I just re-read all of my past entries (thanks for suggesting it, Mal...) Boy, was I one confused kid throughout high school...

Michigan Essay:

[B] Discuss an issue of local, national, or international concern. Why is this issue important to you? How do you think it should be addressed?

             It's easy to look at world affairs with a neutral eye. Mass genocide is happening in Africa and Americans simply talk about what a shame it is. After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of onlookers throughout the nation shook their heads in recognition of the tragedy and then went on about their business, donating a dollar to the disaster fund at the checkout counter of their overpriced gourmet supermarkets, still functioning like clockwork. After all, when something isn't close to you it's hard to experience the full gravity of the situation. How can I offer such insight to the disinterest of others? Well, as much as I hate to admit it, up until recently I was one of those onlookers- indifferent and often apathetic to the magnitude of most world affairs. And then one overcast day in August, my friend informed me that he had enlisted in the army. Suddenly, my world changed. My eyes opened and I was forced into paying attention to current events. After all, now the war in Iraq wasn't just in Iraq- it was in my heart.

            After the realization that my funky and upbeat friend was about to trade in his baggy clothes and purple hair for a uniform and buzz cut, I began to take an interest in the war. The evening news became a usual event in my daily routine. Newspapers and articles found in TIME magazine littered my floor. Along with information on the war, through this process I learned a lot about our government and the media. It turns out propaganda is still alive and well. With this discovery I began to form my own opinions instead of believing what the television (or my teachers or my parents or the president...) told me was right.

            It turns out that I am one very opinionated young woman. Personally, I don't believe in the war. As I see it, every reason given to the people to justify entering Iraq can be deflated by hard facts. The argument that Iraqis possessed weapons of mass destruction was shot down after it was discovered and confirmed that, in fact, no weapons were located in the nation. President Bush often argues that it is a matter of terrorism, using the September 11th tragedy as an example. However, it is widely recognized that the terrorist group referred to as al-Qaeda is responsible for the attacks. How is fighting Iraq protecting us from another attack by al-Qaeda? Furthermore, I simply do not see how invading a nation and committing murder upon hundreds of it's inhabitants is in any way beneficial to them, even in the long run. The Iraqi people don't want us there. So why are we?

            In contrast, I'm worried about my friend, Alex. I so desperately want to support him in what he's doing. I've realized that no matter how much I disagree with what he's fighting for, I am still so proud of his courage and honor. Because of him, I support the troops full heartedly. It is my hope that one day the entire nation can support them by bringing them home. Bob Dylan asked, "How many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free?" Isn't freedom the backbone of America? Free Iraq, free the troops. America's the greatest country in the world. Shouldn't we all be allowed to enjoy it?

I still hate livejournal and I need a place to write. I kind of miss xanga...

So um New Year's! woo hoo! It was great. I had fun. Carole and me are classy girls. We mix drinks.

I met a boy. He says he's straight. I have my doubts.

I watched Napoleon Dynamite tonight. It was a movie of one-liners and punch line jokes. But it was great.

I'm tired and my throat hurts. 1:10 AM. I swear it was 9:00 like a second ago.

I need coffee. I need love. I need sleep.

First steps, a place that was unknown
I was on my own, but not for long

New friends got me through the night
Made me feel alright
It started something

Give me your hand, together we'll see
Just how this place has set me free
I never knew that I could find 
A family so hard to leave behind

Years passed, time has flown right by
But the memories won't die
They'll last forever

Bonds made, tender yet so strong
They will carry on
We'll stay together

Give me your hand, together we'll see
Just how this place has set me free
I never knew that I could find
A family so hard to leave behind

And I'm not ready to go

And my mind can travel back the the diamond studded midnight skies
The times we laughed so hard that tears filled up our tired eyes
Dancing in the pouring rain, a memory we'll always share
We'll forever love our home where music fills the air

Give me your hand, together we'll se
Just how this place has set me free
I never knew that I could find
A family so hard to leave behind

And I'm not ready to go

FWF 04'

oh, how i miss...