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.