Giving Thanks

 This past summer, my grandma, Nana passed away, leaving me brokenhearted, distraught, and angry with God for taking her away from my family and me. I had a difficult time seeing or hearing things that reminded me of her; the cards she made for me as well as the gifts she gave me ended up in a box under my bed, while the pictures of my grandma and me became a neat pile in a folder, also tucked away.I avoided talking about her, because it made her passing real and more concrete.
But only recently have I come to realize that these reminders and mementos are not something to hide and shove under my bed, but be thankful for, and treasure. Although Nana is gone, her memory remains, as well as the precious things she left behind for me. The pictures remind me how much she smiled and laughed, and how she was never seen with out a smile on her face. The cards and gifts remind me of how often she thought of me, and cared enough to take time to send me a gift to make my day brighter. Her valuable qualities and outstanding devotion as a wife, friend, sister, mom, and grandma  are admirable. She has been a true role model in my life of how I should uphold myself to the same qualities, and settle for nothing less. Although I would give anything in the world to have one more chance to have a conversation and tell my grandma I love her, I'm thankful for the time I had with her.

Free Blog

So I found this recipe for peanut butter buckeyes, and as it turns out, I'm obsessed with them. Its an easy, quick recipe that requires few ingredients and little time. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!   

Peanut Butter Buckeyes:

1 1/2 cups of creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter, room temp
2 1/2 cups confectionery sugar (more or less)
melting chocolate (I prefer chocolate almond bark, it’s near the chocolate chips)

Mix the peanut butter, butter and sugar together. Use your hands if needed because it’s very thick. Dough should be nice and stiff but not crumbly and definitely not sticky.

Roll the dough into 1″ balls and set them on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Store in freezer until very firm.

Melt chocolate (I microwave it in 30 second intervals until smooth and runny stirring inbetween.)

Get a few of the peanut butter balls out of the freezer (only about 10-20 at a time so that they remain frozen.) Using a toothpick, dip them into the melted chocolate. Make sure to leave a bit of the peanut butter showing at the top.

Place them back on the wax paper and into the freezer until the chocolate is set. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Credits:http://thearthurclan.com/2009/01/come-to-mama/

World of Color

       I remember questioning my parents as to how color blind people could see the traffic lights changing, and how they knew when to stop. Although my younger self had a different understanding as to what color blind means, my teenage self still wonders what it would be like to see the world in different colors, or without color at all.
       Life is filled with ever-changing, vibrant colors that create unusual yet breathtaking sights. Would a sunset, rainbow, or even the sun reflecting of the snow be the same without color? We wouldn't be able to associate red, orange, and yellow to a beautiful fall day, or a deep dark blue to the mysterious sea. Color allows us to express emotion that words can't express. For example, the color blue expresses sadness, while green expresses envy. Black is worn at funerals to show grief, while white is worn at a First Baptism to symbolize cleansing and rebirth. It is known by everyone what certain colors represent, and it is not questioned. Color not only brightens one's day, but allows one to express a great amount of emotion that couldn't be expressed otherwise. Color changes our perception of the world, so enjoy the opportunity to witness the beauty of color. 

A Simple Act

Joey Prusak, a nineteen year old employee at Dairy Queen, has been applauded and labeled as a Good Samaritan after he gave $20 out of his own wallet to a blind customer, who dropped $20 and the money was taken by a woman who refused to return it. 

His story has become viral, and he has been rewarded generously by many well-known and unanimous citizens.  People have offered him higher paying jobs and money for college. He even received a call from billionaire Warren Buffett, whose company owns Dairy Queen, as well as Dairy Queen president and CEO John Gainor. Although the reward has not been announced, Buffet has promised that Joey's act of kindness will not go unnoticed, and while it is difficult to match such an act, Buffet will find a suitable reward.

While I praise Joey Prusak's honorable deed, I question the morals I was taught as a child, and how they fit into our society today. I was taught to help a stranger out of the kindness of my heart, and do as Jesus would do: love and cherish others.  Is a simple act of kindness so rare, that it must be celebrated to such great measures? I'm not trying to downplay Joey's sacrifice of his own paycheck, as I'm sure he is on a tight budget as a nineteen year old college student, but I find it odd how this story is so unique to so many. I have the same mind set as Joey , thinking that others would do this without a second thought. In a news article I read, he told the Associated Press,

 "I was just doing what I thought was right. I did it without even really thinking about it. ... Ninety-nine out of 100 people would've done the same thing as me."

But would have others really taken their time and money to help out a stranger? Am I naive to have faith that there are people who would help?  As a society, we are so wrapped up in our self, that our hearts have hardened to the helpless, and our eyes have become blind to the needy. 

I applaud Joey, and his awareness of the actions around him.  I have no doubt that people were moved by this story, and I hope they are inspired to complete daily acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, and reach out to others. Kudos to Joey Prusak, for teaching and reminding us of a simple act of kindness.

Eating Rituals

"Dad, that's so stupid and not even fair! You know I've been waiting for this new episode to come out! I'm not even hungry." , I stated angrily, as my father insisted I come eat dinner with the family. 

My father's simple yet classic response was one I knew all too well: 

" You know we eat together as a family. I'm sorry you feel that way and you aren't hungry, but you still need to sit with us. Besides, I want to here about your day!"

 I grudgingly turned off the television and sat down in my seat, making my family well aware that I was extremely unhappy to be missing my show. I sat there pouting throughout the sign of the cross and the "Our Father" prayer that we said every night before we ate. My parents ignored my behavior as they dished out food to everyone. They started up the nightly ritual of going around the table and allowing each of us the spotlight to paraphrase the highlights and low lights of our day. As always, my brother told his corny joke, which usually allowed the conversation to take flight. 

 As the meal continued, I found my famous pouting face had slipped away, and in its place was a smile. The garrulousness and laughter was contagious, and I soon forgot the new episode on the television that I was missing.

The nightly ritual of my family sitting down together was more than a time for all of us to chow down, but more of a time to make memories, express our feelings, and be together. Many of my childhood memories consist of my family and I sitting around the kitchen table, crying because we are laughing so hard. These memories have become even more precious to me because my brother has left for collage, as will I in two years.  

I simply cannot emphasize the worth of the memories that were made over the many meals we have had as a family. Dinner was family time for us; a time to laugh, contemplate, tease, question, and occasionally cry. The nightly ritual of dinner with my family is a daily reminder that I am blessed.

The Compelling Words of Mr. King

“…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

Martin Luther King Jr.'s ability to speak the complicated truth of the past, the present, and even the future is why today we are reading this quote. Not only is this quote by Martin Luther King Jr. extremely powerful, but also true.
Everyone has been oppressed at one point, though it may not be to the level that Martin Luther and his many followers and were subjected to, it still matters and is just as painful.  The reason King's quotes are used to teach and learn is because they are so relate-able throughout everyday lives; at school, work, on the streets, and for many different reasons too.  King gives us something to stand for, to fight for, when he says this. Oppression is all around us and will not be rid of until a group, or even just one person, stands up and demands the freedom that every human deserves. 

Banned Books

“Literature is no one’s private ground, literature is common ground; let us trespass freely and fearlessly and find our own way for ourselves.” -Virginia Woolf

  Books are meant to entertain, question, and teach; however, the ideas used to teach, question, and  entertain may very well contain explicit and inappropriate content. In To Kill a Mockingbird, language, such as the use of the word n*****,  and the ideas of such powerful hate, are not appropriate for young minds. In using these ideas and words, it is understandable if a teacher or adult disapproves of a young child reading such profanity. To Kill a Mockingbird is centered around learning about a culture filled with racism and hate, yet when young adults are finding themselves, it is important to be shown, and experience such things, so that they may be shaped in a different way. As a general guideline, decisions have to be made about a certain age group, and whether that piece of literature is appropriate for them. The student should be old enough to recognize the worth of the author's opinion, and having read the book, come away with their own opinion. As Virginia Woolf wisely said in her quote (posted above), literature is used to help one find themselves. Who are we to challenge the way literature shapes us, especially if it is used to teach valuable lessons, morals, and the truth? 

  

   Parents are one of the main groups of people who challenge a book's content. They may be trying to protect their student from hate, language, or questionable ideas. It is important to keep a student innocent, but only to a certain point. Ignorance is not always bliss. Is the student really better off not knowing? In life, one encounters many different obstacles, and what if one of the obstacles is one taught in a book that a student was banned from reading? It is important for the student to be introduced to sensitive topics, and become educated about certain content. The world can be a difficult, hateful place, where stereotypes and racism run strong throughout society. Considering this, who wouldn't want to be taught about such issues in a safe, caring environment where the student's well- being is a priority. 

   Books in school are used to teach a lesson, not destroy a student's innocence and dreams. Reading a book on a subject to which the student has not previously been negatively influenced, allows the student to be impacted differently. If given the opportunity, the student is empowered to react differently in a situation involving stereotypes. 

   Books were written to shatter boundaries and teach. Although the teachings may be harsh, it is the harsh things that stick in one's mind the most. Books are meant to be read, understood, debated, and applied to personal lives, all while opening one's mind. Jean Rhys said, " Reading makes immigrants of all of us. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere."  

http://www.ala.org/bbooks/about
http://www.thebookescape.com/BannedWithReasons.html

      Although I am a sixteen year old girl, I have never blogged before. I prefer to read, play soccer, volleyball, basketball, or hang out with my friends, rather than be on the computer. To be honest, I find it difficult to write about myself. 

      I've lived in Colorado my whole life, and don't plan to live anywhere else. My family consists of a mom, dad, older brother, and a younger sister. Like any other family relationship, I want to strangle them half of the time. But my family is my rock and my number one support system; I know I can always count on them for my every need. I live a comfortable life, where even though I have everything at my fingertips, my parents make me work for it, to instill a firm work ethic and morals. Even though I wont admit it, because I am a "hard- headed teenager", I believe that my parents have done an amazing job raising me. Looking back, I realize that I agree with everyone( well, almost)of their decisions as parents. I hope to be at least half as virtuous as they are when I am an adult. I have a strong relationship with Christ, which I want to continue to grow in. 

      My school is amazing; the teachers classes, friends, sports, and environment. I know that when I graduate from my school, Skyview Academy, I will walk out the doors  as a life long learner, and an educated woman with strong, reliable friendships to fall back on if need be. I'm not quite sure what I want my profession to be, but I am looking into the medical field.I know that Skyview will prepare me for this occupation to the best of their ability, doing their best to put me on the path to success. It is difficult work; however, it will be a rewarding profession. If I am not going into the medical field, I really don't know what I will do for a living. As a little kid, my dream was to become a professional soccer player, and a part of me wishes that I could still be that. 

      I enjoy the little things in life, like a warm shower, clothes out of the dryer, a good book to read sitting in the sun, a smile from a stranger, a good meal, almost anything! The list could go on for a while if I listed everything that I enjoy and am thankful for. I believe that it is the little things, the little gifts in life, that keep us going throughout our day. I lead a blessed life, which most of the time I forget to be thankful for.