Courage

Mrs. Dubose is as cranky as they come. She takes the “Sweet old lady” stereotype, and shoves it down the toilet. She irritable, she’s loud, she’s mean, and she produces a profound amount of saliva. Atticus Finch, on the other hand, could take the “Father of the year” stereotype, and hang it on his mantle. He’s a great listener, he respects his children, and he sets a great example to follow. Mrs. Dubose and Atticus Finch couldn’t be more different, yet, when you really put things into perspective, they couldn’t be more alike. They share an essential quality, that every man should gain. And that, is courage

In the town of Maycomb, defending a black man is simply unheard of. People will judge you for your beliefs, and they will treat you with no respect. Atticus Finch is fully aware of the social downfall he and his family name will take on when the Tom Robinson case goes to court. But, he is also fully aware that what everyone else thinks you should do, isn’t always right. Atticus knows that Tom is innocent, and he would rather take on a few snide remarks and weird names, than be guilty of being injustice. If you ask me, this is the right thing to do. It is brave and courageous. No one would have thought any less of Atticus if he were to not defend Mr. Robinson in court, but Atticus would think less of himself. And that’s what really matters. Atticus is a role model for not only Jem and Scout, but for people as a whole.

Although Scout introduces Mrs. Dubose as “Plain hell,” I see her as a role model to follow as well.  Despite the horrid things she says, and her distaste for the social interaction, she has exactly what Atticus has: courage. If you don’t believe me, ask Atticus yourself. Atticus declares Mrs. Dubose as “The bravest person [he] ever met”(11). I know it seems impossible for Mrs. Dubose to be a good person, but she really is. Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict, who vowed to clean up before she died. And, clean up she did. Atticus explains to the kids why he made them read to Mrs. Dubose later in the book, and his words are insightful. “I wanted you to see what real courage is,” he said, “instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody” (11). Just like Atticus, no one would have thought less of  Mrs. Dubose if she were to die with all of the morphine she could muster up, but she would think less of herself. She wanted to die, beholden nothing to nobody.

Courage is a strong thing. Defined on different terms, and shown in different ways. Anyone can have courage. Your neighbor, your friend, your dad, or the mean lady a few doors down. And, even though all of these people are different, with different personalities, and different ambitions, they are all the same as well. They all share a common goal, and that’s doing what’s right, even if it seems impossible.

The Silver Crown

Homecoming week. The five days of the entire year that Whitney and her friends actually make an effort to be nice to people. You can almost hear the sighs of relief when you watch the posters go up. A golden week where Whitney, Courtney, and Brianna, don’t walk around in their usual wolf pack, terrorizing any innocent prey that come across their sight. Instead, they pucker those newly glossed lips, flip their freshly highlighted hair, and gave compliments and campaign cupcakes to everyone that was capable of voting them for homecoming queen. Although they all had their nice faces on, the tension between Whitney and her group grew throughout the week, so they didn’t tend to stick together. Usually they set up campaigns  on opposite sides of the school. Whitney usually getting the Freshman hallway, and the cafeteria, because freshman were easy targets, and the cafeteria had all of the grades at one time. Courtney got the main entrance of the school, for the obvious reasons of, everyone was practically forced to look at it at the beginning and end of every school day. And lastly, Brianna got the Sophomore- Senior hallways. Pinning up signs on  lockers and ribbons around the water fountains,  every girl was as determined to win.

What the three girls failed to comprehend, was that winning homecoming queen would not make them the best of the best. Or the prettiest, or the coolest. Because the truth of the matter was, that position was filled. Shannon Seffert was the queen of the school, and she didn’t need a crown to prove it. When she walked through the hallways people stared. She was valedictorian, head cheerleader, dating the hottest senior in the school, and she makes the best cookies you have ever tasted. There is nothing Shannon couldn’t do. She was the first Freshman in Fanderdale High history to ever win homecoming queen, and after that, she retired. Now that she was a junior, she told people she was too old for silly competitions, she already knew she was the best. But, Whitney and her group were oblivious to this, and took Shannon’s retirement as a gift: one less person to beat on in the voting booths.

So, the week went on as usual. Monday was a little tense. But they still managed. Tuesday morning always went smoothly, but by the end of the day, at least one of the girls were in tears. Half because they were actually upset with something, and half because it made the other girls look bad, and you got lots of sympathy votes.  Wednesday they didn’t even look at each other. And Thursday was a miracle they made it through the whole eight hours of school without starting a fist fight. And when Friday finally came, the results were all anyone could talk about. The announcements came on the television, and everyone gathered around. The school song started to play, and people rolled their eyes.

“Hello everyone and welcome to Fanderdale High News! As we all know, the homecoming dance is tomorrow night and , I’m bringing  you the results of last night’s poll for homecoming queen!”

Everyone shushed each other.

“Whitney  came out with 367 votes. Courtney finished with... 367 votes as well.  And last but not least, Brianna finished with 367 votes! Ladies and gentlemen this is the first time ever in Fanderdale history that there has ever been a tie!”

The crowd was dumbstruck as they slowly began to realize what the announcer had just said. And even when things became for clear, everyone still stayed silent, focused on not having an opinion. Because everyone knew, if they changed their vote, one of the girls was bound to tear them apart. Suddenly everyone was aware that If they kept their mouth shut, they could stay safe.

“How could this happen!?” the girls yelled! “There has to be a winner!”

“I should win because I’m the leader of the pack!” Whitney screamed.

“Well, I’m the smartest! That alone should overrule both of you!” Courtney screamed back

Brianna waited until they were done, then took her turn,  “I got voted “Prettiest In The Class” last year, no one wants an ugly homecoming queen!”

As the girls got louder, the crowd grew even more hushed . Things were out of their hands by this point- but it just so happens that  Trevor stepped in to Fanderdale High just in time, for them to fall right into his.

The girls stopped talking when the door swung open. The first thing anyone saw were those new Nike shoes. Glossy, and clean. Next came the pants. Not flashy, but definitely expensive. The shirt trailed after. Tight fitting, and most definitely flattering. You could tell he was an athlete. Defined muscles showing through the fabric. And then there was his face. The last piece to the puzzle of every girls dreams. The shaggy blonde hair, the sky blue eyes. He looked like an Abercrombie model, and even in the midst of their current disaster, the girls swooned over him.

But, soon enough the first bell rung, and every boy and girl in Fanderdale high forgot about what had happened, gathered their books, and made their way to their first class. And as much as the girls had wanted to capture the heart of the newest member of their school, they had to get to class as well. So, they all three walked to their first class with their books, and a new scheme, that all of them just couldn’t wait to tell the other.

The second the first hour release bell rang, the girls were already in the hallway discussing the events for lunch time. They all had the same idea, target one person, and make them choose who the new queen would be. The two girls who weren’t chosen would then inform the principal that they gave up their position as Homecoming Queen Nominee, therefore making only one person eligible to win. All they had to do was find one person who would choose. This person had to be popular, cute, but also had to have no history with any of them. Because past events could definitely affect the decision. So, after discussing, the new kid, that had arrived earlier in the morning, would choose who he liked best. After school they would go to his locker, and the deed would be done.

Finally the school day was over and the feud between the girls would be resolved. They found the new boy, Trevor was his name according to Courtney- who had asked around during fifth hour.  Whitney tossed the homecoming crown to Trevor and he, with his athletic abilities, swiftly caught it and gave the girls a confused look. They quickly explained the situation, and he agreed to their plan. Before he had time to make a decision , Whitney quickly leaned in to make him a deal.

“I can make you popular,” she whispered, “Set you up with the right friends, the right sports teams. Dress you up in the best clothes. I could make you king of the school” Trevor considered things for a moment. But, before he could agree Courtney chimed in. 

“I could tutor you. Make you the smartest boy in school. The teachers will love you, boys will envy you, and girls will never leave you alone. Pick me and trust me, we can work something out.” Now, Trevor had two deals to choose from! Making the choice even harder! But, Courtney had talked too loud and Brianna had overheard. And she decided if they could cheat, she could cheat too.

“If you choose me, I will set you up with a girl as pretty as me. I promise. Maybe even prettier. If that’s even possible.”

Trevor was flustered. He wanted to be popular, he wanted to be smart, and a girl as pretty as Brianna would really be a treat.  He knew he had a girlfriends at his old school, but things weren’t serious anyways.  He pondered the thought, but just couldn’t shake the image of a beautiful mistress waiting for him. Brianna stood there with her golden hair woven into tight curls, and eyes like emeralds.  Without a second thought, Trevor handed the crown to Brianna. He quickly forgot about his girlfriend back home, as he eagerly awaited his new one.

The girls were angry with Brianna, but yet they were true to their word. The day after Whitney and Courtney both resigned from their position as homecoming queen nominee, and Brianna was awarded homecoming queen. Brianna kept her promise too, she had a mistress in mind, that was sure to fall head over heels for Trevor -- Shannon Seffert.

Let's Not Be Perfect

Authors Note: This is kind of a rough draft so if anyone has any suggestions for this feel free to comment because it's open to changes. It was just kind something I threw together in like 15 minutes

When I was younger I knew my boundaries.  I was realistic and a little shy. I never interrupted my parents when they were talking. I used my manners, and I knew not to bother my brothers when they had friends over. My career choices consisted of being a teacher, or a doctor. I never went through a “Pop star” phase, and college was a main priority. I never got detention, and rarely got in trouble. I was a straight A student and I had to be the best at everything I did. No matter what it took. Being the predictable average adult was my childhood dream. But, when I was that age, there really wasn’t another option. It never crossed my mind that if I really wanted to I could drop out of high school, and start my own band.  I could go to Paris, meet the love of my life, and marry him the next day. Or even move to Guatemala and make some new friends. In my eyes, going to college, getting a degree, and getting married was all it took to live a happy life. I thought being perfect was how you lived life. But, its not. When I die, and I see my life flash before my eyes, I want there to be memories. Not ones like, “Oh, my wedding day was nice” I want fun memories. Moments that sucked when they were actually happening, but are the best to look back on. I don’t want my life to be perfect anymore. I want to make mistakes. I want to learn how it really is in the real world. Have experiences. Be spontaneous. I want to be the type of person who is sitting in their living room watching TV, and randomly decides to round of up friends and go on a cross country road trip to Nevada. I don’t want my life planned out for me. I don’t want a map, or a list of things I need to do. I want life to take me wherever it wants me to go.

 I don't want to force my life. I want to live it.

Missions

Sarah is a Jewish girl living in the holocaust of 1942. One night when police come to take their family away from their home, Sarah locks her brother in a closet to keep him safe. But, when she realizes that what she did, was basically murder him, she is determined to go back and save him. She has a mission, and that is to save her brother. Lily, on the other hand, is a little white girl, who lives in the town of Tiburon, South Carolina in 1964. In a freak accident, Lily basically murdered her mother as a toddler, and now the only family she has left is her abusive dad, T-ray. The emptiness of not having her mom there, consumes her.  Now Lily is left with one mission: to find out more about her mother. Sarah and Lily are from completely different backgrounds, and yet they are so similar. They both face the struggles of death and abuse.

Sarah and Lily both have to deal with the loss of a family member. Sarah loses her mom and her dad, and eventually her brother, and Lily loses her mother. This is what makes them so determined. Sarah was determined to find her brother, because she had already lost her parents, and if her brother dies, it’s all her fault. And Lily is determined to know more about her mother since she died when lily was young. Lily needs to know what her mother was really like, because she feels as f it will make her a better person. So, when death hits them both, neither of them were depressed and moped around, both of them picked themselves up, and finished what they had to do.

Not only did both of them finish their mission, but they both faced similar struggles along the way. Both girls were abused. Sarah, being in the holocaust was abused in the camps, and Lily, was abused by her alcoholic dad.  The physical and emotional pain the girls suffered was a lot to handle. At this point both of the girls keep going, and that is what I think, makes them so similar.

Throughout the whole trip the girls put themselves through they both kept the same steady, confident attitude. But, when the outcomes are different, things are put to a drastic change.  Lily, who had been looking for information about her mother’s past, had found her mother’s old friends, and the very place her mother used to live. And Sarah, who had wanted to save her brother, failed. Lily stayed with her mother’s old friends and grew up a happy little girl. But Sarah was never the same. She became depressed, and sad. So while one girls spirits were lifted higher, the other ones were being broken.

If Sarah had saved her brother, things would have turned out much differently. They both would have grown up with the same happy attitude, but since the outcomes were different, so were the personalities. Two girls had a mission, with the same character and determination, one came out victorious, and one didn’t. And that, is what made all of the difference. 

Begin Again Point Of View

Authors Note: Don’t get me wrong, this is my favorite song at the moment, and I love it, but I thought it would just be fun a write a creative piece for it because, well... It seemed interesting.

Took a deep breath in the mirror. He didn't like it when I wore high heels. But I do. Turn the lock. and put my headphones on. He always said he didn't get this song. But I do, I do.

Walked in expecting you'd be late. But you got here early and you stand and wave. I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in. And you don't know how nice that is. But I do

And you throw your head back laughing, like a little kid. I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause, he never did. I've been spending the last 8 months thinking all love ever does is break, and burn, and end. But on a Wednesday in a café, I watched it begin again

You said you never met one girl who had as many James Taylor records as you, but I do.
We tell stories and you don't know why, I'm coming off a little shy. But I do

And you throw your head back laughing, like a little kid. I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause, he never did. I've been spending the last 8 months thinking all love ever does is break, and burn, and end. But on a Wednesday in a café, I watched it begin again

And we walked down the block, to my car. And I almost brought him up, but you start to talk about the movies that your family watches every single Christmas, And I want to talk about that.
And for the first time, what's past is past

And you throw your head back laughing, like a little kid. I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause, he never did. I've been spending the last 8 months thinking all love ever does
Is break, and burn, and end. But on a Wednesday in a café. I watched it begin again

Another text from her.

From: Taylor>:(

I have a date with him tonight<3  How are you?

I can’t help it, I laugh. David reads the text over my back.

“Cal, she is honestly insane. If I were you I would put the mental hospital on speed dial, “ I laugh even harder. He was right she was going a little insane, but if I am completely honest with myself, I’m pretty sure she always has been. Even when we were dating. She was clingy, I knew that. But, I think the thing that really drove me over the edge is that she expected a prince charming or something. I never said the right thing, and she was never content with anything I did for her.

“Remember your guys’ little shoe incident? You actually felt bad for her!” He said in a joking tone.

“Bro! She started crying! I had to do something!”

The night the shoe incident went down, was definitely when I started to realize that things between us were never going to work out. I was taking her out to dinner, no where fancy, but it had music and I was planning on dancing. And she walked downstairs really dolled up high heels, mini skirt and all. She looked fantastic, but the heels were a little much. I said, and I quote: “Babe, you look great, but the heels might be a little hard to dance in” and then I added a little dance move, to you know, to spice things up. And when I looked up, she looked like she was going to cry. She had the whole quivering lips, slumped shoulders thing going on. And I had absolutely positively no idea what I had done. I thought she stubbed her toe or something, because there was no way whatever I said could upset her to the point where she started crying.

“Whoa what’s wrong?” I asked walking over to rub her back

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU JUST SAID THAT!” She screamed in my face. Her breathe didn’t smell good either. Not one of her finest moments

“Said What!?” I asked a little frustrated

“That you don’t like my shoes! Would it kill you to give me a compliment once in a while!?” I couldn’t believe she was actually saying this. This chick was high maintenance, but I knew if I didn’t make things better now I would definitely regret it tonight.

“You know what!?,” She screamed, “If my shoes are a little hard to ‘Dance In’ then maybe I should go at all! Go home cal! Don’t call me either!!!”

And after that I just walked out the door. I had nothing to say. I felt bad for making her that upset. So I didn’t call her that night. I figured she needed time to think. Instead I took out my phone and texted David. I was done with girls, I needed videogames or something.

To David:

Hey, I’m coming over. Aite?    A’ight?

From David:

What happened to dance night with your lady!?;)

To David:

Let’s just say, never tell a girl to change out of her heels. She takes it personally

From David:

Ouch, smooth Cal. Come over, Macn’Cheese is already on the stove

To David:

That’s what I’m talking about;) be over in five

So I went over for a while, and told David everything that happened. I felt like a total girl when I was telling him my relationship problems but, someone else had to witness how NONE of this was my fault. And after some “soul searching” or whatever girls call it. I decided to call things off between us. When I told her she flipped. She screamed, and yelled, and cried and I had no idea what to do. I knew she wanted me to take her back, and I felt bad that I didn’t, but there is no way this relationship was ever going to work. So I said sorry, and left. Ever since she had gotten into the habit of texting me how in love she is with her recent dates. Sometimes it’s poems, and sometimes its songs. Most of the time David and I mock them, and I have to admit it’s pretty fun.

From: Taylor

And he threw his head back laughing like a little kid. I think it’s strange that he thinks I’m funny cause you never did...</3

A Room To Overcome

Authors note: I wrote this piece to demonstrate my knowledge of theme. But, before you start reading I would like to point out that the theme of overcoming adversity takes place in many different novels. Such as the hunger games. Katniss has to deal with the loss of her father, taking care of Prim, winning the Hiunger Games, and choosing what boy she wants. In the end she overcame all of these problems, much like the characters in this book overcame theirs.

Imagine you have been locked in an eleven by eleven foot room for seven years. Imagine that this room does not only contain just you, but it also contains a toilet, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a five year old boy that you birthed yourself. Imagine the desperation, the anxiety, the horror. Imagine the reality of Jack and his Ma. In the book ROOM by Emma Donoghue this is the situation. Along with other problems that not only have to be faced, but dealt with. So many problems in fact, that if I had to give this book a theme, overcoming adversity would definitely be it.

“Ma” as her and her son Jack call her, is kidnapped at the age of nineteen. But, seeing as the book is told from the son’s point of view, there isn’t really a lot of information about the mother from before Jack started developing memories. But, throughout the novel, the mother does drop hints that the room is a bad place to be in, and that she was extremely depressed before the birth of her child. The conversation that takes place on the first page of this book happens to be one of them. Jack talks about how when he went to bed one night he was four but when he woke up he was five. And then he continues to ask his mother if he was “minus numbers”. He asks “Up in heaven, was I minus one, minus two, minus three-?” and his mother responds with “Nah, the number’s didn’t start until you zoomed down.” Although Jacks question was answered he responded with “Through skylight. You were sad until I happened in your tummy. “ This implies that before Jack came and gave her something to fight for, Ma, was sad and probably close to giving up hope. Hints like this continue throughout the book. Such as his one “ Ma scrunches up the picture. There’s wet on the table, it makes her white all shiny. ‘Don’t be crying’ I say.’ I can’t help it’ she rubs the tears from her face. ‘Why can’t you help it?’ ‘I wish I could describe it better, I miss it’. “ And at one point she tells her son about her desperate attempts at escaping. Like trying to hit the man who comes into the room every night with a toilet lid, or digging a hole under the room with her nails. So, ma’s problem with depression disappears after the birth of her son.

Although Ma is happier then she was before, she and her son are still faced with being trapped inside of this room. They need to get out somehow but they have no idea how. They get more desperate with every day. The man who trapped them in this room is in debt, and he recently lost his job. If he doesn’t come up with enough money for the house by the end of the month, the bank will foreclose his house. And for Jack and his Ma, this means they have no food, and no electricity. The man will leave them to die in this room, and the bank would never find them in time. So they make a plan. They have Jack pretend he is dead. They roll him up in a rug, and tell the man that he has to be buried immediately. While Jack is in the car on his way to the graveyard, he unravels himself, and goes to inform a man and the poliece about the man, and about his Ma that is still trapped. They are soon free, and the conflict of being stuck in this room is resolved. Yet another reason this book is about overcoming adversity,

Even with these major problems being solved, more problems arrive.  Jack has never been in the outside world. He was born and raised inside of this room. So, he has a hard time comprehending that the things that he thought were “Just pretend” are actually real. He as a hard time with his social skills because the only other person he had every talked to was his mother. He can’t go outside without special clothes and glasses because his skin and eyes have never come in contact with direct sun. The doctors say that since he is still young he will have an easier time adjusting to everything, but even so, things get increasingly hard. He takes stuff from stores because he doesn’t understand the concept of paying for something, and let’s just say his manners need some work. But even so, throughout the book, he starts to make some progress. He spends a few nights without his mom at his grandparents house, and although he get sunburn in the process, he managed a few days outside without all of his special gear on. By the end of the book Jack is making steady progress. This problem is never fully resolved within the length of the book, but it reassures you that this problem is bound to be resolved.

Everyone has problems in their lives, some are bigger than others, and some are smaller. Some have a lot and some have a little. And some face them, and some let them linger. Jack and his Ma faced their problems, and even though it took a lot of time and work, they did it. Overcoming adversity is not an easy thing to do. But they did it, and that is exactly why that is the main theme of this book.

Trees

Trees. Lifeless; but loud. Unresponsive; yet knowledgeable. The way all of them, except things with open arms. No one had ever told them what to do. Let alone how to do it. And yet they survive. So tell me, why do trees sit here content with the world, when everyone else has a problem. People are always changing the world; making things “better”. Thinking that it will give them some sort of fulfillment or achievement. Trees die, every year, and yet they sit there, at ease. Knowing things will be better in the spring. People need to realize happiness is not a thing or a destination. It’s not somewhere you can go, and it’s not something you can change. Happiness is a feeling, and if you would just stop a moment, and let life take you where you need to go, and trust everything will be better in the end. You would experience that feeling a lot more often. If you could just be a tree, happiness will come to you. Be a tree, and believe me, everything will be okay.