The Holidays and Your Health

Holidays.
A time for fun, games, food, and... poor health?!
Yes, poor health indeed.
Around the holidays, it is cold.
Cold weather means we, as humans, are more susceptible to disease,
resulting in colds, sore throats, runny noses, et cetera.
Also, we tend to eat a bit too many sweets,
and indulge in fatty foods- and large amounts of them.
This all results in a gain of weight, high blood pressure/cholesterol, et cetera.
People over 21 may also tend to drink more than usual-
leading to ill-judgment, which can result in injury,
or they can be wasted the next day.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is,
enjoy the holidays, but be sensible!
You can certainly have fun one day without destroying the next.
As to diseases, well, they may not be entirely unavoidable,
but you can wash your hands more, especially before and after eating and petting animals.
Eat only a small amount of each food, and never eat until your stomach hurt.
Only eat a few cookies and fatty things,
and supplement the craving with fruit.
Drinking lots of water can help, too-
many people don't drink nearly enough in winter,
since it's not hot out and your body doesn't really urge you to.
But lots of the time, when you think you're hungry and begin to snack,
all you actually need is a drink of water!
So by drinking water, you're "hunger" is filled,
and you won't end up gaining extra weight.
Water also helps you blood pressure out, as well,
and can help prevent blot clots and many other problems.
As to the alcohol problem of the holidays,
well, I'm not gonna say don't drink,
but I will say to watch out how much you drink.
If you want to get drunk, so be it-
just don't overdo it,
and don't drive or do much afterwards.
Of course, not getting drunk would prevent hangovers,
and a number of other incidents and things.
Anyway, have fun and be safe this holiday season!

Perfect World?

By any means, the world we live in isn't perfect.
But let's imaging for a second what it would be like if it was.

Of course, the number one thing would be no war, right?
No genocide, mass murdering, violence in general.
That's one of the typical things people would like to be different.
Of course, realistically, that could probably never happen.
It's human nature to fight. We are animals, after all.
But that doesn't mean we can't prevent some of it.
The first step to a utopia would be to overcome the violence of human nature.
Yes, it does make a good story to have violence.
Let's keep it in the stories. Only in the stories.
But eliminate the stories that have senseless violence that encourages a violent nature.
eliminate the war and kill-all-people video games.
Instead, we should limit violence in media only to instructive things.
Stories where violence brings tragedy, showing us how horrible it is.
If everyone knew how it hurts others,
and everyone worked to stop it,
then maybe this world could become much nicer.

Another thing that needs eliminating is disease.
Actually, we may be able to completely eliminate it someday.
Currently, many diseases can be prevented with shots and such.
New medicines and cures are found every day.
Eventually, we will have the technology to wipe out almost all diseases,
or at least cure them within a day,
including things like cancer and STDs.
I'm sure that by 2100 this idealism will occur.

What else?
Ah, right.
An ideal world will have better schools.

I love school, but I do think it needs changing.

School will last a maximum of five hours.
the only outside of school schoolwork will be projects.
That way, we're not stuck with overloads of work.
Also, there won't be as many mandatory classes:
You'll instead be allowed to focus on the area of study you enjoy in high school.
That way, you will learn a lot more, and have fun learning it.
Wouldn't that be great?

Yeah, a perfect world...
Of course, there are many other things I'd want in mine.
But I think that in any world, there are pluses and minuses.
So, if it can be good for everyone, despite little discomforts,
than that is truly the ideal world.

Procrastinator

The Holidays are coming...
And so's the load of work. @____@
I can't take it anymore.
I have to now sacrifice work of other classes to get work done.
So, I never get to read for English or do German work,
since I focus on History, Creative Writing, and...
huh, I don't have that much work, do I?
So why's it not getting done?!
I guess I've been too distracted with games and art and stuff.
Huh. Guess I should actually put that stuff on hold to do work...
but... they're just so much fun...
Well, that's the life of a procrastinator for you!
Not that I enjoy it, but...
It's just so hard to stop and work for once. ;__;

The Devil's Son

Well, in Creative Writing, we had to make an interesting Character.
We doing a drama unit, so it's in play format.
My character is the Devil's Son, as you can infer from the title.




This first piece is a monologue, sorta.
I added some dialogue before an after it.


SEBASTIAN, Devil's son. Lives among humans, and has developed a liking to them. Does not agree with father on many things, but expected to follow in his footsteps.
5'6", 110 lbs, 13 years old- mature for his age. Red-brown hair and eyes, Caucasian, upper class.
SAMANTHA, Sebastian's best friend. Just learned that her friend wasn't human.
5'2", 100 lbs, 12 years old, dark brown hair, green eyes, Caucasian, middle class.


SAMANTHA: You know, I've just realized something. You always come to my house. I've known you for three years, and I've never been to your house. In fact, I've never even met your parents!
SEBASTIAN: Trust me, you don't want to meet my dad.
SAMANTHA: Why not? He can't be that bad.
SEBASTIAN: Yes, he can be. I suppose it's about time I tell you…My dad's the Devil.
SAMANTHA: (laughing hysterically) You can't be serious. I'm sure he's not that bad. You're just overreacting.
SEBASTIAN: But I am serious! Here, I'll show you. (Red and black bat wings sprout from his back, a red tail with a spike on the end appears, and he sprouts two twisted red horns with black stripes.) This is the real me.
SAMANTHA: (eyes get wide) Y-you're serious!
SEBASTIAN: Yeah…
SAMANTHA: (panicking) Oh… oh my god….
SEBASTIAN: Okay, calm down! Let me explain things. I'm not my dad at all. Well, you should know that already. I'm not evil.
SAMANTHA: (calming down) Y… yeah… that's true. I guess it would make sense, with how you barely talk about him, and never want to go home, and keep half your things here… um, why don't you explain things. I promise I won't tell anyone.
SEBASTIAN: I know you'll never tell. Well, I guess I'll just go over my life. Ever since I learned to walk, my dad's been trying to get me to "follow in his footsteps." I am his only son, after all. He sent me to a human school to learn firsthand about their so-called "natural evil." He wants me to terrorize humans and punish them, like he does. But… I'm not like him…. I don't want to hurt people. I don't want to be bad. Dad buys me violent pets, like dragons, gargoyles, and chimeras. But I've always loved cats, which is why I hide Mr. Kibbles at your house. I've kept my passion for cute, nice things a secret from my dad. I hate being at home… it's all dark and has this musty smell, and there's fields outside where dad tortures people who have sinned. Of course, he believes all humans are intrinsically evil, so half of them don't even deserve to be there. It's horrible. I've kept you a secret from dad, too. If he knew that I befriended you… he'd be outraged. He already has seen some of my art, which he disproves of greatly. He thinks I should be drawing violent war scenes and stuff like that. But that's not me- I prefer to take photos of animals and paint pictures of sun sets. You've seen my art. You know what I mean. He does approve of me skateboarding, though he'd really prefer that I play football or hockey. You know, violent sports. Same with the video games. I keep most of them here because my Dad won't approve. He's always buying me M-rated bloody games. So I usually trade them in for better ones… of course, if my dad found out… (sighs) I really wish I had been born into a different family. True, Dad gives me as much money as I want. But, what's the use if he only cares about me being as violent and evil as I can possible be? That's just not me! (shakes head back and forth) I don't know what to do… There are so many possibilities I've considered, but they're all pretty much no good. I can't just tell my father that I hate being his son. His magic is much stronger than mine, plus he's a whole lot bigger. Getting him mad won't do anything to help me- and he will get mad, no matter how I say it to him. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep this better life of mine secret for the next ten years, until after college. Then I should be a lot stronger, and may have a chance. It seems that's the only possible option. Well, I think I've covered everything you need to know for now… I'll just tell you the things I've forgotten as they come up, okay?
SAMANTHA: Okay. Wow… That's sure a lot to take in! The Devil's son… wow…
SEBASTIAN: Please promise you won't tell anyone. If my dad finds out that anyone knows who I am…
SAMANTHA: Don't worry, I won't tell. Plus, even if I did, I don't think anyone would believe me! (smiles)




This second one is very interesting.
We had to owrk with a partner, and have out characters meet.
My partner was Lizz [Elizabeth].
Her character's, Susan's monologue was about how she was in love with a dentist.
I think it made a very interesting act...


SEBASTIAN, 13, mature for his age. Devil’s son, lives among humans. Argues with father on many things. 5’6”, 110lbs.
SUSAN, 24. Very emotional, romantic, and excitable. In love with all her doctors. Seemingly average height and weight.


SEBASTIAN: (on cell phone: wings and stuff visible: very angry) I told you not to go in there!
SUSAN: (walks in and sees him that way) Gasp!
SEBASTIAN: …No! Hey, you can’t burn my stuff! Dad- (notices Susan) gotta go! (Turns off phone, realizes wings are out, and quickly hides them)
SUSAN: What the… did you… what the…
SEBASTIAN: (pretends to be confused) what are you saying, lady?
SUSAN: You… the horns… wings… pointy tail…
SEBASTIAN: I have no idea what you’re saying.
SUSAN: (shakes her head, getting her sense back) you were yelling and screaming into your phone, jumping up and down, and you had horns and bat wings and a tail!
SEBASTIAN: Wings? Tail? You’re crazy.
SUSAN: I am not crazy! I know what I saw!
SEBASTIAN: Right. Well, if you saw wings on me, then where are they now?
SUSAN: I dunno! Maybe you can hide them! Come here.
SEBASTIAN: (walks over, skeptical expression on face)
SUSAN: (starts checking for holes on back of Sebastian’s shirt)
SEBASTIAN: What are you doing?!
SUSAN: Th... There should be holes! You had wings!
SEBASTIAN: Is this some sort of strange joke?
SUSAN: No… I did see it, I did… (More to herself) didn’t I? You were some sort of devil!
SEBASTIAN: (crosses arms) Maybe you ought to see a psychiatrist.
SUSAN: (starts feeling head for horns)
SEBASTIAN: Hey, hey, get off! What the heck?
SUSAN: You definitely had horns!
SEBASTIAN: Look, lady. If I really am a devil, would you really want to be getting me mad?
SUSAN: Aha! A confession!
SEBASTIAN: No, no! Jeez… (Pushes her away, too hard)
SUSAN: Aaah! (Hits wall- sits on floor, dazzled)
SEBASTIAN: Oops.
DOCTOR: (at door) Susan Luna?
SUSAN: Susan who?
DOCTOR: Is Susan here?
SEBASTIAN: Oh, you must mean this lunatic. Here. (Pulls her up and over to the doctor)
SUSAN: (falls into doctor’s arms, looks up at him) ooh, you’re cute! (Leaves with doctor)
SEBASTIAN: Phew, that was close…

Scrapbook Story

So, we had to make stories in Creative Writing about characters derived from scrapbooks.
We each made a scrapbook, but didn't put our names or pictures anywhere.
That way, we could create characters entirely from the scrapbook clues,
and wouldn't be biased about stuff from how they act in class.
At the end, we found out who our books were from: I had Chrissy's.
Though, I knew it all along: she is obsessed with horses. <_<

"Katie Hubsch," the announcer called.

"Hey, your turn!" I grinned down at her. She was quite small for her age.

She smiled back, but uneasily, and rocked backed and forth.

Not good. "Don't worry, you'll do fine!" I promised, reaching over to her and giving her a quick hug. "Now, get out there and win!"

"You're right. I guess I can do it." Her voice was a bit more confident. Good.

"Katie Hubsch," the announcer called again.

"Oh! I better go!"

"Yep. Good luck!"

I watched Katie walk cautiously over to her horse, chest out, attempting to appear brave. Her skin looked especially pale in this light; she probably had stopped eating vegetables again.

She hopped onto her large brown mustang, Skeeter, as easily as if she were sitting in a chair. She made one last adjustment to her black helmet, crossed herself, and then she was off! Her brown-blonde chin-length hair, or what was still visible of it, bounced up and down, with the rest of her body, yet always managed to fall back into place. Her bright amber eyes shimmered with excitement. I smiled, knowing that her confidence had returned as soon as she had hopped onto Skeeter. It always did. She and the horse moved as if they were one body. She would win, I was sure of it.

The course consisted of a series of runs and jumps. It certainly wasn't as complicated as an Olympic ring, but it still looked pretty tough. Quite a few jumps were double the size of your average horse jump, in height and length. There was also a few hairpin turns. But I knew Katie could do his kind of course in her sleep; after all, she did plan to participate in the Olympics in eight years, when she turned twenty.

Suddenly, I realized that I had been paying so much attention to Katie and her horse, that I hadn't even noticed that she had nearly completed the course! She was nearing the last jump. Knowing she'd ask me how she'd done, I made sure to pay extra attention to this one.

She came up fast; perhaps a little too fast. I held my breath: would she make it? This was one of the more difficult jumps… The horse leapt up at the last second, his hooves barely missing the top of the bar. Phew. He came down on the other side, a perfect landing.

"Wahoo!" I cheered, as she conquered it flawlessly.

Katie led Skeeter back to his stall, and trotted over to me. "How'd I do?" she asked, flushed.

"Perfect," I told her. I hoped that guess was right.

She loooked down. "No, it wasn't… I messed up on that first jump. The landing was off."

"Yes, but the rest was flawless!" I consoled her.

"Mmhmm." She picked up a book, and began to read.

"Hey," I teased her, taking the book from her. "Should you be reading all these Teen Romance stories? Aren't you a bit young for that?"

"Nuh-uh," she said, grabbing it back. "You'll understand when you're older."

"What? I'm a year older than you!"

"Yeah, but girls mature faster than guys."

"That's true… hey!"

She giggled.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" The announcer boomed. "It's time to announce the winners!" Everyone became silent. "Fifth Place- Brandon Macentire!" The crowd across the way cheered. "Fourth place- Kimmy Appleberry!" A group of people next to us cheered, hugged each other, cried- went all out. It wasn't that big of a deal, in my opinion. "Third Place- Tyler Spinner!" Three or four people cheered. I supposed he and his family had gone home. His club leader came to collect his prize for him. "And- oh? Well, folks, look at that! We seem to have a tie for first place!" The crowd waited with baited breath. I squeezed Katie's hand. She looked completely frozen, the anticipation killing her. Couldn't the announcer just say the names?

Finally, he revealed them. "The tie's between Katrina Kayda and Katie Hubsch!"

Katie let out her breath. Behind us, her family cheered for her. Well, her mom cheered. Her dad was at work, and her sisters weren't even paying much attention. Kailee was young, and looked around in wide-eyed wonder at every little thing, ignoring everything else around her. Her older sister, Rebekka, was flirting with some boy. Typical.

"Oh my god!" I proclaimed, in awe. "You're tied with Katrina!" Katrina was Katie's best friend and horse rival.

"Oh my goodness," she corrected me, with a smile. I rolled my eyes. That strict religious fervor was her only fault. Because of it, she had to stop and pray before eating every little thing, and crossed herself twenty times a day. Plus every little swear she had to correct. It was the only thing about her that irked me.

"Whatever. Well, go get her, this time! You can do it."

"You think so?" she beamed.

"No. I know so." Yeah, it was corny. I winced as soon as I'd said it. I prided myself in my creative way with words, yet these things always seemed to slip out.

"Kay. I better go!"

"Good luck," I kissed her lightly on the cheek. She blushed, crossing herself before leaving to get her horse.

A few minutes later, Katie and Katrina were atop their horses, ready to ride. The heat of competition was thick in the air; or maybe it was just the humidity, I couldn't really tell.

The tie-breaking stage was similar to the first one, but only half the size. Some of the easier jumps had been removed, only leaving the double-sized ones. It looked tough, especially since this time they were being judged on time as well.

Katrina's show was flawless, but a bit slow. All Katie had to do was complete the course a bit faster, and first prize would be hers.

Once again, it all came down to that last leap of faith. The horse, once again, ran up to it awfully fast, and slightly scraped the bar as he went by; but it didn't fall. However, the second bar of the jump, she wasn't as lucky on. It wiggled a bit, and then toppled down as she landed.

Katie trotted up to the judge and accepted her second place medallion. When she had stabled Skeeter, she returned to the stadium. Oh boy. I could tell she was disappointed; I knew she would be. She had such a fierce love of competition, yet hated to lose.

"Aww, it's okay," I consoled her, as she strolled over and toppled onto me. I held her close for a moment, and then brought her to face me. "Second place is still fantastic." I told her, straightforward.
Her mouth formed into a pout. "It's still not first."

"Well, you can't win everything. You know that. At least ten kids here didn't get anything at all. Come-on; just be happy! Hey, I'd sure be glad to get second place!"

"I guess," she mumbled.

"Hey, guys!" Katrina called, jogging up to us. "Good game," she told Katie, holding her hand out for a high-five. Katie just stared at it.

I jabbed her in the side with my elbow.

She jerked out of her stupor. "Oh, right. Good game." She smiled at Katrina and hi-fived her.

Katrina smiled knowingly. Katie's disappointment after losing wasn't new to her. "Hey, you two want to come over my house?"

"Yeah. That'd be great," I told her. I grabbed Katie's hand. "You okay with that?"

"Sure," she said, holding her medal in her other hand. "And you're right, Brian... Second place is better than nothing. Congratulations, Katrina!"

So... Much... Work! @___@

I've just been swamped with so much stuff lately.
It's really annoying.
I have tons of reading and study guides and quizzes and essays in English Class,
and then there's all the German stuff this year, too.
A German essay a week, vocab, Gnomes...
Not to mention that I'm doing horrible in history:
my highest test grade is an 80, and I'm struggling between a B and C.
and we have DBQ due Monday!
I'm also expected to read 2 chapters of the CPR book,
type up stuff for Creative Writing,
and do lots of worksheets for Stats.
On top of that, I have to babysit Monday to Thursday.
Oh, and did I mention that I have lots of 4-H and Girl Scout stuff, too,
as well as doing stuff for the Library with TAB.
Oh, and it's the holidays soon, so of course I've volunteered to bake for every club I'm in.
I'm just too nice, I guess- I keep doing favors for people,
and saying yes to anything they ask.
I end up having to squeeze homework into 30 minutes a night,
so I prioritize: fun homework first. <__<
So I never get the English or History stuff done, of course.
And I got a new video game, so I'm tempted to play that instead of work.
Why is there only 24 hours in each day!? @_____@