Chicago Cubs Controversy

Wrigley Field--home of the Chicago Cubs and known for its "old time", more original look. The field is surrounded by many residential streets, in addition to bars and restaurants; better known as Wrigleyville. The.The famous Wrigley Field is also well known for its ivy covered walls and having an old school, hand-turned scoreboard. But as we move further and further into the twenty-first century, a new $575 million dollar renovation project is underway moving it closer to the 'jumbotron' era. The new renovation includes seven new advertising signs, including a video screen that towers over the ever so famous ivy wall and by the looks of it would also become an obstruction of the view from the rooftop restaurants, that many people visit on game days because of the unique view of the baseball game.
Because of these new renovations that have already been started, there has been a few controversy's because the Chicago Cubs had signed contracts with roof-top owners; who have revenue sharing agreement till the end of 2023. This basically means that the Cubs owner made an agreement saying that they allow the  Roof Top Restaurants to charge people and make revenue by letting people watch the game from the top of their buildings. A few of the roof top restaurants have filed lawsuits against the owner of the Chicago Cubs, Tom Rikets himself.
So should the cubs have made this renovation when they're potentially hurting surrounding businesses? From the outside looking in at both sides of the story; putting up a jumbotron that many fans requested so they can be more informed and have more information on players instead of just the score and contrary to that the blocked view of the ever so famous roof top restaurants resulting in loss of money for those companies, it becomes very hard to decide what is the best thing to do. Quite frankly, I don't even know what I believe is right because either way someone is going to end up unhappy. An article written in TIME by John Sanburn stated that the renovations could "provide boost for the beloved Cubbies, who haven't reached the playoffs since 2008 and haven't won a World Series since 1908." I'm not quite sure how adding a jumbotron and moving more into the twenty-first century will give the Cubs a boost, but hey I guess if that's what it takes to get them there, then why not do it?

22. Never Give Up.

in·spire(inˈspī(ə)r/verb

1. 
   

   fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

This is exactly the word to describe 19-year-old Lauren Hill. Lauren Hill was your average high school athlete who had dreams like every other athlete does, to play the sport they love in college. But for Lauren, her road to get there was a bit more difficult than most others.
While a senior she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, otherwise known as DIPG, and inoperable form of brain cancer. But Lauren wasn't going to let this get in the way of achieving her dreams. She stated, "I want everybody to know I never give up." and she did just that.
In order to make sure that Lauren was going to be able to play in her first college basketball game, the NCAA agreed to move the game up two weeks, so that she would be able to participate in the game before the cancer wouldn't allow her to anymore. She was able to score the first basket of the game, which resulted in the entire crowd, along with the opposing teammates clapping, and cheering for her.
Sadly after she participated in four games and made five layups, Laurens coach announced that she would not play in any future games but would stay on the team as and honorary coach. As her cancer started to take over her life, she still continued to go out and inspire people, raising over one million dollars for the pediatric cancer research. Lauren eventually lost her battle to cancer on April 10, 2015, but she will never be forgotten for her courage, hard work, and determination she showed.

Whats the difference between braces and plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery is very frowned upon in today's society because it causes someone to change the way that they physically look, in most cases because they don't like the way that they look. Most people think it is bad to change the way you look to fit society’s picture of what looks “normal”. Could something that a majority of the United States goes through be put in this category? Like getting plastic surgery, wearing an excessive amount of makeup, or losing a mass amount of weight, braces also can change one’s appearance. It may not be as big as a change but it still changes your 'original' appearance. Most Americans get braces to change the smile that you were born with into the uniform “cheese” someone, somewhere decided was “normal”.

Everyone in my family, excepting my dad, has had braces. I am currently on my second set of braces. I first started the road to perfect teeth when I was in third grade. I started out with a palatal expander. Sound like a mouth full right? No pun intended. A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander is used to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better. The expander is "activated" by turning the screw. This is done with a "key". Since this appliance does not come out of your mouth, the screw must be turned with the key inside your mouth. In human terms, a metal contraption is placed on the roof of your mouth and is turned with a key to break your palate. Mine was similar to the one in the photos below. If you look closely, you'll see a hole in the center. That would be the key-hole. Every night my mom or dad would have to take the key and turn the screw a couple times. I would sugar coat it and say it didn’t hurt that bad, but it did. The pain isn’t even describable. It caused headache and jaw aches. Not a fun time. All of that, just so I could have a “normal” mouth.

After my palate was fully expanded, I was put in my first set of braces. Just like everyone else who has braces, I had to go in and get them tightened every month to every six weeks. Once my teeth were finally straight i got them removed and got fitted for my retainers, little did I know it was going to take a month for my orthodontist to get back to me, and by the time we got back in my teeth had already shifted and before I knew it, I was back to having messed up teeth. Also as I became older my teeth and jaw shifted making it worse and worse. Lets just put it this way, I sure do envy people born with good teeth.

Almost two years ago I got my second set of braces put on, but this time I got clear brackets (Shown below) put on my top teeth so from far away it looks like I don't even have braces at all! After finding out that I had to get braces again I wanted to get started right away with the process so I could finally have the 'pretty' teeth I had always wanted. Soon after I got them, everything came back to me about how terribly horrible braces really were and how hard it was to eat for the first couple weeks. It eventually got easier for me to eat, but that would all change when I found out I was going to have to get jaw surgery.


This surgery would include taking cartilage from my bottom jaw and pushing it back, and then taking the cartilage that was removed from the bottom jaw and put on my top jaw to bring it forward. This surgery was a bit rough and lets just say that I am glad that it is over. I was unable to eat any solid food for a little over a month, and was fed by a syringe and all my food had to be blended--let me tell you it was not a good time at all! Along with not being able to eat, I looked like the Michelin Man, I was so swollen I couldn't shut my mouth and was constantly drooling; yeah I know gross.


Looking at this surgery and other plastic surgeries, it makes me question if going though braces and like in my case, jaw surgery, it its really that much different then any other plastic, cosmetic  surgery. You're going through an immense amount of pain just so you can have the "perfect" smile; the same thing that you're doing when you get surgery--changing the way that you were born in order to look more normal.

Peer Pressure

As you go into high school you are told by many that there is a lot of peer pressure that goes on, and trust me there is. One of the big things teens have been pressured into doing at some time during their high school careers is doing some type of drugs. According the Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services the most common drugs used among teens today include Marijuana, Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, and Ecstasy. Being a current high school student I would say the drugs that are most used are Marijuana and Alcohol.

This shows that it is almost uncommon for someone to not have had a drink by the time they reach the legal age and that they are more likely then not to have tried an alcoholic beverage by the age of 15.

Marijuana, also commonly known as weed, pot or grass, and has been used for many generations and still is one of the most commonly used drugs today. Many teens today say they use this drug because either 1, their parents or someone they know did it and if “they did it and survived, then why can’t I do it?” or 2 they believe that it a harmless drug and it is a lot better than drinking or doing more harmful drugs, but in all reality, when you look at the big picture that is not the case at all. Although it is the same drug used decades ago, it has become a much bigger concern because teen today are starting to use it at a younger and younger age, meaning that they are a lot more likely to progress on to more powerful and addicting substances as they grow older. According the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 15 million Americans 12 and older had used marijuana within the past month, placing it way ahead the 2^nd most used drug which was placed at 6 million users. As of 2012 there was an 80% rise in the ‘past-month’ users since the 2008 survey.

This graph shows just how easy it is for teens to get any type of drugs making it all the easier to fall into peer pressure and get involved with things that they shouldn't while in high school

                Now you may wonder, what exactly makes this drug so “great” and potentially addicting? After using the drug over and over again you eventually are both physically and mentally hooked to it. Once consuming the drug once, it produces a high that lasts several hours, during this period of time users experience some or all of the following symptoms including: Distorted Perception (Sights, sounds, time, touch), Trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor control, increased heart rate, anxiety, and dry mouth and dry throat. Not only does this drug have short term effects but also long term effects including increased stress on the heart, memory loss, weakened immune system, and lastly it messes with your hormones.
                Understand that you're a teenager and you WILL run into peer pressure many times during your high school and teen days, just remember to stick to your beliefs, stay strong and just say NO!
 

Friends are Forever

          Your best friend is that one person that you would trust your life with. They are the rock you lean on when things go wrong and the string that let's you fly like a kite when things are going good. Your best friend is the person you shed tears with when you lose something you love and the person you laugh with until your stomach begins to hurt.
          As you go through school, you make friends from doing activities, being involved, and simply being in class together. I have a total of two friends who I have had since kindergarten that I completely trust and tell everything to. Lately a lot of things have been happening that have hindered the way I look at my friends.
Over the years I have learned that teenagers are mean and cruel. I have also learned that the ones you decide to trust the most, seem to be the ones who let you down the hardest. Unfortunately, you can only trust yourself. I can tell you first hand that it absolutely sucks when you lose a friend, but hey i guess if they think they're too good for you then they don't deserve to have a friend like you. The worst thing is when your so-called best friend continually ditches you for their boyfriend even when you know that they aren't good for each other.

          I can definitely say that at times I wish that I was a hermit who doesn't talk to any one and just goes about my own business. But at the same time, if I was a hermit, I wouldn't have ever met the greatest things that has ever happened to me; all the people I call my best friends. Without them i wouldn't be the person that i am today. Someone once told me that "Life puts obstacles in your way so that you can overcome them. The only way to face adversity is to look it in the face and tell it who's boss. People will put you down, but the ones who care will lift you up. Find those ones." This is definitely some of the best advice that i have ever received and I have now passed it onto you, my readers.

          

      

Overtalked, Undertaught

Abortions. A topic that comes up almost too often, but I don't think the argument of abortions will ever be resolved, especially not anytime soon. 
I would say there are pros and cons of both sides that can be argued forever. I believe there is special instances when abortions are okay. I don't think it is right to just not be smart about things, knowing that you could have an abortion as a back up plan. But I also don't think it's right to not have it as an option. 
One instance would be rape cases. That girl that got raped didn't ask for a child nor want to be in that situation in the first place, so why should she be forced to have one? Especially if she's not ready; that's not fair to either the mother nor the child. I also believe that young girls make mistakes, especially being a teenage girl myself, I realize this first hand. Why should one mistake define you for the rest of your life? If you are forced to have this child that you don't truly want, what kind of life is that going to be for not only you, but also the child? That's completely unfair on both ends. I don't like that some girls would use it as an excuse like. "Oh no worries, I can always get an abortion." But I also don't think that one mistake should define you for the rest of your life. 
The process to get an abortion should be long and difficult so that you learn from it and never want to have to go through it again. Along with that, information and knowledge should be given out about it so girls don't think they can just do it whenever they want and have it as a back-up plan if something were to happen unexpectedly.

Overprotective Parents

As a high school student I feel that parents, whether they be your parents or someone else's parents, I feel as though they are are always trying to get up into  your business and constantly want to know every thing that is going on with everyone. In other cases I feel like some people in today's society depend way too much on their parents and they do everything for them, and let me tell you, they're going to be in for a rude awakening when it comes time to go off for college. Depending on the way you're raised, it could have a lasting impact on the way you live your life, and I feel like it is negatively affecting the way that kids are growing up these days.

Helicopter parenting is exactly what was just described, and personally i feel has very few positive impacts on children. A research done showed that kids with helicopter parents were more engaged in learning and were more satisfied with their college. Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, a social historian, who thinks helicopter parenting is okay states, “Over-parenting, is not letting our kids take the consequences of their actions, swooping down to rescue them, and the result would be a spoiled brat. But helicopter parenting is entirely different, and I think it is a positive style of child-rearing.”

Contrary to that Susan Newman, the author of “Nobody’s Baby Now: Reinventing Your Adult Relationship With Your Mother and Father,” indicated, “When parents are making decisions for their children all the time and protecting them, when they get out on their own they don’t know a thing about disappointment or failure.” This is a very true statement about many parents out there. They are afraid of watching their children fail so they are overprotective.

With parents being over protective, children have a lack of exposure to the real world. When kids have a lack of exposure, they are unable to develop the skills that I believe are very much needed as an adult in today society. Without making and learning form mistakes as a kid, when they get older how will they know weather or not the decision they are making is the right one? When a child is in a situation of having to make a decision, their parent should allow their kid to try and deal with it themselves before stepping in and taking charge. Parents think they are helping their kids by being nosey and trying to make all their decisions for them but in many cases they're actually doing the opposite. When their child get out into the world they won't be mentally tough because they have never experienced failure.

It has also been shown that Children of these so called 'helicopter parents' are more likely to appear “stuck up,” meaning they feel like they are better than everyone else. Parents have been found doing their kids projects, homework assignments and even writing college essays. Parents say they do this for their kids because they are embarrassed of their previous failures and want to show how good their kids really are. Not only is this wrong for a parent to do but I feel that it is totally unfair that a parent would do their kids homework and write essays for them because all the other kids out there are doing their own work and putting in way more effort then the child who isn't doing their work. I also feel that with parent doing this for their children their kid may grow up thinking that nothing is ever their fault because instead of making their child face challenging situations and deal with the consequences, they make it all better instead of letting them learn and grow from it.

I know it may be hard difficult to change parenting style after doing the same thing for multiple years in a row but know that everybody makes mistakes, and with making mistakes; it creates learning experiences for us kids. Next time your in a challenging situation, make your decisions on your own and don't go running to your mom and dad for the solution because once you graduate high school your on your own for making decisions.