Much Ado About Nothing 2 . . .

. . . Well, its act 3 and I still like the book! I'm surprised at how well I can understand and relate to Shakespeare's work, even hundreds of years later. Many things, right down to the humor are still relevant, and the characters who were novel back in Shakespeare's time still appear in movies and plays today. And the idea of opposites attract, as shown by Beatrice and Benedick, is a major plot line for many current films and books. Also, themes such as loyalty, which my Issue Tracking group was assigned, are still ideas that shape our society today. Its amazing how our culture today still struggles with the same problems, acts the same way, or laughs at the same things as the society of the 16th century!

Twilight top 10 . . .

. . . I just started the "top 10" assignment for outside reading, which I almost completely forgot about, and its actually a lot harder than I thought. I'm trying to choose my number one thing to know, and its a draw between the fact that Edward is a Vampire, or that Edward and Bella are in love. Although the Edward-Bella relationship is central to the book, it would cease to be interesting if Edward was human. So I think I'll use the fact that Edward is a vampire for my number one, and Edward-Bella as number two. As for numbers 3 and 4, I need to incorporate character development into my list, so I think I'll describe Bella's personality as 3 and Edward as 4. But that is as far as I have down. I still have six more things to think of and only a few other facts. Hopefully over break I can come up with some more central ideas, but to be honest, I'm not planning on thinking about outside reading very much when I can be opening presents or eating Christmas cookies. Anyway . . . I hope Christmas is great and I'm soo glad that break is finally here!!!

Much Ado About Nothing . . .

. . . So far, I've really enjoyed this book. At first, it seemed a little harder to understand than Romeo and Juliet, but I think I've gotten used to the language after Act 2. I'm also excited to read one of Shakespeare's comedies, rather than his tragedy we read last year. It sounds like it has a really interesting plot, and watching the movie really helps me to understand the major events. The themes and characters are relevant to today too. The play contains all the villains, damsels in distress, heroes and ladies men that current movies and books advertise. It even has some of the same themes such as the awkwardness of love, loyalty of friends, and the phenomenon of "opposites attract". All in all, I think this is going to be a really fun book to read, and I'm excited to see how the plot, characters, and themes play out in one of the most famous comedies of all time.

sorry about these big gaps of space my blogs have between the title and text. Something's wrong with my blog. I'll try to fix it for later.

Edward's point of view . . .

. . . I just learned that, after the most recent book of the series, Eclipse, author Stephanie Meyer plans to publish the Twilight book from Edward's perspective. I think she has the first chapter of this new novel at the end of Eclipse, like she usually does to keep readers interested. But having the story told through Edward has made some people wonder if maybe this 4th book will appeal to guys. Personally, I think it's still going to be too "sappy", and it's targeted towards long time readers of Stephanie's books. However, I also heard that a Twilight movie is coming out, which I'm still not sure weather to go to or not. This may entice a wider range of viewers, but the Twilight series is still aimed mostly towards teen girls, and I think this new book will be a great addition to the trilogy. It will give an insight on Edward that we've never seen before as readers, and help one better understand his character.

Christmas !!...

. . . I Love Christmas! This season is so wonderful and I've waited so long for it to come that I can't believe it's already here. Only two (?) more weeks of school then I can enjoy cookies, treats, ornaments, trees, lights, Santa, shopping, and all those wonderful things that go along with the holiday season. I just made a ginger bread house last night and it really got me into the Christmas spirit!! Now I just hope it snows some more so we're sure we'll have a white Christmas!

Right and Wrong...

... Another theme I picked up on in Twilight is the idea of doing what is best for those you love, instead of just doing what you want. After finishing Twilight, I started New Moon, its sequel, and the theme was present there even more than in Twilight. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but in New Moon, Edward begins to question the morality of him staying with Bella. He seems to wonder if it is truly loving towards her for him to be so present in her life when, first, he is mortally dangerous to her, and second, the reality is that their relationship can never really last. With him being immortal and a vampire, he and Bella can never have a future together. So it rises the question of weather it was right for him to let Bella into his life at all when it will ultimately cause her so much pain when they'll inevitably have to split. However, on the other hand, you could look at it from Bella's point of view. She sees the time she has spent with Edward priceless, and she seems to think that it is even worth the remorse she'll feel if he leaves. In reality, it probably wasn't right for Edward to engage Bella all the way back at the beginning of the year. . . but that wouldn't have made for a very good story. So, I guess I'll have to keep reading to see how the story plays out!!!

Mr. Psychic...

... One thing that is very different about Edward, besides the fact that he is a vampire, is the fact that he can read minds. He tells Bella of his hidden talent one night at dinner, the same night she finds out he is a vampire, and she is horrified. Thankfully, for some mysterious reason, he can't read her mind, but he can listen into the thoughts of nearly every person imaginable, vampire or human. This talent may seem like a really helpful skill, but he does elude to the fact that it is very distracting to have all the voices in your head at one time, and it's very hard to keep your own thoughts straight. In thinking about the book, I've often wondered if this would be a good or a bad gift to have. Obviously, there are some things people are thinking that I would rather not know, but in Edward's case, his physic abilities seemed to save him and those around him from a lot of harm. But on the other hand, it seems like this skill just makes things too easy. This may sound weird, but to get to know someone, you have to spend time with them and get acquainted with their personality. But if you could simply read their mind, it ruins the whole "friendship making" time, and all their private thoughts are disclosed to you, which also isn't fair. Well... anyway, I'm probably never going to have to face the decision weather to be psychic or not, but if I do, I think I'd rather have my friends keep their thoughts to themselves.

Don't judge a book by its cover...

... After finishing the book, its really interesting to look back on some of the events that took place with new meaning. In the first few chapters of the book, the reader doesn't know that Edward is a vampire. He seems to be just a cold hearted jerk who has very limited social skills. However, after finding out that Edward is a Vampire and Bella's particular blood type is especially tempting to him, one can better understand Edward's indifferent attitude towards her. It seemed that he was being rude by avoiding Bella and constantly blowing her off, when really he was trying to hold himself back from killing her! As twisted as it may sound, he really had good intentions. Or, in other words, he was trying to save her from himself. It was interesting when Edward told his side of the story about Bella's first few days of school. He had been going through a personal struggle between right and wrong and resisting one's temptations, and all the while Bella thought he was deliberately being mean to her. Its hard to know someone's true intentions unless they tell you themselves. I'm not saying that everyone who is mean is really a blood sucking vampire, but often the general public is too quick to judge when there is really something else going on under the surface.

Twilight...

... WOW!!! That's all I can say! I don't even have words to describe how much I loved this book! I started reading it the first Wednesday we had in class reading and I was done with it by the following Sunday... I couldn't put it down. What an awesome book! And it wasn't just the characters that hooked me ( although I can completely identify with Bella, and Edward... ) the plot, writing, and tone of the book were equally astounding. I must admit, I was quite reluctant when I had picked this book up at Barns and Noble. I had been expecting another one of Jodi Picoult's gripping tales, but with 19 minutes still in hard cover, I had to settle for Stephenie Meyer. And, despite everyone telling me how amazing the book is, I was unconvinced. So I grudginly settled for Twilight and was prepared for the worst as I began the first chapter on Tuesday night. But I was very pleasantly surprised by love for the book and by the weekend I was boardering on obsession. But I just couldn't stop reading! So... despite my forethoughts, I would recommend this book to almost any teen girl I know. With an intense, and ofcourse slightly romantic tone and an ending that will have you frantically flipping pages, this book is an instant classic!! Well... that's all for now!!

All My Sons...

... Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I liked the simplistic tone, the setting/WWII era, and I especially liked the themes in the book. One of these underlying ideas that really intrigued me was found in the qoute that the book is named after. On page 83, Joe states that, " They were all my sons". I thought that this qoute was really interesting and it encompassed one of the major lessons in the book: that our actions all have reactions, and you never know who it will affect. Joe knew Larry didn't fly a P-40, but he still essentially killed his son through his terrible decision. He also caused 21 other families to feel the same grief he felt after learning of Larry's death, and Larry couldn't deal with that. All those boys had loved ones just like the Keller family. All those boys were like Larry... They were all Keller's sons and because of his faulty decison, they were all killed. It's amazing the damage that one pressured decision can do.

Conflict in Gilead...

... Up until this point in my book, there hasn't been much conflict to speak of. There has been a lot of wisdome, memories, and interesting insights on life... but no conflict. However, recently an issue has finally risen up and caused the story to be a little more interesting. As I have said many times, this book is about an older man dying of cancer who is writing a letter to his son. Then when he dies, the son can read the letter and take in some of the wisdome and advice his father had, as well as get to know his father better through his memories and life experiences. But something I have not spoken of is the fact that Mr. Ames married a much younger woman. But don't worry, this isn't one of those " trophy wife " scenerios. Mr. and Mrs. Ames truely love eachother, but her age is part of the conflict. The problem is that this the son of John's best friend has returned to town, after leaving his family and going off to who knows where, and he is now trying to weasel his way into the Ames family, and into the heart of Mrs. Ames. He is one of those people who you know has a slimy personality, but is just sly enough to act nice when they want to. But, because only Mr. Ames really knew him in his bad days, only he can see this man's plan unfolding. He describes it in the book as his greatest fear. He asks himself " What is it you fear most...?" and responds, " fear leaving my wife and child unknowingly in the sway of a man of extremely questionable character." (p. 140) This seems to be an area of great turmoil for John, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. I haven't quite finished the book yet, so I'll have to keep reading to find out what happens!!

The fountain of Youth...

... While reading through this book from the point of view of an old dying man, it really made me realize how precious our age and young lives are. A qoute from the book on page 115 says, " Remembering my youth makes me aware that I never really had enough of it, it was over before I was done with it." John Ames is reflecting upon his years as his death is pending, and realizes that all too many of us are trying to grow up too fast. We get cell phones in 3rd grade to try to look like the ' big kids'. Elementary shcoolers can't wait 'till they can see their first PG-13 movie. Even highschoolers beg to be older by challenging ourselves with AP and Enriched classes, hopeing we can expand our minds to that of college students. I's amazing how much we rush through our lives as we know them, just waiting for the next step, but never really reveling in our current age. People always say to " enjoy it while you can", but I feel that all too often I'm loaded down with homework, extra curriculars, and voluteer work... all just to get into a good college. Then when I get into college I'll be working to get a good job, and in my job I'll be working hard for a better one. It's our society's vicious cycle of improvement, but guess it takes a good balance of personal time and shcool time to be able to fully enjoy or current life, while still planning for the future.

Count Your Blessings...

Over MEA, I've been reading a lot, and I've decided that I really Like this book. It's slow and detailed pace really annoyed me at first, but now I've gotten used to it and I've realizied I need to take my time and enjoy the story. Anyway... My " qoute of the day" was found on page 36 in Gilead, and I thought it was very interesting. In context, the protagonist's grandfather says these words just after he returned from the war, and lost is eye in the process. His family is lamenting and pitying him for his injury, but he only says, " I am confident that I will find great blessing in it." WOW! What an optomist! If I'd just had my eye shot out I would probably be in a deep state of depression, not finding blessing in my situation. His chracter shows such integrity and faith to trust so earnestly that a blessing will come his way. I really admire how he sees the glass half full and refuses to let his curcumstances get him down. I also saw a qoute of Winston Chruchill's on the white board in the chior room that said something to the affect of, " for myself I am an optomist. It doesn't seem to be of any use to do otherwise," or something like that. But those words are so true. What good does it do you to be pessimistic all the time. It only gets you a whiny tone and a bad attitude. One would do much better to try to better their situation rather that wallow in it. Well... those are my words of wisdome for the day!

... Gilead 2

... This week in my reading I came accross a particaular passage that really struck me. Just to preface it, the main character in this section is reflecting on how much he envies his friends, thier health, and their many blessings. Robinson writes, " I've always envied men who could watch their wives grow old... As for me, it is still true that I will never see a child of mine grow up and I will never see a wife of mine grow old." Now, I know this may sound odd at first, especially because someone of my age can't exactly understand the desire to watch a spouse grow old. But, if I were dying like reverend Ames, I couldn't help but think about all I would miss in the lives of my loved ones. I would miss so many of the circumstances that will shape the personalities of my family and friends, that, in actuality, I would barely know them at all. I would never see my brother and sister graduate, go to college, start famalies. I wouldn't even be able to do those things, and this book has made it hard not to think about all I would miss. But thankfully, I am not sick with a terminal desiese and, Lord willing, I will be able to see my family grow and change, and experience life for myself. Before this book, I never realized how much I took advantage of everyday living, the small details in life. Anyway... I just thought I'd write on this since it has been such an evident theme in my book this week!!

... Gilead

... I'm really liking this book so far. It is about a Christian preacher who is dying, and he is writing a last letter to his son that he plans for him to read after his death. It's really interesting, although it may seem like the opposite, and i really enjoy seeing the other side of the main character. In my recent readings, the theme of death has been surfacing a lot. The old man , who's name i don't know yet, is dying of heart failure. He seems to be fairly calm and continues with his normal life, as if nothing has happened. But i couldn't help but put myself into his situation. What would i do if i was dying? Would i spend all my money to do everything i'd always dreamed of doing? Would i spend my last moments writing letters to my family so they would remember what i was like? Would i cry my eyes out? How would i react? Anyway... I've been thinking a lot about this lately and i'm excited to see if the main character's calm demeanor continues.

400 Blows Post...

... Wow, what a sad movie! After finishing it I feel so depressed! Throughout the whole movie, I thought that Antoine would become a better kid, or make something of himself, but he only got into more trouble in the end. But I guess, if he doesnt' get caught, he won't have to see his mother again, which only seems to ruin any happiness he has gained. Although it was depressing, I thought it was a decent movie all together. It had it's funny moments and the young boys were very endeering. The French + subtitles threw me off a little, but it was enjoyable in general.

400 Blows Theme..

...Many themes also presented themselves in the movie, but the most thought provoking idea for me was whether or not you can blame Antoine for acting the way he does considering his family, former life, and troubled future. On one hand, Antoine is 11 years old, and should be responsible for some of his actions by now. But on the other hand, his mother seems to treat him with little respect or care and his lack of a strong family base seeps into his everyday actions. Is it his fault or his mother’s fault that he is the way he is?...

Memoir...

... I'm so glad to be done with my Black Boy Memoir. I thought that this assignment would be one of the more difficult writing pieces we'd have to do this year, but I actually really enjoyed it! It is always hard to write about yourself, especially when it's about a memory of yours, but I was surprised by how easily and quickly I could write it. I actually hope we have more assignments of this nature in the rest of the year!

Rachel

New Book

hi again everyone!
I know I posted that my book was the breakfast book club book Until They Bring the Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West, but as I continued in the book, it actually started to disturb me slightly, so I've chosen another text.
A friend recommended the book Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson. This story is about a Christian minister who, knowing he is dying, tries to pass down his wisdome and doctrine to his son. I know it doesn't sound extremely interesting, but everyone I know that has read the book loves it. If you know anything more about it, let me know!
~ Thanks, Rachel

Outside Reading

Hello Everyone!
This quarter for outside reading I've chosen the book Until They Bring the Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West. I chose this book because it is the breakfast book club book, which I'm on (yay!), and I though it would be best to use it for my ouside reading, instead of trying to read three books at once. If you're reading this book too, please let me know how you like it. I'm not very far into it, but I've gotten mixted responses on students' feelings toward the story.
Thanks!
Rachel Sweet