Jenni's Blog

2009-12-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer

This is intense. Alright so last time i wrote, both Bella and Aice were on the plane to Italy to the Volturra. Alice saw Edwards final decission to go out in the sun in an opening space amongst both vampires and mortals to reveal that he is a vampire. Okay so i kinda brought up the whole Vultura thing pretty randomly. In both Twighlight and New Moon, bits of information about the Voltura are brought up. The Voltura is based in Italy and is known to the vampires as some what there "capital. There is a kingdom that consists of al vampires. These aren't ordenary vampires though. THey have been around the longest and unbelievable power. The King of the Voltura rules both vampires and mortals. They set one rule and one rule only to vampires and that's that no mortal may know about vampires existance. If the mortal knows they must be killed or transfered into a vampire. The mortals that live amongst the Voltura do not know of vampires obviously but many inicent people are sacrificed each day just to satisfy the kingdoms thirsty vampires. The King of the Voltura has the power to see one's whole lifes thoughts only when he touches them. This is very similar to Edwards power to hear peoples thoughts. Other vampires in the kingdom have different and rare powers as well.

Breaking Dawn post #6

2009-05-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

Recently in Breaking Dawn, Jacob has informed Bella's father about their secrets. Jacob showed Charlie his true form which is a werewolf. Jacob didn't tell Charlie more than he needed to know about Bella and Edward. Although Bella was still furious with the fact that Jacob just went ahead and told her father, which he had no right to do. And now Charlie is coming to see Bella for the very first time since she has changed to a vampire. Alice gives her color eyed contacts to bring down the redness in her eyes. The Cullen's and Bella are still worried about the visit considering Bella is a new born and no one knows if she will be able to control her self around human blood. Bella keeps thinking that she won't hurt him and hopes she can stay in control. Edward and Bella finalize a plan to explain to Charlie about Renesmee. They decide to tell him they adopted her from Edwards cousins who recently passed. When Charlie comes to visit, he almost didn't recognize Bella. He asks Bella to not tell him more than he needed to know. Then when they show him Renesmee, he is suprised by how big she is. When Edward and Bella tell him she's adopted he trys to make sense of it but Renesmee resembles both Bella and Edward to much for this to be true. Through out Bella and Charlies talk she stays completly in control. When he leaves, the Cullens are shocked and pleased with Bellas performance. All seems to fall together in the Cullen household except for the worry of Renesmee's drastic speed of growth.

Breaking Dawn #5

2009-05-12T15:42:00.001-07:00

While Edward is refusing to leave Bellas side for even a second. Jacob has imprinted on Renesme. He has literally fallen absolutly in love with Bella and Edwards child. Much more in love with the baby then he ever felt with Bella. Once a wolf imprints on someone, there is absolutly nothing you can do about it. Your thoughts are only consentrated on that person and you can't live to be with out that person either.
Bella is in exetreme pain, although she refuses to let out an emotion. To Edward and the rest of the family she appears to be sleeping but they know how much pain she is in. Although, their worried about why she hasn't screamed or made any noise. Once Bellas process is complets she wakes up to see Edward kissing her hand. Everything appears so much clearer and so defined. She describes how she can hear things within miles. All of the Cullens are very defensive around Bella because new borns are always very emotional and much stronger than most vampires. This doesn't apply to Bella for some reason. she is able to stay calmer than most newborns. When Edward and Bella go hunting, she catches a scent of a human. Edward approaches her and Bella growls at him. Then she shakes her head out of it and runs away from the human smell. This is remarkable for a new born to have that ability. Thats when they realize Bella's special gift to control herself. After Bella has hunted, they go back to the house and she is finally able to see Renesme again. The baby has curly hair and Bellas eyes. She is described as being hyptonatizingly beautiful. Although since its only been about 2 weeks since the baby has been born, Renesme looks about a month or two old. Renesme has the gift of being able to tell her thoughts to others by touching them. The fact that Renesme is growing so fast frightens all of the Cullens. Edwars reasures Bella that Carlisle is doing research on it. Jacob then gets the courage to tell Bella that he has imprinted on Renesme. Bella is furious by this and starts screaming at Jacob. Edward is very pleased by this considering at has been bothering him through the whole 2 weeks. Bella is so furious that she ends up attemptin to bight Jacob but Edwards brother get her off of him.

Breaking Dawn #5

2009-05-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Breaking Dawn #4

2009-05-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

Currently in Breaking Dawn, Bella is getting healthier and healthier. Her hair looks shinier and thicker, her skin has color to it and she seems to have put on some more weight. Carlisle Cullen is up north trying to get more blood as well as equipment to attempt a sea section to have Bellas baby. Jacob ends up giving them the permission they need to have the baby... and if things go bad with Bella, the permission to change her in to a vampire so she won't die. They need Jacob's permission because he is rightfully the pact leader by blood. While Carlisle is up North Edward discovers that he can hear the babys thoughts. He immediatly loves the baby almost as much as he loves Bella. The babys thoughts tell Edward that he loves both Bellas and Edwards voices and the baby feels a special bond to them. One day when Edward and Jacob were in the middle of talking, Bella screams and starts to fall to the floor, but ofcourse Edward is there just in time to catch her fall and immediatly puts her on the bed. She starts screaming and screaming and her ribs start to crack. Edward and the other Cullen realize she's having the baby right now and the baby is eating from the belly out. This causes Edward no choice but to get the baby out of her. In the process, Bellas bones crack, she begins to lose feeling in her lower half, and her bones feel as if their getting crushed into a million pieces. Bella begins to blur in and out and finally she sees her baby. Its a baby girl. She looks at her and the baby is the most beautiful baby girl she has ever seen. She hands the baby back to Edward and immediatly fades out. Jacob says he can only here one beating heart in the room. Edward bites Bella around her heart and injects his venem directly to her heart. Jacob tells him to stop and that shes already gone but Edward keeps repearting that she will live and he knows she will. Then he he hears her heartbeating faster which means her process to become a vampire has begun.

Breaking Dawn post #3

2009-04-28T18:31:00.001-07:00

Breaking Dawn
Stephanie Meyer

Bella and Edward arrive home in Forks and go straight to the Cullens house. Carlisle immediatly puts Bella in an IV and starts running tests. Edward demands Carlisle to get it out of her but Rosalie immediatly puts her guard up with this demand. Once Edward realizes that Bella is actually inlove with her baby, Edward feels guilt as well as disguised. Although he doesn't feel disguised over wanting to kill the baby, he feels disguised of having this happen to Bella and having her fall in love with the baby that will most likely end her life. Ofcourse, Edward would now never hurt the baby because he knows it would kill Bella. Then in the novel, the point of view switches from Bellas to Jacobs. Jacob trys to move on, knowing that Bella will always love Edward more then she loves him. Although, he fails miserably and realizes he can't just force love to find him. After discovering Bellas "condition" Jacob is immediatly disgusted. Bella has lost a ton of weight everywhere in her body besides her stomach, which looks deformed, her color in her face is whiped out and her hair even appears thinner. Edward pleads Jacob to talk to Bella, to even discuss that Bella could have babies with Jacob to make her happy. Jacob is baffled by the fact that Edward would even suggest this, but ofcourse realizes how much its killing him to see her dieing and the desperation he has. Bella ofcourse laughs at Jacob's suggestions and trys to convince Jacob that she will survive through the birth because she loves the baby to much and the baby loves her. Rosalie suggests the idea that maybe the baby wants blood and thats why Bella isnt able to get any food into her blood stream beacuse the baby is craving to much so Bella cant take in any of the food shes eating. Her theory is correct which causes Bella to become healthier and healthier the more she drinks the blood.

Breaking Dawn post #2

2009-04-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

In Breaking Dawn, Bella and Edward finally make love for the first time on their honeymoon. The honeymoon is on an Island that Carlisle gave to Esme as a present. Edward hated himself the morning after they made love because of Bellas bruises on her body, although Bella told him that she truly wasn't hurt. Throughout the week Edward and Bella stay at their honeymoon spot and occasionally Bella would convince Edward to do what she wants the most from him. Then Bella begins to be getting hungrier and hungrier, she then realizes that she's pregnant. This frightens Edward to an extreme. Edward quickly gets on the phone with Carlisle and they begin to leave for home. Even though Edward is repeatingly telling Bella, "Don't worry love, we'll get it out of you soon." All Bella could think about was how much she already loved her baby and how she immediatly was afraid of Edward. Bella calls the one person she knows would completly understand, Rosalie. On the plane Edward tells Bella stories that he thought were only myths about vampires pregnating a women. He explains that usually the person never survives after making love to a vampire. But there are myths of people who do, and the child kills the mother anyways in the process of giving birth because the baby escapes by eating through the whom of the mother. Even though this frightens Bella, she still says that she will survive and so will her baby and if she doesn't survive, theres always the alternative of becoming a vampire at her last moments of life.

Breaking Dawn Reflection

2009-04-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Meyer, Stephanie. Breaking Dawn. Vol. 4. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2007.

Okay, so from the previous book a lot of stuff happens. Such as, Edward proposes to Bella and she says yes, as long as Edward promises to "give himself" to her on the honeymoon. Edward agrees and says he will try. In Breaking Dawn it begins with forshadowing of Bella and Edward telling Charlie (Bellas dad.) Bella was absolutly petrified to tell her dad. I mean it is pretty weird that they're getting married at 18.. but their in love so its understandable. Bella calls Charlie into the living room where Edward and her are sitting on the couch and Bella's sweating bullets. Charlie immediatly thinks Bellas pregnant when she says, "Charlie, Edward and I have something to tell you.." Edward then cuts in when Bella can't finish her sentence when trying to tell him whats really up. Reluctantly, Charlie wasn't really upset and instead says, "Well.. I knew it was coming.." Although, he would only give them his best wishes as long as Bella tells her mom, Rene. Bella was frightened by this thought. Rene was fun, spunky, and a loving mom but she always warned Bella about her mistakes when marrying Charlie because she was too young. Bella finally calls Rene and tells her about the marriage. Rene responds, "Well.. you should of told me sooner... I mean tickets are only getting pricier by the day." Bella was baffled by her response and started questioning Rene about why she wasn't mad. Rene explains, "Hunny, you're not making the same mistakes as me. I mean I assumed it was already said and done, when I saw you last fall." This makes Bella feel relieved and made her look forward to the wedding a little bit more. Bella makes Edwards sister, Alice her maid of honer. Alice who must plan everything and has an eye for fashion, is organizing, planning, decorating, and everything and above for Bellas wedding..considering Bella wants no part in it whats so ever.

Overcoming the Odds

2009-03-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Shessal, Isabel. "Adults with Learning Disabilities Overcoming the Odds." Access to Learning Canada. Spring 1997. 22 Mar. 2009 http://www.accesstolearning.ca/index.php?view=article&id=62%3Aadults-with-learning-disabilities-overcoming-the-odds&option=com_content&Itemid=61.

This article explains how people with learning dissabilities are able to overcome their weaknesses and succeed in life.People with disabilities are suprisingly able to cope with their dissability very well and move forward. Such as, a man named Rob who is 30 years old and reads at a grade three reading level that left school after grade 11. Although he has worked at the same company for 13 years and owns his own hom and buisness of his own. Their are some with dissabilities that dont cope so well and experience failure through out their life and dissapointment. People who have been exposes to negative things such as disability, child or sexual abuse or poverty are more likely to experience a long term effect on those who have not been exposed to those things.Although, through research it shows that many people maintain healthy personalities and become successful adults. People with learning dissabilities have a higher risk of dropout rates, underemployment, lack of job oppurtunities, as well as social and emotional problems. A strategy to overcome one's learning dissability and be successful is being persistant. One person even said, "If I wasn't a little bit stubborn, I don't think I'd be where I am today." Even researches say that, "perhaps the most striking characteristic of the successful adults with LD is persistance." Another strategy with successful people with learning dissabilities are developed self Indepence and being able to stand up for yourself. The ability to stand up for your self is a very critical characteristic for one with a learning dissability to have. Humor and viewing things more successfully are also strategies to help you overcome the odds and be successful like Rob.

Love

2009-03-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

Reynolds, Gillian. "The Truth About What Men Want From Women: Relationship Advice for Her." Ezine Love Articles. 13 Mar. 2009. 18 Mar. 2009 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Truth-About-What-Men-Want-From-Women---Relationship-Advice-For-Her&id=2097815.

Just about everyone wants a good and committed relationship. Although it's not always that easy to have your idle relationship. Gillian Reynolds discusses and gives tips on what men want from women, to make everyone happy. Women and men are very different from eachother which causes women to be very confused about the mens thoughts. To have a bond with a man that is healthy and you are absolutly in love with, it starts with understanding your mans mind works. Suprisingly, men actually do want honesty. They want to be women who are straightforward and genuine. It doenst matter how clever you think you are when your being a liar, your man will know. Even from the first day, you need to be honest as you can be with the man in your life. You should'nt try to make up things about your life just to impress him more. He will find out at some point and will deep down probably think of you as dishonest. Also, men want to spend their time and lives with women who make them feel like better men. You should'nt keep trying to change your man. Men also want support because he wants to know and feel that you're always their to support him and you want him to succeed. Women who nag and such is not good for the relationship. Being an interesting women is even more attractive to men. If you have a good and fulfilling life you will attract men alike. Men want to be with someone who doesn't focus all their time and energy to the relationship because it puts to much pressure on then man and makes him feel like the women has less to offer to him. If you show him that your life doesn't revolve around him, he will actually want you more.

WAR

2009-03-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

"Iraq War." Wikipedia. 15 Mar. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War#References.

The Iraq war, A.K.A. the Second Gulf war, is an ongoing military campaigne that began on March 20th 2003. The United states military and the United kingdoms militray are both envolved. Before the war, U.S., U.K. and Spain said that Iraq had possessions of weapsons of mass destruction. Although the United Nations weapons inspectors found no evidence of the weapons. After U.S. and U.K. invaded, they decided that Iraq did end its WMD programs in 1991 but had no active programs at the time they had invaded. Some U.S. officials said that Saddam Hussein was harboring and supporting Al-Qaeda. Some other reasons for the invasion was because U.S. though that Iraq's financial suippor for families of Palestinian suicide bombers, human right abuses, and for the coalition forces to spread democracy in the country. Other officials said Iraq's oil reserver were made to invade. The invasion led to defeating the Iraqi military and the capturing of Saddam Hussein. The U.s. led to coalition by Iraq and they attempted to make a new democratic government. Although, violence against the coalition forces has been rising. The number of Iraqis killed through 2007 is between 85,000 to 1000,000. In June 2008, the U.S. defense officials had claimed security and economic was showing signs of improvement. In Augustm Itaq was fifthe on the Failed States Index. Then member nations of the Coalition took most of their forces out of their which Iraqi's started to take responsibility for security. Then In 2008, the Iraqi governments approved a Status of Forces agreement and ratified a Stategic Framework Agreement with the U.S. to ensure international cooperation in constitutional rights, education, energy development, etc. Finally in 2009, Barack Obama announced that they would be taking out their forces for 18 months for combat forces.

Colonization

2009-03-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

"History of Libya as Italian Colony." Wikipedia. 17 Jan. 2009. GNU Documentation License. 11 Mar. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Libya_as_Italian_Colony.

The Italian colonzation of the Ottoman are of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica was at first not successful. In the 1930's the Kingsdom of Italy took over the area. In 1922 the Italians attacked Tripoli, to claime Libya from the Italians by sighning the Treaty of Lausanne. Tripoli was under Italian control untill 1914. ALthough Senussi led both Cyrenaica and Fezzan to rebel. Many other organizations tryed to bring colonial authority. In 1919 to 1929, the Italian government had two provinces with seperate colonial administations. They had a system that controlled local meetings. Then in 1929, Tripoli and Cyremaica were united and then Italy wanted to reach power. The Italian governor promoted the birth of Libya and was for the integration of Italian emigrants in the Arab population. This governor, Balbo was considered the father of modern Libya. The Italian government then asighned Sheikh as the hereditary head of the nomadi Senussi, with the wide authoriy in Kufra. In Libya, the Italians built roads,buildings, ports and etc. and the Libyan economy grew. The Italian farmers created lands that were once lost long ago. Archaeology grew which they discovered a symbol for Italian rights to colonis teh region. Libya was considered the new "America" as the Italian emigrants. The Italians in Libya were 108,419 which was 12.37% of the population. Italian farmers colonized Libya and built 26 new villages, mainly i n Cyrenaica. They also allowed Jews to integrate in the society.

Global Issue

2009-03-08T14:59:00.001-07:00

West, Larry. "Billions of People Face Food Shortages Due to Global Warming, Study Warns." About.com. 08 Mar. 2009 .

Larry West discusses the possibility of food shortages by the end of this century. In the novel, Science says that the rising temperatures shorten the growing season in tropics which increase the risk of drought, and the reducing harvests of dietary things such as rise and corn by 2o to 40 percent. Global warming will have a greater impact in the tropics and subtropics more than the rest of the world because crops are not as able to adapt to climate change and food shortages are already occurring due to increase in population. Even Scientists at Stanford University and the University of Washington who worked on the study, discovered that by 2100 there will be a 90 percent chance that during the growing season in the tropics, the lowest temperature will be higher than the hottest temperatures. Other parts of the world will be having record high temperatures be normal. So the world population at the end of the century will need more food and the rising temperature will force nations to change agriculture and food supply for their people. The director of food security, Rosamond Naylor says that, that could take decades. "When all the signs point in the same direction, and in the case of it's a bad direction, you pretty much know what's going to happen, You're talking about hundred of millions of additional people looking for food becasue they won't be able to find it where they find it now." says David Battisi.

Holiday

2009-03-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

Thornburrow, Craig. "Mardi Gras Beads For the Party to End All Parties." Mardi Gras. 04 Mar. 2009
www.holidayarticles.com

If you don't know about Mardi Gras, then im guessing you don't on a t.v. or any magazines. Mardi Gras is known all over the world as the biggest, most fun and wildest party. Mardi Gras is the home of Mardi Gras Beads, in which they've been around since the early 1800's. Mardi Gras beads have many different colors to choose from, such as purple, green, red, pink, gold, orange, and black. Now a days there are even striped, polka doted, neon, and glow and the dark green Mardi Gras beads.The tradition of throwing the beads and plastic necklaces continues to be a big part of New Orleans. Mardi Gras is even a tradition all over the world, including Iceland, Argentina, Russia, Puerto Rico and Hong Orleans. The tradition of throwing the beads during Mardi Gras parties started in the early 1800's in which know one knew what the real intent was. Although these days the beads are often tossed by attractive women, in exchange for showing there breasts in public. This supposively started in the 1970's, when college students started driving across the country to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This tradition has stuck and is now incorperated in other parties throughout the world. The beads alone have to symbolize sexual liberation and a massive party. Furthermore, these days you are very likely to find plastic beads like Mardi Gras beads at places such as bars, pubs all around the world.

Bollywood

2009-02-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

Mehta, Suketu. "Bollywood Confedential." Suketu Mehta. 14 Nov. 2004. New York Times Magazine. 01 Mar. 2009 http://www.suketumehta.com/nytm.html.

Indian movies became popular around the 1950's. Suketu Mehta explains the greatness and backround of Bollywood movies. Bollywood and the South Indian Film Industy have matched Hollywoods successes at the number of tickets sold and capturing the emotion of their movies which are seen from the watchers reactions. Bollywood movies inluence Indians very strongly. Indians and other cultures that watch Bollywood movies say that they change the way they conduct love affairs, how the treat their elders, and how they think about religion. Bollywood movies are watched by many cultures and are translated in many languages, such as French, Mandarin, Hindi, and Malay. Even Palesinians, Israelians, Dominicans, Hairians, and Iranians watch them as well. Bollywood movies beliven in motherhood, patriotism and true love. Alot of culture is shown threw these movies, even a Moroccan writer explains, "We like that, in the end, everyone bows down and touches the mother's feet. Cultures have taken these films and have made them a bonding experience with their familys. Bollywood films don't disrespect culture like american movies tend to do sometimes. Althouh there ar some complaints about Bollywood movies, such as they are too over the top dramatic. Some may think they are melodramatic because they have singing in the films. Many cultures have grown up with Bollywood movies and do play a role in their lives.

Italian Food

2009-02-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Phillips, Kyle. "The Origins of Tiramisu." About.com. 04 Mar. 2009 .
www.about.com/Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a creamy dessert that combines chocolate, coffee, savoiadi, cookies, and Mascagni cheese. Kyle Phillips, who fell inlove with Tiramisu, wondered about the background of Tiramisu and started to research it. Tiramisu was develiped in the 60's by Treciso's Ristorante EL Toula. Klye found a bunch of web pages and discovered that the Sienese developed the dessert for a Duke as a gift for a state visit. Tiramisu was originally called Zuppa del Duca, which means Duke's Pudding. This was very popular amongst courtesans and eventually started to call it tiramisu shich means pick me up. Tiramisu was spread to Venice and the Veneto in which it was a local dessert. Then in the late 70's, tiramisu spread nationally due to popularity. Although, this is the information Kyle found about tiramisu, meaning that he still has his doubts about if this is all true or not. Kyle was some what suspecious when he can't find any information on it in any cookbooks. Also the American food writer Nancy Jency, lived in Italy for eight years, only first had it and heard of it when she was on the island of Torcello in the Laguna Veneta. Basically the real, true origins of Tiramisu may just be a mystery.

Change

2009-02-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

Newton, Alicia. "Early Seasons." Nature Reports. 29 Jan. 09. 23 Feb. 09 http://www.nature.com/climate/2009/0902/full/climate.2009.9.html.

Climate change is any long-term significant change in the expected patterns of average weather of a specific region over a significant time period or, more relevantly to contemporary socio-political concerns, of the Earth as a whole. Climate change is the result in many things including, the process of the Earth itself, outside forces such as sunlight intensity and the greenhouse gas concentration, and newly found that it can also be by human activities. Scientiests say that this is related to an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Glaciers also play a big role in climate change, as well as ocean variability, and live stock which more specifictly is a cause of the green house gas. Spring is arriving sooner that it did nearly fifty years ago.Scientists from the University of California at Berkeley have reconstructed seasonal cycles in world temperature zones in the last century. They found that all four seasons have shifted forward by an average of 1.7 days between 1954-2007. In this time period, the temperature difference between summer and winter was about six percent over land due to warming winters. These changes are much larger thand those observed from 1900-1953. This leads scientists to belive its due to human influence and not natural causes alone to cause these changes. Researches also found that the migration of birds and such are happening earlier, with the spring migrations. Which means these plants and animals are effecting the changing climate as well.

Hope

2009-02-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

Palmer, Jason. "Hope Dims that Earth will survive Sun's Death." New Scientist. 02 Feb. 2008. 17 Feb. 2009 http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13369.

In a few billion years, the sun will release its last of its hydrogen into helium. It will then cause the Sun to turn into a red color and expand 250 times its size. The Sun's mass will at first loosen its gravity pull on Earth. This will allow the planet to move on to a bigger orbit in a bout 7.6 billion years from now. The chance of Earth surviving when the Sun begins its death is slim to none. Some scientist started to question if the Earth might escape the destruction. Sadly, the earth surviving this seems imppossible, says Peter Schroder of the University of Guanajuato in Mexico. Peter Schroder and scientists from the UK created the most detailed model of the Sun's transition into a red giant. They created this model by by observing six red giant stars. They found that the Earth's orbit will widen at firs but then the sun will have a gravitational pull on earth. This will cause Earths orbit to slow down enough to cause it to slow down. There is one last hope for anybody to survive on Earth by fly-by of a nearby asteroid to tug at it, which would maintain Earth's speed enough to keep it widening the orbit.

Beliefs of Buddhists Monks

2009-02-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Citation added: "The Buddha's Advice of Killing and Consumption of Meat." Maithri. 05 June 2008. Mathri Publications. 12 Feb. 2009 http://www.maithri.com/articles_new/Buddhas_Advice_on_Killing_and_Consumption_of_Meat.htm.

From the Theravadas perspective, they think that it's a personal prefrence to eat meat or not. Although the first of the five precepts, which is the basic code of ethical conduct for all practicing Buddhist, tells followers to not intentionaly be in any act of killing. However, it does not say anything about eating flesh from animals that are already dead. But the Theracada monks are clearly not allowed to eat meat from some animals such as, humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas and panthers. Although its not directly related to killing. Monks must be/become vegetarians by leaving uneaten mean that might have been in alms bowl. Because they are dependent on giving freely, they are not alowed to make special food requests. In some parts of the world where Monks live, including areas in south Asia, where being a vegetarrian is uncommon, vegetarian monks have to decide to either eat meat or starve.
Other things that Monks need to avoid are hunting, fishing, trapping, butchering, steaming live clams, and eating lice raw oysters. In the article, a Monk questions, "what if I eat or just purchase meat: aren't I simply encouraging someone else to do the killing for me? How can letting someone else do the "dirty work" possibly be consistent with the Buddhist principles of compassion and non-harming, a cornerstone of right resolve?" I believe that if you want to live a non-harming life style, then being a vegetarian is right for you.

Gender Roles

2009-02-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

Gender Roles
"Old Gender Roles With Your Dinner?" Gender Role. 08 Oct. 2008. New York Times. 10 Feb. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_role#cite_ref-9.

Gender role is defined a set of perceived behavioral norms associated particularly with males or females, in a given social group. Gender role refers to the attitudes and behaviors that are sterotyped to a person. Traditional gender rules include male attraction to women and vice versa. A conflict that has been on going is the non-heterosexuals being not normal. For a gay male relationship it is still assumed that one male is the "wife" figure that handles the chores such as cleaning was assumed to be the one to recieve anal sex. This is not true, in homosexual couples, they tend to have more equal roles. The idea that gay man may be more feminine is produced unconsiously due to being more connected to women during development. In a gay female relationship it's assumed that there is a male figure that acts as more of the provider and more manly. An assumption is that women produce some men type manners and men produce some women type manners. Although it's a mystery how bisexuality is caused but is assumed that they have tendancys for both gender roles like they do in sexuality for both sexes. Although the idea is based on a general idea of homosexuals that feminine gays and masculine lesbians are more noticable than masculine gays and feminine lesbians.

Culture Difference

2009-02-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

Chinese culture
"Culture of China." Wikipedia. 08 Feb. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_culture.

Fashion trends have differentiated from country to country. An old fashion chinese trend was foot binding. Begining in the 10th century, young girls and women would bind there feet and where very small shoes. Footbinding was viewed as a sighn of beauty and could help women marry well. Although, footbinding would cause women to have dissabilities. This ended in the 20th century. The social values of the chinese culture were a combination of Confucianism and Taoism and conservatism. Schools were most influential with concepts of Neo- Confucianism and Buddhism. The chinese culture believes in Reincarnation and the connection between real life and the next life. They also used oracle bones to help them find important historical information. The chinese would use oracle bones to find their next king/ruler. Chinese marriages were always arranged. Also around the 10th century, they had ninjas who would protect their lords in exchange for land. Chinese culture practices writting and art in their daily life. Art is a major part of the Chinese culture.

Travolta family struggling

2009-02-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

"Jett Travolta Dies, Son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston." Huffington Post. 2 Jan. 09. TMZ Online. 3 Feb. 09 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/02/jett-travolta-dies-son-of_n_154877.html.
John Travolta and Kelly Prestons son, Jett died on January 1st. Jett reportedly died when on vacation in the Bahamas with his family. Jett had a seizure in the bathroom and hit his head on the bathtub. John travolta told the news that his son averaged on having a seizure every four days. Because of Jett's seizures, he was never let alone. The night before Jett died, the nannny escorted him to his room, and then entered the bathroom where he had a seizure. Rand Memorial hospital reported to TMZ that Jett Travolta had died. John and Jett's relationship was very very strong, John said that he is "my heart." Rumors stirred about Jett being autostic, but John denied these rumors and axplained that he had Kawaski syndrome which often leads to heart disease. Jetts health problems began when he was two years old and became very ill. What seemed like the flu, caused inflation of the arterys, later was diagnosed as Kawaski syndrom. Like Kelly Preston, Jett suffered from Asma as well, which she blamed the housekeepers for. She gave into a detoxification program which was created by the scientest L. Ron Hubbard. John explained how they were upsest with keeping his space clean. Jett was also a brother of 2. He has a younger sister. The Travolta family are very upset, Travolta talks about Jett saying, "He's my first, and he's my heart. And he's a very special boy... he's Daddy's boy. And...we spend a lot of time together even though I'm pretty busy. He loves the outdoors and he loves to travel."

Natural Disaster

2009-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

Earth Quakes

"1999 Izmit earthquake." Wikipedia. Eurasian Earth Science Institute. 1 Feb. 09 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_earthquake.

About 80 percent of earthquakes occur by the Pacific Ocean. Earthquakes occur by giant rocks that make up the earth collide, strech, or squeeze against each other. This is usually unnoticeable on the surface. If the plates rubbing against each other become stronger then that stress will release quickly and send massive vibrations called seismic waves up to the surface. On average, 10,000 people a year die in earthquakes.
In Turkey, on August 17 1999, the Izmit earthquake lasted only thirty seven seconds and killed between seventeen to forty thousand people and left half a million people homeless. The earthquake in industrealized and densely populated urban areas. Including oil refineries, several automotive plants, the the Turkish navy headquarters. The earthquake also caused a fire because a oil refinery tower collapsed which contained 700,000 tons of oil. In which took several days to get the fire under control. Turkish soldiers helped rescue their relatives. The bodies were buried quickly in mass graves to stop any spread of diseases. Greece was the first nation to give aid to Turkey. The Greek Ministry of Foregn Affairs contacted their counterparts of turkey and helped out as well. They also sent a rescue team of 24 people and two trained rescue dogs , as well as a fire extinguishing planes to help put out the fire. The U.K. granted 50,000 to help the Turkish, while the International Red Cross and Red Crescent promised 4.5 million to help victims. Blankets, medical suppiles and food were sent in as whel from a local airport. India helped by providing 32,000 tents and 2 million to rupees to help reconstruct. All together, the rescue teams of twelce countries helped out. Even our former, US president Bill Clinton visited to help out with the survivors.

2008-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer
Im at the point in New Moon where i literally can NOT stop reading. I've officially been yelled at, atleast 1o times by my mom to stop reading and get my homework done. Also, I think that all 300 pages with very little excitement is totally worth it now. As you know from my previous blog, Alice has made a visit to the Swan household after seeing in a vision;Bella jumping off a cliff to her death and drowning. What she didn't know was that Jacob Black saved he due to the fact that Alice cant see werewolves in her visions. When Bella arrives home she see's Alice in her living room and is overwhelmingly excited to see her. Alice immediatly notices her lifelessness even behind her eager eyes. Bella explains the incident to Alice which makes her very upset. Alice explains that her and Edwards sister, Rosalie told Edward about Alice's vision and lead him to extreme depression which led him to leave his family, deserted. Bella then hears a knock on the door. It's Jacob Black. With extreme tension with a werewolf and a vampire in the room, Alice leaves for a moment. As Bella explains the situation to Jacob, and that she needs to see Edward to explain it all to him, Bella's house phone rings. Jacob answers, the person on the other line asks to speak to Bella's father and Jacob explains that he is at a funeral. When Bella asked who it was Jacob told her that they hung up after he responded. Bella walks into the other room where Alice is. Alice sits staring at the wall blankly. She gasps for air after her vision is over. Alice saw a vision with Edward going to the Vultura. Alice explains that the Voltura is basically a vampire kingdom, in which they have been a live for thousands and thousands of centuries living amongst mortals. Edwards plan is to go to the Voltura and explain to them what has happened, and ask for them to kill him. Alice explains that they must go on a plane immediately, because the only thing that will stop him from commiting suicide is Bella. At this point, Bella is totally confused, considering he didnt love her anymore and that he left her. Alice repeatedly says that Bella has know idea. While Alice calls the airport for a plane to Italy, Bella explains to Jacob where she must go and why. "Jacob’s furious voice was suddenly in my ear, hissing out a stream of profanities. I felt a vague disapproval. His new friends were clearly a bad influence."(Chapter 18, p.414)
Jacob was furious with this idea of Bella going any where near the "Bloodsuckers." This is just something he's going to have to live with. Bella leaves a note for her father, Charlie. Explaining that there was an emergency and that he can ground her later.

2008-12-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer
Are they going to be there in time for Edward!!? This is absolutly KILLING ME! I understand now that Edward was in love with Bella all along, and my hate for him as vanished. Although Bella does not realize that. She's terribly confused and shocked and somewhat angry. Except, she loves Edward, more then anything in the whole world.. no thats not enough to explain her feelings for him... loves him more then eternity, life itself is lifeless with out him. On the plane ride to Italy, Alice focuses on her visions and watches Edward, seeing different visions continuosly because Edward keeps changing his mind. Bella begins to think to herself that, "Maybe, if I were very, very, very lucky, I would somehow be able to save Edward. But I wasn’t so stupid as to think that saving him would mean that I could stay with him. I was no different, no more special than I’d been before. There would be no new reason for him to want me now. Seeing him and losing him again… I fought back against the pain. This was the price I had to pay to save his life. I would pay it."(Chapter 19, p.432) I can't even imagine the kind of worryness and pain this must be causing her. The lover of her life is about to commit suicide. Although It''s strange that Bella rarely thinks about the dangers surrounding Edward. I mean he's going to be surrounded by hundreds of vampires, half of whom are thirsty as all get out. Alice then see's in a vision, a plan that Edward has formed. It's a plan to go out in the middle of the land in front of the sun and reveal his sparkling skin that will show he is a vampire. If doing this he knows that the king of Voltura will be very angry due to the one vampire rule, which is that no mortal may find out about them being vampires, or else they must be killed. If Edward reveals himself during this one parade, then the vampires will have to kill all of the mortals. They would be furiosus and rip Edward to shreds. This frightens both of them out of their mind. ALice explains to Bella that Edward must see Bella before he see's Alice because he will realize that she's going to try and stop him.

2008-12-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer
384
“Speaking of which, would you like to explain to me how you’re alive?” –Alice CullenThat brought me up short and stopped the sobs. I realized what must have happened immediately, and why Alice was here. I swallowed loudly. “You saw me fall.”“No,” she disagreed, her eyes narrowing. “I saw you jump.” ****Her [Alice’s] voice was strained. “I saw you go into the water and I waited and waited for you to come up, but you didn’t What happened? And how could you do that to Charlie? Did you stop to think what this would do to him? And my brother? Do you have any idea what Edward—“ I cut her off then, as soon as she said his name. I’d let her go on, even after I realized the misunderstanding she was under, just to hear the perfect bell tone of her voice. But it was time to interrupt. “Alice, I wasn’t committing suicide.”
To bellas suprise, after her jumping off the cliff incident, Bella finds Alice in her house sitting on her couch in the living room. Alice Cullen, having the ability to see the future by her visions, had seen Bella jumping from a cliff and drowning. Although this was true, jacob ended up saving her. In the quote above i realized that Bella didnt even think of the possibility that he still might care for her. She didnt even consider the other reasons why he left. Maybe Bella was so worked up about not being with him that she didnt even consider the other reasons, she was too focused on her pain. Or maybe she knew that there were other possibile ways of why he left.

New Moon

2008-12-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer
200-310
After pages and pages that seemed almost endless, I managed to keep on reading. Stephanie Meyer writes about the daily things that Bella does. Which mostly consists of going to jack blacks, doing dangerous stunts, school and nightmares. (In that order) Bella's once clumsy and non adventurous side has seemed to vanish ever since she realised that when ever she was at any sort of risk of trouble she would hear Edwards voice. Bella thinks she's just about lost it when she first heard Edwards voice. When she first heard this voice, she felt almost satisfied. Although the voice sounds so real and so pure that it makes her empty heart feel whole again. Bella's emptiness seems to be killing her. Even though she's able to be happy again, now that she's hanging around Jack, it seems she still needs that one thing to be her true self. Is Bella just self conscious about finding out who she really is? or is she just so dependent on someone else? or maybe it's because their meant to be in such a way that the only future they have is to be together and that Bella knows that deep down and her attempts to moving on from Edward are simply pointless. Bella even attempts dangerous stunts, such as motorcycling with Jacob, talking to vampires and cliff diving just to have a sense of knowing that she hasn't lost a part of her. Bella's last stunt finally turned Stephanie Meyer's book to the true excitement that I live to read. When Bella decides to go cliff diving by herself, it just so happens that Victoria (vampire from Twilight.... Edward killed her "boyfriend"...trying to get revenge on Bella... "mate for a mate.") is in the water following Bella's sent. Reluctantly, Jack saves her after she nearly drowned by the heavy current. After she nearly gives the whole town a heart attack, she goes home to find a black Mercedes Benz parked in her drive way. With out a doubt she knew seven different possibilities of who may be in the house, one of the Cullen's. Bella finds Alice sitting on her couch. Alice seems to very confused to see Bella, she tells her that she thought that she had died after jumping off the cliff. Alice explains that she saw a vision of Bella jumping off and drowning to death. Although Alice can see the future, her visions can change due to other people's decision making.

Two Sources

2008-12-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

Research question:

Do the benefits of school uniforms out weigh the loss of individual expression?

Light, Murray. "Pros and Cons for School Uniforms." Buffalo News Sept 2007:H-3. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Edina High School. 16 Sept. 2007.

http://www.sirs.com/.

Murray Light discusses the pros and cons of having a school uniform policy. Studies show that parents seem to live the idea of school uniform's while kids simply don't. Parents seem to enjoy the idea of uniforms because it it s eliminates clothing arguments and the it equalizes the students by appearance, meaning that the kid who can't afford the latest fashion isn't being displayed. School officials even say that uniforms promote safety because intruder's will be more noticeable. Light also refers to a poll in long beach that recorded a drop of 90 percent in school suspension and a 96 percent reduction in sex offenses, after being required to wear uniforms. Although the expenses of these uniform's are quite crucial. In Elizabeth, NJ, school district spent 2 million on school uniform's. The district will be paying for the first school uniform but after the parents must pay for additional uniforms. Murray Light writes, "I have no problem with school uniforms but I definitely feel that the funding for the uniforms should come from community efforts and not from already hard-pressed school budgets." which is displaying her personal opinion on uniforms.

Park, Madison. "School Uniforms Poll Bares Generation Gap: Most Teachers, Parents Like Idea; Students Say No." McClatchy Newspapers Dec 2007:.SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Edina High School. 23 Dec 2007

http://www.sirs.com/.

Madison Park discusses recent polls that students are strongly against school uniform's while parents seem to be more for them. Park refers to a Senior at a Militon highschool in Bell-Air saying "If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?" and students agreed. School have chosen to not have mandatory uniforms because "they lack educational value and suppress individual expression." Some parents of Bell-Air students stress that there are much more important issues to be worrying about then school uniforms. A study states that school uniforms are a "superficial change" but they actually attract attention. Others argue that uniforms would reduce clothing costs for parents and cut down on social distractions for students. More extensive researchers on the topic say that they have more information to prove that uniforms have more effect on the social interactions than the proof that uniforms improve safety or learning experiences.

Walsh, Mark. "U.S. Appeals Court Backs District's Rules on School Uniforms." Education Week 27.38 (May 21, 2008): 8. Educator's Reference Complete. Gale. Edina High School Library. 8 Dec. 2008 http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS.

In the article, Mark Walsh discusses a court case in San Francisco involving the policy of school uniforms for 310,000 students in the Clark county school district. The U.S. court was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada on behalf of students. One of the students that was included was readily suspended from school for wearing a religious message on her clothing.The U.S. court of appeals favored school uniforms and said that school uniforms "do not violate the First Amendment." The court also explains that they have reason to believe that only one form of student expression and leave open many channels for communication. Also due to evaluations of the students by the teachers, show that uniform's promote a better environment for students to learn. Bill Hoffman, from the general counsel for Clark County, said that fifty of the 312 schools have required school uniform policies.

Melton, Kimberly "School Uniforms Seen as Good Fit."

Blog

2008-12-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer
pg 292

Stephanie Meyer writes, "Well there are lots of legends, some of them clainming to date back to the flood-supposodly the ancient Quileutes tied their canoes to the tops of the tallest trees on the mountain to survive, like Noah and the ark." He smiled then, to show me how little stock he put in the histories."Another legend claims that we descended from wolves-and that the wolves are our brothers still. It's against tribal law to kill them."Then are storis about the cold ones." His voice dropped a little lower. According to legend my own great-grandfather knew some of them. He was the one who made the treaty that kept them off our land." Jacob rolled his eyes.
In this passage, Bella is reflecting back, when Jacob told her a tribal story. As we know, Edward is a vampire. Only untill now, stephanie has the readers think deeper into this passage after Bella notices that Jacob is acting strange. In the story," Another legend claims that we descended from wolves- and that the wolves are our brothers still." Bella realizes werewolves are just as real as vampires in the legend. After realizing this, everything clicks in Bellas head. She realizes that Jacob is a werewolve.
The treaty that was made makes sure that the "cold ones" stay off of the land in La Push, where Jacob and his tribe lives. Also it states that the werewolves are not aloud to hunt for the "cold ones" on the land in Forks, which Bella and the Cullens live. Bella copes with her break up from Edward by hanging around Jacob. For some reason Bella feels comfort with him and a certain kind of shrill. Maybe its becuase she feels some kind of revenge because of the werewolves and the cold ones hate for eachother. Considering that it obviously would bother Edward if she was with the werewolves. Even when she didnt know about Jacob being a werewolve, she could always tell that their was some kind of tension between Jacob and his tribe and the Cullens. After Edward and Bella's break up, Bella seraces for any kind of dancer.When ever Bella is in real danger, Edwards voice shows up in her mind to guide her the way from danger. She says that it's the only thing that makes her feel whole again. I begin to question Bella's intentions with him after her need to be around him. Maybe the reason for this is because of some reason that bella is attracted by some force for immortals. And maybe immortals are just as attracted to her with some force as she is. Jacob and Edward seemed to always want to be with Bella due to something deeper then her physical appearance. It may be something in her blood or maybe her true destiny from birth was to be surrounded by these immortals. Maybe her destiny was to be with Edward.

New Moon obvi....

2008-11-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stepehnie Meyer
pg94-95
In New Moon, Stephanie Meyer is able to capture hearbreak. Bella is heartbroken over Edward and truly can't cope with it. Meyers writes, "Charlie's fist came fown on the table. "That's it Bella!, I'm sending you home." I looked up from my cereal, which i was pndering rather than eating, and stared at Charlie in shock. I hadn't been following the converstation- actually, I hadn't been aware that we were having a conversation- and i wasn't sure what he meant."
Charlie can't stand the way Bella has been acting. Charlie results in sending her back with her mother so she can atleast start fresh and maybe be happy again. Charlie knows that Bella's dealing with heart break. Charlie too has dealt with heart break from Bella's mother. Although that was a very lonely time for him, he still dealt with it and tryed to move on. After about 4 months from when Edward left, Bella was physically in Forks, but she wasn't really logically. Charlie see's that Bella's enthusiasm is dead and he can't stand seeing her like this. Stephani writes,
"You didn't do anything. That's the problem. You never do anything." "You want me to get into trouble?" I wondered, my eyebrows pulling together in mystification. I made an effort to pay attention. It wasn't easy I was so used to tuning everthing out, my ears felt sopped up.
"Trouble would be better than this.. moping around all the time!" That stung a bit. I'd been careful to avoid all forms of moroseness, moping included.
"I am not moping around."
"Wrong word." he frudgingly conceded.
"Moping would be better- that would be doing something. You're just ... lifeless, Bella. I think that's that word I want."
Bella is totally lifeless after Edward left. She based her whole life in Forks around Edward. Now that he has left her, her heart is broken and she can't cope with it. Its as if she doesn't want to confront that Edward is truely gone and that she really just doesn't want to move on. She rather be lifeless and not feel then feel the pain that Edward has caused her.

P.S.Twighlight is coming out in 3 days! OMG!

New Moon

2008-11-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

New Moon
Stephanie Meyer

I must admit that i started reading New Moon awhile ago but i stopped reading it at about page 50 in the book. I just started reading New Moon again. This blog post will be a little bit of a review of the last book and what I read in New Moon.
On Bella's birthday She gets injured due to her opening a present and getting a paper cut. The Cullen's immediately smelt the blood. Edwards brother, Jasper the one that mostly wasn't able to control his craving for the blood. Jasper couldn't control his self well so he travels far away with Alice. After these events Edwards mood toward Bella totally changed. Edward seemed to become more irritable, sad, and angry. Stephanie Meyer sets the mood by making it all seem very awkward between Edward and Bella through out the text. Bella seems to be forceful with their love. I think Bella knows that things between them aren't going well and somewhere deep down she knows that Edward is growing apart from her in someway or another. Bella never confronts Edward for some reason. I think Bella doesn't confront Edward about the awkward/tension between them because she's afraid. She's afraid that whats going on between them is something that is ruining them and their love is fading. I think she longs for it to pass and for the next day to come where its back to normal; Edward showing his real true love to Bella. Bella can't confront this to Edward because then what she knows what will happen will hit her like a brick wall. Them breaking up. They have to break up, their is no way that they couldn't because of how one another is acting i just can't see them overcoming this at this time. I even began to cringe of the uncomfortableness between Bella and Edward. Of course, Edward does end up breaking up with Bella and breaking her heart. Edward never technically says to Bella that they should break up. He says that its time for him to leave. He also tells her that he does love her and he will always be watching out for her. He then vanishes from the woods. Bella is then left there, an absolute mess. I stopped reading there because I couldn't deal with what just happened and it made me even become an absolute mess myself. It took me about two months of pure depression to be able to start reading again. So here i am....continuing to read. Although i am a little worried what is about to come of the book considering Edward is going to be out of the picture at least for awhile.

Blog

2008-10-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Quest
by Susan Casey

I recently (old news i know) was reading about Michael Phelps who set the world record by winnin 8 gold medals in tht olympics. The article just amazed me and kept me reading. Phelps is the worlds greatest swimmer at 23 years old. When he was 15 he competed in some olympian events which made him one of the youngest male olympians ever. Total Phelps hs set 24 world records, including 200 butterfly. I began to wonder how Phelps could be such an amazing swimmer. Phelps is 6'4" and has size 14 feet that are so flexible, his toes actually wrap around the edges of the block. He also has an amazing 6'7" wingspan. Phelps grew up as a troubled child with ADD. Swimming was the only thing that helped him exert his energy and keep him out of trouble. It just so happened that he absolutly fell inlove with it. What i love about Phelps is that he's so modest. Although i do wish he would have a little bit more input after reporters ask him questions on how it feels to win 8 gold medals. Michael seems to be a perfect swimmer and has accomplished everything. But Micael says he is still critiqueing him self. He told sports illustated, "Right now I'm working on fixing my head position in freestyle. It;s too high. Even after 11 years, I've never swum it right."... seems to me that he's just a tad bit of a perfectionist. I really enjoy reading about athlets especially one like Michael Phelps that has accomplished so much. I think reading such great accomplishments that athletes have made are inspiring to other athletes and readers.

2008-10-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight
Author: Alexandra Fuller
pg 143-144
"On April 18, 1980, Robert Gabriel Mugabe takes power as Zimbabwe's first prime minister. I have never even heard of him. The name "Rhodesia" is dropped from "Zimbabwe" Rhodesia." Now our country is simply "Zimbabwe." Zimba dza mabwe. Houses of stone. Those who live in stone houses shouldn't throw stones of fear or ricochet."
The whites lost the war in Rhodesia. They spent 13 years fighting the blacks and they lost. The blacks changed Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. Zimba dza mabwe means house of stone. The black wanted change and they want their freedom back. The author is saying that if you have a house of stone and you throw a stone at the stone house, it will ricochet back at you. I interpreted this as meaning that the new leaders need to be careful on how they rule because it might end up hurting them in the long run. Throughout the 13 years the blacks were bombed and mistreated in several ways. Although now that they have a black government, they wont have the whites support if they mistreat them. Alexandra is saying that the black government now needs to be careful on that decisions that they make despite the fact that the whites mistreated them. With out the whites (British) to back them up they will have no economy and no support. Now after fighting thirteen years, its great that the blacks are empowered and free again but now what? They worked so hard for their independence but is the government any better then what they had? This new government may be just as corrupt as the British.

2008-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Book: Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
author: Alexandra Fuller
page 30:
"Mum is on Chapter Two weeping into her beer. It's a sad story. It's especially sad if you have'nt heard it a hundred times. I've heard one version or another of the story more than a hundred times. It's a Family Theme, and it always ends up badly. To begin with, Mum is happy. She is freshly married, they are white (a ruling color in Rhodesia), and she has two babies, a girl and boy. Her children are picture-perfect match of each other: beautiful, blond, and blue eyed."
Before this passage, Alexandra's mother appeared to be an alcoholic and unaprecciative of Axandra. Alexandra's mother also seemed to start binge drinking after Adrian died. When Alexandra says "Mum is on Chapter Two" it refers to an earlier passage where Alexandra talks about her mothers different chapters. Chapter one is overly happy and chapter two is sad, depressed, alcoholic. From the passage above, I feel sypathetic for Alexandra, rather than her mother. "Her children are picture- perfect match of each other: beautful, blond, and blue eyed." From the passage its shows that the mother explains that their family was perfect when Adrian was alive. This must make ALexandra feel sad and vulnerable. In the text when Alexandra refers to her mothers description of Adrain and Venessa she says, "Her children are picture- perfect match of each other: beautiful, blond, and blue eyed." This text shows that Elxandra's mother is secretly telling Alexandra the special things about Adrian because Alexandra has neither blond hair or blue eyes. Also from this passage it explains Alexandra's mothers actions. Such as her mothers alcohol addiction and her lack of consideration of Alexandra.

Odyssey Book 17

2008-10-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jenni Elli
Maggie Anderson
Mrs. Jarrett
5th hour
Oct. 3rd, 1008

Quotes
(Pg 334, lines 9-15) "And, for you, I Have some orders- take this luckless stranget to town so he can beg his supper there, and whoever wants can give the man some crumbs and a cup to drink. How can I put up with every passerby? My minds weighed down with troubles . If the stranger resents it, all the worse for him. I like to tell the truth and tell it plainly."

Telemachus is talking to his swineherd about Odysseus and his where- a bouts. He states "I like to tell the truth and tell it plainly." Which is significant because he lies to penelope later in the story. He asks his swineherd to help Odysseus get to the town in a different form, a begger, so he can have revenge on the suitors. Techlanauces is supporting Odysseus’s wishes by asking for help because he needs to go make peace with penelope so there isn’t any tension between the two.

(Lines 150-157) "Of all he told me- the old man of the sea who never lies- ill hide or hold nothing back, not a single word, He said hed seen Odysseus on an island, ground in misery, off in a goddess house, the nymph Calypso, who holds him there by force. He has no way to voyage home to his own native land, no trim ships, in reach, no cruel pay the oars and send him sudding over she seas broad back.

In this quote, Telemachus is talking to Penelope regarding Odysseus. In the previous quote, Telemachus states he will never lie, however this current quote contradicts his word. He tells Penelope that Odysseus is "in misery.. Who can not voyage home.." Which is a cover up for Odysseus. Penelope replies with worry ad desire for Odysseus to come home. However she is great fulfer Telemachus is telling the "truth" When in the end, its only for revenge.

"Go," The caution queen responded, "call him here so he can tell me his own tele. Face to face.
No, there is no man like Odysseus in command to drive this curse from the house. Pear god if only Odysseus came back home to natire?soil now, he and his son would avenge the outrage of these me- like that!"

In the quote above Penelope talks of the beggar (Odysseus) coming to talk about Odysseus, if the beggar is knowledgeable. This quote is to show the whole plan. Penelope still knows nothing about Odysseus and what is going on. However Penelope wants Odysseus to be there because she implies he would know what to do. It’s ironic that Penelope wants Odysseus. When really he’s right there waiting to take her.

Applying the Plan
Narrator: at Eumaeus’s hut
Telemachus: Swineherd lead this luckless stranger to town, so he can beg for his supper there. While I go to town to present myself to my mother.
Narrator: (Telemachus goes to town to see his mother while the swineherd follows Telemchus’s orders.)
Penelope: "My son, your home! Tell me, about your venture and quest to find your father!"
Telemachus: "Mother im much to tires to speak of this at this moment. Please, let me bathe and get some fresh clothes on."
Arrator: Penelope grew silent doubting that Telemachus had any good news to tell. Then as telemachus walked down the halls, he passed the suitors who greeted him with welcoming faces but knew they only wished for his death. He saw Theoclymenus and Pireus.
Piraeus: " Telemachus, send some women to my home and get the gifts that were given to you by Menelaus."
Telemachus: "But Piraeus, If the suitors end up killing me, I fear that they will steal the gifts and enjoy them for their selves."
Narrator: After Telemachus took his bath he sat down with his mother for dinner.
Penelope: Telemachus, "I have been crying year in and year out, since Odysseus went to Troy with Atreus’ two sons. But you still havent told me the clear story of your fathers journey home,"
Telemachus: "Mother I will willingly tell you the story but their isn’t much to tell. I recieved very little news of Odysseus in Pylos and Sparta."
Theoclmenus: "Penelope, mark my words, I swear by Zeus that Odysseus is in Ithaca at this very moment."
Narrator: Supper then began to be fixed for the suitors. At the same time, Odysseus and his swineherd begin to leave the country for the town with his beggars sack and staff. On their way they cross of the suitors, Melanthius.
Melanthius: "Look!, two filthy beggars. You pig-faced man, you must scavenge around for scraps after dinner. You both are a bunch of scums."
Narrator: After these taunts, Melanthius kicked Odysseus in the hip, failing to kick the beggar off the path. Odysseus was tempted to beat Melanthius senseless but managed to get self control. After some more scornful remarks, both Odysseus and his swineherd manage to reach the palace. While the suitors are eating supper, Odysseus and his swineherd (both as beggars), enter the palace, with some help from Telemachus. Telemachus hands a whole loaf froma a fine wicker tray and some meat to the swineherd.
Telemachus: "Now take these, tell the stranger to make the rounds of the suitors, so you can beg from all."
Narrator: At that the swineherd did as Telemachus told him to. The suitors, questionably gave the beggar their scraps. Then Melanthius recognizes the beggar.
Melanthius: "I’ve seen this stranger, he was led here by the swineherd. Although I do not know who he is or where he came from."
Narrator: Antinous broke in with saying cold-hearted things to the beggar. Eumaeus stands up for the stranger. And after this Telemachus confronts Antinous about his foul words as well. Antinuous insults the beggar once more, at this the beggar insults Antinous right back. Antinous then hits the beggar, in his right shoulder with a stool. The beggar is still steady and merle shakes his head.
Odysseus(as the beggar): " Lords, this truly breaks my heart. I have nothing to groan about considering Antinous struck me because of the pain that my belly aches of. Antinous shall meet his death before ever having a bride!"
Antinous: "Stranger, be quiet now! Either sit in peace or leave! Or you shall be skinned alive by these young men!"

Narrator: The other suitors confronted Antinous by telling him that he just committed a crime by striking the beggar. Penelope ended up hearing of the cruelty being done to the beggar.
Swineherd: "My queen, the beggar has much to tell of his journey. He knows much of his and Odysseus’s father. He also swears he’s heard that Odysseus is still alive and is heading finally heading home!"
Penelope: "Go, bring the beggar to me so I can hear these tales he tells."
Narrator: the swineherd followed Penelope’s instructions.
Swineherd: " Our friend, our queen wants to speak with you, to asks some questions of her husband."
Odysseus (as the beggar): "Gladly, I will. Although I feel I may be threatened greatly if I do to Penelope’s room now. Tell her to wait till the sun goes down, so we can speak in private."
Narrator: The swineherd reported this back to Penelope. In which Penelope agreed to. The Swineherd left to see his pigs in the whole farm and the day began to end and night began to begin.

Monomyth
In the Odyssey there are many monomyths involved. In Book 17, Odysseus returns to Ithaca to get back at the suitors. As he returns, he comes as a beggar in disguise. This return would be in stage 1 of the return of the hero. He is disguised, which can be applied to magic considering his physical change. Odysseus disguise as a beggar lasts threw all of Book 17. In which he uses to enter the palace. Due to his physical change, nobody except Telemachus knows who the beggar truly is.

Multiple Choice Questions
1) Telemachus, Im going back to bed.. That bef of pain my tears have streaked year in, yea out, from the day Odysseus sailed away to Troy. With Atreus’ two sons."
Who is the speaker?
A. Odysseus
B. Athena
C. Dawn
D. Penelope
E. Calypso
(D) is correct.
2) What does Antinous throw at Odysseus after Odysseus insults him?
A. Bow and arrow
B. Stool
C. Pillow
D. Glass of wine
E. A plower pot
B is correct
3) He talks to the point- he thinks as the next mad would who wants to dodge their blows, that brutal crew. He tells you to wait here till the sun goes down. Its better for you, my friend. Then you can talk to the man in private, hear the strangers news."
Who is he/ she talking about?
A. Menelaus, Eumaeus
B. Odysseus, Telemachus
C. Eumaeus, Odysseus
D. Telemachus, Odysseus
E. Odysseus, Eumaeus
C is correct.

Blog post #3

2008-09-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Bounce by Natasha Friend
"Kids." My father slides his arm around her shoulders and squeezes. "We have an annoncement." They move closer to each other. Closer. Closer. "Blah, blah, blah. We wanted to make absolutly sure. Blah, blah blah." Swear is soaking through the fabric onto her scalp."Before we told anyone. Blah. Blah. Blah. But we went to the the doctor this morning. Blah, blah, blah blah, and we're pregnant!"...... I grabbed some twenties from Jules's purse and left.
-I cant imagine how hard this must be on Evyn. She had to move away from all of her friends and move in with her step mother, and now her father and Jules are having a baby. One of the worst things about the situation Evyn is in, is that happened quiet rappidly. It was as if one week Jules was introduced to Evyn, next they were engaged, and then moving intogether. I would feel so over whelmed that i most like do something drastic like run away from home. I think that Evyn's father is a little selfish, considering he's been making every decision thats best for him and not his family as a whole. Although I understand that Evyn's father needs to move on after his wife's death, I think he just needs to show some sympathy for Evyn. Or maybe the love in the relationship between Evyn's father and Jules happened so fast that Evyn's father made decissions too quickly and now realizes the effect it has on Evyn. After Evyn runs away i think that Evyn's father will reflect on these events that occur and hopefully will be able to understand Evyn's emotions.