->Betsey Brown Continued<-

As the book prospers I am getting the hang of it and I have grew to respect it. The scene in the book where Betsey made contact with Eugene for the first time was the rising action on my behalf. It wasn't until then that I couldn't put the book down.

Mnemonic by: Li- Young Lee

I was tired. So I lay down.
My lids grew heavy. So I slept.
Slender memory, stay with me.

I was cold once. So my father took off his blue
sweater.
He wrapped me in it, and I never gave it back.
It is the sweater he wore to America,
this one, which I’ve grown into, whose sleeves are too
long.
Flamboyant blue in daylight, poor blue by daylight,
it is black in the folds.

A serious man who devised complex systems of numbers and rhymes
to aid him in remembering, a man who forgot nothing, my father
would be ashamed of me.
Not because I’m forgetful,
but because there is no order
to my memory, a heap
of details, uncatalogued, illogical.
For instance:
God was lonely. So he made me.
My father loved me. so he spanked me.
It hurt him to do so. He did it daily.

The earth is flat. Those who fall off don’t return.
The earth is round. All things reveal themselves to
men only gradually.

It won’t last. Memory is sweet.
Even when it’s painful, memory is sweet.

Once I was cold. So my father took off his blue
sweater.

I truely enjoyed this poem and the images that were displayed. This poem takes me back to the age of 5. when I would lay across my grandmothers couch while my mother was working. Once she thought I was asleep she would cover me up with a blanket making sure I was perfectly warm. Although my grandmother has passed I miss her warm and comforting embrace dearly. I thank Li-Young Lee for giving me this sweet memory and making me feel close to home.

->The Good Thief<-

The good thief is a coming of age book written by author Hannah Tinti, based on historical events. The main character, a 12 year old orphan named Ren knows nothing of his past or how he got his injury wich some how happened earlier in his life. He lusts for a family and specifically a loving mother. Ren was abandoned as an infant and raised in St.Anthony's orphanage into the catholic religion and rebellion againts indulgence. Unfortunately, if Ren doesn't get adopted by the age of 18 he will be forced into the army just like the other's. Just when Ren begins to worry that maybe nobody will adopt him because of his injury, Benjamin Nab comes along and adopts him into his fast life full of lies, scams, and misfortunate events.

-I personally loved this book. I felt that it was the best class reading we read all year. I was immediately pulled into the life of the main character from the first chapter. Great job Hannah Tinti. You Rock!

->Betsey Brown<-

Today we started reading the book "Betsey Brown," written by Ntozake Shange. The book displays the idea of racism in the 1950's. The main character Betsey is the eldest of 5 kids in wich she begins to take us into the life of her family. So far I have no interest in the book. It's really boring and confusing. I'm not quite sure what are the authors ideas of the book, and where she plans on taking us, but I will keep reading and hopefully it get's better.

The best poem i've ever written!

 Mother's Child

They say when it rains it pours

They say that every story has two sides, and the truth will set you free

Yesterday it thundered

I prayed for the storm to wrap me up in it’s arms, and carry me with the wind

Behind closed doors I fill the raft of the anger in his hands as they preyed on my mother as if her face were there last supper

The brutal tenderness in his hands pierce my skin like new diamonds

I listen as she apologizes for doing nothing wrong

You call yourself a man but you raise your hand to a woman

I am my mother’s daughter and I see through her pain like broken glass

I am my mother’s daughter and I feel for her sorrow like a bird singing in the rain

When he raises his hand to hit her he raises his hands to hit me

They say every story has two sides, but I only know one

I am my mother’s daughter and when they call me to testify I will protect my blood.

My favorite poem by Maya Angelou

 Phenomenal Women

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Legacy (S.o.t.a's Step Team)

I wouldn't be surprised if no one knew that S.o.t.a has a step team. Yes I said a step team, and we are two year winners of the biggest step competition in Rochester, The Step Off! Just in case you haven't noticed I'm the girl in the front with the light pink shirt.

One of the many activities I enjoy doing is dancing. I dance with a crew called the Soul Food babies. It's a dance studio located on Thurston but we are currently relocating. We have four different groups: babies (ages 5-10), The All Stars (ages 11-14), The Mind Eraserz (ages 15-17), and the adults. I attend practices two days out of the week taking hip-hop, African, break-dance, ballet, and gymnastic classes. We do a lot of competing in Rochester as well as in other states. We are a very talented group and we take dance seriously.

This is a picture of a hotel with a beach located in Ochos Rios, on the north coast of Jamaica. Since I was a young girl I have always wanted to visit Jamaica. I think it's one of the most beautiful countries! Just look at the water, it looks to real to be true. I mean can't you just picture yourself lying on the beach letting the wind play with your hair. Making foot prints in the sand, and building sand castles with your younger siblings. Sounds like a good time huh?

Hardest thing ever!

So I read everyone's post and mines suck. I mean really, mines look like crap compared to theirs. For some reason I 'm having what Mr. Painting would call a "writers block." Seriously, why is it so hard to write about myself and the things i enjoy doing? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to this question.