Topics

31

Law / The important Things

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:52:40 PM »

I was headed out the door the other day with my two sons. We were going to drive to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends that we had run out of during the week. I shut the door quickly because my dogs were already barking at being left behind in the house. We headed down the hill to my car, climbed inside, and buckled our seat belts. Then I reached into my pocket for the car keys. They weren’t there. I tried my other pockets with the same result. Shaking my head, I walked back up the hill, opened the door, and saw my keys still dangling from the hook where I always hang them.

This, of course, isn’t the only time I have forgotten something recently. In fact, it seems to be happening more and more. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t forget something and then remember it later in the day or misplace something and have to go looking for it. The medical professionals all reassure me that this is a normal part of getting older. It seems that our aging minds begin to have trouble after a while remembering the million and one things that we need to remember every day to function in our modern world. They say not to worry about it and to take it with a smile. I am doing my best to do so.

I think I will be alright with my forgetful mind too as long as I can keep remembering the important things in life. I don’t mind misplacing my keys as long as I can remember that God loves me. I don’t mind forgetting what I came into a room for as long as I can remember what I am in this life for. I don’t mind being a bit absent-minded as long as I am being loving-hearted.

May you always remember the important things in life: You were created in love. You were created to love. You are called to kindness and made for joy. You can make a difference in this world with every choice you make. You can live your life in God’s light today and forever.

32

Law / Broke up?Feel sad?Not happy?I know

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:50:21 PM »

I'll admit, yeah I'm growing through my own problems in life. I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes it just doesn't like it's enough.

I lost a girl I loved, I loved her so much.

So I'm laying in bed, and the phone vibrates and says I got an email. It says Hello, in the subject, I put the phone down cause I don't want to read an email. I'm to busy laying in bed doing nothing.

After what felt like hours, was probably only half of one, I looked at the email. Here's what the email said:

"HEY future me! I'm in the 10th grade now. I found this cool website that sends an email in the future! How cool is that? So when you get this email, youll be an adult fully. Like I bet you maybe have a nice car or your married or something. But I tell you what. I'm so bored. I'm bored of school, bored of it all. Hey I don't know what life is like in the future of 2017 but I can tell you something that I do know! I want to do something with my life, our life, your life! Its been a goal to do something with life. You know that. Make your self happy and do that thing you want to do. Only thing stopping you is yourself. Don't let anyone hold your heart or your love or your happiness. Your in control! I hope when you read this that you will remember how boring life was back then, and hopefully you are leading a more exciting life. Well ill be you in the future! Bye!"

I didn't even know I did this, I made this. Life to me I say, wasn't boring back then. Today I see it's amazing. But today I say it's boring, will tomorrow me say it's amazing to?

I got to thinking. Yeah, that's right. It makes sense. I gave my happiness to someone, I said I'll only be happy with that special someone, I completely forgot how to love myself.

Do I right now, just want to sit around and wait for things to be better? I can't do that, things don't get better if you do nothing. if you do nothing, you get nothing. If you kinda do something, you kinda get something.

You got to fully put your heart into it, because truth is I didn't give someone my happiness. It's been in me this whole time, I just forgot to look deep within and appreciate who I am.

For so long now, I've looked in the mirror and said, "fattie. No one loves you."

But see that's not right that's not correct. I do love my self. I know it, and I know you love yourself to.

If you can say right now, "I want to be better" or "I want to be happy" then yeah you love yourself.

You see all the time, people doing something and being happy about it. For me it's photography. I never seen someone do their favorite thing being upset.

I wouldn't be crying or be angry doing my hobbies. Because then they're not hobbies. They are chores.

I smile do my hobbies, i laugh and smile and be happy when I do what I want to do.

I know you can do it to. I tried it, yes I have. Suicide I've tried it, and what does it solve? Nothing. It doesn't make you better it doesn't make you happy. It makes other people sad, it makes other people cry.

There is no greater feeling I've found, than making another person smile. We all deep down want to succeed, we all want to see others succeed in life.

When you make that person smile, man it makes you feel great. Because you're the one that did that. They're smiling because of you. You can make millions smiles through your actions yourself included, or you can make them sad, and you'd never feel happiness again.

Because the truth is, we all want to be happy, everyone does. Can we live in a world of happiness and love? Probably not, but we can live in a world where we make it our duty to be happy and to make others happy to.

It ain't easy, sometimes we have no clue what makes us happy. But if you just lay in bed and do nothing, then you won't find your happiness.

I said it before, you do nothing you get nothing, you kinda do something you kinda get something. You fully do it, you will get it.

It's not easy, there will be tears shed, there will be pain along the way. It will hurt, but you will pull through it.

Remember how earlier I said about the girl I loved? Here's what got me through it.

I sat down with my great grandma many years ago and she said something to me I'll never forget, but I didn't understand til recently.

There are two types of people in the world, and you will get them mixed up sometimes. leaves and acorns.

A leaf kind of person, well they're seasonal. They come and go in your life, you'll meet many types of leaves. Sometimes you say or think they're an acorn, and it makes you unhappy. It makes you unhappy because they're doing something or trying to do something that involves leaving you, or making it harder to stay.

Leaves even provide you shade from the harsh sun, but not forever.

Let those people go when they need to go, you'll find more leaves each season.

Now an acorn, here's the truth now, an acorn does come in seasons. But they don't have to leave, they don't want to leave. They want to stay, no matter what. When you have a problem, they want to help you fix it. They want to grow in the ground, they want to start a new life. With you.

Don't discard the acorn, don't mix them up with leaves. Or one day you'll regret it. But if you keep your acorn, you'll start something new and wonderful.

Hearing or reading something is one thing, but understanding is another.

I personally want you to succeed, all of you reading this.

Understand you're not alone. You may be lost and confused, but believe me, your compass is within yourself, I may be here to help guide you along the way, maybe that's my purpose.

But you're purpose is to keep going on. It's tough, it's hard, but you can do it. I know you can.

33

Public Health / Broke up?Feel sad?Not happy?I know

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:49:36 PM »

I'll admit, yeah I'm growing through my own problems in life. I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes it just doesn't like it's enough.

I lost a girl I loved, I loved her so much.

So I'm laying in bed, and the phone vibrates and says I got an email. It says Hello, in the subject, I put the phone down cause I don't want to read an email. I'm to busy laying in bed doing nothing.

After what felt like hours, was probably only half of one, I looked at the email. Here's what the email said:

"HEY future me! I'm in the 10th grade now. I found this cool website that sends an email in the future! How cool is that? So when you get this email, youll be an adult fully. Like I bet you maybe have a nice car or your married or something. But I tell you what. I'm so bored. I'm bored of school, bored of it all. Hey I don't know what life is like in the future of 2017 but I can tell you something that I do know! I want to do something with my life, our life, your life! Its been a goal to do something with life. You know that. Make your self happy and do that thing you want to do. Only thing stopping you is yourself. Don't let anyone hold your heart or your love or your happiness. Your in control! I hope when you read this that you will remember how boring life was back then, and hopefully you are leading a more exciting life. Well ill be you in the future! Bye!"

I didn't even know I did this, I made this. Life to me I say, wasn't boring back then. Today I see it's amazing. But today I say it's boring, will tomorrow me say it's amazing to?

I got to thinking. Yeah, that's right. It makes sense. I gave my happiness to someone, I said I'll only be happy with that special someone, I completely forgot how to love myself.

Do I right now, just want to sit around and wait for things to be better? I can't do that, things don't get better if you do nothing. if you do nothing, you get nothing. If you kinda do something, you kinda get something.

You got to fully put your heart into it, because truth is I didn't give someone my happiness. It's been in me this whole time, I just forgot to look deep within and appreciate who I am.

For so long now, I've looked in the mirror and said, "fattie. No one loves you."

But see that's not right that's not correct. I do love my self. I know it, and I know you love yourself to.

If you can say right now, "I want to be better" or "I want to be happy" then yeah you love yourself.

You see all the time, people doing something and being happy about it. For me it's photography. I never seen someone do their favorite thing being upset.

I wouldn't be crying or be angry doing my hobbies. Because then they're not hobbies. They are chores.

I smile do my hobbies, i laugh and smile and be happy when I do what I want to do.

I know you can do it to. I tried it, yes I have. Suicide I've tried it, and what does it solve? Nothing. It doesn't make you better it doesn't make you happy. It makes other people sad, it makes other people cry.

There is no greater feeling I've found, than making another person smile. We all deep down want to succeed, we all want to see others succeed in life.

When you make that person smile, man it makes you feel great. Because you're the one that did that. They're smiling because of you. You can make millions smiles through your actions yourself included, or you can make them sad, and you'd never feel happiness again.

Because the truth is, we all want to be happy, everyone does. Can we live in a world of happiness and love? Probably not, but we can live in a world where we make it our duty to be happy and to make others happy to.

It ain't easy, sometimes we have no clue what makes us happy. But if you just lay in bed and do nothing, then you won't find your happiness.

I said it before, you do nothing you get nothing, you kinda do something you kinda get something. You fully do it, you will get it.

It's not easy, there will be tears shed, there will be pain along the way. It will hurt, but you will pull through it.

Remember how earlier I said about the girl I loved? Here's what got me through it.

I sat down with my great grandma many years ago and she said something to me I'll never forget, but I didn't understand til recently.

There are two types of people in the world, and you will get them mixed up sometimes. leaves and acorns.

A leaf kind of person, well they're seasonal. They come and go in your life, you'll meet many types of leaves. Sometimes you say or think they're an acorn, and it makes you unhappy. It makes you unhappy because they're doing something or trying to do something that involves leaving you, or making it harder to stay.

Leaves even provide you shade from the harsh sun, but not forever.

Let those people go when they need to go, you'll find more leaves each season.

Now an acorn, here's the truth now, an acorn does come in seasons. But they don't have to leave, they don't want to leave. They want to stay, no matter what. When you have a problem, they want to help you fix it. They want to grow in the ground, they want to start a new life. With you.

Don't discard the acorn, don't mix them up with leaves. Or one day you'll regret it. But if you keep your acorn, you'll start something new and wonderful.

Hearing or reading something is one thing, but understanding is another.

I personally want you to succeed, all of you reading this.

Understand you're not alone. You may be lost and confused, but believe me, your compass is within yourself, I may be here to help guide you along the way, maybe that's my purpose.

But you're purpose is to keep going on. It's tough, it's hard, but you can do it. I know you can.

34

Software Engineering / Broke up?Feel sad?Not happy?I know

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:48:04 PM »

I'll admit, yeah I'm growing through my own problems in life. I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes it just doesn't like it's enough.

I lost a girl I loved, I loved her so much.

So I'm laying in bed, and the phone vibrates and says I got an email. It says Hello, in the subject, I put the phone down cause I don't want to read an email. I'm to busy laying in bed doing nothing.

After what felt like hours, was probably only half of one, I looked at the email. Here's what the email said:

"HEY future me! I'm in the 10th grade now. I found this cool website that sends an email in the future! How cool is that? So when you get this email, youll be an adult fully. Like I bet you maybe have a nice car or your married or something. But I tell you what. I'm so bored. I'm bored of school, bored of it all. Hey I don't know what life is like in the future of 2017 but I can tell you something that I do know! I want to do something with my life, our life, your life! Its been a goal to do something with life. You know that. Make your self happy and do that thing you want to do. Only thing stopping you is yourself. Don't let anyone hold your heart or your love or your happiness. Your in control! I hope when you read this that you will remember how boring life was back then, and hopefully you are leading a more exciting life. Well ill be you in the future! Bye!"

I didn't even know I did this, I made this. Life to me I say, wasn't boring back then. Today I see it's amazing. But today I say it's boring, will tomorrow me say it's amazing to?

I got to thinking. Yeah, that's right. It makes sense. I gave my happiness to someone, I said I'll only be happy with that special someone, I completely forgot how to love myself.

Do I right now, just want to sit around and wait for things to be better? I can't do that, things don't get better if you do nothing. if you do nothing, you get nothing. If you kinda do something, you kinda get something.

You got to fully put your heart into it, because truth is I didn't give someone my happiness. It's been in me this whole time, I just forgot to look deep within and appreciate who I am.

For so long now, I've looked in the mirror and said, "fattie. No one loves you."

But see that's not right that's not correct. I do love my self. I know it, and I know you love yourself to.

If you can say right now, "I want to be better" or "I want to be happy" then yeah you love yourself.

You see all the time, people doing something and being happy about it. For me it's photography. I never seen someone do their favorite thing being upset.

I wouldn't be crying or be angry doing my hobbies. Because then they're not hobbies. They are chores.

I smile do my hobbies, i laugh and smile and be happy when I do what I want to do.

I know you can do it to. I tried it, yes I have. Suicide I've tried it, and what does it solve? Nothing. It doesn't make you better it doesn't make you happy. It makes other people sad, it makes other people cry.

There is no greater feeling I've found, than making another person smile. We all deep down want to succeed, we all want to see others succeed in life.

When you make that person smile, man it makes you feel great. Because you're the one that did that. They're smiling because of you. You can make millions smiles through your actions yourself included, or you can make them sad, and you'd never feel happiness again.

Because the truth is, we all want to be happy, everyone does. Can we live in a world of happiness and love? Probably not, but we can live in a world where we make it our duty to be happy and to make others happy to.

It ain't easy, sometimes we have no clue what makes us happy. But if you just lay in bed and do nothing, then you won't find your happiness.

I said it before, you do nothing you get nothing, you kinda do something you kinda get something. You fully do it, you will get it.

It's not easy, there will be tears shed, there will be pain along the way. It will hurt, but you will pull through it.

Remember how earlier I said about the girl I loved? Here's what got me through it.

I sat down with my great grandma many years ago and she said something to me I'll never forget, but I didn't understand til recently.

There are two types of people in the world, and you will get them mixed up sometimes. leaves and acorns.

A leaf kind of person, well they're seasonal. They come and go in your life, you'll meet many types of leaves. Sometimes you say or think they're an acorn, and it makes you unhappy. It makes you unhappy because they're doing something or trying to do something that involves leaving you, or making it harder to stay.

Leaves even provide you shade from the harsh sun, but not forever.

Let those people go when they need to go, you'll find more leaves each season.

Now an acorn, here's the truth now, an acorn does come in seasons. But they don't have to leave, they don't want to leave. They want to stay, no matter what. When you have a problem, they want to help you fix it. They want to grow in the ground, they want to start a new life. With you.

Don't discard the acorn, don't mix them up with leaves. Or one day you'll regret it. But if you keep your acorn, you'll start something new and wonderful.

Hearing or reading something is one thing, but understanding is another.

I personally want you to succeed, all of you reading this.

Understand you're not alone. You may be lost and confused, but believe me, your compass is within yourself, I may be here to help guide you along the way, maybe that's my purpose.

But you're purpose is to keep going on. It's tough, it's hard, but you can do it. I know you can.

35

English / Broke up?Feel sad?Not happy?I know

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:47:14 PM »

I'll admit, yeah I'm growing through my own problems in life. I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes it just doesn't like it's enough.

I lost a girl I loved, I loved her so much.

So I'm laying in bed, and the phone vibrates and says I got an email. It says Hello, in the subject, I put the phone down cause I don't want to read an email. I'm to busy laying in bed doing nothing.

After what felt like hours, was probably only half of one, I looked at the email. Here's what the email said:

"HEY future me! I'm in the 10th grade now. I found this cool website that sends an email in the future! How cool is that? So when you get this email, youll be an adult fully. Like I bet you maybe have a nice car or your married or something. But I tell you what. I'm so bored. I'm bored of school, bored of it all. Hey I don't know what life is like in the future of 2017 but I can tell you something that I do know! I want to do something with my life, our life, your life! Its been a goal to do something with life. You know that. Make your self happy and do that thing you want to do. Only thing stopping you is yourself. Don't let anyone hold your heart or your love or your happiness. Your in control! I hope when you read this that you will remember how boring life was back then, and hopefully you are leading a more exciting life. Well ill be you in the future! Bye!"

I didn't even know I did this, I made this. Life to me I say, wasn't boring back then. Today I see it's amazing. But today I say it's boring, will tomorrow me say it's amazing to?

I got to thinking. Yeah, that's right. It makes sense. I gave my happiness to someone, I said I'll only be happy with that special someone, I completely forgot how to love myself.

Do I right now, just want to sit around and wait for things to be better? I can't do that, things don't get better if you do nothing. if you do nothing, you get nothing. If you kinda do something, you kinda get something.

You got to fully put your heart into it, because truth is I didn't give someone my happiness. It's been in me this whole time, I just forgot to look deep within and appreciate who I am.

For so long now, I've looked in the mirror and said, "fattie. No one loves you."

But see that's not right that's not correct. I do love my self. I know it, and I know you love yourself to.

If you can say right now, "I want to be better" or "I want to be happy" then yeah you love yourself.

You see all the time, people doing something and being happy about it. For me it's photography. I never seen someone do their favorite thing being upset.

I wouldn't be crying or be angry doing my hobbies. Because then they're not hobbies. They are chores.

I smile do my hobbies, i laugh and smile and be happy when I do what I want to do.

I know you can do it to. I tried it, yes I have. Suicide I've tried it, and what does it solve? Nothing. It doesn't make you better it doesn't make you happy. It makes other people sad, it makes other people cry.

There is no greater feeling I've found, than making another person smile. We all deep down want to succeed, we all want to see others succeed in life.

When you make that person smile, man it makes you feel great. Because you're the one that did that. They're smiling because of you. You can make millions smiles through your actions yourself included, or you can make them sad, and you'd never feel happiness again.

Because the truth is, we all want to be happy, everyone does. Can we live in a world of happiness and love? Probably not, but we can live in a world where we make it our duty to be happy and to make others happy to.

It ain't easy, sometimes we have no clue what makes us happy. But if you just lay in bed and do nothing, then you won't find your happiness.

I said it before, you do nothing you get nothing, you kinda do something you kinda get something. You fully do it, you will get it.

It's not easy, there will be tears shed, there will be pain along the way. It will hurt, but you will pull through it.

Remember how earlier I said about the girl I loved? Here's what got me through it.

I sat down with my great grandma many years ago and she said something to me I'll never forget, but I didn't understand til recently.

There are two types of people in the world, and you will get them mixed up sometimes. leaves and acorns.

A leaf kind of person, well they're seasonal. They come and go in your life, you'll meet many types of leaves. Sometimes you say or think they're an acorn, and it makes you unhappy. It makes you unhappy because they're doing something or trying to do something that involves leaving you, or making it harder to stay.

Leaves even provide you shade from the harsh sun, but not forever.

Let those people go when they need to go, you'll find more leaves each season.

Now an acorn, here's the truth now, an acorn does come in seasons. But they don't have to leave, they don't want to leave. They want to stay, no matter what. When you have a problem, they want to help you fix it. They want to grow in the ground, they want to start a new life. With you.

Don't discard the acorn, don't mix them up with leaves. Or one day you'll regret it. But if you keep your acorn, you'll start something new and wonderful.

Hearing or reading something is one thing, but understanding is another.

I personally want you to succeed, all of you reading this.

Understand you're not alone. You may be lost and confused, but believe me, your compass is within yourself, I may be here to help guide you along the way, maybe that's my purpose.

But you're purpose is to keep going on. It's tough, it's hard, but you can do it. I know you can.

36

Journalism & Mass Communication / Broke up?Feel sad?Not happy?I know

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:42:46 PM »

I'll admit, yeah I'm growing through my own problems in life. I'm doing everything I can, but sometimes it just doesn't like it's enough.

I lost a girl I loved, I loved her so much.

So I'm laying in bed, and the phone vibrates and says I got an email. It says Hello, in the subject, I put the phone down cause I don't want to read an email. I'm to busy laying in bed doing nothing.

After what felt like hours, was probably only half of one, I looked at the email. Here's what the email said:

"HEY future me! I'm in the 10th grade now. I found this cool website that sends an email in the future! How cool is that? So when you get this email, youll be an adult fully. Like I bet you maybe have a nice car or your married or something. But I tell you what. I'm so bored. I'm bored of school, bored of it all. Hey I don't know what life is like in the future of 2017 but I can tell you something that I do know! I want to do something with my life, our life, your life! Its been a goal to do something with life. You know that. Make your self happy and do that thing you want to do. Only thing stopping you is yourself. Don't let anyone hold your heart or your love or your happiness. Your in control! I hope when you read this that you will remember how boring life was back then, and hopefully you are leading a more exciting life. Well ill be you in the future! Bye!"

I didn't even know I did this, I made this. Life to me I say, wasn't boring back then. Today I see it's amazing. But today I say it's boring, will tomorrow me say it's amazing to?

I got to thinking. Yeah, that's right. It makes sense. I gave my happiness to someone, I said I'll only be happy with that special someone, I completely forgot how to love myself.

Do I right now, just want to sit around and wait for things to be better? I can't do that, things don't get better if you do nothing. if you do nothing, you get nothing. If you kinda do something, you kinda get something.

You got to fully put your heart into it, because truth is I didn't give someone my happiness. It's been in me this whole time, I just forgot to look deep within and appreciate who I am.

For so long now, I've looked in the mirror and said, "fattie. No one loves you."

But see that's not right that's not correct. I do love my self. I know it, and I know you love yourself to.

If you can say right now, "I want to be better" or "I want to be happy" then yeah you love yourself.

You see all the time, people doing something and being happy about it. For me it's photography. I never seen someone do their favorite thing being upset.

I wouldn't be crying or be angry doing my hobbies. Because then they're not hobbies. They are chores.

I smile do my hobbies, i laugh and smile and be happy when I do what I want to do.

I know you can do it to. I tried it, yes I have. Suicide I've tried it, and what does it solve? Nothing. It doesn't make you better it doesn't make you happy. It makes other people sad, it makes other people cry.

There is no greater feeling I've found, than making another person smile. We all deep down want to succeed, we all want to see others succeed in life.

When you make that person smile, man it makes you feel great. Because you're the one that did that. They're smiling because of you. You can make millions smiles through your actions yourself included, or you can make them sad, and you'd never feel happiness again.

Because the truth is, we all want to be happy, everyone does. Can we live in a world of happiness and love? Probably not, but we can live in a world where we make it our duty to be happy and to make others happy to.

It ain't easy, sometimes we have no clue what makes us happy. But if you just lay in bed and do nothing, then you won't find your happiness.

I said it before, you do nothing you get nothing, you kinda do something you kinda get something. You fully do it, you will get it.

It's not easy, there will be tears shed, there will be pain along the way. It will hurt, but you will pull through it.

Remember how earlier I said about the girl I loved? Here's what got me through it.

I sat down with my great grandma many years ago and she said something to me I'll never forget, but I didn't understand til recently.

There are two types of people in the world, and you will get them mixed up sometimes. leaves and acorns.

A leaf kind of person, well they're seasonal. They come and go in your life, you'll meet many types of leaves. Sometimes you say or think they're an acorn, and it makes you unhappy. It makes you unhappy because they're doing something or trying to do something that involves leaving you, or making it harder to stay.

Leaves even provide you shade from the harsh sun, but not forever.

Let those people go when they need to go, you'll find more leaves each season.

Now an acorn, here's the truth now, an acorn does come in seasons. But they don't have to leave, they don't want to leave. They want to stay, no matter what. When you have a problem, they want to help you fix it. They want to grow in the ground, they want to start a new life. With you.

Don't discard the acorn, don't mix them up with leaves. Or one day you'll regret it. But if you keep your acorn, you'll start something new and wonderful.

Hearing or reading something is one thing, but understanding is another.

I personally want you to succeed, all of you reading this.

Understand you're not alone. You may be lost and confused, but believe me, your compass is within yourself, I may be here to help guide you along the way, maybe that's my purpose.

But you're purpose is to keep going on. It's tough, it's hard, but you can do it. I know you can.

37

Journalism & Mass Communication / Believe

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:33:30 PM »

Believe

"Good luck Camille!" Mrs. Chandler cried, as she handed her a crumpled twenty dollar note.

Camille was a poor thirteen year old girl whose dream was to be a Broadway dancer. Although Camille's parents were hard workers, they were unlucky people. A tornado had destroyed their home, as well as both of their workplaces. Often, they only made enough money to support themselves. Camille was determined to end her family's unlucky streak by auditioning for a role in Broadway's upcoming show.

"Don't worry mother! I will make you proud!" The young brunette whispered, giving her mother a tight embrace. Gripping her one chance for stardom, Camille slowly stepped out into the bustling city of New York.

An abundance of young adults roamed the sidewalk, their eyes glued to their electronic devices. Taxis, cars, trucks, and bicycles flew by, crowding the NYC streets. Hundreds of vivid, eye catching skyscrapers painted the landscape. Giant flat screen TVs were plastered to the buildings, showing off advertisements. Camille quietly slithered through the crowd, clutching a small, worn out purse.

“Watch where you're going kiddy!” A tall blonde sneered. The rude teenager wore a gray crop top, adorned with a cross bone. She had on a frayed pair of jean shorts with "Aeropostale" sewn onto the cuffs. Her silky hair was pulled up into a messy bun tied with a blue ribbon. The girl had a judgmental look etched across her face (which was full of expertly done makeup).

"S…sorry!" Camille whimpered nervously. It was her first time in the city, and she was already causing trouble! What would her mom think? The spoiled teen rolled her eyes before moving on. Several minutes later, Camille found herself standing in front of the legendary Radio City Music Hall.

"Well, there is no going back now!" Camille thought to herself as she pushed open the double doors. The lobby was overly crowded with stubborn parents, nervous children, and stressed teenagers.

"Welcome to Radio City Music Hall! If you are auditioning, please fill out an entry form and pay the mandatory fee. Then you may proceed to stretch and prepare." The speaker explained.

"This should be easy enough." Camille muttered, grabbing an entrance form. She marched up to a desk manager sticking out her form. The posh woman snatched up the paper, looking over it thoroughly.

"Camille Isabelle Chandler, where is your mom?" She questioned suspiciously, glancing at Camille's forged signature.

"Oh um, she is using the restroom," replied Camille hopefully. Although she seemed unsatisfied, the lady held out her hand for the fee. Camille rummaged in her torn up bag before handing her a battered twenty dollar bill.

Camille proceeded backstage and waited for several hours, awaiting her fate.

“Looks like Lame-o decided to show up.” A familiar voice snickered. "What, are you trying out for the part? Cause you will NEVER get it. So just go home and cry in your pillow!" The voice taunted mercilessly.

What if I can’t do this? Camille thought worriedly. Tears flooded Camille's eyes, but she brushed them away.

"Next up is Camille Chandler!" The speaker said. I can do this. I can do this. Camille repeated in her mind. She slipped on her old cloth ballet shoes and entered the stage. A lyrical song came on, and the audition began.

The minutes flew by as Camille leaped, twirled, and kicked. Her face displayed stunning emotion, and the judges were awed by her turn sequences. You got this. Camille repeated in her thoughts, as she danced for her life. Her performance left the judges speechless.

"Well kid, you are the last audition. Your technique was flawless, and so was your emotion. Congratulations. You got the job." Camille stood still as joyous tears streamed down her cheeks. A grin spread across her face like wildfire.

"I did it,” she whispered to herself.

All because of her hard work, and determination, Camille achieved her dream. She didn’t let what people thought of her discourage her. What Camille did do- was prove them wrong.

38

Textile Engineering / Believe

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:32:40 PM »

Believe

"Good luck Camille!" Mrs. Chandler cried, as she handed her a crumpled twenty dollar note.

Camille was a poor thirteen year old girl whose dream was to be a Broadway dancer. Although Camille's parents were hard workers, they were unlucky people. A tornado had destroyed their home, as well as both of their workplaces. Often, they only made enough money to support themselves. Camille was determined to end her family's unlucky streak by auditioning for a role in Broadway's upcoming show.

"Don't worry mother! I will make you proud!" The young brunette whispered, giving her mother a tight embrace. Gripping her one chance for stardom, Camille slowly stepped out into the bustling city of New York.

An abundance of young adults roamed the sidewalk, their eyes glued to their electronic devices. Taxis, cars, trucks, and bicycles flew by, crowding the NYC streets. Hundreds of vivid, eye catching skyscrapers painted the landscape. Giant flat screen TVs were plastered to the buildings, showing off advertisements. Camille quietly slithered through the crowd, clutching a small, worn out purse.

“Watch where you're going kiddy!” A tall blonde sneered. The rude teenager wore a gray crop top, adorned with a cross bone. She had on a frayed pair of jean shorts with "Aeropostale" sewn onto the cuffs. Her silky hair was pulled up into a messy bun tied with a blue ribbon. The girl had a judgmental look etched across her face (which was full of expertly done makeup).

"S…sorry!" Camille whimpered nervously. It was her first time in the city, and she was already causing trouble! What would her mom think? The spoiled teen rolled her eyes before moving on. Several minutes later, Camille found herself standing in front of the legendary Radio City Music Hall.

"Well, there is no going back now!" Camille thought to herself as she pushed open the double doors. The lobby was overly crowded with stubborn parents, nervous children, and stressed teenagers.

"Welcome to Radio City Music Hall! If you are auditioning, please fill out an entry form and pay the mandatory fee. Then you may proceed to stretch and prepare." The speaker explained.

"This should be easy enough." Camille muttered, grabbing an entrance form. She marched up to a desk manager sticking out her form. The posh woman snatched up the paper, looking over it thoroughly.

"Camille Isabelle Chandler, where is your mom?" She questioned suspiciously, glancing at Camille's forged signature.

"Oh um, she is using the restroom," replied Camille hopefully. Although she seemed unsatisfied, the lady held out her hand for the fee. Camille rummaged in her torn up bag before handing her a battered twenty dollar bill.

Camille proceeded backstage and waited for several hours, awaiting her fate.

“Looks like Lame-o decided to show up.” A familiar voice snickered. "What, are you trying out for the part? Cause you will NEVER get it. So just go home and cry in your pillow!" The voice taunted mercilessly.

What if I can’t do this? Camille thought worriedly. Tears flooded Camille's eyes, but she brushed them away.

"Next up is Camille Chandler!" The speaker said. I can do this. I can do this. Camille repeated in her mind. She slipped on her old cloth ballet shoes and entered the stage. A lyrical song came on, and the audition began.

The minutes flew by as Camille leaped, twirled, and kicked. Her face displayed stunning emotion, and the judges were awed by her turn sequences. You got this. Camille repeated in her thoughts, as she danced for her life. Her performance left the judges speechless.

"Well kid, you are the last audition. Your technique was flawless, and so was your emotion. Congratulations. You got the job." Camille stood still as joyous tears streamed down her cheeks. A grin spread across her face like wildfire.

"I did it,” she whispered to herself.

All because of her hard work, and determination, Camille achieved her dream. She didn’t let what people thought of her discourage her. What Camille did do- was prove them wrong.

39

English / Believe

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:29:24 PM »

Believe

"Good luck Camille!" Mrs. Chandler cried, as she handed her a crumpled twenty dollar note.

Camille was a poor thirteen year old girl whose dream was to be a Broadway dancer. Although Camille's parents were hard workers, they were unlucky people. A tornado had destroyed their home, as well as both of their workplaces. Often, they only made enough money to support themselves. Camille was determined to end her family's unlucky streak by auditioning for a role in Broadway's upcoming show.

"Don't worry mother! I will make you proud!" The young brunette whispered, giving her mother a tight embrace. Gripping her one chance for stardom, Camille slowly stepped out into the bustling city of New York.

An abundance of young adults roamed the sidewalk, their eyes glued to their electronic devices. Taxis, cars, trucks, and bicycles flew by, crowding the NYC streets. Hundreds of vivid, eye catching skyscrapers painted the landscape. Giant flat screen TVs were plastered to the buildings, showing off advertisements. Camille quietly slithered through the crowd, clutching a small, worn out purse.

“Watch where you're going kiddy!” A tall blonde sneered. The rude teenager wore a gray crop top, adorned with a cross bone. She had on a frayed pair of jean shorts with "Aeropostale" sewn onto the cuffs. Her silky hair was pulled up into a messy bun tied with a blue ribbon. The girl had a judgmental look etched across her face (which was full of expertly done makeup).

"S…sorry!" Camille whimpered nervously. It was her first time in the city, and she was already causing trouble! What would her mom think? The spoiled teen rolled her eyes before moving on. Several minutes later, Camille found herself standing in front of the legendary Radio City Music Hall.

"Well, there is no going back now!" Camille thought to herself as she pushed open the double doors. The lobby was overly crowded with stubborn parents, nervous children, and stressed teenagers.

"Welcome to Radio City Music Hall! If you are auditioning, please fill out an entry form and pay the mandatory fee. Then you may proceed to stretch and prepare." The speaker explained.

"This should be easy enough." Camille muttered, grabbing an entrance form. She marched up to a desk manager sticking out her form. The posh woman snatched up the paper, looking over it thoroughly.

"Camille Isabelle Chandler, where is your mom?" She questioned suspiciously, glancing at Camille's forged signature.

"Oh um, she is using the restroom," replied Camille hopefully. Although she seemed unsatisfied, the lady held out her hand for the fee. Camille rummaged in her torn up bag before handing her a battered twenty dollar bill.

Camille proceeded backstage and waited for several hours, awaiting her fate.

“Looks like Lame-o decided to show up.” A familiar voice snickered. "What, are you trying out for the part? Cause you will NEVER get it. So just go home and cry in your pillow!" The voice taunted mercilessly.

What if I can’t do this? Camille thought worriedly. Tears flooded Camille's eyes, but she brushed them away.

"Next up is Camille Chandler!" The speaker said. I can do this. I can do this. Camille repeated in her mind. She slipped on her old cloth ballet shoes and entered the stage. A lyrical song came on, and the audition began.

The minutes flew by as Camille leaped, twirled, and kicked. Her face displayed stunning emotion, and the judges were awed by her turn sequences. You got this. Camille repeated in her thoughts, as she danced for her life. Her performance left the judges speechless.

"Well kid, you are the last audition. Your technique was flawless, and so was your emotion. Congratulations. You got the job." Camille stood still as joyous tears streamed down her cheeks. A grin spread across her face like wildfire.

"I did it,” she whispered to herself.

All because of her hard work, and determination, Camille achieved her dream. She didn’t let what people thought of her discourage her. What Camille did do- was prove them wrong.

40

Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Believe

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:28:00 PM »

"Good luck Camille!" Mrs. Chandler cried, as she handed her a crumpled twenty dollar note.

Camille was a poor thirteen year old girl whose dream was to be a Broadway dancer. Although Camille's parents were hard workers, they were unlucky people. A tornado had destroyed their home, as well as both of their workplaces. Often, they only made enough money to support themselves. Camille was determined to end her family's unlucky streak by auditioning for a role in Broadway's upcoming show.

"Don't worry mother! I will make you proud!" The young brunette whispered, giving her mother a tight embrace. Gripping her one chance for stardom, Camille slowly stepped out into the bustling city of New York.

An abundance of young adults roamed the sidewalk, their eyes glued to their electronic devices. Taxis, cars, trucks, and bicycles flew by, crowding the NYC streets. Hundreds of vivid, eye catching skyscrapers painted the landscape. Giant flat screen TVs were plastered to the buildings, showing off advertisements. Camille quietly slithered through the crowd, clutching a small, worn out purse.

“Watch where you're going kiddy!” A tall blonde sneered. The rude teenager wore a gray crop top, adorned with a cross bone. She had on a frayed pair of jean shorts with "Aeropostale" sewn onto the cuffs. Her silky hair was pulled up into a messy bun tied with a blue ribbon. The girl had a judgmental look etched across her face (which was full of expertly done makeup).

"S…sorry!" Camille whimpered nervously. It was her first time in the city, and she was already causing trouble! What would her mom think? The spoiled teen rolled her eyes before moving on. Several minutes later, Camille found herself standing in front of the legendary Radio City Music Hall.

"Well, there is no going back now!" Camille thought to herself as she pushed open the double doors. The lobby was overly crowded with stubborn parents, nervous children, and stressed teenagers.

"Welcome to Radio City Music Hall! If you are auditioning, please fill out an entry form and pay the mandatory fee. Then you may proceed to stretch and prepare." The speaker explained.

"This should be easy enough." Camille muttered, grabbing an entrance form. She marched up to a desk manager sticking out her form. The posh woman snatched up the paper, looking over it thoroughly.

"Camille Isabelle Chandler, where is your mom?" She questioned suspiciously, glancing at Camille's forged signature.

"Oh um, she is using the restroom," replied Camille hopefully. Although she seemed unsatisfied, the lady held out her hand for the fee. Camille rummaged in her torn up bag before handing her a battered twenty dollar bill.

Camille proceeded backstage and waited for several hours, awaiting her fate.

“Looks like Lame-o decided to show up.” A familiar voice snickered. "What, are you trying out for the part? Cause you will NEVER get it. So just go home and cry in your pillow!" The voice taunted mercilessly.

What if I can’t do this? Camille thought worriedly. Tears flooded Camille's eyes, but she brushed them away.

"Next up is Camille Chandler!" The speaker said. I can do this. I can do this. Camille repeated in her mind. She slipped on her old cloth ballet shoes and entered the stage. A lyrical song came on, and the audition began.

The minutes flew by as Camille leaped, twirled, and kicked. Her face displayed stunning emotion, and the judges were awed by her turn sequences. You got this. Camille repeated in her thoughts, as she danced for her life. Her performance left the judges speechless.

"Well kid, you are the last audition. Your technique was flawless, and so was your emotion. Congratulations. You got the job." Camille stood still as joyous tears streamed down her cheeks. A grin spread across her face like wildfire.

"I did it,” she whispered to herself.

All because of her hard work, and determination, Camille achieved her dream. She didn’t let what people thought of her discourage her. What Camille did do- was prove them wrong.

 

41

Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Never Forgotten

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:25:28 PM »

I have no idea where we’re going.

Dad has taken my hand, clammy with sweat, and guided me through the endless bracken and bramble bushes that make up the forest at the end of our practically deserted road. The wind whistles, and I shiver slightly under my coat. I’m tired and struggling to keep up. Dad’s strides are large and fast paced, while my petite legs struggle to keep moving. As we go deeper and deeper into the forest, I feel a sudden urge of distrust, and that maybe Dad has no idea where we are going either. I realise that I could easily let go of Dad’s hand and bolt back to our cottage, but my curiosity has got the better of me. I need to know where we’re going.

I look above me, to find that the sky is completely blocked out by grand, towering oak trees. I can practically hear the leaves whispering to each other and realise that the forest is more eerie than I had ever imagined. I almost expect ghosts to jump out of the verdant, overgrown grass behind the shrubs. I feel as though I’ve been caught up in a horror movie, set in a dark, haunted forest.

But suddenly, as I look ahead of me, I see where the trees give way to their hidden secret. The vegetation is parted, creating a clearing in the seemingly endless woodland.

And through the clearing beholds one of the most breath-taking settings I have ever seen.

The sky is a wondrous array of different shades of orange and yellow; you could become mesmerized and lost in its beauty if you stared at it for too long. And below it lies a river, as still as can be, amber in colour from the reflection of the sky. I daren’t say a word, out of fear that I would break the glorious silence.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad says. I look up at him, a radiant beam adorning my face.

Dad grips my hand a little tighter, and leads me down to the edge of the river. Autumn leaves crunch under my feet, a refreshing sound after having heard the dull squelch of the leaves in the heart of the forest for the past half hour.

We settle down at the side of the river, sitting on our coats to spare the cleanliness of our clothes. I expected to feel cold after taking my coat off, but the scenery has filled me with so much warmth that the chilly breeze is ineffective. Dad and I hold hands as we stare out across the water.

“Your mother used to take me here,” Dad tells me. This suddenly grabs my attention. Any thoughts of my mother intrigue me beyond belief. I never really knew her; she died when I was only about two years of age. But, I do vaguely remember a pair of warm, brown eyes, which I believe were hers.

“Tell me more,” I say, deliberately keeping my voice monotone, for I know we are reaching a sensitive topic. Dad supresses a sigh.

“She had lived in this area for nearly all her life. When we finally bought a place together, she guided me into the forest, in the way I have done to you tonight. She showed me the lake, but I could never truly appreciate its full beauty, for I knew in my heart that the woman who stood beside me was ten times more beautiful. It was here, in this very setting, that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

I try to fight off the urge to cry. I ask, in a shaky voice “What happened?”

Our eyes connect. “A few months later, I proposed to her. Right here, at the lake, under the amber rays of a golden sunset. And in about another year, you were born. Everything was perfect; I had a wonderful wife, a gorgeous baby daughter, and pure happiness.” He suddenly averts his gaze, turning to face away from me. “But she fell ill. So incredibly ill. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, and I knew, deep down, that she couldn’t fight it. And one day, I woke up, and she was gone.”

My tears are flowing freely now, trickling down my face and wetting my cheeks. Dad turns back to face me, covering me in a warm embrace, and I understand the hardship he went through.

“I still have you though.” He says. The tears stop, and I stare at him lovingly. “I still have my darling daughter, who I would do anything for.” He gently plants a kiss on the top of my head, before we trail back through the forest, to our warm, cosy house.

“I would do anything for you too, Dad.” And the image of his smile, at that moment, stayed with me forever.

42

Textile Engineering / Never Forgotten

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:09:14 PM »

I have no idea where we’re going.

Dad has taken my hand, clammy with sweat, and guided me through the endless bracken and bramble bushes that make up the forest at the end of our practically deserted road. The wind whistles, and I shiver slightly under my coat. I’m tired and struggling to keep up. Dad’s strides are large and fast paced, while my petite legs struggle to keep moving. As we go deeper and deeper into the forest, I feel a sudden urge of distrust, and that maybe Dad has no idea where we are going either. I realise that I could easily let go of Dad’s hand and bolt back to our cottage, but my curiosity has got the better of me. I need to know where we’re going.

I look above me, to find that the sky is completely blocked out by grand, towering oak trees. I can practically hear the leaves whispering to each other and realise that the forest is more eerie than I had ever imagined. I almost expect ghosts to jump out of the verdant, overgrown grass behind the shrubs. I feel as though I’ve been caught up in a horror movie, set in a dark, haunted forest.

But suddenly, as I look ahead of me, I see where the trees give way to their hidden secret. The vegetation is parted, creating a clearing in the seemingly endless woodland.

And through the clearing beholds one of the most breath-taking settings I have ever seen.

The sky is a wondrous array of different shades of orange and yellow; you could become mesmerized and lost in its beauty if you stared at it for too long. And below it lies a river, as still as can be, amber in colour from the reflection of the sky. I daren’t say a word, out of fear that I would break the glorious silence.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad says. I look up at him, a radiant beam adorning my face.

Dad grips my hand a little tighter, and leads me down to the edge of the river. Autumn leaves crunch under my feet, a refreshing sound after having heard the dull squelch of the leaves in the heart of the forest for the past half hour.

We settle down at the side of the river, sitting on our coats to spare the cleanliness of our clothes. I expected to feel cold after taking my coat off, but the scenery has filled me with so much warmth that the chilly breeze is ineffective. Dad and I hold hands as we stare out across the water.

“Your mother used to take me here,” Dad tells me. This suddenly grabs my attention. Any thoughts of my mother intrigue me beyond belief. I never really knew her; she died when I was only about two years of age. But, I do vaguely remember a pair of warm, brown eyes, which I believe were hers.

“Tell me more,” I say, deliberately keeping my voice monotone, for I know we are reaching a sensitive topic. Dad supresses a sigh.

“She had lived in this area for nearly all her life. When we finally bought a place together, she guided me into the forest, in the way I have done to you tonight. She showed me the lake, but I could never truly appreciate its full beauty, for I knew in my heart that the woman who stood beside me was ten times more beautiful. It was here, in this very setting, that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

I try to fight off the urge to cry. I ask, in a shaky voice “What happened?”

Our eyes connect. “A few months later, I proposed to her. Right here, at the lake, under the amber rays of a golden sunset. And in about another year, you were born. Everything was perfect; I had a wonderful wife, a gorgeous baby daughter, and pure happiness.” He suddenly averts his gaze, turning to face away from me. “But she fell ill. So incredibly ill. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, and I knew, deep down, that she couldn’t fight it. And one day, I woke up, and she was gone.”

My tears are flowing freely now, trickling down my face and wetting my cheeks. Dad turns back to face me, covering me in a warm embrace, and I understand the hardship he went through.

“I still have you though.” He says. The tears stop, and I stare at him lovingly. “I still have my darling daughter, who I would do anything for.” He gently plants a kiss on the top of my head, before we trail back through the forest, to our warm, cosy house.

“I would do anything for you too, Dad.” And the image of his smile, at that moment, stayed with me forever.

43

Business Administration / Never Forgotten

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:08:20 PM »

I have no idea where we’re going.

Dad has taken my hand, clammy with sweat, and guided me through the endless bracken and bramble bushes that make up the forest at the end of our practically deserted road. The wind whistles, and I shiver slightly under my coat. I’m tired and struggling to keep up. Dad’s strides are large and fast paced, while my petite legs struggle to keep moving. As we go deeper and deeper into the forest, I feel a sudden urge of distrust, and that maybe Dad has no idea where we are going either. I realise that I could easily let go of Dad’s hand and bolt back to our cottage, but my curiosity has got the better of me. I need to know where we’re going.

I look above me, to find that the sky is completely blocked out by grand, towering oak trees. I can practically hear the leaves whispering to each other and realise that the forest is more eerie than I had ever imagined. I almost expect ghosts to jump out of the verdant, overgrown grass behind the shrubs. I feel as though I’ve been caught up in a horror movie, set in a dark, haunted forest.

But suddenly, as I look ahead of me, I see where the trees give way to their hidden secret. The vegetation is parted, creating a clearing in the seemingly endless woodland.

And through the clearing beholds one of the most breath-taking settings I have ever seen.

The sky is a wondrous array of different shades of orange and yellow; you could become mesmerized and lost in its beauty if you stared at it for too long. And below it lies a river, as still as can be, amber in colour from the reflection of the sky. I daren’t say a word, out of fear that I would break the glorious silence.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad says. I look up at him, a radiant beam adorning my face.

Dad grips my hand a little tighter, and leads me down to the edge of the river. Autumn leaves crunch under my feet, a refreshing sound after having heard the dull squelch of the leaves in the heart of the forest for the past half hour.

We settle down at the side of the river, sitting on our coats to spare the cleanliness of our clothes. I expected to feel cold after taking my coat off, but the scenery has filled me with so much warmth that the chilly breeze is ineffective. Dad and I hold hands as we stare out across the water.

“Your mother used to take me here,” Dad tells me. This suddenly grabs my attention. Any thoughts of my mother intrigue me beyond belief. I never really knew her; she died when I was only about two years of age. But, I do vaguely remember a pair of warm, brown eyes, which I believe were hers.

“Tell me more,” I say, deliberately keeping my voice monotone, for I know we are reaching a sensitive topic. Dad supresses a sigh.

“She had lived in this area for nearly all her life. When we finally bought a place together, she guided me into the forest, in the way I have done to you tonight. She showed me the lake, but I could never truly appreciate its full beauty, for I knew in my heart that the woman who stood beside me was ten times more beautiful. It was here, in this very setting, that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

I try to fight off the urge to cry. I ask, in a shaky voice “What happened?”

Our eyes connect. “A few months later, I proposed to her. Right here, at the lake, under the amber rays of a golden sunset. And in about another year, you were born. Everything was perfect; I had a wonderful wife, a gorgeous baby daughter, and pure happiness.” He suddenly averts his gaze, turning to face away from me. “But she fell ill. So incredibly ill. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, and I knew, deep down, that she couldn’t fight it. And one day, I woke up, and she was gone.”

My tears are flowing freely now, trickling down my face and wetting my cheeks. Dad turns back to face me, covering me in a warm embrace, and I understand the hardship he went through.

“I still have you though.” He says. The tears stop, and I stare at him lovingly. “I still have my darling daughter, who I would do anything for.” He gently plants a kiss on the top of my head, before we trail back through the forest, to our warm, cosy house.

“I would do anything for you too, Dad.” And the image of his smile, at that moment, stayed with me forever.

44

English / Never Forgotten

« on: April 11, 2017, 04:07:08 PM »

I have no idea where we’re going.

Dad has taken my hand, clammy with sweat, and guided me through the endless bracken and bramble bushes that make up the forest at the end of our practically deserted road. The wind whistles, and I shiver slightly under my coat. I’m tired and struggling to keep up. Dad’s strides are large and fast paced, while my petite legs struggle to keep moving. As we go deeper and deeper into the forest, I feel a sudden urge of distrust, and that maybe Dad has no idea where we are going either. I realise that I could easily let go of Dad’s hand and bolt back to our cottage, but my curiosity has got the better of me. I need to know where we’re going.

I look above me, to find that the sky is completely blocked out by grand, towering oak trees. I can practically hear the leaves whispering to each other and realise that the forest is more eerie than I had ever imagined. I almost expect ghosts to jump out of the verdant, overgrown grass behind the shrubs. I feel as though I’ve been caught up in a horror movie, set in a dark, haunted forest.

But suddenly, as I look ahead of me, I see where the trees give way to their hidden secret. The vegetation is parted, creating a clearing in the seemingly endless woodland.

And through the clearing beholds one of the most breath-taking settings I have ever seen.

The sky is a wondrous array of different shades of orange and yellow; you could become mesmerized and lost in its beauty if you stared at it for too long. And below it lies a river, as still as can be, amber in colour from the reflection of the sky. I daren’t say a word, out of fear that I would break the glorious silence.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad says. I look up at him, a radiant beam adorning my face.

Dad grips my hand a little tighter, and leads me down to the edge of the river. Autumn leaves crunch under my feet, a refreshing sound after having heard the dull squelch of the leaves in the heart of the forest for the past half hour.

We settle down at the side of the river, sitting on our coats to spare the cleanliness of our clothes. I expected to feel cold after taking my coat off, but the scenery has filled me with so much warmth that the chilly breeze is ineffective. Dad and I hold hands as we stare out across the water.

“Your mother used to take me here,” Dad tells me. This suddenly grabs my attention. Any thoughts of my mother intrigue me beyond belief. I never really knew her; she died when I was only about two years of age. But, I do vaguely remember a pair of warm, brown eyes, which I believe were hers.

“Tell me more,” I say, deliberately keeping my voice monotone, for I know we are reaching a sensitive topic. Dad supresses a sigh.

“She had lived in this area for nearly all her life. When we finally bought a place together, she guided me into the forest, in the way I have done to you tonight. She showed me the lake, but I could never truly appreciate its full beauty, for I knew in my heart that the woman who stood beside me was ten times more beautiful. It was here, in this very setting, that I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

I try to fight off the urge to cry. I ask, in a shaky voice “What happened?”

Our eyes connect. “A few months later, I proposed to her. Right here, at the lake, under the amber rays of a golden sunset. And in about another year, you were born. Everything was perfect; I had a wonderful wife, a gorgeous baby daughter, and pure happiness.” He suddenly averts his gaze, turning to face away from me. “But she fell ill. So incredibly ill. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, and I knew, deep down, that she couldn’t fight it. And one day, I woke up, and she was gone.”

My tears are flowing freely now, trickling down my face and wetting my cheeks. Dad turns back to face me, covering me in a warm embrace, and I understand the hardship he went through.

“I still have you though.” He says. The tears stop, and I stare at him lovingly. “I still have my darling daughter, who I would do anything for.” He gently plants a kiss on the top of my head, before we trail back through the forest, to our warm, cosy house.

“I would do anything for you too, Dad.” And the image of his smile, at that moment, stayed with me forever.

45

Genetic & Biotechnology / Job security in the private sector vs. government jobs

« on: April 09, 2017, 12:45:11 PM »

Job security in the private sector vs. government jobs

Do employees in the private sector have a better chance of loosing their positions than government officials in the same positions or is job security not an issue? No, employees in the private sector have a 50% better chance of loosing their jobs than the government employees.

Many people start their careers in a government department. Entry level jobs are more readily available and the government positions have always been known as the safe career option with more job security.

This is mainly due to the fact that government is responsible for the labor acts and laws - hence they have to adhere to them.

In most countries the labor laws state that:

    A percentage of new employees have to be appointed each year.
    Employees in the same position for a certain amount of time have to be promoted.
    A certain part of the budget has to be spent on training staff.

Government departments also have to give more attention to labor unions and their demands. In general, even if an employee doesn't deserve a pay increase everybody receive a yearly increase. This type of job security lacks in the private sector.

Seen in the light that most of the government departments are not profit orientated, the chances are very slim that any employees will be retrenched or dismissed due to restructuring or downsizing, although during long slumps or economic depressions large scale retrenchment also hits this sector.

In the private sector however, job security is more based on performance.

These are mostly listed or privately owned companies with one purpose in mind, namely to show a profit at the end of the financial year. Dividends need to be paid out to shareholders, who in most cases started the companies from scratch with a lot of blood sweat and tears. They have no tolerance for dead wood and want their companies to run like a well oiled machine. If this means streamlining the company and getting rid of the drift wood they will do so without hesitation.

Private companies also prefer employees that fit in with the company's culture, vision and mission and will without hesitation get rid of employees who don't make the grade.

If employees want a pay increase they have to work for it and salary increases are based on the individual?s performance as well as the profit margin the company showed for that financial year.

Even if you perform well, the changes are that if the company goes through a slump and budget cuts have to be made even top performers are at risk. Obtaining job security in this sector entails hard work, good networking and effective communication.