Learning to Read and Write

          As Frederick Douglass understood the painful facts that is opened up to him, I learned that everyone can’t expect the desirable things they want as Douglass realized that even after all the slaves are to be freed once they turned twenty-one, they still remain a slave for life. With the things we want, we put it on hold while we gain something from it.

            Frederick Douglass, a slave, didn’t know how to read or write. The thought of him being a slave for life was unbearable. In no hope of being freed anytime soon, he took advantage of learning how to read and write. His mistress taught him to read, but that wasn’t enough. He learned how to read by making friends with all the little white boys in the streets and use them as teachers. And Douglass learned how to write by being in the Durgin and Bailey’s shipyard. He also learned to write by meeting with any boy who could write and compare with each other who could write better. With all the lessons of writing, he would practice writing with a chalk on the fence, bricked wall, and pavement. As he learned to read and write, he developed his vocabulary skills. He learned what the word, abolition meant and thought that someday he would find the perfect time to escape when he had a good chance.

            When Douglass took advantage of learning how to read and write, I learned and gained lessons in my life as well. I learned from my past relationship that we can’t always expect to live a happy ending that we picture because some couples aren’t meant to be. The mistakes we’ve made are just lessons we learn from, so the next relationship we will be in, will make us smarter about our decisions. From the lesson I learned from my relationship was to not let my guard down with boys because I know I will get hurt in the end. When I keep my guard up, I know I need someone who can respect me and be there for me.

            In the end, I learned to take advantage of the lessons we get and learn from them like what Douglass did when he learned to read and write as a slave. And I know from my past relationship that I will keep my guard up when I find that right person.

Malcolm X Evaluation Paragraph

In Malcom X's autobiography, "Learning to Read," Malcolm's ability to teach himself how to read was inspiring. He learned how to read and write by copying words from the dictionary and read the words out loud over and over. Once he knew how to read, he would read books from the prison library. He read so many books that he learned a lot of information that he never knew. He was fascinated by all the books that he would spend most of his day reading even when its "lights out" at the prison. He would adjust to the little amount of light to read. And that inspired me that he started off by not knowing how to read and he taught himself to read.

On The Way to School Today

On the way to school today, I had plenty of time before my English 6A class started. I stopped by Starbucks, dropped off my little sister, Shannen, at her high school, and got ready before I left to go to my school.

I woke up at 6:30 in the morning feeling awake and refreshed. My class didn’t start till 9:10 am and it only takes me less than half an hour to go to school. When my alarm went off, I took my time to a take a shower and got dressed. I wasn’t in a rush but I planned on leaving early to get some Starbucks with Shannen because after that, I had to drop her off at school without letting her be tardy.

We got out of the house and headed towards Starbucks. We ordered a White chocolate mocha and a Chai latte. Then, I dropped her off at Schurr High and went back home to finish getting ready.

I came back home and I arrived just in time at my house when my older sister, Shari, was about to leave because I realized I did not have my house keys in my purse. I was lucky because I wouldn’t have a way of getting inside my house to get my books. When I got inside, I blow dried my hair, put on my make up, and gathered my books. When I backed out of my garage, it started drizzling.

When I got in the freeway, the traffic wasn’t as bad as I thought. I thought that it would be really traffic since it was raining but it was going fast than usual. I got to school about twenty minutes from my house and I didn’t need to speed walk my way to class. I got out of my car and started walking. I hate walking in the mornings because it’s always cold, leaving me a little runny nose. On the way to my class, I assumed that I would be early but when I opened the door, most of my classmates were already there working on their class work. But I came right before the roll call was said.

On the way to school today, it was a little different from my daily routine because I had time to get Starbucks, which made my day. It was pretty much a good day for me going to school.

My Two Disappointments

Two things that disappointed me during the holidays of 2007 were that I let my dad down on Christmas by leaving him to hang out with my friends and also how I didn’t give the right gift my friend wanted.

On Christmas, I spent the whole day with my dad, who is on vacation from Florida, and my little sister, Shannen, at my aunt’s house. I had a fun and tiring day with my relatives. After the party ended, we went back home where we were going to watch Youtube videos on my computer together. Then I had a last minute call from one of my friends, Joe, asking if I could come out with him, his sister, and her boyfriend to drive around the houses to look at Christmas lights. I was eager to go because I haven’t spent any time with my friends during Christmas break since my dad was in Los Angeles on vacation. I thought my dad wouldn’t mind because I already spent most of my time with him. He told me that he didn’t want me going out because there were drunk drivers out there but I still insisted on going out. Shannen told me later he was upset and disappointed that I didn’t stay home with him. Hearing that made me disappointed in myself because I could hang out with my friends anytime I want but I can’t always spend time with my dad because he lives in Florida and he’s in Los Angeles on vacation.

My other disappointment was not having the feeling of accomplishment. Before Christmas, I wanted to buy a gift that my friend requested as a Christmas gift from me. He told me I could get it at the store, Pacsun, and described the backpack he wanted. The day I was shopping for his gift, I called him to confirm if that was the right backpack and he told me it was the right one. I bought the backpack feeling proud, thinking he would like the gift. I wrapped, decorated, and dropped it off at his house. As soon as he opened it, he told me that it wasn’t the backpack he wanted. I was frustrated that he told me that I bought the right backpack before but then he took back what he said and made me feel like a horrible person. I know it wasn’t my fault because I know he described the backpack I bought him but I felt bad that he got the shoes I wanted and I didn’t give the right gift for him. I love the feeling of giving to make people happy but since I didn’t give the right gift, I didn’t feel the accomplishment of making him happy.

Disappointing my dad by leaving him to hang out with my friends on Christmas and buying the wrong gift for my friend are my two disappointments during the holidays of 2007.