Haunting Video Shows What Syria's Civil War Would Look Like in the West - PolicyMic

This is a seriously alarming video focused on how a war would look in a developed country. It is based off of the events of the civil war in Syria. This simplistic video shows a side of life those living in first world countries have not seen in many years. It is totally worth the minute and a half to watch.



Haunting Video Shows What Syria's Civil War Would Look Like in the West - PolicyMic:

Another Music Essay

This is a paper I wrote in 8th grade for my English class. Today I made a few modifications but the original is preserved on my computer.

Descriptive Essay

I can hear the music as I walk through the white-walled hallway. I feel the excitement in the air from all of the students. Entering the heavy brown doors there is a crowd of people who look like they should be at a town meeting. The crowd covers the whole room, everyone looks different even though they are all dressed in black and white.I run to get my instrument on the wooden rack in the back of the classroom, but it slows into a slow trot winding in between friends and strangers. Once getting my violin tuned by the best teacher in the school, I know the night is about to begin!
We stand, waiting for what feels like forever to leave the cramped orchestra room. We begin to play simple scales and daily warm-ups, they are the worst part of the night. Then our teacher starts the sixth grade songs. This year they play Believe, Jazzy Old St. Nick, and Frosty the Snowman. A rather simple repertoire, but in comparison to the elementary school music they played just a year before it will be a knockout. I remember how lovely we played Believe in sixth grade, it will forever be a favorite piece of mine.
Then the seventh grade plays their songs, I was too thrilled to concentrate. Con Brio plays the beginnings of their songs to us, if they played they’re entire selection we would be late for the concert. Fine, good, that’s all I could say but now its our turn, the eighth graders. Since the sixth grade we’ve looked up to the eighth graders. Now were on top, but only for a measly year. We begin with Ukrainian Bell Carol, and ooh’s and ahh’s float around in the air. It sounded like we were professionals. Then we play Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Festival of Lights, and Christmas Time is Here. To finish we play Babes in Toyland our hardest song that will surely take the audience’s breath away.
There are butterflies in my stomach by the time we line up to leave. Even the violins are whispering how energized they are. We walk to the back of the cafeteria. We sit and wait, this is a calm and dull time for any student that isn’t performing. I felt like a sloth except for when I had to change seats when the grades switched. An hour and a half later I hear the end of the last Con Brio song. It’s the last orchestra, the eight grade.
Trying not to smile as I walk upon the small wooden stage, that is covered with  black stands and seats. I try but its hopeless, but I can’t stop smiling. Then I feel the heat on stage from so many lights. There is applause throughout the cafeteria, I still wonder why to this day because we haven’t played anything. I see the music in front of me for about the millionth time. The conductor puts her hands signifying for us to begin.

As we play our songs I think of how many times I’ve played on this stage. Were done, its over, and I can’t wait to get out from under these lights. The audience claps like the angry roar of an starving lion. It was truly our finest winter concert and most definitely, the finest feeling in the world.

College Essay

This was my first attempt at a college essay. It is not the one I used to apply to any schools.

College Essay: Personal Statement

I am a flawed person. In my life I have found so many errors in my method of thinking. I am not the type of person to deny this. I am not close to perfection, but I am on the road, on a trip that’s end is indefinite. This journey started in a train crash sixteen years ago, but I knew my ride could only get better. I have the tendency to forget big things but remember small details. I have the skill to take control of group activities but often choose to be passive when confronted. Yet every minute I discover something different that can lead me to my future. I have learned that I am inclined to encourage optimism in the people around me, even on my worst days. I understand now that just because you can do something, does not mean you should, and have based many decisions off this rule. I have realized that the world is not a perfect place and that in order to succeed, it’s necessary to be determined and work hard. Facing my weaknesses has only led me to improvement. I have grown as a person from all the problems I have dealt with or even caused. I know now that sometimes it’s better to ask, rather than assume. I know I can be a leader without taking control. Instead I will motivate the people I work with and only insert my opinion when necessary. Through all I’ve learned about myself, I have engraved in my head a picture of perfection, my own image of success. The key element in my image of success is furthering my education, in order to pursue a career I am thoroughly interested in. Attending your educational institution would be the next step in achieving my goals. I will continue to admit my weaknesses in order to turn them into strengths and I see college as my opportunity to continue to paint the picture of perfection that I strive for.I know that the knowledge college provides will advance my journey and as I progress through this broken highway they call life, I know I have to face what’s in front of me and not regret the past. I am on a one-way road to self-discovery and there’s no turning back. 

Just Another Essay

The following is the essay for my NHS application. I honestly don't remember the essay question but I did get into NHS. Enjoy!

National Honors Society Application Essay

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” This concept may not apply to everyone but it is something I have believed for a very long time. Throughout middle school I never really understood how people could be so busy as to miss homework or have to sleep in late. I didn’t do much after school then so basically everyday I’d take the bus home and have hours to do homework. Then I got to high school. I never imagined how many opportunities I would be presented with within only a year. It just seemed as though slowly and steadily I was creating an after school schedule to go along with my normal schedule. By this, my junior year, I have begun to book lunches for things I have to accomplish. Looking back I really don’t know how the first couple months have gone by so fast. The only thing I can say is that I really do take things one day at a time. Prioritizing is such an important aspect in controlling all I have to accomplish. Certain things, of course, rank higher than others. First and most importantly are my grades, tests, homework, projects, they all need to be complete or have a planned time to complete them. I know my parents wouldn’t have it any other way but more importantly, I cannot purposely not study for a test and just hope for the best, I cannot let other people do an entire project for me, and I especially cannot be the person who forgets their homework consciously. Maintaining my GPA is built within me, I will find every way possible to keep it stable.  If I were to be accepted as a member of the (School Name) Chapter of the National Honors Society, my responsibilities as a member would be next in line. I understand that being a member means dedication is required. I realize that by taking on this responsibility can and will mean missing other activities and social events. I believe that as a member I would be able to make a positive impact in my school and community as well as encourage others to do their best at all they wish to achieve.

Quote by Anne Frank.

Things Said To Or About My Adopted Daughters--Article Link

Things Said To Or About My Adopted Daughters | Bored Panda:



Lesson of the day: Learn what you're talking about before you say anything.



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Music Essay

The following is an essay written for a musical lesson scholarship by moi. I did not win it but I did come to terms with my relationship with music, the following is that analysis.

Music. Music is such a broad topic. There are different styles, coinciding with different time periods. There’s the conductor and how they choose to add drama to a piece. And there’s the musician who plays the music.  The role of music in a musician’s life is necessary, it may be the urge to hum constantly, take out their instrument when they’re bored, or simply listen to a favorite piece. I am a musician. Music is, for me, something to wake up to and fall asleep to. It is part of my daily schedule whether its orchestra every morning, practice during lunch, or rehearsals after school. Music is what keeps me going some days and other days, it opens my eyes. I don’t know where I would spend my time without having music in my life. 

A View to Think About