Sophie’s Choice

 I finally watched the famous film, Sophie’s Choice.  I’m working on a Holocaust novel, so I do try to watch and read, as well as learn about the Holocaust in order to enhance my novel.  Before watching Sophie’s Choice, I had certain expectations that I was going to be amazed by the plot and writing.  However,  I did not really care for it.  It takes place years later after the Holocaust occurred. There are some flashbacks where the main character, Sophie,  played by Meryl Streep goes back in time where it shows her character going back in time as a prisoner in the Holocaust.  To be honest,  I did not like her character.  I found her character to be cowardice.  If you haven’t seen the movie:  warning I’m sharing some spoilers.  In a scene when she first arrived in the concentration camp, Auschwitz, she tried to bargain with an SS officer by saying how the Jews are awful and how her children and herself are not Jews.  Her character seemed to throw anyone under the bus accept herself.  At that point after opening her mouth to the Nazi,  he gave her a choice that would affect her for the rest of her life.  I heard so many great things about this movie, and felt a little let down.  

Another scene in the movie where a Jewish prisoner ask her to join the resistance.  Right away, she said no and was afraid of being shot, and did not care to help.  

Maybe I’m a little harsh regarding her character.  If I was living during this time,  would I have joined the resistance?  I’m not sure, but hoped that I would have.  

On a positive note,  Meryl Streep was phenomenal.  Her polish accent was so on point.  She really is a wonderful actress.  

The Twilight Zone Disaster

I have always been a huge fan of, "The Twilight Zone."  When CBS announced that they are creating a new twilight zone, naturally I got excited and was excited to watch.  The first few episodes, I admit were OK.  However, I watched an episode titled, "The Wunderkind," which was upsetting to watch.  It was about a man who represents candidates who are trying out to become president.  This particular candidate was an 11 year old boy.  This was a horrid disgrace to American laws and regulations that state in order to become a president, you must be at the age of 35.  I could not get into it as much as I tried.  Another episode titled, "A Traveler," was also horribly done.  I could not get into the characters and just paid more attention to my phone in my hand as opposed to what was on TV.  This was about a small town in Alaska around Christmas time.  Every year, they lock up someone and show this person the true meaning of Christmas.  They stumble upon a man who mysteriously appeared in their jail cell and they have no idea how he gets there.  I think they were trying to copy the episode from Mr. Serling's episode, "To Serve Man,"  which was brilliantly done as well as "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street."  In this episode, people pointed fingers at each other accusing each other of being an alien invader.  If Mr. Serling could see the new Twilight Zone epsiodes, he would probably be turning over in his grave.    This just shows you that you cannot redo a classic.

Driven Destiny

Two cars pass each other by on the open road.  The red car travels from east to west.  The black car travels from west to east.  The lady in the red car just received news that her sister was rushed to the hospital as she was just hit by a drunk driver.  Speeding as fast as she can, that it appears wind has emerged from her presence.  The woman in the black car was sobbing aimlessly on the open road, depressed with no place to go.  She feels alive on the road for as long as it will take her.  Two hours ago, she had an awful dispute with her husband over his obsessive gambling debt.  He slapped her across the face and went to his hidden shelter, a bar.  He poured himself one drink after another until he forgot his mere existence.  He then decided that he did not care about anyone; not even himself.  He went behind the wheel and started to drive home.  He thought to himself that he may either have his way with his wife or give her another beating.  As he thought of the idea of hitting his wife, he laughed maliciously that he did not see a young woman crossing the street.  SMACK!  He smashed right into her body and decided to keep driving.  He made sure to wash off the blood that trickled down his windshield.  No care in the world; no regret.  Two cars pass each other by; not knowing each others story.  However, both women were affected by one man; one monster inhabiting the earth.   One soul that possibly took another.  No one knows how one's life might touch another person.  However, we may be connected by one reason or another.  We may not have any connection at all.  While we are here, we should fulfill each other's life to the best ability that we can.  

In Memory of Susan Broklawski

People deal with death in different ways.  Some people handle it by meditating.  Others rather not face it.  Those that have difficulty facing it may not call the person who lost someone.  They may not go to the person's funeral or pay respects to the person in their home.  Death! It is an awful word; a final word.  December 22nd was supposed to be a fun day for everyone.  For teachers and students, it was the last day of school.  Vacation awaited us all; a well deserved one.  It appeared to be a normal Friday.  I had difficulty finding a parking spot; which was not unusual for me.  After 20 minutes of searching for one and giving up hope, I finally found one.  Walking toward the school that I work at, I saw my cell phone ringing.  It was my friend who is pregnant.  I was shocked to get a call from her as she never spoke to me before during the wee hours of  the morning.  I thought that maybe she had her baby.  As soon as I said hello, she informed me that my good friend's mother has died.  I told her that it is not true.  It could not be and only thought to myself that it was a mistake.  After-all,  I just saw her a week ago at a holiday party.  She appeared to be fine and had her wits about her.  My friend's mom was never just my friend's mom to me.  She was considered an aunt to me:  Aunt Susan.  To be honest, my friend is not really my friend and has always been more of a sister to me.  She is the type of sister who you know you can argue with, but know she cares for you and enjoys bossing you around and gives you advice that you may not want or need, but most of the time it is helpful advice.  After hearing this dreadful news, I knew in my heart, I did not want to be at work and just wanted to comfort her.  I got permission from school to see her for a while.  I prayed that when I got there, I would find out that it was a false alarm and everything was fine.  Unfortunately, it was true and I still feel in my own mind that it is a mistake; a sadistic falsified error that I have trouble accepting.  At night, in order to cope, I tell myself it is not true.  This is how I can deal with it at this time.  
Susan was the type of person you can tell anything to.  The thing I loved about her is that she never really judged you.  If you were upset with someone, she would be upset with that person along with you.  If you had difficulty with something, she would always listen.  She called me and my other friends, "baby-doll."  Her passion was driven by horses  as she adored them.  The following poem will be forever dedicated to Susan; a wonderful friend, Aunt, mother, human being.

I walked upon the meadow and saw her gazing at me
She appeared tall and thin trotting along the fields of green
Her eyes met mine in her glory
She stood grazing on the meadows
Full of life, full of tranquility.
She screamed out a low, but kind, "Neigh,"
The next thing I knew she galloped away.
She cantered away toward a rainbow that magically appeared in the sky
I knew she would be at peace as I saw her start to fly
Goodbye beautiful stallion as you will be missed
For now and always you will be in eternal bliss.

Michelle Arrose: A Teacher's Journey to Literary Success: Is There Life After Death?

Michelle Arrose: A Teacher's Journey to Literary Success: Is There Life After Death?: We often find ourselves pondering the answers to questions that are unknown.  This question has repeated itself over and over again.  Is t...

Is There Life After Death?

We often find ourselves pondering the answers to questions that are unknown.  This question has repeated itself over and over again.  Is there life after death?  I know this can be a morbid topic, but an interesting one.  Many people I know do not believe in the after life.  I have been skeptic as well.  However, I have had my odd encounters that are just unexplainable.  For example, a camera we have in our home picked up a shadow of a man walking that looked much like my deceased grandfather.  The baby was home with a new unexperienced babysitter.  Was it my grandfather watching and protecting in his own way or was it a shadow from outside reflecting upon the wall?  My husband who is a skeptic was freaked out by this video the camera picked up.

Sometimes, late at night I hear a woman humming downstairs.  I tell myself that it is my imagination.  I never check it out as it is a faint distant humming sound in the night.  To see the unknown is ten times scarier than to imagine it.  Many years ago I went to a psychic for fun.  She told me that I have a gift to see the unknown.  I laughed at her and told her that I definitely choose not to see it.  However, unfortunately after my grandparents died,  I felt a slight touch on my arm, hand leg, or somewhere just as they were passing.  I did not know it at the time, but always had an eerie feeling when I felt their touch. After my grandmother had passed whom I was very close with, I asked out loud that I never want to feel it again.  Thankfully, the touch has stopped. 

I am sure that as you are reading this blog, you might be thinking, "what a nut job.  I don't believe it."  If it were me reading it, I may think the same way.  I think we each have the ability to see things if we choose to.  If we don't want to and block ourselves from seeing, then that is our right.  I, personally do believe in the unknown.  However, they call it unknown for a reason.  My uncle has had many dreams of his father visiting him after he passed, telling him messages.  One message was when my grandfather showed him a closet that he should open.  When my uncle woke up, he opened the closet and found money that my grandfather wanted my grandmother to have. 

I do believe our relatives watch over us from afar.  Recently, I had a vision of my friend who passed a few years ago.  She was standing at the bottom of her steps smiling as if she were saying hello.  I never went to her home, but told one of my friends about my vision.  The way I described the place she was standing sounded like her home to my friend who did visit her many times. 

Recently I became engrossed in the show, Twin Peaks about a girl Laura Palmer who was killed.  Detective Cooper played by Kyle Mac Lachlan is sent to Twin Peaks in order to solve who murdered Ms. Palmer.  It seems that he has the gift and is able to get supernatural messages from Laura.  One night Detective Cooper has a dream where Laura speaks to him in a cryptic manner saying that she feels she knows Laura and sometimes her arms bend back.   Have you ever dreamt of a relative that has passed?  It is ingenious the way David Lynch, the producer/director painted this picture so realistic where the deceased is not able to fully have a conversation, but yet they are their to guide and express their view in a subliminal way.  I believe this to be true.  Years ago, one of my grandmother's came to me in a dream and told me that

I was going to marry an individual.  I believed her message and did not realize that in my dream she appeared to look very frail, unhappy, and her message was delivered in a woeful manner.  I ignored her message and thought when I met this person, I had to be with him.  Despite his sociopathic tendencies, I told myself he must be for me since my grandmother came to me from the grave and told me so.  It took me a long time to realize that she was not advising me to be with him, but rather warning me not be with him. 

If you believe or choose not to believe in the supernatural unknown world, then that is your choice.  However, if  you have a dream from a relative that is no longer with you, listen carefully to their cryptic, mysterious words as maybe you are being blessed with a gift  that you have been given.  They maybe sending you an important message or just letting you know that they are still there for you.   We don't know the true meaning of the universe and its uncertainty.  However, there is nothing wrong in wondering and believing.  Sometimes knowing the loss of a loved one makes it easier to believe that they are out there guiding and protecting you in your life.

Perfection iIs A Difficult Task

Writing can be extremely difficult.  I have written many times.  You must edit with a fine tooth and comb.  After publishing, I noticed that I may have omitted a word which destroyed the sentence.  I'm sure all writers are guilty of this.  I am working on a new novel based on the Holocaust.  This is one that is going to take me a long time to complete.  I definitely do not want to make careless mistakes; especially when writing about an important topic.   I am also finding it challenging to write it and be historically accurate.  I am also contemplating if I should make it into a novella or a novel.  I have many decisions to make.  Once I am in the middle of writing it, I have a difficult time stopping, but it takes me a while to start.  I excel at procrastination.  I will keep you posted on this difficult journey.  If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment.  I always open to suggestions.   

Rock and Soul: The Advertisement

Recently I published on Amazon a short story titled: Rock and Soul.  I am selling it for .99.  The story depicts the life of a rock.  This rock is found in the middle of an enchanted fairytale kingdom.  All of the infamous characters such as Cinderella, Repunzel, Pinoccio, as well as the little old woman who lived in a shoe, and much more come to life.  They are affected by the rock just as the rock us affected by each encounter he has with each fairytale character.  If you like a whimsical tale that has never been told through a rock, then read "Rock and Soul." I'll leave it up to you: do you believe an inanimate object can possibly have a soul?  Please feel free to review.  I would love to get feedback.
https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Soul-Michele-Arrose-ebook/dp/B06XB1RBZK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490750612&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Michele+Arrose+review

Mishpatim

A few weeks ago a woman from my temple asked me to write a D'var Torah.  This is a speech that has meaning and is usually done by someone in the congregation rather than the rabbi.  The speech must explain the part that is discussed in the Torah and usually should teach members of the congregation leaving them enriched with a new found insight or understanding.  I was asked to discuss the topic Mishpatim. The congregants enjoyed listening to my speech and my husband encouraged me to post it on my blog.
The way I understand Mishpatim is that it is basically laws set up from Hashem (G-d) so that we are fair to ourselves and to our neighbors.  As an educator, I have to set up my own laws or rules.  Without them, my classroom would be full of chaos.  Mishpatim concludes with the promise from  G-d to lead us into the land of Israel on one condition, that we hold the Torah ( Jewish bible) and do mitzvahs (good deeds). One thing we definitely need in this world is order.  We need order especially when lately we are surrounded by hate.  Many people I know have recently faced anti-semnitism.  However, as Anne Frank once said, "I do believe in spite of everything that people are really good at heart." I agree with Ms. Frank, but unfortunately I definitely feel evil is amongst people as well.  Lately many people expressed anger and hatred toward people in the political world.  I am not going to mention the infamous names that we hear about in the current media.  However, when G-d gave us rules, I think that he expects us to try to look past and be a fair person no matter what..  If we don't agree with someone's philosophies or political views then that is ok. We have the right as human beings to believe in whatever we want to.  That is what makes us real.  However, we owe it to ourselves to not promote hate in this beautiful but scary world that we live in. We must realize that laws gives us order. Order gives us structure. Structure gives us a sense of belonging and that in turn gives us peace.
Thank you for reading my speech and I hope you found it insightful.

A Chance!

Many people have voiced their concerns to me that ever since President-elect Trump came into office, discrimination has risen.  Some close friends of mine have been experiencing it firsthand.  I, personally do not blame President-elect Trump for this.  I am a very objective person and in observing everything I do believe that people can be very cruel.  People have made him a scapegoat and blame him for society's troubles.  It is easier to place the blame on someone; especially if you did not want him to be your president and represent your country.  Unfortunately, people who are racist have the chance to seize this opportunity and spread their hate.  This gives them a chance to also blame a scapegoat and spread their evil.  Unfortunately, Trump is caught in the middle.  I am not saying he is a victim, but I do see how the world around him is using him in different directions.  I also notice that many people who are upset because he was elected president have been behaving like a sore loser.  I have seen celebrities tweeting that he is a rapist.  This to me is shocking because he never raped anyone.  Rape is a horrible, strong word and when it is used it must be used truthfully.  He may have talked some locker room talk which men and even women have done before.  He may have said some tasteless things, which I do not condone, but that is part of him being part of the human race.  One of my favorite shows, Sex  and the City stars a character named Samantha Jones.  She is known for her wit and promiscuity.  On many episodes she has made some real sexual comments toward men.  Examples: "I masturbated to my priest...Friar F*ck.."  "Look at his robe. So "Robin and his Merry Men."  Besides one thing my grandmother used to say to me is, "talk is cheap."  She was right.  People have the right to say things.  They should try to refrain and hold back, but men and women have had locker room talk since the beginning of time.  I am definitely not saying that  he is a perfect man.  I am saying that he deserves a chance.  Many of our past presidents made errors in their own personal life, and yet they were given an opportunity to show us what they can do for our country.  As fellow Americans, we owe it to ourselves to see how he can make America great.  Everyone deserves a chance, no matter who they are!  Let's not become immersed with hate or we are equal to the haters and bigots of the world.

Shoplifting Allowed? What is this world coming to?

A few weeks ago, I went to a Duane Reade in Brooklyn, NY.  I was in search of Zyrtec for my allergies.  When I was in the aisle, I noticed a clerk that worked there.  I asked her where the Zyrtec was? She said about 10 minutes ago, she saw a woman stealing it as she put the last box in her purse.  I looked at this clerk as if she had two heads and questioned her as to why she didn't stop her.  She said she is not allowed to do anything.  She can say something, but cannot apprehend someone or call the police.  I walked out of Duane Reade without my Zyrtec in disgrace.  I can't believe what this world has come to.

High Hopes, Let Down

Sorry I have not blogged in a while.  I have been so busy with my life that I forgot about Michelle Arrose.  Someone today at work lit my spark again by asking me when I plan on completing part 2 to my novella, Ignition.  That made me feel good and I knew I had to blog.  My title to this blog is High Hopes, Let Down.  Have you ever had such high hopes that you believed what you were feeling or believing to be true?  You may have dedicated so much time and thought to whatever it is, but when you find out the outcome you expected is inaccurate from what you thought, you feel as if you were hit by a freight train.  This has nothing to do with me as a writer, but rather me as a human being with my own private hopes, thoughts, and dreams.  The hard part is accepting the reality and getting past your let down.  Any thoughts?

Don't Let Social Media Control You!!!

Humans are truly insecure.  For example, why do we all choose to have so many friends on Facebook. Are we truly friends with the person we just clicked, "like" after reading their post?  Do we click like to satisfy our own insecurities?  We know many people clicked like and so, we want to fit in and click like as well.   Why do we feel the need to post our latest photo.  Does it really matter if Shelia, Ted, Bob, Bethany like our photo?  I saw a wonderful, but tragic advertisement for AT&T regarding texting while driving.  A woman put her baby girl in the back seat.  As she was driving her phone went off.  She looked down and made a comment to her daughter.  "Everyone likes the picture I posted of you."  At that moment, she collide with another car.  Her car spun out of control, lifted up in the air, and that was probably the end of them.  It is sad that we live in a world where social media controls us.  The next time you look at Facebook; ask yourself: How many people are my actual friends?  Why did I just tweet the world what I was up to?  Why did I post a photo on Instagram for the entire universe to see?

Things Change From One Minute To The Next

Did you ever notice how one minute you may feel elated over something and the next minute, you feel upset or confused? Sometimes, I turn myself back in time and think about what I was doing a week ago.  For example, a week ago I had an amazing"Girls nite out," with my friends.  This week; not so amazing.  I am stuck in the house due to personal reasons.  I am writing this blog, literally sitting in the dark.  The fact that I am writing in darkness symbolizes my current day as well as my mood.  It's ok to once in a while have moments like this as this moment encouraged me to blog.  Unfortunately, I have not blogged in a while.  When I do blog, I get a rush or feeling of excitement.
I apologize for writing quite a short blog, but I am glad I was able to get my thoughts out.  Think about where you were a week ago and then now.  Enjoy your precious moment to the fullest.

Yesterday, a strange thing happened to me or shall I say encounter.  I met an energy healer.  She was kind enough to give me a short session to see what it was like.  Our short session started with her burning sage under my chair.  Then she began to feel my energy and was able to tell that I am a teacher.  She was able to see a classroom.  I indicated my feelings lately for the profession.  She indicated to me that I had to become a teacher as that was part of my journey in life.  I explained to her that I am an author as well.  I informed her that I wrote my novella: Ignition: An Educator's Journey, based on my experience as an educator.  She said that this clearly explains part of my purpose as to why I had to explore this profession.  She informed me that just because I am in it now does not lock me in for life and I can explore other facets as well that deal with me as a writer.  Then she said it, "Believe in yourself and your inner ambitions and goals could be achieved."  I admitted to her that I don't always believe and get discouraged to continue my journey as an author.  I am somewhat disappointed in myself as I promised that I would use the summer to work on my writing.  However, since I am a teacher and our system has changed drastically for the worse, I used my summer more for recuperation than exploration as an author.  I feel bad that I have not worked on writing, but I truly needed a break from it all.  I am not sure if I believe in someone being able to read my energy, but I do believe in her healing effect.  I do feel a little healed as a writer and have more confidence to continue my journey.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover; or A Film!

I admit it.  I was wrong about the new film, Annie.  At first, I was upset when it came out.  I thought to myself why ruin a good thing? I vowed that I would not see it.  I kept that vow until I noticed that it was running on Stars cable network.  Reluctantly, I took a shot.  I also always believed that Little Orphan Annie should have red curly hair as the prototyped Annie.  However, they put a spin on things and added new songs.  They took the story and added a modern day spin that didn't hinder the movie from being good.  I only wish they would've titled it different. To keep the original Annie sacred, I feel that they should have titled it: Annette:  A new spin on Annie.  Otherwise, I felt it was a very good flick.  Cameron Diaz portrayed a good Miss. Hannigan.  I liked that they changed the name from Daddy Warbucks to Mr. Stacks.  I appreciated the character Annie to be spunky as the original movie portrayed Annie to be.  I was a true fan of the movie.  I remember going to see it and was mesmerized by the plot and music the first time.  Again, I felt mesmerized by this modern tale.  I can be quite a sap and by the very end of the movie, I was in tears.  They may have been happy tears, but they were tears.  So, I give the new Annie a thumbs up and would definitely watch it again.

        VERSUS          

Revenge to the End!

Recently, I had time to catch up on my television shows that unfortunately I don't always have time to watch during the school year.  I finally got to see the series finale of Revenge.  I wondered how they would end this four year journey. I actually found myself procrastinating to watch the finale as I knew it would be the last one.  I fell in love with most of the characters.  I especially found myself rooting for the protagonist, Amanda Clark played by Emily VanCamp and her side kick, Nolan Ross, played by Gabriel Mann.  Together these two characters were the dynamic duo.  I couldn't wait to see what in-genius  plot they cooked up next.  The beauty behind the writing for this show is that it takes you behind the story and into a concept that people often wonder about: Revenge.  Is the act of revenge worth it or not?  Could revenge backfire upon one's soul?  Protagonist, Amanda discovers the true meaning of revenge and as viewers, we do too.  Some finales are awfully ridiculous and don't really leave the viewer with closure.  I can think back to another show that I used to love because the writing was phenomenal.  Some characters within that show would intertwine with other characters as one of the characters would narrate.  From a show with impeccable writing, I would expect an amazing finale.  However, to my devastation and astonishment, I was not given an ending that made sense.  This show was called One Tree Hill.  On the contrary, Revenge ended wonderfully and I feel they did the story just, which to me shows excellent writing.  Kudos to ABC's Revenge.  I will miss you.

Summer Fun

I can see it now; lying on a beach while basking in the warm, endless sun.  Summer time is on her way and I can't wait.  Summer is a time for friends getting together.  During the winter, many people hibernate, but in the summer you see your neighbors again.  You have barbecues, parks, pools, fireworks to occupy your time.  During the year, I teach.  However, I look forward to the summer so that I can catch up on my writing as well as relax.  I can rejuvenate and replenish my stressed soul from the year.   I hope to catch up with many people that I don't really have a chance to see during the school year.  Summer stands for peace, projects, and relaxation.  I always look forward to the summer and plan on embracing her with a warm welcome. Unfortunately, she comes and goes really briskly. I never feel that there is enough time to really take a moment out and enjoy her presence for the time that she is here.  As soon as I become accustomed to her, she disappears while vanishing and leaving the Earth to be dull and tragic.  I wouldn't mind grabbing hold of her rays while coaxing her to stay among us longer.  I do believe she brings people together.  There is definitely a placid, free feeling in the air where I admit to feeling calm and safe.   We can dress lighter and comfortably.  We need not worry about jackets and hats that mess up our hair.  We do not need to worry about blizzards, ice storms, or frigid temperatures.  We can all take a deep breath as we breathe that summer, sweet air.  What does summer mean to you?  How do you plan on spending your summer?

Resource for Teachers on Slavery

Since I am an educator, I know that sometimes it can be challenging getting through to our students and helping them to understand material.  Students struggle with understanding historical concepts as they may not be able to believe the atrocities of long ago are real.  Therefore, I write pretending to be that person from that time period.  I try to base it on facts and put a spin on it so that students can understand concepts better.  I wanted to share with you a piece I recently wrote, pretending to be a slave.  This can be used as a read aloud.  You can develop questions for your students based on this reading.  If you would like to send me feedback, I would very much like to hear what you have to say.

The year is 1795.  I don’t have a name.  I don’t have an identity.  I belong to my master. I live in the South.  The cotton gin was invented a few years ago.  This invention is my nightmare.  Because it was invented, all I do is pick cotton all day and part of the night in the fields.  If I don’t pick them fast enough, I get a whipping.  I don’t want to get married because my life is not really having a life.  I know a man who has a wife and children.  He was just forced to separate from his wife and children.  It is very sad.  His children will not grow up with their father.  Chances are, his children won’t grow up with a mother.  They probably will separate the mom next from her children.  That’s what they usually do.  I have seen death all around me.  I saw a man get lashed and brutally whipped because he dropped his bushel of cotton.  I have heard the screams of a woman getting attacked by her master.  I have seen young children being murdered because of their color.  I have seen it all.  I have no name.  I don’t feel like a human being.  I have no identity.  I do my work and try to stay alive.  I am better off not having a name; walking through the shadows of the night, while melting in the heat during the day

What Influences You?

A friend of mine asked me to blog on the topic: influence.  I thought to myself that this can be done in so many ways, but yet accepted the challenge.  Sometimes, we can be influenced by other people.  We may come across positive influences as well as negative.  I used to have a friend in junior high.  Unfortunately, she was a bad influence on me.  I did get into trouble at that time whenever I hung out with her.  However, I believe that bad influences come and go out of our lives for a reason.  This causes us to identify with our inner self on a deeper plateau.   Our environment definitely has a strong affect upon us.  If we are residing in an urbanized environment, our goals and expectations are much different from someone living in a rural environment.  There are many other influences that impress upon our lives such as music.  If we love to listen to a certain type of music, we may take that lifestyle that coincides with that music and thus  become one.  Teachers may have an influence upon our lives.  Henry Adams once said, "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."  Sometimes, we look up to celebrities as well as the world around us. We analyze the latest trends that are in the world and get influenced to want to be part of that.  As human beings, we are like sponges.  We soak up so much information that the world has to offer us.  We becomes easily influenced to follow and submerse our self into what the norm has decided for us.  It is very difficult for most people to be a leader and not a follower.  I think one of the most difficult challenges in life is to try to influence others and not become influenced.  "True leaders don't create followers. They create more leaders."