<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812647427824916759</id><updated>2011-04-21T14:28:15.760-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Finding Myself Today</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Marissa</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05456033926588550454</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='31' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SiSKfZ4XX3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/YdL7T2vZZho/S220/th_icon-real-pen.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>4</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812647427824916759.post-2224830573129856021</id><published>2008-10-30T15:53:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-30T16:44:56.333-07:00</updated><title type='text'>No title.  Just read. Um...Part 1?</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SQo7kn6SoHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RxR5uy5cGTA/s1600-h/253.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SQo7kn6SoHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RxR5uy5cGTA/s320/253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263084614910648434" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;The sun beat down through the stained glass window.  I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust my eyes to my surroundings.  Everything felt strange.  I sat up, stretching.  My back was sore from sleeping on the hard wood floors.  I was in a church.  I sat there, thinking about what I was going to do next.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know, you are probably wondering how I ever got here, sleeping on the floor of a church.  In some ways, I'm not even sure.  But I'll tell you my story.  It's a tale that needs to be told.  My life, a journey that is one I must take, or die.  Let me start from the events of yesterday.  I'll fill you on the rest of my life later because this is the main event.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It'll change my life for all eternity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I stood up from my bed, rather sad to feel the warmth of the covers leave.  I didn't want to get up.  Sleeping was something I enjoyed, especially in a warm bed.  My mornings went by mechanically, never changing.  I woke up, washed my face, changed, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, grabbed my bags, and walked out the door to school.  Every morning, the exact same thing.  I really didn't mind though because I wasn't usually awake enough to change anything.  Then I would head to school, my normal teenage high school.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Joy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Almost too late did I realize it was Halloween.  My friends, well, more of acquaintances, were all dressed up in a variety of costumes.  I was my plain usual self, and I was sure I could hear the snickers rising from the group.  I tended to stand out, especially when I didn't want too.  I was the oddball, the third wheel.  I didn't belong.  And I never tried anything to attempt to belong.  It took to much work.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Besides everyone being dressed up, the day went the same as usual.  My classes passed by in a blur, nothing seemed to stick in my mind.  This stuff would never be important to me, so why did I even learn it?  Did the teachers just want to torture poor unfortunate souls like myself?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After school, I didn't go straight home.  I had errands to run.  My peers invited me to join them for pizza out of the &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;kindness of their hearts&lt;/span&gt;, but I refused.  I'm sure no other students here took care of themselves completely.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh, I forgot to mention that.  I don't have parents.  They disappeared when I was seven.  Took care of myself ever since.  I didn't have any other family, and there was no need to draw attention to myself.  I could do it, so I did.  Lived alone ever since in that small cottage.  Everything in it didn't have to be paid for.  I had a well, candles, and a wood stove.  I got a job on a paper route and made enough money to feed myself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Actually, life felt almost to easy now.  But let's get back to our story.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I walked to the newspaper editor and picked up my pay.  The walk to school from there was almost an hour long, but time passed, sometimes slower than others, but it passed.  I picked up my money and walked back home.  That took about half an hour on average.  But that night, I never made it home.  And never would I return.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My walk slowed as I walked closer to a man kneeling down into a bush.  My natural need to help people to over and I called to him.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Are you alright sir?" I asked, the shakiness in my voice not noticeable.  The man turned to me.  The first thing that caught my eye was the blood covering his mouth and dripping down his face.  Then I noticed the legs sticking out from under the bush.  Finally, I noticed his eyes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;His blood red eyes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I tried to scream, but my voice was lost.  My throat was dry, unable to produce words.  The man eyed me for a moment as if he was deciding what to do with me.  He approached me slowly, testing to see if I ran away.  I didn't.  Stupid me.  My feet felt glued to the ground.  He soon stood just inches from me, my head just level with his nose.  I heard him inhale, and I held my breath.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"It must be done," the man whispered, taking my hand.  He brought it to his mouth, his teeth locking into my wrist.  I still couldn't move from the spot I stood.  My knees were trembling, but I didn't fall.  I could feel my blood turning colder than ice.  The man stopped biting my wrist and looked at me, his eyes fiercer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"You will go to the church," The man ordered, locking my wrist in his hand, "Wait below the stained glass window by the wooden door.  There you will meet &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;him&lt;/span&gt;.  I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that.  Good luck Evangeline Von Bargen.  You'll need it."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The man turned and vanished.  I could hear the rustling of leaves in the forest.  He had run there, his speed much greater than that of any human.   I looked at my wrist, a purple crescent moon connecting the two dots where his teeth had sunk into me.  It didn't hurt, but was cold to the touch.  And he knew my name.  How did he know my name? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Images and routes appeared in front of my eyes.  I knew without question it was the route to the church the man was talking about.  I was reluctant to go there, but what choice did I have?  I needed some explanations.  Normally, I would have started crying, screaming, anything express my shock and fear, but I did nothing.  I just walked forward, following the directions in my mind.  I soon found myself at the church the man was talking about and tested the door handle.  It was unlocked.  I was stunned, but walked in anyways.  Without any difficulties I found the window and door the man was speaking of.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That was where I sat down and where I found myself this morning.  It was as if a strange destiny was calling me, as if my fate had already be decided by something greater than I.  But, if this doesn't freak you out, it felt natural.  I didn't feel odd or nervous.  My subconscious knew this was what was going to happen.  I'd just learn in time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let my new life begin.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Okay, this is some strange story I just came up with.  Let me know what you think (or if you find any mistakes, I would gladly fix them) and I'll continue posting parts of it.  Keep checking back.  But first, I'll have to figure out what happens next.  (^_^)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7812647427824916759-2224830573129856021?l=findingmyself2day.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/feeds/2224830573129856021/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7812647427824916759&amp;postID=2224830573129856021' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/2224830573129856021'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/2224830573129856021'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/2008/10/no-title-just-read-umpart-1.html' title='No title.  Just read. Um...Part 1?'/><author><name>Marissa</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05456033926588550454</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='31' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SiSKfZ4XX3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/YdL7T2vZZho/S220/th_icon-real-pen.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SQo7kn6SoHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/RxR5uy5cGTA/s72-c/253.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812647427824916759.post-2340125216591719980</id><published>2008-09-24T13:47:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-24T13:54:34.089-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Sick of School Already?!</title><content type='html'>Blah blah blah blah blah....That's what I hear as I sit in my classes.  Especially my science class.  Half of the stuff I'm learning doesn't make any sense and I have a test tomorrow on the info I am not comprehending.  ARGH!   But I'll try and study tonight.  Wish me luck.  I'll need it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But I'm sick of school already.  As sad as that may sound, it's still the truth.  I mean, half of the stuff we learn we'll never use in the real world.  I don't see what algebra has to do with my plan of being an author, so why do I have to learn all of these confusing problems is beyond me.  And why do I have to learn about why earthquakes are caused and how volcano's are formed?  That's just a part of nature.  I don't need any other explanation of that.  I mean, really?  Can someone please inform the government that I'm bored with my lessons? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, enough of my endless ranting.  Hopefully you're not as sick of this as I am.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7812647427824916759-2340125216591719980?l=findingmyself2day.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/feeds/2340125216591719980/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7812647427824916759&amp;postID=2340125216591719980' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/2340125216591719980'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/2340125216591719980'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/2008/09/sick-of-school-already.html' title='Sick of School Already?!'/><author><name>Marissa</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05456033926588550454</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='31' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SiSKfZ4XX3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/YdL7T2vZZho/S220/th_icon-real-pen.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812647427824916759.post-8962773298774154364</id><published>2008-09-17T17:25:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-17T17:38:37.077-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The French Revolution.</title><content type='html'>Today in my 19th Century America class, we were discussing the French Revolution.  My normal teacher was in a car accident a day or two before school started, so we have had only subs so far.  Anyways, our sub today was telling us about the king of France and his execution. He warned us before he told us that it would be humorous, but rather disturbing.  I thought I'd share my new knowledge with you.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The king of France was a rather built man with hardly a neck.  It was as if his chest was attached to his jaw.  Well, when he was put on the &lt;span class="narrative"&gt;guillotine&lt;/span&gt; to have his head chopped off, they had him aligned wrong.  So when the blade came down, rather than cutting through his neck, it got caught in his JAW!  SO HE WAS STILL ALIVE!!!  The executor had to jump on the top of the blade so it would go through.  Talk about painful.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm not sure if this is true, but I found it funny, and disturbing.  Share with your families to get a good laugh. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="narrative"&gt;'&lt;i&gt;I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France&lt;/i&gt;.'  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7812647427824916759-8962773298774154364?l=findingmyself2day.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/feeds/8962773298774154364/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7812647427824916759&amp;postID=8962773298774154364' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/8962773298774154364'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/8962773298774154364'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/2008/09/french-revolution.html' title='The French Revolution.'/><author><name>Marissa</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05456033926588550454</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='31' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SiSKfZ4XX3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/YdL7T2vZZho/S220/th_icon-real-pen.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812647427824916759.post-969292510171824625</id><published>2008-09-17T17:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-17T17:27:47.491-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Blog to blog</title><content type='html'>Yes, I have made another blog.  I haven't really had the time to blog or the energy to.  My life tends to be boring, but we'll just see how it goes.  Be prepared for much randomness, and odd things.  If you don't see many new posts when you check, I'm sorry.  I'll try and be better about posting. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Later.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7812647427824916759-969292510171824625?l=findingmyself2day.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/feeds/969292510171824625/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7812647427824916759&amp;postID=969292510171824625' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/969292510171824625'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7812647427824916759/posts/default/969292510171824625'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://findingmyself2day.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-to-blog.html' title='Blog to blog'/><author><name>Marissa</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05456033926588550454</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='31' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_weA_Me7a7js/SiSKfZ4XX3I/AAAAAAAAAGs/YdL7T2vZZho/S220/th_icon-real-pen.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
