Social Studies- A Gruesome, Mysterious Tale

Today at school, we watched a video on the Mayans. Unfortunately, we had to take notes, but I still listened.

No one knows why the Mayans disappeared. It is a mystery yet to be solved.The Mayans were very violent. They were constantly engaged in war. I personally think that their fighting and their diseases killed them all, but you might have a different idea. They played a very serious ball game, where the loser was killed. Then, the loser's head would be added to the skulls hanging on their belt. During a war, prisoners were beheaded, and their heads were mounted on display. Could you ever imagine being killed for losing a game?

They were also very religious. The king performed many rituals, but the priest was the main boss of the Maya who did all the ceremonies. They believed in feeding God with blood whenever they did a ceremony, so they would draw their own blood to use. The kings would poke themselves with a stingray's stinger in the spine, and then let the blood drip. It was very painful, and their body was constantly bloody, but they didn't care. They also believed that it was possible to see God through the smoke from the fire.

Temples were often built one on top of another. Archeologists, while exploring a temple site, found items that used to be in the original, first temple.

When they died, they believe that the went to the Underworld, or "place of fright".

Journal

This morning, I woke up at 8:00 AM to see a huge pile of dirt dumped on the driveway. It turned out that some dirt person had come to fix up the backyard.

After reading in bed for about ten minutes, I leaped out, made my bed, brushed my teeth, and ate breakfast. Then, I went back up to finish my homework, which only took a short amount of time. Next, I started to clean my room but was too lazy to finish.

I just remembered, I need to go to the library soon.

That was an example of my very boring, typical Saturday morning.

Last Night's Storm

Last night there was a big wind storm, but luckily the power didn't go out. It was raining really hard, and I could see huge gusts of winds pushing the rain. All the tall evergreen trees in the back were swaying from side to side. It felt like the glass on the window was going to blow up or break. The lights flickered many times during the night.

The Mad Scientist's Labratory

Darkness falling on the queer room,
Beware to go in there, for you may hear a sonic boom.
The musty air smelling of wine,
On the floor are bits of twine.

On the tables are bubbling potions,
Hiding on the shelves are containers filled with lotions.
Bubbling concoctions shining green,
Frankenstein statues placed around the room, tall and lean.

Just then, a crack of lightning flashes in the air,
A mad scientist walks in wringing his hands in despair.
He checks to make sure the door is locked,
It is a potion that he is ready to concoct.

He scuttles around,
Trying not to make sound.
Taking out this and that,
Occasionally stopping to pet his sneaky black cat.

On the wood table is a dusty book,
Taken from the bookshelf nook.
The pages are yellow and burnt on the side,
It feels like there is something the book wants to hide.

On the ground stands a black cauldron filled to the top
You can tell it was not bought from a shop.
The legs are carved exquisitely like bats,
Although their bodies are very fat.

As the scientist pours in that and this,
A drop falls on his white coat with a sizzling hiss.
With a shriek, the cauldron explodes in a flash of light,
As the sirens can be heard, the mad scientist will have to take
flight.

Bored

I am right now sitting in my dad's office, bored to death. Every once in a while I type on the computer or draw on the whiteboard, but the most important things are my secret exploring missions all over Microsoft. I haven't gotten lost yet.

Occasionally I go to the large windows overlooking the woods and cafeteria and read a book. Or, I take a quick trip to the bathroom to wash my hands. If I'm hungry, I stroll to the kitchen to get a soda, hot cocoa, water, or to use the Purell's hand sanitizer they have there. Maya spends most of her time sneaking in and out of the copy room to take the pencils, sticky pads, highlighters, and pens stocked in abundance there. That is her secret mission.

The sky is darkening with the upcoming storm and I hope the power doesn't go out for four days again.

Journal

The day started off with rare sunshine, soon to disappear into the misty chill of the dismal, cloudy sky.

I woke at the same time as Maya, slipping into my bedroom slippers and peeking into Maya's sun-lit room. After a hurried brushing, I ran downstairs to find it empty and cold. After a quick bowl of oatmeal, I started my horrifyingly complex school project, which included a gigantic sheet of watercolor paper, several boxes and lines, weird looking creatures, similarities and differences, rulers, a computer, and a paper cutter.

Now, after finishing the easy part of the project and lazy to start the hard one, my stomach is rumbling with hunger. Apart from being cold, a sleepy lull has taken over the house......

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I already started making Christmas presents. I know it is early, but it is fun to make them! I already finished one of them.

Have a great dinner!

Oral Book Report Tips

• Practice a lot- especially in front of a mirror.
• Don't procrastinate! Spread your book report out.
• If a costume is needed, pick a fun one that will ease your nervousness. If you need to make a visual aid, start early.
• Making eye contact- don't stare at the floor or ceiling! Look at your audience.
• Talk loudly. Don't mumble, stutter, or whisper. Using an accent or fun voice will also add effect to your report.
• Choose a book that you enjoy or you think is interesting. If the book is boring, you will not be as motivated.
• Add fun! Make jokes in your report, or say something funny!
• If you are nervous, take deep breaths before you perform. Try not to look scared. If you can, go first to get it over with.

With these tips, it is guaranteed that your book report is going to be the best one in your class!

Journal

Today I woke up precisely at 8:28 AM. Maya was still sleeping, which was a relief, because I didn't have to listen to her constant chatter or her continuous questions about where her clothes was. After eating a heavy meal of pancakes with syrup and finishing my reading homework, Maya woke up at 9:48 AM.

We just finished a short skirmish about the deadline of a contest. It was settled when I walked away to write this.

Music

From the black veil of darkness
A white moon, like a ghost amidst the blackness…
Gray lining on the heavy clouds
White shining upon the ground…..
Moonlight.
Wind passing through……
A breeze ruffles the soft air
With a whisper the trees sway ……
Swishing and slipping
Between the thin branches
Of the tall trees standing proudly……
Zephyr.
Down at the small pond
Shining silver on the water…..
With a splash-
Swans, three in all
White soft feathers and sharp black beaks
Appear and disappear……
Swans.
Nothing left but the ripples, circling
Like a swirl of something unknown
Getting farther and farther……
Rippling water
With a sigh
All trace disappears…….
Ripples.
From among the dark trees of the forest
A hidden guitar plays …..
Spinning the music out of the air
Like a delicate golden thread
Through the night…..
Music.

Haiku Poems from Japan

Beautiful sunset,
The sky a flame of colors,
Casting a bright glow.

Rushing waterfalls,
Bright greenery everywhere,
Cascade on the rocks.

Pink and white flowers,
Cherry blossoms by the lamp,
The light reflecting.

Woman with a fan,
Shading herself from the heat,
The sun beating down.

Walking on the path,
Lady in a kimono,
Hat perched on her head.

Happy Birthday

Today is Maya's birthday.

Again I woke up before everyone else- precisely 6:17 AM. Then Maya opened her gifts- I'm not telling what they are- and we went down to eat.

Now I am trying to fight the bit of hunger in my body, because there is nothing in the house and we have no idea what to eat.

P.S.- Voting does not work.

And I am also feeling very bored.

Journal

Today I woke up precisely at 8 AM to find everyone asleep. After reading a short book, I went downstairs to eat a breakfast of three pancakes with syrup, chocolate milk, and a sticky brownie.

Right before I started this Maya and I were cleaning out her closet (and mine too). I've found my posters and pictures! I now have a large garbage bag filled with disguises- hats, wigs, and costumes. I haven't eaten lunch yet but I'm not particularly hungry yet.

I was hoping for a sunny day, but the weather right now is chilly and cloudy. When my mother opened the window, a blast of cold air came through it and almost made me fall.

Weather Forecast

Have you noticed the unusual change in the weather system? At your house, is it cold, gloomy, and pouring rain in the mornings, pleasant in the afternoons, absolutely gorgeous sunshine in the evenings, and stuffy at night? This is because we are nearing to the end of summer! Say goodbye to swimming in the pool and ice cream and watching TV, because school has started and autumn is just beginning. During October and November (I call them the Slug Season), we will have the pleasure of stepping on slushy mud and worst of all, muddy worms and slugs. It's not very delightful, but it's reality. Sorry to bring you such a dismal report.

Unfair Teachers

Today I have had more than two hours of homework, and I'm still not done with it! Why is this?

Teachers ALWAYS say that they are not giving much homework- if a child would equally spread out the load each day, homework should take only about one hour. They say that children should have a break- play from 4-5:30, and then start their homework. Do they not know that kids have after-school activities, or school duties like safety patrol? They have loaded so much homework on me this week that I have not been sleeping before 10:00 PM, and I also have patrols in the morning. Isn't this unfair and unjust? I think kids should have a say in their homework- less homework, less expectations, and NO book reports! If you don't do at least a small bit of those nasty reports every day, I guarantee you that you will be staying up the night before it is due and cramming the whole thing into a short period of time. So if you are having similar problems like this, please make a comment and give me feedback. This is important!