Think awhile...

"Never be afraid to sit and think awhile." ---Lorraine Hansberry

This quote to me means that if you are going through a situation in life that is hard or you are going to encounter a difficult situation, you should just take some time and sit down to think about the pros and cons of each choice you can choose. People usually make the wrong decisions and come back to regret things when they just jump into situations and make hasty decisions.
In the book we are reading now, Mama is deciding on what she is going to do with the insurance money from her husband's death. Many people in the family have various ideas of where the money should be put and what the money should buy. All in all, these people realize that the money is not theirs' but it is Mama's. Ultimately, the decision is left up to her. If anyone gets their feelings hurt or gets upset about anything, they will be taking this up with Mama. The money can't do everything that everyone wants it too.

This must be a hard choice for a woman that wants to please everyone. She cares about her children more than anything in the world. She wouldn't hurt them for anything. When the money comes though, somebodies dream will be crushed because she can't afford both. That must weigh on her mind as she sleeps at night. The quote stated above the remedy for such dilemma. Such take some time and sit down and think about it. Don't just into anything. You may wind up regretting it.

School...

Junior year has proved to me that college isn't going to just be a breeze. It will require hardwork and extreme discpline. Taking AP and IB classes have shown me that I really need to focus and stop procrastinating. I believe that I will survive my junior year. It may be tough, but I know I can pull through and make it happen. As of now, I have strong B's and high A's in most of my classes. That's really good I think, considering some of my friends that are in the same classes are almost failing. That doesn't make me happy that I'm doing better, but I think that some of us just study and try a little harder. I think that with hardwork and dedication, a person can accomplish any goal or conquer any obstacle that is placed in front of them. Some of my friends and classmates just gave up this year, they just all together stopped trying. I can't figure out why this is happening, because I certainly wouldn't work for 12 years to get all a's and a 4.0 GPA, just to throw it away because things get a little tough. I say welcome to the real world. Nothing is just handed to you in the world, you have to earn it. I have heard many college students and adults who already have their jobs say that it really doesn't ever get any easier. Your highschool experience will be the easiest part of life that comes to you. For you to give up on the easiest part doesn't speak well about your drive or your character. It only shows that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. In high school, you should be self-disciplined and continue to work hard to accomplish every dream you have for your future because you are creating the foundation of it at this very moment.

The Little Things...

There are many things in my life that make me happy, that others might consider insignificant. I love the little things of life.
1. Having a really cool pen to write with.
2. Colored post-it notes
3. Having your homework done before the class starts.
4. Holes being punched in the paper before I get it, that way I can keep it in my binder.
5. A really cold glass of milk.
6. My parents buying me something without me having to ask for it.
7. Hugs for no reason.
8. Purses make me extremely happy.
9. Soccer games with blankets to keep warm.
10. Driving with the windows down.
11. Pecan pie is the best in the world.
12. Someone calling just to say "I love you"
13. When the internet on the laptop is working properly at a semi-fast speed.
14. Earphones not being tangled up.
15. McDonald's sweet tea.
16. Choco creams for Lic's in the middle of the summer.
17. Jumping in the pool.
18. Church
19. Fetticini Alfredo with salad and breadsticks dipped in italian dressing with black tie mousse cake for desert.
20. The smile of a friend who really cares.

Fighting...

Is it easier to fight with dignity than surrender in shame?

I think that's easier to fight with dignity than surrender in shame. If you have dignity, you don't feel as if you can just be ran over. It gives you something to fight for: yourself. If you give it all you have, then you know that you did your best and you don't have any regrets. If you surrender in shame then you have to live with that repuation and decision for the rest of your life. You are constantly reminded that you gave up the fight and didn't do anything about the other person. You reputation has a blemish and others now recognize you as a shameful person. Some even tend to shy away from people like that.

In the ancient times, it seems, it was more honorable to take your own life, than to die by the hand of the enemy. Therefore it is easier to fight with dignity than surrender with shame. The prize is not that you won, although winning is nice, it's that you didn't let yourself down and you did the best you could. In the end, that's all that really matters.

Money!

Money, money, money. The thing that seems to make the world go round, yet most don't have that much of. Money to me is a piece of paper that allows you to purchase certain things. Yes, don't get me wrong, money is important, but it's not all there is to life. When you have enough money to pay all your bills and get most of things you want or need, and put some back to save, you have enough money. I don't think I would want to be one of those people who just flauts their money, that has nothing to do with, yet still won't help others in their time of need. That's just selfish to me.
The lack of money impacts life significantly. If you grow up in poverty, your outlook on life is probably not that positive because your family didn't have enough money to get barely get by. People who lack money also seem to be very unhappy people for the most part. They look at others and become sickened because they can't have all the luxuries in life. If they work hard enough, then they will always make it through.
From the outside looking in, one might think that money makes the world go round. And for some that is true. I don't think it makes the world go round. Yea... it's nice to have and all when you want something or you have to pay a bill, but it's not all there is too life.
People constantly focus on the aspect of money and the little things in life that ohh so important just pass them by.

Printing Books...

I was in U.S. History class when I was trying to figure out how to put my textbook on my computer. Logan Ferguson and I were working in on this together. I put the CD rom in my computer and asked what I should do next. Logan told me that I should click the print button. He had the most serious look on his face. I was not aware that he was joking, so I clicked the button. I raised my hand, following clicking the print button, and told Mr. Fuller that I had just printed my book. He frantically ran from his desk to the phone saying "Are you trying to get me fired?" Mr. Fuller called the librarian and told her that there had been an acidental printing of a textbook. I assume she then asked how many pages it was. Mr. Fuller then replied "Oh... only about 2000."

I was so funny. I think the printing was cancelled in time, but to think that I printed a 2000 page book didn't seem good at all. It all worked out though. We still joke about it.

Laughter

Laughter unifies us in many different ways. We all laugh together at the same things. Some people might think that something is funny and others might not. Very seldom, does someone laugh about something all by themselves, unless there alone of course. Laughter is important because it warms your heart. It can turn a bad day into a good day. It makes you stop and realize the little things in life that mean the most to you. My friends are constantly making me laugh about the craziest things that most people would just find stupid. I laugh about these things many times. They dwell with me for days. Silly commercials on T.V. make me laugh, along with song lyrics. It really doesn't take much for me to laugh. I amuse myself most of the time. I'm very easily amused. T.V. shows that are overly dramatic and cheesy make me laugh so hard that I cry.
I think that laughing is the best medicine for a bad day. No matter what you are mad about and how mad you are, there is always something that can make you laugh or smile in the day. 24 hours is a long time, I couldn't imagine not laughing or smiling once in that time period.
But... as I said before, I don't have that problem because I'm either smiling or laughing 97% of the time. I'm not saying that I don't get sad because I do. I just have learned to smile through the hard times and everything will either work itself out or get better. And if it doesn't, you still need to smile and laugh then too. Laughter is the universal sign of happiness. Well... to me anyway.

Loving what you love...

Doing what you love and loving what you do is one of the most important things in life to me. I think that you should be happy with the way your life is going, or else you are going to have complications and problems arise throughout it.
Have you ever did something that you didn't really want to do but did it anyway? If you are like me, you didn't have a very good attitude about it and it seemed like it took forever. If you want to have fun doing something, you have to make it fun. That is why you should do what you love and love what you do.
That is the number one reason why teachers tell their students to choose a career choice that interest them because no one wants to do something for the rest of their life that's boring. It would get old after a while to anyone I'm sure.

Do what you love and love what you do, leave an impact on the world, and don't pick your nose.

I think this is very good advice for anyone trying to be happy in life. :]

Home!

Home to me is the place where love is spread and dreams are built. Am I ready to leave my home? Ummm... Not at ALL! I love my house. At this point in my life, I would never make it on my own. I'm focused on school and after that I focus on friends and family. All the extra responsibility of being on my own would just overwhelm me. I don't think that's going to happen for a long time, or until I leave for college. My home is unique in many ways. My family and I are very close. We still eat supper around the kitchen table, all together. We communicate and talk to each other on a daily basis. We tell each other that we love each other very often. My home is just a place that love is present and life is good. It's not always this way because my family and I do get into arguements, like every other family, but for the most part it's a nice place to be. We just have fun and relax. Also, my house is extremely clean.

Music is the cure!

Whenever I feel down, I listen to music. Whenever I go to sleep, I listen to music to help me fall asleep. Whenever I'm driving down the road, I listen to my radio blasting going down the street. Music just makes me feel better and it helps me concentrate. If I'm doing a homework assignment, I most always need music. It helps me to focus and concentrate on one simple topic. Music also plays an important role in me getting to sleep. It makes me tired and helps me get to my sound sleep that is so wonderful. Music is just an amazing way to express your opinions. You don't have to speak them directly, you can place them to an awesome beat and maybe everyone will love it. That is if you want everyone to hear it. My friends and I listen to music together all the time. We drive all over town just so we can listen to music and be with each other. Music is just amazing in everyway!

Throwing Stones...

The old saying if you live in glass houses, you shouldn't thrown stones is true, but you shouldn't throw stones at all. In this particular saying, stones are referring to your negative, critical comments. You should never judge anyone because you have never walked in their shoes. You don't know exactly what they go through on a daily basis. I have been on the end of someone always finding fault with me. I constantly tried to live up to their expectations, but it was never good enough. No matter what I did, they always had something mean or negative to say about it. They spent their time tearing me down instead of building me up and encouraging me like they were supposed too. I also have been the one judging. I have made it a point to not judge others now. Before I realized that impact my comments had on others, I always had something negative to say. Now I concentrate on the positive and the good. I try and smile at the little things and enjoy life. Everyone will be judged in the end so why be judged now. That's someone elses' job anyway, so stop doing it. Live life to the fullest and give your best and don't worry about all the nit-picky comments that others say. Tell them to get a life and stop bothering you and yours. :]

Friends...

I would have to say that I have some of the greatest friends in the world. They are constantly trying to make me laugh or smile. Always calling me to see if I want to do something. We do pretty much everything together. We go out to eat, soccer games, each other's houses, and all the other random things. They know when something is wrong, and they are always there to listen and care. They are there until the very end. We laugh together, cry together, through the good times and the bad. I can tell them pretty much anything in the world. I trust them almost everything. I know that if I ever needed them that they would be there for me no matter what.