Picture frames(:

So I have been thinking of things to make my boyfriend for him birthday, we always buy each other gifts but also make each other one thing . Its kind of like that special little thing that even if it horribly made it means so much for the effort.

So I was thinking of making him a collage picture frame, where the frame of the picture is a collage and then I put a picture of us in the middle. So I went to Micheal's and bought a picture frame with a thick flat wooden frame, I bought a frame that was a bit bigger than the photo that I was going to put in the frame so that I could put a piece of white paper and have a white border in between the picture and the collage, Elmer's glue, Mod Podge, any little stickers like hearts of any thing you really want to put on it, and printed off a lot of little pictures of Tanner and I.

Take the frame and tape the glass inside of the frame so that no glue gets on it, then take a paint brush and on some glue to the frame. I would do one side of the frame at a time so that the glue doesn't dry before you get the pictures on it. Glue the pictures all around the frame just like a collage and put whatever stickers or sparkles or anything that you want on them. After you have everything situated the way that you want it take a new clean paint brush and paint on the mod podge. Let the whole thing dry over night. In the morning take put the picture in a frame with a piece of white paper behind it and close it up. Then hang it up and enjoy(: I hope he likes it!(311)

- Ardeeemilla(:

Why is gas so expensive?

I’m currently in the process of taking drivers education and am hoping that by the end of the school year, just in time for summer, that I’ll have my very own first car.  I have a job and I work hard to save my money because I know that I will need it for college.  Because college is just around the corner, I have been more aware of where my money goes and finding out how difficult it is to save up those few pennies I earn.  It’s much easier for me to say no to purchase that item that I didn’t really need.  But with having a car there comes expenses.  Insurance, oil changes and of course gas.  Why is it that we pay so much money for gas anyway, and I really don’t understand why the price of gas changes from one day to the next?  So of course, the best way to find an answer to this question is to go on line and research it.

It was difficult to find a website that spoke to me in terms that I understood.  When it comes to things that the government and financial institutions have their hands in, it always seems like the talk in ‘big words’ that makes it difficult to understand.  So first I looked for an answer to what made up the actual gas prices.  I found this:  Crude Oil + Refining Process + Retail Sales/Distribution + Taxes = Gas Price.  Makes total sense.  Without even looking this up, I assume that a big reason that the prices fluctuated so much was because of the actual gas station owners.  Gas prices are much higher now than they were back when my parents first started driving cars.  My grandparents paid about $.25 per gallon back in the 1960’s.  The reason for this?  Well, according to this site, one big reason is due to the increased demand. Large countries with big populations such as China have seen an increase in demand due to the increase in motorists.  Additionally, oil companies have had to work harder to get oil because so much oil has already been taken out of the ground causing the extraction process to cost more as well.  The quality of this oil is not as good either so it costs more money to refine it and make it usable.  Between the jump in demand and flat production, gas prices have risen.  Countries that supply oil who are in volatile situations such as Iraq and Iran can cause other countries who are in good standings to raise their prices.  They see that Iran and Iraq can tell us that they won’t send us any oil so they up their prices basically because they can.  Then you ad taxes in there….

So, I guess I was wrong.  I thought it was the gas station owners who were just playing games with each other and us but there really is more that goes into it.  Whether it is right or wrong, until we figure out another way to make our vehicles move…it looks like we are stuck paying the prices.  Someday maybe we will go back to the way it used to be.  A time when there was much less but we had a lot more…HORSES!!!!(549)

Ardeeemilla(:

Meaningful Diamonds(:

 

A few months ago, I overheard my brother say something about turning my mom into a diamond. I didn’t really pay much attention to it until today when I was reminded of the conversation. He had apparent heard a story on tv about someone turning their parent who had passed away into a diamond and that person wore their parent on a necklace around their neck. It made them feel close to their parent who was no longer with them.

As I thought of it this morning, at first I thought what a morbid idea. But as I thought longer, I wondered of the cost to do this, the process and who came up with this idea. So I got on line…and I stumbled onto a website for a company called LifeGem. This website was awesome. It went through and explained everything from what they offered to why you should consider it. Let me explain quickly.

According to this website, the process for creating diamonds has been around for many years. Apparently it was first invented by General Electric back in the 1950’s. I learned that Diamonds are “created by subjecting carbon, the primary element of all diamonds, to conditions that recreate the forces of nature.” LifeGem has recreated this natural process. The only difference is that they use “an exact carbon source” to recreate the diamonds. They collect the carbon of your family member which is then heated to really high temperatures. This is called the purification process. This process changes the carbon to graphite that has unique characteristics to create your one of a kind diamond. The longer the carbon is in the heat source, the larger the diamond. Diamonds made by this company allegedly have the same exact characteristics of natural diamonds – hardness, brilliance and luster. The final step in the process is telling the diamond cutter what shape you want your diamond to be and the color…yes they come in five different colors! That’s it! Except to pay for it which looks to be pretty close to the cost of what you would pay for a natural diamond.

It’s a thought I guess. I don’t know how I really feel about it. It feels weird but on the other hand, it is a nice idea. So what do you think... could you turn a loved one into jewelry? :/

(394)

Ardeeemilla(:

Government...

Does our government keep things from us? Lately I have been thinking and it really seems as though they do. We have so many secret things that they do and are we as the citizens of America informed about what those things are. Like why is North Korea threatening us, what going on with Iraq, and many many other things in our history that I feel like we haven't been truly informed about.It;s kind of scary to think about all of the things that we might not know, that are government is with holding. In My history class we have been discussing the assassination of JFK and it has really drove me crazy. I don't understand how their could not have been someone to truly find what happened that day and who was behind his assassination.

On November 22^nd, 1963 in Dallas, Texas a noble man was murdered, John F. Kennedy. This Day represents the madness and disconnection of America and its government. We still to this day are searching for answers of what really happened that day. We ask our selves the question, why did no one step in and find out who really was behind Kennedy's assassination? But we never know if those who tried to step in were then targeted. There were many who committed suicide or who were killed after JFK's death, Were people ever charged for those murders? It is quite obvious that when this investigation took place those in charge tried to find someone to blame and make a theory that matched instead of trying to really find what happened that day. This is truly an unexplained day of in American history.

There are files about the John F. Kennedy's death that are set to be released sometime in 2017. They said the the files would be released after all who were involved were dead but has been reschedule to be released in 2017. I guess that all we can do is hope that maybe those files will give us some answers.

So what do you think, is there things are government wont tell us?(402)

-Ardeeemilla(:

Literary and Rhetorical Techniques

1. Line 2- Symbolism-the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character-I used symbolism in this line to show how calm it is when I wake and express the comfortable happy feeling of laying in your bed. I also like comparing it to dew because that is the first thing I usually see in the morning and it is so pretty and calm just hanging on the windows.

2. Line 4-Diction-style of speaking or writing as dependent upon choice of words-I used the word hullabaloo because it means, Disturbance usually in protest. It gives the effect of how much of a pain waking is.

3. Line 5- Metaphor-a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance-I stated my life as being a dream which gives off the idea of how I wish could stay home in stead of going to school because of how comfortable and happy my own home makes me.

4. Line 6-Simile-a figure of speech that expresses the resemblance of one thing to another of a different category, usually introduced by as or like- I used a simile to compare my hair in the morning to a lion because it is always crazy, sticking up in all different directions.

5. Line 7-Imagery-the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things,or of such images collectively- I used imagery to make the reader be able to themselves smell the roses from showering the night before and the smell of the shampoo.

6. Line 9- Paradox-a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth- I used this paradox to explain the fact that I cannot think or really start my day without my coffee. I also think the contradicting itself helps to represent kind of what goes on in my head without my coffee.

7. Line 16-Allusion- an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, orthing or to a part of another text- I used an allusion to compare my bed to the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden is a place I assume most people know of. It was a place of no sin which to me represents my lovely bed where everything is perfect and nothing can go wrong.

Time Flies

Time Flies

1. Each day I rise with the morning sun,
2. My mind is calm like window dew.
3. It’s hard to wake when my bed is so warm.
4. My day has begun; what a hullabaloo.
   
   
5. My life was a dream until this day started,
6. Hair like a lion, bags under my eyes,
7. With the smell of roses from my mane,
8. Out the door I go as my puppy cries.
   
   
9. I know that I really know nothing until,
10. My large cup of java starts to kicks in.
11. Teachers walk in, I find my way through,
12. Seven hours of class;can wear me within.
    
    
13. Things calmed down once it was all over,
14. Home again, home again, I’m homeward bound.
15. The day is all over, to my room I go,
16. My Garden of Eden, my bed I have found!

Weather

Why does rainy weather make you feel like you want to stay home in bed? On days like today, I often hear my mom say she’d rather stay home from work and do some baking and put a kettle of soup on the stove for dinner. Is that just a mom/girl thing? Sometimes I hear older people say that when it rains, it makes their bones ache. Do bones really have feeling? I sat for a minute … I can’t feel my bones at all.

I was reading a story on line that said there was a slight tie between weather and mood. I tend to think that maybe they need to go back and do some more research. Personally, I think that there are many different aspects of weather that play big influences on many areas of our lives. From whether or not we go outside to how our bodies feel, weather makes a difference. If it’s humid, more people tend to stay indoors in the air conditioning and if they go outside, I know for me personally, I tend to be a little more easily agitated. Humidity causes me not to sleep as much too if we don’t have the ac on in the house. Sometimes I can even feel lazier when it’s humid.

Likewise, when it is rainy or cold, you tend to stay indoors and it makes you feel gloomy and unproductive because you can’t do anything outdoors. What you can do indoor is limited and if it’s raining…who wants to get wet every time they walk from a building to a car or car to a building! I didn’t research this but I would put my money on more births happening in the spring and summer months because it’s cold outside and not much else to do in the winter…

Every year, we change the clocks in spring and fall. When there is more daylight hours, people tend to be happier and more energetic because there is more hours for them to do things in. Sunshine always puts a smile on people’s faces. It makes you warm and fuzzy all over. So many things can be done when the weather is nice and sunny…beach time, picnic/park time, vacation time!

And wait…what about allergies!!! Who could forget that!!!

Anyway…maybe I’m not so far off. This week…I feel like doing NOTHING. Maybe my teachers will feel the same way and give us no homework!(407)

Guns Laws?

Hey Guys…

So it has been a pretty big month for many in America and especially for the family members of those who lost children in the Sandy Hook shooting. Many families who lost loved ones at Sandy Hook have been in Washington this week to lobby Congress for passage of a gun bill. They have been discussing making certain guns illegal and limiting the number of rounds you can have. President Obama, the First Lady, and Vice President Joe Biden Have all given heart wrenching pleas to convince the passing of the gun laws. CNN states, “The families sat behind him on stage and traveled to Washington with him on Air Force One to lobby Congress on gun control. “This is not about politics," the president said to applause. "This is not about politics."

"This is about these families and families all across the country who are saying let's make it a little harder for our kids to get gunned down."

These Laws aren’t about taking away people’s rights, It’s about making our country a safer one. I believe that they should pass these laws. No one needs to have those huge was machine gun like the one used in the Batman Theatre shooting, and no one needs tons of bullets. I really believe that we crack down on gun control it can make a difference.  We need to make our country safer. How many loved ones do we have to lose before we realize a change needs to take place?

We have lost so many innocent beautiful people who did nothing but be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their Families have to live with the fact that they died with no reasoning and no explanation of why.  So what do you guys think, should these laws be passed or do they take away the rights of America? (338)

-Ardeemilla(:

Seasons???

When I was little, I used to hear my mom say that when she was little, her grandmother said that things would be very different when I was grown up.  She said that she wouldn’t be around to see it, but that someday, things might just be the opposite of what they are today.  I think my great grandma Stella was pretty smart because it certainly seems like those words are coming true!

She would say things like… “Someday, I won’t be around to see it, but someday the seasons will change.  What we now know as winter months, November – March, will have a temperature change.  Rather than being the cold months, they will turn warm.  And the months of May – August will be cold.”  Each year as the seasons change, the start and end times change just slightly. When my mom was young, she said that when she went Trick-or-Treating, the weather was much nicer than it is now.  You could wear your Halloween costume and run the neighborhoods without a coat.  Now it seems that each Halloween, you have to dress really warm or you freeze.  And the costumes that they sell seem to be more for the times my mom experienced rather than we I have.  My parents would bundle me up and you could never see my costume because it was always so cold outside.

I have even noticed it throughout my life. Winter has been starting later and lasting longer than the years before. Spring???  Where has our spring been?  This year especially…I think we are going to go directly from winter into HOT summer! There really hasn’t been much of a spring with the temperatures being 30+ degrees off the norm for this time of the year.   We have so far had a few nice days but mostly rainy and warm. Again…something my great grandmother said would happen. What do you think makes these changes happen? (374)

-Ardeeemilla(:

Family Traditions

Family traditions…does your family have any.  You may think you don’t but there are many things that you do as a family that others may not.  You may think of them as normal daily life, but others might look at them as things that are out of the ordinary.  Let me give you a couple examples from my family.

I happen to have a very very close family (We are also kind of crazy, but that’s another story).  Some people consider close to be just mom, dad, brothers and sisters. But when my family gets together for anything, big or small, everyone comes.  Aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, cousins…and considering that my grandmother came from a family of 12, that’s a lot of people.  We have traditions for holiday times that mostly include the range of foods we eat.  My grandmother is from a Norwegian family, my grandfather is from a German family, and with my dad being Mexican we always bring the Mexican too! For Christmas Eve, it’s tradition to go to church to watch the younger cousins perform in the Christmas program.  When that is over, the entire family goes to my grandmother’s house where she has prepared a large pot of seafood chowder.  It’s awesome, so tasty and my favorite part is probably the potato and shrimp, i always pick them out of the pot. We also through together some guacamole which is always a big hit. (: Then we open the gifts that have been put in our Christmas stockings.  On Christmas day, we have Lutefisk and Lefse for dinner which is also Norwegian.  A tradition! But i usually don’t eat the lutefisk...it looks like gross jello.

When someone in our family gets married, the whole family comes together to help do the planning.  Because my family comes from a farming community, typically at the wedding reception, there is a meal, and then prior to everyone going home, there is another small meal.  Because the party gets over usually in after midnight, and the farmers are only going to get a couple hours of sleep, we send them home with a full belly so the wives can sleep in and they won’t be hungry when they are doing their chores.  That’s a tradition!

Another is when there is a wedding, my mom gets a phone call. She makes beautiful afghans (Blankets) and is always asked by the family of the couple getting married to make one for them as a shower gift.  That’s a tradition too!

So you see…if you sit down and look at your family, you will probably notice that you too have many traditions that you didn’t even know you had.(493)

-Ardeeemilla(:

Social media

Social Medias seem to play major havoc in our lives. Whether it's the evening news, or Facebook, it influences everyone who pays attention to it. I don't know if I really think it's right or fair that a few hundred people play such a major role in our lives. Why do we let these sites make such a difference and let the things that people say on them affect our lives. The

There are times that we need the media. We need it to stay informed and on top of what are going on in the world but the news for many plays a god like role in their lives. There are some who cannot function without it...addicted you might say, and whether or not what they see, read or hear is actually the truth doesn't matter. Especially in teens, some people have to check their Twitter or Facebook before they can do anything. It takes up so much time and uses some of the time that you should probably be using for homework or studying.

The news on television has caused people to changes their views on many things, even their political party. Facebook has cause there to be many arguments because of what people post. Facebook is however a nice way to stay in touch with family and friends who may not live closes enough for you to be able to visit them when you would like to. Some people though use it in a manner to our people, talk badly about people, tell lies and cheat. Some very inappropriate things have been posted on Facebook.

On a good note, things happening half way across the country are easily shared at least 4 times a day on the news. But truth be told, I don't know that what we hear is always the whole truth because you hear one story on one channel and sometimes a different on another. I guess it’s up to us to be the judge. Don’t let social media affect your life too much. It’s something that makes life easier until not a necessity.

So what do you think? Is social media a good thing or a bad thing? Should there be limits on it? (373)

-Ardeeemilla(:

The chores of life!

Ugh...it's Saturday morning again and my mom is waking everyone up because it's time to clean the house. Why is it that 4 adults living in one small house have such a hard time keeping it clean. And why is it that my mother feels the need to wake us all up to help her with this chore. It the weekend, my sleep in time!! Let me sleep!

 I guess I can understand my mom’s frustration. Everyone in our house has busy schedules and we are hardly ever home so how does the house even get so messy? There are very few nights during the week where there is more than one person at home at a time. We are all involved in several different activities. Mom is usually running me somewhere since I don't have my driver’s license yet. My brother is in college and is always running back and forth to Mount Mercy for classes, choir or baseball practices and games. My dad is busy managing the horse ranch which means he is always on the run to the vet or taking a piece of machinery to the mechanics. I have a job, volunteer work and show choir. So everyone is usually not even home.

 What that means is that Saturday morning is the only time most weeks where we are all in the house. She wakes us up early to help her before we all scoot for the day. Usually it doesn't take too long but it's a real pain in the butt when I want to stay in bed and sleep a little longer because I had to work late the night before and get up every morning at 5:30 during the week.

She calls us from downstairs and it sounds like a siren going off! We always tell her just one more hour but it never works because she knows if she waits we will leave because we have plans. I can hear my brother across the hall way complaining too. Neither one of us are excited about getting up this morning but living in our house means that it is all of our jobs to maintain it. Not the most ideal thing for us at this age but I guess it's preparing us for the future.

So what do you do? Get up and clean messes that sometimes aren’t even yours and take all day to do, when we have other stuff to do, or find a way around it. I think I'll get a maid!!(423)

-Ardeeemilla(:

Love(:

Love…what is love really? To date or not to date. Many of us have maybe experienced those butterflies you get when you have a boyfriend. When he looks at you and all of a sudden SHAZAM…it hits you. But is that really love?? Should we really be dating at this young age?

At school we see many kids in the hallways hand in hand, making out in the corner, kissing…but is that really love? Are kids at this age able to experience what love between a man and woman is? Or are we just in lust? Why at this age do kids think that they need to be significantly attached to someone else? Why do our hormones play such havoc with us?

In a perfect world, I suppose, kids our age would have more time to work on their studies and maybe even spend time with their family. A relationship adds to the stress of homework, chores, getting a job, learning to drive, family. Maybe we spend way too much time wondering what our significant others are doing when they are not with us. So much drama in some situations. Is it really all worth it?

I guess the reason for some teenagers is because they are testing it out…the dating thing I mean. By dating, you have the opportunity to learn what you're looking for in a relationship. When you date, there are always going to be things about the person you are going out with that you might not like about them. Like maybe they don’t like the same foods as you or don’t like to go to the movies and you do. So, you learn which things you are interested in that you want to have in the one you eventually end up with. You are better able to look for someone who is a better fit for you…right? But how do you really know when you have gotten to Mr. or Mrs. Right? Maybe some do it just because everyone else is doing it and they don’t want to be looked at differently. If you don’t date, does that make you a geek or something?

Ugh!! Too much to consider. My mom says to have fun but study so you have a head start on life when you graduate. Life is short... it really is. Enjoy it while you can but remember the choices you make now will affect your future. No matter how small the choices are.

I think when you truely fall in love you will know(:

(423)

-Ardeeemilla