Value Essay draft

Sean Rondeau

10.13.2009

C block

Value Essay

What is value? It is perhaps more complex than most people think. Value can be measured in many ways. Is it monetary worth, material worth, or significance to oneself? It all depends on the person. In today’s society of expensive cars, clothes, and electronics, people tend to forget about the priceless moments that they have each day. People often take these moments for granted, but in reality everyone needs moments like their morning coffee or family parties. In my opinion, the most valuable things in life are the priceless memories or “Kodak moments.”

I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock at 3 am (did I even sleep that night?). Enthusiastically, I force myself up out of bed. My family and I are going to Rosemary Beach, Florida! This is our fifth trip to this beautiful paradise and each time it feels like the first. After a quick plane ride, we arrived at our destination. As we arrive, there is nothing but clear skies and amazing weather that follows us. The town is a rather small, filled with relaxed people in a carefree type of lifestyle. I could tell these people didn’t mind to watch the sunset, smell the roses, or ride bikes all day. Immediately, my parents adapted into this way of life. Both being business owners, they are often under a lot of stress. It is nice to see them so carefree with no schedule to follow.

I look into the horizon of the beautiful sunset and enter the beach. I see a purple, orange sky and a glowing orange sun setting. I also see the purest white sand that squeaks as you walk through it. There were not any shells in the sand. It was flawless, sugar sand. As I peacefully wade in the crystal clear blue water, admiring the nice weather and scenery, there is no feeling that can compare to it. I must also mention the water feels like bath water, almost 80 degrees. Even my sister isn’t afraid to jump in. Our time there is very relaxing and enjoyable. It is the nicest beach I have ever been too. I not only enjoy Rosemary for the beautiful beaches, scenery, and weather, but also for the quality time I get to spend with my carefree family (well at least until they go back to work). These moments are truly priceless to me.

I feel it shiver through my body; my cell phone is vibrating. I place my hand in the crisp pockets of my new jeans. I take out my gray Samsung Alias 2 cell phone to read a text from my friend asking to hang out. It is equipped with a dual keyboard opening two ways with an interchangeable QWERTY keyboard, a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder, 16 GB to hold music, and a front screen telling the time. Using E-ink technology, my cell phone is able to switch keys from numeric to alphabetic with a touch of a button. The technology is amazing. This phone is fit for me.

With money saved up, I bought my phone at about two hundred dollars. I think it was worth every penny. My phone is not only valued to me by price, but also for the piece of mind it brings me. My phone is like a friend. It can provide me with a source of comfort knowing that at any time I can call my family or friends. If I am bored, I can use my Alias 2 to text or call my friends to chill. If I am sad, I can call my parents or sister. If I am angry and need to vent, I can talk with another friend. It is always there for me.

The days spent at Rosemary Beach and my phone are both very valuable to me. Even though they are both very different things, they both bring me a sense of comfort. When I think about the moments at Rosemary, I feel elated and it lifts me up if I am having a bad day. My phone also brings me the same feeling knowing that I will always have someone.

1st quarter ORB review

First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Penguin Group, 2007.

Twisted is about a high schooler named Tyler Miller. Tyler faces problems in his life. His problems are his family, friends, crush, and involvement with the police. Tyler even thinks about suicide in the story. This book is filled with lots of high school drama. The setting is George Washington High, Tyler’s House, and Bethany’s House. The conflict is Tyler trying to find his place within his peers.

“This dark comedy gives a chillingly accurate portrayal of the high school social scene, in which morals, perceptions and conceptions of truth are continually being challenged.”
- Publishers Weekly

Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing style throughout the book is within the mind of male teenager. She writes in Tyler’s point of view where he thinks about girls, power, violence, and being cool. She also has a computer game called Tophet in the book that Tyler plays. When Tyler cannot get past a level, it represents a bump in his life or struggle. This is Anderson’s first book with a male protagonist. Other books written by Anderson are Speak, Catalyst, and Prom.

“As we pulled out of the parking lot, I pressed my face against the back window to watch her walk away. Bethany was the Alpha Female of George Washington High- the most beautiful, the most popular, the queen bee. She was also the daughter of my dad’s boss, and the sister of the guy who had been making my life hell for years” (8).

This is one of my favorite books I have ever read. I really like the way Laurie Halse Anderson writes. It is my first book that I have read by her. I plan to read one of Anderson’s other novels. I expect the next book I read by her to be very good. I also like the theme of the book to just be yourself. This is one of my favorite books because it was very entertaining. I always wanted to read it and find out what was going to happen with Tyler’s life. At one point, I thought Tyler’s social life was over, at another I thought he was finally perfect, at another I thought he was going to kill himself, and at one point, I thought he was going to kill his father. This book is full of emotions and drama which is why it was so fun to read.

1st quarter outside reading project

T - Tyler Miller has a crush on the queen bee of the school, Bethany Millbury.



W - Welcomed to Bethany’s dads party, Tyler falls into the waiter causing him to drop glasses on Bethany’s foot.



I - In the beginning of the story, it tells you that Tyler became somewhat noticeable and tough to his peers for vandalizing the school’s property.



S- Since Tyler earned himself a reputation, he became popular, but its has come with a price involving the police, school, and Bethany.



T- The author of the story uses a computer game throughout the story to represent Tyler’s life. Whenever he cannot get past a level, it represents there is a problem in his life.



E - Even though Tyler almost ran away and committed suicide, he ended up staying at home.



D - Due to Tyler’s reputation, he was thought to have done something he did not do at a crazy party by the police and school involving Bethany.