PB&J poem

1.) Grab everything you will need for peanut butter and jelly

It will taste delicious in your belly.

2.) Spread the peanut butter even with your knife

I swear this will be the best thing you've tasted in your life.

3.) Pick your jam, any flavor

Just make sure to pick the one you will most savor.

4.) Once you've got it, smother it on

You'll be so sad when the whole sandwich is gone.

5.) Next, place one piece on top of the other

After one bite you won't be able to go without another.

6.) Cut in half, triangles or squares

To stop at this point would just be unfair.

7.) Now here's the last step, oh boy

Just enjoy!

3rd Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Miles to Go by Miley Cyrus. Hyperion Books, 2009. Genre: Autobiography.

Miles to Go is a book, written by herself, all about Miley Cyrus's life up to this point. It focuses on the time period from just before she earns her spot on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana until when she published this book. There isn't really an antagonist or protagonist throughout the entire story but there are mini conflicts such as Miley being bullied in sixth grade, her gaining the role of Hannah Montana and more! The book deals with the struggles she went through and how much her life has changed throughout the past few years.

"I want to plant a mile marker here- at this particular bend in the road- before it starts to fade as I keep moving forward," it says on the back of the book. The story is all about how Miley progresses forward and learns from her experiences. She battles bulling, finding true love, her family, and losing loved ones. In the end, she reflects on how all of this has made her the person that she is today.

As I was reading this book I found it very different from any other book I have read. It is clear that Miley finds a way to connect with her audience and not just state facts about her lifestyle. What is unique about this book is that throughout it all there are little notes in the margin that are meant to look like Miley wrote them. Also, there are lists, "7 things...", which are just fun little facts about her. The book talks about how her life has changed while also throwing in some fun little facts about her that you would never have known like she wants to read the entire Bible!

"If there's one message I have for my fans, it's that you can make your dreams real, but you have to enjoy just being. Make the best of the life you have every day. I can't wait to see what's int he days ahead, but I also don't want to fill them up too fast," (275) represents how Miley really tries to connect to her readers and give a good message. Throughout the book there are quotes similar to this that are meant to be positive and just overall make the reader happy about who they are!

I usually don't enjoy reading autobiographies but this was enjoyable. I would only recommend it to people who are fans of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana. It isn't hard to read or follow in any way so it was just something I read throughout my free time. It was interesting to hear Miley's thoughts about her life and I actually learned interesting things about her including constantly donating to charities which I thought was nice to hear. Her book made me think about some things in a new way and appreciate my life, like she said, "Make the best of the life you have every day!"

Old Man and the Sea Essay

Throughout life, people have to face challenging situations and go against obstacles. Whether these obstacles are critical to one's life, dangerous, emotional, or don't affect the person greatly, people have to overcome and get around one obstacle until the next ones comes up. Like what Ken Lintz said, "An obstacle is often an unrecognized opportunity," meaning that overcoming an obstacle can lead to great success in a new opportunity, is something that everyone can learn.

In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago is challenged to fight his way through multiple forces. Him trying to overcome these obstacles are not just because of the threat to his survival, but also for his own personal content and confidence. All throughout the book, the Old Man has to face the power of the Marlin, the sharks and ocean, his own loneliness without the boy there with him, and his lack of energy. His peaceful fishing adventure changed to a not so happily ever after ending unfortunately. Without breaking down these barriers one at a time, Santiago would never have been able to progress like he did though, even if in the end he didn't end up bringing home the Marlin as proof.

Throughout the entire story, Santiago is facing all the elements within the ocean. These include the Marlin, sharks, finding food, and more. For the majority of the story the Marlin is the main struggle and obstacle the Old Man must overcome. Even though Santiago is very anxious to bring the Marlin home, he doesn't rush the hunt and remains patient. Catching this fish would mean he would break his bad luck streak that had been going on for over eighty days, and he would gain more respect as a fisherman, not only from other people, but himself.

Also, there are multiple minor obstacles including the sharks and also Santiago making sure that he provides for himself by catching food. In the end, the Old Man defeats the Marlin. With the Marlin on the side of the boat though, it doesn't mean it will be safe. The aggressive sharks come and quickly pick away at the Marlin leaving nothing, "I could not have expected to kill them, he thought. I could have in my time. But I have hurt them both badly and neither one can feel very good," (114).

Another critical part of his journey is that the Old Man must be cautious about making sure he takes in enough food for energy. Although Santiago managed to catch the Marlin and catch enough food to stay alive, the sharks took away what he had worked so hard for but Santiago never gave up on trying to beat the sharks.

On this fishing outing, Santiago was all alone. Manolin, the boy, wasn't there as someone he could talk to or use as a second pair of hands. Even though Santiago is very wise, he is also very aged and worn out. Without the boy there, Santiago is lonely and begins to not only talk to himself, but also the dead Marlin. At one point, Santiago hurts himself badly with the rope like in this passage, "If the boy were here he would wet the coils of line, he thought. Yes. If the boy were here. If the boy were here," (83). The Old Man is so used to having Manolin there to admire him and keep him company. Since he is alone and traveling solo on this trip, Santiago has to work extra hard physically and also mentally because he has no one to talk to. That is another example of an obstacle that Santiago has to overcome throughout The Old Man and the Sea.

Lastly, lack of energy and tiredness are a big barrier for Santiago while overcoming the Marlin. Due to having to hold the rope at all times and the Marlin pulling the boat outwards, it was very difficult and rare for the Old Man to find time to rest. Like in this passage, "Even if I sleep twenty minutes or a half hour it is good. He lay forward cramping himself against the line with all his body, putting all his weight onto his right hand, and he was asleep," (81) shows how valuable time to sleep was to Santiago. He managed to overcome this though and find time to get small portions of rest in order to function and hunt down his prey, the Marlin.

All throughout the story, Santiago defeats many obstacles while mainly, only one defeats him. Without his effort and tenacious attitude to catch the fish, he probably would never have came close to catching the Marlin or making it home, Santiago should be proud of overcoming so many obstacles. Even when things started to get bad, the Old Man still tried and put in everything that he had in effort to save what he had won. During everyone's lifetime, they will go through hard times and most of these situations won't end easily, it takes time and effort. It may end how that person wanted it to, or it could be the total opposite, that's life.

The Breakup

I honestly still can’t believe it, we’re done. I will never again be able to tell him what’s bothering me, hold his hand; anything like that ever again is over. Those were my first thoughts after we ended, but eventually they turned into me being content and pleased with myself. He got what he deserved. When he broke up with me it didn’t hit me at first. I was in rebuttal. Questions were constantly running through my head like, “Why would he ever do this to me?” and, “When is he going to call and apologize for being so stupid?” Unfortunately none of my questions were answered and remained confounded.
After the breakup, it felt like he didn’t revere me the smallest bit. I mean to end a relationship after nearly six months over texting? I found that a little low. For the first few days I barely ate and only talked to people when needed. Besides the occasional few words to my parents and one-word answers when called on in school, I was a recluse. When I was walking the halls with my head down, tears being held back, aloof from everyone, he was already over it and spent most his time with the new girl. Her name is Rachel.
Even as we were dating they were friends and I was completely fine with that. But I’ll never know if part of the reason he broke up with me was for her. She was pretty, nice, athletic, and overall, a good girl. But when I compare myself to her I still don’t think she is anything special, the fact that she is two years older than me might have had an effect on Trevor though.
Seeing them walk down the hall together all giggly and happy only made me loathe them both more. My only wish was to vilify his reputation because that was the most I could do, so I thought… Eventually my dolefulness turned into anger and I needed to do something about it. I needed something tricky, something furtive. Each time I saw Trevor and Rachel, the happy couple, together my thoughts grew more and more complex.
At first it was just maybe like finding some way to get them mad at each other. Then that grew into getting Trevor in trouble with his parents somehow. Eventually though, I came to a conclusion that I had to all together get rid of him. This wasn’t a quick process; it took almost two weeks to thoroughly think this out. I wasn’t going to be haphazard about it. Keeping it to myself, I fantasized about what I could do to him. “Should I kill him with a knife maybe? Or what about drowning him?” In the end though, I knew it wasn’t enough to just kill him, I had to watch him suffer.
The plan began with me pretending to be sincere and acting like I wanted to get back together with him. Two weeks earlier I would have felt that way, but after he repudiated me and couldn’t even look me directly in the eye changed everything. I couldn’t help it if I was being fickle. My plan was something so clever there was no way I couldn’t get away with it. And because I waited a decent amount of time and acted completely fine in school at that time no one would have suspected it was me who had killed him.
On a Friday in school, I already had in my hand a note written by myself that said, “I’m still so confused and heartbroken. Meet me at my house at 7 pm tonight. P.S. Don’t tell anyone. See you then.” As he walked by me, thankfully that nefarious Rachel wasn’t with him, I grabbed him shoulder and slipped him the paper and continued walking like we hadn’t even stopped. It looked so casual and so perfect.
That day I went through school so sanguine and like nothing or no one could take me down. My perfect plan had begun and seemed impossible to fail. During that last day I even saw Trevor and Rachel walking together which didn’t even bother me. The only thing that was different that day was that I knew him time was going to come. He would get what he deserved from me after how he treated me and lied to me. This wasn’t a fantasy anymore, it was reality.
After school I immediately went home in order to fully prepare for what I had been planning for weeks. Everything was set in place and at this point I was only waiting for one crucial part, Trevor. It was around 7:15 and he still wasn’t there that I began to think maybe he didn’t fall for it. “Maybe he is truly over me and us and there’s just nothing I can do to change that,” was what I thought to myself but I still had high hopes and waited patiently near the window.
More time passed and eventually I saw his beat up and dented car approach the curb bordering my front yard. Quickly, before he got to the door, I made a glance at the mirror, fluffed my hair and made sure I smelt like his favorite perfume still. He knocked on the door and I waited about a minute. I wanted to make sure he waited a bit in the cold before I let him in. One more fast application of lip gloss and I swung the door open and stepped back.
“Well, are you going to let me in or keep me outside?” Trevor asked. It was the first time we had talked since the night he broke up with me, which I wouldn’t consider real talking because it was over texting. His voice was the same as I remembered. So calming and relaxed, almost like we were still together and he was just coming over to hangout. But I knew I couldn’t turn back now. I thought about all he had done and suddenly I was back to hating him with a passion.
“Sorry, yeah you can come in.” I replied after not even realizing I was standing in the doorway a few seconds in silence.
“Thanks, I was really happy when you invited me over tonight. There have been some things that I want to tell you.” I remember his words perfectly and how I almost fell back to him and was going to forgive him on the spot.
“Like what?” was all I could manage to say.
“Well, I think I made a mistake. I honestly never should have broken up with you. These past few months have been really hard and I realized that I want you. I don’t want to just party and I know my friends talked me into breaking up with you for that but I found out that they were completely wrong.” Typical boy was all I could think when he was saying this. When he realized I was the best thing he could get he came crying back to me. But, I wasn’t going to fall for it. Not this time.
“I’m so happy you feel that way, this has been so hard for me and I don’t want anything else but to be back with you!” I only said this because I knew the only way for the plan to workout was if he stayed longer so I managed to cajole him. I gave him a flirty smile and walked deeper into my own house. Of course he followed, and I knew what would have happened after this night if I gave in. Once again he’d hurt me and do the exact same thing to me as before, he didn’t change.
I lead him to the coach. The same place where we had sat so many times before. We began kissing and after a few minutes I pulled away and said, “Let’s go to my bedroom.” With a quick smile he followed me where we slowly made our way towards the stairs. Each step got closer and closer to the real moment. At the apex of the stairs I stopped, turned around, and kissed him so gently.
“Sorry, I don’t think this is going to work out,” and with that as my last words I pushed him down the stairs with as much force as I could. I watched him tumble down the wood stairs and at the end hit his head on to table I had purposely put there. As I look down with assuage I cant help but smile. I knew he wasn’t dead yet.
Slowly I walked down the stairs past him and into the kitchen. In the drawer next to the fridge I grabbed the biggest and sharpest knife there was. I dragged his body outside behind a tree and into a big pit that was there. His body was laid flat on his back and his arms were spread out next to him. These were his last moments. I was in control of when he died. Without any hesitation I stabbed him directly in the heart. I knew this was enough to kill him so I didn’t have to go any further. I spread the gasoline on his body and set it on fire. I had to get rid of the body completely. I also took off my clothes and burned those too, along with the knife. Everything was gone.
About one year later now, I still sometimes think about how he finally got what he deserved and laugh to myself. In the end, I played him right after he had played me. As for everyone else in the town, people were shocked about what happened to him at first. They sent out the police and he was all over the news. Obviously he wasn’t found, or any other clues about where he was. Currently, people still don’t know for sure about what happened to him and I am the only one that will ever know what really happened. What I know I keep to myself though and always will.

Scoring A New Cellphone

What makes something valuable to a person? Does it have to deal with how much money it’s worth? People all around the world view their valuables from a different perspective. Whether it’s a person making sure they own that hot new car, or someone else just spending the weekend with their family. All these things can bring happiness and joy to an individual; it just matters on what their own personal feelings are.

In my pocket I can feel the subtle movement against my leg and I can hear the nearly silent humming coming from my jean pocket. Without any hesitation I reach for what is now one of the newest and most important pieces of technology from this century. Coming in all different models and kinds, cell phones are used for calling people, text messaging, internet use, e-mail, navigation, games, and so much more! These devices are so convenient and common. With all these positive qualities, it’s surprising that cell phones are as lowly priced as they are.

Most adults, teenagers, and even some younger kids are taking this technology to their advantage, including me. I will 99 % of the time have my cell phone with me. I use it to not only contact people, but one of my favorite features is the reminders. From waking me up in the morning to get ready for school to helping me to remember and do my laundry, I use it daily.

Another fantastic feature about cell phones is the convenience and accessibility. Without even taking a step, you can reach almost any other person through a phone call, a text message, or e-mail. In current day, people are always on the move. I can be going to school, at a friend’s house, or even needing a ride from my parents and have the option of calling someone a few clicks away. These mobile devices haven’t slowed other people, or me, down one bit.

The soles of my cleats sink into the freshly cut grass. The wind is blowing and the sun reflects against the rain puddles in the parking lot. From one player’s stick to another, the gold ball makes a unique pattern zigzagging across the field. The crowd yells and cheers for my team and with time running out the last goal is made. “We won! We won!” everyone cheers. All the sweat and work worth that one perfect lacrosse game.

I have been playing lacrosse since the spring of fourth grade. At the beginning, it wasn’t about the game; I did it to make new friends! Currently, I still feel strongly about the friend aspect, but I also love the actual skills and the game of lacrosse. Lacrosse, and most other sport teams, allow kids of the same age bond together and help each other. It takes a lot of teamwork but it helps kids meet new friends or people they would usually never interact with. I can honestly say that I have made a connection with all my teammates on not only my town team, but also travel teams where I’ve meet girls from across Western Massachusetts.

A team sport is great for learning new things that you can relate to the real world. Whether it’s teamwork, respect to teammates and coaches, or even sharing, all these can be related to everyday life. Each practice, every game, and even off the field, I give respect to the players on my team and also my coaches. At games, I give respect to the referees and along with the fans that are watching.

The feeling that I get on the field and the relationships I create throughout the season are unforgettable. Every time I have a call coming in or receive a text message I get excited. These are two things that I value extremely. With my cell phone, it’s more the comfort of knowing that I can contact my friends, family, or whoever I need to at any given time. As with lacrosse, I value the friendships I have made and the opportunity to play a game I love. Both of these are a part of my everyday life and I value them greatly.