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My Birth
I was born in late May, in the middle of the night at Abington Memorial Hospital. My family had just moved to Abington from Orange County, California, where my brother had grown up. I had almost no complications when I was first born and was a healthy baby. I was the second child, which meant my brother would no longer be an only child, which was a big adjustment for him. I am very lucky to have been born into the family I was, as they always support me and encourage me to be a better person. -
Admitted to CHOP NICU for Hypernatremia
When I was around 2 weeks old, I had lost 3 pounds from when I was born. I had dropped from 7.5 pounds to 4.5, and I had to be taken to the CHOP NICU. I was then treated for Hypernatremia, due to dehydration. This incident resulted in me having to take physical and speech therapy for around two years. I was very lucky to have such good treatment when this happened, and I will forever be thankful to the doctors who helped me to get better and help me through recovery. -
World Trade Center and Pentagon are attacked
The infamous attacks of 9/11 left America in shambles. After a planes had crashed into the Twin Towers of New York City and the Pentagon of Washington D.C., America was forced to reform itself. Because of these attacks, U.S. government continuously go to extreme measures to ensure safety and prevent something like this from happening along with the wars and uprisings that occurred following this event. The 9/11 attacks left Americans in a constant state of fear.(http://www.cnn.com/) -
Bush Declares "War on Terror"
Followng the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bush gives the war or terror speech in attempt to ease the fear people were then feeling. This speech was onet define Bush's presidency. This speech helped to gain support after America's tragic defeat adeventually get America back on its feet. The war on terror speech made America as whole more unified, with one common enemy. This speech was influential to the eventual wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (http://www.findingdulcinea.com) -
Bush signs the No Child Left Behind Act
The signing of this act was one of the greatest changes made to elementary and secondary school systems. A major change of this act required yearly standardized tests to be aware of where students stand academically and how much they excel. It also resulted in more accountability on the teachers and principals to give every student the same learning opportunity. The NCLB benefitied the education system by giving a a more effective way to keep up with students.(http://www.edweek.org/) -
George W. Bush Signs Homeland Security Bill
The Homeland Security Bill was introduced as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Created to protect citizens against newfound dangers of the new era, the HSB called for a new department to be created in the government. The idea behind this act was to make America safer as a whole, and this reassurance allowed for frightened survivors of 9/11 to feel at home again. This bill helped the country to protect themselves from terrorist attacks.(http://edition.cnn.com/) -
Bush Launches Invasion of Iraq
To fight back against the ruthless terrorist attacks and threats, Bush sent troops into Iraq and declares war. The president wanted to defend the freedom and safety of the United States. As a result, Iraq was required by the UN to rid themselves of all their weapons and to become completely disarmed, leaving them defenseless. The war with Iraq became highly controversial, as the U.S. hoped to use this war to solve their problems, and failed to do so.(http://www.popularsocialscience.com/) -
President Bush Signs $350 Billion Tax-Cut Bill
When Bush signed the tax cut bill, he was surrounded with criticism. Although it had seemed unreasonable and unintelligible, Bush considered it necessary in order to create jobs and still be able to pay the working people of America. Although the large amount of doubt surrounding the decision, the tax cut had eventually become the most beneficial one the American government had seen in years. A predicted 4.4 million jobs had been created from the tax cut.(http://www.nytimes.com/) -
George W. Bush Signs Bill to Provide Changes in Medicare
Bush's changes to Medicare were considered the most beneficial advancement for healthcare for American seniors. Changes included prescription drug benefits as well in a large sum of money towards insurance companies and health maintenance organizations. The Funding allowed for seniors to have a better insurance coverage when accidents happen, leaving them less worried over paying for treatment. Seniors were also able to purchase their prescription drugs at discounted prices.(http://www.cnn.com/) -
Hurricane Katrina Hits the Gulf Coast and Floods New Orleans, Lousiana
Hurricane Katrina was documented as the costliest natural disaster and one of the deadliest natural disasters. After the hurricane had hit, the city of New Orleans sat dilapidated, as no government was there to step in and help. Because neither the city, state, nor country thought it was their issue to take care of, a total of 1,833 people lost their lives waiting for help. This storm was extremely devastating, but the country became more prepared for the future.(http://ftw.usatoday.com/) -
My Grandfather Dies
When my grandfather passed away, my family and I all had a very difficult time coping with the loss. I was quite young at the time but very close with my grandfather, and I loved him a lot. It was very hard having to watch my family go through the terrible loss, as it is difficult watch your family upset. Dealing with him passing away was one of the hardest things I have had to go through, but because of it I am stronger than before and I have learned to enjoy every moment you have with someone. -
Adopting My First Puppy
In early fall of 2007, my family and I drove to New Jersey to adopt the first and only dog we would have as a puppy. Although I had other dogs before, Peevy was the first dog I had ever raised from a puppy, and had the chance to become very close with. I was young when we adopted her, so my dog and I grew up together, and she became one of my best friends. After adopting Peevy, I realized how much a dog can mean to you and truly become part of your family. -
Barack Obama Becomes the First African American to be Elected President of the United States
In early November, President Obama is elected president. This takes America one step closer to an an equal and fair government. While in term as president, Obama created many reforms, eliminated the threat of Osama bin laden, and supplied affordable healthcare to all those who need it. He also ended the war with Iraq, and therefore problems encountered during the war. Obama also made history as the first African American to take office.(http://washingtonmonthly.com/) -
Obama Shuts Down All Secret Prisions
Not long after elected president, Obama orders all secret prisons and detention camps to be shut down. This included the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention camp which was closed within a year. The purpose of this was to attempt to reverse all of controversial counterterorism acts that had been ordered during the years Bush was president. This gave America a chance to start over with a new president and a clean slate. Now interrogation by the U.S. is done in a specific way by only certain people. -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Signed by President Obama, the objective of the ARRA was to save existing jobs and create new ones. This act was created to specifically target the unemployed and those who's jobs were in danger. As this followed the Great Recession, the act also benefited those who were most effected by it, and to create relief programs for them. The ARRA wanted to invest in things that would benefit those who were struggling, such as education, health, and renewable energy.(www.govtrack.us) -
Moving from Catholic to Public School
When I went into 3rd grade, my parents made the decision for me to change schools and start going to public school. Although I did not want to leave my school at the time, but I am glad they did. If I stayed in my old school I would have never made the friends I have now or have become the person I am today. This was a change in my life that helped to shape the person i have become today. I could not begin to imagine how differently my life would have been if I had not made this change. -
Obamacare is Signed into Law
Obamacare was created to relieve those who were unable to afford healthcare, or had no way of getting it. Obamacare supplied affordable healthcare to anybody who needed it. This helped to better overall health of the of Americans who did not have the time or money to worry about it. This law relived stress of those who struggled economically, and helped to put the nation in a better place by providing everyone with healthcare, not just the ones who could afford it.(http://www.forbes.com/) -
Signing Up for my First Year of Cheer
Before signing up for cheer, I was a gymnast, and I never would have thought I would enjoy cheer leading. Although, after just one year I realized how much I loved the sport, and is now a huge part of my life. A few years later I joined all-star cheer, which I continue to do. The sport itself has made me someone I never thought I would be, in the best ways possible. It has shaped me to be a strong and unique individual, because of both the sport itself and the people I have met because of cheer. -
Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act
This act authorizes the funding of school meals in hopes to make it more nutritious and health-conscious. Obama raised the standard of the school lunches as well as enrolled more children in school meal plans. This act resulted in better options for children's school lunches, a step towards overall healthier. It also supplied a larger amount of children that are unable to get their own lunches with either free or price reduced meals to ensure all children are fed.(http://www.fns.usda.gov/) -
U.S. Special Forces Kill Osama bin Laden
After years of searching, Obama announces that Osama bin laden, leader of the al-Qaeda organization, had been shot dead and buried at sea. Bin laden was also the man held responsible for the 9/11 terrorists attacks, the reasoning behind his death. The U.S. had decided that the nation would feel safer with him killed, and with him out of the picture, they could begin to recover from the attacks. His assassination was an act to benefit the country and its well-being.(http://www.cnn.com/) -
Obama Ends War in Iraq
After pulling all troops out of Iraq, Obama promised that he had ended the going war that had been going on for 9 years. This was not only an accomplishment for the president, but also a huge change in military focus and a chance for the nation to have new relations with the rest of the world. The United States was able to move onto greater things and get out of a war that had been raising many conflicts and bringing down the nation as a whole.(www.whitehouse.gov) -
Going to Disney World with 5 of my Closest Friends
Only two days before my 14th birthday, me and five of my friends left for a trip to Disney World. It was an expensive trip, and it taught me how to work hard for the things I want. The trip itself gave me a sense of freedom and pride I had never felt before, as I had never been given the opportunity to go out of the states with so many of my friends before. Going to Disney World also allowed for my relationship with my friends to grow, as I got to know them in ways I never had before. -
My Brother Leaves for College
My brother Gerald is 5 years older than me, and only 2 years ago he left to go to college at West Virginia University. Growing up I never though we were all that close, and I thought him leaving for college wouldn't have a big effect on me. Although the day we dropped him off was one of the hardest days of my life, and being at home without him didn't feel the same. Even though it was hard without him there, he always visits home. This made me realize how much my family really meant to me. -
Being Hired for my First Job
Getting my first job transformed me as a person, in terms of my behavior and individuality. Working has given me a whole new experience outside of school or anything I've done before. It is a whole new level of responsibility I was required to take on. I had to learn to take care of my issues by myself and without the help of any parents or friends. I have become a more mature and independent individual, and the lessons I have taken away with me from working are ones I will always remember. -
Going to my First Concert
This past summer, I attended my first concert with just one of my closest friends. The tickets were a Christmas gift, and being able to see one of my favorite artists live was one of the best things I was able to experience. It will forever stay a night I will never forget, and I gift I will always be thankful for. My friend and I bonded that night, and it is a memory we will always have between just ourselves.
