Me and my black sista

Dramatic vs. Maturity   

Kourtney TeBrake

English 9

Mrs. Pollema

    Often times, younger siblings get compared to older siblings. Everyone wants to be recognized as an individual, and not always compared to their older sibling. After all, the world would be one boring place if everyone was the same. The Bible even talks about being one body, but many parts. Therefore, people who are different have different roles and bring different perspectives into the world. They make the world bright and colorful because of their thoughts, creativity, and talents. This is true of family members as well. Though Kendra and Kourtney are of the same family, their personalities, individual talents, and passions are unique and together they bring life to the TeBrake home.

Kendra and Kourtney have different attitudes, hobbies, and talents. First of all, Kendra is a junior and Kourtney is a freshman. Kendra loves the outdoors and working with her hands. She is more mature than her age. She is also blessed with patience, which helps her family out a lot.  Kourtney prefers to work alone at home where no one can bother her. She can work outside but can also work in the house, and prefers domestic activities like baking and sewing. Kourtney has patience but not as much as her older sister does. This likely is due to the fact that she is closer in age to her younger brothers who often torment and tease her. Even though they often get mistaken for each other, Kendra resembles her father while Kourtney looks more like her mother. Kendra likes most foods and is willing to try new food, on the other hand, Kourtney is a very picky eater. Kourtney is more “dramatic and energetic” than Kendra, but Kendra can be more outgoing and talkative than Kourtney.

Even though they are different in many ways, they share some of the same interests. Both sisters are very musical and and are active in piano. However, Kendra plays the violin, while Kourtney plays the horn. Kendra is more advanced in piano because of her age.  Both girls enjoy the lake and could spend most of the their free time water skiing, tubing, and knee boarding.

While Kendra and Kourtney have different traits, they get along so well as sisters. They make each other’s weaknesses strong and their strengths even stronger. God created them to live in harmony with each other because they are different but also because their differences and similarities complement each other. 

So here it is....you guys might not agree with me.

Under the influence

    English   

Kourtney TeBrake

Teenagers sneak into the theaters often just to see R- rated movies. There is even a website that takes you step by step to sneak into a theatre. Teenagers are smarter than adults give them credit for. R-rated movies include large amounts of sexual content, language, and drugs. R-rated movies are restricted for children under the age of 17 unless accompanied by an adult.  It is the opinion of the writer that kids under 17 should not be allowed to even rent a R-rated movie. Why do people watch movies that give them nightmares? If you see a sign that says restricted, you don’t go near it. The same goes for movies, you don’t watch a rated R movie because it is restricted.

Studies show that R-rated movies have increased teen’s violent behavior and experiments of drugs, drinking, and sex. These movies may lead to early drinking and influenced them into being “risk takers”.  Kids who are under the age of 17 should not be able to rent R- rated movies either. These kids are getting R-rated movies with no problem. Older teenagers should not be permitted to see or even rent a R-rated movie. It gives the child a bigger chance to have problems in life. Studies say that the kids who watch R-rated movies have a very high chance experimenting drugs, alcohol, and sex. They get involved with things they probably would have never got in if it hadn’t been exposed to the movies that were restricted. The more kids watch R-rated movies, they want more and more of that entertainment. Kids become attached and under the influence of these types of movies. Movies are just as strong as alcohol or porn. They draw in teenagers and addict them. Certain movies can trash and pollute our minds. They pervert our minds and disregard what our parents taught us. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” What goes in must go out. Risky behaviors are often the result of a change in attitudes and values. One must protect his mind from immoral thoughts, actions, and language.  Movies are only entertainment so we really don’t need to watch them. James 1:27 also says, “...keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Most R-rated movies are trash, but some have very valid points. Passion for Christ is R- rated but show gruesome scene that make us look at Christ’s suffering different. I challenge you to discern what you are watching and only take good stuff away from it. But when the movie is too horrible that no good can come out of it, when you should stop and make something better of your time.