Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Somewhere in Between?

A very hot topic in today's society is that of abortion. Whether or not it's an act of murder or it's an act of exercising your free will and right to your own body. When you hear the word "abortion," what do you think of? Pro-life and Pro-choice, right? See, this argument has many flaws and what I'm about to talk about is just one of them. 

The abortion debate is guilty of committing the logical fallacy of either or reasoning. Either or reasoning is when an argument is said to have one of two solutions. In this case it's Pro-life and Pro-choice. When you're asked in a questionnaire, which side do you associate yourself with, you are given two choices. No in between or somewhere in the middle. When asked in an interview which side they would chose, most Americans didn't have a clear view on the matter. Here is a short film that explains this more clearly. 

My personal view is somewhere in the middle, just like many other Americans. I don't believe men sitting on Capital Hill should have the right to tell women in bad situations what they can and cannot do when it comes to their own personal body. In this way I am Pro-choice. It's the women's choice because it's her own body and men shouldn't have a say in what laws are passed when it comes to abortion because it barely effects them compared to the mother of that child. However I will say the father has every right to know and try to talk the girl out of it if that is what he wishes, but in the end it's her own choice, not his. On the other hand, I am a Christian and don't believe in killing an innocent human being. So therefore I could never go through the act of abortion myself and this is my Pro-life side of the dilemma This is just my view. I am not forcing this upon anyone. 

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Inspiring People

Being told someone looks up to you for inspiration and a model for how they want their life to be is a huge compliment. Even when you think no one is around, someone is always watching. People are constantly looking at what you do and how you do it, especially as you get older. If it gets positive light, they'll follow you. They will want to be you. Because of this you have to be careful about what you do and say. If you're on the right path of life and you're not a troublesome child, you won't have much to worry about. 

Recently I was told by a little girl that I babysit for that she looks up to me and adores me. That feeling that I got when I heard those words sent my heart soaring. Not only was I flattered, but I also felt a sense of pride in myself for knowing that I am making a difference in a child's life, even if it's only one child. It doesn't have to be just little kids too, it could be anyone although it does tend to be someone younger than you because to them, you've had more experience in the world. 

Being a role model to kids can be hard work. You shouldn't feel the need to give into them whenever they want something just to keep their approval. If they get mad at you, don't worry it's not the end of the world. You would have to do something so bad that they have a paradigm shift in their mind about you for them to not idealize you. Here are a list of 5 characteristics and qualities that good role models should have. Qualities that were chosen by young teenage girls themselves. They have been proven very helpful in keeping my life on track to help make a difference in even more kids' lives. 

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Baby Squared

Think of the biggest secret you have ever had to keep. Whether it be your own personal one that is buried within the deepest part of your heart, or your best friend's secret that you promised you wouldn't tell anyone. No matter the secret, times that by let's say one thousand, and that's how big of a secret this family had to keep for many agonizing months. Take a look.

This family, their last name was not given for obvious reasons, kept the secret of twins for around seven to eight months. They kept this secret from all their friends and families to give their loved ones an even bigger surprise when the big day came. And boy were they shocked! Or should I say girl? They're reactions make it even more priceless. No one besides the parents knew and people couldn't believe they had twin girls. My personal favorite is the one towards the end where they're taking a picture and the dad hands one of them the other twin saying "And don't forget about her twin sister." The mom's face in particular made my day. 

If I ever find out I'm having twins, this would definitely be something I'd try to do. However I, among many others, have a hard time keeping a secret, especially for nine months. What about yourself? Could you keep a big secret such as this one all to yourself for nine months? 

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Are You the Person the Person You're Looking For is Looking For?

Have you ever found yourself sitting in math class, staring blankly out the window, and wondering what your future husband is doing right at that very minute. Many people believe that fait or destiny will bring their soul to them sometime within their life. Others believe that they are in charge of their own fait and have to go out and find their one true love. No matter what view you may have on the subject, have you ever thought about what kind of person you want the love of your life to be? Or what kind of person your soul mate is looking for?  

The person that you would consider to be your soul mate has certain personality and characteristic traits that are important to you, otherwise you wouldn't consider them to be that one special person. These traits can be your morals, such as good judgement and honesty. They can be practical traits, such as good with kids and get along with your family. They can be professional traits, such as integrity or time management. They can even be personality traits, such as out going and humorous. No matter the trait, these qualities are important to you and you wouldn't chose a person who doesn't meet these qualities or standards.  

Now that you know what you want in a one true love, think about what the other person wants. If you guys are truly meant to be together, you would have similar views on this subject. Meaning the majority of the things you're looking for are similar if not the exact same as the other person's standards. Are you the person the person you're looking for is looking for? Do you possess all the traits and qualities you're looking for in your other half? If yes, then great! You're right on track. However if you answered no to either of those questions, then you have some reevaluating to do.  

You need to make sure you're holding up your end of the bargain. If you have some things to sort out, it's better to do them now while you're single then it is to figure it out when you have a husband, three kids, and a dog. Get rid of all that extra baggage that you've been holding on to, such as bad relationships. If you have someone in your life that's holding you back, cut them lose. If they're truly your friend, they wouldn’t be causing issues in your life. If you want a soul mate who is on the right path of life, meaning isn't an alcoholic and porn addict, then don't do it yourself! The person you're meant to be with won't be looking for you because they've already decided they don't want someone with all that baggage. 

If you've ever seen "How I Met Your Mother," Ted knows what he's talking about. He's been waiting for that one special girl and while he's searching, he's constantly trying to make himself a better person that his other half will want. if you haven't seen this show, come out from the rock you live under and check it out. However be fair warned, this is a spoiler alert and if you wish not to know the ending, please do not press the link! 

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The Dos and Don'ts of a Credit Card

Every teenage girl dreams of her father giving her her very own credit card. It's like a never ending pile of money that doesn't run out. Not! Most teenagers, girls and boys alike, don't understand the concept of credit cards. Plus not to mention many students don't know the importance of a credit card, which is something that will help them later on in life.

Credit cards are not just piles of endless money, they usually have a limit you're allowed to spend on them. So don't get too crazy ladies! At the end of the month you have to pay all that money back, so it's not endless or free money either. At the end of each month you will receive a bill in the mail of not only your purchases but taxes and interest is added on as well. You must pay the credit card company back in a certain amount of time in order to keep a good credit score. Just because your parents give you a credit card, doesn't mean it's for you to go shopping and buy a lot of new stuff. Credit cards for high school students is smart thing to do because building up credit at a younger age is important. However don't go overboard on your purchases. Some common purchases would be using your credit card for only gas. The more money you spend and pay back on time at the end of the month, the better your credit score. The better your credit score, the more likely you are at getting a loan with less interest. The whole process and ways of reading your credit score can be quite complicated and can be better explained by a professional from Wells Fargo Bank and Trust because they know what they're talking about.

Having a credit card is a sign that you're mature enough to handle something such as this. With great power comes great responsibility. If you screw up with your credit card it could potentially screw over your whole finical future. Be a careful spender and know how much is enough.
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Spring Enlightenment

Spring is here. Warmer temperatures, beautiful flowers, and more sunshine. Nothing beats walking to your car after a long hard day at school and the warmth of the sun on your bare legs and exposed shoulders. This feeling makes you feel as if summer is just around the corner and the best part is, summer really is just around the corner.


With this sudden change in the weather must also bring about spring cleaning. It's time to rid yourselves of last years sweaters and boots and break out the shorts and flip flops. Cleaning out your closet and separating the keeps and donations will give you a renewed sense of hope that this up coming season will be a good one. You can make it into whatever you want it to be. Something that I've found helpful with this would be Julie Morgenstern's book "Organizing From the Inside Out." This book helps people set goals and organize their life into a life worth living. Spring cleaning isn't just the physical stuff, but the mental stuff as well, which is also a major topic in Morgenstern's book. Clear your mind to make way for new understandings and new experiences. Last season was exactly that, last season. It's a brand new start with a brand new you. Don't try to change the past and don't look back because the past is the past.


Some people say the best smell of spring is the earthy smell after it rains. Some say it's the smell of freshly cut grass. And others say the best smell is that of the recently bloomed flowers. No matter the smell, people connect their favorite spring scent to a good memory. The memories that are hidden in the back of your mind until that beautiful spring day.


To many people, particularly students, spring symbolizes the end. For teachers it's the end of a long school year. For seniors it's the end of their high school careers. For parents it's the end of those quiet days at home. No matter the ending, it also symbolizes a new beginning. For teachers it's the beginning of many teacher meetings. For seniors it's the beginning of their college career. For parents it's the beginning of seeing their kids all day long. When one door closes another one opens.
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First Women President 2016

I'm not a personal fan of politics. There's more drama on Capital Hill than One Tree Hill. Whenever I turn on the five o'clock news, the only thing they have to say about our government is the latest scandal that has taken place or how the government can't get along. However, recently I came across an interesting piece of news about the 2016 presidential election that has caught my attention. 

I was sitting at the kitchen counter, eating my Frosted Minnie Wheats and a ripe banana, when I turn the TV channel from Sponge Bob to Good Morning America and I see Hilary Clinton's face pop up on the screen. Clinton has announced her official run for presidency in 2016. As most of you remember, she ran for president against Barack Obama back in 2008. However this time around, she has already gotten a big approval rating just by this video she posted on the internet announcing her run for president.  

Personally, I believe Clinton running for president is a great idea because I wanted her to win in the last election. It's about time we get a female in the Oval Office, and not one to bring the president coffee and paperclips. Women need to be taken more seriously in our country and that starts by our leadership. Americans conform to society, if there's a women running our country, they'll hopefully conform to her and her ways.  

Just like African Americans, women will have their time too. Back in 2008, I would have liked Clinton to win, although at that point in time it was right for our country to recognize our first ever black president. African Americans have been taken more seriously within these past eight years Obama has been in office and I can only hope that women get their recognition soon enough. I'm glad that when this election rolls around, I will be eligible to cast my ballet like a real American citizen. As a women, I'm honored to be able to vote for our first female president because as a gender, it's our time to shine. 

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