Jioia Farrar Eng IV - Rhodes

Journals -

#1 Jan. 5: Being the richest man in the cemetery doesnt matter to me. Going to bed at night saying [Ive] done something wonderful, thats what matters to me. Steve Jobs (Apple/Pixar) What matters most is not what one has monetarily speaking but what one has done to earn such rewards. If somebody truly loves what they do for a living they wont go to work because the money it will reward them but instead they will go because it is what they love to do or possibly even because they find comfort in knowing how what they do has helped others. I can only hope that when I pass on to the next life I go with that same mentality. If things go as planned (owning my own business, having my own clothing line/shoe collection) I will happily go to work every morning knowing that what Im doing is what makes me happy. #2 Jan. 6: Free write or draw. Its what? The first Friday back to school?! Sure, why not. I must say I really enjoyed my winter break! I spent quality time with family, friends, and maybe even a special someone (alota quality time he just wouldnt leave Im not complainin though lol jk). This Christmas was a little less fortunate, in terms of gifts, than the Christmas past. However, I think the fact that this was a smaller Christmas allowed us, as a family, to genuinely focus on the real reason for the season. This allowed us to truly cherish family this year and appreciate what we have. I am undeniably grateful for my family! #3 Jan. 9: A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit. Milton I dont believe I properly comprehend this quote so Im going to ask for further guidance and Ill get back to you later with a response. #4 Jan. 10: One cannot and must not try to ease the past merely because it doesnt fit into the present. Golda Meir You must know where youve been to know where youre going otherwise whats to stop you from, possibly, returning to the same spot. You cant forget who you are in an effort to make for a better future. Your past is what makes you. It builds character that you shouldnt be ashamed of. If a piece of your past doesnt fit into your present you should probably ask yourself is this really where youre supposed to be

#5 Jan. 11: He knows not his own strength that has not met adversity. Ben Jonson Im going to be real honest I dont quite understand what this prompt is talking about. So off the top of my head what I can gather is ...struggles builds character. Hardships bring to the light a strength that you, otherwise, would not have known was there. I guess it falls in line with the saying What doesnt kill you can only make you stronger. #6 Jan. 12: Pride the first peer and president of hell. Defoe Pride, being one of the seven deadly sins, is in close relation to hell [and how one might go about ending up there]. Matter fact theyre probably even first cousins. Pride is a negative trait that someone should not possess too much of. #7 Jan. 13: Free write or draw. I busted my knee at dance practice on Monday. I went home early and had xrays taken then on Wednesday I had a MRI and my review is today. The doctor is going to tell me if Im ok or if Im nothing but a lump of damaged goods. Wish me luck (*luck*) Thanks! #8 Jan. 17: Haters are confused admirers who cant understand why everybody loves you. Paulo Coelho Aint that the truth! In the words of somebody who I cant remember their name (millions have said it), Haters gon hate. You cant live with em and you dont wanna live without em. Im talking about haters here; not women. Haters to me are just constant reminders that Im doing somethin right. Think about it if you were doing something wrong would they really be hatin or would the just be criticizing? #9 Jan. 18: They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel. Carl Buechner What people remember most about someone is not what they said or did its how they made them feel. Words, actions, and sequences of events are easy to forget because they are not internal but the feelings that those thing can evoke is something you, and you alone, deal with internally. It is by personal choice that one might share their feelings with others but, whether positive or negative, emotions are not just something that can be forgotten. With that in mind, one should think wisely before they act or speak to others. #10 Jan. 19: A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. Nelson Mandela Uhmm?! Im not too sure I understand what this prompt means. It could be because Im not too sure I know what formidable means. When I highlight formidable, right click, and scroll down to synonyms I get words such as alarming, frightening, difficult, dreadful, and so on. Therefore, based on the

synonyms provided by Microsoft Word 2003, I can only assume that this prompt means something along the lines of often the emotions of ones heart can get in the way of the decisions of the mind. A good heart, while still good, may tend to crowd the mind; virtually slowing the decision making process Then again I could be way off... Who knows? Not me! #11 Jan. 20: Free write or draw. So my doctor said I sprained my MCL and tore my meniscus. Now Im out of brigade, for at least the next six weeks, which means I cant dance at contest. :( If my knee has not heeled up by then Im screwed. That would mean I need to have surgery. If I have to have surgery Ill be out for a month (removal) to two months (repair) depending on the surgery. Im really going to pray for the best because at this point thats all I can do. This is my senior year and Im out of dance for over a month. This sucks.