"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.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
First TKAM Reading Response
Everyone has an addiction of some sort, whether they are good or bad. People have addictions for a number of reasons. Some to feel good, some to escape, and some to just have something to do. Mrs. Dubose’s addiction started because she had to take morphine for her illness, but it soon developed into a need. She needed it to escape the pain of this world and to just feel normal for a short period of time.
Mrs. Dubose wanted to break her addiction because she wanted so badly to die without it. She wanted to die without having to depend on something. By doing this, she proved herself to be a strong and courageous person; although, she was not proving it to anyone but herself. She was not seeking to please anyone, but instead to feel a little bit better about herself before she died.
I have many addictions. One of my big addictions is makeup. It’s not cheek makeup or lip makeup or even eye makeup. I’m addiction to cover up. Since about fifth grade I have had the worst acne. I’ve been on a number of different medications for it; so many I can’t even remember them all. I have tried and tried to get rid of my skin problem. In seventh grade, I begged my mom to get me some cover up to try and eventually she gave in. At first, I didn’t use too much of it, but I started to like the way I looked so I used even more. I would add more and more each time I applied to create a better image of my face. It made me look better, or so I thought. My mom and brother started to tell me not to use so much and that I looked better without it, but I didn’t give in.
I still use cover up now, even when my face is not breaking out. It’s become so much of an addiction that I just can’t stop. I want to get rid of this addiction, but I know that as long as I have acne and acne scars I won’t. I want to have pretty skin that’s not covered in makeup. I want to prove to myself that looks are not everything and that I can live without looking perfect.
Even though Mrs. Dubose and my addictions may seem very different, they are alike at the same time. Both addictions are used to feel better about ourselves and both addictions are wanted to be broken to prove to ourselves that we are better then that.
Mrs. Dubose wanted to break her addiction because she wanted so badly to die without it. She wanted to die without having to depend on something. By doing this, she proved herself to be a strong and courageous person; although, she was not proving it to anyone but herself. She was not seeking to please anyone, but instead to feel a little bit better about herself before she died.
I have many addictions. One of my big addictions is makeup. It’s not cheek makeup or lip makeup or even eye makeup. I’m addiction to cover up. Since about fifth grade I have had the worst acne. I’ve been on a number of different medications for it; so many I can’t even remember them all. I have tried and tried to get rid of my skin problem. In seventh grade, I begged my mom to get me some cover up to try and eventually she gave in. At first, I didn’t use too much of it, but I started to like the way I looked so I used even more. I would add more and more each time I applied to create a better image of my face. It made me look better, or so I thought. My mom and brother started to tell me not to use so much and that I looked better without it, but I didn’t give in.
I still use cover up now, even when my face is not breaking out. It’s become so much of an addiction that I just can’t stop. I want to get rid of this addiction, but I know that as long as I have acne and acne scars I won’t. I want to have pretty skin that’s not covered in makeup. I want to prove to myself that looks are not everything and that I can live without looking perfect.
Even though Mrs. Dubose and my addictions may seem very different, they are alike at the same time. Both addictions are used to feel better about ourselves and both addictions are wanted to be broken to prove to ourselves that we are better then that.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Real Courage- Rough Draft #1
"Maria, your so fat and ugly!"
"No I'm not..."
"Yes you are! And you're useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
We were at church one Sunday and some of the kids were being mean to Maria. They usually do that every Sunday, but this time in particular made me furious. We were all sitting at our usual table in the Hellenic Center during coffee hour and eating the cookies and other snacks they had that day. My best friend Alex, her brother Pantelis, my brother Connor, Maria, her brother Pantelis, Lucas, Peter, Koula, her brother Yianni, and I were at the table that day. We were laughing and talking and having a good time together, as usual; nothing was quite wrong yet.
"I'm going to get something to drink," I announced.
"Okay!" everyone replied.
I grabbed my plate and my cup and walked over to the trash can first to throw away my plate. Then, I walked over to the drink table to pour myself some fruit punch. When I got there, there was a little girl about 4 years old attempting to pour herself a drink. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and in an effort to save the dress from turning red, I grabbed the bottle from her and poured it into her cup. Then, I carried her cup back to her table so she would not spill it. I talked to her for about 10 seconds before she noticed her little brother and ran off to go play with him. So, I walked back to the drink table to pour myself a drink again. I was successful this time and began to walk back to the table with all my friends. As I approached the table I noticed that everyone was laughing except for Maria. Upon closer inspection, I realized that Maria was crying. I walked over to her and asked her what was the matter. All I got in reply was the shake of a head.
"Maria, come here," I said.
"No. I'm fi—ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, you're not fine. Come with me."
I finally persuaded her to come with me. As we were walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table again. I had no idea what had happened, but I could tell it was not good and by then I was already mad. 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?!"
"Tha—t 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 to late and I turned to find Maria following me. I assumed she just wanted to see what happened to them so I continued toward the table. It was later that I realized that she was trying to stop me from what I was about to do.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted at all of them.
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 on who 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 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.
"Cassie, thank you so much for doing that," Maria said when we were far enough away from everyone. "No one has ever stood up for me. It makes me feel like someone actually cares about me. That was so awesome of you to do. Thank you!"
"No I'm not..."
"Yes you are! And you're useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
We were at church one Sunday and some of the kids were being mean to Maria. They usually do that every Sunday, but this time in particular made me furious. We were all sitting at our usual table in the Hellenic Center during coffee hour and eating the cookies and other snacks they had that day. My best friend Alex, her brother Pantelis, my brother Connor, Maria, her brother Pantelis, Lucas, Peter, Koula, her brother Yianni, and I were at the table that day. We were laughing and talking and having a good time together, as usual; nothing was quite wrong yet.
"I'm going to get something to drink," I announced.
"Okay!" everyone replied.
I grabbed my plate and my cup and walked over to the trash can first to throw away my plate. Then, I walked over to the drink table to pour myself some fruit punch. When I got there, there was a little girl about 4 years old attempting to pour herself a drink. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and in an effort to save the dress from turning red, I grabbed the bottle from her and poured it into her cup. Then, I carried her cup back to her table so she would not spill it. I talked to her for about 10 seconds before she noticed her little brother and ran off to go play with him. So, I walked back to the drink table to pour myself a drink again. I was successful this time and began to walk back to the table with all my friends. As I approached the table I noticed that everyone was laughing except for Maria. Upon closer inspection, I realized that Maria was crying. I walked over to her and asked her what was the matter. All I got in reply was the shake of a head.
"Maria, come here," I said.
"No. I'm fi—ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, you're not fine. Come with me."
I finally persuaded her to come with me. As we were walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table again. I had no idea what had happened, but I could tell it was not good and by then I was already mad. 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?!"
"Tha—t 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 to late and I turned to find Maria following me. I assumed she just wanted to see what happened to them so I continued toward the table. It was later that I realized that she was trying to stop me from what I was about to do.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted at all of them.
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 on who 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 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.
"Cassie, thank you so much for doing that," Maria said when we were far enough away from everyone. "No one has ever stood up for me. It makes me feel like someone actually cares about me. That was so awesome of you to do. Thank you!"
Real Courage- Focused Freewriting
"Maria, your so fat and ugly!"
"No I'm not..."
"Yes you are! And your useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
We were at church one Sunday and all the kids were being mean to Maria. They usually do that every Sunday, but this time in particular made me furious. We were all sitting at our usual table in the Hellenic Center during coffee hour and eating the cookies and other snacks they had that day. My best friend Alex, her brother Pantelis, my brother Connor, Maria, her brother Pantelis, Lucas, Peter, Koula, her brother Yianni, and I were at the table that day. We were laughing and talking and having a good time together, as usual; nothing was quite wrong yet.
"I'm going to get something to drink," I announced.
"Okay!" everyone replied.
I grabbed my plate and my cup and walked over to the trash can first to throw away my plate. Then, I walked over to the drink table to pour myself some fruit punch. When I got there, there was a little about 4 years old attempting to pour herself a drink. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and in an effort to save the dress from turning red, I grabbed the bottle from her and poured it into her cup. Then, I carried her cup back to her table so she would not spill it. I talked to her for about 10 seconds before she noticed her little brother and ran off to go play with him. So, I walked back to the drink table to pour myself a drink again. I was successful this time and began to walk back to the table with all my friends. As I approached the table I noticed that everyone was laughing except for Maria. Upon closer inspection, I realized that Maria was crying. I walked over to her and asked her what was the matter. All I got in reply was the shake of a head.
"Maria, come here," I said.
"No. I'm fi--ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, your not fine. Come with me."
I finally convinced her to come with me. As we were walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table. I had no idea what had happened, but I could tell it was not good and by then I was already mad. 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?!"
"Tha--t 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 beginnings 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 to late and I turned to find Maria following me. I assumed she just wanted to see what happened to them so I continued toward the table.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted at all of them.
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 on who 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 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.
"Cassie, thank you so much for doing that," Maria said when we were far enough away from everyone. "No one has ever stood up for me. It makes me feel like someone actually cares about me. That was so awesome of you to do. Thank you!"
"No I'm not..."
"Yes you are! And your useless, too! Just go away no one wants you here!"
We were at church one Sunday and all the kids were being mean to Maria. They usually do that every Sunday, but this time in particular made me furious. We were all sitting at our usual table in the Hellenic Center during coffee hour and eating the cookies and other snacks they had that day. My best friend Alex, her brother Pantelis, my brother Connor, Maria, her brother Pantelis, Lucas, Peter, Koula, her brother Yianni, and I were at the table that day. We were laughing and talking and having a good time together, as usual; nothing was quite wrong yet.
"I'm going to get something to drink," I announced.
"Okay!" everyone replied.
I grabbed my plate and my cup and walked over to the trash can first to throw away my plate. Then, I walked over to the drink table to pour myself some fruit punch. When I got there, there was a little about 4 years old attempting to pour herself a drink. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and in an effort to save the dress from turning red, I grabbed the bottle from her and poured it into her cup. Then, I carried her cup back to her table so she would not spill it. I talked to her for about 10 seconds before she noticed her little brother and ran off to go play with him. So, I walked back to the drink table to pour myself a drink again. I was successful this time and began to walk back to the table with all my friends. As I approached the table I noticed that everyone was laughing except for Maria. Upon closer inspection, I realized that Maria was crying. I walked over to her and asked her what was the matter. All I got in reply was the shake of a head.
"Maria, come here," I said.
"No. I'm fi--ne," she replied between sobs.
"Maria, your not fine. Come with me."
I finally convinced her to come with me. As we were walking away, I could hear the laughter explode again from our table. I had no idea what had happened, but I could tell it was not good and by then I was already mad. 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?!"
"Tha--t 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 beginnings 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 to late and I turned to find Maria following me. I assumed she just wanted to see what happened to them so I continued toward the table.
"WHO WAS MAKING FUN OF MARIA!" I shouted at all of them.
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 on who 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 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.
"Cassie, thank you so much for doing that," Maria said when we were far enough away from everyone. "No one has ever stood up for me. It makes me feel like someone actually cares about me. That was so awesome of you to do. Thank you!"
Sunday, March 14, 2010
College Question Essay #3
What advice about life- either serious or lighthearted- would you share with a 10-year-old?
I would tell a 10-year-old to never let anyone bring them down. 10-year-olds usually have these crazy dreams of things they want to do when they get older and more often then not, someone is going to tell them its impossible and they will lose that dream. Also more often then not, that person that told them it was impossible was wrong. Kids are going to get made fun of for things and they are going to get discouraged, but they have to just push past it and go for what they want. Everyone gets discouraged in their lives, and it’s a horrible feeling, but other people don't know how they think; they probably just say mean things because they are jealous. I want to tell a 10-year-old to just be themselves and go for what they want. What other people think of them doesn't really matter and I want to save a 10-year-old from that feeling of discouragement.
I would tell a 10-year-old to never let anyone bring them down. 10-year-olds usually have these crazy dreams of things they want to do when they get older and more often then not, someone is going to tell them its impossible and they will lose that dream. Also more often then not, that person that told them it was impossible was wrong. Kids are going to get made fun of for things and they are going to get discouraged, but they have to just push past it and go for what they want. Everyone gets discouraged in their lives, and it’s a horrible feeling, but other people don't know how they think; they probably just say mean things because they are jealous. I want to tell a 10-year-old to just be themselves and go for what they want. What other people think of them doesn't really matter and I want to save a 10-year-old from that feeling of discouragement.
Respone to Harrison Bergeron
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
The story Harrison Bergeron is about a world where everyone is completely equal and no one is allowed to be better.
-Why would the government not allow people to use their talents to their fullest ability?
-What experiences in your life could relate to everyone having to be equal?
-What in today's society would have contributed to the reason the author wrote about everyone being equal?
The government in Harrison Bergeron felt that anyone that was too smart or too pretty or too strong or too good at anything was a threat. People that were smart had to wear aids in their ears and anytime they were thinking of something on a higher level they would hear a noise in their head to make the thought stop. The government thought that people that thought of higher things could think of a way to over rule them. The government was also scared that people that were smarter would make the other people feel bad about themselves. In reality though, the government can't have control over that. They should let people be who they are and let them give what they have to offer.
In school, smarter people are often put into lower level classes becuase they don't want the not as smart kids to feel bad that they aren't in the higher level classes. Smarter people are also not usually challenged as much because the teachers have to wait until everyone else understands it, too. I know this because I fall in the smarter category. I am put in higher level classes, but often times I feel like I am not working as hard as I could because the work that is being given is for the lower level people to understand, too. This is really unfair to me because I feel like I could be doing more, but yet I am not challenged as much as I should be.
The author, Kurt Vonnegut, probably wrote this story because society is being dumbed down. Most people now don't like to think too hard about things or do anything that would require too much work. Most people look for the easy way out. In schools, there is the "no child left behind" law, meaning that kids that are not as smart should be given more chances to pass so that they do not look or feel stupid. The government does not want kids feeling like they are anything less then the smarter kids. That's not what it comes to, though; it's what people have to offer. Someone who is not smart might be an amazing dancer, so they have that to offer. The author wanted to show that what the government is portraying as "right" is not really the right thing at all. He wanted to show that people are not always equal in their abilities, but they should be allowed to use them.
The story Harrison Bergeron is about a world where everyone is completely equal and no one is allowed to be better.
-Why would the government not allow people to use their talents to their fullest ability?
-What experiences in your life could relate to everyone having to be equal?
-What in today's society would have contributed to the reason the author wrote about everyone being equal?
The government in Harrison Bergeron felt that anyone that was too smart or too pretty or too strong or too good at anything was a threat. People that were smart had to wear aids in their ears and anytime they were thinking of something on a higher level they would hear a noise in their head to make the thought stop. The government thought that people that thought of higher things could think of a way to over rule them. The government was also scared that people that were smarter would make the other people feel bad about themselves. In reality though, the government can't have control over that. They should let people be who they are and let them give what they have to offer.
In school, smarter people are often put into lower level classes becuase they don't want the not as smart kids to feel bad that they aren't in the higher level classes. Smarter people are also not usually challenged as much because the teachers have to wait until everyone else understands it, too. I know this because I fall in the smarter category. I am put in higher level classes, but often times I feel like I am not working as hard as I could because the work that is being given is for the lower level people to understand, too. This is really unfair to me because I feel like I could be doing more, but yet I am not challenged as much as I should be.
The author, Kurt Vonnegut, probably wrote this story because society is being dumbed down. Most people now don't like to think too hard about things or do anything that would require too much work. Most people look for the easy way out. In schools, there is the "no child left behind" law, meaning that kids that are not as smart should be given more chances to pass so that they do not look or feel stupid. The government does not want kids feeling like they are anything less then the smarter kids. That's not what it comes to, though; it's what people have to offer. Someone who is not smart might be an amazing dancer, so they have that to offer. The author wanted to show that what the government is portraying as "right" is not really the right thing at all. He wanted to show that people are not always equal in their abilities, but they should be allowed to use them.
Novel Response #3
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
In the book The Piano Teacher, the Japanese take over Hong Kong and everyone that is not Asian is forced into an internment camp. These people have done nothing wrong but they are being treated horribly because their countries are at war. When they ask for simple things to help their living conditions become better, they are ignored.
-What in the book shows that what the Japanese did to these people is unfair?
-What in your life is something that you thought was unfair?
-How could you relate this book to the way society is divided unfairly?
The Japanese put all of the non-Asian people in internment camps because since they had won the war, they thought they were superior to everyone else. However, they were putting civilians in these internment camps, which is not fair because the civilians didn't do anything. They came to Hong Kong to find a new life and they were put in these horrible camps. These people had done nothing wrong; they were treated unfairly because their countries were at war with Japan. The Japanese didn't like people that weren't like them because they were different. The Japanese people did this to these people because they felt like they could. They felt like they were so in control because they had won the war. They wanted to do everything they could to show the world that they had power and would not stop. In this process, innocent people were hurt.
People in my life sometimes treat me unfairly because I come from a different background. Often times, people think I'm weird because I'm Greek and I get made fun of a lot. People probably do this to me because they think they are so much better because they are all American. The truth is, their ancestors are from a different country, too. Just because my family recently came over from Greece, they think they are better then me. People take any opportunity they get to feel like they are better then other people. I know that they are no better then me, but it is very unfair how I am treated.
In our society, we have created this image of normality. If someone is just a little different, then they are treated very poorly. For instance, white people (not all white people) feel as if they are much better then African Americans. Those people were forced to come to America to be our slaves because their skin color is different. When slaves were banned, there was segregation between white people and African Americans because we still thought we were better then them. Today, there are still some white people who treat African Americans unfairly because they are different. Everyone has something different to offer to this world and everyone has to respect that even if they feel they are better then someone else. African Americans never did anything to white people and yet, they were treated horribly. Why did we do this? Because they are just a little bit different.
In the book The Piano Teacher, the Japanese take over Hong Kong and everyone that is not Asian is forced into an internment camp. These people have done nothing wrong but they are being treated horribly because their countries are at war. When they ask for simple things to help their living conditions become better, they are ignored.
-What in the book shows that what the Japanese did to these people is unfair?
-What in your life is something that you thought was unfair?
-How could you relate this book to the way society is divided unfairly?
The Japanese put all of the non-Asian people in internment camps because since they had won the war, they thought they were superior to everyone else. However, they were putting civilians in these internment camps, which is not fair because the civilians didn't do anything. They came to Hong Kong to find a new life and they were put in these horrible camps. These people had done nothing wrong; they were treated unfairly because their countries were at war with Japan. The Japanese didn't like people that weren't like them because they were different. The Japanese people did this to these people because they felt like they could. They felt like they were so in control because they had won the war. They wanted to do everything they could to show the world that they had power and would not stop. In this process, innocent people were hurt.
People in my life sometimes treat me unfairly because I come from a different background. Often times, people think I'm weird because I'm Greek and I get made fun of a lot. People probably do this to me because they think they are so much better because they are all American. The truth is, their ancestors are from a different country, too. Just because my family recently came over from Greece, they think they are better then me. People take any opportunity they get to feel like they are better then other people. I know that they are no better then me, but it is very unfair how I am treated.
In our society, we have created this image of normality. If someone is just a little different, then they are treated very poorly. For instance, white people (not all white people) feel as if they are much better then African Americans. Those people were forced to come to America to be our slaves because their skin color is different. When slaves were banned, there was segregation between white people and African Americans because we still thought we were better then them. Today, there are still some white people who treat African Americans unfairly because they are different. Everyone has something different to offer to this world and everyone has to respect that even if they feel they are better then someone else. African Americans never did anything to white people and yet, they were treated horribly. Why did we do this? Because they are just a little bit different.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Song That Describes Me
Miss Independent by Ne-Yo
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
ooh it's somethin' about
Just somethin about the way she move
I cant figure it out
there's somethin about her
said ooh its somethin about
kinda woman that want you but dont need you
hey I cant figure it out
there's something about her
cause she walk like a boss
talk like a boss
manicured nails to set the pedicure off
shes fly effortlessly
and she move like a boss
do what a boss do
she got me thinkin about getting involved
thats the kinda girl I need oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
ooh there's somethin about
kinda woman that can do for herself
I look at her and it makes me proud
theres somethin about her
theres somethin oh so sexy about
kinda woman that dont even need my help
she said she got it she got it no doubt
there's something about her
cause she work like a boss play like a boss
car and a crib she bout to pay em both off
and her bills are paid on time
she made for a boss, only a boss
anything less she tellin them to get lost
thats the girl thats on my mind
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
mmm her favorite thing to say
dont worry i got it
mmm and everything she got
best believe she bought it
mmm she gon' steal my heart
aint no doubt about it
girl you're everything I need
said you're everything I need
yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
miss independent thats why I love her
The song “Miss Independent” describes me because I am very independent. I think and feel what I want and I’m never afraid to tell people what I feel. I always speak my mind. I don’t let people tell me what to do or how to act. I don’t like to be like everyone else, I like to stand out. Sometimes people don’t like independent people because they are different from others. This song is trying to show that when it says, “I can’t figure it out there's something about her.” People sometimes can’t figure out what they like about someone, but somehow there is always something that attracts them.
Another reason “Miss Independent” describes me is because I don’t need other people to lean on. Of course I need my family, but I will do perfectly fine in the world without a boy at my side. I’m not dependent on a boy to love or care for me. If there is someone in my life like that, then I will enjoy it, but I do not need that feeling. In the song it says, “Kinda woman that want you, but don’t need you.” I know that I want someone who is going to love me, but I do not need that to be myself. Some people feel like they need someone else to help them survive, but really the other person is making them weaker. People have to be strong enough to live on their own before they can invite someone else into their life. If someone depends too strongly on another person, then when that person leaves, they will have no idea how to continue on and how to live without someone else always there. I have been raised in such a way that I know better then to do this. My parents have taught me to be very independent and to not let anyone else control me.
“Miss Independent” also describes me because I feel like I am made for a well educated and sophisticated man. If there is someone that I think is not going to help me get to my fullest potential, then he is not right for me. I do not want someone that is going to think he has power over me because no man does. I am strong and I need a man that is going to compliment me. By that I mean someone who is also smart and wants to work and accomplish things. I need someone that is going to compliment me personality wise. When it says, “She made for a boss, only a boss anything less she telling them to get lost that’s the girl that’s on my mind” it shows that when someone knows what they want and who they are made for, they don’t want anything less then what they feel they deserve.
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
ooh it's somethin' about
Just somethin about the way she move
I cant figure it out
there's somethin about her
said ooh its somethin about
kinda woman that want you but dont need you
hey I cant figure it out
there's something about her
cause she walk like a boss
talk like a boss
manicured nails to set the pedicure off
shes fly effortlessly
and she move like a boss
do what a boss do
she got me thinkin about getting involved
thats the kinda girl I need oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
ooh there's somethin about
kinda woman that can do for herself
I look at her and it makes me proud
theres somethin about her
theres somethin oh so sexy about
kinda woman that dont even need my help
she said she got it she got it no doubt
there's something about her
cause she work like a boss play like a boss
car and a crib she bout to pay em both off
and her bills are paid on time
she made for a boss, only a boss
anything less she tellin them to get lost
thats the girl thats on my mind
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
mmm her favorite thing to say
dont worry i got it
mmm and everything she got
best believe she bought it
mmm she gon' steal my heart
aint no doubt about it
girl you're everything I need
said you're everything I need
yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
miss independent thats why I love her
The song “Miss Independent” describes me because I am very independent. I think and feel what I want and I’m never afraid to tell people what I feel. I always speak my mind. I don’t let people tell me what to do or how to act. I don’t like to be like everyone else, I like to stand out. Sometimes people don’t like independent people because they are different from others. This song is trying to show that when it says, “I can’t figure it out there's something about her.” People sometimes can’t figure out what they like about someone, but somehow there is always something that attracts them.
Another reason “Miss Independent” describes me is because I don’t need other people to lean on. Of course I need my family, but I will do perfectly fine in the world without a boy at my side. I’m not dependent on a boy to love or care for me. If there is someone in my life like that, then I will enjoy it, but I do not need that feeling. In the song it says, “Kinda woman that want you, but don’t need you.” I know that I want someone who is going to love me, but I do not need that to be myself. Some people feel like they need someone else to help them survive, but really the other person is making them weaker. People have to be strong enough to live on their own before they can invite someone else into their life. If someone depends too strongly on another person, then when that person leaves, they will have no idea how to continue on and how to live without someone else always there. I have been raised in such a way that I know better then to do this. My parents have taught me to be very independent and to not let anyone else control me.
“Miss Independent” also describes me because I feel like I am made for a well educated and sophisticated man. If there is someone that I think is not going to help me get to my fullest potential, then he is not right for me. I do not want someone that is going to think he has power over me because no man does. I am strong and I need a man that is going to compliment me. By that I mean someone who is also smart and wants to work and accomplish things. I need someone that is going to compliment me personality wise. When it says, “She made for a boss, only a boss anything less she telling them to get lost that’s the girl that’s on my mind” it shows that when someone knows what they want and who they are made for, they don’t want anything less then what they feel they deserve.
Novel Response #2
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
In the book The Piano Teacher, Claire tells the reader that she feels like a different person when she is around Will.
-What things in the story contributed to her feeling different?
-What in your life could make you feel like a different person? Would this be in a good or bad way?
-What in society contributes to people feeling different from whom they really are?
Claire feels like she is different when she is around Will because she is finally given the opportunity to feel that way. When she was in England, her mother wanted her to be and act a certain way. When Claire came to Hong Kong, she no longer had her mother to say such things, so then she had the freedom to be who she wanted. Even though she had this freedom, she didn’t quite know how to use it until Will came along. He showed her that she could act as she wanted when she was around him, and that she could be open with him and say things she never would have said to Martin (her husband). Claire felt like she was a new person with Will. A person she had wanted to become, but had never really had the chance.
Some people in my life make me feel like a different person. I feel different when I am at church then when I am at school. At school, I feel like everyone is watching me and making sure that I am acting a certain way. If I don’t, suddenly everyone is talking about me. I am not free to be myself at school for this reason. Everyone is excepting me to be a certain person, which is usually not who I really am. At church though, everyone knows me and we are all very close, just like a family. I know that at church no one is going to judge me for my actions and therefore, I am free to be me.
In today’s society, people like to be the same because it’s what the media says is “right”. People wear what is advertised because it’s “cool”. What the media says is not always who people are. People do what other people do because they want to fit in. More often then not, people are afraid to stand out. No one wants to be known as “the weird girl”, but that’s what we label each other if they are different from us. The strong people in the world are the people who dare to be different and who will stand up for what they believe instead of following the “in crowd”. In our world, we must learn to accept everyone because everyone is different. If everyone is exactly the same, what good will that do? We all do not think or act or look the same, we have been told by other people how to think and act and look. Once we have the opportunity to be different, we will take it, but not before then because we have not been told to so. We are all scared of what others will think of us, but once we let go of that, other people will look up to us.
In the book The Piano Teacher, Claire tells the reader that she feels like a different person when she is around Will.
-What things in the story contributed to her feeling different?
-What in your life could make you feel like a different person? Would this be in a good or bad way?
-What in society contributes to people feeling different from whom they really are?
Claire feels like she is different when she is around Will because she is finally given the opportunity to feel that way. When she was in England, her mother wanted her to be and act a certain way. When Claire came to Hong Kong, she no longer had her mother to say such things, so then she had the freedom to be who she wanted. Even though she had this freedom, she didn’t quite know how to use it until Will came along. He showed her that she could act as she wanted when she was around him, and that she could be open with him and say things she never would have said to Martin (her husband). Claire felt like she was a new person with Will. A person she had wanted to become, but had never really had the chance.
Some people in my life make me feel like a different person. I feel different when I am at church then when I am at school. At school, I feel like everyone is watching me and making sure that I am acting a certain way. If I don’t, suddenly everyone is talking about me. I am not free to be myself at school for this reason. Everyone is excepting me to be a certain person, which is usually not who I really am. At church though, everyone knows me and we are all very close, just like a family. I know that at church no one is going to judge me for my actions and therefore, I am free to be me.
In today’s society, people like to be the same because it’s what the media says is “right”. People wear what is advertised because it’s “cool”. What the media says is not always who people are. People do what other people do because they want to fit in. More often then not, people are afraid to stand out. No one wants to be known as “the weird girl”, but that’s what we label each other if they are different from us. The strong people in the world are the people who dare to be different and who will stand up for what they believe instead of following the “in crowd”. In our world, we must learn to accept everyone because everyone is different. If everyone is exactly the same, what good will that do? We all do not think or act or look the same, we have been told by other people how to think and act and look. Once we have the opportunity to be different, we will take it, but not before then because we have not been told to so. We are all scared of what others will think of us, but once we let go of that, other people will look up to us.
Friday, March 5, 2010
College Essay Question #2
You are a novelist and have just begun to write your next book. Please complete the first paragraph or page.
Fall 1972
As I turned the corner, I saw the person who saved my life ten years ago. It's been so long since I've seen him and he looks very different, but I still recognize him. He looks a bit older now; a little more harden from when I knew him. And I'm older, too. More sophisticated, perhaps, to wonder how I'd ever fallen in love with him.
He was an odd man, very reserved. He liked to be alone with his thoughts, but enjoyed my company. My personality was very different from his. When he liked to be alone, I liked to go out and be with other people. While he preferred to think to himself, I liked to say what I was thinking aloud. Even with these differences we loved each other deeply, and for this reason, he saved me.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Summer 1961
I saw him from across the beach, and he smiled at me. I had never met him before, but I could tell he knew me. He was there alone, and thinking he looked lonely I walked over to him. He introduced himself as John and then said, “I know who you are. You work for my cousin. Your name is Sarah, right?”
I nodded my head yes. I immediately thought that this was an odd greeting. I could tell he was a very intuitive man. Still, it scared me and I excused myself and began to walk away. Before I left though, he called to me and I turned.
“Sarah, will you please to go dinner with me tomorrow night?” He said.
“I suppose so,” I replied. Already, I had fallen for his charm.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
John saved me, but not literally, as many people probably think. John saved me by showing me the right way to be. He taught me how to love deeply, how to go for what I want, how to be who I am, and many other things. He also taught me to be strong when someone you love and care for walks out on you. I used that skill when he left me 10 years ago. John showed me an amazing way to live my life and for that I am forever grateful. For he has saved me in a way many people would never think of.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
As I turned the corner, I saw the person who saved my life ten years ago. It's been so long since I've seen him and he looks very different, but I still recognize him. He looks a bit older now; a little more harden from when I knew him. And I'm older, too. More sophisticated, perhaps, to wonder how I'd ever fallen in love with him.
He was an odd man, very reserved. He liked to be alone with his thoughts, but enjoyed my company. My personality was very different from his. When he liked to be alone, I liked to go out and be with other people. While he preferred to think to himself, I liked to say what I was thinking aloud. Even with these differences we loved each other deeply, and for this reason, he saved me.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Summer 1961
I saw him from across the beach, and he smiled at me. I had never met him before, but I could tell he knew me. He was there alone, and thinking he looked lonely I walked over to him. He introduced himself as John and then said, “I know who you are. You work for my cousin. Your name is Sarah, right?”
I nodded my head yes. I immediately thought that this was an odd greeting. I could tell he was a very intuitive man. Still, it scared me and I excused myself and began to walk away. Before I left though, he called to me and I turned.
“Sarah, will you please to go dinner with me tomorrow night?” He said.
“I suppose so,” I replied. Already, I had fallen for his charm.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
John saved me, but not literally, as many people probably think. John saved me by showing me the right way to be. He taught me how to love deeply, how to go for what I want, how to be who I am, and many other things. He also taught me to be strong when someone you love and care for walks out on you. I used that skill when he left me 10 years ago. John showed me an amazing way to live my life and for that I am forever grateful. For he has saved me in a way many people would never think of.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Novel Response #1
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
Do you like the author's writing? What would you do to make it better?
The author of The Piano Teacher is not very good. Her writing seems forced; like she doesn't have a passion for what she's writing. Her writing is bland and boring for this reason. Sometimes, she cuts off her thoughts and ideas. Some authors can pull that off by leaving the reader hanging with an ending that makes them think about what happens next. Janice Lee, however, doesn't do this. She leaves the reader thinking "why would she end it there?" Her endings are not ones that make the reader think on a higher level, but instead wonder how she thought that it worked.
Her paragraphs and chapters don't flow from one to the other. It's as if she was thinking of too many things at one time and it showed up in her writing. She tried, almost too hard, to add details about everything and everyone, but ended up with nothing making sense.
If I was the author of this book, I would think more deeply about one topic and try to develop it. I would make everything flow better from one idea to the next. I would also come up with endings that would leave my readers amazed and wondering what else is to come.
Do you like the author's writing? What would you do to make it better?
The author of The Piano Teacher is not very good. Her writing seems forced; like she doesn't have a passion for what she's writing. Her writing is bland and boring for this reason. Sometimes, she cuts off her thoughts and ideas. Some authors can pull that off by leaving the reader hanging with an ending that makes them think about what happens next. Janice Lee, however, doesn't do this. She leaves the reader thinking "why would she end it there?" Her endings are not ones that make the reader think on a higher level, but instead wonder how she thought that it worked.
Her paragraphs and chapters don't flow from one to the other. It's as if she was thinking of too many things at one time and it showed up in her writing. She tried, almost too hard, to add details about everything and everyone, but ended up with nothing making sense.
If I was the author of this book, I would think more deeply about one topic and try to develop it. I would make everything flow better from one idea to the next. I would also come up with endings that would leave my readers amazed and wondering what else is to come.
College Question Essay #1
Describe the personal experience that gave you to feeling of greatest achievement or satisfaction because of the challenges you met.
I have been Greek dancing since I was four years old and I have always loved it. I had heard about the older girls going to the competition, but I was too young to go with them. In fact, I was still too young when I went for my first time in 4th grade, but they let me go anyway. The second competition I went to was when I was in 5th grade and it's the one that is still the most amazing one I've been to.
The competition was in Greenville, SC. We had been practicing for a couple of weeks and then about a month before the competition was to take place, our dance instructor told us she couldn't go anymore and therefore, the group couldn't go either. All of us dancers tried our best to still be able to go, but nothing was working. We all cried because competition is one of our favorite things to go to and it had been taken from us.
The week of the competition, a meeting was called together. By then there were about 7 or 8 of us that still wanted to go. So the very few of us got together, along with our parents, to discuss our predicament... again. At this meeting though, we learned something new. The chairman of the competition had called my mom. He was very upset when he heard that Wilmington wasn't going. He told my mom that we just had to go because it wouldn't be the same without us; he said everyone loves Wilmington. After hearing that, we fought even harder to go. We still couldn't believe that we weren't going.
Eventually our instructor gave in. She still couldn't go, but she appointed one of the older girls in our group to act as director. We practiced our hardest. We would go to church as soon as we were all out of school and we would practice and practice until about ten o'clock at night. We did this for four days and then we had to leave for competition. We figured we didn't really have a chance since the other groups had been practicing for months on end, and us... we only had four days. Also, our group was made up of 7 girls, while all the other groups had about 20 boys and girls. We were the smallest one.
We went there with positive attitudes. We were doing something that we all shared a love for and we wanted to show that. Even though we all knew we would show our love for it, we still wanted to do well. We practiced all night when we got there and the next morning before we went on. We were determined to do well.
We went on stage and we danced our hearts out. We were smiling the whole time; we had done amazing. All of our steps were perfectly in-sync and we had plenty of "kefi". (Kefi is one of the criteria the groups are graded on. It means how much smiling there was and if they could tell that we really loved it.) We were all so proud of ourselves. The other groups even told us that we did amazing.
At the awards banquet the next day, some of our dancers were very doubtful. They didn't think we had done well, but most of us thought we did great. We told the pessimistic people to please be quiet and listen because we still had a chance. As the announcer called the winners of the silver and bronze medals, some girls said, "We aren't going to win anything. Let's just go. This is embarrassing." And others of us said, "No we are going to stay. We still have a chance and if we didn't win then we are going to cheer on whoever did."
He called out the winner of the gold medal... and it was us! We had won! It was the most amazing feeling. Everyone cried tears of joy and we all screamed and hugged and jumped around. We had won the gold with only four days of practicing; we didn’t give up and it really paid off.
I have been Greek dancing since I was four years old and I have always loved it. I had heard about the older girls going to the competition, but I was too young to go with them. In fact, I was still too young when I went for my first time in 4th grade, but they let me go anyway. The second competition I went to was when I was in 5th grade and it's the one that is still the most amazing one I've been to.
The competition was in Greenville, SC. We had been practicing for a couple of weeks and then about a month before the competition was to take place, our dance instructor told us she couldn't go anymore and therefore, the group couldn't go either. All of us dancers tried our best to still be able to go, but nothing was working. We all cried because competition is one of our favorite things to go to and it had been taken from us.
The week of the competition, a meeting was called together. By then there were about 7 or 8 of us that still wanted to go. So the very few of us got together, along with our parents, to discuss our predicament... again. At this meeting though, we learned something new. The chairman of the competition had called my mom. He was very upset when he heard that Wilmington wasn't going. He told my mom that we just had to go because it wouldn't be the same without us; he said everyone loves Wilmington. After hearing that, we fought even harder to go. We still couldn't believe that we weren't going.
Eventually our instructor gave in. She still couldn't go, but she appointed one of the older girls in our group to act as director. We practiced our hardest. We would go to church as soon as we were all out of school and we would practice and practice until about ten o'clock at night. We did this for four days and then we had to leave for competition. We figured we didn't really have a chance since the other groups had been practicing for months on end, and us... we only had four days. Also, our group was made up of 7 girls, while all the other groups had about 20 boys and girls. We were the smallest one.
We went there with positive attitudes. We were doing something that we all shared a love for and we wanted to show that. Even though we all knew we would show our love for it, we still wanted to do well. We practiced all night when we got there and the next morning before we went on. We were determined to do well.
We went on stage and we danced our hearts out. We were smiling the whole time; we had done amazing. All of our steps were perfectly in-sync and we had plenty of "kefi". (Kefi is one of the criteria the groups are graded on. It means how much smiling there was and if they could tell that we really loved it.) We were all so proud of ourselves. The other groups even told us that we did amazing.
At the awards banquet the next day, some of our dancers were very doubtful. They didn't think we had done well, but most of us thought we did great. We told the pessimistic people to please be quiet and listen because we still had a chance. As the announcer called the winners of the silver and bronze medals, some girls said, "We aren't going to win anything. Let's just go. This is embarrassing." And others of us said, "No we are going to stay. We still have a chance and if we didn't win then we are going to cheer on whoever did."
He called out the winner of the gold medal... and it was us! We had won! It was the most amazing feeling. Everyone cried tears of joy and we all screamed and hugged and jumped around. We had won the gold with only four days of practicing; we didn’t give up and it really paid off.
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