A few hard lessons I've learned

In May, I was given the assignment to write about everything I learned during my first year in the big new school. I wrote the assignment back in May, but I want to share it with you now.

The first thing I learned is, never compare yourself to a dead person. Ever. Not only is it not amusing, but also the deceased's relatives soon learn to dislike you.

The second lesson was: Cell phones and driving don't mix when you have no coordination in the first place.

Another thing I've learned is to always know where you're going and at least have some idea of where you are. If you don't, you'll end up with a dead cell phone at a gas station run by a man that doesn't have one segment of skin NOT covered by a tattoo. Just a warning.

Other lessons learned:

Go to Applebee's. It's the best place to get jalapenos and root beer at the same time.

Never lock yourself out of your house and forget where your mother hid the spare key.

People who put you down constantly aren't worth your time or your energy.

Daytime television isn't what it's cracked up to be. Remember that when it's the middle of July and you're bored out of your mind, wishing you could be in the same school that only two months before you were dying to get away from.

Read. Not just an occasional newspaper or magazine, but read every single thing you can get your hands on.

Divorce isn't always as painful as it's made out to be.

Lockers will not cooperate when you have 15 seconds to open them. Vending machines will break when you are absolutely starved.

Watch "A Christmas Story" to see a nuclear family. Watch the Osbournes to see a real life dysfunctional family. Watch the "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" to see a truly screwed up family. Watch "Steel Magnolias" to get sentimental. Watch the "First Wives Club" to get vengeful. Watch "Cabaret," not for the acting, but for the terrific singalong with Sally Bowles and Kit-Kat Club. Sing Liza Minnelli songs while you're pulling out of a crowded parking lot and count all the strange looks you get.

The biggest lesson I've learned was the value of friendship, love and trust. When you're sick, it's the people that stay by you through everything, the good and bad -- the encouraging lab results and the Demerol-filled nights -- who are your true friends. All others are merely acquaintances, and bad ones at that.

I've learned that a best friend is the one person, save for your family, you can call at 3 a.m. just to complain, and they won't hang up on you. Sure, they may say you need a good therapist and even recommend theirs, but they'll stay on the line as long as you need them to.

That's what I've learned.

Emily Hendricks, 17, is a junior at Central High School.