This I believe blog

 Don't forget those you love
By:Benny Cortez              
Death, it has/will affect everyone at some point. Whether your pet died, friends, or loved ones. There is a pain you will feel thinking about them and how they had an impact in your life, eventually the the memories will bring joy to your heart when you think about all the good memories. Vivid images will make you feel happy. Sometimes sad, but every moment you were with them you will be grateful for,

Even if you lost someone you had close feelings with, even if you hardly knew them. But you had strong feelings for them, you will continue to have feelings for them. Try as you may, you won't be able to get rid of the feelings or memories. But sometimes people don't want it feel the emotions anymore, so they force the memories away as if they didn't exist. They will still remember them no matter what, but they still choose to force the memories away. If you get the chance, you should go to where they're buried. Talk to them, make amends with them. Bring them things flowers when you visit, even though they might not see them. They will be loved from beyond your point.

I believe people shouldn't try to force the memories away, we should treasure the moments we were with the people before they passed. All you'll be doing is  hurting yourself. Even if memories aren't in your all time, simple things can bring a memory come back. I believe you should keep all the memories and feelings, they will help you persevere through tough times. Some memories can help you get through something you're struck on, if it’s work, school etc. I believe we should e joy every moment that everyone is alive and well. The good and bad moments, sad and happy, pain and joy. Even if you may not agree with everyone, it's best to be glad that you can still talk, see and hear them. No one is sure when they will die, or how it will impact the people around them.

Not long ago my grandfather passed away, I knew him only as a baby. I hardly remember him and how he looks. Pictures my mom has shown me, and stories help give me an idea of how he looked. Even though I might not remember everything about him, I'm grateful it got to meet him. My sisters never met him, I was lucky enough to. No one had seen my grandpa since I was 4, he moved to Mexico because he had other family over there he wanted to be with. Only a few family members knew where he was. No one contacted him. This happened in September or November. He had some flaws, his biggest was he loved to drink. Which was a mistake, before he died he lost his leg.

I've learned to appreciate every moment I have with my family, my cousins, grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, etcs. I try my best to be around my family so I can make amends with them about all the mistakes I've made with or around the. In the future I will visit my family anywhere they are.

Everyone should keep the memories about the people who have passed alive, even if you may not have gotten along with them well. You will regret not being nice to them, or spending time with them. If you lost someone you loved, don't forget or push the memories away. They will comfort when you aren't in a good mood, they will continue to help you feel good about yourself and life.

Literature circle book and article blog

My essential question, why do people choose to drink and drive? This ties into the article because the articles gives information on how alcohol has made citizens to harmful things. In the article, it talks about DUI/DWI, and what outcomes can occur. Such as death or even jail time, every year about 12,000 people die from drunk drivers. In my book “ Notes From the Midnight Driver” a student named Alex decided to drink and drive while intoxicated. When Alex crashed, he was caught and sent to a police station. Weeks later, Alex was sent to court he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Taking care of an elderly man named Solomon Lewis.

Both authors partially use the same information, because they both help show/talk about the different outcomes from drinking and getting into accidents. They both tell how a police officer will determine whether or not a person is drunk or not. In the article, it states,”If the officer smells a strong odor of alcohol, you exhibit slurred speech or general incoherence you will be asked to exit your vehicle and move to the side of the road where you will undergo field sobriety testing. If you fail to demonstrate the proper motor skills or judgment to safely operate a motor vehicle during these field test…” This quote shows how police officers will pay attention to specific things, such as smell, speech and balance. In the article, it also says,”There is an average of 900,000 arrested each year for DUI/DWI and a full 1/3 of those are repeat offenders. While National averages have dropped by half over the past 35 years there is still an ongoing problem with drinking and driving.” This shows how people who drive drunken, are facing more consequences. The average number is still high, most that are caught have a history of being drunk and driving.

 In the book, the officer finds Alex on the side of a lawn. When he makes a big deal out of breaking a gnome, Alex begins to think he had run over a person. When his vision starts to get better, he realizes it was a gnome and laughs non-stop. In the book it says,”The Cop sort of puppet-marched me put to the horrific scene and forced my head down close to the carnage. This head was seriously injured, to be sure. It was upside down, smushed up against a tree stump…’Officer, dirt, did I-is he-is-ummm…’ Yes son. You ruined my brand-new shoes, smashed up your car, and decapitate Mrs. Wilsons French lawn gnome,.” This quote shows how Alex was scared because he was drunk and couldn't see that the “person” he ran over, was actually a garden gnome. When they get to the police station, Alex starts to act out. In. The article it says,”Sarge shouted across the room, "Call me an ambulance!" I couldn't stop myself. "Okay, you're an ambulance!" This quote shows how Alex couldn't control himself even though he was in need for serious medical attention.

Literature circle blog, "Notes From the Midnight Driver"

In my book Notes From the Midnight Driver, the main character named Alex Gregory. Got drunk and chose to drive to his dad's house, who got a divorce with his mom and dated Alex’s third grade teacher. Alex Crashed and a police officer caught him, Alex thought he had run over a person. But, it was really was a gnome. When the officer took him to the police station, a sheriff took Alex to the hospital because he was injured. When Alex woke up the next morning, his mom was next to him. While a Alex and his mom were talking, Alex’s dad came. While Alex’s parents were arguing, he wanted to know what was wrong with him. A nurse came and helped him out, while a doctor told Alex how he sustained alcohol poisoning. In the book it says,”Well there are several valid reasons for that. One, you came to us with a fairly significant case of alcohol poisoning. That's why your mouth and eyes are probably very dry…”  After getting out of the hospital, Alex had to go to court in order to defend his trial. Alex’s uncle was his judge. The case wasn't critical, which ended up receiving 100 hours of community work. Everyone at school was staring at Alex, one student named Bryan Gilson was messing with him. Alex’s best friend Laurie stood up for Alex. But, when the fight was over Laurie went after Alex calling him names. When Alex first went to the retirement home, he was assigned a “patient.” Named Solomon Lewis, Alex didn't like Lewis. After a few visits Alex wrote letters to the judge, complaint and requesting for a new task. Soon Alex received a letter denying his request, after a few days the two soon became almost friends. One day when Alex's mom went on a date, Laurie convinced Alex's mother to let Alex go put extra hours in. Alex advised Laure to not show kindness toward Lewis,but when Alex went to get ice. Lewis had taken advantage of Laurie's kindness. On Christmas, Alex surprises Lewis by playing him a song. Laurie comes back from New York and shares the news of how her mother got pregnant when they were over there. On New Year's Eve Laurie accidentally tells Lewis how Alex is only with him because of the accident.

Alex's feelings change towards almost everything. In the community service, Alex has learned to appreciate the time he has spent with Mr. Lewis. Before, Alex would try not to have any interactions with Lewis, but not he spends more time and helps out Mr. Lewis. Both have become friendlier to one another, Alex is spending more time with Mr. Lewis. With his mom, Alex has been trying to understand why she kicked Alex's dad out. Alex's mom has been on the edge since the accident. Alex is trying to get a better relationship with his father. Who now is trying to get back into Alex's life after he was blocked out. With Laurie, Alex grew feelings towards her. Especially since Mr. Lewis keeps suggesting that they're married and/or dating. When Alex told him they were going to have a sleepover, Mr. Lewis kept saying his mom should be around and watch them. Alex has started writing to the judge thanking her for assigning him Mr. Lewis. The judge said if Alex kept writing to her every few weeks, he won't have to meet with his probation officer.

I like the book I chose because different parts of comedy. Somewhere along the book there has been a part where it could get a small chuckle out of people. Especially Mr. Lewis who is a very interesting character. Even the storyline is interesting, a young boy who decides to go on a drunken joy ride. Soon after barely leaving his driveway ends up in the back of a police car. The feelings being displayed, for example annoyance. When Laurie volunteers Alex to get extra hour in, even though he had different plans for the night.