Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is an American romantic novelist, who bases most of his stories and plot lines on true events. People all over the world have praised him for his insight and depth of his characters, particularly his female characters. Many women look up to him because he understands the female mind, while being of the straight male species. Men say they don’t like his work because he’s too much of a girl with all the lovey dovey stuff he writes; which is very judgmental and misleading.

Even though he was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska, Nicholas bases all of his books settings in North or South Carolina, which is where he currently lives. Not all of his books are in the mind of a women however. He also tends to write about the mind of the sensitive and down to earth kind of man. That’s why women love his work so much. They find romance and long lost love within the pages of his books. Fairytales and happy endings rarely ever happen in the real world, so women use his books as a sort of safe haven, ironically because one of his best sellers is Safe Haven. Girls love the idea of finding the perfect guy and being swept off their feet. His female characters in his books also feel the same way. In many, but not all, of his books he tends to write the female characters as believing in love as a lost cause. He does this because he wants to relate to his main targeted audience; women. Many women feel as if all hope in finding love is lost, and he’s here to tell these women that love is all around you. You just have to wait and see what’s in stored for you.

If men in today’s society would only realize that if they want to get a girl, be romantic! Nicholas Sparks may be more in touch with his feminine side, but look at his life. He has a lot going for him. Women love him and what he writes down on the page. Men should really be taking notes and studying how he does it, rather than saying he’s a gay romantic novelist that’s not worth their time.

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Understanding Show Choir

If you live in the Midwest, you have more than likely heard of show choir. For those of you who don’t know, show choir is like dance team but with singing. Our season is pretty much all year round. Auditions are in the spring, around late April or early May, two or three dance camps in the summer, then once a week practices when school’s starts. Competitions are in January through March and as those months draw nearer, we begin to have practice twice a week. Show choir is definitely a full time commitment.

            Our show consists of five songs. An opener, a second song, a ballad, a novelty, and then a closer. Many directors will incorporate a theme into their show as well. Whether there’s a theme or not, the show should tell a story. The opener sets the stage with the emotions and setting. The second song, in many cases, is more moody and expresses anger. A good ballad is usually a tear-jerker. The ballad is supposed to be filled with hope and tell the audience that it’s going to be ok. The novelty is supposed to make people laugh, while the closer gets the crowd on its feet and ready to cheer at the end of the show.

            We spend one half of the rehearsals cleaning the choreography and the other half going through the music. A great show choir group has good diction, tall vowels, and their sound isn’t breathy. Singing in show choir isn’t just about memorizing the words. It takes a lot of work and effort to sing well while dancing. Try running around a building then have to run your whole show, going full out. Now that’s hard. Many directors will make their kids do physical activity before running their show in practice to get their stamina up.

            Many people say show choir is not a sport, and many schools don’t consider it one either. It may not be classified as a sport, however you do get just as much physical activity as a gym class would give you. It takes a good deep breath to support what you’re singing, and taking a good deep breath is tiring even without the dancing. Especially if you go all out. The way you practice your show is the way you’ll perform it because people tend to get stage fright and switch to autopilot. When someone goes all out while performing their show, they usually come off the stage drenched in sweat. People say it’s gross to sweat during show choir because you’re in a cute little outfit and don’t want to smell bad, but the people that sweat are the people who are working the hardest.

Word Count: 454

HeForShe Campaign

            On Saturday, September 20, 2014, Emma Watson delivered a speech for the launch of the UN’s HeForShe campaign in New York City. The British actress is a feminist activist who believes that men have just as much to benefit from gender equality than women. Her speech on Saturday inspired many women, along with men.

            Many well developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, have adopted this type of thinking. We have laws protecting women’s rights and how we’re treated. However, there are still problems with people being prejudice towards women. Many teenage girls feel the need to be “Pretty in Pink” and “girly” just because that’s what society tells them they have to be. On the other hand, many men in today’s age have come to terms with the fact that women are just as important as men. When a man becomes a father to a little girl, they have two options. They can either accept her for who she is and love her just as much as a son, or they can disown her because of her sex. Unfortunately both of these scenarios are very much true.

            If women are not created equal to men, then vice versa is also true. Men are not created equal to women. Society has told us for many centuries that women are not muscular, they’re not strong, and their place is in the kitchen. Society has also told us that men are not vulnerable, they’re not sensitive, and their place is the garage or the gym. Men in today’s society don’t feel comfortable being themselves because that would mean showing the world that they are sensitive, and that they are capable of having feelings. Men feel as if they will be made fun of if they show their “girly” side. Men don’t feel manly if they’re sensitive because that’s what society has been engraining in our brains since day one. When women like Emma Watson give speeches about feminism, men feel as if they’re not invited into the conversation. However, Emma did something very extraordinary, that many women haven’t yet thought of. She formally extended an invitation to all men to engage in the conversation about this very controversial topic.

            In her speech, Emma makes a valid point in saying that when people think of the word Feminism, they automatically think of man-hater. Just because you want the same rights as them, doesn’t mean you have to hate the male gender as a whole. Most women’s rights activists don’t hate all men; just the men who stand in their way of freedom.

            “Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals. We should stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are.” This quote also makes a good point because it’s saying that we are all humans, we all should have the same rights, and be able to express ourselves equally without any judgment. The last sentence of this quote is implying that it doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside, it’s what is on the inside that matters.

            Click Here to watch her official speech.

Word Count: 556

Music Playlists

Feeling sad is a natural feeling. If we didn't have sadness or suffering in the world, we wouldn’t be able to feel the good things either. They’re a package deal. In your “Sad” playlist, first have songs that you know will make you cry because it’s ok to cry. Sometimes a good cry is all a girl needs. Getting all of those tears out of your system is a good thing. Next comes the hopeful songs. Songs that’ll make you feel like there is a way out. Last but not least, are the songs that’ll make you smile. Smiling is the best form of medicine.

            Every girl’s emotional rollercoaster has to have its ups as well. A “Happy” playlist is always helpful when you’re getting ready for a date or getting dressed for a night out of town with the girls. These songs should be the “pump up the party” type of songs. Any song that gets you ready to party is one that has to be on this playlist. These songs will lighten the mood and get you excited for whatever adventure you have in stored for the night.

           I understand that not everyone in this world is spiritual and that’s just fine. However, for all those who are, a “God” playlist is always nice to have on hand. Not every day is going to be your best day and sometimes looking for someone to go to in your time of need is helpful to you. Music is one of the best ways of worshipping any type of God. Even if you’re having the best day of your life, singing praise to your God can make you feel even lighter inside.

            Everybody has that inner kid inside of them just screaming to let loose; even snotty adults do too. Having a “Kids” playlist on your phone or iPod is not a bad thing in any way. On those days that you miss being a kid and want to take a little stroll down memory lane; what better way of doing it than listening to all those songs you used to sing loud and obnoxiously when you were ten years old. Plus it’s always nice to have kid friendly songs if you’re listening to music with a child around.

Word Count: 480

Saving Money

In the current economy, money can tend to be very scarce. Many families are living paycheck-to –paycheck and believe they can’t afford to have nice things. However, that’s not entirely true. There are many creative ways in which you can save money and still be able to afford to go out shopping or have a night out with friends.

For those impulsive shoppers, a helpful tip is to be conscious about how much you’re spending and what you’re spending it on. While standing in the checkout line, ask yourself whether or not you really truly need this. If you have any doubt at all, don’t buy it! What’s the point of paying for something that’s just going to sit around and not get used. Your money could be used for something more useful, such as college tuition.

            Speaking of college, tuition can be pretty expensive depending on the type of college you chose to go to. Private or out of state tuition can range from twenty five to fifty thousand dollars a year. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid to help pay for college. Many schools offer scholarships for having high ACT and SAT scores, along with honors you were awarded while in high school. Check Google for more scholarships as well. You can get scholarships for just about anything; from service hours to having a big family. Even if they are for a couple hundred dollars, every little bit counts.

            Having great style doesn't have to come from an expansive high end department store. Consignment stores have a lot of nice clothes that are quite inexpensive, although some of them you can tell were well worn. Places such as Plato’s Closet and Stuff Etc. are great examples of typical thrift stores.

            If you’re not big into the whole consignment store thing, there are plenty of stores that have great clothes without forcing you to spend a bundle. JC Pennies, Sears, Deb’s, Von Maur, Dillard’s, and Maurice’s are just a few. They offer a wide variety of styles and choices to choose from. Plus, they offer special coupons if you sign up to receive their weekly emails.

            Saving money can be difficult, especially if you’re an impulsive buyer. If you have a consistent flow of income, put some of it aside for a rainy day. Or create a special account specifically for college so you don’t have the temptation to spend it.  

Word Count: 403

How to Survive High School

Your first day of your freshman year in high school might be a little scary. You’re new to the school and don’t know where everything is, you’re new to all the teachers and their teaching styles, and most importantly you’re new to all the people. People feel uncomfortable when they’re around unfamiliar faces, especially when you notice how old the upper classmen look. But the upper classman aren't that much different from you.

            Most schools offer a freshman orientation a week or two before school starts so the freshman know where to go when they arrive on their first day. It’s good to use that orientation time to get familiar with where all your classrooms are and what your teachers are like. Make sure you’re not late on your first day, so don’t dilly dally in the hallway before class. Being tardy doesn’t make for a good start to the school year.

Come to class prepared with all the necessities; such as pens, pencils, paper, etc. Some teachers will have certain materials they want you to bring and they’ll tell you all of that either at the orientation or the first day. Depending on how many kids you have in your class, the hallways may be a little crowded. Try to avoid using the main hallways as much as possible. It’s all slow moving traffic with everyone pushing and shoving. Unless you’re good at weaving in and out of people, I suggest you use the back hallways or find a more convenient route to your next class.

Don’t procrastinate your homework. It’s a bad habit to get into because the temptation will be ten times worse in college. If you have a study hall, get it done then. If you have a full schedule and no time for a study hall, get it done as soon as you get home. Writing a three page paper is a whole lot easier to do at four o’clock in the afternoon than two o’clock in the morning. If you’re busy with activities after school and have no time for homework, go in early to get it done. The library is open before and after school for your connivance. If you’re having difficulties with a certain subject, try talking to the teacher. They might be free before or after school to help you. If the teacher isn’t free, try asking for a tutor. It might be a little embarrassing at first, but it’s ok to ask for help.

Everyone says high school goes by quickly. One day you’re sitting in the gym at freshman orientation and the next you’re walking across the stage at graduation. Don’t let it pass you by without creating great memories. Get involved. There are a numerous amount of clubs or sports you can join that would love to have you. High school will seem to pass by in a flash, but as long as you create memories, you’ll survive high school just fine. Who knows, you might even enjoy it.

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The Do's and Don'ts of Showing School Spirit

High school is a time for self-expression. One of the best ways to express yourself is through school spirit. Many people actually like their high school; maybe not the studious part but definitely the social part. When someone says something bad about your school you try to defend it, right? Well many people like to show the other schools that theirs is superior by showing off their school spirit; like at sporting events and such. A lot of girls go all out for sporting events, and this is a list of the dos and don’ts of showing off school spirit.

            One of the best ways to show school spirit is to go all out. If your school makes a certain event a white out, meaning you wear all white, then don’t be that one person that wears a black shirt or any other color that’s not close to white. If you’re feeling artistic, you can even add in some body paint or sparkles, which adds a little something extra. You want to show the opposing team that your school is going to come together as one and beat them. However it’s not always a white out. Your school will most likely switch it up a bit; like adding in school colors so make sure you know the theme before going to the game.

            Another way to show school spirit is through cheers. Most sports have cheer leaders for a reason. They’re there to get the crowd pumped up to win. Not just to look cute and do cool stunts. Plus the louder the fans, the better the team tends to play. If you are a cheer leader, be proud of that. Yes, a lot of guys think you’re dumb and ditzy blondes, but that doesn’t have to define who you are. Prove them wrong.

            Wearing t-shirts with the school’s logo or anything having to do with the school is a sure way for people to know what school you represent. You don’t have to wear them just at sporting events either. Numerous people around town will easily recognize what school you go to, just by what you’re wearing. Many high school clubs and sports teams raise money for their cause by selling t-shirts advertising what they’re doing. For example, volleyball players have the opportunity to buy t-shirts and hoodies with their name on the back, along with the school’s logo on the front. They offer fan shirts for the parents as well; so they can support their kids and their school.

            You would think its common sense, however some people don’t know how NOT to show school spirit. Getting drunk or high to act “cool” during a sporting event or even at school is not a good way to represent your school. So just keep that in mind, because even when you don’t think people are watching, they really are.

Word Count: 480