Would You Want To Visit The Moon?

   The United States landed on the moon in 1969. Ever since then, explorations to space have become more frequent. If you have $1,000,000, you can pay for a trip to the moon. We know more about outer space, but there is still so much that we do not know. I strongly believe that certain things are not meant to be seen or heard. Because of this, I would not want to visit the moon.
   Although technology is very advanced, it is still known to malfunctions. I am more concerned with not making it to the moon, overall. There have been incidents where shuttles have not had successful take-offs. The shuttles blow up before they went into orbit. I do not think that humans are meant to leave the planet because it can lead to many problems. It is never better to be ignorant, but man kind has a tendency to be greedy or go above and beyond what is necessary.
   Certain things in life are not meant to be tampered with. I think it is great that man knows so much about the universe they live in, but there should be a limit. I would not want to visit the moon because I do not think it is safe.

Teenage Cash Flow

   As most of you are probably wondering, how can someone in high school earn some spending money? Considering America's current economic status, the fight for a part time job is not getting any easier, especially when there are adults applying for jobs that used to be ideal for adolescence. You can apply for a job, but the best way for a teenager to make money is one that doesn't involve the harsh competition.
   The easiest job that a teen can uphold and has proven to be very successful is by selling candy. There are many teenagers that sell candy, but in order to set yourself a part from the rest of your competition, have a wide range of variety. Do not just limit yourself to candy, but sell snacks and drinks. Remember, your sales do not end at school. Try to make money wherever you can.
   Selling candy is a very prosperous business for a teenager because you have the opportunity to be your own boss and make your own money. Best of all, it does not interfere with school work. Despite the current economy there are always ways to make money, the right way.

The Baby Dragon

   In a far away kingdom dragons from all over were at the Xiao Lin temple. This was the day that the princess to the Xiao Lin Dynasty would be introduced to the dragons. Empress and Emperor appeared out of the shadows of their cave, with a bundle of life in their hands. They unwrapped the child from the cloth and revealed princess Lin Xiao.
   Although Lin was only a baby, she had already begun to learn things according to her royal duties. For generations, the Dynasty has had along line of children who always followed directions, even at a young age.  But, Lin was different from the rest of her family. She often played around during class, and would try to breath fire on the other children. Her parents could tell that this one was going to be a handfull. This baby dragon was like no other.

TO BE CONTINUED

Describe Your Favorite Season

The season that is the opposite of summer
The temperature decrease
The cold front blows in
My long awaited friend.
Where have you been?
Waited all year for you to appear
Homes become warmer
This season means family to me
Why can't everyone be like thee?
The open fire, holiday specials on T.V.
25 days of Christmas on ABC Family
Time slows down and people become more kind.
Winter, my favorite time

If You Could Be On Any Game Show...

   I was standing in front of one of the largest audiences. There was the audience before me and the millions of viewers that tuned in at 7:00 p.m. everyday, as I did. My wore a black and white suit and I had a huge smile, composed primarily of nerves. My opponents had a strong poker face, but I could tell they were as nervous as I was. We were on in 5 minutes. This was Jeopardy.
   The first round was like a warm up to me. It gave everyone a chance to get rid of all the nerves. I was able to earn $10,000, but I was still $5,000 away from first place. We were able to finish the entire board. During the break, we all laughed and talked about how nervous we were. Our conversation came to an abrupt end. It was time for round two.
   The last round ended in extremely close scores: $25,000, $22,000, and $20,000. If I had any shot of winning, I needed to make an extremely large wager. I just hoped that my $10,000 bet would not be the end of me. The topic was US History, which was one of my stronger subjects. The question read "This young explorer came to Jamestown during the early 1600s and brought it to order and prosperity." A light bulb went. 'Captain John Smith," I thought. It was this question that led me to victory!

What Do You Like Best About Your Home?

   The best thing about my home is the backyard. I have not had the luxury of a large backyard very often. I love having a large area to do whatever it is I please. My imagination can go as far as it wants to. My sisters and I have enough space to build a clubhouse. I would love to build them one by hand because it would be the foundation of a new tradition. If we have any more siblings, or even if we do not, we will always have the memories.
   A large backyard is a window of opportunity to embark on any journey that my imagination wants to take. It has the potential of being a family landmark. Many traditions and memories can start there.

Imagine You Worked At A Football Stadium

   If I worked at a football stadium it would definitely be a "behind the scenes" job. I honestly do not know too much about football and I never saw myself as a cheerleader. I would most likely be a ticket seller. This occupation will allow me to meet and interact with different groups of people.
   Many people come from all over to enjoy a football game. From the die hard fans to the first timers, I'd be sure to encounter people from all walks of life. I would greet everyone with a smile and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible, although our interaction would be short.

How Old Were You Four Years Ago?

   Four years ago, I was twelve years old. I was one year away from entering my teen years. My parents were not extremely strict, but I was restricted from doing certain things. I was not allowed to use public transportation, I could not create a social networking account, and I had just made an email account.
   When I was younger, I used to look at my parents' rules and regulations as a lack of trust in me. Now I understand that it is not me they don't trust, but it is the rest of the world. They lightened up to the idea of me having a social network account. I can use public transportation. I am allowed to go to certain parties and be in a relationship with a responsible young man. I never really had a desire to do too much. With age comes responsibility and privileges, which are two things I have gained.

Do You Think A Monkey Would Make A Good Pet?

   Monkeys or gorillas are genetically the closest animals to humans. Although they may be very close, they are still wild animals. A monkey has the potential of being a good pet, but I personally would not want that particular animal as a pet. There have been several cases in which wild animals have turned on their trainer or owner so I'd rather not take my chances. Even if they are very well trained and behave, monkeys eventually become more belligerent.
   I researched Michael Jackson's pet, which I presumed to be one of the most well-trained, well-behaved primates. Much to my surprise, Bubbles became very aggressive over a period of time. In my creative writing class, some of the students mentioned a primate who ripped off his owner's face. I was very surprised and disgusted that an animal can be so violent. But, I had to remind myself, this is a naturally wild animal, after all.
   I am not trying to make it seem as if having a monkey as a pet is unwise choice. But, if you do choose to have a monkey as a pet, be very cautious and look out for signs of potentially violent behavior. Every should march to the beat of their own drum, but when it comes to have a monkey as a pet, I have no beat.

Describe The Youngest Person You Know

   The youngest person that I know is my baby cousin. She is about 2 years old and supposedly very busy. However, when ever I see her, she is very quiet and shy. I have been able to catch her in a silly moment a couple of times. My cousin loves to sing Michael Jackson's songs. My cousin comes to my knee, she has brown hair and a caramel skin tone. I do not see her very often, but everytime I do she puts a smile on my face.

Describe The Oldest Person You Know

   In my opinion with age comes wisdom and knowledge. I am proud to say that the oldest people I know are my great grandparents Nana and Papa. They have been together for many years and have lived in the same house before I was born. They are definitely two people that I admire because they have endured the days of segregation and are a true definition of success, in my eyes.
   My great grandmother, or Nana as we call her, is a very kind-hearted woman. She is the perfect person to talk to when life presents you with problems because she is not judgmental. I often go to her for spiritual advice because her relationship with God is so strong. I aspire to have a relationship like hers. Nana always greets you with a smile and a hug.
   Papa is very kind-hearted, as well. He is not afraid to speak his mind and he is one of the bravest people I know. Papa can take a hot pan from the oven with his hands. He takes much pride in his grass and loves to watch boxing. He likes to joke around and is sure to greet you with "Hey you."
  

Imagine You Were A Famous Painter...

   If my parents gave me the opportunity to paint my room as I desired, I'm not completely sure that I would want to. I probably would not paint anything too abstract or dramatic because I personally wouldn't want to be in a room with bright splashes of color. I honestly would paint my room lavender with white edging. I would also paint purple flowers being held together by vine inside of the white edges.
   I know that I should be thinking outside the box, but painting dramatic artwork on my bedroom walls has never really appealed to me. Although I would be a famous painter, I'd much rather save my artwork for the easel and paper, than my walls.
 

The Bat Who Couldn't Fly

 Once upon a time there was a bat named Kino. Kino and his family were fruit bats and their family's favorite thing to do was fly. For some reason, he never showed much interest in flying. Whenever his brother Drian and sister Kora went to stretch their wings, he'd always dangle from a near by tree and wait for them to return. No one gave Kino's behavior much thought until the upcoming fruit festival. The whole village was gathering berries from the local farms while he helped with the decorations.

"You know Kino, I don't think I've ever seen you fly before," Kora said.
"Yeah!" Drian interjected.
"Well, I think that walking is better for you anyway," Kino replied.
"Alright then, but it won't hurt you to fly just once," Kora persisted.
"I don't want to.
"Too late!" Drian said as he pushed Kino off the edge of the log. He came tumbling down the large tree until Kora swooped him up and brought him back to the house.

"Kino, what happened?" his sister asked.
"I can't fly okay," he replied while turning his face away in shame.
"Look, Drian was wrong for pushing and if I would've known the truth I wouldn't have put you on the spot like that. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You were always much more understanding than Drain. Do you think you could teach me to fly?"
"Well of course I can."

So the lessons began. They started out with flight formations. Kora taught Kino every angle and position from landing to gliding, before he took flight. Better safe then sorry, she thought. A few weeks later, it was time for Kino to take flight.
"Alright Kino just remember what I taught you," Kora yelled out.
"You can do it K.O!" Drain shouted.
He finally let go and began flying. Kino smiled and laugh the entire time. He couldn't believe he could fly. It was nothing he had ever experienced before.

If You Could Have Lunch With Any Famous Person...

   Eminem is probably one of the most controversial artists of my generation. From his explicit lyrics and bold mentality, he definitely sets himself apart from the rest of the Rap world. Most people say that Eminem is crazy, but from my perspective, his sanity is in tact. I think his lyrics sometimes represents what most of us are too afraid to say. If I could have lunch with any famous person, I would chose Eminem.

   There are few questions that I would ask, if we had the pleasure of meeting one day. I would not ask the typical questions that reporters ask. The last thing I would want to do is make him feel like he is in an interview. The only question I could only think of is how he learned to stop caring about how others perceive him. Eminem seems to be a very confident person and I would like to be as confident as he is. In my opinion, confidence is linked to courage.

Do You Have Any Siblings?

   Unfortunately, I do not have any brothers, but I have five sisters. Three of my sisters were conceived in Hawaii. We do not have the same mother. I have not had the pleasure of meeting all of them, but I have held phone conversation in the past. Their names are Leshay, Jayla, and Taylan. All of them are very intelligent and athletic. From what I can recall, they are all members of All Star cheer leading teams. One of my goals in life would be to meet them one day.
   My sisters that live with me are 8 and 9 years old. Their names are Kamrynn and Kaylah. It is safe to say that they have different personalities. Kaylah, the youngest of the two, is very silly, but she can be serious at times. Kamrynn is serious the majority of the time, but she also has her silly moments. They are both very athletic and have the potential to be great gymnast one day. If I could get them into a gymnastics course, I would. In addition to their athleticism, they are very intelligent.
   All of my siblings have things that make them different, but they also have things in common. Although I never met some of them, I can honestly say that I love them all the same. I couldn't picture a life without someone to bug me and make me laugh. I'm happy to have siblings. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

If You Could Have Any Animal As A Pet...

   If I could have any animal as a pet, it would be a tea cup chihuahua and her name would be Ella. Her fur would be black, and of course, she would not exceed five pounds. Ella would be very quiet when it was required of her, without me instructing her to do so. This would be my dream dog. She would be very loving and playful. I would allow her to sleep on the pillow beside me and take her any place that I could. I would like her to be the perfect dog who knew how to behave properly.

   Ella and I would go for a walk every night. It is important for animals as well as humans to be in great shape. My dog would see the vet and dog groomers once a month. I'd play tug of war with her, fetch and make sure that she had everything she needed. Some people think that all these things are strange expectations for an animal, but it is possible. Ella is not a dream dog, she is real. I know that I could wish for any other pet, but there is no one like Ella. She holds a special place in my heart that can not be replaced by any other pet. I miss her very much and if I could see her again, I'd want her to know that I love her with all my heart.

My Journey On A Pirate Ship

   It was a bright Saturday afternoon at the beach. The air was cool, the sand beneath my feet was warm and the waves were at a steady motion. It was one of those Southern California days that you only see in the movies. Jamell, Savannah, and I couldn't have picked a more perfect day to hang out together. We were splashing along the shore, frolicking in the cool waters. Suddenly, a huge shadow was casted over us.

"Hey, what happened to the sun?" I asked. Savannah and Jamell appeared to be in shock.Their eyes grew wide and their jaws hit the floor.
"What is wrong with you guys?" Still no response. Whatever they saw had to be something terrible, unbelievable, or awesome. I finally turned around and my eyes grew large, as well. It was a tall wooden ship with dingy sails and cannons. The ship appeared to be in terrible shape. Before I knew it, we were standing face to face with pirates.

"Would you be Sierra, Jamell, and Savannah?"the man asked. He had a caramel skin complexion, dread locks, a thick beard, and a few piercings. He smelled like he hadn't showered in months. I didn't want to be rude so I acted as if I wasn't phased by the repulsive sent.

"Yes. I am Sierra, this is Jamell and this is Savannah."

"I'm Captain Mindler de Poss and this is me crew." Perhaps you'd be interested in accompanyin me and me crew for the afternoon."

"Give us a minute." Savannah replied while pulling me away.

"What is your problem?" I asked.

"Sierra are you crazy? We shouldn't do this. Are you nuts!"

"Savannah we've never done anything like this in our entire lives. You're only in town for one week. Don't you want to say that we did something that we've never done, that only we'd know about?"

"Jamell tell her she's crazy."

"Believe it or not, I actually think this can be sort of fun" he replied.

She looked at both of us in disbelief. I smile slowly grew on her face.

"Fine. Let's go."

We all ran to de Poss and his crew He could tell from our bright smiles that we were coming on board. He helped us on the endless ladder that led to the deck. Once we reached the top, it was as if we had entered a real pirate movie. The ship was filled with the sounds of accordions, and flutes, all carried by the tune of one hundred men singing.
  Yo ho yo ho the pirate life on sea
  Yo ho yo ho the pirate life for me

"Welcome to the SS Blood Beard," said Captain de Poss. The crew hoisted the anchor and we set sail. I didn't know what I had gotten us in to. But, whatever it was, had to be like nothing nay of us had ever experienced.


PART 2
Jamell, Savannah, and I quickly caught on to the chant. We were singing and dancing with the rest of the crew. The music finally ended in laughter and cheers. We were laughing so hard that we fell over.

"Chow time!" I crew member yelled.

The entire crew rushed down to the second floor. We never had a formal tour so I assumed this was the dining area. I expected our meal to be gruel with a side of hard bread. The smell of gumbo began to disperse across the entire ship. We all began to follow our noses instead of the other crew members. We stumbled upon a table big enough for the three of us. There was already three large bowls of food waiting. We had no utensils or napkins and I wouldn't want to ask if there would be any coming.

"Wait me laddies. The captain always gives a speech before dinner," another crew member said.

De Passo stood on a pedestal in the center of the dining room. The entire room fell silent.

"Let's give a toast to our guests Savannah, Jamell, and Sierra." Everyone cheered and clanked their glasses together.

"I am so glad we did this," Jamell said.
"Yeah, me too," said Savannah.
All I could do was smile.

Describe Your Deepest Fear

One of my deepest fears would be expressing my emotions. Based on my experiences, people will take advantage of you when you are at a vulnerable state. Letting my guard down is out of the question. My fear of expressing myself is linked to a fear of being taken advantage of. As long as I keep my emotions hidden from the rest of the world, no one can hurt me.

People say that self expression is healthy for the soul. I suppose this I true, but I can not recall any particular situation that it has benefited me. Telling someone how I feel will not alter my situation in any way possible. I do not like to burden other people with my problems.

Imagine You Opened Your Own Restaurant...

   I opened my eyes feeling anew. Nothing in the world could take my happiness today. My life long dream of opening a restaurant had finally come true. Sierra's Sweet Eatery would be open for business. The one place in town where you can satisfy your hunger and your sweet tooth. I put on my lucky suit and drove to my restaurant. I had the top down on my silver Lexus, while listening to Gwen Stefani. 'Here we go,' I thought,
 
   I was greeted by some of the world's most famous culinary artist; Gordon Ramsey and Mario Batolli. The red carpet was rolled out with the press on each side of the ropes, taking pictures of me and my guest. I walked up the marble staircase with the largest grin on my face. 'This is it,' I thought to myself, while holding the large scissors in my hand. I proudly cut the red ribbon.
"Welcome everyone!" I said. Everyone cheered and the crowd immediately came rushing in. The carpet was a creamy topee color, which was accented with ivory swirls. The walls were ivory as well. The ceiling was very high with chandeliers coming down the dining room. Each table had a candle lit rose as a centerpiece.
"Welcome to Sierra's Sweet Eatery," a waitress said while sitting a customer. I was listening in from the kitchen to make sure all of my customer's were satisfied.
"Alright," I said to the kitchen staff. "This is opening night. Make me proud!"

Imagine You Woke Up And Saw A Dinosaur In Your Backyard...

   My morning began with a fright. I heard a very loud roar that shook my house to the foundation. I stumbled out of my bed, holding my chest while gasping for air.
"MOM!" I yelled. She did not reply. No one did. I finally built up enough courage to leave my room. I ran around the entire house, searching for my mother and sisters. Everyone was gone. I huge lump built up in my throat, as I began to envision the worst. "Calm down," I told myself. "They are probably just outside." I opened my front door and stepped out onto the lawn. There was a huge foot print in the dirt. I walked to the side of the house to see what had caused such a commotion. My curiosity had gotten the best of me.
 
   BOOM! I immediately fell to the ground. I figured it was an aftershock. A large creature appeared out of the trees. It exceeded 15 feet in height, with skin like that of a reptile. It's foot was the size of a Sequoia, if not bigger. I was standing face to face with a T-Rex. I ran to the school across my street, while being chased by a large Prehistoric animal. While running, I noticed that my entire neighborhood was left in ruins. The thought of finding my family became less of a reality, with every step I took.

If You Could Cook One Meal For Your Family...

If I could prepare any meal for my family, it would be baked macaroni and cheese. It appears to be a very simple meal, but as I always say, quality food takes time and love.
I use 3 types of cheeses; cheddar, medium cheddar, and white cheddar. The use of 3 different cheeses adds a distinct flavor. I usually use elbow noodles, but shells also work.
First, I set the oven to 350 degrees.
Second, I grate a block of each type of cheese and mix them together.
Third, I boil a large pot of water. Add 2 pinches of salt for flavor and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The olive is used to prevent noodles from sticking. When the water comes to a boil, pour one large bag of noodles into the pot. (Stir occassionally). The noodles should take about 15 minutes to cook. (Throw noodle onto cabinet. If it sticks, the noodles are ready.)
Fourth, get one large baking pan. Spray with non stck spray. Pour a layer of noodles on the bottom of the pan. Then, add a layer of cheese. Continue this procedure until pan is full. Once the pan is full, add salt and pepper.
Put into the oven until top is golden brown.

Once the meal is ready, the smell of cheese fills the house. You won't have to worry about calling anyone to the table. They will come on their own

Describe One Time When You Were Brave

What truly defines bravery is when a person shows strength and couragesness during a time of fear. I can recall a time when I set my fears aside to ensure my sister's safety. I was unaware of what the true definition of bravery was. But, in that moment, I learned that bravery is not defined by being fearless, but by opportunity.
My family had just moved to a house in East L.A. Much to our suprise, the home came with unwanted visitors; mice. Whenever they appeared, my mother and step father would usully take care of the situation. The thought of killing a mouse never entered my mind. I knew that my parents would come to my aid, if ever I needed them. Once, they could not come to my rescue.

My sister and I were in our room watching television, one afternoon. My step father was at work and my mother was tending to my youngest sister. Everyone's hands were tied, except mine. I stepped out of my room to go to my mother's across the hall, leaving my sister in her crib. She hated to be left alone, but I would only be gone for a moment. 'What's the worst that could happen?' I thought. My sister began to cry as she usually did, when I left the room. But, her cry grew louder and more fearful, so I hurried back. I was greeted by a fury visitor.
"Mom!" I cried. "There is a mouse at the door!"
"Kill it!" she yelled.
"But, mom I can't."
"Sierra, I can't do it, you have to."

There was nothing that I could think of. so I looked around frantically. The only thing I saw were my rollerskates and umbrella. I ran to the couch, put on my skates and grabbed my umbrella. The "no skates in the house" rule was irrelevant at this point. WACK! I began to hit the mouse until it stopped moving. I grabbed my sister abd ran to my mother's room.

I never planned on conquering my fears that day. It was a scary experience not only for me, but for my sister, as well. I was happy that I could save her abd proud that I put my fears aside. I knew what I meant to be brave.

Imagine If You Had A Hundred Dollars...

   If I had one hundred dollars, I would give it to a child in a third world country. I know that my money would have greater value in another country and be of great use. Children from third world countries often need things that most of us would take for granted. I hope that whom ever I had the opportunity to bless with this money would buy food, have access to fresh water, and would then be able to receive an education Hopefully, this would be enough to open many doors for the child in need
   I am aware that one hundred dollars does not appear to be much to most of us. But, as I mentioned before,it could be enough to open doors that have been locked for quite some time. No one, especially a child, should live with the worry of going to bed hungry or not have a desire to dream big.

Do You Remeber...

Do you remember when life was at it's best?
A time when things were much simpler than this
We were the true definitions of happiness
We had no concerns, no worries, no hurt
Do you remember when things took a turn for the worst?
When breaking up became more common, and easier to do
He, she, they, were no longer two.
It became transparent; easy to understand
That simple life was gone, I thought it was dead
Do you remember when a ray of light shined through?
We lost all hope, but He came to our rescue.
He was always there and He never let go.
For that I thank Him. I love Him so

In This Dream I Was...

In this dream I was a mermaid swimming in an aquatic paradise. The sun light glistened through out the water. I had long black hair, the classic seashell undergarment, and of course, a fin. I was the only mermaid in a sun lit paradise. Although I was alone, I enjoyed the spacious wonderland. I never pondered why I was the only mermaid. Suddenly, I began to gasp for air. I struggled to swim to the surface. My gills were no longer present. The struggle for oxygen became worse, as I could feel my human form lose air. I woke up breathing as if it were my last few breaths. My dream quickly became a nightmare.

There Was Something About The Way She...

There was something about the way she entered the room. In an instant, sirens began wailing in my head. 'This girl must be trouble/' I thought to myself as she proceeded to turn heads. She had curly brown hair that
flowed as she walked. Her skin was a vibrant, golden brown. Her lipstick complimented her crimson cocktail dress. She knew she had captured every one's attention, as she strut down the middle of the club. All of the men stared mindlessly. The women gave piercing looks, as if an intruder had just stepped in. The room was silent and still. This one, mysterious woman had frozen time

The I Am Poem

I am spiritually motivated and ambitious

I wonder what my purpose is in life

I hear the people that told me I can not

I see the path that I must follow

I want to continue to strive for excellence

I am spiritually motivated and ambitious

I pretend that I am in a paradise above the earth

I feel His embrace that put me at ease

I touch the clouds beneath my feet

I worry that in this place, some people I will not see

I cry when I think how time has gone by

I am spiritually motivated and ambitious

I understand that every one's intentions aren't the best

I say kindness is a duty never served with regret

I dream of a life in which my kindness is not being naive

I try to smile, though life can be rough

I hope that who I truly am, will always be enough

I am spiritually motivated and ambitious