My name is Allen Jones-Richardson. Ever since I started to hang around older mature teens and friends my age I started to learn more about life and I wanted to talk about it more and more. What I wanted to talk about wasn't just regular boring daily life. I wanted to talk about the life of a teen. I was always mature about words that were said around me such as the word sex. I just felt that it was cool for teens to talk about life. When I would talk to anybody one of the things that always came up was peer pressure, me and the other kids who I hung with since 6th grade we always heard that word. Also like every time I would hear the word peer pressure the first thing that came to my mind was teens, drugs, police, and last but not least, parents. Peer pressure was no thing for me and my friends. We always knew how to get out of tight peer pressure situation. One way we could find a good way out would be to say NO! That usually helped. Anyway lately nothing that I have not seen or heard has popped up yet. Look I know I know you want to hear more but I have nothing else to tell you. Until next time I'm out peace.

AJ

Have you ever felt like you were deprived in your life of something, but you just can't place what it is??? Well I can place it just fine in fact; anybody who is blind can place it...(Sigh) I'm short.

Everywhere I go I feel like a midget I mean I've been this height since the fourth grade...ok maybe I was a little bit shorter, but still being this height is a straight up pain. You ever been shopping and you see a pair of pants and know that those pants would look just right with that long sleeve shirt and then you put on the shirt and pants, stand in front of a mirror, AND!!, you look like one of those little men on Charlie and The Chocolate Factory?

Don't let me get started on looking for a prom dress. This company sent this book with prom dresses that was absolutely gorgeous but the only people who were modeling those dresses were 115lbs, 5'9 chicks and I'm looking like...what about the short people? I think it was my mom's fault she deprived me of the height that I need so badly, lol.

Krystal R

That is one question that I always loved answering. I never had to think about it. I was/am going to be a school teacher. I couldn't wait for the day I was able to walk into my own classroom, decorated just the way I wanted it and teach the students in my class. Now, this dream is coming true. I have two more semesters left of college and I will officially be able to teach in the state of Illinois.

I know that some teenagers are just like I was and know exactly what they are going to do with their lives. However, I do know many people who have no idea. They will be in college next fall and haven't decided what they are going to major in. What are they supposed to do? Maybe you are one of those people. I would suggest thinking about what you LOVE to do. Maybe you like playing and instrument, designing clothes, or taking pictures. Whatever it is, there is a major out there for you.

I wouldn't suggest thinking about how much money you would make. I mean who wouldn't like a six figure job, driving the newest model of car you prefer, and going home to your house with every comfort you could ever dream of? I have thought about that quite a bit. However, I know that with me becoming a teacher, it will never happen. And I am okay with that. Money doesn't buy happiness. To be truly happy, you must be content with what you have.

Brittany

Do you ever have those days where you just can't stand to be told what to do? Ever get sick of adults you never even met before telling you what to do too? I know I do - which is a shame, especially since I am becoming an adult myself.

My parents taught me to be respectful of everyone, and most importantly I was taught to respect adult authority. It wasn't until high school that I started to have issues with authority. I don't know why really, maybe it was because I already assumed that I was an adult and no longer needed to be told what to do - or it might have been that I had a couple of teachers that knew nothing about the subjects they were trying to teach!

I was never the type of kid who would mouth off during class, but I did get called out on my body language and constant eye-rolling. My parents were pretty appalled when they got a call at home about my "defiant" behavior at school...The biggest showcase of my lack of respect for authority was at home. After I turned 16 I pretty much figured I knew how to take care of myself, and the second one of my parents would step in to try to teach/tell me something I'd go ballistic! As I look back at my behavior I feel pretty guilty and embarrassed.

No matter how old you get you still need to respect people that are older than you, and that have more experience. It's not always easy (TRUST ME), but it's the right thing to do. The more respect you give the more you'll get back - and if you are thinking that's just a line, wait till you start working; a respectful employee will reap a respectful boss (most of the time, some people are just hateful - lol).

Joanna