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Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2013 - 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.comDecember 25-31, 2013

Viennaand Oakton

Viennaand Oakton

ChildrenChildren’s Connection 2013s Connection 2013Children’s Connection 2013

The Christmas Store,by Jacqueline Palmer, 2nd Grade,Colvin Run Elementary.

2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2013 - 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

2013 FCFTPresident’s Award

for Outstanding Advocacyfor the Employees of FCPS

The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers would like to thank all ofthe 2013 award winners listed above for their consistent advocacy,proactive communications, and support of our workforce over thepast year. We publicly acknowledge their efforts to make a differencein the lives of FCPS employees. Thank you for caring about us; itmatters and is appreciated.

Megan McLaughlin (Braddock District)Elizabeth Schultz (Springfield District)

Pat Hynes (Hunter Mill District)Patty Reed (Providence District)Sandy Evans (Mason District)

Dan Storck (Mount Vernon District)Tammy Derenak Kaufax (Lee District)

Ryan McElveen (At-Large)Janie Strauss (Dranesville District)

Pat Herrity (Supervisor: Springfield District)Kaye Kory (Delegate: 38th District)

Other Award Winners:Phyllis Pajardo (FCPS)Louise Epstein (FEC)

Michael Hairston (FEA)Erica Hendry (media)

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ Children’s Connection ❖ 2013 - 2014 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Children’s Connectinon 2013

Dear Readers:This week, the Vienna and Oakton Con-

nection turns over its pages to the youthand students.

We asked principals and teachers fromarea schools to encourage students to con-tribute their words, pictures and photos forour annual Children’s Issue.

The response as always was enormous.While we were unable to publish every piecewe received, we did our best to put togethera paper with a fair sampling of the submit-ted stories, poems, drawings, paintings,photographs and other works of art.

We appreciate the extra effort made byschool staff to gather the materials duringtheir busy time leading up to the holidays.We’d also like to encourage both schools andparents to mark their 2014 calendars forearly December, the deadline for submis-sions for next year’s Children’s Connection.

Please keep us in mind as your childrencontinue to create spectacular works of artand inspiring pieces of writing in the com-ing year.

The children’s issue is only a part of ouryear-round commitment to cover educationand our local schools. As always, the Con-nection welcomes letters to the editor, storyideas, calendar listings and notices of localevents from our readers. Photos and othersubmissions about special events at schoolsare especially welcome for our weeklyschools pages.

Our preferred method for material is e-mail, which should be sent [email protected], butyou can reach us by mail at 1606 KingStreet, Alexandria, VA 22314 or call 703-778-9414 with any questions.

Editor Kemal Kurspahic

Welcome

By Emily Stevens, Thoreau Middle School.

By Tyler Jensen, 4th grade, Haycock Elementary School.

By Cesar Hilasaca-Chavez, 4th grade,Cunningham ParkElementary.

By Lucy Bowman, 6th grade, Vienna Elementary.

Tidewater Beach by Lauren Sung, 4th grade, Colvin Run Elementary.


Children’s Connection

Vienna Elementary Gallery

By Kyra Sanders,6th grade,

Vienna Elementary.

By Owen Coleman,3rd grade,Vienna Elementary.

By Nargiz Garibova, 2nd grade,Vienna Elementary.

By Addie McInerney, 1st grade,Vienna Elementary.



What Makesa Good Friend?

Good friends don’t laugh at you when youdo something embarrassing. Best friends arealways there for each other when they needeach other. Best friends tend to play a lotwith each other. That is just what friendsand BFFs do. When you get into argumentsBFF should always be there for you and helpdefend you. I think you should argue withyour friends and BFF’s to release your stress.I bet you will soon get a BFF or at least afriend.

— Ainona Black-Planas ,

5th grade,

Vienna Elementary School

What Makesa Good Friend?

You always need your best friends.They’re what makes your life complete. Yourfriends should always be caring, loving,trustworthy, and loyal. Without them ourworld wouldn’t be as fun. No matter what,good friends should be there “if you fall andthey should help you get back up.” Some-times in your life you need love, support,and courage and that is what friends arethere for. A good friend should also feelcomfortable and safe around you. Myfriends are all these things and so muchmore and that’s what makes them goodfriends.

— Jordan Ramsey,

5th grade, Vienna Elementary School

When I Grow Up…Growing up is a long way off and there

are so many different jobs to choose from,but if I had to choose right now I wouldlike to be a doctor. Being a doctor is a goodjob because, there are many people who aresick and in need. I could begin my doctorcareer in a third world country. I could travelall around the globe helping people that aresick, because when helping others I am assatisfied as king. Certainly I hope one day Iwill become a doctor.

— Hannah Patton,


When I Grow Up…When I grow up I want to be an architect

because I play all these games that you getto build. My two favorite games are Robloxand Roller-Coaster Tycoon. I am interestedin how things were built and created, likethe Empire State Building. I usually helpmy dad with work that he does in our base-ment, like putting up the walls. I think be-ing an architect is going to be a very funjob. My grandpa used to be an architect, soI want to be one too!

— Hunter Moss,


When I Grow Up…When I grow up I want to be like my dad.

My dad works for the C.I.A. The reason Iwant to be like my dad is because I lovemath and my dad needs to do a lot of mathfor his job. My dad programs computerchips and makes soft wear. My dad getsaccess to the old stuff that used to be in theminiature museum. The things they havein there are rockets and model buildings ofthe C.I.A. In conclusion, there is no otherjob for me but this.

— Gray Eversmann,


When I Grow Up…When I grow up, I would like to be a pi-

lot. The reason I want to be a pilot is be-cause I love flying. The reason I love flyingis because it is fun, awesome, and enjoy-able. If I had a choice to choose what planeI would get it would be a plane with Kirbyall over it. The reason why is because I likeKirby. If I had a choice to choose where tofly to take things or people to, that placewould be Japan or the Bahamas because Ireally enjoy those places.

—Ken Weintraub,


When I Grow Up…When I grow up I want to be a profes-

sional Irish dancer, because I love to Irishdance. I have been dancing since I was 7,and I am never going to quit. I have met alot of awesome friends like Maddie, Claire,Ava, Emily, Kathleen, Meagan, Denneen,and Jillian. I have amazing teachers andtheir names are Ms. Liz, Mrs. Alana, Mrs.Ellen, and Katie. I love to dance and thoseare the reasons that I want to be a profes-sional Irish dancer when I grow up.

— Sydney Olechna,


When IGrow Up…

When I grow up I want tobe a professional baseballplayer. My dream team, thePhiladelphia Phillies wouldbe the team I would like toget drafted on. My dad wasfrom Philadelphia so that’swhy I love the Phillies. Iwould want to hit 4th in thebatting order just like my fa-vorite player Ryan Howard.Baseball players make lots ofmoney so that’s great. I re-ally love baseball and itwould be an awesome job.The ball would soar high upinto the sky from my bat.This job would be a dreamcome true.

— Leighton Heller,

5th grade,

Vienna Elementary School

A Gift to My ParentsIf I could give any gift to my parents it

would be love. Love is strong and my par-ents definitely deserve it. They do so muchfor me. I love them a lot and I think I lovethem more than they love me. They arereally nice and they discipline me whichis good. I am very happy to give my par-ents love 24/7. They do and provide somuch for me, I wish to repay them. Ev-ery day I give them love and I’m veryproud of that.

— Sarah Kim,


Looking DownYosemite Valley

What to make of your impenetrablebeauty.

Gaping cliffs in a shining sunset.Stone glaciers at jaw-dropping heights.But most of allYou alone…

— Kai McCloskey,

4th grade, Vienna Elementary

Vienna Elementary Reflections

By Mia Valencic, 6th grade, Chesterbrook Elementary.Elementary.

The Vienna / OaktonChildren’s Connection

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When I grow up, Iwant to cure can-cer. I want to dothis, because can-

cer is a terrible thing. I havefriends whose relatives have diedfrom cancer. It makes me feel sad,angry and confused that we don’thave a cure. In order to cure can-cer, I will need to become a doc-tor that studies how cells changeto cancer cells. I will study hardand go to medical school. I think Iwant to go to Harvard or JohnsHopkins.

— Reagan Exley,

2nd grade,

Colvin Run Elementary

If You CouldGive Your ParentsAny Gift,What Would it Be?

I would give them a surpriseparty! Why? To show how much Icare about them. It would haveballoons and cake with cookiesand of course ice cream with pop-

corn. There would be about 11 or15 people guests. Everyone wouldbe laughing and dancing and therewould be so much fun! Then myparents would come down thestairs. Once they were there….wewould shower them with presents!After that we would eat the cakeand cookies. They would love it.Now that you heard what I wouldgive them, what would you givethem?

— Amelia Moore,

2nd grade,


I have been thinking, my parentshave been brilliant and helpfulbeyond words. I wish that I couldgive them something pleasant, butmy lack of money got the best ofme. Oh, I know! How about a sa-vory meal? It strangely has a price-less value, but it’s free! How oddis that? To hold them over, mymom and dad would love a petiteappetizer of respect. It soothes thethroat because yelling at the topof your lungs is not necessary. Per-haps a refreshing glass of respon-sibility will help wash that down.Later, I’ll serve them an entrée of

deep-fried kindness with a side ofgood attitudes. Along with that fla-vor, I’ll give a cup of honesty sauce.Yum yum! If they still have roomleft, I might as well take all fine

behavior in store and pop it intomy mental blender for a sweetsurprise! Don’t forget manners ala’ mode! I know this will make myparents eyes light up with joy more

than anything else I could give.This makes me feel warm andfuzzy as if the whole world is madeof thick, luscious cashmere! Nowthat is what I call the gift thatkeeps on giving!

—Reagan Allvin,

4th grade,


The Best GiftThe best gift I’ve ever been given

is my little sister Elinor. I love herso much, she is so special to me.Her birthday isºJuly 27. When Iam not busy, I always play withElinor. She always cheers me up,but she can be a little naughtysometimes. I am soooo thankfulfor my little sister!

— Emelia Kim,

2nd grade,


A Good FriendA good friend is someone who

you trust and are completely com-fortable around. When you cantrust someone you can rely onthem when you are stuck or needhelp. If you are comfortablearound that person, you feel re-laxed and can do things withoutbeing too cautious or nervous. Thiscan allow you to do more thingsand do it freely. If you can behappy and enjoy them, that’s agood friend. Having a good friendcan take a while and your friendhas to feel the same way.

— Lucas Marshoun,

2nd grade,


When I Grow Up…

By Nate Salkoff, 5th grade, Chesterbrook Elementary, McLean.


I Am ThankfulFor Books

I am thankful for books. Booksbring me on an adventure. They bringme to a deserted island filled withwild animals as I meet the Robinsons,and to a sparkling palace filled withbeautiful ladies as I see Cinderellawaltzing by, holding PrinceCharming’s hand. Books have taughtme lessons that I couldn’t havelearned from teachers. Lessons thathave changed the way I speak, stand,and think; lessons that have taught methat not everybody in the world has asmuch as I have and that not every-body will be with me forever. Bookspick me up when I feel down and canswallow me whole, just like MobyDick. Books can control my feelings. Ihave found myself crying as I readMarley and Me and laughing as I readabout James when he gets stuck in agiant peach. I have grown up withRamona and Beezus at my sideguiding me through hard times andHarry Potter casting magic spells inmy dreams. Books have helped megrow up and that is why I am thankfulfor them.

—Sophia Zimmer,

5th grade,

Spring Hill Elementary

My FamilyMy name is Mia and I am going to

tell you a little about my family. Mymom is 46, her real name is Nancy.Her birthday is one day earlier thanmine. I also love to cook with mymom, it is my favorite thing to do withher.

My dad is 40, his birthday is onFebruary 3rd. He really likes me, hetakes me swimming and to tennis. Healso spins me around. But he alsoscreams a lot, his favorite color ischocolate brown.

My brother is 8. I hate him, but mymom wants me to change that phrasethat I just wrote. His favorite color iscerulean. He is a pain in the neck. Hisbirthday is on March 21. His name isMyles.

My sister’s name is Mindy. She is 4and is very cute. I always chit-chatwith her at night. She loves to color,she also loves spaghetti. Her favoritecolor is hot pink.

I am 7 years old. My favorite colorsare hot pink and blue. I am a girl, Ishare my room with my brother andsister. I sometimes like my brotherand sister, but not always. I love myfamily. I also like video games. I loveall raspberries, blackberries, strawber-ries, and blueberries and I like carrotsand apples.

One night my dad brought out afew presents for Myles, me and mymom. They were all ski stuff. My momgot ski pants, Myles got ski gloves andI did too. Mindy got mad because shedidn’t get a present so she started tocry, so my dad spun her around as apresent for her and she laughed. Iwish it was actually Christmas becauseChristmas is my favorite holiday, andme, Myles and Mindy all made aspecial surprise for my mom and dad.But I can’t tell you what it is becausemy mom is going to read this. MerryChristmas.

—Mia Bao,

2nd grade,

Spring Hill Elementary

Spring Hill

Reflections



Cunningham Park Gallery

By Carmen Palacios-Alcantara, 3rd grade,Cunningham Park Elementary.

By Trent Collins, 3rdgrade, Cunningham

Park Elementary.

By XiomaraCabrera-Ramos,6th grade,CunninghamPark Elementary.

By Maliha Mirdha, 1st grade,Cunningham Park Elementary.

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By Chris W., 4thgrade, Our Ladyof Good CounselCatholic School.

Roy LichtensteinInspired Portraitby Fatima J., 8thgrade, Our Ladyof Good CounselCatholic School.

It’sbetterto givethan tolend,and itcostsaboutthesame.—Sir Philip

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The PerfectChristmas

Family, that’s what brings us alltogether at Christmas time. All thelove, hope, peace, and joy gatheredaround the beautifully decoratedChristmas tree. As Christmas isonly one day ahead of us, we waitpatiently for Santa’s arrival. As wewait, we tell funny stories thatwe’ve all heard many a time. Thenour mothers and fathers tuck ussafely under the warm flannelsheets, as my heavy eyelids closedgently into a dream.

I awoke with excitement andleaped to the window, all I saw wasluxurious white snow falling fromthe sky. My dream came true, abeautiful white Christmas.

Giuliana Katherine Tosi,

8th grade,

Thoreau Middle School

The Giftof Patience

In my family, patience is key.There are so many things in ourlifestyle that drains into our pa-tience, and we are all guilty of run-ning out at times. But if I could, Iwould grant my parents with somehope and patience.

My sister, Megan, has a severecase of Down syndrome. She is atrue wild card, and occasionallyher temper gets the best of her,usually out in public, where smallchildren stare, teenagers point, andadults whisper in disgust. It hurtsto know that this is what normalpeople think when they see myfamily. But regardless of her manytroubles and obstacles, she is assweet as can be and does the bestwith what she is given.

Megan’s struggle is one that weall share, but we somehow gathertogether the patience to cope. If shecan, we can. It is hard to find any-one who can relate to my situation,but that is okay. We will always loveMegan and make an effort to bepatient. I love my whole family, andif I could give the gift of patiencethis holiday season, I most cer-tainly would.

— Claire Foley,

8th grade,


What I Am MostLooking Forwardto in 2014

What I am most looking forwardto in the upcoming year is goingto the same private high schoolwith my older brother. My brotheris three years older than me. There-fore, we never went to middleschool together. Finally, we will begoing to the same school. I amlooking forward to my brotherdriving me to school and spendingmore time with him. I am also look-ing forward to playing lacrossewith him on the same team. Itwould be great to win the schoollacrosse championship together.

— Jeffrey Kedda,

8th grade,


White ChristmasIt’s a cold winter day and the

smell of fresh brewed coffee andpine needles just blasts through mynostrils, waking me up right away.I slowly drag out of bed and thenstretching, I yawn in front of mywindow. I slide the curtains out ofthe way only to find myself blindedby the morning sunlight. My eyesadjust to find a surprise that waswaiting for me. IT’S SNOWING!! Ijump up and down running aroundthe whole house to wake everyoneup to tell on what they’re missingout. I then find my mom hiddeninside all the pots and pans sizzlingand crashing. The smell of pan-cakes with a slab of butter on topwith a side of scrambled eggs andbacon calms me down just a notch.

By Aubrey Kuhn, ThoreauMiddle School.

Thoreau Middle

Reflections

Thoreau Middle Art Gallery

By Anna Brinkhuis, Thoreau Middle School.

By Nicole Porcaya, Thoreau Middle School.By Jane Kim, Thoreau Middle School.

By Cindy Lee, 8th grade, Thoreau Middle School.

However, with all the excitement,I run out the door and the crispyair touches me like a millionneedles on my skin. With a warmcup of hot chocolate, I spend therest of Christmas outside. Too goodto be true, I wake up to find outthat it was only a dream and with

a “Merry Christmas” from mymom. Want to know the mindblowing part? This was exactlywhat happened that day like I sawthe future!

—Gloria Kim,

8th grade,


My Shivery Soul MateA blanket of silver shimmer,Engulfing the land below.The smell of burning hickory,Wafting out its fragranceTo the neighborhood surrounding.The quiet rustle of the bitter windPierces the silent dark.But when the child awakes from bedTo see the frost on his window,His sharp eyes grow widerAs he sees his freshly fallen playmate.His heart begins to pound harder,With every moving flake.He can’t postpone any longer,For his new best friend awaits.

— Bailey Bane,

8th grade, Thoreau Middle School

Winter Is HereWhite snow falling gracefullyIcy lakes shimmering in the sunNothing to do but sit by the fireTelling young children old Christmas storiesEggnog so tasty while playing monopoly and clueRestless kids waiting for Santa to comeIncredible lights hanging from housesSome carolers knocking at your doorHelping to decorate the treeEnergy-fueled snowball fightsRinging bells singing their beautiful songEnchanted moments that winter brings

— Allison Roush,

8th grade, Thoreau Middle School


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The Best Thing MomEver Taught Me

By Olivia Perna

7th grade, Cooper Middle

I don’t know about you but writing anessay on some book I never read at 1 a.m.isn’t the most appealing thing in the world.Over the years I found good ways to pro-crastinate by conjuring up things toInstagram or maybe something fun to dowith my cat.

Afterwards I was so fed up with lying tomyself I just stared into the white void ofunfinished homework and walked away tocomplain to my mom on how I was sobored. She’d then reply, “Well, have you fin-ished your homework?” I would state theautomatic, unenthusiastic lie every adoles-cent repeats to their elders, “Yes.” Followedby a rolling of the eyes and a terse grown.

It’s about 5 p.m., and with no homeworkdone I would be playing with my cat, Dex-ter. He lived the best life. No problems. Noworries. No pain. No work. But then again,look where that put him. He’s a big fluffycat. Half of his day, he eats and the otherstares at his food bowl, probably with ablank thought. Just as blank as my home-work…

My mom told me she worked like a dogwhen starting out in her career. She once

even worked through Christmas Eve intoChristmas morning. I couldn’t imagine do-ing such a task, the thought of it gives me aheadache! I mean, how would working un-til you drop help someone? Living in whatI guess is a cheap apartment, eating ramen

daily; did all of that pay off?Maybe it didn’t pay off at the time, but

she later became what I perceived as a greatperson. She seems to be always happy, andthat’s what counts, right? I don’t believe youmust become the utmost famous and

wealthy person to become successful. Per-haps I may idolize my mother too much,but she’s one of the most successful peopleI know. She’s earned herself through hardwork.

I might not say it much, just to preservemy teenage pride, but I love and idolize mymom for all of her hard work, if it be rais-ing me or her struggles on becoming a busi-nesswoman. She’s no rich Bill Gates, or fa-mous Michelle Obama, but she’s my belovedmom.

My mom has influenced me to workharder in whatever it is I’m doing. Maybewith this newfound confidence will help mefinish my homework! But then again, it’slate and tomorrow is a school day. I shouldgo to bed and worry about homework an-other time...

An Act of KindnessBy Momin Kaleem


When I was in first grade I moved into anew house. Nothing changed too much. Iwas still going to the same school and thingslike that but this neighborhood was a lotdifferent than my old one. The old onewasn’t big at all and had lots of kids aroundto play with. This new one was really bigwith huge houses and all the kids were a

Essays from Cooper Middle

See Essays, Page 14

Homage to Thomas Kinkade, by Victoria Cho, 8th grade, Cooper MiddleSchool.

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year). I have two cats. Their names are Tiger andJaguar. I have deer in my backyard and usually many.Sometimes a fox will run through our backyard too.

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3rd grade, Colvin Run Elementary

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Essays from Cooper Middle

From Page 12

lot older than me.After four more years of living in that neighbor-

hood more kids came but either they were way olderthan me or traveled a lot. Across the street from uslived a nice couple that we had always been friendswith. In fact when we first moved in they threw ahouse warming party for us. I don’t know if thathappens often or not. Either way they were reallynice neighbors.

They sometimes told my brother and I cool sto-ries about what their childhood was like since theywere born around the 60s. During a yard sale theygave my brother and I their old superhero comicbooks that use to sell for 15 cents at the stands. Istill have them.

But one winter it snowed a ton and they flew outto Mexico to escape the cold. I realized that by thetime they came back the snow in their yard wouldstill be there. There was too much of it to melt thatfast. I put on my coat and snow boots and walkedacross the street with my Dad’s shovel in my hands.

I was still only nine so shoveling up that muchsnow was rather difficult. So I only shoveled enoughto make room for their two cars to drive. I didn’treally want those cars to get messed up in the snowbecause they were restored cars from the 50s and60s. One was pink and the other a really dark green.I really liked them.

I came back about an hour later because they hada huge driveway. I took off my coat and boots andset my Dad’s shovel in the garage. My mom hadstarted a fire in the fireplace, so I sat down and feltthe heat against my red cheeks.

A week later the snow hadn’t melted and ourneighbors had returned from Mexico. They showedup at our door. They asked if we knew who shov-eled their driveway even though I could tell theyknew it was me.

I felt weird about responding so my Mom told themit was me. They smiled and thanked me. Now I felteven weirder.

Our neighbors said goodbye and we closed thedoor and returned to the fire. Despite how weird itfelt when they thanked me for shoveling the now, itstill felt good. I couldn’t stop smiling to myself.

The Most Important ThingI’ve Learned

By Annie Kraemer


“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never knowwhat you’re gonna get.” -Forest Gump

What I’ve learned is not something you takes noteson in class, and not really something you learn in aschool at all. It’s the kind of thing you learn whenyou have to do go through it yourself. What I’velearned is to always stay positive. Yeah, people al-ways tell you that, sometimes you can help yourself.We all have negative thoughts sometimes and we can’tstop thinking about those silly little imperfections,and mistakes.

I’ve had negative thoughts and sometimes it’s sohard to push them away, but we all just have to staypositive. Look on the bright side of things even in thedarkest light. I know there has to be at least one thingyou love or there is something to smile about, even ifit’s one thing it does counts. Life can be so brutal andannoying but staying positive is about all you can dowhen you’re in a hard spot.

I used to worry about everything I did. If my hairlooked weird, the way I ate, the way I looked, howdid I look when I did this or that, and all kinds ofstupid stuff, and I would dwell on it but I have torealize it doesn’t matter. By now everyone knows thatsaying, “Yolo” it’s very annoying now, but it’s true.You only live once so why worry about the stupidthings when you can be happy.

Being positive is so much more refreshing and fun.Always try to stay positive, and not let the negativeget to you. There are times when you can be sad, butnever let it consume you.

If you don’t have positive people around you it’shard to stay positive, sometimes you’re going to haveto make a choice, to be happy and positive, or peoplethat keep bringing you don’t? Even if it means you’llbe alone for a little bit, it doesn’t mean you’ll be alone forever.

Positivity is a big part of life choices.

By Lily Nickl, 11, Oakton.


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ABC LICENSELuong Family, Inc trading as Shell, 5630 Lee Hwy, Arling-ton, VA 22207. The above

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Every three weeks I have chemother-apy. Every three months I have a CT Scan.And every three months – after that scan,I have an appointment with my oncologistto discuss the results. And before any ofthe above, the Wednesday before myFriday infusion, I go for my pre-chemo labwork to determine if my levels are up toprotocol standards in order to allow me toeven get treatment two days hence onFriday. Accordingly, I live my life in three-week/three-month cycles. And after eachinfusion/appointment, the cycle begins allover again. Unlike a credit card expirationdate that renews for three years, my expi-ration date, such as it is presumed to be,renews for only three months – or shorterif my scan results and lab work are dis-couraging. And I can live with that; I havebeen living with that. But short-timing likethis can play mind games, as I alluded toin last week’s column. Though I usuallyknow whether I’m coming or going, Idon’t always know whether I’m standingpat or betting on a future.

And since I’m not a betting man – ormuch of a gambler, I usually stand pat andact as if life will go on as it sort of has:with fits (not literally) and starts, withsome good results – and some not sogood results. On balance though, myresults have been above and beyond theexpectation of my oncologist. And in apeculiar way, that’s what I sort of live for:to surprise my doctor. There’s no betterfeeling I have than to see my oncologistsmiling back at me, almost inexplicably, asto why I’ve been able to live for as long asI have. Though I’ve always maintained apositive outlook and kept my sense ofhumor, I can’t really speak to whetherthese two traits would have convinced myoncologist that my initial “13 month totwo-year” prognosis was merely a startingpoint, not the end game that he had pre-dicted. Moreover, given the severity of myoriginal diagnosis: stage IV, non-small celllung cancer; metastasized, inoperable,terminal; and supported by all the less-than-encouraging, life-expectancy-chal-lenged statistics from your favorite cancersociety, I am in fact living proof that whathas gone around is not always what goesaround. Patients are different. Lifestylesare different. Drug/medication interac-tions are different. Commitment levels toalternative methodologies are different. Ingeneral, there are many variables. As badas the diagnosis/prognosis was, I nevergave up hope, never gave in to my dis-ease – emotionally.

Now whether there’s a rhyme or rea-son to my exceedingly good fortune – orwhether I’m just incredibly lucky, I can’tsay for sure. Certainly I don’t have anydefinitive keys to the kingdom, so tospeak, that have enabled me to live freeand not die. I just try to take each day asit comes, and not expect too much andnot overreact to what symptoms/feelings Imay be experiencing. As my father usedto say, every day that he would wake up isa good day. And since I’ve been wakingup now going on five years, in spite of mymany three-week/three-month intervals,I’m happy to say: keep those intervalscoming; it may very well be what’s beenkeeping me alive.

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Poems by Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School students.

Poetry Corner

When Snow Falls…When snow falls…A snow globe has been shaken.A world is cloaked in white,A town is reawakened.When snow falls…Listen for the song.Of the whispering wind,Or Jack Frost’s work at dawn.When snow falls…The world is truly seenAs beautiful and pure,Delicate, serene.

By Grace M., 7th

grade

The GiftEvery Gift wants an owner,It never wants to be a loner.It wants the joy of being bought,Never having to be distraught.The time in Santa’s sleigh,It will get ready on its way.Tumbling in Santa’s sack.Going to somebody named Jack.Jack woke up with glee,And ran to the tree,To see what he could see,

With his happy family.The noise died down,People head to town.Santa came, Santa went,Ending the season of Advent.

By David T., 7th

grade

A World of WhiteAn icy cold day,In a world full of white.The sky is dark grey,What a beautiful sight!The essence of the pines,Drifting through the air.Filling the worldWith much holiday flair.Snow shines like a diamond,Like a thousand little lights.It glistens and sparklesAll throughout the night.This white world,Such a beautiful place.This beauty around us,We should embrace.

By Chloe M., 7th

grade

More Poetry, Page 17

The True Christmas Present By Zack H.

On a cold wintry late-December’s eve aman saw a sight so poignant it made himcry.

It all began when he was taking a consti-tutional through the town square,

He rounded a corner and saw the ordealthat would make his heartstrings tear.

This event was monumental; leviathaneven,

Brought on by his long and rigorous past,

So rough and precarious that if it werean ocean it would bring down a ship at fullmast.

Before I tell you of the sight that provokedtears,

Let’s backtrack into the past by twentyyears.

This man had to pay the bills and theirunrelenting steady stream,

Then he was offered a job overseas, a truegodsend.

So precisely twenty years ago he left fora foreign country between and betwixt,

But this was a predicament that he couldnot fix.

All the while, he spent his time there,Counting the days, but all the while los-

ing track of the date;Hoping against hope that he would soon

see his lovely children and true soul mate.A score of years in a state of ennui and

longing passed,The man sensing that his bad luck would

not abate,When a sudden stroke of good fortune

crossed his path, thereby entirely changinghis fate.

At this point it was the beginning of Ad-

vent, and the man saw his holy grail:A poster advertising room in the steer-

age of a vessel headed to his homeland.This made him ecstatic, but he still felt a

faint hint of dread;Though, at the time he couldn’t cipher

why that seemingly erroneous emotionfilled his head.

The whole journey overseas took about aweek,

Every second of it the man in anxiousanticipation waiting to arrive.

Upon his first sighting of the skyline, hestarted to dance on his feet as if he werestanding on a beehive.

Now the plot returns to the present, thebeginning of the story,

The tear-jerking sentiment is going to bein full glory.

The man first returned home, but no onewas there;

So he went for a walk into the townsquare to come to know his surroundingsafresh,

For it had been a while, and commonsense and ignorance surely do not mesh.

Snow flurries were falling all around him,the day being the Eve of Christmas.

He rounded a corner and to what did hiseyes appear?

His wife and kids, Christmas shoppingand drinking root beer.

The man bolted towards them, thefamily’s eyes a twinkling when their eyesrose to meet the sight of the man;

They all ran towards each other and em-braced a zealous, affectionate embrace.

A family unified and united is better thanany gift bought at the store,

Love and [warm] fellowship is the trueChristmas present; it is more, so much more.

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A Christmas SurpriseBrightly colored presents,Sit around the tree.Brightly colored presents,I wonder if they’re for me.Red ribbon, gold ribbon, silver ribbon too,Wrapped in decorated paper,Maybe they’re for you.Picking up a gift,I shake it up a bit.RATTLE…RATTLE, it reacts to the lift.The tissue paper rips,And now scattered upon the floor,You won’t believe what it holds,More wrapped boxes!Boxes galore.

By Sofia F., 7th

grade

24 Hours of Christmas12 a.m. North Pole time,And the sleigh is loaded fullToys and dolls and puzzles and rhymesThis time not one piece of coal.1 a.m. Russia timeThe ground is packed with snow.Santa stuffs the stockings to the brimAnd flies away saying, “Ho Ho Ho!”2 a.m. England timeThe tinsel and holly hung straight,And when the children wake up and run down the

stairsThere are no cookies left on the plate.3 a.m. China timeAnd the trees are shiny and bright.The reindeer clatter and wait on the roof,Ready to fly into the night.4 a.m. United States time,And the morning is on its way.The last house for the season is finally complete.Right here, in Vienna, Va.

By Juliana C., 8th

grade

That Time of YearHere comes that time of year,When all everyone can hear,Is joy, happiness, and cheer.You might even see some deer,The air might even be crisp or clear,No one around you has a fear.Since it is that time of year,When everyone gets some gear,For the ones you love and even your peers,Even other people that love you dearly.There may be some tears,For it is that time of year.

By Elizabeth B., 8th

grade

The Spirit of ChristmasSnow is softly, slowly falling over the city;Small sparkling flakes of white fill the sky,And holiday cheer fills the air.The streets lined with shopsAre decorated with all the stops.Gifts in every window,The faint sounds of music echoes.Across the town,Happiness is all around.The children are sleeping,And no one is weeping,Awaiting the sound of bells.

By Noah S., 8th

grade

Hot ChocolateWarm liquid coming in contact with chapped lipsThe chocolate floods into a dry mouthThe steaming cup grasped between cold fingertipsWinter has come in the southThe savoring drink flows down a throatSending warm tingly shivers throughoutThe cold body being embraced by a fur coatIt is winter without a doubtThere can’t be winterWithout hot cocoaIt makes the cold less of a splinterAnd saves us from going locoOh how I want some hot cocoa

By Jack V., 8th

grade

Poems by Our Lady of Good CounselCatholic School students.

Poetry Corner

By Ella A., 1st grade, Our Lady of GoodCounsel Catholic School.

By Keira G., 2nd grade, Our Lady of GoodCounsel Catholic School.

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Come to ourOPEN HOUSE

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Colvin Run Elementary Art Gallery

The Christmas Store by Jacqueline Palmer, 2nd grade,Colvin Run Elementary.

The Dance Lesson by Manda Xie, 4th grade,Colvin Run Elementary.

By Chloe Gao, 9,Colvin Run

Elementary School.

By Morgan Billingslea, 6th grade,Colvin Run Elementary.

By Morgan Billingslea,6th grade,Colvin Run Elementary.

Lake in thePiedmont Regionby Evelyn Young,4th grade,Colvin Run Elementary.



MemoryMemory lives in your heart and eyes,Seeing everything you see,Loving everything you love,Wearing a coat of your thoughts.When you are holding her hand you rememberAll you cherish and all of your dreams.When you experience something,Splendid or sorrowful,She catches the image,And glues the image in your mind forever.When she crosses her arch nemesis, Forgetfulness,You cannot think of your thoughts,And she cries in pain as Forgetfulness harasses her.When Memory is by your side, you rememberAll of your happiness, all of your losses.Memory is made of many things.Laughter, sorrow, bliss and lossAre all her spirit.Children are starting to obtain her,But adults are full and bursting with her.Children listen intently with eyes full of wonderAs adults tell them about their experiences with Memory.She remembers every moment you spend with her,All you hear, all you see,Everyone you love and all of your rivals.She caresses every minute of your life,But she only presents the best and worst events to your heart.Memory is someoneYou remember eternally.

— Mallika Charagundla,

5th grade, Spring Hill Elementary

DreamDream lives in the skyShe floats on a cloud waiting until the sun is devoured by the starsThen she goes to work to write storiesShe doesn’t need a publisherfor she sings them to all childrenShe loves telling the children her stories to soothe them whilethey are sleepingDream argues and fights with her brother NightmareIt’s always about her storiesbut most of the time Nightmare just runs awayShe loves every child like a motherand visits she visits them every nightshe only speaks when she tells her storiesDream dresses in clothes made of cloudsso she can float wherever she needs tooshe’s like a ninjaa silent and is only found when she wants to beDream is a friendThat will soothe you till the end

— Yuvi Sing,


CompetitionI am thankful for competitionWithout competition the world would be dull and boringCompetition is what keeps us from giving inSports like swimming would not exist without competitionSome people confuse competition with rivalry, but they can bevery differentRivalry is fueled by resentment and jealousyCompetition comes from hard work and challengesI have competition to thank for some of what I have todayAs it is the backbone of competitionCompetition fuels the fire that burns inside usProviding us with that extra boost from inside; driving us to succeedAchieving the ultimate goal through competition, that is the bestfeeling in the worldThat is what I am thankful for.

— John Bradshaw,


Poetry Corner

Spring Hill Art Gallery

By Andy Ricketts, 6th grade, Spring HillElementary.

By Erin Connery, 6th grade, Spring HillElementary.

By SamiraShirazi,kindergarten,Spring HillElementary.

By Kristina Naydonova, 1st grade, SpringHill Elementary.

By Eric Yong, 2nd grade, Spring Hill El-ementary.


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