Thursday, March 29, 2012

Perfect...

   This word can be used to describe me and every other teenager on the planet, with good reason, too. Three reasons, to be exact. Let's begin with one...
  
 1) Our Extensive Knowledge...
       As teenagers, we know everything. We even know more than people who have been around longer than we have, gone to college, and accumulated wisdom that only comes with age. That's a fact. That's why I try to tell my parents not to bother ever arguing with me. I know way more than they do, so its kind of pointless for them to even bother, especially when they should know they're going to lose the argument. Our extensive knowledge also includes our proficiency for technology. My parents aren't totally fossilized and my mom is actually quite apt, but still, there is no way that they could possibly be more intelligent than me. I'm a flawless 17-year-old. Right?

    2) Our Physical Prowess...
        My father is in the Army, so he has to keep in really good shape. But while he may be stronger than I am, I don't get sore back and knees. I can sleep on the floor without being as stiff as plywood the next day. And that's if I sleep at all. But beyond physical strength, there's something else. I can eat and eat and eat some more, and not gain a pound. My elders are not so lucky.

    3) Our Incredible Skill At Everything...
        Whatever your good at, we're better. This is, by far, the biggest part of what makes us so perfect. Need I say more???

   So, the next time you have to deal with a teenager, just roll your eyes and accept the fact that they are right and you are probably wrong. It's just life; there's no way around it.

~Ian James~

Monday, March 26, 2012

Great Expectations: 21st Century for Teenagers~Part 2

*** If you have not read part 1, then do not continue. Instead, scroll down and read the first part of this blog duo. ***

   Welcome to part two of Great Expectations: 21st Century Edition for Teenagers~Part 2. I'll get right down to business right after a quick recap. In the previous section, we discussed the main story idea of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. I stated that I found it to be relatable for certain reasons. I understand what Pip, the main character, is going through. He has great expectations placed upon him, by others as well as himself. Every teenager does. It's something every person has to deal with in their life as they make the stressful, awkward, and, often times, difficult transition from child to adult. Adolescence, which we all know is what comes in-between, is just that; in-between. Sometimes, its great; going to the movies with friends, staying up all night, eating endless amounts of food and never gaining a pound. Sometimes, its no cake walk; high-school stress, pressure to be cooler than the next guy, and just plain emotional meltdowns. And while that sounds extreme to say out loud (or on paper), it happens. If you haven't had said experience, good for you; your life is under control. As for the rest of us who aren't perfect and face struggles in our life, keep reading.

   There are literally countless things to be said on the subject of adolescent life. Many suggestions to happiness and steps to success can be given, but who has time to read it all? Therefore, I have put together three easy, all-encompassing steps which will easily guide the reader to 7 good teenager years (or however many you have left.) Listed least-to-greatest importance, the three steps are as follows...

   1) "Prepare ye the way..."
        The first step is to always be prepared. Literally, expect the unexpected. Sounds impossible to do, yet it's not, whether its being prepared for the pop quiz in Algebra II or to recite the first act of Romeo and Juliet. It may not even be in the schoolwork area that you need to expect the unexpected. It could just be regular life. Maybe you or a family member gets seriously sick, or maybe Facebook goes down. ( I think we all know how tragic that is...) But seriously, be ready, because life always has something to throw your way.

   2) Understand Yourself.
       The second step may seem unimportant, but it's a mistake to think so. Understanding who you are and what you believe in are important components to shaping who you will grow into. So when you find yourself confronted with great expectations, have no fear, because you know your own abilities, your own heart, mind and soul.

   3) PRAY!
       This is the most obvious part, and is of paramount importance. Pray when you're eating, pray when you're working, pray when you're sleeping if you can. God can only help you if you ask Him to. He wants your permission, because He gave us all free will and wouldn't even thinking of changing our life without you saying so first. Always remember, when in doubt, PRAY!

   Well, there you have it. The three steps to surviving great expectations. May they help you and serve you well. There will always be things expected of you, and you may have to rise up and meet these expectations. When you do, remember that the Lord loves and cares about you. Wherever you go, He follows. Never try to outrun Him. He can and will help. You need only ask. As it is written in Matthew 7:7-



"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Peace in Christ,
   ~Ian James~

Endnote: I just want to give a shout-out to my cousin, Theodore, as he is graduating eighth grade and will be entering his freshman year of high school this fall. Good luck and may God be with you as you take this next big step in your life! 

Great Expectations: 21st Century Edition for Teenagers~Part 1

   Charles Dickens has never been a favorite author of mine. The only book I truly like of his is the Christmas Carol, and then only for its shortness and originality. I enjoy the story idea, but not his writing. The same went for the book Great Expectations. I respected and was interested by the plot, but his style of writing kills me. Saying that his style is over descriptive doesn't do the thing justice. Try uber-mega-super-unnecessarily-descriptive. Apparently, the reasoning behind this is because his publisher payed him by the word, and Dickens wanted be rich, I guess. He must've been, taking Great Expectations and David Copperfield into account. But anyway, despite my absolute loathing of the swampy, overcrowded use of adjectives and run-on sentences, I still minimally enjoyed Great Expectations; again, only for the story. And, before I move on, if you think that I only find Charles Dickens difficult to read because I'm an ignorant 21st century teenager, think again; much of England in c. 1860 felt the same way, thus hurting his sales. Hmmm... So, are we saying that Dicken's greed actually made him poorer? Food for thought.

   Why do I find the storyline of Great Expectations so interesting? Because its relatable. I understand what the main character is going through, for the most part. For those of you who have not had the ridiculous pleasure of reading Dickens' work, Great Expectations is basically about the life of a young man from age 7, onward. Thus, I can relate in some ways. Pip, however, becomes friends(more or less) with an escaped convict; I, on the other hand, have never had the pleasure of doing so. Pip also is an orphan; I gratefully own two parents, with extended warranties both (just in case of accidents).Back to relatable, though. Pip has trouble just with growing up. Hormones and inexperience plague him like they do all of us. And, of course, he deals with having to live up to great expectations. We all face this problem. We've all seen the dad who forces his son to practice, practice, practice until he's perfect (My dad, while very encouraging, is thankfully not obnoxious). Nobody enjoys parents who care more about their child's appearance than the child himself. Pip is forced to go and be a gentleman, a big deal in the 19th century. Only the very wealthy could afford to do so, and only those who wished to make something of themselves ever bothered to do so. Thus, Pip finds himself having much required of him. Much expected.

   As a teenager, thirteen through nineteen, stress is to be expected(no pun). Pressure will be exerted and, at times, threaten to crush you. But with the right attitude, and the right tools, dangerous levels of hormones will never be reached and you may just survive. In part two, I will discuss HOW to survive the great expectations of the teenager years. Don't touch the dial.

~Ian James~

Monday, March 19, 2012

"Doesn't Mean We're Like That Guy..."

   Homeschoolers. We're different than most, and in many ways. We catch a lot of flak just because we do things differently. But really, we are just the same as every other kid our age, just educated in an uncommon way. The norm is, obviously, to actually GO to a school. Homeschoolers stay home. That's really the only difference there is. Unfortunately, people who think they know all about homeschooling, but actually don't, have woven this web of falsities around the practice of homeschooling. This, as is to be expected, annoys most homeschoolers.

   Recently, a video surfaced on Youtube that I would like to share. It is titled "Messy Mondays: The Seven Lies About Homeschoolers." This video is very well done. Nobody seems to realize the truth about homeschoolers except other homeschoolers, or people close to those who homeschool. This guy lets everybody know what's what, in a casual, comedic way. So, without further ado, I present to you: "Messy Mondays: The Seven Lies About Homeschoolers." Enjoy.

~Ian James~


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Friday: An Essay

   Everybody has a favorite day of the week. For a lot of people, like me, Friday is that day. If Friday is not your favorite day of the week, this blog post probably won't interest you. For those of us who love Friday more than any other day, read on!

File:FriggSpinning.jpg
The goddess Frigg, spinning the clouds.
   First, to fully understand the awesomeness of anything, we first need to know where it comes from , and a little bit of what it's about. So, the name. There are two conflicting hypotheses on the origin of the name. The first guess is that it comes from the Old English Frīġedæġ, meaning "day of Frigg". Frigg was a Germanic goddess equivalent to Venus/Aphrodite.
The other idea is that the name comes from the Old Norse goddess Freya(or Freja), goddess of beauty. Both of these goddesses are very similar with close origins, so it is difficult to tell which is the original.

   The use of Friday varies from country to country. In America, of course, it is the last day of work before Saturday and Sunday, two days of weekend. Friday is therefore associated with freedom and rejoicing (at least in my house). Some other countries, however, are not as fortunate. In Saudi Arabia, Friday is the last day of the two-day weekend, with Saturday as the first day of the working week. In Iran, Friday is the only day of the weekend. I would not give up my two-day weekend without a fight. Not that I'm lazy, but who doesn't need a break?

   Friday, in some cultures, is often considered unlucky. This is especially so in maritime circles, as it is considered unlucky to set sail on that day. In the 19th century, writing in his nautical lexicon The Sailor's Word-Book, Admiral William Henry Smythe described Friday as
    "The Dies Infaustus, on which old seamen were desirous of not getting under weigh, as ill-omened."
    Dies Infaustus means 'unlucky day'. It is said that this superstition is rooted in the well-known urban legend of the HMS Friday. If you don't know what that is... Well, maybe I'll write about it some other time.

   Friday, however, is not always considered to be an unlucky day. This opinion is found mostly in Scottish Gaelic culture. To quote the Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary:
"Though Friday has always been held an unlucky day in many Christian countries, still in the Hebrides it is supposed that it is a lucky day for sowing the seed. Good Friday in particular is a favourite day for potato planting—even strict Roman Catholics make a point of planting a bucketful on that day. Probably the idea is that as the Resurrection followed the Crucifixion, and Burial so too in the case of the seed, and after death will come life."
    So we see that, while Friday is often given a bad rep, at least its a good day in two cultures (American/Scottish). Friday the 13th, however, will always be considered unlucky.

   On a somewhat happier note, Friday is also renowned for its religious significance. In Islam Friday is the equivalent of the Christian Sunday. In Christianity, Good Friday is the day of Christ's crucifixion on the cross. In Roman Catholicism, during Lent, followers must abstain (refrain from eating) meat on Friday's, though fish is acceptable. Quaker tradition refers to Friday as the "Sixth Day". This is to eschew any relation to the pagan origin of the day's name.

   So, there you have it. A history on the day Friday. At the end of it all, I'm just grateful for Friday night; a night of relaxation, as I prepare for two more days of doing nothing. I know, I know, I live a hard life. Thanks for reading.

~Ian James~

References:
Name Origins: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday 
Adm. William Henry Smyth Quote: Smyth, William Henry (1991), The Sailor's Word-Book, Conway Maritime Press, ISBN 0-85177-972-7
Gaelic History Quote: Dwelly, Edward (1988), Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary, Gairm Publications, ISBN 0-901771-92-9, http://books.google.com/?id=dP1eIAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:%22Edward+Dwelly%22
Friday Cat Pic: profilebrand.com

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Comic Relief: It Saves Lives

***Before reading the following blog, realize that I love my mother and I hope that nobody thinks other wise. ***

   My mom is one of the stay-at-home variety who homeschools her five children: me and my four younger siblings. Thus, we spend a lot of time with her; and, as with anyone who spends a lot of time with someone else, sometimes arguments and frustrations crop up on both sides. When emotions are running high in my house, everybody knows to stay away from mom until she cools down. This is stuff every kid knows, right? Right. But what if there were a way to speed the cooling process? There is. Allow me to elaborate...

   I can be an annoying child. On Friday, every Friday, the second I finish school, I can be hyper. Yes, 17-year-olds can be hyper. The prospect of a bondage-free weekend inspires a natural high in me. My energy level is increased by n and it needs to be released. So, I tend to make jokes that can be repetitive and obnoxious. I have a history of finding one 'catchphrase', latching on to it, and refusing to let go. For example, I happened across some Jerry Seinfeld and found a certain phrase he used that was very funny to me; "What's the deal?" Thus the title of this blog. After the umpteenth repetition of this sentence, I was driving my mom insane, and she got mad. Rightly so, might I add. Nobody's perfect, and I am certainly not the exception. So, she was driven to FORBID me from ever saying 'what's the deal?' in her presence again. This example shows you how I tend to get in trouble. But when I fall into the Pits Of Wrath, no one ever says I can't get out...

   Everyone gets in trouble with their mother, and every mom gets mad. But no mom stays mad forever. The sooner she has calmed down and is happy again, the better for the whole household. You see, when mom is mad at one child for something, and then another child has some other, smaller offense, the chances are now higher that he'll be in deeper trouble than normal. Therefore, the faster mom is happy, the better for all the children. But how to make her happy...?

   They say laughter is the best medicine. (Wait, who says?) I believe them. (Whoever they are...) Whenever I feel down, a good joke always cheers me up. This principle applies to just about everyone, including your mother. When she is in a foul mood, cheer her up with a good joke. To do this, however, you need to know the brand of humor your mother enjoys. Take my mother for example. She enjoys lighthearted, cute sorts of humor. Let me give you an example of a very successful joke:

   A duck walks into a hardware store and asks the clerk, "Got any gwapes?".
The clerk says, "No, we don't. This is a hardware store."
So the duck leaves. Next day, he comes back and asks the clerk "Got any gwapes?".
The clerk rolls his eyes and says "No! This is a hardware store!"
 So the duck leaves. Third day, the duck returns and yet again asks the clerk "Got any gwapes?".
 The clerk loses it. "No! This is a hardware store! We don't carry grapes! If you come here asking for grapes again, I'll staple your feet to the floor!"
 So the duck leaves. Next day, the duck returns. He asks "Got any staples?"
The clerk replies "No, fresh out, sorry."
"Got any gwapes?"

   So, next time your mom is in a bad mood, use this joke to cheer her up. Money back guarantee that it'll work.

~Ian James~

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Survival of the Fittest: Younger Siblings



    Surviving having younger siblings is not an easy task. Certain difficulties arise once a brother or sister comes along. Annoying siblings, bothersome siblings, siblings who constantly have to do everything better than you can.; they exist. Don't get me wrong, I love my brothers and sister, but unfortunately, just because I love them, doesn't mean they are any easier to live with. I've come to realize that other older brothers and sisters run into the same problems I do. So, I have decided to make available my extensive knowledge on how to survive younger siblings. May it enlighten you.

   So, let's go into the new big brother/big sister scenario. At first, the new baby seems cute and innocent, but before you know it, this younger brother/sister will be causing you trouble. The baby will get more attention than you, it'll cause you to have more chores such as diaper duty, babysitting, etc. All I have to say about this is, hang on, it's gonna get a whole lot worse. For example, the second they learn how to talk, your time spent with them is going to be a lot more tedious. Uninteresting stories of not much importance that go on forever and are difficult to follow are only the beginning. Next, your brother/sister will be tattling on you, blaming you for things that you have never done. He/she will sing annoying songs making fun of you and the way your new braces look. Whenever and wherever possible, younger siblings will try to make your life as difficult as they can. Just know that they do love you, as maddening as they are. Let us now examine how to survive the onslaught of annoying younger brothers/sisters.

   1) BE KIND: No matter how annoying they are, be patient and loving. Don't shoot back some annoying insult as a defense to the snide comment made regarding the zit that decided to camp out on your chin. Instead of telling them that it's better than being a midget, why don't you a) Ignore them. (It's not that hard...) or b) Say thank you. I bet that'll catch 'em off guard. The key is making it less fun to annoy you. If they don't get the response they are looking for, chances are good that they'll leave you alone.

   2) BE COOL: If your brother/sister has respect for you and thinks you are cool, they might be less prone to insulting you in front of your best friend. So take them with you to the movies, share your stuff with them, etc. Being cool = Being embarrassed in front of your girlfriend.

   
   3) DO NOT BE SUPERIOR: Think about it, they only want a friend in you. They aren't looking for someone to monitor their sugar intake or someone to make sure that they're not playing video games 24/7. Therefore, if you don't try to be their parent, they'll automatically like you better. It's that simple.

   In closing, I just want to say that, no matter what, your brothers/sisters love you. To them, your a hero. But it's possible to be a hero who neglects his powers. So don't. They'll have some much more respect for you that way. Who knows? Maybe you'll even get along!

One final piece of advice...

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Three Steps to Buttering Up Your Parents

   If you're a teenager who, like most teenagers, often wants something from your parents, then this post is for you. Whether you're looking for $20 on loan so you can go to the movies with your friends, or just looking for permission to Facebook (is Facebook a verb?), chances are you'll want to butter up your parents in order to get them on your good side. Well, there are 3 easy and mostly foolproof steps to doing this. Allow me to enlighten you.

   1) BEHAVE YOURSELF:
       This may sound stupid, or just plain difficult, but its instrumental to success. If your parents are mad at you, or aren't impressed by your attitude, then you'll get nowhere with your endeavours. Be a model child, and your chances  of getting a yes have instantly improved.

   2) DO THEM (AND YOURSELF) A FAVOR:
       Helping someone else is helping yourself, in the long run. Think about it; if you do a good turn for someone, chances are good that they will be inclined to do the same back to you. So help your dad mow the lawn. Help your mom with dinner. Help them both by turning the stereo down. If you already do this things, kudos, my friend.

   3) BE STRATEGIC IN YOUR APPROACH:
       What I mean by this is that you should plan. Plan to ask your favor on a day when your parents are in a good mood. Don't ask your dad for money when he comes home from a stressful day at work, for example. Wait for the right moment; it'll pay off in the end.


   So there are my 3 steps to buttering up your parents; may they help you. Hopefully you can learn from them, and if you already use similar guidelines, good for you. Pacem in Christi.

~Ian James~

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Anger Management: A Second Look at the Meaning Behind the 5th Commandment

   "Mom, such-and-such sibling is driving me insane! I'm so mad at him right now!"
Everyone who isn't an only child has probably experienced this sort of problem. The younger sibling who won't leave you alone, the older sibling who thinks that your life should revolve around his; it happens. People are bound to make you angry, and you're bound to retaliate. It's human to do so. However, this does not make it right.

   The fifth commandment is stated in Exodus 20:13; "Thou shalt not kill." For many of us, it would seem that this commandment is an easy one to follow. Most people aren't murderers. It's not exactly a challenge to refrain from killing. But is that really the only sin that the 5th commandment asks us to keep from? If we examine the Bible, we see that there is more to this rule.

   As I said before, anger is a human emotion, just as happiness, sadness, and love are. But just because something is in our nature and seemingly unavoidable, again, this does not mean it is okay. So, as we examine the fifth commandment closer we find that anger can be a sin. 

   Anger is a sin? Really? It's just an emotion. Isn't it possible to be angry, yet not do anything wrong?
Well, yes, it is possible. And now we come to the crux of the matter. Everyone gets angry, and sometimes we just feel the need to let off some steam. How we let off that steam determines whether or not we are in the wrong. For example, if your way to let off steam is to yell and use foul language, then you'll need a confession afterwards. But if you instead decide to work the punching bag, obviously, you've done nothing wrong.
"Sometimes, we just feel the need to
let off some steam."


   So, when we are angry, it's important to be aware of how we react in the heat of the moment. God asks us to be respectful, even when emotions are running high. He loves us, and wants to see us respected and loved by those around us. Our Lord knows that in order to receive this respect and love, we need to also be respectful and loving, in spite of our anger and frustration.

    May God continue to lead us, and may the Holy Spirit guide us. May Jesus teach us, and Mary intercede for us. Only through Them, with Their help will we reach Heaven. God has given us Ten Commandments; may we follow them. Godspeed to us all.

~Ian James~

Monday, March 5, 2012

Sonnets: Part II


Sonnet IV

Mae


 
Mae, Thy beauty is abounding; overwhelmed am I.

You smile, and the world smiles with you; frown, and so follows the earth.

You are admired by all, we kneel at your feet; for you, I would die
I miss you before you leave, so enthralled am I, so enthralled is the earth.

Mae, Thy intelligence is a wealth; wisdom did not pass you by.

Man benefits much from your knowledge you so willingly share.

“Mae, please help us with our problems!” we cry.

And in your mercy you take pity on us in our distress; you take us into your care.

Mae, Thy pure Heart is the center of your being, the center of my life.

I am forever indebted to you, to your graces and your compassion.
Mae, I love thee more; you have now become the center of my life.

Tell me that you feel the same, tell me that you feel the passion

In my eyes and in my words. I love you, you most know this.
I love thee! Do not leave me here alone, to die alone, like this.


Sonnet V

Playwright



The play is set; the curtains still closed; the actors ready to take the stage.

The scarlet, satin curtains are pulled back now, an angel enters, stage right.

The beautiful character in a flowing white gown has no age.

The angel of God has flown in to see that everyone is safe in the night.

The playwright stands in the back, watching from the shadows.

His future relies on the reception of his work tonight.

The crowd is booing his angel of the stage, he moves from the shadows.

He goes backstage, and pulls on a white gown; he will be the angel tonight.

Enter playwright, the crowd goes quiet; they are eager to hear.

To hear what this commanding creature has to say.

The messenger of the Lord gives a warning, to inspire fear.

The crowd cheers as the angel exits; the Lord has spirited him away.

The playwright has succeeded; he has lived to write another day,

Leaving the spectators to wonder, what next will the angel say?

Friday, March 2, 2012

Count Your Blessings

   Today's blog post is really just a short reflection to inspire. So enjoy!


   How grateful are you? Do you find yourself thanking God for every day? Or do you count your problems instead of your blessings? Does positivity follow you, or does negativity cloud your day?

   It's important to be positive, to be grateful, to be glad you're alive. Not only does it make you feel good, but it makes those around feel the same. Nobody likes a companion who is constantly critical or negative. Being unhappy with the world, I've learned, just doesn't impress those around you.

   So when you are having a hard time finding something to be grateful for, remember, He died for your sins; that you may enter Heaven and live in His eternal glory. In my opinion, that is definitely something to be thankful for.

~Ian James~