STRONG Response from a Teacher

A phenomenal response to Rick Perry, from a phenomenal teacher and friend.

Hey folks! I just wanted to share this with everyone. My best friend Josh filmed this today in response to Rick Perry's "Strong" campaign. His words are poignant and gracious. Please share and share alike! Lets take this baby viral! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGsoGpYfkOE

Nash Elementary Assignment

Silly pic of our group

During the semester, we were given an assignment to write for a child in fourth grade at Nash Elementary. After we wrote, we read our piece to a fourth grader and asked for them to give feedback or add to the piece. Here's what I came up with:

What do you dream of when you are awake?

So many shapes your dreams can take.

If you had to choose only one,

Would you choose the shape of the moon or the sun?

Would you ride horses, or be King of the beasts?

Would you dance in the middle of streets?

If you had no rules or cares in the world,

What would your flag look like unfurled?

Susannah and me!

When the dust has settled from all of your fun.

All the calamity of the day is done.

Which door will you slip through to find your escape?

As you arrive into slumbers dreamy landscape.

Will you float into the middle of the ocean?

Carrying along no stress or sad notion.

No worry or burden to limit your float,

No sails, no engine, not even a boat!

Just you, the sea, the moon and the fish,

In the glittery blue, is that your wish?

Gaze as the diamonds dance in the sky.

Go on, dance along, they’re not too high!

Nash group with us!

When all of your dancin’ time is done,

Here comes a train down track 31.

On it you jump without hesitation!

What’s missing? That’s right! Aviation!

In seconds you travel across the sky,

You didn’t know it, but this train can fly!

Away you go, flying through the night.

The sun approaches, the moon says “good night.”

When softly you awaken, refreshed for the day,

Another chance you have to live it your way.

Take with you no worries, sorrows, or concern,

Today is a new day, new journeys, and turns.

The shapes may change, that's ok too.

Which shape is it now, could it be a kazoo?

You are the superhero of the day,

Your mind gives you freedom in every way!

First Day of Creative Writing

I wrote this the first day of creative writing. It's still one of my favorite things I've written. 

 

your life is your life

you cannot take it as you exit

you cannot decide when it will end

choose a succulent life

you can do that

decide that each morning is your first

each evening is your last

sway your hips

dance

love

do it all with abandon

without regret

you can slip into the life of another

if you’d like

make it a good character

do things you’ve only heard of

live in a circle

not a box

nothing goes without cycle

even abrupt exits have fluidity

you can make this choice

you are allowed to-after all

do not recoil or retreat

grab life by its pulse and harness it

you can do that, too

live as if you’re dancing

each issue has a new rhythm

embrace it

change it

adapt to it

make up your own steps

or freestyle

Flash Fiction

This is a piece I wrote in class when asked to take a topic and write without being overly wordy. I believe the assignment asked for us to stay under 100 words... Here is my attempt:

He stands at the head of the class. Mumble. Mumble more. Mumble quieter. Students ask questions. Beige answer given. Eyes heavy. Visions of Mitochondria don't dance in my head. Cellular division? Why do they divide? Are they in this class? Melba toast. Some find it tasty. I find it bland and oppressive. Phagocytosis-good word! Say it again, please? Wait, I think I hear interest? Nope. Beige turned to ecru. Student asks other question. Mumble beige. Mumble Melba toast. This is all so important. Why don't the words enter my brain? They are spoken, life breathed into them, then shaken out like an etch a sketch. More words. More ecru. Eggshell. Nothing exciting. Now we experiment? What livens dry toast? Cinnamon! Nutmeg! Vanilla! NO! Too vibrant. Toast livens toast. White, dry, teeth breaking, toast. To experiment, we get to look at onion. Wow. Be-still my heart. 

Introduction-for Creative Writing Class

Hello! My name is Summer Semmens, and I’m working on this blog for my Creative Writing class. I am a 36 year old, divorced mother who has gone back to school at Tarrant County College in order to better the future myself and my son, Oscar. I look forward to graduating for the first time in May and transferring to a university to study Speech Language Pathology.

I’ve honestly never been in a class that has made me feel more at home and among friends as this one does. I’ve often thought of it as a support group of sorts. That being said, I’ve been asked to discuss why I appreciate the written word as well as what I like about writing. How to begin…

First and foremost, I love reading pieces of work from writers before me. It is an amazing feeling to read words written many moons ago that are just as inspiring, if not more so, than when they were written. Some of my favorite writers are Sylvia Plath, Charles Bukowski, Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou, Tom Robbins, David Sedaris, Jack Kerouac, and countless others. I feel it important to also mention that although these authors are important, equally important are the class members that I have gone through the semester with. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being in class with everyone as well as reading their work. What a fantastic group of individuals I’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon! Professor Tricia Barker has been one of us throughout the semester. Each Tuesday and Thursday, we gather in a circle and either write or discuss writing. Professor Barker has made a point of doing each assignment she has given us. What an inspiration she has been for all of us! Professor Barker, thank you!!! You’ve reintroduced me to amazing literature that I’ve let take a backseat in life. Thank you so much for rekindling my love of literature!

I am going to add a few pieces that I’ve written in class. Please feel free to let me know what you think! Good or bad, it’s all relative!

Thank you for reading!

Summer Semmens

Father's Day

Fathers...

I've thought a lot about father's day this year... My birth father has been in my life for almost a year and I'm so grateful. Getting to know my father, stepmother, sisters, and the rest of the pack has been a growing experience for everyone involved. I give many thanks for this and look forward to much more of it as life continues. I'd always hoped that Oscar would get to know his other grandfather, and my hope came true. It's been better than I could have imagined. I love you so much Dad.

Dad and me, Felix's birthday dinner

Dad and Oscar

Oscar and G-Diddy=<3

Thankfully, I've always had my Godfather, Paul Lewis, for a father figure and positive male role model. He's been there my entire life. He's seen me through marriage, the birth and death of my first son, the birth and life of my second son, the dissolve of my marriage, and the rebirth of my existence. On my last birthday, he told me not once, but twice how proud he is of me.Possibly one of the best gifts I could have ever received... I can't think of my Godfather without beaming with pride. I will always admire and respect him as well as be eternally grateful for his presence in my life. Oscar and I wouldn't be complete without G-Diddy. When I was little, I would stay with Uncle Paul a lot  when he lived in Fort Worth-he would let me watch Grease until I was tired of it, and then watch it some more. When I turned 20, he told me to meet him for lunch, we had reservations and couldn't be late! I drove out to Dallas to meet with Uncle Paul, Kenneth, John Paul, and Billie-quite a fun group to lunch with! We started driving toward the airport... I had no clue what was in store-but off on a plane to San Antonio we all went! It was a surprise trip that I will never forget. We've been through many up's and down's together, and having him as a constant in my life has made all the difference in the world. Uncle Paul, I appreciate and love you from the bottom of my heart. You are so important to us.

Oscar and G-Diddy, AKA Uncle Paul-my 35th Birthday

G-Diddy, Mimi, and NuNana-Oscar's 7th birthday

Thank you to all of the awesome papa's in the world... You make such a difference. To all of you mother's out there (like mine) who've acted as mother and father for your children-thank you too. Your strength and capacity to take on the world of raising children while wearing many hats is awe-inspiring. Happy Father's Day!

San-Fran-Sister-Tastic

On June 8, 2011, Oscar and I got the greatest gift in the world... We went on our first vacation together-to sweeten the pot, we visited my sister Sarah. This woman is a force of nature. She's smart, beautiful, empathetic, drama free, and just a phenomena in general. I'm lucky to be related to her. She's my best friend, kindred spirit and soul mate. 

As soon as we arrived, I knew that we were in for quite a treat. The airport alone was fantastic... Oscar, Sarah, and I went all over San Francisco! We toured Alcatraz, rode an antique fire engine all over the city, went to the beach, saw the nations biggest dog park, saw the lovely Jennifer Marerro and the dashing Brent Green-and lived, truly lived to the hilt! There were many good parts of the trip-the late night talks with my sister where we laughed until some type of fluid leaked coupled with seeing the look on Oscar's face as he went to the ocean for the first time. It was literally the best time of my life. Hey, anytime vegan soul-food, Oscar, Sarah, Maggie, Geoff, and Kevin Bacon's nostrils are involved... What could go wrong?

I've got so much more to write about, and will... But I'm tired-so I'll leave some pictures of the bliss!
Much Love!

Summer  (Ps. The picture thumbnails weren't too easy to pick out-sorry about the blurry chess photo :)!

Sometimes it takes the terrible to see the wonderful, right?

Let's be honest... My life, in general, is quite enchanted really. I have the most amazing child in the world, a phenomenal family, and am kicking serious bootay in school. I've turned my life around in ways that I couldn't have imagined were possible and have been lucky enough to have outstanding help in the process. That being said, I also have to thank myself. How often do we do that, really?

Today I officially thank myself for changing my life and moving it in the right direction. 

This blog is inspired by the assholes in life who have forced me to realize that life is so much greater than the shite they fling my way. I also must recognize how I have far more amazing people in my life than I do assholes. Therefore-the times, they are a'changing. Dearest Bob Dylan, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for reminding me that I'd better start swimming, or I'll sink like a stone. I love you.

Proscrastination breeds creativity...

Well... Sometimes!!! I'm currently at the end of a maymester in school-and it's busting my chops! The course is US Government and its a 16 week course crammed into 2, teeny, tiny, yet somehow awkwardly long weeks! 

 Friday is the last day and while I'd love to sit back and enjoy some terrible television, I've got to study for my final... At the end of the day, it's all for the greater good-and that's what matters! As a teen, I was far more into having a good time then getting an education. That's changed immensely!  Undoubtedly, the myriad of insane spine, bone, and immune attacking illnesses have much to do with this major change. Since I've found out about all of these physical shenanigans, coupled with being a single mother to the worlds most amazing child, the proverbial hitch in my giddyup was born and I've been a progressive machine since!

Now, more than ever, I feel the need to get a grip on life, get control, and achieve, Achieve, ACHIEVE! I've resolved to let the physical pain and the bad parts of life remain where they are and not breathe life into them... They'll always be there, why fan the flame? If I leave them alone, I won't deny their existence. What I will do is spawn an existence of life and progression. It's vital. I've now gained a hunger for life that I've never had. Where once I felt sad or sorry for the hand I was dealt, I now embrace it, am thankful for it, and forage ahead. 

In life, the certain and constant components are change. Some change is painful, some is productive, and some change, most importantly, will provide birth to a new life. In that life, just as the former, we must choose our paths carefully. The difference is that we've grown, we've evolved, and we are going down our given path with fresh eyes and a fresh heart. I've had many rebirths in my time. Each time more important than the last, anxious to start the next chapter, thankful to be in the current one. 

Never let the pessimists or naysayers get the best of you. Never allow them to block your evolution. Thank them for their existence and appreciate that without their harsh, negative, perspective, there would be less ease in embracing the goodness and sweetness in life. Always be thankful!

Now... On to studying Government! 
Please enjoy the unicorn that spews rainbows-put here to illustrate said point ;)
 

This year I turn 36...

As the great Erykah Badu says..."this year I turn 36/Damn it seems it came so quick/my ass and legs have gotten thick, yeah/its all me..." From her song "Me"-check it out, you'll be glad!

So, tomorrow morning I turn 36-I thought the quote appropriate. Undoubtedly, this year, by far, has been the best of my life. I've grown close to 3 beautiful, amazing sisters, a stepmother who is like a sister from another mister, and a relationship with my dad that I've longed for my entire life.  Beyond that-I've completed 2 semesters of college with very high grades, my son Oscar is doing fantastically well, and I've made beautiful friends! I might dare say that life has never been better! 

Friday, I had my first birthday dinner with Dad and Sindy-Chelsey and Cody were there (Sarah, Emily, and Addy were there at heart)-Sommer, Erin, Alan, Nicole, Josh, Patt, and our respective children, present and on the way came out for din din at Mellow Mushroom-and despite the chaos of the evening, being with amazing friends and family was awesome! I received very kind, thoughtful gifts, and felt extremely lucky to have had this celebration with friends and new family!  

And... It got better!

Tonight I had dinner with my mother, godfather, Oscar, Billie, David, Kenneth, and my dear friend Molly. It was beautiful. We went to Uncle Julio's in Dallas as we always do-and mom made a fantastic cake for me-my favorite in the world-yellow cake-chocolate icing... nom nom nom...

The gift theme of the evening was travel... Oscar and I are going to San Francisco in June to see my sister and best friend, Sarah, her sweetie pie, Geoff, and their loveable baby goldendoodle, Maggie... S0... Uncle Paul gave me a hat box filled with peanuts (because they don't give them out on planes anymore, he said), a necklace that had 4 strands of beads on it, but that he used to make other things (which, by the way, I LOVE getting gifts that are attached to other things-it's like he gave me a piece of art he created, love that man!) and some spending money for our trip that's going RIGHT into the piggy bank that we've set aside for SF!

I've wanted this camera for a loooong time... Mom, being as thoughtful as ever, made sure that I got it-she, Kenneth, and Uncle Paul got it for me-and it's beautiful! Stay tuned for photos to come! I'll have that thing on me everywhere I go! 
Mom worked very hard on making sure that she was able to get a gift for me from Oscar. He asked her to get me a necklace-and that she did... I opened the most beautiful, silver tree of life necklace from Oscar (and mom), and the tears flowed...

Then, I opened another special package from Billie and David. They brought me back the most beautiful scarf from Israel, which subsequently is the middle name of my first son, Felix, may he rest in peace. But not only was it from Israel, but it was green (which is Oscar's favorite color) with butterflies on it... For those of you who don't know, Felix's ashes were scattered at the monarch butterfly sanctuary in Angangueo, Michoacan, Mexico. SO, the tears kept going! Now, I have a scarf that represents both of my beautiful boys to carry with me as my proverbial security blanket!

The night was beautiful! Good friends, good family, good, sweet love, and precious memento's to carry me into my 36th year.

Tomorrow is for school, celebration, and sweet snuggles with my Changocito (little monkey, Oscar!)
Thank you to Mom, Dad, Uncle Paul, Sindy, Kenneth, Chelsey, Cody, Erin, Sommer, Molly, Josh, Patt, Alan, Nicole, and of course, Oscar for making my birthday so special! Love you guys!
Much Love-
Summer