Hey, Everyone!

So this is just a quick post to update you on my life.

Right now, I am a-in commonplace statement- ‘hot mess’. This is because of… well, what else?

NaNoWriMo.

This phrase, which can seem so lovely, is an evil word dripping with menance. Really! I do not lie.

Right now, I’m working on the as-for-said piece from, oh, about last post, Friday? Yes. And, let me tell you, I have no complaints about the characters. Tallie, Leslie, Bianca, Peg, Willa, Mom, Boyce, Trevor, Diana, Senator Reynolds… none are giving me a problem so far, for once. But the plot line…!!! As usual, that’s what gets me.

I’m about halfway done with the second chapter, which, in local readers’ terms, is not far at all. To me, it is. It is a great miniature accomplishment and I am hoping to be able to get further. Past the dreaded… {insert your own ‘dun-dun-dunnnnnn’} WRITER’SBLOCK. I always seem to have this problem if I get too overexcited about a piece, or too nervous about it. I have some good ideas pieced together for this piece, though, so I hope it works out. Right now, into the second week, the 38,000 goal limit seems like a far reach. But I know once I start setting smaller goals, I will be able to accomplish it.

And think of just how happy I will be to know I pushed myself and reached my goal successfully.

Pretty neato, huh?

Another point; today was Hat Day at my school, where a $1 was collected to wear a hat all day for Children’s Cancer Awareness. I don’t think that was too unreasonable. Of course, me being the Community Service Club President, I sported a cancer ribbon baseball cap with a sporty ponytail and called it a day. But, sadly, almost no one participated. At least, not at my money collecting station. Of a school of around 4,000 students and faculty, my station only received $50. $50???!!! Really?

I guess I might have great expectations. But, for once, a charity benefit really disappointed me. I am glad, though, to think that even my small amount of $1 is aminor part of a little push for help for kids with cancer.

Today was great, though. Remember when I told you for this school year, I planned to study more and prioritize my time? Well, recently, it’s paid off. Getting grades back these past two days, in Earth Science and Global, my two most challenging courses this semester, I have received two perfect scores of 100’s back on tests. And I could never be more proud of how hard I’ve pushed myself to get back here.

So, onto the lovely subject of YouTubing! I’m sure out of however many of you view this, at least 50% are frequent YouTubies, seeing as you know how to navigate blogs. Looking at stats, you would know some of the most freuqently visited hosts, such as: What The Buck, VlogBrothers, Spricket24, College Humor, and Hot For Words. Or, you might just know some of the top viewed videos, such as “Charlie Bit My Finger”, Sneezing Panda, Charlie The Unicorn, PotterPals, et cetera. But; do you know about Nat, the lovable YouTube host from Sydney, Australia? She one-man-shows’ CommunityChannel, a {mostly} frequently updated YouTube Channel. Through humor, both crude and corny, she covers topics in social life, home life, and major issues, such as epidemics and racism. I love Nat, because, in a funny way, she’s so down-to-earth and REAL. There’s a lot of fakers on YouTube, and sometimes it’s hard o find a quality host to subscribe to. With Nat, though, you can always be sure to have a real laugh during a quality YouTube video.

That’s what I hope to be like when I start having my own YouTube Channel, starting sometime this January, 2010. This all depends on getting a digital camera from the ‘rents for Christmas… which is why I’m staying on my extra-best behaviour! That means I’m going to have to come up with a good YouTube Channel name! Which means…

My First Contest!

Haha, okay, then. Don’t be expecting something big, like $5 sent through the mail or an iTunes code or anything. But; I think I have a pretty good proposal.

Rules to make Sarah’s Ultimate YouTube Name:

1. No Profanity

2. Original, please! No such thing as; “SmileyGirl126″ or “WriterGrrlTube”.

3. A name that appeals to people… not “BoogerLuvr” or anything equally disgusting.

4. You must leave at least 3 name choices for me to pick from, in case someone already has that account name on YouTube. Or; you can be savvy and try typing in the name to see if anyone else has that channel name.

That’s it, four simple rules! ^.^

Prizes:

1.You (your picture, if you want, or just your lovely name for a shout out) will be featured in one of my first videos. I will gladly thank you for your Awesomeness!

2. If you are a blogger on WordPress or a tweeter on Twitter looking for followers for popularity hit-point bragging rights, I will gladly join your groupies.

3. I will feature you in the blog as well, and, if you want, include links to any websites you have/ are a part of. This can include your username for friends and such, etc. You get what I’m saying!

*** Special requests will be granted if asked in comment section below. Please no disgusting requests or impossible requests; I am just a teenage girl!

Restrictions:

1. Available worldwide.

2. Must abide by rules stated above. (i.e. no profanity, etc.)

So; there you have it! Maybe this is just the thing for all of you! (Maybe now someone will finally comment…?) Haha! Come on, guys. I can see in my stats that a lot of you, from all over the world, visit, and you don’t even leave a message! Just an obnoxiously annoying “Hi!” will do!

I hope this is a long enough blog post for all of you to munch up.

Another opportunity to comment!

This post was much like my old way of doing things, before I got lazy and started freeforming. Do you like this way of posting? The boldness, the old-time favs, etc? Let me know about this, also!

AHEM! {Brushes the keyboard to rid of dust, blows dust particles up} And now, boys and girls, time for an old favorite, the thing you’ve all been wating for…

The Ugly Word of the Day is:

Scrunch (verb) : to crunch, crush, or crumple. — [S. Def.] A really icky sounding word that is pointless. “Scrunch your hair”… it just sounds nasty; make that, it just doesn’t sound right!

The Lovely Word of the Day is:

Scuppernong (noun) : a golden-green (commonly referred to as white) grape. — [S. Def.] Doesn’t the word itself sound sweet and juicy? It’s almost old-fashioned. “I’d like a pound of Scuppernongs, please, sir!” I think this is just a fantastic word.

I think that’s all, folks!

But; as you know, I always have…

Lotsa ♥,

Sarah [=

“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes.  A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.  And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”

Dooooooooooood!

What’s up, everyone? I promised you a post, so… bam! One post, right here, right now. Deal?

I hope so.

Alrighty, then.

Well, today I came up with a new Sarah-word. Bshhhniggle. Yes, bshniggle. b.s.h.n.i.g.g.l.e. The meaning is cozy, lovely-smiley, beyond fantastic. So, yes, I am bshniggled today.

I am currently freaking out, which is why I am writing so weird…

I am participating in NaNoWriMo this month, which is pretty awesome. It’s basically writing a 35,000 word novel in the month of November. If you complete it, you get a copy of your novel.

Yup, it’s really that simple.

But… it’s a challenge with a capital “C”.

More will be expressed on that, later, but for now….

Summary of my NaNoWriMo novel:

Fifteen-year-old Tallie believes that everyone is born with certain quotas: their bodies are already programmed with the number of people they’ll meet, the jobs they will have, the future plans for life’s milestones. One evening, Tallie reflects and realizes she’s the one that will have to change things and find out what really happens.

Excerpt:

Tallie stared through the curtain crack at the quiet night sky, six lonesome stars twinkling back at her.
Something had been bugging Tallie for a while, most probably even way back at that moment in her life history.
The problem was much bigger than a fifteen year old girl, and Tallie most likely should not even be getting involved with it.
But she must, because it involves her world’s future. She wants to change everyone’s life for the better.
And she will only be able to do that by being brave.
By being courageously risky.
By being Natalia May.

That’s all for now! I hope that satisfied you. There’s more to come… through posts, through updating, and just through being me!

Because you know, I have…

Lots of ♥,

Sarah [=

Hey Everyone!

And a belated “Happy Halloween” to you. I know mine was a very, very, VERY Happy Halloween!

My best friends, Amanda and Andrea, and I went to a CD release party at The Beacon for Larrabe, a up-and-coming local band consisting 50% of boys from our grade. They really did put on a good show, and we all thought they were pretty awesome.

This year, I have to admit I did not go trick-or-treating. HOWEVER, I did end up being a pretty cool kitty cat…

Today is a very special day to post on, because today is my mother’s birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

She’s so lucky… I bought her a $30 boquet  full of fall leaves and lots of yellow flowers…her favorite color.

So, tomorrow’s amazing because we get the day off for Staff Development Day…

and I need to go! Which means I have yet again disappointed all of you with a horrible blog post. But, hey; I’ve updated my “About” section and am working from there! I might even change the background set up… I’m not sure.

But, I DO know… I have…

Lots of ♥,

Sarah [=

Hello, Dear Friends!

Well, I have to tell you. The Sea Glass Festival. Was. AWESOMEEE!!!!! There were at least 52 vendors, all selling their beach glass creations. Jewelry, clay turtles, journals, artwork… the possibilities were anything and everything!

The event took place right by the Erie Bay, picturesque with tall sea grass, shimmering waters, and a very pretty lighthouse. I was even able to persuade my parents to buy me a bracelet! It’s absolutely gorgeous… a silver bracelet with seven shards of rare seaglass; red, orange, white, teal, green, purple, yellow, and pink. I’m going to call the bracelet Rainbow Tears of the Deep!

I really am going to have to come up with a random topic to talk about if I’m going to continue this post. Let’s see… hmm… oh!

I promise that I am really going to give this site a facelift soon. I’ve kind of neglected this baby, and she needs a little sprucing up. Not to worry; I promise at LEAST one tab will be updated by the end of October. Guarenteed.

Well, I really am {wow, I repeated that phrase a lot…} anxious to finish this post, because I am quite a tired zombie from staying up till midnight yesterday, but that’s an entirely unrelated topic. I also have a brand new Seventeen magazine staring me down, and 20 minutes of piano to review. And a shower, and a nice early bedtime…

Okay. ZONING! Anyhow. I will make up for this lousy post later on this week.

An important statement:

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, SARAH J. H.!!!!! Today was the birthday girl’s awesome day, and I love my freshman buddy so so much.

I promise to make up for this horrible post later on… or maybe I’ll delete it. I don’t know…

I’ll write soon!

Lotsa ♥,

Sarah [=

Why, Hello, Followers!

I think I’m getting better. You should be proud. Only a 8-day delay!

Alrighty, then.

This is going to be a disorganized blog post, because I feel just as free write as this post will be.

First point I’d like to share:

I know as well as you do that this page… no, not page… entire site… needs an update. A major makeover, with lots of refacing and new updated content. Don’t get on my case! I know it. And it will happen. Soon enough…

No, really. I promise… this is NOT an empty promise. I am going to try to get this site updated and a bit spiffier by the end of this month. October. Which leaves me an average of… 18 days.  I think I can do it! I at least assure you that I will start looking into resurfacing Broken Glass by the end of this month. *tee-hee!*

Another point to get across…

This weekend is the National Sea Glass Association Festival in Erie, P.A.! I am very excited about this, because of my swelling obsession and adoration for sea glass. Sheesh, why else would this site be named Broken Glass? I am really excited, though.

Think of all the sea glass my eyes will feast upon! All the colors and shapes…

Rounded, smooth, bumpy, heart shaped… the possibilities are endless.

And the pigments! Blues and greens and yellows and pinks and purples and reds and oranges… probably unique colors I would never expect to see! The rarity of some are just gorgeous…

Wouldn’t it be fun to see pictures of me at the festival? My facial expressions, the different beautiful gems… >.< Wow. That didn’t sound self conceited.

That brings me into my next topic. **Dun-dun-DUNNNNNNNN.**

The poisonously evil SchoolWork!

Ugh. Yes.

School is slowly murdering me at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong. I love learning new things. I’m just like any other teen, sometimes happy for a well-prepared for pop quiz, a great grade, a bumming movie day. But lately…

THE STRESS IS TOO MUCH.

I really can’t believe I’m taking all this time to write this to you! But, I guess this is my public journal. So I have to force myself to write it all out.

My schedule is heaped right now with these boring assignments.

English Task Essay— Due Friday. Which I’m supposed to be typing now. But; it is half way complete. So I think I’ll be alright. Besides the fact that I have tennis every day till 6:00 p.m.

English Extra Credit— Due Friday. I’ve had the assignment forever, and I actually might need the boost. But I have no clue how to record audio…

Global Project— Due Monday. AAHHH! WARNING: SARAH IS GOING TO EXPLODE RIGHT NOW. 3….2….1…. *#~*~#*!!!! {that was me exploding. jsyk.} I’ve had this project for two weeks… but I’m a procrastinator. I don’t think I’m THAT bad off… at least I’ve finished my research and bibliography and have my first draft of the paper typed. But I still have to create the box, and 12 artifacts… this is that Eva Peron project. And it’s getting me a little worried.

Secret #7: I hate it when moms know best. They watch you faulter and say “I’ll try to stop you once. But from then on out, you’re on your own.” Then they try to guide you a few more times, and when you’re blubbering and turning your puppy dog eyes to them, they smile and say, “I told you this would happen.” Grrr!!!

And I have a ton of Yearbook to catch up on. I have two write ups (Prom and Homecoming) that they’re counting on me for, and I’m stalling. Because I have so much more to do… the essay, the extra credit, the project, review packets, studying, homework… I know realize what summer is really for. But I kind of missed summer anyways, with the weird weather…

Anyhow. Back to the topic I skipped.

Camera! A digital camera. And a ‘The Flip’ camera.

Man, I want both of those. Sososo bad.

Here is the part where I break down into pleading tones…

I really want to YouTube (Wait…wasn’t this last post’s discussion?)!!! I am so envious of all these growing channels, and I’d love to VideoLog. That would be awesome. And I could do it with one of those nifty Flip Cameras!

And a digital camera. Man, I want one of those. Purple, of course. This is heading my Christmas List, because I really would love to download a photo for each blog post, and get some new pictures, and be able to finally have Facebook pictures to tag and update…

Wow. Do I ramble.

It is the magical time of 10:22, and that means that in 8 minutes I turn into a jack-o-lantern. Sorry to disappoint you with my true identity. Anyhow.

Here is my long list of apologizes I have to make to you as of now:

I’m sorry for rambling in this post.

I’m sorry for being lazy and not emboldening words, adding a quote, adding a song lyric, adding a smiley, or adding a Lovely/Ugly Word of The Day. Well… I guess I could add a smiley… Heehee!

I must be off now. To finish this Task paper and fall asleep on a lovely, soft beddiebye.

Lots of  ♥♥♥,

Sarah [=

P.S. Oh… maybe I’ll post a little later on in the week. This lazy post is going to make me feel guilty, you know…

Hello, Frequenters!

I’m here.

Finally.

After, oh, a 15-day delay? But. I’m getting better! At posting! It’s better than 19 days of not posting!

Enough of the random…ness.

Today, we are here to talk about many different *exciting* topics.

1. My global project.

2. Digital storytelling.

3. Up and Coming Music Artists.

4. A novel post?!?!?!?

5. YouTubing

6. and, of course… the old usuals. Secret, song lyrics, and quote.

Ya. So, here we go.

The fantastical post begins with my global project.

I am not sure how many of you are aware of this, but Eva Peron is one of the most fantastic women in history. Really. She started as a “bastard child” (S. Def: the child of a married man with his ‘lover’), turned into a very talented actress, and became Vice President of Argentia, as well as founded a “Home School” organization for underprivledged children. One of her lovely quotes include, “Shadows cannot see themselves in the mirror of the sun.” Another quite simple one is, “I am my own woman.” And how true.

“Evita” is a very interesting, worthwhile woman. Google her up, if you dare to contradict me!! For this “Bio In A Box” project, we must have a two-paged paper, a decorated box, and at least 12 artifacts with descriptions for our person. I have already decided (SHHH! DON’T TELL ANYONE) that I will do a Modge Podge collage of black and white photos on her box, a hand drawn picture of her, a THREE- paged paper, and many interesting artifacts, including a filmreel.

Mmmmkay. So, my new obsession: d.i.g.i.t.a.l.s.t.o.r.y.t.e.l.l.i.n.g. YES!!! I have just recently attended my writing studio, and we discussed digital storytelling. I am hoping to cultivate my talent enough to create a story that is YouTube-worthy. Let’s zoom ahead to another bullet and get this one tackled down.

I really, really, really want to become a YouTube frequenter. No, not just a prominent commenter. I want to be a common updater, a known name for my videos! Of course, that will entale many crash courses on OneTrueMedia and lots of editing, a new screenname, and a better WebCam, but I’m up for the challenge! I wonder if anyone would really watch my YouTubes… then again, I can be interesting if I try. As I’m sure you can see.

Up and Coming music artists. Aaaaah, that phrase! Doesn’t it just sound smashing? Say it smoothly, three times fast. upandcomingupandcomignupandocmingf…. never mind, too difficult. Hah! Two of my favorite new girls are Priscilla Renea with “Hello, My Apple” and Angel Taylor. Priscilla Renea is just amazing, especially with her YouTube hit that literally describes my life: “Dollhouse“. And Angel Taylor is hitting it up with “Chai Tea Latte” and “Age”. You go girlll! Haha. Like she would ever see this. >.<

And, we shall go to novel posts. I decided to enlighten you and post a portion of a novel… which one? Ohhh…. alright. Perfect! I have found an excerpt just suiting. This is from my Alice In Wonderland sequel. I hope you enjoy.

Alice stared into the darkness, willing herself to stay awake. The house had become completely quiet about, if she could presume, a half hour ago. But, Alice could be careful and cautious if she willed and she wasn’t about to let herself get caught. She waited in stone cold nervousness as she listened to Samantha’s snores, yet her stomach fluttered with thousands of butterflies of excitement. Dinah was close enough to Alice for her to be able to see the kitty’s chest rise and fall.

Even in her sleep, Dinah was purring.

Slowly, Alice eased herself out from under the sheets and slipped into her soft silk slippers, feeling a breeze whoosh under her nightgown. She took a daring step forwards, and then another. Alice stifled a cry as she bumped into the dresser, and squeezed out the door.

Painfully sluggish, Alice hopped down each individual stair, using all she had to balance her weight. The ticking of the grandfather clock was like a lullaby to her, and she kept her eyes trained on the door.

Reaching the hallway, she avoided the creaky floorboard and slid up to the door. Alice took the brass doorknob in her hand and very gently twisted it to the left. The door opened with a satisfying click, and she patted her neck to make sure the key still hung on its ribbon.

Satisfied, Alice squeezed through the small crack and carefully shut the door, racing out of sight from the house.

She came around the willow tree, and felt around the trunk for the lantern and matches she hid there. Alice groaned as she lifted both items, the matchbox a little wet.

Alice pattered over to the courtyard, swung open the door, and crept inside.

The courtyard was magical at night.

The fish pond glistened in the moonlight, goldfish darting underneath the surface. Roses hung suspended, and a few early fireflies navigated through the foliage. Flowers bloomed in every winding corner, and petals strewn a path for Alice to follow. She twisted and turned all the way to a tiny gazebo, in which she set down and gathered a journal she had been working with. She dipped the pen in the precious pot of ink and continued writing.

“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” said the Cat.

“—so long as I get somewhere.” Alice added as an explanation.

Is that even right?, Alice thought. She felt frustrated inside, for she already had begun to think that she was losing a little part of Wonderland every day, forgetting one little detail, even though it was so dear to her heart.

“Perhaps you will be getting nowhere if you forget to go somewhere,” Purred a voice.

Alice jumped, startled.

She sat up a little straighter, alert, and darted her eyes around in fear.

“Who…who are you?” She stuttered.

“The question is…who are YOU, dear Alice? At least, that’s what the Caterpillar tells me.”

“Ch—Chessy?” Alice called softly. “Is it you, dear friend?”

Alice heard a hiss.

“Alice, the ones you hold dearest are the ones you hold far away. You cherish your good friends, but you never think of them close enough in assumption!”

Alice pondered over the curiosity.

“So, what you say is… the friends I hold closest are the ones I keep farthest apart?”

A tall shadow appeared in front of the flickering lantern-candle.

“Correct.”

And then a paw came into view, and then a gray body, and then a kitty head.

Regally, the kitty licked its paw and held Alice’s glance with shining baby blue eyes.

“Dinah!” Alice gasped. “Oh, dear, sweet Dinah! However did you make your way out, clever girl?”

… and that’s the small taste I will allow you.

Secret #6: I’m scared of EVERYTHING. Getting lost, getting forgotten, the dark, bugs, murders, rapists, fire, clowns, Halloween… the list goes on and on.

The secret is brought up in reference to FrightWorld. However will I make it through the experience with my friends? I’ll be the laughingstock… the fool, of course. Oh, joy. I will be holding onto my friend, crying and peeing my pants. Literally. I hope to kind of overcome my fears! A bit! They are silly, anyways. But a big group of us are going. So, it should be fun. Ish. I hope. *sigh*

To leave you with… a quote. {How fitting, I picked one about fear! I hope it will prove true…}

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”

♥♥♥Love♥♥♥,

Sarah [=

********************************************************************

**I’m just a girl, you’re just a boy
This is my heart, it’s not a toy
So what’s with you playing with my mind
We used to be cool, this used to be love
Now it’s become, something like a job
Like it or not, maybe things were changing right before our eyes

I tried to be a picture perfect girl
But you were in your own fantasy world
Tryna control me like some kind of Barbie
but that just ain’t me

Cause I ain’t a doll, this aint a dollhouse
You’re way too old to be, puttin me down like this
and playing around like this
I ain’t a doll, this ain’t a dollhouse
No, I could never be, stuck living life like this
behind these four walls, cause I ain’t a doll

And I come with imperfections
Epitome of perfection
if you can’t understand, loving the way I am
then you’re no good for me, so glad I kept my receipt**

{[and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story of my life. meaning above. lyrics.]}

Hello, Frequenters!

It is finally time for me to catch up with you.

Well, I have to agree… sophomore year surely is off to a fun, great start! [= Many, many things have gotten me back into the swing of school. An awesome Homecoming just took place... disco theme, Homecoming Game win, a lovely Homecoming Dance, and, including it, my first slow dance! Haha... that might be TMI, but I have to say that has seriously made my weekend. Kinda-sorta.

O-K, then!

Right now, I am way more amused than I should be with the new markers I have just gotten as a giftie from my Mom! {Thanks, Mom!} It's mostly because I want to hand draw my new book cover for the novel I'm working on, and I just HAD to use the neon markers in Crayola's 10 Assorted Colors pack. I am seriously in love with Crayola right now. Rawr! They include the fantastical colors of:

teal

infra red

blue lagoon

tropical violet

primrose

hot pink

sea foam green

electric lime

laser lemon

and battery charged blue

Now that we're done obsessing over markers... let's talk about something I've been meaning to do a take on. I am stealing this feature from my ultra-luvly, fantastic, favorite YouTube girly, Nat! [= No, it's not Porno Music-Comment Time, it's the "Good Word and Bad Word of the Day". Yes, I have to steal her gorgeous idea and transform it into my own. Therefore, here goes the debut of this feature!

The Ugly Word of the Day is:

Cottage cheese (noun) : a bland soft white cheese made from the curds of skim milk — [S. Def.] a disgusting cheese of a thick, lumpy consistency with an atrocious taste and pungent smell.

The Lovely Word of the Day is:

Shimmer (verb) : to shine with a luminous light, to glow, to reflect light — [S. Def.] a pretty, sparkling image, used to add on to fanciful things. A great descriptive phrase.

So, there’s the first attempt at The Words of the Day! Now, then. What else?

Secret #5: I am very self conscious. Right now, I am worrying that one of you readers is judging this as stupid fluff. I do not write stupid fluff! I am very scared of judgmental people… please don’t judge me. : (

Continuing on, I have thought out things about this year to make it my best year ever, as of now. This will be done in a 3-step format, I believe.

1. Time Management.

I have been working on this value as of now. I have my events jotted down on my calendar, and I’ve been setting a whiteboard up with my schedule. I hope to be able to learn to use time efficiently so I can actually get the important tasks done first, and extracurricular events later on.

2. Keeping to My Own Business.

MYOB, much? Yes. Exactly. I am learning that I should focus more on schoolwork than petty events. My quote for school is now to live by:

” Walk Towards the Sunshine, and the Shadows Will Fall Behind You”

Which I am taking into my meaning as, “Ignore all the drama that’s going on and be yourself. Reach for your goals. If you don’t worry about others, all you have to worry about is getting to your goal and you won’t have other people to bring you down. Do what you love best, stick with your friends, stay true to your dreams, and nothing can stop you.” Deep meaning, I know, but right now, it’s what I need. And I’m staying true to it. ♥

3. Self Confidence.

The third virtue I believe I need in order to make this year my best is self confidence. This kind of ties in with #2, but I believe this is a whole other task I have to fulfill. I believe I let too many people get to me. I’m always thinking more about my faults rather than my rights. I’m always thinking the negative, like, “Oh. That girl is staring at me. She hates my outfit.” And then, the truth is, who cares? Why should I care? If someone wants to stare at me, that’s their problem. Go ahead, do it! They’re not pointing a gun at me and shooting me. It’s like what they really tell us, the major thing we should respect: The Good Ole Golden Rule. If I just keep my shoulders back, head held high, smile bright, eyes bright, feet steady, I bet I can ignore everything. We live in such judgmental, poisonous society. If one person starts to make the difference and quits their involvement with the drama, it means that someone else will be the bigger person, too. So I am now focusing on this aspect.

There. This has been an exceptionally long blog post. It has taken me thirty minutes. I hope you’re happy. I’ve included every extra: quote, secret, heartfelt realizations, glimpses into my dorkiness, Word of the Day… okay. Maybe I didn’t include a photo. Is it REALLY that necessary? Fine! I will satisfy you the only way I’m willing to… I’ll include song lyrics to the slow song now. You just HAVE to be satisfied with that.

♥♥♥,

Sarah [=

“You can never say never Why we dont know when Time, time and time again Younger now then we were before Don’t let me go Don’t let me go Don’t let me go-oh…”

Hello Everyone!

It’s the new year, technically, for me, because I am restarting school.

Sophomore year.

Swa-aaanggg!

So, I think it’s time for a change.

Well first off, I am going to try to do themes,a s the true goodies do.

Usually, it’s the “Friday Five” and stuff like that, so…

hmmm….

Today is the Tuesday Type Out!

Haha, yes.

Well, I haven’t posted since July, and a lot of things happened, which I will list here:

1) I turned 15

2) I went to leadership camp, and I think I’m wayyyy more confident

3) I participated in my first internship, and it was amazing. I am truly meant to be a teacher.

4) I got a job, which I will be doing throughout the year!

5) I started vocal lessons, and learned I am a soprano

6) I was able to get started publishing my book

7) Sweet Pea turned two years old, and Calypso turned one!

… and that’s about all I think is good to tell you.

I will PROBABLY be posting less frequently, since I am limiting my time to the weekends. I want to up that average, so I have a greater chance to be in the Top Ten in my graduating class.

Well, that’s about it, for now!

I hope you enjoyed hearing from me.

Write soon, type soon!

Sarah =]

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.Comments always Welcome!!.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

July 8th*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Hello Everyone!

My goodness, it feels soo good to write to all of you!

Hello to Miss Andrea, if she found the time out of her waxing duties to vist my site! [=

I’ve had such a busy life lately, that I’ve forgotten to update this site!

A million bagallion things have happened since I last left. I will try to put it in a list of 10 Top Things for all of you!

1. I received VERY high marks on all of my Regents exams, thank you very much, Mr. Studying!

2. I’ve started vocal lessons! Right now, I am working on “My Favorite Things” and Wiegenlied, aka “Go To Sleep”.

3. I went on vacation to Boston, MA! It is so blissfully pretty there, I recommend a vacation there if you ever get the chance!

4. I’ve acquired a new favorite band, Cash Cash! They are extremely awesome; my favorite song of theirs is “Sugar Rush”,  with “Electric Hearts” and “Party In Your Bedroom” coming up top next. There is just SOMETHING about Electronica!

5. I am now going to summer camp. (Yikes!) It’s Fredonia’s Leadership Camp, and I must say that for my first time going to an away camp, I guess I am acting quite the newbie..

6. My Betta fish, Calypso, has now matured! He is now a healthy MR. Calypso! [= Sweet Pea also turned 2 June 21st!

7. I have gotten more ORGANIZED! Finally, I have binders and lists neatly categorized, and I just bought a dry erase board from Wal*Mart, that, hopefully, will help with remembering stuff!

Secret #4: I am horrible at most things. I am always forgetful, so never feel bad if I forget something major!

8. I participated in my first coffeehouse at Barnes & Noble! I read a piece on the SPCA, about a ficticious pit bull named Vanilla. If I must comment myself, I think the emotional impact went over well. [ ;

9. On Sarah- Land, I have gotten extremely popular! I am the 4th most hit author out of five! My friends Courtney and Auden are also up there, too! [= I loved how Courtney’s “A Chance At Heaven” turned out… cool title, right? Well, I was the one to tell her she should call her novel that! LOL Yes. It is awesome being a collaborator. I also love love love her new piece, “Pretty Please With Popularity On Top!”

10. And, ba-da-BANG!, my favorite thing of ALL? I FINISHED MY FIRST NOVEL! Naturally, Me is now in the process of being typed. I am majorly excited… I have already created a cover!

And, since you all took the lovely time to check out this post, I am posting my longest preview portion of my novel, EVER, for you, my blog hitters! [= This is kinda exciting, and nervous. Remember the comment box, down there at the bottom of the page, me thinks. I’d love to hear if you’re becoming one of my first fans! Hahaha, just kidding! Better to be good natured… okay. Enough stalling. Here it is! (Avec le cover)

Amy

I remember how it all started. It was a Tuesday morning. I was nine at the time, so Amber didn’t even exist yet.
Aunt Macy was busy with two year old Tessa, golden curls bobbing as she ran around with Spark, our black lab. Max was his usual self, building a huge Lego tower that Tessa would mess up later, as usual.
Even back then, I thought my family was a bunch of mental cases.
Dad was already at work, a bakery named Luigi’s. The nice thing about Dad’s work was that Dad always came home smelling of warm foccaccia bread, toting something yummy for dessert.
Mom was already gone, too, to work with her real estate agency. If Mom wasn’t scrambling out the door, I knew I’d slept in late. Sure enough, the digital clock blared ten thirty-nine. I dressed in jeans and a tunic and hopped down the stairs in my white Keds, bumping the carton of orange juice as I ate a Pop Tart.
It was then that I looked out the window to see if it was sunny. To my surprise, not only was it perfect weather; Gemma Maxwell was outside. Gemma was a whole year older than me, and she was a fifth grader.
Gemma always seemed so tough, so mysterious, and so cool. I had dropped my Pop Tart crust and casually walked outside. I kept walking until looked up and was like, oh! There’s Gemma!
“H-hey, Gemma. I’m Amy. Amy S-stone.”
I’ll always remember that ‘tsk’ of her teeth, and that eye roll.
“No, DUH!”
And them she had smiled. Smiled! A perfect, toothy smile! I loved the way she said “duh”, like “d-UH”! It sounded so cool.

“Like, I know!”
I had smiled, just to make sure she did like me, and Gemma had smiled back.
“Cool.”
Had Gemma said I’m COOL? My gosh!
“HEY!”
A boy with long arms and legs and a deep flush had his bike rolling towards us.
“WAAATCH—”
Gemma and I’d hopped onto a lawn.
“Oof!”
He tumbled down.
“You okay?”
I ran over. Eww. He smelled of boy perfume. Dad wore boy perfume!
“Uh-huh. I had to bike away. My mom was attacking me with cologne! Mom said all boys wear cologne, but I say it stinks!”
He wrinkled his nose and I laughed. Who was he? Oh! Curtis Hemingway, from Mrs. Grosuk’s fourth grade class!
“Hey, Curtis!”
I was so excited. If Gemma was nice, and Curtis was nice, we could be three best friends!

Curtis squinted at me.
“Uh…umm…oh… Amy! Amy Stone!”
He smiled, a goofy, lopsided grin, compared to Gemma’s perfect, toothy smile.
I had to grin back, the weird “show-only-your-four-top-teeth-and-lips” grin, as my Mom called it. She said Max and I had the Stone smile.
“Curtis?”
Gemma had grinned again, and crossed her eyes at his name. I giggled.
“Let’s go to Sundae’s!”
No one would take down an offer to Sundae’s where “Every Sunday is a Sundae!”. Sundae’s was the most popular spot in Harmony. Curtis nodded to Gemma who shrugged at me.
“C’mon, then!”
We ran/biked/skipped down Main Street, over to autumn Park and across Cambridge Lane. There was the gigantic, tacky, hot pink ice cream cone, tilted the slightest degree on its post. I remember what we ordered, which became our must-have when we went to Sundae’s.
“Banana split, hold the cheery on top!”
Gemma had said, adding,
“Please!”
“Butterscotch with extra whipped cream and chocolate chips on top, ma’am!”
Curtis had waved.

“Ummm… a-a c-custard twist c-cone, w-with rainbow sp-sprinkkles!”
I had stuttered to Ruby. I always had trouble doing things for myself. Max, Mom, Dad, or Aunt Macy always took charge, even though Max was younger.
******
Now, here we are, six years later. We’re sitting here at table seven, Curtis to the left and Gemma and I are on the right, eating our must-haves. Gemma leaves her bananas untouched, as usual. We walk out, me leaving the two dollar tip for ol’ Ruby, who’s a good working woman for the age of seventy-five.
“Watcha wanna do?”
Curtis blinked, and I could already read his mind. Today was his type of catch day.
“Hmm.”
I perched on the bike rack, pretending to think.
Gemma sighed.
“Does it HAVE to be me all the time? Fine! What about…”
“Catch?”
Curtis asked hopefully.
“No.”
Gemma sighed miserably.
“I was thinking water tag, since it’s hot.”
I pursed my lips, trying not to smile.

Gemma had never wanted to play water tag since seventh grade, when Bryan Thompson purposely shot the hose on full blast at Gemma’s face, mussing up her makeup.
After that, water tag was, “boring”, “stupid”, or “childish”.
Curtis shrugged at me.
“Okay!”
I smiled.
We bought little five cent water guns at a Save A Dime, and filled them up with Curtis’s ice cold hose water.
“JEEZ! You didn’t even give me a chance!”
Gemma screamed as Curtis shot her in the back.
I cackled, and gasped as Gemma hit me in the chest.
“Jerk! It’s freezing!”
I chattered.
I hit Curtis in the butt.
“Cripes, Amy! You’re freezing my butt off!”
Curtis yelled, and we ran around like a bunch of immature babies.
“Amy!”
Amber shouted.
Spark’s tail waggled through the fence crack.

“AMYYYYYYYYYYYY! Mommy wants you hooooome!”
Amber’s annoying six year old smile taunted me.
I sighed.
“Gotta go, guys.”
“See ya later!”
Gemma called, and Curtis grunted.
I smiled as I went into the house and heard Gemma scream at Curtis.

Gemma

After Amy left, and I had gotten whipped by Curtis, I dragged my wet butt home to change out of my soggy clothes. I opened the door to hear silence.
Ugh.
Silence can be the loudest sound in the entire world.
The silence when you are taking a dreadful exam.
The silence when your heart is racing, pulsing in your ears, when you feel scared.
The silence that is awkward, when someone’s fighting.
The silence of sympathy.
The silence of horribly nasty stares.
The silence that brings you to tears.
“I absolutely hate silence!”
I grumble out loud, to make sure I am not in a living dead world. I turn on the radio, blasting loud WFMY. At least someone else in the world is there for me.
“Call to request a song! 987-6985.”
Chuck grins through the speakers.
Even this is stupid, pointless, childish, I dial.
“Yes? This is?”
“Gemma.”
I breathe into the phone. It is so exciting, hearing my voice broadcasted through the speakers.

“Okay, Gemma, what’ll it be?”
I close my eyes.
******
This reminds me of when I was five. Daddy was my hero back then.
“Here’s my gem, my girl, my Gemma!”
Daddy used to sing to all of his friends, and then he’d twirl me around for good luck before his game of pool.
I was also his clover, his good luck charm.
Some days he’d be in a good mood, put me in the old rusty white truck and drive me out to PJ’s, which I personally liked better than Sundae’s.
“Okay, Gemma, what’ll it be?”
He’d always ask with a wink, and I’d say,
“Oh, Daddy, I don’t know; pistachio, butter pecan?”.
Then I’d giggle and he’d laugh and get a small, not a baby, because I wasn’t a baby; cone vanilla. And then we’d drive a little further into Schwenksville, and we’d see the latest family movie at the drive-in. We wouldn’t pay though, just sneak around the entrance and park in the back, well hidden in the shadows, and leave five minutes before the end, and I’d come home all sleepy, and we’d snuggle in bed…
“Gemma?”
“Oh, sorry! Um, Lullaby?”

“Coming right UP!”
Chuck grinned.
“’Kay!”
I said.
“Thanks for everything!”
I mumbled, but I was already off-air, dial tone buzzing in my ear.
******
I was twelve when Dad left.
One day, Mom and Dad were fighting and cursing over why the bills weren’t getting paid.
“It’s your fault!”
“Jesus, Heather, you’re the one who stays home with Gemma and Logan! You should WORK!”
“Me? Ha! Me WORK? What do you think I DO all day? Lounge around all day with your kids?”
That day I had blasted a new Hillary Duff CD, tuning them out. Dad had come in an hour later, and turned down the volume on Hillary.
“Sweetie,”
Dad started, and I already turned to the wall.
“WHAT?”
I snapped.

“Oh, my Gem, my Gemma.”
Dad sighed.
I peeked just a little at him.
“Gemma, I’m moving. I’ve always wanted to try to be a back-up singer somewhere, make it big with some super star!”
My throat burned and hot tears poured down my cheeks.
“Yeah, huh? It’s so easy to leave your family for your dreams! It’s so easy to hide that YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!”
I screamed.
It was so stupid for Dad to think that Logan and I didn’t sneak around. We found receipts for orders of roses, for a woman named Trish.
Dad looked at me, eyes red rimmed with tears and regret.
“Gemma.”
He whispered, reaching out to touch my face.
“DON’T TOUCH ME! LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU AREN’T MY DAD! I HATE YOU! I’D NEVER WANT TO LIVE WITH YOU!”
I screamed, ranting off retorts like bullets.
Dad just looked at me sadly.
“Gem—”
I turned the volume on Hillary high. Let him go deaf so he can’t hear his perfect pitch.

Dad bent down to get a Post-It pad off the floor. He ripped off a sheet and wrote something, blew me a kiss, and walked out.
I pretended not to care about any of it.
As the rusty white truck’s engine roared, I felt more calm, somehow, and more teary-eyed. I picked up the note.
MY GEMMA, MY GEM, it read, LOS ANGELES. 852-4049. I’M SORRY, I’M ASHAMED. I LOVE YOU. DADDY
To this day, that note is stuck to the inside of my journal.
Starting that year, I skipped lunch, because then I’d save about 50 dollars for Mom.
Every day, I’d sneak quickly after school to the Stone’s.
Amy’s parents are the most unbelievably generous and kind people.
Every day, they leave their back screen door open. Kids can come in and help themselves to a large plate of homemade cookies. So I’d rush there every day after school and steal a good part of the whole thing, shoving cookies into a plastic baggie I always brought.
By the end of the year, I had sixty dollars that the lunch lady handed back to me.
“You bring?”
She snapped her gum.
“Yeah. Saves money.”
“Your mom will be happy.”
She smiled, and for a second I got nervous. Did she know my plan?

But then she yelled,
“Ne-EEEXT!”
So I knew I was safe.
That day, I found Dad’s address and printed it cleanly in his handwriting on an envelope. I addressed it to Mom, and wrote a note.
HI HEATHER,
HOW ARE THE KIDS? ARE YOU DOING GOOD? I FOUND A LITTLE BIT OF WORK RIGHT NOW. I THOUGH THIS MIGHT HELP YOU ALL OUT A BIT.
YOURS TRULY,
FRANK
I slipped it into the envelope with the sixty dollars, put a single stamp I bought, and put it in the mailbox.
“Hey, Gem!”
I jumped.
“Jeez! Hi, Logan. Work good?”
My brother’s just a year older than me, but he’s allowed to work at Zippy’s Submarine Shoppe.
“I guess.”
Then Logan grinned and flashed a twenty-dollar bill.
“Great! You got paid?”
“Well, that’s only half.”

I started water for spaghetti.
“That’s really great.”
I could tell my brother’s jade eyes were searching me. He knew something was off.
“What’s up?”
Logan scratches his long blond hair.
“Nothing.”
Sixteen wasn’t old enough to know my problems.
Mom came inside.
“Hey, Logan. Gemma, why didn’t you get the mail?”
“Sorry.”
I grinned sheepishly.
“Oh!”
Mom gasped.
“What?”
We cried.
“Your Dad…”
She read the note.
“What NERVE!”
She slammed it down.

“Are you good? Oh, yeah! I’m swell! My husband left me a few years ago for a lost-in-the-world girlfriend and still hasn’t made up his mind to come back!”
Mom glared out the window at the sun.
Logan bit his lip, too.
“Well, at least the son-of-a-gun actually left money!”
I could tell that Mom was hiding that she was actually glad to hear from Dad.
We’d eaten spaghetti that day in silence.
******
Today I’m sitting here, trying to brush out the knots in my thick maple hair. It’s always like my family, a tangled mess.
I’m so unlike the rest of my family, with cloudy blue eyes and olive skin.
Curtis is a stereotyped Hemingway! They all have perfect tan skin, green eyes, and curly darkish blond hair.
Amy is a true Stone, too, with the sun streaked brown hair that everyone but Tessa has.
Why can’t the Maxwells be a perfect family?

Curtis

I blow back that one annoying curl that always flops in front of my left eye.
“Go Curt-IS!”
Greg whoops as I run around the track. It’s as if I’m flying, adrenaline rush pumping through me,
“Well done, Hemingway! You did two miles in fifteen minutes. That’s an impressive mew record for you.”
Tom Fairswell is an okay coach.
He’s always pushing us to do our personal best, which I guess every coach does. But he’s really mouthy when it comes to meets.
“You can go home!”
I run out of the track and get my bike from the high school rack. I bike home and there’s Mom, all worried.
“It’s seven-oh-five! Don’t you end at seven?”
“Yeah, Mom, but I need to ride here!”
I huff.
My mom, Alicia Hemingway, is an over-protective stay at home mom.
“Sorry, Sweetie.”
She ruffles my curls, and the one flops into my eye.
“Errrg!”
I run upstairs and throw myself onto the bed, Mmm-mmm. My muscles ache so bad.

“Curtis! Curtis!”
Lily crawls onto my bed.
“Wanna play a game?”
You can’t avoid Lily, because if you say “no” to her, you’ll regret it. One time, my boxers were spread across the lawn, soaking wet from the water hose.
Another, she had somehow lifted the top layer of my birthday cake and spread a thick layer of mustard underneath.
So, I sigh and say,
“Sure.”
She brings out Mancala and I space out, just clicking the little marbles around the wooden pots.
“I win!”
Lily squeals, bouncing on the bed.
“Again?”
“Naw, I’m tired.”
I say, and pick up Lily and put her in her room, running to lock my door.
“Oof!”
She bangs into it.
“Moooommyyy!”
Lily bawls.
“Curtis locked me out of his room!”

“Shh, honey, Curtis is sleeping.”
Mom whispers.
I can almost picture her scooping up Lily and pushing her away.
“Let’s make brownies.”
“Okay!”
Lily bounces down the stairs.
And even though this is stupid, feminine, I take out my black composition book and write on top in cobalt Sharpie, CURTIS’ JOURNAL
MAY 23RD, I write, SAME OLD DAY. WATER TAG WAS FUN WITH AMY & GEMMA.
What else can I write? Oh, man. This reminds me of a fifth grade assignment from Mrs. Bowman.
******
“Class!”
I can hear her screechy, high voice now.
“Take out your journals! We will write an entry entitled, ‘The Best Day’.”
I had about had a nervous breakdown. My gosh. What could I say?
A day of catch, non-stop?
A track meet where Eat Harmony won all titles?
A day with Amy and Gemma, playing Lazer Tag at the new Titan’s Landing?

I was overwhelmed with choices, but my hand had already made the decision for me. It had written,
“THE BEST DAY IN MY LIFE WAS WHEN MY SISTER WAS BORN.”
How corny. What a sap. I wanted to erase my hand from my body.
“Stupid, Stupid!”
I’d grumbled, mumbling to myself.
But when Lily was born, the day was perfect.
My Mom had gotten all red and huffed,
“Curtis? Call Daddy! Tell him the baby is on the way!”
I had dialed the number engraved in my head; 462-0729.
“’Ello? Jeff Hemingway!”
My Dad’s gruff voice boomed.
“Dad, the baby’s on the way. Mom needs you!”
“You’re a good man, Curtis.”
My Dad had coughed.
“Tell Alicia I’m coming.”
Gemma and Amy peeked over the fence, eyes wide, jaws dropped open.
As Mom was placed on a stretcher, I ran outside, grinning with pride.
Inside, I was actually scared to death.
We came into the birthing section of the hospital, Dad and I nervous wrecks.

“Ehmygod!”
Dad kept on breathing, huffing with fear.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
“She’s here!”
A nurse burst out of room 207.
I smiled.
A sister!
“A… girl?”
Dad sputtered.
I shrugged.
I didn’t mind a sister!
“Come on!”
The nurse took my hand and led me into the room.
“Curtis!”
My Mom smiled.
“Meet Lily.”
She tilted my sister to meet me.
Lily yawned.
“She looks like a PRUNE!”
I said.

Mom laughed.
I actually thought she was the prettiest thing in the world.
A new beginning, or something.
Dad came in, too.
“A girl.”
He sighed, but then he grinned and touched her tiny face.
“What a good sport!”
The nurses whispered.
“Hey, Lil!”
Dad tickled her nose.
Lily made fishy faces with her mouth.
I laughed.
Then, we had to leave Mommy, so Dad took me to get ice cream.
We went to a place called PJ’s, which isn’t nearly as good as Sundae’s.
I ordered a toffee crunch sundae.
We sat there, licking ice cream, and Dad said,
“Curtis?”
“Yeah?”
I slurped on my spoon.
“You’ll always be my favorite boy.”
I couldn’t say ‘I know, Pop!’, so I just nodded.
******
So, now, I think back to that perfect day.
Lily sure has changed, I could say.
But, nah.
Lily’s a part of me. She’s my sister.
And though I’ll never admit it, I love her all the same.

So, there it is! The first three chapters! Let me know what you think! Post a comment here, and get more savvy personal at btterflygurl@gmail.com
Thanks!

Love,
Sarah

May 20th*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Hi Everyone!

Alright, so now I finally have 5 real articles in print!!! [ : I thought I would post this article, because this is one I'm extremely proud of.  IT has to do with something going on halfway across the world! Here it is.

Kenmore 7th grader’s blog

inspires worldwide network of

service

Laura Stockman, the Kenmore girl who started “making a difference” through a service blog in fifth grade, didn’t expect to launch a whole new trend.

She began by doing small things – making lunch for her family, or shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk – in memory of her grandfather, believing that this would help her grief. Her “25 Days to Make a Difference” blog, begun in December 2007, helped her reflect on the service work she had done and connect with others with the same goals.

Now a teacher from Melbourne,

Australia, inspired by Laura’s idea, seeks to spread the word to schools around the world. Jenny Luca, teacher of class 7C in Toorak College, Mount Eliza, connected with Laura through a Skype Web cam which enabled Laura to talk to Luca’s classroom about what she had been doing for others.

Inspired, Luca created a “ning,” an online social network to try to get teachers and students from all over the world to share what they are doing to making a difference in their own communities. The goal of “Working Together 2 Make A Difference” is to create partnerships between schools that can help students to understand that the desire to help others is universal. “The possibilities can be endless, based on the limit of your own imagination,” Luca says.

“It is fantastic that Mrs. Luca has invited others to participate in the project,” Laura said. “It allows people who don’t have blogs to communicate together and help make a difference wherever they are.”

Service projects can come in all forms, such as raising money for charity through a dance or bake sale. Students can volunteer their time after school, by cleaning up their town park, or by working at service organizations, such as their local library or animal shelter. Local communities have already started making a difference. Alden high schoolers made Christmas cards for Meals on Wheels participants and sent thank you letters to soldiers. Depew Middle held a clothing drive for Compass House. Other projects include students making regular visits to a retirement home; a contest to design an environmentally friendly shopping bag; and raising money for the Light Up the World Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing energy-efficient lighting to Third World countries.

Once school communities have done their service projects, they can post on the ning through a blog or a video. Schools can join at any time to connect and inspire. Schools, teachers or students can join the ning by following the web address: http://workingtogether2makeadifference. ning.com, and creating their own profile page.

Luca hopes that people who are self-starters and motivated can help spread the word. She says: “Just as long as there are interested people who are willing to do a small act to make the world a better place, we will be happy.”

Some of Luca’s students shared their thoughts on the service project with these joint responses.

NeXt:How were you inspired by this program?

Students:We thought it was good that at such a young age Laura realized what was wrong with the world and decided to make a difference, showing her willingness and enthusiasm to succeed. This showed us that everyone can make a difference, you don’t have to be older!

NeXt:What are some service projects your school has done?

Students:We’ve made and sold lollies [lollipops], typed for other people, worked for our moms, packaged and put information into envelopes, taught computer lessons to parents, filed for some teachers, and held a car wash.

NeXt:What do you like about helping others? How does it make you feel?

Students: It makes us realize that however bad our day is, there is always someone having a worse day and we can do something about it.

Sarah H.  is a freshman at ***** High.

Isn’t it interesting? [ : Well, now I have to cross some more things off my to-do list… I’m down to 9 things!! Woo-hoo!

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