About A Boy

Family Dynamics at Holiday Gatherings:

At what seems to be every holiday gathering that happens, stuff always goes down between the family members, whether it be good or bad. When you get that many vast family personalities together in one household after you have probably not seen in each other in  several months. Anything is bound to happen then. Sometimes you can't seem to get everybody apart from each other and at the end of the day when it is time for everybody to go home the conversations just seem to keep carrying on and on because everybody is having such a good time. Other times, everyone seems to get so tired of being around one another for so long we take off to the car and just sit in the car waiting for everyone else to come out so we can go home. It honestly just depends on the family that we are with on that holiday. Honestly, when we spend holidays with my mom's family we never argue, but when we spend holidays with my dad's side of the family arguments always happens. But, they are always easily resolved and never major problems so all works out in the end and we are still able to come together and have a good time.

101 Things About Me

1. I can't believe I'm about to graduate high school and start college.
2. I love sweet tea with lemon.
3. Chick-fil-A is the best fast food place, don't argue with me on this. 
4. I miss living in Arkansas.
5. Days spent with my family are days that I cherish most.
6. I have a slight OCD problem.
7. Sleepovers with my best friends are my favorite.
8. I have a love-hate relationship with my job.
9. Binge watching Netflix series is a slight problem of mine.
10. Romantic movies are my favorite movies, especially Nicholas Sparks movies, call me cheesy.
11.  Late night drives always clear my mind.
12. I can have a fun time doing just about anything.
13. I love riding roller coasters.
14. Haunted houses are my favorite.
15. I am very social and outgoing, but also enjoy my alone time.
16. Puppies make everyone happier.
17. Summer is my absolute favorite season.
18. Nothing I love more than seeing my friends and family happy.
19. Pool days and Jeep rides with my best friend make me the happiest.
20. The beach is my favorite place.
21. I can't cook to save my life.
22. My sister is my best friend.
23. My parents mean the world to me.
24. I hate reading, unless it is something interesting to me.
25. I love college football games in the fall.
26. Woo Pig Sooie!
27. I want to be a Neonatal Nurse when I grow up.
28. I hope I get to travel a lot throughout my lifetime.
29. I have eaten Eggo frozen waffles for breakfast for years now.
30. My favorite foods are Chinese food and sushi.
31. I don't want to graduate from high school at all.
32. I still have so much to learn in this life.
33. When I was younger I used to run around in a swimsuit all the time, no matter the season.
34. My fears include snakes, death, and car crashes.
35. I hate not knowing what my future holds.
36. I'm very sarcastic.
37. My favorite colors are teal and orange.
38. My faith is very important to me.
39. I hate driving other people.
40. I am very independent and hate relying on other people for things.
41. I hate coming to school.
42. I love staying out late and sleeping in late the next morning.
43. I love Pandora rings.
44. I have never died my hair before.
45. I am going to miss Friday night lights from high school most.
46. I am not sensitive at all.
47. I have a major sweet tooth.
48. I love going on actual dates, but am down to just hang out and watch movies too.
49. I love getting my hair cut.
50. I hate when my mom makes me make my own appointments.
51. I am from Arkansas.
52. I love country music.
53. My favorite TV show is Grey's Anatomy.
54. All my friends call me Hopester.
55. I hate super hero and action movies.
56. I am not artistic at all.
57. I hate when teachers assign projects to do in class that require me to show my artistic ability.
58. I move my mouth when I think really hard.
59. I talk a lot.
60. I forgive easily.
61. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
62. I don't know what I am going to do next year when my best friend and I are at different colleges.
63. I love being tan.
64. I hate shopping.
65. I love anything mint.
66. I am not a big coffee person, but I still drink it.
67. I hate going into work, but I would never quit.
68. Lunch is my favorite class of the day.
69. I am very dramatic.
70. I love cracking jokes.
71. I love listening to my mom tell me stories.
72. I am very impatient.
73. I have to be early to everything and hate being late.
74. I hate waiting on other people.
75. I hate road trips and being in the car for long periods of time.
76. I hate the feeling of being left out.
77. But, most of all I hate the feeling of regret and knowing there is nothing you can do to change what you regret.
78. I used to love grocery shopping and would always want to go with my dad.
79. I am a clean freak.
80. I didn't make 8th grade choir and everybody made 8th grade choir if that tells you how awful of a singer I am.
81. I competitively swam for seven years, but quit this year.
82. I am good at writing but often hate writing so I lack putting forth edit into my writing.
83. I hate when time passes slowly.
84. I hate being bored more than anything.
85. If any of my friends ever needed me I would be there for them in a heart beat.
86. I love singing in the shower.
87. I love cappuccino chocolate chunk ice cream from Braums.
88. I dip my french fries in strawberry milkshakes.
89. I never wear my hair up because it gives me headaches.
90. I have a serious fear of giving blood.
91. I love coloring with markers.
92. I love driving myself around.
93. But, I hate spending money on gas.
94. I used to hate eating mushrooms but now I love them.
95. I have struggled in art classes since elementary school.
96. I turn 18 in less than a month and am very excited.
97. I am very content with my life right now.
98. I absolutely hate change.
99. I hate moving.
100. I love getting to know new people.
101. I am not a big fan of wearing headphones because they hurt my ears.
     
      

Music to Our Ears

1.) When I listen to music the feelings and emotions that get provoked depends on what type of music I am listening to. If I am listening to up beat and rap music then it puts me in a good mood and makes me really happy and energetic. If I am listening to more soothing, put you to sleep type music, then I get really calm and at peace. If I am listening to country music, my favorite type of music, then I feel content and happy with life and just at ease with everything. It helps to calm me down as well.

2.) My favorite song is She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5. I love this song because it is very soothing and just makes you feel loved and secured. I tie this song back to when I was in 6th grade and it has been one of my favorite songs ever since. It doesn't matter what mood I am in I can listen to this song and instantly feel better and more content and that is exactly what I like to gain from the music I listen to.

3.) My music taste over the years really hasn't changed that much. I feel like that is because I really was not that interested in music when I was younger and never really cared to listen to it. But, ever since I found an interest in music it has been mainly focused towards country music. I feel like country music is one of those types of music that people either love or they hate, and I can see both sides of it, but for me I love listening to it at all times. It is my go-to radio station year around.

5.) Most of my friends listen to the same type of music styles as me and I think this is important in some friendships. Music has the ability to bring people together and help people bond over their common interests. I know that having the same music taste as my friends makes long car rides a lot more enjoyable. Music is a form of expression and when you and your friends have the ability to express yourself in the same way through music I think it makes for closer friendships bonds to be built.

6.) Without music the world would be so much more quite. There would be no tunes to fill that stretch of silence on road trips. There would be no form of expression through sounds and your vocal cords. There would be no American Idol. So many people's amazing talents would be put to waste without the ability for them to share what they can do. Music is highly important in today's society.

Food for Thought

What Thanksgiving really means to me...

Every year all my immediate and extended family pile into my house to celebrate the holiday revolving around food and thanks. But if we are all being honest here, the food is what we really care about. Every year at my family thanksgiving we have the basics: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, seven layer salad, stuffing, and rolls. Lots and lots of rolls. But we have a specific food that is special just to our family: my aunt's special dip. This is the first food gone and there are never any leftovers for anybody to take home. Everyone normally eats this before Thanksgiving dinner is even ready, because we all get so hungry and impatient. At our family thanksgiving there are two things you have to do before getting to enjoy the meal: say grace and everyone has to take turns saying what they are thankful for. After both of those things are done then everyone eats and enjoys good company, naps or watches football, and all the girls in the family get ready to go black Friday shopping later in the evening. Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite and cherished holidays. I have some of the best memories with my family from this day that we celebrate every year and a lot of the memories I remember revolve around the food present at the Thanksgiving dinner table. A lot of people tie certain foods back to their memories and because Thanksgiving dinner is specific to each individual family and their traditions it makes everyone's experience on Thanksgiving unique.

Children's Story Feedback for Friends

Harper was a 10 year old little girl who loved riding horses.

Harper had a horse named Sassy and together they were super good at winning competitions.

This year Harper and Sassy had made it all the way to the Horsey State Competition.

Harper knew she was really good at the competitions so she didn't practice a whole lot.

Before they knew it the time had come for the competition both Harper and Sassy had been waiting for.

Harper was convinced she was going to win, she didn't even feel the need to try.

But Harper was wrong.

They fell short and by the time it was over they lost.

Harper was upset. 

So upset she wanted to quit competing.

Harper's mom knew Harper shouldn't quit.

She was good, she just needed to be reminded of it. (Maybe add a quote from her mom speaking to Harper)

So Harper's mom pushed her to get back to horse riding.

And pushed her (Add details on how she started practicing again)

And pushed her

And pushed her.

Until she finally got back to it

And that is when Harper realized all she had to do was push herself

And she could accomplish anything (Could possibly add a short story from the next competition she competed in)

• I really like how you have a clear and defined moral to this story and that it is straight to the point with no rambling. I also like the use of repetition you used in the story to add emphasis. I would add a detail at the end of the story talking about another competition that Harper competed in and possibly won after practicing so much.

Luis is a second grader from Barcelona, Spain who transfers to Jacobs second grade class. Luis isn't very good at English at first, and he has trouble communicating with the other kids. Seeing his trouble, Jacob befriends Luis and decides he will help teach him English. Their second grade class has a big project coming up: reading a book of your choice in front of the class, and Jacob wants Luis to be ready for it. The two meet everyday at recess, and Luis also helps Jacob learn a little bit of Spanish. (That's all I have so far, I haven't decided an ending or what happens after they begin meeting). My plan is for the graphic design class to do the illustrations, which will just be simple people and a couple of settings.

• I like the idea behind this story! I would recommend ending it where Luis is able to read the story in front of the class after practicing with Jacob. It will show children that you can accomplish anything if you work hard and practice for what you want.

Children's Story Draft

Never Satisfied Suzy

1) Little Suzy never satisfied. She always cried and cried, never pleased.
2) Never satisfied Suzy sat down at the dinner table. Her mom put broccoli on her plate and Suzy frowned.
3) Suzy threw herself on the ground. Suzy rolled round and round, kicking and screaming. Suzy was steaming.
4) Never satisfied Suzy went to the park with her friend named Mark.
5) Suzy wanted to swing, but all the swings were taken. Mark said "Suzy don't be shaken. Let's go down the slide instead."
6) Suzy shouted, "No! I want to go home!" Mark replied, "Okay, then to home we will roam."
7) Never satisfied Suzy woke up on Monday morning. Time for school, but Suzy said, "No! School makes me want to drool."
8) Suzy pulled the covers over her face and refused to get up. Her mom replied, "Come on Suzy all grown ups get up out of bed."
9) Suzy got up, but never stopped pouting. As Suzy kept pouting, her mom kept shouting. All the way to school Suzy pouted like a fool.
10) Never satisfied Suzy had to go to the grocery store with her mom. Of course, Suzy threw a fit, said she would stay in the car and sit.
11) Suzy's mom said, "These fits have got to stop. I have to shop!"
12) Little Suzy cried and cried, trying to get her way. But Suzy's mom said, "No Suzy! Not today!"
13) Continuing, her mom said, "Now Suzy, we don't always get our way, sometimes we have to say, 'that will be okay'."
14) And for the first time never satisfied Suzy looked a little satisfied. I guess sometimes Suzy is satisfied.


(I do not plan on doing my own illustrations. I would like to either get images from the internet or have a someone from graphic design do them.)

Author Bio

Children's book author, Hope Villines, has been writing children books for several years now, writing countless childhood stories based on her own childhood experiences with a touch of humor and fiction added to them. She was born May 23, 1999 and resides in Springfield Missouri with her family. Most of her stories take place in her hometown in Arkansas since that is where she spent a good portion of her childhood. The short stories mainly revolve around events that happened between her and her sister growing up, so they are very relatable for anyone that has grown up with sisters, you will definetely understand the humor behind the stories if you too have sisters. In her free time Hope enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, traveling to the beach, going to Arkansas Razorbacks football games in the fall with my family, and eating ice cream. Her books reflect her personality as a whole and her own life experiences. Great books for young children learning how to read.

Books for Kids!

The book Horton Hatches the Egg is a classic that I'm sure you all spent time reading over and over again when you were younger. It is a classic Dr. Seuss read, and if you didn't read it growing up then what were you doing with your childhood? The book follows the story of an elephant who sits on the nest of a bird with eggs inside while the mother bird, Mayzie, frolics around Palm Beach, Florida for a vacation getaway. So, Horton sits on the egg for an entire year and when Mayzie finally comes home a bitter custody battle breaks out. The egg hatches and is actually an elephant-bird, a cross between the two animals. This story takes place in the jungle. I would recommend it for children ages 6-10, because it is a rather long read for a children's book and does include some larger words. However the story does include lots of humor and rhymes to follow along with.