Pain

Dear Unknown Entity,

I have found that many of your lessons to Junior pertain directly to AP English 11. At the beginning of Junior's life, you explained to him that "no one likes change unless it is from something bad to something good" (7). In my AP English 11 class, I have found that many would agree with this statement. Many would agree that the change in work load and amount of endless stress AP students faced their junior year remained unpleasant and definitely not desired. However, I would have to say, the change into a more dependent and knowledgable student definitely enabled my continued learning and belief that "anything, anything, anything is possible" (302). Like Junior, I have found that time is of the essence and we must use our time to our full advantage. In AP English 11, we thoroughly learned time management through in class essays. We developed skills that we believe to be impossible at the beginning of the year and gradually worked our way toward greatness. However, this greatness came with a toll as many of us faced detrimental grade drops, occassional "why am I taking this again?," and the numerous sleepless nights. However, Ms. Serensky, similar to you, has taught us to "seek the meaning in sorrow" (292). She enabled us to use our pain as a tool to become even better students. By the end of AP English 11, I was able to appreciate all of the hardships of the class and recognize that pain is necessary to develop and grow. I feel as though your guidance with Junior has helped him to realize this as well. I applaud you for your tremendous patience.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Butler

Let It Shine

As Cleveland weather continues to fluctuate in these brutal winter seasons, I have noticed the gradual change to warmer weather creates a gradual change in my attitude. I grew up in Los Angeles, California and met each day with sunshine and warmth. Upon moving to Chagrin Falls, my usual daily temperatures dropped dramatically. As a result of this change, I find myself with a less positive attitude in the winter months. I feel as though the weather greatly influences a persons' emotions. Roaming outside with sprouting flowers and no snow brings me hope for warmer weather and a time when I will branch out of my depressed winter mentality. Cleveland's horrible weather has prohibited me from leaving my house. The numerous activities I engage in during the summer become only memories as I stare at my wall trying to reinvent an activty equivilent to the adventures outdoors. At work, the customers are much more approachable and friendly as spring comes and the hope for laying out on a warm summer day becomes more realistic. However, why can just a slight change in temperature affect an individuals whole lifestyle? Some reasons for this effect could come from a change of apparel. In the summer, one has many more clothing options without having to coordinate a coat with an outfit. Also, the morning sun and evening sunset allows for a longer day and a brighter greeting every morning when the last thing we want to do is go to school. The sunshine gives me a brighter outlook on the day ahead and reminds me of the summer soon to come.

The Little Things

These past couple weeks, I have had many little moments that have surprisingly affected me in negative ways. One that is predominant in my mind occurred yesterday night. Allison and I arrived at lifetime fitness to find chaos in the parking lot. We knew that at this rush hour time slot, it would take ages to find a parking spot. Finally, after ten minutes, Allison and I scope out a car slowly making its way out of the parking space. Eager to claim the spot, Allison turns on her blinker and we patiently wait to pull into the space. Finally, the car pulls away and we continue to pull forward. Out of nowhere, an adult in a bulky SUV swings in front of our car and takes the spot. The woman didn't even seem phased by her rude action. I cannot even explain the frustration and shock Allison and I faced at this moment. We clearly were waiting for the spot and a grown women felt the need to take what was blatantly not hers. I know this little rant sounds completely foolish, but I have found little acts such as this one always seem to linger in ones' mind for the longest time. On numerous occassions, customers at Chagrin Pet and Garden will feel as though they can treat us with no respect. They will make rude comments, tap their foot from their impatience, or talk on the phone while we attempt to figure out what they want to purchase. I fear that I hold my expectations of the goodness of others way too high. How much should we expect from others? I feel as though I want to recieve the respect that I give to others. Unfortunately, many individuals to not understand the concept of this golden rule. In reality, individuals can act as kind or cruel as they want to be. I can only hope others will recognize when their selfishness has gone way too far.

Where Has It All Gone?

Restaurant      At Home Meal 

The other day my father and I were looking through my past purchases over the month. As a high school girl, my father expected  numerous tabs from beachwood mall and other clothes stores. Sadly,  I wasted one of my whole pay checks on nothing, but food and gas. To make the matter worse, the result of my mutiple gas purchases only occurred beause of my need to go out for food everyday during the weekend. This makes me ask myself multiple questions. Why do I eat so much? When is too much food too much food? How does restaurant food remain so appealing? Are the numerous food choices the attraction, or the fact the food comes from the effort of another? I find my impulse to eat out a result of complete laziness and my frustration with the limited choices I find in my own pantry. The most frustrating thing about meals is having to make a concoction that you, in five minutes, will not even want to eat. Then, after the meal, you must clean up. If you neglect this task, your parents run in yelling about how they "just cleaned the kitchen" (when really you cleaned it yourself an hour before). This leads to only further frustration and a complete ruin of the amazing meal you dreamed of having. So where has the money all gone? The money has gone to a hungry stomach and a lazy mindset.

Paper vs. Data Sheet

Deeper thinking results in severe migrane.

For Real?

After reading our novel Amsterdam, I can't help but question the sincerity of those around me. Vernon, who obviously remains a horrible friend to Clive, remains secretive toward his unfriendly ways in the eyes of his peers. How can we truly know people are sincere? Can one believe everything the other says? The truth is, we are all guilty. Everyone has there moments when disguising your true feelings is necessary in the situation.  I find this alot while working on the weekends. A customer will browse in and take there sweet old time. Occassionally, they will ask a question and argue for a better price on dog food. When I first started working there I ended up waiting on some nasty customers. The worst ones I have come to find either won't make eye contact or have their cell phones glued to their face.  However, being the loyal employee (who doesn't want to lose her job), I must smile politely and act as though they aren't being the most annoying person in the world. As I said, we are ALL guilty. However, I can't help but question where to draw the line. How can someone recognize a real smile from a fake one? One can never know what exactly goes through the mind of others. Although this can be frustrating, in a way it is a blessing. I would love to say people always tell the truth, but that would be me not telling the truth. Sometimes, it is just better to be fooled by a lie then face the ugly truth. 

Time?

After our poem assigned for class Monday, Ms. Serensky wrote a similarly themed quote that caught my attention in today's class. As I recall, William Penn quoted "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." I have to agree, time plays a huge role in our lives. Ironically, I began thinking about the concept of time last night in my family room. This subject seems to bring upon endless questions that will always remain unanswered. When did we begin? When will life end? What is time? Like I said, we will never know. But, what should we do about this uncertainty? Penn implies that most people do not use their time wisely and hope to have more time rather than enjoying the time given. In a sense, I agree that many individuals take advantage of their lives without the recognition that their lives have to come to an end. However, striving away from this pessimistic mindset, I am a firm believer in the claim that everything happens for a reason. The time spent on one thing leads to the time spent on another. Why should one feel they have wasted their life away when they need certain events to prompt others? Time does set limits on ones' lifestyle. However, these limits prompt the accumulation of important things in ones' life. Time allows one to recognize what they truly care about. In a way, time limits discourage wasted time, but, rather, encourage one to use their time wisely. With the uncertainy time presents, one can only hope they use time to their full advantage.