Disgusted...

Never in my life would I purposely or willingly add any type of bug, insect, etc. to my daily meals! 

Marcel Dicke's talk on adding insects to our diets is a bit much for me.  I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to stick with chicken, steak or porkchops whether or not there isn't enough in the world to feed everyone.  If I wasn't able to eat the kind of meats that I like, my next choice is definitely not eating insects.  That's just disgusting.

"If you try it, you might like it," that's what I was always told.  But personally, I squirm at the scite of any bug...so why would I think about putting one close to my face, let alone my mouth?! 

Some people find eating caterpillars, locusts, crickets or whatever appealing to them.  They have the craving for insects in their daily meal courses.  I'm not one of those people and bugs do not settle my stomache when I get hungry.  According to the video, people from other countries eat those insects as part of their culture.  That's different, and I like different.  But this does not mean I would want to be different with them.  If you were to ask me, I already am different to them because I refuse to eat what they eat.

Marcel made it a point to say that replacing American meat with insects was a good idea.  Insects give us protein and it's a lot cheaper than paying for the world wide meat supply.  Though it sounds like a great way to help the economy, I still wouldn't support eating wierd-looking insects.  But hey- if people are all about making a change and would rather eat bugs than normal food, then go right ahead; no one is gonna stop you (:

I can't really say anymore about the topic but it disgusts me and makes me lose my appetite.

Stress! Stress! Stress!

For Tuesday, November 30

My apolpgies for being behind on this blog that was suppose to be done about a week ago but I do have other classes to take and more work that is more important than writing a blog for English.  Really, what's the point of doing so much work and were not even considered an excellerated English II class?

Every day, I dread coming to school for the first two periods anymore!  ALgebra II is too much work in the morning for me.  I understand I'm suppose to begin 'getting my brain warmed up', but doing 10-15 problems during class as examples and then taking home 30 more problems to practice for homework is rediculous to me.  Plus, I barely get any sleep at all at night in my house.  So in my head everyday, I tell myself, 'I can't wait for this period to be over with!' and then I end up falling asleep :/.

Mmm, and then there is Mr. Mann's English class.  This class makes me stress everyday because of how much is expected from everybody. 

Though I appreciate the fact that Mr. Mann makes up the weekly schedule and prints it out to hand out to us for us to be prepared each day, every week, I strongly dislike how much writing and reading we have to do!  I understand that it will help up be prepared better for the OGT's in March, but reading a Reading Circle book in a given amount of time while reading an outside reading book is doing too much.  It's hard for me to keep track of what's going on in each book when I'm switching back and forth.  Then the 3 writing pieces that we're required to do each six weeks and being expected to know 8 new vocab words right after another; and they're not easy words to remember- this makes me hate English class now.  All this work plus 6 more classes is A LOT for a Sophomore (like myself) to accomplish and be on top of everyday.

But it's not going to change no matter how much I complain, so I'm going to just have to suck it up and deal with it for the rest of the year.  We're almost half way done with the year and it's going by quick, so I'm gonna have to start pacing myself through the weeks of school.  Since I find Mr. Mann's English class difficult to keep up, I fear about English III next year as a Junior.  Help me! ):

Just Another Step in Life.

Have you ever sat down for a day, and thought to yourself about what your goals in life are?  Had you made up your mind that very same day about what it is your going to school for? 

Seventh grade.  That was when I was introduced to setting long-term and short-term goals.  That was when I was told that I had to start thinking about a career and how I am going to accomplish that goal.  I remember I've had it set in my mind that I wanted to be a veternarian at the time; no more thoughts about it.  Then came eighth grade.

Eighth grade, figuring out your goals was more pressuring.  I had decided that I no longer wanted to be a veternarian.  I changed my mind and told myself that I wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor's assistant or a doctor of my own.  I considered this career since eighth grade and all through my Freshman year.  But I told myself to get myself through highschool and towards the end of my Junior year and the start of my Senior year, worry about college.

Now, I'm a Sophomore in school.  The thoughts of becoming a doctor is somewhat still there.  I really wanna pursue in a career that deals with helping infants, toddlers and younger children.  I want to be a Pediatrician.  I enjoy working with younger kids and helping take care of their needs; sickness and in health.

Though I know what I want to be, I'm not quite sure what 4-year college to attend to yet.  Being a Sophomore, I'm not necessarily worried about that yet.  I've concluded to work on that during my Junior year and I aim for finalizing my plan during my Senior year.  So as of now, I'm just working on passing the tenth grade.  One day, I will reach my long-term goal.  My short-term goals come first and those will help me work towards my long-term goal.

Home For the Holidays

For Tueday, November 16

Recently, I have began to look at every new year as a fresh, new start of my life.  'Life is what you make of it; so live it up today because yesterday has passed and tomorrow may never come', that's one quote that I live by.

The year of 2010 is coming close to an end.  It is now the middle of November.  My favorite season of fall is rapidly turning into the horrible season on winter.  Although I hate the winter, I enjoy the holidays that occur within the season.  One holiday I enjoy the most; Thankgiving, and it is right around the corner (:

Thanksgiving is a giving of thanks to those who we cherish most.  It all started a very, very long time ago on November 25.  It was the day the Pilgrims and the Indians came together as one and celebrate eachothers presence.  We don't think of that while we are stuffing our faces full of food, today.  Well, at least I don't anyway.  On Thanksgiving, my family and I feast upon delcious food that is prepared by my mother and my father.  But before we 'dig in', we pray and go around the BIG table that my family members are at and give thanks.  I don't know if it's a bad thing, but I genereally thank the fact that I still have family.  I appreciate that the most!

It may sound greedy, but I think we all can agree that the best part of Thanksgiving is all the food (:  The feeling of stuffing your face full of mashed potatoes, turkey and doubled eggs feels great; hands down!  Also, I love being around all of my family at once.  I enjoy it a lot!  Thanksgiving is just amazing and it's a great start to the holidays!  Once passed, I'm anxious for Christmas and I look forward to celebrate a new year; everything repeats :D

Hungry: Living with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Many people in the world suffer from many disorders. Some genetic, some not. A disorder that is seem to be called rare is Prader-Willi Syndrome or PWS.  Even though 1 out of every 12,000 to 15,000 people in the world suffer from this disorder, it seems to be one of the most common condition seen in genetics clinics.  It can cause poor muscle tone, low levels of sex hormones and a constant feeling of hunger. The part of the brain that controls feelings of fullness or hunger does not work properly in people with PWS, which leads to overeating and obesity.



Max showing the love he has for Lon.



In a video we watched on Thursday (yesterday), we watched a young, 13-year-old boy, Max Seidlitz, suffer from Prader-Willi Syndrome.  The video was extraordinary touching and it made me extremely sad.  Max constantly kept repeating that he was hungry or wanted food.  It he wouldn't get what he would ask for, he would break down into a big tantrum. It touched my heart knowing that at least he has someone Lon there to help him through everything.  When Max told Lon he loved him and always will, it made me want to cry; tearas and all.

Just like any other disorder, there isn't normal behavior most of the time. It's cruel, disrespectful, sad and pathetic for ANYBODY to laugh about it. How would you feel if that was you? What if you couldn't help yourself because of a disorder? Would you laugh about it? No. That's the worst thing someone can do, and it's the worst feeling to have knowing people think it's funny. 

When I heard that at school, the people in Max's class threw food on the ground to watch him dive after it to make a joke out of the whole situation made me extremely angry. It makes me wish that I was there at the time that happend. I guarantee it wouldn't be a joke anymore!

If I were to meet Max Seidlitz one day, even though I would have sympathy and a heart for him, I would not show it because I feel that it would make things worse for him. Having sympathy for somebody usually turns a person down and become sad and depressed. I want to prevent that. Though he is suffering, I want him to make the best of everyday he has.  I would help him enjoy himself the way he is- flaws and all. After all, there isn't nothing much to do with somebody who has a genetic disorder. You just have to be there for them and make live enjoyable to live without the thought of being brought down by anyone. Max is a unique kid and that's the only thing that matters. He is a blessing for anybody to have.

Ignorance !

Now seriously, this whole epidemic of making fun of 50 Tyson is sick.  It is a ridiculous, childish, inconsiderate, heartless act of HATE.  It’s like your telling the younger generation to sit and make fun of someone who is mentally ill.  In this case, no he doesn’t have down syndrome, or mild retardation, or retardation.  He’s diagnosed with autism, which is a developmental disorder.  Therefore, he hasn’t fully developed his brain yet.  Autism is a serious disorder which affects the information processing in your brain. Most autistic children develope perfectly fine and then regress back down to sometimes infant stages.  It's not funny to make fun of, impersonate, or pick on anyone with any type of disorder.  So I dont understand how people sit there and watch him knowing he is mentally challenged and laugh because he’s doing something he likes to do.  That's just like someone else laughing at you, in your face for something you like to do.  It doesn’t feel so well., does it?

I won’t support Kevin Hart’s attempt to impersonate him because it's NOT right.  Regardless of how funny it may be.  He's setting the bar for more hate crimes, more bulling to happen, more deaths, more Collumbines, and etc to take affect.  Yes, I will not deny Kevin Hart is a funny man.  I only disagree with his actions and I don't think he thought his decision through before he did it. 

Personally, If your cool with me and I see you making fun of ANYONE with a disorder, expect to get yelled at or probably cussed out by me- if you want me to be honest.  It's not attractive, cute, or funny in any way shape or form.  If I catch you making fun of someone like that, including 50 Tyson, kiss our friendship goodbye because I won't sit and allow you or someone else to do that.  I don’t condone it!  I have family members- little children, who are autistic and I would kill someone if they got bullied or made fun of.  They didn't ask to have a disorder.  Its genetics!!  Stop being so insensitive and heartless.  This is why the world is the way it is now.  People killing themselves because they’ve been pressured, bullied, abused mentally or emotionally and all.  No one thinks before they do things and no one cares about anyone else.  There's no excuse for it and its pathetic & SAD!

Let's Talk Trash !

The initiative is as always, going to be self-driven at first.  The video that Capt. Charles Moore talking about the "Seas of Plastic" expresses deeply among some, but others ignore it because they truly don't care.  Personally, I care about the life that lives in our oceans, but I'm lazy when it comes to talking about the subject or helping out at all.  Moore had talked about ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is found in our oceans & I agree on those ideas; but I have a thought of my own & my ways differ from his.  It's possible to add other ideas to work among the ones that he'd mentioned in the video:  http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic.html

The best plan is to do simple things to reduce your use.  Change starts at the bottom & if you want to make a difference, start with changing your own buying habbits.  When you get home from the store, don't throw the grocery bags away.  Recycle them & use them again for other purposes.  Water bottles, pop bottles...they can all be reused to store cold, fresh water in the refrigerator.  Aluminum cans can also be recycled & you could even earn money for recylcing them.

There are many places where you can dispose of your 'trash' properly without contributing to the world epidemic of 'Plastic Seas'.

"We have better solutions now than throwaway bags, but if those don't come from sustainable sources themselves, we, the consumer, always engage in a certain amount of equivocation in supporting them. Corporate accountability is not an insignificant or irrelevant part of this process."  This was stated by Sam Spencer about the video & I agree with that statement.  This also goes back to the statement of change that I had made.  We should all engage in doing our share of cleaning up to help save our oceans & provide a better percentage of homeostasis.  After all, it is our world that we live in; so ask yourself, "What can I do to make a difference in the world?"

Something I'd Never Expect...

 Yesterday in English class, we had watched a 10 minute video clip of a Marine, Blake Miller's documentary.  Personally, it was really depressing to watch and understand where exactly Blake was coming from or why he had made the decisions he did because he himself couldn't explain why he was acting this way, but he knew what caused it:  His time spent in the Marines.

It's crazy how much stress and depression Miller had upon him from the time he was in the Marine Corps up til the new life he claimed he had after.  In the documentary, he had mentioned that when he had got married to his wife, he was happy and they both had it going great together.  But when he came home from the Marines, he didn't know who he was- but knew that he was not the same man he was before the Marines.  He personally felt that he should continue to live life on his own, so he had divorced his wife.

It sounded as if Blake didn't want anything to do with anybody and found himself to be suicidal.  This made me personally think about my step-brother Joe.  Joe had gone into the Marines and I have only seen him once since he had gotten married to his gorgeous wife Amanda, and moved to North Carolina- but he came to visit us for Christmas of '08.  I do remember when my other brother Josh had talked to him on the phone and he had said that he hates it in the Marines and cannot wait until he is done serving his time.  There was a thought that I had in my head that Joe's whole life wouldn't be the same when he is out; his life and himself as an individual.  I hope that the effect on Joe wouldn't be the same as Miller's.

After the video, I felt my heart ache for Blake Miller.  I wouldn't want to go through what he had at all and all I can do is pray for all our Marine Troops to make it home safely and live their lives happy without grieving over the past.

My Sister's Keeper .

For Friday, September 17, 2010.

The importance of life is life itself.  Many people have their opinions on life and often struggle to keep sane.  I agree with that.  Life is a challenge and everyday you are faced with a struggle; but you was not born solo.  You are suppose to have family.  Family is there to give you 100% support, they are your backbone.  Unfortunitely- not everyone has a family to rely on, talk to, or even share anything with.  This is why I am thankful to have a family; my family.  But of all people in it, I look up to my sister and enjoy living for my niece.

This is my sister, my twin, my other personality, my everything; all in all.  She’s the reason I’m still breathing this air on planet earth today.  I swear she is my knight in shining armor :D , my worst enemy when I’m mad, my counsler when I’m in a bind. She is my lifesaver.  She was the one who actually stopped me from meeting end's meet and as bad as it may sound, we both have tried until we stopped and come to face that it would only make the situation worse.  Well now she has multiple reasons to live.  The blessing God gave us as a daughter & a niece; Lisa Marie Flemming.  My sister is the strongest woman alive to be so young.  I wouldn’t trade her in for the world.  Yes, of course we have our fights, our arguenments and disagreements like the time we were arguing and I said I was going to give her a black eye and of course she threatened to spit on me which caused a big ruckus - jeeze.  But shes my blood.  Same father, different mother (: 

I remember when I first watched My Sister’s Keeper... I honestly broke down because I couldn’t imagine that being my sister dying and her asking me to stop helping.  I would kill myself after she'd passed because I wouldn’t be able to survive knowning that my sister is gone for good not to never come back :/.  I am my Sister’s Keeper, whether she likes it or not.  She is everything to me and my worst fear in life would be to lose the girl who is the other half of my smile, the joy in my laughter, and the blood that pumps through my heart.  She is Rhonda Marie Flemming-Caldwell. <33 My Big Sister.

My neice, Lisaaaaaaa <3

Trust Is Like A Mirror...

You Can Fix It If It's Broken, But You Can Still See The Crack In The Person's Reflection!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Remember when you was little and nothing really mattered because all you wanted to to was have fun? Remember when you was never affected by a little lie someone has told you, but you was always told to tell the truth because there were always consequences? Remember when boys use to have germs and girls use to have cuties? Those were really the best times. Now, it's like the opposite. You continue to let little things bother you and when you get told a lie, it either makes you upset or furious. Lies get told, but no one seems to let them go- so more lies get spread. I know that lying is sometimes necessary & often the best thing to do in order to avoid a situation that you do not want to be involved in. I also know that lying is a good. Some lies are so little and meaningless that they cause no one harm and make no difference to anyone or anything. But what about the lies that DO matter? The lies that DO make a difference? The lies and secrets that hurt yourself or other people, whether or not they hurt someone you hate or someone you love? Whether or not the lies had hurt someone you've never met or someone you've only seen from a distance. What about the lies that start small, but like the snowball effect- get bigger and bigger, gaining speed and potential to hurt? Lies that change someone's life for the bad or lies that lead to physical harm or death? That's all that seems to happen now days. Some people don't realize what they say or do does have an effect on others. Personally, I think that lying is the most deceiving thing that anyone can do. Secrets and lies have the power to destroy a life or create a new one.

Now days, I feel like I am constantly lied to everyday by the people I love and by the people I care for most. I'm lied to by people I don't even know and by people I have just met. It seems that secrets are kept without my knowledge, hidden thoughts or feelings. They can be fact or they can be opinion; things I will never know and things I will soon find out.

This is the reason why I keep things to myself. I don't trust many people anymore and I only hang out with the ones that I do. I've lost many friendships and relationships because of lies. Some big, some small; sometimes both. But I'm still standing with my head up and those lost friendships and past relationships, I've learned that you can't trust anyone and when it comes down to it, you can only confide in yourself. But if is so happen to ask and when I ask you what I am to you- I want to know what I am to you. If I am nothing then I will be nothing. If I am everything then I will be everything. I could be a friend or so much more, but either way, when I ask you what I am to you, don't lie. No matter what your answer is, I will still continue to have a smile on my face!

Doll Face .

This past Tuesday in Mr. Mann's class, we had watched this video on teacher tube called "Doll Face".  I can say this one of the most interesting videos that I have ever seen in my life.  At first when the video was played, it seemed to look as if it was a scary, kinda creepy clip- but as the video played, it had more of a sad vibe to it than scary.  After I watched Doll Face, I asked myself why was this video made & when I thought about it, I realized it was posted to send a message or messages to everyone in the world who doesn't appreciate the way they looked.

The first message that I had came up with was that when people watch T.V. & see all the beautiful, famous people on it- it makes them want to change their image.  I believe this message was encouraged in the video because even if you tryed real hard to change who you are, your still not going to be happy in the end.  Your self-esteem had completely dropped & it began to drop as soon as you realized that you, yourself, thought you wasn't that good enough.  Doll Face had seen a beautfiul face on the television & started to beautify itself to look like that exact image.  Then as soon as Doll Face would think their make-up is perfect, the T.V. would go further back up into the air & since Doll Face is actually like a jack-in-the-box, it can only go so far.  Because it tried so hard to change, it had broke & the fake beauty had shattered.

Another message that I had gotten from the video was to be yourself.  Be yourself because noone else can be you for you.  I feel confidence is key & without it, your not going to be happy with anything you do in life.  Who cares if others think different of you or if they sit there and call you names and bag on how you look?  Looks isn't everything.  You can walk by & see a beautiful girl or a handsome man, but I bet deep down, if you really got to know them, they would have a sucky attitude.  Their attitude makes them hideously ugly! 

I believe this video is a great video to show that a person is unique in some sort of way.  Hopefully people begin to realize this before they drive theirselves into the ground thinking they were never good enough from the start.

Sophomore Status . . . Movin' On Up :D

Hey Guys! (:

Okay, so I was suppose to do this last Friday, but when the computer your assigned to in the CCC lab doesn't work, then you have no other choice.  But school started back last Wednesday, so it's time to get my head back into the books & get out of the staying up all night & partying mode!  This year is honestly a big year for me- I assume because of the OGT's in March, being a Sophomore, there is A LOT more studying & more pressure.  But I'm prepared!  I'm curious on how well this year may go for me & if it's going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it! (:

Ending summer & starting up school again was upsetting to me honestly.  I swear we had just started summer as soon as school came back into the picture- this summer was just the shortest summer I have ever had in my history of summers!  But hey, it is what it is.  I made the most I could out of Summer '10.  I won't tell you the bad or sad things that had happened, but I will name the good & happy things that came to me.  

To start off with, I had finally moved on from a rough past relationship that I can say changed my life- but mostly just thoughts, emotions & feelings.  I know it may sound dumb, but it really was a big accomplishment to me since I had made him my whole world.  But it had taught me not to make someone a priority when they only consider you an option.  Least to say, we don't talk, but we don't have any problems anymore.  But anyways, I had attempted to look for a job maybe a week after my birthday in July.  That wasn't very successful, but I'm still searching.  I NEED money of my own! (:  This summer I mostly hung out with & had a lot of fun with old friends who I haven't seen for a while after splitting up going into highschool.  This is when I had met a boy named Hutter :D  We started to actually hang out towards the end of summer & within that time we became very close really & ever since 08.03.10- we've been dating.  To add on, I had went to King's Island with him & his family & then he attended the Ohio State Fair with me & my family.  The rest of summer, I just decided to go school shopping for clothes & shoes.  You just have to stay in style, haha.  I also spent the rest of my free days with my love.  Though summer was short & unexpected, I had fun.

School is in now.  Fresh start; new year, new me & I am ready for anything!