Today Is..

September 11, 2009.

8 years have gone by since the terrorist attack on the world trade center, when approximately 3,000 people lost their lives. That morning, September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget.

And yet, in all truthfulness, I almost forgot that today was the anniversary of that event. It is (especially for a busy college student) so easy to just get in a pattern and go through the motions, that you don't think about little things like the date. So when I looked at my calendar yesterday, at first, I didn't believe it. But, after a blink or two I realized - today is that day.

It seems to me, that for those who were old enough to remember that day (and there are many who are just a year or two younger than me don't. But after all, I was only 9 when it happened) will never forget exactly what they were doing when they heard the news. I know I never will.

My mother was getting myself and the neighborhood kids who she took care of ready for school. I remember walking into the living room to ask her if she could do my hair, and seeing her and one of the other kids sitting staring at the TV. Just, staring. So, I stared too, and watched as the plane flew into the first tower, and it collapsed. And then the second tower. I also remember all of the different reactions people had. Some would cry, others display anger toward anyone, and anything they associated with the terrorist who had caused the attack. I just remember feeling numb. Constantly asking myself "Who would do this? Why?". When I realized that in launching their attack, the terrorist had also killed themselves, it only made me more confused. I was pretty smart for a nine year old, and even in my confusion, I still had one important question. One that no one else seemed to answer. "How does someone become so angry, or so sad, or whatever emotion it could possibly be, to do something like this? How could anyone reach that point?"

One of the best things I remember about that day, was what followed in the weeks and months after. Patriotic songs could be heard on every station, people pulled out the American flag, they started to help each other, care for each other. Love each other. I guess it's once again the beauty with the disaster. The yin with the yang.

If there is one hope that I have for the world, it is too remember those couple of months after September 11, 2001. To remember how we felt towards our neighbors, towards strangers. That kind of love and care is something that one should never loose. I realize that if someone were to read this from another country, it might sound like I am very much supporting America, and in a way I am. But, it's so much more than that. I hope that one day we wont just think of each other as American, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc. nor think of ourselves as Christians, or Jews, or Muslims. I hope that, one day, we will simply think of each other as friends, and stand up, as citizens of the world. As an "us", not a "them".

So, at the end of a day of remembering, lets promise to never forget.

Alright, I'm about to let a little bit of my inner nerd show here for you guys. Part 1

I have been really excited about something lately. Halloween. Yes, yes, I realize that it is just the beginning of September and not near enough to October 31 to even think about being excited for it. Yet, every year during late August, the same feeling washes over me. I get random urges to watch horror flicks, and read magazines like Home and Garden looking for things like recipes for "spooktacular treats" or "Halloween party tips". I even go as far as to make up excuses to go to the local party store more than necessary, just so I can see what kind of decorations and costumes they have. Now first off let me say that I am not some psychopath who loves severed hands, or someone who believes in the occult. I'm really just your average 17 year old girl.



I have often speculated as to why I love Halloween so much. Maybe because it's close to my birthday? Maybe it's some deep rooted psychological, thing, that has to do with my love of sweets? I honestly don't think it's either. And while my love of the day is usually focused into a few months, at any time in the year I can be found watching shows like Ghost Hunters or Ten Scariest Places on Earth.

But so far, I have been able to narrow down the reason for my Halloween-itis to two possible answeres. And, most likely, it's a little bit of both.



The first, is the time. Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year. I love everything about it. From the way the leaves change, to the weather, to being able to wear slightly warmer clothes to, well, what do you know? One of the main holidays in autumn is none other than Halloween.

The second and more "philosophical" reason for my Halloween love comes from my "what if..?" complex. I can so easily be caught up in the fascination of something that is so different from the day to day, that I just cant help but be intrigued. And then, when you take something that seems totally impossible (like say a vampire), and then find that there is, in fact, some kind of historical story behind it (such as how the name Dracula supposedly came from Vlad Dracul, once the ruler of Turkey, who is notorious for his violence and blood lust. Oh, and one of his favorite past times was to impale prisoners heads on sticks). Well, that just gets me excited, and much more interested at the fact that, maybe all of this crazy stuff didn't just pop out of someones head one day. Maybe, just maybe there really is something to all of this.




That's not to say that I believe in vampires and zombies and all of that stuff, because I don't. But to think that all of that stuff isn't just made up, that it's really linked to an ancient society, or a real person, it's just incredible to think about.

Needless to say, my anticipation of the day is only going to grow as it gets closer. And, you can expect more posts on the topic. Such as my tips on great and unique costumes, the historical background of the things associated with halloween, cool decorating ideas, and much more.

I cant wait!

Have you ever wondered...

...Why some times it seems like destruction begets beauty? See L.A. currently dealing with massive wild fires. See Mission Viejo. Far away enough to not worry about being in danger of said fire, yet close enough to see the effects it has on the sky. Vibrant with a distinct red and blue in the evening, a result from the ash in the air. It is so beautiful. This same idea can be true of the written word. How many beautiful songs and poems have been written out of pain and misery? There are even some like that on this site. Maybe it's just the world trying to even itself out, a yin and yang if you will. The beauty with the pain, the good with the bad.

Whatever it is, it's just something to think about.

The Game

Waiting for time to tick away
I'll even take another day
when this game will be over
this trick that you've played

And on this old worn sofa I sit
trying to come out of it
still locked inside what has been
and hoping to forget

With every chance that passes by
I cant help but wonder why
I am always someones second choice
this I cant deny

9

Come, grab my hand
just stay with me and don't let go
while we're here, right now
all we've got here is nine months to know

And as we both move closer
to that dark foreboding day
both anxious, yet still waiting
for what the other will say

So stop, and don't move
Please find a way to stay
Because with the whole world waiting
With their - rules, and game to play
I don't want this to turn into
the memory of a day

Lets see..

Well, I'm half way through my first week of college, and It has definitely been...interesting. I like most of my teachers (most), I joined a club (environmental awareness :D ), met a couple of "characters" (if you know what I mean), I've already been assigned and written my first essay (On grammar. I really hope I don't use incorrect grammar in it.. that would be bad), A stranger told me they love me, and.. I think that's about it.. All in all I have enjoyed the first couple of days, and I really hope I will be able to make new friends and really become a part of the campus (as well as do well in all of my classes). I suppose that for every moment of sheer frustration there will be one of enjoyment. At least I hope that everything will balance out that way. What I can say is this, I really wish that people would stop telling me that "college isn't high school". Um, hello? That's why it's called college! It's not like I haven't already spent the summer taking a class, I think I get that they are different.; )

Well anyways, I have had a good laugh reading this over. Hope this finds everyone doing well.

Today I will end this with 2 quotes from some of my Professors, just to give you a little idea of what I'm in store for this semester.

"You think college is expensive? Wait until you see the price of ignorance"

"The number 1 is like the planet Pluto.. useless"

I wish it was The Endless Summer

Today is my last weekday of summer. Next up college. I have more than a few trepidations about the up coming school year. Am I going to make new friends? Are my old friends going to forget about me? Am I going to be able to handle my insane amount of units? Will I ever get a job??

This summer has been especially important for me. It has also been incredibly short (switching to a school with a completely different schedule, I lost almost a month of my summer.) I've really tried to make the most of it, And I have. And now, with just a few days left, I'm at a loss for how to spend them. I so badly want to go out with a bang, but all I can think of are things like "I need new notebooks!"

I suppose I have already ended my summer in the ceremonial sense. With a bonfire; exactly the way I started it. As my friends and I all stood around the fire, we knew that this was both the end, and the beginning.

And each of us, were holding the key.



So I guess all that I can do now is just charge into school, and see what's waiting for me.

Do you ever just feel like you are down and out? Like everything is holding you back from doing what you really want to do? I have been feeling like that lately. Actually, I have been feeling like that a lot. But you know, I am not going to give up. Not at all. Because when you feel the way that I feel now, like you are fighting for a lost cause, like it's you against the world - well - those are usually the things that are worth fighting for.

Never stop fighting.

Remember, "All of us are in the gutters. But, some of us are looking at the stars" ~Oscar Wilde.

Good Music

This is a video I recently came across by Ingrid Michaelson. I love her music, and this song is so beautiful! I hope you enjoy!

Things To Do

Go to an out door concert. Even if it's just your neighborhood band. After all, this weekend is the fortieth anniversary of the iconic Woodstock festival.