Turn your Inkblot into a Butterfly

With nothing but ignorant bliss

feasting for pleasure 

cares blown away 

by gentle slow winds

paths leading us astray

chaotic turns with no direction

no sense of time or place

just withering away 

till the day

it disappears

But then 

change

A growth becoming

off the little bit of pleasure feasted upon

wisdom has been sacrificed once

but is now restored

the control and power

systematic and stationary

rational and ready

aware and thriving

It is complete

compatible and unique

this unprecedented creature

comes out to share

the ways of beauty

change, wisdom, sacrifice

this creature moves with the wind

not against it 

this creature has become something unique

beautiful, contemporary, perfect

Mark McGuire

Bio: http://blog.timesunion.com/mcguire/about-mcguire/
Article: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Will-hockey-be-tail-that-wags-Union-brand-3460264.php

McGuire is a writer for the Times Union and has been writing for awhile, "After more than four years as a sports columnist, Mark McGuire has moved on back to the news side to write about cultural issues. " He enjoys sports, "Even though he sat in the press box or at courtside, McGuire remained a fan at heart", I can assume that I why he was a sport journalist for more than four years. Not from the region, " the transplanted Long Islander", who "came here 21 years ago, expecting to stay a couple dozen months" has found himself in a bit of a sticky situation. "Two houses, two kids and one wife later, [McGuire] thinks the Capital Region is one of the best places anywhere to live and raise a family." So he now resides in the upstate capitol region. In the article "Will Hockey Be a Tail that Wags Union Brand?", by McGuire, is about the "tiny Union College, the one the national media consistently tags with (N.Y.) after its name to locate the school and differentiate it from the seven other institutions of higher learning with "Union" in its name, earned its first berth in the Frozen Four — Division I hockey's equivalent of the Final Four." McGuire wrote about the sprt hockey because it interests him and he has an opinion on the topic. Before making his assumption he gives fact from past occurrences at other colleges, "Siena after the Loudonville college made three straight NCAA men's basketball tournaments from 2008-10. Applications more than doubled compared to five years earlier, and donations to the athletics fund rose more than $200,000, to $469,000." Then he follows the facts with his general statement, The link between the basketball team's success and the increased interest and generosity seems clear."  Then McGuire discusses the advantage of having a hockey program, "the advantage of having the hockey program when a student is contemplating Union or a much larger school. There is also the additional edge for a student who would like to root for a big-time program but also play collegiately themselves, something a broader range of athletes are able to do on the Division III level." Overall McGuire is a wonderful wrtiter for both the news and sports headlines and the Union College was lucky to have a hockey program that placed highly in their division. 

NYT Tuesday

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/on-this-day/april-4/
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0404.html#article

April Fourth

A man was fatally shot by a gunman who ran away and escaped, on this day
who preached nonviolence and racial brotherhood
following the tragedy; fires, looting, shootings, assualts. We were led astray

was shot while he leaned over a second. A second
a second by a white man who was 50 to 100 yards away in a flophouse
late model white Mustang, the killer's getaway car. He ran. A coward I reckon

Tragedy. Winning civil right leader died. Why?
A high-powered rifle. Found on South Main Street.
men were questioned but...Why did this man have to die?

High school...

FUN! There is so much to do in high school. Clubs, musicals, sports, classes, etc. There is so much to learn and so much room to grow. I like high school! I feel it is a breeze personally and I am so excited for college in two years, to take everything to the next level and begin my life. I have done so much in high school and working myself til there is nothing left but drowsy eyes and great grades. I have worked so hard and I want everything to pay off and I want to be successful and the best I can be. In high school I have tried to be the bets I can be and make the best out of everything. Every activity, every relationship, every learning experience. I have learned so much in just my first two years in high school, and I'm very excited for the years to come. High school to me is FUN and an important experience and adventure in my everyday life.

A= Athos

"Enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean"
Athos, known for having classic Greek cuisine, and has a fairly diverse menu. With choices for people who live with vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets. I thought that was nice, so people who having restrictions on what they eat can enjoy the classic and savory tastes from Greece. The appetizer and the salad were $12 each, and living on a budget, I felt that was a bit pricy. Although the appetizers were very good, the flat bread was fresh and light, and the dips/spreads were tastefully spiced and seasoned.
"Greek cuisine is extremely diverse in its ingredients, seasonings and flavors. The mixture of Turkish, Balkan, and Venetian influences all come together in Greek cuisine. At Athos, we have created a menu featuring classic Greek dishes. Chef Harry, who has been featured in Gourmet magazine, and whose restaurant (Ithaka) in Manhattan has received an excellent rating with Zagats, uses recipes passed down from generations of Greek cooks and bakers."
The overall atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant, quiet, peaceful, and classy. It sort of surprised me that even with the plethora of people in the room it still felt non-chaotic or load. The restaurant is also known for having a family- friendly atmosphere. Although both the service and food quality can suffer with such a great amount of people, but the restaurant seemed to know how to handle a large rush well. 
Within the proximity is a few other restaurants, like Inferno Pizzaria, not many unique attractions/ sites are located near Athos. That may be a weak point, but really if you are going out to dinner what else are you going to do. Just eat, then go home. 
Overall the restaurant is great and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a nice classy place with tasty and fresh food.
http://athosrestaurant.com/#

The Book that Changed My Life

Unwind

"In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive."

http://ladykazumi.blogspot.com/2011/12/unwind-by-neal-shusterman.html

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

As a child book I didn't read books much or enough. Books were not in abundance in our home and it was not encouraged to read- it wasn't looked down upon either, my parents just weren't pushy. They were young parents and didn't see the importance of reading in a child, growing to an intelligent adults, life. So with that said, I am not entirely used to reading or fond of it. But as I am getting older I am enjoying literature much more. But when I was younger it was really hard to come across a good book. I wouldn't stick with the book unless I enjoyed it. Unwind changed everything and I am so grateful that Ms. Zisa had the book lying on her desk during advisory so I could ask if she was reading it, she said say no, and I would pick it up and start reading it.

Unwind is by far my favorite book and has been for awhile. I read this book when I was a freshmen and it opened my eyes. Personally I was at first attracted to the cover, it looks great, then through reading the story became so real that I couldn't keep from reading on. The book maybe think about life in a whole new way, because in the story each individual between the ages of 13-18 doesn't have a choice to live, that choice is decided by a parent or guardian. That is a lot of power to have as a parent or guardian, a child -who may I say is going through puberty at the time and is overemotional and moody- may, no will, get into a fight. Fighting between parents and teens is inevitable. So one fight and the child is gone? Without a trace? His/ her body parts used for someone else. But did they ever think that the most influential people as children were not seen as "useful" and they were seen as "problematic" they were different and were not afraid to challenge old ideas. So society would not move forward without these essential individuals. 

In the book there are three main characters; Connor, Risa, and Lev. Connor was my favorite -fearless, smart, and charismatic with a great dose of sarcasm. I rooted for him and Risa to be together, it just seemed right. Risa the uptight orphan girl who had so much to offer the world but without any parents was seen as not needed, and Conner who was just Connor. It seemed almost fact that they wouldn't or shouldn't be together. But in the end they got together, and that made a special fan of the book a very happy camper. 

PS: I think I may have to read this book again soon by MAKING time for it. I am so emotionally attached to this book it is unreal. I love it!

Bucket List

1) Meet a wonderful boy and fall in love then have a family- I have always wanted a romantic and fairy tale love, and with my love I would want to build a happy, loving, and successful family. The family that I wish I had growing up.

2) Have an extremely successful medical career- I have worked so hard in everything I do to try and be the best. I am hardworking and determined. All of this work had to have been for something, and I feel that in the end my determination and hard work will get me an amazing career in medicine. That is what I have been working for all my life so far, I want a prestigious award or a change in medical history so bad. I want to make a mark and save many lives.

3) Travel- anywhere, everywhere- Specifically Europe, Ireland, Africa, and Canada! I have never traveled outside of the United States, not even the east side I have only been to Florida. That is the farthest I have gone and I feel deprived. I want to see what the world has to offer, not just what the little town of Guilderland has to offer.

4) Bungee Jump!- I don't really know why, maybe the adrenaline rush or the wind literally blasting through my hair and face. I want to feel this experience that everyone is raving about.

5) Write a book- I have so much to say. Words that to me seem important. I think differently than everyone else. I can tell, I just know I do. Things are not processed the same way as others. So to be able to share the way I think in some way, and to finally be understood on some level, well that my friend...that is a gift. If the book isn't published I would at least like it to be passed down within my family so my great great great great great grandkids can have something to read from their great great great great great grandma.

6) See a change in the world- I want to see something change; people become less greedy, Global Warming end, architecture and agriculture flourish, technology expand dramatically. I don't exactly know but I wish to see some kind of positive change.

7) Act, Sing, and Dance- I have always loved acting, singing, and dancing. I love medicine as well, I mean it is the more realistic career path. But if I could choose I would love to sing, dance, and act. So I want to perform somewhere, anywhere outside of high school. I want to participate in some big production and not loose the hobby that I love the most.

8) Rock Climb/ Mountain climb- again another adrenaline rush. I really want to travel see the world and do things that not everyone had a chance to do. I want to rock climb on a mountain side (with other supervision of coarse, and safely)

9) Become a great cook- I cannot cook nor do I really care what the food takes like. I just eat it. But I feel that if I became a better cook I would be able to appreciate the savory tastes in some delicacies.

10) Be genuinely happy- Seems difficult, but I know that if I keep doing what I love and working hard. Then there is no way I will not be happy.