Assignment #15 - Multiple Intelligence

“You want to know what made me this way?” The old man was speaking to an adolescent of no more than 16 years of age. He was his probation officer. The boy rolled his eyes but the man continued anyway. “It was exactly what made you the way you are now. It was myself. I am this way because I chose to be this way. Let your troubles bring you down and they will. But let them build you up and they will too.” It was almost as if the old man could see his words float right above the boys head. “Here’s what I want you to do. Every time you feel burdened I want you to pick a rock that you think is about the size of your burden. Put that rock in your backpack and take it with you everywhere. At the end of the week, come back to me.”  The adolescent had no choice but to do as he was instructed. The first day he went home, his mom was drunk and cursed at him and beat him until he finally made his way out the door. He saw a rock nearly the size of his fist. The boy picked it up and took it home to place in his backpack. On the second day, a proud jock tripped him on the way to class. At lunch he found a rather small rock and added it to his collection. This continued for the rest of the week. The weight caused him to become angry and consequently he got in more trouble with teachers and parents. By Friday the boys backpack was so heavy he could hardly lift it. Not only that, he now had two referrals and was nearing suspension. In addition, he had to leave home early just to make it to class on time because the rocks weighed him down. On Sunday he returned to his probation officer. The old man lifted the boys back and said, “What did you learn?” The boy looked dumbfounded and replied, “Rocks slow you down.” There was not even a slight pause. “Exactly!” The old man seemed over excited and the boy did not understand. Knowing the boy did not comprehend, the man proceeded, “Tell me something you are good at.” This time there was a long pause before either of them spoke. “Uh basketball I guess but I don’t play much.” The boy was unsure as to where the mans questions were leading. “Now for the following week”, the probation officer began, “Every time you feel burdened you will go outside and shoot some hoops. You will not return home until you feel you have made an exceptional amount of baskets.” The boy thought that this task couldn’t get an easier. He was pleased to have a reason to shoot hoops without his parents beckoning him back home. That night he shot 5 successful hoops after realizing his grade point average had plummeted. The next day his parents engaged in another fight to which the blame was placed on him. He shot about 25 hoops, 20 of which were successful. Around mid-week the boy realized the more anger he had, the more hoops he shot. He also apprehended that when he took his anger out with a basketball, he did not get in as much trouble. When he returned to his probation officer he told him what he had come to understand. The old man replied, “Now tell me why I had you carry rocks the first week but this week I had you play basketball.” The boy pondered this for a moment. “The first week I resembled myself and the rocks were burden of negative energy.” The boy stopped to observe his P.O as he was unsure if this answer was correct. The man motioned him to continue. “The rocks slowed me down and made me angry like my burden had. During the second week I took something that I was good at and used it as positive energy. The basketball was my burden but it was also my gift.”

Golden Anchor Drill Meet 2010

Congratulations to all Atrisco Heritage Acadamey MCJROTC cadets. We competed in the Golden Anchor drill meet at Highland High today. The outcome was as follows:

Unarmed
Regulation Drill - 1st Place
Exhibition Drill - 1st Place
Sweepstakes - 1st Place
Commander - 1st Place

Armed
Regulation Drill - 1st Place
Exhibition Drill - 1st Place

Combined
Inspection - 2nd Place

Congrats and good luck at Duke City next week!!!

Assignment #14 - Persausive Essay: Uniforms

      It is a common misconception that enforcing a strict uniform policy makes for a more well-organized school. This is a false statement. Uniforms cause discomfort and distraction from school studies. They do not impair the segregation between students of different social classes, and furthermore, uniforms will cause more rebellion. You do not have to have uniforms in order to become a good systematized and structured school. There are many negative outcomes that can, and feasibly will, arise if uniforms are imposed amongst our school.

    Being told what you may and may not wear causes not only physical discomfort but mental discomfort as well. The students are very much aware of what they intend to wear as opposed to what they are required to wear. This subconscious awareness will cause students to focus their efforts more on this subject matter than on the curriculum being taught in class. The student becomes more concerned with why they have to be in uniform and what’s going to happen if they are not abiding the dress code. This takes away from the attention guided en route of the lesson plan. Not only this, but students do not always feel that their complexion works in favor of the specified uniform. Then the students become more concerned with how they look and why other people can pull off a uniform better. Again, this is energy that should be exerted on the studies within the classroom, not on a uniform.

    Students tend to separate themselves in accordance with different social classes. It is presumed by many that uniforms may be a valid means of managing this issue. This presumption is also false. You can tell the divergence in quality of clothing rather it be uniforms or blue jeans. Students who really care about social classes will recognize when another student is not of the same social status. Unless uniforms are bought from the school and are, therefore, of the same eminence and brand name, students will still segregate. However, it would be very time consuming to organize a uniform store at the school. Also, schools should be focused on academics and NOT on uniforms.

     Adolescents, it seems, are all about doing the opposite of what we are told. You tell us to be home by 10 and we will come home at 11:30. You tell us to clean our room and we will sneak out to go to a concert. Why would uniforms be any different? If you tell a teenager to tuck in their shirt and wear a black belt with khaki pants, do you really think they are going to do it? As a current high school student who went to a uniform middle school, I know they will not. Students would much rather get suspended and spend a day at home than tuck in their shirts. And expulsion? Even better! If you get kicked out you have more of a chance to go to a school that does not enforce a uniform policy. The punishments for not abiding these rules are usually more of a reward in the students’ eyes.

    Uniforms can cause a variety of problems. In fact, most people would agree that they cause more problems and hassles than they solve. So why try so hard to enforce them? Having to enforce a uniform policy is going to be a lot more work for the staff and administration. This is added stress that no one in the school needs. Allowing the students to dress as they wish will also allow the teachers and other staff to learn more about the individual as much of our personality is reflected in our clothing. Students will be uncomfortable and focus less of their attention on school work. Many problems, such as social segregation, will remain unresolved, and finally rebellion will most likely increase. I advise the school board to take this into consideration as they make their final decision on whether or not our school should impose a uniform policy.

James Morrison - Please Don't Stop the Rain

(Chorus)

If it's going to be a rainy day
There's nothing we can do to make it change
We can pray for sunny weather
But that won't stop the rain

Feeling like you got no place to run
I can be your shelter 'till it's done
We can make this last forever
So please don't stop the rain

(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don't stop the rain
(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don't stop the rain

Assignment #13 - Holloween Haiku

The meaning behind Halloween is not to trick or treat with candy.
There are saints who long to hear your prayers of proclamation on these days.
As well as souls who need your prayers to save them from Hell’s condemnation.

Assignment #11 - The Concrete Rose

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?

Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk without having feet.

Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.

Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.

- Tupac Shakur

    “Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?” When I read this line of Tupac’s poem I see myself as that rose and my parents are the concrete. Roses are not supposed to grow from cracks in the concrete. My dad was not supposed to be capable of having children. My father was told that after his accident at Las Alamos he would be sterile. Needless to say, I was a surprise. I was the rose that grew from the crack in the concrete.

    “Proving nature’s law is wrong it learned to walk without having feet.” My parents both came out of bad marriages before they met each other. My mom had already had three kids and my dad willing took them in as his own. They were both wounded from their first marriages. They were walking without feet and love was their crutch, but the unique thing about a crutch like this one is that it is shared. Neither of them were ready to get back in the dating game but they kept running into each other like it was just meant to be.

    “Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.” It was hard for both of them to let go of their pasts. My mom had just left a very abusive husband and was a young mother of three. My father was a soldier of 6 years asked to leave the Army due to the stories his wife was making up. My mom told my dad she would not date any Hispanic man under 30 and my father was both. My father did not plan on dating as he had full intentions of reenlisting as soon as things cleared up with his ex-wife. Well, both my parents had time to “breathe fresh air” and they found new dreams with each other. By holding onto these dreams they have been able to live them in contentment.

    “Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.” To my parents, it seemed as if no one but them cared about their lives and aspirations. My moms pregnancy with me is what caused them to get married and here they are 17 years later, still married despite all the trials life has given them. No matter what obstacle is placed on their path they will always overcome it. In this case I would say “Long live the concrete that bore the rose when no one else ever cared.” My parents being the concrete and I being the rose that they bore.



Assignment #10 - Bullying

   

    Just because no physical harm has been done unto you does not mean you have not been bullied. Bullying can happen in many ways and often goes unnoticed. However, sometimes the bullying goes unnoticed because the bystanders do not want to see it. If you see someone being harassed and do nothing about it, you might as well have harassed that person yourself. You silence confirms your consent!

   One question this essay is supposed to answer is have I ever been bullied. The question did not limit me to a specific type of bullying so I will address this question with one answer and two examples. My answer, first off, is yes. I have experienced this both physically and emotionally. I remember one time in elementary school my moms son punched me in the face right in front of my teacher. My teacher pretended not to see this but I knew she did. I do not recall why he hit me but I do recollect that the teacher failing to acknowledge what she clearly saw, hurt more than being hit. Did she just not care or she just figured it was easier to literally look the other way? I will never know the answer to that question. Now the second example also contains physical and emotional bullying. This was after my moms son had moved back in with us for the final time. I was walking home with him and he was outraged that I did not cross the street with him! When we got home he shoved me against the wall by my throat. This did not hurt and I was not scared. What hurt was his remarks. One of which he retorted that I was a “worthless bitch”. What scared me was thinking of the possibility that that statement could be true. Now he moved out a few years later and I have not permitted myself to speak to him since he moved back to NY but it is not so much the physical actions of someone that you remember most. Words can cut just as deep. Did I do something to provoke this? Yes I did. I failed to cross the street. Was this reason enough to become outraged? No.

    In both events I felt torn. I felt like something inside of me broke. Was I really such an awful person? I like to think not but I know I have my flaws. I have seen people be bullied a number of times and, as you may have guessed, I was the silent bully. I did nothing. I am not content with the actions, or lack of actions rather, but I will not make that mistake again. The question I was asked is if I have ever bullied someone. My answer is yes. I didn’t harm this person in any physical manner but I did not act upon the bullying either. As I said before, if you see someone being harassed and do nothing about it, you might as well have bullied that person yourself.

    Bullying a person does not only affect a person physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Not only do you leave this person with contusions or lacerations, etc. you also leave them with questions. What did I do to deserve this? Am I a bad person? Do the bystanders not care? These types of questions are not easy to answer and come to terms with and they may cause the victims to think less of themselves. This is why there are so many suicides. If bullying were to reduce I believe teen suicide would as well. Even if bullying was just dealt with more, suicide would most likely be less probable.

Assignment #9 - Alien Contact

   

    She slammed on the brakes but it was too late. The windshield shattered into pieces so small they were hardly tangible. All she saw were oncoming headlights. Then her world went black as she was claimed by unconsciousness. An off duty officer was passing by the damaged car and called it in. Ambulance rushed to the scene but there was a delay. The reported victim in need of immediate medical care was no longer in the vehicle. The car had been pried apart and not by the Jaws of Life. There was no other vehicle within miles of the accident, and no witnesses could be found. The police searched everything within the near by perimeter and accomplished nothing. Flummoxed by such a strange scenario, the police had no choice but to call of the search and return home.

    Sally returned to consciousness just as terrified and confused as she had been in that split second before she left it. That split second where all she could make out was the bright light and the sound of the tires protesting against the asphalt as she pleaded with the brakes on her car. Now she is surrounded by lights and what appear to be average people. Her head is throbbing so she blinks persistently in a failed attempt to clear this fictional place she has conjured. Dismayed, she begins to tremble in realizing this is no delusion. She knows she was in a wreck, she knows she should seek medical attention, but she also knows this is no hospital.

    Eager to run, for she is not yet aware of the actual situation, Sally struggles against the straps of the gurney. Wait a second...Gurney? Straps? “Is this a hospital?” Sally only means for this to be a thought but the words left her lips with great volume. The man nearest to her strides over, gracefully closing the distance between them in a matter of milliseconds, and studies her demeanor. She seems calm now. Maybe it’s the thought of being in an actual hospital, being close to home, or maybe she knows she will not get an explanation if she lets herself be overwrought by fear. Either way, she does not appear to frantic and this humbles the man.

    “You are not in a hospital but you are in good hands.” The man’s voice is so genuinely tender Sally almost completely ignores the words his voice has formed. “I’m sorry?” Sally is unsure whether he noticed her lack of consideration to whatever this man said but she is hoping an apology will buy her another chance to hear his stunning accent. He clears his throat and tries again. “You were in accident Miss, in which I sincerely apologize for on behalf the ship. We…” Sally cuts him off. “Ship.” She’s not really asking, rather she is trying to collect her scattered thoughts and make sense of this puzzle. “Not a hospital. Good hands. Ship.” Her fragmented thoughts are given volume yet again. “Yes ma’am”, the man is unsure if she is about to become frantic but he does not want to give her the time to do so, “Our ship had a malfunction. We did fix it but unfortunately we did not fix it fast enough. The edge of our ship slashed the front end of your vehicle causing horrible destruction. The guilt we felt was tremendous and we knew we had to take you into our care. You are aboard our ship and will remain so until you are well enough to return to normal human conditions.” His words come out fast and all she understands is that he is not referring to himself as human. “Hu-human? Normal human conditions?” She stammers and this time it is a question. “Look Miss..” He pauses and waits for her interjection. “Sally, n-no Miss, j-just Sally.” Still stuttering she manages a response and he continues, “Sally, I may explain things to you under one condition.” He is scrutinizing her again. Upon finding no change in her now concerned character, he proceeds with, “You will not speak of this again to any other human.” There is a long pause before she realizes she must respond. “I…I…Sure, of course, you h-have my word.” The man contemplates this and says, finally, “We are not of your species but we cannot have permanent contact with humans until we are sure how they will react toward our kind. Do you understand?” Without thinking Sally blurts out, “You mean to tell me I am aboard a UFO and aliens are providing my medical care!? Aliens!? But you all look so much like humans and you’re so…so” it takes her a while before she finds suitable words, “civilized and kind-spirited.” Now the man is irresolute as to if he should feel flattered that she thinks highly of them or insulted that she assumed such undermining things of them. After much deliberation he decides to remain neutral. “Sally, do you believe everything your human media spits at you? This is why we cannot reveal ourselves to your people. Humans do not wish to adapt to even the smallest changes. So we are not of your world. That is what makes us outcasts? We have so much to offer you as you have much to offer as well. Still, humans will not easily accept an”, he pauses to recall the manner in which Sally referred to them and tries to mimic her, “an ‘alien’. Dear Sally, please understand that we are not outcasts. As a black man is different from a white man merely in skin pigment, we are different from you only in culture.”

40 Days for Life - Praying to End Abortion

A baby’s heart develops during the first trimester. If in knowing this you can still stop the heart of the conception rooted within you, then I pray God may humble your soul that you may come to know the splendor of life.

I joined Project Defending Life in prayer today in front of Planned Parenthood (an abortion clinic located at 701 San Mateo NE). Today was our church, Our Lady of Guadalupe's, day to continue praying to end abortion as part of 40 Days for Life. I prayed the rosary in front of the clinic and then joined Project Defending Life in mass. After mass Father held a procession in which Father led us to Planned Parenthood and blessed the building while the congregation all prayed the rosary together. I was deeply moved as this was my first year attending this function. However, what stirred me was not that of a content feeling, rather it was a heartrending feeling. As we prayed people would shout obscene things but we stayed concentrated in our prayer. People would yell at us to go home as they drove by or honked rowdily giving us the finger. I felt such sadness that as our very hearts have the luxury of beating, we as humans have the capability to end the beating of another life attached to us by an umbilical cord. Allowing abortion is murder. There is no question to it. Why we do allow ourselves the option of ending a life when other doors are open to us? There are families out there that yearn for children but cannot have their own. Standing outside that clinic made me appreciate the trails I have mourned over in my own life. I desperately felt the need to be closer to the women in there. I sensed a strong desire to open their eyes to other options and make them understand that another heart is beating inside of them and only they could make the choice to let that heart be nurtured into something even more precious than it already is. I longed to plead for the existence trapped in the womb that could not plead for itself. Yet we were not allowed to so much as allow one of our fallen eyelashes to land on their property before they unleashed the hell that has been allowed to prosper within their walls. Still something inside of me rang out, awakening a part of me that desired to bring the possible “mothers to be” to reasoning but…No part of myself had any idea of how.

Shortly before Father led the procession back to finish our prayers inside, a man approached us. Outraged he retorted, “There is a war going on and this is what you are concerned with!?” I felt compelled to answer but that would have violated the contract to keep peace that all participating members must sign. If I could have responded to this man I would have said this: “You better believe that this is what we are concerned with. This is our war. We aren’t fighting with weapons but this is just as much of a war as what you are referring to. We are losing lives and undermining our own names. We are murdering those who cannot plead for their own lives. You are condoning the destruction of another asset to the world.” After thinking this to myself I watched the man cross the street to rejoin his lover and his baby. This aroused another thought, “Can he really look his child in the eyes and defend the termination of potential life?” I felt sickened, but at the same time I felt blessed…Blessed with lavishness and adversity. I am blessed with life.

Assignment #8 - The Necklace

In Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace”, there were many morals that could be lured from between the lines. The one that stood out most to me is to work hard for what you desire but also treasure what you have. The lady in this short story was miserable because she invited misery. She had the necessities but she yearned for more. It is ok to want something that is not necessary but you must always be grateful of what you have or you will never truly be happy. We have to look at things for more than what they appear to be. For example, my grandmother bought me a large plaque for Christmas. On this stunning painting of Our Lady reads, “No tengas miedo porque siempre estas en mi cuidado.” This translates to, “Do not be afraid because I am always with you.” My grandmother died a month before Christmas. When I unwrapped this gift I felt anger and I didn’t even want to hang it on my wall. As time passed I started to look at it in a different perspective and I understood that while most would not think this to be necessary, it was to me. This was my source of comfort and closure. My grandmother was in the hospital the night before she died. She came home and passed away that morning. We do not know how my grandmother died but we do know that she knew her time was near. Now, if you would have asked me shortly after she died if I was grateful for that gift, I would respond that I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I was not especially grateful per say though. However, when I took the time to examine the issue through every angle and read between the lines, I came to know that my grandma intended this to be my means of stability in understanding her passing. The morning she passed away I walked into the bedroom to find my younger sister doing CPR with a 9-1-1 operator guiding her by phone. I wanted to help but all I could manage to do was stand frozen in place as I fumbled for the words to explain to my mother that her mom was not ok. My mom was under the impression her mother was exhausted and just didn’t want to wake up. She had call to check on her but my silence pierced the phone lines and she immediately knew her suspicions were wrong. At the sight of a Christmas gift from her I felt furious that she could leave us the way she did. We knew ahead of time that she came to our house to die. I was not grateful. I wanted more. I wanted her death to be different. All of this wanting things to be something other than what they were caused me to be miserable. Yet, when I accepted the facts and became grateful that she bought me a gift that would help me cope and understand, I was not so despondent anymore. I was not close to my grandmother and that didn’t make losing her any easier, but when I applied the moral found in this story, the situation was made better.

Book Report - After by Amy Efaw

In the book After, Amy Efaw writes about a young girl who, despite never having been faced with any kind of trouble, is burried so far in denail  she doesn't realize she is pregnant and has no memory of throwing her baby in the dumpster behind her apartment. The girl was a straight A student and a future soccer olympian, but she couldn't take emotional hits as well as she could take a soccer ball straight to the face. While this is what After was about, it was also about a general life experience. At one point or another we will all have to stare truth in the eye no matter how terrified we are of the outcome. In the process, we will have to either be accountable and accept our actions like young Devon did, or keep running from the truth and pray we never stumble over it. My moms son had anger issues as well as ADHD. He never learned to face his problems head on and overcome the issues. With him everything was always someone elses fault and he needed to feel like he was right and justice was equalized. When he had to face the truth he closed his eyes. My moms son could never understand where his mistakes were. When he got in a fight it was because the other person deserved it, he failed a class because the teacher wasn't good at teaching, and the time his glasses broke it wasn't he who broke them. Seven ninjas broke into the house and snuck pass the alarm to break his glasses (yes he really tried to pull that one off). Then one day he gets caught for theft. Fear stricken, he finds himself dumb founded and having to face the truth. Nothing he could tell the cops would make the situation better. Young Devon chose to accept her mistake and plead guiltly to murder but my moms son kept running from the truth. While he was running he stumbled over it and the truth got the upperhand. If we do not willing face the truth and accept the consequences, sooner or later it will catch up to us and we will be forced to pay the price.

Assignment #7

Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value. Jealousy scans for evidence to prove the point - that others will be preferred and rewarded more than you. There is only one alternative - self-value. If you cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved. You will always think it's a mistake or luck. Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner within. Find the seeds of your jealousy, clear the old voices and experiences. Put all the energy into building your personal and emotional security. Then you will be the one others envy, and you can remember the pain and reach out to them. (Jennifer James)

“Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value.” This is the very first line in Jennifer James’ quote on envy. This is a powerful line because of the legitimacy contained within it. Every human being has value. Every being has value. There is something contributed by every life form. Rather it is the trees producing oxygen, the artists providing entertainment, or the doctors saving lives. To believe you or another being is over lesser value than the next being is incredulous. When we envy someone it is because we feel threatened. We feel something they have is missing from our lives and we long to fill that void. However, if we let the desire to acquire the possessions of others consume us; we will always have another vacancy to plug. Jealousy is being discontent with ourselves, with our lives. Envy is misery’s company. The two come in a package like the buy one get one free shoes your neighbor has you gaffing over. What your neighbor didn’t tell you is that the price of the first pair is doubled. You become so enveloped in coveting what others possess that we fall blind to desolation that may be accompanying their elation. Jealousy is like a weed. It will suck the water from the things most in need of attention unless we pull it from its roots. How do we find the root of our envy? We must understand what it is we covet and why we long to have it. Do we only want it because someone else has it? If not then we are probably not experiencing jealousy at that moment. That being said, it is not wrong to want something we have no need for. There is an immense distinction between want and envy. We can want things others have without wanting them out of jealousy. Also, jealousy does not only apply to material possessions. By definition jealousy is suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rival. In Jennifer’s words “fear that you do not have value.” In trying to become equal with our rivals we stoop down to their level. Jealousy makes us recoil to equal or lesser value than that of our adversary. Yet, if we are content with ourselves and our own lives then we have filled the deepest void and are, therefore, of high value. To rid ourselves of fear or the value placed upon us by others is to gain a higher sense of self value. Self value will obliterate weeds by their roots without ever cringing. By human nature we envy and y human nature we grow weeds, but by self appraise we allow ourselves to crouch over long enough to demolish the roots of the weeds and prosper into something beautifully superior.

Shadow of Love and Mistakes

I know the things I have done

May shame you 'till your soul goes numb

But these are actions of my past
Now they merely exist in the shadow I cast

But I cast this shadow for all to see

So that those who fall on my trail will be

Forever guarded from stepping on hot coals

Rather they walk on my shadow, paying no toll

For I've payed the toll for every mistake
In tears and pain and even heart break
But rejection, I fear, put me most in debt
As it becomes poignant to smolder among eyes never met

Saint Peter may not call my name at the gate

But guided by my shadow I pray you find your own fate

Becoming a person of greater good

Someone whose mistakes may be understood

Then when the time comes that you hear your name
Take up your cross and embrace your own shame
My shadow will not lead you up to the gate
But lay down your love where you make your mistakes

Your love and mistakes will be the shadow you cast
Bear it so others may learn from your past

Followers may come and descend on your trail

But where your shadow ends, theirs will prevail

Book Report - The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

Kelly Armstong wrote about a young girl, Chloe, who has a powerful gift. Chloe Saunders can communicate with ghosts and raise the dead. However, Chloe is tricked into believing she is a schizophrenic teen who needs help. Upon discovering she is a necromancer and not a schizo, Chloe uncovers more secrets. In my life I have seen this in reverse effect a million times. I have several cousins with mental disabilities. I always hear about how my cousins can't do things because of their disabilities when I know they are capable. Their parents supply them with this excuse for everything. One time my younger cousin broke down into tears crying about how stupid she was because her mom told her she "couldn't" be on the soccer team. After my cousin talked to her special ed teacher, who coaxed her into trying out, my cousin made the soccerr team and gained confidence. Not only was her mother in shock of the soccerr jersey my cousin proudly sported, but when her mom appologized for almost not letting her try out my cousins was response was to let her know she understood that her mom as just doing what she thought was best. In this novel, Chloe finds out her aunt is part of a group of people who are trying to genetically engineer supernaturals. Chloe's aunt does not realize how evil they are at first and Aunt Lauren is the reason Chloe is captive under the rule of mad scientists. Chloe must escape and learn to forgive her aunt. The group kills her aunt but not before she writes a letter to Chloe explaining that she never meant to endanger her.

Assignment #5 - Essay:Religion and Race (Biasy)

The building of a Muslim Mosque in New York City has been a large topic of controversy. I believe the Muslims do have a right to build a Mosque anywhere in America as any other religion has a right to build their place of worship where they want it. However, I also think they Muslims should step back and realize that while it was only two of their men who took innocent lives from us, that is a major tragedy that can’t be undone. Americans are now scared of Muslims. No, I do not believe the entire Muslim group should be tainted by the gory blunder caused by a very small portion of their assembly. What I do think is that it is understandable that the Americans are scared of them and the Muslims should have enough respect to find another location for their Mosque. This behavior, on both ends, is much like that in the immigration issue.

    In New York City stands Lady Liberty declaring freedom that we “send these, your homeless, your tempest-toss” to her as she lifts her “lamp beside the golden door”. We tell everyone that America is a refuge for all who yearn for a better life but then we put up walls and station soldiers at every border line. If they are a different color or speak a different language they should not be allowed to just waltz into here like Lady Liberty actually meant what’s engraved on her…is this really the foundation of America? Is this the message we want to send to the future Americans? “Don’t trust Muslims because a few of them made an unforgivable mistake and one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Oh, and by the way son, I know we took this land from Mexico but the Mexicans don’t belong here anymore so it’s ok to be prejudiced against them.” These are the messages we are portraying to the next generation of baby Americans. We can close our eyes and pretend like all this bias nonsense is not there but guess what!? When we count to twenty and open our eyes all of this racism and religious stereotyping is going to remain. It will not grow legs and disappear behind a tree or under a bed. It’s going to be there and eventually you will have to open your eyes ready or not. We can stuff all of our predetermined labels into a trash bag but it is not going to take itself to the dumpster. It is up to us to start freeing ourselves from the chains of preset judgment. We need to expand our horizons and be open to new things. America needs to stop being scared of change! Sometimes I feel like the only thing that is keeping the United States united is the same thing that is tearing it apart and making it hypocritical. Forthrightly, America’s foundation is now more duplicitous than it is the safe heaven Lady Liberty intended it to be. Mexicans can no longer freely walk around in Arizona without being asked for their papers. People of certain heritages can not run for leadership positions without being labeled Muslim or Jew etc. Our states maybe united, but under what circumstances? Just because our forefathers never specifically said that the United States should be united under welcoming circumstances does not mean it is ok to strip ourselves of the pride of diversity. It does not make it ok to ask every Mexican in Arizona if they are legal. It does not make it ok to burn Korans, and furthermore it does not make it ok keep out the people summoned by Lady Liberty in “The New Colossus”.

    What is America becoming? Is there even a word for it? Moreover, how do we correct this issue if it is even correctable? Have we lost control of “the home of the free and the land of the brave”? In degrading other religions and other races we are degrading our names as Americans. We have fought too many wars and lost too many lives to tear America down with whether or not Muslims should build a Mosque by Ground Zero and so on. If it is united we stand then let’s stand united under good circumstances. Let’s stand united with the Muslims and the Mexicans and all others who come to America. Because as soon as one person decides he or she cannot join hands with someone due to their religion or race, we are no longer united. We will become 50 sates instead of 1 country. Then before you know it we will be 310,322,000 people instead of 50 states. Don’t play hide and seek with the issues we are faced with. Don’t expect them to solve themselves either.



Assignment #4 - Essay: How has religion shaped our culture?

   

    Religion has, and forever will, reflect in our cultures and politics. Since the beginning of America, we have made our religion heard all over the nation. “One nation under God…” (Francis Bellamy, 1892). Our religious beliefs even echo in our pledge of allegiance. While the pledge was created in 1892, the echo of our spiritual convictions still rings throughout our country like the indomitable sound of the Liberty Bell. This can be perceived in our schools, in politics, and in casual social settings as well.

   

    Within my own school I have become aware of the way religion affects the students as a population. We have a Christian bible study in a public that meets every week for lunch. Then we have Christians, Catholics, and Atheists. While the Christians and the Catholics usually do not segregate from each other, we do tend to avoid the Atheists. I, personally, do not shun anyone who does not share the same beliefs as me, however many people cannot accept anything other than what they believe to be true. Nevertheless, at this age (high school) much of the beliefs we have obtained are learned from the people closest to us.

    Politics, politics, politics….it seems that political affairs are all we hear about in the United States. Yet, can’t I say the same thing about religion? In my opinion, both religion and politics are the major focuses of this country. When Obama was elected president, the majority of the people took one look at him at dubbed him Muslim. Come to find out, he is Christian. Now Obama is considering the idea of a Muslim Mosque near Ground Zero and you rarely hear people saying, “Obama supports other religions. He is a Christian willing to trust Muslims enough to approve their Mosque in New York.” Instead one man organizes a Koran burning, which was fortunately canceled, and more people insinuating Obama must be Muslim. My first instinct was to critique this man organizing the burning of Korans but I realized, as angry and upset as I was, he was feeling the same things I was. Granted these emotions were not toward him self, rather they were toward the Muslims who collapsed the twin towers on 9/11. Yet this man was judging a religious group for what two men did. No one can inarguably say that these men high jacked the plane because they were Muslims with a grudge against Christians or even Americans in general. These men could have been mentally ill or just wanted publicity but automatically we jump to the conclusion that it must be because they are Muslim.

   

    Earlier I mentioned that I do not shun people who do not share my beliefs, however, when I am in a casual social setting I do not let others talk down to or disrespect them either. For example, I am Catholic and I do believe it is wrong to take the Lord’s name in vein. My sister conversely believes that there may be a god but she does not have to take precautions on being respectful because she is uncertain of his existence. I have heard her take the Lord’s name in vein more times than I can count but every time I hear that I make it a point to let her know I am offended by it and that I do not appreciate her disrespect. I understand that she does not think it is offensive to use a holy name with repulsive language. Still, in respect of the beliefs of who do believe in God, she should not degrade his name around us.

    You see, it is natural for us as humans to live within our comfort zones. For some of us this includes our religious beliefs and morals. We become uncomfortable with the thought that someone else beliefs may differ from ours and we use that as an excuse. America is scared of Muslims because the men who caused 9/11 were Muslim. Some parents don’t want religion taught in school because they fear the beliefs of their children may change for the worse. Furthermore, some people will go to the extremes to avoid someone of another religion just because they believe differently and/or practice their beliefs in a different way. Back in the day white children use to be taught that black children were not human, we are sending the same messages about religion. This is not healthy. We need to open our minds to the beliefs of others. No, you do not need to believe the same things as the next person, but respect their religion. Mosques, churches, temples; these are all places of worship. I pray to God, my cousin prays to Allah, some of my families friends pray to YAWEH, but as Gunny Flores says “we all bleed red”. I believe God wants for me what Allah wants for my cousin and what YAWEH wants for the Jews. So why turn to religion as an excuse for anything they do that might make me uncomfortable? Why dub Obama Muslim because of his background and support of a Mosque? Finally, why avoid those who don’t believe in God instead of praying that they find God? Diversity is what the American culture is about. Praise it.

Shattered hearts
And broken dreams
Life contradicting what it means

They show you rainbows bright
And beautiful butterfly sights
Then make you watch them revolutionize
Before your eyes

The rainbow has faded
Butterflies dead
They never told you what’s ahead

Now you lay in your bed
Hearing glasses break
Is it love they give or love they take?

Book Report (Assignment #3) - My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult- My Sister's Keeper

(This picture shows Kate consoling Anna as they talk about Anna's big decision.)

    Often in life we have to make verdicts that we are never really sure are right or wrong. Even once the decision is made and the consequences are in effect, we still cannot decide if that was the right choice or not. In Jodi Picoult's book My Sister's Keeper, young Anna is forced to make a tough decision. Does she do as her sister asked and stop letter her parents use Anna as Kate's means of survival?

    This book relates to my life in the sense that my aunt is currently facing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was in need of a bone marrow transplant but only one of her siblings was a suitable match. Both of my aunts had a huge conclusion to come to. Should Aunt Roxanne accept Aunt Sandra’s bone marrow? Should Aunt Sandra donate her bone marrow? In the end they decided it could only help if Sandra gave Roxanne her bone marrow. The message I am attempting to convey here is that no decision is easy. We may think “Donating my organs etc. is an easy choice to make. If my family needs it, I will give it to them.” However, when you face this in reality it can be terrifying. You never know exactly how you will respond to a situation until you are facing it. In this case Anna had to sue her parents for her own legal medical rights because her younger sister asked that Anna live her life like a normal child and not be her living donor. Anna could have chosen to say no and continue to be the life line for Kate, but what life would either of them have always sharing a hospital rooms never knowing what it is like to be healthy? As humans, we tend to rush into decisions without adequate time to evaluate all of the consequences to them. We need to slow down and contemplate what the appropriate actions. Sometimes we have to hurt ourselves or others to please another and vise versa. In this novel Anna faces who she really is, Kate’s spare organs or her own being…Life is about finding ourselves. We never stop discovering who we are. Be content with who you are, but also be open to change.

Assignment #2 - Traditional Japaneese Haiku Assignment

Wisdom Haiku assignment

In reality, dreams do not die; they simply become something new.
So chase the dream you want for yourself, not the dream others want for you.
Seek contentment in your own dreams, that’s the only place it can be found.

Assignment #1 - Show and Tell Assignment

I can tell
But it can't be touched
I can show
But it won't be physically discernible

It can be found bleeding down the sleeves of our shirt
As our hearts rupture to pieces

It can be found in a warm embrace
Or even in a dozen roses

To some people it is rare
Yet for others it is abundant

Most commonly
You must give this to receive it

For my show and tell I bring you love
Displayed in the smile across my face

So I'm leaving with this grin
Bearing a content heart in my hands
In hoping your next show and tell
You share with all some love