yum plums (late)

I think it is a older man talking to his daughter that he lives with, I would say that they have a good relationship good enough for him to take her food. I feel like the plums don't really have that much significance to the poem but the adjectives do by telling the daughter how good they where.



Here's Mine:


I have heard

the songs
that you play
at the church

some which
you have written
others that you have not
all are good

I wish to write
and sing
as you do

Waltzing With Papa (Late)

I don't think people should fear papa I think we are supposes to see him as a hard working man who has a gentle side.  He is waltzing with his kid and the kid is holding on tight to him which kids don't do unless they like you.  The speaker wants to be with papa even though he smells of whisky which makes his attitude complicated. 

Thanksgiving (late: my bad)

Thanksgiving is one of the only holidays that my family has traditions for. Every year we go to my grandparents house and eat our thanksgiving feast. Then all of the grandchildren preform a little concert for all of the family members and we all play card games and bored games. Once it gets dark, we all go to the Lawrenceville square for the annual Christmas tree lighting party. We dancing, sing, drink hot chocolate, watch the tree light, and see Santa arrive. This thanksgiving was the best thanksgiving ever. None of the relatives argued, my brother came home, and my aunt made me gluten free food. :)

thanksgiving is awesome

I am thankful for many things, 

I wouldn’t be here without family and for that I am forever grateful. 

I wouldn’t have as much laughter in my life without friends and for that I am thankful. 

I would be hangry without food and for that I am absolutely thankful.

I wouldn’t have forgiveness of my sins without Jesus and for that I am unconditionally grateful. 

I wouldn’t have as much love in my life without my loyal companions (my dogs!) and for that I am thankful.

I wouldn’t have as much knowledge in my head without my awesome teachers and for that I am so very thankful. 

Thank you, love you, peace.

The Future of Old Conservatives

I do think people are more liberal when they are young and more conservative when they get older, because it’s a known fact. No, it doesn’t go the other way. The older you get the more responsibilities you have, and you realize that other people don’t work as hard and aren’t willing to work for themselves and not every problem can be solved by the government. The youth has this mindset that maybe the poor and the economy could be “fixed” in our time, but as we grow wiser, we find out that fixing something like that probably won’t happen. But no matter what happens I am still hopeful, and we should let God’s will be done. Yay for Trump winning the election – looks like the people of America were ready for a change.

A Very Paleo Thanksgiving

As most (or all) of you probably know, I am now on the (mostly) Paleo diet, which means no grains, no dairy, and no refined sugars. No, this is not because I really wanted to do this... I am not allergic to any foods, but I have trouble digestion certain foods (like gluten, dairy, and refined sugar). I was told to lay off of these foods and certain other foods in order to let my body heal. Now, you may pity me a bit when Mrs. Carnes brings her chocolate cookies to class (and to be honest, I do too!), but it's not as bad as it may seem. Though going paleo makes mealtime a bit harder, I actually kind of love it! Among other things, I feel like I have more energy and stamina which is great during long rehearsals! Any who, Thanksgiving was posing to be a threatening experience for me (what with the pie and sweet potato casserole.....), so my mom and I decided to take on most of the dinner preparations, rather than my grandma, who typically brings the majority of the Thanksgiving dishes. I made paleo apple pie, paleo chocolate chip cookies, and paleo sweet potto casserole! Yum! My mom made few paleo dishes and some mostly-paleo dishes, and my dad prepared the meat! All in all, it was very tasty, and I am SO glad we took initiative to make the desserts... Otherwise I would have been eating carrots, sitting in a pit of self-pity, and watching my family enjoy pie.

(late) But he's just such a nice grandpa...

Musical theater people tend to be pretty liberal. Mind you, I am a HARD CORE musical theater person, but I am not a liberal. My parents voted for Donald Trump this year and I know I would have as well. However, we say that we're "conservative fiscally and liberal socially... on most matters." I don't personally care if our gay friends want to get married or if my cousin wants to be vegetarian. I believe those kinds of choices are up to the individual, and I have ZERO place to judge that kind of thing. Of course, some matters like abortion get me a little ticked, and I believe I will always side with the candidate who values a fetus as a human being. This is typically the republican, or conservative, candidate. On the fiscal spectrum of things, I am not under the impression that anything comes for free... I know that someone has to pay for things like "free college" and "super cheap healthcare." Unlike me and my family, many of the young musical theater people I talk to feel that the candidate who promotes these "free" or "inexpensive" things is the candidate with the biggest heart and who cares about people the most. I don't like to criticize my friends with these opinions because they are young and want to believe the best... They believe what they see on social media and were truly convinced that Bernie Sanders was just a nice grandpa who wanted everyone to have a great life. No kidding, I have literally heard people refer to him as a "nice grandpa"... And again, they truly believe that this man would have been the best candidate because he had a plan to provide college kids with free education, etc. etc. So, yes, in regards to this quote about socialism, I believe that many young people (especially those in the liberal arts) feel that the socialist candidate has the biggest heart... They vote from a platform of rather ignorant hope. Now hopefully, as one grows older and begins to understand more about how the economy works and that nothing is actually free, they understand socialistic ideas to be rather illogical. As the quote suggests, a 40 year old American man who still believes in socialism is still uninformed (which is very possible in this age of social media dependency). If he believes that everyone should have free college and free healthcare (because yay!!), he is oblivious to the fact that someone has to pay for that, and PLEASE NO IT CAN'T BE ANOTHER COUNTRY. He doesn't understand why our debt is so high and why wealthy business men are just so 'stingy with their money' (hint: its because those wealthy business men worked for their money and would prefer not to lose all of it... that's another discussion for another day). This man may have a big heart, but as a 40 year old, he is expected to have an informed mind to compliment it. Otherwise, he votes for the candidate who promises awesome free stuff but has no logical way to carry that out but to make enemies of basically anyone who has worked to earn themselves success.

Thanksgiving and Sorrow

Thanksgiving has been... interesting this year. It's interesting for family to gather at your house because they are mourning not because they are grateful. It's interesting to have a fridge full of leftovers because your parent's Sunday school class has brought you meals four nights in a row not because you made too much turkey. It's interesting to come to the breathtaking realization that one less person isn't here for Thanksgiving. And they won't be here for Christmas. Or your birthday. Or your graduation.

Needless to say, when your Grammie dies a week before Thanksgiving, there isn't a lot to be thankful for.

Sorrow was definitely a guest at our table this Thanksgiving. He's technically been living with us since February, and he doesn't seem to be moving along any time soon. Sorrow is like wearing glasses, it distorts the way you look at things. Somethings look blurrier, like happiness and thanksgiving and Christmas lights when you're crying. But somethings look sharper, like love and anger and the spindly leafless maple trees and frayed edges of Bible on Sunday morning and the mellow sweetness of the pie I made just like my Grammie would've.

Maybe I'm thankful for the sorrow. Because it reminds me that she mattered.

Thanks

Among the things I am thankful for are my friends, family, sports, food and above all living in a country where I can worship the one and only God.  Now as many of yall know I moved here just over a year and a half ago and I am very thankful because if I did not move many of the relationships I have know would have never came to be.  Lastly I would like to say how thankful I am for all of yall and how God placed yall in my life.

Sad but hopeful Thanksgivin'

          Ever since I was young, my family traveled to Texas where we would have an epic feast at my aunt's house. I grew up in Texas, and most of my family lived there so when we moved to Georgia, we had to head back to Texas for family events. Boy did i look forward to Thanksgiving not just because of the delectable food, but because the amazing stories and hilarious games my family so happily engaged in. However, ever since my grandmother died, there's been a great divide within my family, and I haven't been to a Thanksgiving feast in at least five years. This being said, my family is quite dysfunctional on it's own, and my extended family is even worse. However this doesn't provide sufficient reasoning for the great split that has occurred in my family. I aspire to one day reunite with my extended family and once again partake in the exhilarating games and stories we used to play. Moreover, the warmth that my family has given me in the past and present is what i'm truly thankful for , and i am grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon my whole family.

for thankfulness

Firstly, I am thankful for my family.  They have supported me throughout my life and pushing me to do my best.  They help me when times are tough and i am getting stressed out with life.  I know they will always be here for me and no mater what I do they will love me.  Also i am thankful for my religion.  North Point Church has helped me out a ton with figuring out the life i want to live and bringing me closer to friends.  I am thankful for friends because with out them id probably be bored.

I am Thankful for...

I have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Most importantly I am alive and well, so that is good. Second most important I am about to graduate which is great (and I think I may have an idea of what I am going to do after high school). However, I will definitely miss certain things associated with high school, such as the social aspect and the simplicity of certain things. I am also thankful for family, Jesus, friends, you know, the usual stuff. This Thanksgiving will be like no other for a number of reasons. The first is that we are breaking our tradition of staying in town (where all of our family is) and our entire family is going down to Panama City Beach for the whole week. I will miss tradition, but I am sure we will all have fun. The second thing that is special about this Thanksgiving is that it is the last one where I will have to be thankful for no school!

Thanksgiving: Gluttony at its Finest

I'm kidding about the gluttony thing. I love food, and more importantly I love people. So a day literally devoted to both is pretty swell. Also, let me say, baking as many pies as you have guests is legendary and deserves appreciation. (Side note, do you sell pies like you do cookies? Cuz that would be kinda awesome) Anyway, for me and my family, we always chill at my grandma's house. Its a great time filled with football (the Georgia v Georgia Tech game is always a crowd favorite, as my grandma and aunt both cheer for UGA and my dad and I cheer for GT). There is also PLENTY of food to eat at any given time to ensure that I gain ten pounds.Its spectacular. By the end of the week, I can just walk into the kitchen and make myself a 17th plate of thanksgiving goodness. I'm so proud... Gosh reading back over that I sound awful. Ah well. I'll keep it in. Happy Thanksgiving y'all.

#blessed

When I think of thanksgiving, I think off the food first and foremost. I think about the tradition of waking up to a yummy breakfast and the Thanksgiving Day Parade to watch with my family. I think about when we could to my grannys house to hang out with the family and eat the best mashed potatoes and gravy ever. I love how close my family is to one another so we can always spend time together on the holidays. I'm so blessed that I get to eat and have sick fellowship with them.

It's Just Luck

Out of all the things I have in life, I'm thankful for the interactions and friendships I'm able to have. I know from experience that material gain is only temporarily satisfying, and true happiness comes from the social interactions you produce in your life. I give my thanks to everyone at Fideles for tolerating my nonsense for these last few years.

with a full heart

     Thanksgiving is a blessing itself. It's a day where we can eat literally everything and still have leftovers to do it all again. I always go to my grandma's house. We cook ALL day long together usually while my mom is running a half marathon. And there is always more dessert than food, but that's not a bad thing.
     I'm thankful for of course, my God. He is always there for us, and he has given me such a life to be oh so thankful for. Y'all at Fideles, I'm thankful for you too, and I can't wait until our Friendsgiving. My family is the bomb.com, and I love each and every one of my 13 chickens (yes, even that ol' rooster). My dog and cats are basically more family and I'm going to agree with Mrs. Carnes, thank the Lord for Steph Curry! All the sports, all the teams, and all the people who've influenced me, I'm thankful for with a full heart.

My 2nd Thanksgiving!!!

This past year has been very eventful for me. Let's see I turned 18, got adopted, met my extended family for the first time, and started a new school. I am thankful though for the many things in my life. I am thankful for my amazing family who love and care about me non-stop, my sisters who I know are happy,  and for my new friends at Fideles. Those are just a couple of the many things I am thankful for. I don't really know of any Thanksgiving traditions in my family, but this is just my second Thanksgiving with them though. I love going to my grandparents' house for each holiday and catching up with them and seeing how many things Gaga bought. I would love to make some fun traditions to do with everybody in my family around this time of year.

Family

I am thankful for having the most unique, sassy, hilarious family in the world and my aunt's most-delicious-thing-you'll-ever-eat meatballs.
Every year for Thanksgiving, my family migrates to our doors from all around the South. With the average height well above six feet and personalities to match, they somehow seem to be a thousand people instead of ten. The next hours are full of outrageous jokes and stories, each attempting to outdo the rest. Stories of how my uncle shot a squirrel that was skipping along a branch and which promptly fell on my cousin's head. Tales of oh remember that time when burglars broke into the little store next to my cousin's trailer, and he poked his head out with a machete before reluctantly deciding to just call the police.
And, always, the bucket-full of heavenly meatballs that my aunt cooks every holiday, and for my aunt for not hating me when I eat twenty.

thxgiving

Goodness me. There is so much to be thankful for. My family always goes down to Florida for Thanksgiving to visit my grandparents. During the evening, I see a lot of relatives that I only get to see once or twice a year. So, during this time is where all of us reflect on what we've done during the past year and what we're thankful for. I look back and I see all the opportunities I've had. I see all that I've experienced. I see good times and bad times. I was able to travel out of the country twice this year. I met my wonderful boyfriend, and we've been dating for almost 9 fantastic months now. My family adopted a new kitten, Haley. I travelled a lot for club volleyball, and now volleyball is no longer a part of my life. I've been able to grow friendships, and even see some fade away. My faith in God has been redefined. My life has changed a lot in the past year. And if you were to tell me that all of this^^ would happen at this point last year, I probably wouldn't believe you. I'm so thankful for my never failing God, my family, my health, my boyfriend, my cats, my friends, sushi, Starbucks, detox tea, the gym, and pretty clothes.

Thankful

I am thankful for what I love. Some do not love enough, but wish they could. I am thankful to be independent and surrounded by amazing friends, at Fideles and outside of here. The life I have put together is one I would not trade for anything. That being said, I am glad that I always find ways to improve myself. I am thankful for Stephen Patrick Davis because hes a bro.

Thanksgiving

My November Guest - Robert Frost

My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.

Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted grey
Is silver now with clinging mist.

The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.

Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise

__________________________________________________________

What are you thankful for?

Above all, I'm thankful for family and faith. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to teach smart, interesting students at Fideles. I'm thankful for peace, books, Netflix, friends, forgiveness, the Bible, crafts, the Big Creek Greenway, Steph Curry, creativity, baseball, my dog, cooking, e.e. cummings, and coffee.

What about the Robert Frost poem? He uses personification to describe Sorrow as his companion. She delights in the barrenness of November, in the grey, faded natural world. How does Frost feel about November's dullness? What is his relationship to Sorrow/sorrow? We are usually drawn to fresh, growing beauty in Nature: spring blossoms, green leaves, flowing streams. Can you see any beauty in nature's death, decay, depletion, emptiness? 

Two weeks from tomorrow is America's second-best holiday (according to my children). I've hosted Thanksgiving every year since 1998. It's quite an undertaking: my extended family refers to it as my Super Bowl. Several years ago I was intrigued by this Slate article about a woman who makes about as many pies as she has guests for Thanksgiving, and now I do the same.

Use this blog entry to write about the poem, gratitude, Thanksgiving traditions, or the month of November.

Everything is relative

When Americans first gain the ability to vote, they are either in high school or have recently graduated. At this stage, we are usually completely dependent on our parents for everything financially. Even if we have our own jobs, the indirect payments insure our dependence. Our entire lives, we are accustomed to appreciating our parents stability instead of enjoying our own. This is a liberal way of living, even if your morals are not liberal. You have had freedom. Once you reach the end of college, you are forced to provide for yourself. This would be a huge change in standard of living, so we morph our previous liberal living into liberal beliefs. We feel independent and as if whatever we do is okay if it doesn't impact others. As we mature, we will learn to see how liberal ways are very juvenile in many ways. They see the importance in special training instead of constant experience through adventure, such as studying abroad.  I believe that the ignorant vote due to charisma, but they think it is personal belief. They see how a democrat will help them and feel as if it it will make the world more fair. They don't see both perspectives, but can easily justify their own.

MAGA

Unfortunately I cannot vote this election but I am a strong supporter of Trump and I have been since I first found out he was running. I feel like a lot of the reason that I am for him has to do with my family. When I was younger I almost thought democrat was a bad word because of the way it was talked about and avoided in family conversations (some of my relatives are die hard democrats) but as I got a little bit older and found out what they actually believe my views changed a little bit. I am still very adamantly republican but I had to do some research on my own. As an ENFP I don't like being told what to do or what to believe and since I've always been told that I am a republican, in my own mini rebellious way I questioned that. I questioned a lot of things for a little while. It was the first time I really started to think for myself about this kind of stuff and I thought why do people think gay marriage is wrong and why should abortion not be legal? but when it comes down to it, what matters to me is what the bible says. In my own family I have seen how abortion tears people apart and destroys them. And after witnessing that there is no way I could ever support that. I have a lot of friends who are very supportive of Hillary and that are going to vote for her. They say that just because I don't believe what they believe who am I to stop someone else from doing what they believe. It is a very difficult topic to talk about especially since my faith is a huge part of my political beliefs so its very hard for my non-Christian friends to understand that. I think that America needs someone like Trump (even though he is in no way the perfect candidate) America used to be great and I believe Trump would do everything in his power to make it great again.

TRIGGER WARNING "I'M JUST RANTING AT THIS POINT"

How People see Politicians         Vs.           How I See Politicians                                                          

THE RANT

              To start things off, I HATE POLITICS and I will always hate politics for the rest of my life. People see politicians as these smart intelligent people who can run a country with no problem and as for I see the a bunch of jack (Insert picture of donkeys) who could careless about the people they represent.  Now before y'all go running to the comments saying that not all politicians are bad and give me a bunch of examples of good politicians, frankly I don't care. Sure there are a few good politicians that I like, but for the most part, I don't like them. 

QUESTIONS 

              Are Younger people more liberal than older than older people? Yes, Because young people believe that they can change the world, and make people like one another. Here is the fall to that thinking, to those young liberals, if some has just a slightly view point then you, they believe that your some racist, sexist, or something else is bad. Now that  doesn't sound friendly, does it. Could it go other way around, absolutely it could go the other way. How, well it all depends on who are your major influencers in your life. 

POLITICIANS 

              Since this year, I am able to vote in this elections, I will be voting for ( Take a Wild Guess who I am voting for. ) Mr. Trump. Given the current circumstance, he his the most appealing to me. Would I like some one else other than Donald Trump, YES I would gladly take someone else. I know people have there reason for not liking Donald Trump, but I rather give my vote to someone who is consider a "Bully", than to someone who I consider worst than the devil.

GOODBYE 

 I'm done ranting. I'm walking out the door. 

See y'all tomorrow, I'm SO DONE WITH POLITICS. 

My Take.

I think that this quote really depends on where you were raised and who you were raised around. I was raised by a man and woman who have always been frustrated by the "idiots" who control our government. Being a family on the lower end of the middle class we have always tried our best to be conservative with our money. This is something my dad first explained/taught to me at the age of about eight. Ever since he explained to me how our mortgage worked I have always tried to conserve mine and my parents money. I am probably one of the most conservative teenagers I know. To be honest, I do not care about people's feelings because I personally believe that Americans are the people most easy to offend in the world today and this is why we have so many problems. To fix this people need to stop being so butt hurt about every little thing (WHO CARES HOW TRUMP ACTED WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER AND STUPIDER) and actually start caring about the important things.

Quite Unfortunate

Super pumped for the debate tonight. Its kinda like watching WWE with words. But anyway, neither of these candidates are ideal. In fact, it reminded me of a quote by Douglas Adams.

"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."

Pretty accurate to me. This is made clear by the fact the person perhaps most qualified to run the country (whoever that may be) would never run for office. I am excited to vote, but unfortunately I fear neither of the candidates embody who I want to represent this country and the morals I have. Ah well. In the big picture, us as Christians have nothing to worry about. God's offer for eternal life in paradise still stands.

Growing up Means Growing Conservative (or Does it?)

I think that whether you get more or less liberal as you age depends on the person. At first, we tend to have whatever view our parents have, but as time goes on we start to form our own opinions. Someone might, for example, be raised in a very liberal household, but end up extremely conservative. However, that’s not to say the view we’re raised with don’t influence our decisions. For instance, the person in the previous example would still have some liberal view as a result of being raised around those views.

I can't vote anyways sooooo.....

I think there are many reasons why a person would vote for someone over the other. People will choose someone over the other because of race, looks, actions and so much more. I grew up in a somewhat conservative house, and I think that would be how I'd vote. I agree with a good amount of what the conservatives believe. So I'm not really sure how I will end up voting in the next election, but I'm excited to see the results.

Growing Up (Oh no, offensive stuff in here)

The pattern of liberals becoming conservatives as they grow older is not a surprise to me. After all, you gain knowledge when you grow older, and knowledge makes you smarter as time passes. The youth are also more likely to have a heart left because it hasn't been torn from them by horrible people yet. Conservatives understand just how awful people can be, and why you should never just trust someone with handouts and free passes. Liberals want to make everyone happy, but forget that this is reality, and that unfortunately reality is garbage.

Ignorance is Bliss!!

I believe that young people are liberal and old people are conservative. I believe the reasoning for this is because young people don't have a clue on what really going on in the real world because they live with there parents and their parents get or do most of everything that a teenager needs to know how to do before they go out on their own. While the old have lived in the "real world'' longer then the young therefore they have more of a clue on what is really going on. The saying "ignorance is bliss" is a good one for this topic because if you don't know what is really happening out in the "real world" you will be happy. I think the only reason that it would go conservative people are young and liberal people are old was if you were raised to live on your own and had nobody help you along the way. Most people that choose their candidates choose for the personal chisma over the political principles. Personal chisma is when you choose someone because of their personality while the political principles is what they say they believe in or what they say they will do. You should always vote for the person who believes what you believe in not over if they would make a good looking president.

pick your poison

I can't tell you how many times Ive heard the phrase "we live in interesting times" in the past few weeks. I mean, we are. These two presidential candidates are definitely very... unique, for lack of a better term. I won't be able to vote the year. But, a lot of people a tad older than me will be able to. Seniors this year have a lot on their mind. We have been taught a lot of things up to this point by our teachers and parents. We now have to take all of this and decide what WE truly believe in, whether it matches up with what we've been taught or not. I think that the lean towards liberalism with people around my age has to do with justice/equality and money. Us young people are really in to social media. We see a lot of injustice and people lashing out over gender equality, race, etc. We want peace in our world. We also have to deal with financial issues. College is coming up and we are all starting to plan ahead for the future. Money is our central focus when it comes student loans, our future job, taxes, etc. Its a lot to think about. This next presidential candidate will play a role in all of these things that will shape our future.

Bleeding Hearts

Many candidates run campaigns centered around emotions. They promise to "empower" and "embolden" hearkening "change." In essence, they say a thousand cliche words that lack true substance but still rally their cheering voters.
As young adults leave the proverbial nest, they embark on a journey to discover their identity outside of their parents' home. The alluring message of socialism feeds upon this. They are told that they are the "new generation," the only ones capable of thinking outside of the box their parents have been trapped in. These messages inflate their pride from an emotional standpoint. They do not vote logically, no. That is for the old. They vote from the new generational enlightenment that only the young understand.
I do believe that more young voters are liberal while older voters are more conservative. The young voters are still romanced by the idealistic utopia presented to them by the left and captivated by the "uniqueness" of their generation. Older voters have realized that the world is not run by emotions but by rationale, and, as such, vote more conservatively.

Hope and Change

This presidential election has been rough. We've gotten down to picking the lesser of two evils and hoping for the best. How did we even get here? The election is supposed to be about hearing the people's voice, and if the voice the people is negative- then where did we go wrong?

We think we elect people on their good ideas and moral standings, but that is anything but true in this election. There will always be some people who can keep a level head and make rational decisions during times of turmoil. On the other hand, there are people who don't do any research at all and make decisions on who looks and acts more 'presidential.' Maybe that is why Obama was so successful- because of his outward appearance, instead of his internal politics. He was a young guy, a real chance at being the first African American president. He has symbols and catch phrases, messages instead of plans.

Maybe that's why Hillary is doing so good, in spite of her record. She's a woman, and having a female president would make a lot of feminists happy. She comes from a long line of politicians, a much more presidential lineage than a hotel franchise and reality TV shows.

What ever comes of this presidential election, things are going to change. And even if we don't thing it's true anymore, the change is still determined by the people.

"I guess I pick you."

     Picking a candidate is hard, and you never really want to walk into the voter's booth with the thought of, "I guess I pick you."
    Many of us grow up and attain the same views as our parents, but around this age now, we know enough to make our own decisions. Perhaps the shift occurs because we don't want to be "just like our parents" and want to have our own independent views. The liberal shift at a young age could be due to the word free. Free education, free healthcare, and free this and that attracts a large group of people who are young and love something they don't have to pay for. We are all smart enough to realize nothing is truly free, but that's not true for everyone out there.
    As for choosing a candidate, I think its a mix of both charisma and policies. You wouldn't want a timid naysayer with really good policies because other countries would take advantage of a weaker leader. Also, we wouldn't want someone with good policies and a lying or inflammatory charisma. You gotta have both pieces of pie to attract the largest groups of support.

Picking a Human to do the stuff and things for this Great Country

Most people grow up with a certain view on the different parts of the government so their view on who to choose is changed depending on those views.  However, once someone reaches the correct voting age they are able to make their own decisions.  It would be easy to say someone chose a candidate depending on the political principles of the candidates but that could also not be true.  The voters views could be swayed by the personal views on the candidates.  Even if their political views are not the best for this great country.  I think that more people want to be fare and have freedoms like each other but as they get older they start to think that if they work hard for the money and things they have currently then they get that right to have.

I DONT KNOW

We All Would Like to Vote for the Best Man But He is Never a Candidate

"A man who is not a socialist at age 20 has no heart; a man who is still a socialist at age 40 has no mind."

(attributed variously to Churchill, Chesterton, Wilkie, etc., but was actually said by an obscure French official)

Some of you will be able to vote in your first presidential election this year, so I wanted to get your reaction to the above quote. I've always thought it was pithy and descriptive.

I grew up in a very conservative home in a very conservative state and went to very conservative schools, but I still voted for Bill Clinton right after graduating from college. I announced to my incredulous father that I just thought the Democrats cared more about people than the Republicans did. I know, I know--my logic was unassailable. Clinton was reelected; the Monica Lewinsky scandal erupted; and I realized that Democrats (like most members of the political class) had more party loyalty than lofty principles.

Do you think it's true that people are more liberal when they are young and more conservative when they get older? If so, why? Does it ever go the other way--conservative youth and liberal age? Why would someone make that shift?

How do people choose their candidates? Is it political principles or personal charisma? One telling result from 2012's exit polls was the overwhelming percentage of people who said Obama was the candidate "who cares about people like me." We'd probably all like to think we make political choices based on pure reason, but for many of us, it's more complicated than that.

Sondheim is the MAN!

Music lyrics and poetry are basically the same thing. When a lyricist writes the lyrics to a song, he or she uses literary techniques (alliteration, repetition, imagery, etc.) to create the flow of the song. The most brilliant songs, in my opinion, are those in which the lyrics and music combine and "balance each other out" for lack of a better phrase. In such songs, the music takes me to a different world, and the unique arrangement and choice of words paints that world for me. Some lyricists/musicians whom I feel do this particularly well are Coldplay, the Beatles, Elton John, George Gershwin, and Stephen Sondheim. You may not be familiar with that last one (unless you do musical theatre... Then I expect you to!), but if you've ever listened to one of Sondheim's scores, then you know what I mean. He is a lyrical and musical GENIUS. Like, listen to his music. FOR REAL. So good!! Any who, as an example of literary devices used in music, I'm going to use one of Sondheim's songs....

"Take Me to the World" from Evening Primrose by Stephen Sondheim

1. Repetition:
  "Let me see the world with clouds.
  Take me to the world,
  Out where I can push through crowds.
  Take me to the world."

  "The world" and "take me to the world" are repeated even more throughout the song, but it is      evident just in this one verse that this character's goal is to see/experience the world.

2. Personification:
  "Let me see the world that smiles.
  Take me to the world."

  Obviously the world doesn't actually smile, but Sondheim uses this expression to make the world    seem friendly and wonderful, at least to this character.

3. Imagery:
  "With all around things growing from the ground,
  Where birds that make a sound are birds..."

  Sondheim uses his lyrics to paint images in the minds of his listeners... Ahh, Sondheim!

There are more examples of literally devices used in this piece, but these three stood out to me. Anyways, go listen to a Sondheim song (he wrote the music for "Into the Woods" by the way!) and tell me what you think :)

NYC!!!..... Uh.... I meant, yay Georgia!

(late)

Ah, the South! I love it! Everything from Southern slang (YA'LL) to good ol' country cookin' brings me such joy!

 I absolutely identify as a Southerner, probably because I've lived in Georgia my whole life. I've grown up drinking sweet tea (though I don't like it as much now) and eating my grandma's corn bread. To be honest, I even listen to bluegrass (Alison Krauss and Union Station!) and folk music ("Cumberland Gap" and "Cotten-eyed Joe"), and I always listen with the yearning to learn how to play the banjo. I love the warm weather (most of the time...) and the clear blue skies of Georgia. I love that I drive by about 4 or 5 churches on my way to school. Above all, I love the family aspect of the South... Family time is a priority in most Southerners' lives and remains a priority in mine. In general, the South can be defined as welcoming, warm (both temperature- and hospitality-wise), charming, and beautiful. For those Northerners who think otherwise, you've obviously never truly experienced the South.

Though I am proud to call the South my home, I doubt I'll be living here for very much longer. At least as of now, I think I will be very northeast of here in a few years' time (here I come, NYC!). And I am pretty certain I will not be attending college anywhere in Georgia. Regardless, the South will always occupy a special place in my heart. And who knows! Perhaps I'll be back after my big break in New York City!;-)

My Name is Alexander Hamilton....

Surprisingly, I believe one of the most prevalent ways that poetry is in music is in rap. Of course, in order to do justice to it's poetical heritage, it has to be done right. And no one does it more justice than Alexander Hamilton- I mean Lin Manuel Miranda! Here are just a few examples of poetic technique used in his 18th century rap:

Alliteration: "He's constantly confusing, confounding the British henchmen..." (Guns and Ships)
Allusion: "I want to sit under my own vine and fig tree, a moment alone in the shade..." (One Last Time)
Metaphor: "You built me palaces out of paragraphs. You built cathedrals." (Burn)
Personification: "Alexander Hamilton... America sings for you." (Alexander Hamilton)
Onomatopoeia:  "Yo, let's steal their cannons. Sh-Boom! Boom!" (Right Hand Man)
Simile: "I remember that dreamlike candlelight, like a dream that you can't quite place." (Satisfied)

Hooked on a Feeling

I think everyone has already explained why music is so much more popular than poetry. Listening to music is more accessible, enjoyable, entertaining, fun, upbeat, relaxing, and almost effortless. Like Tessy said, “It is a part of life”; and as Gabbi and Stephen say, “There is a song for every moment.” Also, I associate music to memories. For example, every time I hear the song “Hooked on a Feeling” my mind instantly goes to our senior year high school retreat. Good Times.

Here are some MODERN song lyrics using literary techniques and devices:

Alliteration: “Baby, now we’ve got Bad Blood” ~ Taylor Swift (Bad Blood)

Allusion: "I hear jerusalem bells a ringing. Roman cavalry choirs are singing. Be my mirror, my sword and shield. My missionaries in a foreign field” ~ Coldplay (Viva la Vida)
Personification: "I walk this empty street, on the Boulevard of broken dreams, Where the city sleep” ~ Green Day (Boulevard of Broken Dreams)
Metaphor: "You’re my end and my beginning, even when I lose I’m winning” ~John Legend (All of Me)

Simile: "Do you ever feel, like a plastic bag” ~ Katy Perry (Firework)

Onomatopoeia: " Dog goes woof, Cat goes meow…. What does the fox say? Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!” ~ Ylvis (What does the fox say?)

Hyperbole: “You would not believe your eyes If ten million fireflies, Lit up the world as I fell asleep, Cause they'd fill the open air And leave teardrops everywhere, You'd think me rude But I would just stand and stare” ~ Owl City (Fireflies)

Shabby chic (late)

I didn’t realize “my southernness” until this past summer in China. When I hung out with these girls that were from ColoRADo, Minnesota, New York, New Jersy, and California, they told me that I was REALLY southern. I mean, I love Chickfila, I wear southern pride T-shirts, I like to watch college football games with my family, sweet tea is one of my favorite drinks, I’m a believer in southern hospitality, I am a Christian, and my entire room is shabby chic. In the battle between nature vs. nurture – my mom and dad impacted me way more than my Chinese roots, soo even though I may not look it – I like to think of myself as a southerner. But I am not a fan of country music! Although I do have to say that I like some country songs – because Tessy has been trying to get me to enjoy it. Overall, I absolutely love living in the south and definitely want to continue living here after I travel the world of course.

Powerpuff (late)

I love words; words are fun and powerful. They make me laugh and they move me to tears. The words we speak or write convey the inner workings of our minds and hearts. It helps us understand people by listening to their words and knowing exactly what they are saying. Words show a lot of character in a person, they shape ideas, and gives us meaning. They express our passion and fuel our actions. Revolutions have begun with words, people have started battles by words, and dictators have manipulated whole countries by words. We use words to convey our patriotism and to worship God. They are valuable to humanity because it distinctly differentiates between man and animals. I mean imagine in real life a dog just started to talk to you like a person. That would be crazy! Some of my favorite words are bubbles, bunny, and beautiful. Some words that make me cringe are crusty and crinkle. I think universal grammar is great and don’t even get me started on language. The different types of languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Body language, Emoji language) are endless and that is absolutely amazing. Letters are funny, especially in riddles…

What happens once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

The letter “m”