Then You Stand

My uncle is an alcoholic. There. I said it. I have been told all my life, jokingly, "You are just like your uncle!" I was proud at first. He was athletic and a frim believer in God. Truthdaully, I admired him, until he started drinking. I witnessed his harshness with my cousins and aunt. When he got on to McLain, his oldest child, for something she did not do, I jumped to her defense.

"Do not yell at her," I said, calmly.

"Mason," he answered warningly.

"You cannot get on to me," I stated, matter-of-factly.


Right then and there, I realized I am not going to be like my uncle. I am not going to turn out like him. I will never drink, I promised myselp. Not long after that promise, my mom wanted me to taste the tiniest sip of Kahlua, a 'yummy liqueur' as she put it. I knew that sip would not do any real harm, but I stayed true to myself.

"No thank you," I said.

"It's a sip, Mas," Mom answered.

"Mom, you have always said I am just like my uncle. I may be ornery. I may be hard-headed, but I can promise I am NOT going to be a selfish alcoholic."


And that was that. She never said one more word abouth that tiny sip. I knew she was proud that I realized the ugly side of being just alike, and I was standing up against it.

Almost There..

Whoo hoo! My sophomore year is almost finished... halfway there! It has been a pretty smooth ride... so far. I have learned the personalities of all my teachers. So I know what makes some mad! All of my classes are pretty easy. I still do not like math, but I have a wonderful teacher who explains things twice! I had oral communications this semester too. We had a blast! The new teacher this year is ah-MAZING! I have learned quite a bit in all of my classes. The only reason I do not want this year to end, is because of the seniors. I do NOT want them to leave me. I don't only have to wait one year, I HAVE TO WAIT TWO! I hope this year slows down just a little bit. Time flies when you're having fun!

fate?

In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar it is not fate that makes the traitors betray Caesar. They had a choice. I think to make themselves feel better, they told themselves it was all planned out. It was fate. But it was not fate. It was free will. The act of murdering Caesar was a choice the killers made. They had the choice, no matter what they told themselves. It was cold - blooded murder.

We're Following the Leader Wherever He May Go

Finishing up the book, Julius Caesar by Willaim Shakespeare, I learned that following the leader is not always the best idea.
Brutus, a powerful man with many allies, was followed closely. He was the leader of the pack. But not all of his ideas to better the country were the best. Marc Antony, a noble
follower of Caesar's, remained loyal to Caesar even after his death. A good leader is loyal, reliable, and trustworthy. Antony was all of these and more. He was not afraid to put down Brutus when he knew his ways were wrong. Antony, a humble man, was not embarassed to be the head but was careful with his position.
To me, Marc Antony proved to be the best leader.

SYNERGIZE!

SYNERGIZE means to work together as a team and come up with the best solution to a problem. Working together by synergizing, will help with the baseness of some group problems. Just synergizing in school could be a big start for the best for this country. If two groups, countries in this case, got together to discuss a problem,then talked it out, then came up with the best solution to solve the problem, imagine how much this world could accomplish! Sean Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens could not only teach important issues to teens, but could also help this state, this country, this world realize what they have been missing all along. Just SYNERGIZE!!

Get Up and Go be PROACTIVE!!

My classmates and I are reading The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. When we were first assigned to read this book, I thought What does this have to do with anything? Then I began reading, and my whole point of view changed. Sean really knows how to write to the heart.
The #1 Habit is entitled "Be Proactive! - I am the force!" Sean uses this example: "Reactive people make choices based on impulse. They are like a can of soda pop. If life shakes them up a bit, the pressure builds and they suddenly explode." This chapter is about not be reactive to certain things. Say your little brother snuck into your room and read your diary. Although not reacting is tough, the proactive response is to not let that one little incident ruin your whole day.
I really learned from this chapter. My mom has told me quite often, "Don't let that put a damper on things!" I am now understanding why it is important to be PROACTIVE. If I learn to let accidents slide, then I will be able to concentrate on what really matters. So Get Up! Get Set! And Be Proactive!

Ba"Rock this Nation!"

Barack Obama. So many different feelings are aroused when this presidential candidate is mentioned. Many of his views support my own opinion. Getting our troops out of Iraq (finally) is a top priority. Becoming better allies with foreign countries would decrease our chances of becoming involved with more long, drawn - out wars, like the war with Iraq. The issue abortion has caused is finally realized. Abortion should be legal. Not that i believe a baby should be killed for its parents' mistakes, but that it should be the persons affected choice. Obama definitely has my vote...in 2012!