This I believe.

This I Believe Essay

By Jose Guzman

            Spouses screaming at each other over an argument. Kids crying because of the noise that their parents are making. That’s what lead me to believe in this. What I believe in is that one is better than two rather than the other way around.

            It is important to realize that people are different and work differently. Some people do better if they work alone while others like being in groups and working together. Well, I am not one of those people. I like to work by myself because I don’t like relying on other people to do their part. I would rather have the responsibility.

            I remember when I was in fifth grade. I was assigned a social studies project. I had to research a topic and make a project basically. My teachers said that everyone required to have at least one partner. I was so sad. When I was assigned my partner I thought that it wouldn’t be bad, that we would get through this. Of course I was wrong! He was so irresponsible. He did ten percent of the work while I did the rest. At the time I was really mad. If I could I would have freaked out and do stuff that I would never think of. This is one of the things that got me thinking that when our teachers, parents and mentors say two is better than one that they are lying.

            Also another time was when I went with my dad to court to change my last name to Guzman. I entered to be received with screams of parents, fighting about things that are happening in their lives. I saw kids crying and saying “ mommy don’t scream” and “ daddy”. I asked my dad why are they fighting? He responded “ because they can’t work together son. They want to be by themselves”. At that moment in my life, I examined my past. I realized that my dad didn’t have anyone to fight with but himself. No partner to bicker with. My dad acted as my dad and my mom, and he seemed happy with it. He still loved me as much as any other parent out there.

            Now that I look back on those moments I realize what happy lives people live by themselves. I mean, I turned out pretty fine without a mother. I always say that it doesn’t matter if you are alone or with someone as long as you are happy. It just so happens that being alone makes me happy. I know that there are people out there that agree with my belief. But this I believe.

John Carter of Mars

             In the really cool book John Carter of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter is the main character. I have only read a little bit of the book but i can tell a lot from wha I have read. First of in the beggining he starts talking about his past life, and how he was a Captain in the Civil War. He was a Captain on the Confederate side. He had a friend who knew how to mine and both of them went mining in the plains. They needed materials so his friend went to get them. He never returned. But John Carter cared about his friend and went looking for him.
             This act of braveness tells me simply that John Carter is a brave character that would risk his life for his friends. It turns out that his friend was captured by Native American that lived on that land. John wanted to save his friend's life so he took his dual colt revolvers and went to save his friend. Even though he was greatly outnumbered he still risked it all for his friend. this was truley beave. I don't think I would be that brave to do that.

RP Revolt of the Evil Faires

            In the short story “ Revolt of the Evil Fairies” by Ted Poston there are many and various themes. The protagonist in the story is living in a time where there is a lot segregation and discrimination. The protagonist is a student at Booker T. Washington Colored Grammar School. The main character is also trying out for Prince Charming in his school’s play all because of the girl he likes named Sarah, being Sleeping Beauty. He works really hard even though he knows that the odds are stacked against him because he has dark skin. This shows that even in the face of discrimination the protagonist in “ The Revolt of the Evil Fairies” shows us to be determined to stand up for ourselves even if we don’t get what we want. He is living in a time of segregation and discrimination but he still wants to make a serious change. I honor him for that.

            I think the message of the short story was to be determined and to stand up for what you believe because examples prove it. For example, he bothered and pestered his mother with rehearsals.  This shows his determination because he keeps on practicing so he can be perfect for the auditions. He tries and tries even though he knows that his chances are slim. The narrator feels that he has to become Prince Charming. This shows how determined he is and to what extents he would go in order to get it. I’m not sure if I myself would be able to be as determined as he was.

            I also think that the message of the story is to have determination and to stand up for what you believe even though you don’t get what you want because of his actions. For example, when he was home he took his sister’s can of palmer’s skin success to make his skin look lighter. This shows the extent that he is willing to go to. He was so determined to show what he believed in that he was willing to change the person that he was. That shows so much determination. I don’t think that I could have reached that extent. I wouldn’t have been willing to change myself. This example shows how desperate and determined he was just to be the lead role in the school play. I think changing you self for something as silly as a role in a play is bad. You should always be yourself no matter what. At the end of the story the protagonist didn’t regret what he did but I don’t think that he would change himself anymore. He realizes that he should never change himself, that he should just be himself no matter what happens.

            Finally I think that the message of the story is to have determination and to stand up for what you believe in even though you may not get what you want because of his actions. For example, it said in the story that the main character wanted this role with all his heart. He would put everything he had in to the audition. He gave everything he had in his audition. The teachers even felt sympathy for him when they couldn’t pick him for the role. This shows determination because he gave everything. He sacrificed everything just for that part. Even if he didn’t get it he was still determined to stand up for what he believed in. I would actually do the same. I would have stood up for my beliefs. I feel that the work he put in to the role was incredible. He did a good job.

            “ I didn’t care. I couldn’t have been Prince Charming anyway.” That was what the main character in “ The Revolt of the Evil Fairies” said. He didn’t care about what others thought of him anymore. He didn’t regret any of his actions. He was determined and he did his best by standing up for what believed. Even though he knew that the odds were really against him. Still he found determination in the face of discrimination. He was very brave. But would you dare to be determined and to stand up for what you believed in even though you knew the odds were stacked against you? 

RP#7 Delayed post due to computer braking

                I have started reading the really great and interesting book called The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan there are many main characters in the book. The one I find interesting is Annabeth. Annabeth is a young girl who has had a lot of things happen to her in the past. One of them being a demigod. She is the daughter of the Greek godess Athena. SHe has just found her boyfriend and is now worried because of an experience she had. She was told to follow the Mark of Athena and to go on a quest. On top of that she was given the cursed silver coin as a gift from her mother. Annabeth has changed from the other books. She has become less secure and a lot more timid.
                 I think that Annabeth has changed because she is acting timid and she is less secure. For example when she found out of the Mark of Athena and about the cursed coin. She didn't tell anybody about it. She kept it a secret to everyone which was eventually found out of. It seemed as if she didn't trust anyone even her best friends. Also she also became timid because at the begining of the book she kept on worrying about everything. She wasn't at ease. Annabeth is very unique.