Deadline

Topics relating to the death penalty: Race and income, percent of nation that supports death penalty, Stephen Bright's quote

I am for the death penalty, but after watching snippets of Deadline (due to my absence) I began to question my own opinion. Why are people against the death penalty? Is it because of the flaws in the justice system? I realized that this was the reason; the justice system is far from perfect.  I realized that race and income play a very important role in capital punishment. Although most of the death row inmates are white, many colored and low-income people are convicted. Therefore two main factors that contribute to the flaws in the justice system are that police use racial profiling and the jury make mistakes in the trials. The police are under a lot of pressure to convict someone and find them guilty when a high-profile crime is committed. The police become too eager, taking over their judgement and making them less efficient; a confession might be forced out of someone and false evidence can be used to incriminate a suspect. And many times, police even profile others, taking into account one's race or income. According to studies, those that are most sentenced to death are those in the fringes of society. In California, 252 blacks were executed. In Texas, 129 were executed and 139 in Florida. When someone of lower class is before a jury, the jury will find it difficult to relate to the person, ultimately finding them guilty more quickly due to the lack of empathy and understanding. Racism also lingers in the court and juries discriminate against those on trial. Although people are trying to eliminate racism by keeping an open-mind, it is still evident in society today. In Deerfield, I believe we are very accepting and not racist. Yet, almost our whole school and community population is white. I feel as if society is split into different niches. And Deerfield is an example of a niche, mainly consisting of white people. People always say how society is integrated and accepting despite race and ethnicities, but in reality it visibly is somewhat segregated. This segregation also carries into Court; a white jury is more likely to punish the murder of a white person. To overcome this racism and flaw, the justice system needs to gather juries with different backgrounds, making it diverse just like the rest of society.

Of the states that allow the death penalty, about 65% of Americans are in favor of it. In class we have studied the different factors of the death penalty, but I believe the strongest idea is "the idea of an eye for an eye." This assures that someone will always be punished. When a crime is committed, people's gut reaction is to punish he or she according to the magnitude of the crime. Some people believe one should suffer as much as its victim did. So if someone took someone else's life, the murderer should also die. However, Americans still believe that if one is sentenced to death that they are guilty of the crime. This is incorrect; many death row inmates are found innocent with thorough investigation and new evidence. Studies show that 187 clemencies were granted and 20 people were freed from death row. Stephen Bright stated, "This was the third person released by journalism students at Northwestern, and of course it doesn't say much for our legal system when people spend sixteen years on death row for a crime they. . . didn't commit. And that ultimately comes to light not because of the police of the prosecution, or the defense lawyers or the judicial system, but because a journalism class at Northwestern took it on as a class project to see whether or not these people were guilty or not. You know, if those students had taken chemistry that semester, these folks would have been executed." This shows how the U.S. justice system is far from perfect because several of inmates are proven innocent and released. Yet, many that are never proven innocent are still executed. People question if practicing the death penalty is worth those innocent lives or that the death of the innocent does not nearly compare to the good they are doing by executing the guilty. I find upsetting that Northwestern students proved someone innocent, not the justice system. This shows that the justice system does not always correct its own mistakes. I hope the justice system is improved to efficiently save lives.

What is happiness?

Happiness, spelled with an "i," is seen anywhere and everywhere in the world: in the media, on the streets, at school, and at home. In the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith questioned Thomas Jefferson as to why he added the world "pursuit" to happiness in the unalienable rights guaranteed to a citizen. How did he know that it is something that we can only pursue, and maybe not even attain in a lifetime? This got me thinking, questioning if I was on a pursuit of happiness. I understand that once you attain happiness it is an enriching and lively moment, but when do you and I find this happiness? And have we ever attained it before?

I believe you find true happiness few times in your life, and all those other memorable moments that made you smile are just cheerful or enjoying. Someone might argue that the moments of pride, achievement, freedom, belonging, and love are all considered moments of true happiness, and that every moment that makes you smile is considered as such. I disagree. Why cherish and try to pursue true happiness if it is so easy to attain, if it happens so often? True happiness happens once in a while, bringing all those small happy moments together, lifting your spirit to a height never experienced before. Thatis true happiness and you forever will remember it.

All the awards and achievements I earn make me happy along all the laughs I have had with family and friends. These are few of the many examples in my life that I know make me feel happy. So pursuing this true happiness is easy. But I always reach a point of uncertainty, causing me to question if these moments mean something more. In the moment, each moment feels to be something true and brilliant, but they never really lifted my spirit. I believe that when you have reached true happiness and completed a pursuit, you will know and cherish that moment while it lasts.

I can pinpoint one specific moment in which I experienced true happiness. It was the end of a full packed, busy weekend and I was coming home from the Christian retreat KAIROS. It felt as if Cabrini Retreat Center was my home; I had friends to catch, to support me, and to guide me. I felt as if I could tell any participant anything and everything. Together we were strong. Knowing and feeling this, I shared some of my deepest emotions without fearing what others thought of me; I was crying constantly whether it was because I was happy, or sad, or felt a connection with another member, or even God. We all wept together, our tears soaked up in each others' shirts. I thought, this was my home; this was where I belonged; these people are the people that care; these people will support and guide me; these people make me happy.

So coming home was dreadful. . . I wasn't looking forward to all the questions I would get and I dreaded the idea of being independent again, not having my new friends, my new family by my side. But I walked into the family room and there was my mom, dad, and brother all waiting for me with anticipation. They didn't even ask how the retreat was, they were all just so happy to see me, to hug me, to kiss my cheeks. At that moment, I don't know what came over me, but I cried. I cried of happiness as  I embraced each of them. I was SO happy. I realized that Cabrini wasn't my home, but that this was. This is where I belonged; this is where I had the people I love most close to me. In this moment I understood what love is and that they would do anything for me. They cared for me so much and I didn't even know it.

I believe God gave me this moment, this experience, this happiness. He prepared me with KAIROS, ultimately leading me to see that I had a family waiting at home for me that loved me. This is where I belonged and my KAIROS family helped me grasp this idea. I now know that I have a circle of people who care about me, who I can be myself with and share deep emotions. These are the people I can share my happiness with, true happiness. So yes, I believe true happiness comes, but not often. You need to pursue it. In this case a pursuit ended and another began. I believe God will guide me to this next moment of true happiness and it will again be uplifting and enlightening.

What do I want to be?

Everyone has a dream as a child, whether it is to be an astronaut or a veternarian. Some follow that dream their whole life, while others chase a different dream. My dream was to be a professional figure skater, but after 7 years I decided it wasn't for me. Clueless as to what to do, I kept an open mind, ultimately realizing that I had a secret passion for science. Every day in science class a new discovery was made.

I felt stuck. Most science lovers were doctors, but I didn't want to be one. However, sophomore year in high school I realized I had a passion for teaching. For three years I volunteered at my Greek School's summer day camp and the last two summers I worked as an employee. I loved it. I loved interacting with the kids. They looked up to me and listened to me, I was their role model. And every year that I came back, my bonds with the campers strengthened.

This year though I took a big leap towards my dream by accepting the position of a teacher's aid for kindergarten at my Greek School. Although science is not involved, it has made me realize that teaching is for me. Some days I lead lessons, teaching them the letters of the alphabet slong with other phrases. And each and every time they get it, that light bulb goes off. It feels so rewarding; I help that light bulb shine; I lead them to success. It is one of the best feelings.

In ten years from now I see myself being a successful high school science teacher that wakes up every morning looking forward to seeing her students. It's my turn to lead students to that "aha" feeling, ultimately to new discoveries and success that will go down in history.

The older generations. . .

Out of all people I didn't see that my dad would be so cruel and opinionated about the death penalty. I was discussing with his after dinner whether or not the death penalty should exist. I decided to play devil's advocate and challenge my father's belief that the death penalty should be used. I personally agree with him, but decided to question him in order to get a better understanding of why he believes this. I asked him which methods seem appropriate for execution and he pretty much responded with "I don't care, as long as the person dies and suffers." I mentioned that Delaware and Washington still use hanging today and he didn't seem bothered by this. I told him that the popular way to execute was with lethal injection. He had no opinion on this, or just chose not to say much. I mentioned that many people are found innocent or granted clemency and he became bothered. He responded, "Whoever gets put in jail, is found guilty, and tried for death penalty, obviously did something wrong. They should die." I argued that it might have been a flaw in the justice system and he disagreed. The juries and judges aren't idiots he said. Not just anyone is taken in for the case. He seemed very opinionated throughout this conversation, but not too defensive. However, I had to keep reminding him that I agreed that there should be penalty and that I was only playing devil's advocate. At one point he blurted out, "Why should I pay for all these prisoners to rot? Kill them!" At that moment I knew this is where the conversation would intensify and heighten. I brought up that many prisoners ask to die and that we would be doing them a favor instead of letting them suffer. And some people are at peace with what they have done and don't even suffer. How do we differentiate between those who should die and those who should rot and suffer? This is almost impossible to do because there is no clear distinction. He mentioned again to kill them all and I fought back saying that that would just put them out of misery. This is where he got really defensive saying, "Well then punish them and make them suffer! If they killed with their right hand, cut their right hand off. Make them feel the pain he caused to others." I was very surprised to hear this coming from my dad. I was playing devil's advocate, I didn't mean to upset him or cause him to get so angry. It kind of made me laugh to see my dad so riled up about a topic, especially because I agreed that there should be a death penalty. I guess he just kept forgetting that I was playing devil's advocate and just trying to challenge him.

I realized that day that the older generations had a stronger opinion on the death penalty, most believing that there should be one. My generation though is mixed; many people are very against the death penalty, while some are still for it, but don't believe in some methods of executions. Those that are for it find lethal injection to be sufficient and the most humane way to do it. The other methods are more cruel. So my generation is different than my father's, but what will the next generation believe? I believe that by then even more states will abolish the death penalty because as years have passed more and more states and countries have abolished it. I am curious to see what will happen in forty years.

Death Penalty? or NO Death Penalty?

Different aspects of the stages in a capital case function to protect the rights of the accused. In a way, they are searching for reasons to declare you innocent. In the Pre-Trial (phase I) evidence is gathered from both sides of the case and if they are proven guilty, the case continues onto the Guilt Phase Trail where prospective jurors examine and question if the case is "death qualified" by considering aggravating and mitigating evidence. During the case, the defendant tries to rebut the prosecution's evidence to help establish innocence. A Direct Appeal is possible if the defendant can show that a "critical mistake was made in the process that convicted him." The review does not revisit factual issues decided at trial, and only new evidence is taken into account. In the Federal Habeas Corpus phase, the a writ can be brought to ensure that the imprisonment is legal. However, an evidentiary hearing can be held to try to prove or disprove a statement in the habeas corpus petition and an appeal can be heard by a panel of three judges. Last, one can plead for clemency to reduce the punishment declared by the courts.

I believe that the system and stages of a Capital Case do give plenty of opportunities to appeal and prove an individual innocent. I find this effective to a certain point. If the individual was declared guilty in the first case, I don't believe the Court made a mistake if all the evidence shows he was guilty. In those cases in which one later tries to prove himself innocent seems like a waste of time. The justice system does have flaws, but not so many that anyone should be able to appeal and prove themselves guilty; there must have been a reason one was declared guilty. . . And only if there is new legitimate evidence should the Court hold a hearing for review. If people keep pleading for clemency and try to fight for their innocence, the justice system will become more flawed. I believe the government needs to have some type of requirement or limit that the prisoner needs to pass in order to appeal. And if they pass, then one should be able to appeal and fight for their life.


There have been many different methods to execute those found guilty and on death row. I believe the most humane way to kill someone is to lethally inject someone because it is quick, but still allows the individual to suffer. The most inhumane ways would be hanging, electrocution, or gas chambers because it kills an individual slowly, causing them to feel the pain. When someone is hanged, if he or she is not heavy enough, the fracture-dislocation of the neck will not occur and the individual will suffocate, due to the lack of oxygen. This method is very painful and cruel. People may argue that it is as if they are going back in time when hanging blacks was okay. That was found wrong, so why should they bring this method back into play? The electrocution method was seen to be a "more humane method of execution than hanging," but I believe it is still cruel and unusual punishment. Volts are sent through the body for thirty seconds, then a break follows after; if the individual is still alive, the process is repeated, until he is pronounced dead. According to the passage, "the prisoner's eyeballs sometimes pop out and rest on [his] cheeks. The prisoner often defecates, urinates, and vomits blood and drool. The body turns bright red as its temperature rises, and the prisoner's flesh swells and his skin stretches to the point of breaking. Sometimes the prisoner catches fire.... Witnesses hear a loud and sustained sound like bacon frying, and the sickly sweet smell of burning flesh permeates the chamber" (Ecenbarger, 1994). This description is so detailed that it makes me sick. How can one withstand watching someone suffer and be in this much pain, no matter the circumstance? I would not be able to withstand watching such a process, for it is brutal and causes a lot of suffering. The gas chamber and firing squad seem to be not as inhumane as hanging, but not as "humane" as lethal injection. They are found somewhere in the middle of this scale. Firing squad is a quick death, unless a shooter chooses or accidentally misses the heart. The gas chamber is more cruel than the firing squad  for it cuts off all source of oxygen, causing a slow, painful death. Slowly the heart and brain shuts down because of the lack of oxygen, but their death is only a matter of time. I believe all methods are "cruel and unusual" according to the Eighth Amendment, except that of lethal injection and firing squad. From statistics, lethal injection is the most common way to execute if the state allows the death penalty. I was not surprised for this is the most humane way to "put someone down," as they always phrase it. But some argue that this does not allow enough pain and suffer becuase the chemicals are injected, and it is over. So how much should someone suffer? What seems reasonable?

Illinois at some point had the death penalty and had an average rate of 6.0 homicides per 100,000 people. The lowest rate was 0 with New Hampshire who doesn't have the death penalty and 18.8 in Puerto Rico; the average rate which I see around the nation is around 4.5. The death row by ethnicity and gender reallly surprised me. Blacks had the highest rates, up to 252 people in California and as low as zero for thsoe states that do not have the death penalty. The next ethnicity i clicked on was Asian and it was a huge difference. almost every number dropped to zero on the map, except a few. California with 22 really caught my attention. Why does California always have such high numbers? I understand it is a large state, but so is Texas that only has four Asians and had 129 blacks; Florida even had 139 blacks. The numbers for whites was also pretty high. I was not surprised to see California and Texas with high numbers, but it did when I saw Florida with 221 whites. These differences in race really struck me becuase many people stereotype and associate blacks with crime. Now I can say that they truly are correct, but it this doesn't defeat the fact that it is wrong to follow stereotypes and base beliefs off them. For example, the numbers for whites and blacks were similar. But how come Asians weren't? Are they just more humble as they meditate (another stereotype? These statistics based on race really casued me to take a step back to try to make sense of the results. But I guess there isn't no real answer. Gender also really plays a big role, being that the numbers for males are significantly higher. Why is this? Because males are known to let their anger out more regularly? Because they have more strength and could carry out a murder? It really puzzled me to see such a large difference, but in a way I am glad that the females had lower numbers. Next I compared the total number of people on death row to executions. Generally, the numbers of executions was lower than the number of those on death row. Texas was the only state that really struck me, having 333 on death row and 466 executions. But what do these numbers mean? What can we conclude? Why do these differences create such a big gap between numbers within the nation, within states? I sadly can't answer these questions and only was able to provide theories.

Seeing all the different criminal offenses in Illinois really surprised me. I didn't realize that there can be so many different cases and situations regarding murder. The document on homicide goes into such detail that it in a way frightened me. Some of the crimes  I hadn't even considered. It went into such detail about murder, death penalty, and exceptions. I understood that the process was long with all the trials, but this document really laid out the details and how they determine who gets the death penalty. I believe Illinois doesn't have the death penalty anymore because the process is so long. I looked at the statistics and when they did have the death penalty, many were acquitted, granted clemency, or got a lesser punishment. It is as if they tried to find reasons to keep them innocent. For example, 187 clemencies were granted and 20 people were freed from the death row.

The majority vote to choose a punishment other than the death penalty for murder was 61% in a study in 2010. So most people are against the death penalty, but so many states still have it. This seems contradicting, as if the government does not listen to its citizens. How can the government have support, if the majority is against what the justice system declares? Also the death penalty shows that many executions are not dependent on race. The leading race of executions is white with 56%, while the leading race of the victim is also white with 76%. Many believe that blacks would have the highest execution rate, but they are wrong. They are the second largest race, but still not as big as the white race. I was surprised by the study showing that a total of 138 people on death row were released due to evidence of innocence. Illinois was one of the top states with 20 releases. There obviously must have been a flaw in the justice system if so many people were released for innocence.

Drug Testing and Student Rights

Imagine a drug test policy at Deerfield High School. . . I can't. Everyone would act immature, creating chaos and disruption towards the learning environment. And because our school's main goal, just like any other school,  is to educate students, many would argue that drug testing would not only violate one's privacy, but would violate one's right to education due to the disturbance.  However, a school also tries to prevent illegal drug use, and if the community has been abusing drugs, the court and school should allow and encourage drug testing for extracurricular activities and athletics.

I agree that upon "reasonable suspicion" a urinalysis test can be used on a student (1). However, what is considered reasonable suspicion? One may argue that this is too broad, but I believe that the vagueness should not matter. If student seems out of it one day due to lack of sleep and is asked to take a drug test, he or she should have no reason to argue against it because they have not consumed drugs. Also, if the behavior is caused from prescribed drugs, and the urinalysis by chance picks up the drug, the student has no reason to worry because it was prescribed. The urinalysis tests only detect the use of illegal drugs including "amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and barbiturates, not medical conditions or the presence of authorized prescription medications" (1). No student has the reason to argue against taking a drug test because if they are consuming drugs, they should not be.

Many students and parents in opposition of the drug test may argue that it invades one's right to privacy. I disagree because the faculty monitor does not act any differently than another student using the bathroom would. For example, one would stand outside a stall and "listen for normal sounds of urination in order to guard against tampered specimens and to insure an accurate chain of custody" (2). Therefore, these monitors are not closer to the student than any other student would be when using the rest room. The procedure is more than reasonable and people should understand that they are only taking precautions to lower drug use among students. And the information gathered from each test is kept in a file. However, there have been cases where teachers leave private information like this open to other students. This should be fixed because every student has a right to privacy and this is a violation of  that right. These results should be stored in a place where only the principal and the head of the drug test policy can access them, that way no one's privacy will be violated.

I believe the drug test will really benefit the school and community and has fair consequences. I believe students will start to stop using drugs illegally, thus helping the community as a whole. The consequence of a first positive test is that the school contacts the student's parent or guardian for a meeting and the student may continue to participate in the activity if within five days of the meeting, the student goes for drug counseling and submits a second drug test. And the most severe consequence of a third positive test is the student will be suspended from participating in any activity for the "rest of the year, or 88 school days, whichever is longer" (2). I believe these will help the community diminish the drug problem in school because if a student is passionate about a sport or activity, he or she will stop using drugs. And if they continue to use drugs, they will suffer from the consequences.

I believe the sooner one acts, the better. Although many cannot imagine their school with this type of policy, I believe it will be beneficial to the school, the students and their families, and the community. If Deerfield High School adopted this policy I believe our evident drug problem would decrease immensely because so much of the student body participates in athletics and/or extracurricular activities.

Recently, Obama passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which allows one to share personal student information with state officials that are not working directly on education; these records can be placed in a state database with non-education records and private entities would be able to access the school records. Many families and schools worry that if the expansion continues, information will be shared between states without student of parent consent. I believe this is going to an extreme. Files should be open, but the documents being shared should not have be identified with a student name. I believe it is reasonable only if the student's name is not revealed. If names are not used, it would act more as a survey which would benefit school districts, the state, and the nation.

After reading the Safford Unified School District v. Redding case, I was appalled and surprised. I myself felt just as violated as the middle-schooler who was strip searched due to a suspicion of having ibuprofen. The strip search was conducted and she was down to her undergarments and at some point had to lift her bra and underwear out for the nurse to check. She was so embarrassed that she kept her head down so the nurse was unable to tell that she was crying. Redding filed against the school district and the strip search was found unconstitutional. The school had no right to conduct a strip search for a suspicion of possession of ibuprofen. It is very irresponsible of the school and illustrates how some schools violate one's right to privacy. It has been stated that once a student enters school that privacy is taken away to an extent because the school has to protect the rest of the student body. But in this case, a strip search was not necessary and found unconstitutional.

Grab a tissue for every issue. . .

Everyone has issues, no matter how large or small they seem on a world scale. Some people, like myself, can blow up an issue and make it seem like the center of the world. One bad day, can be the focus of a whole week, or month, or year.

I lost my pencil case, my prized possession. Now that, that is a problem for me that ruins my whole day, maybe even week. Because everytime I sit down in class and reach for my pencil case, I remember that it is gone. I sigh, then I pout, then I whine to my fellow student and I take out my only pen. Now that is rough. In a school setting, my pencil case truly is my life. I have my highlighters, my three expensive mechanical pencils that I have had for the past two years, my glue stick, my pretty color sharpies, my chapstick, my long and colorful eraser, my favorite pens, and my crappy pencils and pens that are only used for those who ask to borrow a writing tool. I think it is the fact that my dark green looney tune pencil case is gone that makes me upset. And as the day passes, if I encounter an additional problem, then its truly a crappy day. But then I take a deep breath and reflect. . .

My day is not at all shitty compared to others' days. I just tend to magnify my problems, no matter how small they are, because all human beings are selfish and like to be the center of attention. Especially me. When I have a shitty day, everyone has to know that it's my shitty day. I have to make sure all my friends and my whole family know. But when I take a step back, I notice my selfishness. I notice that others wish to have my problems. Some peoples' shitty day may be everyday, because they don't have food and starve, or live on the street becuase they don't have money. Some might even be having a perfect day, until a natural disaster ruins their home. Someone sick with a disease has crappy days everyday. Someone who is fighting cancer, or depression, or AIDS, or alcoholism, or any addiction is having a crappier day than me. A best friend or family member may have died the same day I lost my pencil case. The point is, that my crappy day is nothing compared to someone else's shitty day. It makes me feel as if I take my life for granted. I need to realize that my life is something that I should cherish and never give up. I love my life.

I can say that I am lucky to be able to go to school and get a great education; to have friends I can trust and share my life with; to come home everyday to a family that loves me; to have food ready on the table; to have my own room, bed, and bathroom; I am lucky to be happy and laugh everyday. So the small issues I have mean nothing when I look at the larger picture. Instead of magnifying my small problems, I should try to help others with bigger, more important problems. I could donate to research teams, cook a meal for a homeless man, or send flowers to someone in pain. My little actions can make someone's shitty day, not so shitty. By being unselfish and not self-centered, I can make someone else smile or laugh when they haven't in a long time. I need to cherish the life I have because my issues aren't so shitty when I think about it. Everyone has issues. The world has issues.

Freedom

Freedom--a word of diversity.

America is a symbol of freedom to other countries. We cherish our freedom and speak of it with pride. When people first began immigrating to America, they came for the freedoms the United States offered. There were, and still are, many more opportunities available. The nation emphasizes its freedom in different ways; we wave the red, white, and blue flag with pride, we sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and emphasize the words "the land of the free, and the home of the brave," and the government tries to maintain justice regarding the freedoms given to its citizens.
Freedom can refer to the specific rights for citizens, or the codes restricting certain actions. Some freedoms are not protected, while some are and it is the Government's job to interpret fairly what should be protected. Therefore, freedom can be associated with law and the rights we are guaranteed. In class, the freedom of speech is currently being analyzed. We have discussed different cases of students and have created our own opinions regarding if their behavior is protected by the freedom of speech. The Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution declares, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." As a class, we have been trying to find a way to differentiate between what actions are protected by this freedom and which aren't.

Freedom though can also be referred to as a state of being or feeling; one can be and feel free. We often associate birds with freedom, especiall the bald eagle because they are free to soar the sky and world.  Anything can feel free. Freedom doesn't only refer to the law. I can feel free. . .

Every Wednesday night in May, at 7 o' clock, my phone vibrated and I read the weekly text, "Hey girls!! Vball tonite at 8! Dont be late nd get pumped! woooo lets kick some ass!!" For the past seven years I have participated in the G.O.Y.A. (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) sponsored Junior Olympics event. It was the time of the year that every church began practicing to be prepared for Junior Olympics, and Wednesday nights were for volleyball. So being it was Wednesday night, I had my bag packed, and I was ready to go. I got in the car and drove away. I zoomed off onto the highway, in the farthest lane to the left. I pressed on the gas, and raised the music. This was my time, this was my freedom, this was my high. Feeling very aware as I drove, I felt very alive. I swerved in and out of cars, making lane changes left and right. My brain working as a factory with workers going at hyper-speed. No one was going as fast as me, and no one dared to challenge me. I felt invincible, powerful, but most importantly free. The windows were down, and the wind tossed my hair, making it feel as if I was a bird. I was flying down the highway, singing as loud as I could. My Jesus music played that I had gotten after attending KAIROS XIII, a Catholic retreat. I knew every word of every song and was not ashamed. I was Jesus high. I felt his presence there with me and I knew he was protecting me. It was as if he was singing along with me, smiling. But of course, I approached the exit NAGLE, and I was soon arriving to my destination. But every Wednesday, I looked forward to this drive, to this experience. It was when I escaped from the world, from responsibilities, from expectations, and all pressures. It was when I felt most alive and free. I can't wait for this upcoming May to drive in my batmobile with the music blasting. I can't wait to feel free again.