Pony Express

Author's Note: Here's a little cheesy love story with some research in it. I also used this for both my language arts and social studies. 

We were two peas in a pod. We were two love birds. We were in love. I would have never thought of a better way to leave this world. I would have not rather spent the rest of my life with anyone else but him. He was the one. He was my soul mate. And the story started off like this.

My legs felt as if they were about to snap off. It seemed as if we were walking for a million years. A 13 year-old girl shouldn't be walking so many miles in a day. A 13 year-old girl should be outside with her friends and gossiping about all the latest drama, not walking millions and trillions of miles a day. Why are you walking so many miles a day you ask? All of this wasn't my decision. None of it was.

It all started when my parents found out that our neighbors, Bob and Jill, were moving westward. Since they thought that it would be a “good idea and a new experience!” “Moving west would help us start new, on a clean slate.” Sometimes I question my parents’ decisions. Like having another baby sister. Do they really think that I want to be a “role model”? She’s going to be so irritating when we leave tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a new day. New place. New life. As ma and pa start to pack our belongings, a young man knocks on our shaggy, ancient wooden door. He claims he’s a rider for the Pony Express, but he looks too young and good looking to be a rider. I mean, I thought he was pretty cute. Starting to lecture my parents, he’s convincing them to take him with us. Do I mind? No. Looks like I’m going to have a new friend.

It was departure day. All five of us were not ready to leave our small town, but my parents were ready to clean off the slate and start new. Was I ecstatic? Not at all. We walk and the raging, steaming hot sun was showering me with sweat while walking. The only thing my mind was set on was crossing the finish line.  Knowing that Tom, the rider, was with me made me feel much more better than what it would be like if he weren’t here and what it would be like without him being here.

Our first pit-stop had come. Tom and I were sharing a tent together. That was no surprise. As the night was falling and the moon was rising, Tom would tell me all of his stories being a rider. All starting from history. I know that history is boring, but it helps you understand things more when they are talked about.

The Pony Express began on April 3^rd 1860.[1] I started my duty as a rider on April 4^th. They were looking for a young looking lad, like me, to go and deliver mail for others. Only 200 of us were able to get the job.[2] Jake, my best friend, didn’t get the job. Although I felt bad at first, I had to take care of my family and myself. First, they weighed me because there was a weight limit for all riders: 120 pounds or under.[3] I barley made the cut by 5 pounds. I had to ride more than 180 miles in a day; 1800 in 10 days to be more accurate.[4] Each of us riders had to go 60-120 miles.[5]  My monthly salary was anywhere from $120-$125.[6] I’ve been in St. Joseph, MO all the way to Sacromento, CA.[7] That’s 1900 miles of riding on a horse to deliver mail.[8] I would always get complaints of how a customer’s mail would come late. I mean there’s nothing I can do about it. Sometimes it would take 3 weeks to several months.[9]

He told me all about his adventures being a rider; the pros and cons. A few more weeks came as we traveled west. As he told me more and more about being a rider and what is was like working for the Pony Express,  I felt a connection with Tom. I felt as if we were meant to be. That we were destined to be together. Maybe that’s why he entered my life. We were meant to be together.

Our final miles were ahead of us. Tom pulled me aside. I was anxious to know what he needed to tell me. “Samantha, I have a confession to make.” He said terrified.

“Yes Tom?” Questioning him.

“Well, ever since we started to talk, I felt a special connection with you. More than friends and I was wondering if you felt the same?” He said with the most fear as a little girl seeing a rat.

“Tom, ever since I met you, I have never set my eyes on another man but you.” I said with much love and full-heartedly. He ran towards me and gave me a big kiss. I had never gotten one before, but I knew that this was the best one. From that day on, every single day I was falling in love with him even more.

The Indians came to attack a few weeks later. Tom and I stook together. If one of us died, so would the other. It wasn’t long until we were safe. Chief of the tribe found us hiding in the near-by barn. Pleading for a second chance and another chance of living, he had enough of what we had to say. BOOM. He was dead. And there was nothing I could do about it.

“Kill me.” I shouted.

“What?” The chief questioned.

“Kill me. We both made a promise. If one dies so does the other.” I said with no doubt.

BOOM. As he shot with no care and no heart.

Sometimes I question that day. I question what would have happened if I were still alive without Tom. There’s nothing I regret. A promise is a promise. But everyday, Tom and I are together in heaven. In love. We were two peas in a pod. We were two love birds. We were in love.

Works Cited

Pony Express. (n.d.). Retrieved from Plains Humanities: http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.tra.024

Pony Express Debuts. (n.d.). Retrieved from History: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pony-express-debuts

Pony Express- History & Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved from Nationl Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/poex/historyculture/index.htm

Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway. (n.d.). Retrieved from Utah: http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/pony_express.htm

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[1]  (Pony Express)

[2]  (Pony Express)

[3]  (Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway)

[4]  (History & Culture)

[5]  (History & Culture)

[6]  (Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway)

[7]  (Pony Express)

[8]  (Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway)

[9]  (Pony Express Debuts)

Shimmering Shining Sunshine in the Summer

Author's Note: Summer, most enjoyed, fun-filled time of the year. Why not write about something you adore and are craving so much while adding some fancy word choice? Hope you enjoy :)

Summer: heat, water, swimming, sunset, sunglasses, and swimsuits. As the winter wind blows through my hair, I feel the summer breeze waking me up from hibernation. The adrenaline-pumping breeze whispers to me that summer is knocking on the door. It's almost as if I can hear the waves crashing. I look up and imagine the crystal blue sky and the cotton-filled clouds reminding me of the picture I see when I tan. Music bursting in the frigged air, gives me deja vu of all the long summer nights. As I look out my cloudy, ice-cold window, all my mind can wrap around is the thought of summer slowly approaching. The thought of staying up until 2:00 AM, sitting on the steaming hot sand at the beach all day, and friends coming over everyday doing the wildest things, makes me want to take summer with my hands and place it in Pewaukee. As I fall into dreamland, summer tags along with me. Tomorrow is a new day and another day closer to summer. Summer: long nights, dreams, risks, friends, tans, and summer flings. 

Belly vs. Conrad

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly falls head over heels for her brother's best friend, Conrad. As she starts to see the "bad boy" side of him, her attention draws her closer. They both eventually grow feelings for each other. The story is written in Belly's point of view. From this perspective, a lot of events and characters are described in a way that creates hatred towards Conrad. During the beginning of the book, it describes Conrad as a rebel. He does what he wants to do. After a while, his feelings towards Belly grow, but there is another person that gets in their way of their relationship: Jeremy. 

One way that Belly's point of view influences the reader's interpretation is how her perspective describes and shows you her relationship with Conrad. In the beginning of the book, it reveals Conrad a bit of a "brat" the way Belly describes him. While reading, this gives you an opinion of Conrad and not such a good one. When Belly and Conrad are at the fair, he ignores her and treats her as if she were his little sister. When I first read that, my first impression of him was not a pleasant one. I thought that he was going to be like any other teenage guy in high school: cocky and selfish, but as the book goes on and he dates Belly, you start to see the softer side of him. 

However, the reader would feel a lot differently about Conrad if the novel was written in the point of view of Conrad. You would understand how he feels and what he's going through more. His intentions might not have been what he was going for. For instance, the reader wouldn't think that Conrad was soft hearted before Belly stepped into his life. If the book were to be in his point of view, much would change because in a relationship, both people see things in different perspectives. 

As you can see, the point of view of the story forces the reader to see just one side of the book. In The Summer I Turned Pretty, you have to be patient with some characters. For an example, Conrad, he has an attitude in the beginning, but redeems himself. Belly's perspective makes the reader have strong opinions of each character, main or minor. When reading this novel, you have to understand the characters. Imagine what it's like to be in their shoes and situation. 

Roles In Family

Author's note: Here's a theme piece with three different types of books. The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and The Hunger Games. All have the same theme: roles in family. 

Family is the only group of people that will stay with you when you're going on the roller coaster of life. Whether you're going down or at the very top, you can always rely on your family. There are some members in our family who enjoy being leaders or obnoxious. Others may be protective, or maybe even shy. Roles in our families are quite important. Personally, my role in the family is to behave and not cause stress to my parents. However, my parents' role is to be protective and to watch out for their kids. The role of the parent is a very important theme in many novels.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly's role in her family is to fit in. She has a brother, Steven, who she wants to always be with. Whenever Steven's friends would come over,  Belly wanted to play with them. Almost as if he were her teddy bear; she was clingy. Belly was so clingy because she looked at Steven as a fatherly figure. Since her father had died, she had no one to look up to as a fatherly figure. 

Another person who looks up to their father is Hugo Cabret. In The Invention of Hugo Cabret, his father runs the clocks at a local railway station. Hugo learns so much from his father; he teaches him to mechanic and how to invent robots and run clocks. He looked up to his father, but when a tragedy occurs to his father, he is left alone. While his father's duty is in his hands. 

Fatherly figures are important in everybody's life, but so are motherly figures. In The Hunger Games, Katniss acts as if Prim were her daughter and she is her mother. Katniss and Prim's mom is struggling with supporting two kids and being a single mom without a job,  she neglects her kids from all the stress she has in her life. Whenever Prim needs someone to talk to or to look up to, she can always rely on Katniss. 

Whether it's a fatherly figure or a motherly figure, everyone needs a role model in their life. For me, my parents are my role model. They taught me to never give up and dreams do come true. When you work hard, there is always something good coming out of it. We will all go through failures and accomplishments, but without these and our role models, we wouldn't be who we are today. 

Twist In The Games

Author's Note: Everyone has their own predictions of stories. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a very popular series, but I have only read the first book. There can be many predictions to this story. My prediction you may ask is right here. Enjoy! 

I held his hand for the last time. To show Panem the two victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games. Although our love was just a fraud, no one knew besides Peeta and I. It is almost as if I had deja vu; seeing all the citizens of Panem and wild sense of culture. Right as I stepped out of that train, I immediately knew President Snow was not happy with two victors coming back, but not Panem and District 12. 

Heading back to District 12 was a sigh of relief, I thought that I would never  return home and see mom, Prim, and Gale ever again. Not just the title of being the winner of the Hunger Games, but being able to hold the three most important people in my life in my arms when I arrive. District 12 is looking the same; abandoned. Peeta on my right and Haymitch on my left, I felt isolated. Right when I was going to let out a peep, Haymitch says "We're here." 

As I step out of the car, I see a little girl running towards me. It's Prim. I give her a hug as if I will never give her one ever again. Following her is mom. She looks the same; bags under her eyes and scrawny. She's looking like she hasn't slept or ate in days. Then again, that's how she always looks. 

While everyone gathers for the ceremony, I feel as if I had cheated in a way. As President Snow places both Peeta and I's metals on our necks, it is almost as if I had been hit by a train. I ignore my conscious and act as if I hadn't felt anything at all. Zoning out while President Snow was giving his speech, all I could think about was Gale and Peeta. Gale knows me best, but was I falling for Peeta?

"Congratulations to Peeta Malark and Katniss Everdeen. The 74th Annual Hunger Games victors. Would you like to say anything Katniss?" he said with no emotion and a blank face. 

Heading to the podium, I'm as frozen as an ice cube. I must show no fear. "I would like to thank President Snow for this award and this ceromoney. Also, I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me and cheering me on. Lastly, I would like to thank Peeta, for being there when I was struggling. I could rely on him and he was the only one I could trust. Thank you." I walk off next to Peeta. 

After the ceremony ends, I return to my old, ratty, shack house. Everything about it made it look infested with unknown species and the house looked ancient. Entering the almost falling apart door, Buttercup tries attacking me once again. If that devil tries attacking me again, he's dinner. Returning home wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. I was shocked coming home. Never did I ever think that I would survive the Hunger Games. Nor did the fact that Peeta and I both were the victors. District 12 was very diverse from Panem. Wild sense of culture there; abandoned and deserted here. They are like hot and cold. Wet and dry. Entertaining and lifeless. Both are so different. 

I care for Prim as if I never left. Mom enters the room looking dreadful. "President Snow has to talk to you. He's waiting for you in the living room." I start to worry. Am I in trouble? Is he planning on killing me? Had he found out that Peeta and I's love was a fraud? All these thoughts were going through my head. Maybe I was just over thinking. The living room had a serious and suspenseful atmosphere. Taking a seat on the abandoned chair in the corner, President Snow is investigating every inch of the room. It's as if he is looking for something. He takes the seat opposite from me. 

"This year, the Hunger Games had two victors. Opposite of what the tradition is. 73 years of one victor, but not this year. I am discusted on how we broke a tradition. In my family if there is a tie, we don't have a tie breaker. Do you know what happens when there's a tie in my family?" President Snow states.

"No." I said confused but worried what he'll say next.

He gets up and starts looking around. I start to think that he has a tendency to look through other's things. "Hm. Well, if there ever is a tie in anything in our family, we fight until there is only one victor." 

This conversation isn't going as positive as I thought it would be. The atmosphere starts to turn awkward and frightening. It's almost as if he can smell my fear and look through me flaws. I was speechless. I had nothing to say to him. I mean what was I suppose to say? "Too bad." 

"Well, I'm sorry to sound like the bad guy, but you and Peeta will have to have a rematch so there is only one victor." He said with no sincerity. 

A train had hit me. I felt as if my heart fell out of my chest. Was this a feeling that I had for Peeta? Did I really fall for Peeta? It was final; Peeta and I would have to fight for there to only be one victor of the 74th annual Hunger Games. 

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Shown here is what I predict what will happen next after the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. There are things that I would like to point out that I specifically showed in this piece to express the similarities and differences through both my prediction and the book. Representing these things through what Katniss went through, President Snow being his cold personality, and a reading image in your mind from The Hunger Games. 

Notice how the story starts when Peeta and Katniss are returning home on the train ride, returning to Panem. This is just a transition from the ending of the book. I felt the need to add this because it reminds the reader of what happened at the end and sets the setting. The train ride was just a small detail to introduce the setting and have a prologue. 

The scene changes to the car ride where Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch go back to District 12 for the victor's award ceremony. There's a ceremony for every victor that is the winner of the Hunger Games. Or shall I say the victors. During the ceremony, President Snow is obviously disappointed and discouraged because there is two victors. He never liked the idea of having two victors in the beginning. Nor did he agree to this rule. 

As Katniss returns home everything is the same. A small detail that I added was Buttercup, Prim's cat. I thought that this would be a nice touch to my prediction. It's kind of a flash back of the beginning of the book. When President Snow is in her house, that gave me the inspiration while he was watching the games and how unhappy he was when they twisted the rules. 

Overall, there were some details where you could tell that they related to the novel, but there are also some details that I added to make it original. What will happen in the end? That's in your hands now. 

Solving Problems

Author's Note: As we all go through change and try to fight our problems, just remember, you're not alone. 

Many people go through change. Whether someone changes them or an event impacts their emotions. I for one have gone through change. There was a point in time where I was going through the same phase as Haymitch; lonely, hopeless and careless. My family was there when I was struggling, that gave me so much more encouragement. Just like how Haymitch gained hope for Katniss and Peeta.

Haymitch was the only District 12 victor in The Hunger Games. He takes advantage of being the winner; he uses the wealth carelessly and is drunk most of the time. I know this because towards the end of the reaping, he fainted and embarrassed himself. The mentor of all tributes of District 12 is Haymitch, including Peeta and Katniss.

Haymitch was a depressed man. You can tell that he is depressed is because he uses his wealth and alcohol to cover up what he was going through. He has no family, no friends, and no one is there for him. Just think, what if you didn't have anyone that you could go and talk to them. Or if you were actually forever alone. That's how Haymitch felt. As he grows a relationship with Katniss and Peeta, he starts to feel the love that he had not felt in a long time.

Katniss comes out a little bit bitter when she first meets Haymitch. Peeta is interested in Haymitch so he knows some strategies to stay alive. As he starts to notice that both of them have potential to be the winner, he supports them and wants them to win. They influenced him to be a more generous and caring person. While the games come to an end, it is almost as if all three of them can taste the victory.

Haymitch obviously wasn't the most prettiest flower in the garden, but you can't blame him. He had no life besides drinking and wealth. You start to notice that he finds hope because there was something different about Katniss and Peeta. They had that "thing" that other past tributes didn't have before. During the games, he starts to gain sponsors for Peeta and Katniss. That was a sign of him caring and wanting Peeta and Katniss to survive. He finally found his heart.

Haymitch from The Hunger Games and Kate from My Sister's Keeper are two similar characters. Although their situations are different, their feelings are quite alike. When Peeta and Katniss first meet Haymitch, they think that he's a drunk, scruffy, old guy, but really, he's depressed. As the games start approaching, he starts to find and gain hope. You now ask how are these two related? Kate, from My Sister's Keeper, was also depressed because she had leukemia. Once she meets Taylor who is just like her she starts to feel like a normal teenage girl. She gained hope by meeting someone just like her.

Kate, Haymitch, and I were all in the same phase. So are other people in this world. We all have our own problems. Whether it’s a problem that is important or not as important, no problem is too small to solve. There is a solution to every problem.

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” – Albert Einstein 

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

Author's Note: Here is an essay that is about a quote that Helen Keller recited. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Enjoy :)


"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller was the inspirational individual who said this. To me, this quote is saying without adventures, life would be so uninteresting. It would be like a picture with no colors. It would be like a singer singing a beautiful song in monotone. It would be like a delicious plate of food tasting stale.  If life wasn't enthralling, it would be as dreadful as a history book. 

An adventure is all about having a thrilling experience. Some people go on small adventures; say like exploring the woods. Others may go to a whole different level and go skydiving or bungee jumping. Going on adventures at a small age is important because it teaches kids about what's really out there in the real world and how different it is from just a computer screen and a tv. Kids should have real adventures instead of fake ones, like Dora the Explorer. Even going out to your backyard and finding things is an adventure. 

If only we could be like kids going on little adventures; taking risks everyday. Life is all about taking risks, making it colorful and beautiful. As most people are familiar with, many people call it "Y.O.L.O". You only live once. This has made such an impact on many peoples lives; even celebrities. Drake's song "The Motto" has Y.O.L.O. in it. Y.O.L.O has almost inspired everyone to be a risk taker. 

Whether it's Y.O.L.O, an adventure in life, or even skydiving, those are all adventures. Without adventures in life, there would be no color in picture, a monotone song, and a stale piece of food. Inspirational quotes make you think about life; what is this really talking about? Am I adventurous? As Helen Keller said "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Or is life....nothing?