The Table

By: Ellie

The Arm Breaking Anecdote

By: Lola

When I was in 4th grade, gymnastics during recess was somehow very popular. One of the coolest moves that everyone was doing was a backbend.

A backbend is basically going from standing, into a bridge, bending your back backward. And, obviously me, someone with no gymnastics experience at the time, thought it would be easy.

I practiced up a hill, and with a lot of practice though, eventually I got it and wanted to show my mom after school. “Hey Mom, look what I can do!” I said as I ran to a grassy spot.

I still remember. The feeling of going backward, and hearing that awfully loud sound Crack!

It felt as if a hammer shattered my arm.

The next thing I know, my mom is panicking, and calling 911, and an ambulance literally pulls up to the school.

Then I finally noticed that my bone is quite literally poking out of my arm, but it didn’t break the skin at least lol.

Everyone who was there after school was looking at me, and it was super annoying so, I started crying, and teachers had to guide students away since they were crowding around me.

When the ambulance came, I got a splint, and they drove me to a hospital. During the drive there, my mom told me, “This is going to be the fastest drive of your life” Well, it wasn’t. They didn’t put on the lights and flashy things because apparently, it wasn’t that big of a deal.

Once we reached the hospital, I was put in a different splint and told to go to another doctor. They said that I would probably just need a cast for a little while and sent me to a different doctor the next day.

Well, nope, it wasn’t fine, and I needed surgery. I got an x-ray, and my wrist fractured in 3 different places. The whole recovery process took about the rest of the year, so I couldn’t really do gymnastics as much, but eventually I was fine.

Currently, I am doing cheer, so hopefully I don’t hurt it again.

Don’t Forget!

By: Lola

6:15:

I woke up to someone yelling "Lola get up it's already 6:15". My eyes are black and fuzzy, and struggle to check my alarm clock. It was indeed 6:15. Oh great, it was my dad, and my alarm clock conveniently forgot to go off. I leave the house at 6:25 to go to school and normally get up at 5. I get up and brush my teeth, then try to pack my bag. Should I eat? Will I have enough time? Well, whatever i'll just bring a banana muffin.

6:20:

Grab my bag and head downstairs. My bag feels oddly lighter than normal, did I forget something? I checked my bag and saw that my computer and math binder was missing. "OMG, where is my math binder??" I ask my mom. "How am I supposed to know, look for it yourself" she responds. I found it on the ground right by my bag actually . Anyways I grab it and then rush out the door.

6:23:

The wind chill hits me as I go outside. "Come on Lola we have to beat all of the traffic!" yells my dad from the car. "Okay okay geez," I say. My dad is so obsessed with being early for everything. I normally get to school at 7:00 anyways so whatever. I hop in the car, and my dad drives off.

6:26

We made it to my friend Trislyn's house to pick her up. We take her almost every day, or she takes me sometimes too. "Good morning," she says. Throughout the ride, we talk about school and incoming cheer tryouts. Then I get a text from Ellie saying, ”Lola did you do the vignette?" Oh no. Are you serious? I forgot about the vignette.

6:58

My dad interrupts saying, "Okay well good luck at school today bye". And now we are at school, and I didn't do my vignette. I text Ellie:

"Wait, is it due today?"

"Yes, I did it late last night because I forgot to"

"Well at least we have it later today"

"Yea but it's due at 9"

"Oh no! I'll start now"

7:33

I finished my math homework and started my vignette. The topic is time running out. Kind of reminds me of what was happening this morning to me. I woke up late, and now I have a lot of homework that I forgot to do. I'll write about that.

7:50

"Lola want to go get breakfast," asks Trislyn

"Sure, I have to do this but whatever I'll finish later" I respond.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing a vignette, it needs 500 words."

"Well, how many do you have so far?"

"Uhm like 100 but it'll be fine, let's go!"

During the walk, I realize, wow I am such a procrastinator and I need to do my homework on weekends or at home rather than before school.

8:01

I make it back and say bye to Trislyn since she has a class at 8:00.

8:21

As I finish writing this, relief washes over me.

Time is Ticking

By: Ellie

The Painting on the Wall

By: Ellie

My grandparents' house is like my second home. Me and my brother go to their house before school to eat breakfast and to get ready. In my Grandparents house, my grandmother has a large painting of workers represented in China. She had bought this painting off an auction in Europe when she and my grandfather traveled there. The painting covers most of the wall that it sits on by the dining room table. Within this painting, there is the lower class and the upper class represented. The lower class is doing field work and trying to pay for and find food for their families. Meanwhile the upper class is in palaces, ordering servants, and relaxing. Not worrying about where or when their next meal will be and not working.

This painting represents an old China feeling of what life was like back in the day for the fortunate and not so fortunate parts of China. It also shows how there are different sides to places like China. It shows what a day in the upper class may be like in comparison to the experience of a day in China in the lower class and in their experiences. The painting allows viewers to see two sides to a story. Two different perspectives on a topic.

I am Chinese. I get my Chinese heritage and culture from my dad's side of the family. My grandmother is mostly Chinese with a little bit of Irish blood in her. My grandfather is fully Portuguese.

My heritage and culture also comes out in the large painting. This is because this painting helps me to understand and get a know of what a day was like for the people of China and what it was like for many Chinese townspeople.

The style of painting can also showcase my Chinese culture due to the creative way of portraying a story through art and stories. The art gives off a calm feel from the way the lines are drawn to the faces and emotions of the people. I particularly like this style of painting because it feels very calm and relaxed unlike other paintings with stiff lines and sharp edges.

Although this helps me feel connected to my Chinese ancestors, sometimes I feel less connected to my Chinese heritage and more connected to my Japanese heritage. I feel more connected to my Japanese heritage because many of my friends are also Japanese, and I am around my Japanese relatives more often. This has an effect on how connected you are to your heritage and culture. This also shows how many can embrace one side of their culture and not the others.