Dear Momma...

Dear Momma,

            There are no words to describe how much you mean to me. I could thank you ever second for the rest of my life and it would not be enough. You have given me a great life, and I could not imagine it any other way. I want to apologize for every single time I have ever upset you. I never intend to do so. After all the love and caring you have shown me, you deserve the best praise and respect. You have always rooted for me and have done whatever you could to give me an enjoyable, full life. You always fret about mistakes you feel you have made, and you have apologized to me so many times. I do not see why. You have never done anything wrong in my eyes. I love you more than words can describe…I love you more than all the bushels in the world.

                                             -Mattie                                                                                                                                                                

My White Knight

My first and perhaps only role model is my mother. There is an extensive list of ways she inspires me. She is an amazing cook, baker, and is always willing to teach me. She is stubborn, determined, and independent—traits I am glad I got from her. Most of all, she is simply terrific. She is a great mother; she is proud of her children, pushes us to do our best, and loves us unconditionally. She may push me hard, but no matter how frustrated I get, I know she is doing it for my own good. Also, not only is my mother a great parent: she is the coolest mom one would have. She is fun, loud, hilarious, does not care what others think, and really just sucks people in with her charm. When we are together, we can be our crazy selves, laugh, and have a great time. She is just like me...or rather, I am just like her! I love her more than anyone or anything in the world.

Rupert Grint - song by Parry Gripp

Wow I love this song doN'T JUDGE ME.

Seasonal Escapade: Autumn Dusks – Animoto

Seasonal Escapade: Summer Days – Animoto

Home Sweet Home!

If I could live anywhere, it would be a little seaside town called Taubolt, California. It is a very old-fashioned, cozy, beautiful little village. It is like something out of a book…which it is! The town is a place of fiction in the tale The Book of Joby, one of my favorite novels. Taubolt has remarkable landscape, Victorian houses, and warm, welcoming faces around every corner. During the holiday season it is like “…Living in a Christmas card,” says Joby, the main character. In the book, the town is a safe haven. It is protected by the archangel Michael. According to every source apart from the town’s very residents and visitors, it does not even exist! It is said that the town is impossible to find unless it brings you itself. To live in such a place, hidden like a lost world, safe and comforting like grandma’s house…It would be a dream come true.

Seasonal Escapade: Spring Dawns – Animoto

Seasonal Escapade: Winter Nights – Animoto

Money, shmoney: Animoto

I believe I did learn something doing this project. Everyone has a very different idea of what they would do if money were not an object. Some would live their dream, other would help the people around them, and still others would do what they think seems fulfilling. I would be a missionary: I could help others, and that sounds fulfilling to me. However, I am unsure of what I want to do in this money-centered world. It would be wonderful to do any number of free-lance jobs, but the world is harsh on those who do. I hope to find a job where I can help others, be happy, and make enough money to support myself as well as give back to my parents, who have done so much for me throughout my life. My family wants to see me be successful, and their hope has incorporated itself into my own desire for accomplishment. With the size of the world, I am sure I will find a job that fits all my requirements.

Refrigerators and Extra Credit

What I would probably miss the most if I had no electricity would be my fridge. I considered my computer, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and TV as well. However, the refrigerator was the winner. I could easily help my mother with washing our dishes and clothes by hand, and I very rarely watch TV anymore. I do, in fact, spend my days on the computer, but I know that it is not good for me. I happen to have something very close to an addiction to the computer, and even though I feel I should do other activities, I am always attracted back to my computer. Still, my fridge is the sanctuary of our food. Of course we could use ice boxes, but they would only do so much. Even if we did not have computers, I could read, write, draw, or find other ways to pass the time. Perhaps I would have some kind of computer withdrawal for a while, but it would eventually be for the best. My fridge, however, is the one appliance that I do not believe we could do without in my household.

Home Is Where The Magic's At

If I had to choose, the Harry Potter series would easily be my favorite form of reading entertainment. It all starts with a boy, orphaned after one short year of life. His only family left consists of his horrid aunt, uncle, and cousin, the Dursleys. He grows up in a household devoid of love, save for the affection Harry’s cousin, Dudley, is constantly showered with. As Harry’s 11^th birthday approaches, he receives letters for the first time in his life, and they come by owl! As his uncle tries to get rid of them, they become more numerous. Finally, when Harry turns 11, someone shows up on the family’s doorstep. Hagrid, a real-life giant, gives Harry a letter stating his enrollment at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So his new life begins. As Harry goes through his years at Hogwarts, more and more adventures pop up. He meets his best friends in the world, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and his godfather, Sirius Black. He acquires very loving friends and allies who help him in his battle against the most powerful dark wizard of the age, Lord Voldemort. There are losses along the way, and many people dear to Harry fall, but in the end, good always triumphs over evil. Harry Potter was the first chapter book I ever read, at the age of 8, and it is a big part of my life, including its influence on my love of writing. I am very glad my mother introduced it to me, and we have been a family of fans since then.

Money, Shmoney, and A Barrel of Apples

          If money were no object, more people would do what they truly wanted to do instead of working solely for an income. Many people are motivated by money, fame, power, or other gratifying and “valuable” prizes. Robert Frost wrote a poem, “After Apple-Picking,” that gives some insight on the matter. Through metaphors and imagery, Frost conveys that one should do what they love most and put all their effort into doing so.

          In the poem, the speaker finds purpose in what he does. He spent his life working hard and doing his part, and at the end he felt fulfilled and was ready to move on. Frost implies that happiness can be found in diligence, if one enjoys what they do. He writes, “…I could tell/What form my dream was about to take” (l. 16-17). The speaker knows what he wants and what he will be providing for others. The service he offers benefits both him and those around him.

          Though it may be worthwhile, the work the speaker does is strenuous. One typically works harder doing something they enjoy because they are putting effort into a good part of their life. Frost emphasizes this point with his poem, as the speaker sweats over his duty. Frost writes, “My instep arch not only keeps the ache,/It keeps the pressure of the ladder-round” (l. 21-22). He devotes himself to such tiring work to feel meaningful. He has done his vocation for so long that it is wearing him down, but he continues to contribute to society.

          Through his vivid use of metaphors and imagery, Frost indicates that any work to be done should be wanted and committed to. If money were no object, I myself would be a missionary. I would love to go around and help poor or homeless people in any country. Caring for those people and giving them hope and help would give me a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. I would give it my all to keep the people I aided content, comfortable, and optimistic. I truly hope that someday I can do something as meaningful.                                               

Unnamed, Heartfelt Poem

Never let those who aren’t worth pain

cause agony to your soul.

Don’t suffer

for those who don’t deserve your love.

The ones who care,

that don’t hurt you,

that you know you can trust,

those are the ones that love you

and are the ones you should love.

Only those who won’t injure it

should have access to your heart.

They’ll cherish it,

polish it until it glows.

Place it on a golden pedestal

and watch it with warm eyes.

They will fight off any

who wish to harm it.

They’ll never reveal its secrets.

They’ll never judge what lies within it.

All you have to do is find them.

Find them, trust them, and never let them go.

Perfect Song

Oh, song so melodious and sweet,

Where does your wondrous voice begin?

I’d walk the Earth ten thousand years,

Just to find your origin.

Your sound, so beautiful and clear,

Like magnificent music to my ears.

My only hope, so strong and sure,

Is that you’ll play forevermore.

My Friends Are Gold Stars

My lovely friends.

Each one is utterly unique.

The best of the best.

They’re magical.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

When I look at my friends,

I’m blinded by their perfection.

Trustworthy, caring;

Kind, whether it shows or not.

Each has a splendid sense of humor.

They are all unbeatably beguiling.

Intelligent, such a charming attribute.

Sensible.

I love them.

My family beyond my family.

They make up a

Beautiful part of my heart.

Time

Time ticks by like grains of sand

Trickling through an hourglass.

Every minute passes sluggishly.

The longer you watch,

The longer the wait becomes.

The more you think about waiting,

The slower time seems to go.

Some people don’t have enough time.

Others have too much to employ.

You either rush to finish all your tasks

Or you laze about daydreaming.

You either waste away the day

Or don’t have time to waste.

Seasonal Escapade: Autumn Dusks

Leaves the color of blazing flames,

Red, orange, and gold.

Time for Halloween fun and games,

Trick-or-Treating in the bitter cold.

Carving pumpkins, fresh from the patch;

Will they be cute or scary or just plain kooky?

Chocolate chip cookies by the batch,

Decorated houses that are oh so spooky.

A time to dress up—what will you be?

Just wait ‘til next Halloween and see.

Seasonal Escapade: Summer Days

Blazing sun, warm and bright,

Beating down with blinding light.

A warm, gentle summer breeze,

Blowing through the leafy trees.

Thunder and showers that last for hours,

Raging on with nature’s power.

Never do they cease to amaze,

Those sunny, rainy summer days.

Seasonal Escapade: Spring Dawns

The sound of birds early in the morn,

Awakening to their sweet chirping.

Outside, the flowers are blooming.

Dew-drenched grass covers every lawn.

Take a deep breath,

Take in the renewed Earth’s freshness

After a long, cold, snowy winter.

The weather is perfect:

It’s not too hot, not too cold.

A butterfly floats by lazily in the breeze.

Finally the sun breaks over the horizon,

And it’s day.

Seasonal Escapade: Winter Nights

Calm, cold, snowy night.

The ground is covered in powdery white.

Even at dark, it’s still so bright.

The snow reflecting silvery light.

Only the bravest of souls would dare,

To battle through the icy air.

Whipping wind, pelting ice,

The night to malevolent goes

From such a splendid sight.

But, once again, the snow subsides.

And, once again, it glows,

With such a peaceful, brilliant bright.

And on our way we go.

Fear of The Night

What was that?

I heard it, didn’t you?

Maybe my mind is just messing with me.

The quiet of the night does have

 A tendency to set the nerves a-quiverin’.

That? That was nothing, just a trick of the light.

There isn’t anyone here but you and me.

You’re still nervous though, aren’t you?

You feel your heart racing, your fingers trembling;

Your skin is prickling with fear.

I see you glancing over your shoulder,

And at the same time you’re afraid

That you’ll actually see something.

Well, don’t you worry your pretty little head.

There’s nothing to be scared of...

Except the unseen things

Creeping through the shadows,

Watching,

Waiting.

It doesn’t matter how brave you are;

When your alone in the darkness

You can’t help but wonder,

Think to yourself, who’s there?

That’s the funny thing about fear:

You can’t hide from it.

It will always find you,

Strike when you least expect it.

I bet you can’t breathe right now,

The thought is so horrifying.

It’s like your being strangled by

Your innermost terrors.

They’re rushing up to meet you;

You shouldn’t keep them waiting...

Sarcasm

Yes, that’s great!

It’s just fantastic!

So wonderful, terrific, divine!

It’s awesome, and splendid,

Outright stupendous, sensational,

Phenomenal, remarkable, fine!

There are oh so many words to describe

Just how superb this really is!

Of course, by now, I’m sure you know,

That was all sarcasm, my friend.

Poetry

Writing poetry isn’t such a difficult thing.

It can rhyme or it can not.

Just unleash your emotions, thoughts and feelings,

Onto the page.

The blank space doesn’t mind.

That’s what it’s there for.

It’s waiting to be filled

With your beautiful words.

Spill your heart out

Or simply make witty observation.

Poetry can be

Funny,

Sad,

Serious,

Sweet,

Happy,

Scary,

Romantic.

Anything you want it to be.

All you have to do

Is write down those beautiful words

On a blank space.

Unleash your emotions, thoughts and feelings,

Whether they rhyme or not.

Writing poetry isn’t such a difficult thing.

The Past Is The Past, And I Say Just Keep Swimming

If I could change one thing from my past, I would have worked and studied harder in school last year. Many people say B’s are very good, but I strive for excellence. Perhaps I stress out more than necessary, and worry over the small details, but every little thing counts in the long run. I intend to try my hardest to be up there with the best of the best, and nothing is going to stop me. There are plenty of obstacles for me to overcome, and I am ready for them now. I should have worried more about my grades than any petty aspect of my social life. I know my responsibilities, and I have to ensure that I get a full scholarship to college. The only way to get colleges to notice me is to go above and beyond. I am certainly going to improve this year, and I am already becoming more satisfied with my efforts.

The Super Stupendous, Superb, Spectacular Sensation Known As Reading

I love to read. Reading has been and always will be my favorite “hobby” of sorts. Whether it is poetry or a full-blown volume, it will find its way into my hands and heart. If I have a good book, I can read for hours and hours on end. Reading is an amazing experience for me, and the novels I read take me to a whole other world. When I am upset, they help me get away. I get so entranced and excited by stories, and I feel as one with the characters. Losing them is like losing a dear friend or family member, and finishing a book is an indescribable mixture of sadness and elation. When I am reading a good book, one will be hard-pressed to find someone more enthusiastic about the pages of a tome. Any adventure in literature becomes part of me, and stays with me long after reading that final word. 

My Idea of The Greatest Band of All Time

Since I love all kinds of music, picking a favorite genre would be impossible. However, rap never appealed to me, with all the vulgar and difficult to decipher lyrics. My mood affects what I listen to. When I am sad, I listen to songs with relatable lyrics to draw out the sorrow. When I am angry, I listen to loud music to work the resentment and fury from my system. If I had to choose a favorite band, it would definitely be Switchfoot. They are a Christian rock band, and their songs captivate me not only for the great sound the music has, but that the lyrics are so meaningful. They take moral ideas, relatable thoughts, and put them into songs that have that perfect rock sound of my dreams. When I was younger I used to unknowingly listen to and love a few of their songs. A couple summers ago I heard an amazing song, looked up the band, and discovered it was Switchfoot, the band that had played those songs I loved. I immediately fell in love with their music, and now have over twenty-five of their songs in my iTunes library.

Daddy Daycare? No, Government Daycare.

The government should provide daycare for working parents. If people are going to put in the time and effort to support their families, then they deserve a little help. I believe that is what the government is here for: To help the people. Daycare is very expensive for some people, and that can keep them from being able to have a job. However, the more people work, the more the government gets in taxes. While the government gives money to people who may not work even if they can, some people who are more than willing to work are incapable of doing so because they have children to care for. The little money it would take to provide daycare for working parents would pale in comparison to the amount the government would get if parents were able to work. If they government were to supply daycare for working parents, both parties would benefit.

Values, Morals, Principles, Beliefs

I have a lot of values, but there are three that definitely stand out. First and foremost, my family and friends are my greatest treasures. They are always by my side, through thick and thin, and the least I can do to repay them for all they have ever done for me is love them unconditionally. Next on my list is my education and future. My parents always push me to do my hardest. I know what they want more than anything is for me to have a full life and a great future. I not only want to do well for myself, but for them. I could not stand to disappoint them. Finally, I value good, old-fashioned ethics, morals, and manners. People who are rude, mean, or ignorant are distasteful. My family raised me to be courteous, kind, and considerate of others. When people stomp those beliefs into the ground and spit on them, I am truly disappointed.

Summertime Fun and Merriment

Since I did not do a whole lot of anything over summer, the highlight of my vacation was my stay with my aunt Kari and cousin Kadi. I stay with my aunt every summer for a week or so, but we changed it up so that I could see my cousin. I stayed over at Kadi’s house In Columbus for a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before my aunt brought me home Monday morning. On Friday and Saturday we shopped ‘til we dropped, and Saturday evening we went to Menchie’s. I got both apple pie and mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt with lots of toppings like raspberries, gummy bears, and cookie dough, and my aunt and cousin teased me for the odd combinations. I did not mind though since, surprisingly, the flavors tasted great together and the toppings were tasty. On Sunday we went to the waterpark and the Columbus Zoo. I have always been more of an amusement park fanatic, but I enjoy the aquarium, especially the manatees because they were absolutely adorable. I had a great visit and am looking forward to next summer’s fun ventures with my aunt.

Mattalaine Ayanna, Warrior of The Light

Mattalaine.

I’ll settle for just Mattie,

especially when the ‘a’ goes on vacation

every time someone tries to say the whole thing.

It’s not Madeline,  

or Madelyn,

or Matilda, Madison, Miranda, Mandy, Massachusetts.

Just Mattie.

Of course, my family and best friends

have an extensive, yet cherished, list of nicknames for me:

Mattat, Mattiepoo, Brattalaine, Bratty Mattie,

Mattie loo, Poochipoo, Mattalainey, Chalupa, and more.

Then there’s the occasional, “Mattalaine Ayanna!”

That one’s not so warm and welcoming.

It’s a whip cracking through the air.

When I hear it, creeping towards me like a cat ready to pounce,

I find myself dolefully slipping through the halls

and sliding down the stairs to my impending doom.

Those two words can seem like the bane of my existence.

Anywho,

those within my tightknit group of friends know I am

Rambunctious, spazzy, dramatic, affectionate, caring.

Others see me as a little lost puppy.

I may be shy at first, and my stage fright is horrendous,

but that is not me.

Maybe someday, when people hear my name,

“Mattie,”

they’ll think of a fun-loving girl,

loud

exciting,

trustworthy,

comforting.

An unbelievable sense of humor.

That’s who I am.

That’s what I want others to see.

Getting me out of my shell isn’t so difficult,

but one day I’ll be able to walk up to anyone,

Say, “Hiya!” with no trouble.

Stand in front of the class and let the words

flow from my lips without hesitation or discomfort.

Be myself.

I know I can do it,

and so does everyone else.

Why?

Because I am a warrior of the light.

The Virtues of Courtesy and Compassion

A philosophy I hold near and dear to my heart is to be polite and kind towards others. It not only reflects on me as an individual, but on my family as the ones who raised me. My every word and action mirrors my families ethics and mannerisms. To behave crudely and discredit them would be disgraceful. Aside from how my conduct portrays my family's ideals, it also shows others who I am personally. Being considerate and respectful are not only characteristics I exhibit, but what I expect in return. Never have I known someone who found a rude and mean spirited person appealing. I myself have also never found reason to dislike a friendly person. Why would one despise someone who held open the door with a smile or was genuinely concerned with the other's well-being or happiness is unknown to me. What I do know is that helping people makes me feel good about myself, even if a little gratitude is always appreciated.