An ongoing experience

My mother became a stay-at-home-mom when my baby sister started school, six years ago.  She had always worked to help my father provide for us five children, but when the baby became old enough for school my mother decided she wanted to be there for her because she wasn’t able to be there for the rest of us. Well, everyone loved mom not working. Dinner was always cooked. We were able to participate in extracurricular activities because now we had a ride. Our childhood became better. My mother didn’t stay a stay-at-home-mom, a couple of years later my parents began living a tight budget. My mom decided to go back to work even though my dad told her he would work extra jobs that she doesn’t need to go back to work. At this point all of my other siblings have moved out and my baby sister and I are the only children left in the house. When my mother began her new job almost all of the responsibilities that my mom took care of was pushed into my hands. Every day, still to this day, I find a way to get my sister to school and make it to school for myself on time. After school I either go grocery shopping or I go home. Once I am home I make sure the house is clean “spot-less”. Before I could drive I would make sure to get my sister off the bus, now that I drive I pick her up after school. I cook dinner while I help her with her homework, clean the kitchen, then get her ready for bed. By this time my mom comes home, loves on her, then go separate ways to go to bed.  I stay up to do my homework and study.

At first I was very frustrated and upset that my parents dumped their child on me, leaving me to raise her as if she was my own. I became mad and upset that I was unable to do things I wanted. I had no social life. Anywhere I go my sister comes with me because she is too young to be left alone.  Once I graduated high school I came to a realization that even though I am raising my sister, I don’t mind. My sister and I have a relationship like no other sibling. When she tells me about her day at school, the words that she says puts a smile on my face because I know that I taught her to speak in an appropriate uplifting manner. My sister has brought great joy in my life and I do not think that we would have the opportunity to be so close if my mom was to not gone back to work. Taking care of the house and grocery shopping has been a plus because when I do go out on my own I will be prepared. I may be raising a ten year old child at the age of 19 but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I see so much of myself in her and she has learned many skills that will make her successful in life through me. We have been positive influences on each other’s lives and always will be. I look forward to helping her every day and when she is at a friend’s house I count down the minutes until she returns. 

Light Pollution on Animals

I plan on writing my research paper over the effects lighting has on birds and turtles. Many people joke and laugh about birds flying into building, calling them “stupid”. What the people do not know is that the deaths of many birds are from the lights that they are using. People need to be aware that birds are dying from hitting buildings and dropping several stories. When thought about, most of society goes to the beach with no intentions that the beach is turtle egg laying territory. When the turtles hatch and attempt to go back into the ocean they rely on light, so city lights can be an issue. Studies have been done on birds and what type of lights effect there flight patterns. More research is being taken part by me on how to help survival rates of turtles. I plan on using pathos, persuasion through emotion, and ethos, persuasion through credibility. I want to be able to persuade people who have big hearts and people who need facts in order to believe or care. In the film The City Dark, Ian Cheney and his crew are on a beach and talk about how thousands of Florida sea turtles get disorientated because of city lights. Also in the film, an Ornithologist at the Audubon Society, Susan Elbin discusses how billions of birds in the United States are killed from building collisions. I would like to maybe begin the paper with a quote from Chad Moore, of National Parks Services, “When we add light to the environment, that has the potential to disrupt habitat, just like running a bulldozer over the landscape can. Darkness is a necessary habitat for nocturnal animals…”(qtd. in City Dark). So far I have found articles about research that has been performed to find a light that does not affect bird migration. I have found articles about sea turtle hatchlings and how artificial lights from the city effects their way to the sea. I have been able to find my articles on Google Scholar. The research will be able to reinforce the legitimacy of my claim and persuade people to become aware. Research will plan a significant role in my essay because it has enabled me to be more informed on the issues and has informed me on ways that may be able to help the animals. If I am educated on the topic, from my research, then it will be easier and more informative when the essay is read. I hope that my paper will be informative and emotional enough to reach out to people who do not think about anything but the well-being of themselves. The way I see it, for every one person that is affected by my paper they will tell a friend or family member. Then, that friend or family member will also tell a friend or family member. Therefore, eventually many people will know about the dangers of light pollution to animals and something will be done to help animal survival. 

the need for light

According to director Ian Cheney, “There is controversy over whether more light leads to less crime, but there is agreement that light seems to make people feel safer, almost like it’s built into our genes to move closer to the campfire or to the brightest city” (City Dark). People have a struggle against darkness. As a woman, I do not like going anywhere when it is dark out of fear that I will be abducted. Abduction at night would be the smartest. Someone can sneak up to you and you wouldn't know it until they have you trapped. I believe that if someone was going to commit a crime it would be easier to get away with if committed at night. It would be easier to slip away from a crime without any face recognition if it is dark. Most people feel that if you can see a shadow they feel safer. Personally at night, I feel safer if I have a dim light and music playing when I go to bed. If my bedroom is dark and silent I tend to lie in my bed frightened. In the mornings when I take my dog outside to use the restroom, I panic if he barks because I cannot see if anyone is there. There is just a since of needing light to feel safe. My sister also has to sleep with a light and noise. She runs through the house if the lights are all off because she is frightened. I do not think it is a fear of the dark but a fear of what could be in the dark. Anything or anyone could be lingering in the dark but you wouldn't be able to see. If I do go somewhere after dark I park under a light in case someone attempts to hurt me I can see their face. My mom and I keep flashlights in our purses. I believe Cheney when he says “almost like it’s built into our genes to move closer the campfire”. There is an indescribable need of light when it is dark. My body becomes uncomfortable, stressed, and freighted when put into the dark. It is just built into me that I need light to feel safe.