Introducing.... Our Finished Anthology!

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Introduction

Not everyone shares the same beliefs; this is what makes each of our lives different. Beliefs are all around us and we should not hide them. If we feel strongly about them, share them, because a small voice can make a big difference. As a class, we've had experiences that shape our beliefs. As a class, we have grown together and learned so much from each other. The goal for these essays was to find something we believe strongly and share an experience that shaped that belief.These are our beliefs. Not necessarily as a class, but as individuals. For us it was a chance to relive old memories. We want our readers to know that these are stories of how we feel and what we believe in. We are sharing some of our personal stories, so please respect them.

Kieshia Hall

Straightedge - By Tim Paciotti

Tim Paciotti is a 19-year-old kid that likes to enjoy life, and stay true to his beliefs.

Straightedge

What does the term “straight edge” mean to the society today? Straight edge is a belief amongst the people not to drink, do drugs, or have promiscuous sex. It is a belief to those who rebel against our own kind to show we aren’t the same. So why does the rest of the community show hatred to us, and consider us a nuisance? To me, through everything the people have shown towards us, “straight edge” gives me a sense of personality, a second family, and something to look forward to in my life.

To many different cultures of the world, they see us, the “straight edge teens,” as the people who are missing out on a good life. However, I believe “straight edge” gives me a personality. For example, at a party I was offered some alcohol, and I refused and said I was “edge”. The man who offered me the drink made a comment of me not living my life and not having a good time. I didn’t need a beer to have a good time, nor did I need one to live my life to the fullest extent. I don’t need something that will harm my body to get a good “buzz”; my personality shows that. In addition, people assume us as a whole. Of course, we do have the same beliefs, but we some of us react differently. I don’t show anger on other just because they do what they do. This shows that my personality may not like those certain things for me, but don’t judge the people who do, do it; it’s their decision. Not only does “straight edge” give me a personality to look to, but also a second family to look forward to as well.

Too many of us, “straight edge” is more than just a word, or a saying, it’s a bond between many of us; that bond between us is like having a second family to look for in need of anything. For example, when many of us find another person that is “straight edge” it’s an automatic connection that we have with them; as well as someone first claiming “edge.” It shows us as well as them that they aren’t alone. Furthermore, if in need for anything, we can not only come to our real family, but our “straight edge” family. Yes, given the fact it may be weird, but since we’re all “edge,” there is a sense of trust, like we are with our immediate family. Our real family likewise with our “straight edge” family, we can come to them at anytime for anything and still feel whole as a family. As families grow in the future, “straight edge” gives me something to look forward to in the future.

Thinking about the future to some is a scary thing, but to me there is a light that still shines through it all. “Straight edge” isn’t just a commitment; it is a life, and one worth living for. For example, I was asked by a teacher in high school, “What do you see yourself doing in the future?” I replied, “Continuing my life style, working, and exposing to everyone what “straight edge” is, and does for you.” It gives me something to look forward to, since I fully believe in this. It’s something I still want to see when I’m eighty, and have grandkids. This is no joke, but something real and reachable. Never taking a sip of alcohol, smoking a single cigarette, or having promiscuous sex has shown me a better life, and a better future. In addition, a friend asked me, “If you did do drugs, what do you think you would be doing now?” I said to him, “I would probably not have a job, house to live in, friends, and probably any teeth.” Being “edge” fills me with joy knowing I don’t do anything harmful to myself; I have a better chance to actually see the future. And being able to see myself in the future makes me a happy kid.

Now that you know how a “straight edge teen” feels, does hatred still grow upon you? Even though being “straight edge” gives me a second family, future to look forward to, and a personality, it does a lot more for everyone. Sooner or later people will realize what we believe in, and know its better for everyone. So how do you feel about the term “straight edge” now?

Say what you say - By Alejandro Gonzalez

True art is not a crime, and its not a waste of time, to me this is worth every dime. You will try to understand, but you will end up in a big cirlce of quick sand.

Say What You Say..

I believe that people judge too rapidly depending on what people wear. Around the world people have different ways to express themselves throughout their style of clothes they wear. Some of those people that you may perceive to be gangsters, hippies, atheist, or skaters because of their style of clothing. Then people start to judge and make assumptions before they get to know you. Many people in the world classify these people because of their clothing and I think that it’s wrong.

I was one of many people that they judged because of my attire. I was a young boy at the age of 12. I didn’t have and idea of what I wanted to be in the world. I had my own style of dressing. My parents didn’t have much to give me in respect of new clothes every week. I would go to school with my old shoes all torn up and my shirts that were too small because I was going to my growing stage and all my clothes was getting to small for me.

When I used to go to the store with my family I used to separate from my family and make the store more like an adventure. When I gazed aisle to aisle looking at food or toys I would always notice that people well dress would reach to their purse and hug it as if they thought that I would steel it or at least tried to. I always felt anger and confused because I would say to my self why they grab their purses. Why couldn’t I be treated equally?

As time went by I would ask my mom many questions. One of those questions was why people look at our clothes instead of our personality. My mother always told me “always be your self never try to be some one you can’t be no matter what”. This phrase made me realize that clothes don’t matter because as I got older I was an intelligent student but still dresses as I did when I was small. People still judged me the same but what they didn’t realize was that I was a smart kid. But inside I was smart and most of all proud of whom I was not what I was wearing.

Now as I walk down those wondrous aisles and I look at kids that dress different from me. I ask my self what great person he is going to be when he grows up. People around the world dress differently, that doesn’t mean that their bad influence in society because they don’t dress like you. Their style of clothing signifies their unique personality that no one can take away but in the end inside they are like you and me.

My Life as a Bird - By Alejandro Gonzalez

My Life As a Bird..

As soon as I was born,
I lived a life style that was all torn,
I lived thinking of two things,
When I was going to get fed and when I was going to play in the rings,
I never noticed that I was in a cage
I tried to get out once then twice but in the end I got enraged
I thought that I would never get out
What was I thinking about!
I noticed that the only thing to the cage was a door
That stopped me from things I adore.
Things I would try to do, even if I die.
The biggest thing I wanted was to fly
My perseverance made me open the passage
As I leaped out I got a message
Flying isn’t so easy at all
You try and try and all you do is fall,
But I found partners that held my wings
And at the same time showed me how to sing
To this day I have not yet learned how to fly
But I will try to learn to fly until I die.

Be Silly, Free, Yourself - By Austin Church

I believe that we must be silly, free, yourself. Don’t be grumpy, cranky or stressed. I believe this because people become two sided and lose sight of reality. I can be normal one minute someone will say something wrong to me and I will it will make me mad and I will be grumpy and I will turn negative and people wont want to be around me. So it is a matter of staying positive and not letting things get to you. And people want to be free and positive so they base themselves around positive people. Pretty much treat others the way you want to be treated. Stress is another one that effects people because people who are stressed will tend to take it out on other people.

I Am and Other Poems - By Kayla O'Connell-Rodriguez

Kayla O'Connell-Rodriguez is 20 years old, recently married, and living life day by day.

From Just

From just a touch
My skin turns worm
But with chills
From just your eyes
I can see clearly
But only fog
From just a kiss
You make my heart race
Yet it stops
From just your smile
All worries and sickness
Goes away
But from your worries
I turn scared
And don’t know what to do
And when you’re sad
My stomach goes to knots
My heart breaks
And all I want to do is
Take the sadness out of your eyes
But when you say
“I love you”
That all I can believe
For my heart stops
My sight goes fogy
My skin turns hot
With chills
And all worries and
Sickness are nonexistent
Because
“I LOVE YOU TOO”

I Am

I am a girl, deprived of my innocence
I wonder if the innocence I once had will ever return
I see life changing so fast with out me
I want my life to be easy like it was before
I am a girl needing her innocence

I pretend that my life is fine
I cry for what I have lost and gained nothing
I scream for the pain that I feel in my heart
I am a girl with out her innocence

I dream of the day of no worries
I try to convince my self that I don’t need it
I understand that things will never be the same
I say why did you take my innocence? Why?
I am a Girl.



Family Cry

People crying
No one can help
Why is this happening?
Why can’t they help her?
They do test after test
And yet they say there’s
Nothing they can do.
So they send her away
For more tests
Putting hope in
Our eyes
While we cry.
For there is nothing
We can do but pray
That she’ll be strong
And pull through
For those two
The two kids that
Need their mom
For those little things
That only mom’s can do.


Truth 2 Lies

Through all the lies
there is a truth
yet
through all the truth
there is a lie
to find
the truth
you must look
to lies
for no where
else can the
truth lie

Give It All You Got to Make it to the Top - By Nick Lytle

Nick Lytle is an up and coming motocross prodigy. He has raced for six years and has accomplished what many have only dreamed of accomplishing. He always lived by the theory that if you worked hard at something you wanted you would over time acquire it. He used this method to prepare for numerous amounts of races. When nationals came around, there was no stopping him. He endured a grueling six week training schedule to prepare. He was not going to be caught off guard at this race, especially when all of the big named racers would be there. Nick wanted to leave a mark at the event; he wanted people to talk about him every time the race was brought up in a conversation. He wanted to be known in the industry as the kid who wanted it the most. He arrived to the races and to everyone’s surprise he won in a dominating fashion, leaving the spectators in awe. Even with a major mistake that could have cost him the race, Lytle quickly remounted and took the win in the 250 modified class. After such a heart pounding and emotional event, Nick Lytle left that national as somebody. He proved many manufactures wrong and did the impossible. Due to his hard working attitude and desire to win Nick left the races that humid summer day a champion.

Give It All You Got to Make it to the Top

Personal experiences can change our beliefs and outlooks on life, just like it did to me. Because of a personal experience of mine, I believe that with hard work and determination, anything can be done. I began to realize this when I first started to race motocross nationally. I worked extremely hard to get what I wanted and ended up exceeding my goals. The same has gone for my personal life. I can accomplish anything that is thrown in my path as long as I am determined and ready to work hard.

It all started when I got my first dirt bike. My dad has always told me from the day I threw a leg over a motorcycle, “you need to put in the work to get the desired results”. Ever since the day he said this I have lived by it and grown to trust this outlook on my racing career. The Lake Whitney Spring Classic was coming up and I was determined to race it. It was my national debut, and I knew fast riders from all around the world would come to prove that they were the fastest kids in the nation. This is when the training began. I rode for at least four hours Monday through Friday and went to the gym six days a week. I remember it being extremely hard and I had many doubts that crossed my mind but I just put my head down and focused on the task at hand. There was no one that wanted this more than me. In my mind it was as if I wanted to shut all the fast guys down. I had no sponsors at the time, and no recognition. All I had was my beliefs and family to help me out.

So now that I had the support from my family, it was all up to me. The training continued for another month, just riding, working out at the gym, eating, and sleeping. This was all I knew. I was so determined to do good at this race no one was going to get in my way. The only thing that could put me out of this race would be an injury from practices at the local motocross parks by my house. Finally the day came when we were leaving for the event. I remember this being one of the most nerve racking days of my life because once again doubts came into my mind. Things like, “did I train hard enough? “did I get enough riding time in? “did I check everything on my bike to make sure it will be reliable for the race?” I finally broke free from all of these thoughts and just sat and said to myself, “I have done everything I can possibly do to prepare myself for this race. If I just relax and don’t let my nerves get to me all the time and effort put into this race will pay off.” After I told myself this I was worry free and anxious to see the track design that the track crew had built for all the racers. After a grueling twenty hour drive, we were there and the competition was too.

When we arrived in Texas at the event, every top guy I could think of was at the race but this did not bother me. I just kept my head up above it all and looked back on how hard I had been working for the past two months. As soon as we unloaded the bikes the races had begun. I got geared up and for some reason I was more calm and relaxed than ever. Still to this day I do not understand why I was so relaxed. The top riders in the nation were all racing with me, I should have been nervous but for some miraculous reason I was not. I rolled up to the starting line more ready than I had ever been in my racing career. When the gate dropped, the race began. I instantly sprung to the front of the crowd. I just remember thinking to myself, stay calm and you just might win this thing. I was amazed when the third lap came around and I was still in the lead. I was really showing everyone what I was made of. But just when I thought everything was going smooth, I messed up on a jump and flew off the course. I quickly remounted, and ended up passing everyone to take the victory.

I believe it was the hard work and determination that led me to my first national victory. This was probably one of the most life changing experiences I have ever had. To stand on top of the podium with all the fast racers that were supposed to beat me was like a dream. It really taught me, and made me believe, that things in life do not come easy but with hard work and determination, anything is possible. I apply this method to whatever it is I am doing in life, weather it be at work or school, I am constantly giving it my all for a desirable outcome.

This Thing I Call Faith - By Karina Ramirez

Karina Ramirez is a girl who lives life to the fullest. She lives life with no regrets, loves life, and is working hard to fulfill her dreams. She is a petite person, but has the biggest heart that anyone could imagine!

This Thing I Call Faith

This I do believe: Faith is what helps me with the difficulties life gives. No matter what religion I am, faith is always going to facilitate me through the hard times in life. You may not take the time to think about it, but faith is what makes dreams come true. Just like the Disney movies that we watch, everything comes true with magic. Faith is that magic, and is what makes those wishes and dreams come true. I always had family and friends tell me to always have faith and pray. Nevertheless, I had doubts, confusion, and questions about what faith was. I would later find out what faith was, and how I was able to save my life.

One particular experience that I would never forget was when I was in a relationship I couldn't get out of. Though it may sound dumb, it happens to women everyday. They are stuck in relationships where they are controlled and abused and have nowhere to turn to. Everything I did was wrong to this person. Nothing I did was right no matter how hard I tried to make things work. I felt unappreciated, alone, and confused. However, at the same time I felt this attachment to him and could not let go. At the time, I wasn't smart enough to know what this person was trying to do, and instead let him control every move I made in my life.

Then, I could remember going to church one day by myself, just to pray. Praying was all I knew I could do without being told to do so. I thought God was the only one that could hear me crying out for help. No one else seemed to notice what was truly going on with me. I didn't want to show that I was in danger because I feared for my life. My mood changed, my appearance changed, I changed as a whole. I'm still not that Karina that everyone used to know, I am completely different now. On the contrary, I kept in mind that my family had always told me to have faith no matter what. They said God was always listening and would never let me down. Yet, I still had a little doubt, and I was starting to believe different. This relationship turned me into a person I never wanted to be.

I felt like I wasn't human anymore because of all the pain I had endured and how he treated me. I remember being scared and feeling helpless, but I knew that there was a God, and he was watching me. Later, I began to realize that there are people that cared and were trying to help me. I just chose to ignore it and act like everything was fine. Finally, my prayers were answered; faith was helping me get out. My feelings toward this person started to change and soon everything was different. It was if I woke up from a nightmare and realized how much I was hurting myself. At this point, I knew that I was finally strong enough to stand up and get respect for myself.

As a result, I got the strength to get out. It was extremely hard at first, but with the love of my current boyfriend and my belief of faith, I was able to save my own life. If it wasn't for him being there and giving me his love, I know I wouldn't of got the strength that I needed to get out. I knew that if I were unable to get out of that relationship, I would not be here today. After I did, I was able to love again, laugh, and be myself, something I always hoped I would be able to do again. Therefore, being religious has nothing to do with how much faith I have. Going to church every Sunday isn't going to give me more faith nor take away faith. Saying a prayer every now and then giving thanks for my life helps me gain the belief of faith. I've always heard that God worked in mysterious ways, and I'm proof of that. I had to undergo a great deal of pain in order for me to be the happiest I have ever been. To conclude, I did have doubts about faith when I was younger, but as an adult, I am a strong believer of faith because of my experience. I believe the worst is over for now; it is time for me to move on and live the healthy life I deserve.

I Do Believe! I Really Do! - By Kieshia Hall

This is a brief introduction to the book that Kieshia will be writing in the near future. Her hobbies are dancing, scrapbooking and writing. Currently, she is a student at MSJC and plans on attending UCR. Her major is dance; her career interest include being a college dance teacher or choreographer. Everybody's Life Has A Story. Much Love, Kieshia Hall

I Do Believe! I Really Do!

Do you believe in God? I believe that all things are possible. when I was just a little twinkle in the sky; my life was being perfectly planned. God put me here to make a difference, but not to stay forever. He had a plan and mapped my every move throughout my life. Through out my life there have been things that made me believe in God. My essay will start at the beginning of my life. I do believe.

When my grandfather found that my mother was pregnant with me her told her to let him keep me. He knew that this was her second child and that drugs had been something she had put first in the past. But being an expectant mother she denied the offer, she defiantly wanted me. Without any prenatal care throughout this pregnancy she gave birth to a premature baby on May 11, 1984 at 12:14 pm. This baby being me was named Kieshia Renee' Hall. I was a drug exposed baby and had no chance of surviving. Throughout my first months of life we had no place to live, we were in and out of hotels and abandoned cars. My mother neglected me and my older sister, she cared more about being on the street than taking care of her baby and her 4 year old.

Months after I was born my mother left my sister and me in a crack house. She had planned to come back, but was too high to remember where she left us. Before she could return someone had called the cops and were taken away. My sister was taken to a foster home and I was taken to a children's center. My sister and I only spent a couple of weeks apart. while I was at the children's center my medical condition was really bad, due to the fact that my mother did not take care of me. Besides having an eye and ear infection I had scabies, an upper respiratory infection, an umbilical hernia, and a list of other things. The doctors there believed if I was not brought in sooner I would of been dead. My sister and I were also very food deprived.

My grandfather and his fiancé' were the only family members that were capable of taking us in. They loved us and wanted to see us grow up and be healthy girls. When I was 11 months old my grandfather got custody of my sister. At first they did not want to take me because I was still really sick; they also were both working at the time and were not sure if they could meet the demands of a sick baby. But after taking to our social worker they had a change of heart. They knew if no one had taken me I would most likely die. So from that day forward my sister and I had new parents.

After taking my sister and me in I had a chance to thrive on life. I got the chance to go to the doctors and my heath over the years improved. At nights I would have nightmares. I spent a lot of nights crying in my sleep. My new mother would sometimes lay me on her chest and rub my back or walk with me in her arms through the house until I would stop crying. I just needed love. when they would feed me the food would go right through me. My stomach did not know what to do with it. Having this problem gave me the nick name Poopie. The second day that I was s there I said my first word which was mama.

So now that I am much older I understand that I am here by the grace of God. I know that God knew what was going to happen to me. He put love in the heart of my grandfather and my new mom. Who are now the parents of the 24 year old miracle. I do believe in God. I believe that he is a miracle worker. I do believe that I was meant to be here to tell people the story of my life. I believe that all things are possible through God who strengthens us.

The Fictional One - By Eddie Gonzalez

The Fictional One - By Eddie Gonzalez

We try

We all try

We fight

We all fight

The weaknesses that dont show our shine

The girls that want to be mine, yours and ours

Pick the one with the flowers

Not the ones who are bitter or sour

And maybe a little bit wild

One thats cool with your style

A little above the mile

The one who will stay longer than a while

If we had to, we'd walk the nile

Maybe live together after a while

Possibly later in life have a child

Thats the kind of girl

The fictional one

Who knows how to get it done

She has her moon and she has her sun

Her darksideHer lightside

The one who will ride

Who would take you out of sight

Higher than the kites

But back to the light

Where its just right

Where we both sleep calmly at night

Thats the kind of girl

The fictional oneI'd like

Fade Away - By Monica Ruiz

Monica Ruiz is 22 years old. Music is her life. She's an artistic person so writing songs and poems comes naturally. She may be too shy to sing them to anyone else other than to myself, but thinks it’s a great way to express who she is. Enjoy my lyrics, they helped her through some tough times. She hopes it’ll do the same to someone out there who might be in the same situation she was.

Fade Away

Verse 1
After lies and after blame
I crawl out of my boxed up pain
When you’re near me I cant stay
I run away... you fade away.

When you’re gone, I’m feeling sad
When your here its twice as bad.
Secrets from the time we met
Promises you never kept.

Bridge:
How can you see me through my walls?
How can you help me when I fall?
When I fall…. In these walls.

Chorus:
Instantly
You were taking too long
You were slipping from me
And now you’re gone.

You were letting me down
I was breaking today
And I fell to the ground
And now you fade away
(You fade away)

Verse 2
Knowing you were out of reach
Confusing me when you speak
With the words that I say
You never listened anyway

You kept holding back from me
Memories of what couldn’t be
Love is what I learn to hate
Ropes and chains, I won’t escape.

Bridge:
How can you see me through my walls?
How can you help me when I fall?
When I fall…. In these walls.

Chorus:
Instantly
You were taking too long
You were slipping from me
And now you’re gone.

You were letting me down
I was breaking today
And I fell to the ground
And now you fade away
(You fade away)
Last Verse
I walk around in a daze,
Because of you I’m in a maze
Breaking down everyday
Because of you I feel this way.

Bridge:
How can you see me through my walls?
How can you help me when I fall?
When I fall…. In these walls.

Chorus:
Instantly
You were taking too long
You were slipping from me
And now you’re gone.

You were letting me down
I was breaking today
And I fell to the ground
And now you fade away
(You fade away)
Now I Fade Away

This, is What I Believe - By Kendra Kiehn

Kendra Kiehn is a very family oriented, young adult. Her family and friends always come before herself. She also enjoys learning, education, and cooking in her free time. Making her family, friends, acquaintances, and the rest of the world happy, is what she wants for the rest of her life.

This, is What I Believe

It is approximately six years since the day I found out my mom had cervical cancer. She said “Kendra, nothing is impossible, we will get through this as a family, and always remember I love you.” I know my mom always tells the truth.
It was a big summer for me that year. I was about to be 13 years old. It was my last summer before I started high school. Summer was almost over and my mom had told my brother, sister, and me that she was going in for surgery soon. She told me it was a common surgery that a lot of doctors can do with their eyes closed. She was being sarcastic of course. The surgery was a hysterectomy. I had heard of it before from friends moms and felt like everything was going to be alright. A few weeks later I was visiting my mom after her surgery. All the nurses and doctors were acting sketchy, it seemed like they were hiding something. A week later, the day my family brought my mom home from the hospital, my dad pulled us kids aside. That was when I found out my parents lied, and my mom didn’t get a hysterectomy. My mom’s surgery was to remove cancerous cells.
When I was seven years old my grandma died of breast cancer. Back then I didn’t really understand what cancer was. I always figured since my grandma died of cancer, and my great grandpa died of cancer, then anyone who has cancer will die. So that day when my dad told me my mom had cancer, I thought my mom was going to die. I felt like my whole life was over.
Weeks went by and we were constantly taking my mom to chemo or radiation treatments. Months go by and my mom tells me she is cancer free. Biggest relief of my life, but it gets worse. Exactly a year later my mom was diagnosed a second time with cervical cancer. Turns out she didn’t have a great doctor and he didn’t go about treating the cancer the way he should have. I believed my mom would make it through it this time. She did it the first time. She is the strongest person I know, the best person in my heart, and I knew she could do it. After another surgery, more chemo, more radiation, and this time the loss of all her hair, my mom was cancer free, again. It is going on almost five years now since she has been cancer free. My mom did it. She proved to me that nothing is impossible.
Everyday people go through struggles, they always think they have the worst life. If you think about it, someone always has it worse then you. Challenges and obstacles only make us stronger. Anything is possible, just don’t let things bring you down. I believe nothing is impossible.

Sometimes Solutions Aren’t So Simple - By Pamela Villegas

Pamela Villegas is twenty one years old. She loves to dance and snowboard whenever she can get the chance. She is currently majoring in Business Administration and would love to open up her own shop someday. Only being twenty one, she has learned that at there are always those hard times that everyone must go through. Through her story she talks about the loss of a close friend that she thought would never lose. Remember to live life everyday like its your last!

Sometimes Solutions Aren’t So Simple

Many of us go through life and lose someone very close to you. I personally can speak from an experience because I recently lost a really close friend of mine that I thought I never would. I believe that this experience has taught me that sometimes solutions aren’t so simple. I met my best friend Sarah in fourth grade. Ever since then we have been inseparable. Everywhere I went, my friend Sarah was sure to be right there with me. Sarah and I went to all the same schools, and weren’t going to have it any other way. In eighth grade we decided that we would go and participate in Pop Warner Cheer for Murrieta. We would carpool everyday together back and forth and even stay up late practicing our routines.

I remember one day when Sarah began to start feeling weak and tired all the time. Unfortunately, Sarah had been sitting out the few practices that we had because she had no strength. She finally made a doctor’s appointment to find out what was going on. I was worried because I didn’t want anything bad to happen to my best friend. As days passed, I remember just waiting for Sarah to call me to let me know what was going on, but there was no call. I became so worried that rather than just calling her I had my mom take me to her house. When Sarah saw me she just started crying and told me that they diagnosed her with cancer and she was scared. My best friend Sarah was only thirteen years old when they diagnosed her with Leukemia. Sarah and I just held each other tightly as we both cried our hearts out, and told one another everything will be okay.

After seven years, two months and eight days, Sarah fought her last battle. Sarah passed away December 21, 2007. She was never alone for one moment. When she passed away there were twenty one people with her that loved her very much. I couldn’t stop feeling the sharp pain through her heart like someone was about to rip it out. I remember the second I found out she passed away I broke down to my knees with tears streaming down my face. I didn’t understand why this girl had to go. After all the strength Sarah put in fighting to get better, I would have never thought it would have ended this way. I couldn’t believe before my eyes that she was no longer with us. I will always remember all the laughter, tears, and joy that I got from her. There will always be a place in my heart where she will never be forgotten.

I believe that sometimes solutions aren’t always so simple. I’ve learned that you just have to let go of the people you care most about. There was a decision that was to be made because Sarah was on life support to unplug it or keep it on.

Sarah was such a role model with all her strength and courage of going through all her treatments. I never once heard her complain about her cancer. She was always so grateful to have what she did. I remember getting that phone call and the pain and hurt that I went through. There is never a day that I go through without thinking about her.

Finally, I see that we all go through experiences that change our lives. Unfortunately, some of those experiences are those in which you have to go through pain and hurt. I experienced losing one of my closest friends to Leukemia. I will always look up to her and see the strength and courage she had. I believe from this experience it has taught me that sometimes solutions aren’t so simple.

We Should all Work Retail to See How Rude People Are - By Jose Rivera

Jose Rivera is an 18- year-old that works at Old Navy. He's seen many different types of customers come and go, has been yelled at as well as been told that he's a disgrace towards his race for not knowing Spanish. All he can do is take it in. So he leaves you with this: Be kind to the person helping you out.

We Should all Work Retail to See How Rude People Are

When I would go shopping, either at a clothing or grocery store, I would always put merchandise in the wrong place. Last year I graduated from Paloma Valley High School and got a job at Old Navy, which shaped my belief. Working in retail has three big issues that helped me to come up with my belief: Everyone should work in retail at least once.
The first issue that helped create my belief statement was when I would get done folding clothes on a table; customers would come and ruin the clothes. For example, a table would be ruined and I would go and fix it, which would take me close to an hour. Then I would leave to go put my supplies back, which would take no longer than 15 minutes, and as I would walk back, I’d see about six people leave from the table and it would be ruined all over again. It’s like people have no respect for hard work. So, now when I shop I make sure I leave merchandise neat and presentable.
The second issue that added to my belief was seeing clothes in the wrong section, like women’s clothing in the men’s section or men’s clothes in the babies section. For example, I would be reorganizing in the women’s featured section and there would be a piece of clothing from girls’ in the women’s section and I would have to put it back for the customers; it’s like they can’t do things for themselves. I asked myself, “Why don’t these people just put the clothing back where it belongs?” So now when I shop I leave merchandise where it belongs.
The third example that shaped my belief was my experience during the holiday season. Every day was busy except the last hour of closing, in which the employees would do a group clean up throughout the store. Then during the last half hour before closing, a family would come in and ruin the store. For example, a family came in with their kids crying and whining, a mother who appeared intoxicated with alcohol, and dad who spoke loud. All they did was look around, disorganized the store, buy about one-hundred dollars worth of clothing, and leave about a half hour after closing. The reason they left so late is because we can’t tell them to leave we, can only drop hints by asking, “are you finding everything okay?” every five minutes. Due to them leaving late, we didn’t get out till 11:00 or 11:30 at night because we had to reorganize their mess.
In summary, there were three main events that built upon each other to create my belief. Working in retail has shaped this belief by showing me what it’s like to take care of people’s laziness. I fix merchandise, put merchandise back in the right spot, and stay till 11:30 just to fix the store that people made a mess. So, I leave you with this: everyone should work in retail at least once just so they know how it feels to be the one cleaning up after others.

I Believe - By Neal Sulman

Neal enjoys running, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and life. Neal has lived all over the United States and Canada. He is presently working on getting a degree in kinesiology.

I Believe

I believe that I and every person are just passing through this world and that we’re not going to experience it forever. We should all make the most of our time spent here, even though most of us do not.

I believe most people don’t realize that they are being watched every moment of every day and night by a higher power. Some day we will all be held accountable for our actions, good or bad.

I believe most people choose a career for money not enjoyment.

I believe most people leave their kids in day care and after school programs just so they can make more money.

I believe most people get divorced without taking any consideration of how it might affect the children.

I believe most young people abuse their bodies with drugs and alcohol, figuring it won’t affect them because they’re too young.

I believe most people would much rather take than give.

I believe most people don’t take into consideration that they could die this very day or many days to come. They might not have the opportunity to say what they wanted to say or do what they wanted to do or spend more time with those they love.

To realize that this could be your last day can be hard at times, especially if you haven’t experienced life for a long period of time, but if you do take into consideration that today could be your last, you will enjoy each moment in life much more. It took me a while to realize this and is still hard for me to realize now. What really made me realize this the most was having a family member come close to death. It was just a couple of months ago I received news that my grandfather had a heart problem and that it could become a serious threat to his life. I thought, no way, my grandfather is in way too good of shape to have a heart problem. But it was true; he had what was called an aortic aneurysm. Luckily it has not become life threatening. After that experience it made me realize that life is short and that we are not going to be here forever.

I’m not saying to go out and spend all your money, sell your home and get married. I’m just saying, have the thought in your mind that today could be your last when making decisions on what is a priority in your life and what affect it has on others.

Be Who You Were Born To Be - By Sara Bogaczyk

Sara is a MSJC student working her hardest to become a veterinarian. She loves her dogs and turtle and wishes that one day she can be the one to know how to fix their problems. Her biggest pet peeve is when people are two-faced and pretend to be who they really aren’t…

Be Who You Were Born To Be

I believe that everyone should just be himself or herself. Everyday people are busy being who they aren’t to impress other people. You were born to be a certain person and to try to change that is a lost cause. The story I am about to tell reminds me everyday that it is important for me to be who I am meant to be, and not somebody that I’m not…

Everyday, Amanda awoke and got ready for work. She’d drive the short distance to the animal hospital she worked at. She would stick a smile on her face where it would stay glued all day long. Nobody was sure if the way Amanda worked was the way she always was, or if she faked her personality all the time. It is quite possible that Amanda meant well by her actions, but other people did not see it as this.

Amanda was big into customer service, and being positive that the clients that entered the building felt warm and welcome. She would bend down and get into the animals faces, talking baby talk to them, and petting them, while trying to hold a conversation with the owners. Many times a dog would growl at her, she would continue to try and pet the animal, even against the owner’s pleas not to. When Amanda would walk away from a client, they would often turn to another employee and question her actions; however, Amanda saw none of this.

The employees soon grew tired of Amanda’s behavior around clients. They knew she was faking it because when it came to the people that worked at the animal hospital, Amanda was very strict and mean towards them. When someone came to her with a problem, her personality went from caring and sweet, to a “handle it yourself” attitude. It didn’t take long for rumors and accusations to start flying, and the employees soon realized they didn’t like their new manager who faked her personality.

The moral of the story is simple: While other people see you as a caring person, while others see you as fake, and for who you really are. Being somebody you aren’t can be very difficult, especially when you allow your employees to see both sides. Be who you want to be, not what others want to see.

This I Believe~ Always Work for What You Want - By Gizela Ramirez

Gizela is a very outgoing girl who takes life as it comes. She is planning to major in Administration of Justice and further continue her career with Law Enforcement. She loves to play soccer and sing. Most of all she loves to enjoy life in every way.

This I believe~ Always work for what you want.

In this life, not many people get it easy. The ones who do are very lucky. To achieve something or get somewhere in this life, drops of sweat are going to follow along. This was the story of Leon Cruz. A man determined to give his family the best life he could possibly achieve to give. He sacrificed himself and his family. Doing so he accomplishes his goal.

It was not easy for him to get his his family to where there at now. A fancy house with a big backyard didn’t just drop out of heaven. He had to go through the fires of hell working two jobs from five in the morning to ten at night six days a week. A man alone wouldn’t be able to do this. He sacrifized himself by sleeping five hours a night, eating once a day, twice if he got lucky, and most of all, not seeing his family but once a week. How this man had the power and the physical capacity of doing this alone was amazing. He was a man willing to give it his all to make his dream come true.

Leon’s family was the most important thing he had in his life. Living in an apartment with two bedrooms, six kids, and only one bathroom was one of the main reasons why he started thinking of getting a house. He was also determined to get his family out of the neighborhood with theft and gang violence all around. Breaking the news to his family was not going to be easy. However he knew it was a sacrafize he was willing to take. When he finally told his family, nobody wanted to leave. Leon was the type of man that talked everything out. In this situation he did the same thing. He sat his family down and explained to them that to make their family a whole, everyone needed to cooperate and put a little bit of their part in. That is why they had to move.

Leon was no ordinary man. Although he was human and he too love to watch soccer, eat beans, and on party occasions drink tequila. Yet he gave it all up for one cause. That was his dream, his goal, his commitment to give his family a better life. This man accomplished his goal. He worked his heart out night and day to provide a house and a great environment for his family. Even though his family had a bit of trouble settling in, he knew he had made the right decicion. He realized it even more when his oldest son graduated and got accepted into U.C.L.A.

This life of determination I shared with Leon Cruz. This is the story of my father. A man who believed he could achieve greatness. A man who was willing to sacrifize himself for his family’s future. This is a man I admire and that should be admired by all. It’s people like him who set standards to what working for what you want really means. This experience has opened my eyes and has made me look at life different. Determination is more than just a word. It’s the people behind it who bring it to life. That is why I believe to always work for what you want.

I Believe In Living Everyday to the Fullest - By Robert Sandoval

Robert Sandoval is an Iraqi war veteran trying to make it in this world. He is pursuing a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer. He likes playing sports, I tries to stay active. Running 3 miles twice a week is a hobby of his, one of the few things that stuck with him after getting out of the Marine Corps.

I Believe In Living Everyday to the Fullest

Everyday is a gift that must not be taken for granted. It is important to appreciate everything you have and the people that are a part of your life because anything at anytime can happen. For instance, I could go buy a lottery ticket tomorrow, win, and nobody would ever see me in school again. On the other hand, accidents happen and I could be laying on the side of the road clinging to life. You can’t rewind the clock, so just live life to the fullest.

Mike was one of my best friends from high school. Although we were both very young, he taught me a very valuable lesson which came at a very high price. Not a day goes by where I don’t remember my pal Mike. One day he came over to my house, dragged me out of bed, and told me it was time to join the Marines. We went to sign up for infantry and we left for boot camp three months later. I made it through boot camp and Mike was discharged from the military. I received orders to serve my term on the east coast. I went to war in 2003, survived multiple battles and nearly got shot down in a C-130 plane by surface to air missiles. After all of this, I already had a new outlook on life. When I returned to my apartment, my ex-wife had bad news. At the age of twenty one, Mike was killed in a car accident the day I returned from the war. Live everyday to the fullest because you don’t know when your time is up.

We never know what is in store for us each and everyday. There are hundreds of thousand of different kinds of life changing events that can happen. Life is too short and it seems that every year it goes by faster and faster. It’s like what they say on the radio news channel, “every five minutes the news has changed.” The events of 9-11 are a prime example of drastic changes that shape our lives. Our country will never be the same as it was before this terrible tragedy that took so many innocent lives.

You can’t go back in time like in the movies, sometimes we wish we could; but in the end memories is what we are left with. When I get into arguments or confrontations, I think of how to end it calmly because I don’t want to have any problems that I don’t need. Life is too short to have the drama put you into a bad mood. Living and enjoying life while we are here is what is important.

This I Believe - By Crissi Harper

Crissi Harper is 19 and loves staying active. She loves everything about the human body and enjoys hiking, biking, surfing, snowboarding, listening to music, learning new skills, and hanging out with friends and family. Though she is young, she learned one of life's lessons. There are situations that we must deal with and depending on how we deal with those situations deciphers our mentality towards life. She learned this through losing two friends and her grandfather, and watching those close to her spiral down the wrong path. Life is short and if we wake up everyday regretting and maintaining a negative mentality we will never fully live the life we are meant to live. So she believes to Live, Love & Laugh. She lives by this now, and despite the bad days, she makes her best attempt to stay positive and make the best out of every situation. ~ C.L.Harper

This I Believe…

Today I tell you to live, love, and laugh. This I believe… Life is a gift that we should never take for granted, but how is it that each day we continue to create confrontation, war, anger, hostility, sadness, inequality, and the inevitable death? This life we have is too short to hold grudges, and to argue about minor things or immature actions. To my misfortune, and many others’, I have learned to love life the hard way. My senior year I lost two amazing friends and this is my story.

Think about your life and how you have cried, laughed, argued, shouted, and acted immature. Many times do we may wish to go back and not do such actions, so why can’t we just learn to avoid those actions and enjoy ourselves? I met a boy who is just as I described. His name is Brandon, and we met during our 7th grade year at Shivela Middle school. He was bright, fun loving, outgoing, spontaneous, and smiled continuously. He had a smile that could make the most irate person weaken into a smile. Brandon loved surfing, racing motocross, hanging out with friends, going to the beach and much more. He was an amazing person and every one of his family members and friends loved the spirit that he had while present. The same goes for my friend Steven, who I met my senior year of high school. He was out going, loud, silly, and was never afraid to just be himself. Most of us wish we could have the spirit of these two; there was never a time that I saw either of them angry or upset about anything, regardless of life’s trials. I must admit that I did not life in such a way. I can remember being moody, selfish, and was inconsiderate to others’ feelings, and definitely did not appreciate those round me.

I was good friends with Brandon, going to the movies, talking on the phone and just hanging out. Yet, during my freshman year we slowly lost touch, I had moved away to Valencia. When I came back to Murrieta we attended the same school, but we still weren’t as great of friends as we used to. Half way though our junior year Brandon moved to Orange County in order to live with his father. Much to my surprise I was shocked that he was leaving all his friends and loved ones, he did not have many friends in Orange County, and not to mention he had to start a new school entering his senior year. So as does everything life went on, and some of us kept in touch with Brandon, I rarely talked to him, however, he always managed to invite me to his races and birthday parties and I’m not too sure why I never accepted his invitation. On October 6th, 2006 Brandon came to a senior trip that was held at Knott’s Scary farm. Majority of the senior class met at the high school beforehand and to our surprise Brandon was there. All of us smiled and laughed at his appearance, then went in to hug him and question him about this new life. As I went in to hug him, I noticed the thin look of his face that continued down his neck and reached as far as his feet. There was something wrong. I ignored the signs and probably should have talked to him about it. His twig like arms wrapped around me while his oblivious looking face whispered a ‘hello,’ yet again I noticed he was not okay. It would be the last time I could help him or lend a helping hand. The last time I could hug him and look into his bright blue eyes and recall on all the great memories that we had created through the years. On November 14th, 2006 I received a call from my boyfriend Tommy and he broke the news that Brandon has committed suicide that morning. My jaw dropped and tears filled my eyes; the rush of water came shortly after. I was devastated. Not too long after Brandon another death occurred. I arrived at school and was socializing with some friends near class; I noticed Steven rushing to class so I quickly stopped him for a brief hello. The two of us had little time so we agreed to talk the following week around the same time. Little did I know there was to be no following week for Steven. On September 30th, 2007 Steven Harris was killed in an ATV accident. Again all of his friends, including me, were beyond shocked, two of the most wonderful people had been taken from our lives as easy as day turns to night. Again I felt devastated and depressed.

These events changed my life in so many ways. They showed me that you need to appreciate who you have on a daily basis and love them and enjoy their presence. In addition, it opened the door to a new way of living; living to the fullest. We take these breathes for granted at times and it may be only human to do so. Everyone, in my opinion, could afford to stop, relax, and look at our life and understand that it is a great life, even when we do not get what we want. Since Brandon and Steven I have learned to take on the spirit they maintained daily, such as laughing often, living life like there’s no tomorrow, and riding on even when life gives you obstacles. So to you I say Live, Love, and Laugh…this I Believe.

R.I.P. Brandon Kenneth Nash 1989-2006
&
Steven McCormick Harris 1988-2007

I Believe Electronic Music is the Best! By Diego Pena

Diego Alberto Pena Sanabria is a student at MT. San Jacinto Community College. He is also known as buho, and likes to party, play music, cook and play soccer. He thanks his family for supporting him in every possible way. Merci Beaucoup!

I Believe Electronic Music is the Best!

I believe electronic music is the best. The music that is evolving all around the world has arrived in America. For me, it all began on a Saturday night. I had nothing to do and suddenly my friend Gaspar told me there was an electronic music festival few blocks around my house. As I arrived at the building where the event was taking place, I felt an extremely good vibe coming from the building. It surprised me because we were not inside the building! As I came closer to the stage my adrenaline increased simultaneously. I was one meter away from the DJ and was really able to feel the electronic atmosphere. Gradually, everyone started dancing in their own little world, not caring about what other people may think about their dance moves. That day I heard some of the best remixes in the electronic music field. That Sunday morning when the concert ended I visualized the world in a different way. With electronic music I learned to comprehend people and see the positive side of every matter. I was able to achieve this visualization when I saw the people who attended to the concert. They had different social status, different type of clothing, but they had all something in common, the passion for electronic music.

Now, I apply electronic music to everything. When I m stressed about work I just plug in my earphones and start listening to electronic music. In addition, when I do my house chores I just play the music and everything seems to be relaxing. In electronic music it is not about who sells more records or who gets involved in more media scandals. The music is about whom gives the most out of themselves and leaves their audience satisfied. These are definitely reasons I listen to electronic music.

For me electronic music works in a bizarre way. First, I listen to the beat or the compass of the song. After listening to the beat, I just let music flow through my body and the music will do all the work. Electronic music makes my adrenaline pop and my mind forgets every problem I am dealing with. It is a strange feeling; it is like if I had amnesia. I believe in electronic music and as the French Daft Punk duo says the sound of today is the music of tomorrow.

Karma: This I believe, What Goes Around, Comes Around - Martha Macias

Martha Macias is a young girl with many dreams and hopes of making them all come true.

Karma: This I believe, What Goes Around, Comes Around

I started believing in karma in high school. Every time something bad would happen to me, my friends would always tell me not to worry about it because karma would take care of it. I never really understood how karma worked until I started dating Edgar. Edgar was a football player, and many girls liked him but one in particular, Maddie, the girl that Edgar had previously dated .
Everything was going good in our relationship until Maddie found out. It had only been a month or two since we started dating and Maddie was already making my life a living hell. I tried to talk to Edgar about it, but he would always tell me that I was over reacting and just being jealous, and that Maddie was one of his friends and a good girl that would not be mean to any one for no reason. But what he didn’t know was that Maddie would harass me and send me emails trying to upset me. All Maddie wanted to do was cause arguments between me and Edgar.
I didn’t know what to do, or how to handle the situation, the only thing I could think of was to tell Edgar, but that didn’t seem to work. Everyone around me would tell me to try to ignore Maddie, that if I did I would be the “bigger person,” but it was hard for me to just ignore it all. Months went on with me dealing with Maddie’s harassment and Edgar’s attitude towards it. Until I could not take it anymore, especially since Edgar would always take Maddie’s side. He always said how Maddie was one of his very good friends and that he would not chose me over Maddie. And Maddie and I had to learn to be friends.
It had been five months of me dealing with this until she ended the relationship. It turned out that Maddie did not even want to be with Edgar, but she just did not want to see Edgar and I together. Maddie was determined to separate us and make us unhappy. Maddie did everything in her power to reach her goal, and she did.
I was not even depressed about the break up; I felt more relieved than anything. I ended up moving on to someone who treated me with respect and made sure that no one would come between us. But, on the other hand Edgar ended up losing me and Maddie’s friendship. After two weeks of our break up, Maddie started dating someone and ignored Edgar.
This is when I realized the true meaning of Karma. Edgar never supported me or understood me and now he was left with neither of us. I know both Maddie and I were not happy during the last couple of months. But after, we both felt relieved while Edgar just felt dumb. He tried to juggle two girls knowing that it would be impossible. Everyone knew about it and his reputation changed from class clown jock to cold hearted boyfriend and a friendship breaker.

I Believe - Eddie Gonzalez

Eddie Gonzalez loves to write and enjoys playing basketball.

I Believe…

I believe that family is your greatest strength at our weakest moments. The family is a source that you can always go to. It is always there for you. It is there so you can have the most honest judgment in the world. Most friends come and go, and the best ones stick around, but no matter what your family is there.
When I was about thirteen years old I lived in Orange County, had a plethora of friends, and enjoyed every minute of my life. That same year we decided to move to Lake Elsinore, which was about an hour away. At first this ideas seemed exciting to me, but I soon realized in that summer, that this major relocation changed my whole life. I no longer had friends nearby that I could visit, and my closest cousins all lived in Orange County as well. My little brother and I were completely isolated form the world. I was so angry and so painfully shy I refused to make friends. The rest of my family, realizing my attitude, began spending more time with me, and coming over almost every weekend. This incident began a domino effect of unity between us all.
My older brother at this time was also experiencing a lot of stress. He and his spouse decided to separate, and he needed his family and we were there for him. He came over almost every weekend so he can have fun and good laughs. This bonded us all and my older brother later admitted that we were all stress relievers to each other.
We always went out with each other, all six of us. Some of our neighbors commented that this was so odd seeing such a giant family being together all the time. We laughed about it but we knew this was true, that we did feel a little odd and unique at the same time. When I was young I did not think it was odd, but when I see the world today I think of myself as very lucky to have such a strong bond with each and every one of my siblings and parents.
My family has kept me strong, and we have kept each other strong. My brother and I are still best friends and I still see all my brothers and sisters every other weekend. All these dramatic events have shaken us, but we have all gone through the tough and the best times together. I believe that family is your greatest strength at your weakest moments.