~Alhana 

If you're lucky enough to have grandparents, visit them, cherish them, and celebrate them while you can. 

-Regina Brett

Why must you be such a stressor in my life? Is it not enough that I work two jobs, attempt to nurture my relationships in life, and go to school as a full-time student? There are so many of us struggling to make it out alive of this hopeless, accumulating, monstrosity. How in the world do you expect me to pay you back to the money-hungry people we call the government? By the time I finish with my degree, go onto an even higher educational institution, and find a job that hires people in my profession, I will be ankle deep with stress and worry.

My interest is already building as I continue to embark on my journey in college, and as soon as I graduate, that interest will skyrocket, and I will have to start paying hundreds of dollars more a month in order to keep up with my loans.

My life of loans makes me feel like I am in my own circle of Hell from which I cannot seem to claw my way out of; no matter how hard I try. Within the past ten years, college tuition alone has increased a substantial amount, but the pay I receive does not. The meager amount I make has to pay for my car insurance, health insurance, house payment, utilities, and groceries. Now, how in the world would I ever get the chance to make a make a chip into my so-called "ice berg" of debt? 

Sure, I will graduate, and (hopefully) get a good paying job, but then what? It will take me at least 20 years to get myself out of my $300,000 balance I owe. I have to jump through hoops in order to get a degree, and even then, I am not guaranteed a job once I venture off into the "real world." 

Is it not possible to lighten up a little bit? Is there no hope for the millions of people that want to get an education, but can't because they can't afford it? You, my friend, are the enemy of billions--past, present, and future.

Debt is the slavery of the free.

-Publilius Syrus

Sure, she might annoy me at times, but since I go to school in a different area, I hardly feel that compulsion to give her a big bear hug (around the neck). Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

I remember those early days when she used to sit in a beanbag chair, and cry for her mother EVERY day when she was dropped off at school. I mean thank God she outgrew that, because that would really be embarrassing if she went to work everyday and cried for her mother...

However, don't let me mislead you; she has not always been the crybaby! Ever since I could remember, she has always been a spitfire of a person. She used to be the devil child of all awful little children when she was younger. She never let any boy kick her around, and she used to boss around anyone who stayed still long enough to listen to her. I mean the picture above could give you a clue of how mean she can get if you get on her bad side. 

Nonetheless, I still loved her for all her imperfections and perfections. As we grow older, I have come to see that our relationship grows stronger. I consider her more of a sister than a friend. She has seen me at my best and at my worst. We pick one another up when we fall, and hold each other up when we need it. I don't think I would ever change a thing about her. We may fight, and we may bicker, but at the end of the day our love is thicker. I love that girl to the moon and back!

~Alhana 

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.

-Arnold H. Glasow

A few months ago I saw that my journal was at the end of its pages, and thought it time to get a new one. This time, I wanted a really old fashioned journal. I wanted one that was leather bound and had really thick paper. I wanted one that spoke to me when I touched its cover and smelled its paper; I just didn't know where to find one yet.

In November, my younger brother got me a feather fountain pen, with a couple bottles of ink; like those ones you see in a different era. I knew that that pen would go great with the right kind of paper, but I needed to learn how to write in a beautiful sort of way. I have always wanted to take a calligraphy class, but I just have never had the time. I thought it would be perfect to start teaching myself different writing techniques. Since, I started my last journal, I have only written in cursive, and my writing has improved tremendously. The slant of my letters look professional, and each word tends to speak to me in a different way. 

Now, whenever I went into Barnes and Nobles, I would always look in the journal section, and try to find the perfect match for me. I spent months trying to pick out one that I wanted. I went to a few unique stores that sold only journals, but I never could find the "right" one. From December to June, I have been on the prowl, and I can finally say I have recently acquired the perfect fit! I went into Barnes and Nobles looking for a new book that I could read, and I naturally went over to the writing section. I looked through the journals, and came across one that was hidden in the back of the shelves. I picked it up and saw perfection. It was a simple journal, with very thick off-white pages. I knew that it was as good a time as any to buy it, and so I did.

However, I knew I was missing something, which was a pen. The feather pen my brother got me was not for this journal because the ink would smear, and it would take awhile to write, since I would have had to keep dipping the pen into the bottle. I went on another search for a new pen. I wandered into staples, and went to look at the ballpoint pens (I am very particular with what I write with). However, I glanced at a shelf of these beautiful pens that were locked in a display. I was transfixed by all the beautiful colors and types of pens in this glass case. I came across one in particular that caught my eye. It was a black and gold fountain pen. It was beautiful, but alas the price was $150. I knew that I would not be able to buy a pen that expensive. I looked at the prices of each one and saw that none were less than $30. I had never bought a pen that was over $5, so I was very hesitant to buy something this expensive. Just when I was about to pass over these magnificent pens, I saw a purple fountain pen that had caught my eye. It was sleek, and very beautiful. I asked a worker if they could take it out, so I could have a look at it. I fell in love with this one. I looked at the price and saw that it was $45. I was having a hard time deciding whether I should buy it or not, but I looked at my grocery list and saw at the very bottom that I had put "buy an awesome pen to go with my awesome journal," and so I made up my mind to invest in it.

I bought 2 packs of refills for the pen, and $60 later, I was on my way out of the store and into my car. I rushed home, because I could not wait to play with this little gadget. I took it out and placed the ink inside the pen, and let me tell you, it wrote fantastically. It glides on the paper like water glides down a stream. I can honestly say that this is one of the best investments I've made in awhile. 

My lesson of the day is that if your heart is really into something, and you know it can be of use to you, then go for it. Buy what you want, no matter the price, because inspiration is priceless. I have found out that my paper and pen is all the inspiration I need to create, learn, and discover. 

~Alhana 

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. 

-Amelia Earhart

Everyone has one of those stories that seem too good to be true. They have an event that could have been taken out of a book or a movie. It's one of those events that take place that make you think about whether or not the stories were actually real; maybe they were based off real life events, and are not just those corny moments that directors think will give people hope that this will happen to them.
When it happens, you think to yourself, "No way, that did not just happen."  It is one of those times where you take a closer look at your whole being, and your little story stays with you for a while--no matter how small or how big. I think at one point or another everyone will have one of those epic experiences that have the potential of being a beacon of hope for the one facing it. Well, here is mine:

I was working at the store a little while ago, and was recently asked by a boy about my age, whom I had never seen before, if I was enjoying my day.
I said, "Oh Yeah!" with a plastered grin I keep on my face when anyone comes in.
He looked at me with a peculiar look on his face and replied, "Really, because I would not have thought working at this place was enjoyable."
I smiled at him and said, "I had been working here for a long time. It is a comfort to me at this point."
He then gave me a thoughtful look, and asked if I was happy. I immediately replied, "yes." But then he asked again, "No, you misunderstand me, are you actually happy. Is the happiness real or are you hiding the pain?"
I thought about it for a moment and smiled again. I replied back once more with the same answer. "Yes, I am happy."
He continued to look at me with a speculative expression. After a moment of silence and staring he responded, "Most people would have dropped their careful facade of happiness by now, and showed the pain they were in, but not you, why?"
I thought about my next answer for a bit, and it was one of those moments where you know exactly what to say. There were no regrets, or words being tripped over. The answer was so perfect, and so eloquent that even I didn't know I had it in me. So, I replied back, "Because everyone is sad or stressed out about something. I choose to see everything as an opportunity! I'm not unhappy, it's just some things never go as planned. C'est la vie."
He then interrupted my explanation by softly saying, "This is life," and gave a commendable nod my way. He understood what I was saying, and I appreciated him for it.
I then continued, "I am content, and very much am happy with the journey I am on. I want for nothing, I help those in need, and I see the best that life has to offer."
I then carefully looked at him and said, "So should you."
He smiled the brightest I'd seen him smile yet, and he said, "You are truly an inspiration. Have an amazing day, and thank you."
He shook my hand and soon after left the store. I stared at him leaving, and thought to myself, what a pleasant conversation.

Source

Since then, I've been thinking about this conversation in detail. I've been trying to piece together exactly what it meant. In all my years of working, I had never had such an experience as this one. Why was I the one that had this conversation? Why was it not one of the other workers? I have come to the conclusion that I was meant to be there. Who knows, maybe that boy needed someone to talk to; maybe he wanted to end his own life; maybe I needed to hear this conversation myself to inspire; maybe it was to help both of us with different problems we are facing in our own lives. I don't know what it was, but I felt really good when he left. The conversation felt right, and I think the other person felt it too. I thought I saw a little bit more of a "skip" to his step when he walked out. Though, whatever it was, it has really made me think about happiness, love, life, and loss. Sometimes I even forget about the good, and concentrate on the bad, and this was a great reminder to look at the good. It was a great reminder to do the things I preach, which is to make the change and look at the opportunities life has to offer.

~Alhana