please delete

[quiixxy]

It started since I was at least 10. My step dad had called me names and done things to me that could never be mentioned. My mom, as a result, told me it was never my fault and gave me my first pack of sharpies and a notebook. Going wild I started drawing,making up my own characters, and writing! Ever since then I loved to write, draw, and do anything creative. I decided around sixth or seventh grade I would get a Master's Degree in creative writing and entered in any creative writing I could enter in. In fifth grade I did a contest against drugs and bullying and surprisingly won! In seventh grade I won a young writer's award and that set me off! Ever since then I've entered plenty of contest in my little state of Pennsylvania and kept writing. I now live with my Mother, two step brothers, and my mom's new husband. I write just about everyday from my own stories, little fanfictions, and essays! I particularly love to write my own creative stories and enter essay contests about history. Even sometimes collaborating with my best friend to write idiot and immature stories about Marching Band in our free time! Writing is something I take seriously and hope to someday go to a major university to do Creative Writing and possibly become an English Language Art Teacher! I might even apply to an art school.

I'm applying for;

SunBack

BEG

UR Cinnamon

[Minigunner]

Mark

[Lacuna]

Poetry Slam

From the stage the emcee professes, "If you have never done this before, then that's exactly what I'm looking for." He surveys the crowd as the fidget in their seats, unused to the focus being on them. He's asking for people to judge the forthcoming entertainment as, "there could be no show without them." Hands slowly raise, halfway or less. A man who might be a plumber or an electrician, still dressed in overalls. Someone young enough to be a high school student. A couple, who will calculate their scores together. A woman in a floral dress with shockingly white hair. It is different every time, and I love the community of people from different walks of life that this art brings together. Once he has all five he hands everyone a white board and a dry erase marker and smiles, ready to start the show.

"Poetry slam was invented in the 1980's by a Chicago construction worker named Marc Smith," he announces. "So what?!" those veterans of the crowd and the poets from the green room yell in response, startling a few shy audience members. They haven't yet realized that this performance is nothing if not interactive. He continues on to detail the rules, eliciting a boo when he reminds them there is to be no nudity. Poets will each have three minutes to perform a poem that is their own, original work. The judges will then judge them on a scale of 0.0 to 10.0, Olympics style, where the lowest and highest scores are dropped and the middle three are added together. The highest scoring poets move on to the next round based on nothing more than public opinion.

I am a poet, waiting in the acoustically challenged green room behind the stage. I have memorized poetry of my own creation in preparation for this modern take on oral tradition. I do not know how the audience will respond to my work, but what is important to me is that I am putting it out there and it is authentic to my experience. I do not write to please other people, but to work out things for myself and share them with others so they might gain something from my experiences. I also write for the pure artistry of doing so, as a well crafted metaphor is nothing if not satisfying. Those teachers who tried to tell you that the poet wrote that line for a reason? Well, for myself at least, this is true. There is meaning hidden beneath the surface when I step out onto the stage, blinded by lights but still trying to make eye contact with as many audience members as possible. There's a lot you can do when you have the microphone.

At its core poetry slam is a venue for artists to perform their work and spread their message. Though it is a competition many an emcee can be heard announcing, "The point is not the points, the point is the poetry," if the judges deliver a score the audience doesn't agree with, often evidenced by loud booing in support of the performer. These events bring together a diverse community that is, in general, supportive of its members but also able to call out poor behavior and address it if the need arises. Poetry slam is something that has been near to my heart for almost ten years now, from high school where we were just a small group of kids imitating our idols to today, when I have the chance to compete for a place on a national stage and meet those people that so inspired me in the past. Poetry slam is always encouraging me to improve my performance, educate myself on issues, and listen to what others have to say. I can say with honesty that I do not know where I would be without it.


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I am applying for:
1. Blue Balloon
2. Orange Cerberus
3. Clear Eyed Galaxy
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[Additional information about poetry slam that I wrote but didn't include in my actual entry due to length constraints. Feel free to read it if you like, but you're more than welcome to disregard it.]


Code: Select all

The history of performance poetry extends far beyond 1984 when Marc Smith was credited with popularizing it. Ancient poetry such as Homer's Odyssey was often performed for audience entertainment, the epic metaphors and similes and engaging reading style lending credence to the moniker of performance. Poetry has long been a part oral tradition around the world, from many different cultures. Ancient Korean poetry was characterized by its oral performance. The Merina people of Madagascar are the culture primarily associated with the art of Hainteny, or a traditional form of oral poetry that is characterized by its use of metaphor and proverbs called ohabolana. The Aqyns from the Kazakh and Kyrgyz cultures are poets who perform improvised poetry and song. In more modern times, the Beat Poets challenged academic poetry with performance in the former half of the 19th century, and in the 1970s hip-hop rose as a non-traditional way of performing poetry.

While it is important not to forget the roots of spoken word and performance poetry, the culture of poetry slam today is its own socio-political movement characterized by performances about whatever the poets are passionate about. A poet could perform about the current political climate, sexism, racism, love, overcoming personal adversity, or any topic that they feel they can address creatively. The environment of a poetry slam allows people to speak on issues they might not feel comfortable bringing up in an average conversation, and to start that conversation after the show. Often, poets perform their works from memory, often lending to a more engaging performance and harkening back to its oral roots, but there is no hard and fast rule about memorization. Instead, poets are simply reminded that they may not be accompanied by music or perform with props or costumes.

The local poetry slam is a good place to get your feet wet in the world of modern performance, but it is not the only venue. Poetry Slam Inc. has created a worldwide collective and hosts annual slam competitions around the United States where the top poets on Earth are invited to compete for honors. Association of College Unions International (ACUI) also hosts an annual national poetry slam competition for American college and university students. Poets and art appreciators attend these events from all over the world to experience these events, which would be nothing without the audiences and fans who patronize them.

[iuno.]

bump!

[/trainwreck/]

Username: Kosher Noodle
Application for: 1. Sunback 2. Blue Eyed Galaxy 3. Clydesdale Horse
Topic: Marching Band

There are very few things that I do in this world that I truly remember. The one feeling I know I will never forget is the very first time I marched onto my high school's football field. Each and every performance gives me this shock that flows through my body, pumping through each of my veins. I feel it in my fingers and chest, heart and head. It's a beautiful thing. The tight chin strap from your hat that is still falling over your eyes no matter how tight it is, the unbelievably annoying wedgie and itch, the field lights shining in your eyes and the potholes in your field are what makes every Friday night a good night. Even when it is below zero and snowing, the second you step onto that field you feel it. You have worked tirelessly for months perfecting a seven minute show with one hundred other people. These are the people that, for an instant, you realize that you are alive and breathing with. This is the moment when you realize what teamwork is and what it means to be a family. It's all in that first moment, that first step you take on the field.

For me, it breaks my heart knowing that this will be my final year marching. I am going onto my forth year as a member of this band. I have started out as a clueless rookie, the only freshman flute, and the only flute player marching that year, to now, the flute section leader. This year, we are nine members strong. This is the biggest my section has been in five years or more. It is all just so crazy for me to think about. Four years ago, I would never imagine being here, in this very spot. I couldn't imagine ever being the flute section leader. Last year, I gave up my chances at it to be apart of the color guard. However, in a sudden turn of events, we lost our beloved band directors and color guard coach. It was at this moment when I realized that I would be needed more than ever. We have a band program now with a lot of holes and patches that need to be filled and fixed. Many people who have stood by my side for the last eight years are now leaving if they have not yet already. Everything has changed so much. But, when it comes down to it, I still have my family. My band. My section.
I will still have my memories and I will still continue to make more.
But, when it all comes down to it, I will still remember my step onto that football field. My first breath after my first performance. I will remember my failures and my accomplishments.
Most importantly, I will remember the valuable life lessons I learned here, on this muddy, poor excuse of a football field.

[bubblegumjello]

Archery

If you went back in time to this time last year and told me that I enjoy archery, I'd look at you as if you were an alien. I was the laziest kid in class, and everyone knew it. Even the teachers gave up on me. If there was a way to get out of anything physical, I'd be on the path faster than you can say "cheater."

Anyways, skip forward 3 months to August, the beginning of my high school experience. I was lucky enough to get into a college prepatory school. This school, (I'll call it Fruit Loops due to privacy) makes us take college classes. (I literally cannot graduate if I don't take at least 5 specific classes.) Fruit Loops pays for our classes, as long as we pass them. Due to this, Fruit Loops does not have a sports or lunch program. The only sport they had was archery, and there was no way I was going to do that, or so I thought.

One day after school, my mom was unable to pick me up, so I was stuck at school for another hour. That day just so happened to be the day the archery team was having their beginning of the year recruitment meeting. Since I had nothing else to do, I went. I half-listened to their speech and then signed a paper that I would join. If I didn't like it, I can just quit, at least those were my thoughts at the time.

The first practice was so much fun. Of the hour we practiced, I missed about 10 arrows. I was the only one at practice with a left-handed bow, even though I'm right-handed. This is because my left eye isn't dominant. Should I shoot with a right-handed bow (and I've tried) I will not shoot as accurately.

I decided to go to the next practice, then the one after that, and the one after. I never went to tournaments though, they were too far out (we had to drive at least 2 hours to each one), and I was too nervous. In January, however, my friend convinced to go to one.

I was at target 19, and I was paired up with a girl from another team. At first, we were both quiet, as I was told not to talk, everyone takes it seriously and you are frowned upon if you do. After our third round, however, I started to go a little crazy. Here I was, teamed up with a stranger, and I hadn't even introduced myself. So, I broke the sacred law and started a conversation. Apparently, it was also her first time, and she also had no idea what she was doing. I was immensely relieved to find out I wasn't the only one.

I don't know what place I got, all I know is I scored 175 points (not too bad if I say so myself). Two months later in March, was the state competition. The requirement to go was to go to at least one other tournament. Since I qualified, I decided I would go. What did I have to lose?

I don't remember much about state, to be completely honest. All I know is that it was hotter than hell and I was stuck outside for an hour and a half. I never was told what my score was, but I definitely didn't place high. I know something was wrong with my bow so my arrows weren't being fired correctly. I'm not mad though, everyone who plays archery is super nice. No one is super competitive and calls you out for your mistakes.

Come August, I plan to join again. I did not think an after-school coincidence would become a passion. Overall, I'm glad I went, even if it was out of chance.

Thank you for allowing us to have this opportunity, you are very kind!

I am applying for:
1. Faves♡
2. | Store pets |
3.Cinnabun

[iuno.]

The Joy of Cats

I'm not a very passionate person, I never have been. But the one thing I can think of, the only thing that comes to my mind when asked about what I'm passionate about, is animals, specifically cats. Ever since a young age I have loved animals. Although I've had quite a handful of bad encounters with them (one including going to the hospital to get stitches), I've never stopped loving any of them. I don't usually like to pick favorites, but my favorite animal would have to be the cat. My two house cats are probably my favorite things in the world. I'd like to share my story with you of how cats became the loves of my life:

When I was a baby, my parents had a cat named Maggie. They both adored her, but they had to get rid of her because she was having problems with me. She was extremely jealous of me because before I came, she had both of my parent's undivided attention. As soon as I came around, Maggie noticed that my parent's full attention was no longer on her which angered her. She started peeing out of her litter boxes and making messes in the house, so unfortunately my parents were forced to give her away. The years following Maggie leaving, my parents were very hesitant to get another pet, especially a cat. They didn't get any other pets and didn't plan to until I begged them to get me a pet (which happened to be a cat). By the time I was in kindergarten I started showing signs that I was a fan of animals, particularly cats and bunnies. A little over a year later when I was in first grade I convinced them to get me a cat for my seventh birthday.

I named the cat Ghost (even though he had no white coloring on him at all and was quite the opposite of a ghost). He was the best thing that had ever happened to me in my life. I've had very bad diagnosed OCD since I was very young. My OCD has always gave me a great amount of stress and anxiety and as a little kid that was never fun. Coco was the best thing that had ever happened to me in my life because he always helped me through the rough parts of my days. He could always tell when I was upset or stressed out and he would immediately be by my side to comfort me. I think that Ghost is the reason cats are are so important to me. To this very day, though he is getting rather old, he never fails to be there for me and be one of my best friends.

The other main reason I love cats so much would have to be my other cat, Rocky (or Persimmon or Rachmaninoff or Rockstar or one of the other many nicknames we have for him). I got him for my twelfth birthday (after once again begging my parents to let me get him). He's so much different than Ghost and always has been. He's always extremely hyper and is the best lap-cat I've ever met while Ghost is more laid back and much more independent. The one thing that they do have in common, though, is how comforting they are. They can always tell when I'm not feeling well or when my parents aren't feeling well. It's like there's sadness or whatever emotion I'm feeling radiating off of me and they're the first ones to feel it.

Many people don't like cats, and some of those people have never even gave them a chance. Cats are (at times) portrayed as mean animals who hiss at people and scratch them until they bleed. While this may be true for some cats, it is definitely not true for all of them. What I say to the people who say that they hate cats is that they should give them a chance or even a second chance if they've had a bad experience with them because everyone deserves a second chance, don't they? The ones who aren't nice may have had bad experiences with humans and animals don't always know how to give second chances, but humans do! If you can be nice and show them you mean no harm to them, they may reciprocate and be kind to you. If they're not, leave them be or else you're asking to get bit or scratched! It is true that some cats are not the friendliest, but if you find the right cat, you're guaranteed to have a great companion for many years to come!

It was easily the best decision of my life to adopt a cat. They're intelligent, independent, and a great pet to have if you like to play and have occasional snuggles. When I become an adult, I plan on adopting many more to bring joy to my life. They all have such different personalities and amazing looks and in all honesty, if I could, I would adopt them all.

I'm applying for:
1. Sunback
2. BEG
3. | Store pets |

Thank you so much for this oppourtunity!
I wish you all the luck in your life:)

[Niragi]

Dear You,

To be honest, I've had to think about anything to write about until today, I just don't have much that motivates me anymore besides CS due to too much stress from my finals. It's so exhausting and at times I feel like giving up, but I remind myself of what I want to achieve, what I need to achieve.

I've been lonely most of my life, it's nothing bad, I even learned to enjoy it in a way. I'm just not the type of person to change myself to be friends with the "popular people", as they would call themselves. So obviously I turned to books and the Internet, trying to make friends online to make the emptiness disappear. I'm not a native english speaker and I haven't learned much in school either until a few years ago so I simply taught myself through lots of hours using dictionaries and movies.

Now, a few years later, I realized that this is my passion. Not only the English language, but learning languages by myself. I love to study them and being able to understand others in a way that I couldn't before, it gives me hope to somehow be able to help someday, to at least be a tiny bit useful for once in my life.

I have decided to focus on Korean now, and that's exactly what this is about, what life is about, figuring out who you are, what you desire, not having to fake your feelings or hiding your true self - no matter who you were born as or where, it only matters who you want to be and who you truly are. I don't feel right where I live right now, I just don't belong here in a way. It might take me years or even decades, but I hope to one day have a simple life in Korea, Seoul to be exact. The culture and atmosphere simply stuns me everytime, I have watched as many documentaries about the life there as I have given up on people who wanted me to not be myself.

If you, or anyone else, reads this essay, please do what you want to do. Don't force yourself to change for the sake of anyone else, life is too short to sacrifice your own happiness. Live while you're able to, do crazy things, fulfill your dreams, help others, find freedom in your own body. Don't let anything hold you back, at times you may feel restricted by certain things but life isn't about making hasty decisions, it's about learning to love not only living itself but learning to love living as yourself. Stay true to yourself, find yourself and you'll realize that no matter what, life truly is worth living.


I'm applying for:
1| Blue Balloon Dog
2| Cinnabun
3| BEG


Thank you for this opportunity!

[Smaug The Dragon]

Hello. I am Smaug The Dragon, but you can call me smaug.
I am a girl who is absolutely obsessed with Dinosaurs. An example will include, that the velociraptor in the Jurassic park and world movie were not valid size. In fact, the valid size of a velociraptor is actually smaller. It is about the height of a grown mans leg,
possibly lower. I have gotten into dinosaurs sense I was about 2-3 years old. I was 3 when I first said the word, paleontologist. Ever sense then, I have always been interested in dinosaurs, and wanted to be a paleontologist. I have been deciding on what colleges to go to already. I have always been passionate about this career. I even know a paleontologist. We went to his working lab in the college and he gave me a 3D printed Utahraptor claw. I know a lot about dinosaurs, and hope to be a paleontologist when I grow up. My mother also prints out dinosaur articles to read. I would be thrilled to have this as a job.

Pets/ groups of choice:
1. Orange cerb
2. Sunback
3. Blue-eyed galaxy

Thank you ~Smaug

P.S. You are simply amazing! No words can describe the type of amazing person you are! ^-^

[:-(]

W h o ~ A m ~ I ?
aww, seriously?!

Doesn't anyone ever feel depressed, blank in the emotions, maybe even worthless? It makes you ask yourself one question; "Who am I?"
Everyone has their own role in life. If they don't know who they are, they haven't discovered themselves yet. Some like to pursue dreams; successful, hardworking souls. They reach sky-high expectations, grasping the morality of life. Some are religious; loyal to their God(s), their will for life will always be for their Master. Some want to be role models, usually celebrities, for they are one with a born talent. Then there are those who have more freedom than the rest, the ones who go "Ahh, I become who I want!" These people are amazingly dedicated to hobbies, and know what they are doing and what toll is their life heading to. You know what all of these 4 people have in common?
They know who they are.

I, a sad, sorry soul, not discovering who I am. What do I do with life, where am I going? Aha- this is where hobbies come in. It may be merely drawing, playing games, watching television, sports. But they all have different roads, which lead to- maybe, arts- design,
fashion, animation maker. Games- one day, you'll be inspired to make a game yourself. Coding. Television? Acting, singing, stage acts,
the limits! Sports.. you may REPRESENT your country.. "Make yourself proud with those medals, hun'." (But let's admit it, everyone loves games.)
See the pattern?

My passion would always be about my hobbies! Arts, gaming, I train myself to draw so that one day, I can make a webcomic. That's my dream. Gaming? I'm currently learning coding but I'm still a loser at it. Arts has been in my grasp since I was 4. I grabbed a pencil. The walls were my paper. Oh- don't worry! I drew terrible that time. I'm not a Mary Sue. Everyday, I will always pursue my given talent,
and of course games- makes me feel happy 'bout myself.

Even though hobbies are one thing, don't always forget about humanity acts and contribution. No one likes bullies, animal abuse,
cruelty, anger, bad accidents. If you ever find yourself doing something bad enough to danger a human, stop. No one likes it.
What should you do? Be kind, generous, always help. Don't be cocky! One good deed leads to many good thoughts. Always give out help. Maybe the poor, maybe the unwealthy, maybe the homeless, those that are in need, the possibilities are endless!

Lastly, don't you see the pattern here? Hobbies, human contribution, your attitude.. It all traps us up in one category- who are we?
Once you find out your hobbies, contribution, and attitude, you'll finally find put who you are. This way, no one feels angry with themselves. Alas, as I say- who I am is what I am proud of. What I am happy for. I'm shameless to be who I am.

And then, you'll find my PASSION.

Signing, snowy

1;; Sunback
2;; BEG
3;; UR Bengal (omg my c00t lil hunn)