My Tee-shirt

Sayings I want on a T-Shirt:

1. Date a girl who reads...

2. I'm a (fermata) and you can hold me as long as you want.

3. Silence is a virtue.

4. You can't scare me, I teach special ed prek.

5. Not for sale

6.  I'm my families favorite.

7. weak sauce

8. Duct tape works

9. My families more dysFUNctional than yours.

10. Time travel is possible.

11. I want patience NOW!

12. Nerd Girl Problem (there's several that I want, most have to do with books.)

13. Books are my drug

theres more to come...

Open Letter to Summer

Hello Summer,
It's nice of you to join us this year and I appreciate that in my little corner of the world it's not too hot. Though you are playing a mean joke on other parts of the the world for which you should probably self reflect, but I'm sure you have your reasons, still I'm grateful for my little corner of the world and for the way you bless us with your presence. Let me tell you what you mean to me. To me you are a symbol of rest and relaxation, time off from work and time with the family. A time in which I can't seem to get enough of the replenishing vitamin D. A time when people celebrate weddings and family reunions in abundance. Summer you are full of color and opportunities. Choices abound in your long days and short nights (which to me is a perfect balance). Yes some days you are a little to hot for my taste, but overall I wouldn't give you up for the world. I love your warm rains, it's the only time of the year I can play in the rain and not have to worry about catching a cold. You are fields full of fruit and veggies and other life giving substances, you have the ability to give and give. But don't worry, I don't take you for granted I know you also have the power to destroy, to burn, to evaporate, to kill. I treat you with the utmost respect and love to have you apart of my life.
To me you are days camping and communing with nature. Long hikes in the canyons and walks around the neighborhood. You are water fights with friends, baseball games and sunflower seeds. Swimming in lakes and pools, playing in rivers and streams, and tan skin. You are days traveling to new lands and peoples both literally and virtually. You are hours on a blanket napping in the sun, reading and watching others go by. You are the colors blue and yellow at their most brilliant. You bless us with beautiful sunrises and sunsets and allow us time for contemplation. I appreciate all that you do for us and all that you represent. I wish your season wasn't so brief but I suppose your brevity is why I cherish you. Thank you for being you.

Sincerely
Jenn

Spring a renewal of hope?

It is spring in the northern hemisphere. Thus ushering in all the renewed hopes and joys of at least half of the world. Or at least that's how it ought to be. But this spring leaves us much to reflect. There are areas of growth and prosperity and peace. But there are other areas that are being ravaged by war and/or natural disasters. It makes one both grateful to live in a land of peace and prosperity, such as the one I currently live. Yes we have our own petty quarrels with our politicians and sometimes neighbors, but mother nature has not decided to scrub her surface of us and no other country is trying to drop bombs on us, yes indeed it makes one count ones blessings. Then it makes one reflect, how can we as individuals and as a nation prepare against natural disaster and prevent the scourge of war from reaching our soil. Then again maybe it already has. Our southern boarder is not exactly a safe place and with our southern neighbors constantly trying to invade our land and abuse our laws, it makes one wonder if were are already fighting a war on our own soil. Maybe one spring we wont have to fight any wars, either at home or a broad. That would truly be something to celebrate, and working toward tolerance of others in order to maintain a mutual peace is a worthy goal for all and something worth striving for. 

Happy Birthday!

 The world celebrates a new year on January 1, but for me the new year is on December 4. This great day marks the day of my birth and is a time of reflection. Thinking about what has past this last year, what lessons I've learned, which hopes were fulfilled and which one still sit on the shelf waiting to be picked. It's been almost a week since this great and terrible day, I still feel like I'm in my early twenties instead of late. I found myself on December 4 eagerly baking and cooking homemade cakes and soups so as to give my friends something pleasing to eat, since many eat out or live on the college stable of Top Ramen. While doing so, I reflected on my birthdays in the last ten years, my favorite has been those I have spent preparing things for others. Making bread, soups, cake etc... leaves me feeling accomplished and productive, not too mention I do enjoy the compliments (wether sincere or affected I care not.) Food is a sneaky and easy way my personality gains appreciation.  People always appreciate good food and it's easier than most people think, it is a huge source of satisfaction to do something so simple, knowing that most people think it to be a very complicated task, then receive praise for doing this simple yet seemingly complex task. Hurrah!  So here I am at the start of another year, in a few short weeks the world will start their new year, resolutions ill kept will be given in abundance by those who would improve themselves in leaps and bounds instead of in small and simple ways. My only resolution is to find those small and simple ways to improve my life, and by consequence, improve the lives of those I know and love. I hope to be able to recognize learning opportunities when I come across them and not murmur or complain because it appears or feels difficult. I hope to remember that I can do hard things and that life is full of so much joy; that like and orange one must squeeze every drop out of it, and by doing so will live a healthier life. I do not regret the life I've lived thus far nor my situation. I can't imagine things being different, tho at times I sometimes wish they were. May everyone on their birthdays, instead of dreading the increasing years, live in such a way that they may glory in a life well spent and look forward eagerly to the blessing in store.

Father Time

Father Time

By Jennifer Faith Wirick

Father Time is his name

It never changes

It's always the same

He went up to a boy one day

Who happened to be blind

And said "Would you like to see the passing of time?

Open your eyes and you will see

What will be, what is, and what used to be

Open your left eye and you will behold

All the beauty of stories of life gone and told

Open your right eye to that so clear

To all the horrors and fears to come 

and don't forget the tears

But it can be changed with the help of someone

Open both eyes

And you will see a world

Filled with gangs, tribulations and tears

Love, lust and fears...

The list goes on 

You live in a world filled

With people being killed

Over petty things

As when someone looks the wrong way

Now my child you can see

Mans  blunder in life 

And all his humility

Now go out and do the same thing

Open other peoples eyes 

And help them hear life's terrible ring."

I wrote this poem for my seventh grade reflections contest. I didn't win, I can better understand now why, however at the time I thought it was a work of art and was astounded to the very core when my name wasn't called at the awards ceremony. However that didn't kill my desire to write poetry and I continued all the way until I was a freshman in college. Though other people raved about my poetry and told me I had talent, I only really like a hand full of them. I may write again someday but first I'll need to review my old stuff. 

Ushering in the Holidays

Although there are many holiday's throughout the year, none are so poignant, so anticipated, and so dreaded as "The Holiday Season." Namely Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving marks the kickoff of the mad rush to show Christmas cheer everywhere except in the stores and on the road. It marks the time of year when the day's are the shortest and emotional and seasonal depression increase, cholesterols raise, waists expand, and anxiety medication is sought after. All for the sake of family and good times. For some people the holidays are a time of anticipation and excitement. It's a time of feasting, sharing, giving and laughing with family and friends. For others it is merely a reminder of what they lack, another day to job hunt, house hunt, another reminder that their life is not how they had always planned or hoped.  Some people live comfortably in either the former or latter example, others bounce between the two, constantly striving for balance and security. May we all remember those this holiday season who's lives and expectations are not what they had hoped. May we all remember to be more gracious, even when we are looking for that special gift, or rushing off to that important party. May we all remember that the presents are not as important as the presence of those we love. May we all remember to help those who are lost to find their way and love all as our Savior does love. Whether your holidays are filled with tears or laughter, or a healthy mixture of both, may you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving (for we all, no matter how low, have something for which to be grateful), and a wonderful and safe holiday season. Just hold on tight, and we'll all make it through together. :-)

The "awe" of life.

I have a single friend around fifty. She's been married and raised her kids but now she is single and once again searching for a companion with whom she can share her life, her joys and pains. I'm not yet thirty, never married and searching for the same. Recently she has found someone who makes her happy, her experience gives me hope. In listening to her speak of her beau and the time they spend and the letters they write, I realized that people don't really grow up. Sure we get older, we take care to fulfill our responsibilities. Somedays we may even "feel old" but somewhere in the world there is someone who has the ability to make us feel young, excited and energized. Someone who helps us to see ourselves as a child of God with exciting and endless potential. Suddenly every dream is possible and the world is at our feet. you can run faster than a speeding bulet and leap over tall buildings. Nothing is impossible. Why? Because someone you care about cares about you. Someone sees the good in you and mercifully overlooks the flaws. Someone who loves you just the way you are and inspires you to be better. How wonderful to know that this joy is not only for the young 20's but can be found at any age. Love and joy is for everyone. We were made to have these things and how sweet it is when it comes into our lives, always when you least expect it.