27/1

school is back to normal, as normal as it's about to get that is.

Michael is back in school, but I haven't spoken to him, yet. I can feel that it will happen, soon. I've seen him, he isn't talking to anybody, he walks through the days, silent. His friends- or former friends, really- are still trying to talk to him, get through to him, but he remains oblivious.

Libba is still by my side, she is still friends with her other friends, but she spends a lot of time with me. She came over to my house, my mother is one step short of adopting her, the step?- she already has a family. Great people, I met them.

Tuesday I went to Lib's house. Her parents names are Herald and Edny- and demand I call them such. She is the youngest of four, two boys and a girl. Her oldest brother is twenty-four, he's married with a child, his name's Richard- or Rick, I didn't meet him. Her sister is twenty and in college, I didn't meet her either, her name is Lydia. Mark is seventeen, he's a senior in our school, he is a studious kid- or a nerd- him I met. Libba's full name is Liberta, after Lady Liberty, she was born on the fourth of July.

Her family- those I've met- are a fun lot, don't expect much from life, take it easy- just like Libba. And people say your family doesn't affect your personality.

Our friendship isn't one sided as it seems- I hope, it's just that she never needed me as a supportive friend; but when she does, I'll be there, I hope.

It's killing me, writing all these happy thoughts, but mother said I should try it- mother's been having strange ideas lately. Maybe if I wrote the more miserable stuff I'll feel better.

Lori- the girl who hurt my sis? Cornered me today. She smiled at me oh-so-sweetly and said:

"never imagined you a star chaser” she looked at her evil friends around her and said “get it? Star chaser as in, she is a star geek.” she laughed and threw her red hair, then glared at me “keep away from boys beyond your league.”

she punched me in the eye, then walked away.

I felt so much like saying 'it's astronomy, stupid.'

I now have a black eye.

Mother is acting weird, she smiles at odd times and touches her stomach, she is sick every morning, and went to see the doctor the other day. I wonder, I really wonder.

28/1

he spoke to me today.

Michael that is.

Out of his own free will.

He was not sarcastic.

I don't know how to take it, I mean it wasn't anything he said, just- I expected him to ignore me; after all, I did ruin his friendships, I think.

I don't know, I find it hard to look at him, like I took away his friends, and in a way, I did. I feel so guilty. I wish it would GO AWAY.

I guess we can't shirk our responsibilities.

Anyways, he came up to me, he said not to expect to be friends. I said I didn't, I said I wouldn't blame him for hating me. He said he didn't hate me. I said 'you have every reason to'. He said ' I know, but I don't. Maybe someday, someday we'll be friends'. I said maybe, but not likely.

Not likely at all.

I'm in English, Miss Wilson is droning on about verbs or pro-verbs or something.

Libba just gave me a note:

what are you writing? She's TOTALLY putting me to sleep.

Libba, I LIKE this teacher, don't dis her.

o.k. But what are you writing?

A note 2 you

haha, hilarious.

Journal

after what happened??

uh-ya

why?

It makes me feel better

whatever

could I return to my journal?

B my guest.

What is so strange about writing in this journal? I'm just very attached to it is all, I do need to let out all my penned up feelings.

29/1

penned up feelings? That's only the beginning of it.

Mother's pregnant.

She told me this morning.

I'm going to have another sibling.

Help.

30/1

I've gotten into a habit of writing day-by-day, haven't I? I have absolutely nothing to write, and I find myself pulling this thing out.

I'm at home, it's Wednesday, I just found out my mom's pregnant. Yesterday. Like I don't have ENOUGH going on in my life.

I told Libba, I had to share it, mom said it was okay, just one person. Prissy and Jeffy don't know yet, and won't for several months.

I never really write about P&J, I get so caught up in school, it's hard. They're normal kids, is all, they never have dilemmas- as far as I know. I'm sure they do and don't tell me. They don't need to. I'm just their big sister.

3/2

it's Sunday again, another week gone, long gone.

Nothing has happened since Wednesday, well nothing big. The days just pass, one at a time, one at a time.

We need to write a paper in English, 100 words or more, on any subject of our choice:

Choices We Have In Normal Life

Choices come in any life, whether it's what you'll wear tomorrow, or what you'll eat for dinner.

Some choices are harder then others: will you stand alone or follow the crowd? Is a question every teenager stands up against.

Swings or slides? Is a child's choice.

An adult might find themselves with questions like: one job or another? College or work? Or even something as small as: tea or coffee? Stay home or go out?

Choices are a sign of free mind, of knowledge. Without those two factors, we (humans) could never make choices, we'd be animal, robots, with no free will. The choices we face every day build us. In some small way, they teach us.

Vinny,

I think you have an excellent

idea going here,

maybe the next draft you

could show more examples

of choices, and consequences.

MW

I'm suppose to be working on that during the weekend.

4/2

I couldn't get any motivation, to write the paper that is. Goodness, its harder then writing this thing, almost.

Lori is looking at me again with that look on her face. What does that girl, who has everything want from a social outcast like me? The looks she gives me of contempt, like she knows something I don't, like she knows my secrets.

“It's GONE again” the blond girl cried “it's not anywhere!”

"look again” her friend replied “when is the last time you saw it?”

she shrugged “I don't know”

"maybe you left it in you locker”

5/2

looks like Libba was right, this was in my locker- odd.

No matter, as long as no one read it, I'm fine.

I think.

Gosh, I really should be more sure of myself. :)

I got my paper back!

Choices

Venus Emerson

Choices, we face them every day- what are they really? Are they a way of freedom, perhaps, an ability to control our own lives?

We make a thousand choices a day, without actually thinking about what the choice mean to us, how it will affect our life.

If a person chooses to go to a certain place, rather then another, they may be changing their future. Perhaps going to the other place would have a different effect on their lives.

Choices as small as coffee or tea could have an affect on a whole life.

Bigger choices that a person feels the effect of could change not one, but several lives.

Choices are a sign of understanding, of knowledge, of an open mind, responsibility. These are some of the factors that without them, a person cannot make a choice

Understanding- if a person doesn't understand how the two factors are different, or how they will affect him/her differently, they cannot choose between them.

Knowledge- a person must know what they are choosing between, without knowledge of the object, it is not a choice.

An open mind- a person must be open to the different choices, not be sunk in one path, must believe in change, difference.

Responsibility- the first three factors come along with maturing. When one makes a choice, they must take responsibility for their own choices.

Choices are a choosing between two factors, and involve understanding of the factors, knowledge of the consequences, an open mind to see different choices and responsibility to follow up on the choices.

Vinny,

you're doing great!

Now just add more,

choose what is vital,

what's extra to the report

and what's extra.

And make a connection

between the sentences.

-MW

oh boy, more homework.

6/2

I really have got to stop doing this.

Or not

not the best, not the worst. Not a lot of Michael, sorry.

About the reports- I had to write them!

This chap's kinda random, but oh well, normal weeks DO happen, even to Vinny.

Well: review!!