Christmas Reflections

A belated Merry Christmas to you all! I wanted to actually post this on Christmas, but due to sleeping in, hanging out with family and too much delicious food sitting in my stomach, I was unable to do it.

Yesterday was a ton of fun! I always love getting together with my family (even if my cousins are really weird and gave me the money to by my Christmas present from them and then made me wrap it up so that I couldn't open it till I was with them on Christmas), and yesterday was no exception. In the afternoon all of the grandchildren got together at the Grandparent house and played some games, and then we went to another relative's house for supper and presents. As proof of my extreme nerdyness, I got exceedingly excited when I discovers my present from my Grandparents contained post-it-notes.

But even though family, presents and post-it-notes are all awesome, we all know that, that isn't what Christmas is really about. Unfortunately, it is hard to focus on the birth of Jesus, when opening presents is so much more interesting, and most of the  time I really fail at it. But this year I decided that on Christmas eve I was going to read the Christmas story from my Bible and really spend some time thinking about it. As I was laying in bed, contemplating, the extent of Jesus' sacrifice really hit me. See, most people focus on the cross and how much He suffered for us there, but his suffering started a lot sooner than that. I mean, He left heaven, an absolutely perfect place, where He was with God all the time, came to this completely messed up world and lived with us for over 30 years. I mean when you think about it, would you be willing to leave paradise to save a group of people who hated you? Probably not. I doubt I would have done something so selfless. This is just another example of the awesome love Jesus had for us, and how completely amazing our salvation is.

So yeah, this is what I am going to try and think about on Christmas from now on.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

P.S. It has come to my attention that some people would like to receive email notifications when I post. If you are one of those people, send me an email at scrawledacrossthepage@gmail.com and I will be sure to add you to the mailing list.

Of Night Owls and Early Birds

I like to stay up late. Really late. Like, 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning late. Don't get me wrong, I love sleep, and always regret having to leave it when my alarm clock goes off. But there always seems to be one last interesting thing I need to do before I go to bed. Even when I try really hard to get to bed earlier, I never seem to manage to get under my covers before midnight.

Of course these late night lead to late mornings. I usually don't leave my bed until after 11, and I often get ridiculed for sleeping so late. Which leads me to a question: why is it socially unacceptable to sleep in past 9:00? I mean, seriously, why does a person have to be awake during certain hours and asleep during certain hours? What is wrong with sleeping till noon and staying awake past midnight? I say, absolutely nothing. I personally think better later at night (yes I know technically 1:00AM is "morning" but I consider anytime that is dark and most people sleep to be "night")  and my thoughts flow more freely, so it is easier for me to do things like write (which is why I am writing this at 1:27AM). Now, if I am tired, some of those thoughts won't be coherent, but they come out of the recesses of my brain a lot faster if I am writing after the sun goes down.

I guess the point I am trying to make with all of this, is that the notion that everyone has to go to bed in the hours where the letters "PM" follow the numbers and get up before all of the hours ending in "AM" have passed, is silly. Go to bed when it works best for you, get up when it works best for you, and don't feel horrible just because you are eating breakfast when everyone is eating lunch. Although I would probably not recommend staying up past midnight when you have to leave at six the next morning for a debate tournament. It is not fun.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Study Finds Connection between Hideous or Boring Football Uniforms and Winning

Here is another made up news story I wrote awhile ago. Enjoy! 

~~~

By Natalie Schneider

Big Blue Cow News, November 1, 2010

Football season has come upon us and the sight of grown men running into each other fills our television screens once again.  But a new study conducted by the Phil Randum Study Group may change how we view this beloved game. The study examined the football rankings for the last 20 years and came to a startling conclusion: in almost all instances, the best teams were the ones with the boring or unattractive uniforms.

“I was as skeptical as everyone else when we started this project,” Andrew Apikture, an employee at PRSG said. “I didn’t think there could possibly be a correlation, but it is true.” Apikture said that you could even see the connection when you looked at this week’s rankings.  Of the top ten teams only one does not have a uniform that is “either hideous or a complete snooze.” Apikture stated that TCU has the only decent uniform on the list and that Oregon, which is number one, had its uniform designated as the “most ugly uniform on the face of the earth.” In direct contrast is Akron, who is ranked 119, and whose uniform was “very pretty with its gold and blue.”

Some people remain skeptical about the findings of the Study. John Elway, former quarterback for the Broncos, scoffed at the alleged connection between uniforms and winning. “The idea that what a football player wears can affect his playing is ridiculous,” Elway said. “I was a great football player, and it had nothing to do with my uniform.” But not everyone is as disbelieving as Elway. Shortly after the study was released the coach of Notre Dame announced that they would change the color of their uniforms from their original blue and gold to lime green, tickle-me-pink and Clemson orange. A few hours later Army released a statement that their uniforms next year would be tie-dye with accents of aquamarine. In contrast, Florida decided to go the other route and intentionally make their uniforms boring by changing their colors to red and white. Urban Meyers said in a statement to the press, “The study found that red and white seems to bring success, as 50% of top 10 teams wear those two colors. Without Tim Tebow on the roster, we figure we have to try something. If this doesn’t work we may try recruiting talented players.”  

Not everyone is as accepting of the studies results. Two days after Virginia Tech announced that their uniforms would be modeled after the wardrobe of Ronald McDonald; angry fans swarmed the PRSG building. Police officers had to be called in, when some of the fans started throwing rotten bananas and cantaloupes at the windows. “I can’t believe idiots like this are allowed to remain in business,” on angry fan stated. “All their junk about uniforms having something to do with winning is just stupid.”   

Others expressed grave concern at the effects of this study further down the road. “It is quite possible that this study could change football as we know it,” said Economist Dr. Amelia Sheppard. “And it won’t be for the better.” Experts fear that because of the new shift towards unsightly uniforms, fans may be scared away from the game. According to Ed Stillman, an expert in all things football, most football teams have a loyal fan base that will remain with them no matter what. But a majority of the fans are the type that may decide to desert a team simply because their uniforms are hideous. “The sad truth is that a majority of American football fans are fickle people,” Stillman said. “And if more football teams follow in the footsteps of Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, it may be disastrous for college football in America and for the American economy.” College football produces roughly $756 billion dollars in revenue, which amounts to around 5% of the US GDP. “If we were to lose half of that revenue due to fans leaving, it would mean disaster for our economy,” Dr. Sheppard stated. “Our economy is still very vulnerable from the economic downturn, and even losing that small amount would be a significant blow.”

Despite all of the controversy surrounding the study, PRSG stands behind their conclusion. In a statement to the press, President John Anderson said, “All of our findings are based on sound evidence and no matter how load you shout, or how many fruits you throw at us, it will not change the facts. PRSG is very thorough in all of our studies and we will always stick with our results.”

Sometimes the Best Things are the Hardest

As is probably very evident from my posts, I am a Christian. I believe that there is a God who created everything and He sent His Son to die for me and save me from my sins. But sometimes, it can be easy to doubt these things. It can be easy to wonder if there is a God and if I am just tricking myself into trusting in something that doesn't exist. It is times like this that I lament the fact that God does not show Himself. I call out that it would be easier to trust if I could just see Him or hear Him. 

But then I remember that sometimes it is the hardest things that are the best for us.If a marathon were easy, it wouldn't be worth running. If  Mt Everest were easy to climb, there would be no triumph in concurring it. If it were easy to qualify in debate (yes, everything in my life eventually goes back to that) I wouldn't be worth putting a lot of effort in, I wouldn't learn and grow as much, and the thrill of breaking would not be nearly as sweet. 

So, even though it is really hard sometimes, and sometimes the chatter of the world places doubt in my mind, I  think I am going to stick it out. I'll just hold on to trust, and pray for Him to help me through this, because I know at the end, it will  be totally worth it. 

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

And You Though I Couldn't Do It

Ha! I did it! I got a post up this week, just like I said I would. Oh, ye of little faith, you thought I wouldn't get it done, didn't you? Actually, truth be told, I didn't think I would get it done, but we can keep that between ourselves. Okay?

Anyway, my life lately has been pretty crazy. Added to the normal school and debate work I have to get done, was a college application to Hillsdale. Ack! I can't believe I am applying for colleges already! Time really has gone by fast.

Because of all of the work I have been doing for the application (I can't believe they require two 500 word admission essays) I don't really have time to write about a lot. So, I am just going to let you read one of the admission essays I have been slaving on for the past week. I hope you have more fun reading it, then I had writing it.

"What is good character and why is it important? You may cite examples from literature, the arts, science, politics, history, athletics, business, education or your own personal experiences."

According to Webster’s American Dictionary, character is “the…traits that form the…nature of a person.” Therefore, good character may be defined as the righteous and upright traits that shape a person’s nature. Because the essence of government will reflect the nature of the people, it is essential that the individual’s character be of a good quality.

People will transfer their character traits to those they influence, shaping the nature of society. The main vehicle for this transference is the relationship between a parent and their child. A parent plays a vital role in shaping the character of their offspring. Through words and deeds, they provide an example that the child can follow and incorporate into their consciousness. This is the reason children of criminals most often turn to crime. The character that the parent portrayed is one that condones wrong doing.

A nation’s government will echo the heart and nature of its citizens. If the people are corrupt the government will in turn become corrupt. During elections, people often “sell” their votes to politicians who promise them the most benefits. They consider their personal gain above the qualifications of the candidate. This leads to the election of nominees who willingly compromise their principles to win, fostering a political atmosphere where it is nearly impossible to garner support without selling votes to the corrupt political establishment. This summer I volunteered for the campaign of State Senator Dennis Pyle. He was running against incumbent Lynn Jenkins for the Republican spot in the Congressional race. Jenkins’ record showed her continual compromise in Washington. She voted in favor of Planned Parenthood and tax increases, both actions contrary to her campaign promises. In contrast, I was witness to Pyle’s strong character and his unwillingness to compromise his principles. But because Jenkins went along with the established political order and made concessions to gain support, she was the candidate that was elected.

By contrast, a person’s character may also have a profound effect on society for the better. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, William Wilberforce and his small group of followers fought valiantly to end the English slave trade. Due to their determination, Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act in 1807, making England the first Western nation to outlaw the slave trade. It is good characteristics, such as these, that are the most difficult to pass on to others. Human beings have inherently flawed character, and so individuals naturally are drawn towards immorality. Therefore, it is more difficult to transfer the righteous aspects of an individual’s nature than it is to pass on the negative character traits.

Our character is our most important feature; it defines who we are and its effects have far reaching consequences. Individuals with good character can bring about momentous and beneficial change, but if a nation’s citizens are corrupt, they will bring about the ruin of the country. It is for these reasons that good character is vital, and is something for which we should always strive.

Until next time, au revoir

~Nat

The Answer to One of Life's Many Questions: Why Colonel Doesn't Have an "R"

If you have been following my blog for awhile, all two of you may remember a blog post I made awhile ago about spelling, and I complained about the missing 'r' in colonel. For the rest of you, I'll be nice and give you a link so you know what I am talking about. 

Ok, now that you are back from reading my old post, I can move on. 

The other day I was reading The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way (this has become one of my new favorite books. Yes, I do have very weird interests) and I came to the chapter on spelling. Much to my great excitement, this absolutely amazing book explained about why there is no 'r' in colonel!!!!!!! Now, I am going to pass this splendid bit of information on to you. 

"Colonel...comes from the old French coronelle, which the French adapted from the Italian colonello...When the word first came into English in the mid-sixteenth century, it was spelled with an r, but gradually the Italian spelling and pronunciation began to challenge it. For a century or more both spellings and pronunciations were commonly used, until finally...we settled on the French pronunciation and Italian spelling." 

See! I knew the French had something to do with it!

A couple of other interesting fact that I learned from the chapter on spelling:

1) For the longest time people didn't care at all about consistent spelling. In fact, in some cases they would  spell the same word two different ways in the same letter. Why can't things be like that now?

2) During the early 1900's there  was a movement to simplify spelling in the US. The Simplified Spelling Board released a list of 300 words that were commonly spelled two different ways (like judgement and judgment) and endorse the simpler spelling. They were able to get the support of National Education Association and President Theodor Roosevelt, and actually succeed in changing the way words like catalog and program were spelled. Sadly, WWI happened and so a great movement died before it could do any real good.

Well, I think I have thrown enough useless facts at you for one day.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

P. S. I apologize for the fact that I haven't posted for a really long time. Unfortunately there is this thing called life, and it takes up a lot of my time. But I shall endeavor to improve, and post something about once a week. We shall see if I can manage it.

I Think Calvin has the Right Idea

So, yesterday I had my first chemistry class.

It.  Was.  Horrible.

I had no idea how much math was involved.  I spent more time doing math than actually learning about science.  I don't think it's fair that they make you do two subjects at once.  Especially when one of those subjects is math.

Bleck.

I think Calvin has a brilliant idea....




















...Too bad I'm home schooled.

Oh, well.  I'll probably end up learning a lot.  Plus my teacher is a ton of fun.  He makes sound effects when he adds up problems.  He is awesome.  Besides, if I want to go to a good college, I can't really get out of it.  Curse our ridged educations system that somehow thought it was necessary for every child to know how to do scientific notations.

At least I have American Vision and Values to look forward to.  I've only read 29 pages in the book, and it already looks like this class will be epic.

Anyways...
Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Oh Irony

When I started writing my previous post Sunday night, I had no idea how relevant it was.  Since then God has tested the dedication to completely surrender my future to Him, and it hasn't been fun.

On Monday something happened that I had hopped would happen for a while, but never really thought would.  Then on Tuesday, God let me know that now was not the time for it, and that it might not ever be the right time for it.  After two days of excitement and happiness, to find out that it couldn't happen now was very hard for me.  But what made it really difficult was that a short while before He said no, I had felt sure it was the right thing to do, and that God was going to let it happen.

I don't really understand why those two days happened, or why God would give me this, and then take it away.  But I do trust Him.  I know He has a plan, that He is in control, and that even though now it is disappointing, it is for the best.  But sometimes complete surrender can be very tough.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

Like a Child Making Mud Pies

Yesterday, as  I was riding home from dropping my brother off at college, I started daydreaming about the future. I contemplated where I would go, what  I would do, who I would become; and then  I realized something, I was becoming way too attached to my version of the future, when God already has a plan for my life. A plan that may not include any of the things that I want to happen. I can just imagine God, up in heaven, smiling lovingly at my attempts to plan my future. Knowing perfectly well that He had already devised the perfect plan for my life.

Even though I knew that God's plan was already set in stone; I really, really wanted it to fit in with my plans. Thinking back on that moment, I remind myself of the child from the analogy by C. S. Lewis:

"We are...like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea."

Although, Lewis was talking about the gospel, I feel that this also applies to my situation. God has a wonderful blueprint for my life. But I still want to stick with how I laid my life out; even though, any plan I can think up, will be greatly inferior to God's idea. I would be perfectly content to remain in the slums with the life I have planned out, despite the fact that God is offering a holiday at the sea. As I sat in the passenger seat of that car, I realized that I needed to let go of my idea of a perfect life; I needed to commit my future to God.

You know what? Complete surrender is kinda nice. If I step back, and trust God to run my life, I no longer have to worry about how things will turn out. Yes, sometimes I do relapse, and start worrying about how I am going to pay for college, and who I will end up marrying. But for the most part, it is much more freeing. Besides, even if you let go of your dreams, they can still come true. After all, what you want, may still part of God's perfect plan for your life. Just be willing to accept it if it isn't.

Until  I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Is the Makeup Industry a Scam?

Here is another article from the fictitious Big Blue Cow news. Enjoy!

Makeup Industry Revealed to be Giant Plot to Make Guys Miserable

By Natalie Schneider

Big Blue Cow news, August 22, 2010

On Tuesday, the Federal Examination Department for the Discovery of Undiscovered Plots (FEDDUP) announced that discovered a conspiracy, created by 85 year old Magdalene Dupree, to frustrate guys everywhere. In 1948 Dupree, then 23, was left at the altar by her fiancé, Albert Stockton. Dupree then allegedly decided that it would be her mission in life to make men everywhere miserable. “It started out with small things,” Dupree’s best friend Annabelle, said. “First it was only wearing too much perfume when she went out, or wearing big hats whenever she sat in front of guys at the movies. But soon her activities became meaner and more elaborate.”

Dupree’s activities allegedly culminated in a scheme to expand the makeup industry to such a point that it would become the bane of all men everywhere.  “I think she got the idea from our father complained about how much time we spent getting ready in the morning,” her sister Magnolia Dupree said.  “He used to always say that we spent all of our time, and all of his money, on makeup and hair stuff; and that because of it he was broke and late for everything.”  In the fall of 1949, Dupree started selling her makeup door to door. It was slow going, but after she received the endorsement of actress Olivia De Havilland, Dupree’s 15 step makeup process began to sell more rapidly.  In just a few years Dupree’s makeup company, Vision, became the highest grossing make up companies in the United States. After that, Dupree’s company continued to grow in its success. Until, in the spring of 1993, Dupree suddenly announced that she was selling her company to Cover Girl. With no explanation, she handed over her company and went quietly into retirement.

In the statement issued by FEDDUP on Tuesday; Senior Director of Press Releases, Robert Page explained that Dupree had sold her original company, because her larger plan had come into place. “It appears that since the winter of 1948, Magdalene Dupree had been planning to take over the entire makeup industry, and make it so expensive and complicated that it would ruin the lives of all men affected by it. On April 15, 1993 she achieved her goal, and on the 19^th she sold her company, and went into retirement.”  According to the statement, Dupree had spent most of the money she had acquired from the profits of her company to secretly by up every company that created hair and makeup products. In the end she controlled companies such as Maybelline, Cover Girl, and Herbal Essences; among others.

Dupree declined to comment except to shout through her open car window that this was “another example of men trying to ruin her life.” Her female lawyer did issue a statement saying that “Ms. Dupree is completely innocent of any of the bogus charges the FEDDUP may decide to charge her with. The idea that she somehow had a master plan to take over the makeup industry  and ruin the lives of men around the world is ludicrous.”Stockton also refused to comment on the alleged activities of his former fiancé. But his neighbors say that Stockton is often late leaving the house, because his wife takes two hours putting on her makeup and fixing her hair.

Déjà vu

I saw this article, and I just had to laugh. It reminds me of a mock 1AC I wrote for debate last year. Here is a excerpt from the article:

"Chinese officials say they want to clean up a pollution scourge fouling the capital and government centers nationwide: bureaucratic gasbags.The problem, Communist Party functionaries say, is that civil servants talk too much — at meetings, in speeches and when speaking off-the-cuff in public...To set an example for his peers, Li Yuanchao, a top member of a key Central Committee department, told the state-run New China News Agency that he is keeping his speeches short during meetings. In one recent video-conference, he kept his remarks to just 10 minutes..."

If only our politicians would follow their example.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting." -Peter Pan

This summer has probably been one of the awesomest, and saddest summers ever. In the past, summer's have been things of tedium. This summer was different; I was so busy, I didn't know what to do with myself. Between hanging out with friends, going swimming, and ballroom dancing, I haven't had time for the for the boredom that usually plagues me.

 But, like I said, this summer has also been really sad. I have reached the point in my life, where it feels like so many more things are ending, than beginning. With the end of model UN earlier this summer, switching from Team Policy, to Lincoln Douglas debate, and so many of my friends (and my brother) going off to college, it seems like everything I love in my life is changing. On top of that, I just turned 18, and I can't help feeling like things will never be the same as when I was child. At times like this, I can't help empathizing with Peter Pan and his wish to never grow up.

I remember, five years ago, when I looked forward to being 18, and a senior. An event that felt like an eternity away when I was 13. Now it's here, and I almost wish it wasn't. It seems like we go through our whole lives looking in anticipation of events that are to happen in the future. Only to wish that we were in the past, when we finally get there. Don't get me wrong, I am excited at the prospect of going to college, and getting to have all new adventures. But, at the moment, all I feel is sadness at the approaching change; and I wish I were still 17, waiting for the next debate season to start. 

But I know that God knows what He's doing, and I know that I can't spend the rest of my life as a 17 year old. Things change, that is the way of life. Even though it's hard now, the changes bring about more new, and wonderful events. Events that, tomorrow, I will look forward to with anticipation. But today, all I find myself doing, is wishing that it was still the past.

Until next time, au revoir.
~Nat

No More Corn! :D

Oh happy day! I found out that I am not on the skeleton crew on Friday. Which means.....

 I AM DONE WITH DETASSELING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I should probably stop with the exclamation points. After all, I probably don't want to break my key board. But, I am just so happy to be done, I think I'll use a couple more. :D

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'm good.

Now, with all my excitement about the end of detasseling, you may be wondering if I am going to do it next year? The answer to that question is yes, but ONLY if I can't get a job somewhere else. If everything goes well, I will never spend another day of my life in a cornfield. Of course, now I'll probably end up marrying a farmer or something.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

I Thought that's what Parents were For?

I have recently been trying to finish up a summary of a portion of H. R. 3590 (better known as "Obamacare"), I've been working on for Ten-Amendments.org.  Today, I was plodding through section 2953 when I came across yet another example of the government stepping in where it isn't supposed to.  Section 2953 is about "Personal Responsibility Education,"and provides funding for States (at a minimum of $250,000) and grants, for specific organizations, to carry out "Personal Responsibility Education Programs."  These programs will be able to teach the youth of America many useful things (if you can't tell, I am being sarcastic) including the following:


"(C) ADULTHOOD PREPARATION SUBJECTS.—The adulthood preparation subjects
 described in this subparagraph are the following: (i) Healthy relationships, such as positive self-esteem and relationship dynamics, friendships, dating, romantic involvement, marriage, and family inter actions. (ii) Adolescent development, such as
the development of healthy attitudes and values about adolescent growth and  development, body image, racial and ethnic diversity, and other related subjects.
 (iii) Financial literacy.  (iv) Parent-child communication...
  (vi) Healthy life skills, such as goal setting, decision making, negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, and stress management."

Seriously?  Does our government really have to step in and pay for our children to learn about friendship, positive self-esteem and decision making? Have the parents been so absent in our country that this is the steps that is necessary to prepare our youth for adult life? Unfortunately, the more I see of the world outside my little home school bubble, the more I am afraid that the answer to the last question is yes. When I was taking driver's ed this summer, there were these posters in the classroom explaining how to do things like ask questions, accept criticism and apologize to people; and this was in a high school.

Although, I find it very saddening when I think about how many kids in America are not being properly raised by their parents.  I don't believe that it is justification for the government to step in and starting parenting.  That is not the role our government was created for, and it is not the right way to raise children.  You cannot teach a child to be respectful and responsible in a classroom, if they are not learning the same lesson from their parents.  You cannot teach a child about parent-child relationships, and how to have a good marriage if they aren't seeing that when they enter their front door.  There is a very serious very serious problem in America today, and a problem that needs to be dealt with.  But not by the government

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

Every Mushroom Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Yesterday, I had just about sworn that I would never do detasseling again (for those of you that don't know what detasseling is, check out Wikipedia). But today I'm considering actually coming back next year. You may wonder what brought on the sudden change of heart? It's because God is amazing!

Most of the time detasseling is difficult. It involves a whole lot of walking, and often times my shoulders ache from pulling the tassels. But yesterday was the worst day I have ever had in my entire time detasseling, and I'm not alone, some one who had been doing it for three years said that they had never had a day so bad. Although the field we were pulling wasn't ver large (only 20 acres) it was absolutely the worst field I had ever been in, apart from having seven foot tall corn stalks, much of the corn had been blown over by a storm, and was so twisted together it was almost impossible to tell which row was which, or to find the tassels. We spent eight hours in that field, with the temperature steadily rising to around 90 degrees, getting more and more tired as we went along. By the end of the day I was almost crying because I didn't want to keep going, and that night I was dreading getting up the next morning to do it all over again.

The next morning got off to a rocky start, I found out that it was supposed to get really hot today as well (they said that the heat index could get up to 106). Also, as I pulled out my stuff I realized that I had left my mp3 player at home, and I felt like crying again when I though about spending a monotonous 8 hours, in the heat, without even my music to keep me sane.  But Like I said, God is amazing! After we had first pulled (A first pull is when we go through the field for the first time and pull all the tassels the machine missed.) the bits of the field we hadn't gotten to yesterday, Phil (our bus assistant) got us all together and said that we needed to try and get out of this field by 12 so that we wouldn't be out when it got really hot. But to do this we needed to have 30 minute rounds (a round is when we go up one row of the field and than come down another row). Since our rounds yesterday were no where near 30 minutes, I wasn't very optimistic about our chances of getting done before 12. Well, we didn't get done at 12, we got done at 10! Since we had been so slow yesterday, we had been able to pull most of the tassels, and the rows were so clean, that we were able to do a round in 15 minutes! This just shows that no matter how horrible things are, God is always in control, and you can always find the positive side to almost any situation.Because we had suffered so much yesterday, we were able to get done quickly today, and get out of the field before it got unbearably hot. Isn't God so wonderful?

Here are a couple more bright spots in the weekend that I thought would be the worst weekend of my life:

-Getting to eat bubblegum the entire time I was pulling tassels.

-Seeing hot air balloons.

-Seeing a guy witness to someone in the cornfield.

-Not getting sunburned.

-Brightly colored duct tape.

-Getting to Spend some time praying since I didn't have my mp3 player.

-Fully relying on God throughout this whole ordeal.

-Chocolate pudding.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

P.S. If you know what song that my title came from, you are officially awesome. 

When Will I Be Free?

 Driving in the car with my mom is not something you want to do while you're still "learning to drive." Before we even entered the car we got into an argument about whether I should drive in flip flops or not. I am of the opinion that since I spend a great deal of time in flip flops (and I don't want to have to constantly drag a second pair of shoes along) then it would be best for me to get used to driving with them. But of course she is the mom, she has the car keys, and she can say that I won't be able to drive until I turn 18, so of course she won the argument.

Now, the main reason driving with my mom is so annoying, is because she is constantly telling me to do stuff that I was already planning on doing. Like stopping at red lights, and reducing my speed. She also has a tendency to freak out when ever I get within a few feet of another car, and whenever I turn left.

But despite all the aggravation she causes, I suppose I should be happy that she puts up with me, and is willing to let me drive. Even so, I am going to be really glad when I can drive on my own.

Until next time au revoir.

~Nat

Detasseling: Day 1

So, the first day of detasseling is over and done with (Yay), and it actually wasn't so bad. It was incredibly wet and very dull, but not too bad.

 For those of you that don't know what detasseling is, let me explain. Detasseling is when you get up at unearthly hours and walk around for long hours though corn fields in the freezing cold or scorching heat pulling tassels off the tops of corn so that they can cross pollinate and  create a hybrid corn. In other words, torture.

Just kidding. It's really not so horrible once you get used to it. Although, it does take a while to get used to seeing corn when you go to sleep at night.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

The 4th

The fire crackers exploded, thick smoke filled the humid air and fireworks burst in a myriad of colors in the night sky. My four year old cousin Emma looked up at the gigantic fireworks exploding above us and exclaimed with excitement, "Look! Sparklers!"
~ ~ ~
This Fourth of July my family went over to our cousins' house and celebrated our countries  independence (and the birthday of our nine year old cousin, Morgan) the way it should be celebrated; with cake and lots of explosions! We started out while the evening was still young with the noisy stuff, and had a great deal of fun trying to destroy toy soldiers, you wouldn't believe how durable those things are. Although I felt somewhat guilty when my mom compared us to the kid from Toy Story.

Eventually, after it got dark, we started lighting the fireworks. Unfortunately, I never seemed to get used the the sound the fireworks made when they went off, and every time one exploded I would utter a little shriek and jump.But I still had a great deal of fun, and I discovered that I greatly love blowing things up. We also lit sparklers (on of my personal favorites, they just look so pretty) and I loved watching Emma cautiously wave the sparkler around her, as if she weren't quite sure that it wouldn't explode.

All in all I had a great time on Sunday. But before I leave you, and get back to ignoring the world before detasseling starts, I'm going to tell you about one last, rather humorous, occurrence. As we were setting off fireworks two boys across the street started to light their own, more impressive, fire works. As we watched them explode in the sky above our heads (with me giving the occasional jump of surprise when particularly loud ones went off) Allyson, the oldest of the cousins, and I got into an argument about how old the boys were. I though they were 15 or 16 and she thought they were closer to 18. In order to settle the argument, Megan, another cousin, told Morgan to go and ask the boys how old they were and gave her specific instructions not to tell them that we had asked her to do it. She happily ran off to go ask the boys their age, and we waited patiently for her return. When she did finally return, she did so by running toward us exclaiming, in a not so quiet whisper, that the boys were (like I had guessed) 16 years old. Well, this didn't fail to attract the notice of the two teenage boys, and after they threw a few surreptitious glances at us, we started laughing about how they probably thought we liked them. A little while later, the incident with the boys forgotten, we went on a walk; although five minutes after we started out, we stopped walking, and started skipping (yes, skipping). We had been skipping for a little while (and probably looking like complete idiots) when this car pulls up to a stop sign, and honks it's horn at us. Well, the simple fact that a car had come upon us while we were looking like fools would have been amusing enough in and of it's self. But as the car pulled away, we realized that the occupants of the car were in fact the very same 16 year old neighbor boys from earlier in the evening.

Well,  I think I have written enough for now, and I have a book that is calling to me. So until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

It's Over!

So, drivers ed finally ended on Thursday... finally. I am now am able to legally drive on my own! Well, as soon as I get a driver's licence, and get insurance worked out. Which my mom says may not happen until I turn eight-teen, darn. Anyway, here are a few of the good, bad and random things that happened during drivers ed.

Good:
-Getting to take driver's ed at Central High School. My goodness the building was beautiful.
-Passing my test with only three mistakes.
-Getting to explain why I was reading the book God and Government over the summer (I was reading it because I think there may be some stuff I can use for debate).
-Doodling on my hand.
-Getting to tell my mom what she is doing wrong when she's driving

Bad:
-Waking up at 7:00 am.
-Sitting through over four hours of class. I have just realized how much I dislike classrooms.
-Parallel parking.
-The video from the 90's where they sing at you.
-Filling in the blank in the book.
-Having to drive around with an instructor while being paranoid about going over the speed limit.
-Having to figure out when to signal.
-The driving test.
-The written test.

Wow, there were a lot more bad than good things.

Random:
-My teacher saying, "We'll take a ten minute brake, and then we'll do drugs."
-Accidentally driving into the correctional facility.
-A guy in the jeep in front of us flirting with me.

In the end I learned a lot of stuff (stuff that I will probably forget in the next month), and I wasn't completely miserable the whole time. Besides insurance will be cheaper. But I'm glad to have driver's ed over and done with. It is an experience I am not wanting to repeat

Until I write again, au revoir
~Nat

Yet Another Ending

 Another chapter has come to a close in my life tonight. Mrs Wilson, my Model United Nations (MUN) teacher just announced that there will not be  MUN next year. I'll probably write more about this later, but at this point I'm too tired and sad to write any more now.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

LD vs TP

So, they finally came out with the topic choices for next years debate season. For TP (Team Policy): "Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly reform its foreign policy toward Russia" and for LD (Lincoln Douglas): "Resolved: A government’s legitimacy is more determined by its respect for individual rights than by popular sovereignty." 


I was super excited when the LD resolution was announced, especially since I am is almost definitely for sure going to be doing LD this year (eek), and I think this one will be fun to debate. Last year my debate partner graduated; and since I would rather not be partners with someone who isn't on the same skill level with me, there isn't anyone (who is available) in my debate club to be my partner for TP. That means the only thing left is LD. Now don't get me wrong, LD looks super awesome, and I think it would be tons of fun. But I've been doing TP for the past five years (almost 1/3 of my life) and the thought of changing now kinda freaks me out.  


In the end though, I think switching over the LD is for the best. The other night I was considering the possibility of trying to be partners with someone else from a different club who had the same skill level as me, when I realized that my main reasons for wanting to stick with TP was that it was safe, and I thought I would have a better chance at qualifying for Nationals. In my opinion, those aren't good enough reasons to stay, and it will probably be good for me to stretch myself and try a new form of debate. Also, it would have been really tough to be partners with someone who was far away.  So it looks like I'm going to spending the next year of my life debating about government legitimacy; and, to be honest, I couldn't be more excited.  


Until next time, au revoir.


~Nat

Protesting Spelling

The other day I came across this news story. These protesters have the wrong idea, if you want to change how words are spelled in the English language, standing around dressed like bees isn't the way to go. No, if you really want to make a difference, the best way to do it is to strategically infiltrate the companies that print dictionaries and the school system. Then, then over the course of 70 years, slowly change the spelling of words. Not that I've actually given this much thought or anything...

But in all seriousness, I have agree with these protesters, the English language is overly complicated. Any language that has words like colonel where we pronounce it with an 'r' that isn't even there, has a problem. Plus, what's with all these letters changing their sounds? Although, it could be worse, we could be French.

Some would argue, that the English language shouldn't be changed, that it is perfectly fine the way it is. In fact one of the people who commented on the story wrote, "This former "educator" thinks that because it takes effort to read and write English, we should simply dumb down our language rather than challenge ourselves to learn?!" but people like this are missing the point, the English language wouldn't be "dumbed down" it would be made more logical. It doesn't make sense to have so many letters duplicate the sounds of others, and don't eve get me started on silent letters. But in the end, the argument doesn't really matter. The English language is here to stay, and no number of protesters is going to change that. Unless, my scheme works. But of course, your not supposed to know about that...

Until I rite agen, gud bie.

~Nat

  

*Sigh*

I was looking through my book marks, and decided I should probably start deleting the ones that I won't be needing anymore. This included several articles on the environment, and a link to an electronic copy of the speech I did as a dramatic interp. I sighed when I deleted that link, and thought about how sad it was that I wouldn't ever have to preform that speech again, I really liked that speech.

Yet another debate year has come to an end, and as I look towards in anticipation of the next season, I also feel a sense of loss. Next year I will be a senior, and will never again be able to compete in NCFCA speech and debate after I graduate. Sure, I can debate in college, but it isn't quite the same. I'll miss all the people I've met through this, and may never see again; and I'll miss good old team policy debate who has been a part of me for almost a third of my life.

So as a look forward to them finally announcing the choices for next years topic (honestly, you'd think they would have done that already) I also dread the passage of time, and attempt to savor every moment I have left.

Until I write again, Au revoir.

~Nat

The Occurrences before Lexington and Concord

Here is another fake (I don't really like that word, I should find another one) news story that I wrote the other day. Have fun reading it.

Editor’s note- I was searching through our archives when I came across this article. Someone had mistakenly placed it in a box with the hate mail and it had been lost for quite some time. The hand written account was full of blots, cross outs and sufficient spelling mistakes to make and English teacher cry. But it explained one of our countries greatest mysteries; a mystery as puzzling as the JFK assassination and how the government faked the moon landing combined. Unfortunately, this article was never printed by this news paper, a loss that has been felt by this country throughout its existence; and it is a loss I intend to rectify by printing this article 225 years after it was originally written.

The Occurrences before Lexington and Concord

By Samuel Franklin

Big Blue Cow News

April 22, 1775

The Colonies weep today, after the tragic loss of life at the battles of Lexington and Concord. “Curse those red coated scum!”Marybeth White, the mother of one of our fallen militia men said. “My only child, my darling sweet little boy; that is what they took from me, what they killed for me.”  Mothers morn for their lost sons, sisters for their brothers and wives for their husbands. The entirety of the colonies are banding together after this enormous tragedy. But until recently, it had remained a mystery as to which side had fired the first shot. “I have not the slightest idea how the battle started,” John McCain, a wounded militia member said. “I heard a gunshot, and pressed my finger down upon the trigger.” The report was the same whether it came from militia men, or British soldiers, no person had the slightest idea of what could have started the battle.

But there is one person who knew the origin of that first, fatal gunshot. “I believe it was I who may have set those young men off,” Betty White (not her real name), a petite old women of about 50 years sat with her cat on her lap and her blunderbuss clutched in her left hand. “I did not intend to start it, but it appears my actions may in some way have caused the battle to commence. Although, I doubt it would have been that much longer before those hot blooded young men began to shoot at each other anyway, regardless of my actions. ” Mrs. White had ventured out that morning to hunt squirrels, “Those pesky critters are always eating my begonias, I had to teach them a lesson,” Mrs. White said.  Upon seeing a squirrel Mrs. White immediately shot at it, “Darn thing got away, scampered up a tree as lively as ever, my shot had missed it completely.” It was then that Mrs. White heard what sounded to her like thunder, and hurried inside, “Of course now I know it was only those hoodlums shooting at each other. If I had known it was not a storm coming, I would have stayed out a while longer. Then I might have actually killed some of those infernal squirrels.”  

Although, this tragic day will forever be engrained in the memories of those people who lost those close to them, and many people will never understand why their loved ones have been taken from them. It is a comfort, at least, to know that there is an answer to one of the questions that sprouted from this horrible occurrence.

Voting

Yesterday, I voted for my first time, it was pretty awesome. Although, it was only the primary and so most of the races consisted of things I didn't know or care about, I spent most of Monday night looking over the Nebraska voters guide and deciding who I would vote for. Call me political nerd if you wish, but I like being able to have some say it what our government does; and after five years of debating about policy in debate rounds, I love being able to have some (small) effect on it. The sad thing is, many people don't share the same opinion as me. In 2008 only 20.5% of those eligible to vote, actually did; and in the general election, only 62.6% voted. Come on people! This our government we're talking about! These people decide our taxes and whether or not we go to war with other countries, how can you not care enough not to vote? Honestly, you can't complain about the government screwing up, when you didn't even try to change it! But I should probably stop ranting now, and go and do something more productive.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Regionals Recap

Now that I have mostly gotten over the listlessness that I always get at after every debate tournament, I figured it would be a good time to share what went on at regionals and what God has taught me through this experience.

I went into regionals with to goal of doing my best and having fun, and the hope that it would lead to Alatheia (my debate partner) and I qualifying for NCFCA Nationals in Virginia. Well, I fulfilled my goal; those seven rounds (six preliminary rounds and one out round) were some of the most fun rounds this year, I gave probably one of my best rebuttals ever, we won five of our six preliminary rounds, and my affirmative case went undefeated. But despite all of this success, we didn't qualify for nationals. We lost our octa-finals round to really awesome team, which ended our dream of being able to compete at nationals, and meant we would get 10th at the tournament.

Although I was initially disappointed, going to nationals would have been so much fun and it would have looked great on my transcript, looking back I'm glad we didn't qualify. It would have meant more time to put into debate, and at that point I was perfectly content to be done with the environment. Also, there is the money that would have had to been invested in the trip, money we could ill afford to spend. All in all, I think that God new what he was doing, and he allowed us to do the best we could without qualifying for nationals.

I think Mrs Hudsen (the tournament coordinator for regionals) summed it up best; in the end, all our trophies and awards will just end up in a box, but the experiences that we gain from this will stay with us forever. This past tournament I didn't get that many awards, but I did get a lot of awesome experiences, and I hope that the lessons I learned and the friends I made, will stay with me for years to come.

Before I leave you, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the people who prayed for Alatheia and I throughout this tournament; it was a great comfort to both of us. I would also like to say thank you to God. With Him nothing is impossible, and without Him there is no way would have done as well as we did. He deserves all of the glory and credit for what happened at regionals, and I am so thankful that I have such an awesome God.

Until I write again, au revoir

~Nat

Playing Cards? Really?

I have recently been following the British elections (this is mostly due to the fact that my brother will update me on the interesting stuff with no work or effort on my part), and I find the predicaments their complex electoral has put them in, quite fascinating.

Apart from their problems with a hung parliament (an issue that Wikipedia explains so much better then I can), they also had some difficulty with two candidates getting the same number of votes. The ballots were counted four times, but each time it was the same; Conservative Bob Peck had 1,034 votes and Labour's Charlie Marsden had 1,034 votes.

 But never fear, the British had a way to deal with even this unlikelihood, they brought out a deck of cards. Yes, you did heard me correctly, they decided the seat with a deck of playing cards. Apparently this has happened before, and the way they have to resolve it is to either flip a coin, or cut a deck of cards. Marsden drew a 7 and Peck a 3, meaning that Marsden won the election and settling the dispute.

This whole kerfuffle has just given me one more reason to be glad I'm in America, with it's nice, simple electoral system.

Until next time, farewell.

~Nat

One of My Hobbies

To those of you who may not know, one of the things I like to do occasionally is write fake, humorous news stories.  At this point I have written eight of these fictitious reports, including headlines such as "Animal rights Group Pushes for Ban on Drain Pipes" and  "Competitive Paper Folding Added to Olympic Roster." I thought I would share one of my most recent stories with any of you who may want to read it, but don't have access to it on Facebook.

Left-handers Protest Discrimination

By Natalie Schneider

Big Blue Cow news, April 24, 2010

Left-handers converged on Washington D.C. today, to protest “the discrimination that they are confronted with everyday.” “You hear a lot about civil rights, and the rights of women,” one protester commented. “But you never hear anything about the rights of left handed people. We’re human beings to.” The protesters held aloft signs bearing sayings such as, “Why are we left out?” and “Handshakes are discriminatory!” during their march on the nations capital.

Joan Uvark, President of the People Against Left-handed Mistreatment  (PALM), expressed disgust at the discrimination she believes left-handers face, “do you realize how hard it is being left-handed, in a world full of right-handers?” Uvark asked. “As a child, I was the only one I knew that was left-handed, and I was made fun of my family and friends. I grew up thinking I was a freak of nature, and tried my best to hide my left-handedness from people. It wasn’t until I graduated, and discovered my roommate in college was left-handed as well, that I realized that there were others out there just like me.“ PALM was formed in 1997, by Uvark, and Dr. Michael Spalding, to “raise awareness about the plight of left-handed people around the nation.” They have held smaller rallies in various cities around the country, but never one as large as the protest in Washington. “It’s been great to see all of these left-handers come out and support the cause,” Alatheia Larsen, one of the protesters, said. “I so glad that there are so many people out there willing to speak up for this minority.”

But not everyone who is left handed supports this cause. Andrew Burke, a left handed lawyer from Bismarck North Dakota, doesn’t believe discrimination is as prevalent as is claimed by the protesters. Burke said in an interview with a Big Blue Cow news reporter that “The idea that left handed people are being discriminated against is ludicrous. As I grew up, I never had any problems with discrimination, in fact everyone though it was cool that I used a different hand to write with then everyone else. Sure there may be a few isolated pockets of discrimination. But as a whole, society is largely accepting of left handed people. There is no reason for the government to take any action on this issue, especially the drastic action proposed by PALM.” The “drastic action” that was referenced by Burke, is legislation currently being pushed by PALM.  H.R. 314, “the left-hander’s bill of rights” as some people call it, requires all companies that make products specifically designed for right handed people, to also produce products conducive for left-handed people.  “It doesn’t cover everything but it’s a start,” Uvark said. “Our entire society is built around right handed people. Our products, our utensils, and even our written language were created with right handed people in mind. Sure we may not be able to completely remove all discrimination against us today, tomorrow, or even in the next 50 years. But every little step forward, is a step in the right direction.”   

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat 

What's in a Fairy Tale?

When I was a child, there was nothing I enjoyed more then a good fairy tale.  Truth be told...I actually still enjoy fairy tales.  The other day I went through YouTube and re-watched some of the old Disney princess movies.  But you'd be surprised to find out how far the versions we know and love today, differ from the original tellings.

I have this book, The Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things; and it tells about the origins of everything from Kleenex, to dentures. Including, the original versions of many fairy tales and nursery rhymes.  These stories are not what you'd expect from our familiar childhood friends.  In the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears "Goldilocks" doesn't have golden locks and is actually a homeless, grumpy, old women.  In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,  the queen eats the "heart" of Snow White (For those of you that don't know the story, it wasn't really Snow White's heart, it was the heart of a pig that was substituted for Snow White's by the huntsman.) with a good deal of salt, and in the end the queen is forced to wear red hot shoes, and ends up dancing herself to death.  In Cinderella the step mother mutilates her daughter's foot to get it to fit into the shoe; and lets just say, that if the original Sleeping Beauty were to be made into a movie now a days, it would be rated R... 

For those people who say that children see way to much stuff today, and have become desensitized to all sorts of bad thing with all of the TV shows and movies they watch.  Try reading the original Little Red Riding Hood.

Until I write again, do svidaniya. (That's "good bye" in Russian)

~Nat

Surviving the ACT

Yesterday I had my first experience with standardized testing. I took the ACT for the first time, and let me just say, it was an interesting experience. I was extremely freaked out before hand. I was almost as worried as  I was when  I was waiting to find out if we broke, at St Louis. Thankfully there were a lot of people praying for me, and I was able to get to the test without fainting, or running for the border. It also helped that a friend happened to be taking the test on the same day, so her friendly face was able to keep me calm before the test started.

The test in and of it's self wasn't all that bad. In fact, (I know this'll sound crazy)  I actually kinda enjoyed it. Maybe it was the fact that it was sort of a challenge for me, and I really enjoy challenges; maybe it was my love of puzzles coming through as I tried to figure out the answers; or maybe I was so sleep deprived (I probably hadn't gotten to sleep till 2:00 the night before) that I was just starting to go insane. But what ever the reason, I don't think I'll be dreading as much next time.

I don't know how well I did on the test. There were a significant number of questions is the math and science sections that I just guessed on (B and J were my default letters when I was guessing). Thankfully this was only a practice for me, and whatever the results are, there are more test to take. I think this attitude of mine, and the knowledge that God was always in control,  helped me to detach myself from the test and keep me from having a nervous break down.

So now I've had my first experience with that great mystery known as standardized testing. Honestly, there has got to be a better way to do it. I mean first of all, why do they have to have us get up so early. Some of us don't function very well before 10:00 in the morning. Second, what is up with the time limits? How do they expect you to read, and figure out all those graphs, and still have enough time to answer the 40 questions they throw at you? Plus, they make you do math, in science. Honestly, I don't think it's fair to test you on the same subject twice.

Ah, well. It is what it is, and if I want to get into a good college, I'll have to put up with it. I just hope next time, I get more sleep.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

My Own Little Miracle

Some times it seems that there are no longer any miracles. No one walks on water, and the only time people come back from the dead is in movies about zombies. But this past week I experienced my own little miracle, and was reminded again, of how wonderful God is.

On Monday we left Omaha, for a debate tournament in St Louis. We had a seven hour drive a head of us, and I took the opportunity to catch up on my sleep, since I had been up till three the night before. About an hour into the trip, I was awakened as the car stopped. Assuming we had just stopped for a bathroom break, I didn't pay much attention. At least, I didn't pay that much attention, until I realized we hadn't stopped at a gas station, and were instead pulled off to the side of the interstate because there was something wrong with the car. After we had been towed to a nearby town, and spent a significant amount of time entertaining ourselves with coloring books, we discovered that the car's transmission was shot, and that we weren't going to be going anywhere anytime soon.

This is the point when I began to worry, I didn't know how on earth we were going to get to St Louis now. There was no one from Omaha who could come and take us, and I really didn't expect that we would be able to rent a car. It's times like these that I am so thankful that I am a Christian, because I was able to take all my worries and anxieties and turn them over to God. I didn't know how, or even if, He would provide a way for us to get to the tournament, but I knew that He had His plan for things, and He knew what was best.

We crossed the dusty street to eat lunch at the McDonalds that was across from the car dealer where our car was, and there we waited, and waited and waited. All the while people were making calls back and forth, trying to figure out what we were going to do. Five hours later, Mrs Larsen got a call. I don't know how exactly the conversation went (I was writing on a computer with my music blaring in my ears) but a lady, whom we had never meet before, and had heard about our trouble from one of the Moms running the tournament, offered to come down and pick us up, and then let us use her van to drive to St Louis. Out of the blue, God provided a way,  from a complete stranger, for us to get to the tournament; it was so amazing!  Because we were able to go to the tournament, eight more teams qualify for regionals, since our two teams were needed to get the minimum number needed to be able to allow sixteen teams break to outrounds. Also, my partner and I were able to qualify in Debate, and duo, and she was able to break in all five of the speeches that she was entered in, and I was able to go to qualify in apologetics. God is always amazing, but sometimes it's nice to have reminders like this of just how wonderful He is.

Who ever says there are no longer any miracles is very mistaken. Although we may not have witnessed the parting of the Missouri, and the water in our water bottles didn't turn into lemon aid, God still preformed a miracle when He provided for us. Why do miracles have to big grand things? Maybe it's not so much that miracles aren't around anymore, it's that we aren't looking for them, and not noticing the little ones when they do occur.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Begin at the Beginning

You know how when you are writing a story, or composing a paper, the hardest part is coming up with the intro? You know how you can sit there for hours, staring at a blank word document, without the slightest idea of how to start? Yeah, well that's happening to me right now. I created this blog a couple of days ago, because I enjoyed writing, and I thought it would be nice to have a place where I can express my ideas, opinions, and ramble away to my hearts content. But until this point I haven't posted anything on it. Part of the problem is that I fractured my pinky a couple of weeks ago, which makes typing rather difficult, and I also am really busy getting ready for a debate tournament; in fact I'm probably going to regret the time I'm taking to type this, later. But I think the real reason I haven't posted anything, is because I haven't been quite sure how to begin. I wanted my first post to be sort of an introduction. To explain why I got  a blog, why I chose the name I did, and maybe explaining a little about myself (of course, without reveling enough information that my mom become paranoid that someone is going to steal my identity and/or stalk me). In the end I decided that the best thing to do was just to start writing, and see if anything coherent comes out. So, here I go...

I already explained that the reason why I wanted to get a blog, in my opening paragraph; so I'll get right into the story behind the name of my blog. After I had definitely decided to get a blog, the next important decision I had, was what to call it. I considered many different names, but I wasn't happy with any of them. So I tried to think about what the purpose of this blog was and what I was going to write about, in the hopes of coming up with a name. After considering word such as "random" and "scribblings" the word "scrawlings" came into my mind (although according to the spell check on Google Chrome "scawlings" isn't a real word.). So I looked up the meaning on Dictionary.com; "[scrawls:] awkward, careless, or illegible handwriting. something scrawled, as a letter or a note" and since these post will sort of be notes about my life, I decided that it would be perfect for the title of my blog. Also, my hand writing is rather illegible.

Well, I think this post has reached a sufficient length, and although I had wanted to explain a little about myself in my first post; I  really have procrastinated long enough. Plus, it's always good not to reveal to much of one's self all at once. After all, as a friend of mine once said, "when all is known, there is nothing more to learn." So, I guess my monologue about my self will have to wait until another time.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat