Red Hot Writing

thINK Assignment # 3

2010-12-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

In a society where sex sells everything from food to cars, we should not be surprised by hearing that pregnancy seems to be the new trend for teenagers. Who or what is to blame for this? The media, one of the largest influences for teenagers, continues to glorify sex and ignore responsibility and therefore should be held partially responsible. The world’s view of teen pregnancy is constantly transforming, along with media’s representation of teen sex and pregnancy.

Teen pregnancy hasn’t always been as popular as it is today. In the 1970s and 1980s, teenage pregnancy rates in the United States reached all time lows due to the availability of contraceptives. But, between 2005 and 2006, teenage pregnancy rates began to increase again. This rise in sexual content on television is diluting teens’ morals and common sense. While teenagers having sex is realistic, they way it is portrayed on television is not. With well-known role models such as Bristol Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears getting pregnant at such young ages, teenagers see pregnancy as being more acceptable.

The biggest problem with media is the glamorization of teen sex and teen pregnancy. One popular television show among teens, Sixteen and Pregnant, shows documentaries of young pregnant girls’ lives. Some may argue that this show is sending a message attempting to prevent pregnancy, but how can that be true when MTV is paying these girls to be on their television show? If this program is sending any message to teenage girls, it’s more of a “Hey! Get pregnant, call us, and we’ll pay you to be on our television show!” kind of message.

Television shows are downplaying the effects of pregnancy by showing it as a “rainbows and butterflies” situation. These teens on television have children, and their lives somehow seem peaceful and perfect. They have a precious little angel to love and to hold whenever they desire. But why aren’t teens being shown that having a child is not easy? Is it fair to give them a fake idea? Are we at fault for the majority of millions of teen pregnancies each year for allowing media to continue with this mess?

Teen pregnancy is clearly an important issue today. We need to move past the moral panic and denial that often alter ideas of the issue and see that it is realistic for teens to be sexually active. We must quit showing teen pregnancy as fun and easy, and give an honest example for teens to learn from.

thINK Assignment # 2

2010-11-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

In the United States, drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death. What are the consequences of drunk driving? Depending on the state in which the driver was caught, punishment ranges from a fine and license suspension to a short jail sentence of 2-4 days and probation for perhaps 3 years. While the punishments may seem to be somewhat severe, they certainly do not prevent drunk drivers from becoming repeat offenders.

One increasingly common device used to attempt to prevent repeat offending drunk drivers is the ignition interlock device (IID), which is installed into the driver's vehicle and requires a breath sample before the car will start. If alcohol is detected on the driver's breath, the car will not start. The IID may be effective in preventing the driver from driving his/her vehicle while drunk, but does that stop the driver from driving another vehicle while drunk? Absolutely not.

Does suspending a drunk driver's license prevent him/her from driving drunk again? NO. It was recently found that 50-75% of drunk drivers with suspended licenses continue to drive. So, how do we stop drunk drivers and how should punishment be intensified? Authorities have found that sobriety checkpoints and zero tolerance laws have decreased the number of alcohol-related fatalities. But, when a drunk driver is caught, serious action is not being distributed. More often than not, serious action against drunk drivers is not being taken until a life has been ended.

The punishment for driving drunk should be more harsh than it is now. Jail time for six moths, probation for 2-3 years, admission to a rehabilitation center, and license suspension for a year should all be included in the sentencing of a drunk driver. Some may say that these consequences are too harsh, but there is no excuse for driving drunk.

According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Organization, in 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). The worst part about this statistic? Every one of these accidents could have been prevented. If a person is planning on drinking alcohol, he could simply stay the night where he is or have a sober friend drive him home. Both of which could save his life and maybe someone else's.

thINK assignment #1

2010-11-12T03:49:00.000-08:00

What would you do if your 11 year old child died from an asthma attack at school because the "zero tolerance" policy adopted by his school didn't allow him to carry an inhaler? Or maybe if your six year old child was suspended from school for 45 days for bringing a Cub Scout camping utensil to school to eat his lunch with?

Zero tolerance policies were created to promote safety by punishing both major and minor offenses severely. This severe punishment is usually suspension for a long period of time or even expulsion. Supporters of the zero tolerance policy believe that by treating minor cases ridiculously, students will frightened into conformity. One example is a honor-roll student who was expelled for possessing fingernail clippers in school.

Some may say that zero tolerance policies are required to create an appropriate environment, but that is certainly not the case. Many schools that have adopted zero tolerance policies are finding that the crime levels in the schools have remained the same for the last thirty years. But, the number of students suspended has nearly doubled, along with the dropout rates. Students often feel trapped, as if in jail, while attending zero tolerance schools. Also, with expulsion being the main punishment, it seems that dropping out school is the only option for a lot of students.

According to usatoday, "Even many supporters say the get-tough effort too often fails to differentiate between good kids who make the typical mistakes of adolescence and the unruly delinquents who can bring learning to a standstill." How can students learn from their mistakes if they are severely punished for something as small as having fingernail clippers at school? Students should be at least given a couple chances before being expelled from school. But, the unforgiving zero tolerance policies do the exact opposite.

Book Reviews

2009-12-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

Being a super busy junior, I don't have very much time to set aside for reading. But, I try to read whenever I have a little bit of free time. This semester, the types of books I've read range from easy, entertaining reads to harder, more complex reads. Some that I have read are Willow, Change of Heart, Dreamland, and The Awakening.

Willow, by Julia Hoban, is a simple yet emotional book that I couldn't put down until I was finished. This book is about a seventeen year old girl, Willow, who loses both of her parents in a terrible accident. Overwhelmed with guilt, Willow's only way to cope is cutting herself...until she meets Guy, who refuses to give up on her. Even through the extremely graphic cutting scenes, I was completely captivated by this book. I definitely recommend this book to everyone-teenagers, parents, teachers. It teaches many different important lessons about how people cope with problems differently and how you can help them to find a new way to deal with their emotions.

Whenever I'm in serious need of a book, I just go searching for Jodi Picoult because she does an amazing job of telling stories. Recently, I finished her book Change of Heart and it's my favorite so far. One reason why I liked this book so much is because it is very similar to one of my favorite movies, The Green Mile. Also, it was told by three different characters which kept the book in constant motion. This story is about a carpenter, Shay Bourne, who killed June Nealon's police officer husband and young daughter. He is sentenced with the death penalty, and while on death row began to perform various miracles in prison. Soon after, Bourne became known as "the Death Row Messiah." Almost 10 years after the murders, June's daughter Claire is in serious need of a heart transplant, and Shay Bourne wants to do anything he can to give her his heart. Is Shay Bourne the next Messiah? And does he find a loophole through which he can donate is heart to the sister/daughter of the innocent people that he murdered 10 years earlier? (2 Books)

Another book I read was The Awakening by Kate Chopin. It is a classic based on the struggle of a woman living in the 1800s who realizes that she isn't happy with her wife/mother only role in life. While it's usually hard for me to read classics, this one was very easy for me to read and understand. The It isn't a book I would recommend as a fun, entertaining read, but it is a book I recommend if you are trying to deepen your thinking skills.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen is about a girl named Caitlin who always lived in the footsteps of her older sister, Cass. Cass was perfect, two weeks away from going to college at Yale. Caitlin's sister had what seemed like everything...until one day when she ran away from home. Without Cass around, Caitlin began to find herself. She started dating a "perfect" guy, Rogerson, and slipped into a dreamland where nothing seemed real. I recommend this book to everyone, even though it is extremely depressing and very raw at times.

2009-11-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

Sentence 12

2009-10-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

His sentence: I cleaned up their tent and rolled up their hammocks-they all slept in hammocks.

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

The hyphen connects two independent clauses in which the second clause clarifies the first one.

My sentence: She quietly slid out her window and took off running, not stopping until she reached the hill-the friends always met at the top of the hill.

Sentence 11

2009-10-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

His sentence: They were funny-looking people: long hair, strange clothes, weighed down with fancy earrings and bracelets.

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

In this sentence, a colon is used to start a list of adjectives that described the subject of the first clause.

My sentence: They were incredibly creepy: dark blue cloaks, hidden faces, never talked.

Sentence 10

2009-10-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

His sentence: When we die, if we have lived good lives, our spirits float free of the earth, cross the stars and galaxies, and come at last to a world at the other side of the universe-Paradise.

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

This is a cumulative sentence, because it uses many parallel phrases, to build up to the ultimate end, Paradise. The dash before the word "Paradise" is used to make the word stand out.

My sentence: We got up early that morning, drove out of the town, continued for hours, and finally reached our beautiful destination-Florida.

Sentence 9

2009-10-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

His sentence: They were terrified of me...Darren Shan...a monster.

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

The series of periods quickly and vividly describe the character. In this case, a monster.

My sentence: They envied him...John Tucker...the womanizer.

Sentence 8

2009-10-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

His sentence: And before it snapped-had there been the slightest rustling sound, like something moving?

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

The sentence begins with a conjunction and a dash to add to the fearful and confused thoughts of the character. The character is questioning what he thinks he has heard.

My sentence: But right before the phone rang-had there been a "thump" sound outside, like someone had stumbled by the living room window?

Sentence 7

2009-10-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

His sentence: I'd always rather the truth-however unpleasant it might be-than a lie.

From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

The thought within the set of dashes is used to emphasize the importance of the truth; rather than being told a lie just to avoid unpleasant feelings.

My sentence: Eric would never tell his friends-no matter the circumstances-what he had done.

Sentence 6

2009-10-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

His sentence: If I'd run away, the misery could have lasted forever: they might have lived the rest of their lives hoping I'd come back, searching, believeing I would one day return.

From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

The use of a colon connects two independent clauses. In the second clause, parallel structure is used, "hoping...searching...believing." This creates some stability in the sentence and also proves the relevance of the first clause.

My sentence: If he hadn't left, they could have been happy together: they might have continued on like normal, talking, laughing, and loving together.

Sentence 5

2009-10-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

His sentence: But ordinary humans...I could rip them apart in a second.

From The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan

The series of periods is used to show the writer's pause in thought in order to put emphasis on the following clause.

My sentence: But my brother...I wanted to rip his head off.

Sentence 4

2009-10-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

His sentence: The goat would die in the end, if we left it-there was no cure for Madam Octa's bite-but we shall finish it quickly.

From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

The set of dashes interrupts the thought to explain what is going on; why the goat would die.

My sentence: We thought we would never get out-the haunted house was a maze-but we finally found our way to the much-anticipated end.

Sentence 3

2009-10-12T16:58:00.001-07:00

His sentence: Mr. Crepsley produced a shiny tin whistle-he called it a flute-from his pants a blew a few short notes.
From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

The use of dashes interrupts the writer's initial thought, further describing the "shiny tin whistle" to make it easier for the reader to understand the instrument.

My sentence: Taylor got out an elaborate necklace-it was made of diamonds and white gold-from her purse and fastened it around her neck.

Sentence 2

2009-10-12T16:41:00.001-07:00

His Sentence: The ladies who had hypnotized the wolf-man came out with two carts full of food: cakes chips, hamburgers, packages of candy and heads of cabbage.
From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan.

The colon is used set off a list describing a noun from the independent clause before it.

My Sentence: The girls who had skipped school to shop finally left the mall carrying shopping bags full of new things: shirts, pants, skirts, shoes, and accessories.

Sentence 1

2009-09-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

His Sentence: I don't blame them: he would have sqaushed them flat as a pancake if he fell.

From Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan.

The use of a colon in the sentence connects two independent clauses in which the second clause intensifies the first.

My Sentence: I didn't undersand: she always had the solution for everything.

DESiGN...

2009-06-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

What exactly is design?

Design is something that everyone does every day. We may not always realize it, but design has become a huge part of business. As Daniel Pink says in A Whole New Mind, "decent quality and reasonable price have become merely table stakes in the business game."

While design might be a good thing, it can also be negative. We, as people, often care more about the way things look than what we are actually getting out of a product. In our society, we only pay attention to the outside, and simply ignore the rest.

After reading the chapter on design, I pay more attention to what a product is going to do for me than what the product looks like. Just because something appeals to the eye doesn't mean that it is more useful than another product that is less appealing.

MY SOPHOMORE YEAR...

2009-05-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Whoah, this year has flown by!

My first year of high school is over. It's hard to believe that in two years, I will be out of high school, and kicked out into the "real world."

Although this year has been very stressful, with all the crazy homework assignments, we made it. The best part of ending this year is that I'm done with the most horrible class ever. Yep, you guessed it......chemistry.

I'm also very excited because my sister just graduated. In August, she'll be moving out and going to college. I'm sure I'll miss her, maybe just a little bit. But it'll be great not having an extra mom in the house.

Well, that's pretty much all I have to say about this school year. Hope you have a great summer!(:

Of Mice and Men..

2009-05-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a book about George and Lennie, two traveling farmers during the depression. George is small and very intelligent, and Lennie is very big, mentally handicapped, and doesn't know his own strength.

After Lennie gets in some trouble, they have to run away from their last job, and find a new job on another ranch. All the while, they are trying to save up their money to get what they've always dreamed of, a place of their own.

Although the theme of this book didn't seem clear to me at first, I figured out it is a story of true companionship. Lennie is very hard to take care of. He is always causing trouble without intending to, yet George still sticks with him.

Of Mice and Men is a very short, easy read with a great story behind it. I definitely recommend it to everyone!

The House on Mango Street..

2009-05-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros was a very hard story for me to read. It confused me because there wasn't a story line. The story is told in vignettes, which are just snapshots of events. It wasn't a very easy story to follow.

The story is about a young girl named Esperanza living in the poor Latino part of Chicago. It tells of her many struggles, from her hair, to her family, to her developing responsibilities.

I have a hard time focusing when reading. This is why I don't like this book. It was so unconnected that I couldn't focus on what the story was really about. This book might be good for someone looking for a quick, easy read, but other than that, I do not recommend this book.

Thirteen Reasons Why

2009-05-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

In Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, Clay Jensen returns home to find a shoebox of seven cassette tapes by his front door. Each side of a tape is the story of one person, a reason why Hannah Baker committed suicide. Clay is on the list, but doesn't know why.

With a map of the town and the seven tapes, Clay visits all the places that Hannah mentioned on the tapes. Althought Clay doesn't really want to hear what the tapes say, he can not stop playing them until he is finished. This is exactly how I felt while reading this book...I just couldn't put it down!

This book teaches a very important lesson....No matter how insignificant your actions may seem, they can still affect others in huge ways. After reading this book, I think before I say or do something. I recommend this book to absolutely everyone!

THE GiVER..

2009-04-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

In The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas is raised in a "perfect" society. Where Jonas lives, there is no unhappiness, no love, no illness, no violence, and absolutely no freedom. When Jonas turns twelve, he is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories. The Receiver of Memories bears all the past memories for the community.

As Jonas is receiving memories, he learns of war, color, trees, and snow. Jonas begins to learn that the "perfect" society he is living in isn't all that perfect. The people have no freedom to make any choices for themselves. He must choose between his world of sameness and the real world.

I recommend this book to anyone, young or old. Lowry shows the significance of memory. To get rid of pain, the community first had to get rid of memory. Would you sacrifice your memory to keep yourself from experiencing pain?

ANiMAL FARM..

2009-04-30T12:29:00.001-07:00

Before reading Animal Farm by George Orwell, I thought all books with animals as characters were pointless and goofy. Animal Farm definitely surprised me. It's usually hard for me to understand history. But, the way Orwell made the characters into animals made it easy for me to understand the Russian Revolution.

In this book, the animals have been overworked and underfed. They get tired of being mistreated and start a revolt against the people. Eventually, the animals take over the farm and begin to run it by themselves.

A conflict arises between the two main pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. One pig takes over and makes the rest of the farm miserable. He begins to give the best to himself and makes conditions much worse for all the other animals. In the end, the animals can't tell the difference between the pigs and the people, which is a very meaningful statement.

I learned a lot about communism from this book, and definitely recommend it.

MY FAVORiTE TECHiE TOOL.

2009-04-17T02:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite techie tool is blogging. As technology is advancing, the methods of teaching are too. Why do I like blogging so much? Because it...

allows students to access work from anywhere
provides a way for students to communicate with teachers and other students
is a great tool to keep up with assignments
allows people to express their thoughts
lets you view other people's opinions

So far, blogging is definitely my favorite techie tool, for these reasons and many more!

ANTHEM EXCERPT..

2009-04-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Equality must have lived a very hard life. With the way our present-day society is, I cannot imagine living without all the different emotions, thoughts, and even actions that Equality had to live without. Without hope, life would not have a purpose. Without a purpose, the people would have nothing to live for. Also, there was no “I.” These people had always been taught to care for everyone else, not themselves. They were always so busy trying to care for their brothers that they did not even have time to think about themselves. This is why the life expectancy was so short. The people did not have family and friends to help support them along their life journey either. They were deprived of so many different things that we take for granted. If these people had other people that truly cared about them, they might have lived longer, and accomplished more.

SPRiNG BREAK..

2009-04-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

My spring break was pretty good. I realized, once again, how boring Batesville really is (especially when most people are gone somewhere else). It was still fun though. I got to go shopping with my two best friends and hung out with people I hadn't been around in a long time. Oh, and I went to my friend's quinceañera. I had definitely never seen anything like that before. The best part of spring break was being out of school. No more homework, no more stress, and most importantly, no more drama. The only bad thing is, now I'm wanting summer to hurry up and get here!

MY PERFECT WORLD...

2009-03-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Batesville High School.....The perfect place to be, right? Not at all. How does a small town filled with drama sound? ..not exactly my "cup of tea."

This small town school is filled with many selfish, rude, obnoxious people. There is absolutely nothing to do in Batesville, so girls often result to making up rumors about each other to stay entertained.

This school could use a lot of perfecting. To make school perfect there would have to be no selfish people. If everyone cared about everyone else, there would be less problems. No more rumors, no more fights, no more drama!

Teachers? Well, most of the teachers are great. But school gets very stressful when your teachers get mad at you for just asking a simple question. Some teachers expect you to already know everything, and if you don't, it doesn't affect them a bit. So, if the teachers were more understanding, that'd be great.

Last but not least, I would bring Taylor back. School just isn't the same without her.

I know that school will never be perfect, especially in Batesville. But with these ideas, i think BHS would be one step closer.

ANTHEM..

2009-03-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

How would you like to live in a society where the word "I" is forbidden? In Anthem by Ayn Rand, Equality 7-2521 is in this exact situation. There is absolutely no individuality, everything they do, they done as "we". The people were not allowed to choose anything for the future of their lives. They were forced into certain jobs, did not have families, and seemed completely miserable.

Equality 7-2521 was one of the very few people who dared to be different. He was smarter than the others, which is not allowed. He soon learned that he had to escape this chaotic world. He wanted to be able to be himself, and would not stop until he could.

I would recommend this book to others because Ayn Rand teaches a great lesson, how important it is to just be yourself.

iMPULSE..

2009-03-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

"It's called Aspen Springs, and it's the place where you go when you've reached the end."

This is how Ellen Hopkins begins to tell the story of three teenagers who are stuck at Aspen Springs, in her book Impulse. This book teaches a great lesson about teen suicide and abuse. Depressing? Yes, it is. But, there are still many valuable lessons to be learned.

The story is told in three different point of views, Vanessa, Tony, and Conner. Each of the characters have experienced some type of abuse. Whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual, the abuse has caused each of the teenagers to attempt suicide. The teens are in a psychiatric facility, Aspen Springs, where they undergo therapy so that someday they might be able to live a normal life.

The split up point of views and Ellen Hopkins's unique free verse writing style make this seemingly long book a very easy read. The verse also lets the reader see into the minds of the teens and all the trauma each has been through.

Each stay at Aspen Springs ends at level four, a survival course. Read to find out if these damaged teenagers can make it through level four, get out of Aspen Springs, and get back to their normal lives. I loved this book, and I know you will too!

CALL OF THE WiLD

2009-02-17T23:04:00.000-08:00

Jack London was the first of his kind. He was a famous writer when he was alive. His works of art we’re adored during his short lifetime of 40 years.

In The Call of the Wild, London uses Buck, a southern farm dog, to embody the struggle for freedom and the climax of life. Buck is a prideful animal that is removed from his luxurious home and taken to the Northland to serve as a sled dog.

Buck learns that to survive he must out think, out persevere, and he must be stronger than all the other dogs. The Call of the Wild shows Buck as a highly human-like animal. London’s details in the book are crystal clear.

I was constantly entwined in The Call of the Wild’s story. I suspect you will be as well.

ANTiGONE

2009-02-17T22:57:00.000-08:00

Sophocles’ tale of family disputes and decisions has endured the test of time. Antigone’s essential characters are Antigone, Ismene, and King Creon.

Creon has punished Antigone’s brother, Polynices, to rot on the streets where he fell to his brother, Eurydice. The punishment for performing funeral rites for Polynices is death, as he was declared an enemy of the state.

Antigone must choose between death and respect for family. Ismene must choose between death and helping her sister.

This book isn't the kind of book I would usually choose to read. But, it was a lot better than I expected. This short, easy read has many valuable lessons for the reader to learn, such as taking a stand for what you know is right.

TAKiNG A STAND

2009-02-02T23:53:00.000-08:00

Being a teenager, taking a stand is not always easy. A few weekends ago, I went to a party with one of my best friends. When we got there, everyone else had been drinking. Most of the people were so drunk they couldn't stand up straight. One phrase I heard over and over again that night was "Come on, nobody will know if ya'll drink." My friend and I just refused, and said we didn't want to.

I've always been taught not to drink, because it only leads to worse things. Eventually, my friend and I just called her grandma to come pick us up. We came home without touching a drop of alcohol. It was hard to just leave all our friends at the party, but we knew it was what we needed to do.

When you get in a tough situation that challenges what you believe in, do you simply give in, or take a stand for what you know is right?

SOPHOMORE YEAR.

2008-12-19T23:37:00.000-08:00

After finishing my first semester of high school, I have realized that it is not as bad as I thought it would be. I thought that tenth grade would be just a replay of seventh grade....Being the youngest ones, getting lost, not knowing the teachers, leaving junior high, and starting all over just seemed so hard.

But, it's really not that bad. This first semester flew by so fast, its almost like I was walking into that big, scary maze of hallways for the first time just yesterday. High school is definitely different than junior high, but I've adjusted to it now.

The best part of high school is that most of the students are more mature now. There aren't as many pointless fights, and there's way less drama. In junior high, it seemed like people would get bored, so they would simply try to pick fights with other people...Just because they had nothing better to do. But this year, there hasn't been any of that, so everyone is getting along most of the time.

The hardest part of high school is constantly hearing about the future. I've realized how fast time flies by. It's hard to believe that in two and a half years, I will graduate and leave everything and everyone that I'm used to being surrounded by. But, hopefully that will be another start of something great...like starting high school has been.

JULiUS CAESAR...LEADERSHiP.

2008-12-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

In the book there are many bad examples of leaders. The bad: Cassius and Brutus.

Cassius, the "leader" of the conspirators, shows that he is merely a manipulative, devious, self - ambitious politician.

Cassius manipulates the weak-minded Brutus by convincing him to murder one of his dear friends. A true leader wouldn't manipulate other people to do his "dirty work" for him. Obviously, Cassius is not a good example of leadership.

Brutus also proved that he wasn't fit to be a leader. Brutus was gullible, weak, and naive. Nobody wants a push-over to be their leader. Brutus was such a fool that he was convinced to stab one of his best friends in the back...literally.

These are two of the worst examples of leaders in the book. Cassius was very devious..and Brutus fell hook, line, and sinker for Cassius's plan.

HABiT 5! :]

2008-11-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

I have learned many lessons from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. The most important lesson I've learned is to "Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood." This statement means that you should get to know a person, and his/her problems before you try to tell them how to solve the problem. Of course, all of us want to be understood by someone. The best way to show someone that you really care is to listen to them.

Like many people do, I often try to help to solve other peoples' problems, before I even understand what's really going on. As Covey says, you have two ears and one mouth. Why is that?? Well, its quite simple. We should listen more, and talk less. If you don't really understand a person, you can't help them. Also, it's not always our job to give advice. Sometimes, a person just needs someone to listen to them, and not tell them what they should do with THEIR life.

So, I hope that I can really utilize this habit, and become a better listener. But first, I have to learn how to shut my mouth... :]

NOW? OR lATER?

2008-11-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens , the third of these seven habits is "Putting First Things First." In this chapter, the author Sean Covey divides the different ways people spend their time into four different quadrants. These four quadrants are the Procrastinator (1), the Prioritizer (2), the Yes-Man (3), and the Slacker (4).

Before reading this, I already knew that I am a procrastinator. But, until now, I never realized how bad it really was. I do what a lot of teens do...I slack off for most of the semester, and at the end, right before grades come out, stress myself out trying to make up for it. I have learned that this will only hurt me in the long run. I have decided to stop procrastinating, stop being lazy, and start putting my all into everything that I do

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the positive change that this decision is going to present in my life..

Dear Mr. President...

2008-10-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

If I could vote in the 2008 election, I would definitely vote for John McCain. I think in his many years of military service, McCain has gained some very valuable knowledge about what the United States is struggling with, and how to solve the problems our country is dealing with. As everyone knows, the war in Iraq is currently one of those huge problems. I agree with McCain that committing our troops means completing the mission. For the good of the U.S. citizens, I think we should finish out what we started in Iraq. Many people fear that if the U.S. troops were to be just pulled out of Iraq, it would cause more problems in the United States. I also think that McCain made a great choice in picking Sarah Palin as a running mate. She seems like a very intelligent, assertive woman. Through all of the arguments about being a mother, she still remained strong and stood up for herself and her children. I think that this will bring in the votes of many people who are hoping to get more females involved in politics.

SCi-Fi AS A GENRE...

2008-09-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

For English 10, I read The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. Using this novel as a basis for other sci-fi books, I would recommend sci-fi as a must-read genre. This was the first sci-fi book I've read, and I was very impressed with the way it was written. Had I been asked before reading this book, I would have said that sci-fi was freaky and boring. At first, I was confused about where the story was headed, but as I continued reading, i began to get a better understanding of the sci-fi genre. Although I used to think that science fiction was a dumb, pointless genre, now, I definitely support!

NO FEAR....TESS iS HERE!

2008-09-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Tess is a fearless superhero who helps in the endless war against the little pests we all know as.....BOYS. Tess's friends, Ray-Anne and Hollywood also are a part of this battle. Tess, Hollywood, and Ray-Anne are always saving the little girls from the annoying little boys. Boys everywhere are always irritating the little girls, insisting on being their so-called "boyfriends." Tess has a very useful superpower. She can turn any person into any living thing of her choice. She uses this power to go against the boys because if there is a bad one, she can simply turn him into a flower, which not only gets rid of that boy, but also helps make the world a prettier place. All the little girls look up to Tess, their everyday hero. The girls look up to her unbelievable beauty, and appreciate her help in getting rid of the boys. Tess is a very powerful woman, and loves working together with her companions Hollywood and Ray-Anne.