... with the utmost respect because they have suffered in the past and have helped in creating us. We are a very religious culture and that can be seen at the many festivals honouring various saints. When my family visited Portugal, my breath was taken away by the beautiful sights and simple life on the farm. Nobody had a rushing schedule and everything felt as peace. They lived day to day on the food they grew and the milk from their cows. In my eyes, this kind of life is very fulfilling. There was always something fun to do and I was always spotted playing with the cows and chickens. Farm animals are only one type of animal I adore. I own three dogs, a bird and ...

... one problem in my life – I’m always lonely. I was looking for Mrs. Right for centuries with no luck. I want to have family, infants at my nest, and duties to do. I can’t live alone. My solitude is killing me. The worst thing about being phoenix is that I’m born to be male once, and then the next time I resurrect I’m female. When I’m in state of being male I’m Ho and when I’m female – I’m Oo. Though I know that I’m the only phoenix on the earth, I still hope and pray that I will find my soul mate and live happily ever after. People who know legends about me say I’m the Bird of Paradise or the Bird of Sun. Well they might be right. I receive solar energy fro ...

... or do something that they don't really enjoy in order to make their parents proud. The problem with saying "as long as you do you best" is that when I know I could have done a better job, I have a sort of guilty feeling. I hate it when I get a mediocre mark or fail in something and my parents say "as long as you tried your hardest." It gets quite annoying when I second guess myself about what I could have done. However, when I know I did the work as well as I could and it isn't a good mark, I don't worry about it as much as some people might. In conclusion, the piece of advice that I receive most often from my parents is basically a good one, an ...

... been painted black and thrown over their heads with just two tiny holes where the eyes would be. The other figure then said "whats it gunna be lady, trick or treat?" Jess opened the door fully now and beckoned them to come inside. "Just wait here", she said as she ran up the stairs and into the bathroom where Sal was still combing her hair. "Sal what should I give those two boys", asked Jess. "I dunno give them one of those chocolate things near the fridge", Sal replied. Jess turned and went back down the stairs into the kitchen to find the bars. "Are you still there boys?", she yelled. But there was no reply. Jess stopped and went back to the ...

... and theories, and without the freedom of speech, many of the enlightening ideas that I have received could have passed me by, restricting my learning and intellectual expansion. Try as we, the people and lawmakers might, it is impossible to restrict a person from doing whatever is their desire and in their grasp. Any person, at any time, can say anything they want to. And for good reason. We are a democracy where the people make the rules, and the people own the country. The place that the government should step in is when it endangers, damages, or insults another human being. When the leaders of our country wrote the constitution of the United States, they knew ...

... as we are. During my years in high school, Lori was there in the same school ready to yell hello in a crowded hallway. At first, this was the most embarrassing thing that she could do to me, because other kids would tease me and ask if she was my girlfriend, just stupid shit that kids do. As time progressed I became more educated on why Lori acted the way she did. For me, the more I understood, the more patience and compassion I had for her and people like her. During my Junior and Senior years of school I took a class (with much prodding from Lori) which involved going into the special education classroom and helping these kids. Not only did I help teach ...

... pots, new dyes to make everything around very pretty. This is a very enjoyable time for me. JADIE: Yes, Yes, how true. Especially the pretty things. Our dresses are brightly colored and extremely detailed, as that was the movement in fashion of our time. These things are very expensive and only royalty such as ourselves can afford such a luxury. LAUREN: Say, do you know what's for dinner tonight? JADIE: Silly girl! Its what we have every night in the castle Ingvey, Everything! A feast of huge proportions. Bread, cheese, meat, fish, vegetables… all made fresh by the peasants this morning. Yes, what a glorious time to live. LAUREN: And you people (loo ...

... the thing is, their a normal family, just like any other. They went on trips in the summer, and spring, and this time came back to a message on the lawn. I sat there that day watching cars go by their house as if it were haunted or something. I guess it can happen anywhere. But this snow-covered house is still a reflection of America, white on top with a hatred burning underneath. I go to a college, where the races meet every day. Colored man helps white man; white man helps colored man. Doesn't sound right ? That's how bad our society has gotten. Disturbing? Of course. But what is more disturbing is, lately when these issues of racism have come up, there seems ...

... one hour before I got through with work. All of a sudden my phone rings, and it was my mother-in-law "wondering" if I wanted a couple of free view box tickets and a parking pass, for that nights Ranger game. I couldn't have been more excited, much less believe my luck. After I got off work , and picked up the tickets, I raced home to get my wife and son ready to go. Over the next half hour, I almost regretted having to bring my son, what with the hassle of getting the diaper bag packed , the traffic, and fighting the crowds while pushing a stroller. It was hectic, but I survived. Finally we were situated and ready for the game. The singing of the nat ...

... dead brown leaves among the forest floor and pushed them all over her body as she lay down on the cold black dirt. Jennifer became worried that "the man" or one of his "best friends" would find her. What would she do? She began searching for something sharp - like a twig or a stone. Her hand enclosed on a smooth metal oval-shaped rock. Then, she remembered that it was a swiss army knife which she stole from the house as she made her escape. After shrugging off practicing how to use the knife, Jennifer concluded that when the time came, she would know how to use it. Being thoroughly exhausted did not ameliorate her survival instinct. She began to become i ...