Safe Spaces

I think that if you are a college student you should not have the need for "safe spaces". It sound like something a kindergarten teacher says to a child when they have a tantrum..."Go to your safe space, and clam down..." College students are supposed to already come in with the mind set of being able to engage in an intellectual conversation without getting offended  by the sensitivity of the subject. There are things in this world that are not always easy to talk about, but non the less need to be discussed. Those people that are too sensitive or touchy about certain topics either one: get over themselves and act like an adult, or two: remove themselves from the discussion and be prepared not to be as educated as their peers in some instances.

Yes, those students who have personally endured race and sex crimes might have difficulty facing it head on in class, but that is when you exercise your right to skip class, or walk out of class. Don't try to get special treatment, you don't need it.

Like Williams says, "At the very least, it requires the courage to be uncomfortable and the imagination to see ourselves as strong."

See yourself as strong, and you will get through it. You signed up for college and that entails acting like a semi-adult who engages in adult conversations. Sooner or later you need to get used to that. Life doesn't give you special treatment so why should your college (who is supposed to prepare your for real life).

Free Blog 4 (senior year)

It is now April and senior year is almost over. Looking back I'd like to give some advice to the freshman year me.

Dear, Freshman self,
Given the chance to change my life starting four years ago, I wouldn't change much. The experiences and friendships that you have created have shaped you to be the person I am today. I love the person I am today, but me and you are not the same. I think if you act like me you will have much better 4 years and you will have a lot less to worry about.
First and foremost, remember to be you. Let your freak flag fly! Haha!:) Don't worry about other people's opinions about what you do, they don't matter. If you want to dance around in the store with friends, you go for it. Do what makes you happy and don't care about anyone else. Your true friends will accept you for you.
Put yourself out there more. Get to know new people! Don't be afraid to expand your relationships. Get out of your bubble and explore the people around you.
Also, keep up your work ethic. It is so easy to slack off when you think you've got a handle on the situation. Never underestimate your knowledge of CHEMISTRY!!!!
And lastly, make sure that you make every moment here in high school count. Go out more often with your friends, don't worry about the little things. Before you know it, you will be off to college and saying goodbye to your friend who you've know for 4 plus years. Saying goodbye will be the hardest thing to do, so make those friendships last as long as possible.
Love,
Future You!:)

But, seriously; these four years have been great and I will remember every single moment of them. Especially the people!:)

Pleasantville

The movie Pleasantville was an eye opening film. It made me realize how set in our ways most people are. We have to understand that it is okay to change; not only the way we act, but how we feel about certain things. Imagine how this world would be like if no one change their mind about slavery; I'll tell you this much, it would be a worse world than it already is.
Not only is this movie about change but it is also about coming to the realization that the we take everything for granted. We take, emotions, free will, even color all for granted. Not everything is better off in simpler terms. As Janet Maslin says in response to the teachers getting apples in the black and white world, "One thing we did know eventually: those apples had worms." She hit the nail right on the head...that world was WAY too good to be true. No one thought for themselves and therefore no one was really living.
In addition to the movie using color to identify the changes as an eye grabbing trick, they alluded to multiple historical events, like Maslin writes, "newly enlightened characters have been labeled 'coloreds' and have stirred up a conservative backlash". This connects back to the civil rights movement. There were also other allusions in the film to the holocaust and the book burnings that went on in that time.
this movie has so many connections to our life now and to our history. I think that this was a wonderful and educational film.

That New Year's Morning Hangover- Donald Trump

We all know the story of the lonely girl on New Year’s Eve just getting over a fresh break up and needing one night of fun. The excitement of a new year, a fresh start, the drinking, the naïve hopes, more drinking, the fun and spontaneity, and eventually… the beer goggles! This all culminates to one big night to regret when you wake up and realize that the 10 you thought he was when you left the party is actually a solid 2 laying next to you in the morning.

Sadly, this warning story did not prevent the GOP from doing just that. They woke up in the New Year, realizing what they did and knew that they could not undo it. What was done is done; but the difference being a girl can run away, endure the walk of shame and never encounter that dreadful 2 again, but in our case, that 2 has taken over America with his overzealous and frankly idiotic political views.

Donald Trump is the 2 that continues to stalk your life after what he considers, “a night he could never forget” meanwhile you were so black out drunk you don’t remember a thing. No matter how hard you try to get rid of him, he has now become your new shadow; one this country cannot escape.

This political cartoon is unfortunately the most accurate metaphorical depiction of how Donald Trump became a contender in this year’s Presidential Election. The GOP needed a drastic night of rebellion after the recent break-up of the on-again-off-again relationship with the Democratic Party. This resulted in Donald Trump, the one-night-stand that you wish never happened. The GOP thought they needed a new, “hip” business man for the job of Presidency, but what they didn’t know was that Trump, a man who doesn’t think before he speaks, will end up either running this country into the ground, or starting World War III.

I completely agree with this political cartoon. Not only does it tell the awful truth, but it does so in a hilarious way that people will understand. This cartoon uses only one line, “That New Year’s Morning Hangover”, which most Americans can relate to. This makes this cartoon easily understood by the majority of not only millennials, but the rest of the population as well. A large amount of pathos, a quality that evokes pity or sadness, is being used in this cartoon. We all get the simple message about that one mistake and the piercing headache that follows suit.

Donald Trump intensifies our hangover every time he opens his mouth and says something racist, sexist, or fascist. Every time he calls someone a loser, or threatens to build that god-awful wall, he makes us remember that one mistake that brought all of this upon us; that one night will forever haunt us, and we can thank the GOP for that one.

Editorial (Othello)

In the article written by Steve Lewis, titled OJ Simpson, the Othello of Our Times, he compares the unconfirmed acts of OJ killing his wife for loving her "too much" and the confirmed acts of Othello killing Desdemona for loving her "not wisely, but too well".

I completely agree the the similarities of the Shakespearean play and the real life crimes of OJ Simpson are not only coincidental but eerie. Mr. Lewis, is correct in saying that it is unfair for people to concentrate only on one side of the story, "weeping for the tragic hero lying dead on the stage- not for Desdemona". The fact that people acted the same way the audience did, 400 years later is outrageous. It was not Iago's fault, and Desdemona wasn't just a supporting character, she was a victim.

We have to stop thinking of real life as if it was a TV show, movie, or a play. These are real live people getting beaten, injured, or killed. And we also have to get the idea out of our head that only women can be the victim; there are plenty of men that are abused and/or killed. This is a problem in society today; the fact that no one wants to see the guilty party as actually being 100% at fault.

There have been so many stories in the news lately about how girls are being raped and the rapist gets off scott free because of a "technicality". NO! That person is guilty, that person is completely at fault.

Anyone who claims that their actions are not their own and were influenced by others are either lying or are severely gullible to the point of retardation. YOU made that decision to kill your wife! YOU ALONE! Yes, Iago prompted your anger and confusion, but there were other paths to take; like logic and reason, or even a civil conversation, or at worst a divorce/separation. But, murder was not the next step to take. Othello was wrong in this situation, and so was OJ Simpson.

Othello

All of the points that Foster makes about Othello are valid, but in my opinion, I can not see him as anything other than "stupid beyond redemption". Yes, he was manipulated, yes he was extremely emotional. But, come on, this play was outrageously dramatic to the point where it was not believable.

Othello was so stupid that he believed whatever Iago told him; he never thought for himself logically or used common sense. He was driven by an overload of emotions that his though process was so severely impaired that he became stupid to the point where he murdered the love of his life.

In fact this is beyond idiotic, he could be considered mentally impaired! I just can not believe anything in this play. It was all so fake that I could not take the story line seriously.

I firmly believe that this might be one of Shakespeare's worst plays ever.

Free Blog 3 (senior year)

It's another new year! It's another new book!

I have made a resolution of sorts, one that I hope I will be able to follow through on. My resolution is as follows; I will promise to read and finish at least one book a month.

This past year I have been a severe slacker. I have barely been reading and I am slowly being swallowed whole by all of the books I have piled in my room waiting to be read.

I have given myself a goal I hope that I can accomplish. A couple years ago, I would've been reading 3 times that much, but I have let my brain go. I need to get it and myself back on track.

This is it! One book a month. I can do this! I can get back to the avid reader I once was!

Free Blog 2 (senior year)

The amount of books in the world is so overwhelming! The amount of books in the book store is insane! Yet, being surrounded by all of those books is so calming; you can almost feel the knowledge seeping into your brain when you are sitting in a library or book store, as if osmosis is occurring with the words on the page and your mind (if only). It is a beautiful thing to experience.

To be in  Barnes and Nobles with a coffee from Starbucks, sitting in those big comfy chairs in the back of the store; it is a feeling you can't describe. The warmth, the peace and quiet, it is wonderful! Almost like a sort of meditation!

So many books surrounding you, waiting to be read. It is a lot of pressure, but yet so inviting at the same time. I can't wait to go back, If there is an afterlife, that is where I want to be!

Journal #8 (senior year)

In the book Glass, my favorite character would have to be the main character, Kristina ("Bree"). Even though she makes all of the wrong choices in life and she is addicted to drugs, I have to admire her perseverance. For almost 2 years she has battled with this drug addicted (this being the second novel in her story)  and even thought the drug does take over her personality in most situations, when it really counts and she has to make a decision, she fights back.
Also, in a book about a drug addicted teen with no job, no college degree, a baby created from a rape, and a cheating boyfriend, there is too much depression going on so you have to find the rare funny moments to make fun of. Whenever "Bree" comes out, she has no filter and she is much more confronting than Kristina is which make every encounter with her somewhat interesting which lightens up the novel slightly.

Journal #7 (senior year)

"How I came home
no longer
Kristina Georgia
Snow, gifted high
school junior, total
dweeb, and
perfect
daughter, but
instead a stranger
who called herself Bree.
How, no matter
how hard
Kristina
fought her, Bree
was stronger, brighter,
better equipped to deal
with a world where
every thing moved at light
speed, everyone mired
in ego. Where “everyday”
became
another word
for making love with
the monster."

In the book Glass by Ellen Hopkins, Kristina is a drug addicted teen who has created an "alter ego" of sorts for herself when she is on drugs. As you can see from the quote above, "Bree" is stronger and braver than Kristina could ever be, and I think that is part of the reason why Kristina keeps taking the drug. She likes how powerful she can become when Bree takes over.
This book is not only a well told story from a unique perspective and writing style, but it also gives great insight to why addicts do and say the things that they do and say while under the influence. It has a lot to do with the fact that the drug gives them confidence that they would have never had otherwise. Sometimes this confidence is a good thing, but in most of the situations Kristina/Bree encounter, her confidence gets her into even more trouble down the road.

Journal #6 (senior year)

The quote above is from the book Glass by Ellen Hopkins. This book is told from the point of view of a girl named Kristina who is addicted to drugs. She is not herself when she is on them, and while Kristina is on drugs she meets a guy named Trey. She thinks that he is the love of her life (even though you can clearly see that he is a 'player'). She says the quote above  near the end of the novel when she is trying to understand living with him and dealing with his outbursts, stealing her money, drug problem, and him cheating all at once (not to mention she has a baby living with her all in a one bedroom apartment). Even if all of this wasn't going on, raw emotions in a new relationship can cause anyone to act/feel irrationally, so I can completely understand this quote and the confusion that goes along with it. To put it simply, she is a girl falling in love with a bad person.

Addicted To Distraction

I can completely relate to this article. As much as I love reading (and I do). I haven't been as diligent as I once was. I am constantly on my phone, watching TV shows online, checking my email, and I have even started playing online arcade games ( I don't know how I could've stooped so low 8/ ). I don't know how I have digressed so far from reading books every night before bed. It is appalling.

I can honestly say that I have at least 30 books piled on top of my desk waiting to be read (some are even 4 years old). This is not to say that I don't read, but I haven't been reading as often as I used to. This is also the result of my book buying habit. Even though I have more than enough reading material at home, I continue to buy more books in the unrealistic hope that I will read for a month and get all of my books cleared away and have nothing to read unless I buy this book right now.

My point being that I have severely reduced the amount of time I read because of the fact that I am constantly online or on my phone. It must've started sometime in middle school when I finally had access to freedom in what I watched on TV and when I could go to bed. With the freedom of middle school came the relentless pull of binge watching. Catching up on every cool show that had aired that I missed while still an "innocent child". At this point in time, my calendar is filled with atleast 35 shows that I watch WEEKLY. Even I know this is insane, but I can't stop now, I have to watch them all to the end!!!

Yes, I know that I should cut back, I know that I should make more time to read and make a dent in the pile of books on my desk, but the pull of the internet is just too strong. I live in the age of technology, and I fully admit, I am addicted to distraction!

Wrong Answer

Nicholson Baker is an American writer of fiction and non-fiction. He wrote an article titled Wrong Answer: The Case Against Algebra II. The main concept of this piece was to pose the question of whether Algebra II should be a required course or an elective given to high school students. Students are not pawns in a political chess game, despite what others may think. Students are being pushed to their limits and beyond, forced to accomplish unrealistic goals, and ultimately end up failing; and the ones holding the power to release them of this unnecessary stress are sitting on top their high horses reaping the benefits. Nicholson Baker investigates this ongoing problem and talks to many individuals to gain their opinions on this subject. Baker shows both sides of the story and reveals to us his own opinions, but when one steps back to analyze all the evidence, it is abundantly clear that there is only one true answer, even though many would like to remain under the impression that it is in fact, the wrong answer. Algebra II should not be a required course for high school students, instead it should be listed as an elective because not every student needs to know Algebra II to advance into their career of choice.
I do agree with Nicholson Baker’s opinion on Algebra II. It doesn’t do anybody any good if you are putting a kid through the hardest class of his life and he doesn’t even need it for his future endeavors. Some may say that completing Algebra II will double your chance of getting into college, but that is not true if you end up failing the course.
Government officials now say that they want everyone to be “above average” in their math test scoring. So their solution is to give us new books, that don’t even have their facts straight, and new tests that are harder than the ones before to help us succeed in math. But, I have some questions for you. How is a new book and a new test going to help me understand Algebra II better? Is it going to somehow rewire my brain to think like a mathematician, because that is the only way some students will ever understand math. And, lets say that we somehow end up getting better scores. That “above average” you were telling us to get, has now become average again because we are ALL “above average”, which creates a NEW average! One last question. When will this cycle end? Michael Wiener, a former math teacher that is currently an english teacher, comments, “These people in charge, they think that just because they raise the standards, the kids are going to level themselves up. And I have news for them. A kid that can meet the standards is going to meet the standards, but a kid that can’t, won’t. It’s as simple as that.” And really, it is as simple as that. There is no other way to put it. We are who we are.
Nicholson Baker’s solution is this, “Tell them how great it is, but don’t force them to climb until their arms go numb and they fall. Then turn the rest of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry into elective courses…” It’s so simple it might just work. Make it optional for the students who have the natural ability to solve math problems. Let them decide if they want to have a career in math or science. But, don’t force it down everyone’s throat. Those who don’t have that ability can simply opt out. Make Algebra II and elective and not required. Everyone wins, no harm done.

Free Blog 1 (senior year)

Reading is a blessed thing. I am so glad that I was taught to read, because without it I don't know what I would do! When my family drags me on long trips and when we are waiting for our food at a restaurant, or when I am waiting for anything to happen really, you will find me reading.

I can not tell you how many times I have been grateful to have a book with me. Especially when you are trying to ignore someone, its almost as good as pretending to be on a phone call.

Reading keeps you occupied when you can't do anything else. It passes the time wonderfully. It gives you someplace to go when you have to stay where you are. It gives our mind a chance to escape reality.

So at this time I would like to thank books for giving me something to occupy my mind. You have always been there for me, and when I dragged you along everywhere I went, you always came willingly. I would also like to thank my mind for retaining the skills I need to keep reading, you are magnificent! And most of all I would like to thank my mother for teaching me how to read in the first place; without her, none of this would be possible! Thank you all!

The Stranger

          In Camus' The Stranger, Mersault is an atheist in a world of religious believers. Since this story takes place when World War 2 was happening, Camus wanted to focus on the atheistic branch of existentialism. This emphasized that humans have an innate need to find meaning and that meaning was non-existent, this is also known as the theory of "the absurd". In this book, Camus wanted to get his point across and in doing so he created a character that in his view (and mine) could be admirable.
          As Ron Carter explains in his article about The Stranger, "Mersault realizes that he is not being condemned for taking a human life but for refusing to accept the illusions society promotes to protect itself from having to acknowledge the absurdity of the human condition." This is completely true and one of the reasons why Mersault is so admirable. He refused to change his beliefs just because society wanted him to, event in the face of death. It is a rare thing for someone to stick to their beliefs if they know that they will die because of it; it is rare because it takes true courage and bravery to stay true to yourself if you know that compromising your beliefs could save your life. This is extremely admirable. Mersault is honest and doesn't play the game society wants him to and he gains strength from that. Ron Carter writes, " When Mersualt, instead of repenting and seeking solace in some transcendent reality, refuses to acknowledge the possibility of anything beyond the immediate facts of his situation, the heroism of his attitude is made clear." If staying true to yourself is not and admirable and heroic quality, than I don't know what is.
          Sure, Mersault does have his bad moments but in the end he does accept the punishment for the crime he committed and he doesn't take the easy way out. He accepts that the world is indifferent and he is indifferent to the world.

South Carolina Student

Recently in South Carolina there was a student using her phone in class and would not stop. She was asked repeatedly by the teacher, the principal and the resource officer to stop the disruption in class, but she would not comply. The Officer in question then took it upon himself to drag her out of the her chair and handcuff her. This may seem all well and good and that everything was under control, but when you see the video of what actually happened, it will shock you.
The student was causing a huge disruption in class once she refused to put her phone away and made the teacher have to stop teaching to handle the situation. Once the principal was called in and told the student to stop, and the action still continued, they called in the officer to remove her from the classroom. The student in question had multiple opportunities to fix the situation and it did not have to come to the fact that an officer was involved or even a principal.
I completely agreed that the student was in the wrong and they had to get her out of the classroom to continue with class, but that does not excuse the lengths to which the officer had to go through to get her out of her chair. There are protocols that officers have to follow. There were other ways to diffuse the situation that did not involve and student being flipped upside down and dragged across the floor, all because of a cell phone being used.
Both the officer and the student are at fault for what occurred in South Carolina that day, but lets talk about the fact of why we are hearing about this story all across the country. Over the past year at least, there have been incidents involving African Americans and the police. Because of the fact that all of the events happened within a close time span, the media has been having a field day running with all of the race motivated stories going on around the country. To be blunt, the only reason I am hearing about this story is because a white cop assaulted a black girl. I am not making any excuses for what happened, but I will say that if this happened to a white guy, it would not have gone as public, or public at all. Not only is this a race issue, but it is also a sex issue. The fact that a man assaulted a woman is partially why the media was attracted to this story as well.
I completely agree that this is an outrageous situation and both are at fault, but I have to be realistic about this situation and say that there is no doubt that this is so widely known because of the fact that there is a race issue. I am not saying that the cop was racially motivated at the time, but I am saying that this issue has been blown way out of the water. It should not have this much media attention and the fact that the FBI are now involved in completely insane to me.
So, basically...I understand both sides and I can see how both sides are wrong, but the cop is more wrong because there were other ways that he could've handled the situation.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sheriff-says-third-video-shows-south-carolina-student-punching-officer-n452481

Journal #3 (senior year)

I have read this book and seen the movie and to tell you the truth not much has changed. Obviously they had to take somethings our for the movie to be a decent time, but they didn't take out anything too important that absolutely needed to be there.
Also, the visuals in the movie are so much better than what you invision in your mind. With this trilogy, there is a lot going on and on top of that, the book takes place in a futuristic world. I don't know about you, but for me whenever a book takes place in a future world, I get confused easily. I never know what to picture because it can be pictured differently depending on the person reading it. When the movie gives you an actual picture to follow it makes it a lot easier to follow the story line without any distractions.
Overall, I think that the book and the movie are on the same page, and I know how rare that is to have happen, but in this case it is true.

Journal #2 (senior year)

My favorite character in the Insurgent by Veronica Roth is Tobias "Four" Eaton. He is the love interest in the trilogy and he keeps Beatrice "Tris" Prior sane. They are like yin and yang to each other, the balance each other out.
In the novel, Tris acts rashly and impulsively because of the fact that people are trying to kill her. On the other hand, Four is older and has gotten more training and has dealt with this situation for many years. Four helps Tris stay calm and rational at times when she needs it. Four is her safety blanket.
I admire this characteristic in people. Those who look out for others and help them when they need it. That is not only good to have in a partner, but it is good to have in a friend as well.
Tobias not only balances our Tris, but he balances out the book as well. Whenever the book gets too serious or if there needs to be some drama, Four pops up to do the job. Four keeps you on you toes. You never know what side of him you will see next when you turn the page. This is why I like this character.

Journal #1 (senior year)

The quote above is from the book Insurgent by Veronica Roth. This is the second book in the Divergent trilogy. It takes place in a dystopian futuristic world and the character that says this line is speaking to the main character after they had run away to a sort of "safe haven" after a group of people tried to kill them.
Tris, the main character, is a Divergent and the Faction (group of people) are trying to kill her because of what she is.

This line is said to Tris explaining to how even when things are bad and you have nothing to look forward to, acting happy can for one moment make you think that you are happy, and for that moment, you finally feel good before reality hits you. And that there is nothing wrong with doing that.

Oedipus The King

James Weigel wrote an article reacting to the play, Oedipus the King. He brings up multiple points about the fate of the characters, but one thing he said I found very interesting. He states, "Every act of his is performed rashly: his hot tempered killing of Laius, his investigation of the murder, his violent blinding of himself, and his insistence on being exiled. He is a man of great pride and passion who is intent on serving Thebes, but he does not have tragic stature until the evidence of his guilt begins to accumulate...Each time a character tries to comfort him with information, the information serves to damn him more thoroughly."
When I read this, I immediately thought, "That is so true!" This man has gone through so much tragedy, but most of it is his own fault. He caused his own problems. It was not fate or destiny, it was pure choice. Not once did I feel sorry for Oedipus until the end of the play where everyone was trying to pacify his feelings by telling him stories of the past in an effort to relieve him of guilt, when in reality, they caused him more guilt because he knew the truth. In this moment Oedipus because a tragic hero.
The reason, at least in my opinion, the story became intriguing after he put together the pieces was because in the moment of him causing himself so much pain, it was self destructiveness, not fate that played a role in the outcomes. No one feels sorry for a man who causes his own problems.

Oedipus Tyrannus:
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/lrc/detail/detail?sid=5ca4dfbe-29bb-45a3-8124-5e9a9e8686fd%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4101&bdata=JnNpdGU9bHJjLWxpdmU%3d#AN=103331MP423999560000518&db=lfh

College Essay

I have quotes plastered all over the walls in my bedroom. Some may think it’s weird, but I love how some people just have a way with words. They know exactly what to say so I know that someone out there feels what I feel and knows what I know. I see it as a hobby of sorts; collecting quotes, advice, views, experience, and ultimately collecting knowledge.

There is one quote that I wrote on the center of my wall. It is from the book Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon. The book is about a 12-year-old boy and his journey of growing up in small town in the 60s. It is a long passage, but to sum it up it states,

“…See, this is my opinion: we all start out knowing magic…The truth of life is that every year we get farther away from the essence that is born within us. We get shouldered with burdens, some of them good, some of them not so good. Things happen to us… Life itself does its best to take that memory of magic away from us. You don’t know it’s happening until one day you feel you’ve lost something but you’re not sure what it is.”

You see, many adults are burdened by life experience that they are expected to carry. Children, on the other hand, are discovering every aspect of life for the first time. Children see wonder, beauty and purity, while adults know that wonder is confusion, beauty comes with a price and all things that start out pure will eventually become compromised.

Being an adult means to prepare children for what they don’t yet understand. They must discard their magic to protect those who still have magic inside of them. Life gets in the way of children and turns them into adults. But, life is not as immediate as a flip of the switch.

Do you remember when you would stand against the wall as a kid to measure your height? You wanted to grow up so badly, but your Mom always said not to grow up too fast and your Dad said that it wouldn’t happen overnight. But, despite what your parents told you, you checked every day and sadly nothing changed. You couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t happening. Then after some time you forgot about it; you went on with being a kid and had fun playing with your friends instead of worrying so much about getting taller, older, or becoming an adult. Then one day, you notice the wall and realize that you haven’t checked in a couple of months, so you go up to check and you’ve magically grown two inches! It seemed so surprising; you thought that your Dad was wrong, that it must’ve happened over night because you would’ve known if you had grown that much. But in reality it was a gradual process, just like everything else in life.

At what point do you notice that you’ve gotten taller? At what point in a 5,000-piece puzzle do you realize what the picture is? At what point in your life do you mark your transition from childhood to adulthood?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think that there was one moment that marked when I became an adult. I don’t think most people could pinpoint that moment; it’s a gradual process. Some may argue that I still haven’t become one, and if that is true, I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing. It means that I still have some of that magic inside me. It means that I can see things in a different light; a different point of view is never a bad thing, in some ways it can even be a blessing, to offer someone something that they never would’ve thought of. So maybe I’m still in transition, and I’m okay with that.

Unbroken

This year's summer reading is Unbroken by: Laura Hillenbrand.

Last year I had tried to read the young adult version of this book and I had written 2 blogs on it (blogs titled...Journal #13 and Journal #14) explaining how the book was not for me, and the fact that it did not compare to the movie (which is rare for books). If you would like further information on the subject the links to my previous posts are above.

I would just like to say, that over the summer, I bought the adult version of the book thinking that it would be different (since it has 208 more pages than the young adult version). But I was mistaken; the language was more precise and formal which I liked and the imagery was better written, but the subject matter was even more boring!

Personally, I think that the story is so inspirational and the movie was amazing, but the way that the book goes on and on about the way that the planes are built makes me feel like I am stuck in "mental quick sand". I could not move on. I love reading, don't get me wrong, but the one genre I hate reading is anything historical (whether it is biography or fiction based, anything historical puts me to sleep). Reading this was so bad, I didn't even get to the climax of the story; 90 pages and I was out (coincidentally the same amount of pages I got to in the young adult version).

I will not be reading this book during reading workshop this year (given that I have tried twice already, I think that I have given enough effort into a book I don't like).

Matt Dawkins

Just recently, Matt Dawkins came out as a transgender in my school. In the this article he tells his story of the hard feelings he had to deal with throughout his whole childhood.

I knew Matt when he was a girl. I would go to summer camp with him and nothing really stood out to me that there was something wrong. When we got to middle school, everything seemed normal. When we got to high school I didn't see any change in how he acted.

The fact that someone could feel so much pain and not show it to the public is astounding. I didn't realize how much he went through in his head before his body changed. But I am glad that he did not go through the bullying everyone hears about happening on the news.

Many people, young and old, go through this across the globe and it makes you realize that the world is changing. 50 years ago, I don't think anyone could have predicted this level of social change and social acceptance. Now, I am not diluting myself into thinking that this world is fully accepting of gay, lesbian, and transgender people; I know that it isn't. But, you can not deny that we have made some headway in the matter.

Even in this time of riots in the streets for equal rights for African Americans, yet again, I am hopeful that we will only have this one time, fighting for equal rights for gay, lesbian, and transgender people. I hope that 50 years from now, the matter will be solved and we will not have to back track in history. I hope that everyone will accept everything that a person chooses, that you can live your life freely without looks on the street, or protests in front of businesses. But, then again, hope is for the delusional.

Free Blog 6

I have recently decided that books are better than people.

Books will always be there for you. They will never leave your side. They love you as much as you love them. What more can you ask of something?

But, there are more reasons then that as to why books are better than people. When you are sitting alone waiting for someone or something, they will be there at your ready to transport you into a different world. They are there to give you a break in life. When you get tired of everyday being the same, going through the same routines, books are there to say. "Hey! I can give you something you crave!"

Once you get it, it's like a drug. You don't ever want to stop. But inevitably someone just has to interrupt you and ask a stupid question, like, "Excuse me, do you know what time it is?" or "Can you move, you're sitting on my jacket?" or "Miss, your train is about to leave now..." Well, you know what, this is why books are better than people, because as good as you may think people are, books will never interrupt you!

I don't know what it is about people. They have no consideration for readers. It is common sense that if you see someone on the phone you don't talk to them, or if someone has their headphones in they don't want to talk to you; well, why is it NEVER evident that if someone is reading, you DON'T talk to them either?!?!?!?! I just don't get it!

Anyway, there is one last reason why books are better than people and that is because sometimes, the book you are reading is so good, and the person you were talking to was so boring. It is that simple. Books are more interesting, more calming, and just plain better than people.

Higher Ed

So, Kevin Carey recently wrote an article stating that if higher education could be achieved online and receive the same amount of credibility as a college course at a university, then more people would switch over. He makes a valid point, that the money spent on a college degree doesn't impact the quality of the education. But, in society today it is true that a Princeton Graduate is seen as more of an asset than someone who graduated from the University of Phoenix online.

The fact that Mr. Carey wants to change this is admirable. The fact that he sees the future of education embodying free or low cost online classes is fascinating. But, the reality is that it will never surpass the look of a university on paper.

The way I see it, is that online classes are filler for the things you want to improve on or add to a college degree, not to be used solely as one's main education.

Carey believes that education does not just come from a classroom, but that it comes from life experience, and he couldn't be more right. The thing is, life experience is something you talk about at your job interview to let them know what you have learned from your years as a participating member of society, not something that should be put on a resume to make it 5 pages long.

Yes, society today is flawed immensely, but it works. It is hard to get into, but that is because employers want the best of the best and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Yes, not everyone has an equal shot at things, but that is life. Life is unfair and people need to start accepting that fact.

In no way will changing the types of educational certificates given to students better the lives of the whole. I know that this is a cynical view on life, but it is the truth.

Here is the link to the article written by Kevin Carey. Read it and form your own opinion on the issue of Higher Education:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/upshot/true-reform-in-higher-education-when-online-degrees-are-seen-as-official.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=1

Suicide

Suicide is a growing subject in today's society, one that many would like to brush under the rug, but we can't do that any longer. Suicide is accounts for 2% of deaths and it is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24. This is becoming a growing concern for many families all over the world including the United States.

It takes a brave person to stand up and talk about suicide and that is what some of the Oscar Winners did this year. One Dana Perry stood up and told her story about her son while another, Graham Moore told his own story.

These people are speaking out and getting people aware of this issue. Depression is no joke and people need to know that they are not the only ones going through this. Depression can be treated, but only if you want it to be. People need to speak up and be more open about how they are feeling so that others can help.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/oscars-2015-dana-perry-us-pay-attention-suicide/story?id=29150634

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/22/graham-moore-oscars_n_6733082.html

Journal #19

In the book Say What You Will, i think that I am most like the girl main character, Amy.

Event hough she is physically disabled, she has a mind that goes a mile a minute. She wonders about the little things in life that most people might not notice. She is kind and funny, but also serious and socially awkward (although that last one could be because of her disability).

I love this character, she makes me wonder who I would be if I was disabled. Would my personality stay the same, or would it ultimately change because of the different environment I would have to know? How would it feel to be able to think so profoundly and not express any of it when I wanted to; having to type everything out using basic vocabulary that misses the extent to which a word needs to be expressed? Would I feel trapped in my own body and grown to resent myself? I don't think that I would be able to do it. I commend Amy.

Amy is a strong character, one that could not be replaced with a "normal" girl. She is integral to the story line and I admire her courage and bravery.

Journal #18

I have been reading a new book called Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern. Like all good stories it starts with a boy and a girl...emailing of course! But, the difference here being that the girl is physically handicapped and can not speak; and surprise, surprise, the boy is socially inept.

These two characters might seem like they have nothing in common on paper, but in this story, they a really the perfect match. I haven't gotten far in the story, but from what I can tell, this is going to be interesting.

It raises some social questions...like, can a girl who can't speak and and can't perform everyday actions easily or by herself be fit to engage in a relationship with a guy who is seemingly normal (besides the intense OCD of course).

I don't know what the right answer is...is there a right answer? But what I do know is that these characters seem so happy when they are together and I can't help but imagine that if this was in real life, it would be okay too.

Journal #17

The book 1984 makes you wonder because all of the stuff Orwell says in his novel is true; if it wasn't then we would not be talking about it in the context that we do. For a TV show to be named using the creative context of "Big Brother" and for us to have to read it in school means that this book has relevance to today in some way, shape, or form.

This quote above talks about the government intervening and changing the past to fit the needs of the future. But, it begs the question, is it true today?

I know that when we recall history (being the past) every country has its own personal account of wars or revolutions or whatever it may be. The expression, "There are three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth.", is very relevant to this discussion. Whoever decides what side of the story to tell will influence everyone that hears it. Future generations will make up their mind on how to interpret what was said to them and they will make choices based off of that knowledge.

This is what the 1984 society aims to do; control the decisions of the public by feeding them lies about the stories of the past.

In other words: BRAINWASHING.

Journal #16

1984 by George Orwell is an interesting read.

This book is asking you questions as you read without even knowing it. It is making you think about what you would do if you were to living this world that he has created. It is making you contemplate your stand on some current events in the government today. It is making you notice how close Orwell's predictions were, given the technology we have currently. It makes you wonder if this could still happen to society, or if it is already happening and we just don't notice it.

These are the best kind of questions to ask and wonder about as you are reading this book. Some of your answers you come up with may shock you.

I don't think that I will be able to put this book down!

Journal #15

I am currently reading the book 1984, by  George Orwell. I have just only started reading and from what I can tell, this story is not going to be like most others that I have read. The book starts out slow, but as I delve deeper into the story line I can see that it does have its perks.

The fact that this book was written right after World War II had ended makes me realize some of the connections the author was making as he was writing this novel. After WWII everyone was afraid of dictatorships. No one knew how the world would recover, but it did. What George Orwell did in his novel was he envisioned a futuristic world only 35 years into the future at the time. This alternate world was what everything could be if dictators ruled.

While I commend his imagination, I do wonder if the book could have been even better if someone with a different, more exciting, writing style had written it.

Journal #14

Unbroken is not just a book, but it is also a movie. I have seen the movie adaptation and from what I read and from what I have seen I can tell you that the movie is so much better.

I don't usually agree with this fact, but seeing everything occur in front of you; seeing the action, the fear in peoples eyes, the situations that he was put in; all of it was so much more clear in the movie then when I was reading the book.

I felt more for him and for his story when I saw what he was going through, then when I was reading the words off of the page. There was more emotion put into the movie than what was put into the book.

This was probably because of the fact that the book was not written by the person who actually went through the events stated. If Louis would have written his own story, maybe the book would be more compelling to me, but from where I stand, the movie was the better of the two.

Journal #13

Unbroken is a novel based on a true story. Louis Zamperini is the main character, an olympic runner who survives a plane crash in World War II.

This novel is filled with pages upon pages of information on planes used in the military at that time. Every chapter is a new life and death moment that this man has gone through. You can learn lessons from everything that he does in his life, even if it is just him practicing running.

But, for all the good things in this book, I was just not able to "get into it". Maybe it was the genre; biographies have never appealed to me as much as any other book. Maybe it was the fact that the author went on and on about planes; a subject that can get boring after a whole chapter explaining what functions it all has. Or maybe it was the fact that it took too long to get to the adventure or climax of the story. Whatever it was, I was not able to finish the book.

I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not a history buff or does not like biographies.

Free Blog 5

Reading multiple books at a single time is both a gift and a curse.

On one hand, you get so many stories at once. You bring a different book to any different place you go; you will never be alone :) The stories are so intriguing you just can't stop, but when you do end up switching, you can experience a whole new different set of emotions in a matter of minutes because the story lines are completely different.

But, on the other hand, you get sooo many stories at once. They all end up blending together even when you try to keep them separate. You end up bringing so many books with you wherever you go; you are NEVER alone! The stories are so intriguing that you just don't want to stop, but then you need to because you have to find out what happens in the other books because your mind can't stop racing a mile a minute. Then, when you switch, you experience a whole different set of emotions, it is like a sneak peek into the life of someone who is bi-polar! The story lines are completely different, yet you want to keep reading them all at once, but you are only human.

Books are like any other craving in the world; too much of a good thing, won't be good for long. As they say, "Too much darkness can kill, but too much light can blind." You must find a happy medium.

Hamlet

In the play Hamlet, right from the start the main character, Hamlet, is caught in a web of secrets, sins, lies, and revenge. His part starts when he first met the ghost of his late father. He wasn't sure of whether to trust or ignore him. This hesitant nature severely progressed from there. Hamlet has a hard time making decisions; and on the off chance that he does decide what to do, he is never quite sure about whether it is the right thing or not. Edward E. Foster states that, “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has remained the most perplexing, as well as the most popular, of William Shakespeare’s tragedies.” This, I think, is because of the fact that Hamlet gets himself into a ‘rock and a hard place’ scenario, but in addition to that, the complete and utter lack of action on his part in said scenario is so confusing and fascinating to most people. Some readers of the play will argue that Hamlet is contemplative and others will argue that Hamlet is indecisive. Throughout the whole play Hamlet struggles with his morally ambiguous nature while the rest of the characters plan to destroy him and all that he holds dear. For this reason, I believe that Hamlet is one of the most indecisive characters in the entire play.

Torture Report

The act of torture, or merely just hearing the word torture, invokes a response in everyone. It is in our nature to not hurt anyone unless they have done something against us personally. When it comes up in the news that the CIA has been torturing people for information, we all were caught stunned for a moment, then our thoughts surface and we realize, "Am I really that surprised? They are the CIA after all."

But as we look further into what actually happened, it is disturbing. The torture methods they used were not only inhumane, but just plain wrong.

(I don't want to go into detail, but if you would like to know the exact techniques, click here.)

And after all they had done, about half of over 200 men detained by the CIA didn't have any useful information.

There is a way to do things, and there is a way not, and what they did was not they way to handle the situation. Going to such extremes was unnecessary, uncalled for, and frankly just disturbing. The CIA went too far this time.

Free Blog 4

Congratulations! It's a New Year! 2015!

A New Year for new books!

Do you remember the feeling of getting a new book? The anticipation that you have been feeling since you first heard about it starts to well up inside of you culminating to the exact moment when you see it in your hands. This is what you've been waiting for! The moment of truth. Will this book live up to the standards that you've created for it? Is it one for the pile on your shelf of great reads that you hope to pass down to your children, illuminating them to a vast variety of new and exciting lives? Or will it ultimately end up being sold at a used book store? Because, let's face it, the story has been told before using less words while still getting the same point across. You will never know until you open it up.

And, when you do open it, are you fascinated by the different crackle every book makes when it's first opened? Do you love the smell of glue, ink, and something you just can't put your finger on as it escapes off of the smoothest pages you've ever felt before?

Here, right now, in this exact moment, you begin your journey of reading. You have now entered a whole new world! Your new escape;...until the moment when you finish it and you return back to reality.

But don't worry. A new book is always waiting for you to find your way back.

Free Blog 3

Books are wondrous things. Every time I open a new book I am always surprised. Even though I know the structure of almost every book by now, books always seem to catch me off guard. Every time I know the girl will get the guy, or they will defeat the evil villain, or I am anticipating someone to die because it has been too calm for a while, I am always surprised. When you get wrapped up into a good book, anything can surprise you because you get attached.

Getting attached is a good thing though. Not just because it keeps you on your toes, but because you take what the author says to heart. Most of the advice I follow has been from lessons or quotes I have taken from the books that stick with me the most. If you pay attention while reading and go deep beyond the story you will find hidden secrets.

Over the years I have read countless books and now I can really focus on the truth behind it all. The philosophic questions, the meaning of love and life, the fact that the author choses this word instead of another; these are all signs. Signs that if you put them all together over the years, will point you in the direction of leading the best life possible.

You may open a book with one point of view on life and close it with a completely different view. That is the magic of reading. Until you actually read it you never know what pieces of the puzzle you are going to get. And by the end of your life, you will look back and say that you have lived your life thoroughly, not always in reality, but still thoroughly.

Ferguson

In August a police officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed an unarmed black teenager. The grand jury spent three months reviewing the case and just recently announced that they will not be indicting the officer in question. An uproar exploded in the town of Ferguson, where the crime was committed, as well as New York City, Chicago and Oakland. There were riots, protesters, burglaries, and fires erupting in the streets. This one act has outraged the public.

As much as we would like to believe that racism isn't a factor in society anymore, we would be lying to ourselves. Even if it wasn't in the minds of the actual people in question, the reaction from the public proves otherwise. We have to realize, it has only been 50 years since segregation ended. It may not seem like it, but it is still a fresh subject in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand, if you are saying that this incident was not race related, then it was a matter of policemen thinking that violence solves all problems. That because they have guns, it is always the answer. The amount of weapons that have increased in a matter of 50 years on officials is outrageous.

Either way you look at the problem, it has spiraled out of control. The country is falling apart further every time we "advance" in technology or politics. This one incident has just put that fact into he spot light so that everyone can see it. These protesters aren't there for the man who was killed, they are there because the see the change in society and they don't like it. This is just the people's scapegoat to show that they have had enough. If this didn't happen, something else would have triggered this reaction. This is just the beginning.

Journal #12

                                 
The quote above is from the book, The Impossible Knife of Memory. In the book Hayley, the main character and her father, Andy have gone through some tough times that they would both like to forget. Her father was a soldier and has PTSD. Hayley is the only one around to take care of him since he won't go to see the Veteran's therapist. But, Hayley has her own form of "PTSD".

As she is trying to be a normal girl in high school, he is starting to scare her. She doesn't know what to do with him anymore. Things and people keep coming back from their past and it is making her scared and angry at the same time. She was not prepared for any of this.

These words above is what she say to herself when her memories start to come back. Keep Breathing. These words is what carries her through the tough times, because that's all she really can do, is keep breathing.

This book is a great eye opener to the realities and casualties of war. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know and understand the complications of life from both sides of the story; father and daughter.

Journal #11

In the book, The Impossible Knife of Memory, there is one character that stands out to me. Finn is the main character's "boyfriend" and he is the most fascinating out of them all. He is smart and quirky and he balances Hayley (the main character) out.

We first meet Finn at a lunch table where he is spouting out definitions of random words for his friend's homework. Immediately I could sense that he liked Hayley because of all  of the attention he gave her. Perhaps too much attention, but in a cool/awkward way. That cool/awkward vibe is what I also liked about him. He was different from all the rest of the characters.

I also find Finn interesting because of his "life is life" attitude. He is not pessimistic, but he isn't overly optimistic either. He is just human, which is very refreshing. Hayley struggles with a lot, and he keeps her on the ground. He is a good and decent guy and that is why I think this character is the best out of them all.

Journal #10

There is a quote in the book Every Day that states, "If you stare at the center of the universe, there is a coldness there. A blankness. Ultimately, the universe doesn't care about us. Time doesn't care about us. That's why we have to care about each other." I find this quote to be the absolute truth.

The Universe is only a place to put living things, it is not a living thing itself. It is just there, it does not feel or want, it is just cumulative, therefore it does not care. Time is the same way. It is just a measurement, so it does not care either.

Even though these two things are what we center our lives around, the Universe and Time don't center itself around us. Time seems so fragile, but in reality, it can never break. The Universe seems right in our grasp, but really we will never be able to touch it. We hold Time and the Universe up on a pedestal as if they decide our fate, our future, our choices, our life. But really these two pieces of our life will go on without us.

This is why we have to care about the people that surround us. Without them, we would be all alone, and that is no life. Friends, family, loved ones are all we really have while we are living, so we have to take care of them as best we can.