I have come to realize that a coach is more than just somebody to teach you the sport. I see now that a coach is someone that you can trust. They are you confidant and reliant. You should be able to tell them anything and then they in turn can help you become stronger and more independent. I found this out when our school was playing Whitinsville Christian and I had a flashback moment that caused me to freak out. I do not know if I have told you this story, but basically, someone in the crowd said something to her daughter, some encouraging words, and I instantly thought about Mom. I started to have a panic attack. If I could have, I would have walked away right then to air out my emotions. But for whatever reason, I wasn't allowed to do that. Perhaps it is because that would be a huge sign of weakness for my opponent and she would then know that she had won. I just think they want the game to go by as quickly as possible so that they can go home and do whatever else they wanted on their April vacation.
It's true, I wanted a bit more out of this tennis season than I got. I think we have officially lost our chance at the districts, but I can't be sure. We have two more games next week, and then that's it. If we lose one more game overall, then we are definitely out. That doesn't really matter to me though, I mean, I'm only a Freshmen. I don't think I could last very long against those other schools. The only individual wins that I have ever gotten were against Quabbin. I know I have improved immensely this year and I only hope to keep getting better. Maybe next year, I can play like our captain Kaitlin. I find it amazing that she has only been playing tennis since she was in 8th grade. I know that she is a lot better than me and is also an amazing teacher. I think she is hoping to do some teaching after college, maybe come back to Hudson and work with their summer program or even help out Mrs. Weed, like Coach M. did.
I realize that this is Kaitlin's last year on the Hudson Varsity Tennis Team. I know she probably wanted to leave with a greater end result than we have been given, but we are still so close. Anything could happen. As long as our spirits our high, we are invincible. So Kaitlin, know that you will be missed, and we were always impressed with you. We all love you, that I can say is certain. I hope you have a lot of fun in college.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Magic
I just found a section from the book Ask And It Is Given: Learning To Manifest Your Desires by Abraham-Hicks that I just found particularly interesting and I just had to further analyze it.
"if you have the ability to imagine it, or even think about it, this Universe has the ability and the resources to deliver it fully unto you."
After reading that, I paused.
"Anything?" I thought to myself. Then I thought about all those times that I imagined myself having the awesome super powers that trumped all others, like the ability to fly, become invisible, or pause time. I always imagined that I would feel joy when I used my abilities. How cool would it be if I had powers? I mean, without the sudden onslaught of villains and monsters coming after me every time you talk to someone. This is the kind of magic that doesn't just drain your energy or cause people to enigmatically combust if used too much. This is the kind that takes its energy from the earth; from deep within to give strength to the beholder. It is truly "ask and it is given." you ask for something to happen, and the Universe says "ok!" every single time.
When I think of it that way, I realize that I already have that kind of magic, as does everyone else. It's the awareness that allows people to use their powers. I myself am aware of it, bit have not yet figured out how to execute it. It's like in a tennis match, I have an idea of where to hit he ball that will give my opponent the most annoyance and put them out of position. But sometimes, I just overshoot or hit the ball into the net.
Someday, I may be able to change my emotions very easily and create my life with ease. I know it's possible. It just has to be. How boring would everything be if it were all up to a greater being? We would essentially have no say, making our lives a dictatorship. That's no way to live.
So cool! I have magic! Now I just gotta figure out how to use it...
"if you have the ability to imagine it, or even think about it, this Universe has the ability and the resources to deliver it fully unto you."
After reading that, I paused.
"Anything?" I thought to myself. Then I thought about all those times that I imagined myself having the awesome super powers that trumped all others, like the ability to fly, become invisible, or pause time. I always imagined that I would feel joy when I used my abilities. How cool would it be if I had powers? I mean, without the sudden onslaught of villains and monsters coming after me every time you talk to someone. This is the kind of magic that doesn't just drain your energy or cause people to enigmatically combust if used too much. This is the kind that takes its energy from the earth; from deep within to give strength to the beholder. It is truly "ask and it is given." you ask for something to happen, and the Universe says "ok!" every single time.
When I think of it that way, I realize that I already have that kind of magic, as does everyone else. It's the awareness that allows people to use their powers. I myself am aware of it, bit have not yet figured out how to execute it. It's like in a tennis match, I have an idea of where to hit he ball that will give my opponent the most annoyance and put them out of position. But sometimes, I just overshoot or hit the ball into the net.
Someday, I may be able to change my emotions very easily and create my life with ease. I know it's possible. It just has to be. How boring would everything be if it were all up to a greater being? We would essentially have no say, making our lives a dictatorship. That's no way to live.
So cool! I have magic! Now I just gotta figure out how to use it...
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Hudson vs. Quabbin
I had a particularly interesting English class today. We were reading some excerpt about someone's views on those who survived the Holocaust, including accounts taken from witnesses. One of the questions we were given asked, "Do you agree that a person always has a choice in the suffering he or she is forced to face?" I answered this question by saying hat everyone absolutely has a choice to the suffering they may face. It's all about the belief about their circumstances. This was a class-wide discussion, so I got to hear other's input, including some details of loved one's deaths. My friend went through something similar to me, only seven years earlier. Her mother got cancer and passed away when she was 7. She told us that her mother did bot choose to get cancer and was then forced to live with it and make the best of it.
Sure, her mother did not deliberately intend to get cancer, but emotions are powerful guidelines. They are the basis for all desires. My own mom did not ask for it, but it was the negative emotion that brought it forth. I have an idea as to why she might have been feeling negative. I thought that it might have something to do with how she looked. She was not completely happy with her figure and thought often about losing weight. Perhaps the lack of immediate results just took her down a notch. Once the tangible evidence of cancer is there, it is tough to get rid of since there is a constant awareness of it. Not impossible, though. Nothing is ever permanent.
So here I am at lunch, my favorite part of school. Okay, that's not entirely true. Wind Ensemble is way better. Especially since none of the usual people showed up to eat with me. That's why I have chosen to write at this time, so I have something to do.
Today is my last home game (or it was, since when I copy this online it will have happened already). I expect to win against Quabbin, mostly because I did easily last time, and they're on our turf this time. I am sad that we've only played four home games, soon to be five. Quabbin has been my only individual win.
Well, as I expected, I won my game! The final score was 6-0, 6-1. It was a different opponent than last time, though I couldn't tell you her name. Here was a point in the match where the ball was basically just going back and forth when I got an idea. I said to myself "You know, we've been hitting the ball deep almost this entire match. I wonder how she would handle a short ball..." With that, I was given a forehand next, so I lined myself up and hit a slice, probably the best slice shot I have ever hit. It landed very close to the net. My intention had been to run her up close and see how she handled herself at net. She ran towards the ball, then strangely she slowed down. The ball bounced once, but she'd already given up. Twice, and it was my point. Game.
During our break between games, we had a small conversation. Some of my opponents, I really think i could be good friends with them if they were willing. As we talked, we mentioned the hot muggy day we were having. Then, she told me, "I'm used to playing doubles. This is only my second time with singles. I'm not used to all this running around." In the moment, I laughed along with her, but my mind was deviously plotting. So she didn't like running around, eh? Well there was an advantage for me, since I am strong at net and have been described by my coach as "deceptively quick."
While I was not able to hit another awesome slice shot, the score still pleased me. If I served fast enough at her, she was simply unable to return it. Being used to doubles, she served from a little wider than in singles, so by hitting the ball down the line, I managed to gain a few easy points. Also, she had a tendency to stand a little off to the side, so I would hit it to the other side and make her run. It's so much more fun when I have a working plan. Hopefully I can work something in that will help my game against Marlboro tomorrow.
I am very proud to be on Varsity this year.
Kaitlin is a great co-captain along with Deanna, and Mrs. Weed is an excellent coach. I can tell that I have improved a lot since I first began as a shy little Freshman. I will miss the seniors, but at least I got the chance to know them, and I will do my best to keep in touch.
Sure, her mother did not deliberately intend to get cancer, but emotions are powerful guidelines. They are the basis for all desires. My own mom did not ask for it, but it was the negative emotion that brought it forth. I have an idea as to why she might have been feeling negative. I thought that it might have something to do with how she looked. She was not completely happy with her figure and thought often about losing weight. Perhaps the lack of immediate results just took her down a notch. Once the tangible evidence of cancer is there, it is tough to get rid of since there is a constant awareness of it. Not impossible, though. Nothing is ever permanent.
So here I am at lunch, my favorite part of school. Okay, that's not entirely true. Wind Ensemble is way better. Especially since none of the usual people showed up to eat with me. That's why I have chosen to write at this time, so I have something to do.
Today is my last home game (or it was, since when I copy this online it will have happened already). I expect to win against Quabbin, mostly because I did easily last time, and they're on our turf this time. I am sad that we've only played four home games, soon to be five. Quabbin has been my only individual win.
Well, as I expected, I won my game! The final score was 6-0, 6-1. It was a different opponent than last time, though I couldn't tell you her name. Here was a point in the match where the ball was basically just going back and forth when I got an idea. I said to myself "You know, we've been hitting the ball deep almost this entire match. I wonder how she would handle a short ball..." With that, I was given a forehand next, so I lined myself up and hit a slice, probably the best slice shot I have ever hit. It landed very close to the net. My intention had been to run her up close and see how she handled herself at net. She ran towards the ball, then strangely she slowed down. The ball bounced once, but she'd already given up. Twice, and it was my point. Game.
During our break between games, we had a small conversation. Some of my opponents, I really think i could be good friends with them if they were willing. As we talked, we mentioned the hot muggy day we were having. Then, she told me, "I'm used to playing doubles. This is only my second time with singles. I'm not used to all this running around." In the moment, I laughed along with her, but my mind was deviously plotting. So she didn't like running around, eh? Well there was an advantage for me, since I am strong at net and have been described by my coach as "deceptively quick."
While I was not able to hit another awesome slice shot, the score still pleased me. If I served fast enough at her, she was simply unable to return it. Being used to doubles, she served from a little wider than in singles, so by hitting the ball down the line, I managed to gain a few easy points. Also, she had a tendency to stand a little off to the side, so I would hit it to the other side and make her run. It's so much more fun when I have a working plan. Hopefully I can work something in that will help my game against Marlboro tomorrow.
I am very proud to be on Varsity this year.
Kaitlin is a great co-captain along with Deanna, and Mrs. Weed is an excellent coach. I can tell that I have improved a lot since I first began as a shy little Freshman. I will miss the seniors, but at least I got the chance to know them, and I will do my best to keep in touch.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Future
You could think that you have nothing to tell someone; nothing interesting or particularly exciting. At least, you could feel that way until you really begin to speak. It happens to me so often and so quickly that I can begin to jumble my sentences, or completely forget what I had been originally trying to say until we are on a completely new topic. My grandmother will sometimes begin talking about something else before she has even finished her current sentence. Some stories just have so many side notes that are necessary to the full effect of the story. It's understandable then that writers make many copies and drafts before they are happy with the result. When I write a story about a personal subject, I try so hard to put the right amount of depth so that they live in the story as they do in reality.
As I write this on a piece of notebook paper (to be later copied in my blog), I am essentially procrastinating. I am in the gap between handing in my current assignment and starting another, so I'm trying to stretch out the time. Oh, sure I do my work and keep up with the majority of the class. Don't worry about me, my grades are fine. Plus, this class is necessary for me to graduate properly.
Speaking of graduation, I have been thinking a bit about my future outside of high school, once I'm done. I have mentioned before that my current career desire is within the culinary profession.
A few days ago, two women came into my French class to give a presentation. One woman was tall with blonde hair and an American accent. The other woman was shorter with dark hair and had on particularly-distinguished heels. Her accent sounded Hispanic. Their presentation was about letting us know about either hosting an exchange student or becoming one ourselves. There is an option of either taking the entire year off, or just a summer. As they filled us in on the details, I began to think that this might be something of my interest. I enjoy speaking French and would love the ability to speak fluently, and I want to be a chef. If I were to travel to France between the time I graduate high school and go off to college, I could take a few cooking classes directly in France! It would be a wonderful opportunity. The program offers help to diminish the language barrier with Rosetta Stone and one-on-one classes. I could combine three goals in one!
1) Learn French fluently
2) Take culinary classes -- great for my résumé
3) Go to France!
My mom had talked about taking me to France when I was older. We would travel to different places together. Unfortunately, now that Mom's dead, my grandmother (her mom) has taken it upon herself to take me. Sure, I love her and all, she is just nothing like Mom. Thy never even looked that much alike. I just don't think I could enjoy myself nearly as much. I've been lightly thinking of ways that I could perhaps go with someone that I would get the best possible experience being with. I could go with one of my friends. Maybe someone will even want to do that program with me. I'm not even sure who I will keep in touch with after high school. With cell phones and texting now, it's a lot easier to keep in touch. I had been thinking of perhaps living in a place like Rhode Island or Virginia. Those places are really nice and more country than city, which I like.
It is nice thinking about the possibilities in the future.
As I write this on a piece of notebook paper (to be later copied in my blog), I am essentially procrastinating. I am in the gap between handing in my current assignment and starting another, so I'm trying to stretch out the time. Oh, sure I do my work and keep up with the majority of the class. Don't worry about me, my grades are fine. Plus, this class is necessary for me to graduate properly.
Speaking of graduation, I have been thinking a bit about my future outside of high school, once I'm done. I have mentioned before that my current career desire is within the culinary profession.
A few days ago, two women came into my French class to give a presentation. One woman was tall with blonde hair and an American accent. The other woman was shorter with dark hair and had on particularly-distinguished heels. Her accent sounded Hispanic. Their presentation was about letting us know about either hosting an exchange student or becoming one ourselves. There is an option of either taking the entire year off, or just a summer. As they filled us in on the details, I began to think that this might be something of my interest. I enjoy speaking French and would love the ability to speak fluently, and I want to be a chef. If I were to travel to France between the time I graduate high school and go off to college, I could take a few cooking classes directly in France! It would be a wonderful opportunity. The program offers help to diminish the language barrier with Rosetta Stone and one-on-one classes. I could combine three goals in one!
1) Learn French fluently
2) Take culinary classes -- great for my résumé
3) Go to France!
My mom had talked about taking me to France when I was older. We would travel to different places together. Unfortunately, now that Mom's dead, my grandmother (her mom) has taken it upon herself to take me. Sure, I love her and all, she is just nothing like Mom. Thy never even looked that much alike. I just don't think I could enjoy myself nearly as much. I've been lightly thinking of ways that I could perhaps go with someone that I would get the best possible experience being with. I could go with one of my friends. Maybe someone will even want to do that program with me. I'm not even sure who I will keep in touch with after high school. With cell phones and texting now, it's a lot easier to keep in touch. I had been thinking of perhaps living in a place like Rhode Island or Virginia. Those places are really nice and more country than city, which I like.
It is nice thinking about the possibilities in the future.
Monday, April 9, 2012
The Appreciating Cat
Sitting at the desk while typing on the computer, the soft clicking rhythmic, until a mistake is made and thus it starts over again. A cat watches lazily, not fully understanding the motions that are being made but yet appreciates the determination of the one creating the words on the page. He sits, enjoying the warmth that they always share when they are together. He loves her, and she loves him just as much. Even though they can sometimes get on each other's nerves, for instance, when he starts to claw at the door to be let in or out, but that does not diminish the appreciation. He can always make her smile, and she knows just where to pet him to keep him around just a little bit longer.
Hey everyone! Did you enjoy my little story at the top? I came up with it while I was sitting on my computer and my cat Simon jumped up on my lap. Clever, huh?
In my English class, we have just started the term, which means that I will no longer have civics as a class. Not for the rest of my high school years, unless for some reason I failed. All last week, we were given packets that contained a story and in turn we would have to write a short story ourselves, using the different themes that were given. The first one I received had me write a story in a folktale kind of style, while the second one was a bit more difficult. It was a science fiction piece. They were both extremely fun to write, and even though the endings on them were a bit rushed, I think they made charming stories.
Monday, March 5, 2012
She Lives
For my Reading/Writing Workshop class, we had a substitute teacher. Now, in high school, when it comes to substitutes, there is no special treatment. The teachers always make sure to write very specific notes about what the class should do. I have found that they will even put down which people to watch out for and keep a close eye on. In a computer tech class I had in 7th grade, our substitute teacher was especially warned about our class in general. I know this because she straight out told us so.
So in this class, we were assigned to write a two paragraph journal entry on what we thought our lives in ten years would be like, which means that the year would be 2022.
After we wrote this entry, we were to write any style poem we felt that expressed these ideas that we had written down. At first, I had no idea how I would put so many ideas into a poem without making it pages long. Because the paper said we could use any style of poem we wanted, I decided to do a free verse poem that contained four lines in each stanza. Somehow, I managed to write and finish a poem during class and I think what I came up with is pretty substantial. Wanna see it? OK!
So in this class, we were assigned to write a two paragraph journal entry on what we thought our lives in ten years would be like, which means that the year would be 2022.
After we wrote this entry, we were to write any style poem we felt that expressed these ideas that we had written down. At first, I had no idea how I would put so many ideas into a poem without making it pages long. Because the paper said we could use any style of poem we wanted, I decided to do a free verse poem that contained four lines in each stanza. Somehow, I managed to write and finish a poem during class and I think what I came up with is pretty substantial. Wanna see it? OK!
She Lives
The girl of 25...
Not much of a girl anymore;
She dreamed herself a future
That came to be her own.
The girl attained her dream job
As a chef in a small cafe.
The money flowed freely to her,
She easily paid off her loans.
So what does she do in her spare time?
Why, she lives, of course.
Dancing, drawing, horse-back riding:
You name it, she's tried it before.
Her aura is one of happiness
Everyone senses it when she speaks.
"How different she is," they would all say,
"From just 10 years ago."
There is but one thing she misses
That she can never have back;
The familiarity of those around her whom
she's grown up with since she was four.
She continues on, lively as ever
Letting nothing bring her down.
For what does she do with all her time?
Why, she lives, or course.
So what do y'all think? I made it in a little under 90 minutes, so I can't know for sure if it's my best work. In the past, I have created poems in a few minutes, and that was with a lot of inspiration. Perhaps it's coming back for me. That'd be nice!
Oh, the sun'll come out!
Tomorrow!!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Up and Away
I have left my journal at home, which probably wasn't the best idea. Writing things out helps me sort my numerous and jumbled thoughts. This day is very nice. I am sitting at my grandparent's computer with a cat as a lower back pillow. It's okay, she doesn't mind.
The weather warms up with each passing day, and yet I have heard that the window for snow has not yet passed. How is that possible? It's February. We're done with the snow, bring on Spring. I forget, do you capitalize the seasons? You should, they're joyous enough to deserve their own attention. However, I do not think the seasons are proper nouns, so I guess I did that wrong. Ah well, I'm too far along to go back and change it.
I've been reading some great books lately. Most recently, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'm already on the third book, and I started the first one only a couple of weeks ago. With my lightened schedule, I have a lot more time to myself, for any of those that wish to hangout. I spend a lot of time either reading or wandering around on my way home. By wandering around, I just mean that I walk slower than usual and take a look at everything. My most joyous time of the day is my walk home. Not because it's the end of the day and I no longer have to pay attention to anyone, but because that is the time that I can take out my iPod touch and listen to my music.
Music is a way into the soul. There are so many styles and interpretations, it's endless. There is no way that someone can say that they do not like music. It simply cannot be done. Music, as I have heard it described, is poetry for the hearing sense. Even using the word "poetry" is a broad sense of the meaning.
I see poetry as something that makes a person's heart sing. They have to hear more, it makes them content. We are all poets, then. We can all see into the greater depths of ourselves and unleash something inspirational. It's a release. I have not found my definite poetry, for there are many things I love and enjoy, music being among them. There's art, nature, theater, and so much more. That's what makes it the hardest.
While there are many things I can take pride in and may sooth me for time being, they are not permenant, and sooner or later I am brought back to the restlessness of trying to find something to do. Nothing seems to completely comfort me, telling me that everything WILL be alright. The only proof I have is within my own mind. A mind that can create stories to the point of believing that they actually happened. It's strange, the thoughts that bubble to the surface when one blogs. Not a lot of it even seems to make sense to me at the moment, just words strung into a sentence that sounds good.
Anyway, back to the book. I love it. It's a great read and the movie will be coming out soon. I heard that the tickets are already being sold. How, then, am I supposed to see it when I want to unless I don't buy tickets right away? I would love to see how the director made the book appear on screen. I imagine a few details may have been changed, most likely, those of the physical appearances. That is alright, though, they will do what they can with what they have. Making a movie every bit as detailed as the book would make the movie very long, so I can understand if they were to leave some stuff out. As long as the end result is satisfactory, I am..satisfied. So the book is highly recommended by yours truly!
In case you're wondering, the title is random.
The weather warms up with each passing day, and yet I have heard that the window for snow has not yet passed. How is that possible? It's February. We're done with the snow, bring on Spring. I forget, do you capitalize the seasons? You should, they're joyous enough to deserve their own attention. However, I do not think the seasons are proper nouns, so I guess I did that wrong. Ah well, I'm too far along to go back and change it.
I've been reading some great books lately. Most recently, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'm already on the third book, and I started the first one only a couple of weeks ago. With my lightened schedule, I have a lot more time to myself, for any of those that wish to hangout. I spend a lot of time either reading or wandering around on my way home. By wandering around, I just mean that I walk slower than usual and take a look at everything. My most joyous time of the day is my walk home. Not because it's the end of the day and I no longer have to pay attention to anyone, but because that is the time that I can take out my iPod touch and listen to my music.
Music is a way into the soul. There are so many styles and interpretations, it's endless. There is no way that someone can say that they do not like music. It simply cannot be done. Music, as I have heard it described, is poetry for the hearing sense. Even using the word "poetry" is a broad sense of the meaning.
I see poetry as something that makes a person's heart sing. They have to hear more, it makes them content. We are all poets, then. We can all see into the greater depths of ourselves and unleash something inspirational. It's a release. I have not found my definite poetry, for there are many things I love and enjoy, music being among them. There's art, nature, theater, and so much more. That's what makes it the hardest.
While there are many things I can take pride in and may sooth me for time being, they are not permenant, and sooner or later I am brought back to the restlessness of trying to find something to do. Nothing seems to completely comfort me, telling me that everything WILL be alright. The only proof I have is within my own mind. A mind that can create stories to the point of believing that they actually happened. It's strange, the thoughts that bubble to the surface when one blogs. Not a lot of it even seems to make sense to me at the moment, just words strung into a sentence that sounds good.
Anyway, back to the book. I love it. It's a great read and the movie will be coming out soon. I heard that the tickets are already being sold. How, then, am I supposed to see it when I want to unless I don't buy tickets right away? I would love to see how the director made the book appear on screen. I imagine a few details may have been changed, most likely, those of the physical appearances. That is alright, though, they will do what they can with what they have. Making a movie every bit as detailed as the book would make the movie very long, so I can understand if they were to leave some stuff out. As long as the end result is satisfactory, I am..satisfied. So the book is highly recommended by yours truly!
In case you're wondering, the title is random.
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