City Girl

beetlejusLeave a comment

I find myself often dreaming about cities far away from the sheltered place I called home.  New York, London and Tokyo called my name, but I couldn’t respond to them. 

Seeing picture of New York made my heart ache.  I longed for the busy streets, bright lights and the constant noise New York would give me.  Part of me wanted the city because I would become invisible.

Living in a city where no one knew your name was a comfort for me.   As someone who has only lived in small towns, the thought of fading into the background excited me.   In my life, I’ve only ever called one place my home, as I get older and more mature I look for new places to call my home.  

At the ripe age of sixteen, I have become bored with my life and I hope for something bigger and better.   

When I walk the streets of New York, or nearly any city I visit, I look around at the houses and apartment buildings and think about how my life would have been different if I lived there. 

I would be a city girl, with the street smarts of a mature woman in the body of a teenage girl.  I would be cultured and smart and everything that mattered in the world would be down the street from my house.  I craved the status being in a city would give me.

  As selfish is that may sound, It seemed fine to me.  I wanted to be happy, and I felt the only way to do that is to be in a bigger place.  

Where you live doesn’t matter though, this is something I have found out.

  Whether it be in Ojai or New York or some small town that you can’t even find on a map, it matters who you’re with and what you feel inside. 

Moving to a bigger city isn’t going to make all of my problems go away, and the years I spent thinking that was only due to the blind hope I still had in the world. 

Credit to Pexels.com

Wanderlust

Image raining171 Comment

If I could live anywhere in the world, I wouldn’t limit myself to one location – I would backpack across the world and escape from society, exploring each corner of the earth. I would separate myself from civilization as I went from place to place, exploring my inner self and soothing my soul. Wherever I […]

Thanksgiving Debunked

mariethearistocatLeave a comment

Tonight, the dormers come back from their homes/vacation stays and start unpacking and studying after our wonderful Thanksgiving break. This past week I’ve thought a lot about what I’m thankful for. I’ve also thought a lot about what Thanksgiving means, and did a little research on how this holiday came to be. After some research, I found out one thing I shouldn’t be thankful for: this holiday.

My quest to find out the truth behind Thanksgiving started with this video:

Franchesa Ramsey, the creator and main actor in this video, brings up startling facts and those certain facts make me ashamed to celebrate this holiday.

Thanksgiving is what I like to call an “American Guilt Holiday.” What’s an American Guilt Holiday? Well, to keep it short: An American Guilt Holiday is a holiday, usually where schools and some workplaces take the day off, to celebrate victories of our ancestors, but refuse to acknowledge the atrocities that lead to that victory. Most Americans know about the first Thanksgiving feast, which was a three-day celebration to showcase the parity of the English settlers and Wampanoag people. However, this wasn’t because the settlers and Indigenous people were kind, neighboring groups. In fact, the Plymouth colony took their land and the Wampanoag’s savvy hunting and growing skills to essentially overthrow these kind people.

The settlers came to America with one mission: colonization. They wanted to settle in America and take up as much land as possible before other countries stole it. However, they weren’t familiar with the idea that others had already lived in this land before them. Native American tribes had lived relatively peacefully among one another. If one tribe was struggling with game or growing, they’d ask to use some of another’s tribe territory, and more times than not, they’d be able to borrow the other tribe’s land. Before Europeans, there was no “real estate,” a Christian concept brought to America with the colonists. So, when the English arrived wanting land, the Native Americans didn’t know that they wouldn’t get their land back. They were pushed out of their homes by force, usually via guns or bombs, or enslaved to work for the home-stealers.

The Native Americans had lived on these lands before anyone else; thus, knowing every little detail needed to survive in this territory. The Europeans used the Indigenous people as human manuals. Like any beginning country, the pilgrims had many problems; the main problem being food. Without any knowledge of their “New World,” their crops died and livestock was hard to find. They turned their sad fate around and made their days without food “Days of Fasting” to pray to God for a better outcome. When they did get food, they feasted and celebrated God and their good fortune and they called these meals “Thanksgiving,” as they were giving thanks to God. The colonists wrote that word down, and the name for this holiday was born. Most of their food was given to them by local Native American tribes, however, the Puritans never shared it.

This holiday wasn’t even celebrated country-wide until 16 years after the “First Feast.” It was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln, after the New Americans had a great feast celebrating the great massacre of the Pequot tribe. Basically, this holiday was started as a celebration of murdering, infecting, and raping an entire population of people and pushing them out of their land. Speaking of the Native Americans, (or the ones left, anyways) they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead, they use it as a Day of Mourning. They pray for their ancestors and family killed by the Puritans.

Why does all this matter? Well, history books have twisted this holiday. If more people knew what truly started this holiday, we wouldn’t be smiling and laughing at the dinner table while eating turkey and pumpkin pie (both of which weren’t present in the first Thanksgiving feast). I hope next year you really think about the true meaning of this holiday and are thankful for you and your ancestor’s good fortune on this holiday.

 

Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-greener/the-true-story-of-thanksg_b_788436.html

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/videos/bet-you-didnt-know-thanksgiving

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/videos/history-of-the-thanksgiving-holiday?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false

 

 

Foods I Hate

happyrose151 Comment

I’m a picky eater.

I am the type of person who spends 20 minutes ordering at a restaurant because of all the substitutions.

I know a lot of people are like this (or at least I hope), and if anyone reading this takes me out to eat, I hope this helps you.

The first food that I strongly dislike are tomatoes. Especially raw tomatoes. If you like raw tomatoes, you are a strong person. The texture, the taste, and basically everything about tomatoes makes me sick to my stomach. I’m pretty sure the reasons that tomatoes are red is because they are the spawn of satan.

If that doesn’t show how picky of an eater I am, here is number 2

Oranges. I really wish I like oranges. Trust me a tried. As a youngster, at half time at my soccer games, I would always grab a slice of orange, but I just couldn’t do it. The texture is the only thing that really puts me off.  It’s just that when ever the orange hits my teeth, bam, instant gag reflex. (I apologize to anyone who hates the word gag.) As a substitution, go with apples. I like apples.

The last food I don’t like is iceberg lettuce. The texture sends shivers down my spine and it also has zero taste. Also it is basically all water. If I’m going to eat something I better enjoy it. If you want something with more nutritional value, try spinach.

If you get me any of these foods, I can not promise that our friendship will continue.

Credit: cheezburger.com

 

False Hope

hubbabubba98Leave a comment

Tuesday morning I woke up, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and prepared myself  for another day in the life of a high school senior. However, that morning was slightly different than all of the other ones I’ve had since my senior year started.

As I was stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what I was going to wear for yet another Tuesday, my mom ran into my room holding a big package. She said the words I had been waiting to hear, for what felt like an eternity,         “It’s here, it’s here!!” I turned around to see my mom holding a big envelope, with the words, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. For those of you who don’t know, a big envelope means accepted and a small envelope means denial.

My stomach flip-flopped and I was overcome with excitement and nervousness. My heart began to pound as I crossed the small distance from my closet to where my mom was standing. I took the envelope from my mom, preparing my self for the exciting news that would impact my future immensely.

I couldn’t get the envelope open fast enough. I ripped it open, pulling its contents out, looking for the words               ” Congratulations!”,  saying that I had been accepted.

As I scanned the letter, looking for the words that would make or break my day I realized that this letter was not what I though it was. My stomach dropped as I realized that this was simply just another news letter, outlining the programs that the school has to offer.

Senseless Violence

paris22Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Dailymail.co.uk

Quite frankly, when I thought about writing a post on the ISIS attacks over this past weekend I was afraid. Yes, I was afraid of speaking my mind about ISIS, in fear of ISIS. But, as I mulled over this I realized how wrong it was for me to be scared to voice my opinions because of a group who threatens many others for speaking theirs. So, I am writing this blog post because I will not let a terrorist group stop me from speaking my mind, because that’s what they want me and many others to do. ISIS staged an attack on Paris, but not only them, Paris is just ISIS’ most recent victim. ISIS also attacked Egypt and Beirut only weeks ago. And for what? Because they don’t agree with the way they live? Because traditions and norms that are shared throughout the US, UK, France, and more don’t coincide with how the members of ISIS choose to live? Is that why countless people have been killed, and not just by ISIS, in terrorist attacks? I could keep guessing the reasons, but honestly I don’t know.  And it gets even more twisted when I, personally, even try to conceive or understand how someone could kill innocent people, and for what I ask again? And though this post is surmised mostly of questions, that is all I have in this situation. Because it’s something that isn’t understandable. This isn’t a hard math problem, or a trick question that you finally understand after an explanation from the teacher; this is real life. Real, twisted life. And when one tries to explain a situation like this, only more questions arise. I mourn for all of the people who lost their lives, and I am deeply saddened. But I will not let these type of people deter me from living my life the way I want. And I will not live my life in constant fear that this will happen to me, and neither should anyone else.

ISIS CRISIS PART TWO

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Photo Credit: http://www.wnd.com

If you haven’t read Isis Crisis (part one) you probably should right now.

This week’s attacks on Paris have left me stunned beyond all belief. I cannot believe that ISIS has progressed to the point of being able to get bombs into supposedly relatively high security countries.

I can fathom how it is that these terrorists are able to commit these acts, but one though ticks me to the point of obsession; WHY is it ISIS commits these attacks.

How is it that people get so desperate that they result to killing others as a measure of success?

As I sit here writing this blog, I attempt to wrap my mind around the thought-process of an ISIS terrorist.

As terrible as it is, I want to know why people are driven to commit these acts of violence.

Is it religion? Resources? Simply the way this group of people was raised?

Hilary Clinton offered a very well-explained option as a next step in the fight against ISIS; more allied plans, more airstrikes, and a “broader target set”.

This seems to be the most logical idea that has been expressed, and I hope she is taken seriously, because it’s time we start shutting this down.

 

Fast Pass

raining17Leave a comment

It’s finally Thanksgiving break!

The stretch from the start of school to Thanksgiving break is the longest stretch without breaks. And we’ve made it through!

From here on out, it’s just break after break, with only a few weeks in between. We’ve made it thus far, and it’s almost like we’ve all obtained a sort of fast pass for the rest of the school year as a reward. 

Photo Credit: vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net

School is always crazy right before breaks, with teachers giving insane amounts of homework and squeezing in tests before students leave and forget all information as the week runs its course. Similarly, students are packing up to go home, frantically washing and drying clothes, and gathering up all they need to bring home.

Classrooms, dorms, you name it. It’s all hectic!

It’s all done in good spirit though, as students are ever so excited to finally head home. As Thanksgiving break is the first of the year, students are looking forward to going home and reuniting with their family and friends.

This week is the longest of any, as the anticipation is building and building. But soon everyone will be aboard airplanes, en route back to welcoming homes!

That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore

beetlejus1 Comment

I’m not going to apologize for my humor anymore.

 My whole life I’ve had a very dry and edgy sense of humor, and with it I have attracted many close friends and also a couple enemies.  I was the most sarcastic kid on the playground, often getting in little fights with the kids around me because of this.

Back in my salad days, as Shakespeare would call them, I didn’t understand why people would get so worked up about my jokes.  As I got older, I realized my sense of humor was more mature than the people around me. 

When they were still on bathroom jokes, I had moved on to bigger things.  I would impersonate celebrities and my teachers, I would make jokes about current events, it was smart humor but my classmates never got it. 

I was no class clown though.  I was fairly quiet in class, always paying attention and raising my hand.  At lunch though, I was on fire.  I would come up with little sketches that I would then act out to my unwilling group of friends.  I remember I had one about Panda Express that was a big hit.  I don’t remember what is was about at all but it was quoted for weeks.

When I got to middle school, things changed.  Maybe it was my sudden realization that I could be judged for being “out there.”  My proudest moment in middle school was in the 7th grade.  The 7th grade was a god awful year for me and honestly drowning is probably better than 7th grade but it did have one shining moment.

 For the first year in my middle school’s history they would be having a play. Not a musical, but a play. 

I was so pumped it was unbelievable.  When I would talk about the play people probably wondered who the hell gave this 13 year old girl so much sugar, but it wasn’t sugar I was high off of, it was the theatre. Cheesy as that sounds, it rang very true for 13 year old, slightly chubby me. 

When I first auditioned I was scared out of my mind.  I found out there was only 10 parts in the show we were doing and only 3 of those parts were for girls.  I did my best in the audition, which wasn’t surprising because I always do my best in the things I really care about.

A week later, when the cast list came out, I screamed.  I screamed out of joy because I got in.  I Lily, the awkward, sometimes accidentally insulting, braces wearing girl got into a real play.  Of course the play was awful, as you would expect it to be since the cast was completely made out of middle school outsiders, but I thought it was amazing.  I thought I was amazing. 

Every single show, when I heard laughs from the audience because of something I said, it filled me with so much joy.   At the cast party, the director gave out little speeches to all of the young actors.  When it came to my turn to be praised, the director simply told me how funny I could be.  It made a huge impact on me.

Never had I actually been told I was funny. I just told jokes and would occasionally get laughs. 

In high school I was on the improv team and would get up on stage every week.  I began to write little comedy scenes for myself and keep them in a file on my computer.  

Comedy is something really important to me, and I’ve started using it as a cover for the real things I’m feeling.  I am not defined as a person by the jokes I tell so stop judging me for my humor. 

Credit to NBC

Grow Up

whynotstayinLeave a comment

Sometimes it seems like the world should just stop moving, so why doesn’t it. Why is it that the world has such little regard for the daily goings of its inhabitants.

Like the saying justice is blind, maybe the world is too.

Justice is Blid
Photo Credit: https://www.reddit.com

Like a mother unseeing of her child’s flaws.

But we the inhabitants don’t have the liberty of being children, because the world won’t just stop being a mother. So guess what childhood’s over.

It’s time to put away all those guns synonymous with a child’s pea shooter. To put away all those stink bug bombs, all those parking lot fist fights all that sibling hate.

Training wheels are off. Sink or swim.

The monsters in the closet are real. That hand wrapped around your ankle leading off into the dark under your bed. Hate and brutality is etched into the dry papery skin of that hand and arm. The monster in the closet is made up up of apathy and fear.

Monster Under the Bed
Photo Credit: https://www.tumblr.com

It’s time to take the night light out of the wall and face those monsters on their home turf.