New Year, New President

I know there's a lot of controversy about our new President Elect, Barack Obama. I do enjoy my fair share of politics, but I try not to discuss them too much. Since the presidential inauguration is only six days away. I wanted to hear from some people about how they feel.

I know that I support Obama, because I think he can really bring about change. I really hope he does, because let's face it, our country really needs it. Does anybody else think that it's kind of neat that the inauguration is the day after Martin Luther King Jr. day?

That's all I have to say, please comment. Thank you all so much for reading. [=

Words

What would life be without words? Really, there would be no languages and communication would be completely different. Maybe it would be like dolphins who communicate with sounds that travel much faster through water. The reason humans are so intelligent stimulates from being able to talk and communicate at such a high level.

Words are so wonderful. I, personally, love them. You can move them around and make all kinds of sentences. You can write anything you want, say anything you want, read anything you want, and think anything you want. It all consist of many words. There are so many you could not possibly know them all, so you can always learn new words.

Today, I'm using words to bring in the new year with my new blog and also my second book. Here's to another year of hard work and writing. Hope everyone is having a good new year.

You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

In just a few days we will be saying goodbye to 2008 and hello to the new year, 2009. We can all highlight the important events in this year for ourselves and for the world. Maybe I'll even make a mix cd of my favorite songs that came out this year. There's a lot to think about, when it comes to 2008. It's not just this year, it's every year. Try to remember some of the good things, and even some of the bad.

In 2009 decide to make some new changes. Maybe volunteer more or just help out around the house a little more. Not only should you try to carry out a New Year's resolution, but you should try to make life better in general. Maybe this year we can all make a bit of a difference. A new year is a new start.

To all of my readers, I'd like to thank you for this year. I've gotten a book published, I've written a lot of blogs, I'm even going to be on the school newspaper next semester. I wouldn't be anywhere without you guys, though. Have a happy New Year everyone!

My Christmas Wish

Every year I wish for world peace, and that again is what I've wished for. For just one day, I want everyone to be civil. I want people to treat others as if they were best friends, even if they're enemies. Just for Christmas, is that too much to ask for?
After all, Christmas spirit is about family and friends. It's about love that warms us all. It's when everyone gets together and acts like a family. It's a time of giving, not just presents, but also kindness. All I want for Christmas, is one day where everyone is nice and there's no hate. Just one day. Merry Christmas everyone.

Raising the Confidence

In today's society if you're not skinny, not "normal", not pretty enough, or don't like popular things, you are an outcast. You are labeled as uncool. Some of us choose not to notice and some of us wish we could also ignore it. I'm not here to rant about bullying or how society can be so cruel. This time I want to reach out and spark some confidence in people like me. We know how it feels to be unaccepted and it's time we stop caring. We need to be confident, because we are all equal people.

Lets face the facts:

1. We can never be skinny enough, because that's not why they dislike us.
   
2. What is normal? It's subjective, and everyone has their own opinion.
3. Everyone is beautiful in one way or another.
4. Looks aren't everything, because eventually they fade.
5. The people who judge others are cowards, and have to make others feel small so they can pretend they feel bigger.
6. They don't matter to us if they have to act so rudely and immaturely.

We don't need to impress anyone, because those who matter don't care about who we are, how we act, or what we like and wear. As long as you can be happy with yourself, that's what matters. Why should we let them make us feel bad? We're all people and it's time we all act more civilized towards each other. From now on let's all try to be confident and be at least courteous towards each other, if not only nice. Not everyone can abide by how I think and feel about this topic. That's not even my goal. My goal is to reach out and help a group of people, or even just one person with my writing. Now, I'll leave you with your thoughts and hope you take to this with a different outlook.

Free Hugs

All it takes is one hug, one love, and the world is a little brighter. Juan Mann displayed this in his hometown located in Australia. He knows the feeling of loneliness and wants to change that for other people. This is a great man. He had the courage to stand alone on the streets with his free hug sign, just so he could reach out and help others.

Eventually free hugs were banned because of public liabilty fear and red tape. A petition was started to bring back free hugs. After 10,000 signatures were collected free hugs made a come back. Now most people are familiar with the free hug campaign video, which shows Juan Mann with his free hug sign and trying to gain enough signatures. The song is "All The Same" by Sick Puppies. It is one of the best songs and videos out there.

For more information about the Free Hug Campaign follow this link: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

Optimism

I've probably written about this a thousand times, but seriously, I am so tired of all the pessimism in the atmosphere. Something goes wrong, oh my world is coming to an end, everything is so messed up. All I want to say is; STOP IT and SHUT UP!

I'm always here to listen whenever you want to talk, but here are some things to not do when you come to tell me all your problems. First, don't start yelling, don't get pissy with me. Second, see first example. Next, don't be so pessimistic. It's not the end of the world. Last, absolutely do not talk to me and before I can help walk away.

I could name some people in this, but if they can't figure out who they are then I haven't done my job as a writer and blogger.

One last thing, stop being so pessimistic. Just for once, humor me, be optimistic. If something goes wrong, try to fix it. If you can't, stop complaining and deal with it. We're not five we should deal with things in a mature way. Things can and will get better and it starts with you. Change your attitude and have a whole new outlook on life.

Apocalyptica

As some of you know, I'm not just a writer. I also play the violin. There are some days it would seem easier to just give up because I can't get the music down or I get frustrated because my strings are way out of tune. That's where inspiration comes in. This year my school got a new orchestra teacher. I must say, she really knows her stuff. The best thing is, she told me about this band called Apocalyptica. Three cellos and a drummer playing rock... AMAZING!

Apocalyptica is the most kick ass string band I've ever seen! After I first listened to some of their music I had to have it. Unfortunately, I currently only have nine songs. Thanks to the new orchestra teacher I have the sheet music for "Drive."

Anyway, let's get back to Apocalyptica and their awesomeness. They've done covers of Metallica songs and they sound great! One of my current favorites is their song and video for "I Don't Care" featuring Adam Gontier, it is one of the most brilliant songs ever! I can't even describe how awesome their music is! All I have to say is go check it out.

Websites to check out:
http://www.apocalyptica.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/apocalypticavideos?ob=4

Inconprehensible Love

Some may think "Andee, you're too young to know anything about love," but I have to disagree. Babies even know what love is when they're first born and held in their parents' arms. Comprehending love is something no one can do. It doesn't matter if you're five, sixteen, thirty, or eighty-nine, no one can exactly comprehend what love is.

It is a feeling, one of the best feelings in the world. It's so good that sometimes it'll keep you up just thinking about that special person. I think Dr. Suess said it best when he said “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
Every little thing is gigantic and means more than you ever thought it would. Holding hands makes the butterflies flutter in your stomach. Saying those three words can make your heart race one hundred mph. Just seeing them puts a smile on your face.

Then there are the things you'd do for that person. You know you'd go above and beyond for them. There isn't anything in the world you wouldn't do, because you love them. The trust is unbelievably strong, because for once love has opened your mind and heart. The bond is unbreakable. You'll always be there for each other.

All of these things describe love. They describe how you feel or how you act, but none of them can even compare to what love really is. There just aren't enough words to ever describe love. Love is so complicated that it's simple. The only thing any of us needs to know is that love just is.

Best Friends

Katie, you're my cousin, my best friend. I can tell you everything and trust you more than I can trust anyone else. We have crazy times, but nevertheless funner than anyone else would know. There are millions of pictures of us, starting from when we were little kids to now. We've spent nights staying up late just to talk and giggle (Mostly giggle.) Then there are those nights we stayed up to prank phone call people, saying the most random things, trying to keep people on for as long as we could. Ah, those are the days.

Together we've faced some of the most difficult and even treacherous mountains of problems. You always have my back and I will always have yours. Trust is never an issue, I can trust you with my life. You know all my secrets, even the ones nobody else knows.

We sure know how to have fun. Dancing, singing, video making, picture taking, and who could forget DDR and sing star? Some day we will learn the dance moves to Thriller and at both of our weddings we'll get up and do the whole dance. When we get old and are in wheelchairs, we'll run around causing trouble with our motor scooters and laugh about it for hours.

Katie, you're my best friend. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Well, I'd make you live closer to me, but hey, thirty minutes isn't too bad. I love you like a nerd loves math, and we are definitely tighter than a fat guy in spandex. To our friendship, to us. Don't ever forget it.