Currently

Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Pages This Week: 327

Pages This Semester: 1067

1. "They are from the countryside and have rarely seen girls with SpongeBob yellow hair." Sea

2. "Me watching Deni while pretending not to be watching Deni, which was kind of hard when your dad was a psychiatrist." Sea

 

3. "We do not choose what happens to us. We can only choose what we do after. What we do now. We can only choose to keep going." Sea

I like all three of these sentences but I think that the third is my favorite. This is coming from a tsunami survivor. He lost his family and was now an orphan but decides to keep on going.

Bring the Children Home

This book has reminded me of the mission trip I took a few years ago to an orphanage in Mexico. The experience marked me for life and I know that is exactly where I will end up. I am meant to work at that orphanage, no matter how dangerous Mexico is. These are my friends and family that came along :)

This orphanage has yet to be finished but once it is there will be over 350 beautiful Mexican orphans living there. I hate not being there. I just want to go back and help again. There was a day we called Mercy Day and we went and handed out food to families and children. It was hard for me to understand seeing as how I'd only been taking Spanish for a couple months before I went but here are some stories I got to hear.

There was a little boy who was about 6, I'm not sure about his name but he had just lost his mom. His dad had died long ago and now it was just this little boy looking after himself. Many people think, well why doesn't another family just take him in? These families are barely supporting themselves, if they're even doing that, they can't afford to take on another one. I heard so many stories about children whose parents died because they starved themselves to death so that the children could eat.

This orphanage will give these children and loving home where they will be safe and cared for. I will probably make more post sharing various stories I hear later.

These are two orphanage workers  that I became very close with and still keep in contact with. On the left is Leo and the middle is Eddy.

My friend TJ bought a bracelet from this little girl who gave him the biggest hug and cried and just loved on him like no other. He was her personal savior, she would eat tonight. She had hope.

This little girl was so hungry that she immediately began eating a raw potato that we had given her. The kids all began eating their goods as soon as they could but knowing that it would have to last them until who knows when. It shattered my heart into a million pieces seeing them so hungry.

I can't wait to go back. I need to go back. I want to bring the children home.

Tsunami

Right now I should be writing my Lord of the Flies essay, but instead I decided to start the new book for my blog. It's named Sea by Heidi R. Kling. I'm finding it quite a sad book so far. The main character, Sienna Jones, lost her mother three years ago in a plane crash into the Indian Ocean on the way back from a missions trip. Her parents and godfather went around the world after natural disasters and worked with the kids who have PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her father took up a clinic in California after Sienna's mom died and had not been on any mission trips, until now.

Sienna has PTSD from her mother's death so her father thought that working with orphans from a tsunami in Indonesia would not only help the children, but also Sienna. She is extremely reluctant to go because of her fear of flying but ends up coming along anyways. There is a tiny girl named Elli that she is really bonding with. She does art therapy (an occupation I have been considering for myself) with the girls and goes to the older girl group therapy sessions.

It is absolutely heartbreaking to hear all the stories that these girls tell. One girl was running with her seven year old sister away from the tsunami and when the little sister couldn't run anymore the older picked her up and carried her. The older sister tripped and dropped the younger. There were tons of people running and she couldn't reach her little sister to save her. The water washed her away. The older sister had to climb a tree and watch the water take her village and loved ones.

Currently

The Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Pages This Week: 277

Pages This Semester: 740

1. "He should have been named White Fang."  My Life in Dog Years

2. "Quincy launched himself from the ground, four-inch legs pumping, and caught the bear in the center of its chest." My Life in Dog Years

3. "I didn't mention that I considered the whole practice of school dances degrading or that they were just giant wastes of time and money." The Designated Ugly Fat Friend

My number one sentence is definitely the first. A tiny dog attacked a huge bear to protect his owner. Best part was that the tiny dog won even though he wasn't even a quarter of the size of that huge bear.

Hobbit Day

This post should be a little happier than my last two rants :) Today is Hobbit Day! I hope you all like Hobbits and if not, too bad, its Hobbit Day whether you like it or not. I hope you like Lord of the Rings, maybe you can have a marathon this weekend or read all the books.

This is also Constitution Week so tell your history teacher and maybe ask for extra credit :)

Waste of Time

Dear readers (if I have any),

I just finished the DUFF and am rather upset that I did. My mother is always telling me to finish books out and stick with them even when I start to hate, well really dislike the characters. I regret it. I read on because I was interested to see what would happen with her dad. Well guess what! n.o.t.h.i.n.g. Doesn't that just really make you mad, because I am certainly pretty upset! I just wasted my life reading to the end of the book to never know what all happened with her dad or mom. what.the.heck. That was my other rant for the day, sorry to intrude on your pretty pretty princess mood with all this negativity.

Sincerely,
Mello

Chick Lit Books... My Rant

As I had predicted I ended up hating the characters. I had such high hopes. The main character, Bianca, was so cynical and anti-drama that I actually thought I might enjoy it. Wrong. She's a whole lot dumber than I expected her to be, now granted, I did expect her to make stupid choices because it's a book but seriously? Come on people! I just wanted to slap her straight. I do like her best friends and I feel sorry for them because Bianca is an idiot. I am extremely close to putting this book down, however, I really like Bianca's dad and am seriously considering finishing it just to hear about him. Isn't that pathetic? Reading a book to find out what happens to a minor character. I'm sorry, but I can't recommend this book to anyone unless of course the person loves stupid characters that you always want to yell at. I really wish people in real life weren't this dumb, but of course I'm sure that there are quite a few. I'm sorry that this has been such a long rant but I'm rather disappointed in this book.

The DUFF

I just started reading The Designated Ugly Fat Friend (DUFF) by Kody Keplinger. I am extremely skeptical of stereotypical chick lit books but this was supposed to be pretty decent and not as "girlie." The character is rather cynical which makes the book fabulous. A chick book where the chick hates the drama found in normal chick lit books. f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c.  Of course this is a chick book so there is that obnoxious man whore. The only reason I haven't stopped reading it because of that is the fact that the main character recognizes that Wesley is one and hates his guts. Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm sick of high school girls falling in 'love' with the dumb jock. Oh please darling, get over yourself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all against high school dating. My brother is getting married to his high school sweetheart but trust me, it's a rare case. It's possible, just improbable. If you're in love with your boyfriend, cool beans, good for you.

Sadly, I think that this book will turn for the worse when the main character realizes that she does in fact like Wesley and my hopes and dreams of a good chick book will be crushed. Maybe by the time this happens I will be okay with it and suddenly fall into the trap of dresses, make-up, and high heels. Ya know, or not, but whatever.

Claims of the Week

1. In Todrick Hall's "I Wanna Be On Glee," Hall's plea to Glee creator Ryan Murphy shows Hall's inventiveness and artistic talents through the music video's cleverly pariodistic lyrics, assertive instrumentals, and effervescent choreography.
(Zengerine's blog here)

I believe that this claim is extremely strong in the description and backing up the opinion shared.


2.  In the "So Long, Farewell" musical number of the Sound of Music, the Von Trapp children's bright  facial expressions, poised choreography, and cooing, melodic music develops the sense of lighthearted pleasure and soothing amusement.
(Keep It Classy's blog here)

Keep It Classy's claim is well put together because of the specificness of the adjectives.

3. This refreshingly bright photograph taken in the environmental center reflects an existence of both dreamlike tranquility and effortless freedom.
(Look Up... (NOW!)'s blog here)

The simplistic element to this claim inspired me because the point was clearly made without wordiness.

Close Reading

For this assignment I chose one of Todrick Hall's many videos. This is a flash mob done at Neiman Marcus.

Observe:
Setting: crowded, cramped
Choreography: excited, alive, energetic, bustling, crazy, passionate
Sound: jubilant, playful
Facial Expressions: mischievous, alert, adventurous

Infer:
Energetic
Explosive
Creative
Celebratory
Confident
Jovial


In this flash mob by Todrick Hall, the mischievous and adventurous expressions, jubilant sounds, and bustling moves, reveal the explosive creativity and confident energy of the dancers.

I wanted to do that video because most haven't seen it but are more familiar with his Beyonce End of Time Target flash mob (video below)

New Poem Discovery

October

 

By Bill Berkson b. 1939 Bill Berkson

 

I

 

It’s odd to have a separate month. It

escapes the year, it is not only cold, it is warm

and loving like a death grip on a willing knee. The

Indians have a name for it, they call it:

“Summer!” The tepees shake in the blast like roosters

at dawn. Everything is special to them,

the colorful ones.

 

 

II

 

Somehow the housewife does not seem gentle.

Is she angry because her husband likes October?

Is it snow bleeds softly from her shoes?

The nest eggs have captured her,

but April rises from her bed.

 

 

III

 

“The beggars are upon us!” cried Chester.

 

Three strangers appeared at the door, demanding ribbons.

 

The October wind . . . nests

 

 

IV

 

Why do I think October is beautiful?

It is not, is not beautiful.

                                                  But then

what is there to hold one’s interest

between the various drifts of a day’s

work, but to search out the differences

                                          the window and grate—

but it is not, is not

beautiful.

 

 

V

 

I think your face is beautiful, the way it is

close to my face, and I think you are the real

October with your transparence and the stone

of your words as they pass, as I do not hear them.

I love this poem because October is my favorite month. The beautiful leaves fill my open window's view and the soft cries of the birds as they fly away surround my ears. I hate to think about the upcoming winter and how soon the leaves will be gone and snow will replace the wonderful world I had come to know and love. The cold will intrude and wash the beauty away until we forget what it once was.

Currently

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Pages This Week: 100

Pages This Semester: 463

1. In the minds of some Americans the very thought of two Syrians paddling through New Orleans together after a hurricane would seem suspicious enough. (to be arrested as terrorists) Zeitoun 

2. Now he was alone. Zeitoun 

3. He had found his messenger. Zeitoun 

The third sentence is probably my favorite because this is a man who has been in a high security prison for over a week without his wife or four kids knowing. He found a missionary who was willing to call his wife and let her know that Zeitoun was still alive.

Felt Hat Day and Balance Awareness Week

If only the whole world would recognize that today is Felt Hat Day. Everyone should just whip out the blue flower felt hat hiding in the closet. We all know that everyone has one. Psht, I have like four, what about you? Only three? What a shame. I win :)

Also this week is Balance Awareness Week. I have very little balance. It's almost nonexistent. I hope yours is better than mine, well that or you wouldn't be able to walk. But hey, if you don't have very good balance just wear this bracelet because it miraculously gives you balance! Craziness I know! You put on this little expensive bracelet and it's magic!

9/11 Tribute

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and this is kinda my tribute. I will be posting videos that you may not want to see so censor as you like.

This video is of the two plane crashes.

This next video is a clip from a 9/11 special that showed calls loved ones made from the towers to say good-bye.

This video is just a patriot song I thought I would include, it's country so if you don't like that kind of music you probably won't like it.

I remember exactly what I was doing that morning I saw the video. I was in the first grade and was sitting in the living room with the TV on waiting for my mom. She had the news on and I asked her why the building was on fire. She dropped everything she was doing and just stared at the TV in puzzlement. We saw the second plane crash into it and that's when she frantically started calling my aunt. My aunt lives in New York and she seems to be all over the city. I went to school that day thinking that my aunt had died. We didn't hear from her for a couple days afterward. It turns out she was on the subway and they stopped above ground and she watched the second plane fly into the building.

Some crazy facts are that only 40% of the bodies were found afterwards; that means that over half the bodies were never recovered. Only 20 of our states are making children learn about what happened on 9/11 in history classes. That just makes my blood boil. We should never forget, we should forgive but we can't forget all the heroes that died that day. It is an important day in our history.

This poem was written by a little boy who lost his dad on 9/11

SPECIAL GARDEN (A Child cry to his Daddy)

In my garden, I will plant some of Daddy's things

The hat he wears for his favorite baseball team.
His special notes he wrote to me.
His favorite songs he likes to sing.
His special collect cars he bought last spring.

His favorite tie that has grease stains.
His favorite fishing pole, even though he has never caught anything.

And I'm going to plant some of my tears, these come from me.
Every night before I go to sleep, I will go out to my special garden
and pray over Daddy's things.

Currently

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Pages This Week:  160

Pages This Semester: 363

1. "But he was optimistic." Zeitoun

2. "At that moment, Zeitoun knew that the levees had been overtopped or compromised." Zeitoun

3. "In another, older box he came upon another photo, sepia-toned and in a rickety frame, and paused." Zeitoun

Sentence one is my favorite because the main character has just survived Katrina and yet he was optimistic. Man, I would have been so freaked out.

Personality Test

I was rated as ESFP, whatever that means. Beware world, I was born a diva.

Apparently I am:

• very expressed extravert
• moderately expressed sensing personality
• very expressed feeling personality
• moderately expressed perceiving personality

Looks like I am a "performer" so watch out Hollywood! ha, or not.

Extraverted	Sensing	Feeling	Perceiving
Strength of the preferences %
100	38	88	56

O Captain! My Captain!

For those of you who saw Dead Poets Society you should remember this poem but it is a classic and a pretty stinking good one. Here you go:

O Captain! My Captain!

Walt Whitman

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.


O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.


My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

National Waffle Week

I know I said that the following posts from the last would be more poems but I just have to share this with you. I love finding random holidays. This week is National Waffle Week so I would suggest that you hurry on out to IHOP or somewhere that has really good waffles :) bring it on! I don't care if it's a waffle cone or a waffle burger, just appreciate the holiday!

Psht! Of Course I Read Poetry!

This is for everyone that is behind on the poetry journals. For the next few posts I will post some good poems to add to your collection. I found this poem in eighth grade when I did a research project on ee cummings and feel in love with it. I know it's long but maybe you will like it enough to put it in your journal anyway.

This is called Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town by ee cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

Currently

My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Pages This Week: 102
This Semester: 203

1. "He should have been named White Fang."  My Life in Dog Years

2. "Quincy launched himself from the ground, four-inch legs pumping, and caught the bear in the center of its chest." My Life in Dog Years

3. "There seemed to be a half-dozen storms every August, and they were rarely worth the trouble. This one, named Katrina, would be no different."  Zeitoun

My number one sentence of the week is said about a little dog named Quincy who attacked a bear. Quincy wasn't even a foot tall and yet he was unharmed and saved his owner from a bear.

Dogs Like Tickling People Too

Josh was a Border collie and extremely smart, as all Border collies seem to be. Always serious and thinking, Paulsen would tickle his belly in order to loosen up the serious dog. Paulsen had been having a rough few days and was rather somber compared to his usual jovial self. In order to fix this, Josh decided to tickle him just as Paulsen tickled him. " At the height of this I was sitting in an old easy chair with my legs stretched out thinking dark thoughts and Josh came up in front of me and sat, studying me for a full minute, his eyes clear and calm. Then he seemed to shrug, turned around so he had his back to me, straddled my boot, then backed up my leg until his teeth were even with my foot. I had never seen him do anything like it and thought he might be going crazy when suddenly he reached down, grabbed my boot and with a mighty lunge jerked me completely out of the chair on my butt and then jumped on me and pretended to be biting my ribs, back and forth, tickling me."

Fighting Bears? Psht, No Problem

Quincy was mentioned in the last post; for those of you that didn't read it should. I mean who doesn't want to read about a dog jumping through a drive through window? Anyways, you should remember that this is a tiny dog. Most people would think that bears would frighten such a little thing but no. This is quite a change to the regular dog saves Gary Paulsen's life because this time the dog saves Paulsen's wife! Wow, craziness I know!

Quincy loved the Paulsen but absolutely adored his wife. They were the best of pals and inseparable. The Paulsens gardened every year which gave them a nice food supply and added to their little income. Bears seemed to love eating all the food so Paulsen would just shoot a gun nearish them to scare them away. There was a particular bear that seemed too friendly for its own good. One day Mrs. Paulsen was working in the garden with Quincy beside her and the bear started to charge at them. She went through all the proper procedures but nothing was stopping the bear. "Quincy launched himself from the ground, four-inch legs pumping, and caught the bear in the center of its chest."

"The bear started scraping with its front paws and my wife chose that moment to use all the good luck from the rest of her life. She rushed in, grabbed Quincy, pulled him off the bear and ran for the house." She pulled him from the bear? She is crazy! Looks like she was mad for Quincy. Mrs. Paulsen made it safe to the house and Quincy was unharmed. Psht, fighting bears, what a piece of cake. The bear had tried to bite Quincy but he was too close and small to bite. Hmm, maybe little dogs can have the advantage.

Yum, Dairy Queen

Quincy was a tiny little itty bitty doggy with only four inch legs. But the crazy thing is that those little legs were strong enough to jump from the vent on the passenger seat in the car through the service window at a Dairy Queen. A week earlier Quincy had been given a dog treat from a service window at the bank and boy did he remember that. "I'm not sure what he smelled but it apparently agreed with him, and as I drove forward to pick up my order, Quincy left me. He leaped from the vent in one motion, over my lap, through the car window and into the service window. With a small scrabble of his short back legs, he hung for a moment on the edge, and then he was inside. I heard some yelling, saw people running and jumped from the car and ran inside, afraid of what I'd find."

I love my dog but I have previously expressed that his nature is not to stop and think things through, like running through that screen door. There is no way that he would have done that. He will whine and pretend that he was cool enough to do something like that but he is too much of a pretty boy. I mean honestly, who can get upset by this little guy?