My report on Karen Kain

In my History, I'm learning about Canada. I was assigned to make a report about a famous person from Canada, so I chose Karen Kain, a Ballerina.

Karen Alexandra Kain was born on March 28th, 1951, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She was the child of Charles Alexander(an electrician), and Winifred Mary(A Real Estate Agent). She attended the National Ballet School of Toronto, Canada, when she was 11, in 1962, and graduated in 1969. After graduating, she went on to be the principal dancer of the National Ballet School of Canada, and soon after became the most well-known dancer in Canada! She married Ross Peterson.



In 1973, she got two silvers in the Second National Competition, one in the women's division, and another for best pas de Deux(A ballet performance danced by a male and female dancer) with Frank Augustyn. She retired from dancing for a little while in the late 1970's. In 1980, she came back and kept on dancing at the National Ballet of Canada, then retired 15 years later in 1997. During her time, she toured Korea and Japan, and in all danced in 56 performances, and was on TV numerous times.



She is now the President of the Dancer's Transition Centre. She is a great dancer, and was very talented and loved. She has honorary degrees from 5 universities, and in May of 1998, the French Goverment named her the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. Miss Karen Kain returned to the National Ballet of Canada, and is part of the Seniors Management Team.




Hope you enjoyed!
Blessings and Love,
Joy

What Will He Think?

Mom gave me the creative writing assignment of writing(In story form or list form) what thoughts I think will be going through Luke's head from the time he meets us, to the time he comes home. So here I go! Oh yeah, "Dang" is pronounced "Dong". Lol.

"Come on Dang-Dang!" I furrowed my eyebrows as this strange woman from this strange place took my hand gently, though I felt like pulling away roughly, and led me into another huge room. There, I saw many white-faced, light-haired, happy-as-a-clown people, with many other people that kept calling them mom and some weird word, "dad". The girl that had my hand led me to a couple with a shorter person with brown hair and brown eyes. She grinned at me and called me "Luke". The taller couple, the man with black hair and green eyes, and the woman with red hair and brown eyes, crouched down and hugged me tightly. "Dang Dang Luke!" I looked around franticly. Who are these people? Why are they touching me? EW they smell gross! What is that strong smell? Why do they look so different compared to all my adults? Where is my mama? Where is my Baba? HELP ME! I began to cry. I didn't know what else to do, and crying is a sure fire method to getting your way. But to my suprise, the woman pulled me up into her arms with a grunt, and pressed her hand against the back of my head, and started rocking me. I screeched loudly. LET ME OUT!! I WANNA GO HOME!!

The woman who brought me to these people was slowly drifting away. I reached out for her, but she shook her head and pointed to the couple. "Mama, Baba. Mama, Baba." She pointed to the little girl. "Jie Jie. Jie Jie." I furrowed my eyebrows and screamed louder, hot tears rolling down my cheeks. These weren't my Mama, Baba, and Jie Jie. They were complete strangers. Was I dreaming? I looked around, still letting out little gasping sobs. The same thing was happening with children I regonized from being cooped up in another room before coming here. Some were swatting their hands about, in panic, and some were crying into their couple's shoulders.

I screamed again. The woman set me down. Then the little girl came over and crouched beside me, and handed me a truck. I let out a little gasp and tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but my eyes were still watery. I examined it carefully, rubbing my finger over the plastic. It made a honking noise. I pressed my finger over the place again. The little girl smiled. "Truck." I tilted my head, and smiled a little. Then I remembered the situation, and let my arm hang beside me, the truck still in my hand. I sobbed louder. The little girl patted my back. "It's okay Dang Dang. It's okay. We love you." I furrowed my eyebrows. The girl looked at the woman, and pronounced the words slowly, her voice shaking as if she was having trouble saying it. Her tone sounded weird. "Woaini, Dang Dang" She loves me? How does she know my name? I don't even know her? Who is she? Who are all these people? I blinked.

The tall man picked me up and hugged me, and then set me down again, and took my hand. The woman took my other hand, and they led me, with the little girl following behind, out to a car. I clapped my hands. "Che, Che!" The girl grinned brightly. "Che. Car. Che. Car. Che is a car." I furrowed my eyebrows, ran to the car, and banged on the door with my palms. "Che! CHE!" The girl laughed and opened the door, hoisted me up into a car seat with a grunt, and fasted me in. She opened a bag of goldfish crackers and handed them to me. "Chi`fan." I nodded, and obeying, devoured the bag. She laughed. "Look at 'em go momma!" The woman laughed. She touched my hair. "He's got pretty hair." I leaned away from her hands. Who are these people and why are they touching me and feeding me and giving me toys? This is so confusing! I thought about crying, but decided to finish my snack first. The girl handed me a juice, and I sipped it up. She smiled.

"Dang Dang." I turned to look at her. "Dang Dang Luke" I tilted my head. I was familiar with Dang Dang, but what was this Luke thing? I furrowed my eyebrows again and she locked her right eye with mine. "Me jiao Dang Dang, me jiao Luke" I squinted. My name was Dang Dang, not Luke. The car pulled into a hotel as I finished my crackers and juice. I fumbled with my straps, and let out a whine when I couldn't figure out how to get the thing off. The girl hurriedly un-did it and smiled at me. "Ni Hao, Dang Dang." She helped me out and led me into a clean, new smelling room, and jumped onto the bed and grinned. "You want to jump?" I furrowed my eyebrows and stuck out my lip. What was this stupid language they were speaking? She shrugged and pulled me onto the bed, and took both of my hands and started jumping. I giggled and jumped too. Soon I was laughing full out, when BAM! Something cold and wet hit my arm. I spun around, almost falling off, but the girl caught me. The man was holding a toy thing. I jumped down, and the girl handed one to me. I looked at it carefully. It was plastic, and green, and had a little trigger. I pulled it, and water squirted out. The girl called it a "Wa-ter-Gun" Or something like that. I looked at the man and the girl, squirting each other now. I squirted at the girl. She laughed and squirted me back. Then I squirted her again. We played for a long while.

Then, the woman leaned down beside a big suitcase, and drew out some pjs. I giggled. The girl went into the bathroom with some pjs, also. The woman began to take off my clothes. I screamed. WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE TOUCHING ME AND UNDRESSING ME?? I WANNA GO HOME! My giggles faded, of course, and I frowned, then the frown turned to a glare. The woman dressed me in some soft pjs, and then tickled my belly. I frowned and pushed her hand away. "MAMA!! BABA!!!" She looked sad. I began to sob again, and the man picked me up and sat me on the bed. I hit the pillow over and over again, then laid down. I slowly started drifting off to sleep as the girl came out of the bathroom and pulled the covers over my shoulders......

RING RING! A telephone went ringing through the air. I sat up groggily. Then I remembered what had happened. I began to cry, then noticed that the little girl was beside me. She woke up and put her arm around me. "It's okay, Dang Dang Luke. We won't leave you. I know you miss your famliy, but we can be a good family too. I know it. You'll see. We love you so much!" I buried my face in the covers. She got up and tiptoed over to the suitcase and got out some shorts and a dinosaur shirt. She dressed me quickly, trying to keep me from screaming. Of course she failed, and tears fell all over the clothes. She tossed the pjs into the suitcase. "Dang Dang, you stay right here. I'm gonna go get dressed, okay?" She smiled and handed me a stuffed car and ran into the bathroom.

I got down on my hands and knees, still crying, and moved the car slowly. Then I picked up speed. "Zoom Zoom! Vroom!" I giggled, and wiped my eyes and nose. The little girl came out and picked up another car, and made a car crash. "Uh Oh!" We both laughed and then the man and woman came in.

A lot of days passed like these, sometimes us going to get food at mcdonalds, sometimes going to fancy reasturants. The woman gave me some baths, and the man taught me how to play with a ball that he called a "baseball". The girl played cars with me, and gave me piggy back rides.

Then one day, they picked up their bags and the girl took my hand. We got in the Che again, and the girl put her arm around me. I tilted my head questioningly. "We go bye bye?" Bye bye was a word the girl had taught me to say to others when we left them. But she always told me "Dang Dang Luke, you never have to say bye bye to me, Jie Jie Joy, or Mama or Baba." We pulled into a giant parking lot and they got me out. We went through a huge bunch of rooms the girl kept calling the "Airport" and then we boarded what she called a "airplane". We rode several of these flying things, and I always got the window seat, and the girl and I examined the clouds. "ZOOM ZOOM" I would cry. Then she'd laugh. Then after about a day and a half, we got off, got into a car with a boy that looked a lot like me, and he started talking to me as the man drove us away from there. The girl called him "Gu Gu Colt" and he called me "Luke" I shrugged and smiled at him. The boy kept talking to me, and hugging me, and telling me he loved me.

As we drove along, something changed. I got this thought. This is my family.

I know that was alot, but thanks for reading! :)

Letter F and Mexican Girl Diary Day 7

HOLA, ME AMIGOS!!!! How are you today? Well, I know I haven't done the A B C meme
in awhile, but, I thought I'd do one today.



F is for feather(something your cat will like).



I remember getting this feather from a girl I knew from my old dance school. Everybody loved her and she was one of my good friends. So, she had on her feathery costume and we(she and I) were playing with the feathers that came off, and she just gave it to me!!! I always loved her costume! She was Ms. Mexico(we were doing the dance where every girl got to be a country). I was Ms. France. I had a gold, glittery costume with a sash that said "MS. FRANCE" on it.

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Now, I know most of you have gotten really into this diary, so, even though I was only going to do 7 days, and today would be the end, I think I'm going to do day 8, so stay tuned!!!!!

March, 28th, 1781

Hola,

Great news!!!! We have arrived!!!! Today, Papa` showed Mama` and I our plot of land, and-oh! It's just sooo beautiful! And when Papa` said "our land"-oh, I just almost went to pieces!!! Mama` started crying along with the other women, and I can promise you, the baby in Mama`'s stomach was proably startled!!! Ha! Well, the men said they would start on our house first, so Mama` could sleep in a warm bed along with the baby. There IS bad news, though. I only have 1 page left for my diary here, so, I can only write one time. Mama` will have her baby in 6 months!!!!! Next time I write, I will tell if my younger sibling is a girl, or a boy. I will also tell how our house turned out, and how Mama` is after the baby.
Maria`'s Mother has died. Maria has found strength in coming to us in her time of need, since her Papa` has been quite sad, yet busy. Mama` and Papa` say busyness cures the broken heart. We are planning a surprise fiesta as soon as possible for Maria and her father, so, I will also write about that in my last entry too. Here is what my house will hopefully look like!



Goodbye for now,
Blessings,
Amaya

My Report on Betsy Ross

My mom had me do a report (or, I wanted to do it) on Betsy Ross, the young lady that sewed the first American flag. But, real quick, before I start, I want to thank everyone for the sweet comments on my post that was on yesterday about Matty. It made me feel a lot better knowing that you all are there comforting me. Thanks! Alright, on with the assignment!

Betsy Ross was born on January 1st, 1752. She was first named Elizabeth Griscom. She got the name Betsy from her real name, Elizabeth. Her parents' names were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. She grew up as a quaker. She went to a quaker school where usually, you would learn stitchery and sewing and politeness and tea hosting and things of that sort, however, she learned sewing and embroidery at home. She lived a very simple life where plain simple dresses were a luxury.

She grew up and married John Ross. When she grew up, she, of course, became a seamstress too. She made the American flag after a visit from George Washington, Robert Morris, and her husband's uncle. She showed how to cut a perfect star with just a pair of scissors, that is, if the fabric is folded correctly. The story wasn't told until Betsy's grandson let it out.

She died on January 30th, 1836. She is remembered as a great, American, hero.

Here, she was sewing the flag. You can see in the next pic where she is showing it to, George Washington, that it had 13 stars, rather than 50. That was because they had just become independent and they only had the 13 colonies, or states, of America.




Showing it to Mr. President. =D



I took a picture of the "Betsy Flag" in our living room hanging over our fireplace. My mom just said that the "Betsy Flag" is one of her favorite things in our house. Here it is:





Blessings,
Joy =D

Mexican Girl Diary-Day 5

Feb. 28. 1781

Hola. We are near the end of our journey. We have 1 month exactly until we get to California. And Papa` said that maybe, just maybe, we can get there before that. But, he also said we can't get our hopes up. We just have to pray. The roads are muddy. There has been many rain storms. One of the wagons that had a married couple in it fell into the river when we where crossing the unsturdy bridge. I'm sad for thier families. We are supposed to get there on March 28th, 1781. Hopefully. I pray the rest of our journey will be safe.

Until then,
Amaya

Mexican Girl Diary-Day 4

Febuary 20th. 1781

Hola. The village men have buried Maria`'s brother. Maria` is alright, but, her family isn't. Her Mama` is getting sicker from grief by the minute, her Papa` always putting his head in his hands. My brother is alright. He is back to normal. The Senora`'s know what caused the boys to get sick. Hemlock. It's horrible. It looks like a good plant, but inside, or rather, on the bottom (the roots) there is an evilness........An evilness that can kill you.....Just like it killed Pompo. Anyway, we are getting closer and closer to California everyday. But it seems like it has taken forever. I will write whenever I can.

Until then,
Amaya

Mexican Girl Diary-Day 3.

Feb. 8th 1781

Hola. We have been on this long hard trip a long time. Today Maria`'s brother died. My brother is in terrible pain, but, The Elder Senora`, Senora Malita says he will be alright. Maria hasn't been seen since the news came to me and her when we were playing in the wagon circle. She ran fast to see him, but, it was too late. Her mother was seen by Senora` Malita and she said she was crying as hard as any amgio could cry. I feel sorry for her and her family, especially Maria`'s Papa`. Pompo was his only son. He will never be the same, I fear. Today some of our mules escaped. We used to have four but now we have 2. I don't know what will happen if they get loose. Our wagon will break, I fear. Mama`'s loaded so much furniture. I will let you know what happens tomorrow, if possible. I don't know. Mama` may have me help her.

Until next time,
Amaya

Mexican Girl Diary-Day 2

Febuary 3rd, 1781

Hola again. We are on our way. No bad happenings have come to us yet....but I fear that my little brother and Maria`'s little brother may be coming down with a fever. They have taken rest in the wagons after exploring the camp. They tried to tell us that they were well...but...they are not. Everybody knows it. Mama` has gone to get an elder Senora` to help. But other than that everyone is fine. But that doesn't mean anything. Papa` was talking to Mama` last night when I was still awake and he talked of trouble in crossing the creek. I will pray consistently.

God bless,
Amaya

Mexican Girl Diary

My mom gave me an assignment (well, the big Sonlight book said to). I have to imagine that I'm a Mexican girl traveling to California in the year 1781. Here goes!


Febuary 2nd, 1781.

Hola. I am a 10 year old Mexican Nina`. My name is Amaya. Today twelve Mexican families-23 men and women and 21 children-are leaving Alamos, Mexico. Today is also my birthday. My Papa`, my Mama`, and my 4 year old brother are going to California. The trip will be hard, the voyage long. But my family is strong. My Papa` knows many things. But I will miss the families who are staying behind. My best amigo, Maria`, her Papa`, Mama`, and 4 year old brother are coming though!!!! We will have best of times! Well, Mama` is calling to me. We are still loading because Mama` is bringing her furniture with her as most Senora`s are not. I have to help. But, before I leave I want to show you my doll that I am bringing for company. Her name is Rosita`. I named her after the wisest woman in Alamos, Senorita` Rosita. Here she is:



Until tomorrow,
Amaya