Month: October 2018

Thank You

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Creative Writing

The boy stands in his dimly lit room, letter in hand, debating whether or not to open it. It’s from his ex-girlfriend, Lilian, who he hadn’t seen in a little over a month. He isn’t quite sure if he’s ready to hear from her, but he knows that nagging “what if” question will bug him if he doesn’t read the letter. With much reluctance, he slowly sits on the edge of his half made, twin sized bed, while staring at the piece of paper with intent. He takes a deep breath, and begins to read.

Dear Devin, 

First, I hope that you’re doing well and on the path of accomplishing many great things. Secondly, I think that you deserve some closure. I know that you tend to place the world’s weight on you shoulder, and blame yourself before others, but what happened wasn’t your fault. Don’t think for a second that you weren’t an amazing boyfriend. You’re caring and respectful and supportive and hilarious. You stuck by me despite of the drama that seems to be embedded in my life. Family problems, physical injuries…Whatever it was, you were there. You’ve helped me master the art of positivity and looking forward. I became a better, a happier person because of you. You have such a big heart, and I love you for that, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you limiting yourself because of me. You were willing to give up the internship you spent your whole high school gearing towards because of the situation with my mom and aunt. I understand that you wanted to be there for me, but you also have to do things for yourself. You deserve it. You always want what’s best for me, and what kind of person would I be if I didn’t do the same? I can use everything that you taught me about finding the silver lining  and not dwelling on the past. I can continue to implement them in my life. That wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for not leaving when things got hard. Thank you for all the good memories we made together. Thank you for those surprise dates and six hour long conversations. Thank you for loving me. 

Sincerely, 

Lily. 

P.S. I’m waiting for the day I go on Instagram or turn on T.V. and hear about all your contributions and achievements.You got this. 

Twins

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Humans of MLEC

As I interviewed Ally (left) and Tracy, I learned fun facts such as Tracy’s left handed and Ally’s right handed, and that when they were younger, the pair had the nicknames “Kiki (Tracy) and Kiwi (Ally)”. However, what stood out the most was their bond, which was explained during the interview.

“No matter what, we will always stick by each other. We can’t really go anywhere without each other or it feels empty since we’re literally each other’s half… your twin is your ride or die. Throughout elementary we would hate to be apart and panic if the other one wasn’t there. In middle school it was a bit rough, but we went through it together and our bond is like no other because we love each other so much. We wouldn’t be ourselves without each other…”

Allyson then added, “Even though she’s annoying, she is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Having her as a twin is amazing because it makes us see that we don’t have to face the world alone but together”, concluded Tracy.

-Tracy and Allyson Bojorge, Entrepreneurship/ Financial Services

His Life

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Creative Writing

He wakes up. He goes to school. He smiles.

He walks down the hallway, greeting people left and right. He shows respect.

He goes home, talks about his day as if there was much to it, then walks into his room.

He plays sports, goes on late night trips, attends parties, all while maintaining the perfect 4.0 GPA.

“Be a man”, “Men aren’t weak”, “Be strong, don’t cry”, they said. “Fake it ’till you make it”, they said. “Be the best, nothing but the best, and win”, they said.

Did ‘they’ ever think about how much those words can affect someone? Did they ever think about what that kind of pressure can do to an individual? Did those people consider the effect of bottling emotions?

He wakes up. He goes to school. He fakes a smile. He follows his daily routine- going through life each day, pretending that everything is okay.

He shoots, he scores. Cheers are all around him, but even in the midst of his victory, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing. He’s losing the game called life. He’s dying inside.

 

Although I am an optimist, filled with hope, I am also aware of the different issues present in the world today. My last post, “Hurricanes”, focused on an environmental aspect. “His Life” focuses on an emotional one. Throughout adolescence, there’s a great deal of pressure because expectations are set higher and everything, from people to different types of platforms, is telling you who you should be.  I wanted to try and raise awareness about one thing that some teenagers struggle with.

❤

 

Hurricanes

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Articles, Editorial

 

How Humans Are Affecting Hurricanes

 

Originally published in the The Harbinger

Hurricane Irma brought panic, distress, damage, and trauma to South Florida. Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and many other areas were battered with heavy rainfall and falling trees. Hundreds of lives were lost and recovery was difficult.

Everyday, it is becoming more apparent that the climate is changing and that humans are playing a role in that change. It’s alarming to know that human actions have an impact on the hurricane season.

Chopping down forests, driving cars, and burning fossil fuels all emit greenhouse gases and all are completed through human actions. When greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide are emitted into the environment, the air becomes polluted and the oceans become warmer. Not only does air pollution put people in harm’s way, but it also warms the atmosphere. When the atmosphere warms, it adds on to global warming, which contributes to the production of intense hurricanes.

“Human-made global warming creates conditions that increases the chances of extreme weather,” states the Union of Concerned Scientists, a group of scientists and engineers who are dedicated to solving world problems such as global warming. Unfortunately, there are not enough concerned people in the world.

People seem to have a habit of  belittling serious problems, and this is one of them. For years, instead of showing concern for the growing issue, individuals deny global warming’s existence. They continue to cut down trees, burn coal, dump oil into the ocean, litter. Now, there’s a dirty environment, melting glaciers, and intense hurricanes that are causing the deaths of many. Yet, the coal burning, oil dumping, tree cutting, and littering doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Evidence shows that global warming can cause hurricanes to intensify. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions project a 45 to 87 percent increase in the intensification of hurricanes, meaning much more intense, although less frequent, hurricanes. The amount of category four and five hurricanes will continue to increase unless action is taken. If there’s anything to learn from Katrina, Harvey, Matthew, Irma, Lane, and Michael, it’s that these natural disasters pose a threat to the lives and homes of others.

Within the next century, sea levels are projected to rise one to four feet. As the atmosphere warms, glaciers melt, sea levels rise, and that presents an opportunity for the frequency of storm surges and storm floods to increase, leading to more destruction and death.

“It is likely that greenhouse warming will cause hurricanes in the coming century to be more intense globally and have higher rainfall rates than present-day hurricanes” concluded the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL).

Every time someone burns a forest, they’re impacting hurricane season. Everytime someone burns a fossil fuel, another is at risk at getting harmed in a devastating hurricane. Everytime the ocean warms, there’s room for a hurricane to intensify and cause damage to the lives of others.

However, new discoveries and advances in technology provide the resources necessary to find ways to produce fuel without burning fossils fuels and emitting carbon dioxide into the air. Instead of degrading our environment by burning fossil fuels, synthetic gas that isolates carbon dioxide can be made. More funds can be used to research alternative ways to produce energy without emitting greenhouse gases. Even the little things, such as carpooling can be of aid.

Every year, there are reports of floods, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes that take a toll on people’s lives. It is important that humans, the ones who are supposed to take care of the environment, do so. With plenty of resources available, plenty of ways to inform the public, and plenty of people to come up with ideas, there’s no reason why people can’t have a positive impact on the environment and attempt to lower the intensity of hurricanes.

Everyone owes that to themselves, the environment, and their safety.

His Happiness

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Beyond MLEC

“I like to play music. I like to entertain people as well as myself. I like to get a reaction out of people and music is one of the best ways to do that.

When was younger, I started playing piano, but I didn’t like it because it made my fingers hurt and I didn’t find it fun. I told my mom I didn’t want to play music anymore and she kept telling me ‘you’re playing music’. She didn’t give me a choice. Since I hated piano so much, my dad brought me a trumpet and I went to a church band camp in the summer. I played it better than I expected, better than anyone expected , and a month later I was in the church band. Now, I play the baritone, trumpet, and saxophone. Ironically, I also like playing the piano now.

I met my closest friends in band, my best adventures were with band members, a lot of people in church know me because I play in the band, my girlfriend and I saw each other more because of band practices, and this interview would not be happening if you didn’t know me from band.

All of the best things that happened in my life so far occurred because of music.”

– Labrowsky Richard, 18, future Marine