Out of the essays posted on the StudentStuff blog I chose two to comment on. I thought Robert J. Kling’s essay was very well written and was a good read. It was one of the most atypical selections due to his comedic descriptions. He exhibited a good vocabulary and I also thought the beginning quote was a nice touch. The second essay was from Gabi Hernandez. Some of her ideas were similar to ones in my own essay which made it easy for me to relate to. Her final paragraph was very good and really created a vivid, bittersweet closing image.

Mark Street

Judy Miller

English 111-40

1 April 2008

If I Won the Lottery

            If I won the lottery, I could help so many people. I would pay off all my bills and quit work to finish school. I think education is so important and I want my degree. I would like to set money aside for my two daughters for their education and future. I want them to have every opportunity to accomplish the goals they set for themselves.

            My parents and my sister would be the next ones I help. They have always been there for me when I have needed them. My mom and dad are retired and like to travel so I would like to plan a good vacation for them and pay off any bills they may have. I would do the same for my sister. She is older than me so I go to her often for advice. I think she deserves to be rewarded.

            I believe in giving ten percent to God. I give my church this money to help build a bigger church because we are running out of room, which is a good thing. We also have a lot of children and teenagers, so I would like to see programs and activities set up for them to help them stay involved in church. They are our future and should be encouraged to always follow God.

            One of the charities that I like to contribute to is St. Jude’s Children Hospital. They do so much to help children that are sick and their families. If it were not for St. Jude’s, many children would not be here today. They give hope when all others have given up.  This is truly a special place.

            Some our local schools need computers and different learning tools to educate our children. I would try to help these schools because our kids deserve to be taught about how technology is essential. They need to be prepared for the real world and how important education is.

            Considering I don’t play the lottery, I know these things will never happen. But it is nice to think about what is important and how I can help others. As long as my family is healthy, has a roof above them, food to eat and clothes to wear, then I feel like I have already won the lottery.

I felt that R. Pennington did a good job and had a good cause.  Clarissa Bise was very detailed and descriptive.  David Hardy 

Rachel Pennington

Winning the lottery for most people would mean paying off their debts and buying a new car. But if I won the lottery, there are only two things I would do with that million dollar check. The first thing I would do with my winnings is something I have always wanted to do and that is to travel to Great Britain. I would donate the rest of the money to a cause that I strongly believe in and have seen people benefit from, and that is St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Going to the U.K has always been a dream of mine, and finally getting to go there would be amazing. In England, I would like to go to Stratford-upon-Avon to see where Shakespeare grew up, London to look at all the historic places; and Glastonbury to visit the sites dealing with the legend of King Arthur. Then on to Scotland to tour Edinburgh and go to the festivals; and Glasgow to see the site where the Loch Ness Monster lives. Ireland and Dublin would be next, and visiting all the museums there. And last, but not least, Wales to Cardiff to see where my favorite television shows, “Dr. Who” and “Torchwood” are filmed.

The rest of my winnings would be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I can’t imagine my money going to a greater cause. They do research, and help treat children with diseases like leukemia, cancer, and tumors, just to name a few. I have always respected this organization because I used to go to school with a girl who had cancer. She was able to receive treatment from this hospital. She told everyone about all the great things they had done to help her— not just with her disease, but her as a person.

If I won the lottery there would be two ways I would split that million-dollar check: a trip to Great Britain and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. In this way, I would realize my greatest dream, and my donation would help my fellow man.

Marisa Blevins

English 111

Mrs. Miller

April 8, 2008

If I Won the Lottery

If I won the lottery, I believe for a little while I would be really happy. However, as most of you have heard that saying of the money does not buy happiness, it is true.  I personally do not know from my own experience because I have not actually been lucky enough to win; I just believe that money does not bring happiness.

As most people would do I would first pay off all my debts. I would also help all my family and friends get out of debt. I would give money to churches and to charities, such as the Breast Cancer society or St. Jude’s children’s hospital, and give money to the needy children throughout my town. I also believe that I would not be a selfish person and forget about all the more needy people in the world; I would try to help them out the best way that I could.

No matter what anyone says I believe that money can change a person. Yes, it can change them for the better, but most of the time it does not. I guess they feel that with all of the money they get, they receive all of this power. Well, anyone who believes that way, then they has a big eye opener to see. It seems like they, get a big head when they win a big amount of money like that.

Also, I would love to travel around the world to different countries and cities. I know that a lot of people say that they travel on business. However, if you ask me, I bet that they did not even get a chance to just sit back and really take it all in. Besides business yea, like it is a real fun vacation!

A couple of places that I would really like to visit are china, Iran, and Iraq. Now I know that people around here think that they are bad off, but many people are worse off than we are. I would also love to bring someone back to the states and try to help them and all the people over there. I would like to ask what they are in desperate need of and take it back to them. I love to help people and I believe that is something useful that I could do with my money.

 I know that for most people who had just won the lottery, they would quit their jobs as soon as possible. As for me, I would keep mine because I do not know what I would do with all of the time. Yes I would enjoy it for a little while, but as time went by it would get pretty boring and lonely.  I am very lucky to have the job that I have now, because not only do I like it, but I also have a really good boss that it also my best friend.

Yes, I would love to win the lottery, not only for my benefit but also to help everyone else. I also know that it is just a dream and when I wake up I will be back in the real world, where you have to work for anything and save everything.

Living day to day and having some weeks we have to put off a bill for a few days to buy groceries, makes winning the lottery sound like a dream come true scenario.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Sounds like an easy question to answer. However, when you really take the time to really think about things and actually look at the situation as a real scenario, what would you do if you won the lottery?

The first phone call I would make wouldn’t be to friends or family to brag. It would be to an attorney to help me cover my rear end as I enter the new found world of finances and legal matters. Calling an attorney that I know I can trust and depend on to not take advantage of me took some thought, I finally came up with a name.

Calling the officials to let them know I had the ticket would be my next step. Getting the ticket turned in quickly to assure I didn’t lose it would be crucial. I lose everything. I can lose things that never seem to surface again. Every day I am searching frantically for one thing or another. Thank goodness I have never forgotten my children.

I would more than likely get one lump sum. Well, depending on the amount I win. Low amounts a couple of million or so, I may do monthly payments or the taxes would get the best of you in the end. Taking a lump sum opens more doors for investing and getting businesses started to increase your winnings for a life time and beyond.
David Hardy

3/31/08-Lottery, Pg 2 of 4

I would sit aside ample for my children. I would further continue to add to their amounts with investments, if they were good kids. If one decided to become a drug head or something, well, they could kiss the money gone.

I would like to see that my kids could go to school to be what ever they wanted, not ever have to worry about money and just be able to enjoy their children and spouses. I would make stipulations that would have my children being responsible adults. Finishing college and having to maintain some form of work/volunteering in order to benefit from the money. If they didn’t, no money. It would be that simple. I would not allow them to be nothing, with no self-respect in the end when it matters. Besides, an easy road is not always the healthiest for people. Look at all the celebrities and the messes they find themselves in once they have all the fame and fortune.

Investing would be a most important part of my winnings. Before I went out and bought the first thing, I would get money going into investments and businesses. I would take so much per month and invest it wisely. I know with the market being the way it is at times this may prove risk at times, but you just have to make more money.

Once I had my ducks in a row, my kids taken care of and money working for me, then I would start looking at the luxury of having money. When I first answered, before really looking at this as a realistic option, I jumped straight to this point.

I would build my family a house on the lake. I would get a truck, a BIG ONE! Send my wife to the spa for some royal treatment and relaxation. Get a couple of vacation spots.

David Hardy

3/31/08-Lottery, Pg 3 of 4

A place in the mountains with a lake or creek to fish. Acres and acres so I could hunt at my own pace. A nice house in the middle of it all so I could be lost in the surroundings. I would put in paths for four-wheeling, biking, and hiking.

A trip to a nice beach somewhere would be my next vacation spot, otherwise, my wife would kill me and get it all. I would let her do the picking and sitting up of amenities. I would just go along to get along.

Get the normal, everyone new clothes, wife a car, new furniture and the general new household items, big ol’ John Deere tractor and things like that, about forgot, a boat or two–one for fishing and one for the family .

I would take care of my parents. House, car, furniture, and get things in place for them to be taken care of when they get older and will need medical care. Same for my two brothers. I would set my three nieces and three nephews enough aside for their college and a car. For the rest of my family, I would give everyone, uncles, cousins, etc., the same amount, nothing extravagant, probably about $10,000. My friends, the ones’ who were out of the woodwork BEFORE I won, I would give them a chunk too, probably more than my cousins I have seen but once a year for twenty years.

All of this spending would depend on the amount I won. If I had won $432 million and cleared about $300 million, I would be more giving to family. I wouldn’t be greedy, but not stupid either.

I would give to my church, do they take lottery winnings? I may have to wait until an

David Hardy

3/31/08-Lottery, Pg 4 of 4

investment made some profit and they would take it by that means. Not sure how this works.

Charities, I would pick some and give them lump sums. I would pick some that I contributed to each month when profits from my investments came rolling in.

Overall, I think I would be level headed and not go nuts. It seems if I would have been answering this question a few years ago, prior to marriage and kids, I would have had a one word simple answer-party. Sure am glad, just in case I luck up and win, I would do better now.

                                                                           David Hardy

Amanda Taylor

English 111

Judy Miller

3/30/08

WINNING THE LOTTERY

                        If I won the lottery, my life would be so wonderful.  With that much money I could have everything that I have ever dreamed about.  I would first start a trust fund for my son and invest some money in secure funds.  Then I would donate money to the breast cancer charity.  After I have done all the right things, I would have to give my family money to help them.  Then it would be all about my son and me.  I would buy a new car, build a house, go shopping, and I would go on a month long vacation. 

                        My first step after getting my lump some of the money would be to start a trust fund for my son.  I would put enough money in the trust fund to make sure he gets a car when he is sixteen.  I would include money for him to attend college and not have to worry about finical aid and loans.  Next while I was at the bank I would invest money in secure funds, so the money would grow over the years.  The reason I would do those two things, is that I want my child to have the best things available to him.  I want him to be able to go to college and get a great job, and not worry about struggling week to week to make it. I would invest money that way all of it would not just be blown on stupid things. 

                        The second thing would be to would to donate it to the breast cancer charity.  The reason I would choose this charity, is that many people I know have battled breast cancer.  Breast cancer is a growing disease in the world. Any money we can give to help is a step closer to preventing it.

                        My family would have to receive some of the money I won.  First, I would help my grandparents with their doctor bills.  I would give my parents some money for all they have done for me in my life.  My uncle and his wife would get a little of my money.  However, I would put money in the bank for their three daughters and make sure that no one could touch it but the girls.  I would want it to help with college their college.  Family is the most important thing in the world.  I would want my family to share in my good fortune. 

                        Now it would have to be about myself and my son for a while.  I would take money and buy myself a convertible Volkswagen Beetle and a four-wheel drive Explorer.  I would buy some land and build a house with five bedrooms, four baths, huge closets, and a garage.  There would be a pool and a basketball court outside.  I would go out and buy all new furniture for the house.  Shopping would have to be included in what I would do.  Clothes are always needed for my son and me.  While my house was being built I would take a month long vacation to the beach. 

                        Winning the lottery would make life a lot easily than it is now.  Money is what makes the world what it is today.  If you don’t have enough money then you are always struggling to make it week to week.  It would be great to go to work and enjoy it.  Not worrying about when payday is so you could pay the bills.  Winning the lottery would solve my problems and make life complete.

Leah Halsey

                                                                My last Thirty days

The other day a boy my age was drinking and driving. He ran from the cops and crashed into two vehicles killing one passanger. The boy is heading into surgery and may be paralized for the rest of his life. I saw this boy just a few minutes before he crashed.  It makes me look at mortality and how easy it is to take everything you know and live for away in the blink of an eye. But what if I had just thirty days to live and I knew it. What would I do? Where would I go ? It’s hard to some up all the things I would do in such little of time.  

            The  first thing I would do is hop onto an aiplane to see places I dreamed of. I’d first stop in Paris to see the Eiffle Tower. I’d then go to Ireland a sit on the coast and watch the waves  rash into the rocks. I’d go se the Maharaja in India and play with the Tigers of the monks and end my trip with surfing Austraillia and watch an opera and Sydneys favorite Opera house.          

I would then come home and spend my last days with those I loved. I would tell them old stories and relieve moments that shaped me inot the person I am today. I would tell them I was sorry for anything I felt I needed to free myself before I laid to rest in peace. I finish my day with a nice big meal before dying.

 When it comes down to it. I may not even have the money to travel, even though it is my last dream. I may have to try to live the rest of my life normal, so I cannot stress about death. I want to live a long life, but if I don’t  I hope to not know when my last day is so I won’t have to spend the rest of my waking moments thinking about my last day.

If I Only Had Thirty Days To Live

      If I only had thirty days to live I would definitely need to know there was no cure for me before I would give up on living. I would hope to have the energy and strength to do fun things that would make me feel complete and give me a sense of accomplishment like helping in my church, community, neighborhood and family. Doing things that make me feel good after I did them instead of feeling good in the moment is what I hope to live my last days. I would want to do enjoyable things that make me happy, things that give me a sense of accomplishment, and becoming best friends with God. I wouldn’t have much interest in sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, or riding a real or mechanical bull. I wouldn’t have much need to go bungee jumping again because I don’t recall it making me feel complete the first time I did it. Parachuting doesn’t interest me much because I would be afraid my parachute would malfunction and I wouldn’t have all of my thirty days. I believe if I had only 4-5 weeks to leave, I would want to play with my Pomeranians and visit friends. Maybe I would have enough time to spend on the piano and learn to play some songs that I love to sing. Also, I have some scrap booking to finish to give to my boyfriend to remember me by. 

      I would like to make a video for my family and loved ones of things I always wanted to say to them but couldn’t. I don’t want to have regrets about anything I was doing or feel bad about not having time to do the things I want to do in my last days.

      Most importantly, I would make sure I leave a positive legacy after my life; a legacy to pass down through my family of things that I did that made a difference in other people’s lives.

Ashlan Frye

Essay #5

08 April 2008

The Lottery

If I were to win the lottery, there would be a few things I would do with the prize money. First of all, I would make sure I have the things I need in life such as a new car and house, and I would put some money in an interest drawing savings account in the bank to fall back on in times of need. The next thing I would do is invest some of my money in savings bonds for my future children so they would have a solid future and money to pay for college. The last thing I would do with some of the prize money would be to donate some money to a few good charities.

The first thing I would do would be to buy a new car or maybe two to make sure that I always have reliable transportation to work, school, and to important appointments. I’d probably have to get a small car that would be good on gas and a four-wheel drive vehicle so I would be able to get around in bad winter weather. I would also buy a big, new house. It would not have to be too extravagant, I just want a nice home. Along with that house, I would get some home owners insurance to protect myself and my family from unexpected occurrences. Then, I would put back a bit of money in a savings account in case anything unexpected happens causing me to need financial support to fall back on.

Secondly, I would purchase some savings bonds for any children I may have in the future. I want to be sure that my children have all the opportunities available to them. I also want them to have a good college education without having to worry about paying back a bunch of student loans or working themselves to death to get scholarships. I want them to have some money to start out with when they first move out on their own so, they can concentrate on starting and building their new career.

The next thing I would do is donate some money to a few good charities. I would donate some to a charity for abused and neglected animals. I would donate some for sick children who don’t have healthcare. I would donate a very large sum of money to help families in poverty to get on their feet and get a decent home to live in. I would have to donate the most money to what I believe is the most important of all. I would give as much money as possible to aid in medical research for illnesses that do not yet have a cure, such as Alzheimer’s, Aids, Cancer, and other incurable diseases .

Therefore, if I were to win the lottery, I would try to be very responsible in spending my prize money. First, I would make sure that I have a nice home and reliable transportation. Next, I would make sure my future children are taken care of. And last, I would help those who are less fortunate by donating to various charities.