Special Olympics--Serina

On July 27, 2018 I volunteered as I do every year with my family for the special
olympics which is held at Cal State Long Beach. The Special Olympics is an event for those with mental, physical, and learning disabilities to participate in different sporting events. My family and I have been going ever since 2010 with my dad’s job, Frito Lay. On this Friday morning I remember when my family and I arrived there was a slight overcast and it was very humid. As we started to unload the car we grabbed the boxes of chips as well as the mascot costume ,Chester the Cheetah, as we were unloading the car we saw all of the competitors arriving with big similes on all of their faces and waving to us. When I saw all of these young adults excited to be there to compete i could not help but get be just as excited as they were to be there. After we unloaded the car my family and I made our way to the Frito Lay booth which was surrounded by many others and started to set up the beanbag game toss station as well as the facepaint area. While I was doing that, my older brother, Matt, got into the Chester the Cheetah costume and got ready to walk around and take pictures with all that came to the event. At around 8:00 pm the sun was shining bright and it was warming up and tons of people were arriving and going to all the different booths and having fun gaining prizes, taking pictures, playing games, but most importantly going supporting the athletes. As I was walking around Chester the Cheetah many of the competitors were ecstatic to see “the Cheeto guy.” They would come up to him with big smiles and my

brother would give them hugs and high fives as they came up to him. Seeing how everyone was reacting to him gave me a feeling of happiness and I felt so fortunate to be there. And, after awhile of walking we would take a break and go to a sporting event and cheer on everyone competing. This past year particularly was even more special to me because my uncle,who has down syndrome, was participating in the basketball event. Seeing him and his teammates compete and show off their skills was so amazing to watch and it gave me such a great feeling that knowing everyone in the audience was there supporting all of them. It almost was a shock for me seeing all these people there in support for them because I have seen many people look down upon those who have a disability. Growing up with a special needs uncle many people do not understand what discrimination they go through and how people want to limit them because they think they can not comprehend anything. However, they are some of the most smartest and strongest people I know. From these events it also taught me how a community of people can come together and support everyone and teach us that we should not limit anyone because everyone is capable of anything. This event also has steered me to my path of wanting to give back to these wonderful people who have disabilities and become a special needs teacher to teach them that no matter what disability they have they can do amazing things.

"Normal" Days--Alexys

August 24, 2018
It was a normal day, just like any other... almost. First, I should explain that I have medical issues which cause me to have chronic neck and back pain, so my “normal” days are filled with the exhaustion of barring these physical pains all day and all night. Although, it isn’t alway unbearable, only sometimes, like August 24, 2018. On this day, I woke up with pain, of course, but it was slightly heightened. I didn’t think much of it, why would I? So, I got ready and went to school. By the time I walked down from the parking lot I could feel that the pain had intensified. My muscles were becoming overly inflamed and tight. I tried massaging my back but nothing could help at that point and I knew it would only get worse, so instead of going to first period I went straight to the nurse’s office. The nurse's assistant called my mom at work who gave me permission to go home. I had already decided that I couldn’t walk all the way to my car from the nurse’s office because when the pain gets so unbearable, like how it was, my legs weaken, it is hard for me to walk, I get a headache, I become nauseous because the pain is completely overwhelming, and I start to get dizzy. So, I decided to ask a security guard who was on the golf cart just outside the nurse’s office if he could give me a ride to my car because it was hard for me to walk and I wasn’t sure if I could make it there. I remember his careless, unconcerned response as clear as day: “I have something more important to do.” Then he drove off. I was left standing there, ready to collapse from the pain and trying to comprehend what he had just said to me. After realizing there were no other security guards around, I began my towering journey to the student parking lot. With each step I felt a striking pain up my back and down my legs. My eyesight was blurred by tears, my head pounded, my stomach turned, all while I was trying to keep my balance because I was so dizzy from hyperventilating. I walked on, terrified that I would faint at any given time and there would be no one to help me. I finally reached the stairs near the construction and dragged myself up them. At that point I knew I was going to pass out if I didn’t hurry and get to my car and it petrified me, so I tried walking a little faster. I was considering just laying down, in the middle of the parking lot, but I forced myself to keep walking. Then, I felt like the luckiest person alive. I saw a good friend of mine. Whether it was coincidence or fate, I really don’t care, I was just lucky that, of all days, he was late that day because if he hadn’t been, I don’t think I would have made it. He said hello and asked what was wrong, but before I could even finish asking for help walking to my car I collapsed onto the floor. Luckily he caught me and held my head so it wouldn’t hit the ground. He kept asking me what happened and what was wrong but all I could manage to say was a fractioned part of a sentence: “Back, my back, it’s my back.” I then heard a car pull up and a man get out and start asking “What happened? What happened?!” All my friend could say was that I collapsed, so the man immediately told him to call 911. Next, I hear a group of students coming, I knew them. At that point I had to put my full faith in the group of students who were there and the man who I never even saw the face of. I will forever be grateful for their kind help and quick thinking. One of the girls knew my sister, so she contacted her, which I am assuming is the one who told my parents what was going on. The next thing I knew a golf cart was pulling up with the nurse. The nurse annoyingly told everyone to leave me alone and said that I was fine because I was just in her office (clearly I was not fine). They sat me on the cart next to the same security guard who denied me help earlier. I’m not sure if my anger at seeing him caused me to hyperventilate more

or if I was just in more pain by being moved, but I started breathing a lot faster. If you have ever hyperventilated you will know that parts of your body will begin to tingle, your hearing becomes impaired, and you start losing your vision. This has happened to me before so I knew what was happening and I knew that I was going to black out if I did not get ahold of my breathing, but it was too late at that point. I had no control over my body, I was paralyzed and I relied solely on my friend to hold up my head, but the nurse yelled at him to let me go. She thought I was faking it and she kept asking me “Oh you want to play hardball?” Then, all of a sudden, I couldn’t breath at all. The nurse started slapping me in the face to wake me up but saw that wasn’t helping, so the split second before I passed out she cracked open something that woke me up. Soon after, a firetruck was there and paramedics were able to calm me down. They took care of me until my father arrived and drove me to the hospital. I don’t remember much after that.
This was an extremely significant day of my life because I realized that my medical condition can be immensely painful if left unchecked, so at that point on I knew that this was something I would have to manage for the rest of my life. That day I also learned that I need to have more faith in other people and I need to lean on others when I truly need help.

Abuelita--Leslie

Death might just be the scariest thing anyone has to endure. Dying sounds scary, however, knowing and anticipating death is even scarier. I sat confused in the hospital waiting room, where the smell of hand sanitizer, the grey walls, the faint sound of the TV, the cold hard uncomfortable leathered seats that feel like you’re sitting on a rock surrounded me. People praying, others eating, others crying, and some just staring with a lost look in their eyes making me feel even more numb than I already did. Chills ran through my body, imagining the worst as a gazillion of unanswered questions ran through my mind. I watched my family from the corner of my eye as they were huddled in a small circle conversing about my grandma’s situation and leaving me out of it, not wanting to let me know what they’re talking about. I felt absolutely isolated, I didn’t know what to do and what to think or how to react. A couple of hours passed when I watched the doctor walk up to my family. He looked down, he sighed, and he looked back up again. Why is he taking so long to say what he needed to say? He looked sorry. His mouth formed words but for some reason I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Everything was in slow motion as I watched the disgruntled looks on my family members faces, I watched as my grandpa broke down and ran to the elevator and threw himself on the ground. He angrily punched the floor and he looked up at the ceiling sobbing and screaming. My aunt took me to the cafeteria, I couldn’t speak because I was confused and in shock. When we went home my parents told me everything was fine but they lied. The doctors told everyone that there was nothing left to do, he couldn’t help my grandma. He asked everyone if they wanted him to take her off life support, they said no. I had to find out by eavesdropping on my mom’s phone call. Each time a word flew out of her mouth I felt like a part of me was slowly dying. Today, she has ALS and has been in the hospital for four years, she can’t leave. There is no cure whatsoever. Her nerves are slowly shutting, she can’t move her body anymore. She can’t talk and I would give up anything to hear her laugh again. She relies on a little machine to keep her alive, her life depends on technology. My grandma is my best friend and the fact that I can’t even remember what her voice sounds like pains me. A part of me is mad at my parents even after all of these years for keeping me in the dark. Another part of me is angry that I didn’t enjoy my time with her more, that I didn’t tell her I loved her more often, or that I never took the signs seriously. I should’ve listened when she said that she couldn’t feel her hands or when she would randomly fall because her legs would give up on her. My parents visit her every day for hours. I can’t bring myself to go though, of course I do visit her and I love seeing her but it hurts to see her like that. I’m not able to converse with her, she can’t eat, she can’t move, but her brain works perfectly fine. Visiting her makes all of this seem much more real and I don’t want it to. I just wish I could water her garden with her again and watch telenovelas together.

Untitled--Eric

I remember a time, four years ago exactly, when I found out I was adopted. And although this doesn’t help the case of an emotionally abused/unstable, 5’8 (at the time), african american boy whos happiness was clouded with thoughts that a child shouldn’t have, with hardly any friends in the first place along with no clear indications of anyone liking him; I remember feeling happy, as I looked over at my father eyes knowing in no way more than a document I was related to him. I’ve been through and seen some things many other children have too, yet for some reason I internalize everything about my childhood and can only come to the conclusion of how bad, sad and depressing it was, with an ignorant father somehow managed to multiply those feeling by 7x. Walking around with a smile 90% of times was complete bull as 15 minutes before we had gotten to our destination he was calling me a retard because my shoes were untied. Much of my current mindsets are based off of him and what to never do to anyone, let alone the people I care about.
For someone who’s done rocket science, his common sense level is lower than imagined. But besides all that, let’s get to the story.
Roughly a couple months later after finding out about said adoption, me and my dad had the weekend alone together cause my mom was going somewhere. Now although I was a 4.0 student, I definitely lacked in the memorization category. I forgot to do something at the time and my dad had another outburst, different than his usual. My father is a stupid donkey, and he has been my entire life. Time and time again he has consistently had outbursts that has hurt the family, at one point even causing me and my mom to stay in a hotel for a day. I’m not a person to tell all my business to people, but let’s just say the bad has outweighed the good for him in the past 17 years. There always seemed to be something he had to fuss about, or something that always wrong with the two of us. But as I said this one was different. His demeanor was calm and truthful, yet I call it outburst seeing as unnecessary yet clearly needed on his end this was.
He said: “You know, after 13 something years, I regret doing this. I personally shouldn’t have to deal with this. If it weren’t for you, I’d have been divorced your mother and I wouldn’t be here or we wouldn’t have these issues revolving around you. Time and time again you continuously haven’t made my life easier and you can never do the simple things almost as if you’re an idiot. I’m (something something) years old, I shouldn’t have to go through this. I thought you’d be a blessing but... I regret it. I wish we never had adopted you.”
As I walked back into my room and sat in my chair, a lot of things ran threw my mind, but the last thing I said I would do is be hurt again over something he’s said. “Why did he say that? Am I that much of a mistake? Not even my own dad wants me? Why adopt something you don’t want in the first place?” And after all those questions, a sense of euphoria came over me as he slammed the door leaving me in the house alone for a bit. As much as I had hated being alone, for some reason I hated his presence even more at that point. Beyond everything that occured I was still smart enough to say to myself “people show their true colors when they’ve reached a limit, his was clearly 13 years.” Though we’ve moved on from that point as my mom has never

known of this incident, an apology I never accepted, and a fake “love you pops” every now and then, I still hold a huge amount of resentment in my heart. I will forever know that deep down, now the 17th year, he wishes I was never in his life. He’s shown many times that he hasn’t cared about how we feel, besides doing the simple stuff that a “man” should yet barely putting money on the table sometimes isn’t enough... at least for my retarded ass. Ironically though, of course in its own subtle fashion going on my 12th year, I’ve felt the exact same way.

How To Coach A Basketball Team--Luke

How To Coach A Basketball Team
Recently I have undertaken the obligation to coach my teenage brother’s basketball team. My former middle school’s varsity team needed a coach for a team no one bothered to lead. The coaching interview process had been anything but grueling, waiting for the school’s athletic director to accept my proposition only minutes after I entered into her classroom. Following those several minutes, she then assumed all responsibility for a team that had only won a single game in the last three years upon me.
Materials:

• -  Basketball court
  
• -  5 Basketballs
  
• -  5 to 10 players
  
• -  10 Cones
  *Optional
  - Patience
  Step 1: Assess every player
  Within the first week prioritize team scrimmages. This will give you the ability to analyze every player’s skill during these early practices. Scrimmages are also beneficial to categorize players into varying positions on offense and defense. 
  
  
  
  
  Step 2: Create a practice agenda
  Similar to most routines there must be a time set for each and every drill that a coach will want to use during practice. Formulating a pattern with players consisting of when and how long a drill should last will allow for more orderly practices to occur. 
  
  
  
  

Step 3: Build upon fundamentals
Utilizing practice drills that focus on teaching the basic concepts of basketball should be priority number one. Following the principal training, assemble advance drills that will challenge every player’s ability. 

Step 4: Implement an Offensive and Defensive system
An important aspect of being a coach is finding the best fit for all of the team’s players. Maintaining order during games with rules and options for players to follow will give them the greatest opportunity to excel. Therefore, executing a simple system will allow the players to increase their own feel for the game as well as expand their Basketball IQ. 

Step 5: Instill the concept of Teamwork
Creating a brotherhood and bond with each and every player will prove fruitful. Having the respect of every player will allow them to play at their best when you want to create adjustments. Furthermore, developing an atmosphere in which the team trust each other elevates chemistry during games. 

Step 6: Promote Sportsmanship
Wins and Losses will occur; therefore, as a coach remind players that they must control their emotions and sustain their efforts. Within games, situations may go against your team but they must know to disregard these obstacles and continuously play as you want them to. 

Tip: Always maintain your patience. The players will test your limits each and every practice, for that reason utilize your authoritarian power to run the team whenever necessary.

February Writers!!!!

Happy February :)

Our blog has been updated with the February Writers.  Please take the time to read all submissions.  Choose three of them and leave helpful feedback.  Be kind and courteous.  Remember this is for a grade.  Your comments are due Thursday, March 7th.

Have a great week and I'll see you in class.

xo,

Mrs. Solano

Image by alex80 on Pixabay

How To Glow Up-Gaby

How To Glow Up:
Glowing up should be about being the best version of yourself. Glowing up isn't just something physical, but also emotional and spiritual. I known that many of us have seen those glow up challenges on social media including the most recent one the ten year challenge but that is just a portion to what glowing up means . A lot of times people focus only on the physical aspect of glowing up which is just a part of it but there is lots more to understand. Therefore here are ten easy tips that can be incorporated in your life, within these steps everyone can interpret them differently because they may speak to us individually. These tips are not the definite steps that must be followed to glow up rather they can be personalized to our needs, there is many others ways to glow up but these are some I find important to spread positivity. Tips :
Tip 1 : Hold yourself high
(This means you shouldn't feel less than others because it's the foundation of your confidence.) 

Source fanaticsexposed.tumblr
Tip 2: Don't compare yourself to others
(everyone is unique and you shouldn't feel the need to feel do the things they are doing.) 

Source laurengleisberg.com
Tip 3: Distance yourself from negative people

( one of the most important tips is to surround yourself with positive encouraging people because those people can influence how you feel, sometimes you have to cut out people.) 

Source funnybeaver.com
Tip 4: Your happiness matter
( If worrying about your physical appearance does create happiness and confidence you should go ahead and be yourself.)
Tip 5: Manifestation
( manifestation is important because believing in your goals is crucial, seeing is believing.) 

Source selfmadeladies.com
Tip 6: Promote healthy habits
( this can be very versatile such as anything you consider healthy for you to continue doing ex: exercise,hobby,mediating. )
Tip 7: Don't seek revenge
(focus the energy on yourself not on getting even, this will encourage more positivity.) 

Source twitter.com
Tip 8: Failure is part of your success
( you shouldn't be so hard on yourself because you can't live a perfect life you have to accept the bumps on the road.)
Tip 9: Accept yourself, love yourself
( This may seem Cliché but there is nothing better then not caring what others think.) 

Source livepurposefullynow.com
Tip 10: Don't dim others shine
( someone's else success should encourage you rather than making you upset because there is room for everyone,that being said no one is you and that is your superpower.)