Sorry. I got mad because nobody gets this. Design is art with a purpose. But I feel better now.

This was the best still shot I had. The rest was video

You know, the most vocal, but in my opinion, most shallow argument people use against homeschooling is….(you ready?)…”What about socialization?”

My answer: “What about it?”

“Well… what do you do about socialization?”

Of course, I know this isn’t something they just thought of asking out of concern. It’s something they’ve been taught to ask. They don’t know anything else, so I don’t fault those that ask. Apparently, they must not get out much themselves, otherwise they would have learned homeschoolers really *don’t* have an issue with socialization. Besides, if they really thought I wasn’t “socialized”, why would they waste their time asking me, since I’m most likely not “socialized” enough to answer.

So it continues..



“Well… what about proms? I mean, you can’t go to proms. What about, like, well… boyfriends… dances…”

And they usually stump themselves before I can even answer. Really. Ohh! Socialization! You mean, the bullying? The suicide attempts? Bomb threats? Breakups? That’s what you call “socialization”? First of all, we *do* have homeschool proms. I still wouldn’t want to go to a prom if I had the chance. And see? That’s where I get to be proud of my decisions. If I was in a basic highschool, I know I’d feel pressured or obligated to go.

Sheesh, you talk about “socialization”: “Oh look! So-and-so is with so-and-so now? Ohmygossssh that is SO lame! I can’t believe it. He SO totally should of gone out with HER!” And so on. Or the parties afterwards. Why would I want that, why would I (should I) care? Is that really the kind of socialization I want? I think I’d rather consider how my actions may affect my future and start planning for that now.

You see, the “issue with socialization” doesn’t lie among the homeschoolers. The issue is in the general public that have lost so much common sense to the point that common sense isn’t common anymore, so they don’t understand common social issues that homeschoolers are usually the first to demonstrate (yes, the run-on was intentional).

The “issue” with us homeschoolers really isn’t an issue at all. Granted, we aren’t perfect all the time. But when it comes to handling professional situations, engaging in intelligent conversations, and being leaders–well, we’ve got that pretty well under control. It’s not surprising that the ones with the finger pointing at them getting asked, “What about socialization!?” are the ones the finger-pointers are working for. Look it up, I dare ya. Google the research, statistics, charts, and graphs comparing the work ethics, social skills, overall positive countenance, and contentment of homeschoolers vs. their non-homeschooled peers.

We’re happy with who we are. We do well academically. We’re leaders. We’re confident, courageous, and competent. We have lasting family relationships. We’re not perfect–but we aren’t afraid to admit that. We’re honest and down-to-earth. Oh, and we win spelling bees.

So what about socialization, now? I’d say, don’t waste your time.

But not just food… like fast food, or out-to-eat food, or food that isn’t food, or stuff that looks like food, or food with tons of ingredients…

Nope. This is the real stuff. Natural. Organic. Real.

September is the prime harvest season. I got to enjoy it in full swing…and not just because I work at an orchard:

An old friend of mine emailed me on Facebook, asking if I was interested in volunteering at an organic expo in Birmingham. Sure I was! My summer break goal was to take advantages of sporadic fun activities… so this fit right in. It was not only for fellow foodies, but for organic foodies, natural nerds, vegetarians…and it was in Birmingham to top it all off (Birminham, MI is an old, upper-class area…very wooded, very classy).

The day started off with Jordan Rubin, author of the book “The Maker’s Diet”, as the keynote speaker. He was followed by Dr. Brownstein, a popular holistic doctor. He spoke about iodine in our diets and touched on table salts vs sea salts. Another holistic doctor lectured about Vitamin D.

However, that wasn’t the most fun part. The speakers were only a small percentage of the event. The rest seemed more like a natural-themed flea market. Seriously cool. From soap-making, roasted corn cobs, and seasonings… to mushroom coffee, baby and pet products, to one awesome catering company—which is where Mom and I volunteered.

That had to be the best part. “Pure Food 2 U“, a local Michigan caterer, is dedicated to supporting other local farms…AND they actually make great food. Mom and I just started out by handing out the pre-paid lunches to the customers bringing their tickets. But—I got into it, asking the customers questions and trying to answer their questions. Of course, this made me go through a crash-course of Pure Food 2 U knowledge. They even had gluten-free brownies…and since it was an organic expo, of course those were a popular seller.

We ventured around some more, and I couldn’t resist snapping a few picts of the produce displays. My favorite business of the day, however, was the Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from Yale, “Maple Creek Farm“.

Peppers at Maple Creek Farm's stand

Maple Creek Farms has come a long way and established quite a following, thanks to the hardworking team of Michelle Lutz and her husband, as well as their weekly organic food program.  For 18 weeks during the summer, Maple Creek puts together a variety of their fresh produce and provides them to their many members. They’ve done so well that they’re now providing produce in season to Mind, Body, Spirits (a gourmet organic restaurant in Rochester), Inn Season (a fabulous vegan cafe in Royal Oak), and various farm markets. It was exciting to see them at this event, considering they’re all the way from Yale.

The best part of the day (apologies to the speakers) was actually having the lunch we were passing out half the day:

Check that out! Spring Mix salad with fresh chicken…and a natural brownie, fruit salad, and chili. Seriously the best.

So despite taking a busy Sunday in September off work, it was a great day. I talked to a lot of local business owners and I’m even thinking of doing it again next year–but with the intentions of getting some design work done for the businesses. Either way, that was my highlight from September.

Just a note: If you’re in Michigan, and are interested in volunteering for the organic expo (I’d recommend it!) Check out the facebook page for Growing Connections Conference and Organic Harvest Expo!

[tweetmeme source=”agoch01″]

OH… you mean OCTOBER. October is spelled with four letters: “B-U-S-Y”. Busiest month of the year.

Okay, really…not much happened in October. I just went to school full time and worked overtime. Not bad, right?

It was our *busy* season at work. Yeah, I’m sure you’ve seen it! It’s when swarms of people line up outside at the orchard for their annual cider and donuts. Literally, thousands of people come through in one weekend alone. The fall colors attract the city people, and they leave happy with their arms filled with pumpkins, apples, cider, donuts, caramel apples, and really tired kids. It’s fun, though… we love it.

The weekdays, on the contrast, consist of quiet mornings.. that is, until the school groups arrive. “Organized Chaos” is what Becky calls it. It is. She does an impressive job keeping all the groups in order. The frenzied teachers arrive, check in, all the while trying to keep their groups together. They board the wagon before the students get impatient (they’re usually preschool-3rd graders). When they’re done picking apples, it’s off to the petting farm. In the meantime, those of us in the store stock up like it’s Y2K with hot dogs, nacho trays lined up all over the counter, cider back on the shelves, whatever we think we need for the group that comes in. The last stop for the fieldtrip is to the store for cider, donuts, and lunch (which is a huge ordeal and the reason why we need to stock up while the group is outside)—and when they’re done—well—it’s like a whirlwind went through! We take a breath and set up all over again, just in time for the next group.

I worked so much this year, that when I came home and tried to relax, I’d close my eyes for a split second and saw THIS:

Granny Smiths weren't the only ones I saw a lot of though. From McIntosh, to the celebrity Honey Crisp... don't get me started

I have to mention one fabulous weekend. The highlight was when we ran out of donuts. Customers were pretty confused as to why Blakes Orchard didn’t have donuts. We have a pretty good team, though. My manager came up with a plan that kept everyone at least momentarily sane. It’s crazy. One day we’re doing retail, the next day…crowd control.

Answering the phone is a blast, too.

“Blake’s Big Apple, can I help you?”
“Hi! This is Blakes?”
“Yep!”
“Um… how do I get there?”
“Well…where are you coming from?”
“Home.”
“Okay, where do you live?”

When we’re actually *not* busy for a moment, we find ways to *look* busy (and this is the fun part). Cheryl has some mad display skills, so helping her out with that is something I always enjoy. If you come into the store this year and see two people randomly staring at certain spots of the store from different angles… now you know what we’re doing—trying to imagine something that isn’t there—yet. Once we (er, Cheryl) has an idea, things just go together, and they usually turn out pretty nice. I was pretty pleased with the turnout one day, and when no one was looking, I grabbed my iPod and ran up to the loft:

This only lasts until the weekend.

Cute.

On top of working overtime there, I was in school three days per week, 4 hours each day, driving 6 hours each week, doing homework, and trying to get comfortable at a new campus–OH and working on a few logos here-and-there. Thank God for my family who picked up my slack at home, my co-workers who dealt with my lack of energy and a little bit of grouchiness, and my friends, who didn’t mind that I neglected them (sorry guys, I still love ya!). SO glad October is over. Can’t wait for the next time it comes around.

What I learned in October: Sleep is overrated, drink MORE COFFEE!
Okay okay on a more serious note, I learned how much I’m capable of if I put my mind to it. It wasn’t easy, but that’s because I wasn’t certain of the outcome (i.e. my GPA turnout, haha if people still liked me at work, if I’d get my friends’ design jobs done on time). Now that I know I can do it, I think I’m more equipped handle it this coming fall. Granted, I always manage to take on a lot more than I think I can handle, but with God’s help, I think I’ve got a pretty good chance at winning again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marshall, MI

We met the owner of the antique shop, and he told us all about how Dorothy Hamill–a celebrity figure skater–stopped in to visit his shop. He was so excited; I guess she bought a christmas tree pin. While Grandma and mom worked with the antique display a bit, Cara and I walked down the street to a local coffee shop called “Serenity”. The coffee was good, however I think they could just use a bit of music and lighting. It was rather dark and quiet, I felt like I had to whisper the whole time I was there–almost like a library. But it was definitely a cute place with lots of potential.

After that, we went a bit further to the art gallery that showcases a number of local Michigan artists. We had actually stopped here before on the way home from a camping trip…but it was such a quick stop I didn’t think it counted as an actual “visit to Marshall”. Anyhow, we stopped in, and actually had a bit more time to look around. A friend of ours loves artistic, vintage, and occasional whimsical piece of jewelry, so we found the perfect gift for her.

Grandma’s birthday was at the end of September, but I was in school and didn’t get to spend much time with her. For a late birthday gift we took her out to eat at the popular restaurant there called “Schulers”—known for their wine and cheese. The weather was perfect, the food was great—we had an awesome time.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had an idea.

I opened iPhoto and picked out one really memorable event from each month.  I enjoyed reviewing my year backwards, as it brought a lot of those “Oh yeah!” moments for me. I’m doing one month each day. Here we go:

December:

That was just yesterday, right? Not hard. I’d say the most exciting thing for me, was probably just as exciting for my aunt. Remember the logo I made for the Coffee Cottage? Well the Coffee Cottage is now officially open! Now let me back up. Alyssa loves coffee, and Alyssa loves design—especially designing logos. So designing a logo for a coffee shop was perfect. I loved the whole process. But see, usually… when the design process is over, it’s over! I forget about things, and move on. I don’t often see my designs put to work (not that I’ve done many), but I don’t do much local work. The logo I designed for the Coffee Cottage was finished, and I only saw it here-and-there, and only in a small, digital format. BUT—Mom, Cara, and I drove up north to go visit my aunt. Our first stop when we arrived in Pellston, was the infamous Coffee Cottage—a name that was burned in my mind, but I hadn’t actually seen it live. When we drove up and I saw this:

My Aunt Lynn's newly-opened Coffee Cottage in Pellston, Michigan

…you can imagine how excited I was. Of course, it’s not on a lighted sign, or in flashing lights. But it was there…for everyone to see! My logo… my aunt’s coffee shop. My logo ON her coffee shop. Well now it’s my aunt’s logo. But I still made it. It was weird. But boy was I motivated. So motivated, my sister and I went made her a fun facebook page for her Coffee Cottage. Definitely go “like” it, and support a Michigan business!

What I learned from December:

Don’t put things off until tomorrow. Tomorrow will be here and gone before you know it. By then, it might be too late. If you really want something, do it…today. Tomorrow is when you get to enjoy what you did today.



~~~~~~~~

Here’s the wallpaper:

Click the image for different sizes.
v

Finally, I couldn’t help but post this video, “Candlelight” by the Maccabeats. It’s only the third night of Hanukkah, but already most of my facebook friends have posted it on their wall. Hanukkah’s just cool like that.

Naaaa that’d be cheesy—-and Chanukah’s about grease and oil anyhow. It’s perfect just the way it is. But hey! One thing I don’t get is why the “holiday” stations don’t play Chanukah songs. No really. If Christmas is supposedly about “Jesus”, howcome they forgot to mention Chanukah? After all if it wasn’t for Jews saving Jews and Judaism during Chanukah… I guess Jesus wouldn’t have been around.

Oh well, if they ever decide to play it on the mainstream “holiday” stations, I found the lyrics so you can sing along and be ahead of the gang:

Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah
Let’s have a party; we’ll all dance the hora
Gather round the table, we’ll all have a treat
Sivivon to play with, and latkes to eat.

And while we are playing
The candles are burning bright
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.

So there you have it. Memorize it. Sing it backwards. Make a dance, I don’t care. Or you can just cheat and put the wallpaper up and read that during the whole 8 days.

**Disclaimer: Christmas, though implied above, is not the birthday of Jesus, nor does the author believe it is.

So it’s the first night of Chanukah, and I decided to give you a quick post on…

…the Jewish Christmas!!

>not!<



In fact it’s the complete opposite. It just happens to be around the same time.

See for Christmas, there’s a lot of receiving… and there’s a lot of giving, too. But it’s obligatory giving. It’s the time where people are expected to give, and the people giving expect to receive just as much. It’s the time where kids makes lists of things they want (not need), can’t believe they didn’t get that *one thing* on their list, even though the kid next store did, and so on. Is that really what giving is all about? Aren’t we supposed to love people so much, it doesn’t matter what we get in return–if anything? Just giving freely because you want to, and not even thinking about getting anything in return is loyalty, love, dedication…

And dedication… that’s what Chanukah is about.

It started with the Maccabees taking a stand against hellenism. A group of rebels that defied the man-made powers of the government. The didn’t just live in the “now” and assimilate. They saw the future of their people and were willing to give their lives for it. They gave. They were dedicated and determined. Could you ask for a more humble, more true way to give? The put their trust in God and knew He would see them through.

And since our lives are always filled with renewal… the same had to happen after the Maccabees defeating Antiochus. See, it wasn’t just a battle between Jews and Greeks. It was a battle between good and evil. Between the holy and the profane. The Greeks didn’t just create laws that denied the Jewish people their right to observe the Torah and its statutes. The literally profaned the Torah, prevented the people from observing the Torah even if they tried, and humiliated and brutally murdered those that did try. On top of that the Greeks desecrated the holy temple and the altar by sacrificing the most unholy emblem of despicableness atop the altar–a pig. So following the Greeks’ defeat, the temple and its objects had to be restored—-rededicated, or made holy again. This is where the story of Chanukah comes in.

One of the final things that had to be done for the temple was lighting the menorah. However, only one vile of the oil was found, enough to last one day–and this wasn’t just ordinary olive oil–it had to be pure and sanctified, like the temple it would give light to. Well one day would have been better than none, so they lit the menorah and set to work on the eight-day process of getting the new oil. However, the legend is, for the whole eight days, the menorah miraculously remained lit until more oil was made.

But that’s not really the real miracle. Take a look at the amount of perseverance and strength it must have taken for the Maccabees had to stand against the Greeks, defeat them, rebuild the temple, restore its furnishing, and rededicate a desecrated land and people. That is where the true miracle lies. Chanukah’s not about the presents for eight days, or the blue and white lights… and it’s not just for the Jewish people. It’s for all who choose to celebrate life. Chanukah is about you. It’s a story of a fight for truth and holiness, fueled by faith, love, and dedication.

Oh and here’s an iPhone wallpaper for ya. Merry christmas.

JUST KIDDING!