Chao- So how has the first week of the new year been going
for everyone? Here is a new post for 2014! Since Chao has been working with
Creative Nonfiction for school, thought it might be fun to write and publish a
one shot in that genre. As mentioned in a previous entry, Creative Nonfiction
is a writing genre that tells a story that actually took place. It's real. But
the story reads like Fiction, hence the genre title. So here's a little one
shot about Chao. Hope you enjoy!
How I Saved $25
Like any child in America, I was given an allowance, a weekly
gift from my parents who presented it to me only if I behaved. Many parents
have their reason to give the allotted amount, and my mom bequeathed the money
based on half the child's age. I don't remember what age I started getting this
somewhat free money, but for an example when I was ten, I got $5.
I loved getting an allowance. It meant I could spend this
cash any way I wanted to. One thing I remember always getting excited for was
books. I loved reading as a kid, and I always bought myself those pages bounded
by a thick or thin spin: chapter books, picture books, young adult books, and
especially manga. My white bookshelf with three available shelves was
absolutely crammed; it was difficult pulling one selection out and putting it
back. I sometimes just let them pile up on the floor with my neat freak sister
complaining about the mess.
My money was kept in a pink wallet with the Sanrio
character Spottie Dottie, a character from the Hello Kitty world that premiered
in 1990. I had gotten this wallet in a kids’ shoe store where they sold Hello
Kitty products. I wouldn't be able to tell you if I was good with money or not;
I don't remember, but that didn't mean I didn't have some trouble saving, like
most kids.
When I was older, I was determined to start. I had read
somewhere online that putting money away in a jar was a smart approach in
introducing kids and teens to start. And that's what I decided to do; I needed
to put money away so I could fulfill my growing obsession for manga books,
specifically Yu-Gi-Oh! I love that series, but for some time I
bought it at an expensive price. I would go to a little bookstore in a two-story
mall while my parents shopped, and I would buy one volume at a time at around
$10 plus tax. (Later I learned that some places sold the exact same book for
$7.95 plus tax.) I don't remember what else I bought outside of books, but I
needed a jar to help me save, one that would prevent me from taking money out
of it just because I wanted it. I needed discipline. And I think I had found
one.
In my new bedroom after moving was a glass with a wine
bottle shape. The top had a small hole no bigger than a quarter. The neck was elongated
and thin, too lengthy for my fingers to fit through. There was a tiny stopper
connected with a metal band that allowed the stopper to be moved without being
disconnected from the bottle. The stopper was designed like a mini crockpot
with a red bottom and a yellow handle. The bottle was decorated with white polka
dots that increased in size as it twisted down. Somehow I had managed to save
$20, and I didn't want to lose it to reckless spending, so I placed it in
there. Later I had $5, and down it went into the bottle.
The saved money lasted. That was all that made it in since
this particular bottle was dubbed for emergencies. The only minor trouble I had
was knowing how much money was in it. I also marked baby food jars for specific
categories like books, Anime, and Hot Topic (back to when they had good stuff).
But I soon came to a problem: How would I retrieve the money when I needed it?
I didn't really think of the future conundrum since I wasn't that smart of a
young teen. But that story changed when the dilemma came about and I needed
some funding.
Maybe I needed that money for a book, or maybe I really was
low on funds, but regardless—My money was stuck in the bottle! What was I to
do?!
I couldn't just smash it; it was a nice bottle, and I
didn't want broken glass all over my bedroom, not to mention I paid $2 for it
at one of my mom's friend's upcoming garage sales. One way I could rescue my
money was to draw it out on a stick with something sticky. But what? Glue can
be slippery over sticky, and tape might not be strong enough to press against
the paper. I also couldn't risk destroying a bill with marks and tears; what
place would accept it then? Not to mention, it would be a rude gesture towards
Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. What can I use?
That's when an idea hit me: Gum!
I had a packet of 5 Energy. I popped a blue stick into my
mouth, and the peppermint zest overran my sense. I chewed for a bit,
enjoying the unique flavor that only comes to me in gum or candy canes. I
usually like to blow bubbles, but I needed to stay focus. I had my adhesive
factor figured out, but what about admitting something through since the neck
of the bottle was ridiculously long and thin?
I wrapped the gum around the top of a stick found in any
outdoors' setting. I don't remember why I had a stick in my room in the first
place, but I attached the gum and slipped it down into the bottle. I needed to
angle it just right so I could press it against the bill. I also had to hold
the bottle so the bills would stay in place and not roll around. I held the
bottle towards the base of the neck with the bottom away from me. This would be
the best way for me to see where my stick was heading and where the bills were cornered.
I couldn't waste time since I needed the gum to act as an adhesive before it
dried up. I pressed the rolled up wad against one of the bills and slid it
against the glass. When it came to the wide end of the cone-shape, I had to
adjust my pressure and bring the dollar through the thinner end. It worked!
Good thing I worked with one bill at a time; I don't believe both of them would
have gone through the thin end at the same time. I repeated the same process
for the other.
I may no longer get an allowance, and I keep my money in a
bank, but I do remember my attempts to save money. I now make a budget, and I
try my best to keep it. I have finished collecting all the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, and I still buy printed books from time to time. I
can look back at that incident and laugh. I was so relieved I had gotten that deposited
$25 from the bank of the wine bottle glass back.
The End
Chao- Yay!
YChao- What a bore.
Chao- But didn't you feel anything for the protagonist? It
was a pretty exciting tale. Pretty sure plenty of kids and teens can relate to
this.
YChao- Feel anything for the protagonist? Nope.
Agent Daisy- *shakes head*
Chao- This was really a fun story to share. It's nice
writing about something that really took place, and it was kinda funny. Guess
it wasn't super tough since it was just one incident. It's a little different
from writing a fan fic since this story was about Chao. But sometimes it's a
good change.
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