Freewrite: December 06, 2010

So, this weekend was cookie traying, as I wrote about last week. It went great. My biceps are a tad bit sore, but it was a lot of fun, and I have already seen the looks of appreciation on the faces of my teachers! I brought 5 in for teachers today, and I know it sounds like I'm sucking up, but it isn't like that for me. I honestly appreciate all the work they do and I really enjoy their classes, so they get cookies! :) It makes them happy, so I like to do it every year. I will also be bringing in 9 tomorrow for a bunch of friends of mine. Drumline's cookies will be here on Wednesday probably! They will attack me just like every year so far. It's a great memory of mine. So, now to go away from that topic. I have been thinking a lot about my impact on people and my legacy that will remain here at WHS when I go off to college next fall. I know that sounds kind of stuck-up, but I'm not really worried about trying to do something wonderful so that people will remember me. I've just been thinking about what people will remember when I leave. Will they think of me and miss me? Will they wonder what I'm doing? Will some freshman be impacted because I smiled at them in the hallway? I guess it just intrigues me to think about the impact that we have on people because of things we do everyday. By doing volunteer work with BBBS, I'm helping impact the life of a young girl. I don't know how big of an impact, but I do hope I can help her make better choices and strive to be a role model for someone younger than her. I don't think people realize just how much you can affect someone with the smallest of actions, and I think that we need to realize it.

WORD COUNT: 330

Freewrite: December 03, 2010

So, this weekend is the weekend of all weekends at my house. This is the weekend when all of our Christmas cookies are put onto trays so they can be given out to everyone! This is a tradition that has been happening as long as I can remember. My Mom and her best friend, Anne, get together and make thousands of cookies. Literally. There are probably 50 types of cookies and candies that we put on the trays! It's amazing. They spend so much time doing this every year and then this weekend all of it is brought to my house where I get to walk around in a circle for four hours or so. Once everything is set up and all the trays are done, it truly feels like the holidays for me. It just feels like Christmas is finally almost here. It's great. I've been thinking a lot about traditions recently and mostly holiday traditions at that. Every year, my family used to go to Exotic Animal Paradise to see the lights and animals on Christmas Eve. However, we haven't done that in quite a few years, and it makes me sad. It makes me kind of relate that to my childhood and one of the things that was a childhood tradition. I mean, I'm still in my childhood (kind of), but at the same time, it is something I won't remember doing as a teen, so it's only from when I was little. When I wake up on Christmas morning, the routine is always the same. I get up, go look at the presents, and try to find the footprints that "Santa" left from the soot in our fireplace that night. Last year, much to my disappointment, I watched my Dad put down the footprints of flour in our basement. It was really depressing. I've known Santa isn't real for quite a while, but just watching something happen that had amazed me for so many years was really sad. It kind of ruined that experience for me. Growing up sucks sometimes.

WORD COUNT: 344

Freewrite: December 01, 2010

Our question was about the human nature that Dickens describes and how it compares to modern human nature. I think that human nature both now and in the Tale of Two Cities are pretty close to the same. In TTC, the people seek revenge against those who rule over them and the country because of their horrible living conditions. I think that even now people would react like that. I think people can try to act like they don't care about something or like it doesn't affect them for a while, but when the trouble comes too close to home, that's when people get defensive. I think people will kind of put themselves out there for a cause, but will only fully commit themselves to it when it will save someone they love or care deeply about. Dickens' idea of human nature, or at least the portrayal of that, seems kind of evil and dark with a nice cover over the top. I think in his mind, some people can act nicely, but most are not and will do anything to get revenge. I'm not sure that the world is exactly like that today, but I think that people will revolt once something gets too close. A good example for me is politics and government. I think that people will take a lot of things from the government, but once something hits too close to home and affects something they don't want it to, they will revolt or fight back.

WORD COUNT: 250

Freewrite: November 29, 2010

So, last Friday was Black Friday. I was recently hired by Bass Pro and one of the things that I had to do was work sometime that day. I chose to work in the morning so I could get the experience of crazy shoppers and seeing what it was all about. It was crazy. I guess there were people lined up around quarter to 5, and the store didn't even open until 6. I got there around 5:15 and got ready and got to my cashier station. It was kind of stressful because my supervisors and coworkers were kind of stressed, but it was fun trying to imagine what the day was going to be like. When the doors opened at 6, people came flying through the doors. People were running from either entrance trying to get to the things they wanted most. Around ten minutes went by and I had my first customer to ring up on my own. A lot of them had vouchers for items they would pick up later, but a lot of stuff was really cheap so people would fill carts and check out. The day was insane. It went by really quickly, too. I think my highest total was around $500... something I cannot imagine spending at a store like Bass Pro, but a lot of people did it. There were tons of really good deals. I got a few breaks, but they went by really quickly and didn't really give me a break. There were lines going out to the middle of the store and people trying to squeeze in everywhere else, so there wasn't really any room for anyone else. I had a few people ask me the locations of things in the store, and I felt really helpless because as a new employee, I really didn't know where anything was! It was awful. The day ended up being really fun, though, and I was exhausted at the end. I went home and took a nap! That was my first Black Friday experience :)

WORD COUNT: 342

Freewrite: November 23, 2010

So, today isn't a freewrite day in English IV Honors, but I don't really feel like working on a paper just yet, so I'm going to freewrite. Today is the last day before Thanksgiving break and everyone knows that today is going to be a day where we do nothing. In sociology, we took a spelling quiz and just talked for the rest of the hour. In english, we are all working on our papers, so it is still a relaxing day, even though we have to do work. In band, we are going to talk about fundraisers and present the silly awards- basically nothing. Everyone is aching for a break. No one really wants to be here today, but once today is over, we have five days to ourselves. That's really exciting! Thanksgiving break is always a welcome rest from school.

Tomorrow I get to watch my baby cousin, Cylee, while her mom and little sister, Gabee, go to the doctor. Gabee just came home from the NICU a week ago, so they are going to check up on her and see if she can be visited by more people. I am really excited to get to babysit Cylee. She is adorable and I love seeing her as much as possible. It seems like everytime I see her she gets bigger and smarter and is able to do more.

Thanksgiving is going to be wonderful as always, but kind of weird, too. Kara, Gabee & Cylee's mom, will be at home with Gabee for the duration of the day. It kind of stinks because she is one of my best friends, but at the same time, I know it will be good for Gabee to not have a chance of getting sick. Cameron and I's three and a half year anniversary is on Thanksgiving this year as well. We probably won't hang out on Thanksgiving, but it is weird that it falls on a holiday.

I get to work my first real day at Bass Pro on Black Friday. I had training a couple weeks ago, but I haven't gotten to do it on my own yet, so I'm really excited that I finally get to start! I love working the register. I already encountered a lot of different types of people, so I can't wait to see what personalities Black Friday will bring out! I'm not excited about getting up really early, but that's okay.

This is a really long freewrite! Oh well. This break is going to be fantastic. I can't wait to sleep in and do nothing for most of the five days. Only 177 days until graduation!! :)

WORD COUNT: 443

Freewrite: November 22, 2010

Times in my life where I have felt joy:

• The days when my siblings were born
• When my cousin got married
• The day I found out my cousin was pregnant with her first daughter, Cylee
• The day I found out she was pregnant with her second daughter, Gabee
• The days each of them were born
• The day Gabee got to come home
• The days I got to see Gabee at the hospital and at home for the first time
• The day I made percussion in sixth grade
• The day I made drumline
• The day when I found out I would be the only girl in drumline for the 2010- 2011 season
• The day I was asked out by Cameron
• The day Cameron told me loved me
• The first time we kissed
• When our family got our dog, Polar, and our dog, Jesse 9 years later
• The day we got Jenna back
• Everytime I get to see Cylee interact with everyone
• Watching Cylee grow up
• Seeing Gabee grow bigger and stronger everyday
• Getting to work on Black Friday!
• Getting a job besides in Willard
• Getting accepted to MSU
• Getting a $5,000 scholarship to MSU
• Realizing I want to teach
• Cadet teaching at Willard North
• Realizing that teaching makes me really happy
• Figuring out that all I really want is the typical dream- college, marriage, house, kids, dog, etc. :)

WORD COUNT: 254

[Short] Freewrite: November 19, 2010

I only have a few minutes, but I just wanted to say that my cousin's baby, Gabee, who was born 7 or 8 weeks ago is now home! She came home a couple days ago. I haven't been over to see her yet, but she is almost 6 pounds! It's so exciting! I can't wait to go over and finally be able to hold her and take lots of pictures so that I can show everyone. I love you, Gabee Noelle, and you just have to keep getting stronger and bigger so you can come over on Sundays for our big family dinners. :)

WORD COUNT: 103

Freewrite: November 18, 2010

So, today isn't a true freewrite day, but I feel like writing about things I have been experiencing lately. Mostly the freedom I can see off in the distance. Okay... that sounds SUPER cheesy. But I really have been feeling that way at the most random times. I have been driving and just suddenly realized how close I am to starting my adult life on my own. Something I cannot wait to experience. Sometimes I'll just be sitting around and letting my mind wander and all the sudden I can just imagine being in college and living with a roommate and taking on all responsibilities for MY life. That sounds so weird and foreign to me. It's still hard for me to imagine being able to stay up all hours of the night or just not doing homework because I feel like it. It's hard to see that in less than a year, I will be going to COLLEGE football games and possibly performing in a COLLEGE marching band and going to COLLEGE classes whenever I happened to schedule them. If I don't want to wake up super early, I won't! I can wait until 9 AM to take my first class! If I don't want classes on Tuesdays, I don't have to schedule them then. Having the freedom to decide so many things in my life is going to be exhilirating. I know it will be scary and I will be stressed all the time, but I can't wait. I can have people over to my dorm just because- and I don't have to ask for permission. They can stay overnight and I don't have to worry. I can't wait to be able just to be who I want to be and not have people know me for who I am right now. Not that I'll be any different, but even though I'm not the most outgoing person, I can't wait to meet new people that may be my best friends for the rest of my life. I'm really excited for everything that college will bring- both the good and the bad. :)

WORD COUNT: 353

Freewrite: November 15, 2010

My cousin came here from LA this weekend! It was a surprise visit. Me and my brother got home from the band banquet around 9 PM and he was sitting in the living room. My parents had been acting kind of antsy and wanted us to be home ASAP so we nknew something was up. We were discussing what it could be in the car beforehand and we decided it was probably that he was coming to visit- we were right! He came for his birthday, which is today. He was here back in the spring, and my family misses him a lot, so he tries to come out a few times a year. On Saturday, we just hung out at my house, and then yesterday we all went to Incredible Pizza Company. It was so much fun! We played laser tag twice- I got second the first time and first the second time- it was a blast. We always have a lot of fun when he is here. While he was at our house yesterday, we started discussing future plans and college and things like that and he brought up his college experience. He went to school in Florida to study entertainment business- he works for a company that makes sounds for movies. Anyways, he was talking about their business and interning and he brought up the fact that I could come intern with them next summer before I went to college if I wanted to. I told him that I wasn't going into anything that his business would help me with, but he assured me it would be a lot of fun- and as I thought about it more, it would be! He lives in a busy city, something I have never experienced before. He meets movie stars all the time. I would get to run errands for Adam Sandler and people like that! Insane! I know it sounds kind of stupid, but at the same time, I think it would be one of the coolest things ever... I might just talk to my parents about going there for a month or so next summer! :)

WORD COUNT: 357

Freewrite: November 10, 2010

SLAM! The car door shuts, closing in the closest thing I'd ever had to a sister. I cannot remember a lot about that day, but I remember the feeling. As a foster family, my family had taken in many kids before, during, and after we had Jasmine. She had come to us when she was about two months old, meaning we had her for about a year and a half before she moved to live with her biological aunt in another state. We had many kids before that who had been there for at least that long and some even longer, so it should not have been a shock or super-emotional event when she left, but she was different. I had really bonded to her and really hoped she would be the one to stay with us. Several children had left our homes that had meant a lot to us, like Caleb (we had him for 3 years), Rebecca (we had her for 3 years also), and Bri (we had her for a couple years). When they left, it was emotional, but we more or less got over it. I guess I eventually got over Jasmine leaving, but it was the hardest departure that I had ever been a part of. However, the story gets better.

We got a call from Jasmine's biological aunt about a year later, something I didn't know about until a meeting a little while later. She had decided that Jasmine needed more extended family than she could give her, and wanted to know if we would like to take Jasmine back into our family so that she could be loved by more than just a few people. My parents considered this, and took into consideration our opinions also. They asked, "Would you like a little sister?" I said yes, thinking I would soon be getting a baby sister. I was wrong- we soon drove up to meet this family so that we could get Jasmine- aka Jenna- and bring her back home. We adopted her when she was four- she is now ten, almost eleven. She can be a little crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.

WORD COUNT: 366

Freewrite: November 05, 2010

The Fall of Icarus
My thoughts on this painting... most of it is kind of ironic. It is a weird painting. Mrs. Troxell told us the story about Icarus and how he got too close to the sun with his wax wings and they melted, so I have some background to go off of, but it is still very odd and contradictory. In the story, he got so close to the sun that his wings melted, but in the painting, he is not actually that close. He is still pretty close to the front of the painting and away from the sun. It also seems like he isn't supposed to be the focus of this picture. His legs are sticking up out of the water, but he is really small compared to the two men towards the top of the hill. I'm not sure if it matters, but I would think that the focus of the picture should be on the main character- not some random people. I also am not sure why they aren't freaking out over what happened. One guy is busy plowing his field and another guy is just looking up at the sky (peacefully almost) and the last guy is kind of paying attention, but he seems to be pointing in a different direction. THE GUY JUST FELL OUT OF THE SKY! How is no one paying attention to him? He is drowning in the middle of the ocean after having his wings melt off and no one has any reaction to it! It just seems really ironic to me that no one would be watching what just happened even though that is what it is all about... right?

WORD COUNT: 283

I guess the way this painting relates to A Tale of Two Cities would be the fact that the main point isn't really too prevalent at the moment. The main point should be talking about the revolution that is brewing and being discussed, but instead the focus is on Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay getting engaged and getting married, which is a happy thing. The irony shows through to me more than anything. The book, in my opinion, should be talking more about what is getting read to happen, something that could be very tragic, but instead it is talking about a very happy and exciting event- the marriage of two good people. This is the same way with the painting- it shows perfectly normal events, but a guy just fell out of the sky!!

Freewrite: November 03, 2010

So, today, I'm going to talk about the English project I'm considering doing next semester. We have to do these big research paper project things, and I'm not very good at deciding topics/themes/purposes so I'm going to try to work on that. We are supposed to choose something that is important to us and that we want to write about and work on. Some things I'm really passionate about are teaching, kids, photography, and reading. Somehow, I'd like to put all of these together into one. I love taking pictures, so I was thinking about making a collage-type thing of my 4th grade class over at Willard North. I want to do an individual profile of each child with pictures of them doing their favorite things. I would also like to write about each child and their interests and views on things adults think are important. Something about how to solve big problems in the world (poverty, sickness, etc.) and maybe some goofy questions like their favorite things and about their friends and other things like that so that people can get to know them. Obviously I will have to have their parents' permission for this, and I'm fine with that. I am just not sure how to make this into a research paper. I would love to somehow just write about each of the kids, but at the same time, I don't think that is enough for a 10-page plus paper. I think it would also be cool to do something with teaching. I'm not sure what yet, but I really enjoy working with the kids, and I really enjoy seeing their faces light up. I would love to incorporate that in there as well. Maybe I could do something with teaching styles and learning methods? I think it would be interesting to research the different ways kids learn and how different teaching styles can affect that because I think learning about how your class learns is important so that you can teach as efficiently as possible. I think I could possibly incorporate that into my profiles somehow. This is a good start :)

WORD COUNT: 355

Freewrite: November 1, 2010

Friday and Saturday? They were epic. Oh man. You have no idea. This weekend was the last band weekend for me. Ever. It was insane. On Friday, I went over to Myranda's house to make cookies with her and Garrett like we have before every MU competition during high school. It was really fun and nostalgic, but at the same time, it was really depressing! We made cookies and laughed a lot and watched videos and played cards and laughed some more, but we all knew that the next day was the ending of something very important to all of us- it was the end of our high school band career. We would reminisce about things that had happened previously and then get all sad and then laugh about our exhaustion and then talk about the future and how our pre- Halloween cookie time probably wouldn't happen anymore. I'm gonna miss doing that with them.

Saturday was our last band competition. For the seniors, it was our last one forever. We didn't do too bad- we got second... by a lot, which confused most of us. Oh well. It was an epic performance. There was so much emotion put into it. I was almost crying throughout most of it, and then after we got off the field, I balled my eyes out. There were so many hugs being given and tears falling down faces. It was the best performance I had ever had, but at the same time, it was the saddest performance. Band had been my life for the past four years. It is my family. It has given me so many memories and friends that I would not have had, had I not been in it. It has frustrated me, lifted me up, made me angry, and helped make me into a better person. My band family has helped me become who I am. If not for them, I'm not sure who I would be. I just want to thank everyone who was involved in band during these past four years and anyone who helped with band also. You are amazing and you made this experience wonderful for me :)

WORD COUNT: 362

Freewrite: October 27, 2010

So, last night I listened to a new song by Taylor Swift called "Never Grow Up." The song is written to a baby and is telling her to basically stay a child because it's better. In the song, Taylor tells her to not be embarrassed when her mom drops her off at the movies because she isn't the only one getting older. The first few time I was listening to it, I was thinking about putting pictures of my little cousin, Cylee, to the music. She's not even a year old yet, so it would be fitting because it would kind of be like a little thing to her because she is still little. However, as I listened to it more, it really made me think that it would be more fitting to put it to the music of a high school graduate (aka me!). Although it is truly written to a child, putting pictures of a child who is now grown up would work just as well. It's almost like a tribute kind of thing, but at the same time it is remembering all the good times of your childhood. It talks about remembering the sounds of when your father gets home from work and the words he would say and just embracing everything. It just reminded me of how old I am. I know, I'm only eighteen, I'm not that old. However, I'm going to be in college in less than a year and it made me sad thinking about how much I don't remember. It made me realize that my childhood is almost over and it 's something I will really miss. Of course. Even though I'm feeling like my childhood is over, my adult life is going to begin very quickly, so I think I'm adjusting fairly well :)

WORD COUNT: 303

Freewrite: October 20, 2010

I'm not really sure what to write about today... I guess I will talk about the scholarship I am considering applying for in the next few months and the career I am choosing. I want to be an elementary teacher here in Willard, MO. I love it here. The people are great and I love the small town atmosphere. I love knowing people and having people wave at you when you drive down back country roads. It just makes me happy. I also love kids. I want to teach fourth grade, something that I have really enjoyed while Cadet Teaching with FTA. I love that they are independent, yet still need my help when trying to figure things out. They are also old enough to be responsible and hold a conversation. I love seeing their faces when they figure things out or learn something new. I also love how easily amused they are. They can easily make my day when I go over to Willard North. Anyways, about the scholarship. There is something called the TEACH grant. It's from the US Government and it is up to $4,000 per year for 4 years. I can easily get it because of my GPA, however, it requires you to teach at a school that provides education to low-income families. I wasn't sure Willard qualified, however, the last time I checked, they do. I have to check with MSU (my school of choice) to see if they accept this scholarship, and I need to check with our counseling center to make sure that I can get this. It will really help in allowing me to live on campus for a year or two :)

WORD COUNT: 281

Freewrite: October 18, 2010

So on Saturday we had our fourth band competition (that we won btw)... OMG. This season has gone by so quickly... It's freaking me out. I don't really know how I'm going to react when we (as seniors) are done! It's scary knowing the one for sure stable thing in my life will be gone in like two weeks. Not that the rest of my life isn't stable, but band is the thing that keeps me going. Sounds strange, but if you were a part of our "family," you'd get it. It changes your life. Usually for the better. I remember starting out freshman year and thinking that I would never be able to reach the senior status. It seemed so distant and I felt so small and young compared to them. Really, there isn't much to being a senior except that you are almost out of time. I hate it. I wish there was another month left of marching season. Yes, I have no life, but at the same time, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. It makes me so happy. I love getting to hang out with all of my boys- the drumline I call my kids, but our relationship is really great. I don't know what I'm going to do when I don't get to maintain that relationship anymore...

WORD COUNT: 225

Freewrite: October 11, 2010

Holy cow. We won Ozarko this weekend! It was amazing and kind of disappointing at the same time. Let me explain. The winning was not disappointing at all. It was so emotion-provoking and epic that I cried, something I don't usually do a lot. However, because I am a senior and have participated in four Ozarkos since 2007, my last one was very emotional, as I knew it would be. Friday night was emotional (I won Homecoming Queen! And some other major events happened concerning a close friend, so it was a happy, yet very sad night for me.), and then Saturday was just full of things. Practice was quick and then once we got to MSU, we ate a fantastic lunch, something we always do at Ozarko and then we warmed up for our performance. It was a very emotional time because we had to tell the drumline something that would possibly affect their performance that afternoon, however, they all took it well and performed even better than I imagined. All of our focus and energy went into the show like never before. We got best percussion (6 for 6 after finals)! Anyways, after we performed, I had two of my "kids" become overheated so much that they couldn't leave camp and were not able to perform in finals. It was awful seeing the disappointment in their faces when they learned they were not able to. All of this affected my performance in finals, making it my worst, however it was the absolute best performance for the entire band. It was the most epic and wonderful weekend I have had in a very long time!

WORD COUNT: 276

Freewrite: October 6, 2010

So today is one of my busiest days this week. I came to school just before 6:30 AM (my brother was running late and we had to ride together today) for early band and then I started school at 7:25. After school is over at 2:25, I will head directly to the library for our bi-weekly TADA (Tigers Against Drugs and Alcohol) meeting, where I will stay until somewhere around 3 or 3:30 pm. After that, I will drive to the bank and hopefully be done in time to pick up my little sister from the bus stop so she does not have to walk home by herself. Shortly after dropping her off, I will drive to the Musgrave Unit of BBBS where I go each week to mentor a child! It's called Meal- Time Buddies, and my buddy's name is Leeajiah. She is hilarious and loves to talk. She's so much different than my buddy last year. She shares everything with me even though I've only been her buddy for two weeks. It's great getting to interact with someone younger than me and know that I'm making a difference in her seventh- grade life. After I eat dinner with her, I will leave at approximately 5:30, where I will the head back to the high school for the Homecoming practice. Everybody on Homecoming Court has to meet at 6 PM for practice for the assembly tomorrow! We also have the parade tomorrow and then the game and ceremony is on Friday!! I can't wait! :)

WORD COUNT: 256

Freewrite: October 04, 2010

So, this past week was very eventful!

My cousin had her baby, Gabee, and I got to go up and see her on Friday night! She is so little! I didn't get to touch her, but she opened her eyes a lot and it was really exciting! She's doing really well, so they might let her go home earlier than we thought they would! :)

My grandma was also in town the entire week and got to see us in our band competition on Saturday! I also found out I am in the running for Homecoming Queen of WHS... something unexpected and exciting! I really, really want to win! I'm so excited. I went with Carrie and Lindsey yesterday and got my dress at the mall... it's super cute! I want to win, but at the same time, I'm not really into campaigning and bribing people with candy and things like that. I want to win because of my personality and reputation I have built up during my past three years here, so hopefully if I win it is because of that... :)

We also had our second band competition on Saturday! We won both prelims and finals. It was so amazing. I didn't feel like we deserved first in prelims, however, finals was so magnificent that I was going to be so disappointed if we didn't get first! We also got best percussion both times! I love getting best percussion. It gives us a boost of confidence, however I hope we don't get too cocky because of it. :)

This was a great week/weekend! :)

WORD COUNT: 266

Freewrite: October 01, 2010

When we talk about basic human rights, it kind of makes me angry to think about all those in the world who do not have them. When I think about the fact that people in other countries cannot speak freely or be free to do what they wish, I don't understand. I don't know what goes through the heads of their leaders and all those who choose the rights. I think all people should have basic human rights, like the right to speak freely and be who you want and not be afraid of being killed everywhere you go. I don't think it's right that we get to live with all of our freedoms and there are some people out there who do not have any freedoms. It just doesn't make any sense because it's so unfair to those out there without any rights at all. No matter who you are, it's not fair to be judged or have things taken from you because you are a certain type of person or grow up in a certain background or are a certain ethnicity. It just doesn't make sense to me.

WORD COUNT: 190

Freewrite: September 27, 2010

Yesterday, my cousin gave birth to a baby girl! Her name is Gabee Noelle and she was born at 28 weeks and 5 days gestation. She weighed 2 lbs and 10 oz at birth and was 15.5 inches long! She has a full head of blonde hair and is all leg. She has super long fingers and moves all over even though she is super tiny. In all of the pictures I have seen of her so far, she looks just like her older sister, Cylee, although their sizes are just a tad opposite, considering Cylee was huge at birth- like 10 lbs! Cylee is only 9 months old, so Gabee and her will hopefully be close relationship-wise because they are so close together in age. I can't wait to hold Gabee! She will be in the NICU until December at least and I probably won't be able to hold her until at least a month before then if not after she comes home. She will be in a "pod" in the back of the NICU for probably at least 3 weeks if not a month so that she can grow and stay healthy without the stress of being out in the open with the rest of the little babies! I can't wait to truly meet the little bundle of joy that has been the focus of my family for the past 2 months since Kara was in the hospital :) I love you already, Gabee Noelle :)

WORD COUNT: 248

Freewrite: September 22, 2010

So, yesterday our FCCLA chapter leaders went on a field trip to the CBCO (Community Blood Center of the Ozarks) Leadership Meeting for all high schools sponsoring a blood drive during the school year. There are three FCCLA leaders and two sponsors, and we sponsor two blood drives per year at WHS. The theme for the fall blood drive is Da'Stickable Me... get it? It's supposed to be like Despicable Me... :) The minions are adorable and we decided to try and get really creative with this blood drive to get more and more people to sign up. My idea was to make tons of the little minions and put one in each classroom without any explanation of why they were there. This would cause people to talk about them. We would also put a bunch in the hallways and in the commons, but these would probably have little signs talking about the blood drive and when it is. Hopefully people would connect the two and begin to talk about it more, which would hopefully get us to reach our sign-up goal! I'm really excited to begin doing this and to impact more lives. I love the position I am in because it allows me to have more of a voice and a say in what FCCLA does and how we do it. I'm also really excited for the leadership experience it is giving me because I know it can only help me later in life. :)

WORD COUNT: 247

Freewrite: September 20, 2010

MY BUCKET LIST:

There are things I have always wanted to do, so I figured I would make a list of them just to see what my "bucket list" is because I've never sat down and written one out before. So here goes!

• Travel to Austria/Germany and visit one of the Holocaust camps
• Travel to Italy, France, Spain, and Ireland
• Travel to Australia
• Go back to Hawaii (I went in 2008) on my honeymoon
• Go back to Hawaii as often as money allows :)
• Get married
• Have an even number of kids (4 or 6)
• Adopt kids
• Become a foster parent
• Graduate from college with a bachelor's degree
• Get my master's degree
• Take my kids on vacations to places I love
• Open a residential facility for pregnant teens/teen moms
• Raise respectful and responsible kids
• Go to NYC
• Be successful in my job and with my family and in everything I do

Word Count: 161

Freewrite: September 10, 2010

If I could do anything...

So our topic today was, well, anything we want to write. However, the inspiration I chose came from a question: "If you could do anything without limitations, what would you want to achieve?"

My personality is that of a mother. I'm not one... but I act like one. I grew up in a home where there were almost always seven or more kids in the household. My parents were foster parents. We took in more than 100 kids in 12 years. They ranged in age from about 2 days old to about 12 years old. I grew up in a house full of love, patience, and understanding because that's what these kids needed. I also grew up in a crazy, hectic, loud house that always smelled like little kids. This kind of explains how I am. I helped my mom out a lot when I was younger and I developed a personality that almost mirrors hers. She's a mom, so I act like one.

Because I grew up in a home where needy kids were taken care of, I now want to help kids throughout the rest of my life. The way I want to do this is by opening a non-profit residential facility for pregnant teens and teen mothers who don't have a place to stay. I want it to be a relaxed atmosphere where they learn about parenting and get help from adults who know what they are doing. I also want them to be able to get an education and have resources they wouldn't normally have if they weren't there. That's what I want to do.