My Blog experience

I have had many experiences with stereotypes in this blog most of them have been about us in Mccool and do not many have been about New York. The stereotypes are mostly about rednecks here and stuck up people over there. The rural and urban differences are great we are rural here and they are urban there well well obviously. I met alot of new people with this website and all of them good. I'd like to meet some more people over there in New York. You guys over in Ny probably have different perspectives than us here and i would like to know what they are. The writing was boring but the outcome was entertaining.

Blogger Experiences

What I think of stereotypes after blogging is that I do not believe all of what I hear. I used to believe some of the things, and now with talking with kids from New York I think that kids from New York are no different than kids from Nebraska. I think that Rural areas and Urban areas are about the same except that rural areas have less people and urban areas have many more people. After doing the blogger I still think that I would live in a rural area because I like to know everybody in the area. What I thought of meeting new people on the blogger is that it was cool to learn how people from other areas act and how they are at writing. I also liked the way that I was able to see other peoples perspectives from other areas. After doing the blogger I was able to notice that my writing has changed alot from when I started.

The Life Of The Blog!

Sorry, I can't get my font color to change...

I found out that not all stereotypes are true about people. Just because we are from different places. Stereotypes make you stop and think if most stereotypes are true. Stereotypes are easier to know about people in high school. In my opinion I think urban would be better just because there are more activities and jobs. It would be much easier for teens to get jobs. I also love living in Rural towns just because you get to know everyone. People are much more friendly then people in urban place. Meeting new people was more of a new thing for me. I use to be a shy person when i talk to people but now i know i don't have to be so shy because i know someone will like who i am. Writing has became much easier for me now that i know people out there are actually reading it and liking what i write now I'm not so paranoid about what I write and what people will think about my papers. Writing is much easier knowing people like my papers.

My Amazing Experience

There were a lot of stereotypes that went back and forth between our two towns. Such as, we thought you guys were stuck up and found out you guys were not and found out that you guys are the same as us. You guys probably thought we were rednecks and that is true to an extent.
Rural and Urban was another great part about this past semester. When we talked about our own towns it seemed like we were mostly on the same page and we do mostly the same thing when it comes to teenagers that is. When you guys put up where I'm from poems I could picture all the things you guys said.
Meeting new people was the best part about this experience. I love meeting new people and I love meeting you guys. You guys have changed my thought of everything and I was very happy to meet you guys.
Writing changed me because I knew that you guys were watching and reading everything I wrote. Now that I have an audience I wrote my best and I just wanted everything to be the best but also be myself. You guys also helped me get all my thoughts out and help me with everything I needed help with. You guys have made me open my mind up and get everything out. Thank you guys so much for everything you guys have done for me.

My Experiance

What i think about stereotypes well i think that some of them are not true.Like the ones that people say about big cities, like they there are all stuck up and i do not think that is true at all. And the stereotypes that people think about small towns are some what true. and some what not true. Like when people say we are hicks i don't really think that is true. From what i hear about rural and urban areas well i think that they have some of the same things that we have. Like we have everybody knows everybody by just looking at them or by telling what their personality's are some times they are the same as ours and some times they are not. My writing has changed a tone since we have been exchanging writing on the blog. I have been doing a lot better with my writing. Like i get comments on how i should write the next piece or how i should fix my piece and that is really help full.

Paige.A.

My Experience

My view is really different about people in New York since I talked to them. I know not all people in New York are stuck-up and rich and many students are just like me. I have benefited from this project in many ways. I think I don't judge people as much now and my writing has really changed. I have seen so many writers on the blog with so much potential that I strive to be like them. I have thought more about being rural and urban and even though we live in different environments we are the same in many ways. I noticed some people talk about going to the river and I go to the river and swim all the time. My writing is more detailed and organized since the blog. I have seen how other people write and they inspire me.

I Am From

I am from heaven up above
I am from the 8th floor in NYC
I am from across the street from the bodega.

I am from "When We Get Married" and "Gypsy Woman"
I am from salsa & merengue
I am from beautiful women & gallant men.

I am from the energy that flows within
I am from Sunday school to Youth group at church
I am from we love Him because He first loved us.

I am from scoldings & lectures
I am from wisdom & strength
I am from everything pure & lovely.

Nina

I AM FROM....

i am from
the little yellow house
the teaching of my siblings
a big family with love


i am from
the city that my parents grew up in
the place were i feel at home
the house that ive know to love

i am from
the golf course were every shot counts
the pool were every stroke counts
my childhood were every memory counts

I Am...

I am from the gray house on Townsend st
I am from the yellow tulips
I am from the soccer cleats on the front porch

I am from the cookie batter in the kitchen
I am from NCIS and AIM
I am from the new paint in my room

I am from basketball and soccer
I am from the pink razor cell phone
I am from the big brick school called Beacon High School

I am from the big family that I don't know what I'd do without
I am from my brother and sister who I am so much alike
I am from my grandparents who love to spoil

But most of all I am from parents who provide me with much love!

':.-.:' where im from ':.-.:' by zesha ♥

I am from the rainbow in the sky
The wind that moves so far so fast
From the clouds that hover way up high
The remembrance of humans' past

I am from the grass down there on the ground
The flowers that grow so tall
From the beat of nature's sound
A bird in it's nest shouting out in call

I am from the trails in the woods
The creatures that climb and or crawl
From the place that many others have stood
The color of leaves when they fall

I am from pride in humans' eyes
The animals out in the wilderness
From the hunters out there in disguise
The orange peel and it's bitterness

I am from many places many others have been
Many settings where many others will be
From the colors and shapes many others have seen
Many people and objects many others will see

I am from ____

I am from a true life,
that has it's situations that must be faced.
I am from a family,
that I share love and memories with.
Sharing memories that can be talked about for years.


I am from beats from my favorite harmonies,
every time I hear the beat drop I vision myself in the song.
I am from New York, the city that never sleeps, the city
that has it's light that shines it up,
the city where dreams can come true.


I am from a group of amazing friends [TC],
sitting at a coffee house for hours having long talks,
creating memories that will last forever,
having that one song that we all love, sing and cherish,
sitting around bonfires and laughing every second of the time
but most of all loving each other through thick and thin.


Tatiana

I Am From

I am from hugs, kisses and lots of love.
I am from the BIG white house on the hill
I am from the tulips, and the lilies
I am from scholars and Fashionistas
From Susan,John and Pammy
I am from asthma pumps and allergy medicine
From "look both ways before you cross the street" and "no you can not trade your brother for a sister"
I am from i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
I am from right here
Chocolate chip cookies and milk
From hats, purses, and lots of high heels
I'm from pageant princesses and Marines
From Big Mouths and Know-it-alls
From straight teeth and eyeglasses
I'm from Dreams that become a reality
each and everyday
I'm from the shelves with the photo albums
that stop time
and allow me to re-live the most precious moments in my life


Sade.

My House Summed Up

I am from Mountain Dew cans

from cell phones and ipods.
I am from the paper plates
(the food still sitting on it
smelling like a dead rotting animal)
I am from the pine trees dropping
the pine cones.

I am from turkey and pumkin pie.
from John and Seth
I'm from the video game addicts
and the just plain dumb people.
I'm from get off the xbox john
jumping on the trampoline
and teenagers riding around on lawn mowers.

I am from Scott and Cathy
I'm from mashed potatoes and chocolate pretzels.
I am from the time John hit his head on a brick
at the church,
and the time John hit his head on the tractor weights
while riding a bike.
I'm from the the cupboards

where there are old pictures which tell the story of my life
a gathering of old times
and stories that I can't remember

Who Am I?

I am from my mother's heart
That beat for her family
That held on as long as it could,
Letting go when she knew we were ready.
I am from my father's inquisitiveness
His need to know more and to ask questions

I am everything and nothing, all in one
I walk and I dream
I live to make a difference
And to show the world what is right

I am from the artist that compel me to try
I am the Mona Lisa and the work of Jackson Polic
I am beautiful and I and scattered
I am from my father's old guitar
And from the music it produces
I am from the smell of fresh pies through the windows
And the healing powers of the words
Uttered sweetly from caring friends.

But mainly,
I am from the lessons learned
And the obstacles overcome.
The mountains climbed
And the rivers rafted.
I am everything and nothing all in one.


~Kaelyn Wood

Where I'm From

I am from the sunny afternoons
the long worn out days spent outside
I'm from the swirls of the wind
as it comes back again
I'm from paper and work
fitting like the bricks in the wall

I am from the nightly city
where people don't want to sleep
I'm from the locked doors
trapping my progress
I'm from videogames and fun
growing from within
like the roots of a tree

I'm from the sweating vigor
needed to rest in summer
I'm from toys and pictures
dangling together in the ocean of ruin
I'm from notebooks and checks
scattered in pandemonium
the anarchy of my house

life

I am from a loving family, who keeps
my life filled with steeple events.
A house that is always filled with chaos,
playing classical music, broaden with books.
Pictures on the walls, showing each memory.
I'm from a mother who loves to cook and a father
who is a wishful thinker.

I am from a group of the best friends(TC)
of non stop laughter.
I am from berserk mindful
nights of bonfires
to long walks. From a best
friend, who gives great
advice who understands me completely.
To a boy who can always
make my worst days turn to my best.

I am from every tear drop, every smile,
every emotion possible.
I've come to the conclusion that my life
is more than just a story its a mere fraction
of what i and everyone can be.
I am from each broadway show, each movie ever seen
every song ever listened too.
-Monica

Where I am From


I’m from the green grass outside
From the rooms in my house
I’m from the dirt on the ground
I’m from the conversation that people have
I’m from people who play pitch at the get together

I’m from the people who think there stuff don’t stink
From the families that you don’t know you are related to you
Until they come to the family reunions
I’m from the Chris and Karen on my mom’s side
From the finger my uncle lost to the war
The eye my father got shingles and didn’t do anything for a week
The clothes under my bed

Spilling pop on the counter and my mom getting mad
Shift of lost animals and that go to the pound
Cold Chill across my face from the wind
I’m from these moments from past experiences
All the leafs that fell from the family tree
The augers that the family’s get into
The Dress box against my wall for clothes and things


By Joey.T

I Am From...

I am from model cars,
from toy cars and dump trucks.
I am from the trampoline
in the back yard.
I am from having cars
parked out front,
from the dogs in the back yard
whom bark all day long.

I am from sugary snacks and soda pop,
from grandma and grandpa.
I am from smartalics,
and rumor tellers.
I am from watching
television all day long.
I am from playing
playstation on the weekends.
I am from sitting on
the couch while I watch
my television.

I am from Dale and Betty’s branch,
ham, turkey, and potatoes.
I am from growing up with a dad
who almost lost two different fingers.
I am from having to watch my dad
put on glasses to read his newspaper.
I am from having family
get togethers that pack the house like
it is a teenage party on Friday night.
I am from always seeing pictures of
family members that will remind me
of the good times we always had.

Memories of where I'm from!

I am from the dirt,
The horses, and the cattle.
I am from the Rodeos,
The bronc riding and the bull riding.
Watching and learning so to do.

I am from the animal shelters,
Caring and loving all animals.
(Watching the animals play and fight
like little kids.)
I am from the life,
Living and watching.
Watching everybody play and laugh.

I am from the partying,
The having fun and game playing.
I am from the family get togethers,
The Christmas’s and Holidays.
A box contains many pictures,
Of anything from family fun,
To baby pictures, to games.
This is where I’m from.


Shelby W.

My “Where I’m From”
Preston S Hess

I am from seeds,
From water and sweat,
(Stalks, growing like many
Children sprouting)
Parents our providers,
I am from the busy, the hustling and running,
screaming and crying.
Family one coming one going,
New family member every two years.

I am from homemade pizza and crayons,
from Glenn and Cheryl.
I’m from the Smart cookies,
and the dumb doornails.
from working hard or hardly working.
I’m from rabbits who pop out kids faster
than the oven pops out burgers at Micky Ds.

I’m from Adelyn and Clifford’s farm
Pancakes and Tea.
From the ring finger my dad lost
to the auger.
The hair my dad is starting to lose
and the hair my grandpa has already lost.
In my closet is a big green tub full
of drawing and pictures.
Good friends that I haven’t seen in many years.
I am from those slivers in time
After all that’s happened,
I am proud of where I’m from.

Home is Where I'm Proud to Be

Home is where the ground glistens,
like a thousand diamonds.
Home is the rope swinging back and forth,
from a crooked tree.
Home is the bean field
engulfed in many houses.
Home is the pine tree in the neighbors yard,
which looks like porcupine thorns.

Home is the sweet chocolate taste of cherry mash,
that dissolves in my mouth.
Home is the cool, refreshing ice tea,
that quenches my thirst,
in the hot blistering heat.
Home is the fireplace hiding in the wall.
Sitting cozy by the fire
as cotton balls fall from the sky.
Home is the living room
looking like a forest
with all the plants,
leaves reaching out to grab you
as you walk by.

Home is where you don’t ask, “Why?”
You just do it.
Home is where you juggle
stories at the table,
such as putting frogs in my big wheel
and riding my pony.
Home is where mom yelps,
“Don’t take more than you can eat,”
even though the beef calls my name
Home is where Jerod wrestles with me,
and when things get rough he says,
“What ever comes around goes around.”
Home is where mom has to grab
the squirt bottle to break up me and Jerod’s fighting.
Home is Curt trying to make me laugh,
telling jokes and stories.
Home is playing catch phrase
at every family gathering.
Yelling, laughing, and having fun.

Home is where you find old pictures
in scrapbooks or in my old wooden box,
where every photo flashes a mental picture in my head
and tells a certain story.
Home is where certain things in our house
holds a special place in my heart.
Home is where Figero sprawls out in the sun,
making everyone step over him.

Home is where I’m proud to be;
growing up and spreading my wings,
learning and building relationships.

-J. Duffek

What I Look Like on Paper

I am from the guns and bows
Of a hunting tradition.
I am from the muddy water of Sack’s Lake,
Brown as if it were chocolate milk.
I am from the busy summers
And the slow winters of the lake.

I am from the red-skin and shattered ankles
From Rex and Cindy.
Who are from the,
Pettygrove and Trouten branch.
I am from the back roads,
To the city streets.

I am from the pictures
Stacked in the hope chest.
To the baby, and other albums.
I am from Nebraska,
I am from McCool Jct.

Lets make a memory

I am from a broken swing
A scar leaving the evidence
From the dirt paved driveway
To the cracked sidewalks
I am from the tall oak tree that casts shade over the entire yard

I am from the aroma of Paul mauls
Filling the air with smoke
From the sit down to the shut ups
To the get up and get out of our hair
I am from a worn out book that sits on the table
Showing us that he is with us

I am from the greased covered floor in the garage
The smell of gasoline
From the mud puddle in the back yard
To the puppy tracks running free
I am from a ran over stop sign
Flat like a pancake

I am from the fried chicken
Mashed potatoes
From the dent in the car
And the shattered glass
In a box on the shelf
Lies memories or a lifetime
Collecting dust like an old broken toy
Some unknown names
To some way to failure
I am from the flash off the camera taken
unexpectly
Just making another memory

Jessica cheek

My Deep Roots

I’m from hunting camo,
with guns and ammo in my closet.
I’m from Uncle Jeff’s picnic table,
memories stored in the wood like a picture
over long nights.
I’m from Fillin’ the freezer,
every deer season with tasty meat.
I’m from hanging deer,
from rafters in Jeff’s garage.
I’m from the cool morning,
the day of rifle season.
I’m from loving my family,
like a fat kid loves cake.


I’m from playing Dominoes,
all night Mexican Train game with Sam.
I’m from BSing all night,
with my family
about hunting and great times
I’m from crab legs once a year,
at my Aunt Jackie’s.
I’m from tractors,
In the yard.


I’m from BBQ and Beer cans,
going to the BVI on Friday.
I’m from playing with the dogs,
Maddie and Maggie hunting together.
I’m from porch sitting,
playing Rummy,
or watching the sunset
I’m from hunting stories,
modified to sound better.
I’m from Mustang Round-Up,
having fun with friends,
I’m from Dodge,
trucks and 4x4.
I’m from being an army brat,
to a country boy over the years.

These Moments

I am from toys scattered on the floor,
to stacks of blankets on the couch.
I am from bikes covered with mud.
(Brown, dried on mud, like to tires of an
old rusted truck)
I am from the big Pines with long branches
stretching towards the wide open sky.

I am from onion dip to cheesy peas.
From Uncle Mike's magic tricks,
to Darrell being too tall.
I am from the be goods and the but not too goods.
From the get-wells and cheer-ups.
I am from the Christmas programs
at church and the tinsel pieces left
in my hair.

I am from the hot afternoons at Dutch Kitchen,
to shouting Dutch Blitz during hot summer days.
I am from the Purple Hearts,
to the Flags on the shelves.
I am from the big box in my closet
filled with papers from first grade,
to pictures of my old dog Sadie.
I am from these moments.

My Generation

I’m from wrestling in the mornings
With my two older brothers.
I’m from my yard full of cans and bottles and
Anything Missy my dog can fit in her mouth.
I’m from wake up at five in the morning to
Work with my dad.

I’m from miles and miles of corn and bean
Ready to be picked by the rich farmers.
I’m from wrestling with friends at the grease pig
contest and taking a dip in the river after words.
I’m from Paul and LuAnn and two brothers
and one sisters.

I’m from hit the hay when my dad thinks
its time go to sleep.
I’m from turkey and mashed potatoes on
Every holiday.
I’m from dog hair all over dog
all over the house. (just like I laid down carpet)

I’m from playing pitch during the winter
Because its to cold to do anything outside
I’m from having all the baby pictures in
The corner of my parents closet.
I’m from a small school were everyone
Has high expectations for all the kids.

Jeremy Coffey

From where I am

I am from hangers,
From socks and shoes.
I am from the sand in our
Sandbox in the back yard.
I am from the stone fishing boy in the front lawn.
The pine tree,
Who's little pine cones remind
Me of my childhood.

I am from boxing gloves and war stories,
From Delmer and Virgil.
I'm from Saturday morning cartoons.
From Bug's Bunny my little pet goldfish,
Growing up as a child.
I am from Aunt Izzy's
Sweet potatoes as well as her lemon pie.

I'm from Charlie and Lucky,
My grandparent's dog.
From my brothers old car,
To my pimped out van.
I'm from my spare bedroom over flowing
With my mothers scrapbooks and photos.
I am from childhood stories that,
My grandmother tells.
I'm from those moments,
Burned into my mind and buried
Six feet under.

By: Wade O.

What I'm made of

I’m made of Marlboro lights,
Of gravel roads, and corn cribs,
I’m a chip off the old block.

I’m made of
Hard wood floors, (stained red like a cherry)
Dawn dish soap,
To cure my mothers OCD.

I’m made of,
You picking up what
I’m putting down,
With Jackson and Mason
Running round
Town.

I’m made of
IV Uncle Osborne,
And the book of world records.


I’m made of
Gluten free cookies,
Steak and potatoes.
I’m made of
Bonfires and
Overgrown ditches.

Last but not
Least,
I’m made of
Pam, Kevin, and
Straw packed barns.
Big hearts and little
Farms.

Billy H.

My Life in a Poem

I am from the soft silky blanket
that lies on my bed.
I am from that little speck of dust
on the bookshelf.
I'm from the bird that is soaring through the air
like an airplane high in the sky.

I am from the rain coming down from the sky, like a wave in the ocean.
I'm from the frost that lies on the grass, glissining,
like a diamond.

I'm from the sparkles you see,
when the sun is shinning on it.
I'm from the old pictures you see,
On my grandmas wall.

I'm from the many different sounds I hear,
in my dreams.
I am from the lilac bush,
that sits beside my porch.
I am from the box of pictures,
spilling with old faces.

I am from the shimmering sunlight
That beats down on the ground.
I am from the mist coming from the
Ocean waves.

I am from the long limbs on that
hundred year old tree that still stands.
I am from the star that shines bright in the sky.
I am from the leaves that are falling from the tree.
I am from the morning dew that's lying on the grass.


Paige.A.

The Life Of Me!

I am from the dust in the wind.
I am from the rain that slowly goes tip tap,
On the window then splats on the ground,
Going into little drops running down,
The road to a low level dip.
I'm from the blooming bud of a flower.
I am from the old hard dirt,
That has been built and blown away,
Like a bird in a whirling storm.

I am from the smell of my grandmas Banana Nut Bread.
The fresh baked cookies,
That my mom makes.
I'm from the shooting of the Korean War,
That my grandpa fought in before dying.
From the cause of my dads asthma,
Closing his lungs.
The slowly and painful failing,
Heart of my sister.

I am from the present,
But came from a line in the past.
I'm from the memories kept,
In black and white pictures,
But color shows more emotion.
I am from the antique memories,
That are kept in our family tree.
I am from the blistering pain of my mom.
I am from my family history,
Forever!

What I Call Home

The animal fur all over
The ground where the animals
Have roamed. Cigarette buds
In the ashtrays.
I call home where the pine
Needles fall, and the dust rolls on by.
Where my sandpit sits
With weeds all over.
I call home where vehicles
Drive by nonstop, and pine trees grow.
Where fields cover most of the land.
I call home where houses are
Moved from 1908 to now
By the Hornbacher's.
From taking more than a week
Until now taking about a week.
Where Jan is stitching up many
Different items.
Where Catie comes home every
Other weekend.
I call home where it's CSI,
Law & Order, and UFC fighting.
I call home where sandwiches
And salads bring the full family
Together. I call home where Keiko
And Angel are together acting
Like family. The Wii, computer, and
Other game systems and family
Activities bring all of us together.
Surgery stories are mainly told by
My grandparents and myself
Learning from what they used to do
To what they do now.
Pictures from back in the day
(while my dad was a kid)
And pictures today showing
The great times.

where i'm from :)

I am from pencil shavings,
from crayons and scented vacuum bags.
I am from the smell of an old book, and the sound it makes when being opened after a long time.
I am from the holly bushes and the big tree that leans over my house to look in on us.

I am from the homemade chocolate chip cookies
and notebook doodles. From old-school
rap and R&B.
I am from the jokes and the side-splitting laughs,
the music and the culture.
I am from "Easy Like Sunday Morning" blasted loud while my father cooks,
the smell of country biscuits at one relatives house, and spaghetti and meatballs at another.

I am from the days spent watching The Cosby Show,
the snow days and hot chocolate.
From my father's mannerisms, and my mother's strong values.
In my mind swirling are the times spent reminscing,
and the memories soon to come.
I am from the smells, the sounds, and the tastes.
In myself, i see how cultures that once clashed, now combine.

sterotypes...true?

There are a lot of sterotypes about New Yorkers. Some people think that we have lower morals or standards and that we live a very fast paced lifestyle. Yes, i'd say both of these are true. Am i proud of these sterotypes? For the most part, I am. I love living a very fast and busy lifestyle. I'm never bored and always have something on my schedule to do. Am i proud of having lower standards? Yes and no. I think that its better to live a little more freely than other people would. But to a certain point these standards are too low and thats when my proudness stops. Sometimes when standards are set too low it becomes trashy and that's not something to be proud about. But for the most part, I love being a New Yorker and am proud of what people say about us.

Stereotypists?

I can honestly say that not many of the stereotypes that can be made about life here in Beacon apply to me. I'm not certain which ones have been made but judging on what has bee said, I can almost guarentee you that they are not of my personality or life style.

I can't go a day without having some connection to the outdoors and I have been that way since birth. I love going on hikes and the number of which I have been on is not countable. I love camping and caving and I have been doing both since before my birth. I have been to almost every state in the U.S and I can honestly say that in each state I have visited I have gone on at least one hike or caping trip. I will honestly state that I enjoy the feeling of the warm groud beneath my bare feet in the summer and that I prefer to rock climb barefoot rather than with climbing shoes on. I love the outdoors and don't know what I'd do without it. I shoot shotguns and rifles, I own multiple bows and many arrows to go along with them, I love target shooting but I don't hunt.

I also love to go out with my friends and hand out at the mall, I love going to the movies with my boyfriend and letting him take me to dinner. I like shopping and buying new things with my aunts; who love to take me out since my mom passed over winter break. I go out bowling with my friends and eat bowling alley french fries.

I'm sure that the stereotypical response to people in the midwest being rednecks may apply to some people simply because I have been in and around the midwest for the entirety of my life. But I'm also certain that the stereotypes that have been formed about Beacon apply to some of the people who live here.

stereotypes?

Honestly, in my opinion, stereotypes are really just facts about a small percentage of a general group that has been overly exaggerated and used to [sometimes harmfully] describe a whole group instead of the small percentage of people the original fact pertained to.
Unfortunately, this tends to have a negative effect on both a group of individuals as a whole as well as the people who use this. It can also create unnecessary tensions.
I do not think that Nebraska is a state soley populated with rednecks. I'm sure that there are people like that in Nebraska, but I have seen people like that who live in New York also!
That also kinda helps me elaborate on my next point. I don't think that New York is filled with rude, obnoxious individuals. However, I do agree that coming across people like that is more common in places like New York City. I also think that there is a boundary that distinguishes pride from being stuck up. I am proud of my state along with my peers, as well as you guys are in Nebraska. And I think that it's a great thing to be proud of where you live. I don't think that all of New York is engulfed in an impatient atmosphere, and i do acknowledge the fact that it is more fast-paced than Nebraska. Also, I see that Nebraska tends to have a more relaxed, easy-going lifestyle, and to me that seems very enjoyable. I feel that the only pro's and con's about living in either state is only determined by each person and their likes and dislikes. I also feel that understanding and respect is the hammer that can shatter the glass wall that stereotypes have formed between us. :)

New York Stereotypes

Even though being in New York does put one into a generic category of being fast-paced, uninterested in outdoor activities, and having a busy life without time for social congregations, this is not entirely accurate. Perhaps some exceptions might fill into these descriptions. And also there are indeed skyscrapers down in the city but this allows a populous location to have a rather lower surface area which requires some more elaborate architecture. Because living in the city means a pretty rigorous and intense life, many people do not have the time to stop and discuss about tenuous events. The more people that there are in a given place the more peculiarities will come with it, it would be expected for the city to have aggressive parts that others are not accustomed to. Also people tend to form their own familiar group and some of those cannot avoid gossip. Some of these groups eventually evolve into gangs, only due to how they are raised without the average parental care or other limiting factors, it is not their fault. Those that hide in their office all day have no other option, to keep up with the growing prices and to stay employed, they have to sacrifice valuable time that could be used to spend time with family members or friends. The employers don't really care about how many things you have to do outside of work, if you don't maintain proper orientation and be an exceptional worker, there are many others that are willing to take your job. Therefore city workers tend to be more fast-paced because instilled in their nature is the fear of unemployment. It's not like theres another subspecies of humanity that prefers to remain indoors, it just so happens that more work is done without staying outdoors, resulting in the misconception about those that don't like recreational activities. These reasons do make New York a highly productive and viable state, which is something to take pride in. The process might not be so ideal but it is more of the outcome that affects the future.

New Yorkers Sterotypes

If your from Nebraska many may call you guys rednecks and many call us New Yorkers stuck up, rude, or that we think that we are the best. Some stereotypes may be true but others not so much. Many of us do think that we are the best, it's sounds rude (another stereotype) but it's true. I'm not trying to start a civil war here but I'm just telling you what I see and hear. To tell you the truth, I'm proud that we think that we are the best. I'm not saying Nebraska is bad nor better but again, this is just a simple stereotype. Another stereotype that many have against us is that we are stuck up. I don't know how to put this is words but I don't understand the fact how we are stuck up. Maybe by me writing that we think we are the best can show that we are stuck up I guess. All I can say is the truth and that not all stereotypes are FACTS.ya dig?!?[TC]



Tatiana

New York: Stereotypes

People assume many different things about people from New York, such as we have no morals, were fast paced or stuck up. Of course in every state your going to find someone like that. Just because we live in a state with such a well known City, doesn't mean were all "gangsters" or "steal things", any where you go and there is a big City there is going to be higher crime rates or gangs. New York isn't all sky scrapers or streets filled with cars, we have some of the most beautiful scenery. Once you head upstate, there are gorgeous lakes and mountains and just space to be roam. I agree a lot of us are fast paced, but were use to that. We like to get things done and not wait around until we feel like getting them accomplished. We are a state of work and class. I am probably the most impatient person, but i don't mind that because it motivates me. I have plenty of morals and i am not stuck up. Even in Beacon, its not the nicest town to live in but we have lots of positive things to look forward to, we have a great high school with lots of school spirit, great art gallery's and antique shops as well as coffee shops and were only an hour away from a great city. Of course every state is going to have stereotypes and beliefs but I'm willing to not judge a place before i visit.

-Monica

FIERCE!

Hi and Thank You So Much

Now that we are settling back into the swing of things after our spring break, I'd like to take a moment and say thanks so much to everyone for making my trip to McCool Junction last week so wonderful. Everything I did and saw far exceeded the high hopes I had for my trip- no small feat indeed. You should know that my students were eager to learn about all I experienced, and I was thrilled to let them know about everything I saw and did (even the tornado drill! :)). As my students will tell you, there were many things about you, your school, and your town which greatly impressed me, and you should know that I spoke with them at length in regards to your incredidbly welcoming attitude and your abililty to make an outsider such as myself feel such a part of your community.

What I will take away most from my visit, though, was the tremendous pride you exhibit in all you do. I have had the good luck to have travelled around much of our country, and never have I witnessed such pride and such togetherness- never. I was actually more than impressed; I was actually overwhelmed. What a wonderful thing it must be to be a part of.

So, as we continue our journey together, please know that the memories of my trip will always be with me, and I know they will make our work that much more special. Thank you once again for all you did, and I look forward to seeing how much more we can learn about each other.

Mr. Balch

Stereotypes?

The stereotype that i think isn't entirely true about people who live in NY is that were all just desk workers and all we do is make money and spend it. NY is more than just cities with skyscrapers and factories with smoke stacks. There is a lot of outdoor stuff to do in NY like sports. NY has the appellation mountains/ catskills, the great lakes/ finger lakes but yes we do have NYC with skyscrapers and people who are stuck in an office all day and dont ever leave the city to do outdoor activities.

Why do they call us rednecks?

I love to feel mud between my toes, the smell of fish, and the wind racing through my hair while riding my horse. Just because I love the outdoors does not necessarily mean I am a redneck. I may do goofy things such as get stuck in the mud with my 4-wheeler or go swimming in the river but that does not mean that I am not smart in school and have less chance of going to college. It’s the feeling of becoming one with nature that makes me want more of the outdoors. People have to experience the feeling to actually know what it is like. The outdoors is a place for me to listen to the sounds of deer sneaking through the forest, wild turkeys gobbling, the ghostly sounds of an owl, fish splashing, and just the wind softly moving the leaves. Is this why people think I am a redneck, just because I am addicted to nature? I am proud of who I am and what I have. Not many people can go outside and a couple feet from their house is the blue river. People might say or think we have buckteeth, hay sticking out of our mouths, overalls, or “Corn Fed.” Yes, I eat corn but I do not have weird looking teeth and do not own a pair of overalls. I may chew on a piece of hay once in a while just to look cool. My whole point to get across is that I am proud of who I am and I won’t change. I might act like a redneck but that doesn’t mean I can’t put on a dress and receive good grades. We live in different backgrounds but, we should be thankful for what we have.

My stereotype!

There are many stereotypes that are true about me. Most of the stereotypes are true. One stereotype people have about me is that I’m stuck up and yes I can be I don’t talk to people who don’t talk to me first, if people annoy me I just ignore them. Most of the time I’m the one who is the quiet one in class. I’m really a city girl who doesn’t like to get mud in my nails but if its for a good reason then I guess I'll live with mud in my nails that’s why most people think of me as a city girl but its true I am. I’m not like most of my classmates but were all different.
I’m really actually proud of all my stereotypes because its just who I am. People can make many stereotypes about me but it's who I will always be. People only have stereotypes because that’s how they remember you.

StErEo TyPeS about me myself and I

Some stereotypes about me that are actually true would probably have to be that since I live in Nebraska I've probably lived on farm well that is true I have lived on a farm for like 1 year the others would have to be that you probably think that everyone in Nebraska likes country music well I do and i'm proud that’s about all the stereotypes I can think of after I moved off the farm we went into a bigger city's and haven’t had much to do with any farming or hunting or much stuff like that. Since

The Stereotypical Me

Some stereotypes about me are that I that I go hunting, farm, learned to drive at an early age, and know everybody in the community. The hunting stereotype is definitely true I hunt a lot. Sometimes for deer, rabbits, coons, or quail. My dad is a farmer so I pretty much have to farm also. I’m not just going to sit around all summer when there is work that needs to be done. Because my dad is a farmer I learned to drive at a very early age. One of my earlier memories is of me driving the pickup while hauling the pipe trailer while dad lifted the pipe onto it. I do know most of the people in the community but some just aren’t very active in the community so I don’t get to know them quite as well.

Taylor

Whats true, and are you proud of it?

Honestly the stereotypes around here, at my school, I think a few may be true. Although, the stereotypes that you’re school might have about me I think some of them may be true. Such as, how I act or talk, anything in that nature. A few stereotypes about me that I might be proud of is I know I’m not the nicest person in the world at all times, but I’m happy about that. I know that most likely sounds weird to anyone but me, but I like the way I act sometimes. People need tough love from friends, and I’m not afraid to tell someone the truth or what my opinion is on something.

Shelby W.

Stereotypes true?

I'm pretty sure that all of your stereotypes about us being "rednecks" and "hicks" are true. Rednecks and Hicks get stereotypes because of the famous Larry the Cable Guy. But most of us aren't like that. We do lots of stuff that might make these stereotypes true like hunting. I hunt almost anything from deer to raccoons. I am very proud to be a hunter also. It does bring out stereotypes like being hicks that hunt. Hunting to me is more than just killing animals for fun but more for money and food at which deer tastes very good and is much more healthy for you.
Also the stereotypes that we all drive trucks is also true for most of the boys. Here in Nebraska I need a truck to get me places I want to go. I am also in the process of buying my own Mud Terrain tires. That is my favorite object I have it gets 8 mpg but I love it. So I'm pretty sure all of your stereotypes about us are true for me. I'm proud of all these stereotypes.

my stereotypes

I believe that the true stereotypes about is, that I attend a smaller school, I am a working teenager, and a young driver. I am born of farmers. I know almost everybody. The things I am proud of are that everybody is known by alot of people. We also have big 4 wheel drive trucks. That there is less traffic.

Stereotypes

we can all be hicks there is less traffic in and no one is in a big of a hurry. I do work and I am a teen so I guess I could be a working teen. I will be driving a old vehicle. Most of my standard are high. Most of the people here hunt I don't but i would like to try it someday. You might think school is easier sometimes it can be but most of the time its not. majority of the People live on a farm I would love to be on a farm but right now I live in the city. The things that true is we are hicks and drive trucks.



by Joey.T

Stereotypes

I feel that most of the stereotypes that people think about kids that live in a small school are true to some extent. We have big trucks with lift kits but we like big trucks they may not be economical but they are sweet and they would be in use almost everyday. We also have fun by going coon hunting and anything were you can be out with your friends. I think not all stereotypes are true like we live in huts and we wake up at four in the morning to go work with the cattle or hogs. I am happy that i live in a small town.

Redneck Stereotype Myth Busted

Some stereotypes about us are true. Most actually are true, but that don't make us bad or dumb. People in the mid-west are kind of like mullets, business in the front party in the back. But thats what shapes who we are. The stereotype that we are a rednecks is true! But we can still become something in life. There is a huge definition of redneck and everyone falls into it somewhere. I'm also proud to be a redneck. I like to hunt, fish, trap, go muddin and all of these fall under redneck in some way or another. Some might argue about fishing falling under redneck, but it's how you fish that determines it. If you fish with a rod and reel then its not so redneck. But if you stick you hand into a hole in the river bank with a 10 lb. catfish in the hole and you let it bite your hand to you can pull it out, wel then thats redneck.
So in conclution, there is my explnation of one of our stereotypes. Being a redneck isn't a bad title, it's bragging rights. It a way of life, and I couldn't imagine a better one that suits my needs.

hicks, rednecks, and crazy ladies

Truthfully the stereotypes that they have towards us are for the most part true. When I try to put myself into your shoes and then I look at our town and the people that belong to this town I see (HICKS), and rednecks, but I also see people that look out for each other. They never kick you to the curb, they are always right there by your side no matter what’s going on. The saying, don’t judge a book by its cover, that applies here. You can’t think that you know a town just because of the way that it looks. How modern it is or if you have one crazy lady that drives around in her car all day looking for people to wave at, not saying any names (COUGH) Helen (COUGH). So what I am trying to say is that for the most part your beliefs are probably true about us but we are happy to say that we are proud of the way we are.

Billy H.

My only stereotype

The stereotype about me that is true is that we like to hunt. I love to hunt whether it's deer, turkey, pheasant, duck, coon's or turtle doves. My dad and brother go turkey hunting with some of my dads friends. Last year was first year that I have been deer hunting. My friend and his dad took me it was a lot of fun. I even got to gut it which was an experience all by it's self. That same friend takes me pheasant, duck and coon hunting, I have been hunting them for years. Every year my dad and his friends and me got turtle dove hunting. We go about every weekend we can during dove season. I am proud to have this stereotype it is a lot of fun and I am happy to have a family that hunts.

By Wade O.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

The stereotypes that actually true about me is that I do kinda live on a farm, except that the cows that are on the land are not ours, they are our landlords cows. But we do have two horses, two dogs, and some cats that seem to just show up when they are hungry. I do like to be outside a lot of the the time especially when there is a day where it is not windy out. When I am outside, depending on how nice it is, I like to walk to one of three ponds that surround our house or I like to run up and down our drive way a couple times to make it a mile or two.

The stereotypes that I am proud of our the ones that say that we are rednecks or hicks because if you lived here in Nebraska you would actually find it funny and know that the rednecks or hicks that are here in McCool Junction are actually big time rednecks and its funny to be called a redneck when you know you actually aren't. Another stereotype that I am proud of is how there is corn everywhere all the time and actually in reality there is corn everywhere most of the year and I find it a little funny because I think that if there wasn't corn everywhere then it wouldn't really make any sence to be called the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I love living in the Midwest and the stereotypes that come with it.

My Beliefs

Some stereotypes that people believe about me that are actually true about me are that we do not have that many casinos here in Nebraska. And some of us are hicks like the farmers and other people. Here in Nebraska we really do not have any traffic jams or rush hour like most big cities do.We are less uptight i guess we don't judge people on who they are , where they come from, what ethnicity they are , and if they are rich or not. And in big cities there are some people that like to judge people.Some stereotypes that i might actually be proud of are that we are is that we have high standards for our selfs. Also another stereotype that i am proud of is that everyone knows everybody.

Paige.A.

A true belief

A belief that is true about us is that we are hicks. Most people say that right away and think we are just because we live in the Midwest. Around here it is true and we show it off a lot. We dress like one, and we act like one. Most of us don’t really mind being one either. Around here we ride horses around, we also ride quads mostly everywhere we can. I am proud to be a hick. I might not dress like one around others but I am raised by one and it just rubbed off. I am not afraid to dress weird or act strange. I am who I am and just act like myself.

Shorty

My Memory

Sometime around when I was 8 years old, I was determined to ride my big kid bike, because I was the youngest on my street. Despite my lack of balance and coordination, I was on a mission to ditch the training wheels. I rode up and down my street numorous times, falling every 6 seconds. So me being a little runt, got more and more frustrated and more determined.i peddled down my street, no falls, turned around, and then it happened BOOM! I flipped over my handlebars and scraped my chin, and Mr. Frost gave me a bandaid. The only reason this is funny is because I did it twice in one summer! :)

by Kerensa

memories

My earliest memory happened to my cousin and I when i was 9 years old in 3rd grade and he 10 in 4Th grade. My day was normal until after school, that's when it all happened. I remember waiting for my cousin outside in front of the bus as I did everyday. My cousin had saved me a pink frosted cupcake from his class party and i decided to eat it when i got home. So my cousin and I got on the bus and talked and laughed all the way home. When we got to our bus stop i looked out the window and noticed that my mom was not at the bus stop waiting for us. Even though we lived right down the hill from our bus stop we still wanted the get a ride. So anyway we got off the bus and little did we know we had a Big surprise waiting for us. As soon as we got off the bus we were about Cross the street when we heard something rattle behind us in the bushes I slowly began to back away, but no my cousin wanted to go explore and see what was making the noise. So as i backed away my cousin moved closer and it seemed like the noise kept getting louder and louder until "Bam" a huge Rottweiler jumps out. my cousin was like "calm down Sade it just a puppy" i was like no that is definitely not a puppy that's a Dog a Big dog. " my cousin said "no, its a nice dog". And i soon as he said that the dog began to growl and circle my cousin. Me still backing up was half way across the street by now, and my cousin was on the other side of the street running around the post office in Circle"help Sade help". I was So afraid i didn't know what to do, so i walked back across the street. meanwhile my cousin is still running in circles. I screamed "lets run home I'll go get mommy. so my cousin finally stopped running in circles and he and the dog began running towards me and my pink frosted cupcake. Everything was happening so fast that I got excited and started running down the hill to my house, i looked behind me and my cousin and the big dog were not far behind. So i threw my precious pink frosted cupcake (that i never even got to taste) on the ground hoping my cousin would ketch up and the dog would stop for a snack. Of course my plan worked and by now my cousin and I were side by side running and screaming " help..open the door there's a wild animal on the loose". we finally got in front of the house and started banging on the door. I heard my mom say hold on I'm coming, I'm coming. when my mom finally got to the door she was surprised to she us home so early. but in reality she was still half sleep and didn't realize the time. we quickly and loudly told her about the wild dog. we wanted to get the whole story out before the dog came down the hill. we were right in the middle when i saw a brown and black thing walking down the hill. at the same time my cousin and i said "there it is the dog". my mom said "wow that is a big dog" then she picked up a large rock and started yelling at the dog. I started laughing because my mom was in her pajamas yelling at a dog with a rock in her hand. the dog got scared and ran back from where ever it came from.and from that day on my mom was up at the bus stop waiting for my cousin and i to get home.

My Memory

My earliest memories of my life are full of new experiences. But most of all they are some of the most happiest times of my life. One thing I remember the most is my first day of Kindergarten. I was four at the time and I had a brand new book bag with fresh pencils, crayons, and notebooks. I was so excited to be starting in a big kid's school. I remember that that morning both my parents walked me to school. They tell me all the time that they knew I was ready for this new step in my life because as the parents were dropping their kids off, some didn't want to leave their parents and some actually cried, although it sounds bad I never hugged my parents goodbye I went straight in to where my class was sitting to begin my journey of starting my school career.

by Valerie

A Memory, In Memory

There is no denying the wonder and beauty of remembering the special moments in our lives; those precious seconds engraved in our minds forever to be replayed in hopes of never forgetting what is truly important to us. With that, these past few years have helped me to better understand and truly appreciate the power of memory and the need to cherish those things closest to us for all eternity.
For reasons I have only recently come to understand, my brothers and I stopped seeing our father shortly after the divorce of our parents. There was to be, as I remember, a temporary separation; time needed to have us all grow accustomed to our new lives as a family torn apart. There was a painful sense of displacement and detachment, which I understand now usually accompanies the knowledge that the life we once took for granted would no longer be the same. The weeks without seeing our father quickly became months, and the months turned to years. As I was a teenager at that time, I saw little and understood even less, and it was much easier believing that this was all part of growing up. Life continued to march onward; in fact, at one point we hadn't seen our father in over 20 years.
And yet, as fate usually has it, my wife and I were eating dinner one night in a crowded shopping mall over an hour from my home, when our eyes caught the gaze of an older gentleman sitting at a table nearby. While his frequent glances were far from menacing, a certain panic hit me as he stood up and walked the few steps to where we were seated. I avoided making eye contact with this stranger for as long as I could, fearing that invited some conversation. However, he cleared his throat, and almost by instinct, I looked right into his eyes. He hesitated, then asked me kindly, "Robbie, is that you?" My childhood nickname, which I had not heard in all these years, brought me back to my youth in an instant. I couldn't fathom what was unfolding before me, and I struggled to say something- anything. All I could muster was, "Pop...it's been...a long time." I stood up, and hugged him as hard as I could to make up for all the years we'd been apart. I was proud to introduce my wife to him, and he to her; a meeting long overdue. The hours which followed flew by as we told story after story to each other, desperately trying to bridge the gap of time since we last saw each other. I remember him vividly hanging on every my word, as I described in great detail what my brothers and I had accomplished and what we were still hoping to do. How wonderful it was to unfold the past as we both did, filling each other in on the details- some long forgotten, others taken far too much for granted- of our lives apart. Sadly, part of our wonderful discussion that evening was the learning of the recent passing of my grandparents, as well as the deaths of many of my wonderful relatives over the past few years. Yes, in the time we spent together that evening, I learned the joys and sorrows my father had been through- memories that, ironically enough, are mine now, and are part of who I am- although I will never be able to experience them myself.
In a perfect world, this is where the story goes on to explain how father and sons spent years together making up for lost time; yet, fate had a hand in this as well. Only a handful of years after this joyous reunion, cancer took away what we had struggled so mightily to rebuild. This past weekend, as is usually my habit, I had my journal with me as I sat next to my father's grave, reflecting and writing to ease the pain of being separated once again. I wrote that while these past years have done little to ease the burden of his loss, I know cherish the brief time we spent together that much more. Those memories are, for me, the ones that will last a lifetime.

Mr. Balch

Memory

My brother and I are both in the car. Mom is still not inside and we were free from the irritating seat belts that strapped us in. My brother then decides he'll pretend to drive. I look at my brother's expressions and want to see what could have been so entertaining. I remember slowly crawling and managing to squeeze myself in between the drivers seat and shotgun. My unexperienced legs seemed clueless, and I appeared to be a bit stuck. So, i grabbed the nearest object to pull myself forward, and that just happened to be the shifter for the car. Mind still hazy, I either put the car in drive or in neutral, when all of a sudden, the car lurched forward down the hill. I was softly bumped to my desired position and turned to Aaron to let him know of my success. At that moment, he looked at me, wondering why his imagination became actuality. The car was moving, and our mom seemed so far away. Riding down a road of panic and excitement, my mind was overwhelmed by how little options i had to save myself. It seemed to be too much, and I closed my eyes, tightly. I opened them, and at that moment, what appeared to be a blur, had suddenly wrenched the car door open, landed right on top of my brother, and as if all sound was muted, I opened my eyes to see a gasping mother holding tightly to the hand brakes of the car. Then she looked at me, gazing at my emotions, and with her silent expression had said everything that needed to be said without  single word.

So far, this is one of the earliest memories that I could recall. Most parts were recollected and consulted with my brother who was also with me at the time. I could say, that I've always been trying to follow in his footsteps. I believe him to be a good role model, and I continue to do this. Sometimes, I cannot remake his actions, and might screw up at times, like in this situation. With my moms appearance, it could resemble the strong connection one has with their parents and family. It could also have signified tat your family would be there even at the impossible of times. Sad though, that my bro got the spanking.

First Memory.

My first memory would have to be when i was 7 years old and i was away at my cabin upstate. It was winter time and the lake in the back was frozen over, so as usual i was out in the back iceskating. The ice seemed pretty thick all around, on some parts people could even drive their cars on it. So my dad shoveled out a patch on the ice so i can have my square to skate on. The snow wasnt really that thick, so as i was skating on the shoveled patch, i skated a little further than it over by where the dock usually was. As I was skating, i noticed the ice seeming to get thinner and thinner as i went on, but i didnt think anything of it. So when i got to one of the poles where the dock usually is i heard a couple cracking sounds, which had happened before so i didnt pay mind to it. As i was standing there, the cracking got a little louder and the next thing i knew, my leg was completely in the freezing cold water, stuck. Lucky for me, the dock is directly outside the back doors of the cabin, and my dad was right in the living room and had saw what happened. He came outside and helped me up, & from then on i didnt really wanna ice skate around there anymore.

A memory

One of the biggest memories that I have is when I was five and I first moved into my house I was so excited because it was my first house I ever lived in because I lived in two apartments before I lived in the house. I don't remember much I just remember being really excited. And I also remember laying on the floor and telling my dad never to move from the house. And also remember getting my first swing set in my yard and always playing on it. My whole family was excited to move into the house because we each got bigger rooms my 2 sisters shared a room my brother got a room and I shared a room with my parents in till I got older and we eventually built to rooms for my brother and my oldest sister.

A Childhood Memory

One childhood memory that I can still remember very clearly was when I lived in Manhattan . I remember one day my mother, two sisters, and I headed out to see my grandmother who was admitted into Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. My older sister Jetty was 15 and my other sister was 1 at the time. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and a nice day to walk. So we went, and even though my grandmother was in the hospital, we were happy because we were going to be seeing her. As we are walking my older sister Jetty decides that she wants to push my baby sister's carriage. Me, being the little spoiled brat I was, decided that I wanted to push it too. I start yelling and screaming, saying "Mom! Tell Jetty to give me the carriage!". My sister, being playful, started to push the carriage fast and then started to run with it, with my little sister in the carriage. I then started running after my sister who was pushing the carriage. I was running so fast, that I tripped and fell on the sidewalk near a lot of broken glass. I started screaming at the top of my lungs. Since we were just around the corner from the hospital, my mom carried me and we went over to the emergency room. When we got to the emergency room, little innocent me was yelling, " I don't want to die!" and I was crying hysterically. The nurse who took care of me had given me a mirror to see my face. My whole left side of my face was scraped and bloody. Thank God we were near a hospital and I was able to be taken care of quickly. Afterward we went to see my grandmother who had suffered a stroke and had lost her memory. But she did remember me. The first thing she said when she saw me was, "Ay, que paso a la nena?", in spanish and in english meaning, "Aw, what happened to the little girl?". My mother told her everything that happened and my grandmother gave me a hug and comforted me. Today, I look back at this memory and I laugh. I was a very silly little kid. Even though back then, I was very upset and horrified at what happened, today I see it as something minor and funny.

Childhood Memory

An important memory that sticks out in my mind is when I went to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. I went with my parents, my brother and sister, my grandparents, my 8 aunts uncles, and most of my first cousins. All together there was 40 of us. We all stayed in a big house on the beach. The house was beautiful! It had an elevator, a movie theatre, game room, a pool, and a hot tub! It was so much fun! During the day we went to the beach. At the beach we played volleyball, we had sand castle contests, and boogie board contests. The weather was so perfect. We had the beautiful sun all day. When we got back from the beach we had dinner. After dinner we had an "agenda" for the night. Each night we did something different. We had game night, movie night karoke night (that was my favorite..haha), and since one night was my sister's birthday, we had birthday night. Since my family gets along really well, the competitions were a lot of fun without getting out of hand. I was so upset when the week was over. But we will go again in a couple years! I can't wait!

Getting hit by my memory!

my 1st memory i remember is when i was about 11 . it was the forth of july and my family and i went to my aunts house in wappingers. that day was a bad day! i fell off my diving board, i got stung by a bee, i also stubbed my toe on the road! But thats not all! me and my cousin were playing volleyball and my uncle was on a four-wheeler with a trailer attached. all the kids went running over to it to sit on the trailer to ride on it! i remember my mom saying brittani"make sure you dont sit on the front of the trailer" But like a little kid i was i didnt listen and i sat on the front! At that time my uncle left my little cousin on the four-wheeler alone with it running. my cousin pressed on the gas and i went flying off and landed under the tire. no one saw me an the tire went over my headd! i got up and ran into the house screaming for my mom! i had no skin on one side of my face and i was bleeding like crazy! when i went inside my mom started to bug out and she took me home and went off on my uncle. thats the memory i remember when i was littlee.
_ brittani_

One out of many

When your ears hear the word memory, what is the first thing that comes to your head? Some laugh and smile as their mind head back to a good memory but others may have a different reaction.I must say my memory was an amazing one. I wish I could go back in time and live that moment. This moment was when I had went to Florida for the very first time. As I stepped off the last step on the plane I felt as I was on top of the world. When I had looked up I saw the Florida sunshine beaming upon my skin. The sun had made my eyes more of a light brown than it's normal color and also giving my skin a natural tan. As I keep looking I see the palm trees lining up next to each other from left to right. I turn around and watch everyone smile, I'm guessing they are having the same feeling that I was having. The first thing we do is go to our hotel and what I didn't know was that it was right by the beach. All I wanted to do was throw my belongings in the room and go to the beach. Therefore that is exactly what my family and I did. When we got there I place my feet on the sand and it feel as my feet are walking on a fury smooth rug but even better. My eyes had seen the Tampa Clearwater beach in real life not in the picture.Watching the waves flow around and hit aganist the sand was relaxing to watch.I just wanted to be there all day and night but my trip was more then just to go to a beach.Everytime I will go there it will feel like the first time.This vacation was memory and also a great adventure. This may not sound exciting but every memory is different. This will always be in my mind but most of all my heart. ya dig?

Tatiana

Spiritual Birthmark

A moment carved into my memory is a lesson I learned in parenting, long before application of the term could be conceived of in my life. I cannot pinpoint my age, the season of the year, or the order in which we were seated. I can, however, pluck the image of my father’s hands from my memory. In my mind’s eye I see the communion plate being passed down the pew from left to right. As it passed in front of me I watched the tiny pieces of bread teetering on top of one another. Small crumbs gathered below the pile, white pieces left behind. I knew not to remove a piece for myself, as I had already asked why I couldn’t partake. I don’t remember my father’s exact words but I know now that it was because I was not yet an adult member, had not yet been baptized into the church. (At the time the reason seemed unfair and worthy of debate, but I refrained.)

As the tiny pieces of bread moved on, my eyes followed. When the usher had moved on to the pew behind us, I looked down at my hands, then at my father’s hands, his fingers pinching the white morsel. As the minister began his words of institution, something happened. I watched my father tear the tiny piece into two. He placed one in his mouth and placed the other in my hand. I remember looking down at this small, torn bread and three white crumbs in my palm. As I moved my hand toward my mouth, my eyes filled with tears. I never looked up, a word was not spoken.

Later in the service, after the lump in my throat had subsided, I looked up at my father’s face. He turned to me, gave a smile, and then turned back to the hymnal we were sharing.

To this day we’ve never discussed this moment. In fact, I’m positive what became a lasting image in my mind was but a momentary thought for him. It was the first time I can remember the recognition of a spiritual birthmark, an instance never to be forgotten. On a whim, an impulse, my father shared the body of Christ with me and taught me what being a parent means.

~Mrs. Bethune

Memories in the sand

My first memory took place on the beach of California with my mom, dad, sister, and my Cousins, Steve, Kathy, Heather, And Cody. I cannot remember everything I can just remember little bits and pieces that stick out in my mind about this specific vacation. I remember being buried in the sand and while trying to get up I got sand in my eyes, and I cried. My mom and Kathy used a jug of iced water to try and flush it out. On the way home from the beach I remember using a feather that I picked up at the beach that came from a Sea Gull to get the sand out of my ears. I also remember my mother yelling at me telling me not to do that because I have no idea where that feather has been. I do not remember much if any of the car ride there and back. I think the only things that I really remember are some things that my mother and father have told me. The reason that I do not remember anything is probably because I was sleeping most of the time. And when I woke up to get out and look at some things along the way I was still half asleep so I have no idea about what might have happened.

Billy H.

Sleepy much

When I was younger I slept in everyday. It was wonderful!! Back then I lived in a different house. It was in the east of town right by the grain elevator. This must mean that I am a very sound sleeper to be able to sleep through all the semis hauling grain. One morning I woke and outside the sun was shining like it usually would in the afternoon. I was really hungry so I walked out of my room and down our stairs and through our living room. And into our kitchen. My brother john was sitting in his high chair eating something that looked like cheerios. My mom was watching him so I said “what is for breakfast?”
Mom said “Don’t you mean what is for lunch?”
That was when I looked up at the clock on the wall and realized it was twelve o’clock in the afternoon. I had slept in till the afternoon. As hard as I try I still can’t beat my twelve o’clock sleep-in record. I remember this because it set a goal for me to try and sleep in past twelve o’clock. A task that is proving hard to do.
TAYLOR

First Memory by Joey.T

My First memory was at the bowling alley when I was three years old my mom and my dad decide to take me bowling for the first time so we all got into the car and drove to the bowling alley. The next thing I know we started to bowl my dad was first then me then when i was up my mom helped me on my first ever roll down the lane. it went off to the left first then the bumpers got it and brought it back to the middle then it started to go right and the right bumper caught it this time and finially it went into the middle of the pins and i got seven on my first ever try then my mom went on her try and ever since the one time of bowling i have love it and I am always excited to go bowling everytime I get a chance to. After my second ball i got a strike and i started screaming and yelling really loud and i was so happy that i bowled a strike and that would be my first memory of ever bowling. That is how I got started bowling and I have never stopped since.

Bloody Pillow Fight

My friend Josh and I were having a pillow fight in my bedroom. He hit me a good one and runs out of the room. I do what any idiot would do and I chase him. I chased him until he tried to run out the glass door, he shut the door behind him. I put my hand up to stop the door from slamming, and the door latched right before my hand hit it. I pulled my hand out of the door and the first thing I noticed was that there was a lot of blood. I had to get three stitches in my left wrist.
An example that was hiding under the story was that Josh wouldn't talk to me for a couple weeks because he was scared that I would be mad at him. I really wasn't mad because I knew he didn't mean it.
The significance of it is that if Josh were to not talk to me and if I wouldn't have realized that it was an accident then we wouldn't still be friends. My life would be different.

The memory of all memories

I didn't really start remembering until my worst memory happened. I was six years old and it was the night before my brothers 5th birthday.
The day started off like any other day My mom was the only parent home because my dad was stationed in Honduras to help clean up after a hurricane. Today was the day that he was supposed to come home and my brothers and I were very excited to see him. But the day moved on slowly and he still hadn't come home. It soon came time for bed and our mom told us that we had to go to bed for my older brother and I had school the next day. I was scared because my dad wasn't home yet and i didn't know where he was. I could tell that my mom was worried to but she wasn't going to show us that.
I wanted to stay awake until my dad got home but my eyes would not stay opened so I eventually drifted off to sleep and with in that time my memory is foggy but when I woke up to the front door opening I knew that my dad was home and that I didn't have to worry about it anymore. I wanted to get out of bed and go see him but then the yelling started in and i knew that I should stay in my room and keep my mouth shut. From every thing that I that I had heard and could clearly focus in my head I heard that he was leaving and that he wouldn't come back this time. I didn't know weather to scream or to cry but the one thing I door remember is jumping out of my bed and running out the door after him. He was already in the truck and was backing out of the drive way. I was planning to run down the street after him but it was dark out and I couldn't see very well even with the street lights on. So I grabbed rocks from the ground and hurrled them at the truck that was getting farther and farther away. I was hopeing that this would cause him to turn around and see me standing there but the rocks fell short and he drove on.
This memory is the one of my worst and it is always one that comes back in to my mind like clock work. I didn't really start remembering things until after this memory because I didn't want to forget anything after that anymore because something else might happen and everything will change.

Garage

Going into my memory the first memory I think of is my family going to look at the house that I live at now. The only part of the house that I can remember is walking into the utility room on my way out to the when we went into the garage the garage had never been finished it had pictures in the wall. I also can remember the huge door when we were leaving my dad hit the garage door opener and for some reason i remember that. I think the reason that I can remember the door closing is because I was scared of it crushing me. Or it could be because I was so happy that we were moving out of town.

Cat elevator?

One of my first memories was when my dad was stationed in Hawaii and I was playing with with my sister in our backyard. Our backyard had a ledge at which lowered down to a appartments backyard. The ledge seemed very deep to me but I'm sure it was only 5-7 feet deep considering I was a kid and my perspective was off. So we had a swing set in our dirt and grass combined backyard at which we played on a lot. Back to my story we had a sand bucket at which we lowered down the ledge by a jump rope. We would stuff our large cat named Blacky into the bucket. Then she would get out of the bucket and we would see her later that day. The swing set really sticks out in my mind on how it was positioned and what things were on it. The yard was very dusty and there was little grass I remember because I would play on it all of the time. The swing set was white and had a swing, a like hanging bar, and a glider. I can't see how this relates to my current life besides having fun and spending time with my sister. There are other memories at which I have in Hawaii such as picking weeds in a rock patch that we had. It did no good because they grew back like every day. Another thing i remember is my dad taking me to the park to learn how to learn how to ride my bike.

Fun on the Ice

One of my first memories was with me dad. This memory isn't very big or important. But is one that has always stuck in my head.
I wanted to stay the night at my grandparents. This is when I lived in York. It took all I had to talk my dad into taking me to their house, probably because he thought he would have to come pick me up when I change my mind about staying.
So I packed my clothes and we got in the car and took off. It was only about a six block drive.
At the time it was winter and we had a Ford Tarus. We got two blocks away and we turned the corner onto their street, we hit a patch of ice and did a complete 360. And from that point on I don't remember anything else, it's all fuzzy.

By, Josh Pettygrove

Very sketchy memories.

My first memory would have to be my sister and I living at our trailer house which is now my Grandma's house. I was at around 3 and my sister 5 when ..IT.. happened. We would always explore the trailer because back then it seemed huge. My sister had found a rat it was of course dead. She was all excited because she thought it was a new toy. I went over to where she was sitting and sat next to her. I asked her what she had she said "I found an awesome new toy". I wanted it to so we started fighting over it i was pulling the the tail and she was yanking on the head. That's when my mom walked in, she separated us and we both started crying.

Childhood Memorie

When I was little I can remember when I first got stitches. That day was a very bad day for me it was not going very well at all. I had just gotten home from school that day and I walked in the front door of my house in York Nebraska that i used to live in when i was little. I was putting down my book bag and coat and as i was taking off my shoes my mom was looking trough my book bag for my folder with activities that we have done trough out the week. After all of that i had went on about my day like everything and everyone was perfect. I was playing outside on the jungle jim that we had. Then I went inside and i started to color and draw. Anyways it was about twelve a three thirty in the after noon just as i got home from school no a friday. And the day was going great and just then the phone rang and me and my sister kashia were racing to get it and I slipped and fell and I hit my lip on the coffee table. And I was crying so hard so my parent's came to see what was wrong and blood was running down my lip and it was slip open. So then my parent's had put me in the car and they took me to the emergency room.. When we got there i remenber the docters saying she is going to need stiches and after that had crossed my mind I was so scared so my mom and dad held my hand trough the whole thing. And I was only five years old. Paige Aunkst

Horific Memory

It was a cold winter's day. I was bundled up in a heavy coat with my favorite pink hat on. We were at Cory's house messing around with horses. Scezer, a big sorrel horse, was tied up to the hitching post. He was a really nice horse and I always wanted to ride him.
Scezer was untacked and I wanted to sit on him. So, Cory lifted me up on him. I just sat there on top of him listening to my mom and Cory talking back and forth. I saw Cory's husband walk to the tractor that was parked about 100 feet away. He heaved himself into the seat and tried starting the tractor. All it did was idle so he tried it again. This time it started, but only it let out a big, "Bang!"
Scezer went crazy. He reared up and started to buck because he didn't know what it was. I flew off of him and hit the icy ground. While I was laying on the ground Scezers hoof stomped inches from my face. I started to scream and my mom scooped me up into her arms and carried me up the hill to Cory's house.
In the house I lied there staring at the ceiling. I couldn't move my arm. I had to tell my mom when I wanted to sit up so she could help me. Cory had a room full of 50 cats and she let them all out. They surrounded me crawling, sniffing, and leaping. I loved it, it made me not concentrate on the pain of my arm. Slowly and slowly my memory from then on faints.

-Jordyn D.

Lucky Me

The one memory from my childhood that I remember the most would be when I got the chicken pox at Disney World. The one time when a kid gets to go and have fun I just happen to get the chicken pox. My parents took turns watching me. So they both could spend a little bit of time with my brother their. There was so much walking and I was to weak to walk everywhere. So I would sit on my dads shoulders. But for most of the time I sat in a wheelchair while my parents pushed me. It worked out though because since I was in a wheelchair we got to go to the front of the line for the rides, while others had to wait. The places I remember going while we where their were the lago city, some alien ride and the Dumbo ride.

By: Wade Obermier

Tabitha and I's Adventures

I don't know how old i was, but I remember it was when we lived in Henderson and I think it might have been when I was in Kindergarten. I was playing outside with the neighbor girl whose name was Tabitha. We were both out in the front yard playing with some toys and then we saw each other and then we both just wondered off together. We decided to go out behind our houses where there is a field of grass in which the grass was taller then us. Tabitha and I were out there for like 2 1/2 hours playing some imaginary game that we used to play together.

When we got home, my parents and her grandparents had been going crazy trying to find us. But they didn't even see us out there in the field because we were too short. They told us to always tell them where we were going and not to scare them like that again. I don't even remember getting in trouble for not telling my mom where i was going, but I do remember getting a couple of cookies and getting to watch my favorite movie when my mom and I got inside.

Tabitha and I always got into those kinds of situations because we would always wonder off to play some kind of game. We would always play some imaginary game, or house and use our stuff animals for the children, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Her and I were the best of friends when we were younger, but now I'm not even sure where she lives or how old she is and the sad thing is if I ever saw her again I don't think I would be able to recognize her.

Moving Houses

For many years my dad has been moving houses. Along with my grandpa, uncles, and cousins. I have gone along with them and other family members for most of my life. Helping them with anything and everything I could.
First thing that had to be done was I had to get a hard hat, so I could be part of the crew and be able to go under the house. I had to have my favorite one. It was orange, the only one that wasn't white. When I would wear the orange hat I was the boss. After getting my hat I had to help the crew load up the truck and trailer. Helping everyone load up was a big deal.
After everything was loaded up it was time to get going. Driving to Lincoln with two pickups, and one Mack, it took awhile. We talked about all sorts of things on that hot summer day. One person to the next my dad and I would pick on the ones who were riding in the pickups. My dad and I went back and forth on the two way radio talking up a storm to the rest of the crew.
Finally reaching our destination we all went to work. I went back and forth getting stuff off the pump, the stuff I was able to lift, and taking it to one of the guys. Hearing my name be called by many people made me realize I was there at the right time at the right spot. After awhile I couldn't help mush anywhere, since it was time to lift it up. But before we finished some last moment touches on it, I thought it was time for lunch. After eating it was time to sit back and relax. Some of the guys even took a nap for only five or ten minutes.
The time has come to lift the house up. I was able to push the handle up on the pump and watch the house go up little by little. After it went up has much as we needed it to, it was time to hook it up to the Mack. My uncle in the Mack was backing it to the house, just so we knew that it was as straight as it could be. It took a couple tries to get it back as far as we needed it to, and the other tries it took a bit to hook it up. After hooking it up we clean up and was getting ready to leave.
On the way home we just took the two pickups home. We piled in together. It was a shocker that we all fit. This time dad and I were just making jokes about all the guys in the other pickup. We got many laughs. Getting back to the yard we say good-bye then we all left.

Shorty

My Memory

When I was young and living in Rawlins Wyoming we lived across the street from an apartment building. One of the tendants living there had a lab with only three legs. I remember almost every day of every week I would go play with that dog. Really the only thing I do not remember is what happened to the dog. This memory I remembered by myself. I know I did because when I tried talking to my parents about it they said that they don't remember living across the street from a three legged dog. This memory of the dog I cherish now. Mainly because I love animals and cry if I see or hear about an animal hurt or neglected. So, I cherish this memory because I feel sorry for the dog and wish I was able to help him back then.


Shelby W.

my memory :)

Sometimes when I’m frustrated, I run down to the river. It’s about a mile away from my house. I already feel relief and refreshed from stepping out of my house. I turn up my music loud to blast away my thoughts and drown out my breathing and the aggressive pounding of my footsteps on the road. As I pass the abandoned varieties of trash thrown on the side of the road, I grow curious. Each little piece of trash has a journey that resulted in their fate of being symbols of the lack of conscience of some drivers. It kind of carries a similarity to life. That each of us has an origin, we live our life, our own journey. And at the end of this journey, perhaps what we have achieved will serve as a symbol, representing ourselves. After a while, I finally reach the train tracks. I now cross without hesitation, feeling a small rush regardless of the metal bars that lower well before the train passes.
A few more strides and I’m at the bank of the Hudson, next to the marina. I hesitate, staring out into the river, watching the current. I sit on a rock and extend my legs, relaxing my calves. It’s still chilly out. The coldness of the rock provides an absence of comfort and sends goose bumps along my bare legs.
There is something strange about the river. The way it makes me feel. The way the breeze attempts to push my frustrations away. The way its attempts are almost successful. True solitude envelopes me in a silence. My thoughts, my regrets, my concerns. I feel like I’m surrounded inevitably. I feel the breeze again on the back of my neck. I take a deep breath inhaling the fresh air, savoring my peacefulness, letting freedom become a state of mind. I close my eyes. I paint a picture.
Colors. They are how I feel. Vivid. Intense. Red. A monochromatic dream. Every shade of Red that has ever existed rushes through my head like an unstoppable current. Pink to dark pink to Red and everything in between. It makes me feel like Red feels. Heated and unpredictable like all worries have been burned in a pure scarlet flame. I open my eyes. Red is transparent now, the vivid state it once existed in fades to blue. The river. I leave the marina and start towards the tracks.
Just as I reach the tracks, the metal bars lower and I hear the train in the distance. That means it’s 3:45. The train rushes past, creating noise that shatters my envelope of silence. I feel cemented to the ground, and I can’t take my focus off the train. Its windows pass rapidly, one after another. I can see the mysterious silhouettes of passengers. I wonder if they can see me. I wonder if they care.