As I watched my uncle on his mattress, he was coughing and wheezing. Yesterday, he called me for a very important reason. He told me I had to answer the pope's call. In simple terms, I had to join in the army. 
        Many people would disapprove of this, almost all of them being bothered that I'm a girl. Girls have no rights for anything these days. However, this time we're going to break the boundaries of women and rights. After many hours of thinking and deciding, I decided to join the war. Not just to protect the land, but to also prove to people who powerful women can be. 
         As I make my way through the crowd to buy herbs for my uncle, I saw the church that the pope was in. I hesitated, but walked through to the church. I smoothed my hair and clothes, since it was expected that a noble lady should always be presentable, I walked through the church. The inside of the church was huge comparing to what it looks like on the outside. It had illuminating lights, and a big statue of a cross in the front of the room. I quietly stepped inside, to avoid disturbing the peace and silence. No one was there, it was all empty. As I stepped, I heard a splat. Blood. I realized that everyone was killed. I looked around in horror. Then I closed my eyes.

I must've been foolish to say this, but, I decided. I WILL join the army.

When I heard Father talking outside of the corridor with someone whom I do not know, I sensed that it had something to do with me, since I heard my name. I tapped my foot, and waited impatiently, cursing under my breath about what's taking so long. I was thirteen that time, and boy was I in for a surprise. 
         By the time my father came out, 30 minutes have passed. I was about to say something, but he stopped me by clearing his throat. This could be dead serious. "Rose, I want to conclude an offer with a powerful noble family. That offer happens to have something to do with you," he said. I furrowed my eyebrows, pushing him to go on, since I was curious of why. "You shall be married with the son of the family, and since you are the youngest, I want you to know that this is for your own good. Will you accept?" I widened my eyes at the news. I'm only thirteen and I'm getting married? This is mad! As I was about to say something again, I was pushed out of the room, and was greeted by a SLAM! on the door. It's always been like that. Telling me to make a decision, but then closing it without a word. I sighed. What should I say to him?
         A week passed, and I was in the courtyard, when I heard galloping hoofs. I looked over, shielding my eyes to see who was riding the horse. He was a rather fair looking guy, about my age. I stared as he went to the main room, and I raised my brow in curiosity. What could this lead to? I quickly went after him and I eavesdropped through the door. "....and I hope that you would accept my daughter?" I heard. I dropped my jaw. THAT was the person who I was going to marry?! Preposterous! I quickly ran out, and went into the streets

As I listen to Bear's tales and stories of his life, I was wondering about my own life. My past and my present. In the past, I was almost dead, and was almost killed by John Ayecliffe. Cedar is no longer the boy who I used to know, and everyone who I cherished is now dead, which is only 3 people who cared for me in my lives. Okay maybe not my father, but my mother and Father Quinell were. Presently, I am now a slave for Bear. He is mad, I tell you. He sings. He laughs. He smiles.. Sometimes I wonder if I can do the same like he can. Sing, smile, and laugh in a comfortable, easy way where no one can punish or scream at you for it. I glanced at Bear and he seems to have fallen asleep. Oh why can't I sleep peacefully like that too? This is why I envy people. Watching them live life happily.  While my life 's worth is as low as a penny taken for a tax.
         Now that I think about it, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have eaten that fat rabbit. That was the most meat I have ever eaten in my life. Bear seems a little strange, but he doesn't seem that bad. Maybe I'll possibly stick with him for a while. That seems the most reasonable thing to do at t
        

     As I reach the hill top to view the village more, I widened my eyes to see that everything has been destroyed and now in ruins. People laid there, died or unconscious, plus children too. Animals have ran into the neighboring forests (I hope), and all the personal belongings have been smashed. I quickly ran to where my house used to be, and all I see are the wood for the walls, the thatched roof that has now been destroyed, and smashed belongings that were once important. I looked out to the distance, seeing muscular men with armored bodies going toward their boats. I only knew who would've made this happened ... Vikings. 
      Days after, being the only survivor in the village, I decided to move to a new spot.  I settled down into a Lord's village, and quickly became friends with everyone else. Except for the steward, but he was never kind to anybody. Anyway, as I decided to go on my daily farming and tending the land with my ox, I heard 6 bell tolls. That meant one thing.. Danger. Danger that only the Vikings could've been involved. I quickly ran back to the village to see if my expectations were correct, and sadly they were. I screamed and shouted, making sure that everyone was okay. I grabbed anything that could be used as a weapon, which was my dagger, that I used to cut the roots off for harvesting. As I was about to run back to the village with fear and desperation, I was stopped by a villager whose name was Adil. "Are you mad!? You're only a woman! You could've been killed! Leave this to the Lord. He is coming this way." I paused for a bit, thinking over. I was about to hit him with an argument, but then I was quickly pulled away. I knew that this was the end, in which I accepted with sadness, and despair.

      Charlemagne who is also known as Charles the Great, made a big turn in the medieval world, also known as the Middle Ages. Many people say he was an ideal monarch. 
      Charlemagne extended the borders for the Kingdom of Frank, which made it a big, grand, empire. On Christmas Day, in 800, he was crowned by Pope Leo the Third to be ruler of the Franks, which led him to his title. He promoted education and literacy, defended the Church, and also protected the Pope. To promote education, he made a school in his palace for people to go to. He introduced new standards for coinage, and made a huge turning point for the Middle Ages. 
        Charlemagne was a successful ruler, and is a big leader to everyone in the medieval world. He did many kinds of things that others wouldn't dare to try. I think that many Christians respected him, and so did the families. He was a big role model, and hopefully there are many other rulers who would do the same things that he did. 

      My new year's resolution is to be a better student and mature better. The reason is because lately, all the things that I've done have gone downhill. I don't sleep on time anymore, or I've been too childish. I'm almost turning 13, which means that I'm done with my childhood days, and now I have to level up.
      To be a better student, I have to do three things: Listen, work and try. In the past, I haven't tried anything. All I did was use shortcuts, like going ahead so I won't have homework the next day, or using the calculator, but I guess that's one of the reasons why I'm failing. In CORE on my SVGs, I always went ahead, because I dreaded having homework. However, now I know to stop that, because that homework is for review, and it could help you get good scores on the tests. Also, in my Pre-Algebra homework, most of the problems are too hard. I didn't want to waste my time on one problem, so I used the calculator, but instead I should've skipped the problems, and then when I'm done doing the ones I know, I go back to it to finish the homework. 
      To being mature, I decided to stop fussing over the little things, no matter how hard it is. I need to stop arguing or talking back to my parents, and just go along with what they say. Whether I don't want to do the chores or not, I have to do them no matter what. I also need to sleep on time so I get the appropriate hours of sleep, so I won't be tired all the time. 
     Sticking to New Year's resolutions are hard, but they can be really rewarding in the end. If you just give up because you forgot about it or it's too hard, then write it on a piece of paper, and the reasons why you want to do those resolutions. That way, you'll be inspired more to keep on doing it, and you will be rewarded in the end.

      In my opinion, I think the most important borrowed idea was the Chinese language. Shotoku used many ideas from the Chinese, but I think that this is more important. The reason why I think this is important is because I think that everyone needs communication. The Japanese didn't have their own language back then, so they used the Chinese language to read, speak, and write. Also, the Japanese were very inspired by the Chinese ways of life. especially Prince Shotoku. China is a very well-known country, even back then. Japanese started as a small country, but gradually increased, thanks to the Chinese. I'm not saying that China was responsible for Japan, but it was one of the big major things that helped Japan grow. 
      Japan and China are not the same as today, but they had very different effects on one another. Even though they are alike, does not mean that they're different. Sure, they borrowed the Chinese language, but because of that they were able to be inspired enough to create their own language.

         I feel like I should be writing this on Free-Write Fridays, but since this is an assignment then I will right it on here. On Winter Break, I am going to help my mom at the Hmong New Year. 
         The Hmong New Year is an event at the Fresno Fair that celebrates the New Years. It's like a bazaar. It has many little tent-shops that sell food/drinks, clothes, music, books, literature, toys, gifts, and many others. It also holds a pageant and a concert in the Community Building. 
          My mom is selling clothes, accessories, music, and candy. The clothes are imported and made by her sisters and sister-in-laws from Thailand, and she also orders clothes from  China and Laos. They are all handmade, and they take a very long time to complete. She is also selling wallets, purses, bags, backpacks, belts, and much more. She even has her own shop!
          So throughout most of my Winter Break, I will be helping my mom sell her stuff and make money at the Hmong New Year, which is a fun event at the Fresno Fair. It's a very memorable event, so if you want to come, then go ahead and join the fun!

      I knew that this day would come. As far as I could tell, the Mongols were coming closer and closer. I quickly ran to the nearest shelter. I knocked the door, and luckily, the people who were living there opened. "Please, let me stay with you. The Mongols are coming closer and closer! Let me stay here!" I urged with great desperation. The people nodded, and quickly led me to their hiding spot, which was a mini door covered in sand. "Hide here in our humble basement. If the Mongols ever come, they will not find you here, for we will kick sand over the door to hide you." 
      "Wait! What will happen to you!?" I asked. "Don't worry about us. We are also nomads. We will make peace with them." That's impossible! The Mongols are merciless! What are they thinking!? I thought to myself. Before I could say anything, I was pushed down into the basement, and the door was locked and closed shut. It was dark, and I could hear the thundering hooves of the Mongols' horses. Screams were everywhere. Upstairs, I could hear protests, and screaming. The man was gone, the wife and the children were taken. All was lost. Nothing could save the village anymore. I sensed that the Mongols have taken their leave. They were packing everything up on their horses. I knew, because of the heavy luggage being dropped. As soon as I heard their thundering hooves and screams and shouts going towards the mountain, I slowly opened the basement door. To my surprise, it was unlocked again! The sand quickly blew into little tornadoes as I burst my way out. When I came up, my jaw dropped.
       What used to be a farm village was no more. In its place, was rubbish, ashes, and little leftover sparks, hungry for some dry wood. I coughed as I looked over the leftover wood of the house. I quickly took a step forward, and started my journey of finding a new home.

         Next week is Thanksgiving Week! Thanksgiving is a holiday made by the pilgrims when they were sailing on the Mayflower to escape from pilgrims. When they reached land, an Indian boy named Squanto helped them adjust and gave them tips, like using fish to fertilize food.
         In honor of Thanksgiving, I will name three things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for family, friends, and support.
          I'm thankful for family because they were the ones who helped me through tough times. They've done everything they can to help me shine, and one of the reasons of why I go to this school. My mom paid for all my clothes, supplies, and she helps me with my homework or study big tests.
          I'm also thankful for friends, because they're the ones who make me smile and will stick with me forever. They've been there for me when I cry or when I'm mad, and they have to put up with all the things that I've done. But they never cared. As long as they're with me, then it feels like I can do anything. 
           The thing that I'm thankful for most is support. Support is what made me go to this school. It's the reason why I'm successful. My family supported me by cooking my meals, buying my supplies, you know, everyday things. 
             I'm very lucky to have all these things. They have been the ingredients of making me where I am today. If I keep my goal up, with the help of these three things, I will be able to do or be anything in the world.