I looked down at the blank sheet of paper on<br >my desk. I leaned back and looked up at the<br >ceiling. I turned and looked out the window.<br > Mistake. Through my windows I could see<br >trees and clouds and the roofs of houses. In<br >the distance， a v-shaped flock of geese flew<br >by. Even further above that I caught the glint<br >of light off a plane.<br > All of which reminded me that I d rather be<br >anywhere than right there at my desk getting<br >ready to do my math homework. And then<br >there was more homework after that， includ-<br >ing a BIG writing project<br > But as usual， I m jumping into the middle<br >of things. I guess that s because I see things<br >not as having a beginning and an end， but as<br >a big picture spreading out all around me with<br >me (of course) at the center.<br > Me? I m Claudia. Claudia Kishi. I m thirteen<br >years old. I live in Stoneybrook with my par-<br >"