1) “Are we alone in the universe?” - anonymous. In my opinion, we are not alone because there are signs of extraterrestrial beings. To support this statement, I would like to share my fascinating encounter with an alien in my narration. Their transporter UFO is an exact replica of the ones in comic books and fiction movies, so I could not possibly have mistaken it for anything else. Aliens are like one thousand intelligence quotient beings who can concoct almost anything!

Of course, anyone would be shocked when meeting an alien, and I was blown away, too! A faint noise rouses me, as I strain my eyes through my transparent window. A shimmering light shines on me, and I believe it is a searchlight from a helicopter. I launch my yellow-striped bed sheet away like a cannonball, drag my companion who is staying over for my birthday, grab my flashlight, and trudge to my wooden, front door with my pajamas on. Just as I am up the steps that lead to the doorway, a sudden dazzle hits my eye; a torrent of light capsizes upon my home, and I feel the glow of a thousand suns cascading upon me. The glaring white blinds my eyes. I shield them from the deluge of lights shining brightly on me, and stand still, panic-stricken; it is a UFO! An object from space that carries living beings from different galaxies is very interesting to say the least, and one has landed on my yard right now!

In my opinion, the light is very odd. A large, metal staircase appears and some odd figures glide over the exit; I am wonderstruck at the sight of an alien who is very humanoid in appearance. Of course, he is sea green, as they are always portrayed, and he stands there with his strange, enormous eyes straining to observe me; his eyelids fluttering as though he is myopic. His eyes are watery with rainbow shades floating in them very strangely, and I am magnetized by him. He wears a glowing, silver, metal helmet which is actually his head. The inevitable antenna (like the two tentacles found on the head of a snail) glimmers, and is shining in fluorescent shades of green and red as though it were traffic lights. The emerald green face is hooked onto its jelly-like body, and two ebony, massive ovals act instead of eyes as if someone stuck raisins to a Sour-Patch Kid! This alien within reach is like a fascinating intruder!

Anyone  would love to view a real-life alien! The alien escorts my partner and I to the gray ship. Once we enter inside, there are many, colored buttons that cause our eyes to sparkle. The alien trots to an ebony chair, and rolls a three-dimensional, sphere-like, speed gear. The ship blasts off into the wonders of space, and we explore the different galaxies. My friend and I discover more than scientists could explore even thirty years in the future! We spot the stars, and are surprised by the number of them. This is a very interesting experience to say the least!

In my opinion, aliens are odd but pleasant creatures from various galaxies. This adventure proved to be awesome and weaves the way with suspense. After the huge space exploration, a big whoosh is heard from the spaceship, and we are left there near my home with my companion, thoughts, and a thoroughly perplexing state of mind. Terrible loneliness contains our hearts and we hate to see our alien friend go!

2) Based on the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, the word dragon defines an imaginary animal usually pictured as a huge serpent or lizard with wings and large claws. Dragons are my favorite mythical creatures because they symbolize such character traits as dominance, authority, and dignity as well as being uncowardly of challenges, and willing to take risks like a fierce knight, and as the beast steps forward, the earth trembles! When speaking about their appearance, dragons are giant serpents with antlers, bull snouts, and beards. Out of all, the most interesting fact about the mythical creature is that sometimes dragons can spew out ice instead of fire!

In my opinion, dragons are the best, agile mythical creature known to this world! Once in a thunderstorm, I was lost in a creepy forest, and lightning petrified me into a shabby cave. As I settled in, I perceived a wail with a growl. I traveled deep into the cave, and could not believe what I peered on. There was a creature standing up ten feet tall, with crimson eyes, and as towering as a thirty-story building. Its hideous mouth gaped open and  jets of flame poured forth to reveal rows of razor sharp, flesh tearing incisors set deep in jagged jaws. It reared up on its hind legs; savage claws, sharp as daggers, sliced the fetid air. The venomous light that burned in its vengeful eyes was enough to turn a man to stone. That was a dragon! After inspecting the brute very carefully, I realized that the poor creature was bruised, I swiftly calmed down the dragon, and healed the dragon. For repaying back the favor, the beast conveyed me to my home, and that is one of my unforgettable dreams! Dragons are venomous beasts that are like mesmerizing sources of terrifying inferno  and all cultures and civilizations have stories that involve dragons as powerful mythological creatures!

3) How would someone feel if they discovered a letter to a secret passageway? In my story, I discovered a tiny, ancient piece of paper tucked into a book. I felt very excited, and at the same time determined. Finding a secret letter is like a dream come true!

In my opinion, a mysterious letter is a clue to the answer. On October 26, 2019, I trotted through the maze of brown shelves that consisted of an abundance of books, as I seeked an Abraham Lincoln biography for my social studies project. There were tiny and huge books with different colored spines, and finally, I discovered the item I was searching for. As I just picked up the book, something white fell out in a blink of the eye, and it had nothing written on it, until I discovered a small letter inside of it. Just as I was about to peruse it, I thought about if the letter was official, and had top secret information in it. A mysterious letter is definitely an item of curiosity!

A secret letter catches anyone’s attention. But, my curiosity took over me, and I slowly read every single sentence. My eyes lit up like the sky on the fourth of July. I sprinted all the way from the public library to my school; the wind fluttered my hair as if it flew by itself. I glanced at the letter to confirm whether I was traveling to the right place. Finally, I reached a building which had the letter Twin Hickory Elementary with a blue, red, and white American flag on the damp, green, grass. Yes, it was my school! The letter was like a twister of the plot!

“Anything can take unexpected turns.” - anonymous. I rushed through the empty hallways as a cold, unpleasant air wafted through. Just then, I passed a wooden panel right beside the janitor’s office, wondering why I had never seen that before. I pressed on it, and the office next to it opened as if I was inside a fictional movie. I yelled, but my sound echoed through the empty, dark walls inside the “janitor’s office”. With my palms covering my eyes, I slowly tip-toed into the room, and there was a large painting of a sun. A small button was hidden right above the door, so I leaped and touched it, as the painting opened. Inside, there were marbled staircases which were very difficult to climb but I did it. With my sore legs as noodles, and my burning chest, I barely held the small box which was ahead of me. When I opened it, there were millions of jewels and gold which I later gifted to the people in poverty, and grabbed some myself. This adventure was a marvelous experience that was worth it!

Of course, anybody would love an adventurous journey! I felt very pleased once I discovered rich jewels, and gifted them to the poor. The letter was a huge assist to me as well because it displayed where the secret passageway was. Overall, this adventure was such an awesome experience!

4) I just stepped out of my train, my hand crammed with goodies from my friend’s themed birthday party as I sported a Hogwarts costume. As I was just about to grab the train at Kings Cross Station on the 4th platform, I discovered a golden, shiny sign that had a 3 ¾ platform printed on itself. The sign reminded me of a J.K. Rowling fantasy novel. Suddenly out of nowhere, a boy emerged right in front of me as he stared with his sparkling eyes behind spectacles. My brain swiftly registered who the boy was. He was a little older than me with wavy hair and a lightning-bolt shaped scar. He was none other than Harry Potter! Meeting a fictional character in real life is like a dream come true!

Who loves to travel with their favorite book character for a whole day? I could hardly believe my ears when he promised to have a blast for one day with me! Harry was full of tricks from morning to noon as he transformed a frog into a man, and lifted a bird feather with his magical wand. I then received a ride on his broomstick to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He then gave me a tour around the school and his Gryffindor chamber from which we could view millions of shiny lights spread across the sky like a blanket. After we visited Hagrid’s cabin, all three of us ventured out into the magical woods and discovered some very rare mythical creatures. As the sun set, Harry bade me farewell. Before leaving, he gifted me with a package. When I slid the parcel open, there was a real Hogwarts outfit with a magic wand! As my eyes blinked open, I pulled my cozy bed covers off myself. Just before I trudged to my bathroom, I discovered the same package from my dream laying beside my bed. As I peered through, I viewed the same outfit with a magic wand! Harry is a combination of hilariousness and a stellar magician!

5) Superheroes! What comes to my mind when I hear that? A person who can fly, run super fast, be invisible? Perhaps Superman, Aquaman, The Flash, or maybe Spiderman? In my opinion, a superhero I desire is to become a super coder. As a super coder, I will have superpowers! No, it is not the ability to fly or move objects with my hands, it is the ability to build, design, and create anything I want. It is the ability to code! Superman can fly and move objects, Aquaman controls water, The Flash runs super fast, and I can CODE! Ooh yes, coding is my superpower. As everyone realizes, becoming a superhero is like a dream come true!

So what if I told there was a 21st century superpower that existed in our world? The ability to build, design, and create anything we wanted was truly unique which is a magical feeling that is hard to describe. If I want to be successful in life, there should be a career goal to be set, and a path designed to pursue the goal! Until six weeks ago, I was introduced to the "Hour of Code," which is a Code.org initiative to cultivate computer programming education for elementary school students. As an introduction to the course, there was a video played to me in which  Dropbox CEO, Drew Houston, described coding as "the closest thing we have to a superpower." His statement got my wheels turning, as I thought,

"Wait a second. I am a ten-year-old boy with a passion for life and learning. If coding is a highly sought-after, obtainable skill set, what am I waiting for? If coding is a superpower, why am I not chasing it?"

      Shortly after this revelation, I put on a proverbial cape and embarked on the journey to attain my own superpower. I was forced to use both sides of my brain, combining creativity with logic. I woke up early, I studied late, and I did all I could do to soak up everything about planning, designing, and re-checking. I was learning in that course. It was not easy, and that is why it is so valuable. As part of the course, there was a project to build a fully functional website and an app. When I successfully completed the project, I had a superhuman feeling. It is hard for me to accurately describe the overwhelming feeling of pride and sense of accomplishment I had given my coding skills and knowledge at the end of this course. To achieve my goal of becoming a super coder, the first checkpoint in my career path will be Moody Middle School after graduating from elementary school. After three years of middle school, I would love to pursue a high school journey in Maggie L. Walker High School. After accomplishing my high school degree, I would love to follow my Bachelors in Engineering and coding from Harvard University, and then Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School which will enable me to harness rightful skills to chase my career goal!

How will I use my super powers? If I take a look at Spiderman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, what do they have in common? They lended a hand to people; they made efforts to make life easier for those around them. As a super coder, I would create software that has a major impact on those around me, and the world in general. Superman is not a superhero because he sat and did nothing with his abilities, no! He is a superhero because he used his abilities for good. As a developer, I learn to create! It does not end with the codes; it begins with making an impact with the codes. As a super coder, the power of coding gifts me the ability to create tools that can literally change the world. That is the greatest superpower of all, taking an idea and making it not only to be real, but useful. Coding is like the best superpower to possess!

Superheros are Greek gods of the modern world. These heroic, supernatural characters possess superhuman powers used to serve, protect, and better society by defeating one supervillain at a time. Super coders like me or programmers do not require capes to be superheroes. There is no magic ring from another planet, no science experiment gone awry that bestows superhuman abilities, and no radioactive spider that bites a super coder to make me powerful. Houses require wood, stone, and glass. Vehicles require metal and rubber, and works of art need canvas and paint. I only need an idea that is a problem which needs a solution. Coding is the art of taking an analog problem and solving it in a digital way; programmers break that solution down into steps so simple that even a computer can understand how to do it. With my super coding power, I cannot cure cancer or create a launch pad for NASA, but I can build something completely new, never seen before, out of nothing that can bring bliss to some pain points of the society. It is a magical feeling which is difficult to describe!

“Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again.” - Steve Jobs.  I feel a marvelous sense of accomplishment when I am a super coder and program code which is my new super power. Coding combines the left and right sides of the brain because it harnesses my  visual/art skills and couples it with my logic/thinking skills which makes me more like an artist finishing a masterpiece. Coding is now my superpower, what is yours?

6) Ever wonder what it’d be like to travel back sixty-seven million years to the time of the dinosaurs? Traveling across the jaw-dropping plains of the Cretaceous period is where I will come face-to-face with the most incredible creatures to ever live. I can meet mighty beasts like the Utahraptors and the Tyrannosaurus as they roam free in the stunning, prehistoric landscape, and I better not leave my transporter or I could become a dino dinner! Dinosaurs fascinate almost everyone when they learn about how they roamed the Earth millions of years ago. The amount we’ve learned about dinosaurs through fossils is amazing, and there are so many interesting facts. When walking one fine day, I stroll across a lonely sidewalk and trips over a machinery object right in front of the front door, which prompts me of the Time Machine, a popular book by H.G. Wells with misplaced wires. Based on my engineering summer camp knowledge, I place the wires accurately like a wizard, and the ground rumbles as harshly as I feel like someone is trapping me into an earthquake, but after a few seconds, it is all still!

I unlock the pod of the transporter and discover towering green pine trees surrounding me. Burning sun, deserted land, and a straw hut. It is as if I am inside a like a dissimilar type of world where the law of gravity has no power upon my movements!  It is a whole, new planet. Everything is calm and placatory as if someone switched on the slow-mo mode of mother earth! Out of nowhere, a gigantic head peers over to me with scales covering it shine brightly in the sunlight, and with the light, I observe the whole creature. It is the size of a football field, with sleek, glimmering scales, and enough to carry ten airplanes! In a millisecond, my brain registers the mess I am now in as I realize I am facing head to head with a Utahraptor! My heart is pounding out of my chest, and I run for my life, and for the first time, adrenaline sprints like an agile cheetah throughout my blood. The sun is as if a part of the dinosaur’s gang, preventing me to escape with its unimaginable boil. I come across the torn-down, unoccupied straw hut. Like a dodge ball, I roll into a tiny crack I view through the wall, and the enormous creature demolishes the hut’s weak barriers as if it is fragile glass! I whimper but realize it is no use. The raptor edges near me, revealing their flesh-tearing fangs set next to its incisors. This lethal machine seems to discover a blood scent. I quickly crawled away from the hut through the crack and stood there motionless. I hear stomps and growls from inside the straw hut. As I peer through the crack, a T-Rex and the Utahraptor are slashing each other with their massive claws. The T-Rex defeats the Utahraptor. A dinosaur battle is a great war between any two countries!

Suddenly, a path shimmering appears near me, so I swiftly escape through it, crossing my fingers so that the escape route cannot lead to trouble. I spot a golden, oval object on the deserted ground. Then, I realize I am carrying something precious to any dinosaur mother because it is an egg! Instead of bringing something back to the Jurassic period, I realize my backpack contains an egg to start my very own Jurassic Park! Then I would immediately return to the present day, gather up some investors, and begin work on my theme park. This is definitely a hazardous and breath-taking adventure!

7) As far back as I can remember, I have always liked going out to eat. My favorite restaurant is the Vietnamese restaurant: Pho 1 Grill, as for it is a very upbeat and exhilarating restaurant with people moving all around and nobody ever sitting still. My last visit goes to show me that Pho 1 Grill lives up to its expectations. I love  their ambiance, savory cuisine and customer service. This restaurant is like a paradise!

As a little boy in third grade, I was fond of eating out. My family would eat at a restaurant, diner, or buffet at least once a week; often more than once. It was every time we went anywhere, but for a little place called Pho 1 Grill, it was a challenge for my parents to find proper food and a nice atmosphere. It was that lucky exception—I loved the place and this made my parents love it too. This little hidden gem is absolutely delicious. It is essentially squished in the corner of the parking lot. My family and I   never would have tried this restaurant if it had not  been recommended by a family friend. Pho 1 Grill is a warmly welcoming restaurant with all the needed pleasures!

In my opinion, Pho 1 Grill is a small and cozy place, and this is what probably garnered my love of the restaurant initially. The restaurant seems magical and fascinating to me. Pho 1 Grill is probably the dearest place to me in the small town, in Henrico County, where I live now. Unlike more spacious restaurants, diners, and chain buffets my parents always take me to, this restaurant is a family-owned business run by a middle-aged couple, Janette and Derek. When I think about Janette and Derek now, I still remember their warm smiles and sincere care for each customer and employee. Mrs. Jan, as I would call her, loved orange shades, both in her outfits and in the restaurant’s interior decor. Warm orange and yellow-pomegranate furniture, sunny-colored napkins and curtains, country-style hard wooden tables; and there truly is no way for me to give justice to the taste of the meals through a written essay—everything was solid and comfortable about the place. Pho 1 Grill is like a place of peace for me! 

  Everyone adores a pleasant restaurant. Mrs. Jan would always have orange in her outfit— to match the place, as I then thought. Be it a bright orange ribbon in her hair, or a peachy, neat cotton dress or red nail polish—this woman belonged to the place like nobody else, and I doubt it was only the external resemblance. Her husband, Mr. Derek, was older, with graying hair and a miniature mustache which made him look a bit strict to me. The moment he started talking with his deep, soft, and half-laughing voice, with that particular tender frog-in-the-throat vibe, he would make me listen to his every word with an open mouth. The man was like a magician to me: mysterious and a bit scary even, yet so fascinating and magnetic. The place was an illuminating planet of orange and light, yet comfortably relaxing and pulsating with fresh energy. Pho 1 Grill is a very refreshing place!

In my opinion, this restaurant is very  amiable and welcoming.My favorite restaurant is the Vietnamese restaurant: Pho 1 Grill, as for it is a gem, and it is a family-owned restaurant. My visit last month shows me that Pho 1 Grill lives up to its remarkable ambience, and though this restaurant is tiny, its style is very unique and highly admirable. Pho 1 Grill should be a must-visit destination in everyone’s bucket list!

8) According to Webster’s Dictionary, a zoo is defined as a facility with usually indoor and outdoor settings where living, typically wild animals are kept especially for public exhibition. When my family and I visited the zoo last summer, I loved viewing all of the amazing animals, but without a doubt, the creature I observed the most was a terrific tiger! As I scrutinized the tiger, I noticed the animal had dark vertical stripes on orangish-brown fur with a lighter underside. Since it was a sultry day, the creature made its way to the shade of a towering tree that obstructed the scorching sunlight. The tremendous cat’s fur beamed as the cameras constantly clicked! Once I thought about how this predator is such an expert at approaching prey, I appreciated and admired the tiger even more. The creature jostled to the den and came back with a piece of meat. After the tiger devoured on the grub, the carnivore laid itself on the ground to take a catnap. After twenty minutes, because the tiger was sleepy, the creature leaned sleepily on the tree. Its fangs were so shiny as if the animal brushed its teeth all day! I just love this predator because it is one of the largest wildcats and its agile ability to pounce on any prey! The tiger is as phenomenal as precious gems discovered in an underground mine in Africa!

9) What is happening when someone likes being around nature and overnight, wants to sleep inside one of the tents to stop you from getting damp. They camp, of course! Out of all the family trips I mostly remember, the journey to Yellowstone National Park was the best! My parents and I camped at Yellowstone National Park where we were surrounded by towering green pine trees that whispered as the wind gently rustled their needles. Believe it or not, millions of tourists visit Yellowstone National Park during summer! We set up tents, and sang harmoniously around the fire. The next bright morning, I was awakened by the soft whistling of the birds, and the glorious hint of maple, which wafted through the air. “Breakfast is ready!” Mom yelled. I was never more excited to hear those words! We set up the tablecloth and devoured the fabulous food. The savory bacon tasted the right amount of sweet and salty. After breakfast, we were mesmerized by the beauty of the phenomenal geysers! We were famished after the long, wide expedition. So, all the three of us munched on some crackers we brought for a snack. In the middle of the day, Yellowstone National Park was a rainbow concocted by the surfs, sunsets, and geysers. After that, my parents and I purchased geyser souvenirs from the gift shop. Then, we fished at the lake there. I grabbed my new bright red fishing pole and went fishing along the rocky bank of a gently flowing river. We nearly fell asleep to the soft babble of the flowing water; with our bellies full, it was the perfect storm. Then, out of nowhere, we shook from our daze by a loud splash in the water. We quickly peered around to see where the sound came from, and there it was. It stood ten feet high, had long light brown hair, and paws bigger than the size of my face! It was a bear! We stood motionless, with eyes wide, and not knowing what to do. I could feel my heart pounding, hoping it would not leap out of my chest, and disrupt the bear. The bear continued to grab at the water, until out came a slippery red colored fish. After he obtained his fill, he quietly made his way back up the mountain slowly disappearing into the cluster of pines. It was awesome! Camping is an enjoyable journey contained with wild and exotic adventures!

10) Traveling back to the past is the most excellent way to educate ourselves with overflowing hundreds of history. If I could travel back to any time in American history, I would choose to back up to the Civil War as if I was a teleporter! In this colossal calamity, wicked wars commenced on April 12, 1861. I would feel a painful experience inside of me about traveling back to this time.

“America will not be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” – Abraham Lincoln. When the Civil War was active, there was a time when the Unions and Confederates clashed against each other like raging bulls! While Abraham Lincoln was the president of the Union, Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederates who attempted to prevent the spread of non-slavery states and to divide America into two countries! At the end of the Civil War, the Unions had an edge and became victorious due to strategic moves by the Union General Ulysses S. Grant who was appointed by Abraham Lincoln. During the war, I would be Union supporter (I am against the slavery system which was supported by Confederate States) who would love to be Union helper to transport weapons back and forth to assist Union soldiers! With me and some weaponry exchangers, they would not have a problem to switch weapons for brand new ones. When also being a spy, I would try to figure out the sneaky tactics that the Confederates would use. I chose this period of time because one of the most memorable battles fought in U.S. history is the Civil War. The Civil War was a combination of both freedom and slavery for the whole United States of America!

11) When someone mentions “Williamsburg”, the word “Colonial” is probably what comes to mind. For the day trip, my friend John and I decide to visit Colonial Williamsburg in southeast Virginia which will enable John to complete his social studies project report. I choose this destination because Colonial Williamsburg claims itself as the world’s largest living history museum, with forty sites to visit, four historic taverns, and two museums. Colonial Williamsburg is like a parent with many kids surrounding him/her!

Which getaway is absolutely worth the visit in Virginia? For what we love most, the people who work at Colonial Williamsburg are so passionate about what they do as for it goes beyond simply wearing eighteenth century clothing and checking our tickets on the way in. For a surprise, all of them are well verse in the history and culture of the past time period, who engage in activities typical of the time from embroidery to blacksmithing. If asking a Colonial Williamsburg employee a question, we are not in surprise if they end up chatting for ten minutes. For another interesting advantage we love about Williamsburg, there are so many dogs! We made so many new puppy friends - including a three-month-old American Eskimo dog who had been adopted the day before, is trotting on a leash for the first time ever, and whirling around like a tornado! To fuel our stomachs, we all travel to the Culture Cafe which serves savory deep-fried cheese curds, and also plates beautifully and their savor is beyond sensational. Colonial Williamsburg is a reminder of the past to the present!

If we are wondering how to treat ourselves, Colonial Williamsburg is an excellent place to do so. I fall in love with Williamsburg the moment I step in which is just so grand and peaceful. Everything is within walking distance so that we can indulge a bit and walk without needing a designated driver to perform all the activities, restaurants, creations from the past, and the historical museum. From my experience, this historic part of Williamsburg is a must-visit destination for anyone’s to-do list!

12) “Camping is nature's way of promoting the motel business.” - Dave Barry. Without a doubt, nestling in the cradle of Mother Nature was  indeed a mesmerizing experience with a view of a shimmering river that  reflected the sun as it sank in the sky, and created painting glitters on the horizon. I felt tranquil as the water babbled over my legs when I fished along the rocky bank of a gently flowing river. As everyone realizes, camping is like a journey to discover gems in the mines of Africa!

In my opinion, camping is an exciting, recreational activity that allows anyone to enjoy the outdoors; usually amidst all that Mother Nature has to offer. Dad and I strolled in a forest trail surrounded by towering, green pine trees that whispered as the wind gently rustled their needles. The sweet smell of the pines was so pleasant I could almost taste it. Lush, fruit trees released a delicious fragrance that mingled with the moist smell of flowers and fresh air. As the trail led us to a gorgeous view, we decided to set up our tent there and spend the night. Next bright morning, I was awakened by the soft whistling of the birds, and the glorious hint of maple wafting through the air, as the bacon sizzled on the campfire. “Breakfast is ready,” dad announced. I had never been more excited to hear those words. The savory bacon was just the right amount of sweet and salty. Like any other, a forest stroll is a combination of excitement and wonders!                                                                                                                                                                   

Camping trips can be exciting when organized properly. After breakfast, my dad and I grabbed our new, bright red fishing poles and went fishing along the rocky bank of a gently flowing river. The shimmering water reflected the sun as it sank in the sky while a few egrets echoed their voices across it, and swooped down to grab fish. We nearly fell asleep to the soft babble of the flowing water; with our bellies full, and the wind gently combing through our hair; it was the perfect storm. Then, out of nowhere, we were shaken from our daze by a loud splash in the water, as we quickly looked to where the sound came from, and there it was. It stood ten feet high, with long light brown hair, and paws bigger than the size of my face. It was a bear! My dad and I stood motionless, with eyes wide, and not knowing what to do! I could feel my heart pounding, as I hoped it would not jump out of my chest, and disrupt the bear. It continued to grab at the water, until out came a slippery red-colored snapper. After he devoured his fill, he quietly made his way back up the mountain slowly disappearing into the cluster of pines and it was awesome! I obtained an excellent experience like discovering treasure in a sunken ship!

In my opinion, a forest stroll is a combination of excitement and wonders. I loved to be in the mountains because of all the nature I could explore. The brown bear and fishing were some of my favorite parts during the trip. My dad and I could never prevent ourselves from observing them. Breakfast was also a wondrous time. The whistling of birds and the scent of maple just made my day, and caused me to feel peaceful. Surely, no one would want to miss out on an adventure like this. This trip was a dream come true!

What type of trip requires a tent, a cooler for the camping food; drinks, sleeping bags and pads, cooking supplies like charcoal; a spatula, kettle, cups, plates, and spoons? A camping trip, of course! As I hoped, my camping trip was a total blast as I explored the magic of Mother Nature and encountered a bear. A night in the cradle of Mother Nature eliminated distractions, and helped me to reconnect with loved ones and nature. Indeed, this is the closest I have come to paradise!

13) “What comes to mind when we think about adults who care about us, and make us excel? Family, of course! Even though you may not realize it, families care about their children; they care about their children more than anyone else in the whole, wide world. They are the people who give us a sense to feel joy and seek ecstasy. They have one main mission; to protect and care for their kids whatever it costs. They are strong, and are the main reason why we are alive. Family is the planets of the solar system, and the children are the sun. Even though you may believe that you really do not need a family to survive, trust me, you are completely wrong. Also, they are mentors who guide us to the right path. I am pretty sure that if someone succeeds in life, it is eighty-six percent because of their family. If you have a conversation with a neurosurgeon or the CEO (chief executive officer) of a major company, and ask them why they reached a huge position, they will most likely explain it is because of their family. We may not realize it, but parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents give us a very special present: voice, and they are the superheroes in our mind and the souls in our heart. Even if they yell at you or sometimes argue with you, it is for your own success. A few years ago, I lost at a huge tennis championship, and cried and cried because I only received a second place medal. I wondered whether my family would be frustrated at me for losing after all the efforts I put through from my physical/mental self. To my surprise though, they placed their arms around me and explained how second place was still a great achievement, “and next time, I am sure that you can succeed. People make mistakes, and that is okay. Just be sure to share that with your family, and within a second, you will feel as if the pain fled out of your body by feeling the calmness and relaxation within you. Relatives, whether you believe it or not, are our life.”