7 - Janessa H: On Top Of The World

On Top of The World

Joy is being told I can do anything, is being told I got this. Joy is being hyped up by my friends or people I barely know, boosting my confidence. Joy is the look I get when my parents are proud of me, the smiles on their faces and that spark in their eyes. My Joy comes from the simple positive things in life from getting a good grade to the way my significant other looks at me and appreciates me. My imagination strives for that encouragement and it strives for that warm feeling you get when you know you did good.

I wish my life and my mind, my thoughts could be swallowed by joy where all my heart felt was pure joy and love. I wish I could laugh instead of cry, love instead of hate, trust instead of being so closed off. Joy is the natural drug that engulfs my body, keeps my blood flowing and keeps my heart beating, but when that stops it feels like I stop, a slow motion roller coaster ride I want to get off. I want to be outside and dance in the rain. That's what I really crave, I crave that adrenaline instead of laying in bed staring at that same corner of my wall like I’m expecting something to happen. 

I rather smile a true genuine smile instead of pretending like everything is okay sometimes, I want that joy to make me truly feel alright. I want to feel on top of the world, my world.

7 - Diego B: What is Reason and Why it is Ambiguous

What is reason? What causes reason?: These were the questions which I considered before writing this argument. I feel that asking whether or not everything happens for a reason implies a larger question regarding the definition of reason. A reason is anything that causes something to occur, like a reason that two and one equal three, or a reason that Earth orbits around the sun. Those are all logical, certain reasons, but what about a reason to declare war, a reason to elect a Senator, or a reason to purchase a gift? Those are all based on opinions, so do we determine our definition of reason based upon fact or all causes of something, whether true or disputed? If the former were true, we can conclude that all universal events could be predetermined based upon logic and mathematical formulas, which would imply that everything happens for a reason. Personal reasons exist outside of logic, however, so are all opinions predetermined to imply that every opinion happens for a reason? I feel as though no personal event or opinion can happen with reason; you cannot predict with certainty what a person might feel regarding a certain subject. You can predict what two times four is, however, so a logical occurrence can happen with reason. To answer the question of whether everything happens without reason, in short, would be redefining the definition of reason altogether. The larger question to ask, in my opinion, is what reason means to you. If all were to happen without reason, then what would life be but irrational? If all were to happen with reason, then what would life be but rational? The question, therefore, is not whether everything occurs with or without reason, but whether your life occurs with or without reason. You can be the judge of that. (303 words)

7-Raymond L- Plastic Easter Eggs

 Easter, a time of year where kids wake up in the morning and it seems just like it would be Christmas or even their birthday. Where the Easter Bunny lays plastic eggs all over the house, the front lawn, and even in the backyard. Filled with goodies, candy, money, and even little toys. 

Every kid waited for the day that Easter would come, Easter Sunday. The little plastic eggs that were supposedly hidden by the Easter Bunny, brings lots of memories to many children. All the fun they had and it made them realize that being a kid is so fun. Now when the children grow up it isn’t so much fun seeing the little plastic eggs laying around but they look back at the memories they had.

All children get excited when Easter day comes around, they get to spend time with their families, get to go egg hunting for treats, and most of the time the parents don’t care much about what you do. Little plastic Easter eggs bring so much joy into every kid's life and they are just plastic eggs that hold things in them. 

Although you may not see it in the eggs, because it is kind of hard to see the importance of them. Each egg has a memory and meaning inside of it that will forever and always be in the mind of once a little kid. Plastic Easter eggs always bring so much fun when Easter Sunday comes along and everyone enjoys it. 

Word Count:252

7- Jenna K: An Act of Pure Kindness

The month leading up to my sixteenth birthday will always remain one of my most treasured memories because of the immeasurable kindness and love my three best friends showed me. My birthday isn’t until December, but throughout most of the year leading up to it, my friends had been hinting that they had something big planned for when I turned sixteen. I had no idea what to expect and I will always remember the complete shock and surprise I felt when I finally discovered what they had been planning for so long. One day in late November, my mom took me out of the house for a “mother-daughter day” and I was completely oblivious to any suspicious activity. When I got home from the day with my mom, I walked upstairs to find that the entire area around the outside of my room was covered in balloons and there was a “Happy Birthday” sign hanging from my door frame (with a picture of the one and only Harry Styles hanging from the middle of it, of course). As I approached my bedroom door I saw that there was a piece of paper taped to it which explained that my friends had come over while I was gone and planted 31 gifts all around my house for me to open every day of December. In my room (which they had also decorated for Christmas while I was gone) there was a box with envelopes labeled 1-31, and each one had a note from one of my friends explaining the significance of the gift they’d gotten me and a hint as to where in my house I could find that day’s gift. Every day they requested that I take a video of myself reading the clue, searching for the gift, and eventually opening it. It was clear that each of my friends had put so much thought and care into every single gift they gave me, and it brought tears to my eyes thinking about how much time and effort they put into this surprise. To this day, over a year later, I still have the box with all the clues and notes they left for me, and the Happy Birthday sign hangs on my wall year round. Every day when I look at the sign I am reminded of Alexis, Christina, and Ashlee’s pure selflessness and kindness when they turned what should’ve been just one day into an entire month of celebration. Their incredible act of generosity made me feel so loved and appreciated and it’s a memory that I will hold onto and reflect on for many years to come. Word count: 440

7- Preston K: the good days

 

Weither it be a place, person, Physical object, or action, they can all mean or symbolize joy. Joy isn't as much as an action as it is a feeling. Like feeling the light breeze on a summer day while you kick back and enjoy the company of friends or family, Or the feeling of finally accomplishing a task you set for yourself.

Joy to me had for the longest time been such a dull word carrying no feeling or meaning behind it, but after getting to experience high school both ups and downs I see joy from a different perspective. 

Freshman year trying out and playing football. At the time it wasn't something I would say I necessarily enjoyed but I for sure took pride and happiness in the sport.  Always doing as the coach said, trying to be the best athlete could take the time, energy, drive, and effort and pouring it all into Football. After the season ended, I felt disappointed, not joy. It left a bitter taste in my mouth for football overall after that knowing I put forward so much of myself and never seeing any progress or reward

Looking back now I say That period of my life brought me joy. I got the chance to experience the sport for what it was. Looking back thought me that not everything you feel or interpret from a period of time, place, or thing is what it seems, and you may get so caught up in the moment that you forget to sit back and take in what is really happening.

  My grandpa told me “You don't relies you're living in the good days until the good days are over ''. Not ever wanting to pass up knowing I'm living in the good days instead of reminiscing on them, I no longer take small things for granite and try to look at everything from a different angle so I can find the true joy in the situation.

 My two best friends are people I say without a doubt bring me true joy. From the random moments of laughter to the Painfully annoying stupidity that we share together, and honestly, they changed my definition on joy whether that's a good thing or not I have yet to decide    

7-Khaleah A: The Queen of Soul

Aretha Louise Franklin was an American artist, songwriter and singer, and civil rights, activist. She's referred to as the “Queen of Soul.” Born in March 1942 in Memphis Tennessee. She explored her passion for music while growing up in the Bethel Baptist Church where her father Clarence LaVaughn Franklin was the minister. She was recognized for her sermons and worked with Columbia Records at 18.  

It took some time but she eventually explored Atlantic Records in 1966. Where she so call “found herself.” Where she makes a lot of her popular work such as “Respect”, “A Natural Woman” and “Amazing Grace”.

After a few years,, Franklin decided to expand her gift and signed with Arista Records in 1779, where she began to work in the film industry. Starting with the film “The Blues Brothers”. On the reunite of 2 brothers with the motivation to save an orphanage where they grew up in.

Franklin recorded 112 charted singles on the Billboard charts. Where it led her to be placed ninth twice in the Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Arethas music was and still is admired by millions of people today. After her passing in 2018, Queen Elizabeth the second gave her honor by assigning her band to play her song “Respect”.

Throughout her life, she gave birth to 4 children. She enjoyed being around family, singing, and being an ardent supporter of civil and women’s rights. She motivated and influenced other artists to express a soulful passion into their music and would inspire millions worldwide. Recently in 2020 was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. 

261 words

7- Yara A: California Gurls

 Blog #5- California Gurls 

 “YOU CAN TRAVEL THE WORLD”

 A core memory I would like to share is when during lunch Me, Preston, Kristina, and Taylor plus a couple other people decided to go on a drive. It all started when we were having a conversation during APUSH about how they all had gone on a drive and I commented on how fun it seemed and it all started from there. 

The drive was absolutely exhilarating to say the least. The windows were rolled down, songs like “California Gurls”,“Tokyo Drift”, and “Party In The U.S.A'' were on full blast while we sang along with our terrible singing but at that moment it didn't matter, we were simply just having fun. Preston was getting mad because he said we were going to blow out his speakers with how loud we had the music but eventually ended up singing along with us. The wind was messing up our hair in the most uncontrollable way. By the time we got back my hair looked like I hadn't brushed it in weeks.

 The feeling of being surrounded by positive and friendly energy is absolutely indescribable. It was as if at that moment nothing else mattered. There was no stress, just simply the amazing feeling of having fun. 

The reason that I wanted to write about this in this week's blog post is because this “core memory”  was a healthy reminder to me that it is okay to have fun and to let go sometimes. 

I find myself most of the time being consumed with homework and going to work, feeling like I have no time for myself and to just have fun and relax. At times it feels like a continuous cycle and this event signified that life isn’t always about working, that having fun is okay and that it is not something that I or anyone else should feel guilty about. It reminded me that I'm only going to be young once and while it is important to prioritize my goals and stay on top of things, I am also allowed to have fun and enjoy life. 

Word Count: 350