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

branch.art

This past weekend was a whirlwind of activities. From hanging with friends to constantly doing homework. I felt like time was being taken away from me.

Clocks slay time . . .
time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels;
only when the clock stops does time come to life.

-William Faulkner

So this Monday, after numerous speeches and papers had been accomplished, I went back to the apartment to create. Ah, finally, a breath of fresh air was entering my lungs.

So this is what I did:

1) I found a branch from outside my window.


2) striped away the leaves.

until it was bare.


3) Then I walked to the Art Center next to my apartment with Sarah.

4) now, time to create.



4) and saw.


5) Mr. Branch decided to go to a gallery to show off his beauty.


But after exceptionally long day at the gallery, it was time for Mr. Branch and Rebecca to head home.


And tomorrow, Newspaper Origami Cranes will be hanging from the branches.

Sabbath.

This is something that I see the need for, yet seem to be too busy to actually put into action. But this past Sunday I was encouraged to take a Sabbath. So needless to say, I took a Sabbath and was enlightened and encouraged to keep this practice up.

My idea of what a Sabbath is:

• taking time to slow down and enjoy the simple joys of life that God has given us
  
• hand writing letters to friends and family and telling them how precious they are
• spending time with a good friend and taking the day to catch up
• inviting friends over and having a 4 hour meal like the good old days

What I chose to do was go on a stroll around Seattle with my friend Monica. We took time to see the beauty of nature that we normally would easily pass over.

I also went to the Statue Park and took in the beautiful scenery and artwork.
There is something absolutely beautiful about trash.

Especially when that trash is used to create something beautiful. When it is taken and recreated from ashes to beauty. Even when it is seen as something ugly it is wonderful to have the eyes that can see the beauty in this. To take the old and see something new. As humanity, we must learn to do this with each other.