Amanda Barnes "It is better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you are not" Unknown

This last semester of Honors English has challenged me even more than the first semester. I have had a 4.0 all throughout my high school career and I am nervous about not being able to pull off an A in this course for this semester. I have worked very hard on my papers this semester, but the research paper was extremely difficult and I did not do that well on it. However, with turning in my corrections and having my last assignments due, I am hoping to maintain my A for this course.

My favorite essay from this semester would have to be the product evaluation.I enjoyed spending time testing my product with my close friend, Krista.We had a good time and I think we made a great team.Krista and I agreed on all of the scales and the testing criteria without any arguments in any of the testing areas.We worked really well together and it showed on our final draft for that essay.My least favorite essay would definitely be the research paper.I hate formal writing and I had a hard time picking my topic in the first place. I ended up changing it three times before I settled on the one I wrote about.Once I finally settled on my topic, I had no idea where to begin with my writing.Eventually I found my path and began writing, but I still didn’t like the way it was going.It was not one of my best essays and I had a very difficult time writing it.

I still prefer informal writing to formal writing, which is one thing that has definitely not changed. I believe that I have gotten better at both types of writing, but I still dread any type of formal essays. I have also become a much better peer editor, even in this last semester.

I can honestly say that I can see a definite difference between my writing at the beginning of the year, and my writing at the end of the year. Overall, I believe that this course has taught me a lot and I definitely feel more prepared for college after completing it. I now feel more confident in my ability to write, even if I'm still not the greatest writer. It is not one of my major strengths, but it is no longer one of my major weaknesses either.Honors English is a great class for seniors to take before entering the real world of college.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey takes place in a mental hospital in Oregon in the 1950’s.The narrator, Chief Bromden, is a paranoid half-Indian who has been a patient in the psychiatric hospital for ten years.Bromden’s paranoia is so extreme that he pretends he is deaf and dumb hoping he will go unnoticed by the other patients.“I creep along the wall quiet as dust…but they got special sensitive equipment detects my fear and they all look up” (9).His level of paranoia is evident at the beginning of this novel.

Nurse Ratched is the head nurse of the ward and is very precise in the way she runs her institute.A new patient, Randle McMurphy, is admitted into her ward and immediately takes a disliking to Ratched.He begins acting out and in a short order, McMurphy’s disobedience carries over to the other patients and they all start to rebel against Ratched. Eventually McMurphy and Bromden get tired of the way the nurse’s assistants, the “black boys,” treat them and they lash out against them in a fist fight.The “black boys” are seriously injured in the fight and both men are sent to the Disturbed Ward for electroshock therapy.

Tension between Ratched and McMurphy continues to escalate and he attempts to strangle her.She retaliates by having him lobotomized, and he becomes a vegetable.Ratched has now lost all power over the patients in her ward.They begin transferring to other wards or checking themselves out all together.Now that McMurphy is a vegetable, Bromden believes he is living as a symbol of Ratched’s level of power.He decides that McMurphy deserves to die with a little bit of dignity, so he suffocates him.Eventually Bromden is able to regain the strength he had initially lost, despite all that he had seen in Ratched’s ward.He breaks through the window and escapes from the mental hospital for good (SparkNotes Editors).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was not one of my favorite books.It was extremely hard for me to get into, but then again I do not enjoy reading classic literature.I usually love to read and I find any spare time possible to sit down with a good book.However, when I was reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest I would always find something else that I could do, that didn’t need to be done, just to avoid having to read.There would be nights when I had to force myself to open the book and focus on the task at hand.I had this book recommended to me by a friend.After reading it, I would only recommend this novel to someone who loved the style of classic literature.There are people who do enjoy that style of writing; I am just not one of them.

One thing I did enjoy about this novel was the symbolism that Kesey used throughout the story.In my eyes, symbolism makes a book more interesting for the reader.I like it when there are different ways to interpret what the author is trying to say.Kesey definitely had that effect.He used the symbol of machinery to represent the hospitals cold atmosphere and lack of heart.I interpreted it as the nurses being like robots.They just go through the actions without showing any real emotions. A specific example of a machine that Kesey uses as a symbol is the fog machine.This represents an escape from reality and quite possibly the blurred state of mind that the ward pushes upon on its patients.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was not a great book for me but that does not mean I would not recommend it to others.I would just warn them that if they don’t like the writing style of classic literature then they should not read this story.However, if they do enjoy the works of classic literature they should definitely read this well written novel by Kesey.It is definitely not a book I will be reading again, because I wouldn’t want to have to force myself to get through it a second time.By reading this book, I learned that I do not like the writing style of classic literature.

Works Cited

Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. New York. Signet, 1962.

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003. Web. 6 May 2010.

Pride and Prejudice: Societies Shortcomings

In a society enveloped in hypocrisy, greed, and social standing, the pressure to be identified by your rank or fortune is great.This is the type of society that surrounds Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen’s 1813 classic Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy come to Longbourn looking for women to court. All five of the Bennet daughters attend the ball that is held for Charles Bingley.Mrs. Bennet’s greatest dream is for all of her daughters to marry the best possible man and work their way up the social ladder.Mr. Bingley immediately takes a liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane.

Darcy is repelled by Elizabeth’s social standing and Elizabeth is disgusted with Darcy’s pride. Despite Darcy’s efforts to ignore his growing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet, he finds himself more attracted to her each time their paths cross. Outside forces create friction between Darcy and Elizabeth, and she grows to think of him as even more of a pompous fool than before.However, Darcy’s attraction to Elizabeth continues and he decides to write her a letter explaining all of the hearsay.This letter causes Elizabeth to reevaluate her feelings for Darcy.Regardless of all the differences in social standing and the other outside forces trying to drive the two apart, Darcy and Elizabeth fall madly in love with each other.Upon his second proposal to Elizabeth, she accepts his hand in marriage (SparkNotes Editors).

In this classic love story, Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Bennet, plays a static role in the dramatic action carried throughout the novel.Through characterization, Austen symbolizes the shortcomings of society, such as its greed, judgment, and views on marriage.Mrs. Bennet lives in a society that believes that a woman is not respected if she is not married to a respectable man. Women are expected to marry, not for love, but to advance their social standing.Mrs. Bennet takes the idea of marriage that has been pushed upon her by society, and forces it onto her five daughters.She believes that Elizabeth’s marrying Mr. Collins, who is her cousin, will improve her rank on the social ladder.When Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins’s proposal, Mrs. Bennet begs her husband to “make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins… and [that] if [he does] not make haste [Mr. Collins] will change his mind” (97).Mr. Bennet declares to his wife that he does not wish Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins, but Mrs. Bennet continues to try and persuade Elizabeth to accept his hand in marriage.After Elizabeth again refuses to marry, Mrs. Bennet scolds her daughter by saying, “I have done with you from this very day… I have no pleasure talking to undutiful children” (99).Mrs. Bennet does not care who her daughter does or does not love, all she cares about is achieving higher social ranking through marriage. She even goes far enough as to alienate her own daughter for the sole reason of not believing likewise.

Being in love with the person you are to marry is a luxury the characters in Pride and Prejudice are not expected to experience.In Mrs. Bennet’s eyes, rather in the eyes of the society surrounding her, it is more important to be rich than it is to be happy and in love.Society acknowledges the idea that “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance” (21).Mrs. Bennet does not see marriage as a matter of love or the happiness that comes from being loved.She believes that being rich can ease the pain of being unhappy.

Society is so greedy for materialistic happiness, that true happiness of the heart is completely overlooked.This is reflected through Mrs. Bennet when Mr. Bingley moves into the mansion of Netherfield, located down the road from the Bennet’s.Mrs. Bennet proclaims to her husband that Mr. Bingley is a “single man of large fortune,” and she immediately sets her mind on his marrying one of her daughters (6).She never thinks about his character because she is blinded by his fortune.Her daughter’s happiness always comes second to the fortune she could receive by marrying a wealthy, high standing, man.

For Mrs. Bennet, her life goal is to make sure her daughters are married, and tries to make sure they have the same goals.Only a short while after meeting Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bennet says to her husband “If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield, and all the others equally married, I shall have nothing to wish for” (10).Mrs. Bennet lives to see her daughters married to a rich man, and thinks of nothing else.After her daughter, Lydia, almost ruins the family by running away with Mr. Wickham but not marrying him, Mrs. Bennet is distraught.Her “poor dear Lydia ha[s] nobody to take care of her,” and she is afraid that Mr. Bennet will be killed by Mr. Wickham (240).Nothing could be worse than Lydia’s elopement.But as soon that the news reaches Mrs. Bennet that Lydia and Wickham will be married, Mrs. Bennet is no longer upset and immediately rejoices saying, “This is delightful indeed…She will be married at sixteen” (256).There is nothing her daughters or her husband can say to persuade her that the union between Lydia and Wickham will not be a good one, but her only thought is that one of her five daughters will be married and that she is one step closer to reaching her lifetime goal.

Austen uses Mrs. Bennet as a symbol of the ongoing judgment of society.Throughout the entire book, Mrs. Bennet judges everyone around her. In the beginning of the novel at the ball, Mr. Bingley chooses his first dance with Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s best friend, instead of Mrs. Bennet’s eldest daughter, Jane.Mrs. Bennet was “vexed to see him stand up with her,” and goes on to say, “He did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody can” (13).She judges Charlotte by her plain looks without seeing all the great qualities of her character.

Mrs. Bennet’s judgment never wavers, especially when it comes to the upper class.She admires them for their fortune and rarely sees anything else.At the ball, Mrs. Bennet meets Mr. Bingly’s refined sisters, and instead of judging them on their vain and conceited manners, she judges them only for their fortune.She says to her husband “his sisters are charming women…I never in my life saw anything more elegant than their dresses” (13).Though Elizabeth sees them for whom they really are and was “very little disposed to approve of them,” her mother saw nothing of the sort (15).She figured them to be good women merely because of their wealth and could not be convinced otherwise.

With other characters in this classic novel, Mrs. Bennet is not so alone in her judgments.Mr. Darcy is not considered agreeable among the Bennet family, nor the families surrounding them.He is one of the few people that Mrs. Bennet judges based off of the way he acts, not off of his social standing.However, his character turned out to be exactly the opposite of her initial judgment.Many characters in the novel wrongly judge Mr. Darcy, but “amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behavior [is] sharpened into particular resentment” (11).Later in the novel, Mr. Darcy accompanies Mr. Bingly to the Bennet house, and as they approach, Mrs. Bennet realizes it is Darcy and is frustrated with his appearance, stating to her daughters, “Any friend to Mr. Bingly will always be welcome…but else I say that I hate the very sight of him” (280).She judges Darcy before she knows his true character and holds no desire to learn any more about him.

Austen uses Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice to exaggerate the shortcomings of society in order to show the obstacles that Darcy and Elizabeth, as well as Jane and Mr. Bingly, must overcome.Without her, readers would not be able to accurately judge the society surrounding the Bennet family.The readers can better appreciate the two relationships because of the presence of their overbearing, judgmental mother.The society reflects itself through the character of Mrs. Bennet and her judgmental ways, her greed, and her views on marriage.

At the end of the novel, Austen refers back to Mrs. Bennet by saying, “I wish I could say, for the sake of her family, that the accomplishment of her earnest desire…produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman for the rest of her life…[but she remained] nervous and invariably silly” (323).After so many trials on her character, Mrs. Bennet never changes the way she is and by not changing, Mrs. Bennet fulfills the purpose Austen meant for her: to represent the hypocrisy, the greed, and the pressure to be identified by rank or fortune, that an uptight society places upon the characters.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Signet Classics, 1961.

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Pride and Prejudice.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Web. 6 May 2010.

Small Businesses: The Greatest Venture for the Economy

Starting a small business can always be a risky choice.What happens if the business fails? Of course, not all businesses are going to be a success.About seven out of ten new small businesses last at least two years after opening, and half of small businesses survive for five years or more.According to the Census data of the year 2000, 69 percent of new businesses survived the two year mark after their opening date, and 51 percent of these businesses survived five or more years ("Frequently Asked Questions").With those survival rates, I would say that it is worth the risk to open a small business if one desires to do so.

Small business is defined as a privately owned and operated business with a small number of employees and a relatively low volume of sales.These small businesses are usually one of three types: privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships.To be considered a “small” business in America the company has to have less than 500 employees (Wikipedia Contributors).Small businesses play an important role in the U.S. economy due to the fact that approximately 99.9 percent of 29.6 million businesses are considered “small”.

According to the Office of Advocacy, in the year of 2005, small businesses represented 99.7 percent of all the nation’s employer businesses.All these businesses combined employed a total of 57.4 million Americans that year.Small businesses are so successful because they innovate and create new jobs at a faster rate than their large business competitors.They are a vital part of every community across America due to the fact that they are both nimble and creative ("Small Business Drives The U.S. Economy").

Robert Longley, author of “Top Ten Reasons to Love U.S. Small Business” has declared some of the best statements about small businesses.

10.) “Small businesses make up more than 99.7% of all employers”

9.) “Small businesses create more than 50 percent of the nonfarm private gross domestic product (GDP)”

6.)“Small businesses employ about 50 percent of all private sector workers”

4.) “Small businesses make up 97 percent of exporters and produce 29 percent of all export value”

2.) “Four years after start-up, half of all small businesses with employees remain open”

1.) “The latest figures show that small businesses create 75 percent of the net new jobs in our economy”

Sole proprietorships are businesses started by a single person and are considered a single entity for all tax and liability reasons.Meaning that there is no clear definition from where income is made.The business and the owner are one in the same; therefore, the owner, as well as the business, is liable for all lawsuits or debts.This means that if any lawsuits and/or debts exceed the value of the company the owner is personally reliable.Sole proprietorships are the simplest form of a business.Owners can establish a sole proprietorship instantly, easily, and at a low cost.To start the business the sole proprietor must register his or her name and secure any local licenses. Once these two steps are complete he/she is ready for business. Many businesses start out as a sole proprietorship and gradually increase to more complex business forms ("The Basics of Sole Proprietorships").

A partnership is a business with two or more owners that have not filed papers with the state to become a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC).There are two basic types of partnerships, general partnerships and limited partnerships (NOLO).In a general partnership, each partner within the business has equal say in the company.Each of the partners also holds equal responsibility in all areas including unlimited liability and debts.In a limited partnership (LP) there is usually only one general partner, though sometimes there can be more.The other partners within the business are considered “limited partners.”In an LP the general partner alone has full management responsibility and runs the day-to-day operations of the business.He/she not only has most of the power, but also has the largest part in the liability of the business.Everything falls on the general partner’s shoulders.The limited partner does not participate in the businesses’ daily operations and has little or no say in management.Limited partners are the silent partner of the business.He or she is usually involved in nothing more than making the initial capital investment for the company.In exchange for this investment, he/she receives a share of the company’s profits ("General vs. Limited Partnerships").

A limited liability company is not a corporation even though it shares some of the same characteristics.An LLC provides lawsuit protection for its members has greater tax savings and protects personal assets ("LLC Definition").This form of organization allows limited liability for an unlimited number of shareholders or “members.”

Funding is also crucial when wanting to open a business.There are four main types of funding: grants, loans, personal saving, and stock shares.Grants are the best type of funding one can receive.If a business receives a grant they do not have to pay that money back.It is “free” money for the business.Loans are often taken out when wanting to start and run a small business to help with the cost.This is a good option if the owner needs extra money to start their business.However, loans have to be paid back so if the business fails the owner will be in debt and have to find a way to pay back those loans.Personal savings is also a means of funding for a business.Often times, the future owners personal savings will not be enough alone to open their desired business.Therefore, they have to look at other means of funding as well, in order to obtain enough money to start their business.The last type of major funding would be stock shares.When a company wishes to put shares of their business out for the public to purchase the owner can go to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and get permission to sell the amount of shares they want and put them in the stock market.This gives people in the community a chance to purchase a share or “vote” in the company. Anyone who buys the shares is investing their personal money in the business in order for a piece of ownership. However, only the initial sale of the stock goes to the company.If a person chooses to resell their share it goes onto a secondary market and the company receives no benefits.

After receiving the needed funding one has to get the required licenses and permits before they can open their desired business.The main license one will need to obtain is a business license.This license grants the owner the right to operate a business in a designated area.A fire department permit might be needed to run a business as well.However, some areas don’t require the owner to get a permit before they open their business but instead schedule periodic inspections to make sure the business is meeting the fire safety regulations.In many states, certain occupations must have licenses or occupational permits.To get these one will have to pass state examinations before they can obtain these permits and begin conducting their business.These are a few of the most common licenses and permits needed for business.However, other licenses and permits may be needed depending on the type of business and where it is located ("Business Licenses and Permits").

A crucial part of a business’s level of success is the environment the business contains.In order to have a good environment for a business, the owner must be able to build lasting relationships with the customers, other small businesses and companies, and any external partners the business may have.In the business world, there are two main types of environments: microenvironments and macroenvironments.Microenvironments are at a much smaller scale.This environment consists of the actors close to the company that affect the businesses ability to serve its customers.These actors within this environment include the business itself, suppliers, customers, competitors, and the public.Macroenvironment is a much greater scale.This includes the societal forces that affect the company such as, demographic, economic, natural, technological, political, and cultural (Armstrong and Kotler).

In microenvironment suppliers, customers, competitors and the public all play a significant role.Suppliers have to have great communication within the company.They have to be able to get the supplies to the business on time every shipment.But, more importantly, they have to be there for the business in an emergency situation, whatever that situation may be.Customers are a crucial part of a businesses’ environment.If a business has loyal customers it will have a steadily increased profit. As strange as this may sound, competitors play a huge role in the success of the business environment as well.Businesses offering the same services or products are always going to try to be better than their rivals.This competition helps the economy significantly.Each business will try to offer their customers the “better” deal and this will continue as long as the companies are in competition.If there is no competition for a company they can get away with whatever they wish to because they are the only ones that provide that good or service.No competition results in higher prices and lower quality of the goods or services.That is why competition is so important for a businesses’ environment and for the overall good of the economy.And of course the public supporters are always needed for a business to have a good environment surrounding them.Without the support of the community a business would never be successful and contain a good, healthy environment.

Macroenvironments tend to have a different environment than microenvironments.In a macroenvironment the area and location is the most important parts of the businesses’ demographic.The area one chooses to open their business in has to have a good environment to begin with.Then once the business is up and running it will only add to the environment and make the area that much better.One also has to take the economic livelihood of the area into consideration.The environment has to be stable and be able to bring in money for the business or it will never survive and become successful.A business environment must also be ready for any and all disasters: including both natural and manmade.The technology of the microenvironment has improved tremendously and has made business easier. Computers make recordkeeping and inventory much easier for the business owner to manage, as well as making sales easier and more efficient.However, with all technology there is the possibility of a system crash.The owner of the business must have a steady back up plan in case of a technological emergency.There are also cultural aspects of macroenvironments.A business must know which culture they are trying to appeal to.It may be more than one culture that they are working to appeal.Yet, they have to be careful as to not offend the cultures they are not trying to relate and appeal to at the same time.

Not only is the environment of a business crucial, so is the location and appearance of the facility.If the business is not easily accessible then it isn’t going to be as successful as an easily accessible business of a similar form.When looking to start a business the potential owner must keep location in mind.If he/she opens their business in an incompatible area there is a greater possibility that the business will fail then if he/she opens it in an area where it will thrive.Appearance is also an aspect of the survival of a business.If the place appears to be run down and dingy most people will shy away from it.If the business looks open and welcoming then it will get more customers and in return more profit.Picking a name for the business is another factor to consider from every viewpoint.The name should be classy and draw attention.A bad name could turn potential customers away before they even give the business a chance.Opening a small business is a very involved process and one must consider every aspect of how to make it survive.

In order for any business to survive they must interact with other businesses as well as the community.Owning a small business would put one in a retail position.Of course, when running a small business the owner is going to have to be able to interact with the customers, or the consumers, with a polite and personable persona.Yet, the consumers are not the only people a retailer, or owner, must deal with.Owners also have to deal with producers and wholesalers while running their business.Producers are the ones who produce the goods and give all that was produced to different wholesalers.Wholesalers are the go betweens between the producers and the retailers.All four of these levels of interaction are vital to the survival of a business.Without one of these four people the business, if able to survive, would not be able to run as smoothly.If an owner is not able to get along and communicate with people outside their business he or she is not going to be very successful (Armstrong and Kotler).

Not only does a business have to have great communication with people outside of the company, they also have to have great intercompany communication.Every department within the business has to be able to communicate frequently and easily.If there is miscommunication, or no communication at all, between the different departments the business could be in a world of hurt.For example, if a business receives its goods and products but the receiving department does not let the sales department know that the goods and products are in, then the sales department cannot sell the new shipment of products.Not only does this miscommunication disrupt the sales department but it also affects the accounting department.If the accounting department doesn’t know that the shipment of the good and products was received then they will not know to pay for them and everything will shift and become unbalanced.

At times, small businesses also lend a helping hand to each other.They may want to branch out slightly and sell their products or services at other places as well as their own in order to get a little more recognition for the business. Not only does it get the one business more recognition, but it also brings in potential new customers for the other business as well.Even though each business mostly has their own needs in mind, they both benefit.

Advertisement is much needed when running a business.If nobody knows that the business exists, or what it has to offer then that business will not have much service, if any.If the business doesn’t get service then it won’t survive.A business can either target the whole public or it can target a specific group.However, target marketing is the most beneficial way of advertising for a small business.The business will receive better support and more loyal customers if they are able to appeal to the type of people their business is looking to draw in, not the entire general public.Not only is target marketing more beneficial to a company, it is also less expensive for the business. Advertising is also a way to compete with any competitors of the business.A business owner wants to make his or her business well known and attract all the possible consumers.Local ads are a great way to advertise a small business and what goods or services they have to offer.Not only do these local ads get the name of the business out there and draw in potential customers, but it also helps out the local newspaper or local advertisement agency.In turn both of these businesses will help the local economy as a whole.

Every small business needs to know about marketing.Marketing is the process by which a business or company creates value for customers and build strong, lasting customer relationships in order to capture value from the customers in return.It is important to understand the marketplace and a customer’s needs wants and demands when running a small business.Customer’s needs are the states of felt deprivation.This includes the basic physical needs of a human, such as food, clothing, warmth and safety as well as social needs and individual needs.Human needs take the form of wants in culture and individual personality.However, these wants then turn back into needs when backed by power (Armstrong and Kotler).

Market offerings are what fulfill the customer’s needs, wants and demands.Market offering is defined as some combination of products, services, information, or experiences offered to satisfy a need or a want.No matter how good a business’ market offerings are, if they suffer from marketing myopia, they are not going to be as successful as a whole.Marketing myopia is the mistake of a business paying more attention to the specific products a company offers than to the benefits and experiences produced by these products.Business owners need to be sure to have a balance in their focus of what their products are and what they have to offer in the long run (Armstrong and Kotler).

Since marketing is such an important role of small businesses it is necessary for one to know what “market” means.A market is the set of all actual and potential buyers of a product or service.Marketing is all about creating and maintaining loyal relationships with the customers of the business.In order to build these vital relationships with the actual and potential customers an owner often times looks to marketing management.Marketing management is the art and science of choosing target markets and building profitable relationships with that chosen market. With every business run the owner has a marketing concept.A marketing concept is the marketing management philosophy of the business owner that holds that achieving organizational goals and depends on knowing the needs and wants of target markets and delivering the desired satisfactions better than their leading competitors do.

When running a business, the owner must be careful to set the right level of expectations for their small business.If the owner sets their expectation too low, sure they will satisfy the customers they do have, but they won’t be attracting any new customers.On the other hand, if the owner sets the expectations for the business too high customers will be disappointed with what they receive and they will move their business to the competitors.Customer value and satisfaction are key to maintain while running a small business (Armstrong and Kotler).

The prospect of a small business has changed over the years.However, small businesses still play a vital role in the economy.The internet has helped small businesses tremendously over the years.Now businesses can not only do business in their local area, they can now do business with consumers across the world.If small businesses didn’t employ as many Americans as they do the economy would be hurting so much more than it is already.Opening and running a small business is a very involved process that takes a lot of work.But clearly it is worth the work and will pay off due to the number of small businesses in the United States.In the economy as it is, jobs are limited enough.Just imagine if the 57.4 million Americans employed by small business across the United States didn’t have those jobs.Where would America stand without all the participating small businesses that bring in steady profits to help the U.S. economy?America would definitely not be the same country we know it to be now.Small businesses are such an important part of the American economy today and they will continue to be vital to America’s survival as a country.

Works Cited

Armstrong, Gary, and Philip Kotler. Marketing An Introduction. 8th. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. 2007. Print.

"The Basics of Sole Proprietorships."Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Media, Inc, 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/startupbasics/businessstructure/article77798.html>.

"Business Licenses and Permits."Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Media, Inc, 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.entrepreneur.com/homebasedbiz/legalissues/article38882.html>.

"Frequently Asked Questions."SBA Office Of Advocacy. N.p., 2008. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/sbfaq.pdf>.

"General vs. Limited Partnerships."All Business A D&B Company. AllBusiness.com Inc, 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/business/1303-1.html>.

"LLC Definition."residual-rewards.com. N.p., 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.residual-rewards.com/limited-liability-company-definition.html>.

Longley, Robert. "Top Ten Reasons to Love U.S. Small Business."U.S. Government Info. N.p., 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/businessfinance/a/sbatopten.htm

NOLO. "Partnership Basics."Bplans.com. Palo Alto Software, Inc, 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://articles.bplans.com/small-business-legal-issues/partnership-basics/184>.

"Small Business Drives The U.S. Economy."Office of Advocacy. Small Business Administration, n.d. Web. 14 Mar 2010. <http://www.sba.gov/advo/press/06-17.html>.

Wikipedia contributors. "Small business."Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Mar. 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_business

Prison Break: Saved By the Bell

Why do our teachers treat the seniors in this school like 5 year olds?We have no freedom whatsoever. I’m pretty sure the graduating class of 2010 had more freedom freshman year.Every year there are seniors roaming the halls during their free hours, just hanging out and loving life: not this year.This year we get holed up in a room, which I now call the dungeon of hell, and are told we can’t leave. Not even to go to the bathroom! If we do need to leave the classroom we have to go one at a time.Next thing we know we are going to have an adult holding our hand to make sure we go where we said we were going to go. As if the sixteen cameras in our school can’t keep tabs on where we are at and what we are doing at all times!The only place where you are not being watched is in the locker room or the bathroom!

The rules in this school are getting a little carried away.I can see suspending someone for fighting, or threatening someone.But this past week two senior boys got suspended for two days because they snuck out of the classroom when the teacher wasn’t in the room, just so they could use the bathroom. Now this doesn’t sound like a very good idea on the boys’ part, but they had already asked twice to go to the bathroom and the teacher wouldn’t let them.In my opinion that was quite childish of the teacher.It wasn’t like they were going to go toke it up in the parking lot for twenty minutes.They were just going to go to the bathroom!

Where is the trust?! Where is the freedom?! After all, we are practically adults. How do they expect us to be ready for college next year when we are still treated like kindergartners in high school? Maybe they should consider giving us the reins and let us show them that we are responsible enough to be in the halls unsupervised for a short amount of time without getting in trouble.If things start to get out of hand they can pull back the reins a little. But no they don’t even give us a chance to prove ourselves!

I didn’t used to mind school, but lately it feels more like a prison than a high school. We are constantly being watched and monitored.The teachers are all cracking down and acting more like prison guards than actual teachers. For weeks at a time the teachers will be pretty relaxed and then all of a sudden WHAM, their strictness hits you like a brick wall.I swear, if one teacher gets angry with the senior class and cracks down on the whip, so do all the other teachers in the building.It’s like they sit in the teacher’s lounge during their free time and plan it!

The freshman class has as much freedom as the senior class, when it’s only their first year in this school.By no means do they deserve to be treated the same as the seniors in any way!Seniors at Hotchkiss High School are no longer treated like seniors.We have absolutely no respect from the younger classman.The freshmen walk around thinking they are so much better than us when they haven’t even made a mark in this school.They don’t care about their reputations or what “stupid senior bitches” think about them. They want to be big and bad but they are going about it the wrong way.

Freshmen girls get to wear their clothes however they want but if one bad word is said by an upper classmen, IT’S HAZING! Really?! It’s not our fault that their parents didn’t teach them to look respectful and have some pride in themselves! When we were freshman the upperclassmen gave us shit for everything we did, and we as freshman expected it from the very first day we walked through those front doors! None of us went home crying to parents about being harassed at school.

Back when I was a freshman I thought I was going to love senior year.I thought I would dread the day of graduation because I wouldn’t want to leave high school.But let me tell you that is not the case! I can’t wait to graduate from this place!I can’t wait until that final day, when I look up at the clock and see it is 3:35 and I am saved by the bell once and for all! I’m ready to have more freedom and less rules.I’m ready to find my place in life.I’m ready to move beyond high school, have new experiences, and overall just to start a new chapter in my life at a new place.I’m already counting down the days to graduation: 105.May 29th could not come fast enough, with the end of senior year and I am finally saved by the bell!

The Coal Train:

The Coal Train’s milkshakes were made with chocolate ice cream, which made the chocolate taste slightly overwhelming and a little too sweet for our taste. The consistency of the shake was ideal. We could suck it through the straw right away, but it was not milky in any way. It was a good price of $3.74 and you got yours moneys worth in the serving size. The presentation or this milkshake received a perfect 5. One glance of the dome of whipped cream and we were ready to consume it. The overall goodness of this milkshake was not our first choice because it was too chocolaty for our preference. The Coal Train received a total of 83 points out of a possible 100.

The Black Canyon Café:

The milkshakes at the Black Canyon Café had a perfect ice cream to chocolate ratio. However, it was our least favorite of all the locations. It was slightly milky, but also had chunks that were not well blended. It could have stood to be a little sweeter as well. This restaurant does offer different shakes sizes, but we ordered a medium for $3.50 and found that it was too much to finish. Not only did you get a full glass, but also you got the rest of the milkshake left in the shaker. The presentation of this milkshake surprisingly sparked our taste buds. It was served in a 50s glass and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. However, even with their amazing presentation, Black Canyon Café is not our first choice when looking for our perfect milkshake. It scored the lowest with a total of 79 out of 100.

Dairy Queen:

Being that Dairy Queen is an ice cream shop, we went in with high hopes. We were disappointed with their presentation right away. The milkshake was served in a boring, unoriginal dairy queen cup. However, with the first taste our hopes rose again. The milkshake was perfect. It had a good ice cream to chocolate ratio and was heavenly sweet. It also had achieved amazing consistency and filled us up without breaking the bank. Their medium milkshake rang in at $3.29 making it the cheapest milkshake. If it were not for their lack of presentation, Dairy Queen would have scored a perfect 100. Instead, they received a very high 93 out of 100.

The North Fork:

We were happy to see that The North Fork made their milkshakes with vanilla ice cream scoring a perfect 5 on chocolate flavor. It also had an excellent amount of sweetness for our taste buds. The down side is that it was slightly thick and the straw wasn’t big enough to suck the milkshake out. The North Fork price was $4.00, which was slightly expensive for the amount they gave you. When we finished our shakes, we were satisfied with the amount we were given. The shake poured smoothly out of the cup into the frosty glass, but had no whipped cream or cherry added to it. Due to its chocolate flavor, this milkshake ranked in the middle receiving an 89 out of 100.

The Diner:

The Diner’s milkshake was very satisfying. Even though it was made with chocolate ice cream, it had the perfect chocolate taste and scored a 5. Its thickness was just right, and allowed you to drink it right away. It was a good milkshake, but on the sweetness scale, it ranked a 3. This milkshake cost $3.40 and left us extremely full but satisfied. It was topped with whipped cream and a cherry, but it was served in the metal mixer, which threw off our appeal. The Diner proved to give Dairy Queen a run for their money, scoring a total of 91 out of 100.

The West Elk:

The West Elk was said to offer milkshakes, but when we went in and requested one they were unfortunately unable to make it. The server was unaccommodating. Our suggestion is to not go to The West Elk if you are looking for an amazing milkshake to fulfill your craving.

School has always come really easily to me. I never had to work exceptionally hard to receive my good grades. However, this english course has challenged me like no other course ever has. I have actually had to work on my papers every night in order to receive my good grade. I spend so much time trying to perfect each essay. I have found out that I prefer informal writing to formal writing. Informal writing allows me to show my creative side and add voice. It is much easier for me to write something that has a personal connection rather than just research. I tend to procrasinate more when writing formal essays than I do when writing informal essays. If I don't enjoy writing the paper I tend to put it off and do the things I do enjoy. I'm not the best writer when under pressure. I like to spend time going over my essays after I am done writing them. If I don't have a lot of time to work on my paper I tend to get stressed out. I think that I generate ideas really well on my own for informal essays, but I like to bounce ideas off of my peers when working on formal essays. I think that I am a good editor when I read my peers' papers, but I am terrible at catching my own errors. I know what I am wanting to say, so I just figure that is what it says. I rely heavily on my peer editors to catch the little mistakes in my papers. Overall I think that my writing has gotten better since the beginning of the year. However, I know that there is still room for improvement in my writing.

Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a touching novel about a thirty-two year old, mentally retarded man named Charlie Gordon.Charlie Gordon works at Donner’s Bakery in New York City as a janitor and delivery boy.On his days off he attends Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults.Even with the challenges Charlie has to face, he always pushes himself trying to learn as much as he can.His teacher, Alice Kinnian, recommends Charlie to a team of scientists who are looking for someone willing to allow them to perform an experimental surgery to boost intelligence.The two head scientists of this experiment, Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur, ask Charlie to keep a journal of his progress reports.The novel Flowers for Algernon is all of Charlie’s progress reports written in first person.

Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur start out by performing a number of tests on Charlie, including a maze-solving competition with a mouse named Algernon, who has already undergone the experimental surgery. After Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur have finished enough testing Charlie undergoes the operation.There are no immediate results after the surgery and Charlie becomes very disappointed. “When I waked up this morning rite away I thot I was gone to be smart but I’m not” (20).However, Charlie’s intelligence level begins to gradually increase.With the more time that passes, Charlie becomes smarter and smarter until his intelligence level passes those of Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur.Having a new level of intelligence that he never dreamed of, Charlie begins studying Professor Nemur’s hypothesis.He ends up finding a flaw in the operation and realizes that this new level of intelligence will not last.

Charlie begins running tests on Algernon and sees that the mouse is beginning to lose his intelligence.As if the decreasing of intelligence wasn’t bad enough, Algernon soon dies.Charlie begins wondering if the same fate is in store for him.Sensing that he will become his old self again, Charlie breaks ties with everyone he knows.Having made his way back to retardation, Charlie checks himself into a home for disabled adults.His last request is for everyone who reads his reports to put fresh flowers on Algernon’s grave (“Flowers…Overview”).

Flowers for Algernon is an inspirational story, and I would definitely recommend it as a must read.Daniel Keyes is a gifted writer.He shows how unaccepted retardation is in American Society.The mentally retarded have a tough enough life without being constantly put down by their peers.I think that this story is the perfect story to show how unfair people are to someone who is different.When Charlie was retarded everyone always taunted him. As soon as he became a genius everyone started respecting him and he was definitely accepted in society. Once the effects of the operation began wearing off, and Charlie was going back to his old self, he pulled away from everyone because of a fear of rejection.He knew that as soon as he was retarded again, people would not treat him the same anymore.Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes really opened my eyes and made me have a different outlook on life.I absolutely loved this story!

My favorite literary technique used in this novel is characterization.Daniel Keyes really made Charlie Gordon come alive in this story.He showed both sides of Charlie: the mentally retarded Charlie who struggled with everything, to the genius Charlie who figured out the flaw in the experiment performed on him, back to the mentally retarded Charlie who gave up on life.“Just leave me alone.I’m not myself. I’m falling apart, and I don’t want you here” (300).While reading this story, I felt like I really knew Charlie.His struggles became my struggles while his success became my success.When Charlie’s intelligence fades to where it first was, and he has to move into the Warren Home, my heart breaks for him.At least before the operation he didn’t truly know what he was missing, but now he knows what he could have been.Flowers for Algernon grabbed my attention on the first page and kept it until I turned the very last page.

Works Cited

Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for Algernon. 1966. 1-311. Print.

"Flowers for Algernon Plot Overview."Sparknotes. 2009. Web. 17 Dec 2009. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/algernon/summary.html>.

Rise If Possible

High school has so many memories attached to it.There are moments in the classroom that I will never forget, teachers that have made an everlasting impact on my life, and countless cherished memories with all of my friends.Even with all these wonderful times in school, my best memories lie on the basketball court.I have played in countless games throughout my high school years.Even with all the games I have participated in, there is one specific game that vividly remains in my memory like it happened yesterday.

It was January 11, 2008 and my team and I were traveling to Gunnison High School in Gunnison, Colorado.The trip seemed to last forever like the sun never failing to rise.Black Mesa Pass has so many twists, turns, and sharp corners that make me sick with fear that the bus is going to tip over and the whole team will fall to their death.I have never liked going to Gunnison for basketball, but this trip was going to add a whole new dimension of dislike for the place.

After what seemed like a lifetime we finally arrived at Gunnison High School.We walked into the gym, carrying our massive duffel bags that could hold a dead body.The JV girls entered the locker room to change into their red jerseys.Gunnison’s locker room reminds me of a dungeon.Everywhere you look you see concrete.The showers are small and moldy and their locker room consists of one itty bitty bathroom.Walking into the locker room, my nose started burning.All I could smell was sweat and dirty old gym socks that hadn’t been washed for weeks. It seemed as if the smell of sweat had seeped into the concrete walls like the thirsty ground soaking water up greedily.Our coach, Bendi, told us to hurry and get changed so that we could get out on the court and begin warming up.I changed as fast as possible so I could get out of that nasty, sweat trapped dungeon.

I carried my massive bag back into the gym.I grabbed a ball and waited for my teammates to get out of the locker room so we could begin our warm-up.Holding my basketball in my hands, I look around the gym.Painted on the walls is a mural of every team in Gunnison’s league.My eyes looked around until they landed on the mural: the Hotchkiss Bulldogs.The only place I feel like I belong, my sanctuary.

Finally, my team is out of the locker room and we are ready to begin our fifteen minute long warm-up.I walk out onto the court with my gut wrenching.At first I thought it was just nerves.Looking around at the floor of the court, the knot in my stomach gets tighter.Now it feels like someone is trying to rip out my intestines.All I see on the court floor is worn spots.I rub my shoe over one of the worn spots and realize it is extremely slick.Even the best basketball shoes wouldn’t be able to get traction on these multiple spots.A feeling of dread washes over me like a tidal wave.No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the gut feeling that someone was going to get hurt today.

I tried to push my fears aside one last time as our Coach, Bendi, called us into the huddle to give us our game plan.The five starters, including myself, stepped out onto the court with a show of bravado.All I could do was hold back the sensation to vomit.“Tweet”, the referee blew his whistle and the game began.

I know I was out on the court playing, but I felt like I was having an out of body experience.Everything seemed to be in slow motion and I felt like I was watching the game from above the rafters.The game clock seemed to be stuck in time like it would never count down again.With time standing still, I continued to have that feeling of dread.

Four minutes into the first quarter I got the ball on the three point line.I saw the gap in the defense and drove towards the basket.I jump stopped at the right elbow and pulled up for the shot.On the way down I hit one of the slick, worn spots.I heard a loud snap as I felt myself go down like a crashing plane. The referee blew his whistle to stop the game.I look up through my tear-streamed eyes and see the camaraderie of my teammates.

A pain that I had never felt before engulfed me like smoke.It was so excruciating that I could barely breathe.With the snap of my knee and the way the crowd saw it waver as I went down, I knew that it had to be a serious injury.I was sent to the emergency room to get my knee checked out.Dr. Wolkov took x-rays of my knee and the results showed a chip in the bone of my kneecap as a result of the hyper-extension. Since I hyper-extended my knee there was a good probability that I tore my ACL.I was ordered to go see an orthopedic surgeon on Monday.

I returned to the high school on crutches.I hopped back into the gym and another rush of pain washed over me like a tidal wave.This time I didn’t notice the murals on the wall, the smell of sweat burning my nose or the worn spots that covered the floor.All I could focus on were my dreams of the seasons flying away in the wind.It was only one fall, one snap of the knee, but somehow I knew that I wouldn’t be returning that season.Basketball was my life and in an instant the season was over for me.I was crushed.

To this day I still fear Gunnison’s gym floor.The worn, slick spots and the right elbow where it all happened will cloud my memory forever.On January 16, 2010 I will be returning to play on that exact court for the first time since my injury.Once again, I will smell the sweat that has seeped into the walls, see the mural of my haven, and see the worn, slick spots that I have come to fear.

Voluntary Euthanasia: A Reasonable Act of Mercy

Imagine people suffering greatly, just waiting for their terminal illness to finally take them away. They go to their loved ones and tell them that they just want to die and be put out of their misery.Is it wrong for them to even say this? Why shouldn’t they have the right to choose death? Voluntary euthanasia would allow them to end their life in a painless manner and finally be free from all the pain that has engulfed them since they became terminally ill. Voluntary euthanasia should be legalized across the United States.

Voluntary euthanasia, also known as physician assisted suicide or mercy killing, refers to a physician administering a lethal prescription to end a patient’s life (“Physician Assisted Suicide”).Kat Yares, who wrote the article “What is Euthanasia,” states that the lethal injection they use for euthanasia is the same drug they use to execute those on death row. Many fear that legalizing voluntary euthanasia will lead to other forms of immoral suicide. However, acknowledging the worries of potential abuse would help enforce protective guidelines. If the right guidelines were put in place, voluntary euthanasia would not be a problem (Pros and Cons).

Voluntary euthanasia is already legal in Oregon, but that is the only state in the United States that has legalized this action. In 1994, voters in Oregon approved a ballot measure legalizing euthanasia with certain condition. There is a specific criterion that one has to meet to be considered for physician assisted suicide. The person must be terminally ill with only six months or less to live and the person must make two oral requests for assistance in death while also making one written request. The person must also convince two physicians that he or she is sincere about the decision and not just acting on a whim. The person cannot be influenced by depression and must be told alternative options such as hospice care and pain control. After clearing all of these criteria the person then has to wait for fifteen days. After fifteen days a physician could provide a prescription of barbiturate to cause the patient’s death. The physician is not allowed to induce death by injection or by way of carbon monoxide ("Oregon's Euthanasia Law").

The Death With Dignity Act (DWDA) barely passed in Oregon. It passed by one percent: 51% to 49%.According to the article “Life Issues Institute-Oregon’s Euthanasia Law,” over the nine years euthanasia has been legal, 445 people have requested lethal drugs from their physician. Out of these 445 that have requested physician assisted suicide only 292 people have actually gone through with the process of euthanasia. Every year the numbers of death by euthanasia continue to rise in Oregon.

If the state of Oregon has found a way to make euthanasia legal and not be abused then the rest of the United States should be able to as well. Having certain criteria that a person has to meet before a physician can perform the action is very beneficial. The criterion helps the physician tell if it is a rash decision or if it is something that the person truly wants. If the physician believes that death is truly what the patient wants then there should be no reason why they cannot provide the action.

Some people may believe that voluntary euthanasia is immoral and against human nature. They believe that there is no need for terminally ill patients to ever be in pain.However, nobody can predict or control the pain someone who is dying may feel. Prescribed pain killers and medicine can only relieve the pain temporarily; they can never make it vanish completely. The pain will always come back.Many people feel that nobody should ever give up on life no matter the quality. However, if someone is in so much pain that it hurts to even move then they are not living much of a life.It would be much more humane to just let the ill person choose to die then make them suffer through their illness that is going to kill them eventually. At least let them die with the little bit of dignity that they may have left (Webster).

It is always hard for someone to lose a person close to them that they loved with all their heart. Yet, it might help them cope if they are part of the process and have a chance to say good bye to their loved one before they pass away. Voluntary euthanasia would allow the patient’s family and friends to do just that. Being part of the process might help them understand the patient’s reasoning of choosing death. Others may argue that it puts an unbearable burden on the family and friends. This said burden could also pressure the ill to choose to die even if that’s not what they truly want. If someone doesn’t believe that they have support from their family and friends throughout their illness that might make a rash decision. However, just because the family thinks it is better for their loved one to pass on doesn’t mean that they don’t support them. It just means that they no longer want to see that person suffering (Webster).

Many people believe that voluntary euthanasia puts doctors into an impossible position. While taking care and examining their patients regularly the bond between the two becomes very close. Doctors always want the best for their patients but they can’t always provide the patient with the help they may need. They can provide the patient with pain medication but if that doesn’t help then they are out of options. They don’t want to see their patients suffering just waiting to die. Doctors want to be able to help their patients the best way they can; voluntary euthanasia would allow doctors to do just that. Others may argue that a doctor’s role should not be confused. Doctors are there to treat the patient to their best ability not choose who should live and who should die (Webster). Every doctor has to take a Hippocratic Oath swearing to ethically practice medicine. This text is one of the first statements of moral conducts to be used by a physician (“Hippocratic Oath”). However, that choice would never be up to the doctor.It would always be the patient’s choice. If the patient was in so much pain that they wanted to give up their life and be put out of their misery then that is what the doctor should be able to deliver (Webster).

Bobby Webster, author of “Assisted Suicide/Voluntary Euthanasia,” argues “every human being has a right to life; with every right comes a choice.” If someone is suffering greatly they should have a right to choose when they die. They shouldn’t have to be miserable and in constant pain with no quality of life. If someone doesn’t want to live that way they should have the right to choose not to. Voluntary euthanasia would provide them with the means to take their life away painlessly and allow them to die with the little bit of dignity they may have left. It is wrong to not give someone the choice between life and death. Some people believe that voluntary euthanasia should remain illegal because there is no comparison between the right to life and other rights, such as freedom of religion. When someone chooses to die there is no second chance at life. Nobody can change their mind and be brought back from the dead. Death is a final destination. It is inevitable and once someone dies there is no bringing them back to life.

What if the day after someone goes through with euthanasia scientists find a cure for their disease? This is one of the main concerns someone may have with accepting and legalizing euthanasia. True, if one did go through with the act and shortly thereafter a cure was found, it would be devastating. However, so is watching a loved one suffer with no quality of life. Nobody can ever guarantee what tomorrow will bring. There is always the “what ifs” in life. That is why nobody should ever live in fear, but instead live like there is no tomorrow. Someone could just be at the wrong place at the wrong time and get killed. What if they arrived there just one minute later? What if they changed their mind and decided to go somewhere else that day? Life is never going to be perfect, but then again who would want it to be?

Euthanasia should be legalized across the United States.As long as there are rules and regulations nobody should be able to abuse the concept of euthanasia if it were to be legalized. With legalizing this action the number of suffering people in the United States would decrease. This would affect everybody that encountered it in different ways. It may help some and it may hurt some. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the person suffering would be better off and no longer have to live everyday with the excruciating pain that has engulfed them.

I have seen someone I love suffering tremendously and endlessly. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to witness in my life. In my case, my grandmother completely gave up on life at the end of her terminal illness. Her body was still there but her soul didn’t remain. She hated living the way she was. Euthanasia would have helped end her life and put her out of pain like she wanted. I have also known others who have had to deal with the constant suffering of a loved one until they finally died. Nobody should have to see their loved ones like that. Legalizing euthanasia across the United States would be the right thing to do. It would prevent a lot of people and their loved ones from suffering. After all isn’t that the most important thing?

Works Cited

"Hippocratic Oath."Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 11 Nov 2009, 03:09 UTC. 112009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hippocratic_Oath&oldid=325176344>.

"Life Issues Institute - Oregon's Euthanasia Law."Life Issues Institute, Inc.. N.p., n.d.

Web. 10 Nov. 2009. <http://www.lifeissues.org/euthanasia/oregons_law.htm>.

"Oregon's Euthanasia Law."Euthanasia - Oregon's Euthanasia Law. 2009. Web. 04 Nov

2009. <http://law.jrank.org/pages/6602/Euthanasia-Oregon-s-Euthanasia-

Law.html>.

"Physician-Assisted Suicide."Ethics In Medicine. University of Washington School of Medicine. 1998. University of Washington, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pas.html>.

"Pros and Cons."Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide - Pros And Cons. 2009. Web. 1 Nov 2009. <http://law.jrank.org/pages/1096/Euthanasia-Assisted-Suicide-Pros-Cons.html>.

Webster, Bobby. "Assisted Suicide/Voluntary Euthanasia."International Debate Education Association. 14 July 2009. Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=55>.

Yares, Kat. "What is Euthanasia."Wisegeek. 02 Nov 2009. conjecture corporation, Web. 4 Nov 2009. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-euthanasia.htm>.

Sunshine and Sadness

            It is amazing how fast something in life can change. It was one sunny afternoon in March that would drastically alter my life forever.  One minute I was sitting at the Coal Train laughing with my friends, the next minute I was receiving a life changing phone call.  I suddenly felt my world crumbling around me.  I was falling and I couldn’t seem to get my footing to help myself up. 

The phone call I received that sunny afternoon was from my mom saying that she and my dad were on the way to the nursing home in Paonia, because my grandma wasn’t doing very well again.  I immediately asked if I needed to come home and go with them to see my grandma.  They said no, they were just going to check it out and that they didn’t think it was that drastic.  So, I went home and impatiently waited for my parents to return.  When they got home and my mom walked through the door I could tell it was worse than I feared.  She was crying and told me that there was a great possibility that we could lose my grandma that very night.  I started bawling and told my mom that I had to go to Paonia and see her before it was too late.

The drive to Paonia was the longest twenty minutes I have ever experienced in my life.  The whole time I was driving tears were streaming down my face.  I walked into the building and every nurse I saw told me how sorry they were and how great of a lady my grandma was.  Nobody wanted her to go, but everybody knew it would be better since she would finally be put out of her misery. 

I walked into my grandma’s room and instantly saw the pain she was feeling in her eyes.  She tried to tell me that she loved me, but she couldn’t get the words out.  However, I could tell exactly what she was trying to say just by the way she looked at me.  I stood there, holding her hand and crying over her.  I told her that it was okay to let go if that’s what she wanted.  If she was ready to go home to God, then that’s what she should do.  I told her how much I loved her and how much she meant to me.  I hated her seeing me break down like that, so after spending what I thought would be my last moments with her, I left.  That whole night I was a total wreck and I feared what news I would wake up to in the morning.    As it turned out, my grandma did not pass away that night. 

My grandma had a disease called Parkinson’s Plus for over six years.  It took everything away from her, especially her independence.  My family and I cared for her for the last three years of her life.  At first it was easy tasks, such as checking in on her, doing her laundry, buying her groceries, etc.  Then as she got worse it became more difficult.  She could no longer live alone so my parents did a selfless act and moved her into our home.  My grandma lived with us for over eight months.  During those eight months, my family had to do practically everything for her because she was no longer able. 

My grandma never wanted to end up the way she was.  She was a very strong-willed woman and she fought hard.  Even though this disease was very hard on my grandma and took its toll on her life, she believed it was better than the alternative, dying.  So she clung to the few things she still had in life that she enjoyed, like spending time with her family.   

As time went on and her disease progressed, she slowly started losing faith.  Especially after we had to put her in the nursing home because she was so sick we could no longer care for her.  That was not the place she wanted to be.  She wanted to be at home with the ones she loved.  We wanted her here with us just as badly; it just was no longer possible. My parents did what they thought was best for her, and my grandma never once resented them for that. 

It was really hard to see someone I loved so much be in such excruciating pain.  As her time in the nursing home passed, she became worse and worse.  She was slowly losing her ability to swallow, so the nurses had to put her on a pure liquid diet.  However, even liquids were extremely hard for her to swallow.  Since she was not able to eat much, just enough to keep her alive, she began rapidly losing weight.  After spending months in the nursing home, she eventually became bed ridden; she felt too much pain when they tried to move her.  The nurses began giving her morphine every few hours just to keep her comfortable.  By this point, my grandma had lost all hope.  All she could do was lie in bed all day long.  She was nothing but skin and bones, only weighing approximately 80 pounds.  Seeing her so miserable broke my family’s heart, it was not the way we wanted to remember her.  We all knew it wouldn’t be much longer before we lost her. 

It was the first day of summer.  I woke up to the phone ringing and the sun shining.  When I answered the phone I heard the saddened voice of my father.  He said that he and my mom were at the nursing home.  My grandma had just passed away.  I immediately got up, changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, got in my car and headed towards Paonia.  I remember thinking how once again I was on my way to the nursing home with tears streaming down my face.  However, this time I knew it was real.  We had already lost her.  When I arrived I walked into my grandma’s room and immediately hugged my parents.  We couldn’t believe this was the end.  My family and I were deeply saddened by my grandma’s passing, but at the same time a sense of relief flooded over us.  My grandma was finally in a better place and no longer felt the pain. 

Later that day I lay in my room thinking about my grandma’s life.  I wondered to myself why I wasn’t more broken up about my grandma’s death.  Yes, I knew it was coming, and that it was better for her this way, but I still couldn’t help wondering why the news didn’t hit me harder.  I felt guilty.  This thought reoccurred to me throughout the day, I just couldn’t shake it.  The more I thought about it the closer I came to a realization.  Eventually, I realized that in my eyes, my grandma had died that sunny day in March.  It was only her skinny, decaying body that remained for those last months.  Her soul had already passed on. 

On that sunny day in March, I thought my world was ending.  Everything had caved in and was crushing me.  I couldn’t breathe.  Now, I have regained my footing, and life has gone on.  Time heals the heart.  There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my grandma and what she had to go through before her death.  I miss her everyday of my life.  However, I know that she knew how much I loved her; and I find comfort in that.  Everybody experiences death; it’s not easy, but it makes you stronger.

Experiencing my grandma’s suffering has truly changed me.  I had to grow up in a hurry and find a way to deal with the difficult times in my life.  I could no longer be the weak girl that broke down at the slightest sign of trouble.  I had to find a way to be strong for my grandma and the rest of my family as well.  We all had to come together and help each other through one of the hardest times in our lives.  I know that I can go to my parents with anything and that my sister is one of my best friends.  My strength comes from my family.  Without their love and support, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.  My family means the world to me; nothing can break us apart.  My dad always says, “It’s the four of us against the world.” 

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The Swine Flu: Global Pandemic?

Imagine someone being infected with a currently incurable disease.  What will happen to them?  What happens to their loved ones?  There are numerous unanswered questions about the Swine Flu.  Many people fear it coming to America.  Little do they know, it is already here whether they like it or not.  Moreover, this is not the first time it has been in America.

The 1918 flu pandemic was when the Swine Flu was first proposed as being a disease related to the human influenza.  About ten years later, in 1930, the first case of the flu virus was identified as a cause of disease in pigs.  There have been many outbreaks of Swine Flu throughout history in the United States. A new outbreak was discovered in 1976 when an army recruit at Fort Dix stated that he was feeling tired and weak.  This soldier died the next day as four of his fellow soldiers began feeling sick and were hospitalized. Two weeks later, health officials announced that the cause of his death was Swine Flu.  This particular outbreak was detected only for a short time, January 19 to February 9, and it never spread beyond Fort Dix. In the year 1988, Swine Flu was found in pigs in four U.S states.  Within a year it had spread across the United States (“Swine Influenza”).  The Swine Flu is predicted to become a major problem in the fall of 2009. 

The Swine Flu virus is contagious, as with other influenza viruses, but at this time it is not known how easily or quickly it can spread between people.  Swine Flu is able to spread from pigs to people and from people to pigs.  However, it is a myth that one can acquire Swine Flu by eating pork.  The Swine Flu transfers between humans the same way as the seasonal flu does (“Swine Influenza”).  

In the spring of 2009, there were confirmed cases of the Swine Flu in Mexico as well as several states in the United States (“H1N1 (swine) influenza”).  According to AOL Health Editors, there have been a total of 30,000 confirmed cases of swine flu throughout the world. These confirmed cases have been located in 47 different countries.  Based on these 30,000 cases, the World Health Organization has declared Swine Flu to be a global pandemic.  AOL Health Editors reported that the World Health Organization has “raised the alert level from phase five to phase six: the highest possible.”  With the current Swine Flu on the rise, the media has been saturated with the dangers.  

Randy Bish has printed a cartoon of this issue in the Tribune Review.

In this cartoon, Bish portrays how people are frightened of the current outbreak of Swine Flu and that many believe they need to keep their distance from pigs as well as pork.  Miss Piggy is standing on one side of this cartoon with an exasperated look on her face.  Her face shows that she thinks that Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Beaker, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew are overreacting with their precautions in her presence.  On the other side of the cartoon stands Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Beaker, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.  Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is wearing a doctor’s mask and reading a newspaper headlining the Swine Flu outbreak.  Kermit the Frog is wearing a doctor’s mask as well and has a disgusted look on his face.  Fozzie Bear looks hesitant toward Miss Piggy’s presence and is also wearing a doctor’s mask.  Beaker is the only one in the room not wearing a doctor’s mask other than Miss Piggy.  He has a terrified look on his face.  Beaker’s hair is standing on end; his eyes are wide open, and his mouth is hanging open in fear.  

Bish shows that Swine Flu is still a new and unfamiliar disease that many Americans fear.  Bish is mocking people’s current fear of pigs, since the Swine Flu outbreak, in this cartoon. Americans are worrying about this disease before it is even a major issue.  This cartoon shows the extent that Americans are going to try and avoid getting sick with the Swine Flu. 

The issue of the Swine Flu is going to be exactly like the Bird Flu and West Nile.  A tremendous scare but nothing major will come out of it.  People will get sick and die from it, but it is not going to become what experts are making it out to be.  People just overreact to these kinds of diseases.  Once it is around for a while people will forget about it and worry about the next disease coming America’s way.  

However, people need to become educated about the Swine Flu.  Maybe once people know more about the Swine Flu they will also know more about how to protect themselves from it.  That certainly does not mean cutting pork out of one’s diet.  People also need to be sure that they are using good hygiene and taking care of themselves.  If Americans keep clean and wash and sanitize their hands regularly they should be fine. Everyone just needs to go on living their life.  

Instead of Americans being afraid of a disease they have absolutely no control over, they should focus on what they can control.  For instance, smoking cigarettes leads to lung cancer.  Often times that lung cancer leads to death.  Americans can control their addiction and make a wise choice. They need to stop smoking or participating in unhealthy habits that they know causes harm to their body.  Why do people freak out about what they can not control in life, yet they let the things they can control slide by unfixed?  Americans need to start using their heads and fixing what can be fixed, not worrying about something they can not change.     

Works Cited

AOL Health Editors. "Swine Flu: What You Need To Know."Latest on Swine Flu. May   2009. Web. 13 Sep 2009. <http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/cold-flu/swine-flu?sem=1&ncid=AOLHTH00170000000017&otim=1252894075&spid=33206041>.

Bish, Randy. "Swine Flu."Daryl Cagle's Political Cartoonist. 04 Sept. 2009. 8 Sep 2009<http://www.cagle.com/news/SwineFlu09/1.asp>

"H1N1 (swine) influenza."  Google Health. 2009. Web. 13 Sep 2009.    <https://www.google.com/health/ref/H1N1+(swine)+influenza>.

"Swine influenza."Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 10 Sep 2009, 08:34   UTC. 10 Sep 2009.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swine_influenza&oldid=312948487>.

Prisons: Problems and Solutions is a persuasive research essay.This essay talks about how prisons are overpopulated for the area they provide. I do not think this composition is an effective persuasive research essay. It is not very well written and it contains numerous errors.I saw the most errors in the areas of idea development, organization, and conventions.These three traits of writing are crucial.It is important to make your writing clear and enjoyable.

Idea development is a very important trait to master when writing any type of composition.If someone does not fully develop their ideas in their writing the piece will not be effective.That is why I believe that Prisons: Problems and Solutions is not an effective persuasive research essay.Throughout this essay the writer almost contradicts himself in some ways.Towards the beginning of his essay the author writes, “Ever since judges were given the discretion to double sentences, the number of prisoners has doubled.”Later he writes, “Parole board members are letting prisoners out too early to deal with the overcrowding problem.”These two statements together may confuse the reader on what point the author is trying to make.You always want to make yourself clear to the reader, which is why idea development is so important when writing an essay.

Organization is another key component in writing.Organization is the order in which you write your essay.You want to order your essay in a manner that makes the piece flow.The author of Prisons: Problems and Solutions did not order his essay in an effective way.It seemed to bounce around a little which made it hard to read, in my opinion.The author should have re-ordered his paragraphs to make his piece flow and then it may have been a more effective persuasive research essay.

Conventions are a vital part of any essay as well.You want your paper to be easy to read and understand.Too many errors may distract the reader.That is why proof reading and editing are such important elements.If there is a mistake in the first sentence of your writing composition often times the reader will not want to continue reading your piece.That was the case in Prisons: Problems and Solutions.There were so many errors in this author’s writing that it was hard to look past them and focus on the point of the essay.

There are six traits of writing.Idea development, organization, and conventions are just three of them.It is crucial to master the six traits of writing if you want to be a good writer.Good writing is clear and concise.Prisons: Problems and Solutions, in my opinion, is not a effective persuasive research essay because it is severely lacking in these three areas.The author should have taken more time on his essay to make sure that it was effective. Effectiveness is very important especially when writing a persuasive research essay.

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different yet the same” (Anne Frank).  Some people may say that I have lived a hard life.  I have had to find a way to get through many experiences that not many people my age would understand firsthand because they haven’t had to experience something like that themselves.  I have made it through each and every one of those experiences with the love and support of my family and friends.  While some think I have traveled a rough road, I believe I have lived a blessed life. Everything I went through made me stronger as a person.  I try to be a good person and be there to help others. I try not to judge people before I actually get to know them.  I also believe that everybody deserves a second chance because everybody makes mistakes in life. That is how you learn.  My name is Mandy Barnes, and I am who I am. 

            When I first started high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  Now, after three years of high school I am finally a Senior.  In a very short amount of time I am going to graduate and I will have to take the first big step that leads to the rest of my life.  Three years ago I knew that I wanted to continue my education by going to college, but that’s about all I knew.  I have now decided that I would like to attend Mesa State College and major in Business.  This year I am hoping to prepare myself so I will be able to succeed in college next year.