discreet

I found this image and thought it was perfect for the word discreet. Discreet literally (lol) means secretive, subtle and/or sly. Either he's doing something discreet or something discreet happened to him, but either way this crtoon absolutley works!

subtle

This was an example in class but I thought it was genius so I'm using it. Where's Waldo is a perfect example of subtle because he's so small and barely noticeable. If you didn't know what the book was about you wouldn't even know you were looking for a man in a red and white striped shirt amongst all the cacaphony. (like that word mr.ross?)

forte

All right. I put a picture of sports for "forte" because my forte is sports. I'm very athletic and I love to play. I work hard to improve, and I always have fun getting sweaty and dirty...and pushing people down and getting yellowcards which I did once. :) Sports (soccer, volleyball and softball) are my strength and that's the one thing that I can put myself out there and thrive.

The Rat...Dun Dun Duuuuun

we did another response to a picture today only this one was of "littl-people". this artist makes little, and when i say little i mean VERY little people and scenes. to see these wonderful works of art go to littlepeople.blogspot.com. here's my response to "The Rat" picture:
"Which way did he go? Where is the monster?" Marshall the officer whispered. "I think he went down that way. Yeah, do you hear that?" the other officer Freddy replied. The two officers listened in silence as the echo of squeak squeak squeak filled the hallway and the scampering of big feet drowned out. "Let's go!" Freddy said in a hushed tone and ran after the beast. When he realized Marshall wasn't following him, he turned around. "Aren't you coming? We got to get this thing and destroy it before it destroys us!" Marshall answered, "Freddy, I don't know. It's so big, I mean, we'll probably die trying to kill it." The two colleagues just stared at each other for a couple moments. "Well," Freddy began," I'm going. This creature needs to be stopped once and for all." With that, he turned on his heel and ran down the almost black corridor. Marshall waited for what he himself had no idea. "Freddy? Freddy?" he whisper-yelled pretty much to himself. Footsteps. Marshall swirled around but only darkness greeted him. "Hello?" "BOO!" "AHHHHH!" Marshall let out a high-pitched scream and curled up in a ball on the ground. Freddy was laughing so hard he had tears running down his cheeks. "Fred that wasn't funny. You know I'm afraid of the dark!" "Sorry man, I couldn't resist. Anyway, come on Marshall. I found the monster; it is just around the corner. We'll be heroes when we kill it. And...I need another man. It is too big for just me." Freddy held out his hand. Marshall looked at it for a long time and then took it. The men rushed down the corridor to a big, bright open room. Marshall and Freddy had to adjust to the sudden light but then they saw... a long pink tail? "Freddy are you sure that's it?" "Of course that's it, that's the colprit. But listen, whatver happens, we're heroes." The two men slowly walked into the room never taking their eyes off the beast. When they got so close they were an arm's length away they held up thier guns. " You, you better get out of there. Our guns are loaded. We'll shoot." Freddy managed to speak. Nothing. "Stop whatever you're doing and put your hands where I can see them!" Marshall, from out of no where started up. The monster wriggled out of the box and faced the officers. They gasped and hugged each other. Then, it ran off and left them there. They stared in disbelief. "Now we have to go find it again." Freddy whined as they reagined thier balance. Then the house got light. "We're home!" The little officers turned white and fled for thier lives.

The Yellow-Turbaned Bandit

in mr.ross's class, we're doing a photography portfolio full of photography (who woulda known?) and creative writing on different pieces of photography. this is a poem i wrote about a piece of photography today:

Where he came from no one knows
but everyday he goes and goes
pillages towns and terrorizes people
and isn't afraid of anything

He fights like a ninja
Rides like the wind
on his dog, his best and only friend
The government is after him, the CIA too
but he always escapes, every time

Bullets won't stop him
or storms or hunger
as long as he finds a village to plunder
Whenever he comes near, everyone runs in absolute fear

I advise you poor soul who has no idea
about The Yellow-Turbaned Bandit
Never brave it and try to fight him
or a painful death you will get

E:prompt

To read the story I'm responding to, go to http://www.ross-ed.org/ and find the post "Thomson's Violin".

It would be really difficult for me to stay in a bed for 9 months straight, I don't know if I could stand it. I don't care if I could watch TV all day, or not go to school; I would literally go insane without running around, getting fresh air or just going outside. I would suffocate being in the same room all day, everyday for 9 months. That's about 250 days! Oh man would that be torture! But, if I didn't help out my musician, it would haunt me for the rest of my life and I wouldn't be able to live with myself, knowing that I just killed them. If you think about it, it's technically murder. I think it would be awesome to be able to talk with my musician and maybe even form a friendship, and then maybe I'd get free tickets every once in a while, or be able to borrow clothes. I wouldn't save her life for the glory or the benefits. First of all, I wouldn't be able to live without her music. I love it and I listen to it almost everyday. Also, she's a believer in Christ, and that's really important. If she wasn't a Christian I wouldn't save her because she wouldn't be saved anyway, but since she is... I also know that that's what Jesus would do, save her. He saved all our lives when He died on the cross and since He made that huge sacrifice for me, I would be willing, but reluctant, to make that sacrifice for someone else. After all of these pros and cons of helping, I know I would. It would be difficult, and I would vacillate about quitting half way through, but I'd push through and then my life would be that much better. This is definatley a hard question and one I hope I never have to face, and this is my answer for now; I don't know what I'd do in the future. I hope this would be my decision then too, but I'll probably never know.

Dungeons and Dragons and Death, oh my!

I am truly sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine what you're going through. I would be devestated if I lost anyone from my family ( I am not old enough to have children). There are some fallacies in the "warning" you left about Dungeons&Dragons however. After knowing your son so well, the books you don't recognize are obviously at fault. How could anyone think any differently? But, don't you think that a book that he reads the most would be the problem; the one(s) he's most interested in? That's what I would think. And just because they're "towards the top" doesn't mean they're anymore significant than the very bottom one. Come one, let's be the least bit reasonable. But then again, I wouldn't be writing this comment if the post you posted was reasonable.
I do not and refuse to believe a computer game killed your son. I know some people get too addicted to the computer, I have a friend who is on 24/7 but she's perfectly fine and absolutley not dead. Maybe something else was going on in your son's life that he didn't tell you, that you didn't know about. Oh, but how could he not tell you every second of his day, every event of his life? How could you not have figured it out? Kids (me being one) can keep secrets when they want to. He could've been depressed, or maybe you didn't listen to him and pay attention to him. You did say that you knew "everything" about Billy, but did you? Did he think you knew "everything" about him? Being a kid can be difficult and maybe you just weren't being empathetic. I think the reason you blamed the game was because you couldn't stand to blame yourself for killing something that you loved so much.
Read these quotes that you wrote and actually listen to what you said. I think the "possible warning signs" really made me angry (I'm only going to go through 1 and 2): 1) "Does your child spend an excessive amount of time with friends inside unsupervised?" You know, some people don't like going outside, or have bad allergies. How could you say that someone has issues with D&D if they spend a lot of time inside? That's absolutley ridiculous! Sometimes I stay inside for a long time instead of going outside, but I don't play that game. I mean seriously! 2) "Does he question the rules and commands you lay down as a parent?" Every child at one time or another don't listen to their parents, it's normal. Sometimes i don't listen to my parents, but I'm still alive. None of this really makes sense, if you really read it. I have to be honest, it sounds stupid. I'm sorry, but it really does.
Then the "counter-arguments to retorts your child may have" (I'm only going to go one): " But Dungeons helps me develop an imagination." Maybe this really is true, but you're just brushing this possibility away like it's nothing. Then you go on to say that excessive amounts of imagination is bad, and it helps to create independent thinking. Are you hearing yourself? Oh no, my child can think for themselves! They think differently and question their friends and sometimes me! Whatever shall I do? How dumb! I think everyone should be an independent thinker, everything would be more interesting. You were probably still despondent when you wrote that, but honestly. This is a big pile of bologna!
I hope you've realized the foolishness of that post, and have seen how Dungeons&Dragons probably wasn't the problem.
Have a nice day!
Aubrea
Here is the website (can't think of the word right now) for that post this comment is for. Please take the time to read it, it's very interesting!
www.adequacy.org/stories/2001.8.1.165438.1158.html

My book review: Carpe Diem

Vassar Spore had her whole life planned out for her: 5.3 GPA, Valadictorian of Seattle School of Academic Excellence, and get a ph.D from Vassar. As her mother being a life coach and extreme planner, why not start with her daughter, right? Vassar is in every AP and AAP she can be in as a Sophmore, and it's not because she's great at school, it's because she plans right, and is prepared for anything. Her life was going just the way she wanted...until the phone call. Vassar has never seen her grandmother before but her sixteenth birthday present form her is an expense-free trek through Malaysia. But, this trip is over the summer, and practically all summer, interfereing with her academic career, which means maybe dropping her 5.3 GPA and ultimatley losing her title of Valedictorian. Will Vassar take this "trip of a lifetime" with a woman she's never laid eyes on? Is it worth enough to maybe give up her life goals? Follow Vassar through a summer she thought she'd never have, filled with adventure, difficulty, learning about herself, romance, a secret bigger than the Empire State Building, and having to Live in the Moment.

The way Autumn Cornwell writes this novel is intriguing. She writes so any reader can see, smell, taste, hear, and touch what is going on; I felt like I was in the story, with the protagonist in every minute of her day. I can also connect with Vassar because she faces obstacles that any teenage girl( or really any person in high school) in high school will/ have had to face. I learned a couple facts about Malaysia too. I wouldn't recommend this story for men because I don't think after reading it I'd read it if I were a guy, but it is a great story of perseverence, determination, finding out who you truly are, and being able to walk outside the circle.

SLC...

I'm a 95/100 (100 being a perfect student). I think I am that number in all my classes as well. I am very responsible and care about school and grades...I actually enjoy school. I turn my assignments in on time and to the best of my ability...most of the time. Sometimes things come up and I can't do my assignment the best I can, or I forget. I'm human, what can I say? For the most part though, I don't procrastinate(if I do, I get totally stressed out) and I do everything I'm asked to do. I also study for tests and quizzes. Sometimes I don't study as much as I'm supposed to, so my grade doesn't turn out that great, but that hasn't happened yet this year. I cram sometimes too, but juggling school, sports and family activities can be tough, so I'm working on diligently using my time in class, and then at home; I'm trying to prioritize a little better. I'm almost always heard in class giving my opinion on a story or a movie, or sharing something that I wrote. Speaking in front of the class really isn't that difficult for me. When working on a school project with a group (or without), I always do what I'm supposed to do. It's frustrating to come to school and find that I worked hard and did what I was supposed to do, but someone else didn't. Then, I hear,"Why didn't you call or email?" from a teacher or from them, and I knowI tried, but I just couldn't reach them. Overall, I take my work seriously and put my best effort into all it.

I don't do so well when I don't know the final product or what the final outcome will be. For me, it's like being enveloped in fog where you can't see your hand right in front of your face, and you get claustrophobic. I also don't ask many questions when I don't get something(particularly in math). I don't know why, I just worry more about that my peers will think I'm stupid rather than making sure I understand what is going on. That's something that really bothers me about myself. I know I need to, but I can't think of a good question to ask, or I don't want to come across as dumb not being able to understand something that is easy, per se. That is another thing I'm trying to overcome.

When school started, finally, in September I was ready for anything. The Summer Bridge made me excited to start the year. It did take me a while to adjust to the teaching style though. Going from a school that I was given structure in everything and I wasn't given hardly any choices to a school where the teachers ask me what I think about almost everything and I'm given basically all choices really struck me. I didn't get that memo at Bridge. I didn't know what to make of it at first and it was hard for me to open up and give my honest opinion. I've been able to get to know myself a little bit more now from that, and I'm not really afraid to share what's on my mind. I have to admit, sometimes it still is hard because I don't know what my peers will think.

At the end of the year I want to be an intelligent renegade that's not afraid to speak up and go her own way. I want to fully be able to voice my opinion and to think in a more logical, different, more creative way, and that's what I'm learning and I love it! A goal of mine is to get straight A's both semesters this year. I've gotten straight A's pretty much my whole life and I don't want to back down now. That's something I'm not: a quitter.

I've also gotten to interact with a whole bunch of people of all different races and work ethics. It's been an awesome experience to see how other cultures and parts of the world differ from mine. It is frustrating though when someone else's knowledge level maybe isn't as high or is higher then mine. I also love that our school is so tight. We are a small school so it's easier, but at the high school I was going to go to, I would never get this experience.

I also thrive when I'm challenged, and I've gotten nothing but challenge here...especially with my humanities teacher mr.ross. He forces me to be creative and he forces me to do things my own way, and it's really made me stronger.

I am a good student and I'm going to push myself to continue to be that way. I know if I keep working the way I'm working and acting the way I'm acting, I'll get to where I want to be...with my teachers' help of course!

The Box with Legs

"Who is that weirdo new kid?" Amanda asked Lindsey as the two snickered past. "I can't even tell if it's a boy or a girl," Lindsey answered back. The two girls giggled their way past the "new kid" to class. "Good morning class. How is everyone today?" The usual, grunt, snore, and silence filled the room. "Please, don't all answer at once." "No one even answered you," a very confused Courtney replied. "It's a figure of speech Courtney. Anyway, I hope you all haven't forgotten about the exam today-" Mrs.Schultz was cut off by the groans that rumbled through the classroom. "Ahem! Before the test however, I have a very important announcement: we have a new student!" All the kids turned their heads simultaneously toward the door. Nothing happened for a very long minute. Then, a box with legs and holes for the eyes entered the room. The class whisper-laughed and looked at each other incrediculously. "Class!" she exclaimed, and glared at her students. "He is from, is from, I'm sorry, where did you say you were from?" Not even the slightest breath could be heard from this box with legs. "Alright, well welcome to our class! Why don't you go and sit in the back there." The Box with Legs didn't move. "Uh, sweetie, there's a seat in the back for you right back there." The Box with Legs, or It as the kids called him, turned around and left the classroom. There was a metamorphosis in the room after the Box with Legs left.
"Hello, my name is Gloria Prince and I am the gaurdian of your new student. I am very sorry of the position I have put you in. You see, I don't know what gender It is, where It comes from, or what It's doing. Since I can't communicate with It, there's nothing I can do. I found It all alone on the park bench and I couldn't just let It sit there. Please ignore It and go about your day as you normally do. It does make noise because It thinks It's on Mars... I only know this because It draws pictures and pictures of that planet. That's all It does. I am sorry for any inconvienience I have put you or you classes in. Gloria Prince"
That was the message that was left on Mrs. Schultz's school line answering machine after school that day.
"So, how was school today Amanda?" Amanda's mom asked her at dinner. "Oh just the normal non-stop talking from the teachers, endless amounts of work, and major teenage drama. Oh yeah, we got a new student too. It's a total weirdo. It doesn't talk and It walks around with a box on Its head." Amanda snickered and slurped up some spaghetti. "Be nice Amanda. It's very hard to be the new kid. Since your grandfather's job required a lot of moving, I had a new school twice a year. It's very tough. Why do you call he or she 'It'?" her mother inquired. "It doesn't have a name. The teachers can't even make It talk. It wanders around the halls during class and makes weird noises." Amanda had a drink. "Does anyone else talk to him or her?" "Mom, It's weird and makes people feel uncomfortable. I don't want to go near It, It's creepy." "Before you can be excused I want you to say hi to him or her tomorrow. Strike up a convorsation. Amanda, you better be nice!" With that, Amanda got up, did her quotidian night stuff, and went to bed. As much as she wanted to go to sleep, Amanda couldn't keep her mind off It. When she finally fell asleep, she had the strangest dream: her friends and family were in it and they were all wearing boxes. It looked like they were on Mars. Amanda, her mom, everyone was there. There was none guy though that wasn't wearing a box, and Amanda couldn't tell who he was. He was tall, thin, and weraing sunglasses. "Excuse me, who are you?" Amanda asked puzzled that he was the only one not wearing a box. The guy turned. "My name is Luke. Why are you wearing box?" "i actually don't know. Wait, wait, wait, why aren't you wearing a box?" "I'm new here." That's all he said, and then he walked away. Then, it hit her: The guy without the box was It, Luke!
All of a sudden it was light, Amanda was in her own bed and she wasn't wearing a box. Amanda couldn't believe her dream. As she was about to leave for school, Amanda's mom called from the kitchen, "Be nice!!" She thought about it for a second then said, "Yeah, I think I will." :)
Tributes of this picture go to Ephraim Ross; he is the owner of this picture. To reach him, go to www.ross-ed.org to visit his blog and see how amazing he is. I only used the picture for you to see what I had to base my story on. I hope it worked! Drop me a comment in the box below to let me know what you thought!