Just things....

It is very sad that I have not posted since New Years...but had you seen my homework schedule, you would understand. It was brutal. But, it was made bearable by all the rain we've been having!

I love the rain. It is over now, but when it was storming outside, I would stare out the window watching the wind ravage the trees, and the rain droplets spin sideways from the force of the storm. It was lovely, especially when I was dry and warm and sipping hot coffee.

I almost wish it would rain again, but I know that a lot of people where I live have suffered from the storms. So I won't wish it back, but I remember it fondly. And who knows, the weather has been so crazy lately, that it might rain again tonight!

In other news, I discovered that Francis Hodgson Burnett, author of the classic and fantastical The Secret Garden and A Little Princess wrote a book that I did not know existed! It is called The Lost Prince and I am currently on page 37 and loving it. She is an amazing author, and I could probably read The Secret Garden over and over again forever.

Have any of you seen the movies made from her books? They're really good.I found the movie-versions of Garden and Princess at Target about three years ago for super cheap and have been enormously happy ever since. I highly recommend them to you.

The time has come for me to finish this post, but not before I announce: I am going to Panama! In thirteen days! I'm so excited! I'm going on a missions trip, and I will be gone for nine days. It is going to be very hot in Panama. Shorts need to be purchased.

As I have a large paper deadline looming, I must say goodbye, and I will make sure and post all about the trip!

Cheers,
Jo <3>

2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BLESS YOU IN 2010!

Sorry, 2009, but I'm seeing someone else. I had a lot of fun times with you, but it's time to go our separate ways. I've outgrown you.

<3 Happy New Years Everybody!

Merry Christmas!

As I stated above, Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful day spent with friends and family, and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ: Savior extraordinaire. I love him so very much, so celebrating his birthday this festive time of year makes it extra special!

I got some good stuff this year, and I can't wait to listen to all my many new cd's. Have a wonderful day, all!

Cheers,
Jo. <3

WHAT. THE. HECK.

Okay...I do not understand.

What is wrong with people?

I am referring to Kick a Ginger Day, which resulted in the injuries of hundreds of children across the globe.

Kids who were just trying to get through the school day were assaulted by their classmates for having red hair.

Is this a generation of nazis we're raising here? An army of soulless, conscience-less "I was just following orders" types running rampant on society?

Kids were hurt. Their classmates hurt them and ENJOYED it. I cannot even rap my mind around this. A thirteen year old redhead was kicked and punched about 80 times on the way to his classes...because of a freaking South. Park. Episode.

Am I the only one who is outraged? I have a really good friend whose a "Ginger" and I didn't have the slightest inclination to kick her. Can someone please explain whats going on?

Please?

Aaron Cohen: Slave Hunter

Listening to: The dishwasher and Washing machine (why isn't it a clotheswasher?)

Wishing for: My book report not to be due Monday

Knowing that: I gotta do it anyway.


Hello again everyone.

I am a very happy person, and you know why? Yesterday I got to meet one of my heroes. He is an abolitionist who fights against Human Trafficking (slavery) which is the fastest growing illegal trade in the world; bringing in $9,000,000,000 annually.

Allow me to introduce you all to Aaron Cohen, Slave Hunter.

Huh?

What do I mean by slave hunter? What I mean, is this man travels to different countries (like Cambodia and Burma) and with the aid of local authorities, frees hundreds of children from the horror that is sexual slavery. Most of these children are younger than sixteen; some as young as six. They are held captive in nasty, filthy brothels under the control of pimps and madames who care for nothing but making money. He poses as a sex tourist (and unfortunately, there are way more than you would imagine) and obtains evidence enough to convict the brothel owners and free the girls.


Aaron Cohen is amazing, and such an inspiration to me because he is doing what I want to do, and what I will be attending college next year to prepare myself for.

I encourage everyone to read his new book: Slave Hunter. I warn you ahead of time however, this is not a light read, nor a fun one. It is a raw and gritty book that exposes the dark underbelly of human society. Still, everyone should read it, because everyone should know.

Girls should not be forced to sell themselves to men three times their age, day after day for soulless extortionists.

I also encourage you all to check out this website: www.abolishslavery.org and get involved.

You can also follow Aaron on twitter at www.twitter.com/aaroncohen777

There you are. I hope I've enlightened.

As always,
cheers.

<3 Jo

T.V and not Much Else....

Hello everyone!

I've been inspired to post again after a very long absence, because I have been reading a great many of my favorite blogs. The blogs I follow are so amazing, because the people that create them are so creative and talented. I adore looking at their fantastic photography, reading their hilarious anecdotes and admire their honesty and writing style.

Seeing as I am still a bit blog-retarded I cannot link them all to you guys, but if you want to know what they are, feel free to send me a message and I will tell you. (They are all certainly better than mine, thats for sure).

School is stressful as per usual, but I've grown to accept that as the highschool experience. I also have been watching FAR to much tv. It's ridiculous. Almost every day of the week is a tv show.

Monday- Lie to Me (9) and Castle (10)
Tuesday- NCIS!!!!!!! (8)
Wednesday- So You Think you Can Dance and sometimes Glee
Thursday- Vampire Diaries (which I always have to watch via internet because my prayer group meets while it's on)
Friday- There's something.... I just can't remember what.

How sad is that? Last year I didn't watch ANY television during the school year, and now...I am a glutton. Oh the shame......

But I can't stop. They're ALL amazing. Especially NCIS.

I hope you all are staying healthy; half of my high school is down for the count, and some of my friends have even come down with Swine Flu or H1N1 (which I can't help but notice that it looks like Heini. Yes. I am juvenile).

In my English class we are reading Beowulf, which I had dreaded but I am actually enjoying myself. It is much easier to read than I has expected! I really enjoy the writing style; it is so evocative.

Homework is calling my name...(kinda like the crawfish from the Ludo song Lake Pontchartrain, and if any of you know what I am talking about I will be very happy), which unfortunately means I must bid you all Adieu, and live to blog another day.

Cheers,
Jo.

Oh Happy Day!!!

Joy has returned to my life....and you know why?

AMAZON/UPS FINALLY CAME THROUGH!!!!!!!

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI BY MELINA MARCHETTA FINALLY CAME IN THE MAIL, AND IT IS AMAZING!

ALRIGHT. phew. I'm better. I told y'all I'd be excited.

As always, more later.

<3 Cheers