Yet Another AP Essay.

In 1959, a war began that changed the way people thought indefinitely. The war made people think about how much they loved their country. However, it also made people think about how they felt it wasn't worth their life to fight for someone they didn't know or particularly care about. It also made families of those fighting much stronger. Although these things are all things can be seen in connection with basically any war, the Vietnam War seemed to bring these things out in people more than any other war. The Vietnam War brought out the best in people, as well as bringing out the worst.

Many times when a war begins people begin to feel a strong love for their country. Often times they feel like it is their duty to protect their country and to serve their country without question. There were many many people to serve in the Vietnam War. These fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters were willing to give their lives for their country. The Vietnam War brought this out in many people. Some people dropped everything in their lives to serve their country. An example of this would be the youngest Vietnam soldier that was killed. This soldier was Dan Bullock. Dan was but 15 years old when he was killed in action (Source A). This boy left behind so many opportunities when he enlisted. Odds are, he did not tell his parents or any of his family about his plans to join the armed forces. He left behind his chances to get an education, his chances to fall in love, his chances to get married, his chances to have a career, his chances to have kids. He dropped his entire life to serve his country and he was just a kid. He had his entire life ahead of him and he gave it up because he loved his country and wanted to defend it. Dan Bullock is not the only war veteran who gave up his life for his country. As there were many of these people, there was also a fair amount of people who did not feel the love for their country.

The casualties of the Vietnam War are somewhat staggering. With nearly 1,000 soldiers killed on their first day in Vietnam alone (Source A), some U.S. citizens felt it was not worth their life to defend a country that they did not know. Some people fled to Canada where they hoped to dodge the draft (Source B). For those who did not flee to Canada, they found the strength to simply throw away their cards; they refused to fight (Source B). And to be quite honest, these people had somewhat good reason to feel this way. There were so many people that died in the Vietnam War. Within a months time, nearly 2,500 soldiers died (Source A). If you were a young man or woman during this time, wouldn't you be absolutely terrified? It seemed like the people of the United States that were serving were simply dropping like flies or going missing. However, where as there might have been many scared and unwilling people in the United States at that time, there were also extraordinarily strong people.

The war pulled apart families by taking fathers, sons, daughters, and perhaps in some cases, all three. In many cases the war stole the head of the house. Women were asked subconsciously to step up; it was their turn to bring in the most income. Stress levels must have been skyrocketing. Imagine how the family of little Dan Bullock must have felt when they found out that their young son had left for Vietnam, leaving his world behind. Imagine how they must have then felt when they received information that their son had died. Imagine also how the wives of the many prisoners of war felt when they got word that their beloved husband, fiancee, boyfriend, son, brother, or best friend was being held against their will. The war forced these people to stand strong and stand tall. They woke up every single morning thinking about their loved one, perhaps plural, who was risking their life fighting for what they believed to be right. President Nixon himself said, "In particular, I would like to say a word to some of the bravest people I have ever met-the wives, the children, the families of our prisoners of war and the missing in action."(Source D). These people were perhaps the bravest people involved with the war because they knew what they had to lose, or perhaps what they had already lost, and they still found the strength to continue living their lives knowing that there was a possibility of never seeing that one they loved so much ever again.

The Vietnam War brought out the best in people, as well as bringing out the worst. It made some people take pride in their country and brought out the desire to serve. For others, it did the complete opposite. And for others yet, it brought out their braveness. Many suffered in the Vietnam War, and a fair share of those who suffered are and were not veterans.

Currently Riot! By Paramore CrushCrush see related

Happy birthday, Chelsea!

Currently Sublime By Sublime Garden Grove see related

An essay for AP. Don't judge me :]

The wilderness is a beautiful thing. There are many different kinds of plants to be seen. However, a favorite plant of mine is a tree. My favorite tree is not just any tree. If it were my choice, you could find me under this tree reading a book on any sticky or breezy summer afternoon. My favorite tree is the massive Weeping Willow tree that can be found swaying peacefully in the wind in the yard of the Kilburg house.

The tree is taller than the house. The tree is modest about its height, though. Sometimes it seems as though the tree is comforting the house with her long and beautiful fingers that are the branches. They blow gently in the wind and sometimes brush up against the house, as though it was pushing hair out of the houses face. This tree is tall and willowy, as can be expected. The branches drape in a perfect way. You can lay a blanket down and read or sleep or do any other sort of sentimental thing beneath the beautiful, green, peaceful canopy. Even the not-willowy branches grow in the most perfect of ways.

The sturdy branches of the willow are perfect for climbing. They sprout in the perfect directions. One hot summer day, June 19th, to be exact, I could be found up in the highest reaches of that willow tree. Although the slight breeze would make the tree sway, I somehow felt safe, despite my small fear of heights. I wold have stayed in that tree all day long if my dear cousin hadn't found me. I have learned that even though the tree provides many things, a good hiding place for a game of hide and seek is not one of them.

The tree is almost a place of refuge. With the wispy branches always out stretched like a pair of arms, waiting for you, to hug you, to comfort you. No matter how subtle the breeze, the tree always lets in the perfect amount. The tree is always so soothing, with the green leaves above you and the green grass below you. The birds are always chirping, never too loud, and never in the willow. The sound of their chirping, however, is pleasant and relaxing. The shade will cool you under the hot summer sun. The tree reminds me of Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas a bit, because it seems like if that tree could talk, it would know just what to say to make you feel better.

The tree is used for many things. It seems to show many emotions and you can always feel welcome under its open branches. The tree is kind and loving, in its own tree-ish way. There are so many things about this tree that are lovable. This tree is my favorite tree because it has so many wonderful characteristics.

... Yeah. I know. :]

Currently Listening Any Given Thursday By John Mayer Message in a bottle see related

What is up world!?

Yo yo world! So i am currently sitting next to my BFF LISA in AP Lang/Comp. it is just so great. We have figured out how to get on myspace as well as xanga, obviously. However, we are still in the process of figuring out how to get on facebook. :) Yeah, were pretty lame. But we're still the coolest kids in our ap class. just kidding. :)

So i just want the world to know that i miss my novia. and i want to go and stay with her, but.... i am busy!. Oh, novia.

I'm baking muffins asbestos i can...!!

Currently Reading The Secret Life of Bees By Sue Monk Kidd see related

WHAT is the world coming to?

As I sit here making my monthly post on xanga, I not only recall how once, in a time not so long ago, xanga was the shit. All the cool kids were makin xanga posts about their life and then all of the other cool xanga kids would leave sassy, rude, depressing, or funny comments about it. Xanga once brought many people together, such as music lovers, future college classmates, and most importantly, pedifiles and young children. Xanga also tore many people apart. There were breakups, not only with boyfriends and girlfriends, but just plain old friends. Xanga was the place for all the people with no spines who needed to break up with someone but just couldn't do it in person.

Now, its time for what this post was really about. I was checkin out my sister's xanga when this advertisement caught my eye... "Napoleon Dynamite... THE GAME"... the add caught my eye, and naturally, my reaction was WTF mate? Seriously... wtf.

Well, that's all for today/the month. :)

Oh yeah, we're at 8 snow days... and counting!