20:1 let's go to college

I just want to help people. That's my goal in life, and that's what I am passionate about. But how do I get there for a career? I thought I would major in Business and start my own organization to help victims of human trafficking. But business school? If that's your thing, then props to you. I don't think it sounds very fun or interesting. So I researched other majors the university offers, and lo and behold, my sister's major sounds the most interesting to me. Why should I go to school for something I'm not interested in, anyway? So Human Development and Family Studies it is. Plus, I can get a Bachelor's degree in this as well as a minor in Psychology. And, I have enough elective credits to take American Sign Language and Spanish as well. It's all my favorite things, wrapped up into one! I am much more excited about going to college now. I'm not planning on being a counselor or anything, but these subjects interest me, and my passion for ending human trafficking will take me far down that road. I'm glad my scholarship money will now go to good use!

19:1 true beauty

I am skinny. That's just how I am. If you tell me I'm not beautiful because of it, then you're not beautiful either, because you have a bad spirit. Being envious is perfectly normal, but something that should be realized and changed into a positive thought. Sure, I see other women and am envious of traits they have and start thinking that I don't like them. Then I realize that I don't like them because I'm envious, so compliment them about that trait, and move on. I may not be able to be curvy or 5'11", but I am healthy and happy. So when people blanket the issue, saying "everyone is beautiful," how true is it? Beauty isn't defined simply on the outside- rule number one in life, right? "It's what's on the inside that counts"? So why is society still bringing physical appearance into the argument? I believe every woman, or man for that matter, has the ability to feel beautiful. However, health should be thought of as well. If someone is overweight or underweight, it's not healthy. Women should focus on working out and eating right to be fit and healthy, instead of looking a certain way. There are different body types and which ones are "prettiest"? Healthy, happy ones.
Believe me- I always feel more beautiful and confident when I have a good outfit on, with some makeup to go with it. But makeup or good shoes can't fix an envious soul. I believe that women need to learn, or be taught, how to appreciate themselves and what they do to feel beautiful- putting on some lipstick, helping someone in need, etc. We can't keep going back and forth on the debate over which body type is more attractive. If you're healthy and a kind person, then yes, I believe you are beautiful. More people, I think, would be able to feel this way if they stopped turning envy into hate and negativity. Appreciate what other people have, as well as what you have. You can't change your body type, but you can change your attitude.

18:1 princesses

There has been a lot of hype lately about Disney's Frozen and the strong female characters. Everyone is saying this is the first Disney princess to fight for herself and not need a man. However, what about Mulan? She posed as a man and fought in the military- ending up saving her country. In the end, she doesn't get married either. And, I think the classic Disney princesses deserve some more respect. Sure, Disney lightened the stories form their origins a bit, but each still teaches their audience, especially young girls, valuable lessons. Each princess stands up for what she believes in, even if she gets married to a mysterious, handsome man very quickly.

In Beauty and the Beast, Disney shows that you should be yourself and not worry what other people think. That just because someone, like Gaston, is revered, doesn't mean they're a good person. Belle, her father, and the beast are all persecuted because they are different. When they "win" in the end of the movie, it shows that being yourself is so much more possible than being popular.

Cinderella lost both her parents and deals with unappreciative relatives every day- but she always stays positive- and look how that ended up for her? She married the prince! Her confidence may quite well have been the deciding factor between her and all the other beautiful maidens. She knew what she wanted in life, and realized that nothing is perfect, but that everything can be appreciated. 

These classic princesses, like any of the others, did marry right away, but if it's true love, and they felt it, then why not? These stories are not teaching young girls that they must be saved, or that they need a handsome man for a good life. They teach girls that you should be yourself, be strong, and be positive to make your dreams come true. 

17:1 "if i should have a daughter"

Ever since I watched her poem on a TED conference a couple years ago, Sarah Kay's "If I Should Have a Daughter" has always resonated with me. Not only does it explain what I wish for my future children, but what I hope for myself, and what my  mom has encouraged of me. Kay wishes to let her daughter grow and shine, and support her even when things don't go her way. She wishes for her daughter to keep an open mind and accept that no matter how hard she tries, she cannot do everything. To apologize when she's done something wrong, but never to apologize for the light in her eyes.

I havve had somme major opportuunities come knocking recently, and my mom has already enforced that I should not let them change me. She has always done her best to keep me humble and kind, though I do not always meet her expectations. However, she knows I am human too, and cannot be perfect. She encourages me to follow my passions and be independent. As I've been maturing I have been learning to follow different mantras in order to be my best self: "just do it", "hakuna matata: it means no worries", "you can't win if you don't try", "20 seconds of courage", "fake it 'til you make it", and  "happiness is a choice." These can all be tough to follow, but I know they are all in my best innterest. I am very thankful that my mom (and dad) has/have raised me to be confident, independent, and open-minded. I'm not in any way saying I'm perfect- everyone could be a better person somehow- but I choose to be happy and I'm working on being more positive, loving, and caring, and that's a good place to start. 

As I progress with my attitudes and choices, I hope everyone takes Kay's wishes for her daughter, not just for their children, but for him/herself as well. 

16:1 poetry

I've never been really into poetry, but I never reallly was against it either. Then I started AP Lit. I still don't despise poetry, but I don't like analyzing it how College Board wants us to. I prefer to read or listen to a poem, think about what I feel it's about, and enjoy the art that way. Instead, we have to figure out what the greatest poets were thinking and analyze it, all in about 7 minutes per poem. Sometimes I don't understand poems, and that's that. So now that I have to be the best poet analyist in order to do well on the test, it's frustrating. I look at a poem, I read it again, and again, and again. I look at the questions, and read the poem again. But sometimes it stil just doesn't click. So, at least for homework, I can look online and see what other people have analyzed the poem to mean, and even that's not always right. So then I'm left very frustrated, beginning to develop feelings against poetry. Why can't we just read some good heart-felt poetry that is deep but accessible, and talk aboutt that? I'd much prefer that than analyzing a piece by Emily Dickinson in 7 minutes while taking an AP class. 

15:1 Water for Elephants

Sara Gruen's novel, Water for Elephants, is a surprisingly captivating story. The author uses literary frames to descibe Jacob Jankowski's life of the past and present. I first decided to read the novel upon coming across it in a thrift store, when I remembered how interesting the movie trailer seemed, though the goal of movie trailers is to make a story look exciting, in order to attract viewers. I figured I would give the book a shot, as it would be good for me to read anyway. I'm glad I made this decision.

Based on Gruen's findings during extensive circus research, the characters and the plot come together to make a high-action, awe-striking story. The story is filled with murder, greed, love, and passion. I believe the novel could be classified as a bildungsfoman, as Jacob is transformed from a vetrinary student to a man, built by his experiences with the circus. 

It might not be the most appropriate book, and I could see reasons why it might not be the book for everyone, but it is definitely one of my favorites now. The novel combined all the commponents I look for in a story, and did not disappoint. If you love action, adventure, romance, and mystery, all with surprising plot twists, this book is for you. 

13:2 Nelson Mandela

  Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He would grow up to be perhaps one of the greatest leaders of civil rights movements in the world. Mandela and what he fought for can be related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both men had been discriminated against and imprisoned for taking action, but neither man resorted to violence as a means to solve conflicts. Mandela is revered by people all over the world for his determination, strength, and standing up for what is right.

            Apartheid South Africa separated the blacks from the whites, discriminating against blacks similar to Jim Crow laws in the southern parts of the United States. Mandela’s father died when Nelson was young, but he grew hearing stories of great ancestors fighting the apartheid. This is how Mandela became involved with the fight for civil rights. He began studying law and working with the African National Congress. Mandela then developed the ANC Youth League and worked on more radical-based programs for the organization. He was often in and out of imprisonment from leaving the country illegally and working against the government with the ANC, which was banned. Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison, missing his mother’s and son’s funerals. One imprisonment was for gathering protesters and workers to go on strike. He received a life sentence after his famous “Speech from the Dock” in 1964, in which he declared, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

            After the ban on the ANC was released, Mandela was free from imprisonment. He then won a Nobel Peace Prize, voted for the first time, and was elected the first president of democratic South Africa. Mandela’s later life included starting the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Mandela Rhodes Foundation; writing books about himself; working with the Fifa World Cup; meeting with the First Lady and her daughters; and spending much time with his family (as well as in the hospital). His age caught up with him, ending with his death on December 5, 2013. Mandela, then 95, proved to be a true activist and voice for the victims of the discrimination in apartheid South Africa. Not only did he never give up, but Mandela also did not resort to violence, which happens with so many passionate people. Mandela will forever be remembered as the face of democratic South Africa as well as racial equality and social justice.