Monday, May 4, 2009

I dream of
By Nina Weber

I dream of traveling in life
Without a knife
When I could trust
That is a must

I dream of peace in our lands
By shaking hands
Of those who care
And those who dare

I dream of making many friends
Whose love never ends
Who give me hope
And help me cope

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

old man and the sea essay

People who give up in life will never become very lucky. In the novella The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway Santiago works very hard but never gets anything in return. My first example of perseverance is when Santiago goes out fishing every day but comes back every day empty handed. Another example is when Santiago doesn’t give up fighting the fish. My third example of perseverance in this novella is how the boy doesn’t give up on Santiago.


My first example of perseverance in a character in the novella The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is how Santiago never gives up is how he gets up early in the morning to go fishing. He then is out all day on a fishing boat with nothing but a bottle of water. He comes home late at night empty handed. He does this every day so he never has any food or money to buy food. So he has to eat the food the boy brings him. He never sleeps in and decides not to go fishing even though it has been months since he caught anything. That shows how Santiago never really gives up. This is shown in the following line, “‘But remember how you went eighty-seven days without fish and then we caught big ones every day for three weeks’” (10).


My second example of perseverance in a character in the novella The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is how Santiago never gives up is how he manages to make it home safely. There were many things threatening his safety but he survived them all. He manages when his hand tenses on him. He makes it through the night with no food. He manages when he gets lost. He never once thinks about letting the fish go. It makes you be grateful for what you have and thankful that you are so well off. That is shown to the audience in this line, “‘Fish you are going to have to die anyway’” (92).


My third example of perseverance in a character in the novella The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway how Manolin is devoted to Santiago. He meets him at the dock at the end of the day to help him bring in supplies. He brings Santiago coffee. He covers him with a blanket. He shares food with him. He does all this every day and never doesn’t help Santiago. This is shown to the audience in this line, “‘ Can I offer you a beer on the terrace?’”(10).


After reading this suspensful novella I realized that perseverance can come in any shape, color, or size. Of course perseverance is not an actual object so it can’t be seen in any certain color although perseverance can appear in objects. I accepted that just because mandolin is a young boy doesn’t mean that he can’t understand perseverance. Manolin is curious of the fishing world yet naïve. He is respectful of Santiago. He becomes anxious when Santiago doesn’t come back. Santiago is wise and sincere. He is lonely out on the sea without the boy. He is also very patient he waited hours to catch the fish. He also waited for a while for his hand to uncramp. Both Santiago and mandolin are optimistic. Perseverance is very closely connected to love because loves something or someone they persevere after that thing or person and never give up.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2005.Genre: Fiction
This story is about a family trying to survive. It takes place in the early 1900s. They are struggling to live. The main character is the girl. Her father is a drunken waiter. The book follows her sister, her brother, her mother, her aunts and her father. In the later part of the book we learn how Francie’s parents met. Her father dies before his thirty fifth birthday and Francie still has high school to attend as does her brother. Although Francie is dying to go and her brother is not Francie is denied the chance at going to high school while her brother attends against his will. Her mother becomes pregnant and Francie must make enough money to pay for the rent and food.

“Serene was a word you could put to Brooklyn, New York. Especially in the summer of 1912. Somber, as a word, was better. But it did not apply to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Prairie was lovely and Shenandoah had a beautiful sound, but you couldn’t fit those words into Brooklyn. Serene was the only word for it; especially on a Saturday afternoon in summer.” This is the very beginning of the book.

This book is not at all a typical book. The story is told from a neighbors perspective. What we knew was limited because of this. We weren’t told what they were thinking just how it looked. There was many times in the story when you wanted to know more but you couldn’t. I had mixed feelings about her father, Johnny, at time and if it was his fault he was a drunk even though he was a good father.

"That's what Mary Rommely, her mother had been telling her all those years. Only her mother did not have the one clear word: education!"

I have not read any other books by Betty Smith but know I would be interested in reading more of her books if they were recommended to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fiction. I liked this book so much because it was about someone’s life. I find that kind of story to be intriguing. It had romance for those who like romance. It was also very sad at some parts. It had a few scary parts.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Fame: Is it glourius?

It was February fourth and Molly had just entered the ice to begin her free skate she had already skated her short program. She was in fourth place and she had to get about a hundred and twenty-one in order to score first. It was possible but she had to land all of her jumps including her axel which had been causing her a lot trouble recently. Being a pudgy girl it made it easier for her to control her legs in her jump. She started her program as the jumps came up she landed them. The first jump she landed was the loop, then she landed the flip and then she landed the waltz three. If she could land this axel she would have performed her routine perfectly but she also knew that she could be in grave danger of injurying herself if she didn't. She took off and made a full rotation. She landed it! She did it! All of a sudden she allowed the wall to be broken down and thoughts came rushing into her head. What scores would she get? All the work had paid off? Would she make nationals? What about worlds? She knew she should be taking one step at a time but she was so excited. Most importantly had her friends seen? Had her mother been standing in the crowd cheering? She walked over to the kiss and cry area where she approached her coach. Her coach handed her a pot. It was different flor sent from her best friend. They sat down and as they waited her scores molly cried on her coach’s shoulder. She could see the contusion through her tights from the free skate. She knew she had skated her best because someone had said she has legerdmain in ice skating. The scores were reviled. She got a hundred and twenty four points. Molly had won! Her face turned from a shade of pallor to bright red. They stood up to leave. As they reached the door a covey of reporters surrounded her asking her questions she ignored them as they walked to the car. When they arrived at the hotel molly asked if she could nap before discussion began. The coach said that they would make this quick.

“ How do you feel?”

“I am fine but I am a bit annoyed at those reporters.”

“Well that’s good, because we are going to do a interview for a commerical with dove. Then we are scheduled to have dinner with the other coaches and skaters for nationals. After dinner you are skating for a charity.”

“Okay but I’m going to take my nap now. By the way do we have plans for tomorrow? I want to hang out with Lila.”

“Not yet. Oh I forgot that throughout the night there will be reporters on you from NBC, OK, E and that ice skating magazine- what's it called?”

“Why do they have to watch my every move? Now I am going to have to change clothes for every event. I have to dress up. Next time can you ask for a small taxi-one that doesn’t fit reporters? I am going to take a shower when your done and would you put my hair in a bun. Elizabeth is off duty.”

The next morning Lila came over so they could go to the mall. They got to the mall fine most likely because they were in Lila’s car. The walked into the mall through Macy's and within five minutes of entering a crowd had gathered around them.

“Molly great job yesterday,” One fan stated.

“I wish I could skate like. that when I skate it is so inept,” another fan said giving the inkling she wanted to take lessons from molly to her mother.

“You skated great,” a young girl inputted as if molly was her heroine. The girl spoke as though molly was full of wisdom and was sophisticated.

“Nice axel I wish I would have won,” Another skater said filled with avarice.

“When did you gain all this popularity,” Lila asked.“Yesterday when I won competition. I am thirsty want to get a milkshake,” Molly said.

“Definitely my mom has been feeding us fish and broccoli for the fast three days,” Lila remarked disgustedly.When they arrived at their favorite milkshake place they ordered their milkshakes and just as they were leaving the were attacked by reporters who formed a bulwark.
“ Whats your favorite milkshake,” one reporter asked.

“ Do you have a boyfriend,” another questioned.

“Guys! Don't you think that is petulant? That is getting a little too personal. How would you like it if I asked you how your relationship is going? Yeah I thought so.”

“ How does it feel to be going to nationals,” remarked a third reporter totally unaware of what she had just said.

“Do you plan on winning the gold for Massachusetts,” a fourth reporter input.Guys thanks for the appreciation but we have to go were late,” Molly stated annoyed.
They headed out of the store. They got into the car and drove off for home.

“Sorry we had to cut the mall trip so short,” Molly apologized.

“Tomorrow want to try to hang out again,” Lila pleaded.

“Well, I have to train, practice my skating routine. I also have to go to Macy’s to promote their store,” Molly sighed.

“Well what about tomorrow evening,” Lila inquired hopefully.

“No, sorry. I have to get to know the other girls for nationals,” Molly said.

“Oh, okay then. Bye,” Lila said as they arrived at molly’s hotel.

“Bye. Hope to see you soon,” Molly said getting out of the car.Back in the hotel room she approached her coach.

“I haven’t had any time to hang out with Lila. We went to the mall today for about an hour but we were surrounded by reporters or fans the whole time. I am so busy with interviews or worrying about nationals. I want more time to hang out with her.”

“Well which is more important to you friends or skating? It’s okay if you want we can drop out of nationals.”

“ No, I want to go to nationals. It took a lot to get here and I am not giving up now."

“ Well how about if we take a break after nationals? We could use the money you won and your commercial money to go on a cruise. We could bring Lila along.”

“That would be awesome!”

“Of course, you would have to promise me you would do some skating so you don’t forget your moves.”

“Yes I will. I am going to call Lila now,” Molly said.

“Lila. Guess what? Coach said that she would bring you and me on a cruise!”

“Really,” Lila screamed.

“No, I said you could bring her on a cruise. You paid for it,” Coach said from the other room.

“No actually she said I would be bringing you because it would be with my competition money. It would be after nationals. So can you go?”

“ Yes definitely yes.”

“But what did your mom say?”

“Oh, my mom. Just hold on. Mom can I go? My mom wants to know how long it would be? Two weeks mom. Yeah. Please I will bring my work. Yes! My mom said I could go. But what about skating? What if you win nationals,”Lila said excited.

“ Well, I would have to practice my moves so I don’t forget them but it would be a break so I wouldn’t have to skate as much and as for nationals I probably won’t win but even if I do I deserve a rest besides we’ll have a month to nationals I will just have to train in two weeks. Friendship is just as important if not more.”

“Oh! thank you! Thank you! I love you!”

The girls didn’t see each other for the next two weeks. In fact they didn’t expect to see each other until the Saturday after nationals and nationals was on Wednesday but Lila surprised molly by being there to support her. She skated her program and she won! She stuck to her plan of going on the cruise and they would just train after. After all, friendship is more than a gold medal.