This is my last weekend of summer! I'm so excited to get back to school even though I'll miss the relaxing and the endless hours of reading Rick Riordan. This summer has been amazing. I went on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. I went horseback riding on the beach in Cabo and toured around the shopping center in Puerto Vallarta. I went to a Dodger game but, they lost. I guess you can't win every game. I had the opportunity to go to Young Writer's Camp at UCSB. I had lots of fun at my friend's birthday party and I got to see some family friends this summer too. I am very excited to be starting a new school year with all my friends and teachers that I enjoy!

 The Way the World Works

Sadly, we live in a world that is filled with horrible things. We have learned to accept it, but don’t you wish that these things weren’t there? Imagine a world where there is no bullying, no terrorism, and no cruelty. No poverty, no robberies, no war. Well, unfortunately, that isn’t the world that we live in. If some people would stop and think before they did these things we would not have to be dealing with massacres and attacks on innocent people that are just enjoying life. Why do people do these horrific things? No one really knows, People look at evidence, but that maybe isn’t why they did it. Since Adam and Eve sinned the world hasn’t been the same. And even though they were the only two people alive, it was still different. With all the things happening in the world, why are we only focusing on the bad? Maybe part of our problem is being negative about things. Look on the bright side and even if there is not one at the time, there will always be those special moments that have happened and the ones that are to come. Death is a large part of everyone’s life whether it’s loved ones or someone you’ve never met. I think that in everyone’s life there is a time that they have thought about it. One of my teachers lost her husband to cancer. He left behind three kids. Another one of my teachers has a son that has a brain tumor. Luckily, it isn’t cancerous, but those little things creep into your mind and they bother you, shock you, and make you think a little more about all the elements of life.

One of the Many Ways to Spell Disappointment

                    By Ava Pimentel

    You get a B on a test that you know you could have done better on. You are disappointed but you’re okay with that. You tried your best and that is all that matters. The next class, you receive a test that you got a D on. You are so disappointed. You are very angry and frustrated. You studied for this test and you prepared for it, but now your parents are going to kill you. You try to hide your test from your parents, but you forget that they sent out an email about the test. Your parents ask you about the test and you have no choice but to just suck it up and show them. They are mad. You plead your case and they kind of believe you, but they are still upset. You try everything to get them to understand, but nothing works. You accept the fact that you got a D and that you got grounded for a week, but you are still disappointed and you can’t change that.

About the Author

Ava is 12 years old and lives in Camarillo, California. She has an older sister, Lauren who is currently 15. Ava enjoys reading, cooking, editing photos, and just hanging out with friends. She hopes to become an Oscar award-winning director and a world known chef. Most of her inspiration comes from songs, randomness, and the beautiful nature that surrounds her.

The Mask That I Wear

I seem to be like a hummingbird that is tiny and fast

But really I am a hawk that is powerful and bold

I may seem like a pen that is strong and flowing

But really I am a pencil, wooden and frail

I seem to be like a novel, complex and serious

But really I am a children’s book, free and amusing

I seem to be like a butterfly, fragile but stunning

But I am truly a moth, annoying and playful

I may seen like a beach that is sunny and relaxing

But really I am a plain, flat and empty

I may act like a lily, smooth and inspiring

But inside I am a rose, thorny yet beautiful

I may seem like a piranha that is fierce and feared

But really I am a guppy, friendly and bright

I may be seen as a weed, unwanted and sneaky

But truly I am a tree, blooming and flourishing

I love the way I am and I am so blessed that God made me this way

My Words to Live By

One of my wisest words to live by. 

This quote is very important to me because sometimes you need a confidence booster. The quote is saying that in life you can't just stop because something is not going your way, you have to keep going and most likely things will turn up. It is also saying that everyone has problems and that you have to keep focusing on what you are doing now. You can plan for the future, you can look back at the past but, you MUST focus on the present and enjoy every minute of it.