Jack In Four Acts

Act One- He is strong. He is security. He drives a Jeep. He is from Oklahoma. I am in love. I am sure. I am engaged. I buy a wedding dress. I plan a wedding in Oklahoma. I smile all the time. I sell my car. I give up my apartment. He meets my parents. I smile when it is done. We workout. He was engaged once before. He offers to buy me a different ring. I like this one. I am sure.

Act Two- I am confused. I am concerned. She contacts Him. He reassures me. He promises me. We workout. He will never leave me. He will always love me. I am sure. He changes his mind. I cry. He wants to still be friends. I collect my things. I cry. I give Him the ring. He decides to marry Her. I cry. He leaves. We will not be friends. I will not let this happen to me again. I am sure.

Act Three- I am alone. I have lost my friend. I have lost my future. I cry. I spend the last of my money on a new place. I cry. I workout. I sleep. I cry. I workout. I sleep. I sleep. I cry. I sleep. I cry. I workout. I don't talk about it. I workout. I look for a job. I sleep. I sleep. I cry. I don't let people know my pain. I move into my new place. I cry in the shower. I workout six days a week. I get a bike. I am going to be fine. I am sure.

Act Four- I am determined. I accept any offers to socialize. I hate to be alone. I workout. I cry. I joke when people ask about Him. I never stop thinking. I distract myself. Then one day I don't cry. I don't always think about it now. I can't forget him entirely though. I am ready to begin again. I workout and go to a job interview. I pick up my wedding dress and I don't cry. He does not control my life. I am happy. I am sure.

Urban Diamond

On the corner of a busy urban city, lies the twinkling light of a finely polished diamond. If I were Audrey Hepburn, I would be wearing a black satin gown designed by Givenchy and an elegant necklace would hang snugly across my neck. As I would chew on my warm pastry and sip on my steaming coffee I’d admire the diamonds and hope that someday they would be mine. Although I am not Audrey Hepburn as you may have guessed, I am also standing outside the windows at Tiffany’s.
“When I get a degree those diamonds will glint across my neck, and not on a mannequin in the window.” I think to myself. “When I get a degree, I can wear jewels and dress in Givenchy.” When you get a degree, you get a future. And while we might not all be able to buy designer duds, we can be confident that a secure future is probable. Diamonds are like the best universities in the country. If you’re going to buy something that sparkles, you don’t buy a pearl, you buy a diamond. The University of Redlands is like those Tiffany diamonds; sparkling, beautiful, and full of promise. When you get a degree from the
University of Redlands, you are investing for a future that you deserve. Humans are all like unpolished diamonds. But when you get a degree from the University of Redlands, each year you spend, and each class you take, you become a little more polished. Until that final moment when you walk in your cap and gown and graduate; it is then that you will sparkle like the inside of Tiffany’s.