Anger

People have gotten angry throughout history over topics of national debate. Some examples that come to mind are the Vietnam War and The New Deal where people have gotten really intense about an issue. Why are they angry and what do they gain? Well some of them get angry because they feel that they are extremely patriotic and in other cases they get mad because they think that something is immoral or wrong. The truth is that anger in places such as the political arena really doesn't accomplish anything other than get the other sides more angry at you. Also I think that the media has a big influence over all of us. You can tell a lot about a person just by which channel they watch the news on. And why is this? It is because they have been brought up in a society that promotes cut and dryness. People don't like other people that are in the middle or on the fence; they want you to make your mind up. "Either you're for us or you're against us" is the old saying I believe. This is not to say that anger is completely useless, it is often used in social discussions to convey a strong sense of emotion or feelings about a certain topic. Usually when you get angry with a friend or relative your tone conveys your feelings. Sometimes this lets the other person know that either something they have said has hurt you or you have very deep feelings about the topic and you are able to reconcile those feelings of anger. However sometimes it works in the opposite way. Sometimes when you get angry and either yell or raise your voice at someone they take it as an act of disrespect or get defensive because they feel threatened. This can lead to someone getting hurt and in some cases ending a relationship. So anger does work some of the time, but is that small percentage really worth risking a friendship or relationship. I guess that is for every individual to decide.

I can tell when I'm about to be yelled at. Whether it's being yelled at by my parents, my friends, or my superiors. Everyone seems to show real anger with the same body language, fists clenched, eyes narrowed, teeth grinding, and a general appearance of looking like they are about to explode. I know when they actually explode I don't want to be around, but it's often unavoidable.

So they come up and start their rant, you're just kind of standing there as they yell and say things that generally sound messy and unintelligent. Normally, you're either about to explode yourself, or rapidly losing respect for the person yelling like a four-year-old with a colorful vocabulary. Hopefully for the you, it's the latter. Once the other person is done, all they've accomplished is making themselves look foolish in front of, more than likely, quite a few people. However, if you got really worked up too, you may even end up making a huge scene in front of a bunch of people and that's where it gets really messy.

These types of situations are so unnecessary. When people have a disagreement it is so much more professional, and sometimes humane, to talk one on one with the person you're having a problem with. Otherwise you waste time. Nobody wants to hear you yell, and most of the time people will respect you a lot more if you're straight with them. Plus, you won't do something you regret. You will never regret being polite, even if at that moment it would be really satisfying to be rude. Kill them with kindness and all that lame cliche stuff really works, and people waste a lot less time with stuff like that.

Assignment: The Productivity of Anger or Why Our Words Matter.

There’s a bit of anger out there, but does it accomplish anything? Yes I’m speaking of the debate on Health Care. I’m not at all concerned about what you think about the issue—so don’t start talkin’ ‘bout “moral imperative” or “socialism.” I want to know why so many people, people from both sides of the isle, are so filled with hateful words and the effect that speech has on the debate. The last time I got the kinda angry I’ve seen and heard about, I made a fool of myself and I didn’t get anything accomplished, in fact I probably damaged some relationships. What we say and how we say it make a difference. Please comment on either the language of this current debate and discuss the effect the angry words are having on our society. Or discuss a time when the words you used dramatically affected a given moment. How did those words create that outcome?

Andrew's Post

For me this summer was one of the most eye opening and influential times of my life, mainly because of the experience that I had at a leadership council in Washington and New York. At first, when I received the invitation to go to the Global Young Leaders' Council I didn't know whether it was actually legitimate or a scam designed to take my parents' money. I doubted that I belonged on a leaders' council, on account of my shy and introverted nature. However, after a recommendation by Sarah Olive and assurance of the program, I decided to take the plunge, which I don't do often enough.

Words cannot adequately describe the experience of meeting 350 people my age representing, I believe, 100 different nationalities. The council was divided into groups of 22 or so and in my group alone, there were people from China, Ghana, the UAE, South Africa, the UK, Albania, Moldova, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Bahrain, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Canada, Barbados, Ecuador, and Russia. I also had roomates who were from Kenya, Qatar, and Belgium. The group represented was a combination of different cultures and ideologies united by a common occasion and common language (I don't know what I would have done if not everyone could speak English). Needless to say, there is no better way to understand global issues and universal struggles than to hear first hand accounts and there is no better way to evaluate our plight than to hear it from every angle. Despite these subtle differences, more unites than divides us.

Having spent more than 150 words talking only about GYLC, I should probably talk more about myself. For many of the same reasons I loved GYLC I love to travel. So far I've been to 4 continents, but hope to go to all 7 (except for Antarctica possibly). I have also played several sports, namely soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and cross country, although hockey is the sport that I have played most consistently (9 years). Additionally, I played saxophone for several years in middle school, although I was not particularly good at it. However, these concrete aspects of my history are not those which are within my realm of greatest concern at the moment. Instead, I am preocupied with my choice of college, and eventually career.

Only one aspect of my college preference is pretty much definite right now, which is that I want to leave Kentucky. Its not that I have anything against my home state, but variety never hurts. Apart from my desire to go out of state, the rest of my college career is pretty much undecided. However, I have narrowed down which subjects I genererally excel the most at: mathematics and science. Additionally, although I would go to either a nothern or southern school depending on which programs are offered where, I would prefer to go up North both because I want variety and because I am somewhat of a winter sports lover, hockey of greatest concern. In regard to career choice, however, my preferences are instable. Although at first I thought I would be a good engineer, my experience at GYLC has made me reconsider a job in international relations or one in servitude at the hands of an NGO. In addition, I have a fascination for geography and am pondering whether I can connect that to my livelihood. Somehow I find it difficult to find a career that combines math, science, geography, and my newfound fascination for foreign affairs. Eventually, I know that they will meet. For now, though, the process of finding that point is extremely frustrating.

Anyways, I find skyscapers really fascinating and tend to gravitate toward this website when I get bored (one of my many geeky fascinations): http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/ .

ismaeel siddiqi

My goals this year are pretty straight forward. I want to maintain straight A's on my report card and score a 4 or 5 on all of my AP tests. These goals are going to require a lot of time and studying on my part but its something that I'm willing to work for this year. I also hope to attend college at UK in a coule years and these grades will help this cause.

Last year I fell short of my goals, and it's what is pushing this year to do better. I didn't make a 4.0 and received a three on my AP test last year. The whole expierence upset me and this year I want to do better. That failure is hopefully going to help me succeed this year. To accomplish this I'm going to study harder and make more of an effort during the school day. Pay attention more, get more sleep ext...

This past summer I worked at World Class Auto super store on Nicholasville road. It was one of the most eye-opening expierence I've ever been apart of. I was working to gain a little summer money, spend it on what ever I wanted. My co-workers were there, receiving the same wages, and trying to support a family. It was amazing to compare the two extremes, and it made me want to study more for a job that would able me to support a family easily.

One of my favorite websites is www.ukathletics.com My dream is to go to kentucky and so I'm a huge fan of their atheltic programs exspecially basketball and football.

Claudia :)

I remember when I was little and the word “goal” meant nothing more than finding a way to slip a black and white ball past a goalie. I miss that feeling, the naïve, simplistic notion that my whole life is ahead of me, it felt so good. I felt excited, liberated, eager to move on. Now? Thinking about all those years ahead of me, I have come to realize just how many opportunities and possibilities beckon me, ones I never dreamed existed as a child. It seems a Herculean task to decide on the best of roads to take, and how most worthwhile to fill the time ahead of me. Now, instead of feeling exhilarated, I’m scared out of my socks.
If I had to choose some aspirations to call my goals, I’d say one of them is to be a pediatrician. I would also love to travel the world, become a well rounded individual, and improve my ping-pong game. I wish I could say more about my long term goals, but I can’t. I find that if I think too much about them, my decisions and actions become exponentially less me. So many different opinions, expectations, and voices fight for dominance that I find mine to be almost completely drowned out. So I focus on little goals. Get through the day, ace my math quiz, and on and on I go.
As for what I would improve on from the year just passed, my answer is pretty generic, work harder so I can get better grades. Hopefully it will happen this year.
Over the summer I went to France, and we went to the island of Mont St-Michel, which is only an island for half the day, during high tide. We went during low tide, and everywhere around the island was a huge expanse of beach. Other than that, nothing. Just sand as far as the eye could see. It reminded me so much of the years ahead of me and my uncertain goals, that feeling of blankness, or an area or stretch of time so big that it seems impossible to fill, but then, sure as sunrise, high tide came in and filled every inch of that enormous space. I only hope that I can do the same.


http://rottentomatoes.com/

I'm Me

Hey everyone I'm not too good at writing but I'll just be putting everything I can think of about my self in here. I am a big sports fan. I used to play baseball mainly now i swim and rock the tennis courts. I played 4 years of soccer, 2 years of basketball, and about 8 years of baseball in grade school. I am a fan of Virginia Tech, the New York Giants, New York Mets, and the New Jersey Devils. Technology is very enjoyable to me such as the computer, cell phones (finger pimpin), and xbox 360. I love playing some Call of Duty 4. I mow grass for my main income which works out pretty well but looking for a job soon after I get a car. I get my license August 31st.

School is important to me because i want to be successful but its a necessity not a want and therefore hard to enjoy especially with how competitive everything is now.

I love doing anything with people outside of school but the weekends don't come soon enough and they sure as hell aren't long enough so its a little hard. I love music so much. I used to play piano but that didn't last. I mainly listen to rap whether you like it or not. Most of my playlists consist of Gucci, Lil Wayne, 50 cent, ludacris, jay-z, eminem, lil jon, and plies. I do enjoy some rock though mainly the group Kings of Leon. Hopefully I'm going to their concert in a couple months. I enjoy two types of movies - comedy and horror. The Hangover is my most recent favorite but the best of all is Pineapple Express. WATCH IT.

Nick

Well. I missed the first week of school because i was at a swim meet in Seattle. Luckily i've been able to make up all my work. (Though i still need to get a locker.) Last year i missed the first week of school back from winter break and it really ended up screwing me over...

I have a lot of personal goals for myself. Obviously i am known to live in water (or hibernate... wow), but i also have other goals besides excelling in my sport. It's probably hard to believe, but i actually have academic goals for my junior year in high school. I'm just going to have to work on my time management.

I don't really know how much i can say about my struggles and successes. I can rep the state championship. Also, i can rep the fact that i am white... what? It should be a fun year and i am looking forward to it.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/ Coach Cal. That's what's up.

John wall is better than you.

Amanda's Post

This summer has been a ride on a really big emotional roller coaster, as far as my dear little horse (that's us on the left) is concerned. We do (did?) hunters, which is a class in a horse show where the idea is to go slow and jump nicely with a huuuuuuge step. The judging is subjective. This so called "step" has been our nemesis since we moved up to the 2'6" classes last summer. We can get it, but only at warp speed.

So around June 5th (the final day of a really awful show up in Ohio), I finally accepted that Vandy ( short for Vanity Fair, not Vanderbilt) is not a hunter. I thought I still was. So I agonized over it for several weeks, and then decided to at least *try* jumpers. Jumpers is a non-subjective, timed event in which the horse has to jump around a course as fast as they can (It's actually a lot more complicated than it sounds). So on August 9th, we had our first jumper show! I can't remember ever being so nervous to step into the ring. However, my nerves soon disappeared as i realized that Vandy LOVED her new job. She was jumping from anywhere I put her, and not exploding on the other side of the fences. Surprisingly, we did pretty well, placing 3rd, 4th, and 1st out of 6+. Our next show is at the Horse Park on September 12th. I can't wait to see how we do there. :]

This is my favorite website ever. I'm always lurking on it.

Liz, An informative paragraph

I hate the word “goals” because I instantly flash to anything similar to what you may find in the front of a school agenda or poster in my middle school health classes' walls, but it’s more than that fake inspirational stuff and I get it. Honestly, my goals are to go to college and just do something I love. I mean the more I picture that idea of living a monotonous day over and over again for my adult life makes me freaked out. Also, as great as most find the bluegrass state, I want to get out. I think there are just way to many amazing things going on in the world to only live on one place. But of course who knows, that could all change.

But before all that comes along, right now I’m a someone who sucks at summarizing herself. But I will try. A lot of times I wish I had a single activity or skill to define me that would fit onto the back of an index card between my grade and last years math teacher, but no such luck. So for the time being I’ll have to say I love to draw, look at art, attempt to take photos, do anything outside, (although I’m too weak and unskilled for most things) and listen to music. I wish I could listen to music every minute of my life, there is too much good music that I just won’t have time to get to know and that sucks. I really wish I could have background music in my head to make life’s moments even more cinematic. The saddest part is that I possess absolutely no musical talent. I don’t have the patience. But that’s ok, because who in our generation has patience anyway?

By the way this is a picture of my seventh-grade-self running in a field in England, I found it an enjoyable moment....

This makes me feel less awkward about myself...

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Jessica Brewer (a.k.a a brief psychoanalysis of myself)

I am addicted to change. I don't think I have ever done the same thing for an extended period of time. Maybe that's just lack of dedication and a predisposition to boredom, but I can not stick with one thing. I'd like to blame that on my parents (as would the average teenager) for making me live in New York, Tennessee, and Kentucky and sending me to seven different schools by the end of 9th grade (however, one change was my decision and another was because of redistricting), but I think it's just a large part of my personality. I hate to get too Freudian with this, but I do think that it has a large effect on my personal experiences and goals.
For example, I was one of those kids who switched from piano lessons, to orchestra (violin), to band (flute), to chorus (Soprano). That basically leaves me with no notable musical experience. I've quit basketball, ballet (I might've been kicked out; I don't remember), and track (I'm going to blame that one on breaking my ankle). I used to want to be a librarian, psychologist, teacher, doctor, physical therapist, microbiologist, editor, epidemiologist, interpreter, and etc. "when I grew up". I've planned on moving to New York, California, Ohio, Canada, Japan, France, and more. As much as I know you're enjoying reading these lists, I'll end there.
So where does all of this leave me? I've asked the same question many times before and have yet to come up with much of an answer. I do know, however, that it's left me staring at the computer for an hour trying to come up with this blog, checking "undecided" for future majors/career options, and generally confused. That's not to say that I don't know what I want to do with my life. It's just forced me to make smaller goals. Like graduating from high school; that would be nice. Or going to college for forever. That's the great thing about school- you don't have to decide want you want to do with yourself. If I could just be a student for the rest of my life, I'd be perfectly happy. I know many of you might be grumbling at the thought, but this is something I've seriously considered. The thought of tying myself down to one job in one place is absolutely terrifying. Normally, I'm a pretty good decision-maker (I'm very opinionated and know what I want to do; this is often defined as "bossy" or "impudent"), but even the idea of choosing a major or career makes my heart stop.
In case any of you gave up on reading that, here's a short description of me:
I love music and movies from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but still try to keep updated on current pop culture. I hate technology with a passion. I'm taking French and Spanish and I hope to learn Italian and Japanese (my dad wants me to learn Chinese, but I'm hoping Japanese will cover that). My biggest pet peeve is when people tell me the end of a book or movie. I never just write my first name (I always write "Jessica Brewer") and I only type in Times New Roman.
Alright, thanks.

I've never been to this website before, but I love the Greek festival. I've gone there almost every year since we moved to Lexington.

A day in the life of Kam

(One of the only good things about Kentucky is that you can drive 10 minutes and you'll always find a good source for a picture.)

6:40-Wake up to the song of the day (typically a high energy song to encourage a good day and a swift wake up)

6:40:30- Turn the snooze on

6:45- Actually wake up

6:45-7:40- Get ready for school in slow motion. Eat. Wait for Mallory to come pick me up. Finish any homework that was failed to be completed the night before.

8:10- Get to school, rush to locker, and awkwardly wander around the hallways until class begins.

8:25-3:15- Try to focus and not fall asleep, and complain to friends about my hatred towards French class.

3:50-Sleep time- Get home, go to my room and immediately check the YouTube subscriptions for any new videos. Then do homework and whatever else needs to be done before sleeping becomes necessary.

My parents getting me my own computer was possibly the worst thing they could have done. I am almost always in my room either on Facebook, YouTube, Awkward Family Photos, F My Life, or My Life is Average. As for future goals, I pretty much just want to move out of Kentucky. Chicago would be my dream, but at this point I just want to get far away. Currently, I am the editor of the school’s newspaper website, The Devils’ Advocate. I would like for my career to be in the same basic field of interest. I love taking pictures and I really enjoy writing, so being a part of a newspaper or preferably a magazine would be absolutely wonderful. But right now I’m not too worried about future plans; I’m just trying to be a teenager and have fun while I’m still young.

This link will supply hours of entertainment (: (click it.... I know you want to)

My Life: School and Volleyball

Okay, for those of you who know me, and for those who don't, you know that there are two things in my life. Those would be: school and volleyball. I am constantly trying to balance them. If volleyball wasn't in my life then I would probably be spending all of my extra time doing homework and/or studying. Then again, if school wasn't important to me, I would probably die because I would be playing way to much volleyball. However, it doesn't matter to me how much time volleyball takes up because I love it that much. No, I am not 6'3'' and no I am probably never going to play in the Olympics. But, I do want to play in college and am hoping for a scholarship. I have been visiting schools, and learning about the day in the life of a college athlete. There is a lot more than practice and games in college. There are two workouts and two practices per day, and the worst part is the daily ice bath :(. No matter how much work it is, I really do love the sport and I hope that it is a part of my life forever.

~FYI the team is selling chocolate to raise money, so buy some. Its only a dollar.
~Oh yeah and that picture is us winning the district championship last year! (We crushed Dunbar!)

http://www.wikipedia.org/ No one can deny it. Probably the most useful website in the world. Who cares if it is inaccurate? Most of the time its not.

I'm awful at computers. I really hope this is sent to the right blog.

Chelsea Walton (middle name not cute enough to include). I'm a sixteen-year-old girl in nearly every sense. Except for the wanting to drive part; it scares me to death. Or the listening to popular music part; ask my friends. Or sleeping in like crazy on weekends; I got up before nine-thirty today.

So, to rephrase that opening line: I'm very much a teenage girl in some ways.

The laziness, habits of procrastination, the sometimes very materialistic values, the always being broke, the excessive texting. I've got all that.

But I love my life, semi-predictability aside. I have a lovely set of best friends, who I look up to so much (I've told them a million and seven times that all of their accomplishments are going on my college resumes, followed by something along the lines of "and she's been to my house" or "I've borrowed her clothes"). I have an extremely supportive and awesome family, who puts up with me with relatively little complaint (except the hating-driving part, that they're openly not too happy about). This year, I've found myself a nice little boyfriend, who I make hang out with me frequently (and who will be getting his license soon, which is probably most exciting for poor little Mary, who's been stuck driving me lately).

All my life, I've had the tendency to quit almost everything. That's my one thing with my parents and how they rasied me, that I wish they'd been mean and pushy and made me stick with ballet, or soccer, or that they could've found a way to make me good at math past the fifth-grade level. But then, I'm probably not meant to be a ballerina or soccer star or mathematician (I don't even think I spelled that last one right), and I can't totally blame them for that. I've always loved singing, and have never cried or thrown a fit on the way to a rehearsal or voice lesson (except maybe once when I got ketchup on my chorus concert clothes, or something). And now I don't totally suck at singing, and still have no intention of quitting that anytime soon.

This past summer, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to perform as a chorus member in Cinderella at the Lexington Children's Theatre. Never before have I experienced such an immediate closeness with people-- especially people that I'm also immensely jealous of. The aforementioned boyfriend was also a part of the cast, as well as the rest of his immediate family. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone involved in the production, and had THE prettiest costume I've ever seen in my entire life. And, hopefully, I picked up some stuff that'll help me up my game back at Henry Clay's drama program.

To be able to pursue a career in singing and/or musical theatre would be incredible. Or to work as some high-end magazine editor (despite all the grammar and punctuation mistakes I'm sure I've made in this one entry alone). Thinking more practically, I would also love to go into psychology. Granted, I'm only two weeks into this psychology class at Henry Clay. I really do think it's something I'd enjoy, though.

As of now, I, like Faina and Kate, am trying to establish a sense of balance in my life. I love being with friends, and would totally spend all my waking hours with them if I could. Same with my family. Non-teenagerish as it may seem, I could sit and gossip with my mom and baby sister (and sometimes even dad and brother) forEVER. And now I've got this boyfriend I kinda don't totally hate spending time with. Additionally, if someone's going to let me be in some theatrical production, I'm definitely taking advantage of that. Making time for schoolwork is something I'm probably getting progressively worse at. So we'll see how this school year pans out, I definitely have college more on my mind, and definitely want to make some good money in the future. So I'll work at this academic stuff.

I read something a week or so ago about how some people have this mutant gene-thing that allows them to get by on only six hours of sleep. Wouldn't that be nice? There's a lot to enjoy in life, even teenage-girl life. And there's less time than I'd like to enjoy it all.

http://www.facebook.com

Despite the fact that my mom and all her friends and people I babysit for have accounts now, Facebook is still a very teenager-esque thing.

1st Assignment

My goals for my life are to graduate high school with decent grades and get into a decent college, probably UK, then probably go to medical school at UK and become a doctor. In order for this to happen i am going to have to stop being so lazy. i am going to have to stop delaying my homework until the morning when i have an hour to mess around. this was especially problematic last year when i struggled to even do a lot of my homework assignments until the class before. somehow i managed to escape with about a 3.5, but i am going to need to hunker down for the next two years. this year i am going to try harder and not be so lazy. i think i can handle it and i know plenty of other people can so thats even more motivation. i've always been pretty competitive and even unnecessarily at times, but i expect to do better this year.
Sports

libbbbbbby.

This is a picture I took last spring break in a casino in Las Vegas. A lot of people think you can’t have fun in Vegas if you’re under 21, but I’ve been twice now and would love to go a third time. You literally never run out of things to do, with different performers and shows every few weeks, all over the strip. I really like to travel, so it’s a good thing that I have an older sister with cash, and parents that let me board planes with her on a fairly regular basis.

In the future I think I want to go into biomedical engineering, because it looks like such a cool major. I think I’d like to get a concentration in like neuroscience or something, and maybe a minor in Spanish. I’ve really been looking at UPitt, because Pittsburgh is such an awesome city. I’d love to live there one day. I’m currently just wondering where I’m gonna find 25 grand every year. I’m pretty sure that out of state tuition is the biggest load of BS I’ve ever heard of.

Netflix is one of my favorite sites because I absolutely love movies, and they not only mail them to you in literally ONE day, but they also have lots of movies to watch instantly on your computer. Best nine dollars I ever asked my parents to spend every month. I talk about Netflix way too much, just ask any of my friends. I’m sure they’re sick of hearing about it. For me, it never gets old.
http://www.netflix.com/

rachel's post

Summer was basically awesome. I actually got my own horse. It's been pretty cool, my parents are a little clueless, but no worries. My mom didn't know that I was going to have to feed her everyday....that was a little unsettling. So that thing took up most of the summer, besides a camp that I worked at for a few weeks. Otherwise there were just random crazy days.

Like one, that was so terrible. It was two days before school and so two of my friends and I decided-let's go party it up at kings island. Awesome idea.
We were an hour into the trip and my friends radiator completely died. It started spewing hot liquid and steam, and it was really bad. We hung out by the side of the road for awhile, til a police car came over and tried to help us. He couldn't help us though, because naturally he had his attack dog in the back of his car. Wow. So, some other cop drove us to the nearest exit were we had pancakes at Frish's Big Boy. That almost made it better. But not really.
Then, after a series of calls, we realized that we were supposed to leave the car unlocked and with the keys in it for the towing company, even though the policeman had told us to leave it locked. We had to get back to the car that was on the left shoulder of a north-bound highway, on foot. We started walking and ended up flagging down another cop, who was nice enough yo help us out.
Then we called the parents. They weren't so happy, but my mom was nice enough to come all the way up and take us to kings island. I was really surprised.
But we got to ride four roller coasters. Then as were walking into the water park there was an announcement: "There is a severe storm warning we are receiving now, so the park will be closing momentarily. We will keep you informed."
So three seconds later we were totally soaked and had to run the complete length of the park to the entrance, while it was storming severely.

Basically the worst day ever.

America Comes Together, You C***l*****

This isn't exactly a "seminal summer experience," but it's a story from an extremely important and memorable sort-of-camp, so it's close enough in spirit if not in time.

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When people talk about the Inauguration of Barack Obama, they always talk about how close

people were, how America Came Together. This irks me. Of course, I don't know the whole story; maybe the people who bought their tickets and arranged for seats were feeling very close. But as for those of us who jumped the fence out around the National Monument where the guards weren't looking, there was no real connection. One memory I think will stick with me is of a sixtiesish black woman who was standing near me, and who I'd been spooning for about an hour (it was crowded.) We were stuck behind a row of trees to the north east of the Monument, looking through them at a JumboScreen of the Inaugural from a distance I didn't really take time to judge because, as mentioned, there was some big lady-butt rubbing against my junk. But about an hour in, a few teenage boys managed to climb up into the trees, blocking twenty billion people's view of the TV.

"Get the f**k out of that motherf***ing tree you little brats!" the woman in front of me yelled. I could feel her voice reverberating in my Myers Family Jewels.

"It's a free f***ing country Grandma!" one of the tree-dwellers called back.

"Don't make me tell you again, a**hole!"

"Shut it, c***l*****!"

"What the f**k did you just call me? Because there is no f***ing way you just called me what I think you just called me!"

"C***l***** c***l*****!"

"You stupid c***s***ers!"

I don't know if the seizure a girl about four yards away from me had was caused by A**hole's and C***l*****'s example of America Coming Together, but I like to think it was.

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The Rotten Tomatoes website; I do not see a movie without learning how I'm supposed to feel about it first.

Love What You Do.

I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life, where I want to go to college or what I want to study. But I have decided that I will be ok. Right now I am trying to focus on having an incredible high school experience and making sure I will be able to get into whatever college I decide is my future.

As part of my incredible high school experience I have made some absolutely amazing friends. They mean almost everything to me and I don't know what I could do without them. I love knowing that I can call any of them when I need them and they will be there for me. Some of my friends I have known since I was little but some I have just met. My friends mean the world to me and I hope they know that. I don't think I tell them that enough.

So I lied earlier when I said I have no idea what I want to do. I can narrow it down quite a bit. I actually came to the realization this summer as well that I want to help people. Not in the sense that I want to be a doctor but in the sense that I want to volunteer or work some where that is focused around that. I got to go on the Y-Corps trip this summer. Y-Corps is a trip for teenagers in which you travel around Kentucky in school buses for seven days and do volunteer work. I got to make a difference in so many people's lives. There were sixty teenagers on this trip and we did an amazing amount of work. All together we did 5,780 hours of volunteer service just on the trip.My Y-Corps friends taught me to do what I love and to love the people around me. That is the best advice I have ever gotten. The best part though was the energy that was on the trip. We would wake up at 5 or 6 every morning work all day and not go to bed sometimes until one or two. But the whole time no one ever complained that the work was to hard or that they were tired. We were always smiling and laughing and having loads of fun even when we were working extremely hard. The best part about the energy is that it was infectious every where we went the people always seemed so much happier and excited when we left. I want to do that forever. I think it is the most incredible feeling in the world.
http://www.kyymca.org/

The attached picture is of a Bluegrass Music Festival that we helped with. We played in the fountains because we hadn't showered in 3 days.

Faina: Facts, Toil, and Laughter

Faina (n.)

1. A junior at Henry Clay High School who loves Spanish, the piano, guitar, working (as a consequence of habit,) her friends' different music tastes, drawing, bonding, laughter, chocolate, and vacations with her parents.

I love my family, and I want to ultimately make them proud of me with who I will have become. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a plan to fulfill that goal; I'm not quite sure what I want to do as a future career or where I want to go to college, and I am going to do some research on that...soon.

I do know that in the future, I want to play piano in front of an audience (whether it be twenty or two thousand, it'd be nice,) save people's lives, make bank, and by some great fortune, be able to get a violin-making degree at the Chicago School of Violin Making. Of course, I'm not sure if any or all of this will happen, but hopefully I'll experience some of it. As for everything else, I'm hoping that if I do enough research, something will eventually hit me. :)

Only now am I figuring out how to balance "going with the flo" and "focusing on grades," but it's better late than never. Last year, I had a lot of classes with really close friends who constantly saw me freak out about grades. Then one day, in Chemistry class, I sat down and thought to myself, "How is it possible that ______and _______ and ______and even _______can be so relaxed at a time like this?" (This was said before a test or a project, or something else.) Anyway, now I trying to take my friends' example, to work hard in school but not so hard that I'm can't enjoy or fully learn what teachers at HCHS have to say and teach me. This year, I'm going to try to maintain my 4.0, do some research for the future, and still manage to have a blast with my friends!

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