September 30, 2008 by samantha.

It has taken me some time, but I finally have a twitter account. I am still trying to figure out how to put the icon on my web page, but until then I have added a link. At the top of my web page, there is a button titled “twitter”… it took me a long to come up with that title! It is just another way to keep me entertained and in touch with everyone!

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September 28, 2008 by samantha.

This week is National Banned Book week. I am sure we all know where I stand on the matter. I will say that the list has introduced me to some of the best books I have read. As a matter of fact, my two favorite books, To Kill A Mockingbird and The Giver are both on the list. When I was in school it was my goal to read every book on the list. I even went as far to get a copy of it and cross out those books I had read. Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way as well as a million other books to add to my “Must Read” list. But in honor of the week, events across the country, are being held to make people aware that books are still being banned in the twenty-second century for ridiculous reasons. But what do we expect? We live in a country were art is still being censored.

I guess I did a poor job of not sharing my opinions. Did you expect me too? Want my opinions on the $700 billion bailout? Iraq? Bush? McCain? Palin? Obama? Dogs wearing clothes?

Anyway, why is banning books so high on people’s lists? Isn’t there more important things to do? Is banning a book really going to change anything? I probably wouldn’t have known about half the books that I have read if it was not for the list. The Banned Book list made me want to read more books. I wanted to see for myself why certain books were banned. What was so horrible about them? Are you telling me the The Catcher in the Rye is worse than most horror movies?

Or maybe we do not want people thinking for themselves! That would be horrible! Should we do what we are told to do? Is thinking of ourselves such a terrible thing? Shouldn’t an adult be able to decide if a book is acceptable to read or not? I could go on and on. Already I playing devil’s advocate in my head. I can hear the arguments.

Still, what is so wrong with the Harry Potter series, The Color Purple, and Fahrenheit 451, to name a few?

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September 21, 2008 by samantha.

I have always found it funny that my name means “listener” in Aramaic. Anyone who knows me learns quickly that I am not a very good listener. If I do not like what you say, I will ignore anything else you have to say on the matter.

I share all this because I have another example of why I am not a good listener. Over a week ago, I twisted my ankle while walking Valentina Ballerina. It swelled up a little bit and I thought nothing of it. I was in no pain, so why should I worry? As the weekend progressed, I noticed that the swelling did not go down… as a matter of fact it got worse! I asked a few people what I should do. I was ordered to sty off of it, ice and elevate it, and keep it wrapped. Well, I half-hearted followed instructions. The swelling got so bad, that on Wednesday I went to the doctor. I had three x-rays and he looked at my ankle for about two seconds. Guess what? He told me that if I had listened to everyone else, I would have been back to normal. Now it is Sunday and I am still nursing my ankle. I have kept it wrapped during the day and I have stayed off it for a majority of the weekend. Today was the first day that Vallie and I have walked since I twisted my ankle. Before you say anything, the doctor said it was okay! The swelling has gone down and it is feeling pretty darn good. And tomorrow, I will be getting up at 5 a.m. to get back into my routine and go for a walk. Thank goodness!!!

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September 15, 2008 by samantha.

I thought that once school started and I was able to get into a “normal” routine, I would feel better. I thought that having too much to do would make me a bit more sure of things. I have overloaded my schedule in hopes of overcoming my feelings of anxiety. I am sorry to say that I feel even more uncertain and alone than before. I am more lost than I was a month ago. I do not know what to do. Maybe it is time to go to the doctor for help. But I do not see how that will help anything. I feel that these issues need to be resolved and faced head on. But I do not know how to accomplish that. I do not know who to talk to. I do not know who will understand. And I obsess. I try to ignore my issues for a bit, but the whole time I am thinking about what is going on. But alas, I am still working out my problems, trying to fit everything in twenty-four hours, and nursing a twisted ankle to boot. I am trying to do it all with a brave face. God, it would be so much easier to crawl under the covers and cry!!!!

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September 11, 2008 by samantha.

A few months ago, while I was in Starbucks, I discovered Garth Stein’s latest novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain. I read the back of the book and knew that I had to read it. I did not buy it then, but it kept popping up in various stories, reminding me that I wanted to read it. Then, a a couple of weeks ago, I found the book on a bookshelf at school. I was so excited to find it that I quickly scooped it up. I could not wait to start reading it.

Well, I am so happy that I did read it. A book has never made me cry so much, yet I could not put it down. I limited myself to fifty pages a night and had a hard time stopping. The book is narrated by Enzo, the family dog. Through his eyes, we see a family’s highs and lows and how he tried to keep them all together. The story was predictable, but I did not care. I did not want the book to end. I savored the last pages and ended the book wanting more.

As I said earlier, I cried nightly as I read the book. Thankfully I had Val to get me through it. Every night she would hear me crying. She would jump on my bed and put her chin on my chest I would tell her what was going on in the book and I was so excited to have someone (or something) to talk about the book with.

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September 8, 2008 by samantha.

Yesterday I diverted from the normal Sunday routine and braved the freeways of Southern California. I went to the opening weekend of the L.A. County Fair with a few friends. I had not been to a fair in so long and I was excited to go. It was so much fun. We perused all the normal fair kiosks, saw all sorts of interesting people, and ate some interesting food. I had a Cowabunga Corndog and even tried Fried Avocados. Neither was worth having again, but it was perfect for the moment. Or course my favorite exhibit was the farm. The whole day would have better if it has not been so hot. The thermometer said it was 96, but I disagree.

Of course, I had to show the fair goers how coordinated I am. I was walking backwards, looking at the beginnings of a parade, when I tripped and fell. I am sure it was spectacular. Once again, my CamelBack saved the day. I was left unscathed and bit embarrassed. No one seemed to noticed. I was bit disappointed. I go all out and no one seemed to care! The story of my life!

Posted in Friends, California, Weekends | 1 Comment »

September 6, 2008 by samantha.

When will I learn that 9 out of 10 trainings are boring? This morning I went to a voluntary training that my district was offering. I had high hopes for it. I was hoping to learn about a program that we are using at school. It was about as fun and informative as going to the dentist. Actually, the dentist is a lot more fun. Thank goodness I did not have to get up early to be there.

The high point of the past few days is that I finished reading The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond. My mom recommended the book to me. She raved about how great it was and how she could not put it down. Unfortunately I did not have the exact same problem. I had no problem putting the book down, but I had to keep reading it to see what happened. The story follows Abby and the search for her fiancée’s kidnapped daughter, Emma. I cannot explain what I did not like about the book. It was slow at times and I had a hard time liking Jake, Emma’s dad. Then again, I wanted to keep reading it. I had to know what happened to Emma. I had my suspects of who kidnapped her, but still I was surprised by the twist at the end. It was interesting and I was familiar with some of the locations that it made the book a little more enjoyable to read.

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September 4, 2008 by samantha.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a pushover in most cases. I talk a big talk, but I crumble easily. I have a hard time using the “N” word…. NO! When I do say no, I am usually plagued with guilt. So I end up doing what I do not want to do. Anyone care to argue this point with me?

Well, in a moment of unknown strength, I said no today. I was presented with a proposal and it was not something that I wanted to be part of. I had some time to think about and I was determined to stand my ground. When the time came to give me answer, I went in and said that I would not do it. And wouldn’t you know it, saying no was not that hard! It actually felt good. I left with my head held high and air of confidence that I have not felt in a long time.

Now after all that is said, I know that I have a few people in my life that I have absolutely no problem saying no to. The problem is that those people are few and saying no to them does not make a difference. I sometimes feel like when I say no to them, I am talking to a brick wall. The great thing about talking to a brick wall is that it does not talk back to!!!

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