“Through the Tunnel” Prove Yourself Paragraph

A time when I had to prove myself is when I was in eighth grade and I had a 0.0. I was really scared I wasn’t going to graduate with my class. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. I felt like all my staff and family members had given up on me and didn’t care. I thought I was going to be like most of my family and drop out of high school. I had a month before graduation day. I got all my missing work turned in. I began to focus and on graduation day I passed with a 3.8. I was proud of myself even if no one else was.

Free Choice Blog Post

Today after school I went to the beach for a memorial for my cousin who was killed April 1st.
I went to the beach and stood in the water and let the waves take all my anger and frustration away. It's been really hard for me lately to stay focus in school or just focus period. I feel like I have the world on my shoulder and everyone is leaning on me. Things feel like they are getting worse but in reality it’s really getting better. I’m very sad and upset that my cousin was killed but I know she’s in a better place. May Britnee Wright rest in peace.

Fourth Quarter Kickoff Reflection

Fourth quarter kick off was pretty boring. In the morning the freshman had to do a scavenger hunt and we split up into three teams. I was on team peace and love and we came in last place. After that we went to Ms. Priester’s classroom to make monkeys.

In the afternoon the entire campus played three different sports. We split into six different teams and played Water races, baseball, & capture the flag. My team lost every single because everyone was lazy or didn’t want to play as a team. In the end team six won an ice cream party.

Fourth Quarter Goals

For third quarter my goal was to get off two hour and to have a GPA higher than a 2.0. For me to achieve that goal I had to do my homework, stay focused in class, and work really really hard. I felt like giving up every once in a while but I didn’t. I got off two hour and I passed my classes with a 2.7 GPA.

For this quarter I will continue to work really hard, stay focused, and get a 3.5 GPA. It will be hard in the beginning but I believe in my self that I will be able to do it. In order to do this I must focus and not get distracted. In the end all my hard work will pay off!

“American History” Experience with Discrimination

When I was 11 years old my casa took me out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. I asked my waiter for shrimp fried rice and water and he told “you know there’s a soul food place down the street you know?” I was really upset and offended because most black people I know eat soul food and he only said it to me. He laughed as he walked away with our order. I told my casa that I didn’t appreciate what he said and I would like an apology so she asked to speak with his manager and told him the situation. The waiter didn’t say sorry so me and my casa left. It made me pretty angry because I didn’t know adults could be so harsh to kids. Later on that mouth we went back and found out that the guy was fired. We felt that justice was served.

Inspirational Experience Reflection

When I was younger I was thought I was a tree
I was tall as can be.
Until one day the wind whispered in my ear
You are not a tree honey dear.
I was very sad I wasn't a tree because I was happy as can be.
I was really sad and wanted to cry
 I felt that all my leaves had died
Being a tree made me feel like I was tall
 Even though I knew I was short after all.

Thinking that I was a tree when I was younger was really cute. I thought I was the tallest kid in school. I've now learned that I'm not tall but I still have the right to dream!

Free Choice Blog Post

Hello everyone! My name is Genonna L and I am number twelve out of nine-teen of my dad's. I was born is San Diego, California and raised in Guatemala and TJ. I lived with my dad until I was five then I moved to San Diego with my mom. I went to St. Louis, Missouri when I was seven to go visit my mom’s mother for about a month and then came back to California. A few weeks later, we went back to St. Louis because my grandmother passed away. I was very sad because I didn't really get to know her. My mom got really depressed and got really violent. A few years later my mom’s depression got worst and she became this monster that I didn’t know. She started to beat and neglect me. After two straight years of abuse I got taken away and put into foster care. I came into foster care at the age of nine. I’ve been in almost twenty different foster homes and three different group homes. I heard about San Pasqual and wanted to try it out. I now live at San Pasqual academy for 5 months now going strong. I've been doing my best in school and trying to stay focus. People now and then try to push me down but my model in life is “God is on my side".

My Teaching Experience

Today when P'Jay, Breanna and my self taught the class today it was a lot of work. Preparing all the forms and homework was hard. Getting enough copies of the poem was a big waste of paper to me personally. Getting the students to pay attention and listen to us was very aggravating and irritating. I now know how teachers feel when they have to prepare all the homework assignments and stand up in front of the class and teach for at least 45 minutes.  I love being the student instead of the teacher because there are way too many responsibilities for me to handle. I wanted to be a High school teacher but with all the responsibilities I have changed my mind. I now see why teachers drink coffee to deal with students.

Memorable Valentine's Day

My most memorable valentine’s day was last year. Last year my valentine took me to go see the movie “Valentines Day.” It was an amazing movie I guess you can say. After the movie we went out to eat at this restaurant Olive Garden. After the dinner he gave me flowers and a box. Inside the box was Victoria secrets pure seduction body lotion set. I was really happy because he knew it was my favorite sent. Later on that night he broke up with me because I was too short. I was more upset then sad because it was a stupid idea but I was happy that I got a free set of lotions!!

Imagery in a Song

I shouldn't have walked away
I would've stayed if you'd say
We could've made everything okay

But we just threw the blame back and forth
We treated love like a sport
The final blow hit so low
I'm still on the ground

I couldn't have prepared myself for this fall
Shattered in pieces, curled on the floor
Super natural love conquers all
Remember we used to touch the sky

And lighting don't strike the same place twice
When you and I said goodbye I felt the angels cry
True love's a gift but we let it drift in a storm
Every night I feel the angels cry

C'mon babe, can't our love be revived?
Bring it back and we gon' make it right
I'm on the edge, just tryin' to survive
As the angels cry

Limitless omnipresent, kind of love couldn't have guessed
It would just stop and disappear in the whirlwind
Here I am walkin' on this narrow rope wobbling
But won't let go, waitin' for a glimpse of the sun's glow
I know I can stand, just pull me back up
But there ain't no hurricane, it's just us
I'm willing to live and die for our love
Baby, we can get back that shine

'Cause lighting don't strike the same place twice
When you and I said goodbye I felt the angels cry
'Cause true love's a gift, but we let it drift in a storm
Every night I feel the angels cry

C'mon babe, can't our love be revived?
Bring it back and we gon' make it right
I'm on the edge, just tryin' to survive
As the angels cry

Baby, I'm missin' you, don't allow love to lose
We gotta ride it through, I'm reaching for you
Baby, I'm missin' you, don't allow love to lose
We gotta ride it through, I'm reaching for you

Lighting don't strike the same place twice
When you and I said goodbye I felt the angels cryt
True love's a gift, we let it slip in a storm
Every night I feel the angels cry, the angels cry

Oh baby, don't let the angels cry

The song "Angels Cry" by Mariah Carey represents my life because I get heart broken when people come in and out of my life.  When ever I hear this song I get really sad because it makes me think of all the people who have came into my life and left.

“A Blessing” Break into Blossom Paragraph

A time when I broke in to a blossom is when I was in Tijuana at a restaurant. I heard a band playing music. I saw delicious rolled tacos in front of me. My hands touched while I was singing and clapping to the music. I felt the cloth on the table that was made from 100% cotton. Well I never knew what a mariachi was. When I was younger I always thought it was a T.V. show, so I was really excited to know that I was listening to them the entire night at the restaurant. It changed me a little bit because now I know what a mariachi is and what they do. They sing and make music.

Third Quarter Goal Reflection

My goal for third quarter is to get a 3.0. I know I can get a 3.0 if I put my mind to it.  So far to achieve this goal I have done all my homework and I’ve kept an A- in Ms. Priester‘s class. In order to fulfill my goal I must continue to do all my homework and class work. I must continue to turn it in on time, and also stay focused. At the end of third quarter I expect to feel happy with my self and feel like I went through with my goal. It may be hard but I know I can do it!!!!!

Symbolism String

A broken heart symbolizes my broken heart because people I get attached to come and go.

The show CSI symbolizes my career because I like to investigate.

A baseball bat and ball symbolizes that I try no matter what because it helps me learn and fix my mistakes.

Tamales symbolize my family because every year on Christmas we make tamales all day!

The Holy Bible symbolizes my beliefs because when I’m feeling down or sad I just remember that I have God on my side.

Clothes symbolize shopping because I love to shop and it also a cooping skill.

A heart symbolizes love because I try to love everyone no matter what they have done or will do in the future.

Blush symbolizes Giddy because I try to always have a positive attitude and be happy.

A note symbolizes friendship because it’s another you can communicate in school!

“The Skull and the Arrow” In the Cave

If I were beaten badly with a gash on my head, left for dead and had to find my way to shelter in the rain like the man in Louis L’Amour’s story, “The Skull and the Arrow,” I would just lay there and die. I would not try to do anything because I already have a cut that’s bleeding on my head, it’s raining and I could get sick, there’s no food for me to eat, I don’t really know where I am, there’s wild animals roaming around every. I would just lay there and starve, bleed and freeze to death. There would be no point in trying.

Symbolism in “The Skull and the Arrow” Underdog Paragraph

When I was in eighth grade, I had horrible grades. My GPA was a 0.0. I thought I was going to have to repeat the eighth grade. In order for me to pass on to my next grade, I had to completely change the way I viewed school. I started to study, turn in all my work, and focus in class.  Then my grades began to rise like the sun in the morning. No one thought I would be able to do with grades like that but I proved them wrong and graduated with a 3.8. I felt good to show people I’m able to succeed!!!!!!!!!!

"The Grandfather" My Tree Trunk Paragraph

Like the narrator in "The Grandfather" by Gary Soto I consider Maria to be my family. She's like my sister. Maria’s family to me because she makes me feel comfortable and safe when I’m around her. Maria gives me strength when I’m feeling down or whenever I have a problem. Maria always tells me to me to believe in my self and to follow my dreams. I depend on Maria when I’m sad. I expect her to be there. A tree symbolizes family because each branch represents a family member and each leaf represent a child.  Branch may break off but with the right amount of water and sunshine it will grow back!

. “The Grandfather” Important Person Paragraph

A person who means a great deal to me is Tia Moore. I choose Tia because shes awesome . Shes like my symbol of peace. I can talk to her about anything. She’s always there when I need someone to talk too.

Tia and I understand each other. I know she has to work and she knows I have school and we both may struggle at times but at the end of the day she makes me happy.

Tia’s important to me because she knows how it is for a foster kid like us. Her students may struggle in school, Have problems with friends, she knows all about it but she dosen't judge us about that. She looks at all the beauty we have on the inside. She really cares about how we feel and what we have to say and not a lot of people care what kids have to say and I thank her for that.

My current relationship with Tia is the same. I talk to her when I need her or just need someone to talk to.

House Symbol

Smile now Cry later symbolizes   my house which is (girls 3).To most people it means put a smile over all your pain and keep on going. To us it means there will be times where we cry and times where we laugh because no one in our house is perfect and there will be times where we all make a mistake. Our house is just like any other house on campus. We will have problems from time to time just like any other house this campus boy’s side or girls side.

The gift of Magi" The Item I'd Save".

I would save my phone because I would still be able to contact family and friends.
I would still be able to use face book. Also because it’s my favorite item and I would be sad if she got hurt! I know it sounds crazy that I would choose my phone but it’s mine and I treat it like it my own child! When I become an adult, I hope I use my phone to make a lot of business calls and to  reach out to my clients when I become very successful in life. ( I want to be a therapist)