My collection of Transformers

I have been collecting transformers ever since I was 7 and since my brother was 2. My first transformer was Cyclonus. Most of you probably don’t know who he is. He was a green and purple decepticon with an orange face. He transformed into a helicopter and had launching rocket on each hands. It used to be 15$. Now, it costs 40$. My brother’s first transformer was Overcast, a decepticon that transformed into a plane. It had an ugly face, but a huge flamethrower and two missiles that look like fire bursts. P.S. If you really want a weapon filled transformer, you might be in luck. Look for Hotshot Border Patrol Cybertron. He is a bulky transformer with multiple sidewinder missiles (78 to be exact) located on his arms and legs (and hidden in his cannons). He has a turret on his back that is movable. He transforms into a bulky armored car. He was about 20 dollars when we bought him. He is now worth 110 dollars. That brings me to another point. I needed an excuse to buy more. So, I told my parents that these would soon be worth more money than we bought it for. Now, I have a huge box full of transformers. My most recent additions: Ironhide and Ratchet. I have two Optimus Primes in my collection. I have countless figures from the Transformers Armada series, one figure from the Transformers Energon series, multiple figures from the cybertron series, and about 8 figures from the Movie series. My brother and I have joined forces (a rare thing) and combined our collections. Now, we have a huge collection. So, if you are a transformers fan, you should not be ashamed. There’s another transformers fanatic out there, ME!

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Transformers Dark of the Moon was the most awesome movie ever! In fact, you don’t have to be a diehard transformers fan like me to enjoy this movie. If you want a review, keep reading.

Rating 4½ stars

I read the book first. Three words: it was awesome. But-I have to say- the movie was better in a lot of places. For example, Transformers Dark of the Moon director, Michael Bay, says that he wanted to authenticate the flight suit parts of the movie. So the actors were actually flying with flight suits, no strings attached. Other than that, the melee combat blasted me off my feet. The story line also has a real twist to it, filled to the brim with betrayal and saturated with explosions. I would take off ½ a star because Transformers Dark of the Moon completely changed some parts of the book. I like seeing a movie that sticks to the original story. Usually, going off the original is bad. But in some movies, parts have to be changed. If you want to see a real action/thriller movie, well, what are you waiting for? Go and watch Transformers Dark of the Moon.

A star wars animation

Our field trip to the Marin Headlands

We were all ready to learn on a bright, sunny morning. For weeks, our class had been waiting for this day. The past few days were pouring and raining. Then, on March 17, 2011, (St. Patrick’s Day) it was… sunny! It was as if fate was prompting us to go on this trip. Did I mention that we were going to the Marin Headlands?

As the class walked to the bus, I made sure that my bag had everything. This was it! I was going to the Marin Headlands! As I got onto the bus, I made sure that my best friends were right next to me. In a second, we had started. At first, we were chatting. But in 10 minutes, Mr. Hogan announced that we could bring out our… electronics. Everyone was excited. This made me wonder if my generation is addicted to video games and electronics. Now - I don’t claim to be immune to this. I, myself, had brought my Videora iPod. I can do this! 17 songs should last a long time I thought. Boy was I wrong. Four hours on a bus with nothing to do can get extremely boring. Just when I was ready to quit, I heard a voice saying, “We have reached the Marin Headlands!”

YES! After we got out, Mr. Hogan, our awesome teacher, had brought cookies for everyone. After a quick restroom break, we were off to the hike. Before the hike started, we were introduced to three rangers: Roxy, Molly, and Willie. As we gathered in a circle, we reviewed what we learned in class. Then, we continued on our hike. Finally, we reached the good part: the Investigations. My group chose the bridge. I imagined that these rocks had one time been over a thousand miles away. Here, we learned that the rock under the Point Bonita lighthouse was diabase. Also, it was created in the ‘60s. Here, the waves crashed so hard on the rock, the water was white all the time.  After huffing and puffing up the mountain back, we had the best part: LUNCH. After lunch, Willie taught us about the formation of mountains on plate boundaries. The most amazing thing was that she used an Oreo as a visual aid to explain the phenomenon. After that, we eroded (ate) our scientific tool (the cookie). Once that was done we went to the beach and played a bunch of fun games.

AT ABOUT 4PM, WE EMBARKED on our return back home… a four-hour drive back.

I am a Toastmasters YLP graduate now

We had Toastmasters YLP graduation last Friday.  There was a speech contest and I managed to get first place.  The other speakers were fabulous and it was a learning experience.  We also had table topics contest after that - which I missed most of since I was the Sergeant-at-arms keeping contestants at bay outside the room.

My speech was entitled "Embrace your fear; Soar to Success" and it was 4-5 minutes long.

Did I mention my YLP experience helped me breeze through most of my Boy Scouts Communication merit badge requirements.  And of course it gave me a lot more confidence with my school book report presentations.

Can't wait for the next session!! :)

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

For the past 8 weeks, I have been attending a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program, or the YLP which is sponsored by the Star Search Toastmasters club.  It was a 2 hour session every Friday.

This is basically a Toastmasters club for kids. Toastmasters are 18 and above.

Here, we learn about speaking in front of groups. 15 kids are in this class. We learn to stop using the words: UM, AH, SO, Etc. These are called filler words. In this 8 week session, we learn these eight things. In one session, we might learn this:

1.       How to run a toastmaster meeting.

a.       Having an agenda

b.       Starting and ending meetings on time

c.        Keep discussions on track

d.       Encourage everyone to participate.

e.        Make sure the meeting’s purpose is accomplished

We learn how to speak on the dot, or impromptu speaking. We call this Table Topics. We get only 15 seconds to think about a one minute speech on a certain topic.

IF you want to become a better speaker, check out Toastmasters.

Visiting the California Academy of Sciences

A few weeks back, we went to The California Academy of Sciences. They were awesome! First we went to an igloo where we learned about the Aurora Borealis. Then we saw an albino crocodile. After a walk up the steps, I saw the living roof. Then it was off to the Rain Forest. The humidity is genuine. See if you can catch a butterfly or a hidden frog. Can you see a camouflaged snake?

Then, it was straight to the one and only planetarium. There, we saw the origins of the Earth and the search for life. As we were winding down, we saw the penguins. Along with those rare animals, we saw tigers, deer, giraffes, and more. Finally, we went to the energy section and saw our carbon footprint.

Bored of your science book? Ready for some fun? Then go visit the California Academy of Sciences.