Author’s Note: This is a response to two poems called “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Field Below”. I am going to explaining the meaning, purpose, tone and mood. Both of the poems are songs as well. They have things similar and different but similar purposes. “Big Yellow Taxi” is sung by Joni Mitchell and Counting Crows. It is about someone trying to stop people from ruining nature to put up big buildings and cities. “Field Below” is sung by Regina Specter. “Field Below” is about a woman who lives in a sky scraper but she wishes she lives in the country where she could look out her window and sees a field of flowers.
Have you ever heard the song “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell? Or have you ever heard the song “Field Below” by Regina Specter? Did you know that they both started as poems? A lot of songs actually start as poems. Even though they are songs they have a great purpose, meaning, and show great tone and moods.
The purposes of these poems are similar but different in little ways. The purpose of “Big Yellow Taxi” is to inform us that we are ruining nature by putting up big cities. The meaning is to tell us to never forget how beautiful nature is and we don’t truly know how amazing it is until it’s completely gone. Nature is as precious as finding gold in a cave. We need to cherish it. The meaning of “Field Below” is that you don’t know how lucky you are if every day you get to see fields and sunsets when you look out your window and not a sidewalk of a big city. Her purpose of telling us this is to tell us to cherish our time in the country because we don’t know when we will see it again.
As you can see the purpose and the meaning are sort of similar but the tone and mood are even more similar. Both of these poems are about nature and how people are taking it away and how big cities are affecting it. The mood of “Big Yellow Taxi” is sympathetic and bitter and the tone is helpful and determined. The mood and the tone are almost identical in the two poems.
In conclusion,these two poems
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Were The Free Blacks Actually Free in the North?
Author's Note: This is a research essay on the free blacks in the north in the mid to late 1800's.
“Go make me some chowder!” yelled a master to her black slave in the North. “Right away” the salve responded cautiously. Minutes later the slave came back with the soup. “Thank you and I have something to tell you. I am setting you free on your own. Our region is sending our slaves free but you will have restrictions. You must never eat, drink, marry, or nurse a white person. Also going to church with whites and being in the Jury is against all rules.” This is something that would happen in the North. If you really think about it the “free” African Americans in the North might have been free but not free enough! I believe that African Americans weren’t free enough politically, economically, or socially.
The people in the North started letting people go in the early 1800’s. Nobody really knew the reason for it except they began to believe slavery was wrong. After the slaves were let go some of them could pay taxes, some were allowed to vote, and some could perform duties. The only down side is all of these amenities could not be done with whites. The color of your skin shouldn’t impact the level of freedom you have. The blacks couldn’t change the laws because of course they didn’t have the right to do so easily. The African Americans had specific laws that they couldn’t break and if they did who knows what would happen. Some of the states did have less specific laws, in some states blacks were allowed to sit in juries, file lawsuits, and vote just like the many white people but this was very rare and not many states allowed it. I have seen a picture in Document A and it shows that only one state (Massachusetts) had black men jury and voting rights. Only one state has two crucial laws. I believe this is very wrong all states should have equal rights for all blacks and whites.
Even though some states gave blacks the right to help with the government, they hardly had any rights when it came to getting a job or owning property. For example, in Document B it states those blacks were not allowed to dine or drink with whites. This means that blacks couldn’t be a waitress or waiter. Also it states that blacks can’t nurse a white, which means that blacks could only nurse blacks and no one else. African Americans wanted to be mechanics and a sales person but no one would ever hire them because of their skin color. There is a quote in document B, it is “Shall I be a mechanic? No one will employ me and no white boys will work with me. Shall I be a Merchant? No one have me in there office.” This quote is from a black boy’s perspective and telling us that people won’t give him a job because of his race. Also blacks were allowed to own property in the North as well. They could own as much as they could afford and they could live on their property or they could use it for farm land. There only restriction with land is they couldn’t be neighbors with whites.
The blacks obviously had political and economic problems but they also had social problems as well. The first and largest factor is that blacks weren’t allowed to socialize with whites at all; they were barely able to be in the same room as them. In the 1800’s whites were very strict about blacks socially. There is one quote in document B that stood out to me. The quote is “We shall not make the black man a slave; we shall not buy him or sell him; but we shall not associate with him.” This tells us clearly that even though slavery is ending but whites still don’t trust the blacks. I don’t think this is right because if you are taking away slavery, yes you are giving them more rights but you still don’t socialize with them or even give them the right to eat or drink with you. I find this all offensive and denote to all people to even believe that people did this!
In conclusion, the blacks were in the middle of slavery when the North decided that it wasn’t right. So they gave them all rights, no they gave them very few rights and called them free. Even though they were free they could barely look at a white person without getting in trouble. Some people might think this helped but I don’t. But of course it leads us to where we are today so it couldn’t have been that bad of a decision. Also, did you see me mention black women? No I have not mentioned black women because women didn’t have rights beck then. Woman couldn’t vote either, they had to stay home a cook and clean the house. Blacks had politically, economically, or socially problems in the mid to late 1800’s and earlier but now blacks are completely free and all this lead us to where our country is today.
Works Cited
1810, and 4 percent of blacks in the South. "Free negro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012..
"African American Odyssey." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012..
Casey, Dave. "Slavery in America." Slavery in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012..
"Northern Exclusion of Blacks." Slavery in the North. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
“Go make me some chowder!” yelled a master to her black slave in the North. “Right away” the salve responded cautiously. Minutes later the slave came back with the soup. “Thank you and I have something to tell you. I am setting you free on your own. Our region is sending our slaves free but you will have restrictions. You must never eat, drink, marry, or nurse a white person. Also going to church with whites and being in the Jury is against all rules.” This is something that would happen in the North. If you really think about it the “free” African Americans in the North might have been free but not free enough! I believe that African Americans weren’t free enough politically, economically, or socially.
The people in the North started letting people go in the early 1800’s. Nobody really knew the reason for it except they began to believe slavery was wrong. After the slaves were let go some of them could pay taxes, some were allowed to vote, and some could perform duties. The only down side is all of these amenities could not be done with whites. The color of your skin shouldn’t impact the level of freedom you have. The blacks couldn’t change the laws because of course they didn’t have the right to do so easily. The African Americans had specific laws that they couldn’t break and if they did who knows what would happen. Some of the states did have less specific laws, in some states blacks were allowed to sit in juries, file lawsuits, and vote just like the many white people but this was very rare and not many states allowed it. I have seen a picture in Document A and it shows that only one state (Massachusetts) had black men jury and voting rights. Only one state has two crucial laws. I believe this is very wrong all states should have equal rights for all blacks and whites.
Even though some states gave blacks the right to help with the government, they hardly had any rights when it came to getting a job or owning property. For example, in Document B it states those blacks were not allowed to dine or drink with whites. This means that blacks couldn’t be a waitress or waiter. Also it states that blacks can’t nurse a white, which means that blacks could only nurse blacks and no one else. African Americans wanted to be mechanics and a sales person but no one would ever hire them because of their skin color. There is a quote in document B, it is “Shall I be a mechanic? No one will employ me and no white boys will work with me. Shall I be a Merchant? No one have me in there office.” This quote is from a black boy’s perspective and telling us that people won’t give him a job because of his race. Also blacks were allowed to own property in the North as well. They could own as much as they could afford and they could live on their property or they could use it for farm land. There only restriction with land is they couldn’t be neighbors with whites.
The blacks obviously had political and economic problems but they also had social problems as well. The first and largest factor is that blacks weren’t allowed to socialize with whites at all; they were barely able to be in the same room as them. In the 1800’s whites were very strict about blacks socially. There is one quote in document B that stood out to me. The quote is “We shall not make the black man a slave; we shall not buy him or sell him; but we shall not associate with him.” This tells us clearly that even though slavery is ending but whites still don’t trust the blacks. I don’t think this is right because if you are taking away slavery, yes you are giving them more rights but you still don’t socialize with them or even give them the right to eat or drink with you. I find this all offensive and denote to all people to even believe that people did this!
In conclusion, the blacks were in the middle of slavery when the North decided that it wasn’t right. So they gave them all rights, no they gave them very few rights and called them free. Even though they were free they could barely look at a white person without getting in trouble. Some people might think this helped but I don’t. But of course it leads us to where we are today so it couldn’t have been that bad of a decision. Also, did you see me mention black women? No I have not mentioned black women because women didn’t have rights beck then. Woman couldn’t vote either, they had to stay home a cook and clean the house. Blacks had politically, economically, or socially problems in the mid to late 1800’s and earlier but now blacks are completely free and all this lead us to where our country is today.
Works Cited
1810, and 4 percent of blacks in the South. "Free negro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
"African American Odyssey." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
Casey, Dave. "Slavery in America." Slavery in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
"Northern Exclusion of Blacks." Slavery in the North. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Just a Heads Up
Author’s Note: This is a parody poem of the poem by William Carlos Williams “This is Just to Say”. The parody is going to be about the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
I'm sorry but
I killed your
Dog Wellington
Because it seemed
You loved him
More than me
And my son
Forgive me
But your husband
Had an affair with my wife
And you loved a bloody dog more than me
So you had it coming.
This piece is relating to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The book is in the point of view of Christopher but my poem is in the point of view of Christopher's dad. His dad killed his neighbors dog Wellington, this piece is Christopher's dad talking to his neighbor. The attitude is sympathetic then sarcastic. The mood of this story is shocked and over-whelmed. Along with the mood, the tone is sarcastic. The reader feels sorry for the woman getting told this.
I'm sorry but
I killed your
Dog Wellington
Because it seemed
You loved him
More than me
And my son
Forgive me
But your husband
Had an affair with my wife
And you loved a bloody dog more than me
So you had it coming.
This piece is relating to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The book is in the point of view of Christopher but my poem is in the point of view of Christopher's dad. His dad killed his neighbors dog Wellington, this piece is Christopher's dad talking to his neighbor. The attitude is sympathetic then sarcastic. The mood of this story is shocked and over-whelmed. Along with the mood, the tone is sarcastic. The reader feels sorry for the woman getting told this.
Perfect or Not?
Author’s Notes: This is a Word Choice or Context piece about the main character Sam in Before I Fall. It is going to show high vocabulary with adjectives.
Are there things in your life that are perfect? Or do you have things in your life you wish you could change? Sam from Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a stunning, popular, and pleasant high school girl. There can be the most beautiful girl in the whole school and Sam can steal her beauty away from her. By far her best features are her big green eyes that sparkle as a sparkling gem would. Sam's gorgeous, golden brown hair flows like a river. Her lips are perfectly plump and pink and she’s always flawless. When Sam walks in confidently wearing her designer jeans and her perfect make-up free face the whole room stops and stares at her. She is as beautiful as Jennifer Lopez. But, perfect people never are truly perfect. There is always a flaw somewhere with someone perfect. In fact Sam isn’t perfect; she has one very important flaw. Sam’s flaw is she can’t be nice to everyone. She is as stunning as a tree in bloom but her attitude towards people she doesn’t like is as bad as Lindsay Lohan. You can be as the best looking girl in town but if you aren’t nice, no one will ever want to even be your friend. Sam has always wanted to change that about herself, she doesn’t like the fact she is mean but her best friend, Lindsay is very judgmental.
Sam maybe gorgeous but she doesn’t always have the nicest attitude. Anybody that in Sam’s mind is a “loser” Sam is mean to. I feel that everyone should be treated the same way weather they are your friend or not. Everybody can be crabby and very irritable but Sam every second is a mystery. You never know what might come out of her mouth, but Sam believes that everything happens for a reason so she never takes anything personally. And because of that she doesn’t care if she hurt anyone else. She doesn’t take note when someone might just be having a bad day. She just keeps on piling everything on the “loser” and stays being mean to them.
If you don’t take things personally doesn’t mean you don’t get jealous; Sam is the most jealous person I know. If someone has something she doesn’t she need it. She is like a lion fighting against another for a mate. She will never give up on something that she is jealous about. Sam thinks and thinks until she figures something out; she doesn’t give up on anything.
In conclusion, Sam is as stunning as a flower garden in the summer time but has an attitude like a troll. You can be pretty but if you aren’t nice, good bye to all your beauty. Your inside beauty speaks louder than outside beauty. If you are selective about who you are nice to and who you are a crab to, you are a lot like Sam. People tell her to stay sweet and stay pure but she doesn’t care. Pure or tainted Sam will be Sam and no one can change that.
Are there things in your life that are perfect? Or do you have things in your life you wish you could change? Sam from Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a stunning, popular, and pleasant high school girl. There can be the most beautiful girl in the whole school and Sam can steal her beauty away from her. By far her best features are her big green eyes that sparkle as a sparkling gem would. Sam's gorgeous, golden brown hair flows like a river. Her lips are perfectly plump and pink and she’s always flawless. When Sam walks in confidently wearing her designer jeans and her perfect make-up free face the whole room stops and stares at her. She is as beautiful as Jennifer Lopez. But, perfect people never are truly perfect. There is always a flaw somewhere with someone perfect. In fact Sam isn’t perfect; she has one very important flaw. Sam’s flaw is she can’t be nice to everyone. She is as stunning as a tree in bloom but her attitude towards people she doesn’t like is as bad as Lindsay Lohan. You can be as the best looking girl in town but if you aren’t nice, no one will ever want to even be your friend. Sam has always wanted to change that about herself, she doesn’t like the fact she is mean but her best friend, Lindsay is very judgmental.
Sam maybe gorgeous but she doesn’t always have the nicest attitude. Anybody that in Sam’s mind is a “loser” Sam is mean to. I feel that everyone should be treated the same way weather they are your friend or not. Everybody can be crabby and very irritable but Sam every second is a mystery. You never know what might come out of her mouth, but Sam believes that everything happens for a reason so she never takes anything personally. And because of that she doesn’t care if she hurt anyone else. She doesn’t take note when someone might just be having a bad day. She just keeps on piling everything on the “loser” and stays being mean to them.
If you don’t take things personally doesn’t mean you don’t get jealous; Sam is the most jealous person I know. If someone has something she doesn’t she need it. She is like a lion fighting against another for a mate. She will never give up on something that she is jealous about. Sam thinks and thinks until she figures something out; she doesn’t give up on anything.
In conclusion, Sam is as stunning as a flower garden in the summer time but has an attitude like a troll. You can be pretty but if you aren’t nice, good bye to all your beauty. Your inside beauty speaks louder than outside beauty. If you are selective about who you are nice to and who you are a crab to, you are a lot like Sam. People tell her to stay sweet and stay pure but she doesn’t care. Pure or tainted Sam will be Sam and no one can change that.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Parts and Pieces
Author’s Note: This is a Word Choice and Context piece explaining the mood, tone, purpose, and figurative language in the story “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes.
Does your family have hardships? Have you ever wanted to just give up on something but decided not to? These are all things involved with the story “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. This piece shows great perseverance and integrity throughout. The mother is explaining to her son that her life hasn’t always been great but she is still alive and things are getting better. She shows this by saying “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” This is a metaphor beautifully used by Langston Hughes to show us that her life hasn’t always been elegant.
Even though, this poem shows us great perseverance, it also makes you think about your life versus your life. As you are reading this poem it makes you feel sympathetic for the mother and it makes you happy that your life isn’t as bad as hers. You never know what will happen in your life but then in the end it tells you that she never gave up and she is still “going and climbing”. This is called the mood, the mood is very similar to the tone but tone is how the author feels and mood is how the reader feels. For example the tone of this story would be distressed and withered. In my mind the author was feeling sad and distressed when writing this piece.
In conclusion, this piece has a good meaning to persevere but is a gloomy story. In this story the mood and tone are very important. They help us understand the writer better because a writer doesn’t just write something like this without some relation. Langston Hughes must have had a relationship to something like this. But Langston Hughes gave us a great message here. His message was never give up and I agree with him. When things get rough just keep going!
Does your family have hardships? Have you ever wanted to just give up on something but decided not to? These are all things involved with the story “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. This piece shows great perseverance and integrity throughout. The mother is explaining to her son that her life hasn’t always been great but she is still alive and things are getting better. She shows this by saying “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” This is a metaphor beautifully used by Langston Hughes to show us that her life hasn’t always been elegant.
Even though, this poem shows us great perseverance, it also makes you think about your life versus your life. As you are reading this poem it makes you feel sympathetic for the mother and it makes you happy that your life isn’t as bad as hers. You never know what will happen in your life but then in the end it tells you that she never gave up and she is still “going and climbing”. This is called the mood, the mood is very similar to the tone but tone is how the author feels and mood is how the reader feels. For example the tone of this story would be distressed and withered. In my mind the author was feeling sad and distressed when writing this piece.
In conclusion, this piece has a good meaning to persevere but is a gloomy story. In this story the mood and tone are very important. They help us understand the writer better because a writer doesn’t just write something like this without some relation. Langston Hughes must have had a relationship to something like this. But Langston Hughes gave us a great message here. His message was never give up and I agree with him. When things get rough just keep going!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
It Girl
Author’s Note: This is a piece focusing in on conflict and resolution. This is a creative story describing the problem then discussing how the problem was solved. The purpose is to show that lying is never the answer.
I grab my new American Eagle top with my brand new Vanity jeans and place them gently on my skinny body. Then, I walk into my bathroom and brush my stunning, long blonde hair just perfectly placing it on my shoulders. Glaze on my mascara on my incredibly long eye lashes. Grab my pink, sparkly Victoria Secret lip gloss and glide it on. Looking in the mirror, I know this is going to be a good day.
After getting ready for the day, I go downstairs and eat my healthy cereal and re-glide on my lip gloss for a fresh glow. Then, I walk slowly toward my silver Toyota Camry. Open the garage and I’m off, scared to my new school.
When I arrive I’m not welcomed as cheerfully as I thought. People shoot me glares, looks and deadly stares. I could tell people were looking at me like I didn’t fit in at all. I brush it off, walk inside and go to my new locker. I think I have decided I want people to call me, Rose. It has a nice ring and it’s easy to write. My real name is Doris but I absolutely hate it! Rose, I could get use to that.
“Hi, you must be new. I’m Gabbi. What’s your name?”
I look at her startled, “Oh, hi I’m Rose. I’m from Connecticut.”
“Well, I’m the class president. I just wanted to stop by and say hi.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” I responded still kind of startled.
Gabbi eventually walked away and then I thought, Who do I want to be at this school? Do I want to be sporty, girly, nerdy, or even maybe the bull? I think I want to be one of the popular girly girls even though I can shoot a mean three pointer. At my last school I was the jock- girl and that didn’t work out too well. I need a change in my life.
I glance at my schedule, math my best subject. Alright now I can’t act too smart now. As I walk into class I see all of the confused looks on the kids faces. I would say twenty out of the twenty-five kids in my class were staring at me. I sit down cautiously in the only open desk I can see. I soon figure out that I am sitting next to the most popular girl in school. Perfect way to get to the top of the school.
“Hey I’m Rose. I love your nails!” I say to the girl next to me sweetly.
She looks at my kind of confused and disgusted. “Umm, hi I’m Brittney. Thanks.” She seems alright I guess. I just smiled and looked away.
I knew everything I learned in math already but I tried to ignore the fact that I am smarter than I am making myself seem. Next up, Foods. Overall I am good at cooking but I always use way too much salt. I walk into the class room and I actually feel welcomed. Probably four different people introduced themselves to me. I met Sherry, a nerdy red head, Jenna, a cute blond, Jacob an autistic boy, and last and certainly not least Ben. Ben was the cutest boy I have seen yet. He didn’t seem stuck up, actually he was really nice. I sat next to him and I learned that he has a younger sister in eighth grade and he plays basketball. Great now I can help him with his three-pointer.
Foods class was super boring besides the fact that Ben was in it. Ben and I walked to Science together and then we saw Brittney. She looked me up and down and said “Walk.” I thought this was very rude so I just told her he showed me where my science was and that was all. She didn’t seem very nice after that.
I walk into science class and sit down. I got introduced to one person. Hope. She seemed very nice and super smart. She used words I didn’t know at all but she was super nice. I sat down next to her and then I saw him.
Jeremy from summer camp! He was at this school, NO! I thought rapidly and remembered that he said he was from New York. I totally didn’t think he was going to go here. What are the chances? OK, I think I should tell him he had the wrong girl. No maybe just own up to it. No I will tell him I don’t remember him. Great plan, kind of. I think he noticed me, darn. He smiles and waves at me. Ok now he knows who I am for sure. He walks over to me and says “Oh my gosh, are you new here?” I look at him nervously because he could blow up my entire plan of being popular. He has seen my very nerdy math, sporty girl side. I will be doomed at this school. “Umm.. Hi, yeah I am new and you are?” I said as cautious as I could. “I’m Jeremy from summer camp. Don’t you remember?” I stare at him trying to look like I’m thinking. “No sorry. Anyway I’m Rose.” I said with a little smile. “I thought you told me your name was Doris at summer camp. “ He told me looking very puzzled. Then the bell rang so we both sat down and agreed on talking after class.
Class ended and I tried to escape as fast as I could. Jeremy just had to catch up with me. He didn’t understand that I wasn’t the same girl so he just kept asking me questions. The quote “One lie just leads to another” is so true. I have learned that throughout this day. I just have to keep lying and lying to Jeremy to keep my secret.
Besides Jeremy, Ben is in my Gym class. He is very good at just about everything but it is hard trying to keep the secret of not actually being girly. I met so many people today that I don’t think I will remember anyone. I got to be really good friends with one girl named Sydney, she isn’t the most popular girl but she is really nice and has potential. She is in two of my classes and we sit next to each other in both.
Well I survived my first day at school and now on to work. My dad has lined me up to work at a The Smooth E’s smoothie restaurant. I’m not sure if I’m excited or not, but I will try and make the best of it. I head off to work as excited as I am going to be.
I worked for four hours and all of it was training, but it was more fun than I thought. When I get home the first thing I’m going to do is eat. I’m so hungry I could eat a hippo, maybe even two. I’m pulling into the driveway and I park the car; then I check my phone. One new message: Jeremy. Shoot, I forgot I gave him my number at summer camp. Alright I’ll open it. “Did you change school?” I read nervously to myself. I try and think okay, should I say no or yes? I think I should just tell him it was me. Alright a quick swipe of my keyboard and my rapid fingers go crazy. “Um, Yeah sorry about earlier I go by Rose now. I didn’t recognize you. Sorry.” I responded and then studied it. Alright I think that is all good, send. Now all I can do is wait for a response.
Five minutes past and then I feel the buzz and rush to my phone. “Oh don’t worry about it. I am just really confused. So you go by Rose now? Cool, I’ll have to explain this to lots of people. Tell this to lots of people, what? Now I am the confused one, who would he have to explain this to? Whatever I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
I talked to Jeremy for like an hour last night then I finally fell asleep. I wake up and repeat yesterday but with a new skirt and top. I can’t wait to show off this outfit, I love it! When I get to school I am more excited just to get out of the car and into school than ever. Then I remember Jeremy and I become kind of scared. I don’t know what is going to happen today. Walk in and I see Jeremy and he is talking to Ben. He better not be telling Ben everything about me and that I lied to everyone yesterday. I walk over confidently. I wave and say “Hi” sweetly to both of them. I can tell Ben is kind of looking at me weird. Then he asked me, “Jeremy just told me that your real name is Doris and that you guys went to summer camp together. Most importantly he told me you’re good at basketball! I didn’t think you were the sporty type yesterday. No offence or anything.” I look at him in shock; I swallow hard and try to think about what I’m going to say. “Yeah, but I go by Rose now. I don’t exactly like the name Doris. About summer camp, yes I did go with Jeremy and he found out the hard way that I have a pretty good three pointer. I don’t know if u made a mistake of what I just said or not but I just hope that he takes this well. He just smiles and says”Well, you’re going to have to show me sometimes.” I am so relived. “But I wished you would have told me about your real name and you told me you didn’t play sports.” Ben added with an intense kind of look. Then the bell rings. “Alright I’ll see you later, sorry.” I respond in a rush. I am not so reveled and I don’t know if it’s just me but I notice everyone looking at me weird. I must just be me being paranoid.
I get to my class and Gabbi is in this class and she’s not acting so right. I walk over to her and ask “Is everything ok?” and she looks at me disgusted, “You told me you didn’t play any sports and your name was Rose. People are telling me you play basketball and your name is Doris.” I look at her very strangely and then I reply” Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was important and I play basketball but not that much.” I got cut of ever so rudely “But you specifically told me you don’t play sports and people are kind of mad about this because they think that you lied to all of us and don’t want us to know something.” “Well I never lied to anybody I told people what is going on in my life right now.” Then Gabbi warned me that people might ask her and think about what I am going to say because people are mad. I thought this was all very weird because I just met all of these people yesterday except Jeremy. I just kind of blew it by and didn’t really care but then again I don’t know what I’m going to say if anybody asks me again.
I am now in last hour and four more people have asked me about the truth. I had to tell them everything I told Gabbi and Ben but people truly are really mad about this. Even Hope the person I thought was so nice and wanted to actually get to know me is mad at me. She didn’t say anything to me and I even said “Hi” to her and I didn’t get a response. Well I hope my whole school year isn’t going to be like this!
After I got home from school I was thinking about everybody at school and my lie. I have to do something and fast. I stayed in my room all night trying to think of a good plan but I failed with all my ideas. I have no clue what to do so what else but call my best friend from my old school, but she didn’t have any ideas. I hope that I find something quick!
I hardly got any sleep that night; all I could think about was Ben all night. I feel so bad for lying to everybody. I got to school and nobody talked to me just about all day except Jeremy. It seems like this is getting worse every day! I need help; I think it’s time to do something big. I have to say I’m sorry at lunch. This is the only thing I could think of last night. In language arts all I could right is what I am going to say. I made a script and tried to memorize it as best I can and then I realize I only have five minutes till lunch. I then feel a big lump come into my stomach. I don’t even want to eat. I sit alone at lunch, leaving lunch to me and my thoughts. Lunch is almost over and I decided I need to do this now. I stand up shaky in the hands and feet. Everybody I now looking at me and it probably didn’t help because I started to talk very loudly. I said very loudly “Okay if I can have everybody’s attention please.” Then everybody looked at me and I became very sad. Then I continued “I’m sure everybody has heard about the truth in my life. I am not a big girly girl; I am one of the biggest tom-boys you will ever know! I love basketball and I play video games. I am sorry for lying to all of you. I just wanted a different life. I just wish for everyone to stop giving me glares and remember that I said I’m sorry. That’s all I wanted to say. Thanks.” I saw a few people smile and a few start to clap and a few just laugh. I thought the people that laughed were kind of rude but I forgave them because I am the culprit here. I feel relieved and the lump comes out of my stomach.
I leave lunch feeling better and I love what I just did. I now have people talking to me again and smiling at me in the halls. I love my decision that I made.
I want everyone who reads this to always reconsider lying to anyone under any circumstances. Never lie they just pile up and pile up. Lying is always the wrong choice no matter how easy it may seem.
I grab my new American Eagle top with my brand new Vanity jeans and place them gently on my skinny body. Then, I walk into my bathroom and brush my stunning, long blonde hair just perfectly placing it on my shoulders. Glaze on my mascara on my incredibly long eye lashes. Grab my pink, sparkly Victoria Secret lip gloss and glide it on. Looking in the mirror, I know this is going to be a good day.
After getting ready for the day, I go downstairs and eat my healthy cereal and re-glide on my lip gloss for a fresh glow. Then, I walk slowly toward my silver Toyota Camry. Open the garage and I’m off, scared to my new school.
When I arrive I’m not welcomed as cheerfully as I thought. People shoot me glares, looks and deadly stares. I could tell people were looking at me like I didn’t fit in at all. I brush it off, walk inside and go to my new locker. I think I have decided I want people to call me, Rose. It has a nice ring and it’s easy to write. My real name is Doris but I absolutely hate it! Rose, I could get use to that.
“Hi, you must be new. I’m Gabbi. What’s your name?”
I look at her startled, “Oh, hi I’m Rose. I’m from Connecticut.”
“Well, I’m the class president. I just wanted to stop by and say hi.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” I responded still kind of startled.
Gabbi eventually walked away and then I thought, Who do I want to be at this school? Do I want to be sporty, girly, nerdy, or even maybe the bull? I think I want to be one of the popular girly girls even though I can shoot a mean three pointer. At my last school I was the jock- girl and that didn’t work out too well. I need a change in my life.
I glance at my schedule, math my best subject. Alright now I can’t act too smart now. As I walk into class I see all of the confused looks on the kids faces. I would say twenty out of the twenty-five kids in my class were staring at me. I sit down cautiously in the only open desk I can see. I soon figure out that I am sitting next to the most popular girl in school. Perfect way to get to the top of the school.
“Hey I’m Rose. I love your nails!” I say to the girl next to me sweetly.
She looks at my kind of confused and disgusted. “Umm, hi I’m Brittney. Thanks.” She seems alright I guess. I just smiled and looked away.
I knew everything I learned in math already but I tried to ignore the fact that I am smarter than I am making myself seem. Next up, Foods. Overall I am good at cooking but I always use way too much salt. I walk into the class room and I actually feel welcomed. Probably four different people introduced themselves to me. I met Sherry, a nerdy red head, Jenna, a cute blond, Jacob an autistic boy, and last and certainly not least Ben. Ben was the cutest boy I have seen yet. He didn’t seem stuck up, actually he was really nice. I sat next to him and I learned that he has a younger sister in eighth grade and he plays basketball. Great now I can help him with his three-pointer.
Foods class was super boring besides the fact that Ben was in it. Ben and I walked to Science together and then we saw Brittney. She looked me up and down and said “Walk.” I thought this was very rude so I just told her he showed me where my science was and that was all. She didn’t seem very nice after that.
I walk into science class and sit down. I got introduced to one person. Hope. She seemed very nice and super smart. She used words I didn’t know at all but she was super nice. I sat down next to her and then I saw him.
Jeremy from summer camp! He was at this school, NO! I thought rapidly and remembered that he said he was from New York. I totally didn’t think he was going to go here. What are the chances? OK, I think I should tell him he had the wrong girl. No maybe just own up to it. No I will tell him I don’t remember him. Great plan, kind of. I think he noticed me, darn. He smiles and waves at me. Ok now he knows who I am for sure. He walks over to me and says “Oh my gosh, are you new here?” I look at him nervously because he could blow up my entire plan of being popular. He has seen my very nerdy math, sporty girl side. I will be doomed at this school. “Umm.. Hi, yeah I am new and you are?” I said as cautious as I could. “I’m Jeremy from summer camp. Don’t you remember?” I stare at him trying to look like I’m thinking. “No sorry. Anyway I’m Rose.” I said with a little smile. “I thought you told me your name was Doris at summer camp. “ He told me looking very puzzled. Then the bell rang so we both sat down and agreed on talking after class.
Class ended and I tried to escape as fast as I could. Jeremy just had to catch up with me. He didn’t understand that I wasn’t the same girl so he just kept asking me questions. The quote “One lie just leads to another” is so true. I have learned that throughout this day. I just have to keep lying and lying to Jeremy to keep my secret.
Besides Jeremy, Ben is in my Gym class. He is very good at just about everything but it is hard trying to keep the secret of not actually being girly. I met so many people today that I don’t think I will remember anyone. I got to be really good friends with one girl named Sydney, she isn’t the most popular girl but she is really nice and has potential. She is in two of my classes and we sit next to each other in both.
Well I survived my first day at school and now on to work. My dad has lined me up to work at a The Smooth E’s smoothie restaurant. I’m not sure if I’m excited or not, but I will try and make the best of it. I head off to work as excited as I am going to be.
I worked for four hours and all of it was training, but it was more fun than I thought. When I get home the first thing I’m going to do is eat. I’m so hungry I could eat a hippo, maybe even two. I’m pulling into the driveway and I park the car; then I check my phone. One new message: Jeremy. Shoot, I forgot I gave him my number at summer camp. Alright I’ll open it. “Did you change school?” I read nervously to myself. I try and think okay, should I say no or yes? I think I should just tell him it was me. Alright a quick swipe of my keyboard and my rapid fingers go crazy. “Um, Yeah sorry about earlier I go by Rose now. I didn’t recognize you. Sorry.” I responded and then studied it. Alright I think that is all good, send. Now all I can do is wait for a response.
Five minutes past and then I feel the buzz and rush to my phone. “Oh don’t worry about it. I am just really confused. So you go by Rose now? Cool, I’ll have to explain this to lots of people. Tell this to lots of people, what? Now I am the confused one, who would he have to explain this to? Whatever I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
I talked to Jeremy for like an hour last night then I finally fell asleep. I wake up and repeat yesterday but with a new skirt and top. I can’t wait to show off this outfit, I love it! When I get to school I am more excited just to get out of the car and into school than ever. Then I remember Jeremy and I become kind of scared. I don’t know what is going to happen today. Walk in and I see Jeremy and he is talking to Ben. He better not be telling Ben everything about me and that I lied to everyone yesterday. I walk over confidently. I wave and say “Hi” sweetly to both of them. I can tell Ben is kind of looking at me weird. Then he asked me, “Jeremy just told me that your real name is Doris and that you guys went to summer camp together. Most importantly he told me you’re good at basketball! I didn’t think you were the sporty type yesterday. No offence or anything.” I look at him in shock; I swallow hard and try to think about what I’m going to say. “Yeah, but I go by Rose now. I don’t exactly like the name Doris. About summer camp, yes I did go with Jeremy and he found out the hard way that I have a pretty good three pointer. I don’t know if u made a mistake of what I just said or not but I just hope that he takes this well. He just smiles and says”Well, you’re going to have to show me sometimes.” I am so relived. “But I wished you would have told me about your real name and you told me you didn’t play sports.” Ben added with an intense kind of look. Then the bell rings. “Alright I’ll see you later, sorry.” I respond in a rush. I am not so reveled and I don’t know if it’s just me but I notice everyone looking at me weird. I must just be me being paranoid.
I get to my class and Gabbi is in this class and she’s not acting so right. I walk over to her and ask “Is everything ok?” and she looks at me disgusted, “You told me you didn’t play any sports and your name was Rose. People are telling me you play basketball and your name is Doris.” I look at her very strangely and then I reply” Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was important and I play basketball but not that much.” I got cut of ever so rudely “But you specifically told me you don’t play sports and people are kind of mad about this because they think that you lied to all of us and don’t want us to know something.” “Well I never lied to anybody I told people what is going on in my life right now.” Then Gabbi warned me that people might ask her and think about what I am going to say because people are mad. I thought this was all very weird because I just met all of these people yesterday except Jeremy. I just kind of blew it by and didn’t really care but then again I don’t know what I’m going to say if anybody asks me again.
I am now in last hour and four more people have asked me about the truth. I had to tell them everything I told Gabbi and Ben but people truly are really mad about this. Even Hope the person I thought was so nice and wanted to actually get to know me is mad at me. She didn’t say anything to me and I even said “Hi” to her and I didn’t get a response. Well I hope my whole school year isn’t going to be like this!
After I got home from school I was thinking about everybody at school and my lie. I have to do something and fast. I stayed in my room all night trying to think of a good plan but I failed with all my ideas. I have no clue what to do so what else but call my best friend from my old school, but she didn’t have any ideas. I hope that I find something quick!
I hardly got any sleep that night; all I could think about was Ben all night. I feel so bad for lying to everybody. I got to school and nobody talked to me just about all day except Jeremy. It seems like this is getting worse every day! I need help; I think it’s time to do something big. I have to say I’m sorry at lunch. This is the only thing I could think of last night. In language arts all I could right is what I am going to say. I made a script and tried to memorize it as best I can and then I realize I only have five minutes till lunch. I then feel a big lump come into my stomach. I don’t even want to eat. I sit alone at lunch, leaving lunch to me and my thoughts. Lunch is almost over and I decided I need to do this now. I stand up shaky in the hands and feet. Everybody I now looking at me and it probably didn’t help because I started to talk very loudly. I said very loudly “Okay if I can have everybody’s attention please.” Then everybody looked at me and I became very sad. Then I continued “I’m sure everybody has heard about the truth in my life. I am not a big girly girl; I am one of the biggest tom-boys you will ever know! I love basketball and I play video games. I am sorry for lying to all of you. I just wanted a different life. I just wish for everyone to stop giving me glares and remember that I said I’m sorry. That’s all I wanted to say. Thanks.” I saw a few people smile and a few start to clap and a few just laugh. I thought the people that laughed were kind of rude but I forgave them because I am the culprit here. I feel relieved and the lump comes out of my stomach.
I leave lunch feeling better and I love what I just did. I now have people talking to me again and smiling at me in the halls. I love my decision that I made.
I want everyone who reads this to always reconsider lying to anyone under any circumstances. Never lie they just pile up and pile up. Lying is always the wrong choice no matter how easy it may seem.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Perfect or Not?
Author’s Notes: This is a Word Choice or Context piece about the main character Sam in Before I Fall. It is going to show high vocabulary with adjectives.
Are there things in your life that are perfect? Or do you have things in your life you wish you could change? Sam from Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a stunning, popular, and pleasant high school girl. There can be the most beautiful girl in the whole school and Sam can steal her beauty away from her. By far her best features are her big green eyes that sparkle as a sparkling gem would. Sam's gorgeous, golden brown hair flows like a river. Her lips are perfectly plump and pink and she’s always flawless. When Sam walks in confidently wearing her designer jeans and her perfect make-up free face the whole room stops and stares at her. She is as beautiful as Jennifer Lopez. But, perfect people never are truly perfect. There is always a flaw somewhere with someone perfect. In fact Sam isn’t perfect; she has one very important flaw. Sam’s flaw is she can’t be nice to everyone. She is as stunning as a tree in bloom but her attitude towards people she doesn’t like is as bad as Lindsay Lohan. You can be as the best looking girl in town but if you aren’t nice, no one will ever want to even be your friend. Sam has always wanted to change that about herself, she doesn’t like the fact she is mean but her best friend, Lindsay is very judgmental.
Sam maybe gorgeous but she doesn’t always have the nicest attitude. Anybody that in Sam’s mind is a “loser” Sam is mean to. I feel that everyone should be treated the same way weather they are your friend or not. Everybody can be crabby and very irritable but Sam every second is a mystery. You never know what might come out of her mouth, but Sam believes that everything happens for a reason so she never takes anything personally. And because of that she doesn’t care if she hurt anyone else. She doesn’t take note when someone might just be having a bad day. She just keeps on piling everything on the “loser” and stays being mean to them.
If you don’t take things personally doesn’t mean you don’t get jealous; Sam is the most jealous person I know. If someone has something she doesn’t she need it. She is like a lion fighting against another for a mate. She will never give up on something that she is jealous about. Sam thinks and thinks until she figures something out; she doesn’t give up on anything.
In conclusion, Sam is as stunning as a flower garden in the summer time but has an attitude like a troll. You can be pretty but if you aren’t nice, good bye to all your beauty. Your inside beauty speaks louder than outside beauty. If you are selective about who you are nice to and who you are a crab to, you are a lot like Sam. People tell her to stay sweet and stay pure but she doesn’t care. Pure or tainted Sam will be Sam and no one can change that.
Are there things in your life that are perfect? Or do you have things in your life you wish you could change? Sam from Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a stunning, popular, and pleasant high school girl. There can be the most beautiful girl in the whole school and Sam can steal her beauty away from her. By far her best features are her big green eyes that sparkle as a sparkling gem would. Sam's gorgeous, golden brown hair flows like a river. Her lips are perfectly plump and pink and she’s always flawless. When Sam walks in confidently wearing her designer jeans and her perfect make-up free face the whole room stops and stares at her. She is as beautiful as Jennifer Lopez. But, perfect people never are truly perfect. There is always a flaw somewhere with someone perfect. In fact Sam isn’t perfect; she has one very important flaw. Sam’s flaw is she can’t be nice to everyone. She is as stunning as a tree in bloom but her attitude towards people she doesn’t like is as bad as Lindsay Lohan. You can be as the best looking girl in town but if you aren’t nice, no one will ever want to even be your friend. Sam has always wanted to change that about herself, she doesn’t like the fact she is mean but her best friend, Lindsay is very judgmental.
Sam maybe gorgeous but she doesn’t always have the nicest attitude. Anybody that in Sam’s mind is a “loser” Sam is mean to. I feel that everyone should be treated the same way weather they are your friend or not. Everybody can be crabby and very irritable but Sam every second is a mystery. You never know what might come out of her mouth, but Sam believes that everything happens for a reason so she never takes anything personally. And because of that she doesn’t care if she hurt anyone else. She doesn’t take note when someone might just be having a bad day. She just keeps on piling everything on the “loser” and stays being mean to them.
If you don’t take things personally doesn’t mean you don’t get jealous; Sam is the most jealous person I know. If someone has something she doesn’t she need it. She is like a lion fighting against another for a mate. She will never give up on something that she is jealous about. Sam thinks and thinks until she figures something out; she doesn’t give up on anything.
In conclusion, Sam is as stunning as a flower garden in the summer time but has an attitude like a troll. You can be pretty but if you aren’t nice, good bye to all your beauty. Your inside beauty speaks louder than outside beauty. If you are selective about who you are nice to and who you are a crab to, you are a lot like Sam. People tell her to stay sweet and stay pure but she doesn’t care. Pure or tainted Sam will be Sam and no one can change that.
Friday, March 2, 2012
This is a Must Read!
Author's Note: This is a retelling piece about the book Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. It tells the reader what the story line is during this book without revealing too much information.
Sam is a teenage girl who has everything; Sam would have thought this day would be just another day, but it wasn’t.
This was Sam's final day to live.
Sam gets seven chances but nothing works out the way she plans.
Sam is a teenage girl who has everything; Sam would have thought this day would be just another day, but it wasn’t.
This was Sam's final day to live.
Sam gets seven chances but nothing works out the way she plans.
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