Karma Goes Hard
Draven Chavous
See, if someone has ever told you that karma can come back
to you, I’m saying right now, you better believe them. Because, I know karma and
you don’t want to meet her.
This is how the story goes. I was 13 years old when I met
this girl named Samara. She was a kind of short girl, long Pantene Pro-V hair,
and she had a nice tan body. I met her at this party I went to with a couple of
my friends. At this party we started talking; the talking led to dancing, which
eventually led to me getting her number. Sounds funny right?
Well, here’s the catch. Before the party me and my friends
made a little bet. The bet was to see who can come out the party with the most
numbers. Samara didn’t know this, well at least not yet. Oh yeah, by the way I
lost the bet.
When I got home that night I was contemplating whether or
not to tell her. While I was there I was saying to myself na’ that wouldn’t be too good. So I called her and asked her if she wanted to hang out the next day.
So we were hanging out, we went to a place called Tompkins
Square Park. There are three parks there. We went to the one everyone called
the baby park. While we were there I saw one of my friends that were with me at
the party.
He said to me “Ayo Prim, what’s good?”
I responded “chilling.”
Then he asked me “Hey, isn’t that the bet from the party?”
I told him “Shut up, I’ll holla at you later, nice and
neat iyyiyy!”
Then we got to talking, and she was asking me all these
questions about the bet. She told me
“Draven, what’s this bet?” She ended up
getting it out of me. Then as soon as I finished telling her she got up,
smacked me, and she left.
Thinking back to this now I feel real stupid. Now I
realize that betting on girls is a stupid thing to do. Like in the beginning it
might sound fun, but in the end you’re the one that ends up bad. This is why I
believe that karma comes back to you real hard. I say this because I know karma
and when she comes back she comes hard.
Being Shy Is Good
Francisco Contreras
I
believe it’s alright to be shy because if you have a friend on the first day of
school and they get in trouble they might blame it on you. I think if you don’t
want to be shy it’s your decision not to be shy.
I heard an alarm clock. It was the
sound that summer has officially ended; it was my first time going to second
grade. My mom woke up and then she came over to me and took off my bed sheets
to get me up. I was seven years old and I still needed to be dressed by my
mother. My mom went outside to cook breakfast. I was inside watching “Barnie.”
My mom came in and told me to go out side to the dinner table to eat breakfast.
We ate breakfast and left to go to school. I asked my mom, “Where is my school
Mommy?” And the convenient thing was that I lived right across the street from
it.
My mom said, “You’re looking at
the school ,silly,” She wanted me to look at the school, but the problem was
that I was looking for it even though it was right in front of me.
We went inside and the school
principal was asking for names she asked me, “What’s your name little boy?”
“I don’t give my name to strangers
miss, sorry,” I said
“No, no I’m your new principal,”
she said.
So I give her my name and my
teacher’s name was Mrs. Anton. I went to her class and we started class right
away. I was the only one that was last to come. She started class with a
question.
She asked, “How many of you are
shy?” I was surprised that I was the only one that raised my hand. It came to
lunch time and I was eating by myself and I had no one to talk to. Then some
guys came up to me and ask me if they could sit with me and I said yeah. I was
having so much fun that I almost forgot to take my book bag at the end of the
day. I went home with a super big smile and I told my mom about the best day I
ever had. There was one thing that always stuck with me until this day. My
teacher looked like my cousin and she knew my name and I didn’t even have to tell
her. Oh well, she was the best teacher I ever had (yet).
The Day I Got Jumped
Marc
Espinosa
I believe that no kid should see
death and be beaten half to death. I believe no kid should ever see the truth,
especially the truth they can’t handle. Here’s my proof.
When I was with my uncle, he kept
stressing me too stay quiet. You see we weren’t in a place we call our turf. We
mostly lived where the Bloods (gang) were, and now we were in Crip (gang)
territory. Everyone was grilling (staring with a mean look) us like they were
the jefes
(chief or big time player) around here. Their look was like a wolf with blood
shot eyes, patient, waiting for the prey to make one false move and then quick
and precise, slice.
We made sure they stood where they
belonged. When my uncle sent me back to the BMW, I quickly glanced back seeing
him take out a switchblade. He tried not to look suspicious, but it didn’t
matter. They knew what was coming. Slice, blood spurted it looked like a hose
going out of control. I was frightened more than ever. All I could think was
not my uncle, not my uncle, please not my uncle.
“Uncle, no,” I screamed with both
fear and rage, both filling my body to a point that I was paralyzed. I quickly
tried to get out the car. I saw my uncle on the floor. One of the crew members
screamed, “You killed my mothaf****** compay.” I attempted yet again to get out
the car and run. By the time I got myself to move it was too late. I was caught
in the headlock and getting pound to the chest, already coughing out a
gargantuan amount of blood. I got sent to the floor getting kicked to my
ribs.
I was in extraordinary pain. My
non-blood tio saw me. BOOM a gun
crackles. I see a dead man hovering over me. I quickly roll to evade. “Are you
ok,” a faint voice said. I realize it was my non- blood tio.
“Yea, I’m okay,” I said with agony
in my voice. “I’ve had worst beatings.” Then with every last energy I had, I
tackle this guy. That I thought I could handle. I was totally wrong. This guy
had speed. Punch to my jaw, punch to my ribs, punch to my chest, and finally to
end it all a punch straight to my jaw. I hit the floor, knocked out cold.
Now, when I feel like I’m going to
fight I go without all confidence. I thought I truly died, but obviously I’m
still alive telling you my story. I only think of one thing now: I should have
run when I had the chance.
Everyone Is Equal
Onix Graciani
I believe that everyone is equal.
My brother
was in town. We were taking a family trip up to I-hop. He had just picked me up
and we were on our way to pick up his wife. There was really nothing to talk
about so I asked, “Who ya gana vote for?”
“Don’t
know,” he says, “if you could vote, who would you vote for?”
“Obama, of
course!” I said.
“Why?”
Then for the
next 15 minutes we argued about what Obama’s stance was about everything. But
in the last minute, there was still something on my brother’s mind.
“What about
his stance on gay rights? He thinks its ok, right?”
“Yea, does
it matter?”
What makes
us think that gay people are wrong to be gay? What makes us think that people
of a different race are wrong to do this, or people of a different religion are
not teaching what God wants us to know? It’s not only with these things either.
There are people in schools that get ridiculed because they are too skinny, or
too fat, or too smart, or not smart enough. Who gave us the right to judge
other people?
In my
opinion, we don’t have the right to judge other people. Only God has the right
to judge us. What do I mean by this? Just live life however you want to live
life. Don’t make fun of other people just because they are different and don’t
pay any mind to those who want to bring you down. What if being strong made you
different. What if not being gay made you different? You would know how it
feels to be messed around with and not taken seriously.
My brother
and I just kept arguing.
“What gives
us the right to judge other people!” I half shouted.
“Well the
Bible teaches us not to be gay,” he replied.
“Okay, but
didn’t God make us as an image of himself? So, doesn’t that mean he can change
his mind too?”
“It’s…”
Nothing was
said after that. His wife was done with the conversation.
“You know
Sesaley began to believe Orlando after some persuading!”
“Well,
she’s not as strong willed as me!” was my only reply.
When people
think of different they normally think that the person doesn’t fall into
stereotypes. Well, I believe that everyone can be whoever they want to be, no
matter how small or how short, or how fat or how skinny. It doesn’t matter. Be
happy and live life to the fullest knowing you did all you can do.
Responsibility the Size of a Hamster
Nicholas Peralta
It all started with “Can I have a
hamster?” I was about 9 years old. I thought it would be awesome to have a
hamster. They are a big responsibility, though, but I thought I was ready. So
did my mother.
It was a warm Saturday afternoon
when my mother and I went to the pet shop. As we walked there, I thought of how
the hamsters would look. When we first entered, we were greeted by a medium
sized man. I assumed he was the shopkeeper and asked him if he had any hamsters
for sale. He answered, “Yes, they are located upstairs. Follow me.” My mother and I traded glances, and then took
off after the guy. As we went up the
stairs I could hear a parrot screeching, and metal bars being hit. I told
myself that the bird is probably trying to get out of its cage. As we entered,
the same bird I could have sworn I saw downstairs with the storekeeper was upstairs
pecking at one of the cages. I ran to it and shooed it away. I looked inside
the cage that the bird was recently pecking and saw two little hamsters. I read
the tag on the cage and it said “Black Bear Hamsters, two males.” I looked
behind me and said, “These are the ones!”
When I turned back to the hamsters, I glanced at there little black eyes
and I already knew that these two were going to be a lot of work. As they grew
up in my house they needed a lot of my attention most of the time or else they would
go crazy. I learned a lot from having them as pets. I learned responsibility,
knowledge on their way of living, and how to care for them. In conclusion, I believe that little things
such as animals, electronics, and human beings, and other important items or
living things can really be a lot of responsibility.
I Believe the DJ Has the Blunt
Jorge Quiroz
“Yo, Papi,
turn dat joint up!” a girl from the block signaled for John to turn up the
already loud enough music coming from his Nissan. He did so, half sitting
inside of his car he proceeded to literally crunk the music up.
I’ve never
taken drugs before but I don’t think any drug can get you as high as music
bombarding your head and your body being one with the beat. Music and parties
are my addiction. They are a good kind of addiction one that doesn’t cause harm
to you or your environment.
“Yo Jorge
dis is ma homegurl Nessi,” my friend Chris said to me with the intention of
introducing his beautiful friend to me.
I’ve
overcame the fear that most boys have, the fear of girls. I’ve tried to not be
shy nor nervous around girls and up to this day it was going fine but let me
tell you, I wish I had put on more deodorant that day because this girl was
making me nervous. She was gorgeous, had eyes that burned right through me.
“So u gonna
stand here all day, or we gonna go make sum happen?” Nessi asked. It was a rhetorical question
because she did not expect an answer, instead she pulled my arm. I let my body free
and follow her arm. She pulled me on to the middle of the block, which was now
a dance floor. She put my right arm up in the air and put her other hand on her
knee while she bent over. She was facing away but I could still communicate
with her. With each drop of the bass on the reggaeton song we talked to each
other with our bodies. I would call this moment the famous “high” that so many
people talk about. I felt the drum in the song pounding my heart, I felt
Nessi’s pulse beating with mine, I felt the incredible vibe of this Halloween
block party.
I believe
music is a drug, an addiction, a gift, a way to enjoy life and not harm
anything or anyone.
Unfortunately
this block party came to an end but the memories of the incredible feelings and
the happiness that this party put fourth into my community will always be with
me. I believe I found a new addiction.
The Parade of Puerto Rican Pride
Gadriel Rivera
I was
surrounded by people screaming and blowing whistles. It was crazy. I was on the
sidewalk wearing my Puerto Rican clothes, which was a Puerto Rican graffiti
shirt with jeans and with my Puerto Rican Converse. I was at the Puerto Rican
Day Parade, which starts from 48th street and ends on 86th street and 5th Ave. I looked to my left and I saw a whole bunch
of people waving the Puerto Rican flag in the air and screaming, "Puerto
Rico!"
When I
woke up that morning it was a beautiful day, the sky was out and it was a hot
day. When I got out of my bed I smelled something so good in the air. So I went
to the kitchen to find my mom cooking bacon-eggs-cheese sandwiches.
I said, "Good morning!" to my mom
and asked, "What was the food for?"
She said, "It’s breakfast
silly!" she said with a smile.
I said, "Ohh yeah,
breakfast!" sarcastically.
After I
finished the great breakfast I asked my mom, "What are we going to do
today?"
She said, "We are going to
the Puerto Rican Day Parade today."
"It's today." I said so surprised.
"Yes it’s today?" Mom
said. "Now go take a shower and get dressed once you done."
So I
hopped in the shower. Once I was finished I got dressed and put on my Puerto
Rican clothing on. I went to the living room and called, "Ready!" to
my mom.
She said, "You look like you
are about to go to a party."
"Well, you
never know what might happen!" I said with a smirk on my face.
"We'll,
leave in a second!" my mom said.
"Okay," I said.
I went to the
bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came out I saw my mom wearing her graffiti shirt
but hers had a Pina Colada picture in the front with jeans and a pair of shoes.
"Ready?" I asked my mom.
"Let’s
go," she said.
We left my
house and went downstairs. I got outside and I saw a lot of people waving the Puerto
Rican flag in the air. My mom and I walked to where the parade was at.
"Wow!" was all I could I say because right in front of me were
about a hundred people there.
"Stay
close to me." my mom said.
"Okay." I said.
We moved to
the front just to get a better view. We got to the front and one thing that
caught my eyes were the people in the parade. I saw some kids waving the Puerto
Rican flag. I looked up to the sky and saw it was a clear day. I then looked back at the floats. This one
float had a whole bunch of palm trees around it. It looked magnificent. I
turned to my mom and she gave me a hug and whispered, "Puerto Rico,"
in my ear. I smiled and looked around. I
believe that I am not the only Puerto Rican who loves his own culture as much
as I do. I looked to the left and right of me and thought, "Nothing can
change my culture because when I looked around I see a lot of people who have
the same culture as me," I
thought with confidence.
"Puerto Rico," was what we said.
When I look
back to that day, I still have that energy inside of me and every time I think
back to that moment when everyone around me has the same culture as me I feel
confident to show who I am, Gadriel Rivera, to the world.
The Big Question
Henry
Romero
I believe maturity can change me.
“It’s your choice,” my mom said.
What to do? I had no clue. I could
stay at St. Patrick’s or I could go to a new school. I did not know what
to do. What to chose, what to choose? If I go to a new school I will have to
start all over, and then I will need to make new friends. So many things to
look at, what if they bother me?
This is confusing, but at NMC
people look friendly. At Nativity, they have basketball hoops, pool, ping pong
and three recesses but no gym. In class it looks like they are having fun.
But at St. Patrick's they have
none of that, and they do have gym. In class it looks like everyone, including
me wants to go to sleep. Sometimes at St. Patrick's I feel like I am getting a
gallon of spit from them screaming at me. I think I had a solid decision.
"Sure," I replied.
"Oo and you have to go to
camp for six weeks," she mumbled.
"What! Now I need too think," I shouted.
Nativity is small; St.
Patrick's is like three times its size. Nativity looks like an apartment.
I started to think about Sister Connie and Mr. Salvateirra, how they were so
nice and friendly. I started to stand up straight and said, "Yes,"
proudly.
My mom and i went home and started
to pack up.
Two weeks later I went back to
Nativity to go to Camp Monserrate. I had no clue how it was going to look.
Six weeks later I came back from camp and it
was great. Three years later it changed me in many ways. I became camper of the
week, and I am more responsible. I accomplished a lot of things. For examples,
I hiked Mt. Algonquin, the second highest mountain in New York State. I learned
how to swim and how to do jobs to my fullest ability. I am happy to be who I am
today.
Panthers vs. Rifles Showdown
Mikal Thomas
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
One shot after another going in directly through the net. Both teams fighting
for a victory, to get to the championship game facing the Rifles. It didn’t
matter to me, whoever won was going to lose to the Rifles. We lost two years
already to the Panthers, and it wasn’t going to happen again. I remember it
like it just happened yesterday. When I saw the panthers play, I thought to
myself, I would never want to play
against this team because they were huge. The first time we played them,
they were winning by one point with four seconds to go in the game. The kid
scurried down court to hit a long three point shot to win the game 52 to 50. I
believe that if this kid wasn’t playing we could have beaten them by 15 points.
In the second championship game against
the Panthers, we started the game with much intensity to a score of 25 to 7 at
halftime. We led up to the third quarter; they tied it up 30 to 30. In the
start of the fourth quarter they scored fifteen baskets back to back because
they were pressing until they were forced to stop. They won 59-53. I personally
believe it wasn’t going to happen again; the Panthers were not beating us for a
third year straight. The Panthers won their semi-final game and were in the
championship, once again looking to pound the Rifles. At that time I was having
flashbacks about the last two games we lost to them.
Panthers vs. Rifles, a very big
rivalry game because most of our players join their team, and their players
join our team. It was the start of the first half, both teams playing
phenomenal defense to finish the first half. The score was tied up 18-18. At
the start of the second half everyone on the court was eager to win the trophy.
We brought the ball up court and
my point guard passed me the ball at the outlet spot. I stepped up and drained
a three point shot in the kids face making the crowd go crazy with excruciating
excitement, while shouting my name. They came back and hit two 3 pointers, back
to back. They are known for shooting three pointers in clutch basketball games.
I believe that their coach taught his team how to shoot on the run, and dribble
with their head up.
I remember four years ago, one kid
came in the game and hit five 3 point shots in a row, from all over the court.
There was still two minutes left in the game, the score was tied up 39-39. The
center on my team stole the ball from mid-air; I sprinted down the court for a
fast break opportunity. I laid the ball up and the other team called a time-out
because the crowd was going wild and we had all the momentum. They came out and
hit a three point shot, next thing you know there was only ten seconds left in
the game and we were down by one point.
I believed that my teammates were
going to quit, but I saw how bad they wanted it. I dribbled past defenders
almost losing control of the ball. I managed to gain control of the ball and
went up. I got fouled real hard because they didn’t want me to get an easy two
points. I was really knocked down hard and still dizzy; I shot and made it with
the backboard. The second shot almost went in, but rolled off the edge of the
rim, but luckily there was a violation for stepping over the line before the
ball hit the rim. I knew I had to make this one, I took my time and hit it
nothing but net. We were in the lead by one point with five seconds to go, my
coach called time-out to talk over the defense we were going to show. We played
man on all of their scorers to shut them down and force them to pass the ball
to their teammates. I believe that if any team had our coach then they will win
a majority of his or she games. When
they did that, my center once again stepped in front of the pass and picked it
off, before anyone can see me, I sprinted down court and caught the ball to end
the game 41-39, to move on to be the Go Hard or Go Home Champions.
Meth-Musik
Edward Urena
