http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/1b/c6/23.pdf

Article about how the Permanency Law isn’t enough and how more funding is needed on behalf of the government. The government needs to take more care in their foster systems. Deaths and abuse of all kinds have occurred and scarred numerous children.

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=116&sid=f6ec6204-e1d1-4ab9-91c9-b280ee29a21e%40sessionmgr103

Foster care improvements are to be done in Oklahoma as kids are not being properly taken care of. Many move too much, stay too long, and get separated from siblings which adds to their emotional stress. Extended families should try to care for the kids instead of instilling them into the system.

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SNJ1316-0-7409&artno=0000268103&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=States%20Trying%20to%20Extend%20Foster%2DCare%20Benefits&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=Y&ic=Y

 Many states propose to increase the age of the cut-offs from the foster care programs from 18 to 21. They say that the assimilation into adulthood is lengthy and families are needed as support systems. As many 18-year-olds are emancipated with no where to go, it is no wonder that over a quarter are incarcerated within the first two years. Beating the odds and making a name for you is very difficult as a foster child. Family support systems are needed, even if its not blood.  

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SNJ1316-0-8302&artno=0000250429&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=When%20Foster%20Teens%20Find%20a%20Home&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=Y&ic=Y

 This article has personal accounts of foster children ranging from one who was a troubled child to one who was basically normal. It also contains statistics concerning foster children.  

Radio

Laurel Blossom

No radio
in car

No radio on board

No radio
Already stolen

Absolutely no radio!

Radio broken
Alarm is set
To go off

No radio
No money

No radio
no valuables

No radio or
valuables
in car or trunk

No radio
Stolen 3X

No radio
Empty trunk
Empty glove compartment
Honest

In car
Nothing of value

No radio
No nuthin
(no kidding)

Radio Broken
Nothing Left!

Radio Gone
Note Hole in Dashboard

Warning!
Radio Will Not Play
When Removed
Security Code Required

Would you keep
Anything valuable
In this wreck?

No valuables
In this van

Please do not
Break-in
Unnecessarily

Thank you
For your kind
Consideration

Nothing of value
in car
No radio
No tapes
No telephone

—

Amazing. Enough said.

Mood: Believe it or not…I’m quite happy.

Music: Paramore – For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/CTn627G5_sM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Plugging: Kayjaybaybay<3

Source of Amusement: Online Show Streaming

Hey everyone.

It’s been awhile since one of these “normal” posts of mine. In fact, I haven’t really posted any thing pertaining to New Years Eve. Which, believe me, is quite shocking.

Why?

I just simply love New Years Eve. Second favorite holiday. [Fourth of July being the first if you're wondering].

I know, I know, it’s different. Most people say it’s either Christmas or their birthday. Or of course, for those who think with their stomachs, Thanksgiving [Third!]. But I’ve always loved New Years ever since I was a child.

Of course, my reasons for liking New Years have grown just as I have. I find it completely amazing of how as we get older, how much our thinking changes. Do you guys remember those days way back in preschool? God, I used to be so different. Get this, I used to love cleaning. I once had this hideously pink toy vacuum that I adored. The plastic kitchen-sets? Yeah, I had one of those too. Now? Now I’m the girl most likely to well, not be cleaning unless necessary? [i.e complaints via Mom] Not that I’m messy either.  But I digress.

Where was I? Right, New Years. When I was younger, I just loved the colors, confetti, the ball drop, and of course, the staying up late part!

Now? Well, I still love those aspects of the New Year, but I’m also way into the live music they have at the Square. I also find the figurative idea of a clean slate enticing. Out of my league? Yes. Why? I’m one of those people who would love to believe that people can change, for better or for worse, but there’s always a part of me that’s ever-so-cynical. Because to me, as much as we like to deny it at times, the past is still a part of who we are. Whether we had an amazing past or a completely terrible past, it has gotten us to where we are now. And it’s so worth it.

I can honestly that all of the disappointment, the heartache, the tears, and the fights mixed with all the laughs, the jokes, and the memories worth remembering have gotten me to the point I am at now. And even if I’m not completely satisfied with who and where I am right at this moment, I have no regrets whatsoever.

And that, ladies and gents, is my new philosophy. “No Regrets.”

Everything happens for a reason.

This still doesn’t mean I believe in fate and destiny. Oh no. Where you want to get in life takes effort and time. You make things happen. It’s your life, have some control. [I know, kind of off-topic right there. Hey, I digress, you should know by now!]

Living life with no regrets sounds like an “easier said than done” thing.

But I say?

Bring. It. On.

xx,

Sincerely,

Me.

Happy New Year everyone. Seventeen days too late.  Oh well, I tried.

Kudos?

And remember, no regrets.

My eyes feel heavy yet my mind’s awake

I don’t know how much more of this I can take

Sweet dreams are calling my name again and again

Yet everytime I’m close, I always seem get shaken

Away from my paradise

That I find with closed eyes

Where the stars shine brightly in the night sky

And the mood makes it easier to fly

Because all of my problems are taken away

This is a place I wish I could forever stay

But then reality permeates in

And all I can do is wait to start it all over again

Disclaimer: This one is brand-spankin’ new and out just for you. Seriously, I just finished writing it five minutes ago. Hope you like it. Oh and, Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

Just picture it

The glass shattering on the floor

Her just walking out the door

The onslaughts of tears have yet to leave their eyes

They don’t even know how they got caught up in the web of lies

Just picture it

The cold snow, the harsh winds, the fighting scene

They both said things they didn’t mean

The unresolved issues still lingered in the air

They’re fighting for love and lovers never fight fair

Just picture it

The moment she walks back in and their eyes meet

They remember the first time they met, out on the crowded street

She breaks the gaze to walk past him, the silence louder than ever before

He catches her hand and pulls her to him and in that embrace, they hoped to find a cure

Just picture it

All the hope and all the faith they have seems to be a miracle in disguise

Just picture it

The ending that comes in all its perfection, where their love conquers all their lies

Just picture it

Because the more we hope for their love’s mending

The more hope we’ll have for our very own picturesque ending

Hey cyberspace!

It’s that time of year again, or well, it has been for awhile now. But anyway, happy holidays to you all.

The question?

So what do I want for Christmas?

The answer?

Nothing.

Why? Well, simple really, I don’t celebrate Christmas.

So what I really want more than anything cyberspace, is a Festivus pole.

After all, it’s “Festivus for the Rest of us”.

EDIT:

So according to Mrs. M, my post is not “substantial” enough. I guess she’s right. So how about what I want for, er, my Birthday?

Well, what I really really want for my Sweet Sixteen is a new texting plan.

I know, I know, so superficial and really boring. But hey, you don’t have to keep a constant on-going tally in your head of how many out of 250 texts total did I send and recieve. I go over every month! Rawr. So in conclusion, if my parent’s upgraded my plan with five more dollars to unlimited Verizon to Verizon texting, then I could talk to Lindsey all I wanted!

haha

And, well, all the other non-verizon-ers too. [And yes, Mike, I'm aware that is not a word.]

So Mrs. M? Substantial enough?

END EDIT.

Here’s to the moments where talking is impossible ;; because we’re laughing so hard

Here’s to the moments where you’re smiling uncontrollably ;; because you just had the most amazing time of your life

Here’s to the moments where when you least expect it ;; things happen

Here’s to the moments when magically, out of nowhere they sensed you needed them ;; and they were there

Here’s to the moments where even if you had the worst day of your life ;; you still got back up the next morning

Here’s to the moments that can be completely random ;; but you’ll be thinking about them for days

Here’s to the moments with the ones you love ;; the ones you’ll never, ever forget

Here’s to the moments that make up our lives, both good and bad ;; because without them, we wouldn’t be who we are

Here’s to us.

For once, I’m blogging simply to write. I have no purpose, no real beginning, no real ending. Really, all you’re about to read is what my fingers decided to tap out on this keyboard.

Therefore, there is no music either in this entry. And no, of course the reason isn’t that I’m being lazy. Why would you ever think that?

Sometimes on nights where I can’t fall asleep, I think. Or when I’m in a car on a long drive, headphones in my ears and eyes staring at the skies out the window, I think. Let’s just say, I think a lot.

I wonder what people will remember of me, if they’ll remember me at all. What impact do I want to leave behind? Where do I want to go in life? Do I really even have a choice?

Let’s get one thing straight, if you think you know me… you really don’t.

Because I don’t even know myself.

Sure I’m Samana ______ from ________. I have parents who are still together, two brothers who are beyond awesome yet slightly frustrating, and amazing friends who may even know me better than I know myself.

But who am I on a greater scale? In the world, what am I meant to be?

I think I know what I want in life.

But that’s the thing, I think.

I always think. But I don’t know.

And uncertainty is one thing that makes me beyond nervous.

Even if I still have two years of the security of high school left and even if I have two older brothers who have already gone through this, it’s still my first time and I’m beyond nervous.

As much as I can’t wait to get away from my security blanket here and live a little, I can’t help but wonder if the decisions I’ve made and will make are the right ones.

But life is all uncertainty isn’t it? Isn’t that what makes it “such a thrill” to live life?

And I admit, when I take a risk and it pays off, the high and the adrenaline are beyond amazing.

But when I fail, the fall can make me crash and burn.

But I guess it’s worth it isn’t it?

A little good goes a long ways.

So I guess I can conclude with taking risks and taking chances may not always work, but they are worth it in the end.

If only for the experience.

And even if I still have two years left, the world better watch out.

Because not only do they have me coming at them, but a whole host of other amazing and influential people.

With all the things that we can do…

Whoa.

We are the next generation.

We are the future.

We are TR.

Corny! But you love me anyway.

Otherwise, why are you reading this?

P.S. So I lied. Maybe there was a beginning and an ending all along. This just goes to show, you never know when something profound can come from just rambling. Just call me Yoda.

or not.

The clock winked at me with a merciless smile

It taunted me with its luminious numbers and beeping shriek

I wanted to stay in bed and sleep for more of awhile

But alas, that could not be done and so my eyes opened to take a peek

 Of the bright sun-filled room, smelling of fresh air

I yawned and stetched and muffled the clock’s cries

My eyes focused on the wall and glanced at the calender there

Oh no! Today was the first meeting of the Super-Secret Spies!

–

That was pointless.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Mood: Quite cheerful. Oddly enough.

Music: Jonas Brothers – Take A Breath

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/lT4IXDCNT80" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

&

Boys Like Girls – Dance Hall Drug

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/I1Ol7EdfCJE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Plugging: double.entendres

Source of Amusement: YouTube/Quizilla/Life

Hey all.

So if you’re wondering there is a reason there are two videos up there next to “Music“, well besides the obvious one which was I was listening to them.

But we’ll get to that.

Today’s blog has a point, and we’ll get to that too.

Let’s start of with a “I hope you enjoyed your four day weekend” and a “to those who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a good one”.

Ah, so now that formalities are done with haha. just kidding.

Anywho, my weekend consisted of delicious and unexpected food, late nights, early mornings, long drives, and terrible shoulder and back pains from awkward positions.

There’s nothing like it.

So back to this blog and the point of it.

I’m more of a city person then a country person, I’ll fully admit it. I like a fast-paced life so living in the country would drive me insane. But one thing that as a fast-paced person I always forget but am constantly trying to remind myself, is to stop and smell the roses.

And not only do I try to remind myself to take my time with things, so does the music I listen to. Hence the two videos up there. Two separate songs from two separate and completely different bands with the same roundabout message in them.

Take. Your. Time. Stop and smell the roses. or as they put it Just take a breath & and it’s too late — you should have waited.

We teenagers try to speed up the life process so much. Kids want to grow up so fast when in reality, childhood is probably the thing every adult misses the most. You guys know what I’m talking about, I know you do. It’s those days when you think, “man, I wish I was back in kindergarten and finger painting”.

Don’t rush things. You might live to regret it.

‘Kay, so my meaningful part of this post is done.

Only thing left?

If you haven’t seen Happy Gilmore, go rent it. Seriously.

xx,

Sincerely,

Me.

Profound Thinking Of The Post:

Don’t rush life and take time to enjoy things.

Open. Your. Eyes.

You’ll be surprised at what you miss everyday.