Technologically Writing

  Many People cry at great milestones, and I did so at the greatest of them all, my birth. I know that all babies cry, but I cried for a completely different reason. I cried because I knew that this was the beginning of never-ending endeavor of greatness. I cried because I knew that God had placed me in Timothy and Karol Purdie’s hands to shape and mold me into the person that I am today, Timothy Purdie, Jr. I am a person who has lived a typical life, but I have never been constricted to those settings. I wonder if my mother knew that while I was developing in her womb she would soon give birth to greatness.     Throughout the seventeen years that I have been in existence, I have truly evolved. As aforementioned, I was born for greatness, and greatness takes time. In my earlier years, I was very introverted. From my humble beginnings at Edgewood Elementary School, excelling academically was my primary concern. Within a matter of a few years, I had formed a great reputation at the school as a great student. Despite this, I still longed to do something else.

     Upon my arrival at Selma High School, I knew that I wanted to make a name for myself outside of the classroom. Selma High School Marching Band of Blue became a second family. I think that I spent just as much time at the band room as I did at home. Through this extracurricular activity, I soon learned to express myself more vividly, and I literally fell in love with music and dance. Marching band also inspired me to join the African Knights step team, of which I am currently the captain. Since this period of time in my life, I have found a way to release any pent up emotions that I could have bottled up inside of me. Most importantly, I learned to balance any other activities with my schoolwork.

     As my high school years are coming to a close, I am grateful that I have begun to develop into a person that can achieve pure greatness. The beginning of my life is about to begin, and at my graduation night I will cry at my second greatest

       There are over millions of people in this world today that are all different; however, we all have a story to tell. Page one is the beginning of the pages that begin to reveal my story.  I was born on May 31, 1990, in Selma, Alabama. After my birth, my mother, Tyniece Tolbert, and father, Michael Smith, decided to move to Georgia. It was a different environment for us; yet, once we moved we started to adapt ourselves to the location.            Growing up was, in a way, complex at times. Being the youngest and the only girl, I was always treated a little differently.  To be more frank, I was really spoiled, but I still didn’t let that shape me. Though I was spoiled by my parents, I never seemed to get that same treatment from my brothers. By the way, I have three brothers, whom are all grown now. The eldest lives in Dallas, Texas, and the other two, whom are twins, now reside in Dunwoody, Georgia. The eldest moved to Texas in my younger years, so I really do not have many memories of him. In contrast, the twins really helped me much through life and I was closer to them while growing up.

            When it comes to religion, I am a Jehovah’s Witness, and I have strong faith in God. I was baptized on July1, 2006, and, in my opinion, that was the best decision I have ever made. Not only do I know that this is the truth, but I think that anyone who changes their life for God is on the right path.

             Throughout my life I have experienced many changes, which have all molded me into who I am today. I really appreciate my mother, whom has guided me through all of life’s experiences. During my younger years we didn’t have a close relationship at all, but once my brothers left, we started to get to know each other. I consider her to be my best friend, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

            One major thing that I have changed about myself is the way I accept things. I used to care about what people think about me, but over the years I have realized that they either love or hate me and whichever they pick will not faze me. This change that I went through really strengthened my demeanor and way of approaching things.

            Overall, my life has been a maze, and my journey has just begun. I look forward to accomplishing everything that I want to in life, and I will do all of that with set standards. On this road that I am taking, I know that there will be distractions, and road blocks, but I still plan on looking forward.  

Athletic, outgoing, and resourceful are a couple of words I like to use to describe myself.     How I got to be athletic, outgoing, and resourceful took a long time to be that way. Growing up I hung out with my family a lot. I could always remember doing extreme stunts at home. Jumping off of trees into my pond wasn’t really a smart idea. But anyways, I got to be athletic because of my dad. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be really good at soccer. He would tell me to train everyday. But now since I’m older I push myself to the limit. I won’t stop till I get something right when I’m skateboarding.

     During my preteen years, I was always pushing myself to accomplish my goals. My goals were something like being a pro skateboarder which is still my top goal to becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force. I could remember like it was yesterday that I wanted to be like someone I saw on TV. But I then realized that I don’t have to be like anyone and just be myself. Then I came up with my own phrase “I am nobody, but that makes me a somebody”.

     Usually when I’m out and about I skateboard. Sometimes I won’t be able to find anything to jump on or off of. So I would just rig something up like a piece of plywood propped on something. That’s being resourceful. I’m really resourceful when it comes to wood because I can turn really old scraps of wood into useful things around my house.

     Well this is all I can think of for now. But this is who I am…….Steven Easterling.

For years Music has been an expression of a person, and there culture. It makes you feel good, that’s why many people use music to depict their moods. Whether happy sad or even loved music helps people express themselves. That’s why is my favorite hobby. The world couldn’t stop me, from expressing myself with my trombone very loudly.

I’m secretly, compassionate, understanding, and even intelligent. The people in my world always want to know why I’m in there eyes so quite? Why are you so stuck up, or mean to me? While I’m thinking Why are you judging me, worried, or even care? I don’t bother anyone, and even care what you are thinking about me.

I am a very secretive person who likes to be quiet and observe people who are around me. I like to watch them to see if they act the same with different sets of friends. I do this to see who is real and who is not so I can understand who im dealing with and what there capable of.

Only a select few people have the luxury of calling me a friend; and those who know my deepest darkest secrets I can count on one hand. This is done to remove mess and stress from my life completely. My appearance to other people may be sad, mad or an unhappy person when its actually the opposite. I’ve got everything that matters to me love, life, and Christ. To others I might be that old mean sneaky and quite Nick; but I’m Nicholas Mabien to be exact a very determined, driven and hard working young man who is working to become an even better Man.

Many things have happen in the world. Many people have lost their lives in the world. More people where brought into this world, but there is that one special day that comes around every year that stand out in a lot of people lives, mostly females. October 14, 1989, somebody greater then you, sexier then you, and better then you was born. A young man was born by the name of Jarius R. Perkins.

Guess what my name is? I know you could probably care less, but just guess for Pete’s sake. O.K., I’ll give you two hints: My name starts with the letter J and it is located in the Bible. I hope you’re guessing because it took me quite a while to figure out a way to introduce myself. It’s not much at all, is it?  Well you can’t blame a person for trying. It is kind of catchy though. I’m good at that you know; catching peoples attention. I do it on a regular basis. For some odd reason, a lot of the attention is negative. I don’t know why because I consider myself a well rounded, distinguished gentleman. It’s probably just hateration in the air. What I mean by the word hateration is the act of hating. When someone hates, they continually obsess over the dislikes and issues they have with someone else. The attention, although negative at times, is good in a way. It means that someone thinks I’m important enough to be discussed. Anyways, back to the guessing game. I’m sure you’ve had an ample amount of time to guess what my name is.  If you haven’t by now, then shame on you. Of course I can’t really be ashamed of you because I just found out my name was in the Bible not to long ago. Are you ready for the answer? Hip hip hurray, it’s JOEL! If you guessed right, then you get five gold stars and a smiley face. Seriously, if you really want some gold stars and a smiley face then I’ll email them to you. All right dudes and dudettes! Now that I’ve introduced my self, I can get started with the story telling.

     My full name is Joel Kieth McGuire Jr. My last name is spelt McGuire, but I like to pronounce it Maguire. Many Southerners, where I live, like to say “Mac Gwuy Ya”. That really annoys me.  Some people think that since my name is in the Bible, I will become a minister some day. The profession I want to pursue, Architecture, has nothing to do with being a minister. Besides, I don’t think I’ll ever go into the ministry business. Then again, you can never say what you will or won’t do because you don’t know what path the future holds for you. A teacher of mine told her class that once. I would give you a little insight of who she is, but it’s better for my health if I keep that information confidential. If you want to know why, then I won’t tell you because that would defeat the purpose which was to not tell you about the teacher who made that statement. The purpose of this writing was to tell about my self, so I guess I should get to the point and stop veering off from the subject with all these little side stories.  

Basically, I’m a teenage, African American boy with Hershey Chocolate skin, Bronze and brown hair, and an outstanding physique. I’m fibbing about the outstanding physique, but I think I’m pretty hot. I live in the historical Selma, Alabama, but I’m originally from Montgomery, Alabama. I attend Selma Early College High School which is an Ag-focus institution. This is the first school of its kind in the state of Alabama. One special aspect of this program is the rigorous curriculum. The format of this curriculum is a duel-enrollment program; A program that allows students to take the equivalent college courses for high school and college credit. Selma Early college High School allows students to earn up to 60 hours in college credit which is equivalent to a two year degree. When I graduate from high school in 2008, I will graduate with an Associate in Arts degree and enter college as a freshman with a junior status in credit hours. I know that was a long section about the school I attend, but I want all of you to know what a great student I am. Besides, this section could come in handy if a college representative happens to run across my blog one day. The chances of this actually happening are highly unlikely, but I’ve got nothing to lose. I bet you didn’t know I was a drum major. Isn’t that cool!? I’m actually co-head drum major, but that’s pretty cool too. Oh, you don’t think so?   If you don’t, then you’re a paste eater. I’m sure you don’t want all of your friends to call you that. Do you remember when I talked about hateration earlier? When it comes to my style of dress, I’m very fun and creative. I don’t ware chicken suits to school or anything like that, but my style varies. My styles ranges from prep boy to rock star. If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m really into style. Expressing diversity is not always a good thing in the South or at least where I live. Every time I’m in public, people always give degrading looks as if I were an outcast. Some people really dig what I wear and they acknowledge my distinct style, but most people disapprove of it. Most people in the south are extremely closed minded. This can be depressing at times. People say this is “the land of the free”, but how is it free if I’m not free to ware what I want without being harassed constantly. That is what I mean by Hateration; when people continually obsess about issues that are irrelevant to themselves. I could go on and on, but I have to turn this paper in by 8:00. I’m stopping now, so goodbye. This is one of my best writings! I’m so proud of myself! I deserve a pat on the shoulder. Oh, I almost forgot. I have Parents. Bye!

Ever notice how you, with all your education, may “think” you know something or have obtained various pieces of valuable information?  Then one day, someone or some element comes along and introduces you to a personal knowledge bowl- one that is new and different, but holds many of the qualities you thought you were aware of?  Well, these new-found discoveries have been reflections of me!  I thought I was well-rounded with technological information until I enrolled in a technology for teachers and learners class.  Whew!  As an English teacher, excuse me when I say, “It Ain’t Been No Crystal Staircase.”  Technology, alike many of us within our classrooms, each day, each lesson, each discovery, has changed.  For the good mostly, but at trying times, for me, the bad.  It has been frustrating and challenging trying to work, take care of family, participate in extra-curricular activities, rest, attend and participate in church, and complete these assignments intended to assist with future endeavors, but make me feel as though they are for my ill. 

Many say, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”  Thanks, but I sometimes feel as though I have bitten more than I can swallow because the chewing seems easy until the digestion takes place. 

On the brighter side, I have been able to implement many of the challenges I face to my classes and though they seem to feel the same frustration as I, we will succeed together!