Most people may question why I’d choose something like this to put on my Blog. Answer: It's a part of my life. Ahh now it has you wondering well what the hell she is talking about. Well you see I used to struggle with self-injury (sorry to be so blunt about it) but anyone that looks at me could easily tell just takes a glance at my arms. It's not something I talk about often, nor is it something I like to talk about, but truth is it has a lot to do with who I am now. We all have struggles in life and deal with things differently, for me self injury was what I turned too. Some people binge drink, some people simply just cry and feel better afterwards, but for me the crying was never good enough, the addiction of self-injury that I developed took over my life. I was disappointing people left to right, crushing the people I loved for a simple addiction. After years of counseling I’m moving on to a brighter future, although I’m not going to lie to you, everyday is still a struggle. My goal at this point in my life is too help others with their struggles in life, especially those with self-injury issues. Know anyone that has a problem with self-injury? Let them know they are not along, there are people out there too help…

Check out these websites:

http://www.twloha.com (MY FAVORITE!)

http://us.reachout.com/real-stories/self-harm?gclid=CKPs2fbGlrACFYR9OgodnFVL2g

The Website above also has stories about Eating disorders, Anxiety, Becoming independent, Drugs, Alcohol, tobacco, Family relationships, Health, Struggles with other problems, Suicide, Violence and Sexual Assault.

 

My life.

My whole life I’ve lived in a small village known as Homer, New York.

This year I’m graduating High School and have had to think a lot about what I’m going to do with my life. You know college, career, etc. My dream has always been to become a first grade teacher but the problem is there are NO jobs around here, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself but shouldn’t you think in advance when it comes to choosing what you’re going to do with your life?

I grew up in a home where my parent was living paycheck to paycheck, not a good feeling. I want to be able to support myself and not have to worry about money. Another concern is the fact that I have celiac disease and have to be on an all gluten free diet along with my lactose intolerance, and the add on of a dairy free diet as well…its expensive! And the food isn’t that great…at all. I don’t really eat that often so I suppose it shouldn’t be that big of a deal but it’s just something I always worry about.

So I’ve decided to start off at a community college close to home and miss out on the true college experience, some may look at this is as allowing my disease to hold me back and you may be right but it’s something I’m working on. It’s all a part of my self-discovery.

Babies having babies

Something that has become more and more of a problem are teens having babies, we all have witnessed this in our very own Homer High School. The question is, why? We all take health class in Jr. High and in High School, yet teens in our school and schools around the country are having babies so young. How is it even possible to take care of a new born when you can hardly take care of yourself? Sure we're teenagers we think we know everything, and things our parents say just go in one ear and out the other. But have you ever thought that maybe they teach health class for a reason? Open your eyes up to reality and see that the teen pregnancy rate has increased the past few years, and any females AND males are at risk of becoming a parent. It's a proven fact that 1 in 3 women get pregnant at least once before the age of 20!

We have these shows on MTV called "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" that makes it look easy to raise a baby, when in all reality raising a baby is NOT easy. How would I know? Well because my sister is a teen mom of a 21 month old son named Bently (and yes..She got the name from the show 16 and pregnant). She lived with me for the first three or so months of Bently's life, not only was she staying up with the baby but so was I! The point is too many teens are becoming parents and something has too be done about it. Remember people Condoms are cheaper than diapers, so if your doing the dirty wear protection (;

Children’s behaviors in public areas such as restaurants, stores, etc…

Should parents be stricter on their children to be more respectful and quiet in public?

Don’t you ever go out to a restaurant where a child is there throwing a fit or is just being downright a pain in the a**?! Nothing frustrates me more! You expect to go out to have a nice relaxing dinner with your family or maybe a boyfriend/girlfriend and you can’t even enjoy yourself over the noise and/or disrespect of the child three rows away screaming because he/she doesn’t want the Mac n’ cheese the server just brought out (I don’t know why Mac n’ cheese but just go with it).

Or how about that kid in the super market that takes a free sample and says eww this is gross and throws it on the floor?? I've witnessed this, and his mother didn't even say anything too him just took his hand and walked away like nothing even happened, Da faq!

Do you believe there should be age limits in restaurants? Or maybe regulations on the behaviors expected of the children. I understand children are just trying to have fun and they can be loud but where should the limit be? Where do you draw the line? o.O

For English class we we're given a list of books to choose from to read and write about. So as you can see to the left i chose "Never let me go" By: Kazuo Ishiguro.Too be completely honest this isn't my first choice but it's what the library had in stack and seemed to be semi-interesting. Now I just need to find the time and ambition to begin reading (: So that's where I am so far. Updates soon!

(Bently, My Nephew<3 &+ one of the most important people in my life)

Rambling thoughts...

It's sad how it takes something tragic like a suicide to really appreciate all the amazing things and people we have in our lives. Look around you, your surrounded by people every single day and the thing is you don't have any idea what they are going through... Maybe the Woman that's always smiling and laughing with her happy family is actually being consumed with fears from her past. Or maybe that big macho guy that you are afraid of because he looks threatening is going through a terrible divorce. Someone could think that they are going through something terrible like say, a break up when there are people out there that have it so much worse. There are people out there dying with incurable disease and cancer. We all just need to step back once and awhile and see how great some of us have it compared to others out there. We just need to have little less judgement and  a little more of an open mind. Its clear that NO ONE is perfect, we all have our flaws and insecurities, even the people that come off completely confident.

Photography :D

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KASSANDRA HESS :D