It's all I have to bring today
by Emily Dickinson

It's all I have to bring today –
This, and my heart beside –
This, and my heart, and all the fields –
And all the meadows wide –
Be sure you count – should I forget
Some one the sum could tell –
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.

Honestly, what first drew me to this poem was its length. It is short, but more importantly it does contain a lot of depth and meaning. I think Emily Dickinson is justing saying that everything she has to offer, which is herself and her heart. Along with her love she has to offer all of nature that surrounds her. Within these eight lines, Dickinson is expressing everything she has to offer someone; whether it is a boyfriend, friend, or family member.

"It is difficult to get the news from poetry yet men die miserable every day for lack of what is fond there." - William Carlos Williams

Even though poetry is difficult to understand, the people that do not take the time to read and understand the content within the poem, they are being deprived from something important. Poetry is an art, like all art, it takes time to appreciate the beauty, and if the time is taken to absorb and learn about this new medium or art, knowledge will be gained. However, if people do not take the time to value poetry and learn appreciate its uniqueness, they will die a "miserable death."

Success in the Future

Imagine yourself in the future, say 40 years from now. You are reflecting on your life. In what ways have you been "successful"? (What have you accomplished? What are you proud of?

Five. six. fifty six; where has the time gone? What have I accomplished, what have I achieved? At the age of fifty six, I have traveled around the world. I have seen all the beauty the world has to offer, but also the vile.  My husband and I have visited the stunning Mediterranean Sea and watched the sun set of over the ever glistening sea. We have experienced the endless nightlife in Russia and even tasted the authentic, mouth watering food in Italy. Despite all the heavenliness in the world, there are more people in the world enduring poverty. 

My aunt and I have set up schools and college funds for children in Chandigarh, India. A city in I have contentiously visited since college. Chandigarh is a city close to the heart of my entire family, especially my aunt, uncle, and cousins had lived in India for ten years as missionaries. My greatest achievement in life was giving the gift of education to hundreds of children. To this day, I feel most valued when I receive letters from children who have graduated college and from others who have acquired steady and respectable job. 

Through my community service, I have left my mark in the world. I have positively changed the life of young boys and girls, I have given them a future that was not available to them before. I hope to continue contributing to the world with my time and devotion. 

Show Don't Tell

Describing in detail an inanimate object 

Though the howling of the persistent wind continues to violently echo against my home, I am not alarmed. I am wrapped in a knitted winter throw while watching my own private extravaganza of small fireworks. My face is warmed as i draw closer to the beautiful spectacle, but I cannot stay too close for too long because my face begins to endure a burning sensation. As I start to drift off into a peaceful slumber, I am never quite able to sleep because of the constant crackling from the fireworks.  

Reaction to Short Story by Alice Walker 

While reading Alice Walker's short story, I was enraged by Dee's behavior. Before her obsession with her African Heritage, she hated her roots. When Dee returned home, she was newly interested in her grandmothers authentic quilt. Dee's African interest was hypocritical, almost fake. Before she left for college, she had not wanted it when her mother offered it to her, however after she returned home she was desperate to steal her sister Maggies quilt. 

"Bad Secret"- write about the effects of a time when you held a "bad Secret" 

I cannot hold a "bad secret." If the secret harmed anyone or if it was just plain bad, I have the tendency to blurt it out in time. Everyone has their own problems and worries, that it is unfair to burden other people with their secrets. I would rather not be told the secret, because I will not be able to keep the secret. 

2009- My New Years Resolution!

My only New Years Resolution for 2009 is to exercise, specifically to run; either on my treadmill or outside depending on the weather. Since the start of my junior year, with the overwhelming amount of homework, stress about the SAT's and the added pressure from my parents, exercising was far from my mind. Thankfully, with the start of the New Year, it could not be a more perfect time to start exercising and focusing on my health! I am fully aware that in 2009 i will be tempted to drink soda and eat unhealthy snacks, so my solution is to exercise and rid my body of the unwanted fat and calories! 

My solution is to exercise three times a week, on the weekends specifically and once during the week. Hopefully I will stick to this goal! (ask me in a month :)