Blog # 13.. A little something called Gratitude.

I really liked this chapter. As soon as he started talking about how he was walking in New York on September 10th I had a feeling that the twin towers were going to be mentioned. I think one of the little messages in this chapter that Craig was trying to get at was that the collapse of the twin towers on September 11th really changed New York. Not just New York but the whole entire world. He said he could see changes in everyones attitudes as soon as it happend. He said "citizens of every size, shape and color rushed to Ground Zero to help" Hearing a loved ones voice was a reason for joy, so was running into a neighbour or getting a one lined e-mail from a former colleague. He said old resentments and divisons were forgotten. When I really sit here and think about it now, it shocks me that in order for some people to be thankful and finally start to get along the Twin Towers have to collpase and it just shocks me. I feel like if that never happened some people would still be ungrateful. Some people are still really ungrateful but you cant change other peoples attiudes you can only change yours right?
A few of the peeps who are grateful to me:1) My awesome family. Im actually so blessed to live in such a great home with loving people. They support me on anything, encourage me to try new things and will always be there for me no matter what.
2) My incredible friends. I think it's really awesome how like 10 of my close friends are in my leadership class. It makes me happy to hear everybody's ideas but it makes me even more happy to hear my friends because when there in leadership class they are more serious than anything and to see them come up with ideas like that really puts a smile on my face. They make me proud and will always be by my side no matter what the problem is. Im pretty lucky to have such an awesome group of people to be around everyday. They always put a smile on my face everyday, Hands down some of the best you'll ever meet. :)
3)My Grandfathers. Both of them are like my rocks. They are so insanely intelligent and im not sure where I would be without them. My grandfather on my dads side is like my bestfriend, He was with me when I caught my first fish, and when my first tooth fell out! He always teaches me to keep my head up and tells me their's always gonna be brighter days when im upset. He's an awesome guy. He's came through a heart attach and a stroke. If he were to pass away im not sure what I would do. He's deffinitly someone im thankful for. My grandfather on my mothers side gave me my first guitar when I was 7 years old. My moms side is really musical and he taught me how to play my first song on my 7th christmas (Jingle Bells). Him and I dont have anything in common really so whenever I visit we just talk about music. But that conversation can go on for hours, and even though we dont have anything in common really i've grown to look up to this man in alot more ways than I could of imagined. He's something I will cherish for many years to come because he gave me a gift not alot of others can do.
A few things in my daily routine that I'm grateful for:4)Music! Oh my goodnes, LOVE it. I think thats the only word I can think of when I talk about music. I take my ipod everywhere I go no questions ask... it doesn't matter if im driving 2 minutes away to the grocery store, those ear buds are in my ears. I remember when my grandma gave me my first walkman all the way back in 2001. I used that thing till it didn't work anymore. It makes me so happy and when I hear a song with awesome guitar in it it lights up my face and I have the biggest smile. Usually I sing outloud when I have my earbuds in and people look at me weird or just smile and laugh probally because they think im silly but I dont really care because I enjoy it and that's all that matters. I cant really think of anything else that I am insanely grateful other than the food I eat, the hot water that runs in my house and heat especially throughout the winter, a bed to sleep in and clothes to wear. Im pretty lucky to be surrounded by things like this and this blog is actually going to make me think twice the next time I complain about something thats just sand. I think this chapter relates to our journey of becoming leaders because it shows us that there are others out their that dont have evertything like some of us do. We need to be accepting and undeastanding. We need to help and take a stand, We are all people and im not sure how many times i've said this in my blogs but we should all be treated fairly no matter how much money we have, What we look like, colour shape or size, it shouldn't matter anymore. We need to think before we complain and remember to always smile because things get better. Respect the people around you and especially the things that are given to you.

Blog #12- Halfway already!?

Honestly? this class has gone by so fast, it's crazy. I think that just means were having to much fun tho. I totally enjoy Leadership class. I look forward to it everyday just because I get to talk to awesome people with really great ideas. I think the reason I love this class so much is because we have a voice thats heard. Alot of teachers dont let students take the time and express themselves. I guess were just lucky that we have a pretty hip teacher that does that. Some things i've learned in this class are to be more accepting and always take the time to figure someone out instead of just judging them. Like on if you really knew me. I've also learned that in an everyday life you need to be yourself and not be afraid of what others think of you. To do the right thing and be unique and unique is excatly what I am :) I think im becoming a really great leader. Im really excited to facilitate the grade 9 classes as well because hopefully when I walk out of their kids will look at me in a different way and want to follow in my foot steps. Because one day they could become a leader as well and I think it's important. Some ways I think I could develope in being a leader are speaking up and expressing my opinion because I know it's important that people hear my ideas aswell.

Haunted House- Blog # 11

So my role in the haunted house was to help put together the upside down room and the mirror room. I was sick for the first day of setting up and also could not help out the very first day the haunted house opened due to the fact I had to go into biology for help. But I tried to put the best effort towards it as I could considering clowns aren't my biggest fans. The Second day of the haunted house I stood behind the wall we borrowed from the drama room with Maddie and Travis and helped with the strobe lights. I also braught in 3 rolls of Aluminum foil to contribute to our mirror wall. I thought it was a great turn out. I was kind of incy about how many people we would actually have come through because of the theme of it. I thought they may of just thought it would of been stupid or something but once I learned we had line ups I was proud of the work that myself and the students in our class worked so hard on. I didn't think their was alot of barriers in this project at all. I thought it was pretty manageable just because we have awesome kids in our class and any problem we have we can always work it out. The only thing that kind of bothered me was a couple students tried to take control over everything and became a little bossy and pushy at times. Not nameing names. But I think alot of other kids felt the same way about it and were bothered by the fact that they were very controling. It just felt like they were trying to take all the credit for something we all worked really hard on. But sometimes things like that arn't a problem because it just shows how determined they are I suppose! Im not sure what mark I would give myself because I look back and I feel like I did hardly any work and I dont know why that is. I was really bummed out that whole week and thats why I think I was slacking. I could of done more and it kind of makes me feel bad. So I guess from this whole experiance i've just learned to try and not let the things im bothered by into class and just cheer up and forget about it. I would give myself a 13/20. I relaize this is the only time i've ever not really put forth my full effort in this class because normally im really pumped and excited to do anything we have to do in Leadership. So hopefully next time we have another big project i'll bring forth my best attitude.