"Let's Wait Awhile"

"Let's wait awhile; Before it's too late; Let's wait awhile;Before we go too far"
This chorus in the song "Let's Wait Awhile" by Janet Jackson is the most strongly stated words throughout the entirety of the work. It's quite evident what she is alluding to and such a strongly, boldly stated song is exactly what this world and generation needs. She preaches that waiting to be intimate in such relationships with lines like "When we get to know each other and we're both feeling much stronger, then let's try to talk it over." Despite the view one may have for Janet Jackson, listening to and understanding this song shows another depth in which one may not have seen. In a world where there is some preaching of "Abstinence and waiting," there is little motivation/encouragement behind it. Songs are constantly preaching the opposite, yet want kids to make wise decisions. Contradiction much?
Janet Jackson's voice and pitch range for this song is easy on the ears (mid range notes, soft higher notes) and will just relax a person and allow them to actually hear and understand what the song is saying. It's actually inspiring (the music video adds to this) to stay abstinent and her last line in the song says "I'm worth the wait," something everyone should say to a pressuring partner and treasure themselves at. I found this song something out the ordinary and found the lyrics excellent and something everyone should listen to and be inspired by. Waiting is both a choice and a treasure.">

Gabrielle's Trick of Writing

"Gabrielle, how do you write so well! I'm jealous!"

Okay, so maybe people don't say such things, but I do have a few tricks that I find best help me when I'm in a writing mood and want my emotions to be best expressed. Here are some quick pointers that seem to be the strongest part of my writing success (when I have them):

1. Listening to music/thinking of a similar situation

• If one listens to music that has strong lyrical and rhythmic emotions that are able to STRONLGY evoke the emotion desired, writing will be better (at least for me). I find this to be so because good words to describe said situation is hard when you're not in the "mood", but you're best able to show these emotions when you're in the mood in which your character is (or the tone of your paper is to be in)2. Write, regardless of writer's block or other obstacles

• While this is common advice, I don't always follow this. I especially despite writing when I feel my writing is on a level far (or even not that far) from the desired one I'm shooting for. If you don't write your ideas down, you'll actually find that the prominent idea that was once in your mind is not as large or able to be expressed as when it first was there. Regardless of whether you can continue with the idea or it sounds "childish" or "stupid", just write it down and continue when your block is gone. If it sounds childish or not "up to par", go back, read it and revise sentences, ideas, or words that aren't as good as they should be.

3. Have Writing Critiqued

• I find this is one of my weakest points, but it's a good idea and I've found some of my best writing comes when someone critiques and contributes to the idea of the story/paper. Allow people you trust and know will support you, yet critique you with a kind heart to help you better improve.

4. Don't stress

• Don't stress about writing good or much but just make the content what you want/need it to be. If you must write for a class, give yourself enough time to make sure it's the best it can be. Stressful writing isn't successful writing.
  

These are only a few tips I use when writing and as I use them more and take heed to them, my writing will improve and I hope it'll help you somehow. Thank you for reading :)

Jay and Nick?

Nick

I met him at a party not too long ago, and I feel as though he's only using me for an ultimate purpose (which I found to be true to a point not but a night ago). He took for a ride on his hydroplane the day following the party and he gave off a good vibe. Following this, I kind of got the drift that he was scheming something. On the way into the New York city, he asked me for a favor, though he failed to explain to me at that moment what the favor was. He had me speculating at just how much of a favor it was. For some reason, I became irritated and his secretiveness and quite wary of the fact that his story about being awarded a medal from Montenegro. While he showed me authentic-seeming memorabilia, I was still quite skeptic. Was it possible to fake a medal from Montenegro and a picture of friends from Oxford? It was quite strange that he "happened" to be friends with the man who is now known as the Earl of Doncaster. People add sound effects and such to moving pictures so...Gatsby could have done the same, except with a photo and adding people in and out, right? I mean, he does have money...

After having lunch and being surprised by the fact that Jordan and I used our outing not for a conversation about our relationship and to better know each other, but to be informed on how I was to invite Daisy to tea with me and then allow Gatsby to come and meet her. Why am I being used as a pawn? Is this man not big enough to go to Daisy himself, or better yet, invite her to his house opposed to mine? This friendship isn't turning out to be so much a friendship at all and I most strongly experienced this revelation when I discovered I wasn't recognized in the music room after Klipspringer began playing the piano and they retreated to the couch. Maybe if I begin distancing myself from Gatsby and his "web of lies", I'll be better off....

Jay

I can't imagine how Nick feels as I seem to come off as a user, mistrusting and not loyal. I guess one can assume such things when every outing but one revolves around a favor I need. I wonder why Jay continues to stay around as I'd have been gone ages ago. In the car the other day, he seemed to be quite irritated with me and if it weren't that I wanted to maintain a confident composure, I'd have broken down then and there to tell him the scheme of my plans instead of having Ms. Baker do it. The outing with the hydroplane was so fun and for once, since losing Daisy, I feel as though I may be able to confide in someone. Maybe talking more and demanding less would keep our relationship alive. But his favor, his choice to do the favor made my year and might have brought back the single most important person in my life-Daisy.
She's changed, though I still see some of the Midwestern Daisy left, but that husband Tom has changed her much. The light in which used to be a depiction, a sign of my dream in the distance has now sailed ashore to my house. She seems impressed with my things and her delight has changed my view on it. I don't feel as lonely anymore, but quite content happy. Jay left by the time I came out of my daze of Daisy so I was unable to talk to him more.
After such a large favor, I really ought to thank him 100 times over. I could tell my stories also seemed unbelievable, but for now, I'll leave that be. In due time, he'll know who I truly am and what I have hidden from the outside, judgmental world. As for now, I'll work on changing our relationship (If possible).

Winter Poem (The Other Side of the Tracks)

The Other Side of the Tracks

"Don't be too expectant. Christmas isn't all about the gifts."

Mama's bottom lip trembles as she thinks about the year's financial shifts

No one appreciates the true sentimentality of Christmas anymore

People run to the tree and expect to see below it gifts galore

Christmas is supposed to be about Joy, laughter, and unity

But money had taken away the closeness of not only family but the entire community

I look around the house, and every potential for happiness had been drained

No longer did stockings hang, and day by day begin to fill, making the hooks strained

small tree stood in the corner, no lights or onaments to be found

Whereas just a year ago, the little tree would be covered in decorations profound

No beautiful sounds of Christmas music was to be heard or played

It was as if our financial change had caused our joy to have fallen in and decayed

I was now at a place I'd always been told of-The other side of the tracks

"Show your appreciation for what you have by giving back"

Those words finally rang strong and true in my ear

And despite my appearing strong and nonchalant, I felt run down my face a hot tear

Everything I'd always said would never happened to me was coming true

Then suddenly, something inside me awakened and finally I immediately knew

That being on the other side of the tracks wasn't necessarily a negative thing

Because these families were wealthy, despite their financial stings

I now see the beautiful moral behind this horrible catastrophe

Our family was witnessing before its eyes our own Commercial Christmas atrophy

Following this current "storm", the sun would return in a full new way

And the sentiments and love acquired could never be taken away

No matter how much monetary wealth our family lacks

We were spiritually much stronger now that we had been put on the other side of the tracks

Most Thankful for...Which Classmate?

The classmate in which I am most thankful for is someone I only recently met this year. While I had 2 other people that were tied with this person, they won because of not only their treatment toward me in the classroom but outside the classroom (Not virtually). This person is someone who always/most of the time says hi whenever I pass them, and when we do talk, they're always smiling and making me feel welcome.
This person is Simon Black-Toby. While I had other people (two of which, coincidentally sit extremely close to him), Simon won in the end. I like the way Simon makes me feel welcome and is easily compatible to most people. He also has influenced me to try my best on my instrument (trombone) and do my best in spanish to become fluent (though he exceeds my years by a little over half a decade). He is quite a joyous person and someone I really am thankful for. He is one of the first people who made me feel more comfortable in American Lit the first few weeks of school and I will always appreciate his prescence in our class.
The 2nd person whom I feel quite thankful for is Loren Hou. While we don't talk in American Lit, we do have another class in which we talk. We talk most over facebook, and have become friends over this network. For what am I grateful for? Well, she certainly is funny, smart (go figure :P) and is just able to light up a gloomy day for me (Like Simon). She and I are almost always talking when we can and sometimes her prescence makes a person feel better. I guess her biggest trait that makes me most grateful is her dedication to school, education and the piano. Her choice to push through even the most frustrating projects/work makes me admire her and just want to try harder. She is constantly pushing me to do my best and not give up as my hard work, sweat, etc will be worth is and for this I am ever grateful.
While I'd like to elaborate on the other two people I am strongly feeling compelled to, I'm still in the process of getting to know them and would like to elaborate more on them than what I know now. I appreciate everyone in our class, but Simon and Loren are the top two. I'm glad (more than one will ever know) to be in the 2nd period American Lit class and I don't want any other. May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The Metaphorical Plow

My desk is desecrated by an array of hands as my homework is rotated in nearly a 360 degree angle to be viewed by all who crowded around me. Such activity is typical, especially in my AP Calc class and today was a homework check, so all the homework my class lacked was cheated off of, whether it were from me or another one of the "socially awkward" kids in our class, though I was the preferred source. Many of them pushed and jotted stuff on scrap paper to copy and make look their own. When many noticed the problems required showing of work, in which there was no way to finish and make look their own in the small time slot remaining, a plethora of curses flew from their mouths. I merely stared at the wooden desk in front of me, hating that my hard HOURS spent doing these problems neatly and accurately were going to get them A's without even remotely using their minds. As the mass of people at my desk quickly waned, I was aware that the teacher must have stepped in. Straightening my paper, I leaned back and waited to turn in my COMPLETE assignment.
Such rituals took place is 5/7 classes I took. Half being AP, I'd think one would do the work as they paid to test into it, and obviously was smart enough to pass said tests, but my assumptions were never confirmed. Coincidentally, in my only honors class, the kids work their butts off for the grade. Our teacher pumps us, makes sure we understand it. I feel so equal, happy in this class. I'm not being raked, dragged around for my useful qualities, but actually strengthening them, as it should be.
Following my AP Calc class, a group of boys surrounded me. "You shoulda let me see that work yesterday man, like I asked." Failing to respond, I continued on where I needed to be. As we parted ways, he called down the hall "Coulda helped a brother out." Little did he know, I was helping him out more than he would ever realize.


Correlation: To see the correlation between the plow and the story, think of how the plow better conveniences farmers and how the protagonist better conveniences the other children.

Modernization of Slavery

While slavery in it's most obvious form isn't still around in the United States, I beg to differ that slavery has been obliterated in all forms. While many have mentioned child slavery in the creation of many American products and in the sex slave business, there is something we are "slaves" to in a sense that we have failed to see as Americans especially-Society. I was watching MTV (the once in a year that I do watch it) and found an excellent analogy to many of societies tactics to keep us in "line" with what's normal. The line really refers to the African American race, but can be generalized to all. "Physically we're free, but mentally we're still slaves" is the line that caused such an epiphany for this blog entry. He was talking about how the music industry has turned from one of expression of feelings of love, hurt, pain and happiness to that of bragging about the types of drugs one owns, the sex they get, the money they have and the girls they obtain. And while one doesn't HAVE to rap about this, it's one of the few ways to get noticed and appreciated in the current music world. To say one is a "slave" persay to such music and getting noticed would be wrong, but society has us "chained" and "bounded" in the way to say that if you're not pretty, educated, and can do something worthwhile, then you're not worth the time of being here or you're an outcast.
This powerful line also alludes to the fact that there is a "stereotype" that in rap, the aforestated methods of rapping is expected. In such a sense, we are slaves to what society wants as it seems now "sex sells." When we hear this, many say that it depends on the person, and that if we want to, we can change it. While the former part of this statement is correct, I fail to believe that we can completely change it without a major epiphany. As evident, the most popular songs have sexual inuendos if not blatant words alluring to such atrocity. While it may seem I've gone completely offpoint, I introduced modern slavery in an abstract way. We are "expected" to rap about the most common subjects of the day. If not, it's looked at as "lame" or, in other words "unheard of" or "out of line", just like a slave revolting against his/her master. Mentally, we are still bound in the chains of slavery in the fact that we are rapping/singing/dressing as society expect. While it's now a way of life, we can "revolt" and while we may be persecuted, we will be the victors in the end, as many were (Harriet Tubman for example). Even those who died revolting ended their lives fighting and was welcomed to peace. So, in essence, besides the blatant slavery, we still are slaves today to society as a whole, and many others.

P.S. If this was confusing, please comment and I'll reword.

A New Spin on a Cool Class?

Unfortunately, I am unsure as to what this blog is to be about. Nonetheless, I will assume that we are to tell about a way the class could be slightly changed, or a new direction it needs to be aimed in for our benefit. In my honest opinion, there isn't much, if anything, that needs to be changed. We spend ample time on each section of the work and there is no rushing with journals or discussion questions. We are able to inquire about what we need to and joke around while doing it. I personally learn quite a bit from this class that applies to my World Studies class, so I'm happy.
We as an American Lit class seem to click easily which makes learning easier, more relaxing and fun. There seems to be no hostility (or that I notice) between any two persons and we're able to laugh and talk together.
Maybe the only new "Direction" we could go in is writing narratives, but it's too premature in the year to ask as we are probably doing some as the year progresses. Otherwise, I quite enjoy what this class is offering and it certainly keeps me awake in the wee hours of dawn. Since I have no other statements to make, I shall wrap this up. :)

The Habitation of the House of 7 Gables

The House of 7 gables is surrounded by a plethora of history from the family who used to inhabit it, the people who lived in the town, and the town itself. While the author of the"House of Seven Gables" gives the house a mysterious, scary twist, the house is actually thought to be one of romance also, as the author also hints at. The house is now a museum site where tourist can take a tour inside the house. This house is located in what used to be Salem, Massachusetts, known most for the Salem Witch Trials. Salem was established in 1626 by Roger Conant and a group of immigrants from Cape Ann. Later, in 1628, they were joined by another group of immigrants led by John Endecott.

The people who immigrated to Salem were known as "Puritans", who are people who followed the teachings and ideas of John Calvin, a leader in the Protestant Revolution. The Puritans believed that the Church of England was beyond "repair" so to say, thus causing them to be persecuted. To escape such persecution, the group came to America.

They followed the Bible harshly and believed in conversion, not repression, though their actions showed repression. The Puritans banned dancing, religious music and erotic poetry. Dancing and erotic poetry, in their beliefs, led to immorality and religious music caused one to be put into a "dreamy" state which was not helpful when listening to God. As seen in the "Crucible", most anyone who went against these rules was a witch.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, author, and coincidentally, previous inhabitor of the House of Seven Gables, was also born in Salem On July 4th, 1804 (Nice birthday huh?) to Puritans John and Elizabeth Hawthorne. His birth home was located on 27 Hardy Street, where the house remains a museum. His father, John, was one of the judges in the Salem Witch Trials, and when he died in 1808, his mother took on a life of seclusion.
Of course, as we know, Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of the "House of Seven Gables" and the "Scarlet Letter." Since we are now reading "House of Seven Gables", it's best to go into detail on the inspiration of this writing opposed to the others. Hawthorne based his story on a curse that supposedly was put on the family from a WOMAN who was put to death during the Salem Witch Trials. This curse is then the cause of the decline of the Pyncheon's home. The curse is ended when a descendant from the killed woman marries a niece of the family. Of course this is a story that could or couldn't be true, but it certainly makes a good plot.
Nathaniel Hawthorne dies May 19th, 1864 while in the middle (not literally) of writing a journal of his travels. His work, like many famous authors, lives on and gives snippets into the life of him, his family and many of the people of Salem. Nathaniel Hawthorne is certainly an author that is deserving of credit for his writing and the eye it gives us back into the early days of the country in which we inhabit.

Works Cited

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2229.html

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/the-house-of-the-seven-gables.shtml

http://kirjasto.sci.fi/hawthorn.htm

http://www.online-literature.com/hawthorne/

Welcome to the American Society!

How could one describe an American? Of course, general definitions go to say that it is one who has pilgrimmed out of their land, "put old predjudices aside", to find the freedom they are looking for. An American is integrated with other cultures to produce a society of different people, cultures, foods, etc. My personal definition is quite simple. An American is someone who has accepted the new freedoms (which is something everyone desires), yet has also realized the responsibilities that come with those freedoms. For example, an American has the right to bear arms, but with this freedom comes the responsibility of knowing that one cannot use such arms where they would inhibit another's freedoms. An American isn't necessarily someone with ALL the freedoms, but someone who was given such freedoms (and whether they have caused themselves to lose it or not doesn't matter).
To say that I had an epiphany and realized that I was an American would be quite a fallacy as I have known all my life of my American heritage, though my parents always have made known that I was also part of the African American heritage. After reading "What is an American?" and being able to construct my definition of an American allowed me better view of such a culture/heritage. I have always known I was an American and feel that my sense of joy, pride and responsibility for such a heritage which will alter as I learn more about America, what it means to be an American, etc.

Us Vs. Them = Us AND Them??

Contrary to what the title states, I find it highly unlikely that a person battling another person could really become close and merge with their enemy. I feel there is too much tension between them to be resolved most times, especially in extreme cases like that of the Crucible. Those who knew the people hanged were innocent will probably never forgive Reverend Parris for his aiding in the execution of those individuals and no matter how much they try to forgive him, they will always have a deep down resentment for what he did, especially being the spiritual leader of Salem.
The reverse certainly could apply also as it does in real life. Two people who were best friends have a falling out of some sort, and get a new group of friends or whatever and now it turns into a battle to get them back for the feelings they caused by breaking off the friendship, which causes a "Us and Them (Or a Me and her/him) to become a Us vs. Them (Me vs. him/her)." I feel most people are too shallow to surpass the strife in their life to form a bond, though it does happen. I don't feel the people in Salem will ever forget this episode in which they lost family, friends and such because children were claiming they were with the "Devil" without substantial evidence except for children's word, in which they found lied at the end when it was too late.
While many can stitch up the situation where they were against a specific person, for the most part, I feel truly becoming one with those in which you opposed will always be rocky as somewhere deep down, there will be this feeling of potential betrayal, which will keep a true relation from forming. Humans tend to be mistrusting like that. :)

A Different Opinion Calls For the Calling of a Stooge?

I'd hardly classify John Proctor as hero or stooge as he hasn't done anything heroic or stooge-like. He, in my opinion, is a trend-setter. He's a representation of the voices of those in the Puritan community who were fearful to speak out against Pastor Parris' and other pastor/religious leaders teachings in church and in the conducting of the town's rules. While he didn't claim to NOT be a Christian, he also wasn't an extremist where he would resort to calling anyone who wasn't uniform to the customs of the town a "witch" or "heathen" and he made this known. He wasn't doing anything wrong by stating his opinion and I'm sure many others in the town shared such an opinion, but didn't want to risk being killed for this.
John Proctor was more of a free-spirit in the fact that he believed in what the town did, but didn't make his religion and opinions the ONLY thing a person could freely believe without consequence and felt that he should make it known. He was a possible precedent incarnate of what was to come of the religious status in America. More people would begin standing up for their beliefs and morality, thus rendering strong control of the church over state affairs useless. While the hold the church has isn't completely obliterated, it's a lot less strenuous today than in the time of the Puritans. John Proctor is a man who is respected in my mind and shows that uniformity in the same religion doesn't always have the "peaceful, conformist" effect it is supposed to.

Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God

Why is everything I love to do a sin before God? I was practically excommunicated from my family when I hugged the girl of my dreams after we took a walk in the woods. My family began to say that "God was going to release the floodgates on me and them" because I had committed fornication. My heart hurts so bad knowing I caused the girl I love to commit such a sin before marriage, but I just couldn't help it. Another instance was when I was late getting the chores done due to the fact that I got caught up in one of the other chores that seemed to take a while. My mom said then that my place in heaven was going to be lost if I took such a long time working to avoid giving God his due praise. I praise him ALL the time. I thank Him everyday, all day for waking my family and I up, for allowing us our own property and availability to praise Him how we want and even for Melinda-my love. Why do I have some impending feeling that God doesn't want us to live like this? Like what we're doing is extreme? I dare not speak out as they will feel I'm committing witchcraft or something....
Pastor Edward's sermon was quite strong last Sunday. He mentioned that all the sinners were going to perish under God's wrath and somehow I felt as though he were talking to me and as soon as Melinda and I caught eyes, we exchanged mutual guilt. I don't want to pull her down with my lustiness and desires. That hug had made my week and if I could only obtain one every blue moon, how happy I'd be. She completes me, but I cannot complete my desires and have us fornicating. I've already been destined for hell and my sins aren't going to bring Melinda down. I'll go to hell to keep her from going there. But Melinda said something interesting when we walked. She said that God wants us to ask for forgiveness and love him, not fear him in the way that Pastor Edwards seems to preaching and I completely agree, but again, we dare not say that or else some tragedy could occur. If only we could share our views with others we know....

A Mixture is Formed (There goes the Neighborhood)

We live in a society which holds the belief of "Change is good/different is good" and while there are those select few that will never completely believe that, for the most part, it's adapting. So many different components of American history allowed this to occur (i.e. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, etc), but one group of individuals no older than us sophomores to make a significant change was the Little Rock Nine.
For those unfamiliar with this group of teenagers who made such a big movement toward African American rights, the Little Rock Nine was a group of nine African American teenagers who attended Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Until they arrived, this was a segregated Caucasian school and though they made a difference later on, at the time of their arrival, they were an invasion.
To even try and imagine what were going through the heads of the children (of both races) is quite difficult and only they will know, but for the Caucasian children I'd imagine such thoughts as "Why are THEY here?" and "They don't belong here" are some mildly stated words. The main reason for such an outburst this made was not only, in my opinion, because of racism, but their comfort zone or "neighborhood" was being disrupted. What they were used to and had grown up with was changing and naturally, reacted in the way they had seen and experienced which happened to be with racist, threatening comments. They didn't want someone or, in the minds of many Caucasians at the time, someTHING disrupting what had been so good all these years.
As for the African American students and their parents, I'm sure they began to wonder whether their being enrolled in this school was worth the death/lynch threats, yelling and serious glares. Unlike the Caucasian students, there were ONLY 9 African Americans. They were being put into a situation where adaptation was harder and probably felt as if the weight of the world was put on their shoulders. But what they didn't know then was that they were setting a trend/precedent for those of future generations.
Because of this "force" of change, similar to that of Christopher Columbus and the Native Americans, there are now integrated schools where children of all races can come and learn and befriend each other. While at the time, people didn't want such a thing to occur and the normalcy for that time and era was broken, it had better results than many in that time period could ever have imagined. While the "neighborhood" disappeared so to say, it created an entirely new, different and integrated community for the generations following this, and the Little Rock 9 was only one of many groups/people to contribute to this.

Who is Gabrielle Burns? (An introduction)

Hi. My name is Gabrielle Almatine Burns and I attend Whitney Young Magnet High School. I was named after my grandmother (my only grandparent still living) and she has played a strong part in my life along with my parents. I'm 15 years old and during my 15 years, I've had my dosage of pain, stress, joy, elation and just un-describable emotions bestowed upon me. I believe they happened for a reason to shape me into who I am today. After losing a best friend, I realized how precious life is and how it shouldn't be taken for granted. I try and live each day doing what I'm supposed to do and am trying to stop worrying about what I think others will think of me (though it's hard sometimes).
I'm an introvert and quite shy. Excluding in-class discussions, I'm a rather socially awkward person. People appear attracted to my personality from what I understand, though talking and socializing isn't easy at all. The most talking I do to my friends is through electronic communication as face-to-face confrontation isn't required. I feel this is attributed to the fact that I don't want to say anything wrong or offending and electronic communication can reduce this. I'm a perfectionist, so to say, when it comes to having a good relationship with people and having them know the true me and what I'm like.
My hobbies include reading (typically romances, teen fictions, realistic fictions), writing (short stories, novels, poems, journals, etc), hanging online (facebook, emails, etc), traveling (which I discovered after going to California twice in one year) and such. I'm not athletically inclined but I do enjoy playing basketball and want to play football. If I get in shape for next year, I intend to try out for the Whitney Young team. I'm not the typical girl and enjoy wearing clothes that are comfortable rather than "cute," but I'm slowly learning to mix the two. I'm a gym shoe fanatic and love buying and wearing new shoes. Nike's are my favorite kind. I've been a tomboy all my life and fail to see myself changing anytime soon.
I enjoy giving advice to people and just listening to them. I've been told I'm easy-going and easy to talk to. Whenever I am able to help people see something from another perspective that allows them to better a situation, I gain a metaphorical "high." Helping others is what I aspire to do in life and what career path I'll take to do that I know not, but as of now, I'm leaning toward the medical field. I've called myself a "nerd" (yes, a self-ordained name) since 5th grade and though many say I'm not a nerd, I feel quite the contrary. It's not a derogatory name to me and not a name I want to change. I'm proud of my quirky and intellectual ways. Once a person gets to know me, they'll better understand the reason for this name.
My religion, family and friends come first in my life. I put them ahead of myself and would do anything (or almost anything) for them and would do my all to keep them from harm's way. Materialistic things will fade away but the memories and love I get from my family, friends and God won't. This is merely a snippet of who I am and I hope as we endeavor through our Sophomore, Junior and Senior year, you get to know more of who I am.