In the News (Gas prices)

I find that the reason for the high gas prices was Americas money situation. If i were the president of the united states i don't know what options i would even have to help the gas price situation. But it has gotten much much better in a very short period of time. I'm sure our president is working very hard at it to help out our civilians and our lives. All i know that i am very happy at the moment of how the gas prices are changing for the better day by day.

Fiction Draft (Not Finished)

Titanic’s Alternate Ending

As the titanic hits the arctic iceberg a sudden chilling rattle of the ship alerts all. Immediately Captain Smith takes action and sends up flares attempting to gain attention for help. Rose passes by Thomas Andrews and assures him that everything will be alright although she knows there are not enough emergency boats on the ship to save everyone. Some will be left to freeze in the glacial water of the Atlantic. Meanwhile Jack was framed for stealing the diamond necklace Rose had previously wore during the portrait he drew. He was hand cuffed and left down hidden in the ship. Once Rose found where Jack had been put she could not find a key or break the handcuffs. Meanwhile, out in the distance lights from another ship began to appear. The Captain continued to shoot off emergency alert flares so that they could be rescued. Help came shortly, two large ships only big enough to squash all the passengers tightly packed in as if they were sardines. When the rescue men were making their final laps throughout the titanic looking for any lost victims they came across Jack and Rose waiting helplessly. The strong men released Jack within minutes and escorted them to the boats. Shortly as soon as the ships returned to land Jack and Rose ran off and eloped. They spent the rest of their lives in ageless never-ending love along with their five children Jake, John, Joe, Lilly and Daisy. As for Roses previous fiancé Cal, he was never brought back to land on the rescue boats and it has been a mystery ever since where his body may lay.

Journal Entry 12

Group: Lauren Cataldo, IzzyYanez, Karina Calderon

Advertisement
Pepsi Add
Bike Add

Editorial
PBS
SAT

Review
Dark Knight Review
Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

Factoids
Movie Box Office
Facts about Movies and TV

Non-fiction
Jakob Nielsen
Henry Rollins

Fiction
Fan Fiction of the Movie Troy
The Dinner Party

Journal # 11 (Magazine)

Members- Lauren Cataldo, Izzy Yanez, Karina Calderon

Title of Magazine
"Movie Madness"

Laurens Tasks
- Advertisement
- Piece of fiction

Izzys Tasks
-Editorial
-Review

Karinas Tasks
-Piece of non-fiction
- Factoids

In the News- Jose Canseco

I understand why Jose probably gave the names of his friends that were also involved with steroid use. He probably had a huge load of guilt on his back that needed to be let off. It was the right thing that he did but im not sure if all his other baseball player friends would agree with that. Im sure alot of his friends that he admitted to have used steroids are no longer on good terms with him now and most like are not happy and don't appreciate him telling their own personal drug use problems to the public. I know that this "incident" with baseball players and steroids will not affect the history of American baseball players at all because we all know by now that many great athletes have been found to have used steroids. It is not something new in America to find athletes using steroid or any other enhancers. I don't find that there is any positive effects to drug use unless it is specifically prescribed by a doctor for health reasons. Steroid use plays and extremely large major role in sports today whether its hidden to the eye of the public or not.

In the News- Obama

I find that its a great thing that Obama won. I think that whether Obama or McCain won then they would try a great dealt o better our country. I'm sure in time he will slowly rehabillitate our country but i think people are too anxious and expect to see a change by tomarrow. If we just give him some time im sur he will do all he can do to try and help our country improve. I find that change would happen whether Obama or McCain won. I dont think his inexperience matters because he seems like a smart individual and it takes a real man to want to take over the huge problems of our country as president.

Journal Entry # 10

Pentad

Act- chat, type, research, webcam, pictures

Actor- everyone, girls, boys, women, men

Scene- school, home, work, library

Agency- computers, webcams, keyboard

Purpose- to chat and research

Journal Entry #9

Image # 2
1. Tommy follows the latest trends.
2. Tommy follows the latest trends in America.
3. Tommy follows the latest trends of all countries.

Image # 5
1. People like to eat burger king.
2. People like to eat burger king because of their negative habits.
3. People like to eat burger king because it taste good.

Questions for Active Reading (Lightman and Gould)

pg 371
1. I think the active reading technique somewhat helps preview but not entirely. It showed me that he was discussing the earth and its shape. Although it also made me think that he would be discussing throughout the paper WHY we believe what we are told and not really focusing on the science of the earth.
2. Its important to know that he is a scientist because most everyday people would not know so much information on this subject and it would seem unreal. The facts he gave would not be creditable to some if he were not a scientist and knew what he was talking about.
3. He used a lighthearted tone when he was discussing the different ideas from different scientist and such. He seemed serious when he mentioned his views or why he became interested on the subject of not knowing why he belived other just becuse they said so.
pg 385
1.To support the theory of evolution he mentions natural selection and impercepitble change through immedicate degrees.
2. He uses example such as "the dogma of seperate creations" to show and explain the idea of theories.
3. I still have no understanding of what the Scopes Trial of 1925 was. I could tell it had something to do with evolution but he did not explain at all and just expected his reader to know what it was.

Journal Entry # 8 (Meaningfull Image)

Answers- Next Exit

I found that although so little words, this image persuades a lot and a great message. It shows the sign basically up in the sky pointing to no where. Its showing that all of our answers are just about answered and they come from other places besides where we look. I think the persuasive idea of this images is how the sign represent that there is only one more step to finding all our answers. You can see in the image that the sky is beautiful, clear and blue which would interpret as something good VS. if the sky had been portrayed as cloudy, stormy and dark it could easily persuade one to have the idea that our answers would be unfortunate or bad.

In the News (US Deficit)

This is an extremely hard topic for me to write and intelligent response on because I really don't know much about the whole situation or understand it much. Well, obviously the US has to risk something in order to pay off the debt. And no matter what they do im sure it will affect us all in the end so unfortunately we should just trust them to make the right decision in solving this problem. Whether they tax us more or not we will all be in a more serious financial problem as a country. I don't know what i would do if I was the president because I don't even know what choices I would have.

Chapter 6- "The Makers Eye"

Questions for active reading

1. Those are great elements to successful writing and revision. Depending on the topic it is a good idea to express personal past situations to express your meaning more clearly and understanding to the reader.

2. I reread my papers to myself but i do not find that it has the same affect as constructive criticism from another. I would rather have someone else read my writing for the first time before I do so that I do not influence my thoughts and ideas toward their own criticism.

3. It in no way influences how I read the quotes because I find that all the tips are understandable to different writings and what their strategies are. Different things work for different people. Whatever makes them feel works for themselves should not be judged by others.

Journal Entry # 7

In Orwells writing he makes a very good point of why he thought the engish language was declining. He used the example of foolish thoughts and foolish language. I found that idea really interesting it it makes a lot of sense. I think that English probably has gotton much worse over the past sixty years because people are not interested in education anymore. Now the english language has declined extremely because of the laziness of our country. The technological uses has not only made our engish writing horrible but has also affected our speech of the english language. I find his list to improve writing to be intelligent but yet common. I completely understand what he was trying to say in that paragraph because i do it as well. Pictures, images, and sensations can really help one ellaborate their wriitng.

Final Project 1 (I believe)

I Believe Ones Goodwill Can Spare Another

At twelve its difficult to realize that your best friend is slowly beginning to drown their own life. The most terrifying thing in my mind at that point was beginning middle school and being to shy to talk to the cute boy sitting in back of me in math class. I will never forget the day that my own best friend told me that she took up an offer a thirty year old man gave her for a ride home one night. What is there to say? Do I yell at her as if I was her mother? Do I tell her parents and loose my best friend? From that day on I was faced with my own belief that my own goodwill to never give up on my friend will spare her life.
I became extremely concerned. Even though I was only in sixth grade and I didn’t have much freedom myself, I was going to take all the precautions I could to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Everyday for a year I asked my parents if she could sleep over or go on trips with us so that I was with her and I knew what she was doing at every moment. At such a young age I was scared to tell my parents because I believed I could help her on my own and the situation could get worse if I involved her lunatic mother. Obviously as much as my own parents loved her, they didn’t want her to permanently live in our house, so occasionally they would send her home not knowing what she was getting thrown into. Until one day, when her mother called my house which was very unusual, she informed my mom that I was never allowed to speak to her daughter again because I was the bad influence who introduced her child to all of her problems. Her mother did everything she could to keep me away from any communication with her daughter, and it worked for quite a few years.
Three years later I got another unannounced phone call from her mother. At this point we were both about 16 years old, in the 9Th grade, and had not talked for about three years. I was given a ridiculous apologetic plead that she had no idea I was the one trying to help her daughter all along. She had been put in the hospital for an overdose and her mother thought that I may have been able to encourage her to let us all help her. Even though I was so incredibly infuriated at that lady for accusing me of those things, I accepted her apologies just for my friend.
The first time I saw her out of the hospital face-to-face on a normal day I was completely speechless. She was not the same girl that I had called my best friend. Her hair was crunchy as if it had not been washed in weeks as well as burnt out in different exotic colors. Her face was as pale as a ghost. Her eyes looked as if she had to use all her strength to keep them open. She was hunched over wearing big baggy dirty clothes on her skinny body that looked as if she just entirely gave up on cleaning, and she mumbled out her words barely even making a sentence. Immediately I spent every day with her making sure she was clean. Thank god she was happy to see me helping her and not disgusted. Our first step we made together was to go to an AIDS clinic so she could get tested, which turned out negative. We took a childcare class together so that we could go after what we originally said we wanted to be when we grew up, which were special needs teachers.
Now I am delighted to say that she is totally 100% clean from drugs, prostitution, AIDS, and everything else that had challenged her life in the past. She is healthy and is currently attending Broward College majoring in Special Education. She even works at a preschool at NOVA Southeastern University as a special needs teachers aide. This is an experience that proved to me that ones goodwill can spare another.

Project #2 (Myth- Draft 2)

Do private schools provide an overall better education than public schools? One may only speak on behalf of their own opinion or belief. Most opinions, thoughts and beliefs are originated by myths of one’s culture. Traditional myths are what mold our impressions, judgments and ideas. A common widespread myth is that private schools provide a more desirable education than public. There are both positive and negative aspects to both sides, but the cultural myth overpowers most personal ideas. Ones personal ideas are easily manipulated by today’s societal myths.

Is a degree in teaching what makes a qualified teacher? Some would argue that a teaching degree is just a small percentage of what makes up a great effective instructor. It is safe to assume that we have all had both a teacher that has encouraged us to want to learn and a teacher that just focused on adhering to the curriculum in a mediocre manner. Therefore, since a degree in teaching is all that is required to overtake a classroom, either a private or public school could be lucky and benefit from a more beneficial schoolteacher. Experience and schooling does not always ensure that a teacher has the appropriate variables to make learning more desirable. It is possible that a passionate teacher could overcome the obstacles found in both private and public schools such as class ratios, student behavior and school funding.

It is thought that the less number of students in a classroom could result in more individual educational attention. Private schools tend to have a low student to teacher ratio which may be one reason why private schools are considered to provide a better education. Some may argue that class ratio size should not matter if the teacher is successfully teaching the material. The less students enrolled in a school could help offer more educational opportunities and activities. A well populated public school could offer a child the ability to interact and socialize with children of different incomes and backgrounds, which signifys a larger portion of society than the typical upper class portion that is usually found in private schools due to the tuition fees.

It is possible that the student behavior of a private school is often thought to be better because of the upper class enrollment. Although, it is quite clear most private schooled children deal with the same issues as students in public schools. One common belief of a private school is that the use of more strict rules and obligations could help prepare the students for their future interaction with society and the workplace, but who’s to say that these strict rules and obligations are effective? Kids are kids; some children will need disciplinary action whether in a private or public school. One could say that the disciplinary actions that are presented in private and public schools will happen regardless whether the students are paying for enrollment or not. Positive control over the students conduct may come down to the teachers effectiveness to handle the disciplinary situations at hand.

Although private schools have more funding due to paid tuitions, it cannot be said that it would guarantee a better education. In some instances a well kept landscape and an immaculate school facility could impact some perception of the educational value of the school. Funding could be used for a diverse number of reasons. Some facilities may use their funding money to maintain a sophisticated look to their school, while another school may put forth their funding money toward more educational purposes such as materials or books. Even though a private school may be expected to provide many materialistic educational resources, a public school may need to be creative with their limited material supply of resources to provide an enhanced effective learning experience.

The myth that private schools provide a better education may be a myth within a myth. The underlying issue dealing with private vs. public schools revolves around an extremely familiar myth in our society today that something expensive is suppose to entail a greater value. Is money the reason why most people find private schools more appealing? Do parents send their children to private schools because they want their children to be associated with a more sophisticated higher class school? Or, are parents honestly finding that children are becoming well educated only in private schools? These are all questions associated toward the myth of private schools providing a better education. The only known constant that can make a difference between schools education is the effectiveness of the teachers. Most would say that a teacher has the ability to thoroughly teach the mandated curriculum or has the ability to thoroughly teach the curriculum by going above and beyond the schools requirements to make a difference in each child’s learning experience. Are these profound inspiring touching teachers found only in private schools?

Project #2 Myth- Private school provide a better education than public schools

Do private schools provide an overall better education than public schools? One may only speak on behalf of their own opinion or belief. Most opinions, thoughts and beliefs are originated by myths of one’s culture. Traditional myths are what mold our impressions, judgments and ideas. A common widespread myth is that private schools provide a more desirable education than public. There are both positive and negative aspects to both sides, but the cultural myth overpowers most personal ideas. Ones personal ideas are easily manipulated by today’s societal myths.
Is a degree in teaching what makes a qualified teacher? Some would argue that a teaching degree is just a small percentage of what makes up a great effective instructor. It is safe to assume that we have all had both a teacher that has encouraged us to want to learn and a teacher that just focused on adhering to the curriculum in a mediocre manner. Therefore, since a degree in teaching is all that is required to overtake a classroom, either a private or public school could be lucky and benefit from a better schoolteacher. Experience and schooling does not always ensure that a teacher has the appropriate variable to make learning more desirable. It is possible that a passionate teacher could overcome the obstacles found in both private and public school such as class ratios, student behavior and school funding.
It is thought that the less number of students in a classroom could result in more individual educational attention. Private schools tend to have a low student to teacher ratio which may be one reason why private schools are considered to provide a better education. Some may argue that class ratio size should not matter if the teacher is successfully teaching the material. The less students enrolled in a school could help offer more educational opportunities and activities. A well populated public school could offer a child the ability to interact and socialize with children of different incomes and backgrounds which signify a larger portion of society than just typically the upper class portion that is usually found in private schools due to the tuition fees.
It is possible that the student behavior of a private school is often thought to be better because of the upper class enrollment. Although, it is quite clear most private schooled children deal with the same issues as students in public schools. One common belief of a private school is that the use of more strict rules and obligations could help prepare the students for their future interaction with society and the workplace, but who’s to say that these strict rules and obligations are effective? Kids are kids; some children will need disciplinary action whether in a private or public school. One could say that the disciplinary actions that are presented in private and public school will happen regardless whether the student is paying for enrollment or not, it all could come down to the teachers effectiveness to handle the disciplinary situations at hand.
Although private schools have more funding due to paid tuitions, it cannot be said that it would guarantee a better education. In some instances a well kept landscape and an immaculate school facility could impact some perception of the educational value of the school. Funding could be used for diverse number of reasons. Some facilities may use their funding money to maintain a sophisticated look to their school, while another school may put forth their funding money toward more educational purposes such as materials or books. Even though a private school may be expected to provide many materialistic educational resources, a public school may need to be creative with their limited material supply of resources to provide and enhanced effective learning experience.
The myth that private schools provide a better education may be a myth within a myth. The underlying issue dealing with private vs. public schools revolves around an extremely common myth in our society today that something expensive is suppose to entail a greater value. Is money the reason why most people find private schools more appealing? Do parents send their children to private schools because they want their children to be associated with a more sophisticated higher class school? Or, are parents honestly finding that children are becoming well educated only in private schools? These are all questions associated toward the myth of private schools providing a better education. The only known constant that can make a difference between schools education is the effectiveness of the teachers. Most would say that a teacher has the ability to thoroughly teach the mandated curriculum or has the ability to thoroughly teach the curriculum by going above and beyond the schools requirements to make a difference in each child’s learning experience. Are these profound inspiring touching teachers found only in private schools?

Journal Entry # 6 (Project 2 Exercise)

Myth: Do you believe private schools provide an overall better education than public schools?

Interviews

Cristine Moore: "My view is that I dont think it is better. It is positive that private schools have smaller student class ratios, while public school have high student teacher ratios and do not provide as much individual help. But I think there are both negative and positive things about both private and public schools."

Theresa Cataldo: "I dont think they are any better. The only thing thatis better is that private schools have less kids. The students and teachers are all going to be the same whether private or public. Private is just more expensive for the same thing as public."

Findings
I found that both interviewes agreed that neither public or private is better. They consider them the same thing. One interesting thing I learned was that they both mentioned the likeness they had toward private school for having smaller class ratios.

In the News #5 (Pit Bulls Response)

I find that pit bulls just like any other dog can attack a person. Just because they may have a higher tendency toward aggression that doesn't mean we should make them illegal. If a person or family is planning on getting a pit bull for their pet then their are aware of the risk factors just like any other pet. I don't agree with the fact that dogs are being put to sleep for killing because they are unintentionally reacting on their instincts. If a dog is out of control and is continually attacking with aggression than something needs to be done. Some humans have just as much aggression toward dogs and do not nearly receive the same punishment as a dog would for the same aggression. I think that if dogs are being put to sleep for killing humans than humans should be put to sleep for dogs. If not that, than, a dog should not be put to sleep since humans are not. A fair ground needs to be found between dogs vs. humans. Personally, nothing in my mind, ideas, or attitude toward pit bulls has changed due to these recent public attacks.

In the News #5 (Pit Bull Attacks)

For quite some time now we have all seen vicious pit bull attacks on the news. Pit bulls are know for their unexpected aggression, especially toward young children. Even families that may have owned their pit bull for many years and have a safe feeling of protection from their pet have unfortunately been attacked by their own dog. Most pit bull owners do not view the dogs aggression to be a fault or problem, they just need to be handled and cared for correctly. Once a dog has killed a human or in some cases so much as threatened a humans life, it is usually to be put to sleep. Some do not agree that an animal that does not have the same intelligence or thought of right from wrong as a human does should be put to sleep for such unfortunate acts. Most times the animal is just reacting based on their instincts. Although, if a human were to provide an equal amount of aggression toward a dog, even to the length of possibly even killing the animal, the human would most likely just receive a small slap on their wrist and may be given some community service hours. Even though a human has a much more developed thought process of right from wrong than a dog, if a human were to intentionally kill a dog out of aggression they would not receive the same punishment of death that a dog would for killing a human. At this point pit bulls are even thought of to be banned in some states. What are your views on the rights of dogs vs. humans? Do you think humans and dogs should receive equal punishments for equal aggression? Do you think that pit bulls are considered dangerous and should be banned? Do these recent attacks change your ideas toward pit bulls? Is there anything you think that could be done to possibly prevent future attacks?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=5797134

Chapter 8 - "The Inheritance of Tools"

Questions for Active Reading
pg 233
1. Personally, I have a hard time visualizing what he was doing. He did not explain his process in steps. Although he did explain what he did to the room, it did not make any sense to me because I would have needed a clear explanation of exactly what he had to do. When he mentioned the time he found out his father died, he explained it very well. I could play the entire conversation in my head.
2. He uses his own childhood to put the story in chronological order and than brings it back to present day where now, his son is in his place. He described old tools his family has used over many years to help express 'time'.
3. Sanders describes a dawn stone as the earliest humans equivalency to a hammer. It represents to him that the design of the hammer has changed over time but not the idea of the hammer.

In the News #4 (Myspace & Facebook Addictions)

This presentation today interested me. I deleted my myspace about 2 years ago before facebook was even known to most. I have never been on facebook and I never will see myself on myspace again. People dont realize how much myspace can honestly ruin your lives. I found out my boyfriend of 3 years was cheating on me because of myspace- that was the reason I cancelled my account and told myself that i never would let myself become involved with a website of that such again, and i havent. Everyone tells me about this new facebook thing and it has not interested me one bit to check it out. Once someone has a bad experience on facebook or myspace they will then think about how its affecting there lives. Unfortunatly, I feel like a loser when i say that I have lost some friends since i delted my myspace. Some of my friends were great people but I only talked to them on myspace through comments or blogs. I have no way to keep in touch with old friends now without myspace. No one e-mails each other anymore, and if they do- than its on myspace. I dont have even half of my old friends that i kept in touch with through myspaces phone numbers so I have no way besides these unfortunate websites to keep in touch with them. Im over the myspace/facebook deal because I personally have seen the consequences.

Chapter 4- "The 6 Myths of Creativity"

Questions For Active Reading
pg 108
1. The 6 myths of creativity basically are almost guidelines some companies may have followed to keep creativity flowing in their business. It is thought that these 6 myths are what keep some from expressing there own creativity.
2. She did a study on 238 people, by having each of them keep a journal. They did not know the main focus of their journal was their creativity so she could see the possible reason or factors why their paper may have not been creative that day.
3. I find that anyone can be the audience for this paper. Anyone who finds this subject to be of interest may like reading this. Although, the paper could be focused on people who are creative so that they dont let the 6 myths take over there creativeness.

I Believe #2

At twelve its difficult to realize that your best friend is slowly beginning to drown their own life. The most terrifying thing in my mind at that point was beginning middle school and being to shy to talk to the cute boy sitting in back of me in math class. I will never forget the day that my own best friend told me that she took up an offer a thirty year old man gave her for a ride home one night. What is there to say? Do I yell at her as if I was her mother? Do I tell her parents and loose my best friend? From that day on I was faced with my own belief that my own goodwill to never give up on my friend will spare her life.
I became extremely concerned. Even though I was only in sixth grade and I didn’t have much freedom myself, I was going to take all the precautions I could to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Everyday for a year I asked my parents if she could sleep over or go on trips with us so that I was with her and I knew what she was doing at every moment. At such a young age I was scared to tell my parents because I believed I could help her on my own and the situation could get worse if I involved her lunatic mother. Obviously as much as my own parents loved her, they didn’t want her to permanently live in our house, so occasionally they would send her home not knowing what she was getting thrown into. Until one day, when her mother called my house which was very unusual, she informed my mom that I was never allowed to speak to her daughter again because I was the bad influence who introduced her child to all of her problems. Her mother did everything she could to keep me away from any communication with her daughter, and it worked for quite a few years.
Three years later I got another unannounced phone call from her mother. At this point we were both about 16 years old, in the 9Th grade, and had not talked for about three years. I was given a ridiculous apologetic plead that she had no idea I was the one trying to help her daughter all along. She had been put in the hospital for an overdose and her mother thought that I may have been able to encourage her to let us all help her. Even though I was so incredibly infuriated at that lady for accusing me of those things, I accepted her apologies just for my friend.
The first time I saw her out of the hospital face-to-face on a normal day I was completely speechless. She was not the same girl that I had called my best friend, her hair was crunchy as if it had not been washed in weeks as well as burnt out in different exotic colors, her face was as pale as a ghost, her eyes looked as if she had to use all her strength to keep them open, she was hunched over wearing big baggy dirty clothes on her skinny body that looked as if she just entirely gave up on cleaning, and she mumbled out her words barely even making a sentence. Immediately I spent every day with her making sure she was clean. Thank god she was happy to see me helping her and not disgusted. Our first step we made together was to go to an AIDS clinic so she could get tested, which turned out negative. We took a childcare class together so that we could go after what we originally said we wanted to be when we grew up, which were special needs teachers.
Now I am delighted to say that she is totally 100% clean from drugs, prostitution, AIDS, and everything else that had challenged her life in the past. She is healthy and is currently attending Broward College majoring in Special Education. She even works at a preschool at NOVA Southeastern University as a special needs teachers aide. This is an experience that proved to me that ones goodwill can spare another.

In the News #3 ( Technology Disadvantages)

The video that we watched in class was eye-opening to me, int he way that it showed texting as being so dangerous. There has been many different technology advances that have given us health problems or even just put us in dangerous situations. I dont know if there was a study ever done on Ipods or MP3 players and there potential health factors but I can only imagine that there could possibly be hearing problems over a period of time. Sticking those tiny headphones in your ears blaring loud music for a few hours straight, to me does not seem healthy. First off, when i get home from any concert my ears are usually ringing and I cant hear one thing, wouldnt you think that placing that loud music DIRECTLY into your ear would be creating some internal hearing problems at least? Some people become so zoned out to the world around them while using their ipod that they could put themself in a dangerous situation. Also, I find the earphones that most are using these days as extremely dirty. Everyone shares their greesy germ infested little ear phones with each other....its gross. Personally, I have a small "ocd" situation where i refuse to put headphones on for that reason.

I Believe Ones Goodwill Can Spare Another

At twelve its difficult to realize that your best friend is slowly beginning to drown their own life. The most terrifying thing in my mind at that point was beginning middle school and being to shy to talk to the cute boy sitting in back of me in math class. I will never forget the day that my own best friend told me that she took up an offer a thirty year old man gave her for some drugs and a ride home one night. What is there to say? Do I yell at her as if I was her mother? Do I tell her parents and loose my best friend? From that day on I was faced with my own belief that my own goodwill to never give up on my friend will spare her life.
I became extremely concerned. Even though I was only in sixth grade and I didn’t have much freedom myself, I was going to take all the precautions I could to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Everyday for a year I asked my parents if she could sleep over or go on trips with us so that I was with her and I knew what she was doing at every moment. At such a young age I was scared to tell my parents because I believed I could help her on my own and the situation could get worse if I involved her lunatic mother. Obviously as much as my own parents loved her, they didn’t want her to permanently live in our house, so occasionally they would send her home not knowing what she was getting thrown into. Until one day, when her mother called my house which was very unusual. After the phone call my mom informed me that I was never to speak to my own best friend again because I was the bad influence who introduced her to all of her problems. Her mother did everything she could to keep me away from any communication with her daughter, and it worked for quite a few years.
Three years later I got another unannounced phone call from her mother. At this point we were both about 16 years old, in the 9Th grade, and hadn’t talked for about three years. Then I got a ridiculous apologetic plead that she had no idea I was the one helping her daughter all along. She had been put in the hospital for an overdose and they wanted my help. Even though I was so incredibly infuriated at that lady for accusing me of those things I accepted her apologies just for my friend and began helping her again.
The first time I saw her out of the hospital face-to-face on a normal day I was completely speechless. She was not the same girl that I had called my best friend, her hair was crunchy as if it had not been washed in weeks as well as burnt out in different exotic colors, her face was as pale as a ghost, her eyes looked as if she had to use all her strength to keep them open, she was hunched over wearing big baggy dirty clothes on her skinny body that looked as if she just entirely gave up on cleaning, and she mumbled out her words barely even making a sentence. Immediately I spent every day with her making sure she was clean. Thank god she was happy to see me helping her and not disgusted. I took her to get tested for AIDS which turned out negative. I encouraged her to take a childcare class with me so that we could go after what we originally said we wanted to be when we grew up, which were special needs teachers.
Now I am delighted to say that she is totally 100% clean from drugs, prostitution, AIDS, and everything else that challenged her life in the past. She is healthy and is currently attending Broward College majoring in Special Education. She even works at a preschool at NOVA Southeastern University as a special needs teachers aide. I can’t even imagine where she would be right now if it weren’t for me. I am so proud of myself for believing in my own goodwill to spare another’s life.

In The News #2 (Family Influence on Politics)

I have not been nor ever really have followed politics for the election or anything of that sort. But, sometimes I do get stuck watching some campaign speeches on tv with my mom. She usually is the one to give me the update on what is going on, who's in the lead, what views they have, etc. Of course, since my mom is my source of information for politics than everything she tells me convinces me to agree with her views. If I were to be keeping up with the politics on my own and really knew what was going on then I probably wouldn't really need my mom to encourage me to vote for whomever. As of right now, my family completely 100% influence their views on politics towards me.

Chapter 3- Smiley and Sharp

Questions for Active Reading
pg 73
1. Smiley was given the opportunity to care for her own horse. Along with caring for her own horse their was plenty of chores she had to do. This experience taught her chores don't always have to be dreadful and if she was not taking care of her horse than who else would. She described the horse experience in the middle of her writing. I think the spot in the writing that she chose to talk about the horse made sense because her writing went in sequence. She began somewhat in the beginning talking about her younger child years, then into her teen years with her horse, and finally into her present years with her husband and son.
2. To support Smiley's argument that chores and such should not be forced on children from an early age was supported when she mentioned her husband. Although Smiley admitted her husband is a much harder worker than her she also supported her argument with the fact that he was only doing the chore to get it don't and over with and that he hated it. I think that her intended audience probably was to other mothers or parents so that she can explain how she was raised and how it affected her for the good and the bad and how she will be raising her own son.
3. I think her use of rhetorical questions is slightly manipulative in her writing. The questions she asks are always looking for a specific answer that supports her argument.

Chapter 1 - Powell and Goldberg

Questions For Active Reading
pg13
1. I think one of the purposes Powell was writing was to put others in his position and to see from his point of view how his past situations effected him. For example: 1. He used direct conversation text to make the reader feel as if they were in the situation. 2. He emphasized his confusion and feelings.
2. Powells probably wanted this writing to eventually be read by white people so that they can see how this impacted him.
3. As a writer I found that Powell like to reenact situations to put the reader in the scene of the story and really give the reader a feeling of what it was like.
pg19
1. Goldbergs purpose in her writing is to help others understand they could possibly improve in their writing. For example: she was directly giving advise to the reader at some points.
2. Her audience in mind probably was her students or other students and writers. Anyone who is not interested in writing at or does not have to write for school probably would not get anything out of Goldbergs writing.
3. Her subject was her past student and their writing abilities. She enjoyed how they were able to express it and would like to share it with others.

Journal Entry #2 ( This I Believe)

Two of the essays that interested me was " The Power of Presence" and "Living Life to the Fullest". These essays are compelling to me because they show how other people decide to live their lives and what they live for. These writers used their own life experiences to explain their reasonings for their beliefs. I feel that the tone of all the essays are serious and spiritual. In ways all of these essays are similar because they all show the meaning for peoples lives, what they believe in and how they strive for it.If i were to also write a "This I Believe" essay mine probably would be on somewhat of the same topic as -living life to its fullest.

http://www.thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=8415&topessays=3
http://www.thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=6647&topessays=3

Journal Entry # 1 (Meta-analysis)

I work at a preschool, and at the beginning of the school year all of the teachers in the school need to write their own "welcoming" to the parents. I felt that I had to make a good impression because I had not yet met any of the kids or the parents and this short paragraph is the only impression I had on them at the time. I wrote my letter extremely enthused about the new school year. My audience was the parents and children whom I wanted to make feel comfortable about being in my class. In my letter I included what I think of the school, my experience, education, and what I do in my spare time. I feel that my writing accomplished exactly what I was aiming towards. Responding to a rhetorical question helped me examine my own writing and I realized my strengths and weaknesses.

In The News #1 (Olympics)

First off, I find that if I was entering the Olympics for my ability to swim or whatever the case may be than I would not want technology advancements to help me out. Its ridiculous that these athletes cant just compete to the best of their abilities. It shouldnt matter whether or not you have the technology accessible to you or not. A few weeks ago I was watching the swimming Olympics and discussing this same topic with someone else because it annoyed us that they 'edit' the competition so much to help the athletes out. Personally, I dont even consider these "world records" seriously.