"WANTED: Adventurers For Exploration Of LiteraryLand"

Whenever we're forced to perform a task, who actually wants to go through with it? This is especially true when it comes to homework; and moreover, reading in general.  Its no wonder so many kids are opposed to reading when all they know are the textbooks and somewhat "boring material" chosen for them, and lacking  encouragement to find something they're interested in learning about.

We often hear the phrase: "Kids are the future," but how many of us take action to be involved in their education and overall enrichment as a person in our society?  There is so much more to life than reading for class, and too many students remain unaware of this.  They are not encouraged to evolve their perceptions of reading to just how exciting it can be!  You can be anyone, go anywhere, and do just about anything while escaping into an enchanting tale. 

Many parents, teachers, siblings, and friends try to emphasize the importance of reading by incorporating other forms of art, and using the idea of group projects.  There is always room for new ideas to make books come alive for children, even if that means just being a "reading buddy" and acting out the various voices in the book.  Kids need the help of those close to their age (that means us, my fellow Grizzlies) to guide them down the useful path of literature.  So join me, find some time to devote to an excellent and rewarding cause...enriching our future generations!  I can almost guarantee you will get back more than you give.  And who wouldn't want the chance to be a kid again and read kid's or young adult books?!

Here's an idea to get the ball rollin': 
Youth Services at The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, MI.

~ Alexis

Using Your Precious Time Wisely:

My recent visit to The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, Michigan was an enlightening and powerful experience.  The soup kitchen, clothing center, laundry station, enrichment programed, and all around safe and compassionate help center is an amazing location for people to go to when they are struggling to survive.  The Baldwin Center is a wonderful place for people in need to find salvation, and also a great place to give back to our less fortunate neighbors.  It is prodigious that the workers and volunteers at this center help between 200-500 people/meals served daily, depending on the time of year.  What an inspiring facility.

Although I was expecting a slightly different form of volunteer work, this trip was still very meaningful.  We were responsible for cleaning up and organizing the future self-pick pantry that the center will be offering to residents.  The only difference was I was assuming we would be working with the people of the community in some way, which I expected would be quite difficult.  Though I have seen and experienced many saddening and heart-wrenching situations, it is never easy to watch someone that is struggling; but I would be more than willing to volunteer and help them in any way I could. 

The overall experience at The Baldwin Center was a very compelling and influential exposure to the needs to others, that tend to go overlooked by many; including myself.  Although I may not be able to donate money to this center, I could most definitely find the time to contribute in another way, and this trip to the center has convinced me that not only do I need to do so, but I want to as well. 

 ~ Alexis

Fact or Fiction? You decide!

 Memory 1:
My mind begins to wander as I sit cross-legged in the waiting room.  This has been the most excruciating 4 hours of my life!  How is a girl supposed to just wait patiently out here without ripping the hair from her scalp?  Watching loving family members embrace as they receive the news that their relative is out of danger should be inspiring, but it only makes me wonder if there is a "quota pattern" at play... Since all those people are going to be okay, does that mean she will be the statistic that evens out this positive equation?  God I hope not, I can't imagine my life without her!

I've been the rock for this whole day and it begins to wear on me... one can only be strong for her family for so long.  No longer able to sit, I unwind my legs and stiffly get to my feet, thinking that pacing the room might satisfy my mind for a bit.  Minutes sluggishly pass by, and although the urge to visit the cafeteria is getting devilishly close to a necessity, I can't leave the room until I know.

The doctor couldn't have joined the party at a better time, I just chewed off my last fingernail.  "Hi, I'm looking for the Jonas and Martinez family.  She's just fine, wonderful, in fact!  The surgery went beautifully, I have tremendous faith that she'll be back to her old self in just a few weeks.  You can see her soon."  The tears of fear, relief, and joy soon begin to stream down my cheeks.

Memory 2:
"Really Mom? You'll let me?! Thank you, thank you!!"
"Okay, but you have to listen! Got me?" My head rattles in agreement. "Alright sweetpea, lets go."
"Yeahhhhh!" Scampering to get my tennis shoes on before she can change her mind, I try to contain my excitement.  Driving a tractor at the innocent age of 12 can be an amazingly important experience, especially with an older sister that always gets the cool chores!

I race through the back door and sprint to the tractor's side. Maybe she'll let me mow the lawn by myself next time? Hmm... Finally, mom has instructed me in the ways of driving... Mom was right though, this is a bit difficult, and I'm more nervous about driving than I expected! Now it's time to move the trampoline.  Okay, I can do this!

Mom hooks up the rope to the back of the machine, and I slowly move this way and that, hearing as much as I can hear the strain of the rope. Feeling extra confident, I give it a little more gas.  Suddenly I hear mom shouting from a distance, but am too busy celebrating my newly found skill to actually make out the words.  Seconds too late, I glance to my left just in time to see the leg of the deck I am headed straight for!  Oops! Smack!!!

  "Are you alright?" she questions.  "I'm fine," I sheepishly squeak out, "I'm sorry Mom! I really didn't mean to-" I'm cut off by her waving her hand between us. "Get off the tractor.  You're cut off.  Thanks for your help, but I have it from here." she bites out.  I reluctantly make my way up the lawn, glancing back at my Mom to see her laughing.  Man, so much for driving by myself!  At least she's laughing, I can't believe I ran the tractor into the deck post!! Who does that?!

~ Alexis

The King of Characters

When you work in retail you have a lot of opportunities to people watch, but you never really think about how these people can affect your life.  While running a merchandise stand for the Super Bowl recently, I met hundreds of people I may never have met had I not been working there, and how just meeting some of them changed perceptions and notions I have; this is also true of the many friends I've made while working with the company!  This makes me think of an element King discussed about developing characters, and how they grow on their own as he writes them.  He also wrote that if they change the course of the story, then he knows he has succeeded.

My co-workers have become part of my family, especially because when we work together we are literally spending day and night with the same group of people for various lengths of time. King's writing strategies on character development was the thing that stood out to me the most, because I write my characters the same way.  I've always looked at the people in my life as having a major effect on where I go and the choices I make.  For example, had I not been friends with Jaime, I never would have started my job working for sporting events, never would have traveled as much as I have or had the experiences I've had, or met all the wonderful people I am now so close to!

Just thinking about these "characters" in my story and how they have shaped the course of my storyline, which I can't imagine it any differently! There's always the question of whether or not life imitates art or vice versa, which in my opinion King seems to use life as his inspiration based on my experiences.  Sometimes we don't really think about this because it is just a habit or routine to go to the friends we have, but what if they hadn't been your friends?  How would your life be different? 


~ Alexis

Could You Handle the Sacrifice?

Disclaimer: Prepare yourself, this is a "sensitive moment" kind of post!

Many images and memories rush through my head when I'm at a funeral. I have unfortunately lost several key people in my 25 years... And as anyone that has experienced a loss (big or small) can testify, this is not an easy part of life. The worst was losing my mother a few short months after I graduated from high school. Though this pain never goes away (I'm apologize to anyone that wants to believe differently) you eventually become "numb" to this pain.

This past week brought another loss to my family, which is why I decided to venture this morbid topic with a new twist. What would you be willing to sacrifice for a long life? Would you be willing to become extremely ugly physically if it meant you would live for 1,000 years at any physical age you chose? What a terrible question! My answer??

Absolutely not! I don't say this out of vanity, but out of the thoughts that such a long life bring to mind. Don't get me wrong, living for 1,000 years and witnessing so many changes for society would be amazing! Seeing all of the world's delights and experiencing everything it had to offer would be unbelievable. But wouldn't this get boring after a while? More importantly, why would I want to live for 1,000 years and watch every person I love die? I don't think I could envision anything more heartbreaking. As hard as it is to think about, loss is a part of life for everyone. Living in a world without my loved ones is a terrifying and unbearable thought. First of all, who would be here to tease the hell out of me?! Now THAT would be boring!


What about you? Would you be able to make the sacrifice?

 ~ Alexis

Warning! Side effects may include reduced stress...

I came across this great article on MSN Health and Fitness to help reduce stress! It never hurts to try a few new things, right?! So, I gave a couple of them a shot and they actually helped! This article has 11 simple and effective tips to de-stress your day. Enjoy!

11 Instant Soothers for High-Stress Times

~ Alexis

Guess Who's Coming To Blog?

"Okay! Back to work everyone! We don't have much time before the curtain call here, no more games guys!" I worry about them when I'm not here... hmmm... AHH!! Animal, what are you doing with that thing?! Put down the blowtorch!! Sheesh... how am I supposed to get any work done around here?! Okay, I need to go over this schedule for tonight... So first I have to meet Miss... (Interrupted) "Hey, where are the new costumes again?" "I've told you three times, dressing room four, down the hall there!" Geez... Where was I... Okay so uhh... uhh... oh yes, dinner with her at 5pm... Boy I wish there was a way I could get out of it... She's just so demanding and stubborn! There really isn't time to go out to a nice dinner tonight! Hmm... Oh well, as long as it makes her happy. So after dinner we-we-we... we need to rush back to clean up this backstage area and the theater; since I know everyone else will forget to! Then time to change into costumes, which leaves uhh, just enough time for a...for a... uhh, last minute costume checks before showtime! Perfect! Boy, I just wish these shows went a little smoother! And no one got hurt! Hmm... (Yelled from the stage) "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! You're not the boss of me! Let go!"  "Oh Schnookums!?!!?!! These so called 'back-up dancers' are trying to take over my number! Get them out of here!" Sheesh... So much for alone time!