Why I like to Watch Soccer

My favorite sport is soccer.  I like it because it's fun to play it and it's fun to watch.  My favorite team in Mexico is Las Chivas.  And I also liked La Seleccion Mexicana and Barcelona.  I also like Real Salt Lake.  I think all the players are cute and I like to go to live games.  I have been to Real Salt Lake games and they are really fun.  I like it because you can scream and have fun.  I think soccer is a fun sport that you can play because you can forget about everything and it relaxes you.  One time I got to meet two players from Real Salt Lake.  I met Kyle Beckerman--who is my favorite player and he was really cute--more than he looks in his pictures.  He's really nice too.  We took pictures together and he signed my picture and jersey.  I usually go to the games with my dad--he likes soccer too. Sometimes we watch games together at home.  And I enjoy when Mexico and the US play because I cheer for both teams.



I'm Going to Mexico for Christmas

Next week I'm leaving to go to Mexico for Christmas.  I'm excited to see my family and friends and to eat Mexican food.  We have fun traditions for the holidays like posadas which are when family and friends get together and they bring food.  We dance and break pinatas and we have a fun time.  We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve by staying up until midnight.  Then we open presents at midnight but before that, we eat and spend time together as a family.  Before I leave, I get to have Christmas with my family here.  We will have a special dinner and then I'll open my presents from my family and give them the gifts I got for them.  The holidays are a special time.

My Classes for Next Semester

I'm about to start my second semester of college, and I'm excited.  I'm taking more classes because I think I am prepared and ready to learn more.  In January I'll be taking reading, writing, LE, math and political ideologies and Book of Mormon in Institute.  Most of my classes will be with some of the same people I have classes right now, but I'm also excited to meet new people in my math, political ideologies and Book of Mormon classes.  All of my classes except Institute are at the Taylorsville campus which I like because there are many different types of people there.  So far college has been easy, but I think next semester is going to be harder because the classes are at a higher level.  I'm ready to work hard.

Looking in the garbage.

My schedule at work for Saturday 10 was from 5 to 10. That day I was cleaning the tables. It was a really busy day. When we clean the tables we put all the dirty dishes, cups, napkins and all the things on trades. Then we throw away the napkins and we wash the dishes.  If people leave something in there we give that to the manager. Most of the people forget their cellphones or wallets. Obviously they always came to get them back. This Saturday was special. One lady forgot her retainer. She wrapped the retainer in the napkin. I do not know if it was me the person who cleaned the table but someone did it. We throw the napkin with the retainer at the garbage.  When the lady realized that she leaved her retainer she called the restaurant to see if we saw the retainer.  We said that nobody have seen the retainer. Then she went to the restaurant.  She asked the manager if we can look at the garbage. Maria, another worker there started to look at the garbage. I helped her. We started taking all the garbage out. Looking all the napkins and touching all leftover food. After some time I found the retainer. The lady was happy. I was not. After looking all the garbage me and Maria were not happy. But at least somebody was happy. For me was something crazy and unusual. If I had been the person who forgot the retainer I would never put it again after it was in the garbage from a restaurant.  I am excited to see what else people can forget in the restaurant.

The Training Table

I started working at The Training Table restaurant on June 14^th.  I really like that job. It is my first job.  I have learned a lot of things. It is really fun. I like it because is a new experience for me.  I started cleaning the tables. It is really tired because I have to be walking all day and cleaning but it is fun too. I like to see all the people that go to eat at the restaurant. Every time I see someone different. It is very fun looking all those crazy people. I like when all the little kids go because they make happy the restaurant. I really like all the people that I work with. At the beginning was weird because I did not know the people.  There were some people who speak Spanish and one of the guys that works there is my cousin friend, so I started talking with some of the people there and then I started talking with everybody. They are really nice. I always have fun at work. Now I am doing the French fries but I still cleaning too. I like to do the French fries better because it is not that tired, but when I get really busy we are like crazy trying to have all the food ready.  I really enjoy working at The Training Table; it is a nice place to work.  Another thing that I like is that it took me like 5 minutes to get there.

Mexican Independence Day

Each year on the night of September 15 at around eleven in the evening, the President of Mexico rings the bell of the National Palace in Mexico City.  After the ringing of the bell, he repeats a cry of patriotism upon the "Cry of Dolores", with the names of the important heroes of the Mexican War of Independence and ending with the threefold shout of ¡Viva México!  from the balcony of the palace to the assembled crowd in the Zócalo.  After the shouting, he rings the bell again and waves the Flag of Mexico to the applause of the crowd, and is followed by the playing and mass singing of the National Anthem of Mexico.  This event draws up to half a million spectators from all over Mexico and tourists worldwide.  On the morning of September 16, the national military parade starts in the Zócalo and ends on the Paseo de la Reforma.  Similar celebration occurs in cities and towns all over Mexico.  Mexicans have some unique ways to celebrate their independence.  The Cry of Dolores, food, and parades are some of those unique ways.

The Cry of Independence has become emblematic of Mexican Independence.  All the cities in Mexico are decorated with flags and typical Mexican ornamentation.  Schools, banks and government offices are closed.   All Mexicans celebrate together in the National Palace.  They have a good time celebrating.  This day is a good day to remember all the important heroes from México.

Mexican food is very important for Mexican people.  Independence Day has a lot of Mexican food.  Chiles en Nogada is the favorite food for this holiday because it has the colors of the Mexican flag.  Pozole, a soup made of hominy and pork is also a popular food for Independence Day celebrations.  As for drinks tequila and mezcal are the most popular.  They also prepare a special Mexican drink called “Mexican Flag Shooter” which has the flags colors, and is made with grenadine, white tequila, and green crème de mentine.  Mexicans tend to gather in one house and prepare meals and at night they eat and celebrate.

Parades are very popular in Mexico.  On September 16th, schools, military, make a big parade. In México City the parade starts in the Zócalo.  Every state in México has a parade.   In the parade we see marching bands, people dancing, military, nurses, firefighters, and a lot of people watching the parade.  It is a long walk. 

September 16^th is my favorite holiday.  I had to participate in every parade when I was in México.  I did not like parades very much because they are very tired.  Although, parades are fun to watch.  My favorite part from Independence Day is when the president says the cry of Dolores.  After the presidents cry we have fireworks and we sing the national anthem.  All those things make me feel proud.  I love Mexican food.  When is Independence Day we have a lot of Mexican food.  My mom always makes Pozole because is my favorite food.  That is another reason why I like Independence Day.

Independence Day is the most important celebration in México.  All the celebrations that México have are unique.  Each country has a different way to celebrate and we can conclude that Mexicans have a fun and unique way to celebrate their independence day.  We can conclude that they are proud of their independence day.

Last born...first born

I have four sisters and one brother I am the second oldest.  I lived in México with my oldest sister so when I was in México I was the baby in my house.  I liked being the youngest one because my mom calls me baby all the time and she loved me different than my sister. When people are the youngest, parents treat them different, with more love and affection. Another good thing about being the youngest one is that when I did something I could blame my sister and my mom believed me.  Being the youngest has some bad things. My mom still calls me baby even that I am 18 years old. I used to like that but not anymore. Another one is that my sister protected me so much, she does not like when boys want to hang out with me. She is very jealous.  Now that I moved to my dad’s house I am the oldest one. It is really different because I was used to other life but being the oldest has there pros and cons too.  Some pros are that I have control over my sisters and brother. There are some cons. I have to be a perfect model to them. I have more attention.

One of the reasons I did not put myself on the middle born was because I do not feel that way.  I never lived with my oldest sister and my youngest siblings together, so I do not know how it is being in the middle. Even though I know I am in the middle.

Major

Since I was little I have been thinking about my major.  When I was little I wanted to be a doctor or marine biologist.  Now I do not want those things.  Every year I think in a different major I think is really hard to choose one.  Now I am interested in engineering.  When I was in middle school I took 3 years of electrical engineering and when I was in high school I took 2 years, I really like electrical engineering.  Now I am interested in metallurgical engineering.  My dad is a Chemical Engineer and he have been telling me about metallurgical engineering and I really like it.  But I think I have not decided yet because sometimes I think that will be hard for me. 

College is great, I really like it. I think education is very important. Right now is being really easy because I am taking easy classes but I am really enjoying it.  I want to finish college and have a profession. I think my family is my biggest support. I know that if I need something I can have their help.  I would like to never quit school. I think the only reason I can probably quit school is that my family stop supporting me and for me to loose my motivation. I hope that never happened.

Pay It Forward- Book vs. Movie

The story of Pay It Forward is about a boy who got an extra credit assignment in his Social class. The assignment was on thinking of an idea to change the world. Trevor the main boy in the story got an idea about helping other people. He named his idea Pay It Forward.  Pay It Forward is an idea about helping other people. Pay It Forward consist in one person chose three people to help and each person chose three people to help and those other people chose three other people and so on. The Pay It Forward book and the movie have some major differences. The first difference between the book and the movie is the teacher. The second difference is about the way Trevor died. The third difference is the people Trevor helped. The last difference is meeting the president.

In the book I read about Mr. Reuben St Clair a social studies teacher. He went to the war in Vietnam and he got hurt really bad. He does not have one eye and all his face and most of his body burned when he was in the war. He is a black man. On the other hand, I saw the movie and this person is totally different from the book. Mr. Eugene Simonet a social studies teacher got hurt because of his father. His father burned most of his body with gasoline. He did not go to the war. He is a withe man.

For me the saddest moment in the Pay It Forward story was when Trevor died. In the book I read about Gordie an 18 years old boy who dress up like a girl. He lived in Washington. Trevor went to Washington to meet the president. Trevor wanted someone else to help. Someone was hitting Gordie. Trevor looked when Gordie was getting hurt and he went to helped him. Trevor risked his life to save Gordie. Trevor got hurt. After a surgery and time in the hospital Trevor died. On the movie something similar happened with Trevor’s death.  Trevor was at school helping his friend Adam who was being bullied. He risked his life to save Adams life. Trevor got hurt with a knife. He died. The people who killed Trevor in the movie were little boys like Trevor’s age.

Trevor started the Pay It Forward idea. After he got the idea he needed three people to help. In the book the first person being helped was Jerry a homeless man with drug problems. Trevor gave money to Jerry and he helped him to find a job. The second person being helped in the book was Mr. St Clair. Trevor wanted to fix his mother and Reuben up. The third person being helped in the book was Ms. Greenberg. Trevor went to Ms. Greenberg house to fix his garden. On the movie some of the persons that Trevor helped were the same. Jerry and Mr. St Clair were the same in the book and in the movie. In the movie the last person being helped by Trevor was Adam. Trevor risked his life to save Adam. That why he died.

The last difference between the book and the movie is that in the book Trevor went to Washington to meet the president because his project was changing the world. Trevor was recognized by the president and by a lot of people around the world. In the movie Trevor did not go to Washington. He just was interviewed and he appeared in the news.

Pay it forward is a great idea. Even though there are some differences between the book and the movie both were amazing. It was a great experience for me reading and watching the movie. I really enjoyed the time I spend reading and watching Pay It Forward. 

Where I See Myself in Ten Years

When I am 28 years old, I hope to be married to a perfect man for me.  I want someone who is respectful, caring, tall and loves me.  I want to have a good job and live in peace.  I might work with people with special needs helping them, but I also could see myself working in a medical field as an engineer working on medical devices because I think that is interesting.  I hope to have a career where I have the weekends off so that I can spend time with my family, clean the house, go to church and have fun.  In ten years I imagine myself with two children--twins would be great--boys.  I probably will have had another heart surgery by then because my battery that I have right now is only supposed to last about ten years.  I think for my day, I would get up at 8 am, get my kids ready, take them to grandma's house, and then go to work.  And then after that, pick them up, and go home, cook dinner and eat and spend time with my kids and put them to bed, then spend time with my husband.  I think it will be a relaxed life.

Respecting Others Opinions

Respect other people opinion is very important; it can help us to understand that nobody is perfect and every body thinks different. Respecting others opinions does not mean being untrue to our own. It just recognizing that everyone thinks different and when they share their views with us they can expect a fair hearing.  Is hard when we believe something and we share it, and someone else have a different opinion and they criticize how we think. Trying to understand others point of views is important because it help us to know more about life and people. 
Understanding other people will help us to be humbles and to have an open mind. I think is very important to understand other people opinions. When I was doing a campaign a guy came and ask us about what we were doing, we explained to him and he did not want to help us because we were  sponsor by the Red Cross. He did not like the Red Cross because they do not let gay people donate blood. At first I was mad but then I start to think that everybody is different and I have to respect how other people think.                                                

Serving others



Service is very important. I think we have to always be thinking in how we can help others. Sometimes when we think in helping others we want something in return, that is not good. The days that I had been doing service are more relax and I always learned a lot of things. It makes me happy whern I help someone else because I know I am doing something good for someone else. There is a lot of ways of how we can help other people. Most of the days I feel like I am doing service because I have a sister in wheelchair and she cannot do a lot of thing by herself. I always help her a lot, for me that is a service because not all the people do those kinds of things for others.  It is not easy to recognize when someone else needs help. We have a lot of organizations around the world that can provide us information about who needs help. I believe that helping others help us to be happy, to learn and to know other people needs.

Civility



I think is very important to have civility in our lives because it will help us to be happy. When we feel angry inside or something bad for someone else our life is sad and we will have a bad attitude toward other people. Civility is a key to happiness. When we give to someone else a smile, we said please or thank you, that makes the other person happy or important and knowing that other people feels good will help feel that  I am a good person. I believe that having civility will bring us happiness and it is very important in our relationships. If I show civility to other I hope other people show me civility too.

What It's Like to Be 18 and Have a 3 Year-Old Sister

I have a little sister.  Her name is Emma.  I didn't know her, and when I came here, she was one year-old.  She was afraid of me at first because she didn't know me.  And after time passed, she finally became more comfortable with me.  I like having a little sister because it's fun.  I like to do things with her and she makes me laugh.  She likes music that I like.  It's funny that at the beginning she was afraid of me and now when I go to the bathroom, she always cries for me to open the door so she can be with me and copy the things I do.  She loves to get make-up and her nails painted, just like me.  At the beginning she called me Dalila, now she calls me Dany.  I like having a little sister but it feels wierd because I never had that before.  I was the little sister in Mexico and now I'm the oldest of five, and I like it because I have control.