My Opinion About Concussions

     What is the deal with sports players and concussions?  Some of them act like nothing even happened while it's really effecting oodles of things in their daily lives.
     I honestly don't think it's a smart idea to play sports right after you get a concussion.  Your brain could be seriously damaged.  Studies have shown that football players who have suffered 3 or more concussions have a tripled risk of depression, plus it could also contribute in the decision of suicide.  Reality is, many players don't pay attention to symptoms of a concussion.  They just shake it off and play on.  31% of athletes with concussions are driven right back onto the field after an injury.
     Having a concussion could ruin many things.  If you ever get or think you have a concussion, be responsible and see a doctor right away.

     "If you're worried about concussions, you're in the wrong business."             - Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover
     

Arturo's Life and Culture

     Arturo's family is very close.  They seem to do many things with each other and are always there for the rest of the family.  
     His neighborhood has their share of good and bad people but they always seem to be there for each other.  Arturo also describes how his neighborhood has many basketball zealots.  I think the reason everyone is so close is because they all seem to have something in common.
     Arturo is Mexican.  His culture is very exotic.  Their cooking uses many different types of foods and spices that are probably native to their country.  The language they speak and the hobbies they do are very fascinating.
     Everything Arturo and his family do relates to their culture.  I would love to experience the Mexican culture.


     Mexican words:

• BARRIO     NEIGHBORHOOD
• IDIOTAS     IDIOTS
• VERDE     GREEN
• YO JURO     "SCOUT'S HONOR"
• PLEITOS     FIGHTS

I Wish I Could Go To France

January  16, 2014

Dear Mom and Dad,

     France is absolutely fascinating.  It is so breathtaking here.  I have gone to so many places since I have gotten here.

     I, of course, went to the Eiffel Tower first.  It was awesome!  It took forever to get to the top.  Did you know the Eiffel Tower is 1,050 feet tall?

     Next, I went to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  It was cool seeing how a building 8 stories high could lean as far as it does.

     After that, I went to the Arc de Triomphe.  The arches are so big that a small plane can be flown through them.  How amazing is that?!
     Then, I headed over to the Cite de Carcassonne.  It was so beautiful and majestic.
     Lastly, I went through the Catacombs of Paris.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen!  There were human bones everywhere you looked!  Did you know there are about 6 million people buried there?
     That is all I have done so far but I have the rest of France to check out.

  Sincerely,       

Lydia 

My Christmas

     My Christmas was superb!  I loved hanging out with my family, opening my presents, and, most of all, eating the really good food.
     I enjoyed spending time and having fun with my family.  All my family on my mother's side came to our house for Christmas.
     I loved all the presents I got for Christmas.  Some of the presents I got were an Under Armour sweatshirt, a new Columbia jacket, a hair straightener, and a new speaker.  I got a lot more presents that I loved.
     One of my favorite parts of any holiday is the food.  My grandma, mom, and aunt make some of the best food.  For Christmas, we had chopped suey (and other Chinese foods), bread, and many other delicious concoctions.
     I had one of the best Christmases ever.