Writings for the Road

Getting to Know Me

2011-08-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to Postcards from Georgia, telling you how awesome I am. Enjoy.

Postcards from Georgia

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Six

2011-08-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sameness. This is a term that the majority of my class knows, due to the fact that we have all had to read The Giver and Brave New World. Both books present a society that is Utopian, however while trying to create "sameness" in their perfect little world, they are actually destroying themselves. Also, there is also that one rebellious character who fights to be different.

Harry Potter is one of those particular characters that was born different. The lightning shaped scar on his forehead may seem like just a physical imperfection, but it symbolically means much more.

His scar represents the fact that he is different. It tells the story of how he was the only one who survived Voldemort, and how he lived to tell the tale. Being different makes people look at you with different eyes, as if something is unappealing. Harry was one of those characters who actually wanted to be normal. He did not want to be the "chosen one" but his fate was chosen for him so he finally ended up accepting it.

His scar sets him apart from everyone else in the story. Physical imperfections often mark the hero, and they foreshadow the events yet to come that will definitely relate to this person in some way. These particular character markings mark the way of the damage that life inflicts.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Six

2011-08-10T18:26:00.001-07:00

Archtype. At first glance, I most certainly thought that this word meant a particular type of ark. Maybe Noah's perhaps? Anyway, after some reading in that good ole book of mine and some further research, I realized that an archtype simply means a copy. It is the term used to describe the representations that form from other pieces of work. In short, THERE IS ONLY ONE ORIGINAL STORY.

I began to scroll through my mental brain files, and soon realized that there are quite a few instances in which similarities in basic stories started to arise. My first thought started with Disney. The prince charming, an evil stepmother, a prince in hiding, and of course the basis for all of it, an orphaned child. So many of those "original" stories have the same main plot line, but by changing up the scenery and characters the author creates thousands of different worlds.

The characters from these Disney movies and stories are archtypes. Most of these characters can be related back to even 19th century literature, and probably even further. For example, the story of Cinderella can most likely be compared to the novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Can't it?

Both novels have a seemingly normal girl who wants to be swept away by Prince Charming. However, getting them to meet and have the proper events fall into place seems nearly impossible. It all seems like an intense game of tag, where one chases the other in the game of love.

Though it may not seem this way, most stories and literary works can be categorized as archtypes. They all are like a color wheel; Different colors and different shades mix together to create tons of wonderful combinations.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Five

2011-07-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Holiday is one of my all time favorite movies. My mom and I love to put on our comfiest pj's, brew up a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate, sit in our favorite living room spots and enjoy the comfort of this movie. It has everything that a good chick flick needs. Comedy. Romance. But coming with romance there is always one factor that has to be included. Sex.

How can a writer of an amazing movie, such as this, illustrate intimacy without showing the characters "doing the deed?" Well, this particular writer manages to do so in a very artistically sound way. The main characters of this particular novel start out as complete strangers. One of them shows up drunk on the other's doorstep and convinces her to let him stay on the couch so that he will not have to drive home drunk. One thing leads to another and the author begins paving the road to the bedroom.

But instead of showing the dirty details he just ends the scene at an open conversation with a little bit of flirting thrown in there. By not going into further visual detail, the writer actually makes more of an impact on the growth and development in characterization. Without showing the "sex scene" he leaves it open and keeps you guessing. It made me want to know if their relationship was more than just a physical one. I wanted them to blossom and to learn more about the characters themselves and why the writer chose to have them jump into things.

This particular scene in The Holiday suggests that their is more to the romantic relationship than just sex. It also foreshadows more scenes like this to come that will further describe how the characters grow and change throughout the story.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Four

2011-07-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Thinking back to grades five and six, I remember one of my favorite teachers setting aside a time to read to us everyday. Normally, it is expected that no one would pay attention to this so-called "story time." However, the novel, Maximum Ride had everyone sitting straight up staring intently at the teacher, listening to the words easily roll off her tongue and out of her mouth.

James Patterson's novel is a story about a "flock" of humans that have been held captive for the majority of their lives, and are held subject to a series of experiments in a secret lab called, The School. However the twist is that they all have been genetically mutated and now possess wings, along with their other human features.

With the help of their father figure, Jeb, the flock escapes from being in cages and fly off in search of a brighter future. This extended metaphor involving their literal flight from the prison illustrates the freedom they now have. I made the connection that the genetic mutations that they have are not curses, but blessings. It gives the family a freedom and openness that no one else has. The flock soon find themselves facing a whole new world on their own and no longer have to be experimented on and trapped by their adversaries.

Max and her family must go on a rescue mission to save their little sister, Angel, without completely showing the world their genetic mutations. However, Max is a strong, open-minded, and highly intelligent girl. She soars throughout the novel in search of her little sister in hopes of saving her and setting her family free for good.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Three

2011-07-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

When an author begins to paint a wonderful or dismal scene in a story, weather becomes a main factor in bringing across a point or foreshadowing. The author uses artistically detailed adjectives and verbs to describe what the main character is about to endure without just flat out saying it.

In the novel, Holes, the main character, Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake after "stealing" a pair of shoes from charity. From simply judging by the name, being forced to go to this camp instead of jail sounds like a walk in the park, but after arriving he soon realizes that it was a LIE.

Louis Sachar introduces Stanley, driving down a dusty road toward a scorching desert and 120 degree weather. A total wasteland. After reading this novel I began to realize the significance of the weather in this particular scene. The author is trying to foreshadow what the main character is about to have to experience. The dry, deserted location represents how alone Stanley feels and how out of place he is. The desert camp not only crushes his hope of getting off easy and escaping, but can also metaphorically describe the other members of the camp. All of them are scarred and dismal, but in the end they all want a fresh start.

On the other hand, the dry, open desert can simulate a new beginning. It is so wide, free, and dangerous. It offers up a new start, with more options than any of them ever expected.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Two

2011-07-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Intertexuality. The stated relationship between a literary work and the other texts from different places that go into creating this particular piece. Examples of this can be seen all the time in literature through characters that are similar.

Two characters from two completely different works can possess similar qualities. For example,

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment One

2011-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Disney movies are one of the many memories that virtually every child continues to remember. Some of us even continue to watch them in our older years (quite often in fact). However, by taking a look further into these delightfully colorful and amusing stories, we can all find a quest.

Lion King is one of my favorite movies. Breaking down this story for the summer English Assignment introduced me to new parts that I had not realized. One of them being that it contained all the parts of a quest...

1. A quester: Simba, a lion cub born into a particularly important family. He goes through the traumatic experience of losing his father, and is convinced that the event was his fault. He runs away for fear that his entire family would be too upset to see him again.

2. A place to go: Simba runs into a baboon named Rafiki, who happens to be a little bit crazy and enjoy whacking Simba over the head with a stick. Something rolls around in Simba's brain that makes him decide to go back to Pride Rock to save his family from his Uncle Scar.

3. A stated reason to go there: After being harassed by the crazy baboon, Simba is convinced that he needs to go back simply to help his family and to tell them "the truth," about what happened to his father.

4. Challenges and Trials: The only person, or lion, standing in Simba's way is his dreadfully dull and mean Uncle. Since Simba had run away, Scar had taken his place as King of Pride Rock. They start to battle and while they fight, Scar admits that he is the one that killed Simba's father, Mufasa!

5. A real reason to go there: After learning that Mufasa's death was not Simba's own fault, he finds a new power in himself. He defeats Scar and takes his rightful place at the thrown and transforms the Pride Lands back to the peaceful way they once were.

Creative Writing

2011-05-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

As we strutted into the stadium, my team and I were watched by both supportive and leery glares. We all had a sort of confidence about us that could be seen by the firm, yet excited facial expressions. Our warm-ups swished as the trash-bag material would rub against each other as we took each step. I looked around seeing all the welcoming signs and banners reading, "Welcome Batesville High School Soccer Team!"

Amongst the happiness however, there were also the threatening looks of the opposing teams. Hands were firmly planted on their hips like they were posing for a Sports Illustrated magazine. But these glances were soon ignored after the blinding flash of Kodak cameras held by supportive parents brought me back to reality. The appetizing smells of concession stand corn dogs and nachos loomed in the air during that muggy day. Beads of sweat could be found trickling down every player's head, and small children complained and whined. Although I, myself, was focused. I could barely even communicate with my parents as they passed, much less my own teammates. Finally, I paid attention to the actual words being spoken from my coach, "C'mon ladies! Let's get warmed up, and pick up the pace!" This sent me into a ball-kicking, aggressive-playing, and an overly ecstatic spiral.

My passes were straight-on and accurate like an arrow hitting a target. Even my shots on goal had enough power to go through a brick wall. But before I knew it, the first round of the Arkansas State Soccer Tournament, had begun.

Teammates and parents alike were cheering me on. The wind rushed through my hair as I flew down the field to score a goal. I scored with ease. My team and I had faced much more fearsome, and gruesome goalies before so this was almost a "no-brainer." The game continued on in a back-and-forth game of kicking the ball until the other team scored as well. The expressions of my teammates faces painted a canvas of disappointment and distress. Then, the situation grew much worse. Right as we got possession of the ball once again, our opponents changed their tactic and switched goalies! This girl could quite possibly have just come out of the book Jack and the Beanstalk. She was a giant! The goalie also looked as though she could possibly murder me. I had not felt nervous-ness bit me until she stomped out on the field and took the place of the once non-threatening opponent.

I couldn't let her stop me, not now, not after my team and I had made it this far. I called for the ball and threw my hand up to get my teammate's attention. Quicker than the blink of an eye she passed the ball and I took off down the field towards the goal and the waiting beast. It was just me and her, so I kicked the ball with all my might. I heard my coaches cheer, the crowd exploded, and the announcer yelled, "Batesville Wins!"

Teacher Argument

2011-04-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

According to Timothy Daley's article on the topic of the "widget effect," I agree with his claim that teachers need to be divided and recognized based on their skills and talents. In my school experience, some teachers know their subject, can link their topic to other ones, and also fully explain and actually teach us the specific topic we are learning. However, other teachers can't even answer simple questions asked by students that think out of the box. In the end, it seems as though the students are teaching the teachers. School districts tend to loop the "highest performing teachers" with the "lowest performing" ones. He states that the "widget affect degrades the teacher profession." No matter how hard the best teachers work, a large percentage of them "can't expect to jump up the career ladder or get a pat on the back," because they are just continually being grouped with the lower ranking teachers. With the lowest teachers struggling, how can the district advisors and even students expect the teachers to get feedback and to improve their teaching. Since most of the "best" teachers that teach in public schools are fully qualified and have the intelligence, if they are specifically recognized as being the "highest" and the "best" then they can continue to succeed. Also, the particular teachers that are struggling more can get the help and the feedback needed to improve their teaching level. I defended Daley's argument that the problem with teachers in society today is not specifically the teachers themselves. Some people argue that its the "teachers" that just "aren't doing their jobs." However, the underlying problem involves the higher ranking advisors who include all teachers in the same boat of sameness. Nobody wants to be a widget, so to fix the problem teachers need to be pointed out about their successes and given feedback.

Great Gatsby Style Analysis

2011-03-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Fitzgerald's poignantly bittersweet tone contrasts and illustrates the irony that our society once began as a "new" and "fresh" world, but we all continued to watch it fall and crumble before us. America prior to discovery and growing population was a glorious world, however after people became known and aware of their desire for it the overall landscape and picture of the land changed. The diction used throughout the passage reflects the drastic change between early life in the 1920's and the world today. The author uses words like "fresh," "green," and "borne" that describes how innocent and new America was prior to people discovering it. The "inessential houses" and trees were abudant until America's desire for new land became greater than their desire for peaceful and visually pleasing landscapes. However, after the "brooding," "orgastic" discoverers decided to come and destroy the calming environment.

AD Techniques

2011-03-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

After reading and mentally processing the NY Times focusing on consumering, I became more aware of the way that ADs were affecting everyone. This particular Tyson's Fried Chicken Advertisment illustrates the "perfect family." Laughing happily, children and parents sit down for a lovely dinner at home. Is it like this all the time? Of course not. This advertisement shows this particular product bringing a family together because it is a food that everyone would enjoy. However, the AD fails to show that this one product doesn't just change the entire family's life. Advertising has changed drastically over the past decade.

Consumerism

2011-02-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less."
-- G.K. Chesterson

Consumerism has continued to become more well-known, and more popular over the recent decade. We spend, spend, and spend money until we have sufficiently made ourselves happy.
This particular quote by G.K. Chesterson emphasizes our obsession and addiction to material possessions. However, the author uses juxtaposition to contrast those of us that desire a lot and receive "more and more" with those of us that desire less but receive the same amount.
Buying and consuming expensive, flashy items is not necessary to be considered "happy." We need to begin observing the people that have and want less. They can probably teach us a lesson about true happiness in the end.

Books That Interest Me...

2010-10-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

During the previous nine weeks, I did not do a very thorough and continuous job of reading. So I am making a Nine Weeks Resolution. By doing so, I have decided to force myself to get into the habit of reading AT LEAST thirty minutes everyday. To help with this, I have selected the books that I am going to read prior to the new nine weeks.

The Hunger Games: The first book that I am in the process of reading and that I had selected to read is The Hunger Games. I have heard multiple comments and reviews about this book from all different sorts of readers. And unlike most books that get "good" and "bad" statements, everything that has been said about The Hunger Games has been nothing but excellent. This book came out a while back, however I have just not gotten around to reading it. After reading the back and the first few pages of the book, I was already hooked. The concept of having to participate in a game that can result in life or death just blew my mind. It made me think about how that would effect my life if a member of my family was thrown into this game.

The Book Thief: As of now, my mom is occupying this particular book. She stole it from me. The Book Thief also was a book that had attracted my attention. Peer reviews of this book stated that it was one of their all time favorite books. This interested me and after reading the back of the book, the plot interested me as well.

The Kite Runner: I had previously tried to read this book when I was younger, however I couldn't get into it. This was mostly because it was hard to grasp the concept. During this nine weeks, I have decided to give it another shot. The writing style of the Kite Runner is unlike any other book I have read. I feel that by reading this book, I can broaden my range of understanding and it can help me better analyze other books that are written this way.

Quarter 2 Annotated Reading List

2010-10-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

WITCH AND WIZARD

Patterson, James. Witch and Wizard. Little Brown Publishing Company, 2009. Print.

Witch and Wizard is a tale about an epic adventure about a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. After being taken away, Whit and Wisty soon came to realize that they were not the only ones who were being accused of this "treachery." Thousands of other children had been kidnapped, accused, and now some were even missing. They begin fearing the worst, and are very unsure about their fate. They will stop at nothing to suppress art and magic, and just the pursuit of being a normal teenager.
I agree with the critics of this novel that the main purpose of Witch and Wizard is to describe and metaphorically explain the difficulties of being a "normal" teenager. I think that the underlying reason for writing this book was to give the teenagers who read it, something to relate to. However, the possibility of reaching the goal of a "normal" teenager is virtually impossible. We are all different, like different things, and think different ways. It may be a long, and slightly tough journey, but in the end, we will all get through it.

336 pages

THE HUNGER GAMES

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Book Publishing Company, 2008. Print.

As negative Utopias go, Suzanne Collins has created a dilly. The United States is gone. North America has become Panem, a TV-dominated dictatorship run from a city called the Capitol. The rest of Panem is divided into 12 Districts (the former 13th had the bad judgment to revolt and no longer exists). The yearly event in this "nightmare world" is a competition called the Hunger Games, a violent reality show where 24 teenagers are chosen by lottery and are forced to fight...to the death. The winner gets a life of ease. The novel leads the reader into a world that they have never witnessed before.
Collins is an efficient no-nonsense author but with a pleasantly dry sense of humor. His characters are strong, fierce, yet also lovable. The main heroine, Katniss Everdeen, lives in a desperately poor community, and when her little sister's name is chosen for the Hunger Games, her entire life takes a turn. If anything, her sister is the only one that she truly cares for, and she does not want her to compete in the life-threatening event, thus leading to Katniss volunteering to take her sister's place. Not only does she now have to compete in for a district that hasn't produced a hunger game winner in years, but she also is in the middle of a love triangle. She has the option of choosing her newly found love interest, Peeta, or she can choose her kinda-sorta crush/hunting partner, Gale. Throughout the novel, the author allows you to dig deeper into to Katniss' life and learn more about the deeper meaning and purpose of the character.

374 pages

FOUND

Haddix, Margaret. Found. Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, 2008. Print.

In the novel, Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, the main character, Jonah, has always known that he was adopted. He has never thought much of this. Early on in the book, he meets and befriends a new neighbor, Chip, who he comes to find out is also adopted. Soon, they both begin receiving mysterious letters. These letters contain information and threats such as "You are one of the missing," and "Beware! They are coming back to get you." Chip, Jonah, and his sister Katherine plunge into an adventure involving the FBI, a vast smuggling operation, and an airplane that completely appeared out of nowhere. The kids become trapped, and later discover that they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for Jonah and Chip's lives.
Haddix has produced this wonderful mystery solely for the purpose of pleasing readers, and reeling them into an adventure they keeps them turning page after page. I did enjoy reading this novel, not only for its interesting plot, but also for its historical significance. Haddix includes many references to past events in history that she somehow manages to tie into the plot her book. This was a very interesting and refreshing twist to an author's writing style.

320 pages

Socratic Seminar Reflection

2010-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

After Ms. Huff gave me the assignment of the "Socratic Seminar", I became very nervous. Public speaking and being watched by my entire class is undoubtedly one of my weak points. However, once I sat down and researched my topic, I realized that the seminar was nothing to be afraid of. I found myself really getting into the topic that I was talking about, and I enjoyed getting to hear the opinions of what other people had to say. Also, unlike some people, I absolutely hate debate, thus getting to agree with my classmates and discussing a common topic was perfect for me.

Preparing for the Seminar took a lot of time and effort. I had to re-read specific parts of the book, relate the book to sources outside the text, and I had to find questions to ask that made my group mates go into a deeper meaning of thought. To be honest, the first seminar I didn't feel very prepared for, mostly because I didn't spend quite enough time on it. My fellow classmates really helped me out on this, in that they gave me a whole new opinion and new ideas to think about on my question. I learned more about the book, and I really enjoyed talking to Lauren Cambias about whether we as an individual are a John or a Mustapha Mond(I had Question 1.)

Question Two opened my brain to more of a "question-asking" technique. My topic was well researched, I had prepared an inordinately large amount of questions, and I was coming into the Socratic Seminar with a fresh mind. My favorite about this particular Seminar was getting to have more of a say in the conversation. I came out of my shell and was not afraid to put in my own two-cents.

Overall I highly enjoyed this assignment. I learned more about the novel, Brave New World, and I found a new confidence in myself that I had not yet experienced. At the beginning I was worried that I would have nothing to say, but after I got started the conversation became much easier. The only part that I would have changed about it would be to do Socratic Seminars throughout the reading of the novel. It would keep our attention towards the book, and we wouldn't have to go back and retrace our reading steps as much.

Refelection of Independent Reading

2010-10-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

After coming back to school from the long, enjoyable summer vacation I lost all of my will to continuously find reading time. Reading is one of those events that we have to make time to do, it doesn't just happen.
Ms. Huff's assignment and challenge of forcing me to make time to read and reflect on the overall picture of what I read was a very good experience. It made me go into deeper thought and meaning which made the novels and articles that I read more enjoyable. This assignment did help me establish a habit of reading at least thirty minutes every night. It turns out that I actually enjoy getting to have a little bit of "chill" time before bed every night to put my mind into a totally different world.
I now have a new daily routine. Every night, before I climb into bed I go to the comfiest chair in the house with a big cup of hot chocolate and I begin to read. The calming, quiet atmosphere keeps me focused, and Ms. Huffs advice about reflecting on the piece that I am reading makes the overall experience more enjoyable.
My analytical thinking has been brought to a whole new level. I have now began digging under the surface of just the black and white words of the text. I ask questions, I make connections, and I even do research that help me fuller understand the passage or book that I am reading.

First Quarter Annotated Reading List

2010-10-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

BRAVE NEW WORLD

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Print.

Brave New World is a story about a Utopian society that genetically picks and chooses what your going to be in life from the moment of birth. Children in this society are bred and made through an assembly line process of selective breeding. Before the are even living, they already have their social class and their entire personality decided for them. People are taught from the moment of birth that no one has intimate relationships, that sex and marriage is just a regular everyday event. However, like in all Utopian societies, not everyone can be happy. Bernard Marx, an unusual figure that is different from everyone else in the society, is one of those people. The age old battle of the fine line between Utopia and Dystopia is fully expressed in this novel. The characters are deep and difficult to completely understand, but throughout the book, the learn about their true selves. I did enjoy reading Brave New World for its spin on how complete control can affect a society. The novel gave me a whole new perspective on the control and sameness of a community. It made me realize how thankful I am for the diversity and unique-ness that we as a society are allowed to keep and have today. (259 pages)

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Austen, Jane, and Pat Rogers. Pride and Prejudice. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2006. Print.

Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, is a chivalrous, romantic story about a relationship that broadens and grows between two people of completely different backgrounds. Elizabeth Bennett, a girl of manners but also of sharp wit, comes from a family of five daughters. All they want in society is to marry a handsome, wealthy man and live a happy and carefree life. However, unlike her vain sisters, Elizabeth wants to marry someone out of love and not out of forcible choice. Her dearest sister Jane throughout the novel slowly falls in love with a rich, gentleman named Mr. Bingley. With him he brings his spiteful and sarcastic friend, Mr. Darcy. Darcy and Elizabeth share a common dry wit, but other than that they can not stand each other, yet they are a bit enamored of one another. As the novel progresses, they grow closer and soon it is a love and a relationship that neither of them will ever forget. Out of all the books that I read this quarter, this one was by far my favorite. The humor used throughout the novel had me laughing out loud at times, and the characters were absolutely adorable. The pure chivalry and old-time romance of this novel tore at my heart strings. Though the 1800s style writing is occasionally difficult to understand, the overall meaning of the book is one that I will most likely want to experience again. (312 pages)

WHEN IT HAPPENS

Colasanti, Susane. When It Happens. New York: Viking, 2006. Print

Sara wants to find true love. Tobey wants to make Sara fall in love with him. At first glance, it seems like the perfect match. But, the first guy that truly catches Sara's eye is Dave, the handsome, young athlete. In the novel, all Sara wants and dreams of is for Dave to realize that she exists, but for some strange reason she can't get her mind off Tobey. He understands all of the little things that matter to her in life, and more importantly, he feels like something real. When It Happens is a story of two completely opposite high school students finding true love in a person that they never expected. This was an excellent book. It may have only been a "candy read" but the characters were lovable, the events of the story were easy to relate to, and the writing style was enjoyable. The author switched perspectives throughout each chapter of the novel, and it gives the readers to understand both sides of the story. One side from the girl, and one side from the boy. It was really easy to get into this book, and my favorite part, was the romance of it. I'm always a sucker for a cute, high school, teenage book about a "lovey-dovey" relationship. I would definitely recommend this book to any girl who likes reading about the stress and drama of everyday high school life. (320 pages)

Annotated Bibliograpy Articles

2010-10-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

1918, By. "The Henry Ford: The Life of Henry Ford." The Henry Ford: America's Greatest History Attraction Home Page. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

Henry Ford's contributions to the manufacturing world are still used and talked about today. In this article, the author discusses Henry Ford's early life, inventions, and even how those specific inventions have affected our world today. After reading the article, I learned more about his invention of the assembly line. It has made our process of manufacturing and society today much more efficient and easier to use. He also invented the "Model T" which was one of the first cars of our time. No wonder that the people of Brave New World referred to him as their God. The article, "The Life of Henry Ford", states the known facts during Henry Ford's most successful time. It shows all of his background information and the history around his time, so I would definitely consider the article to be very reliable. It was also was helpful, in that it helped me fully understand the book and the reason behind making Henry Ford a very important leader figure in the novel. The connections I made between the article and Brave New World were mostly about his importance. Henry Ford was probably considered a very important character in the book because of his contributions to the assembly line, and in the novel the reproduction system used most of the same ideas and processes that his invention had started. They thought of him as "God" for his help in creating their "Utopian" society.

Black, By Edwin. "The Horrifying American Roots of Nazi Eugenics." History News Network. 24 Nov. 2003. Web. 10 Oct. 2010.

The article, "The Horrifying American Roots of Nazi Eugenics", explains the the idea of creating the perfect child that swept the world during Hitler's reign. He believed that all children and infants should be white, blond-haired, and blue-eyed. And with the use of scientific research, they could genetically mold and create this type of child so that all would be equal. The article discusses the roots of eugenics, the study of methods improving genetic quality by selective breeding, why having these appearances were so important during this time. The topic of eugenics for me however is that it is pointless, and that people should be happy with what they are blessed with. After reading this source, it seemed to me to be more of an opinion. But Edwin Black's use of historical facts further explains in detail the reasoning behind Hitler's decisions. His thinking broadened my perspective and it also gave me more of an understanding of the real meaning of Eugenics. In relation to Brave New World, the article shows the "assembly line reproduction" that is discussed in the novel. In Brave New World, the community had a set place for everyone, and everyone was the same. During Hitler's time, all the wanted was for them to have the completely perfect society, and to achieve this they had to have total control. Do you think that genetically changing a child's DNA just to fit another persons wants is right?

"Indian Reservations." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

After reading the novel, and researching different topics, one topic that I was particularly interested in was Indian Reservations. I wanted to learn more about where they started and for what reason they were such a big part of history. I located an article about Indian Reservations that briefly stated the whereabouts of these strange locations. Apparently, the invention of reservations mainly began in the 1920's with Andrew Jackson who was the first political leader to suggest an area of land specifically for Indian use. "Indian Reservations" describes the push and pull of emotional and political arguments that occurred over the years before deciding on the final policy of a "reservation." Many Indian tribes were involved in the decisions of the reservation. They all had specific details that they wanted to be carried out, and so it made it difficult to come to a compromise. I read this article after finishing the novel. I wanted more insight into the background of a reservation. My evaluation of this article is that it was very helpful in my understanding of the topic that I was willing to research. It was very similar to my research about Eugenics, and it made me realize a deeper meaning in the book.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction - InfoFacts - NIDA." Understanding Drug Abuse. June-July 2004. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

My final article that I researched that was in relation to Brave New World was about the topic of drug addiction. It discusses the reasons and the scientific reason behind drug addiction. Contrary to popular belief, drug addiction is a disease and not just a "social problem." Drug abuse and addiction are a major burden to society, and have seriously affected our future as we know it. The part of the article that I found most interesting however is the reasons why some people get addicted while others do not. This article was very helpful, in that it not only explained the mental state of drug abuse, but it also described the medical and scientific reasoning behind it. Other readers of this article should take note that it is important to understand all of the facts of a topic and not start immediately jumping to conclusions. The connection made between the "Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction" article and the novel, Brave New World, is the discussion of soma. In the book, soma is a drug that everyone in the society takes to get rid of all unhappy or horrible feelings. They take it whenever they feel like it. Is this not just another form of drug addiction, even though it is making you happy?

Observing, By. "Utopia and Dystopia." Scuola "S. Cannizzaro" Web. 10 Oct. 2010.

Quin Shuo's article, Utopia and Dystopia, gives the true definitions of the words and relates it back to the novel 1984. The definition of Utopia "describes an imaginary world in which it is effective to the social justice and the rules and principles are underlined that guarantee it." And the polar opposite of the that, a Dystopia, is "an indefinite world in which the contradictions brings to a pessimistic vision of the future." The author of this article explains what to look for in a book that contains the topic of Utopia vs. Dystopia. He shows the main points that each type of society has, and how it connects to the other. However, it is not only a recent high point in modern discussions, these types conversations and writing styles have been occurring for centuries, even since Plato. If I had to explain this article to another reader, I would describe how the two society's differ so much, but are still connected in novels in some way. Taking into consideration the overall picture of this assignment, this article gave me more insight into the meaning and definitions of Utopia and Dystopia. Since it related more to the fictional novel part of the topic, I didn't really learn too much about how it connects to our world now. Unlike the previous source, this article helped my own personal understanding instead of the modern day meaning of it. However, this article helped me make great connections to the novel, Brave New World. In the novel, the society of Brave New World is considered to be Utopic, while the Reservation is considered to be the Dystopia. But after finishing the novel, the two worlds were almost synonymous with each other.

1st Quarter Annotated Reading List

2010-10-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Analyzing the SMART Water...

2010-08-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

Smart Water was the ad that I chose for this particular English assignment. Though the thought of having to look at water may seem boring, the ad showed many different examples of the three rhetorical appeals: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. This ads main focus is to show that Smart Water can help you while you are exercising but also outside of athletics. By using celebrity endorser, Tom Brady, the Smart Water company has done a nice job of catching the readers attention.

Ethos, the most commonly used persuasive appeal, is demonstrated nicely by the very attractive Tom Brady on the front of the ad. The use of celebrity endorsements gives the readers some creditability to base their opinion of the product off of. Many people think that by seeing the highly successful athlete on the front cover, that drinking Smart Water might improve their chances of becoming just like them. Another example of Ethos is the attire that Tom Brady is sporting. It gives the readers the idea that this "high-class" water can help you on and off the field. The Smart Water company is trying to trick the readers into thinking that this particular water is better than average water.

Another one of Aristotle's rhetorical appeals is Logos. The main example of Logos can be seen directly in the middle-right area of the poster. "electrolyte enhanced hydration...vapor distilled purity..for takeoffs and touchdowns," is stated on the ad. These statistics and descriptions of the Smart Water tell how the water can help an affect you. This gives the readers some logic and reason to persuade them into buying this particular product. Also, to add to this specific example of logos, the only color on the poster is drawing attention to the importance of the words on the page.

Emotional appeals. Pathos is the persuasive tactic using peoples emotions, whether it be happy or sad, that draws people in to purchasing a product. The most obvious example of Pathos used in this ad, in my opinion, is the big attractive man that is right in the middle of it. Most women (I assume) find Tom Brady attractive which would draw the eye of the readers to look at this ad. The emotion resulting from this man, would of course be happiness. The expression on his face however could result in another emotion from the audience. His expression looks very prepared and focused. This tricks the readers into thinking that Smart Water can prepare you for any event that might come their way, and that it will help them focus on victory.

By using all of these persuasive evasions together, the writer of the ad is able to reach out to more than one target audience. Emotions, statistics, and credibility are all used to create an ad that is informative, yet visually interesting to look at.

"Funny the Way It Is, If You Think About It..."

2010-07-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

There is a very wide range of song types that I enjoy listening to. There are songs that I dance to, songs that make me happy when i am sad, and there are even some songs that get stuck in my head for years and years. However, certain songs have lyrics that really make different feelings click inside me. "Funny the Way It Is" by Dave Matthews band is most definitely one of those songs.

After reviewing the actual lyrics of this song (and not the one's that my mind occasionally tries make up) I realized that they truly meant something. The lyrics are all about how life can be so completely different for any two people at any given moment. One person could be "walking ten miles to school" but another could be "dropping out." These lyrics struck sadness into my heart, but they also made me realize that compared to others, I may have an excellent, and easy life.

One of my very favorite verses of the whole song is:

"Standing on a bridge
Watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small
Remember how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars?"

This verse just shows how insignificant we are compared to the world as a whole. And it shows how much one persons life can vary from another. This song is often used at charitable events and rallies, and I can understand that. This song is all about stopping to think about more than just yourself and the little world that you live in.

thINK Assignment: Oh, The Wonderful Days of Childhood

2010-06-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

"Everybody is bigger than I am." As children, we love to have stories read to us. Whether it is right before bed, in the car, or just at random points during the day. One of my favorite books, a book that I still enjoy today, is The Littlest Rabbit. The title pretty much describes itself, in that the plot of the story is about a rabbit who is criticized and shunned for his size. Being a short girl myself, I could actually relate to this book. The thought of being criticized for being different just doesn't seem fair. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this. I wish that I could stand up to people like the little rabbit did. If I could just build up enough confidence to say something, the way I act might cause someone else to change. And then the cycle of being a good person would continue.

One aspect of the book that everyone can grasp are the pictures. The drawings by Robert Kraus suggest that even the simplicity of a little rabbit can evoke many different emotions and describe all types of ideas. The main theme of this book however is that revenge is sweet! But being mean can only go so far. You need to be a better person and don't just do what they did.

"Stop that! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!" or "Don't pick on me!"

In the end, it would be a lot simpler if we didn't judge people based on appearence. We should just be the "bigger person" and let it go.

Annotated Photo

2010-06-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

In exactly 18 words, I have thoroughly described who I am as a reader, a writer, and a person. Click on the photo below to learn more.

Dorothea Lange's Photos

2010-06-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

By looking at Dorothea Langes's surprisingly morbid photos, initial reaction was sadness. Seeing the way that this family lives on an everyday basis sends chills up my spine. How can one mother take care of all those children and herself all at once?

These photos make me feel thankful for what I have. The fact that I can have a stable shelter, a fortunate lifestyle, and caring parents means the world to me. I do not know if I could even survive in the world in which they are living now.

However, though these photos evoke some disturbing and depressing emotions, it also makes me want to help people that are in need. Why would we not help these unfortunate people? It would only take a few minutes out of my day to go donate some money to the homeless shelter. Or I could even go a step further and send old clothes or bedding to an unfortunate country.

We should all be thankful for what we have, and we should also be caring enough to take into account how much other people suffer.

The Giver

2010-06-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

The Giver's compelling plot and lovable characters made the novel a real joy to read. The plot line pulled me in and turned the whole book into a page turner. And the characters were so complex, yet simple at the same time.

The novel, The Giver, was about a society in which the law was "sameness." To have complete control over the community they made everyone have the same appearance, thoughts, and even the same opinions of each other. No one is allowed to be different. The main character Jonas doesn't realize these similarities until he becomes "The Receiver." He learned that the community didn't used to always rely on sameness. They actually used to have war, pain, and many other slight differences. Jonas's journey unfolds throughout the rest of the novel as he learns of all the pain and suffering that occurs in secret from the community.

One of the most beloved characters of The Giver is Jonas. Though he seems to be unhappy with his career choice at the beginning of the novel, by the end all he wants to do is help his community. He is nice, polite, and cares about his civilization and what secrets are being kept from them just to remain the "same." Another character is the Giver. Since he was the prior Receiver to Jonas, he knows what Jonas is having to deal with. He does whatever he can to help Jonas through his struggle, and at the end he even helps him escape.

Of Mice and Men

2010-05-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Analysis of Detail

John Steinbeck uses his way with words to descriptively show the importance of the setting in his novel. For example, in the sentence " the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green," the adjectives "deep" and "green" symbolize a sort of calmness. The green hills show the soothing peace of the setting. Also, the "strong and rocky Gablian Mountains" emphasize the strength and power.

Another example of Steinbeck's use of detailed writing is in the sentence, "Although there was evening brightness showing through the windows of the bunkhouse, inside it was dusk. Through the door came the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game, and now and then the sound of voices raised in approval or derision." When looking at this sentence by itself, I analyze that the overall symbolic meaning is content. It could also possibly mean the unveiling of something important when it shows the change from "dusk", to "evening brightness."

Point of View

The third -person objective point of view solidifies the solitary lives that men lead. "George shivered and looked at the gun, he then through it from him, back up on the bank, near the pile of old ashes. He glanced at Lennie lying in the sand." The overall opinion of this passage is that George is sad, and scared. He doesn't want to kill his friend, but he knows that its the right thing to do. Though he must end is life, he knew that in the end him going peacefully is much better then the wrath of Curly.

Another quote that is a good example of third-person is "Lennie removed his hat dutifully and laid it on the ground in front of him...he turned his head and thought of the little place." This part of the passage shows a whole different side of the story. Lennie is under the impression that he will be with George forever. They will one day own their own farm, however he is unaware that people are after him and that George must end his life.

The first-person point of view reinforces the drama and tension in the scene. For example, Lennie said "Please don't..Oh, please don't do that! George'll be mad...You gonna get me in trouble jus' like George says you will." This quote specifically describes the very intense scene that was occurring. Lennie is worried that George won't let him "tend to no rabbits", and he then becomes at the woman and accidentally kills her. Lennie's point of view in this scene is a good example how he sees the situation in a panicky sort of mind-set.

Analysis of Tone

Stienbeck's tone in the novel, Of Mice and Men, slowly changes throughout the book. The tone words "tranquil" and "anxious" describe the drastic change in setting that occurs throughout the novel.

"It was a Sunday Afternoon. The resting horses nibbled the remaining wisps of hay, and they stamped their feet and they bit the wood of the managers and rattled the halter chains. The afternoon sun sliced in through the cracks of the barn walls and lay in bright lines on the hay." Throughout this passage, Steinbeck establishes a setting that intensifies the sudden calmness and serenity of the novel. This tranquil, silence in the barn shows that there is no stress or drama occurring and it gives the readers a break from all the action to fully grasp the concept and story that is being written.

"It was very quiet in the barn, and the quiet of the afternoon was on the ranch. Even the clang of the pitched shoes, even the voices of the men in the game seemed to grow more quiet." Even though this may seem calm, there is an essence of tension that looms over it. In this passage, Steinbeck is expressing the intensity that forms when an important event occurs. How the setting changes drastically from the "tranquil" perspective to a more "anxious" perspective is also shown in this quote.

Animal Farm

2010-05-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

In the novel, Animal Farm, George Orwell uses animals to portray the lives and events of the past. Why would he do this?

In my opinion, using animals as the characters of the novel is much more accessible to the readers. Instead of having to read a dry, some-what boring Historical biography, the novel animal farm changes it up to make it more interesting.

I loved reading about the animals' lives on the farm, but I also really like getting to learn more about the history of Karl Marx, and the rebellion.

I think that more books should take on this type of mask, because it helps draw readers into the story.

Cross-Examination?

2010-04-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

This blog post was a tough one for me. I always do what my mother tells me, and always do my chores...

Just kidding! What teenager actually does that? I discussed this blog with my mother recently, and she said that the thing that I would most likely be cross-examined for would be for not cleaning up my clothes. Sadly, this is true.

Unlike most normal mothers who just yell and say "Please just pick up your clothes!", my mom takes it to a whole new level. She gives me the normal "mom warning", but then she takes all of my clothes and throws them into the front yard. Now, I have to go retrieve my clothes, AND they are wet. So, If you ever saw me being cross-examined by my mother, this is most likely whats going on.

In the end however, I learn my lesson. And I refrain from leaving my clothes on my bedroom floor..for a while! I love you Mom!

Mask Poem

2010-04-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

You think that you know me
But can you really be sure?

Sometimes I had behind my pure happiness mask
Full of yellows and oranges

Other times I show my more hidden side
A collage of blues, reds, and even the occasional black

Take a moment to think however,
Don't we all hide behind a mask?

Are we always in a state of ecstasy?
Are we always perfect?

I think not,
Thus I wear the mask.

CEL-E-BRATE Good Times, CMON!

2010-04-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Celebrate family.
Celebrate friends.
Celebrate shelter.
Celebrate EVERYTHING!

Celebration does not only have to be used on necessities. We can also celebrate everything we are thankful for in life, or the people we share these things with. For example, I am thankful for my family and friends who lift me up when I'm down. However I am also thankful for the little birds who build nests in the tree outside my window. I love waking up to that!

So to sum this all up, you can celebrate anything!

Writers Notebook--St. Patrick's Day!!

2010-03-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, I consider St. Patrick's Day to be one of those various holidays that kind of gets stomped on by all of those other, "more interesting" holidays. Those holidays like, Christmas, New Years, or even your birthday! However, I kind of enjoy St. Patrick's Day.

I think St. Patrick's Day is a just a fun holiday where people can dress up, be somewhat spirited, and pinch each other. And what could be more fun than that? For example, today I have pinched a total of 6 people and me and my best are wearing pretty awesome green hats. I am quite enjoying myself!

So, before you completely consider "St. Patty's Day" to be just another boring holiday, try to just play along with the fun and maybe you will enjoy it!

Writers Notebook--Persuasion

2010-03-05T10:12:00.001-08:00

Persuasion. This is a word and a technique that I, myself, have become quite familiar with. I normally only utilize this technique when I want to get something I want, or if I am trying to help a friend. However, I do use this technique more often then I probably should.

I wouldn't say that I am a professional at the art of persuasion, but I do my fair share of using it to my advantage. Normally, I use the tactic of persuasion that makes people feel sorry for me (Pathos). This type of persuasion can be used when I want to get another cookie at dinner, or when I want to be able to wait another hour before starting my homework.

Persuasion is being used all around us! On television, in magazines, and even on the Internet. No wonder children are beginning to use it more often!

Call of the Wild

2010-03-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

"These men wanted dogs, and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles by which to toil, and furry coats to protect them from the frost." The novel, Call of the Wild by Jack London truly impressed me with its attention-grabbing plot and unique and colorful characters.

Call of the Wild is an action packed story about the difficult and unsuspecting life of sled dog. The main character, Buck, is tossed around from family to family after being taken from his original home. He has to be broken and raised as a true, cold-blooded sled dog. Throughout the story he learns how to be something he isn't used to. He takes a stand against the top dog, and he even leads the whole team to safety. However, everything goes horribly wrong when they have to make a 5000 mile trip. Can Buck and his team survive?

Each of the characters in this novel have a unique and wild personality. One of my favorite characters is the lead role, Buck. He is snatched up from his home and taken to live in all kinds of new places. However, Buck gains insight and strength and becomes "one tough dog". Another character that really stood out was Solek. He was nice, and always did everything that was asked of him. Though, when he lived in a world that was full of anger and hate, he had to learn the hard way that "all is far in love and war".

I do recommend Call of the Wild to any type of reader. Jack London does an excellent job of portraying the harsh life of a true sled dog.

Writers Notebook--Determination

2010-03-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, I think that the people that are competitors in the Olympics are just crazy. They work 18 hours a day attempting to defeat the impossible, and then they go all over the world challenging OTHER people to do what they do. However, this type of commitment is worth a lot. Not many people understand that this type of opportunity doesn't come along all the time, and that this is a great honor.

There are very few activities that I would make this type of extreme commitment for. And sure, I play soccer and I practice 5 days a week running around after a ball just so I can kick it. But some commitments are much less intense than others. But, if the thing that was being committed to was important enough, I would definitely make that kind of commitment.

Writers Notebook--What is a Winner?

2010-03-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

Being a winner means that you have success in something that you have worked hard for. A winner is also someone that feels that they have tried hard and really completed a task.

However, being a winner doesn't always mean that you receive a tangible reward. Sometimes a winner receives just the honor of doing something helpful and worth-while. An example of this type of winner could be someone that helped another person on their homework. The person may not receive an award in return, but they did have success in helping someone.

I am most proud of winning the Lakewood Soccer Tournament. My team was very far behind but we came back and won it all!

The Lovely Bones

2010-03-03T10:50:00.001-08:00

"My name was Salmon, like the fish, first name Susie. I was 14 when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. It was still back when people believed things like this didn't happen." This is the first few lines from the book, The Lovely Bones. It's a little disheartening isn't it? The Lovely Bones tore at my heart strings, but it also had a truly unique and interesting writing style. The plot also drew me into the difficult, but excellent read.

Alice Sebolds' writing style took me by surprise. She had such a way with words that even though the book had a tough plot, her writing made it a really interesting read. Her writing style involved showing the tough side of Susie's murder, the heart ached family, the deranged murderer, and even the hopelessness of the entire situation. However, Alice also showed the happier side, which included the closure that was realized at the end of the book.

The beginning of the book starts out with Susie narrating the base of the story. She tells of her murder, and who murdered her, and how it happened. The rest of plot thickens when her family begins to investigate and they finally start to see the true side of their strange neighbor. I found the plot to be extremely interesting with the author's view of what heaven really is. It gave me a whole new perspective on that outlook.

Though The Lovely Bones was tough and slightly disturbing at times, I would definitely recommend it to any type of reader.

When Someone Else Took a Stand...

2010-01-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

One person that I truly admire for taking a stand is Rosa Parks. She proved to everyone that one person can really make a difference. Her stand even sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and was one of the first movements to help begin removing racial segregation from everyday life.

On December 1, 1955, Parks boarded a downtown bus. And at the time, of course, the buses were divided into races, "black" and "white". Rosa sat in the seat right behind the racial border, like always. However today, everything began to change.

Due to a larger amount of Caucasian people on the bus, the bus driver asked four African-Americans, including Parks, to move back a few seats. While the others did as they were told, Parks stayed. The driver continued to ask her to move back, yet she stood her ground. The driver became aggravated and called the police, and Rosa Parks was arrested.

Parks was taken to jail, but was later bailed out. This whole series of events later resulted in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and even led to the Martin Luther King Jr. speech. I feel that this one person made a huge difference in every ones lives, and I admire her for that.

When I Took a Stand...

2010-01-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, I began my first day of ninth grade. I was now the top dog on campus and I could do whatever I wanted. Well, maybe not everything.

On the first day of any new grade, I love to go and find my friends so we can walk around and hang out before class. We always just walk around in a complete circle until we can either find all of our friends, or the tardy bell rings. When I started ninth grade I began to notice something. This was the first time that I actually felt old. By looking at all the seventh graders, I felt immensely wiser (and taller).

That morning, my friends and I were walking down a hallway that had a slight incline. Of course, since I had been at this school for two years I knew of its presence. But all of the sudden, a young, little seventh grader tripped. Her books went flying across the hall, and she face-planted into the concrete floor. As would be expected, everyone began laughing.

Though a part of me wanted to begin laughing, like all of my friends, something inside me clicked. I remembered being that young, and not knowing what was going on around me. I hated having the feeling that everyone was watching me, and the fact that this girl fell just tore at my heart. So I looked and my friends and said, "If your not going to help her, then you just need to leave her alone."

After the finally got over the beginning shock of me saying that, they all dispersed to their homerooms. I stayed and helped the girl pick up all of her books, and even showed her where her class would be. I was a minute late for my first class, but it was worth it.

Julius Caesar...

2009-12-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

"Beware the Ides of March". This is one of the most famous quotes in the Shakespearean drama, Julius Caesar. William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, mesmerized me with its unique writing style and supernatural elements.

William Shakespeare's style of writing differs in so many ways from other authors. He writes his plays in a way that requires a deeper thinking. Some stories are more straight forward, however in the play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare turns the words around to make them have more meaning.

I thought that the characters of the story each had something unique about them that made them interesting. They are confident, ambitious, and somewhat deranged. One character that I couldn't help but love was Mark Anthony. He always fought for the right cause. Anthony was also like the group problem solver. However, he also used a form of deceit to get revenge over the people that killed Caesar for the wrong reasons. Another character that I couldn't quite figure out was Brutus. Though he seemed to be on the good side, he sort of gave into peer pressure and moved over to the conspiracy. I wasn't completely sure what to think.

Julius Caesar was an excellent read! I would definitely recommend it to any reader, however I warn you now that the ending is slightly different than expected.

Searching for David's Heart...

2009-12-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever lost someone very close to your heart? Did that person mean so much to you that when they were gone it was almost to much to bear? If so, then the book Searching for David's Heart can totally relate. The novel, Searching for David's Heart, by Cherie Bennett filled my heart with not only sadness, but also happiness.

By far, my favorite part of the story was the characters. Each of them were unique, and it was almost as if they were real people. One of my favorite characters in book was David. Though he was not there throughout the story, David was an excellent character. He was caring, funny, and loving. I sort of want him to be my brother! Another character that I enjoyed getting to know in the book was Sam. He was just a good friend, and an amazing magician. I thought that his comedic yet sweet character, made the book really enjoyable.

Cherie Bennett's writing style is much different than other books I have read from other authors. She writes with great detail, but also doesn't make it confusing. I loved reading this book because she would make the pictures and characters jump right off the page!

One major aspect that I loved about the book was all of the different settings where the main plot occurred. The author of Searching for David's Heart didn't limit the locations where of the story could go. The setting of this book took place at a house, school, and even at a carnival! I loved traveling to the different locations in the story as if I was actually there.

Overall, I would highly recommend Searching for David's Heart to any type of reader. It is a wonderful story about love, friendship, and courage.

Leaders...

2009-12-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Most successful groups have a great leader. They have a leader who continues to be able to make the group grow and change, for the better. However, one question is frequently asked: What makes a good leader?

A leader needs to be intelligent, brave, charismatic, etc. They also need to know the true purpose of the group so that they will be able to help them succeed and grow. A leader needs to be able to listen the group that they are leading, but they also can't be a pushover.

Now, here is a list of a few of my favorite leaders:

1. Mufasa(from Lion King)- He not only can lead an entire savanna's worth of animals, but he also can raise up his own son to be able to take his place.
2.Optimus Prime-He can protect the world from unsuspecting attacks by the evil Decepticons.
3. Christopher Columbus
4. Santa Claus
5. President Obama
6. Martin Luther King, Jr.-He died for a great cause and we still honor him today.
7. Georgia O'Keefe-Best. Artist. Ever (I am not just saying this because we share the same name)
8. Abraham Lincoln
9. The Beatles
10. Bono (from U2)

The Perfect Hot Chocolate...

2009-12-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

In honor of the holiday season, I decided to write a post about a recipe for one of the best hot chocolates that I have ever tasted.

Step 1: Go to your local Walmart and head for the Tea/Hot Chocolate section. Somewhere amongst that "sweet smelling" isle should be a Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate section. One of these boxes should be labeled "French Vanilla". Purchase this now before they are all gone.

Step 2: Bring the hot chocolate purchase home and place it out of the way for a few moments. For the best quality hot chocolate, you should use milk instead of water. If you are using milk, pick out your favorite holiday mug and pour in some cold milk. Place this mug of cold milk in a microwave and heat for one minute.

Step 3: Now, here is the tricky part. Carefully take the hot mug out of the microwave and add in the Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate mix. Stir until most of the powder has dissolved into the milk. Then, place the mug back in the microwave for another minute.

And there you go! The perfect hot chocolate is finally finished, and you can now enjoy it around a cozy fire, and watching your favorite Christmas movie. Sounds nice doesn't it?

My Thanksgiving Top Ten...

2009-11-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

During the Thanksgiving holiday, I get to eat great food, spend time with family, and even have a family nap session. There are so many different aspects that I can be thankful for around this time of year:

1. Family--Almost every activity or concept of the holiday season involves family. I love spending Thanksgiving with my family. I am thankful for getting to see all of the people I normally only get to see every once in a while. When we get together, we have a blast!

2. Friends--I am also thankful for my friends. Even though I don't get to see them much over the holiday season, I am so very thankful for them. They are always there for me, and to help me when I am down.

3. Home--Without my home, I would have no shelter or place to be thankful in. I enjoy sitting by our cozy fireplace and drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I am thankful to even have this option of joy.

4. Food--I love food. Point blank, food is one of the items that I am most thankful for. I could not LIVE without the roasted turkey, potatoes, and of course...pie.

5. Pets--Almost everyone probably has some kind of pet involved in their family. Whether it is a dog, cat, moose, or even a ferret. They may not seem like a huge part, but if they were gone, your love for them would be realized. I am quite thankful for them.

6. Card Games--UNO!!!!!! Yes, as you can see, Uno is one of my all time favorite card games. Is it wrong to be thankful for that? I. Think. Not. By the way, this subject is totally a shout-out to all of my Uno buddies!!! You guys make the game interesting, and I am thankful for that.

7. Hobbies--There is sooo much that I can say about hobbies. I love to play soccer, play the trumpet, and even rock climb on special occasions. I think without having all of these activities to entertain me, I would go insane.

8. Music--Like I said before, I play the trumpet so I can't help but be thankful for music! I love it. It completes me, and makes me who I am today. I have grown up around music lovers so without it, all would be lost.

9. Books--One of my most beloved books, that I have read, is To Kill a Mockingbird. I love the good country story of three children whose whole outlook on life take a drastic change for the better over the course of a year. Honestly, it really changed my life. I am thankful for the stories that are passed on through books.

10. Computer--Well, to be honest, towards the end of this list I ran out of good ideas for things to be thankful for. However, I do love the amazing Facebook that can only be accessed from the internet/computer world. :]

Surviving the Dreaded Monday...

2009-11-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

Everyone hates Mondays. Mondays seem to always be the most horrible part of the week. However, here are a few tips that can maybe help beat the "Monday blues":

1. Have every Monday be "Movie Monday". Everyone likes to sit down and watch a good movie. Why not incorporate the dread of Monday into that to help brighten the day? Go to a favorite movie rental store and snag a classic, a comedy, or even a musical and then curl up on the couch at home and watch it. Maybe even make a big cup of hot cocoa to make the evening even more pleasurable. Sounds cozy doesn't it?

2. Another way to try and beat the stressfulness of Monday is to have an excellent meal. Whether it be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, a good meal can always improve a horrible Monday. Cook some comfort food, like chicken noodle soup. Or maybe a more cultural meal like a spicy stir-fry. Just make something that tastes good, but doesn't take too much effort!

3. One of my favorite activities to do on Mondays is a game night. Get the whole family together and play a game like scattergories or monopoly! And even if you are by yourself, break out a favorite video game and spend a couple hours bringing up the "Monday mood". I recommend playing a round of twister, it is good for the soul and your physical well-being!

Hopefully these tips help brighten your Monday blues, and if you enjoy Mondays, use these tips for another day that is stressful or disappointing. Enjoy!

7 Habits...

2009-11-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, was a fun, yet eye opening experience. I liked the book, but I also liked all that it had to teach me.

One of the chapters that I feel that I need to work on the most is "Sharpen the Saw". For those of you who haven't read the book, "sharpening the saw" means taking time out of your stressful day to unwind and renew yourself. This also means that people like me (tight schedule people) need to sometimes just take a time-out. One activity that really helps me relax is just sitting somewhere quiet and listening to music. It really gives me time to think and get away from the stresses of everyday life.

Habit 1 however, is the habit that I think I have completely mastered. This chapter is "Be Proactive". Ordinarily, I am an optimist. I like to think that something good can come out of almost anything. Unlike some people in this chapter who are reactive and blow up at every little thing, I like to say that if even the worst happens I won't let it ruin my day. This is one of my favorite qualities about myself (in my opinion).

I do recommend this book, but only to the people who are okay with changing themselves. This is a good book for people who love making themselves the best that they can be.

Found Book Review

2009-10-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

"It wasn't there. Then it was. Later, that was how Angela DuPre would describe the airplane-over and over, to one investigator after another-until she was told never to speak of it again." Margaret Peterson Haddix's book, Found, thrilled me with its mind-boggling concept and impressive writing style.

Each of the characters in the story had very interesting and unique qualities about them. For instance, one character that I really enjoyed was Chip. He was a frantic, upbeat thirteen-year-old boy who has a crush on Jonah's sister Katherine. As you can imagine, the main character Jonah is not too happy about it. Jonah is also thirteen and was adopted at a young age. He didn't know anything about his background until now...

Also the plot of Found was a real attention grabber since it became stranger throughout the book. The main character, Jonah, always knew he was adopted but never thought much of it. Until he started receiving mysterious letters from an unknown source saying phrases like "You are one of the missing" and "Beware! They are coming back to get you". He soon finds out that the new kid next door, Chip, has also been receiving these unknown letters. However, Chip did not know he was adopted. Jonah's intelligent sister, Katherine thinks that there is more behind these interesting notes and that they should investigate. Jonah, Katherine, and Chip are plunged into the mystery involving unknown airplanes, the FBI, and even a kidnapping.

Margaret Haddix has always been one of my favorite writers of all time. And I must say, after reading this book she just keeps getting better and better. I would recommend Found for any reader who loves a good, but strange story.

314 pages

Dream Factory Book Review

2009-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Dream Factory is a very appealing love story that puts a whole new twist on the fantastic,land of Disney World. This story shows the fun depiction of life within the Magic Kingdom. Brad Barkley's book, Dream Factory drew me in with its romantic plot and unique writing style.

One point that definitely needs to be made about this book is the theme. Dream Factory is one of those stories that has a very important lesson to learn by the end of the book. The lesson that I learned was to be yourself and not care what people think of you. In the story, the main character Ella never tries to be anyone but herself. Even if other people find her strange, weird, or even crazy she doesn't try to keep up a different appearance. The other important character, Luke, by the end of the book finally learns how important this skill is.

As I said before, the romantic plot of Dream Factory was one of the main reasons that the book really grabbed my attention. The main story takes place in the wonderful world of Disney. A group of different teenagers from all over the country come together to work in Magic Kingdom for the summer. One of the teenagers that comes to work is named Luke and soon begins dating the beautiful, blond Cassie. Even though he does loves his girlfriend, he can't help but find himself fascinated with a strange girl named Ella. Luke and Ella soon become very close friends, and the plot thickens when Cassie becomes jealous and chooses a new partner for the park-wide scavenger hunt. Dream Factory continues to be an attention-grabbing love story that anyone would enjoy.

Finally, the characters of the story were all so different I couldn't help myself to not love getting to know all of them. She may have been gorgeous and fun but Cassie was my most disliked character. In the story, she cared too much about her looks and what people thought of her. She also was very clingy, and seemed to ruin the love story between Luke and Ella. Speaking of Ella, she was my most beloved character. Ella was unique, simple, and perfectly fine with her true self.

As you can see by reading my book review, I really loved this book! I am already a Disney fan to begin with, so this book just increased my love for Disney in general. I would mostly recommend Dream Factory for all of the girls who love a good love story.

250 pages

The Invisible Man Book Review

2009-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

"The stranger went into the little parlour of the Coach and Horses about half-past five in the morning, and there he remained until near midday, the blinds down, the door shut, and none, after Hall's repulse, venturing near him." This brief statement from the book, The Invisible Man, basically sumarizes the strangeness that is yet to come in the rest of the story. The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells, astounded me with its unusual plot and uncommon style.

The main element of this book that caught me off guard was the difficult and hard to follow writing style of the author. Unlike many of the previous books I have read, H.G. Wells placed the setting of his story in Old English time. He used jargon such as "constable" and "peewit". These terms were unknown to me and to completly understand the story I had to use dictionary references.

Another main point of the story was the setting in which The Invisible Man took place. I was astonished at H.G. Wells' ability to paint a mental picture of the town and the scenery in the book. He used an abundance of descriptive adjectives, verbs, and nouns. When I close my eyes I can picture the small town where these unusual events took place. One example of his uncanny describing skills was, "When the dusk was gathering and Iping was just beginning to peep timorously forth again upon the shattered wreckage of its Bank Holiday, a short, thickset man in a shabby silk hat was marcing painfully through the twilight behind the beechwoods on the road to Bramblehurst." Paints a pretty good picture doesn't it?

Overall I would definiatly recommend The Invisible Man to any type of reader. While it may have its slightly disturbing moments, it is a book that everyone should read at some point in life. Like I said before, keep an eye out for his amazing ability to paint a setting!

"13 Reasons Why" Book Review

2009-09-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

When Hannah commits suicide and sends out a set of tapes explaining why, Clays life changes forever. Jay Asher's book Thirteen Reasons Why grabs any readers attention by the first sentence. The book is an emotional and intense joyride. I loved it!

Each character in the story is definitely unique and interesting. One of my most beloved characters in the book is Clay. He is a quiet, lovable guy who developed a crush on Hannah the first day he saw her. His life starts to fall apart once he learns of her suicide. Hannah, with a wrongly accused bad reputation, is another very important person in the story. She sends out two sets of tapes explaining her reasons for ending her life. Hannah hopes that these tapes will effect the people so that they understand why her life was so difficult.

After finishing Thirteen Reasons Why, I began thinking about all of the rude, hurtful comments I might have made to people in the past. How rude comments could effect them in the future, and how mean those comments could make me look. The theme of the story is to not believe everything you, and to respect even your worst enemies.

The town where this book takes place is a lot like our little town of Batesville. The main hangout is a movie theater, there aren't very many restaurants, and little neighborhoods can sometimes hold the biggest parties! While reading the book, I enjoyed comparing their town to my own and making connections.

Like I said previously, I made many connections between the book and real life. I used to know someone who committed suicide. Reading this story gave me a whole new perspective on the concept. I had to not only worry about my feelings but also about what the suicidal person must have thought.

The main plot of the story revolves around clay, who spends the whole night listening to Hannah's tapes. He follows her words and goes to the places that meant most to her. he learns about himself, and about the people he used to think were alright.

I recommend this book for any type of reader. The plot, characters, and concept of the story make Thirteen Reasons Why an excellent page turner! This story is impossible to put down!

About 340 pages...

My Crazy, Average Life

2009-09-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it took me a while to finally decide on a topic that was most appropriate for my very first blog entry. So I chose to just base mine on the present, my crazy life. This is the most hectic part of the year me right now. I have marching band, babysitting, homework, and tons more to think about all at the same time! It pretty much overtakes my entire life.

Most of the time I enjoy marching band but having to practice after-school for two hours twice a week, AND playing at games is kind of a bummer. Babysitting is my sane time. I "sort of" get to relax for a few hours and play with some easy going kids. The most time consuming activity of all this time of year is the piles of homework. We are just starting to get into the year, and I am trying to get into my normal routine.

That basically sums up my life this time of year, wish me luck!