In Light of Recent Events

As I have recently moved out from under a rock, I've noticed that the elections have started for the candidate best to run against President Obama. I find this interesting for several reasons.

1. Up until about two weeks ago, all I knew about politics was a phrase I picked up somewhere over the years about the difference between Republicans and Democrats that probably shouldn't be shared on my blog if I don't wish to receive hate mail in excess. 

2. I've never really been a huge fan of the GOP. I mean, to state it frankly, I'm still really not. I merely feel that many of the things they say are too close-minded for my liking. Myself being pro-choice, pro-equal-marriage-rights, pro-Gaga, pro-controversial-things-for-the-most-part. 

I guess you could say I'm liberal. 

Here, I will state clearly and calmly who I believe to be the best presidential candidate. 

Hold on, allow me to open up my Ron Paul brochure helpfully handed to me by a friend. 

Restore America now... Gee, that sounds like exactly what we need! He's going to end foreign wars?? Wow, I'm so anti-war it's not even patriotic! 

I like Ron Paul. I like him for more reasons than I have ever liked a Republican candidate (which isn't saying too awful much, as I just recently left the rock). 

The awesome thing about his plan is nothing jumps out at me as completely horrible. Nothing about him really seems bad. 

He's smart. He's a physician (OB, I think, which is what I want to be sometimes) that has delivered over 4000 babies. 

He's a military veteran. He knows the horrors of war and knows best what to do for the soldiers fighting everywhere. 

He's the only candidate that has a full plan to balance the budget. We all know we're in massive debt. It would be nice to not owe trillions of dollars and have a virtually ruined economy. 

Now that I've gone off on this political tangent, I may as well ask a favor. If you've read this far without redirecting yourself to facebook, I thank you for your patience. You're the best of the best. 

I, unfortunately, am not able to participate in the primary for Michigan on February 28th, as I'm only 15. If you can, please go vote.

Don't vote for the salamander-er, Newt. 

Don't vote for Rick Santorum, unless you want someone so close-minded it breaks my heart. 

Don't vote for Romney, because he's not as good as Ron Paul. 

Please vote for Ron Paul. He's the only one fit to run against Mr. Obama, truly. 

For America.

Life is an Art in Itself

More and more, people are talking about removing the arts programs from their schools. I don't know why they would EVER do that, other than perhaps desiring to focus more on academics such as chemistry and geometry. Perhaps they believe that removing the creativity from schools will cause what has been referred to as the "least intelligent generation" to get smart, and fill our dull heads with facts and figures.
I simply and reasonably state that this is utter and complete nonsense.
As of late, I've been increasingly involved in the theatre department at my high school.
It's filled with the most brilliant, enthusiastic group of people I've ever had the good fortune to meet.
People in theatre are different than any other people in the world. Theatre stretches people in ways that, as much as it may try, mathematics just cannot.
If programs like these are removed from schools in Flint, which some of them already have been, things will only go downhill.
Which, unfortunately, is saying something.
Teens should spend less time hitting people, and more time hitting piano keys. Less time fighting, more time writing. When home situations get bad, be someone else. Find the character in you.
The arts have always been an outlet for people across the globe. They're part of tradition and culture.
Dare I say a key to saving this city would be to find these inner-city kids a constructive outlet.
People these days have so much bottled up inside them, no wonder the world can look bleak. You almost can't blame people for becoming aggressive.
Hey, I said almost. 
The idea that I fail to understand is this:
Why would one try to take away what is for some the one thing that allows them to escape from the horrors of their world?
It makes no sense.
Certainly, the last thing Flint needs is more upset people.
I assure you, we have enough of those.

Happiness is a Choice

As Christmas quickly approaches, my days continue to get better and better. Last week, Monday was one of the best days I've had in a long time. Friday, again, was fantastic. Yesterday was probably the best of them all.

When I stop to wonder why these days have been so freaking happy, there are a few different ideas that flow from one side of my mind to the other. 

1. I have friends. Hold on. I actually have real friends. As in, people I'd want to spend extended amounts of time with. Half the people I interact with on any given day I'd gladly trade the world for. People never cease to amaze me. Each person, every friend is so genuinely unique and beautiful that I can't help but be astounded by them. 

2. God is amazing. He's given me such a sense of grace and personal growth this year. In every single thing I've done, I've found myself at another stretch for personal growth and lasting happiness. He's the best. I mean, what a boss he is. I love. 

3. I've kind of calmed down! I used to be ever-stressed about everything. Everything. Whether it be school or band or life or people or whatever. I've really gotten to a point where I do stress out, but not in excess. For example, I have my HH project due tomorrow. And what am I doing?
I'm writing on my blog. Because this is important as well, and I've worked my butt off lately.

Joy is such a state of mind. I know for a fact I was happy on Friday because I woke up laughing. Really, I woke up giggling. Which, I mean, sounds like an absolutely ridiculous thing to do, but my dreams have an awesome sense of humor.

I think happiness really is a choice. Every day, there are people around me who choose sadness. They don't look on the bright side, or help themselves. I'm not just saying that for meanness.

I went to go see "Of Mice and Men" yesterday. Which was amazing. The cast and crew.. Seriously, I'm telling you guys, theatre folk are the best people in the world.

I'll make a list, now, of things that make me happy.

-peppermint hot chocolate
-laughing when I'm not supposed to be
-french-tipped nails with glitter
-being expressive
-theatre people
-excellent Stumbles on stumbleupon
-getting random texts
-looking at my Christmas tree
-wrapping presents
-really huge words
-things that smell delicious
-excellent style
-feeling good about myself without makeup

and that's just a few! I suppose I might say that I'm one of those people that are easy to please.

Make a choice to be happy this weekend. Find five things that make you happy, and do them as much as you possibly can. As long as they're not like "killing people" or "burning books."
You'll see an effect. I promise. 

Of Mice and Me

My school has the best high school theatre department in Michigan, and also the world. 

We have wonderful actors, directors, tech, makeup artists.. everything. 

Which I am, unfortunately, not a part of. 

Yet. 

This weekend, they'll be showing Of Mice and Men, which I've heard is quite a tearjerker. However, you should go, even if you don't watch sad things usually, as we have, as previously stated, the most amazing theatre department in the world. 

So props to them (no pun intended) for being amazing people, as well as amazing actors. 

I'll be there Saturday, selling tickets, since I made the unintelligent mistake of not joining the cast or crew. I assure you, it will not happen again. 

I emphasize that these people are amazing for several reasons. 

1. They are. 
2. People need to be aware that these Broadway-esque performances are not done by divas. 
3. They're the coolest people and deserve fame and fortune. 
4. They make me feel better about myself and slap sense into me when I become vulnerable and insecure. 
5. They make my day with a few words, texts, or facebooks likes. 

So there you go. Go watch "Of Mice and Men" this weekend. 

And no, I'm not in charge of advertisement for the show, either. 

Theatre is good for the soul. It's basically a proven fact. There's something about the lights, and the stage, and the accents, and the makeup. It's truly an amazing thing. 

I experienced this in 5th grade for the first time, when I saw Godspell at the same highschool I'm attending now. 

I've experienced it with the lights on Broadway, and in too many places to name. 

It's a gorgeous thing. If one doesn't allow themselves to feel the theatre, and to experience it fully, they're selling themselves short. 

I promise, even if the show is about something really sad, which this isn't necessarily, it'll bring joy to your life. 

So go see this show. 

It doesn't matter if you live in some other state. Plane rides are fun. Like theatre people. 

Brighten your own day by allowing the actors to. They'll live up to it, I promise.