December 6, 1994
Christmas jacket keep me warm. I'll put you on me. So you will have to do your job.
-Elisa, Age 6, First Grade
The weather is finally getting cold down here in Texas! And not "cold in the morning, then shoot back up to 80 by noon" cold, either! I love this cold weather. It's absolutely beautiful!
I understand that some of y'all Yanks up north might consider our "cold weather" to be rather mild. Baby stuff. But what y'all also gotta understand is that we ain't used to none of this cold weather! Just last week, I was out in shorts and a t-shirt! I know I know, you're probably still saying, "Feh! Sissy stuff."
In any case, y'all better know that you'd fry in one of our Texas summers.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
You may remember this post, where I once said that I was going to be a singer with my cousin. We had written a song called "Thanksgiving" to the tune on a kiddie Casio keyboard that had Baby Kermit on it.
Today, I am going to post the lyrics to this masterpiece for all of you to enjoy.
Thanksgiving
Written by Elisa Leal and Daniela Riojas
ages 6 or 7
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
The Pilgrims came to America
The Pilgrims came to America
And made friends with the Indians.
They had a great big feast
To realize what they've done
They had a great big feast
To realize what they've done
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble gobble.
Today, I am going to post the lyrics to this masterpiece for all of you to enjoy.
Thanksgiving
Written by Elisa Leal and Daniela Riojas
ages 6 or 7
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
The Pilgrims came to America
The Pilgrims came to America
And made friends with the Indians.
They had a great big feast
To realize what they've done
They had a great big feast
To realize what they've done
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
Thanksgiving is the day
To remember what we're thankful for
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble gobble.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Turkey's Revenge
Hi, I am a turkey I just escaped from the farmer. AHHH he's chasing me again bye I'll see you tomorrow.
Hi again follow me here we are my hiding place don't talk I'm going to spring on him any minute. BOOM. I shot him yeah. Bye.
THE END
-Elisa, age 7
November 1995
Hi again follow me here we are my hiding place don't talk I'm going to spring on him any minute. BOOM. I shot him yeah. Bye.
THE END
-Elisa, age 7
November 1995
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Magic Carpet
Wow! I won a free ride on a magic carpet! I will write a narritive story about my adventure.
Once I went to a carnival and played a game called Skeeball. I got the highest score of points against a girl I met named Rachel. Suddenly, a man with red and yellow checked clothes came up to me and said, "You have won a free magic carpet ride, for winning the most points ever in Skeeball history!" I answered back to the man, "Sure, hey am I going to meet Aladdin and his genie, or what?" He reassured, "Sure, if you want to. For this carpet I'm telling you about can go back in time, go to the future, or even, get this, or it can even go anywhere in the world, in present time that is."
"So your telling me," I said, "That I can go anywhere with the carpet." "That's correct!" Said the man. So then I grabbed the carpet, laid it on the ground, climbed on it, and said "Agra-cadabra!" Suddenly, the carpet went into the air and made me jump a little bit. I yelled aloud, "Yow! Take me to Jamaca!" Then as soon as I said it, I saw grass, rushing past my carpet and I. Then I saw bright, blue, beautiful oceans below me. After a few hours I saw an island. The island was Jamaca. I yelled very excitedly "Hooray!"
I saw a few people waving at me, as if they were waiting for me or something. When the carpet neared the ground of Jamaca, I jumped off. Then the people of Jamaca cleared a path and, what looked like an indian chief, came and spoke to me. He said, "Hello. I am Cachuma. Are you a peaceful person?" I answered, "Sure." Then he said, "You are welcome here." Suddenly, there was a huge cheering coming from the people. Then I got to swim, eat, and play with other Jamacian kids. Then I looked at my watch and saw it was almost time for dinner. I rushed to the carpet, said Bye, said the magic words and where I wanted to go, and flew over the waters just in time.
Boy, am I glad I got home in time. We had tacos.
February 2, 1998
Elisa, Age 9
All right. Clearly, there is room for improvement. For one, my grammar and spelling was pretty bad. I left the mistakes on purpose, so that we can all see how much I've learned since then. Secondly, I obviously had no idea what went down in Jamaica. Ever.
You have to admit, though, Skeeball is an awesome game, and winning a magic carpet ride is definitely a prize that matches the game's majesty. I mean, I still like playing Skeeball. Don't you?
Additionally, between you and me, I don't think I wore a watch in fourth grade. I'm just sayin... Nine-Year-Old Me... you should be more plausible in your stories, mmkay? I mean a watch? C'mon.
Another thing: I have no idea why I'm so laid-back about everything in the story. I don't think I said "sure" in such a nonchalant manner all the time. At least, I read it in such a way. Little me was OBVIOUSLY the coolest cat in town. I bet she had a comb in her back pocket and everything. ~Suave~
In conclusion, there might have been a few flaws in this tall tale, but by GOD if it didn't have the best ending EVER.
Once I went to a carnival and played a game called Skeeball. I got the highest score of points against a girl I met named Rachel. Suddenly, a man with red and yellow checked clothes came up to me and said, "You have won a free magic carpet ride, for winning the most points ever in Skeeball history!" I answered back to the man, "Sure, hey am I going to meet Aladdin and his genie, or what?" He reassured, "Sure, if you want to. For this carpet I'm telling you about can go back in time, go to the future, or even, get this, or it can even go anywhere in the world, in present time that is."
"So your telling me," I said, "That I can go anywhere with the carpet." "That's correct!" Said the man. So then I grabbed the carpet, laid it on the ground, climbed on it, and said "Agra-cadabra!" Suddenly, the carpet went into the air and made me jump a little bit. I yelled aloud, "Yow! Take me to Jamaca!" Then as soon as I said it, I saw grass, rushing past my carpet and I. Then I saw bright, blue, beautiful oceans below me. After a few hours I saw an island. The island was Jamaca. I yelled very excitedly "Hooray!"
I saw a few people waving at me, as if they were waiting for me or something. When the carpet neared the ground of Jamaca, I jumped off. Then the people of Jamaca cleared a path and, what looked like an indian chief, came and spoke to me. He said, "Hello. I am Cachuma. Are you a peaceful person?" I answered, "Sure." Then he said, "You are welcome here." Suddenly, there was a huge cheering coming from the people. Then I got to swim, eat, and play with other Jamacian kids. Then I looked at my watch and saw it was almost time for dinner. I rushed to the carpet, said Bye, said the magic words and where I wanted to go, and flew over the waters just in time.
Boy, am I glad I got home in time. We had tacos.
February 2, 1998
Elisa, Age 9
All right. Clearly, there is room for improvement. For one, my grammar and spelling was pretty bad. I left the mistakes on purpose, so that we can all see how much I've learned since then. Secondly, I obviously had no idea what went down in Jamaica. Ever.
You have to admit, though, Skeeball is an awesome game, and winning a magic carpet ride is definitely a prize that matches the game's majesty. I mean, I still like playing Skeeball. Don't you?
Additionally, between you and me, I don't think I wore a watch in fourth grade. I'm just sayin... Nine-Year-Old Me... you should be more plausible in your stories, mmkay? I mean a watch? C'mon.
Another thing: I have no idea why I'm so laid-back about everything in the story. I don't think I said "sure" in such a nonchalant manner all the time. At least, I read it in such a way. Little me was OBVIOUSLY the coolest cat in town. I bet she had a comb in her back pocket and everything. ~Suave~
In conclusion, there might have been a few flaws in this tall tale, but by GOD if it didn't have the best ending EVER.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Columbus Day
1995
Hi my name is Cristopher Columbus I am fine I want to tell you about my jorneys but I can't but I will tell you one it is long. Once I went to Hawwi and I found a tiger
...And that is why there are no more tigers in Hawaii.
Seriously, though, today is Columbus Day in the good ol' U.S. of A.
What the average American might remember about Christopher Columbus:
Of course, this cannot be all the facts. I've heard that Columbus was kind of a jerk, and I'm prepared to believe it! How many times do we hear about history's great heroes that were actually not that great? A lot, that's how many. I'm sure that a quick Google search would be more than enough to find some dirt on Mr. Columbus, so I'll leave that research for you to do. How can I expect you to learn how to do anything if I always do it for you?
I would very much like to see Kate Beaton's take on Christopher Columbus. I am almost positive that she can shed some amusing light on the character of this particular historical icon. (Also, if you don't read her comic, you should start! It is history made hilarious.)
In closing, I want to say that yes, Columbus came here and all, but maybe he isn't actually all that and a bag of potato chips. Also, Amerigo Vespucci's where it's at.
Hi my name is Cristopher Columbus I am fine I want to tell you about my jorneys but I can't but I will tell you one it is long. Once I went to Hawwi and I found a tiger
...And that is why there are no more tigers in Hawaii.
Seriously, though, today is Columbus Day in the good ol' U.S. of A.
What the average American might remember about Christopher Columbus:
- In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
- He had 3 ships: The Niña, The Pinta, and the Santa Maria. (Bonus points if they actually remember the names of the ships.)
- He was homies with Isabella and Ferdinand, rulers of Spain.
- He wanted to sail West to find a shortcut East. People thought he'd fall off the edge of the earth, but he was all "Chill, suckas, I got this."
- He... he was Portuguese, right?
- He is credited as the discoverer of "The New World."
Of course, this cannot be all the facts. I've heard that Columbus was kind of a jerk, and I'm prepared to believe it! How many times do we hear about history's great heroes that were actually not that great? A lot, that's how many. I'm sure that a quick Google search would be more than enough to find some dirt on Mr. Columbus, so I'll leave that research for you to do. How can I expect you to learn how to do anything if I always do it for you?
I would very much like to see Kate Beaton's take on Christopher Columbus. I am almost positive that she can shed some amusing light on the character of this particular historical icon. (Also, if you don't read her comic, you should start! It is history made hilarious.)
In closing, I want to say that yes, Columbus came here and all, but maybe he isn't actually all that and a bag of potato chips. Also, Amerigo Vespucci's where it's at.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Importance of Being Educated
November 3, 1994
Rectangle. And a square. Are a shap. And there are other shaps.
November 15, 1994
Math is esy like if I go 3+2=5 or 4+2=6 that is math.
November 21, 1994
Reading is very iptrnt and books tell you about lots of things.
March 10, 1995
Today I'm gonna eat lunch with my teacher because I read 100 books. I can't wait until It's time. I will have fun. I hope I rember to be polit.
Guys, I don't know what happened, but I don't think that math is "esy" anymore. But I certainly love to draw shaps. And I'm always reading! Always reading my textbooks, and yes, they do tell me about lots of things. Things that will probably be on my exam, to be sure. Additionally, you can all see that, indeed, even then, I was a nerd. I'm not even ashamed. Nerds are awesome.
Anyway, education is very important because:
a) You learn things that you can apply in every day life or at least in a trivia board game.
b) More and more places are willing to give you more money if you have a piece of paper (or more) sayin you're educated.
c) Being educated gives you things to talk about at cocktail parties. Also, you are probably invited to more cocktail parties if you're educated.
d) Learning is FUN!
Education: It's The Best.
Rectangle. And a square. Are a shap. And there are other shaps.
November 15, 1994
Math is esy like if I go 3+2=5 or 4+2=6 that is math.
November 21, 1994
Reading is very iptrnt and books tell you about lots of things.
March 10, 1995
Today I'm gonna eat lunch with my teacher because I read 100 books. I can't wait until It's time. I will have fun. I hope I rember to be polit.
Guys, I don't know what happened, but I don't think that math is "esy" anymore. But I certainly love to draw shaps. And I'm always reading! Always reading my textbooks, and yes, they do tell me about lots of things. Things that will probably be on my exam, to be sure. Additionally, you can all see that, indeed, even then, I was a nerd. I'm not even ashamed. Nerds are awesome.
Anyway, education is very important because:
a) You learn things that you can apply in every day life or at least in a trivia board game.
b) More and more places are willing to give you more money if you have a piece of paper (or more) sayin you're educated.
c) Being educated gives you things to talk about at cocktail parties. Also, you are probably invited to more cocktail parties if you're educated.
d) Learning is FUN!
Education: It's The Best.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Little Elisa Has Friends
October 28, 1994
Me and My friends go to school but some times wer abset and some times wer not abset.
February 8, 1995
Aaron is funny because he was born funny.
May 10, 1995
I was teaching Callie spanish like gato and perro.
I still have friends! Not the same ones, though. In fact, I can't even remember who Aaron and Callie were. Weird, huh?
Friendships are kind of weird in general. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about our high school buddies and where they've ended up. We laughed at how we all made the cliche "Other people may drift apart, but WE never will!" vows at the end of our senior year. Of course... some of us drifted apart, and some of us grew closer. Some of us drifted apart and THEN grew closer again. Some of us have completely changed for the better, and some for the worse. There are those we still talk to every day and those that we haven't the foggiest idea of where they've ended up.
And that's just my friends from high school.
Oh, Facebook and Twitter give us a false sense of "keeping up" with our old pals, but people don't really post EVERYTHING on those sites (and those who do learn quickly from their mistakes). No, it still remains that real friendships come from actual interaction with each other. The fact that you can still talk and laugh with each other means a great deal more than poking you on Facebook or tweeting a "Hpy Bday Girl! <3 <3 <3" at you.
Coincidentally, I don't necessarily share these bonds of friendship only with people who I talk to in person. The "internet friend" phenomenon has certainly become more commonplace in recent years. I'd be a liar if I were to say that I don't have or that I've never had internet friends. In fact, I've got some internet friends that I tell more personal information than I do to some of my real life friends! (Check out @hugparty on Twitter, she's amazing). I find it fascinating that such a strong bond can be made just by divulging information and sharing jokes and moments, that isn't even recreated with all the people you meet in your day-to-day life. And with programs like Skype and Ustream, the ability to videochat leaves you with a feeling that is almost as good as a face-to-face conversation.
Don't get me wrong. I don't think that videochatting can ever be a sufficient replacement for a face-to-face interaction. There are things that the camera won't pick up: entire body language, smells, certain lighting (let's be real-- webcams aren't the best in photographic technology). But they do allow you to see things like facial expressions, which gives many more clues to a person's feelings and reactions that just text in a box or even just a person's voice can.
No matter how we come to have these friends, there's no doubt that they're important facets of our lives. Through these friends we live and grow. For some, their friends are a second family. In any case, I'm pretty sure that we can all agree that when you've found an awesome friend, it's something you cherish.
Me and My friends go to school but some times wer abset and some times wer not abset.
February 8, 1995
Aaron is funny because he was born funny.
May 10, 1995
I was teaching Callie spanish like gato and perro.
I still have friends! Not the same ones, though. In fact, I can't even remember who Aaron and Callie were. Weird, huh?
Friendships are kind of weird in general. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about our high school buddies and where they've ended up. We laughed at how we all made the cliche "Other people may drift apart, but WE never will!" vows at the end of our senior year. Of course... some of us drifted apart, and some of us grew closer. Some of us drifted apart and THEN grew closer again. Some of us have completely changed for the better, and some for the worse. There are those we still talk to every day and those that we haven't the foggiest idea of where they've ended up.
And that's just my friends from high school.
Oh, Facebook and Twitter give us a false sense of "keeping up" with our old pals, but people don't really post EVERYTHING on those sites (and those who do learn quickly from their mistakes). No, it still remains that real friendships come from actual interaction with each other. The fact that you can still talk and laugh with each other means a great deal more than poking you on Facebook or tweeting a "Hpy Bday Girl! <3 <3 <3" at you.
Coincidentally, I don't necessarily share these bonds of friendship only with people who I talk to in person. The "internet friend" phenomenon has certainly become more commonplace in recent years. I'd be a liar if I were to say that I don't have or that I've never had internet friends. In fact, I've got some internet friends that I tell more personal information than I do to some of my real life friends! (Check out @hugparty on Twitter, she's amazing). I find it fascinating that such a strong bond can be made just by divulging information and sharing jokes and moments, that isn't even recreated with all the people you meet in your day-to-day life. And with programs like Skype and Ustream, the ability to videochat leaves you with a feeling that is almost as good as a face-to-face conversation.
Don't get me wrong. I don't think that videochatting can ever be a sufficient replacement for a face-to-face interaction. There are things that the camera won't pick up: entire body language, smells, certain lighting (let's be real-- webcams aren't the best in photographic technology). But they do allow you to see things like facial expressions, which gives many more clues to a person's feelings and reactions that just text in a box or even just a person's voice can.
No matter how we come to have these friends, there's no doubt that they're important facets of our lives. Through these friends we live and grow. For some, their friends are a second family. In any case, I'm pretty sure that we can all agree that when you've found an awesome friend, it's something you cherish.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Little Elisa Likes Things
August 30, 1994
I Like The Raynbow.
August 31, 1994
My favrite wrod is Lion.
September 6, 1994
I like my hose.
(Future Elisa's Note: There was a picture of a house)
October 6, 1994
My favrite dog is Clifrd
October 7, 1994
I love murmads.
October 13, 1994
I love my famliy and I like me.
October 19, 1994
I like the moon and the stars and the niet
October 21, 1994
My favrite pet is a dog or a cat but ther is one of them that is the dog.
October 25, 1994
Good day Ms. Ferguson I like your room alot I wish I liveed ther.
November 29, 1994
I like the lion king becuas it's funny. It's so funny that I lafghed so hard. My favrite part is when Simba pushed Nala in the water.
January 19, 1995
I like my bike with unucorns and sporkling stekers.
I... I still like a lot of things. No, really, it's kind of hard for me to choose a favorite anything nowadays because I like so many things.
I think I might need help.
I Like The Raynbow.
August 31, 1994
My favrite wrod is Lion.
September 6, 1994
I like my hose.
(Future Elisa's Note: There was a picture of a house)
October 6, 1994
My favrite dog is Clifrd
October 7, 1994
I love murmads.
October 13, 1994
I love my famliy and I like me.
October 19, 1994
I like the moon and the stars and the niet
October 21, 1994
My favrite pet is a dog or a cat but ther is one of them that is the dog.
October 25, 1994
Good day Ms. Ferguson I like your room alot I wish I liveed ther.
November 29, 1994
I like the lion king becuas it's funny. It's so funny that I lafghed so hard. My favrite part is when Simba pushed Nala in the water.
January 19, 1995
I like my bike with unucorns and sporkling stekers.
I... I still like a lot of things. No, really, it's kind of hard for me to choose a favorite anything nowadays because I like so many things.
I think I might need help.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
But A Dream Within A Dream
March 1, 1995
Once my dad had a dream he saw Indians riding bikes.
March 3, 1995
Last night my brother had a dream he flushed Cyres Jorge down the toylet.
I've always thought that dreams are fascinating. It's fun to find correlations between what you dreamed about and what's going on in your life at the moment. It's amazing when answers come to you in your dream, almost as if your brain is using that time to make sense out of predicaments that are too complex when we're busy during the day. When I was working on making a parody video of Robert Pattinson's fans (which can be viewed here), I had dreams about the guy. Very weird to experience, very interesting to think about from an objective perspective.
As fun as it is to analyze these things, I've come to realize that I tend to rate my dreams differently than most people. From what I've gathered, most people tend to rate their dreams based on content. If you hooked up with your current love interest, it's a good dream. If there are flesh-eating zombies everywhere, it's a bad dream. However, content doesn't really factor as much into how I rate my dreams. I tend to rate my dreams on the intensity of the emotions involved. If there are diseased zombies all over the place, attacking my loved ones, yet it's as though I'm merely watching a movie and am not emotionally invested in it, the dream doesn't bother me. I don't view it as a "bad" dream. However, I've had dreams where the content would normally be rated "good," but the level of intensity of my emotions in the dream were so high that they felt real. I woke up still feeling that way, and it's such a worrisome experience that I rate the dream as "bad." For example, I once had a dream that I was in love with someone. The entire dream was just the two of us being together, in love. We laughed, we hung out, it was overall a "good" dream, when judged solely by its content. But the feeling of being in love was so intense and so real, that when I woke up the next morning, it was shocking. It jarred me so much that I considered it a bad dream. Obviously when positive emotions can earn a "bad" rating, then negative emotions most certainly can.
Thus far, I haven't met anyone else who rates dreams the same way. Most people tell me that content is the main factor in determining whether or not their dream is a good or bad one. I've even had some people tell me that their dreams are hardly emotional to begin with. Does this make me more emotional than most? Or am I simply analyzing things differently? You be the judge.
Once my dad had a dream he saw Indians riding bikes.
March 3, 1995
Last night my brother had a dream he flushed Cyres Jorge down the toylet.
I've always thought that dreams are fascinating. It's fun to find correlations between what you dreamed about and what's going on in your life at the moment. It's amazing when answers come to you in your dream, almost as if your brain is using that time to make sense out of predicaments that are too complex when we're busy during the day. When I was working on making a parody video of Robert Pattinson's fans (which can be viewed here), I had dreams about the guy. Very weird to experience, very interesting to think about from an objective perspective.
As fun as it is to analyze these things, I've come to realize that I tend to rate my dreams differently than most people. From what I've gathered, most people tend to rate their dreams based on content. If you hooked up with your current love interest, it's a good dream. If there are flesh-eating zombies everywhere, it's a bad dream. However, content doesn't really factor as much into how I rate my dreams. I tend to rate my dreams on the intensity of the emotions involved. If there are diseased zombies all over the place, attacking my loved ones, yet it's as though I'm merely watching a movie and am not emotionally invested in it, the dream doesn't bother me. I don't view it as a "bad" dream. However, I've had dreams where the content would normally be rated "good," but the level of intensity of my emotions in the dream were so high that they felt real. I woke up still feeling that way, and it's such a worrisome experience that I rate the dream as "bad." For example, I once had a dream that I was in love with someone. The entire dream was just the two of us being together, in love. We laughed, we hung out, it was overall a "good" dream, when judged solely by its content. But the feeling of being in love was so intense and so real, that when I woke up the next morning, it was shocking. It jarred me so much that I considered it a bad dream. Obviously when positive emotions can earn a "bad" rating, then negative emotions most certainly can.
Thus far, I haven't met anyone else who rates dreams the same way. Most people tell me that content is the main factor in determining whether or not their dream is a good or bad one. I've even had some people tell me that their dreams are hardly emotional to begin with. Does this make me more emotional than most? Or am I simply analyzing things differently? You be the judge.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Elisa, What Were You Thinking?
Editor's Note: This post is full of things that make me wonder exactly WHAT was going on in my little head back then. Enjoy.
First Grade
August 22, 1994
This weeked I Ball
October 24, 1994
Why don't you take a bath hone you stek and put womes with it.
December 5, 1994
How do you make things? Out of play-doh. Oh-no your brother is knocking down your egg. Bad brother bad I'm so mad. Well if you do that again Hector I will tell mom on you.
January 11, 1995
My berthday is AG the 4th. Oh how nice my techer is her name is Ms Ferguson.
April 26, 1995
When my brother was trying to wake me up he went like this in my ear B B B B B B B B B
Second Grade (Dates unknown)
"Bats are so pecuelar. I really don't now a lot about bats. But I seen bat doo-doo."
"I like my new glasses. They are blurple and marchon."
-Elisa, ages 6 and 7
First Grade
August 22, 1994
This weeked I Ball
October 24, 1994
Why don't you take a bath hone you stek and put womes with it.
December 5, 1994
How do you make things? Out of play-doh. Oh-no your brother is knocking down your egg. Bad brother bad I'm so mad. Well if you do that again Hector I will tell mom on you.
January 11, 1995
My berthday is AG the 4th. Oh how nice my techer is her name is Ms Ferguson.
April 26, 1995
When my brother was trying to wake me up he went like this in my ear B B B B B B B B B
Second Grade (Dates unknown)
"Bats are so pecuelar. I really don't now a lot about bats. But I seen bat doo-doo."
"I like my new glasses. They are blurple and marchon."
-Elisa, ages 6 and 7
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Something is Wrong
October 26, 1994
My name is Elisa but something is wrog that I love every one.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
Message from Future Elisa to 6 year old Elisa:
Sometimes, it can seem like something is wrong if you love everyone. Love is a pretty big responsibility. Really, you don't have to actually LOVE everyone, but it is good to be kind. Remember to be kind to everyone, and that can be just as good (if not better) than loving everyone.
When you love someone, there are a lot of expectations that come along with it. You won't necessarily be able to fulfill all of these expectations with one person, let alone many people. All you can do is show them that you love them to the best of your own ability.
You also have to remember that there are many different kinds of love, too! There's the kind of love where you want to get married (I call that romantic love), familial love (that means where you love your family like mom and dad), brotherly love, love you share with your friends, love you hold for people who have had an impact on you and may not fit into any of those categories, and many more.
Don't worry if you don't understand all of this, 6 year old Elisa. It's 15 years later, and I'm still trying to figure out this "love" business.
My name is Elisa but something is wrog that I love every one.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
Message from Future Elisa to 6 year old Elisa:
Sometimes, it can seem like something is wrong if you love everyone. Love is a pretty big responsibility. Really, you don't have to actually LOVE everyone, but it is good to be kind. Remember to be kind to everyone, and that can be just as good (if not better) than loving everyone.
When you love someone, there are a lot of expectations that come along with it. You won't necessarily be able to fulfill all of these expectations with one person, let alone many people. All you can do is show them that you love them to the best of your own ability.
You also have to remember that there are many different kinds of love, too! There's the kind of love where you want to get married (I call that romantic love), familial love (that means where you love your family like mom and dad), brotherly love, love you share with your friends, love you hold for people who have had an impact on you and may not fit into any of those categories, and many more.
Don't worry if you don't understand all of this, 6 year old Elisa. It's 15 years later, and I'm still trying to figure out this "love" business.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday Sermon
October 18, 1994
God I love you and I love other's and I mite go to haen.
December 8, 1994
Did you know abuout God's angles. Well if you don't you well have to go tog church.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
God I love you and I love other's and I mite go to haen.
December 8, 1994
Did you know abuout God's angles. Well if you don't you well have to go tog church.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
My Barthey
November 7, 1994
My favrite day is my barthey and my friends that they woold say happy-barthey.
Today is my barthey! Er... I mean, it's my birthday. Twenty-one years ago today, I was born. I was born a week late. If I had held on for four more days, I would've been born on 8/8/88. But I suppose I was already giving my mom enough grief hanging on for a week longer as it was. She says, "Even then, you were sleeping 'til noon!"
(I don't ALWAYS sleep until noon... not often anyway...)
This year, I'll be celebrating my birthday by eating dinner with my family at Red Lobster. Those cheesy biscuits are practically sinful, they are so delicious. And to acknowledge that social milestone of turning 21, I'll be sharing a margarita with my mommy. If that's not classy, I don't know what is.
People who share this birthday:
Barack Obama
Louis Armstrong
Louis Vuitton
Richard Belzer
Billy Bob Thornton
Roger Clemens
Jeff Gordon
Richard White (voice of Gaston in Disney's Beauty & the Beast)
Well, that was interesting. I hope you learned something.
If you know someone who shares this birthday as well, I hope that you would wish them a happy-barthey.
My favrite day is my barthey and my friends that they woold say happy-barthey.
Today is my barthey! Er... I mean, it's my birthday. Twenty-one years ago today, I was born. I was born a week late. If I had held on for four more days, I would've been born on 8/8/88. But I suppose I was already giving my mom enough grief hanging on for a week longer as it was. She says, "Even then, you were sleeping 'til noon!"
(I don't ALWAYS sleep until noon... not often anyway...)
This year, I'll be celebrating my birthday by eating dinner with my family at Red Lobster. Those cheesy biscuits are practically sinful, they are so delicious. And to acknowledge that social milestone of turning 21, I'll be sharing a margarita with my mommy. If that's not classy, I don't know what is.
People who share this birthday:
Barack Obama
Louis Armstrong
Louis Vuitton
Richard Belzer
Billy Bob Thornton
Roger Clemens
Jeff Gordon
Richard White (voice of Gaston in Disney's Beauty & the Beast)
Well, that was interesting. I hope you learned something.
If you know someone who shares this birthday as well, I hope that you would wish them a happy-barthey.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Cause and Effect
November 28, 1994
Butterfly fly away becuse I'm going to catch you. You will end up in a jar.
December 1, 1994
When me and my family go out a robber mit come in and get scerd and yele like this AHHHHHH! cus of the alarm.
February 16, 1995
I ate the sun and no more sun.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
Butterfly fly away becuse I'm going to catch you. You will end up in a jar.
December 1, 1994
When me and my family go out a robber mit come in and get scerd and yele like this AHHHHHH! cus of the alarm.
February 16, 1995
I ate the sun and no more sun.
-Elisa, age 6, First Grade
Monday, July 27, 2009
When I Grow Up...
c. 1995:
"I want to be a singer when I grow up. I want to be a singer because I want almost everybody to know me. I plan on joining up with my cousin because she helped me write a song called 'Thanksgiving.'"
c. 1997:
"When I grow up I want to be a pianist. I want to be a pianist because I feel I am very good at piano. My piano teacher, Ms. Carol, gives me lessons. Every Friday I can learn a new step of music. Ms. Carol is a very nice teacher."
c. 1998:
"When I grow up I want to be a scientist, but not just any scientist! I want to be one that studies insects, arachnids, and bugs. (Snakes, too!) Why do I want to study those things? I want to because they are interesting to me. That isn't something you hear from a girl, right? Wrong! Girls can like bugs and stuff too, but anyways, I want to be one of those scientists because I want to learn a whole lot more about bugs, insects, arachnids, and snakes."
What I'm Actually Doing:
I am going to school to be a psychologist (almost done with my B.A.)! I'm going to apply to a graduate program for the fall of 2010. If I don't get into the doctorate program that I want, I am going to apply for a master's. The details aren't completely ironed out, as far as what I'm going to do with these degrees goes, but I've got some ideas. And oh, they're good ones.
In the meantime, I'm working part-time at a shoe store. Y-yay shoes? I have this song stuck in my head the entire time I'm working: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCF3ywukQYA (Warning: There are some cusses in that video)
Even though my "original plans" didn't pan out, I'm really happy with the direction that my life is going in.
But then, you never know if I'm gonna change my mind... again...
"I want to be a singer when I grow up. I want to be a singer because I want almost everybody to know me. I plan on joining up with my cousin because she helped me write a song called 'Thanksgiving.'"
c. 1997:
"When I grow up I want to be a pianist. I want to be a pianist because I feel I am very good at piano. My piano teacher, Ms. Carol, gives me lessons. Every Friday I can learn a new step of music. Ms. Carol is a very nice teacher."
c. 1998:
"When I grow up I want to be a scientist, but not just any scientist! I want to be one that studies insects, arachnids, and bugs. (Snakes, too!) Why do I want to study those things? I want to because they are interesting to me. That isn't something you hear from a girl, right? Wrong! Girls can like bugs and stuff too, but anyways, I want to be one of those scientists because I want to learn a whole lot more about bugs, insects, arachnids, and snakes."
What I'm Actually Doing:
I am going to school to be a psychologist (almost done with my B.A.)! I'm going to apply to a graduate program for the fall of 2010. If I don't get into the doctorate program that I want, I am going to apply for a master's. The details aren't completely ironed out, as far as what I'm going to do with these degrees goes, but I've got some ideas. And oh, they're good ones.
In the meantime, I'm working part-time at a shoe store. Y-yay shoes? I have this song stuck in my head the entire time I'm working: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCF3ywukQYA (Warning: There are some cusses in that video)
Even though my "original plans" didn't pan out, I'm really happy with the direction that my life is going in.
But then, you never know if I'm gonna change my mind... again...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Origin Story
"Can you see the future
of the dropping day
when the stippled light
steps into its own skin
O how we live
for those pinpoints
unconscious of
the simple pocks--imprints,
intrinsic epiphanies.
-T. Davern
Make sure you seek out the epiphanies, because you can learn a lot from them. Best of luck in the future, and keep that creative energy working for you.
-T. Davern"
I know that this blog is supposed to be for things that I have written, but I felt it was necessary that I include this piece. This was written in my senior yearbook by one of the most (if not THE most) influential teachers I have ever had.
I first met Thomas Davern on the first day of my senior year in high school. I had signed up for a class called Media Literacy, and that was the first class of the day. I also noticed that I had the same teacher for my English 4 AP class. "Great," I thought, "With my luck, he'll hate me and it will be super awkward because I have to see him twice. Every day." Thankfully, this was not the case.
I walked into Portable 32 to find a young, silver-haired man, sitting at his desk and listening to his iPod. "Whaaaaaat." This man did NOT fit in with my schema of what an English teacher was. "Shouldn't he be like... old? Teachers don't listen to iPods!" Lesson One from Davern: let go of your preconceived notions.
As the year went on, I found my respect for this man growing exponentially. I felt comfortable talking to him about ANYTHING. Movies, books, music, current events, hypothetical situations, anything was on the table for this man. He encouraged us to ask questions, to bring up topics. Anything that engaged our attention was welcome for discussion. Lesson Two from Davern: you can learn a lot from a good conversation.
Through movies and books, he put wonderful stories in our heads, and taught us how to make each one our own. Nothing was unable to be analyzed. Additionally, when analyzing anything (whether it be a piece of literature or a film), there is no one answer that is right. There is a myriad of answers that can be given, especially when different people look at the same piece. Lesson Three from Davern: you can learn a lot when you pick out the pieces that make up the whole. Lesson Four from Davern: don't stop at the first answer; see what else you can come up with. You might surprise yourself.
It's kind of funny that I very rarely ever called him "Mr. Davern." Usually it was just "Davern." Occassionally, he was referred to as "The Dav," but that was very rare. I think I might have tried calling him Thomas a couple of times, but it felt weird. Davern was just right. I was told that I should REALLY call him Mr. Davern, out of respect. To me, dropping the formality of calling him Mr. was a bigger sign of respect, though. I felt that being able to just call him Davern showed that I was comfortable with him and that his lessons were really getting through to me. Each time he gave us another assignment, I was chomping at the bit to see what I could do for this one. Each time I was given a chance to show him that I could be creative and let him see what I'd learned from him, I was ready.
One time I had a book on my desk. He asked me what it was, and I told him that it was Moby Dick by Herman Melville. He swiftly stole away with my book as I continued working on my assignment. Moments later, he brought it back with certain pages marked with green tabs, and one blue tab. "These are key chapters in the book. The blue tab marks what some people call the most important chapter." I still have those chapters marked.
Instead of a rigid, no-nonsense teacher who expected everyone to learn everything by the book, we got someone who allowed us to express ourselves however we wanted. All he wanted was some form of expression, whether we were completely sincere or were simply parodying the lesson. It didn't matter, as long as we were using our brains. He taught me how to turn things upside down and inside out, to never take anything for granted and to find meaning in everything. Since taking classes with him, my experiences have been richer and more meaningful because I know now how to find beauty in everything. I know how to look for significance in every event, no matter how small. I know how to appreciate the tiniest miracles just as though they were the grandest marvels.
I have written this entry as a sort of thank you to Davern. Thanks for all the lessons you taught me. I've been able to use them inside the classroom and out. Thanks for introducing me to great movies and books that I watch and read over and over again to this day.
But most of all, thanks for the epiphanies, which I'll continue to seek for as long as I live.
of the dropping day
when the stippled light
steps into its own skin
O how we live
for those pinpoints
unconscious of
the simple pocks--imprints,
intrinsic epiphanies.
-T. Davern
Make sure you seek out the epiphanies, because you can learn a lot from them. Best of luck in the future, and keep that creative energy working for you.
-T. Davern"
I know that this blog is supposed to be for things that I have written, but I felt it was necessary that I include this piece. This was written in my senior yearbook by one of the most (if not THE most) influential teachers I have ever had.
I first met Thomas Davern on the first day of my senior year in high school. I had signed up for a class called Media Literacy, and that was the first class of the day. I also noticed that I had the same teacher for my English 4 AP class. "Great," I thought, "With my luck, he'll hate me and it will be super awkward because I have to see him twice. Every day." Thankfully, this was not the case.
I walked into Portable 32 to find a young, silver-haired man, sitting at his desk and listening to his iPod. "Whaaaaaat." This man did NOT fit in with my schema of what an English teacher was. "Shouldn't he be like... old? Teachers don't listen to iPods!" Lesson One from Davern: let go of your preconceived notions.
As the year went on, I found my respect for this man growing exponentially. I felt comfortable talking to him about ANYTHING. Movies, books, music, current events, hypothetical situations, anything was on the table for this man. He encouraged us to ask questions, to bring up topics. Anything that engaged our attention was welcome for discussion. Lesson Two from Davern: you can learn a lot from a good conversation.
Through movies and books, he put wonderful stories in our heads, and taught us how to make each one our own. Nothing was unable to be analyzed. Additionally, when analyzing anything (whether it be a piece of literature or a film), there is no one answer that is right. There is a myriad of answers that can be given, especially when different people look at the same piece. Lesson Three from Davern: you can learn a lot when you pick out the pieces that make up the whole. Lesson Four from Davern: don't stop at the first answer; see what else you can come up with. You might surprise yourself.
It's kind of funny that I very rarely ever called him "Mr. Davern." Usually it was just "Davern." Occassionally, he was referred to as "The Dav," but that was very rare. I think I might have tried calling him Thomas a couple of times, but it felt weird. Davern was just right. I was told that I should REALLY call him Mr. Davern, out of respect. To me, dropping the formality of calling him Mr. was a bigger sign of respect, though. I felt that being able to just call him Davern showed that I was comfortable with him and that his lessons were really getting through to me. Each time he gave us another assignment, I was chomping at the bit to see what I could do for this one. Each time I was given a chance to show him that I could be creative and let him see what I'd learned from him, I was ready.
One time I had a book on my desk. He asked me what it was, and I told him that it was Moby Dick by Herman Melville. He swiftly stole away with my book as I continued working on my assignment. Moments later, he brought it back with certain pages marked with green tabs, and one blue tab. "These are key chapters in the book. The blue tab marks what some people call the most important chapter." I still have those chapters marked.
Instead of a rigid, no-nonsense teacher who expected everyone to learn everything by the book, we got someone who allowed us to express ourselves however we wanted. All he wanted was some form of expression, whether we were completely sincere or were simply parodying the lesson. It didn't matter, as long as we were using our brains. He taught me how to turn things upside down and inside out, to never take anything for granted and to find meaning in everything. Since taking classes with him, my experiences have been richer and more meaningful because I know now how to find beauty in everything. I know how to look for significance in every event, no matter how small. I know how to appreciate the tiniest miracles just as though they were the grandest marvels.
I have written this entry as a sort of thank you to Davern. Thanks for all the lessons you taught me. I've been able to use them inside the classroom and out. Thanks for introducing me to great movies and books that I watch and read over and over again to this day.
But most of all, thanks for the epiphanies, which I'll continue to seek for as long as I live.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
February 14, 1997
"Dear Diary,
Today is Valentine's Day. But there is a tragic. My mom has a kidney stone and it hurts. And something else, you're my first and brand new diary. Well, I guess that's it for today, or should I say tonight? Goodbye."
-Elisa Leal, age 8
Today is Valentine's Day. But there is a tragic. My mom has a kidney stone and it hurts. And something else, you're my first and brand new diary. Well, I guess that's it for today, or should I say tonight? Goodbye."
-Elisa Leal, age 8
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