Elie Wiesel's Night horrified me with it's true history. I was a little apprehensive because of the title but I was not sure what the title meant.
The theme was one that has been used many a time but not quite like this. Night is the true story of Elie Wiesel, main character and author, as he and his family are ripped from their home and forced into a concentration camp by the name: Auschwitz. Mr. Wiesel was only 15 when these events took place during World War II and amongst the Holocaust. Elie saw things that no child or adult should ever have to experiance. He watched as his own mother and sisters were taken away from him. He saw his own father beaten before his eyes and go mad from illness that resulted in his father's death. Night is one boy's struggle to survive and keep his faith in God. But he starts to lose faith because he believes God turned his back on the Jews.
A book it reminds me of is The Diary of Anne Frank. Because both are about young children during the Holocaust. Not only this, but they are also the authors of their own books. As for current events. the book reminds me of how dictators in foreign countries are taking away the rights of their people.
The character is absolutly believable! Night is the true account of Elie Wiesel, whom the book is about and is also authored by, how could I not believe in the characters?! The characters were alive. They felt the hardships. They performed the beatings. They died senselessly because of the ideals of a madman. The characters once lived.
The book was excellent but it also made me sick. I was barely able finish Night because it disturbed me so thouroghly. My suggestions would be to an older audience.
Pages: 115
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
About Me: Junior Year
This school year has been my toughest year to date. When seniors tell you that to watch out for junior year they were not kidding in the least! But the fun part is that...junior is the last year before senior year! I can hear the graduation music already.
Junior year has had up and downs. But so do roller coasters! So if I put two and two together then junior year has been a terrifying, exuberant experience. Yes, junior year has been hard. Yes, junior year has made me want to curl up into a ball and cry. No, I would not change it for the world.
My expectations for senior year are high. I want my years of toiling in the fields of knowledge to pay off and create an enjoyable year of relaxation. Well, that was what I was hoping to happen... Until I signed up for college algebra, physics, anatomy, and advanced animal sciences. Shame. On. Me. But I will try my hardest and hopefully graduate with honors!
Junior year has had up and downs. But so do roller coasters! So if I put two and two together then junior year has been a terrifying, exuberant experience. Yes, junior year has been hard. Yes, junior year has made me want to curl up into a ball and cry. No, I would not change it for the world.
My expectations for senior year are high. I want my years of toiling in the fields of knowledge to pay off and create an enjoyable year of relaxation. Well, that was what I was hoping to happen... Until I signed up for college algebra, physics, anatomy, and advanced animal sciences. Shame. On. Me. But I will try my hardest and hopefully graduate with honors!
Friday, May 20, 2011
My Research Paper on Lance Armstrong's Struggle With Cancer
My research topic was quite simple. The topic was on how Lance Armstrong's struggle with cancer validated his faith and resiliency in the face of dehumanization. The information I gathered in my paper was to prove his validation but also on how greatly he fought to control his destiny.
The most interesting detail that I learned was that he refused the use of traditional cancer therapy. Instead he opted for the more aggressive cancer therapy. The reason was because the traditional method would've damaged his lungs, this would ruin his racing career.
Lance was being dehumanized by cancer. To him it took away something that meant everything to him: his career in racing. Racing was what made up his life. The career payed for his bills, supported his family, and gave him great joy in life. Instead of laying down and letting the cancer kill him, Lance decided to fight back with the help of his family's faith and fought off the terrible disease.
The most interesting detail that I learned was that he refused the use of traditional cancer therapy. Instead he opted for the more aggressive cancer therapy. The reason was because the traditional method would've damaged his lungs, this would ruin his racing career.
Lance was being dehumanized by cancer. To him it took away something that meant everything to him: his career in racing. Racing was what made up his life. The career payed for his bills, supported his family, and gave him great joy in life. Instead of laying down and letting the cancer kill him, Lance decided to fight back with the help of his family's faith and fought off the terrible disease.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Book Review: Anthem
Ayn Rand's Anthem chilled me to think what the future could become. The title did not obviously tell me what the book was about.
Theme is quite extraordinary. It's about a young man seperating from the herd of mindless men in an obsolete world. Equality 7-2521, the main character, is different from the others. In a world where he may do nothing for himself, but only for the contribution to his fellow man. It may sound perfect but this world is horrible. The people can be thrown in jail just for thinking about his self. Even if it is just his hopes and dreams. Equality is different. He wishes for himself. Hopes for himself. Thinks of himself. He is not self-absorbed. Equality is just the same as any other person in our reality. He still wishes to help his "brothers". Liberty 5-3000, the second most important character, is the woman that Equality dares to put his own eyes upon. In this world, choosing whom you love above others is a sin. A terrible sin that would be horribly punished. Even with the obstacles, Equality loves Liberty and can only think of her. He affectionatly calls her, "Golden One".
A book it reminds me greatly of is The Giver. Because both are about a world where decisions are ripped out of the people's hands. As for current events, it reminds me of dictators taking away people's rights, such as in Libya.
The characters are believable because even though their fellow people are brainwashed, Equality and Liberty act just like us. Equality thinks of himself and not only of others. He loves the woman of his choice. He thinks differently than the herd. Liberty is like any other woman. She enjoys the attention of man who loves her. She can be embarrased, loving, and loyal.
The book was wonderful. I could not put it down. In fact, the book was so good that I finished it within an hour.
Pages: 105
Theme is quite extraordinary. It's about a young man seperating from the herd of mindless men in an obsolete world. Equality 7-2521, the main character, is different from the others. In a world where he may do nothing for himself, but only for the contribution to his fellow man. It may sound perfect but this world is horrible. The people can be thrown in jail just for thinking about his self. Even if it is just his hopes and dreams. Equality is different. He wishes for himself. Hopes for himself. Thinks of himself. He is not self-absorbed. Equality is just the same as any other person in our reality. He still wishes to help his "brothers". Liberty 5-3000, the second most important character, is the woman that Equality dares to put his own eyes upon. In this world, choosing whom you love above others is a sin. A terrible sin that would be horribly punished. Even with the obstacles, Equality loves Liberty and can only think of her. He affectionatly calls her, "Golden One".
A book it reminds me greatly of is The Giver. Because both are about a world where decisions are ripped out of the people's hands. As for current events, it reminds me of dictators taking away people's rights, such as in Libya.
The characters are believable because even though their fellow people are brainwashed, Equality and Liberty act just like us. Equality thinks of himself and not only of others. He loves the woman of his choice. He thinks differently than the herd. Liberty is like any other woman. She enjoys the attention of man who loves her. She can be embarrased, loving, and loyal.
The book was wonderful. I could not put it down. In fact, the book was so good that I finished it within an hour.
Pages: 105
Friday, April 1, 2011
Book Review: Stolen Children
Peg Kehret's Stolen Children brought me to tears. As I've said before, it's all in the title of what to expect.
The theme is quite normal. A young girl using her wits to outsmart the criminals and in the process finding redemption for misdeeds in her past. Amy (main character) is a fourteen year old babysitter who is asked to babysit a rich, well-known woman's only child. But when the kidnapping of the child she's babysitting goes terribly awry, the kidnappers decide to take her too. Kendra (second main character) is three years old and the subject of the abduction. She is very sweet and even cuddles up to the men who take her because she does not know that they are blackguards. Kendra also has a stuffed cat named Tubby whom she uses to speak for her.
A book that it reminds me of is Abduction! Because both are about a young child getting kidnapped. As for current events, it coexists with the children that are stolen everyday in America and all over the world.
The characters are once again very believable. I felt the girl's hardships and victories along with them and at one point I felt myself connect with one of the kidnappers that kept Amy safe from his partner. Amy just wants to make things right and show her dead father that he should never have a reason to be ashamed of her. Kendra was my favorite though. She is so utterly adorable and sweet that you wish you could pick her up and cuddle the poor child. Through all of this she has no idea what is going on but all that she wants is her mother. Kendra does not even complain about the uncomfortable conditions that she has been placed in.
The book was a wonderful read and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! I would suggest it to any one.
Pages: 176
The theme is quite normal. A young girl using her wits to outsmart the criminals and in the process finding redemption for misdeeds in her past. Amy (main character) is a fourteen year old babysitter who is asked to babysit a rich, well-known woman's only child. But when the kidnapping of the child she's babysitting goes terribly awry, the kidnappers decide to take her too. Kendra (second main character) is three years old and the subject of the abduction. She is very sweet and even cuddles up to the men who take her because she does not know that they are blackguards. Kendra also has a stuffed cat named Tubby whom she uses to speak for her.
A book that it reminds me of is Abduction! Because both are about a young child getting kidnapped. As for current events, it coexists with the children that are stolen everyday in America and all over the world.
The characters are once again very believable. I felt the girl's hardships and victories along with them and at one point I felt myself connect with one of the kidnappers that kept Amy safe from his partner. Amy just wants to make things right and show her dead father that he should never have a reason to be ashamed of her. Kendra was my favorite though. She is so utterly adorable and sweet that you wish you could pick her up and cuddle the poor child. Through all of this she has no idea what is going on but all that she wants is her mother. Kendra does not even complain about the uncomfortable conditions that she has been placed in.
The book was a wonderful read and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! I would suggest it to any one.
Pages: 176
Friday, February 18, 2011
Blog Topic 6: Suicide
Suicide
She tells me she is happy.
She tells me everything is ok.
She tells me she is not lonely.
She tells me she is not sad.
She tells me she is losing herself.
She tells me she can not handle the world any longer.
She tells me she is going to end her life.
I did not listen.
She tells me she is happy.
She tells me everything is ok.
She tells me she is not lonely.
She tells me she is not sad.
She tells me she is losing herself.
She tells me she can not handle the world any longer.
She tells me she is going to end her life.
I did not listen.
Book Review: Here Lies Arthur
Philip Reeves's Here Lies Arthur depressed me like a funeral.
Pages: 339
Pages: 339
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Theme Word for 2011
My theme word for 2011 would have to be anticipation. Because at this point in the year there is so many things to be excited about! There's the prom, Valentine's Day, the beginning of summer, and my birthday. Who wouldn't be anticipating this year?
With prom you get to buy a dress, be pampered, and become a princess for one night of your life. Not to mention the cute boys that girls will be shepherding onto the dance floor. As for the seniors, this is the last prom of their lives, at least for most, so they'll be wanting to savor every moment of the dance and the afterparty. Boys will be anticipating it because of the stress of getting a tuxedo and the chance of meeting the girl of their dreams.
Lastly, there is my seventeenth birthday! Almost every one anticipates the celebration of their birth. But for my birthday we usually go to a theme park and go eat, i love food, so it is a day that I need to be excited about.
With prom you get to buy a dress, be pampered, and become a princess for one night of your life. Not to mention the cute boys that girls will be shepherding onto the dance floor. As for the seniors, this is the last prom of their lives, at least for most, so they'll be wanting to savor every moment of the dance and the afterparty. Boys will be anticipating it because of the stress of getting a tuxedo and the chance of meeting the girl of their dreams.
Lastly, there is my seventeenth birthday! Almost every one anticipates the celebration of their birth. But for my birthday we usually go to a theme park and go eat, i love food, so it is a day that I need to be excited about.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Jaguar Stones: Middleworld
Jon Voelkel's Jaguar Stones: Middleworld excited me to the core. From even the title of this story one can tell it will have an ancient them.
Theme is kind of blunt. The theme is about Max Murphy, the main character, going from a spoiled brat to an understanding, kinder boy. He is a selfish boy who only thinks of himself and what he can get out of a situation. But as we dig deeper we see him as he understands the errors he's done in his life. Uncle Tim, a minor major character, is his uncle. Uncle Tim acts as if he hates Max and pays him barely any attention and tries to keep Max out of his hair. But in the true reality, he loves Max like the son he never had. He'd do anything to keep him safe.
A book it reminds me of is First Boy. Because both are about a boy longing for their parents. As for current events, the destruction and tourism of the rain forests.
The characters are very believable. I fell in love with each of them, even the ones I hated, by the end of the story. Max is the arrogant, spoiled brat who feels like the world owes him everything. The boy who always plays the victim in the situation, but becomes a hero in the end. Uncle Tim is by far my favorite. He has an aristocratic air about him. Through all his poor fortune, he is one of the richest men in the country the story takes place. He is also a caring uncle, deep deep deep deep deep down and go a little farther.
The story was excellent, even if Max got terribly on my nerves. The plot was excellent though.
Pages: 400
Theme is kind of blunt. The theme is about Max Murphy, the main character, going from a spoiled brat to an understanding, kinder boy. He is a selfish boy who only thinks of himself and what he can get out of a situation. But as we dig deeper we see him as he understands the errors he's done in his life. Uncle Tim, a minor major character, is his uncle. Uncle Tim acts as if he hates Max and pays him barely any attention and tries to keep Max out of his hair. But in the true reality, he loves Max like the son he never had. He'd do anything to keep him safe.
A book it reminds me of is First Boy. Because both are about a boy longing for their parents. As for current events, the destruction and tourism of the rain forests.
The characters are very believable. I fell in love with each of them, even the ones I hated, by the end of the story. Max is the arrogant, spoiled brat who feels like the world owes him everything. The boy who always plays the victim in the situation, but becomes a hero in the end. Uncle Tim is by far my favorite. He has an aristocratic air about him. Through all his poor fortune, he is one of the richest men in the country the story takes place. He is also a caring uncle, deep deep deep deep deep down and go a little farther.
The story was excellent, even if Max got terribly on my nerves. The plot was excellent though.
Pages: 400
Friday, January 7, 2011
Blog #1: Facebook Peeves
Facebook is one of the focle points of a teen's life. We learn more about friends and keep in touch with old flames. Not to mention old classmates you have not seen in years. But as I log on each afternoon to check what is up with my friends, my stomach churns as I read the feed. I see my facebook peeves. Usually feel my eye twitch half-way through reading. These are a few of my facebook peeves. I know at least everyone who reads this can find at least one peeve they relate with.
Ah, lovebirds on facebook, aren't they so deeply in love? One can only guess when you see their gushy messages to each other on your feed. I do not care if you're thinking of "him", missing "him", can't wait to see "him". Go message the guy, call him, or go visit him. Friends can do nothing about it. That may sound a bit harsh. But it is ok to write this once in a while on your profile. But the tenth time in one day is unforgivable.
There is nothing in this world that is gross as hearing of one's "intimate" life. Every. Little. Detail. No one wants to know it!!!! Keep it to themselves is the best option. There's not much else I can say about this subject without sounding vulgar. The point is that the subject of which I speak is despicable.
Last but not my least hated peeve is whining and desperate status'. From this I mean people who write status' and beg for people to respond or act like their life is crumbling for attention. I will not lie, it's worse than pathetic. No one with real problems pours all of it on Facebook looking for help. They would tell a friend, parent, or teacher in person. Well, a person with common sense. Also, the hate of people whining they did not get what they wanted.
These are my peeves and I seem like a jerk. But it's how many people feel on these peeves. Be respectful of your "friends" and give these peeves alone for a day or two.....or forever.
Ah, lovebirds on facebook, aren't they so deeply in love? One can only guess when you see their gushy messages to each other on your feed. I do not care if you're thinking of "him", missing "him", can't wait to see "him". Go message the guy, call him, or go visit him. Friends can do nothing about it. That may sound a bit harsh. But it is ok to write this once in a while on your profile. But the tenth time in one day is unforgivable.
There is nothing in this world that is gross as hearing of one's "intimate" life. Every. Little. Detail. No one wants to know it!!!! Keep it to themselves is the best option. There's not much else I can say about this subject without sounding vulgar. The point is that the subject of which I speak is despicable.
Last but not my least hated peeve is whining and desperate status'. From this I mean people who write status' and beg for people to respond or act like their life is crumbling for attention. I will not lie, it's worse than pathetic. No one with real problems pours all of it on Facebook looking for help. They would tell a friend, parent, or teacher in person. Well, a person with common sense. Also, the hate of people whining they did not get what they wanted.
These are my peeves and I seem like a jerk. But it's how many people feel on these peeves. Be respectful of your "friends" and give these peeves alone for a day or two.....or forever.
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