1. Take a nap- I like to think that taking a nap will give me more energy to do a more sufficient job on whatever task I am presented with.. at a later time of course.
2. Download music- There are always new songs i am dying to put on my iPod, and i tend to make this a very high priority.
3. Go to Starbucks- Maybe drinking coffee will be a quicker version of a nap... more energy in less time.
4. Exercise- Going for a nice run always clears my mind and gives me a chance to forget about all the stress currently going on in my life.
5. Eat- There is nothing worse than eating when you are bored or procrastinating... but it happens.
6. Watch television- When I am procrastinating it seems as though I am always able to find something to watch on television!
7. Take my dog for a walk- My doggie loves when I take her on walks, and I enjoy it even more when there's something else I'd rather not be doing!
8. Fidget- It is shocking the amount of time I can spend picking at my fingernails or twiddling my thumbs when I am trying to avoid something.
9. Aimlessly walk around the house and sing- I know I should be doing something more important, but it can be extremely difficult to sit still for long periods of time.
10. Continue to tell myself that I can put the project at hand off for as long as I need to, and everything will work out. It amazes me how convincing I am!

1. Starbucks iced passion tea lemonade
2. Snow days, or days off of school
3. Watching a movie in class
4. Getting a call or text from someone you haven't talked to in a while
5. A favorite song coming on the radio
6. Free time to read a book for pleasure
7. Getting your nails done
8. Buying a new shirt
9. Treating yourself to chocolate
10. A marathon of your favorite show on television
11. Taking your dog for a walk on a sunny day
12. Flip flop weather
13. Receiving/giving a compliment
14. Using a new pencil
15. Finding a cute pair of shoes you wanted on sale

One of my favorite little pleasure is hearing someone I haven't talked to in a while. During the school year with so much going on including academics and after school activities, its hard to keep up with all of your friends. Hearing from someone I haven't seen in a while brightens my day just knowing they were thinking about me. It lets me take a break from my boring daily routine schedule and have a chance to get a different point of view on issues I am dealing with from someone I don't normally talk to. It is a nice little surprise, and who doesn't like surprises!? Someone making an effort to communicate with me reminds me that I should also try to talk to someone I have been out of touch with, because you can never have too many good friends!

"If you don't risk anything, you risk more..." -Erica Jong

I completely agree with this statement. Although i believe you should always thoroughly weigh your options and never make a decision rationally, it is for the best to aim for what you believe in. If you want something, it is guaranteed you won't get it if you never try. If something requires a risk to be taken, why not? The worst that can happen is that things will not go the way you planned, but you move on and learn from your mistakes. If risks are never taken, you will spend days torturing yourself, asking "what would have happened if I had done this...?" never knowing what could have been. A lost opportunity is a bigger loss than the risk of the opportunity itself. A fear of failure is what hold people back from seizing the day (carpe diem, which is one of my favorite sayings). Every day should be lived as though it is your last. This sounds corny, but it is true. Living your life full of moments where you wish you would have done something will get you nowhere. I love the saying "Go big or go home", because it is motivational and lighthearted at the same time. The quote reminds me of this saying because they both are urging people to go for what they want, even if it is a risk. Whenever i am doubting a decision, I can now think back to this quote an re-think my options. It may just be the extra little push I need to "go big or go home".

There are many things I am afraid of, and if i had to pick the top 20 they would be:
1. Being in the dark alone
2. Being up high without anything to keep me from falling
3. Going away to college next year
4. Making the wrong decision
5. Death, not only for myself but mainly of ones i care about
6. Natural disasters
7. Failure
8. Rejection
9. Change, especially when I am perfectly content with the way things are
10. Germs... you can never trust where other people's hands have been!
11. Getting lost in a large crowd
12. Being kidnapped
13. Being in a lot of pain
14. Crossing bridges, I always think they are going to collapse the second i drive over them
15. Lightning
16. Speaking in front of large audiences
17. Taking important exams or tests
18. Dangerous animals
19. Being robbed while I am at work, or being held hostage
20. My future

The one fear that stands out to me the most is being in a tremendous amount of pain. I think the reason for this is the fact that I have never been in a lot of pain before. I have never broken a bone, nor have I gone through a traumatic type of surgery. The fear is not only of pain itself, but what it would feel like. It scares me that I have no idea what I am in for if I were to be put in a painful situation. For now, all I can do is hope I can go the rest of my life without breaking any bones!

Dear 10-year old Alex,
There are many things I think you should know about your future. First at foremost, do not spend your time worrying about things that won't matter. It may seem like a huge deal to you now, but don't let it affect you. Keep your head up, stay strong, and learn from your mistakes. Also, spend more time with your sister. As many fights as the two of you get in, I can promise that you two will be close forever. Remember that all siblings fight, and you guys love each other. Never forget how much your parents love you either. If at any time in the future they seem unfair or mean, they are doing it for your own good. Learn to trust their judgment, and you will be better off in the long run.
Another piece of advice I have for you is to stick with dancing. You will later regret quitting, because its what you truly love. If you have a passion for something, follow it and don;t give up. You should learn to challenge yourself more so that you can become better at it. It will also teach you to never give up on anything in life. Always try your hardest, and give everything 100%. Do all of the things you have ever wanted to do, because time flies by quickly and before you know it you may have lost the chance to do something exciting. Seize opportunities as they come to you, and do not be afraid to take risks.
You may not understand what all of this means just yet, but I can assure you one day you will understand exactly where I am coming from.
Yours Truly,
Alex

how would 3 completely opposite people describe the same room?

An old embittered woman would say that a room is a place that ties you down. It keeps you from the outside world that is full of hatred and terror. She may say that the room which protects children from the real world is a negative place, misinforming them of what life is really like. This woman has lived the majority of her life, and has experienced a lot of everything. Therefore, she has a pessimistic view towards the room due to the fact that she is very realistic and well informed.

A young idealistic boy would make the room his own. To him, the room could be a secret portal to an unknown world filled with mystical creatures and adventure. The boy has no worries, so he finds the room fun and exciting. A young boy also has an enormous imagination, and has not experienced much of his life yet. So far, his parents have protected and taken care of him, so he has the mindset that life if meant to be fun and lived with no regrets.

The mother of a newborn baby would see the room as a place to raise her child. Being the mother of a newborn, her mind is most likely focused completely on the baby and caring for his or her well-being. The room is a start to the baby's future, and is a place for him/her to grow and become an individual with hopes and dreams of their own. To the mother, the sole purpose of the room is a place for the baby to be nurtured and loved by the mother.

There are a lot of things I am unsure of....
Why is the sky blue?
How should I wear my hair today?
Who came up with the school curriculum?
Why do people speak in different languages?
What makes two people fall in love?

I often wonder what true love feels like. How do you know when it happens to you? Does true love last forever? Does everyone hAve a soulmate, or are some people meant to be alone?

What makes people think they are better than others? I am unsure why some people revieve better treatment than other when our Constitution states that all men are created equal. Why do people find joy in putting down others? To be confident, do you have to be pretty, smart, and talented? Why do different people have different talents? Is it natural, or can anyone be good at something if they set their mind to it?

Is your life pre-determined, or do your choices and decisions determine your life? Why do people make bad decisions? What makes a person unique? Why does every individual think differently and have different opinions? Do certain people view "bad" decisions as good ones? Why do horrible things happen to the best people? Why is sadness such a common emotion?

Why does death occur? How could one human kill another? Doesn't everyone deserve to be happy?

What is the purpose of life? How do I decide what I want to do with my life? Should I do what makes me happy, or is the goal to obtain a lot of money? Can someone be truly happy if they do t have someone to share their life with?

I am unsure of what true happiness feels like, and if I have felt it before.

What is the worst feeling in the world? Will everyone feel this at some point in their life?

One thing I am sure of is that I want to be happy, and I want my loved ones to be happy. Stressing won't get you anywhere, so taking time to have fun every once in a while is a good thing.

I say "yes" to....
My friends and family when they ask me to do them a favor.
Going to the rec to work out after school to stay fit.
Succeeding in school, so that I always have a mindset for achievement.
Dreaming big, and never giving up.
Spending time with the people who matter most to me.
Working, so that I will have money to save and spend.
Taking time to watch my favorite TV shows.
Focusing my energy on my top priorities.
Downloading music that makes me want to sing and dance.
Having heart to heart conversations with my dog.
Keeping an open mind to try new things.
Looking for the best in any situation.
Playing old computer games, then realizing they are just as fun as they used to be.
Intense ping pong matches with my dad.
Going out to dinner for no special occasion.
Blowing money on a Starbucks nonfat grande vanilla latte with whip and a coffee cake.
Driving my sister places so we can catch up on our personal lives.
Texting people who are sitting right next to me to make them laugh.
Being grateful for everything I have.
Living with no regrets, and taking no time for granted.