They said.

"Lets climb the mountain,"
they said.
"It'll be fun,"
they said.
"Don't be scared,"
they said.
"We won't let you fall,"
they said.
Now here I am,
falling off the top
of the mountain.
Thanks mom and dad.

Mirrors

Standing alone,
staring at yourself
in the bathroom mirror.
The lights are off.
You hear a whisper.
A faint whisper,
someone is calling
your name. You feel a
light touch on the back
of your neck.
You take a step back
You feel a body behind
you. You hurry to turn
on the lights. The lights
don't work.
You scream. No Sound.
No One Can Help You Now.

The First Day or The Cooling House?

   I did not enjoy the first day although I could relate to it. The story brought me back to my childhood years and reminded me about all my first days of school down to my last first day in high school. The story was interesting to read about, but it also was boring. In the end, I was a little confused as to why they ended the story that way.
   The Cooling House was much better in my opinion. It was funny and enjoyable. I was a little lost on some parts but then I caught back up to speed and understood what was going on. I believe the poem was from the air conditions point of view. If it was, the author did a great job of displaying its feelings towards the grandmother in the story.

Torn

   How long has this act been going on? Weeks? Months? Years? ALL MY LIFE ?! They walk around here like they are just as happy as can be but in reality they're getting a divorce. This is absurd. I thought my parents would be together forever because they took their vows pretty serious; well at least to my knowledge they did. I know they loved each other very much, how could they just throw away that love? The marriage? ME ?FOR CHRIST SAKE.
   As a family, we always did things together. We always had a good time and we always had fun. So for them to get a divorce, I'm shocked. What could have possibly went wrong? I never saw them have any real serious arguments. The arguments I witnessed were over why my dad didn't take the trash out or why my mom left hair in the sink. Those are small petty arguments so I know they can't possibly get a divorce over those things. Or could they?
   Somehow I think this is my fault. I don't know how this could be my fault, but it could be. Maybe I'm showing my mom more attention than my dad and he got jealous and wants nothing to do with us anymore? Wait, no. This couldn't possibly be the reason. I show both of my parents equal attention, so I think I do.What else could possibly be a reason?
Why my mom and dad? I need answers.

Apartment Fire

  I hate my neighbors! At least that’s what they get though. Now they don't have a home. Me and my friend just wanted to have some fun. We like setting things on fire. Before we started with little things like napkins. We wanted to try something more exciting. Its boring around our way, so we had to add some excitement. We should've set a mouse or a stray cat on fire. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO COOL. Maybe if we did that we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now. 

   Our neighbors just don't like us. My one neighbor hates me so I know he snitched on us. My friend and I were playing ding dong ditch before and he saw us and told our parents. Snitches get stitches, I hope he knows that. He has had it out for us since I could remember. So I know this was all his fault. We would have never gotten caught. 

  Now we both are sitting in a prison for kids. We are being charged for setting the fire. Man, I hate my neighbors. I don't think anyone understands the hate I have for my neighbors. My friend is over here crying; I wish he shut up. He's such a baby. I'm a big boy, so I can handle this. This is a little scary though. I hope my parents come to visit me. I know they're probably upset with me just because the fire got inside our apartment too. Now where are they going to live? I feel bad now. I didn't think about what the fire would do to my apartment. I know my parents are really upset with me. This sucks. I hate myself now. I see why my neighbor always had it out for me and my friend. We are bad children. We deserve to be punished. We deserve to be in here.

Character Sketches

Ashley

Brandon

   The sketches did not really aid me in writing the scene. I was basing the scene off of personality rather than looks. I found myself sticking to what I wrote about both characters within the character sketch. I did find myself trying to change the characters once they interacted because my creative juices wanted to flow rather than stay within the limits.
   I personally did not like writing in play format. I feel like I'm not that kind of writer. I like to set the scene and explain it rather than have people in the scene talking about whats going on. This wasn't so much difficult in writing but it was more tedious wrote than what I normally write. I enjoyed this experience though. It is always nice to try new things.

Skater meets Non-Skater

Ashley and Brandon are at Orchard Skateland for Dream Team Tuesdays. It's not that crowded tonight at the skating rink. Ashley is a semi-pro at skating while Brandon is struggling to move on the skates.

Ashley (snapping on one foot in the middle): 

"Excuse me! Excuse me! 

Ashley is stopped by Brandon who did not listen to her warning call

Brandon (nervous): 

"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to your call. I was so focused on trying to move."

Ashley:

"Oh, it's okay! I think you should move to the middle of the floor because you don't know how to move that well yet. Would you like for me to help you to the middle?"

Brandon: 

"Yes. I greatly appreciate it."

Ashley helps Brandon over to the middle of the floor

Brandon: 

"I wish I could do the tricks like you do. It must have taken you forever to learn how to snap on one foot"

Ashley:

"Yeah it took me a pretty long time. I'm still trying to get better. It's skaters out here who look way better than me on skates. I'm trying to get on their level."

Brandon:

"How did you learn how to do all of those tricks and skate backwards?"

Ashley: 

"It takes hard work and dedication. I use to look like you out here..when I was younger. No offense. 

Brandon (interrupting Ashley): 

"None taken."

Ashley: 

"I really began doing tricks about two years ago. I had people try to teach me the tricks but its more focused on observing skaters and how they move their feet."

Brandon: 

"That sounds easy! All you have to do is watch them move and then mimic their moves."

Ashley:

"Actually, its not that easy. Say your watching someone snap on one foot. You really have to pay attention to what one leg is doing and what the other leg is doing. Also, the way they position both feet. I've fallen so many times trying to snap, it seemed like I just couldn't get it. I had help from my friends' dad though."

Brandon: 

"Wait. I thought you said its more about observing than someone teaching you?"

Ashley:

"You're right. I did say that, but when it comes to snapping someone has to tell you how you should move the foot you are snapping on because just watching won't help. You heard it didn't work well for me at first because I kept falling."

Brandon: 

"Oh okay. I get it. So what did your friends' dad say to you?"

Ashley: 

"He told me as I snap on one foot, my other foot has to be lifted off the ground and the foot I'm snapping on I have to slightly jump off of a little bit. The foot thats lifted off the ground will be what helps me spin my body around as I snap"

Brandon:

"So did that help you?"

Ashley: 

"Yes it did. After listening to him, I tried it and I got it. It was sloppy but I still got it"

Brandon: 

"CAN YOU TEACH ME ?!

Ashley: 

"I'll teach you but before that you need to learn how to move first!"

(The two continue to talk, until Ashley is pulled away for a train."