Outside Reading #22

It's seemed when the move Twilight was coming out, every girl I talked to had read it and had loved it. I was the only girl I knew who hadn't read it, but I didn't really understand how a book about a deathly pale vampire who could kill you easily would sound appealing. I decided I would go watch the movie and see if I liked the plot before taking the time to read a 500 page book. The movie was okay, but there were some parts a bit too predictable. I still didn't have any desire to pick the book up, but I had to admit, I felt left out. So, I borrowed my neighbor's book and packed it with me to the lake for Christmas. I started the book Christmas afternoon and just finished it today during my 5 hour car trip back home. I thought the book was...alright. I finally understand why every girl  loves Edward Cullen, but I don't get why there were so many great reviews about the book. I didn't think Stephenie Meyer is that good of a writer. Her language seem very simple, and I don't think she did good in the category of "voice". I have not decided if I want to continue reading the rest of the books in the series. I could be reading something more intriguing, but I am interested in reading more about Edward and seeing how him and Bella turn out.

Outside Reading #21

After reading the playbook of All My Son's we watched the movie to get a fuller understanding. I felt that I already understood the play before watching the movie, but the movie helped providing tone to the plot. The movie gave more emotion to the characters that my imagination was not able to do. The movie also helped me better understand what was going though Joe's mind. I didn't get much conflict he was going though before I saw the video. 

Outside Reading #20

I know that I have no excuse for this, but I didn't read anything. I am in the middle of writing my world history paper and just remembered I had a blog post to do. I decided that outside reading can be replaced with a little outside writing. At the moment I am writing about how Islam has influenced our culture today, and my topic is Islamic Art. I discovered that Muslim artists invented Calligraphy, which is a artistic for of writing. The Islamic religion forbade the use of animals or significant human figures in their art, so instead they wrote the scripture of the Qur'an in their art. My thought is that this is sort of like all the Christian Bible verses that are on book marks, coffee mugs, and T-shirts that we see everywhere today. It would make sense that we might have gotten the idea from them. This is only one example in my paper on how Muslim art influences today's society. I've still got a lot more to write about!!

Outside Reading #19

"There's no Place Like New York for the Holidays" by Garrison Keillor

In this Editorial by Garrison Keillor, he gives an interesting comparison of New York City and Minnesota. He pointed out that the Christmas tree in Rice Park St. Paul is taller than the tree at Rockefeller in New York (90ft to 72), but that Minnesotans don't care. We don't care because, unlike New York, we are modest people. The article go's on talking about the differences between New York and Minnesota, and how New York is a great place to be for the Holidays. I liked reading this article because I had never thought about the social differences between where I live and New York, and how your geography has an influence on what kind of a person you may be.    

Outside Reading #18

Article: Aid accused of abusing 6 Montevideo nursing home residents

This article I just read from the Star Tribune made me really surprised. I never thought abuse when on in a nursing home. I don't understand how anyone could do that.

Outside Reading #17

"If these Walls Could Talk" by Graydon Royce, Star Tribune

I read an article about the building where I have danced in since 3rd grade, the Hennepin Center for the Arts. Memories came back looking at the pictures of the studio's and ballet teacher's I have had. There was a picture of my African- Modern teacher I had last year when I took a class at Zenon, and my old ballet teacher,  Lirena. I remember her Russian accent, and that she was the most strict teacher but yet also my favorite because she was so funny. Reading this article, I realize how much I miss not being there. I use to go down town almost every day of the week to take classes there, and I would slowly improve my ballet technique. I appreciate how they preserved this beautiful building so that people can go there to practice the performing arts. 

Outside Reading #16

Columbia!! -by Sam

I went to a leadership camp this summer, and one of my team leaders, Austin, was planning to travel the world. I just found his blog and started reading it.  Austin and his friend are on their second to last stop, Colombia, and I read the blog post of their discoveries. Austin's friend, Sam, described how modernized the city was, but just outside the urban area there are still signs from their last war. I liked visiting the blog because it is my dream one day to also travel the world. I want to see as many places as I can.

Their Journey           http://theadventurecapitalists.blogspot.com/         

1. The Philippines 

2. Hong Kong

3.  Dehli, India 

4. Nepal

5. Ghana

6. Burkina Faso

7. Amsterdam

8. Paris

9. Columbia

10. El Salvador 

Outside Reading #15

Like every year, last Wednesday my family and I went to the holiday show on the 8Th floor of Macy's downtown. This year it was "A Day in the Life of an Elf", which wasn't all that good, but, like always, I enjoy the little gift shop once you get though the maze. I went strait to it and found that there was a theme of being environmentally friendly. I found a book, "When Santa Turned Green", and showed it to my mom who thought it was cute and then bought it. It wasn't until today that I opened it up. The point of the book was to tell children about the serious issue of global warming. I really liked the idea of the book, but it think the author, Victoria Perla, used a few words a kid might not understand. Some words were, millennium, hybrid, and  energy sources. Those were the words she did not explain very well, but, apart from that, she sent  a good message out to kids.

Outside Reading #14

This weekend I was away for TEC, so I didn't have much time to sit down and read, but on Saturday night the leaders gave us all a general wheat bag. This bad was filled with letters from my friends at TEC and from my family. I spent half an hour reading letters that were filled with love and compliments from people who mean so much to me. I loved letters so much because they reminded me how much I am loved, and it gave me joy to read all the nice things they said about me.

Outside Reading #13

I just watched a clip from the Sunday news show, 6o Minutes online. The entire hour was featuring Barack Obama. I saw the part when he and Michel were describing their daily life. It was surprising how it compared to my family. As a Senator, Obama had an apartment he stayed in Washington. My dad use to work in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, and he would stay in an apartment during the week and drove back home for the weekend.

Outside Reading #12

Article- "Obama says thanks on last day as Illinois senator"

CNN.com

Now that the election is over, it seems like people can't get enough of our new president. I was surprised to read that CNN did a full article on the letter Obama wrote to Illinois them. They included many quotes from the article. Usually, the new president doesn't resign until they are sworn into office, like what Joe Biden is doing, but Obama already had his last day in the senate. I think the reason is that he wants to get a head start preparing for his new job, and i also think it's because they want to get a replacement for him before the new senators come in on January 6th. 

Outside Reading #11

Article- "Let's take some time and savor this moment"

by Garrison Keillor

My dad showed me this article in the Editorial section of the star tribune, and since it's been a while since i've picked up his book, I thought I would do a post on his article. Keillor writes about how great america is right now because of the election, and he commented on how great it is that other countries like us now because of the new elect. I just wanted to mention how much bias is in this article, but Garrison Keillor is a very bias person so you should be surprised by him stating his mind.

Outside Reading #10

Lake Wobegon Summer 1956, Garrison Keillor
Chapters 1 and 2

The book begins with a 14 year old boy, Gary, at the beginning of summer. In summary, it describes how Gary's family is religious, how he is a nerd and how he hates his older sister. She is annoying, and she gets mad and frustrated simply because he didn't do his chore of drying the dishes. She brings all of her anger out on him because she feels life is easier for him. For me, one interesting part of the book is what they mention about the setting, Minnesota. Although Lake Wobegon is a fictional place, they talk about the misquitos and how the days are getting longer. In one part they mention Gary's mom reading out of the " Minneapolis Star" news paper. It is very interesting being familiar with the charaters lives.

Endorsmement Letter

My Not So Hard Decision

There are many characters in the epic The Odyssey, by Homer, that it can sometimes be confusing to keep straight, but they are all important and all have a purpose. There are characters meant to trick and to be an obstacle to the protagonist, and there are figures that are friendly and lead the significant characters’ direction. A true hero finds any way possible to assist a good person in need of some extra help. I endorse Goddess Athena to be the Odyssey National Hero of the Year. Athena guided Telemachus through his own journey to secure his father’s homecoming.

“Odysseus journeys home- the exile must return! While I myself go down to Ithaca, rouse his son to a braver pitch, inspire his heart with courage…” (I, 103-105), Athena proposed to her father, Zeus, from Mount Olympus. Since the beginning, Athena showed her compassion towards Odysseus and his son’s success. She stepped forward to finally bring the odyssey of Odysseus to an end after ten long years. She was determined to help Telemachus to summon the Achaeans to an assembly, and to give him confidence to speak his mind to all the suitors that she disguised herself from. She descended amongst the mortals, disguised as Mentes, lord of the Taphians, to give Telemachus the guidance he needed, and she also sailed with him to Pylos to keep his ship safe. The ending of the epic occurred because of the help from Athena.

Without Athena’s compassion, the gods would not have paid any attention to Odysseus, and Telemachus would have never become the man he ended up to be. She shows the exact qualities a hero must have, and she sends the characters off with the strength that they need. Because of her assistance and compassion, I endorse Goddess Athena to win the Odyssey National Hero of the Year Award.

Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences

Prompt: What is the most important thing that Odysseus does and why?

Thesis-
Listing: The greatest achievement of Odysseus was when he escaped from the Cyclopes, Polyphemus, because he was clever, quick thinking, and saved his crew from all being devoured.
Open-Ended: The greatest achievement of Odysseus was escaping from the Cyclopes, Polyphemus, because of many reasons.

Topic Sentences-
#1: Odysseus is known for his clever thinking, which he proves his brilliance when he creates a plan for escaping Polyphemus.
#2: Odysseus had to be quick thinking when Polyphemus interrogated him with questions and started to eat his men.
#3: The reason Odysseus proved why this is the greatest achievement and most important thing he did on his journey home was because his mind saved his crew from all being devoured.

Outside Reading #9

Today I began to read a novel, Lake Wobegon Summer 1956. Having only gotten though the first chapter, I do not yet know what to think of the book. The reason I chose to read this book is because of the author, Garrison Keillor. I have many reasons to like him, and trust that this book will be worth wild.

To begin, I enjoy his radio show. My dad and I often listen to A Prairie Home Companion in the car, and laugh to his dry humor. When I was little, I didn't like when my dad turned it on, but as I got older and started to understand the jokes Keillor told I enjoyed when my dad turned it on. I mostly enjoy the sound of his voice. It is very unique and calming to my ears.

This is a clip I found that Garrison Keillor does a voice over in for Honda:

Outside Reading #8

For the last post of the quarter, I decided to read something out of the ordinary, my mom's book "A Grateful Heart". She takes it out on special meals, like Thanksgiving, and reads a blessing out of this book. We multiple religions at the table, and this book's prayers fit into most all religions. I picked the simple blessing, "Give me a sense of humor, / Give me a grace to see a joke, / To get some pleasure out of life / And pass it on to other folk" - Anonymous
This poem makes me wonder how life would be without humor. Everything would be taken too seriously, and everyone would be on the defensive side of peoples comments. Everyone would be stressed and unfriendly because humor and laughing relaxes your body, and when you are relaxed you have a good time.

Outside Reading #7

This comic strip 100% describes my father. The older brother warns his younger sister that their dad will jump out at them and try to scare them. This comic remind my of my dad because he is is the most predictable person I know. He has his sayings that he always tells me, and he does the same goofy things. Every Christmas when we go caroling at the cabin, I know he is going to give me a white-wash. I don't enjoy the cold snow in my face, but I love him for his traditions.

What makes a good political hero?

Examples of political heroes:
Al Gore-

• He is dedicated to the fight against global warming and in his speeches show his passion.
• He is smart and educated- won the noble peace prize.
• He tried to confront everyone with the challenge of climate change by making the documentary, "An inconvenient Truth".

Artifacts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYYz2Jv2QY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RFIqcLDSQ&feature=related

Paul Wellstone-

• A progressive U.S senator and a leading speaker.
• He started his political carrier as an undergod.
• He traveled across Minnesota, in his green school bus, and inspired people to get involved in politics.

Artifacts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wellstone#Political_career


Martin Luther King Jr.

• He was an extremely powerful speaker.
• He was a civil rights leader.
• He got everyone's attention for the movement thought the "I Have a Dream" speech.

Artifacts: . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZLvSnr6s50&feature=related
http://www.answers.com/topic/martin-luther-king-jr


Conclusion
All political figures that people respect and look up to all have certain qualities about them. They all have a passion for how they want to help the world become a better place, and they try to spread their message as far as possible. All these men were influential speakers, and you could tell in all of their voices how dedicated they were.

Outside Reading #6

I just finished reading the book "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. The two main reasons why I read this was because I wanted to read it before I saw the movie, and the school district my mom works at banned this book form the library. She came home with about ten copies of this book and told me to take one. Due to the fact that about half of the sentences have the "F" word in it, I don't think it is a wise move to share a quote, but I will describe a moment in the book I liked.

Nick is sitting on the street curb as Norah is leaving in a cab, and Dev sits down to talk with him. To try and lift Nick's spirit up a bit, he describes how the Beatles "nailed it". Dev said the Beatles didn't care about living the fantasy life, that they knew what they were doing. The Beatles made it so big because of their first single, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". Dev continued by saying The Beatles nailed it because that is what everyone wants, to hold your hand, and every successful love song in the past 50 years is traced back to "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". (Pg 118)

This is my favorite part in the book, but I'm not sure why. It might be cause I love the song they are talking about, but I think it's mostly because it's so fundamental. It is something that everyone has, that feeling of simply wanting to hold hands.

Outside reading # 5

The Unspeakable Odyssey of the Motionless Boy by Joshua Foer was a lengthy but interesting article about a boy, Erik, who has lock-in syndrome. For me, the most interesting part of the article was the scientific explanation of his diagnosis, and what the doctors are doing to help him. There was one part of the article that alarmed me, the part where Dr. Kennedy explains cochlear implants. I am generally supported of new technology, but I seem to be pretty conservative on this issue. To me, the thought of having perfect memory and being able to live to 150 is scary. I support the argument the writer makes, “I am typing this on my laptop, which is doing all sorts thinking so that my own brain doesn’t have to…”(Foer 218). We have invented many things to make us lazier about using our own brain, but having control over and object just my thinking about it does not sit well with me. I am discomforted by the idea the military has for this discovery:

... Which hopes today’s work with monkeys and quadriplegics will pay off in the future with fighter jest that respond instantaneously to pilots’ thoughts and robotic marines safely controlled by brains on the other side of the world”(Foer 219).

When I read this I think of how this idea could go horribly wrong. A man who has control of our nuclear bombs could think of wanting to bomb another country could mistakenly launch them and send us into a nuclear war. This incident supports the idea about one way the world could end. I watched this one special on the top ten ways the world could end, and one of them was by machines or robots.

Siddhartha's Discovery

I have most carefully watched Siddhartha’s untraditional path of reaching enlightenment. He left the path of being an ascetic with most people take but he still managed to have expiation at the end of his days. He sought many ways of being taught the way of enlightenment, but only found it when he listed to himself and to the river.

I tried to teach my followers what I have learned, but Siddhartha discovered early on that he must find his own way to Nirvana. He also realized he could not explain to others in a comprehensible way, that wisdom is not communicable. I think Siddhartha knew this all along, but one thing I think he learned though his journey was that everyone has Buddha in himself or herself.

It is not only the Brahmin how can reach Atman, “The potential hidden Buddha much be recognized in him (a sinner), in you (Govinda), in everybody”(Hesse 144). He has learned there is a little bit of everything in everybody. Siddhartha, Govinda, and a theft all have the same traits in themselves. All of them have what Siddhartha says, “-death as well as life, sin as well as holiness, wisdom as well as folly” (Hesse 144). I think Siddhartha could be the wisest man the Universe has ever seen.

Outside #4

Tonight I watched a PBS documentary by Frontline about John McCain and Barack Obama called Profiles of McCain and Obama. I really liked this show mostly because of how un-biased it was. With simply giving the facts, I was able to have a clear view of McCain and Obama.

Outside Reading #3

Drama Club, by Marshall Heyman in Teen Vogue describes three boys who perform in musicals in NYC. It was a short article that focused on how kids steal the show on Broadway now days, but I didn't care much about that part of the article. What came to mind when reading this, was how much I would love to be a professional dancer. I have been taking dance long enough to know my chances. I don't have enough dedication or time commitment, plus it's simply a hard business to be successful in. This article reminded me of my dream, and it sad to know I will never reach it.

Outside Reading #2 (LATE)

I really want to get started on a outside reading book, but it seems like i have no time! I just got my Teen Vogue magazine, and I decided I would actually read some of the articles, instead of simply looking at the pictures for new style ideas!

Learning Curve; by Rachel Bertsche
This article was about High School students visiting collages, overnight, and having a bad experience. These visits came with pressures of dinking, doing drugs, ECT. I think the reason for the article was to give the message that your collage visit experience gives you a big message on your opinion of that school. If you had a good time, you are more likely to like that school. If you had a bad experience, you are not going to want to go there.

I know What I Sould do

Dear Journal,
I have thought long about Siddhartha and the situation he is in, and I have decided what I should do. He chose a long time ago to leave me, and his friend Govinda, to find his way himself, without a teacher. I have decided not to do anything because he would not want my help. He wanted a chance to learn from himself, so I will give him that chance. If he is as wise as I think he is, he will realize the life he has been leading is not good enough for him. I am confident that he will help himself to change, and reach his initial goals.

What Should Siddhartha do?

Dear Journal,
For a while, my thoughts have been with the Brahmin, Siddhartha. What has he done with his wisdom in age? I have heard from Govinda, that even at a young age, he was always learning about the gods and making sacrifices. In his youth he could think and meditate, he was a Samana. He and Govinda found me and heard my teachings, but he did not stay with us. He told me his reasons for leaving were because he did not require a teacher, but I am worried the influences of the city will not let him reach his goals.

I got wind of a man in the City who is a merchant now, but was once a wanderer. He began being a businessman, but he treated it as thought it was a game. Now, the riches have taken over him, and he has turned into a greedy man, gambling his life away. He is not living the Brahmin life anymore. He is eating meat, drinking wine, and involving himself with a woman. I know he has his old ways still in him, but I don’t know how I can help him get on the right. I will need to think some more, and make a plan. For I am the Buddha, I must have a plan.

My Fave- 1st Outside Reading Post

I finally got around to reading the EHS newspaper, Zephyrus, and decided it would be a perfect thing to write about for my first outside reading blog assignment. I turned write to the in-depth page, which is all about high school romances, and new it would be my favorite page. Who doesn't like to read about other peoples romances? The first article was about the tipicle relationship proble of distance. I skimmed though it and quickly when to the next one, with ended up to be my favorite writing on the page. The article, "To Be Single" , by Teddy Hoffman, gave a different perspective to the page. It focused on all of those who did not have a significant-other. This article was the best because it was joking about why singles are suposedly deppressed about being without a partner. This article made me truly laugh out lound with the sarcastic humor and joking tone.

What I Think about How Govinda is Coping

Govinda singed up to fallow me thinking he was going to be by Siddhartha's side, but was surprised when Siddhartha refused to stay. Govinda was hurt by Siddhartha's act and is still dealing with the pain of being alone, but I think Govinda realizes Siddhartha's reasons for leaving. He needed to figure things out by himself, without my teachings. Govinda, sometimes, dosn't know what to do without Siddhartha, but he is starting to become more independant without being in Siddhartha's shadow. He is still morning, will always morn, but he is getting along and is more able to live independantly.

Govinda Texts Buddha

G- xcuse me M Buddha bt i need sum advice

B- no prob u can talk 2 me abut anything
G- kk here gos
G- as u no Siddrartha decided not 2 stay w/me and 4 t 1st time we r not together idk why!!!

B- well son Siddhartha needed to find himself w/out teaching so he thinks he didn't need me

G- oic he didn't seem very curious abut u- not like i am but now idk wat 2 do w/out him

B- u don't need him. fallow my teachings and let him find his own way he wil come back when he has found himself

G- kk sounds good thxs so much!!

B- no worry son Peace!

Chapter's 1-4

Siddhartha left his town, with his friend Govinda; to join the Samanas because is thirst of knowledge could not be stratified where he was presently. He practiced his religion well, but he had questions that could not be answered by his teachers. They spent three years with the Samanas, and Siddhartha shared his thought to Govinda that he did not believe anyone could reach Nirvana. Although, Govinda had heard about me so they set off together to hear my teachings. Siddhartha’s friend, Govinda, sings up to follow me for life after hearing my preaches, but Siddhartha doesn’t and explains to me why when me met in the grove. Siddhartha told me he thought no one could reach enlightenment, or salvation, thought teachings. (p. 34) Siddhartha left me and while he was journeying he had an awakening, re-birthing, moment. He realized he had not been journeying to find a better teacher. He had been journeying to try and find himself. He figured out he needed to start over fresh, and to leave all his past behind in order to do that. He could no longer be a priest, an ascetic or a Brahmin. He could not return to his father, but he had to teach himself.

I am Gotama

The Illustrious One
I am the one how has reached Nirvana. My name is Gotama, and I have been enlightened. My preaching's and wisdom have guided many men. They follow me and learn from me, trying to be like me. I have the title of a Buddha because I am perfect in all ways. I live a simple life, eating once a day and having all the right qualities to be Noble.