EJ Young's portfolio of writing

Creative Writing

EJ Young's portfolio of writing Freelance writer, editor & graphic designer
Inspiration from a child's joy, a daughter's courage, a family's love, the support of friends... I recently survived a career transition from teaching to free lancing. Working from home not only offered a chance to write again, it also allowed me more time with my (then)three-year-old granddaughter. Shifting my perspective from a crowded classroom packed with high schoolers to the curious world of a giggling toddler refreshed my belief in possibilities. ♥ I enjoy writing to areas of expertise including education and the arts. I probably enjoy writing to topics I know little or nothing about even more. As a teacher I learned more about life from my students than I ever offered them. As a writer unfamiliar topics open a world of discovery creating that same kind of spark. It's not on the same level--not as rewarding or as important or as inspirational but the stress level is lower. Much lower.pyusten@msn.com for a brochure of services. Currently, I edit and write content for websites, provide contract work in graphic design and desktop publishing, write a blog (http://groupiewithcane.blogspot.com/) and continue to devolop social media skills. If interested in price quotes for copywriting, editing or graphic design projects, please write to pyusten@msn.com for a brochure. Memoirs: What I am thankful for by EJ Young As I grow older and just a little wiser, I realize wallowing in a pity party over life's hardships is a waste of precious time. Dealing with divorces, financial bankruptcy and a decade of raising thre...More> Write Short stories: The lonely road by EJ Young Her bony fingers seemed to pet the Book clutched close. The words soothed her. Whispering the lyrical verse wrapped her up in comfort. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose unde...More> Write
Articles related to education New teacher mistakes Practical advice for new teachers. Information you don't learn from a textbook. Signs of school phobia Fears about school are common but a real phobia is not. Don't enable a child who just doesn't want to go to school. Strategies to help shy students gain confidence It takes a safe environment with zero tolerance for teasing to make all students feel comfortable and confident. Strategies to prevent the same students from dominating class discussion Effective techniques to encourage class participation for all students. Create positive change through alternative education Public schools are slow to change. Alternative models need to be implemented in traditional classrooms to teach students how to think. project based learning and relavent curriculum Students need to be involved in their education. If they connect curriculum to their lives, they will learn. It's time to quite teaching to the test and teach students how to think. Peer critiques and cooperative learning Training students to provide constructive feedback for each other in cooperative learning groups is an effective method of engaging students. Connecting with students Students know if a teacher is sincere or fake. Making a personal connection with students creates an optimal learning environment. Tech products for teachers Take advantage of digital cameras and other tech-related items to motivate students and create a team atmosphere. Tips on dealing with back to school emotions Strategies for working with diverse student groups Separation anxiety for new students Tips on succeeding as a student advisor What is collaborative journalism? Reporting the news compared to curating the news Technology: Cameras, laptops & gadgets Best digital cameras Reviews features and functionality of digital camera brands. Tips to keep Blackberry running smooth Simple tips to keep your Blackberry operating efficiently and fast. Best video editing software for the money Software for editing home video without paying professional prices. Top flash drive brands Best netbooks under $400 The Scarlet Letter: A treatise on hidden sin by EJ Young Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter should amaze readers for its classic nature and modern-day relevance. Although Hawthorne's style can be a bit tedious, this book is packed with symbo...More> Write Book reviews: Grendel, by John Gardner by EJ Young The book Grendel, by John Gardner, tells the classic Beowulf story from the perspective of Grendel. As the monstrous antagonist in the Beowulf tales, Grendel is perceived as pure evil and the heroic B...More> Write Lady Gaga and her unique sense of style by EJ Young Imagine you are a Jeopardy! contestant and the answer is: “This 24-year-old pop superstar spent one of her first waitress checks on a $600 Gucci purse.” You buzz in ...More> Write Articles related to music How Lady Gaga got started Background on Lady Gaga's rise to fame. She worked her way up through the ranks with no special favors. Top music videos of 2010 lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and top video picks. Josh Turner biography The unique voice Josh Turner and his dedication to gospel and country music. Review: American Idol Live Tour Des Moines 2010 Review of individual performances for American Idol Live tour in Des Moines, IA. Includes other details of the venue.	The Byrds - Turn Turn Turn ( HQ ) The Byrds sing their hit, Turn, Turn, Turn. Memoirs: How cats guided me through life's journey by EJ Young Some people reflect on turning points in life and remember people who shared those emotional moments. In my life the apparent motif in personal highlights points to felines rather than humans. When I ...More> Write Reflections: Bathroom etiquette by EJ Young Ms. Manners may not have written the official version of urinal etiquette, but the need for such a publication exists. It is an excellent idea to stay informed on the latest trends in proper procedure...More> Write From an American Idol idol Best performances on American Idol Review of Adam Lambert's Mad World performance. American Idol profile: Crystal Bowersox Adam Lambert's influence as a mentor American Idol Season 9 performance reviews Reviews of the top 9 singing Beatles' songs. I'M B a country music reviewer by EJ Young As one of the country's best female country singers/songwriters Miranda Lambert represents many women through the themes in her music. Her own fiery personality seems to blend rebellion with reverence...More> Write Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me Music video by Miranda Lambert performing The House That Built Me. (C) 2010 Sony Music Entertainment Music review: 2010 American Music Association Awards Show by EJ Young Country music’s new royal couple shook up the 44th Country Music Awards show in Nashville November 10. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted, but the spotlight kept fleeting back to Mira...More> Write Satire: The thankless writer by EJ Young Thanks a lot electronic revolution. Just when I decide to quit my day job to seek my fortune as a writer, mobs of self-professed writers saturate the market. Evidently word got out that anyone who cou...More> Write Five ways to dispose of household clutter by EJ Young Reducing clutter seems to be one of those tasks on the "to do" list that never gets done. It gets scheduled for next Monday, but next Monday never seems to come. Read the five tips below. Then, instea...More> Write Articles about Des Moines, Iowa A look at neighborhoods in des moines iowa A look at diversity of neighborhoods in Des Moines, Iowa. The nicest suburbs of Des Moines A look at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines Joggers enjoy Des Moines area trail system Des Moines offers organized trails in the city with many extending to nearby towns. Des Moines ranked as best place to live 2010 ranking by Forbes citing Des Moines as 3 1 in two categories. Nightlife in Des Moines Places to walk you dog in the city Additional information This page contains a sampling of articles published on Helium.com. To browse additional articles on music, travel, journalism and other topics as well as creative writing pieces, go to writing portfolio at: http://www.helium.com/users/edit_show_articles/506462. Addresses listed below include the user name for each account. Formal documents reflect given name of Patsy Yusten or PJ Yusten. http://groupiewithcane.blogspot.com/ ejyoung, personal blog www.facebook.com/pyusten, pyusten, photo albums twitter.com/ejjyoung, twitter@ejjyoung, ejjyoung http://www.helium.com/users/edit_show/506462, ej young, writing portfolio www.pyusten@msn.com, pyusten, e-mail http://www.youtube.com/user/gagapj, gagapj, anna videos
Comments (1 to 5 of 5) Amanda Dcosta Feb 11, 11 at 09:27 AM This zone is amazing. Thanks for forwarding this page link to me. I see you've assembled all that you hold dear and presented it in one beautiful page. EJ Young Feb 04, 11 at 05:23 PM The "guy" at the top of the page was a special friend, James, wearing a hat he designed on his Caribbean island of Nevis. We belonged to the same writing group and messaged each other a few times each week. He was a selfless compassionate person who influenced the lives of many people. Mark Yusten Feb 04, 11 at 04:21 AM I like your page, especially the cute videos! Who is that guy in the pictures at the top of the page? He looks familiar.... M. J. Joachim Jan 30, 11 at 06:42 PM Well done, EJ! Hope all is well and your absence in Challenge 26 means you are earning lots of income on your writing endeavors elsewhere. Olivia Bredbenner Jan 29, 11 at 01:23 PM Beautiful ....EJ..Are you posting in the zone area too ? Olivia Enter your comment below: If you are a registered Helium member, you may login and then leave your own comment. Flag Inappropriate Content

All about style! Bob Dylan Impersonator or Stevie Wonder?

Could she be a female version of Bob Dylan? Toddler has unique singing style.

Reflections: Where is a friend?

by EJ Young

Gaga mused at the little cherub in her crib, chuckling to herself. The little girl worked hard to stay awake as her eyelids opened and she fussed, “No, no, no!” She bucked like a little co...More>
Write Now Write

Andy's brain cancer treatment update

Andy is blessed to have so much support from family and friends during her journey fighting brain cancer. The care she's received and the compassion from friends and strangers has been incredible. She continues to inspire others and faces each day with a positive attitude.

Her last round of chemo is scheduled for the first week in June. After her Mayo Clinic appointments that week she will be free of doctors, most drugs, and (hopefully) endless days of feeling crappy. Her positive attitude continues to amaze those who don't know her well. Her body has worn down over the past six months of radiation and chemo treatment but she is fighting back with her unique brand of passion.

Although there is no cure for the type of brain cancer she endures, she plans to live her life to the fullest. The uncertainty of the future regarding finances and career remains her source of gloom and doom. She will not be able to return to the type of career she's qualified to do--as she says,the combination of guns and brain cancer probably aren't a good idea.

She hopes to find funds to take classes exploring a new career in the event she returns to work. Although that isn't likely, she looks forward to the positive experience of returning to the classroom to continue learning.

For those who would like to help her financially, you may go to www.paypal.com and type in her e-mail address: andrea.eilertson@gmail.com to make a deposit to her account at PayPal..

The generosity of others allows her to stay in her condo and still maintain her independence and sense of pride. (http://groupiewithcane.blogspot.com/)

X Factor Wins Battle of the Bankrolls

http://groupiewithcane.blogspot.com/2011/10/x-factor-wins-battle-of-bankrolls.html

Andy's kitchen encounter

One night during her last set of chemo treatments, Andy decided to move from the couch to get some water. That doesn't sound like a traumatic incident. It was.

Feeling weak and a bit dizzy, she remembers putting her hand out to find the counter. Sometime later (anywhere from 20-50 minutes) she opened her eyes wondering where she was, what happened and why there was something wet on her face and hands.

As she regained more awareness, she moved her hand around enough to find her trusty cell phone on the floor next to her. She remembered her mom's speed dial number and pushed it. If that didn't work, plan B was 9-1-1.

I answered the phone, grabbed my keys, hopped into my clunker van and headed northeast. My grungy pajamas and I managed to push in the key and turn the doorknob. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to stay calm, I stepped in and turned on the light.

Andy had managed to crawl back to the couch. Dark red dried blood kept her fingers stuck together seeping blood was still an issue somewhere on her head and/or face.

A wet white washcloth showed the truth of what I suspected. She split her forehead open just between her eyes. It didn't matter how much we pressed and dobbed at it, the cut was too deep for a band aid to make it all better. So, I did what any concerned mother would do. I called my son and told him to take his sister to the emergency room.

Skipping through the next several hours of tests (to be expected when a brain cancer patient slams her head and blacks out), the girl ended up with nine stitches and some rough looking bruises from her fight with her kitchen counter.

A few days later she was all about putting the ordeal in perspective. She did have a few good points related to her incident:

Now people could stare at her new stitches and bruises. It might detract from her larger brain surgery incision on her now bald head.
What could have happened. Coulda, shoulda, woulda stuff. Coulda been her eye. Coulda been closer to her tumor. Coulda caused worse injuries.
Two-fer-one special. Not on beers but on medical services! When she went to her podiatrist to check on how her big toe was healing since he'd removed the toenail, his assistant also removed the stitches from her forehead! Sweet!
She didn't have to go to the clinic the next day for blood work. The hospital sent their results. Time saver!
Bonus visit from friends who were concerned about her head's most recent abnormality.
Stepdad changed cat litter and delivered fast food of choice.
She didn't mention this one but she got to have HER MOM stay over a couple nights. What fun to bond over the memories.

Currently, Andy says she feels about as decent as she's felt since pre-brain surgery last August. She has had enough stamina to leave the house and feel "normal' for 4-5 days. Hopefully, the next round of chemo won't be much of a setback for her.

This time when she is stubborn and states that no one needs to stay with her at night during her chemo treatment days--her mother will win the argument! It's better to put up with a hovering mom than a vicious countertop with a sharp edge.

Brain Cancer Awareness

RACE FOR HOPE - DC.

Race for Hope - DC: www.braintumorcommunity.org

Team name “It’s All in Your Head”.

To those of you who don't know Andrea personally, and even for those of you who do, I would like to share with you a glimpse of the Andrea that I have gotten to know since we first met in 2001. Andrea's strength, confidence and appreciation for all life has placed before her, good or bad, can

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