Trip to St.Louis (Part 2)

We went out of the movie theater and walked to our car. My family and I got in, and we drove 20 minutes to a restaurant called LuLu’s. The food there was pretty good, and they had my favorite, Egg Drop Soup. When we left with full bellies, we drove back to the hotel. When we got there, we went up to our room, and got ready for bed. That night, I slept pretty well. The next day, we got up and walked back to the visitor center. They weren’t open yet, so my brother and I played around for a bit. When they opened, we were the 3rd family to go in. We got inside and went to the tram entrance. A recorded voice told us to go to the bathroom, because there weren’t any at the top of the arch. My mom made everybody go, then we waited in line. It took about 5 minutes, then we got to walk to the door in front of the tram. The door was about one and a half to two feet wide, and four feet tall. When we were allowed to go in the tram, I was surprised, because I had been to the top before when I was like 6 and I thought the car was a lot bigger. My dad said that was because I was a lot smaller then, and I agreed. The ride up took about 5 to 10 minutes and the car was slightly shaky the whole time. I looked out the little window and saw stairs inside the arch. When we got to the top, I was stunned by the view. It was scary and breath-taking. I have a couple of pictures on my mom’s Iphone. We stayed up there for about 10-20 minutes, then went back down.

Trip to St. Louis (Part 1)

Last week, I went to St. Louis for the weekend. (Actually, just Sunday and Monday.) My family and I went to the top of the arch, saw the old courthouse where a famous case took place, and overall, had a great time. On the first day, we got to our hotel and stayed for about half an hour. The room was nice, with two beds, a closet, a bathroom, and a window that sadly, had no balcony. It was very scary to look out of the window at the ground below. We were on the 26th floor, and saw the arch out the window. My mom used my Ipad to try and find a restaurant for us to eat dinner at. This took a very long time, probably an hour. When we left, we walked the short distance to the visitor center at the arch. Just as we got there, a man put up a sign that said “Journey to the top: Sold out.” We went inside anyway, and my mom went to the desk and bought tickets for the next day. They came with a movie, but it wasn’t until another hour or sometime like that, so we looked around in the museum. I took lots of pictures, and then I wanted to go, so we went to see the movie. It was all about the arch’s construction. They showed workers building it with cranes, and it was really scary , watching men do this, when if you slip, you fall and die. There was a voice, (You know the movies with the person telling you about stuff) and it was explaining things, although he didn’t say anything about slip fall die. Anyway, when they got to about 400 feet, they had to put a rectangular structure connecting the two legs together, because if they started building in, the arch would collapse. You probably want to know how they built it up the 400 feet anyway. Well, they put something like train tracks up the arch, but it was for cranes, so that’s how they got it up. You know how workers got up there? They climbed up ladders at first, but when it got really high, they had to ride a platform up to the top. Just before the last piece was being lifted up, they needed to wet the arch, baecause it was hot, and the arch was starting to do something. (I forgot.) They used something to gently widen the space where the last piece was to go, because it was too narrow. Then they got it in, and the arch was completed. By the way, they fused the pieces together to keep the arch together. Then the movie was over.

Many Moons – by James Thurber

Many Moons

James Thurber

Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there lived a little princess named Lenore. She was ten years old, going on eleven.

One day Lenore fell ill of a surfeit of raspberry tarts and took to her bed. The Royal Physician came to see her and took her temperature and felt her pulse and made her stick out her tongue. The Royal Physician was worried. He sent for the king, Lenore’s father, and the king came to see her. “I will get you anything your heart desires,” the king said. “Is there anything your heart desires?” “Yes,” said the princess. “I want the moon, if I can have the moon, I will be well again.”

Now the king had a great many wise men who always got for him anything he wanted so he told his daughter that she could have the moon. Then he went to the throne room and pulled a bell cord, three long pulls and a short pull, and presently the Lord High Chamberlain came into the room.

The Lord High Chamberlain was a large, fat man who wore thick glasses which made his eyes seem twice as big as they really were. This made the Lord High Chamberlain seem twice as wise as he really was.

“I want the moon,” said the king. “Princess Lenore wants the moon. If she can have the moon, she will get well again.”

“The moon?” exclaimed the Lord High Chamberlain, his eyes widening. This made him look four times as wise as he really was. “Yes, the moon,” said the king. “M-o-o-n, moon. Get it tonight, tomorrow at the latest.”

The Lord High Chamberlain wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and then blew his nose loudly. “I have got a great many things for you in my time, your majesty,” he said. “It just happens that I have with me a list of the things I have got for you in my time.” He pulled a long scroll of parchment out of his pocket. “Let me see, now.” he glanced at the list, frowning. “I have got ivory, apes, and peacocks, rubies, opals, and emeralds, black orchids, pink elephants, and blue poodles, gold bugs, scarabs, and flies in amber, hummingbirds’ tongues, angels’ feathers, and unicorns’ horns, giants, midgets, and mermaids, frankincense, ambergris, and myrrh, troubadors, minstrels, and dancing women, a pound of butter, two dozen eggs, and a sack of sugar – sorry, my wife wrote that in there.”

“I don’t remember any blue poodles,” said the king. “It says blue poodles right here on the list, and they are checked off with a little check mark,” said the Lord High Chamberlain. “so there must have been blue poodles. You just forgot.”

“Never mind the poodles,” said the king. “What I want now is the moon.”

“I have sent as far Samarkand and Araby and Zanzibar to get things for you, your majesty,” said the Lord High Chamberlain. “But the moon is out of the question. It is 35,000 miles away and it is bigger than the room the princess lies in. Furthermore, it is made of molten copper. I cannot get the moon for you. Blue poodles, yes; the moon, no.”

The king flew into a rage and told the Lord High Chamberlain to leave the room and to send the Royal Wizard to the throne room.

The Royal Wizard was a little, thin man with a long face. He wore a high red peaked hat coverted with silver stars, and a long blue robe covered with golden owls. His face grew very pale when the king told him that he wanted the moon for his little daughter, and that he expected the Royal Wizard to get it.

“I have worked a great deal of magic for you in my time, your majesty,” said the Royal Wizard. “As a matter of fact, I just happen to have in my pocket a list of the wizardries I have performed for you.” He drew a paper from a deep pocket of his robe. “It begins: `Dear Royal Wizard: I am returning herewith the so-called philosopher’s stone which you claimed-‘ No, that isn’t it.” The royal wizard brought a long scroll of parchment from another pocket of his robe.

“Here it is,” he said. “Now, let’s see. I have squeezed blood out of turnips for you, and turnips out of blood. I have produced rabbits out of silk hats, and silk hats out of rabbits. I have conjured up flowers, tambourines and doves. I have brought you divining rods, magic wands, and crystal spheres in which to behold the future. I have compounded philtres, unguents, and potions, to cure heartbreak, surfeit, and ringing in the ears. I have made you my own special mixture of wolfbane, nightshade, and eagles’ tears, to ward off witches, demons, and things that go bump in the night. I have given you seven league boots, the golden touch, and a cloak of invisibility-”

“It didn’t work,” said the king. “The cloak of invisibility didn’t work.” “Yes it did,” said the Royal Wizard. “No, it didn’t,” said the king. “I kept bumping into things, the same as ever.”

“The cloak of invisibility is supposed to make you invisible,” said the Royal Wizard. “It is not supposed to keep you from bumping into things.” “All I know is, I kept bumping into things,” said the king. The Royal Wizard looked at his list again. “I got you,” he said, “horns from elfland, sand from the sandman, and gold from the rainbow. Also a spool of thread, a paper of needles, and a lump of beeswax – sorry, those are things my wife wrote down for me to get her.”

“What I want you to do now,” said the king, “is to get me the moon. Princess Lenore wants the moon, and when she gets it, she will be well again.” “Nobody can get the moon,” said the Royal Wizard. “It is 150,000 miles away, and it is made of green cheese, and it is twice as big as the palace.”

The king flew into another rage and sent the Royal Wizard back to his cave. Then he rang a gong and summonded the Royal Mathematician.

The Royal Mathematician was a bald-headed, nearsighted man, with a skullcap on his head and a pencil behind each ear. He wore a black suit with white numbers on it.

“I don’t want to hear a long list of all the things you have figured out for me since 1907,” the king said to him. “I want you to figure out how to get the moon for princess Lenore. When she gets the moon, she will be well again.”

“I am glad you mentioned all the things I have figured out for you since 1907,” said the Royal Mathematician. “It so happens I have a list of them with me.” He pulled a long scroll of parchment out of a pocket and looked at it. “I have figured out for you the distance between the horns of a dilemma, night and day, and A and Z. I have computed how far is up, how long it takes to get to away, and what becomes of gone. I have discovered the length of the sea serpent, the price of the priceless, and the square of the hippopotamus. I know where you are when you are at sixes and sevens, how much is you have to have to make an are, and how many birds you can catch with the salt in the ocean- 187,796,132, if it would interest you to know.” “There aren’t that many birds,” said the king. “I didn’t say there were,” said the Royal Mathematician. “I said if there were.” “I don’t want to hear about seven hundred million imaginary birds,” said the king. “I want you to get the moon for princess Lenore.” “The moon is 300,000 miles away,” said the Royal Mathematician. “It is round and flat like a coin, only it is made of asbestos, and it is half the size of this kingdom. Furthermore, it is pasted on the sky. Nobody can get the moon.”

The king flew into still another rage and sent the Royal Mathematician away. Then he rang for the court jester. The jester came bounding into the throne room in his motley and his cap and bells, and sat at the foot of the throne.

“What can I do for you, your majesty?” asked the court jester. “Nobody can do anything for me,” said the king mournfully. “Princess Lenore wants the moon, and she cannot be well till she gets it, but nobody can get it for her. Every time I ask anybody for the moon, it gets larger and farther away. There is nothing you can do for me except play on your lute. Something sad.”

“How big do they say it is,” asked the court jester, “and how far away?” “The Lord High Chamberlain says it is 35,000 miles away, and bigger than princess Lenore’s room,” said the king. “The Royal Wizard says it is 150,000 miles away, and twice as big as this palace. The Royal Mathematician says it is 300,000 miles away and half the size of this kingdom.”

The court jester strummed on his lute for a little while. “They are all wise men,” he said, “and so they must all be right. If they are all right, then the moon must be just as large and as far away as each person thinks it is. The thing to do is find out how big princess Lenore thinks it is, and how far away.” “I never thought of that,” said the king. “I will go to her, your majesty,” said the court jester.

And he crept softly into the little girl’s room. Princess Lenore was awake, and she was glad to see the court jester, but her face was very pale and her voice very weak. “Have you brought the moon to me?” she asked. “Not yet,” said the court jester, “but I will get it for you right away. How big do you think it is?”

“It is a little smaller than my thumbnail,” she said, “for when I hold my thumbnail up at the moon, it covers it.”

“And how far away is it?” asked the court jester. “It is not as high as the big tree outside my window,” said the princess, “for sometimes it gets caught in the top branches.” “It will be very easy to get the moon for you,” said the court jester. “I will climb the tree tonight when it gets caught in the top branches and bring it to you.” Then he thought of something else. “What is the moon made of, princess?” he asked. “Oh, ” she said, “it’s made of gold, of course, silly.” The court jester left princess Lenore’s room and went to see the Royal Goldsmith he had the Royal Goldsmith make a tiny round oon just a little smaller than the thumbnail of princess Lenore. Then he had him string it on a golden chain so the princess could wear it around her neck. “What is this thing I have made?” asked the Royal Goldsmith when he was finished with it. “You have made the moon,” said the court jester. “that is the moon.” “But the moon,” said the Royal Goldsmith, “is 500,000 miles away and is made of bronze and is round like a marble.” “That’s what you think,” said the court jester as he went away with the moon. The court jester took the moon to princess Lenore, and she was overjoyed. The next day she was well again and could get up and go out in the gardens to play. But the king’s worries were not yet over. He knew that the moon would shine in the sky again that night, and he did not want the princess Lenore to see it. If she did, she would know that the moon she wore on a chain around her neck was not the real moon. So the king sent for the lord high chamberlain and said, “we must keep princess Lenore from seeing the moon when it shines in the sky tonight. Think of something.” The Lord High chamberlain tapped his forehead with his fingers thoughtfully and said, “I know just the thing. We can make some dark glasses for the princess lenore. We can make them so dark that she will not be able to see the moon when it shines in the sky.” This made the king very angry, and he shook his head from side to side. “If she wore dark glasses, she would bump into things,” he said, “and then she would be ill again.” So he sent the Lord High Chamberlain away and called the Royal Wizard. “We must hide the moon,” said the king, “so princess Lenore will not see it when it shines in the sky tonight. How are we going to do that?” The Royal Wizard stood on his hands and then he stood on his head and then he stood on his feet again. “I know what we can do,” he said. “We can stretch some black velvet curtains on poles. The curtains will cover all the palace gardens like a circus tent, and the princess lenore will not be able to see through them, so she will not see the moon in the sky.” The king was so angry at this that he waved his arms around. “Black velvet curtains would keep out the air,” he said. “Princess Lenore would not be able to breathe, and she would be ill again.” So he sent the Royal Wizard away and summoned the Royal Mathematicain. “We must do something,” said the king, “so princess Lenore will not see the moon when it shines in the sky tonight. If you know so much, figure out a way to do that.” The Royal Mathematician walked around in a circle, and then he walked around in a square, and then he stood still. “I have it!” he said. “We can set off fireworks in the gardens every night. We will make a lot of silver fountains and gold cascades, and when they go off, they will fill the sky with so many sparks that it will be as light as day and princess Lenore will not be able to see the moon.” The king flew into such a rage that he began jumping up and down. “Fireworks would keep princess Lenore awake,” he said. “She would not get any sleep at all and she would be ill again.” So the king sent the Royal Mathematician away. When he looked up again, it was dark outside and he saw the bright rim of the moon just peeping over the horizon. He jumped up in a great fright and rang for the court jester. The court jester came bounding into the room and sat down at the foot of the throne. “What can I do for you, your majesty?” he asked. “Nobody can do anything for me,” said the king, mournfully. “the moon is coming up again. It will shine into princess Lenore’s bedroom, and she will know it is still in the sky and that she does not wear it on a golden chain around her neck. Play me something on your lute, something very sad, for when the princess sees the moon, she will be ill again.” The court jester strummed on his lute. “What do your wise men say?” he asked. “They can think of no way to hide the moon that will not make princess Lenore ill,” said the king. The court jester played another song, very softly. “Your wise men know everything,” he said, “and if they cannot hide the moon, then it cannot be hidden.” The king put his head in his hands again and sighed. Suddenly he jumped from his throne and pointed to the windows. “Look!” he cried. “The moon is already shining in the princess Lenore’s bedroom. Who can explain how the moon can be shining in the sky when it is hanging on a golden chain around her neck?” The court jester stopped playing on his lute. “Who could explain how to get the moon when your wise men said it was too large and too far away? It was princess Lenore. Therefore princess Lenore is wiser than your wise men and knows more about the moon than they do. So I will ask her.” And before the king could stop him, the court jester slipped quietly out of the throne room and up the wide marble staircase to princess Lenore’s bedroom. The princess was lying in bed, but she was wide awake and she was looking out the window at the moon shining in the sky. Shining in her had was the moon the court jester had got for her. He looked very sad, and there seemed to be tears in his eyes. “Tell me, princess lenore,” he said mournfully, “how can the moon be shining in the sky when it is hanging on a golden chain around your neck?” The princess looked at him and laughed. “that is easy, silly, ” she said. “when I lose a tooth, a new one grows in its place, doesn’t it?” “Of course,” said the court jester. “And when the unicorn loses his horn in the forest, a new one grows in the middle of his forehead.” “That is right,” said the princess. “And when the Royal Gardener cuts the flowers in the garden, other flowers come back to take their place.” “I should have thought of that,” said the court jester, “for it is the same way with the daylight.” “And it is the same way with the moon,” said princess Lenore. “I guess it is the same way with everything.” Her voice became very low and faded away, and the court jester saw that she was asleep. Gently he tucked the covers around the sleeping princess. But before her left the room, he went over to the window and winked at the moon, for it seemed to the court jester that the moon had winked at him.

part2 There Are Reasons for my Treasons

I had done it. I had run away. There was no turning back, but even if I did, my stupid foster family wouldn’t want me. I had sworm to my blood, slit my arm to seal the note. I didnt know what I was really called. I had always despised the name Silivia.With that hiss, every time I was called I knew it wasn’t good so I gave myself a name. Dew Cresent. That was my mother’s maiden name. And I was going to find my brother, confront him, and make him pay for our mother’s seperation, so I went to my sister, only seven years younger, at the age of eight, she had understood everything. She had understood that Stef had slashed our mother. But he had a reason for that. She was drugs, and couldn’t stop. Stef got frustrated and did it. Right infront of me, when I was nine, holding Baby Misty, both crying. Stef was a fourteen years old high school graduate. And he had him self drop out.

“Mother never loved us. She loved those icky white pills.” Misty said.

Darragh Heights, South Carolina. Cupcake Cliff on Raliegh Beach. 9:52 am

March 7

We finally met our stop point. I should’ve mentioned that we were walkin all the way to Stafford League Rugby team in New York. We had a Native friend of the Roanoke tribe of indians. You could say she had nothing, but she was rich with supplies; soil, fish, wild goose, red currants, and kelp. Her name was Melakn’oe yu, or Melanie.

“You make good choise, eh? Make brother sorry like he make mother gone. I show you violence not right answer. See, when there are person kill or hurt by other in tribe, we forgive, but we keep bad memory in mind. So if bad person do again, we banish. However this cause war in tribe. Only I and my elk live.” Melakn’ oe Yu said in uncouth english.

Sarah’s Adventure Part 2

Part 2

               This new castle is horrible! The only thing I can do really is sit in my room all day. As I petting my kitten Cupcake, I heard a tap on my window. “Psst, Sarah.” A familiar voice whispered. With a chill I realized it was my trainer. Before I was done opening the window she hopped in. “Sarah, how’s it going? Everything- ’’ “Shhh!” I whispered, clamping my hand over her mouth. Then I heard footsteps, my MOTHER’S footsteps. I quickly shoved my trainer into the closet right as the door opened. “Hello mother!” I said with a weak smile. My mother frowned “What have you been doing?” she sighed. “Oh, um, nothing mother, nothing at all! Everything is perfect!” I said forcing a laugh. My mother raised an eyebrow “And can you explain the open window?” “Um, just letting in some air.” I replied. “Oh mother, I thought I heard the door open and close. I think you should go check on Delancie, she might be going out-’’ “Delancie!!” my mother cried before I could even finish and she raced out the room. Delancie has always been jealous of my natural beauty but she seems to attract boys easily, flipping her wavy blond hair like that. Or maybe it’s her ferocious attitude but, enough talk about that. Talking about boys always makes me feel like I’m going to puke.

I locked the doors then whispered “Coast clear!” to my trainer. She stepped out of the closet then smiled at me. “Sarah, this is no ordinary castle.” she said “It has secret chambers that you can go to if you need to hide. There are five chambers. The magician can only tell you where four of them are and teach you how to open those four. You must figure out where the fifth one is and how to open it. The fifth one leads you to your own world. However, this world is very dangerous and you can only enter three times. Good luck.” And with that my trainer jumped out the window. “Wait!” I called out, but she was gone.

Avengeance

I had done it. I had run away. There was no turning back, but even if I did, my stupid foster family wouldn’t want me. I had sworm to my blood, slit my arm to seal the note. I didnt know what I was really called. I had always despised the name Silivia.With that hiss, every time I was called I knew it wasn’t good so I gave myself a name. Dew Cresent. That was my mother’s maiden name. And I was going to find my brother, confront him, and make him pay for our mother’s seperation, so I went to my sister, only seven years younger, at the age of eight, she had understood everything. She had understood that Stef had slashed our mother. But he had a reason for that. She was drugs, and couldn’t stop. Stef got frustrated and did it. Right infront of me, when I was nine, holding Baby Misty, both crying. Stef was a fourteen years old high school graduate.

“Mother never loved us. She loved those icky white pills.” Misty said.

Sarah’s Adventure (I’m having trouble thinking of a more creative title, help?)

Part 1

“Grab that branch right there!” my trainer shouted from below. “Oh I wouldn’t step there if I was you Sarah, it may look strong but it’s only bark.” My caramel colored hair flowed out behind me as the wind brushed my cheek; my brown eyes sparkled with determination. I was halfway up the tree when I heard my sister stomping down the hill. “You’re meeting with your trainer again. I’m telling Mum!” oh great, “but Delancie-“, “No buts, I’m telling Mum!” I’ve had enough of “Tattletale Delancie”. “Well then I’m telling Mom you went out to the fashion show last night!” I said with a frustrated sigh. I almost thought Delancie would blow up. Her eyes reduced to angry slits. “Don’t-you-dare!!” she yelled in between puffs of breath. Nostrils flaring, she lunged at the tree and began to climb. Delancie was about a foot away when I leaped off the tree spinning three times before landing in the splits. Delancie followed with amazing grace. She could be as good as me, too bad she’s not adventurous. I wasn’t done with her yet though, rolling backwards and flinging my legs up, I smacked Delancie with my feet in midair. With a cry she landed in a mud puddle. “Sarah! You ruined my dress!” Delancie wailed, and she stormed off. “That was a nice three spin split you did.” My trainer said after she left “and what was that weird handstand/backflip you did?” she asked. “I really don’t know, anything to keep Delancie away!” I replied with a laugh.

It was only a matter of seconds when I heard my mother yell “SARAH!!” from the castle. Her voice echoed all over the palace grounds. “I better get going.” I said to my trainer. I gave her a quick hug before racing off towards the castle. “Uh-oh” I thought as I walked through the doors. “Mum said you were to go to her room immediately.” Delancie said with a smirk. I walked slowly up the stairs dragging my feet behind. I knocked on the door of mercilessness. “Come in” my mother said rather wearily. I waited at her bed wondering if I’ll ever make it out alive. Finally the covers unfolded to reveal my chubby mom. “What have you been doing?” my mother asked sternly, almost daringly. “Nothing ma’am.” I mumbled. “What were you doing?” my mom asked again, this time louder. “Um, climbing an enchanted tree with obstacles.” I mumbled a bit quieter. “With whom?” my mother pressed on. “W-w-with my trainer.” I stammered. My mom pressed her lips so hard that they were practically pure white. “Sarah, how many times have I told you, you could fall and break a bone! Trust me, I’ve seen it before and it is not pretty. Plus, that’s not how a proper princess should behave. The next time you meet with your trainer she shall be thrown in the dungeons, understood?”, “Yes ma’am” I mumbled. “Go to your room NOW.” My mother ordered. “You shall be put in time-out like a five year old. I am very disappointed in you.”

I guess I really ruffled mom’s feathers. The next thing you know, Mom is going to move into a different castle with no woods to explore, no creek to fish in and worst of all, no trainers. I wonder how I’m going to survive…

Crystals, not you, Amy

During science class this afternoon, our science teacher taught us how to make sugar crystals on a string. You just take a glass jar, fill it 2/3 of the up with boiling water. Tablespoon by tablespoon, put in sugar until afetr you stir it there is a little sugar that settles to the bottom.. Remember to stir the soulution every spoonful.Then, tie a string, about 5.5 inches long, to a pencil. Hang th pencil on top of the jar so that the string goes into the jar and is half an inch off the bottom of the jar. Let the jar stand for a night, and the next morning, the crystals should be fo:r:med! WARNING: TOO MUCH SUGAR MAY RESULT IN BOUNCING OFF WALLS AND A COMMON DISEASE CALLED HYPERALISIS TOOSWEETIA. A.K.A. CRAZY. MOMS BEWARE!

A random picture

My friend Maya Chan and I have recently started a game based on the Inheritance Cycle (it’s a series of books). She is Autumn Islanzadisdaughter my character is Carmella Islanzadisdaughter. The last names are REALLY weird. We both have a dragon. Mine is Amethyst Saphirasdaughter and Autumn’s (Maya) is Flash Thornsson. We get these random quests and we create profiles for each one. The picture is my profile for the first quest. Please read the Inheritance Cycle! The first book is Eragon, then Eldest, Brisingr and the last book is Inheritance (and I am sure I did not spell anything wrong).

Santa Marta Performance

On Saturday January 28th 2012, six members of the Jasmine Dance Group went to the Santa Marta senior living community. Among those were Elan and Mulan Jiang and Cindy Wang. Together, all six did a fabulous lantern parade led by Cindy bringing holiday spirits to all. Next, Elan and Audrey Cheng performed a wonderful long fan dance that was so bright and cheerful. Also, Jet and Mulan danced Jasmine, a beautiful and graceful performance. The lantern parade and the two dances were all done three times in three different places in the Santa Marta senior living community. Everyone did their performances exceedingly well.

The 2nd Annual Dance Competition

On January 22nd 2012, KCCAA successfully hosted its second annual dance competition. This year, the contestants ages ranged from 6 to 14. Each performed wonderful dances in traditional style costumes, showing the strong influence of Chinese dance among the younger generations. The three amazing judges that judged the competition this year were the dance director from the Legacy School of the Arts Michelle Hamlet-Weith and two Chinese dance teachers Wang Zhi Jie and Cui Chun Jie. Special thanks to Chinese Culture Connection for sponsoring the event.
Jasmine dance group members Mulan Jiang, Megan Lu, Elan Jiang, Audrey Cheng, and Cindy Wang all participated in the competition. Everyone did very well. In the seven and under division, Audrey Cheng received third place and Elan Jiang was the first place winner. Mulan Jiang was the champion of the eight to eleven divisions while Megan Lu received runner up. Cindy Wang received first place in the twelve to fifteen divisions. Congratulations to all!

A Stream

A Stream

I love how
the fish
swim through me
tickling me
making me laugh

I run across
the river bed
under the morning sun

The summer heat
annoys me
yet I love
laying under
the twinkling stars

The wind
is my Mozart
playing concertos
and sonatas for me

When my friends come
we enjoy playfully
splashing each other

I am a stream

This poem is officially dedicate to my awesome dad

Like a sailboat blown from its course by a gale off the sea,
You have been a great influence in my life to me.
Like a thousand-year-old rock buried under the sand,
You are forever there to lend a helping hand.
From the math you taught me to the roof up above,
Everything you have done for me was done out of love.
I realize now why you never put down the burden you are carrying,
It is because you love your family, about us you are forever caring.
It is simple and now I do know,
I love you and you love me so
-Mulan
Happy 42nd birthday!

Make Potato Chips in Microwave Oven – You Can Do It!

Today, following a recipe Park Ranger printed from Yahoo,  The Old Horse and I made HOMEMADE POTATO CHIPS! The recipe only requires 5 elements! Olive oil, salt, peeled potatoes, a microwave, and you mouth! All you had tto do was to cut them potatoes in slices and after tossing them with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, set them on a plate; one layer only. Microwave 2-3minutes or until when you hear light sizzling and when the microwave is open, the smell of potatoes knocks you flat. Them carefully turn them over and repeat. Watch the potatoes and make sure they don’t turn too brown, It tastes bad! THIS IS REALLY HEALTHY AND THE MOMS OF SHINYGEMS A.K.A. THE TREES WILL NOTE THAT ONE BAG OF REGRULA POTATO CHIPS IS EQUAL TO ABOUT 3 BAGS IF THESE IN CALORIE FORM!

Document 3

I have been writing poems for Mrs. Cowans, (my enrichment teacher), so that she can enter me into the contest, and hopefully have it published in a book of many other poems. I have a poem called Document 3 and a poem called Butterfly. I was wondering if you guys could give me advice? You don’t have to, but for me, feedback is much appreciated!

 

Document 3

I’m typing a poem, can’t you see,

the file is called Document three.

It’s all about donuts who keep score,

Kings and Queens that are quite poor.

Or dancing corn in Burger King suits,

and living green and white white polka dot boots.

My fingers clicking on the keyboard,

Then little Carla pulls the computer cord.

My poem is lost, is gone forever!

I wished it would come back with the pull of a lever.

I plugged the cord, and clicked the keyboard,

Mouth agape, I’m thinking LOOK! SEE!

I’M LAYING MY EYES ON DOCUMENT THREE!

Over the Colorful Rainbow

To the land of leprechauns, where it always snows,

It’s over the colorful rainbow.

Where the munchkins hide their pot o’ gold,

It’s over the colorful rainbow.

And ask yer  questions to Sage the old,

It’s over the colorful rainbow.

On the other side, the creek is wide, But the ocean is limp and tiny.

Presidents are peasants, and farmers rule,

Adults still have to go to school,

If you like this mess,

Here’s the adress,

down the street and up the hill,

cross and round the old windmill,

You’ll see it in the sky you know,

It’s over the colorful rainbow.

To Parents: Why Kids Belong IN the Kitchen

Cooking with your children has many benefits:

• Real life lessons. They are learning how to cook. An added benefit is that your future sons- or daughters-in-law will love you for it.
• Bonding time. The best time to have conversations with your kids. The more one-on-one time we give our kids, the more they tend to open up. Perhaps you could designate a special day for each child to have with Mom and/or Dad in the kitchen. 
• More peas, please! If kids help prepare items such as vegetables, as well as help you shop for them, they are more likely to try them during mealtime. And kids that learn to eat well are more likely to eat well as adults. Also, they will less likely snack on junk food when you are preparing a healthy meal. By reading labels together and showing them what goes into a healthy meal, you will be teaching them great life-long eating habits.
• A side of self-confidence. By letting your children help in the kitchen and try their hand at cooking, you are providing them with a healthy dose of self-esteem.  
• Building traditions. Pulling out the family recipe book together is a great way to share important family traditions as well as build a good foundation for starting your own. It will also give you an opportunity to share some of your fondest memories with your children.
• Reducing their risk to use drugs This may seem far-fetched but it’s true. A report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says that kids who have open lines of communication with their parents, a strong bond and the support, praise, and acceptance by their parents decrease their chances of becoming drug abusers. Son, here’s your spatula.
• Scrapping the screen time Kids that are in the kitchen cooking will spend less time parked in front of the computer or television screen. Engaging in a more productive activity, they are actually contributing something to the household. Genius! Think about all the arguments you won’t be having!
• Foster their creativity As they become more confident in their way around the kitchen, cooking can give them an opportunity to flex their creative muscles. By fostering a creative spirit, you are giving your child another opportunity to explore who they are. 
• Teaching moments Kids get to see how things change through various processes in the kitchen: chopping, mixing, heating, freezing. Won’t their teachers be impressed when they come back to school with hands-on knowledge of their latest science lesson?
• Showing a little love Not that saying “I love you” doesn’t matter—it does, but sometimes actions do speak louder than words. What professes your love to your kids more than inviting them to completely make a mess in the kitchen? 

http://www.kcparent.com/KCParent/12-02-01/Why_Kids_Belong_IN_the_Kitchen.aspx?utm_source=KCParent.com+eNewsletter&utm_campaign=b2d0fd290f-KC_Parent_eNews_Feb_2_20121_31_2012&utm_medium=email