Roses †A Short Story

Roses – A Short Story Free Online Research Papers If I could go back, even for a day, maybe things could have been different. I would give him a hug to assure him thinks are ok, despite the cruel circumstances he was under. I’d let him know there are more people who care about him than don’t. But time cannot rewind, reality and life are in the present. I know take life more serious. I express my love to more people who may not have heard it before because life is precious and they have made a difference in me. I no longer say goodbye, because goodbye is forever. Instead, I say â€Å"See you later.† The pains and sorrows that are felt are only temporary. Suffering now will lead to happiness in the future. Never has a single person had such a strong impact on my life as Jordan Jensen did, and still continues to. The smell of a cleansing spring rain filled the air in Draper, Utah. The weather was almost perfect. Clear skies, fresh air, not hot, but not cold. Through the overcast clouds that hung over the valley the sun still managed to shine through and put it’s warmth on us. No one seemed as excited for this new weather as I did. I wanted to be outside, wander around, and enjoy the beauty. For three months I felt as if all we did was sit inside of the same houses, the same basements, because of the cold and gloomy weather. But alas we could be free! After begging forever I finally convinced someone to step outside into this beautiful day, get some fresh air, and just walk with me.. His name is Jordan Jensen. Jordan and I skipped down the street, hand in hand, laughing at probably nothing. We weren’t the closest friends, but we confided in each other. The cement cold on our bare feet, but that didn’t bother us. We stopped at Pheasant Circle Park to swing and strengthen our friendship. The sawdust on the playground was still wet from the rain, so it was unusually soft on our feet. We hadn’t been friends for very long, so at first the conversation was small. Our discussion somehow led to love. We both agreed on everything. Even though we’re both young, we still had our thoughts and hopes about it. The discussion of love led into flowers. Jordan then told me I was going to be added to his â€Å"Rose List.† Once a month he would leave one or two roses on his good friend’s porch. Just to brighten their day. After 3 hours of talking we decided we were going to be best friends. So we were. Two weeks later I was on my way to work. I opened the door and there were four, white roses sitting on the step. I smiled wider than I ever had before. I wasn’t necessarily having an awful day, but this simple act definitely took an insipid day and made it one of the best. The sweet scent of the roses occupied the musky smell of my car. I continued to receive four roses each month. Jordan had many big dreams. Some were a bit unrealistic to us. But, for some reason, just because Jordan wanted and hoped for them to come true, in the back of our minds we were a little convinced they might. It’s unfortunate and heart breaking that his biggest dream, our worst nightmare, came true. The smell of roses has never smelt so bitter. Usually associated with romance or love, to a group of friends they smell of tragedy and guilt. The normal roses left on our porch were only rose petals for the last time. Jordan Jensen took his life on October 14, 2007. Research Papers on "Roses" - A Short StoryThe Spring and AutumnNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceThe Hockey GameLifes What IfsHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionComparison: Letter from Birmingham and Crito19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductWhere Wild and West MeetAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2

10 California Geography Facts

10 California Geography Facts California  is a state located in the western United States. It is the largest state in the union based on its population of over 35 million and it is the third largest state (behind Alaska and Texas) by land area. California is bordered to the north by Oregon, to the east by Nevada, to the southeast by Arizona, to the south by Mexico and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Californias nickname is the Golden State. The state of California is most well known for its large cities, varied topography, favorable climate, and large economy. As such, Californias population has grown quickly over the past decades and it continues to grow today via both immigration from foreign countries and movement from other states. Basic Facts Capital: SacramentoPopulation: 38,292,687 (January 2009 estimate)Largest Cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Long Beach, Fresno, Sacramento, and OaklandArea: 155,959 square miles (403,934 sq km)Highest Point: Mount Whitney at 14,494 feet (4,418 m)Lowest Point: Death Valley at -282 feet (-86 m) Geographic Facts About California The following is a list of ten geographic facts to know about the state of California: 1) California was one of the most diverse regions for Native American in the United States with around 70 independent tribes prior to the arrival of persons from other areas in the 1500s. The first explorer of the California coast was the Portuguese explorer Joo Rodrigues Cabrilho in 1542. 2) Throughout the rest of the 1500s, the Spanish explored Californias coast and eventually established 21 missions in what was known as Alta California. In 1821, The Mexican War of Independence allowed Mexico and California to become independent of Spain. Following this independence, Alta California remained as a northern province of Mexico. 3) In 1846, the Mexican-American War broke out and following the end of the war, Alta California became a U.S. territory. By the 1850s, California had a large population as a result of the Gold Rush and on September 9, 1850, California was admitted into the United States. 4) Today, California is the most populous state in the U.S. For reference, Californias population is over 39 million people, making it roughly the same as the entire country of Canada. Illegal immigration is also a problem in California and in 2010, around 7.3% of the population was made up of illegal immigrants. 5) Most of Californias population is clustered within one of three major metropolitan areas. These include the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, Southern California extending from Los Angeles to San Diego and Central Valley cities stretching from Sacramento to Stockton and Modesto. 6) California has varied topography that includes mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada that run south to north along the eastern border of the state and the Tehachapi Mountains in Southern California. The state also has famous valleys like the agriculturally productive Central Valley and the wine-growing Napa Valley. 7) Central California is divided into two regions by its major river systems. The Sacramento River, which begins flowing near Mount Shasta in northern California, provides water to both the northern part of the state and the Sacramento Valley. The San Joaquin River forms the watershed for the San Joaquin Valley, another agriculturally productive region of the state. The two rivers then join to form the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system which is a major water supplier for the state, a water transit hub, and an incredibly biodiverse region. 8) Most of Californias climate is considered Mediterranean with warm to hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Cities located closer to the Pacific coast feature a maritime climate with cool foggy summers, while the Central Valley and other inland locations can become very hot in the summer. For example, San Franciscos average July high temperature is 68 °F (20 °C) while Sacramentos is 94 °F (34 °C). California also has desert regions like Death Valley and very cold climates in the higher mountain areas. 9) California is highly active geologically as it is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Many large faults such as the San Andreas run throughout the state making a large portion of it, including the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas, prone to earthquakes. A portion of the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range also extends into northern California and Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen are active volcanoes in the area. Drought, wildfire, landslides, and flooding are other natural disasters common in California. 10) Californias economy is responsible for about 13% of the gross domestic product for the entire United States. Computers and electronic products are Californias largest export, while tourism, agriculture and other manufacturing industries make up a large part of the states economy.