My Memoir

Nicole Brouwer

            There have been many happy times in my life, but I can’t really think of any that have been very life-changing.  I believe that the best way to become stronger is by enduring hard times.  The reason behind this is because I have indeed gone through many tough challenges.  I am certain that there are far worse trials that a person can go through than the things I have experienced, but for me the most challenging two years that I have faced were probably the best two years for most people.

            In 2009, Natalie and I entered seventh grade.  We finally graduated to a new building, our own lockers and the freedom of running in the halls.  It seemed like such a big leap from one grade to the next, but that didn’t matter; I was in junior high and I was ecstatic!

            On the very first day of school, one of my teachers said that some of us might have less homework than we did in sixth grade, but some, however, would have more.  I hoped, of course, that junior high would be less stressful with the amount of homework and that things would get better for me.  But before I knew it, I was sitting in a small room upstairs trying to think of ways to solve all my problems in front of a counselor.  His name was Wendell Vuerink and I will never forget him.  “I procrastinate too…” he always said.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t my problem; I just wasn’t able to finish school projects on time.  Even though we were never able to solve anything, we still had a lot of great conversations.  I can still remember the feeling of the awkward silence between questions and the moments where each and every breath taken was heard.

            That also brings me back to a prior event that will be present in my memory forever.  When my mom brought me to the doctor, it was the same type of atmosphere that I experienced in school.  This time, my mom was in the room with me and the discussion was more serious.  Throughout the whole year of seventh grade, I started to think hard about what Heaven would be like and how it would feel to live forever and ever.  I also started to ponder how short my life on this earth is and just how short time is until all of my relatives will pass away.  “When I get to Heaven, what will I remember of this life?” I asked.  Thoughts like this raced through my mind, and made me very sad.  With most of these questions, I have found answers, but others I still think about.  Unfortunately, back then, these things made me feel very sad and hopeless.

            That was a huge part of seventh grade and to my distress, it continued through eighth grade.  Though my problems were not as extreme, I still struggled with my homework.  Surprisingly, it was not the difficulty level, it was simply the amount.  Every night, I was at war.  I could barely get my homework done on time.

            Sports that year were also somewhat challenging.  I didn’t feel like I was good enough at anything; basketball or volleyball.  Sometimes I asked myself why I even went out for sports, but most of the time I was stuck wondering, “Why me?  Why do all these things have to happen to me?”

            Not a whole lot got better after that and the homework situation stayed the same as in the beginning of the year.  So at the end of junior high, I could only look back and realize how right my sixth grade teacher had been when she told us how seventh and eighth grade were the worst two years of her life.  For me, seventh and eighth grade were indeed the toughest and most challenging two years of my life.

            It is hard for me to explain two years in only two pages.  They have been the longest two years I have ever experienced.  Though I have gone through a lot, I have watched loved ones go through a lot.  I think that along with experiencing hard times has also made me stronger.  Through all of this, I have learned how to deal with tough times if a road block ever does cross my path.     

Compare & Contrast Essay

 Twin A vs. Twin B
Nicole Brouwer

    Many people think that twins see eye-to-eye on probably everything, especially when it comes to personalities and interests.  However, I am going to explain to you that this is not the case in all twins.   Though Natalie and I are very similar, there are many different areas that spark each of our interests. 
    Natalie and I have many different likes; some things are more specific than others.  For example, we both enjoy certain foods.  Natalie likes salads, but I rarely find leafy greens very tasty.  She also doesn’t like foods that are abundant in sugar.  I, on the other hand, love sugary foods and the sweetness that they bring.  These are just a few minor things that we differ on.
    Now, here are some of the bigger differences.  Our personalities vary somewhat when it comes to the music that we listen to and the clothes that we wear.  Natalie loves country and doesn’t usually want to listen to anything else.  She would also prefer to strut in cowboy boots all day. I enjoy pop music and like to wear outfits that consist of skinny jeans and fancy shirts.  I do like cowboy boots, but I think Natalie would agree that overall, I have a wider variety of clothes. 
    Something that we very much differ on, is our interest in certain men.  I recently asked Natalie about her opinions, and I found that some of them were quite specific.  She told me this: “I have dreams of someday getting married to a very handsome, buff, and simply a good-looking man.  Along with being a Christian, it would be great if he met these certain qualifications: First of all, I would like him to be a farmer/cowboy/somewhat of a redneck.  Ok...maybe not that extreme, but I don’t want him to have to wear a suit everyday to work.  He has to have short hair (preferably no longer than an inch).  His personality is important too.  He has to be funny, nice, and sensitive, but not wussy.  He also has to love hugs.  To put it in a nutshell, I don't want someone I can live with, I want someone that I can't live without.”   
    I have a different opinion on this subject, however.  I tend to be attracted to city guys. Sometimes this includes guys who wear skinny jeans and beanies.  Some of the things that I want in a man do match Natalie’s specifications, such as being strong, good-looking, and having an interesting job.  Though I do like the cowboy look, I think I have a wider range of interests than Natalie does, and I’m just more into the city style. 
    The last big thing that Natalie and I are different on is plainly the way we do things.  Natalie likes to get things done right away, but do them well at the same time.  I like to take my time on things, and focus on details.  Unfortunately, sometimes I am not happy until every single thing is perfect. 
    Those are the general things that make us different.  We are similar in which we are both quiet, enjoy playing volleyball, and are big contributors to our school band.  Art is our passion and we both put a lot of time into each project we create. 
    Some twins dress the same; some twins act the same.  Other twins are completely different.  Natalie and I are a little in-between.  We act the same, but like different things.  One last thing that is the same with both of us is that we do everything and go everywhere together.     

   
 
   

Any Topic Essay

Tim McGraw

Nicole Brouwer

                When you hear the name Tim McGraw, you probably think of country music, black cowboy hats, and tight, white tank-tops.  But do you know how he became involved in the music industry, or even the story of his childhood?  Well, I am going to tell you about all of that because it’s not something that a person experiences every day.

            Tim McGraw was born on May 1, 1967, to Betty Smith (now Betty Trimble) and Tug McGraw.  He was raised thinking that Horace Smith, Betty’s husband at the time, was his father.  They divorced when Tim was nine and he and his mother were forced to move around frequently from then on.  After moving to one place two years later, Tim found his birth certificate with his father’s name scratched out, but his occupation listed as “baseball player.”  Betty finally admitted that she was involved in a short love affair with the minor league pitcher during one summer.  Tug hastily left her and she married Horace Smith when Tim was seven months old. 

            Tug McGraw later became very popular in the 1970’s and was soon the highest-paid pitcher in professional baseball.  Tim did meet him at a baseball game in Texas, but Tug didn’t show much excitement in keeping a close relationship.  As anyone would be, Tim was originally angry with his dad for not wanting to be closer, but he eventually forgave him.  Coincidentally, Tim had a baseball card of his dad beforehand, not knowing that he was his biological father.  

            As Tim grew up, his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, like his dad, eventually faded.  He went to school at Monroe Christian High School in Louisiana and graduated as the salutatorian in 1985.  After he graduated, Tug agreed to help pay for Tim’s college education.  He decided to go to Northeast Louisiana State University and took pre-law courses.  He discovered his true passion for music when he found more enjoyment at parties than studying.  Tim quit college and hit the road for Nashville. From there, his singing career sky-rocketed. 

            In 1996, country singer Faith Hill was the opening act on his Spontaneous Combustion tour. By the end of the tour, Tim had fallen in love with Faith and he asked her to marry him.  They got married in the fall of 1996. 

            Tim McGraw has had a very successful career in music, production and management companies, and in movies.  Even with all his success, the place that he loves to be most is at home with his family.  He once told People magazine that he loves his wife more than anything in the world.  In my opinion, that will always be his greatest success. 

           

             

Celebration Essay

Kate

Nicole Brouwer

            Since we were little, fairytales of princes and princesses have always lightened our spirits and taken hold of our hearts.  As young girls, we dreamed of becoming a princess, and being swept off our feet by Prince Charming.  These make-believe characters were our motivation, but I am going to tell you about a person that I greatly admire, who truly is married to a handsome prince.  Her name is Princess Kate.

            Catherine Middleton is without a doubt a real-life Cinderella.  She was born on January 9, 1982, in Reading, London to Michael and Carole Middleton.  After Kate was born, her mother started her own company with dreams of sending her children to private schools.  Surprisingly, the business was a success and made the Middleton’s multi-millionaires.  So Kate, along with her brother and sister, attended private schools.  However, she left an exclusive all-girl boarding school when she was 13 after being bullied by other students.  Though she still had trouble with mean kids at a co-ed school as well, she excelled in her studies. 

            When Kate got to college, she was assigned the same dormitory as Prince William.  They had several classes together and soon became friends.  At the same time, however, Kate was dating a senior and William was dealing with the pressure that the press put on him.  After Kate’s boyfriend graduated, they parted ways.  When Kate started her junior year, she and William got together again and started dating. 

            For several years, William and Kate were able to keep their relationship private, since William didn’t trust the press.  In 2003, Kate graduated without ever having to deal with publicists.  One year later, however, the paparazzi caught Kate on a royal family trip.  For the next few years, the couple was constantly under close surveillance.  This made things difficult for Kate, including finding a job.  After landing a job as an assistant clothes buyer, she eventually left to study portrait photography.

            In 2007, William’s family pressured him to either propose to Kate or let her move on with her life.  So he chose to end their five-year relationship.  Three years later, Kate and her brother, James, made plans to begin their own bakery business.  During the same year, William and Kate did finally get engaged.

            Now, the press would start speculating about every detail of the wedding.  All was finally revealed on April 29, 2011.  I woke up at 4:00 in the morning to watch the wedding myself.  I am proud to say that I, along with the rest of the world, got to watch the events just as they happened, including the unforgettable moment when Kate’s dress was presented.  What really impressed me was Kate’s grace and poise through the whole event.  I don’t think that I will ever watch a more beautiful wedding.

            The reason I admire Princess Kate so much is that she didn’t have to be the most popular or famous person to capture the heart of a prince, like in most fairytales.  Her personality seems to be similar to mine and she doesn’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be noticed.  Her love for Prince William appears genuine; something that every young girl hopes to have.