Is Creativity Essential in Learning Free Essays

After the audit of three elt architect approaches-the quiet way, suggestopedia and complete physical reaction, we have formulated our own way of thinking of educating. We accept that imagination is fundamental to learning and if the understudies are putting forth an attempt on their part and finding things for themselves; the factor of independence is developed and since the understudies are dynamic and self-sufficient in investigation so the learning would be progressively compelling. We accept that for language students, the language would introduce itself as an issue or an enigma to be illuminated. We will compose a custom article test on Is Creativity Essential in Learning? or on the other hand any comparable subject just for you Request Now Students are required to draw in with the language and attempt to find and investigate it. We accept that peer collaboration is a significant factor in learning. This improves the degree of certainty and tolerance among the understudies and understudies gain so much from one another however one disadvantage to this is they likewise become familiar with every others botches. Besides, understudies are approached to audit and outline what they have realized in the class. It is by this action of self rectification through mindfulness that the understudies figure out how to deconstruct and afterward reproduce. We accept that the utilization of sound-shading diagram is extremely compelling in language learning. This diagram contains all the hints of the objective language in various hues. Understudies learn syllables, words and afterward sentences of the objective language through these diagrams. We accept that the mental obstructions that understudies carry with them be desuggested. These can be desuggested both by immediate and aberrant way. When the understudy prevails to clear his questions and dread, his presentation in learning will turn out to be very simple and powerful. We accept that enacting the learner’s creative mind will help learning. For instance, the learner’s can perform or take up a job or character in the objective language that could put them inside the language they are learning. We likewise accept that when the understudies are presented to the data as a major aspect of a situation, they handle it all the more advantageously with less exertion. The utilization of graphs and banners identified with the objective language are one case of this. Additionally, the teacher’s legitimate job is of prime significance. The principle job of the educator is to deconstruct oneself seen hindrances and to empower and bolster the understudies so they have enough trust in themselves. This would improve and upgrade their learning capacity. Blunder lenience urges the understudies to gain from their slip-ups and enhance. Language is increasingly viable when it is fun and here the principle center is around the communicated in language. The utilization of orders in language learning makes it intriguing. A total exercise can be planned on the action words by utilizing this strategy. For instance: Slice some bread. Spread the margarine to all sides of bread. Put bit of meat on one cut of bread. We accept that the utilization of â€Å"The Arts† join fun in the class and the understudies can make the most of their learning. The Arts empowers recommendations to arrive at the subliminal of understudies. This strategy keeps up a humble eagerness among the understudies. We accept that understudies ought to be urged to comprehend the objective language before talking. This technique will give the fast reaction from understudies. This will actuate the learner’s creative mind and help in learning. Engine exercises included assumes a significant job upon the psychological learning of understudies . We accept that humor in the class make understudies tranquil and learning is increasingly compelling when understudies are in a casual perspective. Step by step instructions to refer to Is Creativity Essential in Learning?, Papers

A Countrys Shape Can Impact Its Fortunes and Destiny

A Country's Shape Can Impact Its Fortunes and Destiny A countrys limits, just as the state of the land it incorporates, can introduce issues or help to bring together the country. The morphology of most nations can be separated into five principle classes: smaller, divided, lengthened, punctured, and projected. Peruse on to figure out how the arrangements of country states have affected their fates. Minimized A minimized state with a round shape is the most effortless to manage. Belgium is a model due to the social division among Flanders and Wallonia. Belgiums populace is isolated into two unmistakable gatherings: The Flemings, the bigger of the two, live in the northern area called Flanders-and speak Flemish, a language firmly identified with Dutch. The subsequent gathering lives in Wallonia, a district in the south, and comprises of the Walloons who communicate in French.â The administration quite a while in the past partitioned the nation into these two districts, giving each command over its social, semantic, and instructive matters. Despite this division, Belgiums conservative structure has assisted with keeping the nation together notwithstanding various European wars and assaults by neighboring nations. Divided Countries, for example, Indonesia, which is made out of in excess of 13,000 islands, are known as divided or archipelagic states since they are made out of archipelagos. Overseeing such a nation is troublesome. Denmarkâ andâ the Philippinesâ are additionally archipelagic nations isolated by water. As you would expect, the Philippines has been assaulted, attacked, and involved various occasions throughout the hundreds of years because of its divided shape, beginning in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellanâ claimed the islands for Spain.â Stretched A stretched or weakened country such as Chile makes for troublesome administration of fringe territories in the north and south, which are from the focal capital of Santiago. Vietnam is additionally a lengthened state, which has fought various endeavors by different nations to isolate it, for example, the 20-year Vietnam War, where first French and afterward U.S. powers attempted fruitlessly to keep the southern piece of the country isolated from the north. Punctured South Africaâ is a great case of a punctured state, which surrounds Lesotho. The encompassed country of Lesotho must be reached by experiencing South Africa. On the off chance that the two countries are antagonistic, access to the encompassed country can be troublesome. Italy is likewise a punctured state. Vatican City and San Marino-both free nations are encircled by Italy. Projected A projected, or beg nation such as Myanmar (Burma)â or Thailand has an all-inclusive arm of an area. Like a lengthened express, the beg entangles the board of the nation. Myanmar has existed in one structure or other for a large number of years, for instance, yet the countrys shape has made it an obvious objective for some different countries and individuals, dating to the Nanzhao realm in the mid-800sâ to the Khmer and Mongol empires. Despite the fact that it is anything but a country, you can get a thought of how hard it is shield a distended nation in the event that you picture the province of Oklahoma, which has an unmistakable beg.

Organisational development and human resource management Essay

Authoritative turn of events and human asset the board - Essay Example The procurement of other comparative businesses would empower them to extend their exercises and arrive at a more extensive assortment of clients. The advancements of an association alongside the administration of their HR are essential techniques in guaranteeing that an association accomplishes its set objectives2. The associations capacity of arriving at a more extensive market would incredibly have helped with increasing their benefit while empowering them to do their exercises more effectively3. The article specifies the fundamental goal of Templeton Hardware as making its essence felt in the market through them turning into the retailer that leads in the arrangement of all in the open air things. Under the administration of their CEO, the organization proceeds to gain responsibility for organizations that incorporate the procession makers known as ‘The Great Outdoors’ and before long rename it to ‘Templeton caravans’. The organization likewise gets another firm that is known as the ‘Lodestone Landscapes’ at around a similar period. The two organizations that are procured by the organization were some time ago possessed secretly by specific families however the previous organization controlled business ventures that had for some time been set up. The last was an agreement administrator and was set up a lot later than the outside organization. Lodestone exterior decorator, the main organization to become diversified, had an extra fifty e stablishments that were situated in New Zealand alongside Australia and was additionally a member in the country’s stock exchange4. The CEO erroneously moved all lodestone landscaper’s workplaces and rebranded them with their name by calling them ‘Templeton Landscape Solutions’. The representatives of the organization were anyway extended to their employment opportunities yet wound up leaving the organization. The workers in the other organization that had likewise been procured by the CEO additionally quit after the obtaining was

Abolishing Minimum Wage - 1808 Words

Abolishing the Minimum Wage Many Americans think of the minimum wage as a means of raising the income of the working people. However, the minimum wage is not the best way to combat poverty. In fact, the minimum wage does more harm than good. The list of its negative effects is a long one: it causes unemployment; it prevents unskilled workers from getting the on-the-job training they need; it encourages teenagers to drop out of school; it promotes the hiring of illegal aliens; and it increases welfare dependency. For all of these reasons, the minimum wage should be eliminated. To evaluate the minimum wage, we must first understand why it was originally created and what its historical effects have been. The minimum w age was introduced in†¦show more content†¦Several studies have shown in addition that â€Å"increases in the minimum wage lead employers to cut back on both work hours and training† (Bartlett, 1996) and that any further benefits that are gained by an incr eased minimum wage are â€Å"short lived† (Mishel, Bernstein, Schmitt, 1998, p.3). Employers may, for example, try to recoup a loss in profits by reducing benefits such as health care and pension (Reynolds, 2004). Another study conducted by economist David Neumark of Michigan State University in 1995 shows that raising the minimum wage negatively affects school attendance among teenagers. The study reports that teenagers are enticed to leave school early by the higher wagers seemingly made available to them by the minimum wage. Many of these teenagers drop out of school only to find that no permanent jobs are available due to the increase in unemployment caused by the minimum wage. According to policy analyst Bruce Bartlett (1999), in â€Å"1967, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, and annually from 1978 through 1981 ......a 10-percent rise in the minimum wage† consistently reduced the employment of teenagers 1% and 3%. Even worse is the fact that when teens cannot find legiti mate jobs, poverty may cause them to resort to crime. Studies by Ohio State University and the University of California in 1977 have flatly concluded that â€Å"increasesShow MoreRelatedThe Pros and Cons of Abolishing Minimum Wage954 Words   |  4 PagesAbolishing Minimum Wage Increase, decrease or abolish minimum wage; which is best for our citizens and our economy? Minimum wage was implemented to help unskilled workers to make a living wage but as time goes on the value of minimum wage has plummet. In my research paper I will provide knowledge about minimum wage such as the history, purpose, benefits and the results. I will also present the pros and cons of abolishing the minimum wage and the increase/decrease of minimum. The minimum wage wasRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Laws Will Secure Prosperity For American Business1024 Words   |  5 Pagesbusinesses and their success, which translates to a monumental importance of need to ensure they are allowed to flourish. The minimum wage law hinders American enterprises in numerous ways. Ultimately, the removal of minimum wage will improve the country’s standard of living by creating more lucrative businesses and also by helping citizen’s needs to be met. Dismantling minimum wage laws will secure prosperity for American business and in turn improve the standard of living for Americans. According toRead More America Needs a Variable Minimum Wage Essay1468 Words   |  6 Pages Minimum wage is the least amount of money that an employer is legally required to pay an employee. It is something that all people in the American workforce know about. It was made to prevent the employer from taking advantage of employees. It is what creates the bare minimum standard of living for the 73.9 million hourly wage workers in the United States. However, there are many different jobs with varying amount of skills that are needed for those jobs. This is where the problem arises becauseRead MoreAmeric How Abolishing The Tipping System1433 Words   |  6 PagesWages in America: How Abolishing the Tipping System Would Make for Smarter Business Practices Tipping is considered a social norm in modern America, but it has not always been a staple part of the service industry. Its pervasiveness is due to tradition rather than being of good modern financial sense. Many people feel very strongly when it comes to dispensing money for services preformed, and most people will base the amount of money they leave by their emotional experience. Because people haveRead More The Working Poor Essay769 Words   |  4 Pagesfactories are shut down and moved to other countries, this takes many American people out of work. Companies are now also importing jobs. This is where employers hire people such as immigrants to work less than minimum wage. For that reason, many Americans are stuck with the other minimum wage, and low-paying jobs that barely get them through life. Because of this, many Americans are working full time jobs that are below the Federal poverty line. These types of people are often called the â€Å"working poor†Read MoreA Brie f Note On The Myanmar Garment Industry Essay1693 Words   |  7 PagesNowadays, buyers’ belief that the workers can be trained for collaborative partnerships with them to improve efficiencies and compliance. The Myanmar garment also has some advantages over other regional garment producers, and authors again point to low wages (lower than everywhere except Bangladesh) and a supply of relatively well-educated labor. In the Myanmar garment sector, as present, production with CMP contracting system with reasonable reasons included with reduce taxes, easy of finance flows withinRead MoreThe Problem Of Youth Unemployment1391 Words   |  6 Pagesis long lasting and can harm an individual’s career opportunities. Economists have conducted a research which determines that the period of unemployment in an individual’s life will negatively impact them in the future because they will earn lower wages. For example, if you are a college or university graduate in Canada wh o is in a recession the unemployment rate will rise by about 5%, that implies a loss in earnings of about 9% annually. (TD Economics) If the social problem of youth unemploymentRead MoreThe Federal Minimum Wage Should Have Negative Effects On Employment1893 Words   |  8 Pagesfederal minimum wage. Stacey Brundson, a single father of two, said he has donated blood to bring in extra cash just to help his family afford the basics. â€Å"Sometimes there’s not enough in my paycheck to make it through the month,† said Brundson (qtd. in Harris). Although numerous conservatives and business owners believe that a modification in the current federal minimum wage will have negative effects on employment, on low-skilled workers, and on consumer’s prices, increasing the federal minimum wageRead MoreA Brief Note On Human Resource Departments Act2906 Words   |  12 Pages Legal and Political The United States is the country with the longest â€Å"culturally acceptable† workweek. The average full time worker works a minimum of thirty-two to a maximum of forty hours per week, to avoid working over time hours. The minimum wage mandated by the federal government is $7.25, but state legislation can choose to raise this wage within their respective state (10 Perez, Thomas 2014). The US is the only country, between the three, that does not obligate companies to offer paidRead MoreDavis Bacon Act9473 Words   |  38 PagesConstruction projects and most contracts for federally assisted constructions exceeding $2,000 required to pay their employees the standard wage and benefit package that workers in the area performing similar work are earning the â€Å"prevailing wage†. Prevailing Wage typically means the local union wage. In government contracting, â€Å"a  prevailing wage  is the hourly wage, benefits and overtime, paid to the majority of workers, laborers, and mechanics within a particular area†. The culprit of all of this

Questions to Ask During Your Medical School Interview

It is important to ask questions during your medical school interviews. The interview is more than just an evaluation of you as an applicant—its also an opportunity for you to learn what sets the school apart. By asking your interviewer informed questions, youll gather information that will help you determine whether the school is a good fit for you. You may choose to ask relevant questions throughout the interview, which shows that you are actively engaged in the conversation. Take care, however, not to interrupt, which can be seen as overbearing or rude. Towards the end of the interview, you will likely be asked if you have questions. You should have a few standard questions prepared. In fact, a student with no questions at this point may seem disinterested. The following questions will help you demonstrate interest and gain valuable information about the program. Before you decide which questions to ask, think of your audience. You may be interviewed by a medical student, a physician, a scientist, or another staff member. Certain interviewers may be more or less equipped to answer a particular question depending on their role.   General What would you say are the best and worst things about this medical school? If you could change anything about this medical school, what would you change? What makes this medical school unique? What are the most unique programs or opportunities here? Why is this a good year to start at this school? What would I have to look forward to? Curriculum How are the student lectures delivered (video, audience participation, etc.)? Are the lectures recorded or broadcast for later viewing? How much clinical exposure do students get in the first two years? Will I have opportunities to do research? Are those opportunities available in the pre-clinical years, or only during the clinical years? Will I be able to take electives in the pre-clinical or clinical years? Do students have the opportunity to do â€Å"away† rotations at other institutions? Are there opportunities for international experiences? Are standardized tests used (such as the NBME shelf exams)? How do students get academic help if needed? What exposure do students get to your specialty? (Note: This question is best for a subspecialist who does not practice one of the core specialties.) Has this school or any of its programs been on academic probation or had its accreditation revoked? What type of support is provided during the residency application process? With which programs are students most frequently matched? Faculty-Student Interactions How long have you been a faculty member here? What do you think attracts the faculty (or you, specifically) to this school? What keeps you here? Is there a mentor system? Are students advised by faculty members, fellow students, or both? Does the faculty try to direct students into certain specialties? (Note: This question is best for a current medical student.) Assessment and Evaluation How are students evaluated? Will I have a chance to evaluate my professors, attending physicians, or residents? How do the students here do on the board exams? Is there an honor code? How are violations handled? Resources and Facilities What clinical settings are students exposed to (i.e. county hospital, university hospital, community hospital, or VA)? Do students have electronic access to journals? Textbooks? UpToDate? Are there resources or staff available to help students with budgeting and financial planning? Does the school provide guidance on debt management? Student Involvement Are students involved in community service? What are some of the most popular service opportunities?   Is there a student council? How active is it? What medical school committees have medical students on them? Can students contribute to curriculum planning? How diverse is the student body? Are there organizations for ethnic minorities, LGBT students, or women? Quality of Life What is daily life like in this city? What do students do for fun? Where do most of the students live? Is there a strong sense of community among medical students? Do any of the students have outside jobs? What kind of health and wellness resources are available to students? Are there support groups available for spouses or significant others? Are there resources available for the children of medical students? What Not to Ask Knowing what not to ask requires common sense. If you are hesitant to ask a question, ask yourself why and whether the reasons for your reluctance are legitimate. Be respectful. A question or statement that is disrespectful of any patient group is unacceptable. The same goes for questions which diminish the work of certain doctors or health care professionals. Statements made in jest can easily be misinterpreted, and it is best to steer clear of potentially insulting questions. If you are being interviewed by a medical student or other non-faculty staff, don’t let down your guard and say something ill-advised. These interviewers likely have as much influence on your admission as faculty members. Avoid questions that call into question your commitment to medicine, as well as questions that suggest you are there for the wrong reasons (i.e. questions about salary). Don’t phrase questions in such a way that suggests you want to avoid work or responsibility. â€Å"Do I have to take overnight call?† is better asked as, â€Å"How much time on call is typical in the clinical rotations?† Try not to ask questions that can easily be answered by the school’s website or other materials. Instead, do your research before the interview, then ask specific questions that build on the available information. For example, instead of asking, â€Å"Do students have an opportunity to learn through simulation?†, ask, â€Å"I read a little about the simulation center on your website. How much time do students spend there in their pre-clinical years?†

Music Therapy Is Effective Or Not - 925 Words

In today’s day and age, people cannot go anywhere or do anything without listening to music. From elevator music, to exercise in the gym, to background music in restaurants, to the radio in the car, we cannot escape music. It is such an overlooked yet essential part of our daily lives, but what is unknown by many is that music is also used very deliberately in the lives of others. Many hospitals use music therapy to help treat their stroke patients, premature infants, those diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease, etc. One might wonder why physicians do this, but the more prevalent questions is whether music therapy is effective or not. There have been numerous articles written and research done to determine if music therapy is working. The majority of these articles give various reasons as to how music therapy is used and why it works. These articles take into consideration that each patient is different, and each patient requires different treatment. The articles echoed praise to different forms of treatment, and one even had a testimony from a patient saying how much he enjoyed the music treatment. Each source brought a different element of explanation and description to music therapy and its methods. One area of interest for researchers is the healing power of music through its vibrations and rhythms. Music has a beat and a pattern that our bodies pick up on and connect with; our bodies identify the rhythm, and it is sent directly â€Å"to motor nerves in our spinalShow MoreRelatedIs Music Therapy A Effective Therapy?3299 Words   |  14 Pages Abstract Music could be referred to as a universal language, for instance it has more purposeful values than just for listening and people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy interaction with it every day worldwide. Throughout this research project music will be shown to work as an effective therapy and demonstrate how interaction with it can improve quality of life in Alzheimer s sufferers. Alzheimer s disease is only one of many forms of dementia which causes irreversible decline of the brainRead MoreIs Music Therapy Effective For Mental Disorders?915 Words   |  4 PagesMrs. Moore English IV 16 March 2016 Is Music Therapy Effective in Mental Disorders? Music therapy serves as an alternative therapy to help many people with mental disorders, such as autism. Autism, a disorder that interferes with communication and cognitive development in the brain. Thus, music therapy aids in medical treatment, for example, using music therapy to overcome communication barriers in some patients. As an alternative therapy, it sometimes negatively impacts some spectrumRead MoreMusic Therapy : An Effective Treatment For Wounded Veterans1223 Words   |  5 PagesThe roots of music therapy dates back to World War II, when music was found to be an effective treatment for wounded veterans. Music Therapy is even mentioned in the Old Testament and its account of young David’s playing his harp for the troubled King Saul. Music therapy allows there to be an interaction, which is more than superficial, but rather and creates an opportunity of communication without necessarily using words. The sounds, rhythms, chords and volume may reflect the players emotional feelingRead MoreReducing the Aches and Pains of Life with Music Therapy1286 Words   |  5 PagesTherapeutic use of music is also extremely effective at reducing the everyday aches and pains that humans experience. Slow and methodical music slows the brain waves and helps the muscles in our body to relax, reducing muscle pain (Coleman). A significant amount of today’s population also experiences depression in some shape way or form and music therapy has been proven to be one of the most successful ways to help patients cope with depression. â€Å"Individual music therapy combined with standardRead MoreThe American Music Therapy Association1043 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as an â€Å"established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals†. Studies have shown that there are clear be nefits from listening to or playing music, but research over the last decade proves music can be used to heal in the medical field. Dementia and other neurological disorders have no cure, only treatments to lessen the symptomsRead MoreAutism Is Not Just One Disorder And It Affects The Normal Development Of A Child s Brain1498 Words   |  6 Pagesautism. They include different types of therapies and training, special diets, vitamin supplements, as well as, complementary and alternative medicines. Music therapy is the most effective treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder. Of all the therapies associated with autism, none achieve more positive results. No other type of treatment helps children to address and overcome so many of the difficulties faced while living with ASD. Music therapy is beneficial to children with autism becauseRead MoreMusic Therapy For Children And Adults With Learning Disabilities1662 Words   |  7 Pagesof literature on the topic of music ther apy, the background of music therapy, how it takes place and how it helps clients with autism. A lot of the literature found on the topic music therapy found it helped children and adults with learning disabilities. This section of the dissertation will analyse the literature that is already available on music therapy and autism. It will also analyse literature on drug therapies. I will explore the history of music therapy how and why it is used, how itRead MoreMusic Therapy During Post Operative Abdominal And Thoracic Patients1512 Words   |  7 Pages Music Therapy in Post-operative Abdominal and Thoracic Patients Kelsey Milam Azusa Pacific University Music Therapy in Post-operative Abdominal and Thoracic Patients The purpose of this paper is to determine if music therapy is an effective intervention on decreasing the perceived response to pain in post-operative abdominal and thoracic hospitalized patients as compared with those who received pharmaceutical interventions alone. A literature reviewRead MoreWhy Does Music Move Us?1099 Words   |  5 Pagesstyles and soothing melodies, but why? A number of recent research studies have shown that music has a unique and profound effect on the brain. In the article, â€Å"Why Does Music Move Us?†, Douglas McClennan claims that, as human beings, we are attracted to music and art for reasons other than entertainment. Researchers have studied the human attraction to music and there appears to be a connection between music and man rooted deep in the brain, but it is unknown as to why the brain responds as suchRead MoreTreatment Of Pain Management For Post Operative Patients1372 Words   |  6 Pagesanxiety can also aid in reducing pain. The most often used intervention for pain management is the use of drug therapy. However, drug therapy alone is not effective. For example, on the South 3 West unit of Holyoke Medical Center patients still report pain levels of 9 and 10 on the numerical pain scale even after receiving pain medication. There are also risks to relying solely on drug therapy. Prolonged use of analgesics can cause harmful side effects to the patient, such as decreased respiratory rate

Important Moments in My Otherwise Uneventful Life free essay sample

I am eight years old. It is summertime in my native South Florida, which means unbearable heat in the mornings and unrelenting thunderstorms in the afternoons. I prance over the grassy median, disregarding the shimmering heat waves rising off of the pavement. I am happy to be out of the stuffy car and on my way to the playground. I toss my long chestnut ponytail over my bony shoulder, and catch sight of my little sister’s huge almond eyes flicking left-right-left across the vast expanse of the parking lot. Our nanny holds her hand tightly. I feel a twinge of jealousy, but pretend that I don’t need my hand held and turn my face up towards the sky. I stare at the sun even though I’ve been told a thousand times not to, and instantly regret not bringing along my Barbie sunglasses. I sigh, blink away the spots behind my eyelids, and dash across the blacktop to claim my spot on the tire swing. We will write a custom essay sample on Important Moments in My Otherwise Uneventful Life or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is my eleventh birthday. I have just finished reading the first book in the Harry Potter series. It is not yet a worldwide phenomenon. I insist on getting the mail. There are plenty of bills and three home decor magazines. However, my acceptance letter to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is nowhere to be found. I am thoroughly disappointed in the wizarding world. Later that same year, I discover that Santa Claus does not exist. I am thoroughly disappointed in the real world. I begin the process of growing up. I am thirteen years old. My brother and my sister-in-law have just welcomed their first child, a girl. Her name is Samara. It is the same name bestowed upon the demon-child in the horror movie The Ring. A name has never, in the history of the world, been more unfitting. As I strain my eyes through the glass window of the neonatal unit, I glimpse my niece for the first time. My breath catches in my throat and my eyes prick with tears. She is the single most be autiful thing I have ever seen, and I know that I will love her forever. I go from being a whiny, sulky tween to a young woman bursting with the understanding of unconditional love within a span of about two seconds. I am fourteen and a half years old. I am holding hands with a boy who is not yet my boyfriend, but who I suspect will be sometime within the week. He presses me against his locker and kisses me. I feel like I am in a movie. He asks me to be his girlfriend five feet away from a big blue recycling bin. I accept. We begin to date. About a month later, he dumps me in the middle of watching a movie on my living room sofa. He will go on to pursue other romantic interests by the names of Kate and Kelsey†¦ Followed shortly thereafter by Mike and David. I find that I am not quite surprised. I am sixteen years old. I sit across the table from my older brother. I am in a state of shock; for once, he has nothing to say. The same brother who once told me that lightning only st rikes vertically and that the bruise on his face was not from a fight, it was from an alligator that swam through the plumbing and attacked him while he was on the toilet, now sits silently before me. Dark rings encircle his eyes, and I notice that his jet-black hair is streaked with grey. My older brother, whose cackling laugh and scrawled handwriting so closely resemble mine, who was given a talking-to for nicknaming me Frankenstein when I got braces in third grade, who talks with me for hours on end about everything and nothing, now stares bleakly at the wall behind me. I wonder if he hopes it will somehow give him answers that blood test results cannot. I extend my hand to him, and he takes it. In that moment, our nineteen-year age difference means nothing. All that matters is the phone that is suddenly ringing, and the physician who is on the other end. I breathe a sigh of relief as the doctor declares that the blood work indicates that all is well, that there is nothing to wor ry about, that the world is indeed a wonderful place. I am seventeen years old. It is late at night. I should be sleeping; instead, I am writing this essay. I have been toying with different endings for days, each more trite and terrible than the next, and have finally come to the realization that there is no perfect way to conclude this essay. The aforementioned moments are not the only ones that have defined me as the young woman I am today, and there are many moments yet to come that will continue to shape me into the not-so-young woman I will be in ten, fifteen or fifty years. I may not have saved a life, discovered a new species of cactus, or invented a cure for the common cold (a nasty affliction from which I am, at present, recovering), but I do have a pretty snappy list of alternative accomplishments: I am the coolest aunt on the planet, a passionate poet-slash-playwright-slash-actress, and a bruised but unbroken survivor of the seemingly endless emotional mine field that is high school. I am beyond enthused to embark on this n ew chapter of my life, and full of hope for a thrilling, enlightening collegiate experience.