Wherever I'm with You

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros recently released the duet, "Home," which says, " Home is wherever I'm with you." I think the song between the couple captures the essence of home. When I think about my home I don't imagine a brick structure where I store my stuff, but rather, a place where I am loved by people I love. Anywhere this feeling exists is home. Whether I'm sitting on my couch, taking notes in class, singing down the interstate, or backpacking in a foreign country, I can be home. However, I know that my truest roots lie in Old Hickory, Tennessee. I feel at home when I hear even the worst of redneck dialects or country music playing in the background. I feel at home when I drive down Lebanon Road (which I travel a minimum of 28 times a week) with my friends hysterically laughing as we sing and dance (though we aren't all that talented) to whatever song we have the radio blasting. I feel at home when I'm stuck in Sunday morning traffic. Most of all, I feel at home when I'm with the friends and family I love the most, because the structure, shelter, and warmth they provide far exceeds anything that my house has ever offered me. So, whoever your "you" is, whether it be your friend, your parent, your love, or your God, I hope you find them, because without a home, you're stuck in the cold.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing for ACT testing is always a growing experience. I especially liked looking at the answers and being able to see what I missed and learn why I missed it. My results weren't bad but I'm determined to improve until I can get a perfect score, especially since my math and science scores are never as high. The biggest problem I have with testing is that I tend to lose focus or I don't thoroughly read the question. I hope I can develop the ability to focus on the complete question and be able to choose the best answer.

Inexpressible Joy

When it comes to being a person of faith, I would like to say that I'm always faithful to God, but that wouldn't be true. I try my best to follow the statues that God has established for me, because I know that's what's best for me, but I still oftentimes fall into the world's hands rather than holding to God's. My relationship with God grows every day, and I hope that I never become satisfied with it. Like all relationships, mistakes are made, there are problems with communicating, and conflict. All of these problems are my fault, but sometimes I feel like God should take the blame. God is continually teaching me and he strengthens my faith even through doubts and questions. I continually remind myself of one of my favorite verses, 1 Peter 1:8, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.."

On The Ground

On the Ground is a blog written by New York Times human rights journalist, Nicholas D. Kristof.  His articles primarily focus on women's rights, international conflict, and poverty. He protests injustice to those in underdeveloped nations, particularly in Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia. He also protests a lack of action taken by developed nations, especially the United States, with articles like Obama and the Mess in Sudan. His perspective comes from years spent in the field and he is determined to share his experiences and understand the world outside suburban America. Whether it be Facebook Protests in Pakistan or Famine in Niger, Kristof gives first-hand accounts of life in underdeveloped nations, telling the world about the hardships they face and how they can be prevented. He's also popular for writing the book Half the Sky, which depicts the harsh reality of women's rights throughout the world.