... me especially when it comes to sports. Being an athlete can be hard, especially when you are following in the footsteps of someone big. In my case I am following behind my brother. He is an exceptionally talented individual on the court and on the field and I am extremely lucky to be able to have him there ... do or say to get me motivated to do something. If I ever need to talk about something or I am having a problem with something, he is there. My brother never puts me down in any way for anything and always pushes me to do better because he knows what I am capable of even when I do n...

• Word Count: 1026
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... chair realising that summer does bring happiness. Children are building sand castles and pleasurably eating their rapidly melting away chocolate ice cream. To my right I observe a humongous cliff. Looking at this wonderful construction of nature in disbelief, I realise how small we are on the great ... fight the harsh rays of the sun on a now scorching summer day. I run as fast as I can towards an endless pool of crystal blue water. A pool that my body sees as a cool heaven. I am refreshed as I peacefully float among the merging waves. I am unaware of the waves that are soon to break o...

• Word Count: 600
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... diversity, and less racism. After 2 years of getting paperwork done, we were finally able to apply for permanent residence. During that time of waiting anxiously, my grandma passed away, and it was a really tragic moment in our lives. After that incident, we got our lives together, and started preparing for Canada. ... The process took longer than I thought it would, but in about 2 months I was on a plane to Canada with my family. It all seemed so unreal; it was almost that this whole journey was a dream. Everything was so different and unique. The environment, the people, and ... the p...

• Word Count: 465
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... with friends, when the accident happened I was unaware of the damage I had permanently caused myself, and from the day after the accident until now, my self esteem has been altered immensely. A typical summer day for a ten year old is playing outside with friends, running around and pretending we are our ... favorite television show characters. On this particular summer day, however, my brother, his friend, and I were more bored than a deaf guy at a concert. Our neighbors were having a birthday party next door, but it was for ... unattended waterfall of fun and inevitable disaster, I di...

• Word Count: 903
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... swiftness of the movements equal an incredible sense of euphoria. The beat of the music bangs in my skull telling to move. The freeness of my movements consumes me. As I mature, I bloom in the garden of my own creativity. All my life, I have been searching for a way to be able to shine amongst the rest. I ... always been overwhelming for me, considering all of the essays and exams, which were sometimes due on the same day all at once. Currently, I have my own dance crew and we perform in competitions along with other adolescents. We have won many competitions against people from all over...

• Word Count: 522
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... some years. Now, I am always thankful, I never take things for granted, I am not as stubborn as I was, and I am not very hard headed. When I was a child I wanted everything to go my way and I felt like I needed everything I wanted. If I asked for something but didn't get it, I would throw temper tantrums until I got what I wanted. When I didn't want to eat but ... my mom was making me I would play with my food until she let me leave the table. I didn't know how to say thank you or you're welcome. I just took what I wanted and left. Whenever ... I don't receive the things I want I don't...

• Word Count: 515
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people. My mother is my role model and she has impacted my life immensely and many others' lives. My mom is always there to help me, and those who surround her, through difficult times. She is one strong ... always there to guide me. No matter what the circumstance may be, she is constantly at my side. Without my guardian angel, who knows the girl I'd be today. My mom helps me understand right from wrong. I went through a very rough stage my freshman year. I was being cyber bullied, making wrong decisions...

• Word Count: 586
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... people would think that I am the perfect speaker. But in reality I am just like anyone else. To be honest, big presentations and speeches are my weak points. They often get me worked up and nervous, and force me to prepare more than I have to. However, it is now safe to ... say that with each passing year in high school, my confidence in my speaking abilities has grown. I only wish that my confidence had come a bit sooner, because as junior year arrived more and more public speaking moments presented themselves. One moment ... that I was prepared enough to do well the following evening...

• Word Count: 658
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... America is the strongest country in the world. As you can see the national defensive system and the education system are so well-developed. Undoubtedly, going to America has affected my life not only physically, but also mentally. It seems to me that Hong Kong education system has messed up since China rules over Hong Kong from 1997. In support of ... an example. Sadly, there was an educational reform occurred within these several years in Hong Kong, which has totally destroyed the well-developed educational system; furthermore, a lot of people in my country started leaving Hong Kong fo...

• Word Count: 468
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... brother Chris is going to be 22 on Friday the 12th, although I won't get to wish him a happy birthday. Why? Because my brother has put a temporary hold on his life to help others, he is in the United States Army, and has just left for the sandy lands ... protecting his family, and the rest of the United States, but I don't think when he joined he knew he might be putting his life on the line. My family along with many others is suffering great losses, many of our brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers are being sent to Iraq to ensure their freedom and to ... protect the people living ...

• Word Count: 283
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... Kim. In a nervous voice she said "Hey Sue, your brother got shot. I thought you should know." Once I heard that, I hung up with her. I called my boyfriend Jason and told him what I found out. I was screaming at Jason, telling him to get here as soon as possible, so he picked me up to head ... on his right leg which made him fall down, which he stumbled and ended up where he was. In total there were four shots that got him. My cousin Louie got shot on his right forearm, the bullet went right through. Bobby saved Louie's life because Bobby pushed Louie down. Miraculously Bobby didn't get ...

• Word Count: 1096
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... are flying in the air around you even if you are a very realistic and sceptical person like me. I never believed in a poltergeist. On the contrary, my friend Natalka is a very strong supporter of this idea. She used a million facts to convince me that this phenomenon exists. They did not work. One evening ... of soup and thick, burnt sent of roasted coffee started to surround me. Natalka can cook like a real chief and different images of tasty food started browsing my mind. It was very late when I finally found the cottage. The house was gloomy and dark. I knocked on the door and took a d...

• Word Count: 489
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... . For me, she is a source of motivation and a reminder of what true love really means. My mother gave up the family she knew in Haiti to come to America to make a better life for my brother and me. She always teaches the importance of a good education. She does almost anything to help when it came to ... and generosity make her the type of person everyone can count on in her neighborhood. One of the most important roles that my mom plays in my life is that of teacher and counselor. Like most people my age, my mother is the person I can go to for a good lesson in life. She also is the one...

• Word Count: 321
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... ranks of the Ethiopian military and decided it was most wise to flee the country before the rebels overthrew the dictator. The rest is history. My family would learn multiple languages and stay in multiple countries in Africa for four years before finally escaping to an over illustrated "promise land." That ... of living a moderately normal life were her troubles with the English language and still having to maintain good enough grades to graduate high school. My mom and family were able to overcome all of the hurdles that lay in their paths way and all now live lower middle class lives....

• Word Count: 652
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... will get us through the other side of life with integrity, honour and having done the things in life that we've have aimed and we"re meant to do. My rules for living are to love others as I love myself, to live with honesty, and so form trusting relationships and above all else to love God. To love others as ... up trust in these relationships. Not only does honesty bring trust but it gives integrity to what ever we say which in life is very important. The most important of my three ethics is to love God above all else. The reason I think that this is the most important of the three of ...

• Word Count: 422
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... will get us through the other side of life with integrity, honour and having done the things in life that we've have aimed and we"re meant to do. My rules for living are to love others as I love myself, to live with honesty, and so form trusting relationships and above all else to love God. To love others as ... up trust in these relationships. Not only does honesty bring trust but it gives integrity to what ever we say which in life is very important. The most important of my three ethics is to love God above all else. The reason I think that this is the most important of the three of ...

• Word Count: 422
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... it takes all skill and strength to make it to the big leagues, but it also takes carrying, committed and loving parents. My parents have always provided support throughout my early hockey career. They pay thousands of dollars and spend many hours supporting myself and the team. They also provide me with transportation ... but I knew that I could and that is what gave me confidence going forward. It inspired me to work harder the following year and succeed and accomplish my goals. Hockey is a very diverse game. There are so many options and quick decisions when you hit that ice surface. ...

• Word Count: 605
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... to safety. I should have discarded this childhood fear a long time ago, but it's been with me for decades. It's familiar and comfortable. Besides, sometimes I'd just rather deal with monsters under my bed than take on real life. For instance, I was a horribly shy kid, with no social skills or grace. More than anything, I yearned to be noticed as the popular, outgoing guy ... I knew I was, instead of the awkward nerdette everyone saw. But being noticed was also my worst fear because my shyness usually led to yet another social disaster. After the long and painful process of emerging from...

• Word Count: 371
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... or the most popular guy in school. Although I might not always fulfill these aspirations, falling just a little bit short still leaves me in awe of my accomplishments. If you want something bad enough, and you are willing to put forth the effort, anything is possible. I have achieved so many things that ... because I aimed for the stars. Lofty goals are for not if you are not willing to work to achieve them. The core of all of my success lies in my strong work ethic. I have never been the biggest, fastest, or strongest athlete on the field, but I have experienced success because I have ...

• Word Count: 487
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... to check e-mail and all that good stuff. After that I usually goto school and I goto, a computer class my english class, and one history class. There are others but I don't want to list them. I occasionally get into fights with the teachers and get sent to the office, although all I ... I try to get suspended I don't think I could. I have plent of friedns we hang out and do all the normal teen stuff. I usually make everyone laught at least once. That's my role in my group, I'm the funny guy. I can easily make any one laugh even teachers. I come home if all goes accordingly and then I j...

• Word Count: 269
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... year was going to be different, I hoped! It was not until I walked around the corner and saw it. It was what I had always wanted. My dreams had finally come true. Everyone kept telling me that this birthday was special because I was not going to be a little girl anymore. I thought that ... wind was blowing calmly, and all the park animals were playing with each other, paying no attention to thirteen screaming girls running around playing tag. I heard my mother scream from our picnic area, "Girls, it is time to cut the cake and open the presents." After the stampede had passed, we settled...

• Word Count: 573
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... the experience, the willingness to learn, and I like a good challenge. One reason which qualifies me for this class is the experience I've had in the past in advanced classes. In my freshman year I was in advanced English and honors geometry. So I know what teachers in advanced classes expect. Advanced classes are for students that are above average, and who put all ... I tend to slack off a bit. All it takes is a good teacher to put me back into the mood of working again. Another reason why I think I"m qualified for this class is my willingness to learn. I love to learn, especially abo...

• Word Count: 302
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... fairly tell. Walking inside of the Saint Mary's Art Gallery, I would of never known that a piece of art would bring back a lovely memory from my childhood. Soon as I walked inside the art gallery my eyes came across this glories piece of art. It was hard to believe that a wooden harp could make me think of ... Beach. Some of the reasons why this art piece makes me think of my Grandma so much is probably because the driftwood makes me think of the beach where my lovely Grandma lives. The wooden spoons make me think about my Grandma when she used to bake cakes and let me lick the frosting ...

• Word Count: 603
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... is without a saddle, because she was so smooth and easy to stay on, well, most of the time. One day when I got home from school, I had decided to take my horse out for a ride. I went out to the stall where she usually was and got her halter on her. I took her to the barn where I could brush her and ... clean out her hoofs and put the bridle on her. I got on my horse and headed out to the road. The road was still pretty quite because it was too early in the afternoon for people to be coming home from work. We ... me and she would meet us at the hospital. When I was in the ambulance I rem...

• Word Count: 569
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... , and how I really hurt someone's feelings. I thought that it would be cool to drink with a bunch of my friends. Little did I know how much trouble I could get myself into? I've learned that I need to be a more responsible teenager and not to drink until ... will not drink anymore after this whole situation. Another thing I have learned is to be careful how I choose my friends. I thought I had really good friends but that's what I get for thinking. During this whole situation I thought my friends would take up for me and tell the truth about what had really happened that night, then com...

• Word Count: 465
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School