Giving your self to service is life's true fulfillment. There is no better feeling than helping the less fortunate. I myself have had hands on experience with community service and it has changed me in miraculous ways. Last summer I started volunteering at Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital. Eager to help I went in with my eyes closed and learned lessons I thought I would never learn.
At the beginning of my journey I saw this hospital like any other one, one that is designed to cure the ill. But this hospital is in a league all its own; putting smiles on the patients faces regardless of how sick they really are. This is a place in which sick children can be themselves regardless of prejudice and stereotyping. The world is a cruel place and these poor innocence beings just need a place to forget their worries and Joe DiMaggio is a place to let loose.
Many of my tasks at the hospital where hands on. Reading, playing, arts and crafts, or just simply offering moral support is a volunteer's top priority. Just after a couple of weeks at the hospital, I became a regular. Patients were beginning to ask about me and were inquiring when I would come and play. The feeling of being helpful encouraged me and I began spending more and more time at the hospital. I would visit patients on my days off and became quite close to many of them through the weeks.
On an ordinary day at the hospital, I met a boy around my age named Steven. Steven was very shy and kept to himself and for some reason he decided to confide in me. We became great friends and I saw him every time I went to the hospital. One day he decided to come clean...
pages: 4 (words: 832)
comments: 1
added: 07/03/2011
The first time I was onstage, I had terrible stage fright. It was a high school production, and even though I didn't have a leading role, I had a pretty big part. I was in about 6 scenes, and had a decent amount of lines. Up until the night of the play, I had told myself that I wasn't going to be scared, that I didn't have stage fright. Opening night, it all changed.
We stood backstage, in costume and makeup, and I dared to peak from the side of the stage out at the huge auditorium. It was packed. My heart almost leaped into my throat. I automatically forgot all my lines, all the blocking, and all the choreography. We went out into the hallway where my director had organized a prayer circle. As has I have experienced, prayer circles always end up in tears, which end up in the makeup people frantically running around reapplying mascara and foundation.
The prayer circle was a huge source of inspiration for me. All the actors and tech crew gathered together to pray and give last minute speeches/encouragement. I happened to be standing next to my best friend. She was such a source of encouragement. Her hug got me through the show. It was all a blur, but it happened, and we all did great.
I've learned that stage fright can be cured by trust, practice, and a hug from a friend....
pages: 1 (words: 240)
comments: 1
added: 08/13/2011
Charting Your Comfort Zone Part I Assessing Your Core Curiosity. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would rate my curiosity an 8. I would rate myself an 8 because I am the one who will go out of his way to say for example find out what someone is talking about. I would say that I am the questioning type eager for information you might say, so I put myself on the higher end of the scale with an 8. Openness. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would rate my openness a 7. I rated myself a 7 which is on the higher end of the scale because I like to share with other people and I don't feel that I put up a barrier between myself and others. If someone asks me a question even if it is of personal nature I will tell him or her. The book refers to this as openness but I refer to it as having nothing to hide. Risk Tolerance. I rated myself on the low end of the scale in this category. I gave myself a 4, because I don't feel that I am a risk taker I don't like to do things that are going to put me in danger or harms way. I like to live a safe and sheltered life, I guess that is why I have had the same job for the last 10 years and I am only 26 years old. Energy. I gave myself an 8 on a scale from 1 to 10 for energy. I selected such a high number because I feel that I do have a lot of energy or vigor. I enjoy doing things and I don't like to just sit around and watch television (unless the Red Wings are playing). Part II Drawing...
pages: 6 (words: 1447)
comments: 0
added: 01/11/2012
Most people when asked what they value the most in life say there family friends,their cars, or religion. The five things I value the most in life are Reading, my cat, my friends, games and my family. I value those five things because they mean so much to me. I value reading the most in my life becuase it takes me away from all the problems in life. When I read a book everything dissappears my problems, my worries all that exists in my world is the story. If i didnt need sleep or go to school i would spend most my time reading. I value my cat second becuase my cat is my best friend. She will always sit and listen when i have somthing to say or i need somone to talk to about my problems. She never tells anyone my secrets and she always cheers me up. I can tell her anything and she never passes judgement on me un like my family or most of my friends. I value my friends third because they are alway there and they are my friends. If i have somthing to say they always listen to me. They also will help me with school and some problems with my family And i also help them when they need it. Sometimes my friends can make me mad or they embarass me in some way. But in the end they always do somthing to make up for it. I value my family fifth because they sometimes help me with certain problems like school work, money, some things i need to get.Also if I have a problem with someone at school they help me work it out they help me work it out. Sometime my parents can disappoint me or embarass me in some way but they...
pages: 2 (words: 358)
comments: 1
added: 11/05/2011
Adrienne Rich is a feminist who feels very strongly about educating women beyond their secondary status and creating equal opportunity for all races and genders. In her essay, "Taking Women Students Seriously," she discusses her personal problems along with the problems society was facing. She begins by focusing on her history of education where she explains how women were bred to become education majors despite the degree they earned. Believing education was far from "co-educated," she wanted to give women the equal education they were being deprived of when she went into teaching. Education was teaching that "men were the shapers and thinkers of the world, and that this was only natural," (Rich p97). Women were also at a disadvantage in her eyes because they were constant victims of rape, sexual harassment, and were "perceived not as sovereign human beings but as prey," saying men were hardly the targets of pornographic magazines (Rich p98). Although Rich backs up her argument with valid examples, she is outdated and that this "attack" on women does not fully exist to this extent today (Rich 95-99). Women many years ago had very limited rights, but we are now in a time of equal opportunity. We have women in Congress and many other political positions, highly successful businesswomen and leaders, and women's athletic events. Tidal Nine has changed athletics for women providing equal scholarship opportunities and compensations for women's teams. I am on the volleyball team here at Clemson, and I have been treated just as well as any of the male athletes. I have been given as much free stuff as any other team on campus. Women are no longer overlooked athletically or in any other areas. Rich believes that women are bred to become teachers or housewives or just look to marry an eligible bachelor,...
pages: 3 (words: 814)
comments: 1
added: 07/13/2011
Fancy dress
(Written/essay format)
Unfortunately I am not invited to attend very many fancy-dress parties anymore; however they do bring back some wonderful memories from when I was younger.
I can remember having numerous fancy-dress parties held at my house. Me and my best friend were in quite a few shows, therefore fancy dress parties were a brilliant way to get to where them more than once. I think my dad found it easier to keep handing over money for my endless costumes knowing they would be worn more than once. In fact our families parties became so well known for being fancy dress ones, that when my brother invited somebody to his party at the last minute, (without being given an invitation, the full details) she turned up as a fairy. The best fancy dress outfit must have been when I dressed up as a cat for a bouncy castle party, most of the people had nice thin costumes, or ones that you could easily take of awkward parts so that you could bounce freely, however as it was my brothers party I was to set a good example and keep my personal sauna on "anyway it's totally inappropriate for little girls to be bouncing around in knickers and a vest". I don't think it had occurred to my mother that I was perfectly capable of walking through that patio doors, and up the stairs to my bedroom where I had two or three other much lighter costumes, which would have fitted in with the jungle theme of the party, much better than my tabby cat costume. What also confused me was that my mother was hosting the party in shorts and t shirt. I wasn't quite sure what that had to do with the jungle or how she was "just as...
pages: 2 (words: 447)
comments: 1
added: 10/18/2011
With any essay that I write, my main objective is to paint a picture with words. There are three basic guidelines that I follow in order to paint this picture. By writing down my ideas, putting my ideas together on a word processor and then going back to revise is how I compose an essay or any other written work. I feel that these guidelines are essential to a well developed essay.
When I'm given a writing assignment, one of the first things that I do is focus on the subject or topic of the essay. If it's a subject that I am knowledgeable of, I would add my own input and incorporate it into my writing. And if it's not a subject that I am familiar with, I would do some type of research on the subject. One of the most important processes of my written work is the gathering of detailed ideas. When I am forming ideas about my subject for an essay, the first thing that I usually do is concentrate on what I want to write. What do I want to say to my audience? What is the purpose of my writing? I have learned that by knowing the purpose of your writing keeps you focused on it. Once I have found the answers to these questions, I try to stay focused. I gather details for my subject that will help support and develop it. I try to utilize sensory details, specific examples, facts and statistics, or incidents or anecdotes - if they are needed. The next thing that I do is figure out how do I want to say it. I'll start by writing out a few sentences about my subject and then I determine which one represents my idea most effectively. Once I have found...
pages: 3 (words: 623)
comments: 1
added: 10/08/2011
Jealousy - the mud that failure throws at success
Every single one of you in this room, at some point in your life have been jealous of another human being.
So what exactly is jealousy?
What does it mean to you?
Do you think it is a vice or a virtue?
Jealousy in fact can be both a vice and a virtue, believe it or not…
Jealousy is an emotion experienced by one who perceives the love, attention or affection that is being given to a 3rd party, when it should rightfully…in their mind be given to them.
For example, a jealous lover may dislike their partner spending time with members of the opposite sex, because they feel they are rightfully the sole recipient of their partner's attention and although this sounds quite selfish, it is perfectly natural to feel this way.
Jealousy is taken to be synonymous with envy. It is defined to be a mourning which one entertains, at another's well being due to a view that ones excellence is in consequence lessened.
Its distinctive malice comes from the opposition it implies to the supreme virtue of charity.
Jealousy comprises a form of the deadly sin envy, but implies a feeling of personal claim and the presence of a 3rd party which is not present in envy.
The word jealous stems from the French jalousie, formed from jaloux, further from low Latin zelosus (full of zeal), and also from the Greek word ardour zeal meaning to boil or ferment. Originally a condition of zealous emulation.
Jealousy is a combination of emotional reactions, including fear, anger, and anxiety. Studies have shown that men and women tend to feel jealous for different reasons; for instance, physical attractiveness in a perceived rival is more likely to incite jealousy in a woman than in a man.
Everyone occasionally experiences normal jealousy… caring about anyone or...
pages: 3 (words: 768)
comments: 1
added: 10/16/2011
During my high school career, I had some great experiences. Howevever, some of them were quite the contrary. It is times like this that allow me to appreciate the finer things in life. My experience happened in a warm day in May. I had just bought a blue dress for my Senior Class Banquet, which was on this day. My head was aching a little, but I took an asprin and didn't give it much thought. I decided to take a little nap so I could be well rested for this special occassion. I woke up at about 3 o'clock that afternoon. The little headache that I had before I went to sleep had progressed to an excrutiating migraine. It was like I was paralyzed to the bed. I couldn't lift my head from the pillow. I was to be the presenter at the Senior Banquet, but there was no way I could make it in my condition. An hour before the ceremoy was to begin, my best friend called me amd I told him of my condition. He was sympathetic and graciously agreed to accept my awards in my honor. Being the great friend he is, he also agreed to pick up my cue cards and do the necessary presenting for me. Though this experience was one of the worst for me, I don't dwell on it. It has ultimately allowed me to appreciate all of the small things I take for granted.I also tell others no to think about the past but the future, for we know what has yet to come....
pages: 1 (words: 264)
comments: 1
added: 12/01/2011
Think of Christmas and the rush of images is dizzying, jingling bells and bulging stockings, the scent of evergreens mixing with spices from the kitchen, carloads of loved ones traveling great distances to be with the family. Such moments give shape to the holiday. Christmastime is my favorite holiday. It is a wonderful time of the year for me. It is the most joyous and memorable season and has always been a magical part of my life. As the holiday draws near, my excitement builds, as I think of the traditions my family celebrates. The season, filled with laughter and merriment, always starts the same. On Thanksgiving Day, while we are still suffering from our excessive over eating, we bring out the department store advertisements that were stuffed in the daily newspaper. The children scan the advertisements one by one and circle the pictures of the gift items that they like. Every one of them circle ten times more gifts than they would ever expect to receive but we are happy to start with some suggestions. The adults also search the papers looking for ideas for their holiday gift giving. We retire for the day early, and set our alarm clocks for the crack of dawn. The countdown has begun! Family members, young and old, wake up early in the morning to start their holiday shopping. Off to the malls we go, shopping lists in hand, looking for the perfect gifts for our family and friends. Every delightful treasure is chosen with great emotion and love. Signs of Christmas are everywhere we go; enchanting Christmas music blaring from the intercoms, brightly decorated trees at every corner you turn, sparkling garland, life size candy canes and Santa Claus in every mall. People on their way in, their arms empty, push past people on their way...
pages: 9 (words: 2279)
comments: 1
added: 07/22/2011