.... in the Olympics at the age of sixteen. My first chance to show my friends and family that I was good at karate was in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in a public school. I was so nervous about this tournament I felt sick. Well it was my time to shine, and shine I did. In the peewee division for my first event I had to display my form. I did every step of my form so precisely and well, that I beat everyone in my group and won first place. The next event was fighting. I was a little scared, but, looking at my father's face, I couldn't let him down. I beat my firs .....

.... Scampi circled the tree in a haze of anger, his tiny legs beating furiously on the grass. The beagle could never quite get over a loss. Mustard lay his head on the ground and watched the passage of time on the street while Scampi vented. Soon, Roy the Basset and his owner walked by. Mustard nodded hello. "Who's that?" Roy asked, looking in the tree. "Dunno. New in town." "Which house?" "No house." "Freeloader, hm? Give him one from me." Roy's owner shushed him. Poor guy. Owner was one of those uppity types who had to have everything perfect. Mustard rolled on hi .....

.... same chapel which had haunted my slumber earlier. At this point madness must have surged through my blood for before I understood what was happening I found myself staring at the rickety old sign at the border of our town which read Melas. As I came nearer to the chapel I expected the tormenting sensation in my head to diminish. Alas, it did not. The truth is that the throbbing increased to what I can only describe as a cranial vibration. This timbre was not painful, however, nor uncomfortable, but pleasant. Up ahead loomed the ancient chapel. It had been abandoned for .....

.... this close-knit, loving group had an iron will and strong opinions. No one was willing to remain quiet, not even to keep the often fragile peace at these reunions. I was just as guilty as the others. At least our dinner table talk was never boring! It certainly would not be tonight. Because I was determined that this would be the night that I would tell my grandfather that I wanted to be a professional dancer. A rude gull squawked near my ear, rousing me from my reverie and I turned and walked purposefully back to the house, determined to find the courage and the words to mak .....

.... they live in fear for their lives. If its not being threatened by their own government its being threatened by the lack of food they receive. Imagining the things they go through everday makes me wonder about my freedoms. Why is it that I can go to my refrigerator whenever I want and be able to get a nice, clean drink of water. When Meanwhile in some foreign country some 10 year old kid, who has the same thirst as I do has to go to a lake where the animals bathe to get a foul, disease infested drink. Knowing about these peoples sufferings really makes me realize how im .....

.... the opening tip and converted it into a quick two points. The Detroit Central Cougars brought the ball up the court and scored a lay-up. Todd was determined not to let this game slip out of his fingers. Led by Todd the Tigers had been to the finals three years in a row and had lost every time. Now that he was a senior it was Todd's last chance at redemption. Exchanging baskets the teams battled it out for the lead and at the end of the first quarter the score was 21-18, in favor of the Tigers. “Good quarter,” said coach Zoulek “Keep it up guys.” Sweating and gasping fo .....

.... of him being home. When he left I was losing not only a brother but a friend ! Five years have pasted since my brother first left home. I'm away at school and having a good time doing it. My brother goes to school just a ways down the road. We have grown very close over the years. What I have here today , at school, playing hockey and studying to make the honor role, I owe partially to my brother. He kicked me when I was almost going to let go and encouraged me with his stories of his experience away from home. He has truly made the greatest impact on my life .....

.... character they portray. Her glances pierce through my being like light through glass. The carpet is a sea of scorn. It stabs my feet with its blades of contempt. The walls of mockery laugh at me as I foolishly try to climb them to rid myself of its presence. Yet there is no escape. I have inflicted more pain upon myself. Nothing is soft in here; everything is jagged. My un-sanded wooden dresser rests on the right side of the doorway. Figures of dancers with invisible partners lie atop the uneven surface. They seem to move slowly across the dresser, like se .....