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Monday, August 24, 2020
My Bed Chamber Essay Example For Students
My Bed Chamber Essay I like to consider my room my ââ¬Å"chamber. â⬠Upon going into my room, youââ¬â¢ll see my assortment of the things Ive gathered over numerous years. There are kaleidoscopic lights and dark lights, my divider enrichments (counting my hot wheels), my TV, just as different random things. My chamber is little, yet theres enough space for my stuff and this makes it a warm and agreeable spot. Around evening time, my dark and hued lights totally flood the room, enlightening the roof with a somewhat blue hint. Notwithstanding, not everything in my room is touchy to the dark lights, the couple of banners, my glass apparatus over my bureau, and other shining materials. These lights give a lot of character to the characterized space, for whoever enters in any case, will change hues from white to a sort of ultra violet. Distinctive shading garments change various hues. Different lights additionally give my room its decent impact. Itââ¬â¢s pleasant to lay around with everything on, simply unwinding. Over my wardrobe is a white installation. At a brisk look itââ¬â¢s only a typical light, however when turned on it discharges a creepy Halloween orange. Itââ¬â¢s not so much an amazing light yet it gives a slight impact if the dark lights are off. In my storage room I have a little turning light with numerous hues and various shapes, sort of like a disco ball. This light is sufficiently just to light the storage room, Iââ¬â¢d state that this light is just about the size of a softball. The lights consolidated simply have an exceptional look. Around my dividers is jumbled with numerous little things, I have four banners that for the most part speak to video games that I used to play, and the music I was am still into, exemplary stone chiefly. The greatest thing on my dividers is my Hot Wheels assortment which comprises of forty-seven of my preferred vehicles arranged shades obviously. My most valued one is the 1973 Ford Falcon GT XB. Itââ¬â¢s dashing orange with worn out yellow hustling stripes running the length. The entirety of my collectables are simply dangling from little tacks drove into the divider, dark light neighborly. Half of the chamber is secured with thick light green styrofoam to help keep my room warm in the winter and to assist keep with cooling in the mid year. Descending to the floor is my supreme thing in my room 1974 Ibanez craftsman arrangement electric guitar and half Marshall Stack speaker. Beginning with the guitar, I would consider it a poor mansââ¬â¢ Gibson Les Paul. The guitar is highlighted in a shone gold top get done with white trim and the back and headstock a gleaming metallic dark. This guitar is a mahogany body and a maple neck, which are certainly premium guitar building materials. Different things would incorporate kind sized frets, nickel machine heads, and custom pearl decorate in the fret board. Proceeding onward is my half Marshall stack, my ââ¬Å"tower of power,â⬠incorporates four 12 inch divine speakers, and head amp that puts out more than one hundred amps. Iââ¬â¢ve never had the volume as far as possible up, my head just blasts. It remains at any rate four foot tall and the white logos on the front look astounding in the suitable lighting. Most everybody elseââ¬â¢s most loved piece of my room would need to be the TV and Xbox one. This SONY has a high goals LCD 42ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ screen, completely clear picture and pleasant fresh stable. The TV rests and fits consummately with the Xbox on the dresser practically impeccable eye level from the bed. I like to utilize HDMI in the TV to associate my PC for films and some perusing the web. My Xbox one is most likely my lord performer it has web so I can watch films, mess around, and tune in to music. To wrap things up is my sovereign estimated bed. It sits toward the side of my room and has a lot of burgundy red cushions, sheets, and sofa-bed. The exact moment I lay on it makes me need to drop. The cushions and sheets are very plush with an amazing 800 string check. Simply over my sheets I have a warmed cover to keep me toasty on those bone chilling evenings. The sofa-bed is extremely sparkly with somewhat darker red striping. .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .postImageUrl , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .focused content zone { min-tallness: 80px; position: relative; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:hover , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:visited , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:active { border:0!important; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee { show: square; progress: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-change: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; haziness: 1; progress: darkness 250ms; webkit-progress: murkiness 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:active , .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:hover { mistiness: 1; change: obscurity 250ms; webkit-progress: mistiness 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .focused content region { width: 100%; position: relati ve; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .ctaText { outskirt base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: intense; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; content embellishment: underline; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; text style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; fringe: none; fringe range: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; textual style weight: striking; line-stature: 26px; moz-outskirt span: 3px; content adjust: focus; content enrichment: none; content shadow: none; width: 80px; min-tallness: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/basic arrow.png)no-rehash; position: total; right: 0; top: 0; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .u87773acd84f8e b82d1e729e4962f04ee .focused content { show: table; tallness: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .u87773acd84f8eb82d1e729e4962f04ee:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: Constitutionality Of Same Sex Marriage EssayA amazing rest space I need to state for myself. This truly finishes my ââ¬Å"chamber,â⬠a definitive spot to unwind; its all that I need. The decent lighting impacts, and the decision of divider style, and numerous little collectable vehicles on the dividers, the guitar and amp when I feel a little empowered to play, and a comfortable bed to twist up and watch a couple of motion pictures. Who realizes what can anticipate my room later on and new house that will come sometime soon. Ideally it will be more than a few times the size that it is currently. Who comprehends what will befall my chamber.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Introductory Speech Essay Example for Free
Early on Speech Essay Presentation: Somebody once said; an image paints a thousand words. To me thatââ¬â¢s a hundred percent valid. I began photography when I was at a youthful age, around twelve. I conveyed my camera wherever I went to catch each memory, each view that was around me in one basic photograph. I love the way that with film, youââ¬â¢re stayed with the photograph on paper, while with computerized you can erase it and lose it for eternity. Here are a few reasons why I got my film camera, in addition to the fact that it describes my enthusiasm for photography, yet the focal points I glance through can catch my life in a tick. Proposal: I think my film camera uncover a great deal about me â⬠my regular exercises and side interests, yet the occasions that occur through my life. Body: See: If you take a gander at the camera, you can tell how old it is and the amount it has been utilized. 1. I am an inventive individual a. I take pictures of anything, from scenes, to irregular articles lying around on the ground â⬠in which I make something out of it. b. Iââ¬â¢m into craftsmanship, in addition to the fact that I take photos, yet when I do I will in general paint them to expand them. Change: The inside of my camera can reveal to you a great deal about what I do with the move of film, however when created, they likewise can give intimations to who I am and where I have been. 1. I love to be outside, and with family a. With respect to taking pictures of loved ones, individuals die, they change, and when Im in school I know Ill presumably never observe them again so I like to have the recollections. I. I just get the chance to see family once every year, and catching the uncommon minutes we have together is the thing that causes the minutes to appear to keep going forever. b. The film inside (when present and grown) likewise gives a great deal of photographs that catch my life outside. I. I appreciate going outdoors, I invest my larger part of the energy out strolling and getting a charge out of the hues and environmental factors of the outside. ii. I for one appreciate taking pictures of view since I like to catch nature before its decimated yet in addition since its continually evolving. End: So you can see my camera catches the inventive side of me. It has been an observer to my ordinary experiences and the numerous excursions. You could become familiar with a great deal about me by taking a gander at the photos I have taken. When Im behind my camera, I some of the time feel like Im taking a gander at the world through somebody elses eyes.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
How Custom Term Papers Reviews Helps Students?
How Custom Term Papers Reviews Helps Students?Custom term papers reviews and online resources have helped students to find various types of term papers. They are also able to get comprehensive information in this regard. Several factors help to understand the importance of these resources.Students undertake business proposals and needs analysis on a regular basis. It is important for them to understand the relevance of the term papers and how it affects their future. These reviews can be used to gain greater knowledge about the type of papers that should be written.Research projects and the development of new products can also be discussed at length. These can be reviewed by students in their own time. This helps them to learn new skills and concepts that they otherwise may not have got the chance to comprehend.Knowledge in the review process can also help students understand the type of examination that should be taken. This helps them to ensure that they take up the proper type of examination. The custom term papers reviews and online resources help students become more knowledgeable about different topics related to these terms.Last but not the least, knowledge in the review process helps to understand the feedback from the different students about the term papers. It also helps them to formulate a suitable feedback for the term papers that they write. In other words, the reviews help to create the feedback in the form of good quality articles that can be used by other students in the future.There are various features that are inherent in online resources. These enable it to serve a number of purposes and can be used to serve various needs. This makes it ideal for students and also for the professionals.Custom term papers reviews and online resources to make use of strong language. This helps to create a vivid sense of writing. Thus, it is able to provide great clarity in the content.Another important factor that is able to help students and other profession als is the ease of access. This feature allows them to gain access to the required material in a short period of time. It is often mentioned that the ease of access is one of the best advantages of these reviews. Moreover, custom term papers reviews and online resources help students to reach higher as well as to reach for better quality.
Friday, May 22, 2020
How Children Learn Language - 1986 Words
HOW CHILDREN LEARN LANGUAGE By : Ahmadrawi The writer can be contacted at: scholars.assist@gmail.com 1. OVERVIEW The exact way in which millions of developing children get to the point where they can produce and understand millions of words and make sentences out of it is the subject of a heated debate in the psycholinguistic field. According to Saxton (2010,p.18), the study on how children learn language can be traced back to the German biologist, Tiedermann, in 1787. However, up until the late 1950ââ¬â¢s, it is generally agreed that approach to child language research is at best haphazardly organized. Research for example was often limited to a generally informal observations (for example research done by Lukens,1894) or diaryâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦This time, the rat only received food if it pressed the bar a certain number of times. After initial confusion, it learned to do this also (Aitchison,2008,pp.8-9). This type of learning is called operant conditioning by Skinner which can be translated as training by means of voluntary responses (the word ââ¬Ëoperantââ¬â¢ means a vo luntary response rather than an automatic one) and Skinner suggested that a vast majority of human learning take place via this mode, including learning of language(,Aitchison,2008,p.9). In his book Verbal Behaviour, Skinner argued that child efforts to speak are rewarded by parents. Each time the child produces an utterances that comes close to sounding like an acceptable word or sentence, the parent offers a reward in the form of praise or encouragement. As this conditioning goes on, the closer the child gets to the adult model of utterance the more parental rewards that he/she gets. Thus, the operant conditioning relies on the learner producing a linguistic behaviour that is progressively shaped through rewards, until the desired behaviour is achieved (Saxton,2010,p.90). Skinnerââ¬â¢s explanation of language acquisition soon inspired a critique and rival explanation from Noam Chomsky. Chomsky argued in some detail that mechanisms such as stimulus, response and reinforcement wh ich are favoured by the behaviourists are not sufficient to explain verbal bahaviour. In this regard, Chomsky pivotalShow MoreRelatedHow Children Learn Language749 Words à |à 3 Pagespast or we observer from what other have done. This paper is about applying the knowledge and application to long-term memories, classical conditioning, positive reinforcement and child learn language. Long-term memories are files that are stored in the folder area of our brains. We use these memories to learn from them, so we can safeguard against things that are similar to these experiences we had in the pasted. Every day that goes by each one of us is going to be learning something new in thisRead MoreHow Children Learn Language Essay1075 Words à |à 5 PagesHow Children Learn Language Language, the largest and most common way we communicate in this world. It could be Spanish, English, Chinese or Japanese; we learn and use it in our everyday life. It is not genetically encoded in our brain to speak yet, we are able to start speaking or using a language. Children are born with no knowledge of the world. Children are able to learn language through interactions brain development and part of human development. Their brain develops everyday; helping themRead MoreHow Do Small Children Learn Their First Language?1216 Words à |à 5 PagesHow do small children learn their first language? Discuss some environmental factors and internal factors involved in language acquisition. ââ¬Å"Children are extremely perceptive and absorb what goes on around them long before they can talk or even comprehend the languageâ⬠. -Theodore Isaac Rubin, psychiatrist and author. But, have you ever thought about how children learn their first language. Do they certainly learn by absorbin g what they hear around them or is there more to that? Maybe we do not giveRead MoreHow Teachers Can Help Children Learn a Second Language Effectively by the Teaching Satrategies They Use in Class2209 Words à |à 9 PagesINSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE FORMACIÃâN DOCENTE Y TECNICA Nà º 55 PROFESORADO DE INGLES ENGLISH AND ITS TEACHING III Academic Paper HOW TEACHERS CAN HELP CHILDREN LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE EFFECTIVELY BY THE TEACHING SATRATEGIES THEY USE IN CLASS Student: MONTANARI, JIMENA TEACHER: PROF. SARA RACKER 2010 Abstract Play, imagination and literature are considered essential for childrenââ¬â¢s whole development. Research shows that they are concerned with the development of abstract thought and creative use of knowledgeRead MoreThe Behaviorist Theory And The Nativist Theory963 Words à |à 4 PagesLearning a language is very important in the human life, without some type of language humans would not be able to survive in this world. Language is something that humans use in a daily life. It is what they use to get what they want, to fight for what they believe, to resolve a conflict; language is important. The way that someone may learn a language is just as important as knowing a language. The way someone may learn a language is important because the way they learned it may affect the wayRead MoreDo Children Need To Acquire A Second Language? Do Children1733 Words à |à 7 PagesDo children need to acquire a second language? Do children need to learn? It is true that learning another language takes time and dedications. Also, people may think that learning a foreign language leads to confusion and especially for children. Parents start being afraid that their childrenââ¬â¢s brains will get affected by learning another language, and they think that their brains will grow slowly by attempting to acquire a different language. However, being bilingual is helpful to improve the listeningRead MoreLearning A Second Language At A Young Age1243 Words à |à 5 Pagesable to fluently speak two languages is a very demanding and competitive skill. The capability to articulate thoughts to people who may not speak the same primary language as you is very profitable not only in the work force, but also in everyday life. Learning a second language also helps to shorten cultural gaps between different countries. With the seemingly increased importance in learning a second language, schools nationwide have implemented learning a foreign language as a requirement, for graduationRead Mo reHow Human Beings Learn Languages1562 Words à |à 7 PagesHow human beings learn languages is one of the most interesting processes that have been discussed by several scholars. The process through which human beings learn language is known as language acquisition, and it is a process that begins from the infancy stage. Different studies have been completed to highlight the process that human beings undergo to acquire language, specifically those who learn more than one language. These are the studies that this paper will analyze using the two articlesRead MoreLanguage Acquisition : Study Of How Humans Acquire A Set Of Semantic, Syntactic And Phonological Categories Essay1625 Words à |à 7 PagesLanguage Acquisition Language acquisition is the study of how humans acquire a set of semantic, syntactic, morphological and phonological categories and rules that underlie their ability to speak and understand the language to which they are exposed. (Parker and Riley, 2005) Language is an understanding that truly makes us human. Yes, other species do communicate with an innate ability to produce a limited number of meaningful words, but there is no other species that can express sentences withRead MoreHuman Language Is A Wonderful Way With Communicate1420 Words à |à 6 PagesHuman language is a wonderful way to communicate. Sometimes I think what this world would be like with any languages. It is even more wonderful that in three fast short years a child can hear, mimic, explore, practice, and, learn language. There is no genetic thing that leads a child to speak English or Spanish or any other language. Language is something person has be to learned. We are born with the capacity to make 40 sounds and our genetics allows our brain to make differences between sounds
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Essay about Comparing Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer
Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn follows a young boy named Huck through his adventures down the Mississippi River. Through the adventures and obstacles he faces and overcomes with Jim, a loyal run-away slave, Huck changes and becomes more mature. He is no longer the careless, prank playing boy that ran around and had fun at other peoples expense. Near the end of his life-changing journey down the Mississippi, Huck is reunited with his idol and close friend Tom Sawyer and these once very similar boys now have many obvious differences. Huck differs from Tom in his way of thinking, in his treatment and attitude towards Jim, and in his tendency to question his surroundings. Huck sees and interprets the worldâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Hucks realistic mind could not understand Toms romantic nature and he disagrees with Toms decisions on numerous occasions. After his experiences down the river with Jim, Huck begins to see Jim as a human being and as a close friend while Tom is still stuck in the mindset established by his southern white elders. When Huck finds the raft unoccupied and discovers that Jim is missing, he set down and cried because he couldnt help it(204). Huck had never realized how much Jim meant to him until he lost him. He feels so strongly towards Jim that he would rather condemn his soul and go to hell than to see Jim in chains again. He decides to take up wickedness again and go work to steal Jim out of slavery(207) even though this would mean that he would have to go against everything he had ever known and learned. Tom is the complete opposite. Tom only sees Jim as a nigger, a being lower than human, who is incapable of feelings or emotions. Tom sees Jim as he had been taught. So, without even thinking about Jim and his feelings, Tom pursues his own happiness and selfish eagerness for adventure at the ex pense of Jims prolonged captivity. He neglects to tell Huck that Jim was already free and he feels no guilt or uneasiness for keeping a free man locked up. Obviously Tom regards Jim as only property andShow MoreRelatedCindy Lam. Mrs. Johnson . English Ii, Period 5 . 31 March1188 Words à |à 5 PagesJohnson English II, Period 5 31 March 2017 Mark Twainââ¬â¢s View on Education Through Huck and Tom A unique man once stated, ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t let schooling interfere with your educationâ⬠and that was the author himself, Mark Twain through the constant mentioning of education in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the novel, Jim, a runaway slave, is imprisoned in a shack on the Phelpsââ¬â¢ plantation. Just after, Huck and Tom, the two best friends meet up and both agree to help rescue Jim. The boys devise their ownRead MoreMark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Theme of Nature1545 Words à |à 7 Pagesof Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain has many different, intertwining themes. The book spotlights the personal growth and development of the protagonist, Huckleberry Finn, through the theme of nature. The importance of nature is shown in several ways like the symbolism of the Mississippi River, through the forest and Huckââ¬â¢s time spent living there, and by the argument of human nature versus civilization. While there are many different themes thro ughout the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain1728 Words à |à 7 PagesThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Despite being banned in many public schools, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has been cherished throughout American society for many decades due to the itââ¬â¢s clever characters, absorbing storytelling, and engaging plotline. There are three reasons in which I am led to believe that it is the quintessential American classic novel; these three reasons include the explicit detail of racial differences during this time frame, the faultless self vs. self conflictRead MoreEssay on The Importance of Mark Twain in American Literature840 Words à |à 4 PagesAmerican Literature Mark Twain is important to American literature because of his novels and how they portray the American experience. Some of his best selling novels were Innocents Abroad, Life on the Mississippi, Huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In these books, Mark Twain recalls his own adventures of steamboating on the Mississippi River. Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on November 30, 1835 in a small village of Florida, Missouri. His parents names were JohnRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Tom Sawyer1438 Words à |à 6 PagesIn The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the theme of individual identity, especially contrasted against mob mentality and assimilation, is present in almost every chapter of the novel. Throughout the novel, the characters within the story, especially Huck as the protagonist, make decisions regarding which type of mentality they will use, which then affects their relations with other characters, such as Tom Sawyer. In the book, Twain uses both Huck s idealization of Tom and Tom, the physical beingRead MoreRespect The Elderly By Mark Twain1565 Words à |à 7 Pageselderly. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one hundred and thirty years old, yet unfailingly manages to fascinate, infuriate, and inspire its readership. The novel rests on many a bookshelf and regularly appears on l ists of literary legends- though it is equally likely to top a list of controversial and profane works. Certainly, there is no other book in the oeuvre of Mark Twain that commands attention more deservedly than Huckleberry Finn. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the decided championRead MoreMark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn1575 Words à |à 6 Pages Mark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Controversy Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is a highly recognizable figure in American literature. Born in Florida, Missouri Mark Twain and his family moved to Hannibal, Missouri where Twain discovered and fell in love with the mighty Mississippi River. The river and his life in Hannibal became his inspiration and guiding light in most of his writing. Although Twain loved the river and did a great deal of traveling, he eventuallyRead More Jim Essay2872 Words à |à 12 Pages â⬠He is sometimes slave who should be master; and sometimes master who should be slave.â⬠[Lat., Fit in dominatu servitus, in servitute dominatus.] Oratio Pro Rege Deiotaro (XI) by Marcus Tullius Cicero Mark Twainââ¬â¢s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered to be possibly the Great American Novel by many scholars and is certainly the best known of Mark Twainââ¬â¢s works. These scholars both powerfully praise and powerfully depreciate Twainââ¬â¢s artistic judgment in relation to Huckââ¬â¢s characterRead MoreThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Essay1085 Words à |à 5 PagesThroughout the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn many themes are discussed. The themes as in every case mainly involve issues faced during the duration of the novel such as: racism and slavery, prejudices faced while exploring civilized society, superstition, and the importance of the Mississippi River. Mark Twain does an exceedingly excellent job combining all of these into what is highly regarded as essentially the best piece of American literature according to Ernest Hemingway it is at least: ââ¬Å"AllRead More The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Samuel L.1 743 Words à |à 7 PagesThe novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Samuel L. Clemens, whose pen name was Mark Twain, presents the evils of southern societies during the pre-Civil War period in America. The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Samuel L. Clemens, whose pen name was Mark Twain, presents the evils of southern societies during the pre-Civil War period in America. Clemens, a well-respected author, began writing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1876 and, after several
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Two Free Essays
I DIDNââ¬â¢T TAKE THE GUYââ¬â¢S advice and tear off out of there, though I didnââ¬â¢t exactly sit on the front step either. I lingered nearby in a cluster of cherry trees, figuring it would only be a matter of time before the assembly ended and people spilled out the doors. After several minutes passed and nothing happened, I flipped into Lissaââ¬â¢s mind and discovered things were still in full force. We will write a custom essay sample on Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Two or any similar topic only for you Order Now Despite Tatiana declaring twice now that the session was over, people were still standing around and arguing in groups. Tasha was standing in one such group with Lissa and Adrian, making one of the impassioned speeches she was so good at. Tasha might not be as coldly calculating as Tatiana was when it came to political moves, but Tasha did have a keen sense of ripples in the system and recognized opportunities when they came. She was against the age-lowering decree. She was for teaching Moroi to fight. Neither of those was getting her very far, so she jumped on the next best thing: Lissa. ââ¬Å"Why are we arguing among ourselves about how best to kill Strigoi when we can save them?â⬠Tasha put one arm around Lissa and one around Adrian, drawing them both forward. Lissa still wore her serenely confident look, but Adrian looked ready to bolt if given half a chance. ââ¬Å"Vasilisaââ¬âwho, by the way, is indeed being denied her fair voice here, thanks to an archaic lawââ¬âhas shown that Strigoi can be brought back.â⬠ââ¬Å"That hasnââ¬â¢t been proven,â⬠exclaimed one man in the crowd. ââ¬Å"Are you kidding?â⬠asked a woman beside him. ââ¬Å"My sister was with the group that brought him back. She says heââ¬â¢s definitely a dhampir. He was even out in the sun!â⬠Tasha nodded in approval at the woman. ââ¬Å"I was there as well. And now we have two spirit users capable of doing this for other Strigoi.â⬠As much as I respected Tasha, I wasnââ¬â¢t entirely with her on this. The amount of powerââ¬ânot to mention effort involved in the stakingââ¬âthat Lissa had required with Dimitri had been staggering. It had even temporarily hurt the bond. That didnââ¬â¢t mean she couldnââ¬â¢t do it again. Nor did it mean she wouldnââ¬â¢t want to again. She was just naively compassionate enough to throw herself into the line of fire to help others. But I knew the more power a spirit user wielded, the quicker theyââ¬â¢d travel down the road to insanity. And Adrianâ⬠¦ well, he was almost a nonissue here. Even if he wanted to go staking Strigoi, he didnââ¬â¢t have the kind of healing power it would take to restore oneââ¬âat least not now. Itââ¬â¢s wasnââ¬â¢t uncommon for Moroi to use their elements in different ways. Some fire users, like Christian, had skilled control of flame itself. Others could only use their magic to, say, warm the air in a room. Likewise, Lissa and Adrian had their strengths with spirit. His greatest healing triumph was mending a fracture, and she still couldnââ¬â¢t walk dreams, no matter how much she practiced. So, really, Tasha had one spirit user capable of saving Strigoi, and that one could hardly transform legions of those monsters. Tasha did seem to recognize this a little. ââ¬Å"The Council shouldnââ¬â¢t be wasting time with age laws,â⬠she continued. ââ¬Å"We need to sink our resources into finding more spirit users and recruiting them to help save Strigoi.â⬠She fixed her gaze on someone in the crowd. ââ¬Å"Martin, didnââ¬â¢t your brother get turned against his will? With enough work, we could bring him back to you. Alive. Just like you knew him. Otherwise, heââ¬â¢s just going to get staked when guardians find himââ¬âand of course heââ¬â¢ll be slaughtering innocents along the way.â⬠Yeah, Tasha was good. She could paint a good image and nearly brought that Martin guy to tears. She didnââ¬â¢t really mention people whoââ¬â¢d turned Strigoi willingly. Lissa, still standing with her, wasnââ¬â¢t sure how she felt about the idea of a Strigoi-saving spirit army, but she did recognize how this was all part of several other plans Tasha hadââ¬âincluding one to get Lissa voting rights. Tasha played up Lissaââ¬â¢s abilities and character, scoffing at what was clearly an outdated law from an era that never could have foreseen this situation. Tasha further pointed out that a full Council of twelve families would send a message to Strigoi everywhere about Moroi unity. I didnââ¬â¢t want to hear any more. Iââ¬â¢d let Tasha wield her political magic and talk more to Lissa later. I was still so agitated about what had happened when Iââ¬â¢d yelled at the Council that I couldnââ¬â¢t stand to see that room anymore. I left her mind and returned to my own, yelping when I saw a face right in front of mine. ââ¬Å"Ambrose!â⬠One of the best-looking dhampirs on the planetââ¬âafter Dimitri, of courseââ¬âflashed me a gleaming, movie-star smile. ââ¬Å"You were so still, I thought maybe you were trying to be a dryad.â⬠I blinked. ââ¬Å"A what?â⬠He gestured to the cherry trees. ââ¬Å"Nature spirits. Beautiful women who become one with trees.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not sure if that was a compliment or not,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢s good to see you again.â⬠Ambrose was a true oddity in our culture: a male dhampir who had neither taken guardian vows nor run off to hide among humans. Female dhampirs often chose not to join the guardians in order to focus on raising families. Thatââ¬â¢s why we were so rare. But men? They had no excuse, as far as most people were concerned. Rather than skulk off in disgrace, however, Ambrose had chosen to stay and simply work for the Moroi another way. He was essentially a servantââ¬âa high-class one who served drinks at elite parties and gave massages to royal women. He also, if rumors were true, served Tatiana in physical ways. That was so creepy, though, I promptly put it out of my mind. ââ¬Å"You too,â⬠he told me. ââ¬Å"But if you arenââ¬â¢t communing with nature, what are you doing?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a long story. I kind of got thrown out of a Council meeting.â⬠He looked impressed. ââ¬Å"Literally thrown out?â⬠ââ¬Å"Dragged, I guess. Iââ¬â¢m surprised I havenââ¬â¢t seen you around,â⬠I mused. ââ¬Å"Of course, Iââ¬â¢ve kind of been, um, distracted this last week.â⬠ââ¬Å"So Iââ¬â¢ve heard,â⬠he said, giving me a sympathetic look. ââ¬Å"Although, I actually have been away. Just got back last night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just in time for the fun,â⬠I muttered. The guileless look on his face told me hadnââ¬â¢t heard about the decree yet. ââ¬Å"What are you doing now?â⬠he asked. ââ¬Å"This doesnââ¬â¢t look like punishment. Did you finish your sentence?â⬠ââ¬Å"Something like that. Iââ¬â¢m kind of waiting for someone now. Was just going to hang out in my room.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, if youââ¬â¢re killing time, why donââ¬â¢t you come see Aunt Rhonda?â⬠ââ¬Å"Rhonda?â⬠I scowled. ââ¬Å"No offense, but your aunt didnââ¬â¢t really impress me with her abilities last time.â⬠ââ¬Å"None taken,â⬠he said cheerfully. ââ¬Å"But sheââ¬â¢s been wondering about you. And Vasilisa. So, if youââ¬â¢re just hanging aroundâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I hesitated. He was right that I had nothing better to do right now. I was stuck on options with both Dimitri and the Councilââ¬â¢s idiotic resolutions. Yet Rhondaââ¬âhis fortune-telling Moroi auntââ¬âwasnââ¬â¢t someone I really wanted to see again. Despite my glib words, the truth was that in retrospect, some of Rhondaââ¬â¢s predictions had come true. I just didnââ¬â¢t like what theyââ¬â¢d been. ââ¬Å"Fine,â⬠I said, trying to look bored. ââ¬Å"Make it fast.â⬠He smiled again, like he could see through my ruse, and led me off to a building Iââ¬â¢d been to once before. It housed a luxurious salon and spa frequented by royal Moroi. Lissa and I had had our nails done there, and as Ambrose and I wound our way through it to Rhondaââ¬â¢s lair, I felt a strange pang within me. Manicures and pedicuresâ⬠¦ they seemed like the most trivial things in the world. But on that day, theyââ¬â¢d been wonderful. Lissa and I had laughed and grown closerâ⬠¦ just before the school was attacked and everything fell apartâ⬠¦. Rhonda told fortunes in a back room that was far from the busy spa. Despite the seedy feel of it, she did a pretty brisk business and even had her own receptionist. Or, well, she used to. This time, the desk was empty, and Ambrose led me straight through to Rhondaââ¬â¢s room. It looked exactly the same as before, like being inside a heart. Everything was red: the wallpaper, the decorations, and the cushions covering the floor. Rhonda herself sat on the floor, eating a cup of yogurt, which seemed terribly ordinary for someone who allegedly wielded mystical powers. Curly black hair cascaded around her shoulders, making the large gold hoops in her ears gleam. ââ¬Å"Rose Hathaway,â⬠she said happily, setting the yogurt aside. ââ¬Å"What a nice surprise.â⬠ââ¬Å"Shouldnââ¬â¢t you have seen me coming?â⬠I asked dryly. Her lips twitched with amusement. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not my power.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry to interrupt your dinner,â⬠Ambrose said, gracefully folding his muscled body as he sat down. ââ¬Å"But Rose isnââ¬â¢t easy to catch hold of.â⬠ââ¬Å"I imagine not,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m impressed you got her to come at all. What can I do for you today, Rose?â⬠I shrugged and sank down beside Ambrose. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know. Iââ¬â¢m only here because Ambrose talked me into it.â⬠ââ¬Å"She didnââ¬â¢t think your last reading was very good,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠I shot him a chastising look. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not exactly what I said.â⬠Last time, Lissa and Dimitri had been with me. Rhondaââ¬â¢s tarot cards had shown Lissa crowned with power and lightââ¬âno surprise. Rhonda had said Dimitri would lose what he valued most, and he had: his soul. And me? Rhonda had bluntly told me that Iââ¬â¢d kill the undead. Iââ¬â¢d scoffed at that, knowing I had a lifetime of Strigoi-killing ahead of me. Now I wondered if ââ¬Å"undeadâ⬠meant the Strigoi part of Dimitri. Even if I hadnââ¬â¢t driven the stake, Iââ¬â¢d certainly played a major role. ââ¬Å"Maybe another reading would help the other one make more sense?â⬠she offered. My mind was putting together another fraud psychic joke, which was why it was so astonishing when my mouth said, ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the problem. The other one did make sense. Iââ¬â¢m afraidâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢m afraid of what else the cards will show.â⬠ââ¬Å"The cards donââ¬â¢t make the future,â⬠she said gently. ââ¬Å"If somethingââ¬â¢s meant to be, itââ¬â¢ll be, regardless of whether you see it here. And even thenâ⬠¦ well, the future is always changing. If we had no choices, thereââ¬â¢d be no point in living.â⬠ââ¬Å"See now,â⬠I said flippantly, ââ¬Å"thatââ¬â¢s the kind of vague gypsy response I was hoping for.â⬠ââ¬Å"Roma,â⬠she corrected. ââ¬Å"Not gypsy.â⬠Despite my snark, she still seemed to be in a good mood. Easygoing attitudes must have run in their family. ââ¬Å"Do you want the cards or not?â⬠Did I? She was right about one thingââ¬âthe future would unfold with or without me seeing it in the cards. And even if the cards showed it, I probably wouldnââ¬â¢t understand it until afterward. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Just for fun. I mean, last time was probably a lucky guess.â⬠Rhonda rolled her eyes but said nothing as she began shuffling her tarot deck. She did it with such precision that the cards seemed to move themselves. When she finally stopped, she handed the deck to me to cut. I did, and she put it back together. ââ¬Å"We did three cards before,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve got time to do more if youââ¬â¢d like. Five, perhaps?â⬠ââ¬Å"The more there are, the more likely it is that anything can get explained.â⬠ââ¬Å"If you donââ¬â¢t believe in them, then it shouldnââ¬â¢t be an issue.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay, then. Five.â⬠She grew serious as she flipped out the cards, her eyes carefully studying them. Two of the cards had come out upside down. I didnââ¬â¢t take that as a good sign. Last time, Iââ¬â¢d learned that it made seemingly happy cardsâ⬠¦ well, not so happy. The first one was one the Two of Cups, showing a man and a woman together in a grassy, flower-filled field while the sun shone above them. Naturally, it was upside down. ââ¬Å"Cups are tied to emotions,â⬠Rhonda explained. ââ¬Å"The Two of Cups shows a union, a perfect love and blossoming of joyous emotions. But since itââ¬â¢s invertedââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"You know what?â⬠I interrupted. ââ¬Å"I think Iââ¬â¢m getting the hang of this. You can skip that one. I have a good idea what it means.â⬠It might as well have been Dimitri and me on that card, the cup empty and full of heartacheâ⬠¦. I really didnââ¬â¢t want to hear Rhonda analyze what was already tearing my heart up. So she went on to the next one: the Queen of Swords, also upside down. ââ¬Å"Cards like this refer to specific people,â⬠Rhonda told me. The Queen of Swords looked very imperious, with auburn hair and silver robes. ââ¬Å"The Queen of Swords is clever. She thrives on knowledge, can outwit her enemies, and is ambitious.â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"But upside downâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Upside down,â⬠said Rhonda, ââ¬Å"all of those traits get twisted. Sheââ¬â¢s still smart, still trying to get her wayâ⬠¦ but sheââ¬â¢s doing it through insincere ways. Thereââ¬â¢s a lot of hostility and deception here. Iââ¬â¢d say you have an enemy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠I said, eyeing the crown. ââ¬Å"I think I can guess who. I just called her a sanctimonious bitch.â⬠Rhonda didnââ¬â¢t comment and moved on to the next one. It was facing the right way, but I kind of wished it wasnââ¬â¢t. It had a whole bunch of swords stuck in the ground and a woman tied and blindfolded to one. Eight of Swords. ââ¬Å"Oh, come on,â⬠I exclaimed. ââ¬Å"What is it with me and swords? You gave me one this depressing last time.â⬠It had shown a woman weeping in front of a wall of swords. ââ¬Å"That was the Nine of Swords,â⬠she agreed. ââ¬Å"It could always be worse.â⬠ââ¬Å"I have a hard time believing that.â⬠She picked up the rest of the deck and scanned through it, finally pulling out one card. The Ten of Swords. ââ¬Å"You could have drawn this.â⬠It showed a dead guy lying on the ground with a bunch of swords driven through him. ââ¬Å"Point taken,â⬠I said. Ambrose chuckled beside me. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s the nine mean?â⬠ââ¬Å"The nine is being trapped. Unable to get out of a situation. It can also mean slander or accusation. Summoning courage to escape something.â⬠I glanced back at the queen, thinking of the things Iââ¬â¢d said in the Council room. Those would definitely count as accusations. And being trapped? Well, there was always the possibility of a lifetime of paperworkâ⬠¦ I sighed. ââ¬Å"Okay, whatââ¬â¢s the next one?â⬠It was the best-looking one in the bunch, the Six of Swords. It had a bunch of people in a boat, rowing off over moonlit water. ââ¬Å"A journey,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"I was just on a journey. A few of them.â⬠I eyed her suspiciously. ââ¬Å"Man, this isnââ¬â¢t, like, some kind of a spiritual journey is it?â⬠Ambrose laughed again. ââ¬Å"Rose, I wish youââ¬â¢d get tarot readings every day.â⬠Rhonda ignored him. ââ¬Å"If it were in cups, maybe. But swords are tangible. Action. A true, out-and-about journey.â⬠Where on earth would I go? Did it mean I was traveling to the Academy like Tatiana had suggested? Or was it possible that, in spite of all my rule breaking and calling her royal highness names, I might actually get an assignment after all? One away from Court? ââ¬Å"You could be looking for something. It may be a physical journey combined with a spiritual journey,â⬠she said, which sounded like a total way to cover her ass. ââ¬Å"This last oneâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Her eyebrows knitted into a frown at the fifth card. ââ¬Å"This is hidden from me.â⬠I peered at it. ââ¬Å"The Page of Cups. Seems pretty obvious. Itââ¬â¢s a page with, um, cups.â⬠ââ¬Å"Usually I have a clear visionâ⬠¦. The cards speak to me in how they connect. This oneââ¬â¢s not clear.â⬠ââ¬Å"The only thing thatââ¬â¢s not clear is whether itââ¬â¢s a girl or a boy.â⬠The person on the card looked young but had hair and an androgynous face that made the gender impossible to determine. The blue tights and tunic didnââ¬â¢t help, though the sunny field in the background seemed promising. ââ¬Å"It can be either,â⬠Rhonda said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the lowest in rank of the cards that represent people in each suit: King, Queen, Knight, and then Page. Whoever the page is, itââ¬â¢s someone trustworthy and creative. Optimistic. It could mean someone who goes on the journey with youââ¬âor maybe the reason for your journey.â⬠Whatever optimism or truth Iââ¬â¢d had in the cards pretty much disappeared with that. Given that sheââ¬â¢d just said about a hundred things it could be, I didnââ¬â¢t really consider it authoritative. Usually, she noticed my skepticism, but her attention was still on the card as she frowned. ââ¬Å"But I just canââ¬â¢t tellâ⬠¦. Thereââ¬â¢s a cloud around it. Why? It doesnââ¬â¢t make sense.â⬠Something about her confusion sent a chill down my spine. I always told myself this was fake, but if sheââ¬â¢d been making it all upâ⬠¦ well, wouldnââ¬â¢t she have made something up about the Page of Cups? She wasnââ¬â¢t putting on a very convincing act if this last card was making her question herself. The thought that maybe there was some mystical force out there blocking her sobered up my cynical attitude. With a sigh, she looked up at last. ââ¬Å"Sorry thatââ¬â¢s all I can tell you. Did the rest help?â⬠I scanned the cards. Heartache. An enemy. Accusations. Entrapment. Travel. ââ¬Å"Some of it tells me things I already know. The rest leaves me with more questions.â⬠She smiled knowingly. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s how it usually is.â⬠I thanked her for the reading, secretly glad I didnââ¬â¢t have to pay for it. Ambrose walked me out, and I tried to shake off the mood Rhondaââ¬â¢s fortune had left me in. I had enough problems in my life without letting a bunch of stupid cards bother me. ââ¬Å"You going to be okay?â⬠he asked when we finally emerged. The sun was climbing higher. The Royal Court would be going to bed soon, ending what had been a turbulent day. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ I wouldnââ¬â¢t have brought you if Iââ¬â¢d known how much it would upset you.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not the cards. Not exactly. Thereââ¬â¢s a bunch of other things going onâ⬠¦ one you should probably know about.â⬠I hadnââ¬â¢t wanted to bring up the decree when weââ¬â¢d first run into each other, but as a dhampir, he had a right to hear about what had happened. His face was perfectly still as I spoke, save for his dark brown eyes, which grew wider while the story progressed. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s some mistake,â⬠he said at last. ââ¬Å"They wouldnââ¬â¢t do that. They wouldnââ¬â¢t do that to sixteen-year-olds.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, well, I didnââ¬â¢t think so either, but they were apparently serious enough about it to throw me out when I, um, questioned it.â⬠ââ¬Å"I can just imagine your ââ¬Ëquestioning.ââ¬â¢ All thisââ¬â¢ll do is make more dhampirs drop out of the guardiansâ⬠¦ unless, of course, being that young makes them more open for brainwashing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Kind of a sensitive area for you, huh?â⬠I asked. After all, he too was a guardian drop-out. He shook his head. ââ¬Å"Staying in this society was nearly impossible for me. If any of those kids do decide to drop out, they wonââ¬â¢t have the powerful friends I did. Theyââ¬â¢ll be outcasts. Thatââ¬â¢s all thisââ¬â¢ll do. Either kill off teens or cut them off from their own people.â⬠I wondered what powerful friends heââ¬â¢d had, but this was hardly the time to learn his life history. ââ¬Å"Well, that royal bitch doesnââ¬â¢t seem to care.â⬠The thoughtful, distracted look in his eyes suddenly sharpened. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t call her that,â⬠he warned with a glare. ââ¬Å"This isnââ¬â¢t her fault.â⬠Whoa. Cue surprise. Iââ¬â¢d almost never seen sexy, charismatic Ambrose be anything but friendly. ââ¬Å"Of course itââ¬â¢s her fault! Sheââ¬â¢s the supreme ruler of the Moroi, remember?â⬠His scowl deepened. ââ¬Å"The Council voted too. Not her alone.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but she voted in support of this decree. She swayed the vote.â⬠ââ¬Å"There must have been a reason. You donââ¬â¢t know her like I do. She wouldnââ¬â¢t want this kind of thing.â⬠I started to ask if he was out of his mind but paused when I remembered his relationship with the queen. Those romantic rumors made me queasy, but if they were true, I supposed he might have legitimate concern for her. I also decided it was probably best that I didnââ¬â¢t know her the way he did. The bite marks on his neck certainly indicated some sort of intimate activity. ââ¬Å"Whateverââ¬â¢s going on between you is your business,â⬠I told him calmly, ââ¬Å"but sheââ¬â¢s used it to trick you into thinking sheââ¬â¢s someone she isnââ¬â¢t. She did it to me too, and I fell for it. Itââ¬â¢s all a scam.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t believe it,â⬠he said, still stone-faced. ââ¬Å"As queen, sheââ¬â¢s put into all sorts of tough situations. There must be more to itââ¬âsheââ¬â¢ll change the decree, Iââ¬â¢m certain of it.â⬠ââ¬Å"As queen,â⬠I said, imitating his tone, ââ¬Å"she should have the ability toââ¬âââ¬Å" My words fell off as a voice spoke in my head. Lissaââ¬â¢s. Rose, youââ¬â¢re going to want to see this. But you have to promise not to cause any trouble. Lissa flashed a location to me, along with a sense of urgency. Ambroseââ¬â¢s hard look shifted to one of concern. ââ¬Å"Are you okay?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬âyeah. Lissa needs me.â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"Look, I donââ¬â¢t want us to fight, okay? Obviously weââ¬â¢ve each got different views of the situationâ⬠¦ but I think we both agree on the same key point.â⬠ââ¬Å"That kids shouldnââ¬â¢t be sent off to die? Yeah, we can agree on that.â⬠We smiled tentatively at each other, and the anger between us diffused. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll talk to her, Rose. Iââ¬â¢ll find out the real story and let you know, okay?â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay.â⬠I had a hard time believing anyone could really have a heart-to-heart with Tatiana, but again, there might be more to their relationship than I realized. ââ¬Å"Thanks. It was good seeing you.â⬠ââ¬Å"You too. Now goââ¬âgo to Lissa.â⬠I needed no further urging. Along with the sense of urgency, Lissa had passed one other message through the bond that sent my feet flying: Itââ¬â¢s about Dimitri. How to cite Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Two, Essay examples
Monday, April 27, 2020
Picky, Picky, Picky free essay sample
Im the pickiest eater in the world. When I was a baby, my parents chose what I ate, but when I turned two I took a stand. No scrambled eggs! No more fish for me! And I absolutely would not touch lunch meat. I found it strange that some people loved these foods when the mere smell of canned tuna made me gag. I ignored the food pyramid, preferring my own five food groups: ice cream, chicken nuggets, chocolate, peanut butter and jelly, and pizza. Miraculously, I do not weigh 500 pounds. Perhaps I should thank my love for salads without dressing? Or maybe I owe it to my ability to grow and learn. Ive discovered that the food I opt to consume does not have to be unhealthy to be delicious. Life is very similar; I can have a vibrant existence by making the right decisions. I recall my relationship with root beer distinctly. We will write a custom essay sample on Picky, Picky, Picky or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The lonely bottle was sitting on a bed of ice at a sixth grade ice cream social. I hesitantly took it, noticing the slow drip of water down its chilled neck. I introduced it to my old friend, vanilla ice cream, and the three of us hit it off. A classmate gave me an I-told-you-so lecture (she had previously told me of the wonders of root beer). This experience was the beginning of two fabulous friendships ââ¬â root beer and my best friend, Alex. On my first trip out of the country without my parents, I tried more exotic foods in those ten days than I had in my entire life. It was an expedition to Costa Rica with a teacher and students from my school. My parents werent around to make excuses for my bizarre habits, so to be polite, I ate everything. The height of my food explorations came when the group was forced to eat termites. My teacher was adamant that we had to try at least one. I took a deep breath, tried hard not to look at the squirming legs and very alive body, and dropped it in my mouth. I realized, ââ¬Å"Wow, Im eating a bug.â⬠Strangely, live termites taste like mint, but they leave a nasty scratchy sensation in your throat. After the termite, I found it much easier to challenge myself on the trip. I braved my phobia of heights and explored the rainforest on a zip line. I conquered my unease around spiders and held a tame tarantula. I wasnt actually afraid of the individual activities; I was terrified of trying new things. Im glad my teacher forced me to eat a termite. Otherwise I would not have taken any other risks on that trip and later in life. My Costa Rican experience compelled me to go on a wilderness expedition during sophomore year. Here food took on a different meaning. Even though I ate my usual fare ââ¬â pasta, cheese, peanut butter, and oatmeal ââ¬â I wasnt used to eating in order to sustain my energy. We backpacked five miles a day through mountainous terrain in chilly weather, so everyone had to eat three times more than usual. My group stopped to eat as an excuse to take a breather from the back-breaking hikes. Our best times were spent at lunch and dinner, partially because they were the only times we werent walking or sleeping. We pulled together to make meals, dividing up the tasks. One day, we soaked up the sun and made jokes about how after three days, the crackers had been reduced to crumbs, the trail mix was mostly raisins, and six of us had blisters. It surprised me that, in these situations, very different people could enjoy each others company. None of us would have survived if we hadnt bonded; our physical and mental struggles necessitated human companionship. I dont talk to any of them now, and I regret drifting away from them. The times we spent warming up over hot chocolate, making burnt macaroni and cheese, and trying Spam for the first time are some of the most meaningful experiences of my life because the people and the food were the only things that sustained me for those 10 days. I learned the weight food carries in peoples lives ââ¬â literally and figuratively. It means survival, but it also means an extra 20 pounds in your pack. I realize now why I was picky as a kid ââ¬â I didnt want to admit I was wrong. My stubbornness kept me from trying foods that I might have savored. I closed myself off from opportunities, not only of the edible kind, but also of a social nature. When I try new foods, I make new friends, take risks, and bond with people I wouldnt expect. How could I have missed out on so much? Rest assured, I never will again. I could settle and let my life be candy and popcorn, pizza and pasta, but Im more of a lychee and star fruit girl now.
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