8 lessons to live by from a graduating 8th grader

1) Don't take for granted the little things people do for you: Make sure you say thank you every once in a while, when people go out of their way to do something nice for you make sure you appreciate it and genuinely give back thanks.
2) Give back to the community that raised you: You grew up in a community of people. It may be a neighborhood, it may be a special school. Try to give back to that community in a special way. Say hi to that elderly neighbor, go for a walk with the guy that you see walking by your house every day, leave a friendly note for the mailman, take a minute to realize how lucky you are to have such a wide range of people around you as you grow.
3) Take a step back and breathe: Things will get overwhelming and you will be stressed out, just breathe, it will all be okay.
4) Make every moment count: You only have so much time to take risks, take them now, make your time of innocence great!
5) Don't worry if you're still trying to find out who you are or what you want to be: This will come with time, don't rush it, you've got a lot of life to live.
6) Sometimes silence is stronger than words: Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Don't talk back, listen don't speak, hear others first, save your words for later.
7) Make sure you tell your family you love them, don't shut them out, you want them to be there when you need them, you will need them: This is pretty self-explanatory, but make sure you go out of your way to make sure they know you love them.
8) Always stay humble and kind: Don't be mean. It doesn't help you. Do your best to make others feel appreciated and needed.

Hey readers! Sorry to break the news to you, but this is my last post.

Adios,
Natalie

Goals, Dreams, Achievements, Failures, Perseverance, Determination. Luvenia, from “The Glory Field” by Walter Dean Myers, Atticus, from “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, and Elie, from “Night” by Elie Wiesel, all face challenges, they all face negativity, and they all persevere through it. Whether those challenges are reaching goals of starting a business, fighting a battle that you have already lost, or keeping your heart pumping through the death camps, they all have something in common. These characters all broke through and found the courage and strength deep within themselves to push through their physical and emotional battles. Without these qualities, mankind would not be at the point they are today. People have gone through struggles and have needed to jump over hurdles. These three characters and three of many people that have acquired this quality and there are many more people to come. As seen in Luvenia, Atticus, and Elie’s stories, self confidence and strength can help transform the world for the better.

There have been many innovations that have transformed the world, but I think the internet has transformed the world the most. The internet connects people all around the world. We use it for learning, politics, entertainment, and communication. Think about it... Without the internet, you would not be able to read my blog. Without the internet, you would not know what is happening on the other side of the world. Without the internet, it would be almost impossible for our world to advance. I use the internet almost every day. Millions of people are on the internet right now. 

Muckrakers

I feel that philanthropy, women's rights, and education reform are three of the most pressing issues in our world today. There are so many people in our world that are lacking in the basic necessities of life, but there are also many people in our world that have more than enough money to live. I feel that those sitting comfortably should reach out a hand to those who are questioning their supply of water for the day. Am I going to have anything to drink today, should not ever be a question in the life of a human being. Another issue I find pressing is women's rights. In many countries, women are not given the right to education, voting, or even speaking their mind. Women and men should be treated equally in everything they do or can do. Education reform is also a pressing issue in my mind. There are so many people that are not able to afford or reach education for their children or themselves. Yes, there is financial aid, but it isn't always enough. There are so many above average people in our world that could strive if they were given the chance. A chance and a helping hand is all we need to succeed.

I hope to transform the way a parents opinions reflect on their children. Little kids on the playground are happy to play with anybody of any race, family, ethnicity, or religion. Adults see the world a lot differently. They have learned about the evil in the world and have altered their minds around stereotypical conclusions. These conclusions, turned into opinions, are what children hear from their parents' mouths while growing up. These opinions make kids form opinions of similar ideas. If kids were able to clear the negative opinions from their mind, they could change the world in the blink of an eye.

The most courageous person I know is my dad. He spends his life helping others and making decisions about other peoples' health conditions sometimes, on a life or death scale. He alters his life around the needs of others. He will put anything aside to be with my brothers and I and he ALWAYS puts our needs ahead of his.

First Steps

The dust flies up beneath my soul
I feel the flesh inside of me rub against my skin
My worn out leather strings are breaking
I take my first steps out onto the battlefield

I know now, not to make a sound

I roam over shells, blood, sweat
Holes are forming in the front
Soldiers are dropping around me
I take my first steps over the bodies

I know now, not to run, but to walk

The bloodiest day, Antietam
Red, hot bloodstains
Cover the socks that lie within me
I take my first steps towards my last

I know now, how to fight like there's no tomorrow
There isn't one

The shatter of hearts, bones, and barrels
The sound of silence
The lessons learned
The last moment
I'm motionless, over, dead
I took my first steps the day of my last
What I know now is so much more

Justice: noun; just behavior or treatment.

One factor that aids justice is people realizing where they stand in our world and how they can make a difference in their own community and the life of those around them. Another factor that aids justice is the amount of work and time people are putting in, to better the lives of the ones they love.

One factor that impedes justice is the way people treat others that are different than them, whether it be race, wealth, appearance, or culture. Another factor that impedes justice in the way our society treats the mentally ill and homeless members.

Witness : ˈwitnəs/ (n) a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.

Being a witness to me means that you are in the presence of the people acting or at the location during an event. I am an everyday of witness of the everyday life of students at Laguna. My experience in Los Angeles has altered the way I look at and value life dramatically. The victims of the holocaust were not expecting such torture so suddenly. I have realized, after looking at the artifacts and history of this event, that anything can happen to anyone at any time. That scares me. One minute I could be having the best day of my life and the next I could be dead. I am so fortunate to live in such a safe and somewhat politically stable environment, where something as horrific as the holocaust would almost never happen. You never know what's around the corner. 

 (1) family/childhood, (2) heritage/culture/roots, (3) accomplishments/achievements, and (4) legacy left behind? And what kind of container would you put it all in?

My timecapsule

If I had to pick four things that are important to me to put in my time capsule I would put...
1. The last remaining piece of my blue blanky that I carried everywhere when I was little.
2. My silver cross necklace.
3. My silver medal from the alumni regatta I raced in a few years ago because I won it with my dad. 
4. Every single book of songs that I have written.
Everything would be kept in a mason jar with my mom's handwriting on the lid "apple butter".

One Way Roads

A motif that glows in my life is One Way Roads. We are all travelling down a road called life, and there is no way to turn around. I think of it as hurdles, you find yourself wanting to go back to the glory days, the days where everything was brought down to you, a better time, but you just have to get over it. There is no way to travel back in time. You may get stuck in mud on your road or you'll pop a tire, but you will always keep moving forward. Everybody gets stuck because everybody makes mistakes. As my dad always says, "Do it right the first time!" but that is very unlikely. Not Impossible.