Beach Trip

Beach Trip


It’s a hot summer morning,
I awake with a smile,
I’m going somewhere I
haven’t been in a while.


I get my bathing suit, towel,
And my flip flops too.
I try to think of
All the things that we will do.


Everything’s together now,
Time to get to the car.
We pack it all in,
Get ready to go far.


Rubbing my eyes,
Its still early you see.
We stop for some breakfast,
At a local Mickey D’s.


I munch on my hash browns,
As my dad continues to drive.
I count down the minutes,
Until we arrive.


I start to smell the salty sea,
Hear the seagulls screech overhead,
I see the sandy shore now,
“Were here!” my mother said.


I jump out of the car,
Grab my things and run.
Were at my favorite place,
This is going to be fun.


The day passes,
Sun starts to go down,
I sigh because I know,
Its time to return to my hometown.


Its dark outside now,
The stars brightening the sky,
I’m falling asleep in the car,
I silently tell the beach “goodbye.”

Life's helpful tools!

Stick to your guns. Never give up. Keep on trucking. No matter how say it is said, they all mean the same thing. Determination. Something that many people want, or say they have, but truly don’t. Now let’s refer back to Santiago, our old friend from the sea. In the novella The Old Man in the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, he shows great willpower. Being an 80 year old man alone at sea obviously isn’t too easy. But even when times were seemingly at the worst, Santiago still holds on. How somebody could be so optimistic, still confuses me.

“Now they have bitten me. He thought. I am too old to club sharks to death. But I will try as long as I have the oars, short club, and tiller.” (112). Even when Santiago understands he isn’t healthy, he still perseveres to his objective. In the back of his lonely mind, Santiago knows that he is truly too old and wearing away. In this novella, the old man tells himself that as long as he has his materials, he should continue. It is almost as if he doesn’t want to disappoint someone. Maybe himself, because he knows that he can carry on.

Secondly, ‘“But a man is not made for defeat.” He said. “A man can be destroyed, but not defeated.”’ (103). the old man has a lot of ideas of how men are expected to be all tough. Santiago believes that he has to live up to a manly standard. Little does he know that an 80 year old man, such as himself, should not be expected to fulfill those values. He is pretty much is telling himself that he is well aware of the suffering he would have to face. Somehow, he manages to still carry on, knowing that he was ready to be destroyed. Santiago didn’t even seem to mind. Although his experiences were very difficult, the elder still brings himself to continuing on to the end of his extravagant journey.

Lastly, in this story, Santiago catches his vast fish, ‘“Fish,” he says aloud, “I will stay with you until I am dead.”’ (52) The patience that our old man has is shown by this quote. This statement is so heavy and important; the old man doesn’t realize the significance of it. He is willing to stay at the sea for a lifetime, just for this marlin. Normally, you would think some one was delirious if they proclaimed this statement. But no, Santiago just has unbelievable ambitions. To say that someone is fine with staying at sea for their entire life (or what’s left of it) means a lot. The marlin must truly be to die for, and or at least from a fisherman’s perspective it is.

All in all, Santiago is an extremely determined man. With everything he encounters on his journey, and his undeniable willpower, he is easily noticed to be a great role model. Throughout the entire novella, Hemingway portrays a very determined man. I feel that in general, Santiago is a great example of how to be. Whether it is in sports, or in other activities, you must always have the confidence in your self to carry on. Perseverance is one of the most helpful tools that you can find in yourself. And Santiago is surely an expert.

Third Quarter ORB Report

Third Quarter Outside Reading Book Review


What my girlfriend doesn't know by Sonya Jones. Random House, 2008.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
What my Girlfriend Doesn't Know is a sequel to another teen novel, What my Mother Doesn't Know. This book is about a typical teenage boy living the modern freshman lifestyle. He unfortunetely is extremely geeky, and everyone hates him. Except for his girlfriend, and his new buddies he makes at Havard (because of his drawing talents) he is friendless.
"Read it, just don't read it on a plane, because people will look at you oddly when you laugh out loud randomly." The book cover reads. I find this quote very true, the book was entertaining, and very witty.

The novel is written entirely in poems. Some are shapes relating to the storyline, some are just stanzas. I really enjoyed this, because it was a real page turner. The poems were hilarious in most cases, and provided vivid meantal pictures.
I have also read the prequel of this novel, What my Mother Doesn't Know. It is the same writing style, with the poetry. I also liked this book a lot, it was told from the "Girlfriend" of the What my Girlfriend Doesn't Know.

"I stand outside by the football feild, waiting for like I always do. Then I see her, and my heart skips a beat." (12).

I love the writings of Sonya Jones. I can really relate to her characters , and her funny way of words. This book made me think of what it would be like to either be cheated on, or to be in the shoes of a really nerdy-type person that everyone teases. I would hate to be in either position, and protagonists in the book experience both.

Finding Happiness

A cold night was arising and Ann was sitting on her bed gazing through a foggy window. Just hours before, her younger brother had went missing. He just vanished. No trace was found of his existence. A tear slowly ran down Ann’s cheek. Was it possible that he ran away? Did he just want to leave this place called home? She repeated these thoughts over and over. After all, they were in a terrible home. An orphanage with a drunk as the authoritarian owner. You would think Ann would run away too, but she was too afraid to move from her bed. The world can be cruel and unknowing. This was not ever going to change for the better, so Ann just finally figured there was no reason to have a life outside of her mind. Crying was diurnal for Ann. She would just sit sadly on her old tattered bed in her microscopic room. Today Ann had a better reason to cry than usual. Her brother- the only piece of family she had left, was no where to be found. Ms. Few was the owner, she rarely came out of her room unless it was to abuse a child. Finally she had decided. Ann was going to leave at dawn.

The sun arose, and birds chirped gleefully. A strip of sunlight sparkled brightly through Ann’s window. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, then remembered her tacit objective. Ann sat up on her stained bedspread, thinking to herself, “what could have happened to him?” She started to hyperventilate because of the idea of leaving just hadn't sunken into her yet.

Getting on her old clothes she shook her head and paced. Now dashing down the frosted stairs, Ann slipped and slid to the door with her knapsack. Quietly opening the door, she heard a long annoying CRRREEEEEAAAAAAKKK!!!! Luckily, no one else heard the shrill sound. Ann had made it out of the orphanage. Reaching into her knapsack Ann pulled out an old, expired, breakfast bar. She took a bite, then studied her surroundings. A dank alley, a line of traffic, and hustling people. It was going to be a tiring day. Thus another yawn came from Ann. Ann continued into the street. A taxi slammed on it’s brakes. Ann had stopped all traffic from both lanes. She looked around to see what she had done, then ran as fast as she could to flee the scene.

**********************************************************************

Cameron was lost. Clueless you might say. Silent sobs slowly developed, and Cameron soon felt tears slip down his cheek. Cameron just wanted someone to console, comfort, or just put band-aids on his injuries. He put on a old frayed coat that Ann made him just a year before out of her old clothing.

Cameron looked for a kid-friendly place. He spotted Toys R Us around the corner. Raising his eyebrows, he smirked slyly. Running to his dream, he looked at the surreal bevy of citizens. One of them could have been a family member of his. Nodding his head, he went inside the gargantuan toy store. Finally, he could have fun.

**********************************************************************

The streets were packed with unidentified faces. Some seemed harsh and some gaunt. Ann gradually made her way to Times Square.

“Cameron!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. Citizens glared at her intermittently while they walked. You could barely hear timid Ann through all the city clamor.
“Sorry.” Ann timidly added. Looking around her, she mumbled, “Think like Cameron..” A sigh. “If only I could drive.”

Ann knew she couldn't’t give up, but she just couldn't take it. She was thwarted by all of the noise and rudeness of people. When Cameron and herself were abandoned on the cold, harsh, stoop of Ms. Few’s Orphanage, she had never thought of being in this position. Once again she called for her brother, though it was useless, it felt efficient.

************************************************************************

Of course he had picked the wrong time to run away. Christmas time in NYC. Mine as well jump off a bridge. This city was anything but placid. He was still walking a bit overwhelmed. Caroling was in the background of the surreal city. Horns and beeps overpowered the tranquil vocals.

A wail of a young child was heard. Sounded around 3. Maybe 4.. the age was vague Instantly, Cameron tried to find the source. The it was. Cameron’s eyes bulged as he darted out to the busy street to grab the kid. Unfortunately, it was by far to late. Cameron had gotten hit by a crazy cab driver. The child in which he tried to save sadly lurking over him.

************************************************************************

Ann walked along the crowded sidewalks peering in shop windows, trying to get her mind off her situation. The television flicked on in front of an electronics store to reveal a ambulance bleeping in Times Square. The voice of the newscaster spoke abruptly. “A benevolent boy had tried to save a young child, but was hit by a taxi. The child is fine, only minor injuries, but the hero here is unconscious.” A pause to show the scene. “That’s all for now. Back to you Sharon.”

Immediately Ann was in tears. That boy, with his outstanding humility was her lost brother. Was he okay? What happened? Where is he? she questioned in her mind.

Ann’s thoughts were quickly interrupted by the woman on the scene. “This boy’s name is yet to be released.” Ambulance sirens screeched. The lady added, “He is now being transported to Shrieners Hospital. We wish him the best of luck. Just then, at this exact word, Ann started bawling.

************************************************************************

The waiting room was dull and smelled like old cheese. She’d often see a door open, and close. Each time she hopped from her seat with anxiety- or was it excitement? She couldn’t tell the difference. For if a surgeon were to emerge smiling, good, or if the opposite, a frown, bad. Easy to understand, but not easy to sit and wait for the true answer.

It had been 4 hours of sweating, crying and tending to the kid that Cameron saved. She had found that his name was Cole. When a doctor came from the hall. He wasn’t grimacing nor grinning. A straight seemingly content face. “You may see Cameron now.”

These words brought great joy. She picked up Cole. Off they went into the gloomy corridor to find Cameron. They went along 15 rooms until they found him. Ann knocked timidly at the metal door. A scratchy voice coughed, “come in.”

He looked uncomfortable, but he tried to smile. “Hey guys.” Beeps and blinking lights made the room eerie as he spoke. You can see the acute pain he felt. It felt like they were in a horror movie. Cameron knew that they were a little freaked out by the needles in his arm, the casts he wore and the cuts and bruises on his face. So, he urged them in cordially..

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Ann sobbed holding his hand.

“I’m great.” Cameron closed his eyes.

The room was peaceful, and soon visiting hours would be over. The stars twinkled in the sky outside the window pane. A yawn traveled around the room. Cole was still homeless. Ann and Cameron looked at one another silently shouting “what should we do?” by a single twitch. They could easily read each other. A soft sound of snoring was heard from Cole sleeping on the spare cot. Cameron was in pain. And he hid it so well. Ann approached him with sympathy. “don’t worry Cam."

But really, they should worry. Ann knew it. Once Cameron was healed, where would they go? To the orphanage where they would be stuck in until they were 18- at least? That same orphanage they emancipated themselves from? Never. That just couldn't be a choice. Ann looked at Cameron and sighed. She had to be strong for him.

************************************************************************

Ann had awoken at 5 am to Cameron in a coma. A tear dropped on the blanket draped over him.. The I-vs in his arm were eerie and a little frightening, but some how, she withstood. She turned to look out the window. She sobbed silently. Ann didn’t want to be pessimistic but she had came to the consensus that her younger sibling was in critical condition. Mourning in quiet, motionless wallow, Ann drifted into a deep sleep. Though as she closed her eyes, she knew deep down that this sadness could not ever be alleviated.

************************************************************************

Beep.Beep.. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPP. The dreaded noise floated throughout the air. Ann awoke abruptly. Was she having a nightmare? The line on the screen was pin straight. Ann bawled and sobbed, hoping, praying, this was a dreadful nightmare that couldn’t be true. But it was. He was gone.

3 months later........

Ann sat on the grass outside her new home. She had moved into a rural town, with no commotion. Her life has drastically changed with the loss of her brother, but she finally has a decent life with a family. Cole and Ann now lived together with a nice couple. Mr. and Mrs. Johnsten. But Ann could only wonder, what would she be doing now, if Cameron was still alive? She still shed tears everyday, thinking of his smiling face. If only she could have done something to help him. Cole still vividly remembers his life flashing before his eyes. Its going to stay with him for his lifetime. One can only hope that he can still picture the brave boy that darted in front of him.

Wind blows in Anns face, causing her hair to blow back. She looks up to the sky and smirks. "I know you are watching over us." she whispers softly. With that, she goes inside to her newly found parents.

The Search for Happiness (thanks tom.) short story so far.

cold night was arising and Ann was sitting on her bed gazing through a foggy window. Just hours before, her younger brother had went missing. He just vanished. No trace was found of his existence. A tear slowly ran down Ann’s cheek. Was it possible that he ran away? Did he just want to leave this place called home? She repeated these thoughts over and over. After all, they were in a terrible home. An orphanage with a drunk as the owner. You would think Ann would run away too, but she was too afraid to move from her bed. The world can be cruel and unknowing. This was not ever going to change for the better, so Ann just finally figured there was no reason to have a life outside of her mind. Everyday she would just sit sadly on her old tattered bed in her microscopic room. Today Ann had a better reason to cry than usual. Her brother- the only piece of family she had left, was no where to be found. Ms. Few was the owner, she rarely came out of her room unless it was to abuse a child. Ann was going to leave at dawn.

The sun arose, and birds chirped gleefully. A strip of sunlight sparkled brightly through Ann’s window. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, then remembered her objective. Ann sat up on her stained bedspread, thinking to herself, “what could have happened to him?”

Getting on her old clothes she shook her head and paced. Now dashing down the frosted stairs, Ann slipped and slid to the door with her knapsack. Quietly opening the door, she heard a long annoying CRRREEEEEAAAAAAKKK!!!! Ann had made it out of the orphanage. Reaching into her knapsack Ann pulled out an old, expired, breakfast bar. She took a bite, then studied her surroundings. NYC. A dank alley. It was going to be a tiring day. Thus another yawn came from Ann. Ann continued into the street. A taxi slammed on it’s brakes. Ann had stopped all traffic from both lanes.

**********************************************************************

Cameron was lost. Clueless you might say. Silent sobs slowly developed, and Cameron soon felt tears slip down his cheek. Cameron just wanted someone to console, comfort, or just put band-aids on his injuries. He put on a old frayed coat that Ann made him just a year before out of her old clothing.

Cameron looked for a kid-friendly place. He spotted Toys R Us around the corner. Raising his eyebrows, he smirked slyly. Running to his dream, he looked at the surreal blur of citizens. One of them could have been a family member of his. Nodding his head, he went inside the gargantuan toy store.

**********************************************************************

The streets were packed with unidentified faces. Some seemed harsh and some gaunt. Ann gradually made her way to Times Square.

“Cameron!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. Citizens glared at her intermittently while they walked.
“Sorry.” Ann timidly added. Looking around her, she mumbled, “Think like Cameron..” A sigh. “If only I could drive.”

Ann knew she couldn’t give up, but she just couldn’t take it. When Cameron and herself were abandoned on the cold, harsh, stoop of Ms. Few’s Orphanage, she had never thought of being in this position. Once again she called for her brother, though it was useless, it felt efficient.

************************************************************************

Of course he had picked the wrong time to run away. Christmas time, NYC. Mine as well jump off a bridge. They still walking together a bit overwhelmed. Caroling was in the background of the surreal city. Horns and beeps overpowered the tranquil vocals.

A wail of a young child was heard. Sounded around 3. Maybe 4.. Instantly, Cameron looked around. The it was. Cameron’s eyes bulged as he darted out to the busy street to grab the kid. Unfortunately, it was by far to late. Cameron had gotten hit by a crazy cab driver. The child in which he tried to save sadly lurking over him.

************************************************************************

Ann walked along the crowded sidewalks peering in shop windows. The television flicked on in front of an electronics store to reveal a ambulance bleeping in Times Square. The voice of the newscaster spoke abruptly. “A boy had tried to save a young child, but was hit by a taxi. The child is fine, only minor injuries, but the hero here is unconscious.” A pause to show the scene. “That’s all for now. Back to you Sharon.”

Immediately Ann was in tears. Was he okay? What happened? Where is he?

Ann’s thoughts were quickly interrupted by the woman on the scene. “This boy’s name is yet to be released.” Ambulance sirens screeched. The lady added, “He is now being transported to Shrieners Hospital. We wish him the best of luck. Just then, at this exact word, Ann started bawling. ************************************************************************

The waiting room was dull and smelled like old cheese. She’d often see a door open, and close. Each time she hopped from her seat with anxiety- or was it excitement? She couldn’t tell the difference. For if a surgeon were to emerge smiling, good, or if the opposite, a frown, bad. Easy to understand, but not easy to sit and wait for the true answer.

It had been 4 hours of sweating, crying and tending to the kid that Cameron saved. She had found that his name was Cole. When a doctor came from the hall. He wasn’t grimacing nor grinning. A straight seemingly content face. “You may see Cameron now.”

These words brought great joy. She picked up Cole. Off they went into the gloomy corridor to find Cameron. They went along 15 rooms until they found him. Ann knocked timidly at the metal door. A scratchy voice coughed, “come in.”

He looked uncomfortable, but he tried to smile. “Hey guys.” Beeps and blinking lights made the room eerie as he spoke. It felt like they were in a horror movie. Cameron knew that they were a little freaked out by the needles in his arm, the casts he wore and the cuts and bruises on his face. So, he urged them in cordially..

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Ann sobbed holding his hand.

“I’m great.” Cameron closed his eyes.

The room was peaceful, and soon visiting hours would be over. The stars twinkled in the sky outside the window pane. A yawn traveled around the room. Cole was still homeless. Ann and Cameron looked at one another silently shouting “what should we do?” by a single twitch. They could easily read each other. A soft sound of snoring was heard from Cole sleeping on the spare cot. Cameron was in pain. And he hid it so well. Ann approached him with sympathy. “don’t worry Cam.”

************************************************************************

Ann had awoken at 5 am to Cameron in a coma. A tear dropped on the blanket draped over him.. The I-vs in his arm were eerie and a little frightening, but some how, she withstood. She turned to look out the window. She sobbed silently. Ann didn’t want to be pessimistic but she had came to the consensus that her younger sibling was in critical condition. Mourning in quiet, motionless wallow, Ann drifted into a deep sleep.

************************************************************************

Beep.Beep.. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPP. The dreaded noise floated throughout the air. Ann awoke abruptly. Was she having a nightmare? The line was pin straight. Ann bawled and sobbed herself to asleep again hoping, praying, this was a dreadful nightmare that couldn’t be true. But it was. He was gone.

Second Quarter ORB review

Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Thrill Ride by Rachel Hawthorne. Avon Books, 2006.
Genre: Realistic FictionMegan Holloway is your everyday average girl next door. She lives in the suburbs where nothing ever happens. So one day she gets the opportunity for a summer job at a theme park called; Thrill Ride. The theme park, just near Lake Erie, is far away from her home, Dallas, Texas. Megan was up for something new, a change maybe. That summer, her life took a sudden rollercoaster ride.
“This great teen read is recommended for any teenage girl who wants to read a great book about romance and first love.” As said by Teensreadtoo.com.
Thrill Ride is a classic love story with a little spice in it. There are surprises and those “oh no, she didn‘t” kind of moments galore. The description that Hawthorne uses makes you feel as if you’re in the scene with the protagonist, just watching everything occur. I really loved when the author would relate things in the book to things in modern day life. Mentioning little ideas make the biggest difference to me. I personally think it makes it more realistic.
To be honest, Thrill Ride isn’t similar to any other book I‘ve ever read. Its one of a kind in that sort of way. It has spunk and pizzazz. I am planning to read other books by Hawthorne in the future, because I enjoy her way of writing.
“The rests of the performances were a blurred haze, and I fought not to hyperventilate after I gave Parker my answer. When the show was over, we got up and left without a single word leaving our lips.” (page 169)
In this book it makes me feel like it is summer again. The vivid memories seem to pour back into my mind and make me smile. Rachel Hawthorne did an amazing job with just describing to get me into such a mindset, considering as I read the book, it was wintertime. Overall, I think the theme in the book is To Take A Chance, Because You’ll Never Know How Great Something Can Be. I think this because earlier on in the book Megan Holloway was just a shy small-town girl, but later in the novel she becomes outgoing and daring. The almost opposite of her before. I really loved how the author of this book used contemporary businesses, shows, etc. to make the novel all the more believable. Unfortunately, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but I think that’s just to lead you on to her next book, Love on the Lifts. I will most likely read that next ORB!

1st quarter outside reading book review
Haters By: Aliza Valdes-Rodriguez. Little, Brown and Company June 2008.

Genre; Realistic Fiction
Haters is about a teenage girl’s life, with all the difficulties that come along with it. Taking place in sunny California, Paski, the protagonist of the book, goes through the problems of transferring schools. The problems range from love, popularity, friendship, and even some medical. This book covers all the bases of conflicts.
“So humorous and real, that readers will be hooked after the first page …. You will not want to put this book down.” Says Library Media Connection on the inside cover page. I chose this quote out of many because I find it to describe the book the best. The recommendations hit the nail on the head, because I agreed with all of them. Though, If I would have to make a short recommendation similar to the one above, I probably would have said the same thing. It just sums it up perfectly.
The writing style in Haters is so descriptive it makes you feel like you’re right in the character’s shoes. Its so realistic to how a average 16 year old girl would feel and act. There are witty pieces of sarcasm, and references to common things in the modern time. The author also relates Paski’s life to problems that almost every girl faces. So, going through the book reading page by page, you feel like you know how she feels. I really enjoyed the Valdes-Rodriguez’s style of writing. It wasn’t like any other book I’ve ever read before. I hope to read more works by this author in the future. This was the first piece I read by her.
“He’s listening to Gwen Stefani’s Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Can I just say there is nothing on Earth scarier than seeing your dad sing along to “Harajuku Girls,” and doing his arms like serpents.” (page 11)
This quote personally made me chuckle because I thought of my dad doing something like that. This quote shows just how funny the rest of the book was. There were constant places were I would just quietly laugh to myself.
I really enjoyed Haters. It was probably the best book I’ve yet to read. It makes you laugh, yet, there are suspenseful points. Sometimes it makes you upset or sad. There is even some love going on in it. The book has it all. The book really helped me realize that everyone goes through tons of bumps in life. Some bigger and harder than others.

For my Chacter E-Collages:

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