New Teacher = Aunt

Well this year you are probably aware that the new freshmen English teacher is my Aunt. At first I thought it might be a little weird having my aunt at the school all the time. I thought she would always have a close look on me and would be hard. But to find out she's pretty cool. The thing is though me and my aunt are really like sisters. We live together in my grandparents home and pretty much do everything together. She's a really big help when it comes to my school work and doesn't mind to give advice. But she doesn't just teach at the school she also helps out with our Cross Country and Track Team after school. She ran when she was at Apollo with the same coach I have right now. She has always wanted to come back and teach and coach at the same school she graduated from. So having my aunt around school all the time isn't that bad. She is there when I need something or forget to bring something. It's actually a big plus me and I'm glad she got the job at our school.

Run Fast or Run Home

Running to me is basically my life and that's all I have done. I have ran since the sixth grade and it's in my family. I have a passion for it but I don't always love it. I do complain at times because I get to a point where I am just worn out. I push myself everyday to do my best even though it might not be my best performance, I know I did the best I could. People ask why in the world I would ever like to run and there are many reasons that I run. First, I have done it for so long I don't see myself giving it up now. Another reason is that my family has a history of heart attacks because they are over weight and I want to prevent that by keeping my heart healthy. I love the feeling of being with a team and being apart of something. I grew up being set apart from others and didn't always fit in and this team feels like another family to me. I love the people that I run with and would never give up those friendships because it does change when you quit a sport. Overall I love the excitement in running and competing against other people and the rush you get when you accomplish something. I love the feeling after I get done running. Running is in my heart and a big part of my life.

Dear Mom,

Well I know that in the past we haven't been the closest because of some situtaions. I know you may think that I don't care or love you but that isn't true at all. I just wanted to write you this letter and tell you how I feel about everything. You know, I was hurt when you first left. Never did I think that my childhood would be such a mess as it was. I know you tried your hardest to give us the life we deserved but that isn't how it was. I can't hate you for your choices you made but truthfully I have learned from them. I know what my future will be like because I have seen how families can be torn apart and I don't want that for mine. Yes, things happen, people go through troubles but, I thank God everyday that he actually gave me a chance of a different life. I do love you and wish that things didn't have to happen but I can't fix the past I can only hope for a better future. I hope for a better future with you where things are okay between us. I want to have a mother that I really never had.

Love your daughter,

Katharine

Is LOVE a factor of marriage???

For most couples they fall in love and get married because they truly love each other. But, that isn't always the case which is really sad. It is known that some people will get in relationship because of money and the power that the other person might have. It kills me to know that people would do this because you can only get hurt from it. For me this is not the case. I don't care where the guy came from or what kind of money he has. I know that if I truly love a man then we will be just fine with what we have. We don't have to have the best house in the world as long as our love is strong then thats all I can ask for. I am someone that never looks at the past as a factor I look at the present and who the person is. I know that doesn't have much to do with the topic but I believe in my heart that LOVE is a factor of marriage, or at least it will be for me!

"In what ways do celebrities/heroes play too big a role in society?"

I think that celebrities/heroes do play a big a role in society and I don't agree with it at all. There are people that are famous in todays society that give off the wrong vibe of how people are suppose to act. People take these celebrities and look at them as role models and people that they look up to. We see how they are acting and beileve that it is exceptable because they are famous and they wouldn't do it if it wasn't right. I always worry about my younger sister looking as these characters as people she wants to be like. I try to show her what is right and make sure she understands that, that really isn't the way to act or treat your parents. Some of the shows that are on tv are very disturbing because of the way the character is acting. I don't agree with the public displaying some of the celebrities as much as they do.

Snow DAY!!!

This year we have had a couple of snow days but there hasn’t been much snow with them. But this snow was different than the others. It snowed all night growing higher and higher on the grass. This snow day I and my sister went outside to mess around. I really wanted to build a snowman because I haven’t got to in a while. I felt like a little kid again. I had always enjoyed playing in the snow because it seemed so perfect because it was white. I loved knowing that every snow flake is different and unique. It’s hard to imagine that, that could even be possible. Well, back to playing in the snow. We buddle up in our snow gear and headed out to concur the world. Victoria started gathering some snow to make the bottom of the snowman while I got some snow for the middle part. We began to pack the snow tightly to make the bottom. Of course we were interrupted throughout by a snow ball fight but made sure to get right back to work. As the bottom began to form we thought it was good enough to start the middle. The middle was making its way to look like a snowman with only a few bumps. Last was the small head so we rounded up some snow and stuck it up on top. This had to be the best snowman I have ever seen. But wait we aren’t done yet. We had to add the arms, mouth, nose, buttons, hat, and scarf. Now we are done and made the perfect snowman. But the snowman wasn’t the main focus it was the time I got to spend with my sister. It was just good for the two of us to be together and be sisters. Get out of the house with all the craziness and relax with no worries. It was a great snow day and can’t wait till the next one!

Dear Bailie,

I know that we have been best friends for years now and they have been amazing. You are an awesome girl and someone that is always there for me no matter what. Through all the stuff that I have gone through you have been there every time. You don't know how much I apreciate you and all you have done for me. Of course we aren't perfect and we have our silly fights but we get over those really quick. It's funny to think about what all we have done together and it makes me smile! I know when we at Mary and Polly's house to just think that we might be them one of these day but you can't hate my boyfriend, too funny. Bailie, you are like a sister to me and I would do anything for you in a heartbeat. I would drop everything if you needed something. I hope you know how much you actually mean to me and without you a lot of things I have done would have been possible. I just really want to THANK YOU so much for everything!

Love Kat

Taking a Look in the Mirror

When I sit back and take a look in the mirror I see a blonde, blue eyed girl. I see someone that comes off like she has it together, someone that is athletic and enjoys the outdoors. I see someone that loves writing but can’t seem to write well at all. When I look at myself I always try to look at who the person is that is staring back at me. There are so many questions that don’t have answers that wonder through my head. I always find myself as someone that seems like they always have it together. I’m not really good at expressing myself to others when things are going the wrong way because I fear of what their reaction might be. I have always had the trouble with opening up and I tend to just ball up on certain situations. I think for me I find myself trying to make sure the world sees me as nothing is wrong when really everything is going bad. I look at that girl in the mirror and wonder how she is surviving through it all and how she is able to stay strong. But I laugh at that statement because I’m not surviving or staying strong. I am slowly fading away. I’m someone that likes to know all the answers to every possible question in life. I think the main reason for that is because I worry about what might happen if I don’t know all the answers. I just want to be able to go through life on a smooth road. Oh man, have I realized there is no such thing. I find it interesting that you learn so much through your experiences. But you hate to wonder if it would have been different if you would have known the out come of it. I’m someone that loves to wonder, my mind is constantly running with scenarios or a situation and the outcome. When I look in the mirror I see a very confused girl that is just looking for answers. I see someone that just needs guidance through the things in life and a voice from someone.

"Venting"

Have you ever had that day where you just feel like you need to just vent and get everything out that you have on your mind. Well for me that seems to happen a lot lately because things are changing and happening in my life. I feel like right when I think I have a it all together something comes along and messes it up. I don't understand why things happen the way they do. I know as humans we are continually thinking about everything that could happen. I just wish we could just put everything aside like things that happened in the past or things that might happen and just look at the moment that we are in. It almost like a slap in the face when you get set back off your feet and reality hits you. Never did I find myself as someone that felt lost because I thought I had it together and there were no worries because of my strong belief in my religion. But for some reason I feel lost and can't seem to find what I am looking for. I thought that my life was changed completely around but now I just have thoughts about it. There are worries that have come up that I never considered before because I look at what good could happen not the bad. I just wish that there was something that would make itself known to me that will help me through all this!! I seek for guidance and support. I just thought that nothing but good has come from the bad things that have happened in my life but seems to have brought just more challenges for the future. I was one to think that there was no one in the world that would want to take on my difficult life and it seems like that just might be true. I wish the past never happened so the future would be more promising for me. I hate the feeling of being a lone in this and struggle everyday. I put a mask on that I am just fine but really inside I'm not. I feel as no one could understand but the truth is I never expected them to. I only seek for their support and what love they can show me. I would love the past to stay the past but it always finds itself to the future.

SKiiNG!!!

This past weekend I went skiing with my church. We got to the church at 4:30 in the morning and headed to Perfect North. But this is wasn't an easy trip because the night before the skies opened with lots of snow. We had to make sure to drive very slow because the roads were cover! But no worries we made it there safely and unloaded the bus to get our equipment. I was extremely excited because I had never been to Perfect North before. Well I started off with teaching Meghann how to ski because she has never done it before. She was a lot better than I thought she would be. She only fell once or twice each time but always got right back up! I was so proud of her and she caught on really quick. After lunch I decided to go off with some of the other people that were more skilled in skiing so I could get some runs in. That was a lot of fun because I got to race people and didn't have to wait on anyone. Time passed and Meghann caught back up with the group because she was getting a lot better. So we skied the rest of the night together and had a great time. We were the only Senior girls that went because everyone else weren't allowed to come because of the road situation. It was defiantly a trip that I will always remember.