Reflections

This school year has definitely been my most stressful year. I did manage to pass physics though. =)  It has also been my most rewarding year. I have been blessed in so many ways. First with NHS and then with being elected onto executive and class SGA. It has been a growing experience. By taking two college classes and planning banquet I have learned about responsibility. During the middle of this year I had said that it was my worst year of high school. However, looking back now I see that even though it was hard, it was my most rewarding year. Unless this next year can out do it!

"Love- why I'll tell you what love is: It's you at 75 and her at 71, each of your listening for the other's step in the next room, each afraid that a sudden silence, a sudden cry, could mean a lifetime's talk is over."
                                                                                        -Brian Moore, The Luck of Ginger Coffey, 1960

I love this quote! It gives me chills every time I read it. Looking at my grandparents relationship, I see how true this is. To be together so long is an extremely powerful thing. Another idea I thought of when reading this quote is that love and death can also mean a lifetime's talk begins. With God we will live eternally and we will have Him to praise and talk to for all of our eternal lives.

Fire!!!

I often wonder what I would take with me if my house were on fire. My first answer would be my books. But there are so many! I could not possibly save them all and myself. I would also want my pictures, letters, and everything that has memories in it, but that is most of my belongings. So, as I rack my brain trying to come up with a solution, something dawns on me. I will be logical and simply go get the fire extinguisher and put out the fire.

A Changed Place

        One place that has changed tremendously over my lifetime is my church. I have attended King Street Church all my life. I used to know most of the church members. Now, I don't even know a quarter of them. With 2,000 attendees on Sunday mornings and many additions to the original building, it is hard to know everyone. I love our pastor and the messages he gives every Sunday, but sometimes I wish for a smaller environment. The growth of our church has been a huge blessing even though I sometimes yearn for the old days.

Adagem

TRUST in Him who gives you strength.
IN ever steady arms I rest.
THE purest love I'll ever know.
LORD give me faith for all my days.
OH trust in the Lord forever more.
MY body will die, but do not fear. My
SOUL will live eternal with my Lord.

Change

new places

scary beginnings

not knowing what's ahead

ever moving and changing lives

the days go bye in a blink of an eye

it's never easy to say goodbye

new things are as scary as knives

we must move on, ahead

happy endings

new places

The Carnival

To my delight
rays of light shine about
happiness glows
off of childrens' faces
games are played
bingo, coin toss, and darts
aromas fill the air of
cotton candy and candy apples
children run about
screaming on the ferris wheel
winning prizes
oh look a stuffed bear
what fun it is just sitting here
under the ferris wheel
at the carnival

Moment of Summer

It is so close I can smell it. I have been anticipating the moment of summer for a month. I love school, but this year has made me anxious to get out. Final tests are being taken. Seniors have been discussing graduation. My friends and I already have plans for summer. The moment is almost here. June will be filled with sleep and friends. July holds the trip to the beach with cool waves crashing up against my legs and sand between my toes. And don't forget the seafood, especially the clams. Yum! August brings volleyball and soon I will be back in school as a senior. Why can't summer last a little longer! I should really focus on the beginning of summer not the end of it. I am a little nervous for my senior year. I really do not like change and the end of my senior year will bring a lot of change. So now I will focus in the present time and just get through these next few weeks. At last the moment will arrive. O what a marvelous day that will be!

Nursery Rhyme

Original Version
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

Parody
Mary, Mary, oh so cheery,
Why must you jump and shout?
but then one day good news came and
Mary jumped out of her house.

Family Ritual

My family ritual is kind of the opposite of a ritual. You see, every Christmas we are very busy. My family always gets home late from my grandma's house and we are all exhausted. No one ever has enough energy left to open our stockings. So, my family ritual is that we open our stockings the week after Christmas. Not the next day or a few days later, it is almost a week before we get around to opening them. They just hang on the fireplace waiting to be opened. This ritual started when My sister and I were young. My parents usually made us wait until the next day to open them. However, as we got older the days between Christmas and the openin of the stockings increased. This is probably not a normal tradition or ritual, but it seems to be the only one my family is capable of achieving. No one minds opening the stockings a week after Christmas though, so it continues to happen year after year.

Falling Leaf

I jumped from my perch

landing on the ground

saying hello to my new bed

looking up at my former home

waving goodbye to my old friends

snow is coming

more start falling

soon my home will be barren

my kindred blown across the street

we will be scattered

but the next day will come and we will be together again

scooped up into a new home

a dark place where we all can be close

not much room to move around

but if we are together

nothing else matters

Absolute

Actual
Binding
Supreme
Overt
Literal
Unequivocal
Thorough
Entire

National Day of Prayer

Dear God,

I am so blessed. This nation is so blessed. We take for granted the freedoms and the rights that our founding fathers established. So thank you. Thank you for our national leaders, our federal leaders, our educational leaders, and our religious leaders. Guide all of these people. Let your will be done. Help the people of this great nation to honor and pray for our leaders. I pray for the students and the teachers in our educational programs. Help us to become knowledgeable and wise. I pray also for our economy and the unemployed. I pray that our nation will prosper and not stray from your direction. Be with all the people of our nation. Thank you for blessing us and keeping us. Amen.

Little Bird

chirp chirp
don't fly away little bird
tweet tweet
find a home near me little bird
chirpitty tweet
sing me a song little bird
chirp ring twwweet
what a lovely little song
what a lovely little bird
chirp chirp
sing your song little bird
for all the word to hear
tweety chirpitty chirp

I would like to learn how to...

I would like to learn how to make an origami rose. This might seem like a simple accomplishment not worth noting. However, I have tried to succeed in this endeavor and it has been a utter failure. I starting making a rose about four years ago. I have not yet finished it. The instructions are complicated and numerous. I have gotten through a least half of the steps but I am still stuck on a section. I have been stuck on this part for four years!!! So this is why if I could successfully learn how to do anything, it would be to make an origami rose.

Travel

Why I want to travel:
1.) Greece has beautiful islands
2.) Paris has the EIFFEL TOWER!
3.) In Rome history is roaming
4.) Ireland for ancestry
5.) Fiji is my mom's favorite place
6.) Switzerland for more ancestry
7.) Germany to see the emotion behind the history
8.) Alaska for the cold weather
9.) Hawaii for the warm weather and clear water
10.) Wherever God calls me to go I pray I have the courage and the faith to follow.

Spring

Dampness covers the lawn
showers continually pour
haze drifts over the street
stickiness floats with air
spring's gloom
Bright colors sweep through the gardens
popping tulips on every corner
sunshine peeps out
breeze blows through my fingers
spring's life

Childhood Treasures

Do you have toys and games or animals and blankets in your childhood treasure chest? They might be tucked int eh corners of mine but the main display is memories. Memories of school, of friends i used to have, of birthdays. Memories of fighting with my sister and loving her too.Memories of my mom singing me to sleep and my dad reading while I try my hardest to stay awake. Memories are what we treasure the most. Sometimes we treasure material things because they naturally belong with a memory. These are the things that would be in my treasure chest.

Honor

adulation character confidence dignity
distinction exaltation homage integrity
prestige principles recognition reverence
tribute uprightness veneration virtue
Honor is honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions.
Honor is a source of credit or distinction.
Honor is high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank.
Honor is the privilege of being associated with or receiving a favor from a respected person, group , or organization.
Honor God. Honor your father and your mother. Honor your neighbor. Honor God's Word. Honor.

Ocean Blue

ocean blue
waters clear
salty burn
colors bright
in the deep
of the ocean
creatures great
critters small
live together
forming a world
unknown to man
complex yet simple
peaceful chaos
unite in the ocean blue
waters deep
salty burn
colors bright
in the deep

Dream Chaser Challenge

Be a chaser of dreams.
If no work is done nothing will be achieved.
To be successful action must be taken.
To reap you must first sow.
Sitting still produces nothing.
If you want something do something about it.
No one else but you is responsible for what your future could hold.
Do not just dream but chase those dreams.
Make a change today to live your life.
Don't just take an easy road.
Push yourself.
Challenge yourself.
Become the person you were created to be.
Follow God's directions.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Why Peppermint Patties Would be Perfect for Parolees

Come and get your peppermint patties!
Their minty taste will remind you of the freedom that you can know enjoy.
If you want to keep special treats like peppermint patties, you must obey your parole.
Peppermint patties are a perfect gift to take home to your loved ones, especially children.
One tasted of these patties and they will welcome you home with open arms and enormous smiles. If you need to get back on any one's good side, just offer a few patties up and love will come your way.
Come and get your peppermint patties and enjoy  freedom!!!

Haiku Poems

One of my favorite haiku poems:

O snail
Climb Mount Fuji,
But slowly, slowly!

-Kobayashi Issa

A haiku poem by me:

Drip Drop down the pipe.
No sun to shine with the haze.
Cloudy day brings rain.

Peace and Havoc (Opposite Poem)

What is the opposite of peace?
Ravage hostile warfare
chaos in dark moments
confusion encountering catastrophe
devastation and mayhem
shambles of ruins
wreckage comes from the Havoc

The Wanderer

Blowing through
carried by the winds of promise
seeking to find what fills her soul
never staying in one place for long
she goes through the wild on her own
when oceans and mountains need to be crossed
she will rise to their challenges with courage and faith
but her search must come to an end
all will be made clear 
when her heart and soul find Home

Acrostic Poem "Peacock"

Perfectly perched up in its trees
Eager to spread its feathers
Admiring its own reflection in the pond
Careful not to damage its beauty
Opens its tail to show its colors
Coarse hair it does not have
Keeps its head held high and feathers glistening

Persona Poem "Rain Droplet"

I'm Falling I'm Falling
down to the ground
watch out for that hat
it will make me go splat
please don't swallow me
all you little boys
I'm Falling I'm Falling
just let me touch the ground

Five Fs

Feast your eyes upon the Lord.
Forgive the wrongs that have been done.
Follow Him all your days.
Fill your soul with His grace.
Forevermore we will sing His praise.

Human Nature

That nature of a man
never lives to the Word
it shuts out what is good
hurting itself in turn
but when Light shines in
the Darkness in subdues
and living according to nature
is no more what one must do
instead lets stand together
building up His church
living in His image
spreading Light on earth

Writing

Smooth surface
brush with my hand
rough point scribes
painting picture with words
of untold stories
giving ideas
wings to fly

The Mystical Breeze

The gushing and groaning never did cease
no window or curtain could keep out this beast
how loud and how violent did one burst ring out
I never did see such a wind thrash about
then all of a sudden a tinkle was heard
it echoed throughout every room, every word
no one was certain what change came to be
but one thing was certain, a mystical breeze

I'm Sorry But...

Doesn't your wall look pretty?
It took all my crayons to do it.
OH no, you look mad!
Well after all you made me do it.
You see, why else would you give
a box full of colors to me?
After all your wall was askng for it.
Why else would it be so boring and white?
It's not my fault you all made me do it.

Limericks

There once was a turtle from
the bay
All the while he hoped
to run away
But whenever he
tried
His
legs would not glide
That turtle who was
from the bay.


I once met a chum of
wisdom
Every day he
worked on sums
But whenever he
dozed
The papers rose
That chum who was of
wisdom

My Life is Like...

1. My life is like a thunderstorm because of all the turmoil and stress.
2. My life is like an ocean because of its ever changing patterns and movements.
3. My life is like a chain link fence because of all of the holes and voids.
4. My life is like a blindfold because it is full of hidden suprises.
5. My life is like a snowflake because it is so short yet  beautifully unique and wonderful.

Dreams 

sweet, slumber

relaxing, meaning, breathtaking

bright, cheery, dark, shadows

menacing, haunting, life-taking, 

scared, restless

Nightmares

Wind

crisp, clean

 rushing, whisking, whirling

it flows full of refreshment

Air

Fear

Sometimes people are afraid of material things like the dark, snakes, bees (for me). But one fear that most people have in common is the fear of failing. So we choose not to do something because we might mess up and it might not turn out like we planned. We choose instead to stay home and do the things we know and not try anything new. People of this coming generation need to get out of the house. Get off your bums and do something different. Make a change for something you believe in. Start now and conquer that fear of failure. Starting small and progressing with each new thing would be a huge accomplishment. No one wants to end their life saying they have done what they always knew how to do. People want to say I have done everything I wanted to do and conquered my fears. I want people to see my life's work in this world long after I am gone. It is never too early or to late too start your life. 

L.M.N.O.

Light loiters longingly looking
Mist mingles mildly murking
Nighttime noises nipping nearby
Orbit over optical oceans

Positive Change

Distant     apart
young unknowing
becomes older
moving closer
getting to know each other
found a friend
within family
young distant children
become women with
strong lifelong friendship

"Love I've Found In You"

Well maybe I'm just lucky
But maybe that's OK
Some people search the whole world over
Just to find a love, that's even half as true
As the love I've found in you


These are the lyrics from the chorus of a song by Lady Antebellum called "Love I've Found In You." I really like this part of the song. Even though the song is about a couple, these lyrics remind me of the love we can find in God. Some people don't realize what they are missing. They try to fill the void in their life with anything but God. It is troubling to know and have someone refuse to believe that God's love will heal them. I am so thankful that I have had the family and the surroundings to let me grow in my faith. I had the opportunity to have friends and family who showed me God's love. Some people just need someone to show them what God's love is. Most of the time people won't respond to someone just telling them what God did for them. They need proof. His love can be proven by the daily blessings we receive and by some one's example. Those people who search the world over for a love to fill that void need someone to give them the choice of God's love. Isn't that what we were called to do? So go and live your life as an example for the lost and share His amazing love.

Locked Out

I forgot my key. It is a normal way of being locked out of your house. I got home from school and searched through my backpack to find nothing. No key and no way of getting in until someone else got home. Normally I would not mind sitting on our screened in porch for fifteen minutes. However, it was winter. Sometime in January and it was snowing and very very cold. I, of course, only had a sweatshirt to keep me warm. The school skirt was not very affective in keeping me warm either. So. I sat huddled in a corner of our porch until my sister got home and opened the door. What a relief it was to feel the warm heat and the dry air. I ran to put sweatpants on and curled up with a book in a huge comfy chair right next to the heater. Oh and i couldn't forget that warm cup of tea that warmed my insides as well as the out. I like my view of the snow a lot better from the inside of the window instead of being out with it. I will always remember to take my key with me, especially in the winter.

Adrenaline

Exilerating
peaceful moments
before the fall
pull together
close my eyes
and jump
small moment
lasts an eternity
no breath will come
until that final
second of ------ whoosh
release
splash
  .
     .
       .
         .
           .
             .
              .
               .
                .
            down
frigid waves
eyes wide
see the world
anew

To Know Her

To understand
her is beyond capability
To accept
for all that she is
To follow
in her footsteps
To live
with day by day
To wonder
what would happen
if she would ever go                                       away.

Transformation

What does one say
to a lost soul?
How can one save
a absolute view?
When is the time
to change a mind?
Where will the thought
begin to grow?
Why is it so hard
to transform a life?

Stress: Good and Bad

Main	stress
Part of Speech:	verb
Definition:	put under physical or mental pressure
Synonyms:	afflict, burden, crunch, distend, force, fret, hassle, overdo, overextend, pull, put in traction, put on trial, spring, strain, stretch, tense, tense up, traumatize, worry

The most appropriate synonyms for stress in this entry are burden, overextend, and strain. At the end of a marking period I experience, along with many others, most of these feelings. I have taken three physics tests withing a week and a half. This makes me feel physically and mentally overextended. There is good and bad stress. It all depends on how you handle the stress you experience. The stress can be good if you work through what you need to do and persevere. Bad stress occurs when you overwork yourself because you think nothing is good enough. This also happens when you procrastinate and have to make of for it at three in the morning. My goal this next marking period is not to diminish all the stress in my life, but just the bad stress. I want to work hard for what I get, but not strain myself to the limit. This next marking period I do not want to stress myself out, but let the healthy and natural stress help me get my work done.

Fear

Pencils clicking
Tap. Tap. Tap
Nervous hands shake
violently trying to hold
papers still.
Churning begins deep
inside. Time passes slowly
tick    tock    tick    tock
Fidgeting.
Blank stares glare back.
Mouth runs dry. Words
cannot come.
Fear is
            looming.

Forgotten Chore

Sticky dishes
towering over. Stern
glances freeze time.
Lost track of clocks
Hurried response. Fill the
washer minutes pass with words
of anger. Sorrow in a passing shadow.
Ticks go by til silence
sweeps into the frozen
moment. "Sorry" is not enough
to go back to when bowls
were shining.

New Born Baby

Soft skin
Open eyes see for the first
time. Fresh life beginning now
as love surrounds
the unknowing soul. Precious
moments must be shared to
give new life a future and a hope

Change

     I abhor change. For the simple reason that it is scary. No one wants to have their life thrown into an upheaval. I like routine and traditions. No one wants to have something they know and cherish taken away from them. Having something to depend on is important. Now you might say, "Well people always let you down." But I choose to believe that even though people can let you down there is always someone in your life who know you and cares enough to try and be there at all cost. This earthly person, for me, is my sister. The closer it gets to June the more I hate change. You see, she is a senior. I hate that word. I hate that she has to leave. And finally, I hate that I have to be an only child at home for an entire year. I do not want things to change. It seems like we just started to be be really close and I do not want to lose that by having distance between us. I have yet to accept this change and I doubt I will be willing to any time soon. At this moment, I am sitting in our living room looking at my sister's senior picture hanging on the wall. It makes me want to throw it away and then go and cry somewhere. However, throwing a picture away will do absolutely nothing. So I continue to sit and stare and be mad at change because there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it.

Angels

Every Christmas my parents give me and my sister and angel. Sometimes we got more than one, so or collections are getting quite large. There is a collection or brand of angels that are my favorite. They are all named after a guardian of something. Such as: Guardian of the animals or guardian of the waters. These are my favorite angels because they are very detailed and whatever they are the guardian over is with them. Their wings are the color of their dress and they fade to a different color. They are very beautiful. These angels are special to me because it is a tradition. Sometimes it is a tiny ornament angel and other times it is a normal sized angel that you can sit on a shelf. We sometimes get really delicate glass angels or little bell angels. It is fun to see each Christmas what angel we get.

What I and Six Others Have Learned

*Others*


- I have learned to live every day to the fullest because you never know when it might be your last.


- I have learned not to eat yellow snow.


- I have learned that sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know.


- I have learned to always trust my gut.


- I have learned that you have to make your own good time.

- I have learned that you need to listen before you speak and that you can learn alot by really paying attention
  to what people say.
*Me*


- I have learned to always use baking spray.


- I have learned that the apple does not fall far from the tree.


- I have learned material things can not fill the voids in your life.


- I have learned that yelling usually never solves your problems.


- I have learned that even though someone says they believe in something does not mean they act according
  to that belief.