Blog # 2 -- "Boy"

Son, when you are older, buy the groceries on Sunday so that Monday through Friday you can feed your family properly. Saturday... pizza maybe. Don't wear colored bandannas until you're older. Help your woman cook the frybread and keep the oil clean. Make sure that the buckskin is tanned and that you never drop an eagle feather. Please, stay away from alcohol and the gangs that think they own the town, no matter what, son. But Dad, I don't hang out with them at all-- This is how you bead a medallion, this is how you speak our language. This is how you aim your bow, your gun, this is how you provide or your family. This is how you stay away from drugs and alcohol. If you get in a disagreement, settle it like a man, no a boy. This is how you survive in a world full of people who believe they have conquered us. Son, don't forget to braid your hair every morning as neatly as I braided yours when you were young. Do the same for your own son until he's able to do his own. Don't become a stereotype -- mow the lawn and keep the house and yard moderately clean. Don't be pressured. Don't drink, don't abuse, don't fight. Treat your woman like you would your mom or better. I better not hear about you getting drunk and hitting your woman. Cherish her. But don't let your woman do that to you either, son. Don't be that couple. Don't talk about things you've been instructed against talking about. Even if you're not sure, don't say it. Please be safe, my son. This is how you make stew and meat pies. This root will cure almost anything. Be sure to thank the spirit of the fish or animal you have killed in order to feed your family. This is how to earn respect from your elders, and this is how you in turn respect them. This is the way to keep yourself from alcohol and how to keep the Indian way. I know, Dad. I won't do any of that. You better not, son. Don't become like your father. Don't turn out like me.

Blog #1 -- Introduction

1. I think my greatest assets are that I work hard at things that I'm truly interested in and I'm creative.
2. The nicest thing I ever did for anyone was probably stand up for them, even though I'm kind of shy sometimes.
3. One question I have about life is why do people hate each other based on class, race, nationality, religion, political views, etc.?
4. My teachers last year will tell you that I am studious and have good attendance.
5. My friends will tell you that I am kind of crazy and definitely fun to be around.
6. People like me because I'm not judgmental.
7. Don't laugh, but I'm an expert on the zodiac. I used to have a lot of free time and I was always really curious about it so... I retained most of that information.
8. I want to know more about how I can help humanity as a whole.
9. When I am 30, I will be happy doing what I want to do.
10. Five years from now, I will probably still be in college.
11. When I want to, I have the ability to speak my mind.
12. A famous person I admire is Sherman Alexie because he's one of the only Native American writers of a newer generation, and he writes about things that people oftentimes don't want to talk about, especially concerning life on the reservation.
13. I have trouble dealing with spiders.
14. I am proud of my family and where I come from.
15. My friends make me laugh when they just be themselves.
16. The most stressful thing in my life is trying to get a job.
17. If I had one hundred dollars, I would pay my car payment.
18. It was easy to learn English-type subjects.
19. It is difficult to learn science.
20. I have no regrets about life.
21. I like pretty much every kind of music, but there are too many songs to list here without it being a "These Are My Favorite Songs" post. If I have to pick one though, I think it's probably "The Phoenix" by Fall Out Boy or "Holding On" by Scary Kids Scaring Kids.
22. My favorite colors are red, purple, and gold.
23. My favorite place on earth is Newport, Oregon.