Walking through my garden today I couldn't help but think of Liza. The sun was shining bright, beating down on my back. I had finally finished planting the last of my flowers, and it was time to stand back and admire them. I smiled to myself thinking about how proud of me Liza would be creating such beauty. Liza shares the same love for gardening that I do. That's why I compare Liza to a flower. She's beautiful, she draws people to her, and she hides away in the winter.
Liza is one of those girls that you always give a second glance at on your way by. She's true beauty from the inside out. She has long brown hair that reaches half way down her back. The brightest blue eyes I have ever seen. The kind that you can't help but stare directly into. She has a kind heart and is always willing to go out of her way for others. Flowers are hard to pass by without taking a peek. I can't help but stop to admire their beauty.
Liza draws people in, in the same way a flower does. I can't think of a single person who doesn't like Liza. She has a bubbly personality, and will befriend anyone. She doesn't care who they are or where they come from, she welcomes everyone. People are naturally drawn to flowers. People of all types. Most everyone can enjoy flowers. They not only stop to look, but also take the time to stop and take in the sweet smells.
Flowers are perfectly content as long as the air is warm. Even when it rains. When winter comes around though, the flowers hide away until it becomes warm again. The same thing happens with Liza. As soon as the cold comes you see less of Liza. She only comes out when she has to. Bundled in layers of clothing she will quickly scurry to her preheated car, not wanting an ounce of he cold air to touch her body.
Liza and I have spent many days together planting flowers for various people. Our grandparents, mothers, the pink tulip project at our high school. Flowers are a common passion that we share. It's a great excuse for us to get together when it's been too long. We often greet each other with a freshly picked flower, when the weather allows it. We even have matching Lilly tattoos on our right ankle.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Graf #10
I have actually done a lot of real life research lately. My boyfriend and I are doing a complete remodel on our new to us, but completely outdated house. Every single project we start I research. I look for the best price, the quality, and weather or not we can do the install ourselves. I often do my research on the Internet, which is the quickest and most simple way for me. I have found that both home depot and Lowe's websites are probably the most helpful. Sometimes I actually go to the stores myself. Somethings are hard to get the true feel of without being able to touch it, or see the colors with my own eyes. I bring home every catalog that they give out, and then I eventually end up going back online to check out prices. Also as I do my research I like trying to figure out how much money the new items will save us in the long run. Some may be more expensive, but work out better in the long run. It's very important that I do all the research though, because we're working off a budget!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Practice Final
Everyone has their own hobby. Something that makes them unique. A hobby is sometimes the one place you can go to, to just be yourself. For me that hobby is kayaking. I started kayaking when I was 15 years old. Now for me there is no place I would rather be than out on the water, weather permitting of course. I know that I can go throw my kayak in the water, and the second I'm out there I don't have to worry about the real world. Three reasons why I love kayaking are it's relaxing, the adrenaline rush, and it's a good workout.
For me kayaking is the most relaxing activity in the world. From the time I put the kayak in the water until I take it out, I don't have to worry about the real world. I don't have to think about work or the stress of school. I can forget all the dramatic people bringing me down. I don't think about cleaning the house, or how far behind I am on the laundry. I put the boat in the water and it's gone. Rivers and streams are my favorite. I prefer them most over lakes. Birds chirping, ducks quaking, and the peaceful flow of the water is all the I hear. I'm amazed with the wildlife every single time I go. It's such a beautiful thing. Beavers building dams. Deer grazing along the river banks, and the occasional turtle peaking his head above water. Nothing beats the great outdoors, and there's not better way to experience it, in my opinion, that being in a kayak.
The adrenaline rush from kayaking is the best for me. Though kayaking is very relaxing there are times when my heart really starts to pound. For one thing I never know when I might dump my kayak over. It's usually when I least expect it. When I'm not paying attention and reach for something in my pocket, or at the bottom of the boat. Dumping the kayak, especially at this time of the year sucks. The water is still freezing and it instantly takes your breath away. Getting into the rapids is the best rush for me. At any moment I know I can be thrown out any which way. I just paddle hard and pray that I don't hit a rock too hard.
Kayaking is a good workout. It may not be a full body workout, but at the end of the day I'm still pretty exhausted. Dragging the kayak of the truck and picking back up to put it on, is a workout of it's own. It makes for some nice lean arms at the least. The turning and shifting of the body is also a good upper body workout. kayaking isn't exactly what I turn too for a good fat burning workout that's going to kick my butt. I can say though that it sure is a lot more productive than sitting on the couch watching TV, eating chips and drinking soda.
Hobbies are what makes us who we are. Life would be dull and boring without them. I have many hobbies kayaking is just my favorite. I love to read. That's another place I can go to just get away, straight into a good book. I also love to sew. I like to do little projects like purses, pillows or blankets. Bigger projects like quilts are an occasional thing for me. It's relaxing, and very rewarding when you have the end product. It's a great feeling of satisfactory when it comes out just right. I enjoy walking my two dogs too. It's a hobby that I can share with them, and we're all happy.
For me kayaking is the most relaxing activity in the world. From the time I put the kayak in the water until I take it out, I don't have to worry about the real world. I don't have to think about work or the stress of school. I can forget all the dramatic people bringing me down. I don't think about cleaning the house, or how far behind I am on the laundry. I put the boat in the water and it's gone. Rivers and streams are my favorite. I prefer them most over lakes. Birds chirping, ducks quaking, and the peaceful flow of the water is all the I hear. I'm amazed with the wildlife every single time I go. It's such a beautiful thing. Beavers building dams. Deer grazing along the river banks, and the occasional turtle peaking his head above water. Nothing beats the great outdoors, and there's not better way to experience it, in my opinion, that being in a kayak.
The adrenaline rush from kayaking is the best for me. Though kayaking is very relaxing there are times when my heart really starts to pound. For one thing I never know when I might dump my kayak over. It's usually when I least expect it. When I'm not paying attention and reach for something in my pocket, or at the bottom of the boat. Dumping the kayak, especially at this time of the year sucks. The water is still freezing and it instantly takes your breath away. Getting into the rapids is the best rush for me. At any moment I know I can be thrown out any which way. I just paddle hard and pray that I don't hit a rock too hard.
Kayaking is a good workout. It may not be a full body workout, but at the end of the day I'm still pretty exhausted. Dragging the kayak of the truck and picking back up to put it on, is a workout of it's own. It makes for some nice lean arms at the least. The turning and shifting of the body is also a good upper body workout. kayaking isn't exactly what I turn too for a good fat burning workout that's going to kick my butt. I can say though that it sure is a lot more productive than sitting on the couch watching TV, eating chips and drinking soda.
Hobbies are what makes us who we are. Life would be dull and boring without them. I have many hobbies kayaking is just my favorite. I love to read. That's another place I can go to just get away, straight into a good book. I also love to sew. I like to do little projects like purses, pillows or blankets. Bigger projects like quilts are an occasional thing for me. It's relaxing, and very rewarding when you have the end product. It's a great feeling of satisfactory when it comes out just right. I enjoy walking my two dogs too. It's a hobby that I can share with them, and we're all happy.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Effect Essay!
A year ago in October I received one of those phone calls no one wants to get. I was at work and my father was on the other end. I could hardly make out the words he was saying. What I did get out of it was, " Ashley, I had an accident on a wrecker call, I hurt my head. I have to go, I'm in the ambulance. I love you." I had no idea what was going on. I thought my father was going to die. Once I calmed myself down I left work, to go to the hospital. My father was in the ER. He was just waiting for another ambulance to be taken to Bangor. I then found out that he had actually been standing behind the car he was hooking up to the wrecker when the leaf spring on the car let loose. It hit him in the head and caved in part of his skull. Immediate surgery was necessary. My father ended up being better after a few weeks, but it was a long recovery after that. The accident resulted in being out of work, family closeness, and life long effects.
After my dad's accident he was out of work for four months. This was a very hard transition for my dad. He's the type of person who has to be busy all the time. Because he had such serious injuries the doctor ordered him to stay in the house. Only to go out when necessary. After a couple weeks, he was bored. He was stressed out because he wasn't working. He was worried about all the bills, and how they would get paid. Even though he still had some money coming in, He couldn't stay on his usual budget and this bother him. My dad was down in the dumps all the time. He was willing to risk his safety just to go back to work.
When my parents got divorced my dad and I became distant. After his accident though this changed. You hear people say all the time that people are only hear for so long, so don't hold regrets. The accident was a real eye opener for my me and my whole family. It hurt me so deeply, the way I had treated my father for the past year. I couldn't take any of it back though. My father and I started calling one another on a daily basis. When he didn't call I would call to just check in. My father is very into the family scene now. He always holds gatherings for the family to get together and just spend time. It's very important to him that we all stay close.
There are many effects from the accident that will burden my father forever. He gets headaches almost every day. They last an hour or more, and don't allow him to do much during that time. He can't stand up fast, because that brings on the headaches. My father also has to be very cautious with every thing he is doing. Getting hit or bumping his head in the same spot could result to some very serious injuries or even worse. My father works in a garage,and occasionally under a car lift. Which makes the situation that much more dangerous. The doctors gave him a protective helmet, but my father is too stubborn to wear it. His vision was also effected, his sight has become much worse. My father has to go to the doctors all the time, something he has never done.
When I saw my father laying in that hospital bed so many things ran through my head. How could I live without my father? Why did I say all those bad things to him? Why did I always have to be so selfish? After my father had his surgery and he was stable, I was constantly thinking how lucky I was. Lots of people lose their father every day. Young kids lose their dad. It's just not fair. My heart goes out to all the children that loose a parent. I can't imagine the pain that they experience. I can honestly say that his accident has changed my life for the better. I will never take someone for granted again. I take the time to visit with not just my dad, but also the rest of my family. Of all the bad things that came out of the situation, it also brought some good.
After my dad's accident he was out of work for four months. This was a very hard transition for my dad. He's the type of person who has to be busy all the time. Because he had such serious injuries the doctor ordered him to stay in the house. Only to go out when necessary. After a couple weeks, he was bored. He was stressed out because he wasn't working. He was worried about all the bills, and how they would get paid. Even though he still had some money coming in, He couldn't stay on his usual budget and this bother him. My dad was down in the dumps all the time. He was willing to risk his safety just to go back to work.
When my parents got divorced my dad and I became distant. After his accident though this changed. You hear people say all the time that people are only hear for so long, so don't hold regrets. The accident was a real eye opener for my me and my whole family. It hurt me so deeply, the way I had treated my father for the past year. I couldn't take any of it back though. My father and I started calling one another on a daily basis. When he didn't call I would call to just check in. My father is very into the family scene now. He always holds gatherings for the family to get together and just spend time. It's very important to him that we all stay close.
There are many effects from the accident that will burden my father forever. He gets headaches almost every day. They last an hour or more, and don't allow him to do much during that time. He can't stand up fast, because that brings on the headaches. My father also has to be very cautious with every thing he is doing. Getting hit or bumping his head in the same spot could result to some very serious injuries or even worse. My father works in a garage,and occasionally under a car lift. Which makes the situation that much more dangerous. The doctors gave him a protective helmet, but my father is too stubborn to wear it. His vision was also effected, his sight has become much worse. My father has to go to the doctors all the time, something he has never done.
When I saw my father laying in that hospital bed so many things ran through my head. How could I live without my father? Why did I say all those bad things to him? Why did I always have to be so selfish? After my father had his surgery and he was stable, I was constantly thinking how lucky I was. Lots of people lose their father every day. Young kids lose their dad. It's just not fair. My heart goes out to all the children that loose a parent. I can't imagine the pain that they experience. I can honestly say that his accident has changed my life for the better. I will never take someone for granted again. I take the time to visit with not just my dad, but also the rest of my family. Of all the bad things that came out of the situation, it also brought some good.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Process-redo
Making the perfect pizza may not seem like rocket science. The process to perfecting a pizza can be a little tricky at times though. You wouldn't want to present your paying customer with any old slopped together pizza would you? One should never have to change their clothes after eating a pizza because it was overloaded with sauce that ran down their chin onto their shirt. Or bite into a pizza just to have its entire contents slide off onto your pants. Follow the easy steps and with a little practice you too can make the perfect pizza. The first step is to make the dough. The following step is place the toppings. The last step is to cook the pizza.
The first and trickiest part of making the perfect pizza is to make the dough. First I clear off the counter top and sprinkle wondra all purpose flour onto the surface. I slap the dough onto the wondra, and pat it down. I stretch the dough every which way until I make a circle. Tossing the dough in the air only leads to disaster! A pizza cannot under any circumstances have a hole! After much practice and lots of wasted dough I have created a perfectly round dough.
The second step to a perfect pizza is to make it a pretty pizza by placing the toppings just right. First comes the sauce. I use the same scoop every time to get the right amount of sauce. Two scoops is just right. I carefully sprinkle the previously weighed bag of cheese all over the pizza. Toppings toppings toppings, so many choices. I place the toppings all over the pizza using lots of them as I go. Oregano is last but is most important for tasting pleasure. Choosing and placing the toppings is a very important part of the perfect pizza making process.
The last step is to cook the pizza. I take the easy way out using the conveyor oven. I place the pizza onto a wire rack making sure that none of it is hanging over the side. It's very bad to have the pizza slopping over the sides. This leads to fire! Trust me I know. I didn't learn that lesson the first time, or the second time actually. The third times a charm though. Fifteen minutes later the pizza pops out the end, and it's ready to be boxed. A nice thank you note and smiley faces are always greatly appreciated by the customers. Cooking the pizza just right is a crucial part of creating the perfect pizza.
After creating the perfect pizza I get a great feeling of satisfaction. A pretty pizza makes for a very happy customer. Happy customers always come back for another. Soon they are addicted to the pizza. They tell a friend who tries a pizza then tells their mother who tells her sister in law, and soon everyone is enjoying the perfect pizzas. I haven't always been a perfect pizza maker. I've had my fair share of holes, pizzas on the floor, uncooked pizzas, and pizzas without sauce. With the right amount of patience and practice you too can make the perfect pizza!
The first and trickiest part of making the perfect pizza is to make the dough. First I clear off the counter top and sprinkle wondra all purpose flour onto the surface. I slap the dough onto the wondra, and pat it down. I stretch the dough every which way until I make a circle. Tossing the dough in the air only leads to disaster! A pizza cannot under any circumstances have a hole! After much practice and lots of wasted dough I have created a perfectly round dough.
The second step to a perfect pizza is to make it a pretty pizza by placing the toppings just right. First comes the sauce. I use the same scoop every time to get the right amount of sauce. Two scoops is just right. I carefully sprinkle the previously weighed bag of cheese all over the pizza. Toppings toppings toppings, so many choices. I place the toppings all over the pizza using lots of them as I go. Oregano is last but is most important for tasting pleasure. Choosing and placing the toppings is a very important part of the perfect pizza making process.
The last step is to cook the pizza. I take the easy way out using the conveyor oven. I place the pizza onto a wire rack making sure that none of it is hanging over the side. It's very bad to have the pizza slopping over the sides. This leads to fire! Trust me I know. I didn't learn that lesson the first time, or the second time actually. The third times a charm though. Fifteen minutes later the pizza pops out the end, and it's ready to be boxed. A nice thank you note and smiley faces are always greatly appreciated by the customers. Cooking the pizza just right is a crucial part of creating the perfect pizza.
After creating the perfect pizza I get a great feeling of satisfaction. A pretty pizza makes for a very happy customer. Happy customers always come back for another. Soon they are addicted to the pizza. They tell a friend who tries a pizza then tells their mother who tells her sister in law, and soon everyone is enjoying the perfect pizzas. I haven't always been a perfect pizza maker. I've had my fair share of holes, pizzas on the floor, uncooked pizzas, and pizzas without sauce. With the right amount of patience and practice you too can make the perfect pizza!
Division Essay!
It's important for everyone to have at least one good friend in their life. Where would we be without out good friends? It the world would be a sad place if we didn't have that person we could call at 3a.m. because were down in the dumps. That person that we can't wait to tell, "I'm in love!", "I'm pregnant!, "I'm engaged! or "I got a new car!". That person we can cry to when we messed up that's still going to love us anyways. I'm happy to say that I have a select few of these friends. I could trust them with my life. Not every friend we come across though is a good one. I've had my fair share of not so good friends. The cold hearted people that have stabbed me in the back time and time again. I had a so called friend that told my every secret to the whole school, lied over and over, and even stole from me. This girl actually made me smarter though. She taught me what not to look for in a friend. Therefore I have discovered there are three main components to being a good friend. One needs to be honest, a good listener, and needs to be able to have fun.
Honesty is the most important key to a good friendship. A good friend needs to be able to keep a secret. When I tell a friend something that I just want them to know, I wouldn't expect them to go tell everyone they know. I learned the hard way that not everyone is cut out to be a secret keeper. I've been embarrassed a few times with a secret that has accidental leaked out. Also when I ask one of my good friends a question I expect that their going to be 100% honest with me. "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" "Oh my god, yes they do, take those off immediately!" I wouldn't ask a question that I didn't want an honest answer to. Even if the truth hurts it's better than being lied too!
A good listener is the second component to being a good friend. A good friend will not only tell you their problems, but they will take the time to listen to yours too. I had a friend once that I'm not even sure knew a single thing about me. She would talk my ear off with her problems, but when I tried to get two words in I was instantly cut off so she could tell me what she had for lunch, because obviously that was more important than what I had to say. A good friend is someone I can call in the middle of the night drunk, crying. "I'm not sure that I love him anymore!" "Guess what that bitch just said to me?!" She might think I'm insane, but she's not going to hang the phone up on me. She's just going to sit there and listen, because she knows that I would do the same for her.
The last component to being a good friend is someone I can have fun with. Good friends have to have common interests. A friend may not share every interest you have, but you obviously they have to have something in common, or why else would you be friends. If your idea of fun is fishing, you probably have a friend who also enjoys fishing with you. It just make sense that way. I can be myself in front of my good friends. I don't have to worry what they think about me. I can be as foolish or as dorky as I want with my friends. When I'm alone with my friends we can wear our hair on the side of our heads and dance around to "my humps" with facial masks on and be totally comfortable with each other. Having fun with someone is a very important component to a friendship.
Many friends pass through our lives, they come and go just like that. Very few people stay friends forever. Finding a friend who has all of the components, honesty, good listener and fun is very rare. When you do find a good friend hold on tight, because it's not very often you find a life long friend. Besides my family I really have only have one true friend. Sure I have people that I spend lots of time with, and yeah I consider them to be my friends. When it comes down to it though, I know that they won't be around forever. My best friend from high school is my one true friend. We have had many times throughout the years where we didn't talk for months, because we didn't agree on something. We always overcome our issues though. I have never had to second guess whether she was being honest with me or not, and that's what matter most.
Honesty is the most important key to a good friendship. A good friend needs to be able to keep a secret. When I tell a friend something that I just want them to know, I wouldn't expect them to go tell everyone they know. I learned the hard way that not everyone is cut out to be a secret keeper. I've been embarrassed a few times with a secret that has accidental leaked out. Also when I ask one of my good friends a question I expect that their going to be 100% honest with me. "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" "Oh my god, yes they do, take those off immediately!" I wouldn't ask a question that I didn't want an honest answer to. Even if the truth hurts it's better than being lied too!
A good listener is the second component to being a good friend. A good friend will not only tell you their problems, but they will take the time to listen to yours too. I had a friend once that I'm not even sure knew a single thing about me. She would talk my ear off with her problems, but when I tried to get two words in I was instantly cut off so she could tell me what she had for lunch, because obviously that was more important than what I had to say. A good friend is someone I can call in the middle of the night drunk, crying. "I'm not sure that I love him anymore!" "Guess what that bitch just said to me?!" She might think I'm insane, but she's not going to hang the phone up on me. She's just going to sit there and listen, because she knows that I would do the same for her.
The last component to being a good friend is someone I can have fun with. Good friends have to have common interests. A friend may not share every interest you have, but you obviously they have to have something in common, or why else would you be friends. If your idea of fun is fishing, you probably have a friend who also enjoys fishing with you. It just make sense that way. I can be myself in front of my good friends. I don't have to worry what they think about me. I can be as foolish or as dorky as I want with my friends. When I'm alone with my friends we can wear our hair on the side of our heads and dance around to "my humps" with facial masks on and be totally comfortable with each other. Having fun with someone is a very important component to a friendship.
Many friends pass through our lives, they come and go just like that. Very few people stay friends forever. Finding a friend who has all of the components, honesty, good listener and fun is very rare. When you do find a good friend hold on tight, because it's not very often you find a life long friend. Besides my family I really have only have one true friend. Sure I have people that I spend lots of time with, and yeah I consider them to be my friends. When it comes down to it though, I know that they won't be around forever. My best friend from high school is my one true friend. We have had many times throughout the years where we didn't talk for months, because we didn't agree on something. We always overcome our issues though. I have never had to second guess whether she was being honest with me or not, and that's what matter most.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Process Essay
Making the perfect pizza may not seem like rocket science. The process to perfecting a pizza can be a little tricky at times though. You wouldn't want to present your paying customer with any old slopped together pizza would you? One should never have to change their clothes after eating a pizza because it was overloaded with sauce that ran down their chin onto their shirt. Or bite into a pizza just to have its entire contents slide off onto your pants. Follow the easy steps and with a little practice you too can make the perfect pizza. The first step is to make the dough. The following step is place the toppings. The last step is to cook the pizza.
The first and trickiest part of making the perfect pizza is to make the dough. First clear off the counter top and sprinkle a decent amount of wondra all purpose flour onto the surface. Lay the dough into the wondra and sprinkle more on the top. I personally find that patting down on the dough while stretching it at the same time works best. Tossing the dough in the air only leads to disaster. Many people find that the dough rips when they stretch it too far. This is a big no no when perfecting a pizza. A pizza cannot under any circumstances have a hole! After much practice and lots of wasted dough a perfectly round pizza dough is created.
The second step to a perfect pizza is to make it a pretty pizza by placing the toppings just right. First comes the sauce. I use the same scoop every time to get the right amount of sauce. Two scoops is just right. Any less you have a dry pizza, any more you have a messy pizza that drips down the chin. Cheese comes next. I carefully sprinkled the previously weighed bag of cheese all over the pizza, making sure that the whole pizza if covered. Toppings toppings toppings, so many choices. Whatever is chosen it needs too look good. I start placing the toppings around the outside and make my way to the middle, using lots of them as I go. Oregano is last but is most important for tasting pleasure. Choosing and placing the toppings is a very important part of the perfect pizza making process.
The last step is to cook the pizza. I take the easy way out using the conveyor oven. I place the pizza onto a wire rack making sure that none of it is hanging over the side. It's very bad to have the pizza slopping over the sides. This leads to fire! Trust me I know. I didn't learn that lesson the first time, or the second time actually. The third times a charm though. I value my job and burning the store down is not an option. After fifteen minutes the pizza pops out the end of the oven, and it's ready to be boxed. A nice thank you note and smiley faces are always greatly appreciated by the customers. Cooking the pizza just right is a crucial part of creating the perfect pizza.
After creating the perfect pizza I get a great feeling of satisfaction. A pretty pizza makes for a very happy customer. Happy customers always come back for another. Soon they are addicted to the pizza. They tell a friend who tries a pizza then tells their mother who tells her sister in law, and soon everyone is enjoying the perfect pizzas. I haven't always been a perfect pizza maker. I've had my fair share of holes, pizzas on the floor, uncooked pizzas, and pizzas without sauce. With the right amount of patience and practice you too can make the perfect pizza!
The first and trickiest part of making the perfect pizza is to make the dough. First clear off the counter top and sprinkle a decent amount of wondra all purpose flour onto the surface. Lay the dough into the wondra and sprinkle more on the top. I personally find that patting down on the dough while stretching it at the same time works best. Tossing the dough in the air only leads to disaster. Many people find that the dough rips when they stretch it too far. This is a big no no when perfecting a pizza. A pizza cannot under any circumstances have a hole! After much practice and lots of wasted dough a perfectly round pizza dough is created.
The second step to a perfect pizza is to make it a pretty pizza by placing the toppings just right. First comes the sauce. I use the same scoop every time to get the right amount of sauce. Two scoops is just right. Any less you have a dry pizza, any more you have a messy pizza that drips down the chin. Cheese comes next. I carefully sprinkled the previously weighed bag of cheese all over the pizza, making sure that the whole pizza if covered. Toppings toppings toppings, so many choices. Whatever is chosen it needs too look good. I start placing the toppings around the outside and make my way to the middle, using lots of them as I go. Oregano is last but is most important for tasting pleasure. Choosing and placing the toppings is a very important part of the perfect pizza making process.
The last step is to cook the pizza. I take the easy way out using the conveyor oven. I place the pizza onto a wire rack making sure that none of it is hanging over the side. It's very bad to have the pizza slopping over the sides. This leads to fire! Trust me I know. I didn't learn that lesson the first time, or the second time actually. The third times a charm though. I value my job and burning the store down is not an option. After fifteen minutes the pizza pops out the end of the oven, and it's ready to be boxed. A nice thank you note and smiley faces are always greatly appreciated by the customers. Cooking the pizza just right is a crucial part of creating the perfect pizza.
After creating the perfect pizza I get a great feeling of satisfaction. A pretty pizza makes for a very happy customer. Happy customers always come back for another. Soon they are addicted to the pizza. They tell a friend who tries a pizza then tells their mother who tells her sister in law, and soon everyone is enjoying the perfect pizzas. I haven't always been a perfect pizza maker. I've had my fair share of holes, pizzas on the floor, uncooked pizzas, and pizzas without sauce. With the right amount of patience and practice you too can make the perfect pizza!
Isearch-What
I know that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. I'm not at all sure what that really means though. I know that my mother had a few bad things happen in her childhood and shortly after. I don't know the details. I'm not sure if these things cause depression or if depression is just something that you develop like a disease. I'm pretty sure that there is no cure for depression. I have seen my mother get better and worse throughout my life. I think the answer is no. That it is always something the person lives with, it may just improve over time. As far as depression being hereditary I have no idea. I have never heard one way or the other. My guess is that it cannot be prevented. If depression is in fact just caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain I don't see that it could be prevented.
My mother has taken lots of different medicines to treat her depression. I don't know the names of the ones she has taken. I have noticed some of the affects though. I have seen her become happier when she got her meds changed. I have also seen my mother become "spaced out" after having her meds changed. My mother has also had ECT treatments. I know that doctors somehow send and electric shock though your body or brain. I don't know how this treatment helps the patient. My mother has suffered major memory loss from having these treatments. She had these treatments years ago and I'm not sure that she will every regain her memory.
My mother has taken lots of different medicines to treat her depression. I don't know the names of the ones she has taken. I have noticed some of the affects though. I have seen her become happier when she got her meds changed. I have also seen my mother become "spaced out" after having her meds changed. My mother has also had ECT treatments. I know that doctors somehow send and electric shock though your body or brain. I don't know how this treatment helps the patient. My mother has suffered major memory loss from having these treatments. She had these treatments years ago and I'm not sure that she will every regain her memory.
Contrast Essay
My brother and I are complete opposites. Besides Sharing our brown hair, brown eyes, and our last name we have nothing in common. Although I love my brother very deeply I cannot think of a single time in my life we have agreed on something. My brother is four years older than me, and I am the baby of the family. From the time we were able to communicate with one another it has been a constant argument. It was always something. Who was going to sit in the blue recliner, who was going to pick what we watched on TV, who got the last string cheese, or who got to sit in the front seat of the car. I have a very different outlook on life than my brother does. I have goals in life that I work hard to reach everyday. My brother finds odd jobs to pay his bills, and lives his life one day at a time. I was considered the good child, he was the not so good child who made bad choices. He is very loud and in your face, and I am more soft spoken and kind.
The first difference between my brother and I is that I have goals in life and he does not. When I graduated from high school I didn't go directly to college. I knew that I wanted and needed to go to be successful in life. I just wasn't sure what to go for yet. After a year and a half I made the decision and here I am on my way. My brother on the other hand dropped out of high school his junior year. He said he was going to get his GED. Buying the book and flipping through it a few times was as far as he went with that. I got my second job the week after I graduated. I knew that if I wasn't going to school right away I needed to be working. I have worked hard for everything I have. For the past two years I have been living on my own supporting myself. My brother still lives with my mother. He never keeps a steady job. He usually does small odd job, just enough to get him by. He has no desire to make anything of his life just to get by the easy way.
The second difference between my brother and I is that I was the good child growing up, and he was the not so good child. My parents were very fair and always treated us equally, but I was less of a hassle. Speeding tickets, fines, and notices from teachers were always flooding the mailbox at my parents house. All of which belonged to my brother. Perfect attendance, good grade awards, and photographs from various school activities cluttered up the front of the fridge. All of which belonged to me. My brother would always stay out late and never respected my parents rules. So they just assumed he was getting in to some kind of trouble. I was always checking in with the parents letting them when I was going to be home, what time, and who I was with. Obviously this led my parents to have much more trust for me than my brother. I'm not saying that I was a perfect child but I was much easier for my parents to deal with than my brother was.
The third difference between my brother and I is that he is very loud and in your face. I'm more soft spoken and kind hearted. My brother will be the first to tell you just what he thinks about you. He really doesn't sugarcoat much. He also has a booming voice that is easily heard across the room. Whether he's yelling or just carrying on a normal conversation everyone hears it. I have a very soft voice and am pretty quite until I get to know someone. I'm not at all judgemental and can befriend almost anyone. I've always had a big heart. I am very sympathetic for others and their problems. I have never seen my brother cry once. He sat at my side at my uncle's funeral. Not one tear ever fell from his eye. I cried my eyes out the entire time. I cried for weeks whenever we lost a family pet. He acted like it never bothered him. He definitely never lets his emotions show and I wear my mine on my sleeve.
My brother and I still often don't see eye to eye, but when it comes down to it we're still there for one another. My parents recently have gotten a divorce. This came as a huge shock to my brother and me. Its been a struggle that we both share so we have been able to overcome our differences to help each other through the transition. Looking back at all the screaming, fighting and name calling I kind of feel bad. I know that's how brothers and sisters treat each other a lot of the times, but that's something I can't take back. I think I have matured a lot lately. I realize that my brother's life is something that I can't control, and I need to let it go. I need to let him make his own decisions. My parents have always told me that he was the only brother I will ever have and now that's sinking in. We're only here for a short time. As many times I have told him I hate him, I don't actually at all. It's time to put our differences aside and grow up!
The first difference between my brother and I is that I have goals in life and he does not. When I graduated from high school I didn't go directly to college. I knew that I wanted and needed to go to be successful in life. I just wasn't sure what to go for yet. After a year and a half I made the decision and here I am on my way. My brother on the other hand dropped out of high school his junior year. He said he was going to get his GED. Buying the book and flipping through it a few times was as far as he went with that. I got my second job the week after I graduated. I knew that if I wasn't going to school right away I needed to be working. I have worked hard for everything I have. For the past two years I have been living on my own supporting myself. My brother still lives with my mother. He never keeps a steady job. He usually does small odd job, just enough to get him by. He has no desire to make anything of his life just to get by the easy way.
The second difference between my brother and I is that I was the good child growing up, and he was the not so good child. My parents were very fair and always treated us equally, but I was less of a hassle. Speeding tickets, fines, and notices from teachers were always flooding the mailbox at my parents house. All of which belonged to my brother. Perfect attendance, good grade awards, and photographs from various school activities cluttered up the front of the fridge. All of which belonged to me. My brother would always stay out late and never respected my parents rules. So they just assumed he was getting in to some kind of trouble. I was always checking in with the parents letting them when I was going to be home, what time, and who I was with. Obviously this led my parents to have much more trust for me than my brother. I'm not saying that I was a perfect child but I was much easier for my parents to deal with than my brother was.
The third difference between my brother and I is that he is very loud and in your face. I'm more soft spoken and kind hearted. My brother will be the first to tell you just what he thinks about you. He really doesn't sugarcoat much. He also has a booming voice that is easily heard across the room. Whether he's yelling or just carrying on a normal conversation everyone hears it. I have a very soft voice and am pretty quite until I get to know someone. I'm not at all judgemental and can befriend almost anyone. I've always had a big heart. I am very sympathetic for others and their problems. I have never seen my brother cry once. He sat at my side at my uncle's funeral. Not one tear ever fell from his eye. I cried my eyes out the entire time. I cried for weeks whenever we lost a family pet. He acted like it never bothered him. He definitely never lets his emotions show and I wear my mine on my sleeve.
My brother and I still often don't see eye to eye, but when it comes down to it we're still there for one another. My parents recently have gotten a divorce. This came as a huge shock to my brother and me. Its been a struggle that we both share so we have been able to overcome our differences to help each other through the transition. Looking back at all the screaming, fighting and name calling I kind of feel bad. I know that's how brothers and sisters treat each other a lot of the times, but that's something I can't take back. I think I have matured a lot lately. I realize that my brother's life is something that I can't control, and I need to let it go. I need to let him make his own decisions. My parents have always told me that he was the only brother I will ever have and now that's sinking in. We're only here for a short time. As many times I have told him I hate him, I don't actually at all. It's time to put our differences aside and grow up!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Background2
Almost as far back as I can remember my mom has had depression . I can remember that when I was six or seven things started going downhill with our family. My mom was going to the doctors a lot. It started off once a week and soon it became two or three times a week. The doctor visits never seemed to help my mother though.
A couple years later my brother and I were moving back and forth from our house to our grandparents house. My mother was in and out of the hospital, and my father was working the night shift. It was hell! I was young and didn't understand what was going on. I was scared. I didn't want to talk to anyone about it because I just wanted to ignore all the bad things, and hoped that maybe it would all just go away. I just wanted to be home with my mother and father as a family. I wanted things to be normal again.
Another year or so went by and my mother tried to commit suicide. Thankfully she did not succeed. She had made aphone call to one of her friends second guessing herself. The friend rushed her to the hospital and saved my mother's life. Throughout my childhood life with my mom was a rollar coaster. She would was getting better all the time just to fall back into her world of sadness. We always did things as a family. We went camping several times a year, we took day trips on the four wheelers , snow sled rides, family get togethers, and so on. We always had a good time, but something was still missing.
A couple years later my brother and I were moving back and forth from our house to our grandparents house. My mother was in and out of the hospital, and my father was working the night shift. It was hell! I was young and didn't understand what was going on. I was scared. I didn't want to talk to anyone about it because I just wanted to ignore all the bad things, and hoped that maybe it would all just go away. I just wanted to be home with my mother and father as a family. I wanted things to be normal again.
Another year or so went by and my mother tried to commit suicide. Thankfully she did not succeed. She had made a
ISearch why2
I choose to research depression as my topic, because my mother has suffered with the disease for several years. The word depression had always been in the back of my mind, but recently I've realized how little I actually know about it. I was right by my mother's side all of those years, but it was something that we just didn't talk about as a family. It was no secret in my household that something wasn't right. We knew my mother wasn't happy and my father was very involved, but my brother and I seemed to try to block it out. We went on with our lives trying to keep everything as normal as we possibly could. I think it was just easier not knowing so I didn't ask the questions. Now that I'm older I have lots of questions I would like to get answers to.
- What
causes depression ? What caused my mother's depression - Is there cure? Does it get better?
- Is it hereditary? Will I get it?
- Could it be prevented? How?
- My Mother has taken a lot of different meds. Are some better? Will they have long term affects on her?
- What is an ECT treatment?
- What besides memory loss are there more side effects?
- Will mother ever gain back memory?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Intro-Contrast2
My brother and I are complete opposites. Besides Sharing our brown hair, brown eyes, and our last name we have nothing in common. Although I love my brother very deeply I cannot think of a single time in my life we have agreed on something. My brother is four years older than me, and I am the baby of the family. From the time we were able to communicate with one another it has been a constant argument. I have a very different outlook on life than my brother does. I have goals in life that I work hard to reach everyday. My brother finds odd jobs to pay his bills, and lives his life one day at a time. I was considered the good child, he was the not so good child who made bad choices. He is very loud and in your face, and I am more soft spoken and kind.
Intro- Contrast
My brother and I are four years apart in age. He's older, I'm the baby of the family. For as long as I can remember there have only been few very rare occasions when we have gotten along with one another. Even though I love my brother very much we constantly but heads. Besides sharing the same brown hair and brown eyes there isn't much more we have in common. My brother and I have very different outlooks on life. I know what I want to do with my life. My brother just finds enough odd jobs to barely scrape by. I was the good child, he was the bad child. He is very loud and in your face, while I'm soft spoken and kind.
Isearch-Why
I choose to research depression as my topic, because my mother has suffered with the disease for several years. The word depression had always been in the back of my mind, but recently I've realized how little I actually know about it. I was right by my mother's side all of those years, but it was something that we just didn't talk about as a family. It was no secret in my household that something wasn't right. We knew my mother wasn't happy and my father was very involved, but my brother and I seemed to try to block it out. We went on with our lives trying to keep everything as normal as we possibly could. I think it was just easier not knowing so I didn't ask the questions. Now that I'm older I have lots of questions I would like to get answers to.
- What causes depression?
- Is there cure? Does it get better?
- Is it hereditary?
- Could it be prevented? How?
- What is the difference in all the meds
- What is an ECT treatment?
- Is ECT really healthy for a person in the long run?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Meta-graph classification
As I'm sitting here writing this essay I'm laughing at myself. It's pathetic how much I love my job. After one day off I'm almost excited to go back. It's not that I'm unhappy at home, and it's not that I don't have plenty of other things I could or should be doing. I just love being around all those people. There's always excitement around the store. My bosses and co-workers have become part of my family. Shaun and Kate, my bosses take care of me as if I was their own. Pushing me to make it though school, buying me new tires for my car, and even make sure I staying healthy and making it to all my doctors appointments. We even go out together on the weekends. I guess it's a good thing that I love my job, but sad because I know no other job can ever replace it. If it weren't for the money situation I would be a lifer at lloyds!
Isearch-background
Almost as far back as I can remember my mom has had depression. I can remember that when I was six or seven things started going downhill with our family. My mom was going to the doctors a lot. It started off once a week and soon it became two or three times a week. The doctor visits never seemed to help my mother though. A couple years later my brother and I were moving back and forth from our house to our grandparents house,while my mother was in and out of the hospital. It was hell! I was young and didn't understand what was going on. I just wanted to be home. I wanted things to be normal again. Another year or so went by and my mother tried to commit suicide. Thankfully she did not succeed. She had made a phone call to one of her friends second guessing herself. The friend rushed her to the hospital and saved my mother's life. Throughout my childhood life with my mom was a rollar coaster. She would was getting better all the time just to fall back into her world of sadness. We always did things as a family. We went camping several times a year, we took day trips on the four wheelers, snow sled rides, family get togethers, and so on. We always had a good time, but something was still missing.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
People are generally polite in our little country store. Most everyone knows everyone else in our small town. If they don't they know your dad or your cousin or your uncle. There's always a connection somewhere. I love the closeness of the little store. It's always something new, and I get learn a lot about different people. Many people pass through the store on a daily basis. I really get to know my costumers on a personal level. Occasionally though I have the rude customers that make me want to jump over the counter and punch them out. I always put a fake smile on my face until someone comes along to put a real smile on my face. I can categorize my customers into three groups. There are the polite customers, the rude customers, and the regulars.
The first type of customers are the polite ones. These people are nice to have around. These are the people who always enter the store with a smile. They have manners. They say please and thank you, and make small talk for a more comfortable atmosphere. The polite customers understand that things don't always run as smoothly as they should. I sometimes get over whelmed with orders, and they are more than willing to wait a few extra minutes for their service. Some people just don't understand how much easier they make my life by just being polite. I really didn't understand just how important it is to be kind and polite in public until I worked here. I would never dream of being rude to someone for something that they can't control.
The second type, and my least favorite is the rude customer. These are the customers that you can never satisfy. They walk in like they own the place. Wont even crack a smile, and tell me my cookies are burnt. One example I consider to be a rude customer was just the other day. A man bought a soda with a ten dollar bill. I gave him his change and he went on his way. The very next day my boss gets a call from this guy telling him that he gave me a fifty and I short changed him. It was later determined that I didn't actually make the mistake, but because the guy didn't get his free money he preceded to tell my boss that I was doing drugs at the counter and he knows this because he was an old hippie himself. All the time people are trying to get free things I have heard it all. Glass in the pizza, pizza with no sauce, spongy haddock, half filled propane tanks. These are the people who are unhappy and insist on bringing others down with them. It really sucks to have a rude customer. I just don't understand why people cant be happy and understanding like me!
Last but not least is the regular customers. I start pushing buttons on the cash register before they even get up to the counter. I already know just about everything they're going to pick up. There's the 3pm beer guys all purchasing either bud or bud light 12oz cans. The 5pm beer guys. Rodney with his 16oz bottle of bud light, Carl with his three 16oz bottles of bud, Gary with his six pack bud cans, and so on. The regulars are generally also polite. Some days people just have a bad day, but for the most part these are my favorites. These are the people that I have really gained relationships with over the past two years. They know a lot about me as do I about them. The regulars are good people to have around. A lot of them stick around and keep me company on a slow day. They're the good ones to have around for the occasional creeper who might come in and try to pull some crazy stunt. They are also the most dependable. The store often has slow days and cash ups aren't very big. At least we can count on the regulars to keep us going!
It's always something new and exciting at Lloyd's store. It's getting a $20 tip from a customer I only cooked one lobster for. Getting crap from men because I'm a girl and I'm filling their propane tank. Then having them try to "teach" me how do it even though I took the training I still may not be qualified because I am not a man. Wasting endless amounts of company money at all my failed attempts to bake. Or just enjoying the slow times where I get to catch up on the latest gossip with the regulars. I wouldn't trade this job for any other. Someday I suppose I will have to give it up and go somewhere to work for more than peanuts but until then I will be loving every minute I spend working there. And if your ever driving by feel free to stop to enjoy a bit of the organized chaos!
The first type of customers are the polite ones. These people are nice to have around. These are the people who always enter the store with a smile. They have manners. They say please and thank you, and make small talk for a more comfortable atmosphere. The polite customers understand that things don't always run as smoothly as they should. I sometimes get over whelmed with orders, and they are more than willing to wait a few extra minutes for their service. Some people just don't understand how much easier they make my life by just being polite. I really didn't understand just how important it is to be kind and polite in public until I worked here. I would never dream of being rude to someone for something that they can't control.
The second type, and my least favorite is the rude customer. These are the customers that you can never satisfy. They walk in like they own the place. Wont even crack a smile, and tell me my cookies are burnt. One example I consider to be a rude customer was just the other day. A man bought a soda with a ten dollar bill. I gave him his change and he went on his way. The very next day my boss gets a call from this guy telling him that he gave me a fifty and I short changed him. It was later determined that I didn't actually make the mistake, but because the guy didn't get his free money he preceded to tell my boss that I was doing drugs at the counter and he knows this because he was an old hippie himself. All the time people are trying to get free things I have heard it all. Glass in the pizza, pizza with no sauce, spongy haddock, half filled propane tanks. These are the people who are unhappy and insist on bringing others down with them. It really sucks to have a rude customer. I just don't understand why people cant be happy and understanding like me!
Last but not least is the regular customers. I start pushing buttons on the cash register before they even get up to the counter. I already know just about everything they're going to pick up. There's the 3pm beer guys all purchasing either bud or bud light 12oz cans. The 5pm beer guys. Rodney with his 16oz bottle of bud light, Carl with his three 16oz bottles of bud, Gary with his six pack bud cans, and so on. The regulars are generally also polite. Some days people just have a bad day, but for the most part these are my favorites. These are the people that I have really gained relationships with over the past two years. They know a lot about me as do I about them. The regulars are good people to have around. A lot of them stick around and keep me company on a slow day. They're the good ones to have around for the occasional creeper who might come in and try to pull some crazy stunt. They are also the most dependable. The store often has slow days and cash ups aren't very big. At least we can count on the regulars to keep us going!
It's always something new and exciting at Lloyd's store. It's getting a $20 tip from a customer I only cooked one lobster for. Getting crap from men because I'm a girl and I'm filling their propane tank. Then having them try to "teach" me how do it even though I took the training I still may not be qualified because I am not a man. Wasting endless amounts of company money at all my failed attempts to bake. Or just enjoying the slow times where I get to catch up on the latest gossip with the regulars. I wouldn't trade this job for any other. Someday I suppose I will have to give it up and go somewhere to work for more than peanuts but until then I will be loving every minute I spend working there. And if your ever driving by feel free to stop to enjoy a bit of the organized chaos!
Outro-classification
It's always something new and exciting at Lloyd's store. It's getting a $20 tip from a customer I only cooked one lobster for. Getting crap from men because I'm a girl and I'm filling their propane tank. Then having them try to "teach" me how do it even though I'm the one who took the training. I still may not be qualified because I am not a man. Wasting endless amounts of company money at all my failed attempts to bake. Or just enjoying the slow times where I get to catch up on the latest gossip with the regulars. I wouldn't trade this job for any other. Someday I suppose I will have to give it up and go somewhere to work for more than peanuts but until then I will be loving every minute I spend working there. If your ever driving by feel free to stop in to enjoy a bit of the organized chaos!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Working in the public always has its pros and cons. For the most part I love my job. I love seeing new faces and meeting new people. A lot of the customers I have really gotten to know on a personal level. Most customers have good manners and are generally really polite. Occasionally though we have the rude customers that make you want to jump over the counter and punch them out. I always put a fake smile on my face until someone comes along to put a real smile on my face. I can categorize our customers into three groups. There are out polite customers, our rude customers, and our regulars.
Intro-Classification
People are generally polite in our little country store. Most everyone knows everyone else in our small town. If they don't they know your dad or your cousin or your uncle. There's always a connection somewhere. I love the closeness of our little store. It's always something new, and you learn a lot about different people. Many people pass through our store on a daily basis. We really get to know our costumers on a personal level. Most of the time it's a really fun place to be. Occasionally there are problems, but there's always someone to come along and put a smile on your face. Which leads to the three types of customers. There are our polite customers, our rude customers, and our regulars.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
meta-graf
I choose this topic because its something that I hold something close to my heart. I wish that I could say that none of the stuff in the essay were true. Something I wish would have never happened. It was hell for a while watching my best friend ruin her life. Waking up every day wondering if I was going to get the phone call that she was no longer with us. I was the scared one while she was out feeling good. I don't miss these times and I never will. I wouldn't go back for anything. I'm distracted while I'm writing this essay. Liza keeps texting me. She wants me to come visit with her for the day. This actually makes me smile. Here I am writing all this bad crap and I realized how much we have overcome. We're back to normal, and the only good thing that came out of this whole mess was an essay topic!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cause ESSAY!
Liza and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We have experienced most of our firsts together. She's always been the one I can run to. I can cry on her shoulder about all my problems. She's the first person I call with exciting news. She keeps all my secrets under lock and key. Under no circumstances would we disrespect one another. In high school we had just about everything in common. We managed the football team together. We had all the same classes, and all the same friends. We were interested in the same type of boys. She also lived at my house off and on throughout the years when things weren't going well in her own. Liza became more of a sister then just a friend. It was the kind of friendship that seems to happen only once in a lifetime. It seemed that nothing could break us apart. That is until things started to change the summer after our senior year. Drugs, her running with the wrong crowd, and her disagreeing with choices I made was the reason that we eventually lost the closeness that we once shared.
The first reason that caused Liza and I to lose our closeness was when she got hooked up with some new friends. These were the kind of people that I did not want in my life. These "friends" of hers were already out of high school yet still had nothing going for them. No jobs, no schooling, babies that they weren't raising. When I tried talking to Liza about how she was falling into their trap she just said "Ashley it's senior year and I want to have some fun." Liza was still in all my classes, but was showing up less and less. The days that she did come she looked like she just crawled out of bed. Hair all messed up, clothes that were obviously not hers, to big or too small, and big dark circles that seemed to almost cover her face. She would complain about how bad her hangover sucked. Like that was my problem I wasn't the one drinking on a Tuesday night. She would often ask me to come hang out with her new friends but I wasn't interested. I wanted different things in life, and she would have to choose what she wanted. Sadly enough those are the people that she chose over me which was the beginning of the end of our closeness.
Another cause the brought us to the end of our closeness was drugs. This is the big one for me. She used to be the prettiest girl I knew. Gorgeous long brown hair that reached half way down her body, never a single hair out of place. Piercing blue eyes that would instantly invite you into her warm and caring heart. She was all around a good person. She could make friends with anyone. She was full of life and loved to make people laugh. When she started using drugs though she became someone that I didn't know anymore. She looked like walking death. Her hair was often unwashed thrown into a bundled mess. Her eyes were no longer warm and inviting. They were bloodshot and red, with dark circles that made her looked old and warn out. I would still make and effort to hang out with her, because she was still the girl who held all my precious memories. Every time we did get together she would end up being "sick" because she didn't think that I knew what was going on. She wouldn't do pills in front of me, she knew I wouldn't tolerate it. It soon became more of a chore to spend time with me. She would leave from my house at all hours of the night to go get high with the loser friends. Her mom would call me and beg me to get her away from these people, and try to make her see what she was doing to herself. I tried my hardest but there was no talking to her. She was going to make her own choices and she made that clear to me. I was tiered of playing the game and fighting for her friendship. I excepted the fact that we might be two different people and tried to move on the best I could. The situation was bringing me down, and started effecting the other important people in my life, my family and boyfriend and that wasn't fair.
Lastly, Liza disagreed with choices that I made with my life. She didn't like my boyfriend. She told me that I could do better and he wasn't right for me. For a while she would hang out with us but was nasty to my boyfriend. Always shooting dirty looks and rolling her yes at him. She would constantly pick fights with him when he did nothing to bring it on. Eventually though she would make me chose either her of him. If I wanted to spend time with her under no circumstances could he be around. She also became angry with me when I picked up extra shifts at work instead of spending time with her. The new attitude she had came from her new lifestyle. It was something that I could no longer handle. I finally came to realize that things werent going to get better. I slowly let liza slip out of my life. All we had left was the occasional phone call to make sure one another was still alive.
It's very unlikely that a friendship will last forever. People change and go there separate ways, and I was convinced that I just had to accept that fact and move on. I never gave up hope on liza though, and eventually things started to come around. Liza called me one day after not talking for months and begged me to come get her. She needed to leave town to escape the friends that were holding her down. She needed my help! I instantly dropped everything I was doing and got in my car. I cried all the way there, and continued to cry once she got in the car. We had a lot to work on, and a lot to talk about. There she was in my life again. Considering the circumstances it felt so good. She sobered up, ditched the old so called friends and accepted the choices I had made for my life. Through all the bumps in the road we made it. It took some time to regain the closeness but eventually we did, and it's a great feeling!
The first reason that caused Liza and I to lose our closeness was when she got hooked up with some new friends. These were the kind of people that I did not want in my life. These "friends" of hers were already out of high school yet still had nothing going for them. No jobs, no schooling, babies that they weren't raising. When I tried talking to Liza about how she was falling into their trap she just said "Ashley it's senior year and I want to have some fun." Liza was still in all my classes, but was showing up less and less. The days that she did come she looked like she just crawled out of bed. Hair all messed up, clothes that were obviously not hers, to big or too small, and big dark circles that seemed to almost cover her face. She would complain about how bad her hangover sucked. Like that was my problem I wasn't the one drinking on a Tuesday night. She would often ask me to come hang out with her new friends but I wasn't interested. I wanted different things in life, and she would have to choose what she wanted. Sadly enough those are the people that she chose over me which was the beginning of the end of our closeness.
Another cause the brought us to the end of our closeness was drugs. This is the big one for me. She used to be the prettiest girl I knew. Gorgeous long brown hair that reached half way down her body, never a single hair out of place. Piercing blue eyes that would instantly invite you into her warm and caring heart. She was all around a good person. She could make friends with anyone. She was full of life and loved to make people laugh. When she started using drugs though she became someone that I didn't know anymore. She looked like walking death. Her hair was often unwashed thrown into a bundled mess. Her eyes were no longer warm and inviting. They were bloodshot and red, with dark circles that made her looked old and warn out. I would still make and effort to hang out with her, because she was still the girl who held all my precious memories. Every time we did get together she would end up being "sick" because she didn't think that I knew what was going on. She wouldn't do pills in front of me, she knew I wouldn't tolerate it. It soon became more of a chore to spend time with me. She would leave from my house at all hours of the night to go get high with the loser friends. Her mom would call me and beg me to get her away from these people, and try to make her see what she was doing to herself. I tried my hardest but there was no talking to her. She was going to make her own choices and she made that clear to me. I was tiered of playing the game and fighting for her friendship. I excepted the fact that we might be two different people and tried to move on the best I could. The situation was bringing me down, and started effecting the other important people in my life, my family and boyfriend and that wasn't fair.
Lastly, Liza disagreed with choices that I made with my life. She didn't like my boyfriend. She told me that I could do better and he wasn't right for me. For a while she would hang out with us but was nasty to my boyfriend. Always shooting dirty looks and rolling her yes at him. She would constantly pick fights with him when he did nothing to bring it on. Eventually though she would make me chose either her of him. If I wanted to spend time with her under no circumstances could he be around. She also became angry with me when I picked up extra shifts at work instead of spending time with her. The new attitude she had came from her new lifestyle. It was something that I could no longer handle. I finally came to realize that things werent going to get better. I slowly let liza slip out of my life. All we had left was the occasional phone call to make sure one another was still alive.
It's very unlikely that a friendship will last forever. People change and go there separate ways, and I was convinced that I just had to accept that fact and move on. I never gave up hope on liza though, and eventually things started to come around. Liza called me one day after not talking for months and begged me to come get her. She needed to leave town to escape the friends that were holding her down. She needed my help! I instantly dropped everything I was doing and got in my car. I cried all the way there, and continued to cry once she got in the car. We had a lot to work on, and a lot to talk about. There she was in my life again. Considering the circumstances it felt so good. She sobered up, ditched the old so called friends and accepted the choices I had made for my life. Through all the bumps in the road we made it. It took some time to regain the closeness but eventually we did, and it's a great feeling!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Outro
It's very unlikely that a friendship will last forever. People change and go there serperate ways, and I was convinced that I just had to accept that fact and move on. I never gave up hope on liza though, and eventually things started to come around. Liza called me oneday after not talking for months and begged me to come get her. She needed to leave town to escape the friends that were holding her down. She needed my help! I instantly dropped everything I was doing and got in my car. I cried all the way there, and continued to cry once she got in the car. We had a lot to work on, and a lot to talk about. There she was in my life again. Considering the circumstances it felt so good. She sobered up, ditched the old so called friends and accepted the choices I had made for my life. Through all the bumps in the road we made it. It took some time to regain the closeness but eventually we did, and it's a great feeling!
Intro 2
Liza and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We have experienced most of our firsts together. She's always been the one I can run to. I can cry on her shoulder about all my problems. She's the first person I call with exciting news. She keeps all my secrets under lock and key. Under no circumstances would we disrespect one another. In high school we had just about everything in common. We managed the football team together. We had all the same classes, and all the same friends. We were interested in the same type of boys. She also lived at my house off and on throughout the years when things weren't going well in her own. Liza became more of a sister then just a friend. It was the kind of friendship that seems to happen only once in a lifetime. It seemed that nothing could break us apart. That is until things started to change the summer after our senior year. Drugs, her running with the wrong crowd, and her disagreeing with choices I made would put an end to the closeness that we once shared.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Graf 8
I really like the essay by Elijah Giguere about his marching partner, Molly. What really stood out to me is that it made me smile. It's always nice when you can read a piece of writing and it brings a smile to your face! It brings me back to my high school graduation, and all the emotions I experienced that day, and how I also really enjoyed my marching partner. I also really liked the essay by Angele Ecks about falling in love. The essay made me think about my past relationships. When they went wrong it was never my fault. There was always something/someone else to blame. As I kept reading I realized that I do similar things, and maybe some relationships gone wrong could have actually been my fault!
Intro
Liza was best friend from the time we started high school. We had everything in common and enjoyed doing all of the same things. Everyday after school was a new adventure for us. We managed the football team together. We had all the same classes, all the same friends. We we interested in the same type of boys. We even shared a wardrobe. Off and on liza lived at my house when things weren't going good in her own. She became more of a sister then just a friend. Nothing could separate us until things started to change our Senior year. Drugs became part of her life, but not mine. She was struggling with her home life, trying to avoid her past, and hanging out with the "wrong crowd".
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Things*
The second drawer down in my dresser underneath all the clothes there is a box full of things. These are things that all meant something to me at one point in my life. The things all mean something to me, because they bring back the memories of those days every time I go though the box. The letters from people that I haven't talked to for years make me wonder how I could let such good friends just slip out of my life. My half of the best friend charm bracelet from 6th grade amazes me that our friendship survived through all of the high school drama while the other friendships didn't. There's that diamond necklace that my high school boyfriend saved up for months for. I've thought about pawning it, but I just cant make myself do it. Even though there are no feelings there anymore it meant so much to me at one point so still I keep it. The photographs are what make me smile the most. Every single one of them takes me back to that exact moment. Crushes crushes and more crushes, my first day of high school, my first prom, my first drunken night, followed by first hangover, old pets, family get togethers,etc. If I'm feeling down in the dumps, I know I can always go to this box to make me smile. This box is something that I could never throw away all its content will always be valuable to me.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Graf #4
I'm usually quiet until you get to know me. I didn't get my drivers licence until I was 20. I was nervous about driver's ed, and thought that it was completely acceptable to depend on others. I don't cook. Its the worst chore you could ask of me. I do not eat eggs and haven't since I was little. I will eat ranch on just about anything and everything. I hate being alone. I love being around other people all the time. I will not under any circumstances sleep in a house alone, the emptiness scares me. I love my job,and never dread going. I cannot wink my left eye which I discovered playing around with my grandfather when I was younger, and reminded of last fall when I was learning to shoot a gun.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
My living room-
- two paintings
- fishing traps
- tackle box
- pack basket
- fishing line
- Yankee candle
- school books
- notebooks
- two dogs
- two dog bones
- toy rope
- toy ball
- 2 squeaky toys
- dog bed
- box of treats
- socks
- laundry basket
- duct tape
- laptop case
- vacuum
- wireless router
- 2 magazines
- chair
- couch
- t.v.
- picture frame( no pictures)
- picture frame (dog pictures)
- mounted fish
- 2 mountain dew bottles (empty)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Graf #2- Worst teacher
He was a mean and hateful drunk. He never had anything kind or encouraging to say to his students. I'm not even sure that he liked children at all. He had a coffee mug in hand at all times, though he never smelled like coffee. There was however a strong stench of cheap cologne that followed him around the classroom. He was constantly popping mint life savers as if he was trying to cover something up. He never seemed to teach us much, but always expected us to finnish our projects sucessfully. This made things difficult. We were seventh graders working with power tools! When I asked him to help me oneday he replied, "Your never going to make it in the real world you idiot!" That was minnor compared to the comments he made to other students. This teacher no longer has his job for obvious reasons. That thought of him working with children all those years still makes me cringe.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Graf #1
My hands are small with short fingers. Soft from my Jergans lotion that I use religously. No rings,not even on the left.I prefer it that way. My hands work steady all day long.They wake up in the morning and prepare me for my day. My hands drive me to work where my fingers get cut from slicing meat, and are sometimes smelly from chopping onions. My hands have small burns from my failed attempts to cook. My fingers are cramped from punching keys on the cash register. My palms are callused from turning valves on and off when filling propane tanks. I use my middle finger for the occasional rude customer behind their back of course. My hands are tired at the end of the day, but not too tired to pet the puppies until its time to go to bed, wake up, and do it all over again.
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