Half Gone Already? -- Prompt 24

This year has been truly CRAZY!
It is almost maddening when you feel how much you are growing (spiritually, mentally and socially) because of all the growing pains. Sometimes it seems easier to quit and go home, but that is a sign of cowardice, not strength. Even though this year has challenged me in a frillion ways, it has also been one of my best.
It has been awesome to be in the dorm and find a new family that always is there, even when you wish they weren't. It has been so much fun to get to know all the new people, and to get to know the old people even better. Running up and down the halls, screaming is always fun too. It's not just the girls that are my family either; the guys make up another huge part of my large Weimartian family. They are awesome to get to know as people, friends and brothers, since that's what they really are. The final part of the Weimar family is the staff. This year they are amazing. I love all of them, both new and old. I especially love the new blood running through the academy because they are learning just as much as the students. Every person in my big, nutsy family is amazing and I am so glad they are here this year.
There are so many memories packed into every day, it is hard to look back and pick just a few to give as an overview. The ones that especially come to mind are "dorm only" stories, but I will tell you they included such things as permanent markers and overdoses of sugar. As for stories that are kosher for all, I can think of many, but one in particular includes a wild goose chase of a scavenger hunt, complete with wacky, misworded clues. Oh well, we love you anyway Johnathan (although you are high on the list of those needing revenge). Banquets are fun too, sorta ... the food was good, and the entertainment was just that, VERY entertaining.
All in all this year has been amazing. I have learned so much, even though, much to my teachers' chagrin, most of it has not been scholastic. I am looking forward to another semester filled with memories and fun, and yes, growing pains.

To Share or Not to Share -- Prompt 23

Secrets are a confusing topic. One of the most important things to look for in a friend is trustworthiness, but what does that entail. Does that mean that one will never tell a secret, even if it is dangerous to keep quite? I think that a true friend will know when to talk and when to zip the lip. A true friend will only speak when they know it is necessary, not just to gossip or spoil one's reputation. I guess what I'm saying is: find out if you are really loved before you entrust your darkest secrets, or you WILL suffer the consequences of broken trust and possibly a spoiled reputation.

What Kind of Beauty -- Prompt 22

Would I rather have beauty or brains? To me, the answer is obvious; brains are much important that outer beauty. On the other hand, inner beauty (sweetness, patience, love, discerning, ect.) have an infinite value. Brains will help you rise in the business and academic world, but true inner beauty will be of the highest value in the social world.

Life is made of relationships, because of this a happy life will be backed a gorgeous character (inner beauty), but if my options are only between outer beauty and braininess, I would choose the brains, not the fading outer show.

Where We Stand -- Prompt 21

I think that God did not create man and women equal. He put man as the head of the house hold, which means man should hold the highest positions of authority (president, for example). In the past God has used female rulers to accomplish his purposes (there have been many wonderful queens of England), but it was not His original plan.

Women should be protected from extremely dangerous jobs, but many woman do not appreciate this protection. Ultimately, this is a choice that every lady must decide for herself as long as her decision does not endanger others.

The Fattening of the ... FAMILY -- Prompt 20

Thanksgiving is AWESOME! There is ABSOLUTELY nothing that compares to several long hours driving followed by several more long hours cooking. O.k., so the driving was not that great, but the cooking strange things (gumbo and sweet-potato pie anyone?) with my cousin was very fun. Soon the table is heaped with more food than could every be eaten. The men-folk continue to mosey around looking hungry and bored as the women start counting down till the cooking is over.

Besides the cooking and driving, EATING is AWESOME. Once again, I say there is nothing like gorging oneself on the twenty or so different dishes served. And after you are totally stuffed the desserts begin to arrive. Pumpkin pie, apple cobbler, lemon meragne pie... the list goes on. Once everyone is fat enough THEY could be the main course at a dinner for fifty, the nap time begins.

Now Thanksgiving naps never official begin, they just happen as one after another every seems to lose control of their eyelids. Soon the only noise that can be heard is the clashing notes of fifteen different people snoring (and of course that one faithful woman who washes all the dishes). Several hours later everyone rouses from their slumber and the families begin to find their dishes and load in the assortment of cars waiting outside. After a few more hours of driving all have arrived at their designated homes and THANKSGIVING is over.

How to Lose Interest in Three Easy Steps -- Promt 19

TV seems to dominate the lives of many people. It has an almost enchanting power as the images flash by at a furious rate. Watching eliminates the need to think or reason. Nothing is required of the watcher, only their attention. They are entertained without moving a muscle. The problem comes in when the TV is taken away and real life seems to have lost its luster. Reality has been warped to fit into a box. Since, almost everything has appeared on TV, it has cheapened its real life value. Even the wonders of nature have danced across the wide screen so many times there seems to be no point in actually experiencing the outdoors for oneself. Why go out and find life when you can get a distorted version within your home. There are many positive elements to having an instant, world-wide connection, but that is no excuse for letting the world pass you and your bag of potato chips by.

Anciet School Dayz -- Promt 17

I think that the boom in older adults going back to college is good. The more people who become educated, no matter how old they are, the better off the world will be. I don't think it is ever too late to learn.

It must be difficult for older people to return to college not only because of the huge financial load, but also because there just isn't enough time in a day to work, care for you family and go to school. There must also be some pressure from the younger college students that would be very discouraging. Scholarships are also much more limited for older students.

By educating older members of our society there should be a filling of jobs that require higher education. Another thing is, when the older people go back to school and show and interest in higher educaton, it will set a good example for the younger adults who are still considering going to college.

Personally, I would not join an intense team sport when I was in my fifties, but I do admire Mike Flynt for his ambitions and determination. He is proving that you can teach an old dog new tricks. I might someday fulfill my life long ambition of learning to knit, but probably not until I'm at least sixty.

Who's Lonely? -- Prompt 18

"The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with oneself."



When pondering this statement I came to the conclusion that the author was trying to express what so many folks these days live with everyday: self-dread. Many humanoids in this day and age are ridden with guilt and feelings of disgust with themselves. Because of the overbearing opinion that one must have a perfect body, family, job and life in general, the pressure is almost unbearable. When alone all the things that are hidden behind the "happy, perfect life" come to mind. There is no way to escape yourself, and that idea in itself is often overwhelming. These thougts cannot be easily erased or silenced, and no one can be quite as honest as yourself.



I like being alone because that is the only time my extremly meloncholy side can come to the surface. I like to think, sometimes it hurts, but I always like to think. Being alone for me is something to look forward to and hope for, not dread and run away from.

Patience is a Virtue -- Prompt 16

I cannot even recall how many times in my life I have wanted answers on a instantaneous basis. There have also been zillions of times when I had to send up a quick prayer pleading for patience with a person I found annoying. I wish that it was easy to become "meek and mild", but in my vast experience of sixteen years, it ain't. Even though it is tough for me, God has always been amazing in His long suffering, and encouraging me to do the same.
I remember two distinct occasions when I was struggling with remaining patient and waiting for God's plan to shine through. On one occasion I began randomly flipping through my roommate's Bible and I came across a highlighted part of James. The verses that I read entreated me to wait, pray and continue loving even though, to my human eyes, it seemed pointless. Another time I was again attempting to barge ahead and do things my way when, in my morning devotions, I read Psalm 27. There is a verse in this chapter that says: "What on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, Wait, I say, on the Lord." To put it mildly that text redirected my focus back onto God's plan. God is amazing, the provider of all things worth waiting for, so if you follow Him, you may have to wait a lot, but, it is worth ever moment of suspense.

Better than Hillary -- Prompt 15

If I had just won the election, my first step would be to publicize more facts about controversial issues such as abortion and gay rights. I would take the "unpolitically correct" information to the whole country. I would tell them what abortion really is and I would tell them all the dangers of homosexuality.

Next I would take an active stand in the illegal immigration. I would be inclined to be much more active in deporting illegals as well as making the citizenship process more user friendly.

The final stand I would make would be reducing the huge debts that weigh us down. We need to be more frugal as a country and as a government. Increasing taxes may not be the way, but importing less and exporting more would help the economy a lot.

I think these issues would make a tremendous difference to the grand old USA by educating, stabilizing and balancing the American people.

Turkey vs. Bunny -- Promt 14

I love Thanksgiving because it is a time for the whole family to get together, share funny stories and eat until explosion is immanent. Last Turkey Day (excuse me, TOFUrky) after the food had been demolished and the table cleared of the debris, everyone gathered in my aunts living room for a "gift exchange." Everyone had brought one item that was added to the pile in the center of the room. We all drew a number out of some random container and then took to the challenging task of choosing our prize. All sorts of amazing things came out of that pile of various wrapping paper cover items. One of the most memorable finds was my brother when he retrieved a soap bar sized box in hopes of something semi-manly coming from an overly feminised family. Unfortunately for him, it turned out to be a cut glass dish, just perfect to keep all his knives in...Right?!

I always thought that Easter was a dumb holiday. What is the point of celebrating bunnies having babies and the chicks hatching, that happens all year long. I realize that it was originally a celebration in honor of our Lord, but not any more. My parents were never enthused with the idea of buying their two hyper children an excess of candy then wasting their time to hide the darn stuff. Because of this, Easter was always a big disappointment for me and my brother, then again not really. I never did like eggs anyway.

Mommy said it was OK -- Promt 13

I think that social host laws will not totally eliminate the problem of underage drinking because, even though these laws do encourage parents to be more responsible, it is not possible to punish every violation of the law. Also there are some parents who do not care enough to make sure their children stay out of the bottle even if there is a law prohibiting underage drinking.

I do not believe that stricter parental liability, can reverse society's tacit acceptance of underage drinking, but it will help. When parents are held responsibly for their children's actions they will pay more attention to what their kids are doing and moms and dads will also have an extra reason to stay involved in their kids lives. If kids realized that their parents actually cared about them they would also have a bonus encouragement to behave. If the responsible adults suffered the consequences of their child's drinking habits there would be a lot less parent who didn't really care if their kids sampled the "fruit of the vine."

If parent were held responsible for all their children's actions then us kids would never need to grow. We as young adults need to learn that our actions have consequences that effect us and others, not just our parents. Parents are the ones who taught us, but we are the ones who chose the actions that we will do.

Parents who let their kids drink at home are playing with fire. Yes, this tactic does give exposure in moderation, but why do we need to be exposed. Our parents didn't stick our hands in the fire to let us know it was hot, why should they tempt us with alchol when we could do without. This habit of drinking at home blurs the line between what is socially acceptable and just plain overuse.

Actions speak louder than words. If the example that teens see in the home was one that didn't encourage drinking, then kids would be less likely to feel the need to try it for themselves. Kids seek outside the home what they cannot find inside the home, give them love at home and they will not seek it out in booze.

Stupid Cow -- Prompt 12

If it weren't for that awful cow I wouldn't have ended up in this pickle. You see, when I woke up this morning my stomach hurt terribly bad so I went to take some of that pink, sticky medicine. When I got to the cabinet where it is kept I heard what sounded like a dying goose off in the distance, but upon investigation I discovered it was actually the alarm in the neighbor's house. Since I then had not only a tummy ache, but also a headache, I figured I might as well try to get the darn thing to shut up. Inside my neighbor's house I found a stray Jersey cow contentedly chewing her cud while the alarm blared in all its glory.
Stunned at the sight of a bovine inhabiting a house right next door to mine, I called the ambulance (remember that I had a headache so I wasn't thinking clearly), then I hung up and called animal control. Well, both the ambulance and animal control came ... with a police escort. When I saw the flashing lights I knew it was time to head out and find somewhere else to drink my peptobismal. I didn't have a way of escape readily available so I ran upstairs and started frantically searching for a hiding place. All that looked at all concealing was the curtains covering the attic window, but I didn't want to just hide behind them, it w as way to obvious, so I ran into the bathroom and pulled out the first thing I found: a role of duck tape. I then sprinted the window and threw open the shutter. Stepping out onto the ledge I began to unwind the tape and place long, silvery strips across one brick wall and over my body. Soon I was nothing but a sticky gray cocoon fastened to the outside wall. The police never did find me, but that is how I ended up duck taped to the outside of my neighbor's house.

What Size is YOUR Heart? -- Promt 11

Greatness in not a measure of fame or wealth, nor of how many charitable acts you have done. Greatness is measured by how big your heart is. Are you willing to give the shirt off your back to a stranger? Are you ready to sacrifice for someone you don't like?

True greatness is something that cannot be bought or sold. It cannot be bragged about, and it cannot be hidden. Greatness is living like everyone else is more important than you. Small hearts cannot love, and you must give away what you have to make your heart grow.
Horded love is not love at all.

Save the Little People -- Promt 10

Searching through the new magazines you will come across story after story about abortion debates, marches, and court rulings. What really makes up this matter? To me it seems like two lifestyles clashing over one issue. One lifestyle dictates that when you have done something you live with the results (i.e. you made a choice and ended up pregnant, so you have to care for the child). The other lifestyle goes by the motto that responsibility is for the birds (i.e. I'll do what feels good, but I don't want to live with the consequences).

As soon as a child is conceived it is just that, a child. Why does a silent part of this world lose it's chance to live because it was unable to declare itself as a valid part of creation? Why does size matter to the value of an item. How would you like it if your mom aborted you? Do you think you were just a random blob of tissue until the day you were born? Is it far to steal a life before it lives? God never said it was OK to murder and innocent victim. Some say that there are special situations, such as endangering the mother, but God has those instances under control, His plan is always better than our own. I believe that Dr. Seuss put it very well when he said, "A person is a person, no matter how small."

Zippity Do Da -- Promt 9

What is the point of zippers and buttons? As far as I'm concerned all they do is provide semi-dependable closure and topics for embarrassing blogs.

My Pathfinder uniform provided me with an abundance of zippers, buttons and moments I would rather forget. For example I was in full class A when one of my friends came and whispered in my ear that I needed to examine the front of my skirt for color changes (my uniform was black and white, not the color of my undergarments). Yet another time I was pulled aside by the club director and told that my shirt was suffering from gaposis, a not so very rare form of affliction effecting clothes with buttons. In uniform I also suffered from clingage, short skirt syndrome and runny nylons. Pathfinders sure does teach you a lot, especially about ailments of the clothing.

Where Are You? -- Promt 8

If I could meet anyone today, I would want to be introduced to the man God has for me.
I want to meet him so that I will know who to wait for, who to be extra patient with, and who to pray for. If I could speak to him today I would as him:

1: Will you wait for me?
2: What is your biggest dream?
3: Do you love God with all your heart?
4: Will know when I'm down, even if I don't say anything?
5: Will you be patient with me?
6: Do you want to be a missionary?
7: Who do you look up to?
8: Are you ready to die?
9: Can you put up with me?
10: When are you going to show up?!

I'm Glad You're Gone -- Promt 7

"Good riddance! I didn't like him anyway!"

"The barn burned, it was going to collapse anyway. Good riddance."

It's a common phrase, but what does it mean. Well, offhand I would guess it probably is a less then complementary. When an item or person leaves, vanishes or is destroyed and the above comment is made no one is terribly disappointed. In other words it was a pain to have around and in its (whatever it is) absence everyone is going to be enjoying the empty place it used to fill.

Tips to avoid this statement:
Don't be annoying.
Leave before everyone tires of you.
Don't worry if you receive this junk-mail comment, you don't have to be around those people anymore anyway.

Finally this blog is over.
Good Riddance!!

Call Me Ms. Confusion -- Promt 6

"We'll be good!"
What a joke.
When I asked to be geometry reader I hadn't planned on being a substitute teacher as well, but apparently my boss had. All the students were elated when they heard I was going to instruct them. I wonder why.
"Maybe we'll learn something!"
HA HA.
I have never taken geometry so I was at a total loss as as to how to teach it. To me math is just letters that can be logically transformed into numbers, but to all "my" pupils math was an enemy to be destroyed at all cost.
"I can't wait until you teach!"
Hilarious.
When I did get into the classroom I was greeted by indifferent noise. Teaching confused me more than learning ever did. Millions of questions buzzed through my mind. Am I doing this in the right order? Is that the correct form in the answer? How do I make them stop blabbing at each other? Oh well, that's why demerits were invented; to quiet the mouth with some hard work.
"Can we have extra credit?"
Sure!
All my problems were solved. What could be better than making the students teach and learn at the same time. Unfortunately it is hard to teach something you don't understand yourself so the system didn't work to well, but it did get me out of teaching again.
My teaching days were lucky limited to only a few days in the entire school year, so my confusion level remained at a healthy level, but complete pandemonium is something that sticks with you anyway.

Why I Don't Try To Understand Mircotrends -- Promt 5

Mircotrends are small scale hobbies that approximately 1% of the US population is involved in. Although 1% may seem like a miniature amount, considering the total is in the billions, that is a lot of people seeking new time consumers such as teenage knitters and video gaming moms.

I think the rise of micro trends is based mostly on the conflict between trying to fit in and attempting to be different. It seems to me that if you become involved some small-scale trend you are above all the other poor folks who are still stuck in the more wide spread ways of being fashionably amused.

It seems that Hilary Clinton is hiring the author of Mircotrends, Mark Penn, for her campaign in an attempt to tap into the web of mini trends that run the world. I believe that Clinton's reasoning behind this move is that there are various groups, who if satisfied individually, will vote for her where as if she had attempted to rally one large group, there would be much less agreement and harmony.

As for free society I believe God gave us our right to hold opinions and no person should be able to take that right away, however, God also gave us rules. If our opinions are not in line with God's laws than we will suffer the consequences of our own actions. In this particular subject the area of gay rights was brought up. Apparently the majority are still opposed to gay marriage, but agree that gays should have equal right in the work place. My only thought on this is that, there is no way to sit on the fence, you are either on one side or the other. Every lifestyle is, to some extent, a choice. In other words you chose it you live with it and all the opinions and rules that go along with it.

I think Penn has been waiting quiet a while for the opportune time to publish this book. Waiting for the right political setup and the most favorable and open American mindset. Right now everyone is very interested in how things work, thus this book seems to explain a myriad of things. Since Penn's name is attached to Clinton's, and there is a unspoken code that implies that if you agree with one, you agree with who they agree with, I have my doubts that Penn randomly chose his publishing date.

Being a student of Wiemar Academy I see lots of different student tends, but not to many that coincide with the national ones (knitting was a big deal in the dorm last year though). I myself don't know of any deeply buried micretrend that I cherish in secret, but then again, who knows.

Burned in our Memory--Promt 4

I was ten years old and knew very little about the harsh reality of death or war. No one in my immediate family or friends had died during my lifetime and I was too young to realize the terror of war all around the world. On the morning of Sept. 11 my parents called my brother and I into their room to watch the replays of the first plane hitting the tower. I didn't understand, I had never heard of the Twin Towers and I was unaware of how many lives were ending with that terrorist act.

Several years later I read a book that was written by a chaplin who was at ground zero for several months following the horrendous day. After reading that book I understood slightly more of the cruelty in the world. The hate that generated that awful event still amazes me.

If anyone was to tell me that we should forget 9/11, I would be appalled. Every day in life was given to us for a purpose. September 11 was a drastic reminder that life on earth is extremely fragile. Every person that died deserves to be remembered. Every person that work to rescue others deserves to be remembered. Every person that prayed needs to be remembered. The evil the world saw that day needs to be remembered so we can escape a repeat performance. Our soldiers are fighting for us because of that day, how could we even consider forgetting what has caused such and awful war. Forgetting would mean laughing at all those who so bravely stood up for our lives and our country.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.
-George W. Bush-

Sun (burn) Time -- Prompt 3

Sun, water and sand (really nasty pine needly sand, but sand still), what more could anyone possibly want. Well, a nap on the beach is wonderful, right? NO! Not unless you have the smarts to put sun screen on unexposed areas such as the small of your back. It's a warm lazy day and the eyelids begin to droop. An hour of zzzz's pass then, bam! a brilliant red zebra stripe crossing your back where your shirt should have been. Oh well, how bad could it possibly hurt, right? Well, considering that the weekend sleeping arrangements are sharing the cold hard ground with eight other girls, it could hurt a lot. How about adding about a jillion mini hole pokers (i.e. rocks) and a bear coming through to sample the garbage?
Sound like fun yet? Well it was, so don't you wish you had a lobster syle zebra stripe to remember it by.

Tex? Mex? Chex? Whatever. -- Prompt 2

Every person in the whole world has indelible rights however, not everyone is born into a place where their rights are respected and encouraged. America has always considered itself a place where everyone is allowed to seek life, liberty and the pursuit of liberty. Because of this, everyone who was born in a country that doesn't promote these rights wants to come to USA. For hundreds of years the United States encouraged these tired travelers to come and start a new life, but now that America is generating enough of its own people (criminals and non), it doesn't see its need to be a shelter for all those less privileged.
In the case of Mexico, there a good, honest people seeking another chance at live and there are the less wonderful people seeking a country that will benefit them and their personal interest. In my opinion, anyone who is willing to pay taxes, go to war or even just obey the law of my country, he is welcome to be my neighbor. However, if someone comes to my country and demands welfare from my taxes or disregard the laws and courtesies of my country, then he had better be moving on.
Some of the best people I know are not Americans (some aren't even legal), but they still do their part to make America a good place to live.
To me it is unfair for someone to come to the country that I love and demand support (welfare, free college, act.) out of the taxes that the citizens of my country pay. Disregarding laws is another big no no. It is not fair for the Mexican government to demand that all immigrants sentenced to a death penalty be sent back to Mexico. If one lives in a country it is their obligation to respect the laws of the land.
Americans are not totally faultless either. We need to make the immigration process easier for those who really need to move, or to somehow work to improve the conditions of other countries. We as Americans are blessed more than most, so we should take our God given responsibility and help others who are not so fortunate.

Every improvement starts one person at a time.

Mannerly Pizza Anyone? -- Prompt 1

1: Smile, even if you don't feel like it.
(Showing your teeth is practically a lost art.)

2: Say I'm sorry if you make a mistake.
(How hard could it be to apologize?)

3: Let someone else go first.
(Two minutes wait won't change your future.)

4: Use proper english.
(You'll be amazed how many people don't like slang.)

5: Help someone who doesn't have enough hands.
(I would love to have three or more hands sometime.)

6: Compliment a stranger.
(There's nothing nicer than knowing your bad hair day isn't obvious.)

7: Give someone a hug.
(Chocolate or other.)

8: Tell a friend a joke.
(Clean and funny, please.)

9: Open the door, and be a gentleman.
(For ladies, thank them and walk through.)

10: Don't pop anyone's personal bubble.
(There very fragile sometimes, so be gentle.)