1. Plan Ahead- Don't let yourself get behind and put things off until last minute.
2. Don't Obsess- Don't obsess over the college process or getting accepted. Just let what happens happen and it will all work out in the end.
3. Talk About it- Senior year can be sad and exciting. All of these emotions can be hard to deal with so talking about it can be helpful.
4. Have Fun- Enjoy senior year. It's your last year in high school and should be fun.
5. Stay On Track- Keep your grades high because colleges can revoke your acceptance.
I unfortunately am suffering with senioritis. As easy as it is to say that you can stay on track, it's difficult when all you want to do is graduate. My grades are definitely not as good as they were in previous years, but I am trying my best to keep up and study and not lose focus.
Monday, March 31, 2014
April Fools Day 1987
Twenty-seven years ago on April 1st, the Pleasant River in Milo, Maine flooded. My Father's brother Scott Russell, who is not deceased, house flooded to six inches just below the ceiling of the first floor. When flooding first occurred, my uncle and his wife tried to rescue everything they could, including a TV and a couch and brought it up to the second floor. By the time they came back downstairs, they had to swim through the water to get out of the house. Not only did they have to swim, they had to wade through water that was saturated with heating oil. The basement was completely filled with water so it made the oil tank flip over and broke all of the oil lines. My parents, together at the time, helped my uncle gut out the house afterwards for over a month. The house was later repaired and they moved back in.
I choose to write about this event in my family because I never got to meet my Uncle Scott. I was sitting in my kitchen today and my Dad started talking about this event and I found it interesting. That same year, my uncle tragically died in a car accident. So I guess the month of April and the year 1987 is a really sad year for my Dad and his family.
I choose to write about this event in my family because I never got to meet my Uncle Scott. I was sitting in my kitchen today and my Dad started talking about this event and I found it interesting. That same year, my uncle tragically died in a car accident. So I guess the month of April and the year 1987 is a really sad year for my Dad and his family.
Teen Drug Use
So far in 2014, there have been at least 13 teen deaths related to the use of heroin. One mother of a young man that died has reached out to parents and children around the country to explain that this can happen to anyone;
Dear Friends,
It’s been almost one month since we lost our Danny. I vowed his death will not be just another drug related casualty and yet I don’t have the strength to use my voice to reach out to others. I thought of starting a blog but can’t get it going. I have a message to parents and young people about what we learned so the best way to get it out is for everyone who reads this post to share it and hopefully our experience can save another life. Here is what we learned:
1. This can happen to anyone. No socioeconomic barriers exist. Every time you smoke weed, or use what is perceived as recreational drug, there is a chance that it is tainted with a substance that can kill.
2. The drug dealer is not always the creepy inner city guy or some bad kid from town; it could be your next door neighbor, a father of children your kid’s ages.
3. Most teens don’t think anything bad will ever happen to them. They often think they are in control of the situation and are just “partying”. Parents don’t think it will happen in their family. Drugs and my kid “never”! WAKE UP EVERYONE; what was considered recreational drug use just a few years ago is completely different now. Coke, Molly, Xanax, Shrooms, Acid, Weed and any form of pain killers are the NORM. Don’t worry so much about locking up your liquor cabinet; lock your medicine cabinet first. We spoke to many of Danny’s friends after his death to try to make sense of what happened. Kids today speak a different language regarding what is normal. We were in shock at how blatantly they talked about using these drugs as if they were having a pizza. It is a different world today. My older kids were as shocked as we are. One is 29 the other is 27. What is normal now was considered crossing the line when they were in college! Danny wasn’t out of high school a year before he died.
4. You can have the best environment and the happiest of families. Your child could be abusing or addicted drugs and you might not even know it. Danny came from a very happy home; parents who are married over 30 years and still love each other as we did 30 years ago. He had an older brother and sister who adored him and watched over him like a parent. Grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins. A very tight, happy and loving family. We can’t wrap our heads around this; you think there has to be some type of family drama or problem that would cause your child to start using any type of drug. It doesn’t! If drugs grab hold of your child, it is a demon you may not even be aware of until something drastic occurs.
5. You can talk to your kids about drugs, schools can educate them; it usually doesn’t help or work in most cases. You’re lucky if your kid learned something from the education process. Danny had all the lectures, education and information from school, his family, his siblings, his cousins and from families we know with kids with drug abuse problems There are many families who are experiencing the in and out of rehab hell; a hell we would gladly visit if we were given the chance. Unfortunately, most of you know what happened to him. Go re-read lessons 1 and 2. We talked constantly about what was going on out there from our limited knowledge base. That is one of the problems; as parents most of us don’t even know what to look for when you would never put the words drugs and your kid in the same sentence. Remember, Danny didn’t start smoking weed alone. I am sure he didn’t experiment with other substances alone either. Your kid may be trying different party drugs and you wouldn’t even know it.
6. Teenagers are very skilled at half truths. There is a fine line between trusting your kid and becoming a maniac who is following the teens every move. My son told me everything I wanted to hear to ensure he was okay and not doing anything stupid. He even told me about an intervention his friends had after New Years for some of his buddies. I knew all about it! He left out the part that he was being intervened as well. He told me about the amount of partying his friends were doing at college when they came home for winter break and how many of them have changed. He trained us to leave him alone. As the parents of a 19 year old, we had no reason not to trust him so we gave him the freedom to act like a first year college student.
7. Right under our nose our son was using drugs. I work from home for the past 18 years. My office is two feet from his bedroom. I am home all the time. There was not one sign that could not be considered a typical teenage action. Danny went to school, he went to work at his part time job, and he had a girlfriend he adored. He ate dinner with us every night. He called home and reached out to us whenever he was out. He called me every day on his way home from school to see what we were having for dinner. He had conversations with us when he felt like it. He told us he loved us every single day. Sounds normal right? He never took money from my purse, occasionally he would take my debit card but I could see exactly what he did; fast food and gas in his car. He got angry once in a while, what teenager doesn’t? He slept late and stayed up late; typical college student behavior. Does that sound like a drug abuser? Not to us especially after having gone through the teenage years with our older kids.
8. There is tremendous shame and embarrassment felt by kids when they recognize they have a substance abuse problem. They may have done terrible things to get money to buy drugs. These feelings of shame can prevent them from seeking help from the people who love them and would do anything for them. We learned a great deal about our son after his death that I know, 100%, would cause him to be scared out of his mind to tell us. Parents know that parental love is unconditional but many kids don’t understand it. It is that fear of what may happen if their parents find out that holds them back from being truthful. We thought we had an open relationship with Danny where he could tell us anything (mom and siblings especially). If he had not been given a lethal dose of homemade drugs, we most likely would have only found out if he told us, someone else told us, or if he got arrested. We found out when we broke down his bedroom door. Parents, please reinforce unconditional love to your kids. Let them know that no matter what they have done or are doing, you will be there for them. It may be disappointing and embarrassing, but you can save your kids life. We wish we had the chance to at least try.
9. The unwritten CODE OF TEENAGERS is to keep silent about anything you know that may cause you lose a friend. This is the way it is and the way it always was. We all have to learn a new code, a code that can save a life. Having a friend be mad at you is different than having a friend or their child that is dead. You only lose a friend when they are gone forever. That friend will thank you some day and their family may be spared the agony my family is living through right now. Re-read number 3. There is a new normal out there that is beyond most of our comprehension. Anyone who knows their friends are making bad choices, using drugs that are deadly or parents who know their kids are using drugs but didn’t reach out to warn the parents of their friends to look out: BREAK the CODE; open up your mouth and tell their families. It wasn’t until Danny died that we found out how many of his friends knew what he was doing. We also learned that one of his friends, a friend he had since age 6, was in a day rehab. His mother didn’t call me and warn me to look out for my son. I would have done that for her if I was the one that found out first. Her son is now in rehab and can try to get a new start; Danny didn’t get that chance. We didn’t get a chance to help our son. Had someone tipped us off, it may have taken a while to process but we would at least been looking out for signs. Schools and police departments have a place in this at some point, but first and foremost, kids should have a safe method of informing so they will actually do it. Be creative, find ways within your communities to let kids know they need to BREAK the CODE and tell someone. They can save a life.
10. For those of you who are lucky enough to have the opportunity to help your child DON’T MESS IT UP!!! Get them into rehab. Do what you need to save them. If you need to move to a new area to get them away from their friends, DO IT. Help them get the support they need through groups, counseling etc. Be there for them every step of the way now and forever. We didn’t get the chance to help our Danny. We can’t help but be somewhat jealous of those families that can at least try. I spoke to families that are living the “in and out of rehab hell” and I swear, we would take that hell over our hell any day. Both are horrible but your kids are alive, our son is not. I can’t even describe the pain my family is experiencing right now and how our lives are changed forever. If you are lucky enough to get the chance, do it right!!
Unfortunately, many kids have very short memories for a local tragedy. We saw real and true tears at Danny’s funeral from many of the hundreds of kids who came. We have also learned that a few days later, many were back to business as usual waiting for the next chance to get wasted at whatever excuse there is for a party. Some kids learned a lesson, many didn’t learn a thing. Please share this with everyone on your friend list and parents, please recognize it doesn’t just happen to other people, it can happen to you. We thought the same thing and will now have to live with broken hearts for the rest of our lives. Please learn from our experience and hopefully help your child or friend before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Linda Lajterman
I agree with what this mother says; that teens think that nothing bad will ever happen to them, but it can at any time. I think that something needs to be done to prevent these overdoses from happening to more people, not just teens.
Dear Friends,
It’s been almost one month since we lost our Danny. I vowed his death will not be just another drug related casualty and yet I don’t have the strength to use my voice to reach out to others. I thought of starting a blog but can’t get it going. I have a message to parents and young people about what we learned so the best way to get it out is for everyone who reads this post to share it and hopefully our experience can save another life. Here is what we learned:
1. This can happen to anyone. No socioeconomic barriers exist. Every time you smoke weed, or use what is perceived as recreational drug, there is a chance that it is tainted with a substance that can kill.
2. The drug dealer is not always the creepy inner city guy or some bad kid from town; it could be your next door neighbor, a father of children your kid’s ages.
3. Most teens don’t think anything bad will ever happen to them. They often think they are in control of the situation and are just “partying”. Parents don’t think it will happen in their family. Drugs and my kid “never”! WAKE UP EVERYONE; what was considered recreational drug use just a few years ago is completely different now. Coke, Molly, Xanax, Shrooms, Acid, Weed and any form of pain killers are the NORM. Don’t worry so much about locking up your liquor cabinet; lock your medicine cabinet first. We spoke to many of Danny’s friends after his death to try to make sense of what happened. Kids today speak a different language regarding what is normal. We were in shock at how blatantly they talked about using these drugs as if they were having a pizza. It is a different world today. My older kids were as shocked as we are. One is 29 the other is 27. What is normal now was considered crossing the line when they were in college! Danny wasn’t out of high school a year before he died.
4. You can have the best environment and the happiest of families. Your child could be abusing or addicted drugs and you might not even know it. Danny came from a very happy home; parents who are married over 30 years and still love each other as we did 30 years ago. He had an older brother and sister who adored him and watched over him like a parent. Grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins. A very tight, happy and loving family. We can’t wrap our heads around this; you think there has to be some type of family drama or problem that would cause your child to start using any type of drug. It doesn’t! If drugs grab hold of your child, it is a demon you may not even be aware of until something drastic occurs.
5. You can talk to your kids about drugs, schools can educate them; it usually doesn’t help or work in most cases. You’re lucky if your kid learned something from the education process. Danny had all the lectures, education and information from school, his family, his siblings, his cousins and from families we know with kids with drug abuse problems There are many families who are experiencing the in and out of rehab hell; a hell we would gladly visit if we were given the chance. Unfortunately, most of you know what happened to him. Go re-read lessons 1 and 2. We talked constantly about what was going on out there from our limited knowledge base. That is one of the problems; as parents most of us don’t even know what to look for when you would never put the words drugs and your kid in the same sentence. Remember, Danny didn’t start smoking weed alone. I am sure he didn’t experiment with other substances alone either. Your kid may be trying different party drugs and you wouldn’t even know it.
6. Teenagers are very skilled at half truths. There is a fine line between trusting your kid and becoming a maniac who is following the teens every move. My son told me everything I wanted to hear to ensure he was okay and not doing anything stupid. He even told me about an intervention his friends had after New Years for some of his buddies. I knew all about it! He left out the part that he was being intervened as well. He told me about the amount of partying his friends were doing at college when they came home for winter break and how many of them have changed. He trained us to leave him alone. As the parents of a 19 year old, we had no reason not to trust him so we gave him the freedom to act like a first year college student.
7. Right under our nose our son was using drugs. I work from home for the past 18 years. My office is two feet from his bedroom. I am home all the time. There was not one sign that could not be considered a typical teenage action. Danny went to school, he went to work at his part time job, and he had a girlfriend he adored. He ate dinner with us every night. He called home and reached out to us whenever he was out. He called me every day on his way home from school to see what we were having for dinner. He had conversations with us when he felt like it. He told us he loved us every single day. Sounds normal right? He never took money from my purse, occasionally he would take my debit card but I could see exactly what he did; fast food and gas in his car. He got angry once in a while, what teenager doesn’t? He slept late and stayed up late; typical college student behavior. Does that sound like a drug abuser? Not to us especially after having gone through the teenage years with our older kids.
8. There is tremendous shame and embarrassment felt by kids when they recognize they have a substance abuse problem. They may have done terrible things to get money to buy drugs. These feelings of shame can prevent them from seeking help from the people who love them and would do anything for them. We learned a great deal about our son after his death that I know, 100%, would cause him to be scared out of his mind to tell us. Parents know that parental love is unconditional but many kids don’t understand it. It is that fear of what may happen if their parents find out that holds them back from being truthful. We thought we had an open relationship with Danny where he could tell us anything (mom and siblings especially). If he had not been given a lethal dose of homemade drugs, we most likely would have only found out if he told us, someone else told us, or if he got arrested. We found out when we broke down his bedroom door. Parents, please reinforce unconditional love to your kids. Let them know that no matter what they have done or are doing, you will be there for them. It may be disappointing and embarrassing, but you can save your kids life. We wish we had the chance to at least try.
9. The unwritten CODE OF TEENAGERS is to keep silent about anything you know that may cause you lose a friend. This is the way it is and the way it always was. We all have to learn a new code, a code that can save a life. Having a friend be mad at you is different than having a friend or their child that is dead. You only lose a friend when they are gone forever. That friend will thank you some day and their family may be spared the agony my family is living through right now. Re-read number 3. There is a new normal out there that is beyond most of our comprehension. Anyone who knows their friends are making bad choices, using drugs that are deadly or parents who know their kids are using drugs but didn’t reach out to warn the parents of their friends to look out: BREAK the CODE; open up your mouth and tell their families. It wasn’t until Danny died that we found out how many of his friends knew what he was doing. We also learned that one of his friends, a friend he had since age 6, was in a day rehab. His mother didn’t call me and warn me to look out for my son. I would have done that for her if I was the one that found out first. Her son is now in rehab and can try to get a new start; Danny didn’t get that chance. We didn’t get a chance to help our son. Had someone tipped us off, it may have taken a while to process but we would at least been looking out for signs. Schools and police departments have a place in this at some point, but first and foremost, kids should have a safe method of informing so they will actually do it. Be creative, find ways within your communities to let kids know they need to BREAK the CODE and tell someone. They can save a life.
10. For those of you who are lucky enough to have the opportunity to help your child DON’T MESS IT UP!!! Get them into rehab. Do what you need to save them. If you need to move to a new area to get them away from their friends, DO IT. Help them get the support they need through groups, counseling etc. Be there for them every step of the way now and forever. We didn’t get the chance to help our Danny. We can’t help but be somewhat jealous of those families that can at least try. I spoke to families that are living the “in and out of rehab hell” and I swear, we would take that hell over our hell any day. Both are horrible but your kids are alive, our son is not. I can’t even describe the pain my family is experiencing right now and how our lives are changed forever. If you are lucky enough to get the chance, do it right!!
Unfortunately, many kids have very short memories for a local tragedy. We saw real and true tears at Danny’s funeral from many of the hundreds of kids who came. We have also learned that a few days later, many were back to business as usual waiting for the next chance to get wasted at whatever excuse there is for a party. Some kids learned a lesson, many didn’t learn a thing. Please share this with everyone on your friend list and parents, please recognize it doesn’t just happen to other people, it can happen to you. We thought the same thing and will now have to live with broken hearts for the rest of our lives. Please learn from our experience and hopefully help your child or friend before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Linda Lajterman
I agree with what this mother says; that teens think that nothing bad will ever happen to them, but it can at any time. I think that something needs to be done to prevent these overdoses from happening to more people, not just teens.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Clinical Experience
I have been participating in an internship through my medical assisting program for the past seven weeks at Plastic and Hand Surgical Associates in South Portland. It has been an amazing experience. I have learned more in more in just seven weeks, one day per week of being out in an actual field, than I have learned in months of school. I have been allowed to interact with actual patients; taking blood pressures, height and weight measurements, viewing surgeries, and assisting in the removal of stitches. This experience has solidified my interest in the medical field and has even made me think about pursuing a career as a surgical nurse.
Personally, I think that a hands on opportunity like this should be taken advantage of by every student. I learned about the operations of an actual medical facility through this experience and have learned what the medical field entails. I have made relationships with registered nurses, surgical technicians, and plastic surgeons, that will support me in my future job search. I am so thrilled to have had this experience and I wish every prospecting medical student could have the same opportunity as I did.
Personally, I think that a hands on opportunity like this should be taken advantage of by every student. I learned about the operations of an actual medical facility through this experience and have learned what the medical field entails. I have made relationships with registered nurses, surgical technicians, and plastic surgeons, that will support me in my future job search. I am so thrilled to have had this experience and I wish every prospecting medical student could have the same opportunity as I did.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Cyril Connolly Letter Response
The letter to Briony from Cyril Connoly in Ian McEwan's novel Atonement encompasses the ideas of modernism and stream of consciousness. The first reference to the stream of consciousness idea is made about a quarter of the way down on page 402. Cyril recognizes Briony's use of her own "flow of thought" in Brony's writing. Cyril then makes a reference to Virginia Woolf, one of the first authors to use steam of consciousness. Cyril basically says that Briony's writing is almost too similar to that of Woolf's;"However, we wondered whether it owed a little too much to the techniques of Mrs. Woolf" (402).
Then the reference to Elizabeth Bowen on page 404. Elizabeth read part of Briony's story and was "hooked for a while" but felt the same as Connoly, that there was really no back bone or purpose to her writing. Both Connoly and Bowen want to see Briony use more modernism in her writing. Another reference is made toward the end of the letter saying that Briony shouldn't Indeed they are write about the war in her work; "Indeed, they are wise and right to ignore it and devote themselves to other subjects" (405). And another reference to stream of consciousness right after; "Since artists are politically impotent, they must use this time to develop deeper emotional levels" (405).
Then the reference to Elizabeth Bowen on page 404. Elizabeth read part of Briony's story and was "hooked for a while" but felt the same as Connoly, that there was really no back bone or purpose to her writing. Both Connoly and Bowen want to see Briony use more modernism in her writing. Another reference is made toward the end of the letter saying that Briony shouldn't Indeed they are write about the war in her work; "Indeed, they are wise and right to ignore it and devote themselves to other subjects" (405). And another reference to stream of consciousness right after; "Since artists are politically impotent, they must use this time to develop deeper emotional levels" (405).
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
I recently discovered pinterest and now I am addicted. There are so many different things to look at from recipe ideas to the latest fashion. I really like looking at all the different recipes. I tend to like to eat really healthy and here are so many healthy recipes on pinterest, I just want to try them all. One that really stood out to me was a green smoothie that does not taste like grass:
- 1 cup raw kale, chopped
- 1 frozen banana, roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds (Trader Joes sells them near the cereal section and most health food stores carry them as well.)
- 1 squeeze of lemon
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 bunch mint, for garnish
CNN Article Response
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/justice/student-sues-parents-new-jersey/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
I read this article today and was blown away at the case this high school senior was trying to build. She is basically suing her parents for failing to to pay for her high school tuition and other living costs. The girl had claimed that her parents kicked her out for no good reason and that she felt abandoned by them. But then the truth came out. Her parents did not kick her out at all, she moved out willingly when she turned 18 because she did not want to follow her parents rules including curfews and other normal rules. The girl's parents were heartbroken that her daughters actions had gone this far and that she felt that they abandoned her when actually they were so willing to pay for her but she did not want to live under their rules, so why pay for her. In the end, the judge ruled this girl's lawsuit basically useless and that her actions were that of a spoiled rotten brat who just wanted her parents to pay for her.
I read this article today and was blown away at the case this high school senior was trying to build. She is basically suing her parents for failing to to pay for her high school tuition and other living costs. The girl had claimed that her parents kicked her out for no good reason and that she felt abandoned by them. But then the truth came out. Her parents did not kick her out at all, she moved out willingly when she turned 18 because she did not want to follow her parents rules including curfews and other normal rules. The girl's parents were heartbroken that her daughters actions had gone this far and that she felt that they abandoned her when actually they were so willing to pay for her but she did not want to live under their rules, so why pay for her. In the end, the judge ruled this girl's lawsuit basically useless and that her actions were that of a spoiled rotten brat who just wanted her parents to pay for her.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Atonement - Assessment of Briony ‘s Bildungsroman or “Coming of Age”
At first, Briony is characterized as a young girl who has been very sheltered throughout her life and is unaware of the proceedings of the world. She is caught between reality and fantasy and does not know which one is real. As the story progresses, Briony begins to question her purpose in the world and decides to stay on the bridge until something real and meaningful happened to her.
This happens when Robbie gives her the letter to give to Cecilia. Whens Briony succumbs to curiosity and reads the letter, she sees something that she has never seen before and does not understand and perceives it as something so horrible that she immediately feels the need to protect her sister Cecilia from this monster that she thinks Robbie is. I also think that this letter brings up extreme jealousy in Briony as she finally realizes that Robbie does not love her, but instead loves her sister. So maybe Briony goes after Cecilia and Robbie as a form of protection or maybe to try and stop anything occurring between Robbie and Cecilia due to jealousy, who knows. But this is the point when Briony has her "coming of age" and realizes that the world isn't all about her and that people have their own problems just like her.
Atonement - Characterize Paul Marshall
To me, Paul Marshall seems kind of creepy. To begin with, while the children are playing in the nursery, he enters and begins to flirt with Lola who is a very young girl. Paul Marshall is way older than Lola and it is so wrong that he is flirting with her. For the rest of the novel, Paul doesn't play a huge par in the story except for the fact that he always seems to be the guy who just sits back and observes. On the night that the twins go missing and the night of the horrible incident between Lola and supposedly (not really) Robbie takes place. During this, Paul is no where to be found and this leads me to think that maybe Paul was the one who raped Lola, not Robbie. Again, hopefully as I read more of the novel, all the truth will be revealed and maybe my prediction will be correct because we all know that it wasn't Robbie, so who else could it be?
Is Briony Really Unaware of the Difference Between Fantasy and Reality?
This question comes up along with many more as one reads Atonement, by Ian McEwan. In part one of the novel, Briony is characterized as an innocent young girl who can hardly tell the difference between fantasy and reality. She is so wrapped up in herself that she is unaware that everyone else in the world has thoughts and feelings just like hers. This portrayal of innocence is then questioned in part two of the novel, when Robbie recalls on a scene in the past where Briony admits that she is in love with Robbie. Robbie blew this off as an innocent crush but then realizes, after Briony had basically been the reason for him going to prison that maybe she was trying to get back at him for loving Cecilia, her sister, instead of herself.
So now Briony's innocence is question. Briony could have been fully aware of the implications that would result from accusing someone of rape. This could have been part of a plan to get revenge on Robbie after he blew her off and ignored her for over a year and then portrayed his love for Briony's sister. Hopefully the truth is revealed later in the novel but for now, I will continue reading and hope that the truth is revealed.
So now Briony's innocence is question. Briony could have been fully aware of the implications that would result from accusing someone of rape. This could have been part of a plan to get revenge on Robbie after he blew her off and ignored her for over a year and then portrayed his love for Briony's sister. Hopefully the truth is revealed later in the novel but for now, I will continue reading and hope that the truth is revealed.
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