Spring Awakening

Christmas Time Is Here

It's finally here again... and it's not like it used to be.

It seems like Christmas barely exists to me anymore. It's pretty seeing the lights and seeing the hustle and bustle of shopping on Michigan Avenue and even the streets of downtown Hudson. But you almost forget what you're celebrating in the first place. I remember I used to be religious. I used to believe in Santa Claus too. I wish I still went to church but I can't get myself to go anymore. I go to a Catholic school too, and maybe my theology class next year will motivate me, because I have the will, but something is holding me back. But that's not why I am writing this exactly. I wish Santa Claus existed. I remember when my presents said To Hillary From Santa. My dad used to pass them to me, reading that aloud. I'd rip the gift open and there would be exactly what I wanted. It was so much fun. December was the month of JOY and laughter and anxiously waiting for the man in the red suit to come down your chimney and drop off the presents you've been waiting all year for. Now it's like "tell mom and dad what you want over an e-mail, they'll get it for you and wrap it up". There's no surprise.
And I guess I am missing the point of Christmas again, like so many Americans do. Every year I say to myself: go to church more, believe in something. And yet I can't. I need to find that strength to go. I've never let anything get me down or back away from and yet this does. And it happens every Christmas because I feel hypocritical for celebrating, bringing family together without any meaning behind it and I know what the meaning is and I believe in it and I claim I am a Christian yet I am not being a good one and I havent been for such a long time... so maybe this year, as I say every year, I will start attending church and maybe at the end of the 12 months, I will feel a bit more passionate about what everybody shops for...a day called Christmas.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving never used to be meaningful to me. I guess the true reason why we were gathering as a family was hidden underneath the mounds of mashed potatoes, turkey, and turnips at my grandmother's house. But being away from the family that used to drive me nuts every social gathering with their annoying voices and choice of personality for 6 weeks actually makes me appreciate them this holiday...along with many things.

My family is something that was never priority or THAT important to me. Until I realized how much I miss them and need them when I am 6 hours away from them in a city. In the city, you lose your identity, as proven psychologically, including touching base with your family. Sure, I call them every single day..but I can't see them and know how much they love you. I can't be with them and know what they're doing every single minute like I am used to. So that's why this Thanksgiving is so special- getting to eat and socialize with the people blood related to me that love me unconditionally no matter what... and I miss that while in Chicago.

Oh, Tyler. We will be together forever, but I am so thankful to have you too. This is our first Thanksgiving together. Eight months ago, I am so happy you entered my life and changed me. I am a lot happier, stronger, and feel complete. Being in love with you is the best feeling ever. I love being with you every single minute and I know you will help me whenever I need it. We also have so much fu ntogether and I am so thankful for every time we are together.

My friends- the few in Ohio, and the many new ones in Chicago. If it weren't for them, I would be very lonely and not having a fun time. Knowing that they're there whether to eat dinner in the dining hall, vent my problems to or just wish me a happy birthday is something I acknowledge and appreciate completely. Thank you.

Chicago opened up my eyes to a wide variety of diverse cultures and lifestyles. Unfortunately, poverty and homelessness were included. During these hard times in the economy, I have to strongly stress how thankful i am to have a roof over my head, clothes on my body, warm food to eat, and a fine school to attend. Working at the soup kitchen in a rough neighborhood made my heart heavy. Living in an affluent neighborhood, I realized how lucky I am as I took a walk downtown on the nicely paved sidewalks and saw the perfectly decorated brick buildings in the quaint town I have grown up and lived in my entire life. I grew up here instead of a side of the city with security cameras at a playground. I tutor children who don't have televisions in their house or know what DVDs are. The books are outdated at their school and they are two reading levels behind their grade, based on other peers at better schools. Sadly, but fotunately, I went to a school the exact opposite as that. Everything was new and I got an excellent education that landed me into an excellent college. All I can do is pray these kids actually graduate from high school.

Lastly, I am thankful Barack Obama is our 44th president of the United States of America. He will hopefully bring this country together and help the people in need under which our economy suffers. Those people that I mentioned before: the homelss, the ones living in poor neighborhoods, and the kids in bad schools make other social classes feel better-more thankful, but it's not fair..... we, at least I, want everyone to have an equal chance, and say together I am Thankful- Thankful for living in a place that can offer equality run by a leader who can help all of us.

Adrian-

I fucking hate you more than anyone else on earth. I've tried to have "patience" and "understanding" with your "disorder" for years but I am really sick of it. You've wrecked our family's life. You've ruined every possible glimmer of hope for mom and dad. Mom is the only one on earth who actually looks at you and loves you and I can't even see why. Relatives up in heaven look down and see a demon on earth who belongs in hell. You are a demon because you refuse to remove the stick up your ass and try to improve your life. You insist on hanging around freaks of nature who are trash. I can't believe you actually have friends. If they weren't in it for the drugs, I doubt you would with your behavior. It's appalling. The town trash talks you so bad about your misdemeanors. It would be wonderful if for one second the police would stop knocking on our door every night asking for your dope ass. Mom blames herself and cries every day and begs for your sorry ass to get better. You'/ll never graduate from high school at the rate your descending. And that means you're shit out of luck for a job. Of course, you can't even handle two hours a week at dad's store because wawawa you're too tired. One day, when you're not young anymore, even the prostitots are going to look at you in disgust at your lack of motivation and willingness to "get better". What the hell is wrong with you anyway? I can't even tell because it seems to be everything. I won't even miss you when I leave. I am ashamed and unhappy you're my brother. If I were mom I would have disowned you a long time ago and cried solely because a birthed a monster. I don't know who to b lame...wait, I blame you. God damn it, for one day it would be nice if the family could have a nice day together but you ruin every chance and time we do... think about it. I feel slightly guilty for hating you, but I just can't help it anymore. It's gotten to the point where every negative thing that happens is placed in your hands. I wish you could be sent to boot camp and have your ass kicked . It's not like you do anything except maybe possibly two hours of work a week. then it's just pot and video games. You make mom and dad feel like shit all the time. They have constant worries concerning you. They've lost a lot of money because you don't think before you act. You're a fucking delinquent who belongs in jail but mommy bails you out every tiime. I hate the cops but then I just wish they would get it all over with and have you locked up. But then mom will just cry constantly because she loves you the most. Even dad is always worried. The whole family revolves around YOU! Are you happy? Do you like that attention? Is that what you wanted? Well you  got it. But I want you gone. If you would like to do a family a favor, get better, try to improve your life positively, get back on track to normality and stop making the family go to ruins. Because for the past four yeras, it's been going downhill, thanks to you. There's your advice... take it or destroy our family more.. your choice.

-Hillary

p.s. If you [actually] read this letter: CONGRATS! You're on your way to being less brain dead.

Technology has made our world a smaller place. Our survival as species depends on the updates in news and information of the human race. As journalists, we have the power to present the many aspects of our world to one another. Words, pictures, and film create stories. The journalist assumes the role of both an educator and sociologist. The understanding and knowledge of other races, religions, cultures, poltiics and ideaologies is critical in diminishing ignorance and intolerance. It is the responsibility of the journalist to present the faces and voices of the world with clarity and accuracy. The people and events that we depict are real.  We have a large impact on society. To be trusted, we need to discover and convey the truth without bias. We have the power to take the unremarkable and make it noteworthy. We enlighten and entertain. We present the beautiful and the ugly. We celebrate the accomplishments in the world. On the contrary, we are obligated to confirm failure with fairness. It is the job of the journalist to paint the whole picture. I want to be part of this. I have the courage and the conscience to maintain objectivity. I want to discover the area of journalism that is most compatable to my talent. E.W. Scripps School of Journalism has the tools that I need to become a skilled and responsible journalist.

-why i want to be a journalist, particular writing, what do i read and what would i accomplish