My Little Sister (per her request)

My little sister's name is Velvet. She is twelve. She smiles all the time. She is allergic to bees and she's vegetarian. She's a pretty good little sister.

I was four when I found out I was going to have a little sister. I decided that her name should be "Brittle" if she was a boy (I think I was thinking of Hansel and Grettle) and "Poptart" if she was a girl. My second choice if she was a girl was "Holly" because I thought it would be so cool to be Heidi and Holly.

On December 20, I woke up at six in the morning (I've always remembered it as six, but all I know for sure is that it was dark) to find Grandaddy standing in our kitchen cooking breakfast.

"Your mom and dad went to the hospital. Your little sister will be here soon," he said.

I yawned. "Okay" and went back to sleep.

My sister Jerilyn and I left to spend the night at Grammom and Grandaddy's house. I don't remember anything from that day except dinner. We had just sat down to eat when the phone rang. It was my mom. "Her name is Velvet," she said.

"Like the fabric?" Jerilyn asked.

"Yes."

I bounced a little on my toes. Thoughts of Heidi and Holly dissipated. "That's the best name ever."

Newspapers or Newsnets?

The increasing number of layoffs in the journalism industry have brought its future into question. More and more people are relying on the internet to attain information and still more are canceling their subscriptions to local newspapers. As the number of paperboys dwindles and seasoned reporters begin cleaning out their desks, we begin to wonder what the industry will resemble in ten years.

The degeneration of newspapers as we know them is, in itself, a devastating event. For decades now, reporters have been collectors of information, committing all their energy to a story but never crossing the line of journalistic discretion. As John Carroll, who made a speech entitled "The Future (We Hope) of Journalism," believes, it was the newspapers' ethical convictions which kept them from reporting sensitive and even damaging material. Now, with tabloids and paparrazi and people blogging (ahem) their opinions no matter how untrue they may be, the line between discretion and a good story has blurred. Instead of fact, so-called news centers relying on gossip to sell - and write - a story. Indifferent to the effect on their subjects, these writers have ruined the lives of countless celebrities, political heads, and average citizens.

However, those who believe that the internet is the way of the future may be correct. Already, a version of most newspapers can be found online. Who would pay for a physical copy of what they can find for free online? With these options, it's obvious why the newspapers are floundering. If they want to succeed, they should require a paid subsciption to their online tools as well. The readers who appreciate legitimate and ethical newspapers will pay for this service and the choice will not have to be made between money and morals.

Obsessed? Just a little.

I am super excited today.

I do not normally listen to the radio, but for the past few weeks, I have been randomly flicking it on and listening with bated breath. Before yesterday, I always switched it off, a dejected sigh just barely contained. Yesterday, though, I turned it on and, after a second of disbelief, began running circles around the house. Mixmas on 94.5 has officially begun.

Okay, I know everyone's saying "But Heidi, you're Jewish!" I recognize that fact. But Christmas is really becoming a nondenominational holiday - in the US at least - and I am probably one of the most avid Christmas fans you will ever meet. I say "one of" because if you meet my little sister, you will find she can give me a run for my money.

I do, however, treat all holidays as if they were created equal (even if they weren't). The radio is therefore going off until after Thanksgiving because I don't think people give the annual day of eating enough credit.

But knowing Christmas is around the corner is going to make it a little difficult to keep the jingles out of my head.

Hey Guys! Pass on Some Christmas Vibes

I've been working on a Christmas card for this little kid named Noah. He's five and he has Neuroblastoma cancer. His family is celebrating Christmas this week (maybe earlier this week, I don't know). I don't think they expect him to last much longer. For Christmas, he asked for a lot of Christmas cards. If you guys want to, send your card to this address:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountian View Circle
South Lyon,Mi 48178

They might've already celebrated, but I'm sure they will appreciate cards even if they're late!

Thanks for Making My Brain Smarter

Every morning, I wake to a dark room. I crawl out of bed and stumble bleary-eyed to the kitchen where the Herald Leader lies open and waiting. As my eyes readjust to the harsh light of the living, my vision focuses on the first clear thing I will see today. Usually, it is the front page of the Life section. After I finish reading about the newest kindergartner who started a fairy house collection at the local park, I will either graduate to the Front Page or I will downgrade to reading the comics, depending on how dead I am and how willing my mother is to relinquish her grasp on the newest conflict in Uganda. Today, she was unwilling. So I delved into the Life section's inner workings, educating myself on what sugars are healthiest and how to make the perfect cornbread muffins (It was food-themed today. Can you tell?) In the midst of a very compelling recipe on how to make "Wild Rice Stuffing," Mom interrupted. "Listen to this!" And she proceeded to read an article entitled "A day for teachers" written by one of her patrons (she's a children's librarian). Second grader Sarah Belin wrote an editorial to the Herald Leader to suggest that we have a teachers' day along with mothers' and fathers' days. Now what an idea. Her hope is that we commemorate "the people who teach you math, science, reading, art, history, and Spanish, and even [people who] teach gym" for their hardwork and for going "to work to make children's brains smarter." Knowing that there is a kid out there who actually recognizes the value of our teachers made my whole day and will probably make my whole week. What has happened to us that we can't appreciate knowledge for what it is? So much is focused on entertainment that now people discredit legitimate information just for its lack of pizzazz. Well, I'm sorry, but I can't be an advocate of dumbing down the school system. Not everything can be as entertaining as School House Rock or Bill Nye the Science Guy. If everyone followed Sarah's example and showed some appreciation for their education, my entire year would be made.

My Life in General

A lot of people know me as the super quiet vegan kid. Well, I am. But I'm also a lot of other things. I have developed a number of hobbies in the time I wasn't doing Physics or Calculus or college applications or scholarship applications. I think I identify far too much with Penelope Stamp from Brothers Bloom. While I can't create a pinhole camera out of a watermelon, I am able to hit a pingpong ball without hitting myself in the face. I've painted and drawn since I was three. I can crochet and knit (although knitting poses more of a problem for me). I went through a phase once where I determined to sew all of my own clothes (resulting in a dress/shirt hybrid that I couldn't breathe in). In the summer, I go on long bike rides. When I say long, the picture of an old granny with a skirt and a bell on her banana seat bike come to mind. But long, in this case, means 20 miles a day, much of those miles put in on heavy traffic on Harrodsburg Road. Throughout the years, I've played recorder, guitar, and the dulcimer. I've ridden horses off and on since I was five (I've been off now for six years). I did ballet and tap. I played soccer and softball, both with disastrous results. I was on my middle school's track and crosscountry team for two years which was, amazingly, pretty fun. After watching Lord of the Rings, I read all of the books multiple times and became obsessed with learning how to speak Elvish (I never did). I joined an archery league, quitting soon after for my safety. I did, however, learn how to write in Dwarvish Rune Letters. And, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkein's ability to create a world out of thin air, I took up writing.

So here we are.