Day 1
Poverty is a big issue going on around and all over the world. Of course some might not think so unless you see it with your own eyes. Many people around the world can afford to pay for food or clothing, to survive, but many only make a couple of dollars a day, maybe even just 1 or 2, and they have to work their butts off just to get that much money. Think about how easy it is for us to get 1 or 2 dollars and compare to them. Millions aren't able to drink safe water, and/or don't even have proper sanitation. Think of what their lives would be. Think of how hard it is for them.
Day 2
People say that drug testing invades your privacy, and others say that if their medication outside of work isn't affecting their jobs and work life, they why be tested for drugs? Many people are losing their jobs because they are being prescribed legal medications just because their medications show up as an illegal drug on their drug test.
Day 3
New Jersey proposed an Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. Tyler Clementi, an 18 year old freshman's sucide because his roomate broadcasted his sexual encounter with another gay man. Clementi then jumped from the George Washington Bridge, and his roomates were charged. This is a terrifying case of teenagers commiting sucide because they were gay. This law was proposed a few weeks after New York state introduced a new law requiring NY school districts to protect children againts bullying becayse of their sexual orientation or weight. It also requires school districts to revise their codes of conduct, at least one staff member in each school will be taught counseling methods.
Day 4
Child abuse is reported almost every 10 seconds, isn't that just awful? Who would have thought there's so much child abuse going on. It's everywhere, just by thinking, saying, or actually doing it, it's still child abuse. Everyday 5 children die from it. Race does not have to do with child abuse, but it some countries, hitting children is not considered illegal. Neglect is one of the most common way to abuse a child. Infact, 60% of people in drug rehab has been abused as a child. Child abuse can have a big impact on the children's future. If your a child abuser, imagine how you're shaping their future.
Day 5
There is a post called "Should Fatties Get a Room?" by Marie Claire writer and Maura Kelly. It focuses on the question "Think people feel uncomfortable when they see overweight people making out on television?"
Kelly considered answering the question herself and she answered "I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room." This made people very angry and the magazine readers even called the magazine to ask for Kelly to be fired.
Final reflection: I learned many many many many things. This taught me that I might think my life is horrible and I don't want to continue living, but this made me realize, I need to be happy with what I have, and think about what others don't have. That they have to work for everything even at a young age, while I just sit here and ask my parents for stuff. This made me realize bullying isn't something to joke around about. It's serious, and it needs to stop. Think before you do or say. It might even end up shaping your future or even another's future.
P.S. To Ms Galang, sorry I did not realize we were suppose to put this on our blog until today, so I copied what I wrote down in my notebook onto this blog.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Untitled (extra credit)
The Dark rises
As the Light falls down
A fallen imortal
thou became
thy fere follows ye down into Earth
Canst though wit what the day shall bring
What God hath wrought to thy world
I pray thee
Save the world
I seek naught
In ye
I beseech thee
Tis the moment
tarry the Dark
bury the hatred
Fair well for now
We shall meet again
As the Light falls down
A fallen imortal
thou became
thy fere follows ye down into Earth
Canst though wit what the day shall bring
What God hath wrought to thy world
I pray thee
Save the world
I seek naught
In ye
I beseech thee
Tis the moment
tarry the Dark
bury the hatred
Fair well for now
We shall meet again
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Son to Mother
Well, mother, I'll tell you
Life for me ain't been no smooth road
I turn left and keep walking
I fall down into a deep hole
I climb back up and continue
I turn right and keep walking
I fall down into a deep hole
Down there, there's no mat
no pillow
no carpet
no nothin' to catch me
I climb back up and continue
I just kept walking straight
Oh look, another hole in the ground
This time, I walk around the hole
I've learned my lesson
I know what to do
And I know life for either of us
Ain't been no crystal road
Life for me ain't been no smooth road
I turn left and keep walking
I fall down into a deep hole
I climb back up and continue
I turn right and keep walking
I fall down into a deep hole
Down there, there's no mat
no pillow
no carpet
no nothin' to catch me
I climb back up and continue
I just kept walking straight
Oh look, another hole in the ground
This time, I walk around the hole
I've learned my lesson
I know what to do
And I know life for either of us
Ain't been no crystal road
Monday, October 18, 2010
An Appreciation
As a 13 year old, I believe in many things. Most of those things, people say aren't real, or will never happen. I believe in things that brings my mood up, things that gives me confident, and things that give me something to look forward to. After reading this book, it changed some of my belief....
In Thailand, where I came from, we didn't have childhood books like The Giver by Lois Lowry to read, at least not that I know of. It was not because we didn't speak English, in fact every school I know has an English teacher. Anyway, so when I moved to America, I didn't know any famous authors. My friends were talking about books and asking if they had read it. All I can say was no, so I wasn't able to really start a book conversation with them.
Then 5th grade came.... My brother was in 7th grade at that time, and that was when he read The Giver. Every time I ask him about the book, he would go on about how good it is, and I asked him because I felt like everyone has read it but me. A few months later when I saw the book again, I thought it was a boring book because I used to always judge a book by its cover. Then my brother said that if I really wanted to know what was so good about it, I had to read it myself. So what he did was shove the book in my face, literally. Of course I deserved it.
When I first read The Giver, the beginning was just so boring to me, I felt like I understood nothing, so what I did was skip a couple of pages, possibly chapters. Then when I got close to the middle/end, things were really interesting (and I didn't know why back then but now I do), but I knew I was missing a lot from the book because I skipped so many pages. Then in 6th grade, I had nothing to read, so I decided to reread The Giver. I felt so stupid for skipping so much. If only I had read those pages I would have realized how different Jonas' world and my world is. I would have learned what's good and what's bad, and what feelings and emotions are suppose to feel like.
The Giver is about Jonas, and eleven year old boy who lives in a futuristic community, that may or may not be real. This community is like a wall that separates the people from all pain, fear, war, hatred or anything that might hurt them. Everyone pretty much looks and acts the same. In this community, you are not allowed to chose, most likely because if you make the "wrong" choice, it might end up hurting you badly. At 12, every member of the community will be assigned a job based on what the observations the people have made on you. The citizens can apply for a spouse and 2 children (a female and a male), because they are assigned the members of their family, love doesn't exist. They will never know what it truly is. When adults are too old to do anything, they stay in the House of the Old and will eventually be "released" which is not as good as it may sound. The community tells the people that a release, the people are allowed to apply for Elsewhere, when the true meaning of release is actually death. Any citizens who break the rules will be released, but some people take it as a joke. At least until they know what it really is. Everything in this community is planned and organized so the life of the people is pleasant and safe.
At the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory. When sameness existed in the community, someone has to hold all these past memories or pain, war, fear, love, family, and etc. There needs to be someone who holds these memories to stop the community from making mistakes for the past, but this is also keeping the warm fuzzy feelings from them. A feeling that makes you feel good, loved, and a reason to live.
After Jonas learns the truth about the world, he becomes desperate to save Gabriel before he adapts to the horrible world of the community. He runs away with Gabriel and steals his father's bicycle and a supply of food to go looking for Elsewhere. As he leaves this community, he enters a land full of color, animals, and weather (from mother nature itself), also hunger and all the danger out there in the real world.
Before I read this book, I was all "dude I would never want world peace", then a few months later, or a year I'm all like "world peace! It could save mankind". Yes I am a very bipolar person. This book made me realize that the world cannot function with out balance. What I mean by that is, everything comes with an opposite, a dark side, the unwanted, etc. After reading this book over and over, I realized how much I would hate the future if it ever turned out like that. I rather not live, if that's how my life is going to turn out. Of course, that's what I'd say now, but many during my next life, I might adapt to the community's way of life. A future like this community, seems possible now and so realistic. It doesn't seem made up whatsoever. There are no flying cars, or a watch that has every gadget known to man. This community made me realize that with love comes with hate, and with pleasure comes with pain. Things aren't always what they seem, and they may or may not be as great as they seem. Oh and it also taught me to never judge a book by its cover again. EVER.
I love this book because it's not just a silly children’s book. It's a book that relates to the world and what we have to watch out for. It make me thankful that I have a family that loves me. This book doesn't seem like a children’s book, but more of a teen or possibly an adult book. Almost like you have to be mature enough to fully understand the concept and purpose of it. After reading this book, I realized that I have never asked my parents if they love me, but I know they do. My parents do certain things for me because they love me, they teach me what’s right and what's wrong even though I might not appreciate it that much. This is a really good book that deserves to be read by everyone. It might even change you opinion on who knows what. It might even change your life. This book is the reason why I get those "moments I think about my life". Those moments decide what my next move will be, and if I made the right choice.
Like some people, I change my mind a lot, no matter what it is, it might even happen in a blink of an eye. One second I'll be thinking one thing, then the next I'll say "wait, that's stupid, it will never happen", and vice versa. The Giver, made me certain of certain things. It made me certain of my thoughts and my belief. Though it did not take it away. It did not ruin my life, more like a path to a new life, one that I'm sure of what I really want.
In Thailand, where I came from, we didn't have childhood books like The Giver by Lois Lowry to read, at least not that I know of. It was not because we didn't speak English, in fact every school I know has an English teacher. Anyway, so when I moved to America, I didn't know any famous authors. My friends were talking about books and asking if they had read it. All I can say was no, so I wasn't able to really start a book conversation with them.
Then 5th grade came.... My brother was in 7th grade at that time, and that was when he read The Giver. Every time I ask him about the book, he would go on about how good it is, and I asked him because I felt like everyone has read it but me. A few months later when I saw the book again, I thought it was a boring book because I used to always judge a book by its cover. Then my brother said that if I really wanted to know what was so good about it, I had to read it myself. So what he did was shove the book in my face, literally. Of course I deserved it.
When I first read The Giver, the beginning was just so boring to me, I felt like I understood nothing, so what I did was skip a couple of pages, possibly chapters. Then when I got close to the middle/end, things were really interesting (and I didn't know why back then but now I do), but I knew I was missing a lot from the book because I skipped so many pages. Then in 6th grade, I had nothing to read, so I decided to reread The Giver. I felt so stupid for skipping so much. If only I had read those pages I would have realized how different Jonas' world and my world is. I would have learned what's good and what's bad, and what feelings and emotions are suppose to feel like.
The Giver is about Jonas, and eleven year old boy who lives in a futuristic community, that may or may not be real. This community is like a wall that separates the people from all pain, fear, war, hatred or anything that might hurt them. Everyone pretty much looks and acts the same. In this community, you are not allowed to chose, most likely because if you make the "wrong" choice, it might end up hurting you badly. At 12, every member of the community will be assigned a job based on what the observations the people have made on you. The citizens can apply for a spouse and 2 children (a female and a male), because they are assigned the members of their family, love doesn't exist. They will never know what it truly is. When adults are too old to do anything, they stay in the House of the Old and will eventually be "released" which is not as good as it may sound. The community tells the people that a release, the people are allowed to apply for Elsewhere, when the true meaning of release is actually death. Any citizens who break the rules will be released, but some people take it as a joke. At least until they know what it really is. Everything in this community is planned and organized so the life of the people is pleasant and safe.
At the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory. When sameness existed in the community, someone has to hold all these past memories or pain, war, fear, love, family, and etc. There needs to be someone who holds these memories to stop the community from making mistakes for the past, but this is also keeping the warm fuzzy feelings from them. A feeling that makes you feel good, loved, and a reason to live.
After Jonas learns the truth about the world, he becomes desperate to save Gabriel before he adapts to the horrible world of the community. He runs away with Gabriel and steals his father's bicycle and a supply of food to go looking for Elsewhere. As he leaves this community, he enters a land full of color, animals, and weather (from mother nature itself), also hunger and all the danger out there in the real world.
Before I read this book, I was all "dude I would never want world peace", then a few months later, or a year I'm all like "world peace! It could save mankind". Yes I am a very bipolar person. This book made me realize that the world cannot function with out balance. What I mean by that is, everything comes with an opposite, a dark side, the unwanted, etc. After reading this book over and over, I realized how much I would hate the future if it ever turned out like that. I rather not live, if that's how my life is going to turn out. Of course, that's what I'd say now, but many during my next life, I might adapt to the community's way of life. A future like this community, seems possible now and so realistic. It doesn't seem made up whatsoever. There are no flying cars, or a watch that has every gadget known to man. This community made me realize that with love comes with hate, and with pleasure comes with pain. Things aren't always what they seem, and they may or may not be as great as they seem. Oh and it also taught me to never judge a book by its cover again. EVER.
I love this book because it's not just a silly children’s book. It's a book that relates to the world and what we have to watch out for. It make me thankful that I have a family that loves me. This book doesn't seem like a children’s book, but more of a teen or possibly an adult book. Almost like you have to be mature enough to fully understand the concept and purpose of it. After reading this book, I realized that I have never asked my parents if they love me, but I know they do. My parents do certain things for me because they love me, they teach me what’s right and what's wrong even though I might not appreciate it that much. This is a really good book that deserves to be read by everyone. It might even change you opinion on who knows what. It might even change your life. This book is the reason why I get those "moments I think about my life". Those moments decide what my next move will be, and if I made the right choice.
Like some people, I change my mind a lot, no matter what it is, it might even happen in a blink of an eye. One second I'll be thinking one thing, then the next I'll say "wait, that's stupid, it will never happen", and vice versa. The Giver, made me certain of certain things. It made me certain of my thoughts and my belief. Though it did not take it away. It did not ruin my life, more like a path to a new life, one that I'm sure of what I really want.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Giver
Note: "OMG. Technically they've seen animals or at least know what it looks like, they just don't know that it's one" Page: 18 This note made me wonder what else this community is hiding from the people who lives in it.On page 5:
"Why do you think the visitors didn't obey the rules?" Mother asked.
Lily considered, and shook her head. "I don't know. They acted like... like..."
"Animals?" Jonas suggested. He laughed.
"That's right," Lily said, laughing too. "Like animals." Neither child knew what the word meant, exactly, but it was often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy, somewho didnt't fit in.
First of all, this is an insult to animals, not all of them are like that. Second, humans are animals too, but sadly they don't know that, they don't know anything that really goes on in the "real world". Anyway, it's just really weird how their "comfort objects" are stuffed animals, yet they insult them. Lily's is a stuffed elephant, and Jonas' was a bear. It's kind of ironic that they insult animals, but can't live without a stuffed ANIMAL. In this comunity, the comfort objects are stuffed imaginary creatures to them. I get that in a way this is an imaginary creature, at least for them because technically they've never seen an animal, but if they're going to hide what's really going on in the outside world, they shouldn't even mention the word.
I don't have much to say about this, but I have lots of thoughts about it. I just can't quite explain everything. If only I knew everything this community is hiding.
Anyway another thing I'm wondering about, that doesn't really relate to this is that, do they use money? how can they "take" the color out of this community? Because in another community, they have color, and there are certain things you can't take away physically from the world no matter how different the 2 places can be. So is there a barrier? a force field? a dome?
"Why do you think the visitors didn't obey the rules?" Mother asked.
Lily considered, and shook her head. "I don't know. They acted like... like..."
"Animals?" Jonas suggested. He laughed.
"That's right," Lily said, laughing too. "Like animals." Neither child knew what the word meant, exactly, but it was often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy, somewho didnt't fit in.
First of all, this is an insult to animals, not all of them are like that. Second, humans are animals too, but sadly they don't know that, they don't know anything that really goes on in the "real world". Anyway, it's just really weird how their "comfort objects" are stuffed animals, yet they insult them. Lily's is a stuffed elephant, and Jonas' was a bear. It's kind of ironic that they insult animals, but can't live without a stuffed ANIMAL. In this comunity, the comfort objects are stuffed imaginary creatures to them. I get that in a way this is an imaginary creature, at least for them because technically they've never seen an animal, but if they're going to hide what's really going on in the outside world, they shouldn't even mention the word.
I don't have much to say about this, but I have lots of thoughts about it. I just can't quite explain everything. If only I knew everything this community is hiding.
Anyway another thing I'm wondering about, that doesn't really relate to this is that, do they use money? how can they "take" the color out of this community? Because in another community, they have color, and there are certain things you can't take away physically from the world no matter how different the 2 places can be. So is there a barrier? a force field? a dome?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)