Junior year

             I’m not going to lie, this year absolutely sucked and every single day I wanted to punch a baby; but I learned a lot and I’m so glad it’s almost over. This year was so eventful and stressful that at times I wanted to just give up! I basically screwed myself from the start when I filled my class schedule with every honors or AP class that our school has to offer. Adding to that, I was on the cheer team, a member of GYC, FBLA, prom committee, and honor society, supervisor of peer tutoring, and held a job. I really had a lot on my plate, but I am proud that I semi kept my grades up and stuck everything out.

            When basketball season started my social life basically ended. Three or four days out of the week, every week, I was cheering at games. This was also wrestling season.  My homework was neglected, and my room had reached a severe state of clutter. Between games and my job my diet had mostly consisted of granola bars while I ran out the door, or a quick snack when I got home.

            This year was also my Junior Prom, which I started getting ready for three months early. The week of I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to get everything done. My dress did not arrive at my house until three hours before prom, and the morning of prom my mom had to make a quick trip to Provo to buy a shirt and vest for my date.  I was already behind in school because of state basketball the week before, and my grades were suffering horribly.

            Even though this year could have went by so much more smoothly, I wouldn’t go back and change it for anything. I learned a lot of valuable lessons and mostly a lot about myself. I just pray that my senior is a lot more relaxing.

Object Paper

Regan Allred
3^rd hour
Object
12/9/10

The Dormant Candle

The festive colored candle sits with poise on the table where it remains unlit,

with a white wick, serving merely as a holiday decoration. A berry wreath palms the

candle, and a plaid ribbon embraces the rim. When the lid comes off the pungent smell

of pineapple and citrus envelops noses. It hopes that a match will strike and it will finally

show off its purpose. At last, standing up to the beauty and excitement of a glowing

candle. Then the utter disappointment of the lid closing on tight, rejects the candles

dream. The waxy, sponge looking surface squishes, and fingers of curious children leave

permanent indents. Air pockets, like craters collapse under the pressure of fingers. The

clear, glossy cylinder encases the mountain of wax. Smudged fingerprints littered on the

sides from curious guests. When the holiday season ends, it will be put in a box, until

next Christmas.

　

A candle can symbolize a family member, or close friend. They will always be

there, and when needed to light a pathway or act as guidance, just simply light their wick.

　

A candle starts out as wax, then given a scent, next a wick inserted. A decorative

bow or lid can then be added. Finally, placed on store shelves with a price much to high.

Me as a Writer: Regan Allred

Regan Allred


4th hour

Writing Essay

08/30/10



Me as a Writer

My step dad was probably who first influenced me to write. He taught me how to read and write. I believe that starting out, I didn't have much of an imagination and I basically just copied writing out of books or what someone else wrote. Over the years I feel like I have gotten better at writing, but I still feel like I could be better. My writing is all the same and I don't "think outside the box."

When I write a paper I find it easier to read it out loud. I tend to have to take breaks and go back to my paper later. I usually have to do a lot of rough drafts before I get the paper how I want it. When I sit down to write a paper it will take me a while to think of what to write and how to word things. I put a lot of thought in to how to write the introduction and conclusion, those seem to be the most difficult parts of a paper for me to write.

The only writing I do for myself would be writing lists, text messages, and e-mailing. I used to keep a journal but I don't anymore. I think that having an audience definitely hinders me. Writing for a teacher probably makes my writing better because I know that it needs to be good, so I try harder.

Going back to my old writing assignments and journals; they all show that I am an amateur writer. They just seem unprofessional. My strengths in writing are in fictional papers. I think I am better at writing about something I make up or a personal experience, rather than a research topic. I find a paper easier to write when I have had a lot of time to think about it and take several notes.

I would like to become a stronger, better writer. I want to be able to think of topics faster, and have a wider vocabulary so my assignments seem more professional. The paper I most remember writing was a research paper on poverty. We took notes, and did research on it for almost a month. I learned a lot but writing about it was really boring.

My overall thought on my writing is that I am a good writer but I could be stronger in some areas. I need to have a wider vocabulary, bigger imagination, and be able to think of topics faster. I feel good when I get good grades on my papers, and when the teachers write good comments about my writing.