4

Fourth Grade

Monster Mile

Maria

Landy

What better way is there to spend a day than down at the beach? I hear the roar of hundreds of people racing down the deep blue waves. As the whistle blows, I start my mile run down the sandy beach of division two. The sound of the waves crashing next to me and the cold, wet white wash coming to my ankles excites me. As I build and build, my warm body starts to sweat. It feels like rain pouring down, urging me on.

When I get to the flag near where we turn to go to the ocean, I realize I am the first. I dive in. I feel the salty and frigid ocean beating down on me. It feels like a drink for my skin. Then I go, buoy after buoy. I am swimming a mile in the ocean.

The green, scaly fish are swimming next to me. When I get to the pier, I feel a rush of accomplishment. There are only 200 yards left to swim. I turn to come in, and I feel it: the relief. I say to myself, “I just ran a mile and swam back! I just won!” As the beautiful blue waves carry me in like wings, I smile. Not just a smile, but a feeling I will never forget. The day of the monster mile is the best day ever.

Water Park

Cain

Pallera

I woke up, and I was ready. I knew what today was. It was water park day! Once my friends and I were all there, we felt like the hot sun was fire on our bodies, but we did not care. When I jumped into the water, it felt like sizzling flames. We ran ahead and made sure to slide down all the best slides first.

The slides seemed a thousand feet tall. I loved going in my tube and going down, down, down, screaming for my life. When I got to the bottom of the slide, I thought to myself, that was so fun. I went back up to do it again, and it just got better and better.

I looked off the edge and saw waves that crashed down harder and harder. I was having the best summer day. We begged to go down the biggest slide one last time. What better way to spend a day than at the water park with friends? Running around and having fun is the best adventure there is.

Love

Troy Chan

For me, Valentine’s Day is a day where everybody is kind to each other. I say this because sometimes my family does not always get along, so this day is when everyone is loving. The same applies to my sister and me. I am not always nice to my sister and my sister is not always nice to me. I think it is great to have a day where people reflect on themselves and try to be better for one another and for themselves. If this is true, Valentine’s Day should be every day.

I show and express love to my family by hugging them. I show love to friends by caring about them and sharing with them. For example, during a basketball game, when my teammate made a shot, I high-fived him and said “Good shot, Rob!” I know how it feels when someone is nice to me, so I try my best to be nice to others every day. Sometimes I get cross with my family, but since I love them, I always make a point to apologize and move on.

I think love is a common theme in books, movies, and songs because everyone needs love. Love is like the sprinkles on sundae, mustard on a hot dog, or the crust on a pizza. No one thinks it is important, but you need that part to make your life bright. People may think love is mushy, gooey, or gross, but really love is what makes people human beings. Without feelings of love, humans will not find who they love and create more people. I think books, movies, and songs include love as a common theme to show the importance of love.

Sunny Barcelona

Colin Costanzo

Towering churches and castles loom over the city as the stinky smell of sewer fills up your nose. Taxis are beeping loudly, and the delicious scent of warm croissants is in the air. Sticky humidity beats down, and sweat pours down your neck as you walk around the bustling city. When you gaze up, the sun is humongous and bright. Abstract graffiti litters the walls. Day slowly turns to night, and the quiet streets become empty except for the trash truck rolling down the streets. In the distance, party music is playing. A steady breeze cools the night. Outdoor markets are closed as the clock quietly ticks to midnight. Barcelona has all the best foods and very cool places to visit. My favorites are the Sagrada Familia Church and the Park Guell. Barcelona is my favorite place.

Oregon Rope Course

Natalie Tao

As I finished the hike to the climbing area, I was waiting for someone to buckle me in. Finally, as I finished getting the heavy harness on, I could go up on the fun rope course. When I was up on the platform waiting to start, I could hear the wind blowing. I was super excited to finally go through the first course.

There was a piece of tape on the wire to tell you how difficult each course was. Green was the easiest, yellow was intermediate, and black was the toughest. I buckled myself in and went on the first course. My mom went behind me. My brother and dad went the other way.

The first courses were both green. I finished the first course easily and waited for my mom on the second platform. As I waited, I could smell the fresh scent of nature. We both were ready for a harder course.

I wanted to spend the whole day climbing and climbing. Being up in the trees was the best way to spend the summer.

Roge Pier

Valentine’s Day means a day of love and happiness for how lucky you are to be alive and to be living a great life. Valentine’s Day is also about spreading love to those who do not have a lot of love, happiness, or joy. Love is important because it is the thing that can make you happy in life and in hard times.

I think you can show and express love by thinking about others before yourself. Kind acts of service once in a while can also make a big difference in how someone thinks about you. However, if they are family, you might show a little more affection (especially to girls). But love can also be a special quality time, which certain people might appreciate. Just a little bit of your time can go a long way. This is how I would show and express love.

I think love is a common theme in books and movies because it is important, and it is a way to spread love. For example, if you read a romance book, you might show and express love the way characters did in the book. Love is important, and that’s why it is everywhere.