Jesus loves you :)

http://www.JesuslovesyouANYWAY.com

Check it out, great site. Spread the word.

Liberty LEADS retreat and the Senior Mass

I just came back from the last Liberty LEADS retreat ever. We were up at Clearpool in Carmel, NY. It was interesting. Of course, Emmaus trumps any retreat ever. But this one was cool. It was definitely better than previous I-Lead retreats because people took things seriously. I def. wished that I had taken advantage of everything that I-Lead have to offer. Honestly, so much went on that I'm not in the mood to write all down. But I'll just start and hopefully finish at a later time.

On this retreat, I had intended to write more post-its to put on the lockers at school. During the bus ride there, Meh-run saw me with them and asked me if I was the one who put them on the lockers. I said no. Then she goes,

"What idiot would do that?"

Jen - "Do what?"

Meh-run - "Some person put post-its on the locker saying 'God loves you Jesus will save you...'"

That kind of hurt. Like, ow! I was called an idiot x) This what I wrote on two post-its after she said that:

lmbo! Wow God. I was just called an idiot. So now I know how Meh-run feels about the post-its. She doesn't know it's me, of course I denied it. But we'll see where this goes. Of course not everyone would be receptive to this. I have to understand that from now. And I CANNOT let it discourage me. Lord, please send help. 4/23/10

The next day it was brought up and she said the person was an idiot again. She wasn't saying it maliciously but it was still hurtful. I told her I thought it was cute and she said it was, but it was mad random. So that kind of settled me. Like, it seems as though the reason why she said this person (hah hah, me) was an idiot was because the action was random. But I'm wondering if it goes deeper than that. Hmmm...

So, the first activity Friday night was of course, Libations. That's the one where everybody says a word of thanks to someone who has helped them and pours water into the plant (this time we had a ladle). It was pretty intense. People had stories, deep stories. They made me want to stick everybody on an Emmaus retreat xD. Luis's, Jeffrey's, Brian's, and Emmanuel's stories were very touching. Mariano's dedication to Brandon Medina was touching too. Libations has never been run like that before.

So, at the end of the night, I gave Luis a big hug and told him how much I appreciate the fact that he is alive. The next day, I told Brian that I am happy he's alive too. Very happy.

Friday night after the Libations exercise, Mariano and I did origami. We made a seal. Well, he really made it; after step 3 or so I could not match the paper to the picture xD. We named him Klutz, after the company who made the book. Klutz - Gender: Male. Birthday: April 23, 2010 around 10:50 pm. lol. He let me keep him too it was cool. Daytona and Igor helped out too. It was cool.

So that was Friday. I mean, the only other thing I can say is that we were all tight because dinner was Tostitos with salsa. But Friday was cool.

I'll talk about Saturday and Sunday at a later date.

_______________________________________________________

On a different note, Friday was also the Senior Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a very good mass! Archbishop Timothy Dolan gave a great homily about our identity in Christ. Gave me some material to use for my post-its xD. But it was great. And it was cool seeing my classmates from other high schools. Mariano gave a speech of gratitude to the Archbishop. He was so good! Nataly and Marc-Anthony were participants in the mass too. I saw Shani, Crystal, Reginna, Luis, Gustavo, and Preston after the mass. And when I say "saw" I mean talked to. I saw others there.

It was a great mass. And Seniors got their senior privileges back for their behavior during the mass. Nobody sang any of the songs though. In my section anyway. That was bummer.

Yeah, all I must say.

~Janell

Locker Post-It Ministry Part 2

So! Update on the Locker Post-It Ministry.

So EVERYBODY thinks I'm the person who put the post-its up. Like, everybody. And I'm a good actor. I walked in surprised to see the post-its this morning and Stephanie Cerrone who was standing by my locker said "Oh Janell, I thought it was you but I guess not." Then this girl named Lee-Ann (don't know if that's not how you spell it) is literally telling me I did it. She wouldn't here that it was anyone else but me. She was like "How come I didn't get two on my locker, some people got two." And Steph. like how it wasn't me 'cause I just walked in, Lee-Ann said I could have come at like 6:00 in the morning. And they were just going back and forth speculating about how I could have done it. Even though I definitely denied it.

And that was just the beginning. To recount what everyone said to me would be a super long journal entry, but I'm going to do it anyway because I know I am going to thoroughly appreciate it later. So!:

Jessica D. asked me in the library if it was me. I said no. Then I expressed that I have post-its like them but it that wasn't me. That answer satified her.

Bello came into the library later and asked if I was behind the post-its. I said, "No, why does everybody keep thinking that?" Frank was around and he said "It sounds very you." lol!

Melissa M. asked me in Spanish. Again, I denied it. Then later on, Michelle B. asked and Mac was like, "Yeah I just asked her" and there was another tangent in Spanish class (Paolo calculated a total of 12 and 1/2. Don't know where he got the 1/2 from). Anisha told Brittany Frederick I'd said I did it. Brittany didn't think so. Anisha asked me and I denied it once again. Mac asked me later on if I knew who did it and I said I didn't.

Next time the post-its were brought up was two periods later (5th period). So we had a brief assembly with Ms. Faulkner in the auditorium about how people are being nasty in the bathroom. Made a point of how first of all, eating in the bathroom is nasty. But the assembly was about people being leaving their trash behind in the bathroom. Paper towels, chip bags in the sink. Yada. Aaaaanyway, as I'm leaving the auditorium, Molina asks me if it was me who did the post-its. Shannon and I believe Steph. Cerrone piggy back her. I deny it and what do they say? "Yes you did!" Then I'm parting from them 'cause my destination is the Vanguard room and theirs is the cafeteria and Sandra, Christina Ellison, Rebecca Brewington and I think (not too sure) Chenel Bennett ask if it was me. I deny it and they tell me that I did it. I gave up and was like "Alright then it was me. It's not a bad thing to be accused of, so I'm just gonna take it." lol, amazing!

As I'm walking to gym later on, I see Danny C. and Amy Spata (I believe they were the only two, there might have been others) wearing the post-its. Wearing them! I mean, I had meant for the post-its to be for the individual whose locker it was on, but hey, who knows what everyone got out of them? I hope they meant something for at least some. Ooo, I forgot to mention. Earlier, the same period I was in the library, I went to my locker to get A Streetcar Named Desire for English class. I saw Adrian Camino reading the post-its. He commented, not knowing I am the person behind the post-its, "How come they get post-its? I want one on my locker." I was flattered. It's cool. I just hope that people don't take things out of hand. Like, with the sticking post-its to bodies and switching post-its on different lockers (the one that was on my locker was not the one I put there. I put the messed up post-it on mine; somebody had it on there's. But the message is what important right?). In and of themselves, there's nothing wrong with those actions, but if somebody wants to keep there post-it, I don't want somebody else infringing upon that right. The message being spread in too important. So God, please be in this ministry, this evangelism. May those who need to hear hear the right words from YOU, not me Lord. Do YOUR work in me. And help me God, I cannot do this on my own. But I am willing. If it is Your will, please send physical help so that the task is less humongous. I want every single person in the building to hear about You Lord. Make it so God, make it so. Amen.

I'm passing Chanay on the way to gym class and she's like "Did you do the post-its? It's okay, you can tell me." I deny it once more. Bello sees me later on and is like "Are you owning up to your evangelism yet?"

My response?

"Oh my gosh, it wasn't me!"

Jasmine was quite funny. She hugs me and is like "I love what you did." I'm like "What?" (I knew full well what she was talking about. How could I not with everyone coming up to me?) She goes, "The post-its." I'm like "It wasn't me."

Jasmine: *gasp* It wasn't you?

Me: No.

Jasmine: Oh my gosh, there's someone else like you in this school? It wasn't you?

Me: It wasn't me.

*big grin*

Jasmine: You're lying.

Me: No I'm not, I'll see you later!

I went to Mr. Fel today to ask him about me denying it. Well, before I get into that, let me tell you why all this denying is going on.

1) Things are cooler when they are mysterious and things are mysterious when people are anonymous.

2) I already like attention. I don't need more direct attention. I'm getting it anyway though -_-'

a. God needs to get the glory, not me.

b. God honors those who do things in secret; not to be heard or seen or recognized

3) I feel that it means more when it comes from a person you do not know. The though is Wow, this person took the time out to do this and he or she doesn't even know me. The message just means more I think.

So those are my reasonings. And I told Fel. He likes the whole post-it idea. He was saying to be undercover for a few days, but when he realized that people were coming to me asking me if I had been the one to do the post-its it said I might as well just accept it. I mean, I felt bad telling all those people it wasn't be. I just kept thinking about how God doesn't like lies. I dunno, we'll see what happens tomorrow. Maybe I won't feel so guilty x) He wants me to update him on what goes on. So we'll see what happens x)

Whoooh! Done! xD Hopefully more will follow tomorrow =D. We shall see :)

Thank you Jesus for blessing me with this ministry! I LOVE YOU!!! <3

~Janell <3

Locker Post-It Ministry

Sup. Tired but I'm going to try to make this as brief as possible.

So, I've been meaning to do this for a while but today I just did it. I took sticky notes and put encouraging, godly messages on them and stuck them on the lockers (44) in senior hallway. It sounds simple and straightforward and like an easy way to evangelize. But it is not so easy. Some of the feelings I'm feeling right now is anxiety, fear of rejection. I don't know how the students, the seniors no less, will receive the messages on those post-its. And I hope that people don't take down each other's post-its and vandalize them and ruin a good thing. But God, help me to not focus on that. Help me to focus on planting the seed, not the reaction of the people. Encourage my heart Lord and send help; I want every single person in the building to get some sort of message. That is a task, that is ambitious. But nothing is impossible for You. I repeat: Nothing. So help me to take heart that I am serving a greater purpose and am doing Your will. You didn't outright tell me to do this God, but did You have to? I feel that You are saying "Go ahead, do this ministry, but it is not as easy as it seems. You will have to be committed." But God, You are not just leaving things up to me either. You are with me always. Encourage me through the same messages I tell my classmates Lord! And speak through me. Just speak and write Holy Spirit. Your will be done.

So, hopefully I'll get the chance to blog about people's reactions to the post-its. Lord help me.

Amen.

The Old About Me

About Me
My name is Rei and I'm a God-lover! I'm a young chica living in the Bronx battling the things of the world. Tough when you live in New York. Anyway, I had a Xanga, but I have a hard time finding active members on the site, so I figured since I have a Google account, might as well make some more use of it. Hmmm... some more about me. My fav. colors are Black and Green. Ice cream: Cookies and Cream, Grapenut. Favorite kind of hair: Natural XD Wanna know anything else about me, send a message =]

Old Addiction + Strong God = Deliverance

So today I went to the library to get on the computer and deal with scholarship stuff but for some reason, the system would not allow me to sign up. Sometimes, when I go to the library to complete a task and either I finish it quickly or am unable to complete it, I walk over to the manga section and pretend like I am actually looking for something. Like I came to the library for a purpose, not just to see if people are there. And after looking like I have a purpose for a long enough time, I walk away.

But I didn't this time.

Instead, I picked up Nana Vol. 11 (which took forever to get to the library. The collection went from10 to 12 -_-;) and started reading it. I was at the library from 3 until 7:30. I read 3 volumes. 3. No breaks in between.

I left the library and I realized that I'd wasted my time. I spent 4 and a half hours--OHMYGOSH, FOUR AND A HALF HOURS?! Reading MANGAS! And the content was not even edifying. The things in those particular pages were not of God and were not what I should be feeding my mind with. And the plot took a lame direction anyway. You know, I used to think that life outside my manga-anime realm would be so dull and lame. But I started living once I gave it up. I am so glad I'm blogging about this x).

So here's how things used to be.

I wanna say it began when I was around 7. I rediscovered my passion for Sailor Moon and started hanging pictures and idolizing the characters. Then I got really into DBZ again and idolized the characters of other animes like Digimon and Pokemon. I collected pictures I printed out from the library and hung some up on walls. I still have some somewhere. My passion slowed down a little bit in '03/'04, but it was revived when I took a trip down to Florida and met a cousin who was gung-hoe about anime. During that visit I saw Spirited Away and all three Sailor Moon movies. And since then, it's been on fire until around 2008. Even into 2009. I never thought I'd stop being an anime fan. It was my refuge. It is so easy to get lost in an manga.

And the Japanese anime entered my head too. Different scenarios played in my head and I would waste my hours dreaming up alternate scenes to the ones I saw on TV. It was my escape, my outlet. And in a very real way, my god.

I knew something was wrong. I couldn't deny it anymore, no matter how I tried. I tried to suppress my conscience and my gut which were telling me that these things were my idols and that was not right. Only God knows how I got to the place where I am now in terms of my Christian walk with Him. I was so bound and so far from Christ. Like, I believed in Him but I was not willing to give up my lifestyle. At some point, I wanted to change my habit but I felt this was my only getaway, my only outlet. After awhile, I was fantasizing whenever I had free time. It was a distraction that consumed my life.

And then there was a new distraction: Jeremy.

And he consumed my thoughts. And when I went through that painful experience March of 2009, anime couldn't save me. Thoughts of Sesshomaru, Kouga, Ichigo could deliver me. I couldn't bury myself in a manga and be okay. Because when I'd finish that volume, I'd be hit by reality again. God brought me through, God was with me 24/7, God was real. Not a figment of my imagination. I did not even attempt to retreat to my fantasy realm when I was hurt by Jeremy. I'm glad that I knew to run straight to the Father.

So after reading the mangas, I thought "Why am I doing this?" My brother was locked out of the apartment from 3 pm to 7:15 because I was in manga world. I realized what a waste of time it is for me and how much it crowds and clutters my mind. In and of themselves, mangas and anime are not bad. It could be a very positive outlet for some people. But for me, anime is an addictive drug which cannot be handled in moderation.

So what should you take from my story? Anything outside of God is LAME. That's not even the word. It's damaging to the human spirit. And no matter what you are bound by, God can bring you through it. Even if you think that there is nothing better than where you are at now, God will open your eyes. Even if you think that life sucks and will never improve, God will show you how dead wrong you are. I walked out of that library thankful that I delight in Christ and thankful that I am in Him and that I left that life behind. I am so glad I know God!

And you can know Him too.

Take heart! Where there is God, there is hope for a brighter, meaningful, joyful, loving LIFE.

With much love,
Janell

♥ Anniversary ♥

Today is a special day.

1) It's my one year anniversary of creating a Blogger account :D

But more importantly...

ME AND JESUS MAKE THREE YEARS TODAY!

It was three years ago on Good Friday that I went under the water and "married" Christ. I was 15. And God has brought me so far. I remember last year when I couldn't even praise His name. Like, I was sitting in the ACPC room with the CADETS and I couldn't say "Hallelujah." Like, the words physically would not come out of my mouth. Now, I go to Bronx Bethany and I shout out the words. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!! And I'm with people that worship Him in song and life and in words. And they are not afraid to profess their faith. God, help me to tell others about you!

I woke up coughing riduculously this morning (I left the window slightly open and my pink zip-up was zipped down (lol) halfway). So after spitting and coughing and spitting and coughing, I started talking to God. I actually started last night. I read Luke 22:39-46 in Joel Osteen's Hope For Today Bible. I did not intend to read the side note that Joel I assume wrote because I think he focuses too much on the happy-go-lucky, prosperous aspect of Christianity and not the hard-to-follow truths. But you know, Joel has some good things to say. Like, God through Joel helped me to break the addiction of sucking my fingers (that was HARD). And what Joel had to say brought tears to my eyes last night.

I've been "bleh" lately. And maybe part of the reason is because I have not had anything to distract me from myself. I haven't been busy. Things have been weighing me down. Well, not weighing, but hovering over me. The men in my family are not saved. The woman in my family don't trust God fully (not in action; ex. tithing and putting their future in His hands). I feel conflicted and confused and hypocritcal. I still have to go through high school. I have no idea what my future is going to be like. I just feel so empty and blah-zay. That last sentence is probably just 'cause I am bored.

But I do feel conflicted. Like, I feel like I'm two different people. And that happens naturally. I don't try to be two different people; it's effortless. You have the me that I am at home and the me that I am outside. Angry, happy. Impatient, tolerant. Intolerant, giddy and hyper. It bugs me. And I should have more love for my family, not my friends. But that's not the case.

So these conflicting characteristics upset me. If I had a few more negative experiences and some more intense ones, I'd probably have split personality disorder. That's not even a joke. So getting over this is going to be pretty hard. But here's what Joel said:

"There he told them, 'Pray that you will not give in to temptation'" (Luke 22:40).

When Jesus told His disciples to pray about temptation, He didn't say, "Pray that you'll never be tempted." No, we all face temptation. But God says, "When temptation comes, ask Me for help." In any area that you're trying to change, even small things, just simply pray, "God, I'm asking You to help me make the best choice. Help me stay on Your best plan."

Yes, resisting temptation takes effort. It takes discipline. But the benefits far outweigh the work. It's so much worse to live in bondage. It's hard feeling bad about yourself, living below your potential. There is nothing worse than going through the day weighed down by habits that used to be temptations but are now part of your life.

Today you may be struggling with addictions or with your temper or with being impatient. Truthfully, you may have given up the struggle. Now you are dragging around in mediocrity, allowing something so small to control you. Let me tell you what you already know---you are better than that. You're a child of the Most High God. You have His royal blood flowing through your veins. Don't you dare just sit back and settle where you are. There is not an obstacle in your life that you cannot overcome, large or small. It doesn't matter if it's a critical spirit or if you're addicted to cocaine, the Power that's in you is greater than the power that's trying to hold you back. Dig your heels in and fight the good fight of faith. Don't let that thing master you. Keep the attitude, "That's it. I'm not staying where I am. I'm coming up higher. I know I'm better than this. God has a much better life for me to live."

I believe that God was definitely speaking to me through Joel. God's going to help me get through. And I know He will, because He's done it before. I couldn't praise Him last year; I can praise Him now. Last year, I had low self-esteem. A year later, thanks to Him, it's higher. I know that I deserve better. I don't know when the God in me will overcome the negative power holding me back. But I know it will happen. It will happen.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you so much. And I pray that I will not stop praising You and glorifying Your name and giving You thanks and living a life that honors YOU. May We keep on going for another three years and I pray that three years from now, this issue will be behind me, desposited in the Well of Experience and that the lessons I learn will be deposited in the Well of Wisdom. Help me to pray for Your help when I am tempted Lord so that I do not give in to sin. And help me to respect those who You have put in place to shepherd Your people.

Amen.

Astrology

Janell Salmon Werid dreams. 1. Mr. Philp, crippled beyond belief. 2. Dreamt Crazy For You again. We were gonna re-enact the musical numbers in my church (-_____-'''''). 3. Ms. Basler and Mrs. Santiago-Borges were teachers together and they taught biology. We were sticking small frogs in test tubes. Do dreams reflect the sanity of a person??
About 12:45 pm

Aliya Brown
you can check the things you remember on myjellybean.com. under astrology, use the dream dictionary :) i always do lol
About 1 pm

Janell Salmon
lol, thanks for the tip girlie.
About 2 pm

Roschelle McKenzie
Um Janell, do not go looking up any astrology my dear.... that is not the answer... please don't even go there. Thank you; love you!
Soon after

Didn't think that very kind of Roschelle to say. I deleted the comment as soon I saw it. I did click on the website out of curiosity. The page wouldn't come up anyway. But seriously? Me and astrology? I think it is foolish. That a man looks at the stars and predicts the future. All people born between two different dates can't possibly have the same characteristics. Culture, experience, upbringing, personal choice---these things characterize a person. For me, Aries is a cool thing to rep. And I can see why horoscopes attract and draw people in. But when you live by it and swear by it and look to the stars instead of to God, there is a problem. This is what I wrote to Roschelle:

I do not believe in astrology and I am quite aware that it is wrong. I just said that to be nice.

Toodles.

~Edit~

Roschelle Salmon-Mckenzie April 6 at 2:24pm
LOL!!! Oh thank Jesus! You know I love you, girl!

Janell Salmon April 6 at 2:36pm
lol. You seem relieved.

Roschelle Salmon-Mckenzie April 6 at 3:45pm
lol! Its just that the WORLD packages witchcraft so attractively and our youth are being decieved. ex. Harry Potter, Daily Horoscopes, Twilight. etc... My discernment is extremely high when it comes to certain things, and I just wanted to make sure that you are okay. That's all.......I know; that was a mouthful! :-)

Janell Salmon April 6 at 4:13pm
lol, I gotcha



-__-

The Sound Of Music

Georg Von Trapp's 130th birthday was yesterday. So close to mine! >.<

So yesterday, I watched the Sound Of Music on ABC Family (which is TERRIBLE with the commercials btw). And I came to the realization that it is my favorite musical xD I haven't seen that movie in a while and it was just awesome to remember the songs and say things like "I remember this part!" and predict lines and such. It was great.

I remember learning in the fifth grade that the Sound Of Music was based on a true story. So about a half hour ago, I looked up the von Trapp family and discovered that the Sound Of Music is so loosely based on the true life of the von Trapp family that its as if it's a whole different story. Here are some interesting things I found out (found on the http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/winter/von-trapps.html website):

• Maria came to the von Trapp family in 1926 as a tutor for one of the children, Maria, who was recovering from scarlet fever, not as governess to all the children.
• Maria and Georg married in 1927, 11 years before the family left Austria, not right before the Nazi takeover of Austria.
• Maria did not marry Georg von Trapp because she was in love with him. As she said in her autobiography Maria, she fell in love with the children at first sight, not their father. When he asked her to marry him, she was not sure if she should abandon her religious calling but was advised by the nuns to do God's will and marry Georg. "I really and truly was not in love. I liked him but didn't love him. However, I loved the children, so in a way I really married the children. . . . [B]y and by I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after."
• There were 10, not 7 von Trapp children. (Janell - 7 were with Georg's first wife and 3 were with Georg's second wife Maria).
• The names, ages, and sexes of the children were changed. (Janell - I find this interesting).
• The family was musically inclined before Maria arrived, but she did teach them to sing madrigals. (Janell - Madrigals are songs unaccompanied by musical instruments and sung with a small number of voices. (Don't believe me? Look it up :3))
• Georg, far from being the detached, cold-blooded patriarch of the family who disapproved of music, as portrayed in the first half of The Sound of Music, was actually a gentle, warmhearted parent who enjoyed musical activities with his family. While this change in his character might have made for a better story in emphasizing Maria's healing effect on the von Trapps, it distressed his family greatly.
• The family did not secretly escape over the Alps to freedom in Switzerland, carrying their suitcases and musical instruments. As daughter Maria said in a 2003 interview printed in Opera News, "We did tell people that we were going to America to sing. And we did not climb over mountains with all our heavy suitcases and instruments. We left by train, pretending nothing."
• The von Trapps traveled to Italy, not Switzerland. Georg was born in Zadar (now in Croatia), which at that time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Zadar became part of Italy in 1920, and Georg was thus an Italian citizen, and his wife and children as well. The family had a contract with an American booking agent when they left Austria. They contacted the agent from Italy and requested fare to America.
• Instead of the fictional Max Detweiler, pushy music promoter, the von Trapps' priest, the Reverend Franz Wasner, acted as their musical director for over 20 years.
• Though she was a caring and loving person, Maria wasn't always as sweet as the fictional Maria. She tended to erupt in angry outbursts consisting of yelling, throwing things, and slamming doors. Her feelings would immediately be relieved and good humor restored, while other family members, particularly her husband, found it less easy to recover. In her 2003 interview, the younger Maria confirmed that her stepmother "had a terrible temper. . . . And from one moment to the next, you didn't know what hit her. We were not used to this. But we took it like a thunderstorm that would pass, because the next minute she could be very nice."

All of this was just so interesting to discover! I invite you to read about them, their story is so interesting! Okay, I know I keep using that word but that word describes their story precisely.

I was a little bit disappointed that the Sound Of Music portrayed the lives of the real von Trapp family so inaccurately. But independent of the real von Trapp family's history, it is an excellent musical. The movie was released in 1965, and it is still revered today. 45 years later! And though in the opinion of Johannes von Trapp , one of the children, the "'Sound of Music' simplifies everything," it did speak to some real issues. For example, the song I Have Confidence speaks about having confidence in oneself even when faced with a challenge. Sixteen Going on Seventeen gives insight on love. The reprise to the song gives wise words of wisdom. Climb Every Mountain speaks about always following one's dream. Something Good is just an awesome love song. And the history of the time period, though inaccurate with the 1960s hairstyles and costumes, is not completely ignored. It is acknowledged that the Nazis were taking over Austria and that was a significant part of one theme in the musical. The theme of following one's heart and adhering to God's will and what is right. I am so defensive of this musical. Though flawed, it was absolutely beautiful. But I do look forward to eventually reading Maria von Trapp (the mother)'s book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. I want to know about their history and their experiences. It is amazing to see how unlike their story is to the characters and plot of the Sound Of Music. Again, I invite you to read a snippet of their history at http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/winter/von-trapps.html.

Auf Wiedersehen Adieu!

Birthday wishes! (Blog written over the span of three days: 4/4,4/5, and 4/6)

Aigh! I've never had so many Facebook notifications in my life! That's what birthdays do xD So, Luis is flippin' awesome. I love that guy. Reading his comments made me smile so damn hard. So, I was going to post all the birthday comments up, but everything is pasted all jumbled and there are too many birthday posts to sort through. I already had to thank them all (and that was a task). So here are the meaningful ones. I'll start with Luis's:

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. So today is saturday. and that means that its your birthday =D. but im not gona say happy bday =). Ima just thank God that you were born 18years ago this day =p 4/3/10 12:12am

Janell Salmon AWWWWW! I am so smiling right now! Thank you Lu!

4/3/10 12:16am

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. Awww well i always know what to say =). and anytime Janell

4/3/10 12:21am

___________________________________________________

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. Its Janell's birthday today. Everyone better wish her i happy birthday or i will go Wolverine on all of your behinds

4/3/10 12:22am

You like this.

___________________________________________________

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. Ok so on the day of your birth they decide to give Purple Rain, The Indian in the Cupboard, and the Little Rascals.. can i vot this the best day EVER?

4/3/10 1:23pm

Misaell Sanchez likes this.

Janell Salmon Lol. No idea what the Indian in the Cupboard is or Purple Rain and I never saw Little Rascals but THANK YOU love xD ♥

4/3/10 3:37pm

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. Omg. Did u have a childhood? Lol jk

4/3/10 4:50pm

Janell Salmon lol, I did, but one filled with Sesame Street and Arthur xD

4/3/10 9:25pm

Misaell Sanchez little rascals won the misa best movie ever award indian in the cupboard always made little boys wonder what happened if our toys ever talked to us purple rain is sex

4/3/10 9:27pm

Janell Salmon lol! Thanks for letting me in Misa xD 4/4/10 2:46pm

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Janell Salmon Thanks for all the birthday wishes guys! Special thanks to Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. and Natasha Culpepper for pouring out the love! Ily you guys! 4/3/10 10:09pm

Natasha Culpepper likes this.

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. awwww Janell any time. your my sidekick =). the Robin to my batman, the jelly to my peanut butter, the butthead to my beavis =), the Jesus to my Christianity ( i know u like tht one ) lol

4/3/10 10:11pm

Kamal Williams stay golden, janell. happy bday

4/3/10 10:24pm

Janell Salmon LOL! Oh yeah, I got a poem out of you! xD Thanks Kamal!

4/4/10 2:12pm

Kamal Williams that what im here for. hopefully yesterday was everything you wanted it to be and more.

4/4/10 6:26pm

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lol! I just discovered this one! xD

Luis Tomas Graveley Jr. WHOEVER IS WATCHING TELEVISION VH1 IS GIVING PURPLE RAIN. PURPLE RAIN. PURPLE RAIN. JANELL YOUR BIRTHDAY IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE THE GREATEST DAY EVER 4/3/10 12:33am ___________________________________________________

lol, so that was all Luis. I asked him to pour out the love this week and he sure did! Thanks dude! Here are some others:

Jolle Thomas this is an EXTRAORDINARY day TWO of my favorite people were born on this today my Beautiful niece Cadence and my incredibly Gorgeous and Talented Actress, Singer, Dancer and Spiritually Inspirational Friend Janell Salmon !!!!! LOve you guys soo Much ♥ 4/3/10 11:56pm

Tiffany Gordon and Laze Skepi like this.

Janell Salmon THANK YOU JOLLE! 4/4/10 2:15pm Jolle Thomas You welcome JAnell!!! Around 2am 4/5/10

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Jolle Thomas Janell My Love!!!! HAppy 18th Birthday Sister. Have a spectacular day sweetie. I hope I see you soon. 4/4/10 12:04am Janell Salmon Me too! Thanks so much Jolle! ♥ 4/4/10 2:17pm

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Roschelle Salmon-Mckenzie Happy Birthday lil Sis! You are developing into such a beautiful young lady. I wish you nothing but God's best in this new year of your life! Enjoy it to the max! Love you...

4/3/10 10:00pm

Janell Salmon Thank you sista! xD 4/4/10 2:18pm ___________________________________________________

Ricky Aries Salmon HAPPY BIRTH STRONG MI SISTA ;) Wish u many more.

4/3/10 9:50pm

Janell Salmon Gracias sir x)

4/4/10 2:18pm

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Jescine Jarvis I know I'm super late -- been out all day-- but happy birthday Janell. May the Lord continue to guide and bless you with a million more. ;)

4/3/10 9:10pm

Janell Salmon Thank you Jescine!

4/4/10 2:20pm

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Alisha Bethea Happpyyyyy bdayyyy janell, I hope u have a wonder bday . May God bless& best wishes :)

4/3/10 8:23pm

Janell Salmon Thanks Alisha!

4/4/10 2:20pm

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Melissa Noemi Pellerano wishes a very happy birthday to Janell Salmon, Camille Prete, Joanie Bradford, Robert Gonzalez, and Trevor Ramjit. May you be filled with many more years. God bless.

4/3/10 7:44pm

Janell Salmon lol, that's a lot of birthdays xD Thanks chica! ♥

4/3/10 9:24pm

Joanie Bradford thank you ;) 4/4/10 12:00am ___________________________________________________

Enzo Morello Happyyy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/3/10 7:12pm

Janell Salmon Thanks Enzo! ♥

4/4/10 2:52pm

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Chenel Coco HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELLY!!!! I hope For you to see many many more!!!! and God bless you!!! HapPY birTHday!!!! =]

4/3/10 7:08pm

Janell Salmon Thank you Chenel! ♥

4/4/10 2:51pm

Chenel Coco your welcome janell!! =] ♥

Around 1am 4/5/10

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Ryan McConville HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL!!! ILY ♥

4/3/10 6:40pm

Janell Salmon Thank you Ryan! ILY you too! And IMY so much! >.<

4/4/10 2:36pm

Ryan McConville
awwwwwwwwi misss you toooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Around 2pm 4/6/10

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Jocelyn Perry-Bing Happy Birthday Senior. I'm gonna miss you next year :(

4/3/10 5:37pm

Janell Salmon I'm gonna miss you too! But I'll visit all the time. Thanks girlie =)

4/4/10 2:26pm

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Mark Princeglobal Lewis Happy Birthday Janell Hope you have a good one, may blessings love Mark lol

4/3/10 2:00pm

Janell Salmon Thank you Mark! I miss you!

4/4/10 2:50pm

Mark Princeglobal Lewis Miss You Too Janell

4/4/10 3:35pm

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Mariah Biolsi-Vasquez Bailey Happy birthday janell !!! Iloveeyouuuu & have fun beinq legal hehe :D x3 !!

4/3/10 1:56pm

Janell Salmon Thanks chica! I think it's funny that you put "hehe" when you know I'm not gonna do anything xD ily ♥

4/4/10 2:50pm

Mariah Biolsi-Vasquez Bailey Ily2 (: x3 4/4/10 2:51pm ___________________________________________________

Kerii Phillip JANELLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I misss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo MUCH ! I Hope you are enjoying your amazing day so far. Don't let anyone ruin your day && May God bless you on ur beedayyy, another yearr that your are in the land of the living! =)

4/3/10 1:27pm

Janell Salmon Thank you Keri! I miss you too, hope you're having fun in Italy!

4/4/10 2:48pm

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Nati Elle Happy happy happy birthdayy! Iloveyouu ♥ Keep being your amazing self and make this a wonderful year

4/3/10 1:23pm

Janell Salmon Thank you so much Nati! ♥ ♥

4/4/10 2:45pm

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Ashley Antwi HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL I am paying 70£ to type this to you...oohhh I'm soooo buying you a gift from here!

4/3/10 1:20pm

Ashley Antwi the was 0,70£ by the way now it's 1,20£ just think of it as a $1.20

4/3/10 1:23pm

Kerii Phillip LMAOO!!! me toooo, we are actually right next to each other!! hahahahaha =) ilyy! 4/3/10 1:27pm

Ashley Antwi LOL KERISha is a loserrrrr!! tehe jk ilym janell!

4/3/10 1:31pm

Janell Salmon AWWWW! You guys are spending expensive European currency! ILY guys ♥ xD 4/3/10 9:26pm

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Luke Benjamin oh snizzy!!!! happy birthday!! i hope u have many more!!! too bad there's no service today so we can give you your punches

4/3/10 12:44pm

Janell Salmon Thanks Luke! I WISH there was service today! Can't think of a better way to spend the birthday than with the Misfits!

4/3/10 10:01pm

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Bejeika Mary-Jane Matthew Happy birthday sal!!!! Now theres four of you too old to be in DJBRAAT lol. Have fun

4/3/10 12:35pm

Janell Salmon lol, thanks chica! imy

4/3/10 9:59pm

Bejeika Mary-Jane Matthew Imy too ♥

4/4/10 5:57pm

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Robert Gonzalez Happy birthday sis i hope u have awonderful and blessed birthday.

4/3/10 11:32am

Janell Salmon Thanks bro! 4/3/10 9:55pm ___________________________________________________

Tara McD HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D

4/3/10 11:22am

Janell Salmon THANK YOU TARA!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/3/10 9:55pm ___________________________________________________

Brandon-George Leach Arrivederci HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL AND I HOPE YOU GET THE SCHOOL ACCEPTANCE LETTER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥

4/3/10 10:20am

Janell Salmon THANK YOU BRANDON! XD 4/3/10 9:52pm ___________________________________________________

Nicolette Rosa HAPPY ENTRY INTO THE WORLD DAY! ENJOY IT!

4/3/10 9:56am

Janell Salmon lol! I like that xD Thanks Nicolette!

4/3/10 9:50pm

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Steph Derfy Opper HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL!!!!!! ♥ GOD BLESS YOU!!!! ♥

4/3/10 9:56am

Janell Salmon THANK YOU OPPER! ♥

4/3/10 9:49pm

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Shanná Shanagana Bhagan ♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! :D i hopee you havee a good day because you're a FREAKING AMAZINGGGG personnnn & you deservee itttt ♥ (:

4/3/10 9:47am

Janell Salmon Thank you chica! I appreciate it! ♥

4/3/10 9:48pm

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Zarinah Alyse Happpppppppppppppy Birthday. I hope you enjoy yourself love, and this year is one of the greatest you ever had. :)

4/3/10 9:33am

Janell Salmon Girl, I hope so too! Thank you!

4/3/10 9:47pm

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Joe Rivera It is your birthday.

4/3/10 9:23am

Janell Salmon Yes sir, yes it is =p

4/3/10 9:47pm

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Jonathan Ayala JANPANLAN!!! HAPPY BDAY!

4/3/10 8:55am

Janell Salmon THANKS JONATHAN! XD

4/3/10 9:46pm

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Michelle Henderson Happy Birthday Janell sweetheat, I hope you enjoy your day to the fullest!! 4/3/10 3:49am

Janell Salmon Gracias Michelle!

4/3/10 9:38pm

Michelle Henderson No problem just hope you enjoyed your day!!

4/4/10 2:17am

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Dontae Lewis HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL,

4/3/10 1:50am

Janell Salmon Aight, I get it! xD Thank you dude.

4/3/10 9:36pm

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Henry Victor Happy b day Shoes!!
4/3/10 1:17am

Janell Salmon lol, thank you Henry ♥

4/3/10 9:33pm

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Ayanna Williams YAY its my twin's birthday! its the best day everrrrrr! I hope u enjoy this wonderful day girl and the many more that are to come!

4/3/10 1:12am

Janell Salmon Thanks chica! Ily ♥

4/4/10 9:32pm

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Jaleesa Glover SO ITS MY EMMAUS BABY BIRHTDAY!!!! YAYY!!! LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELL I HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING DAY AND SPEND IT WITH THOSE YOU LOVE THE MOST....I LOVE YOU AND SO DOES JESUS! LOL ENJOY IT! ♥ LXXV

4/3/10 12:59am

Janell Salmon Yay! Jesus loves me! He loves you too xD Thank you Jaleesa! ♥

4/3/10 9:31pm

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Sasha Davis Happy Birthday hope you enjoy every second of it..God Bless and wishin you many more to come

4/3/10 12:49am

Janell Salmon Thanks girlie!

4/3/10 9:30pm

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Misaell Sanchez HAPPY BDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/3/10 12:22am

Janell Salmon THANK YOU MISA! =D

4/3/10 12:24am

Misaell Sanchez I WISH U HAVE THE BESTEST DAY EVER!!

4/3/10 12:28am

Janell Salmon I will try my bestest xD

4/3/10 12:33am

Misaell Sanchez =D awsome! 4/3/10 1:15am ___________________________________________________

Convo turned birthday wish xD

I started off with something like "Hey girl! What's up, it's been a minute!"

Jenay Harley I kno it has...everything is good...wats happenin with u...missy...

4/3/10 12:19am

Janell Salmon I'm coolies, life is aight. Graduation is riiiiight around the corner.

4/3/10 12:22am

Jenay Harley It really is...time goes by real fast u know....

4/3/10 12:28am

Janell Salmon WORD! I can't believe we're seniors! >.<

4/3/10 12:32am

Jenay Harley And someone is 18 today....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

4/3/10 12:40am

Janell Salmon Thanks girl! 4/5/10 ___________________________________________________

Christina Rose Ellison Happy Birthday!!! Have a great day, you deserve it!! =D

4/3/10 12:13am

Janell Salmon Thank you Cristina! ♥

4/3/10 12:19am

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Angelique Natasha Jones Rivera-Bylicky The Salmon's legal? Omg =O!!!! Lol hope you have a great bday darling!

4/3/10 12:10am

Janell Salmon lol! Thank you Angie! x)

4/3/10 12:15am

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Joanie Bradford ahhhh its our birthday ! ♥ love you girl have fun !

4/3/10 12:06am

Janell Salmon Whoop whoop! Thank you! You have a hot day too xD

4/3/10 12:13am

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Brian Rivera Bylicky Jones OMG IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!! May God bless you on your special day!! =]

4/3/10 12:06am

Janell Salmon Awwww! Thank you Brian! ILY ♥ 4/3/10 12:12am

Brian Rivera Bylicky Jones ily2 ^.^ ♥ 4/3/10 12:12am ___________________________________________________

This "Donovan Jetson" is Donovan Samuels.

Donovan Jetson Happy birthday janell !

4/2/10 7:23pm

Janell Salmon lol, a lil early, but thanks dude :)

4/2/10 7:50pm

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Malcolm Smiley April 3 at 11:36pm JANELL HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! "yea my facebook is acted up it wont let post lol"

Janell Salmon April 4 at 2:11pm Thank you Smiley! Most people would give up, but thanks for sending a message =)

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Natasha Culpepper HAPPY BIRFFDAAAYY!! did you get your surprise yet? :D

4/3/10 1:25pm

Janell Salmon Thanks girlie! I did not, but I'm looking forward to it x)

4/3/10 3:39pm

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Well those were all the FB messages that I thought were most meaningful/interesting. And I cannot sign off this blog failing to explain the AWESOME thing that Natasha Culpepper did.

SHE SENT ME A CARD! A MAX LUCADO CARD!

For those of you who do not know who Max Lucado is, he an awesome, poetic, inspirational dude. Like, his words really help you to see the depth of God's love. Some of his lines:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

And he has books like that with nothing but sayings that demonstrate God's love. The one Natasha showed me last year is God Thinks You're WONDERFUL. I bought it for Nicky for her birthday. Anyway Natasha, since you're on Blogger now, I just want to say to you,

THANK YOU! X)

And thanks to all others for the thoughts, prayers, and the wishes for a good year. Much appreciated!

~Nelly

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~Edit~

Ashley Sampson omg your 18 now.. now you could actually put your face up on the internet.. arent you happy lol??.. surprised i remembered right?
4/5/10 2:49pm

Janell Salmon
*smiling* Glad you did! xD Yeah, it's pretty cool, but now that I have the chance to I'm just like whatever.
4/5/10 6:26pm

Ashley Sampson
lol ok it's your chioce
4/6/10 2:15pm

More Food For Thought

Was viewing random blogs and I stumbled upon this fable..yeah, I guess you could call it a fable. Found this on http://spittersmusings.blogspot.com/.

One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that was going on inside himself.

He said, "My boy, the fight is between two wolves."


That certainly got the boy's attention.

"One is evil," the old man continued. "Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego."

"What of the other, grandfather?" the boy asked.

"The other is good," he said. "Joy, Peace, Love, Hope, Serenity, Humility, Kindness, Benevolence, Empathy, Generosity, Truth, Compassion and Faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Do we all have such wolves fighting inside us, grandfather?"

"Yes," the wise old man said.

"Then, which wolf wins the fight?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."


Food For Thought.

17 No More

My last few hours as a seventeen-year-old. It's been pretty wild. 17 is the age when I discovered Bronx Bethany. The age when I was part of the cast of Crazy For You. The age when I went on Emmaus. The age when I went on my first March For Life. My first college course. The age where I learned how to praise God. The age when I fell in love with my dream college on the college tour. The age when I applied to that dream college. The age where I was rejected by that dream college. Ah boy. The age when me and Antwi got together with friends to have this awesome bowling party at New Roc. The age where I forgave my betrayers. The age where Luis and I threw a Haiti Benefit. The age when I discovered I want to be a missionary. Age when I met Sandino. Age when I started planning my wedding. Age when I got a cell phone that lasted two months (March and April baby! xD). Age when I got hooked on the Seeker (that show is freaking AMAZING!!! *heart* *heart* *heart*). Age when I insulted Nicky to the point where she moved out. Age when my Afro got super cool. Year when I became known as the Jesus girl. Age when I fell even more in love with Jesus. Age when I became the President of the Gospel Choir, Treasurer of the Student Government, and Secretary of the Band. Age when I read on the announcements at school for the first time. Age when I did Drama Monologue for the first time. I believe even the age when I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time (NEVER AGAIN!). Age when I met Dylan. Age when I got to know Papa P and see how cool he is. Age (part of 16 too) when I made the Chapel my own. Age when I led the singing that one time at the Emmaus mass not many people showed up to. Age when I had/have this crush on this guy who is SO unavailable and SO not right (see a few entries down about that guy who is "permanently off the market" xD). Age when I discovered Gospel For Asia and K.P. Yohannan's powerful story. The age when I tried out for Gospel For Teens. Age when I got into Binghamton. Age when I decided to attempt to wish everyone on Facebook a happy birthday whenever it'd come around. Age when I got a Blogger =D Age when me and Jesus made 2 years. Age when I tried out for the Talent Show and made it. Age when God showed me that I have to desire Him and Him alone. Age when He showed me that a boyfriend is not what I need right now. Age when I saw that there is no one attainable around anyway who is spiritually on my level. Age when I decided "I'm going to do this every year; list the memorable things that happened that year xD. Age when I found Jorden Bac on Facebook after looking at old Xanga blogs. Age when the Band Homeroom was established. Age, perhaps, when I entered the Cardinal Spellman Room (or maybe that was 16?).

Gosh, so much happened in a year! And this year was amazing; I had so many opportunities to do so many things. And the list can go on forever. I feel like it's already really long xD.Ah wow. God, may 18 be just as memorable. The best hasn't even come yet! Ooowee, I wonder what next year's list will be like? It's definitely gonna be long. Aigh, thanks Jesus. Thank You so much. For EVERYthing. ESPECIALLY for dying for me. But that's another story.

Goodbye 17. Hello legality xD

Emotional Pit Of Yuck

There is so much anger in me right now. I'm just UPSET. I mean, not getting into my top school is already enough to deal with. But then having to go to a church that just makes me vex and then to be bugged by my parents with questions they should know the answers to already either because they are obvious or because I've repeated myself so many times, does not help my mood. I am just in an emotional pit of yuck. And it annoys me when I am trying to get over the fact that I did not get into my dream school and I get these lame words that go "blah blah blah blah blah blah something something things will work out blah blah Obama did not go to an IVY League school for his undergraduate education." I am not upset about that! Urgh, I'm going to read this a few months from now probably be like "Oh my gosh, what is/was/whatever wrong with me?" But I am in such a rage! My church home is not catered to my 17-almost-18-year-old teenage needs. I have to put on this face, this mask and I gotta be fake. I HATE IT! And to be in a rage over that on top of something which is really not making your afternoon... April Fools Day is a really bad day to find out what schools accepted you. Me especially. 18th birthday is in 2 days and I feel like CRAP. God, you are gonna have to talk to me extensively. I'm hard-headed, confused, angry, upset, lost, discouraged, all this crap. I don't know where you want me to go. The next best thing, Binghamton, is in the suburbs (YUCK!), I've never been there, I have no idea how I'll get up there-UGH! Whatever!

Aigh. Tears streaming down my face. My dream school. Me no get in. Aigh.

AAAAHHH!!!

I AM SO SCARED!!!!! I am about to check whether or not I have been admitted to the University of Pennsylvania. Jesus PLEASE! I am so scared and so doubtful right now! But You are God. And You know where I am supposed to go. If I do not get into UPenn, it's because You don't want me there. You have bigger things for me. Help me to truly know that God and absolutely trust in Your will for my life. Oh God, help me. I can't say anymore. Please just help me. Amen.