Busy Busy! :/

 Im always excited for the weekends, because there is always one day that I can completely sleep in.  This weekend, there is no day that I can fully sleep in 'til when I want and that should be a crime. Today I had to attend school, of course, and worked on homework all day since saturday and sunday I am chalked full of things to do. Saturday in the morning I have to go to church, and then afterward I'm going to go to my brother's volleyball tournament. Then, after his games, I have to go to my cousins party. After that exhausting day Sunday I have to wake up and get ready to sing for church. Man, busy busy!

Tracks

Wednesday's community service fare was so great! I loved having the opportunity to find out ways to earn my services hours, but find somewhere where I can also connect myself to and really enjoy. One booth that caught my attention was the Second Harvest Food bank. Lorita greeted me with a smile and explained what it is that the food bank does. This food bank sets up a place where are able to distribute food to those less fortunate and in need. Another booth that really excited me was the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. They had their monthly edition of their pamphlet ,Tracks sitting at their booth. A really nice lady greeted me and explained that what the center does is take in injured wild animals and restore them back to health. This is something I am definitely going to not only earn some community service hours, but also enjoy it and continue to help after high school as well.

Leaves, But Wings

This is my kind of weather! I love the sun and her warmth shining upon all of our faces. The birds are chirping, and the flowers are blooming. But the most soft and beautiful thing that I have seen this past week are the clumps of butterflies. When I was walking home at first I thought it was leaves blowing in the wind, but as I continued to walk along I noticed it was bright orange monarchs. From my house it is only about a five to ten minute walk, and counting all the butterflies I could distinguish there had to be over fifty. When I got home I told my mom about it and after she looked up the possible reason, she told me about a really exciting cycle. The monarch butterflies embark on a journey that takes four generations or butterflies. It is amazing, but they start this path here in Santa Cruz and around this area, and then there next destination is Nevada. These creatures are so beautiful and admirable for their journey.

Mom the Poet?

I made fun of my mom all day for trying to be poetic or philosophical or whatever her goal was, but in the end I still gained a message out if it. We were driving in the car and we passed by a gnarled plant. The roots and the bark of the plant looked completely parched, and seemed to be unable to produce anything. But attached to the branch were beautiful, draping flowers opening up to the sun's warmth and drooping downward. She said," Dani, look at that plant right there. It's a sign... hmm... I think the meaning behind it is that no matter how ugly something may be, you can still find some kind of beauty produced by it." I started cracking up and teasing her, but then when I thought about it, she was completely right. Even if a person is the crabbiest, grumpiest person, there still is  some kind of kindness waiting to be shared. Every kind of person has the potential of producing good character, generosity, selflessness, and other qualities, even if they have an ugly heart. With a little care and watering, maybe those people too, may blossom some beauty.

Forgiveness

It amazes me how forgiving parents are. They are the most loving, caring people in this world. No matter what you do, they will always love you. Even though I did something unforgivable, my parents still manage to forgive. But I guess that's how life should be. I've found that out this weekend. Life shouldn't be about holding things, but about forgiving. We only have a handful of days on this earth, and days are completely wasted without forgiveness. Holding a grudge or feeling bitter towards someone will get you no where. It doesn't cause you to grow as a person, but creates a stumbling block. I am even guilty of this, so this message applies to me as well. No one can escape feeling hurt and betrayed at times, but by forgiving that individual who caused the pain you open a closed bud into a slowly blooming flower. 

Hand Writing

I think it's so amazing that people have their own unique way of writing. I really don't understand how I can hold my pencil the same way as someone else, but they end up having neater hand writing than I do. I can't stand when people say, " There's nothing special about me," or "I have nothing that's unique." Not one person has the exact same writing. Just as not one person has the same fingerprints. This gives each and everyone their own unique quality and differentiates people from one another. One of the hardest things I've found , if you ever try it, is trying to master someone else's signature or lettering when writing. That's because I believe everyone is given their own special lettering whenever they write. I may not have the neatest or prettiest girly handwriting, but I do know I appreciate having my own distinct style.

Life At It's Hardest

Time goes by so slowly when you're watching it. Sometimes I wish I could just fall asleep and wake up at eighteen. I feel like my parents live my life for me. I understand that I did do wrong, but if they would have just let me be it wouldn't have lead to such extreme. I don't want my parents in amy way to be careless about the upbringing of me and my brother, I just wish they were more acceptant of things. Once I'm eighteen I'll be able to make decisions for my own, and will live my life for myself. I feel like my grades are not for me anymore, but for my parents, my abilities have not become mine anymore, but they own them, and my life is in their control. Maybe at this age I should feel like their property, there is no room to breath at all. I HATE being a teenager and what comes along with being a teen. And most of all I don't want my brother to leave. :( He's all I have in this house. Actually, he's all I really have.

Goodbyes

I was talking to my best friend today, and he told me, " I have never heard a "good" in a goodbye." I never thought of goodbyes before, but they are always sad for me. A goodbye to a relative that you won't see for awhile, a goodbye to a relationship,  or your goodbye to a family member before they close the coffin. Good is usually a word that is used describing something pleasant or pleasing to you. Why is there the word "good" in front of "bye"? There never truly is any kind of good in an outcome when using that word. In less, I just haven't experienced it yet....

Stem Cell Research

Today in Chemistry it was really interesting. My teacher went on a side note and talked a lot about Embryonic Stem Cell research and Adult Stem Cell research. She explained on a scientist's point a view, that this sort of topic should be left up to the scientists, and not controlled by the politics. These researches will in hopes find cures to troubles such as cancer, or repair someone who is unable to walk by replacing those specific cells. Obama basically did just that in his latest announcement of this topic. She also got into great detail on the main difference between the researches; both embryonic and people. To make a long description short in embryos, the cells are in the state where they decide what they want to be. ( I forget what the actual scientific term is :/ ) For example, one group of cells in a certain area may somehow communicate to another group saying," I'm going to be the heart, " or "I'm going to be the skin." They haven't determined what they are going  to be though. 

In a person, if they take cells, they have to convert these cells back into the state the the embryo cells are in. This is because the cells where ever they are taking from already have determined what they are. ( Such as a skin cell )

 A lot of people are against the embryonic research because there is much controversy if it is actually counted as a life or not. But, my teacher today shared something with us that many people don't realize. The embryos that the scientists used are actually the ones that are unused. They are the ones that they have preserved in places that basically "expire" over time and under Bush's plan, were thrown away.

Now under Obama's plan, scientists are able to research freely in hopes of finding undiscovered cures.

Eh :/

Now after a day of having this annoying, painful cut, I've realized it isn't the pain that's the worse, but my sleepless night. I have no way of falling back asleep. I'll be lucky just to sleep for three hours at max. The pain has caused me to find any kind of sleeping position to be a struggle to get to, and to stay. I feel like I'm just whining, but it really does hurt. :( I can't really bend my leg, so it makes it very tricky and stiff to walk. I asked my mother If I could just stay home from school and she told me ," Well maybe if you would have got home before it started getting dark that wouldn't have happened." Eh sometimes I really do wish I could trade my mom's ways on how she insists that my brother and I go to school. It bugs me because it's not like I like to miss school; maybe when I was younger but now it just means I fall behind. There's so much work for each of my classes I hate to miss school, but something like this I think I should be able to miss a day. Oh well, gotta be tough I guess :/

Dreams

My brother was telling my mom and I a very interesting study about dreams. He said that there is actually a way that you can learn how to control your dreams.  This is all a process, but not a boring one at all. He said that you must develop a good memory of your dreams, and every morning record your dream/dreams you had the night before.  He also said that you focus on one thing everyday, like a watch or ring you always wear.  After a few weeks, you develop sort of a habit. Then, while you are dreaming, you are able to determine either you are dreaming or not by checking for these things. If you are able to convince yourself that you are just in a dream, you can control everything that you do. I think that is so amazing! I really wish I could control my dreams because sometimes they aren't that great. :/

Scraped Knees

It's so strange how your mind is able to forget how much pain some things may be to your body only until they happen again and you realize it. Today my clumsy big feet tripped upon the sidewalk curb and caused me to scrape up my knee and hands. The only time I can remember this same pain was when I was about eight years old and I took my rottweiler, Sheva, out for a walk. I even remember my bright baby blue overalls I wore on that dreadful day. To make a long story short, my dog dragged me through the street while trying to get ahold of my neighbor's bike tires. I remember standing up and tears pouring from my eyes. My knees were both covered in blood, and my hands were cut up really bad. Just today I experienced this long lost pain that I forgot all about. It's strange that the first feeling you get is almost this shockingly cold feeling, then an  immediate burning hot sensation. It caused my hands and knees to feel numb, but I could still feel the jolting pain. Now all I can do is wait for it to scab and endure the discomfort.

The Simple Necessities

Mr. Miclette told us the story of his weekend today and how his "dream house" unraveled and slowly turned in "the house from hell". Nothing seemed to be going right at all. His water, for some odd reason, was spouting out of his toilet, sinks, and bathtubs. He had mentioned trying to use a plunger to drain out this unwelcome water. I had never thought of it until now, but a plunger is one brilliant invention. I don't even understand how the suction causes the flooded toilets to go down, but they get the job done. I would way rather use one of those then to try and use my hand and a hanger to try and resolve the mess. YUCK! Plunger don't get recognized enough for their crappy work ( literally),  so this ones to you!

Being Prepared

My teacher told me today that "being prepared is a beautiful thing", and it's when you aren't prepared that's when it's really scary ". I love his random little spurts of knowledge at times. I remember writing earlier in the year about something like this, but it must be important if he constantly brings it up. It is true though. I would rather be prepared than not. That could really fall under anything. Like how to protect yourself if a hurricane happened if you live by the coast, or ace your final exam. Anything that requires being prepared is actually, a positive thing. Come to think of it, nothing is ever a negative when involving the word "prepared". Maybe a statement like," prepare yourself for the beating you are going to get for that grade," but in the end it all falls back on gathering together your thoughts and getting ready for whatever it is that you need to. It is always the times in life that people catch me in trouble when I am not prepared. Not prepared with a valid answer, explanation, or well thought out plan. Those are ALWAYS the moments where I reach the very dirty bottom and scrape a bit of scum to save in my pocket for future reference and memorance. It's there so I can prepare.