End of The Year Reflection (Sad Face) By: Eileen Lee

I really enjoyed spending the year with you guys. You guys have made the year extra (x100) special! I'm going to miss people leaving ISB. This year was my first year in ISB. I thought it would be an awkward year for me, but it was really fun. I hope we can meet again later...somehow... Again, it was awesome being with all the people in 7-7 and 7-8. Have a nice summer vacation!

The Unforgettable Summer of Lise's Family

The Unforgettable Summer of Lise’s Family

Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones

I was first looking for short and deep story, and this book caught me. When I saw this book, I got the feeling that this would be a sad story, but in some parts there were humorous dialogues from the characters, Lise, Free, and their mother. The first main character is Lise, a twelve-year-old girl, who tries to have positive thoughts. Her mother is strong and self-reliant, and she tries to comfort Lise whenever they moved houses by getting a better job. Also her precious brother, Free, at the age of five, has selective mutism, which made him unable to talk. But he could read since he was three, played piano since he was four. He also reads fifth-grade level books and plays chess better than most adults. He is not normal, but Lise and mother love him very much because he’s their family.

My favorite part was when there was a quarrel between Lise’s mother and the doctor. Lise’s mother argued that Free was capable to go to school but the doctor disagreed. Her brother’s mutism was a small hindrance, but because of the family’s love he was capable to attend school. But right after this matter, Lise’s mother fell apart by a car accident. As a result, her family moves to live in a rattletrap house in the beach of Maine. From the characters, Lise and I have most parts in common. She relies on her mother a lot, and I also do. She is not that chatty and doesn’t talk much to people that she doesn’t know or like. Also she often moved to different places because of her mother, and I also did too because of my parents. Lise and my personality and background have some parts in common. If I were the main character, Lise, I would have not only think but also act to be confident with this new place to live. For example, if she were scared from the new place she had to live, I would have tried to be more active in the place to get more self-reliant.

From this book, I picked up a new view towards my parents and siblings. I would try to understand the problems of the circumstance and not grizzle. From this family’s unforgettable summer, I would think about my family too, and love them as much like Lise’s family.

The Past Discovered by Archaeologists by Michelle Jo

The Past Discovered from Archaeologists

People who study prehistory, mainly people and their culture, are archaeologists. They study by different methods and tools. Archeologists are our most important link to the past and essential for human growth and development.

One of those reasons is that they wonder about the past and how it was back then. For instance, they go to the place where sources were found, and the things are separated by written sources or non-written sources. The written sources include books, letters, diaries, and etc. The non-written sources include fossils, artifacts, ruins, and oral traditions. From the Aztec Empire, the Toltec limestone relief sculpture, panel of skulls, and gold nose are some examples of non-written sources.

To follow, their curiosity leads their interest to investigate the histories and cultures that the history left behind. Some of them also investigate to relate to the past, to see the difference from the past to today. This is because the cultures or source of histories can help them develop the sources that are now in present. With this is mind, they can relate to how the present is somehow similar to the past.

In fact, they want to learn about the people in the past, how they made a living, which leads to cultures of the past house building, and our house building today. Looking back at the Neolithic age, they made houses called dugout huts. It was made out of straw and mud. Today, we see apartments made out of concrete. From these facts, archaeologists investigate the development of living.

The last reason that archaeologists investigate the past is to make a better city. City planners use the information from the past to build a further developed city. Their work also helps improve our lives and understandings about the past. For example, to make a better city in CITS, we visited the Beijing city planning exhibition center.

Archaeologists explore the past because they want to study how it was back then, to learn about the people, of curiosity, or perhaps to make a better city. They are our key figure to link the past and present.

The Grievers of Death By: Andrew Yang

The Grievers of Death

The Maze Runner is the first book of a science fiction trilogy written by James Dashner. The Maze Runner has also been directed as a movie that is going to be coming out on the 19^th of September 2014 in the US.

 The main character of The Maze Runner is a boy named Thomas who wakes up in a metal cage like box and is sent to a place called the Glade. He has no memory except for his name. Magical moving walls surround the Glade. These walls protect the Gladers (people that live in the glade) from horrid monsters who reside in the forest on the other side of the wall. One of the scarier monsters is the Grievers-“It looked like an experiment gone terribly wrong—something from a nightmare. Part animal, part machine, the Griever rolled and clicked along the stone pathway. Its body resembled a gigantic slug, sparsely covered in hair and glistening with slime, grotesquely pulsating in and out as it breathed. It had no distinguishable head or tail, but front to end it was at least six feet long, four feet thick.”(Page #112) The pattern created by the walls’ movements was also intended show the Gladers a passcode that they will use to escape from the maze. After the number of patterns that was needed has been recorded, the walls will stop moving, and the evil that lurks outside the wall will be free to room in the Glade. Will Thomas and his friends find out the passcode fast enough before the Grievers slowly kill them off? Or will they die trying?

My favorite character in this series is Teresa, this is because she went through so much to protect Thomas because or her love. Before the memory wipe Thomas and Teresa were dating and after they were in the glade, they still liked each other. The entire time, no matter what she did, she always did it to protect Thomas, all the way until the very end when she paid the ultimate price, her life. When she pretended to betray Thomas and like Aris, she did it so that Thomas would be safe. When she dove and pushed Thomas away from the falling boulder, she did it again so that Thomas would be safe. No matter what Thomas thought of her, everything she did was to protect him, and that’s why Teresa is my favorite character.

I feel like this book would be perfect for those who found The Hunger Games trilogy and The Divergent trilogy fun to read. This is an action packed book that includes suspense and has different surprises around each and every corner. Throughout every chapter, the author always made me think, “What is going to happen next?” I was completely captivated in the plot until the very last word, and that is why this trilogy is also going to be movies just like The Hunger Games and The Divergent.

The Replacement of Cars by Michelle Jo

The Replacement of Cars 

Among all the different ways to travel, cars are the most popular. However, there are many negative aspects to driving cars. What if we turn back the calendar to 150 years before. Can you imagine in a world with horses running in the road? There are several good reasons why horses should replace cars.

One reason that horses are good for us is by decreasing pollution. The horses decrease pollution by replacing cars that produce CO2 (carbon dioxide) in millions of different places. A car can produce around 8.2 kg per one gallon of gasoline. On average, that would be about 16,940 pounds a year.^1. If we replace the car with horses, it would hugely impact upon us by reducing the amount of gasoline produced a year. Horses are also environmentally friendly. For example, while cars produce CO2, horses won’t produce any harmful gas. If cars are replaced, people will not breathe in polluted air.

Horses are also safer because they walk at slower speed than cars.  For example, if cars have traffic accidents, people have to go through many complex procedures afterwards. However, horses wouldn’t make that much problem for health related issues, and there wouldn’t be as many accidents as cars, because they are slower.

The last reason that horses should replace cars is that they are versatile in many different ways. For example, horses would walk around the road, while the cars would be jammed up together. Horses could walk between or around them because they are much thinner than cars. Also, young children could ride horses because horses are easier to manage than cars, and they would need to have licenses after 16. Horses also could travel anywhere, for example they could swim by running through low-level rivers. Therefore they could go through forests.

The negative aspects to driving cars could be improved by riding horses. Horses should replace cars because they are good for us in health care, traffic accidents, and are also versatile in many different ways. This eco-friendly way could be the solution for our earth.

 

Citation

"How Much CO2 Does a Car Produce." - Ask.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 2014.

The Shuddering of My Foot by Michelle Jo

THE SHUDDERING OF MY FOOT

The rope was wiggling as my legs shook hard, and I felt like they were rotten! First I thought it would be easy. It wasn’t the DNA bridge, it wasn’t the Zip Line. It was only the first part of the rope course, and I just put my left foot on the rope! In this part, I didn’t feel anything within my legs because I was terrified, but I just went on. My head was blank and my face got as pale as it could, but I moved one step, then the second, by applause of the coaches beside, and my classmates nearby.

Our LDI mentoring trip was meant to guide our minds. I went to the rope course on the morning of the second day. There it was, the rope course, 20 feet above. The ground was covered in grass, trees with berries were standing stiff, and big black rocks with rainbow colored pebbles were scattered on the ground. Apple trees covered our mentoring location, and sparrows were chirping around the bright colored mountains.

First I assumed that the rope course would be tough, but then when I looked up at my classmates, Ji Hye, Curtis, and Julia, they were accomplishing it tremendously well, so I supposed again that it could be laid-back.

There, it was our group’s turn, and I was the third to go. In our group there were Ji Hye, Erica, and Jewellee. I was after Erica, my classmate. She was outstanding, because she was wild and tough. So I was full of confidence. Straight away it was my turn to go. When I made my first step it was acceptable, but my second, third, and fourth became harder, because the rope was wiggling as my legs shook.

In the middle of the first part of the rope course, my foot started shuddering, and I felt like I had a spasm in my legs. Then on about the seventh rope I was trapped, and I was not able to hear any uplifting or encouraging words from the coaches, teachers, or classmates. I was frozen in the moment, but I shook my head and tried to look back at the rope and the people calling me. Then again I stepped, one foot, two feet, then three. Again I thought at the ninth rope. Still my legs were quivering but my hands were relaxed and my upper body was comfortable too. I thought because it was near the end, but my legs wouldn’t stop shuddering!

I was near the pole, which looked like an enormous piece of a tree trunk. I headed towards it. Here I was, now holding the coach’s hand, approximately reaching the handle, and as I grabbed the handle that was on the pole, my legs got loose and I flopped down on my knees. I didn’t want to show any weakness, so I stood up immediately. I realized I had accomplished it!

Every part of the rope course had obstacles. By this I knew that every first time you begin things like school, new classes, and jobs, it could be hard. However as you keep going and continue, looking back at this task, it may help you in hardships.

Happy Summer Everyone!

http://geektyrant.com/news/fun-frozen-clip-with-olaf-the-snowman-singing-in-summer

I really enjoyed being classmates with the 7-8 people and being partner classmates with 7-7 people. I wish this year could last forever! Good luck to all those who are moving and have fun in your new home! Happy Summer everyone!

 

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

-Dr. Seuss

 

Phineas & Ferb

Summer (Where Do We Begin) Lyrics

Source: http://www.elyrics.net/read/p/phineas-&-ferb-lyrics/summer-(where-do-we-begin)-lyrics.html

Summer is runnin' through the sprinklers in your T-shirt, shoes and jeans
Rolling down a grassy hill, yeah, that's what summer means to me
It's true
There's so much more to do

The days are longer
The nights are shorter
The sun is shining
It's noticeably warmer

Summer, every single moment is worth it's weight in gold
Summer, it's like the world's best story and it's waiting to be told
It's ice cream cones and cherry soda dripping down your chin
It's summer, man, where do we begin?

Summer is ponds and pools and garden hoses, tryin' to beat the heat
Summer, bicycles and roller skates and even just bare feet
It's also... Surfing tidal waves, creating nanobots
Or locating Frankenstein's brain
Finding a dodo bird, painting a continent
Or driving our sister insane...
Oh, wait. Maybe we're going too fast.

Summer, it's crickets and cicadas and a glass of lemonade
Summer, it's sitting with your brother in the backyard under the shade of a
Big tree
That's what it means to me

The days are longer
The nights are shorter
The sun is shining
It's noticeably warmer

Summer, every single moment is worth it's weight in gold
Summer, it's like the world's best story and it's waiting to be told
It's ice cream cones and cherry soda dripping down your chin
It's summer, man, where do we begin?
It's summer, man, where do we begin?
It's summer, man, where do we begin?

Summer
Where do we begin?
Summer
Where do we begin?

Last Post

It has been a fun year, full of joy and laughter. Honestly, after sixth grade I thought middle school was gonna be a total drag but this school year proved me wrong. It has been awesome being in 778, thanks for making it a great year everyone.

-Casper

Chasing the Tracks of the Bombinating Beast (Reader Response by Jewellee Lee)

 “Before you consider reading “Who Could That Be at This Hour”, ask yourself these questions:

 

1. 1.     Are you curious about what is happening in a seaside town that is no longer by the sea?


2. 2.     Do you want to know more about a stolen item that wasn’t stolen at all?


3. 3.     Do you really think that’s any of your business? Why? What kind of person are you? Are you sure?


4. 4.     Who is that standing behind you?”

Encyclopedias, classic novels, math workbooks, biographies, and a few fictionish fiction novels… these books fill my bookshelf. One day, I was cleaning up my room, I spotted a book that I had not seen. What drew my attention was the cover of the book. It was very cartoonish and said “Lemony Snicket” in huge bold letters. Judging by its cover I thought that it was some sort of graphic novel, but didn’t look like it looking at the thickness of the book. My hands automatically opened the book full of curiosity. I started reading the first page, then another, then another. By the time I finished the first two chapters, I couldn’t stop flipping the pages.

This book takes off with the main character, Lemony Snicket receiving a note from his chaperone, S. Theodora Markson.

 

“CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW IN THE BATHROOM AND MEET ME IN THE ALLEY BEHIND THIS SHOP. I WILL BE WAITING IN THE GREEN ROADSTER. YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES. –S” –chapter 1, pg.5

 

Snicket begins his apprenticeship with S. Theodora Markson. Their first case takes place in a small town called Stain’d-by-the-Sea. In that town, was a mansion so large it looked like several mansions had crashed together (pg, 29) and an old lady called Mrs. Sallis asking for help. She claimed that she had a priceless item stolen, the statue of a Bombinating Beast and knew the thief, the Mallahan family. She is sure of this because the Mallahan family has been enemies of the Sallises family for many lifetimes. So Snicket and S. Theodora Markson search for the Bombinating Beast in Mr. Mallahan’s house disguised as a couple on a honeymoon. There, Snicket meets Moxie, Mr. Mallahan’s daughter and Stain’d-by-the-Sea’s only reporter. As she talks about newspapers, the discussion moves towards the Sallises. Snicket tells Moxie the reason he’s here.

 

“I’m trying to solve a mystery,” I said, “concerning the Bombinating Beast.”

“The mythical creature?” “No, a statue of it.”

“That old grimcrack?” she said with a laugh.

“Come on up.”         (Chapter 3, pg. 53)

 

Moxie looked at me and smiled. “I guess your mystery is solved, Snicket,” she said, but that, too, was the wrong thing to say.        (Chapter 3, pg. 59)

And according to her, the Mallahans and the Salllises have been friends for generations.

But there were some strange things to point out. One, if Mrs. Sallis knows who the thief is, why doesn’t she call the police? Two. In the book, Mrs, Sallis says “I want nobody to know you are working for me, and I want nothing done to the Mallahans. They’re nice people.” Moxie said the Mallahans and the Saliises were friends for generations. Mrs. Sallis said the Mallahns have been enemies of the Sallises for many lifetimes. This means that one of them is lying. If Mrs. Sallis is the one, why?

What I like best about the book is the voice that each character has. The main character of this book, Lemony Snicket , is a thirteen year old apprentice. Lemony Snicket has its own thirteen-year old voice full of curiosity. On the other hand, S. Theodora Markson, who ranked fifty-second out of fifty-two chaperones in the chaperones list has that “whatever” voice. I think the author did an awesome job on creating that particular voice for the right character. I also like how the author put some bits of humor throughout the whole book. In some of the less interesting parts of the book, it had humor so as the reader, I was still with the book.

“Who could that be at this hour?” is mysterious and full of questions. I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. It has tumbling twists and dramatic flow. I would recommend this book for any 7^th grader.

SUMMER TIME!!!! :)

 

 

 

 

IN SUMMER (FROZEN)

Kristoff: Really?
I'm guessing you don't have much experience with heat.

Olaf: Nope! But sometimes I like to close my eyes,
And imagine what it'd be like when summer does come.

Bees-a-buzz, kids that blow dandelion fuzz
And I'll be doing whatever snow does in summer.
A drink in my hand, my snow up against the burning sand
Prob'ly getting gorgeously tanned in summer.

I'll finally see a summer breeze, blow away a winter storm.
And find out what happens to solid water when it gets warm!
And I can't wait to see, what my buddies all think of me.
Just imagine how much cooler I'll be in summer.

Dah dah, da doo, uh bah bah bah bah bah boo

The hot and the cold are both so intense,
Put 'em together it just makes sense!

Rrr Rat da dat dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah doo

Winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle,
But put me in summer and I'll be a — happy snowman!

When life gets rough, I like to hold on to my dream,
Of relaxing in the summer sun, just lettin' off steam.

Oh the sky will be blue, and you guys will be there too
When I finally do what frozen things do in summer!!!

Kristoff: I'm gonna tell him.

Anna: Don't you dare!

Olaf: IN SUMMER!!!!!!!!

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!!!!!!!

Happy Summer Everyone!

http://geektyrant.com/news/fun-frozen-clip-with-olaf-the-snowman-singing-in-summer

I really enjoyed being classmates with the 7-8 people and being partner classmates with 7-7 people. I wish this year could last forever! Good luck to all those who are moving and have fun in your new home! Happy Summer everyone!

 

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

-Dr. Seuss

 

Phineas & Ferb

Summer (Where Do We Begin) Lyrics

Source: http://www.elyrics.net/read/p/phineas-&-ferb-lyrics/summer-(where-do-we-begin)-lyrics.html

Summer is runnin' through the sprinklers in your T-shirt, shoes and jeans
Rolling down a grassy hill, yeah, that's what summer means to me
It's true
There's so much more to do

The days are longer
The nights are shorter
The sun is shining
It's noticeably warmer

Summer, every single moment is worth it's weight in gold
Summer, it's like the world's best story and it's waiting to be told
It's ice cream cones and cherry soda dripping down your chin
It's summer, man, where do we begin?

Summer is ponds and pools and garden hoses, tryin' to beat the heat
Summer, bicycles and roller skates and even just bare feet
It's also... Surfing tidal waves, creating nanobots
Or locating Frankenstein's brain
Finding a dodo bird, painting a continent
Or driving our sister insane...
Oh, wait. Maybe we're going too fast.

Summer, it's crickets and cicadas and a glass of lemonade
Summer, it's sitting with your brother in the backyard under the shade of a
Big tree
That's what it means to me

The days are longer
The nights are shorter
The sun is shining
It's noticeably warmer

Summer, every single moment is worth it's weight in gold
Summer, it's like the world's best story and it's waiting to be told
It's ice cream cones and cherry soda dripping down your chin
It's summer, man, where do we begin?
It's summer, man, where do we begin?
It's summer, man, where do we begin?

Summer
Where do we begin?
Summer
Where do we begin?

Final Blog Post for Ray

I'm so sad



I will be leaving ISB this year and all the great memories of this place just comes rushing back. I had a great school year with all of my good friends, I also made a few friends that I'm sure I will remember years from now. I love all of my friends and teachers (not in that way Matthew) and I will miss them so much in Hong Kong.

I still remember the first few weeks of school, when we had The Race, and our team fought really hard to take the win.

And on the LDI trip when all of my friends supported me when I had trouble on the ropes course.

And on the Chengde trip I made memories with my friends (old and new) that I will cherish my entire lifetime.

And now I also recall the other great memories at ISB, Spinning Dunking Dragons, Jedi Jugglers (although i didn't make it), World Air Toss, Shanghai China Link etc. There are too many to tell.

I would just like to thank all of my friends and teachers for this amazing 4 years I have had at ISB, and it will always be a part of me.

For the Last Rock by Sunny Lee

“Urgh…” “Urgh!” “URGH!” I exclaimed each time I let go of one rock to grab another on the climbing wall.  This was at LDI 2 years ago, when I was in 6^th grade. I was the kind of person who got my energy by screaming out loud. “URGH!” The higher I got, the louder I screamed. The higher I got, there were less rocks to hold on to. I screamed as if my feet were touching fire. “Almost… There…!” I struggled to speak as I pulled my body up to the most challenging location of the climbing wall: I needed to pull myself upside down and over to a platform right above where I was.

“Go Sunny! You can do it!” My friends, including Louisa, Lawrence and Michael shouted to me. I looked down, which was a big mistake because that was when I realized that I was climbing 20 meters above the ground! “Oh I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die…” I repeated with complete terror. But I had to do it. I came this high and I wasn’t going to give up this easy. So I took a deep breath and whispered, “Challenge Accepted”.

“Ahh!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as my hands and legs leaped all together to grab the rocks on the other platform. The rest of my friends continued to call my name and cheer while I made my whole body jump up there. I started to feel very proud because I would soon be able to join the group of very little people who have been the only ones that made it over that challenging platform.

I made my body jump up there, but I was too heavy for my hands to hold on. I was freaking out. “Oh my gosh!” I couldn’t hold it anymore, so I let go by accident and the next minute I found myself holding onto my harness, dangling in the air, bouncing from the wall a few times until I finally got a hold on the wall again. I was terrified. Do I want to try that again?

Because I was so terrified and I became a little unsure about my safety harness, I shouted to the staff.

“You can let me down now-“

“No keep going! You can make it!”  Louisa shouted. The others joined in. “Yeah keep going! Woot! Go Sunny!”

“Ok,” I thought,  “I have to keep going. I don’t want to disappoint my classmates.” So this time, I did one foot and one hand at a time, just to be safe. “1, 2, 3!” I lifted my right leg on the platform. “4, 5, 6!” I lifted my left leg. And of course, I replaced my hands where there were the best grips. “Yes!” I shouted in happiness. I was up! “Yay go Sunny! Woot! You go girl!” I heard all sorts of different cheering. We all laughed as I continued to the top and rang the bell. “ding!”

 

Summer Teachings By: Louisa Song

“I’ll have practice SAT’s every Saturday, a vocab quiz everyday for four weeks!” my sister, Anica, kept whining as she stuffed another piece of clothing into her suitcase that already had loose t-shirts hanging out from the sides.

On the day after my birthday, June 22^nd, my sister was already heading out the door, her journey to camp just starting. I did not think one month was going to be a long time, so I just gave her a sweet hug, compliments, and good luck wishes at the airport.

The first few days I didn’t feel Anica’s absence that much. We were allowed to call her at night, so I could talk to her. She seemed to be having an intense time studying so hard. I started to reflect on my own summer. Most days I just lied around on my bed until it was time to eat lunch. After lunch I watched TV, and ate junk food. My sister was at camp studying all day and learning palates. That was my first lesson learnt. Be more efficient with time.

As time went by and the second week came along, I found myself bored much more often. When I talked to my sister that week, she was tired, but she told us she was getting the hang of it. It was hard work, but because she did it every day, she got into a schedule. There was my second lesson learnt. Find a system that works.

Another source of communication from families to campers were notes that the people at the camp could bring to my sister. I wrote often and called every night. At night they had to study in the study hall until 11:00 and then go to their dormitories. Even if you were tired, you still had to study. There was my third lesson learnt. If you want to be a good student, you also have to exercise and be fit enough to study through the evening.

By the fourth week, I was so excited that Anica was coming back home; I could barely wait for her to come home. At that time, we were staying at a place in Korea, so my dad, mom and I drove from Seoul to Incheon. It was a long drive, and because of the rain and the fog, the trip was hard, but when we arrived at Incheon, we were reminded again why we came all the way from Seoul. Anica seemed to have already become friends with lots of people. There I learnt my fourth lesson. Love the people you are with when you are with them, because sometime in your life you will have to say goodbye.

When my sister’s camp ended, we were all really happy to see each other and I couldn’t have been more thankful for my sister for teaching me all these lessons, just by talking to me on the phone and studying at camp. Of course I was happy, but I was also worried about my own hard days to come. I won’t even have a little sister to teach lessons to!

 

I don't want to leave ISB :(

Creative Writing (The Button)

 

The Button

By Michael Hua

 

I looked down the hole. The looming ground 90 feet below stared back at me. “Uhh.” I groaned, “Do we have to do this?”

“YES!” screamed Johnny, our supervisor. Then calmly he said, “It is a right of passage for the end of space camp. Then he walked toward me and said, “Now class as you know we are in a zero-gravity chamber. There is no gravity so you wont fall.” At the last word he grabbed me and threw me down the drop.

“AHHHH!” I screamed, and kept screaming. Instead of falling to my death, I was just floating, after a while I just stopped suspended in midair. My classmates were looking down at me just only two feet up. I stopped screaming. Suddenly the lights below me flickered. Johnny announced, “Down there is a button. The first one to push the button gets a free Robo X 5000 Helicopter. Everyone gasped, the Robo X 5000 was only a childs dream. It was a helicopter that could film, glow in the dark, and had the ability to literally go to space.

Everyone then leaped into the hole. “RAAH!” Everyone was yelling left and right. I grabbed the wall and pushed off of it.  Even with my head start I was still behind. I kept repeating the process until about 10 minutes later things started getting interesting.

“Creek.” A panel shook and opened. Suddenly a giant horde of dodge balls came out of it.  An announcement happened. This is now a dodge ball game.  Anyone who is hit with a dodge ball will be sent back up to restart. Luckily in zero-gravity you can’t really throw balls and it is really easy to dodge them. I grabbed two balls and put one in the back of my shirt. I heard two dings. I guessed that two people had to restart.  I looked forward and saw 3 people ahead of me.  I threw both of my balls at the person closest to me. Both missed their target. “Arg.” I muttered. The person turned around and threw their ball at me. I had a crazy idea. “Please don’t get me out.” I said to myself. Then without moving I caught the ball. I closed my eyes. “Ding!” I opened my eyes again.

“Whoooh!” I yelled. Then I looked forward and saw someone cross the yellow line 10 feet away from the button. “Whoosh” red lasers started protruding out from the walls. Another announcement said, “Touch the lasers and you will be teleported back to restart.” Up ahead of me two people were battling in the laser zone. One threw a dodge ball, which missed, but the other person backed up into a laser. “Ding!”

The last person made it to the button. He was about to press the button when I said, “Stop!” He looked at me and said, “Who’s gonna stop me? You don't even have a dodge ball to stop me. “ I smiled and said, “Wrong.” I chucked the dodge ball hidden in my shirt at him. It sailed right past his head and hit the wall behind him. “Uh oh.” I thought. He aimed his dodge ball and I knew I only had one chance. I leaped toward the button and right before the dodge ball hit me I smashed the button with my thumb.

“Ding Ding Ding we have a winner! Congratulations to Bobby Cranks on winning the Robo X 5000!” Johhny handed me the helicopter. 19 jealous faces stared at the helicopter. I kept holding it waiting to show it off to my friends.

 

 

A creative story by Gauri (The Fortune Cookie)

The Fortune Cookie

Prologue:

It all started like this~

"Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You must leave the city immediately and never return."  That’s what the fortune cookie said. My heart skipped a beat!

The letters were written in black ink on blood red paper. I glanced around looking for some eyes that would answer my questions but none did. Then suddenly I saw a black smother in the front glass panes near the restaurant’s entrance. My eyes soon recognized the black smother, as it re-appeared slightly peeking from the glass pane. It was the man in black! The one who always kept his eyes on me whenever I was out of my house. I had wondered why that man was always there? A few times I even mustered the courage to go talk to him, but he, as always, would wander away before I could catch up to him. It was a secret that I was not willing to share with my parents or close friends. “The man in black” as I had nicknamed him because he was always wearing a pitch black blazer and lead black trousers. Only his desolated grey eyes where not the color of licorice. I quickly got up from my seat my blinded from reasoning by the blindfold of curiosity. I sprinted towards the door leading me out of the Chinese restaurant.

I followed him through the bustling crowd. Making sure he did not notice me. I was so close now shuffling through the crowd fast but silently. Suddenly, his head turned and his eyes met mine. I saw my pale reflection in them, my brown long hair scattered on my face, my green eyes alert, my mouth wide open. He turned and ran, ran straight out of my sight. I quickly regained my senses hurdling through the crowd out of the door.

I saw him running towards the next block, he was way swifter than I imagined. He was not as grizzled as I imagined either his grey eyes made me think that he was old and lonely but I had never seen his face because it was always covered with his mouth high collar. The only things that I ever saw were his eyes, sorrowful and strained. I ran straight towards him zigzagging through the pedestrians on the sidewalk. I turned to the next block where the “Man in black” had run, but I saw no sign of him. I had lost him again. My curiosity flattered and my mouth became a frown against my face. Without warning two hands stretched across my face covering my eyes and mouth. A slight scream escaped my mouth, but it was too muted that nobody could have heard it. After that I remembered nothing!

My eyes slowly opened, my vision blurry from tears. Sweat was dripping from my pale white forehead. My eyes were bulging painfully against my skull. I was sitting in a faded brown chair, my arms resting carefully on the arm rests.

“Where am I?” I inquired, my voice shaky from the crying.

From the darkness a figure formed. He was about 18 years old, no… 16. He was dressed in a moss T-Shirt and Dark blue jeans. His brown hair brushed slightly against his tan skin. He seemed unfamiliar, except those light grey eyes, still as empty.

“It…It’s you," I slight murmured under my breath.

The man in black! It can’t be him; he seemed so old and fragile. But, those eyes they are unforgettable the rare grey shade the same emptiness.

“Hi, I am Titus, Welcome Tyesha!” he said with a faint smile

“Where am I? ” I thrashed with an amazingly collected voice.

“You… well aren’t you going to introduce yourself? But I already know you, " he slightly smiled.

“First tell me where I am and why are you here?” I rashly asked, my curiosity unable to be controlled.

“Umm…. Okay so you are here to save the world from domination!” He said abruptly

“What kind of a joke is this!”?  My voice rising, my breaths shallow.

And then, there was an empty silence…

Creative Fiction

Dreamland

By Hyo Jin Kim 7-8

 

I opened my eyes and I found out I was sitting on a big, white plain. It was windy and snow was falling. I slowly walked in the snowy plain. It was dark and scary. I wanted to leave the place and go back home to get more sleep. Just when I reached a hill, I found a small cottage. I barked and scratched the door. The door opened and a giant snowman with a red scarf came out the door and said, “Little dog, where did you come from?” I told the snowman that I was lost. Then the snowman gave me a warm bowl of soup and a piece of bread. While I was eating, the snowman said that he would try to find a way to go back to my home. When my stomach was full, I sat in front of the fireplace and started to fall asleep.

 

I woke up again and I was lying just at the place I fell asleep yesterday. I walked around the house and sniffed to look for food. I looked for that snowman that gave me soup and bread yesterday, but he was gone. I decided to wait for him on the red mat.

 

The sun was high up in the sky and the snowman didn’t come home yet. I started to feel hungry and it was getting cold, even when the sun was up. Then I heard footsteps at the door. I ran to the door hoping that the snowman brought me bread and hoping that he found a way home. But when the door opened, I saw a tall woman with a black dress standing and staring at me in front of the door.

“Hello little, adorable dog. I am here to take you back home,” the woman said. I thought that the snowman was going to take me home, but I decided to go with her because she said that she would take me home.

 

We went out of the cottage and walked in the snow. We walked for couple of hours and I was getting tired. Suddenly the woman picked me up and took a bag out and squished me into that bag. I could not see anything because it was too dark. When she pulled me out of the bag I found the red scarf that the snowman was wearing. What did she do to the snowman? Did she kill the snowman? How can I go back home if the snowman died? The woman came to me and said, “I melted your giant friend, little dog. I didn’t want him to find your way home. He’s gone. You will never see him again. I want you to stay with me forever. The weather is getting colder and colder and I can’t find any food. I didn’t eat any meat, little dog. That’s why I need you right now.” I was scared. Is she going to eat me? The woman put me on her lap and patted my head. I tried to run away. I scratched her and bit her but she was too strong and I could not escape. Am I going to die?

 

“Little dog, I am so hungry. Do you like fried chicken or boiled chicken better? I like fried ones. They are good. So maybe I should fry you for dinner today,” said the woman. She dragged me to a room, with a stove and a large wooden table. The knives, forks and plates were everywhere. Nobody was there; dim light filled the room, the cold made me shiver. I have to get away from this place. I checked to see if the doors were open. As I expected, the doors were closed. Then I saw a window. I jumped up and saw that the window was open. I hopped out of the window. Now that I found the way to get out, I had to save the snowman so he could help me to go back home.

 

When I was walking, I met a mouse. He hid from me, scared. A few seconds later he came out and asked, “Why are you looking at me?” I asked the mouse if he knew how to save a snowman. He agreed to help me save the snowman and told me that I had to gather the snow and put it in the refrigerator. Then I have to drop some green magic liquid that the witch has in the snow. The snowman will come back to life soon after the liquid is dropped.

 

“Thanks for teaching me little mouse. But who is the witch?” I ask.

“You don’t know who the witch is? The witch wears black dress and has black hair and eyes. She is famous for killing snowmen and killing animals for food,” said the mouse. I think the witch is the woman that melted the snowman. I thanked the mouse one more time and I trotted back to the witch’s house.

 

Luckily the door was opened. I went in and saw the witch reading a book. Next to her there was a small bottle of green liquid. That’s the bottle of magic, I thought. How am I going to steal it from her? I hid behind the door and waited until the witch left the room.

 

I think I fell asleep behind the door for a couple of hours. I checked in the room and saw that the witch was not there. So I climbed up the sofa and held the bottle in my mouth. I went out forgetting that it was witch’s house. When I was just trying to exit, I saw the guards running to me and chasing me. I quickly ran outside following the tracks that were made when I was first going to the witch’s house. The guards were still chasing me. They were only a few meters away. I quickly hid behind a tree and let the guards to pass. When the woods were quiet, I slowly walked back to the snowman’s house.

 

I gathered some snow and put it in the refrigerator. Then I opened the lid with my teeth and dropped some liquid in the snow and watched as the snowman came to life.

 

“Thank you for saving me little dog,” said the snowman, “since you saved me, I will help you to go back home.” The snowman drew a rectangle on the floor. Suddenly a door appeared. Then I was out of the snowman’s sight.

 

“Pete! You lazy dog! Stop sleeping and let’s go for a walk!” I hear Sara calling me. Was that a dream? The snowman, the witch and the mouse? Maybe it was a dream. I miss the snowman. I didn’t have time to say goodbye. Today, I am going to go back to the Dreamland and thank the snowman.

 

 

Lost

Lost

By Hyo Jin Kim

 

I get walked over

Or kicked

Or thrown down the hallway.

I am lost.

I don’t know where to go.

I wait for someone to pick me up.

 

I am covered with mud

And bits of pieces of gums.

I wait in this hallway for few days.

Before I got lost,

I was a beautiful pencil.

I was coloured green, yellow and red.

But now green turned into black,

Red into brown,

And yellow is starting to fade.

Finally my hero comes.

A hand picks me up,

And give me a home.

It is a small home.

Pens or eraser lives here.

I am alone.

The zipper opens

And a hand picks me up,

I am cleaned by a pencil sharpener.

 

I come out of the pencil sharpener.

My lead is sharpened

And shiny like silver.

I am cleansed

With soaked tissues.

I am clean just like a new pencil.

 

Then a brush comes to me

And it paints me in bright orange,

And yellow and blue.

I once lived in the hallway.

And once I was a blunt, dirty, lost pencil,

But now I am a beautiful pencil.

 

Personal Narrative

Zai Jian (再见)

“Get ready. It is cold outside, and it is cold at the orphanage too, so wear your coat so you don’t catch cold,” said my mom wearing her scarf. I did not know that the orphanage was cold. I thought they would turn the heater on for the children. But I still wore a warm coat so I don’t catch cold while walking to meet people who we were volunteering together. We prepared to go outside soon and went outside to go to the meeting place. It was cold outside but luckily, I did not have to walk too long outside because the meeting place was near my home. Then soon after I saw Michelle coming to the meeting place. Lucky that Michelle was also volunteering. If she didn’t come to volunteer, I would have been so lonely watching children with people who I don’t know that well. When everyone arrived, we went on the small bus. I was not so excited to go to the orphanage during the winter break and just before Christmas.

 

The orphanage was not so bad, and surprisingly, it did not smell that bad either. But it was cold that I had to wear my coats. I looked around. I saw children running around in the small space. There were no toys to play with. Some were shy, some were more mature than others. Some did not smile well and some were smarter than other kids. There was one child who had only one short arm and two fingers. But it was amazing that he never gave up and he was a smart three years old boy. He was brave that he could speak loudly to the strangers. He also knew how to make his arm and his two little fingers stronger. Holding a pencil with his two fingers was hard for him. So he stuck the pencil between his shoulder and his cheek. There was also a kid who was seven years old, but he was smaller than the other kids who were younger than him. This amazing kid was strong and his feet were fast. He knew how to train himself and be strong like others were. He punched the balloons and ran around whole time. Another boy did not smile a lot, but later he smiled and laughed. Maybe he knew that we would go away after that day and never come back. All of them were amazing and happy no matter where they had grown up and how they grown up.

 

When the volunteering hour almost came to the end, we shared some glow-in-the-dark bracelets, and we also gave out hand made cookies and cupcakes. Then Michelle and I saw the three-year-old boy with two fingers go to his room. We followed him and we found out that he was trying to hide the cookie and the cupcake he received. We did not know why he was trying to save his treats. But what I thought was that the other kids took his food because it was hard to eat the treats he got with only two fingers. He should have eaten it slowly and because he ate slowly, other kids come to him and they will take his treat. I thought that he was smart. He knew how to solve this problem by himself.

 

Everyone got on the bus and the bus started driving off. The children’s voices and their last words “zai jian （再见）” echoed in my ears. I could see their happy faces and I could read their minds when I saw their eyes. It seemed like they were saying, “Come back”. We drove off, far, far away, back to our home.

 

Business Letter by Michelle

Michelle Jo

The Terrace

Beijing

+86 186 1357 4805

jomichelle7@gmail.com

April 15, 2014

Mr. Smith Taylor

Head of Operations

BPW Corporation

Wangjing Girmia

China, Chao yang qu 117

 

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am a 7^th grade student. I recently purchased some plates from your online store, but some plates had huge and minor cracks. I asked BPW Corporation to stick the fragile sticker on the box, and this means that the people who delivered weren’t careful while carrying them.

From the call, you said that there needn’t any worries of damaged plates. However, I thought that you meant that there should be no damage during the process of delivery. I wondered if the cracks were there from the beginning, or while delivering. As I mentioned above, you said I didn’t have to worry about the damage of the plates. This is why I doubt the people who delivered the plates to me.

When I first got the plates, I thought that only the brown plates were cracked. After having some more looks, I found out that it wasn’t only the brown plates. There were minute cracks all over other kinds of plates. I got furious and heated. As you would know, these cost an awful lot of money. I was very upset about the gross mismanagement that left me in serious concerns in what to do.

I wouldn’t blame the whole problem on the BPW corporation or the delivery company, but as you can see, you’re the director of this operation. I think that you should take responsibility and wrap up this affair. I would want to receive refunds of the plates. Thank you for reviewing my demand.

Sincerely yours,

Michelle J.

Michelle Jo

The Burst of Fish by Michelle Jo

Creative Fiction – descriptive writing

The Burst of Fish

As the fishing net twirls and lands at the calm ocean, crystal bubbles shine through the sunlight, and land on top of the ocean. I glide through the water, feeling the coldness of it. I can smell the tang of this salt, as I go deeper for the fishes to get jammed. The ocean reflects the red sunlight and makes me more confident to catch fish.

It’s my first time of getting myself alone in the ocean. As the boat leaves me alone in the water, I get frightened. Big dolphins dived closer and my fear was growing greater. But after I feel the warmth of sunlight, I get confident. The splendid fishing net twirls and slowly sinks down in the water. My hope, as vast as this ocean, might get the fish to come to me. I hear the flickering sound at the bottom of my toes. I feel them getting closer. I sensed it! I tangle the corners together and hear the tick tacking sounds of the fish. My fingers were swollen and the color was same as the redness of an apple. My shoulders were tearing off as I pushed myself backwards. Pulling the fishing net with hope, I see the sparkling water all over the fish. I could see it with my eyes! It felt like catching the fishes was as many as 4 tons of whales! I firmly put my hands on the fishes. Just how nervous I was, the fish starts bouncing off the web, as if it wanted to fly up the sky. The fishes flickered, saying, “ I want to go! Free me!” I buzz my voice, as if I was a bee. I can’t show the excitement of how much I was amused by them. But as my nervousness swifts out of my mind, the relief of my heart didn’t let my voice out. I kept buzzing and shivering my voice, like a fly, and couldn’t say a word. It will be my greatest day of my life, I would grandly say!

Shootout Victory

I had never before felt more anxious, nervous, excited, and energetic at the same time. Soccer had always been my favorite sport. Not only did soccer unite nations and symbolize friendship for millions around the globe, but it was also truly the beautiful game. A game packed with skill, excitement, strategy, and emotion. All of those ideas were streaming through me right now like a roaring river.

My soccer league had recently introduced an end-of-season tournament to crown a season champion. This was only the first round of the tournament, but if this was going to be the last game I played this season, it had to be the best.

I felt the wet grass brush against my ankles, still wet from the early morning dew, soaking my long soccer socks, as I waited in the center circle for the kickoff. When the whistle finally blew, it barely registered anything in my head.

Thirty minutes later, the whistle blew again for the game to stop. The score was 0-0, a frustrating and meaningless score. Now we would go in to the penalty shootout round to determine a winner. Each team would take 5 shots from the penalty spot; the team with the most goals would advance to the next round. The losing team would walk out, defeated. A go big or go home situation, my stomach seemed to be crammed to the brim with panicking butterflies.

We got off to an early lead; scoring our first two shots while our opponents had only scored one. Our next shot sailed over the goal, keeping the score at 2-1. Fortunately, they missed their shot as well, leaving me to score and set up my teammate Ricky for a game winning penalty shot.

I felt my heart pumping like a machine inside my ribcage as I walked up to the penalty spot. I took several deep breaths before striding forward to strike the ball. I did what any right-footed striker my age would do; I aimed it to the top right corner. I watched the ball sail perilously close to the goalkeeper’s fingertips, barely finding the top right corner of the net. I felt a rush of joy run through me, and I pumped my fist in the air with excitement. Now all I could do was wait.

The other team scored their next shot, but it didn’t matter as long as Ricky scored this next goal. He was the best striker on the team, he had a deadly combination of power and accuracy. I watched with my heart in my mouth as Ricky’s shot boomed into the back of the net. 4-2. Game over.

A shout of triumph lurched through me, as if I had been waiting all day to let it out. I stuck my hand out and high fived anyone I walked past, teammate, coach, parent, ref, or opponent. I was having the time of my life.

 

 

MVP Performance

3-2. Not a good situation to be in if you’re losing the national varsity soccer championship with five minutes left in the game. Rain was coming down in sheets, drenching every person on the field, winning or not. Every player on our team was playing his hearts out, giving it all they had, but nothing seemed to give. I knew it had to happen. All I needed was the tiniest of faults in the defensive line, but the other team held steady, playing possession since they were in the lead, not giving us any daylight. Yet, I knew it had to happen.

Then I noticed it. A pass, from the opposition’s left back, that just didn’t have enough power on it to propel it all the way to the target. I jumped on the mistake, taking the ball under control and barreling past a defender. I found myself breaking free on the left wing. I saw the center forward charging into the box, expecting a cross to knock into the goal. I drove through the ball with my foot, sending it swirling through the air in a curling arc. The forward met the ball with his head, tapping it past the keeper and tying the game at three.

Two minutes later, the referee blew his whistle, bringing regular time to an end, but it was still a long way from over. During the short intermission before golden goal time started, our coach gave us a pep talk, telling us how we were supposed to win the game. I felt utterly terrified. The other team was evidently better than us; they just hadn’t turned on their afterburners yet. It was only a matter of time before they broke through. I felt myself trembling like I was caught in a winter storm without a coat frozen body. Maybe in some other dimension, I heard the whistle blow, signaling the restart of play. Immediately things went wrong. After the kickoff, their midfielder got it, and drove it up field with a powerful lofted pass.

Their forward received the ball and foxed our center back. He was in the clear, nobody between him and the goal. But then he faltered, tripping over the ball. He didn’t fall completely, but it gave me the chance to take the ball from him.

Since I had dropped back to defend, I charged forward as he was recovering, and then slide tackled him, and regained possession of the ball. Slowly but surely we moved the ball up the field, pass by pass. One of my teammates had been causing their defense problems all game long, and therefore he dragged a second defender over to the sideline, leaving me open in the middle. He passed me the ball and I noticed there were only twenty-five yards between the goal and me, and for a fraction of a second, nobody was in my way. I took my chances and put as much energy into that shot as I had left in me. I had aimed it perfectly, drilling it past the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands and into the top corner. My goal had turned us from underdogs to champions.

Afterward in the locker room, our coach said he had a few awards to give out. He ran through the list, until he came to the last one, team MVP. I was the last person I expected to win it. After all, I wasn’t even the team captain, or the assistant captain, or the top goal scorer, or the top assister. “And the MVP award goes to: Adrian Wells.” I couldn’t believe my ears, who was I to be the MVP. But the coach answered that. “He was chosen for several reasons,” the coach said. “Leadership, determination, effort, but above all, the best team player I have ever seen.”

Vinegar

Vinegar

At 10:31 Mr. Carlen starts his lesson. We don’t have a clock in our classroom, so instead I count.

I slightly hear him talking, but I mainly focus on nature. My seat is right next to the window, and since I don't have anyone to text during class, I watch.

Every single day the same red car goes past at the same time. The busses arrive from morning drop off, and security allows the taxis to come in for the first time that day. But today, I see something else. Seven girls are sitting by the wall of the school. One of them is in the center of the circle holding a bottle while the other girls pour something inside.

The girl takes a big chug and throws the bottle to the ground, gagging. Somebody takes out a box, and the girl pukes inside of it. Then Sierra, the most popular girl in school says,

“All right, you lose. Who’s next?”

Everyone chants what sounds to be,

“Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey!”

They are speaking extremely loudly, speaking as though they won’t get in trouble if they get caught.  A smaller girl, who must be Kelsey, enters the circle. The other girls thrust the bottle at her and she takes a sip.

“Come on! Give it all you got!”

She takes a larger sip, drinking almost half the bottle. Trying not to puke is one of the hardest things to do. Her face starts to turn blue as she takes her last sip.

I can't watch any longer. Throwing my head back to the front of the room, it hits me. I know what they were doing. That liquid was vinegar.

I remember the teachers warning us about this game. They told us that they caught some people playing it, and whoever did it next would be suspended. I wonder why these girls didn’t worry about that.

Basically, in this game each girl is given a water bottle. They fill the bottle with vinegar and try to drink as much of it as they can without throwing up. If you finish the bottle, you win. Everyone in that group worships you and you never are forced to play again. Only one person has ever done it, Sierra.

The thought of this game disgusts me. No one ever volunteers, they get pressured. Something even worse is the people who want to be asked, because if they succeed then they will become popular. I know a girl like this. Her name is Ruby Wilson; she sits next to me in English. For years, she has been trying to complete the challenge, but with so much gagging, she ended up being bulimic and had to go to the hospital because of so much weight loss.

∆∆∆∆∆

At lunch I sit alone again. Normally I don’t notice anything special, but today I notice the vinegar players from this morning. They seem to be looking for someone, but this time when the thought hits me, it is too late. They are looking for their newest victim. Who are they walking towards? Me.

They all quickly slide into my booth, making me feel really claustrophobic. Some girls play with my hair, others just sit there and talk. Eventually they get to the point.

“Akhemm, Natasha, hey! So, we saw you looking at us this morning, and you know what that means!”

Sierra says to me with an evil grin.

“Now, you can come with us the easy way or the hard way. Your choice.”

∆∆∆∆

“Hey newbie! Your turn.”

The girls holding me down loosen their grip on my wrists and kick me into the middle. The green bottle is placed at my feet. I pick it up slowly, not ready for what comes next.

The smell of vinegar is already making me nauseous. I try to take a small sip, but that won’t pass Sierra. One second too late I realize she is pushing the bottle upwards so the vinegar goes even faster down my throat.

Me not drinking fast does not pass with Sierra, but drinking fast does not pass with my stomach. No one was fast enough to call it, so instead of my vomit going into the box, it goes into Sierra’s face. Brown is not a good color on her, and I am not the only one who notices that. All of the other girls start to laugh, groan and gag. The heat of the moment is starting to grow on Kelsey.

Approximately one second before she kills me, Principal Melton arrives. Well, I guess I should just say goodbye to the school. I doubt I will be coming back for a while.