Central Park, New York

A couple years ago I got the oppurtunity to go to New York for a few days to see my sister sing at Carnegie Hall. I fell in love with the city as soon as we landed. The city is so fast paced and alive day and night. I loved the lights, the taxis, the architure, the art, the museums, the food, the shopping, and the pace of the city. I mainly fell in love with central park. The park is huge! I underestimated the size of the park until we walked it, but I didn't mind because I didn't want to leave. I couldn't wait to explore the park and all it had in it. It was absolutley gorgeous there and while we were walking in it you forget that it is in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the united states. The park is filled with statues; my favorite was the statue of Balto the wolfdog that saved Alaska and my sister's was the Alice in Wonderland statue. Also in the park we found a castle, or half of a castle, that can be walked on and through and I fell in love with it. Its in the middle of the park, surrounded by trees, and it has a lake view of the city. I told my parents that that was where I wanted to get married someday. They just laughed and said "ok" and I just replied "someday I will". We were walking through the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when we got caught in the rain! My sister and I didn't have umbrellas or jackets because it was humid when we were there and it started raining out of nowhere. We became completely soaked and laughed as we sang the song "if you like pina coladas" until we got to the museum. Of course the museum had the air conditioning on full blast so we were freezing the whole time in there, but it was worth it ti see all the art. I remember my sister and I sat under the hand heaters in the bathroom to try and get warm while these old ladies tried to help us get try. we had a blast in New York and I fell in love with the city and hope to live there one day and if I can't at least get married there. I definatley want to visit in the winter so I can see the city covered in snow.

Lucy

Lucy was given to me for my birthday last year. We rescued her from a pound after she was taken away from her previous owner who severely abused her. I couldn't understand how someone could hurt her or any other animal. Lucy was scheduled to be put down the day after we adopted her, she had been returned 3 times due to her behavior. She doesn't really like new people, especially men; she didn't like my dad until we had had her for 2 months. They weren't sure if it would work with her, but when they brought her home my parents left me alone with her for a couple hours and in that time we bonded. I fell in love with her and there was no way I was going to give her up. With Lucy's behavior it is a little hard to go out and have people over, but we are working and training her to be more social. It will take time and patience after everything she has been through. The man who had her before is in jail for his actions on her and the other dogs he owned; he also ended up killing two dogs, one on purpose to get revenge. Lucy was beaten, kicked, starved, and hung outside by her collar, she was also tied together by her limbs and her mouth while the son of the owner attached fireworks to her tail and set them off. She was taken away once by police and humane society but they broke in to steal her and the other dogs back. He killed one of the dogs he owned and killed the new neighbor's dog because the neighbor reported animal cruelty to police. I am so glad Lucy survived and is with us today. She has problems but I wouldn't trade her. Lucy is very loyal and loving towards us and I hope that one day she will learn to love and trust others like normal dogs.

The Climb

This summer was the best summer of my life so far. I had the chance to go to Alaska by myself for 3 weeks to see a close friend. It was my first real trip on my own and my first real big adventure before I focus on growing up and the challenges that face it. To be on my own was so invigorating and freeing. I realized when I was there that everything would change and I would have to face reality of growing up. Growing up is hard, I'm only 20 years old and I already don't want to face it. I've learned with friends and family by your side that even though it may seem like the world is crashing, you can survive and you will survive whatever obstacles come your way. Also I learned that the journey is the destination; you will always be climbing, always heading toward the future and that you better enjoy the present because soon it will become the past and those moments that change your life are the memories you're going to want to treasure your whole life. So it is time for me to grow up even though I am a grown up and have had to grow up at a young age due to family situations and I won't forget to stop and live and that it's okay to be a kid sometimes. My life is going in so many directions right now and now I have to chose which path to take and which mountain to climb and I think I'm ready. I know there are people out there betting on me to fail, to fall, but I'm going to prove them wrong just wait and see.