Thursday, May 26, 2011

Research Paper

The topic for my research paper is The March of Dimes.  I chose this topic because I knew absolutely nothing about it when I saw it written on the board. 
     I have learned many things about the March of Dimes, but my main focus was how it affected children.  Turns out that people walk a certain distance and donate money, and the money goes to the research of how to prevent premature pregnancies and birth defects.  It also goes toward helping unstable mothers with their newborn children.
     This topic answers the question "In the face of dehumanization, how do faith and resiliency validate the human spirit?" by giving money to people whos spirits may have been broken.  This really shows that somebody does care for them and their unborn child and that they are not alone.
     I couldnt have chosen a better topic.

Junior vs. Senior

     I feel that junior year was just a taste of what it will be like senior year... only senior year is better.  My junior year wasnt all that great due to drama and stuff, but overall, i wouldnt have changed it because it was my first year at BHS and i love all of the people that i met and the friends that i made.
     This being said, i CANNOT WAIT for senior year.  Leaving for lunch, parking in the senior parking lot, GRADUATING!!! Well, what could be better??
     But honestly, I am scared to death of being a senior.  I will have so many more responsibilities when i graduate.  My schedule will be completely thrown off because, every day, from 8-3 I will not be at school as i have been for the past 13 years.  I am scared. To. Death.
     But i guess we will just have to wait and see what senior year at Batesville High School brings me.

Anthem by Ayn Rand

     The book Anthem by Ayn Rand is a very complex book.  It took me a while to understand but once you get into it, the message and the story is undeniable.
     Anthem is about a man who, literally, has no name, no individuality, no way to recognize himself.  And the worst part is, every person in this book is like that.  They live in a society and time where the word "I" literally does not exist.  They live for eachother, and only their brothers, are never allowed to be selfish or even think selfish thoughts ever because the punishment is death.
     But one man invents something dire to the human race, something that has been taken away from humanity.  The only problem is that he wasnt supposed to invent it, wasnt supposed to try to be smarter than any other man.  So he tries to find a way to present it to the public, and when he does, he cant deny that it is a brilliant plan.  But when he tries it, it doesnt work so well.
     I would reccomend this book for everyone because it shows the important of individuality, pride, and, sometimes, selfishness.

Night by Elie Wiesel

     The book Night by Elie Wiesel is truly a touching story.  I completely fell in love with the story and the characters in this book because the imagery used really makes you visualize what it was like living in the situation that he did.
    This book is about a boy whos family gets taken away from his home, forced to live in a ghetto, and then later is transferred to a plethora of concentration and death camps.  Elie's mother and sister are murdered pretty much as soon as they get to the camp, but him and his father last until almost liberation.  But right before the camps are liberated, his father becomes exhausted and perishes.
     This book is so touching because Elie writes it as a firsthand experience, and it makes you realize that this stuff really did happen and it was truly horrible.  When i picked up this book and started reading, I could feel the cold nights the prisoners slept on the ground, and the constant hunger they felt.  I could see the smoke coming out of the chimney where people were burned, I could taste the horrible food they were forced to eat day in and day out. 
     I would reccomend this book to anyone to read because it makes you realize how truly lucky you are to have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in at night and food on the table every night.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

     The book Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer is a very intriguing book.  I loved this book because it brings the epic Twilight seried to an ending... although the fact that it had to end is quite depressing. 
     The main character in this book, Isabella Swan (A.K.A. Bella) marries her fiance, Edward, who also happens to be a vampire.  But Bella does not let this falter her love for him (or their newborn child!) even the slightest bit.  Edward and Bella somehow become pregnant and Bella almost dies giving birth to Renesmee, her half human/half vampire daughter.
     Everything is looking well and Bella is loving being a mother and a wife until one day the Volturi, a vampire clan that is equal to royalty, comes to destroy her family because of a misunderstanding within a family friends vision. 
     As the days count down to the Volturis' arrival, the family (Edward, Bella, Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, Emmet, Alice, and Jasper) prepare for battle with the help of their friends, the wolves, they ready themself for battle.  This book is a very good book, not just for people who like reading about vampires and werewolves, but also for people who like reading about love, because the love that Bella and Edward share is incomparable and truly heartwarming.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Night by Elie Wiesel

The book Night by Elie Wiesel is one of the most impacting books I have ever read.  I feel that since Elie was one of the prisoners in World War II he was able to portray the evils of the concentration camps even further than anyone else might have been able to.
     This book is about a young Jewish boy of only 14 named Eliezer Wiesel whos' family was taken away from their home first from their home to the ghetto, then from the ghetto to a concentration camp.  Nobody believed the rumors about the concentration camps and how horrible they were until they actually saw them.
     Within the first twenty four hours of being at the concentration camp called Auschwitz, Elie realizes the real evil of Adolf Hitler. In that short day, just that first twenty four hours, he is changed from an innocent boy to a responsible man, having seen all the starving children and other prisoners begging them to do what they can to get out of the camp while they still could. 
     Knowing what was really happening during these years, and seeing the war from a prisoners point of view really brings tears to my eyes.  I still do not understand how anything so harsh and soulless could be done to any person, no matter what the crime.  To read this book is to change your whole perspective.

Friday, March 11, 2011

One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin

     One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin is one of the best books I have ever read.  Throughout the whole book, I was on an emotional rollercoaster.  I cried, I laughed, and I was angry.
      The main character, Finn, has been best friends with Audrey for a long time.  Audrey is the only one that she can tell absolutely everything to and not have to worry about being judged.  But all of this changes when Finns' childhood bestfriend, Jersy, moves back to town.  Not only does Finn fall for him at first, but after a while Audrey does too.  Then one day, Jersy admits he likes Audrey back.  But after getting caught doing some not so nice stuff by her parents, Audrey is shipped off to her cousins house for the summer, both Jersy and Finn are left with nobody to hang with but eachother.  What happens with this summer is anyones guess...
     I really enjoyed this book and reccomend it to anybody.