24 Hours Left Plus5

As of posting this blog I will be leaving all of my finals behind, my friends behind, my school behind, and I will enter the most wonderful time of the year for a white Christmas! I only have twenty nine hours left and I can hardly wait. This first semester has seemed short (now that we are at the end at least). Lots of things have happened that have made it a memorable first semester of my junior year!
I don't think there is any way that two or even three plump paragraphs could contain all that there is to say about this past semester. I've met new people and made new friends. I've gotten back with old friends and through these months I've bettered my character and become a better person. I always say that college will bring better days because the drama will hopefully slow down quite a bit. I've put up with drama and such and still have the same opinion. I have enjoyed the wild side of my friends that have put humor in my life and the real friends that know me, they make life worth living for me! I've learned to listen instead of talk, think of others and not myself, and I've realized that time is my number one enemy and I'm still battling for the victory. God has also brought many people to weimar and has blessed me through them. I feel like such a hypocrite at times but I'm looking forward to what God can do through me for the rest of this year and my whole life. I don't know what to say but thank you to God, my friends, and you!

23- Secrets are made for telling!

I've told a few secrets in the past and heard a few more. Some secrets were lame and some still haunt me today. I've thought about how to react to them and realized that whether those secrets were a big deal or no deal at all, I use my judgement for when it was better off to tell those secrets or not. I've found that secrets create stress like no other. I find this need to tell someone this secret to "get it off my back." Its a strange thing we humans do but we do it anyway. I tend to respect the secrets I'm told because I put myself in their place and know I would want to trust someone to help me out and not spill the beans. Like I said about judgement, you can't always keep secrets. One characteristic of people who commit suicide or mass murder at a school shooting is to joke about killing themselves or telling someone their kill list. I believe with good judgments the appropriate secrets can save lives or even other peoples character and we can keep it down about Bill liking Lisa.

22- Beauty and the ... Brain?

Well, as you can see, I would prefer brains over beauty any day. I first thought upon reading the prompt that I would enjoy beauty over brains. How shallow thinking that was! In this world only a few pretty people make it and although they are not mainstream famous smart people enjoy the small scale wonders of this life. Feeling achievement and success is more fulfilling than know people like to look at you. Reaching a career know as difficult provides more satisfaction, having worked hard to earn money rather than looked good. I believe I would be happier to work for what I have.

To sum it up, People can get very far in life on beauty but those people are few and far between. For the average person brains will get you further along in life an much happier.

21- Girls Have Cooties!!!

I'm sure there are reasons why women may not be allowed to do different jobs. Some jobs are just dangerous and others may be a traditional avoidance. I don't have much knowledge on this subject; however, I could imagine that the problem still exists. Since i don't know much I can say one thing. Women should have a choice as to what kind of danger they are willing to put themselves through. Some jobs require strength which comes alot easier to men than to women. This means that for the average woman, certain jobs are physically unobtainable. As for the way we are made, men and women think differently and can not perform well in certain areas. I'm saying there should not be rules against women holding ceratin jobs but some jobs just aren't for them!

20 Stuffing!

When I mention stuffing I'm not talking about turkey. I'm a vegetarian and have never even tasted turkey. But I'll tell you what got stuffed, me! Lots of mashed patatoes and everthing else had nuts in it! Uck! I hate nuts! I still ate too much. Lets not forget about the awkward moments that filled the air as our distant relatives filed into our home and took their seats with upright posture! That was my cue to hit the computer with a little myspace and youtube! But I was with family and had plenty of food. I think we often forget to be thankful for things we have that others don't. We need to be especially thankful for the right to worship freely because isn't that how it all started anyway!

19 Lets just call it the T.V.

So our country has become infatuated with a box that now could come in any size from a cell phone screen to 11 foot flat screen H.D.! Its called the television. I'm sure its nothing new to you. It goes by many names, some of which are very crude. But I have a more important question. Does the television effect us in a way so that we no longer care about the world around us? When everything is literally at our finger tips through infrared, do we eventually become dull to the sights and beauties around us?
We now are able to access anything we want so why go to the trouble of actually traveling. It is sad but I believe that White was correct in his forcast. Something has crept into our world to day. Its has our minds dull with uninterest. The television only does us harm. When we watch, we become lazy and have no need to see the sights. And when we do there is nothing special about them. We should stop the watching and get outside!!

18 Can You Be Alone When You're Around People?

Mark Twain once said, "The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with oneself." In my point of view, I would say this refering to the fact that I'm not satisfied with something about myself that I can't change. This definitely applies to me in many areas. I am always trying to be better than someone else with the excuse, "I'm just turning myself into a better me." I know that the truth is I'm not satisfied with the way God made me. I would change many things in my life if I could, but God has a better plan for me than worrying about my looks. When you can never be satisfied with yourself, can you truely be satisfied with any friendship? The type of lonliness this brings is not literal but mental lonliness. You can be with friends and still be lonly if you can't admit to being who God wants you to be.
I enjoy being with friends and I also like to be alone to think about things and get my thoughts organized. I don't mind either one, but until I have been made to God's comlpete image and am satisfied in Him as who I am, I will always be lonly.

17 Going to the Grave Studying?

When I think of older adults going to college, I think of high school drop outs who are finally getting their life back together; however, this is not always the case. Many from the Baby Boomer's generation are school shopping because the're hitting the books once again. From resturaunt manager to science teacher, these people just want to get more out of life instead of wait around for that dreaded day of death! I believe they have the right mentallity in their head when they take this action. If you can still read well (reading glasses not included) then why not better yourself through education.
Most colleges are aimed at young people around the age of 18 years old, because most college students are fresh out of high shcool. This provides a challenge in entering school and financial aid programs are only given to those who can attend college at a young age (no career of full-time job people). Classes are often scheduled at an inconvenient time as well!
Adults have a longer time to think about life and a reason I believe their education could improve society is because of their thoughtful consideration and experience, they will seek more need education for something they have found more needed throughout their lifetime.
The story of Mike Flynt is one that says, "I'll never give up!" Late into life he still pushes for what he believes he can acomplish and thus making him a better person. That is alot of work and for myself, I would need alot of motivation, but if it was very important, I think I would be able to push through any obstacles to make it.

16 The Human Time Machine

If I had my life to do over, I can almost remember every date maybe even the time of day that I got in trouble and how I wished that I could go back in time and do the right thing. I remember things I did that didn't even satisfy me, or times that I enjoyed things for the moment but they have left permanent scars on my character where the stitch lines will forever remain, reminding me of my mistakes. If there was one power I could have, it would have to be reversing time to correct myself. But that sounds silly doesn't it.
I enjoy challenges, especially when I am motivated. Pre-Calculus is a class that I consider a real challenge. In all wisdom, our teacher allows us to go back and make corrections for full credit, allowing us to understand our mistakes so that we won't make them again in our new found understanding. I have found this very helpful to me. Life is a little different though. We don't always get that chance. I am pushing forward to the real prize which is to be with our Creator and Savior. I often stumble over the difficulties that surface in this sea of obstacles called life. And when you find your self in a similar situation, remember this quote: "In life, there are no make up exams, so choose wisely!"

15 If I Was the President...

If I was the old grey haired man sitting in the Oval Office, I would attack three specific things! First on my agenda is foriegn policy. A tighter and stricker protection of the border would keep many illegals out, which would cause for less taxation of the future generation. This leads me into my next area of focus: the US economy. It believe that it is important to stay on top of money issues however hard that may be. This includes taxes, cost and demand ratios, and gas pirces of course. Lastly, leaving on the note of fuel, the environment should be gaurded. Not like I'm a tree hugger, but keeping the upper hand on our environment would allow for more resources and a longer time to find ways to use renewable items such as plants. The issue that is dearest to my heart is definitely religious liberty. I don't know how to explain it's importance but it will play a big role (or lack thereof) in the time of the end.
As you can see in my important three topics, many if not all issues that concern the american citizens overlap in some way or another, whether its hard to see of overly obvious. And all subjects are almost equal in every way to make a successful nation.

14 The holidaze

My favorite holiday has to be Christmas! I love the presents the spirit and getting together with family. I remember a while ago, our whole extended family got together and My cousin claire and I were so eager to open our presents that we volunteered as "santas" not knowing what that meant and ended up having to hand out all of the other presents before we could open our own!
My least favorite holiday is Easter. I remember painting the ugliest eggs and never being able to find as many as my sibilings or cousins. This was very frustrating! My memory actually happened the next Easter when I was egg hunting. I found a plastic egg and inside was chocolate from the previous year! It was very smelly and nasty!

13 Who's Fault Is It Anyways?

It is tragic to think that we lose so many loved ones to the hands of intoxicated people. The bad choices of some can lead to the death of the innocent. So what is the origin of this problem. Is there a place that we can look to find one of the roots to this problem? How about teen drinking problems?

Today, more and more parents are falling into legal trouble because of these teen drinking problems. Social host laws are put into action to stop these parties from happening by targeting the parents. In my opinion, this is solving half of a math equation and leaving the rest to find the answer itself. Laws of any kind only encourage those rebellious ones. Plus, if parents are prosecuted and not the children, then the children will feel that there actions have no consequences.

I don't understand this question very well; however, I do believe that consequences arouse the awareness of the common public. When more and more of the evils of this epidemic are revealed, then more people will do what they can to stop it all.

My title says it all! "Who's fault is if anyways?" Some parents are to get all of the punishment for their deliberate allowance of such activities even if they just bought the booz or partied with their teens. I take my strongest stand in this. If these little "grown up" teens think they are old enough to drink then they should be able to get the punishment of adults who can drink and cause just as much damage!

When drinking is alowed in the home, parents are succumbing to the wishes of their children for fear of what young ones can now do. Lazy parents also resort to this method as a way to occupy their offspring. It gives the adult an out so they don't have to work. This creates a a character of laziness in the youth and one really bad habit: Drinking alcohol which makes an alcoholic.

I have, by no means, any wise words in my young years; however, I would like to say that characters form in the earliest years of one to three. The best way to prevent bad behavior is to create an obedient and wise character in the yound child. Teaching the ill effects of drinking and showing them the joys of "clean" fun. For those who have grown children, there is less that can be done. You can let them see the consequences of their actions. Let them learn the hard way. Tell them they have no place to live if they make these choices and then you hope for the best.

This subject really makes me sad because this addiciton causes horrible results and yet more and more people keep joining in this death club. I wish the solution would reveal itself if it exists. So for now, lets do what we can to prevent tragidies by prevent teen drinking parties in every way that our life role allows.

12 Now This Is a Story!

"If it weren't for that rubber ducky I wouldn't be stuck in this pickle," I said "And that's how I ended up duct-taped to the bottom of the bath tub.

11 One for All and All for Greatness

Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. Is this beyond anyones ability? If this is true greatness then why wouldn't we all have the potential to be great. Of course we can all achieve greatness and by doing so perfect our characters and be ready for God's kingdom!
The qualities of greatness are many. You must have truthfulness which leads to trust which leads to responsibiliy. If you are resposible by doing the little things in life, you will maintain purity and obtain patience. Being patient makes you considerate and when thinking of others you become selfless. I don't care who you are or where you are. If you have these characteristics you have achieved greatness, especially in the eyes of God. And isn't that all that matters anyway?

10 Dr. Seuss In Our Current Events

When concerning abortion many people have there stands for what to do. People who are pro-life have adopted a phrase in encouragement and support of letting little babies live. The American Life League has also published pamphlets with this title. They say, "A person is a person no matter how small!"

9 That Was Nothing!

Growing up, I've always had footsteps to follow in. My dad taught me many practical things and my mother has given me the example of motivation. When it comes to my sisters, I can only say I'm way behind their level of music and have been pushed to meet up with them. In recitals or just practice at home, I could and still can feel the influence of encouragement.
In a desperate attempt to show my expertise in the field of piano, I was about to be a confident boy who could play the piano at this "crowded" recital. There was no program so we would just volunteer to be next. I motioned to my sister and thought to myself, "I'll try to funny and wave my hands with these marks on them." Its a really strange thought when I look back, but when I was in the moment, its all I concentrated on. Then came the moment that put me to shame. My sister never saw my motion and I found myself sliding on one side of the piano bench with someone I didn't consider my sister. She looked at my funny and I would've done the same, but I had no time because I made a mad dash for wherever I could go to get away! It truely scarred me! I'm still alive, though.

8 Who came after Fernando Stahl?

Are you curious yet? I have the answer! My great grandfather Archie Field became a missionary in Peru after Fernando Stahl. He worked in the Lake Titicaca area. I recently had the privilege of going to Peru with Maranatha. My grandpa showed me the place he grew up in as a child and told me about his father and what he did.

Questions I would ask:

1. What was it like to follow Fernando Stahl?
2. Why did you want to be a missionary?
3. Was being a missionary the original goal for your life?
4. How was life in the area that you worked in?
5. Was it really hard living?
6. Did you ever get scared?
7. Did you ever get discouraged?
8. What did you mainly do for your mission work?
9. Were you readily accepted?
10. What are your best stories from your mission experience?

7 The Apple of Her Eye

The phrase was originally coined by Shakespeare; however, I found other information. Beyond all of that information, this phrase means something dear to the heart or cherished. Whatever Malus sylvestris* takes the place of her pupil must mean alot to her. In other words, this thing takes first place in her life. Most likely this would talk about a love of someone or maybe a dear relative. She should really move on to the citrus fruit though.


* Scentific name for apples

6 Oh Dear Me

I won't chronicle about this years teacher, but english in the past has caused my heart pain. I have always had trouble with the exceptions to the exceptions of the rules. I never get it right because there is no certain way to get it right. It makes me cry.
Why do you put the i before the e after the c except for some words? What if there were no exceptions to the rules? What if they were all exceptions to the rules? What if we all spoke another language? What if there were no hypothetical situations.
English still makes me cry. I remember my freshman year when I had to turn in a humorus essay. Oh the memories. I laughed over and over when I read it; however, that was not the case with my teacher or classmates. I made all the mistakes that could be made. In fact the only humorus part is looking back on this memory. I was humiliated even though no one knew I had written this catastrophe. But like all things, this did not last forever. I had been revealed and all the world had come crashing to an end. How would I survive.
You've probably read all my mistakes by now thinking this guy is hopeless. I am hopefully improving and I am enjoying my learning experience.

5 Microtrends?

If you're asking what microtrends are you are not alone! I had no idea until I read this article that confused me. If you've ever considered why teens and twenty-somethings are getting into knitting, you've just asked the million dollar question. Please let me know if you find the answer, because I'm still wondering why my sister spends hours of her shopping time in grandma maybell's knitting shop. Apparently that is an example of a microtrend. Young knitters or any trend that hits the 1 percent of the population is a microtrend.
I believe that the reason microtrends are growing is because so many people are followers. When a truly creative person begins something out of the ordinary and all the followers are the ones that bring about the trend because they wish they were as creative as that one person. For this reason people add themselves to the numbers that make this microtrend thing.
Can we really ask questions about Hillary and reason out an answer? No, I'm just kidding. Why would someone hire a musician for a party? Probably because that person doesn't play an instrument or if they do, they don't want to play during their own party. She hire him for help and she new he was someone that would only do her good.
I don't know much about our stands as a country. We seem to have the spirit of no specific truth and anything goes. Who knows where we could end up.
He claims it was not, but I'm sure it was. After all that seems to be the job description of people like Penn.
As for microtrends at weimar, well I'm still trying to understand the term. Maybe owning little balls on the end of strings or wearing slip-on shoes and I'm sure there are more to be mentioned but I won't take up usless space.

4 Remembering 9/11

Shivers went down my back as I heard and saw the news that morning. We were about to leave for school when my mom turned on the TV. I was experiencing every moment as it happened. All I can remember from that day were things like talking about what happened and our teacher made it into an assignment. I was tuned out thinking about families and people who had died or were going to die. It occupied my mind for a long time afterward.
Many photos came out to the public of the towers before that tragic day. I remember watching a video about how terrorists hoped they would change america by breaking us into pieces but my favorite thing about that video was that it showed normal houses and they the scene changed to those same houses with American flags on them. The video then said that they had changed America but they made us a tighter unit rather than breaking us down.
I believe that some of us may not want to remember and say we should forget. There are those who cannot. Lives were changed that are still being affected today. Families without fathers or mothers or without both. Parents who lost childern. Close relatives that will never be alive again, many for eternity. As much as it hurts to think about, it made us strong and it gave us a focus against terrorism. This may be something that we desagree on at times; however, our hold on terrorism may be something that no one else could do. I want people to remember that Satan has a hold of this world, but it is temporary and God will come again to prove that Satan's way was erronious.

3 Survival of the fittest (or at least the most luxurious)

I couldn't wait to set up my new tent. It was the kind that is meant to hold an entire family but you know that is a lie. I was excited because I only had to survive with two other bodies in the tent with me. There is something you need to know. What I enjoy most about camping is making the event as luxurious as possible. Air mattresses, lighting, shelves, fluffy pillows, battery heated sleeping bag, and plenty of snacks from the secret stash (Don't tell Ms. Chi) are a part of a good weekend under the stars which are above my ceililing. Mr. Bushnell asked us what time we had checked into our hotel and I thought that described our tent quite well.

2 Playing the Blame Game on illegal immagration

Yes, it is true that we have a high need for workers in this country. The fact that they put a strain on our medical and educational systems in america is something that we can't afford. Litteraly speaking, Americans can't afford to pay the taxes that the illegal aliens take advantage of. As illegal imigration continues the price we pay will increase to balance for the money they don't have to pay.
Do I think it is right to send people back to there own country after they have unrightfully buried shallow roots in America? For some, I believe achieveing citizenship would suffice; however, this might not be the case for most of the illegal aliens. I believe that there country needs to take more responsibility for the people that reside within its borders. Mexicans need to find their home in Mexico. Measures need to be taken to make this a possibility.
I believe that we need a higher security placed on the borders. The biggest issue is Mexico's issue. They need to step up and provide for their people instead of sending the poor to be delt with elsewhere. America wasn't the greatest country when it started out in the late 1700's; however, it has managed to maintain its own people and work on solving the problems instead of hiding from them.
I highly dissagree with President Felipe Calderon! He only wants to use America to dispose of his problems instead of working and solving these problems. He sounds like a high school student desparately trying to become popular. He clings to the United States to cover up its weakness and then he turns around and bashes America for making a stand on illegal immigration and the negative effects of these actions on it's own people.
At the time of the end, the Holy Spirit will be withdrawing and people are making immoral decions. "Men will run to and fro" in the end times. People are running from their country and from the country they are running to in order to live more luxurisly and for self. This climactic event in our earth's history is most definitely a sign of the end.

1 What Would Be our Modern Code of Chivalry

In our day and age we need some sound codes to put order back into our culture that praises the caveman in manliness and takes the princess out of being a lady.

~An Emphasis should be put on the teaching of manners and personal hyigene.
~Parents should not be afraid of discipline to teach obedience.
~The respect of elders should be taught because its biblical.
~The property of others should be respected.
~Friends and neighbors should be treated with dignity.
~Be kind because doing so is the best argument for christianity.
~Courteousness should be practiced by all until it becomes a habit.
~Don't let anything bad come out of your mouth (only speak what will benefit the hearers). Ephesians 4:29.
~Look for ways to be helpful.
~Keep a cheerful apperance.

Think on these things. Do they seem resonable? If so, find a way to apply these rules to your life.