Hello! This week was not my best week…my goal for this week was to hopefully get done my first chapter and create some illustrations. However, I got majorly overwhelmed and frustrated because I was at a loss of ideas for my writing. Instead of giving up though, I decided to go back and make changes to the writing that I did have so far. I was able to make some minor improvements, and add more details. Also, I emailed a few authors this past week, and one of them offered to be my mentor and answer any questions I may have 🙂 I was really excited, and that was great news for me. This next week, I plan to make illustrations, and for sure add at least a half chapter more. That would make me back on track again, and catch me back up. That’s all for this week! Bye now!
Good Neighbors, Great Neighborhood!
There are many ways to be a good neighbor, and here are a few examples! First of all, to me, being a good neighbor means taking the time to know your neighbors personally. When I first moved into my house about three years ago, I would go on walks around my block, and introduce myself to others, so that I would be able to know each and every person that lived in the neighborhood. I feel like that is also true vice versa. I recently had new neighbors move in around the corner, and as a resident in the neighborhood, I took the time to talk to them, and introduce myself to new neighbors too. Secondly, a good neighbor helps out with small things and problems. For example, over the summer, I helped take care of animals for the house across the street from me while they were on vacation. I also helped some other neighbors build their chicken coop, and some other friends with watering their plants and flowers. Lastly, being a good neighbor means giving back to others who have helped you. During the holidays, my family always bakes a treat for each neighbor to say a thank you for all they have done for us. This is what makes a great neighbor, and creates an awesome neighborhood!
20% Project Week 2
Hello! For week two of my 20% project, I worked on more finalized outlines, and got half way through my first chapter. I accomplished everything that I was supposed to this week, and now I’m adding more details and specific words during the next few days. I did run into writer’s block a few times, but when that happened I would try and find some sort of different inspiration from videos, or music I listened to. I also had my mom help me add to my inspiration, and she read through my work, and also gave me some feedback. This upcoming Friday, I’m aiming to finish my first chapter, and maybe create some illustrations for it too. I’m going to also email a few of my favorite authors, and see if they could answer a few questions about their creative processes. Thank you for reading, and see you next week!
Spring Break Adventures 🌿
Hello! Recently-ish, we had spring break, and I wanted to write about what I did 🙂 First off, on St. Patrick’s day, my family hosted a big party with all of our family, friends, and neighbors. We had lots of food, fun games, and we even had a bunch of temporary tattoos for anybody who wanted some. It was super fun, and it went pretty late though. After the party I had a bunch of tattoos all over my face, and it was quite funny….until I discovered they were SUPER hard to get off 🤦🏼♀️. Next, a little later into the week me and my sisters, Avery, and her brother and his friend had a campout in the backyard. I set up a big 5-person tent for me, my sisters and Avery. We made it really cozy, and added a lot of blankets and pillows, and hung a light like a chandelier from the top. For the boys, they got to sleep in the trampoline where we made it like a fort, and we put a beach tent on top too, in case they got cold. It was lots of fun, and we even got to watch a movie on my patio with some popcorn and ice cream. Surprisingly, I slept quite well, until the boys jumping on the trampoline making screeching noises woke me up at 5:30…but that’s okay! Then the day after, we all went to Ruby’s Diner on the Balboa pier. That was also fun! That was what I did on my spring break!
Writing Ideas – 20% Project, Week 1
Hello, my name is Finley, and for my 20% project I chose to write a short story. For this week, my goal was to develop ideas, and plan out an outline of my story. I accomplished my goal, and also finished my prologue too. I used videos on YouTube, and past writing resources I have from school to spark my ideas. I did not struggle to complete my goal, and got done exactly what I needed to, and more. Over the weekend, I added some more ideas and blurbs of writing to my work, including some help and ideas from my family and friends. This next Friday, I will set a clear outline of my story, and hopefully get through a half of a chapter of writing, or more. I’m also going to continue to watch videos and build off of that too. Thank you for reading, and see you next week!!
Dinner Party for Three
There are so many I would want to invite to dinner, but these are my top three: Rick Riordan, Taylor Swift, and Amanda Seyfried. First of all, I would invite Rick Riordan, the author of the book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I absolutely love the books that he writes, they’re some of my favorites. This would be really cool to have him over to be able to talk about his books, the Percy Jackson TV show he started, and his creative processes. Next, I would invite Taylor Swift. She’s one of my favorite music artists, she does lots of kind things, and seems like a great person to be around. I would love to chat about her music, where she gets the ideas for her lyrics, and maybe even help her write a new song 🤷♀️. I would be very happy to invite her over for dinner. Lastly, I would invite Amanda Seyfried over. She has acted in movies like Mamma Mia, Mean Girls, and more. She’s also one of my favorite actors, so I would be very starstruck to see her. I would talk to her about what acting is like, and how she got so good at it. These are the people I would invite over for dinner!
Rad Reading February
For the month of February, I read two books. I read the second and third books of the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I am going to do my rad reading on the third book, Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Titan’s Curse, by Rick Riordan. This book is about Percy, a half-blood, who abruptly one day receives a distress call from his saytr friend, Grover. Percy is sent on a quest accompanied by his friends to go see what is troubling Grover; two half-bloods. The lord Kronos has set up an evil scheme, and the two young half-bloods are his bait.
I recommend this book because of many things. It’s action-packed, and full of surprises and twists. This book has a very fun spin on Greek mythology, and full of adventures. For example, Percy and his friends meet Apollo, the sun god, and they ride in his sun bus around the world! This is why I recommend this book.
My favorite character in this book was Percy. Percy was brave, bold, smart, and witty. But most of all a team player, and compassionate. For example, “As anxious as I felt about Annabeth—all I wanted to do was search for her—I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the di Angelos. I remembered what it was like for me when I first learned I was a demigod.” This quote shows Percy’s compassion, and understanding for the poor di Angelos. He wants to comfort them, but also wants to search for his friend, who he also cares a lot about. This is why Percy was my favorite character.
My favorite quote from the story was, “Looking up in the sky, I saw that the stars were brighter. They made a pattern I had never noticed before – a gleaming constellation that looked a lot like a girl’s figure – a girl with a bow, running under the stars.” This was my favorite quote because it reminded me of one of my cousin’s who died. It made me think of all of the memories I’ve had with him, and appreciate the small things I still have from him still him today.
Marine Biology 💕🐳🐠🪸👩🔬
If I could have any job in the entire world, it would be a marine biologist. I would love to have this job for many reasons. First of all, I love ocean, and all the creatures that live in it. Being a marine biologist, I would be able to work in the oceans, and see all the marine life and more. Secondly, this would be really cool because I would possibly travel often to different bodies of water to study, which would also broaden my experiences and knowledge. I’ve always loved science, and all the intricate details that come together to form a working ecosystem, so this would definitely expand my understanding on the subject too. Lastly, being a marine biologist would mean being able to help restore and protect these important species and their ecosystems, which would make me feel good about myself, knowing I’m helping the Earth change for the better 💕🐳🐠🪸.
Rad Reading February
For the month of February, I read the book Percy Jackson and the Olympians; the Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. This story is about a boy named Percy, who has trouble follow him wherever he goes. Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus nearly seem to be coming straight out of his book pages. Percy soon realizes that he is not part of the mortal world, but part of the immortal world. Percy heads off to a special camp for the summer, and soon learns that he has just ten to find and return Zeus’s master bolt, and bring Mount Olympus to peace.
I would recommend this book highly, because it’s packed full of amazing adventures, and has a fun take on Greek mythological stories. For example, Percy and his friends go on a quest that takes them from Santa Monica, to even Las Vegas, and Manhattan. Overall, this book is awesome that you should try reading!
My favorite character from this book was Annabeth. She was my favorite character because she reminds me a lot of myself. She is very wise, to the point, and seriously focused on keeping Percy on track. For example, she says, “‘I’ve been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain,’ she said. ‘Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you’re going to save the world, I’m the best person to keep you from messing up.’” This quotes shows her diligence, and strength, but also her patience and determination to protect Percy, and while teaching him a lesson.
My favorite quote from this book was, “Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.” This quotes is very important, because not only was it important in the book, but in life too. Going with your heart and instincts, is always a good choice, if you have good intentions for the right reasons. For these reasons that is my favorite quote.
Sneaky Invisibility
I have become invisible for twenty-four hours! There are many fun things I would do! First off, my parents wouldn’t see me, and they’d think I’m at school. But I wouldn’t be…I would go shopping wherever I wanted and maybe steal something because no could see me do it. I would go to the Spectrum. That would work out pretty well for me because I don’t have very much of my own money to spend 🤦🏼♀️. Secondly, I would pack my stuff and hop on a plane. I’d find an empty seat, so I wouldn’t have to pay. I would take some snacks off of the plane too. Lastly, after arriving in the Bahamas, I’d sneak into a fancy hotel, and get my own room, again, without paying! Before my twenty-four hours would be up, I’d steal one last thing. A warm, tasty meal. I’d wake up the next day unfortunately visible again, but at least I’m still in the Bahamas!