The year 2009 seemed to fly by. But none the less, it has been yet another very eventful year. It is the year that I earned my high school varsity letter in cross-country and got my varsity jacket, experienced my first high school dances including homecoming, as well as many other new and amazing experiences. Yes, there are the experiences that I am happy to leave behind, but there are also the experiences that I hope to never forget.
I was able to celebrate the New Year with a huge group of friends at my house! We watched a somewhat scary movie the last two hours of 2009, which probably sounds like a poor way to spend the hours, but it was a lot of fun. At midnight we watched the ball drop on television then we ran around my neighborhood yelling and using our noise makers, excited to be a part of the New Year celebration! It was definitely cold outside because we forgot to put on our coats, but it was hardly noticeable over the excitement in the air. Part of me is sad to leave the year behind, but I know that 2010 will be even better if I choose to make it that way.
I am happy to get a fresh start, or so it feels. I want to make 2010 a year that matters, a year that I can make a difference. I don’t want it to be just another year counting away on the clock of life; it needs to be an important year that I can remember forever.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Christmas Traditions
Christmas is a time for family traditions in my household. My family wakes up early on the morning of Christmas and heads downstairs to open the longingly anticipated presents. But who is to receive the first gift of the year? That is for the pickle to decide. On our fake tree, a metallic green pickle is hidden between the branches. My sister and I circle around the tree searching for the pickle, and once one of us finds it, the ripping of wrapping paper begins!
Another tradition my family has takes place on Christmas day as well. Every year my aunt, uncle, and cousin come over for a holiday dinner. During thetime they are at our house, we open presents from each other. But we also open presents from our family down south in Louisiana. They send a package full of presents for each and every one of us. It is always exciting to see what they have sent to us, because usually it is an item that we would not find here in Michigan. Through these presents we are able to get a sense of what it would be like to live in Louisiana.
One more tradition that my family has over the holidays is to travel up north to my grandma’s house for a Christmas celebration! This event usually takes place a few days before, or after Christmas, and is a time for everyone on my mom's side of the family to gather as one huge family. All the family members that are under eighteen receive presents from everyone, while those above eighteen, participate in a joke gift exchange. I always find it fun to watch this exchange, even though I am obviously not allowed to participate in it yet! I love this family gathering, not because of the presents, but because of how much fun it is to gather with the people I love but never get to see.
Another tradition my family has takes place on Christmas day as well. Every year my aunt, uncle, and cousin come over for a holiday dinner. During thetime they are at our house, we open presents from each other. But we also open presents from our family down south in Louisiana. They send a package full of presents for each and every one of us. It is always exciting to see what they have sent to us, because usually it is an item that we would not find here in Michigan. Through these presents we are able to get a sense of what it would be like to live in Louisiana.
One more tradition that my family has over the holidays is to travel up north to my grandma’s house for a Christmas celebration! This event usually takes place a few days before, or after Christmas, and is a time for everyone on my mom's side of the family to gather as one huge family. All the family members that are under eighteen receive presents from everyone, while those above eighteen, participate in a joke gift exchange. I always find it fun to watch this exchange, even though I am obviously not allowed to participate in it yet! I love this family gathering, not because of the presents, but because of how much fun it is to gather with the people I love but never get to see.
The Power Of One
The Power of One has been one of the most graphically overwhelming movies I have ever seen. Sad, would be another word to describe how I felt as I watched hundreds of black Africans beaten to death. I have learned that South Africa has a dark and deep past, as this movie portrays. They have had disturbing and terrifying years, that can never be replaced.
This movie has shown me how much of a difference a single person can make in the world. P.K. taught only a handful of black Africans to write and readEnglish, but the knowledge he created was spread throughout many other adults and children. This simple knowledge was able to change the lives of many. And that, therefore, is definitely inspiring.
It really upset me how the white Africans treated the black Africans. They treated them as if they were animals, with no feelings or thoughts. There was nothing the blacks could do to protect themselves, and they knew that if they tried to act against the whites, they would most likely be killed. They are all human, the only difference being the color of their skin, white or black.
One of the saddest parts in the movie is when Geel Piet was beaten to death. He was a good man, who was only trying to achieve freedom. For a long time he had to live in fear, but in the last few minutes of his life, he experienced what it felt like to be free. He died a free man.
This movie has shown me how much of a difference a single person can make in the world. P.K. taught only a handful of black Africans to write and readEnglish, but the knowledge he created was spread throughout many other adults and children. This simple knowledge was able to change the lives of many. And that, therefore, is definitely inspiring.
It really upset me how the white Africans treated the black Africans. They treated them as if they were animals, with no feelings or thoughts. There was nothing the blacks could do to protect themselves, and they knew that if they tried to act against the whites, they would most likely be killed. They are all human, the only difference being the color of their skin, white or black.
One of the saddest parts in the movie is when Geel Piet was beaten to death. He was a good man, who was only trying to achieve freedom. For a long time he had to live in fear, but in the last few minutes of his life, he experienced what it felt like to be free. He died a free man.
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