Best House on Market (by William)

I went to my aunt and uncle’s house for a sleepover and to work on the house my uncle is going to sell.  He is a broker and owns a company called South Sequoia LLC (http://www.southsequoia.com/index.htm). 

I had to pull all weeds out, shovel wood chips, install six doorknobs, and kill flies. 

I sweat a lot pulling weeds because the weeds were basically growing everywhere--in front of the driveway, the side of the driveway, and in the lawn.  I had to bend down and pull every weed out.  I also needed to shovel bark chips that help block the weed roots from getting through.  It was easier than pulling weeds since it took less energy.  The next task was to install door knobs into every door.  It was an easy task.  It took very little strength to do it.  I just put the parts together and screwed the screws in.  I also had to kill flies.  It was a piece of cake.  I slapped and trapped them with gloves. 

Wood Chips for Plants

Doorknob Installed by Me

The house is on market today.  There is no doubt it’s the best house on Market since uncle and I put in all the great work.  Here you will see the listing:  http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1239-Placer-St_Redlands_CA_92374_M20081-00918

1239 Placer St, Redlands, CA 92374

The sleepover was not just hard work, it was still fun.  I walked CoCo, uncle’s dog, played games, and squeezed fresh orange juice.  I am hoping to visit aunt and uncle again.

Singing for Domingo (by William)

Whooo Ooo Ooo!  It was finally the Gala night.  We were warming up and rehearsing in the Corinthian Meeting Room at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel for the performance featuring Plácido Domingo.  I was excited to sing for one of the most famous tenors, Domingo.  There were also two opera singers, Susan Graham and Lauren Libaw, performed at the Gala.

Plácido Domingo

The Gala was for LACC fundraising.  A lot of famous people like Domingo were invited.  I couldn’t believe that last year’s Gala featured John Williams.  “Darn!” I cursed at my bad luck for not able to apply LACC earlier because of age requirement.  John Williams composed many of the music for Star Wars.  The Star Wars movies are my favorite.  The Apprentice, Intermediate, Concert, Young Men’s Ensemble, and Chamber Singers were the choirs at the Gala.

My choir, the Apprentice Choir, sang The Chorus of Enchanted Islanders, Puccini’s Turandot, and Here’s to Song.  My favorite was the first song because it was very upbeat.  I noticed Domingo right away.  He was wearing glasses, a tuxedo, and a formal tie.  He was smiling broadly at us.  The Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium Biltmore had balconies and was huge with shimmering crystal chandeliers.  After we sang Puccini’s Turandot, the Intermediate Choir continued by singing Hansel and Gretel.  After that we sang Gloria Gloria, then we retreated back to the Corinthian Meeting room to have dinner. 

Proud LACC Performance

Crystal Ballroom at Millennium Biltmore Hotel 

I chose turkey sandwiches, an oatmeal raisin cookie, lemonade, and a bag of New York Cheddar flavored potato chips.  We also played some games while waiting to sing the last song.  The guests also had dinner in the Crystal Ballroom.  Their meal included strawberry salad, steak, cornbread muffins, and carrot cakes.

Finally all the choirs sang Here’s to Song.  We got a lot of applause and went home for a long rest.  I felt exhausted but proud of performing for Domingo.  I found myself looking forward to the next Gala.  I can practice singing more often to be better prepared.

I am thankful for Ms. Landis, Ms. Brigham, and Ms. Tomlinson for letting us have such an opportunity and for Ann and Kendra for organizing the event.  Thank you.

My Wiggly Bottom Left Canine Tooth (by William)

My wiggly tooth had been wiggling for a year.  It finally came off on 3/13/2017.  I decided to yank it off because it was bothering me too much.  I proposed that mom should do the yanking because I thought Annie was not experienced enough. 

Mom first tied two circles of floss around my tooth and yanked gently.  Blood came out and it freaked me out so I kept on rinsing with mouth rinse.  Then mom yanked it harder.  The tooth popped out.  My mind cheered and I rinsed more.

I put my tooth under my pillow for the tooth fairy to come.  I waited for a few nights but no money appeared.  I started to suspect the tooth fairy was really mom.  I quested her and she laughed and said “No.  If I were the tooth fairy, I could slip money under your pillow anytime.”  Now I am starting to wonder if the tooth fairy is too busy or maybe she ran out of money.  I am just going to wait and watch for the tooth fairy to pick up the tooth and deliver money.

I believe in the tooth fairy because how can’t I if I believe in God and Santa.  Even if you can’t see them with your own eyes, it doesn’t mean they are not real.

P.S.: Before the tooth fairy came, dad changed sheets for laundry and accidentally threw my tooth away!

Annie (by William)

Our household had a visitor form Colorado.  Her name is Annie, and she knows my family because her dad is a childhood friend of my father.  Annie is in Graduate school.  She has long, flowing dark brown hair and brownish eyes.  The goal of her trip was to visit California during Spring break and bring back souvenirs.  

  

Annie is nice and I learned that she likes chocolate and loves eating eggs.  We went out for ice cream at Fosselman’s and her favorite flavor was dark chocolate.  She fell asleep while listening to me practicing cello.  She is an admiral while playing cards.  Annie didn’t hesitate to point out things that I needed to improve.  For example, sharing food in restaurants and don’t talk too loud in public places, and concentrate more while doing homework.  She gave me two bags of Rocky Mountain popcorn which I had already devoured.    

Happy time with Annie

I like Annie as a big sister and looking forward to her next visit.  

Judge Napoli - Part II of Visiting Norman Oklahoma (by William)

Before we came back from our miraculous road trip, we had a chance to see the judge who had my mom and dad married. 

I remembered one early morning, we went to the Cleveland County courthouse.  Our bags had to be checked, then the sheriffs gave me a junior police badge.  Once we got in, we found Judge Napoli’s assistant and asked her if the judge was available for our visit.  She said that Judge Napoli was busy with a case and asked us to wait.  In the meantime, we decided to bring the judge a bouquet of flowers.  At the flower shop, my mom spotted a bouquet with flowers big and small, and all very colorful.  We bought the bouquet and returned to the courthouse after a wonderful late lunch at a Thai restaurant.  The owner knew my parents and opened just for us during the break hours. 

We had to wait a little more but finally, the assistant led us into a large room.  There right in the middle, stood Judge Napoli.  Her hair was gray but her smile was sure welcoming.  She didn’t remember us but after we introduced ourselves, she remembered dad and then mom.  I liked her because she first let me bang the judge’s hammer against the sounding block.  After that, she seated me in the witness’ chair and let me say “Court is adjourned.”  Mom handed Judge the bouquet, and they chatted.

If next time I have a choice of Hawaii or Oklahoma, I would definitely go back to Oklahoma to visit OU, Judge Napoli, my friends, and finally, go back to the Thai restaurant to eat a wonderful meal!

Life on Rancho in 1848 (by William)

To Ethan in New York

March 7, 1848

Dear Ethan,

How are you?  I am good.  Life on a rancho is hard but fun.  I either spend my day with dad lassoing cattle that belongs to our ranch, or with mom planting, picking vegetables, and cooking. 

Dad and I are taking care of a lot of cattle.  There is no fence so they wander all over our rancho.  We hired a few vaqueros to help bring back cattle that have wandered too far and count them.

My mom plants mainly vegetables like tomatoes, corn, and lettuce. She also plants wheat.  She loves to plant and see daisies, roses, petunias, poppies, and zinnias grow.  I help her by picking and bringing vegetables, wheat, and flowers home.  I also plant seeds to help her.

Guess what?  Dad finally bought me my very own horse.  It is brown so I named it Coffee.  I need to get up every morning bright and early to brush and feed Coffee.  Now at least I don’t need to sit on the same horse as dad.  When Coffee does the thing all horses do, I scoop the poop up and put it in mom’s garden.  Still it is good to feel the wind whizzing around when we break into a full gallop.

When I help dad, it is hard to use a lasso to catch a cow.  When I help mom, I have to go back and forth picking and bringing stuff to our house, but looking at flowers always softens my heart.  I have to brush, feed, and pick up Coffee’s droppings, but on the other hand, it’s always nice to take him out for a ride.  As you can see, Ethan, life on the rancho is hard but fun. 

Sincerely,

William