Gratitude Experiment

Dear Jacob:

     I am so proud to say I have the best brother in the world. Without Jacob my life would be a crazy mess. Although we fight and bicker and nag and anger one another, I can still say you mean so much to me. Having an older brother is much like having your own security guard. And your own personal chauffeur. At one of the hardest times in my life, it was you who made me pick myself up. It was you on endless nights of crying, and it was you when everyone else lost faith in my actions. You have only ever wanted good for me in my life and I love you so much for that. Thank you for driving me everywhere, thank you for giving me money when I want it, thank you for being so cool, and thank you for not giving up on me. Despite how negative the situation may get, just know that I love you with my whole heart, I am so grateful to have you, not only as an older brother, but also a role model. You have made me such a better person and have changed me for the more healthy, positive way. You are so much more intelligent than you think. Put your head down, work hard this year, and go places. I know you can do it. It's my turn to have faith in you, and its oozing with eagerness. I am so excited for what the future has in store for you, as you go on to college again this year. I hope only the best for you, and will be along for the ride the whole time.

Love your bratty sister,
Sierra xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Censorship: Agree or Disagree?

      I do not believe that censoring or banning books is a proper idea. I believe that a discretionary warning, like used for movies would be a better idea. People have the freedom to write just as much as people have the freedom to read. To ban or to say, "You can't publish this piece because it disgusts me," or whatever the issue may be is wrong. As stated in the video "Banned Book Week: 13 Authors speak out," not only are you silencing thoughts and ideas but you are also being prejudice and fearful. A book is art, just like any painting you could observe. Does that mean that Salvador Dali's impression of death needs to be banned in 31 countries?  That's nonsense. People look upon illustrations and find them beautiful. Why can't the world do that with books as well?

Key to Success

      Greetings Earthlings! My creatures call me Sierra. I enjoy spending an unreasonable amount of time alone at Riverside Park. It is where I feel most connected with myself and where I am also within the peak of my inspiration. I am an avid tea drinker, or as my species call it, "Wet Leaf Juice". I am a vegetarian in the works, my only struggle is what humans call the "Big Mac". I am the best Kraft Dinner maker in the whole universe. I won the title in this year's intergalactic Kraft Dinner making contest. My best friend is Caz, she helps me defeat threats to our universe whenever I need her help. Together, she and I can conquer the world. If anyone's universe is under attack, my U.F.O door is always un-latched.

      The Grit Ted Talk by Ms. Duckworth really speaks to me. I feel that her words have an immense amount of truth to them. One of my own personal rules is to never give up.  I find it to be one of the most difficult rules to stay true to. Whether it be school work, social life, or my job, I am often finding myself in a lethargic mood of  wanting to "sleep forever." I feel like Ms. Angela has a great mindset and faith in the youth of today. It is very refreshing to hear the line, "We need to be gritty, about making our kids grittier." This line is important to me because not only is she trying to influence youth into being the best of themselves that they can be, but also reminding parents, teachers, and other everyday role models that half the battle of a successful child and their path to a good life, also greatly depends on the effort that the adults around them make. This world is not about failing and quitting. It's about working hard and perseverance.