Fences.

     The play Fences by August Wilson takes place in 1957 during the difficult years of change with blacks. It takes place in a dirt-yard and porch of the Maxson family's house in Pittsburgh. In the time period of the play many things associated with blacks vs. whites were going on. There had been a Montgomery Bus Boycott because of Rosa Parks. Jackie Robinson broke the Gentlemen's agreement which kept blacks from playing in major leagues. Schools were being desegregated. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act was passed 8 years after the play. Blacks were free from slavery but were trying to  be cut off from society at the time.

Race & Racism

     Young people understand race as either a gift or a curse. In the video A girl Like Me one of the girls says all her sisters are lighter than her so she felt ugly. Many people grow up thinking that if they are not from a certain place or look a certain way they will not be accepted in society. The mentality of many young people is that if you aren't white you aren't good enough. It shouldn't matter how someone looks or where they're from because people can't change that, what matters is the way someone is on the inside.
     In my school I asked guys what they look for in a girl and many of them described a light skinned girl. Beauty should not be measured on whats on the outside but whats on the inside. Many dark skinned people are beautiful and not all of them are from Africa. Choosing one person over another because of their race and color of skin is racism.
     In the past blacks went through slavery and were seen as nothing. Whites dominated everything and even today that happens. We grew up thinking that whites are always going to be better than us. But that's not true. What makes you a better person is what you're willing to do for people. A color or nationality should never define a person.
     Our generation should learn from past mistakes and not let other people define who we are. Every individual is beautiful in there own way and we should not let someone tell us different. Its all about self confidence and what you believe about yourself. Not everyone will like you but you have to learn to like yourself. The only thing that matters is the person you are in the inside.
   

John F. Kennedy

     The negative impact that Kennedy believes science has had on the world is that he thinks it causes the opposite of peace. In his inaugural address he states, " ..the quest for peace before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction." This means he doesn't think science is helping keep things at peace because of weapons and other new technology. This is similar to what one of my teachers told me once that the more technology built, the more people are at risk because the more weapons and things like that are in the hands of people. Two ways Kennedy believes science can positively affect the future are in one bring us together to explore more things and two have people face problems together instead of on their own. In his inaugural he states, " Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors." This demonstrates that we should not fear science but have it help us. Many people are afraid that because of new technology other countries will attack on us with new weapons but we should trust people and work them and stay at peace like John F. Kennedy wanted.

St. Patrick's Day.

     St. Patrick's day is celebrated every year on March 17th. It is the Roman Catholic feast that honors Saint Patrick and now has to do with Ireland and Irish culture. Irish is the second most common ancestry in America. St. Patrick was an or English or scotch man from the 5th century who was missionary to Ireland. He is seen as a historical figure and someone who converted people to Christianity. Even though the day falls on the fasting season people are allowed to eat meat that day. The Irish dance, drink and feast on traditional meal which is bacon and cabbage. The parade for this day started in America because of Irish soldiers who served the English army. Over the years Irish people immigrated to America and many "Irish Aid" were founded to help celebrate this day. The parade for St. Patrick's Day is the oldest and largest parade.

Think Different

 
     People generally react in a disapproving way with people who are willing to step outside the box of comfortability and normalcy in a way that is considered unconventional or unacceptable. In the movie Glory Road the other people in charge of the basketball team don't like the fact that the Coach is letting black people play. This demonstrates how the Coach thinks different from the others, he doesn't see the color of their skin he sees their skills. It reminds of Rosa Parks who didn't want to give up her seat and was sent to jail because people didn't want blacks to step out of their limits. It was so important for Don Haskins to think different because he changed things. In the movie the coach tells a black guy that he does not see color he sees skill. This means that he didn't care what the person looked like what mattered was how they played. All over the world people get judged but it takes one person to see things different so they can make a change, just like Don Haskins. He thought different than others and made a difference.

My Marlin

    

     Starting high school the stress sets in. Thinking about what I want to be in the future and what college is right for me. Freshman year is the most important year and most of my friends didn't have classes with me. I'm a very shy person and keep to myself unless I know the person well. In middle school I had slacked off in school especially 7th grade. But I was determined to make honor roll freshman year. Coming in to high school I was scared of what would happen. I didn't want to get distracted and mess up. I wanted to have good grades in all my classes.

     The first few weeks of my freshman year I kept to myself.  I meet a few new people like Jonathan who was in my history class. He was tall and goofy. He had light brown eyes and wore braces. HE would get mad so easily but he was fun to be around. He made me laugh until my stomach would hurt. But I knew I had to concentrate in school. Every week I had quizzes and tests. But I would study hard for them something I normally didn't do I would just wing at them. I would study vocabulary words over and over again. Read through my notes till my eyes would close from my tiredness.

     In class everybody seem to think I was a nerd and too quiet but I didn't care. In my math class I would always be answering questions and in science as well. It came to a point where my teachers would ask a question and say except for Aydee. My science teacher literally would give me more work and I would be ahead of the class. A couple of times she would say "I don't know what else to give you." I didn't want people to dislike me but I couldn't help myself. My friend Allen always said "you're so smart Aydee, how do you do it?" Truth is it isn't easy.
     So far I had made honor roll first semester, my hard work was paying off. That when I meet Erica it's kind of weird how we meet. She just randomly went up to me and asked me a question and we talked about everything. After that we would talk all the time and we started spending more time together. This helped me become less shy around others as well. She would make fun of because I did all my work sometimes even before it was due. But I was willing to do anything to get honor roll all school year.
     Around May I had realized that I was actually about to reach my goal. Only a few weeks left of school and finals were coming up. The best part was I only had to take 2 finals because I had A's in my other classes. Gym was a final we had to take no matter what our grade was. And my other one was algebra because annoying teacher decided that because of a 92 I had to take it. One point from not taking it! After finals I didn't go back to school there was really nothing to do. I waited every day for my report card. That was the ultimate proof that I had done it. And finally it came. I caught my marlin.

Dia de San Valentine

     The story behind Valentine's day is about Saint Valentine who secretly married soldiers from Claudius II who forbid young men from getting married because he thought the soldiers would become to attached with their families and wouldn't make good soldiers. Claudius found out what Valentine was doing and sent him to prison. Valentine met a prisoner there who had a blind daughter and it had been said that Valentine had healing powers. And supposedly Valentine cured his daughter. Claudius was impressed but Valentine still disagreed with the marriage issue. The emperor tried converting Valentine to notice Roman gods but couldn't. Valentine tried to convert the emperor and that had consequences and he order an execution. Valentine had fell in love with the prisoners daughter and before he was killed he sent a message to her that said "From Your Valentine." It is said that Valentine was killed on February 14, 270 AD. We celebrate Valentines day because over the years it became about love and a man sending a message to his love.

 

 

 

     According to the graph the majority of break ups occur during spring break, and two weeks before Christmas. Most people break up because they want to have fun during spring break and want to be free and not have to worry about someone else. But you can have fun with that special someone to. You don't have to break up with someone to enjoy yourself because that's why you got with them in the first place to have someones company and to be loved. The majority of break ups happen because people make mistakes like cheat, stupid arguments or other problems. If you know you won't stay faithful don't get in to the relationship but you should try and control yourself because you wouldn't want that to happen to you. Sometimes money could be the problem because you have to buy presents but you can make things for the person, its the thought that counts.

Personification

Personification is when you give inanimated objects human qualities. For example saying he did not realize that his last chance was walking out the door. A chance at something can't walk out of a door like a human. Another example would be my computer throws a fit every time I try to use it. This means the computer decides not to work when I use it. Personification is a funny way of demonstrating things. Treating them like if they were human.

 

Monday is like a boring and lazy man. He's dull and has no enthusiasm for anything. Hes tired and sleepless. Hes lifeless and drags himself to get places.

 

Tuesday is the guy that isn't noticeable or important. He walks the hall but nobody cares about him. No one gets excited to see him. He's just there.

 

Wednesday is that middle child. They don't get all the attention like the older and younger siblings. They have more stress. And try to be better at things and get noticed.

 

Thursday is that girl whose on her period. Everything annoys her because it's been a long week but she's happy its almost over. Shes grumpy and just wants to go off on people but then she becomes excited. She has mood swings and just wants to get everything over with.

 

Friday is that happy little girl with candy. She runs around and shows off her candy. Happy to finally have it. Full of joy and excitement. Nobodies happier than her.

 

Saturday is a crazy hyperactive women. Ready to party her butt off. Full of life and wants to just have fun. Wants to go wild and look amazing.

 

Sunday is that relaxed person who doesn't want to do anything. Just wants to sleep all the time. They want to stay in bed all day. Just be comfortable and relax.

Simile & Metaphor

A simile is comparing two things using like or as. For example she got as red as a tomato. Similies are an important part of writing because it compares things making it more interesting. It makes writing more interesting and not boring.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you'
Cause there's a spark in you?
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down
You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through
'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
 KATY PERRY - FIREWORK 


AND

A metaphor is when you compare two things without using like or as. For example you could say hes a dog, your comparing a dog to a guy. I think metaphors are an important part of writing because it makes the writing more interesting. It also makes the writing funnier.

As long as you love me
As long as you love me
As long as you love me
[Verse 1]
I'm under pressure,
seven billion people in the world trying to fit in
Keep it together,
smile on your face even though your heart is frowning
But hey now, you know girl,
We both know it's a cruel world
But I will take my chances
[Chorus]
As long as you love me
We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love, love me, love me
[Verse 2]
I'll be your soldier, fighting every second of the day for the dreams girl
You can be my Destiny's Child on a scene girl
So don't stress, don't cry, we don't need no wings to fly
Just take my hand
[Bridge]
As you love me we could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love, love me, love me
[Big Sean]
I don't know if this makes sense, but you're my hallelujah
Give me a time and place, and I'll rendezvous, and I'll fly you to it,
I'll beat ya there
Girl you know I got you
Us, trust...A couple of things I can't spell without you
Now we are on top of the world, 'cause that's just how we do
Used to tell me sky's the limit, now the sky's is our point of view
Man now we stepping out like wow (Oh God)
Camera's pointed shoot,
Ask me what's my best side,
I stand back and point at you
You, you the one that I argue with,
I feel like I need a new girl to be bothered,
But the grass ain't always greener on the other side,
It's green where you water it
So I know we got issues baby true true true
But I'd rather work on this with you
Than to go ahead and start with someone new
As long as you love me
[Chorus]
As long as you love me
We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love, love me, love me
As long as you love me

JUSTIN BIEBER - AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME LYRICS

Our Rights

     The rights we have today we take for granted. Martin Luther King Jr in his speech Been to the Mountain Top said " And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as people will get to the promised land." King believed that everyone should be treated fairly, the way every human deserves to be treated. If Martin Luther King Jr walked in to my class tomorrow he would be disappointed.
     The way students treat each other with no respect would show him that he fought a battle he thought he won but is not over yet. Today students treat each other horrible. They call each other names and they disrespect teachers and everyone around them. They think there better than everyone and do not care if what they do or say affects someone. That is not what King wanted, he wanted people to treat each other kindly and with respect but as time goes on our generations gets worse.
     He fought so that everybody could go the same schools and come together. But if you look closely we still are segregated. Hispanics with Hispanics, blacks with blacks and whites with whites. We might go to the same school but segregation is still there. Our grades show that we do not take advantage of our rights. Most students are okay with just passing and do not want to go beyond that. They think of themselves as below white people still because we go to public schools. But that is not what King wanted.
     He gave it his all for us to have a better education but we do not appreciate it. A lot of people drop out because they do not want to keep trying but colored people back then would kill to go to a good school and learn. And we take what we got as a joke. Yeah we have rights but how many of us appreciate that? We dont because we were born knowing we had them. King and many others fought for them and even died for the rights we have today. If he walked in my class he would know that it is not over that kids need to be pushed so they could work harder and appreciate things. But he would know that there are a few who do know what they have and take advantage of it and those are the ones that will help the rest.

Hyperbole Homework

Hyperbole is an exaggeration of something like if you accidentally trip someone and they say they almost broke their neck and they only stumbled. Its stretching the truth like saying your tall when in reality your under average height. Hyperbole is important in writing because it makes it more interesting to read. Sometimes hyperbole's are funny and that's what you want to have the reader be entertained. Have the reader wanting to keep reading.


Easy come, easy go, that's just how you live
Oh, take, take, take it all but you never give
Should've known you was trouble from the first kiss
Had your eyes wide open, why were they open?
Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked'
Cause what you don't understand is
I'd catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya
I'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya
I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for you, baby
But you won't do the same
No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue, beat me 'til I'm numb
Tell the devil I said, hey, when you get back to where you're from
Mad women, bad women, that's just what you are, yeah
You'll smile in my face then rip the brakes out my car
Gave you all I had and you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked'
Cause what you don't understand is
I'd catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya
I'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya
I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for ya, baby
But you won't do the same
If my body was on fire
Ooh, you'd watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me, you're a liar'
Cause you never, ever, ever did, baby
But darling, I'd still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for yaI'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya
I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for you, baby
But you won't do the same
No, you won't do the same
You wouldn't do the same
Ooh, you never do the same
No, no, no, no
BRUNO MARS - GRENADE LYRICS

Tone : The tone of the song is hurt. With everything he says you can tell he's done so much and got nothing in return.

Mood : The mood is sadness and regret because he would do anything for the girl but she doesn't feel the same way.

Meaning : The meaning of this song is to watch who you give your heart to. To be careful with who you fall for.

The Island of Clouds.

         Searching the sea for the island with clouds Jayden became excited. He put water on his brown hair to keep it from falling to his face. His beautiful hazel eyes stared away into the sea. Finally he saw it, this was it the moment he had always dreamed of. Only 24 years old and he would be the first one to see what was behind the clouds and go back and tell the world. He tied his boat off and started to climb the cliffs. He knew that no one had lived to tell what was behind the cloud, but still he climbed. He felt like he was being watched as he went on and it got really foggy. He couldn't see anything. He knew he wasn't alone.
          He reached a flat surface and squinted his eyes to see where he was at. There was only silence. " Whose there?"  Silence. " I know someones there." Then the next thing he knew he was being pushed and he tried to fight back. The person wasn't as strong as him, he pinned the person down and all he saw were to brown eyes staring back at him. It was a girl who took his breathe away. She was beyond beautiful, he had never seen a girl like her. She looked scared he got up from her and tried to get her up but she attacked him again. He didn't want to hit her so he just held her and she stopped and just stared at him.
       " Quien eres?!" She yelled while trying to hit him again. He understood her, his mom was Colombian. He told her he didn't want to hurt her. She stared at him and then spoke English.
        "What do you want from us!?" He was surprised and took 2 steps back letting her go gently.
        " I'm here to discover whats behind the Island of Clouds but who are you?"
        "There's nothing to know get out now." Silence filled the air and he just stared, stared at the beauty she had. He tried talking to her but she just wanted him to leave. It felt like forever and all she would scream was leave so he was about to turn around and just wander off but she caught his hand.
        " Are you hear to harm us?" Harm you? Why would I hurt?" "Because everyone who comes here tries to hurt us!" " No I promise you I didn't come for that I just wanted to see what made this place so special but dangerous."
       She was still holding his hand she dropped it and told him to follow her. He asked where they were going she wouldn't answer. She finally stopped in front of bushes and told him to not be scared. He followed her in and what he saw he couldn't believe. People had wings on them and were flying! Everything seemed so beautiful and everything seemed so familiar to him.
       "What are they?" "They're fairies, fairies have been around for centuries but we keep hidden because the outside world doesn't accept us. They try to experiment on us and we don't want that so we hide." He didn't know what to say.  "What do you do with the people that come to hurt you? And how come you don't have wings?" She explained that they just locked them away so they wouldn't go off and tell people. And that fairies could hide their wings if they wanted to it just took a lot out of them.
        "I'm one of the protectors. I make sure nobody comes in who will hurt us. But you seem so familiar.. like the son the queen and king had 24 years ago but someone had took him from them."
He didn't know what to say. A few years ago before his mom died of cancer she told him that some guy had given him to her  and she fell in love and kept him. This couldn't be true though? It seemed impossible that he was a son of fairies. But as soon as he saw them he knew, they all knew that it was true.
          He found love and his family. Everything that was taken away when he was little was now here with him. So did he leave to be the first to come back from the island or did her stay to be with the people who were taken from him and knew nothing about? He decided to stay and live his life where he belonged and soon after he got his wings. The magic surrounding the Island gave it to him. He was home now. He found what he was looking for. Love and Family.
      

What does it mean?

      I had the worst dream of my life a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for my parents and I couldn't find them. I kept asking people nobody would answer me. I was getting scared I was screaming and nobody would say anything to me. I was gasping for air, everything felt so weird. It felt like I had lost them but I didn't want to believe that. My world was fallling apart and I yelled to the top of my lungs but they weren't coming. Tears started rolling down my cheeks and then I woke up crying and breathing hard. Worst dream of my life. It wasn't a dream it was a nightmare!

      Searching for what this dream meant I found this website : http://www.dreammoods.com/dreaminformation/dreamtypes/nightmares.htm
I learned that dreaming about this meant that people who are more sensitive and who are avioding problems and this dream wants to get you to realize it. I have been pushing away my parents because I feel really distant from them but I would never want to loose them in that way. Even though we fight so much I love them so much. I think the dream was trying to tell , to appreciate them and spend more time with them because nothing lasts forever.

     In The Giver there's a baby named Gabriel who is going to be released because he dosn't fit in with what the community whats of him. The community wants to control everything and when something or someone is different they are released. The baby isn't exposed yet to how the community so he's the hope of change to Jonas. Jonas is the only one who knows how things are because he was chosen as the Giver he knows everything now. To him everything is wrong now and he doesn't like it at all he hates and wants to change it. Jonas doesn't want Gabriel to be released for being different he connected with the baby and now this baby gives him hope and the strength.

The lost of a father.

 

 

 

 

A little boy loses his dad. The person who he looked up to, who he loved, who would be there for him is gone. Just like that he didn’t even get to see him grow up. He is only about eight years old and has lost his father. For a little kid that must be the worst thing that could happen. Just like that he is gone and now in front of all these people he has to receive this flag with tears in his eyes. He will grow up without his dad now, and even though he has everybody else nobody will replace his dad. His dad was going to come home in a few weeks and then he does not come back home. He has so many emotions inside of him. He should have anger for his dad choosing to go to Iraq, regret for not having done or spent more time with his dad.

So many people loose someone so special to them. The little boy is so brave because he stands there receiving that flag in honor of his dad. You can tell he is proud of his dad and hopes to one day be as good as his dad. His dad died serving his country, doing something that he wanted to do. Maybe this will make him stronger, make him want to make his dad proud of him. Pain is in his eyes. He looks like he just wants to run and cry, that's what I would do. I'm older and I don't think I would be able to handle myself like that, He’s being so strong, and he has courage. All the memories he has with his dad even though they might not be that much since his dad is in the Marines and would have to travel a lot he should hold on to every single one of them. Keep everything in his heart. You can see that his dad was so special to him. He must just be shocked with grief because he doesn't understand why out of all people it had to be his dad. But it's not just his dad it’s so many people losing their loved ones every day.

He didn't get to say good-bye or say a few things to him. His dad was so far away from him and this time he wasn't coming back. He could be regretting not saying things to him but he has his mother and they both share grief but also wonderful memories of the man who they loved so much and was now gone. But he didn't die over nothing and they should be so proud of him and everybody like him. His hero is gone, what does he do now? He shouldn't let this bring him down this should make him even stronger. His dad the brave man he was must want him to be happy. He doesn't have to forget his dad how could he? His father meant so much to him. He was probably his best friend and now he was gone. He was taken away from his son, his wife, family everybody. But the little boy and everyone else have to live their life and remember all the good times they spent with him.

Having to go through all of that must be so hard. Especially for a little kid whose just growing up just about to start actually living and experiencing life his father gets taken away. It's not fair but life isn't fair. His dad will always be in his heart. So many people go through this everyday loosing people who go into the army and things like that. But they can’t stop living their lives because the little boy’s life didn't end. He still has a long way to go and he should be honored to have come from a man who would risk it for his country. He's not going through it alone though so many people are there for him. He should be so grateful even though he lost his dad it should make him stronger and more determined to succeed and be happy and be more eager to become a good person.

Not getting to grow up with his dad and having to see all his friends with their dads. And as he grows up the memories will fade because they weren’t that many. He will cry so many nights and feel so alone. I’m so proud of him even though I don’t know him. He’s at his dad’s funeral and has the courage to stand there and receive the flag. Even if he’s crying I would never have the courage to do that. Not many people do and it is so sad to see someone so young go through that. Losing a loved one is so difficult. Nobody should go through that but sadly it happens. It’s going to happen to everybody it’s just the truth of it. But to lose someone at such a young age is even harder especially when it’s a parent. We all fight with our parents and when we get mad we say horrible things to them but at the end of the day we love them and their only ones that will always be there for us. He must have had many fights with his dad but he knows that his dad loves him and would just want the best for him now that’s he is gone.

Time is going to pass by and everyday he will think of his dad everyday he will miss him. He will miss out on so many things but he has to appreciate that he is healthy and can keep moving forward. Things won’t be easy for him, it will all be different and more difficult but nothing is easy. All he can do is keep moving forward remember his dad in the best way possible and never stop loving him. Use losing his dad as a motivation to do good in his life.

The Tower of Love

 

     Living all her life in Paris, Sophia had never actually been to the Eiffel Tower. Weird because it's somethings she's always wanted to do but never had the time to do so. Shes always busy taking care of her brothers, school and work ever since her mom passed away two years ago from cancer. She's only 21 years old, average height for a girl and has brown eyes and hair. After her 21st birthday she decided she would finally go see the tower up close not from a distance anymore. The Eiffel Tower is known to be the tower of light. It looks extremely beautiful at night! You can go to it and look at all of Paris from it.
 "My mom always talked about how beautiful the  tower was, she said one day she would take me and my brothers but after she got sick she lost hope in everything" Sophia told her friend Grace. " It's always been my dream to go all the way to the top and see all of Paris."
  "Go this weekend, I'll watch your brothers for you" Grace said smiling. " Your going to love it and you'll never forget it."
    That Saturday night Sophia drove her car all the way to the Eiffel Tower, she lived about 40 minutes from it. She went at night because that's when her mom said it was more beautiful and romantic. As she grew closer she became more excited. She parked and started walking it was November so it was about 42 degrees outside so she walked fast but not to fast because she was very maladroit.
   Finally reaching the stairs she walked slowly enjoying every second of it. After a few minutes she stopped to look at the view when she was about to start walking she bumped in to someone.
"Opps I'm sorry" she whispered.
" No I'm sorry I wasn't watching where I was going" Said the voice who was still holding her. He soon noticed and let go turning red and rubbing the back of his head.
"I'm Sophia" she blushed. In front of her was a hazel eyed guy who looked to be in his twenties was muscular and had light brown hair.
" I'm Alex" he smiled " its my first time here, how many times have you been here?"
"Its my first time too" " Really? Do you mind if we spend the day together? I mean if you want" He turned even more red. He was shy she found that cute. She accepted and they started going up the stairs talking about all sort of things. She even told him about her mom which was hard for her to talk about with just anybody. He listen to everything then hugged her. "I'm sorry" he whispered. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable around him but at the same time nervous. They finally reached the top.
   "wow, isn't it beautiful? My mom was right there's nothing like this" Sophia said.
  " I know its amazing, my parents meet here I think its pretty cool but I never had the chance to come till now. "
    They stayed in silence for awhile just taking in the beauty of everything. He grabbed her hand and she didn't fight it, she liked it. Their eyes meet and then they kissed. They blushed together this time. He was starting to apologize but she stopped him and kissed him again. She had never felt that before and she knew he felt the same. She meet the love of her life that day. Paris is the City of love but to her the tower was everything. It reminded her of her mom and she meet the love of her life there. To her it was the tower of love.

 

Powerless.

     Monday Morning waking up late because there's no school. The rain getting worse and worse. Everybody preparing for Hurricane Sandy. My mom starts filling pots with water just in case the water goes out. Then gets candles and flash lights. My brother and me start looking out the window to see how bad it was getting. Around 8 the wind started picking up. You could hear it, it was loud. We was all so curious that we went to look outside. My step dad was recording and right when he turns it off a branch falls! My mom called us crazy for going out in the middle of that. When we got inside the power went out and we started lighting up candles. All of us played Loteria which is kind of like bingo. That night my signal dropped! I was going crazy looking for signal! I finally gave up and went to sleep.
    Tuesday Morning I wake up and outside it looked scary. Our stove is electric so we had no way of cooking we had to go find food. We went around Plainfield looking for food but everything was closed! Trees were all over the place, wires, streets closed, no gas, no power, nothing. We searched for more than hour and finally found this breakfast place and after we went in they wouldn't let anybody else in because they were running out of food. We drove around to see all the damages. Trees that fell on cars and destroyed them and trees that fell on houses and damaged them. That night we were playing games my mom went to put things away. I was left alone in the living room and then i heard a noise. I turn around and I saw scream! I froze and wanted to get up and run but then realized it was my step dad being an idiot.
"Mami isra scared me!" I yelled and my mom opens the door and sees him in the mask as well. She curses and punches him in the face! Then faints! I immediately went and got alcohol and when she woke up she was crying and laughing. She was so red and my step dad felt so bad, but she knew he was just playing around.
    Wednesday Morning, Halloween cancelled, no school, no power.  Another cold day and the days just go by colder and colder. We hear a snow storm is coming and many people still don't have power and were one of them. Gas lines are huge! Hours in line to wait for gas and then when people get finally get there it runs out. My step dad went all the way to Trenton for gas. It was all crazy. Finally after a week and a half without power it finally came back on Wednesday! It came back at 12 in the night everyone was so excited no more cold nights.  We woke up to learn that president Obama had won! I knew he would though.
   I had practice for my sweet 16 and that night the snow storm hit. We were going to the car to go drop off one of the guys we look up and BAM! My lights went out again! I wanted to cry!
"I just witnessed your lights go out" the guy said "Noooo!" i yelled and cursed out loud.
   After I got home I tried going to sleep but it was so scary I stayed in bed on my phone for almost two hours. Then the lights came back on. I get out of bed and yelled " THE LIGHTS ARE BACK!" All you heard were crickets it was dead silent everyone was knocked out. So I just went to sleep happy that my power was back no more cold nights after that.

The Way Chris Sees Life.

 

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”

 

What Chris wants to get across is that everybody is forced to live a safe life a life where everyday is a routine. Boring, risk free and the same as the day before. He believes that each person should have an adventure and go out of the normal. Everyone should a different experience each day because everyday thats the same is boring and safe. Experience the risk of life, be happy with your life. Happiness comes from the different things that happen everyday. Chris is right. People that are not happy with their lives don't change them because they become use to their lives but thats not living at all. People need to experience new things, enjoy the wonders of life. Live life to the fulliest.

 

Chris embraced this by leaving everything in his life and going on his own. Shutting everyone off and just living his life the way he wanted to live it. Chris had canoed his way into Mexico even though he got lost he kept going. He had risked going on to strangers cars! He meet so many people who had grown to love him but he left before he cared to much. He didnt want to become attached.

My life has been conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservation because everything is given to me. I do what is expected never what I want. I go by the rules and play it safe. I don't take risks I do what is safe. If i meet Chris I know he would ask why? Why do I do whats safe? Why do I live this way? The safe way. He would probably encourage me to take risks, to go on an adventure, to be free and to do what I want. To do what I've always wanted to do. To live my life not the life people expect and want me to live.

Poems ~

Universal Freedom Is

Freedom from hunger and freedom from pain
freedom from loss and so freedom from gain.
Freedom to give and freedom to share
freedom from want and that of despair.

Freedom to think and freedom to know
freedom to achieve and freedom to grow.
Freedom from bondage and freedom of liberation
freedom from ignorance and any unknown situation.

Freedom to come and freedom to leave
freedom to stay and freedom to conceive.
Freedom from struggle and freedom of ease
freedom to enjoy and the capacity to please.

Freedom from failure and freedom of success
freedom from denial and freedom of access.
Freedom from illusion and freedom of reality
freedom to become what we are in actuality.

Freedom to live and freedom to die
freedom to laugh and freedom to cry.
Freedom to speak and freedom to listen
freedom to act based on a wise decision.

Freedom from hate and freedom of love
freedom of below and freedom of above.
Freedom of the past and freedom of the present
freedom of the future and what it can represent.

Freedom from war and freedom of peace
freedom to begin and freedom to cease.
Freedom from sickness and freedom of health
freedom from poverty and mishandled wealth.

Freedom from wrong and freedom being right
freedom of the day and freedom of the night.
Freedom to choose and freedom to reject
freedom to imagine what there is to expect.

Freedom from lust and freedom from greed
freedom from anger and freedom from breed.
Freedom from jealousy and freedom from pride
freedom from within and freedom from outside.
Freedom of always not having anything to hide.

Freedom from space and also freedom from time
freedom from attachment and freedom from crime
Freedom to work and freedom to play
freedom to believe and freedom to pray.
Freedom to experience a rebirth someday.

Freedom from the body and freedom from the mind
freedom from the ego and freedom from being blind.
Freedom of transcendence being of the spiritual kind.

Universal freedom is eternal and infinite bliss
we should all therefore be able to realise this.

George Krokos

The poem is about freedom from everything, not having any rules to follow, doing what you please, what makes you happy. Chris wanted to be free from everything! He wanted to be free he wanted to be alone. He didnt want to get to close to anybody, he didnt want to be with his family. To live a life without worries. Be on his own follow his own rules and live his life to the fulliest. To be free.


What Is The Value Of Money?

Money we all know is a medium of exchange
Buyers and sellers relate to each other through money
The question here is – what is the value of money?
Few say money is the root of all evil
Many say money is the root of prosperity
And how valuable is money
Almost everything is measured by money
People go to work everyday because of money
Wealth of individuals is measured by money
All purchases and transactions are made by money
Every country has a name for its own money
The importance of some countries
In based on the value of their money
What is the value of money?
The rise and fall of foreign exchange
Is used to measure the value of money
Success to many is also measured by money
Corporate positions are measured by money
There are some people who marry for money
What is the value of money?
To many, money is everything
You cannot get many things done without money
Many have pondered and contemplated to ask
Can human beings live without money?
Then, how shall we determine and decide
The prices of individuals and materials
Differences between the rich and the poor
Are calculated in monetary terms
The power bestowed by money
Seems bigger than imagined

Julius Babarinsa

The poem asks what the value of money is and to Chris money had no value because he even burned his money. He liked finding food on his own like berries. He didn't like to rely on money he liked working for things. Things getting difficult was more exciting to him. Having money makes things easier for him and he doesn't like that. He said in one of his letters to wayne " Sometimes I wish I had'nt meet you though. Tramping is too easy with all this money. My days were more exciting when I was penniless ans had to forage around for my next meal."

The Adventure

I've had enough! I've had it with my parents always criticizing every single thing I do. All I do and its not good enough for them. Good grades, helping with my siblings and basically trying to help with what ever I can. In two days I turn 18. I just graduated from high school last week. I'm leaving. I'm going to California where in California I don't know yet. Ill know when I get there. I've been saving up money for emergencies for a while now. I'm taking my old black car. I've had it ever since I could drive and i love that car.
" I'm going to New York in two days to look at colleges I could go to." " On your birthday? I'll go with you." my mother said. " No I want to go on my own and walk around see everything thoroughly." "You want money?" " No thanks, I'm going to bed."
Friday Morning was the day. I got ready and grabbed the book bag I packed the day before. In it was tooth paste, toothbrush, a comb, ponytails, money, license, some clothes a map and a camera. I wasn't planning on saying good bye in person but my little sister is my love and i gave her a big hug and kiss and gave her a letter.
" Dale a mami camila, te quiero mucho."
As I got in to my car i saw her waving from the car, that little girl is everything to me how could I leave her? Tears started rolling down my cheeks. "I'll be back." I whispered. I started driving trying to see which way to go. I drove for hours. Thinking about everything. Finally I stopped in West Virginia. I slept in my car to save money, it was cold and lonely.
In Colorado I stopped at a Mexican restaurant. This girl walked up to me and asked if I was alone. " Yes, why?" " Me too, can I join you?" She was 17 years old she had long black hair was a bit taller than me and she was from New Jersey too. We talked for awhile about many things mainly about what we was doing so far away from home. She was here because her family moved when she was 15. I went to the bathroom when I came back she was gone, and so was my backpack.
In panic, I yelled for them to call the police! The police came after 10 minutes. I made a police report but I knew my things were lost for good, What now? All this for nothing? I had to keep going, that wasn't going to stop me. In the car I started thinking about what was going on at home. My mom's probably freaking out! The letter I gave my sister would definitely have them going crazy.
The letter said:
I'm going away for a while, I need to get away. I need some time for myself. I love you guys. Don't worry about me I'll be fine.
Yeah, I know they'll freak out but I didn't know what to say. I drove until my gas was almost empty.( Good thing I fueled it up before I got to the restaurant) Las Vegas. First time ever here. All the lights that lit up the night it was beautiful. I need to find a job at least to get money for food. I got a job as a waitress in a fancy restaurant. I'm trying my best to not waist money and save it as much as possible. Two weeks and I had made $600 but only had $450 left. I bought what had been taken away and a camera but good thing I still have the memory chip. I took it off when it wasn't working properly and put it in my pocket.
Now off to California! I drove for 2 days. Finally got there and stopped at a cafe. I decided to call my parents to let them know I'm okay but I knew my little sister would answer since its after 5 and shes probably doing her homework in the living room.
"Camila?" "yes?" "Its aydee" " AYDEE! I MISS YOU! Mami its aydeee!" " Camila shhh! " " Mami says where are you?" "Tell her I'm okay" " Where are you! You got robbed?! In Colorado?! You've been gone for a month! We have the police looking for you!"
I hang up. She's always yelling, why can't she ask me to go back? Ask if I'm okay? Tell me things will get better? She doesn't understand me not her and not my dad.
 I see a paper on the floor it says John Muir Wilderness. I ask people about it and they tell me that's its this trail where you see the most beautiful things ever. That's where I'm going. As soon as I get there, there is a sign that says John  Muir Wilderness National Forest. Walking here is the most peaceful thing ever. Its absolutely gorgeous. But my family oh how i miss them. This is what I wanted though. All this peace and just to be on my own. Yet it didn't feel right. It took going across the country to know how much they meant to me. All families have problems and i love my parents. I just needed this time alone to get myself together. I have this amazing view in front of me but i wish i could share it with them. It's time to go back.

The Death of Audrey Mestre.

   Was Audrey Mestre murdered or was she killed accidentally by her competitive husband Francisco Ferrars? Audrey became a world record setting free diver after marrying Pipen (Fransisco Ferrars) another free diver. Together they started traveling and breaking record. She started training so she could hold her breathe longer under water. Each passing day she became better. Audrey even became the fifth deepest diver of both male and female with 427 ft. On the other hand Pipen wasn't patient he wanted to be better go deeper. It went to the point were his life was seriously in danger and he could not dive anymore. He said that he took her in as a student and she became the teacher. She was good really good and he knew it.

Pipen disagreed with some of the safety regulations of  AIDA which was required for a certification of record dives. So he formed the International Association of free diving(IAFD) She had become a no limit diver to be closer to him to know what was it that caused him to love what he said. Before Audrey's last dive Pipen was the one who was going to go for it but she wanted to protect him so she said she would dive 561ft. He knew she could do it and maybe his competitive side kicked in because he started increasing the numbers. He even wanted her to pass his record because he knew he could pass hers. But maybe he couldn't.

The weather that day was horrible and he knew he should of stopped it but he didn't. It was his job along with other crew members to check the equipment. But they had got him "angry" by placing two decouping devices on the sled wrong during dive, so he made them go away. Suspiciously right before he was suppose to check the valve. He was suppose to check the air in the tank by checking the pressure but he heard a hiss and then closed it. He also didn't replace two of the safety divers who had died.

When Audrey reached her goal she tried to inflate the bag but it wouldn't. When Pascal one of the safety divers slowly went up to pass her to the next safety diver there was nobody there... But Pipen had gone in to get her but it was to late more than 8 minute's had passed since she took her last breathe. It was to late. Audrey Mestre was murdered. Her husband knew how good she was and how much better she was than him. He couldn't dive and that made him angry! She could do it but he couldn't do it. It wasn't fair to him. So he killed her. He killed the only person who could beat him because he was obsessed with being the best. No matter what the consequences were. And he did it.