Favortes

Ok well I am kind of falling behind on blogging so I am going to start telling you a little more about myself. Let start with my favorites. My favorite color is GREEN. I don't know why but I think it is the best color in the entire world maybe because it is the second most seen color on the earth. (the first is Blue...BOOOO) Any way moving on. My favorite food is... wow that is a hard one cause if you know me I LOVE food.. but if I had to pick a favorite it would be tacos. My favorite ice cream is anything with chocolate and peanut butter. Music? I love music. It is my passion. In case you didn't know I have another blog (hideoutwithme.blogspot.com) it is all about my passion for music. I post the songs that I write and stuff like that on there. If any one is reading this please comment back and tell me a little about yourself.

Sorry For The Wait

Ok I know it’s been a long time but I have had a lot happen.


First I have been working off the chain. I’m not complaining though because I need to. Lets start with what ha been happening for a while but has all of a sudden has happened so much lately. I have some how attained the relationship expert label. I don’t know how because the only girl friend that I have ever had was when I was in third grade. I know sad. but I don’t mind being single. All of the problems every one else has is enough for me to handle. I don’t need that for my self. Any way I had this friend come up to me and asked for advise. Her boyfriend came to her and told her that he was thinking of breaking up with her. He said that it would be better for her. I told her that she just needs to talk to him. Communication is the best way to save a relationship. She came back the next day and told me that everything was going good with her and her boyfriend. I felt so good.

The next day she came to me again and told me that he mentioned a guy that he previously liked. She was afraid that this might be the reason for him wanting to break up. I asked her if he talks about her a lot or if he just mentioned that she had moved back to town. She told me that he just mentioned her. So I told her that she doesn’t need to think about it. But if she really wants to figure it out. just talk to him. She did and their relationship is going very good.

All right next on the list is my life. I have not been feeling well lately. I think there is something going around. But none the less I am doing good living the dream, as you may say. The dream of a young man who can’t find a job. My life is what that guy is dreaming about. Well except for a few minor details to be explained later.

Tending The Bar

      Just got done tending bar in the beer tent for horse and buggy days. It has been a long day. But on the flip side I was told that I would make a really great bartender. I don't think I have ever sold more beer in my life than what I sold tonight. It felt good to get complements on how I work so hard and I am a really good guy. This on girl came up to me today and told me that who ever I end up with will be a very lucky person. Granted she was wasted it still made my night. I also got up in front of every drunk person there and sung XXL by Keith Anderson. I have to admit I rocked it. I was also told by the person in charge there that I was a massive help, that with me being there she felt the stress lift from her shoulders. I don't know if it was because she was drinking (a little) or if I really was a big help. But none the less I have to work 4 to close at godfathers tomorrow and after I am planning on going back to the beer tent to help out. I don't know why but I had an amazing time tonight. I love being around the people. That is what I do best. Talk to ya'll later.

PJ Party

Hello everyone,


I had a great time last night. I stayed at Talia's house and had a PJ party. We stayed up last night just talking. We worked on the computers. Ashley and the kids were here to. We are going to try and plan a weekend to go down to Horicon and stay with Matt and Ashley. It is so fun down there. Even though we don't really do much, but we just talk and hang out and just catch up it is fun. I could sit and talk for hours. Well it is 9:51 am and I am here at Talia's with Ally. Ashley and Spencer (my little buddy) are at the school talking to Carson about his senior pictures. And the funny part is we are watching Diego. Life is always fun when you wake up on your day off and watch Dora and Diego. Love life and love who I am, well for now?

The Other Half Of My Family

Today I had a major realization moment that truly made my day. Ok let me bring you up to date. This guy name James wrote me on facebook. He told me about his family history and was wondering if we were related. I somehow knew we were but yet was wondering the same thing. I really have never thought about my family history before so it was quite interesting to figure out all these things. As my grandma, James, and I looked for answers we figured it out. My great grandfather is his grandfather. Weird right? Now I know a whole other side of my family that I didn't even know. It's amazing.

About Me (Sorry It's Long)

My name is Derek Luke Starks. There are a lot of people who see me and think that I am a very peaceful and spoiled child but really my life has been tough moving around to getting my first job at the age of fourteen. Having to pay bills and try to stay away from my house just so that I wouldn't have to deal with the problems there. Never was there a moment when I was younger did I think that my life was going to be hectic, stressful, exhausting, and completely cram packed with numerous projects just to keep me out of the house.

I was born on December 9, 1990 in Neenah, Wisconsin at the Theda Clark Regional Medical Center. I weighed four pounds exactly and was eighteen inches long. The reason for my weight being so low was the fact that I was three months twenty-eight days pre-mature. Some people say to me, “You did not weigh that much! Look at you now!” Things like that used to bother me but not anymore.

I had a great life growing up. I have a great mother, Darcie Lynn Buelow, who married my dad and became Darcie Starks. She was always there for me when I needed something. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have her. I also have an amazing dad, Brian Arthur Starks. He taught me how to shoot a gun, how to catch a fish, and other typical dad stuff. My parents were both born in 1971, so they’re not that old. I have a brother, Devon James Starks. He was born July 25, 1992. We both fight quite often, but we do still get along, and have that "brotherly love." We have always had pets, the oldest pet that we have ever had was our dog, Pudgey. She was our “Baby Girl.” She, sadly, got hit by a car. We now a boxer named Nana. She is so precious. She makes all of us smile.

Ever since elementary school I have been a brown noser. In first grade, with Mrs. Kaefer, I learned all the basics of education. The best thing I did in Mrs. Kaefer’s class was on parent’s night when a group, that consisted of a few of my friends and I, performed a skit in front of all of the parents. The only aspect of that performance that i remember is counting grapes. It was the most fun event that happened that year, yet I cannot remember anything else.

In second grade, with Mrs. Mimmier, I remember always finding bugs and bringing them into class for “Show-and-Tell.” Mrs. Mimmier to this day is one of the most fun and entertaining teachers that I have ever had. Even though she has gone through so much.

Third grade was a load of fun. Ms. Lendvide was a great teacher. There are two things that made an impression in my memory. The first day of that school year would have to be the most embarrassing to talk about. That day I had to use the restroom really bad, but was told that I truly did not have to use the restroom until my eyes turned yellow. Ms. Lendvid stayed very persistent in not letting me go. I ended up wetting myself in the room still sitting at my desk. I went the entire rest of the day in my soiled pants. At the end of the year the class and I did a rendition of what a one room school house would be like. We did that for the last three weeks of the school year. I was in the dunce chair every day.

Fourth grade was not as eventful as the other years, but I had a great teacher named Mrs. Cherf. She was married but kept her maiden name. Even though fourth grade was not eventful I learned a lot that year. I learned basic science, such as weather, rocks, and solidity. I also learned that I had a special look at math. To this day I still love math.

I had the most fun in fifth grade. Mr. Peterson was the best teacher I had (Well that’s what I thought at the time). At the end of fifth grade year the whole fifth grade class went on a camping trip for a weekend. While on this trip the class and I learned basic survival and some extra lessons. We learned how to make a rope bridge, but don‘t ask me to make one now. We also learned how to canoe and work as a team.

That ended my elementary years. I had a great time at Parkview Elementary in New London. I learned all the basics and discovered I had a special talent for math. Now it was time to go from a top dog of the elementary school to being a bottom feeder of middle school.

Middle school was when things started to get a little indifferent. In between fifth and sixth grade my family and I moved from urban New London to rural Sugar Bush. It was a little hard the first few days of sixth grade, due to the fact that I had to ride the bus to and from school. I had no idea who any of the people were that rode my bus. Soon the events just started to unravel and I became friends with many of the people who rode my bus. Sixth grade had its ups and downs. All of my teachers were amazing. For language Arts class I had Mrs. Ferge. She is the teacher that opened a door for me, the door of possibilities. Up to sixth grade I was not a fan of writing and reading. Mrs. Ferge opened my eyes to this wonderful art.

My sixth grade Mathematics teacher was Mrs. Grossman. Of course I loved this class because I love math. I made so much progress in my math skills. For FCE, or FACE I had Mrs. Cyre. I had a lot of fun cooking and sewing in her class. The interesting fact about her is that she lived in Weyauwega which is where I move to later on.

Seventh grade was a whole lot of fun. That year was the year that I was in Show Choir. There were times when I would stay after school with a couple of my friends and practice the choreography for our upcoming show. So of course, the teacher that inspired me the most is Ms. Rupnow. She opened my eyes that year to the fact that I am a good singer and that I should keep going to achieve my goals and fallow my dreams.

Two years after my family and I moved to Sugar Bush we ended up moving to Weyauwega. As a child growing up my family and I moved a lot. Most of it was financial problems, but the last two moves where because of my parents switching jobs. When I told all of my friends in New London that I was leaving, I felt really bad because a lot of those friends were more than friends to me; those friends were more like family. I guess after a while I kind of adapted to the whole, starting over in a new school thing. Starting eighth grade was a little challenging because no one would talk to me. I now understand why. People here in Weyauwega don’t really like outsiders. After about two weeks I was friends with some kids in my grade that really weren’t like the people that I would normally hang out with, but I guess they were my friends none the less.

The most influential teacher that I had that year would have to be Ms. Adams. Ms. Adams was the computers teacher. She was also the director and coordinator for the Service Club. I joined with curiosity, not know what it was about. After the first meeting I learned that this club was all about helping others and volunteering ones time to accomplish certain goals. Being a part of this organization made me realize that helping others is so gratifying.

My middle school career was over. Again I had to make the switch from a top dog to a bottom feeder. However, this time was much easier. While in the eighth grade I had made friends with many of the older kids, making the switch easier.

As a freshman I had many friends. I really wasn’t too scared. After the first week was over and I had everything figured out, I had a blast. All of my teachers were great. For English class I had Mrs. Centers for a teacher. She was an amazing teacher. She made the class fun and entertaining. The most fun part about this class would have to be the group project that a few friends and I got to do together. The project was a newspaper. The fun part about the project was naming the paper. The group that I was in, including myself, were the slackers or procrastinators of the class, so we named our paper, The Slacker.

For Science 9 I had Mrs. Ponto for a teacher. in this class I became aware of the fact that I hate science. I just could not get things right. But I did learn something really cool. I learned that I am a good actor. I was able to master the art of crying. I was able to cry on the spot whenever I needed to. The reason for this was because one day I came to class without my book. Mrs. Ponto was not pleased with me because I had done this multiple times before. She them proceeded to tell me that I should sit in my desk and pretend to cry. While I was pretending to cry I actually started to cry. It was very hilarious.

That year was the year when it felt like my life was crashing down all around me. Later in the year my brother Devon had fallen thirty-seven feet out of a tree getting multiple fractures on his pelvis, a couple fractures on the base of his spine, and shatering his right foot and ankle. Even though my brother was hurt the most, it put a huge responsibility on me as well. With Devon injured I was left to do all the house work and get a job to help out my parents. I had gotten a job working for a friend of the family Todd Schmoldt. He owned a janitorial business. I worked illegal hours but I did it to help out my family. I worked from 6:00 pm to around 1:00 or 2:00 am Monday through Friday. Of course the hours made it really hard to balance work and school and house work but somehow I managed to do it.

Sophomore year was alright I guess. I really didn’t like all of my teachers but I lived through it. I looked to my friends and family for help when I needed it. My friends were always there to make me laugh or just to talk. I was still working for the janitorial service and the hours hadn’t changed and I was getting a little carried away with work and started to put off school there were days when I just would not go. That year I had to make my first court appearance. I had received a truancy fine.

Even with the fine on my plate I kept working 5 days a week. The money I was making was close, or even more then what my mom was. The money that I was making really wasn't being saved. I bought a car, because I was going to Drivers Ed. Unfortunately my dad sold it because we needed the money. I also had purchased a small camper for my brother and I to use while we went camping my parents ended up selling that as well. About half of my paychecks went to helping out around the house and such. I would buy groceries, help pay the bills if need be, and pay for Devon and I to eat lunch at school. Still to this day there really hasn't been any gratitude from my parents. At least not the amount that I believe I should get.

Junior year came around and my life got more hectic with school and such. I had gotten a job at the local grocery store as a cashier. It was a big pay cut but I needed something with better hours. I also became more involved in after school activities. I joined the drama club and was part of my school's first musical production in ten years. "Narnia" was a hit. We sold out every show. Kids were walking around the hallways sing the songs from the show. I also became more involved in FCCLA and SADD.

FCCLA is another volunteer organization. FCCLA stands for: Family Career and Community Leaders of America. As a group we helped out our local nutrition site and volunteered serving lunch for the senior citizens. We made blankets for Project Linus, and collected pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House. SADD is a very distinguished organization. SADD stands for: Students Against Destructive Decisions. We planned our year around the major dances such as Homecoming, Snowfest, and Prom. At each dance we would get candy and add labels to each piece that contained a little tip on how to be safe.

Being involved in so much wore me out, but I had to keep working. I had to do something. Part of the reason that I kept myself so busy was because I really didn’t want to go home. Life at home had turned from being relaxing and enjoyable to hectic and exhausting. I was getting sick of always having to do something in the house. I was getting tired of always getting yelled at for not contributing to the household. I was getting sick of it. I was helping out so much if I hadn’t gotten a job and helped out we would be living on the street.

The beginning of the summer between my junior and senior year, Devon had gotten into another accident. This time it was a car accident. It was dark outside and pouring rain. The car that he was in Hydroplaned and wrapped around a telephone pole. Devon was in the passenger seat, and that was the center of the crash. Devon came out alive but with serious injuries. He broke his right femur in half, along with some knee damage. Again I had to work my rear end off to help because Devon wasn’t able to do anything. Being seventeen years old and having to work so that my family can live in a house was so stressful. Again I had to work hard and also do all the house work. Even friends of the family told me that I was so much help and that I did do almost all of the work in the house.

That summer was really hectic but I managed to get ready for my senior year of high school. I managed to get together with one of my friends and get my senior pictures taken. I also was able to all the classes that I needed to be prepared for my future. My plan was to go into teaching, so I signed up for Child Care Teacher and Parenting. As senior year started I really had planned on keeping up with my extracurricular activities but soon realized that I needed to buckle down and get ready for college. The classes that I was taking my senior year were so much different then what I had taken in the past years. Before I had taken art classes and some fun graphic design classes, but senior year I had taken foods and child care classes to get me prepared for the future.

There were three teachers that helped me tremendously my senior year. the first was Mrs. Baehnman. She was the Chorus director that I had since I moved to Weyauwega. She had helped me by realizing that music was my cope for everything. music helped in my troubled time. I had looked into the lyrics of the songs and noticed the relativity that they had on my life and realized that I was not the only one that had these problems.

Mrs. Hunkins was the second teacher she was the teacher that I had for my foods and child care classes. She helped me with everything that i needed. Maybe it was because I had her for a teacher half of the school day. I even had a shelf in her cabinet where I could store all of my books. She was the teacher that I could always talk to no matter what.

Mrs. Rice was the teacher that helped the most with getting prepared for what was to come next. She was my English teacher. I had her the year before as well. In her class she taught me how to apply for colleges work on my cover letter and resume so that I would be able to write them when I needed them in the future. Mrs. Rice was one of those teachers that truly understood what was going on. I knew that I could count on her for anything that I needed help with.

The most fun part of senior year for me, other then graduation, would be Snowfest. The reason for that is because I made Snowfest court. To me that meant a lot. But graduation was the best. It was a time that I will see as a major accomplishment. I was able to do something that a lot of people in my family have not done. And I was able to do it all while working at the grocery store and a local gas station as well and working for the janitorial service one day a week.

As the graduation parties were going on I worked. I quit working at the grocery store to work at the local Subway and Godfathers. I had also stopped working for the janitorial service all together. Still I ended up paying some of the bills. After my graduation party I had counted what I had received and found that i had gotten seven hundred dollars, but five hundred of that went to paying bills that my parents could not pay.

It has been a couple months since my party and have not been paid back anything that my parents owe me but I am not making a fuss about it yet. I have been getting lectured about saving for college, but it is hard when I have been paying some of the bills as well. So to top it off my parents decided to give me the cable bill to pay after it was brought up to almost two hundred dollars because they have not been paying it.

Well thats enough for now.