Through the Inspiration of Billy Collins

Through the Ages

At 4,
     I was a cute little kid, full of imagination and giggles.

At 14,
     I was just in the beginning of that "awkward teenager phase."

At 18,
     I will probably be stressed out from the college life of maturity and responsibility.


Memories of Being Young

In and out, in and out, up and down, up and down.
My friend and I running into different rooms,
on the different levels of the house.

Giggling, smiling, having a blast,
we are balls of energy.
Imagining far off places,
castles and magic,
not everything is what it seems.

All is fun, until the doorbell rings.
That's our cue to run and hide,
for us the fun shall never die.
Into the guest room, we run inside;
Crawling under the bed, we hide.

We squeeze our small bodies,
trying to fit under the bed.
Making sure to not show our feet
nor a head.
We suppress our loud laughter,
as we hear the door open.
Hoping we are never to be found.

Title of Book: Disney's Treasury of Children's Classics
Author: N/A
Author's Bio: N/A
# of pages: 421

The cover of the book is gold and presents picture of some of the characters from the stories like Snow White, Aladdin, Pinocchio, Simba & Timon , and Beauty & the Beast.

The book in all its glory.

(Because there were so many stories, I chose Beauty & The Beast to use to answer the following questions.)

Characters:

• Prince/Beast
• Enchantress
• Belle
• Gaston
• Maurice
• Mrs. Potts
• Chip
• Lumiere
• Cogsworth

The setting happens in a town and castle in "a faraway land."

Because of her father's actions, Belle is forced to live in a castle with a Beast. Scared at first, she beginnings to grow frond of him- love him. A pursuer of Belle's becomes jealous of her feelings towards the Beast and stabs him- Belle realizes she loves the dying Beast, tells him, and he turns into a handsome prince upon this confession of love. And they all lived HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

(I reverted back to talking about the book in general from here on out...)

Does this book... (Yes/No)

• have animals as characters? Y
• use rhyme? N
• teach a lesson of some kind? Y
• have monsters or creatures? Y
• have kids as characters? Y
• have adults as characters? Y
• use humor? Y
• have illustrations? Y
• use color? Y
• use actual photos? Y
• have a more sentimental/lovey tone? Y
• lots of words per page? Y
• one word or phrase repeated throughout? N

Favorite Quote:
"Oh, please don't leave me." Belle pleaded. She rested her head on his chest and sobbed. "I love you."

I think this book would be appropriate for ages 5+ because there are lots of words used on each individual page.

I would have LOVED this book as a kid because DISNEY. And DISNEY is life. <3

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Scavenging for Photos

This is one of my good friends- Sarah. We met freshman year and let me just
say every time we are together, we are always laughing- whether it be
about something serious to something comical.
#ICantSeeYouThroughAllTheseZeros

This is one of my best friends- Alexis. We met freshman year and she has taught
me much throughout my high school life. She has taught me to be more
laidback and chill as school can stress me out sometimes.
She has also taught me many a things with her jokes and such, but
that's for another time. #GreekMutterMutter

This is one of the librarians here at KHS- Mrs. Bernskoetter. She is one of my favorite
people ever. She is so sweet and helpful and always has a smile on her face. She's
like a ray of sunshine on a rain day. I hope to become an individual who
resembles the same traits Mrs. B has. #BookwormBernskoetter

As I am an avid reader, I could not choose just one novel. Instead I chose the entire series. This series,
The Trylle trilogy, is phenomenal! I love love love it! I read this series sophomore year and
then re-read it the following year. It just OH SO GOOD. #LokiStaadMoreLikeLokiStud

Squares, and squares, and squares, oh my! This is the pattern of the
stairs in KHS's science division. They give the plain boring stairs
not only a design, but give traction as well. #HowVersatile

This lovely photo was designed by a student at KHS. It is hung in a
 hallway in the school known as the Art Walk of Fame. Seen by
all, I pass this piece of art everyday. #MuchCubism 

This bad boy was taken at one of my best friend's 16th birthday party. We
played some messy twister (with paint) and she set up this little area
with lights to sit. Whilst in the chair, I laid down on it looking
up at the sky to take this photo, #TheGraken

AP Biology- oh what a delight. Or so I've heard.
These are the notes of my fellow friend
Miss Taylor Brown. Her handwriting is
so pretty as she mixes print with
cursive. #DatHandwritingDoe

This lovely plant resides in the science wing
of KHS- planted by the school's gardening club
under the set of stairs I spoke of earlier.
They are breathtaking,as the plant is
made up of brightly colored leaves.
 #UnknownSpecies #EvenGoogleDidntKnow

This is my car. I thought he looked like a face,
with his little mustache- The eyes as the headlights and the
Toyota symbol as the nose. #Jeffrey

Appealing to the eyes, this piece of art is something that a little kid would most
likely notice at KHS. Located in the library, this artwork resides near the
entrance, displaying the talents of  a former student. It showcases
many works of fiction and fantasy that a child would
most likely recognize. #CaveOfWonders

Oh, the memories! I remember reading this series for the 1st time in middle
school when I attended Cherokee Middle School. I was a library worker at the
time, and we had the entire series there, like KHS. The books are filled
with drama and quite a riveting book series to read for a preteen girl.
#TheClique:TheOnlyThingHarderThenGettingInIsStayingIn

Extreme dislike courses through me as I see this
in the hallways of KHS. Before 7:30 Mon-Thurs.
and before 8:10 on Fridays, the students of
KHS are blocked off from most of the
classroom areas. We are high schoolers,
not cattle, nor sheep, we do not need to
 be herded like them. #OhHeckNo

To me friendship is one of the most beautiful things. I love all
of my friends very dearly. These girls are some of the Book
Club (Senior) members and are some of the funniest and
kindest people. #WeCantTakeASeriousPhotoThe1stTime

Of all things I have from Kickapoo, I believe
that will always remind me of being there. This
is the extra tassel that I have hanging in my car,
as this is my final/senior year at KHS.
#ClassOf2015

'Twas the year 2006

When all hope is lost

we should look forward.

Not because we want to

Or we even have to.

We shan't lose faith either.

We must stick together,

support one another.

In times of joy,

in times of sadness

in times of weakness

in times of prosperity,

in times of weakness,

No matter whether the situation is good or bad,

we must stand together,

helping one another through everything and anything.

The good, the bad, the ugly.

What would you do if you were her?

Struggling with no home and possibly no parents.

Searching for refuge and the help of others.

Would you turn a blind eye to someone in need like this girl?

Ignore the fact that she is in need of your help,

even though she may not know you?

Would you do to help your fellow human being out?

Picture of the Past

This is my father,

putting on my shoes for me

doing what all fathers do

and helping his little girl

This is when I lived in California

not with my father

but near him

This was a time where I saw my father at least once a week

This is before the move

before I left him in California

and was brought here to Missouri

This is what I wished I had more of

more memories with him

and not just one summer a year

This is a time when life was easy

when I should have cherished the moments 

This is nothing but a memory now.

Spooky Stories of Others

I had the delight of reading three of my other classmates "spooky stories." Here is a short synopsis of each:

Raven:
Her story was about a haunted amusement park and the things that tend to go down there...

Ansley:
Her story was about a clown named Jim and boy is he creeeeeeepy....

Bethany:
Her story was about a couple and how unordinary they are, despite how ordinary they seem...

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

(I'm sorry for giving such little detail about their stories- I just don't want to give away any spoilers! You'll just have to read them for yourselves ;3)

"Yeah. Let's just go into the spooky haunted asylum. Greatttt idea."

"Come on don't be a wuss, Kara," he told me.

"This doesn't seem like a good idea Johnny," I replied.

He ignored my statement, and swept away the cobwebs covering the porch. Reluctant, I stood on the pathway before deciding to go in with him. It was already a bad idea going into this haunted asylum, but letting Johnny go alone into this, was an even worse idea.

The door gave a high-pitched creak as he slowly pushed the door open. A soft thud was heard as the door had opened all the way. Johnny without a care, strode into the building. I followed behind, skeptical of what was to come.

 I could tell already, things we're going to go wrong. And they did.

                                                                                                     

Halloween night of '98 was a night I would never forget.

Twas the night of Halloween and Johnny, over here, thought it would be fun to scour the old asylum on the hill a mile away from our neighborhood. No one in their right mind, would go there. I honestly believe that Johnny doesn't use his brain sometimes. But regardless, as the good friend I am, I told him I would go with him.

But, boy oh boy. What a bad idea that was!

As night came, we walked to the asylum. Passing the small trick-or-treaters in costumes, I said my goodbyes to them in my head. I had a feeling I might not ever seem them again. But I shook of my fear, and continued going forward to the eerie building.

15 minutes later and there we were. Walking along the wrought iron fence surrounding the property, we came to the entrance, making our way to the front of the building. We came to a stop at the end of the path. Johnny and I stood in front of the asylum, taking it all in. It was covered in overgrown vines, and cobwebs. Of course to add to the spooky feeling, the wind blew through the nearby trees, creating the sound of a low howl.

"Let's go in!" Johnny exclaimed.
"Hm. Yeah. Let's just go into the spooky haunted asylum. Greatttt idea." I responded, with a sprinkle of sarcasm in my voice.
"Come on don't be a wuss, Kara," he told me.
"This doesn't seem like a good idea Johnny," I replied.

He ignored my statement, and swept away the cobwebs covering the porch. Reluctant, I stood on the pathway before deciding to go in with him. It was already a bad idea going into this haunted asylum, but letting Johnny go alone into this, was an even worse idea.

The door gave a high-pitched creak as he slowly pushed the door open. A soft thud was heard as the door had opened all the way. Johnny without a care, strode into the building. I followed behind, skeptical of what was to come.

As soon as we were inside, the door slammed shut. I turned at the noise, as I saw the door close.

"JOHNNY. I told you this wasn't a good idea!" I yelled.

I turned back around, Johnny nowhere to be found. 

"Johnny? 

No respone.Then I heard a voice. "Help me."

"Johnny! Is that you?"

No response again.

I ran to the door, attempting to open it. The handle wouldn't budge. LOCKED. Awesome.

I looked around and decided to go down the hallway to my right. There was a flashlight on the floor and I figured it might help so I picked it up. Turning it on, it brightly shone its light down the eerie hallway. I took small steps down the hall looking for Johnny and a way out. I heard noises coming from the room three doors down on my left. Skeptical, I walked to the door, and stood in front of it. Grabbing the handle, I slowly opened the door.

Inside there was a small chair in the corner with a teddy bear sitting on it.

A child stood there. Staring at me. "Help me," she said.

"What do you need help with? What's wrong?" I asked

"He killed me here. It's not safe. Run while you still can," she spoke with a dead look in her eyes.

"He? Who is he?.... Wait. You're dead?" I responded.

"It's too late. He knows you're here. He has your friend." Vanishing into thin air, I was left alone standing in the cold, creepy room.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and there a man stood. He had no face; he was the embodiment of evil.

Gripping my shoulder, he stuck the knife into my lower back. Blood oozed from my back, staining my white shirt. He said nothing. Taking out the knife, he began to repeatedly stab me. Screaming in pain and agony, there was nothing I could do. I fell to the floor. Finding a candlestick on the floor, I impaled it into his head, causing him to fall on his back. I got up as fast as I could and ran down the hallway of the asylum.

Clutching at some of my wounds, I could hear the voices as I limped down the blood stained hallways. "You should have stayed away." "No one can ever escape." "He always finds you." I made my way all the way to the end of the hall. I was cut off. This was the end. He inched closer to me, and stabbed me once more, before I fell to the ground once more, my eyes slowly shutting

                                                                                                     

I woke up. 

"What a nightmare!" I said.

"Nightmare?"

I shot straight up as I heard the voice. It was the little girl in my nightmare.

Confused at first, I brushed it off and answered, "Yeah, but what am I doing taking to a hallucination?"

"I'm not a hallucination, and neither is he." she replied pointing to the figure casting from the hallway light.

I turned towards the figure. It was him. Looking down at the bed, I found myself lying in a puddle of blood.

"EHEEHEEHEEHEE. YOU'RE MINE NOW." The man with no face said.

Then everything went black.