Volunteering

My siblings and I helped out at a food bank at a local church today and what an experience. I have volunteered at numerous events so this was nothing new for me. My younger brother and sister on the other hand have never really done any volunteering when physical labor was involved. Our job was to assist people with carrying the food bags to their cars/trucks. It was hot, the people being assisted were slow, and our time there interrupted lunch. I was worried for their attention span and cooperation. I just knew after about 30 minutes both would be whining and crying and complaining. But to my absolute surprise, neither once uttered a word of discomfort. All 3 of us were a little aggravated when our mother told us we had to go and especially me since I'd be going immediately after basketball practice this morning. They were there a few minutes before I was and upon my arrival, they were already taking some bags to an old lady's trunk.  I am very proud of my little babies. They worked hard and fought through the heat and piercing smell of old people (Yes. That is a patented smell). At the end of our shift, we were rewarded with food bags of our own and the satisfaction of knowing we were a big help to the people running the drive. Again, I am proud of them. Who would've thought a 12-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl would find today so fun?

It *Is Summer Right?

All week I've been dealing with energetic,whiny, crying, complaining kids and every afternoon I come home to an even more sophisticated yelling. I don't get it. It's summer! It's like as soon as the final school bell rang the clamps got tighter. The whip has been cracked and the sweat on my brow comes from no solar source. The only peace I've gotten is when I'm asleep. And I've been doing a lot of that. I think my body is trying to recover from all of those super late nights of school work I went through throughout the year. My sleep pattern will hopefully get back on track in the coming weeks. Even today I was forced to leave the house before 9am. When will my lazy days begin???? Well, this summer won't have many of those anyway. This is my grind summer. The summer prior to my senior year of high school. I'll be putting in major work to prepare myself for the school year. Athletically and academically. Basketball training, tournaments, workouts, college recruiters, summer ball. SAT tests, AP Lang summer work, my NSLC Journalism trip (you guys will hear about that in my next couple posts), USA test prep stuff, and some vacation time on the beach or just rest from everything. This summer will be one to remember. I wanna do the things I wanna do. The things I've dreamed about since middle school. But when will it begin??? Soon. Very, very soon!

This One's For You

So the school year is officially ending tonight and I want to point out a few things before the caps are thrown in  the air. I thought nothing could top the things I went through last school year but this year has been one heck of a whirlwind. Until further notice, my junior year will be the most memorable. So shout to the 2013-2014 school year. This one's for you.

Shout out to the first day of school. I really did miss seeing these people over the summer. Well, some of them. Others...eh. Shout out to my lunch table and all of its color. Shout out to the friend zone. I met you for the first time and what a humble meeting it was. Shout out to exes. They're really good at complicating things. Shout out to my 2nd period. Thank God I registered for it a week before school started. Shout out to the 1st semester of weightlifting. I got to meet some important people and be reintroduced to people I thought I knew. Shout out to my 1st period. God bless you Mr. Harn. Shout out to Harvey's Supermarket. I truly miss the paycheck. But not the checkout line. Shout out to basketball season. You always come through for me. Shout out to my teammates this year. SO much better than last year's. Shout out to my lyric book. You harbor a lot of my emotions. Mostly the ones I must keep to myself. Shout out to my left knee. You've failed me numerous times but I still desperately need you. Shout out to the game. I really believe I have some. Another shout out to the friend zone. You quickly acquired some new victims. Shout out to trust. We've got some serious issues. Shout out to unrequited love. So unforgiving. Shout out to Mr. Henry. He really has no idea. Shout out to prom. Everything that happened was completely predictable for me. Except the dancing. That was disappointingly bad. Shout out to the 2nd semester of weightlifting. How I dreaded you some days. Shout out to 2nd lunch. You were a blessing and a curse. Shout out to my parents for getting me a car. Shout out to my car for just being my car. Shout out to my best friend. I'm so glad you're my best friend. We've been through so much mess and we've pretty much laughed all the way through it all. I love you B! Shout out to the class of 2014. I don't even know where to begin with you guys. I need a separate post for y'all. But I can say that you will be remembered. Each and every one I came in contact with. Shout out to graduation night. The weather was perfect, the seating was superb, Mrs. Ikner and I got our surprise, and hands were kept to themselves. Shout out to Mrs. Ikner. Thank you. Shout out to my junior year. Every celebration, every tear, every argument, every moment of extreme laughter, every hello, every goodbye, every mistake, every lesson, every victory, every defeat, everything was all worth it. Shout out to my upcoming senior year. This next one's for you.

Minority

This was my exam for AP Lit this semester and I'm pretty sure I made a 100. What do you think? Youtube Link: Minority

Yes!

So I just completed my junior year. *fist pump*

Ashton Happy

Names are very special things. They are under-appreciated and not fully recognized for their importance. A name holds the reputation of the owner. When a name is spoken, everything associated with the person comes tagging along with it. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. But a name never fails to strike interest from others who know of the name or have heard it before. Family, friends, acquaintances, and enemies all feel a certain connection to a name. From past interactions, presents relationships, and future expectations, people have a sense of entitlement to our names. Entitlement can often be mistaken and wrongly assumed. All because of everything that comes with a name. A family history, an ignorant stereotype, a legit stereotype, a shaky past, a pleasant existence, or a simple sense of being can come with a name.

Our parents go through 9 months of decision making, family members' selfish opinions, and semi-heated arguments to give their child the perfect name. And with their choice, that child now wears an invisible label of something most likely stupid and inaccurate about their coming personality. I sometimes wish I could have been given a chance to change my name at a rather intelligent age in my youth, like 12. I wonder what my seventh grade self would have decided. Well my 17-year-old, rising senior self would change my name to Ashton Happy. It's British. It was randomly generated from a website that my teacher also randomly found. I liked it. She liked it. I now love it. So call me Ashton Happy. It'd make me so glad.

Woww

For the Better by Cham

Make it sound how you want it to....

My peace is coming now. I've let too many people down

It seems my old friends are still around.

But when the truth is needed, they don't make a sound.

Why must I go through so much pain? 

Although I know I'm not the only one feeling the rain

Protectors of my soul try to stay sane. 

They say the truth is needed but what then will I gain?

Someone's changed. We all change for the better. For the better (2x)

My time is coming soon

Going through phases as if I'm the moon

Much valued room...changing so soon

Some wait to get rich. I just sing all afternoon

  Why must I go through so much pain? 

Although I know I'm not the only one feeling the rain

Protectors of my soul try to stay sane. 

They say the truth is needed but what then will I gain?

Someone's changed. We all change for the better. For the better (2x)

Has love been kind to me? Love will soon find me. In good time I'll be okay, okay (2x)

Someone's changed. We all change for the better. For the better (2x)