Finally

Wow. Never slow down, huh? :)

Towards the beginning of the year, I was already an independent reader - however, I didn't have much time to read. Between marching band, family, my boyfriend, and volunteering? Time was really sparse. During the summer, I love to read. Pillars of the Earth was probably one of my favorite reads, along with Atlas Shrugged...See, I like long books! Both of those were over 1000 pages and I just loved loved loved them! The last book I read on my own, (just finished it a couple days ago!!) Pathfinder, was over 600 pages long:). I liked reading a lot of fiction then...I still do in all honesty! But, I have read some REALLY good non-fiction this year. I read Columbine and now I'm reading Odd Girl Out. They are both pretty good. Before this class, I would read whenever I could find a good solid few hours...I like reading in large chunks, not in small little increments. It drives me insane...I just need to know what will happen in a novel...you know? Reading on my own? I hoped to get my dad's chair. I love my dad's chair. It's totally awesome. It is really comfy and soft and he has wooly(his wool blanket...a family necessity) and you can see the entire house from that chair, you know? It's the greatest! :) I usually read when I was bored, or when I had a really good book and I just needed to finish it! Sometimes it's just necessary to finish a book...It's that good:).

Calm Before the Storm...

It's the FINAL week...isn't that a little weird? I'm starting to make plans for next week...and I can make them anytime I want. I HAVE that time to make plans...that's so confusing for me. It's like LC last night...when he got back from drum corp he had the hardest time MAKING DECISIONS. What am I going to do? I don't have anyone telling me where to go, what to do, when to do it....AH. Going home and having five hours of free time?!? (And that's if I'm in bed by eight!) That's insane...I hope I can make time to read:) That would be really awesome. Well, tomorrow I am heading to Towles middle school. I am a member of the LEAD program and we are going into middle schools to give mini-leadership seminars. I'm a little nervous about what to wear...because I need to dress up for band that day anyways...(last day of school before State competition!) ...but I don't want to look like I'm overdressed. Not to mention, it has to be something I can go to band practice in....sigh...tomorrow is going to be crazy..and today is just the calm before the storm. And here we go...

Diction Bingo!

This gives the impression of a fancy an intimidating lobby. - To Kill a Mockingjay - Number 9

He describes his childhood with the word "lousy" and a general introduction as "stuff that bores me." 
- Laughapalooza - Number 1

Aside from his connections with family the narrator reveals a pessimistic attitude towards the place he lives describing it as a "crumby place." - Bud in the Garden - Number 4


In the excerpt from Cather in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, utilizes a use of simple, but complex vocabulary. - XC 2012 - Number 6


In the excerpt from Catcher in the Rye, the conversational and common language and tone of the narrator helps to emphasize his apathetic views of life and the period of rebellion he has gone through. The narrator describes his parents as "quite touchy," before going right back and calling them "nice." Together his words help to show off his conflicting opinions about his parents and the period of growing that he seems to either be in the middle of or about to finish. His allusion to "all that David Copperfield kind of crap," display that while his words and phrases don't do well to portray his maturity, the fact that he pulls an allusion like that out of his hat alludes to him being more intelligent or more mature than he lets on in the first part of the book.

-The Best - Headlines

Practice Analysis

      In Nicholson Baker's The Mezzanine, the elevated descriptive language describes the eye for detail of the main character. When describing a simple he book, he states, "black Penguin paperback," when he could have just stated paperback. This description used by the author, describes the character as a descriptive and fastidious man or woman. The man noticed the "glossy highlights" on the "black rubber handrails" which further added to his fastidiousness. Continuing throughout the excerpt, the meticulous descriptions continue as well. After a side note describing lustrous items in his point of view, he continuous his descriptions of his "CVS" bag. Nicholson Baker's descriptive and elevated language describes a man who is quite fastidious.

Currently

Even though she uses a high language it has at the same time a hamonious and sweet sound to it. - UNDERWATER

McCandless and his quest to alaska. The words on the pages create a  language of denotative tone and sound almost journalistic as if I was reading a two hundred page newpapers article. -TheyCallMeFreshMoney

It is blunt and straight forward.  - Wolf Spot

First, giving a well painted vignette,  then introducing the main character, not directly though, simply through descriptive language with great indirectness. - For Lack of A Better Name

The tone is connotative because it has an emotional feel to it and it describes the poetic and lyrical emotions of young love. - T-Rex

I think Wolf Spot is my favorite becuase it is blunt and straight foward:) hahah:)

Books I read this week:

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

Pages I have read this week: 79 pages

Style Mapping

     In Stardust, Neil Gaiman uses a familar language, a picturesque tone and meloduous sound to the reader. In Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy writes with an elevated language, suggestive and descriptive tone with a grating sound to the reader. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley writes with an intricate language, descriptively figurative language and a harshly melodic sound. Blood Meridian and Frankenstein share the same descriptive tone and also some harshness. The description describes ruggid terrain with short words to help create a harsh sound to the reader. In Stardust and Frankenstein a meloduous sound is created. While Frankenstein also has a harsh sound, the harsh words flow together in a certain musicality, similar to Stardust. All three novels share an element of figurative language. All three authors began their novels with intricate words and exciting descriptions to help peak the reader's interest.

Quarterly

I have noticed this year that I tend to find the human factor in each novel. I like to know what each novel means in laymen terms. In my head, I turn almost every novel I read into a chat between to friends with the dorky "like" and awesomeness. It's hard to explain...but like...I try to make it an entertaining story to tell. That's what I have started to gain out of novels this semester.

The novel that was the most difficult for me to read was On the Road.  It was a difficult novel for me. The wording was a little heavy but even more, the theme was almost too intense for me! I feel as if I need to experience more of life to really understand it.

My goals for next quarter is to do more reading. This quarter was heavily monopolized by marching band...but given two weeks and it will no longer matter because the season will officially be over and I can return to making reading a daily occurence. My brain will love that:). My books will too:)!

E coli

...Learning about e coli. That's been my reading lately! See, I volunteer for lego league....kind of like a robotics team(: It's exciting. But, at the same time? dealing with a bunch of boys all the time? Growwwwwssss. Hahah, but they aren't that bad. E coli is a little nuts for a disease, you know? It can just infect everything...which is a bad day. Although, researching it makes me a little hungry...heehee:):):) about to head home from lego league to munch and munch:) Good night! Wash your hands to keep yourself safe from E coli!

Currently...from Tuesday:)

Total Pages this Week: 112 pages

Titles Read This Week:

All Grown Up by Jones

Sentences this week:

1. "Stop the machine." - On the Road

This was my all time favorite sentence this semester because in context it made NO sense. It just made me laugh :) It meant so much to me. :)

2. "Don't scream." - Lord of the Flies

....short sentences. My fave:) ...just don't scream.

3. "Fair is foul, fair is foul." - MacBeth

Describes the theme of the novel! AT THE BEGINNING.....It just blew my  mind.

An Arguement

You know you really enjoy a book when you can argue about it with a friend. Today during math a friend and I were talking about an essay we had to write in class....sad...but we were both like, YEAH! :) I used Wuthering Heights too! We both just couldn't write about Lord of the Flies! But we started arguing about Mr. Heathcliff and Mr. Linton...and Catherine. Oh Catherine. We both hate her. Wanna slap her or something, you know? Oh joy....Catherine's thoughts in simple words: "I don't like the way things are going for me! I'm going to thow a fit and get what I want" so, she deserves to be slapped. But, she's all like, " I love Mr. Heathcliff! And I'm like, grossss...." I don't really like either Mr. Linton or Mr. Heathcliff but Mr. Linton is obviously the better choice. He doesn't hang dogs for fun, so that's an automatic plus.

These crackers are good...are they real oysters?

All Grown UP!

I read this book as a favor to my mom. I have a little brother who is getting to that time in his life. That time, you know? And she has been really busy with her genealogy, not to mention, she doesn't really know what we learn and what we don't learn in sex education anymore. It's been a few years since she has been sitting in a class learning about this stttuuuufff....actually never, she told me. Sex education wasn't done at Homestead High School or Woodside Middle School in the seventies and early eighties. Shh...don't tell anyone her age:). Or just don't do the math and find out:). SO! Back on topic, I started reading this book for my mom. She wanted me to read it because she wanted to know if it would be alright for Brent to read. It was really all about growing up, not just sex and suchh. It talked about growth spurts and anatomy and acne and friends. It really did cover everything.
             
Although, I don't know how I feel about my brother getting so big! He's an eighth grader now! WOAH. When did THAT happen? I really don't know. I've been at home and watching him grow...hearing his voice start to crack...oh, how did I miss this? Maybe it was just to gradual to notice. I don't know if it's time for my little brother. Maybe I'm baised. He probably knows too much about all the things he shouldn't just because of school, movies, and books.

It's the society we live in. How can we keep our innocence when the whole world is bent against it? I have sheltered my brother for as long as I can...maybe it's time to gradually start letting him see the world...is it time? Oh...how can anyone tell if it is time...

Currently...

Books I have Read this Week:

All Grown Up by Sam Jones

Total Pages Read this Week: 112 pages

Sentences of the Week:

1. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." - MacBeth

2. "Don't scream." - Lord of the Flies

3. "He turned away to give them time to pull themselves together; and waited, allowing his eyes to rest on the trim cruiser in the distance." - Lord of the Flies

My sentences this week were honestly a little difficult to find. My favorite one (obviously number one) was just because it was kinda cool...I don't know how to describe it. That's pretty bad, I think. Really? I think that's common with me. I like something but I really can't tell anyone why. That gets to be pretty hard in AP Literature and stuff. I liked #2 because of how it was written in the novel. It had it's own line.
Don't scream.
It was pretty intense. Especially when you are reading the part of Lord of the Flies it is in. So. Intense. And #3 is the final sentence in Lord of the Flies. It is talking about how all of these children are crying from shock as they are brought away from the island and the captain of the ship just kinda is indifferent to it. Made me a little mad. But I thought it was pretty cool....just the way it was written. :)

'yeah, like julia childs!' ' i didn't know julia had a child'

Currently

"Stop the Machine" Jack Kerouac On The Road

"Proud people breed sad sorrow for themselves." Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights

"Unfortuneatly, it was a heap of dead rabbits." Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights

I really enjoyed these sentences....I read them now and still laugh a little, you know? I just giggle. Especially Jack Kerouac....Stop the Machine. What machine? They really never say! That also just makes me smile. :) All the quotes that really stuck with me were the funny ones...except the "sad sorrow" quote...that just kinda rung true with me. All the people that bother me in life are proud..and they will lead sad lives. That brings me a little bit of joy. :) 

Books Read This Week:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Pages Read this Week: 100 pages
Pages Read this Semester: 681 pages

A Good Author!

Ah! I was reading Wuthering Heights last night and I came upon a really cool realization. I was just thinking about what really makes an author a good author and I think I really figured it out. When I was reading Emily Bronte mentioned something about how this young boy was able to fall asleep even though others in the room were not sleeping. I just think that was such a unique idea....at least to write about. But, it happens all the time in life. People love to know others around them are asleep. When an author incorporates something so normal into a classic work of fiction, one can't help but really stop and think about it. Wow. It really was a special kinda moment for me, just because I was almost asleep. It just connected with me very well.

In this contemporary dance, choreographed by Mia Michaels, the varied confusion of the movement, pain and romance shown through the emotion, the regret expressed through the dull costume choice, and the dominating and aggressive use of space create a sense of lighthearted passion between the two dancers. 

                         

  -My Everyday Sticky Waffle

The Charles Dickens Version:
The professionalism, precision and characterization of Phantom Regiment allows for near-perfect execution of the show's wide range of emotional contrasts: from arrogance, showcased through forte, marcato music and condescending, violent choreography,  to romance, expressed through graceful movements and a lyrical ballad, to combativeness, conveyed through brassy hits, percussive rhythms and fast-paced, militaristic visuals, to lamentation, through quiet music and slow drill, finally to vengefulness, underscored in the musically and visually strong and powerful finale to the saga of Spartacus.

The Sparknotes Version:
Phantom Regiment's professional execution of the contrast between powerful, fortissimo fast-paced, militaristic style and the more lyrical, graceful, slow ballad underscores the emotional contrast between vengeful violence and sorrowful lost love.

-A Scrap of Parchment

Claim: On the album cover of Titus Andronicus's "The Airing of Grievances," the commanding, classic font and layout of the cover, as well as the cluttered and colorful use of space in the photograph convey the band's homely practice environment and admiration for the old-fashioned symbols of history.  

-The New Zealander

The joyful, eager horses run passionately to their peaceful destination which highlights the beauty of the cool, calm, and natural feel of this early fall morning. 

-Live, Laugh, Read

In Bérenger's black and white photograph, his dramatic contrast and enticing depth of field draw the viewer into the picture with active negative space that elevates the shadows from the composition to illustrate an ominous and mysterious mood.

-Kim's Corner

I found A Scrap of Parchment and Kim's Corner to be my favorites. I enjoyed A Scrap of Parchment because they included two versions of their claim:) That made me laugh. I enjoyed Kim's Corner's more because I felt their photo and their claim were very cohesive. The claim was meant to be describing that photo.:)

Ah :) finally getting time to read :) i wonder what is in store :) what will mr heathcliff unravel today? :)

My Super Intense Picture for my Claim

 

Space: even, centered

Color: contrasting, proud, aggressive

Lighting: outstanding, powerful

Shape: deep, round, attractive

Shadow: magnificent, elegant

CLAIM:

The centered spacing along with the powerful lighting in this photograph demonstrate the aggressively contrasting colors and intensely elegant shadows while highlighting the deep, attractive shape of the flower. 

TGIF:)

Just as I was arriving home from my Friday band rehersal, my parents were pulling out. Guess where they were going? Their Friday night date:) Every night without fail. Tonight, like always, my daddie asked my mommie if she would like to go out to dinner with him and where she would like to eat. They say that they switch every weekend who chooses the restaurant, however, my father has confided in me something quite different. He says, the trick is to "suggest" something. Then she'll say, "hmm...maybe...Mexican sounds good!" And to proceed from there. Just like the beginnnig of a romantic relationship, the man continues to woo the woman. :) So cute. I'm jealous. Anyways, on that note, I am leaving to go share dinner with my boyfriend and his family. I can't wait:). Everyone loves Panda Express. :)

Three Intense Poems

"Scheherezade" by Richard Siken

"History of Desire" by Tony Hoagland

"The Farewell" by Edward Field

The three poems I have chosen struck me as being very intense. The ideas, sometimes surrealism, that emerged in these poems startled me. The intense passion within the poem, "Scheheresade." depected a lovely seen between two people. The symbolism of common objects made me smile. Two couples just talking and hoping their passion will never fade. The poem, "History of Desire," just seemed to hit life right on the head. It was describing nostalgia, but also how some people are just so afraid of that and of the past. Why? The past can't hurt us, why not remember it?? All the good times really did make you who you are today. Lastly, "The Farewell," just right out and out SCARED me. That poem was so intensely creepy. ...just to "slip away" as the ice froze back over you. Eerie. Couldn't really forget that one. I may copy it into my Moleskein.

Currently

Books read this week:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Columbine by Dave Cullen

Total Pages read this week: 158 pages
Total Pages this semester: 581 pages

"Unluckily, it was a heap of dead rabbits." -Wuthering Heights

"No wonder the grass grows up between the flags, and cattle are the only hedge cutters." -Wuthering Heights

"Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves." Wuthering Heights

I don't know why, but Wuthering Heights really made me smile this week. The first quote listed is most definitely by favorite. It just....they led up to this quote great. A visitor was very unwelcome and he was just trying so hard to make converstation...and the lady of the house was just like, "uh no? It's dead rabbits, can't  you see??" I just about cried:)

One Down!

Well, I finally finished my first novel, Columbine. The author wrapped this novel up quite nicely. You figure, depressing book, at least a semi-depressing ending? Not so! The author clearly demonstrated how the people effected by this tragedy grew and became stronger people. Even those who were effected by the death of a loved one of the loss of mobility. After a couple years, no one was bitter. The strength that Dave Cullen demonstrated is outstanding! It was so touching. I'm sure everyone has gone through something they consider to be traumatic. But, this book really made me question how I handle things. Having a fight with a best friend...does that really compare to becoming a paraplegic? Does it? Or how about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? I just don't think that any trivial happening could really make such an impact now. The struggle they went through really made me re-evaluate my own struggles in life.

Currently

This Week I have read:

On the Road by Jack Kerouac
I Do, Don't I? Adapted by Catherine Clark

Total This Week: 100 pages
Total This Semester: 423 pages

Sentences of the Week:

1. "There is not uncertainty in that factor." - Modern Chemistry

2. "Where is my slow boat to China?" - On the Road

3. "Everyone goes home in October." - On the Road

Number 1 this week made me laugh. I love finding humor in my required reading. Number 2 is my new catch phrase. And Number three just rang really true to me this week...my brother is returning home in October:)

My Philosophy Lesson

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962). This is a quote that really gets me through some hard times... haha...it's kinda like a quote a band instructor of mine tells the band.  No one cares. Seeing that on the page you think, What?? An instructor would say that?!? Not to mention, it seems almost opposite of what Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt is saying. However, I think it begins to relate here. As he continues... No one cares if it hurts. No one wants to see the pain. They want to see the performance. No one cares if it is hard. They just want to be amazed. No one cares if you are confused. They just want to see something that will sweep them off their feet. People just want something easy...something that will make them happy. And even if it is a beautiful show, it will probably be criticized. So, don't listen. Push through and do what is right. The truth of any statement always prevails. It's like church, sometimes. The way you act at church isn't always the way you act on every other day of the week. Mind you, there are exceptions.  Anyways, he is an instructor that truly knows how to motivate people..and I think, sometimes, everyone needs a little motivation in their lives! I feel like I need it more than most sometimes! It's easy to continue the pace once you start...but once you stop!? Getting back in the flow of a fast paced life can be so difficult. This was my attempt at a philosophy lesson. Can you even teach philosophy? hahah...I'm just in a questioning mood. Hope that goes away soon! I soon will return to marching band, which is necessary conformity:) Just a little more fun.  Have fun thinking:)

...Thought about On the Road while on the road:)

So, I was driving home from school today and I began thinking about my Etymology post. What was I going to say? I haven't gotten much reading done and I am going to do that tonight, so what is something my book has touched on in the scanty pages that I have read?? Then, I began to think about just how busy I seem to be everyday! Between my schoolwork, homework(honors and AP classes don't help), marching band, my little brother, parents, eating, contest essays, scholarship searches, applications, and keeping a steady boyfriend, I feel as if my downtime has dwindled to none! And in all honesty, it probably has. Then I began to think about Mr. Kerouac. In his novel, On the Road, he really lacks any responsibility. He travels and moves across the country, working when he needs to, drinking when he doesn't and I began to wonder how anyone could embrace such a lack of responsibility. But, Sal really does begin to embrace his own responsibilities eventually, when he meets the woman of his dreams!:) A Mexican beauty, with blue eyes! I thought the blue eyes were an interesting tidbit.  He knew he needed to get a job and support this woman and her son as well as get back to New York! And he knew he had to get enough money to go by bus. I believe he will slowly begin to realize that the Beatnik lifestyle was not successful for a reliable life. Whereas I do not have to support a family, I am preparing myself to become self-sufficient.

     Sal, the main character, also seems set apart from the others. He seems...just to be different. For pages and pages I wonder why he never conforms to this Beatnik society, but then he does. But even when he stoops to the level of the Beatniks, he still seems to be above them...because he's searching. While the Beatniks seem to be a group that are accepting life and drinking and getting high and just getting by. Riding the  rails. Drinking. Smoking. Hitch-hiking. Stealing. Working....when you need to. But acceptance...acceptance of the lifestyle seems to be a key factor in their lifestyle. However, Sal never accepts it. He wishes to fit in with his friends, but he never really does. He seems to be an observer and a searcher. Is he only a man searching for love? Or some kind of meaning to life? Will he ever find it? Is the American Dream fading? Or has it just changed?

The above is my word vomit. I try to word vomit everyday. I wonder if doing that can create feelings of discontent...the constant stream of intense consciousness. But maybe I'm just over-thinking it! Hahah...that's a little funny. Over-thinking word vomit...Hmm...That's a way to drive yourself insane. Oh! In On the Road, some of Sal's friends talked about the "machine." And how you could never "stop the machine." What is the machine? That is what the author truly leaves you to wonder? Is it the mind? Thought? Word Vomit? Useless exchange of useless information? It seemed like the last one, however, maybe it was something deep and intelligent. Maybe it was too complex for me to understand.

Posting

...I find posting on other people's posts altogether too much fun:). I don't know why:)

This week has been BEYOND crazy. I hope I can catch up and get back in the swing. Real life starts up again tomorrow...I'm so not excited about that. But, I'll be there bright and early! sigh...

Currently

Books I Read this Week:

 Columbine by Dave Cullen
On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Total Pages This Week: 112
Total Pages Read This Semester: 323

Sentences of the Week:

1.  "Who cares?" On The Road by Jack Kerouac

2.  "Stop the machine." On The Road by Jack Kerouac

3. "There must be a lot of Italians in Sausalito." On The Road by Jack Kerouac

All my sentences this week were from Mr. Kerouac. All of them just made me laugh...and I think they are the book, in essence. However, I am waiting for the novel to change course. I think this novel will probably become quite bitter...that makes me somewhat sad...

Heading to my serene get away. Every year is different. What is in store? :)

Trying to see if I can send a post through my phone :) just imagining how much more simple that would be! Crossing my fingers :)

Hit the Road.

So, I've had a little free time today and was able to pick up a new novel. I started reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac. In the first thirty pages, he has described the riveting world of hitch-hiking. Now I'm beginning to wonder why this fad faded. Really? Kerouac makes it seem as if the most enthusiastic people saw America in the back of trucks, on the rails, and in strangers cars.  On the Road kinda makes me want to hit the road running and find a place all of my own. I know that I'm young and now, if any time, is the time to feel like now is the time to go. Ah, but socially times have changed and to make it across America, I must now ride another way. But to live in the 50's where one could defy intense conformity....I feel like my mind is     r      a     m    b   l   i  n g.... However, I must now return to my lifestyle and finish the homework I have been assigned.

Interests

The first of my posts this week. You know, sometimes I can be a little clueless. I'm still reading Columbine and I find it enlightening and just scientific! I like the way he writes it. But, the way I read it is very unemotional. I feel disconnected to the history I am reading. Although, I cannot talk to my parents about it. My parents don't like to hear anything about it. They get angry. I'm beginning to wonder if that is just because it is more in their lifetime than mine or if I am just more unemotional about it. The Columbine school shootings happened in 1998...which was about the time my oldest sister was entering eighth grade or so. Maybe they had more parental worries and still hold  onto those fears. Maybe it really is something I should be repulsed by and I shouldn't feel the need to read more. If the latter really is the case, then why am I so interested? So enthused by a novel of this genre? I don't know. Although, from my current viewpoint, I am still enjoying this novel.

Friday! (But really Sunday...)

My weekend was a little crazy...so my Friday post is on Sunday. I took the Jung Typology test and found myself to be a counselor or INFJ(Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging). A counselor personality type cares about the needs of others, but would enjoy a solitary job. Any interaction one would have with a counselor would not be superficial  however, the counselor needs personal time to "recharge." Counselors are sometimes considered "behind-the-scenes" leaders as counselors can be very private people. Being highly intuitive, many of the counselor personality type can recognize others emotions before the other person even knows that the emotion exists. I feel like this is a good personality type for me because I do enjoy speaking with people and helping them. Although, I prefer to speak with people more one-on-one. I feel there is less communication and less pressure. Also, it is much easier to relate to people in such a situation. I do not feel I am superficial, and I definitely need my own time to recharge. My alone time is precious to me. Quite precious. I would consider myself a behind the scenes leader in many ways. In situations where I am the only leader, I tend to be short and precise but quieter. I let others approach me with concerns. When one of many leaders, I listen and support others leaders for the benefit of the organization. This test also touched something I have thought for many years which is a sense in intuitiveness. The test stated that counselors can recognize others emotions before the person even recognize their own feelings. I feel as if I have this intuitiveness. I think that the counselor personality type does fit me.

Currently

This week I read:

Columbine by Dave Cullen
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Total Pages Read This Week: 211 pages
Total Pages Read This Semester: 211 pages

Sentences of the Week:

1. And so on to infinity.
          Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

2. He saw beauty in the void.
          Columbine by Dave Cullen

3. I was carrying a bottle of Irish whiskey like a dinner bell.
          Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut made me laugh this week. I really only read 22 pages of his book, but some of his lines were just so great!! Number 1 just made me think a little. I just like it. It's just one of those feelings. Number two is talking about Eric, one of the Columbine shooters. As Eric was growing up, he saw beauty in the destruction of everything. I think Dave Cullen described this so beautifully. Lastly, number three just made me laugh. :) It also paints quite a picture in your mind!

Lastly

The week has flown by. Honestly. Between my extracirricular activities and my homework, there is nothing else left to do but sleep. Luckily, I have found a chunk of time to read my novels. I just started flipping through Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and I find it to be very similar to Columbine. Just the way the authors have written the novel! It was so unemotional. I like the way it is written just because it is so detailed, but at the same time it feels so void of life. However, the events both authors describe are so traumatic that they do not really need any extra emphasis.

Square One

You know, my last post got me thinking. The Future. It makes me think there must be some intense music playing in the background as I say that. Bunh Bunh Bunh! Being in high school really does make you think about your future. Everyone around you is like, "PSAT this," "I got a scholarship that," and "college application this." It's terrifying! How to even begin?? Everyone always claims that starting at square one is the easiest thing! Well, let me tell you! Square one is NOT the easiest place to start if you can't find it.

Deeper

I am now deeper into the novel Columbine by Dave Cullen. I can't even tell if it is fiction or non-fiction! Is that good or bad? Dave Cullen writes so emotionless...it's so eerie. Dave Cullen knew the material he was writing about would be haunting so he didn't find the need to embellish. I'm glad. Although, I'm halfway through this novel and still curious about the killer's intentions. What were Eric and Dylan really thinking that day when they turned guns on their friends? For Eric, it was a methodical. He had planned this killing. He was an angry teenager with an agenda. But what about Dylan, Eric's follower? Why did he go along with such a plan? How could he let this happen? How could friends and family let this happen? They saw the signs...but nothing ever happened. I'd like to think something like that could not happen now with all our precautions. But it could! Ah...The future is just something to ponder.

Columbine

As we are currently educated in a post-Columbine school system, I find it almost ridiculous about the lack of precautions I see in the novel, Columbine by Dave Cullen. In our current school, it is understood what to do during a lockdown and also the fastest ways to evacuate the building. With our current "no tolerance" policy, I just find such a massive shoot-out to be impossible. Although, the people of Jeffco did not predict this either. It makes me wonder if we are really protected from situations or if it is just a safeguard to make us feel safer.

Dating

I really think it is adorable that my parents still go out on dates. And, they go out every Friday night. They have only skipped a handful of Friday's in my lifetime. Tonight, they both got showered, dressed to kill and went out. Secretly, I'm jealous of my parents. :)

Choosing..

Choosing a new novel is just like choosing something to eat. Do I pick the easy Ramen Noodles? Do I create a culinary delight? Do I just grab a snack? The choices are overwhelming.