Saturday, December 13, 2008

Colorado

by NeverFlyte

OK, so Colorado may not be as cold or as impressive as Gary Paulsen’s Minnesota. To me, though, it means holidays, feasts, free time and family.
My aunt and uncle own a bed & breakfast and a restaurant called “The Silver Nugget”. For the past three years, we’ve been going there for a week over Christmas break. We stay in their bed & breakfast and often, except for when there are too many people, we eat at the restaurant. It’s fun having whatever you want and sodas with every meal.
Over the days that we’re there, we do numerous activities. Some days we go sledding, some days we go to the hot springs. Everything is very close and easy to get to. The most memorable thing we did last year was hike on a trail along a river that was in a canyon (can’t remember what it was called). The trail started out as any normal trail, but by the middle, we were walking on a ramp-like thing that hung right over the river. There was a railing and even a cover on top to keep snow off, but the floor part was like a grid, with square empty spaces.
The water was around 20 feet below us, roaring loud enough that we had to talk by yelling in order to be heard. On either side of the fast-moving river was ice, from random chunks to icicles tinted a shade of light blue.
At the end of the trail (ramp?) it winded down in a series of staircases until you were standing beside the river in a little cavern with icicles big and small. It seemed slightly dangerous to be there where there were large spaces where the only thing was ice on the ground and nothing to hold on to. I walked cautiously across it anyway to get to the largest icicle, one that went straight from the ceiling to the floor, where it occasionally dripped.
There wasn’t any real smell, unless you count the wet dog smell that was in the Jeep we took to get to the river.

My Grandma's House

My favorite place to be when I am not at school is my grandma’s house. I know my grandma’s house like the back of my hand. It is so fun to be there because I get to hang out with my triplet aunties. I love to leave and walk around the neighborhood with my family. It is so much fun when we get to have parties there. I really love that house. My grandma has two bedrooms in her house. She also has two bathrooms. The back yard is so big with two dogs back there. The front yard has plants and flowers. The kitchen is medium and it’s where we are going to have our Thanksgiving dinner.
My favorite part of the house is the living room. My grandma has 2 big screen TV’s in there. I love when we stay up all night watching scary movies. It is even scarier because we have surround sound so it is so loud. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving break, because that’s where I’m going.

My Neighborhood

by

I live in West O****. I feel like that is the heart of O. I live across the street from C****Village on 10th and W*****. When I’m at home, I worry about people. I worry about people like my brothers. I hear gunshots that lead to people's bodies dropping whether they are dead or not.
I feel like I know this place very well. I know the stop signs like the back of my hand. I feel that if I didn’t live in West O*****, I might as well be dead. I live in a duplex at the bottom in a 5 bedroom house. All the people that live in the place I call home are my mom, my 2 sisters, my nephew, my dog and of course, me. If I had a choice of a rich family in a rich neighborhood, I most definitely would choose West O***** and my people.
I really love West O**** because I have family everywhere I turn. I know that if I was anywhere else, anything could happen to me. But living in West O*****, it feels good to know you have people who will kill for you. Having family on every corner does have its consequences. It means you can’t be caught slipping, doing anything bad, because best believe your mother would know. But I wouldn’t change it for the world because I love West O*****.

My room

by

One place that I know well is my room. I have one closet, two dressers, and two beds. In the left corner is my TV and on the side is my computer. In the right corner is a lamp. It is long and black and shines really bright.
My walls are painted periwinkle purple and my doors and closets are white. I have a dell computer that I don’t use very often. On my computer table is my cell phone. It’s a metro. I use it a lot especially when I text my friends. On one side of the beds, I have posters of people. On my beds, I have a lot of stuffed animals. I have snakes, turtles, teddy bears, and a plush pillow.
My room is very unique to me. It is kind of like my personality which is very good. My room is very special to me and I would never change it. I think my room is a part of me.

My room

by llover

A place I know really well is my room. I see my 2 book shelves, a desk, dresser, nightstand, bed, built-in closet and a lot of my personal stuff. The walls are painted blue and my dresser, desk, night stand, and built-in closet are painted white. My 2 book shelves and my bed are painted a healthy light brown with a finishing glossy touch. On my desk, I have a red lamp, a corkboard filled with old notes, pictures, key chains and pins, a phone holder, a picture of me when I was around 8 holding my pet hamster, 2 pictures of my parents and a lot of old letters, notes and pictures.

I have a tall book shelf and a short one. The tall one has 6 shelves. On the top shelf, I keep some of my “creations” from art class. On my 2nd shelf (going down) I have a picture of my family when we were in Hawaii and a lot of mementos from my other travel experiences. The third shelf holds all my series. For example, Twilight series, oops I meant it holds all my picture albums. The fourth shelf holds all my series books. My fifth shelf holds all my comic books. And finally my 6th shelf holds all my documentary war novels. On my other bookshelf, (the short one), I have 3 shelves. On the top shelf, I have all my electronics, iPod camera and iDog phone all charging. On the 2nd shelf (going down) I have all my Manga series. It literally takes up the whole shelf (I might need another one). The 3rd shelf are all my guilty pleasures, my Gossip girl series and the Clique novels.

As for my nightstand, I have a lamp full of shells and a clock. In the one drawer, I have a bunch of old journals me and my friends wrote in. On my dresser, I have a big mirror. To the left is an umbrella shaped metal (red) stand that holds all my earrings. In the center is a wooden boat shaped bowl holding all my make up (lip gloss, blush, mascara, etc.). To the right is a black plastic “hand shaped” figure holding all my rings. Plus a jewelry box (2) one holding my necklaces, another holding my bracelets. On the floor next to my tall bookcase are magazine holders filled with People and Us. Next to that, behind the door is a huge box (plastic, blue) filled with my stuffed animals. My room is a special place to me and I hoped I shared that with you.

My house

by nascar11

I know my house very well. I know all the hiding places, secret cabinets and stuff. When you’re in my house you see a lot of black furniture. Two couches, a chair, table, a desk and more, all black. You see a lot of clothes, scarves, and electronics also.
In my house, most likely you’re going to hear my radio (some type of music) or the TV. When the TV’s on and I’m watching it, you’ll hear channels 42, 44, 53, 54, 55 or 70 depending on the day and time. After school and on weekends, you could hear the computer and whatever sounds it’s making.
On week days, my house smells like Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Chewy Cookies mostly. On the weekends, it smells like Clorox and cleaning soaps and stuff. I normally can taste whatever I smell.
I love my house. It’s so cozy and it has so much flava flava flava. Man, lol. That’s off Flavor Flav's Dr. Pepper commercial. My house is really special to me.

My house

by

My house, if we gave you directions to get there, we’d tell you to stop in front of the house with the yellow walls and green garage doors. There are three windows that have a small balcony in front of the largest one. Ivy, or my mom would call it bougainvillea, grows up the balcony and around the three windows. To the left of the garage doors and balcony, there are steps that lead to a porch, which leads to a front door. MY front door. The steps are wide and brick until they transform into narrow wood ones. The wood, once glossy, now is worn down and scratched up. The front door is made of the same wood as the steps, only still glossy and pretty. Not weathered like the steps because of the porch's roof above it.
Then if you close your eyes, here’s what you’d smell. It would smell crisp near the steps, but near the garage, the ivy would clog your nose with its pleasant scent. The air, it wouldn’t be cold or hot, but the sun would warm your skin altogether being my favorite weather in the world. You would hear the gentle breeze and then the loud thudding rap music from the apartment building two houses down.
Then if you were me, you would march up the brick steps and then the wood ones right up to the glossy front door where you would take out your keys. Your keys, two on a key chain that is a pink pointe shoe. You would take out the one with the deep ridges in it like little mountains. You would put it in the lock and open the door. You would slam it shut (otherwise it doesn’t close) and yell “I’m home”. If you were me, that is.

Eritrea

by

The most beautiful, fresh, and favorite place that I have lived is Eritrea in East Africa. That place is like the smell of a hot baked fresh bread. It has peaceful sounds of birds singing and the trees glow with the sound of leaves moving. Eritrea is the only place that doesn’t have any weather damages that have been done to the country nor any drought that killed people's thirst. I like Eritrea because of the peace that has been restored and the fun that all children and adults share. I hope that I could go back to that place. No wonder I miss the place. Maybe one day I will go back and feel the love for my country.
I always told myself that Eritrea wasn’t just a normal country when compared to the other countries in Africa. There is something special about the country that always inspired me to think that it has natural gifts from God, which mostly comes from the people’s beliefs and how much they really believe in God. Living there is an unforgettable event in my life and I will remember it always.
As I have seen before, there aren’t that much of any tourists that visited the country but if you really see the news there isn’t anything wrong you can find about the country. The thing that interests me about it is that when you look at the whole country’s improvement it is really incredible. You see a lot of people working all over the country. That really makes you think they are really hard workers.

My Grandmother's House

by Emberlyn Azure

Until my Grandma moved to California, we would visit her in Massachusetts every summer. She lived on a hill in a log cabin with no close neighbors. When you drove up the road, there were giant green trees, soft moss and colorful flowers as far as the eye could see. On the steps and inside was a cozy abode of quilts and knickknacks (or as my Grandma calls them – Chachkahs).
My Grandma’s house always had a tasty smell of the food cooking in the oven. As you walked upstairs, you would start to smell the strong smell of moth balls and fresh blankets. My Grandma’s house was elderly and unique.
Grandma’s house was peaceful. I would sit on the squishy couch, a couch like a feather on a cloud. I would sit there in the morning watching TV and waiting for breakfast. After breakfast, we would plan a day full of friends and the town’s carnival.
To understand sitting in Grandma’s living room, close your eyes and picture a medium sized room with dark wood walls. Now instead of imagining sitting on a normal chair, picture yourself on the softest couch ever, with a not so attractive green carpet. You lean over to the side table with a ceramic lamp on it and grab the remote. You lean back and turn on the television. Soon after your Grandma comes in with some of your favorite cereal. AAHH! This is the life. Then everyone comes in and you plan the day.
Most importantly, Grandma’s house was a way to be calm and visit family. After the long day, we would come back to the living room and sit on the couch. We were coral silently resting in our home, the sea.
Every day we were there we would have the same routine with Grandma cooking, me on the couch, and my mom on the phone. At the end of our visit, we would drive to the airport and say goodbye.
When we got home, we would be happy to be back in California but sad because it would be another year till we go back to Grandma’s log house on the hill in Massachusetts.

My Home

by

My home is in East O*****. When you walk inside my house, its heaven. You can hear my bad brothers running around. You hear my grandmother in her bedroom watching TV. Her favorite channel. Her favorite TV show. When you walk around the table, through the kitchen, either in my mom’s room, the bathroom, or outside, you can hear my mom talking hecka loud to her cousin, etc. At night, since my aunty lives in the back, my aunty does something with her boyfriend like partying, watching movies, etc.
When you’re in my house, you can smell one of the best things. Man! Like when you're in the living room you can smell the breeze in the whole room. Probably my mom's hair because she had been in the shower using that shampoo and conditioner. My grandmother and my mom in the kitchen, WOW! Let me tell you. Looks good; tastes good and smells hecka good.
Now from talking about smell and hearing things in my house, I’m gonna tell you about taste. Well, this subject is only in the kitchen. My mom’s chicken legs are off the hook crazy good. It tastes like it's your birthday. My aunt’s rice krispie treats are better than the company’s ones. Man is that so good. To me you know what’s really good? I’ll tell you. My dad’s steak. WOO! That’s all. Thanks.

Descriptive Essays

We wrote short descriptive essays describing locations we know well. You might recognize some of these places from the I Am From poems we wrote at the beginning of the year. We hope our details help you visualize the settings we're describing. Enjoy!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Untitled

by

[If Obama were here] I would say, you did a good job, and I hope you are a good president. I hope you can stop the war and help the economy. There is a lot of work to do and hopefully you can do it all. You have amazed blacks and whites everywhere so do good.

Untitled

by

Judging by what he says about affordable health care, new schools, recruiting new teachers and giving tax cuts for the middle class, I'm happy. We are in for finally long-lasting change.

Barack Obama

by NeverFlyte

Barack Obama was elected 44th preident of the United States last night. I was happy. Proud that the person that my family supported did win. What does this mean, though? I can remember to to two elections before this one, both times with Bush winning. Being a Democrat, it was easy to criticize his every action and frown upon his words.
What will Barack do? Will he have the opposite effect on us that Bush did? Will he also make mistakes, as Bush did? Will he really make a difference? Can he really make a difference?
All I can do is sit down for the wild ride that is set before us, and hope for the best.

Letter About Obama

by Ary

I am so amped that Barack Obama was elected the 44th president last night. It means that I can finally trust a president. He will help everyone get a house and lower taxes and help everyone get healthcare. If he were here I'll tell him that I'm glad that he is president and to lower gas prices, because every time me and my mom go shopping I can't get anything because she says gas prices are too high.

Barack Obama: Change Has Come

by Shadow

On Tuesday at around eight-o-clock on November 4th 2008, Barack Obama was elected president. I've been a supporter of Obama since the beginning, even before Hilary Clinton. I believe he can make good changes to make the US more equal and hopefully he'll make Prop 8 disappear forever so that gays and lesbians can marry. It's unfair to make a rule, then take it back.
Starting from slavery, and going all the way to have a president is a huge step for blacks. Barack Obama is Dr. Martin Luther King jr. reborn. He is going to show the US that blacks aren't horrible to those racist people. If he were here right now, I'd probably tell him how much courage and bravery he has come through. Not many people can do what he did. Barack Obama is my hero.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Barack Obama

by exb11

The first African American President was elected yesterday night. I was so happy when I was watching it. I called all my friends and told them although they were watching it too- they yelled on the phone as if they just won a million dollars. Barack Obama being president feels like change is really coming and I commend him for trying hard to make this world better.

Untitled

by

Barack Obama just won the presidential election. My father keeps telling me how huge this is & how lucky I am that I'm here to witness this. I understand to a point. I understand that it is huge. That this is history in the making. And how lucky I am to witness it. I even understand Obama's speech. However I don't understand the excitement, I wasn't there to see the change. I don't feel any of the emotions. I wish I did though.

Untitled

by

When I think of Obama the first thing that comes to my mind is hard work. He worked very hard to become president and to get people to vote for him. He's also responsible. He has to be responsible because that's one of the jobs of being a president. He's a leader and a role model. Many people wanna walk in his footsteps and they really look up to him. He's a very lovable man, he has a big heart. He and his wife have been married for 16 years and have two beautiful daughters together. He is a really caring person, he cares about making a difference and making America a better place. He cares about the people's problems and how they feel. I was so happy when Obama won, when my mom told me I ran down the steps so fast I almost fell. I was mad about Proposition 8 had banned gay marriage, but it feels good to be alive when the first African-American was elected president. I'm really happy but I hope that he doesn't get shot because really people look up to him as a figure and a role model.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Untitled

by Monkeygirl

The way I feel about Obama winning- I feel good because he can change the world and fix what Bush messed up. This means to me that I got to do better and believe in myself because if he can make it and follow his dreams and not give up then I have to try to follow my dreams and do what I need to do to change. I think Obama will make a lot of changes like putting more money into school and putting more jobs in. If he was here I would tell him thank you for following your dreams, and tell him he's my favorite president.

Barack Obama!

by Tu-TuBabie

Right now I'm feeling good because this is the biggest moment ever in life. When I heard that Barack Obama won it meant the whole world to me and I just felt like walking all over the world screaming Obama real loud I can't stop moving I just keep moving and walking around and I'm talking about him nonstop. I think he will change gay marriage and schools, and how young people should act and I hope he will change the gas prices and high price stuff. If Barack Obama were here I would tell him how excited I was acting and how good this is for me and I would tell him how excited my cousins were. I would tell him how he changed my life already, and how I admire him.

Untitled

by llover

When Obama became president I was totally speechless! The first African-American president ever, and I was there to witness this. I was so proud and hopeful of America's future and I trust Obama will steer us toward the right direction. I can't realy explain how I felt when the T.V. people (lol :)) told us that Barack Obama was our elect- president. I feel really excited and I will remember this event forever, or at least until I die. This is so spectacular and I can't even begin to feel how African Americans might've felt that night.

Untitled

by NoName

I feel so happy that finally there is a black man that's president. I can't believe that a black man, Barack Obama, and his family will be living at the White House. There is finally a change in the United States of America. This means the sky is the limit, that means anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it. I think Obama will try to stop the war, and help the middle class people, and try to lower the taxes. If he was here at school I would cry, and give him a hug, and tell him that I'm proud of him achieving his dream.

Obama!!

by Emberlyn Azure

I am so happy Barack Obama has been elected. I think our great nation is in need of change and he's just the man to do it. When I found out it was like my body jumped out of my skin and ran around the world, I was so excited. I hope he will start cleaning up the debt that Mr. Bush has put us in. I hope other countries will love us again and wish they were us (like it used to be before George Bush). If Obama were here I would shake his hand and tell him I'm honored to meet such a great man.

Untitled

by Jure

I am really relieved that Obama and Biden beat McCain and Palin. With Obama in office this country will change for the better. Something that McCain wouldn't have done. He would've kept the country going in the same direction. That would've corrupted our country more than it already is.
I hope Obama can successfully get our economy back on track. I also hope he can keep all the promises he made. I do think he will and he will make this country great again.

A Turn in History

by Arracutie

This is an amazing turn in history. The fact that Obama was able to win the nomination for president means that the country is ready for a huge change. Hundreds of thousands of people rushed to the polls, determined to change the course of history. Many people voted for the first time ever, knowing that this election would be one of the most memorable ones ever.
Even though I've never seen slaver or extreme racism through my own eyes, I am still able to grasp the importance of this event. Less than a hundred years ago, the election of a black president seemed impossible. The next generation of people will think the election of a black president is normal. Hopefully, our world is finally ending racism; for good.
Barack Obama's words have inspired many. I'm sure he will continue to lead our country in the right direction, amending any disagreements we have had with other countries. Thousands of people have faith in this wonderful man. I'm sure Barack Obama will live up to expectations.

Obama 08

By Bojangos


As we all know presidential candidate and democrat nominee Barack Obama has won the presidential election last night November 4, 2008. Obama is going to be our 44th president and our 1st black president (Afro-American).
Obama is going to help our heath care and hopefully get America back on track like 8 years ago. Obama and his running mate Joe Biden who I think is wonderful and honest about everything and what he says he’s going to do he’ll do it and that is why I think Joe Biden is awesome!!! and the whole Obama campaign from working the polls all the way to canvassing to earn all the money so Barack Obama can come this far and win it all (AND HE DID WIN IT ALL!!!!)

Our reactions to the election

Today in class, students wrote their reactions to the election. Many of their responses will be posted on the blog. We hope you enjoy reading the perspectives of some 8th graders.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I Am From

by dcgfour

I am from Arkansas, intertwining with California and East O*****, crossing over to the west. Camden, Little Rock, Mt. Holley, Truman, Iris but Athens beats the rest.

I am from Grandma and Grandpa’s pancakes on Saturdays and oatmeal during the week, yes sir, no mam, and ladies first and think about what you say before you speak.

I am from the product of elementary school sweethearts, Lori + Larry equals marriage and more. T****, N****, K**** then me, but we prefer the name G4.

I am a Christian inside and out, God is the center of my life. Guiding me when I feel lost,
Reassuring me I can do All things through Christ.

I am a Scorpio, take it how you want it, November the fifth 1993, funny as all outdoors, and pretty boy, yeah that’s me!

I am from collard greens, cornbread, broccoli casserole, corn soufflé’ and yams. I am from O******, but a diehard San Francisco 49ers fan.

I am a teenager who’s never used drugs, or been picked up and taken to jail. I am an educated, respectful, determined, out-going African American male.

I am who I am today because of God and family, because of spankings and countless lectures and folks taking the time to pray for me.

I am most importantly a somebody; I know where I’m going and where I come from. To the top and beyond the stars, I am the one and only D***** C***** G****

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Welcome to Thaler Scholars!

We are eighth grade English students who will be publishing our work this year on this class blog. We are using pseudonyms to protect our anonymity.

So far, we have written I Am From poems, journal entries, and conversation transcripts. More writing to come. Stay tuned!

Please leave us constructive comments to let us know what you think!

- The ThalerScholars

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I Am From Poem

by Cakez4Daze

I am from home where I like
to have fun where I can watch T.V. and
hang out with fam and friends.

I am from school where I'm
known for being cool where the
sky is blue and the grass is too
I am from where I'm loved by all

Monday, September 29, 2008

Conversation Transcript

by Jimothy

J: Is it too late to play guitar?
Mom: No, you can play for 15 minutes.
J: OK. By the way, thanks for putting up the guitar hooks.
Mom: That was your Dad.
J: Oh, OK. Dad! Thanks for putting up the hooks.
Dad: You're welcome. Make sure you're careful with the top one.
J: Why?
Dad: It's not stable.
J: OK.

Conversation Transcript

by nonfiction

Mom: How was your day at school?
J: My day was good!
Mom: How do you think your pictures will come out?
J: I think they will come out nice.
Mom: Are you going to give pictures to your friends?
J: Yep!
Mom: Did your friends choose the same background as you did?
J: Yeah, some of them did.
Mom: Oh by the way we have a tour at [local private high school], do you still want to go there?
J: It all depends on how the tour goes.
Mom: It will go well!
J: I guess so..., but I kind of want to go to [local public high school].
Mom: Ok, good night. Love you!
J: Good night, love you too!

Conversation Transcript

by nascar11

A: L, what you doin'?
L: Nuthin', listenin' to my iPod?
A: Did you put my song on yo iPod?
L: Hahaha not yet, ima' do it-
A: Hahaha it betta' be on there by ma birthday or we gone fight hahahahaha...
L: I'ma do it tomorrow.
A: I might go to the movies the night of my birthday, I need to go to the movies.
L: Ok, jus let me know k hunni haha
A: Ok boo, but I'ma call you when I get home k?
L: Ok.

I Am From...

I am from my family
I am from the smell of bacon in the morning
I am from my dog barking in the afternoon
I am from eating lunch at 12:05
I am from attending 5th period English class
I am from street lights flashing.

I am from the smell of dinner
I am from utensils glistening in light
I am from the hum of my PS3
I am from the smell of my pillow
I am from the sound of snoring...

Conversation transcript

by littleboy5_0

M: Ms. Thaler, what's my semester grade?
Ms. Thaler: Hold on, let me find my grade book.
M: Okay.
Ms. Thaler: Hmm... I can't find my grade book.
M: Can't you see my grades on teacherease?
Ms. Thaler: Oh, that's right. Thanks for reminding me. Now let me turn on my computer.
M: Alright.
Ms. Thaler: your grade for the semester is an A, great job.
M: Thank you, I'm not missing any work, am I?
Ms. Thaler: Nope.
M: Good, thanks Ms. Thaler

[Note from Ms. Thaler: this conversation did not actually take place in real life.]

Conversation Transcript

by NeverFlyte

Ms. C's 6th period class

Student: What did you get for #3?
Ms. C: Please, no talking.
Student: What did you get for #3?
My "good" conscience: Don't do it. She can figure it out on her own.
My "bad" conscience: You'll only get a warning. It's not on your permanent record or anything.
My "good" conscience: You did what she said last time... please, just be quiet and finish your work.

Conversation Transcript

by bojangos

T: Hi, D.
D: Watz up T.
T: Nothing much.
D: What's today?
T: Monday.
D: Thank you.
T: I heard that you skipped school.
D: Me, no way.
T: Yeah way.
D: Are you sure they were talking about me?
T: Yeah, they specifically said your name.
D: Who said that?
T: This guy named J I think.
D: Are you sure?
T: Oh, hi J!
D: We were just talking about you.
J: Yeah, what were you guys talking about?
D: Oh, we were just talking about how you were spreading rumors about me skipping school.
J: Ahhh, I got to go.
D: Yeah you better run! Oh, I can't stand him.
T: Oh, I gots to bounce, peggity peace.
D: What?
T: Just leave.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thanks for all the comments!

We are so excited that people have been reading our blog! We would love to know who you are and what part of the country you're from, so leave a comment and let us know!

Thanks for reading our work!

- The Thaler Scholars

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

This is my family

by Dre

I am from East O***** living in a medium sized home,
around my neighborhood is where I roam.
Little chihuahuas running down the street,
cool expensive cars slammin their beats.
I can hear the sirens and see kids playing in the street
and down the street are friends that I'll meet.

People selling food on the street and it makes you want more.
Where everyone hangs out at the corner store.
My family, we do and say funny things
but don't fight or steal, that's a sure thing.
I hug my family and love where I live-
love and respect is what we all give.

To where I am from school, people playing at the court
to hangin with your friends and warn them "LOOK OUT!!"

I Relax

by Jure

I am from home
where I relax
and eat bean pies

I am from soccer
where I am on a team
called R**** Sting

I am from my neighborhood
where I hang out with my friends
and play soccer and practice at Caldicot field

I am from my couch
big and comfy
where I relax and sleep

I am from my iPod
where I listen to good music
while I relax

I am from Taco Bell
where I eat chalupas
They are delicious.

I'm from clean air

by yungzero27

I'm from Clean air
playing soccer all day
and trees with ripe pear

I'm from "these dishes aren't gonna clean themselves"
After every Sunday dinner
and playing video games with magical elves

I'm from the rocky roads with pot holes
the wooden houses on top of hills
and wearing shoes with worn out soles

I'm from washing at the river
while taking a dive
even though the cold water makes me shiver

Journal Entry- My Day

One day I woke up ready to go to school but I didn't expect what was going to happen. I got ready for school and when I got there I saw my cousin A. I was so surprised. I asked him where was his little brother Y and when did he start to come here. That started off my day good.

Then I had history class, we got our progress reports and I was very impressed with my grade. I had gotten an A. I was extremely happy. Then I had PE and we played football today and my team won so you know I was juiced. So far my day was going great. Then I had Art, one of my electives. We did the same thing- draw. It was cool.

Then I got to English, my best class in my opinion. My cousin is in that class and I was happy that he was in at least one of my classes but then it turns out he is in 2 of my classes. He is in my 5th period class, algebra 1 math class. He wasn't in my 6th period but it didn't bother me that much, we didn't do that much that day we just listened so I was alright with that.

That day went perfect, my cousin goes to my school and I got a good grade in class and won a football game. My day went by smoothly.

Journal Entry

This weekend has been really tough on my family. My cousin A died Saturday. She was having heart failure. I didn't know what to do because I didn't know she was going to die, I thought she was going to pull through. My family is really hurting right now, especially my best cousin E because that was his mother and he was the only child. I really wish I could be there for him to tell him I love him and I'm here for him. I feel so sad for him because he kept crying and I can't do that much to make him feel better. I never seen this part of him before because nothing like this has ever happened to him.

My Life

by $up3r B@d

i am from home where it's sunny
and quiet where the birds are chirping
and the sun is shining

where when i go outside i see the firetruck big red and ready to blow
where the clouds are high and the planes
fly by and i hear the bart and train outside

I am from home where i can listen
to my music kick back and relax lay in
my bed and just lay back

i am from a townhouse big and white
where not all my neighbors are nice and my
brother and sister always fight their names
are mark and jelly and mark has a big belly and
my sister jelly likes peanut butter and grape jelly.

Monday, September 22, 2008

I am from...

by pearl09

I am from Sports Illustrated,
the 18 bus line,
and cheesy quesadillas.

I am from are you your brother's keeper?
screaming kids,
and the savory smell of bacon

I am from marijuana should be legal
Crispy Fried Chicken
and fresh washed clothes

I am from Sporting News
Basketball will get me outta here
where Neesh is so annoying

I am from music with so much bass
From scrappers on 4s wit slap in the grilles
And da home of da weak a** Raiders

I am from O******!

I Am From

I am from the dudes hanging around,
kids running up and down the street yelling
I am from Morn House Apartments
Cars flying up and down the intersection playing loud rap music
I am from Acorn (Da Jets), Gas Team, Baby gas team, and Junior Baby gas.
I am from kids yelling, grown women arguing, Acorn and Ghost Town Fonkin with each other.
I am from my auntie sitting on the couch talking on the phone, my little cousin A*** playing with his power rangers and transformers.
I am from A*** screaming, Auntie N***** laughing.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

I AM

by Llover

I am from my neighborhood
surrounded by friends peace, love
people yelling whispering giggling
the many restaurants and stores; Sahaira, Pasta Pomodoro
Tootsies and Itsy Bitsy along with Pendragon

I am from my house
I smell perfume, soap
lip gloss cologne and shampoo
I see People and Lucky magazines
rooms neat but messy
walls painted brightly, matching hues
vases of flowers reflecting off mirrors
fluffy pillows and couches

I am my ethnicity
thin, light brown skin, short dark hair
brown eyes, pretty smile, braces soon to be off
heritage, tradition
I love them

I am from my friends
beautiful tall, short
short, long hair
gossiping laughing screaming
funny, they make me laugh
sleepovers prank phone calls
parties, boys, dressing up, dressing down
singing till our throats are sore
acting dramatic, posing for pictures
my friends make me, ME

I am from

by long legs

I am from the fabulous woods,
legs shaking, hair waving,
looking at deers, ligers, and monkeys.

I am from pink and purple lights,
that sparkle,
wondering why?

I am from a yard of rainbow
flowers, smelling them, and looking at them.

I am from a extraordinary closet,
big, small, and tall
but what's inside?

I am from OMG,
O my gosh, looking lost, thinking how,
but saying good bye!

I am from bright colors,
and light colors, wondering
how?
... Laughing out loud...

I Am From

by Emberlyn Azure

I am from the smell of tortillas and
laughing friends. I am from mint
chocolate chip and sticky vinegar
rice wrapped up in soft seaweed.
From giant sandwiches being
scarfed down in minutes.

I am from the hard scratched up
surface of frozen water. From
reciting my favorite books and
movies with close friends.

I am from writing letters to a
beautiful fairy in a tree, in the court
yard with a smooth stone table and a
snow white house. From futons and
Buddha's round pillows, fixing the
rabbit ears on a small fuzzy T.V. that
doesn't belong to me.

I am from "I'll give you a holler."
and "They haven't been initiated into
the family yet." I am from the
sparkling stars late at night and my
cousin taking me at midnight to get
Wattaburgers creamy chocolatey
frozen cow milk. I am from the
zigzag of a seam in October with me
Aunt.

I am from the crowded places across
the dark greenish blue water. I am
from O******. I am from the rapid
transportation of R***** down the
street. I am from the beautiful tree
with the bump on it. I am from my
home where I have lived for thirteen
years. I am from me.

Where I'm from

by blue star

I'm from warm water off the coast of San Diego

I'm from people with loud music at night

I'm from the sweet smell of roses in the garden

I'm from San Diego where the beaches are never empty

I'm from loud blue birds that land on the lemon tree in my back yard

I'm from the calm radio in the afternoon

I am from somewhere but where

by Monkeygirl

I am from a family
who teaches manners
who teaches respect

I am from a neighborhood
where I hear hip hop and rap
where I hear yelling
where I hear bells on the Ice cream trucks
where I hear televisions.

I am from a school
where I see new teachers
where I meet new students
where I learn to do the best I can

I am from a kitchen
where the dishes are done
where the trash is taken out
where the fried chicken and macaroni is made

I am from nachos
where it's not as gooey as soup
cheesier than a McChicken
from McDonalds

I am from a school
where all you hear is
whistling, tapping pencils, tapping shoes,
talking, and yelling

I am from the air
where you smell food
where you smell chopsticks

I am from my mom's
light brown eyes, short hair
where she dresses like a teenager
with her Hanna Montana shirt.

I Am From Goode And The Village

by Jimothy

I am from trees,
green,
jamba juice,
and the 59 bus line.

I am from the white couch on the porch,
jazz records and amp buzz,
N***, A***, S***, and S*****.

I am from tattoos and nose piercings,
we're off like a herd of turtles,
and F****** and H***.

I am from 10 false alarms in one day,
the sixth grade yard,
and my friends.

I am From

by ~Dr3@m$~

I am from the music we listen to
the movies my mom, brother & I watch.
my cat meowing

I am from the cars racing down my street,
the pollution in the air,
the chirping birds,
and the pitter patter on the ground when it rains.

I am from my family.
the music I listen to.
The book Twilight.
That smell in the house that tells you someone cooked.
Most electronics.

I am from C**** Middle School.
basketball hoops on the yard.
Cafeteria food that my friends don't eat.
Geometry with Ms. N****.

I am from blondes to brunettes,
Short hair to long & back,
boys to girls,
brown eyes to green or blue,
"Don't talk to strangers" to "Make a lot of friends,"
My mom, my brother, & cat,
and "Finish your homework" to "I love you."

I am from my friends to cousin
my fashion to theirs
and the love between us.

I am from the yelling on the schoolyard.
to the fighting,
from the different instruments
to the different race of boys & girls,
the amount of time for passing period
to the many rules :(
and on to teaching & friends

I am from my neighbor, Kitty,
Twilight time to dawn
cats & dogs to the many types of plants
from UPS trucks that drop boxes off,
Quickstop gas station down the hill,
and noon to midnight.

I am from the universe,
milky way,
solar system, earth,
North America,
California, *****,
and my home,
Everywhere...
~Dr3@m$~

I am from a family full of smiles and Jokes

by littleboy5_0

When I go to 7-eleven,
I am from the cars driving by and the busses stopping,
I am from the kids playing outside,
I am from the fresh air blowing by,

I am from where the school bell never stops ringing,
I am from the hallways packed with kids and teachers,
I am from where the teachers never stop talking,
I hear kids yelling,
I learn new things every day.

When I go home I see my T.V.,
I am from the computer sitting in my room,
I am from the small of my mom making flavorful spaghetti,
I am from me and my sister S***'s room.

Whenever I see my family I feel like I am
going to burst with happiness,
I am from the family full of smiles,
I am from where I learned never to talk to strangers,
I am from a family full of jokes.

I am from

I am from brown eyes,
dark brown hair and long
skinny legs.

I am from sayings like
school is important, don't
lie and have faith in God

I am from the loud voices
of my mom and brothers
televisions and music

I am from eating cheese
pizza, hot dogs and my
moms famous macaroni &
cheese

I am from busy streets
people walking their dogs and
neighbors

I am from acting silly,
talking up a storm and
livin' life to the fullest

Poem

by Jack Cartier

I am from tempting kitchen smells,
from the big oak tree
in the front yard, from
a family adorned with eyeglasses,
from soccer.

I am from French, my first language,
English, my second,
and now I begin to leap Spanish,
my third hurdle.

I am from books;
books that make me smart,
books that make me laugh,
books that make me think,
books that make me wonder.

I am from animals;
dinosaurs, pterosaurs, plesiosaurs;
dogs, wolves, dingoes, jackals;
snakes, crocodiles, lizards;
ostriches, owls, hornbills;
fish, kangaroos, and everything else.

I am from Bulungamayines,
plate tectonics,
the cosmos, the Big Bang,
Newton, da Vinci, Einstein, Flannery, Horner, Gould;
science.

I am from the gouges by the speed bump
(which people don't seem to notice- that explains the dents)
from the smell of barbecues, birch trees,
asphalt and the neighbor's dog;
from the succulent taste of cookies,
the metallic tang of my retainer,
the all-important taste of spaghetti,
and from the sounds of the highway
and the subway, the freeway and
the roadway;
dogs' barks and squirrels' chatter.

I am from S** and L***,
my brother C****,
from are you done reading yet?
from are we there yet?
can we go now?
can't I come?
what, do I have to?
whyyy?
I am from different people,
from the tree-sitters at Cal
to the captains at the Port
to the beggars in the street
to the friends at school
to the neighbor's drums banging till 10:00
and to all the different people that
make my city.

That's me.

I Am From

by mylife_247

I am from go for
your dream theres
no wrong answer. And
did you do your
homework.

I am from smelling
pizza, fish to mac 'n cheese
To the flowers that
smell like spring in
the winter.

I from the candy
shop where I like to be
so I can eat Peanut M&Ms.
I am from where I know where I
am from and you know where
you are from.

Dancing Heart

by Shadow

I am from the leaf blown streets
of energetic kids playing
the laughing sirens
of which trees inhale.

I am from the purr of cats,
the croak of fire
and the sight that the street lights hold.

I am from mysterious books;
Twilight, Elsewhere, and Bottled Up.
I feel dry waters soaking my feet
and wet winds, crying in my face
I am from the warmth of friends around

I am from crystal grounds
that sparkle of a new day's light
The dark nights without a shy of light
and the bright, milky sun in my window

I am from grass-stained jeans
that work as hard as I do
the slippery bodies of snakes
that race in the icy, warm waves

I am from the breezy coast
and the seagulls screaming above
but I know I am most from...
my heart that dances with me.

Where I'm From

by nascar11

I am from
firm, shaking hands,
good 'ole banana pudding,
and the laughter of
my lil cousins playing
outside.

I am from
the smells of coconut,
and tropical punch drinks,
sugary cornbread, and lots
of good, funny, repeated
stories.

I am from
the loud engine
roars coming from the
colorful scrapers (a car)
riding down the steets
and the loud hip-hop
music coming from the
unique scraper bikes.

I am from
a family filled with
love.

I Am From

by noname

I am from my computer
Where I go on myspace &
listen to my ipod by Beyonce Upgrade-U (LOL)
I am from my school
Where I cuss
Where I learn
Where I talk mess when people get in my face
Duh!!!
I am from my room
Where my brother's power ranger toys are everywhere
It is like a tornado came in
I am from everywhere
Where haters be hatin &
I be stayin fresh every day
I am from me
Where I'm a B*&#$ that's beautiful, individual, and
that creates haters.
Duh!!!

Bright Midnight

by NeverFlyte

I am from dinner sizzling on the stove
my sister enhanced by the blaring TV
the meows, bings, and pops
of IMs jumping on to my computer screen

I am from a stray cat yoweling
the street lights playfully flickering
an occasional sired, roaring with anxiety

I am from the hunger books bring
when they're left unfinished
dragging me away
to a different world
where black font becomes color

I am from endless days of learning
the hustle in the hallways
the warm, flowing smell of Z****'s Pizza,
the quadratic formula overtaking my mind

I am from the snowless winters
where the smallest of breezes
are the closest we have to cold

I am from two different worlds

by exb11

I am from two different worlds.
When I say "different," I mean area
codes too. I go from 9**** to 9****
in a day. I go from yelling to
talking and from barking to birds
chirping. Most people think it cool,
but me, I think it's a drool. It's
hard to keep track of things, and
on top of that, I have basketball
practice two days a week.
I am from a family in which
my parents are always telling
me what to do. And my older
brother is always in my ear.
My dog is always barking and
needs a walk 24/7. I think
she is annoying, but she is my
mom's little angel.
I am from a place where
talking back will get you in-
trouble and fighting will get
you yelled at.
I am from a school where
kids yell and trash falls.
The cafeteria food isn't
satisfying and some of the
teachers get on my nerves.
We always have homework, and
there is always gossip going
around. Even though I have a lot
of problems in my life,
I am from... a good place.

I Am From the 5 p's

by Lucky

I am from hot as hell Oakland. I see
flowers that look like a rainbow on a
sunny day. There are as many names as
letters in the alphabet. There is always a
smell of barbeque as if they eat nonstop.

I see a fridge full of family pictures to
how many kids are at school. My dog's
barks are like lightning and thunder
hitting the earth. The smell of cooking
is that of food in a 5 star restaurant.

My family's eyes are as blue as the sky.
The saying that comes up the most is
the 5 p's. D****, D****, and J**** are
the names of the members of my family.
I've learned to treat people they way you
want to be treated.

The school smells as if the worlds trash
has been left there. You hear yelling as
if the people are deaf. I have learned that
hard work pays off in the end. I see teachers
trying to teach bad kids in a class.

I am From

by PrincessReema

I am from where they be hatin' and not appreciatin'.
Kids running in the streets doing things they know they shouldn't be doing.
I hear cars blasting music just doing that to show off their cars.
I am from where everyone is competing seeing whose stuff is better.
I'm from where you look at the end of the corner and see a liquor store.
I see everyone wearing name brand things just to be flashy.
I see everyone on their cell phones walking down the street.

Where im from

by ASAP

Where im from
its always cold
Only the young die
not the old
From ghosttown to gaskill
Man its cold down here
from 45 its cold by
at on 54 its froze
ASAP and F.T.
Ice city is
Where im from

I am from people cooking dinner and sunbeam corner store

I am from people cooking dinner,
from my mama telling me to clean
my room
I am from people running in the
hallways
I am from people cursing and yelling.

I am from sand brown hair, light
brown eyes, perfect nose, and a pretty
freckle face
I am from people telling me to watch
my surroundings
I am from V****, M*****

I am from the pretty blue sky turning
gray
I am from people playing car music
loud
I am from sunbeam corner store

I AM FROM

by Too+Fresh=Fresher

I am from the noisy neighborhood
Everybody hanging out
Watching everyone talk
I am from r&b &hip-hop blasting
Go stupid
Go dum
And can u turn that music down
I am from the smell of marijuana like
Trees be like omg
I was like I thought they quit
I am from Manzanita rec center
Where I got to play
Hang out have fun
I am from a house where everyone watch TV
I am from old furniture sitting outside
I am from the noise from the computer
Moms yelling turn that down
I am from the smell of bacon
I smell flowers
I smell soap from the shower
I am from the family that stays on MySpace

I am From

by YungAce09

I am from Drug Dealers
and loud music, people with guns,
and eating family food

I am from coaches, teammates,
and athletes. I'm from Barbecue
and a little something called
OD

I am from short, tall, big, small,
wise choices and bad I'm from
a big family Loving and arguing

I'm from teachers, doctors, athletes,
college graduates, laughing, crying,
loving, and fighting but all and all
I am from a world full of different
people

I am from kickflips and ollies

I am from kickflips and ollies
I am from traffic and trains
Dogs barking and cats meowing
I am from blue jeans and Vans
and from money and class
I am southern cooking and sweet potato
pie I am from hats and coats gloves
and new leather I am from Mom
and Dad

I Am Different

By Ary

I am from hot juicy chicken on the dinner table
I am from turkey and mashed potatoes
I am from Laughter and jokes
I am from "where the greens at" at the dinner table

I am from DC Clothes
I am from Vans on my feet
I am from Jordans
I am from Famous Stars and Straps Clothes
I am from H&M clothes almost every weekend

I am from basketball tournaments
I am from practice every Wednesday
I am from posters on my wall of basketball players

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I'm from Lil' Wayne and Above All Odds

by Asia-Amani101

I'm from Victoria Secret body wash and lotion,the smell of the Love Spell is just so sweet
I'm from fried chicken,hot sauce,greens,and corn bread
I'm from seeing my little brother play outside on the bike he's always riding up and down the street
I'm from babysitting my nieces and hanging with my sister
I'm from Lil' Wayne's a.k.a My Husband's music
I'm from sleeping in the day and going to parties at night
I'm from shopping at the mall all the time I love my
Anchor Blue and Above All Odds,the clothes are so flyy just like I.

Where I’m From

by baller

I am from hearing my mom’s loud voice yelling “wake up”

I am from eating delicious food in the morning to the night

I am from walking down the street seeing cool colorful cars with booming beats

I am from going to school to learn how to read and write better

I am from eating good smelling food at 12:01pm

I am from going home from school seeing my younger brother and sisters yelling Hi J***

I am from going to sleep at 9:30pm or a little later in my sports covered bed

That is where I am from