11-30-12-3 Blog #2

Leaves were turning brown, red, and yellow while animals were preparing to hibernate on a very gloomy fall day. What made this day different wasn't the fact that it was the day before snow would begin to fall, but that Apollo, a very kind and passionate Bowerbird, was preparing to ask his perfect match, Nova, to spend the rest of their lives together. He decided to pick flowers for her in her favorite color, white. Because these birds live in the wilderness, they don't propose with rings, they use anything they can find that is meaningful or relates to their lives. For Nova, white reminds her of her favorite season, winter. Most birds fly south for the winter, but Nova stays back and enjoys the glorious snow fall right outside the tree she has her nest in. Apollo planned on proposing to Nova, he didn't realize that Nova doesn't go south for winter. He was planning on proposing in the air as they took off to the South. Nova and Apollo met at the place where all the birds begin to leave for winter. Nova went to say goodbye to her friends and to ask Apollo to stay for the winter with her. Unfortunately, Apollo hates the winter season. He always wished the day to leave for the south would be in september so he wouldn't have to endure any cold weather. Apollo met with Nova about two minutes to takeoff. Apollo gave her the flowers right before all the birds opened their wings to prepare for the very long journey, but Nova kept to herself as she talked to Apollo. Apollo questioned Nova on why she wasn't getting ready, and she finally told him that she would remain in their little valley and asked if he would stay with her. Apollo didn't know what to say. The rest of the birds were about to leave and Nova was staying back no matter what Apollo said. Realizing this fact, Apollo quickly decided to go with the rest of the birds to the South. He couldn't stand the cold to the point where he left his true love at the takeoff area without any explanation. Nova dropped the flowers and flew away to her little tree. All Nova did that winter was watch the snow fall and Apollo stayed in his tree regretting his decision the entire winter season.

11-30-12-3 Blog #1

My reaction to this picture of a husky would obviously be that this dog is so adorable. I think that it definitely makes me react positively because of the really cool cloud patterns in the background and the husky's stance. I think the stance makes you want to know what it has been through or even what it's looking at during this picture. I like this picture because I planned on getting a husky when I grow older and have a family. I was attracted to this picture also because it made me think more in depth of this dog rather than just thinking it's cute. I think that is a very captivating picture and a very strong picture. It makes me think about what this dog has gone through in its life. All the struggles and the hard times that it has gone through just seem to disappear. When I see this picture I feel like the wolf is a confident, strong, and independent animal. It doesn't follow anyone, yet it can't lead anything because it's alone. Even though the wolf is alone, I think that it is still very content with its life because of the great view and the fact that it can do anything in the wilderness. I really like this picture because i guess it's kind of what I hope to be. I hope to be a confident, successful, and happy person when I grow up which is what I think this wolf has accomplished throughout its life. I mostly chose this picture because of what I think it represents which is confidence and beauty. I can see in this picture that this wolf has been through a lot but it has come out of it all and made this fascinating picture. Its simplicity is what makes it so intricate and beautiful.

11-22-11-24 Blog #2

TOP 10 THINGS ABOUT NATE ZOBREST

1. His sense of humor

2. His athletic ability

3. Mr. Currin brought up that he is the only guy in his A.P.English class

4. He is very familiar with good music groups

5. My friend tells me he is very good at drawing and art

6. His sense of style

7. He likes Star Wars

8. His deep voice

9. He shows leadership in Online Publishing

10. He is very close with his friends

11-22-11-24 Blog #1

The statement, "Fear builds walls," is a very general statement in my opinion. This basically means that when someone shows any type of fear, they are building a metaphorical wall to block out others from seeing their "weakness." I don't fully agree with this saying for the very reason that it is so general. What this statement is saying to me is that every time my sister, Allison, finds a spider, freezes up, and calls for whoever is there to kill the spider, she is putting up a wall and is shutting people out of her life by her reaction. I think she is showing more of herself when she reacts to a spider because she is sharing something intimate about herself. She wouldn't be building a wall to cut someone out. She is more inviting them to help her rather than shutting them out. However, I do think that a more serious fear could close some people out. For example, a person with a mental disorder could shut people out just because they are afraid of germs or had a traumatic experience is their life. These people can't always control their way of dealing with their fears because of their mental disorder. A person could be a hoarder, or have serious O.C.D., or obsessive compulsive disorder, and not be able to hold any baby whether it was theirs or not. Unfortunately, these diseases would force them to build walls because of their fear, even if they don't want to.

11-16-11-19 Blog#3

My favorite holiday has to be Christmas. I think Christmas is a personal favorite for many people because it's just so cheery and happy. These are partial reasons why I love Christmas, but I also love that Christmas always brings the family together. For example, this year my sister Alli isn't coming to St. Louis this year for Thanksgiving because she has to work, but she always comes to our house for Christmas and thankfully Jared, her boyfriend, can come too and that always makes Alli happy when he's around. Christmas also brings my mom's annual Christmas Party for the little kids she babysits including kids she used to babysit. The best part about this party is that Santa comes. Mr. Currin was there last year because my mom babysat Jack Currin. Mr. Currin got to sit on Santa's lap and fortunately there is a picture of him with Santa as well. Anyways, this party is always so fun because everyone gets one early present and a picture with Santa. I also get to see all the older kids that I played with when I was younger and when my mom babysat them. This holiday also makes everyone excited. I wake up every Christmas morning probably at 6 and try to wake my mom and dad up because they never wake up on Christmas. Then Alli and I make hot chocolate with candy canes in them for me, her, and Andi, and we make my mom some coffee. Usually we just wait for my dad to come inside after the horses are fed to open our stockings. Then after we are finished looking through our stockings, we move to the tree and sort all the presents under the Christmas tree. After we're done sorting, we all open them at the same time basically. I mostly love the reactions of my family's faces to my presents for them.

11-15-11-19 Blog #2

To me "winning" means trying your best at some type of sport or competitive activity where more than one team or person participates. However one team has to come out on top or "win" because if one didn't, it wouldn't be called "winning." It would be called a tie. For example, if a hockey team is ahead 4 to 1 against another hockey team, the first team would be "winning." Being a winner means that one person, wins at a certain sport, activity, or just in life generally. Not many people win at life generally, but there are some. A winner can also refer to a team. For instance, the Alden Volleyball team was winning throughout the 2010 season. The team had 13 wins and 4 losses. Other words for "winning" include being victorious or being charming and engaging according to the Free Dictionary by Farlex. I would have to disagree with the being charming or engaging. My reason is because some teams or people that are winners aren't really engaging. They mostly keep to themselves and stay independent or secluded. Some winning teams may be charming, but some of the best teams seem pretty intense and focused. I also don't really see some teams as approachable as others. For instance, in my sister's soccer league, she claims that most teams are really nice and fair with certain calls in the game, but one off the teams just get angry all the time because of a call in Andi's team's favor or they get called for obvious fouls and give the ball to the other team. Many times some teams can be misjudged, but even the way they act isn't a "winning" effort. True winners would tell the truth and accept their mistakes. Plus real winning teams show good sportsmanship which is the entire point of sports in the first place.

11-15-11-19 Blog#1

I am thankful for my family, obviously. I am also thankful for my education and my friends. My family is most important to me no matter what because they will always be there for me. Without my mom and my dad, I wouldn't be here in the first place. Plus they always do what's right for me and they let me live my own life. They don't interfere too much in my personal life thankfully. In contrast, my sisters get in my business more than my parents do, but not usually. Yesterday I saw my sister Andi for the first time in a while and she finally remembered my birthday present! Keep in mind my birthday was August 12th and she got my present November 14th. Though it was a little bit late, I still loved my three seasons of NCIS and my giant hockey duffel bag. I don't play hockey, but it looks like i do because the bag can probably fit an entire person in there. Without Andi and Alli, I aslo wouldn't even be known in High School. I was always called Andrea in Spanish Class and my English class. Then I was called Allison in my Earth Science and Biology classes. I never ever minded be called my sisters because they were great students and I do kind of look like them. It also brings up conversation in class. I am very thankful for my education and my teachers. Without my teachers, I would never be able to get all the good grades I get now. And Finally I am thankful for my friends because they are the highlight of my day in school. They never fail at making me laugh and they're always there for me if I need to talk to them or if I just need cheering up. For example today, my friend, Melissa, brought paper and colored pencils to lunch where we all just drew pictures the entire lunch period. Now most people don't usually do this, but it kind of made my day and gave me something to do during lunch other than doing my homework.

11-9-11-12 Blog#3

"They laughed at Louie Armstrong when he wanted to go to the moon, now he's up there laughing at them." -Will Ferrel from Blades of Glory

This quote always makes me laugh and obviously this movie does too. What I think Will Ferrel means in this quote is that anyone can overcome anything despite the fact that some people will put you down and not help you at all. We need to be able to overcome these obstacles if we want to succeed in life and move forward.

"I'm pretty sure there's more to life than just being really, really, ridiculously good-looking." -Ben Stiller from Zoolander

Zoolander is probably one of my most favorite old movies. Ben Stiller was a male model in this movie and basically talked like this the entire time. It made the movie that much better. I believe that this quote is saying that there is more to life than appearance because looks will fade away but personality can never leave you.

"I was hiding under your porch because I love you" -Doug from Up

I love the movie Up because not only does it have funny parts, it has really meaningful parts as well. This quote by one of the dogs, Doug, is important to me because of the way Doug says it. He looks upset and says it like he's in trouble. It just made the quote even cuter. This quote tells me that even though times can be tough, we should always forgive and forget because one day things might completely change.

11-9-11-12 Blog#2

Three people that I would want to have lunch with would be Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, and Antoni Gaudi. Amanda Bynes has always been a favorite actress of mine and my family. We watch her movies whenever we have family get-togethers. Not only does my family love her movies, we have the Linsenbiglers and the Luekes over all the time, and they agree that Amanda Bynes is fantastic. Some of her movies that seem to find their way into our DVD player would be What a girl Wants, Hairspray, Love Wrecked, and She's the Man and the T.V. show What I Like About You. In my older blog about favorite movies, I mentioned She's the Man as one of my personal favorites. This just shows how much of a good actress she is. Plus, she's super funny and I think lunch with her would be pretty entertaining. Hilary Duff.....Oh Hilary Duff. She's just so awesome. Like Amanda Bynes, Hillary Duff is on my family's favorite movie list. Movies like A Cinderella Story, Beauty and the Briefcase, and Raise your Voice are just great movies that show off her acting skills. I think my family has liked her a little longer than Amanda Bynes, but just a little bit. These two actresses have also been in really old T.V. shows called the Amanda Show (Amanda Bynes) and Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff). Again, it would be a huge deal in my house if we every met them. Then there's Antoni Gaudi. Honestly I would only want to meet him to have him help me with my Spanish Final since my essay is all about him. But besides that I would want to know more about his architecture because it is interesting.

11-8-11-12 Blog#1

Thanksgiving with my family is a pretty big deal. Every year for Thanksgiving, my family packs up and gets in our car and goes to St. Louis, Missouri to visit my cousins. Usually my mom, dad, both sisters, my sister Alli's boyfriend, and I travel by car for about 10 hours to their house in a little suburban town they live in right outside the city of St. Louis. My cousins include my Aunt Eydie, Uncle D.J. which is my dad's younger brother, and my two younger cousins Abby and Jared. It's pretty funny that my cousin's name is Jared and Alli's boyfriend's name is Jared too. At the last Thanksgiving there, my family decided that we would nick-name our cousin Jared Tater, and Alli's Jared, Tot since when we had this discussion, we were eating tater tots. Not only do we see those cousins, but we also see the families of my dad's other two older brothers, Tom and Bob. My uncle Tom's family involves my Aunt Susan and my cousins Sarah and Lauren. Sarah is the same age as me and Lauren is younger.They live in Washington D.C. My Uncle Bob and Aunt Julie probably ave the longest ride from Colorado with my two older cousins Patrick and Dana. We all get together for thanksgiving break because usually everyone is free that time of year. We have a huge feast with turkey, stuffing, jello, pie, potato soup in bread bowls, and my personal favorite, Sparkling grape juice. We also do different activities in St. Louis. For example, we play walleyball, or racquetball and volleyball mixed together, and board games. We've also gone to the arch in St. Louis. I really like going to this ceramics place called You're Fired where we get to paint our own mugs, plates, figures, and bowls. Then the place fires them to make the paint stick, and we wait for about a week for them to be done. We don't usually get them that week because we only stay for four days, but my uncle D.J. sends them through the mail. I always have a blast when I go to visit them. I can't even remember half the hilarious jokes and sayings we come up with there.

11-3-11-5 Blog#2

Respect, to me, would be about that one person you can look up to or just to a certain other person. For example I respect all my friends because I can always count on them and look to them for advice. Another example of a person I respect would be my dad (Da Papa) because he's a person I can look up to for guidance. Each example is different because one is about how I look up to them because of their accomplishments and the other is about how I can depend on them for anything. Even though sometimes Da Papa and I don't agree with everything, I know he loves me and I think he knows I love him. We don't really say we love each other, but we show affection by butting heads and saying "Mer" which I believe is saying "Love you." Sorry my family is really odd but whatever. Anyways, sometimes my friends and I may not talk because one of us is mad at another and they force us to pick sides, but in the end, we resolve everything and end up not picking sides at all. Respect in general means to feel like someone has more experience or the same experience in life as you. For instince a person could be your hero or an athlete that you look up to. This person, like for me, could be a close friend who you've gone through a hard time with or just any special time with.

11-3-11-5 Blog #1

My dream job would have to be either teaching High School English or being a crime scene investigator. I know that these professions are extremely different, but I would like the chance to be great at either. I love watching the C.S.I. T.V. shows and I'm really interested in the crime solving and mystery. Unfortunately my dad gave me the trait of fainting at the sight of blood. This trait would kind of hold me back if I was a C.S.I. investigating dead bodies because most are bloody. I thought about being a C.S.I. lab technician, but science isn't really that interesting to me as other subjects are. For example, English has always been one of my stronger subjects and a more enjoyable one for me. When I wanted to have a career in English, the only job I feel that I'd enjoy doing every day would be teaching. Teaching is also a good family job and I am planning on having a family so that concept also helped my decision. I would rather teach high school students because I believe that kindergarten students would be really cute, but also difficult since they have such wild personalities. Middle school students wouldn't be that bad, but I think High School is a more fun experience. Some high school students have a level of maturity that I would really need. I basically live with four year olds at my house since my mom babysits, and I think that is all of the little children I need for the rest of my life.