The Music I Love

Music is a part of me. It defines, in a way, who i am and my personality. My favorite kind of music to listen to would have to be country, though it is not the only type that I limit myself too. I can relate to it and most of the time find that the things that the artists are singing about are things that I, myself, have experienced or have some kind of connection too. Some of my favorite country singers include: Taylor Swift, George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Josh Turner, and many more. When I hear their songs I feel a connection, whether it be serious or on a more relative note, that brings out emotions that often relates in some way to events in my life. One of my favorite songs, "That's what I love about Sunday," by Craig Morgan, is a prime example. It's all about the closeness of the family, all the things that he did growing up, and the traditions he lived by. This song reminds me so much of my life because I grew up in a small country town with a big family where everybody knows everybody. My Sunday's were exactly like the song, full of friends and family, singing at church, backyard football, and just hanging around. This is why I love country music. I often feel like they are singing about me or things that I know of.

I can see how music would produce some kinds of boundaries though. Often, people of different races or ethnicity's listen to different types of music and can be viewed differently if they do not follow these norms. In all honesty though, I believe that it shouldn't matter what you listen too because music is an expression of one's self and you should not be limited to this expression based on others ideals.



"That's What I Love About Sunday" - Craig Morgan



"Play Somethin Country" - Brooks and Dunn

Let It Be Known

Anthony Acevedo was a man sworn to silence about the atrocities that he experienced during his containment in a Nazi concentration camp. He was forced to hold in all his emotions and feelings that had built up from years of abuse and torture that he endured and witnessed. However, now 84 years old, Acevedo broke that silence and decided to tell the world about what he had lived through. He spoke out to the world about something that many have a hard time even imagining occurred. It is something that, though it may be difficult to speak about, should be said to protect those in the future from ever experiencing anything like it in later on.

Speaking the Unspeakable

The article I read was called "In Darfur, My Camera Was Not Nearly Enough" by Brian Steidle. He had traveled to Sudan's Darfur region in September 2004 and the sights that he saw were of the unspeakable. Everywhere, as he noted, there were bodies that were either burned, lying dead from severe injuries, or people who wounded so badly that life was not expected. The citizens of the Darfur region were in constant fear for their lives from the attacking enemy, the janjaweed. No where was there a safe place for the residents to hide. The janjaweed attacked everyone from infants to the elderly, pregnant to the disabled. As far as the reason behind this unimaginable violence, a mere conflict between two regions. It is sad to think that complete unmerciful genocide is the only way for the two regions to settle their dispute.

Purpose of Art

My views of art are still pretty much the same. It is a form of expression that is used to display a message to its viewers. Maus uses comic strip pictures to display feelings that he holds about the Holocaust and the events that occurred in Auschwitz. There is no obligation to improve the human condition, however it can express ideas that, if taken seriously, can lead to improvements in life or the way things are carried out. Art can be interpereted differently by everyone and it all depends on how or what you believe the artist is trying convey through their art.

Theo Janson

Theo Janson has created a new form of artificial life called "Animaris." I think it is very interesting how the animals can receive energy from the wind and depend on its feelers to determine what direction to move in. I think that his art, though somewhat bizarre, provides something that can be learned from. I believe that everything is possible and his version of an artificial lifeforms really makes the reader think about the possibilities of what could come in the future, no matter how far fetched the idea.

Results of the election

As far as the election goes, I think that our country is on its way to better things. We needed a change, and by Obama getting elected into office, I believe that that change is on its way. I believe, however, that Obama is going to have a rough time in office at first due to the fact that there are some people that heavily oppose his election as president. The next four years are going to be different, because of a liberal being in office for the first time in several years, but hopefully it is what we need to get our countries economy turned around. Having a democratic dominance in government is something that this country hasn't seen in a while. When it comes to the proposals, I was shocked to see that both of them passed. I did not expect the stem cell research proposal to have any chance at making it, though the medical marijuana was a little more believable. Not that I disagree with both proposals, but there are just some aspects of them that I do not fully agree with.

My Home in Mind

When I think of home, I think of my community,
one group of people acting as one big family,
everybody knows everybody and we all get along,
hanging out, helping one another, our bonds growing strong.

When i think of home, I think of clear blue skies,
long fields of golden grain, and butterflies,
red dirt roads with secrets to keep,
star filled nights with crickets to lull you to sleep.

When I think of home, I think of heaven on Earth,
spending time with my friends and family, a feeling of worth.
There is a sense of comfort, belonging, and security,
an appreciation for nature and its purity.

My home is the country and the country is me.
No place is better then our small, close knit community.

I grew up in the little town of New Boston. It is a community in which everybody knows everybody and all their business. Everyone is very friendly and willing to lend a helping hand whenever it is needed. Crime is unheard of and peace fills the air. Mostly all of New Boston is made of red dirt roads and farm land; the beautiful country with acres of open land. With only a couple small family owned restaurants, two gas stations, and two tiny convenience stores, it is hard to go anywhere without seeing someone you know. Conflicts rarely occur, but when they do they are usually minor about irrelevant things and are easily settled. I cannot recall there ever being anything occur in my community that only the residents would know besides a few crimes here and there, because they were so unheard of, and arguments over the urbanization of our country land. Otherwise, it is, in my opinion, the perfect place to live.

Restaurant Review

KATE'S KITCHEN

Have you ever heard the saying "size isn't everything?" Well, that is defiantly something to consider when visiting Kate's Kitchen. This small, yet mighty restaurant on the edge of the Huron River in Flat Rock, MI offers up a very comfortable and friendly environment that is loved and adored by many.

Visiting Kate's is often an anticipated trip for several customers; however, the wait to get into such a popular place is its only downfall. Being such a small restaurant with no reservation availability, the line to get into Kate's usually stretches half way around the outside of the building itself. Luckily for the customers, the river and view of Huron Park provide nice scenery for the wait outside.

Especially known for their breakfasts, Kate’s Kitchen is open for only the first half of the day from about 7 a.m.-2 p.m. This little restaurant has been serving up great food to its loyal customers for over 25 generations and continues to maintain the quality country home cooking that is adored among its fans. However, it is not just the warm, hearty breakfasts that people from all over flock there for; Kate’s is also a bakery, serving up a wonderful selection of homemade pies, cookies, and pastries.

Upon my visit with my family of six, we were greeted by a smiling, friendly server and seated promptly. Drinks were offered up almost immediately including a wide variety of sodas, juices, coffee, milk, and tea. The ordering of our food was shortly after. Serving up anything from breakfast, to a small selection of “brunch” meals to any fresh baked dessert of the day, it is almost impossible to leave there with an empty stomach. With only a small wait for our food, I was soon overwhelmed with a large stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes covered in sweet syrup, a humble portion of crisp, golden hash browns, and three strips of bacon cooked to a crunchy perfection. Other delicious meals include their tasty omelets, customized to your liking, delectable biscuits and gravy, which are some of the best I have ever had, and a large variety of sweet smelling, fresh baked breads and pies. They definitely make you feel like you are back at grandma’s house. Their generous portions, fast service, and inviting atmosphere make for a wonderful start to anyone’s morning. As any loyal customer would say, “Kate’s is the way to start off your day!”

Although Kate’s Kitchen is small and does not seem like it has much to offer, those who have been could definitely agree that Kate sure knows the way to a happy stomach, and wallet. With prices ranging from three to five dollars for a breakfast meal, four to six for brunch, and only about five dollars for a whole scrumptious pie, it is easy fill up cheap. So what are you waiting for, get out and visit Kate!

Photo credits: pancake photo by soul food for comfort. all other photos by Ashleigh Brewer