Michelle Thurgood

Everyone dreams about their own prom story.

We fill it with elegant, fancy dresses that glitter a rainbow under the dance lighting. We have formal tuxedos and strapping young men with silk ties all entangled in our perfect perception. We have extravagant day dates, activities and exquisite dinners. Then we finally head to the Utah State Capitol and dance the night away.

This is the picture we paint of prom but the masterpiece hasn't always looked this way.

All growing up I've been encouraged by my parents and other adults to endure temporary misery for what they said would be a better future.

My mother made me gag down chalk-flavored medicine as a kid, so that I would recover from my illnesses. Or she took me to be stabbed with cruel torture tools to vaccinate me for protection from disease.

Going into a new school year, teenagers have a lot to worry about -- schedules with unfamiliar teachers, huge textbooks and a shopping list. On the list of things to buy are binders, paper and pencils, not to mention clothes.

The sun is blazing as you glance out the window. It is the perfect summer day to go have fun with friends. Looking in your wallet you find a few dollars and a handful of change.

When I first saw a preview for "Toy Story 3" my heart pounded with anticipation. I've long been a lover of Disney and Pixar animation. I enjoy the fun characters, eccentric plots and the overall feeling the films bring. Adventure and excitement are around every corner and it is absolutely thrilling to watch.

There are few things that catch my attention quite like the Olympics. It is exhilarating to watch the athletes make history doing things beyond my comprehension and it definitely beats doing math homework.

"What's that?"

Hasn't everyone asked this somewhat impolite question at least once while looking at the cafeteria food they have just been served? There is something about the weird color of the meat or the odd texture of the veggies that always seems to make us feel a lot less hungry than before.