I think Bethany, the author of the The Word is Love had a very interesting year with many ups and downs. She found out who her true friends are when she experienced downfalls, such as her illness. Those who stayed by her side are the people who truly loved her. This is meaningful to me because something similar happened to me. It wasn't necessarily a downfall that helped me realize who was really there for me. However, retreat helped realized who are my real friends. I cannot explain how it taught me this but I can go into detail on what it taught me. Retreat showed me who is there for me. It is not the friends I have on Facebook, it is not the friends who do not talk to me anymore or ask me how I am doing. It is the people who are close to me, who I can call up now just to say "Hello" for no reason. So that is why friends is my word of the year.

Abortion?

I looked at an archive called John Lennon: Produce your own dream. It is inspiring to me because it says produce your own dream and believe in yourself because anything is possible. It also says you can not wait around for someone to provide it for you, you have to do it yourself. It is especially inspiring at this time of applying to colleges and thinking of a career. This archive is motivating and makes me want to accomplish something great.

"He's Just Not That Into You..."

In the movie He's Just Not That Into You, Gigi reminds me of myself. I used to think certain guys were interested, when really they were not. Just as Gigi did, I would believe little things they did were "signs" that he's into me, for instance if a guy even looked at me I thought they were interested, and I would text the guy all of the time (Oh God). But now that I am older I know if a guy is really interested, he would ask me out and make it happen.

I have also been in Anna and Conor's situation where the guy is too obsessive. Conor seems very clingy and attached. He hopes to take their relationship to the next level but it turns out Anna does not even want to be with him. To be honest, I have broken some hearts also, but that is only because I was not interested.

In class, we have discussed marriage and divorce. We learned about how marriages have their highs and lows. Some married couples work through their lows and others give up. We also learned about how couples rush into marriage just because everyone else is getting married. Janine and Ben relationship rush into marriage, and who knows if they even loved each other or not. They also gave up on their relationship pretty easily and got a divorce in the end.

Snow Day!

I love admiring nature and its beauty. So the Nature, Beauty, and Gratitude Ted Talk Video was very refreshing for me. The video consists of pictures flowers blooming, beaches, and waterfalls taken by Louie Schwartzberg. The pictures were colorful, detailed, exotic, and really caught the beauty of nature.

Schwartzberg talks about how nature opens our hearts and connects us to each other and God. He talks about how we must appreciate and be grateful for nature because it is a gift given to us. I liked in the video when the little girl was being interview and said being in nature is better than watching television because you can have an imagination. We must not take it for granted and spend as much time in it as we can. This video helped me admire nature even more and even appreciate the beauty of the snow outside my house.

A New Vision for the Church

The pope discuses the issue of Americans and greed. The pope says we must consider the poor and share our things. Making excuses and complaining is not tolerated. I think Pope Francis's idea is great because many people need to to open their eyes and help the poor.

Many people get caught up in holiday shopping and tend to think about themselves and their problems only. Typically, people spend so much time in the mall that they begin to think things are what is important in life. Sometimes people think that the newest clothing style or the newest iphone is more important than love and community. While I was on retreat I was separated from all my items (phone, iphone, computer etc.). This helped me realize what is important in life, the people around you, and the people that care about you.

Perspectives On Marriage

In our textbook, it says 90% of teens plan to get married. For me its a little different, I do not really "plan" on getting married because what if I do not find someone I truly love. I think being single is better than just getting married to get married and because everyone else is doing it. Whatever God has in plan for me is my plan.

My parents got married because they were in love and also because they wanted to start a family together. So did my grandparents, although I think my grandparents got married moreso to have children. If I do get married, I will probably have children, but that will not be the reason I am getting married. Because I'd rather focus on finding someone I love and want to be with. Besides the children will be happier with parents in love.

Some say Love...

In a relationship, I seek to find a strong friendship with a person. I hope to laugh a lot and have fun with my spouse. To me, it is important to be able to have interesting conversations with my boyfriend and, at the same time have fun with him, because that what makes a strong, long term relationship. I also think giving him space will also create long term relationships, just so we do not get sick of each other. "I Miss You" is my favorite song by Blink-182. This is a beautiful love song about being "one", because the song includes the lyrics, "You're already the voice inside my head".

Another song by Blink-182, "Always" describes a relationship of love and passion always. The lead singer talks about being with his girl all of the time. The lead singer talks about when they're apart he misses her laugh and her smile, so he wants to hold her always. This is the type of relationship I hope to have, the desire to be with each other alway.

In the song, "Forever And For Always" Shania Twain says "I can still see the look of the one who really loves me. The one who wouldn't put anything else in the world above me. I can still see your love for me in your eyes." "Forever and For Always" is a very beautiful song, she talks about fidelity and foreverness.

"Unconditional" by Katy Perry is about loving her boyfriend/husband unconditionally. And my last example of a love song is "Never Alone" by Lady Antebellum. In this song she sings about how much she loves and cares for her significant other. Some of the lyrics are "Never alone, never alone. I'll be in every beat of your heart when you face the unknown. Wherever you fly this isn't goodbye, my love will follow you, stay with you, baby, you're never alone."