The current “fad” book for the teenage population is Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. All of my friends have read it and constantly talk about it, so I decided it was finally time for me to read it. I was hesitant at first because all I knew about it was that it had to do with vampires- and I don’t really like science fiction… As I began to read it though, much to my surprise I was hooked. It was something about the plot being easily related and then the huge mystery of who Edward Cullen was and why he acts the way he does. I think this book has become so popular because it definitely has something for everyone to enjoy. For the rest of this blog I am going to write a bunch of questions that I have for certain characters in the novel.
1. Charlie- Why did you and Bella’s mother break up in the first place?
a. Do you know the story behind the Cullen family? Do you know they are vampires?
2. Bella- Why is it that the only boy you really like is Edward? Couldn’t you give anyone else a chance?
a. I know we read a lot about this but how can do you manage to keep talking to Edward even when he is so terrible to you? Do you believe in love at first sight?
3. Jacob- Do you believe the story about the vampires is true? Do you feel like you need to worn Bella about Edward?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Blog #6
For this blog, I am going to write about an article I just read in Time Magazine. It’s a magazine that is always around my house but I usually never get around to reading it! The article I read is called “The Dish on Green Disposables.” One issue our nation is currently facing is the large amount of waste that we produce. We have a lot of waste- and our nation does not know what to do with it. The article says, “Americans trash an estimated trillion disposable plates and utensils ever year; a single-use plate’s useful life averages only about five minutes.” This number somewhat shocked me, but I already knew of the nations waster problem, not to the extent of a trillion though. One small business is trying to take a bite out of this number. Michael Dwork sparked the idea of biodegradable dishes while spending the summer of 2006 in southern India. Known as Verterra, his dishes biodegrade in 6 weeks and are made without chemicals and waxes. The downside is some of the dishes are expensive. The article says, “dishes are priced at $.75 unless ordered in bulk.” In my opinion I think this business will really take off. There are so many people in our society who are trying to become “eco-friendly,” that it is in my opinion there will be lots of support from our nation. Reading this article made me think of all of the little things people are trying to do to help be eco-friendly.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Blog # 5
After completing my last novel, I decided to read Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. This novel will be quite a contrast to what I just completed reading. For my first blog I have decided to reflect on a quote, towards the beginning of the novel.
After one of the dances, the characters Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennett, and Mrs. Lucas are all speaking. Elizabeth is feeling regret because she did not dance with Mr. Darcy. At first, Mrs. Bennett thinks it is alright she didn’t dance with him because he has too much pride, but Mary explains his pride is ok. In her explanation she says this,” Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us” (pg. 21).
This novel was written a very long time ago (published in 1813 to be exact), and the language used is not always the easiest to understand. I had to look of the word “vanity” in the dictionary to help me understand the quote. The definition was, “Excessive pride in one’s self.” I think this quote is trying to explain that Pride is not necessarily a bad thing. For instance you do not need to be vain in order to have pride. Whereas vanity relates merely to what other would think and it relates to being vain.
This novel was written in an era where pride and marriage were very important things. From this quote I infer the novel to be a lot about what goes on in society. Everything in this novel seems so “prim and proper” to say the least, and I am excited to continue reading and see how much I can understand.
After one of the dances, the characters Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennett, and Mrs. Lucas are all speaking. Elizabeth is feeling regret because she did not dance with Mr. Darcy. At first, Mrs. Bennett thinks it is alright she didn’t dance with him because he has too much pride, but Mary explains his pride is ok. In her explanation she says this,” Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us” (pg. 21).
This novel was written a very long time ago (published in 1813 to be exact), and the language used is not always the easiest to understand. I had to look of the word “vanity” in the dictionary to help me understand the quote. The definition was, “Excessive pride in one’s self.” I think this quote is trying to explain that Pride is not necessarily a bad thing. For instance you do not need to be vain in order to have pride. Whereas vanity relates merely to what other would think and it relates to being vain.
This novel was written in an era where pride and marriage were very important things. From this quote I infer the novel to be a lot about what goes on in society. Everything in this novel seems so “prim and proper” to say the least, and I am excited to continue reading and see how much I can understand.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Blog # 4
The author of the novel, Prep, captures the lives of teenagers very well, making it seem almost as if she is in high school, experiencing all of the events right now. In the novel the main character Lee decides to get her ears pierces. Because Lee doesn’t have too many friends she goes alone, and to a “scary” place. “‘Do you ever miss?’ I asked. I laughed, and my laugh came out high and nervous. ‘No’ the man said. ‘Does it hurt?’ ‘No’ (pg. 49).” This quote to me is so funny! The author captures the anxiety of Lee, in a funny and relatable way. Compared to other “teen” novels I have read, this book in my opinion is the most mature in what is happening, because besides just the normal teen drama that happens, the book also talks about school stresses, and other relatable things. It’s nice to read the book and compare my high school experiences with it!
One part I liked about the part I just read was about something there school has called “Surprise Holiday.” This is a day where the teachers surprisingly cancel school. The night before the holiday Lee has the choice to study for a very important test the next day. She had heard rumors that there would be a surprise holiday- but didn’t know for sure, in the end she chose not to study. If it were me, I probably would’ve studied. Lee could have put herself in a very bad position if there were no surprise holiday- and I like to be “safe rather than sorry.” Luckily though there was a surprise holiday for them.
One part I liked about the part I just read was about something there school has called “Surprise Holiday.” This is a day where the teachers surprisingly cancel school. The night before the holiday Lee has the choice to study for a very important test the next day. She had heard rumors that there would be a surprise holiday- but didn’t know for sure, in the end she chose not to study. If it were me, I probably would’ve studied. Lee could have put herself in a very bad position if there were no surprise holiday- and I like to be “safe rather than sorry.” Luckily though there was a surprise holiday for them.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Blog Post #1
( Ms. Jarrett- I posted this on your blog when mine wasn't working but now its on mine!)
I have read the book Pine Nuts for this blog. This past summer I went to a somewhat well known arts camp in Michigan. The book Pine Nuts was written by a former camper, who became a counselor. In the book he remincses on his times as a counselor. I found it so interesting how not much has changed since the era of the book (1970's). One thing the author wrote about which paralled my experiences was how high the competition was. As said in the book many of the people went on to be famous, and there work ethics mirrored there striving to be famous. There were many instances where the author would write about someone, and then say later they went on to be famous. It makes me think about my experiences and the people I met- and what they will accomplish in their futures. Another thing the author wrote about was the competition between all-state and the all summer long campers. The competition is still there today, which is another thing i compared to my experiences. On page 70 it says " One afternoon, Sheldon came into the cabin and said, ' Okay, listen up guys... I've got some really good news' ' Camp is discontinuing any form of sports and no longer putting saltpepper into our foods?' eric snorted." The camper Eric replies in hopes that they will no longer have to do sports. Since the camp is an arts camp, I just think it's funny how any form of sport is extraordinarily unwanted. Reading this book was lot’s of fun to see the story from a perspective of a counselor, and see how things really haven’t changed in around 30 years.
I have read the book Pine Nuts for this blog. This past summer I went to a somewhat well known arts camp in Michigan. The book Pine Nuts was written by a former camper, who became a counselor. In the book he remincses on his times as a counselor. I found it so interesting how not much has changed since the era of the book (1970's). One thing the author wrote about which paralled my experiences was how high the competition was. As said in the book many of the people went on to be famous, and there work ethics mirrored there striving to be famous. There were many instances where the author would write about someone, and then say later they went on to be famous. It makes me think about my experiences and the people I met- and what they will accomplish in their futures. Another thing the author wrote about was the competition between all-state and the all summer long campers. The competition is still there today, which is another thing i compared to my experiences. On page 70 it says " One afternoon, Sheldon came into the cabin and said, ' Okay, listen up guys... I've got some really good news' ' Camp is discontinuing any form of sports and no longer putting saltpepper into our foods?' eric snorted." The camper Eric replies in hopes that they will no longer have to do sports. Since the camp is an arts camp, I just think it's funny how any form of sport is extraordinarily unwanted. Reading this book was lot’s of fun to see the story from a perspective of a counselor, and see how things really haven’t changed in around 30 years.
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