The "American Dream"

In response to this article http://www.marketplace.org/, I think that the poor side is correct. In the article a "rich" man claims that he earned all his wealth. I think that it is great, but, its not always the fault of the people who are poor and live in there cars, or in the streets. Many wealthy people say that it is "there own fault for being homeless," but its not. In that same article, it talks about a lady with six kids who lives in her car. Since she thought she would be married forever she didn't work, therefore didn't make any social security points to get money after retirement. So a lady with six kids is living in her car. The "rich" don't know anything about being poor, most of the rich people today always had a roof over their head and a full stomach, so they don't truly know what these people are going through. They shouldn't speak if they don't know!

The gap between the rich and the poor happens for many reasons. When someone becomes disabled, and can not work any longer, money troubles start to kick in. First it is the late rent. then they get kicked out, forcing them to sadly live on the streets. Also many rich people are born into rich parents. "Well isn't that convenient!" Some are born into homeless parents. And some are born with a disability that prohibits them from working. Many reasons, but no answers to how it can all stop.

Who would be responsible of stopping the gap between the rich and the poor, might you ask? Well, its nobodies responsibility. Even if it was the duty of a certain group in society, they would not take care of it. Everyone is too self centered and selfish to think about anybody's problems but their own. Also if everyone was at the same economic level, there would be no hope, and most importantly no, "American Dream!"

Rich and Poor.

     What are the rich? What are the poor? Is there really an appropriate definition?

Many people say they're poor because they don't have the things they want or they say it so that people can feel bad for them...it's not right!! Say your poor when you have no food, no clean water and not even a car to live in. I think that rich people should share the wealth...like don't you have alot to go around? 

I'm not saying give the poor your life savings or something but just $5 would help! But the thing i don't like the most is people who pretend to be poor. I've heard of many stories of people dressing up like a homeless person just so they can make a few extra bucks. It's sick if you ask me. Can you seriously live with that on your conscious? I wouldn't be able to....

I honestly think that everybody should help to fill in the gap between the rich and the poor. It's sad to see what some people have to go through.....help make a difference.

Rich or Poor?

The terms rich and poor have been mentioned a lot whether it be in the news or by mouth. However no matter which category you fall in...you earned it.

Some people claim to be in bad positions due to health problems or being born into a poor family. Well believe it or not Mel Gibson, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill all suffered from bipolar disorder and they did not end up to bad, did they? Or double amputee Oscar Pistoris who competed in the Olympics despite his obvious disadvantage.

Most of the time a disorder or body defect should not keep you from following your dreams and becoming 

successful. Most people who are rich did not stop with little set backs. Think of all the fast-food restaurants you eat 

at. Once upon a time they were just ideas in somebody's head. Now the owners are millionaires! 

The gap between the rich and the poor happens because some people do not try hard enough to get what they want.

To do that you most likely need to do good in school, have a job, and be nice to people.

I don't think this gap will ever be fixed. No matter what happens there will ALWAYS be somebody who is 

poor and somebody who is rich and I do not think anybody can fix it. No politician can pass any tax or law that could

makes us equal in the amount of money we have. I am sorry, but that is the truth.

The Gap

There are many wealthy communities that have, of course the wealthy people, and the penniless people. No matter what community this is in, the gap seems to be getting bigger. But why does this gap seem to be getting immensely huge? Some say the poor are just asking for handouts and some say the rich need to give more advice to those that want to achieve a wealthy status.

Some of poor get to where they are for a reason. Like Kathleen Krantz who became homeless after divorcing in this article. “Because I was a wife and did not work, and did not build my Social Security because I thought I would be married still, I ended up with a very mere $288 in Social Security benefits.” Before the divorce, she did not work. Therefore, without her working, it was crucial to act upon her social security.

Some think that all of the prospering people are jerks and are greedy. And they say that the rich need to be more helpful towards the poor. Some of the rich receive their wealth by inheriting it through family members or others. And some of the rich become wealthy by building from the ground up. They start a small business and then they progress into what their business will be. Successful or unfortunate.

The gap between the rich and the poor is growing as we speak. However we should not be pointing fingers at each other, we only have ourselves to blame. We need to be more independent. 

Speak: Free- Writes

1.     1.  We sometimes don’t like people who are good at sports, art, or music because we don’t want to think that they are better than us. Also we sometimes wish we were as good as them, it’s pretty much jealousy. This is not fair, people should not be looked down upon because they are good at something, and they should actually be applauded. This is not going to change the fact that most people hate on the people who go above and beyond just because they don’t want to feel inferior to others. Adults are probably more jealous than kids. Adults are pretty much all about who has the best job, who owns the best house, and the best car. Adults talk bad about the people who have, or can do better than them simply because of jealousy.

2.    2.   It means that you can say and think whatever you want. You can think the weirdest things that is what free speech is. It is definitely not, oh you can think this, and this, and that, but don’t you dare think that. Sadly that is how it is now.

3.   3.    Yes, we may have the weirdest thoughts, but on the outside we might be quiet. Melinda fits this description like a glove. Even though she is depressed on the outside, people don’t really actually know all the hurt she has inside her. People just think that she’s just acting like that because Melinda is going through a “phase”. I think that people do this because they want to fit in. They think that if they show who they truly are, people won’t accept them.

4.   4.    I think she is relieved because she didn’t get invited to go with someone, and if she goes alone it’s going to be weird with her all alone and other kids in groups of friends laughing and having fun. I think she is sad for the same reason that nobody invited her to go with them. To me it’s just a part of growing up. Personally I have never gone trick or treating, so I wouldn’t know. But I think people need to suck it up and acknowledge that they are growing up.

5.   5.    People do that because they are selfish and they only think about their own needs. They also don’t worry about other people’s feelings. No, the Marathas are just using Heather for what she can bring to the table. At first the Marathas didn’t even know Heather existed, but Melinda befriended her.

6.      6. I think that, “You must walk alone to find your soul,” means that you can’t rely on what others think, you have to be you. If you think something don’t let people change it just because everyone is thinking the opposite.

7.  7.     His words should mean that in order for Melinda to be free from that night, she has to speak up. Melinda needs to tell someone what happened to her.

8.   8.    It could mean that Melina needs to let go of the secrets that are weighing her down. She needs to let go of them, like a pruning tree, she needs to chop them all off so she can have another chance at living a happy life.

Artistic Visualization

For my Artistic Visualization project I chose a picture of my club volleyball team at out latest tournament in a frame with volleyball stickers on the front because volleyball represents me. I am playing volleyball anywhere from 4-11 hours a week. I play for Pac Juniors on the 14-2s as a middle blocker. I’ve had a love for volleyball ever since third grade. It has made me laugh and it has made me cry. But no matter what happens on the court I will continue to try my hardest and love the sport.

Speak Free Write Assignment

Question #1
I think that people that don't like people who are really good at things are just jeolous. They must be jeolous because they can't do that certain thing and when they see someone else doing it perfectley it might make them mad. I don't think this is fair, but I see where this person is going with this, He might be embarrassed to ask for help or advice, or maybe he might just not like that person. Adults are also like this. Awile ago, my mother and I met this lady at a park and she and my mother just so happened to have they same hair stylists and the lady just complained about her. She told us that she's stuck up and full of herself all because she know's how to do hair. In my mind, I was saying yeah right and that she's just jeolous that she doesn't know how to do hair, my mom didn't like her either.

Questiom #2

 I think freedom of speech means that you have all the rights to say what you think is right. Like how David Petrakis stood up for his beliefs and won the battle between himself and and with his teacher Mr. Neck. Mr. Neck was saying how his son couldn't get a job as a firefighter, and that he should have because his ancestors were the first ones in the nation to come to America and all this nonsense. A student replied by saying how maybe his son didn't get the job because he was lazy or unqualified. Mr. Neck didn't want to here of it so he demanded that the discussion was closed and they were moving on to something else. David didn't agree.

Question #3
Are We Sometimes Different People On The Outside Then We Are On The Inside?Which is the true people, do you think?

I think that we are truelly different people on the inside than on the inside. That person might be embarrased
by how they really and make themselves into a whole different person to just fit in. I think that the people that live a happy life and dosn't give a hoot about what people think about them is the truer person. Like David Petrakis, he wanted to have a discussion in class and he didn't hide what he felt about how the teacher handled things. I liked David as a character because he spoke his mind, and in doing so accomplished so many things.



Question #4

When Mlindas parent first tell her that she can't go trick-Or-treating I think that if Melinda wants to do it let her. I think Melinda is both happy and sad that she can't go is because she probably dosn't want to go but she is sad that she dosn't get the oppurtunity to argue with her parents about wanting her to go. I personally think that when I leave childhood traditions behind I'll get sad. Like when the year comes for me to stop going trick-or-treating, or stuff like I might be a little depressing, because you are so used to having so much fun.


Question #5

I really don't like people that "like" us only to get something out of it. Like if people only liked me because I did their homework or bought them things, and they only act nice to me only for me to do something nice for them, then that's when you know that they aren't your true friends. I think that the Marthas' arent good friends to Heather because I think they only want her to help them with things. Like the school events and helping around the nieghborhood. I think that Heather and Melinda were good friends until the Marthas stepped into the picture.

Question #6

One of Mr. Freeman's "words of wisdom" is "Art is about making mistakes and leaning from them," this one was my favorite. I like it the most because art is about making mistakes. When you have a piece of clay you try to mold it into something, the first couple of tries you look at it and it dosn't lool like what you intended it to look, but by the 8th or 9th try it looks perfect. It's the same in life, when it knocks you down you have to pick yourself back up and find another way.


Question #7

David is a truelly true friend to Melinda. He tells her that "people have to speak up for rights." To Melinda these words should mean that she needs to tell someone about what happened at the party. He parents, a counsler, anybody. That she needs to take a stand a protect other girls from "It." Even though she tried to when she talked to her friend about him. But he did lead her to the idea of writing it down in the bathroom stall, where other girls agreed with her that "It" was  not a person to be hanging around with.

Question #8

When Melindas father explains to her that the arborists are cutting off disease and damage to make the tree grow again I compare it to Melindas life. I think that she has to cut cut off her angerness and and depression and let it go. She has a future now and what happened is now in the past. When Melindas father mentions that the tree is getting cut down, I think of how if Melinda cut all of the sadness and depression off she would be back to the way she used to be, the happy Melinda with lots of friends, new friends, and a not very quiet girl.

Two of My Many Personalities

My teacher told to pick something or make something that can represent me. So I picked two type of emoji icons. The first one is the origanal happy face :) and the second is the face with a smirk. :~/. I picked these two because they fit me. Part of me is always full of smiles amd giggles and the other part of me is smirking. (Ask my friends they know.) I have amy personalities but these two I would say are the most common of my personalities, and if I did put down all my different personalities then I would need a whole lot more room. Thanks for reading!!!

The Unwritten Rules To Hanging out with a Pregnant Lady

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationaalarchief/




So, just plain and simple, stay away from pregnant women! Just kidding. Anyways, this all started the day when my brother bought his wife a pregnancy test. There we were, nervous, speechless, we didn't know what was to come. Suddenly, BOOM, the door slams open. With only one bright light, lighting up the pregnancy test as my sister in law held it up. Meanwhile, you could here loud angelic voices, " HALLELUJAH." No, i'm just kidding, hahaha. Seriously though, when we found out she was pregnant we were all very happy. The baby will be my first niece/ nephew and my parents first grandchild. So, this was really exiting news. 

Now, lets get down to business.

Rule# 1: Don't be mean to her. The woman's hormones are going crazy right now, so a little comment will send her into tears.

Rule# 2: Be ready to be smelling throw up in the air. Any little food can and may upset her stomach, so, buy her many buckets.

Rule# 3: Talk to her about the baby. Talk to her about what gender she might want it to be, the future baby shower, or any names she is thinking off. This always gets pregnant women happy.

Rule# 4: Finally and most importantly, let her know you care about the baby. Ask her many questions and talk to her about the baby and you hanging out when he/she is a little older.

Hopefully this will help me and many of you first time aunts or uncles.  

Us

Us

Little waves push at my ankles as I hold your hand.

I treasure these walks where water meets land.

Even though we’ve had our troubles,

I have no problem sifting through the rubble,

And piecing the pieces together,

So I can say us forever.

Music

Whether I am doing homework

Or waiting for someone,

I am listening to music.

From classical music, to Rage against the Machine

It makes me happy,

If you take it away,

Who knows what will happen.

I always have a song stuck in my head,

Almost every day,

I find new songs

But rare does it happen when I fall in love with a song

The song either reminds me of something,

Or it fits the situation that I am in

Please let me listen to songs that keep me amused,

Or your face will end up bruised.

Photo Credit

Unwritten Rules of Being A Twin

Being a twin is awesome and all, but that all stops when a person comes up to you and asks you a bizarre question. So, here are my rules of asking a question to a twin.

1.      Do not ask if we are twins, a little sarcasm will come your way if you do.

2.      Please do not ask if we have twin telepathy. If you don’t have telepathy, then we probably won’t have telepathy.

3.      Do not ask if we have a secret language.  Just because we don’t have telepathy, doesn’t mean we will have a secret language.

4.      Do not ask who is smarter and who is dumber.

5.      Do not come up to me, pinch or punch me, go to my sister and ask her, “Did you feel that?”

6.      Do not ask me or my sister if we have ever switched classes for a day? My response would be, “No. It would take too much time. I would have to tell her where I sit and which class to go to. And other people would notice and ruin it.”

So, those are my pet peeves when someone asks a question to me and my sister. 

Star Wok

Star Wok is located in a grocery strip mall in Claremont. I have only gone there twice, but I love it! Out of the two times that I have gone there I had gotten the vegetable egg roll with a bowl of chow mein, and just a bowl of fried rice. 

They have the same people there most of the time. And it does not taste like Panda Express at all. The portion sizes are HUGE. They fill your bowl or your box to the very top. It’s not very busy, so only a few people walk in if your there. 

It’s greasy, but I still love it. On a star rating I would give it a 4. The portion sizes are HUGE, the prices are reasonable, and I love the food. 

Ode to My Pencil

 Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennthewolfe/


When I need you, you are there
 To help me with my work.
Your wooden sides as soft as silk,
The glitter at the top, so sparkly like the ocean at sunrise.
But, when I jab you in the evil beaver-like machine, I cry
For you are getting smaller, and it's not a lie.
Everyday, I shove you in while you make a ferocious noise.
I am sad; I might have to replace you.
But before you go, here it is, an ode for you.

Un-written Rules!

There are many rules on this earth. Don’t cheat on a test, no cell phones, no cussing at your parent, no talking back to teachers, your clothes have to fit right, n tattoos/piercings ect. But there are unwritten rules also. There’s un-written rules for a lot of things! I think one of the most important are…

Un-written rules of being a teenage girl!

1.      Never like the same person as your bestfriend(or at least don’t tell them) it can get ugly…

2.      Keep your secrets to yourself!!!!!! I don’t know how more to express this! Just know that some of your “friends” aren’t really your friends..

3.      Be yourself around the guy you like…they’ll most likely like you more.

4.      If you like a guy, don’t tell him right away…they get weirded out.

And here are just some….

Un-written rules for teenagers!

1.      Guys… if its cold, give her your sweater..even if its just a friend. It’ll show her you care.

2.      If someone has the remote and they leave to use the restroom or something….TAKE THE REMOTE c:

3.      If you don’t someone, don’t tell everybody! That’s how rumors start and a fight is bound to happen.

4.      If your mom/dad isn’t acting the same or they seem kind of upset…DO NOT ASK FOR SOMETHING!!!!! It’s a baaaadddd idea..

5.      If your boyfriend/girlfriend is in a bad mood or upset….ask what’s wrong. It helps.

These aren’t the best un-written rules but they are bound to help someone at some given 

Ode To Music

So much depends upon
A couple lyrics a day
They make you happy
They make you sad
               

 
                     The songs save the lives of many
                     So many tears shed
                     So many feelings hurt
                     I can feel the pain in my head


                         
                                      The tears run down like razor blades
                                      They hit my shirt like bullets
                                      As though a knife had been puncturing my skin
                                      You can feel the vibe with in



                                                   As the night ends,my eyes begin to close
                                        And as my dreams shatter my heart begins to ache
                                                  But thanks to my music
                                                   Good things are my fatte


Photo Credit. 

Unwritten Rules to getting Pie

Do you enjoy a nice hot piece of pie every now and then. I know I do. Here are a few rules to geting pie some are good and some are bad, so beware. (Involves alot of running)

1. If there is pie on the table and no one looks like they are claiming it then take it and run.
2. If your parents tells you not to eat pie, wait for them to leave the room and grab it and run. And if they ask you if you were the one who took it say no and stash your plate somewhere oh, and wipe your face.
3. If your brother or sister is making fun of you smack them, then take the pie and run. If your parents ask you if you did it say no and give them your most angelic look.
4. If someone at school is eating pie wait for them to look away then take it and run. If they run after you stop running and smash the pie in there face. ( That's my favorite one.
5. If you are at a pie eating contest do the contest then take an extra piece of pie with you
6. If someone looks like they are going to take your pie, take a spoonful of it and flick it at them, then as you know run.
7. Eat your pie in privacy unless you want to share it with everybody

I hope these help you with your pie needs. Thanks for reading.

Night Song

Night Song

Pasadena, Pasadena

My dear old Pasadena

My hometown

My Life

Life of shots

Fired

and gangs

yet I see past that

Stars in the skies

like fireflies

stuck up  there

so high

The moon

shining bright

the trees

sleeping

Everything

Everywhere

is like a song

that everyone hears

the guns

the sirens

the howl

of the mountain lion

It's the song

the song

of

 Pasadena

My Goal

For some time now I have been having the dream to grow out my hair and donate it. With a couple of steps I hope my dream comes true.

The first thing I will do is take care of my hair. I will use no heat on my hair for the next few years. The reason for this is because i dont want my hair all damaged for the person who will have it.

The second thing I will do is use good natural hair strengtheners. I want my hair to be strong and not so fragile, so that the wig with my hair in it will last for the person.

The last thing I will do is not cut my hair, and just let nature do its thing to let it grow. I really hope that my hair grows long so that I can donate it, with these steps I hope to accomplish my dream of donating my hair to someone who needs it.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/isdky/

King Taco

Have you ever been to King Taco? If you haven't, pack your bags and get ready to taste the best Mexican food in the world. I have been going to King Taco since I was little, so its safe to say that you will enjoy the food and atmosphere.

King Taco has the best tacos, burritos, and rotisserie chicken. These foods are so good. Along with these foods, there's also the most amazing drink in the world, it is called horchata. The drink is a delicious sweet milk colored liquid. The horchata at King Taco is the best in the world. You can easily down a whole drink in a couple minutes, that's how good it is. If you like salsa, King Taco  
has the best red sauce. It will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Not only does King Taco have good food, but it also has good atmosphere. King Taco has a jukebox, so you are the one who picks the music.

King Taco is truley, without a doubt the best mexican food place in the world. From food to atmosphere, King Taco is the ideal place to take the family out to eat. I give this place an 11out of 10!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/

Wild Waters Water Park!

There are many different water parks in California. There is Raging Waters, Raging Rapids but the one I enjoyed a lot when my dad took me is Wild Waters. Whenever I tell people about it they always say  “What’s that?” or “Don’t you mean Raging Rapids?” but in this case no. Sure I haven’t  been there in a while but I remember a lot about it! The food was good, its clean and it’s FUN! They have a wave pool too! Oh my gosh! I love that place! They have high rides, low rides, swimming pools and more! Make sure you wear a bathing suit though because you are bound to get WET! I wish I can go there again! The workers are nice and help you out with anything you need help with! The only thing is the closest one to us is by Fresno (about 5 hours away) wish there was one closer! But if your passing by make sure to stop by! :) 

Photo Credit.

Dara Donuts Ice Cream Review

Dara Donuts Ice Cream Review 

If you're in the mood for a donut or two this is the place to go! This small business  has all the donut flavors you want but they go fast! They have anything from glazed to plain and even sprinkles. The owner of this little donut shop on 369 S Mountain Ave Upland, CA 91786‎ is very nice and will slip in the occasional free donut or donut hole. You can't say anything bad about these guys! Their glazed donuts are flawlessly fluffy and glazed perfectly. Their plain donuts aren't really plain. They have just a hint of sweetness and will take your taste buds on an adventure. And you cant get enough of those donut holes! They are just as dreamy as a glazed donut but just in fun size.

Enough about donuts, what about their ice cream?  Or how about ice cream for $1?  That's right Dara Dognuts has Thriftty's Ice Cream for a dollar every day. Everyone probably knows about the Handle's that is just two stores away and their over priced ice cream, and it's good but Dara Donuts has equally delicious ice cream but it is barely noticed. Remember guys the next time you want to save a few bucks when you are satisfying your sweet tooth walk (or drive) on over to Dara Donuts Ice Cream!

Review on Raging Waters

                        The first time i went to raging

                         waters i promised myself that

 i would never go again. First

off they were overpriced.  The

general admission is like 

$37.99, that's like too expensive.

 And that's not the only thing that is

over charged. There's overpriced

 parking..overpriced food..

overpriced lockers..and their

 funnel cakes are overpriced

 and disgusting.

(Magic Mountain has better ones if

i do say so myself). I would also like

 to say that the it's really dirty there.

There's dirty water and dirty bathrooms.

(I warn you use the bathroom before you leave home).

There is a serious bee problem, they swarm around the eating area. Its understandable because it is a water park but you would think they could do something about it. The eating area itself is not maintained clean at all, and it is my guess that it is not cleaned until the end of the day, because garbage was collecting around the tables and when the cleaning boy did show up, he swept up trash that had fallen from the trash can, and moved on.That's dirty if you ask me.
The only fun rides, to me at least was the Drop Out, High Extreme, and Dr. Von Darks Tunnel of Terror. The rest of the rides were bombarded with little screaming wet kids. Oh, and speaking of kids, I don't really like the idea of them being with me in the water, I think you know why.

Photo Credit