Black Mamba

For he is the best of the West.

He flies oh so high,

for his fame will never die.

He is amazing at his game.

He leaves others in shmae.

With every move he takes, makes the

opponent fear.

When he strikes, he laves them back in

tears.

His clutch shots are deadly,

his rhythm is smooth like a melody.

There is no one that'll compare,

even if they dared.

For he is the Black Mamba, he leaves his

venom everywhere.

The Things We Face Everyday

Decisions are something we make every single day of our life. It may be big or simple ones, but we always have to face the consequences either way. A teen choosing to drink and drive then runs over a child after speeding is a horrific and impulsive decision. The teen will have to live with the consequences all their life. Results of decisions may be something that will change your life forever or just something you expected. If we only knew what the answer was first then we wouldn't hesitate to choose or worry about the results in the end.

In The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Santiago a compassionate man, goes through many decisions like choosing to go fishing without the boy, waiting for the marlin, fighting off the sharks, and choosing to go out too far, so he had to face their consequences. His life wasn’t fully affected by these consequences, but he learned from them and moved on.

The first decision Santiago made was not letting the boy go fishing with him. Santiago was being humble and thoughtful because he knew that Manolin's parents didn't like him fishing with someone with no luck. The old man was being nice, but it made him lose a chance at his dream. Santiago was also trying to prove that he could still be a champion like before and get an amazing catch by himself, but if the boy had gone, then the old man would've caught the marlin sooner and brought it back as a whole. The old man at the beginning of the book pretended to reject the boy, but during his whole trip he was wishing the boy was there. “I wish I had the boy. To help me and see this.”(48). Because of not letting the boy go with him, Santiago had to face hardships on the boat and was not able to bring home his prize.

The second and great decision Santiago made was being patient and waited for the agressive marlin. The old man knew that he was going to be able and reel in the fish, so he waited. This was a good decision because he knew that patience would be repaid. Even though he waited, the marlin didn't give up until four days later. If he had left, then he would've not caught anything or had the fight of his life. “Fish, he said softly, aloud, “I’ll stay with you until I am dead.” (52) shows his determination to catch the fish and I admire this patience and determination very much. The consequence of this decision proved his willpower to be worthwhile. The old man was wise, so he eventually reeled in the fish, but luck got ran out when he faced the sharks. It’s exactly how life is. Luck will sometimes take away the things you cherish the most.

The third decision of Santiago was choosing to fight off the Mako and other sharks. This choice was very brave and showed how much he cherished his prize. “Fight them,” he said. “I’ll fight them until I die” (115). This action is worth admiring because Santiago could've died, but he was confident that he could protect his hard work. After fighting off the Mako, other sharks came and took away his friend. There was barely anything left of his friend and it left him hopeless. He fought them with everything he had, but it wasn't good enough. This scenario shows how that life is full of many surprises and not everything can go your way even if you made the best decision.

The fourth decision Santiago made was choosing to go out far and wait for the fish. Even though it wasn’t really his choice to go out far, but he was devoted in catching the marlin and ended up regretting his decision. “I went out too far.”(120) When the old man said this, I felt there was remorseful feeling in his voice. He regretted his decision because the marlin was just eaten by sharks before he brought it back home.

In Old Man and the Sea, Santiago faces many events that he has to make decisions. Most of the time he made decisions that we would make, but luck just ran out on him. Santiago probably regretted and was disappointed about going out too far or even catching the marlin, but either way he had to live with the consequences. No matter what the consequences are, I think that good will eventually come out in the end. For example, even though the old man lost the fish, the other fishermen gave him respect for his accomplishment and he learned how much he needed the boy. Some good will eventually turn out in everything; we just have to seek for the optimistic side because life is just unpredictable.

The Things We Face Everyday Draft

Decisions are something we make every single day of our life. It may be big or simple ones, but we always have to face the consequences either way. A teen choosing to drink and drive, then runs over a child after speeding is a bad decision. The teen will have to live with the consequences all their life. Results of decisions may be something that will change your life forever or just something you expected. If we only knew what the answer was first then we wouldn't hesitate to choose or worry about the results in the end. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Santiago goes through many decisions like choosing to go fishing without the boy, waiting for the marlin, and fighting off the sharks, so he had to face their consequences. His life wasn’t fully infected by these consequences, but he learned from them and moved on.
The first decision Santiago made was not letting the boy go fishing with him. Santiago was being humble and thoughtful because he knew that Manolin's parents didn't like him fishing with someone with no luck. The old man was being nice, but it made him lose a chance at his dream. Santiago was also trying to prove that he could still be a champion like before and get an amazing catch by himself, but if the boy had gone, then the old man would've caught the marlin sooner and brought it back as a whole. The old man at the beginning of the book pretended to reject the boy, but during his whole trip he was wishing the boy was there. “I wish I had the boy. To help me and see this.”(48). Because of not letting the boy go with him, Santiago had to face hardships on the boat and was not able to bring home his prize.
The second and great decision Santiago made was being patient and waited for the marlin. The old man knew that he was going to be able and reel in the fish, so he waited. This was a good decision because he knew that patience would be repaid. Even though he waited, the marlin didn't give up until four days later. If he had left, then he would've not caught anything or had the fight of his life. (quote) shows his determination to catch the fish and I admire this patience and determination very much. The consequence of this decision proved his willpower to be worthwhile. He eventually reeled in the fish, but luck got ran out when he faced the sharks. It’s exactly how life is. Luck will sometimes take away the things you cherish the most.
The third decision of Santiago was choosing to fight off the Mako and other sharks. This choice was very brave and showed how much he cherished his prize.(quote) This action is worth admiring because Santiago could've died, but he knew that he had to protect his hard work with his life. After fighting off the Mako, other sharks came and took away his friend. There was barely anything left of his friend and it left him hopeless. He fought them with everything he had, but it wasn't good enough. This scenario shows how that life is full of many surprises and not everything can go your way even if you made the best decision.
In Old Man and the Sea, Santiago faces many events that he has to make decisions. Most of the time he made decisions that we would make, but luck just ran out on him. Santiago probably regretted about going out too far or even catching the marlin, but either way he had to live with the consequences. No matter what the consequences are, I think that good will eventually come out in the end. For example, even though the old man lost the fish, the other fishermen gave him respect for his accomplishment and he learned how much he needed the boy. Some good will eventually turn out in everything.

3rd Quarter Reading Review

How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill. Gotham Books, 2007. Autobiography

How Starbucks Saved My Life is about a man named Michael Gates Gill. He went from a successful, rich, and busy man to an average, common, and happy man. In this book he tells his story of how his life declined and how he wanted to give up, until the day a young woman named Crystal offered him the job of his dreams. He then learns that money and fame isn't everything, but it's the love of your family and friends that counts.

"A great lesson in finding your highest self in the unlikeliest of places-proof positive that there is no way to happiness-rather, happiness is the way." says Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling.

The book How Starbucks Saved My Life has a very unique writing style. While Michael Gates is telling us about his present life, he also writes about his past and what it was like. In the story, the reader learns how Michael's life goes down the tubes. First, he was downsized at work, then an affair ended his twenty-year marriage, and he was diagnosed with a slow-growing brain tumor. All seemed bad to Michael, until a woman named Crystal offered a job to him at Starbucks. At first he was embarrassed about his job, but as time goes by Michael learns that his true happiness is working at Starbucks. While reading the story, the reader can know exactly what Michael is thinking and feels. This book is very well written because it shows how someone can still hold their head high after they've lost everything.

"Still, I had grown so close to these Partners, and part of me ached that they hadn't worked their schedules to be there with me on my final day." (252)

I have never really liked reading biographies or autobiographies, but the title of this book sure pulled me in. The book made me realized that I have a pretty good life and don't have to deal with depressing events like Michael Gates Gill. He used to value fame and money, but he then realized that family and friends is the most important and it was Starbucks that helped him realize it. Before I never noticed anything special about Starbucks, but after reading this book I sense a warm feeling walking into the store. It also helped me cherish my family and friends because you never know what might happen tomorrow. In the book, I've learned that Starbucks Partners (workers) try to create a friendly and welcoming feeling with everything they do. Now every time I see a Starbucks store I have a smile across my face and have a new and different way of looking at it because that I'll always be welcomed there.

Hope Has Wings

"Like that would ever happen!" I said to myself one day. The TV was showing a movie how a young man woke up from a coma because of his girlfriend. I then turned off the TV and sighed. I was sitting in my kitchen on a Sunday morning. Even though the sound of Los Angeles' crazy drivers were loud, I still heard and felt the calmness of my home. I was 23 years old and knew I couldn't be any happier. I had a had a big dream and a long way to go. I had just finished eating breakfast when my boyfriend, Steven, called. Steven and I have been together for 3 years. I picked up the phone in joy and answered.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hey Ada! Are you free today? I have a huge surprise for you and I think you will be very happy." He answered back.
"Really? Ok. Where do you want to meet?" I asked.
"No. I'll come and pick you up. Make sure you wear something nice, like always." Steven said.
"Ok. Meet you in thirty minutes, ok?"
"Sure. See you later then." Steven answered.

Steven always had little surprises for me. He was the nicest guy I knew. He always made me laugh. Whenever I'm around him, I always feel like the most elated person in the world. I quickly ran into my room and ransacked my closet. I picked out a fancy dress, thought again and placed it back. Steven never liked fancy stuff and liked simple things. He only valued a person's inside, which was why I fell for Steven. Ding Dong! I opened the door and there was Steven. Steven was a tall, brown haired guy with the sweetest smile ever.
"You look really nice and ethereal today, Ada." He complimented.
I blushed and thanked him. We headed down to his car and I found a large bouquet of flowers sitting in there.
"These are for you, Ada. You always look nice, just like these roses." He told me.
" I love them! Thanks!" I responded and then gave him a hug.

We drove on and asked where we were going, but he wouldn't tell me. It was a really sunny day and warm day. The sun's beams struck Steven's face and he looked the most perfect guy in the world. He caught my eye looking at him, but just smiled. We then arrived at a park. This was the park where we first met and became friends. I laughed and asked,
"What are we doing at this old place? This place beings back so many memories."
"I don't know. Just wanted to come here and possibly make new memories." He muttered.
We walked over to a bench and sat down. Steven began to talk about our old memories and I just sat and pictured them. I pictured the scenes from when we first met to our first kiss.
"Hold on. I need to get something, ok?" He told me.
"Sure."
I sat and waited for quite a while, but didn't see him. I began to wonder where he went and what he was doing. Steven then came back, not with a bouquet of flowers, but with the biggest and cutest bear with a box in its hands. I was speechless and opened the box. In there was a little tablet of stone with the word "Hope" carved onto it. The other side was a picture of a dove.
" What are you doing? Everyone is looking at us." I whispered.
" I want them to see. I want to show them that I can make you the happiest woman on earth." He knelt down and said,
" Ada, will you make ME the happiest man in the world by marrying me?" When Steven said this, all I saw in his eyes was sincerity. I couldn't even speak. All that was coming out of me was tears of joy. I just nodded and he slipped the ring through my finger. I jumped up and wrapped his neck with my arms. He swept me off my feet and spun me around.

We decided to go for a walk. While we were walking on the streets, a man came running through and knocked me over. My tablet of Hope fell into the streets of busy cars. I panicked and went to retrieve it. I bent down and reached for it, but when I looked back up, a car was zooming towards me. Everything happened in a flash.
"Ada!" was all I heard until I saw Steven's body on the floor. I rushed to him with tears falling like a stream.
"No. No, please wake up! Steven get up!" I sobbed.
I heard an ambulance coming, but I just held tight to Steven's body. We finally reached the hospital and before I knew it, Steven was in a coma. I didn't know what to say or do. All I did was sat by his bed and held on to his hand in tears.



Three years easily passed by and I still went on with my life. Each and every day I would sit by Steven's bed and talk to him. Even though people said he was latent, I knew in my heart that Steven was listening to my every word. I told him that I would always for him because I had hope in him. Every time I talked to him, I always felt tears rushing down my face. I knew that Steven wouldn't want my to be morose all the time, but I couldn't help it.
"Steven, do you hate me that much? Why won't you get up? You promised you would always be with me!" I cried to myself one day.

During these years, everything was the same except the fact that my boss had offered a promotion, but I would have to move far away. My boss was also my friend, whose name was Ron. He was a really nice guy, who liked me. Ron always gave me presents, flowers, and called to see how I was doing. Sometimes Ron even suggested that I leave Steven and move away with him, but I always refused jokingly. One day the doctor told me that Steven was not likely to wake up and Ron also heard the news. He kept convincing me to leave with him.
"Ada, I'm not trying to be mean, but even the doctor said that Steven isn't going to wake up. I can give you the happiness that he can. You know how I feel towards you. I promise that Steven wouldn't be upset because he would want the best for you." Ron told me.
"I don't know. I just have a feeling inside of me that tells me that Steven is going to wake up. " I answered in tears.
"Even if he does wake up, he'll just be onerous to you!" He yelled.
"Just give me some time, Ron. Please."
"Ok, but you better hurry because the flight is in two days." Ron said and then left.
That night, I sat by Steven's bed sad and confused. I loved Steven very much, but Ron had given me so much. He was there when I was doleful and would always quell and bolster me. I didn't know what to do. This was an impasse that I couldn't avoid.

The next day came and I went to visit Steven. I sat there until night and cried. Before I left, I gave him a soft kiss and whispered,"Sorry." into his ear.
The day came and Ron came to pick me up. I was still irresolute, but I had no time left. The way to the airport was quiet and tears just dropped the whole way. We then reached the terminal and I saw a sign saying,"Never give up Hope. It's always there, but sometimes it may be hidden. Hope has wings, it can bring you anything." I stopped and looked at my stone, which I always kept by my side. As I walked on, I had a feeling inside of me that told me to turn back.
"Ron, I don't think I can continue this journey with you anymore. I owe you so much, but I know that Steven is going to wake up and walk through life with me. I'm sorry."
"I understand. I wish you good benediction, mostly happiness. You'll always be in my heart...as a great friend." Ron said. I gave him a hug and ran off towards the hospital. I knew my heart belonged to Steven, so I ran as fast as I could. As I hustled towards his room, I saw many doctors and nurses rush in. I followed and saw that Steven's heart had stopped beating. They were trying to save him, but he had no response. My whole world stopped and I couldn't breathe. My body was pervaded by trepidation and my emotions were incorrigible. The nurses wouldn't let me in, but I fought through. I grabbed Steven's hand and said,
"Steven! Don't leave me! Please! I love you!" As I said this, I placed my stone of hope in his hand and whispered,
"Don't leave me."
The doctors tried to save him once more and I just closed my eyes and prayed. I opened my eyes in tears and saw that Steven was saved. I rushed in with thrill and embraced his body. Tears splashed upon his face and miraculously he woke up! He held me tight with his arms and whispered,
"I'll never let you go, Ada. Thanks for having hope in me. I love you."
"I'll never leave you again. Hope will help walk us through life together. I love you too."

"Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review"

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Tor Books.1986 Genre: Scientific Fiction

Speaker for the Dead is a sequel for Ender's Game. It involves love, understanding, and discovering the truth. The story takes place on a planet named Lusitania. The planet was discovered after destroying the Buggers, a type of alien species. On the planet lives humans and a new type of alien species, the piggies. They can communicate with the humans very fluently, but are very different. The people of Lusitania are learning more about these species and discover a murder! The piggies have always been very friendly and generous. Why would they commit a murder to someone that has always helped them? The book is full of mystery and suspense!

"Less brash than Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead may be a much better book. Don't miss it!" the Analog says.

Speaker for the Dead is written in third person. In the beginning, you meet a xenologer, someone who studies about the piggies, named Pipo. Pipo learns about the piggies and makes experients on them. He and the piggies form a tight bond with each other because Pipo always gives them what they need to survive. One day, Pipo runs out after observing an experiment. Libo, his son, and Novinha, his student, go out and look for him. They find him dead on the piggies' land. Evidence shows that it was the piggies that killed him. The experiment that Pipo observed was created by Novinha. She doesn't know what Pipo saw, but knows it's her fault; therefore, she hides the files away forever to prevent Libo from knowing and dying as well. Her plan does not work though. Libo does not discover her files, but dies the same way as Pipo and for the same reason. No one knows why they killed the two xenobiologists. Andrew Wiggin soon comes to Lusitania to speak for their deaths and discovers the truth that Novinha has been hiding for so many years. The truth that he learns will set everyone free from sorrow and guilt.

"They found him all too soon. His body was already cooling in the snow. The piggies hadn't even planted a tree in him." (30)

I chose to read this book because the prequel, Ender's Game, was very well written. Speaker for the Dead is very different from Ender's Game, but are both entertaining and interesting equally. Speaker for the Dead shows that a misunderstanding can cause death, hatred, and sorrow. The book also implies that holding back a secret and blaming it on yourself causes depression for you and people around you. The truth will set everyone free from guilt and sorrow. Orson Scott Card's books are very interesting and suspensful, so I will continue to read the whole series.

“First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review”

“First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review”

Thirteen Reasons Why by: Jay Asher Penguin Group. 2007. Genre: Realistic Fiction

The book Thirteen Reasons Why is a story about a girl named Hannah Baker and a boy named Clay Jensen. Hannah committed suicide two weeks before Clay received a package of cassettes from Hannah. In those tapes, Hannah has recorded reasons why she decided to end her life. In those tapes, there are also the people that caused it too. Hannah clearly stated that if you receive the tapes then it has to do something to do with you. Clay Jensen is freaking out because he always thought that he loved her. She was his first crush. They really only talked once! How could he be a reason that caused her death? Clay spends his whole day listening to these tapes and finds out the truth about everybody that knows. There really isn’t an antagonist, but if I had to choose an antagonist, then it would be the truth. The truths and secrets he found out changed his life forever. This book is about high school problems, friendship, betrayal, and how people aren’t really what they seem.

“Clay Jensen doesn’t want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead, he reasons. Her secrets should be buried with her.” The book jacket reads.

Jay Asher’s writing style is really unique because he lets you see the story through Hannah’s and Clay’s point of view. It is written in first person. The italicized is Hannah telling her story. She describes everything so you can feel as if you were there. You then see and understand the story in Clay’s point of view. When you follow him to all the places he goes, you see his reactions when he sees people or discovers secrets. Jay Asher’s writing style brings you into the story. He makes you feel like Clay if that were to happen to you and makes you feel depressed, the way Hannah was.

This writing style is very unique and it fits me very much.

“I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, then you’re one of the reasons why. What? No!” (7)

This was the first book of Jay Asher that I’ve read, but his writing style and story has definitely captured me entirely. Thirteen Reasons Why has showed me to value life no matter what happens. It helped me know that not everyone is what they seem and friends mean a lot when you need help. Hannah didn’t have that kind of protection, that’s why she decided to end her life. This book has definitely made me grow stronger, cherish my life more, and know that everything in life should be appreciated. Plus, it helped me learn that if I open up and help someone, then I could be possibly turning their life around.