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.

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. 

Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Hitler Youth; Growing Up In Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

The Nonfiction book that I read was about Hitler and the Nazis. But it was also about the child soldiers who had to fight in the war. And their stories.

One of my favorite stories in this book was about a child soldier named Herbert Norkus. I enjoyed his story the most because it was told in great detail. And at the end, after he died, it talked about his military funeral. I thought that was interesting because it also showed a picture of his grave with the guards around it. Besides that, the chapter talked about his wonderful services as one of Hitler's child soldiers. I also thought it was interesting how the chapter talked about his parents. And how they didn't want their son to join Hitler Youth. But Herbert joined it anyways because even though his mother didn't want him to, his father gave him permission. And in the end, he was shot, doing his job.

The other stories in this book were just about the same. They all talked about the children in Hitler Youth. And how their parents didn't want them to join it. But they disobeyed their parents and joined anyways. And they also all passed away and were killed.

Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Arctic Meltdown by Justin Gillis

"Every summer, the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean melts as the region heats up. And every year, as fall arrives and temperatures drop, the ice begins to build up again."

This article taught me that every season the temperature changes. In the summer it gets hot and in the winter it gets cold. But in the Arctic, during the summer the ice melts and in the winter the water turns back into ice. But lately, not all of the water has frozen back. And the animals there are in danger.

"Most scientists have long believed that the climate's warming--roughly 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit over land in the past century, with most of that occurring since 1980--is caused largely by the human release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels."

Over the past century, temperatures have risen about 2.5°F. It might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference to our climate and our planet. The Arctic isn't the only place in the world that is in trouble. But it is also one of the worst defenders. In the United States, there have been hurricanes, droughts and other violent and extreme storms and weather patterns. The warmer the planet gets, the more we have to suffer.

"Some of them (scientists) think the shrinking Arctic sea ice has already started to alter atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing more extreme weather in the United States and other countries, buy that link is not considered proved."

In addition to the temperatures rising, scientists also think that the global warming is altering atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists also think that extreme weather will become more common as the planet warms. But there might be other changes in other parts of the world. Such as extreme weather and natural disasters. But the weather problems will become more and more frequent in the future if we don't try to make a change.

"A vast majority of scientists, however, agree that extreme weather events--everything from heat waves to blizzards--will become more common as the planet warms."

After reading this article, I have come to understand that the world is in the middle of severe global warming. It is not only harming the Arctic, but it is also hurting other parts of the world. Not just places in the cold, but also the United States and the United Kingdom. More and more violent storms and crazy weather are going to be coming our way. And if we don't try to stop it, we will be in serious trouble in the future. Every year, the average global temperature has gone up a lot. And eventually it will be too high and the whole world will be underwater. Hopefully before then, we can try to help the environment.

Works Cited:

Gillis, Justin. "Arctic Meltdown." The New York Times Upfront 19 Nov. 2012: 8-11. Web.

Blog Commenting

This week, I commented on two student's blogs.

I commented on Amelia's blog:

http://ameliabedelia13.blogspot.com/2013/01/twilight.html?showComment=1358381039487#c1834638362314111460

I also commented on Helen R.'s  blog:

http://rodriguez80.blogspot.com/

Blog Post Number Four - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Questions for Social Action - Choice 6; How does money figure in this text?

In the book 'Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins,

Katniss and Peeta have come back from the Hunger Games. And now they have to go on Victory Tours. But President Snow knows that Katniss and Peeta's love game was just an act. But he can't let other people know that. Or else they'll blame him and President Snow will get in a lot of trouble. So because of that, President Snow and Katniss had a "little chat" and he told her that she has to "convince" him.

When Peeta and Katniss come back from the Victory Tours, they come back to their homes in District 12. Which is THE poorest district in Panem. Many people in District 12 can't even afford to buy dinner for their families. Which is very bad for the children because they get sick easily. And that usually happens often.

Most of the Districts in Panem are poor. Only District's 1 and 2 are rich or middle-class. Because they are closer and more important to the Capitol. But the other District's have to suffer. But of course, the Capitol doesn't care about them. Only the Hunger Games.

I think that the Capitol should care more for the poor and less important Districts. Because it is much easier for District's 1 and 2 to get resources. I also think that the Capitol should give the other districts money. And help them out once in a while.

Blog Post Number Three - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Reading Questions for Social Action - Choice 1; Is this story fair? Why or why not?

In the book 'Fallout' by Ellen Hopkins,

Kristina's kids are still living their lives without her. But when Christmas comes, she'll come back as a surprise for the kids. Hunter already knows that she's coming over. And so does Summer because, she keeps in contact with her. But of course, Autumn still doesn't know anything about Kristina.

I don't think that her kids will be excited when she comes over because thay never really met her. And she hasn't been there for them for almost all of their lives.

I think that this story can be both fair and unfair because Kristina left all three of her children but she's coming back for Christmas. But her coming back still doesn't make up for the other times she was gone and she could have came back to visit her children. I think that if she were to come back earlier and take care of her children herself, they would have a better relationship with each other. And also, each child would have a better life. And they would get to know Kristina better and find out why she did what she did.

Blog Post Number Three - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Reading Questions for Social Action - Choice 8; What really hard things are happening in this text? Are these things happening in the world now? Where?

In the book 'Fallout' by Ellen Hopkins,

The story is told by the perspectives of Kristina's (main character from 'Crank') three children. The children Hunter, Autumn and Summer are all split up. They have no idea who each other are. But Hunter and Summer know that there are three of them in total. Autumn has no idea that she has any siblings at all.

Hunter is the oldest of the three. He also has the best life of the siblings. He has followed in his moths footsteps by taking drugs. But he refuses to take meth (monster) that way, he doesn't end up like his mother - an addict.

Autumn is the middle child. She also has OCD and panic attacks. She is the only child that doesn't know about Kristina. But she does know who her father is - Trey.

Summer is the youngest of the three. She is the only one who knows the truth about both of her parents.

I think that difficult things that are happening in this book are disowning because after Kristina had her children, she left them. And separated then from each other. I don't think that was the right choice because why wouldn't she want to see her kids ever again?

I also think that things like this happen to children everyday because Kristina had these children when she was young and she didn't know what to do after she had them. So usually people who also have these issues give their child up for adoption. But she gave one to adoption, one to her mom and the other to the child's grandfather.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 4; Write a reading response on a social issue in a literary work (on independent reading book)

'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins

 

In the book 'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins, the main character Pattyn is a part of a Mormon family. But Pattyn doesn't believe in the Mormon religion anymore. She doesn't want to be forced to have numerous babies and not have any say or control in her own house when she becomes married. In other words, she doesn't want to end up like her mother. Who is always being beat by her husband (Pattyn's father) because every baby she has is a girl. Pattyn's father is so upset at her decision to not want to be Mormon anymore that he beats her just like he does to her mother. He then disowns her and sends her to live with her Aunt J. When Pattyn's there, Aunt J teaches Pattyn about the true meaning of love.

 

I think that the issue in this book is child abuse and disowning. Because during the whole time Pattyn was living with her father, he would always beat both her and her mother. Even if they didn't do anything wrong.

 

The message in this book is to find the true meaning about yourself. Because her family is Mormon and pushing Pattyn to marry a "good Mormon boy" and follow the Mormon religion, etc. But she doesn't want that for her future. But when she moves in with her Aunt J, she learns about the true meaning of love and that God won't hate her if she doesn't choose to follow the Mormon religion.

 

This book makes me think a lot about child abuse because that seems to be what Pattyn's father does a lot. I also came to the conclusion that the father believes that men control women and also that women must completely obeh\y their husbands. I think that is sexist.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 3; Find a true story about someone who changes the world every day (even in a small way). Interview and write about the person.

Person who changes the world everyday: My stepfather John Morrissey; Police Officer - Sargent

Interview:

 

ME: Hello John.

 

JOHN: Hello Tatianna.

 

ME: I hear you are a police officer.

 

JOHN: Yes. I am a Sargent.

ME: Would you say that you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I guess I would.

ME: How do you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I protect people and try to make the city safer by arresting murderers and rapists, etc.

ME: I see... And how long have you been a cop for?

JOHN: 16 years.

ME: What's your favorite part of the job?

JOHN: It's something different everyday. You're not stuck in an office.

ME: Why did you want to become a cop?

JOHN: So that I could help people. And try to make a difference. Also, the pension and benefits are good.

ME: Interesting...

JOHN: Do you have any other questions?

ME: No. And thank-you for your time.

JOHN: Your welcome.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 2; Observe your surroundings (school, home, neighborhood, media).

On a daily basis, I see/witness:

• People rummaging through garbage
• People (both adults and teens) smoking
• People (both adults and teens) drinking
• Car accidents
• Hurricane Sandy victims; families are living without heat, food, light, etc.

I think that the Hurricane Sandy victims are the people who need the most help because some people are still living without heat, light and some are even living in shelters because their homes were completely destroyed. I also think that the shelters are helping some families, but that isn't enough for everyone who has highly affected by the storm.

During the storm, 253 people died. Even though the storm was a Category 2, it caused a lot of damage. Hurricane Sandy caused havoc in 24 states in the United States. The most affected states were New York and New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy flooded streets, subways and tunnels. The storm also caused cell phone lines to shut down for a few days.

Blog Post Number Two - 'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins

In the book 'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins,

The main character Pattyn is a Mormon, she is one of seven children - she is also the oldest. All of which are girls. And her dad is a alcoholic who abuses her mother because out of all of the kids that she has, they continue to become girls. Her mother believes that her job is to have as many children as possible, especially a boy to carry on the family name. Because that is what her husband wants. But Pattyn disarees with the Mormon lifestyle she has been living by her whole seventeen years of life. I think that it is a good thing that Pattyn has a different opinion about her religion. Because it seems to me that she is being forced to live in a way that she is uncomfortable with.

Since Pattyn now doesn't believe in the Mormon religion, she wants to experience things that "normal" teens experience. So she starts dating Derek - a non Mormon. Which is against the Mormon religion. But Pattyn doesn't care anymore. She and Derek start to hang out and go to parties. But then they start drinking and also start to get stupid. But eventually, Pattyn's dad finds out and forbids her to see Derek again. He also threatens Derek to not see Pattyn either. Derek then starts dating another girl, who Pattyn later on punches in the face. Pattyn also does even more reckless things such as breaking a window in school, which her dad then has to pay for. As well as the girl Pattyn punched in the face because Pattyn broke her nose. I think that both Pattyn and her dad went a little to far with their actions. Because Pattyn didn't have to punch the girl in the face or break the window. And her father didn't have to threaten Derek to not see Pattyn again.

Pattyn then gets sent to her Aunt J's house in the country side, because of Pattyn's previous actions. While she's staying there, she meets a so-called "beautiful" boy named Ethan. Eventually Pattyn and Ethan start going out. They also fall in love with eachother. The two plan to move away together when Pattyn turns eighteen. Pattyn also winds up becoming pregnant with Ethan's child. But he doesn't leave her. When the two decide to leave with the still unborn baby, Pattyn's father finds out about everything. He then chases them in his car. Resultin in Ethan and Pattyn getting into a car crash. Both Ethan and the baby don't make it. And Pattyn cannot forgive her father for what he has done. I think that it was sweet that Ethan didn't leave Pattyn after she told him she was pregnant because most boys do that after they find out. But I also think that it was awful that Pattyn's father chased them around in his car. I thought that it was heartbreaking to find out that Ethan and the baby didn't survive because I wanted to know what would happen in Ethan and Pattyn's lives together.

Blog Post Number One - Hurricane Sandy Essay

"Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest and fiercest storms to menace the East Coast in years, lost some power but still packed a devastating wallop that slammed into New Jersey on Monday evening with torrential rains, howling winds and widespread  flooding. " 

-Fredrick Knuckle, Laura Vozzella and Jeremy Borden (Washington Post)

 For the past week, families have been trying to recover from the brutal Hurricne Sandy. Some families have lost their homes. A few have also last their lives during the storm. Even though the storm was a Category 1, it was a very wide and powerful storm.

"Part of Manhattan's storied skyline went dark as power failed for more than 250,000 customers south of Midtown, some of an estimated 7.5 million people on the eastern seaboard who lost power"

-Fredrick Knuckle, Laura Vozzella and  Jeremy Borden (Washington Post)

Many families in New York and New Jersey have lost power. But not just light, they have also lost water which is very devastating. My own aunt has also lost power in her home. Some cell phone companies have failed us. So we couldn't get in touch with our loved ones to see if they were okay during the storm.

" The storm also had an impact on politics, as candidates called off campaign events and election officials shut down early voting in some areas."

- Fredrick Knuckle, Laura Vozzella and  Jeremy Borden (Washington Post)

As started, Hurricane Sandy interfered with the 2012 Presidential Election. Some areas weren't able to hear the debate because they were in highly effected areas of the storm. Also, in some areas people couldn't vote because of the damage that Hurricane Sandy caused.

In Conclusion, Hurricane Sandy has severely effected many families. Some have even lost their homes and are now staying in shelters all over the city. Those who have lost power and water are also staying with loved ones that haven't been effected by the storm. I think that Hurricane Sandy has done much damage to many states and communities.

 

 

Blog Post Number Six - 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins - Eden's Story (Blog Post Number Five) REVISED

"When I am, God forgive me, I want to know what it means to give myself to him so completely. Want to know what it's like when it's absolutely right."

In the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. I also think that Eden wants to try out the other side of humanity because she has no teen girl experiences. Such as her first kiss, or her first boyfriend. Before she met Andrew, she would just live her"normal" boring life that she is sick and tired of. When she met Andrew, she became as bright as the sun, and she was always happy when she was around him. But she had to keep him a secret, away from her parents. But when her parents found out, they thought that she was possessed by demons and sent her to The Tears of Zion, to think about what she has done and to try and get the demons out of her.

One conflict that Eden faces is that her parents are extremely religious and won't let her go out and see the world. In the beginning of the book, Eden wonders about what other teen girls her age do (sixteen year old girls). She would like to think the way that they think. And have normal, teen experiences. But she knows that she can’t because of her parents.

"No, not at all. Andrew is pretty much perfect. Not gorgeous in a male model kind of way, but he is really cute, with crazy hair that sometimes hides his eyes, dark chocolate eyes that hold laughter, even when he's deadly serious.

... 

No, he's not even a little wrong for me except maybe - maybe! - in the eyes of God. But much, much worse than that, he's completely wrong for my parents."

I thought that Eden was really into Andrew and even she knows that she can't be with him because of her over protective parents. I think that her parents should at least let loose, just the slightest bit. Because what girl like her, isn't going to go behind their backs and try and get the guy anyways?

Another conflict that Eden faces is that she has to have a secret relationship with the man of her dreams - Andrew. Eden and Andrew's relationship has gotten VERY serious. They actually care and love about each other. And they never want to be apart. Andrew knows that Eden can't tell her parents about them, but that doesn't stop Andrew from telling his family! Eden doesn't mind and neither does Andrew's mother. In fact, she's glad that they're together. Eden wishes that her parents could be as flexible as Andrew's mother. But Eden knows that, that could never happen. I think that Eden and Andrew are really meant to be because, he is very protective of her and cares about her so much. And she is the same exact way about him.

"... I tense waiting for his response. It's swift. Oh God, Eden, I love you too. How did I ever live without you? It's like I was missing a huge part of me. ..."

I think that Andrew really meant what he said because he says it a lot in the book, before she got taken away. I also think that Eden and Andrew are the perfect couple because they take perfect care of each other. For example, when Eden's mother got very mad at Eden, and she called Andrew straight after, he came right away and asked her what was wrong. He took care of her. And I thought that was really sweet.

Another conflict that Eden faces is that her parents find out about her and Andrew's secret relationship and splits them up and puts her into an isolation camp, Tears of Zion, in order to get the "demons" out of her. Since Eden's parents don't approve of her relationship with Andrew, they send her to The Tears of Zion, where they send girls who disobey God. Eden's parents don't believe that she should be dating someone if they aren't to wind up becoming her husband. Especially is the boy isn't Christian! At the Tears of Zion, she is trying to break out. But in order to do that, she must sleep with one of the workers there, Jerome. Everyday, when the two see each other, he gives her a small gift such as food or shampoo. And after they sleep together, Eden scrubs it all off, to try and make it go away. But of course, it never does.

"... The second time takes longer, but when he's finally done, he says, I'll think about it. After he leaves, I lie in an aura of hope. Say a little prayer to Mary Magdalene."

I thought that Eden was very smart to come up with a plan like this. But it all must come with a price. Eden still must sleep with Jerome whether she likes it or not. It takes a while, but eventually, Eden escapes but with Jerome. But she must escape again. And thankfully she does. She travels to Vegas, in hope of reuniting with Andrew. Eden winds up going to a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with other teens that have similar problems that Eden has faced in the story.

In Conclusion, in the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. In the beginning of the story, Eden is very curious and wants to have a boyfriend. And she eventually does. The two are madly in love. But when Eden's parents find out, the couple is separated and Eden is taken into a isolation camp in order to get rid of the "demons" inside of her. She eventually escapes the camp, in hope of reuniting with Andrew, but instead is taken into a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with the different problems that she has faced in the story. I think that Eden has had her experiences, but with the wrong people - Jerome. I also think that if her parents hadn't found out about Andrew, Eden would have been much happier and the two would have lived happily ever after. But all good things must come to an end.

Blog Post Number Five - 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins; Eden's Story

In the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins,

There are five different characters; Eden, Seth, Whitney, Ginger and Cody. Out of the five, four are straight and one is gay. But as I'm reading this book, I'm also starting to think that another character might also be gay. But that might just be because she thinks that no one else loves her.

Eden's story is that, her father is a pastor and once at mass, she met a boy named Andrew. But Eden is only sixteen and Andrew is nineteen. But they wind up going out anyways. Eden's parents forbid her going out with anyone unless it is going to be her future husband (her parents are very religious). And if it's not going to be, she is sinning against God and going towards the path to the Devil. So Eden and Andrew secretly go out and meet up with each other. And they are in deep love with each other. But still, Eden cannot tell her parents, because if she does, then they'll shun her and think that she's possessed. But of course, all good stories must come to an end, because Eden's mother eventually finds out and sends her to "Tears of Zion", a place where they exorcise demons.

I think that the theme for Eden's story is that she feels trapped. Because Andrew really is the love of her life. And when he told her  the same, he wasn't joking - he was serious. He really meant it. I also think that Eden feels trapped because she can't tell her parents or else they'll freak out on her. And as she suspected, they did. But her mother on the most part. I think that even if Eden did tell her parents about Andrew, they wouldn't understand. Because they only believe that she must marry someone in order to "make love" and have children. I also think that they wouldn't even listen to Eden, even if she tried to explain, because they want her to marry a Christian and since Andrew isn't, they don't even want to hear her explanation.

Blog Post Number Four - 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury

"He smelled as all fathers should smell, of salt-sweat, tobacco, horse and boot leather, and the earth he walked upon."

In the short story 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury, I think that the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. Before the General came, Joby would cry and hide where he couldn't get caught and wouldn't be found. Joby just wanted to get out of there and go home. But he couldn't. Because he had a role to play in the war. Because Joby IS, The Drummer Boy.

One conflict that Joby faces is that he has no weapons and he cannot protect himself. In the beginning of the book, Joby is very timid. For example, when a peach pit fell from the tree and landed on his drum, Joby woke startled from sleep and afraid of what might happen next. But when he realized that nobody and nothing was there, he tried to fall back asleep. But he couldn't. So he just started counting. Until he heard footsteps and whispering in the distance. The noises came from the passing soldiers. Joby couldn't exactly make out what they were saying, so he made up his own dialogue from their conversation instead,

"Me, I'm the one of all the rest who won't die. I'll get through it. I'll go home. The band will play. And I'll be there to hear it."
 

I thought that it was good for Joby and the soldiers to feel confident for themselves. Because they are in a war, and they might not survive it.

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General finds Joby and starts talking to him. And making Joby start to think about his role in the war. Before Joby thought that he meant absolutely nothing to the war. And now the General is starting to persuade Joby into thinking that he is just as important as everyone else in this war.

"You, boy," said the general quietly. "You are the heart of the army."
 

 I thought that this was a very important quote in the story because it really shows how the General is a good father figure to Joby. By the General telling Joby how important he is, Joby sits p a little straighter and is much less tense than he was earlier in the story. I thought it was good for Joby to finally realize what he means to the war because he felt so unimportant that he shouldn't even be there. But now, he is starting to feel as proud as the soldiers were when they were recruited to the war. I couldn't believe that such simple words from the General could be so strong and symbolic to Joby. But I think that what the General said to Joby meant a lot to him because Joby is just a kid. And he doesn't know what to do, or how to fight for himself in this bloody war.



 

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General leaves, and lets Joby think about his strong, symbolic words of hope, and wisdom. But as the General leaves, Joby knows what he must do. He knows how to play his part in the war now. And it's all thanks to the General. And his fatherly figure. I think that at that time, Joby thought of the General as his own father. Because when the General first met Joby, he put his hand on Joby's chest and told him that he was one of the good guys. And to not be afraid of him.

 

"He could only be, and was, the general. "What's your name, boy?" he asked.
"Joby, sir," whispered the boy, starting to sit up.
"All right, Joby,don't stir." A hand pressed his chest gently, and the boy relaxed..."

I thought that was an important part of the story, when the General and Joby first met. Because it shows what manners Joby has for the General. And how Joby first reacted to the General. It also shows how the General first reacted to Joby. But it's after the General speaks to Joby and leaves him is very symbolic,

 

"Joby lay therefor a moment staring, but unable to see where the man had gone. He swallowed. He wiped his eyes. He cleared his throat. He settled himself. Then, at last, very slowly and firmly he turned the drum so it faced up toward the sky."
 

I thought that was when Joby fully changed what he thought of himself in the war. Because in the beginning of the book, he was ashamed of being the drummer boy, and he would hide behind his drum for protection. But now, he is as proud as can be to be the drummer boy, and he sets it, so that it faces up toward the sky, with pride in his job.

 

In Conclusion, in the book 'The Drummer Boy' by Ray Bradbury, the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. But in the beginning of the story, before Joby met the General, Joby would hide from everything and everyone - anything to protect himself. Because he has no protection. All he has is his "drum and two sticks to beat it." But when the General finds Joby in the middle of the story, he makes Joby think about his job and the role that he plays in the war. And at the end of the story, Joby has finally made up his mind on what he wants to do. Joby is "the heart of the army." He is, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.

Blog Post Number Three - Identifying Theme

In the book 'Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy' by Ally Carter,

Cammie and her three best friends - Lex, Bex and Macey, are back from winter break and ready to start the new semester at The Gallagher Academy for Acceptional Young Women. But Cammie has come back to the school with a lot of weight still hanging on her shoulders, from last semester. With her breaking up with Josh and all. But she has to let that go. But when they get back, Cammie's mom - also known as the headmistress of the school - and Mr. Solomon - the HOT Cove-Ops teacher - are whispering about a Black Thorn or Blackthorne. The girls are extremely suspicious about it. Especially since it could mean that THERE COULD BE A SECERET SPY SCHOOL... FOR BOYS!!! But that's a one-in-a-million chance.

But of course, the girls try to crack the code and find out all of the information they can about Black Thorn or Blackthorn. They NEED to find out what the seceret is. And they know that it has to be important because Cammie's mom won't even tell her own daughter.

So the girls devise a plan - Cammie is going to spy on her mom, during their traditional Sunday dinner in HER OFFICE. When Cammie got into her mother's office, she wanted to back out of the plan because, her mother is/was a spy too!!! And Cammie obviously doesn't want to get caught. Especially by her own mother!

But boy does she find evidence! Not only did she find snot filled tissues in her moms trash, but she also found a picture of her dad and Mr. Solomon (when they were a bit younger), and Mr. Solomon's shirt said Blackthorn on it!!! And Mr. Solomon DID say that he went to a school just like The Gallagher Academy but it was for boys! So, THAT concludes what Blackthorne is - A SECERET SPY SCHOOL FOR BOYS!

I think that the theme for this part of the book is, snoopy and excided because the girls NEED and want to know everything and all they can about the Blackthorn Institute. So badly, that they make Cammie spy on her own mother. But I thoguht that it was good practice for them just in case they actually had to do something like that in the future.

Blog Post Number Two - What I Found Interesting

Amelia - ameliabedelia13.blogspot.com

I read Amelia's response, 'Make Lemonade' by Virginia Euwer Wolff. I thought that it was interesting how she told the summary of the book. Such as stating a lot about the main character - Verna LaVaughn. I also liked how she wrote how she felt about the book in the beginning, telling the reader about how depressing the beginning of the book was. And based on what I read about Amelia's response, I really want to go and read this book.

Helen A. - helenayee.blogspot.com

I also read Helen's response, 'Before We Were Free' by Julia Alverez. I also read this book over the summer. But after reading Helen's response on it, I thought about the book in a different way than I was when I read it over the summer. Just like Amelia's response, Helen told us about the main character - Anita de la Torre, and how she lived in the Dominican Reepublic in the 1960s during the dictatorship. But Helen also tells us about Anita's feelings. And how she has to stay strong, and try not to cry. That was probably my favorite part of the response because it really showed what Anita had to go through, and how tough it was for not only her, but also everyone else in her family and on the island.

Blog Post Number One - 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the book 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The year is 1922, and we are introduced to the main character and narrator, Nick Carraway. Nick just moved from Minnesota to New York so he can work in 'the Bond Business'. So now, he lives in a part of Long Island in West Egg. West Egg is where all of the new rich people live. And the people of West Egg don't know anyone outside of West Egg. I think that Nick isn't going to turn into a self-centered person like everyone else from West Egg. But only because he's not originally from New York.

Nick's house is right next door to Gatsby's mansion. Gatsby is known for hosting the most extravagant parties in his home. But no one knows who he really is, or even what he looks like. I think that it is both odd and interesting that Gatsby doesn't show himself at his parties because what host doesn't... HOST! But I'm also guessing that he doesn't show his face at his parties because everyone thinks that he is a murderer and a liar. So he just lets everyone gossip about him. Even though Nick and Gatsby meet, Nick doesn't really know who he is. Mind you, they live right next to each other. I think that it's funny that Nick doesn't realize that the richest man in West Egg lives right next door to him because Gatsby is a very important person. And not only because of his money, but because his is probably the most "popular" person in West Egg because of all of the gossip that goes on.

While Nick tries to settle into his new home, he is invited to tea with his cousin Daisy and her rude husband Tom. Daisy's close friend Jordan is also there. And Nick now has a slight crush on her. Nick tells Gatsby about tea later. But Gatsby tells Nick that he and Daisy knew eachother long before Tom came into the picture. And now he wants her back. I think that Nick and Jordan should go out because they're the only two left, and they seem really into eachother. Nick passes this information to Jordan - now they are starting to hang out together - and they are going to try to make Daisy and Gatsby run into eachother at tea later. Because not only does Gatsby have feelings for Daisy, but Daisy still feels the same about Gatsby. I also think that Daisy and Gatsby should get together because they're like long-lost lovers. I also think that they should go out because Daisy's husband Tom is very rude to everyone.

The plan is successful, and Gatsby and Daisy get back together and end up having an affair. All goes as planned, until Tom finally meets Gatsby and winds up hating his guts. Tom is also sensing something odd going on between Daisy and Gatsby, so he tries to get involved with the situation. I hope that Tom doesn't find out about Daisy and Gatsby's affair because they really love eachother unlike them. Tom FINALLY catches Daisy and Gatsby in the act. But she is unable to pick and choose who she wants to be with - Gatsby. Tom then takes her away from Gatsby and forbids her from seeing him ever again, without "supervision". I thought that it was funny how Tom found out about Daisy and Gatsby at the END of the book, instead of when the two first started because he's been "investigating" for such a long time. But does Daisy listen to Tom? OF COURSE NOT!

Later on, she and Gatsby go out for a drive, late at night. Daisy is driving, but she is dead drunk. So Daisy mistankenly runs over and kills Tom's lover, Myrtle. But Gatsby takes the blame for the accident instead of Daisy. I'm very proud of Daisy for standing up for herself because she chose the man of her dreams. And when Tom found out about THAT, he fed Gatsby to the wolves and told Myrtle's husband so that he could finnish Gatsby off. Tom and Daisy wind up leaving West Egg. And Nick and Jordan "break up". So the only one left in West Egg is Nick.

So Nick took care of the funeral, that nobody attended. Only Gatsby's dad, who arrived very late. Nick was also the only one who had to take care of all of Gatsby's things in his house. I thought that it was odd how everyone abandoned West Egg and just left Nick all alone to clean up everyone's mess. But I guess it was just all for the best.