20 Seconds could be as simple as feeling like a fool in the big city
I recently watched a movie called "We Bought a Zoo" starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johanson. One of the things that stood out to me in the movie was the quote "20 seconds of insane courage, that's all it takes". It is the motto that the character played by Matt Damon lives his life by. For me it means that if you take risks, good things will come out of them. Whether you go out for a team that you're not sure about or if you go out with friends to a new spot, you are opening yourself up to having a new experience that could change you or impact you in some way. I had 20 seconds of insane courage when I volunteered to be a homeroom rep in grade 9. I had just been cut from the basketball team and I wanted to do something new. Volunteering for that opened the door to me being on SAC ever since. I know that that day was the start of my progression to become a leader. Those 20 seconds changed my high school experience for the better. I suggest that you try having 20 seconds of insane courage and I'm sure that something will come out of it.
If I could sue because of disappointment with a product, I would sue the company that created Catherine's suckers. The kind labelled Lime Mojito to be exact. After having a lick of this sucker, it was established that it was absolutely disgusting. As my friends Gabby (the purchaser of the sucker) said "it tastes like sadness and socks with a hint of lime". Doesn't that sound simply scrumptious? The entire table had a taste after this outburst and we all agreed that it was horrible. Combined with everyone elses germs it was a treat to remember. If you have ever smelled a gym sock, imagine that in a taste. . . and then add lime. The worse part of the sucker was that the taste lingered even after I enjoyed my sour watermelon variation. I would sue the company for the creation of this type of sucker. In addition it makes me wonder how on earth it got through flavour testing in the factories. I had a similar experience with gum given to me by Gary Wilson, my school volleyball coach. In retrospect I should never have tasted it because it was Wilson who gave it to my but never the less. The gum was citrus mint. Normally when mint is mixed with a flavour I enjoy it but this was huge disappointment. It tasted like. . . well. . .vomit. I spit it out within two seconds and Wilson proceeded to kill himself laughing while I wiped my tongue off. I will never ever take gum from him again. So if I could sue for horrible products it would be for lime mojito suckers and citrus mint gum.
Early Saturday morning they start coming. They flow down the streets at 6 am looking for the best parking spots. All of the houses in New Dundee already have their lights on. Looking through windows you would see families at their kitchen tables eating breakfast. The kids bright eyed while the parents cover their yawns with cups of coffee. Soon they’ll be out and about, walking around the beautiful little town. Past the emporium, library, village market, ice cream shop and school. They’ll cross over the dam and will end in the park like they do every year around this time. As soon as the street lamps turn off, garage doors fly open and people peel into the streets. Up and down the sidewalks people tread, looking for treasure that their neighbours and friends could be harbouring. Shouts of recognition and laughter issue from many driveways as people walk up and down, bargaining and buying other people’s things. It has been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and this is proven true on Garage Sale Day in New Dundee. A tradition, that happens on the Saturday of the May 24 weekend that has been going on as long as anyone can remember. Treasures piled high on driveways and in garages that are looking for new homes. Complete with a Firefighter’s breakfast and a parade, Garage Sale Day is a staple for all New Dundee Residents. It is one of many things that make my little town so amazing!
When travelling to Washington this past week I brought all my experience of other trips to light in order to survive the long bus ride. If you are planning on travelling and a long ride is necessary remember my list to help you get through.
1. A Good Playlist
This was great for me because it can keep you entertained but can also block out outside noise. Say that the person behind you won’t stop talking. You just put earphones in and can disappear into the melody leaving them to talk to thin air instead of you. In addition, a long ride gives you a chance to listen to new music. Before I leave I always ask for friends to suggest songs for me to listen to. Some songs suck but there is always one that gets stuck in my head.
2. Reading Material
If you get car/bus/motion sick this is not a good option for you. However if you can read in a moving vehicle this is a great way to pass the time. I do not suggest an 800 page novel with complex language and a cover that could knock out a stalker but a light read is great. It is recommended that you read a portion of the novel before you leave to make sure it is a good fit for you. Also you could bring magazines to pass the time.
3. Food
The best food is junk food. You are on a trip with no parental guidance so you can do what you want. Who cares if you’ll have a stomach ache that makes you double over in pain! No pain, no gain readers. I suggest chocolate covered pretzels, yogurt covered pretzels, jelly beans, jolly ranchers, chocolate bars, chips, and for you health nuts, chocolate trail mix. Yum and I’m sure that your parents will be very happy when you arrive home with a mouth full of cavities.
4. Drinks
It is important on a trip to stay hydrated so remember to drink a lot of water. People will tell you that this is not the way to go but I disagree. You will give everyone a chance to stretch their legs when the bus stops for the umpteenth time to let you pee. Remember that all the other kids will owe you so you can collect later.
5. Sleeping Material
Always bring a pillow and a blanket. It will make you more comfortable and will help you pass the long hours. If you forget, you can just wait until others are sleeping and can go and “borrow” theirs. They’ll be happy to help you out.
6. A Bag of Tricks
I suggest a wig, plastic army men, a sharpie, a moustache, and a camera. Wait until sleeping has occurred and then have at it. You will entertain yourself and others watching. The camera will serve as a reminder to the sleeper of the amazing bus ride they had. . . and how they should practise sleeping with one eye open.
I hope my list is helpful and if you follow it to a tee it will make your ride unforgettable. Happy Travels!
While sitting here in class, I am listening to Kelly Clarkson’s song Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) and it got me thinking about if that is actually true. I think it is good for some situations like a bad breakup or a friendship that didn’t work out and blew up in your face but I don’t think it’s true for all. Say you got in an accident while you were driving that puts you in the hospital. Next time you go to get in a car would you think, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”? I would think not. I would personally be thinking, “Oh my God, oh my God!”, “Don’t hit me!”, “I’m going to die!” and other things along the same lines of these. I do not think accidents that almost kill you will make you a stronger person. Sure you’ll have to develop new coping skills to help you manage your feelings and fears but it doesn’t directly make you a stronger person.
Also, there is the saying, “dying of a broken heart”. While you can’t actually die because of a broken heart, you can die because of repercussions of the “broken heart”. You can forget to take care of yourself as you’re grieving or just not want to eat or sleep because you lost someone who meant the world to you. I think that losing someone will not make you stronger. I think it makes void in your heart where that person was. A loss does not make you stronger. While the song is good and Kelly Clarkson has a great voice, I think the premise of the song is untrue. What doesn’t kill you may NOT make you stronger!
This story is worth reading because it has good descriptive language and it is an interesting story. It shows that adventures can happen when you’re least expecting them and you have to be prepared to face obstacles and problems when travelling.
