What advice about life- either serious or lighthearted- would you share with a 10-year-old?
I would tell a 10-year-old to never let anyone bring them down. 10-year-olds usually have these crazy dreams of things they want to do when they get older and more often then not, someone is going to tell them its impossible and they will lose that dream. Also more often then not, that person that told them it was impossible was wrong. Kids are going to get made fun of for things and they are going to get discouraged, but they have to just push past it and go for what they want. Everyone gets discouraged in their lives, and it’s a horrible feeling, but other people don't know how they think; they probably just say mean things because they are jealous. I want to tell a 10-year-old to just be themselves and go for what they want. What other people think of them doesn't really matter and I want to save a 10-year-old from that feeling of discouragement.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Respone to Harrison Bergeron
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
The story Harrison Bergeron is about a world where everyone is completely equal and no one is allowed to be better.
-Why would the government not allow people to use their talents to their fullest ability?
-What experiences in your life could relate to everyone having to be equal?
-What in today's society would have contributed to the reason the author wrote about everyone being equal?
The government in Harrison Bergeron felt that anyone that was too smart or too pretty or too strong or too good at anything was a threat. People that were smart had to wear aids in their ears and anytime they were thinking of something on a higher level they would hear a noise in their head to make the thought stop. The government thought that people that thought of higher things could think of a way to over rule them. The government was also scared that people that were smarter would make the other people feel bad about themselves. In reality though, the government can't have control over that. They should let people be who they are and let them give what they have to offer.
In school, smarter people are often put into lower level classes becuase they don't want the not as smart kids to feel bad that they aren't in the higher level classes. Smarter people are also not usually challenged as much because the teachers have to wait until everyone else understands it, too. I know this because I fall in the smarter category. I am put in higher level classes, but often times I feel like I am not working as hard as I could because the work that is being given is for the lower level people to understand, too. This is really unfair to me because I feel like I could be doing more, but yet I am not challenged as much as I should be.
The author, Kurt Vonnegut, probably wrote this story because society is being dumbed down. Most people now don't like to think too hard about things or do anything that would require too much work. Most people look for the easy way out. In schools, there is the "no child left behind" law, meaning that kids that are not as smart should be given more chances to pass so that they do not look or feel stupid. The government does not want kids feeling like they are anything less then the smarter kids. That's not what it comes to, though; it's what people have to offer. Someone who is not smart might be an amazing dancer, so they have that to offer. The author wanted to show that what the government is portraying as "right" is not really the right thing at all. He wanted to show that people are not always equal in their abilities, but they should be allowed to use them.
The story Harrison Bergeron is about a world where everyone is completely equal and no one is allowed to be better.
-Why would the government not allow people to use their talents to their fullest ability?
-What experiences in your life could relate to everyone having to be equal?
-What in today's society would have contributed to the reason the author wrote about everyone being equal?
The government in Harrison Bergeron felt that anyone that was too smart or too pretty or too strong or too good at anything was a threat. People that were smart had to wear aids in their ears and anytime they were thinking of something on a higher level they would hear a noise in their head to make the thought stop. The government thought that people that thought of higher things could think of a way to over rule them. The government was also scared that people that were smarter would make the other people feel bad about themselves. In reality though, the government can't have control over that. They should let people be who they are and let them give what they have to offer.
In school, smarter people are often put into lower level classes becuase they don't want the not as smart kids to feel bad that they aren't in the higher level classes. Smarter people are also not usually challenged as much because the teachers have to wait until everyone else understands it, too. I know this because I fall in the smarter category. I am put in higher level classes, but often times I feel like I am not working as hard as I could because the work that is being given is for the lower level people to understand, too. This is really unfair to me because I feel like I could be doing more, but yet I am not challenged as much as I should be.
The author, Kurt Vonnegut, probably wrote this story because society is being dumbed down. Most people now don't like to think too hard about things or do anything that would require too much work. Most people look for the easy way out. In schools, there is the "no child left behind" law, meaning that kids that are not as smart should be given more chances to pass so that they do not look or feel stupid. The government does not want kids feeling like they are anything less then the smarter kids. That's not what it comes to, though; it's what people have to offer. Someone who is not smart might be an amazing dancer, so they have that to offer. The author wanted to show that what the government is portraying as "right" is not really the right thing at all. He wanted to show that people are not always equal in their abilities, but they should be allowed to use them.
Novel Response #3
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
In the book The Piano Teacher, the Japanese take over Hong Kong and everyone that is not Asian is forced into an internment camp. These people have done nothing wrong but they are being treated horribly because their countries are at war. When they ask for simple things to help their living conditions become better, they are ignored.
-What in the book shows that what the Japanese did to these people is unfair?
-What in your life is something that you thought was unfair?
-How could you relate this book to the way society is divided unfairly?
The Japanese put all of the non-Asian people in internment camps because since they had won the war, they thought they were superior to everyone else. However, they were putting civilians in these internment camps, which is not fair because the civilians didn't do anything. They came to Hong Kong to find a new life and they were put in these horrible camps. These people had done nothing wrong; they were treated unfairly because their countries were at war with Japan. The Japanese didn't like people that weren't like them because they were different. The Japanese people did this to these people because they felt like they could. They felt like they were so in control because they had won the war. They wanted to do everything they could to show the world that they had power and would not stop. In this process, innocent people were hurt.
People in my life sometimes treat me unfairly because I come from a different background. Often times, people think I'm weird because I'm Greek and I get made fun of a lot. People probably do this to me because they think they are so much better because they are all American. The truth is, their ancestors are from a different country, too. Just because my family recently came over from Greece, they think they are better then me. People take any opportunity they get to feel like they are better then other people. I know that they are no better then me, but it is very unfair how I am treated.
In our society, we have created this image of normality. If someone is just a little different, then they are treated very poorly. For instance, white people (not all white people) feel as if they are much better then African Americans. Those people were forced to come to America to be our slaves because their skin color is different. When slaves were banned, there was segregation between white people and African Americans because we still thought we were better then them. Today, there are still some white people who treat African Americans unfairly because they are different. Everyone has something different to offer to this world and everyone has to respect that even if they feel they are better then someone else. African Americans never did anything to white people and yet, they were treated horribly. Why did we do this? Because they are just a little bit different.
In the book The Piano Teacher, the Japanese take over Hong Kong and everyone that is not Asian is forced into an internment camp. These people have done nothing wrong but they are being treated horribly because their countries are at war. When they ask for simple things to help their living conditions become better, they are ignored.
-What in the book shows that what the Japanese did to these people is unfair?
-What in your life is something that you thought was unfair?
-How could you relate this book to the way society is divided unfairly?
The Japanese put all of the non-Asian people in internment camps because since they had won the war, they thought they were superior to everyone else. However, they were putting civilians in these internment camps, which is not fair because the civilians didn't do anything. They came to Hong Kong to find a new life and they were put in these horrible camps. These people had done nothing wrong; they were treated unfairly because their countries were at war with Japan. The Japanese didn't like people that weren't like them because they were different. The Japanese people did this to these people because they felt like they could. They felt like they were so in control because they had won the war. They wanted to do everything they could to show the world that they had power and would not stop. In this process, innocent people were hurt.
People in my life sometimes treat me unfairly because I come from a different background. Often times, people think I'm weird because I'm Greek and I get made fun of a lot. People probably do this to me because they think they are so much better because they are all American. The truth is, their ancestors are from a different country, too. Just because my family recently came over from Greece, they think they are better then me. People take any opportunity they get to feel like they are better then other people. I know that they are no better then me, but it is very unfair how I am treated.
In our society, we have created this image of normality. If someone is just a little different, then they are treated very poorly. For instance, white people (not all white people) feel as if they are much better then African Americans. Those people were forced to come to America to be our slaves because their skin color is different. When slaves were banned, there was segregation between white people and African Americans because we still thought we were better then them. Today, there are still some white people who treat African Americans unfairly because they are different. Everyone has something different to offer to this world and everyone has to respect that even if they feel they are better then someone else. African Americans never did anything to white people and yet, they were treated horribly. Why did we do this? Because they are just a little bit different.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Song That Describes Me
Miss Independent by Ne-Yo
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
ooh it's somethin' about
Just somethin about the way she move
I cant figure it out
there's somethin about her
said ooh its somethin about
kinda woman that want you but dont need you
hey I cant figure it out
there's something about her
cause she walk like a boss
talk like a boss
manicured nails to set the pedicure off
shes fly effortlessly
and she move like a boss
do what a boss do
she got me thinkin about getting involved
thats the kinda girl I need oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
ooh there's somethin about
kinda woman that can do for herself
I look at her and it makes me proud
theres somethin about her
theres somethin oh so sexy about
kinda woman that dont even need my help
she said she got it she got it no doubt
there's something about her
cause she work like a boss play like a boss
car and a crib she bout to pay em both off
and her bills are paid on time
she made for a boss, only a boss
anything less she tellin them to get lost
thats the girl thats on my mind
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
mmm her favorite thing to say
dont worry i got it
mmm and everything she got
best believe she bought it
mmm she gon' steal my heart
aint no doubt about it
girl you're everything I need
said you're everything I need
yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
miss independent thats why I love her
The song “Miss Independent” describes me because I am very independent. I think and feel what I want and I’m never afraid to tell people what I feel. I always speak my mind. I don’t let people tell me what to do or how to act. I don’t like to be like everyone else, I like to stand out. Sometimes people don’t like independent people because they are different from others. This song is trying to show that when it says, “I can’t figure it out there's something about her.” People sometimes can’t figure out what they like about someone, but somehow there is always something that attracts them.
Another reason “Miss Independent” describes me is because I don’t need other people to lean on. Of course I need my family, but I will do perfectly fine in the world without a boy at my side. I’m not dependent on a boy to love or care for me. If there is someone in my life like that, then I will enjoy it, but I do not need that feeling. In the song it says, “Kinda woman that want you, but don’t need you.” I know that I want someone who is going to love me, but I do not need that to be myself. Some people feel like they need someone else to help them survive, but really the other person is making them weaker. People have to be strong enough to live on their own before they can invite someone else into their life. If someone depends too strongly on another person, then when that person leaves, they will have no idea how to continue on and how to live without someone else always there. I have been raised in such a way that I know better then to do this. My parents have taught me to be very independent and to not let anyone else control me.
“Miss Independent” also describes me because I feel like I am made for a well educated and sophisticated man. If there is someone that I think is not going to help me get to my fullest potential, then he is not right for me. I do not want someone that is going to think he has power over me because no man does. I am strong and I need a man that is going to compliment me. By that I mean someone who is also smart and wants to work and accomplish things. I need someone that is going to compliment me personality wise. When it says, “She made for a boss, only a boss anything less she telling them to get lost that’s the girl that’s on my mind” it shows that when someone knows what they want and who they are made for, they don’t want anything less then what they feel they deserve.
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
ooh it's somethin' about
Just somethin about the way she move
I cant figure it out
there's somethin about her
said ooh its somethin about
kinda woman that want you but dont need you
hey I cant figure it out
there's something about her
cause she walk like a boss
talk like a boss
manicured nails to set the pedicure off
shes fly effortlessly
and she move like a boss
do what a boss do
she got me thinkin about getting involved
thats the kinda girl I need oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
ooh there's somethin about
kinda woman that can do for herself
I look at her and it makes me proud
theres somethin about her
theres somethin oh so sexy about
kinda woman that dont even need my help
she said she got it she got it no doubt
there's something about her
cause she work like a boss play like a boss
car and a crib she bout to pay em both off
and her bills are paid on time
she made for a boss, only a boss
anything less she tellin them to get lost
thats the girl thats on my mind
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
mmm her favorite thing to say
dont worry i got it
mmm and everything she got
best believe she bought it
mmm she gon' steal my heart
aint no doubt about it
girl you're everything I need
said you're everything I need
yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah
yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah, oh
she got her own thing thats why I love her
miss independent
wont you come and spend a little time?
she got her own thing
thats why I love her
miss independent
ooh the way we shine
miss independent yeah
miss independent thats why I love her
The song “Miss Independent” describes me because I am very independent. I think and feel what I want and I’m never afraid to tell people what I feel. I always speak my mind. I don’t let people tell me what to do or how to act. I don’t like to be like everyone else, I like to stand out. Sometimes people don’t like independent people because they are different from others. This song is trying to show that when it says, “I can’t figure it out there's something about her.” People sometimes can’t figure out what they like about someone, but somehow there is always something that attracts them.
Another reason “Miss Independent” describes me is because I don’t need other people to lean on. Of course I need my family, but I will do perfectly fine in the world without a boy at my side. I’m not dependent on a boy to love or care for me. If there is someone in my life like that, then I will enjoy it, but I do not need that feeling. In the song it says, “Kinda woman that want you, but don’t need you.” I know that I want someone who is going to love me, but I do not need that to be myself. Some people feel like they need someone else to help them survive, but really the other person is making them weaker. People have to be strong enough to live on their own before they can invite someone else into their life. If someone depends too strongly on another person, then when that person leaves, they will have no idea how to continue on and how to live without someone else always there. I have been raised in such a way that I know better then to do this. My parents have taught me to be very independent and to not let anyone else control me.
“Miss Independent” also describes me because I feel like I am made for a well educated and sophisticated man. If there is someone that I think is not going to help me get to my fullest potential, then he is not right for me. I do not want someone that is going to think he has power over me because no man does. I am strong and I need a man that is going to compliment me. By that I mean someone who is also smart and wants to work and accomplish things. I need someone that is going to compliment me personality wise. When it says, “She made for a boss, only a boss anything less she telling them to get lost that’s the girl that’s on my mind” it shows that when someone knows what they want and who they are made for, they don’t want anything less then what they feel they deserve.
Novel Response #2
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
In the book The Piano Teacher, Claire tells the reader that she feels like a different person when she is around Will.
-What things in the story contributed to her feeling different?
-What in your life could make you feel like a different person? Would this be in a good or bad way?
-What in society contributes to people feeling different from whom they really are?
Claire feels like she is different when she is around Will because she is finally given the opportunity to feel that way. When she was in England, her mother wanted her to be and act a certain way. When Claire came to Hong Kong, she no longer had her mother to say such things, so then she had the freedom to be who she wanted. Even though she had this freedom, she didn’t quite know how to use it until Will came along. He showed her that she could act as she wanted when she was around him, and that she could be open with him and say things she never would have said to Martin (her husband). Claire felt like she was a new person with Will. A person she had wanted to become, but had never really had the chance.
Some people in my life make me feel like a different person. I feel different when I am at church then when I am at school. At school, I feel like everyone is watching me and making sure that I am acting a certain way. If I don’t, suddenly everyone is talking about me. I am not free to be myself at school for this reason. Everyone is excepting me to be a certain person, which is usually not who I really am. At church though, everyone knows me and we are all very close, just like a family. I know that at church no one is going to judge me for my actions and therefore, I am free to be me.
In today’s society, people like to be the same because it’s what the media says is “right”. People wear what is advertised because it’s “cool”. What the media says is not always who people are. People do what other people do because they want to fit in. More often then not, people are afraid to stand out. No one wants to be known as “the weird girl”, but that’s what we label each other if they are different from us. The strong people in the world are the people who dare to be different and who will stand up for what they believe instead of following the “in crowd”. In our world, we must learn to accept everyone because everyone is different. If everyone is exactly the same, what good will that do? We all do not think or act or look the same, we have been told by other people how to think and act and look. Once we have the opportunity to be different, we will take it, but not before then because we have not been told to so. We are all scared of what others will think of us, but once we let go of that, other people will look up to us.
In the book The Piano Teacher, Claire tells the reader that she feels like a different person when she is around Will.
-What things in the story contributed to her feeling different?
-What in your life could make you feel like a different person? Would this be in a good or bad way?
-What in society contributes to people feeling different from whom they really are?
Claire feels like she is different when she is around Will because she is finally given the opportunity to feel that way. When she was in England, her mother wanted her to be and act a certain way. When Claire came to Hong Kong, she no longer had her mother to say such things, so then she had the freedom to be who she wanted. Even though she had this freedom, she didn’t quite know how to use it until Will came along. He showed her that she could act as she wanted when she was around him, and that she could be open with him and say things she never would have said to Martin (her husband). Claire felt like she was a new person with Will. A person she had wanted to become, but had never really had the chance.
Some people in my life make me feel like a different person. I feel different when I am at church then when I am at school. At school, I feel like everyone is watching me and making sure that I am acting a certain way. If I don’t, suddenly everyone is talking about me. I am not free to be myself at school for this reason. Everyone is excepting me to be a certain person, which is usually not who I really am. At church though, everyone knows me and we are all very close, just like a family. I know that at church no one is going to judge me for my actions and therefore, I am free to be me.
In today’s society, people like to be the same because it’s what the media says is “right”. People wear what is advertised because it’s “cool”. What the media says is not always who people are. People do what other people do because they want to fit in. More often then not, people are afraid to stand out. No one wants to be known as “the weird girl”, but that’s what we label each other if they are different from us. The strong people in the world are the people who dare to be different and who will stand up for what they believe instead of following the “in crowd”. In our world, we must learn to accept everyone because everyone is different. If everyone is exactly the same, what good will that do? We all do not think or act or look the same, we have been told by other people how to think and act and look. Once we have the opportunity to be different, we will take it, but not before then because we have not been told to so. We are all scared of what others will think of us, but once we let go of that, other people will look up to us.
Friday, March 5, 2010
College Essay Question #2
You are a novelist and have just begun to write your next book. Please complete the first paragraph or page.
Fall 1972
As I turned the corner, I saw the person who saved my life ten years ago. It's been so long since I've seen him and he looks very different, but I still recognize him. He looks a bit older now; a little more harden from when I knew him. And I'm older, too. More sophisticated, perhaps, to wonder how I'd ever fallen in love with him.
He was an odd man, very reserved. He liked to be alone with his thoughts, but enjoyed my company. My personality was very different from his. When he liked to be alone, I liked to go out and be with other people. While he preferred to think to himself, I liked to say what I was thinking aloud. Even with these differences we loved each other deeply, and for this reason, he saved me.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Summer 1961
I saw him from across the beach, and he smiled at me. I had never met him before, but I could tell he knew me. He was there alone, and thinking he looked lonely I walked over to him. He introduced himself as John and then said, “I know who you are. You work for my cousin. Your name is Sarah, right?”
I nodded my head yes. I immediately thought that this was an odd greeting. I could tell he was a very intuitive man. Still, it scared me and I excused myself and began to walk away. Before I left though, he called to me and I turned.
“Sarah, will you please to go dinner with me tomorrow night?” He said.
“I suppose so,” I replied. Already, I had fallen for his charm.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
John saved me, but not literally, as many people probably think. John saved me by showing me the right way to be. He taught me how to love deeply, how to go for what I want, how to be who I am, and many other things. He also taught me to be strong when someone you love and care for walks out on you. I used that skill when he left me 10 years ago. John showed me an amazing way to live my life and for that I am forever grateful. For he has saved me in a way many people would never think of.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
As I turned the corner, I saw the person who saved my life ten years ago. It's been so long since I've seen him and he looks very different, but I still recognize him. He looks a bit older now; a little more harden from when I knew him. And I'm older, too. More sophisticated, perhaps, to wonder how I'd ever fallen in love with him.
He was an odd man, very reserved. He liked to be alone with his thoughts, but enjoyed my company. My personality was very different from his. When he liked to be alone, I liked to go out and be with other people. While he preferred to think to himself, I liked to say what I was thinking aloud. Even with these differences we loved each other deeply, and for this reason, he saved me.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Summer 1961
I saw him from across the beach, and he smiled at me. I had never met him before, but I could tell he knew me. He was there alone, and thinking he looked lonely I walked over to him. He introduced himself as John and then said, “I know who you are. You work for my cousin. Your name is Sarah, right?”
I nodded my head yes. I immediately thought that this was an odd greeting. I could tell he was a very intuitive man. Still, it scared me and I excused myself and began to walk away. Before I left though, he called to me and I turned.
“Sarah, will you please to go dinner with me tomorrow night?” He said.
“I suppose so,” I replied. Already, I had fallen for his charm.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
Fall 1972
John saved me, but not literally, as many people probably think. John saved me by showing me the right way to be. He taught me how to love deeply, how to go for what I want, how to be who I am, and many other things. He also taught me to be strong when someone you love and care for walks out on you. I used that skill when he left me 10 years ago. John showed me an amazing way to live my life and for that I am forever grateful. For he has saved me in a way many people would never think of.
(This is only a part of a chapter. If I were to continue this book I would add more.)
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