In "Twins Find Deeper Meaning in 3-Part Endurance Test", two sisters battle through both of their life crisis and become stronger runners, swimmers, and bikers to go on to win and compete in major triathlons.
I picked this article because I love sports and I figured this story would be better for me to write about. These two sisters, Rebeccah and Laurel, both have had a back ground of sports. Rebeccah got a scholarship to run for Mount St. Mary's and Laurel received a swimming scholarship as a walk-on at George Washington. Rebeccah pursued a running career and Laurel hit some speed bumps along the way to her athletic podium.
When Laurel was 23, she felt three bumps on the side of her neck that turned out to be Stage 2 Hodgkin's disease. While Laurel was having 6 months of chemotherapy, Rebeccah still ran hard.
Laurel even tried to keep her identity as an athlete by running on the treadmill at the hospital.
I can imagine being Laurel. She was an athlete and I think it would be hard to not exercise and still be in shape for that long. Laurel was probably worried.
Rebeccah won the armature triathlon and then a year later became a professional. Throughout the year, she still was improving and doing well in races and was named the 2004 elite rookie of the year. Rebeccah also had her speed bump along the way and that was when she got a pelvic stress fracture.
Rebeccah and Laurel had some bumps where they had to stop competing, but they always came back strong and still competed strongly in races. There were never hard feeling between the two sisters. I can imagine how hard it was to see the other sister win, but they both still worked hard to compete against each other.
I can understand how one might want to quit because they are losing, so I look up to these women because they were such hard workers and did not quit. They did not even quit when there lives looked the worst. Our world and leaders should be like that today. I bet sometimes the people in charge just quit because their problems get tough. If we follow the example of these women, our world might be a little better.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Beautiful Slaves of Rabari
In the picture of the Rajasthan women, they are working for money and trying to make a living. When I look at the picture, my first impression is that these women are slaves and don't have any right or reason to be doing that kind of labor. Then my second impression, I really get to looking at the picture and see the way they hold themselves and the tools. They look strong and committed to what they are doing.
At first when I look at the picture, I think that they are being treated unfair. They have these very nice colorful dresses on that don't look like they need to get dirty. So the dresses make you think that these women are very wealthy and do not normally do this kind of work. Then I conclude that they are being forced to work.
My second thought on the picture is that these women know what they have to do to make a living. When they are working, they are holding the axe strong and to me the women look powerful. When I actually really looked at the picture, I felt a since of determination and dedication.
Below the picture, there is a small paragraph describing the picture. It says that the women turn to digging a reservoir because during the dry season they can not herd as much. When I read that, that really made up my mind to say that the women know that they have to work to make money, so digging is the only job to do and they are determined to do the job. That little paragraph told me that the Rajasthan women are strong and hard working.
Looking at this picture opened my eyes to see that women in other countries do not have the luxuries we do in the United States, but the women in other countries are dedicated to hard work and that makes them stronger women.
At first when I look at the picture, I think that they are being treated unfair. They have these very nice colorful dresses on that don't look like they need to get dirty. So the dresses make you think that these women are very wealthy and do not normally do this kind of work. Then I conclude that they are being forced to work.
My second thought on the picture is that these women know what they have to do to make a living. When they are working, they are holding the axe strong and to me the women look powerful. When I actually really looked at the picture, I felt a since of determination and dedication.
Below the picture, there is a small paragraph describing the picture. It says that the women turn to digging a reservoir because during the dry season they can not herd as much. When I read that, that really made up my mind to say that the women know that they have to work to make money, so digging is the only job to do and they are determined to do the job. That little paragraph told me that the Rajasthan women are strong and hard working.
Looking at this picture opened my eyes to see that women in other countries do not have the luxuries we do in the United States, but the women in other countries are dedicated to hard work and that makes them stronger women.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Of Mice and Men Analysis
Analysis of Detail
From his first paragraph, John Steinbeck sets the scene in Of Mice and Men through his use of imagery as he describes the natural world as a parallel to later events in the novella.
"The Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green." In this sentence, green represents sickly, jealousy, and new life. Runs deep represents strong and lots of vegetation and life within. Green represents Lennie because he is not a smart as George and runs deep represents George because he is strong and has life within him that he uses to help Lennie.
"The slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains." Rocky means rough, treacherous, or unstable and mountains means hardships and struggles. George is mentally strong and Lennie is physically strong. They both have to use their characteristics to make it through this rocky, mountainous journey they are going to come to.
"Under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp." Trees and leaves lie deep would mean a safe place to hide. The trees and leaves would be your shield from the world. In the story, that is where George told Lennie to hide if there was any trouble.
"A path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway." The path beaten hard means a journey that many have taken. Boys, in this case, means shy or not knowing of and tramps mean rude or seductive. The path beaten hard by many would represent the instances in which Curley's wife would try and talk to the men. The men would tell her to leave because she was just trouble, but she would never listen. The boy represents Lennie and the tramp of course is Curley's wife.
"The limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it." The limb is worn means a path or journey that many have tried, but is useless now because the journey is far away from their grasp. The journey in the story would be that all the men want to own a piece of land, but many do not have the money for the land. Many have talked of having land, but none have actually gained any.
John Steinbeck described what happened throughout the story at the very beginning of the story through paralleling.
Analysis of Point of View
The third-person point of view shows how much Candy looks up to Slim.
"Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal." Candy is worried and troubled. He is anxious for Slim to say something so the men do not kill the dog. Slim is wise and more mature. Candy needs Slim's guidance and back up so that the other guys will not kill his dog. Candy is hopeless and is looking for someone to be on his side and say that the men should not kill his dog. Since Slim is law, Candy thinks that if Slim is on his side then the men will back off and not kill his old dog.
"...And Slim gave him none." Slim was avoiding Candy and he was not going to be the outlet to Candy's problem. Slim was escaping Candy's sorrow so that he would not have to be the way out. He did not want to be the guy to say no. If he had said no, then the other guys might have given him trouble and might have been angry with him.
These quotes are good examples of how Candy looks for Slim's opinion and help, and how Candy respects him more than anyone else on the farm.
Analysis of Tone
In Of Mice and Men, the tones of happiness and sorrow reflect George's mood throughout the book.
"George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again." (pg. 105) George is about to kill Lennie, but before he does, Lennie asks George to tell him about the land they are going to have. George does and when he tells Lennie he is over come with heartache. George knows he has to kill Lennie, but doesn't want to because then Lennie will never get to tend the rabbits like he always wants to. Even though George is telling of the land the both of them have always wanted, he feels his friends pain because Lennie will never get to see the land.
"They sat by the fire and filled their mouths with beans and chewed mightily." (pg.15) George just got done telling Lennie about the land they are going to own and all the good food and nice animals they are going to take care of. They are both delighted and when they sit down to eat, they even chew their food proudly.
Steinbeck use of changing tones makes Of Mice and Men a very complex and deep book.
Theme
Am I my brother's keeper? In Of Mice and Men, this is the question I am faced to answer. With brother meaning man kind and my fellow neighbors, I think that I am my brother's keeper.
I am my brother's keeper because in the point of view analysis Candy is looking for Slim's help on whether or not the guys should kill the old dog. In a way, Candy is considering Slim as a big brother that Candy is looking to for help or advice.
Slim is like the top dog at the farm and is looked up to by all. Candy is more helpless than him. Slim is law so Candy thinks he is the one to look up to. He is looking after everyone on the farm and giving them advice or help.
We have a responsibility to look after the helpless. Even though we might not know who they are, we still should show them guidance and help them.
From his first paragraph, John Steinbeck sets the scene in Of Mice and Men through his use of imagery as he describes the natural world as a parallel to later events in the novella.
"The Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green." In this sentence, green represents sickly, jealousy, and new life. Runs deep represents strong and lots of vegetation and life within. Green represents Lennie because he is not a smart as George and runs deep represents George because he is strong and has life within him that he uses to help Lennie.
"The slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains." Rocky means rough, treacherous, or unstable and mountains means hardships and struggles. George is mentally strong and Lennie is physically strong. They both have to use their characteristics to make it through this rocky, mountainous journey they are going to come to.
"Under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp." Trees and leaves lie deep would mean a safe place to hide. The trees and leaves would be your shield from the world. In the story, that is where George told Lennie to hide if there was any trouble.
"A path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway." The path beaten hard means a journey that many have taken. Boys, in this case, means shy or not knowing of and tramps mean rude or seductive. The path beaten hard by many would represent the instances in which Curley's wife would try and talk to the men. The men would tell her to leave because she was just trouble, but she would never listen. The boy represents Lennie and the tramp of course is Curley's wife.
"The limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it." The limb is worn means a path or journey that many have tried, but is useless now because the journey is far away from their grasp. The journey in the story would be that all the men want to own a piece of land, but many do not have the money for the land. Many have talked of having land, but none have actually gained any.
John Steinbeck described what happened throughout the story at the very beginning of the story through paralleling.
Analysis of Point of View
The third-person point of view shows how much Candy looks up to Slim.
"Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal." Candy is worried and troubled. He is anxious for Slim to say something so the men do not kill the dog. Slim is wise and more mature. Candy needs Slim's guidance and back up so that the other guys will not kill his dog. Candy is hopeless and is looking for someone to be on his side and say that the men should not kill his dog. Since Slim is law, Candy thinks that if Slim is on his side then the men will back off and not kill his old dog.
"...And Slim gave him none." Slim was avoiding Candy and he was not going to be the outlet to Candy's problem. Slim was escaping Candy's sorrow so that he would not have to be the way out. He did not want to be the guy to say no. If he had said no, then the other guys might have given him trouble and might have been angry with him.
These quotes are good examples of how Candy looks for Slim's opinion and help, and how Candy respects him more than anyone else on the farm.
Analysis of Tone
In Of Mice and Men, the tones of happiness and sorrow reflect George's mood throughout the book.
"George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again." (pg. 105) George is about to kill Lennie, but before he does, Lennie asks George to tell him about the land they are going to have. George does and when he tells Lennie he is over come with heartache. George knows he has to kill Lennie, but doesn't want to because then Lennie will never get to tend the rabbits like he always wants to. Even though George is telling of the land the both of them have always wanted, he feels his friends pain because Lennie will never get to see the land.
"They sat by the fire and filled their mouths with beans and chewed mightily." (pg.15) George just got done telling Lennie about the land they are going to own and all the good food and nice animals they are going to take care of. They are both delighted and when they sit down to eat, they even chew their food proudly.
Steinbeck use of changing tones makes Of Mice and Men a very complex and deep book.
Theme
Am I my brother's keeper? In Of Mice and Men, this is the question I am faced to answer. With brother meaning man kind and my fellow neighbors, I think that I am my brother's keeper.
I am my brother's keeper because in the point of view analysis Candy is looking for Slim's help on whether or not the guys should kill the old dog. In a way, Candy is considering Slim as a big brother that Candy is looking to for help or advice.
Slim is like the top dog at the farm and is looked up to by all. Candy is more helpless than him. Slim is law so Candy thinks he is the one to look up to. He is looking after everyone on the farm and giving them advice or help.
We have a responsibility to look after the helpless. Even though we might not know who they are, we still should show them guidance and help them.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Reflect of Migrant Mother Photos
These photos were taking during the Great Depression. This women looks rough and has a certain hard and desperate look in her eyes. She is probably trying to figure out how she is going to provide for her children. In the photographs, they are living in a lean-to tent. The tent does not look very supportive.
The poor mother and children are trying to make it by with nothing. If I was one of them, I would be very scared. I would be wondering how I would get my next meal.
In the picture below, there looks like a cooking pan, but the pan has no food and looks dirty.
I really look up to the mother. She seems determined and looks like she has sacrificed everything she has so they can have food. She seems like the kind of women that would not back down from anything.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Orwell's effective use of animals as characters...
Orwell is an amazing writer! He can take real events that have happened in real life and then make a story about the events that happened using animals. Using animals helped me understand the Russian Revolution better. The animals made the Revolution more interesting.
In the book, there was a pig named Napoleon, who was used to represent Stalin. He was in charge of Animal Farm, which in real life was Russia. Just like Stalin controlled Russia and was a dictator, Napoleon controlled Animal Farm and made all the rules. All the animals listened to Napoleon. They had no idea what he was doing to the farm.
Using animals makes us look at the Russian Revolution in a different perspective. From the animals view, we see how easily the proletariat were persuaded and controlled. They had no idea what was going on, just like the other animals had no idea that Napoleon was making the farm a corrupt place.
Orwell tried and he succeeded. Animal Farm is a great book that puts a spin on a real life event.
In the book, there was a pig named Napoleon, who was used to represent Stalin. He was in charge of Animal Farm, which in real life was Russia. Just like Stalin controlled Russia and was a dictator, Napoleon controlled Animal Farm and made all the rules. All the animals listened to Napoleon. They had no idea what he was doing to the farm.
Using animals makes us look at the Russian Revolution in a different perspective. From the animals view, we see how easily the proletariat were persuaded and controlled. They had no idea what was going on, just like the other animals had no idea that Napoleon was making the farm a corrupt place.
Orwell tried and he succeeded. Animal Farm is a great book that puts a spin on a real life event.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Giver book review
But at the same time he was filled with fear. He did not know what his selection meant. He did not know what he was to become. Or what would become of him. Louis Lowry's The Giver twisted my mind with the unforgettable story.
Jonas lives in a perfect world. There is no fear or pain or even war. There are also no choices. Everyone has their own role that they play in the community. When a person turns twelve they are to begin training in a certain area of work. Jonas is assigned to be the receiver. He is the receiver of memories that the Giver will share with him. These memories are of pain and suffering. Only the recent Givers, the Giver now, and Jonas will ever know them.
I learned from this book that there can be no "Utopias" or "perfect worlds". Everyone has their own ideas and what they think is the best or what is right. People are born with the characteristics to be jealousy and to want more, that is why we can never create a perfect world. We are always wanting more.
Do you think Jonas made it through his training? Do you think he handled all the memories of fear and pain? If you want to find out what happens then read The Giver. This book is good for all ages, especially if you are looking for a captivating story.
Jonas lives in a perfect world. There is no fear or pain or even war. There are also no choices. Everyone has their own role that they play in the community. When a person turns twelve they are to begin training in a certain area of work. Jonas is assigned to be the receiver. He is the receiver of memories that the Giver will share with him. These memories are of pain and suffering. Only the recent Givers, the Giver now, and Jonas will ever know them.
I learned from this book that there can be no "Utopias" or "perfect worlds". Everyone has their own ideas and what they think is the best or what is right. People are born with the characteristics to be jealousy and to want more, that is why we can never create a perfect world. We are always wanting more.
Do you think Jonas made it through his training? Do you think he handled all the memories of fear and pain? If you want to find out what happens then read The Giver. This book is good for all ages, especially if you are looking for a captivating story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)