Graduation Speech

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." - Doctor Seuss

    4 years ago I walked in this building not knowing what would happen for my whole Middle School experience. 4 years may seem like a long time, but it actually flied by really fast. Pretty soon another 4 years will fly by and my sister will be in my position and I'll be and adult and soon off to college. 4 hours from now I'll be officially graduated from Middle School, and probably less than 4 minutes from now my speech will leave an impact for future graduates.
      This school has impacted me not only as a person but as a more knowledgeable student, which I would like to think all of the teachers here for doing their absolute best to give us a good education. Mrs Joyner taught me how to easily write a 3 page essay and how to amp up my writing skills that I thought would be hard to do when I was a 5th grader, Mr Carris educated me on world history topics that I thought were irrelevant when I was younger to learn but they actually are important and made a huge impact on earth, Mrs Conejo opened me up to a new language where when I was young the only thing I knew how to do was count to ten in Spanish when now I know enough to have a conversation with someone Hispanic, Mr Carro taught me how to solve algebraic questions easily that I used to think were just random equations that made no sense, and last Mrs Maldonado changed my aspect of life by teaching us about our environment and about our body, where my 9 year old self only knew about the skeletons in our body but now I know about the other organs and how they function.
    This also goes to the staff and principal who make sure everyone has a fun and good middle school experience by going out of their way to plan us fun activities like "Camp Mclean" which not only did I really have a fun time but it also made me build more friendships, and rewarding us for getting through the week with Cardinal Coupons drawing every Friday.
 Our school is yes pretty small compared to other schools, but that gives our school an advantage to know almost everyone who attends which goes for the staff. For example if you're ever feeling down they can tell and will assist you with one of the social workers (Mrs. Orsello and Mrs. Featherstone), and if you're struggling with grades, the staff makes sure you get extra help so you can do better in your classes which will impact you in the future. I can go on and on about all the teachers and staff here but sadly we would be here until the next graduation of 2017.
    Although I've may had some rocky times here, this school taught me to just push forward and not give up, because in the end it will all be worth it. I've watched my grades grow from usually being a C and B student to an all A and B high honors student.
     I remember when I walked into this school I was so excited to finally turn 13 and become an actual teenager, and let me tell you, when the day hit I felt great, but now realizing I'm gonna be an adult in another 4 years is absolutely crazy.
     For future graduates, everything is possible if you have your mind set and never give up. You all should enjoy Middle School while you can and just have a fun time because later in life there will be new challenges that await.

How to Prepare for a Test

     We all know tests are probably the second worst requirement to do in school, homework is obviously the first. Every time I hear a teacher announce that we are going to have a test in a week or a few days, I get really stressed because of the other homework I have to do for other classes and I worry that I won't do well on the test. But surprisingly you can improve your test taking "skills" to do well and prepare the right way for it, because I've seen a big improvement on my test scores from last year to this year so hopefully these tips will work out for most people.
     The first tip is to prevent procrastination! I know everyone has those days where they say they will do "their homework, and study for a test" later, but keep putting it off to go on their phones the whole time or watch TV and end up not doing it at all or waiting till 2 AM to do it, but you have to realize that those are things that are available to you everyday (phones, computers, tv), a test score is basically permanent that will impact your grade and grades are important because colleges look at them, unless your teacher allows retakes. I suggest when you get home do your homework first, and then after do whatever like take a nap, watch TV, etc, for like an hour or so, then after that study for your test.
       When studying for your test it is important to turn off all distractions like your phone, TV, so you can memorize the material better. Remember your brain can only hold so much information at a time, so take quick breaks in between your studying session so you wont feel so overwhelmed.
     On the day of the test, if you do wake up early you should go over the study guide again so your brain can be refreshed with the material. Also don't forget to get your 8 hours of sleep and eat your breakfast the day of the test so you feel more awake when you take it.

New Beginning

      Since the "middle school" life is coming to an end, that means I will start a new "chapter" in my life with high school. To be completely honest my four years of middle school were not as fun as my ten year old self thought it would be, it was pretty much a really bad experience, except for half of eighth grade because that's when I started actually being more optimistic to "fix my life up". In high school I have a lot of goals that I would like to accomplish and wishes for the four years.

     For starters, I will start making better decisions for myself since I will grow to be more mature. I will then do my best to get good grades and show interest in class so it can benefit me for college, because in high school I know that classes will get harder and teachers wont be as how the teachers in middle school will let some things "slide", so I will do my best to get all of my homework in and do my best on tests, which will hopefully also benefit in me for having a good career/job later in life. Also I will try to find the right friends and be more social instead of just mostly isolating myself. As for making better decisions for myself I will (try to) eat more healthy and (maybe) try to exercise more by running since at this age I'm already lazy.

     Overall I hope that this new beginning will be a fun experience and that I will push myself to do my best to meet my goals because four years actually fly be really fast so I don't want to make them boring.

Holocaust Museum

We've been studying for the Holocaust for awhile now, from reading articles and to reading "Daniel's Story". The Holocaust is a very important time in our history and a topic we shouldn't be oblivious of, today I learned a lot more about it by visiting the Holocaust museum with my classmates.
Today when we entered the museum they split our class in two groups and we got a guidance person to show us and talk about some of the artifacts of the exhibit, which surprisingly her grandpa was a survivor of the Holocaust.
She showed us some real propaganda that the Nazis used and talked about it, like how propaganda influenced doctors and other workers to kill people. We also saw a real train box which is where the Jews stayed in for about 7 days until they reached their concentration camp. Also we got to see a real striped uniform from the Auschwitz camp and what the colors of the Jewish stars represent. She also talked to us about the German Olympics that happened before the Holocaust which I didn't even know about. She told us about this one girl who was half Jewish and part of the fencing, and that she was told last minute that she wasn't allowed to play anymore because of the fact that she was Jewish.
We saw and learned a lot more about the Holocaust but this trip had a very big impact on how I saw the Holocaust now that I know more of how it's like and gained a lot of knowledge about the Holocaust.

I'm Still Here

March 7, 2016

Dear Diary,

"What just happened?" was the only thing repeatedly going on my head at this moment. I arrived at the hospital at 1:30 PM and I'm still here patiently waiting for the nurse to come get me. School is going on still while I'm at the hospital in the emergency waiting area, which there are a lot of people here waiting so I don't know why they would call this the "emergency waiting area" if they make us (the patients) wait, but I wonder what happened to them that made them end up here.
I'm probably exaggerating all this since I've only been here for probably 15 minutes but it feels like it's been 3 hours. The good thing is that I'm too lost in my thoughts and worries that I forgot about the pain rushing through my left hand, and yes I'm writing with my right hand. Long story short me, being curious, jammed my finger while trying be acrobatic and doing a back flip off a swing, which I vowed to never do again unless I can actually do a back flip, not a somersault, which I can't.
A lot of people have broken their finger or worse, so why am I acting like I'm the only one on this planet who has? Maybe it's because I'm scared of the thought of having to maybe get surgery which I was terrified of because what if you don't wake up? Or what if you feel it even though you get that medicine that makes you fall asleep? I don't know how some celebrities could go through countless plastic surgeries. But the main point is that I should be grateful that I'm even here getting my finger fixed where as some people can't afford to even get help. Hopefully this wont be as bad as I expect it to be.

Daniel's Story

“We must live, and when this is all over, we must work to make the world a better place.  And if we die, we will die knowing that it was not our fault, that we did our best, and we can go to our deaths in dignity… I want you both to live…And to remember...You must choose love.  Always choose love.”  

(from Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas, page 70)

This quote reminds of my church mentor because no it's not because she's just Christian, it's just basically her personality wise also. She always has a determination to try and help make the community a better place by spreading kindness and love to not just her peers/ friends, but also to people who she may have not be in a good place with because she believes that love is key to living a good life and she knows that she doesn't want to die being a "cold hearted person". She also encourages people to know their worth, believe in what's right, and not letting what other people's opinion about you affect your daily life because in the end you know that doing what you love is leading you to a right path.
Basically she believes that life should be full of love and happiness other than anger and and sadness, also to be patient when things might not go your way because good things will always find a way to come back. Like how in the movies and the millions of tumblr edits of the saying  "In the end it's all worth it", which is what she basically goes by.

Leap Year

My life four years ago was way different from how it is now. For starters four years ago I was about 10 years old and being an innocent elementary student who didn't know much about life at the moment. I would say four years ago I lived a more happier and not stressful life because technology wasn't really ideal for 10 years old back then and mostly four years ago I had more energy.
Now in the present obviously I'm older and the more you grow the more "stuff you'll learn about life" which I've learned a lot from the obstacles I've had to face growing up. Life is more stressful now and I don' really have as much energy as I did back in the days to try new things, but I feel like today I'm more confident then the shy girl I was in 4th grade.
I expect my life in 2020 to be successful, more wise about the choices I make,to be cautious about myself, etc. But obviously in 2020 our generation is gonna be more different then how it is now, I just hope I don't end up without a graduation diploma because of peer pressures.

When You Try Your Best But You Don't Succeed

"I don't want to do it!" I exclaimed.

"Why not, you chose dare." Tracy said. Me and my friends decided to play a game of truth or dare which everyone went but me, I hope they wouldn't notice me but they did and gave me possibly the worst task I'd ever have to do in my life.

"Because I'm a duck like you guys are, not a bird." I said trying to sound convincing.

"Yea, but you have wings." 

"They aren't use for flying."

"Have you ever tried?"

"No."

"SO JUST TRY IT NOW!" 

"Why don't you try it?"

"Because I already did my dare, which was to quack at the random guy at the dock until he got annoyed."

"At least you didn't get injured."

"Yea, but he chased me like 10 feet."

"Iv'e tried flying, and I actually did it." Mark said coming into the conversation. Finally I let in and agreed to do it.

"Fine I'll do it but where should I go?"

"Over there at the ledge that goes to the lake."

"That's too high!" I said considering again to back out.

"It doesn't matter because you'll be able to fly, just like how Mark said." Tracy replied getting annoyed.

"I'm gonna be able to fly right?" I said looking at Mark. 

"Yes... And even if you don't you'll fall into the lake." He said having a weird expression, but I didn't question.

"Okay fine." We all walked to the ledge and I looked down, we were pretty high up and all I saw was the lake. Why am I honestly doing this?

"WAIT!! Do I have t-" Before I could finish my sentence Tracy pushed me towards the ledge where I tripped. It took me a second to realize that I was falling. What do I do? I could hear my friends cheering and laughing from behind but I couldn't turn to see. 

I flapped my wings but it was no use, I cant fly. I'm so gullible to actually believe Mark that ducks can actually fly when in reality the only place my wings can take me is like 2 inches off the ground and that's it.

On the way down I was thinking of ways to get back at them.

Worst School Lunch

The worst school lunch hands down that I've had was the "macaroni and cheese" which I'm still scarred from eating it and disappointed that I wasted my school lunch money on it when I could have gotten the other option which was a chicken sandwich.

I remember that it was a really good day until I got very emotional when I ate it, and by the way I'm not even stressing it out, it was so bad that it made you question "what is life?".

First of all, the cheese tasted so fake and authentic like plastic with an artificial flavor. Also the macaroni was really hard and crusty, it was really bad, and the burnt stuff on some of the macaronis made it even worse.

When I first put about a chunk of the macaroni and cheese in my mouth my body instantly was like "nope!" and I spit it out so fast. I was like "What did I just eat?", "Why would they feed us this?", "Why is this even a thing?". 

Think about eating like macaroni's that you already bought cooked that was sitting on your kitchen table in room temperature for about 3 weeks, and like glue mixed with cheese on top of it, that is what it would basically taste like.
I honestly can't judge the dish now because I tasted it last year and I don't order the school lunches anymore, so I don't know if it improved or not, but the last time I did it was really bad, so 1/10 stars for the effort.

Canada 2015

Over the summer I went to Canada to visit my aunt and cousin from my dad's side like how we always do every 2 years. I was gonna have to miss the first week of school but it was worth it because the trip was really fun and I've also leaned a lot.
Usually when we go to Canada we drive there instead of fly there, so it was a 10 hour ride, but if you include the stops for gas and food then all together it would be about a 12 hour ride. But it wasn't that bad because I slept for most of the ride.
The first day and second day we basically just settled in my aunt's house and they took us around Toronto to go shopping and such. The third day we went on a road trip to Quebec and Montreal which was all together about 12 hours.
When we arrived to Quebec almost everyone there spoke French so we didn't really understand some of the attractions. But we went to a church and this town where there's like paintings and a lot of gift shops which was fun. We also went on this tour bus where it showed us around Quebec like the river and they told us about some of the churches.
When we went to Montreal there wasn't really that much attractions that I remember because we didn't really go to any other than just walk around the town that our hotel was at. But overall this tripe to Canada was really fun and I can't wait to go back.

The Fault in Our Stars // Movie Review

The Fault in Our Stars wasn't bad but it wasn't excellent. When I first heard that they were making The Fault in Our Stars into a movie I was really excited, but after I saw the movie I was like "what just happened?". The movie cast was nicely chosen like I did imagine Augustus and Hazel to look like how they did in the movie but Issac not so much because in the book they said he was blonde. The acting wasn't that good, I felt like they could have done better because when the cast were reciting the famous "quotes" they had in the book, it sounded so scripted, and also they didn't include some of the stuff that happened in the book but it didn't really bother me that much, which obviously they can't include everything that happened since they don't want to make a movie that's 4 hours long. Yes, I did cry at that part where Hazel reads her "letter" to Augustus, which I'm not going to spoil for the people who have not read or seen the movie but I felt like that was the strongest part of the movie and most effective. I probably cried more at the actual scene of the movie than I did when I read the book.
Overall the movie was good, I visualized some parts in the movie to be like when I read them but I felt more that the acting was kind of bad at some points, in my opinion Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort had better acting in Divergent. I would give this movie 7/10 stars!

2016

One thing I could spend more time doing in 2016 is to not always be on the internet and instead try new things and hang out with friends and family. I felt like 70% of my 2015 was taken over by the internet like I would always be on my phone or computer, about like 19 hours most days which is not healthy. I realized that you get to caught in being like in a trance with a gadget that you forget everyone that's around you which causes to break relationships with other people and also the internet made me not the best person. It has been said that some people would rather stay at home being on their technology all day than hang out with their friends. The most important thing that I think you would gain is more happiness, because I come to realize that obviously we aren't here on this earth forever and our phones/computers aren't permanent, so why waste valuable time spending more time on a item that causes stress when you could instead try things you haven't tried before that has nothing to do with phones, or even spend time with family or friends to make good memories? It is a big sacrifice to cut down on phone/computer time because I understand that phones are addicting and our phones have like "everything we need" which is far from true, so even though yes it is hard just realize it's for the better.