I am thinking about moving out and how scary it’s going to be. Am I going to be able to afford living on my own and be able to pay my bills? I will not be able to go out as much, but if I have extra money at the end of the week or month, then I might be able to go to the movies or to a nice restaurant. I have a few friends that live on their own. They told me it was confusing at one point, but they eventually got the hang of things. I hope it will happen soon. I will give you an update.

Moving Guys Carrying a House

-Matt

Hooters' Logo

I recently went to Hooters in Miami (love their wings!!!!),  and when I went the place was packed. I waited an hour for a table that wasn’t even cleaned, but that is what you get at a sports eatery. Anyway, the waitress finally came, and had an attitude. She was like “what do ya want to drink?” I was like “Wait, it’s not my fault the place is packed and there is barely any room to walk. Be polite to me!” (All of this was said in my head by the way.) So I told her I wanted a glass of water. About 10 minutes later she brings the water and slides it to me and doesn’t even give me a straw! Now it was time to be rude back. At this particular Hooters they don’t have any Braille or large print menus, sooooooooo, when she asked what I wanted I was like “Um do you have and large print menus?” She said no, so of course she had to read every item on the menu for me. Oh and before you guys think I was a total jerk, it was late when I went and my friends were driving because my eyes were tired, so I wasn’t a complete jerk. Yes, my friends could have read it for me, but they weren’t getting paid.

-Josue

I’ve always been interested in volunteering, and I’ve always enjoyed doing it. Before I moved out on my own I never really had a way to find volunteering ideas on my own. Usually my school or other programs that I am involved in would offer different ways to get involved and volunteer. Now that I live in the Tampa Bay area, there is a website that I heard advertised on the radio called “Tampa Bay Needs Me.” This site is organized by the counties in the area, and it has a list of companies that are looking for volunteers. I feel like I’ve reached the jackpot!! It’s like the volunteer opportunities are coming to me. I’ve already signed up to volunteer with the people at Easter Seals. It makes me wonder if other areas in Florida have this same kind of website. I advise everyone to look into volunteering, it’s a great way to get involved and give back to your community. 

-Whitney

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.

-Nick

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.