Reading My Children's Book

Hey guys, I have AWESOME news.  My Creative Writing class took a field trip last week to read our children's books to the kids at my old elementary school.  My teacher asked me to write an article about the experience for the school newspaper, since no one in Creative Writing this year was taking Journalism.  So, I whipped up my article and saw it in print TODAY in fifth period.  I am super proud and thank God for this opportunity to see my name in Newsbytes.  If you can't read the article from the pic, I cut and pasted the typed version below.

"I think Mr. Pirraglia nailed the purpose of my Creative Writing class visiting Cameron Elementary when he said, “They’re not reading today, they’re connecting today.”  My fourth period class did not spend a month churning out ideas, refining them, and illustrating them for our children’s books to be merely graded.  Reading to the kids at Cameron – my old school – was our way to give back to our community, while also identifying with the children in an experience that we will never forget.

Curious eyes as wide as saucers greeted my three classmates and me as we entered Room 16.  My fourth of the class huddled around me like bees hover around their hive, and gazed at me shyly.  After gulping a few breaths of air, I began my story, titled “Jenna B. Gumbo,” which is about a girl with bubble gum for hair.  My intent was to teach kids about the hurtfulness of bullying and the necessity for kindness.  As the groups rotated, I saw more and more enthusiasm among my listeners and gained momentum in my confidence.

Earlier I said our purpose was to give back to our community.  Well, in the end it turned out to be a way for our community to give even more to us.  Receiving the smiles and hugs from the appreciative children made my heart swell with joy.  Honestly, I describe our field trip to Cameron as a mutual exchange of fun, excitement, and blessing."

What Is Love?

Hey guys, there's a love poem contest going on at my school.  Do you think I got a shot at winning?

What Is Love?

Love is the pink petals of a newborn rose

Love is the soft sunlight of a dawning sky

Love is the crude kiss of a wandering wind

Love is the sustaining soil of a verdant earth

Love is the chubbiness of an infant’s cheeks

Love is the depth of a smile’s dimples

Love is the swelling of a woman’s heart

Love is the yearning of a man’s soul

Love is the embrace of a faithful father

Love is the caress of a marvelous mother

Love is the jabs of a bothersome brother

Love is the smack of a smirking sister

Love is the world’s word of misuse

Love is the child’s emblem of hope

Love is the star’s source of light

Love is the sage’s center of thought

Love is the seamless intertwining of fingers

Love is the undeniable power of Shakespeare

Love is the potent adversary of hate

Love is the purest essence of life

Love is the cross of Christ on a hill

Little Shop of Horrors

Hey guys, I'm back with another review!  Okay, so from Wednesday night to Saturday night, West Covina High School's Theatre program put on a production of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors."  My dad and I agree that it was a great performance - it was totally worth the twenty two dollars I paid for his ticket and my ticket.  For those of you who haven't heard of this musical, here's the synopsis: a geeky guy named Seymour works at a rundown flower shop and finds an alien plant that feeds on human blood.  Seymour and the plant make a deal that if the plant continues to bring him fame, he'll keep feeding the plant human bodies (I know, it's gross).  By the musical's end the plant eats Seymour and his friends and it lives happily ever after.

The plot was certainly interesting as well as kinda disgusting, but in this review I'll stick to West Covina High's performance.  Although everyone had beautiful (or at least decent) singing voices, the ensemble singing could have used some more work.  Only one person sang so clearly that I could understand everything she was singing, and that was Andrea Franco; she was an Alumni playing the lead female role.  Not only did she have a great singing voice, her enunciation and acting was superb.  From what a cast member said, Andrea was not a part of the original cast, but rather filled in two weeks before the show's premier.  If so, Andrea pulled herself together masterfully.  I also appreciated the street urchins' singing, save for the times they tried to sing together.  Every time they tried, the words got somewhat muddled.  I don't know about you, but I personally like to understand what the actors are saying.

Musical performances aside, I think Everett Cabon was the perfect guy to play Seymour; he looked and acted the part very well in my opinion.  Stephanie Torres was an awesome Mrs. Mushnik, which I will tell her personally when I see her in Creative Writing.  It was kinda funny seeing my friends acting as homeless people, sitting lazily for most of the musical; I imagine that was loads of fun during rehearsals.  Oh, I also LOVED the live music being played throughout the whole performance; that was a job extremely well done.  Overall I think the Theatre department should be very proud of all their hard work and I can't wait to see their rendition of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite.

Ode to a Friend

This post is dedicated to Grace Moore, whose birthday is today.  Love ya, chica!

Ode to a Friend

For Grace Moore

My love so dear,

Should I want another sister,

It would be you, I fear.

None can quite understand

The bonds that have us entwined,

Yet none would reprimand.

I do oft wonder

Whether anything vexes you,

For wrongs roll down your shoulder

So very smoothly,

Without a scratch on your skin.

You endure my remarks so patiently.

Rejuvenating camaraderie,

Overflowing in your fountain,

Quenches me for free.

Yet not so free, perhaps, 

For when you need me,

I'll join you in your mishaps.

Bullying

Hey guys, guess what?  I won another short story contest!  It was a totally random contest, too, since it's annually hosted by a dentist named Dr. Copeland.  I was in the 10th-12th grade category and won a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble.  I thank God for that provision.  I'll probably post a review of whatever book I use the gift card to buy.  I cut and pasted the story for your reading pleasure.

Before you read it, however, I would like to add in a little commentary.  I wrote this story about a contemporary issue at schools everywhere: bullying.  I have personally been mistreated by other kids, so I know the feeling of rejection.  If anyone who is reading this has been or is being bullied, know that you are not alone.  When I was in elementary school, a girl among my circle of friends began to treat me so poorly that I moved on from that group.  I made new friends who appreciated me as I was and eventually let go of my anger.  I never did find out why that girl turned against me, but it doesn't matter.  Don't be afraid to tell someone you trust about your pains.  Bullying is a serious thing, and you need to speak out if you are a victim of it.  There are other ways of dealing with a bully, as my story will show you.  Know that even if you feel that the world has turned against you, God NEVER will.  His arms are open to embrace you and let you know that you are never alone.

Look for Me

I know it hasn't even been a week since my last post, but I've just been inspired.  So, I had to write this down and, of course, I had to post it.  Edits and critiques are welcome, especially since this is hot off the press.

Look for Me

Look for Me in the shadows,

in the depths.

Look for Me in your heart,

in your very soul.

Look for Me, darling,

look for Me.

I say it again.

Look for Me in the mass

of people before you.

Look for Me in the eyes

of a total stranger

and of a close friend.

Look for Me everywhere.

Look for Me in the hallowed halls

and in the grimy gutters.

I am everywhere.

I am right behind you.

I am nose-to-nose with you.

I am just above you;

the soles of My feet just graze

the crest of your head.

I am below you, calling your name.

Ah, look for me, for I am waiting

to be found by you.

I purposely leave behind my tracks.

I discard the clues along my path.

I write you a note everyday.

I send you the treasure map to find Me,

and yet you have not found Me.

Where are you?

Everywhere that I am not.

Oh how I long for you,

sweet child of mine.

You know where I am.

Come look for Me.

I promise you will find Me.

He is not lost, but wants to be found.

Wreck It Ralph

Well, I haven't reviewed a movie in a while, so I'm giving this a shot.  I saw the animated movie Wreck It Ralph with my dad and sister this past Saturday, and I had a great time.  I rate it as a ten out of ten, but Dad rates it as a seven out of ten.  Why?  I have no idea.  I liked the movie for its adorkability and cheesiness.  Okay, so we have all seen the theme of wanting to be accepted by society, and instead being cruelly rejected.  The experience isn't fun, to say the least.  Wreck It Ralph, a story about a bad guy in an arcade game who's tired of being bad, puts an interesting twist to the usual motif of alienation.

From seeing the previews alone, I pretty much had all the characters pegged down.  Ralph is an average guy who's tired of his job and the lack of appreciation.  Vanellope (gosh, what a name!) is a gal with lots of attitude (which is perhaps why I love her so much) and a really soft heart once you get past the crusty surface.  Fix-it Felix is a nice guy, although I found the romantic intrigue between him and the kick-butt Sergeant Calhoun a little strange at first.  Love really crosses all boundaries, doesn't it? Now that I think about it, Felix and Calhoun remind me of a romance between an elf and a giant (yes, I literally mean an elf and a giant) in the movie Ella Enchanted.  Now there's a height difference for you!

Anyway, unconventional romances aside, I thought the movie was first-rate for passing the time with your friends.  I laughed, I nearly cried, and I enjoyed myself.  I definitely recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it yet, at least to anyone who doesn't mind cheesiness.