Three Things I Believe

I believe:

1. Friends are a necessity in life

2. We only live our lives once, so we need to live them to the fullest

3. Karma

Poem

Dreams

by Langston Hughes

www.Poets.org

Hold fast to dreams 

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

I like this poem because he is a very famous poet and the poem is telling people to never give up on dreams or what they truly want.

"It is different to get the news from poetry, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there." - William Carlos Williams

I feel the author is trying to say that some people need more than just the "facts" in life. People need to take the time to really look into the poem and understand what the author is trying to say. There is more to just the words that are read, then what they actually mean.

What is Success

Looking back, I can say I have had a very successful life. I am married to a lovely husband and have three healthy children that are growing up way too fast. We live in a large home in Bergen County and have a cat and two dogs. I am about to retire from my hard working job after 30 years in the workforce. Throughout the years I have met many people who can honestly say that I have "left a footprints in their hearts." Whether it be a neighbor, coworkers, or friend; I have helped them achieve their goals or even just warmed up their day. To me, my life is the definition of a true success.

Describe this

This small rectangle sits quietly on a desk or shelf, never moving or making a sound. Although it only holds a flimsy piece of paper, what is of this carries all the excitement and tells thousands of stories of the past . When someone glances at this object, they remember maybe their family sitting by the ocean that glistened under the sun or maybe their friends climbing trees that reached the sky. But once the pass by, everything is all forgotten until they look at the object once again.

Response to "Cathedral" and "Every Day Use"

Both the short stories, "Cathedral" and "Every Day Use", share many similarities within their two different plot lines.  "Cathedral" is about a blind man who comes to visit a couple. The husband learns to understand the viewpoint of the blind man and how he feels. "Every Day Use" is about a mother and her two daughters, Dee and Matty. Dee, the materialistic one who does not respect her families belongings, leaves the family and comes back with a husband and suddenly "likes" her families belongings. First, both stories include a protagonist who views two other different characters in the story. In "Cathedral", the main character is the husband, and he comments about his wife and the blind man. Similarly, in "Every Day Use", the viewpoint of the story is through the mother's eyes and she describes her two different daughters. Both stories are based on relationships between characters and how people act different in front of others. The wife in "Cathedral" changes her personality and acts a lot nicer when the blind man returns. In "Every Day Use" the daughter comes back with a new husband and acts as if she actually does respect her family.

 After reading both stories, I enjoyed reading "Cathedral" over the other short story. I feel the author of this short story created a better plot line and more interesting characters. Although the author of "Every Day Use" uses better imagery and figurative language, the suspense in the "Cathedral" kept me more interested in the story. 

Inauguration

I think today's Inauguration is a very important part in our history but I feel there will be a lot of criticism toward the future president. Many people do not like him because of his ideas, race, or beliefs.  This is the first time the U.S. is inaugurated an African America president so it will bring about mix feelings. However, I hope it all turns out well and people will soon believe that he actually is a great person and helps our country tremendously. Because it is such a special inauguration, it is being broadcasted on all new stations and students in school, like me, will be able to watch it. 

Keeping a Secret

A few years ago, my friend told me something that I was sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone. A few days after, I was still constantly thinking about the secret. I felt a need to tell someone but I knew I couldn't, because I was putting my friendship at risk. My friend trusted me not to tell anyone, so if I told someone she would be losing my trust. However, after a while she told me this secret wasn't that important anymore so I felt relieved. I was no longer stressing over the secret and my mind was now worry free.

The Scarlet Letter

I feel like the story has an interesting plot-line because I have never read a story about adultery. It helps give me a better understanding of the Puritan culture and ways of life. However, I cannot relate anything in my life to the story. I don't like how it takes place such a long time ago; I wish it took place in a more recent times. I also do not like how many  of the words are hard to understand because this makes me confused and unsure of what is going on while i am reading the story. 

New Year's Resolution

My new year's resolution is to eat healthier and to get in shape. I want to do this because it would make me feel better about myself. In order to accomplish this goal, I am going to have better eating habits and chose healthier foods. I will try to eat more fruits and vegetables as snacks instead of the foods filled with carbs, which is what I usually eat. I will also try to go to the gym four or five times a week to help my body get into shape.

The Last Breath of the Snow Blossoms

By Lee Sharon

Walk on the white snow, 

as I saw a snow,

that was falling down,

thinking that it was just snow,

but I took a closer look,

I then look up,

and smile,

and it was blossoms,

snow blossoms,

I see,

that was drifted,

by the breeze,

of the cold wind,

slowly floating down,

down and down,

finally,

it settles on the so pure white snow,

I smile again with a tear that falls,

from my eye,

my face turn blue,

as I had my last breath,

I close my eyes

falling onto the white snow,

happy,

just happy that I could see this moment,

for a blossom that was held in my gentle hand.

Response to Quote

"What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers." - Logan Pearsall Smith

I think this quote means that he likes what can be interpreted by the writing of the story. He doesn't like the obvious work , he likes what is behind the actual story. I agree with this quote because I think it is more important to read a story based on my own interpretation, not based on the actual words of the story. 

Response to Prompt

Do you think young people today value their education as much as Sara Smolinsky does? Why or why not?

I think this answer can go both ways. Some people try to excel in their work to get into good colleges. They enjoy taking classes that they are interested in and want to grow up in career fields that they find most suitable to themselves based on their studies. However there are some people who chose to drop out of high school. They are not valuing education and most likely sometime later in their life, they will regret not having an education. These people don't realize how important it is to be educated because in order to succeed in todays world most people need to have high paid jobs and college degrees. 

Response to quote

"There's nothing hard about writing. All you have to do is sit down and open up vein." - Walter "Red" Smith

I  do not agree with this quote because I feel writing is one of the hardest tasks to complete. It takes me a long time to think of ideas of what to write. However, after the long time it takes me to find a topic, it is then easy to elaborate and start writing.

Bread Giver Reflection`

So far, I feel the book is very interesting. I think it accurately describes many of the families that lived in poverty back in the 1920's. In our group, we discussed how the Father does not admit to his faults and he is the superior figure of the household. We also discussed how the family only respects him because of fear which is not as significant as true respect. Although I am only a little bit into the story, I feel it will become even better as I begin to read more into it. 

Thankful for...

I am most thankful for...

1. my family

2. my friends

3. my dog

4. my health

5. the beach

6. sports

7. weekends

8. the summer =]

9. Panera

10. mashed potatoes