David+Crowley

=__**Memoir **__= As I stand in line staring at the bottom of tons and tons of fun and relaxation, I hear a slight ding above me to notify that I’m clear of all hazardous weapons. Walking towards the final escalators that led to the lobby of the ship, I realized how close I had come to a fun-packed week that I had been waiting for, for almost a year.  Through the monitors, and under the passages, we had conclusively found ourselves in a huge room filled to its occupancy. With colorful stairs, glass __#|elevators__, and a 20-foot chandelier, this expanse had been so elegant that my family had all ready been stunned. Trying to wrangle our way through the hundreds of vacation-seekers, my family and I had invaded our way into the big capacious elevators to accompany our room. While lifting into the air and looking through the back of the glass conveyor, I witnessed all the hundreds of people that had been enjoying this vacation as well as me.  "Wow!" I shouted. "This is going to be amazing.”  After exiting the elevators, we set out onto our room where we could relieve ourselves from our heavily bags. Passing all the distinct rooms through the halls of the 8th floor, we arrived to our luxurious suite where we can settle down free ourselves from the stress. While observing the ornamental view from our balcony, I continuously had the urge to start exploring the huge cruise ship.  "Come on, lets go," I urged, "there's so much for us to do and we have no time to spare."  "Just wait a second, David, lets us just relax first then we'll get going," my mom replied and she continued with her unpacking. Unlike myself, my mom is like a turtle and takes forever to do anything.  The hour passed and it had finally come time where we could go out and explore the boat. First, starting with one of the many buffets, my parents and I each grabbed a plate and filled with all the delicious goodies there was offered.

 "Oh my goodness, I can get used to this," I exclaimed. Thinking that life couldn't be any better than it was now, I spotted the one and only machine, the machine that squeezes out a soft delightful goodness called ice cream and frozen yogurt. I ran to the machine leaving my plate with the prongs from the chicken tenders on it and grabbed a cone. I placed it under the nozzle waiting for the most delicious mixture of vanilla and chocolate to squirt out and into my cone. As it came #|complete to me I smashed it on my face licking every piece I could. It was like nothing I ever tasted before. It was too good that it distracted me from anything else and craved me to just eat as much as I could.  Following our perplexed lunch, we set out thought all the dining rooms and all the cafes and entered the Lido Deck, which was where all the activities and hot spots were. Pushing all the exploring aside to tomorrow, the first day of the cruise was Nassau, Bahamas; A place known for paradise in the USA. Well as they say in America is exactly how it was down there because it surely was like heaven with all the beaches, palm trees, aquariums, everything contributed in making this destination a vacation and I’m glad to say that I’ve had the experience in this country.  In the Bahamas we went to Atlantis, one of the biggest underground aquariums on Earth. Atlantis stood pink and tall and in the middle of the __#|Atlantis Hotel__ was called the Michael Jackson suite. Believe it or not the cost of that place is $25,000; for one night! It was astounding. The reason for the outrageous cost of the suite was because as it seems, Michael Jackson had stayed there several nights while on a tour.  Atlantis was filled with huge gray sharks, orange fish, red crabs and the biggest black sting ray I have ever seen and probably ever will see. Also, the thing that I’m not familiar with was the crystal clear water. It was clear enough to see the sandy bottom from the balcony of our luxurious room. It was really quite nice considering the bodies of water in our area had a yucky brown color.  The next wonderful day was our first sea day, which meant that there was no destinations that we would reach and that we would stay on the boat the whole day which also meant that we had to dress up, in suits and ties for dinner that night. Ryan, a great friend that I have been friends with my entire life, had been with me that entire day swimming in the cold pool, the bubbly hot tub, the huge water slide, and enjoying the delicious ice cream machine with. Sharing laughs and racing each other down the slide, we overall had a fantastic day of just relaxation and fun. When the time came for the sun to slowly dissolve down we went in went back to our rooms to dress up and go eat at the restaurant with our families.  Each night after dinner, Ryan and I both went to the Venetian Palace, the stage of the shows, musical performances and game shows. Each and every time we entered the palace, we always sat in the first row as if we had reservations. That particular night was a great production of a welcoming to the cruise. They had energetic dancers and vocalist singers to welcome us to the cruise, Carnival Liberty. From bingo and game shows to performances the first display was a fantastic way to end the night.  The next morning, I woke thinking about a day filled with St. Thomas, a place I have never heard of until now. After getting ready and eating breakfast, we went through a security check and exited the cruise ship. Then after several moments of waiting patiently and observing the landscape and once again the crystal blue water around us, we met up with all our friends that we had been on the cruise with. One adult of the group named Kurt had done some research before the trip and found us a local private beach where we can enjoy ourselves without the cluster or many others.  The beach was very superb with very little sandy area and a large harbor full of swimming activities. Turning my head, observing all the distant and fun playing areas, I witnessed slides into the water and little docks in the center just to sit for a bit. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Running through the sand and kicking it as my feet swung back, I then galloped into the water. Feeling it all thrash against my face had stunned me with instant coolness on this hot autumn day. Swimming through the clean coated water, I had brushed myself away of all urgency. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> “Ugh, I’m so glad Kurt found this place, it so relaxing and quiet,” I explained. Repeatedly swimming through the harbor, I watched as many of the other kids had had a blast going down the slide and pushing each other off the dock. It was just nice to get off of school for a week and let loose at a private beach. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Then the following day, we arrived at Grand Turk, a place where I think nobody has probably heard of before: Yet it was amazing. The water was even clearer than all the other ports. At Grand Turk they had blue beach chairs set up for you already at the beach. Even better was a pool big enough to have three walk way bridges and for the adults there was a pool bar called ‘Margarittaville’ which I thought was still pretty neat. As for the kids, Grand Turk abided with the ‘Flowrider’ which was a wave that went up a ramp and you could boogie board and surf down. It was like you were floating or defeating gravity because you went up but stayed in the same spot. I really enjoyed this one particularly because no matter how many times I fell flat on my face, it was still a very pleasant experience even though a dog could have probably done a better job than me.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> The next day was our sea day but also, unfortunately our last day of the cruise. That day Ryan and I pretty much did the same thing as usual; we went in the pool, hot tub, and water slide. From playing with the bubbles to splashing each other, we tried to make the most out of this day because we knew it was our last. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Later that night was the Carnival Legends where regular passenger’s auditioned to represent and sing songs from famous legends like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and many more. The performers really showed off true talent to us with their elaborate costumes and delicate voices. I really enjoyed that sequence of music because it was such a variety of different types which made the show really open and exhilarating. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Overall, I had such a fantastic time on the Carnival Cruise and I can’t wait for one in the future. While on this huge barge I cultivated that time really goes by fast when you’re having fun and that you got to learn to make the most of it. You only live once so you need to make sure you make it worthwhile.

=__**<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Compare Contrast **__=

Many people might argue that the Socs and Greasers are the opposite because of their personalities. However, rather than both being gangs, they both have many different aspects that are exclusive. In terms of gangs, The Greasers and Socs are alike in many ways, but also have many different attributes that make them unique. First, the Greasers and Socs have a lot in common and resemble a lot of the same traits but are different in some ways too. In contrast, the Greasers are from the East Side of town and the Socs are from the West Side. Also, the Greasers don’t have much family and contain a reputation of trouble as the Socs have family and have high academic achievements. While the driving in their expensive Mustangs, the Socs have short hair and are very well dressed in a good nature. On the other hand, the Greasers have long greasy hair and tend to wear leather jackets, t-shirts and jeans. This causes the two gangs to dispute over their differences and rise above the other to become a better gang.

Although the Greasers and Socs have many differences, they also share some similarities. Obviously they are both gangs who hate each other but they both contain members who are tough and have a strong build. While the gang members are all about the same age, they both are easily-influenced by each other and have a great look on image. Although they both share frenzy in violence, all members of each gang are loyal to each other and will be there for each other if needed. As you can see, the two groups on different sides of town share lots of interests in intentions but also acquire many differences in actions and personality. Both being gangs, they will each look for the worst in each other that can allow them to cause an altercation because of it.