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The size portion of my slide was very important. I tried to make whatever parts of my slide that had text in it, big and readable from maybe about 5 feet away. I tried to make this slideshow as bright as possible. I made sure that all the colors mixed and looked well together, and that there were a few colors and pictures that actually popped out first to the reader’s attention. I also tried to make this slide very visual. As you can see, there are a lot more pictures on here than text, which should better catch people’s attention and keep it. Honestly, if there was a slide with mainly text, it would be very boring and dull. There was a lot of bleeding within the pictures as well. Most of the pictures don’t fit in the “frame” which makes it more engaging, and making the image seem a lot larger. I don’t like empty space, and felt like empty space shouldn’t be on my slide, so that’s why there is none. The visual theme was just basically me and my life, so everything that was put on here had a personal connection with my life.

 

During my final copy

As you can see, in my slide you see a check sign or a nike side
the reason why I put this in the middle is because it lead you to the path
when you look at the slide
you see the arrow that point to the top 
well, when you look at my slide and follow the arrow
you see the football, baseball and the basketball
its like a circle so when you follow the circle 
it lead you to my favorite position that i play in these sports
as you can see in baseball my favorite part is catching the ball
and in basketball my favorite part is shooting the ball
and in football my favorite part is catching the ball 
another reason why i put the nike sign is because 
nike is a brand with all sports stuff
and when it come to sport
i always go to nike and shop
so not does it just describe my favorite sport
but also describe my favorite brand 

Script 
I chose this picture because it defines what i like the most in this world... gymnastics. it doesn't have a lot of words so its short and simple. The quote is my favorite quote becuase its exactly how i feel.

When designing my slide, I used many of the tips and tricks from presentation zen to improve my already thought out design. The rule of thirds was a major slide setter for me. Meaning that I wanted balance to my slide as well as my world and I feel like the way that I arranged my pictures and my phrases and/or names on my slide would ease the way the audience viewed my slide. I also incorporated empty space and negative space into my slide because I could have made a collage for my presentation slide, but I wanted to to be audience friendly as well as an expression of me. I choose empty space because I feel like that is the way I live my life. In certain points having surroundings at all moments/areas and then whenever I feel be able to have my own empty space. I used tracking for my letters instead of kerning because I dont like when things are uneven or even just a little bit off. (I guess that's my ocd for ya lol) Other than that I used something called the 7 x 7 rule for my one slide to describe myself. The 7 x 7 rule states that there should be no more than 7 words on a slide other than the title. On my slide, there is exactly 7 words that all have many descriptive ways to explain myself without making my slide look junky.

From the Classroom discussion, I learned alot and received some really good feedback from my peers. The things I changed to make my slide better where getting rid of the words that I used to describe me and to have the pictures bleed into each other to each other to create more of a collage effect and to make my slide pop. In class I learned that less is more and by making your pictures bigger and having them bleed, creates for a really good slide and that was our mission. To become good designers.

Things that made my slide better were the following:

- few words

- big letters

- pictures

- things that appeal to the viewer

- eye-catching material


    When I started designing my slide, I wanted to create something that personified who I was and what makes me up- what I do and see almost every day of my life. I wanted to make something original that told who I was without writing a paragraph about myself. I used many of the helpful tips on the Presentation zen website to guide me in creating a productive slide. I used the 7x7 rule to limit the words I have on my slide. It states to have no more than seven words on my slide. I wanted to keep it short and to the point just like the "glance media." I also incorporated the "rule of thirds" into my slide by using both images and text to lure the eye into the slide. Again, using the tips, I utilized the "blank space" and "one slide, on point" rules to the best of my abilities. I left blank space because those are the things in my life that I do cherish, some more than those that I put on my slide, but I know deep down that they do mean more to me and do not necessarily need to be displayed. I also just wanted to get my point across and not say much at all.





    On my revised slide I added a black fill to the blank spaces with colors that did not fit in with the rest of the slide as I was commented on during my presentation. 

I tend to talk about my slide with reasoning of why I put each picture by using some of the vocabulary words from "Presentation Zen" and a resource of my own. Notice I didn't include a lot of words because I think that pictures mean more than just words, and pictures are more attractive. :)

Before

What I changed about my slide is that I added more pictures. I took out the "I love pop music" picture because it doesn't fit in with the slide and the other pictures. The slide don't flow along with that picture. I moved my picture to the center of the slide so that it would stand out. I learned not to add too many pictures to the slide. It would draw the attention away, like the main idea. I also learn to keep it simple and to make the slide make sense.

After

Some of the things to make my slide more effective and that looks nice were things such as: 
- not using many words
- a lot of pictures
- no cartoon pictures
- didn't use effects
- used colors that fit well together 
- the font fits the slide well 
- no music or videos 

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-slide-design-tips-for-producing-powerful-and-effective-presentations/6117178

and the one from class 

I chose this layout because it is eye-catching and simple. The colors bring out each other and allow the viewer to take in the image in a short amount of time. This is my full name and this quote represents who I am and who I strive to be. I created this based on information attained from http://zachholman.com/posts/slide-design-for-developers/, http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2008/08/learning-from-the-design-around-you-ikea.html and http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-slide-design-tips-for-producing-powerful-and-effective-presentations/6117178.

​Johniera McClain
American Government

Blog Post #3 Lobbying: Street Clean Up 

 The status of legislature pertaining my lobbying topic is not necessarily well this year. As for the people in council that supports the lobbying topic, there has not been much done and said that supports the issue that apparently is at hand. Honestly, if contacted possibly that would change because there even is a Committee on Streets & Services that hold Chair, Vice Chair, and Members that are dedicated to help support the streets of Philadelphia and also try hard to prevent an unsanitary environment. The opponents that may thwart the succession of my lobbying topic would of course be the people of Philadelphia. Sadly, they may be the biggest opponents that I have although, if more legislation such as founded before (http://legislation.phila.gov/detailreport/?key=9190) (https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/viewer?url=http://legislation.phila.gov/attachments/9251.pdf) the City of Philadelphia and their Philadelphians would be more submissive to keeping their city cleaner.

             Definitely the skateboarders in this issue would be the people of the Committee on Streets & Services. (http://www.phila.gov/cityCouncil/streets.html) Closer to me would be of course be the Vice Chair (Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez). She is the councilwoman of the 7th district in which I do reside in. She indeed would be someone that I would and need to move that would be a decision maker. The issue that I do have with the city, I believe is not necessarily a controversial topic. I think it is reasonably fair and agreeable. I do not think I would have many or even at all any allies.

             A peer of mine that would definitely be someone I could possibly coordinate in this issue would be a dear friend of mines names Rashaun WIlliams.(http://phreshphiladelphia.org/Phresh_Philly/Phresh_Philadelphia.html) He is one of the founders of Phresh Philadelphia. Phresh Philadelphia is a non-profit organizations which is developed and motivated behind three very important goals; Community Development, Community Clean-Up, and Community Empowerment. Rashaun is someone as well that I do know that is passionate about the similar issues at hand in Philadelphia.

           I can and in dire need to influence the people of PHILADELPHIA. With that, some things that I should do is go to the city council meetings and go right to them and get suggestions on what I could possibly do to help with the public contribution of Philadelphia, cleaning wise. Hopefully that may spark some ideas with legislation and help move people in authority engage on my lobbying topic. As of currently there are a City Council Meeting that can be attended on December 7th at 10:00 am that is the meeting of the Whole Council. (http://legislation.phila.gov/calendar/)

        There are not any specific time frames, although I know personally I will get some information that I gather and present it thus forth at the meeting of the whole council at their next meeting. 

I chose to make my slide look this because I wanted it to be a clean looking advertisement while saying everything that is needed to say about me. I chose the background to be white because it is a very clean color and it goes with everything. I made my name and title black because it contrasts really well with white. I wanted my name and title to be the same font because I didn't think it was necessary to make it all fancy, with different fonts. I just three simple pictures and make them big so they stood out, without being too much. 

reflection:

I made the changes to my new slide based on learning from my other classmates presentations. I learned to make my slide as simple, clean, and understanding as possible. My slide was already clean and simple to begin with, but nothing is ever perfect. So, I decided to revise my slide just a little bit more. I took out one of my pictures, because it just wasn’t necessary. I changed the color of my background because just because white goes with everything, doesn’t mean its that attractive. I changed the background to orange because its an appealing color and it stands out. I decided to even delete another picture, because the colors of the picture just weren’t clashing with my background. I enlarged the last picture I had and deleted my name and title. This give my slide a fresh and appealing look. In conclusion, this is how I improved my slide and now it looks great!

Waleed Abdalati, NASA's Chief Scientist, gave a one-hour talk at SLA last week.  He covered topics from astronomy to global warming. He was introduced by Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts.

This is a good year for my lobbying topic. In fact, I am hopeful that the Safe Chemicals Act will be passed this year. There are a few reasons for this optimism. Firstly, I found my topic through an article in Scientific American, which means that the bill has been in the news. The article made some suggestions for the improvement of the bill, but was definitively supportive. Secondly, my bill has strong allies in the Senate, where it currently awaits a vote. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey first introduced legislation related to toxic chemical control in 2005, and has been fighting for the idea continually. 

On the 17th of November, there was a hearing about the bill. I was able to find the video of the hearing online. Lautenberg opened with remarks about the bill's history. He explained that he'd talked to Republicans about making the bill bipartisan, and talked to Chemical Industry companies about their suggestions, too. He also said that most of the Democrats on the Committee for Environment and Public Works have become cosponsors of the legislation. There are 12 cosponsors in total. In fact, OpenCongress does not list any organizations currently opposing the bill! Despite all this, major chemical companies are not in full support of the bill. In the November 17th hearing, American Chemistry Council President and CEO Cal Dooley talked about his problems with the Safe Chemicals Act. He said that the bill "remains very similar to the bill which was introduced in 2010, which we consider unworkable." Most of his problems with the bill hinged on the tough standards for data and regulation, many of which would be difficult for the EPA and chemical industries to meet. However, he seemed to be willing to work with Lautenberg and other senators to make the bill more workable.

I know a lot about the history of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which the Safe Chemicals Act would override, and know that the chemical industry played a large part in writing that bill. I am worried that the Safe Chemicals Act could go the same way as it's predecessor, and end up as a basically useless measure. For this reason, I need to advocate for the bill in its current, strong form.

Although there are twelve senators cosponsoring the legislation, none of those senators are from Pennsylvania. I can write to Bob Casey and ask him to cosponsor the bill, or at least to pledge his support. I could also write to Pat Toomey, but I am doubtful that he will support the legislation. I recently saw an advertisement of his that was paid for by the petroleum industry. I was not able to find the ad online, but did find an article about the American Petroleum Institute's advertisements for Toomey and various other candidates. This makes me think that Pat Toomey cares more about big companies and industries than environmental or citizen health. I can still write to him, and explain my position.

When I first started to research the Safe Chemicals Act, I found the website Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. This site is an effort to pass legislation like the Safe Chemicals Act, and they have a sign-up for interested citizens. I already gave them my email, so I will be receiving updates on the bill's progress and opportunities to help. I also can write a letter to my Senators through their website. The website even has their own celebrity: Jessica Alba is working to push the Safe Chemicals Act through Congress!

One of the features on their website allows visitors to send a message to senators Casey and Toomey. I have not decided whether to send the senators a message through the website, or whether to send them one on my own. Either way, I will certainly be adding my voice to the many who call for the Safe Chemicals Act to be passed. 

I was not able to find any upcoming dates for meetings, committee hearings, deadlines, or anything like that. However, during the November 17th hearing, Senator Lautenberg said that he would be calling for a vote in the Senate soon. Because of this, I need to act now! At the moment, the only person I can influence in particular is Senator Bob Casey, by asking him to cosponsor the bill. I think that, with enough pressure from Pennsylvanians, Casey would support the bill. Pat Toomey, on the other hand, will probably not. I can still send him a message, to show my beliefs.

Love or Logic.

 

In,

out,

in,

out.

The blood flows in, then out, then in, and out again. It never stops. I’m always here. I support you. I keep you healthy. I keep you...alive!

 

(Silence)

 

So why…when I simply try to help the girl along, do you say no? Why must you constantly say no to my ideas/shoot me down?! She loves him! So when I say go ahead, do what I say, I know what’s right…. must you tell her to “stay strong”!?

Your idea of moving on, is turning the other cheek, simple as that.

It’s not that simple though! You don’t know love! The pain to  “Keep her head up”,  and have every other friend tell her ..:” Well next time it will be better…”, to move on...get over it. It hurts!

 (Screaming with anger)

She doesn’t want to! Can’t you feel her crying those tears every night!

(Speaker get’s quieter, calmer)

I can…They’re for him. She loves him. Let her love him...please?

I’m begging you…I rarely do that. you usually are right, but this is different.

It’s love. I know love, I breathe it, feel it, live it.

(Takes a moment, as if they’re listening to someone, rolls eyes after.)

Okay, so yeah you’re the “mother board” ( actually do the quotes sign here), the big commodity around here, I get that. But maybe you don’t know everything! Maybe I’m right this time. Love is my thing, and it’s clear she’s in love with him. Yes, yes, I hear you, I know he hurt her, but maybe he’s changed. Maybe he’s a better person now. People change all the time. What if he’s the one? And your getting in the way of that, your telling her to walk away. You could be ruining it for her!

 

( stops to listen, as if someone else is talking, then madly replys)

No, Of course I don’t like seeing her get hurt, how could you even say that!

But pain is a part of everything, especially love!

As long as she makes the right decision ….the pain will be worth it.

I think he cares. Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe your right, but look at her, when she hears his name, her eyes light up, even I get excited…

So maybe this one time, I am right, maybe this time she can listen to me, people tell her to listen to her heart, they’re right. So you’re the brain, logic isn’t always right…love isn’t about logic…it’s about so much more than that.

 

Even if I am wrong, it won’t have happened for nothing, because if she doesn’t go after him now, she’ll always wonder. It’s better to know, and not regret what could’ve happened. If she doesn’t learn this lesson with him, she’ll learn it with another guy. That’s what life’s about…It’s the lessons you learn, and not the things you could have done. It’s everything you did.

 

“10 seconds that seemed like 10 years”

 

The screams of the audience, the cries of love ones and family. The burning light above shining down on my body. Sweat and blood dripping off my skin. Gloves colliding with muscle and skin. There I am exchanging punches in the ring. All my months of training, all my dedication, all my time devoted to this fight risking my health and my body all being tested to its maximum limit. A minute and half into the 8^th round. I can barley lift my arms, my heart racing and my body swollen from the brutality torture in which I put it through. I grew angry and I lost all since of control all sense of deplaned I went back to the streets I swing a vicious left hook and I missed and the other man landing a titanic blow to my right temple sending me to the floor. The right side of my face is just a loud ring like a land mind that went off and exploded an eardrum. My whole face went dumb and im laying there on the ground as everyone stands and my carrier flashes before me as the ref counts. A million and one thoughts ran my through my destroyed mind. Time seemed to stop and I lay there covered in blood, sweat and tears. My perfect carrier 34 victories and 0 defeats. Was this it? Is this the end of my perfect record? My vision blurring and the loud ring still not allowing me to hear accurate. I try to find the ropes to get back out but the ropes seemed to be a thousand miles away. I start to remember my past fights. My father, mother, brother, family, and wife everything hits me. Like being hit with a thousand jabs aiming right for my face. I start to grow angry with my self because I threw everything that I learn away just because I got angry. The voice of my father begins to fill my mind. Everything else just fades away and im in the ring with my dad in the corner. Im shadowing while my father is telling me what to do. My hands are just a blur with my lighting speed. My body just cuts threw the wind as I move and wave back and fourth. My father tells me that it’s not about winning or losing but about giving it your all. That’s when suddenly, my vision came back to me and I can hear the ref screaming 5. Five, five more seconds are left in order for me to get up and im still lying on my stomach. I grab the 3^rd rope and I fight to get up but my body is refusing me to. Seven! The refer says as im only on the second rope. The other guy is in his corner laughing and already giving a victory taunt to the crowd as if he won already. “Nine!” And im on my feet grabbing the ref as im telling him im ok and ready to fight again. The ref stops and gives me the “okay” to fight. The other fighter stands in amazement and disbelief that I got back up after the titanic blow. My eyes rage with fire and determination as my father screams in my corner and I hear my mother and wife screaming my name in the crowd. I banged my gloves together and I walk into the middle like a tank ready to run him over. He hits me a few times but I no longer feel pain. Im a beast, a beast ready to kill. I take a lot of hits not trading back. My father screaming to hit back but I know what im doing. I stand there letting him hit me as he laughs. Then, my mind snap and I duck on one of his hook and I come right off the ground with a furious upper cut sending him back and I connect with a right hook sending him to the ropes and I just unleash hell on his body not giving him not even a second to collect his though to see nothing. I gave him hell in less than mille second I want to kill him I want to finish him off until he falls and the ref holds me back and sends me to my corner. I have won, I had came back from near defeat, I have over come my fears I have proven everyone wrong I have won this amazing fight…

i put some of my favorite artist which are : lil wayne, Drake, Biggie small and Kanye West.
My favorite sport team are: the eagles, sixers and ACMILAN
and i will share some of my favorite quotes and lyrics.Also i will talk about the picture of me in biochem

¡Saludos desde Filadelfia! 

¡Hola! ¿Soy jian qué tal? Soy mas o menos. Mi cumpleaños es el venti ocho de abril y tengo quince años. Soy de China, pero vivo en Filadelfie por dos años. Me gusta ciencias, videojuegos y escuchar a la música. ¿Qué tipo de musica escucha? No me gusta nada E-mail, la television o de trabajar.
Me gusta mucho los libros de comico, sin embargo mi usar un poquito. Me gusta leer los libros, de cocinar y surfear la red en estar de vago con amigos. Filadelfia es una ciudad entre la ciudad de Nueva York y la capital DC. Filadelfie es un ciudad increiblemente bonito. Quiero saber mas de ti, ¿como qué música te gusta escuchar? ¿qué te interesa?
¡Responde cuando puedas! ¡adios!

Con cariño, jian
http://www.visitphilly.com/

¡Hola! Me llamo Alyssa yo viva en Filadelphia, ¿y tú? Es una ciudad bastante grande. Se conoce como "La ciudad de Amor Fraternal". Hace calor en el verano, hace fresco en el otoño, hace lloviendo en la primavera y hace mucho frío en el invierno. Mi familia es mas ó menos grande. Tengo una hermana se llama Emma y una hermano se llamo John, es muy muy molestóno. ¿Cuanto ay en tú familia? Mi familia es de decendencia europea. Tengo quience años y mi compleaños es el vientiseis de agosto. 

¡Sadie es mi mejor amiga! Los fines de semana me gusta domir también de vez en cuando cocinar. Me gusta platicar con amigas y practico deportes tales como soccer (fútbol). No me gusta nada cantar y leer o sola. ¡Tengo encanta hablar me amigos y amigas! Y como si fuera poca mi habladora y loca y boba y rubia! ¿Qúe te gusta hacer? ¡Yo quiero saber mas sober de ti!

P.S. Añádeme en Facebook (Alyssa Winner) y Twitter (@winalot21).

Mi!

Mi amig@ Bryanna, Haneef, Khadija, y Amani. :)

Me encanta Trey Songz.

I am Christopher, a spy on vacation to have the chance of experiencing the life of a high school student. This would be a hard process for me but I love challenges. There is obviously nothing wrong with a 26 year old in a freshmen class. I had the choice to choice between 4 of the grades but I want the whole experience. From the beginning to the end I want to see how it feels.

Shoes tied tight, pants on tight snap back on. I wanted to blend in. The only thing that made me different was this 5 O’clock shadow. But I could just be a early bloomer. The bell rang I got to my first class. All I have to say is wow. I think this will be a good time. First class, was so easy. I mean all we did was talk to my teacher about who I am. It was heard to make up a lie and keep with it for the whole day. I swore today I am like 10 different people to many of my teachers. But they won’t ever find my true Identity. Class went on everything was a breeze. Then lunchtime came. Since I was new to this school I didn’t know anyone. But since I wasn’t the only one that was feeling this way it was easier to make some friends. I saw this kid sitting on the table just staring at his shoes. I decided to go up to him and said “Hey nice shoes”. He responded with a nicely said thank you. After that I decided to start a conversation with him. We basically just talked about video games girls and fighter. It seemed to be that my new friend and I (Rick James) had a lot in common. Besides our dislikes we are very alike. Rick James was from Europe. Melbourne, Australia. I always wanted to go there, but you know being a full time spy I don’t have for those types of vocations. There is actually a good reason why I am being a high school student except for the experience. It seems that there is another spy doing the same I am and is attended the same high school I go to. The current high school is called LHhs (Lion house high school). Pretty small school, but I seem to love it. Lunch ended, and it was time for my next class. All I heard was screaming a chanting. Me being a spy, I get my guard up and hold onto my gun. I was about to pull it out, but I then noticed that I’m still in school, so the only possible thing I could do at this moment is hide. So under the table I went. It was such a awkward moment because I was the only one moving. My teacher then soon told me that it was only a small fight about to break out, but everything is under control now. My school day ended and I decided to go home and do research on this Rick James dude, just in case he is not apart of my mission. My heart started bursting up, loud breather is all I hear. It seems that Rick James is a European spy that was sent to get the files of the government. The files that he is looking for is files about the U.S spy system (USSS). Once he gets a hold of this, he can and will just conquer the untied states and put us in a big war. I knew I couldn’t have a fight with out a good night sleep so sleeping I go.

7:00 out and on my way to school. I went thought my day like usually. I saw Rick James and confronted him. Everything I said was correct. Since this was a high school we took this like high school students. We had a street fight. But this time we will be fighting until the end. We called out bosses over to watch from afar. The goal of this fight is if Rick wins then I have to back down. But if I win he has to back down. The bell rings we being to fight. 2 punches fly on me, but I took it and countered. Once I got a hold of him he was done. And I did. All you saw was a quick jab to the eye and down goes Rick.

            Rick has fallen back now, and my high school life continues on because I would still love to have this feeling, also I just solved my case.

​I heard the crowd loudly roaring on their feet. The noise was bothering me.  I was shaking on the inside, but on the outside my body was as still as a tree.  I hated playing away from home. I tried not to tell my self what the game meant. Game 7 of the World Series, we we’re up by one run, with two outs, and the bases loaded. Skipper put that rookie Hernandez on the hill, to try and finish it. I put down one finger telling the kid to throw a fastball.

 

Strike one.

 

Next pitch, I put down four fingers telling him to throw the change. I really wanted to fool the hitter here. Pitch was right on the inside corner. I remember the loud yell from the ump.

 

“Strrrrike Twooo!”

 

I looked over at the batter. He was kind of shot and pretty skinny. I knew he was one of his team’s fastest players. He could hit too according the scouting report all though he was in a slump during the series. I looked over at their base runners, then back at the pitcher.

 

The ballpark was silent. I put down two fingers signaling for him to throw his breaking ball. He wound up, with the season on the line. Nervous fans were on their feet, one strike away. The atmosphere was electric. The pitch was on its way. It was coming in at about 74 mph, yet it felt like it was coming towards me slower.

 

The ball curved sharply downward into the dirt. The ump called it low and outside. I had to leave the crouch to block the ball. I looked the base runner back to third.

 

One ball, and two strikes was the count on the batter. I threw down one finger for the fastball once again. I just wanted the kid to throw a strike so maybe we could get a groundball or something.

 

“Come on kid.” I kept thinking.

 

The pitch came in. It was a ball way inside. The batter did an overly dramatic jump out of the box, to show the ump how inside it was.

 

Two balls, two strikes on the hitter. Opposing fans started getting a little bit more rowdy.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted him to throw. I ended up putting down two fingers yet again, signaling another breaking ball. My heart was pumping a mile a minute. The pitch crossed the plate. The hitter checked his swing.

 

It was a full count and I couldn’t believe the ump called that just outside.

 

I ask the ump for time. I could sense the nervousness in the kid. I ran out to the mound, our Skipper right behind me.

Skipper was asking us “What do you feel comfortable throwing him right now?”

The kid told him he thought his fastball or changeup could work. It was also a shock to hear him talk because he had such a thick Dominican accent. Skipper looked over at me for my point of view. I told him that I liked the changeup in this situation. The hitter had to be expecting the heat with a full count, so why not give him the slow stuff to fool him. The ump ran out behind us. He told us to finish up our meeting.

 

Everyone went back to their positions. I threw down my four fingers, which told him to throw the changeup. He went into the stretch. The runners took off.

 

The pitch was a hard hit grounder, towards the shortstop. The runner sprinted out of the batter’s box there was almost no chance to get him at first. I knew the throw was coming towards me. I touched the plate with my foot, knowing that there was a force at any base.

 

I heard people on both sides yelling, “Home, home, throw it home.”  

 

It all came down to this. The runner was barreling towards me. I was so scared yet so focused on what would be the outcome of the play. He stuck his head down toward my chest. The ball was almost in my glove. As the ball hit my glove, I felt as if a freight train had just hit me. I fell back, as the runner fell forward. The wind was beyond knocked out of me. I heard the ump yell something, but the call just blurred out. And then the rest just blacked out. I don’t know how many hours have passed by since all this. I’m really anxious. Can you please tell me what happened?

 

(Door opens and bell ring)

Ms. Brown, now I know that you said I couldn’t come back to your motel, but I have nowhere else to go. (Sigh) If you turn me away I will freeze, it’s 12:00 in the morning and it’s cold outside. It’s not even my fault that I got kicked out of the house this time. Someone, which is my brother,  set me up I just know it. If I tell you what happened will you then let me stay? (Pause)

 

(Walk back and forth) Ok, so I was in my room dancing and singing to my favorite song by Chris Brown, until my mom came in my room. “Joesy, I’m out with a couple of friends so look after your brother until I get back. Oh, and make sure that nothing happens to my crystal my mom gave to me.” When she left I continued to dance and sing. My little brother Joshua came to me saying that he was hungry so I went downstairs with him. He was in a playful mood that he almost knocked over the crystal so I yelled and told him to sit down. After I got him something to eat I went back upstairs. I was minding my own business, when Joshua came to my room again. “ Josey I want a twinkie. Give me a twinkie!” I told him that we didn’t have anymore but he kept saying that we did because the box was on top of the refrigerator. I told him that there was nothing in the box so he got mad. Twenty minutes later I hear a crash downstairs, so I run down to the living room to see what it was. And I see that mom’s crystal was on the floor broken into a million pieces. I panicked and started to pick the pieces up when my mom came through the door.  “AAHH!! Why would you do this to me? I told you to make sure that nothing happens to my crystal and I come back and see this.” “But mom, I didn’t do this, Jousha did.” “I can’t believe that you would blame your little brother for something you’ve done.” “But mom I…” “Stop no more excuses. I can’t take this anymore with you arguing with me or getting into trouble. I’m just done! Get out of my house.” “Mom, you’re going to kick me out because your crystal is broken?” ”No, I’m kicking you out because I’m tired of your drama. You’re always getting into fights, arguing with people, and getting put away. So get out my house.”

 

After we argued I went to my room to pack my things when Joshua came back in my room smiling and laughing. And before I left I tried to tell my mom that it wasn’t me but she didn’t want to hear it. I went to some of my other friends’ houses but their mom don’t like me but I know that you do so that’s why I’m here now. Hoping that you will help me.

 

So can I please stay, I promise that I won’t bother your costumers. I won’t even be here in the daytime; only at night to go to sleep. (Pause) Ok…fine (gets mad) let me go out in the cold to freeze. No shelter, no heat, no food. I thought you would be different from the others but I see that you’re exactly the same. (turns around goes to door then stops)

 

(speaks to herself) Why don’t people like me? I try to do everything for them and they treat me like this. I feel alone, like no one cares. And here I am trying to get help from someone, who I thought I could trust but looks like I can’t. I might as well just steal a key to get a room. That’s it! Why stay outside in the cold when I can just steal a key and be warm. Wait…No… I can’t… she trust me and so does her daughter. We’ve been best friends since 1^st grade. I can’t do this to her, to them. What am I going to do? I try to do everything right but it always seems to come back to bite me. (Cries a little)

 

(turns around to see if she’s still there) You’re really going to send me out there in the cold? What kind of an adult are you? And out of all people, out of the whole world, I thought that at least you would see where I’m coming from. (Mrs. Brown holds up a key) Are you serious? You are giving me a key to a room? (hugs) Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m sorry about what I said earlier, I didn’t mean I, I was just mad that’s all. I promise that I’ll pay you for the all the time I stay. Matter of fact (gets money and hands to Ms. Brown) here is some money for this week.

 

(walks away to room)