Finals

The best word to describe finals is 'stressful.' They account for a large part of your grade, and they cover everything you have learned in that class. There is so much to remember and so much to study. You flip frantically through review packets and highlight parts of your notes that you know you will have a hard time recalling come test time. And the moment the actual test is handed out, your stomach is in knots. Many times, after reading the first question, your heart plummets. You have no idea what the answer is. But hopefully, you regain your composure and enter the test-taking mode. And perhaps you even do well enough to bring your grade up a whole percentage. Or, it could go down. Either way, the stress building up the test is immense and often times overwhelming.

Driving in the Snow

I pulled out of the driveway with confidence, shrugging as I saw the snow on the ground. It was hardly an inch, so I figured it wouldn't have any effect on my driving. Apparently, I was wrong. As I went to round a curve, the wheels of my dented maroon minivan skidded in the opposite direction. Letting out a shriek, I yanked the wheel the other way, pumping the gas pedal in an attempt to bring the car to a halt. The van slid to a stop, the snow crunching underneath the wheels. Nervously laughing, I began again, slower this time. I made it at least two more miles before something similar happened. I was pressing the gas pedal, when suddenly, the wheels of the van jerked to the side, sending me straight towards a mailbox. I snapped the vehicle back into place, my fingers tightening on the wheel. Needless to say, the rest of the ride home my speed was under 20 miles per hour.

Domain

The domain of my papers for CIS English is the Hispanic community. I have taken Spanish classes for 5 years; the culture and language fascinate me. I choose to do my personal narrative on a mission trip I took to Guatemala two summers ago, which gave me a first hand experience with a Hispanic culture. My partner and I did our trend paper on the American media creating increasingly negative attitudes toward Mexican Americans. For our ethnography, we studied the workers at a Spanish cafe and market, El Burrito Mercado. While our first experience there was somewhat rocky and nerve-wracking, we found by the end that El Burrito Mercado contains some outstanding staff. Finally, for my film critique, I chose to watch the movie From Prada to Nada, directed by Angel Garcia. The film is about two wealthy Mexican sisters in LA who are forced to leave their life of riches after their father dies. It had some valuable lessons, like taking pride in one's family, but it was much too fake to be believable. All of these papers allowed me to study the Hispanic culture, and in some instances, I was able to see how Mexican Americans relate with other American citizens, which was eye-opening and quite interesting.

Studying

All students hopefully have done this. They flip back through their leagues of notes, scanning each filled line, praying that the numbers or letters will ingrain themselves in their brains. The nervous anxiety of test-taking catches up to some, and they clutch at their notebooks until the moment the test begins. Others confidently stuff their notes away long before the test is handed out, knowing that they have the material down. Studying is a part of the schooling process, whether for quizzes, chapter tests, finals, or the ACT. Some people are blessed with the ability to study well and maintain everything they learn. Others are not so blessed, and the words they hear or read pass right by their ears. Tests are becoming increasingly emphasized in the school system, a topic which is controversial. So much of grades are based almost solely on tests. What if a student is a poor test-taker? What if, no matter how much they study, the anxiety of the test gets the best of them? Some say this is the student's problem. Others argue that having so much school results based on tests, those who are poor test-takers are doomed. Because for some students, no amount of studying can take away their test anxiety.

Character Description Practice

My brother Tim wanders into the room, fingers flying across his iPod. I say hello to him, and he raises his eyebrows in response, never looking up. With one long finger, he stabs his screen, wincing as he loses points in whatever game is playing. His eyebrows pull together and his looked intensifies. Stiffening his arms, he forces his slim fingers to work faster, sliding across the screen. With a final swipe, his lifts his finger into the air, poised like a director instructing a band to pause. He taps his feet, his lanky legs twisting as he does a small victory dance as he apparently gains points. Throwing a bony arm into the air, he gives a wide grin to the ceiling. Looking back down, he notices me watching his antics.

"Oh. Hi," he says. I just shake my head and go back to my homework.

Character Description Practice

My brother Peter shuffled up to me, a goofy smile plastered across his face. He ran his fingers through his long, straight hair, pushing it into his eyes.

"I just brushed my hair," he said happily, the grin widening to show his short teeth.

I paused, looking up at him. "Um...great?"

Peter brushes his hair around ten times every day. Also, he hates getting it cut short. Therefore, at the moment, his hair conceals his eyebrows and dangles right into his eyes. He crosses his eyes at me and punches me in the shoulder before bounding away, laughing a fake laugh at the top of his lungs. He snatches up an inflated ball and kicks it around, engaging one of my other brothers in a game of indoor soccer. He smooths down his athletic shirt, bends into a goalie position, and screeches as the ball slips past him into his "goal." Squirming into an odd position of frustration, with his arms twined together, he claims that he was distracted, and that the goal shouldn't count. The two of them begin to bicker, and I decide it's time to move downstairs.

Falling Asleep

This happens to me a lot...when it's not supposed to. I will be sitting in a class, and suddenly my eyes feel very heavy...as if my eyelids are suddenly made of lead. It is a battle to keep them open as I frantically cross uncross my legs or fold and unfold my arms in an attempt to stay awake. Or, I will be sitting at my computer, trying to make it through another round of homework, when I suddenly feel myself drifting away. The clock will seem to be ticking very fast, and time will be slipping away as I slow down, trying to simply keep awake. Once, I lost the fight, and fell asleep on my laptop. When my mom came in and woke me up, I had the imprint of the keyboard on my face. Even now, as my fingers are moving across the keys...I can feel my eyes getting heavy...

Homework

Your pencil scratches across the paper, filling line after line. The lead on your pencil is worn farther and farther down, until the wood of the pencil hits the page. You sharpen it, taking your time as you watch the shreds of wood float into the trash can. Flipping to the next page, you continue, once again filling line after line after line...after line...it goes on and on. It seems as if a whole notebook could be filled. And in some cases, it will be filled. By the end of the trimester, a small tree has been used up for each class. Worksheets are stuffed into folders. Notebooks are covered in writing, lines filled. Spanish words, German phrases, paper review, calculus...it doesn't matter which you fill the page with, it all falls into the category of homework.

Cub Bagging

Bagging groceries is always an interesting job. You shuffle awkwardly up to the next person in line and work up the courage to ask if they would like any help bagging their groceries. When bagging before Thanksgiving, there is usually a turkey somewhere among the piles of food that are being slid through the counter. It always presents somewhat of a challenge. You have to heave it into the air and slide it into a bag without creating too much of a ruckus, because then the person purchasing the food may believe you aren't treating their food with care. When you try to bag the other items, it is often like a puzzle. The boxes and cans go on the bottom, then the items that can stand to be slightly squished, and then the bread or chips, or whatever fragile items may be laying on the counter. You at a pace somewhere less than frantic, hurrying to finish the bagging before the purchaser is done paying. Gently laying the bags in their cart, you flash your biggest smile and say goodbye. And move on to the next customer, and the next, and the next...until your shift is finally over!

Hugo Cabret

The movie Hugo Cabret had educational value, artistic value, and entertainment value. The theme of the movie was thought provoking, as it was about purpose. In one line, the main character Hugo states, "A machine always comes with the exact amount of pieces it needs- nothing more. I think of the world as a big machine. And since there are never any extra pieces, I must be a part of that machine for a reason." That quote shows how the theme of purpose isn't too cheesy, but it is deep. Also, another theme is fixing things- machines and people alike. The artistic value is also amazing. The set of Hugo's home and the views of the camera are all well thought out. The lighting is different to create different moods; once, when Hugo is trying to follow an old man who stole his notebook, they pass through a churchyard, where the statues have dark shadows, giving a feeling of doom. In another scene, where Hugo is with his new friend and they are walking through a train station, the lighting gives a soft glow to everything around them. The entertainment value was very high. The plot was intriguing, while not being too unrealistic. My disbelief was suspended throughout the entire movie, and I felt as though I was a part of the world of Hugo Cabret.

Thanksgiving

It happens every year. Turkeys are purchased, thawed, and cooked. Stuffing is mixed and set out in bowls. Mashed potatoes are whipped by beaters. Cranberry sauce and deviled eggs are prepared. After all of the cooking and preparation, the meal is finally ready. Families gather around the table, joining together to give thanks. For some, it is stressful, due to the amounts of cooking and planning that must be done. For others, it is a chance to eat and relax with friends and family. For still others, it is simply another regular day of the year. To some it is important, while to others it is no big deal. Either way, it is recognized nationally. Going back to the times of the Pilgrims, this holiday is a symbol of being grateful. So people celebrate while they can! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hugo Cabret

Tonight I went to go see the new movie Hugo Cabret. It was quite a good movie! The cinematography was amazing! During one of my favorite scenes, two of the main characters are standing inside a clock tower, looking out over the city. The lights of the buildings and the falling snow created a magical scene. The special effects were very well done also! I have read the book, which includes illustrations, and I noticed that the actors picked to play the main characters looked very similar to the drawings of them in the book. The actor who played Hugo covered the part very well. The actress who played his friend did slightly worse at times, but her performance was still great. The plot was like that of the book, with a few side plots added. These extra plots added to the story and helped with character development. The actors and the characters they played were all realistic and likable. The angles of the camera were amazing and added to the magic of the movie. The make-up and set design were thought out, the design especially. All in all, the movie was amazing, and I would certainly recommend seeing it!

Film Review Practice

I watched the movie "From Prada to Nada" and found it to be an okay movie. It was exceedingly average. I thought the plot was amazing, but there was too much going on at different points. Plus, it was difficult to tell just how much time was passing between scenes. The set designs were done very well, in my opinion. The make-up was alright, but there were definitely moments where it was subpar. In one section, a girl asks her sister "What happened to you?" It is supposed to show that her sister is very distraught and tired, and although the make-up showed hints of some of that, the sister pretty much looked the same as she did during the other scenes in the movie. I originally thought this movie would show the different classes that Mexican Americans have in America, seeing as the main characters begin as wealthy children and end up living in the "ghetto." However, it was about much more, including being proud of family and heritage. The actresses playing the two main characters did very well, especially the one who played the smarter of the two sisters, Nora. She did very well in expressing emotions and tackling lines that were not always written very well.

How to Train Your Dragon Movie Review Practice

This movie is animated, but the animators use subtle changes throughout the movie in order to convey points. For instance, Hiccup, the main character, is portrayed as being much skinnier and smaller than his peers. He has long reddish hair, and when the animators want to give him a look of shock, they show his hair blown backward and his eyes wide. The actor who does the voice of Hiccup typically plays the wimpy, shy, or nerdy character in movies, and generally has a love interest who he considers to be way out of his league. So I consider him to be well-casted in the part of Hiccup, as Hiccup is supposed to be kind of wimpy and he has a crush on a girl considered to be out of his league. The background music is also well chosen. The movie is about a Viking clan, so the music has a Scottish hint. Bagpipes blare when there is a showdown between Hiccup and a dragon, and drums beat when the scene gets intense. Also, the animators played with the lighting and set design to show emotions. In one scene, the Viking chief throws a torch into a cave filled with dragons. As the spinning light catches on the wings of the dragons, the viewer gets a sense of anticipation, wondering what will happen when all of the dragons take flight. In another scene, Hiccup is riding a dragon, and the view is supposed to be magical. The Northern Lights flare in the darkness, and the sunset casts colorful shadows on the clouds on the horizon. The music in the background is dramatic and inspiration, in order to show the feelings of awe that Hiccup is experiencing.

Being Sore

I started ski training this week. I guess I had forgotten how terrible I am at running. Therefore, the first day we went on a run, I was struggling. My legs just wouldn't seem to work with me as they remained at a steady, slow pace. The impact of my feet hitting the pavement sent a jarring impact up my legs with each stride. The crisp air seemed to coat my lungs with a fine layer of ice. My breath fogged the air as I ran, creating a cloud that disappeared just as fast as my energy when it came to running. As I finally plodded back to the school, my feet dragging even as I tried to force them to run faster, I breathed out a gasp of relief. My troubles were over! I soon realized I was wrong. The next morning, as I tried to get out of bed, I knew I was in trouble. My legs were as stiff as metal rods. When I tried to bend them, pain signals blared throughout my body. Wincing, I clambered out of beg and made an attempt to walk. The most I could manage was an awkward shuffle, sliding my feet on the floor so I wouldn't have to lift them. That practice, we ran again. My personal run was more of a lopsided jog. At least the cold numbed my legs, so that the burning of lactic acid was less noticeable. Still, the next morning I was confronted with an even more intense stiffness. Which still lurks in my legs. Hopefully it will be gone by next week, so my running actually resembles...well, running.

Bronchitis

Apparently, I have bronchitis. It has settled deep in my lungs. Now that I know it is there, I can almost feel it. I try to take in a deep breath, but my lungs constrict before I can. A cough forces its way out my throat, sending a burning through my lungs. I slap a hand to my collarbone as if that will somehow heal me. Swallowing the burning, I wince. Swim practice has been especially difficult. The chlorine floods down my throat, adding to the burning. I gasp in air after a swim set, my rasping breaths capturing the attention of the people around me. I awkwardly glance down at the water and try to get my breathing under control. My face gets hot, from embarrassment, fever, or lack of oxygen I have no idea. I can tell that my skin is turning a brilliant shade of red.

"You doing okay?" my friend asks.

"Yep, I'm fine," I try to say, but my words come out in a harsh whisper. I try again, flashing a smile that I hope is convincing. She nods uncertainly. Gulping in another breath of air, I force the smile to stay plastered on my face, reminding myself that I will be just fine later.

Ethnography Culture

The culture of El Burrito Mercado is definitely Mexican. Pinatas twirl from the ceiling and Spanish works of art hang from the walls. The designs on the tiles behind the counter have a Hispanic look to them. As I looked closer, I notice that the design is a cross. Perhaps this is because a predominant religion in Spanish culture is Catholicism. Some of the workers have Catholic crosses dangling from their necks. In the background, a meat saw can be heard from the Deli. I remind myself to go look at it, but as usual, I forget. I'm too caught up in the wild color of the place. Yellows, oranges, and reds are splashed everywhere. In fact, the whole store itself is yellow. And outside, a Linus statue stands proudly. A sombrero is perched on Linus's head, and his blanket and clothing have been decorated. Even the tabletops at El Burrito Mercado are decorated. And the metal of the chairs has been twisted into ornate patterns. An archway marks the entrance to the Cafe, with the silhouettes of the signature El Burrito Mercado donkey pressed into it.

Laughter

Many people say that laughter is special. That it is the best medicine. That it can heal. That it is powerful. I guess I see that. It always feels good to laugh. That is, unless you are laughing so hard you honestly think you are going to die. Laughter is something to be shared with friends and family. Or maybe you share it with someone who isn't necessarily your friend, but through that experience, the two of you become closer friends than you were before. People have different ways of laughing, I've noticed. Some laugh silently, with just their shoulders shaking. Others have shrieking laughs that bounce off the corners of walls. Some people laugh under their breath, and some people laugh uncontrollably. And sometimes, people laugh until they cry. I've always wondered why that is. Why are tears produced? Because you are laughing so hard that your stomach hurts to the point of tears? The tears are worth it, though, because laughter really is a special thing. It can change a day from good to bad, if you let it.

Setting Description Practice

I glance around my living room, searching for my Calculus book. The piano in the corner holds many textbooks, but not mine. Piano sheets and Geography books litter the smooth black piano bench. The white keys shine, slightly dulled by many fingerprints. The card table in the center of the room has the equipment for my brother's science experiment covering almost every inch of the dark surface. A small windmill and voltmeter are displayed, and cardboard boxes and sheets of paper are strewn about. The white and brown string of carpet on the floor stretch toward the ceiling. The Champlin Park Red Hot Rebel Read book is laying in the corner and my brother's homework has been tossed beside it. I sigh and prepare to move down the stairs. No Calculus book here.

Character Description Practice

My little brother smashes into me from behind. I spin around, a retort ready to slip off my tongue. He grins up at me, smiling so hard his eyes are squeezed shut. His braces, which he recently had put on, reflect the nearby lamp. His blond hair is, as usual, sticking up in places, despite the careful effort of my mother get it to lay flat. His sweatshirt is zipped up to his neck, and it definitely does not match his black pants. His socks have holes ripped through the toes, but he still refuses to throw them away. He creates such a ridiculous picture that my retort is instantly lost.

"What?" I ask simply, reaching to continue typing.

"Hi," he shrieks before bounding away. I shake my head and position my fingers back on the keyboard, wondering how long it will be before he does the same thing again. Sure enough, two minutes later, I feel something barrel into me, nearly knocking me off my chair. He blinks innocently up at me, and once again, I lose my retort.