This is good.
I've had a lot on my mind lately so let's see where this post goes... I'm not promising cohesiveness.

First of all, my birthday was Monday and I'm now seventeen! I know, I'm having trouble believing it myself. So that's exciting...

Here's an idea I came up with in pre-calc the other day... Why don't we have career guided high school programs? If we were able to enroll in programs at our high school with classes particular to our career paths we would eliminate many needless classes which are currently required for graduation. Honestly, while computers and chemistry might be helpful to some people, it isn't to everyone. Neither is AP calculus. For example, I'm going to become an elementary school teacher. Wouldn't it make more sense if I took classes that would help me reach that goal? Besides, when you force students to take classes they are uninterested in they become unmotivated, frustrated, and in many cases drop out of school. We waste countless hours, infinite energy and stress over classes that won't influence us in our fast approaching futures. Clearly somebody agrees with me because this is how high school is in many European countries. For those who aren't sure what they want to do with their lives yet, there could always be a general program much like the one we all have to comply with currently.

Another thing, I don't want to drop any names, but RAT A TAT TAT is like my Nellie Oleson. For anyone who is confused, Nellie Oleson was a classmate of Laura Ingalls Wilder and though they knew each other for most of their childhoods, they never got along. Despite their differences, Laura, encouraged by her parents, strived to approach Nellie in a compassionate manner. Now, if it hasn't become clear by this point, I LOVE the Little House on the Prairie series- books, TV show, as well as some other works by Laura. This realization has helped me reach a new goal and yet another realization- just because I don't agree with the things RAT A TAT TAT does or the way she portrays herself doesn't mean she's a bad person and she is also a child of God. So I am trying to remember this when I am around her or feel the urge to say bad things about her. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds.

On a different note, boys are dumb, throw rocks at them. Just kidding, that wouldn't be kind. But for real, I'm so sick of players. If you know an awesome guy who loves Jesus, send him my way.

I bought myself, my brother Dominic, and my best guy friend Josh tickets to a concert today. On February fifth we are going to the Palace to see Avenged Sevenfold, Hollywood Undead, and Stone Sour. It will be interesting for sure. It will be Dominic's first concert and I haven't told him yet, I'm going to surprise him when the tickets come. The only band I listen to is Avenged, but Dom loves Hollywood Undead and Avenged so it will be perfect.

I'm sure you've heard of Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, one of my favorite bands. I also used to be "in love" with him when I was twelve, although it much more of an infatuation. Anyway, it's been brought to my attention that he is now the only member of his band who isn't married or has a kid. Also, as far as I know, he's recently reconnected with God, however, I get the sense that he doesn't realize how far God's love for him stretches. I honestly feel like God has placed this on my heart for a reason and I would appreciate it if you would help me in lifting him up in prayer so that whatever is going on in his life he feels fulfilled from the simplicity of knowing Him.

Another prayer request, if you could just pray for all of my grandparents it would be awesome. My grandpa, who is almost 89, is losing motivation and is struggling with depression, whether he'll admit or not. My grandma, lives alone, is endlessly lonely and has depreciating health. To be frank she's also lost her mind. My other grandma, has dementia and is doing pretty well right now but I always worry. In addition to my grandparents, I would like to lift my older brothers and my father in prayer for reasons I don't feel like going into.

I think this is where I'm going to stop for the night, but it breaks my heart to see all of the people in the world who have found their soul mates but in one way or another have lost them. I've seen so many people throw their lives away as a result and even if they find another, it will never be the same. I lift this up to God tonight, it is really heavy on my heart right now.