A School that Believed in Me

Oh my god! ------ is so different from regular school. When I first saw ------, I was like, "Ewww, do I really have to sleep here!"

The first meal I had was mystery meat. I thought, “Oh no! I have to get out of here! I’m going to die here! Look what they are giving us. Are they trying to kill us?”

I lied so much, so I can leave out of their because I didn’t like any girls there. I didn’t eat because the food was so nasty.

Well, I’m going to tell you why I had to go to --------. It was because of ------ Middle School. Oh my god! Lord had to help me when I was at that middle school. Every teacher made me feel like I couldn’t do anything with my life and that I was crap in the garbage. Well, I was lucky I left there. I didn’t want to leave my friends, but I had to because I got expelled.

At first, I didn’t like my new school, but then I got used to everything. I started to love the teachers and staff. I started to get my act together because I wanted to show everyone that I can do it. At my school, they have a thing called levels which is a behavior chart. Students who succeed the most move all the way up the chart. I knew this school was not gonna give up on me, so I went up each level, made it to level three, and I got honor role. I was so proud of myself and so were my parents and the staff and teachers. I will never forget how everyone at that school all believed in me and they never gave up on me like other people did in my life. Now to this day I’m proud of myself because I know I can do anything I want to do if I put my effort and my mind to.

I Believe in a father's words

When I was 14 years old my dad said, “------, you can do anything you mind to and you can be anything you wanna be.” Now my dad is 37 years old, and he’s a 6’5” African American weighing 330 pounds. That’s a big man!

It all started on a Friday afternoon and my dad was at home. I just came home from school. I was inside the house getting ready to go to sleep, but my dad called me to come and watch a scary movie with him.

“It’s called The Unborn.”

I said, “Yeah, sure Dad. That’s a good movie.”

So he said “-------, I’ll get the soda and chili and you put the movie on.”

I said, “Okay, that works.”

So we start watching the movie and about an hour later, the phone rings and we’re both so in to the movie that we ignored the phone. Then it rings again and my dad says, “Hurry up and answer the phone. You are gonna miss this part. It’s a good part.”

So then I answered the phone and I was trying to watch t.v. at the same time so my dad paused the movie while I was on the phone. Then my dad says “Sarah, who is that?”

I said, “Dad, this is my friend James.”

He said “What do he want? We’re watching a movie!”

“He wants me to come outside,” I said.

So my dad takes the phone and says “bye.”

Then he said “--------, you can go out side but I want you to be careful because you have a bright future ahead of you and you can do anything you put your mind to and you can be anything you want to be, but I just don’t want some boy to come and mess your future up and make you get off track.”

He also said “------, I just don’t want you to go down the same road I went down. I want you to be better and I want you to be careful.”

So instead of me going out side with my friend James, I finished watching the movie with my dad and from that day on I always remembered what my dad said. Now that is my drive to finish school and not let anybody get me off track. It’s all thanks to my dad!

My 2nd home vol. 3

I have a place I call my second home. It's called Oahu. I lived there for six years and it's actually a small island. Everyone basically knows everyone. Almost the whole island goes to birthday and graduation parties. there are so many people I can call my cousins, or uncle or aunty. These people can be closer than family. I can definitely call Oahu my second home.

I remember when me and my best friend Jaime graduated 6th grade at --------- ------- Elementary School. My Aunty Kai wanted to throw us a graduation party. Our graduation party was going to be the at Jaime and I's sacred and chill spot: our favorite place on the whole island, North Side of Waikiki beach. It's like a little cove with clear water and to us it was the only spot tourists weren't invading.

Our graduation party was definitely a night to remember. Everyone was there! My Aunty Kai told me that 472 people showed up, and surprisingly, I knew every single one of them. We had a buffet of food on four huge tables. there were musubi's, Kai'lua pork, Spam, rice, duck, chicken potatoes, salad, li'hi'moi, mangos, pineapple, fried rice, and a lot more, but I can't remember everything.

There was music of all sorts. For example, we listen to artists you probably never heard of, artists that you'd only hear if you lived in Oahu like, Ekolu, Hawaiian Boyz, Zak Kekona, Terreyak Boyz, and N Shore Boyz. There was some rap, and some old school rap.

There's a tradition in my family: if you graduate you have to do the traditional Hula 'eva dance also known as hula. So me and Jaime had to get on this small stage, probably 10 x 10 feet wearing purple hula skirts (because purple is our favorite color) with a tight white tank top. When we hula we have to tell a story.

The story I chose was of the goddess Pe'le. She is definitely my favorite goddess. She is the goddess of fires and volcanoes. After er tell the story you have to give proof of her existence. I used my favorite story of her: when you see a lady with white glowing hair walking along Kai'ele mountain road, and you pass her three times without any hesitatio to stop, she will start a forest fire or a volcano will errupt whether it is dead or alive. I heard this story when I was 11 years old and hanging out with my favorite Kumu'lo.

At the end of the night when alomst everyone left, me and Jamie would just lay there staring at the stars. We were tired from the previous events. It was definitely a night to remember.

My passions and talents vol. 4

Everybody has a certain things that makes them unique, and you can call it their talent. My talent would have to be the way I interact with others around me. I make friends fast, no matter where I am. I connect with people right off the bat. The fact is I want to be a prosecutor when I grow up. It helps when you know how to connect with numerous people.

My long weekend

My long weekend was kind of good, kind of bad. Friday night was late and my friend's boy was fighting his sister’s baby daddy. It was 3:00 in the morning. He was knocking on my window and he was drunk. He was Mexican 5 foot 4 inches. I let him in. Then he asked if he could spend the night until morning because his mom kicked him out until Saturday.

On Saturday, I went to my friend’s house and we went to the pool. Then on Sunday, I went to the movies with my mom and my brother. We went to go see Final Destination. It was scary but I liked it. Then we went home. On Monday, I went to my auntie’s house to a barbeque. We went to the pool and saw my cousins. We didn’t get home until 6pm. Then the next day I went to school.

If I were a Freedom Writer...

If I was in the Freedom Writer’s class I would write and add my experience about running away to their book.

I ran away from March 2008 to almost July 2008. To be honest, I didn’t have a reason to leave. I was fourteen years old. I didn’t know what to do. The day I ran away, I got in trouble at school, so when I went home I was like on MAJOR Lockdown. I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to do anything and that’s when I left. I didn’t know where I was going or what was coming my way. I went to my friend’s house when I left. I was there for two days.

After, I went with the boy I was going out with. I was with him for like a month and a half. That was the worst part of it. I really regret going with him. He used to beat me and basically just take advantage of me. My life was hell. Arguing everyday and getting punches thrown at me when ever he had a bad day made me leave his house.

For the rest of the time, I went with my other friend. I was getting addicted to worthless stuff, so one day I got tired of that life and realized that wasn’t taking me anywhere in life. That’s when I decided to go home, two days before my birthday.

My mom's reaction wasn’t the best but what else could I ask for when she let me back in the house? I knew that deep inside she was happy. There are a lot of things that I lost and gained. Running away was a life changing event. That’s something I'll never forget.

My passion and talents vol.3

My talent is playing basketball. I love to go onto the court and grab the ball and just do my thing.

I’ve been playing basketball ever since I was 4 years old. The first time I played basketball I had my step-dad help show me how to shoot the ball. He picked me up and let me do a dunk. :)

After we were done shooting hoops, that was when I thought to myself and "Wow! I wanna play basketball when I grow up."

And ever since then I seemed to get better and better at playing basketball. I always dreamed about going to college and play women’s basketball, and to go into the WNBA, but I changed my mind so I could pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I love to help people in any way I can. That’s why I had choosen to become a doctor. So that I can help them and save their lives. But no doubt about it, I’ll always have a good talent and love for basketball.

New beginnings vol.2

Yes, I like new beginnings because I can start over. If I don't like the old things I did, I can get new, better grades, go to a new school, get new teachers, meet new people, and probably get new friends. But I don't think I can make this school year the best I ever had because I'm not in a normal school with normal people and this might be the most boring, stupid year I've ever had.

One thing that is really boring about this school is afternoon meetings. Oh my God! All we do is sit there and listen to what the staff have planned for us, and who they think has been doing good in school, or what issues they have on their minds, which doesn't interest me at all. It is so boring that I feel myself get weak.

I rest my head on my palm. My eyelids feel heavier and heavier, and they start to close. i hear people around me with their hyper attitudes clapping, laughing, and recognizing each other and it gets on my nerves. I wish I never volunteered to come to this school, so I could heve gone to a regular school.

I want to walk in a hallway with both boys and girls. I want to be laughing, yelling, and acting goofy with my friends. I want to be trying out for sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer and FBLA.

I hate to admit it, but there is a reason why I might not mind being at this school right now. Being here can boost me up to my right grade, so I can graduate faster. This is the only thing I like about this school, but until my year is over, I guess I'll stick it out here and then spend my last two years at a normal school where we can do normal things.

My talents and passion vol. 2

My talent is dancing because I know how to move around and I can dance bachata. merengue, salsa, cumbia and I can dance hip-hop.

I like dancing because it makes me feel happy. I enjoy it. The reason why is that when you’re dancing you are having fun. It is very awesome.

My favorite music to dance to is hip-hop because you can move around. If you want to dance hip-hop you have to move your legs & butt.

My cousin shows me some moves and I show her some, too. We practice on the weekend and after school when we get bored. We just have fun while we dance.

Favorite Animal Vol. 2

My dearest and favorite pet is any member of the cat family. I have always admired them ever since I was a little girl! I just love their faces, their whiskers, their eyes, their ears, and their fur. I have four cats and I love everything about them. They inspire me. They inspire me because they have quick reflexes and they are just very unique. But I love all animals in general.

I love animals so much that I would love to build a refuge whenever I get the chance. My refuge would be like the jungle in Africa. I’d find a place in Florida, because Florida has a perfect weather. I would have people help injured animals. I would love to save animals from extinction!

I would also love to travel around the world to take good care of every animal that needs help. Animals are very special to me. They are beautiful in every way. Animals might not be here forever and I want to be with them as much as I can. Animals are also very smart because they know how to survive without technology.

My talents and passions...vol.1

Let me tell you a little bit about myself…

I have a serious passion for singing and in fact singing is one of my greatest talents. I first discovered my talent at the age of seven and started singing at the age of eight. I use to sing in the shower and a lot to myself. Then I began writing songs with anything that comes to my mind. The first song I wrote is called “Forgive Me Please”. That song is based on my mother and father. What it talks about is two people who were together and had lots of disagreements, and unfortunately it led to a divorce. Soon after they started to regret each other and try to go back on where they went wrong. This song I think can relate to a lot of people because almost everyone at some point in their life falls into a similar situation.

When I write songs I like to write about what goes on in my life or any past experience. Singing is my way of relieving stress or finding enjoyment. Singing means everything and the world to me.

When I am not singing, I really enjoy exercising. I wasn’t so interested in exercising, but I really wanted a killer body. I go to a Zumba class they offer free at the --------- gym. It is an all-girls gym and the class only requires sneakers, gym wear and to have lots and lots of fun. It’s a very fun place to be and it doesn’t feel like exercising at all. We're like a family there and best of all, you really get fast and amazing results unexpectedly.

I am very creative, and because I am a very imaginative person I take myself anywhere I want to go at any time. I use my mind a lot. That is where I find comfort. But I always go places in my imagination according to my mood that day. If I want to feel free, calmed and relaxed, I close my eyes and imagine that I am at the beach at night with lots of wind blowing as I walk on the cool sand beneath my warm barefeet, or when I am excited I imagine my own utopian world: a perfect place with lots of colorful street lights. When I am sad or angry I imagine sitting in the dark, where I can allow myself to be angry.

My favorite animals...vol. 1

Well, while growing up I had certain pets that I grew interested in. I liked hamsters that are very small and cute, and also dogs. But not just any dog, I love a pit-bull. I also love a little birdie that lets me hold her in my hands.

My hamster was a baby when I first got her. Her name was Lazy Boo. She used to get out of the cage and run all the time. I was scared to pick her up because I thought she would bite me with her mega sharp choppers but I got her. She was a blond-furred creature with black eyes and small little legs. Her ears blend into her head so you would think it is extra fur.

Dogs. I love them! I had a dog and she was a pit-bull. Her name was Coco. She loved running outside and playing hide and go seek. My dog had blue eyes. She was a puppy that was small with a beautiful vanilla complexion. Coco was very lovable and she got along with everybody.

Sunshine was my memorable bird. She didn’t have much time to spend with me. She ran away and what I mean by that is that she flew away. I really loved her because she liked to come out of the cage and perch on our couch. It was peaceful to watch her perch.

I really and truly miss all my pets. Too bad they are gone, but I look forward to getting another one. But in the mean time I'll just settle down and wait. I want
another dog and I want it exactly the same as Coco. I want my pet to have a place to
play and live and grow. I want a house so my pet can do all this, and so my pet can live a long life.

Shoes

I have a passion for shoes. I love any type of shoe whether it is sneakers, sandals, or heels. I collect them and wouldn’t see myself without them. A lot of people compliment my shoes when I wear them and a lot of people seem to think am rich because I have so many shoes in different kind of colors and styles. I plan on working in a shoe store to increase my collection.

My all time favorite kind of brand of shoes is JORDANS. Those are the ones out of all that I like the most and have the most of. A lot of my friends like shoes too and sometimes we go together to stores to buy the same shoes.

I believe my obsession for shoes will never change and as the days pass by my collection just gets bigger and bigger. Even my mom “be wanting” a taste of my shoes (even though she buys most of them) :].

So it all started in Christmas 2008 when my brother bought me my first pair of shoes (they were Jordan’s). He made me a bet that if we start collecting shoes he’ll have more than me. So ever since then I’ve started collecting shoes and my passion has grown large and I DO have more shoes than him.

My favorite book... vol. 2

My favorite book is “Go Ask Alice” because this book relates to me in many ways. For example, when she explains in the book that she tries these drugs and then regrets it. As I flipped through the pages reading them with excitement, I found myself caught up in the book and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s like I'm stuck in a net and I can’t get out. Just not knowing what is going to happen next made me anxious to read more. I didn’t want to read this book at first but when I started to read, I loved it! The book wasn’t boring like I thought it would be.

This book was the first and only book I ever finished in my life. You got to read this book and tell me what you think about it. Do you think you’ll like it as much as I do?

The craziest thing someone told me vol. 2

The craziest thing somebody ever told me was that
they loved me.

I thought it was true, but when my
heart turned ice blue; I realized I had the love flu.
It was hard to trust, but I made my way through,

When a boy came in my life and caught my heart
before my eyes.
Surprised, he felt the same, and relieved my pain.

His love is a gift, sent from Heaven to me [an angel I
See] that loves and cares, his body he doesn’t
share.

He understands me and the way I feel. He recognizes that I’m the real deal.

Nobody’s like me, I can love without the games.

That’s why in the end, were going to be together,
doing what we gotta do to make this love last forever.

My favorite book... Vol, 1

My favorite book that I ever read was Jason and Kyra. It is my favorite book because it’s a story about a guy who is a football player. He falls in love with this lame geeky girl and breaks up with his popular girlfriend.

The book made me feel very emotional and sad because it’s like a fairytale and I wish I had a fairytale like that. It also reminded me of a past relationship I had before it went wrong.

If my life was a fairytale, things would be different. First of all I would be a little skinnier but with a big butt because big butts are sexy. I would also be rich. I would buy myself a car and it would be the best ever because it would be painted bright candy red with 26” rims and I would call her Fye Redd. I would drive Fye Redd into my playboy mansion and I would invite all the rappers, and my man, and we would all play monopoly and gamble.

When I get older I will probably have my car, but I don’t think the mansion and the rappers WILL EVER HAPPEN!!!!

My best memory from elementary school...

The best memory from elementary was nothing. Why? I kept switching schools. I’ve been to every school in --------- county. Charter, magnet, and private... I been to them all!

So let me tell you about a great memory from when I was young. It was at my tenth birthday party. It was great because my grandfather came. He was my only grandpa. He was used to dye his hair black to stay young and he made us laugh. I was his favorite grandchild. He loved me so much. We would always walk to the store together and we would hold hands and talk about school and how we both were doing.

At the party, I spent most of the time hanging out with the other kids, but when I had the time I would always sit with him. It’s kind of hard to remember what happened at the party because it was five years ago. But I do remember when he tired to sing happy birthday and I believe that made my day. It was so funny because he sang it in Creole and it was so cute.

My grandfather passed a way on Dec.26 2007.

I will always remember him …… R.I.P C.L. You are loved always!

New beginnings

Today is a new beginning, new curriculum, new semester, new school year. The question on the board is “Do I like the new beginning?”

Yes, I personally do like the new beginning thing because you can start out fresh and new. I was asked another question and it was “How can you make this new school year better than the last?” I’m going to focus on my school work and not come to school bringing drama like I used to. I’m also going to respect my teachers more.

I believe in having faith and if I put my mind to doing good in school, that is what I’m going to do. Life is too short to waste time. At my age, education is a must and I have to spend most of my time in school. My mom died wanting to be a teacher. I know she loved school. That is another reason I’m going to stay on task in school at all times. I’m going to look forward to going to school because it is actually a privilege to be able to go to school. I know my life depends on how far I go with my education.

Is there a place you call a second home? Vol. 1

Note: This entry references The Freedom Writer's Diary an inspiring book written by teenagers in situations very similar to our own and their reading teacher Erin Gruwell.

I had a place like a second home a while ago when I was a freshman. I used to fight with my step-dad a lot. He African-American, built like a pro-boxer, smokes blacks, drinks when he can’t handle anything, but worst of all he’s a drug-addict.

My mom is a gorgeous woman with short brown wavy hair and beautiful brown eyes. She’s also the strongest, most adventurous person I know. She’s a Christian woman who gave anyone a chance no matter what they looked like or where they came from. This included her drug-addict of a husband. My mom met him at our old church: ----------. When he started dating my mom, he was nice and took care of my family as if we were his, until they got married. Then he was always yelling at me and my little brother when things didn’t go his way. I only took his accusations and drama because my mother loved him.

My mom thought she could help him with his drug problem, which she knew about since they were dating. My mom and I began to grow distant as he tore our family apart. When we fought, I’d leave and just go to my second home, to my second mother who didn’t have a horrible drug-addict of a husband. She’s as gorgeous as my mother is in her own way. She had long blond hair, pretty brown eyes, and the patience of a fisherman. I was dating her son. We both loved each other at the time. He had shoulder length black hair with brown eyes, and he was a senior at ----------- high school.His mother always welcomed me with open arms.

Now my mom and I have the best relationship ever: she’s divorcing my step-dad. I still talk to my second mom from time to time. Her son is now studying to be a firefighter just like his god father. I understand how it feels to have people judge you just because of what you look like or where you come from. I may not know how it felt when the Freedom Writers went through what they did, but just like my second home was a place away from my problems, Ms.Gruwell's class was there second home away from home.

The Craziest Thing I Ever Heard... Vol. 1

I heard the craziest story the other day. My friend Jennifer, told me about the time she and her boyfriend were playing in the rain.

I guess they were bored.

She was sick the next day and she thought it was because of the rain. She thought being sick caused her period to come.

Later, she had to go to work. She worked at a place where she loaded up boxes. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in the stomach. Her body started pushing. Soon after she saw a baby in the toilet.

The people she worked with called an ambulance. The baby was red. Jennifer was crying. My friend didn't realize she had been pregnant the whole time. The baby was 8 pounds 6 ounces .

Now, the baby is okay. She’s crawling around and my friend Jennifer has learned how to be a teen mom.