Best

= **CREATIVE WRITING -** = = = Northern Lights I want to share with you about my parents. In order for me to tell you my story, I must tell you theirs. My father is Helios, a god. His vast realm is the sky, and he was keeper of the sun and moon. Each night he would carry the moon up into its sky with his chariot and every day he does the same with the sun. My mother was Alis, but my pet name for her was Ally. A beautiful mortal, who loved watching the moon during its nightly travel across the night sky. But as was bound to happen, their paths intertwined one fateful night when my father fell from his chariot down to the mortal world. And Ally was there. He told me that one look into her dark, hypnotizing eyes was all that it had taken and he knew he was done for. Her wit and exquisite beauty paired with his charm and rugged good looks made for an epic duo. They fast became a star-crossed couple, and wed in the skies. My father’s mother Hera was furious when she found out about their secret love. For a __god__ to fall in **//__love__//** with a __mortal__ was just unheard of, not to mention forbidden. But they pain no mind, throwing traditions out of the chariot, and choosing true love instead. My father would signal my mother that it was safe to meet by keeping the sky moonless. This would happen about once a month and sent Hera into even more rages. I suppose I couldn't blame her though, the empty sky sent the mortals into a panic. But they got used to it, and eventually named it the new moon. But one night, the inevitable happened. I came into being. Falling down from the heavens on the back of a meteorite, many humans saw the streak of light slashing through the skies and called me a shooting star. My father caught me in his chariot and cradled me close, bringing me slowly down to where my mother was excitedly waiting. That night the moon shone orange, a color it had never before portrayed. Hera noticed the abnormality and was quick to investigate. She was shocked to discover me, but her shock was quick to turn to a dangerous anger, and she quietly began to plot against our fragile new family. Meanwhile, oblivious to the impending danger, my parents doted on me. I was named Aura, meaning "Shooting Light". My mother loved the sound of it. We were very close as I grew up, one of my fondest memories is being in my mother’s arms and gazing up into her dark eyes that sparkled as black diamonds and smelling the pungent, sweet smell that everyone knew her for, lavender. We had 13 blissful, peaceful years and would have kept going on like that, but the fates had other plans for us. Hera had thought up a plan, and even after all those years she still remained bitter against my father for defying her. She had tricked her husband Zeus into creating a very special magnificent lightning bolt; and, as he was in a deep sleep from the drugged wine Hera had given him, she crept into where he slept, and stole it from his great oak chest. Hera took it high up into the sky, along with all her dark schemes and anger, on one moonless night. We had no warning. She aimed it’s glinting, pointed tip at me, the main cause for her anger that had no bounds. But my mother saw it, and flung herself in front of me, directly in the path of it. That night I lost my mother, best friend, and only person who really understood me. Her soul got knocked clean out of her. My father and I were stricken with grief, as we looked down on the empty body that my mother, so full of life and joy had once inhabited. Athena, a goddess and an old friend of my mother’s had watched this event happen from the heavens. Athena came down, joining us as we saw my mother’s spirit appear. She caressed my cheek and gently kissed my father. And her love, so pure and strong enveloped us. Shimmering beams of colors, like rainbows, exploded everywhere, as far as the eye could see, and the sheer beauty of it just took our breath away. She left us then, going up to be at peace. But Athena made it so, the iridescent colors remained. Athena named them “Aurora Borealis” – Lights of Love. And my father threw glistening lights up into the sky that looked just like my mother’s mischievous; dazzling eyes. Sparkling with laughter and winking down at us….stars we called them. One of the stars on its way up, struck Hera down from where she was lurking, watching us, awestruck. She fell back down into the room where Zeus slept. He woke with a start, and knew immediately that he had been deceived. I don’t know what happened then, but we’ve never again been troubled by Hera. Athena decided that since I was a demi god (a part god), I should be appointed to watch over all these creations, and the Borealis became my realm. My father was comforted, but he could no longer take care of both the sun and moon. I took over the sun for him, making sure it rose up, straight and true, every day. And whenever I feel the pain of losing my mother, I just fly out into the Northern sky. I can feel her love all around me…. like a warm embrace, and can smell the sweet aroma of lavender. Hayley Harrison

=**ENGLISH -**= Favorite book - Out of the Dust. I liked the way it was written, and it was really historically accurate.

Hayley Harrison English Mrs. Indemaio May 5, 2010 Family Ties “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in; their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” (Elizabeth Kubler Ross 1) The Great Depression and the dust bowl storms were devastating and resulted in many families losing their farms, but it also strengthened the family ties and showed that no matter the situation, if there’s hope and family, you can survive the insurmountable odds. That light from within that Elizabeth Ross mentions is hope, something that we see documented in the book __The Grapes of Wrath.__ The reader learns that, throughout the hardships and oppression inflicted upon the Joad family, their loss of house and pride, they gave up everything they knew, in order to survive and set out for California with the hope for a better life and future. There are many themes that exist in this complex novel. However, there are three that stand out: hope, oppression, and inner strength and spirit of the women. A major theme in this book is hope. It was vital during the Joads family’s journey and helped keep them pushing forward even though it seemed everything was against them. An example is shown at the end, when the Joad family makes it to California basically intact as a family. Furthermore this is symbolized through Rose of Sharon’s pregnancy, which holds the promise of a new beginning. Even though people suffered through losing their job, homes, and sometimes loved ones, they needed hope to keep their spirit alive and help fuel their dream for a better life, a better tomorrow. There are also many perfect examples of the theme of oppression displayed throughout __The Grapes of Wrath.__ Firstly when the bank took away the Joads farm, it was their home, only source of income, and something that they dearly cared for. Secondly, when the family was paid five cents per box of fruit, a wage that was barely enough to live off, and then that was cut to two and a half cents per box of fruit which was nearly impossible to live off of, and once again showing the theme of hope, they set off to search for a better life finding it at the government camp. Then, eventually started a new life in California. Furthermore, we see the strength and indomitable spirit of the women during the great depression. It wasn’t all hunky dory for them; they had to be really strong. Rose of Sharon started out as a rather naive girl, but through the trip and her husband abandoning her, she matures and helps Ma Joad very much. Ma Joad is also an amazing woman. Once in California and unable to find work, much of the family looked to her for strength and leadership. She met each obstacle unflinchingly, even in the face of the great turmoil that was their world and kept much of the hope alive even in such uncertain times. In conclusion, some important things that the reader may have acquired out of this book, is that no matter the situation, so long as you have family who have your back and will stick by you, then you can surpass any obstacles. Love truly is the tie that binds. Furthermore,”…but when the darkness sets in; their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” Elizabeth Ross’s statement was very true in many ways, and was proven by Ma Joad, who became the leader, the “beacon of light” if you will. Her “true beauty” and undying hope helped keep the Joads going throughout their journey. This shows the reader, no matter how impossible the circumstances, what the true American spirited woman can achieve.

=**Something I learned about the Great Depression** -= that I didn't know about that time was about the marathon dancing, that the dust bowl lasted for so long, during the great depression was the highest suicide rate recorded in American history, and that there are MANY similarities between the 1930's & now.

=CREATIVE WRITING -= Woozles I am a dreamer. I wonder about the cosmos. I hear the future calling. I see the truth. I want freedom. I am a dreamer. I pretend I don’t mind. I feel the wind. I touch the sky. I worry about violence. I cry over lost friends. I am a dreamer. I understand pinky promises. I say what I believe in I dream of heffalumps & woozles. I try to achieve the impossible. I hope to make a difference I am a dreamer.

Promises I don’t understand Why being a playa is something to envy Why cursing is cool Why wars are so common but hope isn’t

But most of all Why saying “I love you” is a sign of weakness Why you like me Why someone would kill

What I understand most is Why friends are so amazing Why laughter is magical Why sunrise holds the promise of a new day

=**BIOLOGY/DISSECTION -**= Last term we Dissected 4 animals. earthworm, crayfish, perch, and frog. They were pretty different and interesting, but all kinda gross.& we got surprised every now and then, like when Logan found out his fishy was preggers. :( And there's this black vicous liquid in the cows eyeball that kinda squirted up! And then at the end we got these ginormaus cow hearts that we cut into and messed with. And there was a cow head that got cut in half lengthwise and was leaking blood everywhere. Gah.

Prescribed Burning - was pretty cool 'cause I didn't know it even existed until we talked about it for a few weeks.

=**MATH -**= We talked mainly about the stock market this term and did a bunch of problems regarding dividends and interest

=**SPANISH -**= My pink pillow is stupid but I love it Me almohado rosa es tonto pero lo amo

The bad man is greedy for my boring spleen El hombre male esta avaro para me bazo aburrido

You ate on the green and blue bed that is very pretty Ha comido la cama azul y verde esa es muy bonita

I have pain in my brain Friday Yo tengo dolor de cerebro viernes

Don't wait for me, I am waiting here for my hostile dog. No me espere, estoy esperando aqui me pero agresivo

He told me the comb and brush is yellow Me ha dicho el peine y cepillo es amorillo

He did not send the pig stomach and bladder to me today No me ha mandado estomago y vejiga hoy de el cerdo

You have not told me, where is the cowardly lion and the black dog? No me ha dicho donde es el leon cobarde y el perro negro?

I saw the crude firefighters yesterday He vistado los bomberos brutos antes

He sold the lung and kidney with you today Ha vendido el pulmon y el rinon con usted hoy