatoriums. The scenery was so beautiful. I managed to see the group members from the first flight and got my first picture with Nickolas and Kyle. We were ready for this trip to begin.

We returned to the hotel for the day. We had about three hours of free time so we didn’t bother to go to bed. Nick was visibly sick when we arrived, but our presence had a healing effect on him. We conversed with the other students then ate our first dinner of pork and potatoes.

The next morning it was off to Venice for a guided tour of the city and our performance at St. Mark’s. I have seen Venice in movies and TV shows, but I had never experienced it firsthand. It was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, but also the smelliest. I thought New York City reeked, but Venice was a new type of torture. The beauty of St. Mark’s was nothing like I have ever seen before. I’m not a religious man, but I was overcome with emotion when we entered the basilica. We went to Risorante All’Angelo for our second dinner of Pork and Potatoes. The desert was a Flan-like caramel custard that was positively amazing.

The next day we headed for Verona. The city was beautiful and we had an excellent tour. We saw a functioning arena and were able to walk around inside of it. I was in awe by the acoustics of the structure. It was amazing how clear the sound bounced from the stage to the stands. I wish I was able to perform there. Verona is the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet; we were able to see Juliet’s balcony and even get our pictures taken by her statue. The tradition is to rub her right breast in order to find your true love. I got my picture taken rubbing her.

We stayed in Montecatini that night. It was a lovely hotel in a small town not far from Pisa.

The next day we traveled to see the famous leaning tower. I was impressed not by the tower, but by the dome and cathedral located in the same area. If the tower had not been built with its weak foundation, I’m sure the dome and cathedral would be more famous. There were dozens of tourists lined up to get their picture taken holding the tower up. I, of course, got my picture with the tower. Kyle decided to be different and got a picture of himself hadoukening the tower.

We then left Pisa and spent the rest of the day in Puccini’s birthplace of Lucca. It was the type of town you’d read about in a romance novel. I small Italian village surrounded by a ruined wall, with the Alps visible in the distance. It was exactly what I wanted to take in on this trip. I spent the day with Nickolas, Kyle, and Daniel. We walked around the walls and went through the residential area of the village, away from the other tourists. We had a concert that night in the building next to our hotel. It went well.

Florence was also a beautiful city. Most weren’t there to see the city; they went to go to the open air market. We had a guided tour of the basilica streets. It was a small area to cover, but it was all so gorgeous. Nickolas went off to shop with the girls, and Daniel, Kyle, and I went to see more of the city. It was gorgeous; the Vasari Corridor was incredible. As we waited for the group a Mime was performing in the square next to us. I managed to capture some snapshots of him. We performed in Chesa Santa Maria dei Ricci that night; it is a church run by a mad priest, Don Roberto. He told me that his dog married and lives in Pennsylvania.

We left for Rome the next day. We had a long bus ride full of mad libs; I have never been a fan of mad libs until this trip. We arrived in Rome about an hour late and were rushed through the Vatican Museum so we could get to the Sistine Chapel before it closed. I have seen pictures and heard stories of the Sistine Chapel before, but experiencing it first hand is a new feeling of awe. Visibly it is nothing exciting, but the story behind it is amazing.

We proceeded to see St. Peter’s Cathedral and were taken through all the tombs of the Popes. We were told of the architecture and history but I cannot write what I felt walking through that cathedral. That is something one must experience firsthand.

Easter Sunday we performed in St. Paul’s church in Rome. It was the first American style church built in Italy and contained a mosaic containing Abe Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. It was something that will stick in my mind forever.

We had a guided tour of ancient Rome that day. We say the Coliseum, the ruins, Trevi fountain, and the Pantheon. Rome was a great way to end this trip. The city was crawling with history and extravagance. That night we took one last drive around the city and got pictures in front of the Vatican and Coliseum. We went to bed that night with our trios and laid awake talking about how amazing the trip had been.

The next day Nick was on the first group to leave; he said his goodbyes and left. Kyle and I slept in a little then went to breakfast. We left for the airport around 10am Italy time, 4am PA time. We departed around 2pm and landed in Newark around 5:10pm. It was a smooth flight and a lot happened. We reflected on our trip, balled our eyes out watching Marley and Me, and made a pact to return to Italy together.

I’ve decided to add Italy to my backpacking trip. There was so much I wanted to see but couldn’t and so much I want to see again.