Looking Back... (24)

This school year started off with a bang, as all of us students got to know each other, and got used to the school life schedule of Weimar Academy. It was difficult adjusting to Weimar food again and getting up so early, but as time wore on I got in sync with it all again.
During this first semester I’ve learned a lot. It has been a struggle to maintain a positive attitude at times but with constant prayer I’ve been making it. Some of my friends and I had started a prayer circle in the mornings and it’s been amazing to see what God has done in our lives!
Everyday life here is filled with odd moments and funny happenings. Some kosher for all readers and others more classified, if you know what I mean, so I’ll restrain from the telling of these special moments.
I’m looking forward to this next semester and all the interesting things that it will bring.

Secrets (23)

Keeping secrets is important. It helps to build trust and it strengthens friendship. To be a good friend one keeps secrets. There are times however, when keeping the secret isn’t in the best interest of the friend. In this case you should go to the friend and tell them what you think, and ask them seek counsel. If they choose not to seek counsel (depending on the situation) then you should seek counsel for them anonymously, while keeping their trust. Then give that information to them in your own words… It’s very important not to break trust yet to help them in every possible way. That’s what friends are for.

Beauty, Brains or Both? (22)

Beauty or brains. In this world it is hard to compare which of these two choices would get you further in life. They are both equal I would think. As far as being famous both the good lookers and the brains have it made. The brainy people have the inventions and mathematical equations to be proud of, while the lookers have the trophies for best acting or their pictures in magazines.
In my opinion if it weren’t for the brainy people of the world the lookers wouldn’t really have a job as far as movies are concerned. Who came up with moving pictures anyways? Whoever it was must have been a really brainy person!
As far as I’m concerned I believe that a good portion of beauty and brains is the best way to go. That would make me the happiest.

Woman Can (21)

I believe that woman are capable of just about anything they put their minds to. However, there are certain job(s) that I believe wouldn’t be the best place for a woman. A woman as president isn’t the best idea. Woman do tend to run off of their feelings instead of facts. Feelings are apt to change and when the decision has to do with a whole country it’s not a good idea to run off of how one feels.
Woman are very talented, and should be allowed to use those talents for a good purpose. What that purpose is, is debatable and should be decided ( in my opinion) by that individual.

Home Sweet Home! (20)

The journey home was uneventful and passed all to slowly. I had been looking forward to Thanksgiving break not only because everyone was getting on my nerves and I needed a serious break, but because my brother was going to be home! That in itself was enough reason to get home as quickly as possible! On arriving at home I found out that not only was my brother coming but my cousin as well, which caused much more rejoicing.
In short I spent the holiday spending time with my brother and cousin, dad and of course my mom. We played tennis, ate delicious food, and slept in! (A novelty for the Kostenko clan) I even practiced driving. The return trip passed by uneventfully even though my friend Dani was driving. Skittles wasn’t with us so there wasn’t any flying dogs! Her stops have much improved since our last roller coaster ride.
The week passed way to fast, and though I guess I could say I’m happy to be back, I can’t wait for my next home leave. Maybe I’ll even get to see my nephew!

Television (19)

Television has made the exotic things in life become common. All we have to do is push a button and there we have it, a new amazing story of long lost twins meeting, or footage of a natural disaster. Everything is up close and personal. “ Being able to see and hear practically everything,” makes it so “we will be specially interested in almost nothing.” (E.B. White) When an individual is especially interested in practically nothing it makes it harder to choose a career, and find pleasure in the simple things of life.

The Lonely Number (18)

The number one is usually thought of as a lonely number. You’re by yourself you are alone. Mark Twain once said, “ The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with oneself.” I think that it’s absolutely true. If you’re not comfortable with whom you are then you’re not comfortable with being by yourself. You constantly are looking for affirmation from others. Obviously you have to be around people to receive confirmation for who you are. Personally being alone is a time of enjoyment. I may sound like a hermit but I like to be alone. I do enjoy being with people, but I find that when I’m alone I get so much more accomplished. Also it gives me time of quietness! Living in a girl’s dorm there’s not much of that! So when there’s peace and quiet it’s a wonderful. I always say silence is golden but duck tape is silver!

Ambitious Baby Boomers (17)

My parents back in school, what a thought! I just can’t really imagine it. I think that it’s a great opportunity for those who didn’t get to finish high school or college. Maybe they did finish college but didn’t get a job that they enjoyed. I’d be proud of a parent who was going back to school. I do think that it would be harder for a parent or older person to go back to school. For one they have to balance work and school. When would they find the time to study? There lives would be seriously stressed. Between work and school they would have to balance family time, fun time, relax time, and most important sleep time. When adults go back to school it enables them to work at better paying jobs. That allows them to save more and not have a lot of debt. Mike Flint is a 59 ex coach who went back to school so that he could try to get back on the football team he’d gotten kicked off of because of bad grades. I think he’s very ambitious and that he will definitely gain some extra years in his life because of his physical fitness. If I were in his shoes I’d probably not try and get on a football team. I’d be more apt to get in shape by bike riding or walking.

New Addition (16)

Hey little one, my little ISK. I just wanted to tell you a little about the family that you have joined. I know you already know who mommy and daddy are, but we’ve never met buddy. I’m your Aunt Kami, yup that’s right. Your daddy is my big brother. I know he can be a pain sometimes, you just got to learn how to work him. We’ll have to have a chat later about that.
You know how you got your name? Yes your mommy and daddy named you, but I’m talking about your nickname, ISK. That’s the courtesy of your Uncle Kody. He’s the jokester of the family. You’ll have lots of fun with him. You’ve already met Grandpa, and Grandma, and they love you so much. Grandpa is quite taken with you, he can seem gruff sometimes but inside he’s like a marshmallow. Grandma loves you too. Little button you’re quite lucky you know why? You have more then one grandma. If Grandma Julie were still alive you would be her pride and joy. The first grandbaby, my first nephew. I can’t wait to meet you little guy, and share all the secrets about your daddy, believe me, I have plenty of stories. Love Auntie Kami

If I were...(15)

If I were President I would first address the economy. America is debt, and we need to get out of it. Our economy is all messed up because of the government taking out loan upon loan without paying any doe back. America need to learn how to pay back what they borrow.
The second issue I would address is the war. What are we accomplishing over there? I don’t see what we’re doing except that we’re paying back a debt from 9/11. Hasn’t that debt been paid in full already.
The last point I’d like to make here is that education must raise its standards. If creationism can’t be taught in our school neither should evolution. Both are religions no matter how you look at it. The poor should be give equal opportunity in school as other children. More schools should be built so that there’s a bigger teacher/student ration.
At this point in time I don’t know which issues are dearest to my heart. However, I believe that the American public would agree with what I’ve already stated.

Holiday Memories (14)

My favorite holidays are Christmas and Thanksgiving mainly because that’s when my family gets together. We eat lots of food and have fun just being with each other. One of my favorite memories happened on Christmas Eve. My whole immediate family was together around the Christmas tree. My dad was just getting better from having double pneumonia, and Christmas promised to be slim. I was six at the time, and I can remember being super excited because we had decided to open presents that night. All the presents had been open, when daddy announced that there was still one more present. I couldn’t even begin to hope that it was for me since I had received so many wonderful gifts. Daddy and my oldest brother, Jered went out to the garage and brought back the most marvelous thing I had ever seen. (Up to that point) It was a little wooden stroller just the right size for me to push my new dolly around in. Dad and Jered had taken the time to make it for me. I still have it along with the doll I had gotten that Christmas.
My least favorite holiday is Halloween. I don’t understand why so many kids like it so much. Sure you can have loads of candy, but it just never seemed right to me. Dressing up like ghosts and goblins never appealed to me and I never like to have people come to our door asking for candy. My favorite memory of a Halloween night was when my whole family sat in the house with all the lights off wishing that we could do something. Finally my dad came up with the brilliant idea to go to the church school and have a gym night. We called up other like-minded people and had a blast playing basketball, dodge ball, four square, and dare-base. It was the best Halloween night I’ve ever had!

Parents Fault vrs Teens Fault (13)

The issue of underage drinking has reached an incredible high. Should parents get in trouble for allowing there teens to drink? Will laws that allow parents to get in trouble by fine or imprisonment help to diminish teen deaths that are directly related to alcohol?
Critics say that host laws will never eliminate underage drinking. I believe that they are correct. As a teen I know that if I can’t do something that I really want to do one-way, I try and do it another way. However, stricter parental liability can reverse the flaunting of underage drinking. Underage drinking seems to be the thing, and parents seem to condone it. (Some parents) If parents were held liable, they probably wouldn’t allow drinking. Underage drinking wouldn’t be ‘the thing’ to do anymore because it had so many bad consequences. Parents should be held responsible for their teen’s irresponsible and harmful habits such as: drinking, driving while intoxicated, and other detrimental habits. Parents are supposed to train their children up to follow guidelines that are advantageous in their adulthood. Yet if a teen makes the decision to drink without the knowledge of the parent, or decides to drink even if the parent(s) tell them specifically not to, then the teen should be held responsible for his/her own decision.
When parents allow their teens to drink at home I believe that it sends a bad message across to them. It’s like saying here try some alcohol it’ll kill you but that’s okay. Do you what you feel like doing. This world isn’t about what you feel like. It’s about what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s good and what’s bad. Those decisions need to be made on fact not on feelings because feelings can change. Parents should sit their teens down and even pre-teens and talk to them about drugs and alcohol. Parents should make it clear to their child that while they are under their care drinking is not an option.

Goats, Pickles and Duck Tape (12)

If it weren’t for that goat I wouldn’t be stuck in this nasty pickle. I had the odious task of going over to my neighbor’s house and mucking out their barn. Among the odd assortment of animals they had living with them, was a goat named Crystal. She was a cute little thing, with a nasty temper. Don’t mess with Crystal, if you do well, my neighbors left that up to my imagination, and I assure you that it was quite active.
This particular day I made my journey through the pastures to muck the stalls and feed the animals. I usually made sure that Crystal was occupied with something else, but it just didn’t seem that necessary today because she was nowhere in sight. With a sigh of relief I began my monotonous and smelly job.
Out of the blue I heard a bleat of indignation. Belatedly it came to my attention that I was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. In my haste I tripped over the manure wheelbarrow and ended up stuck up on the wall wishing that it were duck tape and not some other substance sticking to me. A very contented goat looked up at me and gave me a happy bleat, as if to say, “Well that should teach you a lesson!” I must say that I didn’t bring home just mud that day…

Achievable Greatness(11)

Greatness is achievable by anybody who is willing to work for it. Benjamin Franklin said “I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.”
To be truly great I believe that you need to be a man or woman of God. . “God prepares great men for great tasks by great trials.” ~ John Baptiste Gressett. A character refined in the Refiner’s fire is necessary. To be truly great you must forget about yourself and your desire to be great. “If any man seeks for greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both.” ~ Horace Mann
Seek for truth in the book of wisdom, the Bible.
Here’s a quote I really like. “If you can’t do great things: do small things in a great way.” J.F. Clarke. It doesn’t matter who you are you can do great things in a great way or small things in a great way.

Unplanned Interuption (9)

I was only eight at the time, but being a PK (Pastors kid) I was used to be roped into doing special music. The song, I don't even remember what it was, I only remember the comments that I received after the event.
Tripping up the steps to the podium I got ready to sing special music. No big deal, no stage fright or anything. The introduction played, and I opened my mouth to sing. I sang about the first line and *hiccup*. Every other word *hiccup*. For example, "Jesus *hiccup* loves m*hiccup*e this *hiccup* I *hiccup* know... I finished singing through the song with the whole congregation tittering. A special music that I'm certain they didn't forget in a long while.

Unimportantly Important (10)

Hillary Clinton for president or no? Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of the Clinton's has always been in the background, first in her fathers administration, and now in her mother's campaign. To the public eye Chelsea has always come across as the "golden child" and this benefits Hillary Clinton immensely. As a female candidate her mommy credentials are solid. So even though Chelsea seems to not hold a big part in the campaign she actually does. "A person is a person no matter how small" - Dr. Seuss Or in my own words, A person is important no matter how small a contribution they have.

In my dreams

An awesome person to meet would be Obediah, King Ahab’s prime minister.(In the Bible) I think it would be neat to ask him:

How did you keep so faithful to God?
What was it like to meet Elijah?
How did you hide all the prophets of God in the caves without anybody knowing?
Was it hard to obey God and the king?
What would you’ve done if Jezebel had found out?
What were you thinking when Elijah told you to go get Ahab?
How did you influence the king?
Did the queen not like you?
What were you're tasks as a prime minister?
How did you get to be that high up in Ahab's court?

Good Riddance (7)

Good Riddance! Have you ever said the words? I know that I have. It one of those phrases that you say a lot, but you never know quite what it means. Maybe you do know what it means, or maybe you just think you know what it means. Maybe the definition is really only according to your own personal dictionary.
Well in the dictionary according to Kami, good riddance means that you’re happy it’s gone. When something or someone is gone you say good riddance. You could mean it sarcastically, or you could be totally sincere. It matters not which as long as you actually know what your saying.

Geo-Me-Try (6)

Sitting in another mind-numbing geometry class I struggled between two emotions. The first thought was to try my hardest to understand, while the second, which was so much easier to do, was to try to accomplish some other pressing assignment that needed to be done. It didn’t help matters that there were a few smart people in the class, so the teacher would go along at the speed of those who understood, dragging along behind the rest of us, me included. I felt like I was running on a treadmill and that no matter how fast I would try to “run” I would never catch up!
After many months of frustration, of trying and then giving up, I finally decided to go to the master math brain. She had challenged geometry and passed the final with flying colors. Seeking her assistance I was able to pass the class with a passing grade.
Persistence, diligence, and hard work won me the grade, and I will forever remember that when you don’t understand all you need to do is ask.

Microtrends What is It? (5)

Microtrends are small trends that affect a small percent of the population of the United States. For example, teenagers who knit, and mom’s who play video games.
I personally think that Mom’s who play video games are silly. Playing video games may be fun, but it’s a ridiculous waste of time. I do think that it’s funny that teenagers are knitting, but it’s better to knit than do other things that other teenagers are doing.
I believe that Hillary Clinton hired Penn for her campaign because she knows that one needs to understand microtrends to succeed and apparently Mr. Penn does. She wants to know how to talk to voters so that they’ll like her and vote for her, and she thinks that microtrends are the way to go.
I think that Penn’s book Microtrends could well be a political pun so that Clinton will receive more votes. He claims that he was going to write the book before, but conveniently for Clinton it was published five months before the preliminaries. That gives you something to think about.
As far as microtrends go, I think they’re everywhere, whether you realize it or not. For example many of us here at school seem to be wearing those slip on Vans. Many of us also seem to be saying the same things a lot. Things like, “Oh snap” and other such choice words.

Frigid Friends (3)

Walking lazily along the beach of Lake Tahoe I timidly stuck my big toe into the water. Letting out a little squeal I quickly pulled it out of the frigid water. I decided that I would warm up a bit before I jumped in. At least I thought I had decided, but some of my friends decided that it was not to be.
I was about up to my waist in water, doing pretty good right? Not good enough for my lovely friends. They came in a mob, and I knew any hope of escape was fruitless. Two grabbed my arms and dragged me up to my neck, trying to push me under. Struggling with all my might I managed to keep my head above water for a while, until finally overcome with the weight of all of them, my head sank under the glacial waters.
It was a nice, frosty, neck twisting experience, one that I’ll never forget, and hopefully never have to experience again.

Seared in History (4)

September 11, 2001, a day of infamy, one that will always be remembered. Should we remember it though? For the people who experienced it first hand, it will always be fresh in their minds. For the fireman who barely escaped death, it will be a memory that will forever be with them. It is a part of our history as the country of the United States of America, just like Pearl Harbor.
That day six years ago, I was at school, my teachers turned on the T.V. and we watched the happenings. I remember it seeming so far away, so distant and unreal. Yet to those experiencing the hurt of loosing a loved one, for those right there and up close it was a nightmare that was stoppable. There were dads and moms who never came home that day.
I believe that 9/11 will be a day that no one will ever forget, and that no one should forget. It did happen and many people died, some in acts of bravery, and some trapped inside.

Illegal yet a Resident? (2)

The recent flood of immigrants that has been coming into the United States continues to flow. What should the United States do?
Hispanics on one hand should be allowed to stay. There are some who legitimately want to become Americans, who come over to learn and to work. Some also are fleeing dangerous situations in their own country.
On the other hand there are those who come over here to get rich quick. They work during the crop season and then go back to Mexico and retire, living in luxury. The Mexican president, Felipe Calderon approves of the actions of course, and is encouraging it. He says that the U.S. is being insensitive to the workers who are the bases of the economic and social structure of America. He says that deporting families who have American born children is detrimental to the family seeing as it divides it.
The only problem is that some illegal mothers come over just before they give birth. For example, if a pregnant Hispanic woman comes into the United States her baby automatically becomes an American citizen. She immediately files for all the assistance usually provided for needy pregnant mothers, and the U.S. gives it to her because her baby is a citizen. Yet American woman are allowed to have abortions because their babies, who aren’t born yet, aren't really human beings. Who’s paying for the health care? American citizens!
The Mexican President also doesn't think that it is fair for those who commit crimes here should be tried here. He says that they are Mexican citizens and that they should be tried by the Mexican laws. To be just and fair the individual should be tried by the laws of the country that they are in, not of the country that they belong to.
Personally I believe that if illegal immigrants really want to become U.S. citizens then they should be able to do so. Only they must become citizens. I also believe that if the individuals in question are fleeing from unjust persecution that they should be allowed to come, and to stay.

Code of Honor (1)

Thou shalt treat all people equally
Thou shalt think before you speak
Thou shalt be kind to all people regardless
Thou shalt turn that frown upside down
Stand for the right no matter what!
Respect thine elders
Strive for thy goals
Thou shalt not procrastinate
Enjoy the simple things of life
Be slow to get angry and fast to forgive