If I Had a Million Dollars

"I'd like to live like a poor man with lots of money," was once stated by Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter. If I had a million dollars, it would be a lot to bear, but my life would be going a lot smoother right now. With me being a penny-pincher, someone who is tight with their money, I would spend accordingly. (Quotation)

Considering I'm 18, almost done with high school, and about to enter cosmetology school, I would build a small house on some farm land, one I can later add onto when I begin a family of my own. It would be smart to start off with a small house now so as the years go by, there will not be as much to have to update to make my house look as new and stylish. For example, with only having a one bed, one bath, open floor plan for my kitchen, dining room, and living room, there won't be many changes needed other than maybe some furniture and decor.

After paying on a car for 3 years now that I cannot stand, I would buy a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee if I received one million dollars. A jeep, built very dependable, long lasting, and durable, will help me with living in the country, because I would need a ride that can get me to town in any kind of weather and a Jeep Grand Cherokee could do that job for me. For instance, if there is snow, you can just move the knob that says, "Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud" to get me through the snowy conditions.

There would be no wasting my one million dollars if I were lucky enough to receive it. After paying for my small house and new vehicle, I would save the rest of it in the bank to grow interest. If I were to receive one million dollars, I would spend it accordingly. (Echo the intro)

Book Review

Could you imagine waking up on your 16th birthday to your sister missing?  Sometimes the best thing you can do to escape reality is find someone to take your mind off of all the bad things happening, even if they're bad people. Sarah Dessen's book, Dreamland, is a must read for all, especially teenage girls, because it shocked me to see that one decision you make can change the rest of your life.
Dessen creates the theme clearly in the story by taking Caitlin, a good girl, cheerleader, comes from a great family and flips her life around when he meets a boy she grows to love. Due to her decision making on being with Rogerson, she loses her position on the cheer squad, loses her best friend, Rina, who was worried about Cait's relationship, and gets hooked on marijuana. Dessen shows this to prove that a guy that you thin may save you, could actually bring you down in ways that you may never get over.
The style used in this novel is very catchy to me because of my age. There are many points in this story that stand out to teenagers because of the ages of Caitlin and her peers. The story is overall a depressing story, so its easy to catch yourself feeling sorry for Caitlin and wanting to help her to either leave this "dreamland" that is no longer a way to escape losing her sister, because if she's not careful, she can lose herself.
Though it's not good to be able to connect to a story like this, I do. I have a family member who has been in an abusive relationship and I saw firsthand of how its far from easy to get away from someone you love more than anything, but is no good for you and beats you. Unfortunately, it's very common to live a lifestyle like Caitlin did whether you realize it or not, and that is why so many enjoy this book.
This book makes you feel like you're there through all these dangerous events. I highly recommend this book to anyone, males, females, young or old. Reading this will help you put in perspective of how easy it is to enter a world of trouble by getting in a relationship with someone who needs help themselves and tries to make your problems go away by facing their problems.

Disney Character

“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is the Golden Rule that I always try to live by. Always cleaning, always cooking, and always waiting on her step-mother and step-sisters, the main character Cinderella in the Disney movie Cinderella always seems to follow the Golden Rule by putting others in front of herself. Even when it came to her own happiness, the idea of focusing on herself first made Cinderella uncomfortable in the beginning. Because of her humbleness, I have always related to Cinderella in my life.

Cinderella’s ability to put others needs and wants first has always made her a role model in my eyes, even though she is a fictional character. I have always prided myself in the fact that I also try to put other’s needs first in most situations. There are times when putting others first is not a good thing, like in the movie when Cinderella rushes to meet her sisters and stepmother every time they call her name, even when they try to antagonize her about the breakfast she generously cooked for them. Though they do not appreciate Cinderella and what she had done for them, it made her feel good about herself, which is why I like to do things for people too. The feeling I get from doing something positive for another person, even if they do not seem grateful, makes it worth it.

The happy ending that Cinderella receives at the end of the movie may be a result of her good attitude and good deeds toward others. I have always been a believer in karma, which is why I try to always try to do right by other people. At the end of the movie when Cinderella fights past her mean stepmother and stepsisters and ends up with Prince Charming, it shows the lesson that good things happen to good people, even when bad people try to get you down. By trying to focus on doing good things for those that I care about, I feel that even when people try to tear me down for being a nice caring person, I will one day be an example like Cinderella and end up with my happy ending.

By following the Golden Rule and treating others kindly, Cinderella got what she deserved in the end of her story, a happy ending. Looking up to her since I was a little girl, I hope that by following in her footsteps will bring me a happy ending someday. Even if it does not, treating people kindly and putting people first like Cinderella did will always be something that I value in myself. 

Should Animals Be Used For Scientific or Commercial Testing?

"An estimated 26 million animals are used every year in the United States for scientific and commercial testing," was stated by a blogger on ProCon.org. Animal testing, using animals to test out products before putting them on the market, has been beneficial yet, also is beginning to hurt the animal population. There are many companies who now advertise they do not animal test as a reason to want to buy their products. (Quotation) 
Overruling the disadvantages due to the testing saving lives and finding cures, the advantages win this topic. The lack of information on a product could become a big harm to someone, so that is where animal testing comes in handy. If animal testing didn't exist, girls who wear makeup would be putting products and chemicals on their face that could do anything like burning their skin off. 
There are also some disadvantages of testing, like it being cruel to the animals. "The Draize eye test, used by cosmetics companies to evaluate irritation caused by shampoos and other products, involves rabbits being incapacitated in stocks with their eyelids held open by clips, sometimes for multiple days, so they cannot blink away the products being tested" was stated on ProCon's website. So when buying makeup next, think about checking on the bottle to see if it has been tested on animals or not. 
Had there be no animal testing, people would be walking around with skin burns and irritations all over their bodies. As the animals continue to be the source of testing, the animal population will start decreasing as the animals die from the bad products. Either way, something must get done or there will be products with bad chemicals and no more animals to use to test. (Echo the intro)