The wind whistled past my ears as the thick clouds swirled around us. It felt good to just stand there and escape reality. Escape the stresses of work and difficulties of family. I closed my eyes and slowly breathed in the cool, crisp air that can only be found on the highest point of a mountain. The abnormally large mosquitoes buzzed about my head, but I didn’t care. It felt serene and natural. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Stress was becoming a prominent part of my life which is why I had to get away. Steve and I stood at the top of that mountain, trying to take everything in. The smell, the sound... the height. Steve was my best friend and part of the reason why I was stressed. A month ago I was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctor said I only had a limited amount of time to live. You can only imagine my family’s reaction to the bad news. Freaking out about my limited life was an option, but I preferred to live it to the fullest.
One of the things I wanted to do was climb this particular mountain. I told myself that if I could make it to the top then my life hadn’t just been wasted meeting deadlines and missing countless family dinners. Steve wasn’t very comfortable with doing this, saying I should spend my last few weeks with my family, but that was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn’t want my wife and kids to see me as I grew weak, lying in bed and waiting for my end to come. I didn’t know much about my illness. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel; when I was going to die. The only thing I knew was that one day, I’m not exactly sure when, my family and I will be reunited again.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Drinking A Glass Of Water!- ages 15-19
At approximately 2:00 am Wednesday, Veronica Jones was heard escaping from her bedroom to the kitchen and grabbing a glass of water. Suddenly parched, she let the water run into her then gulped it down in one tip of her glass.
This is not the first time Veronica has been heard or seen in the kitchen at such late hours. Her mother met up with our reporters and confirmed our speculations; she is, in fact, a drinker. "Veronica loves drinking water. There isn't a day that I don't see her with a water bottle in hand". Ms. Jones says kindly.
Even her friends at school agree to the accusation of Veronica's drinking habits. "She's always drinking water" Her friend reports in an after school meeting with our reporters. According to specialists, water is good in flushing out toxins from the body and keeping your mind sharp.
If that's not proof enough, Veronica took the time to share her high school grades with us. "All A's" She beams, pointing out each individual mark. There is no doubt that water is one of the most important elements to people.
This is not the first time Veronica has been heard or seen in the kitchen at such late hours. Her mother met up with our reporters and confirmed our speculations; she is, in fact, a drinker. "Veronica loves drinking water. There isn't a day that I don't see her with a water bottle in hand". Ms. Jones says kindly.
Even her friends at school agree to the accusation of Veronica's drinking habits. "She's always drinking water" Her friend reports in an after school meeting with our reporters. According to specialists, water is good in flushing out toxins from the body and keeping your mind sharp.
If that's not proof enough, Veronica took the time to share her high school grades with us. "All A's" She beams, pointing out each individual mark. There is no doubt that water is one of the most important elements to people.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tying Shoe Laces!- ages 15-19
Little Cindy was seen at the base of her stairs early Monday morning diligently tugging at the shoe laces of her brand new sneakers.
Before this, Cindy had always owned Velcro shoes, making it easier for her to strap them then go, but she has suddenly changed her mind. Our reporters caught up with Cindy one day after school and asked her why the sudden change of heart. She said , "I want to be like all the big kids", as she proudly showed us the neatly tied bow perched on top of her shoe.
Cindy is not the only one proud of her accomplishment. Cindy's mother, Nancy, is also excited that her daughter is growing up. "Cindy is very mature for her age so when I told her that all the big kids tied their shoes she begged me to buy her a pair of sneakers with laces. Now, if I can only convince her that big kids eat all their vegetables." Despite Nancy's high expectations for her daughter, she is no doubt proud of her.
There are some days that Cindy would spend outside or in her room, practicing how to tie her shoes. So far, she has learned approximately five different designs for her shoe laces. "She's kind of weird," states a fellow student of Cindy's "all she does during recess is tie her shoes".
It is, undoubtedly, a great achievement for Cindy. Who knows what's to come next from this little shoe lace prodigy?
Before this, Cindy had always owned Velcro shoes, making it easier for her to strap them then go, but she has suddenly changed her mind. Our reporters caught up with Cindy one day after school and asked her why the sudden change of heart. She said , "I want to be like all the big kids", as she proudly showed us the neatly tied bow perched on top of her shoe.
Cindy is not the only one proud of her accomplishment. Cindy's mother, Nancy, is also excited that her daughter is growing up. "Cindy is very mature for her age so when I told her that all the big kids tied their shoes she begged me to buy her a pair of sneakers with laces. Now, if I can only convince her that big kids eat all their vegetables." Despite Nancy's high expectations for her daughter, she is no doubt proud of her.
There are some days that Cindy would spend outside or in her room, practicing how to tie her shoes. So far, she has learned approximately five different designs for her shoe laces. "She's kind of weird," states a fellow student of Cindy's "all she does during recess is tie her shoes".
It is, undoubtedly, a great achievement for Cindy. Who knows what's to come next from this little shoe lace prodigy?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Buying a desk!- ages 15-19
Jim Eleftheriou, father and husband, was seen late Tuesday afternoon at Staples Business Depot purchasing what seemed to be a mahogany desk. His expression was focused as he contemplated on whether or not to buy it.
"I've had many desks before which is why I need one that will last me a while." He says as he walks around the desk; scrutinizing it from different angles. This is the second desk in two years and his wife is not too happy about the excessive purchasing.
"We're are going to waste all our money on these desks!" yells Ms. Eleftheriou, shaking her leg aggressively. It is clear that she wants to get this purchase over with. It is now six o'clock and Jim as yet to make a decision.
"It's just so stressful" He says while tugging at the roots of his hair. Experts agree that excessive desk buying leads to grey hair, early aging and increase of stress. Hopefully, Jim will decide quick before his biological clock runs out!!
"I've had many desks before which is why I need one that will last me a while." He says as he walks around the desk; scrutinizing it from different angles. This is the second desk in two years and his wife is not too happy about the excessive purchasing.
"We're are going to waste all our money on these desks!" yells Ms. Eleftheriou, shaking her leg aggressively. It is clear that she wants to get this purchase over with. It is now six o'clock and Jim as yet to make a decision.
"It's just so stressful" He says while tugging at the roots of his hair. Experts agree that excessive desk buying leads to grey hair, early aging and increase of stress. Hopefully, Jim will decide quick before his biological clock runs out!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
My room's not messy, it's just organized chaos!- ages 15-19
For the first time in eight months, Sydney was spotted lying on her bedroom floor; duster in one hand and vacuum in the other. The satisfied smile on her face was quickly followed by a sigh of relief.
Sydney's sudden cleaning epiphany happened a week prior. She had lost her pet dog in a pile of clothes only to have little Fluffers emerge two days later; dazed and malnourished. That was when she decided to take action and clean her room.
"She started off with a simple sweeping of the floor, but one thing led to another and before I knew it, all her furniture was moved out into the hallway as she cleaned each individual corner of the room" Sydney's mother's smile faded from jubilant to concerned as she recalled the exact day of the cleaning.
"If you ask me," says her older sister, Sarah "I'm glad she finally cleaned that pig sty." Sarah's scary and dangerous encounters in Sydney's room have left her scornful towards the subject.
It took Sydney four hours and two Windex bottles to complete the job, but she's happy she's finished. "I hope I never have to do that again" Sydney wipes the sweat from her brow. According to latest news, a clean room is something that all teens try to avoid, but this girl's valiant attempt at a spotless room has definitely paid off; for her and her family.
Sydney's sudden cleaning epiphany happened a week prior. She had lost her pet dog in a pile of clothes only to have little Fluffers emerge two days later; dazed and malnourished. That was when she decided to take action and clean her room.
"She started off with a simple sweeping of the floor, but one thing led to another and before I knew it, all her furniture was moved out into the hallway as she cleaned each individual corner of the room" Sydney's mother's smile faded from jubilant to concerned as she recalled the exact day of the cleaning.
"If you ask me," says her older sister, Sarah "I'm glad she finally cleaned that pig sty." Sarah's scary and dangerous encounters in Sydney's room have left her scornful towards the subject.
It took Sydney four hours and two Windex bottles to complete the job, but she's happy she's finished. "I hope I never have to do that again" Sydney wipes the sweat from her brow. According to latest news, a clean room is something that all teens try to avoid, but this girl's valiant attempt at a spotless room has definitely paid off; for her and her family.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Poetry 3- The eye of music
The notes flooded through her ears
And her eyes began to swell with tears
The memories that once were
Flashed with each melodic purr
It painted images of laughter and love
Releasing her soul like an imprisoned dove
Her eye lids firmly remained closed
But she didn't need them open to know
The love that once was and will never be
Restored her depressing memories
Here hand strummed another chord
As though stabbing her heart with a sword
Now she will grow weak and old
Knowing it's him she cannot hold
But her music will never die
Leaving her with a new mind's eye
And her eyes began to swell with tears
The memories that once were
Flashed with each melodic purr
It painted images of laughter and love
Releasing her soul like an imprisoned dove
Her eye lids firmly remained closed
But she didn't need them open to know
The love that once was and will never be
Restored her depressing memories
Here hand strummed another chord
As though stabbing her heart with a sword
Now she will grow weak and old
Knowing it's him she cannot hold
But her music will never die
Leaving her with a new mind's eye
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Poetry 2- The change of seasons
The dry trees were graced with a morning shower
As the rose bud bloomed in to a beautiful flower
The darkness destroyed by the sun's wonderful light
And the blue bird continued it's majestic flight
Laughter echoes from the mountain peeks
As the tree roots scope for what they seek
The rain soon turns to solid white
Pelting down on the land with might
The cascade of water ceases to flow
As the hands of time begin to slow
The flowers once so vivid and bright
Shrivel up and lose all their light
As the rose bud bloomed in to a beautiful flower
The darkness destroyed by the sun's wonderful light
And the blue bird continued it's majestic flight
Laughter echoes from the mountain peeks
As the tree roots scope for what they seek
The rain soon turns to solid white
Pelting down on the land with might
The cascade of water ceases to flow
As the hands of time begin to slow
The flowers once so vivid and bright
Shrivel up and lose all their light
Monday, March 2, 2009
Poetry 1- Into a child's mind
The darkness comes and takes control
While the hum of his breath begins to slow
The settings change from dull and grey
To violet fields on a summer’s day
The cool wind rushes through his hair
To open his eyes he does not dare
This world is soft, relaxing and sweet
But everything is not what it seems
The sun is covered by a dark cloud
Claps of thunder; bright and loud
He watches as it begins to rain
The water washing everything away
Violets and sun are no more
As everything sinks in to the core
His feelings of laughter, love and joy
Erode like the purity of a young boy
He opens his eyes as fast as he can
Breathing heavily like an old man
His sigh slowly turns to a piercing weep
And he swears to himself he will never sleep
While the hum of his breath begins to slow
The settings change from dull and grey
To violet fields on a summer’s day
The cool wind rushes through his hair
To open his eyes he does not dare
This world is soft, relaxing and sweet
But everything is not what it seems
The sun is covered by a dark cloud
Claps of thunder; bright and loud
He watches as it begins to rain
The water washing everything away
Violets and sun are no more
As everything sinks in to the core
His feelings of laughter, love and joy
Erode like the purity of a young boy
He opens his eyes as fast as he can
Breathing heavily like an old man
His sigh slowly turns to a piercing weep
And he swears to himself he will never sleep
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