This Couldn't Get Any Better.

The sound of the blades gliding across the ice gets me a little too excited. I skate along, leaving my little snail trail of where I lose my balance and clumsily reclaim it. The scarf around my mouth gets wet from breathing. The smell of rich, sweet hot chocolate fills my nostrils, as we laugh and giggle at the dogs playing in the snow. The hopes of a snow day dance in peoples' heads while the piles of snowflakes drift down from the clouds. My aching ankles and blistering heels are totally worth this perfect day. A snowflake falls exactly on the tip of my nose, and I feel like I'm in a scene from a story book. Out of no where I realize that this couldn't get any better.

Breaking Point

Lots of people have that one breakup song that they eat ice cream and cry to. But in most relationships there is breaking point where you both know things will soon come to an end--where the relationship slowly starts to crumble and fall apart. There are lots of relatable songs for that weird period of time that can help you through it.

In "Grenade" by Bruno Mars the theme is crumbling relationships. When he says "I would die for you, baby, but you won't do the same," he's desperately trying to say that he loves this girl with all his heart, and he would give his life for her, but she wouldn't do a thing for him. This shows a crumbling relationship, because if this man feels this way he is bound to break up with this heartless witch. The woman must know this too, because she must have no feelings for him if she isn't feeling the true love he has in return.

Another song that's perfect for the breaking point period is "Not Like the Movies" by Katy Perry. She sings, "He put it on me. I put it on like there was nothing wrong. It didn't fit, it wasn't right--wasn't just the size. They say you know when you know, but I don't know." In this part of the song, she's talking about a ring. This is the moment when she realizes that this isn't the man she wants. She wants something impossibly perfect. She also sings "I didn't feel the fairytale feeling, no, am I a stupid girl for even dreaming that I could. If it's not like the movies, that's how it should be." When she says that, she means that she deserves to wait for the man that you would find in the movies-- if that even exists. Later in the song Katy sings "They say it’s hard to meet your match, find my better half so we make perfect shapes." When she sings that she is really saying that in our head we build up these high expectations, and then we get let down because someone with those expectations doesn't exist.

When you're nearing the end of your breaking point, a great song to listen to is "The Way I Loved You" by Taylor Swift. This song is about a girl dating a guy that's perfect. He opens the door for her and gets her flowers, and she likes him, but she doesn't love him. She can't stop thinking about the guy that drove her crazy and made her cry, because of that passion. In the beginning of the song Taylor sings, "He is sensible and so incredible and all my single friends are jealous. He says everything I need to hear and it's like I couldn't ask for anything better. He opens up my door and I get into his car and he says you look beautiful tonight..." Here she is talking about her flawless relationship with her dream boy. After this the chorus starts and she sings, "But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain and it's two a.m. and I'm cursing your name. You're so in love that you act insane and that's the way I loved you". This is when the ex-boyfriend comes in and ruins everything. In this song I can almost hear the painted smile on her face when she's around her flawless boyfriend. She misses the flame and passion that came with the boyfriend that made her so frustrated. It shows that her relationship with the perfect guy is falling apart.

Songs like these are critical to most people. Everyone has feelings. It's always nice to know that someone can relate to you, especially if it comes with a catchy beat, and you know even a pop star has felt this way. Lots of people have a favorite breakup song that gets them through every relationship, but maybe they should have a favorite breaking point song, too.

Prediction Piece for Speak

Author's Note: Don't read this if you haven't finished Speak! It's a huge spoiler alert! I talk about what will happen to Melinda after the book, so only read this if you've finished the book please!

I think that when the book is over, Melinda will gain back friends. She might have bad flashbacks or something in the future, but I think if she doesn't use the incident as an excuse to drink and do drugs and make bad choices she might have a normal life. If you look at not all people but a lot who have had bad childhoods, they grow up to be burnouts, outcasts, and low-lives. They usually steal and lie and cheat, then they blame it on a traumatic event from their childhood. Melinda is better than that. At the end of the book she admits that she got sexually abused. Everyone felt bad for what they did to make her feel bad about herself, and she regained some friends.She finally got all that weight off her shoulders and she has turned into a better person. I can see her growing up to be an independent, successful young woman with a loving husband and kids. Melinda could turn out to be okay.

Patriot's Pen Essay

I can see it now, the rust-colored, musty room filled with men writing down America's history with a quill and ink--our Founding Fathers. What would you say to them if you had the chance to speak with them? I know they did a lot of things to start up our country, but not all of them were very helpful.

When all of those men were writing our constitution they said that all men are created equal, even though most of those men had slaves. I believe that everyone should get a chance to have a happy and fulfilling life, but since these people had dark skin, they were automatically judged. The American people continued to treat these people terribly for almost 200 years before it was stopped. If all men are created equal then why were these poor families treated different?

While all of these men were writing the most important document in American history, their wives were probably at home taking care of the kids and making dinner. Why were women so disrespected back then? They were the backbone of the family doing all the cooking and cleaning. Everyone says that men go to work to put food on the table but in reality, who makes that food? Who cleans up after the people eating that food? Certainly not the men. In the Declaration of Independence many of the sentences start with “He has…” but why not “He/she has…”? Do the laws not apply to women now? In addition, in 1920 women were finally allowed to vote. Before then they didn’t have a say in who ran their country. Our founding fathers really needed to think about who kept their houses clean and their stomachs content while they were at work every day.

Although our founding fathers did a couple things wrong, they did do a couple things right. Before they came to America there wasn’t freedom. When they came here, most of them dreamed of freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and now we know those rules a part of our daily lives. We can say what we’d like to and praise the Lord in whatever way we’d like to. Some of us don’t even praise a lord of any kind, but that’s okay here in America. In this case, I think our founding fathers had the right idea.

Overall, I think we have a great country, and for that I would thank our founding fathers. They had no idea what an achievement they’ve made. Hopefully someday in the future I will be able to thank them for all that they’ve done to help form our present day America. 

Cause/Effect

Could you imagine being stuck in an enclosed arena with 23 other kids fighting to the death? That's what a young girl named Katniss Everdeen had to do twice in a three book series called The Hunger Games. There is a lot going on in this series, but the true point of no return--or the climax--was when they announced the Quarter Quell. The Quarter Quell was the 75th Hunger Games were there's always a bit of a twist. This year, it was that all of the past victors names were drawn, instead of the childrens'. In District 12 Katniss was the only girl, so she would be reentering the darkest place of her life for the second time. The Capitol started these Hunger Games to gain control over all of the districts. Due to this, many loved ones had been lost. Many people had been sacrificed. And many people had died a horrible painful death. As more children had died, citizens ad begun to get angrier and angrier. This finally led up to the rebellion. Just because the Capitol was greedy, little children died.

Six Flags Success

The anticipation was killing me. We had been standing in line for two hours, and a single drop of rain hit my forehead. That just blew me over the edge. That means they have to shut down raging bull for at least a half hour after it stopped raining. Well, that was two hours of my life I would NEVER get back. Our small group decided that the day was over for us at six flags, and it was only 4:00. Eventually we head back to the car, and change into some dry clothes, and then finally we're off. Both my aunt and my mom know that us kids are disappointed, so they decide to try to salvage what was left of this day trip. I ask where we're going, but all they say is "You'll see". We pull into a crowded parking lot and I look up at the sign and it says "Gurnee Mills Shopping Center". I had been begging my mom to take me shopping all summer, and now we have hours and hours to do it with my favorite cousins.

The smell of rain was still lingering in the air and the light mist was was sending a chill down my back.We walk through the sliding doors and i come alive with excitement. Our first stop, Starbucks. We all get hot coffees to warm us up from the cold outside air. We continue to doddle around the outlet mall, window shopping and sipping our coffees.We continue to laugh and have a good time. We continue to make memories  without even knowing it.

It gets to be about eight o' clock and we decide that we've been to every store that we wanted to go to. My quiet little cousin Anna chimes in and says "Why don't we go back to six flags?" A surprised look came across my face as fast a a flame would take to charcoal drenched in kerosene. Anna hadn't wanted to ride any rides all day. She wasn't really a daredevil.

"Are you sure?" my aunt asked with a worrisome expression on her face.
"Yeah," said Anna, "I'd like to try and ride raging bull at least once". At that moment, I was so proud of her. She had learned a valuable lesson and was one step closer to conquering her fears. I could see in her mom's as that she was even more proud than I was.

* * * *

 We all climb into our separate cars and get fastened in, and alll of a sudden Anna says, "I don't want to do this. Mom get me out."

"It's too late now, honey. Just close your eyes and enjoy the ride. It will be over soon," my aunt says in a reassuring voice.We slowly start to snake up to the top of the roller coaster.

Anna proceeded to tightly shut her eyes, and keep them that way until the bar over her shoulders is lifted at the end of the ride. Once she got off, she was ecstatic."That was awesome!" she said. I was so glad to see her happy. 

Anna had conquered her fear, and I finally got to go shopping. On our way home, we talked about our favorite parts of the day and laughed and smiled some more. Looking back, I thought it was the end of the world when we decided to leave six flags, but it wasn't. My aunt and my mom decided to make the best of the day and in the end, we all had a great day that I will never forget.

The Life of a Middle Schooler

           As she paints her face with makeup under the florescent lights in the bathroom she slowly covers her identity and leaves the real world. She soon enters the world of middle school. She leaves the loving, caring arms of her parents and enters the jungle, filled with snakes, cheaters, lions, and betrayers. Nothing could have trained her to be here 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.
           Walking through the doors and strolling down the 8th grade hallway, the strong smell of cologne and PINK©  Sweet 'N' Flirty perfume fills the air. I get dizzy from the smell and try to make it past people without completely knocking them over with my backpack. It's 7:15, and most people in the world should be sleeping, but not the students at Asa Clark Middle School. Everyone is talking about the adorable couples and the latest gossip. Every girl is in tight skirts, intentionally ripped skinny jeans, or PINK © yoga pants. Their heads are draped in flowing waves of silk, not a hair out of place. If one hair is out of place, you are considered a loser and become the prey of the creatures at the top of the food chain. No one talks to you, and you are swallowed whole by the worst of them all.

Closet Symbolism in Speak

If you look at a lot of classic books, many brilliant authors have put symbolism in their pieces. When a person proposes to his/her loved one, they usually get down on one knee and present a ring. The circle represents the never ending circle of trust that the couple should have for the rest of their lives. That is considered symbolism. In the jaw-dropping book Speak  the main character, Melinda, has symbolism smacking her in the face left and right.
          There is one connected web of symbolism that really inspired me, and that is the iconic deserted and dusty janitor's closet that she fixes up into an intermediate janitor's closet. She puts up posters and art pieces to try to make it perfect, but it never will be, because it's always going to be a just a janitor's closet. It's kind of like a metaphor for her life. She is trying to hide the fact that she got raped. She is disguising herself to make it look like high school got the best of her and she just feels lonely because everyone hates her, when it's mostly because she was sexually assaulted. If you look at the connection between  Melinda and Andy Evans, it's kind of ironic that his final assault attempt was in her sacred closet. It's a shame that it was in that closet, too. It ruined her chances of ever wanting to have that little hiding place to herself. That closet nearly kept her alive in the crazy world of high school. I guarantee that in the future, whenever she walks past the closet she will cringe or have a flashback, because that is a sensitive spot for her. Poor Melinda just wanted to go through high school normally, but that didn't happen. Then she gets a pad of late passes and a secret hiding spot --which she probably earned--and by the end of the year it was ruined by the same guy who ruined her high school life.
           Symbolism is everywhere. Especially in Speak. Although it's a shame that the closet--along with all of its potential-- was ruined, and always will be, Melinda will still have the short memories of having a sanctuary, a safe place that helped her heal.

Sweatshirt

 Author's Note: This was not supposed to be an honest creative piece. It is almost supposed to be sarcastic, so please don't take any of it seriously. I wouldn't take the time to write a thoughtful short piece about a sweatshirt.

Warm, cozy, protective. I can hide behind you when I'm embarrassed, scared, or even insecure. You give me the ability to get through the day without being cold. You make me warm inside. Sweatshirt, oh, dear sweatshirt. You give me comfort when I'm feeling down. A forever snuggle-buddy, my sweatshirt.

Speak Prediction

           In a book called Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, there is a very unique girl named Melinda. Unlike every other student at Merryweather  High School, she doesn't believe in fitting in. She used to believe that during middle school, but things have changed because of an unknown thing that happened at a high school party over the summer. Her whole outlook on life changed because of this party. She lost all of her friends, she is an outcast, and at this point in the book, no one knows why.
           Anyone should think that this story would be a tragedy because if she loses all of her friends and is an outcast, things won't miraculously get better and she won't be the most popular girl in the grade. My prediction is that we find out that IT (Andy Evans) sexually assaulted her in some way. I think this is definitely a possibility because of the way she acts when he's around. When ever he talks to her  or winks at her she thinks he is disgusting. Considering the fact that Andy is attractive and very popular, every girl would be drooling if he winked at them. So why doesn't Melinda?

No Castles Left for Janina

Imagine a little girl -- maybe five -- who has everything. She is healthy, she's beautiful, and it's her birthday today. She has a magnificent party dress, awesome decorations, and a huge decorated cake. Also, all of her loving friends and family are there to wish her a happy birthday. She is like a princess, a graceful being.  She's living in her own little castle with everything she could ever dream of. This little girl, Janina, just so happens to be a Jew,  and, though no one knows it yet, WWII is just beginning.

         Janina is about a year older now, and she is moving with her family into the ghetto. She doesn't understand what's going on at all. She is used to living in her castle, with her parents at her feet every step of the way. Now she is moving into a trashed house that has no life, colorless walls, and smells like feet. Janina starts throwing a hissy fit because she doesn't have any food, and she is very hungry. She's not starving, but she understandably has a little bit more of an appetite because of the lack of food. Since WWII was well underway all of the Jews have moved to the ghetto and have a lack of resources so technically, she shouldn't be complaining. Even though she does this at least everyday.

          Toward the end of the book she almost morphed into Misha. She became stronger, tougher, but she would always miss life the way it used to be. Before everything changed. Back when she could play with her dolls in her room knowing her parents were safe downstairs, chatting over a cup of coffee.  Now things will never be the same for her. There is no more room for castles or princesses in this world, and she knows it.

Wishing On A Star

Stars, what do you think of when that little word appears out of nowhere? These little bundles of light are huge, beautiful balls of fire and hot gases that you see from far away at night. When I think of stars, I always think of summer; laying out in my field and staring out into a valley of stars, making random wishes and trying to perfect my life. Although, I always know in the back of my mind I know nothing is ever going to change. I sometimes feel that my life will be a dead end. I know I will end up somewhere, but how soon will I find out? I know it should be at least another 10 years, but I will get sick of the same routine (wake up, go to school, go to club/sport, do homework, go to bed, repeat). I guess right now, no one my age knows what will happen. Only fate gets to decide that. So I guess I will just keep wishing on those tiny stars, hoping my wishes will come true, until I get the one wish of knowing what my true destiny is.

The End of Stephanie Angeline Mrosz

He gently moved he hair out of her face, as she went to sleep. Stephanie had just settled down after ripping her I.V.'s out and asking to check out of this hotel.

"You're not on a hotel, mom." He stated carefully. "Mom, it's okay. I'm here."

"Oh Donny they're not letting me out of this place."

"I know mom, it's okay, they're trying to make you healthier. It's really okay."

                "Why am I so tired?"

"It’s because you need to get some sleep."

"Okay, Donny. Good night."

"Good night mom." He said while he slowly lowered himself into the same old recliner he had been sleeping in for the past 2 weeks just to see his mom and make sure she was getting the care that she needs. It's so painful for him to see her this way, with her old, frail bones just laying, waiting for the Lord to take her away. Don is getting older to, he has knee and hip problems that have had him in the hospital before. He doesn't have the strength to keep living like this. In a recliner, eating hospital food, making sure his mother isn't alone when she leaves us and goes to heaven. The nurse comes in to check on old Stepha, like she does every two hours, and accidentally wakes up Don. He gets no sleep whatsoever. He only knows that he has to stay up here, in Menominee, to stay with his 91 year old mother, hoping she will make it through this horrible sickness called old age. She is fighting it as best she can, but it's time. She has lived her life to its fullest, and it's just the circle of life, he told himself. But that doesn't mean it's easy to let her go.

"Do you need anything else?" the nurse asks after bringing Don his breakfast.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks, though."

"No problem," the nurse adds while walking out.

"Good morning mom." Don says with adoration in his eyes.

She nods lightly knowing and seeing the love and affection in his eyes. She is so glad seeing that someone is there to keep her company.

Everything repeats, as usual, until one morning Stepha said to Don "Donny I feel great. It's like I was just over tired, and now I'm well- rested."

"Really?" Don asked surprised. "Well, we will tell a nurse, see what they say."

-  -  -

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mrosz, we can't give your mom much more freedom. She is in a great condition, for a 91 year old woman with diabetes, but if we loosen the leash just a little, you could lose her...for good. " the nurse said very seriously.

"But, she said she felt like she was 20 again. My mother stood up without any help, and she hasn't done that in over a year. I truly believe that she is getting better." Don said, a little frustrated.

"I'm sorry, sir, it's not in my authority to change her routine or medication. I don't have the authority to change anything, actually." she grumbled.

"Okay, but could you get a doctor? I truly think she might be getting at least a little better. I would really like to discuss the possibilities."

"Sure, I can do that sir."

Donald walked back to Stepha's room a tad bit agitated about the discussion with the nurse. Why was his mother acting this way?  It doesn't make sense for her to just wake up better one day. She had a serious condition and it couldn't get better within a day. He started drifting off and pondering different possibilities when he snapped back into reality.

He was standing in the doorway of his mother's room getting pushed out of the way while doctors leaned over her. The heart monitor displayed a solid, straight line, and all he thought was that this has to be a dream. He heard the solid beep of the monitor and just remembered only seeing this scene in TV shows like Grey's Anatomy or ER. Not in real life. Especially not in his life. One doctor walks over to him and explains the situation.

"Sir, I'm really sorry for your loss. I know it's hard to think that she's really gone, considering how much you cared for her, but you should know that she lived a happy life and it was well past her time."

"I know…It's just hard to believe that she's gone for good and-"

"It's hard, but you'll eventually get over it," the doctor said busily filing through papers. He walks away disregarding Don's sorrow.

           "I'll never see her again."

-  -  -

           

After getting off the phone with his wife and explaining the tragedy, he contacted a funeral home and made some arrangements. Then he drove home counting the minutes until he could see his wife again and talk to her.

A week and a half later he drove back up and reassured that everything was okay for the funeral. Without anyone to comfort him, or to make sure he’s okay.

A couple days later his wife comes to Menominee with his daughter and her family. His grandkids hug him like nothing’s wrong, because they’re too young to know about anything that’s happening around them.

The next morning they get up early and meet at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at around 9 a.m. for viewing the body and greeting the guests. Every other minute I could hear from a distance, “Oh I’m so glad to see you! I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances, though.” Almost everyone was emotionally unstable because they all loved Stephanie so much.

 “She was light- hearted, care free, extremely entertaining, thoughtful, and sweet. Not a soul had a problem with her.” Don said with a gleam in his eye, tearing up a little. “No one wanted to see her go.”

*  *  *

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