The "Behind-The-Scenes" of Getting Things Done

                     Getting things done. Or better put, finding yourself the motivation and time to complete something. It can be quite difficult to do. Can it be agreed upon that the motivation part is essential but simple when compared to the time aspect? It's a commonly passed around piece of wisdom that people tend to discover one way or another in their lifetime. And that wisdom is that goal-making is so much easier to accomplish than the goal itself. Achieving goals, on the other hand, takes work... and time. Because of the time aspect, and the many of the closely related discouraging aspects, a good amount of dreams remain just that, dreams.

                       So, time. Something we as humans seem to have less and less of as we continue our trek into the future. Something that is slowly being recognized as something taken for granite. Why is that? It can be said that it is partly due to the busy lifestyle society has adopted in this modern age. More hours spent doing renovations to humankind and the hours spent for other things shrink. People also tend to only find interest in things that produce immediate benefits over something that will have a better result, but will take longer.

                    But maybe it doesn't have to do with time at all. Yes, the lack of time doesn't have to do with time. Crazy, isn't it? Despite how ridiculous that proposition is, give the explanation a chance. Time can be defined as the continued progress of existence, and doesn't quite have much to do with how it's spent. Also due to the progression of modern society so suddenly, activities that would help accomplish goals may be looked upon lazily and shoved to the bottom of one's priority list. We see what needs to be done, what we want to be done, and what we don't exactly want to do but it is necessary to do if we want to get something out of it. And as sad as it is that final item comes last for most people. That is why people can say, "I just don't have the time", because they see their time and decide to dedicate it to something that they have to do or want to do based on how quickly they produce success. Things like long-term goals and dreams are difficult to work on when all of these other tasks that appeal more hog up everyone's priority list.

                    People in this world have needs and wants. Sometimes to get to a specific 'want' they must first accomplish something that doesn't fall into either of those category's. The need to do it or else they can't get that long-term want, but they don't need to do it to survive. They also might not exactly want to do it either; therefore, it's so simple to just dedicate our time to something else, pushing our goal farther and farther away from us. It's sad. But it can be changed.

                    When making a goal, or working towards one for that matter, keep in mind the necessary steps needed to achieve the goal. If you are aware of the work you need to put in, and you keep the goal in your view, putting those goal-achieving steps last on the priority list seems harder to do. That's because you have the motivation, and the motivation to make the time.

Summer's Apples and Hands

Summer days
are like apples
you have many different varieties
and colors
maybe a whole week might be a granny smith week
or a red delicious week
two or three days dedicated to gala
or maybe each day is something different.
more days
drift hazily by
than you think
before you blink
they're floating away
like the fluffy white  clouds on a windy day
and you're left
wishing they still remained
confused about why last summer seemed longer
you could wake up and feel exhausted
the heat stealing your hard earned energy
or you could rise with a tank full enough to drive you anywhere you'd dream
the beach
the mountains
the parties
the open road
a hotel
a cabin
a rest stop
any direction the day flows
you might as well flow along with it
because you will only have this river for a short amount of time

The nights of summer
are different though
nights are always short
and these seem longer
the light of sun seems to hold on
as tightly as it can to the cool night air
until it slips away
and all you can see is the stars
warming yourself by the campfire
an imprint of the day left on your cheeks
or shoulders
you smell of sunscreen and bug spray
but it's a good smell
will the night be cool?
enough for a sleeping bag to wrap you up and protect you?
or will the darkness stick to your skin and make your breathing heavy?
Summer nights are not apples
they are like hands holding you until morning comes
covering the sky with diamonds
and allowing you to see them
then telling you to look no longer as they pull the sleepy sun from it's hiding place on the horizon

A Necessary Expression

               It's already been said that writing, creating, and imagining are extremely useful ways to release stress and anxiety that needed to be hidden or kept inside in other circumstances. People design art because it's something they want to do. They savor the way it makes them feel and display the way it end up turning out. Maybe they don't share their accomplishment with the public eye but in a way a finished piece is shared with a part of the self that didn't partake in the creation. Writers re-read their stories with a different mindset than they do when they were writing it. It is almost as if a persona is adopted to analyze the work objectively, or to be able to enjoy it with the same abilities as a stranger.
                These skills are developed because one so frequently produces material. Why? Because again creating is an extremely useful way to relieve stress. Things bombard the common person everyday, making them think to make their way out of risky situations. It's hard. It's strenuous. Working is hard work. All people can say they share that opinion one way or another, but it's difficult to forget the stress with all this sharing. Sometimes to relax alone time is needed. Occasionally this mixture of stress and alone time can spark creativity. And this creativity can also relax a person. It's almost as if when imagining up some other story entirely, their own is forgotten. They are taken to a completely different world.
                    Traveling is a goal many people put on their list of things to do before they no longer can on this earth. And in a sense, when one paints a picture or writes a story they accomplish that goal to a small extent. They are no longer artists, or authors, but a piece of the the puzzle that they designed themselves. That is why people create. It allows them an outlet that comes with a special freedom of discovery. People create because it gives them the power to explore their own minds as if they were exploring the world.

Things Already Said

                        People can't help themselves from quoting books and movies they've recently read or viewed. It's almost human nature to crack a joke heard before from a friend. It's also quite obvious that Joy is found easily in re-telling animated stories one had collected in their lifetime. People reassure each other everyday that their words matter by spreading them and popularizing them through time. A common trend society has adopted is that actions, words, or movements that receive positive responses seem to make more than one appearance in time.
                           This statement is probably one of the more obvious ones when dealing with this topic. Of course things that have proven once successful will be used again, it's almost instinct. Why try a new method of entertaining someone that may or may not work when one that has thrived in doing so already? It's just like the idiom, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Trends, as well as methods for entertaining the public, are hard to discover and/or start; therefore, if something is working to accomplish the job so far why not keep using it.
                           But the topic being explored is much more than a mere explanation of why trend can be seen repeating themselves through the ages, or a dissection of  the reasons people quote the author of their favorite book. It's more about what we can learn from this convenient repetition. Those who join the trends find success easily. Those who decide they would rather settle themselves working with their own means have chosen to deal with more of a struggle.  Writers of movies, books, and magazines know they need to appeal to the current fixation of the modern masses if they want to come anywhere near to seeing their own popularity bloom. It's sad that individuals are drown out by the screaming calls of the majority, but the reason they are ties back to the reason why people repeat things already said.
                             If people crave science-fiction and that is the genre showing the most success why is there a problem with filling that request? Can't those few that want fantasy satisfy themselves with older novels or read the installations of fantasy that our being published, even if there aren't many options? The answer? They can. That's why the majority is the easiest to appeal to. Ignoring the few with different taste isn't really hurting them and is a benefit to the majority once again. Plus, chances are that at one time or another everyone will have something they enjoy being the popular demand. Despite this resolution, one question still remains. Why don't people get bored of things already said?
                                Say a beloved book is quoted by millions time and time again. It is spoken so much it even becomes almost a cliché. Adults use it to express how they feel, teenagers use it in school essays to convey a theme, kids say it to feel more cultured and grown-up. Although this quote has become an "eye-roll worthy" thing to recite, people still do it. Why? Because every time this quote is brought up in the hands of a new speaker, the sunlight shines on it in a different way. In other words, a certain genre can remain popular for generation because every time an author uses it, they display it in a different way. This is what society has presented to people to allow them to enjoy a certain something for years without becoming bored of it. And although some trends die out in a mere decade, others live on because of this and are shared for ages.
                       

A New Leaf

                   Families gather around the television. Games are scattered on the coffee table. Children hug blankets and rub sleepy eyes, yet do not sleep because their excitement must be met with something equally awe striking. Fireworks. Noise. Pots and pans ringing through the night. Why do we do this on New Year's Eve? Because it's a cultural tradition that people enjoy celebrating.
                   But why do people enjoy celebrating it? That's the question. I think it's a personal matter. Not only is an experience of a loud, bright celebration with family and loved ones exhilarating, but people are able to relax knowing that there is a whole brand new, shiny year ahead of them. A blank canvas ready for their beautiful paintings. A brand new book, prepared for it's first reader. People are excited for December thirty-first, and January first because, as they say, it's an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf". They can put everything in the past year behind them and are able to look into the future with a clear view of their goals.
                   You can rethink your ambitions any time, any day of the year. The new year, though, is dishing you a steaming plate of starting anew. When 2015 becomes 2016, it's like the year ended the last chapter of your life, and started a brand new one. It's almost convenient for people to make resolutions during this time.
                   People enjoy celebrating the new year, and making resolutions because when the clock strikes 12:01 you are inspired by nature and the rest of humankind to be your best self for the coming year ahead, and inspire others to do the same. Everybody is on board with their personal improvements, so it seems like the perfect opportunity to do so yourself. We are all inspired by each other to inspire others. It's a bit like a case of mass hysteria if you think about it, but aren't all holidays? We celebrate and take part in weird traditions because everyone else is doing so and you feel obligated and inspired to do so as well.

                   The new year is such a big deal because we can better improve ourselves, inspire others, and in doing so we're anything but alone. Everybody is by your side when you're setting a goal to achieve, and having a bunch of people back you up when you're taking a leap of faith makes it a lot less scary. We are all in this together, so with that I bid you a happy New Year.
                 

Your Courage Will Grow

                               Two years ago, everything changed for me. I began middle school.

                           The daily routine was entirely different, not to mention just the experience of school itself was dramatically altered. My entire social life was basically new. More kids, more work, more courage that I needed to put forth. It was way more than school had ever been for me. I was excited, but also scared, as I expect most kids probably were. What was I to do in this whole new world of people, what was I expected to do?  I didn't want to stand out, have all these new people judge me, so I stayed quiet and kept to elementary school friends. It was like the first day of kindergarten all over again, multiplied by ten. That was the first day.
                              By the end of that year, though, education itself had became something else, something new. My entire perspective on middle school, the changing classes, the new material, it was all different. I had this down, I wasn't exactly a master at everything, actually the opposite, but internally I felt okay with this different concept of school. I made a lot of new friends from other elementary schools, and cared a bit less of what people thought of me. That was also the year I started this blog, sharing my ideas to the world. Now that I think about, that should've been way more intimidating than going into middle school, but for me, it wasn't. It was just writing, something I loved to do. When I glance back into the past, and observe my sixth grade year, I realize that it's a huge journey for everyone. And I know that the schooling experience is different for everyone, but being a kid who is really into learning new things and educating myself on different topics, it's important to me that the environment I learn in is one where I am comfortable or am able to become comfortable and aware of my surroundings. During my sixth grade year, after all the trials and tribulations, after every up and down, I was able to do so, and adapt.
                              Seventh grade I even adapted more so. I noticed myself becoming more outspoken, saying things out loud that before I'd only want to write. I gave it my all, and it paid off. One thing in particular I observed myself tending to do a lot more is ask quite a large amount of questions, maybe out loud in front of the class, or I'd walk up to the teachers desk and ask, either way, I asked so much I thought it became annoying. But let me tell you one thing I've learned, teachers really do enjoy it when you ask questions about material you are not sure of, and there's nothing wrong with not being sure. Asking to enrich your knowledge or clarify something you are unsure of in class will benefit your learning experience immensely.
                               Now, I'm about to enter eighth grade. The last step in middle school, and then off to a new place once more. Now I can reflect back on the years, and see the changes. Now I am able to take what I have learned, both about the world, and myself, and apply it to everyday life when I leave middle school.
                               My point of saying all this though, taking you through my school years and reflecting upon what I did during them, was not to just plainly tell my story, but to convey a lifelong message. A message about personal growth. A message on how courage will prevail, don't be afraid change.
                                  Don't be afraid to grow and change. Don't shy away from saying something you want to, It might change someone else's opinions, and help them grow too. Watch yourself grow internally and be astonished on how something scary or intimidating, such as a huge new school, or enormous crowd of people positively impacted your way of life. And now you are maybe more brave, or smart, or even more confident as you were when you started. 

Think 2.0

Today I will be reflecting on the past. I will be thinking about what I once thought, and describing it's difference to what I now know to be true.
                                                         Think. A blog post I wrote in what seems to be forever ago, I will today be reflecting on and editing. If you have not read Think I recommend you sift through the archives of my writings and do so, or click here, to make the comparison for yourself. But the choice to do so or not is yours. All my comments on the writing will be in red text, but the editing I have done will all blend in with the parts that remain from the original. I strongly stand by the fact that you should not hang on to the past, and move with the present, but I also believe it is beneficial to reminisce and remind yourself of what you once were. So without further ado, I present my new and improved blog post, Think 2.0


Think.......
every single second you live on this planet, (I changed it so it was more emphasized there.)
you will think thoughts in your head and make choices about life. You will even find yourself thinking when fast asleep and frolicking in dreamland, thinking up a fraction of the most intelligent things that will ever come to  your mind.  ( I believe dreams are very important to sanity, not to mention very entertaining to our minds.)
For, we are all thinkers, ( all human beings, and animals if you count instincts as thoughts.)
we do not stop when the sun sets, we just keep on thinking. It is our destiny. Do you remember any dream you had, and you woke up breathing heavy, inspired because of your minds utter brilliancy? That is the magic about dreams, they are astonishing because you can't always control them like regular daytime thoughts, (you are less aware when you're dreaming and your mind runs wild, that's why I love dreams) 
making the contents of a dream completely unpredictable and unimaginable. Think about this next time you get into bed, and fall into the beautiful unknown abyss of dreams.
                                                                During the day  interacting with other thinkers is practically inevitable, ( people are everywhere)
and absorbing more ideas, and thinking even more new thoughts that you might not even claim to be your own is unavoidable. You see, other people have brilliant brains just like you, ( I think everyone is genius in their own way)
and each idea is amazing in it's own way. Have you ever thought of someone else's idea to be so genius that you must keep it locked up in a safe in your head that you will only open if you completely need to share? Did you ever say to someone "That idea of yours is genius"? ( If you did, I'm sure that made them feel really good)
                                                            One other amazing thing about thoughts is that one may just pop up in your head at the most random of times and you can't help it that a wide smile of success curves on your face because your thought to you is worth one million dollars ( Be confident in your mind!) . A million dollar idea like that must be shared, so share it. Other people might find your ideas to be just as brilliant as you do. Has someone else ever loved your thought just as much as you?
                                                       Thoughts, idea's and dreams are wonderful and never limited. And possibly one day, a simple thought like that will shape your future and carve your destiny.
                                               

Fear and Confidence

                        I feel this is going to be a big year for me. A number of new experiences are practically screaming out my name and I'm responding as quick as I can. All these opportunities to try new things, all these opportunities to be great. It seems the world is smiling down on me and pushing me faster and faster to see how fast I can go. And I'm running really hard to keep up. Even though, i'm probably confusing you with all of the metaphors i'm using, I hope the message i'm trying to convey is shining through clearly. What I really mean is, despite all the opportunities to be great coming so fast, and despite the fact that I'm not the

 most perfect human being, I am running with all the occasions using all the excitement I can. These chances shine a new light on my life and I will stare right into it, avoiding all the shadows that block me from reaching my goals and dreams.

                      I try to always think positive, I don't always succeed at that, but I'm sure trying to think positive will help goals become clearer and brighter on your path to reaching them. One thing my dad told me about thinking positive is when you come up with a positive thought, don't even think about anything negative, completely obliterate all negative thoughts even if your are telling yourself "What not to do". It just doesn't help.  I agree. I believe when your trying to reach your goals you need to always be a big supporter of yourself. Cheer yourself on. It's almost always going to be more difficult to achieve something when your the one working against yourself. Give yourself some complements, boost yourself up.
                   
                       What I'm really trying to say  is that to reach a personal goal, you need to give yourself some well deserved confidence. Nothing knocks down those degrading obstacles better than the firm trust you have within yourself. Fear may stand in your path, but if you look inside and find the support you need to keep going, accomplishment of the task at hand will be achieved almost effortlessly. A quite popular and widely known phrase states "Feel the fear, but do it anyway". This applies to many aspects of life when you think about it. Fear can work hard to make you feel powerless, but if you just ignore the fear and realize all the confidence you need is right inside of you, then you can do anything you set your mind to.
                      
                     
                     

A Smile is Worth A Million Dollars

                  Why, pleasure is the simplest thing in life- well, it at least it makes life feel simple. It makes the days feel worthy of enjoyment and taunts you to smile a the little things. That's why pleasure and happiness are so appreciated by people. A good warm feeling is all people need to have their day brightened and life changed. But the things that make people happy are perhaps sometimes the things you would least expect....or the things you'd expect the most!
                    In the generalization of things, food, wealth, family, entertainment, and etc. is enough to make someone fundamentally happy in their life. But there is also another component to joy. Something that touches everyone's heart, and makes them feel completely wholesome- good deeds and compassion.

                       
                             Giving to others has a special place in our hearts. Because it's not only giving us the gift of feeling good about what we've done and feeling proud of our deeds. But it's also giving someone else the opportunity to feel good as well and feel thankful for your kindness.
                               To put this in to simple terms, being kind is the deed that has been proven to feel most pleasureful. And that us, as humans, who find weird ways to feel happy, should take advantage of the fact that smiling at a neighbor will not only distribute happiness to one, but as many people who receive the smile.  

A Return, and Legacy matters.

     I offer my apologies. And my thanks to apologize for a reason. I have not written in quite awhile, yet I have the feeling that it has been noticed. Even though I might have disappointed someone with such an expanded amount of time and no writing or response, I'm thankful that possibly someone could be waiting for me to post again. So, I am sorry about the silence, but thank you very much for the commitment and dedication.
    This time, it was not that I was at a loss for ideas, or that writers block had hunted me down once more......but It was the sad but honest truth about life, sometimes you just can't get things done that you want to get done. Believe me, there have been plenty of moments when I think of something and then immediately afterward think, that would make a good blog post. But reflecting on this, and don't think lesser of me, I never took to action and turned those thoughts into words. I have written pre-blog posts still in the making, but they are utterly mixed up and I do not feel as if my words were as together as they could have been. Therefore, they sadly never made it to publish. I plan to work on some in the near future though, and await the anticipation from myself and possibly others. Be that as it may, I return back to the topic of not being able to complete a post. You see, this is only the case because lately, I have been reading quite a bit and write here and there for school and for enjoyment, but not as much as I've been reading. I would be happy to suggest some books I've read if you desire a recommendation. I've read some pretty fantastic books over the past five months that I'd be happy to put out there. I like to explore author's ideas and writing styles, it's a enjoyable way to learn, reading is. So there, I had distributed my excuses. I hope they are worthy enough, but I really do know I should have written a post at least before now. But sadly, the past can not be undone, so this will be the first post in a few months.
       As I said before, I have had thoughts where I want to share them with the public and describe my ideas, but I never got to doing that. Well, I had written something down on a good old piece a paper that I was hoping to share. We reviewed legacy last year and social studies and it really stuck with me. When I wanted to write, this is what came to mind. I hope my explanation on why I didn't post in awhile didn't bore you to death, but if it did, maybe this might revive you and enlighten your concentration. Here is what I wrote on 9/11

Legacy lives on. What you say, what you do, will be forever remembered if you impact someones life. 
Making a difference means something of the world. Even if only one person is inspired by you, even if you are only loved by few, you are immortal, Impenetrable by time, memory and love retells your story over and over again. Death cannot stop anyone with the power of legacy and inspiration, for their life replays in someones heart and mind. Remember the lost,  bring their story to life. And never forget. Legacy lives on.

Thank you for reading this
Remember, knowing is a treat,

-Ally

     

Our Voices: Let them be heard!

As you can tell, my main priority is to get people using their minds to think. I always love when somebody

  comes up to and explains what they imagined with great excitement powering their voice. Every time 

 somebody is energized to express the contents of their mind, I listen with great intent.
                                                     It's important that we let our voices be heard by others. "Don't be afraid to express yourself! Anyone who responds negatively has not yet done so themselves". Everything inside our heads should have a chance in this world. We as people shouldn't let fear hold us back from inspiring others. Inspiration is like dominoes. Once you inspire someone else, they inspire others, and they inspire others, and so on. It's one big amazing chain of inspiration. You have the choice to join it.

                                                     So let me propose something for you. I have expressed what I think already, so I think you deserve a chance. It's your turn. If you have any thoughts of any sort just bouncing around in your head, please let them out. Explain to me and other readers what exactly is on your mind. I'd be honored to hear all the marvelous figments of your imagination, plus the additional  thoughts generated by this blog. So, don't be shy, share your thoughts!

Lesson's of Life

I have decided to make a little booklet of advice for myself from myself. 

The world is full of many wonderful people, whom are all willing and capable to lend a hand and provide some of their wisest words to help you along your journey. I'm sure we all have met a handful of these people in our lives and will meet some more soon to come. We owe people like these our gratitude. But, sometimes, the best person for you to listen to and learn from, is indeed your own self.

  "Know thyself" is a quite popular Ancient Greek Aphorism which has multiple meanings to different people and situations. When I hear this term, I like to think it means that you need to become familiar with your own views and opinions. I think it means to understand your goals and have a clear vision of what you want. But overall, I think that "Know thyself"  means to listen and accept advice from yourself. When you listen to your own advice, you can accept who you are. To truly "Know thyself" you must trust yourself and understand who you are and who you want to become.

In my opinion, I think making a booklet of advice for future reference is a way of getting to know myself. Someday I want to look back and smile at my words. I want to say, "So that is what I wanted to tell myself after experiencing this situation".

 I will be adding a date to every lesson I write, so I can ponder upon the occasion of my advice. I feel as though, that is my way of explaining the situation. Even though I am not writing down in the booklet why I chose to give myself that advice on that day, I hope I can later assume such descriptions from the date. If not, I hope I know myself enough to realize it might have not of counted as much as the advice i'm recollecting itself.

In the future, I hope to share a few of these lessons on this blog. Maybe I can spark and idea in somebody and give them some advice unknowingly. And if you liked the idea of making a self advice booklet and want to try it out, I give you my best support. It's one way you can get to know yourself. Maybe you will majorly help yourself out sometime in the future by writing down important lessons of your life. 

The Sentence You Are by Ally Poulter

Author's note: In school we are exploring poetry and our inner poets. This is a poem I wrote about how I want the world to remember me, I hope you enjoy it! Poetry hasn't ever really been a strong writing style for me, but I did my best!

Life is a blank canvas,

an empty page,

a solemn face,

until you make something of it.

Until you light the torch

and spark creativity

and imagination.

Until you ignite your dreams,

and watch them blossom and grow into something much larger.

Life is like a book,

and you are a sentence.

You have the power

to be a very meaningful sentence in that book.

To be a sentence

that touches someone’s heart,

that makes an impact on that book.

You have the power

to inspire

and direct what you have to say,

what you mean,

and what you want to represent

in that book.

In life.

You have the power

to make an impact

on people.

Even if it’s only one person,

out of Seven billion humans in this world.

I want to make an impact.

That is my dream,

that is the torch I want to ignite.

I want to be remembered as a meaningful sentence,

A sentence, with words that mattered to people

words that mattered to someone.

I want my page to be marked in that book

So people will never forget

my sentence

and the words I have to say.

That is my dream.

That is my hope for the future.

That is who I hope to be.

                       

A Simple Reflection...

Inspiration hasn't jumped out at me lately. It seems to have been hiding for some reason not wanting to be found. Though, I'm glad I was able to hunt it down and not be fully submerged into writers block. So here I am, reflecting on my school-year so far....and I'm quite interested in yours too!

Whether your a student reading this blog, a teacher, or even someone who is not attending school and just working, let me know how you feel you are doing so far. We've all got goals that we planned to reach. What were they? Did you reach them yet, or are you still in the progress?

The school year is more than half way over and I swear I felt like I've been competing with it in a face paced race. Time has decided to speed up this year, it seems, everything has gone by so quickly!

This school year was definitely a year for learning. I learned so much and I am so grateful of that. But I am talking like it's already summer, I still have a lot more to go! So If you haven't met those school goals yet...don't worry, you've got time. And even though time seems to be racing by, you'll meet your goals eventually if you keep up good effort.

I know this wasn't the best blog post, or the most inspiring, or creative, or carefully worded, or longest, and it was really more of a ramble. But I asked a few questions that I'd appreciate you answering and gave my opinion, and that's what makes a blog  what it is.....opinions and thoughts.

Thoughts and opinions that spark ideas. Let the spark turn into a flame and ignite your goals!

Try on!

A few days ago, my local ice skating rink was open for the public. The day had revealed itself to be warm and sunny, and after many days of cold brutal weather the ice was able to withstand the change in climate. So I practically flew to the rink prepared for a nice easy breezy warm day skating and having fun. Though my skates were a few sizes too small I couldn't help but feel excited and imagine everything happening perfectly. My mistake, because it seems when you plan something perfectly with no flaws, something always seems to not go your way.

                         Now, I know I set this up to be some sort of personal narrative, but really it has a message to it and I'm glad to connect my personal experiences to express a theme. You know all those pictures of little cartoon characters flying flawlessly across the ice? Well, let me tell you it is not that easy, at least for me it wasn't. So when I attached my ice skates and headed down to the ice it seemed easy. Like somewhat walking in unsteady raised shoes. But as soon as my feet touched the ice reality struck. The ground underneath me became very slippery and unsteady. I moved incrementally forward careful not to lose balance but that wasn't getting me too far. I carefully pushed off the ice with my right foot and kept my left one planted firmly on the ice letting it slide forward. This skateboard motion seemed to work so I made my way out to the middle of the ice. Soon I began to turn around but shakily lost my balance and fell forward. I caught myself with my hands and knees but it being a warmer day then usual the top layer of ice was melting so I found myself landing in a cold puddle. 

                          It was probably my 5th time out on the ice in skates but the times I've been out weren't close together so most of the skating techniques I've obtained had been forgotten. That day I fell about 10 more times and later my sister asked me why I wasn't upset. I told her, "The more I fell, the better I got at getting up". Yet, my ice skates and gloves were wet from falling in puddles I had fun that day and I learned something.

                          Later, I told a friend about this experience. She gave me some very wise advise and responded, "It's okay that you fell, Ally. It was said Thomas Edison had to try almost 10,000 times until he finally created the light bulb, and he said, 'I have not failed, I just found 10,000 ways that it won't work'". I smiled at her response because it was the best possible thing anyone could of said.
                            So the lesson I am trying to express with this short story, is that you should keep trying, and not look back like you have failed, but to remember the event as if you know a different way do complete something. Try on!

Unwrap Knowledge: Why Knowing is a Treat

 Introduction
                        Blogging is so amazing! I've been browsing the Internet and frequently checking out my classmates blogs and I think the whole blogging experience is wonderful. Although, 1 out of every three of them have a post explaining their blog title, and that is something I have not done yet. I read those posts with great interest because it's so interesting to have an insight in to people's opinions and why they came up with a certain name; what inspired them? Each reason is great: You should always be victorious, courage is encouraging, be nice to others, and many more marvelous reasons! And I've been thinking lately, "I should get around to doing my own post about my title". You see, they got me thinking and that is just so great!

The Treat Of Knowing
                         I remember the first day we started blogging in class. Everyone was coming up with some really great titles and ideas were being thrown around simultaneously. Stuff like, "Be Great!" and "Reach your dreams!". All good stuff, but I wanted something completely original. Something so foreign it would of never been taken on that particular perspective if it wasn't for my blog. It took me awhile, possible and inspirational titles flashed in and out of my mind vigorously, "What would I be known by?"
                             Then suddenly I had it, "The treat of knowing". A perfect title describing me and what I wanted to do with the world. Teach people that knowing things, and learning is a treat and you are lucky to have it. Also to think, not quickly or on your feet or any particular thinking, but to just think. Thinking is never limited to a specific type. I liked the title even more when I discovered nobody had used the web address yet. That provided me with even more originality. I was satisfied  that I had my title.
                            "What's your title, Ally?" Someone had asked me, I smiled, "It's called 'The Treat Of Knowing'" I answered. "What's that mean?" I thought for a moment. I'm big on thinking, yet I haven't thought of the meaning of my title. "Well." I started, "I guess what it means is that learning, and wisdom is special and that we should savor it as a treat". All I remember is them nodding and taking it in. I may not always make sense to everyone, but to someone my title may mean a lot.

I guess what I mean is....
                      Knowledge is most definitely a treat. Not every body gets to go to school everyday and learn something new, so we should absorb our knowledge and spread it as best you can. Every sentence, every word, every detail should be presented in your mind as a treat because, simply, knowing is a treat.

A Writers Block In The Road

                            Writers block is the feeling you get when you know you must think, but you cannot. Wait-what?, are the words being broadcast through you're mind, It's time to think? Oh-I'm not ready! Where have my thoughts gone? When I get writers block I can relate it to a two hour delay from school, because of excessive rain and flooding. It seems like the time is coming to think, but you don't know which way to go to be on time. This happened to me once, and I was worried because of all the rainwater blocking some important roads, like the roads in your mind, chaos erupts when they become blocked. Do you get what I'm saying? It's a complicated and frustrating experience that leave's you in a flustered state where you may get rushed into an idea you are not satisfied with the results forced out of you. But that is writer's block, and it is difficult to avoid. This can be different for everyone. But it is certain that with a every path to glory, there are some blocks in the road. No body is perfect, an the loss of an idea strongly supports that. With every brilliant mind, there are always going to be doubts, and when an idea just doesn't come to satisfy you, you might find it extremely helpful to improvise.
                           I'm sure when you are stuck like this, your mind seems to plead for inspiration, something to get it going so well it won't be stuck like this for a long time. So the best thing you can do is to open your eyes, ask questions, and search for fresh appealing ideas. Try not to copy any body's original thought, but use it to shape your own that will ease your sudden loss of imagination.Every little ounce of imagination you take in will help fuel your inspiration and feed the hunger that writers block has caused you mind.
                            And no matter how difficult a block can be, inspiration will always help you out. Keep thinking, keep imagining, and never forget to inspire others!

Technology and Education: They Make A Good Pair

As times trudges on, so do many aspects of society. But one very broad aspect, that I think is obviously advancing as society grows, is technology. As new technology is made, sold, and used, it changes our way of life. And though there can be negative ways that new technology affects parts of society, the way technology is impacting, and can impact, education is definitely a positive affect.
                                   A few days ago I experienced a Skype video chat for a project in school. I enjoyed doing so because the way it took place was a new educational way to function this software to me. For those of you who do not know what a Skype is, it's basically a global video chat where you can visually communicate with someone else while hearing them. The name "Skype" came from the two words, "Sky" and "Peer",  representing how you can communicate with anyone anywhere. Although, to take part in a Skype you must first install a certain software into your computer, and have a camera also connected to your computer. This is exceptionally helpful when trying to keep long distance face-to-face communication with someone.
                                           On the other hand, though, the particular Skype  video chat that I took part in, was where we communicated with superintendents from another school district. Some of the other classmates and I who participated in the Skype made sure to dress in our best clothing and be very quiet while our classmates were speaking, because it was very important to make a good impression on them. But, In this Skype session there was a catch! The location of the superintendents remained a mystery until the end, so we had to use our minds (I loved this part) to think about geographical questions that we could track down and record to help piece their overall location together. While participating in the activity, I realized you needed a lot of knowledge on geography to back you up on your thoughts and questions. Even at times, you caught yourself thinking about certain pin-points of geography when you didn't mean to.
                                                            But that was the point of the mystery Skype that I did, to learn something new. Just as it is in every activity at school. We all learned from it. For, one simple question, one simple Skype, one new way to use technology in school, can teach you a whole lot.

Think.

                                      Think.......everyday you are on this earth you will think thoughts in your head. You will think when you are sleeping and dream up a fraction of the most intelligent things that will ever come to mind. For when we are thinkers, we do not stop when the sun sets, we just keep on thinking. Do you remember any dream you thought was utterly brilliant? Dreams are astonishing because the are less controlled then regular daytime thoughts, making the contents of a dream completely unpredictable.
                                                                During the day you will also interact with other thinkers, absorb more ideas, and think even more new thoughts that you might not even claim to be your own. You see, other people have brains just like you, and each idea is amazing in it's own way. Have you ever thought of someone else's idea to be so genius that you must keep it locked up in a safe in your head that you will only open if you completely need to share? Did you ever say to someone "That idea of yours is genius"?
                                                            Well, also things may just pop up in your head at the random-est times and you can't help if a smile of success curves on your face because your thought to you is worth one million dollars. A million dollar idea like that must be shared, so share it. Other people might find it to be just as brilliant as you. Has someone else ever loved your thought just as much as you?
                                                       Thoughts, idea's and dreams are wonderful and never limited. And possibly one day, a simple thought like that will shape your future and carve your destiny.
                                               

The Entire World in My Classroom

On Thursday, October 31st I went to school with a flutter of excitement twirling around my brain. Not only was it Halloween but I was also aware that at 1:20 in my Social Studies class we would be having a marvelous journey into our classmates culture and customs. As I was walking down the hall, my mind wandered to what the day's activities had in store for me. I myself was expecting my grandparents to come in to help me present to the class information on my Polish heritage and treat them with some Kielbasa, which is a traditional Polish sausage. When I arrived at the classroom I was greeted by an arrangement of colors and smells. Each particular smell belonged to a delicious looking meal, that frankly I mostly had never seen before. The majority of my classmates had brought in some of their cultural delicacies for a better understanding of the country the lead back to, as did I. Each who had prepared a dish also had either artifacts from their culture, traditional apparel, or a prepared and written speech full of information.
                                                               I of which had brought in certain artifacts that I received from a neighbor who had actually come from Poland. I think these items helped overall some up what I had to say. I also had brought in a Polish book my great-grandmother had sent me that was completely written in Polish. It was entitled "Elementarz" and I was thinking to myself how cool it would be to show the class. For it means Primer in English, representing an easy level book or a "first read" as some might call it. But of course It was not an easy book for me because I do not speak Polish, even though I am Polish.

                                                                      When the presenting started I stood up next to my grandparents and told the class about my Polish background. I made sure to specify about the certain Polish traditions my family celebrate's. I also spoke about a boat that my grandparents had once owned named Rodzina, which means family in Polish.
                                                    After I had presented and gave my information it was time for me to listen and enjoy the learning of other people's culture's. The first thing I learned was in the country across the sea, Ukraine. The couple presenter's from that country spoke one at a time about traditional dance outfits and pisanki eggs, a very decorative cultural Easter tradition. Plus, when Ukraine was rapping up, the class enjoyed some homemade cheese perogies, stuffed cabbage, and poppy seed filled pastries. I also experienced the telling of Ireland's household culture and was treated to a delicious Irish Soda bread.
                                                                     It was a very educational day in the case of discovering were everyone in the class came from. I had no idea that the entire world was in my classroom.