Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Short Story

Author Notes
When I was making this story I wanted to let people enjoy a story that was interesting but I also wanted to make it realistic too. When I was making this story the easy part was the introduction since I already knew where I wanted the setting and how the characters were going to be. The hard part when I was making this story was having Eric (The main character) and his dad meet and how they would interact with each other. I also had trouble bringing the story to a conclusion. I want anybody who reads this to tell me what I did wrong and what I did right and how can I make this story any better.
The Search

It was a clear Friday morning in Springfield when Eric woke up and got out of his bed realizing that he is gonna be late for school so he calls his brother and tells him to pick him up. Eric is a Black and Puerto Rican 17 year old that lives with his mom Jessie. Eric’s dad didn't live with them and Eric never seen his dad or knew what he is like since Eric’s Mom kicked his dad out of the house since he was addicted to drugs. Eric got up and got ready to go to school.

“Eric get down here now or you're gonna be late again!” Jessie yelled furiously.
Eric ran downstairs and approached his mom.
“Chill out mom, Keith is gonna drive me to school.”
“DON’T TELL ME TO CHILL OUT!” “You know I don’t like it when people tells me to chill out.”
“OK OK sorry” Eric said while laughing.
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door and Jessie went to get it. Jessie yelled
“Who is it”
“Open up it’s Keith”
“Don’t be knocking on my door like you the police” Jessie said jokingly
“Hey Eric come on were leaving before you're late again” Keith said
“Alright I'm coming”
“Bye Eric” Jessie said
“Bye” Eric replied
Eric and Keith were in the car on their way to commerce High School when Keith started to talk to Eric.
“So how do you like commerce”
“It’s alright” Eric replied
“Any fight’s? Murder’s, bullying, or haters?” Keith said jokingly
“Well there was a couple of fights yesterday. Some boy got jumped by his gang members for snitching on one of them so he won’t have to go to jail. The boy was sent to the hospital and he’s in a coma.”
“Nice.” Keith said while laughing. “Well if anybody messes with you just let me know and I'll just call the family for some back up.”
“Nah it’s alright nobody is messing with me and if somebody does then I'll just get them with my boys.”
“You need to stop hanging around with those boys, they're gonna get you in trouble with the feds.”
“I’m good I know when to be careful.”
“Yeah I know but just be careful.”
Keith parked the car to let Eric out and drove away.
It was boring at school again today, it was the same thing every day. Some kids were smoking weed in the bathrooms, another fight was happening in the hallways and kids were ignoring the teachers and getting kicked out again. I spotted my friends and walked towards them. We were a gang called the Ave’s. In the gang was Nick, Jordan, Ali, Darion and some other kids I don’t talk to. Nick was Brazilian and 18 years old, he was a senior. Jordan was Black and 19 years old and was a senior too. Ali was 17 and he was a junior. Darion was also 17 and a junior.
“Wass up Eric how you been, we were looking for you so we could smoke.” Jordan said.
“I got a ride from my bro.” Eric replied.
“I don’t know why you're trying to get to school on time, the school isn't gonna say nothing.” Darion said.
“I know but my mom is and she thinks I'm gonna fail or something if I keep on getting here late.”
“Hey did you ever find your dad yet.” Ali asked.
“Nah, but I heard he lives somewhere in Hartford.”
“Who did you hear that from.” Jordan asked
“My cousin Jake.”
“Alright so lets go to Hartford tonight and search for him.”  Jordan said
“I’ll try to sneak out but if my mom finds out then I'm dead, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me searching for my dad.”


School ended and Eric went home so he can get ready to go to Hartford and search for his dad. Eric was excited that he might meet his dad because ever since he was little he wanted to see his dad. He knew that his mom would be furious if she found out he was searching for his dad but Eric didn't care anymore because he needed to see how his dad is like and if he’s making the right choice’s. Eric went in the house talked to his mom for a while and then he went to his room to start packing for his little trip. Jordan called Eric and told him they were downstairs and ready to go. Eric jumped on a near by tree next to his window and climbed down. Eric ran in the car and as soon as he got in the car he spotted Keith parking in front of the house. Eric told his friends to go and they drove off but Keith seen them already and got in his car to chase them down. They drove all the way to Hartford and eventually lost him but now they were lost too. Eric took out a picture of his dad that he kept inside of his pocket in case he ever saw him and showed it to his friends. He told them that his dad looks like this and if they see him they need to call him immediately and after he told him that they went off to find him. Eric wasn't familiar with Hartford so he got lost quickly. Eric knew to watch out for the rival gang the gators since there main hangout was in Hartford. Eric was walking all around Hartford but still didn't find his dad so Eric was starting to feel like he was never gonna find him and was starting to feel like giving up but soon he got a call and quickly picked it up.
“Hello?” Eric said
“Hey Eric this is Jordan, I think we found him.”
“Really!” “Where is he.”
“He’s around Brooks St near the McDonald's but I don’t think it’s safe to talk to him now because he’s hanging out with a bunch of gators.”
“I don’t care, if it’s my dad then he’ll just tell them to back off.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah...he has to I'm his son.”
Eric soon hanged up the phone and looked up and noticed that he was standing at the McDonald's
and started to look around and soon found Brooks St. He seen a guy that looked just like the guy in the picture and since he was so excited he ran towards him without thinking. A guy tall diesel guy with a gator seen Eric and punched him as soon as he got close.
“You trying to attack our leader, punk.” The diesel guy said
“No, you don’t understand I think that guy is my dad.”
“Impossible if he did then he’ll be betraying our code.”
“Yeah and if he did that we would have to kill him and his family.” Some random gator boy said.
Eric soon realized the reason his dad left and why he never came to see him and Eric looked at his and knew that his did somehow knew who he was. The gators pinned Eric down and searched his pockets and found the picture of Eric’s dad. The gators were confused why he had the picture of James (Eric’s dad). The gators were now cautious of James and told him to prove he’s not his dad by killing Eric. They handed James a gun and told him to shoot him so they can leave already. James stared at Eric for a long time and said “How can I care for something I never wanted” and got ready to shoot Eric. As James was gonna shoot Eric a car came speeding down the street and slammed right into James. The gators began to shoot the car but four guys that looked familiar got out the car and shot the gators and killed them. James was still somehow alive and began to crawl towards the gun to shoot Eric but a guy came out of the car and shot James until the guy knew he was dead. Eric looked at the mysterious figures and noticed it was Keith and Eric’s friends. Keith helped Eric up since he was still confused and shocked from what just happened. Keith and the rest put Eric and the car and headed back to Springfield. The gang wasn't in the car with Eric since they drove in their own car. Keith looked at Eric and began to talk.
“We almost lost you today.” Keith said jokingly.
Eric still didn't say anything.
“I guess I was wrong about your friends, they aren't so bad.” “They told me where you were.”
Eric was still silent.
“If they didn't tell me where you were then you could of died.”
Eric suddenly got up.
“My dad wasn't gonna kill me, I know he wasn't. He cared about us that’s why he left.” Eric yelled.
“He left because he knew if he didn't then he would of got murdered by his own gang.” Keith yelled back
Eric sat silently and started to think.
“I’m sorry that I had to kill him but he was gonna kill you. I might go to jail now.”
Eric didn't even think that Keith could got to jail
“I’m sorry.” Eric said quietly.
“Don’t get all sentimental on me right now Eric I won’t tell anybody that you or your friends were part of this.” Keith said.
Keith stopped at a burger king 
and got some whoppers for him and Eric.
“Hey eat up I'm sure you're starving.” Keith said laughing.
Eric and Keith ate and went to Jessie’s house. Keith talked to Jessie and explained to her what happened and she understood. Eric went upstairs to his room and waited for his mom to come up stairs and start yelling at him. Keith left and Jessie went into Eric’s room. Eric and his mom talked for awhile and she didn't yell or punish him she just asked if he was alright. Eric apologized to his mom and asked if Keith is was alright but she told him she didn't know.
“I promise I won’t hide anything from you anymore.” Jessie said
“So what do I do now” Eric asked
“Just do what you always do.” Jessie replied
Eric was confused.
“But what about Keith?”
“I’m pretty sure Keith told you he won’t say anything about you to the cops if they ask so just forget this day ever happened.”
Jessie left the room and Eric sat on his bed. Eric started to think about everything that happened today and slowly started to accept everything.
The End
 

Monday, November 25, 2013

PS3 vs Sneakers

Value Essay
My two valuable items that I care for are sneakers and my PS3. I value these things because I always liked sneakers and I always liked playing my PS3 with my brothers and playing the PS3 was always something me and my brothers could do when we were bored and needed something to do. Both of these things are very valuable to me and I’m going to explain why.
I always thought sneakers were cool and I liked wearing them so they are very valuable to me. When ever I am going to get a new pair of sneakers I try to pick some that look good but are some I don’t see a lot of guys wearing because I think sneakers are better when it’s something you don’t always see. I also like sneakers because they aren't always the same like shirts and pants and they add a new style to what you are wearing. I remember when I was younger and I would always see my brother with a new pair of sneakers and I would get mad because he didn't take care of them and they end up getting dirty and I knew if I had the sneakers he had I would be more careful. I like wearing Jordan's and Nike and I prefer Jordan's because I like the Basket Ball player Michael Jordan and he is one of the main reason’s I like Jordan sneakers so much and is one of the reason’s I like Basket Ball so much but there are always a lot of people who wear Jordan sneakers so it doesn't always feel that great when I wear them. I don’t like wearing low top sneakers because they aren't my type of style so when i’m picking out some new pair of sneakers I try to stay away from them. Those are some of the reason’s I like sneakers so much and why they are so valuable to me.
My PS3 is so valuable to me because I had it for awhile and it’s something me and my brothers would always play and we would always try to see who could beat the game the fastest if it was a single player game. I use to play the first PlayStation with my brothers and the PS2 and we use have lots of fun playing games like Crash Bandicoot, GTA, Mega Man, etc. so when the PS3 came out we really wanted it but we had to wait awhile to get it and when we got it there wasn't even that much games out for it so it took us a while to actually enjoy playing it but when the games we wanted finally came out we played it for days. I remember playing little big planet with my big brother and we would try to unlock everything and fight about whose fault it was when we didn't unlock something even though we both knew it was both of our fault. I would play call of duty with my brothers and try to survive more than 16 rounds in the zombie mode and we did it one time but never tried to do it again. Playing the PS3 with my brothers was some of the best moment’s I had in doors and while it wasn't always as great as the times when we use play the PS2 together it was still fun. I enjoyed playing the PS3 with my bros and it was what kept us occupied when we were inside the house.
I prefer sneakers over my PS3 because the great moment’s that I had with my bros playing the PS3 don’t really happen that much anymore and we aren't into playing the game like we use to so it really isn't that great playing the PS3 anymore. So in conclusion I value sneakers more while my PS3 I value but less.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Speak Final Assessment

Speak Final Assessment
1. One time that my inner voice and outer voice were in disagreement is when I got in a argument with my mom about my grades. I had got a F in my math class and we were talking about it and in my inner voice I wanted to tell her that I was having a hard time with the class and I was confused on how to do the work and I was going to agree with her that I was doing bad and it was my fault but when I tried to use my outer voice it came out wrong and it sounded like I was trying to go against her and I was trying to make excuses and I was trying to tell her she was wrong when I was trying to agree with her. So my it sucked that my outer voice didn't say what my inner voice was trying to say so it didn't go so well when I went against what my inner voice was trying to say and I regret not going with what my inner voice was trying to say. It did not feel good to go against my inner voice.
 2. One time my inner and outer voice were in agreement was when I asked my Dad for food. Something made me feel like I was hungry and my inner voice was telling me to ask my Dad to make me some food but ask in a nice way so I went to my Dad and everything my inner voice said I agreed with so I said everything my inner voice said using my outer voice and it worked. It felt good listening to my inner voice and it really helped me a lot. If I didn't use my inner voice then I might of said the wrong thing and made it sound like I was demanding my Dad to make me food so i’m really glad that I used my inner voice. Since I did use my inner voice and not just my outer voice it didn't sound wrong when I said it like it did when I didn't use my inner voice when I tried to explain about the F to my Mom. After I used my inner voice I felt that I couldn't talk without using it first and I always talk better and get my tone of voice right when I use my inner voice.
   3A. A time Melinda’s inner voice is in discord with her outer voice is when she is talking to Mr.Neck and he say’s to her
“ We meet again”
and she doesn't say anything but in her inner voice she is saying
“Would her listen to I need to go home and change or Did you see what that bozo did” (9).
Melinda say’s all these things in her inner voice but never says it with her outer voice. This show’s that she has a problem with speaking out loud and is more of a silent person. In conclusion this is my Speak Final Assessment.
                                                                      

Friday, October 25, 2013

Little brother: Good or Bad

Little Brother
By: Cory Doctorow
 April 29, 2008
Published by: Tor Books
Genre: Fiction/ Cyberpunk

In the story Little brother Marcus Yallow is a hacker living an ordinary life in San Francisco until he skips school one day and a terrorist attack changes his life forever. Marcus Yallow is in the middle of a terrorist attack and is accused of being part of it and Marcus is tortured and trapped by the DHS (Department of homeland security). After he set free he learns that the DHS has started to blame everybody, Marcus sees that he the only one who can stop the DHS and set everything right and embarks on a mission to stop the DHS.
“A wonderful, important book . . . I’d recommend Little brother over pretty much any book I’ve read this year.” Neil Gaiman tells us on the book cover.
            In Little brother the author really knows how to get you into it and express the character’s personality, just by reading the first couple of pages I could already see that Marcus was smart, and a little cocky. This book really reminds me of Ender’s game because in the book Marcus is really good with hi tech stuff and so is Ender.
           “Skipping school isn’t a crime.It’s a infraction.They’re totally different”(23).
           This book was really good and I recommend it to everybody, it reminded me of 9/11 and I really enjoyed that he made the situation serious and not like a joke and I liked that he made the character’s personality show.
I give this book four paws.
           











Thursday, October 10, 2013

Speak Reflective Reading Quiz

Jorell Wilson
10/8/13                

                                    Speak Reflective Reading Quiz
Five words that best describes Melinda so far is anti-social, suffering,shy,outcast and scared.
She is anti-social because she hardly talks and when she does talk it’s only like one or two words.
She is suffering because she doesn’t know who to tell about the rape and has to keep all her emotions hidden so nobody would think somethings wrong with her.
She is also shy because she has a hard time talking to other people and she is a outcast because she is always by herself and doesn’t fit in with the other kids and she enjoys being by herself.
She is scared because of what happened to her and she doesn’t know what to do.

I think the best word that describes Melinda is Anti-social.
I think that Anti-social is the best word that describes her because she never talks throughout the whole entire story and if she does it’s very rare and short.She mostly talks to herself or and when somebody says something to her she either stays quiet or says something real quick and stops talking.

Ex:
     Mom: “You missed the bus again”
        
        I nod  
Ex:
     Mom: “I don’t have time for this, Melinda.”
   Melinda:

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Summer Reading Essay

Jorell Wilson
09/05/13
Alfred Brooks
The Contender/
Ender’s Game


Author Notes 
1.What came easy to me when writing my story is the setting. I already knew what the setting was gonna be, it was gonna be based off the book I read. I was trying to show how a character from another story can easily fit in with another character from another story 
2. I think the boxing really worked well in this story because this is something Ender really needs since in the book he really didn't know how to fight with gravity. It was easy to write the beginning when it was just about Alfred because it was one character I knew how to use while Ender was from a different type of genre from the contender.
3. A problem I had while writing the story was deciding what would Ender do in the story and that was probably the only thing that was hard for me.
4. A improvement to the story I would like to do to the story is the ending and the part where I get to Ender's space ship. Feedback that would be helpful would be how did I do and what can I do to improve it.
  
Right…..left……...right…..left….Boxing use to be part of Alfred’s life until one day he knew it was time for him to quit.After Alfred quit boxing he went back to school to make his life better and so far he was doing good he passed high school and is now in college and got his Bachelor’s degree and is thinking about going for his Master’s even though he doesn't need to.One day he got a message but he didn't know who it was from it just said meet me at the park near our cave.First Alfred thought it was his friend James but it couldn't be because he was in college trying to get his associate’s degree but Alfred went anyway because he had a good feeling it was James.


When Alfred got there he went straight towards the cave to see if it was James but he couldn't see anything so he went inside it.


“James” screamed Alfred
There was no answer
“James it’s me Alfred” said Alfred
Suddenly he felt a small but rough hand trying to get his attention
“James?” said Alfred while turning around to get out of the cave
“James?” said the mysterious man “I’m Edward Wiggins and I've been looking for you Alfred”
Alfred finally got out of the cave and turned around only to see a small boy that looked like he was 11 years old
Ender Wiggins
“What’s a little boy like you doing here looking for me”
“I may be smaller than you and younger but i am not like the other boys”
“I don't care who you are or what you are I wanna know what do you want”
Alfred didn't feel so good yelling at a little kid but the way he was talking and standing and how he looked at Alfred kept on making him feel like the boy wasn't a kid
“I want you to teach me how to box I need to learn how to fight with gravity”
Alfred was confused..what did he mean when he said with gravity
“Look kid I can’t teach you how to box your way to young to even be fighting”
Ender looked disappointed
“I have your friend James and if you want to see him then you better teach me”
“What?” said Alfred but before he could say anything else he was knocked out
Alfred woke up and looked around to see where he was only to be shocked to see it looked like a spaceship.
“Great” thought Alfred I,ve been abducted by alien kids
Ender walked in the room with a tall man
Alfred looked only to see it was JAMES, but he wasn't moving or doing anything only floating with his eyes closed..this made Alfred angry thinking his friend was dead
“WHAT DID YOU DO TO JAMES” Alfred screamed
“Relax” said Ender  “James is only frozen, it’s like he’s in a coma”
Alfred calmed down but was still cautious not trusting them
“What do you want from me” Alfred said
“You know what I want” said Ender
Alfred remembered their conversation
“So you weren't kidding when you said you weren't like the other kids, if I teach you how to box will you let me and my friend go”
“Yes” said Ender
Ender let Alfred get up
“OK let’s get started but you should know boxing is no easy thing to master your going to have to get fit, get up early everyday and follow everything I say you might wanna give up but you gotta keep going” Alfred said trying to sound like his old boxing teacher Mr. Donatelli”.


Ender looked at Alfred and said “I never give up the other kids always will remember my name”.


Right…..left……...right…..left….Right…..left……...right…..left….Right…..left……...right…..left….
That’s all Ender did just quick jabs and never ever complained about it.Alfred showed Ender all of the stuff Mr. Donatelli showed him and Ender would teach him some of the stuff he learns at command school, stuff like mathematics and science and history even though Alfred didn't even know what he was talking about most of the time.


After Ender had trained for many days he started to get the hang of it and was getting quicker and stronger each day faster than Alfred which shocked Alfred.Alfred wasn't sure if Ender was like him and had the will to fight and injure somebody in battle until he got out of the training room to go to the bathroom only to see Ender fighting six kids older and taller than him. Ender was moving faster than any Professional boxers Alfred have ever seen and his Jabs were quick and strong. Ender easily defeated them and that’s when Alfred learned Ender did have the killer instinct but did not want to use it.


“You could go now Alfred you and your friend could leave” Ender said while not trying to cry from the pain he caused those six kids
“Ender you have the killer instinct but you don’t want to use it…..I think it’s better for you to not practice boxing anymore”
“But I need to so they can’t hurt me anymore so I could be safe”
“After they just seen what you just did I doubt they’ll ever touch you again but you need to try to not use your boxing skills unless you really need to or you’ll just feel bad for what you did”
“OK I understand thank you Alfred you have taught me so much”
“Hey you taught me a lot too….because of everything you taught me getting my master’s degree will be a piece of cake”
“I’m glad I helped”said Ender while sending Alfred and James back to Earth.