February Writers

Our February writers have been uploaded to the blog.  This month we have fourteen submissions.  You know the drill.  Read ALL of them and choose at least five that you wish to leave comments.  Remember, to explain why you are leaving a comment.  You can ask questions of the writers for they can and may respond.

Your comments are due Thursday, March 2.

Writers,
Follow your page and keep track of your comments.  Respond to at least three comments on your page AND leave comments for two other pieces.  Your comments are due Sunday, March 5.

Have fun!!!

Now, go read :)

Have a great week.  See you in class.


Mrs. Solano

Little Blue--Chris

June 1st, 8:30 a.m.:

“Hey mummy!”

“Hey my little bug! You’re awake! Ready for breakfast? Daddy made it, today!”

“Yeah! Wait… is it pancakes and did he burn them again? And, where is daddy?

“That’s funny, little bug, but no, fortunately not this time. And he’s in the observatory going over his research on the newest star he found last night. Maybe after breakfast you can go ask him if he’d let you name it.”

“He found another one? And you think he’d let me name it? Really!?”

“Yeah I really do, love. Now, finish your pancakes—don’t rush—and then you can go ask him about it. Sound good?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, now don’t rush. I don’t want you choking like yesterday.”

8:37 a.m.:

“Okay mummy, I’m all finished! I’m going to go ask daddy now!”

“Alright little bug, bring your plate here. Put on a jacket and be careful walking up that hill!”

“I will! I’ll see you later mummy!”

“Okay darling. Give it a good name!”

8:45 a.m.:

“Hey daddy!”

“Hey love, whatcha up to?”

“Well… umm...mummy said you found a new star and—”

“Oh, the star! Yeah, I found it last night. I think you were sleeping. You’ll love it!”

“Yeah, and she said that maybe I could... uh…well... name it?”

“Yeah of course, love! That’s a great idea! Remember though, it’s a really special star. It’s an O-type, a beautiful blue-white star and it’s pretty rare too. Take your time and maybe tonight we can give it its new name. Here’s a picture that I have of it.”

“Wow… it’s beautiful! I love the blue so much!

“It’s really pretty isn’t it?”

“Yeah! Okay, I’ll give it a great name, I promise! ...Oh and hey, I was wondering, why did you choose this spot to study the stars?”

“Well, this beach sees the clearest night sky that I have ever seen, and this large hill is not only close to the shore but provides a perfect 360 degree view of the horizon. In other words, I can see a lot of stars here because it’s so clear.”

“Oh okay! Well, I’m going to go think of the name! Bye daddy!”

“See you later, love! Oh! Can you tell your mother to come up here?”

“Okay!”

9:10 a.m.:

“Hey John, what’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I—”

“You say everything’s fine, but you seem down. What’s the matter?”

“What? Nothing. I’m sorry if I seem that way, but everything’s fine. ...Yeah, everything’s good.”

“Are you sure? Don’t forget that we promised to tell the truth, every time, no matter how badly it hurts.”

“Honestly, there’s nothing—”

“When’s it going to hit?”

“What? I—”

“John… I know about it. When is it going to hit us.”

“How did you know…?”

“I went looking for you last night after you found that star. I think you were so tired, that you went straight to bed without telling me, and so I thought you were still at the observatory. I went up there, and didn’t find you but instead some records and calculations showing that a rather large anomaly, bigger than our planet, is on a collision course with us. So—”

“I’m so sorry Miela... I didn’t know how to tell you. And there’s no way I can tell Lela. She’s too young for this! I don’t suppose you finished that engine you‘ve been working on, have you?”

“No… I haven’t yet, though I’m really close. The engine is nearly done, the ship’s body needs a few more panels, and the electronics need to be connected, that’s only hours of work, maybe at most, six. Anyway... I saw that there was a collision, but not when it was going to happen. How long do we have, a few days? Again, I can finish the ship in a few hours.”

“Soon, Miela. Soon...”

“What do you mean soon? John… what’s that noise?”

“Okay, maybe a little sooner than I had calculated for! Let’s see outside!”

“John! They’re asteroids! They’re probably orbiting the... planet!? ...Is that a planet! ...Lela… John, we need to get back to the house!”

“Okay, you go ahead, I’ll be right there!”

“What do you mean?”

“Just go!”

9:16 a.m.:

“Lela, you here sweetie?”

“Yeah, Mummy, I’m here. What’s that noise? And where’s daddy?”

“Oh, it’s nothing sweetie. I think I heard about there being a storm today. And daddy should be coming in any second now.”

“Oh okay.”

“Hey little bug... you know what? How about we play hide and seek, just like we always do.”

“Okay! I love that game! But I get to count to ten! I love counting!”

“...Okay love, close your eyes. ...Just like we always do.”

“Okay mummy! Here I go! Find a good hiding spot! One... two... three... four... five... six… sev—oh wait, mummy! I know what I’m going to call the star!”

“What’s that honey…”

“I’m going to call it Li—”

_______________________________________

June 1st 2:45 a.m.:

(The stars appear to flicker above. Miela sits up straight, gasping for air, staring at the moon through the window, crying. She whispers) “John. John wake up.”

(Groggy from sleep) “Hey, what’s the matter?”

“When is it going to hit us?”

“What? The huge planet thing?” (fully awake now) “I mean—”

“Yes, that. Lies and secrets may work sometimes, John, but right now, we still have time to finish that ship. It should only take a few hours. Are we or are we not going to get hit?”

“Yes, we are. How did you know—”

“Then good. WE are not, although you should have told me before we slept. We’re lucky we didn’t sleep ‘til morning—that would’ve ended badly. I’ll be in the garage, working on our exit ticket.

“Okay, let’s finish it. But...  let’s try not to worry Lela.”

“That’s the hardest part.”

“Okay then... time to see new worlds. It should be a great journey at least.”

Too Soon--Priscilla

October 8, 2016: the day time flashed before my weary eyes. Two weeks prior, an argument between my mom and I arose. Anger, frustration, and tears filled the heated discussion over something so meaningless. If only I would’ve known she would be getting that new job. I would have taken advantage of every minute I had with her. The new job in Meridian, Idaho, 803 miles away from my family and I. It was for the betterment of my family but I assure you, I dreaded that day with a passion, hoping and praying time could stop on October 7th. The harsh reality hit when my dad helped empty her entire side of their room. No perfumes on the dresser. No outfits in the closet. No chargers plugged in on the side of the bed. All that remained was her pillow and a hair tie. Everyone woke up at 3:30 A.M., preparing to send her off to start another chapter of our family’s life, but in that very moment, each person standing in the living room desired for time to completely stop. Idaho, the potato state, was her new home. I hugged her one last time before she walked out the doors, regretted the moments I did not spend with her, and told myself it was all too soon. Instead of going out with friends the week before, I could have spent quality time with my mom whether it’d be talking about classes, my goals, or laughing at her lame jokes. For God’s sake, I desire to listen to her nag at me consistently and repeatedly telling me to “Hurry up, stop screwing around, and finish cleaning the kitchen” because she didn’t want to come home to a dirty kitchen. Now I have to wait eagerly each month to spend only two short days with her. I rather not dwell on the sadness of my mom living in another state and away from her family 90 percent of the time yet, accept the idea of her flying back once a month to do everything we possibly can. Before she left, I thought this transition would be quick, easy, and peaceful, similar to a holiday or seasonal break from school. Boy was I wrong! Thanksgiving dinner was made by everyone except my mom because her flight was delayed due to the snow storm that hit Idaho the night before. Decorating the Christmas tree while her image was buffering on FaceTime became saddening. All my family and I saw was one of the strongest women we know, frozen on the phone smiling through the pain of being away from her husband and babies. It may be cliche, but it definitely is not the same at home. Although my beautiful mama is away for this period of time, I learn to cherish time with not only her, but everyone I come in contact with because even if I spend a short minute with someone, I know that is one minute more than before.

What Am I?--Vivian

( noises in the background, bangs everywhere happening from panic) WAIT PLEASE, DON’T TELL ME THAT SHE …
Dec 13,2005
5:47pm Just Breathe, it’s fine, you’ll be fine
 Dec 14
4:30pm It’s okay, you’ll be okay, everything will be okay
Dec 15
2:45am Help! Helpppp!
Dec 16
10:45pm You don’t think I can do it huh?!?
 Dec 17
6:12 am You’re just wasting time
Dec 18
5:53am Today is the day…
6:40 am
It’s cold. Today is probably, maybe 0°C, might as well wear some yellow shorts and a loose white tee because it wouldn’t matter soon will it? I can’t help but blame myself. I blame myself for not putting in enough effort. Getting that F really opened my eyes, I am a failure. I am a disgrace.In reality, I am just a little dust that not many will notice if I am gone, right? Being that dust, was a real big pleasure, hopefully I left some good impression that will stick with them forever.

7:19 am
“Hey siri,note this in my diary. It is currently 7:19, I am walking to multiple houses to say my goodbyes. I mean I can’t just leave without stating my farewells.”

7:30am
I’m now at Jeff’s house. We’re just drinking some tea. I just told Jeff the news and well, sorry to break it to you but he broke down and started crying. He might have choked on some tea when he heard the news.

7:55am
Well, I’m now walking to Kee’s house, and well Kee is one of the ones I am going to miss dearly, I can’t believe I am really leaving Kee. Wow.. Anyways I am about to tell him, hopefully he takes it well and understands me.

8:00am
Kee is punching some walls, I’m scared, I don’t know. Help.

8:24am
I just left Kee’s house and you know everything seems a bit slanted. I’m scared. Can someone come please..?

 9:00am
Siri, where am i? “You are in the Levante Hospital, located on 353-” OK THANK YOU SIRI

9:29am
Well I knew I was gonna get hurt today, but not end up like this. Anyways diary, I am gonna try to sneak out of here and go to the roof, it’s about time.

10:45am
WOW , that was a long way up, soo this might be my last entry, um whoever is reading this I would like to say:

“Dear reader,
Hi hello my name is Annie, I am currently 16 years old and well I want to stop this all. Why? Well, every since I was little, my family have always been there for me, believe in me, appreciate me, and much more. We go from family tag to hide and seek, all the memories I contain of them are just so breathtaking. However, recently, I have disappointed them. I recently got my report card, and well you guessed it, I failed a class, yup the ugly letter, F. When they saw my grade, it was like a whole new face of disappoint I have never encountered. I know I made a mistake, but I really just don’t know how to make it up. Kee is my boyfriend and I told him that I am just done with everything. Even though he keeps repeating, “It’ll be ok, everything will be fine”, I just don’t know if I can hold on any longer. Anyways, today is the day, I am letting this petite dust go. I, Annie Will, am ready to be set free and fly away like a bird. Thank you for taking your time reading this, and family, if you read this, I love you with my whole heart, thank you for a lifetime of happiness, I am so sorry that I have failed you and please do not be in deep sorrow when you receive this diary. I will forever be loving you Will family. This little microscopic dust will now fly away, And I am wishing I left a micro spot in your heart. Thank you for a wonderful life.
Yours truly,
Annie Will “

What Annie did was horrible and very mournful, but you must know that she was bullied by her “friends”, pushed around like she was a piece of trash. However, do not forget, there is always someone supporting you, and will get you through it. Accept yourself and love yourself. What am i? I am beautiful. I am accepting I am wanted. I am me.

Everything Will Be Okay--Benjamin

My father was a very affectionate person that I have admired. Me and my father enjoyed every single minute we have spent together. Every morning I questioned myself how long this moment will last as I never wanted it to end. He was my inspiration, he made me the person I am today. But, a day came that made my heart dropped. The news came yesterday that my father had been assigned to serve in the military for WWII. These were the days that has torn me apart. My father’s words were, “Everything will be okay, I promise I will be back.” As I seen him leave, I had a feeling like this was the very last time I will ever see him again. Nothing was the same since he has left. I had no one to hang out with, not my mother, nor my friends. Everything was so different after my father left for the war. My father always promised me that he will come back. I had doubts in my mind, the worst that can happen. I tried very hard to stay positive and courageous but every single day he was gone, I felt depressed and empty. I was trapped in this dark room of desolate wasteland. There was nothing that made me jovial whether it was my mom trying to cheer me up or my friends wanting to hang out with me. I always sat in my room worrying and thinking about what could happen to my father. I always told myself, “Everything will be okay,” “Everything will be okay.” just like what my dad told me. I finally got a news about my dad. What I have heard torn me apart. These were the days I was questioning my own life. All the words he told me was a lie. He lied to me and left me in total darkness. I sat in my room thinking if this was all real. As tears ran through my face remembering the laughs and the smiles. I spent a year feeling desolated and dispirited isolated in a black box. He was the light of my world and realized that after living without him. Everything feels different as he left my life. It was the little things that I have notice that I missed. All this happened because of war.

My Valentine--Kaaria

Love is something that everyone experiences at least once in life. Love is that butterfly feeling you get every time you see your significant other. Well, I felt this feeling a year and two months ago. When I found this “love”, we both knew it was something we both felt the moment we seen each other. This happened to be someone I’ve always had a tiny crush on but never made an effort to speak. Till one day, one of my close friends told him I wanted his number, which wasn’t true but of course he believed him and he came over. Of course I was nervous and tried to avoid any eye contact while we were both blushing. So fortunately, we exchanged numbers and we began to text as friends. We texted for days in a row, back to back, and the conversation never got boring. Soon enough, we hung out and I couldn't get enough of the smell of his Acqua Di Gio cologne and his amazing smile. His smile would be so big, it would make you smile no matter what mood you were in. It would make your day better. After a while, we hung out one day, one day turned into every other day, and every other day turned into everyday. Before we knew it we became a couple. It wasn't something that was planned, but something we both knew we wanted. We did everything together. Wherever he went, I went and vice versa. You will never see us apart from each other. I looked forward to everyday because the smile I would get and the butterflies I would feel were something to look forward to every day. Now, a year and two months later, we have a bond stronger than ever and still till this day, we spend every moment we can together although, our families beg us to spend at least a day or two apart, the bond that we have is a best friend bond, a two in one. Love isn't the easiest thing to handle, and you don't expect it when shows up. But being able to realize and experience the feeling love brings you, it’s something incapable of putting into words, which is how I feel. Something that is unable of being forced upon. Which is why he will always be my Valentine.

Love at First Bite--Mereva

 It is a cold February night. This wintry weather doesn’t prevent me from attending the street festival near my neighborhood. A cool breeze pierces my face as I peacefully stroll on the sidewalk. Walking alongside the crowd, I caught a glimpse of you amidst the bustling throng. Your magnificence and beauty shone with the light of the vendor fixated on your entire existence. It was as if God is beckoning me to behold upon this holy entity. The moment I laid my eyes on you, everything around me seems nonexistent. There were others just like you, but you are the one who caught all of my attention with your alluring elegance. You carried with you an aura full of enticement and lust. Being a considerable distance away from you, you were shrouded by fog and steam. To get a closer look at your exquisite existence, I began walking towards you and pushing past the crowd, easily ignoring their presence. I had one goal in mind and that was to get closer to you and meet you. As I soon reached the booth where you stood, I culminated feelings of nervousness due to being so close to you; however, this radiant light that we shared, assuaged my fears. The light brings me closer to you, spiritually and physically. This vendor light made it seem like we are the only ones in the entire festival. Back to my senses, I showed courtesy to the vendor and paid my respects and offering to him, even though my mind was set on you. I sat down with you right in front of me and I began to admire your presence. Your beauty is unmatched by others and you are special to me. Being impatient, I then picked you up and consumed your chewy noodles. Engulfing your soup gave a burst of flavor and filled me with warmth within this cold weather. My longing for this ramen is finally fulfilled. I came to this street festival in hopes of finding you, and now my love is satiated.

Reasons--Vincent

Two little droplets live in two little houses. Every morning as the morning dew imbues itself on the grass, one little droplet does the same on his supple porch. A morning cup of coffee a fine tale that facilitates knowledge accommodates our friendly little droplet every morning. Every morning, this droplet smiles and screams in glee for a wonderful life worth living. Living.

 The other little droplet comes out every night to his window sill as the owl screeches and grazes the land, with no fine book that enriches the mind and feeds the soul but a mirror. A mirror that talked, only to reprimand our other little droplet and relegate her idea of self-worth. This droplet was accompanied by feelings of distress, anxiety, and morbid disappointment. Our other little droplet did not smile. Our other little droplet could not smile. Smile.

As time passed our gleeful little droplet grew tired of his porch; the books lacked vigor and life. Our first little droplet sought company. And our other little droplet, well she felt alone, constricted by ambiguous feelings of depression that was stimulated by the walls of her home., that confined our other little droplet to fear. Yet this droplet stays strong. Strong.

Our little droplets’ homes had windows. And despite these droplets living different lives, feeling different emotions, they saw similar things. One day both little droplets peered through the “windows of the mind” and saw one another.

Our first little droplet gazed, enamored at the other little droplet for she did not see the beauty living inside of her, the life that grew in the dreary old house that contained nothing but frivolous misconceptions. At first sight, the little droplet fell in love. But the other lacked perception closing the windows, shunning the other, disheveled. Our first droplet did not lose courage. Courage. Anxiously our first little droplet crossed the great plains outside his house, facing misfortune facing danger. And fell, cascading through the tan blanket of this great field, yearning to meet a companion. To meet another. To seek love. Love

The other droplet looked out the window, curious after nights of breaking her usual routine. Saw that the other gleeful droplets house now looked empty. Blaming herself the other droplet fell, scarring the tan plains outside of her home. Home.

We are familiar with these droplets, and though they may fall for different reasons, live different lives, see different things, we call them by the same name. Tears. Like people fall for different reasons and in different ways. But we realize this and we understand. That past the tears, there is a reason to keep living.

to smile
to stay strong.
to find courage
to find love
to find a home.

Tears may fall, however there is always a reason.

Not the Man I Used to Know--Kameryn

Hospitals. A very dark, gloomy, and morbid place to be. For three years almost every waking moment was spent in one, moving from hospital to hospital to find the right one. Tests were ran on him, covered in IVs, stuck in a nauseating room for hours or even days. The walls covered in white paint, smelled of the sickness that was within each room or rubber. Every trip made, made him weaker and weaker. Come to find out he was dealing with cancer, brain cancer. We were told his cancer was located on the left side of his brain just above his ear, and that he would have to undergo chemo and have a risky open brain surgery. Months went by before we found a neurologist that could do the surgery, my family as strong as could be. Always staying positive, praying, and keeping hope as well as faith. June 26, 2014, the day of his surgery, my family and I drove out to LA at 5 o’clock in the morning. As he went in we all stayed in the waiting room, left with nothing but our faith and the love of my family…… 10 hours passed and finally he was out of his surgery, left with a huge scar going from the top of his head to just below the middle of his left ear. Seeing him smile after the surgery and listen to how he thought it was cool that during the surgery he was talking to the doctors as they worked on his brain. We were told that most of the cancer was gone but he still had to go through chemo to hopefully get rid of the rest. My family willing to do anything to get rid of this cancer. Birthdays, family events, and some holidays were spent in those nauseating rooms, my family not minding the scenery just as long as we were together. More months passed and finally able to leave the hospital, now just having to go to the hospital a couple days out of the week to finish chemo. When he had just started chemo he seemed fine and normal he just wanted to work on his cars or the backyard. He was living his life normally, attended many baseball games, my volleyball games, and family events. My family and I had thought that everything was going to be okay…. As we got further and further into chemo, we noticed he wasn’t the man we used to know, his hair slowly fading and being lost, his skin turning pale to yellow, his eyes becoming very tired and always exhausted. My grandpa, the strongest man that I knew and grew up with, weakened, he could no longer do things on his own. He could no longer get up to use the bathroom without falling, he could no longer eat solids because swallowing became difficult, his words no longer made sense because they were all jumbled together and were slurred. I remember tears coming to my eyes while I asked my grandma, “why is it so hard for gramps to swallow?” and turning away so fast looking out the window so no one saw how I was also losing pieces of me. My grandpa’s condition worsened, he became frustrated that he could no longer be independent and had to rely on my grandma for everything. At this time my family still had to try and continue on with the “normality” of our lives because we still had work and school. Days passed not knowing which was going to be his last so everyday after school and work we drove out to my grandma’s house to spend the precious time with our family. I remember sitting in my grandparents room just looking at my grandpa, no longer the man the I knew but the man I was becoming to know. The man that with all my strength I tried to make smile. I wanted to try and lighten the mood for him, be something he could have hope in because he knew I had hope in him. More days and hours passed going through the same routines of work, school, and grandma’s. Then November 17, 2015 came along. I was sitting in fourth period in Mr. Hall’s class watching the movie “Of Mice and Men” when I got a pass to leave right away. Walking down to where my mom parked, confused and panicking I see my sister also got the pass, we run to the car and get in. Silence filled that car, and tears running down our cheeks, my mom finally says, “it’s grandpa, this could be the day, so we are going to go spend it with him.” After hearing that I wanted to totally lose it but I couldn’t because I didn’t want anyone to see me cry. Arriving once again to my grandparents house was the hardest thing on the planet. Everyone in my family was there and company filled the room, all of us just sitting around trying to make the most out of the situation. At 8:29 p.m., we lost him……. and now a piece of me is missing down on earth but I know that it is up in heaven, healthy and happy. Still today it is hard to accept but I was told this is life. Life is rough. Time is everything. I have learned that people come and go, nothing is ever permanent. Life was given to us as a time to be alive, in which many chances are accustomed to experience different things and just live life. Feeling alone in this world is possible, but making yourself happy and learning to overcome any obstacle thrown at you is the key to success. I was brought back to looking at life in a new perspective. More so now I cherish every moment I am alive for, every person that crosses my path, teaches me a new lesson, and my faith is strong because I know with these things I will be okay. Life is short and full of beauty and love notice it before it is too late. Rest in Peace Gramps…. <3

The Wishbone--Ashley

The setting is November of 2015, Water polo season has just begun and hell week is quickly coming up. We swim everyday for what seems like an eternity. I quickly begin to notice a sharp and annoying pain coming from behind my left knee, I brush it off by simply dismissing it as just the normal knee pains stemming from my preexistent conditions. I continue life as normal, drive to school, learn new things, go to practice, drive home, sleep, and repeat. The only thing that was new was this constant pain the lingered in my knee, it seemed to never go away no matter how much ice I put on it or how many ibuprofens I took. I finally owned up to it and told my coach and parents after one dreadful practice that left me limping and using crutches. I am no stranger pain, I have seen my dad be cursed by it through his constant battle with arthritis and fibromyalgia, my brother be vulnerable to it when his gluteus maximus muscle erupted and he almost died, to when I broke my collarbone in karate. I never want to admit when I am in pain because I don’t want people to see me as being weak; nevertheless, I confessed and from there on for the next 9 months I went in and out of physical therapy and doctor's appointments. Initially it was thought that I tore my Meniscus; however, on that fateful day when my dad picked me up was when I realized it was much more. He was quiet as we listened to the radio on the short drive home. He sat me down at the dinner table, told me to take a deep breath and be ready to listen with an open mind. He said with as much sympathy as a father could, “The MRI results shows that you have a small bone tumor in the back of your knee, it is rare and will require a painful surgery to be removed, there is a slight possibility that it is cancerous. You will not be able to play water polo this season”. Shocked and confused I broke down into a puddle of tears as my dad hugged me and tried to comfort me. ​ I meet with my surgeon and scheduled the surgery. On December 23rd 2015, I was cut open, he had to detach the calf muscle in order to reach the tumor, he had to break my femur in the process and implant 2 screws to keep the bone intact. Dazed and confused I woke up in the hospital bed with excruciating pain, I have a high pain tolerance but this pain was the worst I could ever imagine. After the morphine took effect I was calm. The surgeon arrived and told me that my surgery was much more complicated than expected, it took him an hour more than he thought. He told me to curl my toes, I did easily, he then told me to raise my toes to the sky, I couldn’t. I remember the look of fear cross over his eyes as he watched me struggle. He said in a tone that was trying to be comforting “It will come back in time.” With my bulky leg brace I continued my journey. The first 3 days were the worst, I couldn’t sleep and hardly ate. The pain woke me when I slept, and the extremely strong pain killers left me throwing up any substance in my stomach. I still couldn't move my foot, it felt as if trying to lift your foot up against a cinder block that was holding it down, my skin on my leg felt to me like rough cowhide and every time I touched that area it felt as if thousands of needles went through my skin all at once. After 6 weeks I was freed from my crutches and brace. Still unable to lift my foot on my own I was given a brace that went in my shoe that looked like a shin guard you would wear in soccer. I wore it, hopeful that my ability to contact my muscles would return. On February 17th 2016 I met with a neurologist about my inability to move my foot. He told me that it was known as foot drop, also known as foot paralysis. He said at this point it was irreversible. Afraid my parents asked if there was anything they could do. Surgery? Physical therapy? Anything? He said that surgery was my last hope but that it was a waste of time and would be a “hail mary”. I sat in the back seat of my mom's camry on the way home, tears flooded my eyes, thoughts racing back and forth. The music played but to my ears it was silent. I thought to myself, “I am no longer myself, a part of my leg is paralyzed, I cannot feel anything on my lower left leg and left foot.” Furious with the doctor’s response, my dad searched for someone to help me. He found Dr. Fala, a highly accredited neurosurgeon at UCLA. March 14th 2016, (my parents wedding anniversary), I met with Dr. Fala at UCLA filled with hopes that he would take on my case after countless other surgeons refused. He explained to me that this was caused by my first surgery, the first surgeon was careless to the nerves in my leg. He agreed to take on my case and although he didn’t guarantee that I would be able to regain feeling and motion he promised to do all he could. My parents left crying saying to me, “This is the best wedding anniversary gift we could have ever got, we want to give you your life back, the life you had before this brace. May 26th 2016, (My grandma’s birthday), I woke up at 3:30 a.m., we drove to UCLA to be there at 6:30. My surgery was to begin at 7 a.m.. Dressed in the thin gown I waited to be taken in. My parents cried as our hands drifted apart and I was wheeled into the operating room. The surgery was high risk, but high reward. I woke up later that afternoon hungry, I saw the doctor and he said with joy, “The surgery was a success, now we wait for your motion and feeling to return, it can take as long as a year. You just have to be patient”. Within a week I was already moving my foot more than I ever could in the last 6 months. In september of 2016, my leg was fully functional and I threw away my brace. It is now February 2017, I have not touched that brace nor will I ever. I still have my moments where my foot cannot move; I am not 100% but i’d like to think I am at least 90%. I have regained motion but not feeling. That is the price my body pays to be able to walk normally and not be looked at constantly by others. A price I am happy to pay. I bare my scar, in the shape of a wishbone, behind my knee proudly. The lesson I take away from these events is to never give up hope, to always have courage and be strong when you are faced with a challenge. I could have never gone through this emotional rollercoaster if it wasn’t for my closest friends and family.

Lend Me Some Kindness--Jessica

It's crazy to think how many people we come across with everyday. We see thousands of faces each day, but we never really stop to get to know someone or show some kindness. I stop and observe the people around me at school as music floods in my ears. People shuffle past me and rush to their next destination. I smile at a few people that I pass, just as an act of kindness, but many just turn away. I open the door for a few people but little acknowledge me. It’s ok I guess, but I’ll never quite understand a few things. Why is it that when we smile or wave at someone it’s considered weird? Even if we are strangers. Why are simple acts of kindness considered so rare nowadays? I dislike the fact that others can’t simply smile back or say thank you. What does it cost you? It doesn’t take a lot out of a person. It’s crazy because these little acts of kindness are so powerful. Kindness goes a long way. It makes others feel warm inside. It’s evident in their smile and eyes. To me, that’s one of the best feelings ever. As shmoop would say, “chew on this”. Imagine how the atmosphere in a room would transform by simply acknowledging each other... These are our peers. Friends that we drifted apart from for no reason at all. We might have even grown up with some. So why not say hi? I get it. We don’t talk to some people anymore because that’s life and what not. Others might think what’s the point if we’re graduating in a few months, but I say ,why not? Exactly, because we are graduating in a few months. Then, we are off in different directions and onto bigger, better, and more exciting things in life. We might not ever see each other again. Soon, high school will just be a memory. A cluster of photos collecting dust on your night stand, photo album, etc. etc. (Split lol). Anyway, I’ll remember those who were kind to me. Those who made my high school days more enjoyable when I would literally just contemplate everything in life and resist my urge to casually stop showing up to school, you know how it is. I believe that kindness is the simplest yet one of the most impacted acts of all. We all have the ability to spread kindness, but it’s our choice if we want to or not

Discrimination--Alexis

As an adolescent child, white supremacists’ racist behavior towards African Americans is what I knew to be the only racism occurring in society. It never crossed my mind at such a young age that discrimination towards other races was a severe conflict in different areas of the world. My perception changed and I soon became aware of the racism and offensive stereotyping aimed at different ethnic groups when I moved and started school in a primarily Hispanic community. Coming from a household of both Hispanic and Asian heritage was not common in this community and due to my differences, discrimination and rejection was typical for my family to encounter on a daily basis. Being partially Hispanic did not ensure the fact that I would fit into the cliques at school. In fact, none of my classmates acknowledged that I was of Hispanic background at all due to my Chinese last name and physical appearances that classified me as Asian, and, in their eyes, an outcast. It was difficult and confusing to encounter this type of rejection because I believed I fit into the category of normality due to my Hispanic background but my stereotypical Asian appearance seemed to dissuade acceptance from these people. Being half Hispanic and half Asian made bullying confusing to understand growing up. It was hard going to school and focusing on my academics when all I could think about was fitting in, becoming more social, and making friends. None of my classmates would accept me into their groups because I looked different and acted different. Little things like bringing Asian foods from home, reading manga books and talking about anime shows were considered weird to the kids at school. Even things like having a last name of Asian culture was mocked upon. I would constantly ask my parents things like, “Why do people make fun of what I look like?” and “Why did people mock my last name for fun?”. What made this part of my life most confusing was the fact that I thought I fit into the category of the norm because just like everyone else, I am human and I have two eyes, one heart and ten fingers. Yes, I am of Hispanic background but my Asian characteristics did not ensure acceptance to the people in that community. I did not satisfy the standards of many students in order to fit in. Classmates labeled me as “Weird”, “Odd” and even “Funny looking”, due to the way my eyes were shaped. Things like my lunch that I brought to school was judged upon. I didn’t know whether to apologize for being different because I bring rice for lunch instead of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or if I should be grateful that I even have food to eat. Being a minority in that community resulted in me dealing with verbal and physical abuse as well from classmates. This continuously lowered my self esteem and forced me to learn and cope with my emotions in hiding. People in my neighborhood and school not only treated me as an outcast because of my race but of my struggles in speaking and stuttering complications as well. I grew up speaking Spanish as a child and transitioning to speaking English was difficult to me. It resulted in me taking speech classes that were supposed to better my pronunciation of English words and improve my flow in sentences. Students and even teachers tended to look down on me as the lowest succeeding person in class because twice a week I was required me to get pulled out of class and go to these special courses. All this neglect and doubtfulness of my intelligence I have received from people challenged my tolerance which has made me a stronger person today. I realized as I grew older that if I want to achieve my goals, I needed to stop letting others set a standard for me or else I wouldn’t be able to reach my full potential. Moving away from that community and entering a high school with a wider range of diversity taught me to become proud of who I am and the cultures my family comes from. Being exposed to discrimination and rejection at such a young age has helped develop my character and lead me to feed off negativity and use it as a source of motivation. I was raised to keep to myself as a way to avoid trouble, but this social strategy has only resulted in people seeing me as a prey. This part of my life has made an impact on how I perceive discrimination and racism. I am no longer the shy and weak outcast but instead, an intelligent and unique individual who is driven to succeed.

My Greatest Obstacle--Dominic

Throughout the ages from infancy to age 10 I had always been healthy in the sense that nothing was wrong with me but that all changed going into my 6th grade year. In the 6th grade this discolored patch of skin appeared on the left half of my ribcage and I never really noticed it until my parents asked me about. They asked me if I had been getting into fights at school and I told them that I have never fought with anyone. My parents decided to take me to a doctor but the doctor couldn’t tell me what it was or what may have caused this to happen. For an entire year I went to this doctor in which she had no treatment for it and couldn’t diagnose me with anything because as she put it, “She had never seen anything like it before”. Still not thinking much of it, I didn’t let it bother me. “Something wasn’t right”, is what I remember telling myself because for that entire year more discolored patches started appearing almost like a shadow was slowly creeping over me. Year after year it got worst and people started asking me questions at school, “Are you okay”, “Does it hurt”, “What happened”,and “Do your parents beat you”. I don’t blame people for being curious but these questions really upset me because they were being asked non stop. I would often find myself crying blaming myself for this when I knew that it was out of my control. After 2 years I was sent to a doctor who was able to diagnose me within five minutes. They couldn’t tell me what was causing it and there was no cure for it because they have no knowledge of what it was, the only thing there was, was a treatment for it that would only slow the process down. From then on I had to go to a doctor appointment every six weeks and had to constantly mis school. My 8th grade year I started to get depressed because there was no one to share how I felt about it and no one to relate with. My older brother Eric noticed me not acting how I normally would and had a talk with me about it. I remember these exact words, “pain is temporary quitting is forever so the pain you feel inside right now ,don’t ever let that stop you from doing what you want to accomplish in life because there's always someone out there who has it worse off than you”. Those words have motivated me so much to not give up no matter how low I get in life. I’m not gonna and say that having this condition didn’t upset me because it did just not as much as it used to. The things that upset were the thoughts that I had such as that I'm gonna have to live with this till the day I die, If i have children will I pass it on to them?, and will anyone love me for who I am and not my appearance? Now going into my senior year I've learned that i have to start learning to love myself if i ever want to find true happiness within myself, in my mind I thought that would be the hardest thing for me to do but at the start of my senior I met my beautiful girlfriend who loves me for who I am and doesn't let this condition bother her which has made it a lot easier for me. For the seven years that I have had to deal with this, my senior year is by far the happiest I have been in a while. I use to see this as a curse but I’m starting to realize it’s a part of who I am and If I want to be truly happy I’ll have to accept it.

Changes in my life- Lyndsey

 It was four years ago, 2013 my 8^th grade math and science class where I realized my whole life was going to change. Now you may think that this event I am going to tell you will sound very cheesy, but I don’t regret it one bit. His name is Kasmir Dina. I had him in my math and science class when I first met him, we became best friends instantly. It first started when he always needed help on math homework, we would talk on the phone for hours, and in class he would always be messing around with me where I realized he had feelings for me. The day he asked me to become more than friends was the happiest day of my life, even though we were so young. It happened during lunch I was walking out the bathroom and he was outside with his friends just waiting to ask me. Our relationship is so different from others, throughout our high school years we have had so many ups and downs, but it helped us become who we are today.  He has helped me in so many ways that no other guy could have done, and I am truly blessed. You may know him as #5 on the field, varsity football player who is amazing at what he does. I know him as #1 in my heart and if I wouldn’t have had him in any of my classes, I wouldn’t know what love would feel like. Love is a very strong feeling and a complicated thing to deal with at such a young age, but it is something we are all going to have to deal with sooner or later. Not only did my day change, but so did I, because of him I know what is real and what is not. I never really told anyone this much about my relationship but it is something that holds a huge place in my heart, so why not. Everyone has their own time to figure out what love is, and I was blessed enough to receive this blessing in my life so early. It’s the type of relationship where you can actually see a future with them you know. This event is significant to me because it gave me an outlook in life, and it taught me so many things all because of the day we met and so on. Even though we have done a lot of mistakes, we have learned from them to help ourselves grow. It’s the little things in life you appreciate even if you get into dumb little arguments, you can’t let that make you fall apart, you just move on from it. A lot of things have changed these past years, and now that it is senior year, we are both ready to see what life has in store for us. He is the type of person, who would do anything to make others happy, which is why I am the happiest I could be. It’s something to share with all of you because at one point I didn’t think I would have found anybody, and look where I am today. Patience is really the key and it is worth it because you find someone you can truly be yourself around with. This might have been the cheesiest story I could have ever written, but I would like everyone to know how important he is to me and how something so little can become something so big.

Next Seed, Please--Nora

Please do not think that just because an ‘Angel’s Trumpet’ flower is beautiful that it has the right to keep its poison in your skin. The flower will grow and it will grow for you because you are the one only one who is watering it daily. Please grow another kind of flower, these are so dangerous. My mother is a florist and she tells me about these all of the time. “An Angel’s Trumpet is one of the most gentle names for a flower, they even look it too, but they will hurt you.” She used to mention this all of the time, and I want you to know that too. I never listened to her though because I convinced myself that I loved these flowers, that these fragile looking plants could not hurt me. But let me tell you, they hurt me so bad. I was forced to love these flowers. However, as time passed I found out that they were not what they made themselves to be. I grew an endless garden of these beauties thinking that they would make my yard smell like a real heaven, but in reality they made my home a living hell. Every time I would try to pick one, it hurt. Every time I tried to smell one, it stung. And every single time I watered them they kept.. on.. growing. But I couldn’t stop. It felt like it was a dream, It felt like I was hallucinating. The smell of them made me feel like this is what I needed, that this is exactly what I wanted. At first, I thought I loved them, I really did. But i should have listened to my mom, they’re so dangerous. For the sake of you, I hope you listen to her too. I bet you are sweet, so am I. But when your garden is filled with plants that make you feel addicted to keep on growing them, please find new flowers to grow.


This was not what I needed and this is not what you want.