Most of the below were assignments for some class or the other, and I can't vouch for their quality, since some are years old (the oldest were written when I was 10 or 11).

Any kind of review is welcome, even flamers, so please review!

Quotes: "Common sense is in spite of, not because of, education.";

"The worst is not, so long as we can say, 'This is the worst'."

"When people agree with me, I always feel that I must be wrong.""

"He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it."

"Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him."

And my favorite: The important point of spiritual practice is not to try and escape your life, but to face it - exactly and completely. Dainin Katagiri

I have several stories/novel things in the workings...but most are too rough draft to post here. Email me if you're interested in reading.

More About Me (Just in case you were interested, and 'cause I was bored):

~All About Me~

Name: Ava

Nicknames: ummm

Age: 16

Blood Type: don't know

DOB: January 2, 1991

Sexuality: I have a girlfriend. She's wonderful.

Occupation: Student

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Rising Sign: Taurus

Chinese Year: Year of the Horse

Natural Hair Color: umm, dark blonde?

Current Hair Color: Dark blonde

Eye Color: depends on mood

Nationality: American, I guess, with Native American and Canadian French heritage.

Religious Affiliation: not sure

Political Affiliation: Very liberal and proud of it. Pro-choice, anti-Bush, pro-gay rights...the whole nine yards.

Popularity: controversial

Love Interests: my girlfriend

Likes: writing, reading, drawing, running, playing any kind of rough contact sport (like football), hiking, camping, mountain biking, any kind of traveling, talking to my friends, French, most animals, hanging out, volleyball...and much more that I'll think of and write later

Dislikes: bugs, spiders, crabs, liars, posers, people who are TOO happy, Bush, any right winger, organized religion, people trying to shove their religion down my throat, vegetables, TV, idolized celebrities, and I HATE HATE HATE public speaking

Personality: Really reserved, kind of aloof. But I always have a lot of friends. Lots and lots of friends. And they're awesome. I love them all. But anyways, I can be considered mean I guess, and I'm definitely very vocal in standing up for what I believe. I don't let other people walk on me, and though I usually know the answers to things, I'll go out of my way not to answer. I hate to lose and I really hate arrogant, conceited people, even though I've been called that (and lots more) more than once. I also dislike clinginess.

Generic School Label: Know-it-all, and the person you go out of your way NOT to make angry.

Generic Online Label: Debater and advice giver

Fears: Ummm, geese...spiders, rats, mice, dragonflies that like to chase you, and humming birds, being alone

~Ways To Contact Me~

AIM: tuaimelepelican

~My Hobbies~

Writing: I used to write a lot, got out of the habit, and am slowly trying to start up again.

Drawing: I love to draw!!!!! In fact I love any kind of art...even though I'm not the best at some types. Charcoal is probably my favorite.

Singing: yeah. i sing

Acting: Did I mention I hate public speaking?

Reading: I'll read anything and everything I can get my hands on.

Eating: I do not believe eating is a hobby...and if it is to anyone, please, don't tell me. I'd rather be ignorant.

Hiking: My favorite trails are the AT, just about anything at Dupont, Clingman's Dome (not the actual dome but the trails around there), Hanging Lake trail in Colorado, stuff in Yellowstone, and many, many more.

Sports: These include, but are not limited too: Football, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Horseback Riding

~My Favorites~

Cartoons: Ummmm, I dislike the TV. Meaning, I don't watch cartoons...never really saw the point.

Characters: Ah, so many to choose from. I'd have to say just about anyone from one of Amelia Atwater-Rhode's books, Lizzie and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and Harri from The Blue Sword. Many more of course, but I don't want to think right know.

Food: Anything really, really spicy.

Soda: Anything, as long as it has loads of caffeine. Yeah, I'm another of the multitudes completely enslaved to the substance.

Color: Black, and silver, cerulean blue too.

Number: 3

Video Games: I'm trying to preserve my intelligence.

Computer Games: see above

Movies: Star Wars, Master and Commander, Erin Brokovitch, Lord of the Rings (though the books are SOOO much better), Rabbit-proof Fence (which was perhaps the saddest movie I've ever seen), The Devil Wears Prada and of course Step Up. only like the best movie ever.

Books: WAY, WAY too many. Pride and Prejudice, Anna Karenina, War and Peace, The Blue Sword, The Jungle, Harry Potter (except for the 5th), anything by Dianna Wynne Jones, anything by Mark Twain, The Named, The Dark, City of the Beasts, Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Watership Down (one of my all time favorites), Brave New World (everyone should read that), Shakespeare, poems by Emily Dickinson and Maya Angelou, 1984, Animal Farm, the Starvaganza series, basically I'll read anything once.

TV Shows: How many more times do I have to say it?

Music: Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Alanis Morisette, No Doubt, Evanesence, Enya,Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls, K. D. Lang, Everything But The Girl, Poe, Alana Davis, Ani Difranco, Sheryl Crow, Pink, Anna Nalick, Michelle Branch, Joan Jett, Natalie Merchant, Cordero (awesome), Shawn Colvin, Loreena McKinnitt, Taking Back Sunday, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eisley, Cute is What We Aim For, Damien Rice, 30 Seconds to Mars.