Children's Books ...

There were many children's books I enjoyed as a child (hint the title of the books)...

My all time favorite book was Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. The reason why this was my favorite book was because my mom would always read it to us while doing motions to the expressions listed in the book. It was really cute and it always cheered us up. It always meant a lot to hear how much she loved us, she would tells us all the time how much we meant to her and it never gets old to hear her say that.

My second favorite book as a child was Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. The reason why this was also one of my favorite books would be because my 1st grade teacher made green eggs and ham one day and I was the only one she shared it with. I looked up to my teacher quite a bit. She was beautiful, sweet, a great singer, caring and just good with kids. When I would read this book with my sister, Brittney, she and I would race to see who could read it the fastest; we had it pretty much memorized.

I wouldn't like to write a children's book. That's not exactly my style and it would take quite a while to get the pictures just right, to fit that age style and to really make sure that the story was understood by such young minds.

Final...NOOO :(

1. List/Discuss several of the different pieces of writing you've done this quarter, including posts, comments, creative pieces, journals, in-class writings, and things you've written on your own.

Some writings we've completed throughout this class have been: free-writes, poems built off of lyrics, magazines and stories, a children's book and even blogs on our pasts or thoughts. My blog includes a mix of all of the listed assignments mentioned before. I wrote each entry with honesty and although some may have taken a bit long, it takes a while to think about how I can open up about myself without just laying everything out on the table. (that's my explanation towards what I've done in this class)

2. Name/Discuss a couple of pieces you've read this quarter, including other classmate's work and/or reading you've done in or out of class.

Some other pieces that I've read would include: other's blog posts and a couple of books that I wanted to read in my freetime. I enjoy seeing what other's have to say, it helps me see who they are and how they think about different things. I read a few books at home because I like the author and reading takes me away from the real world and sends me into something new.

3. Write about setting up your blog and what you ahve gotten from that experience. How did you come up with the name for your blog? Who do you think read it or who would you want to read it? Will you continue to use it on your own in the future? What kinds of things will you post?

Setting up our blog was probably the greatest start to the class. It allowed us to all just be ourselves and get to know each other through the crazy ways we think and the blog really shows our personalities I think. I came up with the name of my blog by remembering a song that EVERYONE was singing around that time. Teach me how to dougie..Yeah, the annoying blood drive song? I actually like it. Er'ybody luh me :) I'm not really sure who took the time to read my blog except for the few people who commented on my posts. I don't have anyone I really want to read it, it's nothing too special in my opinion. I don't think I'll continue using it in my future, but that's simply because I don't spend time opening up about myself or thoughts in random.

4. Write about journaling. What kinds of things are in your journal? Who would you want to read it? Will you continue to journal? What will you write about?

Journaling has never been my most favorite thing. The kinds of things that are in my journal include the random assignments we were given; nothing more. Like I said earlier, I don't have anyone who I feel like should read my things, including my journal, unless they want to pass the time. I won't continue to journal; I dislike hand writing things because I find that it takes too long and it brings back too much.

5. Type an entry directly from your journal that you consider notable. It could be a paragraph or a page or so.

Close my eyes and pound my fists
On the walls and on my chest
Break the code and tear the lists
The lists of things that allow no rest

6. Type a passage or section directly from one of your pieces of writing that you consider notable or your favorite that you've written. It could be a section or a page or so.

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Dreams of liars
It's me, I'm a freak
Sleep with one eye open
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself why?
Will it ever get better than tonight?
The hourglass on the table
I wouldn't even try
enter night
There you are sitting in the garden
told ya from the start
But I think you could save my life

7. What creative writing do you plan to do in the future, if any? What do you get out of writing creatively? How does this differ from the other writing you do, in school and in life?

I plan to continue writing poems. I get the feeling of letting things out and just being myself. This differs from the other writing I do by actually having meaning behind it. School limits what can be said and is usually required.

8. Any final words of encouragement, appreciation, inspiration, etc. for your fellow writers you've worked with this quarter?

I LOVE YOU ALL :) This class has been my favorite class in the three years I've been in high school. I've never felt so comfortable with other people and everyone gets along just like a family..I freaking love it. I'll miss you all and good luck with everything put towards you in your future.

9. Feel free to post any other writing you'd like to at this time.

Hi, Mrs. Fraser. What's up? Mkay, just wanted to let you know some things... You're an amazing teacher! I loved your class, the way you handle things, set things out and connect with us. You actually seem to understand us and I think that's really sweet. Er'ybody luh you :)

Dan in Real Life

2. What are three tips you would give to parents?

Three tips I would give to parents include: Be understanding, don't pull from your past to place on your kids lives, and put yourself in our shoes for once.

7. Can you know in three days that you love someone?

I think it's possible for certain people to fall in love pretty quickly, but it doesn't mean they're truly "in love". I think people rush into things, not knowing whether or not how exactly they feel about the other person. Although I see this, I also see the other side of things. When people consider themselves to be ones who don't play around and just mess around with relationships, then I think it's much more possible for them to fall in love in such a short time period. I feel like having this view in relationships just helps you get to know someone better and actually try to stay with them.

17. Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day would start out with waking up to messages from the ones I've been dying to talk to. After seeing their messages, I would wake up happy and hopeful to continue a conversation with them. As the day went on, I would want to hang out with my friends. Not out at some random place, but somewhere we could all just be ourselves without too many people interrupting. The day would end at my house or my friend's house, spending the night together until the next day.

25. Have you ever done something to make someone else jealous?

I don't know anyone who could say 'no' to this. I think it's in our nature to be a little competitive and sometimes that makes others jealous. Being good at someone can make someone jealous without you even meaning to do it. I've definitely done things to make someone else jealous. Is it right? I don't believe it's the best thing to do.

6. Dan's daughter says she lied about Marty because, "you can't hanle the truth." Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn't handle the truth or didn't think someone else could? What did you do?

I have been in a situation where I thought someone else couldn't handle the truth. I was afraid to tell them, because I never like to hurt someone or to let someone down. I tried to avoid the topic and anything related to what went on, but I eventually couldn't live with avoiding everything. I knew it would be difficult for the other person to hear the truth, but sometimes the truth hurts and you just have live with that fact.

New Poems...

Look into the eyes of the believer
See the optimism fade from sight
He's losing his mind, becoming something new
You hold him tight; hope for a miracle
The longer you hold on, the more this ain't right
You've got to give up on the past
For the past thinks none of what could be
You are who you are
He is who he was
He is your passion; your dignity
Now you're gone; no more to see
Let out a sigh; just another whisper in the wind.

I see you looking into the sky
As if something was looking back
Do you hold the question, why?
or does your heart sore with black of night?
Do you ever pray to the good Lord, himself
or hold in all that you believe for me?
Let yourself fall into my heart
Into my dreams you will be
Out of my reach you seem to stay
Come to me and never leave my side
Take my hand, this all feels right
Won't you say you're mine tonight?

Music Tastes...

1. When you listen to music, what feelings/emotions does it evoke?
When I listen to music, I start to feel relaxed, no matter what style of music it might be. Hardcore music relaxes me but makes me think more than any other style...Really, any style of music with meaningful, deep and true lyrics will make me feel contemplative and calm.
2. What is your favorite song? Why? Is it connected to a certain time, event, or place?
I wouldn't be able to tell myself I have a favorite song, because there are so many songs that I really enjoy. Why? I enjoy so many songs, because I can easily relate them to certain people, and the way I feel when I listen to the songs is something good rather than bad. Although things may not work out with friends or significant others, music can always bring me back to when we were on good terms.
3. How has your taste in music changed over the years?
I grew up listening to hardcore metal kind of music, but now I rather enjoy the softer, more calm music. The music I listen to all depends on my mood in the moment, and if I don't have a certain mood then the music will make me feel something eventually. I also grew up to country (my parents are divorced so the music was split)
4. Why do you gravitate towards certain types of music? Why do you think you dislike certain types of music? (influences, history, parents)
I think I gravitate towards certain types of music because of the meaning I put behind each sound or spoken word. I dislike certain types of music because pointless things said through horrible instrumentals just upsets me. Why would someone release a horrible song, knowing that it isn't the greatest? Lame.
5. Do your friends listen to the same styles of music as you? What do you think this means?
My friends actually do listen to the same styles of music as me. I think this means we have a lot of similar tastes and interests; not just in music. By liking the same style, it shows that the instrumentals, the lyrics, the voice and the vibe the music gives off is liked by us and I enjoy knowing that.
6. Without music, the world would be...
Without music, the world would be silent, numb and almost careless in my opinion. Music is a major part of my life.

Autobiography

Courtney Stewart grew up in a couple of smaller towns until she finally settled down in Springfield, Missouri. She had always loved going to movies with friends, spending hours just sitting in her room and drawing up a new idea, playing tennis on occasion and listening to her friends stories; trying to help them through the hard times. Although she enjoyed spending time with friends, it was moments spent in a warm bed, reading next to a lamp with incense next to her that Courtney loved the most. Her favorite authors include: Julie Anne Peters, Ellen Hopkins, and Stephanie Meyers. Overall, Courtney prefers any book aside from the sci-fi category. She is still in high school, at a junior level but plans to graduate next year with a set mind towards college not long after. She might not be very close to her family, but her twin sister means the world to her. She used to spend most of her time wrapped in tennis events, but now she finds herself locked away in her room, drawing, singing and being herself, or spending time with her friends. Her future is set towards college and being the best she can be for herself and her loved ones.

Blast to the Past: Music!

What music or songs reminds you of your childhood?
Moran: New Kids on the Block (NKOTB)
Goddard: Any 80s..grew up in that time.
Who is your favorite singer or group or song and why?
Mr. Schmidt: Chicago, Bonjovi..(Unlike my Son)
Mr. Clark: John Mayer; style and a musician himself
What music reminds you of someone you love? Your child? Spouse? Parents?
Presson: The songs at my wedding; my spouse (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Goddard: Kenny Chesney and Dixieland Delight; a girl I dated in high school
Do you go to concerts? Which concerts are memorable to you? Why?
Mr. Schmidt: Contemporary Christian concert and Huey Lewis; for fun.
What radio stations do you normally listen to in your car? Do you sing along?
Moran: 96.5, the wolf...yes, I sing along.
Highfill: Christmas music right now, or normally country...of course I sing along. My friend told me I sing like an angel..a dying angel.
Which music or artist was "controversial" or "offensive" to some when you were growing up? Is any music offensive to you now?
Goddard: NWA (I'm not really sure of this group)
Highfill: rap or hip hop
Which music or artist do you really dislike or refuse to listen to?
Presson: rap