Nicole Massey
12/01/09
A block

Coming to America

As the plane lands on the runway, the turbines are so loud it is almost unbearable. One of the people on the plane was Siddhartha; he was coming to America to visit his newly found friend, Alan. Alan was going to show Siddhartha around some parts of America. They were going New York City; to see the statue of liberty. They had to take a ferry to Ells Island. This was Siddhartha’s first time on a ferry, he was a little nervous, and got a little sea sick. After they got off the ferry Siddhartha looked up at the huge statue in front of him. He was amazed at how tall it was, it was also Alan’s first time visiting the statue of liberty. Both of the men starred at the statue with their jaws on the floor. They both decided to walk through the statue; it was very narrow flight of stairs. The smell was unbearable; it was really musty. It was extremely dark; there were only a couple of lights. He must think this is crazy, Alan thought to myself. After about 7 flights of stairs they were both out of breath. They were in the crown and the view was amazing. Alan almost started to cry, and Siddhartha was speechless. The view was all the skyscrapers and was beautiful. This reminded him of when he was in the city and meet Kamala, the city was crazy and so was New York City. Siddhartha tried fried dough for the first time ever; he fell in love with the taste. Siddhartha saw birds flying, chirping, and singing. Siddhartha loved all the sounds. Siddhartha said to Alan “This trip was better then following the Buddha.” Siddhartha liked seeing all the people. After they toured the whole statue they decided to go for a walk in the park.

We got in a helicopter and flew to Stanley park, in Westfield,Ma. Siddhartha wanted to find a really quite place to meditate. So Alan brought him to Stanly Park. This is a very quiet place, where Siddhartha can relax and connect with his inner self. Siddhartha has reached enlightenment and was very happy. He sat under an apple tree and meditated for about four hours. Siddhartha wanted Alan to learn how to meditate, but Alan wasn’t so keen on the idea. He must really like meditating Alan thought to himself. Alan thought it was silly and that you couldn’t really become enlightened. Siddhartha was disappointed that Alan wouldn’t even try it. Alan felt bad, so he sat on the ground and crossed his legs and sat quietly for a while. He wasn’t really trying and was not meditating. Siddhartha realized that he was not really trying. Siddhartha told Alan to think of a quiet peaceful place, so Alan tried it. Alan thought of the waterfall he and his wife went to on their honeymoon. This water fall was amazing and beautiful. Alan was really meditating now; he saw everything so much clearer now. After they were meditating they walked around the whole park. They saw people playing with their dogs, and people playing with frisbees. Siddhartha smelt this amazing smell, it was a barbecue. Siddhartha wanted to try this so called barbecue. So Alan rented a grill and they went to the store and bought hamburgers, hot dogs, and baked potatoes. Alan cooked all the food and gave it to Siddhartha to try. Siddhartha loved the hamburgers more hen he liked the fry dough. It was time for Siddhartha to go back to his home town. So Siddhartha said goodbye to Alan and went back to India.

About two weeks after Siddhartha left America he wrote Alan a letter. The letter explained how Siddhartha loved America, and how he misses Alan. Alan felt touched by the letter, so Alan packed all his bags and went to visit Siddhartha in India. Alan’s wife went with him and they both enjoyed the views. Siddhartha brought them to a waterfall just like on their honeymoon. Siddhartha told Alan that he liked the park more then the city. So after all the journeys they went on, Siddhartha liked the quiet meditating place more then the crazy city.

Beans Fall Apart

The Bean Tree, Taylor
Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo
Ogidi, Nigeria

In Ogidi, a large village in Nigeria there was a boy named Okonkwo, he is the son of effeminate and lazy Unoka. Okonkwo hates everything his father believes in. Okonkwo adopts other beliefs and disregards all of his father’s advice. Okonkwo also has a son named, Nwoye. He is a twelve year old boy who is also lazy, just like Okonkwo’s father. Nwoye was suppose to follow in Okonkwo foot steps, and become the leader of the tribe, but since he was so lazy he spent his whole entire day with his friends. Okonkwo was very disappointed with his son, he thought his son would be a good leader but he didn’t even want to take the same path as his father. Okonkwo has a friend named Taylor, she is gusty and practical. She does not like her hometown so when Okonkwo invites Taylor to Nigeria she is eager to go to his village.

Taylor takes a long nineteen hour flight to Ogidi, Okonkwo’s village. There is not a lot to do in Okonkwo’s village, he works all day long, and Taylor doesn’t want to work. So they go down to the river to see the fishermen, catch all the fish. Taylor thought this was extremely boring, so they went back to Okonkwo’s house. Taylor asked to meet Okonkwo’s son, Nwoye. At first Okonkwo doesn’t really want Taylor to meet his son, but then after Taylor asked enough times Okonkwo finally said yes. Okonkwo had a little crush on Taylor but he kept it a secret. So Okonkwo and Taylor walked back down to the river to find Nwoye. He was down at the river playing in the water with his friends.

“Nwoye come out of the water now, I want you to meet someone.” Okonkwo said to his son.

Taylor was introduced to Nwoye, and they liked each other from the start. Taylor was acting like Nwoye’s mother and he really liked it. Okonkwo invited Taylor to eat dinner at their house, she was delighted to.

“What are we having for dinner” asked Taylor.

“Fish, of course” said Nwoye.

They all laughed, because all they ever eat is fish. So Taylor decided she would cook the dinner so Okonkwo and Nwoye could have some father, and son alone time. Taylor made the fish her own way; she added many spices into the fish. Okonkwo and Nwoye were a little nervous to try the fish because they have only had it the way that Okonkwo cooks it. They both tried and it and they both loved the fish.

“You have to tell me what spices you added to that fish it was spectacular” said Okonkwo

Taylor laughed and said “of course I’ll tell you what spices I put in the fish”

Nwoye was extremely tired so he went to bed, Taylor said goodnight to him and he ran over and gave Taylor a hug and thanked her for the marvelous fish she made. Taylor and Okonkwo talked about, Okonkwo’s tribe and how they need more women in the tribe. Okonkwo thought about his feelings for Taylor and decided that he really liked her.

“Do you want to stay with us and join our tribe” asked Okonkwo

“yes of course I will “ said Taylor

Taylor stayed at Okonkwo’s house for about three months before he finally asked Taylor to marry him. Taylor said yes and became Nwoye’s new step mother. She joined there tribe and became one of them. Taylor has never missed her hometown at all.