The Story of Stuff

The Story of Stuff.  The name itself sounds so juvenile, but the site which bears such a name truly opened my eyes to just how endangered our very own world has become.  A Harker school meeting never goes by without a speech or announcement in a green, environmental light.  I must admit, most of the time, I never heed the announced warnings because such discussions have become so common, they just blend in with the rest of the noise in the normal business of my life.  However, after watching Annie Leonard's talk and my recent research on climate change for J8, I have come to realize the true gravity of the world's climate issues.

So without further ado, here is the site and all it has to offer.  Please, I urge you, to take a look because it certainly sheds a new light on the worsening of our Earth's predicament and our own degradation.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

The night of March 30th was memorable and perhaps, could certainly be remembered as a cornerstone of my life.  In the American culture, a sweet sixteen has symbolized a new start; the beginning of a journey, the beginning of freedom, the beginning of understanding.  And sure, a dinner at Mimi's and a movie at AMC may seem quite mundane, but being surrounded by friends and family, made it everything.

Dinner wasn't exactly 5 stars but the people were.  Thanks for your planning, Mom!  All smiles, all laughs, all love ;) I couldn't have asked for more.  From silly jokes to the spreading excitement of an upcoming NY trip, the atmosphere seemed tense at first, but knowing my talkative and outgoing friends, that slowly melted away.  Spring break has brought the best out of all of us: the sense of relaxation and just plain hanging out.  I wish I took more pictures, though I grumbled at my mother's incessant camera-snapping, because a year from now, those pictures would've been priceless even if I'm not exactly photogenic...

The Knowing wasn't all that bad, but for a person like me, some of the scenes were nerve-wrecking!  I'm sure Kevin can attest to my fear..haha.  But anyway, the movie was pretty cheesy in the end, but Monsters vs. Aliens would've been far more unbearable........

I want to thank everyone for their presents (: and their time!  You all have no idea just how much it means to me, especially cards!  In the imminent future, when we all move on with our lives and we go our separate ways, those cards will always be with me...And coming right up, PICTURES! 

haha. Fail ordering of appetizers..

hehe.

I couldn't have asked for a birthday more sweet.

Things I want to Do Before I Die: My own Bucket List

So I reread the book by Mitch Albom For One More Day, and I simply don't know what to say.  It is for sure, one of my most favorite books of all time!  Right next to Kite Runner and Gone With the Wind.  Anyway, that book got me thinking...and so, while thinking, I thought of a list of 10 or more things I want to do before I die!  Yeah, seems kind of depressing to write up such a list but it's kind of like that movie "Bucket List."  That's a pretty good movie, too.

Anyway, here goes:

1.  I want to travel to every continent in the world for sure.  As of right now, Europe is my favorite :)  It's so beautiful, so majestic...Paris, France was an awesome experience, seeing the Louvre, my first ever fashion show!  All these sights and new sounds that I'd heard so much about were worth my time and more.  I can't wait to see Rome and put some of my Latin to use (HAHA the dead language)

2.  I want to dive in as many places as possible.  I went diving at the Great Barrier Reef and really enjoyed it.  I even took my mother's turn for diving hehe!  I saw the BIGGEST clam I've ever seen in my life and a sting ray in its natural habitat.  I stroked a turtle and swam with it!!!!!!!!  It's definitely one of those memorable moments.

3.  Find a cure for cancer! haha, yeah I know that's like virtually impossible at this point in time, but after seeing so many people in my family or my family friends affected by lung cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, every type of cancer imaginable...I can only hope to prevent any more pain.

4.  Live in Greece for a year.  The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants was the movie that got me hooked on this idea.  It seems like the most placid, peaceful, and picturesque place from a girl's dream.  I would LOVE to live there.

5.  To see the 7 wonders.  This is a pretty common aim for many people but I've always been intrigued by the ancient and the mystique.  Pyraminds of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon...

6.  Learn a bunch of languages:  Did you know there are people out there who still write hieroglyphics?!?!?  I think that's pretty cool, and I personally want to learn how to write hieroglyphics.  So enigmatic! :D

7.  I want to write my very own published novel.  As you can tell, I love to write and one of my greatest accomplishments for myself would be to write a book and publish it :)  No, I don't mind if it doesn't become a bestseller.  Just the feat in and of itself would be satisfying.

8.  I'd also love to write for a well-known newspaper.  That would a life-changing experience: to write for New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle...World-famous.  To have a column in there would be beyond my wildest dreams!!

9.  Fly.  One day in math class, Mr. Barth showed us this youtube video of men flying.  They were wearing these suits but besides those dorky outfits, they were soaring through the valley and whisking around the scrags of mountains.  One guy even grazed the side of the rocky mountain with his fingers...yay for danger :]

10.  Meet Greg Mortensen.  He's the guy who wrote Three Cups of Tea and built schools for the poor children in the remote areas of the Middle East like Iraq.  He's really made a difference and I would love to meet him one day.

Aspirations, what would we do without them?