Christmas.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. My favorite thing about Christmas is shopping. I love finding the perfect gift for people, it is kind of a rush. Although my wallet never seems to have enough in it. When there is cash in it it is spent within hours. I become a somewhat of a shopaholic, looking up sales and I always go overboard for the people I love. The look on some ones face when they open a gift that they really like it's amazing.

My favorite person to shop for is my little brother. He is only seven, so he would be happy with almost anything. I love to get just the right gifts for him. He is still little and innocent and enjoys Christmas for what it really is. He loves to pick out gifts for others to though. Which is amazing with the kids to days attitudes of "get get get". He was so happy when I brought him to buy gifts for the family. He saved up five dollars and for a seven year old boy thats amazing. He can't wait for Christmas morning so everyone can see what he got them.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

my poem

The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair;
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, And I-
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

$100,000

If I won $100,000, and had to give half to charity what would I do??? There are so many things that I would do with this money. So many Charities I would consider. I would also think very hard about what I would do with my half of the money.

The Charity half would go to United Way. I give to the United Way every week for three years and I believe in my Charity. I have volunteered for the United way many times and I have seen what they do first hand. They help many people and are involved in many different organizations. The United Way is a all volunteer non-profit organization.

I would put my money in the bank. I would help my dad out with a new house and pay off his car payment. I would also go shopping. I love love love to shop. College would also be a big factor in this money. I would also think about putting some of my money into stocks.

There are many things that could be done with this money and different people would do different things. This is what I would do. But who knows, if I actually had this money its hard to say what would happen...

code of arms

My code of arms is

green-hope, joy, loyalty and love.

Moon- serene power over mundane actions.(I just liked the design)

flower-hope and joy.

Quote-Live Laugh Love- The code people should live by.

and my last name-Hampton

Dear Solider

Dear Soldier,

Let me start my letter by saying "Thank you". Just as so many have said before and many will say in the future. I wish there was something else a simple thank you doesn't seem to be enough. You do so many great things and deserve so much more than "Thank you". What you are doing is so amazing, don't ever forget that you are an extraordinary person.

There are many things that are happening back home that you are going to have to be caught up on. So lets get started... We will talk about the tabloids. I know I know the tabloids, but I always get a good laugh out of the tabloids maybe you will to. Tiger Woods, the golfer, not one to be in the tabloids. He is alleged to have had an affair, his wife not happy about this news chases him with a golf club. Tiger then jumps in his car and runs straight into a fire hydrant. I must say I thought that this was hilarious and have no idea what the big deal is. Let me tell you it is obviously a big deal because Tiger can't get out of the tabloids now. On a better note Robin Williams and Elijah Woods will return for "Happy Feet 2". Brad and Angliena are supposedly going to split but who really knows with those two.

Be safe, come home soon. Thank you for everything you do and everything you are...

Sincerely yours Ariana Hampton

I came across this poem while looking at a website I found. I think that this poem is great and explains well what a soldier is a how they are important. I hope you enjoy it.

A Soldier

There is discipline in A Soldier

you can see it when he walks,

There is honor in A Soldier

you hear it when he talks.

There is courage in A Soldier

you can see it in his eyes,

There is loyalty in A Soldier

that he will not compromise.

There is something in A Soldier

that makes him stand apart,

There is strength in A Soldier

that beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn't a title any man

can be hired to do,

A Soldier is the soul of that man

buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier's job isn't finished after

an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,

A Soldier is always A Soldier

even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first

and his life is left behind,

A Soldier has to sacrifice what

comes first in a civilian's mind.

If you are civilian -

I am saying this to you.....

next time you see A Soldier

remember what they do.

A Soldier is the reason our land

is 'Home of the free',

A Soldier is the one that is brave

protecting you and me.

If you are A Soldier -

I am saying this to you.....

Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER

Thank God for what YOU do!

-Angela Goodwin

What bugs me

There are so many things that aggravates me. I wouldn't even know where to start. My biggest pet peeve is people that are stupid. People that don't even try to even start to be even the least bit intelligent. People that when you are around them you just have to ask yourself, Why? People that are absolutely oblivious to the obvious. People that don't think before they talk, and think that everything they are saying is right. Another thing that bugs me is when people talk in Ebonics instead of proper English. I mean a little slang is fine, but there is no need for your entire vocabulary to be degenerated to such low level. Another big thing that aggravates me is bad drivers. Get off the road if you don't know how to drive.

Thanksgiving

This time of year is the time that you need to sit back and realize all the people and things that you are thankful for. There is so many things that we are thankful for without even realizing it. So I am going to take this time to realize the things I am thankful for. I am thankful for the essentials of life, of course. I am thankful to be a American, and live the way I do. I am thankful for my family. Without them I don't know what I would do. They are there for me when nobody else is. Even if I mess up they will be there. I am also thankful for my friends. My friends help me everyday of my life. Without my friends I would go crazy. I am also thankful for my boyfriend, he is my rock. He helps me threw all of my problems and always listens to my rants. I am also thankful for everyone that helps me and cares about me. I am thankful for my education, and those who give it to me aka Mrs. Ladd. There are so many things that I am thankful for I could go on and on. So take this time and ask yourself, what am I thankful for?

HERO

There are many people that have had an influence over my life. There is only one person that I could give the title "My Hero" to. That would be my daddy. He has definitely earned this title. He has always been there for me. I have always been a daddys girl. My dad has always helped me with school and is the reason I am where I am today. My dad is the person I go to with my questions and concerns. He has always been so smart and he would do anything for me. Without my dad I don't know what I would do. He is my best friend and my dad all in one. My dad has always been a person that I would hangout with. He has inspired me to do many things in my life. He has helped me achieve many of my goals and dreams. He has helped me in every aspect of my life. I know that he will always be there, even if I make the wrong choices. He has always been my hero and will always be.

Reflections...

The i-movie that we have been making in class has been very interesting to me. I am no good with computers and the i-movie program has taught me things I never thought I would possible learn. I believe that my movie turn out fairly well considering my lack of technology skills. I learned how to even start the i-movie process. Also how to apply pictures and sound into my movie, and how to transition my slides accordingly. Kudos to Cassie for helping someone as computer stupid as me. In the end I believe that my movie turned out nicely. I accomplished what I had set out to do. If given another assignment on the I-movie I could do it again. That alone is a huge accomplishment.

The Economy

The economy has effected everyone, from rich to poor. I have seen the effects of this bad economy first hand. It has been tough on my family. With up coming fees for college. Money will be a huge problem. Not to mention my phone bill, car insurance, and gas money. I will be relying on scholarships and grants. Living in a single parent household with very little income and my own. Let me tell you, a half time cashier at publix salary isn't going to cut it for the most part. During this rough time it is best to look forward and hope for the economy to turn around. I know that there are people out there that are going threw very hard times much worse than my situation. It saddens me to even think of it. It best to be happy about what you have and what you can afford then to dwell on what you do not have and what you can't afford. I am thankful that I have a job. That my family has food in the cabinets. It would be worthless to be upset because I couldn't buy those cute jeans I saw at the mall.