The Brooklyn Bridge

Valentines Day is, as my dear friend Mandy says, just completely sad. That's S.A.D.: Single's Awareness Day. I myself particularly do not enjoy February, and I don't know what my problem is, but I do not enjoy the mushiness of love stories. Sure, I do believe that there's someone out there for everyone, and eventually everyone can fall in love, but do we really need all this fantasy about it? I know what you're thinking, "Well you're just jealous no guy loves you!" Well, yes, that may be true, but wouldn't you rather hear a story about an elf embarking on an intense journey with the colleagues of a three headed dragon and a miniature cow running from an evil Mr. Banana Head? I think the main purpose of Valentine's Day is to stock back up on candy since you're probably out from Halloween. Okay, so there's my opinion, comment ferociously as you may, but next time I'll be sure to post something less cold-hearted, and more inspiring/fun...

Imagine yourself in a world were you need make no choices; a world where everything is decided for you. You have no worries, nothing to hide, you have no choice but to follow the rules and everyone takes care of each other. This is Jonas's world. A utopia, you may think? Absolutely not. In The Giver by Lois Lowery, Jonas is about to enter his twelfth year and receive his assignment, as everyone does as a Twelve. After a dramatic ceremony, he becomes the Receiver of his community. He trains with The Giver, receiving memories of how emotions and life was in the past when people had the power to choose. He discovers elements like colors, snow, and other every day things for us that we rarely even think twice about. Jonas thought being able to live with love was a dangerous way to live, and he was right. But he also knew it was the right way to live. Jonas most certainly made the accurate choice by bravely leaving his community and traveling to Elsewhere. Jonas's world is not a uto...

Life is like a book, there is a beginning we are exuberant to start, but an end we fear will come all too quickly. Every page comes with its own surprises, and we are eager to turn each one. Every book is unique, has a protagonist and an antagonist, and has a different ending; happily ever after or not. Every chapter’s title gives us the slightest taste of what’s approaching, but we never really know what’s going to happen until we are brave enough to read each word. Sometimes we may not know what some of the words mean, or the writing style we are given is confusing, but we must be patient and evaluate on what’s happened. Who knows? Maybe everything will fall into place later on. In the electrifying, astonishing novel of my life, I am on an unknown journey to conquer an unknown enemy, and return to an unknown place; a utopia. As I proceed on my journey, I explore new things and enjoy each page as it comes. I sample different experiences, some pleasurable and congenial, others excruc...

Today I've seen two marvelous beings. They are so grand and they shout for themselves. They are spontaneous and different, but are most certainly the greatest two knee-highs you've ever laid eyes on. They smile back at you when you take only one glance at them. The majestic purple shows mystery and won der. It is the color of question and adv enture, adrenaline and excitement. And then, complementing t he violet perfectly, comes the br ave, black and grey argyle. The argyle inspires us to stand up for wh at we believe in, go again st the crowd to pursue in your dreams. Of course, it is different and impulsi ve ,  but is comple tely consummates the outfit. The outfit expresses the person, exciting but pr ofessional . Unexpected, but flawless. These are stockings with souls.

Here it is folks- a clean slate, a fresh start. It's January 1, 2009, and it never will be again. Every single day is unique, and you have a chance to do what needs to be done in the world. Make this year your year to make a difference. No, you don't need to organize a whole big charity deal, or wait for one to come along. You can simply start with the people your see every day. Maybe you can create a more peaceful relationship with your siblings. Think of it as if you are on the same team. You are in this together, two heads are beter than one. Or maybe its that kid in school who doesn't get talked to much, or isn't really "in the loop." I know you've heard this thousands of times, but make this time different. Yes, you KNOW what needs to be done. You KNOW you need to go out of your comfort zone to help someone feel like they have friends. But just because we know these things, doesn't mean that that's enough. Go out TODAY and serve. Whatever it m...

As I walked through the door of that fourth grade classroom, I knew it was the end. Mommy had told me the night before, it was my very last night with you. I was moving on to bigger things, I was older now. It was time to say goodbye to Mommy checking over all my homework, to the books being read to me. Time to say goodbye to the miniature monkey bars, the undersized slide, the Barbie Band-Aids for my scabs that appeared quite often on my knees. It was time to say goodbye to all of those “little kid” things, because I’m a big kid know. I’m in the “upper grades.” Time to say goodbye to all the joys of being a cute diminutive girl with bright eyes and buoyant pigtails. But the most devastating of all, it was time to say goodbye to my most beloved friend. Such marvelous times we had together, the coziness and warmth of your cashmere and cotton. The joy of putting in one foot at a time the RIGHT way. The ultimate thrill of tattooing my tummy with a ball point pen, and the ease of zipping ...

           So here I am, sitting at my computer, at 5:30 in the morning. There is something wondrous and important to be written. Something everyone needs to read. Something enjoyable, magical, with fantastic imagery and marvelous descriptive words.  Words that would brighten every one's day, help those in need, lighten up the sad, inspire someone to go out and serve. But instead, here I am, frozen solid at my desk, because I do not consist of the simplest of an idea of what those words are. This is what I call a writing block.           Writing blocks are so incredibly annoying. They are like a cage, just holding you back from the beautiful sunshine you want to bask in, the luscious,  fragrant flowers of endless vibrant colors. The magnificent oak trees, standing tall, proud, and firm to show off there beautiful green leaves of summer, which are begging to give you their sweet, fresh oxygen. The sparkling blue river ready to give you his refreshing cool water. The lattice on this ...