3. Passionate

I look into his eyes and wonder what he is thinking.  I don’t see the stare of the million others walking by, but someone that is looking back.  The embrace is electrifying, when I wrap my arms around his neck and snuggle my head into his chest, I feel safe. He teases me, pulling back then grabbing me foward, i like it.  He tickles me until I say stop because it hurts from laughing.  He’s down to just lie on the bed and breathe each other in, not saying a word, just enjoying our bodies pressing together.  We sit together for hours talking about nothing but at the same time everything.  I look up and an hour has gone by.  I can’t find your flaws, and I’ve really tried to look for them.  Could you be the right one?  I enjoy you so much.

2. Reliable

"We need you to run fast" she said as we grabbed our flats and waterbottles and began to warm up.  In only a few minutes I would have to run the 4 by 800.  A relay that consists of four people, each taking their turn running two laps (half a mile) with the baton.  I felt like puking.  I'd never ran with the fastest girls on the team before, and now they were relying on me to win?  My stomach turned as we approached the finish line.  I knew that this was my time to shine.  As she handed off to me, I ran.  I ran the speed my heart was pounding, which felt like 100 miles per hour.  Already I was approaching the second lap, and my whole body started to hurt.  "Suck it up Leah, you've got one more lap" I told myself as I rounded the first bend in the track.  Faster I went as Britta appeared waiting for me to hand her the baton and I just gave it my all, pushing myself into a full out sprint; finishing strong is important.  I sat in the fake grass on the infield gulping the air like water.  Every muscle in my body felt like it was tearing.  I knew I ran hard and it felt great.   We got first that day, and I cut 20 seconds off of my time.  The 4 by 800 team eventually made it's way through state quals and ended up competing at the state competition.  Not only was this race important to me, but the three other girls.  They inspired me to go hard, and not let them down, because I am reliable.

1. Adventurous

The distance team was supposed to run four miles; four boring miles around the school; four laps over the same boring grass.   Today was a day for an adventure.  We found the trail leading into the woods, hidden behind the softball field.  The path disguised by the flourishing leaves of spring.  One by one we ran down the path, that’s when we left the real world.  Into a jungle we entered, ducking for vines and leaping over swamps.  Farther we ran, farther into our imagination.  Birds sang and dragonflies rested on petals as we swiftly ducked fallen trees and balanced on rotting logs as we came upon an a puddle as big as a lake.  Two options greeted us.  Either we could turn back and forever wonder what lied beyond or venture forward and brave the water.  “Onward!” I shouted, as we ran through the water, our running shoes drenched by the mucky water.  Splash, splash, splash- we had made it.  Even though our socks were now brown and our legs were covered with mud we didn’t care.  Onward, up the hill we traveled.  Past the big climbing tree we ran, past the old apple crates that had been left there many years as we ran farther.  Over the hill we stoped in our tracks when something magnificent caught our eye.  An old house.  It was abandoned and rickety, the inside exposed by the missing windows and doors.  Onward, we climbed into the house, the floors rotting.  “Watch your step” said Naomi.  Piles of decaying wood, egg cartons, and broken light bulbs were strewn upon the floor.  We climbed the stairs, one by one taking caution of the fragility.  We were explorers, discovering something that had not been touched for years.  We didn’t know the purpose of this place, or why it was abandoned.  We searched for clues, carefully stepping around every corner.  Alas, we must leave.   It is getting late and coach might wonder where we are.  Backwards we travel, tracing our steps.  I enter back into the real world when I can see the   open field.  One look back to remember, there is no time for that.  I am already behind my other friends. 

The Afghan Girl

The Afghan Girl was a photograph taken for national geographic during the soviet invasion of Afghanistan.  This photograph is hard to look away from, the intensity in her bright green eyes grabs you and holds you.  So much raw emotion is pouring out of her eyes.  Shes frightened, pissed off, curious, and caught off guard.  Her emotions are pure and unmasked.  I feel what she is feeling, afraid of what is to come, cautious of the danger ahead of her.  The intensity I see in this, is incomparable to most other photographs as this was not set up or staged, she wasn't dressed up or wearing makeup.  The photograph was reality.  The reality of the emotions and feelings of the people of Afghanistan.

Blog Assigment happy endings: Part 2

Wow! I am on a plane to Europe.  I know this was a last minute decision but it just felt right.  Yes, I want to go to college and become educated, but isn't it important to see the world?! I want to taste new foods, and learn new languages, and dance new dances.  I'm not quite sure where I'll stay or who I'll meet, but I'm actually excited.  I really need to take more risks in life, it is exhilarating!  No one knows about this except my parents.  I saw the disappointment in their eyes as I told them I was turning down my acceptance  to the University of Vermont, at least until next year anyway.  I am finally feeling independent.  Being cooped up in public schools for the last twelve years of my life has done a deal on me.  There is actually more to life beyond those walls.  It's hard for me to fathom that idea.  I know life will not be handed to me on a platter, especially now.  I feel that I have been adequatley equipped to handle this choice I made.  I was raised with a strong mentality.  I am ready to experience the joy that other places have to offer me, even if it is the road less taken.  Hopefully I will find love within the choices I make.  I know it's not conventional, but I am living for me.

Blog Assigment happy endings: Part 1

I'm going into my third year of college.  This doctoral degree is pretty tough.  I've been up every night studying for this exam on Monday, looks like my Saturday night will be staying in again.  I know it's not the most interesting thing but my parent's will be so proud.  I can just imagine the look on their face as they introduce to our friends and family as Dr.  The money that will come will be worth the wait...I hope.  The people in my classes are pretty bland, they all graduated top of their class, sometimes I feel a bit inadequate.  I struggle through the work, pop quizzes and weekly tests.  I know once I earn this degree I will be given respect.  My grandma always said choose a job that will make you a lot of money.  I know she is proud of my decision to become a doctor.  Even though my social life has gone down the tubes and I haven't gotten out of sweatpants in a month, it will all be worth it when I buy a beautiful house....I hope.

Person of Influence

A person of influence in my life, doesn't even know they are and probably never will.  Eleanor Roberts is a girl I met at camp.  Her enthusiasim and ubeat attitude always suprised me as she was able to enjoy anything she was dealt.  One day as we all sat eating dinner in the dining hall, a group of campers had just gotten back from a hike.  It was pouring out, the rain drops hit the roof so hard it sounded like hail.  One by one, each camper trudged in muddy and wet with a frown on their face.  In she walked, grinning from ear to ear.  Her legs covered in mud and blood trickling down one of her legs.  Even with her unruly ponytail and drenched t shirt she radiated beauty.  I wondered how she could be so beautiful.  I realized it wasn't because she looked good but because her attitude and happiness was contagious.  She walked into that room feeling accomplished and took the rain not as a punishment but just as a challenge.  She laughed and smiled as she took the heavy pack of her back and started unpacking her trailmix and waterbottles.  I hope to always smile and laugh when I am put into a situation that is not exactly my favorite thing to do.  Attitude can not only change yourself but also everyone that surrounds you.  Even though I am not always able to think of Eleanor in sticky situations, I often try to remember her face as she walked in from the pourring rain. 

It was the last day of 3^rd grade, as we sat in a circle with cookie crumbs and juice stains on our face.  Ms. Weber read us as a farewell message, a poem by the great Dr. Suess, called Oh! The Places You’ll Go!  I will never forget how that poem made me feel.   As a third grader, I felt inspiration.  At that moment I realized I could be who ever I wanted to be.  I was flooded with relief and excitement.  I now understood the meaning of this poem.  It’s not up to anyone else to control how my life will be, it’s up to me.  There are no excuses as to why I can not be the best I can be because I have a “head full of brains and shoes full of feet.”  The resources to strive in life are already at my fingertips and it is my responsibility to utilize them.  The optimistic outlook of this poem has shown me that being confident and believing in one’s own ability is key to happiness and to succeed in life.  I will never forget sitting in third grade and thinking about the amazing things yet to come in my life.  Not only did that poem apply to me then, but it applies now and always will.  I know as long as I am willing, I will continue to grow and learn forever.   Oh! The Places You'll Go

Early Reading Experience

    The first book that made an impact on me was the Velveteen Rabbit.  I appreciate this story because like the boy I have my own velveteen rabbit.  His name is woof-woof a stuffed dog I had recieved when I was born.  Woof-woof was everything to me, my best friend, my security guard, my pillow, and my punching bag.  As years went on his eyes got scratched, his fur fell out, and he had to be sewed back together atleast 3 times.  Even though the underlying theme of the velveteen rabbit was complex I understood, once you are loved it doesn't matter how you look or how old you are because you are perfect to them.  The only way to become real is to be loved.  This message still resonates in my mind from time to time as I apply it to the people in my life, especially my family.  I no longer carry him wherever I go, or cuddle up with him  in my bed, but he will always mean the world to me.  Even though woof-woof is now raggedy and worn and a little smelly, he will always be my first love.