"Hey! Look at this!" my friend excitedly shouted. My friend was Carrie and she lived in Houston, Texas. "What?" I asked. Carie pointed at a poster. It was summer vacation, so my parents and I went to Texas to visit Carrie and her family.
On the poster, it read, 'Junior band tryouts! If you're lucky enough, you might perform in City Hall on Saturday 10:00 am. Tryouts are in the second floor of the symphony hall. Room 2G. To sign up, please call: 810-4627 or sign up at the information center in the symphony hall.'
I shrugged. "So?" Carie rolled her eyes. "I play the violin! I bet I could be in the junior band." I laughed. Big deal. I've been playing piano for over two years now!!! But Carrie wasn't listening. She was rubbing her hands together. "I'll bet I could get my parents to let me join that band!" she said, "It'll be great!"
We walked back to her house. As soon as we walked in, Carrie's head swiveled around. "Dad!" she yelled. Her father came into the living room where my parents were making travel plans. "What is it?" he asked in Chinese. Carrie pulled the poster out of her pocket, "Can I join?" Carrie asked pleadingly. "It'll be super!" Carrie's full name was Carrie Pin Yu Zhou. so I'll just call her dad Mr. Zhou.(j-oe). Mr. Zhou rubbed his chin. "I'll think about it," he said in Chinese finally. Then he went and talked about it to both of our families.
"Come on!" Carrie said, "I'll go show you my violin!" We went upstairs to her room. She dug around in her closet and came up with a black case. Carrie opened it up and picked up the violin. "Ta, da!" she grinned, "Cool, huh?" she asked me. I shrugged. "It's just a regular violin," I said, "nothing special." Carrie frowned. "But I got it when I was seven!" she insisted. "Whatever!" I muttered.
"Carrie!" her dad shouted in Chinese. "We agreed that you can join. The junior band is playing the original Ode to Joy. We called the symphony although you're performing at City Hall!" "Yes!" Carrie cheered. She put her violin case in a black gym bag. Suddenly, my mom's voice rang up the stairs. "Amy! You're also joining the band, so start practicing piano!" she called in Chinese. "I didn't bring a piano!" I complained. "You're going to practice at Symphony Hall! They have a spare grand piano!" my mom ordered.
Carrie and I trotted down the stairs. Carrie was carrying her black gym bag. The adults were chatting something about money and fairness. Then, I followed Carrie to the book room and she began to play. The moment my father heard it, he said, "Amy, go to the symphony hall with Carrie for tryouts!" I replied, "No problem!" Carrie's face twitched, "Wait a sec. I gotta go to the bathroom." she left her gym bag next to the sofa. I waited in the kitchen.
When Carrie came back, she couldn't find her gym bag. "Hey! That's funny. I left my bag next to this sofa. It's gone now." "Huh?" I said. I looked down. It was gone. "Mom!" Carrie called, "Have you seen my bag?" Her mom looked up. "No, I haven't." Mrs. Zhou replied. "Just go for tryouts!" my dad grumbled. "They've got extras."
We headed towards the hall. I noticed that Carrie was gloom. "What's wrong? I thought you wanted to come!" I asked. Carrie answered in two words, "My violin." I tried to cheer her up. "Come on," I said cheerfully, "they've got extras." Saying this made Carrie's shoulders droop. "That's my only one!" she grumbled. "Look!" I pointed, "There's the symphony hall!" That seemed to brighten Carrie up a bit. "Race ya there!" she said as she took off.
She had started earlier although I beat her there by 3 seconds. "I won!" I cried gleefully. All the running must have made Carried tired and she seemed to forget all about her violin. We walked upstairs to room 2G and knocked on the door. A man with glasses and short hair opened the door. He smiled down at us. "Hi! Must be here for band tryouts?" He guessed. "I'm going to be your trainer. You can call me Richard." Richard told us. Carrie informed him, "I can't, uh, find my violin so do you have any extras?" Richard shrugged, "Sure, come on in!" We followed him in.
Richard went to a supply shelf and pulled out a violin. "Here you go!" Carrie beamed. "Gee, thanks!" Richard rubbed his chin. "Ah," he pointed at me, "what are you playing?" I stared at him blankly. "Ode to Joy on the piano." I shrugged. Richard pointed at the piano. "Let's hear you play. Here's the script." After I played it perfectly 3 times, Richard clapped. "Brassizmo!" he cheered. "But next time, do it with the metronome." He turned to Carrie. "Now let's hear you play." Carrie began to play Ode to Joy on the violin. After she played it three times, Richard clapped. "Great! But next time, watch the dynamics." We did what we were told to do. Richard smiled. I think you'll be darn-tootin ready for the performance." He looked down at his checklist. "Hmmm. You dudettes are the last one!" Richard exclaimed, "Now, y'all will just have to memorize it before Saturday. Think you guys can do that?" he asked. "No problem!" Carried said. "Although, I want to use my own violin."
Richard shrugged, "you can use this one 'till ya find it!" "Thanks," Carrie said sadly as we headed out the door.
When we were out, we slowly headed towards Carrie's house. I really wanted to find Carrie's violin so she'd be like her old self again, so I tried to find the violin. Carrie helped. When she was digging in the upstairs storage room, she found it! "Hey! I found it!" Carrie cried out gleefully. "Really?" I said hopefully. Carrie held it up with pride and honor. She unzipped it and found her mother's gym clothes. "WHAT!" she cried in horror. "Wait a minute," I said suspiciously. "I know where your violin is." "Where?" Carrie asked hopefully. "Ask you mom where she put the black gym bag. These are exactly alike, so your mom probably thought that your bag held her gym clothes," I said matter-of-factly. "You're a genius!" Carrie cheered. She ran downstairs, tow at a time. "Mom!" I heard her shout. "Where did you put a black gym bag?" "In my bedroom," Mrs. Zhou answered, "Why?" "You took my violin by accident and my violin was inside." Carrie quickly said.
She hurried to her parents' room and came back with her violin.
Two days later, we memorized Ode to Joy and did perfectly on the performance. Everything was back to normal again and my family and I moved back to San Francisco.
THE END
11/03/2008
10/30/2008
Bald Eagle
If I could wear an animal costume, I would choose the Bald eagle because it's the U.S. national bird. It's also one of the most endangered birds of prey. It eats birds and small animals, but particularly likes to feed on fish. It scoops the fish from the surface of the water and flies off, holding them in a powerful grip from its claw.
The Bald Eagle is often seen in Alaska, where many other wild animal species live. That is why I would want to have a Bald Eagle costume.
THE END
The Bald Eagle is often seen in Alaska, where many other wild animal species live. That is why I would want to have a Bald Eagle costume.
THE END
10/28/2008
The Haunted House
It was a Halloween night in Centerville.
Peter Hatcher and his little sister, Leslie were getting ready. Peter was 13 and was in the 7th grade. Leslie was 7 and a half and was in the 2nd grade. For Halloween, Peter was a ninja and Leslie was a witch.
Peter was in the bathroom, darkening his face. Suddenly, Leslie pounded on the door. "Open up!" She yelled, "Why should I?" Peter asked. "Because I say so!" she answered. Peter grinned. "Just a minute!" he shouted. He got out on old blue pail and filled it with cold water. Then he stood on a stool and put it up on top of the door. He unlocked it. "Come on in!" Peter said. Leslie opened the door and water and an old blue pail fell on her head.
"Mom!" she screeched, soaking wet, "You can't believe what Peter did to me!" and she ran downstairs to the living room, where her mother was getting ready for the trick-or-treaters. She was filling up a big bowl with candy. "Yes, honey?" she asked without looking up. "Whatever!" Leslie muttered. She ran off to her dad, "Daddy!" She yelled. "Look!" her dad looked up from carving the last jack-o-lantern. "Dad!" Peter yelled. "Come help me tie this around my waist!" "Got to go, sweetheart." Mr. Hatcher said to Leslie. He headed up the stairs. "Dad!" Peter called. "Coming!" Mr. Hatcher said. Leslie muttered, "At least this isn't my costume!" Leslie changed into her witch costume. Then, Peter came out, practicing kung fu moves. Then he slipped behind Leslie and said, "Boo!" "Yikes!" Leslie screamed. "Mom! Peter scared me!" "Come her, Peter!" Mrs. Hatcher said in a stern voice. "Nice going, tattletale!" Peter grumbled. "Peter, how many times have I told you not to scare your sister?!" Mrs. Hatcher said. "But mom," Peter complained, "it's Halloween! Everyone should have a little scare!" "Okay," his mother agreed, "but no more!" Leslie stuck out her tongue as she passed by.
Mrs. Hatcher gave Peter a package of candy corn to start his trick-or-treating. "Hey! Don't I get one?" Leslie complained. Their mother looked inside the bowl. "I don't have any more!" she apologized. "I'll give you a lollipop." "Okay." Leslie chose out a lollipop and popped it into her mouth. "Come on,k slowpoke!" Peter mumbled, halfway out the door. Leslie followed Peter out and waved good-bye to her mom.
Peter led Leslie to their neighbor's house. Then he rang the doorbell. Mr. Louis, their neighbor opened the door. His dog, Spike jumped up and down, barking. Peter bent down to pet him. Spike licked his face. Peter wiped his face and gave Spike a belly rub. "Trick or treat!" Leslie called. "Hello, little witch!" Mr. Louis greeted. Leslie laughed. "It's me, Mr. Louis!" Mr. Louis placed a snickers bar in Leslie's pumpkin. Meanwhile, Spike placed his paws on Peter's knees. Peter picked him up and said to Mr. Louis, "Gee, I sure wish I could have a puppy at home." Then he put Spike down. Mr. Louis gave Peter a Skittles bag.
They moved on to the next house. It belonged to Mrs. and Mr. Landers. Leslie knocked the door. Mrs. Landers greeted them. Her kid, Tyler (he's a toddler) was pulling on her leg. "Goo, goo, gaa, gaa!" Tyler said. Tyler was dressed as a little pumpkin. "Trick or treat!" Peter picked out a Hersheys bar and a peppermint. Leslie got two lollipops. Tyler tugged at Leslie's dress. (for her witch costume) Leslie patted his head.
Peter led the way from door to door, until their baskets were full. "There's no where else in the neighborhood where we can go!" Leslie complained. Peter grinned. "Oh yeah? You forgot the," Peter's voice dropped to a whisper, "Inkpier Estate." Leslie shivered. "But that looks too much like a haunted house!" Peter snickered. Then he imitated a chicken, "Bawk, bawk, bawk! Bawk, bawk, bawk!" Leslie's face grew red. "I am NOT a chicken!" she argued. "Then, I dare you to come with me." Peter challenged. Leslie sighed. "Fine. But don't be laughing when you get turned into monster's soup." Peter laughed. "Come on! We're just going trick-or-treating!" Peter started going toward the Inkpier Estate. Leslie held on firmly to his sleeve. When they got there, Peter knocked the door."Knock, knock, knock! Anybody home?!" Peter shouted. Suddenly, the door swung open. A little box of treats was placed on the mat. Leslie peeked in. "All there is is saltwater taffy!" she exclaimed. Peter looked in, too. "You're right." Peter stepped inside. Leslie grabbed his arm. "Wait! You said we were just going trick-or-treating!" "Scaredy cat!" Peter mocked. Leslie stepped inside. As soon as she did the door slammed shut.
"Ahhhhh!" Leslie screamed. "Hey! You're hurting my eardrums!" Peter complained. "Peter Hatcher!" Leslie pouted. "You've got to admit, this is pretty creepy." Just then, a gigantic spider jumped down from the ceiling. "Yikes!" Leslie shuddered. She ran for the door. Then she rattled the doorknob. It came off in her hands. "Peter! We're locked in!" she said frantically. "What are we gonna do!?" Leslie cried in horror. Peter smiled. "Then let's go explore this place!" He started going up the creaky stairs.
Leslie took a deep breath and followed him. Peter looked at his glow-in-the-dark watch. "Uh, oh! It's past 8. Mom said we had to be back at 8:00." "But we can't go out! I accidentally pulled it off!" Leslie showed him the doorknob. "I guess we'll have to find another place out. Maybe there's a back door!" Peter said. Leslie followed Peter throughout the haunted house. Suddenly, they ran into a mess of bats. The bats hoovered above them, flying. Leslie screamed and covered her head. "Don't worry, they're harmless, short stuff." Peter coaxed. Peter called Leslie short stuff because she was only up to his chest. They continued on their search. Then, something white and nearly transparent flew above them. "A ghost!" Leslie screamed. "Aww, that's prob'ly just a ghostwing butterfly." Peter said, but he no longer sounded sure. "You mean there are butterfly ghosts?!" Leslie asked, "Yikes!" "No," Peter explained, "it's a type of butterfly with clear wings!" "Oh," Leslie replied, " but can it be that big?" Peter shrugged. "Let's go find a way out!" Leslie cried. "Okay, okay!" Peter grumbled.
They went back down the stairs and opened a door. There were slimy, disgusting, white bandages all over the dusty floor. On the wall, there was a picture of an Egyptian king. "Uh, who's that?" Leslie wondered. "An Egyptian king." Peter said. In the corner of the room, there laid the king. Peter and Leslie walked over. They both thought they could hear soft breathing. "Did you just hear that?" Leslie whispered to Peter. "You mean the soft breathing and heart beating? No," Peter said nervously, "let's get out of here!" Peter leaped toward the door. Leslie ran after him. Suddenly, they heard a soft moaning sound. Leslie thought she saw the king move his finger. They quickly slammed the door behind them. Peter said quickly, "Let's go upstairs, maybe there's an fire escape like our house." "Okay." Leslie grabbed Peter's sleeve again.
The "ninja" and the "witch" ran up the stairs. They opened a door. There was an old leather chair covered with a white sheet that moved a little. "Wow, the wind sure is strong today!" Leslie discovered. "Uh, there's no windows anywhere," Peter said. "Uh, oh." Leslie moaned. There were also 3 bookshelves along a wall. "Hmm," Peter wandered over. There was a book called ABOUT THE INKPIER ESTATE that had only one page. Peter pulled it out and read it. The page read, "If you are reading this, that means you are inside of the Inkpier Estate which is haunted so you better go out! Look for a brown book and pull it. That is the secret passageway to get out. Just follow the path. by: Arnold Smith, dedicated to: whoever inside of Inkpier Estate." "All right!" Peter grinned. "Leslie! Come help me search for a brown book." "Okay." Leslie and Peter searched and searched. Finally, Leslie found it. "Over here, Peter!" she called. Peter hurried over. Then he pulled. Then the whole bookshelf spun around. Peter and Leslie Hatcher went with the bookshelf. Soon, they found themselves in a dim, narrow hallway. "Come follow me!" Peter said.
Leslie held on to Peter's ninja belt as they followed the passageway. Right after they went behind the corner, they bumped into a man with orange hair. He smiled down at them. "Lost?" he said with a friendly grin, "I'm Arnold Smith, the dude who wrote the book. I'll show you the way out. But first, stop by for some cupcakes." "So you're Arnold Smith?" Peter blurted out. He nodded. "Yup. You guys can call me Arnold." "Where'd you get the cupcakes?" Arnold smiled mysteriously. "I live here. In the hall. Come on!" He led them to a door. Then he opened it. Inside the room was s small wooden table, some chairs, a little refrigerator, and an i-mac. "Wow," Leslie whistled softly. Arnold explained, "The reason I live here because someone burglarized my house back in Centerville and sold it to someone called, Vanessa Herkins. So I took some stuff and moved inside." Then he opened the refrigerator and took out two cupcakes and gave them to Peter and Leslie. "Besides," Arnold added, "these are just your costumes, right?" "Yeah!" After they finished their cupcakes, Arnold led them toward the exit. Peter and Leslie thanked him and asked, "Can we visit you sometime?" "Sure!" Arnold replied. "I get longly." Peter and Leslie hurried home.
20 years later, Peter and Leslie grew up. Arnold was very old then, so he moved to the senior community center. Leslie moved to Colorado and was swimming teacher there. Peter moved inside the Inkpier Estate and took Arnold Smith's place. Now he helps people escape from the house.
THE END
Peter Hatcher and his little sister, Leslie were getting ready. Peter was 13 and was in the 7th grade. Leslie was 7 and a half and was in the 2nd grade. For Halloween, Peter was a ninja and Leslie was a witch.
Peter was in the bathroom, darkening his face. Suddenly, Leslie pounded on the door. "Open up!" She yelled, "Why should I?" Peter asked. "Because I say so!" she answered. Peter grinned. "Just a minute!" he shouted. He got out on old blue pail and filled it with cold water. Then he stood on a stool and put it up on top of the door. He unlocked it. "Come on in!" Peter said. Leslie opened the door and water and an old blue pail fell on her head.
"Mom!" she screeched, soaking wet, "You can't believe what Peter did to me!" and she ran downstairs to the living room, where her mother was getting ready for the trick-or-treaters. She was filling up a big bowl with candy. "Yes, honey?" she asked without looking up. "Whatever!" Leslie muttered. She ran off to her dad, "Daddy!" She yelled. "Look!" her dad looked up from carving the last jack-o-lantern. "Dad!" Peter yelled. "Come help me tie this around my waist!" "Got to go, sweetheart." Mr. Hatcher said to Leslie. He headed up the stairs. "Dad!" Peter called. "Coming!" Mr. Hatcher said. Leslie muttered, "At least this isn't my costume!" Leslie changed into her witch costume. Then, Peter came out, practicing kung fu moves. Then he slipped behind Leslie and said, "Boo!" "Yikes!" Leslie screamed. "Mom! Peter scared me!" "Come her, Peter!" Mrs. Hatcher said in a stern voice. "Nice going, tattletale!" Peter grumbled. "Peter, how many times have I told you not to scare your sister?!" Mrs. Hatcher said. "But mom," Peter complained, "it's Halloween! Everyone should have a little scare!" "Okay," his mother agreed, "but no more!" Leslie stuck out her tongue as she passed by.
Mrs. Hatcher gave Peter a package of candy corn to start his trick-or-treating. "Hey! Don't I get one?" Leslie complained. Their mother looked inside the bowl. "I don't have any more!" she apologized. "I'll give you a lollipop." "Okay." Leslie chose out a lollipop and popped it into her mouth. "Come on,k slowpoke!" Peter mumbled, halfway out the door. Leslie followed Peter out and waved good-bye to her mom.
Peter led Leslie to their neighbor's house. Then he rang the doorbell. Mr. Louis, their neighbor opened the door. His dog, Spike jumped up and down, barking. Peter bent down to pet him. Spike licked his face. Peter wiped his face and gave Spike a belly rub. "Trick or treat!" Leslie called. "Hello, little witch!" Mr. Louis greeted. Leslie laughed. "It's me, Mr. Louis!" Mr. Louis placed a snickers bar in Leslie's pumpkin. Meanwhile, Spike placed his paws on Peter's knees. Peter picked him up and said to Mr. Louis, "Gee, I sure wish I could have a puppy at home." Then he put Spike down. Mr. Louis gave Peter a Skittles bag.
They moved on to the next house. It belonged to Mrs. and Mr. Landers. Leslie knocked the door. Mrs. Landers greeted them. Her kid, Tyler (he's a toddler) was pulling on her leg. "Goo, goo, gaa, gaa!" Tyler said. Tyler was dressed as a little pumpkin. "Trick or treat!" Peter picked out a Hersheys bar and a peppermint. Leslie got two lollipops. Tyler tugged at Leslie's dress. (for her witch costume) Leslie patted his head.
Peter led the way from door to door, until their baskets were full. "There's no where else in the neighborhood where we can go!" Leslie complained. Peter grinned. "Oh yeah? You forgot the," Peter's voice dropped to a whisper, "Inkpier Estate." Leslie shivered. "But that looks too much like a haunted house!" Peter snickered. Then he imitated a chicken, "Bawk, bawk, bawk! Bawk, bawk, bawk!" Leslie's face grew red. "I am NOT a chicken!" she argued. "Then, I dare you to come with me." Peter challenged. Leslie sighed. "Fine. But don't be laughing when you get turned into monster's soup." Peter laughed. "Come on! We're just going trick-or-treating!" Peter started going toward the Inkpier Estate. Leslie held on firmly to his sleeve. When they got there, Peter knocked the door."Knock, knock, knock! Anybody home?!" Peter shouted. Suddenly, the door swung open. A little box of treats was placed on the mat. Leslie peeked in. "All there is is saltwater taffy!" she exclaimed. Peter looked in, too. "You're right." Peter stepped inside. Leslie grabbed his arm. "Wait! You said we were just going trick-or-treating!" "Scaredy cat!" Peter mocked. Leslie stepped inside. As soon as she did the door slammed shut.
"Ahhhhh!" Leslie screamed. "Hey! You're hurting my eardrums!" Peter complained. "Peter Hatcher!" Leslie pouted. "You've got to admit, this is pretty creepy." Just then, a gigantic spider jumped down from the ceiling. "Yikes!" Leslie shuddered. She ran for the door. Then she rattled the doorknob. It came off in her hands. "Peter! We're locked in!" she said frantically. "What are we gonna do!?" Leslie cried in horror. Peter smiled. "Then let's go explore this place!" He started going up the creaky stairs.
Leslie took a deep breath and followed him. Peter looked at his glow-in-the-dark watch. "Uh, oh! It's past 8. Mom said we had to be back at 8:00." "But we can't go out! I accidentally pulled it off!" Leslie showed him the doorknob. "I guess we'll have to find another place out. Maybe there's a back door!" Peter said. Leslie followed Peter throughout the haunted house. Suddenly, they ran into a mess of bats. The bats hoovered above them, flying. Leslie screamed and covered her head. "Don't worry, they're harmless, short stuff." Peter coaxed. Peter called Leslie short stuff because she was only up to his chest. They continued on their search. Then, something white and nearly transparent flew above them. "A ghost!" Leslie screamed. "Aww, that's prob'ly just a ghostwing butterfly." Peter said, but he no longer sounded sure. "You mean there are butterfly ghosts?!" Leslie asked, "Yikes!" "No," Peter explained, "it's a type of butterfly with clear wings!" "Oh," Leslie replied, " but can it be that big?" Peter shrugged. "Let's go find a way out!" Leslie cried. "Okay, okay!" Peter grumbled.
They went back down the stairs and opened a door. There were slimy, disgusting, white bandages all over the dusty floor. On the wall, there was a picture of an Egyptian king. "Uh, who's that?" Leslie wondered. "An Egyptian king." Peter said. In the corner of the room, there laid the king. Peter and Leslie walked over. They both thought they could hear soft breathing. "Did you just hear that?" Leslie whispered to Peter. "You mean the soft breathing and heart beating? No," Peter said nervously, "let's get out of here!" Peter leaped toward the door. Leslie ran after him. Suddenly, they heard a soft moaning sound. Leslie thought she saw the king move his finger. They quickly slammed the door behind them. Peter said quickly, "Let's go upstairs, maybe there's an fire escape like our house." "Okay." Leslie grabbed Peter's sleeve again.
The "ninja" and the "witch" ran up the stairs. They opened a door. There was an old leather chair covered with a white sheet that moved a little. "Wow, the wind sure is strong today!" Leslie discovered. "Uh, there's no windows anywhere," Peter said. "Uh, oh." Leslie moaned. There were also 3 bookshelves along a wall. "Hmm," Peter wandered over. There was a book called ABOUT THE INKPIER ESTATE that had only one page. Peter pulled it out and read it. The page read, "If you are reading this, that means you are inside of the Inkpier Estate which is haunted so you better go out! Look for a brown book and pull it. That is the secret passageway to get out. Just follow the path. by: Arnold Smith, dedicated to: whoever inside of Inkpier Estate." "All right!" Peter grinned. "Leslie! Come help me search for a brown book." "Okay." Leslie and Peter searched and searched. Finally, Leslie found it. "Over here, Peter!" she called. Peter hurried over. Then he pulled. Then the whole bookshelf spun around. Peter and Leslie Hatcher went with the bookshelf. Soon, they found themselves in a dim, narrow hallway. "Come follow me!" Peter said.
Leslie held on to Peter's ninja belt as they followed the passageway. Right after they went behind the corner, they bumped into a man with orange hair. He smiled down at them. "Lost?" he said with a friendly grin, "I'm Arnold Smith, the dude who wrote the book. I'll show you the way out. But first, stop by for some cupcakes." "So you're Arnold Smith?" Peter blurted out. He nodded. "Yup. You guys can call me Arnold." "Where'd you get the cupcakes?" Arnold smiled mysteriously. "I live here. In the hall. Come on!" He led them to a door. Then he opened it. Inside the room was s small wooden table, some chairs, a little refrigerator, and an i-mac. "Wow," Leslie whistled softly. Arnold explained, "The reason I live here because someone burglarized my house back in Centerville and sold it to someone called, Vanessa Herkins. So I took some stuff and moved inside." Then he opened the refrigerator and took out two cupcakes and gave them to Peter and Leslie. "Besides," Arnold added, "these are just your costumes, right?" "Yeah!" After they finished their cupcakes, Arnold led them toward the exit. Peter and Leslie thanked him and asked, "Can we visit you sometime?" "Sure!" Arnold replied. "I get longly." Peter and Leslie hurried home.
20 years later, Peter and Leslie grew up. Arnold was very old then, so he moved to the senior community center. Leslie moved to Colorado and was swimming teacher there. Peter moved inside the Inkpier Estate and took Arnold Smith's place. Now he helps people escape from the house.
THE END
10/20/2008
When I Shrank
I was feeling a little nervous as I climbed aboard the dragonfly. This all began when I was in Matilda and Houdini's Magic Store. I bought a small bottle of pink powder in it. The label said "Shrinking powder-just add water." I laughed as I read it. I thought about all the things. I could shrink. A clerk was walking by, "Um, excuse me, Sir?" I said, "Yes?" the clerk said back in a deep and rich voice with a bright smile, "Can this really shrink things?" I asked. His smile dropped off immediately. He looked nervous now. "I don't think you'll like to buy this. It shrinks things down to the size of an ant." "Great!" I cried gleefully, "How much?" The clerk shrugged. "$7.99," he said. I went over to the counter and gave them a ten-dollar bill. After I got the change, I took the muni home with part of the change.
After I got home, I poured the powder into a mug with a lid. Then, I poured a teaspoon of water into it. I mixed it because that's what the instructions said. There was also a warning that came along with it. "WARNING! DO NOT DRINK! NO EFFECT ON HUMANS EXCEPT WHEN DRANK!" I laughed. Then I carried it to my room. I poured a little bit on my father's pin. It shrunk. "It works!" I yelled. Now that I knew it worked, I put on the cover and went to the living room to watch T.V. I flipped through the channels and stopped at Disney Channel. I laughed out loud because something funny was happening. Suddenly, my foot knocked over the mug. The lid fell over and the pink liquid started flowing out. I turned off the T.V. "Oh, Oh," I said. I quickly grabbed a towel and started wiping up the mess. After I wiped up most of it, I accidentally dropped the towel onto the rest of it with my mouth open because I was tired. When the towel dropped on the rest of the mess, it caused the liquid to fly up into the air and it landed inside my mouth. Before I knew it, I swallowed it and shrunk down to the size of an ant. "Oops," I mumbled to myself. I sighed and slipped underneath the door and headed in the street.
Suddenly, a shadow fell upon me. I spun around instantly. It was a dragonfly. It spoke to me in a deep voice. "Who are you?!" it asked. I quickly made up a name. "Uh, Michelle," I lied, "What about you?" "I'm Dragonfly," it replied. "I know you're a dragonfly," I said, "what's your name?" "Dragonfly," it replied. "Oh. Male or female?" I questioned it. "Male." Then Dragonfly grinned. "Come on! Let's fly through an adventure!" That's how I nervously climbed on Dragonfly. "Okay," I said unsurely, "but just don't go too -" Dragonfly zipped around trees and buildings rapidly "FAST!" I yelled. "What did you say?" Dragonfly mumbled. "By the way, you can call me Draffle. That's my nickname." "Okay," I said unsurely, "where are we going, exactly?" I asked. Draffle replied, "To the woods." I began to feel a little suspicious. "Why?" I said, "To have fun!" Draffle answered. "To have fun," I muttered under my breath.
When we go to the woods, Draffle was flying as fast as a bird. "Whoa, slow down there, Draffle!" I called. "Sorry!" apologized as he slowed down a bit. Draffle brought me to a gentle stop as we passed by a mossy tree. "What are we going to do now?" I asked. Draffle grinned. "Let's have a race!" he replied. "No way," I said, "you're definately gonna win." "Whatever!" Draffle grumbled. We zipped off. Just as he was about to win, he crashed into a beehive. "Uh, oh!" Draffle cried. "Go inside the lake!" I yelled as bees started swarming out. Draffle frowned. "But my wings will get wet!" he complained. "It's either that or face a bunch of angry bees!" I shouted as I jumped in the lake. Draffle hopped in after me.
Suddenly, I felt myself growing. In a minute, I had grown back to my normal size. "What am I doing here?! And why am I all wet?" I cried in disapproval. I shook my head, climbed out of the water, and walked home. I changed clothes and threw the shrinking powder away.
I smiled, glad that everything was back to normal.
THE END
After I got home, I poured the powder into a mug with a lid. Then, I poured a teaspoon of water into it. I mixed it because that's what the instructions said. There was also a warning that came along with it. "WARNING! DO NOT DRINK! NO EFFECT ON HUMANS EXCEPT WHEN DRANK!" I laughed. Then I carried it to my room. I poured a little bit on my father's pin. It shrunk. "It works!" I yelled. Now that I knew it worked, I put on the cover and went to the living room to watch T.V. I flipped through the channels and stopped at Disney Channel. I laughed out loud because something funny was happening. Suddenly, my foot knocked over the mug. The lid fell over and the pink liquid started flowing out. I turned off the T.V. "Oh, Oh," I said. I quickly grabbed a towel and started wiping up the mess. After I wiped up most of it, I accidentally dropped the towel onto the rest of it with my mouth open because I was tired. When the towel dropped on the rest of the mess, it caused the liquid to fly up into the air and it landed inside my mouth. Before I knew it, I swallowed it and shrunk down to the size of an ant. "Oops," I mumbled to myself. I sighed and slipped underneath the door and headed in the street.
Suddenly, a shadow fell upon me. I spun around instantly. It was a dragonfly. It spoke to me in a deep voice. "Who are you?!" it asked. I quickly made up a name. "Uh, Michelle," I lied, "What about you?" "I'm Dragonfly," it replied. "I know you're a dragonfly," I said, "what's your name?" "Dragonfly," it replied. "Oh. Male or female?" I questioned it. "Male." Then Dragonfly grinned. "Come on! Let's fly through an adventure!" That's how I nervously climbed on Dragonfly. "Okay," I said unsurely, "but just don't go too -" Dragonfly zipped around trees and buildings rapidly "FAST!" I yelled. "What did you say?" Dragonfly mumbled. "By the way, you can call me Draffle. That's my nickname." "Okay," I said unsurely, "where are we going, exactly?" I asked. Draffle replied, "To the woods." I began to feel a little suspicious. "Why?" I said, "To have fun!" Draffle answered. "To have fun," I muttered under my breath.
When we go to the woods, Draffle was flying as fast as a bird. "Whoa, slow down there, Draffle!" I called. "Sorry!" apologized as he slowed down a bit. Draffle brought me to a gentle stop as we passed by a mossy tree. "What are we going to do now?" I asked. Draffle grinned. "Let's have a race!" he replied. "No way," I said, "you're definately gonna win." "Whatever!" Draffle grumbled. We zipped off. Just as he was about to win, he crashed into a beehive. "Uh, oh!" Draffle cried. "Go inside the lake!" I yelled as bees started swarming out. Draffle frowned. "But my wings will get wet!" he complained. "It's either that or face a bunch of angry bees!" I shouted as I jumped in the lake. Draffle hopped in after me.
Suddenly, I felt myself growing. In a minute, I had grown back to my normal size. "What am I doing here?! And why am I all wet?" I cried in disapproval. I shook my head, climbed out of the water, and walked home. I changed clothes and threw the shrinking powder away.
I smiled, glad that everything was back to normal.
THE END
10/16/2008
Learning to Juggle
When I first was learning to juggle, my coach was my dad. My grandmother made my own juggling balls. It was made from old socks and rice. Everyday, I practice when I have spare time. When I learned to juggle with two balls, I put on a show. A little while later, I learned to juggle with three balls. I usually mess up on about my 12th and 13th juggles.
THE END
THE END
10/15/2008
The Secret is Open!
Once upon a time, there was a huge family of ghosts living in a horror movie. Every day, they would act out spooky movies and be loud. By the end of each day, they would be tired. The ghost family had Katherine Ghoulie (the mom), Gordost Ghoulie (the dad), their five children: Victor, Shella, Warren, Maddie (Mad-DYE), and Casper Ghoulie. They also lived with their aunt, Carmella Bogey and their uncle, Martin Bogey.
When the movie theater was closed, life in the horror screen neighborhood was pretty busy. Mr. and Mrs. Ghoulie had late night meetings with other people who worked in the Hallow Oak Company. Victor, Shella, Warren, Maddie, and Casper play with the Steins' kids. Frank N. Stein (the Steins' father) and Wanda Stein (mother) go to meetings so Atom, Sara, and Joyce Stein get to play with the Ghoulies' kids. On Thursdays and Fridays, children go to school at the neighborhood's academy. The neighborhood was called Creepyville. In Creepyville, the five Ghoulie kids have tons of friends like Ashley and Drake Cula (vampires) owned by Dr. A. Cula, the Steins, Mr. Planium's kids, Allen (aliens) and Alan, and Mr. and Mrs. Rovers (robots) boy, Robert.
One Thursday afternoon, (the theater was closed) the Ghoulie kids were playing with Ashley Cula because Drake accidentally ate garlic and vampires were allergic to it and poor Drake was lying in his coffin. Suddenly, Mr. Stein (he's an officer) drove his mobile down the street, wailing, "Eey, Er! Eey, Er!" "What's going on, Mr. Stein!?" Shelly hollered. Mr. stein stopped his siren and explained, "The manager of this theater saw Spark Planium's kids playing on the screen. Go home where you'll be safe." Victor asked, "Why was the manager here? I thought the theater was closed today!" Mr. Stein shrugged. "Mr. Rover reported that the manager was going to his office to print tickets for tomorrows' movie. Then he spotted Allen and Alan playing on the movie screen." Then, they heard a bloodcurdling scream, looked at each other, and run home. Mr. Marvin Mons, the mayor pulled a giant black blanket over the screen. Then he got into his mobile and made sure everyone was at home with their doors locked. After that, he locked himself in his office chatting on the phone with his girlfriend.
Even with everything shut and closed, they can still hear the manager screech, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?!?" Everyone in Creepyville was very worried. Sensitive infant monsters started crying, mummies shivered so hard that some of their bandages came off. Warren Ghoulie who was thinking spoke up. "Dad! I have an idea!" he shouted. Mr. Ghoulie looked up and put his finger to his mouth. "What?" he whispered in a spooky voice. "I've got an idea to get rid of the manager!" Warren bragged. Just then, his whole family looked up. "Great, mah boy!" said his uncle Martin Bogey. "Now what IS your plan?" "Yeah!" Casper joined in. Warren smiled. "We shall haunt the manger until he quits. Then Ms Wendy, our teacher can take his place. She is good at being a boss and she is the most human-like in Creepyville." Mrs. Ghoulie clapped. "Brilliant idea but" she paused, "who will take over?!" "Don't you get it, Mom?" Maddie asked, "The theater is closed on Thursdays and Fridays and that's when we have school!" "A nice idea but who'll haunt the manger?" their aunt Carmella Bogey asked. "The kids in Creepyville would!" Victor muttered. "But --" their mom began. "Don't you worry about a thing," Shella interrupted, "Mr. Planium just invented a sweet potion that can turn people and monsters invisible. I can ask Allen and Alan to get it. besides," she added, "they get top-secret information from him." Mr. Ghoulie laughed. "What do you think, honey?" he asked Mrs. Ghoulie. "But Gordost, the children can get captured." "Not with invisible ink," the others chimed in. She sighed. "Okay." Uncle Bogey got out his cellphone. "I'll make a call to the mayor right away!" he said as he started dialing.
The next day, Mr. Mons made an announcement to Creepyville. He told everyone Warren's plan and Mr. Wendy and Mr. Planium were thrilled. Ms. Wendy was thrilled because she always wanted to be the manager. Mr. Planium was thrilled because he'd love to share his invention. The kids were also gleeful because they'd finally do some haunting and was allowed to leave the screen. Mrs. Rover saw the manager pass and she spread the word. She got Robert all ready and she made him drink the invisible potion after he leaves. Soon, all the kids who were in Creepyville gathered together. Drake was better so he came too.
The kids jumped out of the screen. When they landed, they drank the potion. Everyone was invisible. Since Atom Stein was the tallest around, he stood on his tipie-toe and found the manager's office. Even when they were invisible, they could still see each other. "Follow me!" Atom hissed. "I gotta pee!" a monster named Inkster Eres said. Sara turned around and replied, "save it for the office! He'll think that a toilet attacked him!" They both cracked up. When they got to the manager's office, Inkster peed all over the floor. Allen and Joyce giggled. The manager spun his chair around. "What's there!" he cried. He looked around nervously. Alan spotted a name tag on his desk. It said, "Roy Brown". he poked Drake and pointed at the sign. Drake told everyone. Warren had an idea. He told it to Casper. Casper spoke in his creepiest voice. "Mr. Brown, " he said slowly, "I have got notified how you've been behaving. You're nowofficially fired! I have in mind a perfect person for your replacement." Mr. Brown gasped. WWWWhos ththththere?" he asked, stammering. "It is us!" everyone said together in their creepiest voices. "BBBBBut III don't see anyone!" Mr. Brown said, finding his voice again. "YOU are not trustworthy enough to run a theater." Ashley spoke up. "Okay, III'll quit and you can hire another person but just please, don't hurt me!" Mr. Brown pleaded. "Find a different job, and we shall not hurt you!" Alan roared. "But I can't." Mr. Brown started. "No buts, no cuts, no coconuts!" Inkster growled. "Leave at once!" all the kids from Creepyville shouted. "Or else I'll poop on your floor instead of peeing," Inkster added. Mr. Brown stared at the puddle of pee on the floor. He gulped, packed all his things into a big backpack, and left.
"Yes, we did it!" Joyce cheered. "We DID do it." Victor said with a loopy grin. The troop followed Atom back to the screen and took another sip of the potion and jumped into the movie screen. Robert hollered, "Hey everyone! The kids of Creepyville are back!" They were greeted by Mr. Planium and Mr. Mons. "Congratulation!" Mr. Mons congratulated them. Allen and Alan ran over to Mr. Planium and he hugged them with his four arms. (he's an alien)
The other kids ran home and got big surprises from their parents. Ashley and Drake Cula flew over to Ms. Wendy's house and told her that she's the manager of the theater now. Ms. Wendy let out a big whoop. Everything was fine then on until ... ... the janitor saw Dr. A. Cula going on a walk.
THE END
When the movie theater was closed, life in the horror screen neighborhood was pretty busy. Mr. and Mrs. Ghoulie had late night meetings with other people who worked in the Hallow Oak Company. Victor, Shella, Warren, Maddie, and Casper play with the Steins' kids. Frank N. Stein (the Steins' father) and Wanda Stein (mother) go to meetings so Atom, Sara, and Joyce Stein get to play with the Ghoulies' kids. On Thursdays and Fridays, children go to school at the neighborhood's academy. The neighborhood was called Creepyville. In Creepyville, the five Ghoulie kids have tons of friends like Ashley and Drake Cula (vampires) owned by Dr. A. Cula, the Steins, Mr. Planium's kids, Allen (aliens) and Alan, and Mr. and Mrs. Rovers (robots) boy, Robert.
One Thursday afternoon, (the theater was closed) the Ghoulie kids were playing with Ashley Cula because Drake accidentally ate garlic and vampires were allergic to it and poor Drake was lying in his coffin. Suddenly, Mr. Stein (he's an officer) drove his mobile down the street, wailing, "Eey, Er! Eey, Er!" "What's going on, Mr. Stein!?" Shelly hollered. Mr. stein stopped his siren and explained, "The manager of this theater saw Spark Planium's kids playing on the screen. Go home where you'll be safe." Victor asked, "Why was the manager here? I thought the theater was closed today!" Mr. Stein shrugged. "Mr. Rover reported that the manager was going to his office to print tickets for tomorrows' movie. Then he spotted Allen and Alan playing on the movie screen." Then, they heard a bloodcurdling scream, looked at each other, and run home. Mr. Marvin Mons, the mayor pulled a giant black blanket over the screen. Then he got into his mobile and made sure everyone was at home with their doors locked. After that, he locked himself in his office chatting on the phone with his girlfriend.
Even with everything shut and closed, they can still hear the manager screech, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?!?" Everyone in Creepyville was very worried. Sensitive infant monsters started crying, mummies shivered so hard that some of their bandages came off. Warren Ghoulie who was thinking spoke up. "Dad! I have an idea!" he shouted. Mr. Ghoulie looked up and put his finger to his mouth. "What?" he whispered in a spooky voice. "I've got an idea to get rid of the manager!" Warren bragged. Just then, his whole family looked up. "Great, mah boy!" said his uncle Martin Bogey. "Now what IS your plan?" "Yeah!" Casper joined in. Warren smiled. "We shall haunt the manger until he quits. Then Ms Wendy, our teacher can take his place. She is good at being a boss and she is the most human-like in Creepyville." Mrs. Ghoulie clapped. "Brilliant idea but" she paused, "who will take over?!" "Don't you get it, Mom?" Maddie asked, "The theater is closed on Thursdays and Fridays and that's when we have school!" "A nice idea but who'll haunt the manger?" their aunt Carmella Bogey asked. "The kids in Creepyville would!" Victor muttered. "But --" their mom began. "Don't you worry about a thing," Shella interrupted, "Mr. Planium just invented a sweet potion that can turn people and monsters invisible. I can ask Allen and Alan to get it. besides," she added, "they get top-secret information from him." Mr. Ghoulie laughed. "What do you think, honey?" he asked Mrs. Ghoulie. "But Gordost, the children can get captured." "Not with invisible ink," the others chimed in. She sighed. "Okay." Uncle Bogey got out his cellphone. "I'll make a call to the mayor right away!" he said as he started dialing.
The next day, Mr. Mons made an announcement to Creepyville. He told everyone Warren's plan and Mr. Wendy and Mr. Planium were thrilled. Ms. Wendy was thrilled because she always wanted to be the manager. Mr. Planium was thrilled because he'd love to share his invention. The kids were also gleeful because they'd finally do some haunting and was allowed to leave the screen. Mrs. Rover saw the manager pass and she spread the word. She got Robert all ready and she made him drink the invisible potion after he leaves. Soon, all the kids who were in Creepyville gathered together. Drake was better so he came too.
The kids jumped out of the screen. When they landed, they drank the potion. Everyone was invisible. Since Atom Stein was the tallest around, he stood on his tipie-toe and found the manager's office. Even when they were invisible, they could still see each other. "Follow me!" Atom hissed. "I gotta pee!" a monster named Inkster Eres said. Sara turned around and replied, "save it for the office! He'll think that a toilet attacked him!" They both cracked up. When they got to the manager's office, Inkster peed all over the floor. Allen and Joyce giggled. The manager spun his chair around. "What's there!" he cried. He looked around nervously. Alan spotted a name tag on his desk. It said, "Roy Brown". he poked Drake and pointed at the sign. Drake told everyone. Warren had an idea. He told it to Casper. Casper spoke in his creepiest voice. "Mr. Brown, " he said slowly, "I have got notified how you've been behaving. You're nowofficially fired! I have in mind a perfect person for your replacement." Mr. Brown gasped. WWWWhos ththththere?" he asked, stammering. "It is us!" everyone said together in their creepiest voices. "BBBBBut III don't see anyone!" Mr. Brown said, finding his voice again. "YOU are not trustworthy enough to run a theater." Ashley spoke up. "Okay, III'll quit and you can hire another person but just please, don't hurt me!" Mr. Brown pleaded. "Find a different job, and we shall not hurt you!" Alan roared. "But I can't." Mr. Brown started. "No buts, no cuts, no coconuts!" Inkster growled. "Leave at once!" all the kids from Creepyville shouted. "Or else I'll poop on your floor instead of peeing," Inkster added. Mr. Brown stared at the puddle of pee on the floor. He gulped, packed all his things into a big backpack, and left.
"Yes, we did it!" Joyce cheered. "We DID do it." Victor said with a loopy grin. The troop followed Atom back to the screen and took another sip of the potion and jumped into the movie screen. Robert hollered, "Hey everyone! The kids of Creepyville are back!" They were greeted by Mr. Planium and Mr. Mons. "Congratulation!" Mr. Mons congratulated them. Allen and Alan ran over to Mr. Planium and he hugged them with his four arms. (he's an alien)
The other kids ran home and got big surprises from their parents. Ashley and Drake Cula flew over to Ms. Wendy's house and told her that she's the manager of the theater now. Ms. Wendy let out a big whoop. Everything was fine then on until ... ... the janitor saw Dr. A. Cula going on a walk.
THE END
10/07/2008
The Case of the Pocket Flashlight
One morning I woke up and discovered that I had turned into a detective. I wasn't wearing my pajamas. Instead, I was wearing a deerstalker cap, a jacket that covered nearly all of my face, a pair of plaid pants, and black shoes. I shook my head and changed into a t-shirt and jeans. I stuffed the detective clothes into my backpack along with my homework folder and zipped it shut. Then I headed downstairs for breakfast.
After breakfast, I got ready for school. I grabbed a jacket and headed out the door with mom. My mom drove me to school and I headed in the classroom. I started coping math problems on the board to do. Finally, it was recess. I told my friend about the detective clothes. She smiled and said, "I know someone who lost their pocket flashlight, maybe you can solve the mystery. Oh, and it's Zoe who lost it." I nodded slowly. "Ooookay," I said unsurely. I looked around the playground and spotted Zoe Fishkins. I ran over. "Hey, Zoe! Wait up!" I yelled as I caught up. "What??" Zoe mumbled. I got out my deerstalker cap and put it on and replied, "Maybe I can help finding your flashlight." Zoe shrugged as we started hunting for her flashlight.
We looked up and down, there and around but we had no such luck. All of a sudden, I snapped my fingers. "That's it!" I cried. "I know where your flashlight is. It's in your pocket!" Zoe looked in her pocket and found it. "Wow," she said. "How'd you know?" I nodded modestly. "Just remembered what my friend told me of what you've lost. A pocket flashlight."
THE END
EPILOGUE
After school was over, I put my detective clothes in a honorable place in my closet. Those clothes helped me concentrate on am mystery. Now, whenever I have a mystery to be solved, I put on those clothes and solved the mystery in 5 minutes. They have never failed me.
After breakfast, I got ready for school. I grabbed a jacket and headed out the door with mom. My mom drove me to school and I headed in the classroom. I started coping math problems on the board to do. Finally, it was recess. I told my friend about the detective clothes. She smiled and said, "I know someone who lost their pocket flashlight, maybe you can solve the mystery. Oh, and it's Zoe who lost it." I nodded slowly. "Ooookay," I said unsurely. I looked around the playground and spotted Zoe Fishkins. I ran over. "Hey, Zoe! Wait up!" I yelled as I caught up. "What??" Zoe mumbled. I got out my deerstalker cap and put it on and replied, "Maybe I can help finding your flashlight." Zoe shrugged as we started hunting for her flashlight.
We looked up and down, there and around but we had no such luck. All of a sudden, I snapped my fingers. "That's it!" I cried. "I know where your flashlight is. It's in your pocket!" Zoe looked in her pocket and found it. "Wow," she said. "How'd you know?" I nodded modestly. "Just remembered what my friend told me of what you've lost. A pocket flashlight."
THE END
EPILOGUE
After school was over, I put my detective clothes in a honorable place in my closet. Those clothes helped me concentrate on am mystery. Now, whenever I have a mystery to be solved, I put on those clothes and solved the mystery in 5 minutes. They have never failed me.
9/18/2008
The Mysterious Package
One day, the postal carrier came to my counsulate with a very strange package. It was addressed to me but there wasn't a return address. I tried to recognize the handwriting but it was a magazine cutout.
The package was shaped like a box and its wrapping was old and torn. The wrapping was brown and shaggy. I tried to rip it open but even though it looked old, it was very tough. I got a pair of scissors and cut it open. A box was under the wrapping. The box was a metal one. On top of the box, there was a note - a mysterious note. Again, I tried to recognize the handwriting but it was computer printing. I felt the crack and tried to budge it open. It couldn't open. Then I spied something at the bottom of the note.
By the way, the note said,
BEWARE. THE PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOCANOCONIOSIS WHEN OPENING! The thing that I saw at the bottom of the note was this: !#$%& @ ~**&^!
I had no ideas of what to do so I went to the library to do research. I found a book of codes but I didn't find that secret code. There were other codes like the Morse alphabet code and the substitution code. I looked in every code book there was but I couldn't find it. I sighed. It was hopeless. I went back home to think about what to do. I didn't tell my parents about it. I took out the metal box that I've been hiding in my closet and investigated it. I got out my mini magnifying glass from my detective kit that I made with a Nike shoebox. I inspected the box and found nothing. Then I took out the note and I inspected it. I inspected the code part too. "Hey! These two letters of the code are the same! The second word must have double letters!" I exclaimed. Then I heard a voice in the living room. "Lunch time!" my mother called. "Coming!" I yelled. I ate as fast as I could. Then I hurried back to my room.
I also tried to crack the code myself but I didn't know that one. I asked my friends and they said that they didn't know that one. I took a break and watched T.V. It was about a person who hired a detective to solve who stole her purse that had 2,000 dollars in it.
Suddenly, I snapped my fingers together. "That's it!" I cried. "I'll also hire a detective to help me solve this mystery! I borrowed my mom's cellphone and dialed a number. "Hello?" said the other end of the phone. "Hi! I need to hire your best detective," I said. "Oh. My name's Jonathan Dennis and I'd think you'd want Wayne Fitzgerald. He cracks every mystery." Jonathan explained. "Sure! How much money?" I asked. "Twenty dollars," Jonathan said. "Checks only! The address is 4710 17th Oak street." "Gotcha," I replied as I wrote it down. "Oh, and one more thing," Jonathan said. "Wayne will come 2 hours later." "Okay!" I said.
While I was waiting, I read some books. After I finished, my dad let me borrow a check for the $20 fee. I wrote it and sent it to the agency. Soon, the detective came. I led him to my room and showed him the package and the note. Wayne grinned when he saw the code. He got out a notebook and drew the code detector. After he figured it out, he laughed. "Looks like you've been tricked by one of your friends! Look at the calendar and tell me what day today is." I looked and laughed too. "April Fools Day!" Wayne said, "The code says April Fools." After he left, I felt goofish, "All that trouble for nothing!" Then I ate dinner.
THE END
The package was shaped like a box and its wrapping was old and torn. The wrapping was brown and shaggy. I tried to rip it open but even though it looked old, it was very tough. I got a pair of scissors and cut it open. A box was under the wrapping. The box was a metal one. On top of the box, there was a note - a mysterious note. Again, I tried to recognize the handwriting but it was computer printing. I felt the crack and tried to budge it open. It couldn't open. Then I spied something at the bottom of the note.
By the way, the note said,
BEWARE. THE PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOCANOCONIOSIS WHEN OPENING! The thing that I saw at the bottom of the note was this: !#$%& @ ~**&^!
I had no ideas of what to do so I went to the library to do research. I found a book of codes but I didn't find that secret code. There were other codes like the Morse alphabet code and the substitution code. I looked in every code book there was but I couldn't find it. I sighed. It was hopeless. I went back home to think about what to do. I didn't tell my parents about it. I took out the metal box that I've been hiding in my closet and investigated it. I got out my mini magnifying glass from my detective kit that I made with a Nike shoebox. I inspected the box and found nothing. Then I took out the note and I inspected it. I inspected the code part too. "Hey! These two letters of the code are the same! The second word must have double letters!" I exclaimed. Then I heard a voice in the living room. "Lunch time!" my mother called. "Coming!" I yelled. I ate as fast as I could. Then I hurried back to my room.
I also tried to crack the code myself but I didn't know that one. I asked my friends and they said that they didn't know that one. I took a break and watched T.V. It was about a person who hired a detective to solve who stole her purse that had 2,000 dollars in it.
Suddenly, I snapped my fingers together. "That's it!" I cried. "I'll also hire a detective to help me solve this mystery! I borrowed my mom's cellphone and dialed a number. "Hello?" said the other end of the phone. "Hi! I need to hire your best detective," I said. "Oh. My name's Jonathan Dennis and I'd think you'd want Wayne Fitzgerald. He cracks every mystery." Jonathan explained. "Sure! How much money?" I asked. "Twenty dollars," Jonathan said. "Checks only! The address is 4710 17th Oak street." "Gotcha," I replied as I wrote it down. "Oh, and one more thing," Jonathan said. "Wayne will come 2 hours later." "Okay!" I said.
While I was waiting, I read some books. After I finished, my dad let me borrow a check for the $20 fee. I wrote it and sent it to the agency. Soon, the detective came. I led him to my room and showed him the package and the note. Wayne grinned when he saw the code. He got out a notebook and drew the code detector. After he figured it out, he laughed. "Looks like you've been tricked by one of your friends! Look at the calendar and tell me what day today is." I looked and laughed too. "April Fools Day!" Wayne said, "The code says April Fools." After he left, I felt goofish, "All that trouble for nothing!" Then I ate dinner.
THE END
9/11/2008
A Zoo Adventure
Yesterday, I went to the zoo but instead of seeing animals, mysterious sculptures stood in its place. I went with my friend, Lucy. the sculptures looked the same as one another. they all had greedy-looking eyes, a beady little nose, a lit for a mouth, their body looked like the body part of a suit of armor and in one hand, it held an ax, and their legs liked like gigantic toothpicks.
We walked on anxiously to find an animal to look at because we had to do a report on a zoo animal. We walked all around the zoo but there were just sculptures everywhere. We stopped by the kid's zoo in the zoo and looked at the hamsters' place.
We were expecting to see hamsters but there were just tiny little sculptures. Lucy sighed. Suddenly I slapped my forehead. "We've been dumb all the time! We could just read the caption that's underneath the cages!" Lucy looked down. She scratched her head. "Huh?Where are they?" I looked at what Lucy was staring at. There wasn't any signs.
"Do you know what this means, Amy?" Lucy asked me. "What?" I replied. "This is an invasion of these sculptures!" Lucy answered. While Lucy turned around to look at other people, I saw one of the sculptures move. It took a tiny walkie-talkie out of its toothpick legs and said in @#$$%&^*$%(HDBEN - an alien language), "Are ya ready to take the earthlings?" I poked Lucy and pointed inside the cage. Lucy turned around and saw the "sculpture" put its walkie-talkie back. Then it froze again. Lucy and I turned around and saw a big "sculpture" raise its ax and chopped it down again. As soon as that was done, the woman who was standing nearest to the "sculpture" disappeared. "They must be planning an attack!" Lucy whispered. "You're right!" I agreed.
We ran out of the kids' zoo and stopped at a cafe. We took a sandwich and a smoothie for lunch. After we finished lunch, we went to the monkey house. We stood far away from the cages so we won't disappear. Whenever people weren't looking, a "sculpture" would raise its ax and chop it down again and the person who's standing nearest to the "sculpture" would disappear. I said, "We've got to do something about this." Lucy nodded seriously. "Yeah, I think so too. " I thought for a moment. "We have to find out where the people are disappearing to."
Lucy and I walked to the Grizzly Gulch place and looked in the windows. We watched more people disappear and then Lucy perked up. "I know!" Lucy exclaimed. "We have to disappear to find out where it leads to." I smiled. "Great idea!" then we made our plan.
We walked up to the windows and looked inside. Then Lucy started our plan. "I wonder where are the grizzly bears? I came here to look at animals, not these sculptures!" I nodded in agreement. "Yes, this is very boring, I am going to leave." We took a step forward and we also disappeared.
We looked around. "Where is this place?" Lucy wondered out loud. I shrugged. "Beats me." The people who had disappeared earlier were also looking around, wondering where they were. Then we walked around. Then I saw lots of cages. "Hey, look!" I said. "What?" Lucy asked. "The zoo animals!" I answered. She looked at where I was pointing. We raced over. "Wow," Lucy said quietly. Then i saw an ax lying on the ground. I picked it up. I tapped Lucy. "Cool," she said. "I wonder if this can bring everyone back," I said. "Well don't just stand there, do something!" Lucy said impatiently. I raised it up and I chopped it down.
The next thing I knew, we were standing in the kids' zoo! It was like nothing had happened!
Lucy and I wrote our reports and went home. The "sculptures" just gave up and returned to their distant planet.
THE END
We walked on anxiously to find an animal to look at because we had to do a report on a zoo animal. We walked all around the zoo but there were just sculptures everywhere. We stopped by the kid's zoo in the zoo and looked at the hamsters' place.
We were expecting to see hamsters but there were just tiny little sculptures. Lucy sighed. Suddenly I slapped my forehead. "We've been dumb all the time! We could just read the caption that's underneath the cages!" Lucy looked down. She scratched her head. "Huh?Where are they?" I looked at what Lucy was staring at. There wasn't any signs.
"Do you know what this means, Amy?" Lucy asked me. "What?" I replied. "This is an invasion of these sculptures!" Lucy answered. While Lucy turned around to look at other people, I saw one of the sculptures move. It took a tiny walkie-talkie out of its toothpick legs and said in @#$$%&^*$%(HDBEN - an alien language), "Are ya ready to take the earthlings?" I poked Lucy and pointed inside the cage. Lucy turned around and saw the "sculpture" put its walkie-talkie back. Then it froze again. Lucy and I turned around and saw a big "sculpture" raise its ax and chopped it down again. As soon as that was done, the woman who was standing nearest to the "sculpture" disappeared. "They must be planning an attack!" Lucy whispered. "You're right!" I agreed.
We ran out of the kids' zoo and stopped at a cafe. We took a sandwich and a smoothie for lunch. After we finished lunch, we went to the monkey house. We stood far away from the cages so we won't disappear. Whenever people weren't looking, a "sculpture" would raise its ax and chop it down again and the person who's standing nearest to the "sculpture" would disappear. I said, "We've got to do something about this." Lucy nodded seriously. "Yeah, I think so too. " I thought for a moment. "We have to find out where the people are disappearing to."
Lucy and I walked to the Grizzly Gulch place and looked in the windows. We watched more people disappear and then Lucy perked up. "I know!" Lucy exclaimed. "We have to disappear to find out where it leads to." I smiled. "Great idea!" then we made our plan.
We walked up to the windows and looked inside. Then Lucy started our plan. "I wonder where are the grizzly bears? I came here to look at animals, not these sculptures!" I nodded in agreement. "Yes, this is very boring, I am going to leave." We took a step forward and we also disappeared.
We looked around. "Where is this place?" Lucy wondered out loud. I shrugged. "Beats me." The people who had disappeared earlier were also looking around, wondering where they were. Then we walked around. Then I saw lots of cages. "Hey, look!" I said. "What?" Lucy asked. "The zoo animals!" I answered. She looked at where I was pointing. We raced over. "Wow," Lucy said quietly. Then i saw an ax lying on the ground. I picked it up. I tapped Lucy. "Cool," she said. "I wonder if this can bring everyone back," I said. "Well don't just stand there, do something!" Lucy said impatiently. I raised it up and I chopped it down.
The next thing I knew, we were standing in the kids' zoo! It was like nothing had happened!
Lucy and I wrote our reports and went home. The "sculptures" just gave up and returned to their distant planet.
THE END
8/15/2008
About Me
Hi! This is what you could know about me.
First, I can play on the piano. Secondly, my best friend is Lucy Zhu. Last but not least, I like school.
These are three things you could know about me.
First, I can play on the piano. Secondly, my best friend is Lucy Zhu. Last but not least, I like school.
These are three things you could know about me.
6/01/2008
Rainforest Cafe
Today, I went to a shopping mall with 400 stores! It's humongous! I went to Rainforest Cafe. It was a cool place. There's this talking tree and a fake monkey that can blink and move. I looked around for souvenirs. I saw a Rainforest Cafe cup that had my name on it. There was also this fake alligator that can move. It was totally awesome. Then I heard loud thunder. At first, I thought it was sound effects, but my mom told me that it really was thunder. In Rainforest Cafe, there were lots of tanks and then have coral and fish in them! Rainforest Cafe was really cool. I hope to go there again someday.
THE END
THE END
My Boring Thing
I can't stand the hotness today.
There aren't any fun things on boring days.
Is there a cool drink somewhere?
See, very boring and hot.
Bugs are steaming on this day.
Octopus, can you squirt ink to block the sun?
Right, it's very boring.
Is it gonna get any hotter?
Not cold at all.
Guess what? Today is very boring and hot.
There aren't any fun things on boring days.
Is there a cool drink somewhere?
See, very boring and hot.
Bugs are steaming on this day.
Octopus, can you squirt ink to block the sun?
Right, it's very boring.
Is it gonna get any hotter?
Not cold at all.
Guess what? Today is very boring and hot.
5/31/2008
Fun Days At Sea
Today is the last night at sea.
Sad, but yet true.
I had oceans of fun in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman and on the Carnival Valor! Shopping, buying, swimming, snorkeling, hiking and more! The week zoomed by like a roadrunner!
I had a fantastic with a capital F week! Swimming in the ocean four times, riding on the water slide on Lido deck which is deck nine. Eating at Rosie's Restaurant and Washington Dining Room.
The time just doesn't seem possible. I cannot believe that the week was SUPER short! The people who work here can fold tons of towels creations and the room steward even folded a monkey out of towels and hung it on the top hanging down from the lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had fun at Coral Garden and Stingray City yesterday. I also watched cartoons on TV.
We're going to Miami where we started tomorrow. We're going to stay at Miami at who knows where. And we're taking the United Airlines back to San Francisco the day after tomorrow.
THE END
Sad, but yet true.
I had oceans of fun in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman and on the Carnival Valor! Shopping, buying, swimming, snorkeling, hiking and more! The week zoomed by like a roadrunner!
I had a fantastic with a capital F week! Swimming in the ocean four times, riding on the water slide on Lido deck which is deck nine. Eating at Rosie's Restaurant and Washington Dining Room.
The time just doesn't seem possible. I cannot believe that the week was SUPER short! The people who work here can fold tons of towels creations and the room steward even folded a monkey out of towels and hung it on the top hanging down from the lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had fun at Coral Garden and Stingray City yesterday. I also watched cartoons on TV.
We're going to Miami where we started tomorrow. We're going to stay at Miami at who knows where. And we're taking the United Airlines back to San Francisco the day after tomorrow.
THE END
5/30/2008
Coral Garden
Today, I went to the Cayman Islands.
My parents and I took a tour bus to a small boat. I also learned something in the tour bus: In Cayman, the driving wheel is on the right side instead of the left. (which is surprising to me) We got to the boat and had two stops: One, Stingray City and two: Coral Garden.
At Stingray City, you got to swim with the stingrays! My dad actually held one up and kissed it, disgusting! Even though Stingray City is in the middle of the ocean, it's totally shallow. The water only came up to my bellybutton!
After we finished swimming, we went to Coral Garden and the water was awfully deep! That's everyone (well almost) wore life jackets. Everyone also snorkeled. My mom and I brought our own so my dad borrowed on from the boat. Many other people borrowed one too. I saw so many fish and coral under the water! That's why it's called Coral Garden. I even saw a fish half a foot wide! Fat guy. I didn't see any jellyfish today, though. I also saw brain coral and coral with long thingies floating above them. It was weird. My parents and I saw little colorful fish and big colorful fish. It was like a rainbow under the sea!
Then we took the boat back to the tour bus and the tour bus drove us back.
THE END
My parents and I took a tour bus to a small boat. I also learned something in the tour bus: In Cayman, the driving wheel is on the right side instead of the left. (which is surprising to me) We got to the boat and had two stops: One, Stingray City and two: Coral Garden.
At Stingray City, you got to swim with the stingrays! My dad actually held one up and kissed it, disgusting! Even though Stingray City is in the middle of the ocean, it's totally shallow. The water only came up to my bellybutton!
After we finished swimming, we went to Coral Garden and the water was awfully deep! That's everyone (well almost) wore life jackets. Everyone also snorkeled. My mom and I brought our own so my dad borrowed on from the boat. Many other people borrowed one too. I saw so many fish and coral under the water! That's why it's called Coral Garden. I even saw a fish half a foot wide! Fat guy. I didn't see any jellyfish today, though. I also saw brain coral and coral with long thingies floating above them. It was weird. My parents and I saw little colorful fish and big colorful fish. It was like a rainbow under the sea!
Then we took the boat back to the tour bus and the tour bus drove us back.
THE END
5/29/2008
Snorkeling
I had a fantastic day when we went to Roatan, Honduras. We took a taxi with a taxi driver named Eddie.
We went snorkeling I mean my mom and I because I think my dad was scared. When I ducked my head under the water for the first time that day, I saw plenty of little clear fish. As I went deeper into the ocean, I saw bigger fish. I even saw a clear fish that was about a foot long!
We snorkeled some more and it started to rain so my dad went inside for shelter. My mom and I sheltered under the water. It was warm. As we went to shore, it was raining really fast so we ducked our heads under the sea. Guess what! We saw a small jellyfish that had only 4 tentacles! My mom and I swam a little longer and went inside for shelter.
We still have two tickets left - each one for one free soda and I got a Fanda drink and my grandfather got a diet coke. (My mom didn't get anything)
Then we all went to use the bathrooms. The we went back to the taxi. Eddie was already there. We drove to a small mall and my dad and I bought t-shirts again. Then we went back to the ship. And ate dinner.
THE END
We went snorkeling I mean my mom and I because I think my dad was scared. When I ducked my head under the water for the first time that day, I saw plenty of little clear fish. As I went deeper into the ocean, I saw bigger fish. I even saw a clear fish that was about a foot long!
We snorkeled some more and it started to rain so my dad went inside for shelter. My mom and I sheltered under the water. It was warm. As we went to shore, it was raining really fast so we ducked our heads under the sea. Guess what! We saw a small jellyfish that had only 4 tentacles! My mom and I swam a little longer and went inside for shelter.
We still have two tickets left - each one for one free soda and I got a Fanda drink and my grandfather got a diet coke. (My mom didn't get anything)
Then we all went to use the bathrooms. The we went back to the taxi. Eddie was already there. We drove to a small mall and my dad and I bought t-shirts again. Then we went back to the ship. And ate dinner.
THE END
5/28/2008
My Day
Today, when I woke up at who knows when, I got dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, my dad and I went downstairs to eat breakfast.
After breakfast, our family met together and got our Carnival Valor cards. You need those to get in & out. We walked to the front of the ship because that's where the entrance that were the closest to us was located. I say this because we are going to some place called Belize. When it was our turn, we stuck our cards through the slot and the machine beeped once. We got our cards out and went outside.
When we went outside, I was surprised that we weren't next to land. Instead, we were in the ocean! Then I noticed a way smaller boat than Carnival Valor. I realized that probably that boat will take us to Belize. Just as I predicted, it did!
When we went on the bank, there was a mall, just like in Mexico, but smaller and way hotter. I was sweating. So we went inside the mall to cool off.
We were about to go on another taxi tour, but we can't find any. Even though there were taxi tours, I figured it wouldn't be exciting. My grandparents and I went around the mall, searching for souvenirs. While my parents went searching for good taxi tours. About an hour later, they came back.
Before they came back, my grandmother bought me a souvenirs that looks like this (see picture at bottom). When my parents came back, my mom went shopping for a bag and my dad and I went shopping for t-shirts with the word Belize on it. We're wearing them right now. Then my mom took almost half an hour in the shop while my dad helped her find a nice bag. After my mom finally picked out one for 45 bucks, we took the swan boat back to the cruise ship.
We put our cards through the slot to enter. We had dinner. After dinner, we walked around for half an hour and went swimming. Then we took showers.
That is my day!
THE END
After breakfast, our family met together and got our Carnival Valor cards. You need those to get in & out. We walked to the front of the ship because that's where the entrance that were the closest to us was located. I say this because we are going to some place called Belize. When it was our turn, we stuck our cards through the slot and the machine beeped once. We got our cards out and went outside.
When we went outside, I was surprised that we weren't next to land. Instead, we were in the ocean! Then I noticed a way smaller boat than Carnival Valor. I realized that probably that boat will take us to Belize. Just as I predicted, it did!
When we went on the bank, there was a mall, just like in Mexico, but smaller and way hotter. I was sweating. So we went inside the mall to cool off.
We were about to go on another taxi tour, but we can't find any. Even though there were taxi tours, I figured it wouldn't be exciting. My grandparents and I went around the mall, searching for souvenirs. While my parents went searching for good taxi tours. About an hour later, they came back.
Before they came back, my grandmother bought me a souvenirs that looks like this (see picture at bottom). When my parents came back, my mom went shopping for a bag and my dad and I went shopping for t-shirts with the word Belize on it. We're wearing them right now. Then my mom took almost half an hour in the shop while my dad helped her find a nice bag. After my mom finally picked out one for 45 bucks, we took the swan boat back to the cruise ship.
We put our cards through the slot to enter. We had dinner. After dinner, we walked around for half an hour and went swimming. Then we took showers.
That is my day!
THE END
5/27/2008
Cozumel, Mexico
Today when the Carnival Valor landed in Cozumel, Mexico, our family got dressed and put on sunscreen. We also put on sunglasses. When we got out of the ship, it was like 100 degrees F! We walked until we got to a mall. We went inside because it was shady.
After a short while, we got a taxi tour. Our first stop was a park. After the taxi driver drove through the entrance, we saw an iguna perched on top of a stack of rocks. The driver stopped so we could take a look. The taxi stopped as we got to the place where you pay so you can get inside the park. We paid and we took off. As we walked along the path, we saw an iguna nearly on the path. My dad took pictures and the iguna wasn't even afraid!
Then we saw several huts. The roofs were made out of grass and the rest -- stone!My dad told me that, the Mayan people built them. Actually, the Mexican people did because the Mayan's huts were ruins. We walked on and saw giant mouse holes. The perimeter was about a yard! Since it was so hot, my grandmother and I walked back to a small hut with a bench and rested in the cool shade.
Five minutes later, my grandfather came to join us. Five more minutes later, my parents came. Then we walked back to the taxi. Our taxi driver was chatting with some other taxi drivers. When he saw us, he came over and helped us in.
Then he drove for a while and we came to Paradise Beach. My parents and I changed clothes and got blue floatie things because the ocean was too deep. We swam in the ocean. there was some water trampolines. We swam there and bounced on the trampolines. After that, we swam a little more and took a shower by the bathrooms.
We put on our regular clothes and went back to the taxi. My grandfather was already there. We drank some juice from a fresh coconut and got into the taxi. The taxi driver came and we drove back to the mall. We shopped around the mall and bought a few souvenirs. Then we headed back to the cruise ship.
My adventure in Cozumel was fun, bit hot.
THE END
After a short while, we got a taxi tour. Our first stop was a park. After the taxi driver drove through the entrance, we saw an iguna perched on top of a stack of rocks. The driver stopped so we could take a look. The taxi stopped as we got to the place where you pay so you can get inside the park. We paid and we took off. As we walked along the path, we saw an iguna nearly on the path. My dad took pictures and the iguna wasn't even afraid!
Then we saw several huts. The roofs were made out of grass and the rest -- stone!My dad told me that, the Mayan people built them. Actually, the Mexican people did because the Mayan's huts were ruins. We walked on and saw giant mouse holes. The perimeter was about a yard! Since it was so hot, my grandmother and I walked back to a small hut with a bench and rested in the cool shade.
Five minutes later, my grandfather came to join us. Five more minutes later, my parents came. Then we walked back to the taxi. Our taxi driver was chatting with some other taxi drivers. When he saw us, he came over and helped us in.
Then he drove for a while and we came to Paradise Beach. My parents and I changed clothes and got blue floatie things because the ocean was too deep. We swam in the ocean. there was some water trampolines. We swam there and bounced on the trampolines. After that, we swam a little more and took a shower by the bathrooms.
We put on our regular clothes and went back to the taxi. My grandfather was already there. We drank some juice from a fresh coconut and got into the taxi. The taxi driver came and we drove back to the mall. We shopped around the mall and bought a few souvenirs. Then we headed back to the cruise ship.
My adventure in Cozumel was fun, bit hot.
THE END
5/26/2008
Into the Water
Wow! I had a lot of fun!!! I went on a water slide. I had to get in a long line.
Here are three rules: First, you have to be 47 inches tall to ride the slide. Next, you must be wearing bathing suits to ride. Last, you need to take off your shoes.
Here's one of my advice: When you get close to the bottom, pinch your nose and close your eyes. I didn't pinch my nose and I got water up it. The water slide was blue and slippery. It gets faster and faster as you go down. But I thought it was cool!
My parents went on the water slide too. Halfway through the slide, my dad thought it was scary. He told me he wanted to get out but he couldn't. Dad also said that he choked at the bottom of the water slide. I think it was he didn't follow my advice I gave him. My mom rode the slide and she thought it was cool, like me.
Tell ya what. Both my mom and I left our shoes somewhere instead of keeping them by us. when our bare feet touched the deck, it was like well, pretend you're a small bug that's stepping in a oven that's baking a pie. That's how hot it was. I had to jump up and down. The slide's water was salty instead of regular water. Except it's less salty and less colder than the ocean water. The water slide was a ton of fun. That's all I can say about the fun of the water slide.
THE END
Here are three rules: First, you have to be 47 inches tall to ride the slide. Next, you must be wearing bathing suits to ride. Last, you need to take off your shoes.
Here's one of my advice: When you get close to the bottom, pinch your nose and close your eyes. I didn't pinch my nose and I got water up it. The water slide was blue and slippery. It gets faster and faster as you go down. But I thought it was cool!
My parents went on the water slide too. Halfway through the slide, my dad thought it was scary. He told me he wanted to get out but he couldn't. Dad also said that he choked at the bottom of the water slide. I think it was he didn't follow my advice I gave him. My mom rode the slide and she thought it was cool, like me.
Tell ya what. Both my mom and I left our shoes somewhere instead of keeping them by us. when our bare feet touched the deck, it was like well, pretend you're a small bug that's stepping in a oven that's baking a pie. That's how hot it was. I had to jump up and down. The slide's water was salty instead of regular water. Except it's less salty and less colder than the ocean water. The water slide was a ton of fun. That's all I can say about the fun of the water slide.
THE END
5/25/2008
Learn About Right Whales
When a Right Whale is born, it's fifteen to twenty feet long. A Black Right Whale's maximum length is sixty feet. Pygmy Right Whales grow not any longer than twenty feet! The Right Whale's spout is divided. It looks like the letter V. Right whales can be big. They have a thick, solid body and a huge head. Some Right Whales can be small. Pygmy Right Whales are the smallest of the baleen whales. The Pygmy's maximum wight is 10,000 pounds! Some Right Whales have white spots on their backs. Their white spots are different patterns. Some people think that's how they identify themselves. Do Right Whales have teeth? No way! Instead of teeth, they have thousands of thin plates called baleen. Their baleen helps them eat. The shrimp and plankton goes in and the baleen brushes most of the seawater out. Well, I can't really tell more about how does a Right Whale look like so let's move on.
How did the Right Whale get its name? Well, whalers once sought him. Then the whalers harpooned him, caught him. He was slow. Had no teeth. He also had the oil the whalers were looking for. Then they said, "He's the right whale!" The Black Right Whale got its name because it is black. The Pygmy Right Whale got its name because it's small. Right Whales belong in a group called baleen whales. They are called baleen whales because instead of teeth, they have thousands of thin plates often called baleen. No one is allowed to hunt right whales, blue whales, etc. anymore because they are endangered species. So you are lucky if you ever see a Right Whale! Wait, don't stop reading yet! Still one more to go!
Hi again! There are three types of Right Whales. There are Black Right Whales, Pygmy Right Whales, and Bowheads. They all belong in a group called Baleen Whales. There are other types of Baleen whales that I'm not going to mention. Right Whales have an area of roughened skin. When you're looking from the top, you can't see the fin of a Right Whale. If you go underwater, you might see its fin from its side. There really isn't much information to say more. Anyway, I learned a lot more about Right Whales when I wrote this report.
THE END
How did the Right Whale get its name? Well, whalers once sought him. Then the whalers harpooned him, caught him. He was slow. Had no teeth. He also had the oil the whalers were looking for. Then they said, "He's the right whale!" The Black Right Whale got its name because it is black. The Pygmy Right Whale got its name because it's small. Right Whales belong in a group called baleen whales. They are called baleen whales because instead of teeth, they have thousands of thin plates often called baleen. No one is allowed to hunt right whales, blue whales, etc. anymore because they are endangered species. So you are lucky if you ever see a Right Whale! Wait, don't stop reading yet! Still one more to go!
Hi again! There are three types of Right Whales. There are Black Right Whales, Pygmy Right Whales, and Bowheads. They all belong in a group called Baleen Whales. There are other types of Baleen whales that I'm not going to mention. Right Whales have an area of roughened skin. When you're looking from the top, you can't see the fin of a Right Whale. If you go underwater, you might see its fin from its side. There really isn't much information to say more. Anyway, I learned a lot more about Right Whales when I wrote this report.
THE END
Carnival Valor
Last night, after dinner, we went to the ariport to the United airlines. It was usually my bedtime when we got to the SF airport so my mom said that I had to go to sleep on the airplane. So I did.
I woke up to switch airplanes. I felt really dizzy.
The next day, we got to Miami. I still was really dizzy. We got in a cab and the taxi driver drove us to the big stadium where you sign up to the Carnival Valor (our cruise ship). Here's the ship's symbol...
As we boarded the cruise ship, we ate lunch. Since I was still pretty dizzy, I only ate four deserts. Then we explored the ship. After that, me, my parents and grandparents went back to our rooms and rested.
When I woke up, I felt completely better. We met together for dinner. I ate fruit cocktail, cheese pizza, and strawberry ice cream. I also snick some strawberry ice cream from my mom.
Then we set off to explore again. Me, grandmother, and mom were swimming while my dad and grandfather went to a show. I learned a bunch of new tricks.
After swimming, we went back to our rooms again. After we took showers, everyone in our family went to get deserts (from all that swimming) except for grandfather. Then we went back to our rooms, and started to do things. Like I'm writing in this journal. My parent are reading. That's all I can say because I'm still writing in this journal.
Bye!
I woke up to switch airplanes. I felt really dizzy.
The next day, we got to Miami. I still was really dizzy. We got in a cab and the taxi driver drove us to the big stadium where you sign up to the Carnival Valor (our cruise ship). Here's the ship's symbol...
As we boarded the cruise ship, we ate lunch. Since I was still pretty dizzy, I only ate four deserts. Then we explored the ship. After that, me, my parents and grandparents went back to our rooms and rested.
When I woke up, I felt completely better. We met together for dinner. I ate fruit cocktail, cheese pizza, and strawberry ice cream. I also snick some strawberry ice cream from my mom.
Then we set off to explore again. Me, grandmother, and mom were swimming while my dad and grandfather went to a show. I learned a bunch of new tricks.
After swimming, we went back to our rooms again. After we took showers, everyone in our family went to get deserts (from all that swimming) except for grandfather. Then we went back to our rooms, and started to do things. Like I'm writing in this journal. My parent are reading. That's all I can say because I'm still writing in this journal.
Bye!
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