My Best Memory

As boring as this might of been for some people, my best memory had to have been the trip to the Milton Park. I know, out of all the fun trips we have taken, I pick that one, but I really did have fun. Sometimes hanging out with your friends is enough to make your day great.
When we first started walking to the park, it was a lot of fun. Just to kind of escape school and get outside. Then I realized that wearing jeans and a black shirt in ninety degree weather probably wasn’t the smartest idea. But to be honest, I had forgotten we were going when I picked my wardrobe that morning. Sue me.
It was so hot, as soon as we arrived at the park, I collapsed on that teeter-totter. And I wasn’t the only one. About ten other people shoved their way onto the four person teeter-totter. It was probably a safety hazard, but that’s okay. They didn’t seem to mind getting thrown to the ground every sixty seconds.
Then came the little boy, who we learned was named Chase. He didn’t seem intimidated by the abundant amount of big eighth graders, and just hopped on the seat next to me. I was later informed by him that his sneakers are brand new, his birthday is coming up, his favorite color is green, and he likes spaghetti. Then his Mom came over, and made my new best friend leave. And I really wish he hadn’t. Because then I had the crazy idea to walk over to a group of my friend sitting by the water. To make a short story shorter, my shoe fell in.
Without using flowery words, I’ll admit to you, the walk back freaking sucked. The shoes were already to large for me, and now one being drenched and slippery with water, it was basically impossible for me to walk without tripping on the road. So, of course, I took the shoe off. But then one leg was longer than the other, and that led to more tripping, so I took them both off. And that might of not been the smartest idea. There were rocks all over the ground. Sharp rocks.
By the time we got back to school, I was exhausted, and my feet were probably bleeding. Now that I look back and analyze this experience, it doesn’t really seem like a good memory, does it? The thing is, it is a good memory. A fantastic one even. Because despite the outer shell of exhaustion and pain, was the underlying fun. I will never forget this day, because it was one of the last times for me to hang out with my friends before we all go separate ways. I’ll miss you, guys. And Chase, happy birthday.

« Middle School Memories

Middle School Memories

Middle School. If you could define it in a word, what would it be? Fun. Boring. Nerve-racking. Embarrassing. Amazing. I have memories that fit into each of these categories. Spending three years at this school, it seems appropriate that I do. Each and every year there’s another accomplishment met- I’m one step closer to becoming an adult.
Starting with sixth grade. The obvious memory I would have is the first day of school. I was nervous- I’ll give you that that. Extremely nervous, actually. So many scenarios had run through my head- will I get beat up? Will the teachers hate me? Will I flunk out? Well, in the classic fairytale story- er, essay, I guess, my first day of school would of been perfect. Fantastic. No. I went to all my classes in the wrong order, got in trouble at lunch for eating at the wrong table, and ended up getting lost trying to find the bathroom. It ended up being about six feet away from the classroom.

Next, I suppose, would be seventh grade. I went to school feeling slightly more confident than the year before. I remember having on Poke’mon socks, and showing everyone whenever I had the chance. In hindsight, that probably wasn’t the coolest thing to show your new classmates. But I was completely convinced those socks were the best things sense sliced bread.

Finally, eighth grade. Probably the first year I went in feeling confident, and it wasn’t just because of my socks, which were Poke’mon free. Somehow, I knew this year was going to be a great one. Despite having the rather intimidating (so I heard) Mrs. Ducharme as my homeroom teacher, I survived the first day relatively unscathed. All of my teachers were fantastic. One bad memory from the first day is forgetting everything and anything in Ms. Fisher’s science class. I went home convinced that she hated me. Still, the day as a whole was great.
Throughout my three years of middle school, there are many prominent memories from each year. Some of the memories are fantastic, and some… not so much. Still, such is middle school, so I will cherish each memory, good or bad, for the rest of my life. Middle School, good bye, and good riddance.

My Best Memory »« Chemicals React- Accomplishment Essay

Chemicals React- Accomplishment Essay

Middle School Memories »« The Glass CASTLEEEE! (of Death)

The Glass CASTLEEEE! (of Death)

The Glass Castle’

By Jeanette Walls

The novel I recommend is called “The Glass Castle”, written by Jeanette Walls. I have read this story many times, and have enjoyed it every single time. Being set in multiple locations, and with new characters constantly added, you will never be bored. Well, you might be bored sometimes, but its a book. Don’t be picky.This heart warming story will capture your attention from first glance. In this autobiography, you will follow Jeanette Wall’s life, and all of the heart-breaking details.On the first page, you are smacked in the face with the first of many bad experiences for Jeanette- being set on fire. Will she survive? Well… obviously. How else would the story continue for 300 more pages? But you will want to keep reading, regardless.

The plot of this novel is constantly shifting. Since Jeanette’s family is constantly on the run from police officers and debt collectors, the tides are always turning. Throughout their struggles, Jeanette and her three siblings try to remain optimistic and innovative. Despite this, tensions often rise, and family lashes out against family. You’ll be on the edge of your hypothetical chair.

As the children grow larger, so do their minds and own personal opinions. As Jeanette shifts away from her parents’ personal mindset, words and bodies collide. In one final blow out, decisions are made that will change their lives forever. Will Jeanette make it through unscathed?

The themes in this poem are abundant. There are small ones, like treating animals with respect. Though the larger, more specific theme is family. Stick with your family no matter what, because some day they may be the only ones you have left.

I think that anybody and everybody should read this book- unless you can’t read. If you can’t, then get off my blog, you won’t find anything here. But if you CAN read, go pick this book up at your local book store, or on amazon.com. Happy camping.

THE END.

Chemicals React- Accomplishment Essay »« The Journey, by Mary Oliver

The Journey, by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Reflection: I think this poem refers to choices, and how you choose the correct one. Throughout life, many people will be pushing you to choose one thing, while you may want another. I think in this poem, Oliver speaks of a person who learns to make their own decisions, and what the long term effects are.

The Glass CASTLEEEE! (of Death) »« Success Is Counted Sweetest, by Emily Dickinson

Success Is Counted Sweetest, by Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory!

As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

Reflection: This poem has a pretty simplistic message to it. When someone always succeeds, they don’t notice their most simple accomplishments. Those who “ne’er” succeed, however, appreciate every accomplishment they make.

The Journey, by Mary Oliver »« Sleeping In The Forest, by Mary Oliver

Sleeping In The Forest, by Mary Oliver

Success Is Counted Sweetest, by Emily Dickinson »« Touched By An Angel, by Maya Angelou

Touched By An Angel, by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Reflection: The main message of this poem is that without love, life isn’t worth living. It is only love that can bring out the spirit in an individual, nothing else. I think any kind of variation of love can suffice- even simple friendship.

Sleeping In The Forest, by Mary Oliver »« Woman Work, by Maya Angelou

Woman Work, by Maya Angelou

I’ve got the children to tend
The clothes to mend
The floor to mop
The food to shop
Then the chicken to fry
The baby to dry
I got company to feed
The garden to weed
I’ve got shirts to press
The tots to dress
The can to be cut
I gotta clean up this hut
Then see about the sick
And the cotton to pick.

Shine on me, sunshine
Rain on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops
And cool my brow again.

Storm, blow me from here
With your fiercest wind
Let me float across the sky
‘Til I can rest again.

Fall gently, snowflakes
Cover me with white
Cold icy kisses and
Let me rest tonight.

Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone
Star shine, moon glow
You’re all that I can call my own.

Reflection: This poem shows all the work a woman has to do, all in one day. I also think that this was more directed toward previous times, when women actually did have to do all of the household chores. Now the responsibility is usually shared by women, men, and children of either gender. I read my Mom this poem, and her exact words were, “Thank goodness your Dad does all that crap.”

Touched By An Angel, by Maya Angelou »« Should I Be Doing Something Else? Yes.

Should I Be Doing Something Else? Yes.

Yeah, yeah. I’m shouldn’t be doing this post. I should be working on my website, or reflecting on those stupid poems, but I’m not. Because I have this thing where I like to put everything off ’til last minute, and do all the unimportant things first. What? No, I am not procrastinating. That’s a bad habit. This is simply a life style choice. Perhaps not a good one, but I digress. But enough about my boring life. Let’s talk about my boring day. I am about to leave for gym class, which isn’t so bad. That is, as long as I get to the locker room before most of the other girls. If I don’t make it in time, I’m stuck in the battle zone- deoderant containers flying over my head, sneakers banging against the lockers- the whole shabang. I know! I shouldn’t have to worry about keeping my head on everyday I go to school. I have to say, whoever entered gym, I hope you rot in… Narnia. I hope you rot in Narnia.

Woman Work, by Maya Angelou »« Free-Write… Is It Really FREE?