Shad's Post

One of my flaws is my gullibility; I can become fooled to believe even the simplest of fibs or jokes :]. There have also been many times when I have not wanted to do something and have either been tricked or dragged into doing something. One thing I have to do everyday is become more careful with the choices that I make, because I never know if someone is tricking me.

Julie's Post

One of my many flaws is my humor. It may be funny at times but the people that don't understand can become offended. I have learned to think before speaking because it could really hurt a person's feelings. I think I really have to be careful because not everyone understands the humor that keeps me going :)

gabe's post

My flaw is that I can get way too energetic. There have been instances where I have been calm and some one did something humorous to make me laugh. Instantly, I am more alert but at the same time much more distracted and distracting.

Caroline's Post

One of my biggest flaws is my shyness. I am not an outgoing person, and this has held me back on many occations. I have always tried to be outgoing and open, but somthing seems to hold me back. Hopefully, in time, i will overcome this and be who i want to be.

Hannah's Post <3

Flaws are simply like mistakes. You have them and then simply overcome them. A flaw I have would be my competitiveness. When playing sports, it's not about winning for me but knowing that I gave it my all. After playing a game, instead of pointing out the posotive things I did, I critque myself and really try to help myself improve. In a way this can be helpful as an athlete, and it some ways it can just bring your self asteem down. In the future, I am going to start just focussing on the games I love and knowm and do my best.

Sarahs Post=]

In my life, I have many flaws. For example, I can be a very loud person and although I do know when to simmer down, I can easily get on peoples nerves. I've been trying fairly hard this year to try and tone down my voice, but when I get excited, my voice can overpower anything that stands in its way.

Kyle's Post

A major flaw of mine that is brought to my attention time and time again is my level of kindness to others. I love buying things and doing favors for people because I love the feeling I get after doing something for someone. Teachers often warn me about being taken advantage of and even though I know my friends and family wouldn't ever do that to me it doesn't mean that other people won't. Kindness can be as much a weakness as it is a strength and I just need to know that I can't make everyone happy and that I deserve to make myself happy once in a while.

gabe's post

Gabriel Campbell

Mr. Salsich

English B

February 9^th 2009

 

            We all have our own idea of what magic is, whether it is pulling objects out of a hat or making things vanish (FAST word) into thin air. My idea of magic is being alive. When I was six years old, I was hit by a car. I nearly died and was unconscious for several hours. I had also broken my collarbone and pelvis. This may seem like a strange form of magic, but there are some very convincing reasons. I could have never walked again, I could have never had function of my body again, or I could have woken up again (Anaphora).  This to me is magic because car accidents frequently bring disabilities and death, and I had narrowly (FAST word) escaped both. I am a healthy teenager, all my body parts are functioning, and I am alive. This to me is magic. Overall, while my form of magic involves escaping death, after what I’ve encountered that is magical enough for me

Anna's Post

Anna Holt
English 9
Mr. H Salsich
February 10th, 2008

Magic in the Moment:
A Paragraph on Enchantment

There is a fleeting (FAST) and undefined time in each of our lives when magic is undeniably present. For most, this part of life occurs early on. Magic blesses us when we are young, bright-eyed and beautiful as we wrap our minds around the earth and all of its wonders. It is a time of endless possibilities and faraway lands, of Santa Claus and fairy tales. As we grow, magic fades. Intrigue (FAST) begins to die, and we develop boundaries to a once endless world of imagination. In a sense, we trade magic for knowledge, for as we grow older, we learn things that disprove the tooth fairy and Harry Potter. We exchange the magic of the unknown for concrete facts, and perhaps this is what destroys the blissful beliefs that we hold as children. However, there is some magic that remains eternal. It is magical to walk outside on the first day of spring, breathing in sweet warm air after an icy winter. It is magical to laugh with all your might, oblivious to the tears of joy that stream down your face like summer rain. It is magical to fall asleep and enter a dream that is all your own. (Anaphora- "It is magical") I am magical and you are magical. Never let that magic die.

Rashad's Paragraph

Magic is found in many places in my life. My friends, my luck and my skill.(Anaphora) My friends are like magic because they seem to instantly get rid of any of my pain that is ailing me. Whenever I am feeling down in the dirt one of them picks me back up. My luck is another thing that is like magic. While in basketball practice last year I lobbed up a full court shot; extravagantly(FAST) enough the shot made a wonderful swish sound at the other end of the court. This to me seemed like a wonderful burst of magic was swathed(FAST) upon me. The final thing that has shown me magic in my life is skill. Skill is something that comes with practice and computers are something I have had skill in ever since computer class in 2nd grade; with a little bit of magic my practice and interest in computers helped me become the tech expert that I currently am. Magic is something that is unpredictable and can be found in many places. Where will you find magic?

Kate's Post

Kate Scott
February 10, 2009
Mr. Salsich
English 9
Magic in my life:
An Essay on the Role Magic has Played in My Life
In my live magic can be anything. It doesn’t have to be fairies or unicorns it can be as simple as laughter. When your best friend makes a joke and you start laughing, that feeling is magical. It brightens your day and makes you feel wonderful. Another thing that is magical in my life is when I make the perfect banana bread. Waiting for it to come out of the oven and smelling that scrumptious (Fast) smell of banana bread is almost as good as eating it. The satisfaction and feeling I get when taking perfectly cooked banana bread out of the oven is magical. Another thing in my life that is magical is reading. When I sit down with a good book I cant put it down until I have finished reading it. For example, while reading the “ Harry Potter” books by J, K. Rowling I felt like somewhere out there Harry Potter was out fighting wizards and saving the world. Books can put you into a trance (Fast) that feels like magic. In my live I can find magic in anything.

Kimo's Magic

Kimo Gray
2.10.09
English9
Hamilton Salsich

Magic in the Mundane
An Essay on Magic in my Life

Magic is the perseverance of the caterpillar to stretch its new wings. Magic is the captivity of a time-old story. Magic is the inexplicable joy received by the random exclamatory, “Giraffe!” Contrary to tales of wizardry and spells, there is a multitude of magic, of which we ourselves create. Magic is indefinable. There is magic in everything, but sometimes it just takes a closer look. Whenever I am in class and something clicks in my mind, the magic of newfound knowledge seeps through me. Whenever I view one of nature’s many wonders a more human magic envelopes me. Whenever I can put a smile on someone’s face, not only am I feeling the magic of happiness, but so are they. Life can be hard sometimes, and it is times like these when you feel as if the magic has left you. But it is never too far away. Magic has a submissive (SAT) quality to it, as its only purpose is to benefit others, but during those hard times are when you need magic the most, as it has often been known to raise a spirit or two. There is the magic of feats and tricks, but the only true magic is the kind that can be felt in the heart; this is what matters most in the world. It is the magic that inspires a stranger to stand up for a newfound light, the magic that re-establish love in a dying world, and the magic (Anaphora) that makes life so spontaneously (SAT) great. I feel magic every day, the greatest of which the love that I feel from a million beacons, all around me. Though we may depend on those daily occurrences of magic, the best type of magic is the kind you can share with others.

Zack's Paragraph

Zachary Dameron
February 10 2009
Mr. Salsich
Enlgish 9

Beyond The Beyond:
A Paragraph Placing Magic in My Own Life

Magic is everywhere we choose to put it; it is a silent force that we can say does the impossible because we do not believe we can do it. I find the magic in my life at the very edge of and then beyond what I would normally say is within my abilities. The cliffs and boulders where I rock climb are always sewn with magic. From the bottom, I will call an ascent impossible; once I am in the middle, on the rock, every nook and cranny becomes viable, nothing will kill me, and then, at the top, the ascent, again, looks impossible. In that magical middle area, my fingers and the rock seem glued together, and I can hurl myself ever higher, weightless. On the rainy days though, when the rock is too slippery, I might sit alone and scribble small stories or poems on little scraps of paper. I let words float into my head and then I can contort them, twisting and bending, until they drop out of my pencil onto the paper; their meanings become new and fantastic, barely comprehendible, even by me the author. Before I see the words on the paper, I have trouble believe language could be so flexible and powerful, transcending (FAST) the original meaning of the writer. The magic continues in soccer: my foot arriving with precision before I think to move it, in math: my mind working in leaps and bounds to catch some illusive (FAST) answer, and even humor: quips and puns bursting forth from some forgotten cavity of my brain to leave a friend in stitches. These are not normal day to day occurrences but instead, are occasional flashes of true potential carrying me briefly forward only to all too soon vanish and leave me to be my normal self. I know that it is magic causing what I do when it should be impossible, when there is no fear of pain, no fear of failure, no fear of ridicule, only the fear of stopping to feel the magic ebb away. (Anaphora)

Ty's paragraph

Ty LeVarge
Mr. Hamilton Salsich
English 02
February 10, 2009

Magic is everywhere
A paragraph oh the magic that I have experienced in my life

I have seen several types of magic, from disappearances to inspiring moments; I have seen random magic, and I have seen powerful magic, and I have seen physical and mental magic. Random magic can be things such as a bird disappearing into a cat’s mouth. This is random magic that happened with my aunt’s dog and a normal looking cardinal. This may not include a cat but the dog had made the bird disappear out of thin air. Another that has worked its magic is the time when I first came to this school. I knew that Pine Point was the place of where great magic tricks were born such as making great friends that care about you. Pine Point is a site of where magic was born and created for others to spread. The final impact of magic is my friends. My friends generate magic that has physical and abstract properties. They are an essential part of how I am able to remain happy and content with myself. These are not only magic moments and people in my life but also memories that I will treasure for eternity.

lydia's post

Lydia Schulz

Mr. H. Salsich

9 English

February 10, 2009

Do You Believe In Magic?

An Essay on the Magic in My Life

        Everyone defines magic differently. For me, there is little magic in the purchase of your dream car or an expensive, extravagant event. Magic does not come to the rich and greedy, at least not in its true form. You may look at these people and think they have everything, but in reality, they lack the true magic that can make the lives of ordinary people so special. True magic comes to us in the small things that happen. It comes in the blazing colors of a beautiful sunrise, it comes in a secret smile with your best friend, and it comes in all the small surprises that get us through a rough day. We may think that our lives are uninteresting and lack exciting energy, but we may not have looked hard enough to find the real magic in our lives. Still, magic does not always come from something that is seemingly insignificant. Last summer, I was on a trip to Maine with a friend and her family. We were coming back on their boat from a party on a neighboring island and we dropped some friends off on the way. When the boat turned away from the dock, I looked up to see a brilliant sunset reflecting upon the ocean. On a cold winter day, I close my eyes and picture this magical moment and smile.

Olivia's paragraph

Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
10 February 2009

Magic in Life:

A Paragraph About the Role that Magic Has Played in My Life

When I was growing up, my grandmother always used to say to me, “I’ll always be in your heart, even when I’m no longer with you.” During the month of February last year, she died suddenly without any warning. The night she died, her words kept reverberating (FAST) in my mind as I sat in the chair that she always sat in. It hurt to think about it, but it was also soothing to remember the words, even though she wasn’t there in person saying them. Every summer I go to Cuttyhunk Island, and while I’m there, I usually look for sea glass. I love walking on the beaches, finding sea glass, even the tiniest pieces ever found. I always have had a fondness (FAST) for rocks, as well. I like all the different shapes, colors and designs, and I can never resist bringing some home. Last summer, as I was walking along the quiet beach looking for sea glass, I spied a heart shaped rock. I picked it up, and traced the edge with my finger, admiring its beauty. As I gazed at the rock, the words, “I’ll always be in your heart, even when I’m no longer with you”, went through my mind, and I knew at that exact moment my grandmother was somewhere nearby. She wasn’t there in person, though I could see her, I could smell her, I could touch her, I could hear her,(ANAPHORA) and the rock was a symbol that she was there. Now, whenever I pick it up, my thoughts return to that moment and those words, always knowing that I possess a part of her in my hands, and in my heart.

Timmy's Post

Timmy O’Brien
Mr. Salsich
English 9
2/10/09

The Magic in my Life:

A Paragraph About Things that have seemed “Like Magic”

        In my life, there have been many magical things. One of which was my uncanny [FAST] ability to read minds as a child. I couldn’t do it whenever I wanted; it just happened randomly. For example, one time I was driving in the car with my mom, and she was thinking about her mother and how sad it was to lose her. I said something along the lines of, “It’s okay; she loved you.” Upon hearing this, she was amazed because she had not told me about her thoughts was quite surprised at this outburst. Although I have since lost this ability completely, it is an example of literal magic in my life. I have also enjoyed the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling. This is a more figurative look at the magical side of my life. Whenever a new edition of her series was released, our family would buy one copy, and my brother would always get to read it first. I would be stuck waiting for a couple of days while everyone around me enjoyed the magic. Although, when I was finally able to read it, the wait was worth it. I was entranced by the words the seemed to put me under a spell to make me keep reading, and I loved reading about a magical world where almost anything was possible. Magic has been around to help me tune into other people’s hardships or triumphs, to help me escape into a far away land, and to help me live a life with dreams [Anaphora].

Hannah's Paragraph

Hannah Staley
English 9
Mr. Salsich
10 February 2009


The Magic of Pine Point:
A paragraph on the magic of Pine Point

Have you ever felt fortuitous? Have you felt like anything is possible? Have you had the experience of feeling that anything is within your reach? (Anaphora) I have. There have been many different scenes in my life which have felt magical, but one really stands out. I can remember the first time I came to visit Pine Point and made the decision that this is where I want to be. When I first stepped into the front doors of this school, I was welcomed with open arms and huge smiles. To me, this was strange since I was coming from a school that had up to 200 kids in the grade. I was simply amazed at the fact that these fourth grade students were ready to show me, a complete stranger, how things work and welcome me into their family. This visit had a sense of magic because I had never seen anything like it. I was impressed by the way Pine Point students engaged me in conversation. In fact, I can remember shyly sitting across from Ceilie and her making the effort to introduce herself with a cheerful “hi I’m Ceilie Moore welcome to the fourth grade!” It was a comment like that that had me sold on the school and really showed her exemplary behavior towards newcomers. Finally, Pine Point was magical for me because I was accepted. I joined these wonderful kids in the fifth grade. That first day was was terrifying but one I will never forget. I thank Ceilie for her enthusiasm and willingness to make me comfortable. So whether it’s coming to a new school, moving to a new place or trying a new food, I can almost guarantee you something magical will happen along the way if you are lucky like me.

Parker's Post

Parker Verhoeff
English 9
Mr. Salsich
2.10.09

The Simplicity of Magic:
A Paragraph on Magic

Magic can be found anywhere. Whether it's with your friends, with your family, or with yourself, magic is always there (Anaphora). With your friends, the simplest things can uncover the most aesthetic (FAST) magic. Family members can also fill your life with magic. For example, I just received a phone call from my little niece, which brightened up my entire day. By yourself magic is just as nonchalant (FAST) as, listening to your "Ipod" and your favorite song comes on. The thing that all of these instances have in common, is simplicity. Magic doesn't have to be as complicated as magicians doing tricks, or fire-breathing dragons. Instead, it can be in the form of a chuckle with a friend, a phone call, or even a song. Anybody can experience magic, and I'm sure everybody already has. Our whole lives are magical; you just have to look beyond the tip of your nose.

Eleanor's Paragraph Post

Eleanor Hilton
Mr. Salsich
English 9
February 10th 2009

Simply Magical
A Paragraph on My Thoughts about Something I Find Magical

When thinking of magic, numerous pictures and thoughts come into my head including the Harry Potter books, many Disney movies and the theme park itself. However I also think of life and our world. Today life is so precious, so evanescent, (SAT) but where did life on Earth come from? Just thinking and conducting experiments about this one question is simply magical by itself. We spend so much time devoted to what we believe or think, I personally think it is one of the most benevolent, (SAT) qualities of man-kind. Aside from that, the subject of evolution is also magical. How come our planet is the one with life, and so far no other has been found? How come we were blessed with beautiful surroundings? How come we were given minds that could grow, think and develop to find answers to amazing questions? (Anaphora) I know that we will probably never find the light in the fog, and yet it’s magical that we still try to escape the darkness.

Wendell's Post

Wendell Frink
Mr. Salsich
English 9
10 February 2009

Magic in My Life
A Paragraph about Magical Events in My Life

In my short and venerable [FAST] life, I have only had a couple of events that were magical to me. I believe the most magical event in my life was when I learned to carve with a snowboard. The curving, arching, turning [Purposeful Repetition] lines created by the board’s edges are something that is magical to me. Whenever I see this event occur, it soothes me to a certain calmness as I remember when I was able to produce those lines. A second thing in my life that is magical to me is the art of sleeping. Sleeping rejuvenates your mind, sleeping fixes your body, and sleeping helps you perform better [Anaphora]. The feeling of laying my head on a cool pillow is magical. The last magical thing that has occurred in my life is when I learned to read. My mom would make me read her several short stories about animals every night. I remember when I finally was able to decipher [FAST] the pages of each book with ease, for it was truly magical. Several memorable magical events have occurred in my lifetime.

Ceilie's Post

Ceilie Moore

Mr. Salsich

English 9

February 10th, 2009

My Lack Of Magic:

A Paragraph On The Magic In My Life

Magic can’t be searched for, it can’t be bought and it can’t be relied on. (Anaphora) It appears where it is needed most, in tragedy, in despair and in agony. You often read of the sick child, slowly meeting their death in their hospital bed and out of nowhere, they are cured. Or you may hear of the poor woman begging on the street, rattling her coffee mug that cost her that week’s paycheck and she suddenly finds a hundred dollars on the ground and uses it to start a million-dollar corporation. Magic is ignited by tragedy and I haven’t enough experience with misfortune to experience this magic. In the short, fourteen years I’ve been alive I have encountered loss, heartbreak and anguish (FAST), but what separates my past situations with the ones that need a miracle, is hope. The moments when I’ve felt sorrow, I’ve never lost the faith in something coming through the clouds and releasing me from my pain. The ill child dying a young age and the old woman scrounging trashcans for survival have been through enough to lose hope. They have lived life so inconsistently and so unfairly that they can’t count on a miracle to make it through the day. Sure, I have suffered, but never enough to have to depend on magic to turn my situation around. Maybe one day I’ll need magic, and maybe back when I lived through hardships I hoped for some, but right now I don’t deserve it as much as those millions of people who are currently fighting to see tomorrow.

Julie's Paragraph

Julie Philippe
Mr. Hamilton Salsich
English 9
February 10th, 2009

Magic:

a paragraph about the role of magic in my life

Like Prospero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, we all have our magic powers. We all have the magic to make a miracle happen, we all have the magic to be better people, but most importantly, we all have the magic to be who we are (Anaphora). To me, my whole life is magical. The chance to live a life in America surrounded by the most generous people is magical. Even the endless acts of kindness of a classmate or the smile of a stranger is magical. The most magical moment of my life was my first birthday party in the United States. As soon as all my new friends walked in the living room singing happy birthday, I felt as though they had finally crossed a line through my differences. After all these lonely months, it was so magical to feel accepted, loved, and wanted. At the end of that party, I felt on top of the world, as if all this discrepancy (FAST) had flown away. The words of hate and the feeling of anger from the other kids had gone away. Magic taught me to value friendship and understand the power of indifference. I believe that magic can change a life, it can change hate, and wipe away all tears into a smile.

Julie

Scarlet's Paragraph

Scarlet Caruso
English 9
Hamilton Salsich
2/10/09

Magic In Life
An essay about the magic in The Tempest and how it is in everday life:

Magic is always around us. It's in the sublime (FAST) blue sky, it's in the large hug you receive from a friend, and it's in the feeling you get when you listen to your favorite song.(ANAPHORA) I often witness small magic things in my life. For example, I was sitting in math class one day and I was extremely restless, legs twitching and brain full of daydreams, I looked out of the window. While looking outside, I thought about how much I despise the winter but then I saw icicles hanging off the walkway. The sun had caught them just right and the water droplets dripping off of them looked like tears of light. There in a regular math class, I experienced magic. Another thing I find quite magical are books. Just the other night I was reading, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling and I found myself petrified (FAST) of a certain character. Lord Voldemort is one of the most terrifying and powerful wizards in the wizarding world and I found myself fearing him as much as the wizards and witches in the book do. That night I slept with the lights on, completely fearful of a certain wizard visiting me in the night. Yet another example of magic, an author creating emotions so powerful that you feel them along with the characters. My final example of magic I have found in friendship. This past summer for two weeks I found myself abandoned from my three very best friends. I understood that they could not stay with me for all of those warm months, so I accepted it. For those two weeks I desperately wished to talk to any of them and then one day I got a call from my friend that was away at camp. To hear her voice and to laugh hysterically yet again was magic. My mood was lifted to a new height and I was very happy for the next few days. I again experienced a tiny bit of magic from an everyday thing. Magic is everywhere, although we may not realize it, magic shows itself to us everyday. All you need to do is look out a window, pick up a book, or call a friend. All of these things can bring you true magic.

Caroline's Post

Caroline Burlingham
Mr. H. Salsich
Honors English
February 10, 2009

My Magic:
A Paragraph on the Magic in My Life

Naturally, when I think of magic, I think of unicorns, dragons, and wizards, but the song “Do You Believe in Magic” by Ali and AJ made me think about whether magic is more than just a fantasy. Later on, I began to think back to one of my first Christmas’s. At the time, this holiday was like magic; not only did I learn that flying reindeer would be landing on my roof and that when I woke up there would be tons of presents under a tree for me, but it was a time that brought all my family and friends together. This anecdote (FAST from the 100 SAT words) was the start of a new and magical tradition. Every Christmas, since I can remember, has been spent laughing, has been spent joyfully, and has been spent with my family (ANAPHORA). Through this tradition, new traditions have been formed, such as sneaking downstairs with my cousins in hopes of seeing Santa Clause. The feeling of waking up on Christmas day is one of the most magical and indescribable feelings in the world. I know for a fact, that in ten years from now, I will still be spending Christmas with my family, laughing, and sharing stories as I do now. The security that a tradition offers is like no other. It, in a way, is pure magic. I now know that magic is not only found in fairytales, but in our lives as well, it’s just a little less obvious.

Kyle's Magic

Kyle Sebastian
Professor H. Salsich
English 9
10 February 2009

People Portray My Magic:

An essay on what is magical in my life.

The people in my life are also the magic in my life. My friends are the people who keep my life interesting and worth exploring. They always keep me on my toes with their crazy personas. Each and everyone one of them has something to contribute to make my days full of magic and wonder. My family are the people that make sure I'm true to myself and that I live my life to the fullest. They don't let me miss opportunities no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. I remember a time when I said "but I don't want to go to a private school" and yet here I am twelve years later with the same friends, the same teachers, in the same school. Even total strangers are people that bring magic to my daily life. Even a wave or a small "hello" from someone I don't know can make my day full of happiness and magic. Even a small act of unaldultered kindness from a stranger can instantly brighten my day. Magic comes from the people that surround me in day to day life and without them I don't know how I would live.

Kates Post

What is happening in Congo right now is horrible. I don believe that the situation will get any better because we are not doing any thing about it. I think we should focus more of are attention on Congo soon. its not going to get any better unless people help out.

Congo --Kimo

To put it quite simply-What Zack said. Earlier this year, on a hot, boring day, I went to cnn.com to see what the headlines were. There, I saw a forest fire, an election update or two, a study on social trends. And in the corner, just a blurb, "Congo Crisis Worsens." Now, a few months later, I am still amazed at how little stride has been made towards something that has been called a crisis. Africa is not just some floating rock. There are real people there, who experience real pain and are being treated with very real and inhumane cruelties. We need to get over ourselves and act.

Ty's post

From what I've heard from others, I think that Congo isn't going to get any better from what we are doing now. We are sending UN peacekeepers, but they will not make the problem disappear. Sometimes a force is required to make something disappear and we need people fighting or pushing the bad guys away. I think that violence isn't always the right answer but for something like this, violence may be needed to stop all of these horrible things from happening instead of sending child soldiers, and peacekeepers.

Zack's Post

It is an interesting perception that just because something is not a part of main stream media nobody knows or cares. Contrary to many of my classmates I already knew about the horrific events in the Congo and about everything that is already being done there. It is hard for me to continue to dredge up the same feelings of horror that I had in me in July but it is no less terrible that such violence is allowed to happen. I feel terrible about the rape and murder but it is just as terrible that we have been able to sit here with our Starbucks and iPhones and designer clothes and ignore the cries of help that have been coming from that God forsaken country for so long so we can sit here and complain about inflation. If we want violence that in the Congo to end we need to bridge the gap between first and third worlds or wrongly assume the right to control of the entire planet and regulate all people for our own ends.

I apologize for sounding cynical.

Parker's Post

What is happening in the DRC is horrific. I don't think we're paying close enough attention to it, mainly since our situation in Afghanistan/Iraq is getting progressively worse, but another reason would be western society just does not care. Since genocide has been going on in Africa for numerous years, we take their lives for granted. They are people, like you and me, that are getting brutally murdered everyday. Also, I'm sure the majority of western society doesn't even know what the DRC is, let alone what's happening at this very second. Africa just isn't as newsworthy as Angelina adopting a new baby, or Jessica Simpson gaining a few pounds.

Olivia's post

No one should be forced to do anything, especially children. Childrens' minds aren't developed enough yet to see that what people are making them do is wrong. It's sad to see someone who has so much potential to be turned into a weapon against others. Children will do anything anybody says, and maybe they will notice something isn't right with the situation, but they are afraid of what will happen to them if they run away. They will most likely grow up to be outcasts of society, and of course some will probably go to therapy, but that will only help some. Some of them will never be helped.

Anna's post

In my opinion, we are absolutely not doing enough to help with the situation in Congo. In a time when jet planes soar across the sky and money is thrown into violence like dirt, it appalls me that America has done nothing drastic to help this growing issue. We have the means, the money, and the knowledge necessary to solve the issue, yet we continue to prioritize wrongly. This issue is more important than the economy. It is more important than war machines and immigrant systems; it is genocide, and everyone deserves a chance to live.

Gabe's Post

I feel much remorse for these children. They are forced to give up their childhood for a worthless war, and are brutally beaten if they disagree. They are slaves for no reason and no cause.

Hannah's Post :)

Like a lot of other kids in the ninth grade I knew only a little bit about the Congo crisis. But after learning all of this information over the last few days, I feel awful. The thought of children being drugged and trained to be solders is unthinkable and it is really disgusting. Obviously this situation is going to get worse before it gets better and I think the United States should help. I believe that we have the power to change some lives and help people in this rough situation.

Scarlet:

I could not agree more with Lydia. I had heard very little about the situation in Congo before this assignment. I definitely think that if we spread the word of the tragedies that are happening everyday in Congo, more people would help. My group's question was, "Are the world leader's doing enough to help the crisis?". As Tristan rightly said, "They are obviously not doing enough because it's still going on." We have the power to fix this situation, it just depends on the world's perseverance to begin helping.

Lydias post

Like many people, I was astounded at how little I knew about the situation in the Congo. I would expect something as horrific and important as this would make its way onto a news station, but I hadn't heard anything about it until we were given our assignment. It makes me wonder if perhaps if this situation was more publicized, we might be doing more to help. No one will donate money or volunteer their time to an organization if they know nothing about it. The action we need to take is to make people more aware of the violence occurring in the DRC, which will then inspire people to help the poor citizens of this war-torn country. 

Eleanor's Post

  Before being asked to research the Congo by Mr. Williams I only knew it as a country in Africa. However everyday hundreds of women and girls are raped, hundreds of small children are sent to war, drugged and beaten to make them stay, and hundreds are dying from violence and raids which is destroying their homes and families. Sarah and I were in charge of searching for NGO's, non-government organizations, and their were literally hundreds. This makes we wonder why there is still all of this pain and suffering happening to those mostly innocent citizens of the Congo. Little did I realize there is a difference. In the dark night of the war a candle is shining through and with a bit more wax this light can shine stronger, and brighter than ever before. 

Tristan's Post!

I researched special cases of assault on women and children in the Congo, and I must say that the information we discovered was downright horrible. I won't go in to detail about what we found, but suffice it to say that soldiers use rape as a military tactic to scare villages into compliance. This research threw a lot of my problems into a different perspective, and now I don't really care as much about my problems, because I know that until someone does something, people will constantly suffer in the DRC. On that note, our conversation with Mr. Nduaka escalated from the concept of helping the Congo, to the concept of global unity to stop suffering. This made me realize if every single person forgets their little problems, than we can fight to live together in a peaceful world.

Ceilie's Post

I was surprised last week when Mr. Williams explained to us that we would be researching the "Crisis in Congo" before the Moral Leadership speaker came to talk to us. I am usually fairly educated on current events due to the eavesdropping I tend to pay on my mother's favorite radio station that is often the soundtrack to her morning, but Congo is a name I hadn't really heard be the basis of any news discussions or even pop up in global updates. Once I learned about what was going on in this country, I was simply horrified. Between the offensive treatment to women to the abuse brought upon the innocent children, it disgusted me. I thought that from past experiences such as the Holocaust and war that people had learned to turn the other cheek when it came to hate and violence targeted at a specific group of people, but I guess it'll take some more progression for the whole of the world to finally make their peace with each other. 

Kyle's Post

It was only recently brought to my attention the events that are happening in the DRC. I was surprised that I didn't know about it earlier because some of the things happening there are horrendous and I would have expected this to be a worldwide catastrophe, much like the Holocaust. I find it sad that people don't want anything to do with Africa simply because its Africa. People are dying and yet we sit here doing nothing. I understand that many countries have their hands full with various things, America especially, but I believe that if everyone made a collective effort than we could all make a difference there and show the peoples of Africa that we do truly care for them. Regardless what plan of action the UN takes to solve this, if they are even going to, we need to do something quickly and efficiently to stop this violence and quest for power.

Julie's Post

As children, we are taught to be nice, to care for others, and to think of others before yourself. In Congo today, adults are killing each other, abusing innocent little children, and instead of teaching their kids to be nice, they're teaching them how to hold guns. How did this happen? Why all this hate? Why did our world suddenly turn around and become a cloud of hatred? Unfortunatly, no one does enough to help and those who care are not too many. We must stop such cruel acts and such horrible violence because it's not going to get us anywhere!

Caroline's Post

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people die everyday. These people are dying physically, emotionally, and mentally. Everyday, soldiers kill families, and those whom they don’t kill are kidnapped. People can also breakdown emotionally because they have lost hope. Many families have died, and like Ferdinand in The Tempest, people know that all they have ever loved is gone. Lastly, people no longer have a choice. You die, become a soldier, or become a slave. People become confined within, because they are scarred to share what they have to say. I know that I will never understand what these people are going through. I want to help, but I don’t know how. What is currently happening in Congo is devastating. The fact that no one has done anything to end it is even more heartbreaking.

Anna's Confinement Post

In many ways, I agree with Zach. Confinement is everywhere; in our jobs, in our physical capabilities, in our economic state. It surrounds us, and perhaps I feel it most when I am bogged down with work to do. I hate the feeling of pressure of lengthy requirements, eating away at my time. However, on a different note, there are parts of us that are not at all confined. Our minds, our hearts, and our souls are free to do as the please, to wander wherever they like. Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is to transfer this freedom of our inner-selves into our day to day lives. When looked at with the right perspective, there are no limitations in life. If it was what we wanted, truly and deeply, we could look beyond the boundless limits of sky and earth. We could escape confinement.

Sarahs Post=]

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a lot of children and women are being abused and treated poorly. Women are sexually harassed in the dusty streets, children are beaten and drugged, and it truly breaks my heart hearing about these cruel, heartless gestures. If I had the chance to speak to a representative in Congo, I would have a lot to say. I think it's great that someone is finally starting to take charge, but it's far too late. You can't erase the harsh memories that are already tainted into young abused childrens' minds. You can't erase the sexual abuse thats already happened to young girls and boys. You can't erase drugs from a childs mind. All of these harsh things remain in each and every persons life that it happens to. 

Timmy's Post

I tend to feel confined almost all of them time because of my diet. Whenever I see someone eating something wheaty and delicious, I think to myself how great it would be to eat something like that, but I only eat things that are gluten-free (usually) and healthy (generally). Knowing that I can't even choose what I want to eat makes me feel very confined. The annoying thing is that I know that if I do eat something gluten-y, I will pay the consequences, and that is what makes me feel the most confined because now matter what I do, I will either be gluten-deprived or uncomfortable.

MR. SALSICH'S POST

I have especially enjoyed all the comments on this week's forum.  You are brave young people to be so honest. I was particularly struck, just now, by Olivia's post. It takes courage to be so honest and open with classmates and a teacher. When I was her age, I would never have been able to do that. I applaud Olivia, and all of you. 

Olivia's post

I feel confined mostly all the time, but when I fell really confined is when I think that no one cares and my mom and dad are mad at me and when my sister picks on me. I usually go to my room when I feel like this and listen to music and finish my homework if I have any. Sometimes I will stay in my room and not go down stairs until dinner time because I am afraid of what they will say. I think I put it on myself, because in my mind I think everyone is out to get me and I'm afraid to face my fears. No matter how hard I try to face them I can't, and it goes in a big circle, over and over again. The situation gets better than worse, better than worse. It gets annoying after a while, and that's when I feel even more confined.

Zack's Post

To me everything is confining. Physical, abstract, important, superfluous, everything has limitations. In school I have do the work and meet the expectations. On the sports field I follow the rules and play for the team. Hiking I fatigue or meet shear walls of granite. Sitting hear I have 107 buttons to push and if I don't look at the screen I won't know what I typed. Even gravity and brick walls can make me feel cramped and claustrophobic. Even infinity has finite possibilities: it is always infinity and whatever you add or subtract to it the status qou remains.

My problem is I don't want limitations. I want boundlessness. I want to push the limits and find that were never really there. James Cook said, "Do just once what other say you can't do, and you will never again pay attention to their limitations again." I don's care if you have limits but I don't want to ever find mine. I want to just go and go and go and never have to stop going; be it math, soccer, or seeing how many flights of stairs I can jump I never want to have to turn around. I guess that's way space and rockets and the stars or mabye even death appear in my writing so much, I dream of a place where all these limits are gone. I'm hoping for a place with no gravity or brick wall, where I can take the square root of a negative number, write a fifty-two sentence paragraph, even write jubberish and have it be intelligable. I hate to be told, "No, that just can't be done", not when there are more than an infinite number of planets and stars to explore, not until we find a Higgins particle, find the universal equation for everything, and still haven't made "jkaionqegioasdfoiqawewqfei-jgasdoaew" mean something like "the squishy noise of a yellow snowball hitting you in the back of the head and then dropping onto the turtle shell ate your feet". Not until all of that is true will I stop feeling atleast a little confined.

Tristan's Post!

I have rarely been confined in my life. I am happy to say that I am generally around people who want me to spread my proverbial wings, and fly away to wherever I want. This was not the case last year. I must say that since I moved down to Durham, North Carolina, I haven't been in any way the same person that I was before. I was confined. I not only had to bottle up my emotions as a result of having to live with a stepmother who had very different ideals as me. The whole year, I spent my time surrounded by mental walls at home, and social barriers at the schools, where the stress was put mainly on being cool. I started having trouble getting work done, I rarely had friends over, and I walked away with what most would think of as nothing. I know I walked away with new life experience that would change me forever.

Julie's Post

The time when I felt most confined was when I was at the Leadership conference in Boston for 4 days. We were not able to go outside and for four straight days, we had to be under strict supervision. After four days of not being able to go outside or stay anywhere alone, it felt a little overwhelming. On the other hand, we were very busy so we did not think about it too much. I have to admit that at times, I felt trapped in this bubble of people and it felt like it was endless.

Lydias post

Sometimes I feel as though I am confined to my own home. In the summer or on break when it seems like nobody is home, it can get boring hanging out at your house all the time. Doing nothing is great at first, but after a few days, you start to crave some sort of activity. Luckily, I have not had to endure this for long periods of time. However, even in small doses this kind of solitude can be extremely confining. It is very fortunate that there are easy fixes to this confinement, because if I was not able to go to the beach with a friend or do something with my brother to break the monotony, it would be very difficult to make it through the summer.

Kate's Post

Some nights when I have a lot of homework I start to feel confined. The stress that is put on me to finish all my homework starts to worry me and I feel like I have to finish all of it right away. I get so trapped that it starts to effect my work because all I can think about it what happens if I don't finish it all. I always seem to get my homework done and I feel stress free.

Hannah's Post

A time when I felt confined was when I was taking the SSAT's. Once I enter that room, there is no leaving and it's time to give it my all. Usually, the SSAT's dont intimidate me, but this time I knew it would essentially be determining what route I am going to take for the rest of my high school years.

Sarah's Post=]/

Whenever I'm with my best  friends, I feel confined, but in a good way. I can never stop laughing, and I feel like I'm trapped in a bubble of happiness. This bubble pops and pops a little bit more every time my friend makes me laugh, and once it bursts, I really feel trapped and sometimes cannot even catch my breath. This kind of confinement comes at rare times, and when it does, I feel on top of the world.

Wendell's Post

A time when I have felt confined is when I was on a Double Black Diamond trail at Killington Ski Resort. It was taking me a while to make my way down the trail because of the steepness. As went to make a turn I caught my edge and went flipping down the trail, gaining speed every second. This was a terrifying moment of confined. There was no way that I could get out of the flips. It felt like a sense of claustrophobia that I couldn't escape from. Luckily, my brother had been waiting at the bottom of the trail and was able to stop me from going off a cliff. 

Gabe's Post

The time I feel most confined is when I am taking a standardized test. Knowing that I am not allowed to get up and move makes me feel claustrophobic. My mind races and I suddenly feel unable to concentrate. 

Caroline's post

One of the most recent times where I felt confined was the week of exams. The entire day was spent in my room studying. I was allowed out of my room, but when I left, I felt as if I should go back. Somehow, I felt as if I had to study all day with no breaks. Also, during the exams, I was scared to move. I was so stressed and tired that I just wanted the tests to be done with. Next time, I will plan my time better, and hopefully be more relaxed.

Kyle's Post

There is a re-occurrence of times when I feel confined.  These are influenced by my stress with schoolwork, family issues, or my social life.  I feel that when I am stressed I am enclosed by strong bars of invisible worry that laugh and mock me when I try to break free of them.  When I am stressed its usually not because of something someone said or did, its not caused by some event from the past.  My stress usually comes from an event that will take place, something in the future.  That event is kind of like an unknown force that watches me until I get close enough for it to jump in front of me and block my path.  But I usually gain my freedom by keeping in mind that no matter what happens I will still be moving ahead and the problem will be solved.

Scarlet

I must agree with Ceilie that last week I did feel very restricted. But I feel this way most of the time. School, to me, seems very pointless when stuck in classrooms, sitting, writing and trying to obtain information that will likely exit our memories in the next month. In a song by Bright Eyes, he sings, " Well, my teachers, they built this retaining wall of memory, all of those multiple choices I answered so quickly. And got my grades back and forgot just as easily, but at least I got an A." I feel that a lot of us could relate to this. We study to get the grade that will impress our parents and the people around us.  But once we achieve a grade we can be proud of we forget the information. So are we really learning anything in the confinement of our classrooms? Or should we be set free to see the world and learn ourselves from the mistakes we make? I often feel confined when going to school because to me the more rational choice for education would be to let us explore and learn from the world before our years of childhood slip through our ever-changing hands like the flies that buzz around these dull classrooms.

Ceilie's Post

This past week I especially felt confined and restricted. During Exam Week I had to stay absolutely focused on my schoolwork, trapped in a bubble of painstaking effort and solitude as I studied for my final exams. I couldn't waste time dawdling with unimportant things and had to work solely on my studies. I also felt trapped as we were in the classrooms taking the tests. We were all in our own worlds, trying to answer each of these questions correctly with no way to get out of it. Two hours were spent sitting, typing, writing, thinking and all we could do was work to pass the time. 

Kimo's Post

I'd like to think that I would be able to survive without any of my unappreciated abilities. Without sight, I could still survive, though it would be painful to live without seeing all the wonders of the world. Without my arms or legs, I could still function "normally." But I'd never be able to play music, or to dance to m favorite song. My smell, My hearing, my tastes, all bring me back to childhood memories only remembered through these nostalgic experiences. Without an of these, a part of my childhood would die. I simply do not want to be crippled. I do not want to feel the jealousy at everyone I meet, to think why don't I have what they have. But life is unpredictable, and I never know if the next turn around the bend can bring devastation to my life. Sure, I could function without any of these, but do live like that would be to live without a soul.

Sarah's Post=]

If I were to lose any of the abilities I use day in, and day out, I'm not sure what I'd do. To smell my mothers cooking in the morning, to hear the loud, chaotic music that soothes my pains, to play sports, looking at the beautiful snow that has frosted the ground and the trees, and to be able to hug a person; living without these neccessities would be very hard. If I had to choose one to live without, I would choose my sight. I've seen many magnificent things throughout my life, and if I could give a blind person my eyes, I would.

Ty's post

If I was to have any physical handicap, I would mainly dislike being blind. Being blind would be the worse handicap for me because I rely on vision too much to not have it. I cant see friends because i wouldn't know what people look like. I would also not be able to do everyday necessities and that would make my life very difficult for me.

Gabe's Post

The handicap i would dread most would be paralysis. In a situation such as Stephen Hawkings, he is paralyzed from the eyes down. If i were in that situation, it would be torture. Not being able to talk to my friends, not being able to play sports, and not being able walk. Every day i am thankful for the ability to be a mobile person.

Kyle's Post

The worst disability for me would be deafness. You wouldn't be able to listen to music, you wouldn't be able to hear emotion in some one's voice. It would be torture to be able to see people laughing, but not be able to hear the joyous sounds. The delightful sound of the birds, the soft chuckling of a babbling brook, the whispers of the wind as it passes, you wouldn't be able to hear any of those wonderful sounds. I could live without a limb, I could be blind, but I could never be def and try to live a happy life.

Olivia's post

I know a lot of people with handicaps. Some of them blind, deaf, in a wheel chair, on crutches and others, who are mentally challenged. All of them are things that are hard to live with out. It's hard to live with out seeing things, hearing things, walking like a regular person and even thinking differently then another. If I were blind, like Tristan and Julie, I wouldn't be able to see what I or other people looked like and the world, but on the contrary there is always touch and and people could explain things to you, but it is not the same. If I were deaf I wouldn't be able to hear my favorite song and what it really sounded like, all I would be able to hear are the vibrations. If I were in a wheelchair or crutches, I think I would prefer this out of all of them. Today they have all kinds of things for people who are in wheelchairs, crutches, who are blind and deaf. They can play a bunch of sports including horseback riding, snowboarding, skiing, basketball, all kinds of things, that society has worked on to get the impaired included. If I were mentally challenged, I wouldn't think of it as a challenge, just a different, and new way to figure out and try to get around things, that for other people are easy. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen was a blind girl jumping on a horse. I have closed my eyes while jumping, only a few times, but she must have to have immense trust in her horse and herself to do something incredible like that.

Tristan's Post!!

I concur with Julie, I would probably be able to survive fine without my eyes, but the world is so beautiful, and so full of things to explore. I can't appreciate the beauty of an Orchid if I can only feel it, I can't feel the vibrant colors of a spectacular sunset, and most of all, I can't truly appreciate people without seeing them. I would not be able to stand not knowing what people look like. So many people spend so much of their life trying to make themselves pleasant to look at, and this would be a waste of time if I couldn't see them. I have an imagination, and I would be able to use it if I couldn't see, but I can still imagine, almost better if there are things to base those thoughts off of.

Julie's Post

Our lives are made up of discoveries. We explore the world with our eyes. We learn with our eyes and we touch with our eyes. I could never imagine life without eyes. I would rather be deaf or paralyzed, but blindness would be the worst thing that could happen. I feel like our entire life revolves around what we can see, what we can do. I think that the worst physical disability that I fear the most is blindness.

Anna's post

I have an immense respect for people with physical handicaps. As I think about the opinions of my classmates, I look down at my legs and glance at the keyboard, watching my fingers fly across the keys. I can move and dance and run. I can see. I sit quietly and pay attention to Bob Marley's voice as it protrudes from my speakers. I can hear. I can laugh. I can feel and smell and speak. My mind skims over each of these beautiful capabilities. They are natural elements of life as humans, and I simply don't know which one I could bare to loose. I could give up my eyes, but a morning sunrise is magnificent. I could give up my ears, but I love to hear the voice of a friend. I could give up my legs, but when drums and bass course through the contours of a room, reaching the corners and pulling at my mind, I just want to dance. I truly admire those who lack one of these "necessities" of life, one of these capabilities that to me seem to be essential for happiness. I can not choose what I would be able to loose, for each seems more terrible to live without than the last. I respect the handicapped, who live their lives with more grace and strength that I could ever hope to posses.

Timmy's Post

I also agree with Wendell that being paraplegic would be one of the worst handicaps. I am also a very active person and find it hard to sit around for many hours at a time unless my mind is being energized. Sports would be impossible for me with this handicap, so I would not be able to ski or play lacrosse - two of my favorite hobbies. I would also feel like a burden to everyone around me because at some point someone might have to push me around. Also, I would be treated in another way, I and everyone with me would be treated as "different" because of my disability. 

Ceilie's Post

I think one of the most painful handicaps for me to have would be to be deaf. I am quite a vocal person and love using my voice for many different things such as singing, expressing my opinion and in the end, just putting to use the naturally loud vocal chords I was given. I would also hate to not be able to hear the world around me. Not being able to listen to something as simple as the ocean humming on a summer morning, to something as personal as my mother's voice wishing me "Goodnight", is something that just seems some unbelievably painful. Even though being blind would also bring just as much pain, it also comes with one benefit that isn't typically thought of, and that is when you are blind, you can't be capable of judging someone by their appearance. Without being able to see, getting to know someone is the only way to be able to judge whether you like them or not. When sight isn’t a factor in your life, neither are prejudice critiques that are given to people that you don’t even know. With blindness, you can contact the world around you, but just not be able to see it as it happens. With deafness, you can experience the world but not be able to take part in it, just watch as the everyone around you interacts while you stand by, unable to join the lively conversations.

Kate's Posts

There is two disabilities that Would be the worst for me.  On is blindness.  I read all the time and would not know what I would do if I could not sit down and relax with a good book in my hand.  The other disability I would not like having is not being able to hear.  Listening to my friends and family talk and laugh would make me so sad.  In the morning when I get ready for school I look forward to seeing what my friends have to say every day. 

Lydia's Post

I agree with Scarlet, the worst disability would be blindness. I think those of us who can see take it for granted and don't realize what a hindrance it would be to lose this privilege. If everything was dark, we wouldn't know what anything looked like: our house, our family, our best friend. We wouldn't be able to look out the window and see the trees or the sky or the snow.

Eleanor's Post

The worst disability for me would be if I wasn't able to laugh. I spend half of my time laughing. and if I couldn't I would feel like a part of me was missing. Whether it's about some English joke, me running around sillily with my friends, or even just some-one saying some thing strangely I can't help but crack up. I also feel that when I laugh I also sort of express myself, just as when some-one explains something in a talk they make hand movements. Depending on how I feel, who I'm with, and how funny the joke is, I laugh differently.

Eleanor's Post

(sorry it's late I had some posting troubles)

An island I would go to would be my room. I usually just lie on my bed and think, but sometimes I listen to music. Staring up at my white walls and ceiling always clears my mind of any troubles or problems I have had that day, or anything that is coming up in the future.

Hannah's Post

A physical handicap I could not deal with is being blind. The thought of not being able to see my surroundings, family and friends is unbearable to me. Also, not being able to see where your going could get quite frustrating at times. Lucky for us, we all have our vision and sometimes fell we take advantage of that and don't think of the ones less fortunate than us

Scarlet's Post

I agree with Wendell that not being able move my legs wold be really awful. But the worst disability for me would be if I couldn't see. Not being able to see would mean not being able to get books to read as easily, which would be hard for me because reading is a big part of my life. Also it would really bother me not being able to see the beautiful world around me. Not to see the trees and the sky would somehow make me feel claustrophobic. If I was blind I don't know if I would easily be able to carry on.

Caroline's Post

For me, blindness would be the worst possible disability. Sometimes we don’t take the time to notice and look at the things around us, and we would hate ourselves for this if our sight was taken away. I would much rather not be able to hear my friends than not be able to see them. I know that I don’t notice or pay attention to what I see, and I wish that I did. Without sight, I wouldn’t know what my family, my friends, my house, or my school looks like. I don’t know if I could handle this.

Wendell's Post

I think that the worst physical handicap that I could posses would be not able to move my legs. I am involved in multiple sports, and I like to run around and go snowboarding. If my legs were not operational then I don't know what I would do. I would feel like my life had ended right there, and I don't know if I would be able to survive the mental effects of losing my legs.

Kimo's post

In the unparalleled continuum that is our mind, there are many figurative Islands for which us to recede to into our own quite paradise; there are also those literal islands, the results of chaotic plates in the ground that has resulted in our “Ultimate Relaxation Experiences.” For me, playing along with my former thought, one world in which I immerse myself is television. I love TV. Any of my friends can tell you that. But it is not the mindless culture knowledge that I am interested in, but rather the complicity of a program; when I sit down and watch a show, often I will watch one that I already have, studying the angles, alerting my ears to the subtle music, empathize with the character’s pain, frustration, yearning, integrity, deceits, nobleness, sacrifices. Every time I watch an episode of my favorite show, “Lost”, which coincidentally takes place on an island, I am drawn, not by the “cool things” like the occasional violence, but rather by the beauty of each episode, like a piece preformed by an orchestra, an orchestra that knows how to thrill, to deceive, to give, and to take away, to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you honor that which doesn’t exist. Like a never-ending novel, these programs like “Lost” are one of my most revered islands, and the best part is that it’s not mine, but rather a journey shared by millions across the globe, who all share in the timeless stories that will be seen generations to come.

Zack's Post

Kate stole all my thunder about books. I use them as a way to remove myself from everything around me. I can enter fantastic new worlds where there is no homework or school applications or recurring thigh injuries. There are days where I can only keep going because at home Frodo and the ring of power, Paul Muad'Dib and the planet Dune, and Guy Montag with his burning books wait for me at home. My books are not a places to calm down or feel better; they are little "islands" to run away to, a place to gain fresh perspective, to push out the old tired mind with a new one and come back to the "mainland" two or three times the person I felt I was.

Ty's Island

My Island is my computer because it has several factors that help me whind down and get away from everything. Firstly, my friends are always available to strike a chat with and to help keep my mind off things. Secondly, I have strategy games and puzzle games installed on my computer and they help me escape the surrounding world. Lastly, there is the many music files that I have that can calm me and almost put me into a different dimmension.

Kate's Post

My "island" is books.  Whenever I need to wind down and relax I can pick up a good book and all my troubles and stress disappear.  Whenever I start to read a book I get engrossed in the story. The authors words transports me to a place were I can forget about my own worries and concentrate on the characters in the stories. 

Timmy's Post

Technically, I live on an island, and it is quite peaceful here with most of the residents being elderly. The island I go to unwind in is the very place I live. Of course, if there is just to much going on, I can go to my island inside my island - my room. While I'm there, I can sleep, listen to music, read, or just do nothing to help myself relax. 

Wendell's Post

The place that makes me calm and happy is being anywhere with snow and my snowboard. When I go down a trail at a ski resort, all my worries and restless feelings are washed away, and replaced with complete serenity. But most of all, I love to go snowboarding in powder. Powder (in my mind) is the essence of getting up early and driving to your favorite mountain just to get first tracks. When I ride in powder, it is like I am floating on a cloud. If I somehow fall while riding in powder, it is actually fun, because you just go whoomph.

Parker's Post

I agree with Gabe, music helps me relax in the most stressful of times. Music is my "Island" because whenever I can't sleep or just need some time to myself, I can just let go of my worries, and lose myself in my favorite song. Also, besides listening to music I can play music, either by myself or with my band, and do the exact same thing. It's hard to explain, but playing or listening to music makes me live in the moment, forget about my worries, and love every minute of it.

Hannah's Second Post

Another literal island I go to is Block Island. Block Island is one of my favorite places to go in the summer because you can only get there by boat so it's not really overpopulated. Also, when I want to be by myself I can just take off and go shopping for a while or take a walk yet feel really comfortable and calm.

Gabe's Post

The  "island" i go to when i need to escape is the theoretical island of music. After a bad day of any sort, i always turn to music to clear my head. For example, when i got home today and thought about how our class has to study for five exams that we'll take in the next two weeks, i was a little stressed so i listened to a couple songs a felt a little bit better.

Julie's Post

The place where I hold the most beautiful and unforgettable memories is a little island off the coast of Croatia. This island is completely cut off from the rest of the world, leaving nothing but sand between my feet when I came home. Life for once felt so simple and uncomplicated. It gave me a chance to forget about everything. It was the most magical twenty one days of my life. Picture yourself swimming in warm clear blue water with a beach, palm trees, a chair, and good food! That's what life was all about for twenty one days!

Tristan's Post!

I have one place where I enjoy myself more than anywhere else. This place is my camp, Winona. I don't like to call it a camp, because this word implies that it is just a camp. Winona is not just a camp, it is also a family, a home, and a school that teaches me things far more important to me than knowledge. I can never convey to people how great Winona is, because the more I try to convey my feelings to people, the farther I am from explaining how important it is to me, the more people think, "Oh, it's just a summer camp." Right now, I am once again failing to say what is conveyed so simply by a smile on a face, a summer breeze, and the smell of pines. Regardless of how bad I am at convincing people that Moose Pond and Pleasant Mountain are better than any heaven supplied by any religion, the fact remains that I enjoy myself a whole lot every summer. I can isolate myself on an island of completely different friends and mentors, combined with clear water to swim in, mountains to be hiked, wood to be chopped, canoes to be crashed, rifles to be shot, and a heck of a lot of memories to share.

Ceilie's Post

The place that first comes to mind when we talked about this theoretical "island", was an actual island, Culebra. My family first vacationed there on spring break when I was about six or seven, and from the moment I stepped onto the lush, sandy beaches and wandered into the quaint, colorful town, I knew I had fallen in love with it. In Culebra, the people are so untroubled and easygoing. There, there is a feeling in the air that just sets the mood for relaxation. It's also the idea of total isolation that attracts me. The island isn't overpopulated and not very well known, giving it this mysterious aura that no one can ever find you. 

Scarlet's Island

A place where I can always relax and forget about anything and everything is a lighthouse. This certain lighthouse, also known as the East Chop lighthouse, is located on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. From Camp Runamuck you can walk or ride your bike to the lighthouse in one minute or less. The lighthouse is on probably the highest point on the island and it looks over the deep blue Atlantic. When I am on Martha's Vineyard I can find myself at least once a day near my lighthouse. Whether I'm watching the sunset, sunrise, the waves crashing on the rocks below or running around the lighthouse chasing my younger sister my mind is clear of any worries. The drama and annoyances float into the endless blue sky above and I am 100%, completely and utterly free.

Caroline's post

Every summer throughout the past 15 years I have summered in Maine. We go to a small island called North Haven. This island is completely unknown, and free from worries, drama, and stress. While on North Haven, we spend our days boating, tubing, picnicking, waterskiing, sailing, playing tennis, and with our friends and family. My mom spent all her summers on this island as a child, just like me. The entire family thinks of this island as an escape, except for my dad who thinks of it as a month with the in-laws. I cannot imagine my life without this island.

Kyle's Post

A place where I can really relax and forget about all the stress in my life is at my parents beach house a.k.a. "The BH." This is one of my treasured places because every summer we have all of the family come and stay for a week in the many rooms in the house. This may seem a little bit hectic, but whats better than a huge family reunion during summer when you don't have to worry about school. I can have a great time with all of my family and after they leave I can mull over the good memories with some lemonade and a good book while sitting out on the balcony watching the waves. Even long after my relatives have left I don't get bored, I enjoy the peace and quiet that being solitary can grant you. Usually I'm very jumpy and hate to stay in one place for long, but its nice to know that I have one place in my life where I can take it slow and just enjoy life as it passes me by.

Olivia's post

This is some what remarkable, because the island in "The Tempest" that Shakespeare talks about is the one I'm going to talk about, too. For about seven years now I have been visiting a little island of the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts, called Cuttyhunk. I'm sure this isn't what Shakespeare called it, but I know that we have the same opinion. This island isn't like the main land at all, in-fact it's peaceful, mostly quiet, filled with friendly people and preserves the islands beauty with its sanctuaries. One of my favorite places to be is on Tower Hill. You literally get a whole view of the island, and you get to hear the wind blow through the tall grass, the birds chirp and the waves crash. Another favorite place of mine is South End Pond. To get there, you have to take a dirt trail, through the animal sanctuaries, and as soon as you reach the top of the hill you get the most magnificent view of the tower, the keeping house and the ocean. When you finally get to the tower you've literally walked about a mile from the hill, where you saw it once. This huge tower made out of bricks stands before you and the ocean so vast, never ending is right in front of you. When the tide comes I like to float with the fast current, as it takes me into the pond.

Anna's post

In a way I agree with Sarah and Hannah. There is a certain loveliness to ones bedroom. It is a quiet home base, but while I find peace in solitude, being alone with my thoughts does not allow me to escape the frustrations and troubles of life. One place where I am able to truly unwind lies half a mile away in a small and simple space above the garage of a friend. It holds the fond memories of the past as well as the promise of smiles to come. I am not a regular visitor of this place, maybe seeing it once every couple of weeks, but perhaps that makes it all the more beautiful. When I walk up the stairs, greeted by the laughter and a pouch of capri-sun, the rest of the world floats away. The room is an island, and my troubles are lost in a sea of happiness.

Hannah's Post

When I am feeling down or just need to think and be on my own, I go to my room. My room is the only place in the house that I can rightfully call mine and nobody else can bother me. In my room, I also have my ipod dock. My ipod really helps me simmer down and regain my focus. A literal island I escape to is Sunset Key. Sunset Key is a tiny island off of the Florida Keys that has small houses and is full of wonderful people. Also, on Sunset Key there are wonderful beaches that I can walk to and just relax and take it all in :)

Sarah's Post=]

Whenever I want to get away from everything and just sit down and relax, I always subside to my bed. On my bed I listen to music (which helps me vent out certain feelings), go on the internet and talk on the phone with friends. All of these activities help calm myself and keep me centered. A literal island that I enjoy going to would be Jamaica. Jamaica is so warm and is filled with kind and loving people. It's a wonderful place to "chill" and a place to get away from all of the stressing events back at home.