Education

My dad always told me that "school is your job". This is so true. While students don't get paid with money, they get paid with knowledge. Yea, this can sound cheesy but it's true. The knowledge and experiences that a student gains at school, helps mold them into the person who will become our presidents, CEO's, doctors, plumbers, engineers, teachers, lawyers, the list is never ending.

It has been said, and I'll say it again, education is a privilage. Ever think about those in a 3rd world country who have to work 16 hours a day their whole life never knowing what school really is? Shoot, think about those students who live here in the U.S. who need to work and go to school? How do they do it all? Then there are the "slacker" kids who are always complaining about this that and the other. They have nothing to complain about. They are in school to better themselves, and they don't even realize it. I realize that the education system is not perfect by any means. But it sure beats sitting on your ass all day doing nothing.

I don't understand those people who are able to sit and do nothing all day, day in and day out. God has given you this gift of life and so to not use it is in lack of better words dumb. Engaging yourself with other people, environments, and situations makes you grow into a more rounded person. When a student is at school, they encounter all of this and more. A student not only learns the textbook information, or as we're learning in class, the information that allows them to meet the ridiculous testing standards, they learn real life skills, probably without even knowing it.

I know this blog has gone a different direction, I don't really know my point, just random I guess. But to sum my thouhgts up in a general statement...

We only live once, so we need to make it worthwhile! We need to keep ourselves engaged-intellectually, emotionally, and physically, don't take this for granted, like education, help each other out, do our best, and never give up!

Family

I was on my Myspace checking out an old blog I wrote right after my Papaw passed away. While reading it I realized how much I miss him. It reminds me just how important family is to me. They are the ones who helped me shape me into the person who I am. My family is also what keeps me going when I'm unmotivated or going through a rough time. When I don't want to continue with my homework, like right now, I always think of Papaw, Memaw, my cousins-Bill, Mike and Rob, and of course my parents, and Logan, but especially Papaw and Memaw, and know that they're watching me. I don't want to disappoint them, so I know that I must keep truckin on. We, they're grandchildren, were their pride and joy and the last thing in the world I want to do is to disappoint my family.

At the end of the day, no matter how bad my day was, or who I'm unhappy with, I always know that I have my family there for me. Of course I have friends too, don't get me wrong. But it is my family who has been there from the start, and for me that start was rough. Three months in the hospital and a hard first few years couldn't have been possible without the support and love of my family, especially my parents. As I write this Mom and Dad are in London, as Dad had to go for work. Mom, obviously didn't have to go. But who wouldn't turn down a trip to London! They also deserve a trip across the world together. They never did go on vacations just the 2 of them when raising our family. And now that Kell and I are out of the house, it is definetly their time to enjoy life for all its worth! They deserve it, 24 years of raising a family is hard work, especially between Kell and I (for different reasons :)).

While my family is small, 5 cousins in all, no step-siblings, I wouldn't ask for it any other way. It is all I've known and it's great. I feel close to my parents, sister, nephew, niece, all my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I don't think everyone can say that about their family. Now after writing this, I realize that I fall short of keeping in touch with all of my family. So starting now, i am going to try to keep in touch better. Even if it's a short email or call, it's worth it. Because all in all, no one knows when it will be our last day!

Yea, that's all. I'm just thankful for a wonderful family who I know i can always call on! I love you!