They're like fingerprints,
All unique and different,
With their own original
Design and Personalities.
Not one of them is the same
They all sparkle in their
Individual ways.
There is only one difference,
I wouldn't trade them
For the world.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Fourth Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Judgment Ridge by Dick Lehr & Mitchell Zuckoff Genre: Non-Fiction
Judgment Ridge shows the truth behind the Dartmouth murders. It re-examines the murder and gives every piece of evidence and clue in detail, so you can learn how the real detectives caught the murders. It goes in depth to tell you the background information of the two boys Robert Tulloch and Jim Parker who murdered Half and Susanne Zantop. It tells about Half and Susanne’s careers, friends, families, and past experiences before their deaths and shows how Robert and Jim got to the point of murder.
“Spellbinding…. [Reveals] the story behind the headlines…. Multifaceted and richly believable.” - Denver Post
Judgment Ridge films the life of Robert and Jim and it tells the story of how they met and became best friends, the best of friends that they were actually like brothers and were inseparable. It told everyone’s views on the friends and how nobody saw it coming. It also told about the Zantop’s lives as Dartmouth professors and their promising lives.
This book was similar to other mystery books that I have read and it shows the points leading up to the murder, the murder, and the days after. Unlike those books Judgment Ridge goes more in depth and goes the extra step to give the details. Plus unlike any other this book was actually true. The authors do a good job of writing the book and adding in all the details so you get the complete story.
“ Townspeople learned two weeks after the families were interviewed that two combat knives were found in Robert’s room, and that the blood detected on the foot-long knives matched Susanne’s DNA.” (269)
I enjoyed reading all about the murders and how it happened. I myself was thinking about becoming a detective when I am older and it was neat to see how they solve crimes. Also my dad is a police officer so I learned a little more about what he does and now the stories that he tells me I will be able to better connect to. This book made me want to further more my experience, as a detective and I really loved reading it.
Judgment Ridge shows the truth behind the Dartmouth murders. It re-examines the murder and gives every piece of evidence and clue in detail, so you can learn how the real detectives caught the murders. It goes in depth to tell you the background information of the two boys Robert Tulloch and Jim Parker who murdered Half and Susanne Zantop. It tells about Half and Susanne’s careers, friends, families, and past experiences before their deaths and shows how Robert and Jim got to the point of murder.
“Spellbinding…. [Reveals] the story behind the headlines…. Multifaceted and richly believable.” - Denver Post
Judgment Ridge films the life of Robert and Jim and it tells the story of how they met and became best friends, the best of friends that they were actually like brothers and were inseparable. It told everyone’s views on the friends and how nobody saw it coming. It also told about the Zantop’s lives as Dartmouth professors and their promising lives.
This book was similar to other mystery books that I have read and it shows the points leading up to the murder, the murder, and the days after. Unlike those books Judgment Ridge goes more in depth and goes the extra step to give the details. Plus unlike any other this book was actually true. The authors do a good job of writing the book and adding in all the details so you get the complete story.
“ Townspeople learned two weeks after the families were interviewed that two combat knives were found in Robert’s room, and that the blood detected on the foot-long knives matched Susanne’s DNA.” (269)
I enjoyed reading all about the murders and how it happened. I myself was thinking about becoming a detective when I am older and it was neat to see how they solve crimes. Also my dad is a police officer so I learned a little more about what he does and now the stories that he tells me I will be able to better connect to. This book made me want to further more my experience, as a detective and I really loved reading it.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Journey to Push Yourself
The harder you try the more likely you are to succeed and feel pride in yourself. In the book The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway there are many themes. Santiago is noble fisherman who doesn’t have much luck, but continues to strive to accomplish the best. The author has a confident tone when he talks about the theme, it’s the journey and end result that counts, not how long it took and what really matters is that you pushed yourself to accomplish what you want. There is a lot that you can take away from this book, and they are things that may take years for people to find out.
Time is a key component of the theme and the book. Santiago has spent many days at sea trying to catch a marlin, but has not quite got one.” Eighty-five days is a lucky number; the old man said. How would you like to see me bring in one that dressed out over a thousand pounds?” (16)Many people would not take the time like Santiago and would not wait 85 days to try and catch a fish. Reading this Santiago may seem delirious but he is really just determined and has goals set for himself. You have to be truly dedicated to what you are doing to spend that amount of time trying to catch a fish. Time is important to the book because Santiago has nothing but time and uses it by doing what he wants and loves to do. The author is trying to tell the reader that you have a lot of time in your lifetime but if you don’t use it doing something that you love, time is useless.
You will never accomplish anything you want if you don’t push yourself. “The speed of the line was cutting his hands badly but he had always known this would happen and he tried to keep the cutting across the calloused parts and not let the line slip into the palm nor cut the fingers.”(83) Santiago clearly wants to catch a marlin and he will do anything for it. The pain of the cuts from a fishing line and the burning sensation of salt water on open cuts would be many peoples stopping point. To Santiago it is nothing because he pushes himself to get over it. Also trying to defend the marlin, Santiago fights of many sharks and in the process gets bit, but he doesn’t let that barricade him because he knows that he can make a lot of the fish, so he pushes himself to keep fighting them off. Pushing yourself is a major part of the theme and to the author it is very concrete action if you push yourself because it can only pay off.
There is always something you are going to want to change, but its part of the journey, so you have to stick with it. “Then he dove suddenly and the old man saw flying fish spurt out of the water and sail desperately over the surface”(33). Santiago made the most of his trip and he didn’t always focus on catching the fish. He made his journey memorable by looking at the stars in the crystal clear sky, the bright lights in Havana where he passed, and watched the helicopter pass over head. Santiago could have attempted to pull in the fish at any moment but instead he waited till the perfect moment to pull it in and he got to experience many memorable things. He stuck with the fish and tested his determination on how long he could stay with it, and because he did this his future didn't turn out to be bleak. Many other fishermen would have been anxious and tried to pull it in as soon as they hooked the marlin,unlike Santiago. This was a substantial part of the book because it gave it depth and without it the book would be very boring and there would not be much detail without it. Also the reader would not get as much feeling for what it is like out at sea.
In conclusion it’s what you make of the situation that is important. In the story that’s what Santiago does, he doesn’t get caught up in the fact that all the other fishermen are getting lucky and catching fish almost every day. He makes the most of being a fisherman and being able to sit out on the ocean all day, and watch the dolphins and fish swim by. Unlike most fishermen he realizes that it’s the journey and end result that counts, not how long it took and what really matters is that you pushed yourself to accomplish what you want. The theme is very complex but Santiago is able to grasp it. Santiago is very optimistic and it helps him get through the day, he would never accomplish anything if he were pessimistic. The theme helps paint an inspiring picture in the readers head that they one day should try and realize.
Time is a key component of the theme and the book. Santiago has spent many days at sea trying to catch a marlin, but has not quite got one.” Eighty-five days is a lucky number; the old man said. How would you like to see me bring in one that dressed out over a thousand pounds?” (16)Many people would not take the time like Santiago and would not wait 85 days to try and catch a fish. Reading this Santiago may seem delirious but he is really just determined and has goals set for himself. You have to be truly dedicated to what you are doing to spend that amount of time trying to catch a fish. Time is important to the book because Santiago has nothing but time and uses it by doing what he wants and loves to do. The author is trying to tell the reader that you have a lot of time in your lifetime but if you don’t use it doing something that you love, time is useless.
You will never accomplish anything you want if you don’t push yourself. “The speed of the line was cutting his hands badly but he had always known this would happen and he tried to keep the cutting across the calloused parts and not let the line slip into the palm nor cut the fingers.”(83) Santiago clearly wants to catch a marlin and he will do anything for it. The pain of the cuts from a fishing line and the burning sensation of salt water on open cuts would be many peoples stopping point. To Santiago it is nothing because he pushes himself to get over it. Also trying to defend the marlin, Santiago fights of many sharks and in the process gets bit, but he doesn’t let that barricade him because he knows that he can make a lot of the fish, so he pushes himself to keep fighting them off. Pushing yourself is a major part of the theme and to the author it is very concrete action if you push yourself because it can only pay off.
There is always something you are going to want to change, but its part of the journey, so you have to stick with it. “Then he dove suddenly and the old man saw flying fish spurt out of the water and sail desperately over the surface”(33). Santiago made the most of his trip and he didn’t always focus on catching the fish. He made his journey memorable by looking at the stars in the crystal clear sky, the bright lights in Havana where he passed, and watched the helicopter pass over head. Santiago could have attempted to pull in the fish at any moment but instead he waited till the perfect moment to pull it in and he got to experience many memorable things. He stuck with the fish and tested his determination on how long he could stay with it, and because he did this his future didn't turn out to be bleak. Many other fishermen would have been anxious and tried to pull it in as soon as they hooked the marlin,unlike Santiago. This was a substantial part of the book because it gave it depth and without it the book would be very boring and there would not be much detail without it. Also the reader would not get as much feeling for what it is like out at sea.
In conclusion it’s what you make of the situation that is important. In the story that’s what Santiago does, he doesn’t get caught up in the fact that all the other fishermen are getting lucky and catching fish almost every day. He makes the most of being a fisherman and being able to sit out on the ocean all day, and watch the dolphins and fish swim by. Unlike most fishermen he realizes that it’s the journey and end result that counts, not how long it took and what really matters is that you pushed yourself to accomplish what you want. The theme is very complex but Santiago is able to grasp it. Santiago is very optimistic and it helps him get through the day, he would never accomplish anything if he were pessimistic. The theme helps paint an inspiring picture in the readers head that they one day should try and realize.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Third Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella. Dell Books, 2001. Genre: Fiction
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is not one of Sophia’s better-known books but it includes a detailed description of her main character Becky Bloomwood and the conflicts she faces. It takes place in urban London, England and Becky has to deal with her financial problems and moving he relationship with her boyfriend Luke to the next level. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is a funny, energetic story that makes you wanting to keep reading and learn more about the crazy life of Becky Bloomwood.
“Kinsella’s Bloomwood is plucky and funny… You won’t have to shop around for a more winning protagonist.” (People) the book jacket says.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan the personal issues of Becky Bloomwood and how she faces them. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan being the sequel of Shopaholic it is quite similar to in the sense that the work is just as detailed and you meet most of the characters that were in Shopaholic. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is different because a lot of the characters have grown and changed since the last book but they still face many similar conflicts but they have a different twist to them.
“ But as I look up my heart gives an almighty flip and I feel something hard blocking my throat. I don’t believe it.” (128)
I enjoy reading Sophia Kinsella's work and she is one of my favorite readers. I learn a lot from her books and I am able to take away a lot from them. Her themes are easy for me to relate to and I know that they are true. In Shopaholic Takes Manhattan the theme is to go with what you think will be what is best for you and don’t let anyone stop you. I can relate to this because to get what you want in life you have to do what you want and not stop even if people say its not the right choice, as long as you believe it is. I enjoy reading her books because there are things that I can relate to and she has a very funny writing style.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is not one of Sophia’s better-known books but it includes a detailed description of her main character Becky Bloomwood and the conflicts she faces. It takes place in urban London, England and Becky has to deal with her financial problems and moving he relationship with her boyfriend Luke to the next level. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is a funny, energetic story that makes you wanting to keep reading and learn more about the crazy life of Becky Bloomwood.
“Kinsella’s Bloomwood is plucky and funny… You won’t have to shop around for a more winning protagonist.” (People) the book jacket says.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan the personal issues of Becky Bloomwood and how she faces them. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan being the sequel of Shopaholic it is quite similar to in the sense that the work is just as detailed and you meet most of the characters that were in Shopaholic. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is different because a lot of the characters have grown and changed since the last book but they still face many similar conflicts but they have a different twist to them.
“ But as I look up my heart gives an almighty flip and I feel something hard blocking my throat. I don’t believe it.” (128)
I enjoy reading Sophia Kinsella's work and she is one of my favorite readers. I learn a lot from her books and I am able to take away a lot from them. Her themes are easy for me to relate to and I know that they are true. In Shopaholic Takes Manhattan the theme is to go with what you think will be what is best for you and don’t let anyone stop you. I can relate to this because to get what you want in life you have to do what you want and not stop even if people say its not the right choice, as long as you believe it is. I enjoy reading her books because there are things that I can relate to and she has a very funny writing style.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Alone
February 14th, 1994 the biggest snowstorm hit Glendale. Everyone was out enjoying the day together but they had no clue the storm was about to hit. The snow started and everyone started to rush home. It was so heavy you could not see what was happening in front of you. It was that day, they day I would be alone for the rest of my life. My parents were driving home from a hamlet when a car in front of them swerved out of control and hit them dead on. My dad died instantly but my mom was rushed to the hospital were she lived for a couple more hours then passed away. Getting my parents back was irrevocably.
After my accident I became feeble and things became very vague to me.My only family member and only friend left was my dog Parker. Even though he couldn’t really talk, it seemed like he always had something to say. I didn’t know of any other family members so we quickly packed up and ran away so no one could put us in a foster home. The only place where I knew to go was the pond down by the train station. It was quite small but it was perfect for us. The willow trees enclosed us so it could not be seen from the outside. Purple and pink flowers grew all around and the tall cattails blew in the wind. For the first couple of nights we were there Parker and I huddled together for body heat and placed the covers over us that we had took from our old house.
When the spring came I knew we needed shelter. Parker and I collected wood and pieces of long grass, weeds and hay, anything we could use to build a house. I pinioned the branches together and stuck them into the ground to make walls and placed a roof over them. For extra protection I gathered willow tree branches and tied them to the top. I took the little table and put it in the center with a couple flowers in a mug of water on the center of the table and placed the blankets neatly in the corner to make a little bed. I didn't have any prowess on how to build a house but it was perfect for me.
It’s been a couple years since then and I am now 16. Parker and I have survived by catching fish with a gaff that I made and ate vegetables and fruit we have grown. I also built a siff which Parker and I would spend hours on. We looked at our reflections in the water, my blonde hair out of place and my blue eyes blinded by the irredescene. When I get thwarted I sit out there for hours and watch everything around me. Parker sits there his shaggy brown hair sparkles in the sn and his tongue hangs out of his mouth. Other than Parker it’s been very lonely and I wish someone was here to talk to me. Although Parker is here having him is not the same as having a person to talk to, somebody that can actually respond to me. Ever since my parents have died I have had no real connection to the outside world.
It was a cheery sunny morning and Parker and I were lying under the shade of a willow tree watching cygnet when we heard something splashing in the water. It didn’t sound like ducks or fish and we were wondering what it was. We carefully snuck through the cattails making sure we didn’t scare it.
We thought nobody knew. No one had come here since I have been here; I didn’t know anyone knew the pond existed. I didn’t know what to do, she was just swimming there peacefully and I didn’t want to scare her. I sat there and watched; I forgot what it was like to see someone other than yourself and your dog. She swam for a long time and then dragged herself out and laid by the edge for a while. Her long brown hair glistened in the sun and her hazel eyes wandered around taking in all of the beautiful pieces of nature. Her eyes stopped when my house came into view. She picked her self up and started to walk over to it. Thoughts were racing through my head; I had no idea what I should do. I got up and followed her to my house I heard her shuffling through things and I didn’t want her going through the little stuff that I had. “Hello?” I said as she jumped startled that anybody was around. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, I was just hoping you would leave my stuff alone.”
“Oh, I am so sorry.” She said politely, retiring fromy stuff. “But who are you, I haven’t seen you around and what are you doing here?
“I’m Jack. The reason why I’m here, well its along story. Who are you?” I answered and at that point I knew I would not be a recluse any longer.
“My name is Elizabeth, and your story, why you’re here, it can’t be that long can it. She replied.
“Well I guess not.”
“Can I hear it then?” She asked.
“Sure.” We walked out of the house and sat together next to the pond. I explained the terrible day that left me alone and why I came here. She pet Parker as she listened carefully to my story, and by the time I was done it was nearly sunset. We sat there for a moment while she took it all in.
“Wait, are you Jack Harper? Your parents were John and Diane Harper?” She curiously asked.
“Yeah. How… how do you know?” I asked.
“Well ever since your parents died everyone has been wondering where you went and they went looking for you, and now I am the only one that knows where you are.
“Please don’t tell.” I said.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I have to go now my parents will be wondering where I am but I will be back.
It’s been seven years exactly from that day. I am getting married to a girl with long brown hair that found me when I was hiding. Every day after that day she came back to see me and we got to know each other. She sometimes brought me food, she thought I was gaunt and would tell me stories about her life. From that one summer day I knew I would never be alone again.
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