In case you're looking for me, I won't be home… …I won't be stress eating…or smoking one cigarette after another…drinking myself numb…barely allowing myself to sleep. That would make things way too easy for you. If and when we meet, I will not be staring at a screen obsessing over every little detail about you. Because you're a virus…not an ex. I'll admit, at first, I was spending a lot of time asking all sorts of questions about you. “Where did you come from?” “Where are you going?” “Will you get stronger?” “How many lives will you impact before you're gone?” We fear what we don't understand. But I've had time to realize that it was never you I was afraid of. As it turns out, I didn't need to learn more about you… I needed to learn more about myself. I have been so concerned with losing my life, when not too long ago, I wasn't even sure of what I wanted to do with my life. So, I started asking myself the same questions I was asking about you. “Where did I come from?” “Where am I going?” “Will I get stronger?” “How many lives will I impact before I'm gone?” I should be mad at you, but I am not. I am really upset and disappointed in myself. I was asleep when you woke me, and I almost stayed asleep even after the “alarm” went off. Then the calls came in…from people I have known my whole life but whose voices I hadn't heard in months. I mean people were calling me who do not even call me on my birthday. The effect was contagious…I started calling people I had not spoken to in a while. All the time away from work and others has shown me what I really look like. I was always so concerned with my appearance. Just the morning routine alone was exhausting and stressful. I would wear clothes that I hoped would make me look thinner than I am, shoes to make me look taller, jewelry to make me look wealthier and then hop into a car I can barely afford to drive to a job that just scarcely provides the means to buy these “costumes.” It's so strange…they wanted me to put on a face mask but as it turns out, I've been wearing a mask my whole life. It's so much easier to breathe without all that added weight and the air has never been so incredible… I want to breath it all in. I keep wondering when you'll stop. When the world will go back to how I remember it. But the more I think about it, the more I hope it never goes back to how it was. I don't want to go back to being the person I was before you showed up in the world. There was so much about me I wasn't really all that happy with. I just kept distracting myself with any gadget, screen, drug or drink I could find. But you have forced me to spend some quality time with the one person I've been avoiding…myself. I've been forced to sit in my home and stare at how much I've filled it with emptiness. Crap I didn't really need, with money I didn't really have to spend, placed on shelves I never touched or even bothered to clean. Countless times people have told me, “Whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.” But that has never meant as much as it does in this moment. All the energy I spent being afraid of dying has turned into a desire to actually live…not just maintain a pulse or a paycheck…but actually be present in my own life and the lives of others. I have finally been afforded the time to look at the seemingly endless photos I've taken. Which only helped me realize that life isn't about capturing the moment…it's about letting those moments capture us. I could sit at home, gain weight, watch TV, avoid everyone I care for and blame you for it. But I won't…I can't. I'm sick of blaming others. I've spent my whole life blaming everyone and everything for what was wrong and what was missing. I'm done with that. So, like I said… I most likely won't be home when you come by. I'll probably be on my bike…enjoying these empty roads attempting to move faster than you. I'll be strengthening my lungs so that they are less susceptible to your attacks and with every other breath, saying, “hello” to the others daring enough to enjoy the outside. But if I am home when you come by, I won't be alone. The rebel you've inspired decided on a different strategy than isolation. You see…if you want new results, you need new methods. I've spent enough of my life alone to know that isolation never heals…it hurts… it kills. I have filled my house with the people that remind me how valuable this life is and what I'm fighting for in the first place. You want them…? You'll have to get through me… and I'm not going down without a fight. If your only goal was to kill me, don't worry, you succeeded. The person I was before you arrived… is gone. I guess I have you to thank for that.

TOOTHPASTE GYAAN aka Wisdom It is probably something which we consider to be very trivial. However, one of the first things we do, once we're out of bed in the morning, is to think of it, and even use it. Yes! It's the toothpaste tube. There are about 30 plus local and international brands available at the next door pharmacy store or supermarket. Whatever be your brand, the fact that one uses a toothpaste tube is significant now. Wondering why? Believe me- there's a great deal behind that soft-squeeze-tube! After I joined UTC, a seminary in Bangalore, India, my observations on how people used their toothpaste tube, changed to a reflection, and even grew into a critical analysis on, ‘why people use their toothpaste tube the way they do.' Probably, my findings could be articulated sufficiently to award myself a M.A (Master of Arts) with specialization in the area of what could be called as- “Ethics of using a toothpaste tube,” or “Toothpaste Gyaan aka Wisdom.” I have personally observed different methods or styles when it comes to getting out the white, red, blue, or multi-colored gel out of that tube. While many don't actually care to give this even a thought, some are wondering what all of this has to do with one's behavior or psychology. I have made many discoveries myself while observing how people use their toothpaste tube. However, I always wondered- ‘How can I present my findings on . . . . . after all . . . . . a toothpaste tube? Who would recognize or appreciate it, let alone give it a patient hearing?' Will people not question- ‘Can anything good come out of a toothpaste tube?' How easily people repudiate the deep, intricate messages one has derived! I believe that it's not just the paste, but something more, that comes out of a toothpaste tube! Life and a toothpaste tube have parallels! You can get to know much about a person, noting the way he/she uses one's own toothpaste tube. I have drawn a few hypotheses, the authenticity of which (unlike those of newly-discovered drugs), need not be tried on laboratory rats or other beings. Researchers in clinical behavior are more convinced that you get to know more of a person through his/her sub-conscious, non-verbal behavior and acts. One popular Bollywood movie involved a scene where listeners of a radio show called the radio jockey to discuss their day-to-day stories and predicaments. The radio host would listen patiently to cases thrown on air and then come up with creative and witty solutions. One young lady had to decide whether the person she was about to meet at the restaurant should be her future life-partner or not. She was facing a dilemma as she had to make an important decision within a matter of 30 to 45 minutes. The radio host deftly handled the case and with much ease. All that he suggested was- ‘If the man called the waiter by making sounds with his mouth or called out to the waiter saying ‘hey waiter…' he was certainly not the person she should marry because the very fact that he treated someone who served food with disrespect or lack of warmth indicated that he had no place in his heart for human relationships and values and dignity of labor. The lady just followed the instructions aired out to her ditto, and by the time the order was placed by the man and he could turn back to her, she was gone. He had not called the waiter with respect. So, she quit. Strange…you may think! This analogy is an example to show how we are revealing ourselves everyday through small acts even though they do not involve any words, sounds or actions. These episodes are loaded with gigabytes of information enough to describe to the world who we really are. You could start your own fact-findings, all by yourself. If you are a good observer, it won't be long before you are a professional in studying people's not-much-noticed moments and handle situations effectively. The onus is not on catching people during their odd moments, but to process one's own ability of understanding colleagues, friends, relatives, and groups. Who knows? You may even earn a doctorate with what you have discovered. Never mind, if the world refuses to honor your innovations. Your understanding will certainly help improve relations with people in this world. More still, it facilitates self-refinement. So, dear friend, the next time you drag yourself to the wash basin for a brush, just give a brief pause. Observe yourself! Observe others too! Ask yourself- ‘What kind of a person am I?' Remember – There's more than just paste…which comes out of your toothpaste tube! Note: You may reach the author on utcsudhakarjoshua@gmail.com or +91 9886698818 (WhatsApp)

In 1992, due to my mom's failing health conditions, she moved in with me. Not long after, she was diagnosed with dementia. I suspected as much since I noticed a change in her dwindling memory. While dementia / Alzheimer's is nothing to be taken lightly, what I didn't realize at the time was that mom's health condition helped me provide her with better care. Mom was soon in a wheelchair. I'll get to why that helped in a minute. Mom's dementia raced through her brain and within last two years of her life, she was completely non-verbal. (I'm also getting to that.) Mom's been gone four years now and not a day goes by that I don't wish I could do it all over again. I miss her with all my heart. While I no longer have my mom, I was given another option. A few months ago, an ad by a local gentleman was posted in our community online newsletter looking for help with his wife who has dementia. I thought I'd apply for the position since I'd taken care of mom. Mr. J was impressed with what I offered and hired me immediately. Here's where his wife differs from my mom. Mom was unable to walk. Ann can. Mom was non-verbal. Ann is somewhat verbal. Mom was very placid. Ann is most of the time but not always. If mom's imagination still existed, she didn't have the capability to show it. Ann's is and she does. Now I'll elaborate. While mom couldn't walk and Ann can, I always knew where mom was. Ann seems to have a problem sitting still for more than ten minutes unless she's eating lunch. She wanders around constantly moving anything within her reach. That's okay but all too often, she'll move her husband's laptop and important business papers. No matter where he puts them, she'll find and move them. I'm thankful their home is small. Like all homes, there are two doors: front and back. Mr. J. found it necessary to put in a second deadbolt lock in the back door that is just above Ann's reach. I count my blessings each time I'm there as Ann tries constantly to walk out the door to “go home”. I keep inventing reasons why she shouldn't be leaving the house. I tried once telling her she was home and that didn't make her at all happy. I changed tactics and said we needed to wait for her husband since he had the key to the car. That calms her down. Don't misunderstand me. Ann and I leave the house and walk around the community several times a day, but she's determined that she needs to, as I said, “go home”. She surely keeps me on my toes. The second issue is speech. Mom's speech quickly became nonexistent, as if she had no vocal chords at all. Mom never uttered one sound. Ann, on the other hand, can utter a few words but most of what she tries to say is nothing more than buzzing sounds. I know she thinks she's speaking intelligently, but in reality, what anyone would hear is: “And that one, bzzzz, bzzz, bzzzz.” I have to study her facial expressions to have an idea of whom and what she's referring to and wonder, has it made her happy, confused, or angry and then reply with, “Oh Wow! I didn't know that!” Then Ann will say, “Yeah!” We have some strange conversations that only she really understands. Ann has also exhibited a few minor anger issues. She has a stuffed toy that she loves – sometimes. She'll cradle the toy as though it were a small child. She'll sing to it, speak to it, and often hold her imaginary conversations with it. On a few rare occasions, she'll buzz-ask the toy a question. No answer. (Reminder: it is a stuffed toy that can't speak) She'll ask again. Still no answer. This might go on for a few minutes and with each time, Ann waits for an answer that won't come, her patience wanes until finally, she snaps. She'll grab the toy by the head and shake it violently while demanding an answer, “Speak to me” “Speak to me”. When no answer comes, she abruptly stands up, still tightly holding the toy by its head, and slams it down on another chair and curtly says, “Then don't answer me! Bzzzz,, Bzzzz Bzzz.” By the time, this tirade is over (usually no more than five minutes), I've retrieved a piece of chocolate and when she turns to me, I say pleasantly, “Oh Ann! Look what I've found. I think you'll like this.” She accepts the candy, sits down next to me, and picks up her small photo album and points to each photo buzzing its description. Ann is, for the most part, a delight to care for. Easy? Not at all. Pleasant? Most of the time. Would I stop going to see her? Absolutely not! The other day right before I made her lunch, I suggested she wash her hands. She did. I stood next to her with a towel. Her eyes lit up as if I'd given her a great gift. She smiled, dried her hands and said, “Thank you. You're the sweetest lady.” And then she hugged me. It was the highlight of the day! While Ann in her own way can be much more difficult than my mom had been, she could do something my mom was unable to do. She hugged me.

'"BASICS OF SOUTH AMERICAN MONSOON TIME SCALE are proposed&designed by me in 1991 to study the South American monsoon&it's weather problems&natural calamities in advance.Find it's details in all websites/searchengines by searching its name SOUTH AMERICAN MONSOON TIME SCALE BY GANGADHARA RAO IRLAPATI or get by sending your email to me. I urge the world scientists to design&prepare, establish&implement and conduct further researches&developments on this scale and break the mysteries of the South American monsoon. If you want to design&establish the scale, printout the basic empty scales enclosed at the end article and prepare this scale yourself. If you still have trouble in preparing this scale, contact me at my email and take my assistance.Kindly recognize me as the Inventor of South American Monsoon Time Scale by making references in your research papers in lieu of considering my immense efforts&sacrifices I have did for it and my quest to establish&implement South American Monsoon Time Scale to serve the people GANGADHARA RAO IRLAPATI girlapati@aol.com

Some people Won't shut up Some people Can't talk Some people Won't run Some people Can't walk Some people Won't try Some people begging to get chance Some people Want all the glory Some people Just want to tell their story Some people know And some people don't Some people will And some people won't Which some people are you?

Have you ever wondered how can we stay connected with each other, even with the strangers during these testing times, right from our homes? I feel, through stories we can connect with them even without having a conversation in the real-time. My story is about sharing and narrating stories of hundreds of people from different communities, background, profession, speaking different languages and from different parts of the world. Let me start from the beginning. It was the evening of 14th May 2020, I was watching one of the motivational videos where the speaker advised the people to not just think about something, but doing something about that thought and the initiative. This single sentence had impacted me a lot. Since the coronavirus pandemic started and the lockdown has been imposed, I had thought of talking to people about it. I wanted to know what are they feeling, what are they going through and how has it impacted their lives? This was just a thought. But, while watching the video I decided that I will do something about this thought. Many questions were going on in my mind. So, I shared the idea with two of my very close friends, Nishant and Shivangi. The idea was to make an open platform where people can share their experiences and stories. Both of my friends suggested many more things to be included and some beautiful ideas which can give this idea a practical approach. So, it started. I was the Founder and the other two were the Co-founders. We listed out the things that need to be done to launch this initiative and make this available to the people. For the next 7 days, we segregated the tasks and allotted ourselves tasks mutually in which we were better. We worked day and night, taking a sleep of not more than 4 hours each day for the next 7 days. I worked on the technical part, Nishant worked on the layout, and Shivangi reached out to people for their stories. The day came, 21st May 2020, when we launched in our small community and connections. Gradually it started spreading among people. More people wanted to join us and share the stories with us. We also started interviewing people and pen down their stories and people also started sending their stories. After sometime when a lot of people started joining us, it became more of a platform where anyone can showcase their creativity in any forms and our ever-growing community became a storehouse of ideas, suggestions, interests, creativity and talent. As a result, we started narrating stories through various mediums and platforms like podcasts, videos, graphics, etc. The mediums and platforms are increasing day by day. We have always looked for a way to align the interest and talent of any individual associated with us with storytelling. We have always believed in collaborative teamwork where members join their hands together and contribute and we come up with the final version. It is roughly 2 months since we started this initiative and today we have 54 members in our community from 6 different countries, published more than 250 stories from 15+ countries, interviewed more than 30 personalities and connected to 4000+ people virtually right from our homes. The initiative has reached 45 countries and 20,000+ people visited the stories on the website. It has also been covered by 2 Newspapers recently. We now publish 4 stories every day, release podcasts and videos twice a week and conduct helpful sessions through live talkshows twice a week. We have also released videos related to Mental health titled ‘Sadness v/s Depression' which has been viewed by 12,000+ people. The platform has stories of Doctors treating COVID-19 patients, Frontline warriors, vendors, businessman, employees, essential employees, actors, singers, athletes, RJs, and many more. The initiative is called 'The lockdown story' and it exists because, in this time of the pandemic, every story deserves an applaud. People reach out to us and share with us how the stories are helping them to heal, believing that they are not the only one with a particular thought or feeling, there are many others like them and how they are connecting directly with the stories. These feedbacks motivate us a lot in continuing to do so and expanding our reach to more and more people. I feel that this is the period which the students will read about in their history books in future. This is a very important phase in the lives of people which will be remembered for decades. By reading stories, talking to so many people and interviewing them, I have realised that this period has impacted almost all the people in many different ways and at many different levels, positively or negatively. No two people have been impacted exactly in the same manner. The post-pandemic period will change the life of each and everyone in one way or the other, majorly or minorly. So, the experiences during this period will play an important role in future to learn and to grow.

On the previous November 2019 the entire world stood thunderstruck facing new Virus Appeared in China in Wuhan province and invaded the whole world on January 2020. It affected the entire world but here I am talking about the Egyptian society that I belong to. And we started the home quarantine Through this time most of people started working from home and others lost their jobs but I was one of those who worked at home in this period which affected all my life aspects It was a unique experience to be in home quarantine (optional detention) because all our life activities was inside home and it was so difficult to stay inside home for long time and has no option to go out except for necessities but I adapted with staying home Through this period I learnt a lot of things and my relationship with my family has been changed (I have wife and 3 kids (2 boys and a girl)) because they stayed and studied at home because of schools closing too. I found out that a man has a role other than material spending, I noticed that my children's relationship with each other was half-hearted and every one of them has his private matters and problems that I did not know because I was busy with my work but I started getting close to them And know what is going on in their thoughts , mind , hobbies and friends too I realized what we should do as parents to bring up our children, so I started to concentrate on Bringing up, guidance and education of my children and I talked with them a lot through this time. Relationship with my children improved and I knew that presence of man at home is very important In addition to relationship with my wife became better and I felt what is called marital life . All activities were being done in the house like haircuts using a haircut machine for everyone for avoiding infection. My work discipline has been completely changed and I started to work from home and prepared a special place for that, it was difficult in the beginning and I tried to create suitable circumstances. As for me it was so difficult because I work as Internal Audit Manager so I was receiving documents by E-mail and collect all documents, analyze data , type reports and send it again to BOD (Board Of Directors) But this experience trained me to work under pressure and within any circumstances. We started to ask about all our neighbors, friends and our relatives and help each others Some neighbors started to buy commodities for others and others were frightened of infection .So they kept away from people We were buying the most necessary commodities such as food and medical supplies with a numerous volume because it was the only necessity that allow us to get out of home as luxuries have no place during in this time In this period, our perception of life changed and we rearranged our interests and priorities and we found out that health is the most important thing in our life We started to feel sorrow and danger as well, because we lost some of the people around us due to the Corona virus, We began eagerly asking about all our relatives and neighbors, and looking into their condition We purified our homes and we used Antiseptics and disinfectants such as alcohol and Chlorine ..Etc We bought all preventive medical supplies and gave rules to all individuals within home to use soap for washing hands and all body This Experience was so important in our lives .I do not think that we may forget it forever and we will not have life lesson like this again This period taught us that we cannot ever rely on people and we must depend on Allah (God) because people abilities are so limited and stood helpless vs. this Virus and Allah (God) power has no limit And only God able to reveal this epidemic and any other affliction.

My home is known as a little country. It's so small that you usually get problem while trying to find it on a map. People say they never heard of it. They say people from my country cannot be what they want because they live in poor or because little country is underdeveloped. Well, I live in a beautiful country, with big lakes, long rivers, high mountains and strong people. But, in this twentieth year of twenty first century something changed and is still changing my view. This is the first time that someone came in my world, my environment, that I don't want to be friend with. This is the first time that someone came into my world, my city, and became that popular, but introduced itself just after killing so many people. Now it's around us. In our neighbourhood, our stores. It is all around us. In our air, knocks on our doors. That is our new passenger, it walks and it breathes. That passenger wants you, not your things. First time i heard how its' name, I thought it was a big joke. It got born in China. There are dead in China, there are surviving in China. It came to Italy and swam in the sea. Now it is in France and it tried their food. After while it drank coffee in Serbia, it flew over many countries and then. Corona virus is here. It was Tuesday, many portals, web sites, pages, news said that the next two weeks we have no school. To be honest, I was really happy because, the next day I would have math exam. In the first place, it wasn't that scary. The only problem I had was my brother. He was in Italy as a student and hung out with some people who had a flew at that time. On his birthday, he got a fever, high temperature, throat pain. My mom freaked out. My dad, who usually does not show his emotions, was really scared and dispirited. I have to brag that I also got a hug from him after a long time. One morning we got the call, brother does not have a virus. You can say you do not care because it is not close to you. You can try and maybe pray, there is nothing else what you can do. We are here, now we are in a fight, this passenger kills all day and night. Four months before my brother will come home, I had to decide what to do with the time that is given to me. Two weeks I was isolated, I was at home, just reading books and listening to some music. Of course I had online school, which was insane. Many times I had exams on my computer and I would be stressed out . Dad was going to work with mask and glows. Mom can get sick fast so, she did not go out. They were mostly scared about their son, even if he does not have a virus he is there and we are here. When school finished, I passed with great grades. My fitness coach has said that we should make a pause. I can not function without my trainings. With time, sunny days came and at least three times at week I went on six-kilometres-long trail with hills. I have my own workout routine, with my own list of songs.The passenger is still here, maybe could not buy a ticket to go home. Where is its' home, here is not its' place but, I think it does not know. Humans are still awake, we want to ask you to go, that is all we want to say. Huge windows in my apartment are really there for a reason. I exercise my eyes through them. I can see the main street, people with masks, kids, thirsty dogs and a lot of cars. One day I went with my dad to the store. We wanted to buy a bottle of oil. While we were waiting, there was a family with bags of two hundred kilos of flour. It was really strange but at least funny. We still have a lot of flour bags at home. Usually I am not drinking any juices, but somehow I stopped with sweets and bread. I read many books and have started with the music I listened before. Lyrics of their songs are amazing. I watched many films too, I am a huge filmochobic. Love for writing have never left me. Actually, during quarantine, I opened up my heart more and, even if I was in between „four walls“ my eyes saw more than before. I realised that I do not need to travel the world to see a miracle, I need to find one place, one person, one song or maybe one book to feel a miracle. Since I was ten I have been writing songs, but this year I started with English songs. Passenger still walks through our city, probably it likes it. Maybe melody should visit us and help. We need the real words to destroy it, not dog's yelp. So, my home is still known as a little country. I still have my name, my home and family. My eyes are with me too. My hands did not betray me, I write even more. Imagination is my best friend. I am truly sorry for everyone who lost someone in this time. . We can use this time to live, sometimes maybe smile. We can use this time to think, maybe stay on someone's side. This passenger does not want to go. I am pretty sure it stayed with us for too long, but we will outsmart it. We are persistent and strong.

Geoscope&National Geoscope Projects for all world regions&countries are invented and designed by me 1987 with many intentions&ambitions just like creation of artificial storms, artificial rains, artificial underground waters etc. Find out them in all websites by searching the name GEOSCOPE BY GANGADHARA RAO IRLAPATI.Make further research&develop,promote&propagate it.Recognize it by making references in your publications. This is not what Buckminster had made in 1962.Also there are many architectures in the name of Geoscope,Kindly recognize me as the Originator of the Geoscope in lieu of considering the immense efforts I have did for it and my quest to establish&implement it all over the world countries to serve the world people.

Today, I read a small introduction to a webinar I am taking through Friesen Press and it told me that I am an Authorpreneur. The term is very unique to me and it made me feel like my life long writing career has become just that, a legitimized career. I have been an Entrepreneur since the age of four with my first lemonade stand out side my parents house. I've always known I was a business minded person and today my writing career has really solidified it's position in my life. I am so overjoyed because the job part finally feels real and to be so open to the world is such an amazing and overwhelming feeling. I am humbled by this new experience. This is truly an amazing moment. In the next post, I'll have some examples of my work for You. My exciting novel "Viktor, Into the Light" will be coming out in the summer of 2020 and my Thanks goes to Friesen Press for making this lifelong dream come true. Viktor, called an "epic" good versus evil story by Friesen Press excites me to tell you about it. He's sexy and moral. He discovers a few things about his family and longs for one of his own. Look for it in the Friesen Press bookstore or eBooks and give a copy to your staff, friends, mother, sister, or your aunties. Viktor is a satisfying read for anyone 14+. Well, I'll post some examples of my work for you now. See you in the next post. Julie Ann

The benefit of writing is allowing your mind to speak and unburden your soul to bring yourself to new emotional heights once the emotional burdens of thoughts are lifted. Writing is a wonderful way to unload the mind of useless chatter at three in the morning and play friend to yourself. Writing allows one to communicate their thoughts and exercise themselves Spiritually thus allowing healing to occur and can help bring closure in many situations. Calming the mind helps to refocus your thoughts when times are deeply stressed or simply to convey a spontaneous creative thought for use at another time. Writing out your thoughts can be both relieving and satisfying. This also allows one to reconnect with themselves; opening themselves up to self confidence and self nurturing by allowing their mind to freely express its most secret self as it is most liberating and promotes emotional well-being. Another benefit of writing is that it provides a mentally physical job or hobby for someone incapable of physical exercise or daily movement. Having a way to express oneself is a great way to combat against depression and mood swings and is not limited to any one kind of person. Writing is for everyone. Writing may provide keeping a language alive. Through writing you may build bonds of friendship or earn awards thus promoting your own mental health. Writing soothes the mind and balances your psyche. Another benefit of writing is that another perspective may be sought out or brought to light. This engages conversation. Writing is a mutual alliance with your soul and mind joining both in a place where emotions are equal and transforming; creating spiritual healing in some cases or you're just flourishing out in some kind of story telling. In either case, writing anything; even if it sounds silly, is an excellent deterrent for other health problems like dementia and Alzheimer's. Writing is a great way to exercise the recesses of the mind and in that, you may find emotional well being and better understanding of one's self. Writing sets you free to explore your world and it's surrounding without bias. You can love or hate anything and in that comes the ability to identify with the pros and cons of reality possibly transforming that into your greatest work of art. Writing is soulful and expressive leading one to experience Spiritual Peace. Writing is creative art. Writing is essential to success in life. Lastly, writing is the best tool for communicating with others whether it's in the sand or on paper. Every line is valuable. Every word needed. So remind your mother, brother, sister and friends to write for their life, loves and hates. For in that we all Live.

As I sit here in this world I wonder to myself why am I here? I sit in a field of thought on this hill I use to meet my companions. If we are to live there must be meaning, everything has to have a purpose that's the whole point is it not? I am of no use to anyone. I am invisible. I am sent to a land to be imprisoned and yet there was no trial. No way for me to show my worth. In this place Of exile I am alone. so why am I still here why do i still sit here in my special spot and wait. I sigh and lay back on the dead grass. feeling the once bright and lively needles now browned prickle my pale skin. Looking into the clouds I see the gray I can feel it, the weight of despair lay upon them. I feel like the sky is my only friend I feel at peace with the clouds. That's why I wait here for them. They have so much purpose in the world so why do they always seem to mourn. 'Why are you upset' I whisper to them. Like everything else in my life they just move on with no answer. Leaving me here it the bitter quietness to ponder why I am not enough. There is no point to me being awake now that they have drifted away again, so I fall into slumber. As the sky lightens up, the bright rays dance across my skin and yet I feel nothing anymore. I wake up from my constant nightmares, my body now on fire from the hell I live in that world i try to calm down. I despise sleep it brings nothing but more hurt. Dreams are meant to bring you peace my night terrors bring me bitter torment that eats away at me and forms a hole in the lively girl i know i can be. If someone would give me the chance. I sit up and hug my knees to my chest and wait. The clouds are the one thing that return. Yet even this one thing that i feel no rejection from always drifts away from me. Like everyone else they move on leaving me behind without telling me what i can do to make them stay. Leaving me to wonder what I did wrong why does everyone walk away from me without even a glance in my direction. what did I do I... I can change. If that's what it takes. I look to the sky. The air holds the heavy scent of rain, but yet the clouds are sparse today must be my imagination or just my desperate hope for then to return. I look down at my bare feet in the dirt. So cold. My thoughts attack ne once more. Saying to me that I have nobody. Why am I still alive. I want this to end. “Please..” i mutter I bite my cheek so hard so I won't cry. Crying won't help me this pain will never stop so I won't waste my tears on something that will never change. I taste copper, I put my fingers to my mouth and there is blood. As I stare at the crimson splattered across my numb fingertips, I feel a drop on my nose. Then another hits my hand as I look to the sky I see my friends all moving towards me. I feel the anger growing inside at myself. They can't see how pathetic I am for being tortured by their absence.I won't let them. I quickly rise to my feet and look straight up into the face of those gray faces. To the clouds that now watch me. I can't take it, I scream and holler at them. 'Why do you leave me and why do you let me blame myself for it ? I'm not going to do it anymore i can't. I won't.” I fall on my hands and knees. I grip the remains of the grass in my hands and dig my fingers into the earth ' i.. Can't do this anymore... Please, please just go away and don't come back again! It's killing me to see you come and then leave without a word. I'm .. I'M ALWAYS ALONE! So leave me here as you always do, don't come back this time' I didn't even realize the tears now running down my cheeks and falling to the ground. 'I don't want to get back up.. Anymore.” As I sit there I slowly notice the drops started to fall and I know what's next to come The skies open up on me and the rain pours from the sky 'Why do you cry.. Do you pity me?' As I stare back at the sky I realize my friend feels my pain, they always shared it. When the pain became too much to carry myself that's when they were there. To remind me to get back up and keep escaping that imprisonment because i do have a purpose and always will. I curl up on the now soaked ground and stare upward. Now Letting my tears stain my cheeks and I remind myself they will always return to me and I know I'll never cry alone.

Dear Friends. I feel so sorry for the people of California. It has been said for many years that this will happen and now it is. There may be another quake yet to happen and when it does California may be all gone. I really hope people make it out safe. My thoughts are with them and I hope you'll join me in a small prayer for those who have passed away that they make it home to heaven as fast as possible. Wherever you are please Take Care. Julie Ann

I feel that a student is a person who always find adventures, find the ways to be independent, to explore the world. Thanks to the Petrozavodsk State University, I've been to Krasnodar and the Kizhi Island. Both of them were the summer work trips and they have changed me a lot. Now I'd like to share my feelings about the Kizhi Island, its indescribable atmosphere created by people. First of all, the island is located on Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It's near Finland's border. The Kizhi Pogost Ensemble was enlisted into the World Heritage List of UNESCO. So, working near such a famous place is something unbelievable. What I like about the Kizhi Island, among other thing, is people there. It doesn't matter whom we're talking about whether it's director or gardener, all people there have unique lifestyle, and they're ready to help. It's all about people. This phrase perfectly suits the Kizhi Island. And this is one specific thing that I've learnt being there. All we know about different global problems, every day people grumble about local problems in their lives, cities, countries. “What can I do? I'm alone.” “I don't have leader skills.” “This system can't be changed.” “Why I should do anything? Officials must.” Sound familiar? People want to change nothing, because they are afraid of being responsible. It's easier to complain, not to take actions. All in all, being on the Kizhi Island I've learnt this thing “everything depends on you”. Actually, it's a truism. But, in my opinion, it's highly important to implement it in your life, make it your philosophy. In conclusion, I'd like to reiterate that the world is all about people. We create pollution, corruption, crimes, impoliteness and all other extremely negative things. At the same time, we are responsible for creating friendly atmosphere at home or at the working place, decorating an office for Christmas or for any other holidays or simply so, being polite with our neighbours or treating a colleague with a chocolate. Having this philosophy in your everyday life will entail “spill-over effect” and we will become more active in global issues. Just enjoy your life.

A person is missing. The person has been missing for a long time. That is what people claim. No matter to whom I talk to I can understand that that person means a lot for them. They have such a strong intention to find that person and they give description of that person with a big pleasure using the most beautiful words and expressing the most positive emotions. Surprisingly, none of them mentions that person's name, age and gender. From people's intention I have concluded that there must be something special about him/her that makes him/her so distinctive. But what it might be? Personality? Beauty? Social status? Who is “that” person? A superman? A wonder woman? I have had a lot of questions. To find it out I have tried to analyze all information that I was given and make a possible image of him/her. (Further, P – that person). Starting with P's appearance, people have told lots of things about P's attractiveness. So, P is gorgeous. P has beautiful eyes with “fire” in them that spread warmth to surrounding, has a voice that expresses words full of wisdom that give hope to interlocutor's heart and make their life path a colourful rainbow, and a beautiful smile that somehow makes the world a better place. Turning to the personal traits, I have found out that P is a hard-working and smart person with interests that cover different areas of science and art. P is that exact person who can leave his/her warm bed in the morning and wash his/her face with icy water, go outside to work out and build muscles despite of the pain that exercises bring because he/she knows that this is the best way to keep own health in good state. Furthermore, P can stay late at work because he/she knows for sure that only working hard enables him/her to achieve more. P avoids mouth-watering meal if it is unhealthy. Being beloved by family, friends and even strangers because of his/her personality, P is far from self praise. Moreover, P prefers simple things even when his/her wealth can let P the most luxury things. His/her high intelligence and well manner is easily noticed from the first moments of communication. “What a person!” - my brain has shouted. “I need to see that person.”- I have thought to myself. Then... Then I have understood one thing... That person is missing. Actually, that person has been missing for a long time. Now, that is what I claim. That person is missing inside of us. P is whom we want to become, best version of us. Some people want to be fit and healthy, while others strive to reach success. Some of us want to have a big circle of friends and have a loving family, while for others erudition is prioritized. We have a big intention to find that person, but we do little work for it. And the chance to find P is vanishing with every single moment when trembling hands holding door handle end up not opening it, when great ideas and the most important words remain unexpressed, when staying in lower position seems better than taking responsibilities because it is more safety, when blaming people seems easier than trying to understand them. The chance to see that person in the mirror keeps vanishing every time when lying on the sofa is preferable than leaving one's cozy place and pushing oneself to work out, when stucking on own mistakes and other's betrayal dominates letting the situation go. We are all looking for our best side so hardly that we have forgotten that the person whom we want to become cannot be found, it can be created only with daily laborious work. That person is already over here. The thing that must be done is to shape him or her.