... field own by the Khmer Rouge and many of them did not received anything to eat until they died. When my parents had their lives threaten, they decided to go to America, the land of opportunity. We escaped from Cambodia twice, the first time we got caught and were sent to jail for one day. The second time, we escaped into Thailand and stayed there for about one year. My aunt living in the United States decided to bring my family to the United State, so we made the long and tuff struggle to America. We went to the Philippine Island for six months so that were medically prepared to go to the United States. After six months we were given a departure date. Durin ...

... de rigueur.) Always, we were admonished to copy "every dot and comma", making an exact transcription of the original, since any variation in the ceremony might cause major problems for the magician. Seldom, if ever, did anyone pause to consider where these rituals came from in the first place, or who composed them. Most of us, alas, did not know and did not care. It was enough just to follow the rubrics and do the rituals as prescribed. But something brought me to an abrupt halt in my copying frenzy. I had dutifully copied rituals from different sources, and suddenly realized they contained conflicting elements. I found myself comparing the two versions, ...

... used by the bears for climbing stood in the center of the pit. The bears were covered with long and stiff black hair and their bodies seemed fat and heavy. They walked to and fro and occasionally one would climb up the tree truck. The biggest attraction, however, seemed to center around the monkeys’ cage. The monkeys were continuously jumping and swinging about in their large cage. They looked very alert and stared back at the people. Some of them clung to the iron bars, waiting for someone to hand them a banana or some peanuts. We left the monkeys’ cage and went to see the elephants. They were wandering loose in an open area, which was surrounded by large ...

... minivan fears over the future began to surface in his head. "Will I make friends?" "Will I be comfortable so many miles away from home?" As these thoughts raced through his mind he felt alone and a cold shiver was sent through his body. He was no afraid and cold in the hot summer air. He knew consciously and logically that he was not alone. For his mother and grandmother sat next to him in the minivan and would do whatever they could to help him. But yet he realized something had changed. They were there but would some be gone and that he must draw strength, self-confidence, and a sense of security from within himself and not rely on the people around him to fulfil ...

... one of the most closely guarded commodities available, their budget. Before walking into the meeting, I had planned what slides I would show, what I would say. I needed to sound competent, but did not want to sound arrogant. These were respected members of the engineering community. Men and women who had been in my position. I rehearsed my presentation, timed it, practiced it in front of my peers until I felt comfortable with it. It had all the information necessary: sponsorship levels and benefits, along with some slides showing preliminary designs. Regardless of my planning, nothing prepared me for the anxiety I felt when I walked into the conference room. ...

... to the living room. The furniture in the living room is made of black leather that catches the reflection of the burning fire in the fire place positioned in the center of the wall. At the end of the stairs you see a large wooden door, as you open it, you find yourself in a gigantic library. All of the books are placed in alphabetical order and contain most of the topics. To the left of the library there are countless doors on both sides of the hallway. Each door is the entrance to a room that is made for a specific theme. The themes would be based on my favorite movies, places, activities, etc. The third floor contains my bedroom, my office , three b ...

... to venture out of the castle walls, or even let down the drawbridge, for fear of becoming Threashmis' next meal. King Lenson grieved deeply over his departed friend. He then asked for volunteers to hunt down the scatheful beast. The reaction to his request was pathetic, not a man stood. It seemed as though King Lenson's valiant knights were nothing more than a flock of recreants. At last Sir. Baldric stepped forward, he had risen to the occasion, proving true to his troth. He was truly a stalwart knight. Early the next morning Baldric awakened, in preparation for his endeavor. He dressed himself with care, methodically arranging his raiment. As he pulled his hau ...

... my black combat boots. When there wasn't any leaves on the ground my black boots sank into the rich black soil like your foot into the mud on a beach. The air smells so luscious and full of moisture, it was as if I could drink the air. As the tangle of bushes and vines grew thicker I had to withdraw my sword and cut my way through. The sword caught what little light that had somehow found its way through the trees and it danced on the nearby trees. It made a swish as it flew through the air. When it hit the brush the sword vibrated through my hand and the brush gave way to the knife and allowed me to pass through. A tiny light became clearer to me ...

... to die, she went to tell the oldest of the seven chicks about it and told him to take care of his brothers and sisters. The couple filled a pot with water and started to boil it. Once the water was ready they put the mother chicken in when she was still alive. The little chicks had just seen their mother die and suffer, so they were really sad. The oldest one was so sad that he jumped in the pot right after her mother did and the rest followed him. The monk saw this and felt sorry for them and felt that it was his fault. He made the little chicks who cared so much for their mother into stars in the sky in order to honor them. The constellation that the stars form no ...

... When I was down he would try to get me up. When I was frustrated he told me to hit him and nobody else, When I was hurt inside he would sit there and just listen even if I didn't make any sense. His time at home was precious to me and I took full advantage of him being home. When he left I was losing not only a brother but a friend ! Five years have pasted since my brother first left home. I'm away at school and having a good time doing it. My brother goes to school just a ways down the road. We have grown very close over the years. What I have here today , at school, playing hockey and studying to make the honor role, I owe partially to my brother. He k ...