STARGIRL:
I moved to a new school in Arizona,
and I stuck out like a diamond in a coal mine.
Then after school, on the was to my Grandparents house,
I was being watched, followed.
Were they really that paranoid with me being different?
So much that they would wander in my foot steps?
We wandered out of the town to a neighborhood near the shining sun.
My neighborhood.
Home.
That meant safety.
When I walked up the drive way, he hesitated.
Yes,
I was safe.
OMNISCIENT NARRATOR:
Stargirl wandered down several streets in the town.
Infact, ALL the streets in town.
She wandered all through Mica,
and out,
as the sky became darker.
She has a card,
but so does the odd,
yet beautiful boy behind her.
She approached the drive way,
as the bright sun started setting in the crimson sky.
THE RAT:
I was in my bed,
the bag,
waiting to be let go.
Finally,
stargirl removed me from the bag.
Then,
I saw him.
Perched on her shoulder,
I watched the orange sun grow closer,
and then down farther.
The boy followed until the sky became dark,
and we approached our destination.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Where I'm From Poem
I am from fruit, from strawberries and sweet oranges.
I am from the love and protection of my home.
I am from the oak tree, the rose, the leaves. From the grass, the lily, the beauty.
I am from waiting on the stairs on Christmas morning with my family, and kindness. From Riley and Candice and Lindsie.
Where I'm from tastes like fresh peaches.
I am from the concern of others, and empathy.
From having fun and being outgoing.
Where I'm from sounds like chirping birds and lawn mowers on a summer morning.
Where I'm from smells like fresh baked goodies.
Where I'm from looks as beautiful as Christmas Morning.
Where I'm from feels like love and appreciation; Like "Tinglies" running through my spine.
I am from the love and protection of my home.
I am from the oak tree, the rose, the leaves. From the grass, the lily, the beauty.
I am from waiting on the stairs on Christmas morning with my family, and kindness. From Riley and Candice and Lindsie.
Where I'm from tastes like fresh peaches.
I am from the concern of others, and empathy.
From having fun and being outgoing.
Where I'm from sounds like chirping birds and lawn mowers on a summer morning.
Where I'm from smells like fresh baked goodies.
Where I'm from looks as beautiful as Christmas Morning.
Where I'm from feels like love and appreciation; Like "Tinglies" running through my spine.
Untitled Poem...(For Now..)
There he was; standing infront of me.
Dazing off into space, acting melencholy.
There he was; smiling his mischevious smile,
acting his smug self.
Then, there I was; Plain, invisible, and intolerable when I was seen.
There I was; My bitterness toward him still growing.
Dazing off into space, acting melencholy.
There he was; smiling his mischevious smile,
acting his smug self.
Then, there I was; Plain, invisible, and intolerable when I was seen.
There I was; My bitterness toward him still growing.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Review for Newspaper Article, Find it at: http://www.glencoe.com/cgi-bin/pdfServer.pl/sec/science/ose/es_geology/full/docs/NatGeoExpedition.pdf
Every huge step in the history of technology has started with someone who had an amazing dream. Most of them were mocked and declared impossible, yet those people’s dreams are the things that have gotten the world where we are today.
In the early 1900’s, a scientist named Hermann Oberth wanted nothing more than to see space. He was frustrated to find that nothing he did was good enough to fulfill his dream. He tried everything on earth to try to see images of space. Then he thought he was looking in the wrong place. He didn’t need to look from earth, but from space. His dream was to build a telescope that orbited earth from space. That way, he could not only see just beyond earth, but much, much farther: he had a view of much of the universe. When Oberth died, his dream was made a reality. They sent the first telescope into space in 1990, and called it the Hubble Space Telescope. It orbited earth at 595 kilometers above earth. It made the headlines of almost every major newspaper as the “window on the universe” and everybody was ecstatic to find what the outcome would be. When it took its first pictures, scientists were dismayed by them. It looked as if “a thin strip of gauze wrap was placed in front of the lens.” The pictures were so blurry and distorted. NASA diagnosed the problem as a defective mirror. The shuttle ‘Endeavor’ was sent to fix the problem in 1993, then at last, the telescope could see clearly. In 1997 the shuttle ‘Discovery’ was sent to replace some parts of the telescope, and sent it 15 kilometers farther into space. In 1999 ‘Discovery’ installed a computer that was 20 times faster than the last one. In 2005, NASA wanted to remove the telescope from space because of having to send several shuttles on several occasions to service the telescope, but were inspired by how far they had come, so decided to keep it in space until at least 2010.
I think we can all agree, that because of one man who had an “impossible” dream, it changed the technology and history of space forever. I think we all should be more like Hermann Oberth, and when we have an “insane, impossible” dream, we should try to make it happen, because who knows? It might change man kind forever!
Just by Oberth’s dream, astronomers sent a giant space telescope (Hubble Space Telescope) to take pictures of our galaxy, so we could see what the universe was like, outside of earth. A hundred years ago, that was impossible. Now, in is not unusual to see a picture of earth from space, or a picture of some other planet.
Hermann Oberth had a dream to see our galaxy, so he sent a space telescope into space, and it is used to this day, to make new discoveries of space, and the celestial planets in it. If we would all try to act on our “dreams” we could change man-kind, and our history forever.
In the early 1900’s, a scientist named Hermann Oberth wanted nothing more than to see space. He was frustrated to find that nothing he did was good enough to fulfill his dream. He tried everything on earth to try to see images of space. Then he thought he was looking in the wrong place. He didn’t need to look from earth, but from space. His dream was to build a telescope that orbited earth from space. That way, he could not only see just beyond earth, but much, much farther: he had a view of much of the universe. When Oberth died, his dream was made a reality. They sent the first telescope into space in 1990, and called it the Hubble Space Telescope. It orbited earth at 595 kilometers above earth. It made the headlines of almost every major newspaper as the “window on the universe” and everybody was ecstatic to find what the outcome would be. When it took its first pictures, scientists were dismayed by them. It looked as if “a thin strip of gauze wrap was placed in front of the lens.” The pictures were so blurry and distorted. NASA diagnosed the problem as a defective mirror. The shuttle ‘Endeavor’ was sent to fix the problem in 1993, then at last, the telescope could see clearly. In 1997 the shuttle ‘Discovery’ was sent to replace some parts of the telescope, and sent it 15 kilometers farther into space. In 1999 ‘Discovery’ installed a computer that was 20 times faster than the last one. In 2005, NASA wanted to remove the telescope from space because of having to send several shuttles on several occasions to service the telescope, but were inspired by how far they had come, so decided to keep it in space until at least 2010.
I think we can all agree, that because of one man who had an “impossible” dream, it changed the technology and history of space forever. I think we all should be more like Hermann Oberth, and when we have an “insane, impossible” dream, we should try to make it happen, because who knows? It might change man kind forever!
Just by Oberth’s dream, astronomers sent a giant space telescope (Hubble Space Telescope) to take pictures of our galaxy, so we could see what the universe was like, outside of earth. A hundred years ago, that was impossible. Now, in is not unusual to see a picture of earth from space, or a picture of some other planet.
Hermann Oberth had a dream to see our galaxy, so he sent a space telescope into space, and it is used to this day, to make new discoveries of space, and the celestial planets in it. If we would all try to act on our “dreams” we could change man-kind, and our history forever.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Clarisse Poem (A Character in Fareheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
I am the one everyone would point and laugh at,
If anyone noticed anything.
I am the observant one, who loves nature.
I was the 17 year old girl who changed Montag,
And his way of life.
He stood up to others because of me.
He became the infamous book hider,
And I, who made him this way,
Still stand invisible.
If anyone noticed anything.
I am the observant one, who loves nature.
I was the 17 year old girl who changed Montag,
And his way of life.
He stood up to others because of me.
He became the infamous book hider,
And I, who made him this way,
Still stand invisible.
Mildred Poem (A character in Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
I lived a life of pretending.
I pretended I didn’t care about life, about books.
The truth is: we live in an unintelligent world.
We are slowly becoming attached to couches,
and bonding with our talking walls, not our families.
When my husband, a book burner, finally stood up,
I didn’t support him.
I was responsible for his social death.
In return, the bombs meant for him, killed me instead.
I lived a life I didn’t want to live.
My life was one full of regrets.
I pretended I didn’t care about life, about books.
The truth is: we live in an unintelligent world.
We are slowly becoming attached to couches,
and bonding with our talking walls, not our families.
When my husband, a book burner, finally stood up,
I didn’t support him.
I was responsible for his social death.
In return, the bombs meant for him, killed me instead.
I lived a life I didn’t want to live.
My life was one full of regrets.
The Stranger in the Mirror
As if a mirror,
The pond showed my reflection as I
Watched myself grow into a different person.
An unfamiliar person.
A stranger.
I seemed so out of Place.
I had completely forgotten who I was;
A treasure hidden beneath the surface of my skin.
The pond showed my reflection as I
Watched myself grow into a different person.
An unfamiliar person.
A stranger.
I seemed so out of Place.
I had completely forgotten who I was;
A treasure hidden beneath the surface of my skin.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What's wrong with T.V.?
What’s wrong with T.V.? Lots of things. I’m not saying I don’t watch T.V. and that it is all bad, but I really do think it has helped ruin society today. Things have become exceptable because it is on T.V. and actors have done it. The first thing that is wrong with T.V., is that it isolates us. Second, it has made criminal act seem like it is ok to do. Third, we believe that our lives are so boring compared to the lives of characters on T.V. what is wrong with these things? T.V. has literally changed the lives of all who watch, and make unacceptable things acceptable, which includes being “anti-social”.
The first thing T.V. has done to the world is that it isolates us and makes us somewhat “socially awkward”. When the T.V. is on in my house, (and I am sure this is the case in many households) is that whoever is the one watching the T.V. is totally unaware of what is happening around them. For example, when my dad is watching something on T.V., I become a little mosquito buzzing in his ear. He doesn’t pay attention to me or what I am saying. I am not saying it is only me. He ignores everyone. I don’t even know if you can say “ignore”, he just has no idea you are there. He is oblivious. Even if I say “Hi” to him and ask him how his day at work was, he doesn’t respond and then about ten minutes later he says, “What? Did you say something?” Then I respond with my usual, “Only about ten minutes ago! Never mind, I will ask you when you’re done…” To me, this proves one of the inconveniences of T.V.
The second thing T.V. has done to the world is that it has made criminal act seem like it is ok to do. T.V. has characters that are dealing drugs, and smuggling things illegally, and sneaking into government facilities when no one is looking, and punching someone and stealing their identity, and stealing, and breaking into houses, and killing people with guns and making it seem like it is no big deal, when people are really dropping like flies. There is so much violence and criminal activities in T.V. shows now days that it makes us think our lives should be more exciting.
The third thing T.V. has done to the world is that we believe that our lives are so boring compared to the lives of characters on T.V. I think that my life is pretty exciting and busy. I have tons of things I have to do and I play the piano, tumble, cheer, play the guitar, dance, and sing. That is a lot of things to be doing and I barely have time for school and homework, yet I feel like my life is boring compared to the life of those on T.V. The problem with this is that people with certain personalities (not me, of course) will want to have an exciting life like those on T.V., that they will start doing some of the activities the T.V. allow us to watch. They will start taking drugs, and killing people, and stealing, etc.
In conclusion, T.V. has ruined our society. Because of it we are lazy, oblivious, but yet we want to make our lives more exciting by participating in illegal activities. I think if we all could watch less T.V., or at least watch shows with an uplifting message, the world would literally be a better place.
The first thing T.V. has done to the world is that it isolates us and makes us somewhat “socially awkward”. When the T.V. is on in my house, (and I am sure this is the case in many households) is that whoever is the one watching the T.V. is totally unaware of what is happening around them. For example, when my dad is watching something on T.V., I become a little mosquito buzzing in his ear. He doesn’t pay attention to me or what I am saying. I am not saying it is only me. He ignores everyone. I don’t even know if you can say “ignore”, he just has no idea you are there. He is oblivious. Even if I say “Hi” to him and ask him how his day at work was, he doesn’t respond and then about ten minutes later he says, “What? Did you say something?” Then I respond with my usual, “Only about ten minutes ago! Never mind, I will ask you when you’re done…” To me, this proves one of the inconveniences of T.V.
The second thing T.V. has done to the world is that it has made criminal act seem like it is ok to do. T.V. has characters that are dealing drugs, and smuggling things illegally, and sneaking into government facilities when no one is looking, and punching someone and stealing their identity, and stealing, and breaking into houses, and killing people with guns and making it seem like it is no big deal, when people are really dropping like flies. There is so much violence and criminal activities in T.V. shows now days that it makes us think our lives should be more exciting.
The third thing T.V. has done to the world is that we believe that our lives are so boring compared to the lives of characters on T.V. I think that my life is pretty exciting and busy. I have tons of things I have to do and I play the piano, tumble, cheer, play the guitar, dance, and sing. That is a lot of things to be doing and I barely have time for school and homework, yet I feel like my life is boring compared to the life of those on T.V. The problem with this is that people with certain personalities (not me, of course) will want to have an exciting life like those on T.V., that they will start doing some of the activities the T.V. allow us to watch. They will start taking drugs, and killing people, and stealing, etc.
In conclusion, T.V. has ruined our society. Because of it we are lazy, oblivious, but yet we want to make our lives more exciting by participating in illegal activities. I think if we all could watch less T.V., or at least watch shows with an uplifting message, the world would literally be a better place.
My Christmas Poem (I got a "certificate" for it!)
Christmas is beauty,
And beauty is Christmas.
Light hearted music
With a familiar melody,
Echoes in the distance.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
The snow-capped roofs
And bright lights of
Red and green shine
In the ebony night.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
Scented candles, burning
Logs in the hearth, and
Sweet smelling pines
Convey Christmas
Pleasure.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
Sugary candy canes,
Savory chocolate
Oranges, and frigid
Flakes of snow
That drop on my
Tongue envelop me
In childhood memories.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
The bleak, wintry
Breeze whispers
In my ear, chilling my
Pale skin.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
And beauty is Christmas.
Light hearted music
With a familiar melody,
Echoes in the distance.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
The snow-capped roofs
And bright lights of
Red and green shine
In the ebony night.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
Scented candles, burning
Logs in the hearth, and
Sweet smelling pines
Convey Christmas
Pleasure.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
Sugary candy canes,
Savory chocolate
Oranges, and frigid
Flakes of snow
That drop on my
Tongue envelop me
In childhood memories.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
The bleak, wintry
Breeze whispers
In my ear, chilling my
Pale skin.
It’s the beauty of Christmas!
This is a past essay that I think I did pretty well on! I think I was pretty convincing! :)
Your opinion of the book, The Pigman, forms depending on your personality. I personally, don’t think that The Pigman should be taught in school. It is a poor excuse for a book (I think) because when I think of books, I think of excitement, romance, intensity, “cute stories”, or “tummy-ticklers”. When I read a book I want to be able to feel like I am watching the book as a movie. Like it is playing over in my head and I can picture exactly what the scenes look like, and what the characters look like, and what the colors are. I want to also feel the emotion. I want to cry when someone dies, or when someone looses a friend, or when someone leaves forever and never comes back, or when the characters are heart-broken. I want to be scared when a stranger is in the house or someone was murdered. I want to have “tingles” in my “tummy” when someone just had their first kiss. The Pigman however did not do one thing for me. It wasn’t exciting, descriptive, intense or anything like that, but it also had a poor story line. First, John and Lorraine are bad examples on teenagers today. Second, there isn’t any point to the story. Third, they create an illusion about life. I don’t think that this book has any importance.
The first reason this book should not be read in public schools is that John and Lorraine are bad examples and influences on teenagers today. John drinks alcohol and smokes, which may influence the readers. They may think that because they are reading a book in school and a character makes a bad choice, that makes it ok. They may also get the impression that because John and Lorraine skip school, our schools must be sending a message that it’s ok to do also. This is one negative demonstration in this book, but is not the only one.
Second, this book has no point to it. Just because two teenagers had a certain experience and want to write it down, doesn’t give this importance. The story takes a long time to get to the point. John and Lorraine write about how they met, and the porcelain unmentionable bomber, and the cricket, but not Mr. Pignati. I would have liked if they would have given us more background on him, if they insisted on telling their whole life stories. After reading the book, I still don’t understand what the point of it was. Was the point to tell us that Mr. Pignati died? Or was it because they felt guilty and felt that they needed to give us excuses why they didn’t kill him? They tried to make us believe it wasn’t their fault.
Third, they create an illusion about life. They make it seem like life is easy. They make it seem like adults are always horrible. They make it seem like they can avoid parents. They want us to believe that even if you make a bad choice and get in trouble, that your parents won’t care.
In conclusion, The Pigman should not be taught in schools because John and Lorraine are bad examples teenagers, the story is not important, and they create an illusion about life. The Pigman is not a good book to be taught in schools.
The first reason this book should not be read in public schools is that John and Lorraine are bad examples and influences on teenagers today. John drinks alcohol and smokes, which may influence the readers. They may think that because they are reading a book in school and a character makes a bad choice, that makes it ok. They may also get the impression that because John and Lorraine skip school, our schools must be sending a message that it’s ok to do also. This is one negative demonstration in this book, but is not the only one.
Second, this book has no point to it. Just because two teenagers had a certain experience and want to write it down, doesn’t give this importance. The story takes a long time to get to the point. John and Lorraine write about how they met, and the porcelain unmentionable bomber, and the cricket, but not Mr. Pignati. I would have liked if they would have given us more background on him, if they insisted on telling their whole life stories. After reading the book, I still don’t understand what the point of it was. Was the point to tell us that Mr. Pignati died? Or was it because they felt guilty and felt that they needed to give us excuses why they didn’t kill him? They tried to make us believe it wasn’t their fault.
Third, they create an illusion about life. They make it seem like life is easy. They make it seem like adults are always horrible. They make it seem like they can avoid parents. They want us to believe that even if you make a bad choice and get in trouble, that your parents won’t care.
In conclusion, The Pigman should not be taught in schools because John and Lorraine are bad examples teenagers, the story is not important, and they create an illusion about life. The Pigman is not a good book to be taught in schools.
Crazy things with my friend!
My friend and I are so crazy!!!! Let me explain…Have you ever been sitting around the house with a friend, just staring at them saying, “What do you want to do??” Then the general response is, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” And it goes on…and on, but back to my point of writing this paragraph. When we are sitting on the floor, pulling the “What do you want to do?” trick, crazy ideas pop into our heads, and that is just what we do. One time, the first crazy thing that we though of, was to jump into her pool with jeans a sweatshirt, and slippers! So guess what we did? JUST THAT!!! We raced out to her backyard, and jumped right into her open pool! The second time we found our selves staring at each other sitting on the floor trying to decide what to do, we decided that we wanted to lay on her kitchen floor and smear butter all over our arms, face, hands, feet, and legs. We couldn’t even breathe because we were laughing so hard! It was pretty entertaining. It actually made our skin really soft! Who needs to go to a professional salon to get soft skin? Next, we were really really hungry, but we didn’t know what we wanted to eat. We couldn’t agree with anything that we could make, and we couldn’t think of anything that sounded good to us. So guess what we did? We made pasta and soup. Not just any pasta and soup though! We played a game that we both agreed to. We both had to make a soup and pasta, but we couldn’t use a recipe and we couldn’t use measurements. We just had to make it up! It turns out it was pretty good! Who knew we were such good cooks? Next, we decided that we would put shaving cream on the bathroom walls, just for fun!! But…we still needed to get out of her house and do something… we decided to run around her neighborhood with blankets as capes, singing the Batman theme song. We got very tired, and stopped to rest on a lawn in her neighborhood. We laid for hours talking and laughing until it got dark outside, so we went along with it and watched the stars….that became a tradition, and we do it every weekend. When we went back inside, we ate crazy, gross, disgusting foods. One was Hershey’s chocolate syrup on hotdogs…IT WAS SO GROSS!!! She thought it was pretty good though….sweet and salty…talk about cankers!
So next time you are sitting with your friend on the floor of your living room, think of the craziest thing you could possibly do at that exact moment, then do it! Go for it! Don’t you dare let someone tell you that you can’t because it is “too crazy” or “you would look like stupid retards” or “what will so-and-so say?” Trust me. We do whatever we think of as soon as it comes to mind, even if it does seem crazy. Crazy people have more fun in life though! The crazier the better!
So next time you are sitting with your friend on the floor of your living room, think of the craziest thing you could possibly do at that exact moment, then do it! Go for it! Don’t you dare let someone tell you that you can’t because it is “too crazy” or “you would look like stupid retards” or “what will so-and-so say?” Trust me. We do whatever we think of as soon as it comes to mind, even if it does seem crazy. Crazy people have more fun in life though! The crazier the better!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Review on Titanic-Find article at: http://www.glencoe.com/cgi-bin/pdfServer.pl/sec/science/ose/es_geology/full/docs/NatGeoExpedition.pdf
Picture this: you get on a huge, beautiful, expensive, first-class ship. Everyone says that it is unsinkable, and it was even built to withstand any complications it might have that could lead to flooding, then all of the sudden, you barely scraped the side of this ship with an iceberg, then it sinks the whole ship and kills thousands of people. That is what happened with the Titanic. It was built to withstand severe conditions, including sinking, but because the outside was made of a soft material, that one little scrape on the side of one huge ship, changed thousands of lives and families.
The huge ship set sail, being called the “unsinkable ship”. Ironically, April 14, 1912 (the first day out at sea) at 11:40 P.M. the ship slid past an iceberg. The watchman alerted the captain of the iceberg, so the crew tried to steer right, but reversing also. If they would have hit the iceberg straight on, it would have destroyed only two or three of the water-tight compartments, and the ship wouldn’t have sunk. Since it scraped along the side, it destroyed many of the compartments, leading to the sinking of Titanic. The ship sunk within 2 hours, which is a very fast sinking. Normally, it would take at least a week to sink a ship that big, but it destroyed a good portion of the side of the ship. That one little mistake led to 1522 deaths, and only 705 lives were saved by the life boats. The ship was believed to have sunk in one piece, but the evidence found suggests that it was split in half on the surface due to the pressure and speed of the sinking. In 1985 scientists sent down Alvin, but as soon as the wreck was in sight, they had to make their way back up to the surface. The dive was made several times, and after several attempts and failures, they saw the Titanic, steel engines and all. Through advanced technology, it has been possible to “Dive into History” and find the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic.
I think it is so sad that because of one little mistake of the captain, crew, and watchmen, it cost so many lives. If the watchmen would have spotted the iceberg a little bit sooner, and the captain would have turned away from it, or even hit it straight on, the ship wouldn’t have been sunk, and all those people wouldn’t have had to die. It is crazy how one little mistake can cause so many lives to be taken.
In the article “Plunging into History”, it says, “The officer-in-charge tried to reverse engines while turning hard to the right-a combination that proved fatal. Because the ship was in reverse, the change in steering actually moved her to the left, and the Titanic’s starboard side hit the iceberg.” Think. If that little mistake would have been avoided all of the 2227 (approximately) would have been spared, and they would all be living to tell the story of the great ship. Wouldn’t that just be so cool? People that are living, telling what it was like to be on the ship that really was “unsinkable”? That would be amazing!
In conclusion, the Titanic was a horrible accident, that everyone wishes could be avoided, but because of one little mistake, 1522 people died, and only 705 people were saved from the lifeboats of the Titanic.
The huge ship set sail, being called the “unsinkable ship”. Ironically, April 14, 1912 (the first day out at sea) at 11:40 P.M. the ship slid past an iceberg. The watchman alerted the captain of the iceberg, so the crew tried to steer right, but reversing also. If they would have hit the iceberg straight on, it would have destroyed only two or three of the water-tight compartments, and the ship wouldn’t have sunk. Since it scraped along the side, it destroyed many of the compartments, leading to the sinking of Titanic. The ship sunk within 2 hours, which is a very fast sinking. Normally, it would take at least a week to sink a ship that big, but it destroyed a good portion of the side of the ship. That one little mistake led to 1522 deaths, and only 705 lives were saved by the life boats. The ship was believed to have sunk in one piece, but the evidence found suggests that it was split in half on the surface due to the pressure and speed of the sinking. In 1985 scientists sent down Alvin, but as soon as the wreck was in sight, they had to make their way back up to the surface. The dive was made several times, and after several attempts and failures, they saw the Titanic, steel engines and all. Through advanced technology, it has been possible to “Dive into History” and find the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic.
I think it is so sad that because of one little mistake of the captain, crew, and watchmen, it cost so many lives. If the watchmen would have spotted the iceberg a little bit sooner, and the captain would have turned away from it, or even hit it straight on, the ship wouldn’t have been sunk, and all those people wouldn’t have had to die. It is crazy how one little mistake can cause so many lives to be taken.
In the article “Plunging into History”, it says, “The officer-in-charge tried to reverse engines while turning hard to the right-a combination that proved fatal. Because the ship was in reverse, the change in steering actually moved her to the left, and the Titanic’s starboard side hit the iceberg.” Think. If that little mistake would have been avoided all of the 2227 (approximately) would have been spared, and they would all be living to tell the story of the great ship. Wouldn’t that just be so cool? People that are living, telling what it was like to be on the ship that really was “unsinkable”? That would be amazing!
In conclusion, the Titanic was a horrible accident, that everyone wishes could be avoided, but because of one little mistake, 1522 people died, and only 705 people were saved from the lifeboats of the Titanic.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Great Expectations Analysis
In the book Great Expectations, Pip demonstrates the theme of change. Throughout the book, he is trying to find out who he really is, thus, changing himself socially, physically, and morally. Pip starts out as a young, innocent, poor boy, who doesn’t seem to be too disappointed in his life style. His Uncle Pumblechook introduces him to Miss Havisham and Estella. Through meeting Estella, then later falling in love with her, he decides he wants to become a rich gentleman, and change his lifestyle completely. This wish is made possible when a lawyer comes forward with a fortune left for Pip, from a secret benefactor.
In Chapter 39, on page 307 Magwitch says: “Look’ee here, Pip. I’m your second father. You’re my son-more to me nor any son. I’ve put away money, only for you to spend. When I was a hired-out shepherd in a solitary hut, not seeing no faces but faces of sheep till I half-forgot wot men’s and women’s faces wos like, I see yourn….I see you there a many times plain as ever I see you on them misty marshes. ‘Lord strike me dead!’ I says each time- and I goes out in the open air to say it under the open heavens-‘but wot, if I gets liberty and money, I’ll make that boy a gentleman!’ And I done it. Why, look at you, dear boy! Look at these here lodgings of yourn, fit for a lord! A lord? Ah! You shall show money with lords for wagers, and beat ‘em!”
In this paragraph, Magwitch has just revealed himself as Pip’s secret benefactor. This is an important plot because Pip is shocked that the fortune came from a criminal, and not Miss Havisham. He begins to love Magwitch, and care for him, and realizes that his idea of his wealth was not accurate. He is forced to realize that he is indebted to Magwitch, and is a rich gentleman because of a criminal. This paragraph also reveals Magwitch’s true feelings toward Pip. Since Pip showed the one act of kindness Magwitch ever received, he felt like he would always be in debt to him, and he wants to make him a gentleman. Although Abel Magwitch starts out as a rough, frightening criminal, he grows to love and appreciate Pip, and the small kindness he showed Magwitch.
The theme of change is showed in this paragraph also. It shows that Pip started out as a kind young boy, and grew to be a gentleman, with many riches, a huge fortune, and a nice house that is “fit for a lord”. It also shows that Magwitch changes from a criminal, then realizes the kindness Pip showed toward him, and feels like he will never be able to repay him, so he will give him money, and educate him.
The way this paragraph is said, or rather spelled, shows that Magwitch was not bright or educated. He talks with slang and it shows, though he was just a dirty criminal, he loved and cared for Pip like a son. It did not take an educated gentleman to make one!
Magwitch is a mysterious, frightening, uneducated man that changed Pip’s life, by anonymously loaning him a fortune, and making him a gentleman. This demonstrates a very big change that happens in this book. Magwitch changes from a criminal to a benefactor, while Pip changes from a poor, humble boy to an arrogant, rich, educated gentleman.
Great Expectations is a book that demonstrates change. Many of the characters undergo a lot of change, including Pip and Magwitch. The young, beautiful Estella makes Pip want to be better, and change his lifestyle so that he is a rich, educated gentleman. Pip receives a fortune from a secret benefactor, who later comes out as Abel Magwitch, a criminal Pip showed a small kindness to when he was young. Throughout this book, Pip goes through a battle with himself, trying to find who he really is. In the end, he figures out that money is not everything, and he then turns to his real, humble friends and family, who has been there for him the whole time.
In Chapter 39, on page 307 Magwitch says: “Look’ee here, Pip. I’m your second father. You’re my son-more to me nor any son. I’ve put away money, only for you to spend. When I was a hired-out shepherd in a solitary hut, not seeing no faces but faces of sheep till I half-forgot wot men’s and women’s faces wos like, I see yourn….I see you there a many times plain as ever I see you on them misty marshes. ‘Lord strike me dead!’ I says each time- and I goes out in the open air to say it under the open heavens-‘but wot, if I gets liberty and money, I’ll make that boy a gentleman!’ And I done it. Why, look at you, dear boy! Look at these here lodgings of yourn, fit for a lord! A lord? Ah! You shall show money with lords for wagers, and beat ‘em!”
In this paragraph, Magwitch has just revealed himself as Pip’s secret benefactor. This is an important plot because Pip is shocked that the fortune came from a criminal, and not Miss Havisham. He begins to love Magwitch, and care for him, and realizes that his idea of his wealth was not accurate. He is forced to realize that he is indebted to Magwitch, and is a rich gentleman because of a criminal. This paragraph also reveals Magwitch’s true feelings toward Pip. Since Pip showed the one act of kindness Magwitch ever received, he felt like he would always be in debt to him, and he wants to make him a gentleman. Although Abel Magwitch starts out as a rough, frightening criminal, he grows to love and appreciate Pip, and the small kindness he showed Magwitch.
The theme of change is showed in this paragraph also. It shows that Pip started out as a kind young boy, and grew to be a gentleman, with many riches, a huge fortune, and a nice house that is “fit for a lord”. It also shows that Magwitch changes from a criminal, then realizes the kindness Pip showed toward him, and feels like he will never be able to repay him, so he will give him money, and educate him.
The way this paragraph is said, or rather spelled, shows that Magwitch was not bright or educated. He talks with slang and it shows, though he was just a dirty criminal, he loved and cared for Pip like a son. It did not take an educated gentleman to make one!
Magwitch is a mysterious, frightening, uneducated man that changed Pip’s life, by anonymously loaning him a fortune, and making him a gentleman. This demonstrates a very big change that happens in this book. Magwitch changes from a criminal to a benefactor, while Pip changes from a poor, humble boy to an arrogant, rich, educated gentleman.
Great Expectations is a book that demonstrates change. Many of the characters undergo a lot of change, including Pip and Magwitch. The young, beautiful Estella makes Pip want to be better, and change his lifestyle so that he is a rich, educated gentleman. Pip receives a fortune from a secret benefactor, who later comes out as Abel Magwitch, a criminal Pip showed a small kindness to when he was young. Throughout this book, Pip goes through a battle with himself, trying to find who he really is. In the end, he figures out that money is not everything, and he then turns to his real, humble friends and family, who has been there for him the whole time.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Religion is a Good Idea
I don’t mean to offend anyone with this essay, and if I do, I am very sorry, and know that it was unconsciously done! I know you don’t all belong to the same religions, or maybe some of you who read this essay don’t even have one, but I thought it would be a good idea to give some benefits of being a part of a religion, and being active in it. The first reason it is a good idea to be a part of a religion is because it seems to boost people’s self-esteem. Second, because it gives people a purpose for life. Third, because it seems to just make people happier. I think that boosting people’s self-esteem is very important.
The first reason it would be a good idea to be a part of a religion is because it seems to boost people’s self-esteem. I have noticed that people who are very involved in there religion seem to walk with their head higher. They look more confident, and have better posture. They are not just slumped over walking looking down at the ground. They look you in the eyes when they talk to you, and they have a great air about them. They seem to have a more bubbly personality, and to be more confident in who they are, and have a purpose to life.
The second reason it is a good idea to be involved in a religion is because it seems that they feel that they have a purpose to life. Many people who are active in their religion, or leaders in their religion, seem to have fewer doubts in their life. Many religions teach different things, but many of the religions teach that there is a purpose to life. One purpose that is common in many religions is service. Many believe in service to friends, or neighbors, or family, or even strangers, and people you have never met. Many religions also believe in serving a higher being. Some religions believe that there is life after death, and everything doesn’t just end when you die. Although religion gives people’s life more purpose, it is not the only reason it is good to be involved in a religion.
The third reason religion is a good idea is because it makes people happier. It is a proven fact that people who believe in a higher being are happier. They are more humble, and tend to love to serve others. Again, they look confident and have that bright look about them, and tend to have a smile on their face more often. They are better socially, and look people in eyes, and smile, and nod, and understand, and enjoy communicating more, as opposed to some people who don’t belong to a religion who aren’t as confident, and more insecure.
In conclusion, it is a good idea to belong to some kind of religion, because it boosts people’s self-esteem, gives them more purpose to life, and makes people happier. Again, I am very sorry if I offended anyone. These are observations, and not always true with everybody!
The first reason it would be a good idea to be a part of a religion is because it seems to boost people’s self-esteem. I have noticed that people who are very involved in there religion seem to walk with their head higher. They look more confident, and have better posture. They are not just slumped over walking looking down at the ground. They look you in the eyes when they talk to you, and they have a great air about them. They seem to have a more bubbly personality, and to be more confident in who they are, and have a purpose to life.
The second reason it is a good idea to be involved in a religion is because it seems that they feel that they have a purpose to life. Many people who are active in their religion, or leaders in their religion, seem to have fewer doubts in their life. Many religions teach different things, but many of the religions teach that there is a purpose to life. One purpose that is common in many religions is service. Many believe in service to friends, or neighbors, or family, or even strangers, and people you have never met. Many religions also believe in serving a higher being. Some religions believe that there is life after death, and everything doesn’t just end when you die. Although religion gives people’s life more purpose, it is not the only reason it is good to be involved in a religion.
The third reason religion is a good idea is because it makes people happier. It is a proven fact that people who believe in a higher being are happier. They are more humble, and tend to love to serve others. Again, they look confident and have that bright look about them, and tend to have a smile on their face more often. They are better socially, and look people in eyes, and smile, and nod, and understand, and enjoy communicating more, as opposed to some people who don’t belong to a religion who aren’t as confident, and more insecure.
In conclusion, it is a good idea to belong to some kind of religion, because it boosts people’s self-esteem, gives them more purpose to life, and makes people happier. Again, I am very sorry if I offended anyone. These are observations, and not always true with everybody!
We should be allowed to carry backpacks in school!
I know this seems like a weird subject to do an essay on, but I will write one anyway! Have you ever been late to class? Have you ever been unprepared in one of your classes? Have you ever had a huge handful of things you had to take to class, but didn’t seem to have enough arms (or hands) to carry it all? If you answered no to any of these questions, then you are a liar liar pants on fire, hanging my a telephone wire!!!! One reason I know, is because there are many great, over-achieving students, who make those mistakes, and if the over-achievers make those mistakes, so do regular students and under-achievers! I think that the solution to all these problems would be to be able to carry bags or backpacks to all of our classes! The first reason I think this would benefit us, is because you wouldn’t be late to class. Second, because you wouldn’t be unprepared. Third, because you would have a place to put all of your stuff. I think that being on time would be a great benefit!
The first reason we should be allowed to bring backpacks to class is because it would be easier to be on time to class. I know this seems like an odd reason, but it is true! How, you ask? Because if we could bring backpacks to class, we could just stick all of our things in there that we needed for all of our classes, and we would not need to stop at our lockers, and get our binders. If we stopped at our lockers between every class, we would probably be late to at least a couple of them. If we didn’t need to stop at our lockers, we would be on time to class, or maybe even early! If we didn’t have to stop at our lockers, we could also be more prepared for our next class period.
The second reason we should be allowed to bring backpacks to class is because we would be more prepared! You wouldn’t have to stop at your locker, barely make it to class on time, then remember you came unprepared, and forgot something in your locker! You could just have everything in your bag that you needed, and keep it there for the rest of the day! This is a great benefit from being able to carry bags around school, but not the only one.
The third reason is that we wouldn’t have to have books and binders, notebooks and folders piled in our arms up to our chins. We wouldn’t have to struggle with carrying things! For example: One time I had TONS of things to carry to one of my classes, then I get right out of the door of my classroom, look down the hall, and see that I dropped a book! So…with everything in my hands, I struggled back down the hall, bent down to pick up my book, and EVERYTHING fell! I had to pick them back up, then was late to class! By having a bag, I wouldn’t have had that problem!
In conclusion, we should be allowed to carry backpacks around the school to each of our classes so it would decrease the amount of tardies, increase our preparedness, and eliminate the struggle to carry a lot of books and binders and what not to our classes!
The first reason we should be allowed to bring backpacks to class is because it would be easier to be on time to class. I know this seems like an odd reason, but it is true! How, you ask? Because if we could bring backpacks to class, we could just stick all of our things in there that we needed for all of our classes, and we would not need to stop at our lockers, and get our binders. If we stopped at our lockers between every class, we would probably be late to at least a couple of them. If we didn’t need to stop at our lockers, we would be on time to class, or maybe even early! If we didn’t have to stop at our lockers, we could also be more prepared for our next class period.
The second reason we should be allowed to bring backpacks to class is because we would be more prepared! You wouldn’t have to stop at your locker, barely make it to class on time, then remember you came unprepared, and forgot something in your locker! You could just have everything in your bag that you needed, and keep it there for the rest of the day! This is a great benefit from being able to carry bags around school, but not the only one.
The third reason is that we wouldn’t have to have books and binders, notebooks and folders piled in our arms up to our chins. We wouldn’t have to struggle with carrying things! For example: One time I had TONS of things to carry to one of my classes, then I get right out of the door of my classroom, look down the hall, and see that I dropped a book! So…with everything in my hands, I struggled back down the hall, bent down to pick up my book, and EVERYTHING fell! I had to pick them back up, then was late to class! By having a bag, I wouldn’t have had that problem!
In conclusion, we should be allowed to carry backpacks around the school to each of our classes so it would decrease the amount of tardies, increase our preparedness, and eliminate the struggle to carry a lot of books and binders and what not to our classes!
We shouldn't have to take Gym!
Do you ever get tired of people, especially school counselors, telling you what classes you have to take? “You MUST take Physical Education, because you are all getting fat because you eat the rubber school lunches,” the counselors practically scream in your ear. Well, personally I like to be able to choose my classes, so I can have fun in school. I don’t want to have to take Math, Science, or Geography, but I especially do not want to take Gym! The first reason I don’t want to have to take Gym is because we could use that class period for doing something we actually want to do. Second, because we just repeat the same thing everyday. Third, because some people exercise and don’t need gym. There are so many reasons why we shouldn’t have to take gym!
The first reason we shouldn’t have to take Gym is because we could free up that class period and take any extra class that we actually WANT to take! I hate being forced to do certain things, and one thing I really don’t like is to be forced to take a class. Instead of taking Gym, I could be taking Photography, Choir, or I could be a T.A. I would love to be taking a different class, especially Photography, instead of Gym! I would then be able to experience something new!
The second reason we should not have to take Gym is because we just repeat the same thing over, and over, and over again! I am so tired of hearing, “Run for 5 minutes, then hold flamingos for 10 seconds, then do 20 pushups, then do 50 crunches!” It gets so darn boring listening to monotone voices yelling the same thing to us day after day, week after week, month after month, then finally, year after year! We do the same sports every time! Inline skating, volleyball, basketball, softball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, badminton, and soccer. At first glance that list of activities looks long. But when you do those things day after day, for all three years of junior high, then realize you have more to come in high school, it is dreadful! It feels like I do the same things every stinking day! Although this is a good reason we should not have to take Gym, it is not the only reason.
The third reason we should not have to take Gym is because some people exercise and don’t need to take gym to get exercise. I don’t mean to be a stuck-up, snotty cheerleader, who thinks she is better that everyone else, but I do cheer every day, but still have to take Gym. I have early morning practice twice a week, practice every day, and games at least twice a week. I don’t mean to be rude when I say: We do work harder than the people in Gym do. They slack off, and stop working as soon as the Gym teachers stop looking. I also go to the gym at least once a week, and exercise then also.
In conclusion, students should get to choose to take Gym, especially if they are physically involved in other sports. We shouldn’t be forced to do the exact same thing every day for all three years we are in junior high, then be forced to do the same thing in high school!
The first reason we shouldn’t have to take Gym is because we could free up that class period and take any extra class that we actually WANT to take! I hate being forced to do certain things, and one thing I really don’t like is to be forced to take a class. Instead of taking Gym, I could be taking Photography, Choir, or I could be a T.A. I would love to be taking a different class, especially Photography, instead of Gym! I would then be able to experience something new!
The second reason we should not have to take Gym is because we just repeat the same thing over, and over, and over again! I am so tired of hearing, “Run for 5 minutes, then hold flamingos for 10 seconds, then do 20 pushups, then do 50 crunches!” It gets so darn boring listening to monotone voices yelling the same thing to us day after day, week after week, month after month, then finally, year after year! We do the same sports every time! Inline skating, volleyball, basketball, softball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, badminton, and soccer. At first glance that list of activities looks long. But when you do those things day after day, for all three years of junior high, then realize you have more to come in high school, it is dreadful! It feels like I do the same things every stinking day! Although this is a good reason we should not have to take Gym, it is not the only reason.
The third reason we should not have to take Gym is because some people exercise and don’t need to take gym to get exercise. I don’t mean to be a stuck-up, snotty cheerleader, who thinks she is better that everyone else, but I do cheer every day, but still have to take Gym. I have early morning practice twice a week, practice every day, and games at least twice a week. I don’t mean to be rude when I say: We do work harder than the people in Gym do. They slack off, and stop working as soon as the Gym teachers stop looking. I also go to the gym at least once a week, and exercise then also.
In conclusion, students should get to choose to take Gym, especially if they are physically involved in other sports. We shouldn’t be forced to do the exact same thing every day for all three years we are in junior high, then be forced to do the same thing in high school!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Bitter-sweet Farewells
I understand that many of you may not be as close to your family as I am to mine, so you may not think you relate to this essay, but I guarantee you have had an experience that relates to this. If you have ever felt heartache because you have to say good-bye to someone you love for a period of time, you have had an experience that relates to this essay. Good-byes are both bad and good even though they may sometimes seem very sad. Farewells are a bitter-sweet experience.
I went to Orlando, Florida with my family this past week. It was an amazing experience! My brother has been gone on a mission for two years, so my family has not been all together during that time. We had a great time with my whole entire family which includes: my two sisters, brother, two brothers-in-law, niece, nephew, mom, and dad. It was a great bonding time with a lot of time spent together especially since the majority of the days were spent in Walt Disney World, which is very family-friendly! The days flew by like minutes, and soon enough, it was our last day together. Those few hours of our last day, bolted past like seconds, we arrived at the airport, and too soon, it was time to say our good-byes. One of my sisters lives in New York City, so I do not know when I will see her next. Many tears were shed because we knew that we would not see her for a long time, and we did not want to say good-bye. This was the moment my whole family was dreading during our vacation. The farewell. I won’t go into detail about the farewell, but I am sure you have all felt the feeling I felt at that moment.
My head was pumping, my mind was clouded. My eyes were swollen because of the waterfalls that had poured out of them. My heart was pounding and felt like it was made of glass and was just dropped on concrete: Shattered. I felt the agonizing pain of not knowing when I would see one of my very best friends again: my sister. If you have ever felt any of these things or had to say good-bye to someone you love, you can empathize with me and feel my heartache.
At the same time, farewells are a sweet thing too. The reason you have to experience the heartache of good-byes, is because you got to spend time with someone you loved in the first place. If you didn’t say good-bye, you wouldn’t have even gotten to see your loved-one.
Farewells are a bitter-sweet experience, and I am grateful for them. They are sweet because you got to see someone you love in the first place, but they are bitter because it is so heartbreaking to have to say good-bye to someone you love. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to say good-bye to my sister, because it was so fun seeing her and being with her for a few days.
I went to Orlando, Florida with my family this past week. It was an amazing experience! My brother has been gone on a mission for two years, so my family has not been all together during that time. We had a great time with my whole entire family which includes: my two sisters, brother, two brothers-in-law, niece, nephew, mom, and dad. It was a great bonding time with a lot of time spent together especially since the majority of the days were spent in Walt Disney World, which is very family-friendly! The days flew by like minutes, and soon enough, it was our last day together. Those few hours of our last day, bolted past like seconds, we arrived at the airport, and too soon, it was time to say our good-byes. One of my sisters lives in New York City, so I do not know when I will see her next. Many tears were shed because we knew that we would not see her for a long time, and we did not want to say good-bye. This was the moment my whole family was dreading during our vacation. The farewell. I won’t go into detail about the farewell, but I am sure you have all felt the feeling I felt at that moment.
My head was pumping, my mind was clouded. My eyes were swollen because of the waterfalls that had poured out of them. My heart was pounding and felt like it was made of glass and was just dropped on concrete: Shattered. I felt the agonizing pain of not knowing when I would see one of my very best friends again: my sister. If you have ever felt any of these things or had to say good-bye to someone you love, you can empathize with me and feel my heartache.
At the same time, farewells are a sweet thing too. The reason you have to experience the heartache of good-byes, is because you got to spend time with someone you loved in the first place. If you didn’t say good-bye, you wouldn’t have even gotten to see your loved-one.
Farewells are a bitter-sweet experience, and I am grateful for them. They are sweet because you got to see someone you love in the first place, but they are bitter because it is so heartbreaking to have to say good-bye to someone you love. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to say good-bye to my sister, because it was so fun seeing her and being with her for a few days.
Restructuring the School day (Yes...this is different than the first...it is new and improved!)
Restructuring the School Day
Are you ever overwhelmed because you seem to have too much homework and not enough time to do it? Do you ever feel like you don’t have time to participate in all of you extra activities in addition to school? Do you feel as though you do not have enough energy to make it through the day? If these apply to you, I have come up with an ingenious plan to reconstruct the school day! My proposals are first, there should be a “Study Hall” class period, and second, we should have a longer lunch break. I believe that by making these small changes to the school day, it will add to our energy, and take away from our stress! To my doubting readers, you will no longer hesitate in agreeing with me. There would be many benefits that would come from reconstructing the school day. The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is the students would have time to go out for lunch, so they could have a chance to get savory, mouth-watering, healthy food. Second, this longer lunch break would act as a temporary recess. Third, it has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. The first benefit that would come from creating a “Study Hall” period is students would have more time to do their homework. Second, it could also free up another class period if a student chooses. Third, it would give the teachers time to get done what they need to. Obviously, one important benefit in this situation is time.
The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is the students would have time to go out to lunch. Not only should we be allowed to go out for lunch because school lunches are fake plastic, rubber, and disgusting but also because they are very unhealthy. For example: school lunches consist of hamburgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice casserole saturated in fat, greasy broccoli and cheese with random hairs in it, cake chips, rubber hot dogs, expired milk, and unknown meat deep fried in grease and fat. If that sounds healthy or delicious to you, please feel free to eat school lunch. If not, you would agree with me that we should have more time to eat, so we could go home or to a restaurant and eat healthier, tastier food. This is not the only benefit that would come from having a longer lunch.
The second benefit that would come from extending the lunch period is that the break would act like a recess. Students could go home to eat and relax while preparing for the second half of school. At the same time, teachers could also be doing the same. They could take time to grade the students’ assignments, so they would not have to stay after school for that reason. While relaxing or getting things done is nice, we also should take advantage of this time to eat slower.
The third benefit is that we would have more time to eat our food. It has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. Beside the fact that you have time to savor your flavorful food when you eat slower, statistics show people who eat slower get fewer stomach aches afterward, because everything that “didn’t agree” with you, has time to digest before actually causing sickness or illness. You also build a stronger body by eating slower, because your body has time to absorb the nutrients in your food. Not only are there benefits of eating slower, there are also consequences of eating too fast. Experts say, “If you eat too fast there is a major delay in feeling your fullness; therefore we tend to overeat, which contributes to weight gain.” Eating too fast can cause indigestion and heartburn. It can also weaken your digestive system, which leads to a weak immune system, which means getting ill more often. Most people do not realize how critical it is to take your time when eating meals, but it creates a healthier body, and less sickness. Creating a longer lunch is part of reconstructing the school, but not all of it.
The first benefit of creating a “study hall” period is that students could optimize this time to do homework, freeing after school hours to pursue other interests. Many students are involved in many after school activities, but do not have enough time for them, because of the demands of homework. Thus, the benefit of “Study Hall”: freeing up time after school, and significantly reducing the amount of time spent on homework at home, but not the overall time spent studying. During “Study Hall”, the computer labs would also be open so if students needed to use computers for homework, they could do so. Although this is an important benefit from creating “Study Hall”, it is not the only positive point.
The second benefit is it could free up another class period for those students who choose. Obviously, there are always some students who do not make good use of time that is given to get homework done, so they could choose to take another elective class during this time. This class would replace homeroom classes, and would not be required. The teachers would be available to answer any questions the students might have on their homework, and the students could also seek help from their peers during this time. This elective class would take place once a day at the end of the day at the same time for everyone, even though the students would be separated into many different classrooms. I believe that by creating “Study Hall” as an elective class, there would be a significant rise in grades, but this time would also help teachers, not just students.
The third benefit is the teachers could get the things done they need to. This would act as a “prep” period, for those teachers who choose to supervise “Study Hall”, instead of teaching a class. Teachers could take this time to grade assignments, so they would not have to stay after school for long hours.
In conclusion, restructuring the school day by creating a longer lunch period will be more convenient, and by taking time to eat, will create a stronger, healthier body, and will limit sicknesses. Also, reconstructing the school day by creating an optional “Study Hall” class period, will significantly raise the students’ grades, and will reduce the demand for spending countless hours doing homework at home.
Are you ever overwhelmed because you seem to have too much homework and not enough time to do it? Do you ever feel like you don’t have time to participate in all of you extra activities in addition to school? Do you feel as though you do not have enough energy to make it through the day? If these apply to you, I have come up with an ingenious plan to reconstruct the school day! My proposals are first, there should be a “Study Hall” class period, and second, we should have a longer lunch break. I believe that by making these small changes to the school day, it will add to our energy, and take away from our stress! To my doubting readers, you will no longer hesitate in agreeing with me. There would be many benefits that would come from reconstructing the school day. The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is the students would have time to go out for lunch, so they could have a chance to get savory, mouth-watering, healthy food. Second, this longer lunch break would act as a temporary recess. Third, it has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. The first benefit that would come from creating a “Study Hall” period is students would have more time to do their homework. Second, it could also free up another class period if a student chooses. Third, it would give the teachers time to get done what they need to. Obviously, one important benefit in this situation is time.
The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is the students would have time to go out to lunch. Not only should we be allowed to go out for lunch because school lunches are fake plastic, rubber, and disgusting but also because they are very unhealthy. For example: school lunches consist of hamburgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice casserole saturated in fat, greasy broccoli and cheese with random hairs in it, cake chips, rubber hot dogs, expired milk, and unknown meat deep fried in grease and fat. If that sounds healthy or delicious to you, please feel free to eat school lunch. If not, you would agree with me that we should have more time to eat, so we could go home or to a restaurant and eat healthier, tastier food. This is not the only benefit that would come from having a longer lunch.
The second benefit that would come from extending the lunch period is that the break would act like a recess. Students could go home to eat and relax while preparing for the second half of school. At the same time, teachers could also be doing the same. They could take time to grade the students’ assignments, so they would not have to stay after school for that reason. While relaxing or getting things done is nice, we also should take advantage of this time to eat slower.
The third benefit is that we would have more time to eat our food. It has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. Beside the fact that you have time to savor your flavorful food when you eat slower, statistics show people who eat slower get fewer stomach aches afterward, because everything that “didn’t agree” with you, has time to digest before actually causing sickness or illness. You also build a stronger body by eating slower, because your body has time to absorb the nutrients in your food. Not only are there benefits of eating slower, there are also consequences of eating too fast. Experts say, “If you eat too fast there is a major delay in feeling your fullness; therefore we tend to overeat, which contributes to weight gain.” Eating too fast can cause indigestion and heartburn. It can also weaken your digestive system, which leads to a weak immune system, which means getting ill more often. Most people do not realize how critical it is to take your time when eating meals, but it creates a healthier body, and less sickness. Creating a longer lunch is part of reconstructing the school, but not all of it.
The first benefit of creating a “study hall” period is that students could optimize this time to do homework, freeing after school hours to pursue other interests. Many students are involved in many after school activities, but do not have enough time for them, because of the demands of homework. Thus, the benefit of “Study Hall”: freeing up time after school, and significantly reducing the amount of time spent on homework at home, but not the overall time spent studying. During “Study Hall”, the computer labs would also be open so if students needed to use computers for homework, they could do so. Although this is an important benefit from creating “Study Hall”, it is not the only positive point.
The second benefit is it could free up another class period for those students who choose. Obviously, there are always some students who do not make good use of time that is given to get homework done, so they could choose to take another elective class during this time. This class would replace homeroom classes, and would not be required. The teachers would be available to answer any questions the students might have on their homework, and the students could also seek help from their peers during this time. This elective class would take place once a day at the end of the day at the same time for everyone, even though the students would be separated into many different classrooms. I believe that by creating “Study Hall” as an elective class, there would be a significant rise in grades, but this time would also help teachers, not just students.
The third benefit is the teachers could get the things done they need to. This would act as a “prep” period, for those teachers who choose to supervise “Study Hall”, instead of teaching a class. Teachers could take this time to grade assignments, so they would not have to stay after school for long hours.
In conclusion, restructuring the school day by creating a longer lunch period will be more convenient, and by taking time to eat, will create a stronger, healthier body, and will limit sicknesses. Also, reconstructing the school day by creating an optional “Study Hall” class period, will significantly raise the students’ grades, and will reduce the demand for spending countless hours doing homework at home.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Review on 'Streams of Hope' Read article at: http://www.glencoe.com/cgi-bin/pdfServer.pl/sec/science/ose/es_geology/full/docs/NatGeoExpedition.pdf
What makes the red stream red? Or blue? Or orange? Or purple? Or green? Ask the people in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, who live or work next to the Nashua River. The river changed colors everyday, and would surprise locals with its bright and brilliant colors.
In the 1960’s, the Nashua River would turn shocking, vibrant colors. In a National Geographic magazine of 2007 stated, “Locals used to take bets on what color the river would be the next day.” Does this sound cool to you? If so, think again! Pollution is what has caused this river to change colors. Marion Stoddart, a local, was not about to let the river “die”. She gathered many people to all work together, to recreate the river, and make it swimmer-friendly. Through hard work, lots of money, and helping hands, the river was revived and is now a protected watershed, and is swimmer friendly. Although this is a huge accomplishment, there are still thousands of polluted watersheds, rivers, and streams to be cleaned and protected.
Personally, I think it is absolutely ridiculous that the Nashua River even got to that point of pollution. I would think that people would have used their common sense, and just not pollute it! Do you see me throwing junk into rivers? Do you see me dumping harmful chemicals into streams!?!?! I don’t think so! It just seems like you would just KNOW not to do that, WITHOUT having to be told!!! You HAVE to know SOMETHING must be wrong when a river is orange. Not just clear with a hint of orange, but bright, vibrant, unmistakable orange. Although this river shouldn’t have even been polluted at all (especially to the point of pollution it was at), I think it is great that SOMEONE was brave enough to take a stand and put their foot down! I think that Marion Stoddart is a hero for stepping up and making people care about the environment, and the Nashua river! Even if few people realize it, that one woman has made a HUGE impact on that river. Had it not been for her, we would still be “placing color bets.”
In National Geographic, it mentions that Marion Stoddart observed the river, and was “appalled” by its appearance. She said, “The highest form of life in the North Nashua was sludge worms.” If it gets to the point of all life dying in a river, I’m pretty sure it’s time for someone to do something about it, don’t you? Marion Stoddart was the person brave enough to act on her words. She set out to do the “impossible”, but “was not a lonely person out in the wilderness. She did it by making key allies.”
The Nashua River was once polluted to the point of “no return”, it changed colors even! But yet, Marion Stoddart wouldn’t let the river “die”. She set out to do the impossible and saved the river, even when no one believed she could. I think we should all do the same as Marion, and do our part in saving and reviving our environment.
In the 1960’s, the Nashua River would turn shocking, vibrant colors. In a National Geographic magazine of 2007 stated, “Locals used to take bets on what color the river would be the next day.” Does this sound cool to you? If so, think again! Pollution is what has caused this river to change colors. Marion Stoddart, a local, was not about to let the river “die”. She gathered many people to all work together, to recreate the river, and make it swimmer-friendly. Through hard work, lots of money, and helping hands, the river was revived and is now a protected watershed, and is swimmer friendly. Although this is a huge accomplishment, there are still thousands of polluted watersheds, rivers, and streams to be cleaned and protected.
Personally, I think it is absolutely ridiculous that the Nashua River even got to that point of pollution. I would think that people would have used their common sense, and just not pollute it! Do you see me throwing junk into rivers? Do you see me dumping harmful chemicals into streams!?!?! I don’t think so! It just seems like you would just KNOW not to do that, WITHOUT having to be told!!! You HAVE to know SOMETHING must be wrong when a river is orange. Not just clear with a hint of orange, but bright, vibrant, unmistakable orange. Although this river shouldn’t have even been polluted at all (especially to the point of pollution it was at), I think it is great that SOMEONE was brave enough to take a stand and put their foot down! I think that Marion Stoddart is a hero for stepping up and making people care about the environment, and the Nashua river! Even if few people realize it, that one woman has made a HUGE impact on that river. Had it not been for her, we would still be “placing color bets.”
In National Geographic, it mentions that Marion Stoddart observed the river, and was “appalled” by its appearance. She said, “The highest form of life in the North Nashua was sludge worms.” If it gets to the point of all life dying in a river, I’m pretty sure it’s time for someone to do something about it, don’t you? Marion Stoddart was the person brave enough to act on her words. She set out to do the “impossible”, but “was not a lonely person out in the wilderness. She did it by making key allies.”
The Nashua River was once polluted to the point of “no return”, it changed colors even! But yet, Marion Stoddart wouldn’t let the river “die”. She set out to do the impossible and saved the river, even when no one believed she could. I think we should all do the same as Marion, and do our part in saving and reviving our environment.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Reconstructing the School Day
Are you ever overwhelmed because you seen to have too much homework and not enough time to do it? Do you ever feel like you don’t have time to participate in all of you extra activities in addition to school? Do you feel as though you do not have enough energy to make it though the day? If these apply to you, I have come up with an ingenious plan to reconstruct the school day! My proposals are first, that there should be a “Study Hall” class period, and second, that we should have a longer lunch break. I believe that by making these small changes to the school day, it will add to our energy, and take away from our stress! To my doubting readers, you will no longer hesitate in agreeing with me. There would be many benefits that would come from reconstructing the school day. The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is that the students would have time to go out from lunch, so they could have a chance to get savory, mouth-watering, healthy food. Second, this longer lunch break would act as a temporary recess. Third, it has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. The first benefit that would come from creating a “Study Hall” period is that students would have more time to do their homework. Second, it could also free up another class period if a student chooses. Third, it would give the teachers time to get done what they need to. Obviously, one important benefit in this situation is time.
The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is that the students would have time to go out to lunch. Not only should we be allowed to go out for lunch because school lunches are fake plastic, rubber, and disgusting but also because they are very unhealthy. For example: school lunches consist of hamburgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice casserole saturated in fat, greasy broccoli and cheese with random hairs in it, cake chips, rubber hot dogs, expired milk, and unknown meet deep fried in grease and fat. If that sounds healthy or delicious to you, please feel free to eat school lunch. If not, you would agree with ma that we should have more time to eat, so that we could go home or to a restaurant and eat some healthier, tastier food. This is not the only benefit that would come from having a longer lunch.
The second benefit that would come from extending the lunch period is that the break would act like a recess. Students could go home to eat and relax while preparing for the second half of school. At the same time, teachers could also be doing the same. They could take time to grade the students’ assignments, so that they would not have to stay after school for that reason. While relaxing or getting things done is nice, we also should take advantage of this time to eat slower.
The third benefit is that we would have more time to eat our food. It has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. Beside the fact that you have time to savor your flavorful food when you eat slower, statistics show that people who eat slower get fewer stomach aches afterward, because everything that “didn’t agree” with you, has time to digest before actually causing sickness or illness. You also build a stronger body by eating slower, because your body has time to absorb the nutrients in your food. Not only are there benefits of eating slower, there are also consequences of eating too fast. Experts say, “If you eat to fast there is a major delay in feeling your fullness; therefore we tend to overeat, which contributes to wait gain.” Eating too fast can cause indigestion and heartburn. It can also weaken your digesting system, which leads to a weak immune system, which means getting ill more often. Most people do not realize how critical it is to take your time when eating meals, but it creates a healthier body, and less sickness. Creating a longer lunch is part of reconstructing the school, but not all of it.
The first benefit of creating a “study hall” period is that students could optimize this time to do homework, freeing after school hours to pursue other interests. Many students are involved in many after school activities, but do not have enough time for them, because of the demands of homework. Thus, the benefit of “Study Hall”: freeing up that time after school, and significantly reducing the amount of time spent on homework at home, but not the overall time spent studying. During “Study Hall”, the computer labs would also be open so that if students needed to use computers for homework, they could do so. Although this is an important benefit from creating “Study Hall”, it is not the only positive point.
The second benefit is that it could free up another class period for those students who choose. Obviously, there are always some students that do not make good use of time that is given to get homework done, so they could choose to take another elective class during this time. This class would replace homeroom classes, and would not be required. The teachers would be available to answer any questions the students might have on their homework, and the students could also seek help from their peers during this time. This elective class would take place once a day at the end of the day at the same time for everyone, even though the students would be separated into many different classrooms. I believe that by creating “Study Hall” as an elective class, there would be a significant rise in grades, but this time would also help teachers, not just students.
The third benefit is that the teachers could get the things done that they need to. This would act as a “prep” period, for those teachers that choose to supervise “Study Hall”, instead of teaching a class. Teachers could take this time to grade assignments, so that they would not have to stay after school for long hours.
In conclusion, reconstructing the school day by creating a longer lunch period will be more convenient, and by taking time to eat, will create a stronger, healthier body, and will limit sicknesses. Also, reconstructing the school day by creating an optional “Study Hall” class period, will significantly raise the students’ grades, and will reduce the demand for spending countless hours doing homework at home.
The first benefit that would come from making a longer lunch period is that the students would have time to go out to lunch. Not only should we be allowed to go out for lunch because school lunches are fake plastic, rubber, and disgusting but also because they are very unhealthy. For example: school lunches consist of hamburgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice casserole saturated in fat, greasy broccoli and cheese with random hairs in it, cake chips, rubber hot dogs, expired milk, and unknown meet deep fried in grease and fat. If that sounds healthy or delicious to you, please feel free to eat school lunch. If not, you would agree with ma that we should have more time to eat, so that we could go home or to a restaurant and eat some healthier, tastier food. This is not the only benefit that would come from having a longer lunch.
The second benefit that would come from extending the lunch period is that the break would act like a recess. Students could go home to eat and relax while preparing for the second half of school. At the same time, teachers could also be doing the same. They could take time to grade the students’ assignments, so that they would not have to stay after school for that reason. While relaxing or getting things done is nice, we also should take advantage of this time to eat slower.
The third benefit is that we would have more time to eat our food. It has been proven that eating slower is much healthier for your body. Beside the fact that you have time to savor your flavorful food when you eat slower, statistics show that people who eat slower get fewer stomach aches afterward, because everything that “didn’t agree” with you, has time to digest before actually causing sickness or illness. You also build a stronger body by eating slower, because your body has time to absorb the nutrients in your food. Not only are there benefits of eating slower, there are also consequences of eating too fast. Experts say, “If you eat to fast there is a major delay in feeling your fullness; therefore we tend to overeat, which contributes to wait gain.” Eating too fast can cause indigestion and heartburn. It can also weaken your digesting system, which leads to a weak immune system, which means getting ill more often. Most people do not realize how critical it is to take your time when eating meals, but it creates a healthier body, and less sickness. Creating a longer lunch is part of reconstructing the school, but not all of it.
The first benefit of creating a “study hall” period is that students could optimize this time to do homework, freeing after school hours to pursue other interests. Many students are involved in many after school activities, but do not have enough time for them, because of the demands of homework. Thus, the benefit of “Study Hall”: freeing up that time after school, and significantly reducing the amount of time spent on homework at home, but not the overall time spent studying. During “Study Hall”, the computer labs would also be open so that if students needed to use computers for homework, they could do so. Although this is an important benefit from creating “Study Hall”, it is not the only positive point.
The second benefit is that it could free up another class period for those students who choose. Obviously, there are always some students that do not make good use of time that is given to get homework done, so they could choose to take another elective class during this time. This class would replace homeroom classes, and would not be required. The teachers would be available to answer any questions the students might have on their homework, and the students could also seek help from their peers during this time. This elective class would take place once a day at the end of the day at the same time for everyone, even though the students would be separated into many different classrooms. I believe that by creating “Study Hall” as an elective class, there would be a significant rise in grades, but this time would also help teachers, not just students.
The third benefit is that the teachers could get the things done that they need to. This would act as a “prep” period, for those teachers that choose to supervise “Study Hall”, instead of teaching a class. Teachers could take this time to grade assignments, so that they would not have to stay after school for long hours.
In conclusion, reconstructing the school day by creating a longer lunch period will be more convenient, and by taking time to eat, will create a stronger, healthier body, and will limit sicknesses. Also, reconstructing the school day by creating an optional “Study Hall” class period, will significantly raise the students’ grades, and will reduce the demand for spending countless hours doing homework at home.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Adding an Extra Three Minutes in Between Class Periods
Do you ever find yourself “booking” it to your next class? Do you have to go to your locker in between classes, but you just don’t have time? I always find myself in this position. I am always running in between my classes, and barely making it to my next class on time. I am sure I am not the only student in our school who feels that way. A good solution to this problem would be to add an extra three minutes in between our classes, so that we have time to go to our lockers, and make it to our next class on time. The first benefit that would come from this is that students would make it to there class on time. Second, the students would have time to go to their lockers, and third, the teachers could have more time to prepare the classrooms for the students, and for the following class period. Adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be a very positive thing!
The first benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that students could make it to their class on time. Teachers are sometimes “fed up” with students being late. By adding an extra three minutes for “hallway time”, the amount of tardies in the school would significantly decrease. Many of the students just have a long way to walk in between classes, but just have a difficult time getting to class on time and going to their lockers. This is not the only benefit from this solution.
The second benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that students would be more prepared for their next class period. Many teachers also complain about students not being prepared for class. Adding three extra minutes in between classes would also significantly reduce the amount of students that are unprepared for the next class period. By adding an extra three minutes to “hallway time” helps the students, but also the teachers.
The third benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that teachers would have more time to prepare for the next class period. Many times when I walk into the classrooms, I find that teachers aren’t ready to teach yet, and they make us sit and wait for them to get prepared. Does that seem fair to the students, when the teachers complain about us being unprepared for class when the bell rings? I don’t think so! Teachers could have the papers they needed to be passed out, already handed out on the students’ desks when they get in class, and they would have more time to finish grading their papers that aren’t done being graded!
In conclusion, adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be a great solution to tardies, and students and teachers being unprepared for their next class period. This would be a positive addition to the school’s schedule!
The first benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that students could make it to their class on time. Teachers are sometimes “fed up” with students being late. By adding an extra three minutes for “hallway time”, the amount of tardies in the school would significantly decrease. Many of the students just have a long way to walk in between classes, but just have a difficult time getting to class on time and going to their lockers. This is not the only benefit from this solution.
The second benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that students would be more prepared for their next class period. Many teachers also complain about students not being prepared for class. Adding three extra minutes in between classes would also significantly reduce the amount of students that are unprepared for the next class period. By adding an extra three minutes to “hallway time” helps the students, but also the teachers.
The third benefit that would come from adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be that teachers would have more time to prepare for the next class period. Many times when I walk into the classrooms, I find that teachers aren’t ready to teach yet, and they make us sit and wait for them to get prepared. Does that seem fair to the students, when the teachers complain about us being unprepared for class when the bell rings? I don’t think so! Teachers could have the papers they needed to be passed out, already handed out on the students’ desks when they get in class, and they would have more time to finish grading their papers that aren’t done being graded!
In conclusion, adding an extra three minutes in between classes would be a great solution to tardies, and students and teachers being unprepared for their next class period. This would be a positive addition to the school’s schedule!
Monday, January 11, 2010
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” vs. The Odyssey
How often do you even hear about Mythology? Why do we even need it? Is there even a point to it? I often ask myself these questions, especially since we have been intensely studying this subject in Mr. Thompson’s class. I have come to realization that we do use Mythology in every day life, even if we do not realize it. Many children’s storybooks are based off of Mythology stories. I also did not realize that many movies are based off of certain Mythology stories. For example, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” is a “spoof” off of the Mythology story, The Odyssey. I personally, found that after watching this movie, it was difficult to compare it to The Odyssey, so I will begin with the contrasting points. First, the main character in The Odyssey is royalty, and not law-breaking criminals. Second, unlike The Odyssey, the story is not violent or gruesome, and nobody dies in this movie. The comparing points are first, they have quite a journey, wandering away from home, in an unfamiliar place. Second, several of the characters in this movie relate to those in The Odyssey. Both of the stories have similar events, but also opposite ones too!
The first contrasting point in The Odyssey is that the main character, Odysseus, is a king, and considered important to those around him. He is a well-liked ruler, and respected by those around him, other rulers and kings, and also those he is the ruler over. However, in the movie “O brother, Where Are Thou?” the main characters are law-breaking, unimportant and undesired criminals. They disobeyed the laws, and were put on a prison farm in Mississippi, to crush rocks so that they did not have to interfere with society. The farm was hard, but at the same time safe, and they were not put into any danger while they were there.
Second, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” does not have a violent or gruesome storyline. They are going through a long journey, but they are somewhat safe while traveling. In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men are put in very dangerous situations, and there are many deadly experiences. For example: When they are trapped with the Cyclops, or with the flesh-eating monsters, or falling down waterfalls to their doom, or going to the underworld and slowly having the life sucked from their fragile mortal bodies. Although these storylines are opposite in many ways, they are also similar in many ways also.
The first comparing point is that in both stories, the characters experience quite a journey. They wander away far from home or any familiar place, and are both searching to find the path to take them home. There is a long journey that they must endure in both stories. Throughout the journey in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” they meet several characters that relate to those in Mythology.
Second, in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Delmar, Pete, and Ulysses meet some strange people who are much like those in The Odyssey. For example: The sirens (The singing women at the river), and a Cyclops (the one-eyed Bible salesman).
In conclusion, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and The Odyssey are both similar and opposite in many aspects, and are both related to Mythology stories.
The first contrasting point in The Odyssey is that the main character, Odysseus, is a king, and considered important to those around him. He is a well-liked ruler, and respected by those around him, other rulers and kings, and also those he is the ruler over. However, in the movie “O brother, Where Are Thou?” the main characters are law-breaking, unimportant and undesired criminals. They disobeyed the laws, and were put on a prison farm in Mississippi, to crush rocks so that they did not have to interfere with society. The farm was hard, but at the same time safe, and they were not put into any danger while they were there.
Second, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” does not have a violent or gruesome storyline. They are going through a long journey, but they are somewhat safe while traveling. In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men are put in very dangerous situations, and there are many deadly experiences. For example: When they are trapped with the Cyclops, or with the flesh-eating monsters, or falling down waterfalls to their doom, or going to the underworld and slowly having the life sucked from their fragile mortal bodies. Although these storylines are opposite in many ways, they are also similar in many ways also.
The first comparing point is that in both stories, the characters experience quite a journey. They wander away far from home or any familiar place, and are both searching to find the path to take them home. There is a long journey that they must endure in both stories. Throughout the journey in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” they meet several characters that relate to those in Mythology.
Second, in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Delmar, Pete, and Ulysses meet some strange people who are much like those in The Odyssey. For example: The sirens (The singing women at the river), and a Cyclops (the one-eyed Bible salesman).
In conclusion, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and The Odyssey are both similar and opposite in many aspects, and are both related to Mythology stories.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
New Years Resolutions
Are you already tired of hearing about New Years Resolutions? Are you tired of writing about them? Are you tired of telling them? Are you tired of reading about them? If the last applies to you, READ NO FURTHER!!!!!!!! This essay is all about New Years Resolutions, so if you absolutely positively hate this essay, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Anyway…Every Year at the beginning of January, pretty much all you ever hear about are goals. There are long term goals. There are short term goals. There are monthly goals, and yearly goals, and even seasonal goals! There are a few kind of goals I personally think are important to focus on when setting goals and New Years Resolutions. First, I think it is important to set physical goals. Second, I think mental and emotional goals are important as well. Third, I believe that social and spiritual goals are important.
First, I believe that physical goals are very important. If you do not set physical goals, either because you don’t want to, or you are too lazy, or you just forget, there ARE consequences. You could turn fat and lazy, and just unhealthy. Some consequences are a little more subtle and not quite as dramatic, but physical goals are still important to be made so that you can keep your body healthy and in shape. Although physical goals are very important to make there are other kinds of important goals to make also.
Second, I also believe that mental goals are also very important to make and maintain. For example: Getting a 4.0 GPA in school, reading a certain amount of pages a day, or a certain amount of books in a certain amount of time, or writing a page a day, or writing an essay every week. These kind of goals are very important too, because if you do not exercise these kind of skills, you will loose them forever, and will turn stupid, and all your knowledge will be gone forever never to return! Ok, once again I exaggerated for the dramatic effect, but you will still slowly loose every bit of knowledge you don’t practice over time. I know it is not always fun to make mental goals, but it is still very important. Mental goals also link with emotional goals.
Third, emotional goals are important to make also. Many people do not understand what emotional goals are, and I guess I am one of those people! Maybe just make a goal to be less selfish and be less emotional toward yourself, and more emotional and sympathetic toward others. Try to understand what others are going through and help them overcome their emotional challenges.
Next, social goals are important also. If you make social goals it will help you become a nicer, friendlier person. What are social goals you ask? They are goals like the ones that follow: Make a new friend every day. Go out of your way to sit by someone new at lunch. Ask 10 people you don’t know what their names are every day…etc.
Last, Spiritual goals are a good thing to make. Spiritual goals mostly have to do with your personal values and religion. For example: Participate in church activities, don’t watch Rated-R movies, don’t go to parties that don’t have any adults at them, become more involved in your religion, don’t swear…etc.
In conclusion, goals are very important to make. Although they are not fun to list over and over again, they are very important! They help your body’s health and will make you have a better experience in life!
First, I believe that physical goals are very important. If you do not set physical goals, either because you don’t want to, or you are too lazy, or you just forget, there ARE consequences. You could turn fat and lazy, and just unhealthy. Some consequences are a little more subtle and not quite as dramatic, but physical goals are still important to be made so that you can keep your body healthy and in shape. Although physical goals are very important to make there are other kinds of important goals to make also.
Second, I also believe that mental goals are also very important to make and maintain. For example: Getting a 4.0 GPA in school, reading a certain amount of pages a day, or a certain amount of books in a certain amount of time, or writing a page a day, or writing an essay every week. These kind of goals are very important too, because if you do not exercise these kind of skills, you will loose them forever, and will turn stupid, and all your knowledge will be gone forever never to return! Ok, once again I exaggerated for the dramatic effect, but you will still slowly loose every bit of knowledge you don’t practice over time. I know it is not always fun to make mental goals, but it is still very important. Mental goals also link with emotional goals.
Third, emotional goals are important to make also. Many people do not understand what emotional goals are, and I guess I am one of those people! Maybe just make a goal to be less selfish and be less emotional toward yourself, and more emotional and sympathetic toward others. Try to understand what others are going through and help them overcome their emotional challenges.
Next, social goals are important also. If you make social goals it will help you become a nicer, friendlier person. What are social goals you ask? They are goals like the ones that follow: Make a new friend every day. Go out of your way to sit by someone new at lunch. Ask 10 people you don’t know what their names are every day…etc.
Last, Spiritual goals are a good thing to make. Spiritual goals mostly have to do with your personal values and religion. For example: Participate in church activities, don’t watch Rated-R movies, don’t go to parties that don’t have any adults at them, become more involved in your religion, don’t swear…etc.
In conclusion, goals are very important to make. Although they are not fun to list over and over again, they are very important! They help your body’s health and will make you have a better experience in life!
Relationships with your siblings
Do you have a brother? Or a sister? Or neither? Or both? How would you describe them? How would you describe your relationship with them? Would you mostly say positive or negative things about them? If you could share one experience you had with them would it be good or bad? Would it be funny or sad? These are questions you can ask yourself to test your relationship with your siblings. If you do not have a good or close relationship with them, there are several ways you can grow close to them. First, through trials and hardships you can become closer to them. Second, if they have lived or been away from you for a while, and third, if you try your very hardest to not fight with them. These reasons are often unwanted, but they help you grow closer to your siblings.
First, through trials and hardships you become closer to your siblings. For example: This year has been a hard year for my family’s physical health. During the summer I had back surgery. It was hard, but with the help of my friends and family, I got through it, and they took on my burdens. I thought the worst was over, but I must have “thought wrong”. My mom has bad shoulders, and both of her rotator cuffs are torn. Three months after my back surgery, she decided to get her surgery done with. Her surgery was almost harder for me than mine was. I was the “mom” of my family. Although I am the youngest, I still had many jobs I had to do. I had to continue with my responsibilities and in addition, add my mom’s responsibilities too. It was my job to clean the house. It was also my job to cook the meal (dinner) for my family. In addition to that, I had school, homework, and all my “extra-curricular” activities I had to worry about. In December, my dad had back surgery, and I have had to watch him go through a lot of pain and suffering, and I have had to do many things for him. Last year was physically, mentally, and emotionally draining for me. Although it was hard, my siblings have helped me through it, and we have grown closer together.
Second, if your siblings have lived or been away from you for a while, you grow closer to them. For example: My sister and her husband live in New York City (Manhattan, New York). My other sister, her husband, and her two kids lived in Southern California (Mission Viejo, California). My brother lives in Northern California (San Jose area). When I haven’t seen them for a long time, and then they all come to visit, it is more exciting than if we got to see each other often. Because my siblings live away, we have grown closer together.
Third, if you try your hardest to not fight with your siblings, you will become closer. Every time you want to say something bad to them, think before you speak. Don’t say what you want to and replace that rude thought about them with a good one. Try to understand their position and perspective, and if you can’t, ask them in a nice way. Talk to them, (do not yell or scream or slam doors in their face) Listen to them, and don’t fight with them.
In conclusion, if you go through trials and hardships with your siblings, if they have lived away, and you try your hardest not to fight with them, you will grow closer and develop a better relationship with your siblings.
First, through trials and hardships you become closer to your siblings. For example: This year has been a hard year for my family’s physical health. During the summer I had back surgery. It was hard, but with the help of my friends and family, I got through it, and they took on my burdens. I thought the worst was over, but I must have “thought wrong”. My mom has bad shoulders, and both of her rotator cuffs are torn. Three months after my back surgery, she decided to get her surgery done with. Her surgery was almost harder for me than mine was. I was the “mom” of my family. Although I am the youngest, I still had many jobs I had to do. I had to continue with my responsibilities and in addition, add my mom’s responsibilities too. It was my job to clean the house. It was also my job to cook the meal (dinner) for my family. In addition to that, I had school, homework, and all my “extra-curricular” activities I had to worry about. In December, my dad had back surgery, and I have had to watch him go through a lot of pain and suffering, and I have had to do many things for him. Last year was physically, mentally, and emotionally draining for me. Although it was hard, my siblings have helped me through it, and we have grown closer together.
Second, if your siblings have lived or been away from you for a while, you grow closer to them. For example: My sister and her husband live in New York City (Manhattan, New York). My other sister, her husband, and her two kids lived in Southern California (Mission Viejo, California). My brother lives in Northern California (San Jose area). When I haven’t seen them for a long time, and then they all come to visit, it is more exciting than if we got to see each other often. Because my siblings live away, we have grown closer together.
Third, if you try your hardest to not fight with your siblings, you will become closer. Every time you want to say something bad to them, think before you speak. Don’t say what you want to and replace that rude thought about them with a good one. Try to understand their position and perspective, and if you can’t, ask them in a nice way. Talk to them, (do not yell or scream or slam doors in their face) Listen to them, and don’t fight with them.
In conclusion, if you go through trials and hardships with your siblings, if they have lived away, and you try your hardest not to fight with them, you will grow closer and develop a better relationship with your siblings.
Food
I am eating right now and it is my favorite thing to do, so I figured that is what I will write my essay about. It is amazing how many different things you can do with different food. It is even more amazing how many different things you can do with the SAME food! My first example is a potato, my second example is milk, and my third example is a meal of noodles or rice. Every time I think about food, I become more and more amazed at all the varieties.
My first example of different things you can do with the same food involves potatoes. You can do so many things with them! You can bake them once, (baked potato) and eat them with sour cream, cheese, butter, salt, pepper, or pretty much whatever else you feel like putting on there. If you choose, you may bake them twice, (twice-baked potato) and eat them with salt, and pepper, and cheese. If you grate potatoes and add salt, pepper, and olive oil, you get hash browns. If you dice potatoes, you just get deliciousness. If you slice them and bake them in the oven, you can make potato chips. You can also slice them and add onions, cheese, salt, pepper, and olive oil! Some people mash them and add milk to make them creamy, which brings me to my second example.
My second example is milk. You can drink it plain, and enjoy the creaminess of it! There is Skim milk, 1 percent of the fat left in the milk, 2 percent fat, or whole! There is chocolate and strawberry, vanilla and peach, even root beer! You use milk in cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, ice cream, and whipped cream. You can even add it to hot chocolate, and other hot beverages! You can add it in smoothies and milk shakes. You can add it to recipes to make the meal creamier. You can pretty much add it to any recipe you want! You can add it to Spaghetti, tomato soup, cream of broccoli soup, cheesy soup, potato soup, chicken or chicken noodle soup! Milk is a great thing to drink, cook with, and make treats with! Milk is one of many things that you can do a lot of things with!
My third examples of variety of food are noodles and rice. Noodles are used in many different countries and in different cultures also. Noodles are used in Chinese and Japanese food, Italian food, soups. and Mediterranean food. Rice is used in many different dishes as well. It is used in Hawaiian food, Japanese food, Chinese food, soups, Mexican food, Indian food, African, Thai, Korean, and Vietnam food!
There are so many things you can do with so many different kinds of food! What is more amazing is the variety of meals you can create with the SAME food. It varies from noodles and rice, to milk, to potatoes, to tomatoes, to oranges, to bread, to onions, to zucchini, to cucumbers...and the list goes on! We should all experiment and try new and different kinds of meals with the same vegetables, fruits, and grains we love!
My first example of different things you can do with the same food involves potatoes. You can do so many things with them! You can bake them once, (baked potato) and eat them with sour cream, cheese, butter, salt, pepper, or pretty much whatever else you feel like putting on there. If you choose, you may bake them twice, (twice-baked potato) and eat them with salt, and pepper, and cheese. If you grate potatoes and add salt, pepper, and olive oil, you get hash browns. If you dice potatoes, you just get deliciousness. If you slice them and bake them in the oven, you can make potato chips. You can also slice them and add onions, cheese, salt, pepper, and olive oil! Some people mash them and add milk to make them creamy, which brings me to my second example.
My second example is milk. You can drink it plain, and enjoy the creaminess of it! There is Skim milk, 1 percent of the fat left in the milk, 2 percent fat, or whole! There is chocolate and strawberry, vanilla and peach, even root beer! You use milk in cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, ice cream, and whipped cream. You can even add it to hot chocolate, and other hot beverages! You can add it in smoothies and milk shakes. You can add it to recipes to make the meal creamier. You can pretty much add it to any recipe you want! You can add it to Spaghetti, tomato soup, cream of broccoli soup, cheesy soup, potato soup, chicken or chicken noodle soup! Milk is a great thing to drink, cook with, and make treats with! Milk is one of many things that you can do a lot of things with!
My third examples of variety of food are noodles and rice. Noodles are used in many different countries and in different cultures also. Noodles are used in Chinese and Japanese food, Italian food, soups. and Mediterranean food. Rice is used in many different dishes as well. It is used in Hawaiian food, Japanese food, Chinese food, soups, Mexican food, Indian food, African, Thai, Korean, and Vietnam food!
There are so many things you can do with so many different kinds of food! What is more amazing is the variety of meals you can create with the SAME food. It varies from noodles and rice, to milk, to potatoes, to tomatoes, to oranges, to bread, to onions, to zucchini, to cucumbers...and the list goes on! We should all experiment and try new and different kinds of meals with the same vegetables, fruits, and grains we love!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Prometheus: The Giver of Fire (I worked very hard on this report, so I figured I would use it for one of my essays!)
“I’m on fire!” You hear someone yell. Have you ever thought about where that fire came from? It came from Prometheus. Prometheus did not like Zeus and his ways. Prometheus wanted man-kind to receive the gift of fire, but Zeus did not agree. He thought it was much too dangerous. Mortals experienced no pleasure, but also no sorrow. They experienced no happiness but also no pain or sadness. Prometheus still did not agree with Zeus. He took a spark in his hands from the sunset, and gave humans the gift of fire. When Zeus found out he was very mad, and took Prometheus to Caucasus and chained him to a rock. The chains were unbreakable even to Prometheus. An eagle was sent to torment him for the space of eternity, eating his stomach, and chewing at his liver. Because Prometheus was an immortal, he could not die. To his despair, his liver was renewed every day, only to have it torn by the eagle the next. It was a vicious cycle. Finally, one day a brave man got the courage to rescue Prometheus. His name was Haracles, who we now know as Hercules. After saving Prometheus from Caucasus and the killing the vicious eagle, he became a hero. First, many myths tell us that the reason we have the things we do, is because of the gods. Second, in many myths heroes and titans defy the gods, and go against the god’s wishes. Third, Gods punish or curse both mortals and immortals. The story of Prometheus is similar to many other myths.
First, many myths tell us that the reason we have the things we do, is because they came from the gods. The first example of this is the story of Pandora. Pandora was a beautiful young woman. She received many gifts, one from each god. One of the gifts, if a gift at all, was the gift of curiosity. The gods gave her a box and the lock to the box. They were harsh, and told her to not open it, even with her curiosity. She decided that the best and least tempting easy way to keep from opening the box, would be to burry it deep into the ground. With her curiosity, Pandora could bear it no longer. She dug up the box from the ground, took they key, and opened the box. Realizing what a terrible thing she had done, shut the box as quickly as she could, but it was too late. All the evil things escaped from the box, out into the world, but along with those came hope. That is the reason we have evil things on earth. The second example is Poseidon. From his we received dolphins and horses. The third example is the story of Narcissus and Hyacinth. Many young women were in love with him, but he rejected them all. One young woman, Echo, went to a lonely place and faded away until her sad cries were all that was left of her. The goddess Nemesis, in anger, made Narcissus fall in love with his own reflection in the pool. When he was staring at his reflection in the pond, he fell in and was replaced with Hyacinth flowers. Although gods gave humans many gifts, both mortals and immortals defy the gods.
Second, Titans and heroes defy the gods. When they thought they could go against the gods, compete with them, or disobey them, it often resulted in trouble. The story of Arachne is a good example of this. Arachne told Athena that she could spin better and faster than her. As you may have guessed, that was a big mistake. This mistake was not made just once, but again by Midas. Midas told Apollo that Pan could play the flute better than Apollo. Once again, this resulted in disaster. Defying gods almost always resulted in gods cursing or punishing people.
Third, gods curse and punish people in many myths. The punishments were not easy. They were often impossible (or supposed to be), and many times last forever. The eternal punishments are demonstrated in at least three different myths. First, is the story of Sisyphus. Sisyphus revealed a secret affair of Zeus, and as a punishment, had to roll a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again. This is an obvious eternal punishment. Second, is the story of Tantalos. Tantalos tried to steal immortality from the gods. He was chained to a lake, with fruit trees. Frustrated, he reached for the fruit, but they were always just out of reach. When he tried to drink the water from the lake, the water magically dried up and disappeared. Since he was immortal, this temptation lasted forever. Last is the story of Ixion. Ixion tried to seduce Zeus’s wife. As a punishment, he was chained to a rotating wheel, spinning around forever. The moral of these stories are to listen, obey, and not make the people over you or in a higher position than you angry.
In Conclusion, Prometheus is similar to other myths because we received gifts from gods, gods curse people, and people defy the gods in many myths. Not only can the moral of these stories be applied to other myths and fairytales, but also in modern times.
First, many myths tell us that the reason we have the things we do, is because they came from the gods. The first example of this is the story of Pandora. Pandora was a beautiful young woman. She received many gifts, one from each god. One of the gifts, if a gift at all, was the gift of curiosity. The gods gave her a box and the lock to the box. They were harsh, and told her to not open it, even with her curiosity. She decided that the best and least tempting easy way to keep from opening the box, would be to burry it deep into the ground. With her curiosity, Pandora could bear it no longer. She dug up the box from the ground, took they key, and opened the box. Realizing what a terrible thing she had done, shut the box as quickly as she could, but it was too late. All the evil things escaped from the box, out into the world, but along with those came hope. That is the reason we have evil things on earth. The second example is Poseidon. From his we received dolphins and horses. The third example is the story of Narcissus and Hyacinth. Many young women were in love with him, but he rejected them all. One young woman, Echo, went to a lonely place and faded away until her sad cries were all that was left of her. The goddess Nemesis, in anger, made Narcissus fall in love with his own reflection in the pool. When he was staring at his reflection in the pond, he fell in and was replaced with Hyacinth flowers. Although gods gave humans many gifts, both mortals and immortals defy the gods.
Second, Titans and heroes defy the gods. When they thought they could go against the gods, compete with them, or disobey them, it often resulted in trouble. The story of Arachne is a good example of this. Arachne told Athena that she could spin better and faster than her. As you may have guessed, that was a big mistake. This mistake was not made just once, but again by Midas. Midas told Apollo that Pan could play the flute better than Apollo. Once again, this resulted in disaster. Defying gods almost always resulted in gods cursing or punishing people.
Third, gods curse and punish people in many myths. The punishments were not easy. They were often impossible (or supposed to be), and many times last forever. The eternal punishments are demonstrated in at least three different myths. First, is the story of Sisyphus. Sisyphus revealed a secret affair of Zeus, and as a punishment, had to roll a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again. This is an obvious eternal punishment. Second, is the story of Tantalos. Tantalos tried to steal immortality from the gods. He was chained to a lake, with fruit trees. Frustrated, he reached for the fruit, but they were always just out of reach. When he tried to drink the water from the lake, the water magically dried up and disappeared. Since he was immortal, this temptation lasted forever. Last is the story of Ixion. Ixion tried to seduce Zeus’s wife. As a punishment, he was chained to a rotating wheel, spinning around forever. The moral of these stories are to listen, obey, and not make the people over you or in a higher position than you angry.
In Conclusion, Prometheus is similar to other myths because we received gifts from gods, gods curse people, and people defy the gods in many myths. Not only can the moral of these stories be applied to other myths and fairytales, but also in modern times.
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