A connection Zeus and John, from the movie, "John Tucker must die" is cheating on their loved ones. Zeus was married to Hera, a beautiful Goddess, but yet cheated on her with many other girls, and had different children with the woman he cheated on her with. John is involved with this connection from also cheating! Although he is only a senior in high school, he still managed to cheat on three girls at a time!

It's amazing how John had three girlfriends, that go to the same school, at a time without them knowing they were being cheated on. Basically, he did this every year until basketball season started. To break up with the girls, he specifically tells them the same thing, which is, "My dad doesn't let me date during basketball season". To have them not know that they were being cheated on, he picked girls from different groups who absolutely hated each other. Zeus had cheated on Hera with many other women who were goddesses, and humans. His children with other girls include Heracles, Perseus, Athena, Dionysus, Aeacus, Sarpedon, many more.

A Clean Café

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read a couple signs of symbolism from the short story, "A Clean, Well-lighted Place" by Ernst Hemingway. 

In every story, there is symbolism, even if you don't see it. There may not be a lot, but there is some! In the piece, "A Clean, Well-lighted Place" by Ernest Hemingway, there are many signs of symbolism. Ernest Hemingway has written a lot of symbolism into his pieces, and in this piece, the characters are a great sign. The three main characters can all be explained differently from their own actions. The symbolism in the story helps the reader understand the purpose of the story and the characters in several ways.

There are times in life where you change, not only once, but many times. A young, middle aged, and old man can be completely different. There is plenty symbolism in the story, "A Clean, Well-lighted Place". Three men, the young, middle aged, and the old are all in a café around 3 am. The old man had been drinking by himself as the two young and middle aged waiters wait for him to finish.

The younger man didn’t understand why he was at a café and not a bar. As the young man wanted to go home and to bed, he was getting crabby and rude with the old man. He demanded him to stop drinking and to carry on home. The middle aged man watched how the younger man approached the eldest. Towards the end, the middle aged man had thought about what he experienced with the younger man's rudeness. You can always tell a clean, empty place is a better place to drink alone, then a loud, crowded one.

One main symbol in the story is the young man. The young man in this story represents a rude attitude, leaving a not so well thought about his generation. Instead of telling the old man to scram in different words, he could've approached him nicely and asked him to return home at the late hour to be safe.

Another symbol in this story is the middle aged man. The middle aged man represents observing, on how the young man treats the oldest man. He watched as the young man had forced the oldest to stop drinking and didn't understand his need to be rude.

The symbolism can be well recognized by some readers to help them understand the story a better. The questions that the middle aged man had from his experience where answered. A clean, quiet café is a much better place to stay, than a loud bar.

Re- Striped People

Authors Note: In these upcoming paragraphs  you will read my edit to score a 9 or higher for introductions.

Millions of innocent people were killed in these awful times for minor reasons. The 1930's and 40's was a devastating time for Jewish people. These poor people were punished for making eye contact or talking when they weren't supposed to. Hitler had an awful plan to kill all communities of Jewish people and kept them in concentration camps. Innocent people were punished for their beliefs.

A concentration camp is a camp in which people are detained or confined and have kept Jews and treated them harshly. There were many different kinds of camps. These started in about 1933 in Germany and ended around 1939. Some types of camps were Hostage camps and POW camps. Basically, a Hostage camp is where hostages were held. A POW camp is where prisoners of war were held after capture.

After all, life has changed a lot since the 1930s. Also, camps are nowhere to be found and everyone is treated equally. A similar thing from back then to now is racism. Most people are treated equally, but some people just can’t except that everyone’s human. They have the need to make fun of, tease, or bully people about how they look, or act.

When Bruno and Shmuel ignore their rules, they gained a fantastic friendship. Also, they kept it a secret so no one could find Bruno when he went to visit Shmuel. After one day Bruno entered the camp, through a small hole in the fence, to help Shmuel find his missing father.  He felt like a helping friend. As the timing is bad, they go on a march, and never return. A year goes by and Bruno’s disappearance remains a mystery. Until one day when a solider found Bruno’s clothes at the spot Shmuel and him met every day. Suddenly, they find a hole in the fence big enough for Bruno to fit through and his father realizes, his son was killed along with everyone else in the camp. The tone of the father had gone from confident, to depressed from his loss.

As you have heard, concentration camps were awful. People had died everyday for being who they were. After I had seen the movie, I wanted to read the book. The two are very alike and you can understand more. Finally, these camps have stopped and people can be who they are. Not even being able to talk without being beaten, these people were treated horrible.

The Trojan Horse

In class we read the story "The Trojan Horse" out load. It was about the Greeks fighting for Troy. The conflict in this story was that the Greek couldn’t leave Troy, without the gods getting angry and setting a type of storm to keep them on Troy. The conflict was resolved with them receiving a horse, and kept the horse for god luck! Something I that was devious, was that they received a mysterious horse.

These situations can relate to some people. Say if you were sucking up to a teacher to have them like you better, or even a friend. Maybe, if you are trying to suck up to someone, or if you want someone to like you in a specific way you would tell them nice things, or usually not be yourself, but better around them. I personally haven't experienced  anything like this.

The Striped People

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read about my text analysis on "The Boy in the Striped pajamas" written by John Boyne

"The Boy in the Striped pajamas" written by John Boyne is a very touching book. . Back then, people weren't treated the way they should have been. Jewish people were not treated with respect and were kept in concentration camps. It's about two young boys, Bruno, a German, and Shmuel, a Polish Jew, who don't exactly understand the whole situation of the fence that separates them. Throughout the course of the book, Bruno seems to treat Shmuel how everyone should be treated.

A concentration camp is a camp in which people are detained or confined and have kept Jews and treated them harshly. There were many different kinds of camps. These started in about 1933 in Germany and ended around 1939. Some types of camps were Hostage camps and POW camps. Basically, a Hostage camp is where hostages were held. A POW camp is where prisoners of war were held after capture.

After all, life has changed a lot since the 1930s. Also, camps are nowhere to be found and everyone is treated equally. A similar thing from back then to now is racism. Most people are treated equally, but some people just can’t except that everyone’s human. They have the need to make fun of, tease, or bully people about how they look, or act.

When Bruno and Shmuel ignore their rules, they gained a fantastic friendship. Also, they kept it a secret so no one could find Bruno when he went to visit Shmuel. After one day Bruno entered the camp, through a small hole in the fence, to help Shmuel find his missing father.  He felt like a helping friend. As the timing is bad, they go on a march, and never return. A year goes by and Bruno’s disappearance remains a mystery. Until one day when a solider found Bruno’s clothes at the spot Shmuel and him met every day. Suddenly, they find a hole in the fence big enough for Bruno to fit through and his father realizes, his son was killed along with everyone else in the camp. The tone of the father had gone from confident, to depressed from his loss.

As you have heard, concentration camps were awful. People had died everyday for being who they were. After I had seen the movie, I wanted to read the book. The two are very alike and you can understand more. Finally, these camps have stopped and people can be who they are. Not even being able to talk without being beaten, these people were treated horrible.

Ribbons

It's different here than in China from what they do. In the story, the family bowed to the grandmother, while Stacy gave her a hug. The grandmother didn't appreciate the hug, because it could be different in China. Another difference is with the grandmothers binded feet. I never even would think that they do that anywhere, but they used to do that in China. 

Somethings we do that are similar to feet binding is plastic surgery. Some people go to the doctor and have their face, and or bodies changed from surgery. I think it's a bad thing because everyone's beautiful in their own way. If it causes physical pain then I would say no, but if you have a different opinion, and are really confident in these ideas, then yes. I thought that the title and the story really blended towards the end of the story with the ribbons of the foot binding.

Johnny's Mother

In the story, "After you my Dear Alphonse" is a stereotypical mom. She thinks that her son's friend, Boyd, is a poor black boy who is starving and has nothing. When he really has as much wealth as she does!  In the end he made her upset, because he proved her wrong and didn't accept her "gifts". Pewaukee isn't a very racist place like many others. We accept each and every person here. Some other schools aren't as nice. Back then people who were a different color wouldn't be treated right because they looked different. Most people don't think that’s very right because everyone's human.

Fitness and Health Essay

Author’s Note: In these 5 upcoming paragraphs you will read about my opinion on a couple questions about fitness and health.

Fitness and health are very important for a person. It not only keeps you alive, but it keeps you looking great! If you really think about it, the answers to these two questions can say a lot. These questions are, what value does physical activity provide you?  Does physical activity provide you with health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, social interaction, or something else?

The first question is, what value does physical activity provide you?  Physical activity provides you strength, energy, and a better health. Physical activity can really help you gain strength in not only your body, but in self confidence, because it will help you look fantastic! It also gains energy for you in the day by having a great health.

Lastly, the second question, does physical activity provide you with health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, social interaction, or something else? Yes, physical activity does provide you with these things, but not just physical activity. Health takes a lot more than just exercise. You need to watch what you eat and not only watch, but to eat healthy!

Some people, not all, get enjoyment from physical activity. If you just like to jog, or even play your favorite sport, and it challenges you to try your best. You could also express yourself by showing who you are while playing a sport. I think social interaction is a big part in physical activity. You can find someone who has the same pace as you do, so you don’t need to be alone!

Health and fitness is actually very important to a person. It keeps you away from medication, and the doctor’s office. Like the saying, “one apple a day, keeps the doctor away!” With a great health you can actually live a longer life, but too much exercise can be harmful.

A Clean, Well-lighted Place

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read, are about how  the short story, A Clean, Well-lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway, and a short movie of the story are different!

A Clean, Well-lighted Place, is mainly about an old man, a middle-aged man and a younger man at a café. Since they are all different ages, they act different. The younger man is a little more rude than the other two. The old man is always just minding his business and just going along with his drinks. Lastly, the middle-aged man is nice, but curious! The short story is mainly just dialog with a little bit of summary! Well, of course the short movie is all dialog because they're talking!

After I read the story, I noticed is that the movie made more sense from the music. You could tell what kind of a mood everything was! It was also easier because you could tell who was talking and saying what they were saying! The movie put more of an understanding plot in my head. It made a lot more sense because in the story you could accidently picture the wrong thing. 

Re- Dreams and Goals

Author's Note: In this essay I will be explaining the quote, "Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly" from the poem, "dreams" by Langston Hughes and I will be talking about his life.

Langston Hughes was born in the time period when racism was a big thing. He was born in Joplin, Missouri. He was a second child to Carrie Mercer Langston and James Nathaniel Hughes. He grew up in different small towns until his Father left the family, and divorced Carrie. Langston didn't have a very strong relationship with his father. Langston's mother was looking for a job after his parents spilt, he was raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother's death, Langston went to live with family friends for a while.

In the well known poem, dreams by Langston Hughes is mainly about holding onto your dreams at tough times. It's not a very happy situation. The stanza, "Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly" is mainly about how life isn't fair at times, but you just have to let those hard times heal. Dreams is mainly about Langston saying, don't let go of your dreams because when life is rough, all you have are your dreams and goals.

On May 22, 1967, Hughes died from complications after abdominal surgery. His ashes are  beneath a floor medallion in the middle of the Arthur Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. He died when he was about 65. Langston only lived for a short time. Nobody deserves to die at such a young age.

Even though Langston Hughes had a short life, he put a lot of work into it and also put a lot in his pieces. After he died his pieces still are around today and are great hits! It didn’t matter what race he was, he was a fantastic writer and made a clear statement in each piece of his. The poem Dreams is mainly about not letting go and even though it's such a short poem I caught on very fast to the meaning.

Ellen Hopkins

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read about one of my favorite authors, Ellen Hopkins.

Ellen Hopkins is a fantastic author. She has many amazing series that relate to real world situations. Her book series Crank, was written about her daughter, Cristal. She isn't just an ordinary author, she writes her words in shapes. From one page to the next you could be reading from a box, or a zigzag line of words.

Ellen was an adopted child, she was adopted by Albert and Valeria Wagner.

Before dropping out of college to start a family and a business, she had two children, Jason and Cristal. When her marriage failed, it led to divorce, and had a daughter named Kelly with a man she called a 'rebound'. He was abusive and kidnapped Kelly, keeping her in secret for three years. She was found later by his grandmother. Around 1985, she married John Hopkins, her current husband. They also adopted their daughter Cristal's son, Orion. Around the year 1990 is when Ellen started her writing career.  In a later time of Ellen's life, she found her biological mother, Toni Chandler, who was also a writer and poet.

Right now Ellen is still continuing to write. She has a couple of books coming out during the time period of 2013-2015. These books are Rumble and Tangled, which are apart of her other novels category that don't belong in a series. She has written over 15 novels. About four series, and five books that don't belong in a series. Her series that she has written are named, Crank, Burned, Impulse, and Triangles. There are about four or two books in each series. Ellen is a unique writer, because she writes in patterns. Normal books have their words written in paragraphs in a box shape. Ellen likes to write her words in different shapes or poem like looks.

 Ellen's series, Crank, is about her daughter, Cristal. She had a pretty tough life when she was a teen and it made her future not so pretty. Cristal is currently 34 years old with 6 children, only 3 live with her. Cristal has been I prison twice for the possession of drugs. She had her first child at age 17 and didn't know what to do with her life. Ellen took care of about 2 of Cristal's kids for a long period of time. Cristal's friend took one of her kids for about 8 years and was just found about 3 years ago.

Ellen has written amazing books that relate to real lives and situations. I personally think that most people enjoy reading books with knowing more information about the author or behind the story.  A lot of Ellen's fans really enjoy her sense of writing style with the format and topics. Knowing more information gives you more knowledge of what you're reading, and is easier to relate to real world situations.

Citations

"Ellen Hopkins tells about her daughter - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTb9CXdigcA>.

"Ellen Hopkins." Ellen Hopkins. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ellenhopkins.com/index.html>.

"Ellen Hopkins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Hopkins>.

  

The Note

Author's Note: In this upcoming piece you will read, is a summary and what I think is the most important part of the story, "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry. 

In the story “The Ransom of Red Chief” tells a lesson, and leaves a huge twist. We thought that the most important part of the story was when the father read the note, because it changed the whole story. A couple boys thought it would be a good idea to kidnap a boy with a rich father. They intended to do this because they thought the father would pay them money to return the boy. The boys wanted money from the rich father so they tried to black mail him. The main part of the black mail was, we have your son, give us the money and you will get him back. As they weren’t expecting, it didn’t turn out, and this is where the whole story changed. The father didn’t want his son back, and the son didn’t want to go home. It was a huge twist to the story and the boys who kidnapped the son ended up giving money for the father to take his son back, instead of getting it to return him. It left a lesson by saying, not everything you do turns out the way you plan.

Dreams and Goals

Author's Note: In this essay I will be explaining a quote from the poem, "dreams" by Langston Hughes.

In the well known poem, "dreams" by Langston Hughes is mainly about holding onto your dreams at tough times. It's not a very happy situation. The stanza, "Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly" is mainly about life isn't fair at times, but you just have to let those hard times heal. Langston Hughes is a fantastic author who has written many poems. I personally like "dreams" as a favorite of mine. "Dreams" is mainly about Langston saying, don't let go of your dreams because when life is rough, all you have are your dreams and goals.

A connection I have with this poem is when I have tough times, especially drama with friends at my age, I never let it get to me because I know that my main goal is to work through it with them. In the end I always achieve that goal. When someone says the wrong thing about your appearance and makes you upset, life will be a broken-winged bird but, you have your goal in life to change what they say.

I have a feeling the author wrote this poem because not everyone has a perfect life and sometimes all you have are your dreams and goals. This poem relates to me in many ways because not everything  turns out the way I plan. Another thought of why this poem was written is because maybe he was trying to say, don’t ever let go of your goals because one day you may achieve them.

Never let your dreams go because one day it might come true.  All struggles in life end, and if it isn't over yet, it's not the end. Again, not everyone has a perfect life but your goals and dreams will get you through the struggle.

Broken

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will see how Kristina's life has changed from my earlier essay, "Decisions" based on the book "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins. You will now read of how she has developed in book two, "Glass", also by Ellen Hopkins.

Picture if the choices you made were life threatening. Kristina has changed so much in the past year. From straight A student to having a baby of her own at only 17 years old. Bree, the monster created inside her, hasn't taken over in a while. Drugs aren't so hot right now either. She finally thinks her life is slowly going back to normal, until she meets Trey. Reminds her of an old friend of hers and right as she gets back on track with her life he quickly takes her right back off. Addicted again to the thing she wanted least to do with, drugs, and not only that, Brees back.

Her family isn't as worried about her. They just think her dad made her more independent. While Kristina's baby, Hunter, is her first priority, its almost her 18th birthday. Not only does her mom want to get Hunter baptized, Kristina's family is flying into town for her birthday. She asks herself how she will do the thing she loves most around the ones she loves. Kristina's sister, Leigh, doesn't have the best relationship with their father, and he is flying into town as well. It's a tough situation dealing with all of this.

After all of the plans are done and over with Kristina is in LaLa Land with Trey, they get caught with their stash and are sent to the nearest prison. Not sure how to handle things, she gets one phone call. She doesn't call her mom. Three maybe four days in prison until a court date is made. Kristina has no idea what will happen to her, all she knows is that Bree will take over, once again. 

Dreams

1. What types of figurative language are being used in the text (metaphor, personification, rhyme, rhythm...etc)?

There aren't many types of figurative language being used. There are metaphors, personification, and rhythm.

2. Why does the author use this type of imagery/language (purpose)?

The author used this type of imagery so you could get a picture in your head and the saying that dreams don’t last forever so hold onto them.

3. What impact does this type of imagery/language have on
1. the overall tone the author is trying to convey

The author is trying to tell us that dreams don’t last forever so hold onto them.

2. the overall mood the reader feels from this language

The overall mood the reader feels from this language is sort of sad because without dreams life would be empty.

3. the way the scenes/characters are developed/envisioned

They are feeling lonely.

Re-Betrayed

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read about how the main character developed as the book went on.

Luke, an illegal third child, trying to pass by in life without being arrested. Scared, emotional, worried and quite is how he feels 24/7. Wishing to not be an illegal child, living with guilt he hides for a large amount of his life. You weren't allowed to have over two children and if you had a third, they were known as illegal children. These children must be caught by the Population Police immediately and will be killed. While these kids seek hiding without getting caught, there number one thing is to have an I.D card. Some kids never left their homes and always used a different name. Each and everyone of these innocent children were horrified of what could happen to them.

Luke feels normal, safe, but not too safe in his new school. He has many scary feelings. He doesn't know what to do at some points in time. A quiet boy that only says a word or two and just tries to fit in describes Luke. Through the overall story Luke goes from scared, alone, and worried to confidant, trust worthy and wanted. He influenced some of the other illegal children by telling them they can do anything and they are not worthless. Luke reminds me of how David felt when his mother abused him in the novel "A Child Called It". 

Throughout the story Luke learns a lot. He learns to fit it and learns that he is wanted and loved by others and he isn't worthless.  The author was most likely trying to send a message to the readers of saying, you can do something you never thought you could only if you try. Luke wanted to give up n just go with everything, but he didn’t, and he saved lives. He influenced me and maybe other readers to stand up for themselves, and not only what they believe in. It also told me to try accomplishing things you thought you couldn’t. Always remember one thing, no one can be trusted when you are an illegal child.

Betrayed

Author's Note: In these upcoming paragraphs you will read about how the main character developed as the book went on.

Luke, an illegal third child, trying to pass by in life without being arrested. Scared, emotional, worried and quiet is how he feels 24/7. Wishing to not be an illegal child, living with guilt he hides for a large amount of his life. You weren't allowed to have over two children and if you had a third, they were known as illegal children. These children must be caught by the Population Police immediately and will be killed. 

While these kids seek hiding without getting caught, there number one thing is to have an I.D card. Some kids never left their homes and always used a different name. Each and everyone of these innocent children were horrified of what could happen to them.

Luke was sent away to a boarding school by a close family friend with a past third child of his own. Feeling confused, scared, and clueless he didn’t know what to do. He couldn't trust anyone with any information, except his fake name, Lee Grant. Lee Grant is an old child who had passed away a long time ago. As" Lee Grant" gets a little used to the school more he begins to feel more like he is fitting in. Going from class to class being confused every minute of everyday Luke felt lonely. He learns to just fit in and that’s when it all started, he made his first friend, Jason. 

While Luke gains a small amount of trust for Jason, he feels more like he is fitting in. Feels normal, safe, but not too safe. Luke has many scary feelings. He doesn't know what to do at some points in time. He's a quiet boy that only says a word or two and just tries to fit in. Through the overall story Luke goes from scared, alone, and worried to confidant, trust worthy and wanted. He influenced some of the other illegal children by telling them you can do anything. Luke reminds me of how David felt when his mother abused him in the novel "A Child Called It".  No one can be trusted when you are an illegal child.

Meow

Waking up with my brand new eyes, looking at the cardboard box, feeling the cozy warm sky blue blanket. While I turn my small grey head, I see my brothers and sisters playing. Feeling human skin on my fury belly  and all of the sudden I am out of the large brown box. I am pulled close to his heart feeling his stripped cotton t-shirt against my soft new fur. This boy, planted a kiss right on top of my head, between my small ears. Being pet for a large amount of time, he looks deeply into my small green eyes and says "Kitty, that's your name!". I felt like I was falling, so I closed my beautiful green little eyes and as soon as I felt a safe surface, I opened them. While seeing that blue blanket, I turned. As a giant claw attaches to my head I jump. After my playful fight with my brother, I fell asleep.

I've grown since the first time I had opened my eyes. It's been about three weeks since I've seen that box, but the blue blanket follows me everywhere I go. I have traveled from the box to a large cage surrounded by open space with many other different looking creatures. Being held almost every hour by a new person is different. I miss the boy who had picked me up for the very first time, I miss his small heart beat and his cotton shirt. I miss the way he kissed me right on top of my head between my furry little ears. While falling asleep in a clear box like cage, I felt a hand. The cage was shaking like an earth quake when he reached for me. As I woke, it was the him, and his cotton shirt I felt  the very first day. He walks away to the front desk, as the girl behind the low white chipped counter hands him papers, he pulls out a pen.

Before I could even blink, I was put in a grey carrying cage with that blue blanket I learned to love. As I see a hand reach for me, I jump into it. Seeing the boys face once again, I had this warm feeling right where my big heart is. I have learned to love the boy just how I love this blue blanket I now call my best friend. I feel different almost everyday, falling in love with this boy named TJ over and over again, loving him more than I love myself. I am not exactly young anymore, it's been years since the first day my eyes opened. They seem to say I am about 6 years old, but in my eyes I am 42. I don’t quite understand how they count years.

It' s been years since I've seen that cotton shirt.  Barley being able to move my old legs, I see pictures on a shelf I have never seen in my 14 years of age. Wishing to be a kitten again, I lift off the ground. Being cradled by TJ is the best thing I can ask for. In his arms I fall asleep purring until he fell into a deep sleep as well. To this day I will always love TJ and I know he will always feel the same.