My top 5 most significant moments of 2024 by Sonia Martinez

Las vegas trip 01/06/24

1075712_1 — 2025-01-08 06:45:15 UTC

This trip was the first trip where I went out of state. It was also the first trip where my whole family went besides my dad. I went over winter break during eighth grade. It was a really fun trip and I would definitely go back. I only stayed for a couple days but I was still able to do a lot of stuff that I enjoyed. The hotel we stayed in was nice with the casinos that made it very colorful. Also from my hotel window I was able to see the sphere. Me and my family just walked around trying to see and do everything in las vegas we could. We went to the Venetian Las Vegas as well as the top eiffel tower viewing deck and other things. Overall it was really fun just walking around and seeing Las Vegas and the people. One of my favorite things we did was go to see the Blue Man Group. It was really funny to see them perform on stage even though they didn't talk, they were still really funny. Was most interesting was probably just seeing a bunch of people in the casinos gambling. One last thing That was fun to do was on the way back from the trip we stopped at a gas station that was massive. It was the biggest gas station I've seen with a bunch of stuff inside and it was fun to explore it. My family usually doesn't really go on trips so when we went to Las Vegas it was really fun and something different. I really hope in the future and maybe this year we can go on another fun trip like that, hopefully this time somewhere far.

Got a Knotts berry farm season pass 03/14/24

1075712_1 — 2025-01-08 06:49:22 UTC

My sister used to work at Knott's Berry Farm so I was able to get free tickets to go. My friend had a pass and since I had free tickets we would always go together. After a while, my mom's friend told me I should get a pass so we could go whenever. I always wanted a pass and I love going to knotts so I really wanted one. after asking my parents and convincing them they bought me one. I was really happy because this meant we could go to Knott's with my friend whenever we wanted. My friend would usually go every week and her parents let me tag along. We would spend the afternoon there and they would take me home. riding all the rides with my friend was very fun, we would always like to go on Silver Bullet and one time we went on it three times in a row. I really like knots and all the rides and writing them with my friend was an amazing experience. It was also a fun experience because I was able to make a bond with her siblings and parents. I did stop going towards the end of the year with my friend but that didn't stop me from going with other people. Getting a Knott's Berry Farm pass was really fun and I would do it again if I could. And I would hope that maybe one day in the future I can get a job there just like my sister did.

Ended 8th grade and started high school 05/23/24-08/7/24

1075712_1 — 2025-01-08 06:51:54 UTC

Starting high school in what I would say one of the biggest chapters in your life. For me 8th grade went pretty good way better than 7th( like a lot better) It was an okay time but I would not go back. 8th grade was filled with a lot of things that happened to me physically and emotionally. From making more friends, building a better relationship with my parents and other stuff as well. At the end of 8th grade I was really thinking I was going to be sad and cry but I wasn't. I was more just relieved and happy. The only thing that really made me sad was knowing that some of my friends wouldn't go to the same high school as me. Also saying goodbye to some of my 7th grade friends. The last day my family came to see all the eighth graders walk around the school. It was really nice to see them there supporting me and being there for me. I don't know why but for some reason I really thought starting High School was going to be like the end of me or like way different and how it is now. I was kind of scared just cuz it was going to be a new school, new people and just a community. I was also excited just because I wanted to see how my freshman year would go. Like would I make new friends, would I join a club, how would my classes be, how would my grades be, what would my teachers be like? Also excited because all my siblings went to Magnolia so I would want to see how my high school years go. As Summer started coming to an end I started preparing myself for school and what would come of it. Before registration I was really nervous and scared but after seeing my friends I was more excited to start school. To be completely honest I kind of forgot how my first day of school went but. I do remember being happy to see my friends and a little overwhelmed by the campus. I remember being somewhat pleased with my schedule but didn't really worry about it too much. After the first week I was just really relieved that I made it through. Before I knew it the first quarter had Ended and we were in the second quarter halfway through the first semester. One thing I noticed that's different from eighth and 9th grade is I think just the more work. I feel like they're an eighth. I got school work but it wasn't like a crazy amount or I was stressed. It was also work I could do in class and that I could finish in one day besides projects. But for high school me personally I feel like it was more work. Some days I would stress about doing the assignment or having to finish an assignment. Overall I feel like the first semester of high school went as good as it could have gone but maybe could have been better. I really hope for this semester to be just as good if not better and hopefully I can maintain good grades.

15 birthday 09/18/24:

1075712_1 — 2025-01-08 06:52:42 UTC

This day was probably the best day of the year just because I was really looking forward for the day. It was really a fun day, I was able to go out and eat with my friends and hang out. I was really excited to turn 15 just because when I was younger I would always imagine how it would be. I really wish I did more stuff or just planned to do something else and better. There's not really much to talk about because to be honest it felt like a normal day wasn't very exciting. Although it wasn’t how I pictured my 15th birthday it was still a great day. And hopefully in the future I look back and think the same. Thinking back on this day I really wish I didn't give my parents an attitude. They work really hard for me and my family, they just want me to be happy. I'm really excited for this year. I'm going to be turning 16 which feels kind of weird. Really hope this birthday I can do something really fun and since I'm turning 16 hopefully I can start doing some more stuff. like getting my driver's permit, getting my ID and possibly a job.

friends quinceanera 09/28/24:

1075712_1 — 2025-01-08 06:56:24 UTC

This day was literally the most funniest and one of the best days of the year. It was so fun and such a great day. My friend looked so beautiful with her dress and everything. The quince had a lot of things. I really liked the dances the quince court did ( they did a good job) . I went with my cousin but was mostly with my friends because they went as well. It was fun seeing all of us dressed up and taking pictures to remember the day. We were sitting at the table and just talking and eating and having fun. After the quince court did they're little dances a while after the entertainment started. Everyone started going to the dance floor and dancing. Making sure the quinceanera had since it was her special day. It was fun just dancing with my friends with the loud music and all the lights. The entertainment was so really fun they had a bunch of dancers come in and dance with the quinceanera. As well as a super tall glowing Dancing Machine guy. One of my favorite moments was when my friend the quinceanera sang a song for all the people. She sang the song really beautifully and it was nice to hear her sing. I ended up going home around 11:00 a.m. I was one of the last of my friends to leave. I really didn't want to leave just because I was having so much fun if I had the power I would definitely go back.