HEN I WAS FOURTEEN I WAS VERY ive, very innocent, and well actually maybe t stupid. My excuses are (some would call m copouts), that I was new in the area, my her was a Closet alcoholic, and that shortly fore grade ten I had been sexually abused by man sitting next to me on the greyhound s. I think these are the reasons for the oblems I encountered in grade ten, but some ople tell me I’m just trying to put the blame other people, maybe Iam. But I don’t think . WhenIstarted grade ten I hada boyfriend, was about four years older than I was so I ought I was pretty special. Yeah right, he ly wanted one thing and guess what I gave tohim. Yes, ladies and gentlemen I lost my rginity in grade ten at the tender age of 14. I gret it, of course I regret it, if 1 could change e events that happened after that night I ould, but I can’t so I have to live with the pain nd the regret. Well, the relationship didn’t st long and when he dumped me, I was hurt nd confused, soI turned to the next guy in line. e only wanted me for sex, which for a while gave willingly hoping that he would love me id protect me from those people around me. uthedidn’tand when] became pregnant with is child he told me I was a slut, that it wasn’t is baby and then he was gone. My parents ere devastated, it ripped my family apart and ) this day they still don’t trust me (I’m venty—one). The decision was long and ought out, all the options were laid on the ble. I decided I would have an abortion.

bortion is a very controversial issue, believe 4 I know, and don’t think it was an easy ecision to make. I have carefully chosen the w people I have told my dark secret to, and I

SP ae GM ©

Learning to grow up the hard way

know a few of them think I made the wrong decision, but they weren’t there, they weren’t in my shoes. How would you react if your best friend told you she had had an abortion when she was fifteen. Would it affect your friend- ship? Guys what if your girlfriend told you she had had an abortion? I bet you would think

twice before you had sex again, if you stayed -

with her that is. I recently told my best friend from high school about it, she couldn’ t believe it. She said she had no idea that all this was going on. But the words that stung most were from the conversation we had earlier in the night when I had asked her what she thought about abortion, and she told me it was wrong that under no circumstances was it the right thing to do. Well, how do you react to some- thing like that? Those words hurt and I don’t think our friendship will ever be the same. I figure that every time my friend looks at me she is saying to herself ‘“‘how could you have done that? How could you have killed your baby?”’

If it makes anyone feel any better, the abor- tion ruined my life. There has not beena single day when I haven’t thought about it and regret- ted it, or seen ababy on the street and wondered what my baby would have looked like. I can’t change the past, but I can think ahead and try to change people’s opinions about abortion. I don’t think abortion is wrong, of course itis not always right either, but the option should be there. You should accept the decision if some- oneyou knowis inthis situation, don’t criticize or tell them its wrong. Do you think that this is an easy decision for them to make? If you do I have two words for you GROW LP. I did.

By Patricia Cousins

QUESTIONNAIRE:

his is a questionnaire. Your job is to answer the following questions. Our job is o obey your wishes, or choose to ignore them(whichever suits our needs). But

) What have you liked about the paper over the rs?

) What have you disliked about the paper? _

) What would you like to see added to the per?

)Do you have any story ideas or issuesthat you

uld like us to akiress?, :

Now that was easy wasn"t it! Now try and answer these questions:

(6) Who was space?

the first Canadian in

(7) How many Jellybeans are in this jar? (8) Why do we accept American money in Cana- dian stores?

O.K., so you've made it this far, now try these ones: (9) Do you know anyone involved in the production of theXPRESS?

Book Review:

Wildlife of Atlantic Canada and New England Photography by Wayne Barrett; Text by Gary SaundersNimbus Publishing

THE PIERCING ENIGMATIC GAZE OF A bobcat transfixes you. You’ re not inthe wilder- ness, nor is this within the pages of National Geographic (thoughit couldbe). You’re look- ing at the cover to Wild- life of Atlantic Canada and New England, a book by naturalist Gary Saunders and photog- rapher Wayne Barrett, and it’s a peach of a coffee table book.

A hardcover ex- ercise in local wildlife appreciation, this book is a treasure trove of natural photography courtesy of PEI’s own Wayne Barrett, nicely complemented by Gary Saunders’ informative text captions. Saunders’ text, in- formative and often evocative prose, reveals a genuine affection for wild creatures, though the photographs are the star of the show. At press time I haven’t finished reading all the text entries, but the pictures alone make for a pleasurable browsing experience.

The book is organized into three sec- tions (mammals, birds, and amphibians & reptiles) and provides anexcellent primer inall

| northeastern creatures great and small. Expect

eriously we care about you and your needs, you are our friends, we love you.

You do!

Who?

You don't? Are you a loser? (Yes you are you liar!!!)

(10) Is Madonna your favorite X-Press contributor? . YES??? Boy are you stupid! Madonna doesn't write for the X- PRESS!!!

Well, that's all the questions for now, but don't go far because there will likely be another set of similiar questions for you to answer next week. Until then don't think too hard.

P.S. I will leave you with a special treat a picture of a bowler!!! ENJOY!!!

Books like these help put a tangible face on the wilder-

ness in our own

backyards, and drive home for the reader the urgent need to appreciate and preserve these beautiful but fragile creatures.

to: see familiar faces like squirrels, raccoons,

and hummingbirds up-close-and-personal, pro- viding a new perspective on old friends. The book also showcases more exotic and elusive animals like bobcats, whales, and the pine marten. From wolves to moose to snakes, it’s an all-star cast of natural beauties and curiosi- ties.

Also noteworthy herein is the concern for the gradual erosion of our wilderness areas and the resultant dis- appearance of their inhabit- ants. Books like these (though no substitute for per- sonal experience) help put a tangible face on the wilder- ness in our own backyards, and drive home for the reader the urgent need to appreciate and preserve these beautiful but fragile creatures.

The photographs are alternately amus- ing, arresting, and touching, from the comi- cally candid to the unexpectedly inspirational. A colourfully diverse slice of nature offering a feast for both the eyes and the mind, this book is an excellent choice for any student or lover of nature, or any lover of beautiful pictures for that matter.

Sean McQuaid

|__september 13, 1994 page 9