Vegetarianism.It was a day I had looked forward to. The advanced English classes were taking a trip to the Dallas Museum of Art The Dallas Museum of Art is an art museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, USA along Woodall Rodgers Freeway between St. Paul and Harwood. History to view the exhibits on Greek and Roman mythology Roman mythology Oral and literary traditions of the ancient Romans concerning their gods and heroes and the nature and history of the cosmos. Much of what became Roman mythology was borrowed from Greek mythology at a later date, as Greek gods were associated with their Roman . Afterward, we would proceed to the Spaghetti Warehouse for a meal. The excursion was an all-day affair. After a few hours at the museum, we proceed to the eatery. Already an hour past our usual lunch time, we were famished fam·ish v. fam·ished, fam·ish·ing, fam·ish·es v.tr. 1. To cause to endure severe hunger. 2. To cause to starve to death. v.intr. 1. . But as we walked through the doors to the restaurant, a teacher informed us that, for ease, the faculty had placed our orders of spaghetti with meat sauce prior to our arrival. My first reaction was to forget the eight dollars I had paid for the meal. The plight of a vegetarian on such excursions is often starvation. And I hate to cause a scene. But as I looked around the group of 50 students, I noticed six friends in the same predicament. That is, more than 10 percent of the group that would endure the remaining day empty-stomached if we allowed their arbitrary and presumptuous pre·sump·tu·ous adj. Going beyond what is right or proper; excessively forward. [Middle English, from Old French presumptueux, from Late Latin praes meal dictations. Granted, in most groups of 50, there would be decidedly fewer vegetarians/vegans. But in a group of advanced English students, there are bound to be more thinkers. I thought it odd that the teachers would not recognize that. I almost decided to ignore the situation again until I saw the stricken face of Alexandra. Until recently, Alexandra lived in New Orleans. She came to our school after her own school was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. She was a quiet girl, smart and studious stu·di·ous adj. 1. a. Given to diligent study: a quiet, studious child. b. Conducive to study. 2. . I had heard her once gleeful glee·ful adj. Full of jubilant delight; joyful. glee  ful·ly adv.glee over the decision by the Dallas Aquarium to take in stranded sea creatures until they could be returned to their habitat in New Orleans, but apart from that she was mainly silent. This was the most violent reaction I had seen out of her in the months I had known her. She was shaking her head and looking disgusted. I suspected the problem, but I asked anyway. She confirmed my suspicions that, though she was starving, she simply could not bear to eat the spaghetti with meat sauce. That was my decision point. Trying not to make a scene but aware that everyone in earshot ear·shot n. The range within which sound can be heard by the unaided ear; hearing distance: listened until the parade was out of earshot. could hear me, I approached my English teacher, then went to the manager. They exchanged our meals for salads, and I learned that some people are accommodating when it comes to standing by your convictions. ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST RULES To enter VRG's annual essay contest, just write a 2-3 page essay on any aspect of vegetarianism vegetarianism, theory and practice of eating only fruits and vegetables, thus excluding animal flesh, fish, or fowl and often butter, eggs, and milk. In a strict vegetarian, or vegan, diet (i.e. or veganism. There are three entry categories: ages 14 to 18, ages 9 to 13, and ages 8 and younger. A $50 savings bond Savings bond A government bond issued in face value denominations from $50 to $10,000, with local and state tax-free interest and semiannually adjusted interest rates. savings bond A nonmarketable security issued by the U.S. will be awarded in each category. All entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2007, for the year 2007 contest. Entrants should base their entries on interviews, personal experience, research, and/or personal opinion. You need not be vegetarian to enter. All essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. Only winners will be notified. Send entries to: The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 Please make sure to include your name, age, address, phone number, school, and teacher's name. By Rebecca Sams, 17 yrs Bedford, TX |
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