it's the end...........

of the school year. And, as usual, I feel a mix of emotions. Happy because I will get to spend more time with my family, and I love to see my garden grow and eat fresh vegetables. Sad because I will miss all of you!

Take a minute and think back on this school year. What is it you will remember the most? What do you think was the most important or most interesting thing you learned?

Let me know in the comments!

I Love You

I sit here alone all day
I try and find the words to say
You always knew how to make me smile
But only for a while
It's amazing how we knew each other for along time
But now i can call you mine
Our love is true
Girl all I want to say is I love you!

Pass Me By

I see you walking everywhere
I want to say something, but I can't find the words to share
Such a beautiful face, walking in a lonely place
And a wonderful smile, I haven't seen in a while
As I look at you, I see you cry
On the street, as you pass me by

Crying in the Rain

I cry, but I feel no pain
I smile, but I'm going insane
You look for me all around, but I'm nowhere to be found
You have worried about me for so long, but I can tell you nothing is wrong
I tell you i love you and you say I'm insane
Now I feel the pain, as I start crying in the rain

My White Flag

I chased you but always trailed
I tried but always failed
I had hope but not anymore
It seems like things aren't like before
I screwed up and I said I wouldn't
I hurt you somehow, but I really shouldn't
It's time to give up since no hope lasts
All that's alive are memories from the past
I'm so sorry things went wrong
You won't have to worry about it after long
I'm putting my hopeless dream into my hidden "bag"
And I'm going to wave my white flag.
I give up girl... I surrender...

something new!

Ok, so I've been thinking about the summer, and about how we all (even me!) have to keep on learning, even though we won't be in school. Here's a little story:

I attended my first piano lesson today. I've always wanted to learn, but never had the opportunity. My neighbor is a piano teacher, and she said she would teach me. It was scary at first. Then I sat at the piano and my teacher taught me how to play not one, but FOUR scales in one day! I can now play the C, D, E, and F scales on the piano! I couldn't do that when I woke up this morning, but I can now.

Then my teacher had me open one of the books I had brought. It was one of my son's books from about two years ago.... yes, today I began my journey in piano using the same materials my children learned from! I was amazed to learn about so many things I'd seen before, but never really understood. It was like learning a new language! Or algebra!

Anyway, this summer I am going to try and practice piano for at least 1/2 an hour five days a week. I know it will take time and commitment, but I am willing to do it. I'd like you to spend some time thinking about these questions.....

* What do YOU want to learn and practice this summer?
* What are you willing to spend time and effort on?

Because the fact is: if you don't use it, you will lose it.

You are your own best teacher. Always remember that. Read. Write. Divide. Blog. Participate. Speak. Practice. But how? One way, of course, is to use the internet

To help you out, I have made for you a "Delicious" account! I know you probably don't understand how exciting that is yet, but wait until you try it! Basically, a Delicious account is a place to bookmark websites. It's like a giant address book of all your favorite websites, all in one place.

Ok, enough explanation. Check it out for yourselves. There are bookmarks about local organizations and news sources, there are bookmarks that will take you to websites about pronunciation, there are bookmarks for math videos and math practice. There are even bookmarks to help you find something fun and different for you to do this summer!

If YOU find a website that YOU like, you will also be able to add them! I'll teach you how before the year is out.

Ok, are you ready?

Here it is!

Happy Easter!

This Sunday is Easter. In honor of the holiday, I would like to share with you one of my favorite things about the season: The Washington Post Peep Diorama Contest!

You know what Peeps are, right? Those disgusting but yummy marshmallow treats shaped like chicks and bunnies that the Easter bunny sometimes brings?

Anyway, people all around the country vie for the title of TOP PEEP by building a diorama out of, you guessed it, Peeps!! This year, there were more than 1,100 entries.

Then the Washington Post chooses a winner and several runners up.

Even more peeps!

Which one is your favorite?

good morning!

I hope you have been enjoying this beautiful weather. Today is our last testing day, but enjoy your time in the computer lab first.

Here's a little assignment for you for today.....
in the comments section of this post, write an original sentence using a semi-colon or a colon.

What is about my sister?

She was very sweet, lovely, comprehensive, helpful, and respectful.

When I was a teenager, I moved into her house. We had hours of conversation. Cooking,making tortillas, and cleaning the house, we became to be a good friends.
After a few weeks, she told me that she will be out of the town a few days. I said,"OK I'll take care of everything." She had two boys and one girl. Two of my brothers and two of my sisters were living there. I cooked. My sister and niece cleaned the house.

When my sister came back, the car parked very close to the house. Her husband hold her, and brought her to their bed. With my mouth opened I didn't say or ask anything. I sat down thinking why she looked yellow and tired, why she was vomiting. Later she told me she had breast cancer, and how that illness started. I didn't know what was that, but I realized it was a bad illness in the way she looked."She said, I was having some pain in a few months, but I didn't worry because I thought it is normal. Because I was bleeding from one of my breast, I decided to see a doctor." Her breast cancer level was too high. She had to have an urgent surgery.

One day one of my brothers called me and said everything is ready for you to come to the USA. I was so sad to leave my sister, but I was waiting for this opportunity in months.

Five years later our relatives in Mexico called us. My sister was passing out. The cancer spread all over her body. She died waiting to see us again, but the hard moment was when they told us that since she got sick, doctors gave to her no more than ten years of life under treatment. She kept this secret from us.

For years I thought she was with God having a better life, but at this time I believe that being a good person is not enough. We have to believe in his son(JESUS )to became part of his family. My sister died thinking that there was no God to help her with all her problems.

I thanks to God that my case is different, and I always share with people God's love.

A Catastrophe That Shook The Country

I thing I'll always will remember where I was when that murderous hurricane,Katrina hit the Southeast coast of America.When it hit thee casual were slim for the first few hours dare I say it was fine.But in the city of New Orleans,the levees that were keep the the city safe from the wrath of the developing storm were wash a way almost instantly. And then the casualty rate escalated and that morning the staggering amounts of dead polluting the flood waters where people had to swim or walk there way to area where they had a chance to survive in till help came.But help didn't come for a while.Any time i see people struggle to survive i am amazed to see average folk rising up from the ashes so to say,it goes to show you how the human spirit can endure so mean different tragic incenses.I was going to school throughout the whole insodent and it was the school's idea to raise some money to send to New Orleans we did.It helped to get notebooks and supplies for our fellow school mates in Louisiana.I had the chance to improve someone's dire situation and we took it upon our selves to help the students in Louisiana.I guess it's true what they say one voice can be heard in the chaos of a catastrophe.

When I went back to school

I hate school.

I am 27 years old and never put school first never till now.My oldest child is 14 and my youngest is 5.I always had a good life, worked hard, took care of my kids,and had a lot of people that always loved and helped me throw right, wrong and things I just should have never done.My youngest child started school this year.

For the first time in along time I was not running or cleaning or talking or feeding and giving all my time to a child.I watched TV, I got dressed,I walked around my house thinking this is just so boring I cant wait to go to work.

The next day i did the same. After about a week I started to feel sad and worthless. Like all I get to look forward to is going to work.I hate my job,too.The only reason I work there is to be able to provide for my kids and now there all growing up and don't need me that much any more and I have nothing to do.

When I was feeling bad for my self and my husband was trying to make me feel better by telling me that I have already done so much in my life already and I should be proud of my self,it made me feel better.

I went to the bathroom and I looked in the mirror.I realized something I never noticed before....How young I really am.I still have my youth.I am still very young and have so much more to do.

I enrolled back in school and today was my second day.

What's about my grandparents

I always love and remember my grandparents especially my grandpa. Because he was so sweet, friendly, and a man whose principles would not bend. My grandpa was a master storyteller. And he had within him a rare strength that sustained not only my sisters and me, but all the family. He always in the evening was sitting in front of the chimney and paid attention to me.He started talking about his many adventures that he had in the past.Sometimes the stories made me laugh and sent happy tears down my cheeks, or a story that made me feel very sad. My grandparents were very poor, and they had a small house with three small windows, and the floor was made of dry mud. They didn't have electricity. The only light in the night they used was the candles,or petroleum lamps. My grandpa always took care of me. But one day he got sick, and the doctor said that he has diabetes.My grandpa was an old man and five months later he died. For me it was the most sad notice I heard, but my mom explained me, " your grandpa is in heaven with God." I still miss my grandpa. But I gave God thanks for the time I had with my grandpa. The lesson that he showed me I will never forget. I learned to respect the past, to respect my own heritage and my self. This story I wrote is for the memory of my beloved grandpa who lived many adventures.

my story

I would like to tell you all about my story. I have an illness that a 90-year-old woman has. It is called osteoporosis. That's when your bones dissolve. I have had 5 operations in the past year. I will start to tell you about my surgeries.

The first one was my left hip. They replaced with a metal hip on January of 2009. The second operation was my right hip. That was only 5 weeks after the one. But on July 27, I shattered it on the left side.

Then they started doing blood tests. Then I found out that I have a vitamin D deficiency. That is when I found out my problems.

Now you know most of my story. I would like to let you in life. At one time I was standing in my hallway. Then I had a terrible fall. That is when I broke my left hip, because the Doctor put it to close to the bone.

The ambulance came, I could not move I was scared to do anything. So I ended up at the hospital.I was there for 6 days. The first 4 days were traction. And I was in complete MISERY. You would never like to feel the pain I did. It was so severe, they had to put an epidural in my back. That is a very uncomfortable. The reason for the traction was that they had to order the part from CANADA after the new implant.

I ended in an inpatient hospital because of my new hard wear. They had a zero weight bearing on my left leg. Well to tell you what happened. The whole time I was in there, my left wrist was broken. So all I could do was lay in bed.

3 times a day a physical therapist would come in my room and do soft tissue therapy. To keep my muscles and tendons loose. Then I started weight bearing exercise. You would not understand the severe pain. Because of the new implant went all to the knee.

I did a whole other month of very painful therapy. Then the therapist came to the house, to look for safety items. Starting in the bathroom, I had to have bars to put in. And then I had to make a few adjustments in the kitchen and living room. And then more of the story really begins.

The whole time I was in the hospital my wrist was broken and the therapist was making me lift weights with it. So then I went to my post-op appointment. I started to tell my ortho about my wrist was really in pain. So then he took an x-ray of it. And of course it was broken. Then my ortho took me down the hallway to a hand Doctor. Then he had taken a look at the x-ray. That result ended up in a rush to the hospital.

The Doctor performed surgery that afternoon. Due to the weight bearing exercises, the Doctor could not realign the bone. So I have an agonizing spur on one side. It catches on everything, tendons, muscle, and nerves. The pain gets so bad, you almost want to die. My surgery was on Sept. 22, 2010, and now it is Feb. 15, 2010. And it has not healed up yet. So I would like to tell you all I am still really working on it.

I have a P.T. that is working with me 2 times a week. And also I have a Doctor that gives me injections in my neck. They start a sedative, which makes you really loopy. Then they put this needle in your neck. That is a sensation you do not want to go through. What happens is your goes numb, for at least 2 days.

So when I could start to try to get dressed. It was hard on everyone in my family. They had to help my do everything because it was like being a baby. So now I will tell you what my life is like now.

I can no longer walk with out a walker. I also take 9 different medications, it is so hard to take. I was so overcome being house bound again. I started volunteering at a place that I had been in for rehab.

So then that is when I found out what it takes to be a better person. And finding a job is just not possible right now. I need to start getting myself educated now. I tried to do it on the computer.

But I could not keep up. So then I called around to find out about a GED. I had started to find places to get one. At first I started with an orientation at D-2. I had taken my pre-test.

And then I received a call from D-2. Of course there were no openings. So they put me on a waiting list ha- ha.

So then I went to D-11 to try to get in. But if you not are not in D-11, you have to pay them. So I went to their orientation. And you would not believe it. A SPARK OF FAITH!

Penny called me and told me about an opening next week, and that I could start. It was like being on cloud 9. And that makes you feel better inside then you would know. I enjoy my teacher MISS SUE, because she knows right what I have been telling you about.

She is like no teacher I have experienced in all my life! Thanks to all the students, they are very hopeful also. So now I have the chance to better my life. And for anyone who reads this, take a minute and think about where you are in your life.


P.S This is something I should have done a long time ago. And again
to all the people that are helping me. Thanks again.

Sincerely
KURT

How could Colorado Springs rock?

Do you like living in Colorado Springs?

If you're answer is no: Why not? What does our city need to make it better? What is it missing? Or what does it have that you wish it DIDN'T?

If your answer is yes: Why do you like it? What are the activities that you and your family enjoy here? And finally.... are there any things that would make a good city even better?

Many people around our city are thinking about these very same questions right now. And they are looking for YOUR input in answer to the question: "How could Colorado Springs rock?"

People from all over town have put down their ideas on post cards, and sent them in, and they are being posted on the web!
Take a look!

If you would like to hear an interview with one of the people who started the icoloradosprings project, and see more postcards, click HERE.

The Decision to Change our lifes.

This story is so long, but I will try to relate my story with possible brevity.

When I finished the high school,Oh my God!These were many time ago, I was only 17 years old. In these time I started to go to parties close to my house.

German lived in the same neighborhood then in some party we met.

I thought that the life was easy, but was not always like that because I was going through many changes in my life. On many opportunities all of us think that our parents aren't best ones in the world, but the idea changes when you get a important decision.

In these years German was going through a hard time because when one is young,we think we can "have our cake and eat it,too".

German suffered alcoholism for many years. He is now a recovered alcoholic since twelve years ago.

When German and I made the decision to live and made a family together,Whooo!On these moment change my life.

Now we have two children, Dayana and Bryan. They are our motor, our strong to follow hard work with the God help, and the love that our family give us.

We enjoy of the life,"each day as if it were our last".

I would like to say that everything in this life has its own time.

Sometimes we took a wrong turn, but everyone has the opportunity to return.

Enjoy your life and try to be happy.

Cutless Supreme

I am proud of my cars. I am proud of my cars because I have taken time to build them. I think I would have to say I'm most proud of my first car. It was a '78 Cutless Supreme. I bought it when I was 16 years old.

That summer I was working part time at Stratton Meadows Elementary, a school near my house. I was with my dad when I first saw her(my Cutless). I told him to stop so I can check it out. My dad told me that it wasn't worth what they wanted for it.

We went home, and I was thinking about that car all night. The next day I pulled all of my money out of my bank and walked where the car was. I knocked on the door and asked if I could talk to the owner of the Cutless. The owner came out side and asked, "do you want to take a look at it?" I looked at it from top to bottom. I asked him, "would you go any lower on the price? it needs body work ,a new battery, and so one." He said that he had to much invested into it. Then I asked, "does it run good?" He said, "it needs a lot of work." I showed him the money I had and told him to give me a break it would be my first car.

After a couple days he called me back, and said come get it. so that day I asked my dad if I could get it. Even though my parents were a little upset, my dad still helped me bring my car home.

Every time I had spare time I would work on my car, and try to fix it. I couldn't figure out what the problem was so I invested in a brand new motor. When I was close to my goal, I started to take out the old Oldsmobile motor. I pulled the old motor by myself with in a day.I started to clean the engine compartment and paint where the old engine was. By the time I was finished, my new motor arrived. The next day my uncle took me to the auto store to buy the last parts I needed, and that day my uncle and me dropped a brand new Chevy engine in my old Cutless.

After that it didn't give me any problems. So as a couple weeks passed I had the money to buy a system for her. All I really needed was a paint job. I was saving money when a good friend asked if I was interested in buying his 1973 Buick. I told him, I am really interested , but I have to sell my car first. He told me that he would give me his car and some money for my car. I told him we had a deal so he came to pick it up and it didn't want to start.

I told my friend this is the first time it hasn't started. He thought it was funny because she didn't want to go. The next day he came back and I still couldn't figure out what was wrong with the car. He told me he needs a car really bad so I ended up selling my Cutless to my brother in law for a cheap price because it wasn't running.I gave the money to my friend so he could find another car. I was sad at first. I put so much work into my car and sold it so fast and cheap. I had gotten my dream car so it made up for selling my first car.

Now I am back to square one, but I am proud of the '78 cutless that I built.

His Warm Smile of Love

His warm smile of love is that my grandpa was a very good man. His name was Tom. He was a person that you can look up to and count on. My grandpa loved to help people if they needed help.

My grandpa was in the concrete work. He was a mason, a person that lays concrete and lays block.

I used to go to his house in AZUSA, California to hang out or help him around the house. I used to help him with the yard, like mowing the yard, trim trees, and help him with his car.

My grandma never had to work. So she just sat around watched soaps,and drank beer.I would take his car to the shop when needed.

We also used to go to the park and play catch and play baseball with the other kids.I loved to play baseball when I was a little kid. I always got a lot of support from him.

Then things started to slow down. He started to get sick with diabetes. He lost part of his hearing. He had to use hearing aids. He lost his hearing from the saws that he had to use to cut the blocks and loud machines. His hearing got so bad that the hearing aids did not work for him any more. It started to get more complicated communicating with him. I still kept coming over to help him around the house.

Then finally they moved down to Sun City, California, and I could not get down there anymore. He got so bad that he passed.

I was sad. I will always remember my grandpa as a good person. He will always be in my heart and soul.

This morning I tell my self
Go! you can do it! fight for
everything that you want.

Not all the things are easier, we have
to fight and give the best
as we can.

sometimes we will feel alone and sad,
but always there is someone that
will give you help.

BE HAPPY YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

The world goes around and doesn`t stop
your life stop just if you stop it
you are the only one who can finish and destroy
with your life.

But meanwhile things happen
quickly and easily.

Finally you will get a clue
if you fight and grow, or
leave it like you are now.

02/05/10
author:MARINA!!!

What 's Happening to My Town?

Cd Juarez Chihuahua, Mexico

I grew up in a small town name Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua, Mexico. When I was little we always played outside. All the people sat on the porch until midnight; sometimes we played music and danced outside my house almost every weekend. My friend's mom Señora Chole cooked outside and made good food to sell like (gorditas, enchiladas and tacos.)

Cd Juarez, Mx is across the border from El Paso, TX. Always my town was so quiet and a safe place to live. The streets were full of the same people that I know. It was so fun when we got all together and played football, soccer, and played music. Sometimes we threw parties at different friends houses. That was a good time. I wish that can happen at this time, but now is completely different. I know that now there is a lot of criminals. Now you can not sit outside your house because there are a lot of bad people and they came to rob you, or they attract you, or even kill you. Even in the morning they don't care.

Sometimes 10 to 20 people have been killed per day. I think is because there are lot of people from different countries or from South America. And it's a lot of drug dealers that they killed people just to have fun. Sometimes I didn't want to go there to visit my family because I'm afraid that criminals rob us or even do something bad to my family.

I wish the Mexican government can do something good for my country and take all the bad people and put them in prison. I wish Cd Juarez Chihuahua, Mx. could be a nice place to live, just like when I was young. That way all the people can be happy and safe.

An important event

The wall of Berlin, Germany fell to give an end to socialism in that country, and finish years of genocide and cataclysm. It was just a grand day for the entire world. So we never forget freedom is the most important right for the human being.

P.S. It gives us hope for a better tomorrow.(never forget November- 09-1989)

happy new year!

Welcome back, everybody! I hope you had a restful time over the holidays. I know it can be crazy sometimes, but I hope you found time just to hang out with friends and family. Look at all these wonderful people:



Here's to a new year of new learning and new adventures!!!!!!!!!
And here's Joseph's amazing cake:

The Job I Wish I Could Have

Well I Would have to say my dream job would be a top notch Game Designer/Film Maker/Comic Book Maker ,all under one roof. The reason be hind it all is because me and my cousin Mike we're complaining about things in "Brothers in Arms:Hell's highway" ,that they should stop promising to the fans about some thing so easy ,but they never go through with it and that got me thinking. And what sold me on the idea was that Mike wanted to be a games designer and for some reason it stared to dish out idea for games, but a couple months later he didn't want to do it anymore, so a couple more months later I had more ideas than i could deal with, so I thought I'll star making the games, so from there ever thing fell in to place. I came up with ainvitational idea to do all three things because of what Marvel Comic were doing with the movie game which was there own film studios. The day I hear of marvel films is the day I became a film maker. So that is kind of my origins story of sorts and the ideas come to paper by drawing my biggest muse. Instead of where normal people would write it down, I draw it down. It is my easiest way to comprehend what I imagine. This is my most beloved dream job. I hope you got a grip on why this my dream job.

THE FIRST DAY I SAW THE OCEAN

The very first time I saw the ocean I felt apprehensive, astonished and shocked. I kept my mouth opened for several hours. After that my feelings are the same, but I would like to see it again.

I remembered that day. I was going from my town to Jalisco. We had to pass over a mountain, and we stopped at the hill. Suddenly there was the ocean!. It was a lot a feet down the mountain, very blue ,moving back and forth. I never saw the end. It was very foggy. At that time my heart started to beat faster. Thump!Thump!
My hands turned yellow and cold,I stopped breathing for a while, and my mind started to imagine horrible things like tsunamis.


I still don't understand why I am afraid of water!

My wrong turn in life.

When i was younger in school it was the eleventh grade. All that was left is one more year to go. I took a wrong turn,hung out with bad people, got into a lot of trouble. Was in plenty fights in and out of school till finally was suspended for good. My mother was very upset with my choices in life, so she said either you go back to school, or get a job. So i went to work for the first time at 16 years old as a prep cook. If i could turn back time school would have been my first choice to complete. But after all i would have never got the chance to become the great chef i am today.Now my new goal is to get my GED and go straight to college for culinary art. I really love cooking for people, i think its a real art. Plus, i want to learn everything about ice sculpting , baking fancy cakes and pies. I want to learn more of what i love to do and become one-of-kind greatest chef. Most of all want to make my children and mother happy and to be very proud of what i have done with my life.

The longest month of our lives.

There are moments in life, when twisted turns change your life.For good or for bad, but those experiences always make you wiser . I'm going to tell what happened to my family-(My husband Ruben, My daughter Scarlet, My son Gary and I.

About 3 years ago, some one called my husband at 6 a.m in the morning. It was my brother in law telling my husband that my father in law was very ill and he wanted to see him. he had melanoma, is a tipe of cancer, that can spreed all over your body quickly. My father in law requested that he needed to see his son , maybe for the last time, because he was the only one far away from him. at that moment Ruben, knew that he had to go to meet him.

We went all the way down to Juarez , Mexico. The first thing to do is to get a permit, from the Mexican custom office. But my husband learned that, since he had only a tourist visa he could not have the permit for the two cars. He was desperate in that moment his father was dying and now this problem . But at the exit of the custom office a man started to honk his horn; my husband stopped. He approached to us and and told him."I can help you, I'm a custom officer my self". Ruben thought he was his savior. the men told us he would fix all the papers and permits that we needed.

We stayed for two days in a motel waiting for him to arrived with the papers, and he did, but he send another person, it was another man,so he put the papers on the cars windows, this person , was so nervous, like he was hiding something so Ruben told him ' 'T hank's for everything you are done for us ". The man made a face , like if he was feeling bad for us. Then he just asked for the money and left. They charged us $800.00 dllrs. When we cross, the first custom station. The officers approached to my husband by the window side, and told him, "where are you going guero". (that means Blondie). My husband answered, "To Guadalajara because my father is dying". They looked at him with a face of doubt,and said, "Show me your permits and the cars papers". Ruben did what he was asked to do.

Then they started to laugh and said"This permits are fake, you are going to jail guero". My husband was surprised. He didn't now the papers were fake. He started sobbing and told them, "Please my father is dying, and I need to go and be by his side". They chuckled and said, "If your father is going to die you can't do nothing about it, But maybe we can fix this problem some how". They wanted the things we had inside of our car, like a t.v. set and a d.v.r that Ruben brought to sell for some the expenses of the funeral and the trip, but he told them, "No, am not going to make more mistakes. If you are going to take me to prison just do it " They started to whisper to each other, and then turn to my husband and say "We are going to let you go, so you can return to Juarez, and fix your problem".

Maybe those officers touch their hearts, I would never know. We returned to Juarez and tried to sell our cars , but no one offered a fair price. So we decided,to go to the airport and take a plane, but they didn't had flights that day.

Ruben decided to rent a van and leave are cars at the airport parking lot. The car that we rented had license plate of Coahuila, Mex, so nobody stooped us in the way to Guadalajara. It took us 32 hours to be in the city, we rode all the way to the hospital of Guzman, city were my father in law was. My husband got inside of the room looked at his father, for the first time in 6 years and told him "It's me Ruben don't you re recognize me", but he couldn't focus his sight and he couldn't speak either, he moved his eyes side ways like wondering where his son was, Ruben approached near him and gave him a kiss and whispered in the ear, " Don't be afraid of dead dad because you're going to be better with god in heaven", and your agony is going to end.

With a broken eye a drop of tear fell down to his cheek. He was breathing fast at first but when Ruben told him all those words, while he caressed his face and later hug him, he started to breath more calmed. When I entered to his room and sow him, I started to yelled and broke in tears, while my mother in law was holding me I stared to asked with a broken voice " why God let people suffer like this ". He wasn't my father but it hurt like he was my blood. Maybe from another life , don't ask me why but it hurt so deep inside of my heart and I only knew him for about a month but he already had a place in my life.

That night we went to rest, waiting for tomorrow to see him again, but we found out he just passed away. Ruben and his siblings prepared everything for the funeral, many people came to my husband childhood house, to pray for my father in law soul, that's the way Catholic people in Mexico, are accustomed to. While the people were inside , I had to wait in are car with my son, because he was to restless and he'll made noise inside of the house and could annoy the guest. So we waited out side for about 10 hrs until next morning. Next day it was time to go to the cemetery to say the last prayer and the last good bye. We spended 1 more day and later we returned to Juarez for our cars and to returned the rented car.

Next morning my sister's husband arrived by airplane to Juarez, he came to help us because he is a resident of U.S.A. And he could easily take the cars to California. We traveled by bus to Tijuana and I was able to see my sister that I miss so much, we stayed for two weeks then we cross San Isidro border by the sentry box everything was getting better, so we went to visit my mom, she lives at Bonita, California. I was so happy to see her because I miss her so much. But we had to say good bye again.

After that we headed to San Bernardino Cal. where my husband's aunt lives, she loaned us some money because we thought to take our children to Disney land, I thought they could relaxed and forget the hard moments of these unfortunate events, wish in they struggled, most of it my youngest one, he was 2 years old at that time. I have to say " They had the best time of their lives". My little son was surprised of the parade and the rides, but his big sister felt if she was at home , because she had gone before.

We were ready to go to our home at Colorado Springs, so we hit the road. We had the two cars and everything was almost O.K. because with the lost of my father in law my poor husband didn't have time to grief. He looked so strong, he is the kind of man that doesn't cry.

We were at the road and passing the last tunnel, we thought now we are o.k because this is Golden, Colorado. We could see the city view of Denver, Colorado the lights twinkling in the dark of the night, all of the sudden the car that we were towing, slipped with the icy road and sweep us away it made the car to crush in to a cement wall, close to the deep ravine . I just closed my eyes and "Said what ever you want for us, it's o.k with me dear God" and my husband said "Please help us God".

The car we were towing got detached from the car we were riding and roll over and ended destroyed. When I opened my eyes I toughed we were dead but surprising every body was fine, physically but emotionally every body was destroyed. I jumped out of the car opened the door and grabbed my son's car seat with him on it, I ran to a safer place because the cars were passing be so fast, my husband grabbed my daughter by the broken window.

It was like if dead was following us, no body wanted to stop it was 3am and then a Grand Caravan pulled over at the road shoulder. It was a elder gentleman he looked worry for us , he asked us " every body its o.k ? do you need help?". He happened to be a ex police man. When the ambulance and the firefighters came over, my husband was in a shock he couldn't speak he was just holding my son like staring with his sight lost , with his big green eyes wide open. I did all the talking with the officers, paramedics and the fire fighters.

They asked me "Is every body o.k" and I answered yes and then they depart . The gentleman who stopped, give us a ride to Denver we stayed in a hotel waiting for a friend to pick us up at 6:00 we were on are way to Colorado Springs. Finally once we were in Springs we start all over again with no money and no cars "Thank God we pay in advance the rent of the apartment and I left food in the frizzier " (The most important thing was that we were alive).

My poor son ended with postraumatic stress, but he is much better now and mi daughter cried for six months, my husband didn't had time to Griff and sometimes his eyes turn red when he start to remember his papa and his home town. The bruises of are body disappear, but the ones we have inside are hearts and memory, those just time will erase them. (So always try to be positive, because in a blink of an eye life can change. ) Things that I learned: to be more stronger, less naive, to save money and be grateful for every thing I have.

"Dedicated to an angel that watch for all of us from heaven " Porfirio Guizar De La Cruz .

What is your dream job? Why?

My dream job is a teacher because when I was young one of my elementary school teachers who inspired me. So long ago, but even today, still she is inside of my memory.

She was a very young, neat, bright, sparkled, fresh, and always smelled good. Sometimes, I went to her and didn't say anything just looked at her or sat down next to her. I don't know why I liked her a lot, but I know one thing she was very patient and always had a good smile on her face.

One day, I could not afford to have my lunch so I tried to go outside. She asked me, "Where are you going to?" I said to her, "I just want to go out side. Then she said again, "Where is your lunch?" I looked at her she asked me again and she came to me, held my hand, walked through her desk, then opened her lunch box, and gave to me half of her lunch. I didn't know what to do, but I was so hungry and I looked her lunch box; she had good food in there. I could not believe what I saw in her lunch box!

To me never ever seen all good food such dry seaweed, egg roll, sausage, etc.,
But guess what? After I had eaten her lunch, I was sick couple of days because from my house I never ate those stuff. After that happened, I liked my teacher's kindness and thoughtfulness very much. I think she was a good role model for me and other children who saw her actions with me.

Now, I am a grown person sometimes I sit down think about my old days, I can remember that day. In many times, I ask to myself if I am going to be in that situation can I do that like my teacher did for me?

Even today, I am working with children. I don't think I have that much of patience, passion, and love. A lot of times, I think this is my job to do so I just do my work without love or careless. Also many times, I ask myself do I really want to be a teacher with all that responsibilities? But at the bottom of my heart I really want to be a teacher because many children don't know who is their parents or some of them are growing up with single mom or dad. Therefore, many of children are missing very important stuff such as how to respect public, friends, parents, or older people.

In my opinion, if we don't teach them now, think about it twenty or thirty years later what it's going to be? In the future those young children will take over our country without what is right and wrong, I think they are completely lost their directions. That's why I would like to be a teacher- to do my best and teach the young children as much as I know and my experience from my life.

In each different culture there is a type of Tomar.

I will never forget when the doctor said. "Congratulations Lorena you are pregnant." I felt many emotions during the first few moment, but I was mostly happy and scared. A wave of happiness crashed over me, because I could finally be able to have a little boy. (I already had two girls). I was also scared because when I was twenty a horrible thing happened to me. I was pregnant with my first son and unfortunately he was born dead at eight months. Through out my entire pregnancy I was nervous. I did not want that to happen to me again. One day I came to school and one of the teachers gave me a little Virgin Mary and told me to wear it under my clothes all the time. She said that she would protect me. She also told me that everything would turn out fine. When she was pregnant, she wore it all the time. Later I put little red lace shaped like a ribbon in mi bra. Supposedly the color red is good luck for the the baby. Some people believe that it prevents the baby from having birth defects. I changed the lace every day when I took a shower. I am Catholic and believe strongly in the Virgin Mary and thank God my son is very healthy and about to turn three. I thank the Lord for everything. The same tomar that I used I gave to my friends Daysi when she was pregnant.

On the Radio!

Listen!

and leave a comment on the KRCC website, if you would like to.

the pakul

Ok, so yeah, the pakul is a "men's" hat. But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun!

IT WAS MY OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!

I'm going to tell you that maybe I took a wrong turn or maybe not in my life. Now, I am happy with my husband and my two kids. We try to have fun always, leave out of the house and travel. So I love them so much, but if God could give me other opportunity to go back to my past and take another turn, I would.Because I am not sorry for having my babies and getting married, just because I got married so young.I was only 17 .I think about all that my mother told me in all her advices.Also I could have been finished high school too, with not worries like who will take care of my kids, if I got to the school? , or if I am in school I am thinking about them.how were they?,will they cry or not? and these things don't let me pay attention at 100% at my teacher and I can't learn all. So other way if I would have been in my house with my mom it would have been different, no worries or distractions, but always we think when we did it , why ? I dont know.So, I know that I don't have another opportunity to start againg.the only thing I can do is to be happy, cheer, and not to be sad and work to grow up with my own family.

3-18-2009 The Passing of a Friend

March 18, 2009 was an ordinary day. In fact it was a day after my birthday. I turned eighteen on March 17. But on March 18, 2009 a really dear friend passed away.

August 21, 2006, Aaron Alan Edmiston became a freshman at Mesa Ridge High School. He and I were enrolled in the ROTC program there. He loved it, but I did not. We wore uniforms that were heavy and black and we could not even breathe. He went to competition in New Mexico that same year. He told me it was so loud there and it was so cold. So cold you can see your breath. I could hardly understand him because he lost his voice.

March 7, 2007, rolls around and it was the day of the Navy Ball. Navy Ball was an amazing dance. Hearing the music and feeling it beat your body around. From what I heard in the past the Navy Ball was way better then the Homecoming dance. Homecoming was fun but I loved Navy Ball. The downside of it was that we had to wear uniforms. But I did not care because in ten days was my birthday. I was turning fifteen so I was pretty excited.

May 22, rolls up and it was the last day of hell (or as the teachers and the school liked to put it as, Freshmen year). Summer was finally here and I was so happy because I had no school and I had no job for I was only a kid. I hung out with Aaron a lot during the summer. He was so cool and everywhere we would go he'd always wear a hat. That kid never took off that hat. But he was a great guy. He never meant to do anything wrong in his life but noone's perfect.

August 21, 2007 comes after a long hot summer. School begins and we were sophomores. The bell goes off and the students go to class. The halls were packed full of students. The final bell rings and any student caught out in the halls or out of class would get written up. Aaron and I were in ROTC again this year. But we had fun because we went to competition together with forty more cadets. It was in New Mexico again this year. We also played pranks on all of our high ranking officers and our teachers. Wow! You should have seen Aaron's face when I dropped a water balloon on my CO (commanding officer). The balloon was filled up with water and lotion. I got in so much trouble. I had to do so many push-ups I thought my arms were going to fall off.

Before I knew it , I was at 98 push-ups. I started to tear up and I was screaming the number. My CO was laughing her butt off. I still think she hates me. Aaron on the other hand was having a great time. Well we were done with the competition and we took home twenty-four first and second place trophies! We were so happy but my arms still hurt.

May 22, school's finally out and we are no longer sophomores. Summer finally starts yet again and I got to sleep in. Some days Aaron and I went to the movies for two reasons. One to enjoy a good movie and two to try and pick up girls. But this summer went by really fast. Before we knew it we went out and bought supplies for school. We couldn't find all the stuff we needed so we went to different places.

August 22, 2008, is here and school is back yet again. Just to annoy us I believe. But Aaron didn't really mind. He loved school because he was able to hang out with his friends and be in ROTC. He always made people laugh. Then before we knew it Navy Ball was here again. March 7, 2009, the Navy Ball was back. The music played, the cadets danced, and the teachers...Well they just watched. We took a break from dancing and announced the Navy Ball king, queen, prince, and princess. Aaron was the Navy Ball prince.

March 17, 2009, my birthday finally arrived. I was officially eighteen. I knew anything that I did wrong could put me in prison. But I didn't care because I was eighteen and I had no worry in the world. But the next day all hell broke loose. It was an ok day for me. Everything was going great. For Aaron it was a different story. He got in trouble for vandalizing some cars throughout his neighborhood. Him and two other cadets got in trouble with the law. I never knew what had happened until the next day.

March 19, 2009, this was a sad day for me and so many. My mom and dad went to work early that morning , but I stayed home because I felt "sick". 10:00 a.m. rolled around and I heard a knock on my front door. I wondered who the hell it was. So I answered it and it was my friend Kris. He was panicked and he sounded like he had been crying for awhile. I thought to myself "Why is Kris crying? He never crys." That's when I recieved the terrible news. I started to cry. The way Kris gave me the news he said, in a voice that was horse like he had been crying, he told me, "Last night Aaron got into a lot of trouble." I asked him, " Why are you crying though?" He replied, with tears running down his face, "Aaron killed himself!" That's what got me. My friend! My brother! Gone! Killed himself!

Aaron's passing was a strong and painful thing. I miss him. Everyone misses him. Mesa Ridge and ROTC will never be the same again. Not without Aaron being there.

Rest In Peace Aaron 5-27-1992 - 3-18-2009.

Good bye my brother.

Dear Greg Mortenson

I see you was talking about humanity , racism and kids.
The humanity is what people can give to another.
Like you gave to all the people in Korphe.
The school is a place where all the people can learn.
You heart is full of humanity.
You also found out the racisim from the
people in the USA. They did bad things like put the trash can
over his head and slapped it because he came from Africa.
You always help the kids to teach them in math.
When they were sick he geve medicine. You took good
of them.
I think You are a very nice person . I want to tell you
thank you for sharing this wonderful story with all
the people , and you experience.

Dear, Mr. Greg Mortenson

I thought your book was very knowledgeable. And more people so follow that almost infant way of thinking, not say your an infant. But I mean that simple way of thought. You don't care about what race, religion, or creed someone is for you to befriend them , you like or dislike someone on the way they treat you. And I can respect that. I'm sorry for the lose of your sister and father. I could not imagine what pain you went through, and are still going through and losing them both in such a short time frame, my condolences. OK let's move on to a happier note. You are doing a great thing not just for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan but for mankind

and the world , who knows you could have given an education to the doctor who will create the cure for Cancer, who knows. so keep it up and hear from you soon.

Your friend:Virgil

P.s. : Don't Screw Up ! , lol, jk.

Things from the past that make me happy today.

I am Native American Indian. Sioux (Lakota, Hunkpapa, and Asinaboin.) Also I am Cherokee. My family and I have many things that represent our heritage. For example, my E-Nah(mom) has the family crystal that has Indian carvings in it. It's covered with a little blanket with our family tree on it. Me, I have a dream catcher that my little cousin River gave me, and a choker that my grandma Fawn gave me before she died. When my little cousin River was eleven years old, he made me this dream catcher for my fifteenth birthday present. It is a beautiful one at that. It is made out of leather(brown) and beads(blue, green, yellow, and red) the colors of the Medicine Wheel. At the end it has a feather from a hawk, and in the middle it has buffalo skin to hold the whole entire thing together. I keep my dream catcher above my head so that when I sleep, I'll have incredible dreams instead of nightmares. It works!!!! When I look at it, it makes me smile because of who it came from, also because it makes me feel safe.The choker that my grandma Fawn gave me doesn't do anything but remind me of our past before she had died. My favorite memory about my grandma is, she would always take me to the bead store when we had lived in Manitu Springs. She then always took me to my favorite restaurant called "The Loop" for lunch. We did this every Thursday and Saturday. They were the happiest moments in a granddaughter's life.(Well mine anyway). My choker is beautiful. It has creamy white beads along with dark brown beads and golden beads. The charms on it are golden feathers. I don't wear it a lot, only when my family and I go to the reservations in Montana. I keep it hanging on my wall with my first teddy bear which is a angel grizzly bear. I call him Mr. Jingles. I am grateful for my heritage symbolized belongings. I miss my grandma and I love my little cousin. These two things are from the past, but still make me happy to this day.

Keyonna Todd

Dear Greg Mortenson...

After I read your book-Three Cups of Tea-actually not finish yet...
I was amazed many ways. First is your courage, second is your humanity, and third is your life.
When I read this book, sometimes I imagine "If I were Greg...". But my answer is always "No,I can't!". If I belonged to your parents...that could be. Because your parents were great...like you.
You didn't command about your religion, but I could guess. They might be a Christian-kind of
ministry of Africa. And their humanity could influence you. Your parents challenge to me.
I want to be a great parents who has a good influence to my children, friends, and neighbors.
By the way, when did you marry? and when did you have your children?
I supposed you are single. Because you are always busy. Come and go,here and there...
Love is great! and you are great,too! Haha~~
I remind how powerful the American-especially English. By you building school in Korphe,they
can learn about America and speak English. How amazing! Pakistanis can speak English...
Near future, the English will become a common language all over the world!
Lots of American are proud of you. And many Pakistanis thank you.

To Mr. Greg Mortenson

Dear Mr. Greg Mortenson:

My name is Song. I am so glad to meet you through the book. The book's title is Three Cups of Tea that book you wrote. When I started to read this book, I thought just one of 3rd world countries stories, so I kind of ignored it, but I was wrong. It brings my attention and challenge to me. When I was young, my dream to go out there helping people who need my help, but I did not have chance to do it. By the way, I am so proud of you and your family. Even though you want to help the Pakistan people or their children, without your family support that is impossible. However, I am glad because we have people like you, so we can change our lives better and we can teach our next generation. Also, when you went out there (West Side Elementary School) and gave them one hour speech that was really a success. Those children brought over six hundred pennies. you must have done a great speech, so those children opened their minds for other countries children. In my opinion, you did a great job; therefore, you and those who helped you in the very beginning of your mission, you are a hero for all of us. You're getting a big hand from all of us and thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!


Sincerely

Song Hilyard

Three Cups of Tea - Writing Assignment for Chapter 9: Hunting Ibex

Please choose one of these topics.

1. Twaha gave Greg a tomar to protect him on the glacier during the hunt. Do you have anything like a tomar? What is it? Where did you get it? Where do you keep it? What does it mean for you?

Write about it. Explain as many details about it as you can.


2. Greg said that his life would have been less interesting if he hadn’t taken the wrong turn and ended up in Korphe. Have you ever taken a “wrong turn”, or perhaps had something happen to you that was bad at first, but turned out to make your life more interesting?

Write about what it is you did, or what happened to you, and explain how it has made your life more interesting.


3. Write a letter to Greg Mortenson. You can share with him your thoughts about the book, about his life, or whatever. You can also ask him any questions that you may have.


I look forward to reading your posts over the next couple of weeks!

Wow!!!!

While searching the Internet, I found some amazing videos!

Try this one!

And this one!

There's even a music video!

Chapter 6 - Hard Way Home

In order to practice the art of FLUENCY while reading, I gave you all a section from Chapter 6 in Three Cups of Tea to practice, and then read aloud to the class. I was so absolutely impressed with your expression and pronunciation! I enjoyed listening to you, instead of you listening to me! :)

Let me know if you would like to do this activity again. This also looks interesting. Hmmm....what do you think?

In addition to FLUENCY, we also practiced VOCABULARY. Before reading Chapter 6, each group discovered the words they did not know in their text, and then had to figure out a way to teach them to the class. Here are some photos from that day!

Three Cups of Tea

We have been reading Three Cups of Tea in our class. Here is a picture of one of the schools that is being built, thanks to Greg Mortenson. Click on the photo to see it even bigger!

If you would like some more information about the book, you can go to Greg Mortenson's website and look around. There are also some great photos!

He even has a blog!

When browsing through a blog or a website, make sure you take time to really look and read.

I was wondering what your feelings were about the book so far, or about any thoughts you have from looking at the links above.

Leave your thoughts or feelings in the comments!

The 4th of July that I Remember the Most

The 4th of July I remember the most is in the year 1986. That day at 5:00 p.m. on the 4th of July was so important because that day I got married. I remember we had a party outside my house on the street. Everybody in the neighborhood went to the dinner. We played music, and danced, and had fun. That day was also my birthday. So every 4th of July my family and I celebrate because it is my birthday and my anniversary and also my birthday. So that 4th of July is memorable to me.

The System

Hi, my name is Manny. Let me give you a little outlook of how I see things. Are you a single mother, and have applied for government assistance and got denied? Or even had to do paper work over and over because your info got lost? It is frustrating right? I believe that people who really need help, who have a child or children, who can not pay bills, have nothing to eat, and have no babysitter, should have priority over someone who lives with 6-7 others, has some food, and has a sitter to watch their child or children to look for a job. I believe it is not fair, and action needs to be taken. I am curious what you all think. Feel free to leave a comment.

My Life Is Weather

My life is based on the weather

I'm like the sun that sits so bright

I'm like the rain when I cry at night

I'm like the wind every time I blow

I'm like the snow just with a little flow

All I can tell you - don't get caught in the weather

Please Try

Don't Give Up

By Ricky Murphy

"Unforgettable Surprise"

The time was steadily similar to the other days. I was working at a clothing store and that days were so busy because is was Christmas time. The store was suffused with customers and I did my job hastily.

This day was my birthday, but I was not waiting for something special. I knew it was my birthday, but my family didn't have enough money to make me a party and can understand this. I not to reproach anything.

When the day was over and I finished my job, I said bye to my friends. I strode on the street to reach my house. When I told to my mom, " mom I'm here", she asked me if I could search for something ( I can't remember what ) in the living room. I said OK, but when I opened the door where it was, the light was off. When I put it on, there were all my friends and family and they shrilled, " Happy Birthday!" and sang it too. My heart was quivering and I couldn't stop crying. It was very moving and unexpected for me. It was beautiful.

It was my unforgettable surprise.

* A HAPPY MOMENT *

Yesterday, I had an appointment for an ultrasound at 12:15am. I was very anxious to be there. I would find out about my new baby and I was nervous too. I was seated with my mother-in-law. We were waiting when suddenly the nurse called me to go inside. We went and began with the ultrasound. The nurse asked me if I wished to know what I'm going to have: boy or girl. Of course I said "yes". She saw and said, "It's a boy". I felt very happy and I wanted to cry and this is another happy moment that I'm never going to forget.

When I Was a Teen

When I lived in Mexico and I was a teen, I met with my friends in the plaza every day. We played volleyball, talked, and were around. I really miss those times in my beautiful City Carachurio. One day I remember I was mad at my friends. They were only girls so I switched to the men's volleyball team. They were so scared, you know the men are stronger than women. For that day I felt glorious, but after that I felt sorry for my friends. However, I gave them a lesson. I wish the time never past. That was my best time as a teen. I am keeping this good times in my memory. I shared my good time in my little town to my kids.

A SNOW MEMORY

In my town it never snows and I sincerely never imagined that I would get the opportunity to see snow or enjoy it's sensational sense.

Before having the experience of seeing snow, and enjoying the glorious nature, I didn't have any idea of how it happened, but now I can explain to my family how this happens.

I can also describe the funny anecdote that happen in Colorado Springs. Something that I can't forget is when my parents saw snow for the first time. It was on July, 2007. We took them to Cripple creek to play in casinos.

My parents couldn't believe it so my Mom picked up a chunk of Snow to feel and let it melt in her hand. It was a special moment because it was like when a baby discovers something new.

I will never forget the first time my parents saw snow.

Woman to Woman Encouragement

Someone will always be prettier.
They will always be smarter.
Their house will be bigger.
They will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more thing around the house...

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on her job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know she's got the car, the house, and the clothes, might be lonely.

And the word says if I have not love, I am nothing. So, again love you love who you are right now and let God be your barometer. Mirror Him. Look in the mirror in the morning and see how much of God you see. He's the only standard and even when you come up short; He will not leave you or forsake you. Smile and may God continue to bless you...

I am to blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor...

The one who kneels to God can stand up to anything.

Winners make things happen.
Losers let things happen.

Be Blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman...
To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world.

Author Unknown

Does anyone have a story to publish today? I hope so! We need some new reading material.

Here's a little assignment for you today, if you so choose to do it. We have learned a plethora of new words over the past two weeks. (What do you think "plethora" means? Can you figure it out from context?) :-)

I'm going to list some of them here. Choose one or two and write sentences using that word in the comments. I'll be happy to look them over for you before publishing if you would like.

crouched
indistinctly
strode on
untrodden
flung
glaring
quivering
suffused with
wailed
pattering
malice

Have fun!

Snow

Everytime I see through window falling snow,

I feel at ease like a baby is sleeping with a smile.

Early in the morning, when I see the fallen snow

during the night, I shout for joy, "Snow is fallen !"

Then I call all families to look at the fallen snow.

I look around at my house covered with snow.

All is white,calm,and peace.

My mind is easy also.

All the world is loneliness.

I pray for happiness to my family.

Last Monday the snow fell in Colorado Springs.

Suddenly I thought into memory to my homeland that snow is falling .

I felt homesick.

But I like to see falling snow.