Our writing prompt for last class was to make up a name with the initials G.L.S., pick an age between 3 and 10, and then make up a bunch of characteristics for this character. I chose Gretchen Liane Smith for my name. She's 8 years old, and as you'll soon find out, very adventurous and rebellious. So here goes :)

Even though my dad yelled at me not to do it again, I couldn't help jumping off the roof of our shed into the huge pile of fluffy snow below. I mean, this was enough to break my fall, wasn't it? Dad didnt know what he was talking about when he said I would end up hurting myself. Parents are so boring... they never know how to have fun. So with this mind-set, I once again scurried up the trellis to the roof of the shed and picked my way to the edge where I peered down on the Gretchen-imprinted snow bank below. I flinched as my dad's gruff voice once again barked at me to "get down from there" or he'd ground me until I'm 80. My confidence in my mission to prove to my old man that really, this escapade was completely safe and maybe he wants to try it? grew by the second and without glancing at my tomato-faced father again, I launched myself into the waiting snow bank, where I promptly fell onto my still-healing arm that I had broken not 3 months earlier. With a wail, dad came running and rushed me to the hospital. Guess he was right after all, I guess...

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Shhh!

Today, people all over are being silent. And no, they're not just doing this for kicks. They're doing it for a cause.

"On November 19th 2010, the twenty-first anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, tens of thousands of Vow of Silence participants around the world will go silent for 24 hours, in solidarity with children who are being silenced by poverty and exploitation." (http://iamsilent.com/new/)

People are standing up for this cause and they're doing it in a completely different way. A silent way. Support these people by donating to this amazing cause!

 

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A Whole New World

To start with, I'd like everyone to take a good look at the picture above. Can anyone guess where this might be?

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It's GREECE! Sorry, I just couldn't hold it in any longer :) I think this place is breathtaking. Who wouldn't want to spend a weekend here?! I mean, look at it! It's exactly what I think the beach in heaven would look like. All I can think about right now is running across the soft, warm sand and diving into the clear, sparkling water.

Imagine living here:

The village of Oios (Oia) on the island of Santorini, Greece.

Imagine waking up every single morning to this gorgeous view. I feel like I wouldn't ever be able to spend a day feeling unhappy while in a place like this.

The sun is bright and hot. The sand is soft and soothing. The water is refreshing and crystal clear. Words can't even describe how lucky I would feel to spend even a weekend in this fantastic place. God really went to town on this part of his creation, putting so much effort into getting the perfect shade of blue for the water and the exact colours for the rolling hills and lush greenery. It's as if He wanted everyone who is looking down on this spectacular view to feel as if they have the entire world at their fingertips. Like anything is possible.

I am making it my goal, right here and now, to visit this island in Greece before I kick the bucket. To dive into the ocean and stare up at the blue, blue sky - the same sky I see from my spot at this computer in Canada. But at the same time, a different sky. Because under this particular piece of sky, I feel like anything is possible for me.

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You Know What Really Grinds My Gears...

So there's this little thing that people do... sticking their disgusting, old chewed up gum anywhere just so they can get rid of it. Or, who knows, maybe they just do it for fun. They may think it's harmless but I can assure you...

IT'S NOT!

I mean, we're in high school, people, I'm pretty sure you know what a garbage can looks like! It is completely unnecessary for you to stick your chewed-up gum on
the bottom of desks or
in bathroom stalls or
on the railings of staircases...
I could go on, but the list would get way too long. This habit is just wrong - why?
1) You've been told since day one that this is not the correct place for your nasty leftovers, that's what the garbage is for.
2) Touching somebody else's ABC ("already been chewed" hehe) gum? NOT A NICE FEELING, let me tell you.
3) It's just plain gross. Need I say more?

If I had a dime for every piece of already chewed gum that I found stuck somewhere at school, I would be rich. I could probably feed a whole third world country. Or if we`re staying on the topic of chewing gum, I could buy enough packs of gum to supply a whole third world country. Somehow I believe that they would be less obnoxious when disposing of their used gum - hopefully nobody takes offense to that ;)

ANYWAY, hopefully I`ve gotten my point across... I feel like I`ve been pretty honest with everyone :)

Oh, one more thing... Did you ever watch that Christmas movie Elf, the one with Will Ferrell in it? Well, right before Buddy goes to New York City to look for his father, Santa gives him some very important advice... He says:

"If you see gum on the ground, don`t eat it - it`s not free candy!"

Wiser words have never been spoken :)

Happy chewing!

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The Good Ol' Days...



I'm once again 4 years old. I'm sitting on the couch with a bowl of cereal watching Arthur on TVO Kids. I'm still in my pajamas with sleep in my eyes but I'm ready to face the day in my naive and innocent 4 year-old way. There is no set schedule, no specific plans and the biggest trial that I could possibly face in my day is spilling red fruit punch all over my white dress. I'm excited for today - mommy's taking me to the St. Jacobs Farmer's market with Rebecca, my sister. I love this place; the smell of fresh air and baked goods, the crowds of people all enjoying the beautiful fall day, the animals that you can look at... It's the perfect place in my mind. We go to visit my mother's cousin at her coffee shop in the market. She always has a yummy treat to give us and we look forward to seeing her everytime we go to the market. Next we make a beeline for the bakery part of the market, begging Mom for the gingerbread cookies we get everytime we're there. Of course, she gives in and we're both happy campers, as selfish as that sounds :) But I'm four and Rebecca's two, and our happiness is allowed to revolve around cookies and trips to the market. Life is all about innocence at this age and I'm going to enjoy it while I can, because it's not going to stay that way. Of course I don't know that yet though because my life is about enjoying the little things in life, such as a gingerbread cookie with tons of frosting! Now back home for a bowl of KD and an afternoon filled with toys and games and more TVO Kids. At bedtime Mommy tucks both Becca and I in and reads us our favourite books. This is the life :)

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