The Holocaust

Can history forget the horrible slaughter of millions during the Nazi Holocaust? I think not. There is so much in this world that is good, and yet there is so much evil. I believe that those prisoners that stood behind the chain-link fence at concentration and death camps were not bad people; rather, they were good souls who were being persecuted unjustly. I don't believe that their captors were good at all, however. It tears me apart inside to know that human beings can be so cruel to one another. In the video "6,000,000: Story of an Auschwitz Survivor," I heard accounts from several individuals, and each tale was heart-wrenching. 

Imagine people of all age, sizes and genders being filed into a room only to be forced to inhale toxic vapors. Each one of those human beings that entered into those chambers died slowly but surely, and their bodies were heaped into piles and burned. All of this because of race and ethnic background? Children were split from their families and forced into slave labor. Many died. They all had to suffer. Was one man's crazed quest for power worth the death of millions? Was one man's crazed quest for power worth even the death of one soul? No. It's impossible. 

I don't want to believe those stories of human degradation and the loss of life. People can rarely find it in themselves to forget the wrong that someone has done to them. Normally I advocate the "forgive and forget" idea, but in this instance I believe that forgetting Auschwitz and leaving it for history's scrap pile will do more harm than good. No soul should be harmed because of something like ethnic background or religious belief- those innocent children didn't choose to be Jewish any more than I chose to be female. I think that the Holocaust was and still is a horrible stain written into the world's history books, but it needs to be remembered so that we know that we can avoid it if/when it starts again. Like they say: 

"Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."        

Gossip

I know that everyone has talked about someone behind their backs- be honest! I think that gossip is a bit like the internet- it can both be used for good and evil. You see, if someone were to tell you that someone was talking about doing something bad to you or your friends, even though you'd be hurt, you'd be glad that you had found out about it right? It's not good that the original person was gossiping, but word did get around in time to warn you about it. That would be a "good" thing. Like the web, it gives people access to all sorts of information, and somethings you might want to know and other things you might not. 

I do think that the majority of gossip is bad though. It's bad to go behind your friends/ classmates/family and say nasty things and slander their names. It's hurtful and spiteful and one day it may come back to bite you. It's a temptation that humans need to be conscious of. If you don't like someone or something, confront them/it. Slinking off to wallow in your miseries and grumble about what ever is bothering you won't fix your problem. It will only create enemies. You don't have to hide your opinion, you just have to be really careful who you say it to.      

PSA

I was given the assignment this week to do a PSA (public service announcement). Well, I have a team entitled "Stronger." Its aimed at teens who drink, smoke, do drugs or have premarital sexual relations. The announcement will show people that you can be 16 years old and not have to cave in to the peer pressures of society. It takes a "stronger" person to say "no" to something that everyone assumes to be cool than it does to say "yes." Kids today very much under-value themselves and are so ready to put out in order to be accepted by their peers. I don't believe in compromising my values for acceptance; believe it or not, you can survive without "friends"... who technically not friends if they're going to push you into something that you don't want to do! That's what the PSA is going to be about.

It may also involve some "Death Scene" pictures of my friends and I to show the alternative to saying "no." They should be fun to shoot... er, the PICTURES should be fun to shoot (not my friends!!!). I don't think teens who do stupid things ever thing that a tragedy will ever hit so close to home, but maybe if they were to see how serious other kids their age take the ordeal they'll realize that drugs, sex, alcohol, or smoke tobacco are not things to be tampered with.  

Easter Break- Park City Utah!!!

Okay, for me, spring break this year was totally insane!!! My family went skiing this year and I saw more than my share of interesting antics. First, however, I'll give some other details. My uncle decided to join us this year, which was awesome because he's the coolest. I know that doesn't really describe him much, but it definitely made the whole vacation more interesting. My sister, Leigh, who 2 years younger than I am also came along and of course mom and dad were there too. The most excitement came around on Wednesday when my mom fell avoiding a little snowboarder dude and wrenched her knee. They had to take her down the side of the mountain on a sled and when we got back to our actual home she had an MRI done. She's apparently torn her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). If the name sounds familiar, it should be- it's the same injury that both Tiger Woods and Tom Brady received within the last couple of years. 

After that episode, everything was better. We saw everything on those slopes, including men skiing/snowboarding without shirts, awkward costumes, and one snowboarder who decided to lose his knickers while trying to get on the lift- literally, no joke! It would have been really funny if my father hadn't been standing between my sister and I while waiting for our turn to ride up the mountain. My dad thought it was amusing though!

So this last spring break was awesome, and right now I can't wait to see where my family goes next year! 

My Inspiration

There was a quote that I formulated from my own vocabulary not too long ago, and it goes something like this: 

"There have been great writers, musicians, actors, and artists. 

However, there has never been a great conformist." 

Of course, the inspiration came from somewhere... and if I knew I'd tell you. But if I were to guess, I would have to say that it came from my past. I was never really like all the other kids that I knew- I had maybe three good friends at a time and that suited me well. I never wanted to have all the designer gear and be the richest person in the world. I had an imagination that had a tendency to run wild and always had a dream of something unreal (something like Star Wars or Narnia or Alegaesia.) I think that most of that was due to not liking society. No matter how much I wanted to fit in with the other kids I also knew that if I were to be a carbon-copy of everyone else, I wouldn't be me. Nothing would stand out because I would have nothing that made me different than anyone else. I'm a bit of a rebel- not in the sense that I dye my hair blue and listen to crazy music and stuff (though it would be cool to dye my hair red...), but I always felt like a quiet rebel; someone who was different than other kids and wasn't afraid to be that way. I always looked up to people who pushed the limits, like David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust or Cleopatra Queen of the Nile... these people are not like anyone else. They possess a special spark- Cleopatra was a female pharaoh; David Bowie was one of the first "glam rockers" ever and wasn't afraid to be theatrical, even when he was probably criticized. 

Let's face it folks- no one remembers the conformist or the "normal" person, because being "normal" can essentially make you one of the masses, not someone who's name will be remembered for the rest of eternity. Like people have said "Well-behaved women rarely make history," and "You don't get a harmony if everyone sings the same note." That's why I like to be different. 

I like being the extraordinary one, whether it's because of something that I know or simply my personality. I dread the day when I have to be just one of the others and become another "sheep in the flock." But maybe I won't... Who knows? You might see my name on the title of a New York Times best selling novel in the next ten years! Where ever I may go, I know that I am who I am and that's something that no one can ever take away from me. It's with me until the day I die. 

My Lenten Promise

My promise for lent has been an up-hill battle all the way. I should have known that quitting a two to three cup-per-day coffee habit cold-turkey would have some repercussions... and it did. I had headaches and stomach aches every day that I didn't have it!!! I got curious and decided to have a serving of it one day and guess what? No headache!!! I think I'm going to try giving it up again next year, but when I do that I'll probably take my self off of the caffeine slowly in the days approaching lent. 

I think that it's really an important thing when someone tries to give something up for lent. Even if you "fall off the bandwagon" so-to-speak, it was an attempt at making a sacrifice. Sacrifices are always really impressive to me, because it shows that a person can make a conscious effort to change for the better. Or just make a change. I dragged myself through the mud when I was little and gave up chocolate... big mistake!!! I think that I was too young and too much of a chocolate fiend and didn't realize what a sacrifice that would be for me in particular. I almost made it and then ate a chocolate-chip cookie and felt terrible! I think that someone should know if they're digging themselves into a hole... or at least consider what could happen. For instance, giving up homework doesn't count, nor does it work. Neither does giving up chores or wearing clothes (i haven't tried the last one, but I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't work really well.) I just think that it takes a strong person to give up what they truly enjoy and stick to that goal... hey, if you have you've done better than me!!! 

Future Career

Eventually, when ever I get out of high school, I want to go to college... and stay there. In a way, that is... I want to be able to teach at a college some day. I would, ideally, go on to college out of state, then go on to do a period of study over at the Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. I saw the campus at Trinity last summer and fell in love with the area. Not only is it beautiful from a historical stand point but also from a theological point of view, which are two things that I would love to major in. Theology and history; the two fields that interest me most. After graduating college, then I would love to go on to teach theology and history some where while writing novels, an endeavor that I have already undertaken by starting on several books. I'd enjoy having a small apartment, teaching college students, and writing stories for the rest of my life. A husband and children would be nice at some time, but those aren't two things that I'm highly concerned about. Then again, I'm sixteen, so any of this could be changed eventually, but that's where I am right now. I'm just going to take everything one day at a time. 

Service Project

For my service hours this year, I chose to work at the local cancer center where my dad is a physician. It's a wonderful job and has provided me with much experience, and I have made many friends along the way. It was wonderful walking into a place knowing the staff (I have known many of them since I was a baby) and meeting the other volunteers as well as the patients. One other volunteer, Ellen, is my "partner in crime." She's so much fun to work with and always knows exactly what to say to the cancer patients. Another great perk I get while volunteering there is meeting the patients. Sometimes they ask for odd things, like bags full of money or a martini, and it's always cool to meet people who can retain a sense of humor while going through chemotherapy. I meet so many amazing people, and it certainly helps that my dad works there. I get to see him at any time during the day, while during the school year, I don't see him until he comes home at 8 or 9 at night. My sister works with us occasionally, and she's always interesting to have around... and the patients always have something to say to two young teenage girls like "why are you two lovely ladies here?" My sister is quite the bundle of energy, which can be entertaining in a place that can be dark and depressing. 

I also get to see Grammy Pat, Lana, Brenda, and Pam, who's been like family to me since I was a little girl and I can always go and see when I feel upset or sad about one of the patients conditions... it's really hard not to feel upset sometimes. But they're always somewhere where I can go and visit them and it always brightens my day. 

Of course, the volunteer coordinator Laura is always there too, and she makes the whole experience enjoyable, giving me fun things to do such as hand out cookies or chocolates to the patients receiving chemo. When you can see that something like a cookie and a smile can brighten a patients whole day, your day gets a little brighter too. 

Death of an Era

Maybe you know this and maybe you don't, but legendary radio host Paul Harvey died this past Saturday at 90 years of age. For years he entertained folks with signature lines like "the rest of the story," and "page two," and made himself into a popular host since the beginning of his career in 1951. He was frequently applauded for not only coining new phrases (and some other words such as "guesstimate") but also for reporting stories that the people could really latch on to. He was regarded as a great storyteller and still is by many accounts. Some even give him the benefit as being one of the fathers of modern journalism, leading the way with humor and well positioned words and phrases that charmed and humored "Middle-America." Maybe it's just me, but it seems as though he has been well loved for a long time, and he will be remembered for years to come. 

What's in a name?

This week I've been developing a slideshow about myself for class, and it's going really well I think. I just turned it in today actually, so I'm not really developing it anymore. It's made up of my first and last name, only it's spelled out in different pictures that look like the letters of my name. These pictures are all of ancient architecture/art. History is something that I love, and is one of the things that I've always wanted to be a part of, maybe even teach it after I graduate college. Ideally I'd love to teach church history at a college level. For some reason, it's one of those subjects that I excel in, for what ever reason.

My favorite part of the whole show is the last bit though, when the pictures tell something about me. It's got everything from nature to music and heart pics. It's all set to "April Come She Will" by Simon and Garfunkel. It's one of my favorite songs- my dad used to play it on his guitar when I was little. Like the slideshow, the song reminds me of my earliest days, but the song also has relevance now. Like the words "April... come she will... resting in my arms again..." always reminds of this one guy I know who's always there to give me a hug when

~misstaylorannie

Saturn Has a Shadow?

Okay folks, how does a heavenly body such as the incomparable Saturn have a shadow when it's simply suspended in space with nothing around it? I DON'T KNOW EITHER! IT EXCITES ME GREATLY! I love learning about new things like that... it's all so amusing to me! My resource says that the robot spacecraft Cassini drifted past the planet just as it eclipsed the sun, and now we have this 

ah-maze-za-zing photograph! Check it out! 

Part of the reason why it looks like that is because of it's rings, my source says. The rings somehow amp up the lighting, making for a gorgeous view of the planet. The colors were exaggerated, but then again, it makes for a great view. Also, because of this magnificent view, new rings were discovered! All this happened last month!!! Supposedly, there's a blue speck in there somewhere that is supposed to be Earth... maybe if you squint your eyes, turn your head, and count backwards from 99 to 1 you can see it... nope. I can't see it! NOOOOOO!!! 

(Source:  http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090111.html)

I love this picture! It's ethereal and artistic almost. Quite a beautiful example when you look at it from the stand point of an artist (if you enjoy art as much as I do!) 

With Love,

MissTaylorAnnie

Love Moderately: A Tribute To Valentine's Day

So maybe this title is a bit confusing... haven't all great thinkers told us to open our hearts and love freely? To love everyone and everything? Well, I have something to say to them- to much of a good thing can be a bad thing. 

How many times a day do we hear the words: 

"Oh my gosh! I so totally love your shoes!" 

"I love pizza! It's like, my favorite!" 

"Brad Pitt is the most amazing actor ever! I love him so much!!!" 

It disgusts me. 

Well, love doesn't disgust me. The word does. Love used to mean a feeling that one person had for another person; it was never meant to be a general word used to describe anything and everything that we find amusing. By using the word so many times we weaken it. "Love" isn't a new pair of really great heels, no matter how cute they are. It isn't a word that guys should use on their girlfriends to get "lucky." It's not a word that should be used in the descriptions for one's favorite food items or actors. 

No. It should be used when telling someone how you really feel. If they're your parents who have always been there for you and care for you, use love. If they're your best friend who's been your crutch when you were suffering, use love. If you are so romantically involved with someone that you cannot live without them and you want to be with them because they make you want to be a better person, use love. 

Remember, don't get so involved in the word that you forget it's meaning.  

I don't suppose that any of you viewers have heard of the recent problems with the incredible Michael Phelps or the seemingly unstoppable A-Rod? Is it just me, or has the media had too much of a field day with this? Please, let these people have some space! Heaven forbid that they slip up! I'm not condoning weed and steroids, but people make mistakes, including us "nobodies," so who are we to judge? Yeah, they slipped up... but who hasn't? I'm not going to judge, and neither should the paparazzi or the rest of the world. It stinks that they have to be put under a microscope. Their privacy should be respected, not violated. Would you like it if people were constantly prying into your lives with cameras asking you questions that you don't want to answer? If "normal" people get caught with drugs, we get yelled at by our parents/family and then go to rehab. The paparazzi almost makes it glamorous and acceptable. By showing the world this behavior, the photo hounds make bad behavior alright because that's the standards that we are given to emulate whether it's right or wrong. Does any one remember Brittany Spears? Her life went down the drain and the press made it into such a huge saga that people hardly paid attention to anything more than the fact that she was getting attention. What's that saying to the world, especially the youth who still have minds that can be easily influenced?  

Hello All!!! 

I love writing- poetry, music, stories, everything (writing is my ramble for this week!!!)! Most of my stories are about young relationships. Watching people and how they interact with others fascinates me and I frequently incorporate those observations into my stories. I love listening to others too (I also love to talk! I'm awfully longwinded when it comes to writing, as you can probably already tell!). Could anyone out there give me some inspiration? My poems usually come out of extreme emotion; anger, love, hate, the works (All of them enjoy presenting themselves on a weekly basis when you're 16!). When it comes to music, I get lost... a lot. I got a great song going on my guitar, but there aren't any lyrics yet, and it has to be elaborated on from a musical standpoint. Usually lyrics come first for me, but I found a great chord combo for a sad song, and I can't think of any lyrics to go with it. HELP!!! 

For me, inspiration lasts for a fleeting moment. It's like a balloon: when you have it, it's beautiful and full and complete... let it go, and it drifts away- the further it goes, the more distant and unclear it seems. As sad as it is, it's true. One moment I'll be sitting in Biology Class daydreaming and the next I'll be frantically scrawling in my notebook margin the lyrics for a new song or even a new concept for one of my stories. Sometimes I feel crazy doing that, when I look around and no one else seems to notice me and I feel detached. I know that I'm not the only one in this world that gets that sensation, but it's strange and wonderful, being able to look in at the world from the outside perspective. It's surreal and strange. If you aren't careful, it's easy to detach yourself and not jump back in. It gets lonely if you consistently think that you're on the outside looking in when no one is on the outside with you. It's odd and incredible to look at things at a different angle. Life gets dull if you don't step outside life's frame and take a peek inward. 

On that artistic note, I'll elaborate into music in general. One of my favorite bands ever is The Hooters (this is before the restaurant and the girls). If anyone gets the chance, listen to the songs "And We Danced" and "Day By Day."

These are some of my favorite DAY BY DAY lyrics: 

"Give me what you can tonight,

Time is all we have to play,

tell me you cant live without me,

tell me every day by day by day,

Day by Day...

Nothing lasts forever,

Only fades away,

Day by Day..."     

I love that song!!! It's so sweet. The group is so passionate about their music- you can hear it in their voices and choices for instrumental music. "All You Zombies" is also a good one- they took the Christian stories of Moses and Noah and turned it into this stellar rock-ish song. 

So what do you think? What are your favorite songs/topics/themes? I'm always looking for new inspiration!  

Alright readers, unless you've been living under a rock these past few months, you've been exposed to the economic difficulty of foreclosure. People should know that if they don't have the money to keep something, then they should not attempt to purchase it in the first place. It is quite obviously straining our economy when people cannot afford to keep their own homes, then cannot pay off home loans, and in the end wind up owing the banks a ton of cash. The banks cannot function on such a limited income, and now we've plummeted into a vacuous black hole with out a penny in our pockets. I think that the government should step in... and help get these people some education. Forget about anything that is a "personal" problem (what I mean by that is, it's a nice idea to help people with STDs, but that's their personal problem that isn't impacting the economy at the scale that the housing crisis is.) Stick to the basics- what do we need most? Honestly, if you aren't sure that you don't have the money, don't spend! Think about the future- is that brand new home that you're looking at but don't need, don't buy! That money might be useful later if you get into medical problems or if a "new addition" to the family arrives. Look to the future, and stop continuously living in the "now." It's a nice, wonderful thought to be able to constantly live in the present and never worry about the consequences, but come on people, get real! There are consequences to everything, and if you aren't sure that those consequences are beneficial or not, be wary. Better safe than sorry!!! 

I don't mean to say that I know what I'm doing when it comes to money, because I really don't know much about it. I really would be lost if my home were to be taken from me, but at the same time, it would be totally my fault if my house was taken from me (well, my family would have to have something to do with it too). I wouldn't be happy about it, but then again it was me who dug that hole. That's why I say that you lie in the bed that you make. It's no one's fault but yours-  not you boss, not the economy, not anyone but yourself. It stinks that America's going through so much right now, but it doesn't get any better if we keep on throwing our earnings out the window! SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! The only way to get through this is if ALL of America wakes up together!     

Pop Culture for Those Who Need a Laugh

Since this is my blog I guess I can talk about what ever I really want to talk about, right?
Well, how about pop culture for instance? It's not a topic that I visit often while disgussing random things, but I think that's what I'll talk about now.
First off, I have a rant. The title of this rant shall be "Speidi," also known as that plastic couple from that fake reality show "the Hills." Obnoxious, nauseating, vacuous, vapid, tasteless, annoying, and vile all are words that describe their weasling into modern press, who obviously have cheap taste in entertainment if they are going to spend all their time drivelling over the attention starved couple. Honestly "Speidi," I can't find a more abhorrent couple in all of Hollywood. Congradulations!!!!
Another thing that I have to say is that the SAG awards brought out some very glam looks. I don't think that I saw one truly revolting dress on the red carpet, so I suppose that some of the ladies did decide to hire a stylist after all.
On another note, has anyone seen recent pictures of Dakota Fanning? She's so grown-up! Her little black dress that she wore to the "Secret Life of Bees" premiere was adorable! I want it in every color!
In other clothing news, Bobby Trendy should change his name to "Bobby Seriously-Needs-a-Mirror." His last costume (I refuse to reffer to that thing as an outfit!) was possibly one of the outrageous yet. Red plastic pants are never in style, neither is wearing faux foliage upon your head, and black patent pleather platforms should never be worn unless attending a KISS concert or you decided to dress up as a goth go-go dancer for Halloween.
I hate to be bordering on the negative in this post, but I've never been able to crack so many jokes at stars until now, so i guess I'll just keep going.
The next person caught between the crosshairs is Miss Miley Cyrus. Or Hannah Montana. Which ever you prefer. (Talk about a split personality!) Anyhoo, she seriously needs to get a new beau. (You're 16 honey- dating a 20 year old is not even border-line stupid; it IS stupid.) She needs to figure out that he's using her for fame- who heard of Justin Gatson before Miley stepped into his life? No ordinary person with no ties to pop culture, that's for sure. And cut the peace sign thing out. It's little-girlish and incredibly immature. It's not until a girl grows in to a woman that she can truly captivate and truly show the world who she really is. If she wants to be taken seriously and make it as an actor/singer, she not only needs to show maturity in the outfits that she wears (items that she wears on the red carpet= adult. items that she wears on an every-day basis= teeny-bopper looking for attention.) She needs to make a few decisions to grow up. Disney channel only lasts for so long.

It's no new news to most of you that America just wittnessed the inauguration of Barack Obama this last Tuesday. There were so many things to write on, but I am not really a political person whatsoever, and I actually liked both candidates for this election, so the inauguration did not have the impact on me that it did for many others. However, there are some topics that did amuse me.

1) Inguguration expenses vs. plummeting economy. I can't recall exact figures at the moment, but while listening to one of the news channels I heard the ammount of money spent on this year's inauguration ceremony. WOW!!! No, officials could not have easily skimped on protection for the new first family, but there had to be some way that money could have been saved.

2) The new first family!!! Michelle Obama's dress at the ceremony and her dress later at the celebration were simply stunning. Malia and Sasha were both so very cute as well. It was lovely to see the first family walking together during part of the televised event. Both parents seem very dedicated to their children!

hey everybody!!!

So in case that no one out there knows it yet, the golden globes were on, and man, i think who ever is being fashion police for this one needs to re-check their pics, cause i saw some stunners out there! Anne Hathaway and Megan Fox looked OUT OF THIS WORLD AH-MAZE-ZA-ZING!!! they could have come in a flower sack and still been drop-dead gorgeous- nothing looks bad on them! (unfair, right ladies?) Debra Messing, Blake Lively, and Salma Hayek also looked unbelievable. Eva Longoria-Parker did everything right in her bright red ensemble (on her, anything looks good!) Evan Rachel Wood? Beautiful, classic, all over wonderful. 

However, for as many very lovely ladies as there were on the red carpet, there were at least as many eyesores. Rene Zellweger's overly-theatric wad of tulle? Sally Hawkin's, um, plastic pillowcase-marshmallow mess? Brooke Burke's... uh, what was that? It looked like her cat grew angry with her or she decided to give it an artistic touch by throwing it through a wood chipper. I was also disappointed with Angelina Jolie's outfit. she's got the body that any woman can envy and she covered it a little too much. JLO also delivered a blinding catastrophe in an all-to "LOOK AT ME!" gown. too much gold!!! Amy Adams looked lovely, but her small frame was swallowed whole in a "prom bomb" princess dress. too dramatic for me. Drew Barrymore, dear, you looked like a southern belle gone barbie doll gone frou-frouy... too much frills, too much hair, too much, too much, TOO MUCH!!!  

COME ON LADIES!! YOU ARE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN ON EARTH AND THIS IS HOW YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE? I sometimes wonder if these people want to be made fun of. 

Bold jewelry looked like the statement of the evening. I wish that we could have seen a few more cocktail length dresses and maybe a few belts or pretty clutches. The jewelry was fine, but there are so many other interesting accessories that you could have used (loved Heidi Klum's high heels!!!)  

So, yeah, some of that was a bit harsh... okay, really harsh. but you'll learn that reading my material is the equivalent of what everyone thinks but no one wants to say. i say always say that a good friend always tells you the truth. I also think that a blind stylist is a dead stylist. (that's a bit much maybe... no. No apologies here!) 

So give me you're opinion- I want to hear every comment!