Favorite Techie Tool

Email is hands-down my favorite techie tool. The ability to send a message to anyone I know in a matter of seconds is a great convenience. I also value the ability to send myself an email with an attached project, so I can work at any computer during or outside of school. Also, I can get assignments from teachers or help from classmates without having to disturb them, because unlike a phone call, an email can be answered at anytime and is often more practical.

Manor-- no Animal Farm

George Orwell's Animal Farm frustrated me. I could not get over the animals' ignorance. They blindly follow the inconsistent laws created by their "Leader, Comrade Napoleon", a selfish, sly, yet incredibly intelligent boar.

The whole novel parallels the Russian Revolution, with characters such as Napoleon and Snowball, another power-hungry boar, representing the corrupt leaders Stalin and Trotsky, respectively. Having no prior knowledge of these leaders' roles in history, reading this book gave me insight on their strong personalities.

My favorite character of all is Benjamin, a cranky old donkey who, for the most part, keeps to himself. He is more intelligent than he leads on, and knows better than to trust anyone other than Clover and Boxer, two horses to which he is infallibly devoted.

Animal Farm constantly involves dramatic irony. Knowing the animals' were constantly being tricked and lied to caused me to dislike reading this book. While I did learn quite a bit about history, I would not recommend this book.

Spring Break '09

Despite having homework, I managed to enjoy a majority of my break. I spent the first few days with my older sister in her college dorm. Somewhat reluctantly, I attended one of her classes during which I almost fell asleep. (She later confessed that this particular class ranked among the more boring courses) Later we went shopping and stopped for ice cream, which made up for the prior boredom.

The next several days were reserved for lounging and relaxation at home, all alone, with peace and quiet.

When the weekend came, my mom and I drove down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to pick up my younger sisters from my grandparents' house. We stayed for dinner that night and breakfast the next morning before making the long trip back. No more sleeping in; the next day we were back at school.

Spring break never begins too early and always ends too soon. Especially since, this year, we don't have any more weekdays off from school. Only thirty-one days left, but who is really counting??

Anthem

In her novel "Anthem", Ayn Rand creates a Utopian society that is really not a Utopia at all, but instead this world illustrates dystopia. The philosophy taught to the members in Equality 7-2521's society stressed the importance of collectivism and living solely for the benefit of others.

Preference was a major transgression. Having a preference could turn into interest and the desire to make individual choices.

In this society, where individuality is unacceptable, all distinguishing traits were frowned upon, and superiority was forbidden.

Working every day of their lives, these people had no chance for renewal. Mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted, by the time they reached forty one does not wonder why they are sent to the "Home of the Useless".

Antigone

"You want to bury him although it's forbidden in the city!"

This quote shows Ismene's surprise when her sister, Antigone requests help to perform her brother's burial, a main right of Greek women, a right stolen by their own uncle, the general, Creon.

The characters of this play are distinct, all having their own personal struggles.

• Antigone- brave, independent young woman struggling to find her place; takes a stand; unafraid of being caught and sentenced to death.
• Ismene- finds herself in a struggle to simultaneously maintain loyalty to her family and obey the law.
  
• Creon- tyrannous ruler who abuses his power to declare unjust laws and proud to admit mistakes.
• Haemon- son of Creon betrothed to Antigone; promises loyalty to his father yet he eventually takes sides with his soon-to-be wife, trying to reveal to his father the faults of his edict.
  

I dislike that Antigone is in book format. A story loses important detail when it is told through dialogue. Sophocles' Antigone confused me by leaving much to the reader's interpretations. Unless you are truly interested in Greek culture and dramas, I would not reccommend this play.

"The Call of the Wild"

"Buck refused to move under the rain of heavier blows which now fell upon him. Like his mates, he was barely able to get up, but unlike them, he had made up his mind not to get up.(pg.112)"

Buck would have never experienced the love he had for John Thornton, a "love that was feverish and burning, that was adoration, that was madness"if he had not taken a stand. His refusal to obey his ignorant master saved Buck's life. This act was just one of the examples of the underlying theme of taking a stand.

The Call of the Wild is set during the Klondike gold rush, which caused thousands of men to migrate into the arctic conditions. The novel is presented through Buck's eyes, presented as the experiences of an abducted, southern-born dog who fell back on the ways of his ancestors in order to survive hardships on the trail.

Jack London's The Call of the Wild intrigued me through events described so vividly that they seemed like personal experiences. I encourage you to take a step into this unknown world; journey with Buck over thousands of miles of arctic trail and the accompanying toil.

Taking a Stand

For some individuals, taking a stand may be as easy as tying shoelaces. A shy, soft-spoken seventh-grader, I personally found taking a stand extremely challenging. In English class, I sat in the back left corner of the room with my best friend Tia, at a rectangular table that comfortably seated two. She sat to my right. On Tia’s left, in a desk about five feet away, sat Nick, a typical, self-absorbed jock. During a class discussion one day, Tia asked a simple question to which, apparently, most of the class knew the answer.

“You’re stupid,” Nick laughed. Tia immediately fell silent; I could read her expression. She winced in pain that was not physical, but emotional. She wanted to disappear at that moment to another place, any place where she would not be forced to endure Nick’s thoughtless comments. He realized he was hurting Tia, yet his verbal abuse was relentless.

“Tia, you are so stupid!” he continued. I fought internally with myself, knowing I should speak up to defend Tia but unable to find the courage. Then I wondered how I could sit there and not say anything. I knew I had waited too long. My best friend visibly struggled to contain tears, and I sat right beside her as though I was oblivious to the entire situation. I should not have had to think about it that much; my duty was clear.

“No she’s not,” I argued, “She’s not stupid.” Nick shut up instantly, not because of what I said, but because of the fact that I had spoken up at all. Tia looked at me with eyes that were both grateful and relieved. Even though I hesitated for too long, I was proud of myself for finally supporting my friend. Sure, a lot of bravery and initiative is involved, but taking a stand is definitely worth the cost.


Looking back, I find this situation pretty insignificant, but at the time I thought it was a big deal.