January Writers!!!!

Now that we are into the swing of second semester, we have our January writers up and ready to go.

For this month we have ten submissions.  You know the drill.  Please make sure that you read all of them.  We have the Abstract Idea, Flash Fiction and How to for this month.  Leave comments for three of the submissions.  You choose which ones.  They can be your favorites or one from each category (we have three).  Comments are due Monday, February 12th.

Enjoy!!!!!

That Dream--Rachel

I am 12 years old, on an early Tuesday morning approximately 4:02am. I am finally closing my eyes to go to sleep after religiously watching Grey’s Anatomy . While lying in bed, I look up at the dark open space of nothing as I begin to blink slower, and slower, and slower. I am finally asleep. In a realm of complete calm and serenity, it begins. I wake up to what seems like my reality. I am in my room with the sun beaming through my dark, black curtains. The house feels empty, quiet. From my room, I yell “Is anyone home?” Silence. I figure I will just stay in my room and start binge watching Courage the Cowardly Dog . Episodes pass, I begin to get sleepy again. My blinks become slower and slower, and again, I am asleep. What seems to feel like hours later, I wake up to complete chaos and many screams. I get up from bed in a panic, profusely sweating, and immediately run to my window to see my fate. The neighborhood – MY neighborhood! – is a complete disaster. Street lights have caved down and smashed into fragments of my neighbor’s home, cars are flipped upside down, other houses are completely shattered. However, the only house not destroyed is mine. I begin to question what happened, and why. I sit on my bed, and many thoughts begin to pour into my brain. Is this why my family left me? Am I the chosen one to fight for the world, to restore peace and tranquility? I remove my pajamas, and change into a fresh set of clothes, and put on sturdy boots to cover my cold feet. I have a different state of mind now. I feel like Wonder Woman. I walk downstairs, open the front door, step outside, and face my new reality. I am, again, in complete shock when I look around at my surroundings. I get struck by something electric, which seemed to fall from the sky. I open my eyes and realize I was thrusted to the floor by this “something” which fell from the sky. I then look up, left, right, and up again, and to my astonishment, the sky was really falling. I begin seeing fragments of the sky crack apart and fall to the floor. I run quickly to safety, and as I am running, I turn back again to see my surroundings, and I am once again awe-struck. The fragments of sky have now turned into flying jellyfish, which I vaguely remember from an episode of Spongebob Squarepants . Was this another episode I was being featured in? Was my new reality now on the set of a cartoon show? I look down at my feet and my sturdy boots have been replaced with cheap sandals. My clothes are also different, and I am dressed as an Avatar. This is the moment I realized I was the “chosen one.” I look to my right and see a Nerf gun so I pick it up to try it out. The Nerf gun actually shoots out laser beams, and incinerates everything it touches. I realize that I have a new set of responsibilities in my new reality. With each new outfit, I am given a new role. I begin to shoot the flying jellyfish one by one and they are all incinerated. All of a sudden, it gets dark and it begins to rain. I felt like I was in an action movie, with my laser gun in one hand, a mixture of rain and tears rolling down my face. I am fighting for humanity, and my outfit is cute while doing so. By killing each jellyfish, I feel like I gain more power, strength, and courage. At the end of my journey, I see the Queen Jellyfish, pink with vibrant purple polka dots. I realize this is my final mission, and I must finish it with dignity. I begin to shoot the laser gun as fast as I can, and my hands start to cramp up. I continue to fight through the pain, and finally, the Queen Jellyfish is dead. The rain stopped, and sunshine beamed through the dark clouds. I look up to the sun light, and immediately collapse from exhaustion. I wake up again but this time, I am in my bed. I have woken up from a dream that made me feel like a hero. I gained a sense of relief as if I have just saved mankind. Technically, I did. That dream.

Change Is Good--Francesca

As seasons change, time flies by, and a new day begins; in life we are all susceptible to change. Through many situations in life, we can all relate that what we go through is not always going to be forever. A change can be different for a lot of people, whether it’s shown physically, mentally, or both. It could also be a situational scenario. The meaning of change is to be able to make or become different. The New Year is a brand new start, this could be a major step or a period of time to gain and progress oneself. Life can be a whole challenge; the past can affect the present and the future, like a domino effect. From being a single cell in a mother’s womb, a little kid, to growing as a young adult and becoming old is an evolution of life. Do you ever wonder the times or have vivid images of your childhood? I still do, once in a while and I look back and notice I have developed over the years. A flashback remembering drinking from a small baby blue bottle was the sweetest and warm cherishing moments. Getting to touch and feel certain objects for the first times or hearing soft and loud noises through our ears. We can all agree to the fact that throughout our lives we adjust to things we are usually comfortable with because it is natural to our conscience. Over time as years come and go we are prone to transform and recognize ourselves in every little ways. An example of this is when I moved to the United States when I was 11 years old and it was difficult for me to speak English. I’ve overcome my fears and told myself that if one self is willing to give in to change to turn something negative to a positive, we find a part of who we are.  Having a healthy mindset is key to being successful.  As we start the year of 2018, we should set small or big goals that we can achieve and strive to be a better person. Part of growing up is having the courage and willing to move on to the next chapter in their life. Whether it’s forgiving someone or adjusting, doing this you are creating something new that can trick your brain into deeply analyzing problems. Without modification and having an open mind there will be no understanding. We also have to know that it is okay to mess up once in a while because that is how we grow and learn from our real mistakes. There should not be a doubt to change since there could be room for more improvements right?  Without change there will be nothing much to offer in the world, we would live a pretty boring life if you think about it. One way you can start is letting go of that barrier and ask yourself, what is change to you?

The Big Party--Justin

There was once a boy who lived by the name Alvin, he was a cheery young boy with ambitions greater than one could imagine. He spent his days couped up with his father and mother-in-law. Alvin was a great kid, he never got into any trouble, he was a three sport athlete playing basketball, track, and baseball. There was no one who hated him and he made a great name for himself all throughout his life. Towards the end of his high school career, he got accepted into his dream school, Stanford University, and he decided to go there. In September when he was just about to start his Fall quarter, he met some very interesting people. One of them was named Calvin and he was very intelligent. He had a way with his words, it was almost like he knew exactly what someone wanted to hear, he could talk his way into and out of everything he managed to get himself into. Calvin and Alvin became best friends, they would always watch out for each other and the Spring of that school year, they decided they would try to have the time of their lives.

“Are you ready for Spring Break?” asked Calvin.

“I’m so excited, it’s gonna be a blast!” replied Alvin.

The first Friday of Spring Break came around and there was a massive party going on in one of the frat houses, and the boys were both invited, they were ecstatic to be able to go, and they were surely going to try to have the time of their lives.

“Can you smell that Alvin?”

“No, what is it?” replied Alvin.

“That my friend, is the smell of freedom.” Calvin said as they were approaching the house. As they entered the house, a rush of different scents rushed in their noses and they began to realize what they were getting into.

“I think we should get going back to the room pretty soon.” said Alvin.

“You’re crazy, we just got here! We might as well enjoy ourselves and try to have a good time like we planned.” Calvin retorted.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” said Alvin hesitantly.

“Here, have this.” as Calvin hands him some alcohol.

As Calvin takes his first sip of the beer, he almost gags, “What is this!? It tastes disgusting!”

“Just drink more dude, we’re here to have a good time.” said Alvin.

The night progressed and they were both heavily under the influence. The night was nearing its end so the boys started to head back to their dorm. As they were stumbling around they thought they were going the right way, however, they were headed right for the campus police station.

“I think we should just sit down for a bit Calvin, I’m not feeling too well.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right, but only for a few minutes, we need to get back to our dorm.” replied Calvin drearily.

The two once perfect boys ended up falling asleep right in front of the police station on a newly mowed lawn. They awake to two policemen shaking them awake asking for their I.D.’s to make sure that they were of age. They weren’t. This resulted in both of the boys being arrested for under age drinking and public intoxication. That night both Calvin and Alvin both learned a very important lesson.

Stranger Love--Briana

“STOP!! Please Amelia STOP!!!! Don’t do anything that you might regret”, yelled the man out in the distance.

The thing was that I was tired. I was tired of being-, Wait, wait, wait, that’s not how the story goes. You need to hear it from the beginning and that is why I am here. Hi my name is Amelia Johnson and I am going to tell you how my world turned upside down in a week. This all started on January 8, 2013 at 7:30 am. I was just ready to head out to school when I received a phone call from my mother. Ughh, why is she calling me now, she never cared about me, she only cared about herself and the money that I made. You see when I was little, my father left my mother and not because he didn’t love me, but because he just couldn’t tolerate my mother any longer. When that happened, I had to learn to grow up pretty quickly to help my mom with the house and the bills. Anyway I decided not to answer the phone and just go to school. On my way there, I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching me and following me. I looked behind me and saw a car that was following every turn, at every speed limit and I got really scared. So I started to speed off and thought that I could get away, but I regret for doing that because I just heard cars honking and everything going black. I woke up with the most dreadful headache, and my body hurt so much. I opened my eyes and saw that I was in an unfamiliar room, and I was in a much bigger bed than the one I had in my house. Wait?! I am not in my house, this is not my room. 

“Where am I at “? I said out loud. 

“You had an accident and I brought you to my house to get you the help you needed since you were hurt pretty badly”, an unfamiliar voice told me. 

“Who are you”?, I asked. 

“That is not important right now, what you do need to know is that I saved your life by bringing you here and not letting you die after the accident that you caused”. 

What a jerk. I just asked him a simple question and he answers me like this. What is his problem.
“Well sorry I didn’t mean to burst your bubble, but I never thought that by asking a simple question I would get a rude answer”. 
 
All he said was, “ Look I didn’t intend to be rude, I just had a lot on my mind when I saw the accident and now I can’t do any of it because I have to protect you”.
What? What did he have to protect me from? I didn’t ask him because I didn’t want him to be rude to me like a couple of minutes ago. So all I said was a simple ok. 

“You must be hungry. You haven’t woken up in two days. I’ll go down and bring up soup for you. Don’t go anywhere and stay there.” 

Wait WHAT!!!!! TWO DAYS!!! I couldn’t be asleep for two days. Well that explains why I woke up not feeling tired like usually do. I decided to sit up, but the minute I did a roaring pain came to my back and I yelled so loud that I thought the entire town heard me. All of a sudden I heard running steps coming to my door. 

“What happened? What’s wrong?! Are you ok?!” 

Awww he cares about me, Amelia stop it you barely know him don’t get to attached. 

“Yeah I’m ok its just that all of my body hurts and I can’t get up”. 

“ Well how could you, you’re really weak so you are going to have to stay in my house for a couple of days until you get your strength back”. 

I rolled my eyes and simply answered, “I mean I guess”. So two days have passed and I felt a lot better. I began walking which I thanked god for because I couldn’t stand being in the bed any longer, and I ate a lot to help me with my strength here. I know that I has only been two days but I feel this attraction towards the mystery man, which I still didn’t know the name of. The man was not here at the moment so I decided to take a field trip throughout the house to see if I could figure out who he was. I came upon a door which I believed was his room and I decided to take a peek inside.. I was able to get the door open, I stepped inside and saw something that made me want to go running from the house. I saw a picture of me on his desk, and of what I do everyday. 

“What are you doing in here?” 

Oh no, I looked back and saw him there and I started to run out the door towards the forest that I didn’t know was here. 

“STOP!! Please Amelia STOP!!!”, yelled the man. I kept running but he caught up to me. “Amelia don’t be scared of me, look I love you and I am trying to protect you”. I was shocked, he loved me and was trying to protect me, but from what? 

“Look I don’t know what you’re trying to protect me from but, I love-,”
I heard a twig snap and turned my head, but to my surprise we were still alone. I then heard a hoarse voice coming from somewhere. 

“Well, Well, Well, look who we have here. You are going to regret everything you did for betraying me. Get them!!” 

“ No AMELIA” !!!!!! 

All I remember was everything turning black, and the distant calling of my name, by the man that I surprisingly love.

Bunuelos--Michael

As a tradition, my family and I make buñuelos during the winter time. Buñuelos are basically a thin crispy chip version of a churro. It's warm, tons of flavor if done right, and a family activity that everyone can enjoy. Ever since i was little my family and i made these during christmas time all the time and i'm about to teach you guys how to make these as well.
Ingredients

• ●  2 pounds of All Purpose Flour
  
• ●  1 teaspoon of baking powder
  
• ●  6 large eggs
  
• ●  2 cups of vegetable oil for frying
  
• ●  3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  
• ●  2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  
• ●  100 grams of butter
  
• ●  2 cup sugar
  
• ●  3/4 cup of milk
  Step 1 = For the Bunuelos, mix flour, butter, 1 cup of sugar, 6 eggs, milk, and baking powder in large bowl.Mix everything in the bowl until well blended.
  Step 2 = Gradually add flour mixture while stirring it constantly to form a slightly sticky dough. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Incorporate additional flour, a tablespoon flour at a time, until dough is no longer sticky. Shape the dough into many balls. Place in bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, then let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
  Step 3 = Meanwhile, for the Cinnamon Sugar, mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Step 4 = Roll each ball of dough into a 6-inch round on lightly floured surface. Stack
  dough rounds between wax paper or plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes.
  Step 5 = Pour the vegetable oil into a saucepan to a depth of 1 inch. Heat oil on medium-high heat to 365°F to 370°F on deep-fry thermometer. Fry the dough rounds, 1 at a
  

time, for 2 minutes or until golden and puffed, turning once using tongs. Then after you take them out of the oil drain them on paper towels. Sprinkle each Buñuelo with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar mixture. 
 

Hope you enjoy making these as much as I do with my family and hope this is a great sweet snack to chow down on.

 https://www.google.com/search?q=bunuelos+image&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=mfoINF3uQcSM5M%253A%252CgXA8WM2G872CEM%252C_&usg=__v2eUO8ywaMg4B-h1VM1HmrAda8g%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf8Mq37ILZAhUQ9GMKHRGgDCMQ9QEILzAC#imgrc=mfoINF3uQcSM5M: