A bike ride of thoughts

Analysis : Of Mice and Men

2010-05-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Detail

From his first paragraph, John Steinbeck sets the scene in Of Mice and Men through his use of imagery as he describes the natural world as a parallel to later events in the novella.

The quote "the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green" has imagery. Deep refers to depth in personality and green refers to health. George and Lennie are deep and green. George has depth of personality. Both have good health physically at least.

The "strong and rocky Gabilan mountains" parallels George and Lennie. Strong means stable, while rocky refers to rough or treacherous. George is strong, because he has mental capabilities. Lennie is rocky, because he is of low mentality and acts like a kid by getting himself into trouble a lot of times.

"The leaves lie deep and so crisp" has imagery. Leaves lie deep is like the roots lie deep. Crisp means new or fresh. Curley is like the leaves that lie deep, because his roots lie in the ranch. Lennie and George are crisp, because they are new on the ranch.

"A path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches" parallels the system of the ranches. A path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches refers to men going to the ranches to find work. George and Lennie symbolize a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches. George and Lennie went to the ranches to find work.

"The limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it" parallels later events in the book. Worn smooth by men who have sat on it refers to someone getting injured or harmed by someone else.George symbolizes the limb worn smooth, because he lets the men talk him into shooting his friend Lennie even though he does not want to, but because he knows it will be better than letting him get tortured by getting shot in the guts and bleeding out, to shoot him in the head.

Point Of View

The third-person objective point of view solidifies the solitary lives these men lead.

"Crooks did not see him...on raising his eyes...a scowl came on his face." This quote shows that Crooks is disgusted and does not like human contact. Crooks wants his own space on the Earth, because he was not allowed to stay in the bunkhouse. He figures that if he cannot go in their then no one should be able to go into his place."Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends." (p 68)This quote shows that Lennie s friendly and he relies on human contact.Lennie relies on relationships to help him out, because he is just like a kid and needs someone to help him out. Without relationships he might not be able to stay out of trouble.

"Curley glared at him. His eyes slipped on past and lighted on Lennie." This quote show that Curley is aggressive and full of rage. Curley is a little guy who thinks that he is better than everyone else. He tries to fight anyone for whatever reason he can. "Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then he got up and tried to retreat."(p 62-63)This quote shows that Lennie is helpless and non-aggressive.Lennie is helpless when it comes to fighting others. Since Lennie is a big guy almost everyone thinks that he should be aggressive but they do not realize how low his mentality is.

Tone

The guilt and obligation tones in Steinbeck's passage reflect George's reluctance to kill Lennie but his knowing the necessity to do so.

The word guilt shows reluctance. "George raised gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again." (p 105)the George felt guilty about killing Lennie his best friend who was not mean at all. George felt like Lennie did not know what he was doing doing when he killed Curley's wife and he would not have killed her out of meanness.

The word obligation shows necessity." The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger." (p 106)George felt obligated to kill Lennie because the other guys would kill Lennie in a more treacherous way. George knew the other guys would worry Lennie. George felt obligated to Lennie in all aspects, because he made it his responsiblitity to watch out for Lennie.

Theme

The theme "I am my brother's keeper" fits Of Mice and Men very well,because George and Lennie look out for one another.

"I was jus' foolin', Lennie 'Cause I want you to stay with me." (p 13) Lennie gives George the air of responsibility. George gives Lennie comfort and protection.

"He used to like to hear it so much I got to thinking maye we would."(p 94) Lennie gives George hope to dream of the en of their oppression. George gives Lennie the grand idea of a new life for him without bosses.

"The hand shook violently,but his face setand his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger." George causes Lennie to have a quick end rather than bleed out painfully. George had a hard time kiling Lennie,because he was his best frien. George's shooting Lennie was keeping him because he would have suffered had the other guys shot him.

Home

2010-05-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

When most people think of home the idea of a house comes up,but in the Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange is a tent like thing. What would you do if all you had was a tent to live in and not a house?

During the Great Depression many people were homeless. But truly being homeless is impossible, when you are with the people who care about you. In my opinion there were probably more "homes" during the Great Depression, because there was not as many material possessions to get in the way of family and friends. What do you consider a home?

The fact that people did not have money or houses would be bad. The children most likely did not act up as much as they do now.The migrant mother had to sell almost all she had in order to have a semblance of getting buy. How would you like to have to lose almost all you have?

The Giver

2010-04-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

The Giver shrugged,"Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness." This is what the Giver's explanation was for why all the color's had disappeared. Lois Lowery's The Giverintrigued me with a tale of Sameness and a bleak world.

How would you like there world if it was only in black and white? Jonas's wolrd has the absence of color. Jonas has always felt like there was something missing. No bright cheery colors are found in Jonas's world.

How would you feel if you lived in a world free of emotions? The people in Jonas's world have the pain of minor injuries all right, but noone ever feels true gut-wrenching pain. There is no joy, no sorrow, no loss, no anger, and worst of all no love. When Jonas asks his parents if they love him, they say that he should have better precision of language.

The people in the community do not think anything about killing people. In fact, there Ceremony of Release is by lethal injection and then dumping them in the garbage. The old are given this treatment, as well as third time offenders and one twin if the twin if they are identical. The people doing the releasing do not relize the wrongfulness fo what they are doing.

The Giver has several great aspects. It shows how utopias can very well turn into distopias. I recommend this book to those who like great books. This book deserves a 9.75 out of 10.

Animal Farm (Effectiveness)

2010-04-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

The way George George Orwell uses animals to portray his message about utopoas could be said to be excellent. He shows how a utopia for one person can not come about without having a distopia for someone else.

The pigs represent figures of authority who use others for their own personal gain and perfect world. Napolean has his own personal escort of dogs to enforce his demands if any animal even thinks of acting out. Squealer lies for Napolean if any animal questions one of Napolean's decrees.

The animals, other than the pigs, traded one "hell" for another one, but this one was even worse. Napolean worked them even more than Jones did and gave them even less food than Jones. Napolean wanted the majority of the food for himself,so, he cut the rations to less for all the other animals gradually. Napolean hardly ever left the farmhouse, because the other animals on the farm were his slaves and believed everything that he told them.

The pigs took advantage of the fact that most of the other animals could not read. When Napolean decided that he wanted to sleep in a bed, he changed the rule to no sleeping in beds with sheets. Napolean told the other animals they were mistaken, when a commandment was questioned, because the animals remembered it differently.

Napolean and the other pigs wanted to be humans. The pigs drank alcohol like humans do. They wore clothes and stood on their hind legs. At the end its ironic how the pigs and humand were portrayed the same. The pigs asnd humans are both greedy and money hungry. The pigs revert back to the way the farm was before the rebellion, the only difference being that now the pigs are the ones in charge.

Cross-Examination

2010-04-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

Someone might cross-examine me if they thought something was wrong about what I did.If they though I have too much stuff in my closet. The reason one might cross-examine this because I have alot of stuff piled up in my closet.

My closet has a ton of shoes and clothes spillong out.My closet has so much of a mess in it. I never get rid of anything in my closet. My closet has more of a mess than other peoples' closets.

If someone was going to cross-examine me for something, that person would most likely do the cross-examining of my closet. My closet has piles of junk everywhere. My closet never gets clean.

A symbol of hope

2010-04-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

A Cause for Celebration

2010-04-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Celebrate because of being alive. Living's the only alternative seems to be death. Life's worth living so enjoy yourself and celebrate.

Holidays cause people to celebrate. People get off of work or out of school. The entire family gathers fo a feast, fun, and family togetherness. Every one enjoys the games and sports.

Friends are a cause for celebration. Celebrate for your friends' happiness and gladness. Celebrate in their competitions and winning. Celebrate in all of their fun and joy.

The Mask I Wear

2010-03-31T11:45:00.001-07:00

The mask comes on once again;
the deep dark abyss of highschool sweeps in.
The laughs and smiles
hide the lassitude that piles.

The wearyness of all the jeers
ends up in mocks and sneers.
The hopes and fears of all
are crushed by the gall
of those who think they are better than the rest.
Our masks put to the test
what the eyes of our oppressers
refuse to look past.

We laugh and smile to discern
those whose only concern
remains to put down
those who dare to go against
the norm with their individualist
attitudes standing out.
They sometimes scream and shout
without a care about the social scene.

Saint Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Saint Patrick's Day really doesn't have any special meaning for me. I just mean that the years continue to go by and I do not have that much luck. I do not really know what Saint Patrick's Day came about.

I only wear green because people pinch you if you do not. Not everyone wears green. We do not really go into the details about why the day has come about.

I think the reason that the government created the holiday as another money scheme. Everyone goes out and buys green clothes, earrings,shamrocks, hats,etc. Saint Patrick's day has been extremely commercialized.

Persuasion

2010-03-10T06:09:00.001-08:00

I often utilize the art of persuasion. I commonly use persuasion to get what I want form people. I f used effectively persuasion comes in handy. Have you ever you persuasion? If, so, how many times? Can you even come up with the number of times or not?

In my opinion, I am very good at the use of persuasion. One way, I use persuasion, is by finding out what household work people like doing the least, and I offer to do the work for them. I, also, figure out what people like in general.

A tactic I use when persuading people is pathos, because it always comes in handy. I can find out people’s emotions, good or bad, easily. Another tactic I use is logos. I can prove to find the logical thing and want it for those purposes.

Persuasion holds importance in life, because people have to use persuasion to get other people to do what they want them to do. I find persuasion important in getting people to agree with me. I like persuading people, because I want what I want.

American Idol contestants use persuasion to get people to vote for them. The contestants are trying to become famous, because if they do not want to get kicked off. Would you like to be famous? What would you do to get there?

Being a Winner

2010-03-10T06:08:00.001-08:00

Sometimes being a winner just means doing the best you can. Other times you have to beat out others in some sort of competition. Being a winner means that you have worked hard and working hard paid off very well.

Winning does not always mean receiving a tangible award. Sometimes you just get a feeling of pride or a sense of accomplishment. Other times you get a trophy, medal, ribbon, plaque, etc.. The whole point in winning is knowing that you played or did well.

What are you most proud of winning? I am most proud of winning the class spelling bee. I won the bee four or five times, and I always knew that my family and friends were proud of me.

Dedication of Olympian

2010-03-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

I am not sure, that I would ever be able to put the dedication and commitment into anything, that Olympians put into training. I mean doing so would definitely be hard. To even get to the Olympics, the athletes have to work very hard.

One thing that I would be willing to put the dedication and commitment of the Olympians to would be my education. I find education very important. Without education, you cannot do much of anything in life. Education expands your job opportunities by a large quantity.

An education helps one get to college. I strive to make good grades and to be the best person that I can be. Not everyone in the countries across the world has the freedom to take the advantage of getting an education, so, I need to use all the advantages I have.

To get into college one must work as hard as an Olympic athlete. Both work as hard as they can. Athletes have to work hard to get to the Olympics. Would you be willing to put the dedication needed to get in to the Olympics into anything.

Call of the Wild

2010-03-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

What would you do if you were taken from the only home you have ever known by complete strangers? Buck starts out as a domesticated dog and turns into a wild one like his ancestors. Jack London’s The Call of The Wild enticed me with its tale of a dog heeding the call of the wild.

A theme of this book is taking a stand. Buck takes a stand against the other dogs. He also takes a stand against the man in the red sweater. John Thornton takes a stand against Hal, Mercedes and Charles when the time comes.

Buck was taken from his home at Judge’s by the gardener Manuel during the gold rush. The man in the red sweater taught Buck to do as he was told. Buck was transferred to different teams learning the law of club and fang. Buck was taught of something he never knew before by John Thornton; he was taught love.

The Call of the Wild shared the great tale of a dog heeding to the call. I love this excellent book. Anyone who lives absolutely excellent books, should definitely read The Call of the Wild. I rate this book a 9 out of 10, which would have been 10 out of 10 had there been more action.

The Blame Game

2010-02-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the ones, when everyone around you complains all day long. I am sick and tired of people complaining.

One girl blames her problems on everyone. She always says how bad her life is, but she does not have life any rougher than everyone else. Drama seems to surround her life. Every time I see her she complains about some "problem" that her life now revolves around.

People are so negative. Life is not about what everyone else has. It is about what you have. If you do not try to make lif easy, then of cours its going to suck.

Have you ever blamed your problems on everyne else? You should not, but you should make the best of every situation. Do you think that you have life bad? You really do not,if you look around you will see someone with life ten times worse. Do you complain alot? Well, you need to stop your complaining.

ABC Shows Are as Easy as 123

2010-01-26T06:06:00.001-08:00

ABC brings on tons of excellent television every night of the week. You should watch it too? Do you have full nights every week? If your answer to this question is “no”, ABC should be enough to keep you occupied.

Have any of you ever seen Extreme Makeover Home Edition? Ty and the deisign team give hones to families in need. When they did the heroic or other deeds, the idea of getting a new house out of the ordeal never crossed their minds. Stars have graced the lives of the families this season. Absolutely everyone can get involved in the community just like the design team.

Desperate Housewives comes on every Sunday. The soap operas on during the day have no comparison to the soap operas at night. Watch every Sunday with no exceptions.

Modern family consists of a family with many of the issues families have nowadays. The gay guys have a baby. The grandfather got married to a young Columbian.

Watch ABC and you will not regret. The show is fantastic. I love it. Check out abc.

Vampire Academy

2010-01-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

A dhampir either turns into a guardian, who fights of Strigoi and other attacks, or a blood whore, who stays away from the fight and has babies. Rose, a dhampir, wants to protect her friend Lissa, a Moroi. Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy enthralled me with its exciting tale.

Vladmir Academy in Montana trains Moroi and Dhampir to utilize their abilities. Dhampir become guardians and usually die young. Moroi are the leaders in society. Without the dhampir fighting skills and protection against the Strigoi, immortal dead vampires, the Moroi civilization would crash and burn.

Rose and Lissa have not been to the academy in two years. When they return, Dimitri, a top-notch guardian, is assigned to tutor Rose in her guardian skills, fighting and running. Lissa keeps finding dead animals in her room, as if someone was trying to scare her off. Rose tries her hardest to ensure Lissa’s safety.

Anyone, who wants a tremendous book to read, should read Vampire Academy. I recommend this book to those of you who like vampires. This book is a ten out of ten.

Pgs. 332

City of Ashes

2010-01-19T11:47:00.000-08:00

What would you do if you were being punished for a crime that you did not commit? Almost everyone in the Clave, including the Inquisitor, think Jace is Valentine’s spy. Cassandra Clare’s City of Ashes enticed me with its fascinating story line.

When Maryse Lightwood kicks Jace out, he goes to the Hunter’s Moon, where Luke is with his pack. Jace tries to pick a fight with the entire pack of . After Luke locks Jace in an office, he calls Clary, who comes along, bringing Simon with her to talk some since into Jace. Since Jace will not let Simon come in, he meets Maia, a teenage werewolf.

The Inquisitor thinks that Jace knew the entire time he was not Michael Wayland’s son. She thinks that he was a spy for Valentine. When Jace denies knowing that he was brought up by Valentine, the Inquisitor throws him in prison in the lowest layer of the Silent City. While Jace is there, Valentine reeks havoc, killing the Silent Brothers and stealing the Mortal Sword.

The book City of Ashes, the second book of the Mortal Instruments series, should be read by all. The book contains demons, action, violence, and love. On a scale of one to ten this book should get a nine, because it is not perfect, but exceptionally well written.

Pgs. 453

City of Bones

2010-01-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

How would you like to find out that demons exist and pretty much every fairy-tale is true? How would you like to find out that you were born a shadow-hunter, demon-hunter, when all your life you thought that you were an ordinary mundane? Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones captures a teenager’s finding out that she that she was born a demon hunter in an epic, page-turning fun sort of way.

Pandemonium, a club for all ages, finds itself the sight of a murder, but not just any murder, the murder of a teenage boy. At least Clary thought, it was a teenage boy until she found out the identity of the people that killed him. Clary goes home and her mom is worried about her, also, springing a surprise vacation on Clary. When Clary refuses to go, she goes to a poetry reading with Simon, her mom winds up disappearing. Suddenly, Clary finds herself pulled into the world of demons, forsaken, down-worlders, and shadow- hunters for no reason anyone can find out.

A theme in this book is taking a stand. The Shadow hunters take a stand against the evil of the world. The marks burn across a shadow hunter’s skin serve as protection, skill builders, and practically everything, a rune can be found for because or almost everything. Whenever something goes amiss, the shadow hunters solve the problem. One reason the shadow hunters are demon hunters is, because the legend says the blood of man and the blood of angel was mixed to form the first shadow hunter.

Anyone who loved Twilight will absolutely adore City of Bones and the rest of the mortal instruments series. On a scale of one to ten this book deserves a twelve. I know anyone who reads this book will absolutely love it.

Time I took stand

2010-01-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

When I was little, everyone bullied one of my friends very harshly. Instead of bullying her ,also, I treated her nicely. The cool thing to do was to hurt her feelings. She was not able to afford some of the things that everyone else was able to afford, so other people made fun of he raggedy, stained too big clothes taunting her endlessly.

She did not smell very nice so every one held their noses when around her, telling her she smelled bad. Her hair was always ratty and oily and she was always asked if she ever washed it. They were always tormenting her with a long excruciating string of insults.

No one played with her, because like kids tend to do they acted like she had cooties and if they played with her she would infect them with some fatal disease that was not curable. My sister and I played with her. Instead of bullying her my sister and I were the only ones to accept her for who she was, because we knew that she could not help it, what her parents could afford.

When she turned into a bully, instead of being mean right back, I treated her with as much kindness as I could. Even though she was not the best person and had unfortunate circumstances, we had no right to bully her.

What would you do if you could not afford what was popular and had to suddenly lose friends because they would not accept you for who you are? Would you take it in stride? Would you not let it affect you emotional health? Would you suddenly get a wake-up call because you had treated others the way your friends are treating you? Do you give people the respect that they deserve or judge a book by its cover.

If you are treating others with disrespect, then it is not to late to quit. Do not judge a book by its cover. When you meet someone get to know them before making decisions about them. Even though someone may not have the nicest material possessions, that does not mean they do not have a rich personality. Think about your actions, because you never know when the tables will turn. Life happens and you could be at rock bottom tomorrow.

Admire for Taking Stand

2010-01-19T11:38:00.000-08:00

Who you be willing to give up your seat on the bus just because someone else wanted it? Rosa Parks was not willing to give up her seat on a crowded bus to a white person, even though whites were supposed to get the front seats and blacks the back. Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her seat got her thrown in jail.

I admire Rosa Parks for her courage. She stood up for what she believed in even after being thrown in jail, she started the Montgomery bus boycott, where blacks refused to ride the bus and carpooled. Eventually her hard work paid off the buses in Montgomery were desegregated. Rosa Parks was one of the chief leaders of the civil rights movement in my opinion.

Rosa Parks was a leader and a role model. If you do not think that you are strong enough to take a stand look at what she did. I admire Rosa Parks for her courage and her taking a stand. Would you be willing to take stand like that or would you stick to the normal every day way of life, accepting what is not what could be?

Santa is Coming

2009-12-23T17:24:00.000-08:00

I can not believe Christmas is already upon us. It just seems like the year has started. This year has been a great year and has flown by fast. Sometimes it seems like the little things are not thought of.

Eventhough we take the little things for granted, around Christmas kindness arises. Christmas is the time to be with family and friends. Eventhough we should show love to our fellow man all year, Christmas time brings out the best in absolutely everything and everyone.

Little kids are bratty towards each other most of the year. At Christmas time, hopes of Santa's toys causes kids to be on their best behavior. Santa know every activity and emotion of kids,so, they decide to act in the best way.

Julius Caesar

2009-12-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

" En tu Brute?" Caesar says this when he dies at the hands of Brutus, Caesar, and the conspirators. Shakespeare's Julius Caesar enticed me with its tragic tale.

Julius Caesar was a tyrant who took over after Pompey died. Cassius was a great instigater. Brutus had a lot to do with Caesar's death, and he killed Caesar. Antony's voice sparked revenge for Caesar.

Marullus and Flavius were mad about the death of Pompey, and thought Caesar was a tyrant. Cassius instigated Brutus. Caesar wanted to be great. Brutus and the conspirators made three mistakes. Caesar was killed. Antony's voice proved to have great power.

This book is great. Anyone who wants to read a good tragedy should read Julius Caesar. The writing is fantastic. I loved this book.

The Last Juror

2009-12-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

"Danny Padgit. It was Danny Padgit," is what Rhoda whispered to Mr. Deece the night that she was murdered. John Grisham's The Last Juror captivated me with its tale of a town, who stays under the wrath of one family.

Willie Traynor tries to build the newspaper that has so long, been dwindling in subscribers. Wilson Caudle mainly wrote obituaries when he ran it. Rhoda Kassellaw's murder changed the lives of a alot of people in Ford County. Everyone's convinced Danny Padgit murdered Rhoda. Callie Ruffin becomes ome of Willie's dearest friends.

Clanton, Mississippi is as small town in Ford County. In the 1970's peole around ther did not trust strangers, so, when Willie comes they do not trust him right away. The blacks stay in Lowtown and the whites on the other side of the tracks. No one in Clanton crosses the Padgits, because they are afraid to.

Clanton has not seen a brutal crime in years, that is, until Rhoda Kassellaw's homicide. They cannot find an unprejudiced jury,at first. When they find a jury, no one knows who they are, till the trial begins. After the trial jurors remain scared of Danny's threat. Jurors start dying one by one. Who is killing them.

Anyone who likes stories about murder and justice should read John Grisham's The Last Juror. The age level should be ages thirteen and up for crude humor and violence. I recommend this book to those who love great books.

pgs. 486

A Leader Arises

2009-12-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

Leaders rise up everywhere, even in the least likely of places. The fact that no one knows the leader changes nothing. A normal person usually has several characteristics of a good leader.

A good heart is one of the qualities of a good leader. The kid who does the right thing, eventhough, others look down on him. He does not party, because of the chance of hurting someone. He behaves and does good at school. This kid exemplifies a true leader.

The need to help others is one of the qualities of a true leader. The single parent doing his best to help his kids has this quality of a true leader. He never misses a day at work. He goes to all his kids' activities. He manages the bills.

W

'Tis The Season To be Greedy

2009-12-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

Everyone says give and not receive. The older people understand that kids today are spoiled. Greedy kids put a drain on society.

Due to inflation everything has gone up, but instead of worrying about those without money, we worry about what we will get. Life is all about me rings true in most kids thoughts.

Some kids do not get anything,and all we worry about is ourselves. If more kids would do selfless acts, then the world would be a better place. Around Christmas time we should get rid of all our old stuff, but ,instead, life is a continous race of who has more.

It is better to make sure others have a good Christmas. We are in a continous rat race. Whoever dies with the most toys still dies, but those with good hearts will be remembered forever. Unfortunately we think that we need to be better than everyone else and snub those who do not have the fortune of designer or expensive things.

A Time to be Thankful

2009-11-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

All year long we do not appreciate those who deserve the appreciation, but now is the season to show those who deserve thamks our thanks towards them. There are tons of reasons for the season, but here are the top ten reasons for the season:

1. The top reason for the season is to show those who deserve thanks,how much we appreciate them.

2. I am thankful for my nana, because she always listens to me. Whenever I need someone to talk to my nana lends an ear. I know I can trust my nana with all my secrets.

3. I am thankful for my dad, because he gets me whatever I need. I know my dad would do anything for me. He does what's best for me.

4. I am thankful for my stepmom.

5. I am thankful for my aunt Tina.

6. I am thankful for my uncle Stephen.

7. I am thankful for my aunt Dely.

8. I am thankful for my papa.

9. I am thankful for my sisters.

10. I am thankful for my baby brother.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

2009-11-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

Sean Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens encouraged me to be a more effective teen with his way of telling each habit like a story. Sean Covey showed how bad habits can be overturned by effective ones.

Of the seven habits one remains hard for me. Being proactive never seems easy. When a commemt I can not stand gets told, then the volcano starts to bubble letting reaction flow out. Reactions seem to light me up like gasoline waiting to explode. Proactive seems cool, but being calm remains hard for me.

Anyone who likes pictures and fun quotes should read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. I think that anyone who wants to become more effective should read this brilliantly written book.

A Ride Through My Life

2009-10-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

My days are usually pretty hectic. I mean, how does anyone get along with their siblings, manage to make both parents happy, and get work done at the same time? My life seems to consist of trying to please others an even, sometimes, myself.

My schedule consists of:

1. I get up and get ready for a long day. I get dressed. My breakfast usually consists of something from the freezer or a pop-tart. I fix my hair and put on makeup. Then, to the bus stop for me.

2. The bus arrives. I make my way to the seat. The bus driver usually has the radio on. We stop at West and Central, finally to arrive at the high school.

3. I go into school and say hi to my friends and sister. Classes start at 8:00. I go through my morning classes. Lunch arrives.

4. I spend lunch with my friends. We catch up on whats going on in each other's lives. Drama usually raises its ugly head at lunch. Afternoon classes come and go. In the end, we finally get home.

5. If today happens to be mom's Friday then I go to my mom's house. We do what my mom plans. We spend the weekend with her.
or
5. If today does not happen to be Friday we go home. Chores are usually done. Then home work time

6. Sometimes, we help cook. We eat dinner. We clean up the kitchen. I take a shower and get in my pajamas.

7. I watch my favorite shows. Talking to my sister can get interesting. I brush my teeth. I then go to sleep.

This cylcle consists of just about everything I do. The cycle stays never ending. All the details are not there. You get the point. Thanks for taking a ride through a portion of my life.

Computer Takeover

2009-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Before long,I think the computers will takeover. We are getting to dependent on computers. Computers show up in every aspect of our lives.

One of these days we will forget how to do simple things. Math will be a thing of the past. Computers will make us lazy.

We will be to dependent and incompetent.Everyone use computers. Paper will be a thing of the past. We won't have any idea how people computed now a days.

Evermore

2009-10-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Ever survived an accident that killed most of her family. When Ever woke up in the hospital, she could read minds and see auras. Alyson Noel's Evermore facinated me with an exciting tale.

All throughput the book Ever finds out why she does what she does. Ever can read minds, see auras, and see an entire life story with just one touch. Ever thinks its her fault for her family's deaths. She triwes to put her newfound gifts away. As Ever comes to terms with her powers, she comes to terms with her guilt.

The characters cause the book to seem more realistic. Ever thinks that its her fault for her family's deaths and tries to hide her newfound powers. Haven wears gothic clothes to stickl out and goes to anonympous groups. Miles thinks he has to havce a boyfriend. Ever, Haven, and Miles like Damen.

Ever tries to get over heer parents death. She has unique powers. Damen qiets the voices and dulls the aureas. Ever communicstes with her dead little sister.

I would recommend tis book to those who like Twilight.Evermore should be rated the second best book afterThirteen Resons Why. So read the book.

pgs.301

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

2009-10-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

"Just be yourself." Being yourself sounds easy right, well, its not all that easy when you are a spy and get grades for the legends you take over. Ally Carter's Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy had me flipping pages form the beginning because of all the adventure.

The characters made this book very realistic. Cammie, eventhough she's a spy, has all the problems of a regular girl. Bex remains the tough British spygirl, always looking for a challenge. Liz wants academic challenges. Macey wants to rebel against her parents by making all A's. And Zach, new to the scene, keeps coming back to Cammie.

On the last day of winter break Cammie has to go get debriefed by the CIA. Later when she gets back to Gallagher Academy, she hears her mom talk about Blackthorne. She does not know anything about Blackthorne. On their first covert operations countersurveillance, Cammie talks to Zach, not realizing he's her tail. The next day, everyone finds out that the Blackthorne Boys are going to be staying at Gallagher Academy. The semester comes with many first for Gallagher.

This book can connect with all girls on a personal level. All girls have dreamed of being someone-else. Cammie does not know how to be herself, with all the legends she has taken hold of. This book has girls needing to be invisible/someone other than themselves as a matter of life or death.

I reccomend this book to girls who like action and drama. Do not read it without first reading I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. These girls are tough and smart so read about their talents to build your self confidence.

pgs.236

The Invisible Man pgs.135

2009-10-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

Everyone comes up with ideas when the stranger comes to town. When they find out he's invisible, everyone wants to kill him. H.G. Well's The Invisible Man consed me with its futuristic tale of invisibility.

The style of The Invisible Man compares to no other book I have read in the futuristic quality. I like that he does not write his story like life back then. Griffin, the narator, shows anger through his voice.

The characters make the story more realistic. Mrs. Hall wonders about her eccentric visitor. Alot of old ladies, gossip about what they find interesting. Griffin turned himself invisible. It would be cool to be invisible, not having anyoone know who you were. Kemp turned over Griffin. Most people pick on people who are different from themselves.

A stranger comes to the inn. Everyone speculates about him. He decides to reveal his invisibility. He runs into Kemp after some misshaps and reveals how he turned invisible. He also, lets Kemp knw he's invisible.

I do not think anyone should want to read this book,but, if you like science fiction, read it. H.G. Wells told a modern day story. This book remains ahead of his time. All science geeks must read it.

Thirteen Reasons Why by: Jay Asher pgs.288

2009-10-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hannah Baker's audiotapes tell us all how little acts of cruelty can really hurt a person. In one night, Clay goes all over Hannah and his town. Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why intrigued me with its morbid story, of why a girl committed suicide.

Random acts of cruelty caused Hannah to want to end her life. Thirteen people made Hannah's list. Clay wants to know what he did. The cruelty went from her first kiss and on with cuelty.

Jay Asher's style uniquely tells the story. Most people who write two stories don't usually tell them at the same time. This story would not have been told near as well without Clay's reactions to Hannah's words.

The characters make the story real. Hannah's stories about the people who led to her suicide make us think about what we say to people. Clay's reactions to Hannah's words give us an inside in his head. It makes everyting real that he stole Tony's walkman so that his parents would not hear Hannah's voice.

Thirteen Reasons Why tells Hannah Baker's audiobiography. When Clay gets home from school, he finds a shoebox full of audiotapes. He thinks that its a surprise or something. Hannah's words surprise him and send him across his town in one night. Clay will never see some peopl the same again.

I would recommend this book to people of all ages. We do not always realize how are words affect others. Maybe this book will make you think about your actions toward the people you make fun of or bully.

Technology for Better or Worse

2009-09-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

In the past we didn't even have cell phones. The first cell phones were huge. Now cell phones are tiny.

Technology has changed for the best in some ways. Technology has made it where we can find answers to our questions quicker.

Technology has changed for the worst in other ways. We have become less independent and more dependent on technology. Technology causes laziness.

With technology, we will regress on our abilities. Instead of having to look up information in books for reports, the internet is at our fingertips. We will not know how to actually solve equations correctly, because we have calculators.

Technology should be used for finding information for papers. Eventhough technology has us spoiled, we still need it for research.