There should be mandatory water- use restrictions during water droughts in San Diego County. I believe that this is necessary because there is little rain fall in Southern California. From my experience I don’t see people taking the water conservation seriously. There needs to be stricter restrictions and fines.

In 2014 the use of potable water was less than the use in 1990. Even with the drop of usage we still need more water. In San Diego County 84% of people support or believe that using water efficiently is a civic duty. Only 10 to 15 percent of water comes from San Diego County and the rest comes from other states. This alone is a good reason to restrict water usage.

Water restrictions effect everyone including farmers who need water for their farms. Even farmers can change their water usage. They can save water by irrigate during the night, collect rain water and by growing crops that don’t need as much water. There will be people who will be upset about saving water. The Governor of California agrees to water restrictions. “The idea of your nice little green grass getting lots of water every day, that’s going to be a thing of the past,” said Gov.of California Jerry Brown. Some ways to save water is shorter showers, full loads of laundry (including dishwasher), and turn off faucets when not in use. I think instead of green laws everyone could use fake grass. Won’t that be using less water? Yes it would. I want to help as much as I can to save water.

I think there should be mandatory water-use restrictions during a drought in San Diego County. A majority of people in San Diego County support in using water efficiently. What will happen if we have mandatory water-use restrictions in San Diego County? Will farmers cut down their water usage? If we don’t take this drought in San Diego County seriously what will it look like in the future?

It was a bright blue sky and Tiffany and I decided to take a trip to Paris, France. We packed most of our belongings in two suitcases and had the rest of our belongings in boxes to be shipped to France. We both left notes for our husbands and families. We are leaving. Tiffany and I wanted this for a long time.

When Tiffany and I were sixteen we dreamed of having a family but then my father had an affair with Tiffanies Mother. Our parents are still all together. We are now stepsister. We always felt like sisters since we meet each other. Tiffany and I lived next to each other and know we are leaving the country to start a new life. Tiffany has a two-year-old boy named Chase and I have a three-year-old girl named Sophia.Our children don’t understand very well. Both of our husbands are at work and I hope any of our families come for a surprise visit.

I heard a knock at my door and I grabbed Sophia. Thankfully it was only Tiffany. She finished packing and came to my house to see if I needed help packing. “I know we plan was for everyone to meet at the airport but I wanted to see if you needed help.” “Thank you, I do need help.” Tiffany did the rest of the packing for me while I took a nap. I was so tired and so was Sophia. We laded in my room until she woke us up. “Its time to go.” Tiffany looked out the front door to see if anyone was outside. There was no one outside. We had a taxi take us to the airport. “Here we come Paris,” I said in my head.

Once we arrived at the airport we tried to find seats with no one around. I can’t have anyone we know see us. We sat and just talked until we had to board the plane. We got first class seat. I have credit cards that my husband does not know about so I can spend what ever I want on them. Also Tiffany and our parents are very rich. Back when we were teenagers everyone wanted to hang out with us just for our money. It took us about nine hours to get to Paris, France.

“Mom can I get this FUJIFILM Instax Mini 8 camera in pink?” I asked.

“No, you need to earn it,” My mother said.

“With my own money?” shocked I said.

“How am I going to do that?”

“I don’t know? save your money you get every week.”

“I get $7 a week, I’m going to save up six weeks worth maybe even more, and my allowance should be raised,” I said in my head. After shopping with my mother, I asked my father for the newspaper. He was very happy I’m reading the newspaper. I looked for a gardening job around my neighborhood. Then I went door to door asking if anyone needs help with anything they waned. I would say I’m very helpful if anyone needs help. I found two people who wanted help cleaning out a room and help plant some roses. They told me to come back in two days.

I haven’t introduced my self. My name is Lexi Jones and I’m eleven years old. I have a mother, Father and a brother names josh. I do gymnastics after school and number one in my class. I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was Three years old.  My brother is six years old and does soccer and also is the best. Josh and I go to the best school in Haverford, Pennsylvania. My family is very rich. Josh and I get things we want but I would not call myself spoiled. I’ve been to Australia, most of Europe, and some of China. I’m very smart and so is Josh.

Let me get to the point. I wanted something very bad and don’t get very much money an week so I had to earn the money. After day three, I earned $20 for gardening and moving boxes out of the attic. I ever got to keep anything I found in the attic. I need about $110 more. I looked in the news paper again. I found the best job ever. I would join the Blue Man Group while they were in town. They are looking for a child from 10-14, to do dangerous acts. I’m perfect for that. First I need to do an audition. It’s tomorrow at 1:00pm at a near by park I live by.

I stayed late today at gymnastics class to find a new performance to show the Blue Man Group. I did not tell anyone about my audition for the Blue Man Group. Not even my best friend Emma Fields. I tell her everything. I rode my bike home to find my Mother waiting for me at the door. I was an hour late and my Mother wanted to know why. “I wanted to get this new move to perfection.” LIE.

The next was Saturday. Audition day.  Something happened because my Mother never makes breakfast. Not herself for once. She said she was in a happy mood. LIE. I finished my breakfast and ran to my room. I got dressed to see Emma and packed a bag for the clothing for audition later. Emma and I are going to the mall and then I will have to lie to my best friend. Emma and I shopped for a while then got some frozen yogurt at Lunt Cafe. By the time we were done I ran to the park I got there just in time. I got number 14. It did not take long for them to call my name. The audition went very well. I know I’m going to get the job. I ran home to tell Josh. I had to tell someone. He won’t tell anyone. Then I called Emma to tell her the great news. She wont tell anyone. In three days they will posted to winner.

For the past few days, all I could think about was if I won. I wondered off in class and got called on so many time. I still managed to get my work done. Its been three days now. After school, Josh, Emma and I will looked at the winner. I typed in the website. I could not look or press enter. Josh pressed enter. “You won Lexi,” Josh shouted. Mother came to see why we were all shouting. “I won the art contest at school.” That was not a lie this time.

To be continued

Invictus is a movie based on John Carlin’s book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation. The true events around the 1995 Rugby World Cup in post-apartheid South Africa are the basis of the story.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) is released from the Robben Island prison after 27 years in jail. On April 27, 1994, Mandela is democratically elected the first African President of South Africa. He faces huge challenges in the post-apartheid era. When Mandela attends a game of the Springboks, the country’s rugby team, Mandela sees that the Africans in the stadium cheer against their home team, because the all-white team represents prejudice and apartheid. Mandela meets with the captain of the Springboks, François Pienaar (Matt Damon), so the team will go for World Cup. Mandela also shares a British poem, “Invictus,” with Pienaar. As the season goes on, the whole country comes together to support the Springboks and Mandela’s efforts. The Springboks surpass all expectations and qualify for the World Cup against New Zealand’s. In this story behind the movie, experience South Africa before and after apartheid. Meet the first African  President of South Africa and learn about his life. Meet the rugby players who work to bring a country together.

I would recomend this movie if you life historical movies or Morgan Freeman movies. I would Rate this movie 5 out of five because instead of me reading a book a Apartheid its in a movie.

Detente means Easing of strained (political) relations. In 1975 more than 30 countries signed a paper to agree to human rights.  After, u.s. felt threatened by U.S.S.R. after Vietnam War because their nuclear stockpile was growing. U.S.S.R invaded Afghanistan Because to keep Communism movement strong. Lots of people escaped and became refugees nearby. Eventually, they went into war and Taliban took over 90% of the country. Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of Soviet Union in 1991. In 1961 West and East Germany put up a wall over night to keep the different governments separated. Lots of people died trying to escape. The wall went down in 1990.

Part 2: China Under Communism

Mao Zedong was the leader of china. The “Great Leap Forward” was to get new stars. Which china’s economy went from agriculture to industry. That caused 45 million deaths. Mao had everyone in China forget about “The Four olds” (old ideas, old culture, old costumes and old habits). The little red book had Mao’s speeches and writes in the little red book. After, Mao died it went back to normal.

Part 3: South Africa and Apartheid Colonialism

Apartheid- “apartness.” It was hard for Africans to get jobs and to travel from 1950’s- 1990’s. Nelson Mandela wanted Apartheid to stop. He was jailed for 27 years because violent protesting. After, he was released in 1990 he became the first african south Africa President.

Emily Dickinson Was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December 10, 1830. When she was a teenager she left school and stay at the families homestead. She wrote lots of poem and they were published by a family member when she died. She died on May 15, 1886. She is a well know poet.

Young emily was very smart student. He farther was very strict mostly on reading. She always respected her father. Emily’s Father founded Amherst Collage. Later, Emily was educated at Amherst Academy (now Amherst Collage) and Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. She missed lots of days due to illness and depression but always an amazing student. She left in 1848 it was unknown why she left.

Her inspiration in poetry were  influenced by Leonard Humphrey, principal of Amherst Academy, and a family friend named Benjamin Franklin Newton. Emily early left the families homestead. Her mother died in 1882. She was very depressed then.

Emily Dickinson died on May 15, 1886 due to kidney disease. She was laid to rest in her family plot at West Cemetery. The Homestead, where Dickinson was born is now a museum. After she died the thousand of poems were slowly being published. Lots of her poem titles were the first line with what number it was. She was know for depressing poem and about people.

My favorite poem of hers is There is no Frigate like a Book (1286). It describes how a book is a like a ship. It takes you somewhere. That very true books take you on a journey. Emily Dickinson lived an odd life but a she wrote amazing poems. She may have not approved on getting them published but if not she would not have her poems for everyone to see.

Dear Premier Li Peng ,

I’m an 8th grader from the future and learned about Tiananmen Square. What happen in Tiananmen Square was horrible. The millions of young students protesters should have done so. Your people should be allowed to be free and chose the government. Killing your own gave the world a reason not to be your friend. I hope you make sure this never happens again. At least not killing people and your government works for nonviolence.

Sincerely,

Calysta

Protesting

Prison

President

You were brave

You were caring

You were strong

“It always seems impossible until its done” -Nelson mandela

The weather is hot and dry

Palm trees stand burning int the sun

Tall and thin reaching for the sky

In the heat I play and have fun

My town sits baking hot, so hot

But the new year stars with snow

The snow, it cools, but maybe not

It doesn’t linger it will go

But the rain will come again

Mixed with rain and hail

The rain will cool our brain

Then my skin turns pale

The weather is crazy it’s true

Then the sky turns blue