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“Your life is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. If your life isn’t awesome, you’ve been watering the weeds.”

That’s what I’m talking about!

That quote about Harry Potter and Twilight got me thinking, and I’ve decided one thing for sure: neither my children nor my students will ever have Twilight read to them by me, nor will it be tolerated/ allowed in my home or classroom. (The decision to read Harry Potter to my class every year, and to my children almost as often, was made a long time ago.)

I will admit that I haven’t read any of the Twilight books or watched the movies, so one could potentially argue that I’m in no position to judge. But I’m gonna go ahead and trust the observations I’ve made and the opinions and details I’ve heard, and stay well away from this apparently low-quality, low-substance, seemingly inappropriate, somewhat absurd, excessively celebrated teenage romance novel. I get the feeling I won’t be missing out on much.

The Harry Potter series, on the other hand, is one I have read several times, and will continue to read (aloud and on my own) for many many years to come. And by that, I of course mean my whole life. I never get sick of them! The rich character development, the epic and clever plot, the very fine writing, the completely new and believable world, the humor, and the excellent lessons taught are all reasons why I think every kid (and adult) should read these books.

Oh, and speaking of characters, let’s talk about that for just a moment.

To tell you the truth, I relate very little to vampires and werewolves, but maybe it’s only me. I’m kind of into a slew of awesome people of all ages and stages, who have depth and character.

“I prefer Harry Potter because the idea is magic or wizard, and it’s kind of everybody could have fun. But Twilight it kind of love story, you know, Edward, he’s so good and he’s so handsome. I heard that most guys are like “Ew Yuck! Stop it!” Harry Potter is everybody have fun. In other words, we can have a fun conversations with anybody, like parents or guy friends or younger friends. Twilight we just have fun during girl time. I think it’s kind of awkward to talk with parents, like “Did you see Twilight? Yes…” The movie, the Twilight movie is kind of like more… you know. I just think, especially Harry Potter series one, is more light. Getting darker with Voldermort later on, but everyone can have more fun. Twilight is like Harry Potter 7 or 6 because it’s really like, like Bella, Bella, Bella.” -the very beautiful and intelligent Kyoko Hasegawa

“Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity… Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.”

Giving ALL

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will save
her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed
next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing
the color returning to her cheek. Then his face
grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, “Will I die right away, or how soon?”
The boy had misunderstood the doctor;
he thought he would have to give his sister
all of his blood in order to save her.

1. practice
2. Organize music
3. study 312
4. Psych
5. early bed
6. theory

So we know I don’t have a right hippocampus, but there have only been a few instances in which that has made itself manifest. (One is trying to visualize my daddy’s plans for the addition of our house.)

But I did this test, and it is extremely difficult for me to say the color instead of the word! Crazy! I takes almost 3 seconds for my pituitary gland to send the message to my auditory nerve!

This occasional manifestation is very interesting, as well as intriguing. I really don’t have a section of my brain! (In other words, I really do have an adextrohippocampul cranium.)

Which is easier for you?

This beautiful video reminds me of my hospital experiences in so many ways. I too had an immensely giving ward, not to mention an amazing family and dear friends.

As I watch this, and tears of course stream down my face, I am reminded of the countless prayers and fasts that were offered in my behalf, the loving visits, the incredibly comforting cards and messages, the service given to my family during that time…

And this reminds me of the work and service I need to give to children in situations like this, and of opportunities I have to do service now. It’s amazing what a difference small acts of service can make. I can totally relate to the joy of that blanket or tiara Annie was given! Any gift of love is unmeasurable.