Six-Word Memoir

Bucket List!

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

This book takes place in colonial times of the New World. I am no history expert, but it is fascinating to me to learn about the mindset and day-to-day lifestyles of the people living a century ago. Since this book is revolved around the mindset of morality and societal expectations of this time period, I feel that it would be an interesting read for me.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

I am blessed with a normally-functioning brain, full physical capabilities, and the ability to interpret “between the lines”. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to say the same. Most of us could never begin to imagine the thought process of someone who is handicapped with autism, and we take it for granted. Haddon bases his story on a 15-year old autistic boy who is falsely accused of a crime. It is a mystery that will simultaneously allow me to delve into the thoughts and emotions of this boy.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Classic love story. Classics are called classics for a reason, and I have liked every classic I have read but one. It is a thick book, but I am willing to give it a chance. It will also make my mom happy for her to know that I am reading one of her favorite books.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Living in the United States, we take our freedom for granted. Outside of our borders, mind boggling atrocities happen each and every day with no one to step in and defend their rights. I honestly do not know why I want to read it, but since reading the description on the back cover, I have wanted to.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

I said before that I enjoy reading about the mindset of people before our time. I am not rascist, but the few decades of our country where rascism was slowly beginning to ebb away is absolutely captivating to me. I have seen the movie, which I immediately fell in love with. Given that I usually believe a book to be better than its movie, I can fairly confidently say that I will love this read.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Being a high school student, I can relate well to this story of another high school student. I have heard from several classmates that it is a wonderful book, and I know that there is a movie coming out with Hermione Granger in it (yes, Hermione Granger, not Emma Watson. She will always be Hermione to me).  I bet that there are thousands of readers like me who are reading Chbosky’s book primarily because of the movie and Ms. Granger’s role. So 10 points to her.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

As I said about The Kite Runner, there are thousands of atrocities occuring every day. A young girl, only 13-years old, was sold by her step father into prostitution. Just as we could never imagine autism, we could never begin to imagine the life this girl was forced to endure. Books like these are heartbreaking for me to read, but I feel that every person should read works of this ilk. It opens our eyes and makes us grateful that we are fortunate enough to not be subject to that life.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this book as a requirement from my CLUE English Class in 7^th grade. Even as a a 12-year old, I loved and appreciated it. I have wanted to re-read it since then but I have never gotten around to it. I feel that as a 17-year old with a wider range of knowledge, I can re-read it with a better understanding.

No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt

I have also read this before as a requirement for my CLUE English Class in 8^th grade. I do not remember details, but I do remember absolutely loving it. Just like To Kill a Mockingbird, I feel that with a wider range of knowledge, I will have a better understanding and appreciation of it.

Three Cups of Team by Greg Mortenson

In the overview, it describes him as a "real-life Indiana Jones". He goes to a third-world country to make a difference in the lives of the children there, giving them an education that they could never have dreamed of. I want to read this book because I enjoy reading about real people making a real difference. It warms my heart that there are people in the world who have the courage to do this without expecting any personal gain.

Rebel Without a Cause Film Review

In Director Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause, with an opening scene in the local police station the majority of the main characters were introduced. Jim Stark (James Dean) was intoxicated in public, Judy (Natalie Wood) ran away from home and aimlessly wandered the streets, and John “Pluto” Crawford (Sal Mineo) shot and killed several puppies. Soon after, they encountered one another again when they realized on Jim’s rough first day that they all attended the same high school. This introduction seemed rather cliché; the main characters all met in some dramatic situation and coincidentally ended up living in the same town with the same routine.

                It was evident from the beginning that these three “delinquents” had very similar backgrounds. Jim’s household was, for lack of a better word, backwards; his mother was the man of the house while his father was a weak, feminine figure. Judy sought love and attention from her father, who was adamant against showing affection towards his 16-year-old daughter, and Pluto was unfortunately abandoned by both of his parents, but was well cared for and loved by a middle-aged black woman. Each one lacked a proper father figure, causing them to recuperate in various unacceptable ways in public.

                Screenwriter Stewart Stern underscored the importance of having a prominent father figure, along with a stable family ad home environment, for the absence of such a figure could have a negative effect on any given child. With divorce rates steadily increasing during this time period, it had a relevant, controversial message for the audience.

                Obtaining insecurities due to their insufficient home lives, they were prone to trouble. They felt a need to prove themselves worthwhile. This mindset aided Jim in accepting a challenge of “chickie run” from the school bully, Buzz (Corey Allen). In this game, two contestants drove stolen cars towards the edge of a cliff, and the first to jump out of the car was the chicken. The game became a tragic accident when Buzz got caught on his door handle and flew over the edge along with the car. Although he was intent on harassing Jim, he previously admitted that he did, in fact, like him, but said “you got to do something.”

                These words alone addressed the timeless issues of bullying and peer pressure. Had Buzz not tormented him to begin with, Jim would not have felt the need to prove himself to the taunting onlookers, and he would not have succumbed. Had Jim not given in, Buzz would not have fallen to his death.

Being one large, unimaginable chain reaction, bullying could be dangerous. As time continued, the pressures of one’s peers have greatly intensified. Society has changed throughout the past few generations, and with new technological developments, the possible methods that could be used as tools are infinite, horrendous, and unavoidable. Every parent tries to teach his or her child to defend what they believe in and to “not let anyone tell you you’re not special”. For many, these encouraging words suffice. However, for many it does not, especially those who do not have strong parental figures, which goes back to the trio’s home lives.

Speaking of society, consider Pluto’s feelings toward Jim and Judy. Many speculate that he was gay, but there would not have been any sense in producing a film with a homosexual character. Society simply would not have tolerated it at the time. The directors and screenwriters of any film are, of course, part of their society, so would they create such an “abomination” within their own work? They wouldn’t. Men 50 years ago were able to act in an entirely different way than they are able to now. They were able to show their true emotions without being misjudged as being gay. Jim and his father seemed to be feminine and soppy as well, but they were obviously not gay. Pluto was not necessarily homosexual, but he was simply missing parental figures, which is a recurring point made throughout the film. He idolized Jim and Judy, and in an empty mansion, they took the role of being the parents Pluto needed in his life.

It has also been wondered the reason behind Judy’s father’s rejections was due to an unhealthy attraction to his daughter. It is reasonable to say that once a child reaches a certain age, there are things that become inappropriate, such as kissing his or her father on his lips. However, a peck on the cheek is hardly inappropriate. Really, it would be a quick recognition. Strangely, her father was entirely too offended at her show of affection, giving an impression of such an attraction.

Although the acting was merely mediocre, the various messages delivered throughout the movie were superior and timeless, for the same morals incorporated are just as relevant now as they were when it was newly released. It is a great film to watch to compare teenagers and societal issues and viewpoints of the mid-20^th century and 21^st century.

This Warner Bros film was released in the United States on October 27, 1955.

Danger in the Kitchen: An Analysis of 'The Art of Cooking' by Dave Barry

           Barry’s reasonable, persuasive tone portrays to the reader his utter opposition of cooking. He uses ethos, humor, diction, and logos to support his claim, conveying the dangers and absurdities of cooking to his audience, and relating the “art” to everyday life.

He uses ethos, opening with a true story that personally happened to him. While his family was awaiting guests, “[his]” mom was cooking” beef in a “double boiler” that unfortunately “exploded violently,” sending chunks “flying…with tremendous force.” Although this does not happen on a regular basis, considering this is a true, personal account, this story increases Barry’s credibility.

Consistent with his signature style, Barry uses humor and diction to specifically express certain ridiculous factors of cooking. After the “Big Beef Bang,” he felt that any cooking should be required a “welding helmet.” It is not uncommon for him to create his own words as he did with the Big Beef Bang. Also, a welding helmet has the connotation of something that protects one’s face from mutilation caused by extreme conditions. This humorous diction helped underscore the frightening possibilities by hyperbolizing kitchen mishaps. Once there initial fears are overcome, producing a half-decent meal becomes an adventure of its own, for the recipe’s creator, who happened to be “snorking down cooking wine” begins inventing ingredients such as “free-range whelk corneas.” By addressing this tendency of requiring imaginary gourmet ingredients, he reveals his exasperation at the impossibilities involved in cooking.

Lastly, Barry uses logos to contrast his previous statements and support cooking by indirectly relating the “art” to everyday life. In order to be a “successful cook,” certain recipes must be “[adapted]” by “making substitutions.” Parallel to the “real world,” in order to be successful, adjustments must be made to reach any given goal. There will always be obstacles to overcome, and if something does not go exactly as planned, one must know how to make these adjustments.

Cooking, although often a pain in the neck, covertly teaches necessary ethics despite its dangerous tendencies. Like many other seemingly useless things we are forced to do, cooking does have a purpose other than putting everyone within a 50-mile radius in mortal danger.

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

1. John McMurtry's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports - especially football - since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
          -The anecdote at the beginning establishes ethos, because he is talking about something that personally happened to him. Anyone can talk about a topic, but it is not as credible until the speaker is experienced in that field. Since he had been involved in football for the majority of his life, his claims are believable, for he has lived through it.

2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
          -McMurtry logically compares football to war. He pulls multiple aspects of both and makes them one and the same. For example, he talks of the football and war terms, such as "field general," "long bomb," "take a shot," and "front line." It is not difficult to see how these all apply to both, for they are similar not only in words, but in meaning. Although there are many similarities, McMurtry also pointed out the differences. His main point was that in football, injuries excite the crowd -- it's what they have been waiting for all night! However, casualties and deaths of war are looked upon with grief from the country as a whole.

3. In Paragraph 9, the tone shifts. How is the shift achieved? Explain how the shift mirrors a transition in McMurtry's argument?
          -From the beginning, he is giving football a bad reputation. He talks of how dangerous it is, and how chronic and infinite the injuries can be. On the other hand, he also supports it and expresses his love of the game. However, in Paragraph 9, he switches to a more adamant attack on it. He still supports it, but he really opens the eyes of readers to how much the game and concepts itself really do hurt people.

6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a militaristic side?
          -Football is probably the most similar to military. However, all team sports including a ball is similar to the military. Every member is important, and every member must work together to be the most successful. These sports also have strategies that they must learn that better their chances of achieving their goal, just like in war.

Academics at Batesville High School

          Since the passing of No Child Left Behind, the majority of schools have lowered their standards, consequently lowering the nation's educational ranking as a whole. No Child Left Behind is wonderful; everyone should be given an education. However, the United States is not progressing as it should be.
          It is thought by many that in order for everyone to reach a certain point in education, the expectations must be lowered. No. It should not be this way. Those who are not as academically successful as others should be offered extra help to reach the same place as those that are more successful. Unfortuantely, our country has the opposite view of an ideal education. Students that strive for success are forced to step down in order to ensure that nonchalant students get a "passing grade". While all of this is taking place in our schools, we are complaining about how our educational ranking in the world is dropping. Ha. What a joke.
          Batesville High School, although it does not realistically offer the best education in the country, does a better job of helping the individual student. Almost every teacher is completely willing to help any student outside of class. If someone does not understand the material being taught, the teacher will undoubtedly help in any way possible. This enables the class to progress as they should, and the struggling student is helped outside of class. This is how every school should be, rather than lowering academics as a whole to satisfy those who struggle.

Sound Mind, Sound Body

          The picture above is an ad found in a magazine, promoting Asics products to athletes, specifically runners. The company, trying to sell as many products as possible, show the viewers that the asics are comfortable and make a runner's workout as pleasant as she wants.

          This ad was made by a well established athletic brand, Asics. They are well known for having good, trustworthy products. This truly makes viewers believe that the ad is legitimate, rather than being a lie with a pretty picture.

          Regrettably, there is not much logos used in this ad. Fortunately for Asics, their establishment and the layout of the ad itself still draw in new customers every day. The girl in the picture is seeminly calm and enjoying her run, rather than being in pain and forcing herself to exercise. This, along with the company's reputation, supports the implication that Asics are a nice, comfortable running shoe.

         

Keep a Design Notebook

          It was easy finding things that I liked, but it was rather hard for me to find things that I thought had bad design. I really had to be picky to find them. Doing this experiment taught me that although it is important, it is not all about looks. The product must work well and as effortlessly as possible in order for it to be bought. Of course, that is obvious, but I thought that this experiment made it clearer why this is so important.

Good designs: 

It is small but not too small, fitted to your hand, and pink!

The lid that comes with this is screwed on, so it will never fall off.

The spiral makes it easy to flip pages, and the folded one at the bottom lessens the likelihood of the pages getting caught in an unfinished spiral. 

Twisty eyeliner (I have no idea what it's actually called) instead of a pencil. So much easier to twist the end than having to sharpen it when it gets dull.

A headband is useless (to me atleast) if it does not have teeth. When you use it, you can not see them so it is not any less attractive than one without.

Bad designs:

This is a creative cover and I like it, but the cutout makes it too easy to rip the cover.

I think all doorknobs are ugly. Elaborate or not, I think they are weird looking..

Hard cover books are much sturdier and last longer, but they are harder to read (for me anyways) and when ure trying to pack for something, it is more convenient if the book could move a little.

Real pencils are classic. They will be used for a very long time. But you always have to sharpen them, which really is not a problem, but compared to mechanical pencils, it makes real ones seem like a burden.

Mirrors are life savers. But they are horrible for picture taking. It is irritating. It's a group picture for a reason. If I wanted a picture of only myself, I would take one, but I don't. Maybe they could invent an anti-flash mirror or something. :D

Faith and Reason

Some say Earth was created,

Some say formed.

From what I know of faith,

I hold with those who favor creation.

But if I was to think twice,

I think I’ve heard enough of reason

To say that formation

Is reasonable

And would meet ends.

Memories

What happens to memories?

Do they fade
like a balloon released?
Or hide like a child --
Then reappear?
Do they run like a dream abandoned?
Or stay nearby --
Like a treasure?

Maybe they just rot
Like a fruit in the sun.

Or do they bloom?

Creon's Character Analysis

            Sophocles’s Antigone is a play about love, loyalty, and respect. It takes place in Ancient Greece, increasing the importance of certain morals emphasized in the play. Most of the characters in Antigone are true to their beliefs. However, there are, of course, characters that do not portray these beliefs in an appropriate manner, such as Creon. He is a stubborn, ignorant, ruler who believes that he can do no wrong.

            Creon, symbolically meaning “heir to the throne”, is a stereotypical ancient ruler. He believes that he is always right, and other peoples’ ideas seem foolish to him. In this play, he is the main antagonist. He goes against the laws of the gods, feeling that he is protecting his country. Although he was told many times that this was wrong, he did not falter, for he truly believed that he was doing the right thing.

However, nearing the end of the play, he heard a prophecy from Tiresias, his fortune-teller, saying that he would pay the consequences, “a corpse for corpses, in exchange for those [he has] sent from above the earth to below it”. (lines 1074 -1076) This caused him to drastically change his mind. Although Creon does change his ways, attempting to recuperate his mistakes, it has no effect, for his destiny was set. Death took the lives of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife.

This sudden change, however, reveals that he is, in reality, insecure. Creon is seemingly strong and powerful, but he is actually uncertain of this power. He feels the need to enforce unreasonable laws to feel the control that he has. This uncertainty is revealed when he is frightened and jumps on the bandwagon. He completely alters his ideas and does anything that his advisors say.

Rulers should have many strengths, but Creon has only one. This strength is his love. He loves his country, and admires his son. Nevertheless, he has several weaknesses, primarily his pride, along with his lack of wisdom.

When his country is calm and without turmoil, he makes decisions easily, with no hesitation. However, when he is pressured or depended upon, he turns to others opinions. This is also a sign of weakness, for he cannot execute rational decisions when it is essential.

            He is a typical ruler, feeling as if he is doing right. Unfortunately, he does not have the leadership skills needed for his title. Creon is a stubborn, ignorant, ruler who believes that he can do no wrong.

"Just Say No"

One of the most prominent issues in today's society is teenage drug abuse. Every teenager is repeatedly lectured about the dangers of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc.. We are constantly told that it will, at its own pace, tear our lives apart. They warn us that one time is enough to get you hooked, but people seem to feel a need to learn the hard way.

Everyone knows, but no one cares. The natural response to that would be, “Of course we care, Marie, why would you say such a thing?” Well, being born and raised in Memphis, I have seen first-hand how drugs and alcohol can drastically affect one’s life. Several friends of mine were sent to juvenile detention centers as young as the seventh and eighth grade – where was this so called “care” then?

All blame cannot be placed on parents, but who is aware of a child more than Mom and Dad? Our teenage years are our most vulnerable; we want to fit in, and we are easily stressed. Parents of teenagers should be much more observant of their child’s behavior during these years, because they affect the rest of our lives.

When parents become aware of their teenager falling victim to drugs, they do not know how to handle it. It is not the end of the world. Like any other issue, the solution is not the most obvious – one must get to the source of the problem. Once the root is uncovered, certain actions can be followed. On this discussion forum , teenagers shared their views of leading causes of teen drug use.

“IT IS A RELEASE FROM THE STRESSES OF LIFE.” (C) – As previously mentioned, teenagers are easily stressed. Aside from grades, students should not have much to be stressed about. Unfortunately, life is not as simple as that. We stress over girlfriend/boyfriend “drama”, fights, and even other people’s “drama”. Many people who claim to be stressed out are bringing it upon themselves.

“THEY WANT TO FIT IN WITH THE CROWD.” (Watson) – Peer pressure. Even among adults, this is a regular part of life. However, everyone must learn how to be strong enough to make decisions for themselves, rather than jumping on the bandwagon.

“Teens today are getting [drawn] in by the drug trend very strongly because of the celebrities they see and love.” (Russell) – I must admit that this never occurred to me. Nonetheless, it is a viable motivation for a teenager to not only use drugs, but to commit any other type of crime. Growing up, we are strongly influenced by our role models. Regrettably, celebrities are starting to replace parents and teachers as role models.

“TEENS [THESE] DAYS USE DRUGS BECAUSE [THEY DO] NOT [HAVE] ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM THEIR PARENTS.” (Jenny) – This quote contradicts my initial notion that parents could dcrease the drug use rate among teenagers. Instead of preventing it, they may occasionally be the source of it.
Based on the various motivations of teen drug abuse, it is apparent that one individual cannot be put to blame. It may not be the simplest solution, but it is evident that rather than restricting drug use, certain actions should be taken to eliminate any reasons behind it.

--Marie

C, . "Why do teens use drugs?." 22 Mar 2007. Online Posting to National Issues Forums
            Online Discussions. Web. 9 Feb 2011.

Jenny, . "Why do teens use drugs?." 27 Apr 2007. Online Posting to National Issues Forums
            Online Discussions. Web. 9 Feb 2011.

Johnson, . "Why do teens use drugs?." 22 Mar 2007. Online Posting to National Issues
            Forums Online Discussions. Web. 9 Feb 2011.

Russell, Casey. "Why do teens use drugs?." 27 Apr 2007. Online Posting to National Issues
            Forums Online Discussions. Web. 9 Feb 2011.

Watson, Shaniqua . "Why do teens use drugs?." 22 Mar 2007. Online Posting to National
            Issues Forums Online Discussions. Web. 9 Feb 2011.

Taken for Granted

When someone is asked, "What do you do for fun?" The most common replies are watching movies, reading, listening to music, singing, dancing, eating, playing football, basketball, baseball, etc. Completely ordinary. Well, it is completely ordinary to us, but what about people who are not as fortunate?

There is a rather popular question that people of all ages like to ask each other: If you had to lose any one of your senses, which would it be? I have never met anyone who could answer quickly. Even when an answer is given, there is always something that can change their mind.

Sight. Then you can’t watch movies or TV, read, or play sports…

Sound. Then you can’t listen to music, sing, or even talk!

Smell. Then you wouldn’t be able to taste food as well or smell flowers and candles…

Taste. Then you definitely wouldn’t be able to enjoy food!

Touch. Then you wouldn’t notice when you hit something. That could be harmful…

            At this point, most people have given up, and say that they cannot decide. Besides, it does not matter; they have all five senses so they do not have to worry about it.
            Ignorance. That is what this is. Pure ignorance. There are countless numbers of people in this world that have lost a sense. They did not have a choice, and they must learn to compensate for what they have lost.
           
            The most famous person to lose her senses is Helen Keller. When she was merely 19 months old, she was struck with scarlet fever and lost not one, but two of her senses: sight and sound. Amazingly, with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, she mastered her disabilities, and triumphed in the strict, complex world of education. This article gives an account of her struggles as well as successes.
            “She really wanted to go Harvard, which would not consider her.” – She was not even considered. If she did not have her disabilities, she would have at least had a chance! “A few years earlier, Keller had discovered that she could write effectively and she pursued that calling, undaunted by an early incident in which her powerful memory entangled her in involuntary plagiarism.” – Helen was obviously incredibly gifted, but because she was simply unaware, she committed a crime.
            Unfortunately, there are not many people as talented as Helen Keller. There are not many who would be able to survive in a world of “blank solitude.” Most people would, in fact, be completely helpless. We are unquestionably blessed to have what we have, and this is something that should never be forgotten.

--Marie

A Moment Too Late

February 9, 1934

“Welcome back to Q107.5! Before we get back to today’s top hits, we have Jay with the weather. Take it away.”

“Thanks Johnny. We seem to have hit a record low temperature of -7°F. Write this on your calendars people! February 9, 1934…”

“How ya doin’?” said my husband quietly. He peered over at me, driving with one hand, reaching for my hand with the other.

“Charles, keep your eyes on the road!” I scolded him, “You don’t want an accident with the baby in the backseat!” I looked over my shoulder at our beautiful baby boy, sound asleep. He has his father’s blond hair, and my mother’s honey brown eyes. We named him John, after Charles’s favorite actor, John Wayne. He has only been our child for about an hour since I was cleared from the hospital, but the love flowing through every pore of my body towards him is overwhelming, suggesting the love of an eternity.

I turn back around and face the front, my head leaned against the window, eyelids drooping. It is 11:00 p.m., but the streets are surprisingly bare for New York City, reminding me of my teenage years down in Tennessee.

*          *          *

Ahh. Home sweet home. Charles opened the humble oak doors, and a warm gust of air swooped over us. He helped me carry my bags inside, limping slightly under the weight, while I held John.

“Thanks, Char,” I said, smiling at his old nickname.

“Sure thing, Carrie,” he winked, smiling at mine.

I laughed at our memories, so childish yet wonderful.

“Should I feed John before we go to bed? I don’t want him to wake up hungry or something tonight.”

“He will be fine. Look at him, he’s dead asleep, he wouldn’t wake up if an automobile came crashing through that wall right there,” he said, pointing at the living room wall.

“I guess so…”

“You’ve had a rough night, get some sleep. You deserve and need some rest.”

“Okay, thanks Charles. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

*          *          *

Beep! Beep! Beep!

“Aaargh!”

It is 8:00 a.m. I forgot to turn my alarm off. Again. My hands search aimlessly across the bedside table for the alarm; aggravated, I hit the off button.

I look over at Charles, looking so peaceful and relaxed, completely undisturbed by the alarm, and I remember – John!

I go to his nursery and find him sound asleep, just as I left him the night before. Exactly how I left him. Shouldn’t he have moved in his sleep, even just if it was just a little bit? He hasn’t cried at all either. Don’t most babies cry? He hasn’t woken up since last night. Dr. Reed said he should wake up every six hours or so. It’s been nine.

I pick him up from his crib, panicking at the sight of his small, unmoving body. I can hear him breathing; his breath is shallow, but undoubtedly there. That’s good. Quickly, I go back to the bedroom.

           “Charles,” I whispered urgently, “Charles, wake up!”
           “Mmm, Carrie? What’s wrong?” he said groggily.
           “I think something’s wrong with John. He hasn’t woken up at all. Shouldn’t he have woken up by now?”
           “Caroline, he’s fine,” he assured me, “He’s a baby – babies sleep a lot. It’s okay, he’ll wake up when he wants to wake up.”
           “Yeah, I guess you’re right..”
           “Sweetie, haven’t you learned anything over the past four years? I’m always right.” He teased.
           Still uneasy but less tense by his jokes, I lay John down on the bed between me and Charles. He leaned over John, looking at his son like the proudest father in the world.
           “Hey there baby. It’s your daddy. And there’s your mama. Now I know you can’t understand me but you listen here, I will always love you and do everything I can to make your life as good as it can be. That’s a promise. And don’t you every forget that.”
           He looked up at me, and his eyes widened, bewildered.
           “What’s wrong?!”
           “That was beautiful,” I replied, tears of joy streaming down my face. My two favorite boys are here with me, a part of this perfect moment.

*          *          *

           “Something smells good!” said Charles, walking through the front door.
           “Just a hotdog and potato chips for lunch today,” I said curtly, “Sorry.”
           “Uhh.. it’s alright?”
           “Okay.”
           “Is there something wrong..?”
           “Charles, John still hasn’t woken up. It’s noon!”
           “I’m telling you, the baby is fine.”
           “Okay, whatever you say.”
           “Don’t worry about it,” he insisted, “but I have to go back to work now – I’ll try to come home a little early.”

*          *          *

           It’s 3:00 p.m. Okay, that’s enough. I don’t care what Charles says, I’m taking him to the hospital. I should call him though.
           Ring, ring, ring!
           “Edward Jones, this is Charles speaking, how may I help you?”
           “Charles. It’s me. I’m taking John to the hospital. I think you should come.”

*          *          *

           John is in intensive care, and all I can do is sit here and wait! Where is Charles? He should be here by now! Gahh, how is John doing?
           “Caroline! Where’s John? How is he?”
           “He’s in intensive care, Charles. I told you something was wrong. I just hope he’s okay.”
           When he didn’t respond, I look over at him. He had gone to the chairs lined against the wall and sat down. I tried to read his expression – nothing.
           “Charles..? Are you–”

The door opened and Dr. Reed came out with a resigned look on his face.

“I’m afraid we have some bad news. Caroline, you might want to sit down as well.”

I did as I was told.

He slowly exhaled, “He didn’t make it. I’m so sorry. He had a severe case of jaundice. If he had been brought to us sooner, we might have been able to save him, but.. I’m sorry. We tried everything. There was nothing else we could do.”

Dumbstruck, we simply stared back at the doctor.

“Well I will leave you two alone, you can see John if you would like. If there is anything we can do for you, let us know.” And Dr. Reed disappeared through the doors.

We sat in silence for a moment, when I looked up at him. I could read his expression now – an expression that clearly said, “I should have listened.”

I stood up, took him in my arms, and we mourned for our lost son.

*          *          *

ONE YEAR LATER – February 9, 1935

           “Charles! Can you come help me? I dropped the blanket and if I go down I’m not coming back up!”
           He came through the door, and handed me the dropped blanket.
           “Thanks. I forgot how hard it is to have a stomach this big around!” I laughed. It feels good to laugh. This past year has been hard, and a year ago from today, John was born. I still cry myself to sleep often for our loss.
           “Well, it’ll be over soon. She’s ready to get out of there!” he said, touching my stomach.
           Ouch! What was that? Probably just the baby kicking. Ouch! Nope, I don’t think that’s it.
           Charles was there in an instant keeping me steady, sensing that something was wrong.
           “The baby’s coming!”


--Marie

February 9, 1934

Folklore of Different Cultures

Every culture has hundreds of stories, myths, and legends. However, each culture has certain qualities, differentiating them from the folklore of other cultures. They tend to have similar themes, story lines, etc. However, they could be very different depending on the culture it originated from.                Army of the Dead is a ghost story from the United States. It takes place in Charleston, South Carolina, soon after the Civil War ended. A laundress and her husband had just moved to town, and every night at midnight, the laundress was woken by a noise outside. However, when she looked out the window, there was nothing there. When she asked another laundress about the noises, she told her of the soldiers that died without knowing that the war had ended. These soldiers rose every night to go off the battle. Although her husband warned her not to look, one night, she decided to watch the ghosts go by, and when they vanished, her arm was paralyzed. There are certain things that we are supposed to see, and there are certain things that we are not supposed to see. If it is not for the eyes of particular people to see, then there is a reason.                Heron and the Hummingbird is a story started by Native American tribes.  It takes place before Darwin had discovered his theory of evolution. The heron and hummingbird were good friends, both sharing the fish and fruit that they ate. One day, they decide that there was not enough for both of them to share, and made a deal. They would race, and whoever won would get all the fish in the world, when the other would have only fruit. The hummingbird was sure to win.  Therefore, he had fun, taking breaks regularly, while the heron flew steadily and constantly. Four days later, the hummingbird arrived at the finish line to see the heron sitting smugly at the end.  The hummingbird took the race lightly, assuming he would win, due to the heron’s awkward, large body and wings, and he lost. He learned to never underestimate anything, because they may not be as they appear to be.                The Wailing Woman is a common story in Mexico. It took place in Mexico, where a Spanish soldier met a native woman. They fell in love, having two beautiful children. However, the soldier came from a wealthy family, and his family did not approve of his marriage and threatened to dismiss his inheritance. He returned to Spain to look for a Spanish wife. Blinded with rage, she drowned her two children in a river. When he learned of the fate of his children, he was furious. The woman ran into the woods, having gone insane, and searched in the river for the children she murdered. When she couldn’t find them, she drowned herself. Instead of going to Heaven, as punishment for her crime, she was forced to roam the land for the rest of eternity to search for the children she would never find. If the Spanish soldier had not left for money but stayed with the woman and children he loved, none of this would have happened. Nevertheless, it did happen, and the woman should have thought before she acted, for there are consequences to be considered for every action, whether good or bad.                There are obviously differences and similarities within these stories. In Army of the Dead, it had a specific time when it took place, while the other two did not. However, Heron and the Hummingbird and The Wailing Woman gave a specific time period in which certain events occurred, when Army of the Dead did not. And yet, Army of the Dead and The Wailing Woman gave a specific place, while Heron and the Hummingbird only gave a vague time. A similarity between all three stories, is that they all had more than one character involved, and each story stressed the importance of evaluating consequences before taking action. --Marie

Useful Education

The mindset of many teenagers is that our education is useless to us. When will we ever use a skill such as diagramming sentences, knowing the stages of photosynthesis, or finding the solution to an inequality? Most likely never.  However, there are certain in-school activities that we feel are irrelevant and unnecessary, such as writing these thINKs, as well as journaling when we read. What we do not realize, is that these skills are, in fact, used in the real world, and it is essential for us to learn. We must be able to make connections between two different things, and we must be able to ask appropriate, reasonable questions to fully understand something. A good example of a situation in which one would need these abilities is if one was a detective or a criminal investigator.

In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, sixteen-year-old Harriet Vanger disappeared without a trace. It was as if she had simply evaporated from the face of the Earth. This unsolved case has never stopped haunting Harriet’s great uncle, Henrik Vanger, as well as the investigator of the case, Gustaf Morell. Forty years later, Vanger, the aged former CEO of the prestigious Vanger Enterprises, hired journalist Mikael Blomkvist to do all he could to find the truth of the fate of his great niece.

Blomkvist was given all police records on the case, and as he was reading the reports, he was jotting down questions he wanted answers to, as well as small details that he noticed within the pages of the unsolved mystery. “By late evening, when he closed the binder, he had filled several pages of his own notebook – with reminders and questions to which he hoped to find answers in subsequent binders.” (pg. 147) – This is putting our reading journals into the real world. “A note sent at 11:20 a.m. stated that P-014 (police car? patrol? pilot of a boat?) had been sent to the site.” (pg. 148) – Just like the criteria for this very assignment, he is asking questions about what he is reading.

We ask ourselves, why do we have to do these reading journals? Well, this is why. Although it is in a different situation and context, it is still the same concept. Maybe the next time we want to complain about pointless work, we should ask ourselves whether it really is pointless or not.

--Marie

A Special Birthday

It is a perfect summer night in Hawaii; there is a cool breeze – not too hot, not too cold. My eyelids are heavy, weighed down of jetlag from the time change from Japan. It is my birthday, but I am too tired to celebrate. As my mind starts drifting into the dream world, I hear a sudden outburst of a cheerful chorus of “Happy Birthday”. When finished, an explosion of applause erupts from my table, and a small cake is placed in front of me. All fatigue forgotten, I look around me, staring at the beaming faces of family and friends alike, all wearing beautiful, red flowers in their hair. I tug at the hem of my dress, nervous under the eye of so many, and blow out the ten candles neatly placed on the cake. A sudden gust of wind blows in my face, and I smell a mixture of burning candle wax and the salty ocean breeze. It is pleasant; I like it. Washing down the faint aftertaste of pineapples from dinner, I pick up the cold silverware, ready to taste my surprise birthday cake. My mother gives me the first piece, and I hastily bite into the rich chocolate cake, savoring every sweet bite.

--Marie

Imagine the World As One

          Every problem in the world has an infinite amount of possibilities of what could have been the cause behind it. Why did the car stop? It ran out of gas, or the battery died. Why was the milk spoiled? It was old, or the refrigerator was not cold enough. Then you get deeper, and it becomes more complicated. Why did the car’s battery die? The wires were old and rusted. Why did the refrigerator stop producing cold air? The wires were old and rusted. Just like these two situations, in the end, everything comes down to one main cause. This also applies to everyday human life. We judge people we do not know, we gossip, and we stereotype, whether it is intentional or not.

          In John Lennon’s song, “Imagine”, he stresses how much discrimination there is in the world. – “Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too.” However, he understands the concept of unity. He acknowledges the fact that there will always be people wanting to fight, but he still has hope that one day, those people will realize how pointless the hostility is, so that everyone can live together in peace. – “You may say that I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, And the world will be as one.”
          If everyone gave an effort to simply be kinder to one another, many problems would be solved, and we may have an actual chance of acquiring world peace.

--Marie

War: Physical or Mental?

Generally speaking, men are stronger than women. Before machines were invented to aid us with a simple push of a button at construction sites, factories, etc., men were given jobs involved with manual labor. There are times when gender is a large factor, but should gender and physical strength be the basis behind who should go to war?

There have been many debates over whether women should be permitted to fight in combat or not. Many say no, because they believe that “women are physically incapable.” Many say yes, because they believe that women should have the option of fighting for their country if that is what they want.

Although I must agree that a certain level of physical competence should be reached, I feel as if more than fitness is needed to be on the battlefield.  Along with physical strength, there should be mental strength as well, for many come back insane.

In Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, seventeen year old Katniss Everdeen was the symbol of the second civil war. After a year of war, she went crazy. Upon her return home, she was under watch and care of her mentor and Greasy Sae, whom she knew well. When left alone, she remained unmoving, not caring what became of her. – “I am unable to move from the chair. The rest of the house looms cold and empty and dark. I pull an old shawl over my body and watch the flames. I guess I sleep, because the next thing I know, it’s morning and Greasy Sae’s banging around at the stove." (pg. 380) She believed that she was the cause of every victim’s death, and had nightmares about them killing her for revenge. -- “Wonder if she’ll be joining the cast of my nightmares tonight." (pg. 384) Most are aware that war is appalling, but do not understand the true horrors of war, death, and pain until it is too late.

Of course, physical health is important; however, it is obviously much more essential for mental stability. It is better to go back to friends and family with wounds and a strong heart and mind to heal than a healthy body and detachment due to post-war trauma or disorientation.

--Marie

Thesis Statement

          In the poem, "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes, the tones of neglect and confidence reflect how he is pushed aside, as if he was not as good as others, and how he knows that one day it will all be better. Although he cannot do anything about his circumstances at the time, he knows that if he stays strong and perseveres, in the end, he will eventually be equal to others, and not discriminated against because of race (or religion, gender, etc.).

--Marie