License!!!

I got my license two days ago!!!!!! I am so pysched! I never thought it would happen, but it did and now I am an officially legal driver :) First off, I got to leave school early because the latest appointment was at 2 pm. So I chose the noon appointment lol. I was so nervous though, mostly about parallel parking. But it turns out that I do know how to do that haha! I passed easily, I don't even know what I was so worried about. My parents have a car ready for me too, but they just wont give it to me until summer which if you ask me is a little dumb....but oh well. The only down side is that the picture is quite hideous, and I didn't even put on make up that day. So :( Gross. Maybe I'll "accidently" lose it and have to get another one. hehe.

Tuesday March 29

For today's assignment, we're supposed to listen to some high school students talk about where they see themselves in the future and what they want to do with their lives. One girl named Raquel Reynolds, 18, wants to be a hair and make-up stylist. She says that she feels insecure about herself and doesn't feel pretty so she wants to help other girls like her feel good about themselves. Honestly, people like her make me mad because she doesn't even feel pretty herself so how can she reciprocate that?? Seems hypocritical to me. Another student, Andrew Benedict-Phillip was really undecided about everything. All he's sure of is that he wants to be wealthy. He needs more of a plan than that buddy.

I Feel a Little Jumpy Around You

There's this real short poem called Jump City that the title of the entire book came from. Here it is: I feel a little jumpy around you. Like when I think a house has roaches, and I watch everything out of the corner of my eye to see if it crawls away. So this poem is about a relationship (as are most in this book). I feel like whichever person is saying this in the relationship is quite nervous and jealous maybe. They seem like they are accusing the other of not being attatched or committed enough. Idk. Not very fond, it makes me feel jumpy, I think.

I Feel a Little Jumpy Around You

I can't even tell you how much I love this book of poems!!! Every single one is different, lovely, funny and just wonderful! All in all, I'm very much enjoying this book and am clearly taking my time reading each poem. I'd recomend this book to any reader, whether they like poems or not. There's this one poem that I love, but I have no idea what it means! haha. It's by Gevorg Emin and it's called "In the Orchard". Here it is: In the orchard at twilight as the trees fall asleep I'm picking cherries from the smallest of trees. In the dusk the tree trembles as if it is being disrobed, and I feel as it shivers as if I'm slipping off the jewels from the ears of my little love. I honestly have read this poem probably like twenty times. And each time I read it, I only get more confused. I'm not sure why this one poem in particular is such a problem haha but I just dont get it. So the main person if picking cherries in the orchard at night and then when it's getting to be morning the tree notices that someone picked its cherries when it was sleeping and shivers. I think maybe this poem symbolizes a relationship and one person keeps taking and taking and not giving anything, which leaves the one on the other end feeling "disrobed" and empty. This is a total guess, but that's what I got from this confusing little poem.

I Feel a Little Jumpy Around You

This poem is called "Fet Walks Melody Home" by Gary Hyland. I had to read it a couple times to understand what it meant but after you get it, it's really funny. Okay here it is: Is she too quiet or am I swamping her with jabber? In Budapest students our age battle tanks. I chuck snowballs at trees, worry that my coat's too small. Oh, I love her furry boots. "Didja see the show at the Cap?" "Yeah, Elaine and I went last night." Should I talk more or does he prefer good listeners? He asks questions then clams up. Looks like a kid in that coat and clowns like on in the snow. Wish he was more mature. Why'd I wear these stupid boots? I really like this poem because it is a situation that's kindof sad but funny at the same time. At first the guy is thinking his point of view while he's on a date of some kind with a girl and he's talking too much and acting silly. Then it changes to the girls point of view and she's thinking about how maybe she isn't talking too much and wishing he wasn't so immature. My favorite part is how he thinks to himself how he likes her boots, and then she thinks to herself why did I wear these stupid boots. That really shows the difference and incompatibility between the two people. I feel bad for the guy, but he should grow up. And the girl should just put him out, but maybe she should be silly every now and then too.

Tuesday March 22

This is my response to the weekly blog assignment. I'm not sure about what reading I like or don't yet, so I'm going to write about my favorite poem of the quarter and then I'll look up the 1000 Awesome things website.

First, my favorite poem of the quarter is Rain by Shihab Nye. I like it because of its somewhat confusing nature. What I mean by that, is that you can't really know what he's talking about. Poets are tricky people ya know. They write things in their poems that only they will know what it means..and I like that. It's like a secret message and if you think really hard about what it means maybe the secret will be uncovered. For example, in the poem "Rain", I think the author is touching on the subject of physical abuse. I could be wrong of course, but I actually think that's right. The little boy writes "this year sumbody tutched me on the sholder" when asked what he would remember from third grade. I think this symbolizes something way bigger than a simple touch on the shoulder.

There's this cute little post on the website for 1000 Awesome things about some pretty awesome things. I'm gonna copy a couple of the ones I really liked onto here. Yes, it’s a great sign when babies come out heavy and healthy and then keep growing and growing and growing and growing until they turn into me and you.



This picture on the left was attached to that post about babies. That baby has a lot of hair for a baby and that cute lil guy has really bad bedhead haha. So cute though.


There was another post I found interesting. It was #287 When Your Child reads a bedtime story to you. I thought it was cute because when I babysit they want to read the book to you too after you've read it to them. One time a little girl I babysit told me she'd read it to me now because everyone needs a bedtime story and there was no one else to read it to me. :) Little kids are just adorable.

Well, that's all I have to say. Only two weeks until spring break!!!

So busy!

I had no time to read my book of poetry today, because I was so busy with everything going on. I did read Frankenstein, for my other English class. That book is one of the very few assigned books in high school that I've actually read lol.

So, the reason why my day was so busy is because first of all, I had to drive all the way to Coldwater to get a dumb paper signed for my license. (Too bad I still don't have that) And then I had to run errands for my sister until I had my Psychology class at USF!!!! I was 15 minutes late.... haha. Oh well, though. And it turns out, that she hadn't even started class yet so it worked out.

I've got lots of homework to do yet, so I'm off. And besides, tomorrow's not any less busy!
Yay to the suckiest Monday. Congratulations.

I Feel A Little Jumpy Around You- Pg. 34-65

I love this poetry book so much! Although, it is taking me quite some time to actually put my full attention to each and every poem. That's why it's taking me so long. As I've been reading, a lot of the poems seem to be about love that never was, or love that no one knew about or couldn't show. It has an over all theme of love, and how people felt about others. This poem called Passages by Mark Vinz is very saddening, but interesting as well! The first poem in the book I just happen to open is about a dead father- how many like it I've read before I knew what they meant. And now, every book I pick up has one of those poems in it- every book in every room. Listen: sometimes he and I would sit alone, for hours, not talking. I couldn't leave-he wanted me home, not to talk to or listen to, just to sit there, two aging men. . . Do you know how it is to hate somebody for leaving when you need him there? So the author is clearly dealing with the death of his father or about to be mourning that death. The irony that the first poem of the book is about a dead father may symbolize that coming of that event for him and saying that it is coming soon. And the fact that he read poems before, when he didn't know what they meant shows a loss of innocense or ignorance. Maybe both. But, it demonstrates a sense of maturity in knowing the inevitable and accepting that. When they sit alone together, that could possibly mean that even though they are physically together, they feel alone. The son is angry at his father for leaving (dying) when he feels he still needs him on Earth.

Country Boys Movie

We watched part of a six hour long documentary in Etymology class because we had a substitute teacher. The movie was called Country Boys, and was about two teenage boys attending the David School, who are tangled in their quite troubled lives. Both of these boys struggle with their family life and school and most everything about themselves, as they grow up and mature in a hard to live in kind of place.
The first guys’ name is Cody. Cody’s father killed his wife (Cody’s step-mother) and then himself. Cody had to endure many hardships, but later on lived with a loving old lady named Liz (his grandmother). Cody talks very slowly and uses low diction in the way he speaks. He seems to have troubles in school with behavior and academics.
The next guy is Chris. Chris lives in a trailer home with his parents and little sister. His dad isn’t a role model for him so he doesn’t exactly know what to strive for. Chris speaks very slowly as well, but seems to attempt to sound knowledgeable to some extent. He has somewhat bright ideas for his future and does his best to accomplish his dreams.

I Feel A Little Jumpy Around You- Pg. 16-34

A lot of these poems in this book are super confusing. They don't really follow a specific story line like some poetry does. What I mean is like in Touch by Kathryn Kerr, it says "Mother was a washcloth". I don't have the slightest idea what that means. There's such a wide range of what that one line could mean. And to be honest, I keep reading these poems just because it makes me feel sophisticated and British to read poetry that I don't understand. I bet British people read confusing poetry too. Well, there's this one poem that caught my eye. It's called Rose by Cill Janeway. I don't want to copy it down because it's so long but oh well. Here it is. My cousin named her baby Rose. Rose like a flower, like a deep red flower everyone wants to smell, to touch, to tame. When I think of Rose, I think of Rising She Rises She Rose like the sun, like flying, like magic like an angry woman rising out of the home. Rose has a birthmark under her right eye; it shines when she smiles. When people stop to look at the child, they say "Oh what a sweet baby, oh, but you could have that removed, you know it's very easy, you know." And they will. They will try as they have tried to pick every woman's Rose they will try to take hers try to keep her from knowing her name from Rising. What I like about this poem is the strange way it is formatted. It really catches your eye and makes you pay much attention when reading it. I think what it is talking about, it the girl having a birthmark, and that birthmark is her "rose". The "rose" is what makes her beautiful and what makes her, her. And they is probably posed as society, and society is trying to make everyone the same and take away uniqueness, which is sad....because every rose should be able to rise.

I Feel A Little Jumpy Around You-Pg. 1-15

I began a new book the other day. I originally picked it from the library as a poetry book to fill my poetry book with poems, but as I read I decided to continue reading and decipher most all the poems (or more realistically), read all of them and analyze my favorites. The book is so cute so far, it's about males and females and the way they think about life, love and each other. It interests me very much because the way the authors believe a bond between a man and a woman or a girl and a boy is, is different than most people would think. There's this poem that is my absolute favorite so far. It's called The Sky is Blue, by David Ignatow and it's short so I'll copy it down. Put things in their place, my mother shouts. I am looking out the window, my plastic soldier at my feet. The sky is blue and empty. In it floats the roof across the street. What place, I ask her. Honestly, the more I look into poetry, the more I understand that the poets don't want you to understand what the poem means. I think the reason why they are so tricky is so that it can mean so many different things, and pertain to so many different people. This poem, I think demonstrates a sure solitude of the boy. I feel like (and I could be wrong) the plastic soldier laying at his feet symbolizes the fact that he hopes to become a soldier someday when he grows up. But the boy is sad, and lonely for the time being while he waits, staring into the empty blue sky.

Picture Book Timeline

Children's picture books date way back to 1658. In those days, the children's books were all black and white and less animated than those made in recent years. The books from a long time ago such as (1826) Under the Willow by Edmund Evans and (1844) Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffman have very detailed and real illustrations. On the other hand, more recent children's pictures books such as (1910) Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and (1939) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans are far more animated and childish. The more recent books are made the way they are so that they are enjoyable and understandable for the children.

Boyfriend.

That's my man right there!! His name is Devin, and he's been my boyfriend for quite some time :)

I love him to death!!!! Can't imagine much of anything without him.

This picture was taken a couple months ago, when I had my fake glasses. I lost those things, though.

Well, I must admit, he's amazing and I'm so lucky to be with him!!

This is the prom dress that I made!!!

It's made out of a hot pink satin with a non-static lining (I know, how smart am I?). I even went far enough to put boning in the top, which is what makes it keep form easily.

It turned out really pretty and I am quite proud of it..but it doesn't fit me. I'm not so sure how that happened, but oh well. I gotta get started on my new one!

The Funniest DUI Test Ever

I just cant think of anything.

I finished my book last week, and I've been trying to decide what to read now. I read some books regarding violence, survival, family issues, love, dogs, and much more. and now I'm a little stuck on. Maybe I'll stop by the library tomorrow and pick the first book I see. Or the first cover that I like, ha ha. I do that sometimes, although just because the cover is cute, doesn't mean they're good at writing. (no offense to bad authors).

My sister got me a book for Christmas. I never read it. I don't even remember what it was called. I wish I had it now so I had something to read. Except I lost it, I think. I wish I knew where it was. ha ha I'd ask her to help me find it, but then she would know that I never knew where it was in the first place.

Life sucks sometimes. Or maybe God just makes it seem like it sucks so that when things go right, we actually notice how good life is. That's just my theory, and I hope it's true because I'd be really sad if I found out that this life is just a joke, and that we are all struggling through this mess for nothing. For that reason, I'm really looking forward to heaven, because everyone is nice there. (hopefully, anyways).

The definition of a friend (according to wikipedia) is...a cooperative/supportive relationship. Isn't it funny when friends don't cooperate or support? What would they be called at that point? I suppose not everyone can fit the place. And I guess that's okay, cos we can't all be awesome. But maybe some people just forget the definition sometimes, but once they remember they'll go back to that. Or maybe it won't matter by then. Ya, I don't think it matters.

Today

I took a mental health day yesterday. Slept all day, took a bubble bath, did a green facial, (couldn't do my nails bc it was ash Wednesday), caught up on homework, scrap booked, sewed, and much more!

I had a wonderful day, it was much needed. It was beneficial, though, because today I was happier and less tired as a result to all the sleep and relaxation from the day before!

Sometimes, you just need a break in the middle of the week, because hey, tomorrow is Friday and that is good enough news to keep me going!!!

Ya know that "To-Do" list I wrote a couple days ago.....ya, well none of that actually happened. I guess I was wrong. Things wont happen unless you take the initiative. I mean the days went by, but I got nothing done. I think that's okay though, sometimes.

Rescuing Sprite- Mark R. Levin Pg. 160-210

So, at this point the story is just being summed up because Sprite has already passed away. The Levin family is in a slump I would say.

Mark, especially, is struggling with the death of his dog. Dogs truly are wonderful and become part of the family very soon. They love you unconditionally and get excited about the littlest things! Mark fell into a depression and his health took a dive as well.

The family made the decision to have Sprite cremated, and Mark planted a tree in honor of Sprite. Before he put the tree in the hole, though, he sprinkled Sprite's ashes on the roots. He did this, so that Sprite would live on through the tree's life.

A couple months after Sprite's death, the Levin family adopted another dog in need of a home. They named him Griffen. Griffen would soon after pull Pepsi out of his depression. Regardless, the Levin's will always remember Sprite and the life he brought to their family.

I think dogs live such short lives because they already know how to love, unconditionally, so they need less time on earth to show that love. Us humans, however, need years and years of learning.

Sad book. Needless to say, I'm glad it's over.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, which for the Catholic church, marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period leading up to Easter that is meant for pretty much preparing for the Resurrection of Jesus!

This year, I'm giving up a couple things and adding some things too. I'm doing this because Jesus struggled for the 40 days too. He didn't have food or water tho, so mine isn't as mind-blowing, I guess.

things I'm giving up!
- nail polish
- coffee
- cussing

things I'm adding!
-daily mass once a week
-smiling :)

Easter, here I come!

Rescuing Sprite- Mark R. Levin Pg. 131-159

Mark Levin (the author) seems really depressed in this book. I'm surprised he had the motivation to write about such a depressing time. Props to him, I say.

Sprite has begun to act very differently. He doesn't always eat or drink, he has troubles walking and running, he cannot travel by stairs, and his sleeping patterns have changed drastically as well. One side of Sprite's face has become deformed due to the tumor which effects the muscles in his face. If I was the owner of Sprite, I wouldn't be able to look at him, I'd probably just cry.

Pepsi, (Sprite's buddy), has noticed all the changes in Sprite too. Pepsi doesn't run around as much as he used to, and isn't always happy, like he always was. Mark (the author) even said that Pepsi would sometimes look up at him as if he knew what was going to happen to Sprite. Poor Pepsi is about to lose his best friend, and there isn't anything that anyone can do.

One day, Sprite went outside to go to the bathroom but didn't come back. Once Mark noticed, he ran outside and began searching. A construction worker down the street ended up finding him in a river, helpless but alive. This incident, was the decision maker for Kendall and Mark. They realized that Sprite was only in pain and that they shouldn't keep him alive any longer because of that.

Many tears flowed during the euthanasia process. Sprite was finally in a better place, and out of pain. Very sad :(
This isn't the end of the story, though.

My to-do list

I've got so much going on this week! And instead of being organized and getting ready for it all, I'm simply waiting for it all to pass by. I mean the days will come whether I'm ready or not. So, this is my attempt to organize it all.

Today (Tuesday), I have to babysit at 6:30! I'm going out to dinner earlier, though, because both of my sisters are in Florida for spring break (yes I'm jealous), and it's our only chance to go out before they get back. It'll just be my parents and me. The biggest loser is on tonight at 8....but I can't watch it because I'll be babysitting. On top of all that I've got homework!

On Wednesday, I might be getting my license!!!!!!!!!! I'm not gonna complain about this one!! But I'm going to church at 6:30 because this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday (a holy day). After mass, I have to help at the Stapling Party (preparation for the upcoming mission trip).

Thursday..well I actually don't think much of anything is going on. I'll have to do something about that.

Friday, I've got my band practice after school. Then studying all night for the SAT on Saturday morning.

Got my 7 mile run on Saturday..not looking forward to it. Gotta say it'll be interesting though, I'm dragging my boyfriend along with me. Haha :)

Melanie :)

This is a picture of Melanie and me in West Virginia! We went there with our youth group on a mission trip for Habitat for Humanity, and helped build houses all week. We had alot of fun, while we were at it! This pic was taken at Germany Valley, a place we stop by every year. WV is beautiful!!!

I love WV and this lovely lady as well!

Rescuing Sprite- Mark R. Levin Pg. 75-130

I don't mean to continue the complaints, (as the book is about cute little dogs that are sweet and accountable companions), but this book....I just can't take the boring nature of it. Blah.

Mark Levin writes about his radio show and how he works from home. He describes how both of his dogs, Pepsi and Sprite, wait for him outside of his office door until his show is over. He then goes upstairs and eats dinner with one dog on either side of him, waiting desperately for a scrap of his dinner.

(Super interesting, huh.)

He then goes on to describe the gradual decline of Sprite's health. This part was really long, like dragging on and on about Sprite's failing condition. It was pretty sad hearing about all Sprite's vet visits and how he wasn't quite being himself.

Sprite had received test results back concluding that he had a tumor in his brain, which surgery may or may not remove correctly. But with the possibility of death as a result to surgery, the Levin's made the tough decision to stick with medicine that would ease his pain. Mark Levin especially had a difficult time dealing with this news because he has a special connection with his dogs and would hate to see either of them go. (which I can understand).

The Levin family went on a vacation to the Bahama's for Thanksgiving! But, without their dogs there they felt as though they had left a part of their family at home. The Levin family was so worried about their dogs' condition during their vacation, that they nearly forgot to enjoy it! Personally, if I went to the Bahama's, I'd enjoy it. Regardless.

Joanns!!!!!

I went to Joann's yesterday, my favorite store in the whole world! It's a fabric store and they sell all sorts of things. I went there because I made my prom dress out of hot pink satin with a non-static berry lining which was ah so pretty, but it didn't fit me. And I'd have to lose 3 inches in my waist to fit in it, but that's unrealistic seeing as Prom is 2 months away!

So, I had my boyfriend go with me and he helped me pick it out. It came down to lavender or a sparkly electric blue! He chose the blue and I'm really excited to make it!

I might even enter it into a contest! The winning prize is 50,000 dollars, but its open to all of U.S. so my chances are quite slim.

Rescuing Sprite-Mark Levin Pg. 33-74

I've been reading this book. It took me a long time though because it's so boring. I think the author has good intentions but it's definetly a slow read. I can imagine a group of 55 year old high class women meeting once a week to read and discuss this book. But, I'm not so sure about me.

In this point in the book, life is good for the Levin family. They just moved from their home in Reston, Virginia to a brand new house near Potomac River. His son and wife decided that it was time for Pepsi (the family dog) to have a furry friend.

After visiting the local shelter, the entire family agreed on adopting a tan and white dog which they named Sprite. Sprite adapted to the family, home and Pepsi very well. Neither of the dogs attempted to claim alpha dog, which surprised Mark. Within moments of seeing the dog, Sprite became part of the family.

Halloween came and Sprite had a health scare. While Kendall was handing out candy to the costumed children, Sprite suddenly collapsed. They took him to the vet and it was concluded that his issue could have resulted from many things, but that for sure he was older than they had guessed.

Sprite and Pepsi became inseparable. They did everything together. They went on walks together, ate every meal next to each other and even followed each other around the house. The family, though concerned for Sprite's health, felt ecstatic about adopting Sprite.

3.1.11

The Angel by William Blake

a). beguil'd, wept, delight, fled, blush'd, tears, shields, spears, vain

b). the words are more eminent than slight, and tuneful rather than tough.

c). The eminent and tuneful use of words in "The Angel" by William Blake emphasizes a majestic delicacy that adds to the soft violence of the poem.