Things They Carried Essay

Josh Chavez-Carroll
Eng. 11, 1st period

Tim O’Brien: The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried showed a lot of things about life before and after of a soldier in war.
Tim O’Brien showed different stories during the Vietnam War. He demonstrated all the people
he had in his platoon, the special things they carried, and stories about them or they shared.
Their stories were sometimes funny, but a lot were sad.

One story that affected me probably the most, was when Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk were becoming buds ever since that jackknife that Dave have, but was “gone”. Dave and Lee always
teamed up in ambushes. They made a pact between each other, if someone gets messed up-
wheel chaired- than the other would kill him. They were pretty serious, but sadly someone got
badly wounded. Lee Strunk stepped on a Mortar Round and blew off his right leg up to the knee. Dave tried to relieve the pain by adding morphine and hoped he came back. Lee woke up and
told Dave not to kill him, not to kill him for real. Jensen never did and Lee left on the helicopter.
Jensen found out he died later that day, but was relieve he didn’t have to kill him himself.

Another time, and this is very sad, was when Curt Lemon and Mitchell Saunders were messing
around and laughing. Until, Curt Lemon stepped on a booby-trapped 105 round and died.
Mitchell Saunders was very depressed and wanted to take his anger out on someone or
something. Well, the platoon found a stranded baby buffalo. Saunders tried feeding it at first, but then started shooting part of the buffalo, not to kill it but to hurt it. Not be off topic, but this is
the sickest part of the story. I can’t believe he would do that. At least Curt Lemon died quickly.
Just hope Mitchell could feel the same way as that buffalo.

Another part is when Tim O’Brien received a shocking and unfortunate kill. He couldn’t believe
that he jacked up a guy who was very similar to himself. Basically, how would you feel about
killing your doppelganger? It will just make you go into shock like how Tim O’Brien was- just
standing there looking at the body.

I always felt how much I will be doing my country a favor if I attended the Marines. But now, I
see colors that I didn’t expect. The book demonstrated how bad and crucial war really is to those men out there and those coming back home. You have a chance to die in a country that you are
fighting against. What if you were M.I.A., your family will ponder the rest of their life “what if
he’s still alive?” It will be hard on not only me, but my family as well. War is not the place to go
to have fun and make friends… because in the long run, you lose them and fun is actually hell.

Can't Wait 4 My Bday

In less than 5 months, I will be not only graduating Junior year, but I will become 18 years old on July 24. Some reason, I waited for this moment for a long time. In weeks after that, I would like to take the drivers test and hopefully get my license around September or early October. I would of gotten it earlier, but my high school wouldn't allow me to go into the chores since it was freshman only. I think it's bull cause I just came to this school sophomore year, and my other school didn't have driver's ed until sophomore year. That really messed me up. But check this out, as a new early bird class for next year, their going to have a Driver's Ed class! Really ticked me off. They should of had this before... but whatever, I'll just get it this summer. As for my choice of gifts, I don't really know yet except to ask for a Bentley, a brand new laptop, or a new HD TV. I'm more leaning towards the car and the laptop. The car, I know my parent's are really gonna ponder that one because it is pricey and they want to make sure it is not a "gas guzzler" and if it's safe to drive. That's all they will be caring about the car... and the price. Its my dream car and I get it or not, I'm gonna try to pursuit a great job and get one. Laptop, well, they been knowing I wanted a new computer. One we have now is like 3 centuries old... okay maybe just 5 years old, but it still isn't updated. Not to be picky, but I would be ecstatic if I gotten either one of those two.

As for the party, my parent's said they want to go to Disney Land... now what 18 year old wants to go over there for their birthday. I really hope they were kidding... cause that would suck if they were really considering it. What I want to do is just have all my family members and friends to come over to a big building that is close by like Benicia, Vallejo, or American Canyon. I would have a D.J. out there, Latin food, project my life leading up to my 18 birthday, and have some game battles. Ha ha, after saying all that, I can say goodbye to the Bentley and hello to the station wagon!

Crazy Off-Season

Ever since Pro Bowl, the NFL off-season has been getting crazy. Raiders eliminated nearly all of their coaching staff. Cowboys having problems with T.O. and Adam 'Pacman' Jones. Anquin Boldin wants out of Arizona Cardinals, and Bengals may lose two of their best wide receivers. The free agency has loaded of talented players awaiting to get signed a big deal. Another thing, players wanted out of their teams cause they are upset of their current team, such as Anquin Boldin and his contract issues. Just a lot of things happening right now, it's really exciting. Lately, it's been about the upcoming rookies in the NFL Combine. Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech wide receiver, had a stree fracture on his foot and will need surgery. He would be out for 6-10 weeks and may hinder him in the draft. Maybe not so much though, cause wide receivers like him is very rare so teams may take a risk and get him. Another thing is Alabama OT Andre Smith missed the NFL Combine, stating that he felt he wasn't ready. Well, he had a lot of time to prepare himself for the NFL Combine so I don't get how do you not be ready. It's your career on the line, and he may actually go down; from being top 10 to late 1st round-2nd round. All this happening now may shake up the draft decisions for a lot of teams. My team, Oakland Raiders change their draft decisions if Jeremy Maclin gets picked up by the Seahawks. Maybe Tim Tebow's favorite target, Percy Harvin, U. of Florida. If that happens, any teams needing a wide out might as well grab Michael Crabtree. So many events is happening right now, I just can't wait for the NFL Draft. Raiders '09!!!

The A-Rod Situation

Ok, I'm tired of this on going A-rod situation. Media been talking about it for nearly 3 weeks straight. Yea, he did take steriods.. okay what's next? Why I hate the watching the news sometimes. They persuit something that is already said and done. When Barry Bonds was caught, everyone started talking about him. Now they have A-rod mess going on. I want the media to stop persuing the same topic over and over again. I want ESPN to stop talking about him. I want to see highlights, not watching biography about someone who apologize about taking steriods and now everyone wants to bag on him. Swear, get a different job if you just gonna write and talk about the same guy about the same topic over and over.

Funny Ventriloquist

My friend showed me Jeff Dunham and Walter on Comedy Central, and my gosh, he made me laugh through the whole thing. Not just how he say it and what he say, it's the expressions on Walter's face. Jeff always ask Walter hows his wife is doing. Walter normally says how horrible she is. "I think my house is haunted." "Why is that, Walter?" ponders Jeff. "Every time I open the door I hear a wisp saying 'Get out! Get out!'." I laughed cause that wisp is his wife. Another part is when Jeff said,"People say that their wife ages like fine wine." Walter:"Well mine ages like milk." I cracked up til' my stomach hurt.

When Jeff Dunham and Walter were at Washington D.C., Jeff Dunham ask Walter,"So how do you like D.C." "Lovely city, nice to get mugged at Nation's Capitol...Remember the time when we were at Fort Mortardal, Florida." Jeff said,"Yea." "Well, the people there were full of me. And the weather, it was very humid. 'Its dry heat'. Yea it's dry heat that I started growing moss from my ass....Only thing I loved about that place was when I was on the beach, blue sky's and I saw a tiny cloud coming over." All of the sudden Walter does a blowy wind sound effects. "Yea, when your in the toilet you would be like 'AHHHH!!! (moving around his head in a circular motion) and poop is flying everywhere in the room." Hecka funny.

One part, he saw a camera guy behind him and he said, "Hey look, it's the CIA...Hello? I see you... we all see you... You know its better watching in the front... The hell, is the director junk?" Walter is hecka funny.

He's a very good ventriloquist. There wont be any other that can be as good as him. Jeff Dunham is the Michael Jordan of all ventriloquist.

Finally the Warriors Show Up & Play

The Warriors won their best home game this season, beating the Phoenix Suns 124-112. But, it will take a lot more than just one great win into 28 losses already this season. Not everyone was healthy at the start off and new players were coming in not knowing how to play Nellie's way. We all know Warriors are fastbreak, three-pointed team, and last year was a great example of that. Yes they didn't made it to the playoffs, but they finished with a great winning record.

Different team, different results this season. It's kind of frustrating right now watching them lose to games that they should win. Most of the time when they lose, its by a close margin. If they get a dominate low post player-Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neil, or Dwight Howard- I'm certain that they can push to the playoffs next season. This team has a lot of talent offensivly, but their defense is suffering because they only have probably about 3 defensive minded players; Terioff, Andris Bedrins, and Stephen Jackson. The height advantage is really killing them since they have a lot of guards. Just one more low-post star that can run up and down the court, and were good to go. I don't know if its too late for a late entrance to the playoffs this season, but another season playing together, they will get comfortable with the new people around. If they do all of this before trade deadline, my predictions:
08-09 record: 40-42
09-10 record:51-31

NFL History Has Been Made!

Steelers have did it. They have won their franchise's 6th Superbowl title. It wasn't pretty as they had to come back and win against the Arizona Cardinals. I predicted that the Steelers were going to beat the Cards cause they have #1 defense in the league. But man, didn't think it was going to be that close of a game. In the first 3 quarters of the game, they shutdown Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals offense. At the beginning of the 4th quarter it was 20-7, Steelers lead. I thought the Steelers defense was going to finish the game by intercepting and sacking Kurt Warner. Instead, the Warner's offensive line hold up and protected Warner very well and they scored a Larry Fitzgerald TD.

20-14, Cardinals trailing by 6. The Cardinals defense, a defense no one really heard about this year, was phenomenal in the 4th quarter. After a great special teams punt, the defense hold the Steelers half a distance to the goal line. On 3 and 10, a holding was called against the Steelers center in their own end zone. By rule, a holding in the end zone is consider a safety. So the Cards put up 2 more points and get the ball back. They weren't done, yet. Kurt Warner threw a 40+ yard TD to none other than Larry Fitzgerald. The Steelers defense let the middle lane open for Fitzgerald, giving him a big break to the end zone for 6. It was the Cardinals biggest play of the game.

23-20, Cardinals lead by 3. Steelers basically final drive of the game. They needed to reach close enough to tie the game to go into overtime, which never happened in a Superbowl match up ever. Ben Roethlesbuerger lead his team down to their own 46. As time is still winding down, Ben threw one to wide open Santonio Holmes. He ran to the 7 yard line. The thought of even tying it was gone. The Steelers were gonna close this game. First attempt to the end zone, Ben threw to Holmes just a tad high at left corner. But on 2nd and goal, Ben threw to Holmes again and this time he caught it over 3 Cardinals at the right corner of the end zone. He tip-toed it and was a controversial call. The refs got the call right, his toes was in the end zone and he had position. Game ended from a fumble by Kurt Warner, who look like his arm was in motion but he didn't have position of the ball as he try to throw it away.

It was a great game all-in-all. Didn't think it would be that intense and that close of a game. Arizona really show themselves even though they lost. MVP is Santonio Holmes, who I think really deserved to win it cause he had to get reach up and grab that ball and make sure he's in bounds. Now that it's over, we shall see Draft Day and see who gets who. Hopefully Raiders go for a Wide Receiver like Santonio Holmes.

New Coach, Same Predicition?

Oakland Tribune sources said that the Oakland Raiders will stick with Tom Cable as the new head coach. Raiders have deny it, but they always say that. If this is actually true, I'm very disappointed on their decision. There's so many great coaches out there this off-season and their just gonna make a haste decision on picking Tom Cable. I like the Raiders, no matter how bad its gotten, but choosing Tom Cable as a head coach is a bad move. Releasing Lane Kifflin was the worst move of them all in 2008 season. He had something going, and was a lot closer of winning games than losing. He knew how to run the offense, the only thing Al Davis cares about. Yes, Cable didn't have enough time to get the Raiders ready for his style of play. But his final results of the season deserves an D, and that's just being nice.

It's really not every one's fault for the worst 7 years in the franchise. All except one of course, Al Davis. Let's make a list of bad things he has done recently. Releasing DeAngelo Hall after paying him a huge contract. Releasing Lane Kifflin, who know how to run a amateur offense and trying to turn them into moderate players. Not getting the proper Wide Receiver(s) for quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Not using his money wisely. Most importantly, not looking for a replacement for "himself". I'm sorry, but he has done too much damage. His age is rising as the lost column is adding.

If Tom Cable is the head coach, the expectations are still gonna be low. If they don't find "professional" help; wide receiver, pass-rush defensive line, and coordinators, then they could be considered the worst team of the decade.

Very Fishy

Few days ago, I was doing my Spanish workbook and one of the sections was a story-based. It was about a boy that loves to play soccer and is very studious. Well, I found a funny part of the story that stated that the boy plays soccer after school. After the soccer game, though, he goes to the "garden" with his friends and comes home later at night. I told my mom,"What person would play soccer after school and then go to the garden with his friends." She said,"Maybe they have community service or something." I said,"Nah, they must be doing some 'Mary-Jane', you know what I'm saying." We laughed and she called me stupid for thinking that. For real, who would play soccer and then go to the garden with his friends. Sounds like a little growing of marijuana and lighting it up. Hope when my teacher corrects it, I can get it back and show to the rest of my friends that story about the boy going to the "garden" with some friends after a soccer game. Haha!

Back to Satisfaction

Last weekend, I was playing Gears with my xbox live gang. They gave me the idea since I have a 4th rank profile, I should make another profile strictly for Gears of War 2 so I wouldn't have to care about losing my rank. Ever since that update, I've been on a roll. Within 3 days, I gotten my 3rd rank (Sargent) and I hardly played any games really. My friends and I feel like we are unstoppable, beating nearly everyone. Kadell, our Kobe Bryant of the gang, named ourselves "The Original 5" meaning the first day we met, we are the "Fab 5" of Execution in Gears 2. We get more people that we meet along the way, but "The Original 5" always be the great combination of Elimination. Our goal now is to reach the best and last rank in the game, General (5th rank). We basically demonstrate how great we work together by coming up with great plans and we don't be cheap and use party chat. Instead, we like how we beat our opponents and, majority of the time, talk trash to intimidate them a little bit.

Our only problem of us not reaching our goal fast enough because the servers are hooking us up with foreign players, making us lag really bad. Another problem, which needs to be stop, are people who cheat using "Lag Switches" making people gun less or teleporting through everything. Sometimes, it makes you stand still for about a minute and the other team can be able to move. That stuff really ticks us off. We get that probably about 1 out of every 10 matches, and mostly happens at night. That last update that I thought was gonna be horrible without "Superman", I adjust and I do way better than I figure. This game is beloved again.

How Could They...

Two weeks ago, I got my Lt. rank back in Gears of War 2. I'm pretty sure that I'm keeping it longer than I have before. Just as I started to become very consistent, the game had its update on just about everything. Brought in new achievements, no more "Superman" stunts, fixed most of the glitches, and changed the shotgun, again. I tested it out and I am very upset. The game was feeling smooth for me, but now it feels that the game gotten slower and harder to hit people with your shotty than before. The "Superman" was fun to do and I don't get it how they thought it was impossible to counter. There's flaws for "Superman", and they went ahead and make a three second pause of no shooting after and before you roll and rodeo run. They just influence more "2-Pieces" and more long-range. This update is very upsetting, no matter how much additions they put into the game. All I can do now in the game is hope that I don't get de-ranked for another stupid reason. 'E.P.I.C.'.... How could you...

Crazy Mike

Last week, my family and I started to hang around my aunt and uncle's house. On Saturday, we talked about the Superbowl, basketball, movies, and the new wii game they bought. My uncle Mike is funny cause his wii character was skinny at first, until when he weighed himself in Wii Fit his character got a big belly just for weighing 185. He told my sister to change it back but, my sister Aaliyah was just laughing. That first night we had roast chicken from Raley's. My mom was gonna cut it, but it was pretty hard to cut it seemed like cause this big chicken had bones every side of its body. My sister tried to help and I tried to help. My uncle was laughing and said,"How many Chavez' does it take to cut a chicken?" I kept laughing cause it was basically taking all of us to cut the chicken.

Monday we played the wii game again. There was a lot of stuff that my sisters and uncle Mike unlocked. They unlocked this ski challenge, and it was pretty hard. Just like skiing in real life, you must maintain balance and move side to side to go the direction you want to go. When my uncle Mike started to get on the board, he was hitting the walls and he was saying,"O what the heck?!?!" It took him a long time to get down to the bottom. On my 1st attempt, I had 1:20, but I didn't know how to control it. On my 2nd and last attempt though, I went 0:59. But that wasn't gonna last for long. My mom went 34 seconds. Didn't even know she knew how to ski! When all that was done, my uncle and I went to Taco Bell to pick up something to eat for dinner. Our plan was to buy 30 tacos. We went to the drive thru and order. The lady said in a shocking manner,"30 tacos?" My uncle said,"Ya, is that too much?" We were laughing. She told the price, but my uncle didn't hear what she said so he asked me. "It sounded like she said $76." Uncle Mike stopped the car and said "WHAT?!" I started laughing and he asked if I was serious. I didn't know the answer but I know 30 tacos aren't worth 76 dollars. As we drove up to the window, we were like "They probably expect a large van full of people or 2 fat men." That night came into a closure after dinner.

Weekend was fun. It's nice to do something with other family members than just sitting at home doing nothing.

Not as Great as the First

When the first Gears of War came out in November 2006, it was big. You would never thought that a new era would be made before Halo 3 would even launch. It really change everything. My friends list was mostly playing Gears of War. The story mode was great, and you knew that this was going to be a trilogy cause the way it ended. The online multiplayer was sick. No one complained (that I know of) and it was just as competitive as any other successful game. I don't know how to say it, but it was a perfect game. People couldn't wait for Gears of War 2, to see what happens to the war between Locust and COGs.

COGs are the good guys in the game. The main characters from the COG side are Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, Augustus "Cole Train" Cole, Baird, Anya, and many others. Marcus is the character you play as (in single player campaign) and he is serious at what he does. He fights for the world and is the best person to fight against anyone. Dominic is another character you can play as (in 2 player CO-OP Campaign). He likes to kid sometimes, but when it comes to get serious, he will get serious. In Gears of War 2, he tries to find his lost wife. Did he succeed? You can find out by playing the game.

As a year-and-a-half goes by, Gears of War 2 hits the market. The storyline was even better than the first, having new characters, new weapons, new challenges, and new mysteries. This time, people expected the online play was gonna be more successful than any other game and possibly receive a rating of 10 out of 10. Well, didn't reach neither of those. The online wasn't satisfying, mostly because of the main weapon people use, the shotgun. The shotgun in the first one is way powerful than Gears' 2 shotgun. People who like to rev up their chainsaws have a easier time to go through bullets and won't get disoriented. Glitches are worst than ever. People can just make you freeze with their Stand-By button or have a program where they can just freeze you and kill you instantly. Most importantly, the host powers. Who ever is host, gets a buff basically that no one else gets. Most of the time, whoever does gets host by chance, either isn't always the perfect person to host for everyone. Oh ya! The ranking systems sucks. They tried to be like Halo 3 and have a ranking system. Well, it doesn't show you how close your going to rank up or down and it doesn't make any sense when you do rank down. I have been a 4th rank(LT., 2nd highest rank in game) 3 times already, but get de-ranked cause of stupid ---- happens. I should be a 4th rank no matter what cause my stats proves I'm worthy enough to have it. Obviously, giving 4th ranks to cheaters is complete bull. That is why Gears of War 1 tops Gears of War 2 overall.

Food Critic?

I've seen the weirdest thing just the other day. My cat started smelling my dad's chicken with corn and macaroni. At first he cried for it, but we were unsure if he would even like it. He doesn't eat treats like Cat Nip. He farts really bad if you gave him wet food. So he eats the usually Whiskers that has chicken and wheat flavor. He's very picky cat.

This troubling cat is name Spunky. When I walked away from my plate for awhile, he climbs on the bed and sniff the smell of the food. Well, you know how cats dig their poop after their done because they don't like the smell. That's what Spunky did! I was laughing for the fact that he knows the chicken my dad made smells horrible and isn't edible. Pretty messed up, but hilarious. That wasn't his first time what Spunky did. He did that to chicken Alfredo, baked chicken, one of my sister's socks, lunch pale, and hair comb. He can be a food critic if only they would allow cats.

An Allstar is Coming

Basketball, a game where 10 people are on the court; 5 per a team. The sport is all about team work. Sharing the ball with your teammates and defending your basket. You see that with '08-'09 Boston Celtics. That's why they won the 2008 NBA Championship game against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. To be a champ, you need leadership-commanding your team and have that great chemistry with them. You need to be able to pass, shoot, dribble with acceleration, and that hunger of winning. You need to be able to play defense, no matter how big or how small the other player is. Most importantly, need to have fun playing the game. The Celtics have 5 of these champs on their team. If your team is in need of a leader, a shooter, a hardworker, a "champ", then your looking at Stephen Curry.

Stephen Curry, age 20, is 6'3'' 185 lbs. He is the son of former NBA star Dell Curry, who is now the Charolette Bobcats Assistant Coach. He goes to Davidson, where right now ranks among the top 40. Stephen is averaging 29.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, and 6.4 assists. He has led Davidson two seasons of 25+ wins and two consecutive Souther Conference Champs. His shooting abilities is incredible, especially from the 3 point line. He hits clutch shots, especially in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. He led the team to beat Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin to head into the Elite Eight where they faced Kansas. They may have lost to Kansas,who end up winning the whole thing, but it was just by 2 points (59-57).

I know this guy will be a champ in the NBA and most likely lead his team to the Playoffs. My expectations are high on this guy. I know he's gonna do fine in the NBA. Warriors, if your smart, you would get this guy or someone similar to him.

Almost Perfect

Baseball is St. Dominic's main sport for 7th through 8th grades. During the class of '06 we had the best record of 21-1 in school history. It was a great 2 seasons, but we all wished that we won against our rivals, St. Basil.

It all started off with a month long off-season practice. Assistant Coach Knight taught us about the rock n' load batting stances. He stated that it's the best method to count the number of seconds when a pitcher releases. When you see the pitcher warming up, you count the number of seconds he's throwing his fastball. Anything less is usually pitch away. Anything more is a breaking ball. An example of the rock n' load method is Barry Bonds stance. As you noticed his batting stance while he was playing with the Giants, his bat always rocked back and forth. He's counting the number of beats a.k.a number of seconds it takes a pitcher to deliver the ball. It was great method and helped a lot through my career in baseball.

The '06 season was our finest season out of the two. We were on our way to becoming undefeated...so we thought. Our 9th game of the season, we were facing St. Basil of Vallejo. I was batting 5th and was playing 2nd base and later Left field. It was a very close game, having it being tied 1-1 through 3 innings. Bottom of the 4th inning, I was leading off. They put in a left hander, who had a very slow wind up. He was throwing outside and I got on base with a 4-pitch-walk. Michael Scaffani was now up. Coach Knight gave me the sign of stealing on the first pitch. As the pitcher lifted his elbow, I ran to second standing up. I gave myself some leads, making the pitcher nervous about me stealing again. He threw to the short-stop a couple of times. After 3 throw backs, he pitched for a strike. Coach Knight gave me the sign to steal on the 3rd pitch. I ran to 3rd sliding head first, extending my arms and hope that I wasn't gonna be called out. The catcher threw it too high for the third baseman to even attempt a tag. As I call time to brush off and talk to the coaches, Coach Knight told me to steal home when the time is right for me. The pitcher was now pitching from the wind up. I knew this would be a perfect opportunity, especially from his slow release. He threw a couple of balls to the third baseman to keep me close to the bag, but I still gave him that big lead. As he began his wind up I sprinted home, hoping that I will make it. Once the ball passed over the plate, I tagged home plate! As the ump stated that I was safe, the SDS crowd went wild. My coaches and teammates pounded my helmet in the dugout. We felt like we were on our way to winning the game.

Top of the 6th inning, St. Basil started hitting some base hits and end up scoring 2 runs, giving them a 1 run lead. They sent out their ace pitcher, Danny Souza. He was throwing heat, which threw off some of my timing. Bottom of the 7th, the last inning of the ball game. Danny Souza was throwing them perfect, low in the strike zone and some heat. Danny Quigly was up first and grounded out. I was next up to bat. I allow pitchers to throw the first pitch in the count so I can feel the rhythm. He threw a first pitch strike, low and away. Next pitch was a strike 2, I swung a bit late. 3rd pitch I made contact, but fouled to the left. I felt a lot of pressure now. I really want to get a base hit off this guy. The 4th pitch was a high ball. I gambled and thought he was gonna do it again. I was wrong and he threw it the same spot as the 1st pitch, low and away. I struck out swinging late again. I was very upset with myself, gambling on his location and thinking too hard. He struck out Michael and St. Basil won the game 3-2. The game was in our hands, but we just failed to execute for the first time. The road to perfection was over, but the season wasn't.

We finished the season without losing any games since then. Our last away game was against St.Basil on St.Pats field. This time we came out on top, winning 12-5. If only we did that against them the first time, we would be perfect. In an odd way, I'm glad that they beat us. Being the underdog against them in the second game, gave us the hunger for revenge. No, we didn't finish perfect, but we finish our 8th grade year with the best team of St. Dominic's history.

Myles and Me

A dog is a man's best friend. Always guiding with you, always staying by your side, and always playing with you. My first dog is like that, but let's just say he showed it in a different way. At the age of 13, my family and I traveled to Winters, California to pick up a small puppy for my birthday. As I read my birthday card before we pick up the puppy, my family were whispering and giggling about something. When I finished reading the longest birthday card I believe any child could have read, baby Labradors started jumping out 2 vans. I always wanted a lab, but I knew my parents wouldn't get one cause all the work they told me. I asked my mom if we can go pet them, but she said,"Go pick one." I was shocked! I ran to the puppies and I saw one that was so funny but looked to wild. The breeders told my parents recommended me having a certain pup, which was just lying down doing nothing. I end up choosing him over the wild one. As we were driving he wanted to be on my moms lap instead of being in the box. I decided to name him Myles. It fits him because not only we drove about 2 to 3 hours to Winters to get him, but my mom loves that name. The first day having him home was a good day. At night, he started to whimper and whimper and whimper. I guess it was normal for a puppy to cry at night cause he was scared. Later that week, my parents told me that a friend of theirs told them that he will get used to the environment and don't worry about the whimpers. As his whimpering stopped, his trouble begins. He started eating the cats food. Eating hair ribbons. Myles chewing on his blanket. Running around the house. Eating my sister's Barbies. Pooping my sister's Barbies. Swallow a quarter. Pooped out the quarter, which was standing up. Yeah, this was a dog from hell as we started to think. When someone comes home from school or work, he would stick his whole head out through my blinds and watch them walk to our front door. My window blinds were basically broken cause of him. I bet my neighborhood knew how I slept because they could be able to see me. The "horse" wouldn't stop being bad. He nearly hate my hermit crab, Krabby, when i put him down to dry. He had the hermit crab in his front teeth, showing it off. As we moved to Grove Circle in Benicia, he started to be calmer. The whole backyard was his. Unfortunately, his poop became bigger and bigger each time I pick it up. He's a healthy dog with a mighty big appetite for anything except fish and broccoli. We limit giving him house food the best we could, but when he's putting on the puppy sad face, we give in.

When the movie "Marley and Me" came out, my mother knew to take me to watch it. As we went to watch it, I saw some people bringing in their dogs to watch it, too. The dog grew up the same way my dog grew up. Always getting in trouble, eating everything, and wouldn't listen to anybody. When the movie progressed when he started to become older and more calmer, my dog is like that now. Everything in the movie is just like my dog. When the sad part came, where the owner described about Marley's adventure's to the veterinarian, it hit me. When the owner had to let the dog go, I never thought this was coming but I teared up. I realized that my dog gone through nearly everything with me through my teenage years. He's been there for me. He's more than a dog to me. He's my Marley, my friend, my hairy brother.