Career

Lawyer

A job that really interested me at the career fair was a lawyer.  To be a lawyer, you need to complete not only university but also law school; about a total of six to eight years of school after high school.  In addition to that you also have a few years on the job for experience that you get paid about $75,000.  The pay for a lawyer is on average anywhere between $140,000 and $500,000.  You get more money the longer you have worked and depending on how much experience you have.  A 'pro' about this job is that you get to work with people who have more experience than you so you can receive advice.  Also, it is a field where you can help people and you can learn things every day.  I think that being a lawyer is very interesting work that is all different so that it will not bore you. A 'con' is that you will have to work a lot of hours and it is demanding work.  Working a lot of hours could result in stress and can interfere with family.  You also have to go through a lot of school.  I think that this job is good for me because I find it interesting to have the ability to help someone fight for their rights.  School may be a reason why people might turn down this job but I will just take it as another challenge.  This job intrigues me and I am interested to learn more about it. The students at the career fair were really helpful and opened up many new possibilities for jobs.

-Ashley

 

The Cross Country Race

Cross-country is supposed to be an exhilarating and challenging sport, not a blood sport.  Danny Hupfer made the Junior Varsity cross-country team for Camillo Junior High.  On the first race Danny had a discouraging experience.  He had been at the front of the race with a bunch of eighth graders behind him.  On the last lap Danny fell way behind and when he came around the bend everyone saw that he had bloody knees.  I think that this helped Holling win his race because he wanted to prove that the eighth graders should not be sore losers because a younger student is winning.  Holling wanted to show the eighth graders that seventh graders can be better and he did just that when he won his race.  When I play on a sport team, I do get intimidated by older players.  Although when my family and friends are there to cheer me on I want to do better, they give me motivation.

-Ashley

Heather's Homecoming

In May, Holling's sister, Heather left with her friend Chit to go and find herself in California.  During Heather's absence, Holling realizes that it is quiet, and empty around the house.  Holling also realizes that he loves his sister and that he misses her.  One day, late at night Heather phones Holling to tell him that she is alone and has only $4.00.  The next day Holling sends Heather money so she can get to New York City by train.  When she is scheduled to arrive in the city both his parents refused to go and pick her up from the station.  The only way that Holling can get her home is if Meryl Lee's father drops him off at the train station on his way to the Yankee Stadium.  Before Holling leaves, he tells his mom he needs money for two train tickets and two big lunches.  When Heather stepped off the train she ran to Holling and hugged him telling him how scared she was.  They spent the rest of the day telling each other of their past experiences.  They had a big lunch and walked through New York City.  They took a train out of the city and walked home from the station.  At dinner, when their father asked if Heather found herself, Holling said that she found him.

-Ashley

St. Andre

Saint André

Saint André was a strong person who believed in God's power.  As a child he had a very hard life.  His father died when he was young and his mother died soon afterward.  Saint André found himself an orphan.  He went and lived with his aunt.  He experienced many different jobs but was not able to pursue a lot of them because of his weak health condition.

André was known as Brother André since 1872.  Later, André became the doorman at Notre Dame College.  With his faith and confidence in Saint Joseph, André would suggest to sick people that they should pray to him.  André would also them anoint them with oil from the lamp in the college chapel.  Many people stated that they had been cured with the help of Brother André and their prayers.  People now would go to see André so that he could help them get well also.

Saint André had a basilica built named Saint Joseph's Oratory.  He died at the age of 91 and millions if people mourned at his death.  He was a great man who cared for others.  I think he fully deserved to become a Saint on October 17, 2010.  Pope Benedict XVI officially announced sainthood for Brother André on this date.  He helped so many people and now people will acknowledge his great deeds and will look up to him.

                                                                        -Ashley

Holling's Idol

Holling's Idol

Many people know what it is like to have that one person that you idolize so much.  Holling Hoodhood is fanatical about the Yankees player, Mickey Mantle.  Holling has a chance to meet Mickey Mantle and get a baseball signed.  The night that Mantle is doing this, Holling also has a play that he has to do.  Holling wants Mantle's autograph so badly that when the performance is over he rushes over to the Baker Sporting Emporium in his costume.  Now you may think costume, what's so bad about a costume?  Well, Holling was a fairy in this play so his costume was yellow tights with feathers on the butt.  Plus, since it was December and very chilly outside, he also grabbed a big blue floral cape to keep him warm.  Holling makes it to the Emporium not a minute to spare and he is pleased to see that his idol is still there.  Mantle is with Holling's friend Danny Hupfer, and Holling goes up to them with his baseball.  Then very quietly he asks, "Can I please have your autograph?" Mickey Mantle says ok but then he looks at what Holling is wearing.  He changes is mind saying that it is past the time that he agreed to sign baseballs.  Holling is flabbergasted at his idol's statement.  If I were Holling, I would be thinking, "You are famous.  You are my idol and you can not take one minute out of your time to sign a baseball?"  I think that Mickey Mantle was being pathetic, almost like he thought he was too good to sign a baseball for a kid wearing tights. 

I have had my share of idols, I must say.  In the past, I have admired people like Brittany Spears, or Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.  As these people grew up I realized that they took their fame and money and used it to ruin themselves.  Now, I do not feel like I should look up to them.  It is the same for many other actors and singers.  You feel happy for them for making it this far and then they do something dumb that gives you a whole new perspective. 
              -Ashley.

The Wednesday Wars Blog

The Wednesday Wars: My Opinion

My opinion on The Wednesday Wars so far is that it is a great book.  We have only read three chapters but I already feel that I know the characters so well.  The ideas that have begun at the beginning of the story are carried throughout the chapters allowing you to understand the ideas and the relation between the characters more.   Mrs. Baker, Holling, Mr. Hoodhood, and Meryl Lee are all characters who are greatly involved in the story and they each have their own little unique traits that make this book so intriguing.   The author, Gary D. Schmidt, uses a lot of hyperboles, metaphors, and similes so that while reading the book it makes you think, but not think so much that you get annoyed.  He also uses descriptive words which allows the reader to understand what emotions the character feels or what the character thinks about something.  The narrator of the story is Holling, who is a seventh grader.  Now, Schmidt is a grown man but he captures every little detail and attitude of a twelve year old.  He makes this story easy to relate and even Holling's older sister has every characteristic of what an older sister should have.  Schmidt is an excellent author who takes every word or emotion and makes it into something bigger and better.  I am thoroughly enjoying this book and I wonder what else will happen throughout Holling's school year.      

-Ashley

History Paragraph Blog

Membertou (1510-1611)

A chief and shaman of the Micmaq First Nations tribe, Henri Membertou was greatly respected.  His tribe was located at Port Royal which was in the first French settlement, Acadia.  The French settlers' success in this new land was greatly influenced by Membertou's kind, hospitable, and guiding character, and the local Micmaq.  Since he was greatly respected he would often join the French in their territory.  A great milestone in Membertou's life must have been when he was baptized.  He was baptized on Saint John the Baptist Day, 1610 (June 24) He was the first North American to be baptized in is own country.  He was keen on becoming a proper Catholic and he wanted to be properly educated.  Membertou was very loyal to the French that when Potrincourt and the French deserted Port Royal, Membertou took charge and cared for and protected the territory for three years until the French returned.  Membertou is greatly recognized by some Canadians.  In 2007, the Canada Post "French Settlement in North America" series had a $0.52 stamp honouring Chief Membertou.

-Ashley

History Paragraph Blog 2

Mathieu Da Costa

Mathieu Da Costa is the first reported person of African descent in Canada.  He was a Black explorer and settler who is not known how he came to be in Canada.  There is not a final answer but some sources say that he might have come to North America on a Portuguese fishing vessel, or with de Monts.   Da Costa's skill as an interpreter and his vast knowledge of the Micmaq lifestyle made the colony a lot more educated.  Credit should also be given to Da Costa for his friendship and skills that helped the friendly relations take place among the Micmaq and the French.  There is a yearly contest called the Mathieu Da Costa Award Program that gives students ages 9-19 a chance to express their ideas about famous Canadians who have helped to build our nation and who represent the cultural diversity of our country.

-Ashley

Ashley's Vaccination Blog

Vaccinations

Needles are not one of those things that many people look forward to getting.  I am one of those people who immensely regret going to the doctors for shots.  The thought of doctors injecting a needle through my skin just grosses me out.  Many of my peers got their Hepatitis B and their Meningitis shots at school the other day, however I did not.  I have not gotten many shots in my life, at least not that I remember.  Although, I do remember the last needle that I got.  It was August of 2003 and I was only five years old.  I got two needles that day on both arms.  They were not specific shots, just the regular shots that you need.  The regular shots include shots for measles, and mumps.  This was definitely an experience that I was not expecting.  I was assuming that it would hurt at the time the doctor gave me the shot and then get better as the day progressed.  Of course I was wrong and was taken by surprise when I could barely move either of my arms.  Like I said, it was August so we decided to also go swimming that day.  I could barely change into my swim suit and I was in a lot of pain.  Many of my classmates who got the shots were also complaining that their arms hurting.  The 'aftershock' of getting needles is probably the worst part about getting them, but you will most likely benefit from it because it decreases the risk of you getting a certain symptom.  I personally would rather have pain in my arms than have a disease.  If you are the same way I suggest that you try to put up with your aching arms for a day or two.  I also think that we should be grateful to have this opportunity because many people cannot afford a needle or do not have access to this type of medication.

-Ashley

Ashley's Wednesday Wars Blog

Family Relationships

Based on the first chapter of The Wednesday Wars, I would say that Holling's relationship with his parents is not a very strong one.  They seem to love each other very much but they have their flaws.  Holling has a problem because he thinks his teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates him after only the first day of school.  When Holling tells his parents they appear to care about their own concerns then their child's.  When he asks his mom for help she just says that it is impossible for his teacher to hate him because they hardly know each other.  After Holling realizes that his mother is of no help he asks his father for guidance.  Mr. Hoodhood owns an architect company called 'Hoodhood and Associates' and he really cares about his job.  Mrs. Baker's family is the owner of one of the companies that Mr. Hoodhood hopes to be designing a wonderful building for.  He wants his son to be nice to Mrs. Baker so her family will choose his company for designing their building.  Neither one of Holling's parents will sit down with him to discuss his dilemma.  I would get frustrated at my parents if they just ignored me and Holling also feels the same way.  He feels annoyed that parents never realize what you are trying to say and that they always think that they are right.  Also, Holling's mother is expecting him to keep a secret from his father.  Mrs. Hoodhood smokes and she know that her husband will go nuts if he knew.  Holling knows that she smokes and he is not allowed to tell his father about it.  This is dishonest which is not good in a family relationship.  I think that Holling sometimes wishes that his parents were more kind and always had open arms for him.  They are definitely a unique family with distinctive characteristics which is part of what makes this book interesting so far.

-Ashley

Teen Ranch Essay

"Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success."  "There is no 'I' in team."  "Many hands make light work."  I think these phrases are something that people should read in order to appreciate the wisdom of the message.  These passages help us understand that two people work better than one, the more the merrier, and that people living together can help one another prosper.  The week we spent at Teen Ranch was all about community living.  Of course we had fun, but we all learned something in the process.  We learned that we are all equal and unique, and that we all work best when we worked together as a team.  These concepts were taught and experienced while we were having fun doing activities such as skating, hockey, Predator vs. Prey, and horseback riding.

At Teen Ranch, skating was one of those things that people could not wait to do.  I can skate and had a lot of fun skating on an Olympic sized rink.  For some people, though, this was their first time skating.  All of the people that I talked to also had a good time, and many of them now love skating.  It was nice to have friends that could not skate because it gave me the opportunity to help them, even if it was nothing more than just holding peoples' hands and encouraging them along.  Everybody was a better skater on Friday when compared to how we all began on Monday.  On Monday the rink was filled with screams when people fell, followed by a group of people trying to help them up.  Funny thing is that those people helping would then fall, and it would start all over again until everyone managed to stay on their feet.  At the end of the day, despite sore feet and bottoms, everyone was smiling and waiting for tomorrow when they could skate again.  Aside from skating on the ice, people who wanted to also got the chance to play "hockey."  The people who wanted to play hockey were divided into groups based on how they could skate and their experience level.  With plastic sticks and foam pucks, teams battled as best as they could against each other.  I had so much fun even though I ran into people and felt like a fool.  When I compared the way I played to the way the people who play hockey played, it made me feel like a baby learning how to walk.  Even though I could skate, when playing hockey my legs seemed confused as to how they should work.  This experience taught us that we excel when we have supportive people around us.

          Thursday was a day that either people were regretting or could not wait for.  On Thursday, we got to do our "Instincts for Survival" game which we all know as "Predator vs. Prey."  I personally was hoping that we would not play that game, but my fear and concerns quickly went away when we actually started.  I also got the chance to play this game in grade four and it was not one of my better days.  This day was excellent except for the poor weather that was provided for us.  It happened to be raining that afternoon so we were unfortunate enough to experience running around in slippery mud and horse excretions.  Some people slipped and fell, and I was lucky enough that I did not.  For this game I was a raccoon which is an omnivore.  As an omnivore I could eat the little carnivores, and the food and water cards that were scattered throughout the forest.  I had predators like the wolf and a slew of dangers like old age, extreme weather conditions, and rabies.  It was hard to catch the prey, and difficult to run away from the predators, but it was fun to try and dodge the teachers.  The teachers had balls that they would throw at us, and if they hit us we would have to give up a life.  However, we could sometimes ask them for a life in exchange for a favour, such as washing the boards for a month.  At the end of this game I felt really wet, very sweaty, extremely muddy, and clearly in need of a shower.  On top of this, my cabin had kitchen duty that day and in a half an hour we had to go to set up.  In order to try and look presentable, I rushed back to the cabin and took a shower.  It felt so much better after the shower, even though the showers there were really disgusting.  I encourage people to play this game, but recommend that you play it on a nice sunny day, and if you can help it play where there are no horse excretions.  Predator vs. Prey revealed how the ecosystem works and how tricky it is to work alone and not have anybody to rely on.

From the time I knew that I was going to Teen Ranch, all I could think about was going horseback riding.  I was thrilled at the thought of getting to ride those majestic animals.  I could not believe that I was going to go horseback riding.  After our lesson on how to ride, we went to the barn, where my excitement turned to concern.  First of all, the barn stunk to high heaven.  There were droppings everywhere.  Second, horses are neither the cutest nor the cuddliest looking animals in the world.  I will just say that I was extra careful when I walked up to the horse that I wanted.  Lastly, there was the thought of trusting a horse that I did not know to keep me on its back.  They said that the horses were trained exceptionally well, but how was I supposed to know if I was that one person that the horse did not like.  We got to pick our horse and I tried to pick a sweet looking one, and one that was not too big.  I happened to pick a horse with all those characteristics, and one with a cool name.  My horse's name was April; she was medium sized, with a nice rich dark brown colour.  At the end of our ride I found out that she was also obedient, which I would say comes in handy sometimes.  When the horses started moving around, I will admit that I was nervous, but it was just something that you have to get comfortable with.  During the ride, when we went up and down hills and over rocks, it was a little scary.  My horse, April, did not seem to like rocks either and for the majority of the time, she would walk around them.  At the end of the first ride I could not wait for the second. This was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the trip for me.  My sister also went to Teen Ranch when she was in grade seven, and when she came home she talked about the horses a lot.  Now I understand why she talked about them so much.  Our time with the horses illustrated how we, as humans, can interact, trust, and communicate with animals to make them a part of our team.

The week that I got to spend at Teen Ranch opened up so many opportunities that I would never have been able to do on my own.  I experienced new activities such as horseback riding, hockey, and the game Predator vs. Prey.  Those are just a few of the things I got to do.  I also learned more about other people and more about myself.  I became more acquainted with the people I do not usually spend time with.  That taught me to never judge a book by its cover.  Most of all, I learned that I can be independent and make my own decisions.  The experience that I had at Teen Ranch was a phenomenal one that I am so grateful for, and to be able to spend it with my friends made it even better.  I had so much fun, and I think that anybody who did not enjoy it wasted a big chance to have a great deal of fun and excitement.

-Ashley

Universal Soldier

Universal Soldier

In the poem, Universal Soldier, the poet, Buffy Sainte-Marie, says many different but interesting things about soldiers.  The poet shows that even though soldiers are different and unique, the majority of soldiers feel the same way about war.

The first stanza is saying that no matter what size, age, weapons used, beliefs, or what time period they came from, soldiers all feel sorry when they kill another soldier.  Soldiers know it is wrong, however, the only reason they do it is for their family and friends.  They want to protect the ones that they love.    

Soldiers are fighting for peace, no more war. That is what the second stanza is saying.  Many different countries are at war like Canada, France, USA, Russia, and Japan, and all that the soldiers want is peace.  I wonder if people realize that there is no peace in fighting.  Peace is when every one is happy and in agreement, not fighting.  I have never heard about anything good coming from war aside from seeing your loved one come back home safely.

The third stanza is saying that each soldier is fighting for something different.  Though, I understand that some soldiers have no choice whether or not they want to fight.  In this stanza the poet says "And he never sees the writing on the wall." This means that the people who start war do not see that it does not solve anything.  All it does is demolish countries and kill innocent people.  The war only stops when a country surrenders and after the war is over, does the country that wants a democracy then have a democracy?

In the fourth and fifth stanza, the poet is saying that the only reason war happens is because of the soldiers who fight.  If the soldiers were not around who would fight.  Maybe the leaders of the different countries will fight one another.  However, if one country has an army you have to have one too because if a country attacks yours you have to be prepared.

The sixth stanza is saying that having war does not put an end to war.  It does not matter what angle you look at it, it just does not add up.  To me it is like trying to stop fighting with fighting.  Two wrongs don't make a right.  It is not logical and does not make sense.

Both of my grandfathers had to join the army for their countries.  They did not go to war but they had to train.  They had to train hard, every single day no ifs, ands, or buts.  The stories they tell my siblings and I seem scary and to have to be forced to go to the army is unfair.  I can not even think what would go through my head if I had to go war, or what my parents would feel like if I did.  I can just imagine what war is like and I hope that people realize that war is not solving problems but just causing them.  Plus, I am extremely grateful that neither one of my grandfathers had to go.

-Ashley

Halloween Poem

Trick-or-Treat

Children are excited for October 31^st,
Dressing up and having so much fun.
Imagining so much candy in their bags,
As they leave when there is no sun.

They left the house to trick-or-treat, of course,
And they run to the first door they see.
It is spooky and they are awfully scared,
But they remember strong is what they should be.

Ringing the doorbell was their next mission,
Covered in webs it was.
All the children refused to ring the bell,
Their reason was "just because".

As they stood before the door, thinking of what to do,
One courageous child said "I'll go".
He walked slowly to the door to ring the bell,
For bravery he was trying to show.

The door creaked open and they stood in disbelief,
What they saw cut their worries in half.
It was an old granny and that was all,
And the children tried hard to stifle a laugh.

-Ashley

Making connections-the nest

The Nest

In the story, 'The Nest', I can relate to the character, Jimmy.  My parents are very, very protective.  They watch over everything, but I guess that's their job.  Of course my siblings and I are fighting for freedom, but so far we are being defeated.  If we ever bring stuff up, they will typically say NO!  "We are doing what is best for you!" are common words of Jimmy's parents, and common words of my parents.  They say that when I grow up I will be grateful for what they do for me now.  That is probably true, but with a little more freedom I'll be extra grateful.  Now I know this is making me sound like a big complaining baby, but that is not the case.  I just know that it can be a little crushing to have protective parents.

        How Jimmy stands up for Paul in this story is amazing.  It reminds me of when we learned about van Gogh.  Jimmy stands up for Paul because he feels that no one understands him.  He thinks that everyone is looking at his past and his family instead of looking at his present.  Van Gogh, in my opinion, was misunderstood.  Instead of looking at the great art pieces he did, people looked at his craziness, which I think was awfully unfair.  Although people misunderstood van Gogh, his brother, Theo, seemed to greatly understand him.  Theo looked past van Gogh's 'craziness' and realized what he loved to do and what he could do.

-Ashley

Halloween story

Scared Silly

Halloween has always been a fun time.  However, I am not a huge fan of scary masks and costumes.  Every Halloween there is at least one or two people who hide behind trees or sit still on benches to scare you.  And every year at those houses I have the worst five minutes of the day.  For instance, two years ago, I was trick or treating with my brother and sister and a couple of friends.  The next house we were going to had a man lying on a bench, stiff as a board.  He had a mask on and you were prepared for him to jump.  You knew he was going to jump because you hear people screaming when you are half way around the block.  As I said, you are prepared but not really prepared.  When the guy jumped I ran down the driveway to my dad screaming.  I felt so silly and embarrassed as the guy was probably laughing his head off inside that ridiculous mask for the 20^th time that night. It also did not help that my dad was laughing at me too.

I am a big wimp when it comes to things like that and I have never watched a horror movie or a movie with freaky people, and nor do I have a desire to, because I'll only see half of the movie.  For the other half my fingers will be in the way.  I know that the movies are make-believe but you can never be to sure.

-Ashley

Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh was an amazing artist who had no fame while he was alive.  I find it sad that his paintings were not selling until after he had died, and I wonder why that is.  Why would people wait until after van Gogh died to display his beautiful pieces of art?  I have no answer, but I think that if you liked his paintings after his death then you should have liked them before his death.  People did not understand his art and they often rejected van Gogh's pieces, which I think played a part in his death.  When you believe you are unwanted or unimportant it can make you feel like giving up.  What I find interesting and inspiring about van Gogh was his passion and perseverance for something that he loved, but no one appreciated.  His career as an artist was only ten years, but he accomplished a lot in that short period of time.  He made about nine hundred drawings, and over one thousand paintings.  No matter how many times people turned down his art, van Gogh still painted and drew wonderful masterpieces.  I am amazed by his skill because I can't draw to save my life.  Most impressive is the fact that van Gogh was self-taught, having taken only a few art lessons.  He had natural and raw talent that people should find inspirational.  Never give up.  At first you don't succeed, try, and try again.  

By: Ashley