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.