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Did you know that about 39 percent of the households in America have a canine addition to the family?  That’s over 43,000,000 American households and around 77.5 million dogs that have found a special place in the hearts of their owners!  Dogs are definitely man’s best friend.

Daisy

I have two dogs, both from the pound, that have proven to be the most amazing blessings in my life.  Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of essays, exams, and assignments that I am responsible for each week.  Suddenly, driving, sifting through endless stacks of college letters, preparing to write for scholarships, and considering my options for life after high school has been thrown into the already chaotic mix.  I come home each day feeling exhausted and drained of all motivation, until I feel the little wet noses nudging my hands.  I feel the warm breath of my favorite fury friends on my arm as they beg for love.  Throwing down the burden of my backpack, I collapse on the floor and let my little fluffy bundles of joy jump into my lap, kissing my forehead with their warm pink tongues.  For a few minutes, I tell them all the stressful things that happened during the day and about the pile of work that awaits me at home.  Their beautiful brown eyes sparkle in anticipation as they wait for my story to come to an end.  I am so sure that they are listening, and understanding everything that I say.  I invite one of them to snuggle up on my lap to keep me company as I scatter my Spanish, AP American History, and Calculus (ugh!) textbooks all over the floor in my room.  Whenever I get tired of reading and writing, I take a deep breath, give my pup a big squeeze and some petting, and then get back to work.  Somehow, the work gets done faster when I’ve got a little buddy curled up in my lap.  I’m so glad that I rescued these little guys.  Though we give them a lot: food and water to keep them healthy, a warm and loving home, and lots of walks; they have given back so much.  I am proud to say that I am a dog lover!

Echo

-Ashlen

Nexus 1

Next I’m happy that I’m going to be getting a new TV, too long have I not enjoyed the HD world. So I will be buying one probably within the next money.

Thirdly, the Family café is coming up and I had a pretty fun time last time and I’m hoping I can have even more fun this time around.

But before that I will have my spring break which I take very seriously, I intend to lock myself in a room with lots of cheezits, romen, my HDTV (hopefully) and my video games. Hopefully I can catch up on all the time I’ve missed recently.

Now these next three things are a bit more down the road but worth the wait.

Firstly is the next Annual Youth Summit. I hope to see a lot of old and new faces there.

Secondly is the new research into holographic TV. I’m really wondering how this will turn out in the next 10 years or so.

And lastly is a new movie coming out, The Hobbit.  I’ve loved the book since I was a small child so I hope the movie is good. I do know that there are actually going to be two movies, to split them up.

The Hobbit

-Nick

A Rollercoaster

Hey everyone long time no blog. So I figured I’d just put an update on what I’ve been doing instead of blogging

Firstly I’ve started at a new college, I’m finding all the class work way harder than before, however the classes are no longer boring to me. I’m learning a lot of new things, and I’m glad to say I have a bunch of great teachers.

 With college comes a great many assignments that has been taking up the majority of my time. Most of my classes require a lot of reading as well, which cuts majorly into my video game hobby. For the first time in what seems like years I’ve gone over a week without playing video games.

LOL Cat

Lastly is my job.  I love it I get to help so many people all day.

And that is just a basic update on my life; I’ll gladly answer any questions too.

2010 Winter Olympics Logo

I, along with probably millions of other people around the world, have been watching the Winter Olympics. I have seen some very exciting moments, some sad moments, and some boring ones. It always makes me proud to watch America win medals, and it makes me dream of one day being on a podium. I know that is probably not realistic; most of the people you see at that level have been the best in the business since they were very young.

Of course I was very saddened to learn about the luger from the country of Georgia dying in a practice run. That really puts a damper on a festival that is otherwise supposed to be about happiness, competition and unity. At least his death might save the lives of others; after his accident, improvements were made to the luge run to make it safer and slower. 

Nodar Kumaritashvili

My favorite sport to watch is snowboarding. I used to be an avid snowboarder myself. I even owned one, but sold it when I moved back to Florida. I guess our state is not really the venue for something like that. I can’t imagine why. Watching the snowboarders carve up the slopes and jumps makes me want to do it again. I even found myself wondering what life would be like if I moved to Canada or Colorado and lived the life of a ski bum. I could get up every morning and head to a mountain and board all day long. I suppose that isn’t setting the bar very high career-wise, but it sure sounds like a good time. Who knows, if I did that long enough, I might even end up on an Olympic podium someday. 

-Mason

Gentlemen, start your engines!!!

These are most famous words in all of motor sports. These words precede every NASCAR race. They signal that it’s time for the drivers to show what they have. They signal to me, that it is time to get ready for the excitement that is a NASCAR race.

I am huge NASCAR fan and have been one for about 8 years now. Ever since the season ended back in August, I have been waiting for the 2010 NASCAR season to start. The season stars this upcoming Sunday, February 14 with the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. Last season saw Jimmie Johnson claim his record breaking 4^th consecutive NASCAR championship. What a run Jimmie Johnson and his team have been on.

4 Time Chapmpion Jimmie Johnson's Number 48 Car

With a new season starting on Sunday, there are all kinds of questions that have come up.  Will NASCAR’s most popular driver (and my favorite driver), Dale Earnhardt Jr., challenge for a Championship? Will Jimmie Johnson dominate again on way to his 5^th straight NASCAR Championship? Which driver will be the dark horse that challenges for the Championship? Which driver will have a break-out season?

Dale Earhart's 88 Car

All these questions will begin being answer this Sunday in what will surely be the beginning of another exciting NASCAR season. I am so excited that I can barely wait to hear those most famous words in all of motor sports, which will signal the beginning of the season.  

Gentlemen, start your engines!!!

-Alex

In my family, we celebrate the Three Kings, which come after New Year’s. The three kings are the kings who gave the gifts to Jesus after he was born. So it’s like a second Christmas I guess. The night before, we put grass and water under our bed and the next day we have one gift for helping the kings on their journey. I know it’s a weird tradition but I know I’m not the only one with weird traditions. Mine is still funny though. Hahaha!

The Three Kings

-Josue

Did you know that one out of every five people have a disability, and 90% are hidden? That sounds like a lot of people, doesn’t it? Therefore, there is not a reason to be afraid. We all have fears, ambitions, and feelings. Let’s say someone told you to get to Walt Disney World without saying how.  There are a lot of ways to get to Walt Disney World: bus, train, airplane, just to name a few. The goal is to get to Disney. It is the same concept with someone who has a disability. We all do the same things, but in different ways and different times. We are all more alike than different!

-Sara R.

After having a beautiful delivery with my new baby my thoughts were telling me that the worst was over. All I would have to do is concentrate on raising my child, going back to school, being a wife, and achieving my dreams of advocating for the disabled community. Sounds easy-peasy right?

Well, just a couple of weeks ago I was invited to an old friend’s baby shower. My cousin and I went together. Unlike other siblings of mine, I love to take Mathew with me everywhere I go. I don’t want to leave him for someone else to watch him while I party.  So we arrived and walked in and say hi to people.

A Baby Shower Invitation

This baby shower was not like most baby showers. They have all kinds of beer and liquor and food, and people dancing and stuff. My cousin and I decided to sit down and eat. While we were eating Mathew got hungry. I got the bottle out and start feeding him. Immediately people started to ask my cousin if that was her baby and say how adorable he was; but my cousin said “No, he is her baby” while pointing to me.

After she said that to them they gave me this look like they are surprised. Once I saw them give me that look, people started to talk amongst each other and started saying “Oh, that’s her baby?” I felt like I was being displayed with my son at a museum. I have never felt more hurt and embarrassed.  When I got home I began to think, and said to myself that I definitely would have to do something about bringing awareness to the community this upcoming October. I am tired of people here in Miami not being respectful of the disabled community. I need to make a change. Of course, I would need the help of my fellow members. One voice can be powerful, but imagine what 5 or 6 can do?

-Cinthia

Well 2009 was a very big year for me. I’ve gained and lost, learned and forgotten things, and I’ve accomplished the impossible. To me 2009 was the year of proving people wrong.

I got my drivers license when everyone counted me out, I got an award for community service at an animal shelter, and I finally have chosen a career path and feel happy with myself. My resolution this upcoming year is to overshadow 2009 and to do even more to make a difference and show that being visually impaired isn’t a limitation but a bump in the road that can be overcome if worked on hard enough.

-Josue

ipod touch

I got an iPod touch for Christmas this year. It’s amazing! I love it! The device has everything a teenager could possibly want: Phone, internet, music and many more features I have not figured out how to use yet. With the touch of a button I have access to all the music I want at my finger tips. Believe me when I say this, “I take music very seriously.” So if you by any chance are as big of a music lover as me I recommend getting an iPod touch as soon as possible.

-Megan