Final Slice of Life: March 31st!

I don't know what to write.

Wait... something isn't right.

I've written in the morning and I've written in the night.

I've worked in rooms so dark and cold and rooms so warm and bright.

And finally its over and I don't know what to say.

This month and all its writing I'm about to cast away.

But there are so many memories and stories I can tell. 

I try to tell just one of them before I say farewell.

And midnight comes-- the end of March, and April all ahead.

So its time to stop my writing and do something else instead.

Goodbye!

Slice of Life: March 30th

I started today thinking skiing would be no fun. I hadn't skiied in a year, and hadn't really enjoyed it too much then. But today was different. Maybe it was that I was with my friends, or that now I am just better at it, but skiing today was fun. I had fun even when I got scared on the ice and went so slowly. I had fun even in that moment of distress when I dropped my pole off the ski lift (we later went and retrieved it). I had fun every second of the day. And hopefully, tommorow will be just as fun. 

March 29th: Slice of Life

The sun rises on a Saturday morning. I stand up and walk out of my room. I hop down the stairs and make breakfast, then get a suitcase out of the closet. Packing everything I will need. In just a few hours we are leaving-- so now I get ready for the long drive ahead. It is exciting and tiring. At 11:00 we hear the doorbell ring. Time to go!

March 28th: Slice of Life

Contents of my backpack:

Two notebooks (one for notes, one for writer's workshop)

A folder filled with pages of notes

A charger for my laptop (it has gone in and out of the bag all day)

My laptop in its decorative case

Stapled papers with drawings and words (my unit project)

A green binder for Spanish

A floppy gray binder for my Matrix classes

Assorted pens and pencils

A pack of gum

Chapstick

Loose papers

March 27th: Slice of Life

Friday. Done with everything I have to do. This is the best! For once, I have time to plan ahead. No homework. I cant wait for the day to be over. 12:00-- that means 3 hours left. Come on, come on, come on! I stare ahead of me, out the window. I imagine myself breaking out of the school. Come on, come on, come on! I am so ready for the weekend to finally begin. 

March 26th: Slice of Life

Laughing. I LOVE to laugh. There are those times when you just can NOT stop giggling. Right now is one of those times. I start to stop laughing, but then I think of another funny thing and start up again. I can feel my face getting redder and redder. I just can't stop laughing. I love this feeling. This silly, happy, wonderful feeling.

March 25th: Slice of Life

My body is tense, and cold. So cold. I cant see anything out the window because of the darkness. I see my reflection, my pale tired looking face, in the light of the computer screen, in the window. Messy papers are scattered around me. A shiver sent down my spine. Some strange noises off in the distance. It is late and I am tired. The house is so, so cold.

March 24th: Book Blog

The book that I read this past week was The Book Thief. I thought this was a very good but sad book. To summarize: it is about a girl named Leisel who goes to live with foster parents during World War II. She becomes very close with her foster parents, who are not big supporters of the Nazis. The family ends up hiding a Jew in their basement to keep him safe. This was a really touching, historically correct, interesting, sad, and well written story. I would recommend The Book Thief. It has no mature topics and it is very good!

March 23: Slice of Life

I leap out of the car and race up the steps, my backpack slung over one shoulder, my jacket hanging over my arm, discarded because of the warmth. Up five more steps and I stand in front of the glass door to our house, waiting just a few moments before entering. As I walk in to the house and set my backpack down on the coffee table I feel like I am floating, ready for anything, just so happy. I give my Mom a quick hug, quickly discussing the contents of my day. Then I bolt up the carpeted stairs two at a time to my welcoming room. It is unusually hot and messy, but nevertheless it feels like home. I don't mind that I have tons of homework, or a sore throat not relieved by cough drops. I am thoroughly happy, and I never want this feeling to go away--never.

March 22: Slice of Life

I have so much left to do. Hours and hours, more to do than there is time in the day. I shouldn't have saved this all for Sunday night, especially having a four day weekend. But I couldn't help it, which means another victory for Sunday night crunch. I actually thought I would get more done yesterday, and the day before, and the day before, and so on... but I was wrong. I can try to blame this all on teachers for giving me the homework, or parents for having me so overscheduled. But only I can be blamed for this. So while I watch others having fun in the warm sun outside I sit at the computer, trying to get a lot done in a little bit of time.

March 21: Slice of Life

My head spins when I stand up. I cough, and sit back down. Shapes dance before my eyes. I close them and lean back my head. It is hard to think, hard to breathe. Hard to go about my day. Why today? I think. I could be having fun on the weekend. But I had to be sick today. A knock on my door and a soft voice speaking. Come downstairs for dinner. But I struggle even standing. I really hope that I will feel better tomorrow.

March 20: Slice of Life

Out in the yard a single daffodil blooms. A few brightly colored tulips. And many green sprouts. They reach towards the sun. "Spring at last!", they all say. Spring at last. The grass is greener now than I have seen it for a while, and the bright sun shines through the windows, warm and gentle. Squirrels and birds are in a jumble about the trees. "Spring at last!", they all say. Spring at last. Tree branches reach upward, excited for the new season. They don't have leaves yet, but they will soon. "Spring at last!", they all say. Spring at last.

March 19th: Slice of Life

The sky is cloudy and dark. Tree branches reach up towards the sky evilly. I am glad that this window stays between me and the cold. Everything seems so irretrievably cold, and lost, and tired. I am so extraordinarily tired. What yesterday was green and warm is today gray and cold. In a period of waiting. Waiting for tomorrow. For a warmer and happier time. But nevertheless, I am glad that it is today. 

March 18th: Slice of Life

In my dream I walk in to a brightly lit room

I am not afraid

In my dream I look around

There isn't anything suspicious

I have no doubts

I am not afraid

In my dream a man appears

Dressed in dark clothes 

I gasp 

Who is he?

I am unsure

I begin to be afraid.

In my dream he chases after me

Wil I be safe?

I am unsure. 

Now I am very afraid

very afraid. 

In my dream I escape

I awaken

I am fine. 

But why would I dream this?

I am unsure

I am afraid. 

March 17th: Book Blog

This week was my first week reading The Book Thief. It is about an interesting girl named Leisel who goes to live with a foster family in Germany (she is German). She makes a lot of friends, and the book is partially about her experience just living her life. But she is living during World War II and though she is pretty safe, it is still a really dangerous time in general, so that part is about the choices that she makes in those experiences. The Book Thief is definitely really sad, but it is a great book. I will tell more about the plot next week when I have read more, but even with the short part that I have read I really like the Book Thief and definitely recommend it.


To Read:
Sorta Like a Rockstar
Lock In
I am Number Four??? (maybe)

March 16th: Slice of Life

Dear Monday--

You disgust me. After Friday and Saturday and Sunday you come, and it is not pleasant. No matter what I may do to avoid you, you chase after me night and day, and even when I run, you catch up to me. 11:59 on Sunday, fearing the next moment. This is what you have done to me. Ended the great times of the weekend, and sent me back to school. There is no avoidance, this is the way it has to be you tell me. Yet I dread you. Monday-- I sincerely hope you never come. 

 

March 15: Slice of Life

What to write in a thank you note is a puzzle. Thank you for being a friend sounds cheesy, but thanks for the great present just sounds shallow. I write pretty simple thank you notes, something along the lines of: I really appreciated your great gift, and I hope to see you soon or I really liked seeing you, and I cant wait to use your gift. They are usually just a few sentences, not all too important or time-consuming. But then there is the occasional thank you note that takes more time and more thought, and drives you crazy. But my thank you notes are done with out too much trouble, a fact which I gladly accept. Thank you notes can be such a pain!

March 14th: Slice of Life

So many superstitions for this feared day: Friday the 13th. For example: if you cut your hair on Friday the 13th someone in your family will die. Creepy! Or: don't start traveling on Friday the 13th, because bad luck will follow. I don't think I believe in these superstitions. I got through yesterday without any bad luck. But who knows? Maybe Friday the 13th is a very dangerous day...

March 13th: Slice of LIfe

I rush in the big front doors. "See you later guys!" says my Mom. I race up the stairs. I turn around and look at the clock in the lobby, then glance in the window of my math classroom. There are only a few minutes left. There's no use in going. I hurry to my classroom "Hi, Talia!", everyone says. I smile and wave as I walk to my desk and set down my backpack. I pull out binders and papers, worrying about the many things I simply forgot. 9:30 arrives-- time for matrix. My desk is a total wreck, but I leave the classroom anyway, I am ready to get started, ready for the day to begin.

March 12th: Slice of LIfe

Do I hear music? Or am I just so exhausted that I am imagining it. I close my eyes and tune out all other sounds. The lights are off. I look at the clock. I slouch down in my bed and pull the covers over my head. I adjust the pillows and close my eyes. After a few deep breaths I am asleep.

March 11th: Slice of Life

I got the assignment--and worked. Worked to find the correct website. Took notes for what seemed like forever. Typed and typed and kept on typing. I am not good with computers. But for this, I had to be. I wanted it to be good. So here is the finished product! Please check this out! It is my infographic timeline!

Click here to see!!!

March 10th: Slice of Life

This week was my second week reading All the Light we Cannot See. To summarize: this book focuses on two characters-- a girl named Marie-Laure who leaves Paris and moves to another part of France called Saint-Malo to be safe in World War II. I really liked her story. The other character is a boy named Werner who goes to a camp that trains him to become a Nazi in the war. You like his character, even though you find out all of the terrible things that he is doing to innocent people. This book was a really challenging read, but it was also super good. It was sad, and I would definitely recommend being okay with really hard topics if you want to read this book. But I would definitely recommend it!!!

March 9th: Slice of Life

I hear a hysterical laugh, and smile. Tapping my foot rhythmically on the bed as I flip each page of my book. Each chapter brings new excitements, and discoveries. I glance at my calendar, briefly skimming the many things I have left to do. My eyes return to the book I am reading. Action, description, emotion. I reach page 350 and debate: there are other things I should be doing. But I read one more word, and another, and cannot stop. The child outside laughs more. I look out my window, and then bring my eyes back to the book, and the story it tells.

March 8th: Slice of Life

This is my 4,397th day alive. How do I choose a single day to be the best? Would it be a birthday? A trip across the world? A milestone? A great experience with my family? It is so hard to choose. It is easier to choose the worst day in my life. Times I have been embarrassed, or completely and totally disappointed, or just so sad. But best days are more fun to think about, because you get to focus on the good times.

March 7th: Slice of Life

There are so many thoughts racing through my mind. Things to do, to remember, to not do.
a-- where is everyone. am I alone in the house. If I am, shouldn't I know? did my mom leave. I needed her to email me that document. maybe she is still here...
b-- today I have finished one week of slice of life-ing every day. I have so much more to go...
c-- I need to do that thing for math. Grrr...math. So much to do, so little time!!!
d-- the phone is ringing. maybe I should answer it. should I? I should...
e-- it wasn't anyone important. back to work.
back to a-- seriously, am I alone. where is everybody? what is going on...
f-- it is freezing in here. why is it so cold? is my window open. oh no, I think my window is open!!!!!
g-- my room is so messy. I think I should clean up.
h-- I am getting off topic, I am supposed to be writing a slice of life!!!
i-- the phone is ringing again.
j-- someone answered it. that means I am not alone. good!
k-- ok, done. I finished!!! not the whole month, but just the day.

March 6th: Slice of Life

There are so many icicles outside my window. Already this morning multiple icicles have fallen onto the porch below, scaring everyone in the kitchen. In the front yard, I reach up and touch a tiny icicle on our low roof. I break it off, and throw it into the snowy yard. There are icicles in the gutter below my window, icicles stuck in the snow, icicles holding on to curves in the roof. Soon all the icicles will be gone- spring is coming.

March 5th: Slice of Life

I set an alarm, climb into bed, and close my eyes. Hours later, my morning begins.
7:00 My alarm goes off. As much as I want to fall back asleep, I know it is now time to open my eyes and get ready for the day to come.
7:20 I rush down the stairs. After going back and forth between a few choices, I decide what I want for breakfast. I eat, waiting for my brother and dad to wake up. I hear my dad's alarm go off, as I finish my meal and put it in the dishwasher.
7:30 I pass my brother on the stairs. He is still wearing his pajamas--he looks so tired.
7:50 I am almost ready to leave. I put on my shoes, pull on a jacket, and pack up my backpack. A few minutes later I am out in the cold, getting into my car.
8:10 We are driving to school- my brother, my dad, and me.
8:25 We pull up to the school. I hop out of the car and walk in to the building. I walk up the stairs, and into the classroom.
8:30 The day begins.

March 4th: Slice of Life

My first word was tofu. It doesn't seem like a normal first word, I agree. According to stories, I used to take huge blocks of tofu and ferociously eat them. My first birthday there was a cake, and my family. I don't clearly remember,  but I look back at the pictures. It seems like a lot of the time you make a memory just to be able to look back at the pictures, and know exactly how you felt. You get to know all about everyone in a picture. And in a picture, if you want, you get to be someone you aren't. But in the best pictures, everyone is just being themselves, so you can look back and see who they are, and who you were.

March 3rd: Book Blog

The book that I read was All the Light We Cannot See. It is actually a two week book. All the Light We Cannot see is about a blind girl named Marie-Laure in world war II. Because of the war, she and her locksmith father who live in Paris have to leave Paris and go somewhere where they will be safer. It is also about a boy named Werner, who is an orphan. He does not want to go work in the mines, and he is a genius with radios. He gets an opportunity to go to a school to become a Nazi-soldier. I really have liked all the light we cannot see so far, but it is definitely a challenging book.


TBR:
all the bright places
dash and lily's book of dares
the book theif

Slice of Life for March 2nd

"I was playing football on the beach..." My brother has told this story so many times, but I still listen.

"And some random person came up." "They asked me, like, 'can I take a selfie with you'" Here we go again. "And so I said 'yes' and then all of these random people started asking to take selfies with me". Although the story is true, every time he tells it, he gets a little more famous. As the story comes to an end, I laugh to myself. I am so lucky to have such a fun little brother, even if he is totally obsessed with football.

Slice of Life for March 1st

I wake up, startled. "Welcome to Denver, Colorado. The local time is....". After over 16 hours of traveling we have finally arrived-- all the way from Australia. It is 12:00am, bout the same time that we left because of the time change. I stand up and lift up my bag. I feel like I am sleepwalking as I move through the jetway. After picking up our bags and going down to the parking lot I am ready to be going home. As I step into the freezing air I rub my arms to keep myself warm. I wait and wait for the car. I count the minutes: 5...10...15. And then I see the car pull up. I put my suitcase in the trunk and get in the car. We drive away from the airport... and I don't look back.