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.