"Come on, Cassie. You really should try it. I think you would love it," said my best friend Marley.
"Yeah, Cassie. You really would. And we really want you to be on the team with us. Please," pleaded my other best friend Hannah.
Marley and Hannah had been trying for a couple of weeks to get me to play lacrosse with them. I gave them every excuse I could think of not to play, but they were still pushing me to do it.
"Guys, I just don't know if I would like it," I said, trying so hard for them to let me off the hook. "What if I'm not good at it?"
"You will be good at it, though. We are going to work with you all summer and you'll be so good next season. Don't worry."
"Okay, fine."
I couldn't believe I had finally given in, but it was too late to turn back. They were already talking about when to practice and how they were going to teach me. Part of me was hoping that by the time summer came they would forget this whole ridiculous idea of me playing lacrosse. The other part was secretly excited to be playing a new sport.
Marley and Hannah stuck to their word and worked with me all summer. They taught me all the basics that I would need to know to play lacrosse. By the end of the summer, I thought I was doing well. I was really excited and couldn't wait to play on the team that year. School started up again and we were in seventh grade. Everything was going fine that year, but then, lacrosse season came.
"Marley, I really don't think I can do this," I told her on the first day of workouts. "Everyone will probably laugh at me because I'm not good. I just don't know anymore."
"Cassie, listen to me. You have worked so hard this summer and you have gotten really good. There are some eighth graders that are going to play this year that have never even picked up a stick in their life. Trust me, you know much more and are much better than them. You will be fine and Hannah and I will be out there with you. There's nothing to worry about."
I listened to her and went out there. She was right, too. Most of the eighth graders had no idea about anything and even had to start by learning how to cradle on the wall. I was satisfied with how I was doing since I could already cradle and pass and catch. I started to gain back the confidence that I had during the summer.
But then, our first game came.
We played Williston which wasn't really much of a threat to us. I didn't start that game since the coaches had only seen me play in practice. I didn't mind it much; besides, I was still a bit fuzzy on the rules. Also, the only seventh graders that started were Hannah and Marley because they played on the team the year before.
"Cassie!" called Coach Verna. "Ready to go in?"
I just nodded my head and walked to her. My hands shook and my heart pounded. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I most certainly was not ready to go in, but she had already called the other player over and it was done. I ran onto the field and into my place, still shaking. I heard Hannah and Marley call my name and I looked up to see them both smiling and giving me a thumbs up. I could not remember anything I was supposed to do as nervousness and fear took over. I tried to concentrate on the ball and the things I had learned over the summer. I was trying so hard not to mess up and yet, every time the ball came to me I dropped it and lost it.
Finally, I said to myself, "Cassie, you can do it."
A ball came flying towards me and I caught it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I should do it with it so I just started running. I ran all the way up the field, weaving through all the defenders. I came to the goal and shot it. I missed just by a little bit, but that didn't matter so much because I had actually done something right. Everyone was cheering for me. I had all my confidence back and the next time the ball came to me I did the same thing and made it that time.
"Cassie, you did so good! I told you you could do it!" exclaimed Marley.
"I'm so proud of you!" chimed in Hannah.
The coaches thought I did well, too, since I started the second half and the rest of the games that season and the next. Looking back now, I can't believe I was ever scared to play lacrosse. It is the one thing that I know I have total confidence in.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Athletic Challenges- Rough Draft #2
"Come on, Cassie. You really should try it. I think you would love it," said my best friend Marley.
"Yeah, Cassie. You really would. And we really want you to be on the team with us. Please," pleaded my other best friend Hannah.
Marley and Hannah had been trying for a couple of weeks to get me to play lacrosse with them. I gave them every excuse I could think of not to play, but they were still pushing me to do it.
"Guys, I just don't know if I would like it," I said, trying so hard for them to let me off the hook. "What if I'm not good at it?"
"You will be good at it, though. We are going to work with you all summer and you'll be so good next season. Don't worry."
"Okay, fine."
I couldn't believe I had finally given in, but it was too late to turn back. They were already talking about when to practice and how they were going to teach me.
Marley and Hannah stuck to their word and worked with me all summer. They taught me all the basics I would need to play lacrosse. By the end of the summer, I thought I was doing well with it. I was really excited and couldn't wait to play on the team that year. School started up again and we were in seventh grade. Everything was going fine that year, but then, lacrosse season came.
"Marley, I really don't think I can do this," I told her on the first day of workouts. "Everyone will probably laugh at me because I'm not good. I just don't know anymore."
"Cassie, listen to me. You have worked so hard this summer and you have gotten really good. There are some eighth graders that are going to play this year that have never even picked up a stick in their life. Trust me, you know much more and are much better than them. You will be fine and Hannah and I will be out there with you. There's nothing to worry about.
I listened to her and went out there. She was right, too. Most of the eighth graders had no idea about anything and even had to start by learning how to cradle on the wall. I was satisfied with how I was doing since I could already cradle and pass and catch. I started to gain back the confidence I had during the summer.
But then, our first game came.
We played Williston which wasn't really much of a threat to us. I didn't start that game since the coaches had only seen me play in practice. I didn't mind it much; besides, I was still a bit fuzzy on the rules. Also, the only seventh graders that started were Hannah and Marley because they played on the team the year before.
"Cassie!" called Coach Verna. "Ready to go in?"
I just nodded my head and walked over to her. My hands shook and my heart pounded. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I most certainly was not ready to go in, but she had already called the other player over for me to go and it was done. I ran onto the field and into my place, still shaking. I heard Hannah and Marley call my name and I looked up to see them both smiling and giving me a thumbs. I could not remember anything I was supposed to do as nervousness and fear took over. I tried to concentrate on the ball and the things I had learned over the summer. I was trying so hard not to mess up and yet, every time the ball came to me I dropped it and lost it.
Finally, I said to myself, "Cassie, you can do it."
A ball came flying towards me and I caught it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I should do it with it so I just started running. I ran all the way up the field, weaving through all the defenders. I came to the goal and shot it. I missed just by a little bit, but that didn't matter so much because I had actually done something right. Everyone was cheering for me. I had all my confidence back and the next time the ball came to me I did the same thing and actually made it that time.
"Cassie, you did so good! I told you you could do it!" exclaimed Marley.
"I'm so proud of you!" chimed in Hannah.
The coaches thought I did well, too, since I started the second half and the rest of the games that season and the next. Now, I have plenty of confidence when I play.
"Yeah, Cassie. You really would. And we really want you to be on the team with us. Please," pleaded my other best friend Hannah.
Marley and Hannah had been trying for a couple of weeks to get me to play lacrosse with them. I gave them every excuse I could think of not to play, but they were still pushing me to do it.
"Guys, I just don't know if I would like it," I said, trying so hard for them to let me off the hook. "What if I'm not good at it?"
"You will be good at it, though. We are going to work with you all summer and you'll be so good next season. Don't worry."
"Okay, fine."
I couldn't believe I had finally given in, but it was too late to turn back. They were already talking about when to practice and how they were going to teach me.
Marley and Hannah stuck to their word and worked with me all summer. They taught me all the basics I would need to play lacrosse. By the end of the summer, I thought I was doing well with it. I was really excited and couldn't wait to play on the team that year. School started up again and we were in seventh grade. Everything was going fine that year, but then, lacrosse season came.
"Marley, I really don't think I can do this," I told her on the first day of workouts. "Everyone will probably laugh at me because I'm not good. I just don't know anymore."
"Cassie, listen to me. You have worked so hard this summer and you have gotten really good. There are some eighth graders that are going to play this year that have never even picked up a stick in their life. Trust me, you know much more and are much better than them. You will be fine and Hannah and I will be out there with you. There's nothing to worry about.
I listened to her and went out there. She was right, too. Most of the eighth graders had no idea about anything and even had to start by learning how to cradle on the wall. I was satisfied with how I was doing since I could already cradle and pass and catch. I started to gain back the confidence I had during the summer.
But then, our first game came.
We played Williston which wasn't really much of a threat to us. I didn't start that game since the coaches had only seen me play in practice. I didn't mind it much; besides, I was still a bit fuzzy on the rules. Also, the only seventh graders that started were Hannah and Marley because they played on the team the year before.
"Cassie!" called Coach Verna. "Ready to go in?"
I just nodded my head and walked over to her. My hands shook and my heart pounded. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I most certainly was not ready to go in, but she had already called the other player over for me to go and it was done. I ran onto the field and into my place, still shaking. I heard Hannah and Marley call my name and I looked up to see them both smiling and giving me a thumbs. I could not remember anything I was supposed to do as nervousness and fear took over. I tried to concentrate on the ball and the things I had learned over the summer. I was trying so hard not to mess up and yet, every time the ball came to me I dropped it and lost it.
Finally, I said to myself, "Cassie, you can do it."
A ball came flying towards me and I caught it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I should do it with it so I just started running. I ran all the way up the field, weaving through all the defenders. I came to the goal and shot it. I missed just by a little bit, but that didn't matter so much because I had actually done something right. Everyone was cheering for me. I had all my confidence back and the next time the ball came to me I did the same thing and actually made it that time.
"Cassie, you did so good! I told you you could do it!" exclaimed Marley.
"I'm so proud of you!" chimed in Hannah.
The coaches thought I did well, too, since I started the second half and the rest of the games that season and the next. Now, I have plenty of confidence when I play.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Fourth TKAM Reading Response
The formal definition of devout is devoted to divine worship or service; pious and earnest or sincere. To the ladies of Maycomb "devout" means the lady that gives the most money or talks the most about the things they do to "help".
Maycomb women get together in their church group once a week to have tea and talk about the things they did that week. At one of their meetings, Mrs. Merriweather (the most "devout lady" in Maycomb) was talking about how she wants to help the Mrunas. The Mrunas are a tribe in Africa that, according to Mrs. Merriweather, have no sense of family. She thinks that they live in a wrong way and want to help them become Christian. In reality, the Mrunas are more Christian-like than her.
The ladies of Maycomb are so hypocritical. They talk about "good, but misguided folks" when really that's what they are. They are very insecure about the things they do and to make themselves feel better they need to talk. They need to talk about other people and they need to talk about what good they have done. These ladies call themselves devout ladies, but that's not what they act like at all.
To be a devout Christian, one must do the things in the name of God and for what he/she thinks is right, not for what other people will think. One truly devout person that I know is my Pappou. He goes to church every week, but not because its a social event. He helps out at the Greek festival because he loves it and he knows we need help. No one ever has to ask him to do anything, he just does it. He does it because he knows what's right and he really doesn't care what other people think.
Maycomb women get together in their church group once a week to have tea and talk about the things they did that week. At one of their meetings, Mrs. Merriweather (the most "devout lady" in Maycomb) was talking about how she wants to help the Mrunas. The Mrunas are a tribe in Africa that, according to Mrs. Merriweather, have no sense of family. She thinks that they live in a wrong way and want to help them become Christian. In reality, the Mrunas are more Christian-like than her.
The ladies of Maycomb are so hypocritical. They talk about "good, but misguided folks" when really that's what they are. They are very insecure about the things they do and to make themselves feel better they need to talk. They need to talk about other people and they need to talk about what good they have done. These ladies call themselves devout ladies, but that's not what they act like at all.
To be a devout Christian, one must do the things in the name of God and for what he/she thinks is right, not for what other people will think. One truly devout person that I know is my Pappou. He goes to church every week, but not because its a social event. He helps out at the Greek festival because he loves it and he knows we need help. No one ever has to ask him to do anything, he just does it. He does it because he knows what's right and he really doesn't care what other people think.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Third TKAM Reading Response
There are two choices, fight or run from a situation. Most people tend to run just because it's the easiest thing to do. These people have no idea how to deal with problems and it shows their weakness.
Dill is a runner. He runs from the real world. He couldn't deal with how Mr. Gilmer was treating Tom in the courtroom so he started crying and left. Dill even wants to be a clown when he grows up so that he can hide behind that identity. He wants to laugh at other people instead of joining them in growing up.
Dill has been this way his whole life. He hasn't had good role model parents to show him how to fight; in fact, it's like he hasn't had parents at all. His parents have a hard time dealing with Dill so they run from him and just leave him. They do the easiest thing and buy him anything he wants and then say, "OK now go play with it." Dill has had a hard life and instead of trying to deal with it, he hides. He hides in his dreams, in his imagination, and in movies. He even hides in Maycomb where he goes when he runs away from home.
It is always easier to be a runner. It takes a strong person to be a fighter. My mom is a true fighter. She stands up for what she believes in and faces problems head on. My dad, on the other hand, is more of a runner. His favorite thing to do is sit on the couch, watching a movie with his computer in his lap, and his phone right next to him. He tends to hide from his problems in his electronics.
I have chosen to follow my mom's example of being a fighter. I will admit, though, I can be a runner sometimes. Literally, I go on runs when I get angry. It gives me time to think on my own and be in my own world. Usually the reason I run is because I get in fights with my dad. One thing that we fight about a lot is my brother. My dad will ground him, but then let him do whatever he wants even when he has three C's which is the reason he gets grounded in the first place. I always try to tell my dad that he needs to be doing his school and my dad ends up yelling at me so I go for a run.
Figuratively, I run from problems with my friends. If one of my friends does something that makes me upset I don't say anything. Then, they do it again, but I still don't say anything. I let the anger build up and then eventually I explode. I start off running from them, but in the end I fight.
Dill is a runner. He runs from the real world. He couldn't deal with how Mr. Gilmer was treating Tom in the courtroom so he started crying and left. Dill even wants to be a clown when he grows up so that he can hide behind that identity. He wants to laugh at other people instead of joining them in growing up.
Dill has been this way his whole life. He hasn't had good role model parents to show him how to fight; in fact, it's like he hasn't had parents at all. His parents have a hard time dealing with Dill so they run from him and just leave him. They do the easiest thing and buy him anything he wants and then say, "OK now go play with it." Dill has had a hard life and instead of trying to deal with it, he hides. He hides in his dreams, in his imagination, and in movies. He even hides in Maycomb where he goes when he runs away from home.
It is always easier to be a runner. It takes a strong person to be a fighter. My mom is a true fighter. She stands up for what she believes in and faces problems head on. My dad, on the other hand, is more of a runner. His favorite thing to do is sit on the couch, watching a movie with his computer in his lap, and his phone right next to him. He tends to hide from his problems in his electronics.
I have chosen to follow my mom's example of being a fighter. I will admit, though, I can be a runner sometimes. Literally, I go on runs when I get angry. It gives me time to think on my own and be in my own world. Usually the reason I run is because I get in fights with my dad. One thing that we fight about a lot is my brother. My dad will ground him, but then let him do whatever he wants even when he has three C's which is the reason he gets grounded in the first place. I always try to tell my dad that he needs to be doing his school and my dad ends up yelling at me so I go for a run.
Figuratively, I run from problems with my friends. If one of my friends does something that makes me upset I don't say anything. Then, they do it again, but I still don't say anything. I let the anger build up and then eventually I explode. I start off running from them, but in the end I fight.
Athletic Challenges- Rough Draft #1
"Come on, Cassie. You should really try it. I think you would love it," said my best friend Marley.
"Yeah, Cassie. You really would. And we really want you to be on the team with us. Please," pleaded my other best friend Hannah.
Marley and Hannah had been trying for a couple of weeks to get me to play lacrosse with them. I gave them every excuse I could think of not to play, but they were still pushing me to do it.
"Guys, I just don't know if I would like it," I said, trying so hard for them to let me off the hook. "What if I'm not good at it?"
"You will be good at it, though. We are going to work with you all summer and you'll be so good next season. Don't worry."
"Okay, fine."
I couldn't believe I had finally given in, but it was too late to turn back. They were already talking about when to practice and how they were going to teach me. Marley would invite Hannah and I over and we would bring our lacrosse sticks. We would walk over to a field in her neighborhood where there was a brick wall and lots of open space. They taught me how to cradle by using the wall and by playing wall ball I learned to pass and catch. Once I had learned the basics we would pass and catch together and that's pretty much how our summer went.
By the end of the summer I thought I was doing pretty well with it. I was really excited and couldn't wait to play on the team that year. School started up again and we were in seventh grade. Everything was going fine that year, but then, lacrosse season came.
"Marley, I really don't think I can do this," I told her on the first day of workouts. "Everyone will probably laugh at me because I'm not good. I just don't know anymore."
"Cassie, listen to me. You have worked so hard this summer and you have gotten really good. There are some eighth graders that are going to play this year that have never even picked up a stick in their life. Trust me, you know much more and are much better than them. You will be fine and Hannah and I will be out there with you. There's nothing to worry about."
I listened to her and went out there. She was right, too. Most of the eighth graders had no idea about anything and even had to start by learning how to cradle on the wall. I thought I was doing good since I could already cradle and pass and catch. I was starting to gain back the confidence I had during the summer.
But then, our first game came.
We were playing Williston which wasn't really much of a threat to us. I didn't start that game since the coaches had only seen me play in practice. I didn't mind it much; besides, I was still a bit fuzzy on the rules. Also, the only seventh graders that started were Hannah and Marley because they played on the team the year before.
"Cassie!" called Coach Verna. "Ready to go in?"
I just nodded my head and walked over to her. My hands shook and my heart pounded. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I most certainly was not ready to go in, but she had already called the other player over for me to go and it was done. I ran onto the field and into my place, still shaking. I heard Hannah and Marley call my name and I looked up to see them both smiling and giving me a thumbs. I could not remember anything I was supposed to do as nervousness and fear took over. I tried to concentrate on the ball and the things I had learned over the summer. I was trying so hard not to mess up and yet, every time the ball came to me I dropped it and lost it.
Finally, I said to myself, "Cassie, you can do it."
A ball came flying towards me and I caught it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I should do it with it so I just started running. I ran all the way up the field, weaving through all the defenders. I came to the goal and shot it. I missed just by a little bit, but that didn't matter so much because I had actually done something right. Everyone was cheering for me. I had all my confidence back and the next time the ball came to me I did the same thing and actually made it that time.
"Cassie, you did so good! I told you you could do it!" exclaimed Marley.
"I'm so proud of you!" chimed in Hannah.
I guess the coaches thought I did good, too, since I started the second half and the rest of the games that season and the next. Now, I have plenty of confidence when I play.
"Yeah, Cassie. You really would. And we really want you to be on the team with us. Please," pleaded my other best friend Hannah.
Marley and Hannah had been trying for a couple of weeks to get me to play lacrosse with them. I gave them every excuse I could think of not to play, but they were still pushing me to do it.
"Guys, I just don't know if I would like it," I said, trying so hard for them to let me off the hook. "What if I'm not good at it?"
"You will be good at it, though. We are going to work with you all summer and you'll be so good next season. Don't worry."
"Okay, fine."
I couldn't believe I had finally given in, but it was too late to turn back. They were already talking about when to practice and how they were going to teach me. Marley would invite Hannah and I over and we would bring our lacrosse sticks. We would walk over to a field in her neighborhood where there was a brick wall and lots of open space. They taught me how to cradle by using the wall and by playing wall ball I learned to pass and catch. Once I had learned the basics we would pass and catch together and that's pretty much how our summer went.
By the end of the summer I thought I was doing pretty well with it. I was really excited and couldn't wait to play on the team that year. School started up again and we were in seventh grade. Everything was going fine that year, but then, lacrosse season came.
"Marley, I really don't think I can do this," I told her on the first day of workouts. "Everyone will probably laugh at me because I'm not good. I just don't know anymore."
"Cassie, listen to me. You have worked so hard this summer and you have gotten really good. There are some eighth graders that are going to play this year that have never even picked up a stick in their life. Trust me, you know much more and are much better than them. You will be fine and Hannah and I will be out there with you. There's nothing to worry about."
I listened to her and went out there. She was right, too. Most of the eighth graders had no idea about anything and even had to start by learning how to cradle on the wall. I thought I was doing good since I could already cradle and pass and catch. I was starting to gain back the confidence I had during the summer.
But then, our first game came.
We were playing Williston which wasn't really much of a threat to us. I didn't start that game since the coaches had only seen me play in practice. I didn't mind it much; besides, I was still a bit fuzzy on the rules. Also, the only seventh graders that started were Hannah and Marley because they played on the team the year before.
"Cassie!" called Coach Verna. "Ready to go in?"
I just nodded my head and walked over to her. My hands shook and my heart pounded. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I most certainly was not ready to go in, but she had already called the other player over for me to go and it was done. I ran onto the field and into my place, still shaking. I heard Hannah and Marley call my name and I looked up to see them both smiling and giving me a thumbs. I could not remember anything I was supposed to do as nervousness and fear took over. I tried to concentrate on the ball and the things I had learned over the summer. I was trying so hard not to mess up and yet, every time the ball came to me I dropped it and lost it.
Finally, I said to myself, "Cassie, you can do it."
A ball came flying towards me and I caught it perfectly. I wasn't sure what I should do it with it so I just started running. I ran all the way up the field, weaving through all the defenders. I came to the goal and shot it. I missed just by a little bit, but that didn't matter so much because I had actually done something right. Everyone was cheering for me. I had all my confidence back and the next time the ball came to me I did the same thing and actually made it that time.
"Cassie, you did so good! I told you you could do it!" exclaimed Marley.
"I'm so proud of you!" chimed in Hannah.
I guess the coaches thought I did good, too, since I started the second half and the rest of the games that season and the next. Now, I have plenty of confidence when I play.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Final Real Courage Essay
"Maria, you're so fat and ugly!"
"No, I'm not," Maria replied unconvincingly while looking at her hands in her lap.
"Yes, you are! And you're useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
I couldn't believe what had come out of my brother's mouth. Before now, I had just heard through the grape vine the things that were said to Maria and now actually hearing it made me furious. I had told my brother several times to stop making fun of her and he had not listened to me. The worst part of it was that they all thought it was funny. I tried not to explode yet, so I said, "I'm going to get something to drink," and walked away.
When I came back, Maria was crying. In the time it had taken me to get my drink, they had made Maria cry. I walked over to her and said, "What's the matter, Maria?" She just shook her head.
"Maria, come with me," I said.
"No. I'm fi--ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, you're not fine. Come with me."
Walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table. I took Maria's hand and lead her to the bathroom. I sat her down on the counter and began to dry her eyes with a paper towel.
"Maria, tell me what's wrong."
"Th--ey were ma—ki--ng fun of m--e," she sobbed.
"What?!" I shouted. "What were they saying?!"
"Th--at I'm fa--t and ug--ly and no one li--kes me and to just g--o a--way."
"Why would they say that? Maria, don't listen to anything they say. They are just stupid and immature. And do you know what? I love you. So that's all that matters."
At that, her eyes lit up and I could see the beginning of a smile.
"Do you really?" she asked.
"Yes, of course I do! Don't be silly! Now I'm going to yell at all of them," I told her even though I was halfway out the door.
I heard the door shut behind me, but a moment too late and I turned to find Maria following me.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted.
All the fingers pointed towards Connor. Of course, I should have known it would be my brother. Some fingers drifted towards Lucas, too, which made perfect sense since they are best friends and partners in crime. I debated about whom to yell at first and decided on Connor since he is my brother.
"Connor! You stupid idiot! Why would you say those things to Maria?! She is not stupid or fat or ugly or useless and for your information I love her! Don't you ever, EVER say those things to her again. Don't you say those things to anyone! And Lucas... why do you always follow suit?! Do things for yourself and not what Connor does! I know Maria is difficult sometimes, but that's no reason to make fun of her!"
I didn't even give them a chance to try to answer before I turned on my heels and stormed away with Maria right behind me.
I wish I could say that no one makes fun of Maria anymore, but that's not the case. I still hear that Maria gets picked on a lot, but no one does it in front of me. Maria knows she has a friend now and that she can always come to me.
"No, I'm not," Maria replied unconvincingly while looking at her hands in her lap.
"Yes, you are! And you're useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
I couldn't believe what had come out of my brother's mouth. Before now, I had just heard through the grape vine the things that were said to Maria and now actually hearing it made me furious. I had told my brother several times to stop making fun of her and he had not listened to me. The worst part of it was that they all thought it was funny. I tried not to explode yet, so I said, "I'm going to get something to drink," and walked away.
When I came back, Maria was crying. In the time it had taken me to get my drink, they had made Maria cry. I walked over to her and said, "What's the matter, Maria?" She just shook her head.
"Maria, come with me," I said.
"No. I'm fi--ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, you're not fine. Come with me."
Walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table. I took Maria's hand and lead her to the bathroom. I sat her down on the counter and began to dry her eyes with a paper towel.
"Maria, tell me what's wrong."
"Th--ey were ma—ki--ng fun of m--e," she sobbed.
"What?!" I shouted. "What were they saying?!"
"Th--at I'm fa--t and ug--ly and no one li--kes me and to just g--o a--way."
"Why would they say that? Maria, don't listen to anything they say. They are just stupid and immature. And do you know what? I love you. So that's all that matters."
At that, her eyes lit up and I could see the beginning of a smile.
"Do you really?" she asked.
"Yes, of course I do! Don't be silly! Now I'm going to yell at all of them," I told her even though I was halfway out the door.
I heard the door shut behind me, but a moment too late and I turned to find Maria following me.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted.
All the fingers pointed towards Connor. Of course, I should have known it would be my brother. Some fingers drifted towards Lucas, too, which made perfect sense since they are best friends and partners in crime. I debated about whom to yell at first and decided on Connor since he is my brother.
"Connor! You stupid idiot! Why would you say those things to Maria?! She is not stupid or fat or ugly or useless and for your information I love her! Don't you ever, EVER say those things to her again. Don't you say those things to anyone! And Lucas... why do you always follow suit?! Do things for yourself and not what Connor does! I know Maria is difficult sometimes, but that's no reason to make fun of her!"
I didn't even give them a chance to try to answer before I turned on my heels and stormed away with Maria right behind me.
I wish I could say that no one makes fun of Maria anymore, but that's not the case. I still hear that Maria gets picked on a lot, but no one does it in front of me. Maria knows she has a friend now and that she can always come to me.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Second TKAM Reading Response
“It’s not time to worry yet.”
These words that Atticus says to Scout provide her with a sense of safety. Scout knows that as long as Atticus is there for her to climb into his lap and tell her not to worry then she will be okay. For example, when Scout comes home from school the first day and tells Atticus that her teacher told her not to read with him anymore, she is very upset. She hadn't realized how much she loved ready until she was told she couldn't do it anymore. She climbs into his lap he tells her not to worry, that they will still read every night and that everything will be fine.
As Jem matures, he also provides Scout with a shield. When they are standing out by the Radley place watching Miss Maudie's house burn down, Scout is worried that their house will catch fire too and that Miss Maudie will lose everything. Jem looks at her and says, "It's not time to worry yet." Children need this sense of security. It shows them that there is someone that cares about them and no matter what everything will be fine.
There is going to be a point, though, when Atticus can longer shield Scout from everything such as racism. He can try to prepare her for what is going to happen and what to expect, but he cannot keep her away from it. In the courtroom, for example, Scout is hearing all the things that are being said, but Atticus has no control over the things that she hears. In part 1, Atticus can control where she goes. She has boundaries in the neighborhood and she feels safe there. In part 2, Scout goes down to the courthouse with Jem and Atticus can't really control that. She feels kind of out of place and scared because it's a new environment. Dill gets upset while they are watching the trial and Jem makes Scout take him out. While sitting in the square outside the courthouse, Mr. Dolphous Raymond starts to talk to them. He tells them that he really only drinks Coca-Cola out of his sack, but he wants people to believe bad things about him. Atticus would not approve of the things that Scout is hearing from him, but he is not there to stop her from listening.
My mom is my sense of security. When I’m scared or sad or upset I still crawl into my mom’s lap and she makes everything feel all right again. For example, sometimes I get really freaked out about what I'm going to do without my mom, so I start crying. I'll find my mom and climb into her lap and she rocks me and she just lets me cry for a little bit then she asks me what’s wrong. I'll tell her and she'll say, "Cassie, why are you even thinking about that? I'm not going anywhere anytime soon so don't you even worry." While she's holding me, everything becomes okay again. I am fifteen and still use my mom for my safety. I am not ready to give up this feeling and I probably never will be, but I know that there are some things that my mom will not be able to prevent me from.
These words that Atticus says to Scout provide her with a sense of safety. Scout knows that as long as Atticus is there for her to climb into his lap and tell her not to worry then she will be okay. For example, when Scout comes home from school the first day and tells Atticus that her teacher told her not to read with him anymore, she is very upset. She hadn't realized how much she loved ready until she was told she couldn't do it anymore. She climbs into his lap he tells her not to worry, that they will still read every night and that everything will be fine.
As Jem matures, he also provides Scout with a shield. When they are standing out by the Radley place watching Miss Maudie's house burn down, Scout is worried that their house will catch fire too and that Miss Maudie will lose everything. Jem looks at her and says, "It's not time to worry yet." Children need this sense of security. It shows them that there is someone that cares about them and no matter what everything will be fine.
There is going to be a point, though, when Atticus can longer shield Scout from everything such as racism. He can try to prepare her for what is going to happen and what to expect, but he cannot keep her away from it. In the courtroom, for example, Scout is hearing all the things that are being said, but Atticus has no control over the things that she hears. In part 1, Atticus can control where she goes. She has boundaries in the neighborhood and she feels safe there. In part 2, Scout goes down to the courthouse with Jem and Atticus can't really control that. She feels kind of out of place and scared because it's a new environment. Dill gets upset while they are watching the trial and Jem makes Scout take him out. While sitting in the square outside the courthouse, Mr. Dolphous Raymond starts to talk to them. He tells them that he really only drinks Coca-Cola out of his sack, but he wants people to believe bad things about him. Atticus would not approve of the things that Scout is hearing from him, but he is not there to stop her from listening.
My mom is my sense of security. When I’m scared or sad or upset I still crawl into my mom’s lap and she makes everything feel all right again. For example, sometimes I get really freaked out about what I'm going to do without my mom, so I start crying. I'll find my mom and climb into her lap and she rocks me and she just lets me cry for a little bit then she asks me what’s wrong. I'll tell her and she'll say, "Cassie, why are you even thinking about that? I'm not going anywhere anytime soon so don't you even worry." While she's holding me, everything becomes okay again. I am fifteen and still use my mom for my safety. I am not ready to give up this feeling and I probably never will be, but I know that there are some things that my mom will not be able to prevent me from.
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