Elizabeth+Z's+OpEd+Article

media type="file" key="elizabethz-muckraker-2011.mp3" align="center"  = //"I wanna go back to when I was, like, four years old!" // = = //Don't you remember the good times?// =

//Remember when we didn't have to worry about the next in-class essay or chapter packet?//

//When we were four, we got to have nap time at school. How cool is that? I want nap time in high school. I think we should sign a petition; who's with me on this?// //When we were four, we got to play all day. We didn't have homework. When we did any work at all it was simple coloring.// //When we were four, did we have fractions? Nah, we'll just count the number of M&Ms we have and then eat them.//

//That was great. Don't get me wrong, school is great too. We're lucky that everyone has the equal opportunity to do the learnin' and make something of themself.// //But, why, why, why can't we have a nap time? Maybe just on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?// //That would be a nice to our school day to relieve ourselves from all of the work we have to do!// //It's just so hard! (That's what she said! And THAT is just another bummer about getting older) (://

//I can truthfully say that I am stressed and overwhelmed. I have way too much on my plate.// //I don't know any stressed or overwhelmed four year olds.// //I wanna go back to when I was, like, four years old.// //When I was four, I went to Nebraska. I was sad because I forgot my dolly. I couldn't play with the toy I wanted to play with.// //This last October, I went to Hawaii. I was sad because I forgot my History textbook and I couldn't do my chapter packet.// //Seriously, who gets upset because they can't do their homework? A four year old doesn't...// //When you see four year olds, they are so delighted, so carefree.// //Well, they're delighted and carefree until you take away their lollipop or give them a time out for telling you to "shut up."// //When I was four, I put stickers on my mom's blue Toyota.// //Needless to say, she was pretty peeved.// //Not only had a violated the "stickers on YOUR OWN things" rule, but I had ruined my mom's car.// //What was my punishment, you may ask?// //I couldn't get Trader Joe's stickers anymore for a very long time.// //And I made sure every Trader Joe's employee knew exactly WHY I couldn't have the stickers. It was definitely a low-point for me.// //But on the bright side, I didn't get my TV privileges taken away.// //I could still call my nana on the phone.// //I could still read my Dr. Seuss books. It wasn't a terrible punishment.// //Now, if I do something against what my mom has said, I lose my phone, computer and music privileges.// //Harsh, eh?// //Ahh, to be four years old again.// //When you're four, are your parents hammering you with questions on what your GPA will be at the end of the semester? Nope.// //When you're four, are your parents pressuring your to apply to the highest level colleges?// //Not so much.// //When you're four, are your friends asking you which date you're taking the SAT/ACT on?// //Not really.// //When you're in high school, your GPA defines you.// //When you're in high school, your parents MAKE you shoot for the stars, regardless of your capabilities.// //When you're in high school, your friends are asking you what you wrote about for the English synthesis essay.// //The changes that occur between the last year of preschool and the last year of high school are extreme.// //You change as a person, inside and out, physically and emotionally.// //What doesn't change?// //The need for nap time!// //I'm serious, guys.// //We should protest.// //When you're four, there aren't as many worries.// //What worries exist for a four year old?// //Well...// //Will my mommy be able to tell that I stole a cookie from the cookie jar?// //Can I pour my own juice if I put the glass on the floor?// //How can I unlock the deadbolt on the front door so I can pet the cat that lives next door?// //And so on and so forth.// //Let's all close our eyes and say, "I wanna go back to when I was, like, four years old."// //Maybe it'll work.// //Let's try it.// // ﻿-Izzy Znamenacek //