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I love you.

God loves you.

Stay happy, beautiful, and pure.

Don't be discouraged.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

We would be endlessly thrown with hurtful words
piercing through us like daggers and swords. 

“Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.” 



There are no good-byes, where ever we are, you'll always be in my heart.

Dj Toth

I have many people that are influential in my life. Some of them are friends, some are teachers, some are family, and so on. One person specifically  that I would like to talk about, is Mr. Benjamin Toth. He is more than just a success coach to me. He is a friend, mentor, guider, leader, and such an easy person to talk to! The positive influence that he has over my life is much needed and appreciated greatly. Not just by myself, but by the whole entire Early College High School! My success coach teaches me little life lessons, everyday, without even realizing it! He instills so much faith, and reassures me that I can do anything I put my mind to. He never lets me give up, but at the same time does not pound his students to do things they are supposed to. Mr. Toth helps with relationship problems, academic problems, and even regular high school drama! He also taught me to always remain positive, have humility, be open-minded and respect others, whatever their views are! He is truly a blessing.

Barcelona

There are many places in this never-ending universe I would like to live. But one place I would like to live, especially, is Barcelona, Spain. I could honest spend the rest of my life in this one place. From the movies, and everything I have read about it, it is quite a magical and enchanting place. One day soon, I plan to live there. It is often described as an amazing experience. Certain people say that all you do is eat, drink, sleep which are all things that I am good at. (100) I would also always enjoy their ancient history, which would always be surrounding me. I would often visit museums, concerts, and all of the festivals that light up the beautiful night sky. The number one reason I would like to move there is to go to Festa Major de Gracia. The week is packed with celebrations and entertainment, all taking place in the streets, which are decorated up by local citizens. People from all over the city come out to the event, showing that this town is a thriving place and can definitely hold its own in the big city.

if money were no object..

I promise that I will put things that I love, before things that I have to do to get by. Working on this project, I asked my brother and some of our friends from one of the top HBCU's, to partake in it. Being that they are all boys/freshman in college, I was shocked at the intelligent and well thought out answers they gave me. If you noticed in this video, most of them said they would make sure that what they do comes back and benefits society. They would help troubled some kids, and basically become mentors. While a couple of them said they would do things that only benefitted themselves. Personally, I would do something that would benefit my community before I benefit myself. Listening to these answers makes me realize that certain people feel like they owe something to society. Although, others would rather be by themselves, and simply relax. Either way, I think everybody in this world should just.....do them (:

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The Bible is a collection of books, accepted by Christians as sacred and inspired by God. Providing the basis for beliefs about spiritual matters and providing guidelines for moral living. The Bible is not simply, word-for-word by God; it is the work of around 40 different human authors. The different writing skills, writing styles, personalities, world views, and cultural backgrounds of the human authors can be seen in their works. Many of the New Testament books were originally written as letters rather than as Scripture. Some Bible writings include the authors' own research and recollection of historical events and their own opinions. The bible is my favorite book for many reasons. One reason the bible is my favorite book is because it is enriching and brings me great joy. I have been reading parts of this book since I was a child. My whole family life is based upon this book. The bible helps my family and I get through our day-to-day struggles.

After Apple-Picking

Poetry is probably the most vivid way people express their overwhelming emotions. Robert Frost is a very intrinsic thinker in the poem, “After Apple-Picking”. An intrinsic person means a person who reaches their goals because of person value and worth. The opposite of intrinsic is extrinsic. Extrinsic people focus more on power, fame, and glory. Through the use of imagery, Robert Frost conveys the message that people should always do what they love and follow their dreams and aspirations, no matter the trials or circumstances.
Frost uses quotes and an elaborate terminology to expand the readers’ mindsets in this piece of writing. For instance, Frost states, “The scent of apples: I am drowsing off” (l. 8). This quote has a way of forming a clear image in a readers’ mind of an exaggerated smell of sweet apples. It is such an amazing, sustainable smell that is overcoming him; it causes him to become so peaceful in the mist of it. I believe Frost says this to make his readers transfer into a certain mood so they can become really in tune with the poem by feeling the poem with their other senses.
Frost also uses some harsh, graphic words, which also makes us imagine how much he loves what he does. Frost says, “My instep arch not only keeps the ache, / It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round. / I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend (l. 21-23).” Frost is displaying his love and commitment to apple picking. By using terms like pressure, sway, and ache he is conveying to his readers’ that even though he is in pain and sore, he will continue to pick his apples because he is aware of the ending season. By using those terms, the readers’ should be visualizing a man standing flat-footed on an old ladder, with his legs shaking from pain. The readers’ should be able to see a man with a look of persistence in his eyes.
In this whole story Frost wants us to understand that this man loved what he did for a living. No matter how hard it was, he still did what he loved and what satisfied him. Things like this are important because we would never want to be stuck doing something we hate for the rest of our life, just because it is high paying. If money were no object in this lifetime, I would defiantly enjoy being a motivational or inspirational speaker. I love to have long, drawn out, meticulous conversations. A motivational speaker is someone who aims to instill motivation in his or her audience. Many times, the speaker uses a very energetic manner to help encourage the audience to act. Public speaking skills will be the key tool of any motivational speaker to rouse the audience and encourage them to adopt the speaker’s point of view. Examples of motivational speakers are; Martin Luther King Jr., The President, Gandhi, Malcolm X.

Changes

Some people live with many regrets in their lives. Either it is a risk you are afraid to take, like sky-diving, or a decision you are confused about making, like what television show to watch, you are always choosing something that has its pros and cons. I do not have anything, per say I would like to change about my past because I believe it made me who I am. But, since that is not allowed in the writing assignment, I choose something else (decisions!).

If I could change anything about my past, it would have to be how quickly I mentally matured. I would grasp my childhood and realize how precious it really was. I started maturing around the age of 10, but I have always been ahead of my time. I believe this happened because I am the baby of the family. I always was forced to hang around my older cousins/sibling, which caused me to grow up and develop their habits at a young age. I can honestly say I do not remember being a pre-teen. I feel as if I went from elementary school straight to high school, which is kind of sad. Things like this really couldn't have been prevented if I wanted it to. But in a different family, the child might ask the mother, why can he or she not be with people his or her own ages. Or the child could just sit down around all the adults and watch their childhood pass them by. If I were able to not grow up as fast as I did, it would have a huge affect on myself and everyone. I would not have a lot of the friends/ associates that I have now. I can be goofy when I please, but being childish 24/7 is the quickest way to lose friends!

Hob.

My favorite hobby would be hanging out with my friends and my family together. This happens very often. Take today for example. I hung out with my best friends and family. My cousin surprised our family by coming home for the weekend, from Columbus. She bought pizza, talked about boys, and all the other things big cousins do. I am always so ecstatic to see her and her new baby girl, Kaila. She doesn't ever get to go any where because of her new title as being a mom/wife/nurse.

My family and I go every where together. Church, shopping, restaurants, sleepovers. EVERY together. There are so many of us, and it is always a great atmosphere when we are all surrounding each other. Although there are many of us, we remain a close knit family, like our ancestors taught us to do. My family is mixed with many things (African-American, Caucasian, Native-American, etc). Which pretty much sums up how exciting family reunions are!

Music

I have a wide variety of musical interest. I enjoy most of the things my family listens to, taking into consideration that I am a Vice President of one of the nations top Gospel/Soul/Jazz/Blues Record labels (been that way since 1997), I have been around that music my whole life. Seeing how the apple does not fall far from the tree, I listen to most of those things that I grew up around. Songs that were my favorite in 1999, are still my favorite to this day. People could say I am bias toward the music I like, but it is what I am use to.

I have many favorite bands/musicians. But if I had to think of one "band" I enjoy, it would be Beyoncé Knowles all female band. Listening to her music combined with their instruments always appears to be upbeat and brings me joy. I try to stay away from her super worldly/secular music, and just enjoy her simple, happy stuff. I love how so old school she is, and how she channels her alter ego Sasha Fierce. I listen to her because she reminds me of music that I was raised on. For example, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Lauryn Hill all have similar styles that Beyonce and her band try to portray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GY1BKt2z5Q&feature=related

Child Care...

Child care should be provided by a mother and a father, not the government. In my eyes, if a couple has taken time to conceive a child, they have time to plan and prepare to have somewhere for them to stay if they are not available. If the couple both work a 9 to 5 job, they must be ready to give up certain finances to put toward child care. Also, the couple has to take time to search and see which day care provider is right for their family and schedule. I think this country has enough financial problems, and to add more money to the debt crisis we are in, wouldn't make tax payers happy. As much as the government should be glad the couple both have jobs, the government can only do so much.

Now, single parents are a different issue. I think the government should supply some sort of assistant to a single parent verses a couple because things might be a little different for them. An example of this is, a single mother, on welfare has found a decent paying job. The only problem is, she has no place for her child to stay. This is a huge conflict in today's society. If giving her child day care service is cheaper than paying for her welfare, I am all for it!

Joy

Value, value, value...

People have many different opinions on what "value" means. People value some really crazy things. They value money, cars, houses, and many more material things. But me? Do I have anything that I really value? As I pondered on this question, I found one thing that I believe God blessed me with a lot of. That one thing is something that I would not ask God to trade in for the whole world! That one thing may mean nothing to some people, but it means everything to me. That one thing is as simple as a sunset on a warm summer day. That one thing is joy. I have an overwhelming amount of joy, that could never come from anything of this earth. My joy is like a little kid with a popsicle! A hard working adult who has just gotten a job promotion. Or a student when they see straight A's on they're report card, after a difficult semester. Except, my joy is with me all the time. Everyday, every hour!

I HAVE JOY!!!!!

Some people think I am strange because I am always happy. But I think they are strange because they are always sad! Life is always a half a cup full, never half empty! I have nothing to be sad about because I know someone, somewhere has it worst than I do. So, I challenge all of you pupils to go find joy! Then we can be strange together(:

Oh, summer.

       This summer I did a medical internship at Mercy Regional Center. I had the best time of my life!! I learned and experienced things that I never in a million years would've thought about! I got to sit in at least 6 surgeries and saw many pregnant mothers came close to having a baby. I want to study to be an obstetrician when I grow up, so this was legit amazing! I saw doctors break mothers water, babies being put in incubators, getting shots, and being put on breathing machines. I also saw ablazions, hystorectomies, and HC's, with more older women. 

     The ONLY bad part about my summer is that I did happen to pass out and blow chunks, as soon as the smell of blood got to my head. It was horrible, and I was very embarrassed! The nurses made me feel at ease when they told me that when they were new hires, they did the same thing! It was shocking to me that I pasted out during one of my last surgeries, after I already saw a handful of the same ones! Also, I was the youngest intern in this "Rising Star" program, which was totally awkward! Everybody else (mostly ECHS kids) were already graduated, or incoming seniors. But I didn't let that stop this from being the highlight of my life, let alone my summer!!!!

BAM!!

                                                    BAM!!!!!! 

Me? I was born on April 24^th, 1997…. I love almost everything and everyone under the sun! And I think I’m pretty awesome. My name? My name is Moriah. Nothing special, nothing fancy. Just Moriah. I often wonder why this name was given to me. How did a Sandra Terrell and a Mark Anthoney wind-down on such a name like Moriah Alyssa? I’ve been told I look like anything besides a Moriah. Like a Jasmine, or a Bianca, or some spare-of the moment off-brand name. But I guess it fits me and my repertoire. It’s laid-back, different, and beautiful. Just like me. People often ask me “Why is your name so different?” While those same people get shocked as soon as they hear my middle name. They usually say “Moriah isn’t common, but there are tons of girls with the middle name Alyssa!” Or they ask “How do you pronounce that?” Sound it out people…. (moh-rahy-uh)!!!!!!!  People also ask “Why is it spelled so different?” I never knew this answer myself, until I asked my mother.

The real definition and reasoning behind my name is very imbuing.

My name came from the bible.

                  In Genesis 22:2 to be exact.

My first time reading that verse, I felt as if I was nothing but an immense, over-sized mountain in Jerusalem. But that isn’t the only reason that this was chosen as my name.

My mom loved the story of how God ask Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, on the peak of Moriah.

Genesis 22:2
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

But she also like the fact that when I was forming in her womb, that was the name she saw the most. Even when she traveled out of state! I thought that was really cool as well.

-Moriah Alyssa Ballard

You Reap What You Sew

             


             The rule I find most important is to treat people the way you want to be treated. I think this is a good rule in and out of the classroom. This rule should be in affect in every aspect of people lives. I think this is important because if you treat someone good, chances are, they will treat you good in return. If you act rude towards someone, they are going to act rude back.