It’s the day after thanksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year. You have waited what seems like forever for this day to come. It’s the first black Friday where you can drive and bring friends. It’s three o’clock in the morning and all you can think about is getting to your favorite store to get the greatest sale ever. Your friends had slept over the night before, we all rush to the car like a Nascar car racing around the track. We get into the car and we’re off. The music blaring, and the cars rushing by just increase the adrenaline rush that I’m feeling right now. Right now all I can think about is which store am I going to go to first, or “who will I buy the first gift for?” Whenever I go shopping it is like a fantasy love story. Everything is perfect, the price , the size, and the color to bring out my blue eyes.
All this day dreaming about my perfect shopping experience has got me distracted from driving. The neon flashing lights of the police cars wake me up from my day-dreaming. The lights shining in my mirror are almost blinding. I get an instant headache after the loud sirens, and the bright lights. It didn’t help that my friends were screaming and singing in the backseat. I reluctantly pull over thinking about how I might miss the deal at the mall. When I pull over the police officer approaches my window, and tells me what I did wrong. Obviously I was speeding. After receiving a warning from the police officer, I am back on the road to the mall, this time being very careful not to speed. Finally we pull into the mall parking lot. We get there two hours before the mall opens, but there is already a line of at least twenty-five to thirty people. We run out of the car door sprinting in the line.
We’ve been in line for about an hour and a half completely not noticing the other people that were around us. The time had slowly ticked by, as if I was waiting to meet the president or something. Finally it was down to the final 5 minutes , then the final 4, all the way until the 30 second countdown began. It starts, 30, 29, the noise around me is so loud, and so exciting, you could feel the adrenaline all around. The final moment that I had waited for was finally a matter of seconds away. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The doors slowly open, and there is a mad rush into the mall. The mall was like the perfect start to my fairytale. All lit up with the Christmas decorations. It felt like it was just me, my friends, and the mall. Everything was perfect.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Dead Men's Path
A promotion, a wife, and a new job at a school. How much better could it get for Michael Obi? Not much... so he thought. The"Dead Mens Path" had been there for a long time, and had always been an important memory for the people that lived in that town. This path was a way of transportation for the deceased loved ones, little did Michael know that this path would be an attitude changing experience for him, and his wife.
At the beginning of this short story the wife is still selfish and prideful. When the wife finds out about the promotion she is excited...but for herself. The wife was excited to make a beautiful garden with "yellow, and red roses" and was excited to show it off to all of the other wives at Mr. Obi's new job, to her disappointment though she found out that all of his colleagues were young, and single. Mr. Obi reassures her that it's ok, and that it is a good thing because then the men that are working to build the school, will be able to dedicate their time to the school. It is at this point when the attitudes start to change in the two main character's life. Mrs. Obi is now starting to be more understanding, and is trying to be helpful to Mr. Obi.
It was always obvious that Mr. Obi was very excited, and very dedicated to his job,but he starts to become too overpowering, and to caught up in his school and what he wants, that he forgets about the importance of his community, and the people that are going to actually attending the school. Mr. Obi becomes heartless and egotistical. Mr. Obi kept on thinking about himself, and what he wanted. Mr. Obi didn't want the path there. This again shows how Mr. Obi was not compromising, but was continuing to be self centered. Mr. Obi was being reluctant to even considering a compromise. What's so wrong with just leaving the tradition there?
The school path had always been an important part of this town's life. Many people would wonder, what is so important about a path in the back of a school yard? But the importance of it is that it was a place that was believed to be traveled by the dead ancestors. The people believed that if they got rid of the path, then they would get rid of the relationship with the dead people, and that they would lose "communication".
This again shows how that Michael is continuing to be self centered, because he won't leave the path alone and wants everything to be his way. Mr. Obi definitely learned his lesson not to mess with things of the past, and got all of his gardens and his school yard torn up.This is a great lesson that can be learned for many people; compromise will always make both people happy.
At the beginning of this short story the wife is still selfish and prideful. When the wife finds out about the promotion she is excited...but for herself. The wife was excited to make a beautiful garden with "yellow, and red roses" and was excited to show it off to all of the other wives at Mr. Obi's new job, to her disappointment though she found out that all of his colleagues were young, and single. Mr. Obi reassures her that it's ok, and that it is a good thing because then the men that are working to build the school, will be able to dedicate their time to the school. It is at this point when the attitudes start to change in the two main character's life. Mrs. Obi is now starting to be more understanding, and is trying to be helpful to Mr. Obi.
It was always obvious that Mr. Obi was very excited, and very dedicated to his job,but he starts to become too overpowering, and to caught up in his school and what he wants, that he forgets about the importance of his community, and the people that are going to actually attending the school. Mr. Obi becomes heartless and egotistical. Mr. Obi kept on thinking about himself, and what he wanted. Mr. Obi didn't want the path there. This again shows how Mr. Obi was not compromising, but was continuing to be self centered. Mr. Obi was being reluctant to even considering a compromise. What's so wrong with just leaving the tradition there?
The school path had always been an important part of this town's life. Many people would wonder, what is so important about a path in the back of a school yard? But the importance of it is that it was a place that was believed to be traveled by the dead ancestors. The people believed that if they got rid of the path, then they would get rid of the relationship with the dead people, and that they would lose "communication".
This again shows how that Michael is continuing to be self centered, because he won't leave the path alone and wants everything to be his way. Mr. Obi definitely learned his lesson not to mess with things of the past, and got all of his gardens and his school yard torn up.This is a great lesson that can be learned for many people; compromise will always make both people happy.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Favorite Quotes
--"Lets become little old ladies together. We'll stay up late looking at old pictures, telling "Remember When" stories and laughing until our sides ache. Lets become eccentric together the ladies who take long walks wear silly hats and get away with acting outrageous in public places. And if anybody should ask how long we've been friends, we'll say "Oh forever since before you were ever born". Let's become little old ladies together because a friendship as special as ours can only grow better through the years."
--"The best accessory a girl can have are her best friends"- Paris Hilton
--"Best Friends are hard to find cause all the best ones are mine."
--"You're the friend I can be a complete idiot with, and no matter what, you will stand there laughing with me, you're the friend I can get completely mad at and then having you stand there with a funny face, completely ignoring the fact that I'm mad at you, and just start bursting out laughing. You're the friend I can trust with everything, there isn't a thing I would doubt telling you because I trust you with my whole heart. You're the friend that has been through rough times with me & were still standing strong. You're the friend I would run to if in trouble. You're the friend who has always helped me out, and you know what? You're the friend that I consider my best friend.
--"Friendship like ours is hard to find, almost as impossible as nailing jello to a tree"
--"The best accessory a girl can have are her best friends"- Paris Hilton
--"Best Friends are hard to find cause all the best ones are mine."
--"You're the friend I can be a complete idiot with, and no matter what, you will stand there laughing with me, you're the friend I can get completely mad at and then having you stand there with a funny face, completely ignoring the fact that I'm mad at you, and just start bursting out laughing. You're the friend I can trust with everything, there isn't a thing I would doubt telling you because I trust you with my whole heart. You're the friend that has been through rough times with me & were still standing strong. You're the friend I would run to if in trouble. You're the friend who has always helped me out, and you know what? You're the friend that I consider my best friend.
--"Friendship like ours is hard to find, almost as impossible as nailing jello to a tree"
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Haiti Earthquake
“What’s Next For Haiti?”
By: Patricia Smith
What can America do for Haiti? There is a lot that we as Americans can do for Haiti, but all that we keep on giving them over and over again is money. If we are struggling with money here in America, why should we give millions of dollars over to Haiti. Americans should give some money to Haiti, but shouldn’t we give them more than just that? I think that the more we give our money away and all that we give away is money just shows that all we care about here in America is money. What happened to the love and the fact that people over there are starving to death?
Yes, Haiti is a very poor country, but something that they really need is soldiers going over there to help them with rebuilding homes, and giving food to families without any. I think that America should try to contribute to Haiti more than just with money. Haiti is a poor country that has just received a huge amount of money, and now needs more than just money. America needs to help Haiti recover from the loss of food, and other supplies.
The earthquake that came to Haiti was a devastating time for everyone including some American families that lost loved ones that were over there. Haiti has undergone many times of sadness and problems in the past, present, and most likely the future. Haiti is a very poor country, and the other devastating things that they have gone through have made things even worse for them such as other earthquakes, hurricanes, and other national disasters.
I believe that the author of this article was trying to show the severity of the earthquake and how Haiti needs our help. America has always been the country that if a country was in trouble, or even just a single person, we have been there to help. And I believe that we as American's should continue doing this. Also to continue doing this in everyday life. If it is something as small as helping an elderly lady cross the street, or something as big as risking your life for the other person's life. That is the American attitude that this country was first founded on and should continue to be.
By: Patricia Smith
What can America do for Haiti? There is a lot that we as Americans can do for Haiti, but all that we keep on giving them over and over again is money. If we are struggling with money here in America, why should we give millions of dollars over to Haiti. Americans should give some money to Haiti, but shouldn’t we give them more than just that? I think that the more we give our money away and all that we give away is money just shows that all we care about here in America is money. What happened to the love and the fact that people over there are starving to death?
Yes, Haiti is a very poor country, but something that they really need is soldiers going over there to help them with rebuilding homes, and giving food to families without any. I think that America should try to contribute to Haiti more than just with money. Haiti is a poor country that has just received a huge amount of money, and now needs more than just money. America needs to help Haiti recover from the loss of food, and other supplies.
The earthquake that came to Haiti was a devastating time for everyone including some American families that lost loved ones that were over there. Haiti has undergone many times of sadness and problems in the past, present, and most likely the future. Haiti is a very poor country, and the other devastating things that they have gone through have made things even worse for them such as other earthquakes, hurricanes, and other national disasters.
I believe that the author of this article was trying to show the severity of the earthquake and how Haiti needs our help. America has always been the country that if a country was in trouble, or even just a single person, we have been there to help. And I believe that we as American's should continue doing this. Also to continue doing this in everyday life. If it is something as small as helping an elderly lady cross the street, or something as big as risking your life for the other person's life. That is the American attitude that this country was first founded on and should continue to be.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"The Raven" by: Edgar Allan Poe
What would it be like to wake up in the middle of the night and hear "tapping" thinking to yourself, "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more." This is exactly what the author writes in his poem "The Raven" written by Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allen Poe has written many poems, and short stories, all consisting of numerous symbols, some hidden, and some not as hidden.
Imagine this, you're at an old house, and you're all by yourself, you've been trying to fall asleep for hours upon hours, but it just seems like there is someone or something waiting there. What time would it usually be? Midnight. Midnight is often times used in stories, poems, and even movies to display that something bad is going to happen. This is the first symbol that is seen in this poem. Midnight is the fourth word that is written in this poem. " Once upon a midnight dreary..." As if the author wanted the setting the scene to be even more sad, and dark he adds the word dreary right after the word midnight,adding to the effect of the darkness. This is the first of many symbols leading up to a dark, and mysterious poem.
The next symbol in this story was the chamber door. If you were babysitting your little brother or sister, and you are playing a make-believe game, and your brother or sister decides that you need to go to the dungeon chamber. Would this be a place of happiness, or a place that you would be excited about going to? No. This would be a dark cold place, where little mice, are crawling along at your feet, and the floors, and walls are all cement, keeping you trapped inside. Maybe this is what the author was trying to symbolize. Or maybe it was something else. Maybe it was the opposite, maybe his "chamber door" was a place for him to get away, maybe it was the peaceful place that he needed to go to that would keep him safe, and keep him away from the cold "December" outdoors.
"Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December". Already we have the word December, which is a time of year where things are dying, and turning, brown, and the days are getting, shorter and darker. Another symbol of darkness. To again add to that is the word in front of it. Bleak. The Oxford Pocket American Dictionary of Current English's definition for Bleak is this, "unpromising, dreary". Probably not a word that would be used in happy poem about love, or happiness. But then shortly after this symbol is used we find another symbol. This symbol is the color "purple". "And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain". The color purple often times symbolizes royalty, wealth, or importance. So although we have the dreary dark symbols we then come upon this almost, happy symbol. The poem says "the rustling of each purple curtain". Because purple is often thought of as a royal color, and sometimes, some of the most royal people are sought after to be killed, could there have possibly been something, or someone behind that curtain, that was after the author of this poem? Poe says that his heart started beating faster, and he kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. "'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; this it is and nothing more." This clearly shows that Poe is starting to get very concerned about something.
The poem goes on and then Poe starts talking to whoever or whatever is there"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"--here I opened wide the door--Darkness there and nothing more." The first symbol that is seen here is Poe opening the door wide, this symbolizes that he was opening the door to new oppurtunity's, perhaps it was just a visitor that was at his door, or perhaps it was something else. The next symbol that is seen in this short excerpt is when poe says "darkness there and nothing more". This shows that all that was there was pure darkness. Darkness also however symbolizes evil, so maybe there was something, or someone there but the person or object was evil, and the only way Poe could think to describe him or her, was as darkness.
The next large important thing that happens, is when the raven comes in. "Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore." Poe describes the Raven as stately. How could just a bird be so stately, and have so much power, it was all in his eyes. "And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming". When he looked into his eyes he saw something that was out of the ordinary something scary, something demonic. The thing that he saw, was pure evil.If Poe says that the eyes of the Raven that he was looking into the eyes of a demon that was dreaming. What would a demon dream of? Probably something not very pleasant. But then once you think more about it, and you think about when you look in someones eyes what do you see. You see a reflection of yourself.
Only this and nothing more." This is exactly what the author writes in his poem "The Raven" written by Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allen Poe has written many poems, and short stories, all consisting of numerous symbols, some hidden, and some not as hidden.
Imagine this, you're at an old house, and you're all by yourself, you've been trying to fall asleep for hours upon hours, but it just seems like there is someone or something waiting there. What time would it usually be? Midnight. Midnight is often times used in stories, poems, and even movies to display that something bad is going to happen. This is the first symbol that is seen in this poem. Midnight is the fourth word that is written in this poem. " Once upon a midnight dreary..." As if the author wanted the setting the scene to be even more sad, and dark he adds the word dreary right after the word midnight,adding to the effect of the darkness. This is the first of many symbols leading up to a dark, and mysterious poem.
The next symbol in this story was the chamber door. If you were babysitting your little brother or sister, and you are playing a make-believe game, and your brother or sister decides that you need to go to the dungeon chamber. Would this be a place of happiness, or a place that you would be excited about going to? No. This would be a dark cold place, where little mice, are crawling along at your feet, and the floors, and walls are all cement, keeping you trapped inside. Maybe this is what the author was trying to symbolize. Or maybe it was something else. Maybe it was the opposite, maybe his "chamber door" was a place for him to get away, maybe it was the peaceful place that he needed to go to that would keep him safe, and keep him away from the cold "December" outdoors.
"Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December". Already we have the word December, which is a time of year where things are dying, and turning, brown, and the days are getting, shorter and darker. Another symbol of darkness. To again add to that is the word in front of it. Bleak. The Oxford Pocket American Dictionary of Current English's definition for Bleak is this, "unpromising, dreary". Probably not a word that would be used in happy poem about love, or happiness. But then shortly after this symbol is used we find another symbol. This symbol is the color "purple". "And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain". The color purple often times symbolizes royalty, wealth, or importance. So although we have the dreary dark symbols we then come upon this almost, happy symbol. The poem says "the rustling of each purple curtain". Because purple is often thought of as a royal color, and sometimes, some of the most royal people are sought after to be killed, could there have possibly been something, or someone behind that curtain, that was after the author of this poem? Poe says that his heart started beating faster, and he kept repeating the same phrase over and over again. "'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; this it is and nothing more." This clearly shows that Poe is starting to get very concerned about something.
The poem goes on and then Poe starts talking to whoever or whatever is there"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"--here I opened wide the door--Darkness there and nothing more." The first symbol that is seen here is Poe opening the door wide, this symbolizes that he was opening the door to new oppurtunity's, perhaps it was just a visitor that was at his door, or perhaps it was something else. The next symbol that is seen in this short excerpt is when poe says "darkness there and nothing more". This shows that all that was there was pure darkness. Darkness also however symbolizes evil, so maybe there was something, or someone there but the person or object was evil, and the only way Poe could think to describe him or her, was as darkness.
The next large important thing that happens, is when the raven comes in. "Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore." Poe describes the Raven as stately. How could just a bird be so stately, and have so much power, it was all in his eyes. "And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming". When he looked into his eyes he saw something that was out of the ordinary something scary, something demonic. The thing that he saw, was pure evil.If Poe says that the eyes of the Raven that he was looking into the eyes of a demon that was dreaming. What would a demon dream of? Probably something not very pleasant. But then once you think more about it, and you think about when you look in someones eyes what do you see. You see a reflection of yourself.
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