Concrete & Significant Detail

School -> Charter School -> City of Inglewood -> City honors College Prepatory Charter School -> Student -> Senior-> Female-> Latino -> Salvadoran -> Age:18-> Cindy Hernandez

Shoes -> Customized Shoes-> Vans -> Slip-ons -> White -> Size: 6 -> Invader zim Theme -> Gir Character

Verizon -> Wireless Service -> Cellular Device -> Droid -> Texting -> My Friend -> Jasmine

"The Right College"

            You are a senior, and you want to further you education. You have worked hard the four years you been in high school. Your parents have always been supportive. You have the determination to make it to a good school that can satisfy your needs. You have exceptional SAT scores, as well as your ACT scores. For your SAT subject test, your scores were outstanding, it puts you in the position where schools will make you offers, because they want you in their establishment. Once your scores have been shared with school, they will send you countless emails regarding their interest in you. So with a broad array of options in your favor, how do you choose what college or university to attend?
           You have to make sure the college or university offers the classes you are interested in. contacting the school to reserve a spot to take a look is a smart thing to do. You will be able to see what it looks like, and may be able to talk to the students. When having a tour, you get to see the classrooms, dorms, and teachers. Walking through the campus can make you feel like you’re already home. The thing most students worry about when choosing a college or university is how much it will cost. You will have to get information about the schools’ financial aid program and how it will benefit you, and also how much dorm and tuition will end up costing.

"Better Community"

          I have lived in the city of Inglewood since I was a little girl. I know that it is considered a dangerous city. It has a reputation of gang violence. Some might have negative views about Inglewood, but its community can change that. I feel that if we reach out the kids in the community, we have a chance of improving it. Programs after school so middle school or high school students go to instead of roaming the streets. These programs can be a form of stopping gangs from recruiting members. The programs could offer free tutoring from volunteers, and community hours. The students could pick up trash from the streets, from all littering people do.
           Along with the students, there would be an opportunity for their families to get a job. The program would take them in as volunteers to help them acquire skills like being able to fix cars, cook, and sewing. Then with the knowledge they gain, they have a better chance of getting a job. When people have jobs, they have a better lifestyle. When the community is happy, that makes their community stronger. They learn to work together to accomplish things. If people who have spare time with others who are in need, it could really make a difference in the community . The people who benefit from this program, will be thankful enough to do the same volunteer work in return to help others in need. They will teach the incoming group what they have learned and help others take the next step into making their lives better.

"Typical Day"

      My alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m., I get up and make my way out my room. I walk to the restroom, turn on the hot water in the shower, and stay in there for about twenty minutes. When I get out about 6:05 a.m., I dry myself down and get under the blankets on my bed. I sleep for another fifteen minutes. I pick my clothes out and begin to fix my hair and eye make-up. I usually get finished with all that by 7:15 a.m. My friend picks me up from my house every morning at 7: 35 a.m., most of the time sleepy.
       I spend about six hours at school. I look forward to lunch at 12 p.m., I get to spend quality time with my friends. I catch up with whatever is going on with them. I get picked up from school at 3:00 p.m., and I am accompanied by my friend , Debbie, we drop her off home and make our way to my house. I usually put my house clothes on, charge my phone, and lay on my bed. I then get up and start on my homework. I end up getting done with it at like 8 p.m. I am tired by that time so I brush my teeth and wash my face. I put my pajamas on and get under my blankets. I end up going to sleep, and that’s a typical day in my life.

"Beets"

A vegetable is a plant grown for food. They are very nutritious and provide different types of vitamins. The more vegetables that a person eats, the healthier the person seems to be. When I think of vegetables, I think about the food that elderly people eat. Older people think that vegetables are good and they add it into their diet. I only think that a couple of vegetables are somewhat tasty. Most of the vegetables that I have tasted seem to be nasty. They don't really have any flavor. Adults usually make children eat them because they supposedly help you grow. The one vegetable that I dislike the most is beets. Beets are plants with an edible red or white root. They look like cranberry sauce but is extremely nasty. It has this tangy taste. When I taste a beet, I feel like spitting it out and throwing up. Its like you are trying to take some medicine. The juice makes it even worst. Just thinking about the taste of beets make me sick. I remember the first time that I had to eat beets. It was one the worst experience that I ever had. The smell is also horrible. When I smell it, I cover up my nose. The ones that come in the can smells even worst. I really don't know how a person could be able to eat such a thing. I believe that beets is the worst vegetable ever. I would eat anything other than beets. I would never suggest beets to a person who has never had it before.

"Spring"

I think that each season is very different from each other. The four seasons of the year are beautiful in their own unique way. During each season, the environment around us seems to change. For example, during the winter it seems to be much colder and during the summer it tends to be much hotter. Certain things happen during each season. For instance, during the spring time flowers begin to bloom. In the fall, the leaves of trees slowly turn brown and fall off. In the winter, it snows in some areas. In the summer, the sun stays out longer, the weather is nice and you don't have to go to school. Each of these seasons bring out a different emotion in me. I would have to say the season that I enjoy the most is the spring season. I believe that things are more beautiful in the spring. The only thing that is somewhat bad is the rain because you have to be in the house. The upside to the rain is that it helps calm you down and you could relax and read a book. The best thing about spring is that you get a chance to see the flowers blossom. You only get to see this beautiful process only once a year. Its nice to look at flowers bloom because each flower is somewhat different from the next. The spring allows me to plant a little garden. During the spring, everything seems to be more alive. Everything seems to be more colorful. Spring reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Bambi. These are some reasons why spring is my favorite season of the year.

"Brothers and Sisters"

          It isn’t rare to hear siblings arguing amongst each other. Its actually common for brothers and sisters to fight one another. Its typically over the silliest things, like what channel to watch on the television or the last chocolate chip cookie. The younger ones are most likely spoiled by their parents, so the older ones try to take their things out of jealousy. It may be the other way around, where the younger ones takes the older sibling’s belongings. Invading each others space can cause issues between brothers and sisters.
           When you share a room with your siblings, you barely get any privacy. There’s a constant struggle with how much space you get. When you see them in the room at all times you begin to get irritated and annoyed by them. You have to remain calm and talk with each other so things can work out. The younger ones feel intimidated by the older ones, they tend to get picked on or bullied. As an older sister that I am, I try to get along with my younger sister by being kind. My older brother used to be mean with me, but as we got older things changed. My parents didn’t have to scold at us because of all the bickering going on. We learned to behave in a mature way, and how to agree on things. Brothers and sisters don’t always get along and that’s normal. In the end you are still family, and family sticks together.

"New Computer"

You see a commercial for a new state of the art computer. Everyone you know is talking about how great it is and its the best computer on the market. You consider buying it so you could have the latest technology. If you were to purchase the new state of the art computer, of course, you’re going to get information about it first. Sometimes the product is too good to be true so therefore you don’t get it right away, you wait to see the reviews about the computer, before you invest in it. A way that you could not be disappointed by buying what you thought to be a state of the art computer is to go to the store and test it out or wait until a close friend of yours gets it and test theirs out a bit. If the number of people who like it is greater than those who dislike it, then you would most likely want to invest in it. To make sure you don't waste any of your money on a state of the art computer that you barely know any information about, you should do your research. They also talk about parts and/or functions of the computer. If you read something about the computer that you don't like, the thing for you to do is not to invest in this new piece of technology. Technology is progressing more and more everyday, so if you don’t like what you see you can always wait for the next best thing.

"College Admissions Test"

         In order to get into the college of your dreams, you have to complete many different tasks. You have to maintain good grades in school, write a personal statement or essay, and complete the application. The most important thing that you have to do is complete and pass the college examination. This can be a long and rigorous process. The college needs it to see what level you are at, so they could place you in the correct classes. There isn't a certain way that you would be able to study for this exam. You don't know the types of materials that are going to be covered. Reading helps broaden a person's vocabulary. Reading more also allows a person to increase their reading fluency. Their comprehension on the material will increase because their mind is functioning more. If the college examination has a reading section, the future college student will be able to read the passages at a fast rate and comprehend what the passage is saying.
         Another thing that a student who is preparing for a college examination should try to master their math solving skills. These skills are very important for college level math courses. Everyone has to take math as a general education course. The more comfortable a person feels with a formula the faster they will be able to solve it. The most important thing that a person would need to know is how to take a test. There are many ways you could take a test. Different ways helps different types of people. Knowing these strategies would help you on the college examination.

"Relationships"

         People at our age think that calling someone their boyfriend or girlfriend automatically puts them in a position in which they can control them. At a young age we are trying to find ourselves and some of us have insecurities. that’s when problems begin with your significant other, the insecurities overcome them and they begin to bug you by questioning your actions. They want to know about everything you do and don’t trust you. You become annoyed by your girlfriend or boyfriend, and feel pressured. you’re not happy with them anymore, but don’t know how to get them out your life. that’s why its important to get to know people before you jump into a relationship.
           A relationship should be based on trust so both of you can be satisfied. You build trust when you have known each other for a while. You have to start off friends first and take it to the next level. Once you have done that, then you can try to be with the other person. You spend quality time together, but after a while your feelings might begin to fade away. You don’t want to hurt the other person, but you also know that staying with them isn’t making you happy. So you have to talk to the person and let them know how you feel. You cant stay in a relationship if you don’t feel a connection anymore. You tell them you really care about them and hold a special place in your heart for them. You can remain friends with them if you like, it all depends on how you feel.

"Smaller Families" Semester Essay #4

            I have a loving family who is composed of six members, I consider our family to be neither large nor small. I am the third child out of four, and I consider this to be a blessing. My older sister, Ericka, has been like a second mother to me and my older brother, Kevin, has been there to protect me. Both of them have motivated me to do my best and go beyond what they have accomplished. I will be the first in my family to graduate high school and further my education by attending a college. I know I make my parents proud most of the time, but that’s what great about having a family, you love each other no matter what. My younger sister, Janelly, is the one that looks up to me and so I have to set an example for her. I try to be there for her whether if it’s just to play games with her or help with her homework. I enjoy the time I spend with her because I build memories with her just like my older siblings did with me.
            I find that when spending quality time with your family members you tend to build a relationship with trust and love. I feel that when you have a smaller family it gives you the opportunity to get to know them better. When you have a small family made up of a few children, its easier for the parents to provide for them. A parent’s relationship with their children all depends on how much time they dedicate to them. Financially the parents are better off having a few children, they won’t have to worry about money or the cost of living. If their children were to have a problem at school, the parents are more likely to notice than if they had more children to take care of. Their responsibility wouldn’t stress them out or take up all their time.
           A family is there to support each other in time of need, and I find it to be easier to provide what is needed when it’s a small one. When you live in a house with a few family members, there’s a possibility that you get more than other families. Whether its clothes, shoes, money, or affection. Usually small families have space in their home, they don’t really have to worry about their privacy. In a big family, in some occasions you have to share your things or a room. Your family members are all in your business, and you don’t have a say in what happens. It is common for parents to struggle financially when having big families, they have to stay on a budget to make it. They have to take care of the bills, school supplies, clothes, shoes, and food.
           I feel that when having a smaller family it’s less responsibility on a person. You get to bond with each of your family members and build a strong relationship. I would understand why people are deciding not to have half a dozen children instead of a few

"New Friend"

       There isn’t a manual on how to make a new friend. I don’t really find it hard to make friends, it might take me a while since I am very shy. I don’t go up to people, I let them come to me first. Its rare when I start a conversation with a stranger. I only do it if I really have to do it. From experience, it all depends on how someone approaches you. If the person is friendly and kind, you start to talk. Once you start getting to know each other and hanging out you become friends. You become comfortable with the other person, and start building a friendship. Most likely you have things in common and do them together in order to spend some time with each other.
         You are likely to become friends with people at school, since you are around them the most during the day. You’re classmates and your teacher partners you up with someone in your class. You usually don’t just talk about the work, you try to have a normal conversation. Making new friends all depends on you and your attitude. If people find you to be a friendly person they will come to you. It might feel awkward at first when speaking to someone you usually don’t talk to. In time that feeling goes away. You never know the kind of friendships you are missing out on, if you do not put yourself out there. The more you try then more likely you will gain new friends.

"Favorite Game"

          I remember those school days back in elementary school. I had a friend, Briana, and I would be with her all the time. I would ask her for her food, I was a chubby little kid. I can recall being in the playground, going to the sandbox, and the monkey bars. I would spend recess at the swings waiting patiently for my turn. I would count to the number twenty-five so I could get on the swing next. Usually the sun was out, and all the running I would do would have me exhausted. I really looked forward to lunch though, because we had a longer period to play with friends. I would play hand games with silly little songs like this, “ Mail man, mail man do your duty, here comes the lady with the African booty...”. There are other hand games I would play during lunch time, but my favorite game was, “Hide and Seek”.
          In “Hide and Seek”, you have to have a group of people and you get in a circle and put your foot in front of you. There is a leader that will count and people will be disqualified to be the person seeking. A person will be the one trying to find the people hiding. The person has to go to a secluded place and count to fifty, while the others are hiding. Once you are done you go and look for the people hiding. It can be lots of fun, whether you’re hiding or the one finding the other people.

"Prejudice"

          I have a set of wonderful parents who have always taught me to be respectful of others. Whether they are of a different skin color, religion, age, or culture. Being that I live in America, where you can find just about everything and anything. I see different types of people all around me everywhere I go. I am not the type of person to exclude others because o the differences they might have from me. I know I might think a certain way, but that doesn’t mean I can impose any ideas and say that I am right. Everyone has the right to speak freely in order to let others decide for themselves if they agree with you.
          When there are close minded people that only leaves space for prejudice. Prejudice is having an opinion about someone or something without having knowledge about the matter. People that are prejudice never experience new things that benefit their life. They try to exclude a certain group so they can feel superior. Minorities are usually the ones being prejudged, people might think they are ignorant. Plenty of times they don’t get certain positions because they are prejudged. They might be qualified for the position but since the person has formed an opinion already they lose on opportunities. A certain group of people might suffer on their daily lives because people treat them differently. It shouldn’t be this way, people should feel free in their own country. They shouldn’t feel pressured to change themselves to satisfy the people around them.

"Impulse Buying"

         Parents try to provide their children with the necessary things. They try to give you the necessary things. They try to give you the best life possible by giving you more than what you actually need. They want you to have what they couldn’t have in their childhood. This can affect a child in a negative way. Once someone is used to always getting what they want, they want it like this when they grow up. Most likely until the age of eighteen, your parents will provide things for you. What happens after that? You have to get a job and provide for yourself.
         There is a substitute for money now though. Ever since credit cards were used, being in debt was rare. People who buy on impulse are most definitely going to have debt. You see something you want and you don’t think twice to buy it. These habits are introduced at a young age. You cant help it because it is your lifestyle. People let it control them to the point where they lose everything. They become broke and it affects them and the people around them. Some have to learn to control this habit, if its severe they go to rehab for their addiction. Impulse buying shouldn’t take over your life, learn to control it and your life wont be complicated. If children weren’t handed everything they ask for then this problem with impulse buying wouldn’t be occurring. Its up to parents right now to teach their kids the value of money and how you should appreciate the things you have.

"Another Planet"

         I lay on my bed, and I wonder if besides the other eight planets I know about, could there be one with living organisms or with living beings. So many questions go through my head when I start wondering about such a thing . So imagine if one day I got the opportunity to talk to an alien who came to visit planet Earth. Not only would I be shocked but I would be intrigued but the foreigner. I would ask it if it had a mission here on Earth. If it were to tell me that its mission was to help planet earth in any way it could, then I would tell it to help out with the pollution going on.
         Pollution is toxins in the natural environment that causes harm to it. An example is air pollution, like smoke from factories or cars. We can see pollution everywhere we go in our daily lives. A form of pollution that can be monitored is littering, there is a law against littering so now people are cautious about doing it. Water pollution is the one most people are concerned about, since water is a necessary substance all over the world. Waste products, or chemicals are released into the water. I have enough knowledge about pollution to talk about it with a visitor from another person. If an alien from another planet were to come to Earth then this is the information I would give it in order for it to help us.

"Modern Life"

          Modern life would be much different if there weren't any computers. It would take much longer for people to transfer information from one source to another. The post office would be in greater demand. The post office would make way more money than they do with computers. If a person would want to communicate with another person from across the country, they would have to mail that person a letter or make a long distance phone call. It’s going to take a while for the letter to reach its final destination and its going to take a while to get a response because the recipient has to write another letter in response to the letter that they received. Then they would have to get an envelope and a stamp that may take some time. Long distance phone calls could be very expensive and add up. Without the internet, communication would be much more expensive. Communication would be much more difficult and you wouldn't be able to communicate with a large group of people.
        Looking for past information would take longer and be difficult. You would have to go to the library and look through multiple files. A person may also have to search through multiple files for one piece of information. You would also have to read multiple books and search through a number of encyclopedias. You would have to write out your papers or use a typewriter. The computer is crucial to the way that people live. Most things would be done much slower without it.

"Driver"

          Good drivers have many techniques that they use while driving. These techniques help ensure that the driver’s driving is safe. Good drivers make sure that they use everything that they were taught and have acquired throughout their years of driving. They even enhance the things that they have learned.
          Good drivers have long attention spans. They are very alert when it comes to their surroundings. Good drivers pay attention to the cars around them. They use their rear view mirrors to see cars that are directly behind them. Good drivers also use the rear view mirror to see if something is behind them while going in reverse. While driving, good drivers don't let anything distract them.
          The main goal of a good driver is to make a safe trip going and returning to their destination. They do not talk on the cell phone or try to send text messages. Good drivers don’t smoke, eat, or drink while driving. They have their music at a level in which they are able to hear the sirens of an ambulance, fire truck, or a police car. This allows them to maneuver safely to the left. Good drivers grasp the steering wheel with both hands at a 10 and 2 position. They never let go of the steering wheel. When you have both hands on the steering wheel, you have complete control of the vehicle that you are operating. Good drivers won’t have to worry about losing control of their vehicles. All drivers should be taught the techniques of a good driver.

"Performer"

Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958 to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Michael was born in Gary, Indiana. Michael's parents decided to move Michael and his five brothers and three sisters to Los Angeles, California to better pursue the careers of the members of the Jackson 5. The Jackson 5 was a group of singing brothers in which Michael Jackson was the youngest member and the lead singer. Michael was often spanked and forced to practice daily. This made him perfect his performing skills. They were discovered by one of the singers of the Supremes, which was Diana Ross. Michael made his first television debut on the Ed Sullivan show. After that, the Jackson 5 became an instant hit. After the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson was the lead singer of the Jacksons. Michael played the role of the scare crow in "The Wiz". He then became somewhat of a solo artist. Michael released his debut album "Off the Wall", which was a success. "Off the Wall" included hits such as "Don't Stop til You Get Enough" and "Rock with you". Four years later, he would release the most successful album of all time. In 1982, Michael Jackson released "Thriller". He also created a short movie as the music video for the song "Thriller", which was one of the best music videos ever created. While performing on Motown 25, he introduced the world to the moon walk. This became one of his signature dance moves. This was the height of his career. In 2009, he announced that he was going to have a comer back tour. Many fans were excited and rushed to purchase their tickets. This concert didn't take place because he died. After his death, his record sells sky rocketed making him the number one selling deceased artist.

"Unique"

          I am a unique individual who has a lot to offer. I tend to let other people’s problems become my problem. Its only because once I make you a part of my life, you will become one of my many priorities. I try to be there for the people I care about, like my family or friends. I like to be the person people go to when they are going through things. I have gone through a lot even through things. I have gone through a lot even though im barely starting to live life. I base my advice or thoughts on my personal experience. I have seen others make mistakes and they regret the actions they have made. I see their example, and learn from their mistakes, it helps me know what not to do.
          The wisdom I have at my age isn’t really seen. That’s what makes me so special, it sets me apart from kids my age. I know that things happen for a reason, and that it shouldn’t bring me down. You should always think positive in order to bring optimism to other’s life. You never know if your attitude can benefit another’s life. I may get upset or angry at someone who has hurt me. I have noticed that not everyone has the best intentions with others, but that shouldn’t stop you from letting people in.
          You have to use your brain when trying to figure what is best for you. People come and go, and whoever is worth your time will be there for you. Life makes you gain wisdom through experience. Others like me take life’s lessons and become wiser.

"Pride"

    At a young age my parents have taught me to do my best in whatever  I do. I know that when I do something I have to work hard and put in some effort. I have always done this, but especially in school. I like to think of myself as a high quality student, because I always do my work. When I have an assignment I make sure to follow directions, and if I don’t understand I go to my teacher for an explanation. I pay attention during class, and if for some reason I don’t get the material I ask my classmates to help me out. My dedication with school is shown through my work, when I turn in any assignment I make sure to incorporate what I have learned. I get good feedback most of the time, but when I get constructive criticism I take it into consideration so I can do better next time.
    I make school my priority because I know it will help me have the knowledge I need. I take pride in the work, I know I put forth with my best. Its important to have pride in one’s work because you have worked hard and taken time to do it. If you don’t take pride in what you dedicate yourself to do, no one else will either. Once you start appreciating your hard work then so will others. You feel good about your work and you know people get a sense of what you’re about when you express yourself  through your work. Its important to take pride in whatever you do.

"Diversity"

    The United States of America has become a country known as the land of opportunity. People all over the world have come to this opportunistic country  to make their lives better. If we go back in history people from Great Britain came here to escape, so they could have freedom to practice their religion. All over the world, there is the idea that America is the place to be so you can be free to do what you want to do. This is the reason why you can find a variety of different ethnicities, races, or religions. When you find such diversity, you come across different cultures, ideas, and customs.
    Diversity has to do with having variety, or being different. Even if you’re of the same race, ethnicity, or religion there are differences in you from other people. Your way of thinking separates you from the people that have similarities with you.  Your beliefs can be different from your family and friends, it doesn’t matter if you lived with them all your life. You are who you are and that’s what makes you unique and different. You should never try to change what makes you stand out from other people, it defines you as a person.  If every one had the same way of thinking or the same way of doing things life would be boring. When you learn about another culture or religion it opens up your eyes to new things. Its even greater when you experience the culture yourself either by eating their food or being at a celebration. We are surrounded with diversity, and we ourselves can be diverse.

"Cooperation"

       There are plenty of qualities you can find in a person that makes them beautiful inside. Then there are other negative qualities you see in a person that makes them obnoxious. I find people that are cooperative have a better chance in making it in life than people who only worry about themselves. Cooperation is the act of helping others, or working together. If you only think of yourself and do your own thing you can get far, but imagine having someone to help you along the way. That would help you get to the finish line much faster than you being by yourself. There are people that have too much pride and don’t ask for help, and there are others that know they need it and don’t know who to go to. I feel its important for every one to be cooperative, you never know whose life you can change or make better.
      When you work with people you social skills improve and you get things done right because there are people there to help you. If you are not the one being helped, then most likely you are the one helping others. I try to cooperate at home with the chores I do in order to give my parents a break from their stressful jobs. Family and friends cooperate with each other in time of need. Teachers and students have to cooperate with each other so work can get done. No matter who you are cooperation can always make your life easier.

"Communication"

          Communication has changed drastically in the past twenty years. It has become more advanced. You can transfer information way faster than you could have twenty years ago. There are multiple ways of communicating, other than communicating on the telephone or in person. You can use the internet, cellular devices and web cams to communicate with people around the world.
          Twenty years ago, the majority of people didn't have a cell phone. Now almost everyone has a cell phone. Some cell phones allow you to surf the internet, send and receive text messages, and send and receive emails. Cell phones allow you to communicate with people in  fast and convenient ways. You can send and receive text messages while talking on your cellular device. Advanced cell phones even allow you to video chat and see where your friends are.
           Another source that has changed the way we communicate in the past twenty years is the internet. The internet allows you to send and receive instant messages and emails. It also allows you to communicate with old friends and make new friends by using social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. You can use internet sites to communicate with family or friends that aren't in the same state or country as you. You can connect a web cam to your computer and communicate with other people who also have a web cam. Ways of communicating will continue to change as technology advances.

"Teachers"

         The job of a teacher is very important. Their main goal is to make sure that all of their student’s obtain information that is needed for them to proceed into furthering their knowledge and understanding. This could be hard for teachers being that all students aren't the same and some may have difficulties learning different materials. For example, some students may struggle with reading, while others have problems solving mathematic equations. Teachers could teach their classes depending on the needs of the students. Teachers should also teach their students how to write effective notes, for review. They can make learning fun by adding learning games into their lesson plan.
           In the beginning of the school year, teachers should make every student take an evaluation to see what level they're on in different subjects. When the teacher sees where a specific student is struggling, this allows him or her to help them in that area. Teachers should put all of the students with a similar need in a group together, so that they could help the whole group and save time instead of helping individual students with the same needs as other students.
          Notes are essential to the learning of a student. When students know how to take notes properly, they have the necessary information. Rewarding students for their progress encourages them to want to learn more. Fun academic activities allows students to socialize with their classmates. Students would learn more because they are having fun, and help teachers do their job more effectively.

"Convenience"

        Conveniences have a positive and negative effect on a person's life. Everyone enjoys when something they need or want is convenient being that they don't have to work hard to get it. Conveniences of things are especially good for people who are elderly or suffering from a painful illness. People would take advantage of things that are convenient because it doesn't have any meaning to them. People who are accustomed to things being convenient will struggle when they have to work much harder for simple things that they got before without having to do much for it.
        Elderly people and people who have an illness that affects them physically allowing the simplest task to becoming a strenuous tasks that takes a long amount of time to complete, benefit from the convenience of things. This helps them in a way because it allows them to get things that they need without them having to take an extra help in getting it. Things at a convenience also help elderly people and people who suffer from an illness that affects their physical abilities because they can do small things without the help of others.
        The convenience of things could also be a bad thing to some people. Those types of people are accustomed to things being at hands reach. They believe that everything should be able to be acquired easily when most things are not that way. They come to a point in their lives when the things that they want aren't as convenient as they used to be, they are going to struggle because they are not accustomed to working hard for things.   

"Volunteer and Find a Charity" Semester Essay #3

             When you volunteer, you are not just helping out the surrounding community, you are also helping yourself. Charities help people who are need of extreme help such as food, financial needs or any other assistance. When you donate to charities, you are also helping people who may be suffering from a rare or fatal illness or disease. People should volunteer some of their time to try and help another person who may be in need of some assistance. Instead of sitting on the couch bored, watching television and eating an unhealthy snack, you could be doing something much more productive such as helping to plant trees in your local neighborhood. If you don’t have any spare time to volunteer, you could always donate a small amount of money to a charity or foundation. A little bit of help could really make a difference in someone else s life. It doesn’t matter how you help. The only thing that matters is that you help.

            When you volunteer, you are voluntarily offering yourself for a service or undertaking without receiving any pay. If you are feeling down, you could go help someone else.  By helping another person, you make them feel better about themselves. Knowing that you were able to help someone else feel better about themselves, it makes you feel better knowing that you helped them. If you were sad and depressed and didn’t have anyone, you would be glad if someone came to you offering you their assistance.

            If you don’t have any time to spare, you have the option of donating money or goods to the charity of your choice. There are many different charities that have different needs and help different types of people. If I were able to donate any money to a charity or foundation I would contribute a donation to the “Make a Wish Foundation”. It makes you sad to see precious young children trying to fight for their life against a deadly disease that is most likely going to win. You wouldn’t want to let that child live a miserable life. You would want to make it the happiest days of their entire life. Making a donation to a foundation like “Make a Wish Foundation”, would help children who are in very similar situations.

            You could become physically involved and volunteer or you could just donate a bit of money to a charity that you would like to sponsor. You are encouraging the people that you are helping to help someone else and that person would try to help another person and so forth. When your friends see you volunteering they are going to want to do it too. By making donations to charities, you could help fund research for cures of serious injuries such as HIV, AIDS, and different types of cancers.

            I believe that there are a lot of people who need help in the world and we are the people that should be helping them. We can help them by volunteering at different places around our community, donate to a charity or organization and encourage people that we know to do the same. Donating to a charity or volunteering would make you feel better about yourself due to the fact that you had a positive impact on someone elses life. Do your part and volunteer and donate today.

"Fame and Fortune"

              Everyone you talk to either has goals or dreams. They wannt to become someone important, known, or successful. How can they make this possible? Well first you have to remain strong and not let anything get in your way. If you want something bad don’t let obstacles slow you down or even make you give up. You see it everyday, on the media, people are broadcasted all over the world because of who they are. If youre a celebrity, political figure, or a famous doctor your actions and deeds are news to many people. The people watching or hearing about those particular individuals’ success, become intrigued and then later try to do the same. They look up to people and use them as an example so they can move on to doing productive things with their lives also.
            Motivation is key when trying to become successful in life. When you work hard it will surely pay off in the near future. Once the day comes when you reach your goals, it’s a great accomplishment. You are another person who has made it in life. Your life can only change for the better. Fame and fortune can change your financial stability. Not only yours but your family. You can be a role model to the upcoming generation that’s lost in this world and what it has to offer. Fame and fortune just helps others acknowledge your accomplishments.

"Environmental Problem"

One major environmental problem that we face today is the pollution of the air. Many chemicals that are used around the world contribute to this problem. Simple things such as hair spray could cause pollution in the air. The things that pollute the air the most are factories, oil refineries, and vehicles that use fuel or oil to operate. Air pollution could cause smog in the air. Another thing that is caused by air pollution is the hole in the world’s ozone layer. The last effect of air pollution is global warming.

Factories cause air pollution by pumping dangerous chemicals into the air. Oil refineries put dangerous chemicals in the air and the surrounding area. The gases escape through vents in the ground and go into the air. People who breathe the air that is polluted by oil refineries are more likely to develop cancer. Cars release around thirty percent of the carbon monoxide in the air.

We should plant more trees being that trees help clean the air. We should change the way that we produce our materials. When we pollute the air, we are only hurting ourselves because the pollution damages the respiratory system of human beings. Another thing that we must change is the cars that we drive. We should make them more environmentally friendly so they could stop producing the smog in the air. I think that factories should power their machines with more natural things so they won’t put harmful chemicals into the air. We all need to take a part in the effort to stop air pollution. It starts with us. If we don’t do anything, the hole in the ozone layer is going to continue to get bigger and global warming is going to get worst.

"Health Concern"

            Once you hit a certain age, people believe they are free to act how ever they feel. You think you are grown and no one can tell you what to do. With all this freedom comes responsibility, but some might not be able to handle it. When people act irresponsibly they don’t only affect themselves but the people around them. Its not difficult for people to acquire alcohol whether you’re a teen or an adult. You can get it anywhere, there aren’t a lot of regulations that come with it. As long as you’re twenty-one years old, you can buy it. There’s a law against minors ingesting it, but this does not mean they don’t drink. No good can come from people drinking, it may become a habit. Once a habit is formed it elevates to an addiction.
          Many people have lost their lives due to drunk driving. A lot of families have been affected, it’s a public health concern. People are slowly destroying their bodies, and they don’t realize its ruining their lives. The people that cant handle that toxic substance in their body get out of control. They become aggressive and start to behave in a manner they usually wouldn’t act, because of the alcohol. The next day they have a hang over and cant recall the events from the previous day. People frown upon drugs and don’t really criticize alcohol, there shouldn’t be such a leniency with it because its legal. Many deaths are caused because of the intake of alcohol. I feel that it’s a public health concern that needs immediate attention.

"Smoking"

          There are many reasons why teenagers smoke. They see older people that they look up to do it, so they think that it’s ok. They smoke it because they may be having problems at school or at home and they believe that smoking is going to make them feel better about themselves. Others do it so they could be cool and fit into the in crowd. When you are a teenager, you go through many different phases trying to find yourself and smoking is a part of some of the phases that teenagers go through.
         When they see a person that they look up to, like a parent, smoke they are going to do it. They see that there isn't anything wrong with them. They believe that their parents are the best and could never do anything wrong. They are going to try and do it, so they could be like their parents. They may feel depressed and don't know of anything else that's going to make them feel better so they resort to smoking. Teenagers think that smoking is going to make them look cool, when it really makes them look somewhat stupid due to the fact that they are increasing their chances of getting a fatal disease.
         Smoking at a young age will make it more likely to get addicted to smoking. Then they are going to try to encourage other teenagers to smoke too. Every time a teenager or any other human being smokes, they are increasing their risks of getting cardiovascular disease. That is the number one killer of people who smokers. They also could get lung cancer and many other cancers and diseases.

"Math"

          Everyone is required to attend school until they graduate with a high school diploma. Many aren’t up to the task and give up, and drop out. Others go beyond the expected school years and move on to colleges or universities to further expand their knowledge. At a young age teachers make sure to teach you the necessary things to make your life easier. The basics are taught when in pre-school such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letter. Then in elementary letters turn into something more like sounds which make up words. You begin to read and express yourself through your writings. Then the numbers become equations and are included in word problems you have to solve. Math is a required subject in school as it should be. Without numbers or whatever that has to do with mathematics we would be lost with everyday life.
          Math is used for about everything, from knowing how much something cost to knowing what time it is. When you buy something at the store its necessary to know the value of it and what the quantity of money you will have to give in. Being able to tell the time requires comprehension of mathematics. When using the phone you have to know the right number combination to reach the person you want to talk to. Also when trying to figure out how much of something you have you can use multiplication, addition, division, or subtraction. As you can see numbers and mathematics are a very important aspect in our lives either if it’s the simplest thing or the most difficult, it helps us to solve problems.

"Food"

             People choose the particular food by what they have a taste for. Once you have a taste for something, it is extremely difficult to get over that craving. The only way that craving is going to go away is that you eat and enjoy what you are craving. For example, if you haven't had a Snickers bar in around six months and you see someone eating one. Your mind is telling you that you want it so you begin to crave the Snickers. Once you ate your Snickers, that craving of anxiety for a Snickers will go away.
            People sometimes choose to eat fast food such as Taco Bell and Burger King. They are rushing to go do something and they are hungry. Fast food restaurants are convenient. You could go through the drive-thru and have your food in your hand in about ten minutes. Another reason why people eat fast food is because it is inexpensive and it taste good.
             Also, people choose food depending on their diet. If they are a vegan or vegetarian, they would lean towards the fruits and vegetables. If you are a meat eater, your meals will mostly consist of meat and a type of vegetable. People who want to get in shape or stay in shape would have a healthier diet than other people. Their diets will consist of less sugar. They would choose meats that are extra lean and have a vegetable to eat. They would eat foods that are going to give them energy.

"Internet"

              The internet is used to transport information between parties at a faster rate. For users of social networks the internet is a fast free way to communicate with a large number of friends. Some users even use sites such as match.com and eHarmony to find someone that they have a connection with or possibly spend the rest of their lives with. It is also used as a source of entertainment. People are able to play many exciting and fun games.
             People who are not really into socializing networks use the internet to research things for school or for personal needs. The internet is a fast and somewhat reliable way to get information. You just enter what you are looking for into the search engine and it gives you numerous sites that pertain to what you are looking for. Some things that people, who use the internet research, don't like are that all sources are not trusted. It’s easy for a person to change information on the internet, without the information being a fact. Some people post up inaccurate information on purpose so other internet users could believe it.
           The internet is a good source for shoppers. People could buy almost anything without even leaving their house. When you shop on the internet, you may be able to get a discount. You don't have to worry about the site not having exactly what you want. You could order exactly what you want without a problem. You could even see things that you haven't seen in the stores. The internet makes shopping easy and convenient for many shoppers.
          For site developers, they use the internet to compel to the needs of their consumers. They want to get more site users as possible. Their main goal is to get popular and make a lot of money, while somewhat helping consumers or internet users.

"Change of Plans"

              Even though you have been planning this activity for weeks or even months, sometimes these plans have to be changed. You must cancel them to help yourself. You may really not want to do it, but it is a must. A change of plan becomes necessary when your life or the life of someone you love is at risk. It becomes necessary when you don't have any financial funds or not feeling well.
               For instance, when you are planning to take a two week long vacation in the Bahamas and a category five hurricane comes. Are you still going to go to the Bahamas or change your plans? This would be the time where you have to change your plans. Most likely flights to the Bahamas will be cancelled. If it were a possible way you could travel to the Bahamas, it would be really dangerous. While in a category five hurricane, you could be trapped in a building, have no power, have no communication with the outside world, become trapped in a flood, drown or die from hunger. This could also happen to the people you are with. You wouldn't want to put yourself in this must danger, so you change your plans. When your life is at stake, you would definitely change your plans because no activity is that great that you might put yourself in great danger to do it.
                When you plan something ahead of time and don't save your money, you may not have enough money to fund your activity. You can borrow money from someone, but the money will be spent on something that's not a necessity. You would be on debt and might have a hard time paying that person back. If you don't have any way of getting some money, you would definitely have to change your plans because nothing is ever free.

"Vacation"

         Close your eyes as you sit down on a comfortable reclining chair, picture yourself in a different location where your ideal vacation will take place. This is a daily routine for me after a long day at school, or stressful day at home with the family. I know that everyone pictures their perfect vacation trip somewhere far away or special to escape their daily life. A place where you can feel free and get as far away from your responsibilities as possible. This place has to have all the necessary things that will be able to satisfy you, it has to be a place where you can find yourself while taking a break from your normal life.
            I’ve always found the forest to be a serene place. It is also a place where you are able to make many interesting discoveries. You’re surrounded by nature, and the beauty just captivates you. I would love to escape to the forest where there is nothing but the beautiful sounds that nature has to offer. Observing the forest while on long walks there would definitely clear my mind of whatever burdens I may be carrying at that moment. Taking long walks around the forest would also help me appreciate the small but precious things that nature has to offer.
          Taking a vacation in the forest will allow me to learn the importance of life and how it should not be wasted. Vacationing in the forest, will be a vacation that I would never forget as long as I live. This would be an experience that I would share with all my family members. This to me would be the ideal vacation.

"Obesity"

          There are many problems caused by obesity. These problems could be either personal or dealing with society. Currently there is a growing rate of obesity due to lack of exercise and the consumption of junk food. It’s up to us to change it.
          Personal problems include low self-esteem. People who are obese gain low self esteem because people who are of average size make fun of them. They are unable to do things as a normal weight person because it is such a hassle. They have to struggle to complete routine duties such as cleaning the house and cooking. Another personal problem for people who are obese are the high risks of getting diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, cancer and even death. Some people who are obese may have at least one of these conditions. Another personal problem is that it’s an extremely difficult task to find clothes that are your size. Only select stores sell clothes for bigger men and women and they are somewhat pricey. Some even have to have their clothes made.
           Societal problems of obesity are that people who are obese are afraid to go out. People who are obese don’t want to be seen or stared at. They feel odd because they are different from anyone else. Obese people don’t fit into the standards of society. Obese people are socially excluded from things due to their size. Another societal problem that obese people have is finding someone that loves them for who they are because most people judge them by just look at their exterior.

"Different"

    All around the world there are people from different backgrounds and with different cultures. Depending on where you were brought up and with who, your ideals and interests can be similar with the ones that grew up with you. There are other times where the people that have been around you all your life have different interest from you. Most of the time when you come from different backgrounds your interests are more likely to be different. People get to know each other and share their culture and their passion for whatever they take interest in.
    I believe that if this was the case the two people from different backgrounds with different interest are usually unlikely to become allies. Once you are raised a certain way its instilled in you to remain strong with what you believe. When you encounter another person who believes in something contrary to you your natural reaction is to become defensive. You either attack the other person’s beliefs and impose yours, trying to convince the opposing person that you are right and that they are wrong.
    There are other people though that act in a mature manner and have respect for others beliefs, ideas, or what they are interested in. It captures their interest to learn about something new that they have not been exposed to. They take their time in informing themselves about another person’s unique form of lifestyle. Its not common for this to happen though. People become ignorant with the different cultures, ideas, or interests another person might have and stay enclosed within their own world with their bias ideas or lifestyle.

"Outdoor Living"

    Endless cars passing by, plenty of street lights, and people’s voices are an inevitable thing when living in an apartment in the city. I live in Inglewood, so I know first hand what it feels like. Many people wouldn’t be able to handle living in the city due to all the noise. Some prefer a peaceful and calm setting. I couldn’t picture myself in any other place but the city, I love the fact that its surrounded by life.
    My church has an event every year where we take a trip to the mountains. We are surrounded by the beauty of nature. I have to admit even though I am accustomed to the city life, I look forward to the outdoor living experience. Camping is relaxing and while isolated from people, it helps you forget about your worries. When in the outdoors, you feel as though you are fee. You don’t have all the accommodations you are used to but that’s what makes it memorable. You learn to appreciate what you have since you have just what you need not more.
    When you are living outdoors, you have a place to sleep, food, and water. When you live in the city you have all that and extra unnecessary things like television or malls. I personally would rather live in the city because everything is near. In the outdoors everything is far apart and isolated. It would only be nice to be outdoors once in a while.

"Elderly Drivers"

            As people begin to get up in age, the strength of their senses seems to decrease. The majority of elderly people are unable to either hear or see. Some may not even be aware of this problem. Also their reflexes are much slower. I believe that people who drive that are above a certain age should be tested more regularly. Loss of sight, hearing loss and slow reactions or reflexes could be hazardous not only to the elderly drivers themselves, but to other drivers on the road and pedestrians. Sometimes, elderly people don’t want to follow the rules and decide that they are going to try and do their own thing. Another thing is that they have a higher risk of putting the car in the wrong gear. Due to the loss of sight, elderly people may not be able to see the car that is ahead of them causing them to run into the car and even injuring the person inside. During the night, street lights have the tendency to bother the eyes of elderly drivers. This may cause them to become temporarily blinded and lose control of their car. They may not be able to hear things that are occurring around them while in control of their vehicle. When there is an ambulance, fire truck or police car trying to get through traffic and rush to an emergency. They’ll hear them at the last minute causing them to slightly panic and move out the way as fast as they can. Elderly people react to situations in a very slow manner. This will cause them to get nervous due to the fact that they’re not sure what to do in that exact moment. I believe that in order to solve this problem, the Department of Motor Vehicles should force elderly drivers to get their eyes and ears checked regularly. If they require glasses or/and a hearing aid, they should be wearing them at all times while in control of a car. If an elderly driver is found without any of these aids, the license of that elderly person should be revoked permanently. T his will make the roads safer for other drivers and pedestrians.    Elderly people sometimes don’t follow the rules of the road. When they are in traffic, they try to create their own shortcuts. They even try to go around a crowd of cars just to get by. They also have the tendency of thinking that they are always correct, while everyone else is wrong. I think that the elderly people who violate the rules of the road should be punished. If they violate driving rules, they should be forced to go to a driving class to prove that they are able to drive properly. If this approach doesn’t work, their license should be taken away from them forever.
     Some old people are known for either moving extremely slow or fast. Elderly people also have the tendency of making more mistakes while switching gears of the car. They sometimes put the car in the wrong causing it to accelerate and crash into another car or other objects that might happen to be in the way. Turning the car to the wrong gear could also cause the vehicle to speed in reverse. They are unable to fully control the car at this moment in time causing it to go into buildings and other things.
    Overall, I believe that old people should not be allowed to drive. The ones that are able to drive should have some sort of restrictions. They should be forced to get their license renewed annually. It also should be mandatory for elderly drivers to pass a driving test every time they try to renew their license. Elderly drivers bring a lot of dangers to themselves and other drivers on the road.

"Children's Doctor"

If I was a doctor, I would be a children's doctor. This would be an exciting career because I love helping small children. i feel i have the patience to handle children and a kind heart to help them. I could also help them learn ways of keeping themselves healthy. I would make sure that they are healthy by making sure that they have the latest vaccines. If they have any medical illnesses I would prescribe them medicine that would cure them quickly. At the end of each visit, I would give them a little treat for being a good patient.

"Twenty Feet Tall"

If I was twenty feet tall, life would be good and bad. It would be good because I'll be able to see things that other people would never be able to see. I would be able to help people. For example, if someone's cat got stuck in the tree it would be easy for me to go and get it. It would be bad because I wouldn't be able to do things that everyone else could do. It would be hard for me to communicate with other people because I am so tall.

"What I'm good At"

The two things that I am extremely good at is giving advice and listening. I love listening to things that my friends are telling me because it gives me somewhat of an insight about what they are going through. I can also analyze a situation better because I can understand what is happening. That allows me to give them good advice. I'm good at giving advice because I have been through a lot and am able to lend a couple of words to people who are in a similar situation. My friends usually come to me for advice or when they need someone to talk to so thats how I know I'm good at listening and giving advice. I'm glad to know they depend on me and trust me.

"Vitamin C Sandwich"

The name of the sandwich that I would invent is the vitamin-c sandwich. It would have oranges, sweet red peppers, tomatoes and turkey. In order to make is you would need 1/5 cup of raw sweet red pepper. 1/2 of an oranges, and 1/4 of a tomato. First you peel the orange and cut them up into then slices and spread it across one slice of bread. Then add a couple of deli cut slices on top of the sliced oranges. On another piece of bread, cut up thin slices of a tomato and spread it across the slice of bread. Then cut up the peppers into small chunks and put the slices of bread together.

"Winner"

It was the year 2004 I don't recall the month. I was walking into the Hollywood Park Casino for a tournament that was taking place. I was an orange belt in my Martial Arts school. I was nervous and excited when assigned the place where I had to wait with other fighters. It was my turn, I was against a tall girl with a purple belt. I bumped fighting gloves with her and began sparring. The fight was over and I had won. It was the first time I won first place, I was so proud of myself.

"My Superpower"

The superpower I would like to have is the ability to read people's minds. I would be able to control my powers, so the wouldn't interfere with my daily life. I feel I could become a better friend and daughter if I realize what people want from me. I can also learn a lot from people when reading their mind. I wouldn't take advantage of my powers and invade people's privacy, I would have respect.

"An afternoon with my cousin"

I have been knowing my cousin since I was a baby, I grew up with her, but now i barely see her. My cousin's name is Melissa and she is six months older than me. My mother doesn't think she is a good influence so she doesn't allow us to hang out. I miss spending time with her. She is very different from me and in a way I look up to her. I would go to her house and then drive to the mall and go out to eat. We would catch up and talk about life.

"Deepest Fear"

My deepest fear is to wake up one day and see nobody home. I would get ready for my day and call a friend and after a while no answer. I would go outside and find the streets empty. I would call my family members and still nobody would answer. I would walk to 7-11 and the store would be open with no one in sight. A feeling of loneliness would overcome me. Family and friends are important to me, so if they were all gone it would be hard. Realizing that there is no one there is my deepest fear.

"Military Service" Semester Essay #2

In other countries, citizens prove their loyalty to their country by serving in the military. Instead of performing this service voluntarily, they are forced to perform at least a year or more of service for the military. I believe that it is wrong to force anyone to perform any military services, even if it is the simplest thing. I believe that forcing a citizen to be apart of the military is wrong. All citizens are not physically enabled to perform any tasks in the military. Most people would be better fit for working in a different career or profession. The only way that a person should be in the military is if they want to and decides to volunteer to do it.

            Forcing a citizen to be active in the military is going against their rights and freedoms of being a human being. If the United States was a country to force people to serve in the military, it wouldn’t be known as the land of the free. It would be somewhat of a dictatorship. A country that has liberties and freedoms don’t have the right to force any of their citizens to do something that they don’t want to do, except pay taxes. Forcing citizens to perform in the military for a year or more makes them feel as though they were a piece of property. It’s making citizens do something they feel is wrong or don’t want to do. Some religions believe that war is the wrong way to solve problems, and forcing them to serve in the military will make them go against their religion and their beliefs.

            All citizens are not physically or mentally equipped to be in the military. Serving in the military will cause many citizens to go into a state of depression. This may cause some to take their own life, even before they are performing any military tasks. Some people are physically weak and are not able to function well while under extreme pressure. Some people have diseases or other illnesses causing them to be very weak at times. That will cause them not to perform to the standards of the military.

            More people would be able to be better off in another career or profession that is going to help the majority of the people who are living in the country. There will be less teachers and doctors. If we don’t have a lot of people like that in our country, it wouldn’t be very good for the people. More children would be illiterate. The size of the classrooms will increase dramatically. The dropout rate would also increase. If you need to go to the doctor you would have to wait longer to see one, due to the availabilities if doctors. The government would probably become corrupt because people wouldn’t know what to do.

            I think that it would be wrong for the United States to force any citizen to serve in the military. They are people, not a piece of property that you can bully around. Everyone is not able to perform in the military due to physical and mental disabilities. This act will cause the United States to become corrupt.

"A visit to the moon"

I would like to visit the moon because that would be a nice adventure. I would be able to see the world in a new perspective. I would also see things outside of the earth that I would have never imagined. This would be a once in a lifetime adventure that only a few people, including myself, would be able to visit the moon. I could see some of the unique craters that the moon has. I would be able to know how it feels to be on the moon. I would be able to jump around the moon with my spacesuit on. The best part would be leaving the place I would remember for the rest of my life.

"Earn Money"

A person my age has a number of ways of earning money. After school, we could go and tutor a student who is struggling in reading or math. We could go find a part time job at a fast food restaurant. Another way of earning money is by babysitting young children on the weekends. A person my age could also go run errands for elderly people who struggle to complete small tasks. We could also clean people's houses. On the weekends, we could work as a ticket seller at the movie, and a cashier at a store in the mall. People my age could even walk dogs and take care of them. The possibilities for people my age to earn money are endless.

"The Baby Dragon"

    Amy and Krystal were very good friends. They would spend all this time together having fun. The activity they enjoyed most was playing hide and seek in the forest. Krystal was counting to fifty while Amy was hiding behind a rock. She covered her mouth so Krystal wouldn’t hear her giggles. As she approached her to catch her, Amy stepped back and fell backwards. Amy stood up and saw a heart shaped rock. It was shiny and the sun made it sparkle.
    The odd looking rock was purple and cold. Krystal saw Amy with it and forgot all about the game. It was heavy and it started to move. Amy ran closer to Krystal to hold her hand. The rock glowed and began to crack. Out came a black and purple baby dragon. They were frightened and excited at the same time. They decided to name it Dragonette, they fed and talked to her all the time until she learned to fly. Dragonette flew away to a secret cave to stay away from danger.
   

"Summer"

My favorite season of the year is summer. During this season I am able to relax and hang out with all of my friends. Most times I like to stay up late and sleep late.I enjoy going out in the summer because the weather is nice and hot. Another reason I like going out during the summer is that the sun is out longer. I also like to go hang out at the beach because its a very calming place to be on a warm summers day. Its also a cool place to have fun, get wet, and cool down. I also enjoy working out because its a healthy way to pass up time. I am able to do more exciting things during the summer that I am unable to do during any other part of the year.

"Wipeout"

If I could be on any game show, I would be on this show called "Wipeout". I would have to complete many obstacles through this game. The first obstacle will be the easiest obstacle of all. Then I would walk on the ledge and try not to get punched and fall into a pile of mud. Then I would try to successfully get passed the big red balls by jumping on all five of them without falling into the water. My next objective would be to successfully make it through the sweeper and into the wipeout zone. While in the wipeout zone, I would have to complete the course in the least amount of time to win a hundred thousand dollars.

"The best thing in my home"

The best thing about my home is my bedroom. It is quiet and relaxing. Its a place where I am able to get anything done. Its equipped with most of the things that I need. The only time I have to leave it is when I want something to eat, or need to take care of my personal needs. My room is the place in the house where I am able to release everything I'm feeling. It is also my work station. My computer is located in my room so I don't have to walk to another room to do my homework. When everything is off, it is extremely dark to the point where you can't see anything. During the day it is somewhat bright and colorful.

“A Time of Total Happiness”

    A personality memory of a time I was totally happy was when I was reunited with my older sister.. My sister, Ericka, left to Nebraska when I was eleven years old. I was very close to her and so it was hard for me when she left. I felt she had abandoned me but she was leaving to make a better life for herself.
    The only way we communicated was by mail. When she first arrived she didn’t have a phone or internet. We exchanged letters, which I received about once a month. I missed her more and more as the days went by. A few years passed and by that time she was back on her feet, we would send emails and talk on the phone for hours.
    My mother had informed me about her plans to go visit my sister in Nebraska. It was summer of 2007, and we were arranging everything. I was excited to finally see my sister in person. It was the month of June, and I was going to stay until the end of July. A whole month to spend with my sister sounded wonderful.
    The day I arrived to Nebraska I felt so happy. The flight was nerve racking so being on the ground made me feel safe. Ericka was waiting for us outside. I immediately dropped my bags and ran to her. That was the best day of my life. I was reunited with my sister and it was wonderful, I was very happy.

"Football Stadium"

If I worked at a football stadium I would be the ticket seller. This would be one of the easiest jobs. I would sit down at the service window. As people approach the window, I would tell them what types of seats are available and how much they go for. I would collect their money, print out their ticket and tell them to have a nice day. I would also try to get them to be even more enthusiastic about the game. When there are not enough people buying tickets I would try to find some people and persuade them into buying some by telling them how amazing the game of football is. When halftime gets there I will close the window and go home.

"Four Years Back"

Four years ago I was fourteen years old. Back then I wasn't able to do a lot of things. For instance, I wasn't able to clean the entire house by myself. Now I am able to clean the entire house without any help in about an hour or an hour and a half. I learned how to somewhat drive a car. I learned this weird way of flaring one of my nostrils up at a time. While at school, I was able to memorize the whole periodic table. In the past four years, I learned more about life and how to survive while out in the world.

"Monkey"

I don't think that monkeys are good pets. First of all, they are ugly. They also make loud and annoying sounds. A human being would not be able to supply all of the needs of a monkey. Monkeys are somewhat fast and like to climb things. That's a bad combination for something that is going to be living in the house. Monkeys are going to be going around the house, breaking a lot of things trying to climb it. They could also start a fire in the house, if they knock down a lamp or a conventional  heater. Monkeys are hazardous and should not be a pet.

"Youngest Person"

My youngest person that i call a friend is, Samira. I have been knowing her since I was eight years old. I trust her and tell her just about everything. She is sixteen years old, and is going to turn seventeen on October 16. She is short and skinny and very pretty. She always has the right words to say to me when I am done.

"Oldest Person"

The oldest person that I know is my loving grandmother. She is seventy-three years old. She looks very young for her age, she looks about sixty years old. I admire her because she is strong-willed. She is independent and doesn't wait on people to do things. Once she sets her mind to something she gets it done. She has a warm smile and she can always make me smile. Her cooking is amazing, and delicious.

"Wonderful Painter"

If I could express my imagination on my bedroom wall it would be colorful. Two walls from the opposite side would be white and the other two walls would be black. On one of the black walls I would paint a grayish spiral so it would seem like another dimension. There would be a purple and pink lily in the middle with a dark green stem. It would have my name below the flower with my signature underneath it. The white wall next to that there would be a rainbow with lollipops. The other black wall would have yellow stars and lyrics or poems. The last wall i would make into a scene of a lonely forest. it would be black and white.

"The Bat Who Couldn't Fly"

              There was a secret cave in the Mohave Desert that sheltered about a dozen black bats. These bats were the most vicious bats that existed. They were known to be big and fast. The moon’s light makes their wings glisten, and people know when they are near.

             Thirty One Black was the leader of the bats who lived in that cave. It was strong, mean, and dedicated with its family and friends. All of a sudden a human went into the cave to do research on the black bats. Thirty One Black thought his clan was in danger, so he attacked the human. The human trying to defend himself pulled out a gun. While trying to fly off, Thirty One Black was shot. If he only knew that the human was trying to collect data to help the black bats so they wouldn’t extinct. His bravery cost him his wing. He became the bat who couldn’t fly.

"Field Trip" Semester Essay #1

           Cancelling field trips for the remainder of the year is one of the worst ways of trying to conserve money. The rest of the school year is going to be boring and students will be less enthusiastic about school. School field trips help make education interesting and rewards students for their progress. Field trips help students get involve in school activities. School field trips are essential to those who are visual learners. Field trips also helps students relate to things they may have learned in the classroom. There are more options out there that would be more effective.
          Without field trips, students wouldn’t have anything exciting to look forward to. They would have to report to the same classroom everyday to do the same routine. Some students would even miss some days of school because they are drained and school doesn’t excite them. Some students may even decide that they would like to a transfer to a school that has more field trips and school activities. Students want to go to a school that is fun and entertaining. Field trip also helps improve student’s behavior. Students will try to be good at school, so they could be allowed to attend the field trip. The school will loose money because children are not coming to school everyday and students would transfer. To keep children and have a school year that all children would look forward to is having fun and exciting field trips, instead of coming to school everyday without any activities.
            Field trips make learning new things interesting, due to the fact that student’s are having a lot of fun learning. Students are out in the environment seeing new things in a different perspective, than they would normally do in a classroom. They are seeing what they’re learning in action. Field trips motivate the students to learn more about where they are. Students would have a higher rate of remembering what they have learned. This happens because students are having fun and learning at the same time. Without field trips, students would forget the majority of what they’ve learned in a couple of months.
           Field trips also help those students who are visual learners. It presents the subject as an attention grabber. It also allows the students to interact with each other outside of the classroom. While on field trips, students take what they have learned inside of the classroom and apply it in a new environment.
Instead of cancelling field trips, you could gain money by having fundraisers. One way that the school could raise some money is by having a community wide event at the school. We could have booths and carnival games. That would bring in a large profit. You could also do other things such as having a bake sale or a car wash. Students could also sell candy. These are a few activities that can help the school financially and it could also fund field trips for students.
            Field trips are essential to the learning of many students. It shows them that they learned in the classroom could be applied outside of school. It benefits students of all learning types, but it benefits those who are visual learners the most. Students who go on field trips are more likely to retain what they have learned compared to students who don’t. It encourages students to come to school everyday and be on their best behavior. There is a certain type of tranquility that a child receives when they go somewhere they’ve never been before. They are in somewhat of an awe. Why would anyone want to take this feeling away from a child?

"There was something about the way he..."

There was something about the way he made me feel. I had never felt this before, a rush of emotions overwhelmed me. My heart was racing, and my hands were shaking. It was a pleasant feeling I wished would never leave. The look on his face when I would look into his eyes will forever stay in my mind. His smile was what brightened up my day, and his words what kept me going. Sadly, it came to an an end and it was then that I learned nothing last forever. I do believe there will be better but like him never.

"This Journal is..."

This journal is what keep my ideas, thoughts, feelings and secrets preserved. In my journals I can talk about anything I want, its where I can let out all my frustrations of the day. My creativity is shown in my journals, and people get to know a side they have never seen before. Its an easy way to pour my feelings out without bothering anyone and without having to reveal things about my personal life. I keep a journal so I won't forget the moments I shared with people or special occasions I cherish. This journal is the thing that keeps the experiences I have gone through alive.

"Lunch with Johnny Depp"

If I could have lunch with any famous person, I would have lunch with Johnny Depp. I would tell him that he is my favorite actor and I love all of the movies that he stars in. My favorite out of all of the movies starring Johnny Depp is "Pirates of the Carribeans". I would tell him that he is my inspiration. I would ask him what inspired him to become an actor. I would also try to get to know him better as a person. I would have a conversation with him about life and learn about the things that makes him happy.

"My Brother and Sisters"

I am blessed to have a wonderful set of siblings. My older sister, Ericka, is very loving and caring. She has been like a second mother to me. She looks out for me and covers for me when I need her to. Then I have my older brother, Kevin, who I love dearly. He doesn't like to show a lot of affection, but I know that he loves me as much as I love him. He tries to give me what I want and is very supportive. He expects a lot from me and most of the time I don't disappoint him. My little sister, Janelly, is the baby therefore she gets spoiled. She can get annoying, but when she wants to be she is very caring. I'm glad all of them are in my life and I love them all.

"Pet Panda"

If I could have any pet in the world, I would get a baby panda. I think that pandas are adorable. I would feed it a large amount of milk. I would play with it and help it become a normal panda, so it could be prepared to go out into the wild or a habitat for pandas. As it gets a little older I would get a whole bunch of bamboo around the yard and let him/her go around the yard and eat as much as they want. When it gets to the point where I am unable to take care of it, I will send it to a wildlife center or I will fly it to a place that has a high population of pandas, so it could live a happy and fulfilling life.

"My Journey on a Pirate Ship"

I felt the breeze blow through my hair as I climbed onto The Punisher. My eyes wander around the ship as my crew prepares to set sail. Hook Hand Lisa struggles to pull up the anchor, while Peg Leg Stacey hobbles towards the post to set the sails. Continuing my gazing I spot Crazy Moon incoherently babbling to her plastic pet parrot Polly that sits on her shoulder.
“ It’s going to be a great day,” Moon says “So where are we headed?”
“We’re headed to the Dead Sea…”
At the rudder I maneuver the ship towards the Dead Sea.
“Moon told us we’re heading to the Dead Sea”
I turned around and saw Peg Leg Stacey and Hook Hand Lisa.
“Yes, I heard on the main land there is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Dead Sea.”
We passed the an old cave which indicated we were going the right way. I was eager to find the treasure that would help feed my family. We kept on sailing and saw a whirlpool ahead so I knew it was time to stop my ship. I had to look for a black shark and kill it in order to get the key to the chest. I spotted the viscious shark and shot it a couple of times. I caught it with a net and hit its chest and out came the key. I jumped into the water and tied a couple of ropes onto the treasure chest. My crew pulled it onto the ship, we decided to split it equally. I can’t wait to find another treasure.

"My Restaurant Sweet Pop"

The name of my restaurant is Sweet Pop. It makes the best desserts known to man. It is located on the Hollywood strip. It is a large white building with two large, multicolor lollipops. Sweet Pop is written in pastel blue across a large fluffy cloud. There are pink cupcakes and gummy bears aligning the window. The people who work at my facility are happy. They make peoples frowns turn upside down. They serve all types of desserts. Whatever you want we have it, if we don't we will make it just for you.

"A Dinosaur"

One morning, I was awakened by a loud roar. At first, I thought I had left the television on, but it wasn't on. The roaring continued. I looked out the window and there it was. It was a T-rex  right outside my window. The first thing that came to my mind was calling the police.  I called, but none of the operators believed me. That's when I decided I had to solve this problem on my own. I went into my big sister's room and took all of her fish net stockings and cut them up. I tied them up to create a net. Then I went to the garage and grabbed some of my father's rope. I snuck into the backyard and climbed the tree. I had to create a plan fast. I decided that I had to attach the rope to the tree and the net. Then I had to grab a piece of meat and put it on top of the net and lure the T-Rex to it. It hit me, I didn't have any meat on me, so I had to sneak into the house and get some. While I was in the kitchen I noticed that my mom had forgotten her tazer gun at home. I took the tazer and ran into the backyard and tazered the T-Rex right in his leg. He made a loud noise and fell to his death. I went back to bed. When I woke back up to see the dead dinosaur, there wasn't anything there.

"A meal for my family"

If I were able to cook any meal for my family, I would cook gumbo. First I would cut up the okra, smoked sausage and clean the shrimps. Then I would make the root. After the root starts to brown I would add some water. After the water begins to boil, I would add the shrimps, smoked sausage, crabs, and okra to the pot. I would also add the seasoning to it. I let that stay on the stove for 2 1/2 hours. Then I would boil some rice. When I'm done, I would put the rice in the bowl and put the gumbo on top.

"A time I was brave"

It was the month of August the year 2007 and my church was having a camping trip. I was very excited about spending three nights in the mountains. I knew it was going to be a lot of fun, because all my friends were going to be there. There was a swimming pool, basketball court, a game room, and a soccer field. My friend, Jacky, convinced me to go to the swimming pool with her. I had had a bad experience at a much younger age that involved a swimming pool, so it didn't really catch my attention. I remember that at the age of five I went down a water slide and almost drowned in the twelve foot deep zone. I wasn't the same ever since then, I would only put my feet in the water. I had to get over it and have fun with my friends, and enjoy my time there. Jacky knew i was scared to go to the deep end and she didnt pressure me. She actually helped me by teaching me how to swim. I learned after two days and countless hours in the pool. It was time for me to go in the deep side and swim across to the other side of the pool. I had to be brave and knowing she was next to me made it better. I swam across the pool and when i reached the other side I was proud of myself.

"One Hundred Dollars To Give"

The one person who has always taken care of me has been my loving grandmother. So if I had to choose a person to give one hundred dollars to, it would definitely be her. I think she would be deserving of it. I would want her to spend it on food and on her medication. If she had the necessary things at home then I would approve for her to spend on clothes or shoes. My grandmother is the first person to make sure I'm well taken care of, so i\I would love to return the favor.

"Haiku Poem"

Life is a journey
One we can not plan or change
But try we must all

Time is relevant
To many more than others
But to me its not

 Love is like nature
It's fate is up to many
And both shall perish

Falling on my knees
I look up to see my mother
She heals my scraped knee

Pain overcomes you
Oh how I pity the weak
And ask God for strength

Darkness rules the night
As good as light rules the day
Which one shall rule you?


What’s the effing point?
To this stupid thing called life
Why was I conceived?

Chills run down my spine
As I reminisce on you
How can you do this?

I like ice cream cones
So cold, sweet, and delicious
Bite after bite, crunch

Pen, pencil, paper
Everyday tools I use
To preserve my thoughts