Helping a New Friend

Alicia Torres also wants to learn archery and I just so happen to have already begun my lessons. I told her about the place I go to, which is free and open on Saturdays and Wednesdays. I then found out that two other girls also had that on their list. I helped three people that I never really talk to before find a way to accomplish something on their list and it makes me feel so happy and helpful.

Be Given Roses

 Tonight was my last performance of Much Ado About Nothing. My mother decided to surprise me with roses. I was so happy and surprised. Earlier today, my 3 year old cousin also gave me a rose. I almost cried because I was so happy but I didn't so I can't cross that off my list quite yet. I just found out that he knew about the roses my mom had gotten me and had been trying to tell me that there were flowers for me but he couldn't so he tried to act it out. He is just so smart and cute. :)

Have I changed?

I moved here to sunny California in December  I joined Vaughn International Studies Academy in January and I met all of my teachers in February. I didn't know about this project until my first day in February when I went to English class. My first thought was, "This is a pretty cool and interesting project but what's the point?" I was under the impression that I would live forever and no life changing event had ever happened to me so why should I start my bucket list now when I barely have time. Everybody is always telling me to live life to the fullest, but I never understood how to do that when I was so busy trying to ensure I could have a good future. I thought I would be able to live life to the fullest once I became successful and had the time to do it. This project helped me realize that it is possible I might never have time. I could be busy for the rest of my life and do I always want to put off doing the things I've always wanted to do in order to do something that doesn't really matter? Of course not, but at the same time I really need to realize that I still could live forever. When I started crossing off my list I began to get lost in this idea that I need to seize the day everyday,which is possible, but unrealistic. I began slacking on things like homework and chores. I felt almost lost because my only goal was to cross off the next thing on my list. But then it hit me one day when I was looking at my grades. I wrote on my bucket list that I want to make a life changing/awe-inspiring movie but I can't really do that unless I get an education. Now I see that as long as I manage my time, I can do all the things I want that are meaningful and still prepare for my future. Trust me when I say this is no easy task. Sometimes it may seem that I have all the time in the world and others times I feel like I have no life and am just married to my textbooks. The point is, life is about balance and a lot of the time, balance is about knowing what is important. For once, I think I actually know what that might be. 

"One Month To Live"

Archery, Katniss Style

For a very long time now, I have been wanting to learn Archery. I have pleaded and begged with my parents for years to let me do it but there response was always, "It's too expensive." When I moved into my grandparents house with my mom, my grandfather wanted me to become more active. He asked me what sport I wanted to do and within a day he found me a free of charge archery range with free lessons. It's at the Woodley Park Archery Range and I go every Saturday morning. My aim has improved quite a bit. I am at the point where all my arrows hit near the center of the target if not the actual bulls-eye. 

Ministers, Priests, and the Church of Life

Yesterday, during my second period English class, I decided to research how to become an ordained minister. I was under the impression that I had to be 18 years of age, but when I visited the church of life's website, I discovered that I only had to be older than 13. In two minutes I submitted my application and within seconds, I was officially a minister, priest, and pastor. I can now marry people, perform baptisms and funerals, start my own church, bless water, perform last and first rites, and absolve people of their sins after confession. Despite the fact that I'm not religious, I can not wait to put this to good use. I'm so excited :)

Fastest Train in the World

When I visited Europe, we first went to Barcelona and then we visited some places in the southern part of France. Our next destination was Paris but if we rode from Southern France to Paris, out trip would be over by the time we got there. So we rode the TGV, otherwise known as the fastest train in the world. One train can go up to 201 mph. All the trains, including the stations themselves, are made to minimize the impact on the environment, which means they did a lot more than just stick recycling bins everywhere. We completed the journey in less than 3 hours and had to time to spare when we arrived in Paris to explore. I admit, it was not as amazing as I had expected but I will never forget the way the we flew by the world at a speed that felt faster than lightning.

Finished a Puzzle

Coronation of Josephine

When I visited the Louvre, I bought a 1,000 piece puzzle of the Wedding Feast. The first day I got back from Europe, I busted it open and spilled the contents all over my kitchen table. With the help of my 8 family members, in three hours it was finished. I had also bought a puzzle when I visited Versailles. It was a 1,000 piece puzzle of the Coronation of Josephine. Two days after we finished the first puzzle, I opened the second and being that it was during the week, we finished it in two days. I am soooo happy there weren't any missing pieces. 

The Wedding Feast

Escargot... Yuck!

On the last night of my recent trip to Europe, in Paris, France, I volunteered to be one of the brave people to try escargot. When the steaming plate arrived, it took a few minutes for me to learn how the special snail eating utensils work. I then smelled them and inhaled the overpowering smell of garlic. I coughed, scooped out the snail, and closed my eyes as I chewed the slimy, dirt covered snail and swallowed. If you did not infer already, it completely disgusted me. I advise that if you ever try snails that you do so with caution and trust me when I say don't smell it. Despite, the bad experience, I'm happy I did it. Now I can triumphantly say that I ate escargot and lived!

3 Places At Once

 My family owns a small house in Pacoima, California. Our address by weird coincidence, just so happens to be on the border of three bordering districts. So, depending on how you look at it, I live in Mission Hills, San Fernando, or View Terrace. If you look at how I like to look at it, then I live in three places. Therefore, every night, I go home to sleep in three places at once. I can finally check that off my list.