OLIVIA RITCHIE

Essay Blog

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Mom and Dad

You've been there through it all
Wiping the tears from my eyes
Telling me it will be okay
Laying by my side until I stop crying
Waiting for me to fall asleep
Holding my hand to scare away the nerves
Sitting in the stands
Cheering me on
Smiling at me when all I can do is frown
Saying I love you every chance you get
Kissing my forehead
Checking up on me when your worried
Running this race called life
Right by my side
Encouraging me
Listening to me
Reassuring me, you'll always be there
You'll always love me
I'm so proud to call you Mom and Dad.

Dreams to Reality

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there lived a young girl named Emily. She was very quiet and kept to herself most of the time. Her family inherited a large plot of land near the Pacific coast. On warm sunny days she would quietly slip away to the beach where she would sit, with her back against a boulder, staring across the ocean; dreaming. She would dream about the future, about adventures she longed to have, about places she longed to go, about people she longed to meet. She fantacised about the day she would be that damsel in distress and her prince charming would come riding over the hill on a great steed, prepared to save her. He would lift her up in his arms and carry her down the great hill, pronouncing his great victory of saving this princess. They would run away together to a romantic paradise. Here, he will kneel down on one knee and pull out a ring.

As Emily sits there, chills run down her spine, she wonders if this day will ever come. And just as this thought slips her mind a shark slides up on shore and takes hold of her ankle. She cries out for help and it seems no one can hear her. Just as she feels she has no hope, a hansom lad appears from around the corner. He sprints to her location, jabs the shark in the stomach, forcing it to let go of her ankle; then he lifts Emily up and runs her down the shore.

Emily had always dreamt of this moment—held by a prince charming running next to the ocean, the sun beating down on the two of them, feeling safe and in love—but in her dreams there was no blood. She thinks of this as her vision begins to blur, and her body becomes numb and she slips into unconsciousness.

Hours later, she awakens and two beautiful blue eyes meet her gaze. She feels a gentle touch behind her kneck and a hand carefully lifts her up. Emily sees that the owner of this hand is the hansom boy that rescued her. She quietly thanks him and he smiles at her. His smile, oh his smile, the corners of his mouth curved up perfectly and his eyes lit up with excitement. Emily was hypnotized. With a soft, gentle voice he said, “Are you alright? I was really worried about you. That shark had a good hold on your ankle. I have a bandage on it but I think we’re going to have to get you to the hospital.”

“Oh I’m fine, just a little dizzy. Is there any water near by?” Emily replied.
“Yea I’ll go grab some. Before I do though, my name is Tristan. What is your name?”
“Emily.”
“What a pretty name for a such a beautiful girl.”
Emily blushed and layed back down. Her hands were shaking and she felt chilled. When Tristan came back with water she took a drink and instantly it seemed she could think clearer. “Thank you for saving me. You didn’t have to do that.” She said.
“Are you kidding? I couldn’t leave you there to die. The truth is, I had been watching you anyways. I was debating as to whether I should talk to you or not. I was enjoying watching you so much I felt there was no need to talk.” He said. Emily smiled once more. In the back of her mind she wondered if this was fate. Did she meet him for some important reason?

He asked her to walk with him and she did. They began talking—talking of life and the future. It was strange to Emily, she felt like she had known Tristan all her life, she felt more and more comfortable every second. She felt that he actually listened to her and understood what she was saying. Together they walked and talked, growing closer and closer every second, until their hands touched. Tristan gently grasped her hand looking at her and smiling. They continued to walk, and when Emily would complain of a soar ankle he would carry her for awhile.

Laughing and crying, they would walk on. When they came to the end of the beach they stopped. Tristan turned towards Emily, he pulled her in and kissed her on the forhead.
“I’ve never felt this close to someone before. I just met you and it feels as though I’ve known you forever. I can’t go on without knowing if you will spend the rest of your life with me.” Tristan knelt down, looking up at her with eyes full of tears. Emily instantly began to sob. She knodded her head, unable to get any words out. Both are speachless, not moving, until Tristan gets up, lifts up the girl of his dreams and runs into the water, as tears run down each of their cheeks. Who would have thought that a dream in the morning could become reality at night?

Just like any other fairy tale, Emily and Tristan lived happily ever after. They never parted and they loved each other until the end. For there is nothing greater than true love.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Affect of Religion.

"We are all born like Catholics, aren't we-- in limbo, without religion, until some figure introduces us to God? After that meeting the matter ends for most of us. If there is a change, it is usually for the lesser rather than the greater; many people seem to lose God along life's way." (47) It seems this way for many. People don't grasp to the religions of the world; they stand as such a taboo in everyday life. Often times, people consider church or worship service as just another part of their daily routines. They don't really take into account the things that are taught; they just go on unchanged, although there are some that do find reason in these beliefs. Going to church is something they long for-- the gaining of knowledge that only comes from God. These people have realized the true affect religion can have on one person's life. This is what Pi experiences.

He finds that believing in something is so intriguing and the concept of "God" is fascinating. He takes his religion to the extreme when he connects with almost every type in his small town. I guess when a person really puts some thought into this concept, every person only wants to believe in something-- to have faith in something. They go out looking for something that would fill that hole. Eventually they learn of God and the different beliefs. They grow to understand more and more and then they state their opinion-- their decision of whether they will really believe all this.

Believing in the unseen is hard to understand. This is what Pi felt. He felt the need to understand, the need to know what was really out there. He longed to talk to that unseen force, express his fears and concerns. He needed to know someone wanted to listen, so he turned to God. All religions only wanted to please God, and this is how Pi saw it. To him, there was nothing wrong with hopping from one religion to the other. They all were there for the very same purpose: to fill the hole where beliefs belong. The world is a curious place, and in it live curious people. At times it seems religion is the only thing that can satisfy that curiosity.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

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~Olivia~