Welcome
My name is Eliyana.
But, most people call me Ella. Whatever works for you.
I am a 16 year old girl from a small town mostly known for its apple orchards. And I think that, being 16, a lot of assumptions are made about life as a teenager. So, this is me. Doing a bit of a 'photojournalism' online diary of sorts. I will be taking pictures of things in my life, from MY point of view, and writing a little about the situation.
If you read this, I truly appreciate it. But my updates will not be very time-sensitive. When I have something to say, I will most certainly say it. But until then, I guess you'll be left hanging.
Oh, and some days, I may even include a song for you to listen to, If you're inclined to do so.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
But, most people call me Ella. Whatever works for you.
I am a 16 year old girl from a small town mostly known for its apple orchards. And I think that, being 16, a lot of assumptions are made about life as a teenager. So, this is me. Doing a bit of a 'photojournalism' online diary of sorts. I will be taking pictures of things in my life, from MY point of view, and writing a little about the situation.
If you read this, I truly appreciate it. But my updates will not be very time-sensitive. When I have something to say, I will most certainly say it. But until then, I guess you'll be left hanging.
Oh, and some days, I may even include a song for you to listen to, If you're inclined to do so.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
On Saturdays...
Most teenagers will wake up at 3 pm, roll out of bed, possibly shower and go hang out with friends.
I am not the everyday teenager.
Most of my Saturdays start around 6:45 am. Thats when I haul myself out of bed, shower, and pack a quick bag. My Mama and I are usually out the door by 8:30 or so, enough time to get to Daddy's, and have a quick Panera breakfast ( Cinnamon rasin bagel and Cherry smoothie...mmm..).
At around 10:30 am, Daddy and I have made it to Warrior Way-- the gym I could probably call my second home. We're early, Kid's class doesn't start until 11. I generally haul my things into the girl's locker room-- effectively taking up a whole side of the room-- and change into what I think of as my 'Second Skin'. My gi is comfortable...familiar. It bends to me perfectly, the elbows are soft from use, the collar yellowed from the sweat of myself (and sometimes others).
Kids are usually running around now, playing tag and socializing before class starts. I sometimes break out my camera and snap a couple candids--who can resist a smile of pure and absolute joy like that?
At noon, the kids are gone, and now it's the grown ups time to play. It's my turn to learn something new, review something old, and better myself. Jiu-jitsu. It hurts you, exhausts you, and sends some people crying home; never to return. But If you're looking for a challenge, it's the most beautiful sport there is. Personally, it's a love-hate relationship. The exhaustion breaks me sometimes. But I'm good and I know it. So Saturdays are deticated to the most fickle love-affair ever known to man.
What do you do on Saturdays?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Song of the day: Lose Yourself- Eminem
I am not the everyday teenager.
Most of my Saturdays start around 6:45 am. Thats when I haul myself out of bed, shower, and pack a quick bag. My Mama and I are usually out the door by 8:30 or so, enough time to get to Daddy's, and have a quick Panera breakfast ( Cinnamon rasin bagel and Cherry smoothie...mmm..).
At around 10:30 am, Daddy and I have made it to Warrior Way-- the gym I could probably call my second home. We're early, Kid's class doesn't start until 11. I generally haul my things into the girl's locker room-- effectively taking up a whole side of the room-- and change into what I think of as my 'Second Skin'. My gi is comfortable...familiar. It bends to me perfectly, the elbows are soft from use, the collar yellowed from the sweat of myself (and sometimes others).
Kids are usually running around now, playing tag and socializing before class starts. I sometimes break out my camera and snap a couple candids--who can resist a smile of pure and absolute joy like that?
At noon, the kids are gone, and now it's the grown ups time to play. It's my turn to learn something new, review something old, and better myself. Jiu-jitsu. It hurts you, exhausts you, and sends some people crying home; never to return. But If you're looking for a challenge, it's the most beautiful sport there is. Personally, it's a love-hate relationship. The exhaustion breaks me sometimes. But I'm good and I know it. So Saturdays are deticated to the most fickle love-affair ever known to man.
What do you do on Saturdays?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Song of the day: Lose Yourself- Eminem
Life...
Is something people constantly take for granted. I realized this fact this past year, when I lost a very dear friend of mine.
Ally Zimmerman.
She had every type of potential possible. She was the friendliest person you could ever hope to meet, she was a singer, a dancer, and never bent her will to make others happy. She lived her life the way she wanted, and went after her dreams every single day of her life.
And then, she was gone. Like putting out a candle, the smoky memories of her are all we have left. Months have gone by, and I, like the rest of us who knew her, have been mourning and repairing the gap she left. But I began to realize...am I taking every opportunity that I'm given? What if I was gone tomorrow? All those possibilities would be gone. I'd never have done what I wanted. And I decided, that wasn't good enough for me. I decided that I would start doing everything I could. It's a very overused cliche, but I would start to live my life to the fullest. Because all of those things I have in my life could be gone, and I'll have missed my chance.
I didn't include a picture of Ally, purposely. I used this picture of the sunrise on Daytona Beach, because how many of us really take the time to wake up and watch the miracle of a new day? How many people stop and smell the roses, or thank the people they love for being there for them? How many of us take a trip like the one I took?
Take the time to do what you love.
What will you do?
Rest in peace Ally. We love and miss you.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Ally Zimmerman.
She had every type of potential possible. She was the friendliest person you could ever hope to meet, she was a singer, a dancer, and never bent her will to make others happy. She lived her life the way she wanted, and went after her dreams every single day of her life.
And then, she was gone. Like putting out a candle, the smoky memories of her are all we have left. Months have gone by, and I, like the rest of us who knew her, have been mourning and repairing the gap she left. But I began to realize...am I taking every opportunity that I'm given? What if I was gone tomorrow? All those possibilities would be gone. I'd never have done what I wanted. And I decided, that wasn't good enough for me. I decided that I would start doing everything I could. It's a very overused cliche, but I would start to live my life to the fullest. Because all of those things I have in my life could be gone, and I'll have missed my chance.
I didn't include a picture of Ally, purposely. I used this picture of the sunrise on Daytona Beach, because how many of us really take the time to wake up and watch the miracle of a new day? How many people stop and smell the roses, or thank the people they love for being there for them? How many of us take a trip like the one I took?
Take the time to do what you love.
What will you do?
Rest in peace Ally. We love and miss you.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Love...
Comes in many forms. And Who's to say what form is true love?
Some people live their lives with one person, others marry multiple times--loving each person just as much as the last. Some never marry, but have happy families just the same. And for others, a pet is enough. Every kind of love is generally accepted.Except, I've noticed, the love between two people who happen to be the same sex.
I'm not here to say what's right or what's wrong. I'm not here to preach about ethics, or morals, or any of those things. I do, however, want to ask a simple question: Why?
Why can't we just let these people be happy (or miserable) together, as they wish? Why are people segregated based on who they choose to love? Love is what it is: a mystery that is unsolvable. It is all-encompassing. Love touches everyone at some point in life, maybe even more than once. And these people, people like you and me, are having their moment of happiness tainted by the ugly words and actions of others.
It shocks me that as human beings, we still single each other out. We can do amazing things if we just, band together. We raise millions of dollars in relief efforts. We build skyscrapers and design cars running on electricity and even a small town in Michigan can raise at LEAST $15,000 in a week to help a person in need every year. But, there is something terrible happening in our country that is seemingly being ignored. A wave of suicides. People who lost hope. People no older than me who were so hurt and alone that they died needlessly.
No matter who you are or what you believe, you have to agree that NO ONE deserves such a life. And NO ONE deserves to feel so helpless that death seems the only escape. There is something you can do about it, no matter how small.
Make a video. Write a letter. Give someone a hug, a highfive, a pat on the back. Let them know you're here, you care, and that there are other ways to solve the problem. If you can, donate to an organization. Or get involved at www.dosomething.org.
For the cause I spoke of today, Old Navy has recently released a new line of apparel themed around the "It Gets Better" project, starting as low as $7.50, with 10% of the profit going to IGBP. Buy a shirt, show you care.
And, go to www.freedomtomarry.org/page/s/i_do to co-sign a letter to our president in support of same-sex marriage.
Everyone deserves a life of love. Give someone that chance.
Who do you love? What will you do to help?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Song of the day: 'How can I Keep from Singing?'
Some people live their lives with one person, others marry multiple times--loving each person just as much as the last. Some never marry, but have happy families just the same. And for others, a pet is enough. Every kind of love is generally accepted.Except, I've noticed, the love between two people who happen to be the same sex.
I'm not here to say what's right or what's wrong. I'm not here to preach about ethics, or morals, or any of those things. I do, however, want to ask a simple question: Why?
Why can't we just let these people be happy (or miserable) together, as they wish? Why are people segregated based on who they choose to love? Love is what it is: a mystery that is unsolvable. It is all-encompassing. Love touches everyone at some point in life, maybe even more than once. And these people, people like you and me, are having their moment of happiness tainted by the ugly words and actions of others.
It shocks me that as human beings, we still single each other out. We can do amazing things if we just, band together. We raise millions of dollars in relief efforts. We build skyscrapers and design cars running on electricity and even a small town in Michigan can raise at LEAST $15,000 in a week to help a person in need every year. But, there is something terrible happening in our country that is seemingly being ignored. A wave of suicides. People who lost hope. People no older than me who were so hurt and alone that they died needlessly.
No matter who you are or what you believe, you have to agree that NO ONE deserves such a life. And NO ONE deserves to feel so helpless that death seems the only escape. There is something you can do about it, no matter how small.
Make a video. Write a letter. Give someone a hug, a highfive, a pat on the back. Let them know you're here, you care, and that there are other ways to solve the problem. If you can, donate to an organization. Or get involved at www.dosomething.org.
For the cause I spoke of today, Old Navy has recently released a new line of apparel themed around the "It Gets Better" project, starting as low as $7.50, with 10% of the profit going to IGBP. Buy a shirt, show you care.
And, go to www.freedomtomarry.org/page/s/i_do to co-sign a letter to our president in support of same-sex marriage.
Everyone deserves a life of love. Give someone that chance.
Who do you love? What will you do to help?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
Song of the day: 'How can I Keep from Singing?'
Acceptance....
C'est quelque chose que nous avons tous besoin de pratique, aujourd'hui plus que jamais. Le monde s'écroule sous nos yeux, et en quelque sorte les gens trouvent encore l'énergie à la haine de l'autre.***
L'acceptation est une chose très difficile à réaliser, s'il s'agit d'un type de musique, ou tout un groupe de personnes, il est très difficile d'accepter quelque chose une fois que vous avez votre esprit contre lui. Je lutte avec moi-même parfois! Mais tout le monde devrait prendre un autre regard maintenant. Il s'agit d'une période de deuil, la douleur et de la dette pour le monde. Et je pense qu'il est absolument scandaleux que les gens peuvent encore se haïssent. Les gens dans son ensemble doit répondre comme une seule famille durant ces moments difficiles.
Et c'est ce que tout le monde doit commencer à faire. Juste accepter ce qui estlà et les soutenir. Cela exige un effort et de la tolérance, et beaucoup d'amour.S'il vous plaît faites de votre mieux pour être l'acceptation et de soutien de tout le monde. Non seulement certains groupes de personnes. Faites votre partpour faire du monde dans lequel nous vivons mieux de nous et l'avenir pour toutes les générations. Qui veut vivre dans un monde déchiré par la haine et de ségrégation? Pas moi.
Levez-vous pour ce que vous croyez, vivez vos rêves, et de toujours faire ce qui est juste.
Qu'est-ce que vous essayez d'accepter?
Merci pour la lecture.
-Ella.
Song of the day- Why Can't We Be Friends?
L'acceptation est une chose très difficile à réaliser, s'il s'agit d'un type de musique, ou tout un groupe de personnes, il est très difficile d'accepter quelque chose une fois que vous avez votre esprit contre lui. Je lutte avec moi-même parfois! Mais tout le monde devrait prendre un autre regard maintenant. Il s'agit d'une période de deuil, la douleur et de la dette pour le monde. Et je pense qu'il est absolument scandaleux que les gens peuvent encore se haïssent. Les gens dans son ensemble doit répondre comme une seule famille durant ces moments difficiles.
Et c'est ce que tout le monde doit commencer à faire. Juste accepter ce qui estlà et les soutenir. Cela exige un effort et de la tolérance, et beaucoup d'amour.S'il vous plaît faites de votre mieux pour être l'acceptation et de soutien de tout le monde. Non seulement certains groupes de personnes. Faites votre partpour faire du monde dans lequel nous vivons mieux de nous et l'avenir pour toutes les générations. Qui veut vivre dans un monde déchiré par la haine et de ségrégation? Pas moi.
Levez-vous pour ce que vous croyez, vivez vos rêves, et de toujours faire ce qui est juste.
Qu'est-ce que vous essayez d'accepter?
Merci pour la lecture.
-Ella.
Song of the day- Why Can't We Be Friends?
Originality...
Or, as some may call it--strangeness.
Originality and creativity are being lost today. Everything is a remake, a reboot, cycling through everything old. And those who do try something new are often outcast and made fun of.
As teenagers, my friends and I embrace our originality. A lot of us are 'strange' kids. We make movies and have parties like elementary school children. We build pillow forts and dance and roast marshmallows in golf-carts.
A lot of us are artists--singers, painters, actors, jewlery makers. We do what we can to express ourselves. And we aren't afraid to show our true colors. To my friends, everyone is odd. There is no normal or abnormal. Everyone simply is. I wish everyone was that accepting of people. Maybe then there wouldn't be so many cliques, or gangs, or nasty rumors spreading like wildfire.
If everyone just learned that it's okay to be a bit different, to have some originality, then maybe the world would open its mind a bit more. The picture today is a friend of a friend. El Muchacho is his name, and he resides on my newest friend Anna's stomach. It was taken at an 18th birthday party, where fake moustaches and sparklers where the highlights of the evening. As I said, my friends are not afraid to do what they love...however childish it may be.
What makes you original?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella
Originality and creativity are being lost today. Everything is a remake, a reboot, cycling through everything old. And those who do try something new are often outcast and made fun of.
As teenagers, my friends and I embrace our originality. A lot of us are 'strange' kids. We make movies and have parties like elementary school children. We build pillow forts and dance and roast marshmallows in golf-carts.
A lot of us are artists--singers, painters, actors, jewlery makers. We do what we can to express ourselves. And we aren't afraid to show our true colors. To my friends, everyone is odd. There is no normal or abnormal. Everyone simply is. I wish everyone was that accepting of people. Maybe then there wouldn't be so many cliques, or gangs, or nasty rumors spreading like wildfire.
If everyone just learned that it's okay to be a bit different, to have some originality, then maybe the world would open its mind a bit more. The picture today is a friend of a friend. El Muchacho is his name, and he resides on my newest friend Anna's stomach. It was taken at an 18th birthday party, where fake moustaches and sparklers where the highlights of the evening. As I said, my friends are not afraid to do what they love...however childish it may be.
What makes you original?
Thank you for reading.
-Ella
Consideration...
Must be present in every decision you make. Every Single Decision.
The girl pictured here is Allysun Andrea-Lynn Zimmerman. She died on January 5, 2011. She was the passenger in a car that, through no fault of the driver, was involved in an accident. The driver was not drunk, or speeding. The driver was a teen of the same age, with multiple people in the car, fighting over control of the radio. The driver ran a red light and struck the car Ally was in.
My post today is not to make you feel guilty. It is not to make you cry, but if you want to then do so. My post today is about peoples lack of consideration in their actions. And I will say, I am a victim of this thinking myself. I have hurt people's feelings with my lack of consideration. But I am working to change myself.
Consideration was just the lack of thinking before acting. Had the driver of that car considered the possible problems of having so many people in her car, maybe the results of that day would have been different. Maybe my friend would still be here, among her friends and loved ones.
But we cannot linger on maybe's. The maybe's are never to be. The fact of it is, it happened. There's no going back for Ally, as much as I wish there were. But there is room for change in everyone else's lives.
Consider this story next time you go to the bar: 1 drink is enough to alter your brain function, no matter how 'High' your tolerance is. Talking on your cellphone is the equivilant of having a BAC of .08. For people over the age of 21, having more than 1 person in the car increases the risk of an accident by over 200%. Why put yourself and others at risk? Consider the people in the other cars--their families and friends, and the loved ones who'd miss them as much as I miss Ally.
Consider your actions, every single one has a consequence. Be careful, and stay safe. Live life to the fullest, but make sure you don't end another's in the process.
Thank you for reading,
I love you so much Ally. RIP.
-Ella.
The girl pictured here is Allysun Andrea-Lynn Zimmerman. She died on January 5, 2011. She was the passenger in a car that, through no fault of the driver, was involved in an accident. The driver was not drunk, or speeding. The driver was a teen of the same age, with multiple people in the car, fighting over control of the radio. The driver ran a red light and struck the car Ally was in.
My post today is not to make you feel guilty. It is not to make you cry, but if you want to then do so. My post today is about peoples lack of consideration in their actions. And I will say, I am a victim of this thinking myself. I have hurt people's feelings with my lack of consideration. But I am working to change myself.
Consideration was just the lack of thinking before acting. Had the driver of that car considered the possible problems of having so many people in her car, maybe the results of that day would have been different. Maybe my friend would still be here, among her friends and loved ones.
But we cannot linger on maybe's. The maybe's are never to be. The fact of it is, it happened. There's no going back for Ally, as much as I wish there were. But there is room for change in everyone else's lives.
Consider this story next time you go to the bar: 1 drink is enough to alter your brain function, no matter how 'High' your tolerance is. Talking on your cellphone is the equivilant of having a BAC of .08. For people over the age of 21, having more than 1 person in the car increases the risk of an accident by over 200%. Why put yourself and others at risk? Consider the people in the other cars--their families and friends, and the loved ones who'd miss them as much as I miss Ally.
Consider your actions, every single one has a consequence. Be careful, and stay safe. Live life to the fullest, but make sure you don't end another's in the process.
Thank you for reading,
I love you so much Ally. RIP.
-Ella.
Growing Up...
Is a very difficult thing to do. I'm beginning to realize just how difficult. Not just because I'm getting older, but because of my friends, and my loved ones.
When we are younger, our parents teach us what's right and what's wrong. They teach us to mind our manners and look both ways before crossing the street and to always say please and thank you. And most importantly, they teach us to be ourselves, and be leaders. But, the world tells us otherwise. The world demands that you be the same, and do what is acceptable to them.
We learn this lesson the hard way. When children go to school, all dressed up for the first day, and someone tells them they look stupid. Slowly but surely, they start to remove the extra garnishes they had been so excited to show off that morning. When teenagers sneak out, or drink or do drugs just because their friends do. When adults pass up family gatherings for a promotion at work.
The world brings us down. And I have been thrown into being a follower before. But my parents taught me well, and I never go too far from who I am. The point of this post is to remind you that being you is okay. It's human to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. And as cliche as it sounds, you should NEVER resort to following the crowd. The path less traveled is still a traveled path, and everyone should muster the courage to forge their own.
The picture today is me, and it should be a solid reminder to all that, no matter how odd you may be, you should never be afraid to fly your true colors for the world to see. People may not like you, but, like the great Dr.Seuss said-
"...Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
Stay true to yourself.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.
When we are younger, our parents teach us what's right and what's wrong. They teach us to mind our manners and look both ways before crossing the street and to always say please and thank you. And most importantly, they teach us to be ourselves, and be leaders. But, the world tells us otherwise. The world demands that you be the same, and do what is acceptable to them.
We learn this lesson the hard way. When children go to school, all dressed up for the first day, and someone tells them they look stupid. Slowly but surely, they start to remove the extra garnishes they had been so excited to show off that morning. When teenagers sneak out, or drink or do drugs just because their friends do. When adults pass up family gatherings for a promotion at work.
The world brings us down. And I have been thrown into being a follower before. But my parents taught me well, and I never go too far from who I am. The point of this post is to remind you that being you is okay. It's human to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. And as cliche as it sounds, you should NEVER resort to following the crowd. The path less traveled is still a traveled path, and everyone should muster the courage to forge their own.
The picture today is me, and it should be a solid reminder to all that, no matter how odd you may be, you should never be afraid to fly your true colors for the world to see. People may not like you, but, like the great Dr.Seuss said-
"...Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
Stay true to yourself.
Thank you for reading.
-Ella.