Author's Note- Some people get their feelings out by talking to someone or eating, but for me, it's shoes.

Ever since I was younger I’ve had a thing for shoes. I always walked around in my mom’s high heels and acted like a model. I’ve grown up to love and adore shoes. Shopping is a way for me to express my feelings; it brings happiness to me. Some people think that shopping is a waste of money, but it’s almost addictive. You see something you like and intend to have it. Looking my best has always been a must for me, especially when it comes to school. I wear outfits that correspond with the shoes and never hesitate to buy a new pair. Wearing stilettos might be an issue for me considering how tall I am, but people will just have to deal with looking up at me. Whether it’s stilettos or flats, I fall in love with every pair I see. The vibrant bright colors and the bold prints overwhelm me. Some people just see them as any ordinary pair of shoes, while I see them as an beautiful work of art.

One Direction

 Author's Note- I wrote about my favorite artist is One Direction and by reading this you will figure out why.

It all started with a singing competition show, The X-Factor. They began as small town dreamers, but they turned into stars. Their first single sold faster than the Beetle’s, and their concert tickets get sold out in a matter of minutes. This is no ordinary band, this is One Direction. This band is made up of 5 boys, Harry, Zayn, Liam, Louis, and Niall. They all have their own personalities and star qualities. When they combine their talents together, they make music like no one’s ever heard before. Teenage girls fall head over heels when they hear One Direction on the radio. Every one of their songs has a situation that you could relate to. Whether it’s falling in love or trying to get over someone, they have a song for it. Most bands have at least one bad song, but I don’t think One Direction does, that’s why they’re my favorite band. Also how cute are British accents? I would rate this band 10 out of 10 because they sing like angels sliding down a rainbow and they are gorgeous, what’s not to like about them? They have a song for everyone’s liking, so people shouldn’t judge before they hear them.

New Girl

Author’s Note- In the book The Clique, Lisi Harrison really describes how drama filled a teenage girls life can be, especially when you’re the new girl. You might not fit in at first, like Claire, but just keep trying and you’ll eventually make friends.

As I walked through the doors of the Block’s mansion, I saw a tall beautiful brunette. She looked like she came straight out of a Vogue magazine. Her name was Massie, and from head to toe she was dressed in designer clothes. Time froze, and in that moment, I knew I wasn’t meant to live in Westchester. Our first day back to school felt like a madhouse. I wasn’t making friends and didn’t fit in with anyone. “What if I never make friends”, I thought to myself. So far things aren’t going so well and I knew I was getting picked on, but was I getting bullied?

Being the new kid at school is always tough at first, you don’t have any friends and you don’t know where you’re going. Many new kids even get bullied for what they wear or even how they talk. 1 out of 6 people get bullied and Claire happens to be that one. Claire continuously got rude comments and comebacks from Massie and her friends. Eventually everyone finds friends though. Just like Claire, she became friends with Layne and later Massie. You can always accomplish what you think is impossible, you just have to try.

After you get made fun of a couple times, being a loaner seems like the better option. You just want to give up and stop trying because you think there’s no point. The problem is… there is a point in trying. You will find friends, no matter how much different you are from everyone else. You may even become friends with your worst enemies. Claire and Massie fought for almost the whole book, but in the end, they became the best of friends. Once they actually knew each other, they realized they weren’t so different after all. You just have to give that person a chance and I’m sure they’ll want to be your friend. I know how hard it can be making friends, I had to do it too.

When I moved to Pewaukee in kinder garden, I had to make friends when I didn’t know anyone. It was hard at first, but pretty soon I had tons of friends. Just be yourself and I’m sure they’ll love you. It’s even harder to make friends when you’re shy; that’s why I struggled with it. I’ve always had a fear with talking to people I don’t know, and I can tell that Claire suffered with the same phobia. Just face your fears and start talking to someone; you’ll be surprised how much you have in common.

Everyone has flaws, but true friends are willing to look past it. In the end Massie and Claire see each other as normal teenagers and realize they have a lot of the same interests. They become friends even though it seemed like the impossible. You just have to try and get yourself out there. Just be yourself, not someone you’re not because you think that character is cooler. Nothing is better than the real you. If people can’t except you for who you are, they aren’t meant to be your best friend. Go for the people that look past all your flaws and imperfections, those are your true friends.

Tough Love

Author’s Note- In the book Angus, Thongs, and Full- Frontal Snogging, Louise Rennison really captured a teenage girls struggles in life. I could relate to this book because I don’t have a perfect life either; there are always ups and downs. Even though she thought she would never get him, she tried anyways… and trying pays off.

Shaving your eyebrows off, losing your cat, and falling for a guy is all part of growing up… Well for Georgia Nicolson anyways. Life has never been a ray of sunshine for her up until the day she met Robby. She thought he was the most beautiful human being that ever walked this earth.You may feel like nothing’s going right, but just remember everything happens for a reason.

I thought that the movie and book were both funny and kept my attention, although some things were different. Such as, Georgia shaving off both of her eyebrows in the book and just half of one in the movie. Most of the main parts in the book were also in the movie, but there were just a couple things that changed. Over all, I really enjoyed the plot of the book, because it really showed how interesting a teenage girls life can be. Her life isn’t perfect, my life isn’t perfect, and everyone I know feels life isn’t perfect, and it probably never will be, but you just have to make the best of it.

Falling for a guy can be incredibly magical, but it can also be the worst days of your life. Guys are tough; they want you to take a joke, but then if you make fun of them… Oh no, that’s crossed the line. Guys like to show off in front of their friends that’s why they don’t like being made fun of. You and your boyfriend will always have ups and downs, but in the end it’s all worth it. You just have to date a few guys and see what your type is. Then you’ll know who the love of your life is truly.

 The first guy you date isn’t always “him”.  You’ll get your heart broken or have to break someone else’s heart, but going through all that hassle makes the journey all the more better. I know Georgia was really happy in the end with Robby, and I know that they are meant to be together. When there are hard times, just face them together and you’ll be just fine.

Never settle for someone you’re not in love with. Always go for the person who treats you the best and the one that makes you smile every second of the day, because the path that leads you to them is rough and in the end you deserve the best. Just always follow your heart and remember that everything happens for a reason. That’s exactly how Georgia found Robby and that’s how everyone else finds their true love, by listening to their heart.

The One for Me

Author’s Note- When everyone is telling you to give up and go for someone else, deep inside your heart… you know he’s the one.

Just like David’s smile, I can relate to liking someone a lot and them not even knowing. In the book “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Three", it tells stories about real people that may being going through the same things as me. Just like how I’ve liked the same guy for about two years; but somehow, he chooses to just blow me off for a bunch of other girls. He knows that I like him, but he just acts like he doesn’t even know I exist. But deep down in my heart, I know that he’s the one for me.

Perfect. The word I would use to describe him as. You can’t help but fall in love the minute you set eyes on him. I just melt when I see his big brown eyes widen, or as he flips his luscious brown hair. For a second, everything seems perfect. Then you see his girlfriend walking beside him, and you say to yourself… why can’t that be me? Sure, I’m not blonde, and I don’t have the perfect body. But hey, I’m not half bad.

I have long brown hair with a tint of red, big brown eyes, an okay smile, but most of all… I have a heart. Not many people can say that. I feel special that I have a heart and can honestly love someone from the inside out. My loves aren’t just those fake ones where you say “<3 u” over text message. Mine is a hug, holding hands, and then saying I love you, and actually meaning it. I can actually love someone the right way… can you?

“If we loved again, I swear I’d love you right”, by Taylor Swift, in her song Back to December. Those lyrics are the story of my life. If I could date that guy again, I swear I’d love him right. I know, the first time I screwed up, but this time I know what I’m doing and I would really like a second chance. Life is all about mistakes; without them, you wouldn’t be who you are today. I don’t want to let him slip away, like she let David slip away. That’s why I’m trying to hold on, I’m just hoping I can hold on long enough without letting go first.

I’m a lover, not a fighter. But I’ll fight for what I love. That’s how I feel about this guy. I just wish he could stop being so  mean to me though, because I’m trying so hard not to let him go. When I feel like he’s trying to get away from me as fast as he can. I just don’t feel like I’m ready to give up yet. If I try hard enough, I know I’ll get a second chance with him, because he is… the one for me.

My First Game

Author's Note- I've been playing soccer since I was little, and I've loved it ever since.

Dribbling, passing, and shooting are all part of the sport, soccer. Many people prefer to use their hands in sports, but I like to be an oddball and use my feet. I still remember my first soccer game I ever played. It was in 4^th grade, and our team name was Magic. My friend Skyler was dribbling the ball next to me. We were on offense and were going up for the goal. Each trembling step was an inch closer to the victory! She tripped and fell right before the goal. I looked down and thought to myself, I guess it’s my turn to score. So I took the ball and my mind shouted SHOOT! I planted my foot on the ground and swung. I took a corner shot, and it hit the net! I scored, in my first game. Ever since, I’ve felt passionate about this sport. Til this day, I play soccer and am on a wreck team. One day when I work hard enough, I’ll be on select again.

Never Give Up

Author’s Note- While reading this, you will experience the pain of a little boy going through tragic abuse. The book “A Child Called It” was really intriguing because in close detail, it really captures what it would feel like to be abused.

Many people have been verbally and mentally abused, but try being physically abused. Beating after beating, you feel like it’s a nightmare that you can never escape. Most people think that physical abuse doesn’t go on in this world, but those people are wrong. It seems like there’s no abuse or harm because the ones getting abused are afraid to speak. They want to just keep quiet and unspoken. Nothing’s going to get better if you don’t speak up though; because life isn’t always a ray of sunshine. So while the clouds hang over your head, just remember to never give up.

David Pelzer had some pretty rough and tragic times through his childhood. The crazy thing is that his family started off flawless and connected; but as the years went on, the mother began to hate David or “It”. Even though his mother hated and treated him like trash, deep down inside, David never gave up. Every day was a struggle and a fight for survival. Without having food for days on end, he became weaker and weaker by the hour. Yet, he continued to do his daily chores that mother insisted on. Through all the punches, slaps, and thrashes, David never back down from a fight.

Since he never backed down from a fight, he learned to never give up. Somehow through everything he went through, he didn’t give up hope. He was determined to get out of his Mother’s mad-house. David felt unloved and alone, and on the outside it showed. But deep down in the inside, he knew he would someday be loved and have a family of his own. All he needs to do is pray to God and ask him for help and guidance. God makes everything ok and back to reality. He can make your life feel like a fairytale, but you have to be the one to make the first move.

David’s first move was to not go off and abuse others, but to help others and explain to them the realism in abuse. Most people that got abused go off as adults and continue to abuse others. Not David though, he was a special boy. He helped other people that have been abused or were abusers. They soon learned the importance of not giving up hope. He’s talked to schools and he even wrote this book. Knowing that he wrote the book made it all the more special. What really jumped out at me in the book was the voice. As I read the book, I felt as though I was encountering all the same things that he did. The book seems so real; like you just want to go and save him from all his suffering.

Even after everything David went through in his childhood, he turned out to be a good influence on others. He gives help to people that are going through or went through the same thing he did. It gives him a warm feeling inside when he feels he can help others. He never thought he would be able to do this, but he did one thing that kept him from being like most of the abused… He never gave up.