Coming of Age - Interview and Transcription

John Morrissey (Step Father) - Early 40s. Irish. Retired Sargent. Father of 4 children. Married to a substitute teacher/baker, Taihiti Vazquez-Morrissey (my mother). His interview contains of questions about his childhood and his life as a Police Officer.

What are some things that you regret in your life/childhood?

Not getting promoted sooner.

I shoulda studied and gotten promoted,

In the police department after five years instead of ten.

Cause, uh, maybe I could have went further in the department,

To have taken and passed the lieutenants test.

Uh, when I first started, I thought I was gonna go all the way

Through captain or whatever.

No, I wasn't depressed at all.

Cause you realize why that job stinks,

And why what you have is... pretty good.

What would I take back?

Studying um, to have studied sooner.

To have taken it more serious and made a better effort to uh...

To do it.

Did you always want to be a Police Officer when you grew up?

Yeah I think so.

I, wanted to be a Police man...

From the early 80's.

Was your dad a Police Officer? Did you want to be like him?

Nope.

Watchin shows like Miami Vice, 

I thought it would be cool to be a Police man.

*sniffle*

Nobody in the family was a cop before,

I was the first and only one.

So that had nothing to do with it.

You wanted to do something different?

Nah.

I thought it was a good job.

I could take it while I was young,

And I'd be retired when I was young.

I took the job at 20 and I'd be out the door at 40.

With the pension and health benefits...

Until Obama care messes that up anyway.

If you weren't a Police Officer, what do you think you would be?

What would I have done?

*clears throat* Uh...

Maybe something... uh...

Scientifical or medical cause I was always good with science and stuff like that.

Maybe a tech guy in a lab or something.

Like you thought that that was like an interesting thing to do?

Yep,

Well I was good at science,

In school.

Did you ever want to like follow your parents, in their jobs?

Nope.

I didn't wanna be a taxi cab driver.

I wanted to have more,

And to have done more then what my parents done.

They left kinda... boring lives.

They didn't really travel.

No house.

Not that that necessarily makes you happy.

But whatever.

*to himself* ah this game is ridiculous.

Romeo and Juliet - Final Draft (REVISED)

In the book 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare, a street fight occurs between the Montague's and Capulet’s Prince Escalus comes in and breaks up the fight. But threatens them if they fight again. Romeo enters, very sad. Romeo is in love, with Rosaline, but is afraid that the woman he loves doesn't love him back. Later in the book, Mercutio, Romeo's friend and Prince Escalus's cousin, invites Romeo to accompany him to the Capulet's party, to try to get Romeo to forget about Rosaline. At the party, Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love. Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

"Out of her favor, where I am in love." (1.1.173)

This quote shows that Romeo is truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline, even though he knows that she doesn't love him back. Because of this, Romeo is very depressed. And all Romeo talks about is Rosaline, and how she doesn't love him. But Romeo doesn't want to give up on her yet. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is complaining about how Rosaline doesn't love him the way he loves her. But this is before Romeo knows anything about Juliet. This quote also shows how committed Romeo is to Rosaline. Romeo doesn't care about how Rosaline feels about him. All he cares about is her. He wants to please her and do something to get her notice him, but she doesn't give Romeo any respect. That is why Romeo gives up on trying to please Rosaline. That is also why he agrees to go to the Capulet's party, in order to help him forget about Rosaline breaking his heart.

"What lady is that which doth enrich the hand. Of yonder knight?" (1.5. 41-42)

This quote shows that Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has finally noticed someone else. And Romeo has now fallen in love with Juliet and out of love with Rosaline. In Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo first spots Juliet during a dance and instantaneously falls in love with her. When Juliet first spots Romeo, she falls in love with him as well. After the dance is over, Romeo goes in search of Juliet. When he finds her, he startles her and greets her with a kiss on her hand. This is where Juliet begins to fall in love with Romeo. This is also where Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline. The two sneak off and get away from the crowd of people and share a kiss or two. But soon after, the two are separated and soon find out that they are sworn enemies. Even though they aren't supposed to be together, the two realize that they can't stand to be without one another.

"Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine." (2. 2. 127)

This quote shows that Romeo and Juliet have very strong feelings for each other. After the party, Romeo returns to Capulet's mansion in search for Juliet, because he cannot stop thinking about her. When he arrives at the Capulet's garden, he overhears Juliet confessing her love for him. She makes a long speech about how she wishes they can be together, but they can't because they're sworn enemies. Romeo then speaks and startles Juliet. The two both confess their love for each other. After confessing their strong feelings, they decide that they want to be married and be together forever. Even though it's forbidden. Many people in Verona find out about the wedding, including Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Tybalt then battles Romeo but is killed in the process. When Prince Escalus and the Capulet's find out about Tybalt's death, they banish Romeo from Verona. But after Romeo is banished, he doesn't know how to act or control himself because he is so far away and separated from his beloved wife, Juliet.

In Conclusion, Romeo changes in the story because in the beginning of the story, Romeo was truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline. But at Capulet's party, Romeo spotted Juliet and fell in love with her. He also completely forgot about Rosaline. Juliet also fell in love with Romeo at the party. Later that night, the two confessed their love for each other and decided to get married, that way they could be together forever. The text relates to then world because it shows how two people, who care very much about each other, can make decisions for themselves. The text also shows that young people can make their own decisions. I think that the reader should think about how Romeo was able to quickly forget about all his feelings about Rosaline after he met Juliet. It shows the reader how strongly in love Romeo is with Juliet and how he cannot let her go. For example, when Balthazar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead, the first thing that Romeo does is race back to Verona, as fast as he can. So that he can see Juliet one last time.

Romeo and Juliet - Final Draft

In the book 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare, a street fight occurs between the Montague's and Capulet’s Prince Escalus comes in and breaks up the fight. But threatens them if they fight again. Romeo enters, very sad. Romeo is in love, with Rosaline, but is afraid that the woman he loves doesn't love him back. Later in the book, Mercutio, Romeo's friend and Prince Escalus's cousin, invites Romeo to accompany him to the Capulet's party, to try to get Romeo to forget about Rosaline. At the party, Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love. Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

"Out of her favor, where I am in love." (1.1.173)

This quote shows that Romeo is truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline, even though he knows that she doesn't love him back. Because of this, Romeo is very depressed. And all Romeo talks about is Rosaline, and how she doesn't love him. But Romeo doesn't want to give up on her yet. In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is complaining about how Rosaline doesn't love him the way he loves her. But this is before Romeo knows anything about Juliet.

"What lady is that which doth enrich the hand. Of yonder knight?" (1.5. 41-42)

This quote shows that Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has finally noticed someone else. And Romeo has now fallen in love with Juliet and out of love with Rosaline. In Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo first spots Juliet during a dance and instantaneously falls in love with her. When Juliet first spots Romeo, she falls in love with him as well. After the dance is over, Romeo goes in search of Juliet. When he finds her, he startles her and greets her with a kiss on her hand. This is where Juliet begins to fall in love with Romeo. This is also where Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline. The two sneak off and get away from the crowd of people and share a kiss. But soon after, the two are separated and soon find out that they are sworn enemies.

"Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine." (2. 2. 127)

This quote shows that Romeo and Juliet have very strong feelings for each other. After the party, Romeo returns to Capulet's mansion in search for Juliet, because he cannot stop thinking about her. When he arrives at the Capulet's garden, he overhears Juliet confessing her love for him. She makes a long speech about how she wishes they can be together, but they can't because they're sworn enemies. Romeo then speaks and startles Juliet. The two both confess their love for each other. After confessing their strong feelings, they decide that they want to be married and be together forever. Even though it's forbidden.

In Conclusion, Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about Rosaline. But after he met Juliet, all of his thoughts about Rosaline vanished. In the beginning of the story, Romeo was truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline. But at Capulet's party, Romeo spotted Juliet and fell in love with her. He also completely forgot about Rosaline. Juliet also fell in love with Romeo at the party. Later that night, the two confessed their love for each other and decided to get married, that way they could be together forever. The text relates to then world because it shows how two people, who care very much about each other, can make decisions for themselves. Also it shows that young people can make their own decisions. I think that the reader should think about how Romeo was able to quickly forget about all his feelings about Rosaline after he met Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet - Thesis and Outline

I. Introduction:

a. Lead:

I think that Romeo changed a lot in the story because at first, all he cared about was Rosaline. But then when he met Juliet, all his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

b. Title and author; brief context or background:

'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare; A street fight occurs between the Montagues and Capulets. Prince Escalus comes in and breaks up the fight. But threatens them if they do it again. Romeo enters, very sad. Romeo is in love but is afraid that the woman he loves doesn't love him back.

c. Thesis/Focus (overall interpretation):

Romeo changes in the story because at first, all he cared about was Rosaline. But then when he met Juliet, all his thoughts about Rosaline vanished.

II. Body:

a.. Paragraph 1 (observation/inference):

*One important observation or inference that supports my focus is:

 In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo is complaining about how Rosaline doesn't love him the way that he loves her. But this is before Romoe knows anything about Juliet.

*This is shown in (relevant evidence/quotation from text):

"Out of her favor, where I am in love." - Romeo (Act 1 Scene 1)
 

*This quote shows that:

This quote shows that Romeo is truly, madly, deeply in love with Rosaline. But Romeo knows that she doesn't love him back. Because of this, Romeo is very depressed. And all Romeo talks about is Rosaline.

b. Paragraph 2 (observation/inference):

*One importantt observation or inference that supports my focus is:

In Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo first spots Juliet adn instantaniously falls in love with her. When Juliet first spots Romeo, she falls in love with him as well. But the two are seperated and soon find out that they are sworn enemies.

*This is shown in (relevant evidence/quotation from text):

"What lady is that which doth enrich the hand. Of yonder knight?" - Romeo (Act 1 Scene 5)
 

*This quote shows that:

This quote shows that Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has finally noticed someone else. And Romeo has now fallen in love with Juliet and out of love with Rosaline.

c. Paragraph 3 (observation/inference):

*One important observation or inference that supporta my focus is:

In Act 2 Scene 2, Romeo and Juliet confess their love for eachother. And the two decide to be married.

*This is shown in (relevant evidence/quotation from text):

"Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine." - Romeo (Act 2 Scene 2)
 

*This quote shows that:

This quote shows that Romeo and Juliet have very strong feelings for eachother. So strong, that they want to be married and be together forever.

III. Conclusion:

i. How does the text relate to you, the reader, the world, and/or another text?

The text relates to then world because it shows how two people, who care very much about eachother, can make decisions for themselves. Also it shows that young people can make their own decisions.

ii. What do you think the reader should think, feel, or know about the topic?

I think that the reader should think about how Romeo was able to quickly forget about all his feelings about Rosaline after he met Juliet.

Monthly Nonfiction Reading Resposne - Bird, human tweets come from similar parts of the brain

Humans and songbirds share genetic changes affecting parts of the brain. That are related to singing and speaking. Neurologist Erich Jarvis discovered about 80 genes that turn on and off, similar to humans and songbirds. This gene occurs in brain regions that have the ability to imitate sounds. And to speak and sing. But it is not present in birds that can't mimic sounds. The ancestors of humans and songbirds split 300 years ago. Which suggests that the two acquired a similar capacity for song. I think that it is interesting that humans and birds have much in common. The two also have similar patterns in activity. I never would have thought that we would have so much in common.

Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Dissection Ban

"A staggering 19 million insects and animals belonging to a variety of species will be saved every academic year when the ban on dissection in laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate is fully implemented."

This article taught me that many elementary, middle and high schools dissect animals in science class. They don't only dissect frogs. But also cats, mice, rats, worms, dogs, rabbits, fetal pigs and fish. More than 19 million animals wind up being dissected each year. Also with more branches of life sciences, that 19 million will quickly turn into a much higher number in the upcoming years.

"More than 2.5 million undergraduate and postgraduate students of Zoology and other branches of life science in the country end up dissecting approximately 19 million animals every academic year. And with emergence of newer branches of life sciences including biophysics, biochemistry and biodiversity, and an increase in the number of educational institutions, the number of animals dissected was also expected to grow substantially in the coming years."

Every year, millions of undergraduate students dissect animals. Totals up to 19 million each year. And if we continue to dissect the harmless animals, those numbers will become sky high. They might even reach up to the billions if we don't stop soon. Also, after the students dissect the animal, they just throw them out. That is just a complete waste of a life. How would you feel if you were taken away from your home to be killed and thrown away?

"Dissection is not just cruel, it is also antiquated. Studies have shown that non-animal methods teach anatomy and complex biological processes as well as or better than do animal laboratories, and they have proved much more effective and humane."

Some dissection classes in schools don't even teach the correct way of dissecting the animals. Also, most students don't pay any attention to the teacher when he/she is demonstrating the dissection. So the students are just playing with the animal. Which is another reason why dissection should be banned. And if you make a mistake when dissecting the animal, you can't start over.

"At the same time, their use will save universities an enormous amount of money compared to the expense of purchasing animals year after year, explains B.K. Sharma, Associate Professor and head of Zoology Department at R.L Saharia Government PG College, Kaladera (Jaipur), Rajasthan. He was a member of the UGC Core Expert Committee that was set up to consider ‘Discontinuation of Dissection of Animals in Zoology/Life Science Education in Indian Universities and Colleges.'"

After reading this article, I have come to the understanding that the world is in the middle of animal abuse. But other people think that is for a good cause - education. When really, student who have no choice but to take this class have a different opinion about the dissection. I would consider dissection abuse. Because the people who obtain those animals are taking them from shelters, just to kill them. Which is extremely cruel. Also many children don't enjoy dissecting these animals. But if we stop animal dissection, then more than 19 million animals and insects will be saved each year.

Works Cited

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dissection-ban-will-save-19-million-animals-every-year/article2704638.ece

Blog Post Number Five - 'Tilt' by Ellen Hopkins

In the book 'Tilt' by Ellen Hopkins,

There are three different characters. But they are al connected in different ways. They also have different issues. All different from one another.

One of the characters, Mikayla, is a high school senior with good grades, great looks and a perfect boyfriend. But one day, when Mikayla and Dylan (her boyfriend) start fooling around without protection, Dylan thinks that they'll be fine. But he was completely wrong! He got Mikayla knocked up. And he wants her to get an abortion. But she wants to keep the baby. So now, she has to make a decision: get an abortion, or keep the baby and lose Dylan forever.

Another character in the book is Shane. Shane is a homosexual and his father hates him for it. His mom is dealing with more important things to worry about. Because Shane's sister Shelby is only four years old and has Type 1 SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). His family is extremely lucky that she's still alive. But because Shelby has that terrible illness, Shane's father doesn't want to deal with all of the family's issues. So he is almost never home. And his mother is always tending to Shelby and that leaves Shane all alone. Until he meets Alex. But Alex has HIV. But that doesn't stop him and Shane's relationship. When Shane is with Alex, he is happier and feels less alone. But when Shelby dies, all hell breaks loose. Not only with Shane's mother, but Shane as well. Because after the funeral, he realized that he didn't get a chance to say goodbye. 

The final character in this book is Harley. She is Shane's cousin and Mikayla's sisters best friend. Harley has a hard time being noticed. For one thing, her best friend Bri gets all of the attention and Harley is also a bit overweight. It's now summer and she wants to change her appearance. So she goes on a diet. But she also has other problems. Her parents are divorced and her father is dating someone else already. And her fathers girlfriend's (Cassie) son is extremely attractive (according to Harley). And now that she has lost a lot of weight. She thinks that she might be able to get his attention. One day Harley asks Chad (Cassie's son) why he isn't interested in her. And he tells her because he thinks of her as his sister. So Harley goes to find someone else to catch her attention. And Chad's friend Lucas is very interested in Harley. But when Harley starts going out with Lucas, he makes her do things that are inappropriate and disturbing to her. And one day, he gets her so drunk and high that she is unconscious and then he takes advantage of her. But does Lucas care? Of course not! And the day after, he breaks up with her - over text.