decrepit battered photos: depictions of my life

The end.

Pronunciation: \ˈskül\ Function: noun

What an interesting word, this thing called school. Where people come together, pile into classrooms, and diligently respect their higher powers in an almost feudal society. Where we learn to abstract think and use the four lobes of our brains. And hope someday, somehow, we will become better than we already are. That we will become one of the elite, the leaders of this world, that have nothing to worry about.

Some live for this word. They pour money into their prized education, hoping to become better than the person sitting next to them. To achieve 'A's in all of their classes and exams. Others see no value in this. They view the thoughts of common sense as greater than those that can be achieved academically. So, why is school necessary? Why are people around the world crying out for the freedom to be able to go to school? Why do they value this so much?

I honestly had no idea where this was going when I started writing. Where my thoughts would lead me, I had no idea. I was about to go in a after-math pity party in response to my finals. But here is where they went and here is the reality of what education can do.

Out of the world's 130 million out-of-school youth, 70 percent are girls.

An extra year of primary school boosts a girl's eventual wages by 10 to 20 percent.
An extra year of secondary school: 15 to 20 percent.

It is time to be thankful for this immense opportunity. To be thankful for our finals and large projects. We are able to have the ability to have thoughts that are shaped by our own ideals. This is due to education. These thoughts help us make a change in our world. That is why people espeically in third-world contries want to aquire education through academics. This gives them the ability to step up and fight against their oppression.

pump⋅kin

a large, edible, orange-yellow fruit borne by a coarse, decumbent vine, Cucurbita pepo, of the gourd family.


When was the last time you carved one of these orange spheres? It was way too long since I had. The last time must have been around the time of sixth grade; almost a decade ago. I haven't since because I sliced my right pinky finger open and still have a scar. It was not traumatizing but everyone there was scared from the blood dripping from my hand dying the pumpkin red.

Thus Annie and I decided to have a roommate-pumpkin-date!

Egypt Trip Party!

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world.
-Anne Frank

Flip those pancakes.

I absolutely love breakfast.
Breakfast food should be every meal :)




So it was obvious I needed to invite the whole apt. to Annie and mine for pancakes.
and they came
Fencing and all

and with tickles

and I just keep flipping . . . and only a few fell on the ground.

Fall Colors

It is important for oneself to walk.
To take a break from the everyday normality and slow down.
To take in the beauty and treasure our time.

Aimi and I decided to push our homework off for a bit on a past Sunday and take in the fall beauty before it disappears. After going to church I saw a glorious yellow bouquet that I chose to bring back to Annie.

After grabbing a bite to eat Aimi and I walked along the canal on the way to the Fremont market.
The colors of the trees were like a painting with too many colors to name.



Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
-Steven Wright