Articles written by Kelley Gecik

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About me - Kelley Gecik

Kelley Gecik is new to freelancing, but has enjoyed writing for many years. She is a high school teacher and in her vast free time afforded by such a job, she enjoys traveling, gardening, reading and spending time with her husband and dog, Lola.

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Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration Should Americans fund the education of illegal immigrants?: 2 of 31
Juan nervously enters the classroom on his first day of high school. He looks like any teenager with his baggy jeans and spikey hair. The sea of faces in front of him are not familiar and his pulse races. The teacher tells him where to sit. He doesn't respond. He can't. He doesn't understand the language.This is a very real s... More..
Personal Finance > Financial Planning Tips for financial planning in your twenties: 4 of 29
My first taste of freedom came at age twenty. I packed up my car and drove six hundred miles to my destination: San Diego, California. I had nothing but a few thousand in my bank account and a car. Within a week I had my own studio apartment four blocks from the beach and a job. Within those first years I made many costly mis... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Meeting the man who became my spouse: 4 of 19
"Let's just stop in for one drink," I said, not knowing that I would be leaving with "the one" I had been searching for for almost 28 years.My new roommate and I barely knew each other, so I suggested we go out to dinner. I had recently broken up with a 15 month relationship (about 14 months past due) and wanted to try my "go... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds What should the Obama family look for in a new pet dog?: 6 of 24
Many people believe that the dog you choose for yourself is a reflection of you. We have all seen strong, athletic men walking around with tiny Chihuahuas or seemingly fragile women showing a pitbull on a leash who's boss. Whatever type of dog President-Elect Obama chooses for his family will tell the public a lot about himse... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature The loss of innocence in Night, by Elie Wiesel: 1 of 3
In his heartbreaking memoir Night, Elie Wiesel recounts to the world the injustice, cruelty and suffering that Jews had to bear during World War II. Elie was fifteen years old and living in a time where common decency still prevailed. Religion was at the forefront of many lives, with family and community coming in close behin... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: My dream wedding: 7 of 17
As a young woman growing up, I never really imagined what my wedding would be like. I knew there would be a white dress, a cake and dancing. I also knew that the average wedding budget is $20,000. My idea of a dream wedding was one where you didn't go into debt. What a bad foot to start a marriage off on. While I was planning... More..
Style & Beauty > Makeup Are women more attractive without makeup on?: 44 of 65
Few women are blessed enough to pull off the no makeup look and still be gorgeous. Most who try look very mousy, too young (like a plain Jane fourteen year old) or pious. Makeup is not meant to completely change the way you look. It is there to enhance what you already have. Some lucky women have perfect glowing skin, no pore... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Why is Of Mice and Men often placed on banned book lists?: 8 of 11
I have never understood why this story would ever need to be banned. Other than a few choice words that are thrown occasionally into the mix (and always giggled at when my 9th grade class hears me read them outloud), I do not see what is so profoundly devastating to our youth. Especially in today's society, where my students ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Do humans have the right to offend?: 21 of 26
The word "offend" has really changed recently in the past few decades. People now are offended at an offhand comment, a strange look directed in their direction, even advice given to them by a well meaning stranger. Do humans have a right to offend? I'm not sure that it is as much a right as it is a human condition. We offend... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Walking for health: 21 of 22
It was a cold winter morning only four months before my pending nuptials when I decided that I needed to take control of myself and start an exercise program. The biggest barrier to this was not having the wrong shoes or the lack of time. It was my attitude. I hate to exercise. I highly dislike most activities where I have to... More..