Imagine That

Authors Note: This is a short story for inspiration from the word "extra"

"Emily! The mail is here!!!" My mom screamed towards my room.  I jumped out of my bed and raced down the stairs, tripping on the last one, and landing on the floor, my mother found me laying there like a dead bug.  A laugh escaped her lips as she helped me up.   "Thanks!" I giggled and ran out the door and down the driveway.  I stopped right when I got there. The mailbox was closed, I caught my breath and opened it very slowly.  It was Sunday today, so the box was full with coupons, magazines, and the paper. I grabbed the stack and sprinted for the door, my bare feet pounding the cement drive.  When I got inside,  mom was waiting, nervously smiling.  I spread out the stack. Slips of coupons stumbled out and the newspaper unrolled. In the midst of all of it, I found it. There it was. The letter from the movie. All I wanted was to be on the set, even if it was a janitor, even an extra, I wanted to experience being there. The audition was horrifying, the lady director stared at me with bored and hopeless eyes, while she read the main characters lines for me to recite the others.  From what I remember, after I finished, I remembered a smile playing on her lips, but it was gone so fast, I was never sure. At the end, I was walked out  like all the others, I wasn't anything special. I looked back at the crisp white envelope. Whatever happens, happens, I told myself. I tore the fold slowly hoping I wouldn't ruin my surprise.  My mother was basically jumping up and down from the anticipation. I unfolded the letter.  It read "Congratulations, You have been chosen to be the main character of this Movie….." After that I dazed off, I forgot to read the rest, maybe I fainted, maybe I didn't, I just remember thinking, I'm not the janitor, I'm not the set director… I'm not even an extra… I'm the main character, Imagine that.

No say in what's right

Authors Note: This is a piece about government control and men control about "The Lottery"Not graded.

Stuck in the same place, too worried to move, to scared to speak up. Then again, what do we know? This might be the best government out there.  The pile of stones in the corner sits for another year, for that special someone, to get the lottery.  In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson the whole story is about power/ control. The villagers don’t know any better than to follow the governments rules. How long will this go on? How long will it be till they realize that the governments traditions, are in humane? What will it take for them to realize that the control their under is not safe? 

All through-out this story you can see the power and control that the government has on this village. They have the village so warped into this tradition that they don’t even realize how wrong it is. They still get together every year. They still stone someone to death every single year. Can you see how wrong this is? Why would the people in charge of everyone want to kill them one by one? What if it didn’t end up being Tessie Hutchinson that was killed? What if it was little Davy Hutchinson that got the lottery? Would you want to kill a young boy’s soul? Just the thought of their definition of the lottery makes me upset. Seriously, Tessie is a mother of three and has a family and house to look after, yet they kill her!  Not only the government, but that even the men have the power on the women.

During this point and time I can tell that the women are still not allowed to do anything yet. Meaning civil rights and such. The section in the story where Mr. Summers was making sure everyone had someone to draw for them was wrong. He wouldn’t let the women draw for a lottery. Their human beings they have just the same right that the men do, but they still are not allowed to even walk up to a box and take a slip. It says in the story that in the beginning when they were about to start they all had to take place next to their husbands and that no one listens to them. A mothers child ran right through her grasp and she wasn’t allowed to do anything about it! She has no control because the men are in control.

Born to Succeed

Authors Note: This is my District Assessment for second semester, Enjoy(: YOLO (You only live once)

There are only a few things that truly belong to you: Who you are, who you were, and who you want to be. Are you going to be able to find yourself by blending in and not showing your true personality? Too many teenagers are wasting their time looking for adulthood or worried about love and finding it. It’s our generation, don’t waste it. Instead of waiting for your future to come to you, you need to reach out and take it. Find yourself; stop caring about what others think. You only live once, Do it your way. When was the last time you woke up and realized that today could be the best day of your life? Participate in your dreams today. There are unlimited opportunities available with this new day. Take action on those wonderful dreams you've had in your mind for so long. Remember, success is something you experience when you act accordingly. Success is not something you have, it’s something you do.             It's funny how, in this journey of life, even though we may begin at different times and places, our paths cross with others so that we may share our love, compassion, observations, and hope. This is a design of God that I appreciate and cherish. There are times that I have experienced the loss of hope, the loss of anticipation or desire to become a better person, or to stand out.  Through this whole eighth grade year, I’ve gone through many, many things, but does that mean I’m going to give up? No, I’m not, because my future and potential is something worth fighting for. When I was new to the school I did not fit in right away. I tried so hard to dress like “they” do, look “they” do, but then I asked myself…Why? Why beg to get someone’s approval? “Why fit in, when you were born to stand out?”

Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be. “One day at a time.   Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.” You only live once, so make it worth it and live your dreams, never say never and be fearless. Life is too short to wake up in the mornings with regrets. So love the ones who treat you right, forget the ones who don’t. Remember that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take it, if it changes your life, then let it. No one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.  Now make today a new day. Welcome every sunrise with a smile. Look on the new days as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. “Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day.” Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail, you were born to succeed.

Chin up

Authors Note: This short essay is for text structure in problem/solution. The problem is the drama, the solution is what you should do about it.

Now and to the future, drama surrounds the earth. What is it really that makes the little bomb inside us tick? When you were young the worst thing some one ever did was steal your animal crackers. When you grew up two more years, someone broke your favorite crayon. In middle school, if you’re searching for drama might as well come here and jump right in. Drama will follow you for the rest of your life, but what you do about it, is what really matters.

                

Time and time again, gossip, rumors and lies swarm our lives. Not only can it affect the victims, but it also affects everyone around them.  There are periods in everyone’s life, when something doesn’t go right, that doesn’t mean you give up.  That doesn't mean you back down. Things go right, things go wrong, life goes on.

There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is to short to be anything but happy.

Made a Bystander

Authors Note: This is a story from the point of view from a cracked mirror.

It started like any other day, she got up, rubbed her eyes and kissed her husbands cheek before she went to get her coffee down stairs.   I felt warmth and delight as the sun started to rise and reflect off my smooth clear frame. The man in the bed sat up, stretched his arms and fingers, and rose to his feet. Something buzzed from the bed, that sounded like a single bee swarming past your ear. He glanced around the room and took his phone out from under his pillow. He cleared his sleepy throat and spoke into the phone, telling the other person that he'll meet  her in a few hours after  his wife leaves.  After he tucked the phone into his back pocket, his eyes swept passed me, touching his hair and rubbing the wrinkles out of his shirt. He seemed the same, he looked the same, but what he just said into that device had struck me ever so slightly with annoyance.   The truth is, I've never liked this man. The minute she picked me out, I noticed him standing behind her, always looking around, always thinking of something else, or someone else. She was the sweet one, the first time she saw me she called me beautiful, a priceless antique, she said.  I still remember what she wore as well. I sky blue dress, that reminded me of a baby dolls clothes that I saw a little girl drag through the store.  Her eyes were chocolate brown, and hair a light burgundy that flowed past her shoulders.  A few hours later, doors slammed.  The screaming started, I've never heard her more upset in my living in this house hold. "Why would you do that! TO ME?! "I SAW WITH HER! WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW I WAS IN HER BOOK GROUP?!  What DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS!!!" She exclaimed. "Let me explain… You don't understand…" He hesitated. "I DON’T UNDERSTAND?! YOU CHEATED? WHATS THERE NOT TO UNDERSTAND!" She screamed. She stomped into the room, mascara drooping down her face, as the tears stained her face. "Melissa, stop please, your making a mistake!" He started to say angrily. I knew that by the sound of his voice, violence was upon us. He grabbed her arms and shook her saying that she could not leave him. She shook her arms and her head trying to break free and trying to not make contact with his insane, pleading eyes. Her cries grew louder as she threw her clothes into a suitcase.  All I could think of was that she better not leave me here with him, no way was I staying. She grabbed the handle and ran out of the room, but before she could make it, her wrist was yanked backwards, suitcase dropped, and was dragged back into the room. He threw her into his arms and begged her not to leave. When she answered wrong, he smashed her into me. One by one, piece by piece, I shattered, leaving her in a bloody mess on the ground. He screamed goodbye and ran out of the door. She lay there as still as a statue. Crying, and broken, I heard three words escape her  sobbing lips… "I loved you."

What’s really going on in your body?

Day by day, people wonder how they can maintain a perfect healthy body. They count how many fats/oils, carbs, proteins, vitamins, and others go into their bodies, but what they don’t know is that certain things that they make sure to stay away from, are needed in order to preserve a healthy nourished body. The compounds no one pays attention to, are the ones that matter the most.

 Generally speaking, fat is a main source of stress in people’s minds these days. Especially for woman, the main worry about eating a lot of their favorite foods is the high amount of fat or oils. What they don’t realize is that fat is needed for many different reasons. In order to take in fat- soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; we need fat in our bodies (Supply). For all genders there is always a temptation to go over the amount needed. For example, when you are at a public event, maybe a fair or a party, there is a few desserts or appetizers that you just want to keep eating, that’s because our bodies crave the sugar. To maintain warmth, we need fat. We all need fat and oil to protect body tissues, our organs, and also to supply us with energy. Fat and Oil helps us use carbohydrates and proteins (Supply). Without any fat or oil we would be bare to the bone, which is obviously makes us not capable of even living. Now that you see that fat is needed, you will also learn that other ingredients, such as carbohydrates are needed as well.

Unquestionably, we can say that carbohydrates are a high necessity in our diet. Our main source of energy is Carbohydrates. They make up almost 50% of our diet for most healthy bodies (Network). An example is that an average athlete the day before a race, regulary eats high-carboydrate foods, so that is energy is at his highest and he is able to perform his best. There are three different kinds of carbohydrates. They involve sugar, starch and fiber. Starch is made of very small chains of sugar. We take in energy when these chains are broken down during digestion.”We get 4 calories from each gram of starch or sugar” (Network).Our calories do not come from fiber, because during digestion our bodies don’t break fiber down (Network). Carbohydrates come in all sorts of food but that doesn’t mean you have to shun them away from your intake. You basically choose wisely on what your body needs and how you will treat it. Don’t go crazy and count up all your carbs you take in, remember they’re a huge priority as an energy source. Carbohydrates create energy, just like protein creates nutrients.

No doubt that protein is a major impact on our bodies. I’m pretty sure everyone knows that to sustain a fit, strong body you need to take protein. There are many proteins you can take now days, so many brands around the stores in so many forms. Protein has a big effect on every cell in our bodies, no other type of nutrient works as hard in keeping us alive and healthy (Distribution). It is proven that protein is a strong focus for our growth, repair of our muscles, bones, skin, tendons, ligaments, hair, eyes and other tissues. Without protein you would lack the amount of hormones and enzymes you need for digestion, metabolism and other important processes (Distribution). Not only does protein give you energy, but so do other compounds, such as nucleic acids.

Of course, all these compounds are important in different ways, but nucleic acids are one of the most important, it’s DNA, it takes up our whole body. “The main function of nucleic acids is to store and transmit genetic information and use that information to direct the synthesis of new protein” (Functions of nucleic acids). Nucleic acids can be used to create energy as well as other compounds. DNA is a huge part in our bodies without it your body wouldn’t be able to understand signals that each function tells the other (Functions of nucleic acids). Just like you have to have workers in order to create something, our human bodies have workers call enzymes.

 Certainly, our bodies create a system with main, important compounds, but the little compounds are just as important, that’s why enzymes are the work force we hired to help us survive. “Enzymes are the workers in the human body that make everything function by enabling chemical reactions” (barneygarcia). Enzymes are protein that speeds up a chemical reaction. They also can help our food intake and digestion. The enzymes that digest in our bodies break down the food into small particles that easily build up the body into a flowing blood stream. These are the compounds that our bodies use for fuel, repair and growth. Our food is packed with enzymes called “Food Enzymes” that assist with our food digestion. When we cook our food we unconsciously destroy “Food Enzymes” (barneygarcia). Enzymes might not be one of the most memorable compounds but it’s what makes everything function properly and smoothly, just like the other compounds, they all help to keep us alive.

 Finally, it’s safe to say that all of these compounds are extremely important for our bodies. Each and every one tries their best with hard work and perseverance to keep your body running efficiently. Now that you know what is healthy, are you going to choose better options for eating better, exercise, and food intake? The best way to reward your body for working so hard is by taking in the right nutrients and protein to keep your body healthy and happy. 



Bibliography barneygarcia. "Enzymes Great Works." 9 March 2012. http://www.streetdirectory.com. 25 April 2012 . Distribution, NFE. "Why does our body need protien?" 2011. www.nfe.com. 18 April 2012 . "Functions of nucleic acids." 2003-2005. http://www.angelfire.com. 23 April 2012 . Network, SavioDSilvia. "Why do we need carbohydrates?" 2005. Yensa.com. 18 April 2012 . Supply, Eden S.P.A & Beauty. "Fats and Oils and a healing diet." 2003. http://www.femmevitale.com. 17 4 2012 .

Kony 2012

Authors Note: This is an essay for a Research Paper towards my goals.


It’s time to put a stop to this criminal activity. Make this world more pure by saving the children and the people of Uganda. Jason Russel, the founder of this campaign, takes charge with support from his wife and four- year old son. As the mom quotes “We will do anything to help save these children, we will follow Jason with whatever he dictates.” This small family has grown over the past years, as they go down to Uganda once a month and help the children; they find love with in them. If you had the decision to save them, would you?

Let’s rewind, let me start from the beginning when Joseph T. Kony was a young boy. At the age of seven, his parents were killed. He was sound asleep at night when a few criminals who ransacked homes in Uganda, snuck through his windows. He had awoken to blood curdling screams by his younger brother, and his parents gasping for their last few breaths. His parents were dead in minute’s time. They were shot, his mother in her rib and his father through his brain. His younger brother’s face was rearranged; his mouth ripped wide, and nose on his left cheek. Since then he hated anything or anyone who had something he didn’t. Our questions now are who is Kony? What has he done? And how do we stop it?

Who is Kony? Joseph Kony is the world’s worst war criminal. In 1987 he took over leadership of an existing rebel group and renamed it the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).The LRA has earned a reputation for its cruel and brutal tactics. When Joseph Kony found himself running out of fighters, he started abducting children to be soldiers in his army or “wives” for his officers. The LRA is encouraged to rape, mutilate, and kill civilians–often with blunt weapons. The LRA is no longer active in northern Uganda (where it originated) but it continues its campaign of violence in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. In its 26-year history, the LRA has abducted more than 30,000 children and displaced at least 2.1 million people. He’s been giving the boys of the family he’s abducted, guns, to kill his parents. He also rearranges the faces of them so no one will recognize them. The girls that are kidnapped are forced to be sex slaves and to be given birth of another child towards the new army. What would lead a man to do such cruel things to children? And does the U.S. care? Why should we? “It’s not in our country it’s not our business” says V.P Joe Biden. So, why would we put a stop to it, if it didn’t involve us?



Let’s look at the opinions of the United States citizens, Mary Paler, wife of a senator states “When criminals around the nation are successfully going against the laws of the country, how do you think that influences others in the world or in our country?” What Mary is persuading is true. Criminals, who aspire to be something for the history books, usually use inspiration from other criminals with successful activity done. If U.S. criminals start unleashing the same idea, what will our country turn out to be? Do we want are kids to grow up in fear? What we really need to find out is, how we can make the U.S. take action and how we can help.


Why are we ignoring the hurt children of this planet? God’s creations are dying as we speak and we can’t even reach a helping hand? Osama is now dead, he’s not part of our worries any more, we can move on and save the others. Here’s how we can help, on April 22, 2012, the invisible children rescue team is covering all the main cities in each state with posters of Joseph Kony himself. We need to make everyone aware and we need Kony to be known. You may wonder, why are we trying to make Joseph famous? Kony is one of the world’s worst war criminals and I support the international effort to arrest him, disarm the LRA and bring the child soldiers home.

Time To Go

Authors Note: This is a parody to "This is just to say" from the Novel "Where the Heart Is"

I left you.
In Walmart
While you were in the bathroom.

I apologize,
but you were holding me back
Tell our baby I say hello

I'm way better off now
so sorry to say
but I have a record deal
So glad, I left.

Look Past the Trees, and Discovery True Beauty.

Authors Note: This is another creative writing piece for my goals of writing once a week and word choice.

Nobody knows the meadow like I do. It's soft, the ground is soft, as soft as a baby's skin being first washed. It bright green vibrancy flows through the wind, as it whispers secrets to the surrounding forest. The flowers, they bloom. But these blooming flowers are not just ordinary flowers, they're new lives beginning to breathe. Whoosh! The grass sways as graceful as a couple on a ballroom floor. Each time your feet touch the smooth soil, the ground crumbles beneath you. I run across the earth, wind races through my skin, up my spine, and through my veins, giving me breath to the places I've been aching to heal. The flowers leave a fragrance as I lie down. The trees to my left look pleased and satisfied, as if their mother as just returned. My fingertips dig into the earths surface, leaving rich, moist soil underneath my fingernails. Here, here is my home, where I'm finally at peace. The meadow here is a beautiful place like no other. And finally, I'm where I belong.

"Life for me ain't been no crystal stair."

Authors Note: This is a short response for the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

In the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, He uses an amazing metaphor. "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." Which means, that her life was not smooth and breezy. It wasn't easy, it was hard, painful. The mood and tone is inspiring, encouraging. She says that it wasn't easy but she stuck through it. She never had a simple, easy going life, but she kept climbing and made it to the top, she's delivered three simple words through-out the poem. Never. Give. Up.

The Night that Changed Their Lives

Authors Note: This is a re-telling piece for the book "Aquamarine."

From the depths of the ocean to the clear flowing liquid waves, there lives Aquamarine. She was a so called "myth" "fairytale" , but after her encounter with humans, her life was never the same. She fell in love.. But the main question is, Is it possible for a mermaid to stay human for so long? And what will happen if he doesn't love her back? It all changed when she met the best friends who lived on the deserted beach. It was Claire and Hailey's last summer together before they had to move apart, so they seized each and every living moment they could be together. The best friends were in the same routine for a long while, until one night when the storm came splashing over the shore line, that night changed everything.

"That's Where the Heart Is"

Authors Note:This is a piece for Text Analysis of a quote from Novalee, from the Novel "Where the Heart Is."

When I child is born, new eyes enter the world. They have to figure out all their senses. They start to smell, to feel, to look, for the first time. Every mother is struck my the thought of having a baby living inside of them, that's why I picked the quote from Novalee when she acknowledged the baby. "You feel that, that little bomp, bomp, bomp. That's where he heart is."

The heart, the heart of the baby. There is another heart living inside the mother, another being. The title of the book is "Where the heart is" so now I know that that's where the author got that title. The heart of the baby, it's the whole point of the novel. Why do parents cry when they see their baby in an ultrasound? Why do the weep when they figure out that their pregnant in the first place? Because now they have someone in their possession that they can love as a child, as their own kid. I know my parents loved me . I don't only know that because they provide for me and give me food, clothes and a shelter, but they tell me.


"I love you." The three little words that can change anyone's life. A young daughter going to her first middle school dance, "I love you." Says her dad, and she tears up. A man on vacation with his girlfriend, "I love you." and he realizes, he does to. A woman at a beach staring at the waves, as she turns around she sees him on one knee, with a ring in his left had. "I love you." and then comes the wedding bells. The most important, a baby coming from his mother's whom "I love you." the mother says as the happy tears flow down her cheeks. The heart of a baby is in the soul. The baby is a whole new person than yourself. She/he won't act the same as it's fother or Father, but the parents love him. The place where you can love and what guides your decisions… "That's Where the Heart Is."

There I Once Stood.

Authors note: a creative piece for some figurative language.

I stood above the cliff, as still as a statue, as quiet as a mouse. The waves below me were crawling the cliff, ever so slowly. Should I jump? I consider the chance that this might cause the end of my life, and quickly shoved it from my mind. I rocked on my heels to the tip of my toes, back and forth, for a decision to cross my mind. The wind howled in mighty objection, as I spread my arms like an eagle. Crash! The ocean swallowed the earth as it rose, higher and higher. The thunder clapped angrily in the distance. This is it. I lunged towards the sea, as I lept into the blistering air, my hair flew back, as the wind brushed through my tangled strands. Splash! The waves below me were grabbing at my body, as I kept struggling to keep my head above water. The ocean lashed out at me, pulling me like a prize they so desired, as the storm continued to brew. The last thing I saw was the sky clearing as the stars danced playfully in the moonlight sky. The moon gave me one last wink as the waves dragged me under, down into the sea.

A kind girl in sad situations.

AUTHORS NOTE: THIS IS A CHARACTER DESCRIPTION PIECE; UNGRADED; ASSIGNED.
In every book, the author of the story picks a personality for the characters.  I'm only in the beginning of the book, so my thoughts about the characters personality are still being played out. So far,  Novalee is just a pregnant woman who just wants a happy family, a healthy child and to be loved. She's only seventeen years old,  but she's already seven months pregnant. She is thirty five pounds over weight, and can't wait to finally see her child.  Novalee is the opposite of her ex- boyfriend Willy Jack. Willy is a stuck up, no good, tooth missing cowboy. He  only wants woman and money.  Novalee is sweet, kind, and a generous woman. She does not get upset with Willy, she doesn't even throw a tantrum when he ditches her.

Novalee's family never really cared for her. They thought she was a no good teenager. Novalee held in there, she didn't run away from her family.  Running away from something means that there was something to run away from, Novalee had nothing, so she just left.  She worked at a diner near by her trailer, she earned a little below minimum wage and never saw a nice home with out wheels in her life. Novalee Nation is a sweet young girl, she just needs to make the right decisions.

The Light Overcame

Author’s Note: This is an essay for symbolism/ inference analysis of the book City of Ember by Jeanne Depreau. The purpose of this essay is to make an analysis of the symbolism in the novel.

The Light Overcame

Have you ever glanced at something and your thoughts instantly move to what it reminds you of? Have you ever had something in your life that symbolizes something important? In the novel City of Ember by Jeanne Dupreau, certain things about the book jump off the page as symbolism.  The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey. ~Enya

            What is ember? Ember is a light about to go out, a dying flame. The title of the book says it all. It symbolizes the whole story.  The City of Ember’s setting is underground, musty and surrounded by darkness.  That’s the main point of the book, isn’t it? The author was genius to put “Ember” in the title, because that represents the whole story. Ember is a light, an ongoing light that suddenly burns out, which defines the city accurately. Not only does the word “Ember” in the title represent the story, there are also other symbolisms, such as the light and darkness in their world.

            To us, light and darkness is just the sign of a day beginning or ending but to Ember, it represents something completely different. The darkness is a sense of danger and depression, or a loss. When the lights flicker, the fear rises to throughout the crowd. When they say that they’ll make everything better, the lights go out longer, and doubt fills them. Light in Ember is way different. It represents peace, survival and hope, when the lights are on their happy, satisfied, and completely oblivious to the fact that they could go out again. Sometimes, I can relate that to my life too.

            There’s no way I can relate to Ember in the way of a city burning out, but I can relate myself and the world to the fact that there is light and dark in all of us. Meaning, that we all have sinned before, the Bible says that pretty much everyone is faced with temptation to sin, even if it’s a little white lie, it represents the evil darkness in our hearts. The light in other words, is our happiness, joy and generosity that we bring each other, even if it’s as simple as helping an old lady across the road, I consider that as the light we give.

            Our lives take many twists and turns, something’s just happen for a reason, Ember symbolizes an ongoing light, like a candle, that is suddenly threatened to be blown out. It struggles to remain its flame, its fire of passion to help many survive. It defines exactly what the generator is stressed to do. Finally the darkness of evil and self centered citizens realizes that their world could come to an end. The light restores their faith as Doon and Lina find a way out and present a resolution to all their problems. Ember represents many of things, but the main point is that that light I told you about before, the ember? It was just about to be blown out, but not in time for the lightness of the world to take over and present them forever contentment.

EMBER'S ENTRIES

Author's Note: This is a creative piece for City of Ember, and also for Cause & Effect. 

!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!

2-9-1987

People of Ember! Bri Dettlaff here, executive reporter, here to tell you the daily updates. We’ve just received word that the two more villagers have been lost in the sea of the Unknown Regions. Not only have they been gone for over a week, but they left their children behind. Who will pay for their survival for house hold light bulbs or food? We’re on the case and we will help these children keep their lives in safety.  That’s all for this lovely Tuesday, enjoy the rest of your day and keep your eye out for tomorrow’s entry.

!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!

2-10-1987

Good Afternoon Ember.  We’re still in shock from the recent black out. Not only has it been the longest in our whole life time in Ember but the real questions are, Will it happen again and for how long?  In order for safety precautions try to limit your time outside of your homes. Make your visits to others homes quickly and get to your homes for protection ASAP. Thank you for listening.

2-11-1987

Citizens of Ember! Our light is fading and we are in grave danger. The Mayor insists that there is hope and a plan for us! But this has gone on far too long. Can the Mayor fulfill his promise? In other words, I’d like to point out Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, if anyone has seen or heard of them, bring them to us immediately. An award will be presented to those who capture them.  They’ve accused the Mayor of false keeping of our possessions.  Thank you.

2-12-1987

The singing is today! Everyone be on your best behavior and enjoy!!

2-12-1987

I apologize for the unexpected entry but, after the few minutes of blackness during the singing, it has put our news media into panic. The dark has been occurring more frequently. Everyone return home as we search for freedom.  Expect a new entry later this evening for more information. Thank you.

2-12-1987

URGENT NEWS; READ IMMEDIATELY

COMMUNITY OF EMBER! OPEN YOUR EYES AND READ!! WE HAVE FOUND A WAY OUT OF EMBER! A WAY TO A BETTER PLACE, A BETTER SURVIVAL!! It happened right after the singing. Mrs. Murdo who lives Corner Brook St. came to us instantly so that we may announce the news. Lina and Doon has saved us all. They are somewhere beyond. Watching us!! It came from above, a shirt wrapped around a rock and a scrap of paper. It has directions to a way out. A way out of Ember! Everyone gather to the clearing in the Main Streets! Thank you all for cooperating. Collect your belongings. Not too many, some soap and lots of water. It says we will need our energy for a long walk. This is the last Ember Entry you will receive. Thank you all for sticking through this darkness and worry. We will find happiness and a great light! We will get out and we will be free! Thank you to all and good luck to each and every one of you in this upcoming journey. I’ll see you in the new land soon. Bri Dettlaff signing off. Goodbye City of Ember.



           Ember's Entries 

Intrigued by the stars

Authors Note: Creative Piece

Once upon a time there was a young girl, she read the fan magazines, the gossip blogs, watched all the shows and movies, she loved the drama, she loved the mystery, but she never thought that these hysterias that she read could be all rumors, all lies, all publicity, she never imagined that those people plastered on her magazines could be dealing with something that wasn't on those pages, that they kept private.  She wanted be on the T.V screen since her first viewing of Wiggles children's show. She always wished she could be a celebrity, she died to be famous. But what if that fame and fortune wasn't exactly what she thought? Till a year ago she wished she could land role on a movie, a show, anything. That young girl…that young girl is me.

Love Conquers All

Authors Note: This piece goes towards my goal in Main Idea/ Top ic

“First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him - and i didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.  And Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

            Seventeen year old Bella Swan is a shy but curious girl who is struck by the thought of having a beautiful godlike creature to ever fall in love with her.   In the Award Winning Novel Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Bella Swan arrives at Forks, Washington expecting to meet new people, be surrounded by the scene of unstoppable rain and green grounds and nothing more.  She never expected that by one look her life would change. As Edward approaches the cafeteria, their eyes meet. All at once, so many emotions go through her mind before she even had said a word. As she quotes in the book “For an instant, I felt a thrill of genuine fear, raising the hair on my arms, the look only lasted a second, but it chilled me more than a freezing wind, and I knew there was something more.” 

Some say, that love conquers all and love is the strongest force. Edward could have easily killed Bella at any time... but his love had overpowered his thirst and now he is just there to protect her. Love is stronger than temptation, and can be found in the most unexpected places.  It’s a huge universal theme in most books, in this particular one, it’s the main idea. Edward is drawn to Bella but has to resist the temptation. Love can overcome anything. Twilight is a story of forbidden love. Because Edward is a vampire and Bella a human, Edward technically should consider Bella his prey. While Edward does love Bella, his primal instincts lead him to thirst for her blood. Similarly, Bella's natural instincts should warn her that Edward is dangerous, that she should stay away from him, but instead she craves being near him at all times. For this couple, even kissing is dangerous, yet their passion is so intense that they each claim to have no choice but to be with each other.

            There’s a time in almost everyone’s life when you have the opportunity to fall in love. I can honestly say, this has not happened to me. Of course, I believe it will happen eventually, besides, I’m only in eighth grade. I can’t exactly compare myself to Twilight in that way, but I can say that I can compare in the theme we both share, which is choices. Personal choice pops up as a huge component of all the action in Twilight. The defining aspect of the Cullen’s; the "good" vampires, is that they've chosen to suppress their natural desire for human blood and only feed on animals. And driving the main plot, both Edward and Bella know what the safe action is for each of them – to stay away from each other – but they both struggle with how that route conflicts with their desires. Bella chooses to pursue Edward even though it's a dangerous. Edward chooses to engage in a relationship with Bella even though his instincts tell him that she's his prey. But the biggest choice hanging over the whole novel is, Will Bella choose to become a vampire, and will Edward allow that?  In reality, I believe that myths like vampires or werewolves aren’t real, but I understand why instead of running, Bella is fascinated to be with them. Imagine a life where you find basically another world, full of fairy tales, would you pass it by? I’d make the same choice Bella did and take the chance of being involved in something as spectacular as being in love with a vampire.

            There are also way more themes in this novel other than “Love” and “Choices.” Not all of them are as important, but they are still main concepts in Twilight.  Like good vs. evil, fear, isolation, communication, appearances, mortality, the supernatural, strength and skill, family, hate, sacrifice, man and the natural world, memory and the past.  Bella Swan became immune to everything that was happening around her. Her only aspect of her life was Edward Cullen. She had fallen deeply in love in a matter of days. I guess, once you fall in love, that’s all you really care about. It stood out to me how in the novel, she could be so easily satisfied. They were sitting together when she told him she loved him and Edward simply replied “You are my life now” and she was fulfilled.

            "Love is irrational. The more you loved someone, the less sense anything else made"

The main theme in the story is the love connection between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. The minute I picked the book up, I could not set it back down. I read all 498 pages in two days, which is a huge record for me. The reason I love this book is because of their inseparable connection. The way Stephanie Meyer described their lust for each other the more it lured me in. They couldn’t get enough of each other.  Even in deep danger, Bella recites to Edward  "I love you, I will always love you, no matter what happens now." The irresistible bond is what made everything so interesting. Like I said before, when you’re in love, you only want each other, and forget about everything around you. The night Edward confessed his love he told her that, He didn’t have the strength to say away from her anymore. There love was an inspiration to all and they’ll be together forever.  Bella realized she wanted him for eternity when he quoted.  "You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever."

"There is so much darkness in Ember, Lina. It's not just outside; it's inside us, too.”

Authors Note:  Reading Response

The City of Ember was dark; the only light came from the distant light bulbs neighboring the city. Surrounding the city were the “unknown regions.” No one knew what was out there, no one dared to even attempt to find out.  For all they knew, whoever tried…never returned. In the novel City of Ember, Doon Harrow quotes to Lina Mayfleet that “There is so much darkness in Ember, Lina. It's not just outside; it's inside us, too. That quote struck me as a real life situation. Even though in our world we’re not surrounded by pitch black darkness, we still have the reality element of the end of the quote, which was when he said that, the darkness is inside us too.

            Without putting much thought into this quote, you could easily pass over it.  I chose to write about this quote because, out of all the quotes this one popped out to me.  In our lives we all can plaster on a fake personality. For example, a year ago I came to Asa Clark; I was scared out of my mind. I was scared what people would think about me, I was worried how I would be judged. The questions I asked myself were uncontrollable. “Will they like me? Are they talking about me? Do they like my clothes? Should I get new clothes for this school? If someone looks at me, what should I do? They were unstoppable. My thoughts controlled my brain and confidence. At first, everyone was really kind, until I got to know them. Certain people had traits that weren’t too attractive. The evil and hatred that came out wasn’t exactly what I expected, which reminded me of the quote above.

            People may not show their insides to everyone, but everyone has something. Even a hint of jealousy is the darkness.  It can cover your heart until it controls you. In the Bible, God says that Satan can come into your life and try to possess you, which isn’t that satisfying to think about. I know that when I feel the temptation of lying to someone, it’s Satan trying to rule me over. Of course, I make the decision of following the Lord instead. The main point is that even though the darkness can attempt to run your life, you have decided what your path is, and if you want that in your personality.

Courage Can Benefit

Authors Note: This essay goes towards my book club speech for character and towards my goals of getting advanced in Idea development, word choice, and sentance fluency.

“Sometimes questions are more important that answers” ~Nancy Willard

Occasionally a person’s curiosity can make them find amazing discoveries, which could turn their whole life around. Usually, it’s completely unexpected, every so often you find the way out of the obstacle you’re dealing with in an absolutely opposite way than you predicted. In the novel City of Ember this happened to one of the main characters, named Lina Mayfleet.  Not only does she find a breakthrough for her city, but she also learns that curiosity may just start out as one small theory, but if you follow your imagination and interests you may find a special wonder that could benefit everyone.

To her city, she was a normal resident of Ember, but little did they know that she could change the world as they know it.  She didn’t just search; she also found a discovery from centuries ago.  A document, used by the builders of their city was lying in an old closet of her grandmother’s home.  It sat and sat back beneath all of the debris, until one day it was set free. Lina had trouble unraveling the sequence of the directions on the sheet, but with some help with her partner, Doon Harrow, they found exactly what they needed.  The cities people didn’t realize it, but Lina and Doon were advantages to their city. They saved them from forever darkness and forever loss.  Their importance to the story is impeccable; they’re the reasons that the people of Ember found survival.

            Till this day, I’ve always been a curious person.  I love to find things and figure it out. If I run across something that I don’t get, I never give up; I find the answers no matter what.  That piece of my personality reminds me of the character Lina’s.  In the story, she never gives up, even when her friends tell her it’s not important, or that she shouldn’t worry, or she shouldn’t get involved, she never gave up.  In the story she was determined by a quote the mayor had told her, "If you have proof, you have to pursue it!" And she did. We relate in one word: Persistence.   We both push forward and believe in our point of views.  Lina could’ve decided to go on her own, as a normal messenger and forget about what she found and her thoughts behind it, but she didn’t. She knew there was something about the document that could help everyone, so she never gave up.  We both connect with three characteristics, persistence, perseverance and determination.

           

            “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”   Lina Mayfleet is a dynamic character. Throughout the whole story she’s a changing personality.  Her first day of change is the first chapter of the book, assignment day, the day where she gets her job that she will have to fulfill for the rest of her life, her behavior changes. She was excited to see her new profession, but when she didn’t get what she wanted, Doon Harrow, out of all people, wanted to change with her, her thoughts change about her perspective on Doon instantly. The whole story people are telling her how to feel about the city’s darkness and all the dangers that could happen, but she decides not to be like them and wait for some miracle to arrive, she changes and goes to find it.

            Lina Mayfleet sort of reminds me of the historical fiction book Sarah Bishop ‘s main character. Sarah and Lina are both put in grave danger and in that way they have a few resemblances.  Even though Lina is in the danger of forever darkness and Sarah is in risk of sudden death from the revolutionary war, they both have the same angles of escape.  Both girls are strong, confident and courageous. They believe that they will find the resolution to their predicament. The girls lack support from others as well. Lina and Doon are on their own, the city doesn’t believe them, and find them plain childish. Sarah was considered “just a farm girl,” none of the villagers believed that she would ever be able to escape the soldiers. Of course, the girls definitely proved all of them wrong as they followed their hearts and decisions and got to where they wanted.

           

            Finally, it’s safe to say that Lina Mayfleet is a very important character to the The City of Ember.  Not only did she keep the town out of natural disaster, but she also learned that she had to trust her instincts, and follow her imagination. Her confidence, bravery and courage were key characteristics of Lina. Without those she would’ve never been able to pull off what she did.  All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
~Walt Disney

           

"There's nobody's home at my house"`

Authors Note: Pick a card: "ONE INTERNAL CONFLICT (PERSON VS.SELF) IN THIS TEXT IS…BECAUSE…

One of the internal conflicts of this story is that there was nobody home at his house and he needed the money. It quotes in the story that no one is home "There’s nobody home at my house," said the boy. There's obviously something going  on in his life that wasn't clearly written, but you could notice it by the  way he said it. In my life, I've never stolen somebody's things, and I've  never been dragged into somebody's home against my will, but I can tell you, that I have seen reality situations when a person gave  up something  for someone who didn't deserve it, out of their care and kindness.  The story shows that even though he stole from Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, she was different from who he thought she was, from what he heard,  she was stereotyped. She wasn't the lady everyone assumed she was because of her looks.

When I was younger I helped out at a soup kitchen, it's a place where people go when they can't afford a real meal. It was really sad to see some children with no parents and not the same materials we had. Not only did they not have real pairs of shoes or clothes but they were acting criminally. There was this young boy and girl, they were African- American and were in old faded, tattered clothing, but they were running around taking peoples food or were grabbing anything they could get their hands on. The owner of the kitchen stopped them of course, but it was absurd… when I read this short story that's exactly what I thought about while reading.  Many who don't have a real father or mother at home end up acting out, out of their anger that their parents aren't there.

I'm a Dreamer.

Authors Note: This piece should be graded towards my goals, catorgorized in the "write an original piece each week" section.

 

“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.”

― Gloria Steinem

Some say dreaming is the only way to reach your goal, but all you have to do is wake up and chase it. Don't you find it funny that even though once in a while a nightmare comes along that most people say they "don't dream."  How is that possible?  Before bed, I come up with a dream.  My mind goes completely blank then something pops into my head.  My dreams have amazing twists and glorious surprises, but that’s what makes them a dream.  Most of my dreams I wish would come to reality… but that's only going to happen if I make it happen.  In a dream you go through a whole plot line. Your dreams are the best stories anyone's ever made.   If only you could make it a book, I bet it'd be interesting to read. Considering, your dream is usually what you wish could happen.   "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." ~ Winston Churchill

Airhead

This piece should be graded for retelling.

Emerson watts started out as normal wannabe until a tragic accident occurs and she wakes up as a teen pop sensation! Now the fate of Nikki Howards career is all on Em, but, is Emerson watts gone forever?

Not only will you be shocked with Meg Cabot's surprising twist on the story, but you'll be dying to get your grasp on the next books in the series.

Why?

Authors Note:  This piece is graded toward my weekly creative pieces
Why do people bully? Why do people make fun? Are they insecure about themselves? Or is it their goal just to hurt you? People in my life can really hurt me. Sometimes I feel as if my own friends try to make me feel bad about myself. Is there a purpose for that? Why would they do that to someone who they "pretend" their best friends with? Why?

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Authors Note: Retelling piece; Non- Graded

Many adults wondering the halls, paper work's sprawled out all over his desk.  The villagers are wandering through the back of the school property. He looks at them in disgust, for he knew what he had to do.  He was worried about his school, worried about what others may think. He closed up the burial ground path and forbid the villagers to enter. He was stubborn and uncaring, he was conceited and self centered.  He was Michael Obi. He did not care about a soul , he left the villagers stranded to the path of their ancestors. He was self centered and was not ready to become the principal for he did not care about others. He was Michael Obi and they wanted revenge.

Similar but Diverse

 Authors Note: This should be graded a revision for the compare and contrast similar but diverse.

               Have you ever been put in the situation where you had to be courageous?  Have you ever had to stand up for what you believed in? In the historical fiction novel Sarah Bishop and in the award winning novel Twilight the two main characters, Sarah Bishop and Bella Swan are both put in situations where they have to face their fears and use courage in positions that they never even imagined being in. Both Bella and Sarah are put in stages where they have to fend for themselves.  In their lives they’re going through things that most of us would not understand, that’s what makes Bella and Sarah so comparable, but in so many ways they are also very strong individuals.

            In light of the concept on dynamic and static characters, it is easy to see that both of the main characters are dynamic. A dynamic character is a person that changes throughout the story. In both of these novels, both characters are changing throughout their events. Bella started out as a normal girl moving to Phoenix, Florida, but then she meets Edward Cullen and he changed her whole life. She realized what she wanted and went for it and at the end she’s a changed person. With Sarah Bishop, she’s going through a whole different experience. Sarah starts as an everyday farm girl, goes through a family crisis, and ends up living by herself in the wilderness, but through that experience she learns about whom she really is and who she wants to be. This similarity is conveniently clear on how the characters Bella and Sarah can be very corresponding. Even though they are both dynamic characters, there are also other reasons that make them alike.

            Although the similarity of both being dynamic characters, they also have the resemblance of having the same perspectives and thoughts on their circumstances.  When Bella realized that she was so intensely involved with the life of the Vampire, Edward Cullen, she did not do what most of us would have done if we were her. Instead of backing out of her bond or connection with Edward, she fell even more deeply in love than she predicted.  As she said in the novel “I could not believe that I fell head over heels for a vampire. I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” When Sarah noticed that her family was now gone from her life and that she had no one to lean on, she did not run away from her fears.  Instead of finding help, she went off on her own and went after what she dreamed of doing years ago.   She got supplies and headed to the wilderness, where she knew she’d be safe and knew that’s what she’s wanted to do for a long while.  Now, you can definitely see there are some correspondences, but now you get to see that there are also dissimilarities within these two personalities.

            No doubt it’s straightforward that they are not in the same setting but you can also notice they are not in the same time zone either.   Bella’s’ story takes place in normal modern day as Sarah’s does in the late 1900’s in mid revolutionary-war. So, as you can see the time zones are a bit disconnected but even though each girl is in a different timeline they are both learning what it’s like to be on their own. Sarah and Bella may have many ways that they can be alike but they can also be distinct.

            In final analysis, the main characters Sarah Bishop and Bella Swan are very similar in different ways, but then again they can be totally different, in many ways.  It’s quite interesting to think about the many ways that Sarah and Bella can compare and contrast, totally different timelines, but the same perspective on their lives. These novels may be completely different but they are also very correspondent as well.  Indeed they are in completely different plot lines and stages, but the similarities, like both being dynamic characters and having the same type of thoughts are impeccable.

"We always love those who admire us, but we do not always love those whom we admire."

"We always love those who admire us, but we do not always love those whom we admire."

I think this quote means that, when their is a person that thinks we are "all that" or just important, or even gives a small compliment, it makes our day, it makes you feel good about yourself.

When you think of jealousy, does a certain person come to mind? That's what my perspective is on the end of the quote. "but we do not always love whom we admire."

We may admire a certain person for their confidence or their looks, but even though we may have that feeling towards someone, does not mean we "like" them.

When i think about the quote, it's not actually a good thing. It's actually wrong. Why do we, as humans, think it's okay to love people who love us, but if we admire others we can feel jealous and concieted.  It's not right, that's why this quote made me think.

New Years Resolution.

Authors Note: This piece goes towards my goals for creative pieces.
It's the beginning of a new year.
It's time to start fresh.
Start with no fear.


A new year means a new you.
You can finally start over.
Do everything you want to do.


Its the end of a new beginning.
What are you going to change?
Whats your resolution?

Smile

Authors Note: This piece should be graded towards my goals, catorgorized in the "write an original piece each week" section.

 Smile

Smile to those who love you dearly

Smile to your enemies

Smile to your friends

Smile to the ones in charge of you

Smile to the people who have nothing

Smile to the people who have it all

Smile to the jealous

Smile to the conceited

Smile whenever you see a new face

“For a single smile to a sad face can brighten any day.” 

Smile

Heaven

Authors Note: This piece should be graded towards my goals, catorgorized in the "write an original piece each week" section.r.

When you think of the word or the concept of "Heaven" what comes to mind? What i always think of when i hear it is the word "Forever." Think about it, if you believe that God died on the cross for your sins, you'll go to heaven. In heaven, you'll be there for the rest of your life... Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever.  Our human brains can't even pick up the concept on "forever" or "never ending."  In a way, it's scary to think about, but then again, you'll be with many, many others and God ofcourse, so everything will turn out good. To think about heaven, it almost hurts my brain to think of every single thing or detail "up there." All we can do is think about it, have faith in him, pray, and someday we will be there looking at the paradise he's made for us to savor, forever.