week 7

So I still haven't gotten over cancer and I just found out that there's now a strain of gonorrhea which is totally resistant to antibiotic treatment. So... rip.

week 6

My sister got grounded recently and I'm glad I stuck around for the conversation. My sister whines about being held home against her will and threatens to call the cops and my mom responds without breaking a sweat," this very moment, someone is trapped against their will, probably suffering at the hands of someone else unable to call for help and wondering if anyone 'out there' is thinking about them or remembers them. You are comfortable at home where your 'captors' feed you, educate you, entertain you and provided for you." Its been a month, my sister is yet to respond.

Distance Learning assignment for 3/13 snow day, due 5/19

Use the following link to browse a selection of poems: http://poems.com/archive.php

Choose any poem you like and then re-write it in your own words. You can use the same imagery or develop your own. This is not a line by line analysis of the poem; I want you to paraphrase it or make it your own in a way you see fit. Imagine the poem is a drawing you need to redraw without tracing the exact lines or a poem you wish to steal and by disguising it, you make it look as if you wrote it.

Leave only the title the same.

Have fun plagiarizing!

distance learning last name

Going to the tournament was a blast. We karaoke to the radio singing songs and I was dancing in the back. It was the first time I enjoyed being in the car alone with my dad. No lectures, to yelling just pure fun.
When we finally got there i was too excited to contain myself. I saw all my friends and went over to talk with them. Looking around I instantly felt exhilarated. It was like a scene from my favorite movie, my inspiration to join karate in the first place.
There were kids where are manner of colors with an even more diverse array of weapons. There were kids spinning staffs, twirling nun chucks, sporting swords and other objects I couldn't name. I didn't feel bad at all becasue I belived that I had come in
with the most practical weapons - fists. Unlike other weapons that are large or uncomfortable to keep on your body at all time, your fists are something you always have, and learning to fight with to fight with what you have is one of the fist rules in karate.
I was quickly ushered in a locker room of sorts, one with raked sand on the ground felt way too soft to be sand. We changed into your robes and were given special wooden sandals to walk in. As i was exiting the locker room my dad pulled me aside and
wished me good luck. He gave me, what in his mind, an inspirational speech but it only succeeded in bring about the nerves that I had forgotten about.
Of course, with my luck I ended up being second in line to go. So i prepared myself mental to go and show them 300 or so people what I had against a complete stranger in my first competition. The boy going first seemed to be a regular at these events
because people knew his name and he walked up with a swagger like he had nothing to lose. He wasn't that impressive, I was a head taller and, by the looks of it, a lot more fit. He was small and plump but man could he move. He pulled out nunchucks from
nowhere and started twirling around like a crazed monkey. It was the most ferocious and disciplined routine i had every called my name and i immediately looked to my dad. His smile was gone as if he was thinking the same as me. How could i ever follow that
act. I went to the middle took a deep breath and choked. I forgot how the my routine started, I stood in the middle for what seemed like an but no one seemed to care. It only seemed to add to the anticipation, so i did the only thing i could think of. I rattled off three
backflips and then twisted into a double round house after which i landed on one knee. I stayed like that for another solid 30 seconds to think of my next moves and proceeded to improvise a set of moves that I had bring practicing based on my childhood superheroe Robin.
After my routine I walked back to the benches in shame, not only had forgotten my sequence but I had also tripped up on my landings. I waited for my usual lecture when I was handed my bronze medal but instead I got a hug from my dad. I had rarely ever
gotten those from him. And so when he told me he was proud I burst out into tears of joy. It was the first time I had ever heard him say that. I was confused still, I looked at him and he must have known because he said, "You went out there overcame your nerves and put
on a hell of show and that's all that matters to me!"

distane learning

It was fourth grade. I was, what, 10? Yeah, 10- that seems about right. Anyways, it was fourth grade and it was the fall. This day wasn’t average though, it was the day every kid has marked in their calendars- the Scholastic Book Fair. The day where people aren’t afraid to say they are excited to go to a library. Anyways, I was heading to the library with my class. I was the kaboose- I always liked being the last person in line. That way you can watch the other people in line and, hopefully, there’s no one else around to bother you. Just some quiet time to observe.

We arrive by the library and there’s other classes already in there, running around, screaming, and swarming the posters, erasers, and highlighters.

I trail in later than the rest of my class after staring at a bulletin board in the hallway- Ms. Traywicks class made some poetry. Interesting.

I stood watching the other kids and I couldn’t help but wonder why they wanted to waste all their money on that useless stuff. Me, on the other hand had my eye on the science fiction section and planned to head over soon. I needed to scope the scene out though. Make sure I knew all the options and how to approach this motney of books. But my gaze kept straying back to the other kids. Suddenly, I felt the cool touch of my teacher’s hand on my elbow. “Remember our meeting Riley? Why don’t you go talk to the other kids over there.” She gives me a soft smile and lets go of my arm.

I was reminded of this day when I came upon my copy of The City of Ember. Later on that year I took my teacher’s words to heart. The spring book fair I got a poster of Captain Underpants. I threw it away when I got home though.

3/9, Petravica

Outside everything was so bright and white. The snowflakes were slowly falling down the skies, while I tried to warm up with a soft blanket and a cup of green tea. Christmas was coming, but it didn’t feel that way. Everything seemed odd. I was sitting alone in the house, surrounded by many holiday decorations, fairy lights and candles. The sweet cinnamon scent slowly permeated the house, but I still felt that something was missing. There was an emptiness. It was my first Christmas alone. Did I feel lonely? No, I don’t think so, but I felt different.

I have always believed that Christmas is a family’s holiday, and despite my beliefs I was in London, trying to avoid calls from home so I went outside. I started to walk around my neighborhood and everything was silent and serene. I followed a path inside my mind, I just needed to go and find a place, and I found it. I was standing across the animal shelter. The next thing I knew was I was inside and looking for puppies and older dogs, kitties and older cats. They all showed their different stories, but there was a connection between them. They all were alone. So, I wanted to help and at least learn one of the many stories.

A Christmas miracle, he is to me. I have a dog and I call him Blake. He is a black pug with sparkling green eyes. He is the cutest little thing I have ever met. We do everything together. We wake up at the same time, we eat breakfast and then we go for a run. Blake loves wide diversity of parks, where he can catch squirrels and be happy again. His name might be Blake but he is not as dark as it might seem, he is a sunshine in my life. I am here where I belong and I am happy because I am not alone. I have Blake.

3/9, Macey

I sat behind the wheel, and for the first time there was no parent or driving instructor riding next to me. Instead, a bearded employee of the New York DMV watched me and judged my turns and speed. I hated him. Not out of spite or anger, but just because of the power he held over me. And of course, I just didn't like the DMV to begin with.

I drove with him next to me for the most awkward 15 minutes of my life; him staring at me, and I at the road. Soon it was over, and I crawled back into the parking lot of the DMV. He starts to speak in one of the most apathetic tones I have ever heard, "Congratulations, Clarke. Hand this to the lady at the desk on the way in so that she can give you a license." And with those words, I decided that I no longer hated him.

Week 8

Addictions are weird to think about. There is something within the thing your are addicted to that makes you keep wanting it. I think it's cool that you can be addicted to a person. That means there is something within that person, that just keeps making you come back. Breaking addictions are hard, but when that thing you are addicted to is unhealthy, you must do it for yourself.

Week 7

Wendys came out with their own mixtape. Yes. Wendys the food place. The worst part is, it's not even that bad. It's pretty funny. They talk crap about Mcdonalds. It's called, we beefin?

Week 6

I wonder what it would feel like to be in space, looking down at the world, wondering what each single person is doing, but only being able to see a big blur. I know what it's like to look up into space, but I have no clue what is even up there.

3/9 Cullen

             I peeked out the window, and the world looked so cold to me. I was warm in my house, but the world felt so cold. I turned on the tv, and my thoughts escaped my mind. Scrolling through the channels I felt no sense of purpose in any program turning on. I stopped. The news. Today alone there have been fourteen intentional murders in the United States. Wow. So proud to be an American. I bet four of these murders took place in some random town, and the entire town will be devastated for years to come. The other bunch, probably will go unnoticed. But I'm just sitting here in my warm house, with my cute dog, and way overpriced tv.
             I threw my dogs toy, and he chased after it, brought it back to me, and repeated the same thing about fourteen times. I walked out onto my back porch and I could see my neighbor mowing their perfect lawn. I dipped my feet in the pool to check the temperature. I had enough money to make it as hot as I wanted, but I always kept it at sixty degrees. I walked around to the front of my house, through the white picket fence, and went to the mail box. I shuffled through the different bills and magazines to find the letter I had been waiting for. This letter proved whether or not what I had been studying for months was all worth it. I opened the way to tight seal on the packaging and pulled out the crispy white piece of paper. "You got the job" I said out loud. My body become overloaded with joy, and I screamed a little bit. I finally can do what I love. I finally can move out, and be somebody that matters.
           

Distance Learning assignment for 3/9 snow day

Choose a character from one of your pieces from this year. Using that character's personality and voice, write a post in which your character describes an experience important to him/her (the experience cannot be what you included in the plot of your original story/poem). The narrative voice should be first person. Your narrative should be two or three paragraphs long. DUE by 4/28. Title your posts: "3/9, last name"

Week 1

Yesterday I fell down the stairs. It was embarrassing, but I didn't care that much because all I could think was pain. I hit my head and left hip harshly and I said to myself and others that I am okay, even though I was not feeling that way. When the next morning came, I could still feel the swelling, so I did not want to wake up but I did. I got up, had a great day and I assured to myself that I am strong and I can ignore pain if I want and focus on things that matter more because time can heal everything.

Week Five

Relationships are like an awkward dance, any hesitation can be taken for an intentional action.

Week Four

Someone told me that they've been living for the last 20 years by one saying, "Identify, Conquer, Move on" and the only thing I could think of how well I conquer food.

Week Three

It's really depressing how much money a rapper can make on cheap music and how really interesting and meaningful music doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Week 2

My sister came home the other day, really angry and really hungry. When I asked her asked whats up she looked at me and frowned, "Nothing, I'm just pretending to be you."

Week One

Watching Game of Thrones I realized just how much the world depends on light, something that we take for granted theses days as we take for granted these days as we have it easy with a flick of a switch.

Week 7

music is the best. It can change your emotions within seconds. There is something so comforting about listening to a beautiful, slow, meaningful song when you are feeling low. Hype up rap is the best when you feel unstoppable. Uplifting indie pop and alternative is my favorite to listen to when I'm driving around with my sun-roof open on a bright day. I have a huge appreciation for all the 70's and 80's hits as well as some of the 90's old school hip hop/R&B. music can unite people together, but can also bring people into their own world; completely detached from the day-today-day dealings. anyways, this was a long way of saying: I love music.

week 7

what's been on my mind a lot recently is how much people think about other people and how you never know when someone is thinking about you. this ranges from passing thoughts about some nameless kid or someone you like thats always on your mind. either way you never know and that just kind of boggles my mind. doesn't it make you wonder who does think of you and to what extent specifically?

week 6

i was thinking about backhanded compliments and how to take them and if they mean anything. i've been told "if you stare at you long enough you're actually pretty" or "sneaky hot". do i chose to discredit this as an insult? but technically is it a compliment? because if i'm choosing to disregard it as an insult then i'm also disregarding a compliment. i think my final stance it to just not let what anyone says bother you - BUT back handed compliments are still a weird thing to try and process/understand

Week 5

Today I realized how quickly the time has gone by and I still have so many things I want to accomplish. It made me quite emotional, I was trembling but smiling at the same time. I should avoid my thoughts and focus more on the moments.

week 5

so i've been having really realistic dreams lately that make me not be able to differentiate between what is reality and not. This particular night I had helped someone make a promposal sign and i truly believed that i had made them drive out to concord that night with the sign and forced them to wear orange. So, around 3 am i text them because i feel so bad that i made them drive out to concord and wear orange when that was unnecessary, however that didn't even happen and i just seemed psychotic.

Week 5

Tomorrow is my 17th birthday. I feel like I have been alive for 70 years but also at the same time only 7. But nope, 17.

Weel 6

I would say the most overwhelming place to be in is a grocery store. People are frantically pushing giant metal carts around tight corners. Standing in long lines, waiting to spend lots of money. The healthy, soccer mom glares in disgust as her kid throws pop tarts and fruit roll ups into the cart. Two middle aged men fight for the last pack of smoked maple bacon. The display of canned tomatoes topples to the ground resulting in a "clean up in aisle 4". Meanwhile, uplifting tunes play in the background.

Week 5

Today was my first time getting gas alone. Initially, I left my car on and began twisting open the cap to the gas tank. Upon realizing my mistake, I called in the reinforcements. My friend being the true homie that she is, drove to the Cumbie's in to help me fill my car in the 36 degree weather. Lesson learned: Sophie is a good friend and I also really need to know how to properly get gas.