Where were You When the World Stopped Turning?

It was a beautiful, sunny, September morning, trying to get back into the same routine after a long summer break. My mother was three months pregnant, with her third child, my brother Christopher. It was around six in the morning that her alarm clock went off. She woke up, got dressed, and got my sister Brittany, and I ready to go back to school. She dropped us off, and then headed to her job at Allstate Insurance in Greenlawn. It was at that moment when the spokesman on the radio came on with some breaking news. This morning was unlike any others. 

“This just in, an aircraft just crashed into a building,” the radio had just announced while she was on her way to work. In her mind, she thought “How crazy, a plane just flew into a building.” She had no clue or inclination that we were under attack and how this day would change her whole life.

It wasn’t until she was sitting at her desk at work when friends and family started calling her, asking if Jim was okay. At that point my mom realized something very serious was happening. My father always called her at 9:30 a.m. every day. It was now past 9:30 and there was no phone call. After that moment of realization, my mom put on the office TV. She had no cell phone, only my dad had one. That was when this ordinary September day became one of the worst days of her life. 

Throughout the morning, she still had no contact with my dad. She learned that the airplane that crashed into a building was a passenger jet that was deliberately flown into one of the World Trade Towers. Not long after, another friend called her, telling her that they saw my dad on TV, and he appeared to be okay. Work dragged on that day as she waited patiently for a phone call from my dad. 

Eventually, my mom left work because she wasn’t getting anything done. She was too worried and distracted wondering if my dad was okay and still alive. She left her office and went to my grandparents house, my father’s parents, where my sister and I were. Not long before she left work, my dad was able to locate a phone in a gas station. All cell phones had no service. He called her and said he only had a moment to talk. He just wanted to say he loved her, and he would be okay. He will try to call again. Although it was one of the shortest phone calls of her life, it was the best one. While being at my grandparents, the adults were waiting around, watching the news, pacing back and forth, unsure what to do. My sister and I entertained ourselves because we didn’t understand what was going on. 

As time went on, my mom, sister, and I went home. Nothing changed when we got home though. My sister and I sat in front of the TV with the news on. All I remember is being about four years old and my mom was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, making a million phone calls. My sister and I kept telling my mom, “We see daddy on TV,” although it wasn’t true, we thought we did. Throughout the rest of the day into the next, my mom received random phone calls from my dad saying he was still okay, and that he loved her. Two days later, my dad walked through our home. We were overjoyed. God truly blessed us by keeping him safe and sending him home to us.

Vocabulary:

1. Insurance(noun): an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person is injured or dies, or to pay money equal to the value of something (such as a house or car) if it is damaged, lost, or stolen
2. Aircraft(noun): a machine (such as an airplane or a helicopter) that flies through the air
3. Inclination(noun): a feeling of wanting to do something: a tendency to do something
4. Realization(noun): a state of understanding or becoming aware of something
5. Ordinary(adjective): in the normal or usual way: as something is always done
6. Contact(verb): to call or write to (someone or something): to communicate with (someone or something)
7. Deliberately(adverb): in a way that is meant, intended, or planned
8. Patiently(adjective): able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people
9. Distracted(adjective): unable to think or pay attention to something
10. Locate(verb): to find the place or position of (something or someone)

Vocabulary Exercise:

Directions: Put the vocabulary word in alphabetical order

1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
5. ______________________________
6. ______________________________
7. ______________________________
8. ______________________________
9. ______________________________
10. ______________________________

Grammar Point:

There are many different types of punctuation.

• Period (.): used at the end of a sentence
• Exclamation Point (!): used at the end of a command or exclamation 
• Question Mark (?): used at the end of the question 

Grammar Exercise:

Directions: Write 5 sentences using different punctuations. 

1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
5. ______________________________

A Great Experience

Jake Owen

One day, my boyfriend texted me telling me that Jake Owen, who is his favorite country singer of all time, is playing a Chase Sound Check show in Manhattan, New York City. As you can imagine, he bought the tickets, which are for April 2nd, 2019. 


When the day finally arrived, we took the train into NYC. While we were on the train, my boyfriend was making a poster to hold up. His poster read "I Skipped Class for This!" He wanted to get to the concert hall early because it was general admission. We got to the venue about 2 hours early, which was unfortunate because it was freezing outside. But we made friends while waiting outside.


About an hour after we were waiting outside, Jake Owen arrived! Everyone around us started freaking out, my boyfriend including. Jake Owen was walking around, greeting all of his fans who came out this early to go to the show. He talked to everyone and shook everyones hands. When we got to talk to him, my boyfriend froze. He was completely starstruck and lost all his thoughts. Luckily for him, I spoke for him asking Jake Owen if he can sign our tickets and take a picture. Sadly, there wasn't enough time for me to take a picture with Jake, but my boyfriend and his brother did. 

About a half hour later, we were all frozen, Jake Owen came out again! He saw there were even more people on line waiting! So he walked down to say hi to everyone again. This was when my boyfriend was determined to get his shirt signed by Jake. When my boyfriend discovered who Jake Owen was, he was wearing this shirt. It was my boyfriend's dream to get his shirt signed by him. When Jake walked past us, I screamed out for Jake, and luckily got his attention. This time, my boyfriend spoke to Jake and asked him to sign the shirt for him, which he did. My boyfriend was so excited, and the show didn't even begin yet! 

When it was time to get inside the venue, our friends got in first and saved us a spot. We were the second row from the front! It was beyond amazing! Jake played for almost 2 hours. We even got to talk to him during the concert! It was one of the most amazing nights, and he isn't even my favorite artist. I cannot imagine how my boyfriend felt that day. 

Vocabulary: 

• Favorite(noun): a person or a thing that is liked more than others: a favorite person or thing
• Singer(noun): a performer who sings
• Imagine(verb): to think of or create (something that is not real) in your mind
• Hall(noun): a large room or building for meetings, entertainment, etc.
• Admission(noun): the right or permission to enter a place
• Venue(noun): a place where an event takes place
• Fans(noun): a person who likes and admires someone (such as a famous person) or something (such as a sport or sports team) in a very enthusiastic way
• Show(noun): a play or other stage performance, especially a musical 
• Starstruck(adjective): fascinated or greatly impressed by famous people
• Discovered(verb): to see, find, or become aware of (something) for the first time

Vocabulary Exercise: 

Directions: Find the words in the crossword puzzle 

Grammar Point:

This blog used a lot of nouns to talk about my great experience. A noun is a word that is a person, place or thing. An example of a noun in this blog is singer. 

Grammar Exercise: 

Directions: Write a paragraph about a great experience that you've gone. Use at least 4 nouns in your paragraph. 

Worst Day of My Life

January 24th, 2014.

This day was one of the worst days of my life. It was a Friday morning, as I was walking into my kitchen to grab breakfast before I left for school, I wasn't greeted by a wagging tail and slobbery dog kisses. Instead, Dakota was laying down on the floor behind the dining room table, completely unfazed. Because I was I was running late, I grabbed a muffin, gave him a kiss, and left to catch the bus. I texted my mom to tell her that Dakota was acting extremely strange and unlike himself this morning.

After school, as I was walking down the block, I noticed my dad's car in the driveway, which he always gets home after I do. Once I got to the front door, something did not feel right. I turn the door knob, walk in with tears rushing down my face, asking my parents where Dakota is. When I finally calmed down, my parents told me that they took him to the vet and discovered a massive mass in his rib cage the size of a grapefruit. The vet wasn't sure if it was cancerous, and where exactly it was located because of his deep rib cage and his age. 


We had to make a decision. We can either put Dakota through the surgery, which may or may not removed the mass or help, or we can put Dakota down and out of his misery. I could not believe what I was hearing. He is my best friend. He is only 7 and a half years old. Only halfway through his life.

After a lot of tears and conversations, we decided that it is in Dakota's best interest if we put him down. Losing Dakota was the second hardest loss I ever experienced because dog's are truly part of the family. 

Vocabulary:

• Unfazed(adjective): not confused, worried, or shocked by something that has happened
• Catch(verb): to get on a bus, train, etc., before it leaves
• Block(noun): an area of land surrounded by four streets in a city
• Knob(noun): a round handle on a door, drawer, etc.
• Discovered(verb): to learn or find out (something surprising of unexpected) 
• Mass(noun): a large number or amount of something
• Cancerous(noun): a serious disease caused by cells that are not normal and that can spread to one or many parts of the body
• Decision(noun): a choice that you make about something after thinking about it: the result of deciding 
• Surgery(noun): a medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts
• Down(verb): the act of putting an animal to death or allowing it to die without holding extreme medical measures

Vocabulary Exercise:

Directions: Organize the words into alphabetical order. (ABC's) 

1. __________________________

2. __________________________

3. __________________________

4. __________________________

5. __________________________

6. __________________________

7. __________________________

8. __________________________

9. __________________________

10. _________________________

Grammar Point:

Capitalization is used in the beginning of a sentence or a proper noun that maybe placed anywhere, including the pronoun I. 
For example: 
Are you going to the Thomas Rhett concert at Jones Beach? 
Are is capital because it begins the sentence. 
Thomas Rhett and Jones Beach are capital because they are proper nouns. 

Grammar Exercise:

Directions: Correct the following capitalization in the sentences below. 

1. i am going to the park. ________
2. We are going to visit molloy college today. ____________
3. Today is wednesday. __________
4. have you ever been to new jersey? ________________________
5. My name is maria. what is your name? _____________________
6. yesterday i told my mom that i am working at amityville public library. ________________________________________________________
7. Today is my brother, christopher's, birthday. 
8. they moved to north dakota last year. ____________________________ 

For Additional Help: 

https://www.education.com/game/capitalizing-proper-nouns/https://www.education.com/game/proper-nouns-hopper/

Exploring the World

Traveling to Europe 

July 2020 is going to be a busy month for my sister and her boyfriend. They're backpacking through Europe together. First, they're going to fly to New York airport for a day to break up the travel since they live in Arizona. My sister moved over there about 2 years ago. Once they arrive in New York, they will get their luggages, and come to my house for the day. The first country they're visiting is Lisbon, followed by Barcelona. Afterwards, they're exploring Rome. While they are there, they will visit the Vatican. The Pope lives over there. 


When they are done, they will travel to Milan, where my sister is probably going to go on a shopping spree. Next, they're traveling to Zurich, Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. They're traveling to all these countries on the Rail, which is a European train system. They carry all their belongings with them on the trains. The last three cities they're traveling to are Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. I am so jealous that they are going over there to Europe and exploring! 

Vocabulary:

• Busy(adjective): actively doing something
• Backpacking(verb): to hike or travel with a backpack
• Airport(noun): a place where aircraft land and take off and where there are buildings for passengers to wait in and for aircraft to be sheltered
• Travel(verb): to go on a trip or journey: to go to a place and especially one that is far away
• Arrive(verb): to come to or reach a place after traveling, being sent, etc. 
• Luggage(noun): the bags and suitcases that a person carries when traveling
• Explore(verb): to travel over or through (a place) in order to learn more about it or to find something
• Pope(noun): the head of the Roman Catholic Church
• Spree(noun): a short period of time when you do a lot of something
• System(noun): a group of related parts that move or work together

Vocabulary Exercise:

Directions: Find all the words in the crossword puzzle below

https://www.puzzlefast.com/en/puzzles/2020030503210374E/plain-puzzle

Grammar Point:

Some words sound alike but they have very different meanings. It is important to learn the difference between these words that are frequently confused with each other. The underlined words in the text above are the words: there, their, and they're. 

There means "in that place" or the opposite of "here," "at that place." 

Their shows that something belongs to them.

They're is a contraction of "they are" or "they were"

Grammar Exercise:

Directions: Read each sentence and circle the correct usage of the words. 

1. (There/ They're) is no way I am going to hike that mountain.
2. "Hey! I see her over (their/there)." Tina and Tom said (they're/their) coming to do the hike. 
3. Can you please park the car over (they're/ there)? 
4. I would like to know when (they're/their) meeting us.
5. This is (they're/ their) tent. 

Coaching Soccer

Coaching Soccer

My weekends are spent coaching soccer to children who are 5 years old. I coach soccer for Plainedge Soccer Club with a program called "Little Feet." This is a program for children starting at the age of 2 until about 7 years old. Once the children are above 7 years old, they move to a soccer team. Each session is 45 minutes long, filled with games. 

This program focuses on simple coordination, ball familiarity, listening skills, and teamwork. 

Each week, we have a routine of how we play soccer. First, we begin by stretching. It is important to stretch to make sure we don't pull a muscle while playing. After we finish, we do our soccer skills. Some of these skills are: pull backs, soccer ready, toe taps, rock and roll, and around the world. Next we begin playing our first game. Typically the first game is a warm up, to get the children ready to play. When the first game is over, the children get water at the same time as the coaches set up for the next game. 

As the time goes on, the games become more and more challenging for the children. Rarely is there any downtime. The children are constantly moving from one thing to the next. After we play three games, we then introduce how to play soccer. Last of all, before the children go home, all the children take turns scoring a goal and receiving a sticker. Coaching soccer for the past 5 years has been so rewarding. I cannot wait to see what the future has for all these soccer stars. 

For more information about Plainedge Soccer Club Little Feet Program:  https://www.plainedgesoccerclub.com/page/show/37900-home

Vocabulary: 

• Soccer(noun): a game played between two teams of 11 players in which a round ball is moved toward a goal usually by kicking
• Coach(noun): a person who teaches and trains the members of a sports team and makes decisions about how the team plays during games
• Team(noun): a group of people who complete in a sport, game, etc., against another group
• Coordination(noun): the ability to move different parts of your body together well or easily
• Teamwork(noun): the work done by people who work together as a team to do something
• Stretch(verb): to put your arms, legs, etc., in positions that make the muscles long and tight
• Challenge(verb): to test the ability, skill, or strength of (someone or something)
• Rarely(adverb): not very often
• Introduce(verb): to cause (someone) to learn about or try (something) for the first time
• Goal(noun): an area or object into which a ball or puck must be hit, kicked, etc., to score points in various games

Vocabulary Activity: 

Directions: Unscramble the vocabulary words below.

1. meta 
2. gloa
3. wkrtemao 
4. hrtestc
5. cedutniro 
6. creocs 
7. yearlr
8. oditncoraoin
9. eglhclnae
10. ahcoc

Grammar Point:

The text above uses transition words in order to explain the routine. Transition words are like glue that connect two separate ideas together. They help your readers progress from one thought to another helping them connect one thought from another. Transition words help with addition, emphasis, order and comparison. There are many different transitions words, in this case the transition words help with time.  

Grammar Activity: 

Directions: Write a paragraph using at least 5 transition words that tell time. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Additional Help: 
https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-15162.php
https://youtu.be/R0y89jP-Rfg

The Engagement

I'm Engaged!

 

On April 1st, 2019, my boyfriend texted me about a genius idea. Because April 1st is also known as April Fool's Day, and it is my birthday, he asked me if I would be interested in faking a proposal. 

The message that started it all

His idea was to change our relationship status on Facebook from "In a Relationship" to "Engaged" at 12:00 p.m. and not say anything else. Just leave it at that. We weren't going to confirm or deny anything right away. We wanted people to come up with their own conclusions. In addition, we also agreed that we weren't going to tell anyone about this being fake, not even our parents. But as we were discussing this idea, we decided we wanted to go all out. We decided to go to a beach and take a picture of him "proposing." 

We set up the tripod, and the camera on the dock, and took our picture.  Because my boyfriend bought me a ring for our one year anniversary, we had a box that we were able to use, and put the ring inside of it to make it look more real. We only had to take 3 pictures to get the perfect fake engagement photo! Once we got back home, we instantly changed our relationship to engaged, and added the photo to make it more believable. 

We also added the photo on Instagram, at the same exact time, with no caption. In a matter of not even 20 minutes, our phones were blowing up. Because we agreed to not confirm or deny it, we ignored the calls and texts. We were only able to keep the post up for 30 minutes before it got way out of hand. We told everyone it was an April Fool's joke, and that the next one will be real. We received over 110 likes on Facebook, as well as over 30 comments. Although some people were mad that it was fake, we can now successfully say that we truly pulled off a fantastic prank! 

Vocabulary: 

• Genius(noun): exceptionally smart, intelligent, or creative 
• Proposal (noun): an offer of marriage
• Deny(verb): to refuse to give or grant (something requested or desired) to someone
• Conclusions(noun): the end or finish of an event or process
• Fake(adjective): not genuine, not real
• Idea(noun): the aim or purpose
• Anniversary(noun): the date on which an event took place in a previous year
• Engagement(noun): a formal agreement to get married
• Instantly(adverb): at once; immediately
• Believable(adjective): credible, convincing or realistic 

Vocabulary Activity:

Directions: Fill in the correct vocabulary word in the blank.

1. My brother ___________ to his girlfriend of 3 years on vacation. I cannot wait to go to the wedding! 
2. Denise planned an __________ party for my brother and his girlfriend when they came home from vacation. 
3. I tried to eat the food on the table but I couldn't. I didn't realize it was ___________.
4. The hardest part about writing a paper is writing the _______________.
5. Jacob wants to ride our bikes to the ice cream store. I responded "That is a great _______ Jacob!"
6. When my mom asked me if I failed my test, I had to _________ it because I didn't want to get in trouble. 
7. My sister is a __________ in math!
8. That story Mrs. Smith read was extremely ____________. I thought it was real!
9. Once the sky turned dark, it __________ started raining really hard.
10. February 29th is my parents wedding ______________. 

Grammar Point: 

The story above is a uses a lot of adjectives, which are words that are used to describe or modify nouns or pronouns. For example: red, quick, happy, and obnoxious are all adjectives because they can describe things. 

Examples from the text: 

We only had to take 3 pictures to get the perfect fake engagement photo!

• Fake is acting as an adjective describing the engagement. 

My boyfriend texted me about a genius idea.

• Genius is acting as an adjective describing the type of idea. 

We instantly changed our relationship to engaged

• Instantly is acting as an adjective describing the verb changed for how fast we did it.

Grammar Activity:

Directions: Write 5 sentences using adjectives.

1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________

For additional help: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hIqdPrH--k
https://www.eslgamesplus.com/adjectives-adverbs/