Wave Goodbye, The Year is Leaving

Wave Goodbye, The Year is Leaving

I am sitting with my good friend John Law in his room recording our demo tape when we decide to walk downstairs, and wait for the ball to drop. I walk over with John to Taylor Cieslak’s house, and we meet a party of bustling people waiting for moments until the ball drops. I am sitting, contemplating my entire year, looking back at what I did right and wrong. I see all of my friends around me, counting down, and I almost feel as if I’m going to miss this year. As the final seconds ticked down, I noticed I wanted to do more, experience more, and feel more from 2009. But with ten seconds left in the year, you can’t do much for 2009. “Happy New Year!” Everyone yells in joy as 2009 is gone in the past, and 2010 is the future. I say quietly to myself, “Wave goodbye, the year is leaving.”

When a new year happens I do not know what to say or do. I am partying, perplexed, furious, depressed, or extremely happy. This year, I was happy with myself and also a little mad. I wish I played some things out better, and others I executed perfectly.

For New Years resolutions, I never have any. Not once have I been able to live up to a resolution, so I have given up on them. And for 2010, I wish I knew what I want to do, but I don’t. I let life roll until I have to make a decision, and the future is a scary thing, so I try not to look into it.

One Person, One Force

The Power of One was a gripping film that caught my attention with its keen representation of the Apartheid System and the misery that followed the corrupt structure. Throughout the movie I was pleased that they showed the troubles of South Africa through the eyes of a growing boy. The boy also has many struggles caused by other conflicts in the film. I felt that the young man’s life was unfair and unjust in various ways. He is a representation of the rebellious side of the Apartheid system. This young boy is simply only a small step in the long process of the discontinuation of the Apartheid System.

From this intriguing film, I have learned that South Africa went through a period of several conflicts of social and ethical differences. Also, from this movie, I concluded that the culture of South Africa is very similar to the American culture during the 1950s in the way that people of color were segregated against.

The section of the movie that was extremely difficult for me to watch was the setting of the prison. The reason this section of the movie was so heartbreaking was because it went in depth about the true horror of how the people of color were treated.

The Power of One was inspiring to me because it truly shows how one person, no matter who they are or what they do, can influence thousands of others in a positive manner. This movie was also very similar to another film called Rabbit Proof Fence in the way that they display segregation against one race.

Ahhh The Memories

In my family, around the holiday season, we are filled with festivity, different traditions, and many fun memories. One of my family’s traditions is one of most ordinary American families. This tradition, on Thanksgiving, is sitting down around our dining room table as one united and happy family and eating a wonderfully prepared Thanksgiving meal. This meal consists of several delicious favorites such as turkey, stuffing, honey smoked ham, cranberry sauce, and cornbread. This many sound completely normal, but what makes our family different is that every year we travel all the way to Kentucky for this important meal. We travel such a long distance to share the tradition with our relatives who live in Kentucky.

After the big Thanksgiving meal, all able-bodied members of the family go outside and play a rowdy yet enjoyable and entertaining game of football. This is a great way for my family and I to bond while have a rather jolly time together. Personally, I really love this tradition because it is the most exciting part of the evening.

Another holiday filled with traditions is Christmas. First of all, my family always puts up two artificial Christmas trees decorated with festive ornaments and lights. On top of one of my Christmas trees, however, instead of a putting a normal star or angel, my family puts of “Patrick Star” from the cartoon Spongebob Squarepants.

Also, on Christmas Day, “Santa” puts an orange in everyone’s stocking. This is because my mother says that is because we have been a good child for the whole year and we deserved a delicious fruit.

Give Thanks to the Lord Above

When you think of thanksgiving what do you think of? Do you think of cranberry sauce, little pilgrims, family, and a nice, warm, stuffed turkey? Or do we think of the poor who do not get to eat a feast of delectable treats such as ours? When all of those thoughts flood your mind, do you ever think of why you are thankful? I know that when I say thanksgiving I barely think of why I should be, and I should more often. I should be the most thankful person for having all the things I do.

Why am I thankful? I have so many things that others wouldn’t have, and I couldn’t ever live without. First off, I have a roof over my head, which keeps me warm at night and protects my family. And I am very thankful that I am not homeless, and I feel safe when I go to bed.

In this tough economy I am thankful that my entire family hasn’t lost their job, and when they have gained it back. None of us would not be able to pay for anything, like our house, food, or monthly payments. And I am also thankful that the ecomomy is improving slowly.

I am very thankful that my family is alive, well, and loving life. When all fails you have family there to comfort you, and catch you when you fall. Without my family I would have no support and would fail in life.

When the day of Thanksgiving comes I will be stuffed just as much as the turkey. And for this I will be very thankful, because others in this world are not as fortunate as I. I am very thankful that I have food on the table every night and do not have to go to bed hungry.

Without my true friends I would be socially isolated and not be able to survive in a school environment. My true friends are considered family to me and they are just as important. Without my friends I would not be the person I am today.

I am thankful that I have slowly recovered from my house fire 4 years ago. At a point my life was a living hell and I am just glad that is over. My family, neighbors, and friends pulled me through those hard times. Without the help of the neighbors I would probably have gone inside, and either be badly burned, or perhaps have lost my life in the flames. And without the comfort of others I would most likely be emotionally unstable and not view life the way I do now.

I am thankful that there is not a war going on at my doorstep, because this would bring my thriving life to a halting stop. Think of all the children in Somalia trying to survive and not be shot down in their tracks. If those children stay in that environment, they will not be able to have a proper education or live in poverty for the remainder of their lives. This makes me feel like god is giving me gifts and almost spoiling me, compared to the rest of the world.

I am thankful that I have a proper education unlike others throughout the world. Without an education in our society you have fewer opportunities and you practically go nowhere. I feel honored sometimes to have the education I do, compared to others in the world.

I am thankful that I am the person I am, and no one can change that. I love being myself and my decisions, actions, and personality are not influenced by my friends or the general population. I have always loved bringing smiles to people’s faces and make their day better.

And finally I give thanks to the lord above for watching over me and all who are part of my life. Without his guidance throughout my life I would be a lost soul, and I wouldn’t know where to turn. I will always thank him for all that he has done for me and the ones who are near me.

So on this thanksgiving lets not think of ourselves, but others. Let us think of all the items, belongings, and opportunities that we have compared to the lonely, depressed, and poor. Let us say “Thank you god for all your blessings!” For this is a day that we remember everything we are truly thankful for. Do not just ignore them like they are a normal part of our daily routine. Give thanks for your family, happiness, and food on the table, for others would do anything to be in your shoes.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

J

High School: A Month in Review

Old Friends, New Friends

This year I have met new friends primarily from catholic schools. I met Katy Gaberish, Erin Snyder, Matt Malecki, and my girlfriend Kyla Hunter. I have also lost one of my best friends over the summer, but we still talk. All my old friends are still the same and haven’t really changed much. I also have talked to people I have known for three years but never talked to and are now friends with. I LOVE KASSIDY!

SHS Activities Attended

While at Stevenson, I have joined the Global Ed community and became an official Globie. In class I was elected as the freshman class representative, and I am enjoying the seat of power incredibly. I go to every varsity football game

Funniest, Weirdest, Scariest Moments

At the beginning of the school year Audrey Kamrath and I had to run from our second hour to third hour every day. When I say run I mean literally sprinting. We would juke out people and pull spin moves. One day I was full backing for Audrey and I ran into a girl that made the most unusual noise and then fell on Audrey. We fortunately made it to class on time still.

Hardest, Easiest Class and Assignments

Currently my hardest classes are my Global Ed classes but I do just fine in them. In Geometry though I have a bad grade because I failed like two quizzes and a test. My hardest assignment this year would definitely have to be my cultural event in Global Ed. It’s not the assignment that is challenging; it’s focusing on it that kills everyone.

Top Five Current Events

Right now times are tough with the economy, the Yanks are going to the World Series…again, and the H1N1 flu is swinetastic. Currently Obama is in office and is causing some controversy with the health care reform, Nobel Peace Prize, and the war in Iraq. The other big deal is…SWINE FLU! Everyone I know is freaking out about it because it’s a new flu and it is very contagious and dangerous.

Faces in the News

Some faces in the news currently are Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama, and Joe Biden because they are all part of the current Obama ministration. Hamid Karzi is also in the news because he is the president of Afghanistan which is in a current election.

Interesting New Words

Some new words that I have learned in the past month are starting to become some of my favorite words. The word on my third vocabulary quiz was akimbo, which means like limp, or spread out. My official favorite word for the month of October though is Whimsical. And I have also come to find that I like the term Globie, which is used to describe a student of Global Ed.

Popular or Memorable Songs

“It’s a party in the U.S.A” all the time these days; and I hate it. There is also this one song called “Down” and I don’t like it much either. But I really hate the Jonas brothers with a burning passion of one thousand suns. They have no talent, just putting that out there.

Popular or Memorable Movies

Well right now the big scary movie is “Paranormal Activity” which is about who knows what, but it looks kinda good. People say it is a waste of time, and others say they cried for days on end after they watched it. So I can’t really decide if I want to go see it or not.

Rumors or Gossip

To be perfectly honest there is always rumors going around the school. But I have learned to ignore them because they are not useful and become annoying to listen to. But the last one about me was at Holmes, and it was pointless and a waste of time.

Fads or Trends

Every trend is a repeat of a trend before. The clothes we have now are 80’s fashions and styles, like leggings and creepy designs. There is also this random outburst of neon clothes now, and it really starts to hurt your eyes. People also like to say “Epic fail” even when it wasn’t an epic fail. Or others like to say “sicknasty” when it really means “that is awesome.”

First Cultural Event

My first Cultural Event was a paper on Invisible Children. I remember sitting in a chair for a weekend just trying to think what to type for this paper, and how hard it was to focus! I then made the paper and got an A, which was pretty good might I say. After doing the cultural I got involved with the Invisible Children community by donating, signing petitions, and making it public.

Homecoming

For Homecoming, I was in a group of seventeen people including me and my date. My girlfriend Kyla Hunter was my date and she looked quite dazzling in her sparkly black dress. We all went to my house for pictures and then got a limo to drive us to the restaurant. That ride is too long of a story for such a short ride; let’s leave it at that. We had a lovely dinner, went to the dance, and got back in the limo for another mini-party to Brandi’s house. When I got there, I kinda just chilled and then my parents picked me up. All in all it was an awesome-o homecoming.

Advice for a Freshman

Why hello freshman! Don’t be afraid of upperclassmen, they really aren’t that bad. But I wouldn’t suggest getting on their bad side, because they will act in a violent way. Also there are two bells and B Hall is always packed, get used to it. Oh one more thing, the fries are really good.

What I’m Looking Forward to

To tell you the truth I don’t look ahead that much, so I only have two things.

I can’t wait to be a senior!!! It is going to be the bomb. I also want track season to start so I can show my stuff like Usain bolt.

Other Noteworthy Achievements or Events

I SURVIVED SWINE BABY! YEAH! FOR THE WIN!

Culture, Culture, Culture
American Culture is bold, patriotic, and beautiful. American culture is not just a mix of other cultures, but a culture within itself. This hybrid of cultures has been formed from the inventions of Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney to the Civil Rights movements of Martin Luther King Jr. and Susan B. Anthony. American Culture is the Fourth of July, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and Our founding Fathers. This culture that we partake in every day at times has been heartbreaking, gruesome, and saddening. On September 11, and Pearl Harbor our nation was attacked with a great surprise with nowhere to turn. The Civil War split the nation apart, but our nations pride brought us back together. American culture is a mix of all cultures, but a culture within itself.
My culture is a normal American teen’s culture. I get up to go to school, eat a little breakfast, and go to school for 7 hours. I get home from school and eat, do some homework, and then go to bed. Compared to most people, I am different in many ways. I like to play sports, listen to the Beatles, and play my guitar and cello. I celebrate Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and go down to Kentucky for thanksgiving every year. I am catholic and I go to church every Sunday because my family has a deep faith in my religion. But all in all, I am just another American boy who has a normal life, with a normal family, who lives in the United States.