Esperanza Rising - Book Report by Jordan

Jordan has been quite the busy writer lately....he just finished his book report on Esparanza Rising....he wanted to post the summary....

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Esparanza Rising is about a girl named Esparanza who is struggling in life. Esparanza has a life that is a dream to everyone else. Everything changes on her birthday when her Papa is murdered by bandits. Then Papa’s brother Tio Luis takes over Papa’s ranch. Tio Luis then tries to marry Mama, but she refuses. He then sets their house on fire injuring Abuelita.

Esparanza, Mama, Miguel, a childhood friend, and his parents, Hortensia and Alfonso go to Los Angeles and start working at a Mexican camp. There Esparanza meets a girl named Isabel, two babies named Pepe and Lupe and their parents Jose and Josafina.

A girl named Marta and other people go on strike for better housing. It goes on for days and ends when immigration officials come and take most people away to Mexico. The others go back to the camp.

Soon after the strike a big dust storm occurs. Mama then gets a illness called Valley Fever. Valley Fever makes it easy for people to get other diseases. Mama contracts pneumonia while in the hospital. It takes several months for her to come home from the hospital.

Esparanza starts to work in the sheds and fields to earn money. With her money she buys money orders. Esparanza is saving her money orders to pay the hospital bills and bring Abuelita from Mexico.

When Mama comes home from the hospital the money orders are gone. Miguel left that morning and stole the money orders. He called a couple days later to tell them to meet him at a train station in Bakersfield. He used the money orders to bring Abuelita from Mexico and no one is mad at him.

Here is an essay Jordan wrote for extra credit....the latest craze...Bakugan...which was actually featured on "Good Question" last night....

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Bakugan is a fun game to play. I like to play with my brother. My friends and I like to talk about it in school. Bakugan was created by Spinmaster and Sega Toys.

You play by rolling spring loaded marbles on cards. The bakugan marbles open on metal. The cards have metal in them. Some cards don’t have metal, but they all give power boosts. Your bakugan gains the boost of a card depending on it’s type. The six types are Pyrus, (the fire type); Darkus, (the dark type); Sub Terra, (the earth type); Haos, (the light type); Ventus, (the wind type) and Aquos, (the water type).

“G” is the power of your bakugan. You win a battle if your bakugan has more G than then the other. The weakest bakugan that I have is 250G and the strongest bakugan I have is 630G.
There are three sizes of bakugan. The original bakugan are the smallest in size. The medium ones are usually stronger than the small ones. Deka bakugan are always 400 G, they are a little bit larger than a softball.

I also like bakugan because if you get them from another country, only the card would be in a different language. That is why I like playing bakugan.

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I don't usually do this...but, this quote is great: Bill Cosby - "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice."

ANGEL!!!

Last week, Jeff's college roommate visited...this week, Angel, my roommate met me at Stoneridge for lunch. She rode her "scooter" --- more like a mini motorcycle --- from Fresno....it must have been COLD!!!! But, she made it and we had a nice visit...and neither of us bought anything...well, except for chocolates for her mother, Jeff's grandmother and Jeff...no clothes, shoes, purses, etc....

Of course, Ang and I had dessert to go with our lunch....did I ever mention the time I almost got stuck going over the fence after a Marie Callendar's run???? Never Mind....that story can wait...until the boys are out of college...

That's what friends are for!!!!

One of Jeff's best friends, Burt, came into town to
go to the Warrior/Cleveland basketball game. Jeff and Burt lived together while they were going to UCSD...although there are very few stories about Burt...he must have been the straight man...or, he never got caught!

It should be a good game tonight...MONTA is back....well, I have to go watch the game!!!

Just when I thought....

Okay, so, this year didn't start off too well...the backordered Roomba battery, lost iPod, broken orthodontic retainer, broken "new" phone, etc...but, it was getting better right?

My Roomba battery was delivered; I found my iPod in the ironing basket; Dr. Chun was able to repair the retainer...so, it only cost $100 instead of $300+; I received my "replaced" phone today...

Then...

Last Saturday, Jeff's great-aunt, (the "shortest" lady---on the far right) was hit by a car in SF. Luckily, she had minor injuries compared to what could have happened.

Yesterday, Jeff's grandmother (the lady to the right of Jordan) had surgery. Grandma pulled out of it like a champ...and is doing well...I hope I am that healthy when I am 92....

So, I guess things are turning around....things are getting better, and I have a new brighter outlook for 2009. Not bad for only being 22 days into the new year, right????

Jordan is 10!!!!

Today Jordan had his 10th birthday!!! He was so excited until he found out that he also had his 10 year checkup with Dr. Sanchez.

All in all he did well...even with the flu shot....and he is still SHORTER than me (4'10")!!! I think I am in trouble next year.

Flat Stanley

Hello everyone...this is Flat Stanley. Neil colored and cut him out and he is on his was to Ontario Canada.

Stanley will be visiting Auntie Canada's sister and her family.

We will tell you more about his adventures when he returns at the beginning of March.

Have fun Stanley!!! Maybe we should have gotten you some warmer clothes....

(update: Neil and I were checking the weather in Kanata ON, and it changed from -0.4 to -2.2 degrees F...while we were watching....this concerned Neil, so, he wrote the following note on the back of the envelope..."Must read! Please keep Stanley warm! Thank you!")