Where's The Chap Stick, Where's The Chap Stick?

I really enjoy chap stick/ lip balm (whatever you want to call it). I'm not sure why, I was always an avid fan of the classic Lip Smackers when I was younger; I had at least over 30 different kinds. But luckily I am not a crazy person who is literally addicted to chap stick. But what about the people who aren't so lucky? I can't imagine what it would feel like to be addicted to something so strongly it would affect my life and the people within it. The show Hoarders and that other show about weird addictions such as eating candles, came to mind when I thought of this. It's strange to think that these people are ultimately powerless to their own demands and minds if they do not get help. It's a bit of a scary thought to think about if you ask me. It's like being your own worst enemy. No one is forcing them to like the things they like, it's their own mind. To me, this is one of the scariest things. It's one thing to be presented with a problem from someone else. I could easily fix it or avoid it. However, addictions seem so much scarier because they are in the mind; a virtually escapable place. Those with addictions cannot just decide to leave the addictions and continue their lives ignoring it. It's with them everywhere if they don't get help. I don't know, this just seemed like a scary thought to me.

Why Do We Not Eat The Peels?

Today one of my best friends, Kristen, told me that if she had a blog, she would blog about why people don't eat the peels of most fruits. It made me start to think...why is that? For some fruits, the peel is just as healthy as the actual fruit. Pomegranates' peel helps to keep hearts healthy. So why not eat them?

I think it's mainly because it's gross. The peel, to my knowledge, is almost always tasteless, yet eating the whole fruit just seems so much more practical! Why take the time to peel a fruit? Oranges always seem to give me trouble. Maybe it's the texture or how difficult it is to eat the peel. Or maybe it's just the fact that peels have never really been enjoyed by society all throughout history. It could just be that we don't eat the peels because no one else does. As I think about it I begin to realize that no one ever eats the peels (I'm not counting apples, I'd hardly call that skinny coat of skin around an apple a peel...psh). In fact, during softball a girl once ate a peel in order to receive a drink. It's not a highly desirable piece of food. I just wonder though why that is. Who knows? Maybe in some countries the peel of a fruit is seen as a splendid delicacy and yummy snack. In countries such as India citizens enjoy eating some fruits whole with the peel still on. It is something that is completely normal there. It could just be the society in which I live that makes peels seem so unattractive. I also wonder, who thought to peel the fruit and only eat what was inside? How did someone figure out that they would need to peel the fruit and totally disregard that peel? It doesn't seem like something that is completely comprehensible at first. I probably won't ever get an answer to that though.

Reality TV

My SAT prompt asked a question about reality TV that made me think-Is it good for our society? Now, I'm not going to go all self righteous on you (I hope) but I do think that is a good question. Some reality shows are just dumb, but entertaining. They don't give a good message such as the joys of getting drunk or the joys of being a teen mom. NEWSFLASH AMERICA, I'm quite certain it's not all that great. Sure, Jersey Shore is hilarious, I get sucked in every time. But what about those people who get sucked in, but can't get back out? They take shows seriously. So what is TV telling them to do? Go have a good time and get wasted! Who cares if you're only a teen and you get pregnant, at least you might be able to get on TV! These are not good messages for people to be seeing. But it's not like all reality TV is bad. Take for example shows like The Biggest Loser or American Idol. It's shows like these that accomplish dreams while also entertaining. It's because of shows like these that people can have a new life with a happier ending. So is reality TV good or bad? This is clearly a question that cannot be simply put as yes or no. So I'll just keep it as a maybe.

Then Why Put It In?

You know what I can't stand? When people say "Oh just eat it! You can't even taste it!" I have something to say-you CAN taste it. If you can't taste it, then why would you even put it in the food in the first place? That makes no sense whatsoever. This always happens to me with cheese. I can't stand cheese; the smell, the taste, the look, it all is just detestable to me. So then people say "Oh Sam, just try it, you can't even taste the cheese!" Oh really? You can't huh? Then why exactly did you put it in there? It can't be because it looks beautiful, because it doesn't. No, you put it in there to add flavor. A flavor I do not like! So please, quit trying to tell me otherwise people of the world. You're just lying to me! I think I bring up a valid point, because many people just say "oh, I guess that is true" or they just roll their eyes at me. It makes sense! And I'm sticking with that point. I don't know why it bothers me so much. I guess it's unexplainable.

I Love My Friends

My, am I in a cheesy mood tonight.

I'm sitting on my bed while typing up this lovely blog while also texting my "wife" (Olivia). We're planning a much needed shopping trip to the mall (I swear it is needed, I'm not even being a teenage girl about this! It's for vacation) with our other friends. So now I'm just thinking about my best friends whom I love so dearly and miss; it feels like forever since we all really hung out together without someone missing. I'm so excited and because of this, it's making me reflect back, how nostalgic.

Ah Livy, my best friend for the longest. She hated me when I first came to this school (I kid you not, HATED. She claims it was because of my clothes which is always a viable reason to hate someone) and I didn't even know who she was. Lucky we both shared a common interest-basketball. The rest is history from there. We pretended like we were drunk on wine (naturally, it's always a good icebreaker) don't ask me why please, because I have no idea. And now we have been best friends for at least 6 years. Who else would I send funny pictures of Polly to (besides Sarah)? Who else would tell me the exact truth, even if I didn't want to hear it? Who else would understand about my parents and life at home like her (besides Alli)? No one. Because she is one of my best friends who I would not be the same without!

Ah Alli, my sister. What her and I have been through no one but my family, Brandon, and Olivia truly know. It's because of all the time and bumps that we are as close as we are. I couldn't imagine a life without her! For years we were inseparable (she lived a couple streets away) and she now refers to my mother as Aunty Joyce. Though she is bad at keeping secrets, I can never be mad at her for long. She is so pretty (just like all my best friends!) and funny and never fails to cheer me up! I love her tons and I would not be the same without her either.

Oh Saki (Kristen) one of my Scorpio counter-parts. Her and Mandi are the only ones who seem to constantly be reading my mind (Get out of my head!). We have so many inside jokes it's impossible to say/remember them all. She's always the one to go out on dates with me to movies, shopping, and Chipotle! I love it. She always seems to make things 10X more exciting too. I can't really remember when we became best friends, but I know it's been a while now! I love her dearly as well and she is yet another friend who I would not be the same without.

Oh Mandi, my other Scorpio counter-part. She, like Kristen, is always reading my mind! I love how we are always able to find the same things funny too, even when others aren't laughing. She always says the funniest things because she doesn't care who is listening or watching, it doesn't matter to her! There were times when I wondered if she loved Brick Breaker more than us, but it was just a phase (haha that's a complete joke I promise). She's also they only one who seems to hear me at times, at least, it always seems like her. Especially in English. She also makes things 10X more exciting because she is just so upbeat (though a little more relaxed than Kristen). Just like the others, she is yet another sister added to my extended family tree whom I love!

And Katanice(Kati) my perfect shopping buddy! Who else could I possibly shop with that understands my problems and knows exactly what I'm looking for? She's the one that is always the easiest to talk to. Though we're a bit new with the best friend thing (I regret not being BFFs sooner!) it doesn't mean our relationship isn't as strong. Her and I have talked about things I don't normally talk about because I trust her completely (I trust all of them, but for some reason Kati just makes me talk more)! I think it may be because she also shares just as much with me, so I don't feel so lame. She's so endearing and caring, it makes me feel so loved! I love her like a sister as well. And for the 5th time, she is yet another best friend that I could not live without.

So there it is, a VERY brief explanation of my best friends. There are so many more things I could say about them, but this blog would limit it. It's people like them that make life so great! I would be a miserable person without them. Even though we get into arguments, they hardly ever last long or end in a break in the friendship. I think we're past that, nothing could break our friendships now (knock on wood of course). My only wish right now is that I could have all of them come with me to enjoy HP world with me (even you Kristen), because I will miss them terribly!

This blog is for you, my MOSQUE, Foxy Five, Kabob, and Allstinator. I love you all!

What Am I Going To Do With My LIFE?!

Ahhh, college. So exciting yet scary. It makes me go through a plethora of emotions. It makes me wonder where I'll go (goodness I wish it could be Duke) or what I'll study (HA! Good luck to me with that one) or how much it is going to cost me. I have no idea! There are so many things I want to do with my life, I want to write a book, become a singer (though I have stage fright!) maybe try my hand at marine biology, open an antique store where I am the boss, become a famous chef, learn more than one language or at least become fluent in Spanish and save lives. What do these things all have in common? Absolutely nothing. So I'm screwed right? Well not exactly. I think I've figured out the bottom line to whatever profession I want to do. I want to save lives. I want to be able to change the lives of people for the better, and not just by donating money or walking a mile. I want to be the one to catch the bad guy, or walk a family through a tough time, or fight for someone who can't do it on their own. I believe this is why I ultimately want to do something with the FBI. Maybe work with the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) who knows? I know a lot of people probably think I could never do that (especially not have a gun) but I think I could. I could see myself being an agent and fighting crime (not in a terribly cheesy way) and while I am at it, maybe right a best selling novel! All I know if that I want to directly help a person, not through different actions, but by actually saving someone. Maybe I'm delusional, but until I figure out that I am (which I'm quite certain I am not), I'm going to keep dreaming about doing this. I will become some sort of agent or detective, and I will help protect and save lives.

Wiggity Wiggity Wack Yo

Many people do not think of rap as being an intelligent form of music. I was one of them at one time. But then I began to really listen and think about it. Rap, the good kind that is actually thought provoking, involves creative metaphors, similes, and lyrics in general. Rappers say things like "You say they're just pieces, so I'm puzzled" or "like a sprained ankle boy I ain’t nuttin to play with" or even "labels want my name beside the X like Malcolm" (Eminem-I Need A Doctor and Drake-Forever). But the most impressive thing is how quickly they think of these lyrics with freestyle and how quickly they can say them. It often blows my mind! Take for instance Eminem's freestyle Despicable. It's incredible how people can think of such creative things so quickly while the beat changes and with no other previous thought to it. So I think we should give rappers more credit, because people often turn their nose down (especially adults) at the new music that is evolving. Sure, some of it sucks (Lil Wayne) but some people deserve some recognition.

Here is Despicable-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij4koOrmc50

Samantha:The student

I'm currently folding and creating 500 triangles for the base of my origami swan that I am creating for art (that I'm praying Mr. Berrodin will actually like) whilst dreaming of the upcoming Spring Break. It's during times like these that I think, Samantha, quick looking so far ahead. It'll be here quickly and then you'll regret having just ignored all the time that came before it. It's true! Everyone is prattling on about college and senior year, and leaving Aurora High School in the dust. But I don't want that to come so quickly! I'm not ready to completely grow up just yet. Sure, I enjoy independence; it's who I am. I am an independent woman (yes, woman) who will enjoy the freedoms yet to come along with the experience of college and such. But I don't want to just look to the future because I know I'll regret it when I'm older and looking back at those years of high school. That junior year where all I wanted was to be a senior and to have my college already picked out and waiting eagerly for me. No, that's certainly not what I want. Instead I enjoy living here, in the now. I want to drag on high school because I know my future is not going anywhere, but my present and my past, those are going far too quickly by me. It's practically the end of junior year, but I feel as though I just finished Christmas Break! It's absolutely terrifying to think how close senior year is, and I'm normally not afraid of anything! I listen to the seniors and to the kids who are now in college. They say Don't do it. Don't look ahead and focus on college or your career so much. Just live for today, because trust me, college will come faster than you think. And then you'll find yourself thinking about your friends and high school and missing them terribly. And so, I listen.

I'm not bashing college, honest! I can hardly wait for all the independence and choices. To get rid of those classes I can't stand (eh...math...) and start studying things that I want to study. It's just that I want to focus on it more when it comes a bit closer. For now, I'm just going to live my life as Samantha: The junior in high school. Instead of Samantha: The soon-to-be college student.

Hit And Sunk

Here's something that has bothered me ever since I saw the movie Titanic-Why couldn't Rose and Jack just rotate turns on the door? It bothers me constantly, and I have no idea why.

Jack is the epitome of a gentleman (Ah Leo), so it would make sense that only Rose would live. But that still bothers me! Did the creators of Titanic only do that so that the movie would have an unforgettable ending? It worked, clearly. Which makes me think of the movies that are most popular among my peers; tear-jerkers. If you look at other movies people love (The Notebook, for instance. Yes, even guys like this movie) I think it's that ending that is not quite happy, but not quite sad either. To most, it's a horribly tragic ending, *SPOILER ALERT*, both the man and the woman die. But to others, like myself, it's oddly a happy ending. They end up dying together, just like they wanted, and the woman ends up remembering her past. So I suppose the interpretation of the movie is in the eyes of the beholder. Mayhaps this is why Titanic sticks in my mind so badly. Normally I can decide if I think the ending is completely tragic or if it's happy. But Titanic's ending confuses and annoys me. There were other possible solutions to that ending, I know there were. Maybe they could have rotated. Maybe they could have tried again with sitting on the door. Or maybe, Rose could have just stayed in the stupid life boat to begin with and Jack would have had the door all to himself (Where he would have LIVED). But that would not have been the unforgettable ending that it is today.

So does this mean tragedy tends to stick in human's minds more so than happy endings? I would believe that. It's often the hardest memories that are the most difficult to forget. Tragic endings evoke so many emotions: Sadness, anger, confusion, so this may be why they are so very popular. Happy endings are, for the most part, just that-happy. Maybe this is just me who thinks this, but I think it's the movies and books with tear-jerker endings that sell the best.

If Viruses Could Talk

Am I the only one who thinks of these odd things?

If a virus could talk, what would it say?

Viruses mutate just so they can find new ways of torturing the human race. So if they could talk, could we reason with them?

Going with the whole language thing we've been learning recently in TOK, would the virus speak many languages? Or maybe just the language of the person it is inhabiting. Could it possibly have an accent?

I picture viruses having deep, commanding voices. If they could speak, they would sound powerful because of the things they can do. They are so incredibly tiny, but they can still easily kill a human. Not only that, but they can constantly out-smart us. And yet, they are not alive. Could it be that viruses are really vampires? Undead and sucking the life out of humans. Sounds like a vampire to me! What if we, as humans, could suddenly become just like viruses. We could constantly mutate, but then who would we contaminate? It makes me think, if I was a virus, then what would I even mutate into? I would hope that mutating would be a bit like shape-shifting, so then maybe I could become a bird or something. If humans could mutate, my guess is that many would just try to mutate into better versions of themselves. I guess, in a way, that is exactly what a virus does. My, aren't viruses vain?! Humans would mutate themselves into prettier people, (whatever that looks like) smarter people, more athletic people, whatever gives them the success they want. That's just my guess, at least. I mean, there will be the few that actually mutate for the better, but we'll just see how big that group is.

These are just a few of the many thoughts that clutter my mind. It feels pretty good to get them out. Phew!

The R-Word

I hear it used more and more everyday.

Retarded.

Now, I realize that for some people (my guess is actually most people) the word retarded is not exactly a word that comes to mind when they think of incredibly offensive words.

But to the few that do realize, it is incredibly offensive.

I still remember coming home from another day of second grade. Such an impressionable age I was at. I had done something dumb/weird/goodness knows what (I know, shocker) and my friend had laughed and said "Oh Samantha, you're so retarded". I had never heard the word before; it's most definitely not spoken in my house. So, naturally, I went home to show off my newly expanded vocabulary. It still breaks my heart to remember this. I did not realize the connotation of retarded would be a mentally ill person. And I most definitely did not realize that it was another way of describing my own uncle. I called my sister it that night I learned it. My dad became furious at first, and then just disappointed. I still remember him sitting my sisters and me down to explain how bad it was to say that word. He told us stories of how kids were cruel to his own brother, my uncle, and how he would get into fights everyday because of that one word. After he let us go, I cried alone in my room feeling like dirt. I still feel the shame when I recall this memory. The next day of school my friend said it again and I instantly blew up on her. The saddest part was the fact that I went to a private school. These were people claiming to be listeners of God, but they were degrading some of God's own children. I guess it's not surprising though. Humans do have a way of being natural hypocrites.

Years after I tried to get my friends to not use it, but I quickly began to realize people did not see eye-to-eye with me; ever. My friends know now that I hate to hear it, but sometimes they slip. They do do their best though, not to use it. I no longer berate them, but I can't help but cringe sometimes. I'm not sure why it is that I care so deeply about this. It may be because I learned this at such a young age. But I think it was because I have experience with it. It's hard for someone to look at the word retarded and see it as being anything more than a silly insult to a friend when they do not have a family member who truly is "retarded". Many people claim they are not making fun of the "person", but they are. It's like using a racial slur or using the word faggot (which I also loath to use).

I often feel alone in these thoughts though, and I understand there will be people who will read this and only roll their eyes or shrug it off; I'm not naive. But hey, if I actually reach out to anyone with this one, then I will feel that much better. Who knows, maybe people will read this and realize not to use the word around me. You can be sure that I am cringing every time someone does use it and that won't ever change, no matter how many people disagree with me.

Naive Little Children

At what age does the corruption really start?

It was weird. Just two days ago Sarah and I discussed the corruption of children with Mrs. Hiltson. We don't mean bad corruption, really. Just when is it, exactly, that kids start to get the I-know-all mentality? We decided it's really 7th or 8th grade. Then I began to think... I know kids who have had a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" since 3rd grade! So I guess the real question is, when does the corruption end? Sometimes I think adults forget how much kids really understand and comprehend. Sometimes I myself think that kids don't understand some things, but they do. It's actually kind of amazing what kids can understand, even though most just dismiss kids and their thoughts. I wonder sometimes what the world would be like, if kids had more of a say. Would it be much different? I guess we'll never know!

I'm Officially A Gleek!

Ah I'm in love. And my love is...Glee! How did it take me so long to find such a great show? I love the songs, the actors, the dry humor that seems to be everywhere in the show. It's absolutely entertaining. They seem to find the perfect songs that explain so much! I love the way they sing to share there feelings. If only that actually happened in real life.

Songs seem to magnify feelings. You can take something as simple as just being happy, but when you sing a song about being happy, it seems to be so much more. I enjoy singing and I wish I could have an amazing voice, but not all of us are blessed like Rachel or Kurt or really any of the kids in Glee. But I sing anyways because music seems to be the only thing that can constantly cheer me up, no matter what.

But it is not just the music or the singing that I love most about Glee. It's, of course, the message. The message that it's okay not to fit in. In a way, I feel like Glee was made for the kids of IB. But it is made for anyone who doesn't fit in; those who are "too school for cool". I am a nerd. So I enjoy this message and this show. My only wish is that real life could be like Glee...where we could all burst into song and no one would judge. Oh what a wonderful life it would be!

Bolshephobia

Yes, that is what the fear of Bolsheviks is called; bolshephobia. There are so many crazy, irrational, and fascinating fears. There are ones that seem to have no harm: Blennophobia, the fear of slime or ereuthrophobia, the fear of blushing. But then there are some that can change lives for the worse. People who suffer from heliophobia are terrified of the sun. Due to this fear, these people don't even dare to venture outside. A phobia is defined as being "an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations". It is irrational and often times hard to reason with something as strong as a phobia. Phobias are actually quite common. In fact, 8.7-18.1% of Americans suffer from a phobia. I find phobias to be very interesting. The fact that practically anything could be a fear of someone is a bit hard to fathom. I can't imagine having to live with something as strong as a phobia. It would dictate my life and I would hate that (who wouldn't, right?)! So I guess I can say I'm just thankful not to have a true phobia of anything.

Please Don't Blame The Teens

Why are mostly just teenagers pegged with the "texting and driving" problem? I find it a bit annoying that most accusations are pointed towards teenagers. But in reality, I find that it is the adults who do the most texting and driving. I have really yet to see an adult that I have ridden with that has not texted. I do understand that because teenagers are beginners with driving, it's much more dangerous for them to be texting and driving. But my friends and I do not text and drive. This is unlike my mother, and my father, and my aunt, and my friends' parents. So why blame the teens? Aren't adults suppose to set a good example? I know, I know, they've been driving longer, they have more experience and all that. But really, is that an excuse? Texting and driving is dangerous no matter what age or what experience level.

I find the accusation towards teens to be unfair, and really quite annoying. I also find the accusation of women as being sucky drivers annoying too, but that's another blog for another day I suppose.

So please, quit blaming the teens.