Revision on Post

Originial Post:
The book Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott has a large amount of conflicts/themes. One of the most significant internal conflicts is speaking up for yourself, no matter what. The book shows that there is no one else to rely on to make a difference for yourself. Through the course of reading this book I have learned that if you just unhappily watch your life go by, the only person to blame is yourself.

Alice, now a normal teenager, was kidnapped when she was 8 years old. Her psychotic homicidal kidnapper, Ray, keeps her on a dangerous leash. Going out, talking to friends, speaking out of place, or even eating could cause Alice her life. She is lonely and so scared that she lets him get his way no matter what. Also, Alice has come to feel that she is unworthy of assistance and incapable of changing her horrid life in any way. In her head she desperately pleads for help. But that's not enough to set her free.

Alice secretly learns that she is smarter than Ray. She realizes that having a heart and soul is an advantage. She finds out that her problem isn't that no one is helping her. The problem is that she is not helping herself. Feeling hopeless isn't going to get her anywhere. Eventually, she creates a plan from under Rays nose and get's the least person he would expect to kill him. Since she is free, she has grasped that she was capable of it all along.

Not necessarily as drastically, but in real life it's important that no one underestimated themselves. Everyone has to realize that they have a voice that deserves to be heard.

Revision:  Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott has several conflicts/themes. One of the most significant internal conflicts is to speak up for yourself, no matter what. The book shows that you can only rely on yourself to make a difference. Feeling bad for yourself and moping won't get you anywhere. Through the course of reading this book, I have learned that if you just unhappily watch your life go by, the only person to blame is yourself.

Alice, now a normal teenager, was kidnapped when she was 8 years old. Her psychotic homicidal kidnapper, Ray, keeps her on a dangerous leash. Going out, talking to friends, speaking, or eating could risk Alice her life. She is so lonely and scared that she lets him get his way no matter what. Also, Alice has come to feel that she is unworthy of assistance and deserves her disturbing life. In her head she desperately pleads for help. But that's not enough to set her free.

Alice secretly learns that she is smarter than Ray. She realizes that Ray has no empathy, no conscience, and no feelings. The way his mind works is anything but human. She comes to find that her problem isn't lack of help from others. The problem is that she is not helping herself. Feeling hopeless isn't going to get her anywhere. Eventually, she creates a plan under Rays nose and get's the least person he would expect to kill him. After obtaining freedom, she realized that she has been capable of it all along.

  Usually, not as drastically, but in real life it's important that no one underestimates themselves. No matter what someone has done or the situation they have ended up in,  they deserve to be heard as much as the next person. It's important to believe in yourself.

Response on Article

The article I read was about body image. The article explains that excessive amounts of social media (facebook, television, etc) may increase the chance of having low self esteem or eating disorders. Researchers surveyed 240 girls between the ages of 12-19. They were asked to provide how much social media and physical image related media they were exposed to. Studies showed that the more the girls spent on facebook or fashion content shows/sites the more they suffered from conditions like anorexia, bulimia, or an urge to be on a low-weight diet. The study also showed that girls who's parents were involved in their media usage showed a stronger change of avoiding these disorders.

This article was very interesting to me. Since facebook and television are things that I am exposed to everyday, I wonder how these things affect me and/or my friends. It makes me a little sad to see how entertainment is affecting children and teenagers.

Song with Social Issue

Born This Way By Lady Gaga is a song that refers to equality. In the song, it addresses that everyone was born equally despite their beliefs, political views, or the way they look. She and I both agree that nobody should have to feel bad about themselves because they think they are different. The government, the human race, and the world should treat everybody in society with equality. For example, she sings about how people who are gay should have equal rights and be treated equally. She states that everyone is alike on the inside.

[Intro:]
It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'cause you were born this way, baby
[Verse:]
My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"
She said, "'Cause he made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up girl and you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"
[Chorus:]
I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
[Post-chorus:]
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't be a drag ‒ just be a queen [x3]
[Verse:]
Give yourself prudence
And love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth
A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (Hey hey hey)
I love my life I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (Love needs faith)
[Repeat chorus + post-chorus]
[Bridge:]
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'cause baby you were born this way
No matter gay, straight, or bi,
Lesbian, transgendered life,
I'm on the right track baby,
I was born to survive.
No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made,
I'm on the right track baby,
I was born to be brave.
[Repeat chorus + post-chorus]
[Outro/refrain:]
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!
[Fade away:]
Same DNA, but born this way.
Same DNA, but born this way. 

Someone Who Changed the World.

Some one who changed the world is George W. Bush. Although he did not change the world positively, he still created major events that changed america and history forever.

George Bush was elected president in 2000. In 2003, he started the Iraq war. He started this war by claiming to the congress that Iraq was responsible for 9/11. He also claimed that Iraq had possesion of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Neither of these statements were proved true. This war has continued on for 8 years and is virtually still going on. America's relationship will never be the same with the Middle East. America's image was tarnished when George W. Bush went to war without UN (United Nations) approval, Congressional approval, and just plain proof. The war significantly contributed to the current economic crisis. Also, an obscene amount of innocent civilians in Iraq and soldiers were killed.

comments on blogs

Blogs that I liked this week were Genti's, Carmens, Olivia's, and Izzy's. Olivia included solid facts but also solid opinions on the topic of eating disorders. Carmen was able to address bullying very generally and look at the big picture. Genti was really good at summarizing his social issue articles. Izzy had a very detailed and complex interview. All of the posts were summarized very well.

Two Voice Poem Reflection

The topic of my Two Voice Poem was bullying. Bullying can happen in any situation with any type of person. I chose the typical the elementary school problem. Basically, it shows that both of the people in the poem are being bullied, including the bully. The fact that this "bully" is being abused by his parents makes him want to take out his anger and terror on other kids. But he wasn't always a bully, and he doesn't always have to be. Deep down he feels bad, but his home life is so unpleasant he just doesn't care. It's sad, but the fact that this "bully" has a lot of vulnerability to him shows that there's still hope things will change. The other kid, the one that's being bullied, his life at home is perfectly fine. It's school that unsettles him. Being taunted and threatened everyday causes this little boy to lock everything inside. Fear has overrun all of his other emotions. But, there is hope for him as well. By telling a parent or guardian, he can completely change his life.

comments on blogs

The posts I liked this week were Becca's, Regina's, David's, and Tyler's. Becca's post about child abusde was very moving and original. She pointed out that someone that may seem like they have a great life in school (or vice versa) may not have a good life at all. Regina's post was very organized and explained how other characters affected the main character in a clear way. David included a lot of facts and strong statements about injustice. Tyler talked about multiple characters in his book and summarized their inner and outer conflicts very well.

Two Voice Poem

MY LEG HURTS.
The bully at my school kicked me today.
My dad kicked me today.

MY LIFE IS SCARY SOMETIMES.
Sometimes, I feel like the bully will kill me.
Sometimes, I feel like my dad will kill me.

I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL.
I hate being somewhere I don't feel safe.
I love being away from my dad and making people feel the way I do.

I HATE BEING BULLIED.
By the bully at my school.
By my dad.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.
I turn to letting people hurt me. 
I turn to hurting others.

Living Dead Girl

The book Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott has a large amount of conflicts/themes. One of the most significant internal conflicts is speaking up for yourself, no matter what. The book shows that there is no one else to rely on to make a difference for yourself. Through the course of reading this book I have learned that if you just unhappily watch your life go by, the only person to blame is yourself.

Alice, now a normal teenager, was kidnapped when she was 8 years old. Her psychotic homicidal kidnapper, Ray, keeps her on a dangerous leash. Going out, talking to friends, speaking out of place, or even eating could cause Alice her life. She is lonely and so scared that she lets him get his way no matter what. Also, Alice has come to feel that she is unworthy of assistance and incapable of changing her horrid life in any way. In her head she desperately pleads for help. But that's not enough to set her free.

Alice secretly learns that she is smarter than Ray. She realizes that having a heart and soul is an advantage. She finds out that her problem isn't that no one is helping her. The problem is that she is not helping herself. Feeling hopeless isn't going to get her anywhere. Eventually, she creates a plan from under Rays nose and get's the least person he would expect to kill him. Since she is free, she has grasped that she was capable of it all along.

Not necessarily as drastically, but in real life it's important that no one underestimated themselves. Everyone has to realize that they have a voice that deserves to be heard.

Social Issue Writing Assignment

A book I've recently read was Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. A social issue within the book is drug abuse. The main character, Alice, goes through a series of hard times involving drugs. Although she is a very good kid, this new world of breaking the law ends up winning her over.

In this book, the problem affects Alice. But in the real world, drugs can affect anyone. It doesn't matter what kind of person you are, if you aren't careful, you can be put into a situation that forces you to do something you don't want to do. Many people are first peer pressured into drugs, and that includes Alice. When she moves in with her grandparents, local kids trick her into taking LSD. This begins her journey with drugs.

Her first encounter was technically caused be other people, but her overall experience with drugs was caused by herself. She didn't have enough mental strength to overcome the influence. She was most likely capable to do so, but honestly didn't care enough. The only person she was thinking about was herself. Since she was the cause, she is also the only solution. She needs to step back and take a look at how her life is playing out. If she doesn't, her safety and well being could plummet. Her whole life is in her hands, and in the end, no matter what other people tell her, it won't make a difference unless she chooses to make one. This is true to anyone who is involved with drugs. It's important to think of the big picture resulting in your actions.

comments on blogs

Four blogs I liked were Josh's, Siena's, Grace's, and George's. Josh's was a very relatable inspiring post about his mother's friend. It helped me see that people that may seem average may make a big difference in your and others lives. Siena's post has many great and meaningful points about the song "Daughters" by John Mayer. She really points out the songs inner meaning. George did a very good job of analyzing and supporting the song he chose that had a social action. Grace talks about her issue in a way that can be easy to understand to anyone and talks about all of the sides and perspectives in her topic bullying. All of the posts were very inspiring.

Whuthering Heights

Whuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a very complex book that contains a great deal of characters that change and develop throughout the book. It's fascinating to see how different characters excel and transform. It's also interesting to notice the different levels of complexity a character can hold. Although they may portay themselves to be someone on the outside, several different traits and emotions may lay on the inside.

An example of this is Heathcliff. To most, Heathcliff is a heartless and evil person. He frequently insults his peers and speaks to everyone with disrespect. Most people that have crossed his path dislike him. His lack of empathy and consicous advocates him to disregard and distress people around him. An adverage person who knows Heathcliff will assume that he has no feeling whatsoever.

But under all of that loathing Heathcliff has a soft spot. This aspect of his personality was given a little light because of Catherine Earnshaw. Heathcliff and Catherine love eachother despite their difficult personalities. Nothing makes Heathcliff happier than being in Catherine's presence. Heathcliff's emotions and affections truly ignite after Catherine's death. He is left in despair and longing for his beloved soulmate. Heathcliff is now nearly spilling with feeling. The wall that he has created to protect his sentiment slowly cracks.

comments on blogs

The blogs I liked this week were Stephanie's, Eliza's, Ali's, and Wolfe's. Stephanie skillfully summed up the character in her book and his life very well. Eliza's post was very clear, refined, and passionate. You can see Eliza's interest in her book through her writing. Ali's letter to the main character was full of sympathy and thoughtful points. Wolfe's post possessed a lot of great connections from his book and his life.