Time at Weimar -- 24

This past semester has been one of the most memorable. God has taught me many things about Him and His will for my life. I've learned priceless lessons about how to make decisions based on the Word of God and other principle's I've been taught. My spirituality has changed in that I now have a better understanding of what it means to serve out of love, not fear.

I count all my trails here joy because I really have seen growth in myself. I've learned more about me and my capabilities in this past semester than any other time in my life. I owe a great portion of that to those who have helped me. God has been my guide and He has blessed me with awesome friends here, who have never failed to listen, or make me laugh when I needed them. This semester has been filled with occasions of laughter and tears all the way through.

It's hard to recap this past semester in a couple of paragraphs without being to broad and leaving out details. What I have said is condensed, but they have been the points most important to me. As I write this entry I am also reminded of my past years here. I am grateful for Weimar, what I've learned here and the experiences I've had. Weimar will always, in some way or another, be apart of my life.

To Tell or Not to Tell? - 23

Secrets can sometimes be a controversial issue. I think, secrets are pointless. They hide things inside that can be hurtful to the secret keeper or someone else outside the party. I don't like secrets, they're seclusive. However as much as I disagree with them, I am subject to their control.



When someone tells me a secret, I do my best to keep it, if and only if it is in their best interest to keep it to myself. If someone to do tell me a dangerous secret that could alter their life or someone else's, I would tell. How can you call yourself a friend if your letting yours suffer? Yes, by keeping secrets you are keeping trust, but there's a lot more to trust. Trust is having the other person's best interest in mind. To tell a harmless secret is bad, to tell a dangerous secret is good.

Beauty or Brains? - 22

If I had to choose between beauty or brains, I would choose brains. What is beauty without brains? Sure you can be voted most gorgeous women on the planted, but what would it be worth if you were empty inside? Plus, the better you get to know someone, the more pretty they become!

Although, I don't think brains would get me to far in this world. Nowadays everything is about the curves of you're face and body. People respect beautiful people.

I guess it all depends on what your values are and where you want to go in this world.

Women vs. Men - 21

The struggle for equality between women and men has gone on for ages -- 'The Battle of the Sexes.' Women have spoken up through the ages to fight for rights they felt were just. Now, the fight still continues, not for rights so much more, but instead for the proof that women can do anything as good if not better than men. "Anything you can do I can do better" is the argument of today.

I do think that women should have the same rights as men, but when it comes to doing their job, I say leave it up to the men. God created us in His image therefore we are equal in that, but He also made the women after the man, not the man could use that to control, but to protect. Women have their jobs and men have theirs. What a sight to watch a man try to change diapers, clean the house, and have dinner on the table on time! Now, women aren't the best at building houses and declaring war either. However, in some cases these roles have reversed.

God gave the women a caring, loving instinct to meet the needs of her husband and children. He also gave the man a protective and leadership spirit to be the head of the house and take care of the family's needs.

I don't think women should keep trying to do the man's job. He does it best, therefore he should do it. However, we live in a sad world so sometimes the woman has to take over and provide for the family. I don't see problem in that, but I do see a problem with women trying to take over. It's like they're getting revenge for the centuries of being so low. I think that we should just follow the plan God made for us.

Wonderful Thanksgiving - 20

This Thanksgiving was a great one! Nothing imparticular happened. It was just really nice to be able to visit with family that I haven't been able to see in a long while. I love being able to get together with my family and visit. Of course, like all the other families out there, mine is far from perfect, but they each one have something special to contribute when we get together. Thanksgivings are the best with my family. I love my family!

Spoiled by Television - 19

"Television hangs on the questionable theory that whatever happens anywhere
should be sensed everywhere. If everyone is going to be able to see
everything, in the long run all sights may lose whatever rarity value they
once possessed, and it may well turn out that people, being able to see and hear
practically everything, will be specially interested in almost nothing."

--E.B. White

White had the right stuff to say about TV. There is nothing in this world that cannot be seen through television, especially channels like the Discovery channel and other exploratory shows. However much footage a camera can obtain, it can never compare to how much better the human eye is. The camera can show only so much of life's beauty or sorrow. The eyes are what can tell whether something is gorgeous or sad.

The more TV that is watched, the more people's interest change. Once people have already seen their interests on the boob tube, they'll change to something they haven't seen yet. People really have become scattered in their interests because of TV. It's a sad thing. Television shouldn't be our way of seeing the world, nor should it be our interest changer. Only what is seen in real life should count, and that should be our changing factor.

One Isn't So Lonly--18

"The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with oneself."
-Mark Twain

I agree with Mr. Twain, being by yourself when you don't really know yourself, is terrible. However, when you do know yourself, it's a wonderful thing! I enjoy having time to myself--it's my recharge. Now, I also enjoy time with others. When you have too much time by yourself, it gets boring. God didn't create us to be loners. We need a social life. Although, if you don't know yourself, how can you really get to know others?

Boomers Back In School--17

I have just read "Heading Back to College" in the November 5, 2007, U.S. News & World Report, about baby boomers going back to school. A rather interesting article about adults, older adults (40-64 to be exact), enrolling in near by colleges and fulfilling their life long dreams.

I think it's great that adults are going back to school! Good for them. It's never too late to learn. However, they are suffering drawbacks. For example, college classes are mostly during the weekdays and most scholarships apply to the younger generation, those just graduating from high school. A lot of colleges are now adapting for their older enrollers, though.

I like that older people are going back to school. It makes me think that they'll be a good example to the younger generations. Maybe seeing adults going back to school to fulfill their lifelong dream will help the youngsters chose what they want right away, and not drag on their college years, trying to figure out what they want.

Mike Flynt is a a 59-year-old man who is going back to play college football. He is a businessman but a 'fitness guru,' as the article says. I think it takes a lot to back and play college football on the same teem he go kicked off of in the 1970's. Not only does it take mental power, but let's face it, he doesn't have the body he used too. I like his willingness and persistence. If I were in his shoes, I would probably rally up a neighbor hood team and play with others my age, then go and play with a lot of 'kids.'

What To Do? - 16

Life choices...college. Oh boy. Where do I start? Where to go and what to do?

There are so many options out there. I think I've about narrowed it down to about two things and two places. I would either like to go into the medical field, or become and English major and possibly go into teaching.

Nursing offers a wide variety of jobs. There are so many fields. I think I'd like to be a school nurse or a wound care nurse. Both interest me. Some down sides to nursing are the risks of bringing home sickness to my family and possibly the long hours (like a wound care nurse). Should I choose to go into nursing, the job opportunities are amazing! I could even go overseas if I wanted to. Caring for people is true happiness, I could see that in nursing.

Majoring in English leaves me with at least two job descriptions I'd like to do. I could be an English teacher or an author. English would be the more challenging career. I would really need to work on my spelling ( I'm not gifted like my mother in that area) , grammar, word usage, and content. Of course I would b e learning all this in college, should I choose a good school. I would love to teach. In fact, when I was little I wanted to be a teacher. On the other hand, being an author would have it's benefits. I could write books that could possibly lead many to Christ. How exciting would that be!

Now, of all the colleges and universities out there, I'm considering Andrews University or a community college for my general purposes only. I haven't really researched Andrews enough to judge it how I'd like to.

Money is also one of the big factors--always is! Well, whatever I choose and wherever I go, I'll try my best!

If I Were President...15

I were just elected to become the president of the United States, I'd be the first female president! Aside from changing history, I would try to accomplish all I could. The first I would like to do is try to boost the moral of the country. The U.S. is so corrupt. Next I would maintain religious freedom. The third thing I would do is try my hardest to bring the school systems to new a level.

Education is a very important part of our society. Unfortunately, it's going down fast. The future of America lies in the hands of some who won't understand what their doing. This matter is highly effects America's future.

I Love the Holidays! - 14

Holidays are happy days for me. My favorite would have to be Thanksgiving. That's the holiday all the family gets together. I really don't have a specific memory, but I just remember how Grandpa would always have the game on in the background and all the females would be in kitchen cooking. I, of course, the little tom-boy I was, would be running around in the ditches with my cousins. We would walk in the ditch and skate on the little pieces of ice we found, then crack it, either that or go build forts out in grandpa's field.

The holiday I most dislike would be Halloween. I remember canvassing on Halloween night my sophomore year. I just remember trying to beat the trick-or-treaters to all the doors, or I would walk up with them to the doors. No one was interested. I think I sold a cookbook though. I guess the only positive thing was the candy I got and even that wasn't the best!

Drinking With Mom and Dad? -13

Underage drinking has become a serious problem. However, instead of really condemning teenagers, it seems parents are now supporting their children by allowing them to drink at home. They believe that if they allow it in moderation, their teens won't use it as much. This is a problem because teens will, instead of seeing drinking as a bad thing, they'll see it as something they did when they were younger and will be less likely to give it up. With such a past, would they ever amount to much more than drinking on the weekends.

There are now social host laws being enforced because of the underage drinking at home. I think this will eliminate the drinking problem because the consequences of this law is quite harsh. Hopefully parents will start to think and see that when they host parties they are really hindering, not helping.

"Stricter parental liability, can reverse society's tacit acceptance of underage drinking..." (U.S. News & World Report article, "A Host of Trouble" Oct. 9, 2007) This is a great statement that I do hope parents will take into consideration. Parents need to set a right example and take a stand against their teens. What parents really need to do is sit their children down and talk to them about the effects of drinking. Some parents think it is best to let their children experience something in order for them to learn a lesson from it. I agree, depending on the child, but great caution needs to be taken with this parenting.

Parents take a huge responsibility as to what choices their children make. They are the ones who train their child in the way they should go. When a teen decides to go out to a party, drink and possibly drive home, parents should be liable for what happens to them. However, there are those kids who where raised with Godly parents, but because of their heredity, these choices sometimes come naturally to them.

I think parents need to Analyze their parenting when they see their children getting interested in drinking with them at home...

That Silly Cat! - 12

If it weren't for that eager kitten, I wouldn't be in this pickle. My kitten was rather parched this particular day. She absolutely refused to drink out of her little kitty-printed drinking bowl I had gotten for her. I neglected to recognize the fact that the bowl had had the same amount of water for the past couple of days, so instead, she would drink from the toilet, as most felines do.

Well, my toilet seat was broken, so for a quick fix, I duct-taped the seat together. All was fine for me, but this hindered my kitten from drinking because she didn't like getting stuck to the side of the toilet.

Her meowing soon became incessant and it seemed apparent she wanted me to follow her into the bathroom to remedy the problem. I followed close behind and saw she wanted a drink. I bent down to take the duct-tape off the seat so this could be a possibility. As I was doing this, she started to get excited and began to move in all sorts of directions. In and attempt to dodge her, I accidentally fell on the toilet, right on the exposed duct-tape! And that's how I ended up duct-taped to the toilet!

Greatness - 11

"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but for greatness, because greatness is determined by service." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Greatness is dependant upon one's desire for it. Everyone does have the potential for greatness; it's whether or not they choose acknowledge that they have it. Only those who act upon spreading what they are passionate about, become great. Martin Luther King Jr. was zealous about preaching the equality of men. He acted on it, and became great. It just takes action and willingness to achieve something, whether or not your recognized for what you've accomplished, is not important. Being great in God's eyes is what matter most.

Everyone Counts - 10

Immigration nowadays is viewed by many as a political problem, when it's illegal. However the foreigners that come to America are sometimes still viewed under the same catagory as, illegal immigrants, and therefore deemed as a problem. This is unfortunate because they come here and get jobs. Even the illegal immigrants are working. They are all doing the jobs that we feel are demeaning, and lower class. What they do is immportant.

Just think, the next time you step foot into a Taco Bell, who is serving you? What about the fresh fruits you get from the fruit stand along the highway? Who harvested that food? If they didn't do those jobs, who would? I think sometimes most Americas see themselves as to good to 'lower' themselves to do such jobs, yet, they are the ones giving them the most business! We should start appreciating those who do the small, dirty jobs because they affect our everyday lives the most. Dr. Suess puts its best: "A person is a person, no matter how small."

Objects in Mirror - 9

My friend and I had just gotten our hairs cut. We were loving our new look! Walking our way home, we would stop at most every store window we passed and take just a few moments to run our fingers though our hair and give it a good little flip.

While passing a parked truck, my friend thought she'd get a real good look in a true mirror, not a window. She turned in to look at herself in the side mirror and played with her hair for a good minute or two before she realized that someone was in the car! I wanted a good look at myself too, so as I started to turn into the side mirror, she grabbed my arm, "There's someone in the car!"
The words stumbled out over her laughter. I burst out in laughter too, but felt embarrassed because just as she pulled my arm, I saw the lady in the car, smiling at our vanity.

We ran away from that truck really fast!

I Want To Meet... - 8

Harriet Tubman was an underground 'railroad worker,' if you will. She endangered her life to save many - leading and directing slaves to freedom.

I would like to meat her because she was so couragous, caring, selfless, loving, fearless, and faithful. Despite the trails that she went through, she still persisted to help people without complaints.

10 Questions I would like to ask her:

1. How did you feel when you first knew you were free?
2. After traveling the underground railroad a few times, did you still have the same fear you felt the first time you traveled it?
3. Why did you still pursue going out and helping people, even when there was a warrant out for your arrest?
4. What made you desire freedom the most?
5. What made you decide to go back for more people when you were finally safe?
6. What was your most memorable experience?
7. Did you feel God's angels surrounding you on your travels?
8. How many times did you pray for protection?
9. Were you in continual fear or did you really feel the assurance of God's protection?
10. What compelled you to danger you life for others?

"...heart upon my sleeve..." - 7

From Shakespeare's Othello, 1604:

IAGO:

It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:
In following him, I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.

Only Shakespeare knows what he implied by, 'I will wear my heart upon my sleeve,' but it is up to us, the readers, to determine it's meaning. Others may have a different opinion, but I think it means being vulnerable. Putting your heart out there for all to see is being honest and real with your self and others.

Small Trends - 5

Small trends are becoming tomorrow's fads. Microtrends are little styles, ways, and hobbies with a small start but grow into fashion. Microtrenders are teenage knitters, left-handers, high-earners getting tattoos, and other peculiarities.

Microtrenders are a fast growing people. They seek to convey thier individuality though what trend they choose.

Mark Penn, the author of the book Microtrends, was hired by Hillary Clinton. I believe this is because he understands the fact those making less than $50,000 a year are more concerned on voting for where the candidates stand on issues. If she can connect and apply to that group of people, she has more of a chance at getting their votes.

Penn claims that his book was not a political pun, but with how close to the first primaries his book came out, and his relation with the Clintons, I think it's a political thing.

Mircrotrenders fall under a category of a "free society." The effect of this on America is that everyone is going to be more concerned how you feel and what makes you happy, more than what is right and what needs to be done. Our country is not prepared for what would happen should all be free to do as they please and accept all that goes on. Gay rights is a great example of how our society is alowing everything to take place - just as long as you "feel good."

Here, in the place I attend, a majority of the staff are single. Microtrends even occur in the smallest populations.

"Chemistry?...Oh dear..." 6

I walked into the Chemistry classroom with high hopes, I did my homework and I was ready for what ever, or so I thought. My smile grew into a frown as I saw the teacher writing on the white board what looked like some foreign language.

"Good morning class!" His cheerfulness more than made up for mine.

"Oh dear.." I was lost already. I crouched in my seat as I thought of what the class was going to unveil.

The wonderful and wise chemistry teacher went on to explain the formulas on the board, and how they applied to the chapter, but with every word I dove into a deeper hole of confusion.

The minutes dragged. I was board. I didn't understand. My thoughts drifted out the window onto the tree outside. The sun looked so inviting. I wanted to soak up the sun - anything other than chemistry!

The last minute came and he assigned us the dreadful homework. I walked out of their with nothing more than I had when I first walked in. I wondered how on earth I was ever going to get my homework done.

Always Remember...4

I walked into my little one room classroom school early that Tuesday morning. Within ten steps of entering, a classmate told me that the twin towers fell. I heard him rather clearly but the enormity of it did not sink in right away. My mind filled with questions of why, how, and when?

We watched the news for about half of the school day, and when I got home, I watched the news. I never watched so much news in my life! I was 12 years old and I didn't realize what that meant for America.

What I remember the most about that time, was that for the next couple of months, every one everywhere across the States called upon God. They saw for just a moment how precious life is, and they wanted to better theirs. I never saw America so united before.

When we forget the past, we can't make much of the future. I pray America will never forget what happened to her. It is these troubling, sad times that cause us to lean upon one another and unite us. Remembering 9/11 is remembering what we stand for - freedom. We are the United States, and so, let us remain.

Pondering in the Sun - 3

The sun sprinkled me with it's little rays of warmth. It felt so good to bury my fingers in the cool sand and watch the clear waters of Lake Tahoe glimmer in the afternoon sun. It was nice to have a day where I didn't have to worry about tests or being late for class...I could just relax.

As I laid there, thinking such wonderful things about nothing, a friend suggested we get into the water. Since this was my last and final year, I thought I should i should carry on tradition. Well, instead of consciously wading in the water until my extremities got used to the chilled water, she and others deiced I needed to get in quicker. My whole body went numb as I went under. I came up with a gasp for air and wanting something warmer.

The water wasn't too bad once I couldn't feel it anymore. I swam for just a little until I decided that I wanted to feel my toes again. So I laid again in the warm sun and pondered more about absolutely nothing!

Free Living - 2

When I was younger, it made me mad that all these Mexicans were crossing the border, increasing their population, and having everything being changed into Spanish. "This is America - an English speaking country!" I would say.

While giving my opinion about this matter to my mother one day, she helped recognize that they are people just like us. And like us, they seek oportunity. They want a better life then what they have in Mexico and they see that they can have that here.

Unfortunately, a majority are going about it the easy, but wrong way. By crossing the border and having babies, they automatically become U.S. citizens. When they become citizens, they get on welfare and live off America. Economically, this is not good. America is increasing it's tax dollar so that it can support those on welfare. I do not agree with this because I feel they are getting a 'free ride' though out they're stay here.

Those who get free things all the time are not gratefull. I do understand that they are wanting a better life, however, is it really a better life when you don't work for it?

I don't think Mr. Felipe Calderon is really trying his best to really help decrease illegal immigration. His talk of how America is breaking up Mexican families and stopping the money being sent there, is just a guilt trip he's trying to put America - I think.

With all the Mexicans that are coming over and bringing their religion (mainly Catholicism), it is just going to help the Pope and the president when they decide to enforce the Sunday Law. The end of this world is soon to come and I am ecstatic!!!

Ten Little Things to Help Round the World - 1

1. Put other's needs above yours.
   
2. Always think, "How is this going to affect those around me."


3. Read your Bible and pray every day.
   
4. Pick up your trash.
5. Give the bigger half to your friend.
6. Have an attitude of, "I care."
7. At a restaurant, stack the dishes - make the waiter's job a little easier.
8. Go the extra mile and smile about it.
9. Hold the door open for strangers.
10. Never, ever complain!