"The Fog Horn" by Ray Bradbury

“The Fog Horn” by Ray Bradbury

It was a very cold night. I saw a bright light in the distance through miles of fog. I started to swim towards the light to figure out what it was as curiosity and fear rushed through my body. I approached the tower, stood up and towered over it. When I looked through the glass, I could see them talking. Two men were whispering and screaming. I figured it was about me. I figured this because I could see the fear in their eyes. I looked then in the eyes and was shocked by a bright light that blinded me and a loud noise that sounded like an animal. Confused, I screamed out mimicking the loud noise.

They stopped talking and stopped moving. They just stared at me. The tower’s blinding light beam shined out at me and the loud noise roared out again and I cried out again. It happened over and over, until it stopped. The loud roar stopped. The bright light was only moving. I froze. I was angry and confused. I ran towards the tower and started to try and knock it down. The tower roared and so did I. They disappeared down the tower and I continued to shake and scratch at the tower. I took one last hit and the tower fell. There was a wave of silence. There was only miles of fog and darkness left. I was upset. There was no more light and no more noise. I left and never wanted to return.

I don't go back to the tower because I loved that tower and I destroyed it. I figured out that I can't love something too much in this world. That's why I don't return. I don't want to fall in love with the new tower and have it be destroyed again. Now I stay down in the depths of the sea, just waiting. I wait for something new.

Civil War Raft Letter

Dear Husband,

I have volunteered to become a nurse. I take care/tend to sick wounded soldiers. I currently work in a military hospital. I spent some time following the military and tending to soldiers where they would fall. When I worked following the military, the sight was horrible. There were bodies everywhere, whether they were injured or dead. In the hospitals the death rate is high and not many are often cured. I am glad that I am helping soldiers and curing the injured and saving lives, but it is hard to watch the people who don't survive. Infections are also very common which takes a high tole on the deaths and some don't even seek for medical care. Its nice to know I am helping lives, but it is a hard job.

Sincerely,
Sarah

What does being a witness mean to you?

To me, a witness is a person or a bystander who watches an event take place. This event typically could be a illegal act/crime. A witness sees an incident happing and does not participate in the act, but is still a part of it. Typically like a bystander.

How, if at all, were you transformed by your experience in LA?

I was transformed because I was introduced to more information about The Holocaust and The Japanese-Americans. After going to the museums, I realized even more how terrible these events were. When we went through the two museums,  I learned about the experience they had while living through World War II. My mind opened up and still makes me think about how anything like this could ever happen.

Sixty Acres by Raymond Carver

The protagonist Lee Waite in the short story "Sixty Acres" by Raymond Carver is faced with making two important decisions, leasing his settlement or not. Lee Waite was offered a thousand dollars to lease his land, but he is confused and contemplating what he wants to do. He is unsure and believes its better to not lease his land even though it will still be his.

These decisions that Lee Waite has to make express his emotions by showing his brave side while another decision represents his fearful cautious side. By leasing his land, Lee Waite shows how he wants to take a risk and how his curiosity comes into play, but by Lee Waite not leasing his land it shows his protective and cautious side because he could not want to leave his land or let any damage happen to it. The biggest decision I have ever made was deciding in fourth grade if I wanted to transfer schools. At my old school, I was faced with picking between staying where I was or leaving to come to Laguna. At the time it was very hard for me because I had been in the same environment for about five years and leaving really terrified me as a fourth grader. I decided that a change was good even when I felt like I was making a wrong decision.

What Would Go into My Time Capsule?

The first thing I would put into my capsule is many pictures of the family vacations I went on with my family. While I was younger, traveling around California would be a very fun tradition that would make our family closer. 
The second thing I would put into my time capsule is my fourth grade graduation paper. My elementary school was a memorable and exceptional time of my life. 
The third thing I would put would be a small dove ornament that is always hung on our Christmas tree. This dove has been passed down through many family generations is significant and special to our family.    
The fourth and final thing I would put to remember myself would be the CD for Kidz Bop 2. Me and my sister when we were really young would rock out to it on the daily. 
My capsule would be made out of a box covered in the many flags of my nationalities. 

Child of the West

Hello Everybody. I tend to identify myself as a child of the west. Even though I am in love with large
cities, I am in love with small tranquil areas. When I think about the west, I imagine a place surrounded with beaches and mountains. I imagine a happy and calm, serene place. My entire life I have grown up loving the west coast and living alongside it. I have always loved being surrounded by beaches and mountains and I could not imagine not living by the west. The west coast, specifically Santa Barbara, tend to not have big cities. As much as I love beaches, I love large areas with huge buildings and crowds. I would however prefer to be somewhere calmer and more at ease like the west.

Kristen's Great Unique Mask

My identity mask represents my personality from being over-dramatic to shy and timid.
On the front of my mask, the first thing that stands out is three white flowers. This shows my kind and lovable side. I find flowers to tend to be a happy and joyful which is a trait that I express. To my friends and family I am always in a positive mood trying to lighten up other people. Other items on my mask are, two gold bars and two white feathers. I find this to show my dramatic and sassy side. Feathers have always been very bold and outgoing which I can say I am as well. I always love to explore new places and be adventurous and sometimes risk-taking.  On my mask I also have white pearls half outlining around my eyes. I can say this also related to my dramatic side, but also my peaceful side. Pearls are very calming and relaxing which sometimes I can be. I only did half of my eyes to represent I am not always peaceful. Scattered around my mask are clear gems. I believe this shows my side of optimism and hopefulness. When I thought about how hopeful I usually am, the first thing that came to mind was some type of shiny jewel. I am hopeful with a lot of things like when it comes to setting goals for myself or setting expectations for my future.
As much as I am happy and compassionate, I am also fearful and extremely sensitive.

On the back of my identity mask, there isn't a lot. Mostly because what I show on the outside is usually the same on the inside. Except most of the time I hide my unhappy feelings. There are different colored beads however outlining the mask which shows my creative side. I tend to keep my creative ideas to myself instead of spreading them around so I chose to show that through a bigger idea by adding more beads to the back. There are also two flowers hidden. This show my sensitiveness and shyness. When I am introduced to new things I tend to be pre cautious and extremely shy. I am also really sensitive not just around new things but my friends and family as well. I have always been extremely scared of a lot of things and not been able to take terrible situations very well. I chose to use flowers to be hidden because once you get to know me however I am very compassionate and very nice.