The holder, because the buyer willingly gave the holder the ticket, automatically giving the holder all benefits of the ticket. What’s the point of giving the holder the ticket if the buyer gets the prize? If you want the prize, keep the ticket.

These kids look like their from a straight-up Indiana Jones movie. These kids are hard core. But do they really care? As I’ve talked about in posts prior to this one, people in desperate poverty are used to their condition. I think the same goes for Kid Soldiers. Who said kids shouldn’t be put to work? Who said kids everywhere have to have the same role? These kids are being treated the same as the adult soldiers, but no one complains about them. These kids have been in poverty their whole life, so why not let them earn some money? It may not seem like much to us, but how would you feel if you had spent your last dollar on a new Xbox game, and someone just gave you another $50 to buy another one? Personally, I think kids in America are plain spoiled. Sure, we mow the lawn for a few extra dollars, but that doesn’t affect us in the long run. Because after we mow the lawn, we take a nice shower then go and watch some TV. Pathetic. So what’s so wrong with kid soldiers? And why is it our business anyway?

Greg is not really qualified to give this promise to Haji Ali, considering now not only is he stuck in this village, but he has given all of his supplies to the villagers that helped him as gifts. For all he knows, his fate could be staying in this village forever, living in poverty with these people. He may have never gotten back to America to gather money and supplies to fulfill his promise of building a school. I’m sure I’ve made plenty of broken promises in my life, but no one in particular is sticking out to me. So I’m going to share my philosophy of promises with you. I think promises are completely pointless, but can also represent something deep and meaningful. Yep, that’s actually what I think. There are the pointless promises that are lighthearted and meaningless, like “Hey, mom, let me go to the movies, and I proooomise that I’ll be home by ten.” Yeah, right. And then there are promises like, ‘Haji Ali, I PROMISE I will build you a school.” See the difference? One is made absentmindedly, and one is rock solid. My take on it is, if you’re going to make a promise, make it with confidence. Make sure it’s something that you can accomplish with a sense of pride and not shake off when it isn’t fulfilled. In my opinion, a good promise is one that breaks your heart if not kept. Now, I don’t think failure is something to dwell on, so make another promise next time that you can get done.

Well, I guess now I’m supposed to explain where my ancestors came from, why they came, and when they came, but quite frankly, I haven’t the slightest clue. So I’m going to improvise. Many immigrants came to this country because resources were low in their old country, or there were too many people, or some nasty disease broke out. Basically, something was wrong over yonder, so they had to get out a.s.a.p. Or maybe their wasn’t a real problem at all. Maybe our ancestors just wanted to start out on a clean slate. Maybe they wanted to start a family in a new place and let their children discover it alongside them. You see it in the movies all the time. The little Southern Belle wants to move to New York city to become a Broadway star. Well, maybe back then they didn’t want to become famous, but they came to a place for something it had. You’ve surely heard of the Gold Rush? Exhibit A. Obviously, these immigrants were some brave souls to make the long journey for something that isn’t guaranteed to work out, but I guess if you have your mind set to something, it could happen quite easily.

Life has many big questions. There are the familiar rhetorical questions, like “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” or “Why did the chicken cross the road?.” Although both ironically about livestock, here’s one on a different note. Is the grass truly greener on the other side? I think it depends on your piece of mind and where you are. If you live in good ol’ Z-ville, the grass is looking pretty yellow in, say, Kenya. But for those over in Africa, they wouldn’t mind a nice bubble bath a bit. It’s also debatable that those in poverty in Africa may not know how green the grass is here. They’re accustomed to their ways and may not even know what to wish for. For all I know, they could think the whole world lives in the same conditions as them. But even the greedy rich kids here in my town want more than what they have. Now I don’t want to sound cliche, but most people really don’t appreciate their life style. It seems the more people have, the more they want. Those homeless people you make fun of on the street would probably kiss you on the mouth if you gave them the $20 you would spend at McDonald’s anyway. So, I guess I’m done now, and I’m sorry that I didn’t answer the question this whole thing was supposed to be about. But hey, I had the laptop to to type this post and make you think, and I feel pretty grateful right about now.

When Alyssa’s new baby sister dies, she moves into an apartment with her newly-depressed mother while her father flees, changes schools, and decides to become more of a rebel. She refuses to respond to Alyssa Reed anymore – it’s strictly Blister. She decides to take on a new wardrobe (stolen from her dad’s new girlfriend), and a raw personality no one can ignore. Look out world – Here comes Blister.

In Chew on This, one will be completely amazed and totally grossed out at the secrets behind fast food. You’ll meet the 15-year old who invented the hamburger, and discover how french fries are often shot through a super-powered gun. Do you know what makes your drink pink? Here’s a hint: it has legs. If you want to know what really goes on at your neighborhood McDonald’s, and what lurks between those two sesame seed buns, read this book.

Wicked is one of the very best books I’ve ever read. Although I only suggest it for very mature readers, it has a great plot. Everyone freaks out when Elphaba, who is soon to become the Wicked Witch of the West, is born with green skin and super sharp teeth. Her mother then becomes depressed and starts having an affair with a foreigner. Elphaba soon grows up and enrolls at Shiz University, where she is forced to be “roomies” with Galinda, the Gillikinese rich girl. Then Nessarose, Elphie’s armless sister, Elphaba, and Galinda are asked to become secret rulers over Oz. I don’t want to reveal too much of what happens, but the world of Oz seems to be much different than what is described in the classic novel and movie. In the land where animals and Animals are two completely different creatures, and the Tin Man is a victim of domestic violence, who knows what will happen next?

A few days ago, an author named David Lubar came to talk to the sixth grade at ZMS about his books.  I expected him to be old, dull, and boring, as you would think most authors would be. But no. He was so cool! he spoke to us like he was a kid himself! He didn’t use 23-letter words that none of us had ever heard of. He actually spoke to us in ’6th grader language!’ I had only read one of Mr. Lubar’s stories before he visited, and it was a very dark and gloomy story, which lead me to my assumptions. But after he spoke to us, I found out he was mostly a comedy writer, which explained a lot. I really hope he comes again, because not only did he provide an excuse to get out of math and science class, he was cool!!

Akeelah and the Bee is a really great movie about Akeelah, the main character, who goes to an Urban middle school that has a bad reptation for fights and low grades and test scores. Akeelah has never missed a word on a spelling test, but doesn’t even study. She inspires the school to start having an anual spelling bee, which she wins without surprise. Akeelah eventually makes it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with the help of her coach. While making some new friends, and enemies, on the way, Akeelah overcomes the stress of Spelling Bees and ultimately brings her family closer together.