Revised Six-Word Memoir slide

Six-word memoir: So many adventures; never leaving Germany.

Theme: Overwhelmed with all of the excitement of staying in a foreign country. Home in the U.S. seems so unappealing when being compared to Germany.

Tone: euphoric, fervent, gleeful.

Mood: awed, pleased, jubilant.

My Bucket List: An Independent Reading List

1. The Shining by Stephen King
I grew up watching horror movies, many of which being based on Stephen King novels because my dad collects them. More recently, I rewatched the orignal The Shining movie with Jack Nicholson and the three-disk made for TV series. Both movies share many similarities and differences in the story and set-up which gave me the urge to read the book that they are based on.

2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Getting into my senior year I've already started looking and applying for colleges. I discovered that on most college applications they require you to list five to ten examples of classic literature you've read within the past year. Not only is The Catcher in the Rye considered a classic but from what I've heard, it tells a good story.

3. Will Greyson, Will Greyson by John Green
Honestly, I don't know much about this book besides the fact that Olivia is obsessed with this author and highly recommended this book to me. She gave me a brief plot-overview and I think it will have a good story line. John Green also seems to be a pretty esteemed author judging from what many people have told me.

4. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
I already know I love Stephen King from reading Salem's Lot and watching so many of his movies. My dad recommended The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and told me how it was about a girl who gets lost deep in the woods and her love for baseball player, Tom Gordon keeps her sane and helps her make it through. The story seems really gripping and I would really like to read another one of his books.

5. Cut by Patricia McCormick
Over the past year or two I have come across many people who have read Cut and praise the book. I read one of its brief plot summaries and it caught my attention. The compelling story of a fifteen year-old girl who deals with her issues by cutting herself really hooked me.

6. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Both of my parents have read this book and really like it. It's about the story of three children who, when their father dies in a tragic car accident, are left to look to their mother for food and financial security. But because she has never worked, she does not posess any special skills to acquire a job of her own and must ask for help from her millionaire parents. The only problem is, her parents consider the children the 'spawn of Satan' and must be kept in the dark, musty attic at all times. The book tells of the children's lives in the attic and their struggle to get out alive.

7. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
I'm almost positive this book is considered a classic. I found it in one of our book shelves at home and read the back. I like creepy, ghost books and Something Wicked This Way Comes is about a carnival of spirits that comes to a different town around Halloween every year. I love a good ghost story and I've been told that Ray Bradbury is a very good author too.

8. Carrie by Stephen King
Now more than ever, the story behind Carrie interests me. Experiencing my teenage years, the good and bad, I find myself being able to relate to Carrie's character much more. High school is tough no matter who you are. Once again, I love Stephen King, I've seen the movie, and would really love to read the book that it's based off of.

9. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Lord of the Flies was one of the first movies I considered 'scary.' I remember being about seven, flipping through the channels, unaware of what I was about to watch. It terrified me, but now being older, its concept and story line seem much more appealing. My dad has read the book and strongly advises me to read it.

10. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
I saw the movie The Silence of the Lambs a couple years ago and found it really interesting. The book revolves around a young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, as she interviews widely known and feared serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter also known as Hannibal the Cannibal. I would like to pursue a career in the FBI and interviews from criminals and those who are mentally unstable always interest me.

Movie Review: "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955)

World renowned actor James Dean played the role of 17 year-old Jim Stark in the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause." Jim Stark, new to Dawson High School, moved from Los Angeles to get away from old problems that his parents have felt would damage their own reputation. From the beginning of the film, the audience is introduced to Jim's love interest Judy (Natalie Wood), the girlfriend of the the typical teen movie tough guy, Buzz (Corey Allen). Jim and Judy's first encounter is held at the local police station where rebellious Jim is brought after being arrested for public intoxication.
Problems in Jim's home life arrise when both of his parents show up at the station already arguing. The constant fussing and fighting at home is slowing driving Jim off of the edge, feeling abandoned and alone. As the movie progresses, Jim is befriended by Plato (Sal Mineo), the shy teen who, like Jim, has his own problems at home. Buzz, beginning to notice Jim and Judy's attraction to each other, is instantly threatened and challenges Jim to a "chicken run," a death-defying game of driving off a cliff to see who will be named the "chicken" and jump out of the vehicle first. Events take a terrifying turn when Buzz's jacket sleeve gets caught on the inside door handle, restricting him from exiting the vehicle before it drives over the cliff.
Jim, absoarbed with guilt, attempts to inform the police of Buzz's death and hold himself accountable. His parents, fearful for their clean reputation, refuse to let him go but Jim leaves anyway. After finding that no one at the police station will help him, Jim retreats to an old abandoned house with Judy, his new love interest, and Plato. The couple, Jim and Judy, take on the roles of parents to Plato in what seems like a playful game. Eventually, the trio is discovered by Buzz's furious friends and the police. Plato, feeling as if he had nothing to lose, proceeds to fire his gun, causing the police to shoot back. The movie ends with Plato dead and Jim and Judy returned to their parents.
"Rebel Without a Cause" is based around the teenager to parent relationship. Each of the characters' own rebellion seemed to be caused or at least contributed to by their distant relationship with their parents. While Jim's parents are tearing him apart with their constant arguing, Judy's father is hiding his sexual attraction to her and can barely speak to her, and Plato doesn't even have a parental figure. Teens in the 1950s were much more emotionally affected by a struggling relationship with their parents as compared to teenagers today. A bad connection with your mother or father today is seen as a common and normal thing. Though filmed in the 50s, the emotional hardships of Jim, Judy, and Plato shown in the movie are, in some aspects, still relateable to today's teens.
Though many would say "Rebel Without a Cause" is not a 'timeless' movie, it is still considered a classic in today's society. The movie characterizes teens in the 50s, and though they have changed, issues about love, friendship, and family still factor into their lives today. It set the stage for all the teen movies following its release and still yet to come. "Rebel Without a Cause" will remain one of the best movies of all time.

"Time Out!" by Dave Barry

Melina Norris

AP Lang

Harmon

27 Feb. 2012

Better Late Than Never.

An Analysis of “Time Out!” by Dave Barry

            Dave Barry’s embellished fortitude exaggerates the stereotype that women are always late. Barry claims that a woman’s idea of being ‘on time’ is far different from a man’s. He employs hyperbole, satire, and ethos to justify his conclusion that it is genetically impossible for women to be on time.

Barry’s use of hyperbole delineates the misconception women have no concept of time whatsoever. “Women think there is WAY more time in the universe than men do,” a “scientific, statistically valid conclusion [Barry] reached by talking to some guys about their wives.” He

 qualifies the statement that women think there is more time in the universe than men do as a “scientific, statistically valid conclusion” simply because a few other men agreed with him. He classifies all women by his experience with his own wife who is prone to lateness. Because women believe “that the universe has plenty of time,” they interpret leaving for a party at “7:30 to mean ‘around 8,’ or more specifically, ‘9.” Barry fabricates the idea that when women are late, they are very late. Generally, no woman is going to allow herself to be one to two hours late for an event.

Barry utilizes satire to add humor to the stereotype that a woman’s perception of time is far different from a man’s. When catching a plane flight, men will always “factor in a ‘cushion’ to allow for the unexpected,” while women will “arrive at the airport as the plane was taking off” and ask what the hurry is because “the plane isn’t even halfway down the runway yet.” Barry’s sarcasm implies that women see nothing wrong with being late so much that they would arrive an airport to catch a flight as it was already “halfway down the runway.” Because women are often categorized as intelligently superior to men, Barry chooses to exalt one of the few flaws they possess to prove that, in this way, men are better. “I’m almost ready!’ ‘I’m just putting on my makeup!” are phrases commonly heard by men, but to them, “these two statements contradict each other.” “It’s like saying: ‘I’m very short! I’m 38 feet tall!” Barry uses this contradictory statement to emphasize the confusion forced upon men when women claim they’re almost ready, but have to do this or that first. His sarcasm reiterates his “factual” conclusion that the entire female population is physically incapable of being on time.

The ethos Barry uses allows the male readers to relate to his article. He pulls in situations that he himself, along with most all men, has endured with their own wife. “Every minute that a wife spends putting on makeup is experienced as 45 minutes by a husband who has reached the key-jingling stage.” Men can relate to pacing back in forth in agony waiting on their wives to finish getting ready. While women see a few short minutes as nothing, men are already starting to break a sweat. By the time 5 minutes have passed “the husband is a nervous wreck,” while the wife complains that he is rushing her. Barry conveys the animosity men have towards the female habit of tardiness through ethos. He draws men into the article relatable situations he has endured with his own wife.

           

            Barry’s use of hyperbole, satire, and ethos in “Time Out!” efficiently portray the widely known “fact” that women have no concept of time. By over emphasizing one of the few flaws of women, he places men, in this characteristic, as dominant.

Kill 'Em! Crush 'Em! Eat 'Em Raw!

2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
Yes, the comparison between football and war is convincing because much of the terminology is similar. "Field general", "blitz", "front line", "the draft", etc. are all common language in war and football. McMurtry appeals to logos by expanding on the similarities of tactics and schemes war and football share.

3. In paragraph 9, the tone shifts. How is the shift achieved? Explain how the shift mirrors a transition in McMurtry's argument.
McMurtry achieves the shift by reminicsing on his own childhood memories of playing football for the sole reason of having fun. He describes the laughs he had running barefoot on an open green field with no one keeping score. McMurtry transitions from playing football for careless enjoyment to becoming routine and dangerous.

6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a miliaristic side?
Many sports have characterisitics similar to the military. Soccer, Basketball, Rugby, Volleyball, etc. all have two sides fighting to achieve the same goal; winning. Additionally, they use tactics or "game plans" in order to figure out the best way to beat the other team.

7. Who is McMurtry's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football in order to understand what McMurtry is saying about society? Explain.
McMurtry's audience is anyone involved in football; parents, kids, coaches, etc. It isn't necessary for the reader to understand every aspect of football, but it is helpful to understand the physical hardships the game can cause to be able to relate to McMurtry's text.

Standardized testing

Standardized testing is an important factor in helping kids succeed. Standardized test like the ACTAAP and the Benchmark prepare student for more advanced tests like the SAT an ACT.
Students' scores from the earlier standardized tests allow teachers to compare their class scores with the state averages. They also show the teacher each child's capability to learn in comparison to the other students.
Standardized testing only increases a child's chance to score better on others tests and succeed later on in life.

Advertisment: Dress Irresponsibly

The ad we chose is the Pacsun "Dress Irresponsibly" ad. The ad show a young, happy girl draping her body on a bed covered in the brand's clothes. The audience appeals to teen and young people because they want to seem care-free and slightly rebellious.

The use of ethos is shown by that the girl on the ad is attractive with a slight smirk on her face like she has no worries. It makes it seems like teens should want to be like her and be, in a sense, "irresponsible".
The ad is logical because because it symbolizes freedom. A person's sense of style is one thing no one can take away from them. How you dress is your choice and you can't get in trouble for expressing yourself. The model shown is nicely dressed in Pacsun clothing, and the majority of young people want to be looked at as "fashionable".
The girl on the ad looks like she just had a fun night out, and isn't that what all teens want? Underneath the phrase "dress irresponsibly", the ad is saying that if you buy their clothes, you'll be happier. Teens want to live it up while they're still young and the ad perfectly  expresses the typical, fun Friday or Saturday night they all want. The model's expression of happiness pulls at the audience's emotions of longing for fun and carelessness.

Symphony

Symphony, as Pink calls it "aptitude", is the ability to put together pieces. Some professions require symphonic thinking, such as composers, conductors, and artists. Composers and conductors take a variety of musical notes and place them in a pattern to make beautiful music, similar to artists who draw different shapes to create a big picture. Relationships are a large part of symphony. Composers and conductors had to make sure brass doesn't cover the sound of the woodwinds and artists, in drawing a portrait, have to proportion the eyes to not just each other but the entire face.While talking a five-day art class, Pink says his teacher had the class use various techniques out of the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. In curiousity, I checked out the book online and chose one specific technique for my own experiment, drawing upside down. I had a hard time deciding what to draw so I took my sister's preschool picture down and used it. Drawing with the picture faced downward confuses the left, and most commonly used, side of the brain and lets the right side take control. In turning the picture upside down I saw portrait as more of a collaboration of shapes rather than just a photo.

So, here's the picture and what I ended up drawing..

(She had just got done crying before she had her picture made, if you're wondering why she looks sad.)

What happens to forgiveness? (Harlem poem)

What happens to forgiveness?
Does it conquer
like a case proved by a witness
And then all if forgotten?
Does it lie like an sweet girl turned rotten
Or does it lighten the mood
like a vivacious attitude
Maybe it just brings sorrow
like fearing the pain of tomorrow
Or does it deceive?

Character Analysis: Creon

Melina Norris
5-3-11
4B

Character Analysis: Creon

Many people today still agonize over what is truly right and wrong. Should one follow their heart or the law? - is the question. Creon of Sophocles’s Antigone is a prime example of one who struggles with this choice. Creon is a dynamic character, he quickly changes from the stereotypical harsh ruler to feeling more compassion toward Antigone.

Creon denies Antigone a burial for her brother, Polynices, he considers him a traitor. Antigone argues that "[he] was not a slave who died but [my] brother." Creon is the new king of Thebes since both previous rulers, Polynices and Eteocles, were killed in battle. In being so new to the throne, Creon wants everyone to follow the law and under no circumstances break it as he says in Antigone, "am I wrong to protect my own empire?" Clearly, the major conflict in Antigone is man vs. man because it is Antigone against Creon. Creon is consistently always disagreeing with Antigone and threatening her life until all of the hurt his decisions are causing start to tear his family apart.

Seen as a strict, inconsiderate ruler, Creon had many weaknesses and downfalls. He was full of pride and thought that because he is now king, no one is above him and can tell him what to do. Although "it is not [his] custom to disagree with [anyone]," Creon is considered the antagonist because he goes against the main character, Antigone. Though he has many flaws as a king, Creon has one particular strength; he is not easily persuaded. Creon is always firm in what he believes, which can be a good quality in a king. He does not doubt that following the law is the right thing to do until, at the end, he suddenly realizes all of the chaos and damage he has caused.

Creon, at times, comes across as a stern and unfair ruler but really only wants to keep the city of Thebes under control and just. He thinks he is doing what is right, but is not viewing the situation from Antigone’s side who has just lost both of her brothers. Throughout the majority of the Antigone, he stands by what he believes is right and best for the city; following what is law. He believes "[he] [knows] well that no human is strong enough to pollute the gods." But after seeing all the pain and suffering he has caused to his family and to Antigone by denying her brother a proper burial, he has a change of heart. But like all Greek tragedies, Antigone ends in tradgedy.

Because Creon was so harsh he watched his life and everyone in it crumble. Antigone, his son, Haemon, and his wife, Eurydice all took their own lives. Eurydice "struck herself in the heart with her own hand, when she learned the sad fate of her boy," Haemon, who committed suicide after seeing his betrothed’s, Antigone’s, lifeless body hang in the tomb. Creon payed for his bitterness, and although he tried to change, he was too late.

Sex Trafficking in the U.S.

Just about a week ago we had one of the biggest events in football, The Super Bowl. As I was researching sex trafficking, I came across an article titled Sex Trafficking Expected to Skyrocket During Super Bowl. It immediately sparked my interest and I started reading. The article stated that sex trafficking rates were supposed to increase during the Super Bowl, and that 250 underage girls are victims of sex trafficking in North Texas. Over 740 girls are exploited in Texas every year, and "It could be twice as high", Lyssa Jenkens told Dallas News. The study was merely based on online ads and escort services, which does not include all of the underaged girls "working the streets". I honestly had no idea sex trafficking was present in the United States, especially not this many girls. An estimated number of 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked in the U.S. each year for various reasons. Over 50% of the people are children, and 46% of people being trafficked are being sex trafficked. Although sex trafficking may be much more common in the rest of the world, that does not mean it doesn't exist here. I feel so sorry for all of these girls, I don't know much about what a person could do to help but hopefully researching this topic more throughout doing my project will help me with that.

Conely, Molly. "Sex Trafficking Expected To Skyrocket During Super Bowl." Protect Women (2011): n. pag. Web. 14 Feb 2011.

Abusive Relationships in Teens.

Why do girls stay in abusive relationships? There's really no good answer. "1 in 3 teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner," states an article from T.E.A.R. (Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships). 80% of girls who have been abused in their relationships continue to date their abuser. Also, of the girls murdered ages 15-19, 30% of them were killed by their boyfriends/husbands. I think that girls stay with their abusers for many different reasons; they think jelousy and posessiveness is a sign of love, they don't think they would ever love someone else, believe their partner will change, have low self-esteem and so on. I know that it's hard to imagine leaving someone that you've been with for a long time and you can't really picture what it would be like without them. It could be unbareable. But I think girls should just take that chance, they will find someone who really cares for them sooner or later. Nothing is worth getting bruises and broken bones over. Physical abuse isn't the only form of abuse, verbal abuse is somewhat even more common in teen relationships. 71% of girls have experienced verbal aggression after 1 year in a relationship. Verbal abuse can be damaging to the girl's self-esteem because it's a never-ending chain of constant down-put and yelling. That would be so horrible, yet so many girl's feelings for their partner do not change after the abuse. Physical and verbal abuse is increasing every year in teen relationships, something needs to be done.

http://www.teensagainstabuse.org/index.php?q=statistics

My short story*

The Little Blue Dress


I parked my 1927 Ford by Central Park like I do every day at 4 o’ clock. It didn’t take long for her to arrive, she was wearing a short light blue dress with a white collar. It was just like the one Grandmother loved for me to wear as a child. I loved all the dresses that Grandmother gave me to wear but the blue one was special. The girl’s golden hair was in perfectly styled pigtails accented with two little white bows. Her name was Ruth Allen Cravens, she was walking alongside her mother hand in hand. Whenever I saw Ruth, I saw no one else. As I watched them, it seemed as though Ruth had forgotten her ball in the car and her mom ran to go get it. That was my chance, a chance that might never have come again. I quickly emerged from my car and walked to her side. Her eyes met mine, "Hello Ruth, how are you?" I said.
"Uh, hi. I’m fine thank you."At that moment, I knew I had to have her. I rapidly ran through things in my head to reply with.
After a short pause, I came up with "I just talked to your mother and she said she had to run a few errands and that it would be alright for me to take you home."
 "My mommy said not to go anywhere with anyone I don’t know," she said with a blank expression.
 "Well, I just talked to her and if you don’t go with me you might be here by yourself for a long time," I conveyed. Ruth looked around the park, as if she was trying to imagine what it would be like at night.
"Well.. Okay," she answered. She followed me out of the park and I took her hand across the street. "119 Lafayette Street," she said suddenly as we stepped into the vehicle. "Excuse me?" I responded.
"That’s my address, that’s where you have to take me." Ruth declared.
"Oh...Yes, of course." I muttered.
 "Oh okay, well thank you for the ride," she said with a slight grin.
I smiled back, "It’s no problem my dear, trust me." I locked the car doors before we pulled out of the parking lot, there was no way I would let anyone take her away from me then. I lived on White Plains Road, which is in the exact opposite direction from Lafayette Street, it wasn’t long before she noticed that I was not taking her home. "Uh.. you’re supposed to turn that way to get to my house," Ruth said frantically.
"I know sweetheart."
She began to whimper, "Then where are we going?"
"My house is just ten minutes from here, we can have tea and play; I have a lot of nice toys, Ruth" I uttered, trying to calm her.
"But you said you would take me home to my mommy!" Tears began to pour down her cheeks.
"I know, and I will.. Later," I said calmly.
"But you said now! Take me home now!" At that moment I lost all control and slapped her across the cheek.
"..I’m so sorry Ruthie, I don’t know what came over me." She didn’t respond, she simply turned away when I tried to comfort her. We sat in silence for the rest of the drive, I didn’t know what to say. When we pulled up to my house I walked over to the passenger side to have a quick word with Ruth. "I apologize for my behavior Ruth, it was completely unacceptable, could you ever forgive me?" She was staring at the ground, but she eventually nodded. "All right then, let’s go inside," I smiled as I took her hand and lead her to the porch. Ruth murmured something I couldn’t quite understand, "Excuse me dear?" "I’m hungry," she said a little louder.
"Oh! Yes, yes of course," I proclaimed. "What would you like, my sweet Ruthie?"
"A ham sandwich would be nice, one like mommy makes.." I heard her voice begin to tremble as her eyes welled up with tears again.
"I can’t promise it will be just like her’s," I said. "But I know you’ll love it just as much, try and forget about Mommy for a little bit. Can you do that for me?" She slowly nodded. "Okay. Now how about we go find those toys I was telling you about. Hmm?"
"Okay," she said wiping the tears from her eyes. I took her to the back of the house where the stairs to the attic were.
"This way Ruth," I said as I signaled her to follow me. The attic was dusty and dimly lit. Realizing I had not been up there in ages, I remembered how long it had been since I had brought a little girl home. The last one was too loud so she just had to go away. Ruthie meant the world to me, I thought nothing could ever tear us apart. I pulled a toy box out from the back corner, secretly hiding the worn, brown trunk behind it.
"Look Ruthie! Dozens of baby dolls, and stuffed animals for you to enjoy!"
"They’re nice," she said with hesitation.
"What’s wrong sweetheart?" I began to worry.
"I just.. want my mommy!" she shouted.
"You’re never going to see your mommy again! Get that through your head!" As soon as she heard that she bolted down the stairs to the kitchen in an attempt to escape. It didn’t take long for me to catch up with her considering I am a thirty-seven year old and she was only four. When she came in reach, I pulled her back by the collar and firmly grasped her. "Ruth Allen Cravens, don’t you ever do that again!" I said sternly. Kicking and fighting with all her might she managed to break free for another split second until I caught up with her again. Her screams were terrible enough to shatter glass. I reached for a small towel on the counter and wrapped it around her mouth to soften her screams. "Now Ruthie, I have an idea. How about we play dress up? It would be lovely," I said with a persuading grin, "I’ll remove the towel from your mouth if you promise to hush." She nodded. "Okay then, back to the attic," I whispered as I lead her back up the stairs. This time I pushed aside the toy box and reached for the worn, brown trunk hidden behind it.
As I fidgeted with the lock, Ruth asked, "What’s in there?"
"Dresses for you to wear, of course," I said eagerly. I took out a small red dress with a pink bow on the back, the same one that one of the girls Grandmother had brought home had worn.
"Here, put this on and come down stairs when you are finished."
"All right," she muttered. After about a minute or two I heard her little feet come down the stairs.
"Oh, Ruthie. You look beautiful," I said thinking of how jealous Grandmother would have been to see what a beautiful girl I had brought home.
"Thank you..." She responded, staring down at the ground again. All of the sudden, Ruth turned around to push me and sprinted to the door. Stunned for a second, it took me a while to regain my balance, but as soon as I did I headed after her. She reached the front door but struggled with the lock and couldn’t open it in time.
"Why can you not just be quiet?!" I shouted, "None of Grandmother’s little girls gave her this much trouble! I just don’t understand this!" My emotions had started to control my actions, I started to shake her grasping her around the neck, "Why can’t you just be a good little girl and stay with me forever?!" I saw her face as it turned different shades of blue and purple but I couldn’t control myself I was just so angry. I stopped when her eyes started to roll back in her head. She was just too noisy, I told myself, this had to be done. I stared at her motionless body as I realized what I had just done, again. I lifted her up and carried her to the backyard. The roses in my garden had grown beautifully ever since I brought home my first girl. I grabbed a shovel from behind the shed and began to dig. It only took me about fifteen minutes to dig a hole big enough that time. I placed her tiny body deep in the grave and began to fill it back up. When I was finally finished, I scurried back inside to tidy up. I just hated for things to be out of place, it was just something I couldn’t stand. There hadn’t been much to clean downstairs so I went back up to the attic. When I got to the back of the room I came across Ruthie’s little blue dress she had changed out of. "What a shame, it could have been so nice with her," I said as I folded it up and placed it in the old brown trunk. Just then the doorbell rang, I opened the door to the mailman standing on my front porch.
"Hello, are you Mr. Randall Mason?"
"Yes of course I am," I replied.

Compare/Contrast

All three of my Folklore Across Cultures All three ghost stores have similarities and differences. They reflect the different writing and story-telling styles of the various cultures very well I think.
stories were horror stories. The passages I chose, Dancing with the Devil, Screaming Tunnel, and Girl in White, all share some similarities but also differences because of their varied cultures.
My three stories all had only one or two main characters, one of which was a young girl. Although in only two of them the girl dies, Dancing with the Devil and Screaming Tunnel. The main girl in Girl in White was a ghost, thus she was already dead. Additionally, the main female characters in all three stories seemed to be about the same age, in their mid-teens.
Girl in White, Dancing with the Devil, and Screaming Tunnel are all set in different places. Girl in White’s setting is in Mexico, while Dancing with the Devil’s is in Kingsville, Texas, and Screaming Tunnel’s is in Canada; west of Queen Elizabeth Way in Niagra Falls. Girl in White and Dancing with the Devil, although in completely different locations, are both set at a teenage/high school dance.
The stories’ themes are only similar in a way that they all have a slightly creepy twist to the storyline, otherwise they are all pretty different. Screaming Tunnel is about a girl who’s house catches on fire. But she breaks loose, only to be overwhelmed by the flames and burn to death in an old underground tunnel. Legend has it that anyone who strikes a match in the tunnel will hear the girl’s agonizing screams and a ghostly wind will instantly blow out the flame. While the theme in Dancing with the Devil is a girl secretly goes to her high school dance and unknowingly dances with the devil. As he’s spins her, faster and faster, he spins her all the way to hell. Girl in White is about a boy named Ernesto who is lonely at a local dance. He sees a girl with such great beauty, only to find out later that she is a ghost and must leave him.

11 is enough..

The other day I came across an article in the newspapter that caught my eye. The article was about the vice president of the Midland school board, Clint McCance. McCance strongly disapproves of homosexuality and had been writing his own crued opinions about the gay population on facebook. I understand that we live in the south and that most people don't like the idea of gay and lesbian couples or marriage but there is no need to go on a public rant. The article states that McCance commented on how people that support gay relationships wore purple on the 3rd Wednesday of October to honor the 11 suicides of gay teens in September. It just breaks my heart that so many teenagers took their own life because of all the torment they endured because of their homosexuality. It usually takes a lot of teasing and bullying for someone to kill themself, so I can't even imagine what those kids went through at school and maybe even at home. Someone who is on the school board should be understanding of these issues, not bash them on a social network. Believe it or not, many teen suicides are triggered by websites like facebook and myspace. Cyber bullying can be just as hurtful and take just as big of a toll on a confused teen's life as physical bullying. I am a Church of Christ christian so I don't neccessarily promote gay and lesbian relationships but I am not against them. It's their own life and they should be allowed to marry whom ever they choose. There have already been 11 teen suicides in the U.S., how many more do you need, McCance?

3 months, finally over.

It was a hot Auguest evening in 2001 as a walked into the empty white gym awaiting my dad's return. The smell of a freshly waxed floor overwhelmed me as I walked in. It reminded me of how it smells when I step out of an airplane and get that first intake of the outside air, it was friendly and familiar. I could hear all the different families chatting in suspense. I heard whining babies because it was well past their usual bedtime and their mothers quietly hushing them. I look behind me at all the women holding banners reading things like "Welcome home!" and "We missed you!". I could taste the flavor-filled Juicy Fruit gum my mom had just handed me. My mouth started to go dry with anticipation as I turned my head to face the corner of the gym as the door pushed open. One by one soldiers dressed in light shades of camoflouge began to file in. I remember hearing the crowd's booming cheers elevate as each family spotted their loved one(s). I rapidly scan the soldiers for my dad. I finally separate him from the others, he was much tanner than he was before but I recognized him in a heart beat. I could feel my face light up as I catch his eye. His neatly pressed shirt wrinkled as I hugged him. My sister, being only about three years old, just stood there for a minute, unsure of who he was. My mom walked over to hug her husband, by this time my sister began to realize who he was and he lifted her up into his arms to carry her. Holding my dad's hand, we walked back to the car as he began to tell me stories of all the things he saw in the middle east. My dad was finally home.

The suicide pact.

The other day, I came across an article that really caught my attention. It was about two girls who were killed by a speeding Amtrak train in Pennsylvania. In reality it was a suicide, according to a witness and the autopsies. Vanessa Dorwart and Gina Gentile were only fifteen and sixteen when they took their own lives. A third girl was said to have planned to join them but backed out last minute. The girl said Dorwart and Gentile hugged and stepped out onto the tracks just as an Acela from Boston turned the corner. Apparently the reason for the group suicide was because Gentile's boyfriend had just recently died in a car accident and both girls were extremely upset about it. Police said they think up to seven other teens were involved in the suicide pact.
This article just really upset me, I can't understand why two young girls about my age would just suddenly take their own life over a boy. It is heart breaking that the boy died but there's no reason to die too. Friends are supposed to help each other through grievances, not just give up and end everything that is yet to come. It's terrifying how many single and group teen suicides you hear about today. It seems like there's at least one that makes it to big news every few weeks. I just can't comprehend why someone with so much time left to accomplish the world would just drop everything and take their life. I could never imagine I alone, or with a friend commiting suicide for any reason what so ever. I'm sure that if the boy wouldn't have wanted Dorwart and Gentile to jump in front of that train either..

The measures models go to...

You may have heard of the new show, hosted by Jessica Simpson, The Price of Beauty. In the show Jessica and two friends travel the world to various countries to see what their culture's idea of beauty truly is. This past summer I was mindlessly flipping through channels and suddenly stopped on Mtv. The Price of Beauty was on and it was the episode where they visited Paris, France.
As know, Paris is pretty much the fashion central of the world. So while there, they visited some top fashion shows and talked to one specific model, Isabelle Caro. Caro is a former model and suffering with probably the most severe case of anorexia I have ever seen. In the interview Caro explained that a designer told her she had to lose 22 pounds if she ever wanted to model. Isabelle Caro now weighs only about sixty-two pounds. There aren't that many things that really bother me, but this is definately one of them. I don't think you should have to be super skinny to be a model. Ribs, shoulder blades, and a spine sticking out of your body is not attractive... Or healthy. A few years ago, Caro was in a coma and was expected to die. Although she has started eating more now, she is still at an unhealthy weight.
It is unbelievable to think about how many young girls have been torn down and forced to lose weight by the modeling industry. Not only do they develop awful eating habits, but also self esteem issues because they're constantly reminded they're not skinny enough. Girls are constantly battling with low self esteem, anorexia, and bulimia because they think they have to be tiny to be pretty. I don't think the modeling industry realizes what their harsh weight qualifications are really causing..

Blog Post Attempt #2

Wellll, this isn't really my first post. But I deleted the other one.
So let's give this another try :)

Anyways, today.. is Friday!
Oh, and I took my written driver's test yesterday, passed with a 92.
Haha, Olivia :)
I actually just got back from practicing my driving..
So no game for me to go to tonight, awesome.
And... I can sleep in tomorrow :D
Oh. My. Gosh.
I swear I haven't slept in since summer band /:
Then, Maisie's Sweet 16 tomorrow also.
We gonna paaartay :)
[By the way] I have a Twitter. You should follow me.
I get excited when I have new followers :)
So today was an A day. I hate A days.
Mr. Goodwin 1st.. When I'm still sleepy and that's probably the most boring class I've ever taken. Prancers 2nd.. I sweat. Then lunch, and advisory. I like my advirsory class, Coach Howard is hilarious. 3rd is Spanish I, Mrs. Settle is crazy. Thankfully we had a sub today.
And 4th is band, it's still hot outside so it sucks. But it's alright in the mornings on B days.
Yeah, my day was pretty average.
I might write again.. Sometime.. I dunno.

Well bye :)

"I, Too, Sing America" Introductary Paragraph.

In the poem "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes, the man's optimistic determination is showed by how he is treated so badly because of his color but he believes in his country and knows things will get better. Although many do not treat him as an equal, it doesn't reflect on his attitude. In the line, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh and eat well." It shows how he knows they are wrong and will soon realize it when things do change for the better.