Blog #8 May 5, 2015 (Last Blog)

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

So I was looking through my drawers where I left my books.  I read all of them except this one book.  Its a trilogy but I only have the third book.  I picked it up at the dentist when I got my right 2 teeth pulled out.  I didn't want to read it until I get the the first 2.  It's something about warrior mice.  It looks a little interesting but probably not my type.  Then I stumbled into a small book I read over the summer.  It was the first book I got after getting my first 2 left teeth out.  Geez, I loved the book.  I told myself I should read the third trilogy book but I desperately wanted to blog about the little book.  I remember I read it for only one day.  Pretty much the whole day because I still had to do chores, take a nap from all the pain and all that.  I was proud to read it all of it in just I think around 2 hours.  It's called Geography Club.  

At first I thought it was going to talk about the world so I told myself, WHY NOT?  When I got home I started to read it and I found out what kind of book it was.  I believe I turned read as in blushing.  It was about a fictional character Russel who is gay.  My religion is Christian and we're well you know anti-gay.  We don't believe that is right but we don't treat them like trash.  This is mostly my family who we just say, it's just not right.  I'm against Gay but I hate to see them being treated like trash.  I could help but laugh I told myself "I picked a book about a gay person!"  I smiled but read on.  Around the 17th page I didn't want to stop.  I also found the reason why it's called "Geography Club".  This is my second time reading this book but like I said, I desperately wanted to blog about this.  So here it goes.  ONCE AGAIN!!!

Summary:

This story story starts of a little sexual and weird.  Russell Middlebrook explains that he is not on territory lines.  There he is desperately trying not to blow his cover while seeing his naked peers change in the locker room.  He says they all came out of the shower room (awkward).  Also his eyes can't keep away from genitals.  He then says the only reason why he is in territory lines is because he is gay.  He then says he maybe has this crush at the popular jock named Kevin Land.  Russel turns down the crush because he knows Kevin had sex with some girls and is straight.  To his surprise he found a username in a gay chat room called GayTeen (to simple...wow.)  They meet in the high school and finds out it was Kevin.  They both discuss very little about how they tried to hide their secret.  Funny thing is even though Russel is gay he stills make a little fun of Kevin for being gay.  The next day Russel tells his friend Min (The Asian egghead of Goodkind High School) about Kevin being gay.  He then confessed to her that he was gay which is how he met GayTeen (Kevin).  Min then confesses to Russel she is bisexual dating the soccer player named Terese.

Again Again:

While reading the book there Kevin, Russell, Min, Terese,  and Ike (some kid Terese decided to bring along with) and they meet in a pizzeria.  As they sit they talk a lot about general stuff but once their pizza comes in, they're quiet.  Then Russell breaks the silence by saying "So here we are".  I got to say it was a little awkward but Russell had this little get to together.  They then discuss about being gay and family.  Kevin Land says that it's hard to be gay and popular because there's to much pressure.  Ike says it's harder to keep it away from his parent's and family because something worse can happen.  Terese, Min, Kevin and Russell all agree to what Ike had said.  They stay there until dusk (after school to dusk 6 I believe) and they leave.  Ike suggest they won't feel long if they sit next to each other during lunch.  They agree and leave in their separate ways except Min and Russell.  The next day during school they meet in lunch but to their surprise they seem to be feeling off with each other (again).  Russell explains how he can't believe this is the same group of people from the pizzeria.  He remembers how they were first quiet after getting their pizza and then become open to each other.  They all are near the table some Kevin isn't sitting on it.  Russell once again says "So...here we are"(All this is rephrased evidence).  I told my self why does he keep saying this?  Until it felt like a slap to my face, BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON!  That common is same sexuality that people don't accept.  I believe Russell is only saying this because 1.) he must feel awkward with the same people like him 2.) Not use to saying problems about his sexuality 3.) He only knows Min best and the rest are sort of strangers (Kevin is pretty much Russell crush).  Also I think that "Here we are again" is also saying that he doesn't want the others to leave him or show his expression that he also feel a little uncomfortable.

P.S. - This story has some sexual content...but I think we can handle it.  As long as you love the book.  I am also challenging myself to rephrased evidence instead of direct evidence.

Watashi no burogu o yonde itadaki, arigatōgozaimasu (Japanese)

(Thank you for reading my blog)

Blog #7 5/3/ 15

Summary:

Robin finds out it was never a hallucination about a boat.  She does complained not being a Coast Guard (which most hallucinations do, make a Coast Guard) and instead being the NOAA.  She finally collapsed in the sand and the researches rescue her bringing her inside their boat.  She wakes up half way dirty and tubes injected in her, IV's.  She is greeted with a man along with many other NOAA crew members.  She then meets her roommate, Kristen.  Kristen is a nice woman towards Robie and comforts her and informs Robie about when they're coming to Midway and when Robie remembered being stranded in the ocean and island.  They tell her they're only a 24 hours away from Midway.  As she prepares to go back home, Brian ask her if she want's to keep anything that was left in the torn raft.  She hesitant but finds something SO unexpected that even I screamed, I will have to leave her.  Whoops but I can't just tell you what happened in the end.  Besides I am a little confused myself.  THE FEELS

Overall opinion

Well, my 6th blog I already posted my theory of the theme.  So I want to give an overall opinion on this book.  Chris from 5th period lit class told me THE RAFT was a good book.  I decided to take his opinion and read the first few pages.  I have to say I am very content for trusting Chris's opinion on the book.  It was amazing, it was like Gary Paulsen's writing only this had a little more FEELS into it (once again I'M IN A GLASS CASE FULL OF EMOTION).  I remember this one part where Robie was out in the raft with Max sleeping, and she said that back at home you didn't need to hope or wait for water to come.  It was always there.  You had electricity, water, food, people that are there for you (Paraphrased evidence).  That really shows how Max and her are struggling to survive after a fatal plane crash.  If you think about it, she's right.  There's kids who are just SO  greedy if they lost a phone and get a new one in just so little hours.  Yet, they never really look at what they have surrounding them.  They have a lot of sources for them to provide on, there's so many people who don't have sources like us American's do.  I have to say reading about her struggles was like a big shout out to actual lives like in North Korea, Pakistan maybe a country facing war.  Not only realizing and/or maybe making a connecting to real lives in the world.  The book was full of surprises.  "Just as I was ready to bring the board down, her head fell my way, both of her eyes looking up at mine.  There was no surprise in her gaze.  Like she expected me to be there.  To help her.  As she looked at me, I swear she was crying.  'I'm Sorry...'   Then I cried out as I brought the board down as hard as I could."  This piece of evidence is where the surprising happens.  Tada!  I can't tell you who is 'her' but I will tell you it was a very emotional death.  This was surprising me because I didn't think Robie had the courage to do this.  She was waiting for her death to come and there it was.  Heck, days later another death occurred to human causes.  The little guy died by after 'her'.  Then the are the notebook entries about Max's life.  While Max is sleeping and waking up in unexpected times, Robie takes the chance to read his past life.  There was so many things I didn't know about Max.  Max became my favorite character but after hearing about his life and the incident I just wanted to die, or at least be in a pool of tears.  Overall, the book was FANTASTIC!  There was so much about this book that made me love it.  I would think others would love it.  Especially the ending.  Ending is where I'm tied and curious to what caused that.  Max sounds like an AWESOME man.

Blog #6 4/24/15

Summary

Near the end of the book Robie and Max face a lot more.  The sun was beating on their dry, dehydrating bodies and Robie keeps herself cool by wetting herself in the ocean.  She looked over as Max seeing he was sleeping as always because he hit himself in the head after saving Robie two times already.  She pushes him off the raft in order for him to get cool.  Next morning she finds him gone.  2 days passed and he comes back surprising Robie.  They face dehydration and hunger once again.  Robie finds an Island called Lisianski and both her and Max get there with a few cuts and bruises from the coral reef.  As Max, once again sleeps while Robie does the work, Robie experiences seeing a mother seal having a huge gap on her stomach from a  tiger shark, meeting the baby seal she later named Starbuck, and trying to face against the tiger shark.  Basically the tiger shark just keeps circling waiting for his/her prey.  Baby seal later dies from our causes (dang it).  She finds a suit which really turned out to be a dead, eaten body with a beacon.  Max pushes her to get the beacon after she is nearly paralyzed from the view she saw.  That's when she screams the truth about Max.  Probably 2 days later a boat arrives which is to be believed Robie's hallucination.

Theme

I haven't finished the book only sixteen pages left, but I thought since I only have that little pages left why not just write the theme.  So as I explained in a quick summary about everything else I read in the short book.  As I read I did notice something many people don't think about.  We you see the most obvious is that Robie is stuck in the middle of the ocean trying to survive, with some dude he just met.  No big deal! You got a guy whose older than you and is a copilot, trained to fly a plane and was taught how to survive in situations like these.  Not the case here ladies and gentlemen!  Seriously...not kidding.  You see you're adult copilot is sleeping a lot from a head injury after saving you twice or in this case saving fifteen year old Robie.  As Robie struggles to keep both her and Max's life she said that she had water, electricity and parents she can provide on (rephrased evidence).  Now being on ocean she can't have that only way was to survive.  This piece of evidence shows that people who live in urban areas are lucky to have resources like this.  There are many people who doesn't have this and have to live a very struggling, complicating life.  To me this books stands out how people like us who are use to living in sources that are already there will make it a WHOLE  lot harder for us to survive. I think the theme might be "Be grateful for what you have because it won't always stay that way".  There's many things that could happen leaving you lose one thing to another.

NOTE - Even though Max was sleeping and hearing the hard truth about Max, I still managed to somehow make him my favorite character.  I don't know he seem cool I guess.

Blog #5 April 17, 2015

Summary

I have started reading the book The Raft about a girl who is stuck in the ocean.  So a girl named Robie who lives in Midway was visiting her aunt AJ in Honolulu, Hawaii.  AJ then gets a call from her boss to fly to Los Angeles for a week of work, she tells Robie she has to go home because no one will be there to keep an eye on her.  Robie rejects and tells her she can take care of herself and knows where to go since she's been visiting Honolulu when she was 8 years old.  She is fifteen by the way.  After AJ is gone she buys herself food in fast food places.  Then when it gets a little darker she goes out for McDonalds.  She explains she was frighten since she never went out in the dark streets and was always with some adult.  As she buys her food a man grabs her and pulls on her hair.  She keeps repeating "I'm not Lucy".  As another man finally saves her, she takes the chance to run and cry in AJ's apartment.  The next day she goes to the airport to fly home, she meets her usually pilot named Larry.  He flies a G-1, she also finds out a new copilot who's name is Max.  As the flight starts she starts to feels the turbulence go stronger each passing minute.  Taking a glance outside she sees one of the G-1's engine failing.  Panic starts to rise inside of her once Max gives her a raft and life jacket. She jumps off after being slapped from Max to get her grip and listen.  Once again she was saved from Max from almost drowning.  Day comes and she sees Max unconscious on the raft, unknown on what to do she finds a ditty bag with Max but decides not to read anything if it's Max's privacy.

Conflict:

As I read the book I was starting to love the minute the man starts to pull her hair and 'mistake' her as Lucy.  Maybe he did maybe he didn't mistake her.  She then plans to return to Midway where she lives.  Only a problem occurs.  Now that she is in the plane, one of the engines fail because of the storm.  Max who is the copilot starts to prepare her for when she jumps out.  In page 29 Max says, " 'We lost an engine and the hydraulics are acting up.  We can't get out of the storm, so Larry is going to ditch the plane while he can still control it.' He nodded at the flotation device in my lap.  'Put that on.' "  This piece of evidence is just what max says instead of telling Robie something positive. In page 55 Robie says, "I shook his shoulder a little.  His eyes stayed closed and he didn't budge."  This piece of evidence shows another conflict.  Robie being only fifteen years old and Max around his twenties, Max is injured around his head and is most likely unconscious.  He being the adult can't help Robie survive, Robie being clueless on how to survive and scared to death to lose Max is a problem.  She finds a ditty bag in Max's is arms and a survival bag from the raft.  The survival bag isn't much help it's only for the raft and the Ditty bag contains nothing but a book on how to survive (which Robie stops reading after saying it was pointless) and a book of paperwork of people's weight and bag weight (which is highly important in case an engine is at lost and not to much weight is depended on one working engine) and sees that her name isn't in it.  She starts to worry as she says that she remembers that she never stepped on a scale, she does say she weighs 155 and her bags were 85 pounds which in total was 200 pounds to much for the one working engine.  The G-1 only allows 3,800 pounds.  She also questions whether Max might've forgotten her, or didn't put her on purpose.  After all it was Max's job to put her on the manifest. (rephrased evidence) This is a problem because without knowing a person's weight and luggage a problem could occur to the flight and one of the systems could fail, which can lead to many other upcoming problems.

Native Americans Culture analysis April 15, 2015

The whites believed the Native Americans aren't living the white culture, only because they have a different culture to theirs and were being changed. Indian children were sent off to boarding school where they were taught how to live in the modern white culture. Ota Kte was an example of this conflict. He was forced to change from Native American to White and Native Americans were also pushed off of their land. In page 12 is states that, " By 1879, settlers and the U.S. Army had forced most tribes off their lands, and 'white man' diseases had devastated the native population. American's 250,000 remaining Native American's living on reservation, barely surviving on food and cast-off clothes provided by the U.S. government." This piece of evidence showed how one way Native Americans were kept off land was because of white disaster. If the whites didn't come, the Native American's still would've been living on the land without worrying about all the diseases. This conflicted the Native Americans to keep surviving, and pushed aside.  

Another piece of evidence in page 13 was that, "Pratt believed that the children needed to completely abandon their 'Indian-ness' in order to succeed in America. 'Kill the Indian, save the man,' was Pratt saying." This piece of evidence shows that the the whites did not accept another culture in order to be equal to them. They were willing to change the culture of the children so they can have it their way. In page 14 it states that, " 'We have solved the Indian problem!' wrote one government agent after visiting Carlisle. 'These children are thriving.' But where they? What was it really like for these children-some only 4 or 5 years old-to be sent so far away from their ways of life? In fact, many children became profoundly homesick or rebelled against the strict discipline. Two girls tried to set their dormitory on fire. Others tried to run away." This piece of evidence shows how the Native Americans weren't accepting any of the lessons the Whites were giving to them. They felt like they were being pushed aside only because another culture didn't accept theirs.

In the article Life on the Rez Shanice Britton's essay's purpose was to show how different yet quite similar her life is to city teenagers or others. One thing she want's her readers to know is that living as a Native American ca be both hard but not different at all. Like she explains where she wears jeans and normal clothing like we would in the city of towns. In page 15 it states, "When people find out I am Native American, they have all these ideas about what that means-that I live in a teepee and wear moccasins and a headdress. But those are misconceptions......We live in houses with electricity and running water. I take showers, watch Finding Carter on MTV, and wear jeans, just like any other teen. There are paved roads and a grocery store, a gas station, and restaurants." This piece of evidence shows how the Native Americans aren't that different from how we live. In page 17 it states, ...the Native population is only .07 percent. So a lot of students here don't understand my culture. Some people think that all Native Americans have the same culture, but I explain that each tribe has its own traditions....But teaching my classmates about that stuff doesn't bother me-I'm happy to answer their questions. And it's interesting to learn about their culture too." This piece of evidence shows how other people believe the misconceptions of someone else is culture.

Blog #4 4/12/15

Summary:

I have now finished my book.  Now fulling knowing that Ed has to help his friends he starts to think what exactly they need help.  Though he knew his friends a very long time he isn't fully aware of their situations.  The first he has to solve is Ritchie's who he is honest towards him.  "Ritchie-you're an absolute disgrace to yourself."  The exact words from Ed.  After he then deals with Marv, only to find out a big secret that Marv is hiding.  At first he thought Marv had all that money and wasn't going to spend it, but Marv was keeping that money for a certain someone to apologies.  His last mission for the Hearts was Audrey, his crush.  Ed only finds out Audrey a bit more quicker than the two and dances with her in a romantic way.  She is dating Simon or what Ed called 'the boyfriend' but she doesn't love him.  So all he gives her is real love and she is grateful for that.  After finally successfully completing those mission he gets the LAST card.  This was goes to 26 Shipping street, his street.  As much as I want to tell you about Marv's secret and who really is behind Ed's mission and what this all means, I can't.  It was pretty surprising.  

Theme:

As I read the book through I couldn't but try to find the theme.  You see there was this one night where I stayed up till 5 reading over 100 pages and fighting my sleep.  I know it's bad to do that but the book was really inspiring.  Funny thing is my dad found me sleeping with the lights on and the book near me, it's not a surprise since I really love to read and sleep with books near me.  As I was reading this book, it was just fantastic, some parts I just wanted to cry, scream, and/or feel sympathy towards a character.  It's funny when you're trying to find the theme and the book is called I am the messenger.  Like it's already throwing you the theme towards your face or mostly likely punching you.  Believe me, don't get fooled by the title it does tell the ending now that I think about it.  As I keep in mind the title (I am the messenger) even though the ending is a huge twist there are many parts that jump at me.  Let's keep mind while reading the book he is delivering messages to others or so but they really are heart catching.  Like I wrote before, Ed lives a pretty dull life.  He's a tax driver, lives in a house with a sewer smelling dog that was from his father, father passed away, his siblings are living a nice life especially his younger brother, Tommy, has a crush on his friend who doesn't love him the way he expects and his mother hates him.  One quote that I do remember and I think it sums up everything in the book is what Daryl or Keith said (sorry Ed didn't know there name just yet.  I believe it was Daryl).   "These are things we have to suffer for the greater good of mankind"  He is suffering from having to be assigned to kill a man to being punched with heart breaking words from him mother.  Like I said he is suffering but is willing to help others.  An example would be a girl named Angelina, an 8 year old who has an abusive father with a mother who is being raped by him.  As he waits outside fighting on whether to approach the abusive husband or not, the little girl comes out to see the sky.  After seeing Ed she only asks "In a whisper she asks, 'Who are you?' 'I'm, Ed' I whisper back.  'I'm, Angelina,' She says.  "Are you here to save us?' I can see a tiny spark of hope awaken in her eyes (78)"  This nearly make me feel like jelly like, Ed.  This shows how someone else is suffering and Ed takes it in to suffer and make it better for them.  No, I can't say what happened it's better for you (if you haven't read it) to find out on your own.  

As the story continues there are many things that people are suffering but maybe around three or five people are suffering the most.  I don't want to tell everything but I think that everything I pick for my topic will help support it.  Keeping in mind to that quote, Ed asks his mother why she hates him.  To give you a little bit of background info.  Ever since Ed's father died his mother started to disrespect and not show love towards Ed. 'Course, Ed had to face the truth.  His mother doesn't love him because she never loved the 'man with the broken promises'.  "Her expression swells as I look at her.  I speak, saying the words hard. 'Ma?' I ask. 'What?' 'Why do you hate me so much?'  And now she looks at me, this woman, as I make sure my eyes don't give me away. Flatly, simply, she answers.  'Because, Ed-you remind me of him"  Him? It registers. Him-my father.  She goes inside and the door slams.  I've had to take a man up to the Cathedral and attempt to kill him.  I've had hit men eat pies in my kitchen and lay me out.  I've been jumped by a group of teenage thugs.  This however, feels like my darkest hour.  Standing. Hurting.  On my mother's front porch.  The Sky opens, now crumbling apart."  This is most likely the heart breaking part out of all of the text in the book.  As Ed thinks about what he had to deal with and yet he admits that facing these words is probably the worst out of all.  I could think this would fit finely with the quote.  He delivered the messages that not only the person he faced understood but it also helped shaped his life.  Dealing with these words is harsh and full with depression but it helped him see what's his mother's struggled towards him, and he suffered for the greater good.  He at least got an answer instead of having to question everyday, which in my words is the greater good.  

 The theme must be  "These are things we have to suffer for the greater good of mankind"  I would say this means that there are many things we have to deal with in order to shape society, mankind, especially yourself.  From reading this story Ed suffered but helped shaped his own life and the others.  Now he lives a better life than before with his three best friends who their lives are beginning to shape better as well.  I think this book is most likely talking about living a life, not like party hard but what's around you.  This book helped me see that there are people suffering

Side Note -

  I nearly cried once Ed found out Marv's secret for saving the $500 or $5,000.  I wanted to scream like a fangirl after what Ed did to make Marv feel grateful towards his friend.  I couldn't help but feel like tearing after the BEAUTIFUL moment.  This book is what I would recommend to others, especially people who believe there life is low and believe they don't "deserve" to live.  It's a good lesson and inspiring.  There are others to support you!

(It's enough to make a grown man cry)

Blog #3 4.3.2015

Summary

So far in the book Ed leaves the whole crush on Audrey alone and focuses on his job.  He had to kill a man who kept abusing his wife and daughter but he didn't.  He later finds out that the man is living somewhere else hopefully not abusing anyone else in there, the wife and the daughter are now living happily though Ed is a little concerned that they're a living a little more poor than they were with the abusive man.  Ed keeps going with this job and given book titles.  He finds out that the book titles represent a street name and number.  He advertises about a church that doesn't even have people that worship there and makes it successful.  He buys an ice-cream for a woman who is a single mom.  He gets an address to an Italian restaurant and finds out he has to deliver a message for his mother (ma).  Though that one doesn't go well and is more depressing.  He also welcomes the Tatupu family who just moved in and don't feel welcomes since no body acknowledges them (another one of his mission).  He then get his last card, hearts.  This one was one he was afraid of.  The last three people was what he thought was hard and afraid of what the messages are going to be.  Ritchie, Marv and Audrey.

Contrast and Contradictions

While I was reading the book Ed had another ace card and an address was an old theatre.  He goes in and meets a man named Bernie.  Bernie drags Ed to the next movie telling him he was going to miss the rest of his movie.  Ed decides to introduce himself to his surprise Bernie already knew.  In page 250 it says, "'My name's Ed Kennedy,' and hold out my hand.  He stops and shakes it, looking into my face 'Yes, I know who you are.'  Momentarily, he forgets about the reel and looks me directly in the eye with total friendliness.  'I was told you were coming.'  This piece of evidence shows that Ed was brought to this place for something else than a message.  The person who is behind this is probably following Ed and wanting to show him something.  Ed finally finishes his movie and Bernie comes in telling him if he wants to see another.  Ed says he wants to save a movie called Cool Hand Luke for a girl...Audrey.  I was surprised since Ed never really does anything to go out with Audrey.  Not only that, she is in the relationship with Simon, or the Boyfriend what Ed likes to call him.  In page21it says,  "Like I said, I love Audrey something terrible.  Audrey, who's had plenty of sex with plenty of people but never with me.  She's always said she likes me too much to do it with me, and, personally, I've never tried to get her naked and new and all shivery in front of me.  I'm too afraid."  This piece of evidence shows how Audrey looks at Ed as just a friend.  Also it shows he's to afraid to even make a move on her which then he later makes a move.

In page 252 it says,  "He gives me a catalog the size of an encyclopedia to look through and suggest a movie, but I don't need it.  'No thanks' I explain to him. 'I know what I want.'  'Really? Already?'  I nod 'Cool Hand Luke.' He rubs his hands together again and grins.  'Lovely choice.  A great film.  Paul Newman's outstanding, and George Kennedy, your namesake-unforgettable.  Seven-thirty tomorrow?'  'Beautiful.'  'Great, I'll see you and your girl tomorrow then.  What her name, this girl of yours?'  'Audrey.'  'Ah. lovely'  I'm about to to leave..."  This piece of evidence shows how he finally had courage to ask Audrey into just watching a movie.  Also he picked a movie she loves and watches a bunch of times.  I'm guessing he wanted to 'hang' out with her and make her see what he's been doing with the aces.

Blog #2 Quarter 4

Summary:

So far in the book Ed receives a Card of Ace that tells him certain places.  He later find out he has to be sort of their savior or Saint; ever since he stopped the man who was robbing the bank.  One id Edgar street where a mother and daughter live a life with an abusive man.  Another street is about an old woman who's husband died, the last is a girl who runs which is in her family but still loses.  After he saved each one making them have a hopeful happy life he is then sent another card.  One thing Ed does discover is that each card he completes the next will just get harder and harder.  The Stones of Homes have 3 written names for Ed to help.  As he tries to figure out what to do in the first name, Thomas O'Reilly who is a priest.  He is having trouble with his friends and his crush (Audrey).  'Course he does get mad after seeing Audrey make out with another man during work which isn't surprising since Ed says, she had sex with many other men.

Words of the Wiser

While I was Reading Ed was caught up with two men.  These two men tied him and told him about his progress of how's he doing on his work.  They tie him, make him bleed from the back of his head, the Doorman (his father's dog who stinks from a permanent smell) isn't a good guard dog, and they eat pie in front of him.  One of them two men says a phrase that stood out to me, "These are things we have to suffer for the greater good of mankind".  To me this reminded of Ed's job.  In the book Ed complains how he has to be chosen to do these jobs.  In page 81 it says, "This has gone too far now.  A gun, for God's sake.  I can't kill anyone.  For starters, I'm a coward.  Second, I'm weak.  Third, the day of the bank robbery was obviously a fluke-nobody's ever even showed me how to use a gun... I'm angry now.  Why have I been chosen for this?  I beg, despite knowing without question what I have to do.  You were happy with the other two, I castigate myself.  So now you have to do this one."  This piece of evidence shows how he complains for being picked for such a drastic task.  Yet, he does admit how he was fine with both Sophie and Milla, making him happy.  This quote shows that he suffers trying to keep those people happy but is something mankind who are suffering deserve happiness. 

Tolerance 3.26.15

Tolerance: The Ability or Willingness to allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something, in particular the existence of opinions r behavior that one does not agree with.

I can be more tolerant by being friends with people that are different than me or even talk to them in a kind manner.  Tolerance means to me too accept someone even though I don't necessarily agree with it.  I can live a more tolerant life by just accepting people even though I don't accept what they do. For this current day I am friends with two gay people, and different religions.  I didn't know some of my friends were gay even though I don't like that I still decided to accept them.  To me they're just normal people who have a different sexuality that I'm not use to.  My new understanding on Tolerance will shape my life and actions by seeing that not everyone is the same and not everyone accept everything.

Blog #1 (3/14/15) Quarter 4

Summary:

I have started to read the book The Messenger and it's about a underage cabdriver boy named Ed Kennedy who has three friends and one of his friends is some one he loves.  It first starts out as Ed, Marv, Ritchie and Audrey are stuck in a bank swearing especially since a man is robbing the bank.  After the man tries to rob the bank but fails because Ed grabs his gun and fires at the Windshield of Marv's Falcon car and the man is arrested.  Ed then later talks about his life and his life living with his mother.  Eventually not having a very bright past.

Conflict:

Though I am still in the beginning of the book I keep thinking that since Ed's is past life is a conflict to him. In page 20 it says, "When Katherine got pregnant at Seventeen I cried.  I was twelve then.  She moved out of home soon after.  She wasn't booted out or anything like that.  She left and got married."  In the same page it says, "A year later, when Leigh left, there was no problems.  She wasn't pregnant"  And the last is in (P.g. 20), "Tommy's done especially well.  He's on his way to becoming a lawyer."  All these three pieces of evidence show that Ed didn't live a good and affected himself inside.  Then there is his father.  In page 19 it says, "Like I said, my father died about six months ago" and "I could say living with my ma wasn't easy…"  This piece of evidence tells about Ed's parent's, eventually he doesn't have a father no more and he also explains that living with his mother wasn't an easy thing to deal with.  With all these problems this could affect his inner self, he has a picture of his family on top of his table.  He says it's a show he loves to watch, remembering.  

Blog #8

Summary:

So far in the book Irene has finally been able to hide her Jewish Friends.  Ever since the Major has bought the Villa, Irene has been hiding her friends in the basement. Successfully putting them in there and not having to be locked up in the grating of the Major's bathroom being cramped.  Once the major leaves for work she usually locks the door telling the major only for safety purposes.  While at work Irene let's her friends out to eat and do whatever they want without getting caught.  One thing she's being doing is closing the curtains also.  One day the major came home early with SS men telling him that they suspected Jews around his house.  The major does not believe the SS men and tells Irene to show them every room they want to prove to them that there are no jews.  Major puts all his trust towards Irene making her a bit uncomfortable and guilty for her decisions she's been making.

Character Analysis

Irene's character traits are determined.  She's determined that her friends will be able to hide in the Villa without getting caught even though her friends do not agree with it.  In page 174 it states, "'Irene' Ida whispered 'You must turn us in.  This is too dangerous for you.' 'No! Just wait.  I'll let you have a break when I know the SS are gone.  Don't do anything until I get back!'' This piece of evidence shows that Irene is determined to keep hiding her friends even though they disagree and tell her to turn them in.  She is also brave for a 19 year old.  In page 158 it states, "'I'm sure of it,' I said. 'Once the work is completed, I'll find a way to smuggle you into it. It will be a week or two before the house is ready, though.  That will give us enough time to plan."  This piece of evidence shows that Irene is brave enough to make a plan for her friends to be safe and away from Rokita's plan, from making Ternopol Jewish free.

Blog #7

Summary:

Irene now knowing her family is alive then becomes separate.  Tatuś (the father of Irene) is taken away to a factory from the German's, Irene's mother takes the 3 younger girls with her to find her husband but leaves Irene and Janina only because they have more of German features and doesn't want nothing to happen to them.  Months passed and the family hasn't been reunited who Irene finds out her little sisters are put into a factory.  As Irene is walking home from her work she is taken in a truck with other Poles and is force to work in a factory like her father was.  She was then hired as an assisted to a man named Schulz who they both are servants to Herr Major.  She also makes friends to Jews who work in a laundry.  A man named Rokita plans on exterminating the Jews at the end of the month before the Soviet Union gets to them, which leads to Irene an uneasy feeling on how to save her Jewish friends.

Connections:

While I was reading the book I made a connection with the famous Anne Frank.  Irene who is a Pole not a Jew works for the Nazi but she is on the side of Jews.  She's conflicting on which side she should be on, the Jew or the German.  That is until while she was cleaning a table that was filled food from the Nazi eating dinner there, she heard Rokita say by the end of the month they will pick up all the Jews and exterminate them.  "'Why is that?' he asked Rokita, a bit tiredly.  Rokita grinned.  'Because, my dear major, by the twenty-second of this month, Ternopol will be judenrein.  Won't that be wonderful?'" This piece of evidence shows that Rokita has now have an exact date for Ternopol to become Jew free, making Irene panic.  I thought back of when Anne Frank had to hide in the attic I believe in a store, while Irene hid her friends in a grating in the Major's bathroom.  The grating can be hidden if the sunlight isn't directing towards it to much which made me think of the bookcase that actually hid the stairs to where the Franks were hidden.  In page 169, "Then I noticed, high on the wall above the toilet, a grating.  I had never taken note of it before, but the play of the light had drawn my eyes there." This evidence shows that the light was able to make the grating appear more but without much light the grating seems invisible.  A good hiding place for the Jews.  Another connection is when the Franks had to stay quiet while hiding so no one suspects anything.  In this case while Irene was in the Major bathroom a soldier accidentally came in at the same time which had to make the Jews quiet throughout out the time, especially since it's the Major's bathroom.  In page 174 it states, "Looking quite sheepish, he turned and let himself out.  Obviously, he did not expect to find Jews hiding in the major's bathroom.  If he has taken even a moment to look around, he would have spotted the vent.  And he would have seen the shadowy form of Ida Haller, sitting cross-legged behind the screen."  This piece of evidence shows that they had to be careful since the Nazi soldiers are in that Villa and will suspect and kill a Jew.  This reminded me of Anne Frank of when they had to be dead silent until 12 or so.

Blog #6 2/22//2015

In My Hands

Summary:

So far in the book Irene who is trying her best to come home is faced with another problem.  She takes a stroll in the park and finds a Soviet soldier who she recognizes from the hospital.  As she tries to escape the soldier who doesn't take notice her, she then is caught by another solider.  As she is taken to a building, commissar questions her about her being a spy.  This story was brought up by another doctor named Dr. Ksydzof who said she was spying against the Russians.  She is then accused for her made up story from the Russians and she lost time of how long she's been in the cell.  The commissar then tries a new method for her to spill out the plan and he says she is allowed to sleep with the friend she was with before.  She tells the soldier the address and she is let go, she runs to where the Poland's put to wait for their train.  She then learns that her train was delayed for 2 days ago and is leaving at 7 in the morning.  She returns back home finding her family is alive.

Inference

While I am reading the book I started to make an inference on Tatuś.  The German soldiers barge in the house and take away Tatuś for his expertise in designing.  They then learn that the German's and Russians are no longer ally and working together but are now rivals and are war against each other.  Irena's parent's start to discuss of what's going on in war and when it is going to end.  Irena then learns that the German's do not accept the Jews.  She ask her parent's to why the German's don't let the Jews leave but Tatuś responds that, that's not what Hitler wants.  In the story it states that, "'I don't think that's what Hitler has in mind' Tatuś began carefully. 'I'm afraid…'" This piece of evidence shows that Tatuś is like afraid of what is going to happen.  I think he might be a jew or his family could've been Jewish.  After all Irena did explain in the beginning of the book that they had religious beliefs.  Another could mean he is hiding a Jew or helping a Jew without keeping one in the house.  Janina gives Irena a tour of the new Radom but shows her the ghetto.  Glinice Ghetto where the Jews are put, it's as if they are planning to help Jews.  In page 84 it states, "Thus my reunion with my family cast into a shadow." This evidence shows that the family is keeping a secret from Irenka.  Which is making Irenka unknown of what's going on in her family.

Blog #5 2/12/15

In my Hands

Summary:

So far in In My Hands Irena goes back to Radom where she goes for her second year of being a nurse.  As she was about to enter the building not to faraway a bomb fell.  She then finds out that war was now taking place in Poland, being separated from her family.  As she is traveling in a train with nurses and soldiers she finds out that the German and Russian have now divided Poland.  Or what she says that is unrealistic, no more Poland.  The Poland army aren’t able to fight back so in this case the soldiers and others either commit suicide or live in the woods in Russia.  As Irena then becomes separate from her group she wakes up in a hospital.  She meets with friendly Russians in a hospital and also meets a Russian that is against her.  Later a doctor named Dr.David tells her there will be one of his friends waiting in the train station in Svetlana.  Her name is Miriam and they both live together as cousins. 

Conflict:

One conflict that Irena is facing is how to get back home.  While she was hiding with her fake cousin Miriam and Irena playing a role as Rachel Meyer, she gets a note from Dr.David (a previous doctor who send her to Miriam to be safe) that the Russians and German are letting any one who was Poland is allowed to cross the line and reunite with their families.  In the book it says "In January, another letter came from Dr.David. 'We have learned that the Russians and Germans have agreed to allow Poles who have been separated from their families by the invasion to cross battle lines in the spring.  If you know of anyone in that position, you should tell him or her to be ready to come to Ternopol for processing when the time comes.'"  This evidence shows that Dr.David received news and passed it on to Miriam and Rachel (Irena) for Irena to reunite with her family.  As for the conflict she takes a train to Ternopol where she was with Dr.David and sees a 5 block line.  In page 54 it says, "'Is this line- is this for the registration to go west?' I asked a man, praying that it was something else, a line for bread, a line for documents, a line for bread, a line for documents, a line for anything but what I wanted.  Even as I spoke, the man nodded and hitched his broken suitcase higher in his arms. 'I have been waiting on this line since yesterday,' he mumbled. 'Those stinking guards- they're taking a long time on purpose, just to spite us.'" This piece of evidence shows that the Soviets are maybe trying to make the line go slower and not do what they are told to.  This could result into Irena maybe never going home or have to wait for a very long time until they finally accept her.  This could also result in her having anxiety of what has happen to her family.

Blog #4 2/7/2015

In my Hands

Summary:

So far in the book the girl is named Irene Gut Opdyke.  It starts of with her remembering herself as a baby, when he baby crawls to a river, where her dog Myszka tries to pull her away from the river.  Later her dog is considered a hero throughout the town.  She then tell one where her parent's then gave birth to five sisters Janina, Marysia, Bronia, Wladzia.  The youngest being Wladzia in the Opdyke family.  The book then continues to when Irena and her sisters would save animals if they were hurt.  That's when in 1934 Hitler became Chancellor and President of Germany once the previous prsident dies.

Inference:

Since Irena has been talking about her now teenage life.  I've noticed somethings.  I want to inference the future of her and her family.  She says that Adolf Hitler became the President and chancellor of Germany in 1934.  Which means gives him some sort of power and most people would follow the president.  She then explains that Hitler gives threats to Poland. In the book it states that, "But much of the land Hitler wanted was Poland's, and always had been.  Many German immigrants had settle there, especially in the west, where my family was, but that did not make it Germany!  Hitler wanted Lebensraum, living space, for the Germans, and our Poland was the space he wanted."  This piece of evidence shows that Hitler is starting to aim for his target, which is Poland.  Meaning he will invade Poland sooner of later.  Another I want to point out is maybe Irena and her family will probably be separate from the war. A letter sent from Irena's parents writes to her, "'Irena, we want you to come home,' Tatus and Mamusia wrote to me in letters. 'Many people think this war is imminent, and we hate to think of you so far from us.  The family should be together.'"  This piece of evidence could foreshadow to the fact that maybe the family will become separate since Irena decided to become a nurse.  Since she is training to be a nurse, she is far away from her family.  It could be her that will have to face Hitler and his Nazi soldiers.  Then there is the neighbors, some of them are Poland descents but then switch to German Descents. In the book it states, "When I returned home at the end of my first year, I found Kozlowa Gora had changed, many of my neighbors had become German, renouncing their Polish heritage, speaking only German, openly admiring the policies of Hitler and his National Socialist party, the Nazis  And in some shops-not many, but some-there was signs saying, 'Dont Buy from Jews!' or 'A Poland free from Jews Is a Free Poland'"  This shows that Hitler became chancellor and president many people have now admire him, seeing him as an example.  Started to show signs that his plan is now working.  There could be a slight chance that Irena is going back to trains as nurse since she said "when I came home at the end of my first year" could mean going back for a second year.  Also the neighbors could then start to report any Jews nearby.

- Ximena Santos

Blog #3 1/28/2015

Reflection

When I was reading Four I noticed many things in the story.  For example the conflict that's been going on is Jeanine and Max are planning an attack against the Abnegation.  This made me think that Tobias knew about the attack even before Tris knew.  It was like the book foreshadowed the conflict.  I have to say it was a better understanding to know the beginning of the problem.  Like who who started it, who was planning it and who they used as to pretend they are just another regular initiate but really working for Erudite to make Jeanine's plan work.  Tobias started getting curious to why Jeanine would get into the Dauntless politics and leader.  To prove that Tobias was starting to get curious in page 151 second paragraph, "But why is Jeanine Matthews concerned with who is appointed as the next leader of Dauntless?"  This explains that he started to ask the question on what she is planning.

Theme

The theme of "Four" is do what's right for your life and save what matters most to you.  Four then finds out what Max and Jeanine are up to and wants to warn Abnegation, but he knows he has to face one of the Abnegation politics.  Wanting to talk with one he knows his father is the most active as a leader so he has to face Marcus.  Once he tells Marcus of what's going to happen, Marcus doesn't take it lightly and doesn't believe Tobias.  In page 261 paragraph 3 it says, "'Max and Jeanine are going to attack,' he says, 'Just the two of them, armed with some simulation syringes?' His eyes narrow. 'Did Max send you here?  Have you become his Dauntless lackey? What, does he want to scare me?' When I thought about warning the Abnegation, I was sure the hardest part would be getting myself through this door.  It never occurred to me that he wouldn't believe me."  This proves that Marcus did not believe his son's warning on the Abnegation future.

Blog #2 of Quarter 3

Summary:

The book I have been reading is Four written by Veronica Roth.  This book is the story behind Four or Tobias Eaton's how he became a initiate from Abnegation to Dauntless.  So far in the book Tobias is at home in his Abnegation faction living with his 'abusive' father thinking of his life.  He then takes the aptitude test getting his results and thinking of what faction to take in order to escape his father; away from him having a new life.  At the Choosing Ceremony Tobias is called up picking the faction Dauntless, finding his father motionless for Tobias not picking the faction Marcus ordered him to.  Now that Tobias has picked a different faction he faces new challenges.  He only wanted to escape his father not realizing he has to train as a fearless warrior.  Later on with a lot of his training he becomes a feared warrior from everyone, from having a little amount of fears which is a new record; able to beat everyone in training and sparring.  He is then asked to take the leadership role but meets a certain someone before becoming a leader.  Jeanine Matthews and other Erudite start to get suspicious of Four, since he's aware during simulations.  Tobias starts to get suspicious of what Max (the Dauntless leader) and Jeanine are planning.  The next year comes by and he meets Tris.

Conflict:

In the book Four the main conflict is that Tobias is now being under suspicion from the Erudite and he is suspicious of what Jeanine is planning on doing and why she is interested in Dauntless politics.  As I keep reading I notice that this goes to the first book "Divergent" since it foreshadows of what is going to happen.  To prove my claim in page 158-159 "Our city is changing, Tobias.' It's the same thing Max said yesterday. 'The factionless are coming together, and so are Dauntless and Erudite.  Sometime soon, everyone will have to choose a side, and I know which one you would rather me on.  I think you can really make a difference with us.' 'You know which one I'd rather be on.  Really,' I say.  'I'm not a faction traitor.  I chose Dauntless; that's where I belong.' 'You aren't one of those mindless, danger-seeking fools,' she snaps. 'Just like you weren't a suffocated Stiff drone.  You can be more than either, more than any faction.' 'You have no idea what I am or who I can be,' I say.  'I was the first-ranked initiate.  They want me to be a Dauntless leader.' 'Don't be naive," she says, narrowing her eyes at me. 'They don't want a new leader; they want a pawn they can manipulate.  That's why Jeanine Matthews frequents Dauntless headquarters, that's why she keeps planting minions in your faction to report on their behavior.  You haven't noticed that she seems to be aware of things she has no right to be aware of, that they keep shifting Dauntless training around, experimenting with it? As if the Dauntless would ever change something like that on their own.'  This piece of evidence is important because it shows that Jeanine is planning on something that the other initiates and dauntless born don't realize.  This event eventually starts to take effect in Divergent but it all starts in the book Four.  This foreshadows or reminds you that Four knew all about this and that Tris later comes up; depending if you're reading Four as the last book of the series.

Skink No Surrender - Blog #1

Summary

I have finished reading Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen during my winter break and finished it in three days.  The story takes places in Florida with a teenage boy named Richard who is walking around in beach where many turtles make nest and lay their eggs for example Loggerhead turtles.  He is walking around waiting for his cousin Malley who does show up.  While waiting he meets a man named named Clinton Tyree but calls himself Skink.  After Richard meets Skink he then receives news that Malley isn't home and find out himself that Malley lied to her parent's about an early orientation in a school Malley is forced to go.  Now reporting to the police that Malley left with someone online named Talbo Chock, Skink tells Richard that he is off to find Richard's cousin since it's been a month or so from her disappearance.  Now Richard is on a adventure to save her cousin with an unknown stranger who was once Florida's governor but faked his death.

SignPost

While I was reading Skink No Surrender I found an Aha-moment, that made me think how is it going to change the situation?  While Richard was in the car with Skink to find Malley he received a call from Malley.  She said to Richard that she spotted an Ivory-billed Woodpecker who are thought to be extinct.  Only Richard solved the reason behind the message.  They think Malley is trying to tell them where she's at and the lonesome part she says's is indicating she wants to go back home.

"The second call was from a blocked number.
"Sup, Ricardo!  Yours truly, checkin' in.  Everything here in paradise is just amazingly awesome.  Guess what I saw up in a tree this morning?  An Ivory-billed woodpecker!  It sounded so lonesome, it made me sad."
On the message, Malley was coughing and her voice sounded rough.  When I played it for Skink, he raised an eyebrow. "She calls you Ricardo?"
"First time ever.  Weird?"
"She wants you to pay attention."
"Also the Ivory-billed woodpeckers are extinct.  I did a project on them for science fair in sixth grade, and Malley helped with graphics.'
"I know where those birds live," Skink said.
"You mean lived."
"Only once place in Florida, Ricardo, and it's not an island."
"I know that."
"The girl's trying to tell you where she's at."
"And the 'lonesome' part-that means she wants to come home."

This was in page 72.  This is my evidence for Richard having an aha-moment finally realizing that Malley wasn't really enjoying her runaway with a stranger and instead was started to get scared.  Probably think the Talbo Chock was somewhat abusing her.

2015 goals

Academic goal:

For the New Year of 2015 one of my academic goals is trying to better understand and get better in mathematics.  Every time we get assigned homework I start to struggle on almost every subject.  I usually ask my mom if she can help me but she always says she doesn't remember or never says this but only when she has no clue.  " I was never taught that."  I do my best on understanding or finish my homework, but I know that I must've gotten it wrong.  Then there is the test I study for but I either fail or get a grade I am not satisfied like a C.  I don't want to fall behind in the rest of the world since it's mostly all about math and reading.  A therapist told my mother I'm suppose to be 6 months late from learning, everything else I'm fine but I think I am a few months late on math.  So when I think about it I keep a goal to myself.  Try to catch up and understand.  I don't have trouble on other subjects especially Science ( one of the subjects that I am exceeding) but math always seems to catch me and likes to interrogate me with questions I don't know how to answer.  So for this subject my steps will be focus in class and give all of my attention, jot down notes that can help me and study for everything to get ready in my test and ask for help.  I already been keeping up in the notes and studying I just need to focus more on how to solve each problem.


Personal Goal:

For my 2015 goal is to become a better digital artist.  For about 5 months I've been drawing in Photoshop and I was a little rusty on my first time but I have been progressing.  So now I want to use nearly every tool on PS CS6 to make my drawings more color and feeling.  All I've been using is opacity and other tools that are to easy to us and haven't really been go further.  So I usually go to youtube and watch Speedpaint where people draw in the computer and add effects along with many other things.  It does sometimes help but not many times.  So my steps are keep using Photoshop and try to use a new tool to see how it looks.  The other is draw in pencil and paper or mostly called traditional and work on the human anatomy and retrace it in the computer.  Maybe go to websites where professional digital artist are or artist who know how to use it well and take lessons.  last of all is try my best and hope it works.