Project 365: Day # 108 - Saturday, December 24 "It's beginning toNOT look a lot like Christmas"

It's Christmas Eve and I was headed up to New York City for the holidays. I woke up at around 4:30 am to get everything ready, thinking that my mom was actually serious about leaving at 5:30 am but we didn't. I wasn't surprised that we ended up leaving at 6:30 am. But I was filled with trepidation because there was a string possibility that the traffic was going to be crazy.When we finally got everything packed up into the car, it began to snow. I was sort of surprised because, it just seemed to happen sporadically but at the same time it was pretty predictable considering the factg that it was about 25 degrees when we left the house. Well we arrived in New York 30 minutes ahead of schedule. I was amazed how we went straight up there without having the need to stop anywhere. Even though it was Christmas Eve, and I was in one of the most amazing places to be during the holidays, it didn't look nor did it feel like Christmas was tomorrow. Sure you have the bustling, and holiday-infested streets of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, but it never really felt like it. Maybe because the weather was too warm and that it was sunny all day with no clouds in sight. Either way, I didn't feel as excited as I would be.

Project 365: Day # 107 - Friday, December 23 "Last Day of School Part 1"

I'm glad that this is our last day of school right before break. I considered this to be the "Last day of School" part 1 only because part two and three would be Spring Break and the last day of the school year. But I couldn't wait for this day to come. I was ready to really relax and enjoy myself to the fullest with my special coterie of family and friends for the holiday season.

Project 365: Day # 106 - Thursday, December 22 "Keep it Classical"

Tonight was the night that I was going to prepare dinner for my cello teacher and her husband and daughter. I had an amazing time cooking for them. I made my favorite shrimp Alfredo dish. I really treated them to a fantastic dinner. It was definitely not a mundane kind of dinner. It was really special for
them and to really thank her for her being able to instruct me on the cello an the fact that I've progressed this far with this special instrument, I knew that she's done a meritorious job and deserves an accolade worth remembering. After dinner we conversed for a while and we then had our own classical "jam Session". From Mozart to Bach, we were able to play some concertos by them as well as from other composers. Her daughter Daniella played the violin for a very long time from the time she was very young. She attended the Peabody Institute of music and Baltimore School for the Arts. Her husband Henry also
Plays the cello. Both of them really put on a show and it was amazing. Just being in the presence of African American musicians playing this kind of music in a way where you would hear on the radio is truly an honor. All three of them inspire me so much to continue perusing my dream and to continue to do what I love to do and how the passion shows it. I still plan on auditioning for the Juilliard school but after my first or second year of college for the cello as well as audition for Manhattan School of music.

Project 365: Day # 105 - Wednesday, December 21 "TABB It!"

Today we had a special guest come in to our AVID class. And her name was Lindsey. I'm not sure if I spelled her name correctly but it was a pleasure to have her here. I was somewhat surprised that she was a former student here at New Town and she also received the most meritorious award in academics. She was known as the School's valedictorian of 2008. I was proud of her based on what she did in the past and why she does now. She inspired me in her own way. Now I had the mentality of if someone was able to do it, then I know for a fact that it can be done. She talked to us about Hampton University which seems really interesting especially when she mentioned the admission opportunities of a full tide along with other benefits based on SAT scores. She also shared some general college information as far as preparing for it. And the thing about TABB is being able to determine what you'll take away from this experience and to fin out what factors are hindering that experience.

Project 365: Day # 103 - Monday, December 19, 2011 "house Points"

Okay now the House of Hyperion is in a desperate need of not some but a plethora of house points. We can allmake that obvious assumption that we are worse than before when it comes down to earning house points. I hear everybody in other houses condescending on Hyperion's effort to gain more house points and they're so right about that. I even think that it's rediculous considering the fact that we're down by about 2,000 points compared to the rest of the houses. I looked at the score chart of all the houses and the total of points that they had and I focused on Hyperion's house. I was dissapointed to see what has been going on with the underclassmen and some of the Juniors. It seems like the same comments for why their points were deducted seemed very verbatim and somewhat predictable. And there were students where they really crossed the line as far as following directions and completing all assignments. Even though those factors are key to being successful academically, the main issue that the majority is having is how to show RESPECT for their teachers and other adult figures. Yes I know this is not like me grammatically to use all capital letters but it really pisses me off in way where no one is showing respect all because they don't do what they're supposed to do or the fact that "The teacher doesn't like them" which is what I've been getting as an excuse for the past 3-4 meetings that we've had. This is not the time to joke around. Actually, there was never a time for that. Scholars like Chrysta Churchill, where she makes decisions that are highly pathetic and stupid. You should never ever tell any teacher or any adult figure to shut up. I don't understand why. And if I were to ask her exactly why it happened, I bet you 9/10 she would say "oh because this teacher got on my nerves and she wouldn't let me do this or she wouldn't let me do that". Things like that are completely Unacceptable and will not be tolerated any longer. I put students like her or worse on the spot not to humiliate them, but to serve as a motive, and to be able to do into a state of redemption. I also do this becasue I do and honestly care about every scholar in my house. This also includes the seniors. Now I come to realize that I've also contributed to Hyperion's down fall beacuse of the fact that I haven't received any acceptance letters nor have I received any scholarships. But it's no question that I'm working as hard as I can to make sure that those things happen. I sent off my fourth application to the Polytechnic Institute of New York University of which the application of $65 dollars was waived. I'm anxious already about getting accepted into any of these schools. Again I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that Hyperion get's caught up. I'm even working on a "project" that would score us a plethora of points. But despite our results in our points, I've never nor will I ever lose faith in my House, because it's how you finish that makes a difference.

Project 365: Day # 102 - Sunday, December 18, 2011 "What a major disappointment"

I don't have a lot to say about today but let's just say I was sort of let down at around 8:45 to like 11:00. Yes I am talking about the Ravens. I was really confident about beating the Chargers just as much as the team was. Aside from the fact that everyone underestimates the record of many teams and they end up losing. Take the Packers and the Chiefs for example. The Chief's record may not have been outstanding like most of the top teams, they still managed to come out on top of Green Bay with their amazing defense and cogent strategy. I feel like the ravens somewhat beat theirselves up in a way. But nevertheless, we made a plethora of errors that we can not afford to make in the next game against the Browns. When Ray Lewis returned to the field, I was very happy and thought we had a much better chance since we performed so well without him. But all I can say is that we lost terribly, that game wasn't our best. Actually it was our worse. But I still have faith in the Ravens and always will. Now with luck, the Steelers will lose to the 49ers. That would be Awesome!

Project 365: Day # 101 - Saturday, December 17, 2011 "Welcome to New Amsterdam"

We all know that New York City has a myriad of nicknames of which people call it when thay mention this prodidgious metropolis of a city. There is so much to say about New York that I find it humanly impossible to tell or describe aeverything little detail about it. New York has been my favorite place in the world. It is definitely the artist capital of the world. I can say about nearly every single artist has had to have come through this city. It is the true inspiration of many amazing people who've made a huge difference in the world especially through entertainment. I was heading up to New York just for the day. I was with my family and a friend of my dad's and thier family. I was filled with so much zeal because I've haven't been up since the beginning of October. I've been to New York so many times that I found it hard to believe it when someone tells me that they've never been to New York before in their life. I went with my family and a friend of my dad's and his family. It was truly an awesome experience to be there with people who've never been before. That just makes it even more exciting.

Project 365: Day # 100 - Friday, December 16, 2011 "I've reached my 100th Blog!!"

This particular friday didn't really feel like it had any meaning to it. There was nothing really exciting nor was there anything worth blogging about. But I remeber that discussion that we had in AVID the other day about blogs where you can't expect something amazing to happen to you every single day and then blog about it. It's like what Mr. Carney said; you could be walking home one day and you can have a normal thought and to be able to determine how it impact your life. It could be as simple as thinking about a new video game that's coming out really soon and you just can't wait to get your hands on it. Well I was doing some thinking on what I could Blog about on this boring Friday until I noticed something. This was my 100th blog so far. I was pretty proud of myself because I was able to keep myself up to date with all of my blogs rather than them being becoming an awry where they're all unorganized. Despite the fact that I find bloggin every day to be some what annoying, I still find it very useful in most cases.

Project 365: Day # 99 - Thursday, December 15, 2011 "My first college Application Fully Completed and sent off."

I just received the news from my mother on the 12th of December early in the morning. I was getting myself ready for school and she told me to check my email whenever I get a chance today because she forwarded me some college information regarding Hofstra University. I really have to thank my mom because I find it very helpful and resourceful to forward the copious amount of college information whether if it dealt with admission, financial aid, and other crucial information over to my email. This gave me a better chance at getting everything done as far as applying for colleges because I know I have the help of both my mother and father when focusing on completing as many applications as possible and to apply and receive as many scholarships as possible. Therefore, I never felt that I was a periah during this process; where I aloof myself from the support of my mother and father. I knew that without them I wouln't be able to complete my applications via the common app. The next day, December 13, 2011, I was able to complete and send off my first application to Hofstra University. My mother received and forwarded me their information where it mentioned that I had a special application to complete where it also mentioned that both the application fee and the essay were waived and they just needed a brief personal response just so that they know more about me. I was happy that I received this application because it made it less stressful when applying. I knew that I wanted to apply to Hofstra because of their meritorious academics and their programs that they offer. This was one of my choices as far as selecting schools. It also gave me a chance to actually send an application off. I felt so proud and accomplished. I hear about my cogent peers receiving acceptance letters to these great schools. And everytime I hear about it in AVID, I feel motivated. My peers motivate me to go far and beyond my ability. I am just as proud of them as I am of myself and I tend to keep it that way throughout the rest of this envigorating journey.

Project 365: Day # 98 - Wednesday, December 14, 2011 "The Ultimate Creation"

I am literally about just a few teps from completing my ultimate creation. If you've read several previous blogs of mine, I did mention the project that I decided to do on the captivating, yet very interesting book "The Hope in the Unseen". Several weeks ago I decided to compose my own score based on what happened in the book. And so far it's coming along rather well. But there are a few things that I need to take the time to do. I have the book on my mom's nook, where I'll be able to reread any important parts that happened in the novel. But I'm going to be more focused on the key events that happened to Cedric and how he's progressing in his journey towards success. This makes it much easier because I know what I need to focus on in order to make this composition a very successful one. It's not like I have to necessarily reread the entire book all over again (although I wouldn't really mind but I'm on a timeline of my own because my house desperately needs house points). I can't wait until I'm completely finished with the entire piece. My intentions are to use and play two instruments in this piece. Those instruments are the violin and the piano.

Project 365: Day # 96 - Monday, December 12, 2011 "My sister's Solo!"

Tonight was the night of my little sister's eighth grade winter concert at Pikesville Middle School. I was really looking forward to this night because I know how well she can really sing, and boy can she sing. She can sing her heart out and I can tell considering the fact that she sings all the time and every day. I kind of found it to be a bit annoying at first but along the way, I just learned to just get over it and to just get used to it. Nyima has a lot of potential when it comes to singing and she'll make sure that every single note is meticulously made. I'm very proud of Nyima. She had a solo tonight on one of her songs that had a somewhat gospel feel to it. My family and I was sitting in the very front row and we were filled with great felicity when we saw her step out of the croud of students and up to the microphone at the very top of the stage. I coudn't beleive that that was my sister who sounded amazing. She received a standing ovation. Now that's something to really be proud of. I know that just by seeing this, I was certain that I was considered to be an excellent role model and as well as an inspiration to her and others; to really carry out and follow your dreams to let it take you far where you're encroaching your ability to strive for excellence. I could really see the passion in her. The willing to sing on stage the way she did. And I can say that from a talented 13-year old, I was truly blown away.

Project 365: Day # 95 - Sunday, December 11, 2011 "Back at it Again"

I think that it's finally starting to come back now. My anime skills are beginnning to develop once again, but it's still not as it was in the past. I still need to practice this amazing art. This was one of those typical days where I have absolutely nothing to do. Therefore the only thing that would really save me from dying of bordum would be to just draw. Every time I come up with an awesome drawing, I always give credit to the fact that I'm always like this when I'm extremely bord and have nothing to do. But it was also one of those days where I was able spend some time with my sister where we watched a few espisodes of "Yu-Yu Hokusho" and other anime shows. She's really got me hooked on it now as far as drawing them. I was sitting at the kitchen table and I decided to just look up a random anime character on the internetand try to draw it. I was my strategy if being able to really practice. I was amazed at what I was capable of doing. I did so well that I never had to erase once. I'm glad I decided to pick this back up because if it wasn't for my sister, I wouldn't be as far as I am now.

Project 365: Day # 94 - Saturday, December 9, 2011 "ACT!!"

Today's the day! This was the day of the ACT test and I was ready for it. Much different from the SAT and somewhat pretty similar to it, I found it to be much easier than the SAT. I woke up at exactly 5:30 am for the simple fact that I couldn't sleep because I was filled with so much zeal and excitement because I felt so confident about how I will perform on this test. But at the sametime I wasn't over-confident. I took the test at Loch Raven Academy, my most favorite middle school ever. When I arrived at  the testing site, I was a little nervous but I knew that I was going to do acceptionally well. I was literally the third person to show up at the site to take the test. Therefore it wasn't every crowded and because of that I never had to feel concerned about feeling incommodious and annoyed by the copious amount of people that filled the hallway. I took my time taking the test and I was able to answer every single question without having to omit any questions. Overall, I thought that I did well and I can't wait until I receive my scores!

Project 365: Day # 93 -Friday, December 9, 2011 "2nd Quarter Interims"

I have no idea why but for some odd reason, I was somewhat nervous about getting my interim. I also don't see why that was especially when I'm constantly on edline every single day and literally every minute. When they announced over the intercom at exactly 2:10 pm, my stomach dropped. Once again I honestly don't know why I was feelin this way when I have a knowledge of my grades in every class via edline and email. I was heading to my A1 clas which was Economics & Public Issues (Honors) and I see Mr. Galowitz outside of the door. Once I arrived at his door he handed me my interim. But he did it in a way where it was a true somber moment. I thought I didn't do as well as I hoped to have done. As it turns out, my interim grades were pretty good. I had only three B's and five A's. I felt pretty good about myself as well as a superfluous sign of relief. But I knew that this wasn't my true best. As of right now, I'm more focused on getting those B's up to A's and I'm very confident and determined that I'll be able to do it by the end of 2nd Quarter.

Project 365: Day # 92 - Thursday, December 8, 2011 "Preparations for Winter Concert 2011"

We are officially about a week away from the school's annual winter concert for the band, choir, string ensemble, and the jazz band. I am more than excited because I believe that we have an excellent performing arts program where the students truly represent themselves to the fullest with their dexterous and advanced musical talents. I am a part of the school band and I can say that we are ready for the concert next week. However, there are a couple things that we as a roup really need to take into consideration. Some of those things are somewhat minor where they can be easily fixed. Factors like these would pretain to the music that we are playing. It clearly shows if someone did not practice at home. And it's seems predictable because of the musical errors that occur. Whether if someone misses a note where he/she plays a sharp when it's supposed to be a flat or whatever the case may be, these are fixable mistakes. But what our main goal is to execute properly and effectively so that our upcoming concert will sure to be a success.

Project 365: Day # 91 -Wednesday, December 7, 2011 "A Blast from the Past"

I was looking through some old photos and I come across the photo that I took of my meritorious yet flamboyant peice of art that I made right on the chalk board. I remeber like it was yesterday. I was in my sophomore year and we were watching a movie in my spanish class. The lights were turned off in the room and I was extremely tired and flet as if I wasn't going to make it through this last class. The best part about this particular class is that we didn't have any questions to go along with the movie. I was sitting in the back of the class room and I could see the students in front of me drawing on the front of the chalk board. And I turned around and I saw that there was colored chalk in the back of the room. I then had a crazy idea of applying my dexterous graffiti skills to the chalk board. I can't really recall as to what the name of the movie was but I know it was the duration of the class. 90 minutes. I felt so much zeal when I was working on this. And it's funny just to see the people looking at you from the front and wondering well what the heck is he doing? But I was able to finish by the end of class. And once the lights came on, everyone was in shock as to what I did on the board. It's amazing as to what only two basic colors can do. It had such an ornate appeal that it was the talk of the school for a while. And I really felt proud that I did this when I over hear people saying "Hey! Did you guys see that drawing on the chalk board in Spanish?". I truly take pride what I love to do and hopefully I plan to make an even bigger mural before I graduate; something that New Town will surely remember me by.

Project 365: Day # 90 -Tuesday, December 6, 2011 "Operation Decoration Part II"

After we untangled all of the lights and brought an end to that tedious activity, it was now to finally to put all of the decorations on to the tree. It was a fun night and to experience this for the last time, where I am able to join my family to decorate the tree made it worth while. I was filled with a tantamount of zeal in comparison to the rest of my family who was involved. It was pretty simple to assemble the artificial tree. since the branches go by a particular color-coding. Therefore, it took us about less than 10 minutes to really put the tree together. But before we decided to put the artificial tree up, we were all contemplating on whether or not to get a real tree or to just stick with the artificial one that we have. I voted against buying a real tree only because, I didn't feel like dealing with the pines falling off the trees and the fact that we have to get rid of it between a duration of about five and a half weeks and to be honest, I never felt like taking the tree outside, where I could easily pack the tree in a box and to be able to take it down stairs. But either way it looked fantastic from the outside view.

Project 365: Day # 89 - Monday, December 5, 2011 "Operation Decortation"

It's now 20 days left until Christmas and I'm really excited about it. I feel like this has been the only time where the month of December is curtailing its duration with Christmas coming around the corner. It's like during the previous years, it felt like Christmas took a really long time coming even though it was about two and a half weeks befroe it arrives. But this time it's nearing pretty quickly and it's time to get ready. I went downstairs to the office where I found about two tubs filled with ornaments and Christmas lights. We had these lights for so long that I didn't think that they would still work. But they turned out that they all work. When I plugged them into an electrical outlet, the lights were showing their very flamboyant and ornate colors. They were very lively and colorful. We then grabbed the artificial tree so that we could start putting the lights on. It was a great family-bonding opportunity. I was very glad that I was able to really take part of this because at this point I would be in school at college. But because I realized that, it was truly worth spending time with my wonderful family decorating.

Project 365: Day # 88 - Sunday, December 4, 2011 "Happy BirthdayJay-Z"

Sean Carter, also known as his stage name Jay-Z has been my most favorite rapper of all time and in the history of hip hop. His music has a prodigious relationship to how I see life through my perspective. I remember when I herd his music for the very first time. I was about four years old and my dad had picked me up from Kinder Care one day and he played the song "It's a Hard knock Life", one of the themes from the meritorious broadway classic "Annie" but with a cool hip hop cadence that truly entices people to cavort and dance freely. I thought that he was amazing when I first heard his music. I love his vibe as well as his style of hip hop. Jay-Z came from a somewhat troubled childhood where he was raised in the infamous Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York. His origins of where he came from and how he carried out his actions during his childhood clearly reflects his musical style and background. And because he's on of my favorite hip hop artists, I decided to upload a YouTube video of me playing the violin to one of Jay-Z's songs called "The Rocs Boys". I played this at a party that followed after the artscape during the summer. Everyone couldn't believe that I was capable of doing something crazy like that. This particular song was my favorite. Therefore, I decided to figure out how to play it. Next thing you know, I pretty much mastered the song. When I first heard the song I was in New York walking down 5th Avenue and I hear the song coming from a loud SUV and I couldn't catch the name of the song. But I knew that it was by Jay-Z. When I found out the name, I immediately went to download it on iTunes. I felt like this could be my theme song every day.

Project 365: Day # 86 - Friday, December 2, 2011 "A Friendly Basketball Game"

I was asked to help out the snack stand at the Volunteer Fire Dept. vs Police Dept. basketball game. It was a decent turn out. There was a DJ for music which helped with the entertainment. there were four groups of players. There were two female teams and two male teams. The female players played first and it was a pretty cool experience to see them play especially my Trigonometry teacher Ms. Russel. Their game was a great game to watch especially with a great amount of dexterous skill coming from both teams. The home team became victorious over the visiting team. The score was a pretty high different. Now it was the males' turn to play. both groups seemed to have played the same way only the male teams were more aggressive and the score was sort of a low compared to the female teams. Either way, both groups played well and it was fun helping out selling snacks to the players and the spectators who come out.

Project 365: Day # 85 - Thursday, December 1, 2011 "The lighting of the Monument"

Tonight was the night of the monument lighting downtown. I went down with my sister and mother and we decided to take the subway from Owings Mills down to North Avenue where my aunt and baby cousin came and picked us up to head down to the lighting. Once we got there we were able to get as close as Cathedral St. when we walked to the monument I began to have a flashback to my audition for BSA when we walked pass the school, only because I was having a somber moment when I found out that i didn't get into the school. But that hasn't stopped me from doing what I'm doing today. When we arrived at the lighting, we got there in time to listen to the famous Morgan State Choir. The small park was seriously inundated with a superfluous amount of people and weren't able to get close to the stage but it turned out to be even better once the fireworks began to start.

Project 365: Day # 84 - Wednesday, November 30, 2011 "The Choice is Mine"

Today I knew I was more busy than ever before. And with that taken into consideration, I knew that I had to make a choice between staying on the track team or leaving the team in order to really focus even more on the college process and to really take the time to fill out all applications and to prepare for the ACT next Saturday. I knew that there are other important things that need to be taken care of. My school work is imperative to an extent where I can't afford any distractions. With that in mind I came up with a decision. My choice was to leave the team. I told my coach and he strongly agreed with my decision. I took this situation not as a somber moment but something great and worth while. These are the kind of sacrifices that I'm soon going to make in the future whether if it's in or outside of college. But after I left I was able to free myself from that weight where I was enjoying it, but at the same time it was limiting me in some ways. Therefore I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore nor do I need to deal with that kind of stress.

Project 365: Day # 83 - Tuesday, November 29, 2011 "Shift Happens"

There are a myriad of events happening in our world today. These events that are going on are based on certain criteria such as education, the process of technology over a period of time, and how the population of certain counties are increasing over a long period of time. And because of these events that are happening, it all comes down to one main conclusion. "Shift Happens". This YouTube video basically gives people the logical information of how the world is progressing over time. These results are both positive and negative. However, they would be considered as more negative than positive only because we're at a point in time that we as humans on this planet are consuming so much more than is necessary. After watching this video in AVID I thought of how to really decrease the amount that we take away from this planet and how we could give it back. Most of the issues that were displayed have to deal with the educational results of most countries and how the results are based on the crucial fact that each country especially the United States are in competition with everyone and that it is imperative that we do our best to stay ahead or in the scenario to catch up. There's so much that need s to be done based on the logical information that was given. I was very surprised about the future of most countries such as China. In the year 2025, things are going to go towards China as far as raw materials such as oil; where China will have built ten cities that are the size of New York City. That's eight million people times ten. Now that is superfluous yet amazing.

Project 365: Day # 82 - Monday, November 28, 2011 "What a nice sunset"

I have no idea why but I've been a fan of sunsets especially when it's really cold outside. I think there is a certain difference in the way the sun sets when it's really warm outside and when it's really cold. It seems like the sun is more brighter meaning like the colors are more clear when it's cold rather when it's warm. What's really cool about it is that this is the time where the trees have lost all of their leaves, which means that it's better and easier to see the sun actually set to the very bottom of the forest. The way this looks makes me envision a scene of a movie or play a song in my head. These colors aren't mundane but more flamboyant and extraordinary; almost as if these colors have a certain meaning to them.

Project 365: Day # 81 - Sunday, November 27, 2011 "Small yet Dnagerous"

I was walking towards the window to open it up just so I could get some air and I happen to see a somewhat medium spider on the curtain. I'm not really afraid of spiders it's just that they are really annoying sometimes. But I don't see them as much either. Therefore, I have both my mother and my sister to really worry about when they spot one and they're screaming at the top of their lungs just so I could kill it. Both are filled with the out most of trepidation and fear every time they see one. It didn't matter on how big or small the spider was because it could be an extremely small spider and they still will freak out and start running as if their heads have been cut off. But I don't blame them. I was that way when I was much younger. Nowadays, I'm still not too fond of spiders but some look pretty cool especially their webs. This picture that I took looks like this spider is pretty harmful.

Project 365: Day # 80 -Saturday, November 26, 2011 "Good ol' Family Bonding"

Guess what? More family time! Yes this was the last day that my cousins were going to be in town and we had to make the best of it. It all started with a huge viewing party of the "It's Academic" taping that was aired on television at 10:00 am. I was so excited to see myself on television but I was sort of nervous at the same time. I've always told people that my voice sounds weird on the phone and when I'm being recorded on video. This was a great experience for me where I was able to see myself on television answering a series of arduous questions. After the small viewing party, we decided to make cupcakes just because we were bored I guess, but it was a lot of fun and felt very exciting. And we made so much that day that we thought to make a small tower out of them. It was nice to be surrounded by the special coterie that is my family.

Project 365: Day # 79 - Friday, November 25, 2011 "What an interesting Evening"

The weather outside was freezing and the way the clouds looked was pretty evident. It really looked like it was just about to snow. The sky seemed depressing and mundane. The cold air in the wind symbolized the imagery of the clouds as the sun began to set. I looked at the forest on the side of my house and as the sun went down, I was able to see a few lines of yellow and orange from the sun's reflection. It looked like as the sun fell towards one side, that side was filled with a small amount of light and as you look up the sky got much darker than it already was. This looked pretty cool when I took this picture only because you have that type of contrast in the background of the forest filled with a myriad of trees and bushes.

Project 365: Day # 78 - Thursday, November 24, 2011 "Happy Thanksgiving!!"

This Thanksgiving was one of the best Thanksgivings ever. I say this for a couple reasons. I couldn't believe the weather. It seemed like it was about between 55-62 degrees outside. It was beautiful outside and it wasn't cold unlike the previous Thanksgivings. I was truly inundated with a plethora of hugs from so many of my family members. I was filled with great zeal and felicity that I was able to see my cousins whom I haven't seen in a long while. this was a fun-filled night. Even though the turnout wasn't as enormous as it is during Christmas, it was just enough people where there's no concern for a part of the house to be incommodious and filled with people from one wall to the next. We had dinner at my Grandmother's house but we prepared every thing at my house. It felt great to have my cousins help with preparing the food to bring over. It was a great time for me to really talk to them and to see how things were going with them as far as family and school. Dinner at my grandmother's house couldn't be more perfect. We told so many jokes it was ridiculous. I have a crazy family but I love to a point where I can't explain it and that's one true thing to be thankful for.