Tried and True

http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/post/17477297690/my-28-most-tried-and-true-writing-prompts
tumblr_lz9qr0ttTk1qz4e4a

Always be kind.
Be happy.
Consider all the possibilites.
Don't let one thing ruin your whole day.
Enjoy some time to yourself every once in a while.
Find something you love to do.
Give more than you get.
Help people who are less fortunate than you.
It's okay to ask for help when you need it.
Just be yourself, in the end you'll know who likes you, for you.
Keep your best memories with you forever.
Laugh as much as possible.
Make new friendships.
Never underestimate anyone.
Open your mind to change.
Positivity is key.
Question the unknown.
Remember your past mistakes so you don't make them again.
Surround yourself with people you love.
The little things shouldn't stress you out.
Understand your mistakes.
Venture to new experiences.
Work for your goals.
Xanadu's should be visited often.
You can always improve.
Zealous people are fun to be around.

TU Tuesday- Commencement Speech

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/06/text-of-j-k-rowling-speech/ http://teamcoco.com/content/watch-conan-give-dartmouth-college-commencement-address

            In order to succeed in life you have to fail at some point. J.K. Rowling knows that failure is an important part of success. "On this wonderful day when we are gathered together to celebrate your academic success, I have decided to talk to you about the benefits of failure." Some people might question this and wonder how in the world failure can help you succeed. Failure can push you to succeed, to be better and to over come your mistakes and misfortunes. "You might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire for success." Many people are afriad of failure and so was J.K. Rowling "What I feared most for myself at your age was not poverty, but failure." I believe that you can't fear failure because then you will never be able to achieve your goals because you're too scared of dissapointment. Instead of fearing failure you should accept it. Accept that it is a part of life and let it be the force propelling you to be successful.
               Everyone experiences failure at some point in their lives, famous people, professional athletes, even people who have graduated from Yale or Harvard. Conan O'brien said in his commencement speech at Dartmouth University " But today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come.  The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality." J.K. Rowling shared her experience with failure in her speech "Now, I am not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairy tale resolution. I had no idea then how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality."
              You may experience failure early in life, J.K. Rowling said "I am not dull enough to suppose that because you are young, gifted and well-educated, you have never known hardship or heartbreak." That failure that you experience can be life changing. It can make you see the world in a new way. For J.K. Rowling failure meant courage. " I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realised, and I was still alive." No one is perfect. Perfect is boring. If we were all perfect what would we have to live for? Our failures are what make us who we are. The type of person you are is how you respond to failure, whether you let it tear you down or make you a new person. In Conan O'Brien's commencement speech at Dartmouth University he said "It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique.  It’s not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can be a catalyst for profound re-invention." You may become the most successful and accomplished person in the world, but you will never get there without failing first.

98. Just When I Think I Am Done

Lately it seems as if every time I finally accomplish something, I realize I have another thing to do. I've been so stressed out from soccer, lacrosse, school and homework it feels like that's all I'm ever doing and I never get time to relax anymore! I also don't much sleep. It's a rare occasion when I get to bed before 11 p.m. on school nights. The only days I don't have soccer, lacrosse or school are Sundays which I spend doing homework and trying ot catch up on sleep. This sounds like a lot of complaining but I really just need a break from it all! When I'm done with school, I have a lacrosse game and when I think I finally get to go home I realize I have soccer practice after that. Just when I think I'm done with tests for the week another teacher schedules one or assigns an essay or a project. Just when I think I can finally sleep in on the weekend I find out I have a soccer game on Saturday in Long Island, four hours away. Just when I think I can finally go to bed I have to stay up to write letters to college coaches for my soccer tournament the next weekend. It never ends. The only break I get is when regents week is over in June, and just when I think I am done, my break ends and school soccer starts in August.

Love to Know Slideshow

http://freelance-writing.lovetoknow.com/Slideshow:Free_Writing_Prompts~8

These people are celebrating because they just got to their hotel in the Bahamas! They won a paid vacation to an island of their choice and they couldn't be more exicited because none of them have been on a vacation in the past five years! One of the men heard that the game show, Jeopardy, was offering a prize pf a free vacation to any island you wanted! The man sent in a registration form to get on the show and he had to give a reason for why him, his wife, his brother and her wife all deserved a relaxing two week vacation. He explained how his wife lost her job a few years ago and how it has been hard on them. She has a new job at a local clothing store but it doesn't pay much. Last year they had to give away their dog because they couldn't afford it. His brother's wife was dealing with the loss of her father and it has been a tough year for all of them. A vacation would mean the world to them. His application was a good enough reason to get them on the show. They ended up winning the game and the vacation they had always dreamed of!

Creative Contest III

Eat, sleep, soccer, soccer, sleep, eat.

Philosophy

Naturalism: Naturalism is the belief that nothing exists beyond the laws of nature and the natural universe. It also states that, if anything does exsist beyond nature, it does not have any affect on the natural world. Followers also don't believe in ghosts or spirits. Paul Kurtz argues that nature can be understood by the main materials of mass, energy and physical and chemical properties. The first ideas of naturalism appeared in the works of pre-Socratic philosophers. The principles and investigations of these philosophers is very similar to naturalism. Thales, who was one of these early philosophers, was considered to be the father of science. I don't agree with the main ideas of this philosophy because we have no proof that there is nothing beyond nature. I believe that God created nature and that there is more to life than the basic elements of nature even if it is beyond what we can see. I don't necessarily believe in ghosts but I believe that when a loved one dies, in a way they are watching over us. If someone survives a car crash when it seemed to be close to impossible, maybe there was someone, somewhere watching over them and protecting them. I think that maybe there is more than just "getting lucky" and that there is a reason for things happening the way they do. Maybe the things that exist beyond nature do affect us and we just don't realize it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_naturalism

TU Tuesday- Classified

These beautiful 14 week old puppies, born on January 13, 2012, are ready for your home. They are playful, love the outdoors, paper trained and have healthy diets. The Bordeaux is a wonderful family pet; great company for children and loyal to their owners.
Inquire at (518)635-4353
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http://timesunion.kaango.com/ad-akc-champion-blood-dogue-de-bordeaux-puppies-m-f/20548029

A Surprise for Mom

Dad and I love to walk down into the village together during the summer. On a boiling hot day we love to stop at the local ice cream shop and get home made vanilla ice cream from our good friend Jerry. We always sit outside at the front tables and watch the cars drive through the village. We play a game to see who can spot the most yellow cars. I'm usually the winner of that game since dad's eyesight isn't very keen.

A couple of weeks ago dad and I headed doen to the village to buy mom a birthday gift. We went to the pottery store and got her a few nice mugs and cups because she loves to drink her tea. It was such a nice day out so we decided to take the long way home. While on our walk we saw a man from far away with a big brown box next to him on the street. People were huddled around him to get a good look at what was inside. I ran ahead of dad so I could find out for myself. I ran up to the group of people and looked inside at adorable little brown puppies!

The look on my face must've gave away how excited I was because the man started laughing. He told me they were "beautiful 14 week old puppies, born on January 13, 2012." He also told me they were ready to take home for anyone who wanted to purchase one! When my dad saw the puppies a huge smile crossed his face. He grew up on a farm and had many dogs so he loves them. I've always wanted one but mom was never very interested in getting one. I looked at my dad with the best puppy dog eyes I had and begged him to let us get one. They were so cute and the man told us "They are playful, love the outdoors, paper trained and have healthy diets." It took a little convincing but after about ten minutes and when I was close to tears my dad finally gave in.

I was so excited that I finally had my own puppy! I couldn't wait to get home to show mom! When we got home she was outside gardening. She greeted us with a big wave then stopped when she saw the puppy in dad's hands. She looked confused and surprised as I sprinted up to her. I told her we bought a puppy! Her face went pale. I calmed her down though, I told her the man had said that "The Bordeaux is a wonderful family pet; great company for children and loyal to their owners." Mom tried to act calm but I could tell she was a little shaken up. Dad asked if she wanted to hold her but mom said she would later.

Dad and I took the puppy inside and let her walk around a little to become familiar with her new home. We were trying to decide on a nice name for her. We thought of a bunch, Rosie, Bailey, Bud, Lilly, but none of them sounded just right for her. Mom just watched the puppy from a distance but then suggested the name Hollie. Dad and I smiled. Hollie was the perfect name for our new puppy. At first mom wouldn't even touch Hollie. She stayed clear of her except for cleaning up Hollie's messes. I tried to get mom to come outside and play with us but she said she would rather just watch us and drink her tea.

Two weeks went by and mom still hadn't shown any interest in Hollie. Dad and I were walking into town but we left Hollie behind with mom. He told me if mom didn't want to keep Hollie we were going to have to bring her back. I was heartbroken. I couldn't believe this was really happening. Dad said we would give it another week or two but that's it. After that I prepared to say my goodbye's to Hollie because it didn't look like I was going to keep her.

The next morning I woke up early when I heard clapping and laughter from downstairs. I went down to see what was going on and I was in awe. Mom was laughing and smiling watching Hollie play with her toy.

"Look honey! She can roll over and she tries to chase her tail!" Dad came in from outside and asked what all the commotion was. I told him I guess we get to keep Hollie afterall.