The government and the law is created to defend rights. One of the most fundamental rights is the right to thought (this includes beliefs and opinions). Should the government defend people's rights to believe that certain discriminations are ok?

Friday, January 20, 2012

Ever wanted to learn the history behind a fairy tale? 
Perhaps this sounds a little random, but this is a presentation I put together for a class with my friend, Chris Kendall. I wanted to share this because Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite fairy tale stories. The implications of her resurrection and the ability for time to affect no mortal in the story is quite fascinating. More interesting than that, though, are the horrific stories from which our traditional Disney plot was derived. 
All in all, I learn crazy and wonderful new things here and The King's College and like to share the things which most peak my interest! So, click on the link below to watch a Prezi presentation. Also, feel free to click on the source links at the end to get more info on the story's international history!
CLICK HERE FOR SLEEPING BEAUTY PRESENTATION
God Bless :) Updates on my life to come.


Hope

Friday, January 6, 2012

2011 RECAP


To be completely honest, this year has overwhelmed me. This post will be completely transparent as I want to share the growth and weaknesses this year has revealed about me. I'm also tying in songs that summarize my feelings about each month which correspond to the link below for my 2011 countdown playlist. This will be lengthy, but thanks for reading!!


January was wonderful and my final semester of highschool was closing in. I remember that sinking feeling of oncoming loss already setting in. I wanted to make the most of every moment because I was afraid of losing friends. Looking back, I was right. I lost a lot of friends because of distance and time constraints, but I don't love any of them less. To those of my friends about to go through this phase, allow yourself to prepare for this. Don't think you'll always be the exception, but embrace every moment now. The most defining moment of that month, though, was the moment I was hurt by the two people who love me the most. It was a trying time for us and I still hate that it happened. For the record, to me, it's not that incident which helped our relationship but rather my allowance for independence. I have so much love for them, but I hope that one day I will find a gracious way to forget how I felt that day. [The explanation for my song choice this month is too lengthy. If you know me well, you'll know why Falling by Florence + The Machine is perfect here.]


February was truly a month of love and surprises. I got my first bouquet of black roses which I loved and the school year was truly hectic. I couldn't decide on colleges, was hectically auditioning and applying for scholarships. Competition for One Act was in full swing and I was trying to live it all up. It's my favorite month and it was a good time. [Looking back, Judas by Lady Gaga seems appropriate. Do not, however, take this as a look back on my choices as ones I regret. I honestly wish if everything were fixed that things could've worked out.]


March was a month of broken hearts and dreams. I felt lost and scared and I realized I project hopes and dreams too much on those I love because I want the most for them. Flaw or gift, I do not know, but that forced me to be awoken by many harsh realizations. Sometimes God truly pulls things away from you to show you that you cannot make someone better regardless of the love and effort you put into them. They must want and realize God's dreams for them. [Amy Winehouse's song, Love is a Losing Game perfectly summarizes my feelings during this period.]


April was a time of turning over new leaves. I rushed into too many things trying so desperately to salvage the last of my happy memories before college hit me in the face. I gave someone my care and my pain in such a short time. I hate myself for hurting that best friend and damaging that relationship. But that was the month of my final highschool proms. It was the best proms I've ever had. I loved the nights and felt like a princess both times. It was a magical month with many lessons learned. [The friend I hurt will know why the song Firework has meaning. It's not because of the lyrics but because the artist is Katy Perry. For him, I must dedicate that song (which was a surprise song included in my recital) to the month of April.]


May was wild with graduation plans, parties, pictures, AP exams, recitals, college choices, and job searching. I've never felt so stressed thin and pushed for so many deadlines at once. It was definitely a time of growth for me. I was forced to make decisions about my future which I honestly couldn't prepare for. I spent more time in prayer this month than I ever do begging God for His direction (which I'm blessed to say, I honestly have found). I also began working like crazy to save for this lovely life I now live in the Big City![I sang Don't Forget to Remember Me by Carrie Underwood and my senior recital and actually choked up a bit, but not as much as Taylor! lol But I honestly can't imagine a better song for my sentiments in May.]


June was when my relationship with Josh blossomed. I love what we have now, and I'm grateful every day that God has given me a strong man to trust. Things are always complicated and no one predicts the future, but I am secure in the present. I found a second family with Mommy, Pappi, Titi, Billy, Rita, Allan, Paola, Alejandro, and Sebastian. They all loved me so completely and gave me a safe and secure place to live, love and be myself. If God didn't bring these people in my life, I don't know that I would ever feel as safe away from home as I do now. [Josh showed me the song How To Love by Lil Wayne and that's when I began to appreciate this artist. It's our song.]


July was wild and crazy! I can't count all the times Pablo, Kyle, Omar, Nathan, Jackie, Rachel and I hung out. I was certainly out of my house a lot shopping, having sleepovers, and sleepily driving home after long days of socialization and work. I'm so glad that this month was the end to the summer of my life. [I'll never forget when I heard Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 in Jackie's car. It became the anthem of my summer.]


August was move-in time. I will be honest, I cried for 15 minutes after my mother left me at my New York apartment. I was scared for about that long, until my roommate Kacey came home. I was scared the money wouldn't work out and fearful that I wouldn't be able to handle the academic that workload. Even now, I find myself feeling those stresses again. After how smoothly everything went last semester though, and trusting that God will provide for His will, I'm no longer afraid. I am secure in Him now and that's all I have to remember. School started for me on my birthday and it was weird not celebrating, but I think it was better that way. Humility has always been a struggle for me. [Because it's cliche and overused, I almost feel obligated to place the song Empire State of Mind by 


September was rather mundane. I was still job searching, studying hard, and avoiding a social life at King's. I have this problem of associating having friends with not having time to do homework. I had a super hard time settling in (though it honestly didn't affect me) and I just went about my studies. I was just beginning to get into a rhythm with things and adjusting to my roommate situation. There were many King's ceremonies and rituals and competitions thrust upon me at this time, but I suppose I liked it. I was definitely kept busy. I also met my Big B (like a big sister program in our house) and we became fast friends. [Invisible by Skylar Grey isn't how I felt about this particular time  but rather a remembrance of how such anonymity use to affect me. Think of it like an expression of my growth.]


October was the month of tests. I had my first week of college midterms and was afraid for my life. I have come to define myself by my grades (a terrible habit!) and I hardly slept that week. This was also the month I started my job with the most wonderful boss in the world (Courtney) taking care of the most incredible kid I've ever met (Olivia). I had to get used to a 5:30 AM alarm daily for work. This was also the month I made a mistake. I trusted too easily again. I hurt people I love and I assumed someone's word as a friend was honest. I was naive and too forgiving of someone's obvious faults. I have learned now and I value those close to me so much more because of it. [Should this person read this post, he would know why Teenage Dream is the song for this month. Someone I cared about showed it to me and I just have to put it on the playlist though I've put it on a playlist before.]


November was a selfish month on my part. I was living for myself because I pretty much thought I could get away with it. I was working harder than ever in school, but also trying to hard to express my independence and ability to choose my own lifestyle. I let down my new family, and for that, I'm sincerely sorry. I temporarily lost one of my best friends, but I'm so glad she and I are good again!! I was blessed by finding a church home at Calvary at St. George's and 3 new part-time nannying positions. This was also the month of the theatre production at my school and I was thrilled with its success. I developed many friends and a mentor whom I highly esteem. This was the month I truly began to see my potential and future here in NYC. I also came home quickly for Thanksgiving and was reminded about all the things for which I'm working. It was a rejuvenating blessing. [Again, I know I've already used the song, Money by the Flying Lizards, but it's a great song. We used this is in our production of The Good Person of Setzuan in November.]


December was probably my most difficult academic month this past semester. I had finals which I was sure would be the death of me. I'm pretty sure I drank more espresso than is legal. I also worked more cumulative hours before I came home than I do in a normal month. I got sick just before I came home, but had the most marvelous 9 days. I love all the love everyone showed me and all the fun I had while I was home. To those who I didn't get to see: I'm genuinely sorry from the bottom of my heart. I had many familial demands as well as previously made plans, and unfortunately couldn't fit everything in. Just know that I love all of you have been there for me, lifted me up in prayer, and I never forget you even though I may not have time to communicate with you. [Dance (A$$ by Big Sean was introduced to me and became the funniest, dumbest, yet best dance song I heard in a long time!]


Well thank you everybody for following me these past few months! I admit December was a lazy month and I didn't do what I should for my blog followers, but I'm back and in full force! Please lift me up in prayer, though, because I have a 20 hour semester and I'm in 5 organizations and potentially in an exec position on one of them. I also lost the one professor I was closest to who was the best mentor I could've chosen for my college career. Just pray that God brings someone even better in my path and will help me have the energy to survive such an arduous path. I love you all and I would love for you to refer this blog, subscribe, comment, and +1 me! 


CLICK HERE FOR THE CORRESPONDING PLAYLIST

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

College Needs!
Well, it's that time again--Christmas :) So I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season! We sure are here in 9C. Today, Chloe went home to New Hampshire to visit her family for a month (lucky girl!), and Kacey will leave Monday to go back to Colorado. I will leave next Friday to be in Texas for 9 days, so those of you wishing to make plans with me, get to texting now!! Not to take advantage of this typically generous time of year, I have created another lists of some things that we need around here along with wants and prayer requests. Thank you so much to all of you who have anonymously (and not so anonymously!) sent care packages! Everything is desperately needed and greatly appreciated. So read on, send as you can, but if nothing else, please lift us up in your prayers!


Needs:

  • one of those cables that goes from the computer to the tv (not sure what it's called)
  • air freshener
  • dish soap (like liquid dawn)
  • stain remover (tide or resolve)
  • paper towels
Wants:
  • still non-perishable foods like rice, macaroni, instant oatmeal or potatoes, chips, soups, canned veggies, pasta, cookie mix, etc. (groceries get quite expensive and the staples are used up quickly!!)
  • gift cards to restaurants: subway, wendy's, olive garden, mcdonald's, jamba juice, pizza hut, etc.
  • or gift cards to stores: target, amazon, kmart, forever 21, h&m, dillard's, macy's, jcpenny's, etc.
  • small rugs to put at the apartment doors that go with a red/black/white/gray color scheme
  • spatula and whisk
Prayer Requests:
  • the $3800 I need to go to China
  • safe traveling for all of us as we head home
  • for Chloe's sister dealing with some issues at her school
  • that Kacey and I will be able to juggle all our babysitting jobs next semester
  • for me to find more scholarship money and/or that my tuition appeal to the school would go well
  • the girls I work with at Operation Exodus in Washington Heights: 8th graders who come from difficult family backgrounds who need to trust people and be shown love
  • just lift up this next semester in prayer and that we would all be rejuvenated over the break to give our best effort in glorifying God next year
Well, thank you so much for however you're able to contribute to this list. We love and appreciate our family and friends who are always so good to take care of us :) As always, tell your friends about my blog, subscribe, comment and stay updated, and the address for package shipping is in the far right column under the "about me" section. 

God Bless!
The Girls in 9C

Thursday, December 8, 2011

House Film!!

I just wanted I share the film my house presented for the interregnum film competition. I am proudly a sister in the House of Clara Barton! This is similar to the Hogwart's housing system combined in ivy league houses sororities/fraternities. It's a fantastic system and each year, there are a variety of competitions which culminate to one proud house earning the house cup. We somehow ranked 2nd overall and we did this in one night because we were misinformed about the due date. But I thought you could all have a good laugh an get a glimpse of what nerds do to be humorous :P you may not understand some of the King's jokes (like each boy represents a guy from each of the boys houses). I play the boy representing The House of Ronald Reagan. Well, laugh and enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48GNl8cO6pM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas and China


I just want to thank you so much if you've been following and trying to keep up with me. I apologize that these last few weeks have been lacking posts on my part, so please forgive me! This week is finals week. I have 2 exams this Friday and 2 on Monday. Please keep myself and my two roommates in your prayers as we try to get all this information crammed into our heads! 


For those of you who don't know, I did get to go home for thanksgiving. I surprised my family (for the most part) and it was a great time! Special shout-out to the Crews family for having me over that weekend and the Cobar family for making me feel at home. To everyone I didn't see, I sincerely apologize but when you only have 96 hours to see people, and your family demands most of that, you feel quite stretched :P But I love everyone in Texas so much and cannot wait to see everyone!


I also have extremely exciting news about this summer. After a strenuous application process and much prayer, I've been selected to go with a team of students from my school to China for three weeks through a program we call International Ventures. I will be taking a class this semester to prepare in which I'll do fundraising activities, spiritual growth lessons, and help write a worldview/western civilization curriculum which will be part of our mission in China. The students on this mission are set to write this curriculum which reflects what we teach as our common core here at King's. We are then presenting it to prestigious academic institutions in China and telling them how they can teach this to their students as a sort of Western Civilization course. Part of our mission will also be to minister and build relationships with the students over there and really help share our faith with them. It's not a missions trip but it's also not a scholarly venture. It's a beautiful mixture of the two and I'm extremely blessed as a freshman to be chosen for this! I will have to raise $3,800 to go, so please help me be in prayer for that! With all that I have going on next semester, it will be a little overwhelming, but I feel that this is something God wants me to do and I can't wait to see how He'll use me!


Lastly, I'll just mention Christmas nonsense. I may be coming home for Christmas, but flights are really expensive. Please be in prayer that God will provide the funds for me to spend a little bit of time with my family and friends this holiday season. I really would appreciate that! I will be posting a needs/want list soon so that if you're feeling festive, you can some some lovely gifts our way! 


Thank you again for reading this lengthy note and staying involved in my life. It means the world to me that y'all care enough to stay updated and I promise my postings will get better when I get through finals week :)


Much love, in Christ! 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

NOVEMBER PLAYLIST

^^^^ That is a link to a playlist of songs which have really stood out to me lately. I've decided to try sharing some of my favorite tunes with you and speak through music rather than always words. Each song has a special meaning, but don't try to analyze it too much :) Just enjoy some good jams and possibly some new artists for you!

As always, thanks for following! Quick shout-out to a couple of new blogs I love:
http://www.takethelocalglobal.com
http://www.dormliberation.com/

I will be posting soon about all of the fantastic Turkey Day festivities.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011




I just wanted to post a quick "thank you" here to everyone who follows me and especially to those who send packages according to our needs/wants lists. I have received two anonymous packages which seem to come at just the right time when I'm about to run out of something. I take this honestly as a blessing and sign of God's provision. For those of you wrapping us in prayer and encouragement, I thank you from the depths of my heart. I haven't felt much loneliness since I've been in the city, and I've been overwhelmed by the general success that I've had here. I don't take any of that lightly, and I give all the credit to God. Your prayers (and gifts of course!) do mean the world to me. 
My roommates would also like to thank whoever sent us the coffee! We go through the elixir of life more quickly than anything.
So keep following my posts, subscribe to me, click on my ads (an effortless way to make me money!), and feel free to look at the bottom of the page for more ways to follow me! I look forward to posting things here, and I don't know that many people actually pay attention to it, but it's a nice way for me to feel like I'm sharing all the fun I'm having with everyone I love! Now that I've gotten your feedback on what you'd like to see on my blog--though feel free to keep commenting on my page--I'll do my best to deliver what you'd actually like to read! God bless, and keep sharing my blog with others :)


Hope and the girls in 9C