reading log 3

As I was finishing Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s book “Of Love and Other Demons” I pictured the last scene where a malnourished little girl dreamt she was sitting watching the snowfall as she plucked at a stem of grapes which would grow back every time one was eaten. I cannot connect with any of the characters in the book per say, but I do understand the Marquis’s random love for his daughter that had spontaneously come to being after neglecting the past 12 years of her life. I can connect this somewhat on a smaller scale to when we sometimes might find a long forgotten object lying around that we decide to love once again or for the first time. Other than this, I share no similar experiences with any of the characters. There is much descriptive imagery of all sorts in the story as well as metaphor that for some can be perceived on a symbolic level although to me I see the story as just a very profound romantic tragedy not written in the traditional sense. I say this because the author is commonly known for his style of writing that includes the feature of magic realism. The setting is very real with probably some historical accuracy. This contributes to the plot which is entirely fictional but not impossibly so. I would not mind being friends with the Marquis’s twelve year old daughter who as a child was immersed in the strange and often horrifying African slave culture of the story. I figure with her talents, I too could learn to become invisible. If I could jump into the story, I would enter the moments of the girls’ last dream watching the snowfall and eating the magical grapes. I’d choose that place just to share the peace and clarity of that dream. I think this same scene I can visualize the best just because of its simplicity.

3 prompts english 8

PROMPT # 1: Family is the most important thing in life.

Disagree.

I believe the importance of things in life have different meanings to different people. Depending on interests, opinions, or personality, one could value different things in life such as money,career, etc. Time passes, and things lose their value as a person's interests shift, even family isn't such a perennial concept as it should be, it maybe lifelong, but not unvarying. People do change. This can be a sad truth, but a truth nonetheless. I believe family should be one of the most precious things in life and that everyone should try and maintain a close relationship with their family, but this is not always the case, some people are born into more immoral family back rounds, in which case, that person would have no sufficient reason to hold their "family" as their most cherished life aspect.



PROMPT # 2: Sometimes winning the lottery is a bad thing.

Disagree

I doubt that winning anything can prove to be a bad thing. The lottery is a game of pure luck and nothing more. Anyone that takes their chances has as much of a probability of winning as the next person. Because of this, holding grudges is unlikely. Contradictory to this, for a person to be in possession of large sums of money can be somewhat overwhelming. A person may not have the will-power or mental strength to control their actions regarding money. Also, if the lucky winner does not take responsiblity for his/her actions, results can be detremental to many lives in many aspects. So the effects money can have on people aren't always beneficial, but in the end winning the lottery is a reward like any other.


PROMT # 3: Our lives are ruled by fate.

Disagree

I believe fate is something people look to when they can't make decisions for themeselves. I do not think fate is some other worldly force that predetermines the path of our lives. If lives are predetermined, it's based on the decisions we make. Therefore life is a path that is perpretually changing. Life is preordained in a sense that we all die someday, but the way we choose to go from point A (birth) to point B (death) is up to us. There is a final destination, but fate can't tell someone that they will be broke on the streets living off food coupons until they die. I doubt that if there is a god, he would have constructed life in this way.

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Democracy poem

Democracy
by: Langston Hughes
Read by: Giovanni Presutti


Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my own two feet
And own the land.

I tire of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

Feedom is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.

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Written Response to Haiti Earthquake

Everybody was shocked when they first heard news of the earthquake in Haiti but, still it was only mentioned in passing. By reading the report on the earthquake, only then could I comprehend the full extent of the aftershock results , or at least a more elaborate explanation on the effects of the catastrophe.

I was truly perplexed by the sheer power of the earthquake and more so by the toll it has taken on the people of Haiti. The ramifications included contaminated water, lack of shelter and improper sanitation. Disease will soon be spreading if not already. Since food is already very scarce in the country, it becomes a major necessity among the multitudes of people. Within the first week people already begin to starve, along with all manner of problems rapidly building.

Furthermore, people continue dying from untreated injuries everyday despite efforts. Three million people suffer from severe trauma. Consequently, society will soon begin to corrupt and social security will again become a major issue. In the absence of all resources for survival people will be forced to 'fight to survive'.

Yes, the health of the people of Haiti is very poor indeed. It's safe to say that Haiti will have to endure the harsh times to come, though not without hope. International aid from all over the world come with supplies and good intentions everyday combining efforts to better the society of Haiti. This is why there is still hope. Everybody in the world should be involved, schools should make it a point to involve students of all ages to help for the benefit of the people in Haiti. Put together, every inch of effort, and every individual putting in that special effort, can make a difference.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122556026

Glogster

grease vs soc (persuasive writing)

So listen kid, I know your knew in town so let me tell you something, the people you want to be hanging out with is the socs. Man, if there is one thing I know for sure it’s that we get all the breaks.
Down here we’re the rich ones, we’ve got the money. You want to be seen in a corvette or a mustang? Well there is no way you’ll be getting one of those being a lowlife thug that’s for sure. We can go around wrecking houses, cars, and causing all kinds of trouble, and the best part is----listen to this-----we will never even take the blame. Man, we have the freedom to do what we want, get we want when we want it. You see my friend, we own the streets. Plus, with our high end rep we’ve always got options you know, easy opportunity, you dig?
Oh and by the way, let me tell you something even those dirt poor-good for nothing-gun totting-trash-hoods agree on, we have got the hottest girls in town, the cheerleader types, and guess what they all have in common, they’re all socs. Now there’s a reasonable piece of mind. Think on it…