Outside Reading Post #8

Twilight Stephenie Meyer p. 152 - 217

Well, I haven't posted an outside reading blog about the book Twilight in a while, and I have gotten through quite a bit of it, and I must say..it has gotten REALLY good! So I've gotten through chapters 8-10. A lot happened in the chapters, first Bella went to Port Angeles with Jessica and Angela, they found dresses and had a lot of time to kill before the went to dinner near the port. So Bella decided to go further into the town by herself (a few blocks) and look for a bookstore. While she was there, she of course got lost and a group of guys were stalking her, but all of a sudden Edward was at her side to rescue her, or course. So they decided to go out to dinner by themselves, and Edward then drove Bella home. This car trip home was when everything came out. Edward didn't actually come out and say "I'm a vampire," but it was pretty much implied. He was very open to Bella, and answered all of her questions. I learned that Edward can read people's thoughts/minds, he doesn't eat food, instead he hunts for animals. He also said that Bella is very tempting for him, because he could do something very bad to her, but he has to resist that constant urge. This is a little scary, but Bella admits that she is too far in to the relationship to back out, and is in love with Edward.

Outside Reading Post #7 Extra Credit - A View from the Bridge

For extra credit, this weekend I went to see the play A View from the Bridge, at the Guthrie theater downtown. I thought the acting seemed a little forced, but overall it was very good. The play took place in Brooklyn, New York in 1955. It was about a girl, Catherine who was raised by her aunt and uncle, they had some relatives from Italy move in with them illegally so that they could make some money and send back home. One of the immigrants, Rudolpho falls in love with Catherine, and they decide to get married. Catherine's uncle, Eddy doesn't like it, and thinks that Rudolpho only wants to become a citizen, and dosen't really love her. So Eddy called the immigration services, to have them taken away. But this doesn't go according to plan, they get bailed out of jail, and Marco (the other immigrant) kills Eddy. This was a very tragic ending, and although I suspected that someone would get hurt, I didn't think that Eddy would be killed. The play was very good, and I would recommend in to others.

Heroes in a Box

In class, we are currently studying heroes. For this assignment, we had to search heroes. I chose to search Disney Heroes, because I love Disney movies, and although they might not technically be 'heroes' I think that are heroes in some way, shape, or form. I decided to categorize my heroes into 'female' and 'male', and then further into 'animated' and 'human'. For the male, animated heroes I chose Buzz Lightyear, and Hercules, because Buzz Lightyear and Hercules are known for being heroes in their movies. For the male, human, I chose Troy Bolton and Captain Jack Sparrow. I chose Troy, because every teenage girl LOVES High School Muscial (and Zac Efron), and because he is just so cute, I decided to put him up, plus he does a few heroic things in the movie, the same goes for Captain Jack Sparrow. Now for the girls; for the animated I chose Cinderella and Bella, because they are both characters in classic 'Disney Princess' movies. For the animated, I chose Mary Popins and Mia Thermopolis. I chose Mary Poppins, because she is just a true classic Disney character, and I wouldn't dream of having a Disney heroes tree map without her. Lastly, I chose Mia Thermopolis, thruthfully, only because I couldn't think of any other person. So there you have it..my Disney Heroes Tree Map.

Outside Reading Post #6

Twilight By Stephenie Meyer p. 129-151

I was quite busy over the long weekend, and earlier this week, so I've only gotten a chance to read chapter 7 of Twilight. And I have to say, it was a pretty boring chapter, without much excitement. Bella Googled vampires on her computer, but didn't get much information that might pertain to Edward. Because Bella lives in Seattle, and it rains all the time, but the weather has been quite nice recently and it's been sunny and warm. Edward, of course doesn't show up at school. Maybe because he is a vampire and needs to stay out of the sun? Bella is constantly thinking about Edward, and is in constant need to distract herself from thinking about him. She agreed to go with her friends Jessica and Angela to help them pick out dresses for the dance. Bella hopes this will distract her mind a little bit, and she is excited because she gets to leave Forks for a few hours.

Outside Reading Post #5

For this outside reading post, Mr. Cheng asked us to read an article titled The Unspeakable Odyssey of the Motionless Boy, written by Joshua Foer. This article, which is true, was about a sixteen year old boy, named Erik, who got it a car crash. The crash was so severe that it left him with an extremely rare condition called "locked-in syndrome", it is called locked-in syndrome because you are essentially locked in your own body. Erik is completely paralyzed with the exception of moving his eyes up and down, although his brain functions just like yours or mine, he can think things out but cannot verbally say anything. Because Erik cannot talk, his family uses a letter chart where he says "yes" or "no" when they point to a letter, this as you can imagine takes a log time, and Erik doesn't like it very much, so they rarley use it. Erik got implants but into his brain and goes to therapy so he can try to make sound through a computer. Erik succesfully said his first sentance through the computer. It was "How are you? I love you." Erik is a truly amazing person, one can only imagine how it would be living like that.

Siddhartha Blog Assignment #4

By the end of the book Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse, I think that Siddhartha reached his ultimate goal, Nirvana. I believe is true because he gave up almost everything in his life to reach the state of being peaceful and aiming to reach Nirvana. I believe that the theme of the book was Siddhartha trying to reach his goal of achieving Nirvana. After following Siddhartha on his journey, I think that he learned how to live with things that are only necessary, I think he learned this lesson best when he lived with the Samanas.

This theme is demonstrated throughout the book. It is demonstrated in a number of ways, but in the chapter titled "With The Samanas" there are a few quotes that stick out. On page thirteen it says, "Siddhartha gave his clothes to a poor Brahman on the road and only retained his loincloth and earth-colored unstitched cloak." Siddhartha gave away his clothes because he realized that the Brahmin needed them more than he did. On page thirteen it also says, "He only ate once a day and never cooked food. He fasted fourteen days. He fasted twenty-eight days. The flesh disappeared from his legs and cheeks". The Samanas lived by self-denial, so Siddhartha had to deny that he was hungry all the time. Siddhartha grew up in a life of luxury, and he constantley felt like he had more than everyone else, so he tried to make up for that by giving away his things to prove that he could live with nothing.

During the book, Siddhartha learned to only live with the necessities in life. He learned this lesson best when he was living with the Samanas. I think that Siddhartha must have reached Nirvana because he gave up a lot, and that's part what you do in order to reach Nirvana.

Outside Reading Post #4

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer p. 85-128

Over the past couple of days I read chapters 5 and 6 of Twilight. In chapter 5, Bella goes to biology class, and they are testing their own blood to see what type of blood they have. Unfortunately, Bella is very sensitive to the smell and look of blood, and she nearly faints in class. Mike took her to the nurses office, and she collapsed on the way there. All of a sudden, Edward was there and helped take her to the nurse, and get through her fainting spell. Bella knew that Edward wouldn't be in biology today because he told her that he was skipping. Now, this makes me think even more, is it just a coincidence that he didn't want to be there on the day they were taking blood samples? Something is definitely up with Edward. In chapter 6 we find out what is up with Edward. Bella goes with some friends (minus Edward) to a local beach for the day, to hang out, sit around a campfire, and so on. Some other people that Bella does not know also show up later, although she does know one boy, Jacob. Jacob's dad is friends with Bella's dad, so they've met before. When they were taking, somehow the subject of Edward got brought up. Jacob knew a lot about him, but make Bella promise not to tell anyone what he was going to say. This is when Bella found out that Edward is a vampire. This definitely clears up a lot about the weird situations that have been happening. It is also a HUGE cliff-hanger in the book, and I am wondering if Bella is going to confront Edward about it.

Outside Reading Post #3

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer p. 53-84

Over the weekend I read chapters 3 and 4 of my outside reading book, Twilight. I guess you could say that a lot has happened. Bella was in the parking lot at school one day; it was also the first snow fall of the year. And the parking lot was slippery, this guy named Tyler, who is in Bella's grade lost control of his car, and smashed into Bella. But the amazing thing is, she didn't even get a scratch. Edward was by her, and there was a hand print in the side of the car. Bella is totally confused, and she knows that Edward had something to do with it, but whenever she asks him about it he gets mad. Now, in chapter 4, Bella got asked out three different times to the Spring dance, but she turned each and everyone of them down. She didn't really want to go, and had decided to go to Seattle for the day instead. Bella was about to go to class one day, when Edward stopped her, and asked her if he could drive her to Seattle. Bella was a little bit apprehensive, but said yes. This is where the chapter ends, and I'm still guessing about what is up with Edward.

Outside Reading Post #2

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer p. 29-52

Well, I just finished read chapter two of the book Twilight. Not too much happened in this chapter, but when Bella went to school on Tuesday Edward wasn't there. He didn't show up for school on Wednesday or Thursday either. She thought that maybe he wasn't going to come to school anymore, but when he showed up on Friday, he was acting a lot different than on Monday. He talked to Bella in Biology, and acted like a completely different person, he was actually nice to Bella. One thing that was kind of weird, was that Bella kept describing his eyes, and how they had changed colors, from black to an amber color. Also, when Edward bumped his hand into hers, she felt a shock in her body, and he was very careful not to touch her after that. This kind of makes me wonder if there is something about Edward that I have yet to find out. Maybe we'll find out when I post again on Sunday?

Outside Reading Post #1

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer p. 1-28

I decided to read the book Twilight for my outside reading book. I have been told numerous times to read it, but have never found the time to, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. And after only have read the first chapter, I didn't want to put the book down it was so good!

Bella is the main character (so far) and she recently moved from Phoenix, Arizona where she lived with her mom, to Forks, Seattle where she is now living with her dad. She had to start at a new high school where there are only 300 students in her class, compared to the 700 that were in her class in Arizona. Everyone seems to know her because her dad is the chief police officer in the city. But there is this one guy, Edward who is acting really weird whenever she comes around him, and Bella is literally scared that he will do something to her. That's all that has happened so far in chapter one, I can't wait to find out what is up with Edward.

Siddhartha Blog Assignment #3

Getting Advice for Siddhartha

Dear Ann Landers (advice columnist): I have a friend named Siddhartha, I have known him all his life, and he is very near and dear to my heart. He recently decided that he need to find himself in life, and left his parents (his dad is a Bramin), friends, house, and everything else behind. Siddhartha is the type of person who knows what he wants, and will do whatever he can to get there.
I am very worried about Siddhartha, because his goal is to become a samana. I know that this is very hard to achieve, but I have confidence that he will somehow get there. My problem is that Siddhartha has encountered a little bit of trouble recently. He has come accross a lot temptation. Some of the temptations include women, wealth, food, etc. He is also feeling a little worthless, and can't do anything abou it, he says "Like a veil, like a thin mist, a weariness settled on Siddhartha, slowly, every day a little thicker, every month a little darker, every year a little heavier." (p. 78) Do you have any advice that I could tell him to get his spirits up?
-Abhi


Dear Abhi: I think it's great that you care so much about your friend, Siddhartha. It seems like he is going through a bit of a rough patch in his life right now. My best advice for you would be to tell him to really think about what he want's to achieve in life. You mentioned that he wants to become a samana, if he does, tell him to think about what he needs to do in order to become a samana. I would also try to distract him from his temptations, just be a good friend, and tell him that he is going to get through this, and that everything will be just fine in the end. Hope my advice works for you and him. Good luck!
-Ann Landers

Siddhartha Blog Assignment #2

Part 1: Govinda text messaging my avatar (Abhi)

Govinda: Hey Abhi, how could Siddhartha leave me? I just don't understand.

Abhi: Siddhartha wanted to find his own path in life.

Govinda: I know, but why couldn't he take me with him?

Abhi: Govinda, he said to you, "you have taken the step, you have chosen your path...May you go along it to the end, my friend."

Govinda: Oh, I don't really remember that, I was a little bit too caught up with him leaving me.

Abhi: You will be okay Govinda, Siddhartha just chose to go a different path in life, but it doesn't mean that you won't be friends.

Govinda: I know, that you so much Abhi for your helpful adivce. Hopefully he will find what he is looking for.

Abhi: Your welcome, that's what friends are for.



Part 2: My avatar (Abhi's) thoughts about Govinda's separation from Siddhartha

I truly belive that Govinda will be okay. Siddhartha has always been the type of person that goes after whatever he belives or wants. Siddhartha needs to take this opportunity and truly find himself, even if that means saying good-bye to Govinda. After I talked to Govinda, I think that he was very appreciative of me talking to him, and glad that I could help him out. Govinda knows that Siddhartha will never stop being his friend, but just needs some time to himself right now.

Meet My Avatar/Siddhartha Blog Assignment #1

My characters name is Abhi. Siddhartha and Abhi have known each other their whole life. Their moms are best friends, and they grew up with each other, and have a very close bond. Abhi considers Siddhartha one of her best friends, and knows that she can tell him anything. Siddhartha has been a little distant Lately, and Abhi is trying to figure things out.

Sometimes I just don't get Siddhartha. We are both the same religion, and I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I never would have guessed that Siddhartha was rethinking his religion, I mean is he crazy? We all have times where we second guess things, but our religion? And especially since his father is a Brahmin!! Ahh, let's just hope he get's what he wants accomplished.