Claude Monet

Monet was a French painter in the late 17th century to the early 18th century. He was an early founder of the French impressionist movement, along with Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frèdèric Brazille. His paintings we're often landscapes and portraits. His "Haystacks" series revolve around stacks of hay found in a field after the land has been harvested. In this series Monet makes a distinct difference in the perception of light for each season, time of day, and weather.

The Freedom in Sight Restriction

Ironically enough, the blind tour made me see life through the eyes of a child. Everything in the world seems so new when it's all pitch black. I never realized how cold door handles are, how smooth tile can be, or even how empty some hallways are. I've always been familiar with the Community Center, but all the little details I felt without seeing made some parts feel completely foreign. That scared me a little. Knowing that a place you've visited hundreds of times in your life can become so unfamiliar in a matter of moments is unsettling. Almost as unsettling of being completely guided around the pitch black nothingness by someone your unfamiliar with as well. Megan is so funny and nice, but having your safety in the hands of some one you've said maybe two words to in your life brings up issues. Trust issues to be exact. I've never been the kind of girl that spills out her life story to someone she just met on the grocery line. What helped me cope was being able to lead Megan first. Although I've never been particularly close to Megan, I didn't want her in harms way when she was in my care. Once I was blindfolded I had a feeling Megan would do the same for me. I still was unsure of following her lead at times because I was just so certain there was a staircase there. But after I would take the plunge I'd realize I was completely safe. Then there was freedom in being able to trust, freedom in seeing (or not seeing) the world, and freedom in walking around in nothingness.

The Day Freedom Rang

Alone in her village,

she tries hard not to shine.

She fails and she sparkles.

Unsure of the attention.

Does she like it or not?

She decides she does not.

But then she sees that it's fine,

or rather, it doesn't matter.

There is no time to ponder.

It is what it is.

So she let freedom ring,

in the form of a

little red dress.

The day would be remembered.

It was the day that

freedom had rang.

Where Did I Go Wrong?

That's not me in the picture, but those are my shoes. Me and my friend Jayne have had this project to stud our converse for a few months now, and we finally did it. I can't say I'm completely happy with the way they came out, so honest opinions are wanted. I can't even tell if if I ruined a perfectly good pair of new shoes or not.

These are Jayne's shoes by the way:

Opinions about both please please please! They both might not be completely done if we figure out a way to make them better.

Super Sister!

Today was hectic to say the least. I overslept until 7:00, ten minutes before my ride picks me up. I got on whatever I could and even had a good thirty seconds to spare before my ride texted me, letting me know she was at my house. The rest of the day was same old same old. There was a major headache I got towards the end, but my day didn't seem to go as bad as my morning set it up to go.

Then I got a call from my mom saying she wouldn't be home soon since my dad took my little brother Aaron to the hospital since he couldn't breathe. I panicked. This was the third time in the past five months that Aaron was rushed off to the emergency room. The first time was bad food poisoning, and by bad, I mean bad. Like "throw up just one more time and we'll have to get your stomach pumped" bad. The second time was for bronchitis, landing Aaron a week long date with an inhaler and two heavy duty prescriptions. This being the third, I couldn't help but freak out. He's my only sibling, and I know at times I deserve less then the perfect sister award, but I can't help but to worry. Especially since his hardcore bronchitis was only about three weeks prior. My biggest worry was the thought that his bronchitis had struck him hard, in the form of pneumonia .

It was the bronchitis that struck Aaron so hard, but thankfully it stayed in the form of bronchitis. A stronger version then before, but still bronchitis. Something that if kept controlled and properly taken care of will have little to no effect on my little brother in the long-run.

If I was put in the same situation as Aaron would I worry nearly as much about myself than I did for him? Would he worry at all about me? I see Aaron as my kid sibling. At seven years old he still seems like four to me. I can't help but worry about him, especially with our large eight year age gap. I find myself almost neurotic to a point, even when he has play dates I want to make sure he doesn't get hurt. And for that reason, why should he worry about me? I'm his big sister. I protect him, not the other way around. I'm strong and fifteen years old. As I heard one of his friends say to him on the playground "You're sister's in high school? Thats so... old!" With such a large age gap he can't help but think that I'm invincible, a tough teenager, nothing can harm me. I'm super sister.

I wonder if I can ever get to the point with Aaron where I can watch him do something stupid, but let him make the decision because he's old enough. Will my eight years matter when I'm 48 and he's 40? I think not, but I think the emotional attachment to being super sister won't ever go away. Aaron definitely doesn't see me as a mother but I see similarities between our relationship that I can see in a child-parent relationship. My constant protecting him, his image of me being so superhuman, my incapability to let him make a decision.

I always like being super sister, but sometimes I just wish he was my own age so I could have the same sister-brother relationship that a lot of my peers have.

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."

Only a week in and I haven't wrote anything for this blog except for my delish recipe for Julianna. It's not because I'm lazy or just hate blogging, it's because I've managed to overcommit myself to everything I can. I manage to get myself in the same situation every year. The situation where I do every sport I like, join every club I see, and ace every class there is. It sounds impossible. I've learned, the hard way I might add, that it is impossible. I can't do everything I want to do. It's just not reasonable, and after a certain point it's just selfish to keep trying.

Freshman year was a big kick in the ass. The days of easy A's and laid back practices we're over. Everything I wanted, I had to work for. And I had to work hard. I ended middle school with a 3.8 average and a spot on Junior National Honor Society. I ended freshman year with a 3.5. I didn't play lacrosse last year because I realized a sport that needs that much commitment (especially as the goalie) wouldn't work out with a hectic dance schedule. I didn't get to spend every moment out and about enjoying myself because I had to do school work to maintain that 3.5 and be able to have time to focus on dance and cheerleading.

I realize it's not going to get easier from here. It's just going to get harder (until I finally kick back and relax in my condo in Florida at age 60). Junior year is inching up, getting closer and closer to me by the second. Then senior year, filled with pre-college stress and post-graduation goodbyes. I expect college to kick my ass as well. Then comes years of work work work as my reward.

Wait, what am I doing all this for?

That condo in Boca isn't looking too hot anymore.

Juliana Parmigiana

Juliana Parmigiana

Season Juliana with salt, to balance out her naturally sweet flavor. Cook over stove until a dark brown (don't be fooled she may already be a golden tan from the Ecuadorian sun). Place parmigiana cheese over her, then bake in oven until cheese is melted. Top with sweet peppers and tomato sauce. Take photo of finished meal, and use the photo for table decor. Serve hot.

Suggestions: Serve chocolate for dessert, and send Juliana on a trip before cooking to boost happiness.

“If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.”

In my first day of STAC the newbies (that would be me!) and the oldies would trade off taking pictures of each other. Easy enough? Well, we also had to interview the person we we're taking pictures of. Although it was nerve-wracking for me to be center of the attention on my first day ever of STAC (even if it was only for a few minutes)

it was still fun in the end. These are my favorite photos of each STACie taken that day.

I think Nicole looks silly, but in a daring way. Something about how hard she's squinting makes a classic "funny face" look like she's carefree.

What I've noticed about Dina is that she has an amazing style that just looks effortless, and I think that this picture really captures that about her.
Jillian's eyes have a certain shine to them here, and to me her facial expression looks like an innocent child who just found something about the world and is trying to question it.
What I like about this picture of Ilana is that she has a smile on her face, but for some reason she looks a little pissed off too. I don't think she was angry at the time though, maybe she was just thinking of a witty response?
I think this is probably one of my favorite photos out of everyones. Michelle's confusion in how to answer the given question was captured perfectly in this picture.
Molly looks like she's getting really into the story about her necklace. It was a really cool necklace. (=
Hilary looks like she's really thinking in this photo, but she has a smile on her face nevertheless.
Keren looks like she's trying to hold in a laugh in this photo. Let it out!
I just think this photo of Nick is hilarious, and I think it's more because of the memory of Nick making people feel uncomfortable then the actual picture.
Zack's squint in this photo makes it look like there's some kind of evil plan unraveling in his head.
Nina looks kind of embarrassed in this picture. I was the one taking it so I know I didn't ask anything embarrassment-worthy, but I love the picture nonetheless.
You can tell that I'm fully aware of the camera and room full of people watching me in this photo. I can't decide if I looked or felt more nervous at that time.
Unlike me in my photo, Jessica looks like she's really relaxed in this photo. She looks oblivious to the fact that there's a room full of people watching her get her pictures taken while being interviewed.
This picture of Bobby looks like he's trying to be modest.
I absolutely adore how hard Juliana is laughing in this picture. I think it's one of the only laughing pictures that looks like the person's about to tear from how funny something is.
I love how sincere Mariad's smile looks here.
Whatever question was asked during this picture seemed to have gotten a great face out of Megan. Her face looks like a mix between disgust and confusion.
This picture of Jesse makes me wonder what he was trying to describe. Whatever it was it looks like it was funny.
Whenever I see Jack he has a straight face on, no matter what. I like this picture because he looks like he's genuinely laughing and having a good time.
I like this picture of Matt because the way he's squinting makes it look like he's challenging you.
I chose this picture of Doug as the one I like the most because he looks like he just heard some really shocking news while this picture was being taken.
I chose this picture of Alex as the one I like the most for no other reason then the great smile that's in it.
I love this picture of Cassie because it's one of those pictures that makes you wonder what was so funny because you want to be able to laugh that hard too.
The way Leah's whole face is straight and doesn't show any emotion in this picture is one thing on its own, but when you add that with the position her mouth is in I think it just makes a winning combo.
Lizzy looks like she's trying to get an answer out of the photographer in this one.
Whenever I see Becky she's always full of energy, and I think this picture captures just that about her.
Oh Bari, are you confused? This picture just makes me wonder what question was asked that made her put on this "I'm uncomfortable" thinking face.
This picture of Ashley is great because of how genuine her laugh looks here.

What I like about this picture of Kalli is how incredibly goofy she's acting, which is nice to see since she seems really shy alot of times.

I love this picture of Leah because she has this "how you doin'?" face on, totally unintentionally, and that gives this picture the right amount of silliness.

The Start Of Something... Amazing?

I'm trying really hard not to make my first post sound too much like a lame introduction. "Hi my names Elisa. I'm fifteen years old and I like to..." just isn't going to cut it for me. I rather just get straight to the point and explain what I hope for this blog to become. Although I would love to just dazzle you all with a stunning idea for the purpose of this blog, I don't really have one right now. I think the only way for me to find out where this blog is headed is to put every single artistic thing I do up here until I find something that I love blogging about. I'll leave it at that for now, and hopefully we'll all see that in a matter of time this becomes an amazing thing.