Christina’s Work

Well, today was my first day of college. It was kind of weird starting a new school; everything is so much different at college. Everything seems to be sooooo much bigger and way more confusing than intermediate. My form teacher is Mrs Kravkenco (Mrs K for short). She is also my science teacher. It is kind of strange because we have to change classes for each subject which means we have like five different teachers everyday. Also, at the start of the day, we have to go to our form class where the roll is called and we are given daily notices. Very differnent to intermediate where we are based in one classroom for the whole day and only change for tech arts. Its gonna be a fun year. Anyways, I will keep you informed about college. See ya 

On Wednesday 19th December Te Awamutu Intermediate School held their annual Year 8 Ball. All the year 8’s that had chosen to attend the ball had two practices where we learnt the special year 8 dance; the samba, and how to behave at the ball. On the night everyone arrived at around 7 o’clock, some in fancy rides, others in just their usual cars. Just to be different, my friends and I turned up in the back of a horse float that we had painted. When we opened the ramp on the back of the float, a red carpet rolled down. Everyone stopped to take photos of the ‘unusual’ use of a horse float. After trying very hard to not fall down the ramp as I was wearing heals, we went and had our photos taken by the professional photographer. The student council had to start the dance off with the Snowball Waltz, which meant that I had to start off. After that we danced other dances such as the Gay Gordon, Maxina etc. At the end of supper the rock band played which was a nice way to kick off the second half of the dance. At the end of the ball my feet were killing me! I would like to thank all the teachers that made it possible for the ball to take place. Your efforts are much appreciated.

On Saturday 10th November the 2007 Netball World Cup began. This year it is being held in New Zealand’s very own Auckland City. Australia is being looked at as the ‘favourites’ to win after a series of defeats against New Zealand earlier this year. New Zealand is looking to shake off their downhill run with three strong wins already under their belt. These wins have led the Silver Ferns to the quarter-finals against South Africa. Coach, Ruth Aitken, has given the full twelve members of the squad court time to look at the different combinations of players. Nineteen year old, Paula Griffin, debut in her first world cup game against Malawi at GA, while veteran netballer, Irene van Dyke, scored a perfect 42 from 42.

I think that people are underestimating the skills and will power of the Silver Ferns. Yes, they did have a bad run at the beginning of the year, but if the Rugby World Cup is anything to go by, New Zealand has just as much a chance of winning as that of Australia. The Silver Ferns have shown New Zealand that they do have want, and the talent to get to the top through the games against Malawi, Wales and Botswana. I believe people should have more faith in New Zealand sport and get behind the Silver ferns and support them.

I believe that a staright line is more restful because it has a end. Imagine that you have a closed question such as ‘what is the colour of the sky’, you can answer it with the simple word ‘blue’; but if you had a open question (meaning the circle) such as ‘is nuclear power the answer to New Zealands future energy needs’ you cannot answer it with one word, it requires much more thought and doesnt really have a correct answer making the closed question (the straight line) more restful than the open question (the circle).

I believe that both a door and a window an provoke as much thought as each other. With a door you wonder what is behind it, and with a window you wonder why the things you see are there.

A chair is more comfortable when it comes to your body where is a diary is more comfortable when it comes to your mind. So, depending on how you look at it, they can both be comfortable.

After reading Shannons post about Beryl Cook, I have been inspired. Every week I will try to put a new post on giving a brief profile of a different celebrity, so here goes….

Chris Brown

Chris Brown or Christopher Maurice Brown was born on May 5th 1989. He is in the music (R&B/Hip Hop) profession. He is a dancer, and also made his film debut in the movie Stomp the Yard earlier this year. Chris Browns hometown is Tappahannock, Virginia. He has had various number one hits in New Zealand such as Run It (feat. Juelz Santana), and a more recent release, Kiss Kiss (feat. T-Pain).

This term for English, my goal is to be more thorough when I am editing my work. When using the computer for English I will remember to use the spell checker to check for grammar and spelling errors.

For maths this term my focus is to get everything completed on time. To do this I will have to manage my time better.

For P.E this term my focus is Athletics. I will try my best at every event that takes place.

For the magazine this term, I will help the members of the committee in as many ways as possible to get work completed on time.

My friends are not the normal kind,

They’re weird, they’re wacky but I don’t mind.

I would not be anywhere without my friends,

I know they will be there until the end.

 Everyday when I feel down,

I know they will cheer me up, I know that they’ll be around.

My friends are always there to support,

Even when I’m playing sport.

My friends I would not trade for anything,

My friends they will always be.

Age has wispy white hair that hangs down her soft, tender face. No one is able to escape from her piercing blue eyes that seem to uncover the innermost secrets of the human soul. The soft touch of her fingertips leaves you feeling as though you will forever be loved unconditionally. Age smells of soft pink roses, a scent that lingers in the air long after she has left the room.

Age is kind hearted but strict. She speaks her mind on things that matter to her and her family. She is the one that they can rely on for support and advice. She is the one that will drive her granddaughter to the mall, and go and watch her grandson play rugby. She is never afraid to get her hands dirty, and that will never change.

Not everyone embraces the grip of Age. Some choose to turn their backs on her, to run the other way; but no matter what, you cannot deny the fact that she has left a mark on your mind, your body and your soul. Age is not bad, but good. She is not old, but wise; and she will never fade away.

I have received this idea for a post after reading lvs08.learnerblogs.org blog. The original question was, what would you do if you were not afraid, but I have changed it slightly so it reads, what would life be like without fear. I think this is a question that cannot be answered correctly, but only by the thoughts or opinions of individual minds.

I believe that life without fear would be full of confusion and hate. If no one feared the consequences of their actions, or how their actions would be reflected on their person, why would anyone feel the need to tread lightly on sensitive areas or let go of an argument before someone got physically or emotionally hurt? A life without fear would certainly be a life lived to the fullest, a life that the owner would thoroughly wear out, but to what price? Without fear why would anyone feel the need to lock their doors at night? I’m certain that without fear a thief would have no issue stealing not just items from someone’s house, but maybe even their life if they got in the way. Fear, although not everyone is willing to admit it, is a barrier for hurt and pain. It is what stops us making decisions we know we will later regret.

This term we had to do an inquiry about either ‘power’ or something else we felt strongly about. I choose not to do ’power’, but to do child abuse as it has been a real issue lately, and I feel strongly about this subject. After finishing our research, we had to present our answer for our essential question. I choose to present my inquiry on photostory using audio and pictures that help to get my message about child abuse across to others. My essential question was; Is child abuse a worldwide problem, and what can we do to stop it?
Download Video: Posted by lynnec at TeacherTube.com.

This is the first presentation that I have made using Photostory. For this task we were put with partners to explore the different features of photostory. This poem was written by Josh (my partner) and the music was done by Bethany.
Download Video: Posted by lynnec at TeacherTube.com.

I think popularity costs more than aloneness. With popularity comes standards that have to be reached to sustain a ‘popular quotas’. You have to become what others see as popular figure. It may be that you have to change what you look like or what you wear, or it may even be that you have to change what you are like on the inside. Popularity means that you have to keep up with everyone else instead of going steady at your own pace. 

When Bailey finds herself in a shopping mall changing room applying a temporary tattoo on the small of her back, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever. She and her friends, Zo, Annabelle and Delia soon find themselves thrown into a world the could never exists even in your wildest dreams. They are soon trying to restore the balance between good and evil, life and death. Will they be able to do it, and what does the future hold for Bailey?…

I really enjoyed this book. It was all about magic, and I find that sort of thing interesting to read. Tattoo is a really easy book to read, but things are explained really well, unlike some books about magic. It does jump to dreams etc, but you don’t lose track of what is happening. Everything that is written about in the story is relevant to the story line.

I recommend this book to people that enjoy reading about magic and mystery. I give this book a strong 9 out of 10.

Then began a time of needle sharp rain drops, chilling winds and blinding lightning. Trees double over with the force of the angry winds, people run for cover as the ferocious rain beats down on their backs while lightning flashes across the skies, lighting up the homes of many. A new sensation called the anger of Mother Nature

Then began a time of deep pink, orange, red and yellow roses without thorns, the grass was gently swaying in the soft breeze, the trees whispered secrets across the meadows, the sky a pale blue against the red hot heat of the sun, white cotton-candy clouds drift across the endless sky and the air is as fresh as icy-sea that engulfs you when you jump in for a morning swim. A new sensation called of the beauties Mother Nature creates.

This was written by Rochelle and I.

On Saturday 25th August Comrades Junior, my netball team, won the semi-finals for our grade. We played against Te Awamutu College 9B. It was a really tough game, and they played really well. We drew the first two quarters of the game (in plain English, the score at the end of the first quarter was 4 all, and the score at the end of the second quarter was 10 all), but lost the third quarter by five. At this point we weren’t playing very well and we were following the game of our opposition instead of playing at the pace we were comfortable with. During the break our coaches gave us a pep talk, trying to lift our spirits off the ground. The pep talk seemed to work as we scored off their centre pass twice in a row. We tightened up our defence in the circle causing them to make errors, and our attacking end picked up the pace and before we knew it we were tied. We all pushed ourselves harder and harder. College couldn’t keep up with our lifted spirits, and we ended up winning by two. The end score was 23 to 21.

When there’s a will, I want to be in it.

The road to success is always under construction.

Why is it called ‘after dark’ when it really is ‘after light’?

You know the speed of light; so what is the speed of dark ?

When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep — not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Behind every successful man is a surprised woman. - Maryon Pearson

What you call dog with no legs?
Don’t matter what you call him, he ain’t gonna come.

“Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?

Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.

I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places. - Henny Youngman

Everyone needs believe in something. I believe I’ll have another piece of chocolate.

A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

Worst excuse for not turning in homework: I couldn’t find anyone to copy it from.

The only reason people get lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory.

I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants. A. Whitney Brown

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin

“Marriage is give and take. You’d better give it to her or she’ll take it anyway.” - Joey Adams

(www.coolfunnyquotes.com)

There are only two T’s in Timothy Tuttle. True or false?

How much dirt is in a round hole that is 9 feet deep with a diameter of 3 feet?

How many times can you subtract the number 2 from the number 32?

Put a coin in a bottle and then stop the opening with a cork. How can you get the coin out of the bottle without pulling out the cork or breaking the bottle?

How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn’t hit anything, there is nothing attached to it, and no one else catches or throws it? One day a man was visiting a town where he wanted to get a haircut.

There were only two barber shops in that town. The man that owned the first shop had a horrible haircut and his shop was dirty. The man that owned the second shop had a awesome haircut and his shop was clean. Which barber shop does the traveller go to?

If every bit of gold in the world was found, we would all get about 4kgs each.

In Baltimore, Maryland, it is not legal to take a lion to the movies.

In Singapore, it is illegal to sell or own chewing gum.

In Natoma, Kansas, it’s illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suits.

It’s illegal to slurp soup in New Jersey.

While in some countries the penalty for driving while intoxicated can be death (yes, death),

In Uruguay intoxication is a legal excuse for having an accident while driving. “Please believe me officer, I really was drunk.”

Wolves are capable of covering over 100 miles in a single day.

Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.

Sue Bradfords latest anti-smacking law is supposed to protect New Zealand’s children from being beaten, but as shown by what has happened recently, it is failing to do so. Three year old Nia Glassie died on Friday 3rd August as a result of injuries suffered at the hands of the very people who were suppose to love, cherish and protect her, her family. Nia is just one of the many victims of child abuse in, what many people refer to it as, ‘beautiful’ New Zealand. How can this country be so beautiful and yet have so many horrible, hideous monsters that treat their innocent children in such a frightful manner? Every day new life is welcomed into New Zealand, some with open arms, some with closed fists.

So everyone knows exactly what I mean by child abuse, here is the definition. Child abuse is the physical or psychological mistreatment of a child by his or her parents including adoptive parents, guardians, or other adults. Child abuse also includes sexual abuse or exploitation. Child abuse occurs in all classes of society, although not everyone realizes this.

Did you know that there have been 73 thousand cases of child abuse recorded since around the beginning of 2006 just in New Zealand? And they are just the cases that have been reported. That is about 200 cases per day. I repeat, per DAY.

Doctors and nurses that work at Starship Hospital say, and I quote a New Zealand Herald article, “some of the most harrowing cases come from kids that have just learned to talk as they describe in court what amounts to torture as though it was part of normal life-which for them it is” Pediatrician Teula Percival from the Middle More Child Abuse Clinic says that “You can’t even always specifically pin the assault on one person. A lot of these children don’t get justice in our system-no one even gets charged.”

The actual child that is abused is not the only victim, but the doctors, nurses and police that are on the receiving end of various different abuse cases are also victims. They have to deal with the bruises, the broken bones and the scolded flesh as well as the insults that the accused abuser throws their way. In Auckland, the police department has a ten strong abuse unit. Ten people, just for Auckland.

After hearing all this it must make you wonder what sort of society we live in and how we can beat up our children like we do. Here is a poem that I heard an the radio that I am all sure will help you understand what many unfortunate New Zealanders are put through every day, just like it helped me to understand.

My Name is Misty, I’m only three, My eyes are swollen I can not see, I must be stupid I must be bad, What else could have Made my Daddy so mad? I wish I were better I wish I weren’t ugly Then maybe my Mummy Would still want to hug me. I can’t speak at all I can’t do a wrong Or else im locked up All day long. When I awake Im all alone The house is dark My folks aren’t home. When my Mummy does come I’ll try to be nice, So maybe I’ll just get One whipping tonight. Don’t make a sound! I just heard a car My Daddy is back From the local bar. I hear him curse My name he calls, I press myself Against the wall I try to hide From his evil eyes Im so afraid now I’m starting to cry He finds me weeping, He shouts ugly words, He says it’s my fault That he suffers at work He slaps and hits me And yells at me more, I finally get free And I run for the door He’s already locked it And I start to bawl He takes me and throws me Against the hard wall I fall to the floor My bones nearly broken, And my daddy continues With more bad words spoken. “Im sorry” I scream, But it’s much too late His face has been twisted Into imaginable hate The hurt and the pain Again and again Oh please God, have mercy! Oh please let it end! And he finally stops And heads for the door, While I lay there motionless Sprawled on the floor My name is Misty And I am but three Tonight my Daddy Murdered me

‘New Zealand needs more immigrants’ has been the topic to talk about recently. This highly controversial topic has sparked heated debates between the different beliefs of many New Zealanders. So, does New Zealand need more immigrants? I believe we do if we are to keep up with the ever changing world that exists today. New Zealand has to sustain our current population if we are to keep strong economy.

First of all, New Zealand lacks critical mass that would allow the growth of a better infrastructure. As this next example will explain, the more people we have in New Zealand, the cheaper our everyday life will become; If I was taking the bus into town with a friend and the cost for petrol etc. to keep that bus running was $10, and the bus company had to make a further profit of $1, it would cost my friend and I $5.50 each to take that bus. But if I was taking the bus into town with four other friends, taking the total of passengers up to five, it would only cost my friends and I $2.20 to take that bus. So, in short, the more people we have in our country, the better New Zealand will develop.

Secondly, New Zealand has a skills shortage that immigrants would be able to fill. Take, for example, the babies from Wellington that had to be transferred to Auckland because there were not enough doctors to care for them. Some may say that we can get New Zealanders to train for these positions, but once they are finished their studies, many of them leave New Zealand to get a higher paying job to pay of their student loans. Also, some people complain that every second doctor they see is not originally from New Zealand, while we should be thanking them for what they have done to make our country better. Many people wouldn’t be here to complain if it wasn’t for them. In an average Waikato Times, there are more than 15 job vacancies advertised every day. If New Zealanders had the motivation to apply for these jobs, there wouldn’t be so many.

Another reason is, and I am sure I contradict the words of many New Zealanders, immigrants would enrich our culture. Just think, if there were no immigrants, there would be no Chinese or Indian restaurants which I am sure everyone enjoys as treats every now and then. There would be no one to teach the many wonderful Islander cultures. And if we go back far enough, we would find that we are all immigrants. The Maori came on waka’s from the Islands and the Pakeha came on ships just like modern day immigrants come on a plane from where ever they lived previously. By people saying that we should not allow immigrants into New Zealand, they are in fact saying that we should not be here.

On the other hand, when immigrants come into New Zealand they buy cars and build new houses. By doing this they are cutting down our precious forests, increasing our yearly CO2 emissions, and overall polluting our clean, green air. Rubbish dumps will double in size, causing neighboring properties to become polluted with dangerous chemicals that carry in the air.

Also, not every person that migrates to New Zealand will come with good qualifications or a good background. Immigrants can increases violence in New Zealand between their culture and the cultures of others. They can bring their problems into New Zealand, causing nothing but grief for our beautiful country. For example, America has had a big impact on gangs in New Zealand. West side etc originated in America and now many New Zealanders have followed in the footsteps of those highly known gangs.

Finally, not all immigrants will get jobs. They come here, and instead of finding jobs else where, they open up their own store, employing only family members. New Zealand needs people to fill job vacancies, not to open up new businesses. And also, instead of spreading across New Zealand they tend to stay in one place, take Auckland for instance, setting up businesses and over crowding cities.

In conclusion, I believe that New Zealand needs more immigrants. People migrate to New Zealand to start a new life in a peaceful place. As my arguments have shown, the points for having immigrants are by far stronger and more convincing than the points against immigration. New Zealanders can’t really believe that we can stop immigration and not suffer the consequences.

I have been tagged by Mrs Crowe for the 8 random facts meme.

First, the Rules:
1) Post these rules before you give your facts
2) List 8 random facts about yourself
3) At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names, linking to them
4) Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know they’ve been tagged

1. I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers and they all have children so altogether I have 7 neices and 2 nephews-I know, very confusing!

2. I own a pink shirt-but shhh, don’t tell anyone!

3. I can’t stand shopping (unless it’s for music), I find it incredibly boring!

4. I like old school music like, Shania Twain, Elvis (yes, Elvis!), The Mavericks, and I could keep going but I better not!

5. I can’t sit through a full movie without moving around.

6. I enjoy my own company just as much as others, and I spend a lot of time in my bedroom in the quiet.

7. I love my cell phone, computer and my mp3 player.

8. My bedroom is never tidier for more than half a day. (Somehow those clothes find their way back to the floor!)

Ok, now I tag: Lynda and Winiata

As we all assembled in the ALC, I could feel my nerves fluttering around in the pit of my stomach. Mr Denise spoke and we all departed for our allocated sports area, or in my case, allocated debating area which was the library. As my team took their seats, we stared at who would be our opposition, the Belmont team. Our Chairman Milly opened the debate by welcoming our opposing team and by announcing the topic; New Zealand needs more immigrants.

As we were the affirmative team, our leader, Taegan, kicked off the debate. As I listened to the points that each team made, and as I scribbled down rebuttals, my hot and clammy hands started to shake. Finally the Chairman called my name. I stood up with my knees shaking and my cue cards blurring in and out of focus. I started with a rebuttal, frantically trying to get my point across. When I finally finished my argument, I sat down still shaking like a leaf.At the end of the debate, we all sat and waited for the adjudicator, Mr Story, to tally up the final results.

When he finished, he got up and started to speak. He started with the things that he thought we could improve on, and then he finally said the results. The end score was 346 to 339 to…………………………US! We had won. To my surprise, I was commended on my arguments along with the fourth speaker for the opposing team.

I would like to thank Mr Kurr, our debate teacher; we could not have done it with out you, and all the teachers at T.A.I as well as Belmont who made this wonderful exchange possible. Also a massive thanks to the Belmont debating team, if I weren’t for them we wouldn’t have anyone to debate against! 

A few days ago a girl just three years of age was sent to hospital after being beaten by four different people over the period of three weeks. She was later flowen to Starship Hospital were she recieved medical care for her serious injuries. Her abusers were charged yesterday.

Unfortunately another person was charged for the assult on the Rotorua girl just a couple of days ago.

I think this is appalling. Over the past two years the number of children that have been beaten to death or assulted by their own family members is outrageous. New Zealand familys need to think about what they are subjecting their young children to.

For inquiry I will make sure I research my questions fully and make sure that my end product is done to the best of my ability. In order for me to do this I will have to manage my time better.

For English this term I will improve on my editing skills and spelling by using thesauruses and dictionaries when needed.

For maths this term I really need to improve on my measurement skills and I will do this by taking note of what the teacher tells us in class and putting it into practise when we do text book work.

For speeches this year I have to focus on presenting it to the class. I will improve this by taking part in student assemblies and getting used to speaking in front of a crowd.

For P.E this term I am really going to focus on cross country by making sure I try my hardest when we are training at school.

This year we are doing a production called The Pirate Queen. It is about a young girl named Grace O’Malley that grows up to become a Pirate Queen (much to the disappointment of her mother, Mary O’Malley.) Along the way she gets married to Donal O’Flaherty, an old friend of hers. He later gets captured, so Grace braves the Mighty River Thames to talk to the Queen herself to try and get her beloved husband back…..  

I play Mary O’Malley and have really enjoyed it. It takes a lot of energy and not to mention time to learn all the lines, practise them, rehearse and then finally perform. We have spent a full term rehearsing after school on Thursdays and on Sunday afternoons. We even got a week out of class to prepare for our first performance! 

In one of the scenes, Owen O’Malley (father of Grace O’Malley) is suppose to throw a potato out of the window, but he threw it to hard and the potato bounced back off the box behind the window that is suppose to catch it, and it came back inside!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone was trying not to laugh, it was so funny!  

It is so much fun getting up on stage and entertaining the likes of friends and family, and even complete strangers. I think that the production is awesome, and I am going to be disappointed when it is over. 

Author: Lurlene MacDaniel

Publisher: Bantam Books

Date of Publication: 1993

Number of Pages: 152

ISBN: 0553560670 

After losing her closest friend in a car accident, Megan Charnell goes through a very rough stage. Then one summer after the tragedy, Megan takes a job as a candy striper at the local hospital were her father works. Completely unenthusiastic about her new job, Megan shows up late on her first day. Then she meets a young boy named Donovan Jacoby who completely turns her life around. He has a liver condition, and practically lives at the hospital. Later on in the book he his given a huge amount of money by an anonymous benefactor, and he wants her help to make his dying wish come true…..

I though that this book was pretty good. I found the start of it sort of boring but it got better as the story went along. I found the end was the best bit, as it was a bit more exiting. As Megan got deeper into Donovan’s life, I found it hard to pull my head out of the book because Lurlene MacDaniel really got into the deepest feelings of the characters. She really got across the point that everyone is venerable at some point of their life, and that bad stuff can happen to anyone. Also she really got across the heartbreak and stress the family had fallen victim to.

Overall I give this book a strong 8 out of 10. I recommend this book to people that enjoy reading teenage/ medical or any sort of thing like that.

Cinderanna 

Once upon a time, in the far away land of Hamilton, there lived a young girl named Anna White. When she was just a small baby, her mother had passed away. Four years later, her father remarried a woman called Helen who had twin daughters called Clindella and Priscilla. They were the ugliest girls you have ever seen. But it wasn’t just their appearance that was ugly, their hearts were to. They were the meanest girls that Anna had ever had the misfortune of meeting. And to make matters worse, when Anna was just 8 years old, her father died in a horrible car crash, so Helen inherited their beautiful house and his massive fortune, along with the thing he treasured most, Anna. Helen was not happy about taking in Anna so made her the slave of the house. Everyday she had to dust the shelves and scrub the floor. One day she was so covered in cinders, Clindella and Priscilla decided to call her Cinderanna.

Ten years later, they twins were even uglier, and Helen was even meaner. The name Cinderanna had stuck after all these years. But now Cinderanna didn’t just have to dust, and scrub the floor, she was made to make all the beds in the morning, feed all the animals and make sure that the twins had a home cooked breakfast before leaving for school. Then when she got back from school, she would have to make dinner, do the dishes from that morning and make sure that the house is spotless.

One day at school, everyone was given an invitation to the senior ball. When Cinderanna got home she found the twins in the lounge room with their mother. “You will both be Queens my darlings and you will dance will the King.” Helen said sweetly. “I’ll bet it will be Matt. He is the most popular boy in school after all. And the most handsome” Clindella said cheerfully. “But Mum” Priscilla whined, glaring at her sister. “There can only be one Queen.” Helen just smiled at her daughters. “Cinderanna” Helen snapped when she saw her trying to sneak past the lounge door. “You are to go shopping with the twins and help them pick out a dress, and don’t even think about going yourself. I will not have you embarrassing my two beautiful girls.” Cinderanna carried on with her chores, hating every second of it.

It was the night of the ball, and once again Cinderanna was left behind to do her chores as the others went out and had fun. She started to weep as she clutched the invitation in her hands, not believing how mean and cruel her step mother was. Just then she felt the softest tap on her shoulder. She turned around slowly and saw the most amazing sight. Standing behind her was Katie, an old friend of hers that had recently passed away. “What, how” Cinderanna exclaimed. “I am your Guardian Angel Anna. I have come to help you” Katie replied. “Now if you want to go to the ball, you need to get me one of the old toy cars that your father used to collect, try to find one with a driver if you can and put on an old dress and a pair of shoes. Just moments later Cinderanna returned with all the things that Katie had asked for. “Now come outside with me” Katie said. They made their way outside onto the driveway. “Now watch” Katie said in almost a whisper. With a wave of her hands, and the sound of a few magical words, the toy car grew and grew until it was a full size car, with a driver sitting in the front seat with the engine roaring. “Now stand over there” Katie said to Cinderanna. With another wave of her hand, and the sound of a few more magical words, Cinderannas old and worn dress turned into a beautiful ball gown, and her shoes turned into the most beautiful glass slippers. “Now go have fun” Katie said as she disappeared from sight. Cinderanna jumped into the car, and she was soon on her way to her senior ball.

She arrived just in time for the first dance. As she walked through the crowds of people, she turned the heads of many boys. Wolf whistles came from nowhere, and Cinderanna could feel herself starting to blush. She walked over to the punch bowl, where her step sisters were standing. “I bet you didn’t think you would see me here” Cinderanna said boldly to Clindella and Priscilla. “What are you doing here Cinderanna” Clindella said sniggering. “You know mother won’t be happy.” “My name is not Cinderanna” she snapped. “It is Anna. And I don’t really care what your mother says. She can’t do anything worse to me than she already does.” And with that she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the twins astounded. About an hour later, the King and Queen of the Senior Ball were announced. “Quiet please” said Miss Edwards, a teacher from Anna’s school. “We are going to announce the King and Queen now.” A thunderous applaud came from the crowd. “The King for this year is….Matt Hayden.” Another applaud erupted from the crowd. “And the Queen is…. Anna White.” As Anna walked up onto the stage, her step sisters started crying in disbelief. “Would you like to dance?” Matt asked Anna. “I would love to” Anna replied smiling. And for the rest of the night, Anna danced with Matt, while Clindella and Priscilla sat in the corner sulking.

Just days after the Ball, Anna found her fathers will tucked away in an old book that he used to read her every night. It stated that he had left all his money and the house to his daughter, not his wife, so Anna told Helen that her and her evil daughters they had to move out. Since then two of her friends moved in to keep her company, including Matt. They had been going out ever since the Ball. Life couldn’t be any sweeter for Anna.