Open Question: Read this and Best answer gets ten points!!!?
How old do you think Sophie Blake sounds??? Whoever guesses it write or closest gets 10 points!!! I wrote it BTW and I’m 13…
The door of Sophie Blake?s bedroom slammed as she and her
younger brother came in.
They had come from the kitchen where Sophie was making supper and Alex was playing happily with his trucks. Their parents, Angie and Lewis, burst in the front door…drunk. Knowing that there would be fighting; Sophie had grabbed Alex and placed him on her hip as she dashed to their room. She tried to get out of view before her parents noticed them.
Sophie and Alex shared a small trundle bed in their mobile home and she desperately sat him on it trying to figure out what to do.
Sophie’s parents didn’t used to drink. She could vaguely remember back when she was six years old that her parents had gone out with a man. They hadn’t met the man before but they went out to eat anyway. When they came home, they were drunk. In her childish state of mind, she hid under the table and listened to them arguing over tedious things. To this day, nine years later, they still drink constantly but also have an addiction to drugs.
Reminded of the brutal conflicts when a loud scream pierced their ears, Sophie walked to her door and closed it tightly. After twisting the lock on the cold knob, she paced to her brothers side.
?It?s okay, Alex.? She reassured him, who was crying against her shoulder as she held him. ?Trust me; it?s all going to be okay.?
Sophie wiped away a tear from his puffy cheek. She knew how he felt. Even though he was only three, she had the same feeling and tears welded in her eyes. No, She thought to herself, I am not going to cry. I?ve cried enough already and I can?t let Alex see me. He?s been through enough and he?s terrified!
?Alex, calm down. I?m not going to let them come in here, okay? You know they?re going to be back to normal tomorrow, remember?? She asked him as he looked in his soft, green eyes that, by now, were red and swollen.
?So-so, they aren?t going to hurt me?? Alex whimpered, grasping his sister?s sleeve looking for security.
?No, Alex. I think,? Sophie glanced at the door then continued in a hushed voice, ?if we stay in here and be quiet then maybe they won?t even remember we?re here.?
There was a loud thump and Alex burst into fresh tears. They could hear voices in the room next to them, which was their parents? room, and a door slammed.
?Sissy, I?m hungry!? Alex announced, while rubbing his eyes intensely.
?Sweet heart,? Sophie smiled warmly while pulling his small, sticky hands away from his eyes, ?You know it?s too dangerous to go out there. You?re going to have to wait until morning, okay?? Sophie remembered that they hadn?t had a chance to eat the grilled cheese she had made them.
?Okay, I guess I can wait.? He murmured.
As Sophie looked into the eyes of her most precious being in the world, she was taken over and a tear rolled easily down her smooth cheek. She wiped it away trying to hide it from Alex.
?Alex, buddy,? her voice cracked and tears continued to flow, that she could no longer hide. ?I love you so much. I am so sorry you have to go through this. It?s hard for me too. When I get old enough, I?m going to take you and me and we?re going to live in a house together. I am not going to leave you, all right?? She poked the pot belly of the child and a chuckle escaped his lips.
?I love you to, sissy!? He stretched his neck up to her cheek and smacked his lips into a loving kiss. ?And when I get bigger, I?m going to take care of you, just like you take care of me.?
?I know you will, Honey.? She whispered.
Sophie rolled over, after a minute of lying with Alex, and was about to stand. Her parents had settled down and went to bed a few minutes ago. She thought it was safe and her feet hit the carpet as she stood to tuck him in. After pulling out the trundle bed, Sophie drew the covers up onto Alex?s small body.
?Now you go to sleep, I need to go clean up the mess, okay?? Sophie asserted, helping him to know it was okay to fall asleep now.
?Okay, ?Night, ?Night, sissy,? He mumbled under his tired breath as he received a kiss from his loving sister.
??Night, ?Night, my little button.? Sophie turned out the lights and cracked the door so she could hear if he needed her.
Sophie walked into the kitchen that was connected to the den and sighed at the look at the disaster. There were numerous beer bottles lying around like once they finished them her parents just dropped them and went to get another.
Sophie saw what the big thud was; a lamp lie on the floor but, somehow, it wasn?t broken. It looked like they were trying to turn it on.
Some alcohol was splattered in a section on the carpet and Sophie franticly looked for a rag. She soaked up the foul liquid that seeped and dampened her hands. Her brown hair was thrown into a loose bun and strands curled around he
her face. Sweat buds covered her forehead from her stressed work.
She had cleaned up the mess and decided to take out the trash and turn in for the night.
It was a cold Sunday night, when Sophie went outside, with very weird weather. She smiled tenderly as she let the soft breeze blow kindly at her flushed face. The sun was drifting from sight and the air grew crisp. It was ninety degrees when the sun was fully up this morning, and now it was down to forty. Sophie tossed the trash bags in the jumbo dumpster that sat next to the ditch that followed the one side of the house. The grass was damp and cold under her bare feet as she hurried inside the house.
When Sophie got inside the trailer, she heaved a sigh of relief as she looked around at the clean house.
Comfortable, baggy pants and a stretchy tank top were her night clothes. Her sheets were fresh and inviting as she climbed into her bed. It was not the coziest bed, but she was content with what she had as she slow
slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:54:54 GMT
Open Question: Potential Health Issue - Important!?
Hello there, everyone.
I’ve only just turned 18 back in September and I live a very healthy lifestyle. I eat well, sleep well, exercise, etc. I haven’t been sick in years, either. The point I’m trying to convey is that I live well and have no family history of any diseases or complications.
However, for the last few days I suddenly get sharp, stabbing tightness in my heart - it hurts very badly and then goes away. For a while after my heart will beat extremely fast. This was happening on and off for, like I said, the last few days but now it’s a lot worse. It’s happening in much closer intervals and the pain lingers longer.
I’m worried about what this could be - any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 05:22:03 GMT

Open Question: Rate a part of my story and if you can edit a few paragraphs?
The next day, I wasn?t surprised to have received 24 text messages from Torrie. Since it was 25 minutes before I needed to get ready, I just read some of them.
Hey Melina. Wats up with Josline? I?ve tried calling her and shes not answering.
When I text her she just says nothing is wrong and doesn?t even reply back.
Did something happen yesterday?
I sighed and scrolled down through all 24 texts. There was one more sent 4 hours after the 24th one. It was from Josline.
Hi. I?m sorry for what happened earlier at your house. I was just having one of my weird moments. R u upset? I hope your not. Again I?m really really srry Melina. C U at school k?
Josline
I began tracing circles on my hand. What was really wrong with Josline yesterday. Did she see something? Did I say anything that might have offended her? Gosh my life is starting to get more and more complicated and harder to deal with. As I got off the bus, Nathaniel caught up with me.
“Hey Melina.“ he said while smiling with his hands in his pockets.
“H-hi“ I stammered. I looked down my ears were hot. I felt self conscious and I didn?t know why.
“What?s wrong?“ his eyebrows knitted together and his smile faded. His concern colored his tone.
“Nothing. Why do you ask?“ I didn?t look at him. I made my hair conceal my face.
“Well, first of all you didn?t trip yet.“
“Actually I did trip?twice for your information.“
“Not any that I saw.“
I looked up at him and he held my eyes. I couldn?t look away.
“Now tell me. What?s the matter.“ he murmured.
“Nothing is the matter.“ my voice irritated.
He sighed. I walked in a quicker pace ahead of him. He ran to catch up.
“I?m sorry. I didn?t mean to upset you. You looked sad and I was???.worried.“ he whispered the last word sternly. I couldn?t help but smile at him. He smiled back. Gosh it was so hard to stay mad at him.
“So?do you want to sit with us at lunch again?“ I asked nervously.
“Of course. I wouldn?t sit anywhere else. See you in class okay.“ he fixed a strand of my hair that was sticking up and put it back in place. I froze and I could feel my heart skip a beat. He smiled and walked off. I felt a whole bunch of eyes on my back. Nosy kids, have nothing better to do.
In the gym I didn?t see Nathaniel anywhere but I did see Kim, Torrie and Josline sitting on the top bleachers. Torrie hollered my name and waved her hands around like a maniac.
“Melina up here!“ she yelled.
I ran cautiously up the bleachers still searching for Nathaniel.
“Hi Melina.“ said Josline who gave me an apologetic smile.
“Hi.“ I replied with a crooked smile.
“Melina, this weekend I?m having a Twilight party and I was wondering if you?d like to come.“ Torre asked with an invitation I her hand. There is a lot of things going on in my head at this very moment about Twilight and they aren?t very good.
“Um?.sure. I just have talk with my parents about it.“
“Okay. Its going to be the greatest party ever. My mother didn?t buy me any Twilight items for the party so I just got a job so I could.“
“Wait a minute. You got a?..job? Where?“ I asked with a confused look on my face.
“At Blue Foundation. They pay me pretty well too.“
“Aren?t you a little young to get a job there? Don?t you think your a little young to get a job at all?“ I am intently focused on finding out why Torrie would do a stupid act like this. She?s not even passing any of her academic classes and yet she went out and applied for a job just to get Twilight items for her party.
“No?not really besides Blue Foundation is a diner. Its not like it?s a bar. My mom thought I didn?t need anything major from Twilight to have an awesome party. But I thought I did so I applied for a job at Blue Foundation, and now here I am.“ she flashed her pearly whites and narrows her eyes.
Kim and Josline just kept quiet. They looked just as surprised as I was. They probably couldn?t convert their feelings into words.
“Does your mother know?“
“Nope. That?s the best thing about it. Its going to be great to tell everyone at my party that I bought the stuff?with my own money.“ she said with a giggle.
Throughout all of this conversation, my eyes flickered around the gym still searching for Nathaniel but he was nowhere to be found.
The bell rang and I found myself rushing out the gym door. Nathaniel was waiting leaning against the wall.
“Your in a hurry. Where you looking for?.me?“ he had a smirk pasted on his face.
“N-no I-I just don?t want to be late for class?that?s all.“ I bit my lip which gave it all away.
He rolled his eyes and smiled.
“So where do you go before class starts? I never see you in the gym.“ I kept my voice indifferent.
“So you were looking for me.“
“Just answer my question Nathaniel.“
He sighed. “I wait in the office. They have me do stacks and stacks of paperwork.“
I felt my eyebrows knit together. “Why?“
“Probably because I?m new. Its only my second

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:14:00 GMT
Open Question: Pathophyiology of coronary heart disease?
if you had to write an overview of the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease, what things wud u put in? i’ve been told that the risk factors aren’t really specific to pathophysiology. any advice appreciated.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:39:18 GMT

Open Question: If a person eats only healthy foods but is still overweight… (please read whole thing)?
So, say i’m 220 pounds, female. I only eat healthy natural foods, not bad stuff like fast food. Am i at the same level of risk for heart disease and diabetes as another person my same weight/gender who eats UNHEALTHY foods would be?
Please understand the question before you answer. this isn’t about weight loss, this is about risk for weight-induced health problems

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:50:36 GMT
Open Question: Is Shortness of Breath, the same as not being able to get a FULL deep relaxing breath?
I went to the ER 2 1/2 weeks ago. It started 4 weeks ago with slight lightheadedness/dizziness, not being able to get a FULL deep breath all the time, heart flutters and so on. I finally went to ER one night after my arms both Tingled down to my pinkies and I felt as though I was having a stroke. Real Dizzzy and short of breath. They did Chest Xray, EKG and CT scan for blood clots. My EKG came back Abnormal and I now have an appoitment with the DOC on Monday. They sent me home from the ER that night diagnosed with Axiety. It could be, within the 2 weeks it all started, My Wife lost her Job, Both vehicles needed sufficient work done, my mom was in for her heart, Worried about paying on TWO Mortages, and Board of REview meetings were coming up for TAXES.. I’m the Tax assessor, part time job, besides my full time Job. Two kids, 9 and 3. I was diagnosed with a Heart Murmur when I was a Junior in Highschool. Had that all checked out and ok there. Gone now i guess. Two years ago i was diagnosed at ER with PVC’s. But these symptoms I’m having now are different. They do seem to be better since this past sunday,, but still not myself. Hope I live…
Any ideas?

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:09:27 GMT

Open Question: can you translate?????????? i wrote this???????
If ever you needed a stream of hope
You haven?t need to search too far
Just reach your hand into the water for
I?ll be the little stream in which
You call your oasis
If you need a moment where you can forget
Then forever will I be the clock that you
Can turn the hands of time back
I?ll return the laughter of yesterday
And share with you
The minute hands of a smile
If ever you find yourself troubled
And tears rolling down your face
Don?t murmur a word
For I will be your teddy bear
It is your silence that speaks of your woes
Softly to my heart
If ever you need to be reminded of your beauty
I?ll be your mirror
That reflects your grace and wisdom
In me you can remember
I shall only show you what I see
Pure pulchritude
If ever you need sunshine and calmness
After a long storm
Then I will be your rainbow
And bring to you the luck of love
Never shall I leave your skies grey
If ever you need a smile to shine
Upon your face
Then I will be your silly thoughts
Simply surfacing your joyous laugh
Never shall a frown be unturned
If ever you need the miles of distance
To be turned to inches of closeness
Then I will be your finest memory
Allowing you to feel the warmness of all
That may seem cold
But if ever you need a friend
Then I will be no more than me
For no gift is greater than to be able
To find all the wonders of life within a
friend
TRANSLATE TO SPANISH PLEASE

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:56:46 GMT

Voting Question: What could this be? lately i’ve had a weird tingly feeling from my stomach to my throat…?
i feel more conscious of my heart beat inside now. what could it be? i don’t have any symptoms of heart arythmia so i don’t know. it’s just happened fr like the last 2 days.
i’m 38
female
healthy pulse, blood pressure, and healthy weight
thanks for your input

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:29:55 GMT
Open Question: Can I lose weight by eating at McDonald’s while watching my overall calorie intake and exercising?
I currently need to consume 1400 calories in order to lose 2 lbs per week. I know that I should eat fruits and vegetables and high fiber, low sodium foods, but what if I just eat 1400 calories of McDonald’s per day?
I do understand that I can risk having liver failure, heart disease, and diabetes, but in terms of pure weight loss, can I still lose weight by eating 1400 calories of fast foods per day?
If it does come down to simply calories then I think I would. I know there is a lot of fat in McDonald’s and not enough nutrition, but don’t the dietitians and nutritionists even say that it is about your overall number of calories?
Is there something else I should know about weight loss and eating fast foods?
I know eating a salad is better than a BigMac or a cheeseburger, but if I keep under my 1400 calorie limit then it shouldn’t matter what I eat as long as I stay under my 1400 calorie limit, right?
In other words, I could eat as many BigMacs I want as long as long as it’s under my calorie limit and I should still lose weight.
Again, I do understand that there are other risks involved (diabetes, liver failure, heart disease), but in terms of pure weight loss, I only have to watch the calories, yes?

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:28:14 GMT

Open Question: Husband getting medically discharged from Air Force… what to expect?
My husband is at Basic training for the Air Force right now. He’s passed out once or twice and they found out it was from a heart murmur that they never found before thats causing irregular patterns in his heart. Anyway, he might be getting medically discharged. They are doing some exams on him and will decide from there…
Now my question is… will they give him a choice as to whether or not he wants to stay in if they decide the heart murmur isn’t a defect? Also, how long does the procedure take? When will I hear from him? My brother who is in the Navy says I will be able to hear from him whether he stays in or not… but does anyone know personally when I would hear from him? He said he’d be able to call the day of his doctor appt which was yesterday and I never heard from him… please help?

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:46:14 GMT

Open Question: Help with The Invasion of the Body Snatchers?
Is the real fear at the center of the movie the fear and paranoia that there are larger forces in our society trying to take over our minds and stunt our humanity?
What does Miles mean when he tells Becky: “In my practice, I’ve seen how people have allowed their humanity to drain away. Only it happened slowly instead of all at once. They didn’t seem to mind…All of us-a little bit-we harden our hearts, grow callous. Only when we have to fight to stay human do we realize how precious it is to us, how dear.”
What is the relationship between Miles’ observation about the pod people; “It’s a malignant disease spreading through the whole country”, and the directer of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover’s statement that “Communism is a disease, and just like in an epidemic, a quarantine may be necessary”?
What is the significance of Miles trying to call the FBI when he first discovers the larger plot of the pod people? Does the contacting of the FBI at the ed of the movie represent a possible triumph over the pod people? Why does Miles, the main character win out against the pods?
What is the larger significance of Miles’ losing Becky to the pod people? How does Miles discover that Becky isn’t anymore but in fact a pod person?
Why don’t people on the highway believe Miles when he tells them: “Look, you fools. You’re in danger. Can’t you see? They’ after you. They’re after all of us. Our wives, our children, everyone. They’re here already. You’re next!”

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:17:06 GMT
Open Question: What do I do about a female cat who can’t get spayed because of a heart murmur that sprays all over the house?
WHAT THE FLADOODLE DO I DO??????

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:29:40 GMT

Open Question: Patent Ductus Arteriosus Surgery?
I have patent ductus arterisous surgery at 8 months old. I think I mainly had to have the surgery because the medication didn’t work and I was born 7 week premature, suffered from RSV, turned blue, had c-dif. During surgery, they inserted a plastic clip- is it possible for that clip to come out or become loose? Also, is the clip permanent or can I have surgery again to take it out? During exercise, I get out of breath really easily and occasionally it feels like my heart beats too slow or stops completely. Is it because there is something more wrong or because I have diseased lungs and weird heart? Advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:17:41 GMT
Open Question: What does Wordsworth say about how the scene will help him in the future?
And now, with gleams of half-extinguished thought
With many recognitions dim and faint,
And somewhat of a sad perplexity, 60
The picture of the mind revives again:
While here I stand, not only with the sense
Of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts
That in this moment there is life and food
For future years. And so I dare to hope,
Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first
I came among these hills: when like a roe
I bounded o’er the mountains, by the sides
Of the deep rivers, and the lonely streams,
Wherever nature led: more like a man 70
Flying from something that he dreads, than one
Who sought the thing he loved. For nature then
(The coarser pleasures of my boyish days,
And their glad animal movements all gone by)
To me was all in all.-I cannot paint
What then I was. The sounding cataract
Haunted me like a passion: the tall rock,
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,
Their colours and their forms, were then to me
An appetite; a feeling and a love, 80
That had no need of a remoter charm,
By thought supplied, nor any interest
Unborrowed from the eye.-That time is past,
And all its aching joys are now no more,
And all its dizzy raptures. Not for this
Faint I, nor mourn nor murmur; other gifts
Have followed; for such loss, I would believe,
Abundant recompense. For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes 90
This still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit, that impels 100
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things. Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye, and ear,-both what they half create,
And what perceive: well pleased to recognize
In nature and the language of the sense
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul 110
Of all my moral being.

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:47:08 GMT

Open Question: help please…some advice..any1 ever felt this..?
so im a 19 year old female 5′9 and weigh about 255-260 pounds.ive always had a complex but lately its gotten bad.
about 5-6months ago i started jss to stay home and id do NOTHING but go online watch tv..do the dishes simple things like that…so when i started doing NOTHING my legs started to ache..so im also a hypochonriac..i worry about everything..if i read about a certain disease or sickness i assume i have all the symptoms and have the disease and i right away get very scared and start to panic. well i also noticed that when im thinking about this stuff my heart will beat really fast and i constantly feel scared and anxious.yet wen im out with my frends i feel perfect or out with the family im perfect..and even i exercise and work out i feel fine..
so im wondering if this is stress related and also lack of circulation and the lack of no exercise..
do you think it’d be good to talk 2 a therapist? wud this help..along with regular exercise?
please help..very scared here

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:21:17 GMT
Open Question: Heart Murmurs and seizures?
My girlfriend has a heart murmur and every once in a while she tells me about her having seizures. But i am just wondering what I should do if she was to have a seizure while i am with her. Note that she hasn’t had one in front of me yet. I want to be prepared in case anything was to happen. But i also want to know if muscle spasms are the same as seizures? she had fallen asleep on the couch so i picked her up and took her to her bed, when i layed her down she was asleep but then all of a sudden i looked at her and her arm was twitching alot and she shook, it also appeared like her muscles in her arm were flexing the whole time. What should i do?????

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:17:37 GMT