BEHiND THESE HAZEL EYES (:

Last weeks at BHS: Jan 9-13

2012-01-12T10:24:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I wonder why God brings us to certain situations in life. The idea is abstruse to me. From being accoladed at one moment to being emotionally and spiritually destitute at another makes it hard to believe he knows what is best for me. All I can do during my downtrodden times is to ameliorate my situation and learn of his greater plans for me. Sometimes I catch myself becoming ambivalent towards my faith and slap myself on the hand for thinking in such a way. I am not nearly acquiescent enough when I should be completely and utterly obedient to the Father. I must trust in his greater plan and let go. For he says, "Be still and know that I am God."

My First Day in Guatemala

2011-06-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so after a hellacious delay in the airport, we are all finally here at the mission house and have finished our first day at work. We left for the Little Rock airport, anticipating our flight at 4:45 pm. Well it turns out that our plane had "mechanical failure", and by the grace of God, they caught it before we were in the air. This cancelled our flight. Luckily, the lovely people at American Airlines found us another flight into Dallas that night, then gave us food vouchers, and a hotel to stay in. Yes, all fifteen of us. The next day our flight was scheduled to leave at 4 pm. Due to more "mechanical failure'', we didn't leave untill 6 pm. By the time we arrived into Guatemala City, we were exhausted, but every single person slapped a smile on their face. :) When we finally got to the mission house in Chimaltanengo (City of Sheilds), we were exhausted and starving! Well, our lovely cook, Mrs. Louise, was prepared with burgers and all the fixin's for about 30 people! When we woke up this morning, we split up into three groups: dental, orphanage, and construction. I went on the dental team (no suprise there). Dr. Dozier, his son Jackson, and Mrs. Carol were also on the team with me. I helped sterilize equipment, assist the Doctor, and keep the children occupied in the so called waiting room. I bonded with children from the ages of 4 to 12, on a level I never experienced before. Even with the language barrier, I knew their names, how old they all were, and all of their individual personalities. I painted the girl's fingernails, played jump-rope with them, and blew bubbles for them to chase. The trust the parents exibited towards me absolutley astounded me. It was the love of God that brought us all together. Also, these children were some of the toughest patients I have ever wittnessed. This 7 year old girl got 4 shots in her mouth then had 2 extractions and didn't even bat an eye. I have so much to learn from these people. Later in the day, we all went as a group to one of the local churches for a food distrobution. We served 76 people with food and shoes for their family. Some of the women kissed me on the cheek and I saw tears running down their faces in appreciation. It really made me step outside of myself, and realize God's immediate path for me. Please pray for this beautiful group of people. :) God bless you.

Don't Drink the Water.

2011-03-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

5. When the well's dry, they know the worth of water.

- When everything is gone, and you have nothing, you realize what is really important.

- When I lose sight of what is important in my life and I get my priorities messed up, I stop myself and reassess my life. When my grades started to drop because of my excessive work hours, I quit my job. I realized that by keeping my grades up I have a better chance of getting into a good college and being able to make a good living for myself later in life. I didn't need my minimum wage job to be able to buy excess clothing for instant gratification.

-I completely agree with Benjamin Franklin. I can personally relate to this quote, and I believe that saving and being smart with money benefits the economy, benefits your wallet, and benefits your life. Keeping your priorities straight and being frugal with your budget can help everyone, both instantly and in the long run.

2010 Second Quarter Reading List

2010-12-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Picoult, Jodi. Ninteen Minutes. [S.l.]: Center Point, 2007. Print.

In Sterling, New Hampshire, 17-year-old high school student Peter Houghton has been through years of verbal and physical abuse from his classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, gives into peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that makes Peter's life hell. One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to change the town's history. (2 Books).

Sparks, Nicholas. Safe Haven. New York: Grand Central Pub., 2010. Print.

When Katie moves to a small town of Southport, North Carolina, many people start to wonder where she came from and why she randomly picked Southport. She tries to stay distant from everyone, but can't seem to help but be drawn to her new neighbor, Jo, and the owner of a store, Alex. Even as Katie begins to feel at home, her past looms around her like a storm waiting to empty its contents.

Picoult, Jodi. My Sister's Keeper: a Novel. New York: Atria, 2004. Print.

How would you feel if your purpose in life was predetermined? That is exactly what happened to Anna. She was born to save her sisters life. Her parents made her in a test tube so that she would be a perfect match for her older sister, Kate. Anna has the same blood type and bone marrow type for transfusions. What happens when Anna doesn't want to do it anymore? She knows it might kill her sister, but can it save her own life, and her family's bond?

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and, 2005. Print.

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife—between desire and danger (2 Books).

11/29/2012 Poem

2010-11-29T11:07:00.001-08:00

Because your compassion gives me hope,
Because you know just what to say,
Because your laughter is contagious,
Because your smile can light up my world,
I love you.

Because my heart races when you hold my hand,
Because you know me better than anyone else,
Because you are the one I want to grow old with,
Because I can't have you,
I love you.

8/20/2010 Assignment

2010-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

INDEPENDENT READING

Right now I am exploring books that I would like to read during these next nine weeks of school. I have searched Amazon.com, Goodreads.com, and Mrs. Huff's book shelfs. All of my books that I selected were on Goodreads best book list of 2008 and 2009.

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- I have heard from Mrs. Huff that this book is extremely well written and a very good story. A lot of my friends have read it and really enjoyed it. Amazon.com awarded it 4 1/2 stars.

2. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
- I have read the Twilight saga and enjoyed all of her books. I love how Stephanie Meyer writes and I am sure that I would enjoy Host. Amazon.com awarded it 4 stars.

3. Kite Runner by Khaled Hossieni
- I have seen very many of my friends with this book. Every single one of them say that they love it. Its about the war in Afganistan and I would like to read about something relevant to my life. Amazon awarded it 4 1/2 stars.

Second Quarter Reading List

2010-10-20T10:46:00.001-07:00

2010 First Quarter Reading List

2010-10-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones: a Novel. Boston: Little, Brown, 2002. Print.

Susie Salmon, fourteen years old, is raped, murdered, and cut to pieces by a serial killer who has moved into the neighborhood. He disposes of her body in an old sinkhole. Susie is pronounced dead when someone’s dog finds her elbow in a cornfield. The rest of her body is never discovered. This novel begins with the murder and follows Susie’s family and friends through the many years after her death

McCormick, Patricia. Sold. New York: Hyperion, 2006. Print.

Sold into prostitution by her own family at age thirteen, Lakshimi had a hard life ahead of her. Before being sold she was the daughter of poverty stricken farmers in a little hilly viliage, tucked away from the world. Lakshimi struggled through life at the whore house, She lives a nightmare, but forms bonds with the other girls in able to survive. One day she must make a decicion to risk everything to get back her old life.

Runyon, Brent. The Burn Journals. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004. Print.

At fourteen, Runyon put on his bathrobe, doused it with gasoline, stepped into the tub and lit himself on fire. He suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body. He endured months of excruciating skin grafts and physical therapy. The Burn Journals spans Runyon's first year of recovery from this horrifying suicide attempt as he struggles with the pain, the guilt and the questions from himself and others as to why he did it.

Golden, Arthur. Memoirs of a Geisha: a Novel. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. Print.

Much of the novel is set in the popular geisha district of Gion in Kyoto, and contains references to actual places frequented by geisha and their patrons, such as the Ichiriki Ochaya. The research on the locations is extremely acurate and makes the plot even more interesting, knowing that it is a true story.

Larsson, Stieg. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

The plot is extensive and intriguing with twist and turns that always keep you guessing. The pace is easy to follow but has a great cast of competent investigators with great, complex characters.

Metaphoric Poem

2010-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am a bird.
Always changing course.
Never in one place,
for very long.
Caged in by this
small town's expectations.
Born to fly...

The reason for the season

2009-12-01T11:37:00.001-08:00

10 Reasons for the Season (Thanksgiving)

1. To thank the Lord for your good fortune throughout the year.
-Every year we start by waking up and gathering together as a family to pray in the morning, thanking God for blessing us the previous year. Every other chance we get to thank God, we take it. The day before Thanksgiving, we make a list of 20 things we are most greatful for.
2.Gather with family, and loved ones.
-My family and my close friends get together to enjoy eachother's company. We always have a great time not only eating the food, but also preparing it and cleaning up together.
3.Traditions.
-Traditions are a huge part in my family. We always decorate the house, have a Thanksgiving party, and cook for our guests.
4.Food
-Our food each year consists of a turkey, glazed ham, cranberry sauce, stufing, rolls, potatoes, and corn. Along with an amazing secret family recipe for gravy.
5.Friends.
-I make sure to thank my good friends for always being there for me in times of need.
6.Enemies
-I try and make peace with the people I have gotten into fights with.
7.Church
-Our church has an annual "Rake and Run", where we go and rake leaves for elderly people who cannot rake their own leaves, then we run away so that they never knew who did it.
8.Happiness
-Even if something is buggin me, I try and put a smile on my face and make the day as pleasent as possible.
9.Love
-I try and love as much as i can that day. I don't pick fights and I let little irritating things slide.
10.Sharing
-Anything that is mine, I will gladly share with someone in need. I am not stingy and I try my best to do what Jesus would have wanted me to do.

Songs about me and who I am.

2009-10-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

While i was driving home one day, talking to my little sister, I had the radio as background noise. I heard a little tid-bit of the song, and realized it was one of my favorites. My sister and I got to talking about why songs are you favorites. We soon came to the conclusion that the particular song has something to do with you. Whether it is your culture, genre, personality, life experience, hobbies, or any other vague connection to yourself. So, i came up with my top 20 list of songs, (Not in Order), that I enjoy and the songs I feel pertain to me.

1. Do I - Luke Bryan
2. Loves Lives On - Mallary Hope
3. Tell Me Why - Taylor Swift
4. Cowgirls Don't Cry - Brooks and Dunn
5. Every Time I Hear Your Name - Keith Anderson
6. Single Ladies - Beyonce
7. Breathe - Taylor Swift
8. Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood

9. I'm Done - Joe De Messina

10. Cowboy Casanova - Carrie Underwood

11. Realize - Collbie Calliat

12. In Color - Jamey Johnson

13. Only You Can Love Me This Way - Keith Urban

14. I Wanna be Your Everything - Keith Urban

15. You'll Think of Me - Keith Urban

16. Look at What I've Done to Her - Chris Cagle

17. Wal-Mart Parking Lot - Chris Cagle

18. You're the Love I Wanna Be In - Jason Aldean

19. Small Town USA - Justin Moore

20. She's Everything - Brad Paisley

You most definitely have to check these out on YouTube.com. You will see what I'm talking about. (:

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

2009-10-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man helped me fall asleep each night. It is about a scientist who was using his invisibility powers for his own selfish use. The book was difficult to follow and bored me to tears.

The characters in the book were either bland or melodramatic. Griffin, also known as the invisible man is a scientist who has come up with a formula to make anything invisible. He robs from his own father and from the inn that he is staying. Griffin also meets a tramp who he makes become his lab assistant by threatening him with his life. It is hinted throughout the book that Griffin is a psychopath.

Also, the setting was extremely confusing. I could tell it was in the boondocks or some other country setting, because the vernacular was terribly hard to follow, and there were many slang words. The author made the setting seem either here nor there. The dialect used made me believe the country where the story took place was European. I could not tell whether the setting was further in the past or recent.

As you can see, i am not a fan of H.G. Wells' writings, and i recommend that you steer clear of this book.

Go Team?

2009-09-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

I'm in need of some technological therapy:

What comes to your mind when i say cheerleader? Hardworking, peppy, happy, smiling, energetic? Now, have you ever asked a cheerleader the same question? Well if you asked the BHS Cheerleaders this question separately you would probably hear words like argumentative, complaining, opinionated, stubborn, closed minded, and so on. I don't really understand why we feel the need to express our agitation about our team members and coaches. They are doing their best and we shouldn't be so critical of them.

I must admit, I'm not a perfect little angel when i get aggravated with my team. I sometimes let it slip to my friends about certain girls on our squad, and how i feel like they aren't living up to my expectations.

Don't get me wrong, i love the girls on my team and they are like my sisters away form home, but when you get that much estrogen in one room, problems are created.