Christmas

Opening all the presents under the tree, putting out milk and cookies for Santa Claus and celebrating with family and friends.

It is one of the best holidays of the year!

There are so many different things you can do to celebrate christmas besides these things, but the main reason is for Jesus.

Jesus' birthday(Christmas), is to show just how much we as individuals in the world love and worship him.


Not every religion celebrates Christmas, some Celebrate Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, but they all find a
way to spread love just the same.

This represents the significance of christmas and it's traditions.

I know that from my point of view, Christmas is one of my favourite holidays.

I love counting the days leading up to Christmas with the chocolate calendars, the christmas songs playing on the radio, and lights strung all around the house.

My favourite part, is sneaking up in the middle of the night to peek at all the presents under the tree.

There are so many presents, that sometimes I don't know what to do with them all!

Lastly, every Christmas Eve, my family spends time together snuggling up on the couch, and watching a classic christmas movie.

It makes me feel so happy, It gives me a reason to smile.

Books

                                                       

Books can make you feel very intellectual and can really get
someone thinking about a certain topic.

There are different types of books you can read just like there are different types of music; it just depends on what you are interested in.

You can find books online, on a special device called an E-reader, a library or in a local bookstore.

If you're using an e-reader, you have to download books in order to read them, many people prefer to do this.

Our generation has become so advanced in the way we view things that we don't even have to physically hold a book anymore.

Instead, we view and read it online. This, in my opinion, kind of ruins the experience reading a book.

I enjoy holding a book physically in my hands, and turning the pages.

I have read many different books in my lifetime but my favourite one so far has to be Stargirl.

 It is about this girl named Stargirl who is new to her school, and experiences a series of events, some good, while some are bad.

She is different, unique, others in her school find her weird, but she meets her boyfriend there, Leo, and he, changes her life forever.

There is a sequel to this book called Love, Stargirl. I also own this book and have read it, they
are equally just as great.

I have come to find from reading books since I was two, that it's not the book, but the message that is hidden behind the words that makes me really enjoy them.

That message, is what makes me strive to finish the book.

My passion for reading will only continue to build over time.

Reading makes my dreams, suddenly become in form close to reality, A reason to smile.


                                           

Movies

Movies are one of the best things ever invented. Well, besides food of course.

It's the sort of entertainment that anyone of any age or gender can
enjoy.

There are many different types of movies you can enjoy like
Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Action, Drama, Comedy, Documentary, etc.

Movies are rated in an appropriate manner, specifically geared
towards the age group the movie applies to. For example, a six year old child isn't able to see Paranormal  activity because it's rated R.

So many different forms of movies have come out over the
years, and also ways to play them. The current VCR, DVD or back in the old days, when they didn't have portable  movies, you either found it on TV or went to the theatre.

Even the movies are a popular thing these days. 3D movies are insanely popular now as well, as every movies is pretty much being remade into 3D format.

All I know is that I love watching movies, romance and sad love stories are my favourite.

I am a huge sap for love movies, I can't help but cry over them, even if it's not a true story.

 A few years back, I went to see the Vow, with my best friend. It was the best experience.

The movie was  fantastic and I also enjoyed the atmosphere around me because of the pleasure of

having the company of my best friend.

Movies make me happy, they make memories happen and old ones re-appear.

They are my passion, one of my favourite things to do, they give me a reason to smile.

Music

Music is a favourite past-time for many.

There are also many different genres of music to listen to, some examples are Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Rock and Classical, but everyone has specific preferences of music that they enjoy the most.

Over the years, a variety of songs have been created, in lots of genres.

Some have hit the top of the charts, while others have not, but all music can help people feel good, it can even change your mood when you need to feel happy or just shed some tears.

Music can also be played on different devices like Radio, I-pod, computers and CD players.

Many enhance the sound and quality of the music playing, while others just give you more of a selection or have a higher capacity of the amount of songs you are able to have on one device.

Personally, music is my soul. It helps me relax, and feel happy when I might not feel that way at the time.

I think that lyrics speak out the most to me because when I really listen to the words, I see how they blend with the music to show you the emotion portrayed throughout.

Certain songs give me different feelings, depending on the lyrics or the background music that go along with it.

Some of my favourite songs, "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes and "The One That Got Away" by Katy Perry, speak out to me because I can relate to the words.

I can feel what they're feeling or were feeling when writing the song, these songs make me feel special.

Music is my hero, my way to escape from the world, a reason to smile.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to relax and improve your mood, all while having fun and staying healthy.

There are many different ways to exercise that can help relieve stress, while having fun, such as;
Zumba, Yoga, or simply meditation.

Exercise is not for everyone, but for many people, it is a daily ritual needed to unwind.

As well as different ways to stay fit, there are also a variety of different places to exercise like the YMCA, your local gym or even in the comfort of your own home.

Just jump in comfy clothes, relax, and enjoy the exercise of your choice.

I know that personally, I love exercise. It is one of my favourite things to do outside of school.

 Most of the time, I prefer to go for walks or listen to relaxing music and stretch. It really takes my mind off things for a while.

Exercise allows me to relax and makes me feel calm.

I have just started doing this in the past few years and I feel it really helps me.

Sometimes I work out with friends, and sometimes I do it alone. Either way, I am always looking forward to a new walk in the park, or a dance class at the Y.

Exercise is my stress-reliever, it gives me a reason to smile, everyday.

Friends

Friends are the best thing that you can have. They are the ones you can lean on for support, the ones who will be there for you through everything.

Friends are the ones who you have sleepovers with,share secrets with, and can talk about anything. They are the one thing you always have to have.

Without friends, you wouldn't have anyone to enjoy your life with.

There are many different types of friends you will have in a lifetime. Some of them may not be the best ones to keep, but you have to learn to choose your friends wisely.

I know that when I had to have eye surgery in my grade ten year, I needed my friends to be there for me as I recovered. I had to be off school for an entire week due to the after effects of the surgery.

That situation, showed me who my true friends really are. Agata and Chelsea, were just a few of the friends who came to visit me, or gave me a card while I rested at home. It made me so happy to know that I have such good friends that will always be there for me no matter what.

In life, you have to pick and choose between the people worth keeping, or the ones that should be leaving.

But just remember, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't
matter, and matter don't mind." A quote by Dr. Seuss.

It's true, friends are a gift from god, a reason to smile.

Siblings

Siblings can be messy, annoying, cute, crazy, funny, or just a pain in the butt. Yet, we all love them just the same.

Depending on their age, they can be a blast to be around.

If they're in the baby and preschool years from birth to age five, they can be fairly annoying at times and very demanding, but if they're in the senior years, age fives and up, they can be helpful.

Older siblings can help you with homework, and with your problems, because they can relate to what you are currently going through, as they went through it too. But even though they may have had similar experiences, just like a very fingerprint is not alike, your siblings may look like you, but they are completely different.

Younger siblings look up to you, you are their role models. I know this because I have younger
siblings myself.

My younger siblings are the best thing in the entire world, I wouldn't change them for anything.

Noah is five years old. He draws on my homework, loves Thomas, takes tantrums, and
throws food at me. Yet, he has a lot of good qualities about him that are so unique. He looks up to me,
calls my name weekly, watches T.V with me, and cares for me when no one else does. Nothing can
get any better than that.

Lucas is seven years old. He yells at me, fights with me, argues, and sometimes
pushes me, but just like Noah, he has his own unique loving traits. Lucas loves me unconditionally, I'm
his big sister and always will be.

Everyone has their imperfections, but it's what's inside that counts.

The love, that siblings will always have for each other.

The love I will always have for my siblings, and why they are my reason to smile.

Birthdays

Birthdays are something everyone looks forward to.

The joy building up inside of you when seeing
all those familiar faces surrounding you.

The excitement of all the balloons, streamers, presents, and of course, the birthday cake.

Blowing out the candles on that birthday cake, is the best part because you get to make a wish.

You can wish for anything in the entire world, let your imagination run wild.

Birthdays are one of the only times when you're allowed to be crazy.

The people who are there with you, are the people who love you for who you are.

I know that my birthday, towards the end of the school year, is always something I look forward to.

 It's a chance to take a break, enjoy life and realize just how much you're growing up.

No matter how old you are, birthdays are the one thing that never ages, never changes, never ends.

You'll have those memories either through pictures, or just from the experience itself.

Seeing those pictures, unwrapping those presents, blowing out those candles, is the best feeling you can ever get.

A reason to smile.

Taking Pictures

Taking pictures is so much fun. There are tons of different things to take pictures of such as: people,
places or things.

Your pictures can either be developed or uploaded to a computer, depending on the
type of camera you have.

No matter who you are, the majority of people love taking pictures.

Photography is an amazing thing to do, it gives you a feeling of happiness.

The pictures you take will always be with you, no matter what happens.

Over the years, you can look back at those images and remember all the memories you captured. Memories of either the people, or the objects you took a look at.

Personally, I love photography because it gives me a sense of freedom.

A chance to express myself in ways unimaginable in just words or actions.

It helps me feel as if I have a purpose in life, a reason to be here.

My purpose in my pictures is to capture all of the memories, from the good times to the bad,
to express my feelings to the world.

I have been taking pictures for a number of years and it is my joy in life. The one thing I do that makes me feel like I can do nothing wrong.

My reason to smile, even when it may seem, like there isn't one.

The sun on a hot summer's day

The wind blowing through my hair, as if an ocean wave has just swept off the shore.

Enjoying a nice tan on the beach with the sun shining on my body and the sounds of peaceful, happy people just having a carefree day; with no regrets or worries along the way.

I feel like I can do anything, anything that crosses my mind is somehow possible.

Just with warmth of that sun, the rush of those waves, and the sound of those people, it gives me a reason to smile.

 A reason to enjoy life, no matter what twists and turns may come my way.

I remember it like it was yesterday, a time when I felt this way.

I was just relaxing on the beach, letting the sun rays condition my body, so I could get that nice soft tan I was looking for, when I noticed some children playing by the pool.

They were having a great time. Just splashing around, and taking turns jumping off the
diving board.

 Seeing these children made me stop and think. We really don't realize how much
we're missing unless we stop and smell the flowers.

These kids were just overjoyed with satisfaction at the sun they were given to enjoy.

These children showed me that the sun on your face, just gives you that positive energy, the energy you need to get through the day.

You feel so powerful, and like nothing can stop you.

These kids, and that sun, showed me what life is really all about.

Appreciate what you have until it's gone.

It gave me a reason to smile.