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.

Earliest Recollection of My Past

I can't yet recall the first memory that I have, hidden int he back of my mind. Instead, I have an early memory to share, one of my favorites. I spent many of my years as a child in Williamsburg, Iowa with my uncle and his family as well as my grandfather.

Although I have lived in New York for my entire life, I did a lot of my growing up in Iowa, with my cousins. I have helped with soccer practices, jumped on trampolines, and gone to countless state fairs. However, the best memories that I have of Iowa are the ones that I am graced to have with my father, just standing on the porch, listening and watching as the storms roll over the house.

We can see the lights in the sky dim and open as a bolt of lightning spits itself at the ground, and we can imagine the black openings in the sky as huge mouths that are roaring and grumbling in anger, spitting fire at the earth. I am probably all of about five years old at this point, and I can remember seeing my mother smiling as she laughs with her younger brother and his wife in their newly furnished kitchen and my brother and cousins sitting on the floor, putting together their newfound presents from Santa. I loved how the swings would move with the wind and the trees would seem to scream as they were forced from side to side.

I can seem to see these things like they were just yesterday, but I have been told these stories many times over, and I still love to watch the storms roll in. Maybe it's just my imagination and maybe I'm exaggerating the truth, but it may just be the whole truth that this is how I would spend every evening at that house or in that barn.

Early Memory

I was in 1st grade when it happened. It was a few weeks till the last day of school and when I woke up my came up and asked me if I either wanted to take a plane or a bus to school.Curiously I took the plane offer and then I was told i would be going to Texas later that day.Surprised and exited me and my mom packed some stuff for the week long trip.I don't remember the airport we left from but the first plane we got on was a small business type jet and we actually had to walk on the tarmac to board it. The plane was amazing but the trip to Chicago was a short one.Than me and my mom had to wait in the Chicago airport for ,what seemed to me,a long time. The trip from Chicago to Texas was long.When we got off my aunt and her husband were there to pick us up. It was amazingly hot that whole week and we even had a lightning storm there which was pretty cool and that is about all i can remember from that trip.

Early Memory

It was the midst of July; the weather was sticky and hot. I stood at 3ft tall, only age 7 with the biggest smile on my face. The wind ran through my short thin black hair. Splashing around in the water, innocently picking up shells with rigid edges. The waves rolled slowly up and down along the shore line. The ocean seemed like a whole different world that I wanted to be a part of. The vibrant coral and fish, the salty taste of the water, the warmth of the sand in between my tiny toes. The dismal large pool of water was calling me in, I could feel it in my bones, wrapping tight and potentially throughout my body. All it took was one step. I thought my body could fight off the thrashing, wicked winds of the ocean. Little did I know that I was going to be swept out into the luxury of death. My Aunt, my favorite Great Aunt Gayle came darting across the beach down by the shore. I always remembered exactly what she wore, a strapless floral bathing suit with her beach blonde Barbie hair doo. She was wearing bright pink lipstick with balancing blue eye shadow. I was swept up by the ocean defenseless but I kept soothe and serene. I didn’t want to move, I wanted the ocean to want me, to fix me with Voodoo or conjuring magic. I wanted to be free; my Aunt viciously grabbed my hand. I was out of breathe, my small lungs were full of water, and I was drowning in myself.
The rest of the day, I was exhausted dozing off and on. I still wanted to be in the ocean and feel the wave’s crash while knocking me down, even though it was something serious, almost drowning. I ignored the incident and the nest day satisfied my urge for the ocean. I still have the nickname fish-out-of-water to this day.

Early memory

An early memory I have is learning the abc's. My mom and I were sitting together at the table. I was listening and repeating her, like I always did. She would also teach me when we were in the car together. One day, I got it. I could recite my abc's all by myself. Next, I was on the phone telling my grandmother. Everyone was so proud of me. The suprising part was that I was only one year old. I remembered the part of that day clearly.

My First Memory

The earliest memory that I have is the day that I met my best friend. It was the middle of July and I was 4 years old. I was outside playing games and being a toddler. There is a small slope on the side of my house that leads to my backyard and I was trying to push my motorized Jeep up it to put it away. The problem was that the thing was too big and heavy for me to do it alone. I remember that a kid and his parents were walking with a real estate agent to the house next door because it was for sale. The kid must've seen me struggling because he came over and helped me push the Jeep. Luckily the family moved into the house and I forever became best friends with this kid. We hung out everyday and became practically family. Many people mistook us for either brothers or cousins. Even though he moved a couple years ago, we will always be best friends.

My First Memory

(not really my first but still)
One of my memories is when i found out my uncle ron was in the hospital.
No one told me what had happend to him.No one really knew i guess.I cryed almost everynight because i was scared something bad was going to happen.I visited him every weekend in Helen Hayes hopsital.They a lot of tests to see what was wrong they couldnt figure it out.Alls the doctors knew was that he was paralyzed.It was a sudden thing to happen.I thought he wasnt going to make i through.He has been doing rehab for his legs,but it isnt working.This guy is someone i look up to, hes my role model.He shows that no matter what happens always be strong.Today, he is still in a wheelchair,but he is fighting his body to see if one day he could walk.That is one of my saddest memories.

Memory

One of the first memories I can remember is when I learned how to ride my bike. I had gone out to breakfast with my Mom, and Brother when i decided that i felt like learning how to ride a bike without the training wheels. So i was excited that whole morning that i actually might learn to ride a bike like a grown up. so we left the diner and went home. I ran out of our car and got my bike out of the garage and just started to ride around. Then my brother came outside and asked me if I was ready, and I said YES.

So we started first on my driveway and i fell off the bike and got right back on the bike and started again. I kept on falling so i decided we should go in the backyard and learn back there this way it wouldn't hurt as badly if i did fall. So we went in the back and I finally had gotten the hang of it after the 100Th time. at least that what it felt like. So after that i started riding all around on my road. For a while riding my bike was my transportation to all of my friends houses. So riding my bike was one of the greatest things that had happened to me when i was younger.

Early Memory

Around 6 years ago I had moved to Beacon. Leaving my previous home in Queens allowed me to manifest memories I wouldn't have recalled otherwise. All the toys in the basement and belongings I haven't touched in years remind me of my past; they even embarrassed me when I looked at how childish they were. Before I the time had come for me to leave I sat in solitude in the places where the most important events took place. A strong nostalgia made me want to stay and live with my memories. I didn't want to be dragged out of my home so I probed deeper into my surroundings. My reminiscence led me to remember when I first moved into Queens, when I was 4. When I entered the new home I ran upstairs into the first room. The tangibilty of truth engulfed me and I fell asleep. Even now the very features I encountered in that room remain vivid. Finally the time of exodus had come - all these memories will wither in time.

My Early Memory

My first memory is of me learning how to ride a bike. I was about 8 years old. I remember I was very nervous of getting on the bike because I was use to riding with the training wheels and not without them. What made learning how to ride a bike harder was that I was learning on a concrete floor. So, if I fell, I would get hurt really badly. My dad was the person who taught me how to ride a bike. Everyday after work he would come home and ask me if i was ready to learn how to ride a bike. Everyday I would say no because I was nervous, but then one day I got the guts to say YES!!!! And thats when I learned how to ride a bike.

Of course I fell a couple of times, but who doesn't ?? I would get up and keep trying until i learned how to ride a bike by myself. It took me like a week to learn. Everyday after my dad got home from work he would have the patience to teach me how to ride a bike. Once I knew how to ride a bike there was no stopping me !!! i would go and ride around my block and every other place i could find. I was so happy of myself because I never gave up.

by Jocelyn

My First Memory

The most important things to me in life are my family, and my friends. Especially my brothers and sisters considering I don't get to see them alot anymore. When we were all younger, and we would go to my grandmothers house we would all get really happy.
Probably because she was still kind of like a kid, going to amusement and water parks, playing
outside with us alot. Her house was like a playground itself. She has so many toys, bikes, dirt bike.
But our favorite thing to do was going into the back yard to a smill hill right before her yard turns into woods. On the hill was a tree with a very strong rope hanging from it. Everytime we'd go
there we would make a new swing somehow. First was a lawn chair (like a bed) and that didnt go so well... next was a mattress, then a stool, rocking chair, pretty much anything we could find. We havnt done that in a very long time but everyone loves going to thier grandmas house.
We only get together there now for holidays, birthday and stuff like that because now they are older and busy and stuff but when we do get together its the same as always.

Ten things poem

The soft voice of my step mom on a Sunday morning after church.
The barks of my white dog when a car goes by.
The softness of my pillow when I go to sleep.
The gentle snow falling on a cold winter’s night.
The sand between my toes when I walk across the beach.
The trees where the animals and birds live and play.
The sweet music that puts me to sleep at night.
The couples in the hall way when the bell rings between classes in school.
The warmth of the sun on my face in the spring.
And the hands of the one I love around me on a cool night letting me know that I am always safe and loved.

by Denashia

doesnt it sound familar

The tiredness I felt at the endof day.
The slamming of doors.
Things that mean a lot to me
The way people treat each other
How boring spanish is
The scribbles in my math notebook
How slow time goes by when you're bored
The slamming of lockers in the morning at school
Doodles from my pen as i daydream
When the weather is bad i feel the good
The two sides to every story
music makes people happier
Students waiting till the last minute to do their homework
The fog of my breath on a cold morning.
Don't give up.
The places music can take you.
My ringtone going off
PS3 and some video games
Coffee pot on the table

My random found observations.

Swings in Memorial field,
Really clean room, OCD status,
Many DVDs, and CDs,
Very comfortable bed with alot of blankets,
PS3 and some video games,
Lots of clothes and laundry baskets,
Few days of the week where its warm enough to go to the park,
The full moon last night,
The taste of salty and buttery popcorn,
Hollywood Undead from my computer,
Loud techno music in my friends car on the way to school in traffic,
Lots of magazine pictures on my wall,
My ceiling with all of my friends writing,
Pictures of my family, my sisters and brothers mostly,
Sounds my houses make,
A "[Nobodies]" drawing on eachwall done by my friend Gayla.
The River watching frogs jump around,
"La Bella Vita". Life is beautiful.

Found Writing

It's a beautiful day outside.

The sound of birds chirping.

The sound of the waves crashing into the rocks.

The fun and crazy moments my friends and I have.

A dragonfly flying overhead, probably towards the stream.

The branches creaking and swaying from the breeze.

The sky always has more than one shade of blue.

I see the dew on the grass.

The ocean during the mid summer night.

Snow falling then just melting away in just a few seconds.

The morning air at sunrise.

Lights that tower over the streets and light them up at night.

The branches creaking and swaying from the breeze.

The weather can effect your emotions and mood.

The cold breeze when it's winter.

The bare trees in mid winter.

The tiredness at the end of the day.

*Brittani*

people's lines

The sun is setting later and later everyday
everything outside looks gray in the winter
the sky always has more than one shade of blue
The squirrel running up a nearby tree as if gravity didn't exist.
The sound of birds chirping
the stump in the backyard were there was a tree
The T.V's on
the glare on the tv from the light shinning through the window
The sound of the waves crashing into the rocks
music makes people happier
The stop sign that wobbles in the wind
One leaf laying in the grass
I see the dew on the grass
My lawn mower that sits in the garage and collects dust.
My Play Station makes the room very hot
My ringtone going off
My Spanish class is quiet
the silence in class while we take a test
This project was not hard

Chris (\/):

random poem of feelings and thoughts

It's a beautiful day outside.
A dragonfly flying overhead, probably towards the stream.
Students waiting till the last minute to do their homework
The crowded halls on my way to class.
Snow falling then just melting away in just a few seconds.
The silence in class during a test
The laughter of the people in the hallway.
The ocean during the mid summer night.
Lights that tower over the streets and light them up at night.
music makes people happier.
The morning air at sunrise.
The hunger that is created during school
how winter looks so cold and gray
The places music can take you.
the daily lessons you learn in life.
The warmth I feel when I slip into my pajamas.
The flowing water of a small stream nearby.
Sneaky out late, hoping fate doesn’t interfere.
The branches creaking and swaying from the breeze.
The different colors of the sky during the day
the first color i see when i wake and open my eyes
The tiredness at the end of the day

Found Writing

The places music can take you.
The sky in the spring when the clouds are nearly blue.
The Christmas Blessing that tore us apart.
The way love can fix a broken heart.
It may take a while......
Different dreams can seem to make the unwanted smile.
Don't give up.
"The sun lights up a drop of dew
The drop of dew soon dries
You are the light of my eyes my eyes
I'm brought to life by you..."

-By: Kaelyn