Looking for Alaska- Entry 4

The reason I chose this book is because I know from previously read books that John Green has a way with words. He really is a great author. Plus, I have heard many great things about this book. For example its humor and how it's for young adults. Once I had finished Looking for Alaska I made some personal connections! One of the connections I had made was being a teenager and choosing to make the right and wrong decisions... come on now. We all have felt the need to go for whatever our heart desires no matter how hard the consequences may be. Now, my personal connections will NOT be as extreme as found in this book but just little ones like doing the right thing. I absolutely enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a little twisted humor and to anyone who isn't afraid to open their minds to a little adventure and risk taking. Anyone who is anyone would enjoy this book and PROMISED a laugh at some point when reading. After all it wasn't given a Printz Award for nothing.

Looking for Alaska- Entry 3

After reading this book I went back into it to find a section the grabbed my attention. Here is what I found. The Day after- pg. 139 "Looking for Alaska" The Eagle looked down and bit his lower lip. "Last night, Alaska Young was in a terrible accident."His tears came faster, then. "And she was killed. Alaska has passed away." For a moment, everyone in the gym was silent, and the place had never been so quiet, not even in the moments before Colonel ridiculed opponents at the free-throw stripe. I stared down at the back of the Colonel's head. I just stared, looking at his thick and bushy hair. For a moment, it was so quiet that you could hear the sound of not-breathing, the vacuum created by 190 students shocked out of air." This Grabs my attention because this is the biggest turning point in the book. Every scene in the book, everything that has come and everything I have read has led up to this moment. The biggest moment and sign of fear through out the entire thing. The word choice also grabs my attention because instead of using boring words, Green knows how to pull us in. For example, "shocked out of air, ridiculed opponents, stripe." All the little things add up to create the best over all affect.

Looking for Alaska - Entry 2

In Looking for Alaska I have discovered three main characters. If you were to read my first entry you would know a little more about these main characters. Alaska, Pudge, and The Colonel. Through out the book I have searched for many more wants and desires from each of them. I have come to find that Alaska, wants to pull pranks and really just do what ever it is Alaska wants to do. Showing thus her spunky and demanding personality starts a trend that we see through out the book. Her boyfriend, friends, alcohol and tobacco is all Alaska needs to keep her school and social life alive. Pudge, a very outspoken kid wants more than anything in the world, Alaska. This makes it very hard for him to just want to be friends considering she has a boyfriend that she is madly in love with. This also shows a trend because through out the book John Green never forgets to mention the mad affection he feels for Alaska. Pudge also wants to fit in with his new group of friends. This is commonly shown because of all the disloyal things Pudge and his friends do. Lastly, The Colonel, who I have yet to find what he wants. Other than getting hungover and smoking with his friends, all he really wants is for his southern belle mom to be happy considering the rough life they have had. Looking for Alaska is in Pudges personal point of view. Green does a great job of showing his emotions through the words that are provided. Something that is unusual about this book is how it is structured. Instead of chapters, each little "section" starts off with however many days before a certain event. Now, I know this might sound a little weird but you have to read to see what happens before this event and what happens after.

Summer reading project Part 1.

My summer reading book is titled “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. This book has showed a great Interest to me, as of now I am on page 21. In this book I have found some major characters, these include - Miles Halter (Pudge), Chip Martin (Colonel), and Alaska. Some traits about these characters are for starters; Pudge who is starting a new Boarding School ‘Culver Creek’ located in Birmingham, Alabama. He wants a fresh start in looking for his Great Perhaps as did Francois Rabelais. Pudge is obsessed with famous people’s last words, so we will see how that helps him throughout the book. Colonel, a short, strong young man who is Pudges roommate and who also gives the nickname Pudge to Miles for being too skinny, this showing irony. Colonel is from New Hope, Alabama and is a third year resident at Culver Creek. Now, so far in this book there isn’t much to say about Alaska. All we know is that she has a boyfriend, a lot of unread books, and is a very smart, beautiful young lady who is attending this school as her third year as well. The whole setting of the book so far has taken place on campus of the school. Although this book may seem like it is going well, there is somewhat of a conflict. Alaska and Colonel have already been friends for a while now, and although Colonel and Pudge are just roommates, Colonel introduces Alaska and Pudge (who may have a new crush) They all become sudden friends even though they may be complete opposites or as Miles mom states “The wrong crowd.” I predict that they will all be great friends throughout the book and maybe Alaska and Pudge end up dating just based on the settings seen now. Does Pudge go with his stereo typical friend social group? Or choose the young teen party life with drugs, drinking and cigarettes? I think I know my answer but do you?

Bossy Pants

Bossy Pants

Ramseys visit...

Over the past few days in class we have watched Krista Rasmey's video speech at our school. She came in to visit and talk about her columns and how they have impacted her. One thing that  I have learned from her is that she is doing a 14-14 campaign. This is when she picks 14, 14 year olds with a troubled life and will write columns about them!

Ramsey is from cincinnati and writes about things that occur around here. One of my last blog posts that I have written is about her blog post about a coach who is with his "son" through anything! To read it keep scrolling down!

 

 

Over all, Ramsey is a very pationate person about what she writes! She doesn't just write about murderers and such but she writes about little things that impact peoples lives! Check her out!!!

BossyPants Update

Love is in the air! lol Not Fey is talking about how her gorgeous honeymoon wasn't as fun as it was planned to be. First her husband hates planes. So when he gets a free cruz he does NOT want to go. Then, there is a fire on the Ship! Doesn't that sound romantic? 

One thing that I love about Tina is she makes reading fun. Every time she makes a new chapter. You can't wait to read it!

BossyPants update

Sharing your life story is something you should cherish ;Tina takes this "cherishing" moment to the next level. Sharing your life story can be sad, or romantic. But overall, sharing your life story can be humorous to a point where you have to run to the bathroom to let out what that "how funny" moment just created.






Fey does this very well.







I am on page 76 of Bossypants. She is in the middle of sharing her romantic side of her life and overall it cracks me up. From what is read Fey has a hard time keeping and or getting relationships as a young college student. One thing that I have noticed so far is that the author keeps a good job maintaining connections to the real world. By this I mean that is you are of age you can connect to what she is saying and she makes fun of it. I love how she does this and I would like to read more books that are like this as well.

Another thing that I enjoyed is how it is made in a chapter book format but has pictures in it of her childhood and past. This is a technique that I enjoy as well and would like to see in other books, It as well connects it to the real world.

Tina Fey

"Comic genius...uproarious."



 "BossyPants serves her whip-smart humor well....The sharpest comic text of the lot."



  These are just a few comments on the new book I have started BossyPants by Tina Fey.
One word to describe this book is down right hilarious. Tina Fey shares her life story and the many obstacles that come with it. I recommended this book to people who like a good funny read. You can connect your problems to it and take another step into your life in a hilarious outcome of a book.

                                                               *!WARNING!*

This book is recommended for older more experienced people! It does have fowl language in it but it is hilarious! For example, "I experienced car creeperey at thirteen." If you are older you will only get the story you are told IF you know what's she talking about and you have read her book!

Now, there is no plot line it is a biography, BUT a greattttttt biography! So far, I am on page 60 and I love it already.

Uglies Part 2

Invisible. You are nothing. Alone, stranded in the middle of nowhere. All you have is the same meal for two weeks and a clue covered note as your map on this journey you have learned to live over the next two weeks.

You are Tally. In this epic journey she has to take to save her future but risk anothers. Shays. So far Tally has traveled far with many suprises on the way. Like seeing new things she hasn't before. This includes helacopters and big machines that light up forest fires.

In my opinion I feel that this book will get more adventureous based on what I have seen. She is almost there. Where? We don't know but, we do know that it is called The Smokes somewhere somehow she will find it and all the mysteries that come with it.

The Wrong Mistake

Tally Is now thinking of the wrong path, or is it the right one? Ratting out Shays disappearance.... or becoming pretty. Its the biggest mistake of her life. In my opinion I believe that Tally should just turn pretty because it is affecting her whole life forever. Now, She has to find Shay in order to do this because Peris influenced her to do the right thing.

If I were to live in this society I would probably go with the rest of the crowd. I would want to turn pretty and live in Pretty Ville. In the book currently I think Tally screwed up. She should have never gotten involved with what Shay has gotten her into because now she has to try and fix her and Shays mistakes.

A prediction I have made is that once Tally finds Shay she is going to stay with her and break her promise with Peris. I think this because a lot of other people are going to be at the Smokes and will have an influence on her. Tally has developed to be more adventures rather than do what is right for society, her friends, and herself.

"Coach stands by kid charged in DeSales Market crime."

Coach's are like family. This is the idea that I received when reading Krista Ramsey's "Coach stands by kid charged in DeSales Market crime." 

This is about a sophomore in High school who puts a mask on, and empty bullet and robs a sales store. His coach is with him the whole way.

"To realize if they're gone – to incarceration or to violence – they've left a hole in the fabric of something. A family, a team, the heart of a coach who won't walk away. " This is the best line because it clearly sums up the whole column in one. It shows that coach's are really there for you like family.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/03/29/krista-ramsey-desales-market-robbery/7071067/

This author used many used of syntax and Diction. She refers to the reader as "You" no matter what the situation is  she makes you feel like it is in your life.

Like when she says "Still, you should know that Coach Cheatham was standing right outside it through your entire hearing." She is putting you in the situation to make it more fun to read. She also uses many Rhetorical questions and sentences of telegraphic length.

If I were to meet this author I would ask her why she likes to write so much. What gives you inspiration to read?

Uglies Analysis

It is almost time! Tally is now becoming a pretty in lss than 4 days! She can barey wait and the only thing she wants now is for her great best friend to come and barely wait with her. But, Shay doesn't want to become pretty! This is a big deal. Everyone wants to be pretty and perfect except Shay. She feels that people loose individual rights when they become perfect and loose freedom. She doesn't want people to change.

I feel that Shay is niether right or wrong. She has a good opinion but I feel that she should just become pretty like the rest of the people in society. If you don't become pretty you never come out of your home or go in town because you are embaressed. Who wants that?

Also I feel that Tally is being led on by Shay. She needs to realise that Shay is a bad person. Sure, they go have fun in the woods when they aren't aloud to do it. But, is it worth spending your whole life not being pretty? NO parties, no fun, no freedom! You are still they same person when you are pretty and thats what people don't understand! You are the same person with better benefits because you look amazing and flawless.

Uglies update

So far I have read to page 55 in Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I have noticed many changes in Tally as i Have kept reading. At first in the boo kshe is very quite and Adventurous. She misses her best friend Peris after he became pretty. But, now that she has been becoming "Best friends" with Shay she is taking more risks and doesn't care about the promise she is made with Peris. That promise was to stay out of trouble.

Some evidence to show this is when she sais "I kind of promised my friend Peris I wouldn't take any big risks. You know in case I really got in trouble, and they got really mad."
This shows the old Tally, the one I first came to know in the beginning.

Currently, Shay and Tally have been hover boarding around the river to and abandoned, unknown, forbidden place that Shay has been talking about. This forbidden place turns out to be and abandond roller coaster that could cause major trouble if they were caught.

 But as this is said, later on  Tally states "Lets do it," Let's roller coaster." pg. 64 This shows that Tally is giving into Shays ways Step by step one broken rule at a time.

Uglies

Crashing parties, Nearly ruining her best friends life, Tally has been in a wreck so far. Currently, since I have posted last Tally has crashed a "Pretty Party" and embarresed Peris. Also, she met a new friend named Shay.

Talley  met shay when she was hiding in the woods after crashing a "Pretty" party. Shay, was doing the same thing except spying on the pretties.

Shay is from a different town then talley and she has different thoughts on the whole "pretty" idea. She teaches Talley how to hoverboard in the woods later after they meet and bond closer as friends. Then they use the board to see what they look transformed as a pretty and Shay isn't pleased with that.

So far I have found out that when you turn 16 they REPLACE all your flaws. Skin, Teeth, Mouth, Eyes, Hair , Mouth. Just about every flaw you could think of, they replace.

Uglies

 I have read 21 pages in Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. This book is a great read about how government rules affect society.

So far Tally is best friends with Peris who just became a pretty. Tally is 3 months younger than Peris which means she has to wait 3 months untill she can become a pretty like Peris.

 

One thing I have noticed so far is that this book is NOT written in first person. I find this interesting because most books you read now a days are written from the main characters point of veiw and not from the narrator.

So far, I really enjoy this book and am excited to read the rest of it! Ill keep you updated next time I read!

Scott Westerfeld is the author of the series Uglies. He is also well known for The Risen Empire and The Killing of Worlds. Two series that I would like to add to my reading wish list. Scott has written many more books with great titles. Lets take a look! 

• So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award
• The Secret Hour won an Aurealis Award
• Peeps and Uglies were both named as "Best Books for Young Adults" in 2006 by the American Library Association^[9]
• Leviathan won the 2010 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. Russian translation of Leviathan was awarded by Mir Fantastikias Best Young Adult Fiction in 2011.

final blog

Our Relatives?

 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Our Relatives?

Chimpanzees, a monkey right? When we think of these outrages animal we think exactly that, just a stupid animal without a brain. Well a recent study from Nonhuman Rights Project, Steven M. Wise states that these animals have the same rights as a "legal person". Isn’t that crazy? These animals technically have somewhat of the same rights as us!
The New York Supreme Court will decide in the next few upcoming weeks whether a chimpanzee kept in captivity should have these legal rights. Now, what this doesn't mean is that they can drive, or have money, or rome around the streets; it means that they shouldn't be caged or beat. Why is this? Well, because since these chimps are so relatively close to humans they deserve these rights.

If you look to see the picture above you can see how humans and these chimpanzees are so similar. It's not only our body shapes and sizes but, how we care for our young, eat, live, our feelings, behavior, brain etc. There are many more reasons and scientific facts towards these facts. For more information click here.



The court will consider a suit filed by a group of activists who are representing four chimpanzees, CNN reported on Tuesday. The group is asking that the state award them the "right to bodily liberty."
"Not long ago, people generally agreed that human slaves could not be legal persons, but were simply the property of their owners," Wise stated. "We will assert, based on clear scientific evidence, that it's time to take the next step and recognize that these nonhuman animals cannot continue to be exploited as the property of their human 'owners.'"

What this is stating is that basically we can't cage our "own" kind. According to Joyce Tischler, co-founder of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, wrote to CNN, a "legal person" isn't necessarily defined as a human being.

For more about this crazy world changing topic, click on this here site.

This is my favorite blog post because it demonstrates many uses of diction, syntax, and personality throughout the post. I also found many uses of voice, for example when I say, “Chimpanzees, a monkey right? When we think of these outrages animal we think exactly that, just a stupid animal without a brain.” This shows voice because you can really hear how I talk and my personality. Like when it says outrages and stupid animal, you get a feel of my opinions and thoughts toward the monkeys. Another example of voice is when I state, “What this is stating is that basically we can't cage our "own" kind.” This shows voice because I put quotation marks around “own”. I did this to put a emphases on the word to get a feel or curiosity toward the topic. My personality is very outgoing, and I show that within my blogs by putting question marks and periods in certain places. Also apostrophes to show if something is fun and up-beat! Or boring and dull… I use this technique in many blogs because it shows my personality and makes the blog worth reading and fun to read!

 I used syntax in many lines, for example, “Isn’t that crazy?” This shows punctuation because by using a question mark it is trying to get the reader to think about the question given and really grabs their attention toward finding the answer. Also throughout my blog I used many types of diction. For example when I say, “For more about this crazy world changing topic, click on this here site.” This shows low/informal because it is an example of slang. The reason this shows slang is because you can hear my tone and mood in the sentence and really hear my voice! Also, “Well, because since these chimps are so relatively close to humans they deserve these rights. “ This shows formal diction because it is a little more sophisticated and creates an elevated tone. When I say “relatively” and “rights” I am truly stating my opinion in the law and relatively is a more sophisticated word.

Favorite author

My favorite author is Suzanne Collins. I believe she is a great author because she writes my favorite series, The Hunger games, and has great diologe and beautiful descriptions and word imagery.

You heard of her?

Some other books that she has written are:

1. Gregor the Overlander (2003)
2. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (2004)
3. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (2005)
4. Gregor and the Marks of Secret (2006)
5. Gregor and the Code of Claw (2007)
6. The Hunger Games trilogy
7. The Hunger Games (2008)
8. Catching Fire (2009)
9. Mockingjay (2010)

Biography:
Collins was born on August 10, 1962 in Hartford, Connecticut. She is the daughter of a U.S war officer who served in the Vietnam War. As the daughter of a military officer, she and her family were constantly moving. She spent her childhood in the eastern U.S. Collins graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham in 1980 as a Theater Arts major. She graduated from Indiana University in 1985 with a double major in theater and telecommunications. In 1989, Collins earned her M.F.A in dramatic writing from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

I can't find a book!

Lately I have been searching for a good book because I just finished The Hobbit. I have no idea where to start!

Some genres that I enjoy are:
- Sci-fi
- Romance
-Non-fiction

Some current books that  I have read in these genres are The hobbit, Goergia Nicolson Series, Farhenheit 451 etc..




If you can help me find a book in any of these I would love it! I love vampire Diaries and anythinig that has to do with vampires. Currently I have been watching "Underworld" and it is a mix of all these genres.

The Hobbit

Currently I just finished reading The Hobbit; Unexpected Journey. This book is a great read for anyone interested in fantasy!

So far in this book I have found many main characters and small parts. This includes, Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), The two wizards, Gandalf and Radagast, Thorin who is the leader of the Dwarves and then his company Which consists of 13 Dwarves.

The author of this book is J. R. R. Tolkien who is a outstanding auther! He also writes The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion both of which are Fantasy!

Let me give a short review on the book and what it's about:

This whole story is about the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by… More the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands. Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities including a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

 

Now, keep in mind that this book is only the first part of his journey and continued into the second part,  The Hobbit; Desolation of Smaug. There are also movies for both of these outstanding books for anyone that may not want to or have time to read. 

 

Overall, I strongly believe that people should read The Hobbit because it is very enjoyable and lets you come out of your comfort zone and takes you places in fantasy that you may have never been before.

 

 

 

Texting and Driving

Texting and Driving is one of the most dangerous ways to die in the world. People are careless; they don't see that one simple text like "hi" could kill you before you get to even get to hit send. The sad part about it is that it is a law. People will break the law and not even realize that it is important!

This law clearly states "Texting while driving laws prohibit the use of electronic devices to write, send or read messages while driving. In addition to text messages sent by mobile phones, these laws typically prohibit writing, sending or reading similar types of messages -- such as emails, instant messages or other internet based messages -- while driving." stated from http://traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/texting-while-driving.html?DCMP=GOO-TRAFF_Gen-TextingDriving&HBX_PK=texting+and+driving+laws

Did you know that some states which have not specifically banned texting while driving for adults have banned it for "novice drivers?" This means they are young or new drivers, depending on the state. Some of these novice driver texting laws punish texting by drivers under 18, while others apply the ban to all drivers under 21. Even older drivers fall into some states' novice driver texting laws if they are driving under a learner's permit, provisional license or intermediate license.

There are so many facts about texting and driving and restrictions that it is mind blowing. Like the fact that certain states have laws against it which is what I stated earlier. In the vast majority of places which have specific texting while driving laws, those laws allow what is called "primary enforcement."

My opinion on this law is that it should be enforced everywhere. Not all states have this law because of the worry of citizens being mad or may even over throw the government. But, it is a safety hazerd. No matter how big or important the text is, anything can wait to save a life.

Fahrenheit 451

Fireman. They save lives, save houses, and put fires out for the good, but, according to Fahrenheit 451 it's not about saving lives. It's about restricting them. Fireman in this book burn books and the only way to have a book you love or hold onto is the memorys, plots and characters of this book. The main concept of this book is taking place in 1999 and it is a prediction on how 1999 was looked at in 1920. Some of the "futuristic" things that were thought of back then we actually have now and it is a cool thing to see.

Currently in the book we have been introduced to our main characters. Clarisse McClellan is a major one, she questions the job of fireman, she also questions how people live and why things the way they are. Clarisse lives with her Uncle, Mom and Dad who call her a crazy 17 year old. Guy Montag is another main character. This book is based around his life as a fireman. He is a younger man 30-40's and he lived his life filled before he met Clarisse, she began questioning his ways, and if he was happy being who he was. Mildred has popped up in the book on ocasion, she is also Montag's wife.

In the book we haven't got very far, we have hit some  obsticles of what we have read. Mildred, overdosed on pills and had to get her stomach pumped at the hospital. She doesn't remember anything that has happened the night before when she did overdose. Montag met Clarisse walking home from work and instantly became friends and neighbors.

So far, I think that this book is very interessting. There may be some parts that are hard to understand but at the same time they make perfect sence. I get a message that ever since Montag and Clarisse have met he is beginning to question his life and doesn't know if he truly is happy with himself, his wife, career and many more things that have yet to be revealed.