inching into writing

Ashes of the Past

2010-05-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

This picture is to symbolize the ashes of the dead bodies burned in the concentration camps during the holocaust. Millions of Jews were thrown carelessly into crematoriums and their ashes filled the surrounding air. These ashes most definitley represent darkness.

All of the lives that were taken during this time can never be replenished and this is something that the world should never forget.

Holocaust

2010-05-19T07:16:00.001-07:00

The term Holocaust
The term Holocaust means great destruction resulting in the loss of life, or a massive slaughter. Nothing compares to the holocaust of the German Jews in the 1940s. Adolf Hitler and his followers killed approximately 6 million innocent Jews. (30 Facts)That is something that can never be undone and something that the Germans can never apologize enough for.
The whole idea of a holocaust is just so tragic and repulsive that it is hard for us to grasp. This mass murder was absolutely sick and I can only hope that someday this country will lose all racism and discrimination.
Although I will dream of this happening, I know in my heart that it never will. Soon enough we will tear each other apart with our hate and anger. Those that were killed will never be forgotten and are survived by those left.

Night by Elie Wiesel
Night will give you an opportunity to see through a true victim's eyes and to learn about the Holocaust like you never have before. Written by Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the mass murder, all of the details in this book are real as can be.
Night is one of those books that everyone should have the chance to read. This book is sure to change your perspective on life and the world as a whole. Wiesel's story is only one of the thousands out there, but his story is one you cannot afford to miss out on.

The Author of Night: Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel was born in Sighet, Transylvania in 1928. He was fifteen years old when he and his family were deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz. Wiesel's mother and younger sister were killed, and Elie and his father were later transported to Buchenwald, where his father died as well.
After becoming a journalist, Wiesel had an interview with Francois Mauriac where he was persuaded to write about his experience as a victim of the Holocaust. The outcome was his spectacular novel, Night, which has now been translated into more than thirty languages.
Since 1976, Wiesel has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University. He is now the author of more than forty books, fiction and non-fiction, and he lives with his wife in Connecticut.

Works Cited:

"Banality of Evil." Google.com. Google, 29 Apr. 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .(picture)

"Elie Wiesel." Eliewieselfoundation.org. Elie Wiesel Foundation. Web. 21 May 2010. .

"30 Facts About the Holocaust." University of Maine. University of Maine. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Nature's First Green is Gold

2010-04-13T06:48:00.002-07:00

Witnessing the chaning of the season is very exciting when the shift is as colorful as this one. I love watching the brown grass turn to green and the dead plants begin to bloom.

In my front yard there are two huge pecan trees that have made an amazing transition from the Winter season to the Spring.

They have become beautiful, lush green trees that all eyes will turn to see when driving past my house and I am happy to see them standing tall and bright every morning when I walk out my front door.

Batesville's Prom 2010

2010-04-13T06:48:00.001-07:00

Prom is this Friday and everyone has been waiting in anticipation for this day for what seems like forever! We will probably have a lot of fun Friday night and the best part, for me, will probably be getting ready and taking pictures.

I am not much of a dancer so I am definitely not excited about that part of the night. I will not be "shaking my groove thing" because I am almost positive it's not possible for me to do.

I still have a lot to do before Friday, like getting my hair and nails done, buying shoes, ordering crosages, and decorating my gaurter! I guess I have procastinated maybe a bit too long but I'm sure everything will pull through by Friday and we will have a wonderful time!

To Live in the 1920s

2010-04-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Living in the 1920s would obviously be a lot different from living in the present day. I can't say that I would rather live in the 1920s because I am happy living the way I am now.

Here in the present day we have so much technology that we use every single day and without it life would be much more difficult. Also, I believe that we have come to a point in our society where racism is nearly diminished. Unfortunately, back then that wasn't the case and things were much different. Hopefully someday racism will be completely evaporated.

I also like living now because I have such a wide variety of music to listen to and in the 1920s a lot of the music that I love would not have been around for years to come. One cool thing about the 1920s is the start of the Miss America pageant and how it actually began really shocked me. The Miss America Pageant Association has definitely come a long way!

St.Patrick's Day

2010-03-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

I can't say that I've ever really understood the meaning of St.Patrick's Day. I mean, who does know why we celebrate it? We are in America, not Ireland! To be honest, leprechans freak me out anyway. Green is a great color but why do I have to be pinched if I don't wear it on St.Patrick's Day? I can't help it if I forget to put some green on before leaving my house! I don't like being reminded of the holiday with a painful pinch! I guess St.Patrick's Day isn't that bad, though. Wal Mart does sale some pretty cool hats and decor around the holiday!

The Kite Runner, Written By Khaled Hosseini

2010-03-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Amir and Hassan, two young Afghan boys, were best friends from day one. They grew up together, living under the same roof. However, there was a difference in Amir and Hassan and this difference seemed very important to some. Some cannot stand to mix cultures, no matter who and what the circumstance is.

When Amir witnesses the most terrifying thing possible happening to his best friend, he should jump in and save him without a doubt, right? Amir loved Hassan and there is no question that Hassan truly loved him as well. Even so, Amir somehow could not find it inside of him at that very moment in time to do what he knew he should.

A once beautiful friendship ran full and deep like an ocean but soon that ocean went dry and nothing was left but the memories in the dust. This story is one that should have the chance to touch every life. Not only can the reader learn life lessons by the actions of this character, Amir, but also about the culture in Afghanistan. I never knew how different America and Afghanistan were until I had the opportunity to read Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner".

Get Your CPR Certification Now!

2010-03-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Two years ago in July, my dad had a reaction to his blood pressure medication, his blood pressure spiked and his heart stopped. Standing there, looking down at my dead father, I came to realize how quickly life can simply evaporate right before your eyes.

Caught up in the moment, I just stood there screaming, crying, and praying to God that my dad's heart would somehow miraculously start beating again. At this moment, my mother raced to my dad's side and began to administer CPR.

My own mother, acting like a hero, saved my dad's life that day. If my mom hadn't been there to perform CPR on my dad, he would not be alive today. As sad as it is, I couldn't have rescued my dad because I wouldn't have known where to begin.

Soon after that life-changing day, I recieved my CPR certification and I have spread the word about my personal experience. Don't hesitate to earn your CPR certification now. Learn the skills and have the abilitly to save a life!

Get your own

CPR certification right now.

Committed

2010-03-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have always been committed to my music as well as my family and someone who shares both of these commitments is my friend, Todd. Todd has been a singing songwriter/musician his entire life and there is nothing that can alter his love for music.

Although he has such a musical passion, he also cares just as much about his family. A life in the music business is a busy, and sometimes stressful, life. Even though he is always busy creating music and living out his dream, he never fails to make time for his family.

His children are all very important to him as are his parents and his brother, Lonn. His sisters are close to him too but living far away makes it difficult to keep the relationships alive. Through phone calls, letters, and emails Todd keeps the love between himself and his family strong.

I hope that I can be like him someday and have a happy medium between the two things that I love most, my music and my family.

Love Long Gone

2010-01-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Through the years, I have witnessed so many disagreements within my family that easily turn into grudges. It's hard for me to understand the actions of most of my famly members and I just cannot find sympathy for these people. How could anyone discard someone once so close to heart? Life molds us all in different ways and, yes, it can hold quite an effect on our relationships but when it comes to family, nothing should ever be more superior.

I will never forget the phone call my family recieved, now two years ago. I was shocked, excited, upset, but all the same, blessed. Learning of my sister's pregnancy was a huge deal for awhile. Nichole was a young college student, so close to graduation, out of wedlock of course, and pregnant by a young black man with two other children. It took my parents some time to take this all in but our love for her never swayed and we were behind her 100%, all the way.

I wish I could say the same thing happened with her mother and step father, but unfortunatley that is not how things turned out. Soon, my sister had been disowned by her own mother and her step father. The woman who gave birth to her, housed her all her life, loved her from the first moment of conception, had now abandoned her. This was the last thing my sister needed while already going through the stress of the pregnancy and we had to be there for her, more than ever.

Nichole is a strong woman and I hope to someday be like her because she can make it through anything, I swear! Kortlin Ryder Rogers is now almost three years old and he could not be more perfect. I feel sorry for those who are missing out on his life. Kortlin will always have one set of grand parents, my parents, but the other set, he will never know.

Touching Spirit Bear Book Review

2009-12-15T16:59:00.001-08:00

Anger is a dangerous chain and when it is started, it doesn't stop. This single emotion alone can destroy many lives and for Cole Mathews, the process is continuing to become more intense. With no mercy, anger is controlling Cole's life and soon causes him to hurt someone seriously. When Cole nearly beats Peter Driscal to death, strict consequences are to be made. Cole Mathews is sent to a deserted island, miles away from his home, in Alaska. When Cole is surviving in the wilderness on his own, he has an encounter with something that will change his life forever, the Spirit Bear. Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear is a touching story with extremely vivid details. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about nature and conflict.

The Choice Book Review

2009-12-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

Does true love always end in tragedy? For Travis and Gabby, love is something insignificant and unnecessary, until they meet each other. After only three days together, they know what they have is amazing. Travis and Gabby are truly in love. The choice, by Nicholas Sparks, will show you how important every minute really is. This book is a beautifully written romance novel that I recommend to anyone interested in suspense and, of course, love.

My Sister's Keeper Book Review

2009-12-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

Brought into this world for one reason only, Anna is destined to save the life of her older sister. She was a special baby, created to be the perfect donor for her sybling, dying of a blood cancer. Living with a family member diagnosed with leukemia is the farthest from normal and all attention is always given to the sick child, Kate. How does it feel to grow up carrying the burden of your sister's life on your shoulders? Anna Fitzgerald knows this feeling, more than any other. As much as she loves her sister, though, and wants her time on Earth to be as long and lasting as possible, she wants the chance to be herself. She wants to discover herself and be free for once. When Anna releases the secret, there are some who strongly disagree with this change, especially her mother. How can you save yourself and someone else at the same time? You can't. Anna has to face a decision that will change life for herself and her family forever. Jodi Picoult's ironic twist to this story completely amazed me and will continue to amaze others all around. I recommend this book to anyone because it is too wonderful to miss out on!

Speak Book Review

2009-12-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

What is it like to be taken advantage of and degraded by a monster? Melinda Sordino, of Speak, is a rape victim who lost her voice after such a traumatic violation. Not only was Melinda’s spirit broken by the rape that occurred at a high school party, but by everyone around her who turned their backs on her in unison. No one but Melinda knows what really happened that night at the party and with no voice, she can gain no help. Laurie Hassle's, Speak, is a story of a struggling teenage girl looking to find her voice once again. Although it is filled with heartache for this young girl, it is an inspirational read as well. I recommend it to high school students, first and foremost, because it will be easiest for them to relate to the character.

Time to be Thankful

2009-11-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

We all know that Thanksgiving is, of course, a time to be thankful for what we have. When Thanksgiving is here, we forget about the stress of our daily lives and gather together to share our gratefullness. We have learned, long ago, about the Indians and the Pilgrams and how they put aside their differences and appreciated each other. We know about the dinner they shared together and therefore, many of us have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of our own. Not only is the food wonderful, but also the time spent with our loved ones. Being the cook and the maid of the day isn't too fun but working together to cook and clean makes it better!

Bullying

2009-11-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

In most instances, one might say that bullying is always a negative way of dealing with things but this is not always true. Bullying can indeed hurt and scar people for life. It can end friendships and relationships forever. It can also teach victims to face their fears, or push them into doing the right thing.
Bullying another individual is, of course, wrong. We have learned from the time we could walk to treat others as we w0uld like to be treated. Bullying is down right mean and if a person has any moral values at all, they simply know better. A bullied victim can easily be effected for life and their life can be ruined by hurtful words or actions of just one person.
Although bullying is definitely considered a negative thing, it can sometimes be a positive aspect. A bullied victim could be encouraged to fight their inner fears created from abuse. With help, they could overcome all of their fears. They could become mentally invincible!
Another positive way of looking at bullying is the peer pressure of it. A victim could possibly be pressured into doing the right thing. Maybe the bullying isn't all for a bad cause. It could be coming from a helpful source.
Bullying, overall, is a pretty controversial subject. It can be evaluated in so many different ways. Bullying is typically a bad choice and a negative way of coping with feelings but sometimes it might deliver help to someone in need.

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

2009-10-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

Katie Fisher is an Amish girl through and through, and in her Amish world everything is perfect. Perfection cannot last forever, though, and soon enough Katie's world comes crashing down, all due to the dead baby found in her barn.

Katie swears that she did not give birth to a baby, but all of the evidence points to her. When the outside world drags Katie into the court of law to serve justice, so many intense changes at 0nce make her head spin. One woman, Ellie Hathaway, is willing to do anything to prove that Katie is innocent.

Is even anything enough, though, when an innocent baby has been cheated out of life? No one knows how he died or who could have caused it, but for some reason Katie Fisher is the only girl that seems to fit into the puzzle.

Jodi Picoult's mind boggling mystery had me on the edge of my seat all the way through! I reccomend this book to someone who enjoys mystery, as well as a little bit of romance. This book is also very interesting to someone who does not know much about the Amish culture.

Copper Sun by Sharon M.Draper

2009-10-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

By the age of only sixteen, Amari has been through more than most individuals. She witnessed her loving family die, along with almost all of her entire village. Every one that she knew died, if not physically then spiritually. Everything Amari knew was taken from her. She was repeatedly beaten and brutally raped. After everything Amari has been through so far, her journey has just begun and spirit stays strong.

Violated in every way possible, Amari hasn't seen an ounce of respect from anyone. Amari is alone and afraid but she'll never let it show. Her spirit cannot be broken and her inner strength cannot be taken away. When everything else has been stolen from her, she still holds onto her dignity.

Amari now attempts the impossible, the unthinkable, escape to freedom. Sharon M.Draper's Copper Sun broke my heart with it's sad tale. It intensified my appreciation for every past slave and for that reason I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This story is one that we all need the opportunity to read and learn from.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

2009-10-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if you were held prisoner for something you know in your heart you did not do? Convicted of a sexual assault crime that he did not commit, Jack St.Bride was set on clearing his name and regaining his right to freedom.

Unfortunately, it's hard for the local community not to side with the local preacher's fifteen year old, soccer star daughter. When convicted of such a crime, not only do you lose every ounce of freedom, but everyone in your life. After eight months in prison, walking free but alone, Jack has no where to go. Stumbling into the small town of Salem Falls, Jack has no doubt in his mind that he will set things straight again and be okay.

Somehow, that's not quite what happens. Could Jack really be so unlucky as to go through a likewise conflict? No matter what happens Jack St.Bride does not give up on himself. He's survived it before, so why not now? Jodi Picoult's Salem Falls grasped all of my attention with it's heartbreaking story. Jack has no one but himself but for him, that will be enough to pull through.

Our changing world

2009-09-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

Over the years in our society, we have come a long way with our technology. Now, in 2009, Batesville's students have personal lap tops in class to complete assigned work! I was delighted to hear this news and I'm sure everyone else was, as well. I am really excited that I will have the opportunity to type some of my work, rather than write it all of the time! That can get pretty old.

Although there are numerous advantages to our growing technology, there are also some down sides. For instance, family time has gone from a three course meal at the dinner table and a game of cards to grubbing on some pizza in front of the television or computer. My sister, who is eleven, already has her own cell phone! She even texts me while we're in the same room. I predict that years from now we will not be teaching our children to write in school, but to type!