ADOPTED by Jessica Harris

A married couple in Colorado is keeping a secret. They have three beautiful kids; Aimee is the eldest, followed by Bianca, and then Courtney. The couple, Mr. & Mrs. Goldberg kept this secret for 13 years now. Courtney is adopted. She was a replacement for a loss that the couple had. Mrs. Goldberg was pregnant with twins, that was Bianca and they named the kid who died, Brittany. Mrs. Goldberg was so devastated about their loss that it's been 2 years since then, she wasn't moved on. So, the couple decided to adopt another baby girl. Aimee being six years old, and Bianca was two when Courtney arrived. Now they are, 19, 15 and 13. Mrs. Goldberg promised herself that she would tell Courtney the truth when she becomes 13 years old.

Courtney is now 13 years old. Her birthday was 2 weeks ago and Mrs. Goldberg needs to tell the truth. While cooking lunch in the kitchen, Courtney comes down from her bedroom to check if there’s lunch already because she says she’s hungry. This is when Mrs. Goldberg will tell her. She asked Courtney if they can talk in her bedroom, she said yes. They went up in Courtney’s room and Mrs. Goldberg started with this, “I don’t know how to say this. I don’t even know how to start but--” Then Courtney started to cry and say this...

“I know mom. I saw an envelope in your bedroom when I am looking for a needle and thread when my shorts were torn. I was 12 when that happened. I already knew about it. You remember, summer last year when you didn’t know that you did coz I am acting different? That’s the time I read what’s in that envelope but we got in that incident when you were shot by the thieves whom about to shoot me, you cover your whole body so that I won’t get shot. You saved me mom. From there, I knew, even though you’re not my real mom, you will do everything for me just like how you will do for Aimee and Bianca. Besides, I never felt I’m adopted, I never thought of that when I was growing up because you showed me real love. You didn’t treat me different from Aimee and Bianca, you treated us the same. Mom, I want you to know that I am not angry. I know it is hard for you to tell me this and you just waited for me to grow and age enough to understand these things. Your love is enough for me, I don’t want another mother. You’re my mother, even not biological, in heart, you are.”

Mrs. Goldberg started crying as Courtney hugged her. Nothing beats the love of a mother. Adopted or not, your mother loves you wholly. To all the adopted children, always be thankful for everything that your mother does for you. I know there’s a part of you that’s missing but always remember that they choose to love you and treat you the same and it is hard for them as well to tell you the truth. Sometimes, we are ready to hear the truth but aren’t ready to live with it but let us always think of the love, care, and sacrifices that your parents has done for you. Be grateful for everything you have, cherish it while you can.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

CHILD PREDATOR by Jessica Harris

 Anastasia Ronaldson, in her mid 30s, a professor in a high school in Alabama, teaches biology. School year ends in a few months from now. While riding home, she saw her student Jacob in the bus stop; she thought that Jacob is waiting for the next bus that will arrive one and half hours from now, so she stopped her car in front of the waiting boy.

“Hey Jacob! Where are you going?” she asked.

“I am heading home Ms. Anastasia. I am waiting for the next bus to come.,” answered the boy.

“The next bus will arrive in more than an hour. If you want, I can drop you home.”

The boy hopped in the car. Ms. Anastasia is in every boy’s dreams because she is pretty, sexy and young. Jacob likes her so much! Ms. Anastasia’s car stopped in a street for some reasons. Since Jacob is used to fixing cars because he grew up helping his dad in fixing their own car, he willingly fixed Ms. Anastasia’s car. Flexing those triceps and muscles that Jacob has, Ms. Anastasia tried to hold Jacob’s abs. He was thrilled until they kissed each other and had sex inside the car. After about three rounds, Ms. Anastasia dropped Jacob home. Committing the unforgivable, against the law and against God sin, they were both so happy about everything that has happened. They both go to school without any problem, bumping to each other in the hallway and smiles like normal teenagers, sneaking inside the biology room to have some sex when everyone is on lunch.

Everything seems normal for the lovers even their gap in age and in profession, until one day, Jacob went to Ms. Anastasia’s house; they had a good time having the whole time and the world to themselves. No one can see them, they don’t have to hide and they can be lovers inside that house. While Ms. Anastasia is preparing dinner in the kitchen for them, Jacob is roaming around her house. He saw a folder in the center table with documents and an ID inside. As he opened it, it says in the ID, “Beatrice Monroe” with Ms. Anastasia’s face in there. Jacob was confused, he didn’t know what to do but he stayed calm. He opened her phone, checked Ms. Anastasia’s social media accounts and all of them were created 2 years ago, at the same time when Ms. Anastasia moved to Alabama to teach in this high school. She has no other records than the fact that she moved from somewhere to Alabama and taught Biology since then. She has no life before those 2 years.

Jacob went home and tried to look for some answers until he found an article about a girl named Beatrice Monroe, a child predator that run away since the parents of those three boys reported her having an affair with those students. Jacob realized that he is having an affair with this woman. This woman is “wanted” in another state because of having affairs with her students. Jacob realized that he is being victimized by the charisma and charm of this teacher, telling him that the thing that is going on between them is not a sin, and it is okay. He is being brainwashed by a woman that supposedly teaching him good manners and right conduct. After a few days, Jacob decided to tell this to his mom and talk to Ms. Anastasia. They soon find out that she is “wanted” in Charleston for 2 years now, she changed her name to Anastasia Ronaldson, and created a different social media accounts to escape the charges that the parents of those three boys pressed for her.

Professionals that do not have professionalism are trash. You can like whoever you want to like, love whomever you want to love, but you have to know your limitations, and you have to consider things that needs to be considered. What happened to Ms. Anastasia is just lust. She just used her students for her own benefit. She is a child predator, a sexual predator. She is trying to obtain sexual contact with another person in a “predatory” or abusive manner. She is a child molester that is in the 30% that wants teens between 13-17 years old as their prey. As parents, we have to look after our child even they are in school. We have to know what happened to their day and as much as possible, we communicate to them to avoid these kinds of things. We also have to teach them about the do’s and don’ts and open their minds in something like this especially when they are teenagers already. That is not an absolute solution but that will help. For the schools, always review your staffs’ documents before you accept someone. You have to make sure that they are capable in teaching your students and as well as not bring harm to them.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

CHEMIST by Jessica Harris

There is a boy named Nick, living his best life in the four corners of his room. He never care. NEVER, except for one girl. He is a perfect son any parent wish to have. He is an obedient son, kind, generous, and smart or intelligent rather. Nick has a wonderful talent, drawing that's why he a taking up Architecture but he didn't really like it. He wants to be a chemist, but his dad pushed him to take his present course because his dad is an Architect.

His life takes place in 2 settings: house & school; not actually house because he never leaves his 4 cornered, airconditioned room, with drawings of everything related to chemistry and even bottles of chemicals. He is working on something; he wants to make a real love potion using these formulas and chemicals he is in possession right now. Nick believes that love is just a chemical reaction in our brain; having oxytocin which deepens feelings of attachment, and vasopressin which has been linked to trust, empathy and sexual monogamy.

He's been working on it for months now and once he finished it, he will make Danica drink it, the girl he cares about more than himself. Just a little history about Danica; she is Nick's classmate since gradeschool. They've been friends but not bestfriends like any other childhoodmates. Danica are friends with Nick but she never liked him in a way that he wants it to be. He attempted to court Danica when they were in high school, but Nick was busted right in that moment that he was just confessing his feelings. She told him exactly these words, "Sorry, we can't be together". That 5 words in a sentence, broke him into pieces. So being a chemical genius, he planned making a love potion that can literally exist.

The time came... Nick finished this liquid in a bottle and ready to give it to Danica, he got a mail in a mailbox from her.

TO: NICK

FROM: DANICA

"Dear Nick, we've been friends since we were kids and it is really good to be your friend. I know that we've never been bestfriends. As much as I want to be your bestfriend, I can't, because we can't be attached to each other, because I was scared that you'll develop feelings for me. You can't have the same feelings as I had since we were in 5th grade. In highschool, the day you confessed your feelings for me, I didn't know what to feel. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad, or broken because you fell in love with me, with a girl that can't be with you for the rest of your life. I have a heart disease and I don't want to do the operation. So, by the time that you're reading this Nick, I am gone. But I want you to know that I loved you; and I love you still 'til my last breath. I will be yours, forever. In heaven. Your love, Danica"

Nick was broken, into pieces, powdered into every ash he can be. He can't believe it. His world was gone, it was taken. He wished that if Danica gave him a chance to love her, even in just short of time, maybe she died happy. From those 5 words, "Sorry, we can't be together" turned into 3 words, "I am gone."

People may be asking Danica, “Why? Why didn’t you tell him? Maybe you could've use those times to be happy.” We can’t blame her for what she did. Danica doesn’t want Nick to get attached to her and be heart broken when the time comes. She wants him to live his life as normal as possible, without pain, heartache, suffering. Love is not just a chemical reaction in our brain. It is a feeling. We can’t choose a person whom we fall in love to, but it is our decision if we want to fight for that love or just let it go away without giving it a chance even in the shortest time you've got.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

FORBIDDEN LOVE by Jessica Harris

As a high school student, issues will never stop. There is always something new every day about anyone around you. It can be about your classmate, schoolmate, an athlete of the school, a teacher, or even about a school guard. Alex is in his 3^rd year high school when he had an issue getting in a relationship with his PE teacher, Ms. Gabby. Alex is 16 years old while Ms. Gabby is in her 20s.

The issue came from a gossipmonger who saw Ms. Gabby and Alex talking behind a tree in a building as if they are having their moment while holding hands. The bigmouth tells it to everyone until the issue spread like a vein tree. Alex having a strong personality did not deny nor admit if it was true or not. He stayed quiet and didn’t say a word about it while Ms. Gabby did the same thing.

They were spotted talking to each other inside the campus as casual teacher-student but in the back of the students’ minds that are looking at them; they think that they are impossible, disgusting and gross. As a licensed professional teacher; having an affair with your student reflects no professionalism and it can revoke your license that results to being kicked out of the school that you’re teaching.

They stayed quiet and calm despite of every issue until Ms. Gabby, try to admit it in the safest and smoothest way she can like she is boasting it while Alex is denying it a bit. Both their credibility is not granted anymore.

Having said the issues, Alex, together with his batch mates graduated from high school, then after years, Ms. Gabby finally announced that they are married which shocked everyone from the batch. Ms. Gabby’s co-teachers congratulate her in the most sarcastic way telling that she is the greatest pretender and lucky enough to hide that truth from the school administration. On the other hand, she managed to maintain her license while waiting for her love to get the hell out of the school so they can publicly be together without any threats from anything.

Love knows no age but we have to know our places in life. Having an affair with a student is not good for many reasons. On the other hand, you can love whomever you want but you have to know where you should stand. What happened to Ms. Gabby and Alex is they love the right person in the wrong time but they managed to stick with each other and wait for the right moment to come.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

PASSION by Jessica Harris

I bumped into a person, an awesome person. He is an artist. Tattoo artist, poster maker, painter, graffitti artist, to sum up, an artist.

He is good in what he is doing. He is working in a tattoo shop and have another job in which he is making posters for companies and stickers that he sells online. But pride is all his.

He told me once, "what's your thing?" I told him, "I sing... and write" he was amazed. I asked him, why art? He told me, "Art is in my heart"

He told me that his parents don’t believe in him, his parents doesn't like the career he chose. No one ever appreciated him as a person. The paintings and posters he make is so much appreciated but the artist behind it isn't.

To sum up this conversation, I just want to tell you guys this... Do whatever you want to do. Believe in yourself. Parents are the best person that you have in your life but sometimes if they hinder you from doing what you love to do, take their advice but never give up. Do what your heart wants and be happy.

Be passionate in everything you do and do it out of love. Put your heart in that masterpiece. If you sing, sing with heart; if you write, write your heart; if you paint, paint what's in your heart; if you play instruments, play your heart.

Whatever your "thing" is, being passionate is all you need to make a great masterpiece. Put your heart and your mind in the things that you do. Always be eager to learn and discover new things that will help you grow. Do what you love because that's who you are.

by Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

CARS IN THE PHILIPPINES by Jessica Harris

To make a law and enforce it, we need to think about how it can help within the different aspects in the community and if it will have a bad effect or impact. With a growing number of families that are having cars; within a family, they have 2-4 cars, because of the low price of the down payment and easy processing of getting a car. I would like to make this law to minimize traffic in Manila, and help reduce air pollution; cars in the Philippines must have a lifespan of 10-15 years. After the maximum timeline of fifteen years, you cannot register your car anymore. You actually can, but it will cost you the same when you buy a new car. After you decide of not to register it anymore, the cars must be crushed badly. In this way, the traffic in Manila will be minimized and the exhaust pipe or mufflers won't add to the air pollution anymore.

Based on the latest news here in the Philippines, there are numerous of motorists that are being involved with small traffic problems like overtaking or not giving way that leads to an argument then into a fight and then what we fear killing. So I would like to make a law wherein, applicants that will get a license must undergo in psychological examination to know what's that person is capable of and how he can handle his temper and if he have enough patience to drive a car. In this way we can prevent some bad scenarios or unfortunate happening.

Crimes are happening in the Philippines, one of the effective law to enforce is to obligate the owners of those cars to not get their car windows tinted. We will strictly prohibit that no car will be tinted so that the checkpoint officers in places will get to distinguish the criminal or the culprit if anything happens. In this case we can help reduce crimes in the Philippines and do more of checkpoints.

Since we are talking about cars already, one of the laws that I want to enforce is the "No garage, no car" policy, and it will be strictly implemented. Security background and home visitation is necessary when buying a car. If you have a garage that fits only 2 cars, you can only have 2 cars maximum. You cannot buy too much cars that won't fit in your garage. Pay parking will not be considered as garage. For example, you have a neighbor that has a vacant lot and make use of it as a pay parking business, it won't be considered. For some reasons, it might shut down and turned into a house or establishment, in other words, it may not be permanent. So, you have to have your own garage before you buy a car.

Let us always remember to think of the things we must know before making a decision. Do not just think of the good for yourself; also think for the effects of your decision to others. Let us be a good citizen of the Philippines because change will always start within ourselves.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams

BOGEYMAN by Jessica Harris

Josephine is a naughty girl. Every night when her friends text her to go out and have some drinks, she would sneak out of her bedroom through the window and she will meet her friends outside, waiting. She will be back before 4AM, before her parents wake up.

The bogeyman doesn't want that attitude. We all know that the bogeyman is always there when children are being naughty. He is everywhere, watching the kids if they're being bad. 

One night, no party is happening. She stayed at her bedroom, watching movie. "This naughty girl has to be punished" said the bogeyman. Josephine, while watching movie on her laptop, with earphones on, she didn't realize that the bogeyman sneaked into her room through the window. The bogeyman is standing at her back, beside her bed. The worst part has been done, the bogeyman, killed Josephine. He cut her throat open and leave with no trace.

The next morning, Josephine's mom, Mrs. Spencer, enters her room screaming early in the morning. She saw her daughter bathing in her own blood. Mrs. Spencer called the police and started the investigation. They compared the killings in their town to other towns around them and they all have similarities. Naughty children, bad as the bogeyman called them. It's like Hamilton Howard Fish, or Albert Fish, or best known as the bogeyman is hitting again. 

After further investigation of the police, the bogeyman who inherited Fish's work is Darius Benedict Johnson. He is a serial killer that escaped the center he was admitted to. Darius was bullied, molested, raped by his own father and he saw her own father killed his own mother. After that, he ran away from her father and went to a facility, but growing up he was bullied by the children because his father was crazy and a killer. Those things had an effect in his psychological growth. 

After Darius was arrested, he was admitted in the center again and after a few weeks, he was found dead. He took his own life, hung himself and left a suicide note saying, he can't take it anymore and he did what he did because he wants peace.

This serves as mental health awareness that if we are going on to something that we can’t handle anymore, we can always seek for help. If we didn’t seek for the right help with our thoughts, we might end up losing our mind and develop some mental diseases that will affect our personality. As parents, we should always check on our children and try to talk to them. Ask them questions like how they are and what their thoughts are. Mental health is as important as physical health.

by: Jessica Harris

your girl with big dreams