The Wonderful Bacon

Breakfast, Lunch, and even Dinner

Bacon, bacon is always a winner.

Eggs without bacon should be a crime

 cook ‘em in  grease and you'll save some time

Mostly served with eggs and toast

But I like it plain the most

 Bacon dipped in chocolate tastes so sweet

A heavenly combo you just can’t beat!

Bacon, Bacon is so fattening but delicious

When your thighs turn fat don’t be suspicious

Death

Authors Note: This piece is about the symbols throughout the short story "The Lottery" written by Shirley Jackson.

There are many symbols throughout the short story "The Lottery"  written by Shirley Jackson.  The short story is about a village that has a tradition where they gather at the town square once a year. The mayor  will have each family representative pick from the black box , if the paper has a black circle then everyone from that family will pick. Which ever family member gets the circle will then be stoned from the whole village. A symbol is something that represents something and I will tell you about two major ones.

First off,  one symbol that really stuck out to me is the black box. In the short story it says that it is very warn out with many splinters and it is discolored. That description shows me that it is very old and it has been used a lot, so it may represent tradition. Although the box is black to, and the color black stands for death. Towards the end of the story death occurs so maybe the black box meant something.

Secondly, the stones are a symbol too. In the first sentence from the short story it says that the children were collecting stones. Little did I know that those rocks were meant for something. At the very end Tessie had unfortunately received the paper with the black circle. Everyone from the village stoned her with those rocks. I think that the stones represent death because they are weapons that the villagers are using to kill someone.

Pink and Sparkly

Authors Note: This is a creative piece from the point of view of a pair of hoop earrings. 

Hello!,  my name is diamond I guess.. I have no idea why because I have no diamonds on me. Anyways, I am an amazing pair of huge, bright pink, sparkly hoop earrings. If you ask me I would say I'm pretty dazzling, not trying to sound cocky or anything but I am. I mean no wonder I was 405$ at the most famous boutique in the state of California. I just got bought yesterday from a beautiful woman with long orange- ish red hair, she must be really wealthy to afford me. The bad part is, when she put me in today she left her hair down,  I cant see anything . Really? Like what's the point of wearing me if you cant even see me?! I'm meant to be seen, to compliment clothes not to be hidden behind some watermelon spelling hair, I mean it smells delicious but still, I need to show the world how beautiful I am.

I'm really confused where I am right now, I cant see anything but I can hear some cars honking and some birds chirping. I feel a breeze so we must be outside. Actually I know we're outside because I can see a glimpse of the sun shining threw the red hair blinding me, but luckily its reflecting off of my sparkles!  Maybe we're on a walk or she's trying to go somewhere, maybe a restaurant? The lady isn't talking to she must be alone, I wish she wasn’t, I want people to see me, to be jealous that she has me and not her. What is she doing? O wait…. YES! She put her hair up! Thank god that its hot out! Now the suns rays are really  bouncing off of my pink sparkles, I feel like a star.

Be Careful Who You Trust

Authors Note: This piece is for my District Assessment. It is about the novel "And Then There Were None" and how you have to be careful who you trust.

Trust is a key element of life. You never know who you can trust, ever. Throughout the novel “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie is based upon trust. Ten people get invited by a mysterious man for vacation on Indian Island. They notice that there are statues of ten little Indians and the poem Ten Little Indians in each room not knowing why. Later each visitor disappears by murder one by one…. And then there were none. But do we really know who the suspect is?

The ten people on the island are in a tough situation. They don’t know who to trust because of the mysterious murdering. What if it was their closest friend killing everyone and what if you were next? You can’t even trust your best friend, especially in this case. Some people in life actually care what you have to say, but others are just curious.

We need to choose who we can confide and believe in. If the ten people on the island want to stay alive, they need to be aware of those who are truly loyal, but they need to choose wisely, for one out of the ten is a murderer. Everyone in the house has their suspicions. Having no trust makes all of them a nervous wreck, making each of them more susceptible of being the next victim of murder. Having no trust only digs us a deeper hole, and when we trust the wrong person, you never know what the outcome will be.

This novel reminds me of the movie The Woman In Black. That movie is about a man that gets asked to work in a haunted building alone. Little did he know that the whole city has been haunted by the woman in black, this started after her sister had killed her son. At the end, the main mans little boy comes to the city and gets possessed to kill himself... He shouldn’t have trusted the man that brought him to the city because what if the whole thing was a set up?

“And Then There Were None” is a book that teaches us not to trust anyone. Trust is something that is so valuable to life, that if we don’t have it, we can fail in something that matters greatly to us. We need to pick and choose which ones we want to believe in, but we have to be careful. This novel also relates to The Woman In Black because it is a haunted city just like the island and it has to do with trusting. This was a good mystery novel with easy reading for all ages. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be on the edge of their seat the entire book.

The Trick

Authors Note: This piece is for conflict/resolution from the novel "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. 

In the book “The Hunger Games” written by Suzanne Collins is about a girl names Katniss that had volunteered as tribute for her younger sister Prim. Katniss will now have to fight for her life against all other 23 tributes to stay alive. Fortunately Katniss meets the other tribute from district 12 named Peeta and they figure out a trick to win victory.  

The main conflict/ problem throughout the novel is the fact that Katniss had volunteered and now she is ordered to fight for her life. This is the main conflict because Katniss doesn’t know what’s coming; she could die any second of the day.  Luckily for Prim Katniss volunteered because if she hadn’t Prim would immediately be dead. The conflict would be way different if it wasn’t for Katniss’s act of kindness, Prim would be dead and Peeta would also be deceased. 

But in the book the conflict gets resolved by the sneakiness of Peeta and Katniss.  Their act of “love” outsmarts the Capitol and they change the rules of The Games.  Two people from the same district can both win! Peeta and Katniss defeated Cato and both tributes win together.  The conflict gets resolved because Katniss isn’t on her own anymore fighting by herself, they both outsmart the Capitol and they are now victors. 

In conclusion, the main conflict is Katniss entering the games with only little knowledge and is fighting for her life. The conflict progresses by Peeta and Katniss’s secret act of loving each other. The final resolution is tricking the Capitol and now Peeta and Katniss both won The Hunger Games.

Perfect

Authors Note: This is one of my weekly pieces about perfection and why people want it so bad.

Why do people strive for perfection? Who wants to be perfect? Don’t you want to be different, unique? It’s great to be imperfect. Your flaws make you who you are. Don’t listen to what society says about being “Perfect”… There’s no such thing.  If no one cared about looks perfection wouldn’t matter. No one would be striving to be flawless. The reason people want it so bad is to be liked, but I believe everyone is beautiful, inside and out. Reality is so messed up.

Summer Days

Authors Note: This is a a short poem I wrote about what I think of summer.

Summer warmth hugs me,
Every time I walk out the door.
Summer rain dances with me
Who could ask for anything more?

Summer brings swimming,
And long walks on the beach and in the park.
Summer days leave and bring starry nights
So we can stare into them after dark.

Summer gives me lazy days
To hang out with my friends.
Summer nights bring the crickets,
To sing with when the day ends.

Middle School

Authors Note: This paragraph is a piece about whats going on in middle school.

Middle school is a place of terror. Where people get judged every second because what they look like or just what they are doing. It’s a place where all that matters is popularity. If you’re not popular, you’re an outcast. In eighth grade I see people doing drugs, girls getting pregnant, people cutting themselves because they’re not happy… What is happening to society?

What's Really Going on Inside Your Body?

Authors Note: This is a research paper I wrote about different types of viruses and what the causes are and what they are doing to your body. 

There are many types of viruses that are either contagious, or can be caught from an animal or insect. Some viruses or cancers are caused from genetic and environmental factors like Leukemia. For example, measles are contagious while the West Nile can get caught from mosquitoes that have been exposed to birds. But the question is, do we exactly know what is happening inside our body when we are infected?  

To begin with, most people ask, what is a virus? Well, “Viruses are non-living microscopic particles that attack healthy cells within living things. They do not have the characteristics of living things and are not able to metabolize food.  (ThinkQuest)”.  So basically viruses attack healthy cells in living things to make them ill.  The most common way on catching a virus is from being near or having contact with someone that is infected. Sneezing and coughing is the easiest way of spreading germs, and more importantly a virus.

One of the deadliest virus or as others call it cancer, is Leukemia. What happens inside your body when you have Leukemia? DNA of blood cells get ruined, this causes them to grow and change. Usually blood cells die and are replaced with new cells. But in Leukemia, blood cells do not die and occupy space. When the space is taken there is less space for normal cells and you become sick. To sum it up the good cells get crowded out by the bad which causes you to feel very ill.

Scientists don’t exactly know the main causes of Leukemia but they have a couple of thoughts, such as genetic or environmental factors. The main risk factors to getting Leukemia is if you were exposed to large amounts of radiation,  or exposed to certain chemicals at work, such as benzene. If you’ve had some types of chemotherapy to treat another cancer, have Down syndrome or some other genetic problems scientists believe you are prone to getting cancer.

Another kind of deadly sickness is a common disease known as the measles. The measles is so contagious that if you are in any sort of contact with them there is a 90% chance they will get it also. Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes and sore throat. Two or three days later, Koplik's spots — a characteristic sign of measles — appear. Then a fever spikes, often as high as 104 or 105 F. At the same time, a red blotchy rash surfaces, usually on the face, along the hairline and behind the ears. This slightly itchy rash rapidly spreads downward to the chest and back and, finally, to the thighs and feet. After about a week, the rash fades in the same sequence that it appeared.

This is how the measles start. The virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. That child or adult is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after. When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface where they remain active and contagious for several hours. Then you can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose after touching the infected surface. Once the virus gets inside the body, it grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. The infection then spreads throughout the body, including the respiratory system and the skin.

The last type of virus I am going to talk about is an interesting infection called the West Nile. “This virus is carried from infected birds to people by mosquitoes. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands” (P.).  In the United States, wild birds, especially crows and jays, are the main reservoir of West Nile virus, but the virus is actually spread by certain species of mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes seem to spread the infection mainly among birds, while others are more likely to transmit it to humans, horses and other mammals. Here's how the transmission cycle works: When a mosquito bites a bird infected with the West Nile virus, the virus enters the mosquito's bloodstream and circulates for a few days before settling in the salivary glands. When the infected mosquito bites an animal or a human, the virus then enters the host's bloodstream, where it may cause serious illness.

Lastly, do you want to know how an active virus multiplies and destroys the host cell? Well first off “The virus attaches to a specific host cell, the virus’s hereditary material enters the host cell, the virus’s hereditary material causes the cell to make viral hereditary material and proteins, new viruses form inside of the host cell. New viruses are release” Overall the virus destroys the host cell to make someone become very ill with any sort of virus.

In conclusion, it is important to know what is going on in your body when you are infected with a virus or multiple viruses. Things like how the viruses were caused, what it’s doing to your body, and the types of viruses will only help get rid of your sickness faster. It is an interesting topic to research because now you know what is really going on inside of you and what it takes to get the contagion.

Bibliography

"Measles." 6 July 2010. PubMed Health. 19 April 2012 <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002536/>.

Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Leukemia? What Causes Leukemia?" 2009. MNT. 18 April 2012 <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142595.php>.

P., John. "West Nile Virus." 2011. MedicineNet.com. 20 April 2012 <http://www.medicinenet.com/west_nile_encephalitis/article.htm>.

"ThinkQuest." 1996. Viruses. 17 April 2012 <http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/virus.htm>.

"I Volunteer!.."

Author's Note: This piece is about a quote from the novel The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins.

“I volunteer! I gasp. I volunteer as tribute!” - This quote is from the novel The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins. It was the day everyone from the age of 12 to 18 dreads. The reaping, where one boy and one boy are randomly chosen from District 12 by entering their name, more than once if you want to receive grain and oil. Primrose, the younger sister of Katniss surprisingly had been picked even though she had just entered her name once. With no doubt Katniss volunteers.

It’s amazing what people will do for others just because they love them. Like Katniss, she loves her sister more than anything in the world and she would do anything for her, even die. Even though Katniss is the one that feeds her family, and protects them she wanted to give up her life for her sister. From that moment during the reaping everyone goes quiet, except the screaming of her sister telling her to stop. If I was in Prims shoes I would feel so guilty knowing that my sister could die just because I am not as skilled as she is.

The act of Katniss volunteering reminds me of the crucifixion story of Jesus. Jesus gave up his life just so we can live. No one asked Him to do it; he did it out of love. Just like Katniss, she gave up her life just for one little girl. It would be so hard leaving the person you are giving up your life for, especially if your family is starving and you’re the food provider.

Have you ever heard of the saying “Everything happens for a reason”? The other tribute from District 12, Peeta helps during The Games. Katniss and Peeta make an act of becoming The Star-Crossed Lovers. They pretend that they love each other just too out think the President Snow, the one who created The Hunger Games. Well maybe its good Katniss volunteered because when she and Peeta pretend to be in love the Capitol says that two people from the same district can win. Fortunately they both win! That means Katniss will see her beloved sister Prim again.

In conclusion, people will do anything for love, especially Katniss Everdeen, when she speaks “I volunteer! I gasp. I volunteer as tribute!” Katniss does an amazing this, volunteers as tribute for her sister who was originally going to participate in the annual Hunger Games. That quote can also relate to Jesus’ crucifixion because Jesus gave up his life for everyone just like Katniss could have died during the games instead of her sister. But maybe it was good she participated because she and Peeta Mellark made an act and out-smarted the Capitol and they both won victory.

All You Have to do is Stay Alive

Authors Note: I wrote this essay on the main conflict from the novel The Hunger Games and explaining the conflict and how it resolved throughout the book.

It’s stupendous how hard it is to endure in the wild, not knowing what could appear right before your eyes. Katniss- the main character from The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins knows this best. For someone that can only remain with a bow and arrow fighting against others that have been training for this moment their whole life. It’s difficult finding water, healing cuts, hunting for food, and most of all staying alive. But that’s why survival or also known as man vs. man is the main conflict of the story.

The main reason man vs. man is the main conflict is because Katniss is participating in the annual Hunger Games that the sick minded Capitol made. Who makes teens kill each other for victory? Twenty four tributes brutally murdering each other to stay alive, that is just unacceptable. This is an example of man vs. man due to the fact that everyone is the arena is using as much knowledge as they know that will help them hold on, or to distribute towards the killing of the others.

While the conflict throughout this novel is so drastic the resolution is very enthralling. The resolution to the conflict is when Peeta and Katniss both conquest. How did they both win? Well there has been an announcement by the Capitol that if someone from the same district is still alive you can partner up or make an ally and win together, Peeta and Katniss fortunately survived and won using their act of being The star-crossed lovers.

In conclusion, surviving is hard for the twenty four tributes participating in the annual Hunger Games. But throughout this amazing novel the main conflict is man vs. man. Katniss fights for her life against all the other tributes trying to succeed.

I Never Want To Leave

I never want to leave, as I watch the sun rising in the distance, peaking over the water like it’s trying to say hello. Early in the morning is where the sea is most beautiful, I watch the waves flow, smooth and soft. The little ripples of the waves flowing up and down the silky sand. My feet are numb from the icy cold water trying to wake me up. Wrapped around me is my blanket my mother gave to me when I was a child, it’s comforting just like her. It’s relaxing, and I never want to leave.

It's Gone

I’m sorry Peeta, I destroyed our friendship like the bombing of Pearl Harbor demolished Hawaii. I should have told you that the “love” I was expressing to you during The Games was just a disguise, or a trick to win victory. Well it worked… we won. I miss what we had; maybe I did feel something between us. I don’t know what I conclude, I am confusing myself. You were so admirable; you treated me like queen. I’m sorry Peeta, I shattered our relationship…I should of told you.

"You Don't Know What You've Got Til' It's Gone"

Authors Note: This is a response to the songs/poems “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Field Below” and what I think about the mood and tone.

Throughout the poems/songs “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Field Below” the authors are expressing to us that you should be happy with what you have because it won’t be there forever. In both songs the main person is losing what they love, nature. The mood for the poem for both of the poems is depressing; it is depressing because their losing something that they love more than anything. I feel that they tone would be sympathetic because the author is trying to make the readers feel bad for them for what’s happening to them. During the song “Big Yellow Taxi” I feel that it is too upbeat, I personally don’t think that the lyrics fit how she sings the song. Although “Field Below” fits perfectly, the song is soft and sympathetic just like how we read the poem.

Let the Games Begin

Authors Note: This is a poem I have created for my weekly writing pieces for my goals; it is based off the novel “The Hunger Games” by Suzanna Collins. This is supposed to be Katniss (The main character) speaking.


I wake up in fear
Knowing that I’m alone
All I have is my gear
O, another cannon has blown


I have no water or food
I am in so much pain
I am in dreadful mood
But I have nothing to gain

Oh what a nightmare the capitol has made
I never wanted to be in this spot
I hope Prim isn’t afraid
I want to win, but there is only one shot

The Backpack

Authors Note: This is a parody from the poem "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams.

I have snatched
The backpack
That was on the ground

And which you were
Probably planning on using
For survival

Forgive me boy from District 9
I needed it
It was so bright, so heavy duty
And so beneficial

This poem relates to the book "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. When the games have just begun Katniss runs for her life towards the orange backpack laying on the ground. The boy from District 9 is also chasing towards it and they are tugging and fighting for it, but Katniss wins it over. Katniss is supposed to be writing this poem to the boy from district 9 to apologize she snatched it from him.

Keep Moving

Authors Note: This paragraph is a short response from the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughs.

There are many types of figurative language throughout the poem "Mother to Son" written by Langston Hughs, but the most important metaphor is when the mother is saying “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair”. When the mother is preaching this to her son she is meaning that life hasn’t been perfect for her, but you just have to keep moving forward. “There ain’t been no light” meaning that no one was there to help her, she was in the dark alone. Life wasn’t peaceful for her; there were definitely many bumps and corners along the road. The author was writing this to persuade the readers to never give up on life; this poem was most likely written to calm the readers on whatever is going on in their head. From my point of view I definitely thought it was inspiring to never give up, no matter what may come up you just have to keep pushing through.

Sorrow

Authors Note: The following paragraphs are a text analysis from the novel “The Hunger Games” written by Suzanne Collins.

Walking into the reaping, seeing the pain in everyone, hoping and praying that they or their closest friends won’t get chosen. The Reaping is a symbol of sorrow and loss, from all the teenagers from the ages 12-18 sweating bullets waiting for Effie Trinket to pull the first name hoping the best for everyone, the girls chosen first. Everyone waiting to see which two people are going to die within the next couple of days or even months if their lucky.

The definition of sorrow- Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret. Knowing that two of all the thousands of people there might be you getting called up onto the stage, entering The Games, getting killed by who knows what District. You regretting how many times you have entered your name, even though you needed the tesserae for your family’s safety. Everyone looking around at each other noticing that everyone was anxious from the look written on all the faces of each boy and girl, noticing the distress and the pleading in their eyes.

Primrose Everdeen

Author's Note: The following paragraphs are about one of the main characters named Prim from the novel "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins and her characteristics and her role in the family.

Being as bantam as a pinhead and so frail is formidable in order to participate in The Games. That’s why her sister volunteered to take her place. Prim has recently been picked for The Games but her caring sister Katniss volunteered because she knew Prim was fragile like a glass china plate , she just knew she wouldn't have anytime to fight for her life. Prim is a young 12- years old girl, but she is the total opposite of her sister Katniss. We all know that she is on the sensitive side, after she reacted when she had been called in the reaping. The crying, screaming not knowing what to do, she was scared to death...Who wouldn't be? But she was just too young to participate.

Prim's life is fairly simple compared to Katniss, but that’s because she's too fragile to go out in the deadly woods to kill. She wouldn’t have the guts to kill an animal; with no doubt she would end up balling her eyes out. Her major role throughout the novel is to stay at home with her mom, and most of all take care of her while Katniss is out grasping onto the bow and arrow as tight as she can watching and waiting for another pest to sneak by. Prim also has a goat that she loves more than anything; milking the goat is one of the only jobs she has to do to protect her family besides keeping an eye glued onto her mom making sure she's alright. Before the reaping Prim made a tiny piece of cheese from her goat that appeared like a piece of white slime folded in half on a plate the size of her hand. Prim's job isn't to difficult but she will do whatever it takes to supply for her family.

True Colors

Authors Note: This piece is a non- fiction 5 paragraph essay off of the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and how friends may leave and can show their true colors.

Some friends might stay forever, and some may leave and never come back. Throughout the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson one of the main themes are true friendship because Melinda notices who her real friends are and their true colors. Melinda is now known as an outcast after that one summer night that ruined her whole reputation. After she had been assaulted by Andy Evans at the biggest party with most of the school there, she called the police. Little did she know that that could turn out to be Melinda’s biggest mistake of her life. Not only did she get raped, she busted the entire party that included her old best friends and now... everyone hates her.

Above all, people change, and sometimes friends change. During middle school and high school years teens don’t know who they really are and who they want to be friends with. Melinda’s situation relates to the book Shug by Jenny Han. The novel Shug, is about a teenage girl named Annemarie who has had the biggest crush on her best friend Mark since they were little kids. Her other friend which is a girl had recently left Annemarie because she found a new boy friend. Annemarie caught Mark talking trash behind her back to his new girl friend, which resulted in losing both of her friends. Melinda’s problem is exactly like Annemarie’s: both of their closest friends had turned on them and had been absorbed by other people, for both situations a relationship.

Although there are many quotes that have to do with friendship from the novel Speak, the one that stuck out most to me is “I need a friend. I need a friend, period. Not a true friend, nothing close or share clothes or sleepover giggle giggle yak yak. Just a pseudo- friend, disposable friend. Friend as accessory.” This quote really expresses Melinda’s loneliness and what she would do to at least have someone to accept her for who she is. When the quote states ”nothing close or share clothes or sleepover..” she is preaching that she doesn’t want close friends again, so they won’t hurt her like Rachel and the other Plain Janes did. She just wants a friend to share her feelings with so she won’t be alone.

However, most of the time close friends won’t stay angry at each other forever. For example Melinda and Rachel and the rest of the clan reunite in the end of Speak after they find Andy trying to assault Melinda again in the closet. Rachel finally dumps Andy and retrieves back to Melinda. Friends fight all the time and the arguments usually don’t last a life time. Friends come and go but your true ones will always come back.

In conclusion, friends change and some may leave you but they usually always come back in the end. True friendship is known as one of the biggest themes in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. You can see someone’s true colors when they leave you for someone else.

Do Not Open

Authors Note: This creative piece is a journal entry from the main character from the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

The Party (a.k.a the worst night ever)
Dear Journal,

So tonight was the “Big Party” I was so excited about before, it was…not so fun. Here’s how it went. Andy and I were dancing and we started making out, It was amazing I actually felt like I was living. I was so excited to enter high school with a real boy friend; I thought Rachel would be jealous. But then he asked me if I wanted to do it, but I refused, then he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride, I decided yes, I thought to myself what could really happen? Well tonight was the night that I got raped, by Andy Evans. I needed to call the police, but that turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life. I busted the whole party with everyone there, even my best friends. I’m scared, what if everyone hates me forever? Well write you back soon to tell you how the first day of high school goes.
Melinda

First day of high school
Dear Journal,
I wore a skirt that I hate and everyone hates me except for a new girl Heather. She's really annoying, she's a wannabe of The Martha's but I just pretend to be nice to her. My teachers are weird….really weird, except for my art teacher Mr. Freeman he's pretty cool I guess. All the Plain Janes have been absorbed into different groups, but then there's me.
Melinda
Rachel and Andy

Dear Journal,
Rachel and Andy are dating and I hate them both. Well I don’t necessarily hate Rachel all that much, but Andy is a whole different story. I wish I had the voice to tell Rachel what Andy did to me, but I can’t, not yet.
Melinda

Depression
Dear Journal,
Heather left me for The Martha’s but I honestly don’t really care. I have no friends, I’m kind of failing school and I skip it sometimes.
Melinda.

I Tried
Dear Journal,
Today I tried to tell Rachel about the assault with Andy, obviously she didn’t believe me and she thought I was some type of physco…cool. Rachel asked Andy if we knew each other and he said no, they both think I’m jealous of their relationship, ew.
Melinda

Relief
Dear Journal,
I am no longer an outcast. Andy got caught trying to rape me again in the closet I said no, I actually stood up to him, I am so proud of myself. In addition Rachel believes me and thankfully dumped him...I think my friends and I are back to being the Plain Janes again. I feel actually happy again, people are right; you do have to speak up in order to be heard.
Melinda

It's Your Choice

Authors Note: This piece is based off the quote that I found and I will be relating other quotes and characters to it.

Someone once said “We can choose to see life as a series of trials and tribulations, or we can choose to see life as an accumulation of treasures”, this saying expresses to us that we can see life in two different series, either positive or negative. Some people choose to see life in terribly while others choose to see it in a blissful way. If you ever feel blue you can just look at all the good things in life and see how great life truly is.

However, the term half empty or half full relates to this quote, it’s pretty much like life. You can either imagine the cup half empty, seeing life in an unsatisfying way, or you can see it half full, admiring the excellence of life. Whenever I’m indignant, I scream “I hate my life!”, my dad always makes a notifying point, he always preaches “You have a great life, you have a loving family, friends, and food to eat” Every single time he says that, I look at the things in my life that most people don’t have and suddenly I feel thankful.

For instance, I look at the news as rarely as Haley's comet comes past earth. But when I do watch the news I see a ton of terrifying things that happen to the less fortunate. I take a step back and realize that I’m lucky I have a safe and outstanding life. There is a quote by Marcus Aurelius which states “Our life is what our thoughts make it”. If you believe your life is terrible, it will be because that’s what you think of it. Most of the time people that are thinking they have an atrocious life are usually depressed.

In addition, the characters from Winnie the Pooh somehow relate to this quote. Eeyore is the kind of guy that is always grumpy and cheerlessly. On the other hand Tigger is always blissful and excited. Eeyore chooses to be like that yet he doesn’t actually have poor life. If Eeyore chose to have a good life he could, he has a bunch of cheerful friends but he chooses to be alone; his feelings are overpowering his life.

In conclusion, look at the good things in your life whenever you are feeling depressed and you will most likely feel better. Everyone can have a stupendous life if they chose to; it just depends if you can look at the extraordinary things about life. This anonymous saying shows us that there are two different series in life; everyone gets to choose which one they want to live in. Your emotions will overcome you and your life but it all depends on how your thoughts flow.

Express Yourself

Authors Note: This piece is about the quote “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” from the book “Speak”.


Some people are considered an outcast, and others are either popular or on the edge to becoming popular. But Melinda from the novel “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson is different, everyone hates her. One little accident can change a girl’s world forever. Melinda crashed a party that had almost the school there, and now everyone despises her. Her old best friends joined off into different groups and Melinda has no one, she’s an outcast.

The quote “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time” spoken by Melinda is trying to explain to us that if you don’t express yourself or how you feel no one will notice you. For example, when Melinda enters high school she is too scared to speak up, she sits alone because she’s too scared to make an effort. Inside of that quote when she says “…they die one piece at a time” Melinda is talking about herself, she thinks she made a mistake and that she’s dying inside, no one will even notice you if you don’t speak up and express yourself.

This quote relates to my life, I had to pronounce myself when I came to a new school. The best way to show yourself is to be yourself, you never want to act like someone that you’re not. When I came to Pewaukee I just started to talk to people, the best way to make friends is talking then people started to notice you. That’s the thing with Melinda; she was to quiet to show people that she is there, that she exists. Maybe if she would have spoken up she wouldn’t be an outcast, then maybe people would accept her for who she is.

In conclusion, some people just don’t fit in, and those are the people that are too intimidated to show themselves out to the world. Melinda needs to have a voice and express herself just like I did when I first came to school. Expressing yourself is the only way you will get noticed.

Melinda

Authors Note: This short piece is for my speech and for my goals. It is character development based on the character Melinda from the book we are reading "Speak".

Have you ever felt like the whole world is against you, like you did something wrong even though you know it was the right thing to do? In the novel "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson is about a teenage girl just entering high school. She used to have a numerous amount of friends until the incident happened; she busted a party. Would you have the guts to do that, even if you knew what the outcome would be?

That party had almost the whole school there, but now everyone hates her including most of the teachers except for her art teacher. The clan she belonged to the year before, the Plain Janes, has split and been absorbed by other groups, but Melinda is alone. She lost everyone.

Melinda is a unique, brave, down to earth girl that has her own opinion on everything, but she is also known as an outcast that blames herself for busting most of her friends. She knows that she is different from everyone else, from when she says “I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don’t have anyone to sit with. I am Outcast.”

Melinda reminds me of Bella from Twilight, Bella is preserved quiet and at first an outcast exactly like Melinda. In the first book when Bella enters high school everyone thinks she's weird and quiet just like how everyone hates Melinda on the first day.