Food Connections

One "tradition" I have always enjoyed is going to Hinode with my family after church on Sunday. Any time we go to church, we always all seem to want to go to Hinode and stuff ourselves. I love Japanese and Asian food, and Hinode if probably my favorite in town and has always been special because of the memories there. I think a lot of people have similar feelings about restaurants that they eat at with their families for traditions.
I have also had experiences with much different cultural foods. When I was in the Dominican Republic, almost everything about the food style was different. There was some really good food and a lot of it was healthy, but it was a little tough going without all of the things we eat here in America.

Panda Rough Draft

Overview

Panda the Sushi man works at an Asian restaurant that serves up great noodle, chicken, beef, shrimp, and fried rice dishes. Not only that, but they serve the freshly rolled sushi rolled by Panda the Sushi man.

1) He is going to be late for work
2) Makes it with only a minute late, boss gets a little mad
3) A host and server start to talk to him, but he is annoyed because
4) Doesn't let it bother him too much and starts working
5) Deer runs in restaurant
6) Eats his meal and takes break
7) He builds courage to do what he wants to do in his dreams
8)
9) Panda showers and gets ready to go be with friends
10) He gets in his car and heads out
11) He tells his friends about his big dreams once they meet up
12) They party and celebrate together
13) He quits his job to pursue his dreams
14) They start to practice ping pong for the tournaments
15) Panda plays against one of the best players in the world

16) Panda wins the game and lives in the Minshan Mountains again with his friends.

Final Reflection

1) One writing piece I really enjoyed and always look back on was our very first one, our "I am" poems. It was nice to think about, reflect, and remember some of the great things in the past. Too often we get caught up in daily life and forget about the great, simple things in life. Writing about this made me think about memories I often don't. Looking back on this writing will be nice because it will remind me of those times and make me think in the way I did when I wrote it. Another piece I loved was my writing about my old baby blanket. While I don't remember most of my childhood when I was that young, I do remember little bits. I used the blanket until I was at least 8, so I do remember those times a bit more. It was a big thing in my life because I had to have it next to my face to sleep at night, and even after it becoming basically a ball of tattered knots, I still used it. It is fun to think about these times and this piece really brought back those memories.
2) One piece I read was the "Dan in Real Life" post by Samantha. I have liked reading some of her work throughout the semester and share a lot of the same thoughts and opinions as her. I like her description of a perfect day and I think my girlfriend would say about the same thing to that question!   Another one I read by her was the "Caged Bird" piece originally by Maya Angelou. It is relatable and I think her description is very interesting. I love the ending how she references flying away like a bird leaving its cage and now it will be all up to her.
3) I think having a blog was nice because it was separate and different from our journal. I liked our journal because we could put whatever we wanted to without other classmates really seeing it. While that was nice, it was also fun to write pieces that could be viewed and commented on by classmates. Having these things that you can put your thoughts on is good because sometimes writing can put together thoughts that would just be jumbling around in your head stressing you out.
4) Journaling was fun because there was a variety of things throughout it. I have pieces about topics like food, my life, and even pieces about just different shades of colors. I would let close friends maybe read this, and definitely my girlfriend if she wanted to. There are a lot of random thoughts throughout and it's sometimes nice to keep those to yourself in a journal. I may continue to journal in small notebooks I have, I would write about random thoughts I have and how life is going because it is nice to look back on those things in the future.
5) I sing of freedom. Making your own choices is a great feeling. Truly getting to do what you want, when you want. I think moving out is the biggest step of freedom because you start experiencing all of the things in life that make it hard to be fully responsible for yourself. I love the freedom of having a car and being able to go where I want, and do what I want during the day. It is exciting, and of course a little sad, to think I will be moving out within the next couple years or so.
I liked Maya Angelou's piece about freedom because it is relatable to anyone. Anyone can think of these types of things that make you feel either free or caged up like a bird.
6) I am..
A son, a brother, and the oldest of three
Springfield Missouri with all of its beautiful features, and its few boring ones
A little boy running through my great-grandparents house, more than excited to go out in the backyard and help granddaddy with yard work
Jumping over my back fence to Garrett’s house since kindergarten until I was 12 or so, but times change and we grow out of certain friendships
A guitar player and someone who loves music, it can make a bright day even better and help cure a day where you just aren’t feeling it
My first dogs, playing with them and my family all the time, and my two new dogs
Chic-Fil-A, Sushi, and Japanese food, which I of course had last night
A good student, who doesn’t like school just as much as most people
A sushi chef and dishwasher at Tasia since the summer I turned 16
Into the Wild, my favorite and most inspiring book I have read
My new black G35 that I am lucky enough to have as a teenager
Not a little kid anymore, I am 18, and am enjoying almost every part of it
Sad sometimes, thinking about the old times spent with all of my family that I enjoyed so much, and the fact that now, I mostly look forward to time with my girlfriend and friends.. But this is part of growing up I guess, we only have 24 hours every day..
In love with my sweet, beautiful girl that is an amazing support system and has already helped me get through so much and makes me happy every day
I am, in the future..
A happy man with a job that I enjoy
In good contact with my family and still get to see my sister dance, probably professionally, and my brother play soccer
In a nice, cozy, nostalgic house with my gorgeous princess
In a city where we both love living
In love
7) I would do creative writing and drawing in some type of notebook in the future. I think writing creatively lets your brain flow and relieves stress. I like being able to talk about whatever you want because you reflect on your life and for me, I usually realize how great it is and to remember to enjoy each day. I have began to like writing more over the last 2 years. While I don't necessarily love it or want to do it everyday, I do enjoy it more when I do write.
8+9) I have liked being in this class and think it has been a relaxing class to have 1st block, I think many people feel the same way and appreciate that. I wish everyone good luck through life and while we may not remember these moments in detail like we do now, it will still be great to look back on and remember bits and pieces that made up this time. I hope everyone can enjoy and learn from high school like I have. I am excited, but a little sad, to move on from high school now. It really did fly by and each year seems to go by quicker and quicker.

Author's Bio

Keaton Sharpe is from Springfield, Missouri. He lives with his parents, brother, sister, two dogs, and a cat. He has always loved being active outdoors and thinking of innovative ideas for whatever he loved doing at the time. His pets, family, and friends all give inspiration for his stories.

Children's Books

I picked The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss because I remember it from my childhood.  On the cover is a drawn cat wearing a red and white hat with a white bow tie on. This book has 63 pages. Sally, The Cat in the Hat, the fish, and the boy are the main characters. The scene is the children's living room, it is very simply drawn with very few colors.
It is a cold rainy day when sally and her brother are at home. The Cat in the Hat shows up and says they can have lots of fun on this day though. He picks up the fish and starts doing all sorts of crazy things while doing it.
The book has an animal as a character, uses rhyme, kids as characters, humor, illustrations, color, a sentimental tone, and teaches a lesson.
My favorite sentence is, "But we can have lots of good fun that is funny!" I think this book is appropriate for around ages 3-6. It is good to explore your imagination and learn lessons in the time frame. I liked this book as a kid because of the way Dr. Seuss books rhymed and had funny plots.

Dan in Real Life response

1) It is important to write about what you know, Dan doesn't necessarily "not know" about parenting though, he just made a mistake. All parents make mistakes, and as a single dad who was caught up with a woman it is understandable why he would do that.

7) I think you can have feelings of love in three days with someone, but it takes longer to really know that you are in love.

11) My best hiding spot was always being the middle curtains in the main living room. I remember how much we used to always play hide and seek and other similar games at night and how much we loved hiding in the dark.

14) I think there really is one true soul mate that we have. I think in these kinds of scenarios where someone is widowed, his wife is still his soul mate. I think he can still have a good relationship with another woman because his wife is gone now.

16) My special talent is graphic design. I have been doing it since before 8th grade and have become very good at it. I also love cooking, especially pancakes and waffles, like Marie. We all have our special talents, for some people it can be awkward to talk or think about.

17) My perfect day would be waking up at 8 or 9 o clock and make waffles, pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast with Regan. Sitting out on the patio with the woodless fire going and hot coffees on the lip around the fire. Looking out into the mountains covered in snow and the beautiful sky. The nice cozy, nostalgic feeling that comes with being in your warm house on a cold, snowy day. Take a nice shower get ready for the day. Drive into town and enjoy all of the Christmas lights through town. We would go into different stores and shop for new clothes and things for the house. Then head toward the mountain to snowboard our favorite runs for a while. After that we cruise around and enjoy the views. We finish the day sitting on the porch with the fire and then watching tv under a soft, fluffy blanket on the couch until we fall asleep.
20) I think asking questions is an important part of having conversations but just being able to ask a lot of questions doesn't make you a good conversationalist. It also takes good listening, and being able to talk about anything.
21) My family sometimes does decently large gatherings to where the sleeping arrangements aren't ideal, but generally there aren't too many people with my family's visits.

Childhood

2) During my childhood, my mom, dad, brother, and sister were the most important people to me. I was always with them doing fun things growing up and that was very important to my childhood. My grandparents were also a very big piece of my childhood. I have a lot of memories with my grandparents going to different museums, zoos, and aquariums. I also would go to my great grandparents very often because they live here in Springfield which has been very nice as they get older and closer to their final years so we can spend it with them. Spending all of my time growing up with all of my family has helped shape who I am through my childhood by setting good examples.

3) If I could be granted adulthood as a child for 24 hours I would do all of the fun and great things that come with being responsible for yourself and avoid the things that are annoying. I would hang out with friends at the house and watch games and hang out. I would go out to any wildlife and nature areas I want to bike and hike around. Get married and go on an amazing honeymoon. Do all of the amazing and fun things that you get to do as an adult and not do any of the annoying things you will have to do taking care of yourself. When I am older if I could be granted 24 hours as a kid again, I could only imagine I would want to do all of the things I have always wanted to except a hundred times more because I haven't gotten to do any of them in so long. Going back to being a kid where you don't have to worry about a job, money, food, shelter, or any of those things.

Movie Quotes

"He's a really nice guy and all, but i'm pretty sure he's a serial murderer." -Seth Rogan 

The 40 Year Old Virgin

"Reel" Life

My favorite movie of all time is Step Brothers. I love the humor and nostalgic feelings that come with this movie for me. My friends and I have watched it so many times together since about 8th grade, and it’s still funny. I don’t usually care for super depressing movies because I don’t like to be sad or the people around me to be. I don’t watch movies often or regularly, I mostly watch T.V. shows, I probably watch a movie every few weeks at the most. For movie watching I like the be in a dark room and have snacks and drinks.

YOU ARE 75% EXTRAVERTED.

You are moderate in activity and enthusiasm. You enjoy the company of others but you also value your privacy. 

YOU ARE 83% AGREEABLE.

You are generally warm, trusting, and agreeable, but you can sometimes be stubborn and competitive. 

YOU ARE 83% CONSCIENTIOUS.

You are dependable and moderately well-organised. You generally have clear goals and are able to set goals aside. 

YOU ARE 75% EMOTIONALLY STABLE.

You are generally calm and able to deal with stress, but you sometimes experience feelings of guilt, anger and sadness. 

YOU ARE 83% OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES.

You are practical but willing to consider new ways of doing things. You try to seek a balance between the old and the new. 

If my life story was made into a movie, John Krasinski would play me. One plot would be the daily life of going to school and work and where that takes me. Another plot would be the summer of meeting Regan and everything that happened during summer for us to be together.

Iconic Photo

This iconic photo is Steve Jobs, introducing the first iPod in 2001. I feel this picture can very well represent our generation in a way. During our lives, technology has advanced so much and possibly the most it has in history. Just a little after we were all born, the first iPod is released. From there they advanced to the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPads, and iPhones. It reminds me of being a kid and my mom getting the very first iPod shuffle with a gigabyte of memory maybe, which was a lot at the time. Now we walk around with the digital space to store plenty of photos, songs, and even movies. We have grown up and advanced with this technology and it is like a second nature for us to have it always on us and use it.

Halloween Themed Story

 You open your eyes and it is completely dark. The only thing you remember is driving to the store to get groceries, but before you got into the store something happened. When you realize you're hanging upside down with your feet tied together, you hear something breathing. You don't know what to do, at first you stay still and silent. As you start to say something, it asks what you were doing. Its voice is deep, dark, and scratchy. It grabs your head and laughs in your face. Your body starts to go numb and suddenly it cuts the tight ropes around your legs to let you down. When the last thread of the rope breaks, you fall 5 feet to the floor.

Old Photos

Jessie Fraser is a young girl from Springfield Missouri. She was born on December 21, 1937. She goes to school every day and loves to practice dance, ride her bike, and play sports with her family. She has always wanted to be a professional dancer since she knew what dancing was really. She goes and watches people dance any chance she gets so she can try their moves and make herself better. She does have a fear of not being able to become the dancer she wants to be. She is also scared that their family could not have everything they need in the future. Her dad is off to World War 2 so her fears are at their highest right now. She misses her father to death and is starting to have a hard time at home while he is gone. Her mother tries to help her in every way she can but she misses him so much that it hurts her. Her mom helps her push through this to keep dancing and become the dancer she wants to be. A couple years later, her dad ends up getting home. She has improved so much since he was gone that he almost can't believe it. Finally their family is together and she is going to have even more support to become what she dreams to be.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

This round wood table was found in the library.  I like the wood grain texture and the setting for doing research or other school work.

This yellow square table was also found in the library. I personally don't enjoy the color very much to study or do work. But it is a happy color so maybe it could work. 

I think a little kid would notice these toy dolls and want to play with them.  I found these in the library on top of book shelves as student work being displayed. I like the simple circle head shapes and body with the very detailed painting.

This football with jerseys and jersey numbers on it was a student work on display. There is a notecard with it explaining what it represents and why they chose that object. It reminds me of the objects we brought in at the beginning of this class.

The library courtyard. Last year in Mr. Ryan's class we came out here a few times and it always reminds me of that when I see the courtyard through the windows. I really enjoyed his class and the times spent out there so being reminded of those times is nice.

These three cameras and ceiling tile make a funny looking smiley face to me. It was fun to look for faces in random things because I ended up finding a few. It interests me to see all of the random, crazy faces people find everyday.

The school bathrooms, something that seems to annoy everyone in school. The sinks are all different, and most don't even work. A lot of the toilet seats are weird and messed up. I remember my middle school bathrooms being so much more nice than the ones at kickapoo.

This rock was found in the science wing. I really like whatever material makes it have that sparkle effect. It is crazy to think these kinds of things are just randomly found in nature.

I took this picture of books outside of Mr. Arredondo's room. It reminded me of freshman year and taking physics with him.

During the photo hunt we ran into my friend Hayden in the commons. We have a lot of fun times and memories from he past years and summers. I love spending time with my friends, laughing, and doing random things having fun.

Gas by Hopper

Gas by Hopper is my favorite painting by him. I really like how it is dark out yet well lit by the gas station. I like the deep, darkness in the right of the painting that shows how dark it is in the night, it is a little bit eerie but I really enjoy it. This dark alleyway in the back also reminds me of the "Hash Slinging Slasher" from SpongeBob. It looks like the man working at the station is messing with the gas pump maybe fixing it or taking out the money. This makes me think they used to use coins for gasoline because we didn't have credit cards, that would be strange now to see someone using change to pay for our gas. I really enjoy the feeling of this painting even though it could be a little spooky in a way. I could see this being used as a beginning of a scary movie. While he is messing with the machine or taking money out he hears something far out in the woods getting closer, rustling through the leaves. While the man is back inside the station, after a lonesome car stops for some gas, he sees this thing in the woods and it keeps coming closer.

Window Poems

Straight ahead is a field sitting next to the library center
To the left is a Denny's
and past that you can see Weaver Road
Today it gets cooler, and darker sooner
Sometimes I am happy to stay others I am ready to be in my bed
The sun starts to set
I know it's getting closer to closing
I can barely see the Library
Behind that I know there is SAM's Club, Academy, and Walmart. I am sitting in my cozy little place right near my house and everywhere I go.

Art Walk

There are red flowers using swirls of paint. To the side of that, there are green swirls and mark just making a circle shape. Contrasting marks of color making small plant parts are coming out of that. The background is a grayish and then tan color blending together with a rigid edge. Also next to the red flower shape is an off white paint using small marks to make a circle. It makes me feel calm, cozy, and relaxed. It is a very peaceful piece. It reminds me of spending time in nature looking at wild life and different plants. There are two trails in the bottom of my neighborhood where the pool and tennis courts are that I have always loved to explore and spend time in. It is very relaxing to walk down a trail by yourself or with friends in nature just enjoying, doing whatever. I love the smells of the seasons and being outdoors really brings the season close and leaves great memories. It would be really relaxing for an artist to sit out in those woods next to the creek painting a still life portrait. I think paintings can be very amazing because it gives plenty of detail but with a brush and liquid that you wouldn't think could become a beautiful painting, it takes a lot of skill and practice. I love drawing and making art using graphic design, I think it would be awesome to be able to paint like this.

Contrasting flowers

Red flower made of swirling paint

Makes me feel at peace

Paintings by Renoir

Luncheon of the Boating Party -Pierre Auguste Renoir

  This painting is calm and relaxing to me and reminds me of a bunch of different events I have been to. I could imagine them all near the lake where they have their boats, docks, and jet skis. Then they
enjoy having conversation with some wine. They go inside and start cooking the steak, potatoes, and vegetables. They enjoy their weekend together and the time away from working. They dance, drink wine, and spend time on their boats until the sun sets.  I like the amount of detail used in this painting and the style of it. The light coming in is really nice looking and a lot of his paintings seem to have this nice warm light coming in from one side. It definitely takes a lot of skill to have this kind of detail and lighting coming through. I love the feeling this piece brings and how it reminds me of certain times like being at weddings as a kid, and being at the lake. Most of Renoir's other paintings seem to also have this detail style which I really enjoy seeing.

Woman in a Landscape -Pierre Auguste Renoir

This painting is a woman and 2 or 3 people(it's hard to tell) in a field. The woman is sitting looking like she is watching the people. One is on their knees appearing to be doing plant work. I could imagine her being the wife of a husband who owns land and has multiple jobs he does. She is watching the workers to make sure they are placing some new decorative plants in the right spots. She walks around the yard thinking and reminiscing times, wishing her husband were home right there by her side. She makes lunch, cleans some, and does everything she usually does on the days her husband is gone. I really enjoy the soft detail in this painting like the other one I chose and many others Renoir has done. The front landscape in the bottom of the painting is very interesting and pleasing to look at because of the colors blending. I really like the overall layout of the landscape, the small amount of sky showing through the trees, and the small piece of land showing where the people  look like they are working.

Artist Bio

My name is Keaton

My artist's name is Pierre Auguste Renoir

He was born in February, 1841, and died in 1919. He was the son to a tailor and seamstress in Limoges, France. He had 3 siblings, and attended free drawing classes and was the apprentice to a porcelain painter. Lise Trehot had his child but he didn't recognize it much during his life. 

5 Major Events

War ends in 1871

American Civil War

Telephone is invented

Abraham Lincoln assassination

First movie ever is developed

Three struggles Renoir faces were arthritis which made it hurt to paint, curling of his fingers permanently also made is difficult to paint. He also had a stroke in 1912 leaving him in a wheelchair.

The artist mostly worked wish bright paints. He was associated with the Impressionism Era and 3 of his famous works include Madame Charpentier and her children, Dance in the Country, and Dance at Bougar. Two pieces by this artist I like are Luncheon of the Boating Party, and Woman in a Landscape. I like these because of the detail, but not super intricate brush strokes or anything. I love the way they make me feel and the colors used.

Comments

Nice work, Will. I like how you had your first and last sentence highlighted. I think that style can make a lot of strong pieces.
Good job Will, I like how with just that part of a memorable passage you were able to elaborate that much about yourself.
Nice thoughts Will, I also like fiction for some of the same reasons you mentioned. I also read Crazy European Chick and thought it was a really good book.


Good work Katelynn, I also enjoyed this book a lot. I like the connection you made with your passage and the reason it is close to you.
 Nice job Katelynn, I agree that we can be trapped by mental and physical things like you mentioned. I like how your short story actually explains a lot.
Great work Katelynn! I enjoyed the short, touching story. I like how that all came from the idea of the camping ad.

Newspaper Inspired Piece

The first newspaper blackout I did talks about young Americans likeliness to encounter police vs adults. While younger Americans are about equally likely to say they've had an encounter with police, young black adults are much more likely than whites to say they've been arrested or harassed. Twenty eight percent of blacks say they have been arrested after encounters with law enforcement, 24 percent say they have been personally harassed by police, and 53 percent say they know someone who has. This statistic really makes me think, are police really that racially biased, do they commit that much more crime, or do they just get caught more often than whites because of the racial bias? This issue has risen up a ton in the last few years in places like Ferguson. In short, it is a huge controversy as to wether or not white police are being racially biased in some of these cases. I personally have thought it is a little bit annoying constantly hearing about those things. I think as long as people are being treated equal by police, there is no complaining we can do, but I don't know everything about these stories. I do know that, no matter the race of the person, if they have a gun and seem threatening to you as a police officer, you should take care of the situation properly. I think in close to all of these cases, if not all, the police are just reacting to the situation the best they can. They only have a split second before making the decision on how to handle these types of situations, so I don't think it is right for people to be automatically assuming anything just because the suspect happened to be black. We need to think about the fact that they are doing their job and reacting to scary situations fast, and every once in a while they may make the wrong decision.

Six Word Memoirs

Pursue happiness so it can come
Adventure nature, keep your mind traveling
Do things that bring you happiness
Missing the times of being together
Laughing, tubing across the wavy lake
We will miss this family time
Your work helps enjoy the day

Beginning Quote Info

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Jane Austen
December 1775-July 1817
She was an English novelist known mostly for her six major novels that interpret, critique, and comment on the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.
Published in 1813
Elizabeth Bennet lives with her mother, father, and sisters in the English countryside. As the oldest, she gets pressure from her parents to marry. When Elizabeth is introduced to the handsome and upper-class Mr. Darcy, they have a connection. Although there is obvious chemistry between them, Darcy's overly reserved actions threaten the new relationship.
I don't think I would want to read this because of the storyline. I don't think it would interest me, but it could surprise me. I like storylines with more adventure and fast-paced things happening.

"For she knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it."
Toni Morrison    
February 1931
American novelist, editor, and Professor at Princeton University. He novels are known for epic themes, rich dialogue, and very detailed characters. Her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon, and Beloved. 
Published in 1977
Song of Solomon is based on the African-American folktale about enslaved Africans who escape slavery by flying back to Africa. Macon "Milkman" Dead, a young man alienated from himself and estranged from his family his community, and his historical and cultural roots. He is mentally enslaved and spiritually dead, but Pilate, his and, and Guitar Bains, his best friend, help him through a spiritual and emotional journey that lets him reconnect with his past and realize his worth.
This book sounds like it has a great plot. As long as it isn't slow, I think it would be a good read. I think the "journey" he went on would be interesting to read about.

Memorable Passage

“make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.” -Jon Krakauer

This passage is memorable to me because I read this book last year and thought it was really interesting and inspiring. I love this passage specifically because it is very inspiring to go out, live boldly and adventure. I like how this entire book really stays true to that passage and each part is adventurous and interesting. This book and passage specifically is really insightful and makes you think. It makes you remember and value the beauty of nature and adventuring. It makes me want to go on a big adventure once I'm done with high school this semester, but I am most likely going straight into college so I won't have time then. I do want to have a big adventure one summer soon though. I think doing this will keep me out of getting in the habit of life and letting the days slip away. I want to be able to travel and adventure, I think enjoying these things makes you more content and happy with life. Like the passage says, I believe it is important to not get too used to and comfortable with our shelter and every day life. I hope this passage and idea of this book sticks with me as I grow up, and inspires me to take more adventures and travels. It excites me to think about the trips I could go on when I'm older. I think the ideas from that English class will stay close to me for a long time because of how much I learned about life and myself.

Writers as Readers

When I read, I need peace, quiet, and not too bright of lighting. I don't enjoy reading much, but if I can find things that actually interest me, it can be relaxing to read, especially if it is something I can research. I prefer to be comfortable with a fan on for background noise and because it feels good.

I like adventurous, and action type of books. Most books don't interest me, but when I can get into a good book that makes me want to read more, I can enjoy it.

One of my best memories with reading was last year, when I read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I really enjoyed the class and the book specifically interested me and made me excited to see what happened next. Another book that kept me reading and interested me was The Hunger Games, this also brings good memories because I was in around 6th grade when the first book came out and I chose to read it in class. I remember when the movie came out and we watched it at a nice lake house our family stays at with our uncle, aunt, and cousins.

The only other book, besides Into the Wild and Hunger Games, that I remember to keep me interested was Of Mice and Men. One book I had to trudge through was Huck and Finn. I don't really remember it but all I remember was trying to understand the story and thinking it was really boring. To me, reading this book at such an early age was pointless, and even when I was older I'm not sure if it would've been a good read.

One reading teacher I remember was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Debbie. I remember kindergarten at Wanda Gray and how much I enjoyed it. I remember the last day, actually being upset because I enjoyed the friends and being in school for some reason. This teacher made me appreciate school and the memories of this class are good. Sometimes it's nice to think about what it was like back then, a lot more simple. But everything that I have today makes me who I am and I enjoy life a lot.

My favorite book series is the Hunger Games. I enjoy the futuristic type of theme it has. It also is adventurous and filled with action, so it kept me interested. I enjoy books that have a good, thrilling plot that builds up to a relieving ending.  Into the Wild also has this type of interesting, thrilling plot. Even though he ends up dying, it is still relieving and a great ending to his story.

Quotations

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." -John Ruskin

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." - Charles Spurgeon

 "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud"    -Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou Poem

I sing of freedom
Making your own choices, truly getting to do what you want, when you want
I love the freedom of having a car and being able to do whatever I want during the day until curfew
Like the snap of a finger, you're out of the stage where you ask your parents to take you and figure out rides
Looking back on those times, life seems to have gone slower
I think moving out is the point where you get the biggest change in freedom and start to experience what life is like being responsible for yourself fully
Making your own choices, while it can have consequence, is a great feeling
Time may seem to keep going quicker as we get older
I wonder if we will reminisce and wish we could come back to when days went by a bit slower
Or if we will enjoy the moments of our days to come, and not get caught up with life, letting it pass us by

Maya Angelou questions

When Maya Angelou says "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" she is making reference to anything being held back or caged up. She says it isn't singing of happiness, but is screaming because it can't be free. I understand this idea, and while it is not as literal with humans, it can be true with some things. A bird is screaming because it literally can not leave that cage. With humans it can be other things like not being able to leave the house, or even being in a very stressful situation that we can't leave, we just have to deal with it in that moment.

Talking about bad things too often can give them too much power like Angelou says, but I think some things should be talked about at least once to overcome the anxiety and fear of it. Some things can eat away at you until you finally overcome that fear or anxiety and just say the thing out loud and realize it is okay. I think she either didn't understand that or never had it happen to her, she just held things in and didn't speak about it.

I don't think I would go without talking for 5 years no matter what happened to me. I would feel like I was wasting time and my life away living in and hating the past event that may have happened. I like to continue life and be happy to get past any type of tragic event. I feel like staying quiet and not moving past it would let it continue feeling like its eating you on the inside.

I think it would be cool to speak multiple languages. But I don't know when I would take the time to learn any. It is better to learn them growing up instead of trying to later on, so I would feel like it is somewhat wasting time because all we really need to live here is English.

I remember some things. I feel like it is better this way because some things we want to move past and forget, or never think about. I remember happy time mostly, there aren't too many sad or embarrassing moments that burn into my head for me to remember. The most fuzzy times of my life would be ages 0-3 and then my years up to high school, everything becomes fuzzy and hard to remember being in that mindset and routine.

I think she means that a fact can be anything that has happened or is technically true. The truth is something that should be held close to your heart and something you should live your life by. 

My biggest distractions for my "small mind" is my phone, computer, and electronics. I have used things like solving a rubiks cube to pass time and be engaged. I can also listen to music to be engaged and pass time.

The easy part about writing for me is flowing once you have the flow started. The hardest part can be getting engaged and starting a flow of thoughts. Writing is hard work all together.

I think once you are past twenty-five it just gets harder, not impossible to learn. While you may be more focused on what't important and not distracted, is will still probably be harder to learn.

Dream Marks on My Pillow

Laying in bed before I fall asleep with my soft, cozy pillow. With all of the creases and hard shadows like the one Ana Iancu has drawn. The pillow she has drawn makes me think of my great grandparents and their house for some reason. Staying there with my brother and sister when we were little, and now we are almost always busy, and when we aren't we want to relax or be with friends.

Laying in my bed
A lot can be on the mind
But I sleep in peace

Dream Threads

If a big event happened that day, then I'll think about the memories I'll have stored in my mind. Laying in bed after that amazing day, letting the memories continue to pile in so I can really remember them. I wish I could go back and re-experience all of the amazing moments. I turn on the T.V. and start the nightly Netflix routine. Fading away after watching a few episodes of Parks n Rec or The Office thinking about that day a little more. I slowly wind down and don't comprehend the tv show anymore as I fall asleep. I have random dreams, wishing they were all one long dream of that day all over again, but
Vivid dreams fade to a dream not worth remembering.

If I Were in Charge of the World

If I were in charge of the world
I'd cancel Monday classes, bad drivers, doing things that interrupt the plans we really want to have, and all classes after 12:00 AM for that matter.
If I were in charge of the world
There'd be more day light, it would never be too hot outside, and plenty of snowy and rainy days too.
If I were in charge of the world
you wouldn't have bored.
You wouldn't have sad.
You wouldn't have lonely.
Or "we have to clean this or that"
You wouldn't even have to clean, you would have a small robot for that
If I were in charge of the world
a chocolate brownie concrete from Andys would be a vegetable
All movies would be good and worth watching.
and a person who sometimes forgot homework
and sometimes forgot to set their alarm
would still be allowed to be
in charge of the world.

Daydreams

Sitting in school, bored, I drift off in my head to my "happy place". Different places I would longboard and now bike to. Vacations with my family, being on that Disney cruise ship for a week, with an indescribable feeling being in the middle of the ocean without outside phone contact.  Sitting next to the creek with my friends of which a few have moved away and some I just don't really hang out with anymore. Relaxing with Regan in the hammock, surrounded by nature. Picking her up and cuddling through that night I picked her up from a party because she wasn't feeling well. Thinking about the future and how fast it will really come, even though sometimes it seems it is coming slowly.    Thinking about where I want to, and may end up living.

Comments (Colors)

Hey Samantha, love this piece because of the very strong imagery. Nice work with that, very interesting and enjoyable to read.

Hey Samantha, I love the memories and cozy feeling this reminds me of. Great detail and perfectly describes a night watching high school football.

Hey Karlee, I personally think this piece ties in well with that color swatch. I like how it ended with "But of course, You have school again tomorrow." I have read this probably 7-10 times and it's interesting to keep reading over and over for some reason, nice work.

Hey Taylor, "alone among the millions of strands of green wispy grass. The way it moved almost brought a sense of calm to the world", this line begins to make the imagery very strong for me, it brings a calm and content feeling for some reason. I love this piece, great work.

Hey Charles, great job rhyming and not getting away from the topic just trying to find words to work with it. I like the line "I probably need help from my mother", nice work.

Hey Matt, I love this different shade of blue. Nice job rhyming, I love the ending, "This bottle has a very calming hue, Because Pacific Pleasure is a shade of blue." Nice work

Color Story

Looking into those ocean eyes. Sitting next to that beautiful body of water. Looking up into the

clear, picture perfect sky. Both wearing jeans and almost matching colored shirts. Holding each other while we lay on the soft, blue blanket.

Relaxing in my two-color hammock with my princess. Sipping on a smoothie with hints of spinach in it. Surrounded by nothing but grass, bushes, and tree leaves. Hung high in our "cocoon" together with the warm cozy feeling, knowing we are high above ground being held by those straps and our strong ripstop nylon. Enjoying the green nature all around, below, and above us.

We have a picnic on a yellow blanket out by the water. Bananas, bright apples, pears, and lemonade sitting out while we enjoy our surroundings together. Baby ducks following their mother, their light hair shining under the sun. Taking a walk afterwards soaking up the great weather.

I sit in the kitchen looking at the perfect bowl of oranges on the table, waiting for a nice fall dinner. Roast with cooked carrots are served, and mashed potatoes on the side. With halloween approaching, there are pumpkins outside and decorations inside. I love the feelings and weather that comes with this time of year.

KHS Color Walk Poem

All the memories in that very small room

Missing every moment of it, even though some are hard work that we don't want to do

Wanting to go back and re-experience the class

Every life lesson I learned in there

Every page of my journal I wrote, getting closer to finding who I really am

The past stays the past and it is sometimes almost sad to look back on and realize

We can't go back, no matter how much we want to

I'm now a senior, in my last semester of High School

Standing outside of the rooms I used to go in every day, looking forward to this year

Now it is nostalgic thinking about all of that time and those moments in these classrooms and hallways

But we can't go back, we can only move into our future

Color Collage

The Starbucks cup pours out many memories

From being a young child and thinking "how can people like coffee"

Going there before some of my siblings sporting events

Sitting and enjoying that frappuccino more than anything

Growing up and beginning to go with girls in the mall location

Being a young nervous teenager trying to impress them

Going and just sitting to talk with my uncle over a cup of coffee

Every morning walking out of our small hotel on Main Street in Santa Monica

Walking just 100 yards through the cool, ocean smelling air

For a cup of coffee and breakfast with my dad and brother, every morning we were there

Free Verse

The deep midnight plum makes me want to relax in my hammock

Sharing blackberry sorbet with the one

Deep relaxation laying, looking up at the tree leaves

with the bright stars shining through

Feeling fortified in our thin but strong

and durable hammock

Laying and sleeping through the night

in the comfortable nylon draping from two trees

Sitting on a blanket next to the duck pond as the sun sets

cuddling, laying down, and laughing

at almost nothing together

When the sun sets we lay and stargaze by the waterscape

Close together, feeling and enjoying the love in the comfortable weather

This is all we need, each other

by our sides through the night

and sleeping in through the morning

Acrostic

S itting on the sea without a care in the world

E ating the different foods on the island

A ll we want is to stay here in this tropical place with the cool breeze

S avory moments on the island remain in our minds

P eople of different ethnicities coming and enjoying the beautiful sights to see

R elaxation and the warm cozy feeling of a comfy bed after a long day out

A tmosphere filled with the sea salt smell with and the breeze running through your hair

Y oung and free to do whatever the island allows

Color Haikus

Enjoy the morning

Refracted light in nature

Shines on leaves and silk

Look into blue eyes

With their tranquil vibes

Underneath the moonlit path

Comments

Hey Samantha, I can relate to the working even more than you are at home and going out for fried asparagus and sushi. I really enjoy the "pinterest perfect life in Colorado", line it gives me nostalgia and makes me look forward to the future. Also how you mention time passing and "losing track" of it. I have thought about that a lot lately and have tried to stay in the moment and enjoy each day. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing Samantha, I love the portion about Halloween because it reminds me of my younger years, really looking forward to it and enjoying every bit of it. It reminds me of every costume I used to wear and I thought your "trash bag" costume was pretty funny. Thinking about raking leaves throws me back to being a young kid at my grandparents house raking them up and jumping in, without another thought on my mind. I like how that random Octoberfest can "spark" that many memories and reminds me of a few objects I have that can do just the same. 

I love the "still figuring out how life works" line as I think we can almost all relate to that.  "A son to wonderful parents who teach me the right from the wrong", this reminds me of how much my parents care and try to always help me, and like a lot of teenagers, I don't give them enough credit. I really enjoyed where you said "A humble kid, but I always think I am right", I feel that way and it has been hard to describe, but even that short sentence describes it pretty well. Thanks for sharing Matt!

Hey Matt, I don't actually enjoy running, but this reminds me a lot of soccer, which we played together Freshman year. "I couldn’t make up this story if I tried", I really enjoyed this and thought it was a little funny because I, and most likely many others, have had those same moments. It's very cool that you met Allison in track and the "support" reminds me of my girl who supports me just as much. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Kam, "but they’re just mad that it gets priority seating in my car." I love that and it actually made me laugh! " Sometimes it’s not necessarily the object that is so important, but the memories that are associated with it.", this is so true and reminds me of some objects I have that are the same way. I enjoy how much you love baseball and it's very cool how the one you found means so much and that you take it anywhere and everywhere. Thanks for sharing!

"Bucky" (Old baby blanket)

Author's Note-My blanket from my childhood is what inspired this piece.



     Before I was born, at the baby shower, one of the gifts my parents were given was a white baby blanket. At that time you could see every stitch and design on the perfect bleach white blanket. It was always my favorite thing to have in my hands and put in my mouth like any baby would. "Bucky" was the first "word" I was able to say, because I couldn't pronounce blanket quite yet. I would call for "bucky" when I was crying, hungry, thirsty, or really anything, it was the only thing I knew at the time besides my mom and dad. I don't necessarily remember it, but I can see myself laying on the play-mats with a half circle of different toys above it and calling for my blanket. It's interesting to see how even though most of us can only remember very small portions of our childhood and baby life, we are told stories about us being little and we can picture and make out more of the story. Hearing them as you grow up makes you realize how fast time passes by and to enjoy life more instead of thinking about those moments every day that aren't the most enjoyable, it sucks that we can get into the habit of dreading those moments instead of enjoying and looking forward to the good ones, like even crawling into a cozy bed at night and watching your favorite show. 
     As time passed and I played with it or chewed on it, it started getting small holes throughout. What was the perfect, bleach white blanket with the stitching designs you could see clearly, began to discolor and tatter. I didn't care though, I still wanted it every day to chew and suck on. As time kept passing, seeming slower than it does now, where every day is like the blink of an eye, it became ripped and started getting little knots in it. I kept playing with it and I remember enjoying sucking and chewing on the small knots. Every day it became closer to being the ripped, tattered, big knot of strings it is today. I feel the life of the blanket somewhat represents growing up and starting to see the holes in the world until it becomes one big knot of tangled strings and pieces that we learn to live with and enjoy. 
     I grew up with that blanket and it will always be a staple for my childhood. I grew up with that blanket and it will always be a staple for my childhood. I used it until I was at least 7 or 8 probably to sleep every night. I ended up finding it in my closet when I was about 12 so I had it in my bed for a while again. I don't remember losing it, but it happened, and I was finally able to sleep without my "bucky" next to my face, cuddling with it to help me fall asleep.                                   

I am...

I am..

A son, a brother, and the oldest of three

Springfield Missouri with all of its beautiful features, and its few boring ones

A little boy running through my great-grandparents house, more than excited to go out in the backyard and help granddaddy with yard work

Jumping over my back fence to Garrett’s house since kindergarten until I was 12 or so, but times change and we grow out of certain friendships

A guitar player and someone who loves music, it can make a bright day even better and help cure a day where you just aren’t feeling it

My first dogs, playing with them and my family all the time, and my two new dogs

Chic-Fil-A, Sushi, and Japanese food, which I of course had last night

A good student, who doesn’t like school just as much as most people

A sushi chef and dishwasher at Tasia since the summer I turned 16

Into the Wild, my favorite and most inspiring book I have read

My new black G35 that I am lucky enough to have as a teenager

Not a little kid anymore, I am 18, and am enjoying almost every part of it

Sad sometimes, thinking about the old times spent with all of my family that I enjoyed so much, and the fact that now, I mostly look forward to time with my girlfriend and friends.. But this is part of growing up I guess, we only have 24 hours every day..

In love with my sweet, beautiful girl that is an amazing support system and has already helped me get through so much and makes me happy every day

I am, in the future..

A happy man with a job that I enjoy

In good contact with my family and still get to see my sister dance, probably professionally, and my brother play soccer

In a nice, cozy, nostalgic house with my gorgeous princess

In a city where we both love living

In love