Connecting The Dots

Racism is a very big issue. It's everywhere , we just decide to ignore it. Well we can no longer do that . We have to find a way to end this or at least let people be more aware. My reaction was 10 - 12 pages ?! I've never done that ! & then as I got working I was thinking racism is a big topic , so how can something this easy be so hard ?!  I'm interested in many things but my main things would be music and helping people. Music, there is racism in music. I guess if you split it up into genres that would be helpful. One quote from a song that I keep in mind is " why do black people gotta be the only ones who can't evolve ?" This isn't true about ALL African Americans & it isn't only true about African Americans. People mess up, yes but there isn't one race that is more sophisticated than another; we are all equal! Helping people , I just want everyone to have the same rights. As long as you aren't a criminal going around killing people or raping people, ten you aren't a terrible person and you shouldn't be treated different. We claims to be " the land of the free"  yet we can accept people because they are a different skin color ? C'mon now, that's ridiculous. No matter what race, be proud because each race has over come a lot ( some more than others) an they have fought to be where they are now. Don't judge someone by their skin color. Look at  how hard they work, what they bring to the table (so to speak), and how they treat others not what their skin color is .

7 Times

Erica's essay, in my opinion was really good. Throughout the entire essay I knew she wasn't happy because she stated that at the beginning. The title of the post was very interesting and her essay didn't fall short of what i expected. Her main point was that seven shots were unnecessary "they were six shots too many". I agree with her, it was a 13 year old, one shot is enough to take him down and get the situation under control. The part that captured my attention the most : "bullet 1. and he was probably down or even dead. bullet 2. definitely dead. bullet 3. still dead. bullet 4. still dead. bullet 5. still dead.bullet 6. still dead

bullet 7. still dead." The way she set it up was just really intriguing and a great way to end the essay because it got the readers thinking, it did for me at least. 

Javi's essay was also very good. The first difference I noticed was that Javi was more about the facts and showing a picture was a great idea. Erica on the other hand was more of her opinion and trying to ask why those actions ( the seven shots) were taken when there was other possibilities to handle the situation. While reading Erica's version I imagined like a toy gun not one that looked exactly like and Ak-47. After seeing that I was able to comprehend a little more why the police officers decided to shoot. But again, why so many times ?

It was good to read both of these essay because they both had different but good points. One was more opinion based and the other was more focused on the facts. Why the policeman decided to shoot 7 times? Sadly, we might not ever know the truth reason  Or perhaps the reason was because he thought it was what was best, we may never really know. 

Vocab #9

Ultimate -  Being last in a series, process, or progression
This was the ultimate finale to a great series.
Interactive-  Acting or capable of acting on each other.

Principle- a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
The constitution provides principles for our country.

Guidance-  The act or process of guiding
Parents,mentors, and idles provide guidance.
Collaboration- achieve shared goals.
In this class, collaboration is key. 
Formative-serving to form something, esp. having a profound and lasting influence on a person's development.
Vocabulary is formative in brain development.

Summative- additive ; the result of such an act or process 
This description was summative to the other one.
Racism- actions, practices, or beliefs that consider the human species to be divided into races and treated based on these. 
Many people have gone to great extents to  end racism only to have it still exist today. 
Intelligence- The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.
His great intelligence and dedication helped him succeed. 
Hyperbolic- exaggerated
Her tone was hyperbolic.
Provision - to supply 
School is a provision to a better future.
Discretion- the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
The movie stated that viewer discretion is advised due to explicit language and sexual content.
Seized-(of the police or another authority) take possession of (something) by warrant or legal right; confiscate; impound.
My math teacher seized my phone because it was out during class. 
Doctrine-a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group

The bible is a doctrine for Christians. 

Consent- permission for something to happen or agreement to do something

I asked my mom for her consent to go out with my friends.

Hunch- a feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts.

I had a hunch that the student was cheating. 

Predominant- present as the strongest or main element.

His green eyes were his predominant feature. 

Warrant - Authorization or certification; sanction, as given by a superior.
The police issued a warrant for his arrest due to drug charges and being a suspect in a first degree murder case. 

Infraction- a violation or infringement of a law, agreement, or set of rules.

He made a traffic infraction which cause him a $400 ticket.

RACIAL PROFILING LIVES ON

This article  was confusing yet interesting. 

1. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. 
2. The fourth amendment applies also when you are being chased 
3. Officers have many ways he/she can justify for a search. 
4. The supreme court should be more strict on its definite meaning.
   - people should be aware of why they are being searched and what they can and cannot do 
5. " reasonable suspicion" can be no more than an instinct and no less than a probable cause. 
6. High crime areas can affect the suspicion
7.  when enforcing immigration laws, race is taken into account
8. courts rely on police judgement/ testamentary- in my opinion isn't always a good idea

* There are ways that can cover up a police officers racism. 

* race should matter, anyone can turn out to be a criminal not just Latinos and African Americans 

What I see is all in my head.

So, my little sister, little brother and I watched this video together. We all agreed that it was pretty easy. Honestly it was really easy. It was just to me, a test to see if i could actually focused on what was asked and not on all the players. The gorilla was just random!

My little sister counted 14 passes and didn't notice the gorilla. 

I counted 16 passes and did notice the gorilla 

My little brother counted correctly and did notice the gorilla.

filter bubbles

Honestly , I already knew that Google did this. I knew that they personalized the results based on what you usually click on only beacause my brother and I have talked about it. What I didnt know was that other websites such as Yahoo are doing it to. I think that many different results should come up just so that you can get different perspectives . They way it changed my thinking about the inyernet is that now I will be more carefull I guess . I mean i don't look up bad things or anything but I will try to click on different links . Honestly, Im jus going to use duckduckgo.com from now on because like I said , I want different views and thats exactly what that website does. Honestly , im just going to do everything differently now, but I want to use the internet as little as possible just because I feel like it has become such a distraction.

Tools that change the way we think

Technology and the internet are amazing tools, but they are also a big distraction. everyone has a smartphone, iPod, or access to the internet so we are always distracted; everything is literally at our fingerprints. Like Kayla said, this generation relies way too much on technology, social media, and the internet. We don't really do much for ourselves to the point where we thing about things ourselves and use our knowledge and imagination.We think every answer is at our fingerprints, But Not everything as we think. We think that when we Google something EVERYTHING pops up, but it doesn't. Watching the Ted talk video was really eye opening because I knew that was happening, but it hadn't really hit me. People think they can just post whatever they want on the internet and that it won't matter, but it does. This generation and every future generation would be so much better off if we didn't rely so much on the internet and technology, I feel like people would be smarter because to most people these things are a distraction. It should be a helpful resource but sadly that is not the case most of the time.

Literary Analysis #3

Topics and / or events 

1) Johnny Gunther was a normal high school student. He loved science, especially chemistry and physics. Straight A student with friends and a great personality. Then, at age 17 the unthinkable happens; he is diagnosed with a brain tumor. It all started with simple headaches and fatigue and of course nothing was thought of it only to find out that it is a brain tumor. Why Johnny though? He was a good, friendly, intelligent, hard working  boy? He suffered through multiple surgeries and many harmful x-rays, yet he never lost hope. He always said he would make it out alive and he just had a positive attitude about life, even though he chances of survival were slim. This young boy would of had an amazing life, he would of gone to Harvard and would of done wonderful things in the Scientific field, but sadly his life was cut short by a terrible illness. 

2)I believe the author chose to write about this because it was a hardship that was overcome. The life of a amazing bright young man was lost and that was hard for everyone who knew him, especially the parents. Although he went through so much suffering it has a positive message; Johnny always stayed strong and had a positive mindset not only for himself but also for those who loved him. He knew he was going to die eventually, so he spent his last few months enjoying what he had and the time he had left with his family and loved ones.

3) To be completely honest, I don't know why I chose this book. Once i actually started reading it I realized that it wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. What made me keep reading it was just to be motivated; Johnny had a terribly illness and yet he had such a positive outlook on life, why? Having cancer would of been a reason for people to get depressed and knowing they would of died within a few months most people would of just gave up on life. Yet, this 17 year old with so much potential and such a bright future did the complete opposite of that and I find that inspiring. 

4) The one aspect that wasn't realistic to me was that knowing he was going to die, Johnny wasn't even sad. He was so young ! If i were to be in his position i would just be depressed and i would just want things to end. Yes, its inspiring that he was so positive and so grateful for what he did have. But he could of lived for so much longer and he could of done great things and all that was cut short. Not only did he suffer by being in pain all the time but his family and loved ones suffered a great loss and if i would of been in his position, I would of been pissed of at the world. Other than that the book was pretty realistic because they talked about the procedures he had to go through and the sacrifices he had to make just to live a few months longer.

People

1) I feel like the purpose of this book was to inspire people. Somethings just happen and we have no control over them so we must as well just accept it and make the best of what we have left. Most of the interpretations in this book were based on what he saw and the suffering that he saw his son endure.Yes, there are some parts when Johnny's thoughts are coming directly from him but other than that it was descriptions of his procedures and the new doctors or equipment that they were being worked with.

3) John Gunther- He is the proud father of Johnny. He was a writer and thats what he did for a living. He was strong through the story even though he had to watch his son die slowly and suffer everyday. Him and his Johnny's mother were separated and yet they managed to remain friends for Johnny's sake. No matter how bad things got John was always there for his son

Johnny- Intelligent, selfless, caring, friendly- those are just a few words that were used to describe Johnny. As I have mentioned, I admire this kid because he took a bad situation and focused on the good and the positive. He was selfless, always thinking of others before himself. he worried about the well being of others, even though he was the one dying. He was funny and just loved life and wanted to succeed at everything he tried. 

4) Nothing about the authors description of the character changes besides the description of his physical being. Johnny had a brain tumor and after under going so much surgery and x-rays he was going to get weak and things like that. Yet he always focused on how Johnny was such a positive and grateful human being. He survived longer than what the Doctors predicted and I believe that the fact that he was so grateful and positive played a role in that.

5) The Author is always changing his attitude and thoughts, how could he not? His son is dying. there are times when he had hope that the doctors had removed most of the tumor if not all of it. But realistically he knew that that wasn't the situation. Also, he seemed very proud of Johnny, he was an intelligent boy its hard not to be proud of him but through that you know that he is suffering. He is losing his only son, he sees Johnny suffer everyday and can do nothing about it so obviously there was sadness there. Yet, he managed to stay strong not only for himself but of johnny and his mother and in a situation like this, I give him props for keeping himself collected through such a hard and painful situation. 

Style

1) I noticed that there was foreshadowing involved. I predicted that Johnny actually did die because the author referred to Johnny is past tense so that is what gave me the clue that he died. Other than  that his style of writing was journalistic because he just stated things as they were happening . He talked a lot about what procedures Johnny was undergoing and how he would react to those procedures. Aldo, he talked about all the different Doctors they had to visit and all the hospital trips that were made.

2) The Author definitely uses lengthy descriptions. A lot of descriptions were mad when they would talk about the procedures and Johnny's reaction to those procedures. I think that it was a good technique

because most of the the readers wouldn't of know what was going on otherwise. I personally didn't understand a lot of things that were said because they were medical terms but the fact that he described what the procedure was and what the hoped result was actually helped a lot. 

3) I believe that the fact that the author focused on Johnny's attitude through all this helped set up the mood. It made me realize that bad things happen, but it could be way worse and that I should be grateful for the important things in my life such as my family and my health. I felt that although it was a sad story it was also inspiring. Almost like  Morrie from Tuesdays With Morrie, his situation was terrible yet he focused on the positive and good things that he had in his life. 

4) I think the author was trying to help us realize that we should be grateful. Yes, things get bad at times but most the time it isn't something tragic like Johnny's situation. It really makes me think twice about complaining about little things that I want. Im sure that Johnny's loved ones would give anything to have Johnny back but obviously that isn't going to happen. so we really should be grateful for what and who we have in our lives because reality is it can be taken from us at any moment. 

5) The author uses letters that were written by Johnny and doctors notes that were written about Johnny's illness. That didn't really matter to me because I had my mind set that this id was inspiring and that as someone who has the basics to survive ( food,shelter, and health) i need to be more grateful because there are good people out there who are dying and are more grateful than I am.

Enduring Memory

What i got out of this was just like what I said in my last literary analysis; enjoy life and be thankful because it can all be taken away from you at any moment. Stop focusing on the materialistic things and be glad that you have your health, food, and a roof over your head. because while we are sitting here crying because they can't get the newest electronic there are people out there dying from starvation and suffering from things that no one should suffer from. 

Bonus questions

Johnny's father realized that he needed to be more like Johnny and appreciate life more. like most of us, Johnny's father took life for granted and we shouldn't do that; life is a gift and it can be taken away from us at any given moment. He also realized that he had no control over Johnny's disease, everything happens for a reason. He feels that Johnny having a tumor was a mistake but he realized that even if it was he has no control over what happens in the end. 

Vocab #8

cursory- going over something rapidly, without noticing details
I took a cursory glance at the newspaper article and realized the topic didn't interest me. 
impetus-a moving force
He lacked the impetus to study, so he failed the Chemistry class.
pinnacle-a lofty peak
The top of a mountain can be called the pinnacle.
contumely-a humiliating insult.
No matter how strongly they maligned Amelia, calling her insulting names, she never responded openly to their contumely comments. 
bereavement-a state of intense grief over loss of a loved one.
At the funeral, deep bereavement fell over the family.
cache-a hiding place usually in the ground
After we found the cache in the old abandoned house we mad it our hiding place.In
consummation- completion, perfection, fulfillment
All your work must be done with consummation if you really wish to succeed. 
calamity-a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury
After the various calamity events, many families were left homeless. 
avarice- miserly desiring to hoard wealth
Being very avarice, the student worked hard to be rich and successful. 
fortify-to protect or strengthen against attack
My mom felt that a good nights rest would fortify me for the next days hectic schedule. 
erratic- deviating from the usual proper course in conduct
Children behave erratically when they don't get what they want. 
ubiquitous-being everywhere, especially at the same time
I feel ubiquitous with school, work, and extra curricular activities i feel as if I am ubiquitous. With school work, I feel like I am ubiquitous.
fortitude-mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty courageously
In times of sadness and calamity, it is good to have a fortitude mindset. 
nonchalant-coolly unconcerned
Some students, including some seniors, are nonchalant about school. 
affect-to act on
Her actions affected the intensity of the punishment. 
effect-something that is produced by an agency or cause
The death of her parents effected her life.
misappropriate-to put to wrong use
Many kids misappropriate common classroom items such as rulers.
pragmatic-of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
metacognition- higher order thinking that enables understanding
Higher math classes and science classes after biology require a great deal of metacognition.
devoutly-devoted to divine worship or service
Religious people are devoutly dedicated to their God. 

The Value Of A Life

Alicia 

Amparo Adame

Johna 

Kayla
Rachael Garner

Activity 25: Surveying the text

In my anticipation I believe the committed time to read this article is less than 30 minutes with full concentration. The body paragraphs are short but I'm sure there is main points to each and every one which can be time consuming to understand what each point is leading to the next body paragraph.

I have read Hamlet a couple of times and that piece of writing was short but more time consuming because of the text and concept, the words chosen and the format. More deep thinking was required into Hamlet's piece of, "To be or not to be."

The publication i know is from Shakespeare himself i believe in the 1600's is when he published his piece of writing. 

The type of writing is found to be cognitive thinking. The decision that needs to be made is described attached to results of the thrown. It has a sense of meta cognition. 

I have sen this kind of writing in schools of education more likely or individuals who love plays or who are writers themselves and like Shakespeare for inspiration. 

Activity 26: Making predictions and asking questions

1) My prediction about the content of the article due to what the subtitle claims, it is going to talk about the debts it has left the nation. How people's lives were affected not only emotionally but also financially. Much detail will be included in the article because it clearly left a huge crisis on the the state, the people, the world. 2) The connection between our first article of, "What is a life worth," and the article from Steve Jobs is the theme of writing. They both have the similar titles of 'what is life worth' and 'what is a life worth.' I'm sure that they both will have similar content of texts in their article. My question is what would be their purpose and main points in their perspectives of each article. 3)The article seems to me as if it is going to speak in somewhat the perspective of first person but also dialogue because the tittle does seem to infer that it is dedicated to those who were affected in the 9/11 event. Skimming through the sections of writing, that is what I seem to get from it.

Activities 27-32 'What is a Life worth?'

Mr.Crabs want's to sue Plankton because he wants him to compensate for his bankruptcy.
(Compensate-Make up for a loss)
The disparity shaggy gets when Scooby runs out on a partner crime mystery.
(Disparity-unfairness)
The )district takes account the valuation of spending's faulted within the cities put together.
(Valuation- determination of a monetary value)
Shandra believes it is easier to litigate her offender than to let the situation happen to any other person.
(Litigation- legal act, suing)
Tree's are always a source that commodifies into cash.
(Commodify- turn something into monetary value)
Judy's discretion is advised to sensitive and emotional people.
(discretion- judgment)
Liability- Debt or disadvantage
Credit cards are one of the biggest liability a human being can have in this new age.
Beneficiary- Benefited by money
(John's company is going to be beneficiary if he comes through highly with profit in the Fall)
Tort- Lawsuit to a wrongful act
(The case of La Llorona had the police looking to tort the husband who had survive the brutal massacre)
Allocation- distribution of money(in this case)
(Brandy became the allocation to business for her rich product)

Squeamish- easily offended
(Couples become so squeamish when conversations consist of each other's bank accounts)
Garish- Offensively bright/showy
(Vain people are garish)
Gall- Impudence
(No one has seen such gall or courage)
Traumatize- To inflict pain or stress on someone
(Such incentive and brutal actions can traumatize a person's mental health)
Callous- uncaring, cold
(A insecure woman tends to abide by men who's personality is callous)
Inconsolable- unable to be comforted
(Traumatized children with disorders are ceased to be inconsolable the rest of their lives)
Indignant- Angry over an injustice
(Offender's take lawyer's by their side is if they had the reason to be indignant for their own crime)
Balk- resist
(It is hard to balk peer pressure at the a age of teen's)
Deteriorate- gradually fall apart
(Watch the fire deteriorate the coal inside the metal box)
Rhetorical- related to the effective use of language
(Answering a question with a question is a rude and rhetorical humor)
Rorschach Test- inkblot test revealing a person's viewpoint
(A piece of paper filled with ink is shown to three people and each are asked what they see. Each have a different point of view and to help understand this further more we use the Rorschach Test to understand how the image is visualized)
Artillery- Heavy ammunition used against enemies
("Let's Getter' done boy's, round up your ammunition, we going to war!!")
Analogy- Comparison intended to illustrate common elements between different items
(An analogy is done between two viruses with the same disease)
Solidarity-Unity based upon common interest
(A group of people who all believe in Jesus, create a solidarity upon their belief)
Orchestrated- Carefully arranged to achieve a specific effect
(Molly is orchestrated to make a feeling of sensation to touch)
Concoct- put together from many materials
(A league of friendship cannot concoct when there ignorance and kids tend to see "me" in Team)
Mechanism- Technique for achieving a certain result
(The organ's mechanism are distributed by their ATP support found in Plant cell's)

Activity 28
In the beginning the article speaks about how people are squeamish to the idea of putting a price tag to an individual's life. From here the details and statement's followed by saying that companies tend to pay out settlement's depending on injuries vs. death. Not all companies are this way but some don't seem to care as explained. Even if it was the affect to an employee's death, to not care enough to pay for their injuries. In this passage it seems to talk about a human life, the quality behind an individual.The working environment revolved around life is what affects a human's worth of their own life, as it seems.

Activity 29/30:
If it were Hamlet taking a look at Amanda Ripley's article I believe he would abide by the feeling she put's out into the article itself. The concept of choice in Hamlet and the statement on putting a price on a human's life worth has some connections into thought. Where Hamlet Contemplates on the effect of his uncles thrown is in comparison with how Amanda exclaims companies decision of an individual's death. Just like in 9/11, the despaired and traumatized nation, financially, emotionally, and politically infested with negativity. It ties together and i believe would see eye to eye with Hamlet.
 Activity 31:
The article is unbiased in the perspective of interviewing the families and stating the effects left by the event. Through thought it comes off to be emotional and non prejudice. Open minded to the distraught population that has been affected which financially affects the one's in charge of paying for the damage.
In the beginning it all begins with statistics and going into deeper evidence that involves personal view's that are factual as eye witness to the event. The personal statements and stories have an emotional effect on the reader, it is hard to not vision or think of how the personal view's cannot be disturbed by such huge event, affecting millions of other's.
I Believe that the publication and Amanda are to be trusted in this case. Publications are known to be over exaggerated but with such case that affected millions, it is a sensitive historic event that would not be fake and left to be untold as a lie. I'm sure agencies would be strict on the media's regulations when this event happened.
There is definitely emotion involved with the reader when the personal stories are introduced. They are stories that are too profound to even overview. The logic comes within the facts stated and statistics used to enforce the point given.

Literary Analysis #2

• Topics and/or Events

1)It is late Spring of 1979 in the city of Waltham, Massachusetts. Mitch Albom just graduated Brandeis University. as he is leaving he meets up with this favorite professor, Morrie Schwarz Morrie talks with Mitch and his parents and as they say goodbye Morrie, with tears rolling down his face, asks Mitch to keep in touch. Years pass, and Mitch didn't keep in touch. On a hot August day in 1994, while Mitch was away being caught up with work. his favorite professor was being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Scleriosis(ASL)*. On March 1995, ABC's "Nightline" decided to do a segment on Morrie and that is how Mitch became reconnected with his old professor. Mitch was so caught up with his job as an ESPN reporter that he forgot to keep in contact with his old professor. After seeing the segment on Nightline and realizing that his professor might not have much time left Mitch decides to go visit him. The first visit with Morrie went great; they reminisced and caught up on things. Visiting Morrie on Tuesdays became a regular thing; Mitch would fly seven hundred miles to Boston just to sit and have a talk with his old professor just like in his college days. With each visit Mitch realized that Morrie was doing worse, he was becoming more dependent of others and that the number of pills were increasing. Having a conversation with Morrie, who was once a great talker and an even at listening, was becoming hard because he would run out of breath fast or he would have " cough attacks" that could last hours. Soon it would be impossible to get even a few words out of him. Morrie died on a Saturday morning, a few days after Mitch's last visit.

2) I believe that Mitch decided to write about Morrie because Morrie was such an important part of his life. Mitch admires Morrie in many aspects including his free spirit and love towards life. Morrie was a wise old man and he an important person in Mitch's life. To me, Morrie seems like the type of person that many of us aspire to be like.

3) Well, originally I was going to read The Blind Side, but since I've seen the movie i didn't find the book interesting.Then i realized I had to find a book that I really wanted to read! So, i Asked my friend Tina for some help and she referred me to Mrs. Byrne. Mrs.Byrne put out a wide selection that she thought I might be interested in, Tuesdays With Morrie was one of them. As I was looking at it someone walked in and said " That is such a good book ! It made me cry!", so I took it. Once i Started reading it, it became really interesting and i just wanted to keep reading. I think what caught my attention the most was how descriptive the author was.

4) The book was realistic to me. It was a book about watching someone they love slowly and painfully die, that isn't something that you can just make up. The part that i found relate able to at the beginning was that Mitch turned to Morrie when he needed someone to talk to and we all have that one person. We all have that one person that we can trust with something, no matter what it is and for Mitch, Morrie was that person.

• People 

1) I don't feel that any of the characters in this story are fictional characters because the description of them is so realistic. In a way, that's what authors are supposed to do, even fictional writers but that amount of emotion and memories that are put into this book those are things that can't be easily made up. The tone to me seemed like it was serious and sad because someone who was such a big part of his life was slowly and painfully dying right in front of him.


2) Morrie : " He is a small man who takes small steps, as if a strong wind could, at any time, whisk him up into the clouds. . . He has sparkling blue-green eyes, thinning silver hair that spills onto his forehead, big ears, a triangular nose, and tuft of graying eyebrows. Though his teeth are crooked and his lower ones are slanted back- as if someone punched them in- when he smiles it's as if you'd told him the first joke on earth"(page 3-4) I describe Morrie as that older man who dies without many, if any, regrets. He had a family who got along well and he raised his children right. He loved and appreciated life, even when he was dying. He was grateful of everything he had, even when he was in pain and when he was dying. He found a way to love and appreciate everything and I really admire that.
Mitch:He seems like a good and caring guy. He was so caught up in being successful that he forgot about the thing that truly matter; his loved ones. He mad it for it though, he proved that he cared for Morrie by flaying to go see him even though it was hard and painful to see Morrie dying. He was caught up on the materialistic things and then he realized what really matters.

3) I think Morrie is very interesting. The fact  that he is suffering so much and in so many ways yet he has such a positive attitude, i think that's pretty amazing. He has accepted the fact that he can't do most things for himself and that he is going to die at any moment and yet he loves life ! many of us are as healthy as can be and have everything we need and are miserable. He is very free spirited, when he was healthy he would go dance in public and he didn't care what people thought. He is wise, he gives Mitch some good advice about family issues and about things that alot of people deal with. He has suffered and continues to suffer and he doesn't let that stop him from enjoying the simple things in life. He appreciates things now that he can't do much of cause of his health issues that just seemed normal and ordinary when he was healthy.

4) Direct Characterization - " Mitch, you are one of the good ones,"  -Morrie page 4
" You have a special boy here"- Morrie Page 4
Indirect- I couldn't find anything. All the descriptions in this book are pretty straight forward.
I believe direct characterization is used to give a clear thought or statement about a character. where indirect is trying to get the same point across but with a less simple form.

5) Well Mitch , the author, focuses mainly on description of the character and dialogue. He is very descriptive on how Morrie is getting worse and weaker with every visit and how ASL is taking over his life. He focuses on dialogue a lot because that's what this book is based on, their final conversations.

6) Mitch is static because at the begging of the book he talked about how Mitch was always telling him that it was okay to cry, it only makes us humans. Yet Mitch never would cry, not even if he wanted to because of his pride and the way he was raised. Yet at the end , when his favorite professor is barely breathing he cries. I imagine it must of been to much for him to handle, someone you care about so much just laying there dying and suffering. That's Terrible. " I like to think that it was a fleeting moment of satisfaction for my dear old professor: he finally made me cry." page 186

7) " Mitch, I don't allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each morning, a few tears, and that's all". . . " its only Horrible if you see it that way," Morrie said. " It's horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing.But its's also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye."
He Smiled. "not everyone is so lucky." page 57
When i read this I was shocked. Morrie is literally dying slowly and painfully, he can't do anything for himself and he is saying that he is lucky? then I thought about it and I guess in a weird twisted way he really is lucky. some people die without warning; they don't get to say goodbye to their loved ones. He may be suffering, but he is getting to make the best out of the moments that he has left with the ones that he loves most.

• Style

1) Mitch Albom was pretty straight forward with telling the story. But, he did it in a way that still kept you intrigued in the story. "His death sentence came the summer of 1994." I feel like this part let us know that Mitch was going to  die, it was obvious. But to find out how he died or too see if it was said in a literal way we had to continue reading. After I read that line I automatically knew Mitch was going to die, but i didn't know how or what the cause would be. Would he just stop breathing? Or would something happen that made him be emotionless and depressed?

2)The author focuses more on dialogue because that's mainly what this book is about, their conversations. I think that dialogue was a good choice because it gives us a better understanding of how and why Morrie was so well liked. He was just a caring and loving man. Also, some of the things he said made an impact on people. For example reading about all the suffering this man went through and yet he still had a positive thought of the world made me think twice about complaining about the little things.

3) The setting of the book was a tool that i believed help set a mood. They are in the lonely,empty,quite house of a dying man.Yet its somehow peaceful? Its a sad house because someone who is loved is dying and he can't do anything for himself. yet its peaceful because he is okay with dying. He knows it was bound to happen and he is accepting it. He doesn't stress about the things he has no control over, which is something that most of us do.

4) I think the authors attitude was to try to inspire you and think twice about life? Because Morrie was dying and he was still happy with his life and he didn't get depressed over it; he accepted it and made the best of what life he had best. Some of us cant deal with one little thing going wrong n our lives and we get upset and depressed so let this man be an example. He couldn't eat solid food, he couldn't walk, he couldn't use the restroom on his own, he couldn't shower himself and yet he found a way to make the best out of his situation.

5) Mitch mentions that Morrie was in a few episodes of "Nightline" but it didn't change my way of thinking, I still found Morrie very inspiring. I feel like I'm sounding repetitive, but I don't know any other way to put it, he was inspiring! Life gave him a reason to give up and yet he didn't

• Enduring Memory

I know this is cliché but enjoy and appreciate life because you really don't know when things will go bad like they did for Morrie. He was a happy, hard working, healthy man and then his health started going downhill. Yes, you might be going through a hard situation, and I'm sorry whatever it might be, but there is someone who has it worse . There is someone who has it better, and this is true but we need to start being thankful for what we do have and stop worrying about what we could have and what we want, especially if they are wants and not needs.

MELANCHOLY GRAD

To graduate or not to graduate, that is the question? Is it easier to just stay to just stay in high school rather than experience the real world? To stay stuck with all the drama and all the pointless testing, instead of dealing with the inevitable.
I say to heck with that! We are class of 2014 and we want to be successful! In order to make that happen we must act , or would you rather wonder " what could of been if..." for the rest of your life ? No ! We must get our act together and go to college! we are the future; its all in our hands!

To Be Or Not To Be

- I've read this many times since its been assigned to us and i still don't understand it. This is MY Personal interpretation, so yeah it won't be perfect.


Original :
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep
No more; and by a sleep, to say we end
The Heart-ache, and the thousand Natural shocks
That Flesh is heir to? 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep,
To sleep, perchance to Dream; Aye, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes Calamity of so long life:
For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of time,
The Oppressor's wrong, the proud man's Contumely,
The pangs of despised Love, the Law’s delay,
The insolence of Office, and the Spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his Quietus make
With a bare Bodkin? Who would Fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered Country, from whose bourn
No Traveller returns, Puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of.
Thus Conscience does make Cowards of us all,
And thus the Native hue of Resolution
Is sicklied o'er, with the pale cast of Thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment,
With this regard their Currents turn awry,
And lose the name of Action. Soft you now,
The fair Ophelia? Nymph, in thy Orisons
Be all my sins remembered.
.


Translation :
Should i act or should i not act?
Is it better to live through
the troubles of misery,
or to stand against this devastating force,
do i Die to end the pain; to imagine it no longer
To end the pain that is to come that we will all suffer?
Many of us want to live without these troubles.
To imagine or to think; but thinking is not acting, and what regrets may we have 
by those of us who refuse to act,
i have to recognize. To overcome great obstacles, 
and earn the respect of the people around me.
Not all people choose to act;
To give in to the orders of the dictator
Not take risks and live a sad life,
and then end their own misery.
what is better,
a miserable existence, 
or challenges that you take and can not change.
These are decisions that most if not all people fear,
which makes me think more about my decision;
to keep silent and ignore my troubles
or to face them, unlike most.

b) I would act in a way that would benefit me and those closest to me, which would be to just go with my conscience. I would want to better myself and the situation.

c) Like i said I would choose to better and change myself. Lately, I've just been stressing too much about the future, which is something that i have to prepare myself for. In this case i have to make the choices that are best for me and not consider people around me as much; its my future and if the outcome is good or bad , I'll have to deal with it not them so I must go with what is best for me. 

Vocab #7

1) Cursory-going rapidly over something, without noticing details

2) Impetus- a moving force; impulse; stimulus 

3) Pinnacle -the highest or culminating point as of success, power or fame

4) Contumely -insulting display of contempt in words or actions; humiliating treatment 

5) Bereavement -a period of mourning after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one

6) Cache -a hiding place, especially one in the ground, for ammunition, food, treasures

7) Consummation -to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill

8) Calamity -a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury

9) Avarice -insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth

10) Fortify -to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.

11) Erratic -deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion; eccentric

12) Ubiquitous -existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent

13) Fortitude -mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously

14) Nonchalant -coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual 

15) Affect -to act on; produce an effect or change in

16) Effect -something that is produced by an agency or cause; result

17) Misappropriate -to put to a wrong use.

18) Pragmatic -of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations 

19) Metacognition -higher-order thinking that enables understanding, analysis, and control of one’s cognitive processes, especially when engaged in learning

20) Devoutly -devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious