Lies

Today, as well as yesterday and tomorrow, lies are being told.

Whether it's a little lie, or one that could save someones life.

A popular lie is "I'm okay" or "Oh, It's fine."

But not all lies have to be spoken.

A fake smile is a lie, physically. It hides  your pain

and makes your mouth say another lie "It's alright."

And what about the bruises on their hips?

Or the burns on their lips?

Lies come in any way, shape, or form.

Today you never know how to distinguish 

the false from the truth. 

Today, as well as yesterday and tomorrow 

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Clones, Yes or No

Karime Balderas-Ortega

January 24th, 2014

Core One

Unique Means One!

What if Elvis could clone himself? Would he still have the same talent as the original Elvis or would he be different? What about John F. Kennedy, everyone loved him and would do anything to see him again but, would you clone him? The process of cloning isn’t complicated. It’s actually very simple  and could be used for good reasons. Is it worth it to possibly kill the original to give birth the clone though? In order to make a clone you have to remove an udder cell from sheep x and remove DNA from unfertilised egg. From there you fuse cells and it make an embryo with the donors DNA. The third step is to mix the embryo with a mixture of chemicals and implant it in the surrogate. After a full period of pregnancy, if everything goes well, the clone sheep is born.

The process seems painful for a human. Possibly killing the original to get DNA for the colne. The cloning process has yet to be tried on a human but it doesn’t seem possible for the time being. We don’t have the technology nor the patients for this kind of discoverment. For a human it would involve a pregnant women which could hurt the unborn child. The cloning process just seems painful and unethical for a  human.

Say that we happen to get all technology needed for human cloning and we get around 20 patients. Everything goes great until nine months later. The scientist know that for animals it works, but no one is sure about humans. At the end of those nine months when it comes time to deliver the clone, what if its not human? If scientist do happen to clone a human, they could end up creating the new monster.

Other than ethics and danger to the human race, what's so wrong about cloning? Cloning does have it positive, if someone dies unexpectedly then they have their clone. But maybe some people wouldn’t want to clone themselves. They’d think that one lifetime is enough, but how many people would be like this? If scientist took a survey asking whether people wanted to be cloned or not, at least one out of ten would say no.

When growing up parents often told their kids “Be yourself, even if it means you’re different from the rest.” When their kids were bullied the parents would call them “unique” and tell them they’re special. Now we could have the possibility to be unique twice. If the unethical and harmful cloning process does tend to happen, just remember what your parents told you.

Poems

Goodbye

There comes a time

in life where you

must bid your goodbye

Bidding your goodbye will

be the most difficult in life

You must keep in mind

that there will be a hello

A hello that can change your style

and most probably will

Please let the hello guide you

even when you want to

throw away the world and watch it burn.

There comes a time

in life when you

must bid goodbye.

Bidding your goodbye will

be the most difficult thing

in life...

"Goodbye.."

Broken Wrist

Most say that they’re broken hearted,

I say I broke my wrist . . .

The pain of a broken heart

does defeat the pain

of the broken wrist

But a broken wrist can hide

the emotinal pain

While a broken heart

shows everything.

A broken heart requires

extreme treatment if severe.

A broken heart can easily

be covered.

Most say they’re broken hearted

I say I broke my wrist

“ Sorry, I broke my wrist. “

Time

Time stands still

in this black abyss.

Time stands still

in the world of thoughts.

Time stands still

when the eyes are closed.

Time speeds up

with the train of thoughts

Time stops again

when the eyes open.

Time stands still

in this black abyss.

time can be taken away so easily,

Anything could happen in a minute.

People die by suicide every 14.2 minutes,

but people are also brought into this world.

Time is a precious thing…

but also deadly...

The difference between life could be

Some seconds or a few hours.

Time can be taken away so easily

Anything could happen in a minute.

“ I’m sorry

it’s too late. “

Science Fiction

Karime Balderas-Ortega

September 26th, 2013

Core One

Ghost Assassin

I looked around the cafeteria one more time to check if she was really there. I took out my Tracking Device to message my mom that I would be home late. She texted back a second later saying okay. I don’t know why this mattered, its not like she acted like an actual mother.

“ So hi. My name’s Grace. How can I help you? Do you know who it is?” I said to the ghost and acted like I was talking into my phone. “ No Grace, I don’t know who it is. My name is Jane by the way.” I looked her up and down, she had a torn red dress on, her feet bare, blond hair, and her eye’s glossy eyes looking around.
“ Well nice to meet you Jane.” I said with a smile. “ Do you know why you came to me?”

“ No Grace. I don’t even know what happened.” She said looking around, tears in her eyes.

“ It’s okay Jane. Want to get out of here? I know having too many living human beings around can confuse you.” She waited a moment before she answered me with a shrug. I took that as a yes and walked my way to the park.

" So, tell me about yourself Jane." I said as we got to the park and sat down on the brown bench.

" Well there's not much to tell. " she admitted quietly.

" Do you know how you died? "

" No ma'am. " Jane started at the sky, " It was the night of the movie premier and I was with my friends. Then we all noticed this guy staring at us. We felt very uncomfortable so we went to flirt with some guys. " I noted everything down as she said is. "  I remember going to the bathroom and feeling someone watching me the whole way. Every time I looked back, there was nothing.” She cried as she told her story.

“ It’s okay Jane. I know enough.” I looked around. “ Was he around six feet, black hair, looked 37, and lean?”

She thought about it for a moment then answer “ Yes Hazel. How do you know?”

“ I Just do.” I said to her, but in reality he’s the most wanted guy. He’s killed more than 12 girls, ages 16-18, and with blond hair.

“ Thank you for your time Jane. Your death will be revenged,” with that I walked to my house.

As I got home, I changed into black clothing and put my makeup on. I was going to have to look very pretty if I wanted to capture this criminal. I texted my mom on the tracking device, asking where she was. She replied instantly and said she was still at work. I got my keys and got in my car, if I could catch this criminal then I’d be on the charts for weeks. Just the thought of being the best motivated me enough to sacrifice my life.

When I got to the club, I checked out the scene. He was nowhere in sight just yet so I went to dance with some girls. After 10 minutes he spotted me, I could feel his eye’s roaming me from head to toe.

“Excuse me Miss, may I dance with you?”

" Yes sir. " I said with a smile. We danced until the club closed.

" May I take you home miss? I'd hate for a very pretty girl to be walking the streets alone."

" Ummmm. " I thought about it for a second. " Yes, you may. But straight home please." With that he took my hand and lead me to his car.

As we got to my street, he went to the left instead of the right.

“ Excuse me sir, it’s to the right.” I said nervously. I thought to myself that my time has come.

“ I’m sorry miss, please excuse me for this.” he said as he moved closer to me and tried to put a bag over my head. I screamed and kicked for him to stop.

“ Please Sir! St-” I woke up in an instant, it was all just a dream.

Drama

Karime Balderas- Ortega

October 24th, 2013

Core One

10 - minute play

Love Never Dies

(Two friends are at the girls house. They’re arguing over their relationship that ended two weeks ago. The boy didn’t know why he did it. He just broke up with her at the last minute.)

Katey: (screaming): You promised me! You promised me that you would never leave me!

Cody: I didn’t leave you! I meant what I said!

Katey: Look me in the eyes. Say you don’t love me and I’ll stay out of your way…

(Pause)

Cody: I can’t lie to you baby! I still love you!

Katey: (gets up and opens the door) Well I don’t! And don’t go and baby me! Get out!

Cody: (Gets up and goes over to hug her) Please don’t be like that.

Katey: (Pushes him away) No! Get Out!

(Cody leaves without another word. With tears in his eyes he starts his car and drives away.)

Katey: (Starts crying and slowly falls on the floor.)

(Two hours later the phone starts ringing)

Katey: (Wakes up in alert and reaches for her phone) Hello?

Stacey: Hey! I’ve been calling for hours Katey! What were you doing? How’d it go with Cody?

Katey: Sorry girly! I fell asleep but it didn’t go very well with Cody…

(Pause)

Stacey: What happened girl?

Katey: He said he still loved me… (pause) I can’t stand it though. I hate what he did to me…(pause) Stacey?

Stacy: (silent)

Katey: ( pause )

Stacey: (Silent)

Katey: Umm okay. Bye. (hangs up)

(An hour later Stacy appears at Katey’s door)

Katey: ( opens door) Stacey? Whats wrong?
Stacey: OMG Katey! Cody got in an accident.

Katey: What?

Stacey: (Hugs Katey) I’m sorry bby.

Katey: ( Hugs her back.) Where is he?

Stacey: I don’t know. His mom called me to tell me because she said you weren’t answering.

Katey: UGH! Let me just call her.

Stacey: Okay. I’ll be in the car.

(Stacey goes to the car while Katey calls Cody’s mom)

Katey: ( talks into the phone) Hello? Mrs.Flores?

Mrs. Flores: Katey? Is that you?

Katey: Yes ma’am.

Mrs. Flores: Thank god! I tried calling you but you wouldn’t answer! I assume Stacey already told you what happened?

Katey: Yes. May I ask where he is? I really want to see him and we can talk at the hospital.

Mrs. Flores: It’s the one near Walmart. He’s in the emergency department.

Katey: Okay Mrs. Flores. See you there. (Hangs up and goes to the car)

Stacey: Where we going?

Katey: Hospital next to Walmart.

Stacey: (thinks for a minute…) Are you sure you want to see him?

Katey: Yes! Now drive!

( 45 minutes later they arrive at the hospital)

Katey: (takes a deep breath) okay lets go (gets out of the car and runs to the entrance)

Stacey: ( gets out of her car, locks it, and catches up to Katey) Chill Katty cat!

Katey: Sorry. Ready?

Stacey: Yes.

(They both walk into the hospital and see Mrs. Flores. She goes up to Katey and hugs her first)

Mrs. Flores: Hi Katey. He’s in room 5. He’s okay. Just scared and minor cuts. You’re allowed in.

Katey: Thank you Mrs. Flores. I’ll go see him.

(Katey goes to see Cody. Not knowing that this was all just a joke. Cody is just waiting for her while Mrs. Flores and Stacey stay in the waiting area.)

Katey: (Stands outside the room) Okay. Take a deep breathe Katey. Mrs. Flores said he was fine. ( Enters the room)

Cody: Hi Katey.

Katey: Your mom said you had minor cuts?

Cody: No Katey baby. It was all just a joke. You said you didn’t love me no more so I faked an accident to see if you really cared. I told Stacey and she texted me while she was in the car. You seemed worried about me. If I recall right, when I told you I still loved you, you said you didn’t. You lied. I knew you did, and you just proved me right.

Katey: (Goes up to him and slaps him) OMG! I’m so mad at you! You scared me!

Cody: Chill Katey. I’m fine. (Hugs her tight.)

Katey: (Hugs Cody back.) I still hate you.

Cody: Yea yea. Love never dies Katey

Personal Memoir

Karime Balderas Ortega

November 21st, 2013

Core One

Personal Memoir

Not Right

I don’t know…something doesn’t feel right. It’s not my change of music, it’s not my change of  style, its my change of heart. To become happy I’ve had to change the way of thought. I did it so easily, and I didn’t care much about it. To me it came as simple as we take a shower daily. I just want to be happy. I don’t want to live when I'm always sad, but I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I’ve had enough of that… I just want to live. I don’t want to be trapped, I don’t want to be unhappy. Can someone hear me out already? Can I be let out already? I’ll stay in my state of mind for today, or as long as I can…

It’s come to the point where I can’t do this anymore. I can’t hide it anymore… I’m happy as far as I’m concerned but I don’t want to be happy this way. Please, I want to breathe for a while. No, no, I need to breathe. I’ve been a year like this, possibly more. It’s just not right. I know I should be used to this, but being this, being fake, it’s not right. It’s more comfortable the other way, the old way. I’m just asking for someone, anyone to feel my heart. Why can’t someone see that it’s not me? Or are they used to me already? If I scream, what may happen?

Since the time I screamed I was sent away… the knew. Yet they didn’t care, they just didn’t and I’m crying as write this. I don’t understand where it went wrong. I think this constantly, I do know that it went wrong when I changed. From that day there was always something in my head telling me “ It’s not right,” it’s been rising higher and higher. To this day it’s a scream. I can’t tell anyone, they’ll keep me here longer. I’ll just wait the day to come, when I’m set free.

206… 206 marks the days I’ve been here. No, no, that’s not right. These white walls don’t help...

They say I might be ready to go. They see no real improvement. It’s all fake smiles, fake laughs, and fake, fake, fake! The voice in my head now say’s “It’s not right… It’s fake!” It appears less often now, but that’s something I keep to myself. There’s no need to acknowledge the voice. It’s just another bother. Right? No! No! No! That’s not right either! Ugh! Forget it, nothing will be right again.  

600 days… 600 days I was in there. They finally let me go. Thank God. Some people are there to meet me. I ask them all why, why didn’t they take me out, why they even let me be placed there in the first place, why they didn’t visit me. They all told me the same response, “We love you, but something didn’t seem right…” They drifted off into silence. There wasn’t anything I could do that day or for the rest of my life. I would just smile . . . till I get sent back.

Flash Fiction

Karime Balderas - Ortega

November 22nd, 2013

Core One

Flash Fiction Story

It all started when it appeared. What or who is it you may ask. Let’s start from the beginning. . . I was 17. Waiting to get my car and go to the theaters that night. There was something wrong and it was too annoying. I couldn’t put my finger on it quite yet, so I checked my make up and looked at the clock. 3:45pm it read, where was my dad with my car? As if the odds were totally in my desire he appeared. I went outside to meet him.
“ Is this it?” I said not bothering to greet him properly.
“ Yes lady. Happy?” My dad answered dangling the keys in front of me.
“ Thank You. Bye.” I got in the car, turned the radio on, put my seatbelt on and went to pick up Izzy.

It was 4:56pm by the time I got to her house. She was sitting on the stairs crying, holding something blue in her hand. I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the steering wheel. What could be wrong with her now, I was just talking to her yesterday. I opened my eyes and she was knocking on my window smiling as if she hadn’t been crying. I unlocked the door and she came in, just her phone in her hand, and mascara smearless. Maybe I was just imagining it, but how could I? Izzy’s voice took me out of my thoughts.
“ Nice car lady.” She said in her normal sweet voice.
“ Thanks gurl. Mall right?” I tried my best not to sound out of the ordinary. She must’ve bought it because she answered by nodding her head. I turned up the radio and started driving.

5:34pm I saw the blue thing again. We were at a stop light and it appeared on a tree out of no where. An eagle fell, screamed and everyone stopped to stare, hoping the birds fate wouldn’t be as bad. To everyone’s dismay he hit the ground with a thud and died. I closed my eyes, trying to erase the image for my mind. A second later I opened my eyes to a honk. I looked up and the light had turned green. Looking over to Izzy she stared at me as if I was growing an extra eye. I advanced and glanced at the clock, 5:32pm it read. I was too shocked to really care about Izzy.

20 Minutes later we arrived at the mall, 5:57pm to be exact. We went around shopping and having small talk about cute clothing. In one store there was the little blue thing again, I dragged Izzy in and screamed. Everywhere there was blood, painful cries, and gruesome images. Thousands of lifeless eye stared at me, watched me run out screaming. I flew into the bathroom and checked the time, 6:15pm. I then closed my eyes and breathed.

By this time you probably think that “ It “ is the blue thing. Actually, “it” is the thing next to the blue thing, a shiny eye. It caused me to have horrid visions I can’t forget. I’m now 32 and deeply scared of shiny objects, especially eyes.