525600 Minutes

New blog

2010-05-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... I created a new blog! Please go to www.theartsalive.blogspot.com and follow me!!!! There will be an explanatory post up soon if not up already :)

Thanks so much!

Tia

Say goodnight Gracie

2010-04-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I just wanted to thank you all for following my blog! It was a great experience to write for all of you. If you hadn't noticed, I haven't posted for a while. Well I'm writing this to tell you all that I'm no longer going to write on this blog frequently. Basically, I'm done here for now. For different reasons it became a burden on me and I decided that I no longer enjoyed posting at this point. What's the point of posting if it's no fun, right? Anyway just wanted to let you all know I'm not dead, just the blog is. Haha, joking. Thanks for everything guys! You really are special :)

In the infamous words of George Burns... I, playing the part of Gracie Allen, shall say "Goodnight Gracie".

Prayer in Public- why not?

2009-10-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok so I decided to pick a more interesting topic.

Why isn't prayer allowed in public schools?

At my school in South Fayette, we have a fairly large population of Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Non Denominational people who wouldn't mind praying.

In fact, during the last week of my band camp, the band parents provided food for the band.

We prayed before every meal.

I'm talking legit praying.

Like, a senior would volunteer to pray and then everyone would stand up and bow their heads silently.

The first day I was pleasantly shocked.

I was even more shocked on the very last day of camp when the parents came for lunch and they still prayed.

Then it got me thinking... why is this shocking?

Why must praying for public school activities be shocking?

Who started this?

What kind of person would be so offended by prayer that they wouldn't want it in schools?

Are they dead yet? If so, I bet they're regretting some choices.

I found this on this page of WikiAnswers-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1963 there started to be some people against the Lord's Prayer in public schools.

Stew731

The U. S. Supreme Court issued two bans. One in 1962 and the second in 1963. Both bans were the result of lawsuits against the teaching of religion and religious practices in public schools. Basically stating that organized prayer in schools was a violation of the separation of church and state. It was decided that publicly funded schools were an extension of the state, and that organized prayer or bible readings were a form of proselytizing. The bans not only banned mandatory prayer in schools but also banned the daily reading of bible passages.

The lawsuits were supported by several organizations but the most outspoken supporter for banning prayer in schools came from Madalyn Murray O'Hair, the founder of American Atheists, Inc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I'm gonna close with that.

Tori... Tori!... PINK ELEPHANTS

2009-10-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

As funny as this may sound to you, it's a heck of a lot funnier to me.

I talk in my sleep.

And I'm not talking about lame-o mumbling.

I'm talking flat out words.

You could probably have a conversation with me while I'm sleeping.

Not that it would make any sense of course, but still.

Sometimes I wake myself up cause I'm screaming someone's name.

It's usually Tori's name, cause we share a room. Pretty insane.

And I toss and turn like a maniac.

You think I kid?

Ha.

No.

When I go to sleep, I could be on one side of the bed, with my head closest to the headboard, then when I wake up my head is where my feet should be.

Crazy stuff.

Crazy stuff.

Not so Busy Bee

2009-10-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

Ya know, it's weird. Cause I always feel like I'm swamped with all that I must do.

But then I talk to people I know and they are doing 5 more things than I do.

Now granted, these things don't take as much time as my stuff does but still. It feels weird to know that there are people who do all that I do and a lot more.

Like Student Government, other sports.

Not that I don't enjoy swimming.

But it just seems like even though my day is full, my life really isn't.

Am I alone or do others feel the same?

That you're only doing a lot of the same thing every day.

I mean, 5, 6, or 7 hours(not sure which one) of school,

Then 2 hours and 30 minutes of exercise. (swim)

Then, depending on the day, another 2 hours and 30 minutes of work (teaching little kids how to swim)

By the time that's all done it's 8 at night and I have homework for the classes I take at school.

OK. I'm done. Bye.

My Band this year

2009-10-04T12:20:00.001-07:00

If you'd like to see more, my YouTube account is LGMbandie. There's only a few video's on now cause it takes so long to upload, but there will be more soon

Smile... just cause :)

2009-09-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest pleasures in life is making someone smile.

Whether it was because of a funny joke, a story, or something completely different.

Another one of the most pleasing things is smiling yourself.

I don't care if it's cause you thought of a hilarious comment to say, you won a huge race, someone told you something funny, or just because you want to smile.

Smiling makes you happier.

People are naturally drawn to happy people, am I correct?

I mean, if you are drawn to sullen people who don't care what they act or look like, then that's absolutely fine.
A little weird, I'll admit, but fine.

It just seems to me that if you are in a situation where you don't know anyone, you are naturally drawn to those who seem happy.

Happy people like being happy.

Another thing is, when you are down or sad you should smile because I can say through experience that it can't hurt.

Although I know it's hard when you find out your favorite childhood toy has been sold in a garage sale.

I think smiling is good for the soul.
So join me...

Can you feel it?

2009-09-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's cold.

C-O-L-D

Cold [kohld]
adjective, -er, -est, noun, adverb
-an unpleasnt feeling of chilliness
- not affectionate, lacking in passion

I hate cold. I love warm. Warm is so nice....
cold is so... cold.

How come there has to be 9 months of cold and only 3 months of warm?
Who thought of that??

I'm convinced cold is a result of the fall. (pun intended)

I just gotta say this,

I'll always know if I'm in heaven or not depending on whether it's cold or not. If it's cold, I know I'm not in heaven.

I'm so sad, you can't even comprehend it :'(

Sooo...

ya.

Jeez even now I'm cold.

It never ends.

Just keep swimming

2009-09-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the feeling where you want something so bad, but it seems just out of reach?

I really despise that feeling.

It's really annoying cause everyone is telling you that you can do "anything you put your heart to"

I really despise that saying, too.

It's like those people who can eat 10 gallons of ice cream and not gain a pound.
Just plain annoying.

Already here

2009-09-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Whoa.

It's already Friday.

Does that surprise anyone but me? Cause I'm feeling kinda alone on the shock here.

This week has gone by soo fast.

And now, once again, my crazy weekend is upon us.

I'll show you what I mean.

FRIDAY-
School at home (7-11:11)
School at the school (11:16-2:02)
Swimming(3-5:30)
Band(5:30-10)

SATURDAY-
Work(9:30-12)
Going to the movies w/swim bud(possibly) (1:10-3ish)
Double Band Festival (5:30-11 or 12ish)

SUNDAY-
Church [8:30(getting ready takes time)-12:30ish]
Fuse @ Piersons (2-4ish)
Cleaning (never ending)

...............................................................................

Yupp so that's what my weekend looks like. How about yours?

PLEASE VOTE FOR SOUTH FAYETTE

2009-09-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys... I was hoping some of you would be kind enough to head over to this website and vote for South Fayette for Band of the Week.

http://www.wpxi.com/surveyresults/20648663/index.html?section=highschoolfootball

That'd be awesome if you could... wonderful if you would =D

Thanks so much!

Dr. Horrible

2009-09-21T08:56:00.001-07:00

HA

2009-09-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

OMG
GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?!
>
>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

Nothing.

Hah gotcha.

But seriously though, I'm so bored.

Blah....blah....blah....

m'I gniog ot lleps ym sdrow sdrawkcab won. Ahah yrt ot erugif tuo tahw m'I gniyas. I teb uoy t'nac.

Try to figure that out =D

They aren't just random letters if that's what your thinking.

Oh, ok, so I'll tell a story now. So my coach is trying to change my stroke cause apparently I'm not "grabbing the water" enough... and he's standing there talking all obnoxious like and I'm thinking... "Really coach? Really? Don't be a rabid porcupine just tell me what to do!"

Ugh.... he's like going on about how my elbow needs to be up and my arm needs to be down and I'm thinking like "Seriously, what am I? A Circ De Soleil performer or a swimmer?"
I mean really.

Haha if you're wondering where I got the awesome porcupine line it's from the best TV show on earth.

Ahh... I love this show... so much hahaha =D

Ok well I'm going to go now... bye!

Wow...

2009-09-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

I didn't think it was possible... but apparently it is.

I'm even more tired now then I was a couple weeks ago.

Amazing.

Coffee helps, vitamins are better. I just don't like swallowing those horse pills =/

It's like I'm walking in a daze...

You'd think I'd be ok since the weekend is coming up.

Well, I'm not.

I have a band festival on Saturday that'll last three hours. Ugh.
It should be fun though. Hopefully...

But ya, it'll be interesting to see what the crowd's reaction is.
Hopefully good...

....I'll need to take those horse pills for the festival....

Oh well.

Phlo and Phil the Houseflies

2009-09-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Phil and Phlo, the two houseflies, smelled something absolutely delicious coming from somewhere inside their house. It wasn't their house of course, because it was a human home, but they had lived there their whole lives.
Phil and Phlo were uncertain where the smell was coming from, but they knew it made them hungry.

“Look out!” Phlo yelled as the swatter missed her by inches.

“Phlo! Are you alright?” Phil yelled as his hearts drummed inside his tiny body.

“I think so… AH!” the swatter came after Phlo once again and once again Phlo just barely escaped the clutches of death.

“Let’s get outta here!!!” Phil screamed as loud as he could. Suddenly the two flies heard an ear-piercing sound that seemed to come from all around them. They flew out of the house as soon as they could and their ears were finally relieved of the horrible noise.

“What was that??” Phlo asked as she tried to regain her breath.

“I don’t know, but I do know that we are not going back there.” Phil replied angrily.

Phil and Phlo flew into the sunset, never knowing what the horrible noise was, and wishing never to find out. They died three days later because naturally, that’s what flies do.

By Me :)

Star Trek

2009-09-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know how.

I don't know why.

But this is the best movie ever. Period. No doubt about that.

I saw it in theaters, it was funny, it had action, and drama.

But, it doesn't come out to DVD until November 17.

I'm dying here. I NEED to see it again. NEED. Not want, NEED.

Ugh.

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

It was great. It had 2 of my all time favorite movie lines in it.

Ahh... good stuff.

I don't know why this is my post. I didn't have anything else to write about so I thought I'd complain. It's funner this way.

hehe.

PLUS... there was only one bad scene, which is good for movies nowadays. Ya know? Still, it didn't need to be in there, but oh well.

I'm very sad without it. I want to watch it really badly :'(

Oh well. Life goes on... for now.

So, how'd it go?

2009-09-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

WELL.... actually....

It went rather well =D

We got a big round of applause, no standing ovation but those will come yet.

I'll post a video of us as soon as someone puts it up. If you wanna see us at all just go and look up YouTube and type in LGM and then click on something.

Great directions, right?

hehe of course they are :)

Anyway, we got a bigger round of applause than the other band, but they were still good. Our band clapped for them cause we try to play nice like that :)

But in any case, if anyone lives near me I probably have a performance somewhere near you if you are ever interested. And if you are it'd be pretty sweet if you were a person screaming "TIA!!!!!!!!"

You'd probably be able to see my face turn red as a baby's smacked bottom right there in the middle of the field. Haha.

Seriously though... you probably could...

Anyway... right now I'm at my grandmother's house in Ohio smelling the scent of the freshly baked dolce :)

haha that means dessert in Italian

Pretty sweet, eh?

It bugs me though. I mean really, can't she make something that doesn't smell and taste Iron Chef worthy?

Oh well.

--

I just realized that typing in LGM is no good... if you type in Little Green Machine Band you'll have results right away... sorry about that =/

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Little+Green+Machine+Band&search_type=&aq=f

Here's a link cause I really do feel bad about it all... haha

First Game

2009-09-04T07:56:00.001-07:00

Well... This is it folks... the first game of the season =D

Which also means my first official performance of the season.

Wish me luck!

=D

I'll post later on how it went...

Welcome To The Jungle

2009-09-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the song "Welcome To The Jungle?" by Guns and Roses?

I didn't. Until I had to memorize it.

It's interesting that my band director picked that particular song for this year.

Why? Because for me this year is going to be a jungle.

For the first half of the year I have 2 performances per week with my band.
And then for the second half of the year I have 5 A.M. wake up calls and practices with crabby seniors. Not to mention the 2 meets per week.

That starts right after marching band ends for the year (Novemberish) and ends in March (or April depending on if you make sectionals)

Then after that ends, I've got Aqua club swimming.

Then after THAT I have finals and stuff.

Then I'm done :)

Still though. I feel like I need an announcer...

"PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR OUR NEWEST MEMBER OF THE JUNGLE....!!!!!"

Why am I so tired?

2009-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't that just the universal question? Why am I so tired?

It's quite interesting how even after a night of a full 8 hours of sleep a human can be as
"out of it" as I am now. I'd study it, but... I'M TOO TIRED.

Something has got to be wrong with me =/ Oh well... hopefully once I start swimming up again I'll be more energized.

Our stupid school pool had to close the whole month of August.

Why? To save energy.

And yet... they keep the parking lot lights on all through the night... when NO ONE is EVER there.

Quite annoying.

I'd study it, but... I'M TOO TIRED.

I really do hate being sleepy during the school day. It really does bug me that I need to tape my eyelids up to stay awake.

Someone needs to find a cure for tiredness. Now.

Oh well.

6 AM wake up calls

2009-08-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

I really hate waking up early. I really, really do.

I see no point in making children suffer just to go to a cold brick building that every sane person under the age of 18 hates.

I mean really, are they trying to make kids hate school more?

The good thing about it is that since school starts at 7:20 AM, school ends at 2:02.

So that's nice.
But still.

Also... I know for a lot of people, today is the first day back. I just wanted to say have a good school year and start off the right way.

What do I mean by the right way?

I mean actually try to work hard the first month of school. It makes the whole year run much more smoothly.

Trust me, I know from experience.

My 7th grade year I was great at that. I did my work, did it right, and got done early.

My 8th grade year... not so much.
The first week was a total mess for me which made it so much harder the rest of the year to get anything done.

This year, I'm trying to redo my 7th grade year.

No... I'm not going back 2 grades.

I mean, I'm going to try hard.

I'll let you know if that works out for me...

A new year...

2009-08-27T05:16:00.001-07:00

Well... here it is... the new school year has arrived.

And with it, goes everything I ever knew.

Haha just kidding...

But seriously there have been some major changes.

First off I'm starting High school this year. A freshmen as they call me. And with that comes the lovely responsibility of carrying the seniors instruments up and down big hills to the High School stadium. (by the way this was only during band camp... which lasted almost 3 weeks)

Then after that, High School actually started.

Yay.

I'm actually taking a couple classes at the school this year, and I'm beginning to see it may have been a mistake. But it's only the start of the school year, I can't go making judgments just yet. Or at least serious ones.

How do I like band, you ask?

It's ok. I was really excited for it before but I'm kinda really nervous now.

I'll live, I know that much.

But how come everything seems so goshdarn dramatic?

It's like every little thing is the end of the world.

Why?

Do hormones really hate me that much?

I know that the world will keep spinning.

But how come I don't know that when it feels like it's over?

*sigh*

oh the burden of teen-hood.

Belated pictures

2009-06-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ok since I missed yesterday... here are my Wordless Wednesday pictures

And she's safe!

2009-06-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Wow... it's been so long since I posted here there were dust bunnies on my dashboard...

Haha joke..

But seriously, I apologize for not posting. I have been really sick with pneumonia and then I was on vacation...

Vacation was amazing... so beautiful... we had an amazing view from our timeshare. It was great.

But now we are back to reality and I have to think of what to bore you people with.

Well I'm working 5 hours a day now, that's cool I guess. But it's tough cause I don't have much time to hang with my friends. I work 2.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 at night. So all I have is the afternoon and this week I don't even have that because I am putting together a portfolio of my work for the year.

Bad Haiku

2009-06-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

Delicious candies
Sweets of all kinds, calling me
I am a weak girl

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

If every picture is worth 1,000 words... why waste time typing?

Tia NoName is sick

2009-06-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Ugh, I hate being sick. It all started out with allergies...

Then came the cough...

THen came the headaches...

THEn came the back aches...

THEN came the realization...

I'm sick :(

I need prayer that I will get better before this Friday. It's very important.

Thank you all!

Omg Inbd

2009-05-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the language of texting. Scary, yet time saving. Do any of you know what the title means? Most of you know Omg means: Oh My Gosh. And Inbd means: It's no big deal.

But do any of you know what omgiarotflolacmeo means?

Probably not cause I just made it up.

But go ahead and try to figure it out :-P
Comment and let me know what you think omgiarotflolacmeo means!!

Have fun everyone :D

mwahahahahahahhahah

... Sorry I just saw Monsters Vs. Aliens for the second time and that cockroach.

Bananas are yellow too!!

2009-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

So we went to go visit our family for Memorial Day weekend, and we brought back one of my best friends that I have known since birth.

We have a huge week planned out for us, full of exciting things to do.

What kind of exciting things?

Well, today after we finish school we are going to the mall. Always fun.

Tomorrow we plan on dying strips of our hair pink. Just a little strip not the whole head.

Thursday is picture day, and possibly a trip to the downtown area.

Friday (our last day together) we plan on doing something crazy beyond belief. What is the crazy thing, you wonder?

Ya, so do we.

We don't know yet, so if you guys have any suggestions please comment and tell me!!!

Oh! And on Saturday when we go to bring her back, we are meeting at this huge resort and it's gonna be awesome:)

LATER PEEPS

haha.

Whoa... cheese is yellow

2009-05-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about why cheese is, in fact, yellow?

Yeah, neither have I.

But! According to some research I have done at this website, milk contains a yellow pigment called B- carotene. Can anyone guess where that comes from?

Grass.

Yupp. Green grass.

So, when we are eating our wonderful cheesey delight, we are eating grass. Not yellow grass. Green grass

Fun.

So, to continue talking about my research, the website said (and I quote)

"The colour is not soluble in water and is thus present in the fat fraction of the milk. When making cheese, the fat is more concentrated, which results in a more yellow colour of cheese as compared to milk."

Which means that...

When eating cheese, we are eating fatty green grass.

Interesting...

I will leave you to ponder.

( I found that picture using Google images, if in fact it is subject to copyright, I don't know, but here is the website on which Google found it. http://www.kontrastblog.com/2007/07/18/centureis-new-nanos-cheese/ I don't know the contents of this website so I can't be held responsible if it's not to your liking)

The Man by the Window

2009-05-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Man by the Window

In Jefferson Memorial Hospital, two men, both in bad shape, were confined to a room in the cheerless recovery wing on the twelfth floor. It was a small room, no bigger than 10 by 12 feet and it was connected to another room of identical size by a tiny bathroom. Mr. Vincent, the man in the bed by the only window was doing poorly after the removal of his lung. He was in severe pain most of the time, and every afternoon the nurse came in and propped him up to a sitting position to clear the accumulated fluid. He sat there by the window and between labored breaths he told his roommate, Parker, all the things he saw outside.

It was good for Parker. Parker was in an accident last month and his lumbar vertebrae was dislocated, resulting in the loss of cartilage between them. He was forced to lie perfectly still on his back until it healed. All he could see was the ceiling curtain track and the face of the nurse when she bent over him.

The two men talked through the long night and during the early morning hours. They spoke of their families and friends, their jobs and their experiences in the war. They were restless and resentful of their confinement in Jefferson Memorial and the waste of the precious time left to them in their senior years. They dreaded the bed pan and the cold wash cloth -- and although they wanted to be left alone they were filled with sadness during visiting hours if no one came to see them. Worst of all they lost track of the world outside.

Whenever Mr. Vincent was propped up by the window, Parker would ask him, "What do you see Vinny?"

Mr. Vincent would hesitate before answering, partly because of the pain and partly because he wanted his words to be worthy of the scene, "Well, first of all it's a beautiful day. The kids must have the afternoon off from school ... they're all over the park. I remember now, the nurse said there's a school board election."

"How would she know?"

"Well she had to get a sitter. That's where her little boy is -- over there, in the park. I'll bet he's the one by the lake. He's got a sailboat and it's headed for this little string of ducks ... look at that!"

"What? What?"

"The little boat. It sailed right through the line of ducks ... now it's headed for the other side of the lake. The little kid is running like heck around the lake trying to get there before his sailboat does."

"Gee, I wish I could see."

"You will, you will, as soon as they let you sit up. You're a sick man Parker ... remember?"

Every day the park was different, and every day Mr. Vincent had a different story to tell.

"It's cloudy today -- it looks cooler. You can see ripples on the lake."

"Any kids in the park?"

"Not so many as yesterday."

"You'll tell me when you see something, Vinny ... won't you?

Mr. Vincent turned his head back to the window. "I see a couple walking under the trees at this end of the lake."

"What do you mean, 'couple'?"

"You know what I mean. They're walking together. The man has his arm around her and her hand is on his shoulder. They just stopped by the willow -- you remember the willow, Parker?"

"Yeah, I remember. What are they doing now?"

"What do you suppose?"

"How the heck do I know! I'm layin' here flat on my back ... you can see. I can't."

"They're kissing." A moment or two passed and Mr. Vincent turned to Parker
... "They're still kissing. How long can you hold a kiss without breathing?"

"You breathe through your nose, remember -- you can go on for hours. ... they still at it?"

Mr. Vincent took a quick look out the window. "No, they're walking off arm in arm. Those were the days, remember Parker?"

"You kiddin'? I proposed to my wife in that same park."

"By the willow tree I'll bet."

Both men could hardly wait the afternoon of the parade. When the nurse came in at three o'clock, both Mr. Vincent and Parker were on edge. They checked the route of the march in the morning paper, "They'll be coming down Fifth Street then turning north up into the park," Parker said. "You'll be able to see them all the way up to the exit." He looked up anxiously at Mr. Vincent. "Well. Well, what do you see?"

"Gimme a chance, will you. I only got two eyes." He sat up extra straight. "Beautiful day for a parade ... I can see the High School band."

"Are you sure it's the High School Band? My grandson's in the band."

"What color uniforms?"

"They wear green and white. My grandson plays the clarinet."

"Gimme a break. They're a block away, I can't pick out a clarinet a block away. I can see the tubas and the drums though."

"He marches right in front of the tubas." Parker looked puzzled. Shouldn't we be able to hear them from here?"

"No. Not with these double glazed windows -- you can't hear anything through these windows. Like the traffic down there -- there's traffic in the street below, you can't hear any of that either."

One hour a day may not seem a lot but for both men it was an hour that sustained them throughout the sleepless hours of the night. Parker would close his eyes and relive the scenes that Mr. Vincent had painted for him. Mr. Vincent, in turn, felt as a great artist might feel -- painting a picture for someone who could not see.

The nurse was particularly energetic that final afternoon. Her rubber soles squeaked on the tile floor as she put on the brakes next to Mr. Vincent's bed. "Three o'clock, Mr. Vincent. Time to sit up -- get some air into those lungs." She rapped on the side rail of his bed -- "Let's go, let's go ... Mr. Vincent ... " There was a pause, then she spoke his name more gently. "Mr. Vincent, Mr. Vincent ... oh dear God no. No. No!"

"What's the matter with Vinny. Nurse? What? What?" She turned and with her hand covering her mouth, she ran from the room.

She was back in a moment with the floor doctor and a specialist. Two nurses followed them with an EKG machine. Parker lay there and tried to make eye contact with someone, but all eyes were on Mr. Vincent.

The floor doctor straightened up and shook his head. "He's gone," he said, "Been gone at least a half hour or more." He waved off the two nurses with the EKG machine. The surgeon searched for a heartbeat at Mr. Vincent's wrists, neck and leg. He finally straightened up also and closed Mr. Vincent's eyes. The nurse was shaken and the floor doctor put his arm around her ... "It's okay. It's okay. It happens. Nothing you could have done." He pulled the sheet up. "Let's get him downstairs."

The nurse, the last to leave, was still sobbing; she looked at Parker as she left. "I'm sorry Mr. Parker."

"It's not your fault."

"I hate it when these things happen. I'll never get used to it. Are you okay? Can I get you something?" She brightened up a little and said, "There's good news for you, by the way. Your X-rays show the cartilage is building -- you'll be starting on re-hab." He listened to her shoes squeak on the tile floor as she hurried out of the room.

He lay there looking at the covered figure. The man who had been his eyes for the past month. Now, with his own eyes closed, he could see the park, the children by the lake, the lovers, the parade -- as clearly as the day Mr. Vincent described them. "What would these last two weeks have been like without Vinny? Never got a chance to thank him, did you Parker? Course you did -- you had all the chances in the world." He wished he'd taken the time -- once in a while -- just to say, "Thanks Vinny. Thanks for seeing for me." Now it was too late, who was going to see for him now?

A sleepy eyed attendant came in with a gurney. He pulled it up to Mr. Vincent's bed and looked at Parker. "Lost a bunky, huh?" Without waiting for an answer, he pulled a curtain around Mr. Vincent's bed and went to work. When he pulled the curtain back again, the bed was empty.

The bed stood empty against the wall by the window. Parker could still see Mr. Vincent there, looking out the window with the back of the bed cranked up. His face would often break into a smile when he saw something to humor him, and he would turn the scene into words so Parker could see it with him. He wondered if the nurse would let him have that bed by the window. He was responding to the first week of therapy and his spine was better now, there was less pain and it was torture to lay there not knowing what was happening outside.

"How are we doin' Mr. Parker?" The nurse charged in pulling a cart with one hand and shaking a thermometer down with the other. Without waiting for an answer she put the thermometer in his mouth. "Gonna give you a sponge down Mr. Parker. Gonna get up real close and personal."

"Can I ask you a question?" Parker said around both sides of the thermometer.

"What's on your mind, hon?"

"I was wondering if I could be moved to the bed by the window -- where Mr. Vincent used to be."

"Sure. Why not? You're gonna have a new bunky the end of the week, he can
take over on your side. I don't know what you want with the window though, there's nothing to see out there."

"The world is out there."

The nurse shrugged, "It's up to you, hon. I'll roll you over when I'm done, okay?"

He wanted to be alone when he looked outside. What was out there was between Vinny and him. Nobody else had a right to that view, it was theirs. When the nurse was finished with him she wheeled Mr. Vincent's bed out of the way and rolled Parker over to the window. He waited, watching her finish up around the room -- looked up at the ceiling and listened for the squeak of her rubber soles to fade away as she walked out of the room and back down the hall.

He tried to sit up and a stabbing pain in his lower back stopped him cold. He held tightly to the bed rail until he could stand the pain no longer and dropped back panting and drained of strength. His eyes closed and he counted 'til ten waiting for the pain to subside -- then he tried again. He was able to raise himself on one elbow. The pain in his lower back was fierce and unrelenting but he stayed with it. His chin was almost on a level with the window sill, and if he could just ... just push a little more ... that's all dear God ... just an inch more.

He got the inch and he brought his face to the window. He opened his eyes and looked out. There was a brick wall! Nothing!

Nothing but a brick wall!

New post up

2009-05-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, there is a new post up on my story blog.

mypentomypage.blogspot.com

If you could, go over and rate/comment :)

THANKS :)

My Moanday Blues

2009-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

This week, my Moanday blues
Include the fact that Middle School swimming is over
And they didn't even announce we were undefeated and won the invitational (champs)

15 things that God won't ask

2009-05-08T08:06:00.001-07:00

God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

God won’t ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

God won’t ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

God won’t ask what your job title was, but will ask if you preformed your job to the best of your ability.

God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

God won’t ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won’t ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t.

LGM

2009-05-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ahh, the Little Green Machine.

Most of you probably never even heard of it.

Most of you probably never will.

But for those of you who live near me, and know me, you should know that...

I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is the Little Green Machine, you ask?

Only the coolest High School Band in the world.

You see, the Little Green Machine not only plays songs, but they DANCE

Yes. Dance.

And I don't mean boring formations.

I mean legs kicking, turning around, side sweeps, everything! WHILE THEY PLAY THE SONG.

Yeah. I'm excited.

Sound quality is bad, they sound soooo much better than that. But that's the basic gist.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T05:21:00.001-07:00

They are so fuzzy!!! Ugh. That makes me so mad! They are so cool and crisp on my computer. Blogger. Ugh.

All images are under copyright. Don't copy.

People upset me

2009-05-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Website URL

2009-05-04T15:24:00.001-07:00

http://mypentomypage.blogspot.com/

Hey

2009-05-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hey people...
Since my English class just ended, I'm finally going to release the address for my story blog. I haven't posted yet but I've done a bunch of work on the name and the header for a while.

So what is this blog?

This blog is a way to let me finally bring my creative side of writing out. I've been doing formal writing all year long and it's wearing me out.

How's this going to work?

Each week I'm going to post a sequel to a story written the week before. Like a sitcom, only in writing.

What kind of story will it be?

Most likely a fairy tale :)

I'll release the address as soon as I have the first post written up.

Dude. This is deep

2009-04-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

I NEED MY MEDICATION

2009-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

putputputputputput

2009-04-28T04:28:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, it's that time of year again.
Time to bring out the scooter.

What's a scooter, you ask?

Well... a scooter is like a motorcycle wanna-be. Ours only runs on 80 cc's.

Very small.

A very small motorcycle runs on 125. That doesn't make it less fun to ride though :)

However, you can't drive ours on any highways.
You can't drive ours in heavy traffic.
You can't drive ours for a long time.
And you can't go over 35 mph (technically, you can, but it doesn't usually)

Yep. That's what a scooter is. And we have one.

Can you tell we're dorks?

Operation 13/28

2009-04-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
This is somewhat of a serious post, so please listen up.

Ironic much? You can't listen... you're reading this.

Anyway, my church is sending a mission team to Zambia this summer and I know a bunch of people that are going. However, the cost is something of a menace. They need help fund raising and I'm asking all you blog readers out there to come to the rescue.

One of my friends has set up a blog and, if you could, please check it out. All the information about the trip is there.

http://operation1328.blogspot.com/

Thanks a lot!!

Tia

Hey

2009-04-26T11:43:00.001-07:00

Hey.

Bad Balladry Friday

2009-04-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

This week on "Bad Balladry Friday", I shall show you a parody written by me :)

The real poem-

Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

My version...edited by the authority :'( -

Whiskey by Tia Graham

I think that I shall never see
A drink as bad as good whiskey

A drink whose yummy taste is prest
Against the knocked out fellows chest

A drink that people praise all day
Only to have wives leave someday

A drink that drunken think is fair
That's why they drink it in their lair

Upon the bar where many gain
Happiness now, but tomorrow pain

Sometimes life is full of glee
But it can be messed up by good whiskey

(yes, this is a knock-off of anyone who does "Bad Haiku Friday")

Can you say moo?

2009-04-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

In these tense political times, I've decided to do what I epically fail to try to do best. Humor you!

Using cows, Ann Landers shows what each form of government is like.

Socialism: You have two cows. Give one cow to your neighbor.

Communism: You have two cows. Give both cows to the government, and they may give you some of the milk.

Fascism: You have two cows. You give all of the milk to the government, and the government sells it.

Nazism: You have two cows. The government shoots you and takes both cows.

Anarchism: You have two cows. Keep both of the cows, shoot the government agent and steal another cow.

Capitalism: You have two cows. Sell one cow and buy a bull.

What's your favorite out of the few? I prefer Anarchism ;)

...just kidding...

CFL: Good or Evil?

2009-04-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Since all of America is turning into tree-huggers I decided to do a post about CFL light bulbs.
Everyone says they are better.
Right?

But are they?

Alright let's look at what people are saying. It'll be in red and my comments in black.

CFL light bulbs have a longer lasting life

Yes, that's true. But only if you're the kind of person who lives by themselves and leaves lights on all day. CFL's only last long if they are left on for a good amount of time each time you flip the switch. But if you have toddlers that like to flip switches (which most toddlers do) then the light is going to wear out very quickly. CFL's can't be turned on and off a lot because it wears them out. What you have in the end is a 1 month old burnt-out light bulb. Our CFL bulbs burn out faster than the regular ones. We have taken them back to the store many times.

CFL light bulbs use less energy

Ok- so I'm going to go back to my other point. If you turn them on and off a lot then they will get worn out. Here's the process...
1. Buy a CFL light bulb
2. Use CFL light bulb feeling good about yourself
3. CFL light bulb wears out in one month
4. Use ENERGY to drive your car to the store to get more.
4. Pollution from car gas

CFL's are good for the envirorment

CFLs are manufactured to contain 4 mg of mercury per light bulb. If CFLs become widespread, so does the inherent danger of mercury exposure. To give some context to that amount, a typical natural tuna in the U.S. contains about 0.2 mg/kg body weight, which translates into 0.24 ppm mercury in canned tuna. The EPA may suggest that this amount of mercury is negligible and poses no threat to human health or longterm environmental contamination, but even a junior high school chemistry student knows not to trust the government's insistence that a broken mercury thermometer does not threaten an individual's health. In actuality, the current EPA reference dose--the dose below which adverse effects are not recognized--is 0.1 micrograms/kg/day (0.1 micrograms = 0.0001 mg). Because of biological sensitivity to mercury, it is a serious consideration in both production and disposal.

I found that last paragraph on this website http://laraness.livejournal.com/1462.html

And what about that fact? What if the bulb breaks? This was helpful...

CFL packaging does not instruct the consumer what to do if a bulb breaks, let alone warn that they contain mercury and phosphorous powder. The Freedom Enterprise Action Fund is taking the initiative and in May 2007 announced that they are petitioning the Consumer Safety Product Commission (CSPC) to include mercury warnings on CFL packaging.

Also from the above website...

Now, please don't take this the wrong way. I am all for helping the Earth become a better place.
But can't we do it correctly and without having our skin turn green by the light of CFL light bulbs?

Thr3e

2009-04-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

I recently read on a post on guitargirl's blog and the title was "Thr3e"

I decided to write about that book because it's just so awesome.

It's about a guy with MPD ( I won't tell you what that is cause it'll ruin the book)
But it's such a thriller it's insane. I usually don't like those kind of books but this one totally changed my view. It's so, so, so cool.

Did I mention I like it?

I don't think I did.

I like it.

If there is any book I'll ever recommend it's this one. Even for people who don't like scary stuff. Cause it's not too scary. But It's definitely the kind of book that you can't put down. It's awesome.
That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to ruin it.

But seriously, read it.

Aunt Lala, this would be a book I'd recommend. I think you were asking me about that during Christmas time.
Thr3e by Ted Dekker.

The title all makes sense at the end of the book.

This is just to say

2009-04-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

This is just to say
By William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold


Even though that has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm about to
say... I thought of it when I typed in the title. So there it is.
A poem that isn't really a poem.


In another case... I'm going to state the topic that I was really thinking
of when I typed that in.

Today is my grandmothers birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She turns 20!! ;-D

Well... maybe not. But she's 20 at heart :)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wuzzup

2009-04-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hey people of earth,

Wuzzup.
Nothing new here.
Unless being bored can be counted as a new thing.
Which I don't believe it can...

Final piece

2009-04-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

Alrighty. I think I like this. I went for the 3 column background cause the 2 makes it look crowded.

I went back to the Pink Panther sax player cause... let's be honest. You can't get much better than that.

Background and banner

2009-04-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.
I was getting a little bored of the old background and banner.

Background more so than the banner.

But the background came with a matching banner so I figured what the heck. May as well.

I'm not sure what to think of it.
It may be a little too serious for this blog.
Could you comment and tell me what you think?

Thanks so much :)

LATER-

Alright, so how does everyone like it now?

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-04-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils ...

- Louis Hector Berlioz

Shakespeare

2009-04-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

Anyone who has lived in a family that has anything to do with theater can name the play that line came from, the speaker, and who he is speaking too.
Of course, who he is speaking to is kind of given away in the second line.
In any case it is an extremely famous quote. And growing up in a family that has theatrics to spare has given me an appreciation for Shakespeare that I know a lot of people don't have.

He is difficult to read, yes. But the man was pure genius.

Everything he wrote was in iambic pentameter which is, in my opinion, the hardest form of meter there is.
I just got done reading Julius Caesar and I (among 8 other people) was the only one who liked it. Sure, everyone else thought he was genius because of the difficult way in which he wrote... but if I'm not mistaken, (which I most likely am, so correct me if I'm wrong) I was the only one who said "I loved it" in our group discussion about the play.

Maybe it's because I grew up in a Shakespeare centered family.

Maybe it's because we have two copies of "Shakespeare's Complete Works" which has every play he ever wrote in it.

Maybe it's because of the way my aunts can read a line written for Juliet and make me believe that it was written for them.

Maybe it's because I'm weird.

I don't know why, all I know is that by the time this year is out I plan to have read all of his plays.

I like them.
:)

"Oh happy dagger!"

Don't abuse the pushovers...

2009-04-14T06:29:00.001-07:00

In a group of friends you have a mix of different people.
You have:
The Leader,
The Life of the Party,
The Person You Can Tell Anything To,
and...
The Pushover.

I'm the pushover.

I'll be honest with you.
I'm not a very strong personality.
In some ways, it's a good thing... others.... not so much.

It's good cause I get along pretty well with almost everyone.

If someone asks me to go and get them a chair from the opposite side of the room because they want to sit down, I'll get it.

If someone wants something thrown away, I'll do it.

Now, even though those are good things... they can be brought to the extreme

You can be known as "the girl who will do anything."

On the bright side, you will be mutually liked. People will say "Aw, she's awesome, cause she'll do anything for anyone."

On the not so bright side... you get worked constantly and you tend to get a little cramped.

Then you get into trouble.

That's not fun.

I'm not a fan of getting into trouble.

It's not something I like.

But alas, I actually like doing stuff for people.

It's fun whenever someone you are just getting to know asks you to do something (like going to the other end of the pool to get them a drink) and then watch their faces as you go.

That's the good part :)

The iPod wonder

2009-04-13T04:57:00.000-07:00

What is it that some people have against iPod's?

Do any of you have something against them?

I find them wonderful. Especially when you get out of cleaning your room because you couldn't hear since you had your cousin's music playing.

Besides that, they bring people together.
Imagine a girl who'd been dying for the iPod Touch saw someone sitting down while they were at a kid science convention. This kid had the exact model our girl wanted.
The girl had never met this person before, but since they were in a relatively safe environment, the girl decides to be friendly and strike up a conversation.
The iPod comes in handy when an awkward moment arrives and saves the two girls from embarrassment.

It's a conversation piece.

Anyone who has a problem with it, lemme give you a helpful hint...

Get over it.

Not one person cares about why you don't like it. Everyone else likes it.

I mean, jeez, they are so much fun, too.
Especially the iPod Touch
Whenever I see my cousins,. we play with it.
We hang out.
We talk.
I have one cousin who loves, loves, loves Star Wars.
I use the light saber app and move it around and he laughs like there is no tomorrow.

It's good for the soul, not to mention how calming music can be sometimes.

I'm sure most of you know what I mean.

Do you have an iPod?

What kind?

Do you like it?

I do.

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

He is risen!

Happy Easter everyone.

Enjoy Him :)

Hey guys

2009-04-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I wanted to say Happy Day Before Easter.

Cause it's the day before Easter.

And to all you people reading this and realizing you haven't "helped" the Easter bunny out yet by buying some candy... you better slip on your bunny slippers and go to the almighty place of forgiveness.

I don't know what they call it where you are... but over here, it's called "Wal-Mart"

I'm sure the Easter bunny will understand if you jet out and still get enough candy to make your loved one gain at least 10 pounds.

That's all that matters :)

Happy Easter!!!

Good Friday- 3 hours of silence.

2009-04-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

"They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again...From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'—which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' ...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit."

-Matthew 27

On Good Friday every year, we try to stay silent from 12 to 3.

Just as a time to reflect on the cross.

It's actually really nice.

Except when a certain 8 year old sister comes in your room and ruins everything...

but we won't talk about that now...

Have a great Good Friday.

Sad of a time... a time of sad

2009-04-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

So my best friend that I grew up with in the "other state" where I lived was supposed to come up for Easter.

BUT...

She couldn't.

I feel like a crybaby, but I really wanted her to come!! I'm all sad now that she can't.

On the bright side, she might come up in May for a whole week instead of just 5 days. So that's cool.

BUT I WANT HER NOW

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Yeah. Definitely a crybaby.

April Haiku

2009-04-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Please, excuse me if
I'm wrong, but isn't April
Supposed to be warm???

Yes. This is really happening.
Snow in April.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

Its just not.

It's evil.

It hates me.

WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS???

And no! Not just light flakes!! But SNOW that STICKS to the GROUND.

Seriously! I mean come on! Sunday was like 73 degrees!!!
Why is this happening to me?
Why did I move to Pittsburgh?

I need Florida and I need it fast.

LIAR

2009-04-06T06:05:00.001-07:00

ok- I lied.

Due to a 10 page essay that needs to be written, I can't post today.

Sorry!

Coming soon...

2009-04-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Hey guys sorry I haven't posted lately... busy bee has been me...
I'll post a bunch of pics tomorrow :)

Tagged

2009-04-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Emily Joy to do this incredibly long quiz...

Starting Time: 11:47
Name: Tia
Sisters: 3
Brothers: 0
What are you wearing? White SF aquatics shirt and mickey mouse shorts B-D
Favorite Number: 16
Favorite Drink: orange juice
Favorite Month: July cause of Family Beach Week
Favorite Breakfast: food
Love someone so much who made you cry? eh
Broken a bone: 35
Been in a police car: every other week when I rob the school secretary of her pen
Been on a boat? does my yacht count?
Came close to dying: I'm already dead
Been in a hot tub: I own 10 hot tubs, but only go in 1
Swam in the ocean: CHA
Fallen asleep in school: hehehe... none of your business :)
Cried when someone died: yeah
Fallen off your chair: pssssh.... yes

**************** What is**************

Your room like? multi-colored bright pink and green (I'm actually serious on this one)
What’s right beside you? air
What is the last thing you ate? Wedding soup lol

--------------------- Ever had --------------------

Chicken pox: I always have it
Sore throat: yeah
Stitches:yupp. they are still engrained in my head and will forever

-------------------- Do You -----------------------

Like picnics? yeah I do
Like School? eh...

------------------------ Questions ---------------------

Who was the last person you danced with? my daddy I think

Who makes you smile? buds
Who Did you last yell at? hehe myself
Do you like filling these out? eh... quizzes are cool I guess
Do you like yourself? I don't know anyone named yourself...

-------------------Final Questions---------------------------
What are you listening to right now? My dad on the phone with some important business dude
Do you hate someone in your family? yes. matt parker. JKJKJKJKJKJKJK I love you matt!!!! lol what tricks are you playing on me this year??
What car do you wish to have? the invisable hovercraft. it's quite the new thing
Good singer? HA naw
Indoors or outdoors? outdoors i guess

-------------------------- Today did you ----------------------------

Talk to someone you like? sure... why not?
Get sick? yes. I have influenza, tuberculocis (sp?) and a 110 fever.
Sing? maybe...
Miss someone? all my best friends in maryland

---------------------Last person who ----------------------
You talked to on the phone with? my best bud from MD :)
Made you cry? Tia... she's mean
Went to the mall with? I think it was ________. yupp definitely _________
Been to Europe? naw
Been to Asia? Nope.
Been to Russia? nu huh
Been to the Bahamas? No.
Been to Mexico? yes....I sell all my "stuff" down there... not
Been to Canada? nah
Been to Africa? I WISH... stupid 9th grade requirment...

----------------Random-----------------------
What books are you reading right now? Jane Eyre

Best feeling in the world? Laughter

Future kids name? Alessa....
Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? yes. his name is cuddles. I love my cuddles. you gotta problem with that?
What's under your bed? well, duh. it's the scary monster. everyone has had one since they could talk
Favorite location? with my friends
Who do you really hate? arrogance
Do you have a job? cha... just got my first paycheck :) it's a fun time.
Are you lonely right now? not really
Time Finished: 12:02

I'm not going to tag anyone... if you want to do it be my guest. If not.... then not.

Someone say spaghetti?

2009-04-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

Spaghetti?
How many kinds are there?

Pssh, who knows?? Not me. That's for sure.

But, Italians should know this stuff.
Italians should know allot of stuff.

Oh well...

So a little while back my uncle sent me an email that was titled "Forty Things in the Life on an Italian Child"
It was awesome.
I read it over, and over, and over and never got tired.

Why?

Because my mom said allot of the stuff was true. And I could totally picture her doing some of these things.
Anyway, for those of you who care... here is the email.

The ones that are red are the ones my mom said were true or somewhat true in her life.

*********************************************

01.You have at least one relative who wore a black dress every day for an entire year after a funeral.

02.You spent your entire childhood thinking what you ate for lunch was pronounced "sangwich."

03.Your family dog understood Italian.

04. Every Sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents and extended family.

05. You've experienced the phenomena of 150 people fitting into 50 square feet of yard during a family cookout.

06.You were surprised to discover the FDA recommends you eat three meals a day, not seven.

07.You thought killing the pig each year and having salami, capacollo, pancetta and prosciutto hanging out to dry from your shed ceiling was absolutely normal.

08.You ate pasta for dinner at least three times a week, and every Sunday.

09.You grew up thinking no fruit or vegetable had a fixed price and that the price of everything was negotiable through haggling.

10.You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

11.You thought everyone's last name ended in a vowel.

12.You thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles.

13.You're mom's main hobby is cleaning.

14.You were surprised to find out that wine was actually sold in stores.

15.You thought that everyone made their own tomato sauce

16.You never ate meat on Christmas Eve or any Friday for that matter.

17.You ate your salad after the main course.

18.You thought Catholic was the only religion in the world.

19. Your were beaten at least once with a wooden spoon or broom.

20.You thought every meal had to be eaten with a hunk of bread in your left hand.

21.You can understand Italian but you can't speak it.

22.You have at least one relative who came over on the boat.

23.All of your uncles fought in a World War.

24.You have at least six male relatives or friends named Tony, Frank, Joey or Louie.

25.You have relatives who aren't really your relatives.

26.You have relatives you don't speak to.

27.You drank wine before you were a teenager.

28.You relate on some level, admit it, to the Godfather and the Sopranos.

29.You grew up in a house with a yard that didn't have one patch of dirt that didn't have a flower or a vegetable growing out of it.

30.Your grandparent's furniture was as comfortable as sitting on plastic.

Wait!!!! You WERE sitting on plastic.

31.You thought that talking loud was normal.

32.You thought sugared almonds and the Tarantella were common at all weddings.

33.You thought everyone got pinched on the cheeks and money stuffed in their pockets by their relatives.

34.Your mother is overly protective of the males in the family no matter what their age.

35.There was a crucifix in every room of the house.

36.You couldn't date a boy without getting approval from your father. (oh, and he had to be Italian)

37.You called pasta "macaroni".

38.You dreaded taking out your lunch at school

39. Going out for a cup of coffee usually meant going out for a cup of coffee over Zia's house.

40 Every condition, ailment, misfortune, memory loss and accident was attributed to the fact that you didn't eat something.
****************************

Well, there it is.

The Life of an Italian Child.

Also... I have a follower name kgreen... but I can't find what blog they have because of the new dumb follower thing... could you comment and and tell me the name of your blog?? Thanks so much!!

How to fail math tests with dignity

2009-04-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

I'm sure our teachers would love this....

NUMBER 99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-31T04:40:00.001-07:00

Yupp. You read correctly. Numba 99. That means one more than 98 if you don't understand...

So ya. Pretty boring. There's my post for the day.

Later!

What does that mean?

2009-03-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

Ah, young people.

Sometimes they bug the living heck outta ya.

Other times they don't.

Sometimes when they ask you to help them with their math, it's hard to say yes.

Very hard.
Especially when they are being "difficult"

"What's 914-635?"

"Well, you need to write it down and subtract each number separately."

"Can you help?"

"..."

"Please??"

"Alright. Fine. First you need to carry over because 5 doesn't subtract from 4, right?"

"Ok."

And the rest is perfect. WHY????? Why can't they just do by themselves??

Ug.

I need something I have heard of.

Not sure it exists. but I'm willing to search.

Have you ever heard of it?

Have you seen it before?

I think it's called.... patience.

I could be wrong.

But, then again it is me.

I'm probably wrong...

How are you? Fine, thanks!

2009-03-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

How are you?

Fine, thanks. How about yourself?

I'm doing good. How are the kids? ....

and so forth.

I think I hear that more times a day then I visit the relax& release room. (those who don't know what I'm talking about, you're not missing out on much)

Not that there is anything wrong with being "fine" but I think I'm going to start using words that are more awesome.

Like what? you may ask..

Like........
I'm Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
I'm feeling accomplished
I'm sublime
I'm polyvinylrododospagaspamomo (no idea what that means but I think it's a word)
I'm feeling fabulator
Supercilious, how bout you?

All these and more...

What words have you got for me?

Why us?

2009-03-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Ya know what's tough?

Being a girl.

Yup.
I don't know why, but there is a bunch of pressure for girls to be perfect.
Cause ya know, superstars are!

NOT

What bugs me is, these gorgeous superstars are going around saying they need to lose 20 pounds in one month, while they really aren't bad at all.
I find it kind of funny actually.
Humorous in some ways.

While it's natural to have a desire to be pretty and thin, some girls go to extremes.

Till it's almost just skin and bone.

And, for the pretty part, well, make-up is a wonderful thing.

However, there are times when it's taken just a tad too far.

I don't know... maybe it's just me.

But should we really all have to look beautiful beyond words?

(Just in case anyone doesn't get my humor... this is purely sarcasm)

Prayer help

2009-03-26T02:37:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
My grandfather is going through a rough patch with health and I think prayer would be helpful. Could you pray that God would lead him through this time?

Thanks,

Pssh... eat? Who needs food?

2009-03-24T04:44:00.000-07:00

ug. THAT thing.
It's evil ploy to destroy you is slowing creeping up at a pace that should scare even the boogie man.
It's.......
a scale.
Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn

Yup, those doctors office scales scare the heck out of me. Last year around this time, I loved them. That's cause last year around this time I weighed a lot less than I do now.
It's true, I gained a lot of weight once I started eating again.

oops.

Well since ya already know now, I might as well tell you.

Ya ever heard of those unhealthy diets teenagers go on cause they want to lose weight?

Ya...

In my defense I only got down to the recommended weight for my height. The weight determined by the government.

Oh wait.
I had to starve myself to get there? That's not cool.

During the time of my crash diet I only ate around 600 or so calories a day. And that's a very high guess. I say this because I monitored it. Every single thing I ate had to be under 100 calories, except dinner, which I allowed 200. I weighed myself well over 10 times a day. And cried if I gained 2 pounds from 5:45 in the morning to 9 at night. I lost around 17 pounds to be the "normal" weight for girls my height.
What happened?
I lost almost all of my muscle mass and my swimming was going downhill.
I got pneumonia. (Which probably wasn't related to not eating, but it sure would've helped me fight it off if my body actually had some weight on it)
One of my close friends didn't recognize me.
And so much more.....

Did I look unhealthy?
To parents, yes.
To teens, no.

All because of a messed up vision the government gave me on how I'm supposed to weigh.

Does the government really want me to starve myself so I can be the correct weight?
For any of you that have seen or met my mother, I was eating less than her.

For any of you who haven't, she's a stick. Skinny as anything. She doesn't eat much, because she's not hungry.

But I was working out 5 days a week on intense training for 2 hours with almost no food in my body.

Call that healthy?

I don't.

Since when is starvation cool?
I thought we tried to avoid it.

I guess I was wrong.

But I can tell you one thing,
I'm not going back.

Part 2- Grandfather Alexander

2009-03-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Grandfather Alexander was a one-of-a-kind man from the very start.
At the ripe ol' age of 12 he built a car.

Yes. A car.

Vroom, vroom.

A car.
That takes major skills I know that much. I mean, 12 years old is like in 6th or 7th grade nowadays. Can you think of a 12 year old in your neighborhood that could construct a moving vehicle?
I can't.

In 8th grade he stopped school because he needed to help his family and start working. He did many things including an internship at a local shop.

When he was older he worked at a Used Car Dealership where he met his future wife.

Everybody say awwww...

After that the Depression came and he lost his job so he moved to Pennsylvania to live with relatives and got a job fixing presses at a publishing company.
These things were huge and very hard to fix I'd think.

Grandfather Alexander also loved to write poetry. He'd write about anything.

Cockroaches,

Workers,

the presses.

Anything. He'd write and enjoy it.

Later in life he relaxed and slowed things down a bit. My grandmother and grandfather decided that they would like to buy him a cat.
And so they did...

He and his wife seemed to like the cat so much they got another,
which bred another...
which bred another...

At one point in time they had 100 cats, not including the kittens.

After a while they got rid of most of their cats and kept two.

Now, my great-grandfather had one cat that he loved the most. They were buds. They stuck by each other. This cat was his favorite.

The day my great-grandfather went to be with the Lord, his favorite cat passed away as well.

This is a picture of Grandfather Alexander, and his lovely wife :)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next....

2009-03-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

Ever had one of those weeks where you say your going to do something but then ya don't?

Ya... I have one of those lives.

I have to go to church now but I'll get the post out about my great grandfather later.

Then, tomorrow, I'll have a commical post.

Cause I can :)

Oh ya.

btw... I finally found out who's been visiting me in Australia... you peoplz should go check her out at http://purelycrazy.blogspot.com/
Go

Go there now

Now

Lazy Bum

2009-03-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

I'm such a lazy bum.

i will get a real post out tomorrow.

I will.

I must,

Post about a post

2009-03-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hey people...
I've been really busy... but I talked to my grandmother and got a bunch of info about my great grandfather... I'll post later today about it :)

Great Grandparents

2009-03-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone has grandparents, whether alive or not. And most of us know what our grandparents did as a job while in their working years.
But what about our great-grandparents?
How many of us know what they did?
I decided to find out... but I only did a couple.

On my mom's side...
My great-grandfather on my mothers side lived in Italy. Therefore, he was Italian(ya liking my deductive reasoning??). I never met him, as he passed away before I was born, but my grandmother remembers allot about him.
Recently when we visited her we were cleaning out this huge bag of old pictures that included things like,
Bee Hive hairstyles
Jumpsuits
Frilly tuxedos
and so much more...
But one of the most treasured items we found was a tape of her father(my great- grandfathers) voice.
We got a tape player out and the tape played flawlessly even though it had been at rest for 30 some years.
It was awesome.
I couldn't understand a single word he said, because he spoke Italian. But my grandmother did. And I could tell it meant very, very much. It was a very touching time.

Her father's line of work was shoe making. They didn't have big shoe making factories then, they had to be made by hand.
His shoes were beautiful... this is the pair my grandmother wore on her wedding day.

Yes, these are hand-made from Italy and about 50 years older than me.
The whole shoe is a leather masterpiece.
Even the silver lining underneath the lace is leather.
Ahmazing.

So I can get more research done on my other granfather(which means calling my grandmother down in Maryland and asking a billion questions....) I will post about my fathers grandfather tomorrow.
:)

(Grandmommy, if your reading this... I'll be calling tomorrow:)

Massage or Massage?

2009-03-17T07:17:00.001-07:00

Say it how you'd like. I just want one.

Ever have one of those times where you just need a massage really, really badly?

This is one of those times.

I have a bunch of family that could give me one, but I won't torture them that way.

I've never gotten a professional anything. Except haircut…

My school friends are shocked at this,

"No Manicure?? No pedicure?? No tan??" they say.

"Nope. Nothin."

"Wow." Now it's not like they are the kind of people that choose friends by the clothes they wear and that junk. It's just it's so normal for people to do those things they are a little taken back when they realize not everyone has had things like that. It's not like they think less of me because I don't have one, they just wanna be there when I get my first. J

I can only imagine what it would be like… not know a thing about what to do. Being absolutely clueless when they ask me what color I want then pronounce a huge list of colors I've never heard of.

OH WAIT!

Been there, done that. Not planning on going back.

Either way, my back still hurts.

Ug, now to write stuff down that I'll forget in 20 years anyway.

Woo hoo.

Red Envelope Day

2009-03-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

I saw this over on Savannah's blog and thought it was awesome. This is copied from her blog.

Below is a letter that has been circulating with a great idea. The message began in silent prayer from a faithful follower who was spending quiet time with God.

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail on March 31st, and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too(do a post on your blog as well). I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

Warmly, Christ Otto

Let's Send 50 Million red envelopes (and Counting) to the President!

Here is the website- http://www.redenvelopeday.com/ -

In the words of Horton, "A Person Is A Person No Matter How Small!!!"

Ha, you think I forgot? Naw, I was just saving the opportunity for later

2009-03-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

I don't like forgetting things. But I don't like writing stuff I know I need to remember down.
I know I need to learn that, but it takes so much time.

But it's situations that hurt you the most that spur you onto working harder and being more proficient in every day life.
I guess.

I just wish it didn't hurt so bad, ya know?
Course ya do.

Life.
Weird, huh?

So, your probably wondering what brought this up.
No, I didn't forget to wash my hands.
No, I didn't realize I didn't have any pants on in the Wal-Mart.
And no, I didn't forget how blink/breathe.

I forgot to remind someone.
I forgot to remind my mom.
I forgot to remind my mom to fill out the Zones form so I could go.

Zones is a very big deal in the Allegheny Mountain Swimming. And I had well over a 50% chance of going.
But we didn't fill out the form that was due Saturday evening.
Stupid form.
Stupid me.
Ug.
Life.

Sorry!

2009-03-15T12:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.... I've been really busy with A Champs this weekend...
For anyone who cares, here are my times... for anyone who doesn't, just know I still breathe and blink and talk.

Saturday-
200 Free- 2:06- AA time, 4 second drop
50 Free- 27.0- (already had an AA time) .27 second drop
200 Butterfly- 2:22- .5 away from AA time, 3 second drop, make it back to finals

Sunday-
400 IM- 5:09- 4 second drop
100 Free- 58.69- AA time, 2 second drop

Most of you won't understand what that means haha, but there it is anyway :)

First day was OK

2009-03-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Alright so last night I had my first official night of work.
Lemme just give you a run-down of what happens there.

First session is 30 minutes long, what happens is a bunch of kids come into our pool area and about 3/4 are excited to get into the water. 1/4 of them are crying there heads off to the point of wanting earplugs to save your poor eardrums.
There are about 5 or 6 teachers that have an average of 4 kids each. That's about 25 kids under the age of 6.
Talk about stressful.
There are 3 guards on duty during the first session, and I'm one of them.
What guards do is basically just walk back and forth making sure the little people don't let go of the wall and drown. Most of the kids were ok, but there was one who refused to put a backpack on.
Backpacks are there to help the kids so they don't drown, die, and leave the school liable. What they are is basically foam on a strap.
But this one kid would not put it on, his mom was over there trying to get it on him and he just wouldn't.
So, if you guys know me, you'll probably know I don't like getting myself into other peoples business.
His mom was there. He was ok.
But then the session started and I got anxious. I decided to impress the boss by being proactive.

Wrong decision.

Instead of helping the mom, the kid got scared and started dashing away... not wanting him to get lost in the people I followed him.
I felt like a stalker... the poor kid kept looking back like I was going to eat him alive.
After I saw where he was going I stopped and lead his mom in that direction.
Not doing that again.

So then the second session is the older kids. About 6 and up.
In this group there is a level system... Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Levels 4-7.

No newbie has ever gotten Levels 4-7.
What Level 4-7 is, is just kids that basically know how to swim, but just need technique help.
Apparently, my boss thought I was good for the job.
There are two lanes and two people. The other guy was a guy who has been there for a long, long time, so I thought he'd help me.
Nope.
After he gave me a lane of 5 kids he took the other lane and left.
I then looked at the rambunctious kids and had a...

PANIC ATTACK

I told them to do a 25 freestyle. And they did. Then my other boss saw me and sent one of my buddies over to help, cause she works there too.
That was good.

No, that was better than good.
That saved me from mass destruction.

Third session finally came around and I thought I'd be guarding again.
This is another group of under 6 year olds, and they do little drills that I don't know of. I was planning to watch and learn.

Did I?

Of course not.

I was designated my own group.
Thankfully, I only had 3 kids.

I felt bad for the girl teaching next to me, I kept asking her what to do, haha.
I got through the night though.
Thankfully.

So over all, the first day was ok.

Now tomorrow I have to do it all over again...

What's life?

2009-03-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

What is life?
What's the definition?
According to the Mirriam-Websters Online Dictionary, it is

Main Entry:¹life
Pronunciation:\ˈlīf\
Function:noun
Inflected Form(s):plural lives \ˈlīvz\
Etymology:Middle English lif, from Old English līf; akin to Old English libban to live — more at live
Date:before 12th century

1 a: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

But, is that all? It can't be. Cause it's not.
Life isn't just "the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body..."
Life is the walk through different times and different days.
Different struggles, different weaknesses.
Different phases of time where you are close to God, and those times where God is just sorta there.
But, God is ALWAYS there it's just sometimes we're not all the way there.**

But life isn't all bad, right?
There are good times.
There are strengths.
There are laughs.

I know some of you will disagree with my point of view, but I think the teenage years are one of the hardest times in someones life.

Of course, this is coming from the point of view of a teenager... a teenager who has yet to live through her 20's, 30's, 40's and so forth.

But from what I've heard coming from adults, teenage years stink.
Hormones rage.
Hearts are broken.
Friends are separated.

And yet, through all of that, I've also heard that teenage years are the funnest time.

Times where you can let go of worries and just have fun.

Sometimes the fun goes too far, but that can be avoided, right?

I say, if we are going though the hardest time we will have, why not make it the funnest time too?

I have a personal goal to get in at least 5 food fights with at least one other person before I turn 20.
Cause I wanna ;)

What's your goal? Are you gunna lounge around during the prime time?

Have fun, be wild, but don't be sinful

"In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular."
Kathleen Norris

** Thanks to Laura's Husband for showing my error in my typing haha

Sorry or not?

2009-03-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Whenever a kid does something bad they are told to say "Sorry"
Simple enough, you do something wrong, you say sorry.
End of story. Right? Maybe not...

When performing on a stage, and you mess up big time, the last thing in the entire world you would do is look over into the audience and say "SORRY!"

The audience doesn't know you messed up. They've most likely never seen the play or skit before, so they don't know what's wrong or right. For all they know you could've nailed that part, so even if you mess up the whole thing... keep on truckin'. Cause most likely, you're still covered.
You could start the chicken dance and you'd still be o.k.
However, I wouldn't recommend doing the chicken dance... cause that'd be on the edge....

In addition to that... I've been awared! :DThe Aragon award...
Which I pass onto:

Ellie at All American Girl
Christie at Blog Frog
Emily Joy at A Roller Coaster Ride

Enjoy:)

Friends day :)

2009-03-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

So I'm excited cause after a refreshing morning practice today, which by the way makes it 6 times I swam this week, I get to go over to my friends house!!!!!! We have been wanting to get together for forever so this rocks.
Especially since it's 65 degrees outside :)

Excitement is a wonderful feeling, no?

The best darn day of the week

2009-03-06T04:05:00.000-08:00

I love Friday. It means the week is almost over. Which means that the weekend is very, very close.
I like weekends. So the fact that they are close is very good to me :)

What's your favorite day of the week?

It better not be Thursday.....

Crashes make one sad

2009-03-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

Crashes make one sad.
Windows Vista makes one very sad.
Crashes on Windows Vista make one very, very sad.

Yes. That is correct.
You think correctly.

Our laptop (That has windows vista on it) crashed and deleted everything from pictures to music.
All my photos.
All my music.
All my schoolwork that was saved onto it. (I saved some on other computers thank God)

But still. It makes me sad. Very sad.
I had over 70 songs that I bought and now they are all gone. Most of them were for my sisters Sweet 16 party, (Like 35ish)
But the rest I had bought carefully with my numerous iTunes gift cards. I had been taking it slowly. Buying a song maybe once a week. If that. Most people would've spent it all right away. But I tried to be good. I tried to carefully choose which song I liked best.
AND THIS IS WHAT I GET?????????????

Not cool.

Not cool at all.

In other news....
I've been awarded by Emily Joy!!

She has a great blog called A Roller Coaster Ride, go on ahead and check it out!!!The rules are pretty simple. All you have to do is accept the award and award 5 other fellow bloggers. And you can't say that you award everyone :) So now I get to award 5 bloggers!
1. Sara G.
2. Christie
3. Eärwen
4. Marissa
5. Danielle

Thanks so much!

Sing it!

2009-03-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

Ah, singing.
In this house, it's pretty much all you ever hear. That, and "MOM!!!!!"
My dad's side of the family is very, very vocally gifted. They've been on Broadway(I think) and many other places.
Us?
Eh.
Let's just say we're not going to be getting any music scholarships any time soon.
I still love to sing... alone. And by alone, I do mean alone.
No family.
NO friends.
Nutin.
Nada.
Zip.
My vocal career starts and ends in my bedroom with my guitar in front of me.
I can say, however, that my shower head is very impressed.
NOT.
All I know is, I have 12(almost 13) year old cousins who are getting gigs up North( I won't tell you where cause you could come and steal them away. That wouldn't run over very well with me). Is that not awesome? I don't know about you, but I think it's pretty sick nasty.
I love my family. They rock.

Work for what? Money... duh.

2009-03-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET OFF THE LANE LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ah, the familiar phrase most of us have heard.
At least, I've heard.
Soon enough, that phrase will be flowing slowly off my lips. And green 20 dollar bills will flow gently in my palms.
Oh ya.
I got a job.
Technically, I'm not a lifeguard cause in Pittsburgh you have to be 15 to be a lifeguard. And I'm only 14 as of now.
But I will be teaching the lil people how to move their arms up and down through H2O.
Simple enough?
Eh.
Little people are cute sometimes, but other times they can be a pain in the behind. But I love little kids in general, so I'm really excited about it. I just hope I don't mess up on the first day.
I can just see myself, standing, watching a kid get rushed off to the hospital.
Epic failure.
And it wouldn't even be because I messed up, it'd be just my luck.

I start next Tuesday.
Tuesday the 10th.
I'll post about how the first day went then.
Till then, however, I'll be a nervous wreck. And my family will be reaping the consequences.

Did I mention I'll be working with my 16 year old sister who's been working there for 2 years?

This will be "fun".

Here's hoping....

Happy Birthday to Dr. Suess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-02T05:25:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to you, dear old Dr. Seuss

Yes, today marks the birthday of one of the most famous authors in America.
Dr. Seuss was a man of extreme smarts. And deserves to be recognized for his masterpieces.

Here's a list of all of his books-
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, 1937
Bartholomew and the Oobleck, 1949
The Butter Battle Book, 1984
Cat in the Hat, 1957
Cat in the Hat Comes Back, 1958
Cat's Quizzer, The
Daisy-Head Mayzie
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? 1973
Dr. Seuss ABC, 1963
Dr. Seuss Sleep Book, 1962
The Five Hundred Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, 1938
The Foot Book, 1968
Fox in Socks, 1965
Great Day for Up! 1974
Green Eggs and Ham, 1960
Happy Birthday to You, 1959
Hop on Pop, 1963
Horton Hatches the Egg, 1940
Horton Hears a Who, 1954
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1957
Hunches in Bunches, 1982
I Am Not Going to Get up Today!, 1987
I Can Draw It Myself: By Me, Myself with a Little Help from My Friend Dr. Seuss, 1970
I Can Lick Thirty Tigers Today & Other Stories, 1969
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!, 1978
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew, 1992
If I Ran the Circus, 1956
If I Ran the Zoo, 1950
King's Stilts, 1939
The Lorax, 1971
McElligot's Pool, 1947
Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now, 1972
Mister Brown Can Moo, Can You, 1970
My Book About Me, 1969
Oh, Say Can You Say?, 1979
Oh, the Places You'll Go!, 1990
Oh! The Thinks You Can Think!, 1975
On Beyond Zebra, 1955
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, 1960
Scrambled Eggs Super!, 1953
The Seven Lady Godivas, 1987
Shape Of Me And Other Stuff, 1973
Sneetches And Other Stories, 1969
There's a Wocket in My Pocket! 1974
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose, 1948
Wet Pet, Dry Pet, Your Pet, My Pet
Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories, 1958
You're Only Old Once

Busy boy. Huh?

The man was a genius. If he didn't have a word that rhymed he made one up!
Yertle the Turtle...
GENIUS!

Do yourself a favor today, read a good Dr. Seuss book.

Ya know ya want to :)

A couple other things totally unrelated to the post...
I changed my background because the other one just wasn't working out for me. Let me know how you like this one...

And whoever is in Canada reading my blog, you rock!! :)
Do you think you can leave a comment so I can address you properly? Haha thanks so much!

Life's short.

2009-03-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Ever heard people say, "Life's short, so do what you wanna do" ? I've certainly heard it a couple times on certain T.V. channels.
I've decided to totally over-analyze that saying.
Why?
Because I can :)

What's true about this statement?
Life's short... yes that's true. It is short relative to God's life. But compared to the lifespan of a fruit fly, I think it could be defined as long. Am I wrong to believe this? Maybe, maybe not.

So do what you wanna do... could this statement get more selfish? I'm not sure. But I am sure that if everyone did what they wanted to do, we have more fat people in this world then termites.
Yes, that does include me.
I know from personal experience if I do what I want to do, and only what I want to do, I'm a miserable wreck. Most likely because I'm very strange and what I want to do is sit on the couch with a bag of Sun Chips (in the Harvest Cheddar flavor :D) and watch Barney re-runs.

I'm just kidding about the Barney re-runs.
Teletubbies is so much better and everyone knows it.

ANYWAY... I know that doing what I want to do, I always mess things up more than I can imagine.
Plus I have to tell my parents... which really stinks.

Am I crazy for thinking this? The probability is strong. However this is what I believe and I'm planning to stand by it.
I believe Disney and Nickelodeon have a estranged view on life. I probably miss used the word estranged, but what I meant to say is,
If that's what the stars are doing, then why are they on drugs?
Why do they get drunk so often?
Why do they swear?
Why do they commit suicide?

In a world where kid-stars are popping out like lice on a kids head, what life awaits them? Are they doomed to a life of "doing what you wanna do?" And by doing what they want to do, being miserable beyond compare?

No thanks.

I'm sorry if I'm the outcast, but that's not the life I want.
If that's the life awaiting the kid-stars of today, Lord help them cause I certainly can't.

Thank you, thank you

2009-02-28T06:31:00.001-08:00

Thank you, thank you, please, please hold the applause.

Oh, I'm just so happy. A moment like this only happens once in a lifetime.

I have done it. It is finished.

I'd like to thank my mother and father for always believing in me.

My sisters for toughing me up even when screamed in their ears "SSSSTTTTTOOOOOPPPPP!!!!!!!"

My dogs for being annoying.

My coaches for never letting me stop to cough on the side of the pool during an asthma attack.

My music teachers, for teaching me music.

My aunts and uncles for making me laugh when I'm being an Emo Elmo.

And last but not least, all my friends for being friendly when I'm being a nasty.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you!!!!!!

Good job, Einstien.

2009-02-27T08:10:00.001-08:00

Ever had those dumb moments?

Ya know those moments where you're thinking, "What in the world was going through my head?"

I do. In fact, I have them regularly. Here's a scene that would happen in my attempts at a normal human life.

Write this down Tia.
The 500 free is the longest event in High School Swimming.

Panic goes through my head as I realize something never meant to be realized by a girl over the age of 5.

I didn't know how to spell "is".

I stop after "free", dread running through my every vein as I try to locate the correct spelling of the simplest word in the English language.

Are you done with that?

What do I do?
What do I say?

I can't ask for the spelling of "is" I'm not that stupid.

Finally it comes to me. I finish scrambling the rest of the words onto the page and continue on with the rest of my day. Embarrassed? Yes.

Am I the only one? Do I really experience these things alone?

Am I really... the freak???

Mr. Reynolds sent me this video... it's pretty funny :) Thanks Mr. Reyonlds!

Cuzinz sweeet blog

2009-02-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hey peeps....

you have you to go to http://the-only-blog-frog.blogspot.com/ cause it rocks.

Cause all Grahams rock. Right Christie? lol, please check it out!

TAGGED .. o yeah B)

2009-02-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

I have been chosen. I have been deemed worthy.

I, Tia, feel special.
B-)

Along with the many other people awarded by the wonderful Marissa

The award

I tag,
1. The Gorecki Bunch
2. Danielle
3. Aunt Laura
3. Uncle Matt
5. Christie
6. M. Elin N.

Ok, so from what I've been told the "suggestions" (which are really the rules, but I always call rules suggestions :D) are...
1. Post the award on blog.
2. Pass it on to some friends, up to 15 peeps
3. Spoil the fun and let them know they've received the award :)

Along with the award I have a little list-ish thingy I was tagged for... here it is :)

the rules: erase my answers and put yours in. Use the first letter of your name to answer ALL of the following questions. If the person before you has the same 1st letter pick a new one. You CAN NOT use anything twice, and you CAN NOT use your own name for the boy/girl question. After you are done, tag 5 people

1. What is your name?: Tia

2. A 4 letter word: Type

3. A boy's name: Timothy

4. A girl's name: Tina

5. An occupation: Toilet cleaner

6. A color: Teal

7. Something you wear: Toe nail polish

8. A Food:

9. Something found in the bathroom: Toilet paper

10. A place: The girls bathroom

11. A reason for being late: Toe injury

12. Something you shout: THAT'S MINE lol

13. A movie title: The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

14. Something you drink: Tea

15. An animal: Tigger (yes, I do mean Tigger)

16. A song title: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

17. A verb: a verb. honestly? very oringinal, and also very weird.

I tag Sara and Christie

Stomach flu

2009-02-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

When you live in a house of 6 people.
And one person has the stomach flu.
You are bound to get it.

Tia...

2009-02-24T04:41:00.000-08:00

Tia wake up

No movement.

Exactly 30 minutes later

Tia, I woke you up 30 minutes ago!

At this point, all I can say is, "Oh..."

Ever had those days where your body just doesn't want to get up? I certainly do, happens every time I hear that phrase.
I'm just a tired person.
Plus, I talk in my sleep. I don't know what I say, but I sit up and start talking. More like mush then actual words, but still making sounds come out of my mouth.

Now I have to go do school... :(

Sorry

2009-02-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

I always seem to post at night nowadays...
Oh well, I really don't know what to write about so I'll leave you people be...

Just wanted to let you know I live, for now.

Small things

2009-02-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

If you can't enjoy the small things in life, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy making a new sled record down a hill, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy the new flavor of Capri-sun, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy mastering a new muscle reflex (like raising one eyebrow, moving your ears), what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy a toy that says "For ages 2-4", what can you enjoy?

If you can't go into K.B. Toys and have a blast, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy getting that impossible math problem down, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy the company of friends, even ones you don't know very well, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy indoor plumbing, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy the sales rack, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy different color fonts, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy family, what can you enjoy?

If you can't enjoy people 9 or 10 years younger than you, who can you enjoy?

What can you enjoy? Tell me below :)

Update

2009-02-21T10:59:00.001-08:00

So, I did ok last night in the 1,000.
It was as horrible as I thought, but I got through it.
Then today I had the same meet but different events. I had the 100 backstroke and dropped a second.
Then I swam the 200 Butterfly and dropped a second and qualified for finals... so when I swam at finals I had dropped a total of 5 seconds in my 200 Butterfly.

Yes. This does mean I dropped 4 seconds from my time this morning at finals =D

I was sooo happy!!!

Then we went out to eat at Eat 'n park and I had a burger.

And it was good.

Well, that's it for today... I'll try to have a more entertaining post up tomorrow