In Between Seasons

Picture your life flying by in a year. Fast-forwarding from the new birth of Spring to old snowy days of Winter. Right now, my life is stuck like prey in a spider web between Spring and Summer . People in between the 2 seasons have some responsibilities, but not many. Even my personality displays a person split between Spring and Summer. My developing conscience proves what season my life is in.

My life is stuck between Spring and Summer because I have some responsibilities, but not many. In school, my responsibilities include the Debate Team, Newspaper Team, and completing my homework. While at home, it’s a different story. My wonderful parents are constantly complaining about my lack of cooperation with chores. “ You need to help out more around the house” they always say. However true or not true this may be, they still know I can be responsible. Dad and Mom still trust me enough to baby sit my brother.

Personalities can sometimes provide clues to people’s seasons. This is a fact in my case. I can joke around, but also know there’s a time and place for that. Students who see me during the day are surprised how I while not in school. Outside of the classroom, a different me takes hold. “Nikki, I didn’t know you were so funny!” a peer once told me.

The developing conscience growing in me shows I’m moving from Spring to Summer. Sometimes, my conscience shows, other times it doesn’t. My feelings get hurt when I don’t meet other’s expectations. In “Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth rips the flowers out of Ms. Lottie’s garden and she had the same feeling of guilt I have had before. During the Summer, my mom signed me up for a writing class at Temple. She wanted me to take the bus all the way there, but I didn’t want to go. So, I lied and told her I went while she was at work. When she arrived home, she was pleased with me for going, but eventually I had to tell her. Although she was angry, I felt better because I told the truth.

Life flies by quickly, and one shouldn’t grow up too fast. At this time, I still want to be in Spring, but have the ability to be in Summer. Some responsibilities occur within me, but not as much as those fully in Summer. The personality I have can be youthful, but still mature at the same time. A conscience is starting to in me, another clue I’m slowly moving into Summertime.

What I Make

I make my brother wish he didn’t have a big sister

I make my mom wish she had a daughter with a quiet English reserve

I make it seem like I never have anything to do so I can waste my time
doing unimportant stuff

I make it seem like my life is perfect even when it’s not

I make you feel so guilty, you’d think you need a lawyer

I make a moment of silence feel like a lifetime

I make Myspace crash because I’m on it so much

I make my phone freeze because I’m texting so fast

I make my friends laugh till they have tears in their eyes

I make absolutely no money because I don’t have a job

I make that allowance last approximately no money because I have yet to
get a job

I make that allowance last approximately for about an hour

I make Ramen Noodles because we never have anything else good to eat

I make trips to the supermarket an incredibly journey because I love
food so much

I made you read this poem

Favorite Poem

Have you ever read a poem that you really enjoyed? When I answer this question, I think of Graduation Notes by Sonia Sanchez. First of all, the poem has images that capture the reader’s imagination. Another reason I chose Graduation Notes is that it has a positive message that everyone should hear, especially graduates. Thirdly, I can relate to this poem because it reminds me of my rapidly approaching 12th Grade graduation.

To start off with, this poem has images that grab the reader's attention. One example from the poem is “ A dance of summer rain. A ceremony of thunder waking up the human monuments”. Reading this, I picture seniors starting a new chapter of their life. I envision walking up on stage to receive their diplomas. Everyone who reads this poem can close his or her eyes and picture the scene the poet set. Her images dare the reader to finish the poem.

An additional reason I chose this poem is it relates to me a big way. Being a sophomore, I am excited about my graduation 2 years from now. Sanchez perfectly sums up my emotions with this quote “ so much of growing up is an unbearable waiting”. The poem also reminds me of my past experiences. It reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation.

Lastly, Graduation Notes is my favorite we read because it has a positive message. Poet Sonia Sanchez makes you understand graduation is only a stepping off point. She gives the readers hope that they will do great things even after their education. The author helps you understand with this quote “at this moment your skins living your eighteen years suspend all noises. Your days still half opened, crackle like the fires to come”.

In conclusion, Graduation Notes contains elements every good poem should have. The poem has images that capture your attention and help you picture what’s happening. Next, it has a message that gives graduates hope that they will move on to great things. Lastly, Sanchez provides me with a deep text to self connection, because it reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation and my 12th Grade Graduation in 2 years. Read this poem, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

NHD Reflection 2009

This years theme for NHD was "Individual In History". I chose to do former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I chose her because I believe that she contributed to the Civil Rights and Women's Rights. I chose to write a paper. My project did not make it to the Citywide Competition. However, I believe I did a good job.

I conducted a lot of research on her. At first I looked her up on the internet. Then I went to the library and got some books. I read her autobiography, which helped me out with my project .I also found the column that she wrote called My Day.

Writing the paper when I had all my sources was actually pretty simple. Looking through all my sources, I came up with my thesis. My thesis was that Eleanor was one of the most important women of the 20th Century and changed the role of First Lady . I found some evidence and came up with my body paragraphs. I thought I had really good quotes in my paper. I'm glad it's mandatory to do NHD, because you learn so much from it.

Preview:Taking Notes

Frederick Douglass thinks that the 4th of july is a fake and that to slaves it is more unjust than any other day because it is a day that represents the supposed justice Americans have "To him, your celebration is a sham, your boasted liberty a unholy license"

New NHD Sources

Roosevelt , Eleanor . "Exhibit:Eleanor Roosevelt Letter ." National Archives and Record Administration . March 1996 . National Archives and Records Administration. 26 Nov 2008

This source is a website that has a letter that was written by Eleanor Roosevelt. In the letter she sends a resignation to The Daughters of the American Revolution. She resigned because the group made a rule excluding African American Artists, such as the famous Marian Anderson

Roosevelt , Eleanor . "The American Experience Eleanor Roosevelt My Day:Women and Employment." My Day -Women's Issues. 29 Jul 1939. PBS. 26 Nov 2008 .

This site has an article written by ER discussing her feelings about a law that kept 2 government position. It is an important source because it shows how she spoke out about issues that hit close to home for her

Revisised Thesis Statement and Introduction

I believe that Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Roosevelt was very active in politics As the wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, she had a huge amount of influence on his polices, such as the New Deal. She aalso coordinated the leglislate program for the League of Women Voters. She was also an important member of the Women's Trade Union League. She continued her legacy long after her husband's death. After FDR's death, she was appointed as a delegate of the United Nations.