I just finished reading a novel called “Lullabies for little criminals.” This book is amazing…I do not like reading for pleasure, ever, but I finished this book in like 3 and a half weeks, which is crazy, for me anyways. I don’t want to say too much about it, because you all HAVE to read it, but I’ll give away some of the plot. The book is based over like two years of this young girl’s life. The little girl’s name is Baby and she is 12-13. Baby always only knew poverty and she eventually got into horrible things such as drugs and prostitution. It is remarkable how incredibly child-like her mind and description stays and at the same time, she is living a life no child should ever know. One of Baby’s descriptions that stayed in my mind, was one she made about the moon one night, she said the moon was “like a hole in the elbow of a black sweater”, describing how the moon peaked brightly out of an all black sky. I am never one of those people to encourage others to read, because I really never do but Oh my Goodness you must read this book! haha. You will be saddened, happy, freaked out, it just plays with all your emotions and makes you wonder how anyone could live the way Baby and her 25 year old Father do. This book helped me realized how severely-troubled children think, and how they feel that they cannot turn back, once they have gone too far with the wrong things. It was an amazing book! Thanks for letting me borrow it C-vet. — jo
So, as much as I talk about how I feel a little mature for my age, my birthday reminded me that I’m going to hold on dearly to my youth… I never wanted to rush to grow up, but I never intended on forcing myself to act younger when it doesn’t come naturally to me… I just am the way I am… When my birthday came this year, I realized, WOW, it really isn’t as exciting as it used to be. Of course the partying was exciting, and you can ask Nicole about that, but as far as sitting down with the family for supper, it felt like any other day. I remember when I was younger, I used to be obsessed with pink, (gr.8 or so) and for my birthday I got a pink hat, shirt, and pink camo capris. It was such a huge deal to me. This year I took the time to read the cards that I receieved and really look at what each person put into their writing, or picking out a certain card. For instance, I totally bawled when I read my Mom’s card, just because it was so thoughtful. And my boyfriend’s card, was short and hillarious, kinda like him. HAHAHA. 
Anyways, Birthdays are great, I love being 18 now, I just realized that I should be cherishing everyday like it was my birthday, be thankful for being on earth one more day, instead of waiting on one day to celebrate. I’m going to start celebrating my birth everyday, because life is good! I encourage you to do the same. —-jo .xx.oo.
It really doesn’t matter
where he sleeps at night
It really doesn’t matter
if he loves to fight
It really doesn’t matter
whether he’s happy or he’s sad
It really doesn’t matter
whether the doctors think he’s mad
It doesn’t really matter
If he changed his name
It doesn’t really matter
If he’s not the same
It wouldn’t really matter
If he were deaf, or if he couldn’t see
Nothing matters more
Than the fact that he’s family
Because I am not a brief person or an easily-understood person, I have a bunch of life stories I think, so I wrote a bunch of six word thingys. Here they are…
I always learn the hard way (This is because I love learning the hard way, I hate NOT doing something, just because I was told not to, I have to do it myself and learn not to do it again, by my own mistakes.)
Money is nothing of true value (This is because I learned from growing up in a wealthy family that the things I have recieved from my parents that were material, really mean, not so much now. The times that my Dad took time to give me a hug before he made a business phonecall or that fact that my Mom still makes my lunch every morning…those things mean everything to me.)
Blessed with more than I deserve (Simple, I am truly blessed with so much more than I deserve, my friends love me no matter what I do, they know who I am, my family is the same, I know I could screw up horribly and still be loved and accepted and even the fact that I am a Canadian. What did I do that made me so blessed to live in Canada, instead of Haiti, or Uganda…places where I probably wouldn’t survive?)
You love, You risk, You trust (This is because I believe that in order to love someone, it takes alot of risk, risk of your own safety and a lot of untrust and worries you may have. Also, I believe that after taking this risk, you first learn to truly trust another person, and maybe which people not to trust.)
Ready to mature, stuck in adolescence ( This one I wrote because I hear people my age talking about how they can’t imagine heading off to college in September, or how they love being immature and in some ways, I totally agree…being immature will always be a small part of everyone! As far as being scared or surprised that I am moving into the next chapter in my life, I’m not. I am totally ready and I think it’s exactly the timing it should be. I feel as though, if anything, it’s going to slow. And I know, don’t be in a rush to grow up. I’m not, because I already have grown up, I am just ready. I’m not worrying about not fitting in, in college, or how things will work out, because I have a peace that it just will.)
I heard this song the other day on the radio, and I loved this singer’s voice. It was like a mix of Sarah Maclaughlin (whose name I don’t think I can spell) and Colbie Caillat. After I heard this song, the singer performed on Ellen. The singer’s name is Leona Lewis and the song is called Bleeding Love. I love this song for the rhythm and also because it shows both sides of love, even as she says she won’t listen to everybody and she’s happy to fall in love… the fact is that she is saying she’s “bleeding” love. This song uses really graphic images and also just simple feelings that everyone goes through and will be able to relate with. This creates depth within the song, without being confusing or sounding like a “this is what I’m going through,” kind of song. It allows the listener to understand the feeling through the metaphors in the lyrics. Here are the lyrics if you wanna check it out…
LEONA LEWIS- BLEEDING LOVE
I didn’t need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you’re frozen
But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melts into the ground
Found something true
And everyone’s looking round
Thinking I’m going crazy
But I don’t care what they say
I’m in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don’t know the truth
My heart’s crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open
Trying hard not to hear
But they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears
Try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal
Is to keep me from falling
But nothing’s greater
Than the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
Yet everyone around me
Thinks that I’m going crazy, maybe, maybe
But I don’t care what they say
I’m in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don’t know the truth
My heart’s crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open
And it’s draining all of me
Oh they find it hard to believe
I’ll be wearing these scars
For everyone to see
This week I’ve really been looking back on my life. Yah, yah I’m only seventeen, but as far as life events go, the last few years were kind of dramatic for me. Lately, I’ve been having the strangest dreams, mixing people who used to be in my life, with people who are now and just CRAZY situations. I just wish I could make a statement to those a few years older than me. Go ahead, call me kiddo, oh so young, but I’ve learned more from the few-less events I’ve been through in life and I’m ok with being young, just don’t call me niave. Alot of the people I hang out with on weekends are alot older than me, probably by 8 or 10 years, so talking about school makes me feel immature, but really I am probably alot more educated than they are and in my opinion, therefore more mature. Anyways, Bell rang, so I’m out. I will follow up later. – JO
The sound of a whistle floats above.
Pale green, long and thin strings of wild grass lean with the gentle gust,
it’s a draft on a winter night and my skin is chilled.
Chills from the cold and chills from the memory…
memory of a frozen place; reality.
But when I squint and I open my eyes I am reminded of this warmth-
this place in my head where I truly am, and I can truly always be.
The sun hurts my head and I have proof of this beauitful rapture in my own mind.
A never-ending shoreline,
my traced body in the sand,
a valley to my left
I’m with my essence, hand in hand.
Stuck inside a stare
and strangers wonder where I am.
I’m in this ecstasy,
my home in a faraway land.
I was browsing the blogs, and I came across Nicole’s and how she had written questions to spark comments, and a topic came into my mind. Dentists…and how they ALWAYS talk to you while they are shoving a million dental tools down your throat.
“How’s your summer going?”
“Well maybe if you took the needle and mirror out of my mouth, I could tell you.”
Haha. I am so rude, but really, is it too much to ask to just do your job, and ask questions, when it’s a little less emberassing to answer. I always slobber all over the place, just trying to say, “going to college,” as I try to smile politely, and the flouride is going everywhere. It’s just a sketchy situation. I guess a lot of people hate the dentist to begin with, I actually don’t mind it, for the cleaning part, but I just wondered, if you all had any stories about the dentist, or if you guys agree. Is it just my dentist that talks to me with his tools in my mouth? Let me know, because if so, I think I’ll switch. – jo
Hey all! So, my mother is leaving for Africa, specifically, Kampala, Uganda. Uganda is located in between Kenya, and the Republic of the Congo…two very dangerous places right now. I am so nervous about it, but I have to remind myself she will be safe with the network. She is travelling with the IN network, as she is helping with schooling and orphanages over there and she is so excited to go! My mom is probably the most brave woman in the world, in my eyes of course, but the trips she takes, just to make a difference in a few children’s lives. She is so selfless and loving. She travelled to Nicaragua a few years back and actually built schools for children, now she’s taking off for Uganda. Crazy!!! I love my mom, and I’m so sad to see her leave, because I don’t know what I’ll do without her, but I know this is something important to her. I am so excited as well, especially to see the pictures when she gets home, because she is going to be going on a safari, and sleeping over night in a hut, and she will be seeing animals of all kinds. I put my blog under the categories of world event and of my own life experience, cause I figure it’s pretty worldly, that my mother is headed to Africa on Valentine’s Day (not to mention my favourite day,) and she won’t be back home for two and half weeks. I put it under my own life experience, because I don’t know about you guys, but I am SUPER UPER dependent on my mother, in an emotional way, but also physical. She always makes my lunch, cooks for me, does my laundry, makes my bed. I know, I am spoiled rotten, and yes I can do some of these things on my own. Mostly though, I won’t miss the things she does for me, but more less just having someone to hug every morning before I go out to the bus, or talk about my day with when I come home. So if you see me next week, bawling my eyes out, just hug me please. hehe. – jo
I have recently been studying the smoke-free campaigns that are present, and I have noticed some of the stupid.ca advertisements. I love these commercials, they are hilarious, first of all, but they catch your attention and really get across the point of how stupid smoking really is. A few examples of these commercials are: a guy sitting in the tub with his toaster plugged in, in the water, then the catch phrase is something like, “this is stupid, another thing that is stupid, is smoking.” … A girl standing outside in a lightning storm, holding a lightning rod and smiling. The catch phrase for this commercial is somewhat similar.
In challenge and change, we are working on researching smoke-free ads and campaigns, and I know, on a more personal note, that my boyfriend is quitting smoking right now, and some of the facts I found, were so useful that I printed them off to show him. Even if you are a non-smoker, it is interesting to see what your loved ones or friends may be inhaling. Also, to see what happens to second-hand smokers, (especially if you are a second-hand smoker yourself.)
Anyways, Check it out and learn more about how to quit, or enforce non-smoking to the people around you. — jo
You are the days at the beach,
the diamond in my necklace,
the bloodline of royalty.
You are forever in my heart.
You are the christmas wrapping,
the minute before a speech,
the last number in a countdown.
You are excitement in my fingertips.
You are a new born baby,
the wedding march’s tune,
the reunion of a soldier.
You are joy in my soul.
You are a concentration headache,
the calloused fingertips,
the view of the finish line.
You are the determination in my will.
You are the guard that doesn’t move,
the great wall of China,
the safe that I belong in.
You are the protector in my eyes.
You are the dawn and dusk,
the importance of winning,
the rotate of my earth.
You are everything in my life.
The murmur of students joking, reminds her of flies,
buzzing around her head,
never-ending, annoying, frustrating
she’s a harvested row, in a field of newly planted corn
she is ready for replanting, but she must wait for the frost to melt
the frost of decisions, stress, time, and not having enough of it
when she inhales, her throat itches, her back tense
her ribs are sore from unbelonging
here she exsists, merely exsists
but when she exhales, she goes to another place
to the life she’s a part of, she’s involved in
her tight toes release, and they crack all the eggshells beneath her
she blows up her own balloon, hangs on tight and flies away
Hey all, so I was thinking about a topic to write about, in the category of world events, and I realized that I know nothing about current issues, and that would be exactly what I should write about. I know that I am way behind on all the current issues in the world, but I also know there are plenty of students my age, who are in the same boat. We don’t enjoy watching the news everynight, or reading the paper, even researching topics about world events in our spare time, as some of our peers do, so we end up being behind on class discussions at times. I wish, at WO, there was a current events course. Sounds sort of immature, but if you think about, it would be a really intellectual course. The curriculum, could make it part of the class to keep up on topics around the world, that are current, do projects on the events, and have discussions based upon them. I feel that because some of us, wouldn’t do this during our spare time, or some of us, that don’t have spare time to do this, would totally be interested in joining a course like this.
I know that as of now, WO has a World Issues course, and I am in that course, and let me just say, that we have not covered a single world issue, ( this may be because it is split between environmental studies and world issues, and our teacher happens to know more about the environment,) but I still think, that current issues, issues happening everyday around the World, would be such an interesting, and fulfilling course. It would allow us to speak intellectually about changes in the world today, and how they are impacting our lives specifically. I think it would also engage more students in groups such as students without borders. If more students were aware of some of the problems in the world, they might be more likely to want to help out with them. Just my thoughts on World Events as a whole. Feedback always welcome 
– peace out- jo
There is a song, by Frankie J, called Daddy’s Little Girl, and although I am not the mushiest girl, especially when it comes to songs, this song makes me cry every single time I hear it. I will post the lyrics underneath my analysis. This song’s first verse, is from the perspective of a young girl. She is begging God to make sure her Daddy doesn’t leave, and trying to explain to her Dad, that her Mom is saying things she doesn’t mean, and that she will be really good, and try hard in school. This part makes me so sad, she is such an innocent child, trying to do whatever she can, and I have seen the affects of an absent father in a woman’s life and thinking about it makes me upset. The second verse, talks about someone who’s father is passing away, and in the bridge of this song, I remember that I was watching the video one day, and there was a soldier, who’s daughter came out, and saluted him, while tears were streaming down her face, and around her neck, was her father’s dogtags. This gets me everytime, because I have such a sympathy, and respect for children and families who are war-stricken, in any kind of way. I can imagine, saying goodbye to my mother or father every month or so, sending them off to war. I have so much respect for those of you who have grown up without a father, who’ve lost someone they love, and those who still have to say goodbye all the time, and send someone they love, off to war.
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Once upon a time, I wanted to be a racer
In a car, speeding by, I wanted to be a chaser
Once upon a time, I wanted to be a nurse
Or maybe reading minds, sending out a curse
Once upon a time, I wanted to fly
To breathe and feel, amongst the clouds in the sky
Once upon a time, my dreams could be anything
And now I feel my options for life are slim
Once upon a time, I was a child
Growing into an adult, I was in complete denial
My dreams now, are different, a little more real
With problems that I faced, I learned how to deal
Once upon a time, I was nieve and happy
Now, the pain and hurt, is what I can see
Once upon a time, I wanted to grow up fast
Not holding on to innocence, thinking it would last
Once upon a time, my life changed, just today
I realized that I am a voice, a voice with something to say
In the first few weeks of September, I did something I had never done before. I moved! Not a big deal, to those of you used to moving around from community to community, especially not a big deal to those of you who have moved from a totally different area. For me, it was the biggest deal in the world, (at the time.) I had lived in the same house for 17 years, in Plattsville, and I was happy with that the way it was.
When my parents informed me for the first time that we were moving, I was very angry. Once I got to start planning my new room I got a little more excited, but still upset, because I remembered as a kid, I promise my parents, I would never move out of our house. I loved my house, and I thought it would be the only place I would ever feel at home. I feel at home, only at a few places, my old house, at my best friend Chantelle’s, and at my boyfriend Jay’s. After my father explained to me that the plans for building a new house on the lot we bought, would not work and tghat we would be living in part of a barn, I was furious. The deal is, we bought an 88 acre farm and it has a massive shop and office, and barn connected to it. The office part of the building, we rennovated into our house, so on the outside it’s a little rough, but the inside, became a beautiful home. I love my new house now, and I love changing my room around, and expressing myself now, as opposed to living in my old room from when I was a child.
I am so happy I’ve moved on with my life, and grew up enough, to enjoy change, for once in my life. I could be ready to move out whenever my time comes, and I love changing things around now. I’m just wondering, if you guys have as much trouble with change, as far as changing your environment or not.
I just seen the malteser commercial. For those of you unsure of what a malteser is, it’s a chocolatey ball with a crunchy inside. In my opinion, they are soooooo good!!!! Anyways, these new commericals they’ve got out are absolutely adorable, but in some ways ridiculous. The commercial I just seen, is of a pregnant woman, with a malteser on her belly, and the baby inside, kicks it off. Her and her husband laugh, and it’s such a sweet moment. What i think is ridiculous about this commercial, is that they are using a sweet, loving family moment being used as an advertisement. This moment, is such a special moment with a new family, and I was kind of disgusted that this chocolate company, tried to imply that this type of moment would only happen with a malteser packet in hand. Anyways, I just wanted to see what you guys thought of the commercial, or the fact that commercials are often using special moments to endorse their product.
Age is just a number
At most, it measures wisdom
Age is just a symbol
Of the years that you’ve been given
Age is just a collection
Of thoughts and memories
Age is not a title
Of who you want to be
My age will not match up
With who I am right now
His age will always be far ahead
To catch up, I’m unsure how
But in truth, I never want to
For it would end the connection between
The person who I truly love
For who he has always been
About a month ago, I went and seen “A mighty heart,” in theatres, because my FAVOURITE actress of all time was playing in it. After I was reeled in by the names playing, I really got interested in the movie. The movie’s plot is based on a true story, about a reporter and his wife reporting in Karachi, when the reporter, Daniel Pearl, goes missing. His wife, Mariane Pearl, insists on a search including everyone from Pakistani Police to the U.S. embassy and F.B.I. The biggest question for Mariane, is the why, is it because her husband was born a jew? Or could it be because of his history of Journalism with the CIA. Through the search, Mariane demonstrates a strong-willed woman, who loves her husband dearly and will do everything in her power to find him.
This movie meant alot to me, not only because itshowed alot of a totally different culture, and living through that,but it showed the perfect picture of what a strong woman is. I loved Angelina’s character, it was so in depth and it still remained realistic. The movie, “A Mighty Heart,” is a must-see, for both men and women, it paints a truly beautiful picture!
Today, while pondering my blogging topics, Matt address to me, something that caused me to go into cardiac arrest. HaHa. The age of consent in Canada today is 14 years old! If you are unaware of the meaning of “age of consent,” it means legal age, with consent, that one is allowed to have sex. Are you kidding me?!?!?! Personally, maybe I am a little biast, for I wear a purity ring, promising abstinence, until marriage, but even still, a 14 year old, not even at the end of their adolescence, having sex. That just doesn’t seem right to me. If there is an exception of a 14 year old, being mature enough for sex, I think, that 14 year old has grown up too quickly, probably from traumatic events that happened when they were younger, and are not emotionally stable for sex.
I do not agree with this law,and I am curious to see our class’s opinion. Don’t be afraid to disagree with me, I wrote this for commenting purposes. This law shocked me, but maybe some of you think this is an acceptable age. Mr. Cvetich, I would love to hear what you think about this, because it’s a totally different ballgame, when you have children who these laws may apply to. Thanks for reading!
seasons change, just like me
friends fall gracefully, just like leaves
the frost reminds me of the hearts
of those that choose to sit in the dark
they say those who matter won’t mind
not exactly the case, but still i find
she cares, but she’s there
she grows with me,
with changes everyone can see
we’ll always grow together
the pine trees standing forever
my childhood memories,
my future’s destiny
until we’re old and grey
that’s how we’ll always stay
we watch friends come and go
“we” being the keyword, we always know
we’re sisters with different bloodlines
…eternally entwining vines
Hey everyone! Now that I’ve finally got this blog thing, half-decently working, I thought for sure, everyone would comment if I wrote about something in my life, that you can all relate to. More and more, I’ve become excited about College/University, finally finishing off high-school and moving on with my life. At the same time, there has been a lot of great help from counsellors and work-shops, but instead of registering the information given to me, I always seem to get more and more stressed out. I can’t remember half of what the speaker has said, because I’m so worried about how much schooling is going to cost, how much time I will have to work, or spend with family, or if I will want to start my own family before school is over. It sounds crazy, but I always wanted to be young when I move on with life.As more and more work-shops come to the school, I’m interested, but only one university really sits on my heart, all the time. There’s one problem, that University is in another country.
When I vacationed to Puerto Vallarta last Feburary, it was the most at home I have felt in my entire life. The University of Guadalajara is in Puerto Vallarta and it’s the one that I would love to attend. I got to see it when I was there, and since then, I always knew something would bring me back. I would love to live there and start a family, but because my family and friends are here, I would rather go to school there and come back to start my life, in a more stable environment. I speak broken/fluent spanish, if that makes any sense and I fell in love with the culture and pace of life in Mexico over my four experiences with different parts of the country. Puerto Vallarta is my favourite and I wanted to hear about what you guys thought about following a crazy dream like this, or if it would be better to get schooling here finished first, and a life, then decide whether that’s still in the cards for me. I don’t want to miss out on a once in a lifetime experience and I wanted your advice. Please feel free to be brutally honest. – JO
