The Freedom Writers Diary - Erin Gruwell [97]
Diary 115
Dear Diary,
It’s always been a dream of mine…to go to New York, one of those dreams that is always nice to think about, but that you know deep down inside will never come true. New York is where the action is; busy people rushing around on the sidewalk in a hurry to get to work, taxis speeding and honking as they zoom by, the huge billboards and booming lights in Times Square, and famous monuments like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
I just got a phone call from Ms. Gruwell saying that I should plan on packing my bags because I was one of the Freedom Writers chosen to represent the group at the Spirit of Anne Frank Award in New York City. In order to be eligible to accept the award, we had to write an essay explaining why we would be good ambassadors for the occasion. We only had one day to write the essay, so it was difficult for me to pinpoint what I wanted to say in so little time.
I tried to act so calm when Ms. Gruwell called me; I didn’t want to sound too eager. But the second that I hung up the phone, everything clicked and I realized what she had told me. Her words echoed over and over in my mind: “Pack your bags…pack your bags…pack your bags!” Wow! I actually get to go to New York! I’ve got to pack! I need more time! Agh, I need to go to the mall! There are so many things I need to get! I need a heavy jacket! I heard it’s really cold in New York now; it’s been snowing there a lot lately.
I’m so surprised that I’m one of the forty-five Freedom Writers that was chosen to go to New York. At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t too sure if I would even be able to get into the class. The demand was so intense that only a handful of people were selected to join the class senior year; the majority of the students have had Ms. Gruwell since they were freshmen.
Since some of my friends had been in the class for their entire high school career; each week, they had something new to say about the class and about Ms. Gruwell. They only had awesome things to say…never anything negative. My friends would tell me that they would meet a famous author one week and, the next, they would be read a really interesting book.
They could tell Ms. Gruwell anything and everything, almost like she was one of the kids. She understood them. Most teachers aren’t like that; they give you your homework and then send you on your way, never getting to know you. Some of my former teachers have had four or five favorite students in the class and overlooked the rest entirely. Ms. Gruwell is so much different. She gets to know you…she wants to get to know you.
Despite all the positive stuff, I had mixed feelings about getting into the class. I was totally ecstatic about being a part of something that I’d heard so many wonderful things about. But I was completely terrified. For some reason, I thought that everyone in her class would hate me because I joined the group after they’d been together for three years. I didn’t want to be an outsider.
I soon learned that there was nothing to worry about. As the year progressed, I have figured out that the others accepted me as one of their own. It’s almost as if they’ve adopted me into their “family”…a family that knows no color lines and only sees what lies deep within your heart.
Diary 116
Dear Diary,
The first night in New York was exciting. We arrived and all I could think about was bumping into somebody famous. Our stay was going to last four days. Everyone was anxious to get started with our schedule. The ride from the airport to the Marriott Hotel was absolutely breathtaking. I tried to contain my excitement, but was not able to. “Oh my God!” I said. All of us could not believe how beautiful the skyline looked. New York seems like a magical place where anything can happen.
Ms. Gruwell has been working for Marriott International for many years to support our outings. I thought the New York Marriott Marquis was so luxurious. The view was magnificent; we were right in the middle of Times