Authors note: My main concept of this writing piece is to identify the character development which could lead into what happens later in the story. This story is in the perspective of a girl.
The year after my mother gave birth to me, I had received Neuroblastoma. This cancer disease is common for infants or children under five years old. It developed in my adrenal gland, and then eventually spread to my neck. My mom practically gave her life to me; staying home for two years, throwing away her dream to be a singer, and when my father left us as soon as he heard I was born, rather than thinking about how her life would be without him, she thought about how her life would be without me.
Years later, the Neuroblastoma completely perished and I was free of the cancer that had once lived in my body. Everything went back to normal after that, just my mom and I living in our little suburban house. All throughout the time I had my disease, my mom was there for me. She never left my side, or made me feel the slightest bit unhappy because I had everything I could ever want: someone caring and loving me through what I thought was the hardest time in my life. My mom had a way of making things feel as if everything was at peace in the world and there was no evil, even though I still believed there was.
As the years went by, I became less of a priority to her. She found a boyfriend, and ended up marrying him after 2 years of dating. Sometimes I wonder if her new boyfriend changed her because I could tell that she changed and we no longer had the deep connection that we used to. Sometimes I thought it was just me, starting to go into my teenage stage of not wanting to be considered as her baby girl anymore; but it wasn’t only me. We would fight more often, mostly about pointless things that don’t matter. Even though I still knew there was that person in her that I had once treasured with all of my heart.
When I reached the age of 14, I found out I had another case of cancer. Unlike the Neuroblastoma I had when I was a child, this was more severe. The doctors informed me that the type of cancer in my body was leukemia, and that it would be treatable, but couldn’t be cured. In this moment, my mother had not shed one tear. And right then, I knew my heart was broken; shattered into millions of pieces that could never be put back together. All I saw was a blank face, a face I had never seen before and could not read. Although, once we returned back to our house, I heard her crying in her bedroom; wailing out what I thought was the most dreadful sound I had ever heard. I sat outside her door, listening, but also thinking to myself about what will happen in the end. After a few minutes, I went inside and crawled in bed with her, not saying a word. We both sat there, thinking about numerous things. I didn’t feel bad for myself; I felt bad for my mom, which I know doesn’t make sense. She has been focusing on her life and less on mine for the past 5-10 years, but many superb things came from that and that’s why I feel like the scapegoat for the plans she had for her life that all went to waste.
Three months had already passed away and it was now the middle of December. I was sent to the hospital in the beginning of November, with bruises all over my body. My mom would come to visit me and we would spend hours laughing and talking as if our conversations could last a lifetime. It was a week and a half before Christmas, my favorite time of the year. I see my mother walk through the doors and my doctor pulled her aside before she entered my room. Her back was turned to me and I watched the doctor speak. By the gesture of his hands, I could tell he was talking with a calm, steady voice. In an instant, I see my mother’s head drop and her body gradually make its way towards the ground. The doctor knelt down beside her and whispered something to her, and she stood up. She turned to face me, her face as red as a cherry and tears flooding down her face. In that moment, I knew everything that the doctor told her was about me. They came in my room together, telling me the news they had just discussed. By the way my body was looking and by looking at the tests they did on me, I was going to die within a week. Not only was I completely distressed, but I had felt like I died that second. My mom slept over that night, crying with me most of the time, but also talking about the future because we didn’t want to think about the past.
The next morning, I didn’t wake up. Before the last month and a half, I thought the connection between my mom and I had vanished, but now I know it was always there. She never stopped loving me, even when she got a boyfriend and re-married. When I was in the hospital, she never left my side. Every day she told me how much she loved me and how much I meant to her. I know I will always remain a part of my mother’s heart.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Proud to be an American
Authors Note: This essay is about the reasons why I am proud of my country and proud to be a citizen of the United States of America.
As the song “God Bless the U.S.A” goes, are you proud to be an American? Some would say they are and others not, but I would agree with those who are proud of their country and proud to be called an American. Overlooking what this country has all gone through, I can truthfully say that I am proud of my country and am glad to be a citizen of America.
To start, you wouldn’t think that people you don’t know or haven’t even seen before would care about your safety; but they do. Thousands maybe even millions of men and women sign up to fight for this country in the war. They risk their lives every day for the citizens who live in this country. Men, even teenage boys are forced to fight in the war because they don’t have a choice.
Next, in other countries such as Russia and some of Germany, Jewish people are killed just for their religion being Jewish. Here in America, you are free to be whatever religion you desire or speak what you have the need to say because it is a free country. Furthermore, some people dress according to their culture such as Indian people. Most people who aren’t Indian wouldn’t think to wear something like what they wear on a regular day because it looks different than the fashion designer clothes that people wear all over the world. Jewish people were told to wear a star on their clothes which meant they were Jewish, and if a Russian or a Nazi from Germany saw, they would put them in jail, much less kill them because they were against their culture. Here in America, people don’t judge each other because once again, everyone is free to have their own beliefs and culture.
Lastly, the citizens in America have more rights than the people in countries ruled by kings and queens do. We host an election every 2 or 4 years, debating who should “rule” or be the president of this country. The runners speak about what they would attempt to change to make our country better. As the citizens, we elect the one who we think will keep our country strong. This is an example of our freedom of speech we have in the U.S. In countries such as England, the slot of being King has been handed down to one of the sons for thousands of years.
From all that this country has been through, and what we have as a result today, we’re very lucky to be living in the U.S.A. To the ones who perished to save our citizens, the ones who are free to wear what they choose and speak what they wish to speak, and finally to everyone who is fortunate to be in this country, all should be thankful and stand confidently and proudly to their country. Most importantly, be proud to be an American.
As the song “God Bless the U.S.A” goes, are you proud to be an American? Some would say they are and others not, but I would agree with those who are proud of their country and proud to be called an American. Overlooking what this country has all gone through, I can truthfully say that I am proud of my country and am glad to be a citizen of America.
To start, you wouldn’t think that people you don’t know or haven’t even seen before would care about your safety; but they do. Thousands maybe even millions of men and women sign up to fight for this country in the war. They risk their lives every day for the citizens who live in this country. Men, even teenage boys are forced to fight in the war because they don’t have a choice.
Next, in other countries such as Russia and some of Germany, Jewish people are killed just for their religion being Jewish. Here in America, you are free to be whatever religion you desire or speak what you have the need to say because it is a free country. Furthermore, some people dress according to their culture such as Indian people. Most people who aren’t Indian wouldn’t think to wear something like what they wear on a regular day because it looks different than the fashion designer clothes that people wear all over the world. Jewish people were told to wear a star on their clothes which meant they were Jewish, and if a Russian or a Nazi from Germany saw, they would put them in jail, much less kill them because they were against their culture. Here in America, people don’t judge each other because once again, everyone is free to have their own beliefs and culture.
Lastly, the citizens in America have more rights than the people in countries ruled by kings and queens do. We host an election every 2 or 4 years, debating who should “rule” or be the president of this country. The runners speak about what they would attempt to change to make our country better. As the citizens, we elect the one who we think will keep our country strong. This is an example of our freedom of speech we have in the U.S. In countries such as England, the slot of being King has been handed down to one of the sons for thousands of years.
From all that this country has been through, and what we have as a result today, we’re very lucky to be living in the U.S.A. To the ones who perished to save our citizens, the ones who are free to wear what they choose and speak what they wish to speak, and finally to everyone who is fortunate to be in this country, all should be thankful and stand confidently and proudly to their country. Most importantly, be proud to be an American.
Friday, October 14, 2011
"Say no to the code"
Authors Note: This letter is to the Pewaukee School board addressing how students should be allowed to wear shorter shorts and shorter width tank tops.
To the Pewaukee School Board,
Wisconsin is known for their cold weather, but when it’s summer, it’s time to pull out the shorts and tank tops! Throughout the school year, there’s mostly cold weather starting in late fall through late spring of the next year. Girls are having difficulties finding the right dress wear for the warmer times of the school year that fits the school’s policies or as some people would call it “the dress code.” Students should be able to wear what they want and what they are comfortable in, as long as there is no inappropriate language on the shirts, or any undergarments such as underwear showing beneath the clothes. My opinion towards changing the dress code is that I believe it should change to let girls wear shorter shorts and at least two finger width tank tops.
As the years go by, trends change just as well as changing your sense of style occurs when you grow older. Starting in the 6th grade, most girls would rather wear shorter shorts rather than longer shorts. Just before becoming a woman, you have to go through the stage of being a young woman or a teenager. Going from a kid to a teenager is a big step even though it doesn’t seem so. Everyone becomes much more matured and doesn’t want to be treated like a child anymore. Altering the way you dress can state that you aren’t a kid anymore; that you have grown up and that you have gone from a kid to a teenager. While girls are changing their sense of style, they will begin to shop at different stores too.
It can be hard to find shorts and tank tops that are school appropriate at teenage stores such as American Eagle Outfitters and Hollister because a majority of their shorts are too short and their tank tops are either spaghetti straps or not at least three fingers for width. You want to be able to express yourself by the way you dress and being told what you can and cannot wear holds that back. Finding shorts that are long enough are most hard for people who are tall and have long legs. Since their quads are so long, the shorts that look longer on shorter people look ten times shorter on taller people.
Even though some prefer short sleeve shirts, tank tops can benefit you in the warm seasons. Some of the reason why students look up to summer during the cold seasons of school is not just because they’re out of school, but they get to go outside and not want to come right back in because it’s too cold. Going outside, having to run and do strength activities for gym on a luminous day would be the worst part because of the sweat dripping down your face and piling up under your arms. Once you come inside and change into your short sleeve t-shirt, having a big sweat mark under your arms can be one of the most embarrassing things anyone could see. With tank tops, there would be no sweat marks because there is nothing covering your armpits.
Although I agree with my points of how students should express themselves and that the stores don’t sell long enough shorts for the school dress code, there are shorts that are too short and tank tops that are cut down too far either showing too much of the back or front. With any luck I hope you consider changing the policy because I believe it could bring more positivity and less complaining to the school.
To the Pewaukee School Board,
Wisconsin is known for their cold weather, but when it’s summer, it’s time to pull out the shorts and tank tops! Throughout the school year, there’s mostly cold weather starting in late fall through late spring of the next year. Girls are having difficulties finding the right dress wear for the warmer times of the school year that fits the school’s policies or as some people would call it “the dress code.” Students should be able to wear what they want and what they are comfortable in, as long as there is no inappropriate language on the shirts, or any undergarments such as underwear showing beneath the clothes. My opinion towards changing the dress code is that I believe it should change to let girls wear shorter shorts and at least two finger width tank tops.
As the years go by, trends change just as well as changing your sense of style occurs when you grow older. Starting in the 6th grade, most girls would rather wear shorter shorts rather than longer shorts. Just before becoming a woman, you have to go through the stage of being a young woman or a teenager. Going from a kid to a teenager is a big step even though it doesn’t seem so. Everyone becomes much more matured and doesn’t want to be treated like a child anymore. Altering the way you dress can state that you aren’t a kid anymore; that you have grown up and that you have gone from a kid to a teenager. While girls are changing their sense of style, they will begin to shop at different stores too.
It can be hard to find shorts and tank tops that are school appropriate at teenage stores such as American Eagle Outfitters and Hollister because a majority of their shorts are too short and their tank tops are either spaghetti straps or not at least three fingers for width. You want to be able to express yourself by the way you dress and being told what you can and cannot wear holds that back. Finding shorts that are long enough are most hard for people who are tall and have long legs. Since their quads are so long, the shorts that look longer on shorter people look ten times shorter on taller people.
Even though some prefer short sleeve shirts, tank tops can benefit you in the warm seasons. Some of the reason why students look up to summer during the cold seasons of school is not just because they’re out of school, but they get to go outside and not want to come right back in because it’s too cold. Going outside, having to run and do strength activities for gym on a luminous day would be the worst part because of the sweat dripping down your face and piling up under your arms. Once you come inside and change into your short sleeve t-shirt, having a big sweat mark under your arms can be one of the most embarrassing things anyone could see. With tank tops, there would be no sweat marks because there is nothing covering your armpits.
Although I agree with my points of how students should express themselves and that the stores don’t sell long enough shorts for the school dress code, there are shorts that are too short and tank tops that are cut down too far either showing too much of the back or front. With any luck I hope you consider changing the policy because I believe it could bring more positivity and less complaining to the school.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Dear John
While John was fighting in the war, he and his love Savannah would send letters back and forth until his leave every year. After every leave things would change between John and Savannah as if their love was fading away because of the distance between them. When John only had one more year left in the war, he received a letter from Savannah saying that she fell in love with another man. While burning every letter he had from Savannah, he did not feel hatred towards her but to the fact that she could do something as hurtful and careless to him.
Two years later when John was on his leave for the death of his dad, he visited Savannah. Both could tell that things had changed between the two of them. They couldn’t talk to each other as easy as it was before and the subjects that would come up of her married life and everything that happened while he was gone made it especially awkward.
As I was reading this book, I remembered a quote that I’ve heard and thought it related to this book: “True Love burns the brightest, but the brightest flames leave the deepest scars”. Even though Savannah broke his heart, he knew he would always love her and somehow she would love him too. Savannah never looked at any other man even her husband the same way she looked at John. With Savannah’s “breaking up” letter being the climax of the story, John resolves it with forgiving her and the man who stole her from him. Years later, Savannah and John reunited unknowingly, greeting each other just as good friends.
Two years later when John was on his leave for the death of his dad, he visited Savannah. Both could tell that things had changed between the two of them. They couldn’t talk to each other as easy as it was before and the subjects that would come up of her married life and everything that happened while he was gone made it especially awkward.
As I was reading this book, I remembered a quote that I’ve heard and thought it related to this book: “True Love burns the brightest, but the brightest flames leave the deepest scars”. Even though Savannah broke his heart, he knew he would always love her and somehow she would love him too. Savannah never looked at any other man even her husband the same way she looked at John. With Savannah’s “breaking up” letter being the climax of the story, John resolves it with forgiving her and the man who stole her from him. Years later, Savannah and John reunited unknowingly, greeting each other just as good friends.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Papa's Parrot
As kids get older, every teen's mom and dad will look back on the times when thier kids took their first steps, was finally potty trained, and had their hilarious moments. Memories like those will never go away. When you're a child, you don't care about what anyone else thinks of what you do or say. It's hard to really know who your true friend is because you think it's your mom and dad. The things that little kids adore now will most likely make fun of when they grow older. "Papa's Parrot" by Cynthia Rylant is a life-changing story because it will make you remember the memories you had in the past, and mention that you should never forget to remember how important your parents are.
When you start to have the same interests with your dad, mom, or even your friends, your relationship between you and them will grow stronger. My mom and I have a very close relationship and we do everything together mostly because we have the same interests. Since I started growing into my teen years, I've been wanting to be with my friends more rather than with my family. When Harry in "Papa's Parrot" grew up, he started doing the same thing. All he wanted to do was be with his friends and not spend time with his father. The next moment he was sitting in the hospital beside his father and realized that he should have never stopped hanging out with his father and ditching him for his friends.
Not everyone realizes that it's important to spend time with your mom and dad until they die. Hanging out with your friends can be so much fun, and it sometimes can be better than spending time with family. However, if you're hanging out too much with your friends, it's nice to get away and talk with your mom and dad or spend time with them. Although I spend most of my time with friends, I don't know how my life would be like without my parents. They give me everything I need to make me happy and are so grateful to me.
Beneath everything the author wrote, this story will teach and tell you that it's important to balance your time with your family and friends becuase problems such as losing a family member, having no friends, and getting bullied because you hang out with your family too much can occur. Weather your close with your family or not, it's still extremely important to not forget to spend time with them no matter what.
When you start to have the same interests with your dad, mom, or even your friends, your relationship between you and them will grow stronger. My mom and I have a very close relationship and we do everything together mostly because we have the same interests. Since I started growing into my teen years, I've been wanting to be with my friends more rather than with my family. When Harry in "Papa's Parrot" grew up, he started doing the same thing. All he wanted to do was be with his friends and not spend time with his father. The next moment he was sitting in the hospital beside his father and realized that he should have never stopped hanging out with his father and ditching him for his friends.
Not everyone realizes that it's important to spend time with your mom and dad until they die. Hanging out with your friends can be so much fun, and it sometimes can be better than spending time with family. However, if you're hanging out too much with your friends, it's nice to get away and talk with your mom and dad or spend time with them. Although I spend most of my time with friends, I don't know how my life would be like without my parents. They give me everything I need to make me happy and are so grateful to me.
Beneath everything the author wrote, this story will teach and tell you that it's important to balance your time with your family and friends becuase problems such as losing a family member, having no friends, and getting bullied because you hang out with your family too much can occur. Weather your close with your family or not, it's still extremely important to not forget to spend time with them no matter what.
Water Wings are the Way to Go
Have you ever been in the position of being bullied and have never been able to recover? It's hard to wake up every morning knowing that it's just going to be like yesterday: another miserable day caused by bullies. Not only can bullies be your enemies, but they can also be your friends. While reading "Deep Water" by William O. Douglas, readers will experience the emotions felt by the main character and even realize that bullies have no right to act the way they do.
Not all bullies intend to physically hurt of even kill someone, though many purposely hurt someone's feelings and make them feel bad about themselves. In every school and every town there is harassment caused by bullies. It's hard to think of it this way but the people who bully you can also be your friends. A few years ago, I was bullied buy a coulple of my friends. They would alwasy call me stupid becuas I couldn't think as fast as them. I'd get called names and was treated as if I didn't mean anything to them. My confidence level was going down but luckily I found new friends that were kind, respectful, They saved me from the bad that could have happened if I would have continued to get bullied. Usually if you get treated this way, you're likely to not say anything for a period of time because you're too afraid to stand up for yourself. Although it might be hard, it's extremely important to do it at one point because it's a boost of your self confidence.
Wherever you are and whatever school you go to, there's likely to be bullying going on. In an online story about a teenager who was getting bullied bullied illistrated by Sarah Cleaves, a girl would get text messages saying that she is nothing and that she is a failure. This gilr had no idea who was texting her and didn't have the courage to stand up for herself.
Most people get bullied because of the way they look, act, dress, where they live or what they live through. Every kind of bullying can tear someone down and that's why it's important for the victim to stand up for theirselves becuase it's not right for bullies to act the way they do.
Not all bullies intend to physically hurt of even kill someone, though many purposely hurt someone's feelings and make them feel bad about themselves. In every school and every town there is harassment caused by bullies. It's hard to think of it this way but the people who bully you can also be your friends. A few years ago, I was bullied buy a coulple of my friends. They would alwasy call me stupid becuas I couldn't think as fast as them. I'd get called names and was treated as if I didn't mean anything to them. My confidence level was going down but luckily I found new friends that were kind, respectful, They saved me from the bad that could have happened if I would have continued to get bullied. Usually if you get treated this way, you're likely to not say anything for a period of time because you're too afraid to stand up for yourself. Although it might be hard, it's extremely important to do it at one point because it's a boost of your self confidence.
Wherever you are and whatever school you go to, there's likely to be bullying going on. In an online story about a teenager who was getting bullied bullied illistrated by Sarah Cleaves, a girl would get text messages saying that she is nothing and that she is a failure. This gilr had no idea who was texting her and didn't have the courage to stand up for herself.
Most people get bullied because of the way they look, act, dress, where they live or what they live through. Every kind of bullying can tear someone down and that's why it's important for the victim to stand up for theirselves becuase it's not right for bullies to act the way they do.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Best Parent Award
Being a good parent doesn’t require instructions or a manual, it comes naturally. I live in small deprived village with my wife and son, making no more than one dollar an hour. Living in a small house, with barely any room to walk, I had to face the challenges of raising a kid, surviving off of little food, and making no more than two dollars an hour. Winning “Best Parent Award” is one of the greatest accomplishments in my life. I’ve been a parent to my son for 12 years, and I gave him the best I could afford. Every year we deal with struggles, money being the greatest one. My wife and I have always wanted more kids but we decided that it was going to be too much looking at how much we sacrifice now for just one. Pearls are how people become wealthy in our village, next to what they work for.
In my village, and most likely any other village, doctors are the most wealthy. There are accidents happening day to day, needing a doctor to cure the concern. Next to doctors are the teachers and the priests. I have been a teacher for 10 years, coming to school every morning, teaching kids and educating them. All the children who I teach and who I have taught consider me as a second father after theirs. Not only do I help them with school, but I also will help them with issues not relating to school. They will come to me for advice or even if a family member died and they need to express their feelings, which those actions shows they trust me as not only a teacher but a friend as well.
Aside from my job as a teacher, finding pearls is another part time job I work for. I once found a pearl that was like no other. I turned it in for money and was paid over two thousand dollars. Besides helping my family, I saved money for my son when he goes to college so that he can make a good living for his family someday. Sometimes he will doubt that he will be successful in the future. My son is currently in 6th grade and is about to go to middle school. The middle school closest to our town is Butler Middle School, one of the highest GPA ranks in our area. Every day he will come home from school, and work on more school work. He treats Butler as if it was Harvard University. As a teacher and father, I help him to succeed his goal of going there.
After his experience at Butler Middle School, he was ready for the challenge of High School in a nearby village. He would come home every day and have tons of homework for each of his classes, which he actually loved. By the second week he had made so many friends that he would see every weekend always doing different activities. He finished High School after two years because he was in all college classes, so there was no point to continue High School. Getting accepted to the second highest college in the U.S was an amazing moment for both him and me as well.
Whether it's dealing with kids at school, or even my own son, the privilege of accepting this award is an honor. Going through what I have gone through with my son and my teachings makes you view life differently, seeing the greater aspects of it. When my son was born, I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to give him enough and that I would fail at raising a child, but looking at where my son got to now, and how successful he is shows me that I succeeded in being a great parent.
In my village, and most likely any other village, doctors are the most wealthy. There are accidents happening day to day, needing a doctor to cure the concern. Next to doctors are the teachers and the priests. I have been a teacher for 10 years, coming to school every morning, teaching kids and educating them. All the children who I teach and who I have taught consider me as a second father after theirs. Not only do I help them with school, but I also will help them with issues not relating to school. They will come to me for advice or even if a family member died and they need to express their feelings, which those actions shows they trust me as not only a teacher but a friend as well.
Aside from my job as a teacher, finding pearls is another part time job I work for. I once found a pearl that was like no other. I turned it in for money and was paid over two thousand dollars. Besides helping my family, I saved money for my son when he goes to college so that he can make a good living for his family someday. Sometimes he will doubt that he will be successful in the future. My son is currently in 6th grade and is about to go to middle school. The middle school closest to our town is Butler Middle School, one of the highest GPA ranks in our area. Every day he will come home from school, and work on more school work. He treats Butler as if it was Harvard University. As a teacher and father, I help him to succeed his goal of going there.
After his experience at Butler Middle School, he was ready for the challenge of High School in a nearby village. He would come home every day and have tons of homework for each of his classes, which he actually loved. By the second week he had made so many friends that he would see every weekend always doing different activities. He finished High School after two years because he was in all college classes, so there was no point to continue High School. Getting accepted to the second highest college in the U.S was an amazing moment for both him and me as well.
Whether it's dealing with kids at school, or even my own son, the privilege of accepting this award is an honor. Going through what I have gone through with my son and my teachings makes you view life differently, seeing the greater aspects of it. When my son was born, I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to give him enough and that I would fail at raising a child, but looking at where my son got to now, and how successful he is shows me that I succeeded in being a great parent.
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