Janvars R' Us

Theory on Life

2009-09-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

Life sucks... and then you die.

Bubbles

Ocelot

2009-08-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

Trapped

2009-08-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

As I opened my eyes, I looked around
The sights surrounded, and all the sounds
People crowded, they tapped the glass
Scared, I hid away, hoping it would pass
I ate my food and climed my tree
Oh how I miss the sense of being free
The jungle, my true home
The one place I could freely roam
but I'm not there anymore
I can't freely roar
My life as I knew it is now over

Nick Janvar

I Am

2009-08-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

I’m a lost soul, taken by those around me
I rely upon my family for help and guidance
My friends, insane with laughter, are the foundation which I’m built upon
My thoughts define me, control my every move
My father inspires me, my light in this world
My mother supports me, her scent comforting, forever embedded my brain
My cousins surround me, almost suffocating, eternally there for me
My siblings are there, to care and share all my memories
I’m the luckiest soul in the world

Nick Janvar

I am me

2009-08-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am the blossoming flower, watered by my family and friends
Nurtured and cut as I bloom
I am the lone wolf, howling to let someone find me, guide me
I am the shining sun, glowing as life leads me
Shining brighter with every year
I am the absorbing sponge, taking in life lessons and knowledge from everywhere, everyone
I am me, blossoming , howling, shining, absorbing, living.

Bubbles

The Violin

2009-08-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am the musician who plays the music that is my life
My Mommy, the neck of my violin- necessary and sweet
My Daddy, the frame of my life- helpful and amazing
My Nani, the strings on my instrument- cheerful and loving
My Bhaijan, the chin rest I need to go on- always there and comforting
I love the instrument that defines me- my family.

Joe Janvar

Home

2009-08-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Water boiling with a scream
Bright yellow walls surrounding
Gardenias consuming the air
Broken swings and brown boxes
Time spent, memories made and forever captured
Cats meowing, wasps buzzing, dogs barking
Voices carrying
People laughing
Home

Nick Janvar

Trying Times

2009-08-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

One summer I decided to take summer school so I could get a little ahead before high school started. Our class was separated into semester one and two and we had a separate teacher for each. My first teacher was very kind and open to all of us about everything. My second teacher was more reserved and had an unusual sense of humor. It was time for the second class and I got there a little early because it was the first day. There were other students there as well and we all took seats where we wanted. The teacher was also in the room and he decided to go over the roster before class started so he could get to know us a little better. As he was going down the roster I knew when he got to my name he would struggle just a tad. So I patiently waited for him to get down the list and when he got there of course he did pronounce my name incorrectly, but it was pretty often that it happened to me. So with no hesitation I corrected him and he tried a couple of different pronunciations until he finally got it right. Then after he got my name down he asked me where I was from and with pride I replied Pakistan. He was a little taken aback by that and the next thing that came out of his mouth was the most shocking for me: "You're not gonna bomb me are you?" He said it like it was such a joking matter that I was completely outraged by him and didn't know what to do. But instead of blowing up at him I decided to sort of just cover up my anger and laugh it off by saying "Haha of course not." But truly on the inside it really hurt in a way and made me want to stand up and give him a lecture about stereotyping someone you just met and know nothing about.

Joe Janvar

Ocelot Kitten

2009-08-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

Scared blue eyes, embracing the world
Ears perked, inviting in sounds
Whiskers bent
Paw raised
Nose damp
Ocelot kitten

Nick Janvar

The Black Panther

2009-08-05T11:29:00.000-07:00

The sharp, piercing eyes watched my every move
Claws dug the jungle floor
Fear in every living soul

Black paws prowled the night

A figure rose from the shadows
The Black Panther pounced

Nick Janvar

Stereotypes

2009-07-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

July 31, 2009, my 16th birthday. My sister and Ami completely threw me off guard when we pulled up into Sweet Tomatoes. All my friends jumped out behind a bush and screamed SURPRISE! I was speechless; I hadn't expected this at all.
After we finished eating, we decided to go wait in Heba's car because of all the looks we were getting from all the other people eating in the restaurant. I didn’t know why people we glancing at us because we were a group of hyper rowdy young teens, or that we were a group of young desi Muslims teens, but we knew better.
Once we got outside and got into Heba's car, that is all of us that could fit in her car, Heba turned on the radio and Love story came on and blasted through the stereo. None of us could resist, we all started singing along to the new single, and not all that well I might add, jumping around, dancing, all in all just making fools our of ourselves.
All the while Sara kept glaring at us with her usual "I don’t know why I’m friends with you people" face. She said we were acting like a bunch of Hispanic people and we should stop and just sit down cause we were making a lot of noise and making a racket.
Stereotypes are used daily, and not all of them are very kind. We were being judged because we were a group of desi adolescents. It was as if they were expecting us to pull out our guns or bomb the whole place. Or maybe because we were in a parking lot listening to loud music that we became Hispanics lounging about. Stereotypes often lead to people having misconceptions about others, and this sometimes created tensions between different races and religions.

Bubbles