Vaccines have been around for a century and have helped wipe out deadly diseases that used to kill entire cities. So why have we suddenly decided that vaccines were bad? The post we see on social media about vaccines causing autism or allergies in kids are not credible, even in the slightest degree. So suddenly, parents are relying more on social media posts and a quick search on the internet than year of medical research and testing to prove that vaccinations have no arguable down side.

Next to hand washing, vaccines are our best source against fighting deadly diseases that at one point in time would have wiped out entire cities without a second thought. In some cases deadly diseases have been completely eradicated thanks to the work of vaccines.Unfortunately, some diseases that we have not seen in decades are making their way to the surface again due to people thinking that it is better not to vaccinate. Vaccines do not just protect you and your child. They also protect everyone around you. With someone being vaccinated, that is one less person that can be a viable host to the disease. Without a host, the disease will die and not be able to repopulate. There are some people who cannot be vaccinated, like newborn babies or pregnant women. If more people who are able to be vaccinated, stop getting vaccinated, it will wreck havoc on a society. Their belief is that it is only impacting them if they do not vaccinate, but they could not be more wrong. Some people are afraid of what they overhear, like it will cause adhd in their child or that is why people have allergies. These points are also wrong.

1. North Face Jacket

Pros:

Lightweight

Thin

Warm

Large pockets

Water resistant

Cons:

• Loud

• Although warm, wind does get through

• Expensive

The north face thermal jacket is very lightweight and warm. It is good if you do not like having a heavy jacket to carry around. Most jackets do not have very large pockets. this jacket has pockets that take up the entire front of the jacket so you can fit more than your need. The pockets also zip shut, so there is no worry about anything falling out. The jacket however the jacket does make a lot of noise when you move around. It is nothing too big or noticeable though. The jacket has multiple pockets of down feathers to keep the warmth in. It is very warm unless it starts to become windy. The wind goes right through because of the thin material, which is how it is able to be so light. The Jacket comes in a variety of colors and sizes so anyone can wear them and feel comfortable. They’re are also different styles of the same jacket. Finding the right jacket to fit your specific style should not be an issue. It is made out of quality materials and it will last a very long time so you do not need to buy a new jacket every year unless you want to. It is very expensive with prices beginning at $175. Although the investment is worth it because of how long it lasts. Overall, this jacket is a very good purchase that will keep you warm.

2. Blistex Medicated Lip Balm

Pros:

• Heal chapped lips fast\

• Does not taste bad

• Rebuilds tissue instead of breaking it down

• Smooth

Cons:

Makes lips feel cold

Strange smell

This is by far the best chapstick i have ever used. Being a trumpet player my lips great chapped easily so I always have one on hand. I have gone through so many brands and blistex is by far the best I have ever used. Unlike most chapsticks, it repairs the damaged tissue. Others break it down which is why you end up needing more after. Some chapsticks just do not feel good when you’re applying them. Sometimes they almost feel sticky. Blistex glides along with equal coverage. You do not need a lot for it to work. Using less means that it will last longer and you will not have to buy it as often. Some chapsticks can be hard, but this one is very soft and makes it feel like you’ve gone to spa the chapstick also does not rub off on cups or other things like most would. Blistex stays right were it is supposed to be. I am not sure what the ingredient is, but there is something in the chapstick that makes it feel cool. I do not particularly enjoy that, so that is a con for me. I know there are some people who do though. It may be even better for that type of a person. The one little factor of it being cool when applied is not nearly enough to turn me away from this chapstick. I highly recommend this chapstick for anyone who does not like chapped lips and wants them healed fast.

3. iPad Pro 12.9 inch

Pros:

Functions like a laptop and tablet

Allows for presentations and papers with guided formatting

• Touch screen

• Easy to navigate

• Links with pre existing apple accounts

• Lightweight and easy to carry

• Compatible with pen to make notations and design

Cons:

Short battery life

Mobile version of websites comes up

No mouse

The iPad Pro works just like a laptop if not better. When you first open it, it already has preloaded apps like keynote or pages which are slideshow and work document app. Both of the apps come with guides while you’re working to make sure everything is how should be and helps make suggestions on what you should improve upon. The iPad can do everything that the laptop can do, but it is in a sleeker style so it does not take up as much space. If you already own apple products, it uses the same charger so there is not worry about having to find replacements if it does breaks. Just use your phone charger. The battery is used up quickly though. All of the apps are out in the open, making it easier to navigate. There is also a search bar at the top which will bring you any information you might need. From apps to a question that you may have. The iPad Pro is also compatible with the apple pen. The pen allows you to mark up any of the papers, notes, or even websites without having to print out whatever you are reading. The mobile version of website comes up sometimes, but that can always be fixed. The iPad is also cheaper than some of the top of the line laptops with all of the same functions. I would highly recommend the iPad Pro for anyone who does not like carrying around a laptop.

It goes without saying that everyone has been influenced by someone at one point of their life, whether it be someone that you are close to, someone you do not know directly or someone who has made history with their ambitions. Here are my top three most influential people.

1. My Best Friend

I met my best friend in March of 2014. I was about to be a freshman in high school and she was about to be in eighth grade. We met through marching band and it was our very first mini-camp (if you haven’t noticed by now, a lot of my stories come from band). We were both very nervous because we did not know anybody. It just so happened that she came and sat by me. I was really hoping that she played trumpet like me because she seemed very interesting. Somehow I knew in that moment that she would soon be my best friend throughout high school and i was right. Her name is Kayla. Kayla has influenced me in many ways. I was never that confident in myself in high school, but as I became closer with her my self confidence went up. I was alway told what others think does not matter. I did not fully realize that until I was friends with her. Kayla also made me a better driver. My drivers ed instructor did not actually teach anything. He handed us a book and told us to read. I realized my driving was awful when we came close to getting into a very bad car accident. Luckily nobody was hurt. She is always giving me little tips on how to make my driving better and they have helped greatly. Kayla also made me a better trumpet player. I would ask ,y director something and they way she explained it did not always make sense. I then asked Kayla and she would explain it in a way she knew I would understand. She would also give little tips here and there to improve my sound. It was always simple things but they helped greatly. We are closer than ever now and she is the person i go to with any of my issues. She always knows what to say, even if its just to make me laugh when I am down.

2. My High School Band Director

My high school band director was one of a kind. She treated all of her students like they were her own kids and I mean every single one. She had taught for over 30 years so that was a lot of kids. If you were to go and ask anyone of her students if she left impact on them, the answer would be a strong yes from all of them. She was always there whenever you needed something. A lot of us went to her when we needed to talk something out that we had been stressing over. She knew exactly what to say every single time. She went out of her way to make sure we were all doing well in our other classes and understood if we needed to leave to make up a test for another class. She had our best interest at heart. That does not mean that we never got yelled at for doing something we should not have. She never really yelled, just showed disappointment, which is worse in my book. She taught us all how to become better versions of ourselves and become better leaders. Her classes always functioned smoothly and without and hinders on the attitude in the classroom. She was so much like our mom that all of our other classmates became like our family. She taught all of us how to be professional when we went somewhere or how to stick together even if we felt like we hated every single person in that moment and that was not a rare occasion. Even if we hated each other we still loved each other because we were all a family. This woman is not weak. She had fought and beat breast cancer twice and came up to visit after her chemo to see how we were doing. At the end of the 2018 school year, she had announced her retirement. We were all saddened, but it was not a huge shock to all of us. We all could begin to tell she was getting tired. To this day she still reaches out to us and wishes us well. She still is giving us the advice when we feel unsure of ourself. It is just virtually now. Her name is Mrs Jasin.

3. Walt Disney

For the past 100 years childhood movies have been changed thanks to one man. His name was Walt Disney. Walt Disney developed some of the first animated movie shorts, which later developed into a massive movie empire. His attitude was always happy and joyful. His energy transferred to anyone he was near. Disney also had an amusement park opened in his name which is claimed to be “The happiest place on earth”. In the park there are most of Disney’s most famous mascots like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with the Disney princesses like Cinderella, Snow White, and Bell. It’s every child’s dream place to go along with some adults. Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901 and took art classes up until he was 18. The famous Alice in Wonderland was one of his first works to be published in New York.He then moved to California to pursue his passion of art. After that his success would be never ending. He was a very shy man who kept to himself but as his empire developed, he became more outgoing.

The world is full of many places to travel and wonders to see. Everyone has that place that they have been dying to go to so here are my top ten, even though some of them are not your typical travel destinations.

10. France

I have always seen pictures of France and it seems different than other places, but it is a good different. It almost seems calmer than other places. There’s also the Eiffel Tower which I believe is a must see if you happen to be traveling and Paris is one of your stops. Another reason I want to see France is for the exception culinary experience. France is known for some of the world’s best chefs like Wolfgang Puck and many others. I love to cook and to be a able to experience some of the best cooking would be incredible.

9. Ireland

Another fun place I’d like to visit would be Ireland. My Dad’s side of the family is Irish and I think that it would be i interesting to visit and learn about where my family came from. I do not think there is much out there, but I have heard that it is beautiful. A friend of mine from high school actually moved here from Ireland when she was little. Every year she came back saying how beautiful everything is and the sights alone are something everyone should see.

8. Los Angeles

Number eight on my list is Los Angeles, California. It’s a very popular place for travel and it seems to be a different culture than here in Michigan for sure. People seem to be more relaxed and easy going. Los Angeles also has a warmer climate and would make it feel like I was in some tropical place. One of my mom’s best friends moved out there after high school and has been very successful. He currently owns a yacht and told my mom that if we were to ever come out, he would take us wherever we want to go and see all the sight. It would be an adventure for sure.

7. Disney World

We have all hear the saying, “Disney is that happiest place on Earth!”. The commercials for Disney always make it feel like that it is another dimension away from the reality of life. Adults seem to turn to their kid at heart and have the time of their life. Now I may have technically been before, but I was only a year old so I do not remember a single second of it. Although my parents tell me I was having fun at the time.

6. New York

New York has so many places to visit. Time Square and Broadway happen to be the ones that interest me the most though. Everything is so bright all of the time. Every year on New Year’s Eve, the countdown is held directly in the heart of Time Square. I feel like that would be a really entertaining time to go in my younger years. I might not be able handle it later in life with the crowds.

5. Australia

Australia seems to be like a place where all of the fun animals are like koalas and kangaroos. I am a very loving animal person and would take all of them home if I could. I grew up watching Steve Irwin and he always seemed to love what he did with the animals. It made me become more interested in animals. The only thing that I would not be happy with is how big the spiders get.

4. New Mexico

New Mexico is like a desert with a lot of different things that occur in nature there that do not appear here in Michigan. Everything is more bare and open rather than full of trees. The homes are also built differently than they are more towards the midwest. I find a lot of value in the old culture and structures of things that seem to have made it this far.

3. Colorado

My cousin recently got married and moved out there with her husband. She is a high school English teacher. She said that everyday when she comes home, she goes fishing with her husband as it is one of her favorite ways to relax. I absolutely love fishing and everything about it. When she comes back to Michigan for the holidays, she always tells us about how nice it is and the water is so clear. I think that it is good to have a tranquil place to go when stressed. How nice would it be if that was just in yogurt backyard?

2. England

England has alway seemed very elegant to me. I do not know if that’s because here in America we here so much about the Royals, but it definitely could be part of the reason. I have always loved the accent that people there have too. I am very adventurous when it comes to trying new things. I find it interesting how different cultures can be from one another.

1. Bora Bora

Bora Bora seems to be incredibly beautiful with crystal clear waters. My dad will occasionally watch the television shows where they describe different cities and how they function and one day Bora Bora happened to be on. I love the tropical climates and it seems to be the ultimate place to go for warm weather like that.

5

This number has a lot of meaning to me. The number five represents my five best friends. I met all of them through marching band where there was some untimely drama which brought us all close together. These people make me insanely happy to be around and there never seems to be enough time together. I was always close with the girls. We even went to prom together. This past summer, we always had our one day a week that we would all go do something together. We started out by going to the Toledo zoo and then to a new restaurant that none of us had been to. Every Thursday we all got together and made sure that we did not have plans that day. Sometimes we would just make a quick trip to the store and swim on the hot days of summer. Other days we took longer trips across the state to see a drum corp show (basically professional marching band). They made the summer after my senior year the best one I have ever had. I am always filled with joy when I am with these people and I would do anything for them. They are more than just my friends. They are like my brothers and sisters I never had.

7

I chose this number because it represents the number of years that I have been playing trumpet. I first picked up a trumpet in the sixth grade. Back then, had no idea what I was doing and probably sounded like an elephant. When I got to high school, I was pushed to join marching band. That was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was unsure of it at first but quickly fell in love with the activity shortly after my first competition. I was a nervous wreck walking onto the field, but noting can compare to the feeling I had walking off. There was an immense amount of pride and joy running through my veins. It took up four hours a night after school and 12 hours on Saturday’s. I learned things in band in a way that I could not learn anywhere else. I learned how to manage time, lead other, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. By my senior year, I had become section leader in marching band as well as jazz band. Being able to play trumpet has given a release when I am stressed out or I am just trying to relax.

31

The number 31 has two meanings to me. It was the 31st of the month when I traded in my old 2001 Ford Ranger and got my new 2018 Chevy Equinox. My truck was beginning to fall apart, but we kept fixing it. I actually loved my truck and it was a little bittersweet trading it in because it was my first car. Anyone you ask who knows me will tell you that it was time to get rid of it. I have only had the Equinox for about a month now and it is much nicer than my truck could ever be.

I also really love Halloween. When I was little I used to get very into my costumes and could not wait for it to come. I would be thinking for months in advance of what I wanted to be that year. I was everything from the basic witch to a NFL football player. One thing that I dressed up as turned out to be what I actually want to do with my life and that would be a surgeon.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton