NiKE KiCKS & WRiTiNG TiPS

Reflection on Junior Year

2009-05-26T12:11:00.001-07:00

2010 :)

Junior Year for me was an interesting year. I learned a lot about myself I had never known before, and that can either be really good, or extremely bad. Since I moved back here from Fayetteville, I met new people in Batesville I have never known, and I also got in touch with some of my old friends. The teachers I had this year were understanding and caring people, which is always a plus. I feel like I could have tried harder on homework, and done better on tests but I cannot go back and change the past, so I will try way harder next year.
I won an award at Lyon College for my history day paper which made me happy! I went on to state, but did not place. Even if I did not get to go to Washington D.C., I am still proud of my effort.
Over Christmas, I got a puppy named Gus and we are definitely the best of friends. He has lots of wrinkles and he drools every where but I love him to death.
I got my first job a few weeks ago! It's a little draining, but I love making money. I get my first pay check this Friday.
I started driving a few days before my birthday on May 15. I turned 17 that Friday!
A lot has changed my junior year. Independence is finally gleaming through the window, and I could not be happier about that.
Hopefully 2010 will be just as amazing.

Wrestling Match Book Review

2009-05-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Wrestling Match by Buchi Emecheta did not do as much for me as I thought it would. While I read this book, I found it worded awkwardly and I did not remember key points so as I would pick up reading where I left off, I would get confused. The names were extrememly hard to remember, and so the characters did not stick with me very well.
I am usually never picky about books, but I honestly did not like this story. I feel like the characters were not developed as much as they should have been. Okei seemed to change his attitude every chapter. One chapter, he would be angry, and the next he would be defending the girls that he so often talked down on. I understand that Okei wanted to be viewed as an adult, but I do not understand what a wrestling match had to do with it. Maybe I did not read it as thorougly as I should have, but maybe the writer should have been more clear. The theme was not even clear to me. So many random events happened that I was confused on the point. I feel strange talking so negatively about a book like this, but I cannot praise a book I found poorly written and confusing.

Perfect Chemistry Book Review

2009-04-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

As I read Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, the whole story basically hypnotized me. At times it was a little cliche, but I LOVED this book. I would say the book is 300 and somewhat pages, and I finished it in one day, during school.

While reading this book, I came across so many themes and universal problems teenagers and families face in today's society. On one side, you have the "rich kids", the kids who's lives are picture perfect. Big houses, nice cars, good grades and the works. On the the other side, you have the problem kids. The gang members, drug users, run down houses, etc. If you were to take all that away, there would be kids with feelings, hopes, and dreams standing in front of you. What happens when a "rich girl" gets paired up with a gang member in Chemistry class? Well, the two find out they are not so different than they think. The main theme I found was accepting people for who they are on the inside. Just because someone is considered a rich snob, does not mean that is actually who they are on the inside, when every thing is stripped away. Just because someone is in a gang does not automatically make them a horrible person. Every one has their reasons for why they choose the things they choose. Every one has a story to tell, and sometimes the good people can be bad, and the bad people can be good. Yet, the good people can really be good, and the bad people can really be bad too.

I loved the different characters in Perfect Chemistry. Brittany, who is one of the main characters has friends that she cannot really trust. She's the "rich girl" that gets paired up with Alejandro or Alex in chemistry. He is the gang member that has a good heart. Brittany lives a harder life than people can see from only going to school with her. Her mom is always stressed, her dad is never around, and her 20 year old sister is confined to a wheelchair because she has cerebral palsy. As Brittany and Alex find out more about each other, their perceptions of people begin to really change. I think later in the book the whole school starts to think differently about some things.

Simone Elkeles wrote with a very believable teenage tone. In the book, Brittany is the voice of every other chapter, while Alex is the voice of the other chapters. Brittany and Alex had two very different tones, so I was impressed with the way a woman could portray a teenage boy so well. Elkeles described things with so much detail, so much enthusiasm. I could not believe I finished this book in one day! I could not put it down. Each chapter left you wondering what would happen next. This book was an extremely easy read, but the story was great I think! It was a perfect story for teenagers, in my eyes.

This book took place in Illinois, very close to Chicago. I love big cities, and I love reading stories that take place in Urban areas. These stories take me away to something I have never really gotten to experience except when I am on vacation. Even though the story takes place in a big city, school is not that much different in small towns.

There were so many connections in this novel that connected to my life and other stories I have read and movies I have seen. When I lived in Fayetteville, I dated a guy that no one ever thought I would date. He was out of school, he was not rich, he ran with some bad people, but he was utterly and most definitely the nicest, most down to earth, honest person I have ever known. To this day, no one but me understands how much our relationship affected me in a positive way. While every one told me I was too good for him, I experienced a relationship where I did not have to pretend I was something I was not. He understood the obstacles going on in my life, and I was able to find out he was better than most rich people I knew. Even though he was not in school, he was so smart, and had so much going for him. I hope he knows that, and I hope no one ever brings him down. What most people do not know or care to realize is status has nothing to do with character. Rich people can be evil, and poor people can be gold hearted people. It is what is on the inside that truly counts. When our day comes, I am positive that our money in the bank will not be of value any longer. What is in our hearts will matter the most. The characters in this book find this out, and I hope people in real life find this out as well.

I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with their status in school, and in life. I recommend it to any one who cares about someone that other people look down on. I recommend this to people who feel like they could never be with that girl because she is rich, or that boy because he is popular, or who feel like they could never be with that boy because he is the "bad boy." Stereotypes should be broken, and this book breaks them. This would be an awesome summer read as well!

Holocaust Research

2009-04-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Since I do not have to write this Holocaust aper, I do not have a focused topic. I cannot pick one most interesting or most disturbing piece of information about the holocaust because it is all interesting and disturbing.

A few things I have read have stuck in my mind, and still haunt me. In the camps, the Nazis would have a row of dead bodies that were hung, and they would make the other Jews in the camp walk very slowly past them. Sometimes, the Nazis would tell the prisoners they were getting a shower, but instead they led them to the gas chambers or the ovens. The Jews were sometimes beaten to death, they were starved, hung, worked to death, etc.

The Nazis were horrible people and the way they treated the Jewish people was gruesome and terrible. I honestly do not think something as deadly and horrible like the Holocaust could ever happen again. People are more educated these days and hopefully a leader will never become as powerful and controlling as Hitler became. These days, people accept people a little bit better than they did back then.

Hopefully, something like the Holocaust will never be repeated. In the world today, there are other horrid things taking place that do remind me of the holocaust in ways. Animal cruelty reminds me of the holocaust in ways. Animals, like the Jews in the past do not have a voice, and they are abused and killed in large numbers. It is not as big of a nightmare as the holocaust, but it is still a huge problem. So, say no to furs and other things like that!

I Love My Blog

2009-04-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Favorite web based tech tool.

My favorite web based tech tool would have to be the blog. Writing is one of my favorite things. Having a place to write my thoughts, ideas, and dreams is such a nice thing for me. Blogger is a huge online community and there are so many talented people on blogger. As I sift through all the great writing blogs, I've stumbled on arts and crafts blogs, blogs about being a new parent, blogs about traveling, and so many more. Blogging joins people from all around the world. My mind expands as I read blogs. All of the different points of view feeds the person inside of me that wants to know everything. I feel at home on my blog since it's like a personal website. I feel as if I can really make it mine. Without blogging, I do not know what I would do. I would not trade my little view of the world for anything!

The Ruins of California Review

2009-04-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

I want to be a rich hippie.

The Ruins of California, by Martha Sherrill boarded me on the plane of my mind and flew me all the way to the Westcoast in California during the 1970's. Parts of California at this time were extremely glamorous and flawed, but the main character, Inez was fascinated with her father's life in the fast lane, or slow lane if you count the Marijuana. Reading this book submerged me into the culture of Westcoastians during the 70's, and I was not disappointed. I love culture, and family saga's. A few tears are good, and handfuls of laughs help as well.

Inez's parents divorce in the 60's, so Inez spends summers with her father in San Francisco, California. Her father is anything but bland and boring. He is a math genius, while being stylish and blessed in the looks department. Women come in and out of her father, Paul's life, which at times bothers Inez. In this book, I found so much love, but so much static between father and daughter. Paul loves Inez, and that was evident as I read Ruins of California, but just like any relationship there are rocky places, and misunderstandings. Feelings are hurt, and ego's are bruised. Just like any human being, Paul is not perfect, and neither is Inez. As I read this book, I thought of me and my dad's relationship and realized we have a really good one. Even if we fight sometimes, and even if we have let each other down, we still love each other.

The theme in this book popped right out of the pages, and that was family. Family is there no matter what circumstance, and they might not always be the people you would have chosen, but they are all you have. Being in a family is hard work. People are alway's getting their feelings hurt because when you love someone, you allow that person to break down all your barriers, all your walls. Family is on every page of this book.

Sherill's writing style could get a little boring at times, but over all, I really enjoyed it. The story was believable and meaningful. The characters were very different, very new. The traits of these characters was unlike any character I've ever ..."met."

I reccomend this book to someone who is having trouble understanding their family life. Someone who loves their father, but does not always agree with his decisions. This book is for a teenage girl who is growing into a woman, and needs help discovering who she is.

Fried Green Tomatoes Review

2009-04-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg took me on a southern fried, hilarious, exhilarating ride into the little town of Whistle Stop, Mississippi. I laughed so hard I cried, I cried just because it was sad, and I also just really lost myself in this book.

The stories of two friendships plays out in these pages, and one day I hope to discover a friend ship like these two. Ruth and Idgie ran the Whistle Stop Cafe, and every one left their restaurant full as a tick. Idgie never let any one leave hungry, and she would feed ANY ONE who came in her doors. In this novel, African American's were still treated poorly, and were not equal. If the police had seen Idgie giving them any food, she would be in trouble and so would they. She always gave them food any way. Idgie was able to get along with any one, no matter what their race was.
Ninny Threadgoode is the amazing story teller for most of the book. She lives in a nursing home and Evelyn Couch, a regular woman with many insecurities and worries finds herself sitting next to her most days while her mother in law swims in her own negativity.

As Ninny unthreads the story, Evelyn finds her own strength locked deep inside, and her life starts to drastically change. Ruth and Idgie become her idols, and life seems to have a purpose, seems to be worth living. Every character in this story have a meaning, no matter who they are. No matter their status, their color, their sexual orientation, they matter. The normalcies of people are switched up, and women can be risque but still be very important to people. Two women can have a little boy and be the two most popular women in the town. African Americans in this book still are treated wrongly, but are welcomed by Ruth and Idgie, and the other regulars in the Whistle Stop Cafe. Every one loves each other, and that matters.

This book reminded me that finding your own inner strength is important. Making friends and having fun is a must in life. Standing up for what is right is not wrong, and it should not be looked down upon, even though it is. Having faith, and being your self is something every one should do.

The writing style was simply amazing. I laughed, and I cried. That is very important. I want to feel all kinds of emotions while reading a book. The character's each had an important attribute to the story. They were not there for nothing.

I recommend this book to any girl or boy who has good taste!

Nineteen Minutes Review

2009-04-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult transported me into many different people's lives. The journey through a very disruptive, confusing, and challenging time made me question my behavior, as well as other teenagers around me.

Reading this, I realized how much bullying makes a negative difference in children's lives. Every one has a different way of reacting to pain. Children and teenager's are almost oblivious to each others feelings. Kids tend to act like every one goes home to a perfect life at the end of the day, and what is said never matters. One of the main charaacters, Peter, has a great home-life in my eyes. At least he is taken good care of, and has caring parents. Every kid goes through some hard times with their families, but Peter has caring parents. Kids started bullying Peter on the VERY first day of Kindergarten, and the bullying never stopped. Until he took an extremely wrong turn.

Jodi Picoult is an excellent researcher because she always makes every thing in her books seem so real and every character has a strong hold on what they do in their life. Peter seems very confused, and disturbed. The other characters seem like rotten teenage kids. Peter's parents seem like regular, worried parents. The way Picoult writes is very realistic. Every thing that happens is a little out there, but the things she writes about could definitley happen to any one. The main character, Alex Cormier unveils her life in this book and all I can say is becoming a parent seems like hard work to me especially with out a husband to help.

The setting reminded me of Batesville actually. A small town, gossip, the whole nine yards. Thinking of what happens in this book, happening in Batesville is terrifying. After turning every page, I began to question whether I have been a good person. If I could, I would take back every single mean comment I said to someone. Hurting people's feelings is not what I find joy in doing. In the end, I think hurting people hurts that person who says the things, more than person who has to hear it. If any one has a heart, they would regret the things they said in the past.

There was definitley a climax in this novel, that is undeniable. I read this book in a short period of time because I could not stop myself from turning the pages. I had to know what happened before doing any thing else!

I made so many connections while reading Nineteen Minutes. I thought of the shooting at Virginia Tech, Colombine, and the one in Jonesboro. Movies popped up in my mind as well. I also thought of a boy who was in many classes of mine through Junior High. He was bullied an extreme amount every single day, and I pray to God that kids have stopped, and that he will heal and not harm any one as a form of revenge. I pray he finds comfort from someone, and I pray he knows of a better way to heal.

Reflecting on Spring Break.

2009-04-01T13:29:00.001-07:00

I loved my Spring Break.

At the beginning of Spring Break, I actually did not do a lot. I stayed in Batesville for a few days and rested. After I had regained my strength, my dad and I took a fun little trip to Jonesboro for a few hours. After spending a couple of hours in Barnes & Noble, and a good minute reading magazines:) we left to go to lunch at The Dixie Cafe. After lunch, we went to Target and I got to shop. If I am shopping, I am a happer camper.

A few days later, we took off again towards Fayetteville! We met my mom in Russellville, and then my mom and I drove the three or so hours back to my other home. I love the drive to Fayetteville. I love the trees, the little towns nestled at the bottoms of the huge, green, rolling hills. The drive is just beautiful. When we arrived in Fayetteville it was getting late, so we went to dinner at Bordino's which is on Dickson. The Italian food was excellent, but that place is way too dark. I could barely see the menu!

Back at my mom's new apartment, I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with her and her boyfriend. I had already seen the movie, but the both of them had never seen it. When we finally reach the good parts, the movie messed up! I was so upset, but oh well.

The next day, I woke up early to get ready to go to lunch at FHS, my old high school. When I walked through the double doors, I felt so relaxed. I felt at home for once. The familiar faces and slur of people made me smile. I hugged every one I saw, because Fayetteville is a place where every one gets to know each other some way or another. I had also gone to school with these people since 7th grade. I ate lunch with all of my friends, then left wanting to cry, but I tried not to.

The next night, I saw my brother. We all ate bbq, and after, my brother and I drove around eating Shake's icecream, just talking and laughing at the songs on the radio.

On my Spring Break, I did not lose myself in the waves at any beautiful beaches, or get an epic tan. I did not meet any one famous, or go on a cruise. On my Spring Break, I was able to see my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother, which was better than any sun damaged skin or the foamy ocean. I was able to breathe for a while, able to lose inhibitions. Getting away from every day life is one of my favorite things...ever.

Thoughts on the Holocaust

2009-03-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

:(

The holocaust was a time in history that will always hurt me. The thought of one man and his followers pratically brain washing a country with words is haunting and sends shivers down my spine.

In my eyes, everyone is equal, or should be equal and it's sickening to think that some people still do not believe that. The Holocaust must never be repeated. The world has become more educated so hopefully something as serious and intense as the Holocaust will never happen again.

The author of the book Night, Elie Wiesel asks the question through out the novel how can a group of people reach the point to want to wipe out a race. It is inhumane and very evil.

To me, Adolf Hitler was the worst criminal in history, and I cannot understand why he thought the things he thought. I do not want to understand because he obviously was not in a right state of mind. Every one should be able to come together and hold hands, black or white, Jewish or Christian, Israeli or American. Prejudices get people no where in life, and I wonder when the world will understand that.

Thoughts on the EOL Exam

2009-03-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

Not bad.

The English EOL exam was better than I thought it would be. As I breezed through my multiple choice questions and open responses, I made myself go back and check my answers to make sure I did not miss anything or mark anything that I should not have marked.

The questions were fairly simple so I feel confident I will not have remediation next year. English is the subject that comes easiest to me so overall, the test was great. I got out of morning classes, and chemistry, (yay) and Mrs. Gillmore, my english and newspaper teacher brought us food to keep us pumped up, and also created some great rewards for us if we worked hard.

This EOL exam was not a bad experience at all! Now Algebra II, thats a different story.

The Jazz Age: Great Gatsby Review

2009-02-19T16:49:00.001-08:00

As usual, I was lost in the magical writing of another great author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, in his book, The Great Gatsby. The Jazz Age was F. Scott Fitzgerald's assigned name for the more commonly named "Roaring Twenties", the early twenties, right before the Great Depression. The twenties was a time of flapper dresses, dancing, jazz, lavish parties, and well massive amounts of money being spent. Fitzgerald portrays a handful of characters in this book as greedy, self centered people. Nick, the narrator of the story is a fixed character, which means he does not really change, and he does not have a main want in the book. Jay Gatsby on the other hand is focused on one person, but I will not say who. The other characters, like Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle all have an extremely materialistic want. The Great Gatsby had the most vivid, juicy descriptions, and it amazed me how Fitzgerald could write about such horrid people, and make me sit back and say "what beautiful writing."

The Great Gatsby had themes hidden through out the pages. Two main themes that stuck out among the more minuscule were selfishness, and love. Being selfish to me, should be one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Each character, besides Nick, was focused on themselves to the point that lives were shattered, literally. Some of the characters lied to get to where they wanted to be, some were abusive, some cheated, and some committed countless crimes just so they could be considered part of the elite.
Love was also somehow, a part of this novel. Jay Gatsby loved one of the characters so much, that it turned into something unhealthy, and dysfunctional. He was borderline desperate to be with her, so he did some things he normally would not have done to get her back, to make her understand that she should be with him. Love should be able to breathe, and not be rushed. Trying to win someone back will most always, combust.

The use of description, and vivid words throughout the novel were in depth, and well, pretty. Fitzgerald used colors to describe feelings, and issues, so I really got a hold of what emotion I should try to understand at that current moment. I honestly would say the characters were not very well developed, because Nick was the narrator and Nick could not read minds, but the use of quotes in The Great Gatsby made me feel as if I was there spying. I felt entertained reading this book, and I felt like taking a step out of my life bubble for a moment to recognize the selfishness I carry, and present to other people. I realized many of the wants I desire are really selfish. How about wanting to HELP other people who are less fortunate than me? How about wanting to get a good job so I can maybe teach people what I know, and helping them in their future, or so I can write for a living and make people think?
His writing formed these thoughts, and I dub F. Scott Fitzgerald an extremely GOOD writer.

Connections: Whew! Jay Gatsby carried a lot of those around with him. There are so many connections in The Great Gatsby. I took a lot of text to world connections because the characters could very well be people I know. People in the world tend to be selfish, which is a shame. There is a difference between loving yourself, and being selfish. Too many people I know cannot figure out the difference. The Great Gatsby reminds me of Shakespeare works, because of the over exaggerating endings that prove very important points.

I truthfully loved this book, because the writing kept me on the edge of my seat, and I learned a huge lesson in the end. Killing two birds with one stone is always a plus. I recommend The Great Gatsby to people who enjoy an intelligent, entertaining, colorful, FAST read, and who can appreciate history, like The Jazz Age.

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff: Review

2009-02-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

David Sheff invited me into his life, and the struggle of his son's drug addiction with his memoir, Beautiful Boy. David Sheff discovers a bag of Marijuana in his 12 year old son, Nic's, backpack, and at the age of 17, Nic is hooked on Crystal Meth. David checks him into countless rehabilitation centers with no luck and continuous relapses. Beautiful Boy had a tight grip on me from the first page to the last with Sheff's vivid detail, and strong writing style.

There could be many different themes of Beautiful Boy, but the one main theme I caught was a parent's unconditional love for their child. No matter how many times a child lies to a parent, or lets a parent down, the parent will most likely always give the child another chance. I struggled with Nic's character because he made me so angry. David Sheff continued to try to help him through out the entire book, but Nic never seemed to clean up his act. Nic continued to metaphorically slap his own father in the face with his nonchalant attitude. Then, I remembered that drugs cause people to lose themselves. Nic was behind a dark veil, and his true personality was beneath a giant shadow of syringes and lies. David understood that Nic was not himself, and Nic needed support and love to rise above his addiction.

David Sheff's writing style took my breath away. He invited me inside of his families life, starting with Nic's birth. I laughed, I cried, I became angry, hurt, let down, hopeful, proud, etc. David Sheff wrote down his soul in Beautiful Boy. I felt the joy he felt when Nic was doing well, and I felt the heart shattering pain when Nic would runaway and later on relapse after rehab. The style was excellent, and when I read a story, I want to escape into that place. Beautiful Boy did that for me.

The setting was a new world for me, since I reside in the South. The Sheff family lives in the Western part of the United States, around areas like San Francisco. Drugs and struggle creep around these large cities in abundance, and Nic kept getting pulled under. But so many beautiful things are around these areas. A therapy for Nic was surfing, and bike riding. Growing up, David Sheff and Nic would surf and hike, bike ride, and camp. David did not want Nic to lose all of his child hood.

Beautiful Boy should create all kinds of connections for people. For me, I thought about my own family, and how the Sheff's are very different, but very much alike. Every one most likely has a relative with a drug addiction problem, or an alcohol problem. It's not uncommon at all. The pain that drugs and alcohol create for families is like a wave crashing over, destroying so many things in it's path. People should read more books, essays, memoirs, etc. about drugs and the tolls they have taken on families.

I recommend this book to anyone who has been let down by a family member, but still continues to fight for them, and to love them unconditionally. This book is for anyone who appreciates good writing, and a good story to take them away. Beautiful Boy contains legitimate facts and research about USA's worst drugs, and the precautions to take for a family member who is using. Beautiful Boy by David Sheff is worth the read, I assure you.

Barbie Girl, Material World.

2009-02-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

What fuels this era?
What fuels children in toy stores?
What fuels drug dealing rappers?
What fuels scheming, high paid lawyers and businessmen?
...
The material things.

People in our society have a tendency to live in a fantasy world full of big cars, nice clothes, and lots and lots of money. Every one wants to wake up in the morning and smell their Benjamin Franklin's and stretch and yawn in front of their full length, bay windows in front of a man made pool.

Material things transform cute, little toddler girls into raging, mad, make up dripping, daddy's money spending, nice whip driving feminine pyschopaths. TV focuses on the women and men who were either born into a wealthy family, or stumbled blindly across a massive fortune.
The only doctors, lawyers, politicians, etc, who are in the limelight are usually dirty, and as a result of being dirty, they're making dirty money.

It's a shame to be materialistic. When the brand name of a person's clothes begins to matter more than the thoughts they produce, there is a massive problem. MAY DAY, MAY DAY.

Writing this, I realize I'd rather my doctor, or lawyer, or therapist have very nice clothes on than the Wal Mart special. I realize I'd rather be pampered while in their care, than not. But at the same time, I'd rather them have a doctorate than have a rich family background.

Material things don't create the person. They high light the person. Material things flatter people, and make them more glossy; more respectable at times.
But at the end of the day, material things can disappear, and all thats left is the person.

People mean more than material things.
Instead of focusing on what that girl is wearing, or what that guy is driving, we should focus on what that girl is doing for herself, and what that boy can offer the world.

Girls: Stop living as a Barbie girl in a material world.
Boys: Stop living as a Ken doll.

Barbie and Ken have issues just like you and me.

The Crucible+Hysteria

2008-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Back in the year of 1692, hysteria in Salem broke out.

The Salem Witch Trials was a time in history when lies, greediness, and teenage angst was very much alive.

In the play, and the movie The Crucible, a big group of teenage girls were getting themselves into very deep water one night in the woods with a Barabados native slave, Tituba. "Conjuring up spirits" was what Revered Parris suspected of them. The girls were being silly, teenage girls and were playing around and dancing in the woods. Abigal, the main character "sacrifices" the chicken, and all hell breaks loose.

Betty is suspected to have the devil inside of her, and is trying to communicate with everyone. Well, I think most of this is to get attention. Betty always followed in Abigal's footsteps, and she finally has a time to "shine" or whatever she thinks will happen. She created so much hysteria by being non communicative, and a Reverend from another town comes; Reverend Hale.

John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor have a lot of play in the story as well. John Proctor basically makes Abigail crazy. Abigail literally would like to see Elizabeth dead.
When I reflect on every character, I find many traces of pride, greediness, lust, attention craving, and just BAD things.
I honestly do not think they "conjured up the devil." They were silly teenage girls, being teenage girls.

Hysteria broke out a bushel of times in the past. People were not as educated as they are now, so opinions fueled actions, instead of education and facts fueling action.

The Salem Witch Trials are another time in history where I shake my head and sigh.
"We have GOT to do better!"

Hysteria. makes. people. CRAZY.

Making a New One.

2008-11-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

I think this should strictly be for school, & like about the books I'm reading & what not.

I'm making a new blog for all my word vomit.
Weeee.

New blog coming SOON.
Get ready, for something BIG.

Make Believe Movies & Real Life

2008-11-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

"I know you don't believe in fairy tales. But, if you did, I'd want to be your knight in shining armor. You've been through so much. I don't want to see you hurt anymore. Now I may not be able to give you all that your used to. But I do know I can love you past your pain. I don't want you to worry about anything. You just wake up in the morning, that's all you have to do and I'll take it from there.
There's one condition. You have to be my wife"

Quotes like these in movies drive me crazy. When do men actually do the things they do in movies? Cooking, saying the PERFECT thing, looking good 100% of the time...Never. I wish they were real, I wish guys acted like they did in movies. But they act the opposite. They always say the wrong things, always. When I start to like someone, they always change my mind by the things they say. Ughh. It's frustrating.

Maybe I'm too picky, maybe I can't judge someone that hard. But, I feel like I deserve more than a boy full of hormones, and overused lines.
I want someone who can be serious, but can make me laugh when the times right. I want someone who loves music just as much as I do, good music. I want someone who isn't afraid to tell me the truth, and what he feels. Someone who is strong, but can show their feelings. I want someone who looks good all the time...lol.

I'm sick of putting up with someone that I don't want to put up with. I want someone who I'm happy to be around, who I miss when I'm not.

Once you've had love, its impossible to go back to not having it...
That was in a book I read.

So for now, I'm just going to focus on me, and wait. He'll come along, they always do when you're not looking.

So come my way. :)

Tonight I came across a new magazine I'd never seen. It's called Flaunt, and that was the dumbest 80 some pages I've ever seen, in my life. The magazine was EIGHT dollars. EIGHT DOLLARS. I was in shock. The cover was heavier and thicker than any thing I've ever seen. There were probably a total of 10 pages in the whole magazine that was actually written by the creators. The rest were ads. I could have produced a better magazine than that. Honestly. Flaunt, you need to step it UP.

I want to be a magazine editor so bad, I can taste it. I don't want to run an online magazine, though. I want a real, in the flesh magazine. I'm scared of the future.

What do you want in your future?

I'm Leaving on the Next Plane, Hold Me Like You Know I'll Never Go...

2008-11-21T15:07:00.000-08:00

...Even though you know I will, I'm a travelin' man.

I wish I could leave on the next plane; I want to get away, in a BIG way. I can't wait till college, and life after college. Who ever thinks I'm going to live in a small town, they better hold their breath.

Follow my blog with bloglovin´

Dear Santa,

This is my greedy list. I know I won't get anyyy of these things, but here you go.
Have fun putting my name on the naughty list.

I can only wish.

ISSUES WITH OUR WORLD:
The whole banning gay marriage thing.

First of all, let me just say, I DON'T UNDERSTAND. How is it the governments concern if two men or two women get married? We shouldn't even say because of the bible, because the bible has nothing to do or SHOULD have nothing to do with our governments decisions. The whole wide world doesn't believe in the same religions. Ughh, I'm a Christian, but I seriously shake my head in disgust with some of these "Christian's" decisions.
I think it's un-Christian like to tell two people they can't marry. How is their marriage going to affect what anyone else does?
That's a personal thing, and no one should tell them they can't legally be married. What if someone told YOU you couldn't get married to another person? You'd be pretty mad, I bet.

It just all boils down to the fact that I don't understand why people make such a big deal about gay marriage. Gay men and women are just like every one else, when they fall in love with someone, they might want to take the next step...but if you cannot LEGALLY get married, then whats the next step?
Oh yeah, and in Arkansas, two people who aren't married can't even adopt children!?

Oh my goodness, these two things blow my mind.
Just because these hypocrites don't want gay couples to raise these children, they passed that Act.
Now it's going to be even HARDER to adopt.
Good job, guys.
Gooood job.

:\.

Atleast Obama is President now. That's probably the only thing that would have saved us.

World, you're in my prayers.
Santa, please get me those Nike's.

Acknowledge the Rep.

2008-11-20T17:14:00.001-08:00

Lily wants a new phone.

The new Samsung Propel. ♥
It's beautiful, & I'm fiending for it, badly.
I don't think fiending is a word.

I need a job, because since I entered the blogging world, I find so many cool things that I want to enhance my life.
& I found kicksonfire.com
& it completed my life.

Chris Breezy had on some beautiful Nikes. I found a picture.

Aren't those amazing? I love the shape.

To catch everyone up on the reading, I've been into The Mercy of Thin Air.
It's about a girl who's "in between" life and death. She's not in heaven or hell, she's still on earth. I guess shes a "good" ghost. This book is crazy weird. It's not scary or spooky or anything, she just watches this couple for a long time, and gets interested in their lives and she reflects on her relationship. It's sort of sad, in a way...since she's dead. And I'm sort of in love with the relationship she had with this boy, Andrew. It's really nicely created, the author made it believable. The book sort of talks about women rights again, whats the deal? I've been reading all of these feminist books. But, she talks about how she'd find all of these abortion and birth control pamphlets and she hides them in books in the library. I give her props for that, because if she was caught she'd go to jail.
Word.
I have to see how it ends.

Last night was TRL's LAST NIGHTTTT.
Thank God up above.
I hated TRL.
TRL put lame artists in the lime light. Yuck.
Like, Nelly, Luda (who I do actually like) and 50 cent performed. Oh & Snoop but Snoop has the right to do whatever he wants. He's made his name. But 50 Cent...really?
Oh, & whats up with 50's new show?

Dear 50 Cent,

Just because you got shot 9 times does not automatically make you a good or real rapper.
Stick to the "streets" baby boy, 'cause you do not belong in the game. Really.
If I got shot, I wouldn't become a rapper.
I'd stay locked up in my house, thank you.

Love,
Your biggest hater,
Lily

Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit I am a 50 cent HATER.

But back to TRL, let me just say, I love Snoop Dogg.
Oh, & The Backstreet Boys played "I Want It That Way",
That used to be the SONGGG.

About the whole music issue, why don't real M.C.'s get the credit they deserve and actually work hard for? Is the average American just that dense to like commerical, watered down lyrics? Seriously, Talib Kweli never is talked about. Common only gets talked about because of other people, like Kanye. No one's ever even heard of Masta Ace. :(
I can't even write about this, it depresses me too much.
By the looks of it, I can become a rapper and be popular because I'd be terrible.
Just dress flashy & make up lame rhymes.
It could be done.
Oh & I'm white.
That'd sell.
Because it's never really been done, I don't know any white female rappers.
Do you?

Acknowledge by MASTA ACE.
Do it, now.

A Thousand Splendid Suns #2

2008-11-18T11:50:00.001-08:00

American Women's Lives vs. Afghan Women's Lives

In America, women can work anywhere they desire. Women can wear bright colors, paint their nails, wear high heels. They can wear revealing clothes if they want, and they can laugh as loud as they want in public.

In Afghanistan, the rules for women are totally flipped in a 180 degree angle. Women cannot do any of the things I listed above.

In the book, A Thousand Splendid Suns women had no rights, whatsoever. To go out into public, women had to have a man with them. They could not laugh in public, could not wear nail polish, or high heels. They had to cover every inch of their body.

It is amazing to think that when the Taliban had power, women had to abide to their rules, or they would be beaten, or even stoned.

Women in Afghanistan probably had dreams as big as skyscrapers, but because of the rules the Taliban had created, women were stuck working in their homes.

I think people who live in America should feel very grateful and thankful every day. The problems and corruption America faces does not even match up to other countries around the world. During America's economic crisis, it is hard to remember the other countries who don't even have enough economy to have a crisis.

American's become so caught up in America, and the other countries problems start to fade out of our mind's.

When I think about this book, like I said in the first post, I become very grateful for what I can do. Women can do anything a man does. Sexism is still apparent, but not as much as it was. Women can run big companies, can be anything they want.

But when the Taliban had control in Afghanistan, women could not even breathe without punishment...almost.

I pray the Taliban never have resurgence in Afghanistan again. Women should be working over there in big groups to overcome people's prejudices of them. It is harder than it sounds, I am sure. But, anything is possible.

The author of this book, Khaled Hosseini must feel the Taliban had totally corrupt and biased laws. Men should also take the time to think about life in Afghanistan. Without women having big job's, men would be in trouble in America.

If I Were a Boy

2008-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Beyonce's new song=A++++
Zewdy from youtube sings it amazingly as well.

Mos Def's album is releasing in February:) I'm definitley excited about that. His new single released the 4th, Life in Marvelous Times.
I'm impressed.
"If Mos Def were President"
That video is dopeee.
Youtube it, nowww.

"You have more, you should do more."

"If I were President, America would be cooool again."

"We should have a voting weekend."

100 year end for the phrases
"in the club"
"thats hot"
"thats sick"
"droppin it like it's hot"
"dippin it low"
& of course
"shortie"

"If I were President I'd have national Tupac day,
Nattional Skateboard Day."

"You'd be a good jedi."
Basically, I love him.

Christmas is coming♥................

I know they're not Nike's, and I do feel like I'm cheating. But I love these! I think I like the white better than the black?

Wisdom Teeth

2008-11-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

I look like a squirrel. :( I've missed like 4 days of school. Ohh well.

I hope Mrs. Gillmore noticed my "A Thousand Splendid Suns" post. It's under the million pictures of the Nike's.

Tuesday was the day I went and got my wisdom teeth out. It was so weird. We drove to Jonesboro, and went to the place, filled out the papers, and then I went and sat in the room. My dad and I watched a little video about the surgery, and after the surgery. Bahah. It was weird.. The doctor came in and he talked to me about what he was going to do. Soooo then him and the lady left and I watched football highlights on espN hahah. The lady came back and took my blood pressure and all that, and then the doctors nurse came in..(it was a guy..a hot guy) annnd he did my IV. But it took him like 50 tries to find a vein. It was awkward. So finally they found a vein, and I slept. I've never had an IV before, so it was a really crazy experience! They woke me up and put me in this little dark room, and I watched another video. Then we drove home..and I slept the whole way. Then I went to sleep for like 3 days. I watched tv a lot, and ate pudding. I ate ice cream last night. Then today I watched Law & Order till my brain condensed into soup. I hate wisdom teeth. Blahhh. I feel like I've missed so much haha.

I'm watching the movie "Big" right now. Yeee hawww. I love Tom Hankes.

There are 41 days till Christmas? I think.

I'm still writing my short story..It's harder than I thought it would be. I don't know if it's believeable enough, and I keep getting stuck.
Oh well, I'll keep working on it.

I can't wait till I get better. I don't like having fat cheeks.

WRiTiNG TiP #6
Dialogue is important in a story, but it should only be used to develop character or to advance the story. It should not be used just to hear characters talk. Dialogue makes fiction seem real. However, dialogue that copies reality may actually slow down a story. Avoid unnecessary or repetitive dialogue.
http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/JANKEJ/writing/tips.htm

NiKE KiCKS. Biggg Ballllin.

2008-11-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

My second true love. Nike High Tops. ♥

This post is dedicated to the many shapes and colors of Nike's.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2008-11-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Out of class novel

The book A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, shows the lives of two women living in extremely complicated times. The Novel is based in Afghanistan, around Herat and Kabul. A Thousand Splendid Suns touches on the topics of the Civil War that came to Afghanistan in the 90's, and very early marriages for women. Social status was also a very big deal around this time.
The two characters are so well developed, that I began to feel what they felt, I can see what they saw. Reading this book was very emotional for me.

The main character Mariam starts the story off with details about her parents, and her life. She only lives with her mother, because her father is a businessman and Mariam's mom is a housemaid. Social status was a make or break detail for wealthy men and women.

The next biggest character Laila tells her story later on in the book. Her "Babi" is a modern minded high school teacher, and her mother is depressed because her sons joined the mujahideen to fight The Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

Miriam and Laila meet later on in the book, and the story becomes very intense.

To me, this book is all about choices people make, and some issues people can't control. When I hear myself complaining about little things going wrong in my life, I sit back and think about Miriam and Laila's lives, and feel pretty pathetic afterwards. The challenges I face in day to day life are nothing like the challenges Miriam and Laila face.

Reading helps me to evaluate my life, and problems that seem to bother me, don't bother me as much after I read stories like this one.

I hope I can become as strong as these women throughout my years. They each take so much pain, and so many let downs but never give up hope. They keep their eyes on what is important, and they accomplish what needs to be done.

This book is simply an inspiration.

Deceit& Cramps.

2008-11-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Welllll my weekend has been dubbed the most boring weekend of all time.

I left school early on Friday because I felt like I was going to double over and die. I came home & took a lonnnng nice nap:) & finished The Girls which pretty much bore me to death. It had some good lessons I guess, but it wasn't worth the 400 & some pages.
I felt better that night, but everyone was already at the BIIIIIIIG game. So, I knew I wouldn't have a seat. My dad and I went to eat, and then we went to Hastings. I bought a new book:) It's called Pretty Little Mistakes. They're short stories, but there are 150 different endings. It's crazy.

Saturday night was pretty messed up. I found out a lot of stuff that I wish I hadn't. But, it helps me to move on. No one knows what I'm talking about, but thats ok.
I hung out with Jenny:)). We went to Hastings and some boys at my school were planning on beating someone up.
High school...sheesh.

Today I figured out my little mp3 player thats taking the place of my iPod. So far I only have like 5 songs..thats alrighttt. I'll get there.
& I worked on my short story I'm writing..I'm not sure how long it's gunna get because I'm just rolling with it. So far it's like 3,000 words..and thats just the beginning pretty much.
I feel like taking another hugeeeee nap. This weekend was lame.

I get my wisdom teeth taken out Tuesday. Eeek. I'm freaking out. I hope I'm out of it for like three days. Make up work is not my favorite thing, but sleep is.

I'm still excited about Obama:)
♥

Check this out, it's amazing...

Yeahhhh. I want it really bad. I want the Obama one too:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ytd2DdHj4
my favorite Mos Def song.
It's amazing.
♥

GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS...
It's 5:47 but actually it's

WRiTiNG TiP TiME.

WRiTiNG TiP #5
I'm a musical person, so if I do things with music in the background it helps me concentrate. I like noise, I can't think if I'm in total silence. So, open your iTunes or turn on your iPod and write to your favorite mellow music.
Maybe it will stir up your ideas and make it easier to put it on paper, or on word, or wherever.

Have funnn.

Racism exploding?

2008-11-06T17:22:00.000-08:00

It's hard to write a note for what I want to say. I want to write something that doesn't offend anyone, but how can I do that? I can't be angry in this note, because anger doesn't allow feedback. It just makes everyone get upset.

First of all, everyone should be congratulating Barack Obama. The people who voted McCain can't keep marinating on these false rumors of Obama's associations. How are we going to unite as a nation if all the McCain voters HATE Obama. When I read people's statuses on facebook, I feel like we haven't made any progress. We have a mixed President, yet people are calling him the n word that died out a longggg time ago. That word conveys ignorance and hate. How can someone be for a fetuses right's, but think it's perfectly Christian to use that word that cut into HUMAN BEINGS hearts. That lowered their self esteem, and their self worth. That made dreams seem too far away to reach.

I didn't want this note to be all about racism, but racism seems to be in full throttle over night. It was a quiet racism, which isn't any better. But now people are showing their true colors. How would whites feel if we saw our dad, or mother, or sister, or brother being HUNG in front of HUGE crowds, and we couldn't do a thing about it?
HOW would whites feel if we picked cotton in the blazing sun all day long, and had to answer YES MASTER to people who treated us like animals. How would whites feel if we were drug over from OUR OWN COUNTRY to a country where we had NOT ONE RIGHT. We didn't have land, we couldn't vote, we couldn't live on our own. We had to answer to someones beckoning call night and day for years.
There is no reason to be living in racism in 2008. TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT. It's modern times, and we still have this issue of dividing people up into groups by stereotypes.

I admit, I've laughed with Dave Chapelle. I've laughed at racist comments because everyone knows how stupid it is. But I'm never laughing ever. again. I'm not going to be a part of something so inhumane.

People always tell me, LILY YOU'RE WHITE...etc. So that means I can't love hip hop music? I can't wear my high top nikes in peace? & If a black kid wants to listen to rock, he can't in peace?
He can't talk properly? It's weird if he uses "correct" English?
HE CAN'T BE PRESIDENT IN PEACE?

I'm sorry this is all about racism. I know a lot of people who just didn't agree with Barack Obama's policies, and thats FINE!
I'm talking to the people who display their racism on comments, statuses, wall posts.
It makes me sick to my stomach, honestly.

Racism lives on through ignorance. We need to learn everything we can, and teach our children that everyone is equal. BECAUSE IT'S TRUE. Rich people aren't better than the poor. The poor aren't less human than the rich. Poor people aren't poor because they're lazy. They're poor because everyone ISN'T EQUAL and because they're poor, it's hard to make it out of that social stance.

We need to allow Barack Obama to come into our lives, and we need to trust him. It doesn't matter if he was German, Asian, Costa Rican, Kenyan, Jamaican, Austrian. HE WANTS TO HELP US.
We need to allow him to be able to help us. We can't put up a wall because we don't like him. I didn't like Bush either, but I gave him a chance to prove himself.
he didn't.

We have a future generation that will lead this country one day, we have to move forward.

hen will mixed children have a place? When will these stereotypes totally die out.
I just want to make a list of stereotypes that I've been exposed to in my life.

Black people like watermelon.
Every white person is racist.
White girls who date black guys are fat and trashy.
Black guys who date white girls are only using them.
Every mexican works at a chicken factory.
Black people who talk properly are "white". NEVER understood that.
White people who like rap are posers.
Every black guys sells drugs.
Black people love fried chicken & koolaid.
White people don't understand the struggle. **We have our OWN struggles.**

I've heard all of that in my life. Now, on paper, doesn't that seem ridiculous?
I'm done.

Marinate on that, and if you are racist and want to tell me why. PLEASE DO. because no one ever has a reason.

Day Two of Obama WEEK.

2008-11-05T20:33:00.001-08:00

I'm still basking in the glory of Obama's win:) There have been very negative comments from sore losing McCain voters, but some McCain voters have been very positive as well! It's exhilarating. We have a long, rocky road ahead of us, but I think we're going to do just fine.

blahh, I have nothing exciting to write about except the fact that I'm getting all four of my wisdom teeth taken out the 11th. I'm freaked out.
Note to self: Turn in act registration on Friday.

I went to youth tonight, and I've decided to integrate Jesus into school with me! Haha, let me explain...I think about Jesus during my hobbies..I think about him when I run, when I write, when I listen to music...so school is the only place I never think about Jesus. It's weird...I guess because I'm around so many people and I'm trying to listen to the teacher and get everything I need to do in my head. I forget to think about my future, and the fact I know Jesus wants me to live my dream..which is to be a magazine editor and be a teacher to people..to help people and talk about things I think are important. I need to have him in my thoughts when I'm at school...and I think it would make my attitude better. I get stressed on school days and take it out on people that don't deserve to be treated like that. I know I can do it, and make my life even better.

Soooo, I figure I should post some of my writing.
I want feedback, honest feedback:))
This one is about someone very special in my life.
I was missing him:(

"Behind the Camera Lens"

When I was little,
You'd sit in the bathroom
While I took a bath.
You'd grade your papers,
Read.
And I'd dunk water over my head,
Cleaning away the dirt of childhood.

Every business trip,
You'd come home, and we'd come running
To you, to see what you brought us.
Grey and I were obsessed
With beanie babies.
That time you went to Chicago,
You came home with a
Chicago Bulls beanie baby.
I still have him.

That other time,
You went to Chicago,
I missed you like crazy.
You pulled up into our rocky driveway.
I came running to you,
And scraped my knee.
I cried.

Remember the time,
I put acorns in your brand new
Hard drive?
It never worked properly,
again.
Sorry about that, dad.

Holidays
Always meant lots
Of camera film.
You loved taking
Pictures.
On those days,
You were always
Behind the camera lens.

When I turned 12,
I was obsessed with basketball.
Believing I was going to be
In the WNBA,
I asked for a basketball goal.
You believed in me.
And it took you 3 days
To put the goal together.
That meant so much to me, dad.

I remember,
When Pam and Brian came to visit.
We sat on the back porch,
Of the house on College Heights.
The fireflies were out,
And it smelled like summer.
I climbed into your lap,
And I felt like "daddy's little girl."

On February 2nd,
That morning I had
To go to the hospital,
You live four hours away,
And arrived in Fayetteville
In two.
I hugged you so hard.

I miss seeing you in the morning,
Sitting at the table in your navy
Blue robe, eating Honey Nut
Cheerios.
I miss hearing
"Have a good day being smart
And pretty."

WRiTiNG TiP #4
This is a prompt I was thinking about when I was reading that book about the craniopagus twins. They go to the cemetary to visit their Aunt and Uncles graves...and it made me want to go to a cemetary with a notebook, and make up stories of those people lives. It sounds weird, but I think being in the atmosphere would conjure up a lot of thoughts.

Try it out before you get freaked out!

By the way, for Christmas I want every season of House. I'm addicted. I'm planning on marrying either Hugh Laurie, or Omar Epps. Tough choice.

♥

Yes We Did 2008.

2008-11-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama is my new President.
History has been made today.
Black & white Americans can join hands and we can turn this Nation around in a positive way.

Martin Luther King had a dream, and it's coming true. We have a mixed President! The stereotype has been officially BROKEN!
Boys and girls can look at their new President and realize nothing is impossible.
The American People can realize when things need to CHANGE.

I believe in us again. I have hope.

It won't be easy, we have to work, but with new leadership, I believe that is possible.

CHANGE 2008. WE DID IT!!!!

ELECTION DAY 2008

2008-11-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe in a few hours, or atleast by tomorrow we're most likely going to know who our next President is. I'm so excited. I'm rooting for Obama, but whoever wins, atleast it's not Bush.

I'm in Newspaper right now. Still haven't written my Homecoming story yet. Haha, girls get your interview questions in! :(

I'm trying to think of something interesting... OH. I was watching 60 Minutes Sunday night, and it had this story of this guy who developed this muscle disease so he couldn't use like, any muscle anymore. He couldn't talk anymore either. But he discovered you can hook a computer up to your brain and think of sentences, and the computer will say them. Isn't that somethin? lol.
It was kind of freaky, though.

I was going to read Africa in my Blood by Jane Goodall, but I left it at that ladies house. Sooo, now I'm reading The Girls, a book about two identical twins joined at the head..called Craniopagus. It's kind of cool though, cause they both think differently. They're two different people, just joined together.

Sooo, my dad said something about getting a puppy this morning:) That makes me SUPER happy, like you have no idea.

This post is a reflection of my boredom, sorry.

I'll fix it laterr.
Peace.

Common & Will.I.Am

2008-11-03T17:09:00.001-08:00

This is a great song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBa55sDTIiA

Go watcccch.

Vote, let your voice be HEARD.

2008-11-03T14:08:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow is the last day of the 2008 election, I can't believe it.

I'm excited, but sooo nervous.

I'll update later, I just wanted to show you my published letter about Obama:)

http://www.letters2president.org/letters/7096-barack-obama-for-president

It's cool to be published!

You can't gloat unless you vote!

bahaha just made that one up.

Cows and Labs

2008-11-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been amazzzzing.

I haven't done anything with my age group, but honestly I don't really mind.

I've been around cows & lab dogs all weekend, thats why it's my title.

Friday night was Halloween, and I'm staying with one of my mom's best friends. She's so easy going and sweet, so I've been happy:) Some of her friends came over to show us their costumes. We had a Sarah Palin, a pregnant Bristol, and of course John McCain.

Ahh, it was hilarious. bahahah. Sarah had her camo on, with her beauty pageant satch, and her crown. And of course a stuffed polar bear and moose in her bag.

Then, I just finished A Northern Light, which turned out to be AMAZING. The last paragraph seemed a little weak, but ah, it was so good. Jennifer Donnelly is amazing to me now.

If you like to write, seriously, check out this book. There are so many words that I never knew too because Mattie always learns a new word everyday.

It was gooood.

Saturday we woke up wayy early and went to help with Habitat for Humanity. There were so many people helping, it made me happy. So, I only did a few minor things but it still made me feel good. All the dogs in the neigborhood seemed to gravitate towards this building site. The pitbull would just sit there and bark at a pile of rocks and then look up at us. He liked to chase the rocks, not fetch it, and just come back & do it all over again. Nice. The house looks really nice already, and it has flowers and a walkway and it's cuuute. Finally I just sat down and held the cute fuzzy black puppy cause I didn't know what else to do..everyone pretty much had it from there.

Then we left and went to the animal shelter because I hadn't seen it since it was in the park. I fell in loveee with a puppy named Satin. She was a mix and she had the markings of a rottweiler, she was so cute. So, I got her out and walked her and the Lyon College upward bound students were there making a documentary, so naturally I was in the documentary being interviewed, with dirt in my hair and on my jeans, and a film of sweat over my face, it was great.

So GO ADOPT AN ANIMAL FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER! & SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PETS!

And go adopt SATIN because shes amazing and sweet and she needs a home:(

Saturday night we went and ate at her friend's son's house. That was nice, the food was good.

& Those people are amazing..Sarah, Bristol and McCain I mean. hahah. They weren't in there costumes this time.

Today we were going to go to church, but we didn't. We went to eat breakfast with the same people. I love hearing about people's families. Woww. I'm probably going to youth tonight at my old church. I haven't been there in like a longgg time. The youth group leader was at Habitat for Humanity and she was so sweet, so yay:)

My new favorite show is the Starter Wife with Debra Messing. I thought the commercials made it look soooo lame, but it turned out to be really good.

Sorry this is all about MY weekend and nothing else.

Kind of boring, ooooops.

I'm starting a new book called, Africa in My Blood. Jane Goodall's story. I think that woman is so amazing, and she has learned so much about Chimpanzee's. I look up to her dedication and passion for what she does. I'm excited. I'll let you guys know how it turns out, and what I learn about her.

Ok, this is too long. Adios!

Go & marinate on this for a while:

WRiTiNG TiP #3:

These aren't my tips this time. George Orwell's!
I got these from the website http://www.writingclasses.com/.

One can often be in doubt about the effect of a word or a phrase, and one needs rules that one can rely on when instinct fails. I think the following rules will cover most cases:
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

It doesn't feel like Halloween.

2008-10-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

Reading is like my therapy.

School related post this time, lol.

At the momet, I'm reading A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnely. It's set in 1906, and so far it seems a lot like "Little House on the Prairie", but I'm not complaining because I loved those books, and the show. The story revolves around a 16 year old girl, who has a gift of writing. She works hard like a man for their family, since she's the oldest now that her brother left, and because her mother died. She says hope is the eigth deadly sin, but God left it out. Her dream to go to college is put down by her Aunt, and she's pretty sure her dad won't appreciate the idea, either. Mattie isn't selfish, just hopeful.

Mattie starts working at a summer resort on Big Moose Lake, and the story takes a sharp turn. A young woman named Grace Brown gives Mattie a packet of love letters, and then Grace Brown is found dead in the lake.

The letters convince Mattie that Grace didn't drown on her own, she had help.

This book turns into a murder case. So far, it's kind of boring, well written, but nothing is happening yet.

I'll just have to see how it ends.

The last book I read was called Tyrell. It's published by Push publishing, which so far, every book I've read published by them is amazing. Coe Booth wrote Tyrell.

I really liked this book, because a female wrote it, but get's inside the head of a 15 year old male living in the Bronx, with a dad in jail, a little brother in special ed to get the extra welfare money, and a mother who has her priorites and her views on family all twisted. Tyrell is different from the "sterotypical" african american teenage boy living in the projects. He treats his girlfriend with respect, and when his mother suggests he should deal dope to make more money for the family, he's outraged. He's smart, and he's not willing to be put in Juvenile Hall. He's determined to be a strong male influence for his little brother. When his dad goes to jail, for dealing drugs and "pimping" women, Tyrell's family lose their apartment in the projects. They have to stay in homeless shelters, and run down, roach invested hotels. At his stay, he meets a girl named Jasmine, and he really connects with her. Tyrell's girlfriend lives in the projects, but the projects seems like a seaside condo compared to where he is. He thinks she's perfect, and he's in love. Jasmine keeps popping into the picture, and Tyrell starts having trust issues with his girlfriend. She trusts him, but he feels she's not telling him everything about her life.

To make money, Tyrell uses his dad old method. Parties in abandoned factories, and buildings. People pay to get in, and Tyrell DJ's on his dads equipment.

He's determined, and he's too mature for a boy of 15. I guess thats what growing up in the Bronx, with a dad in jail gets you. He feels like he has to be the man for his family.

I have major respect for Tyrell after reading this book. He stays strong for his brother, even his mom through these hard times. Doesn't complain when he finds roaches in his shoes, and stays faithful to the girl he loves even if she doesn't.

Since I didn't do a WRiTiNG TiP yesterday, here you go.

Go & marinate on this for a while,

WRiTiNG TiP #2:

I've been reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and I've gotten some pretty good tips so far.

She gives some prompts, so I'ma steal from her real quick:)

The first one I remember is to make a list of random things you remember in your life. It doesn't have to be exciting, or daring, just a memory.

After you make a long list, you have a long list of topics to write about. Isn't that somethin'.

This is my own prompt I'm making..I watched an independent film called "I'm Through with White Girls" and the main characters play a fun game.

They go out to places, anywhere, and when they see someone that looks interesting, they make up their life story.

Go out to a crowded place, with a notebook, and make up little biographies about people you have never met in your life. Trying to create a character? This will help.

In creative writing at Fayetteville, my teacher always said don't freak out about what happens in your story. Your character will guide the events.

To also better devolop and understand your character, make a list of their likes and dislikes, favorite movies, books, music. It sounds weird, but it will help your character decide the events in your story. Easier work for you.

Chemistry& Lame Halloween

2008-10-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Second post, everrrr. This is so exciting.

I'm sitting in Chemistry at the moment, probably just failed the test but it's all good. Oh well.
I can't do anything at all for Halloween. The parental unit is going to see my new nephew in North Carolina with out me:( So, naturally I can't stay at the house by myself. Haha, not exactly trusted yet.

I don't know if I'll be able to update this..so I'll be M.I.A for like 5 days:(
I'm lame, so I'm going to go play madlibs.
hahah peaceeee& love.

Writing tips later because I gotta go madlib, ya dig?

<3lily

Happy Birthday Blog:)

2008-10-29T15:34:00.001-07:00

My blog is born!

So, a lot of kids at my school have one of these, but it's because the English teachers made them, and they only update for assignments...no offense. But, I'm totally feeling this. I remember when everyone blogged on xanga, but then people switched to myspace and facebook, so no one I know blogs anymore.

I miss it. So, here I am.

My about me is on my profile. It's long 'cause I have a problem with detail, and detail is amazing and the icing on the cake and what not, but I put wayyyy too much icing on my cake.
So, If you're curious about what I like and all that, look at my million word about me!

I'm not exactly sure where I want to take this blog..I'm just goin' to roll with it, and see where it takes me. I've been telling myself lately I need to write way more than I do, and write other things besides lyrics and poetry.

NiKE KiCKS & WRiTiNG TiPS is the name of this thing:) I have a mad obsession with Nike High-Tops. I'll put a picture on here to introduce you guys to their epicness. And yes, I just said "epicness." I guess blogging brings out my geeky side, but I think it's intelligent sexy.

This is getting way too long to be my first blog, sorry.
And the writing tips thing, I think I'm going to look up and read about things to make your writing better, and post them on here. It'll be fun. Everyone can learn; even me:). Woo.

So, I left you guys with a picture of pure ecstasy made out of rubber and synthetic materials. I have that pair, & we're in love.

This is getting way too long.

Go and marinate on this for a while,
WRiTiNG TiP #1:

Everyone has most likely heard this before, but when you begin writing, and you're stuck, write what you KNOW. The website www.writershelper.com says when a person writes what they already know, they have more authority. I'm not sure how accurate this website is, but this is something I definitely have to agree with.
As you become more developed in your writing style, and more comfortable, that's when you can start researching about things you don't know. Then you know about it, then you're writing what you know! Hey, that's kinda cool.