What My Family Means to Me

by Lauren Burns

Many people say how much their family annoys them, however I think that my family is a blessing! Each one of my family members means the world to me. They each impact my life in special way. They all help me learn lessons that will prepare me for life.

First my dad. My dad is the greatest dad I could ask for. He is always willing to help me with school and athletics He always is up for a bike ride, a hiking trip, or a trip to the movies. I always enjoy going to lunch with him and just talking. He also works really hard for us and provides for our family. A year and a half ago, my dad was shot in the leg while working on the police force. This incident grew our family together, more than we could have imagined. It helped me appreciate my dad, and realize how special he is to me. Even through it all my dad kept a good attitude and was a great influence on me.  Like I said he is the best dad ever.

Next, my mom. My mom is the perfect mom for me! She makes delicious food, she helps me with my school, and is always there for me. She loves to shop and I go with her most of the time. However, I usually can’t find anything that fits me, so half of our shopping trips are me constantly asking to go home. But, she still takes me with her. Isn’t she so patient! My mom also puts up with my shenanigans. Believe it or not I’m usually pretty hyper and am always being crazy. My mom is always willing to help me and is the most amazing mom I could ask for.

Okay, my brothers. My house is usually pretty crazy. I mean four younger brothers doesn’t exactly correlate with quiet. However, even with their craziness, my brothers are still pretty fun. They will always jump on the trampoline with me or just mess around with me in the backyard. We also have a fun time spying on our neighbors, from the trampoline of course. And about everyday we will play football.

A month ago, I was playing football with my brothers, uncles, my dad, and my cousins and I broke my arm. My other brother also broke his arm a few months earlier playing soccer. They’re pretty tough, obviously, but I’m pretty tough because of it.  Besides being stared at by everyone in a restaurant because of the craziness at our table. We argue sometimes, but it helps us work our our differences. Without them I wouldn’t be as patient, as social, or as good of an athlete.

Now, I would love to say I have at least one sister, but alas I do not. But I do have two girl cousins who are very close to my age. They are the best cousins ever and we have always have a blast together. We enjoy watching movies, playing sock monkeys, (Yes, it may seem kind of little kid-ish but, we have fun anyway) and doing many arts and crafts. We love to blast music, jump on the trampoline, and yell silly things at their neighbors.

Last year my dad’s family rented a house in the mountains. My cousins and I had a blast playing Just Dance, staying up late and eating Cheez-Its, messing around with our hair, and making crazy obstacle course shows! Even though we live three hours away, I consider them my sisters. They are always willing to do girly things with me, which is something I don’t usually do. They are the best cousins ever and I can almost consider them sisters and they are always there for me.

My family is the perfect family for me! They teach me patience, to always look on the bright side, and to work as hard as I can. They are always willing to support me. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

The Act That Changed It All

By Jaden

There are a lot of different people in this world who do good things, bad things, incredible things, heart warming things, and in my case, something that will change a person’s life forever. That’s exactly what a family did for me. On October 10, 2003 in the Hunan province of Chang De, China, a baby girl was born. Unfortunately, for some reason, her parents were unable to care for her and she was later found abandoned at the police station. It could be because, in China, there was a law that every couple could only have one child, or pay a massive fine or even be arrested. China is known for having the largest population in the world; 7.4  billion people. It is also known for having the biggest adoption program in the world. Since the population is so large, the government put great pressure on parents to keep their families small, which forced many to put their second child up for adoption. Most of the parents couldn’t afford to pay the fine or go to jail. The government monitored the families and enforced the law, meaning parents had no choice but to give up all their children except for one, usually a boy who could work on the farm.

That little girl who came into this situation in 2003 is someone I know very well; me, who had been given the name Chang Shuang Ying. I spent a year and two months in a government run orphanage. Looking back, I can tell that, if I had stayed in the orphanage, I would  have had very little opportunity for a loving family and a happy life.

On December 8, 2004, that all changed. A family from America, known as the Eichers, came to adopt me. Even though the video showed me screaming my head off, this would turn out to be the happiest day of my life. A whole new world was awaiting me. The act that my new family did really changed my life by giving me hope for a bright future.

In the present, I’ve learned a lot about China; such as how there aren’t as many opportunities as we have here in America. Kids our age are working in factories, making toys and other products, and lots of the children at a young age work on farms  instead of going to school, playing with friends , or spending time with family.

I have a beautiful house with my own bedroom. I’m able to take private singing lessons that help me earn amazing roles in theater productions. Also, I’ve studied many different styles of dance, such as ballet and tap. I love traveling to different places, like Florida, where I swim in the clear blue ocean, going under big waves, and boogie boarding on top with my funny loving dad. I probably would not be able to have these opportunities if I wasn’t adopted by an American family who I love so much.

Mission Trip

By Alyssa Weil

    Up until four years ago I portrayed life like a fairy tale; everyone goes to college, gets married, then lives happily ever after. No problem right? When I went on a mission trip to Texas with my youth group when I was ten, I realized that there are kids out there who have more problems than failing a test or not getting what they wanted for Christmas or whatever. (Not that I was ever spoiled)

When we arrived in Texas the first thing I thought was “It’s so hot and humid and I just want to go home now." I found myself having a five minute pity-party, and by the number of bug bites I got during the week, I might as well have been a mosquito magnet! I look back now and I’m so glad I didn’t have the choice of coming back. Our first activity was that we spent a day entertaining a group of unfortunate kids who grew up on the streets and were either neglected and/or abused by their parents. The camp was at a church so they could play sports, games, and be educated in a safe environment. All the kids seemed way too independent and mature for their age, and had all been through a lot, especially some of the really young ones.

Although it was a different experience, I had a lot of fun playing soccer and volleyball, watching movies, and getting to know the kids. I became friends with a bright girl who was a little older than me, and asked “How do you stay positive even though you have been through so much and have so little?” She said “I’ve learned to take nothing for granted and instead of relying on other people for enjoying life, I try to stay optimistic about every opportunity that comes my way.” I let that sink in and felt that I should try to do the same.

    So besides the mosquitos, broken showers, and humidity, this trip was really fun and taught me some incredible life lessons. Our group did a lot more in Texas, including feeding the homeless, cleaning school busses, and at the end we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Six Flags. All of those experiences were amazing, but I learned the most from the girl I met at the camp. So whenever I have a problem come my way, I just think of her and try to see things in a different perspective. No matter where you start in life, you can always end on a good note.

My Secret Talent

By Annika Tuka

“What would you like for Christmas?” my dad asked me one cold winter day. 

“I want a real camera, like you and mom!” my six-year-old self exclaimed.  

With an amused look on his face my dad said ok and walked away.  Little did I know I would not be getting a camera anytime soon.  When I was younger I had always loved photography, and looking at beautiful pictures inspired me to take some of my own.  Sadly, everyone thought I was “too young” so that year I received a plastic, pink, princess camera.  I was sad and angry, “was I not a good enough photographer?” Finally in 2012, I received my first camera for Christmas, I was so happy and excited to start taking many pictures.  Over the years I practiced taking pictures determined to get better.

Photography has made me look at things differently.  I look at the simple things, for example trees, streets, cars passing, and make them look so beautiful in my mind.  I think everything would look beautiful in a picture.  Sometimes I wish that my eyes could take pictures, because sometimes I don’t have a camera on me to take a picture of that moment.  Eyes have a different perspective on things, they see and adjust better than cameras.  

Over a couple years, I practiced taking photos.  Even if they were bad, I would save them to look back on later.  I would search up photography tips and study about how to use a camera right, different perspectives, light and shadow, I practiced, determined to put all I had learned to good use.  Like everyone says, ‘Practice makes perfect,’ this saying is old and cheesy but it is so true.  Being on different social media I have seen many photos, well taken, and not.  Looking at all those photos taken everyday inspired me to do the same.

I am not the best photographer in the world, nor am I the most educated, but photography is something that I love.  Photography has made me look at things differently and has helped me capture memories and moments in my life that I would never want to forget.  I know that every photo that I take I will look back on in the future and remember every moment.  “Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.”

Adolf Hitler

  By Jaden      

                                                                 

“He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future” Adolf Hitler was born in    Braunau am Inn, Austria on April 20, 1889. As a young, child his parents Klara Hitler and Alois Hitler sent him to  boarding schools who’s teachers physical punished him.(2) His father had a very short temper and   took out his anger on Adolf. Hitler was physically abused by his father. Adolf’s dad died, freeing him of his father’s abuse. “Struggle is the father of all things. It is not by the principles of humanity that man lives or is able to preserve himself above the animal world, but solely by means of the most brutal struggle.” Hitler was a very unic person with very exctreme views, greedy for power,  very direct, cruel, and heartless. Hitler used to be a very loving smart person until his younger brother Edmund died of the measles on February second 1900. This deeply afected Hitler. He instently changeden him from being a confedaint outgoing person into a morose detached sullen boy.  (11)He did very poorly in secondary school and withdraw from socializing with his friends.(9)  He was very  interested in wars. When Hitler was 16 he dreamed to become an artist but, when he applied to the school of fine arts they did not except him.(2)

     

        As a young adult he joined the German army. They assigned him to be a message runner in World War 1.(1) After being blinded by a gas attack in Flanders the army award him with a Iron Cross 2nd Class and was promoted from private to corporal.(1) Hitler stayed in the army and was promoted to the Intelligence division. He was then assigned to spy on other army radicle parties that the Germans thought were a threat to them. (1)In 19019 he joined the Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP/NAZI). He became the leader of the Nazi one year later.(1)

   Hitler then he was appointed Chancellor in January 1933. When Paul Hindenburg died Hitler became president and aggressively started invading countries.  On September 1939 Hitler  ordered the invasion on Poland. England and France then declared war on Germany.

         In 1933, Hitler established 1,200 concentration camps. Hitler didn’t like many different groups of people including the Polish, Catholics, Serbs, Jews , and handicapped people. Hitler hated the Jewish people he considered them less than human. `He believed in Darwinism which, he wanted to populate with a superior race. Jews and other victims were sent to the camps to be held prisoners. In these camps, there was forced labor, brutal mistreatment, hunger, disease, and random executions. (1)(10)Once the world saw pictures of dead bodies of all ages, filmings of thousands of people being executed, they were horrified. About 500,000 and perhaps as many as over three-quarters of a million died in concentration camps, including six million Jewish people and one million Jewish children were murdered.(1)

"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.

         

      The British bombed Germany which brought the war into their own country.(7) The Allies attacked Germany on June 6, 1944 and this day is often called D/day. Thousands of Us troops battled and the German finally surrendered on May 7, 1945. In Germany, Adolf Hitler was sent to prison with his wife Eva Bruan for five years for leading the Nazis’ unsuccessful “Beer Hall Putsch” in the German state of Bavaria.(7) When he was in jail he made a promise to his small army. “When my last soldier falls I will shoot myself.” On April 30, 1945 Hitler’s bodyguard Rochus Misch heard the gunshot in hitler’s bunk room. He ran to the bunk room opened the door and found Hitler and his wife dead on the sofa.(3)

Adolf Hitler was one of the most powerful and horrible man known in history. Also if you think about it, what would happen if the School Of Arts accepted him, and if his parents loved him? Would he still be the horrible man the world knows?

Bio Work Cited

1."Adolf Hitler." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.

Adolf Hitler was the leader of NaziGermany from 1934 to 1945

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3. Baumann, H.D. "Hitler's Escape by H. D. Baumann/Ron T. Hansig." Hitler's Escape by H. D. Baumann/Ron T. Hansig. 2004-2014, Ron T. Hansig and H. D. Baumann - All Rights Reserved., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.

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8.        Rosenburg, Jennifer. "Adolf Hitler." Http://history1900s.about.com/od/hitleradolf/a/Hitler-Facts.htm. 2016 About.com — All Rights Reserved., n.d. Web. 6 Jan. 2016.

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11. Quotes

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Marilyn Monroe

“‘I am good, but not an angel.  I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love’” (1). Marilyn Monroe, model, actress, singer and one of the most famous women of the twentieth century.  Marilyn was born and baptised as Norma Jeane Baker, on June 1st 1926.  Monroe had a difficult childhood, she spent most of her time in foster homes and orphanages (2). She never knew who her father was, she only met her half-sister a handful of times and her mother developed psychiatric problems and was hospitalized eventually being put into a mental institution. How could a girl with no family be so successful?

Marilyn’s mother never wanted to own her, and shortly after her mother was hospitalized, Marilyn left her home and went into the foster care system. For a short time, Grace, a family friend took Marilyn in and cared for her, but when Grace’s husband had to move up the east coast for his job, Marilyn was left behind (2).  Having nowhere to go she returned to life in foster homes.  For nine years Marilyn was abused in many ways, but she found out that the only way to escape was to get married.  At the age of 16 she married her boyfriend Jimmy Dougherty, but being a merchant marine Jimmy was sent to the South Pacific (6).  Marilyn went to work in a munitions factory in Burbank where she was discovered by a photographer who was passing through town (6).  That photographer took one look at Marilyn, and saw she was a beautiful, hard working girl and knew she would be a perfect model.  This was a dream come true for Marilyn, who always wanted to be a model/actor.  Monroe had a successful career as a model in 1946, and that was around the time that she changed her name officially to Marilyn Monroe (previously Norma Jeane Baker).  She did this to prep for her acting career.

In 1946 after Marilyn’s divorce with Dougherty she signed her first movie contract. Sadly her acting career didn’t launch until 1950 when she played a small part in The Asphalt Jungle (3).  That same year she impressed audiences with her part in All About Eve (3).  Later Marilyn starred in five more films which helped her to receive various honors and attracting large audiences.  Monroe became an international star but soon grew tired of dumb blonde roles, so she moved to New York where she returned to the screen in a comedy film.  Later she earned the honor of “Best Actress in Comedy” at the 1959 Golden Globe awards (2).  In 1961 Marilyn starred in The Misfits, her last completed film, and in 1962 she was dismissed from filming Something’s Got To Give (2).  The reason for this is because Monroe suffered from pre-performance anxiety.  This made her incredibly ill, making her late to shows and making her miss some filming days altogether.  This was, sadly, the reason for the end of Marilyn Monroe’s acting career.                       

On August 5, 1962, at age 36, Marilyn Monroe died in her home in Los Angeles (6).  There are many rumors on to how and why she died, the most common being, suicide, murder, or a drug overdose but no one knows exactly what happened (2).  During her career, Marilyn’s films received over $200 million.  Today she is still considered the world’s most popular icon of beauty, and she is remembered for her sense of humor and wit (2).  Marilyn Monroe has been imitated by many celebrities including Madonna, Lady GaGa, and Gwen Stefani, and has also been portrayed in a few films.  More than twenty books have been published about her; one being a book on rarely seen photographs of Marilyn, taken by famous photographer, Sam Shaw (2).  It is surprising to think that, now, more than half a century later, the world is still fascinated by her beauty and talent.  

Even though Marilyn Monroe’s life was short she accomplished many things.  Including, starring in over 30 films, attracting large audiences, and modeling for many magazines and newspapers.  Her life showed a broken girl rising to be one of the most famous women of the twentieth century.  She was talked about then, now, and will be talked about generations to come.  “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”   

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