Sophmore Year

    It seems like the sophomore year is one that you don’t remember. It’s not like your freshman year when everything is new and exciting. It’s not like your junior year when you start the college search process. It’s not like your senior year that is fast-paced, application-crazed, and meaningful yet fun. It’s the often-overlooked sophomore year that isn’t given nearly enough credit. This is disappointing news for us the sophomore year students—especially because sophomore year represents 1/3 of the grades and activities you will use when it is time to apply to college. It deserves far more attention than most of us give it.

    On my Last day of being a sophomore in high school, I am going to write to you about how it was for me as a sophomore at Atrisco Heritage Academy. Let’s start with the school; (AHA) I love it here. It is an awesome school. One reason its great is because of all the verities of activities and clubs that are held here; at least one. for every one of our interests.

    I decided to try something different, and do something I had always wished for. I joined the mentorship program. Where lawyers from the Hispanic/American Bar Association came to our school once a month and mentored us. They feed us very good food every meet, than we would discuss criminal cases, civil cases; including everyday issues being a lawyer. I learned a lot about the law field and loved it. It felt so right when I would sit in the lecture and listen, I knew right away that is what I wanted to do is, be involved in the law field.

    I got involved in MESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Associations). I went for MESA, to get a broad mind about all the different fields and areas. I didn’t just want to be in one club so I thought about joining other ones as well, and I don’t regret being a part of it. We did very little because there weren’t so many of us, to be in competitions, though we did go to one and place 9th which was very impressive for us having only sophomores and freshmen, as for other schools having full house which were freshmen, sophomore, juniors, and seniors.

    I also got into Student Government, my first year of high school, I had a blast my first year so I continued it on to this year as well. This year was a tough year for student government members, things didn’t run as they were supposed to but hopefully next year thing will be put together in a more orderly fashion.

    Academically I learned a lot in very one of my classes which are: English, Math, Science, Law I, Spanish, and History. In my English 10 class my writing skills are so much better than what I started with. In Algebra II, I learned a lot but it was a horrible class for me because I don’t like math, but I’m good at it so things kind of balanced out there. Chemistry I enjoyed and learned a lot. It was easier for me than Algebra II was, because we used the number outcome of the equations we solved, as for Algebra we just solved and didn’t do anything with it. In Algebra it felt as if I solved all the equations for nothing, but in chemistry we used the number we got, as a measurement or some kind of data/measurement. Law I was my favorite class of all, I absolutely loved it. I inherited so much information in that class which equaled to all the other classes put together. It was an awesome year in that class. And in Spanish and History I learned much, I also toke the AP world history exam.

    Throughout this year, I learned and experience autonomy. I am more mature and confident. I have become a better person, I would say more loving, caring and independent. I have a better understanding of the world around me and of why people act the way they do. I understand myself more out of all. I recognize my family’s value and conditions a little more. I now know what my step mother actually went through during her era as a teenager. She was trapped in the house with no rights but to clean, cook, and take care of children at the age of 13, because her father arrange married her at the age of 13 to someone who was 18. Her husband died at the age of 24 when she was only 19 and had 4 kids during the time he was alive. She has been a widow ever since, and hasn’t dated or remarried.

    This year was a great year for me I went through a lot with friends and my family. There were a couple times where I fell to the floor but I stud up and tapped off the dust and started all over again. There were times where I just wanted to give up and end it there, but I now know I’m stronger than that, to just give up. I’ve became a much more stronger person throughout this year, and I learned more about myself and who I really am.

    A little advice, your sophomore year definitely shouldn’t be the forgotten one. You can establish your reputation as a student, but also prepare for your future in high school and beyond. It is too easy to just let the year slide by only doing what’s required. Make the most of It but have fun doing it!

3 little kittens (Extra Credit)

Three Little Kittens

Three little kittens,

They lost their mittens,

And they began to cry,

Oh, mother, dear,

We sadly fear,

Our mittens we have lost.

What! Lost your mittens,

You naughty kittens,

Then you shall have no pie.

Meow, meow,

Then you shall have no pie.

The three little kittens,

They found their mittens,

And they began to cry,

Oh, mother, dear,

See here, see here,

Our mittens we have found.

What, found your mittens,

Then you're good kittens,

And you shall have some pie.

Purr-rr, purr-rr,

Then you shall have some pie.

Three little kittens,

Put on their mittens,

And soon ate up the pie.

Oh, mother, dear,

We sadly fear,

Our mittens we have soiled.

What! Soiled your mittens,

You naughty kittens,

And they began to sigh.

Meow, meow,

And they began to sigh.

The three little kittens,

They washed their mittens,

And hung them out to dry.

Oh, mother, dear,

Do you not hear,

Our mittens we have washed?

What! Washed your mittens?
Then you're good kittens!

But I smell a rat close by.

Meow, meow,

We smell a rat close by.

My version of Cinderella

    Cinderella went to school everyday. She never dressed nicely. She was always wearing raggedy clothes. Nobody ever saw here wear a dress, because she never had one. Everybody always made fun of her.

But, one day standing in the hallway, she felt flashy eyes staring at her, in a beautiful way. It was a very handsome boy. He walked up to her and said, “You might not be beautiful on the outside but on the inside I know you have a beautiful heart.” So after school she went home and told her stepsisters what had happened in school that day. Then when Cinderella was finished telling them they told her that they were going to a ball that night. They told her she couldn’t come because she had to stay home and clean the fireplace. Cinderella was very sad.

    The stepsisters went upstairs and changed into their new dresses. Soon they left for the ball.

Instead of cleaning the fireplace, Cinderella went upstairs in her stepsister’s room and took a dress out of their closet. She put it on and then went into the bathroom to take care of her hair. She put on makeup and then looked at herself in the mirror. “I look perfect now. I shall go to the ball. But how do I get there?” she said out loud.

    She walked outside and tried to find her way, but she got herself lost. Then she saw a Fairy Godmother and she asked, “Do you know the way to the ball?”

“I will grant you two wishes,” said the Fairy Godmother. “Tell me what your wishes will be.” Cinderella said, “ I would like to find the way to the ball and I wish that the boy who made my heart feel warm in school yesterday will be there, too.”

So the Fairy Godmother sent her off to the ball and this time she had no problem finding it. All her wishes were granted. She looked beautiful and even danced with the handsome boy.

At 12:00 sharp, just like the fairy tale, Cinderella left for home.

When she was in bed she said to herself, “ This was a night I will never forget.”

Light in the Kiva

    Enlightenment is often a word referring to those who are no longer “in the dark”, and who are now smart enough to realize their normal and logical capabilities. However, with the start of a reason and a focus on the inner workings of human minds and rational behavior, there came a great loss of spiritual passion and energy. The focal point of life was no longer centered around God, but instead upon the series of material life and academic intelligence. Although we are now considered “enlightened”, possibly prior to the Enlightenment Era, we were of more sound minds. Maybe we have already rushed right through the Enlightenment Era, and now we are stuck “in the dark”. Regardless of its consequences, those who founded Enlightenment thought, such as, Immanuel Kant, François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire, and John Locke are especially profound in their explanation of what we as humans are capable of and ought to be doing.

Wisdom Quote

"It isn't the mountains ahead that we have to climb up, that wear you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe." Sadaf Gul

"When will everyone understand that words can cut as sharply as any Knife, and that those cuts leave scars upon our souls in our hearts." Sadaf Gul

    In one of my quotes I mention, it’s not about climbing up the mountain, and feeling tired, and your legs hurting from building muscle. That is a healthy activity and it's good for you, but our minds think about the hurting of it not the good part of it which gives you more energy and possibly a longer life. When the thing that is actually hurting us is the grains of sand that gives us blisters.

    My Second Quote states that people don’t understand that, it hurts more to majority of us when we are talked smacked too than punched. People don’t understand that a verbal attack could cut deeper than a physical attack. When we are cussed at, it gets in to our head and we feel bad about our self, and our self respect goes down, which takes a very long time to recover from. Than as if we were physically hurt, because the cut, burse, swollen, goes away in about a couple of weeks if even that.

A Day Another Person

    

    

     I Would never ever want to be another person becasue I would want no one to take my spot on earth. No one can ever become someone else but try, everyone should be themselfs' becasue everyone else is taken. If I had to be someone else for one day I would want to be Emilio.

    If I were able to choose someone I would be for just one day. I would want to be Emilio Patrick Salcido, again. I would want to be him for a day because I want to see how he sees the world. I want to know what his perspective is on everything. He is such a confusing guy. I want to be in his world one day, and experience what he goes through. I want to be in his mind as well. I want to see if he thinks a lot about the things he does before he does them. I want to know what his favorite, things are such as food, and clothing, and just see where he gets his opinion. I want to feel the way he does I want to feel his weakness and his strength. He is a great guy sometimes I want to see what kind of guy he is deep, deep inside. I want to be Emilio for one day also because I want to see the men perspective of the world I want to see how guys see the world and how do most guys hide their emotions and or how do they not have any feelings they don’t really show feelings they just seem like hard rocks.

    I would also say he is a like a cat, he wants to be independent, and on his own do his own thing not want to be touched until he comes to you, so I would want to exprience how it is to be like a cat. 

Why My Heart

Why My Heart :

     You where my all the one I adored, The one who I trusted the most in the world.

I gave you the pureist of me You asked me to trust you.

See my love was real I guess yours was fake because i would have never lied to you or pushed you away.

You have no idea how much I have cried asking the Lord why my heart, why did you brake me in half this pain that consumes me and won't let me think .

My heart had never felt such pain yet the one who asked me to trust caused this enourmous

hurt and disappointment and yes shame. Don't worry about saying sorry or you wish me the best what goes around comes around and that is what i have to say about that.

Adios Mi Amor My Bay this Love is the One you let slip away.

Don't think that I will cry forever I love myself too much But yes know this you hurt me soooo Dam much. One day the only one you gave away will be the one your wishing for. Why My Heart?

Zack and Cody

     Mr. Moseby and the Tipton Staff gets beat up in flag football by a rival hotel team. London is the cheerleader and complains about cheering for a bad team. Mr. Moseby shows her she started cheering for the other team, two minutes into the game. "Ilsa Shickelgrubermeiger-Von Helsing del Keppelugerhofer" walks in with a hulking woman and rub it in that they lost. The hulking woman shows them the highlights of the football game. Obviously they had none. Ilsa Shickelgrubermeiger-Von Helsing del Keppelugerhofer challenged them to a bowling competition. Arwin starts screaming and runs out. Carey is named captain by Mr. Moseby because she is a good player and the mother of the star player, Zack. She explains that when they were traveling, they needed something to do and every town has a bowling alley. She kicks London off the team because she is a bad player. The Tipton is practicing at the bowling alley, when the St. Mark team shows up and taunts Mr. Moseby and the rest of the team. Zack is named the star bowler for the Tipton. He tries to force Cody to do his homework because he has to rest his arm, but Cody doesn't fall for it. Zack tricks him to go out in the hall wearing just his towel and he locks him out. Carey comes home and grounds Zack. She forbids him to play in the competition tomorrow. London who was the team cheerleader is named as Zack's replacement.

    Arwin is put in charge of Zack while the rest of the team goes to the competition. London is the first bowler and ends up getting a strike in the St. Mark lane. Zack discovers a bowling trophy in Arwin's office and he tells Zack that he used to be an excellent bowler, but retired when he hit is mother in the head during a tournament. Zack tells Arwin if he bowls in the competition and wins Carey might kiss him. He agrees to compete. The Tipton is losing badly until Arwin shows up and gets numerous strikes in a row. On the last roll he ends up with a 7-10 split. Ilsa mocks him, but he ends up knocking down both pins and the Tipton Hotel is named the winners of the competition. Carey kisses Arwin causing him to faint. Keep it locked!!!

Bravery to Me

     Bravery, is not just said it has sence of touch and feelings and the first thing that comes to my mind when the word bravery is said? For most people a war hero or a superhero comes into their minds. Probably every language has a word for bravery, but there is only one true meaning. The word bravery is "showing a brave spirit or courage" when hard times are thrust upon or happen to them. Bravery is not only what people do, but how they do it. The concept is also "showiness, splendor, and magnificence." Bravery may be shown in different ways: a person may jump from a plane or walk on fire to show that he/she is truly brave. Then again, sometimes bravery is something that a person has inside him or her and is never shown as an action at all it is kept inside.

     For thousands of years, people have used words that describe the concept of bravery. The history, or etymology, of the English word bravery as follows. The Romans who spoke Latin were warriors so it is logical they would have a word that talked about their courageous actions. This form of English was what was spoken in the 12th to 15thcenturies. From the Middle English evolved the English we speak today and with it, the word bravery.

     Throughout history, people have talked about the concept of bravery in many ways. The Greek writer and philosopher Euripides said, "The man who knows when not to act is wise. To my mind, bravery is forethought." Then, George II of England said that "bravery never goes out of fashion." Later, Francois de la Rockefoucould said, "True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of showing all the world." Bravery has seemed to be an important concept or action throughout history.

    Francois de la Rockefoucould spoke about bravery, he pointed out an important feature of the virtue's true meaning. Then he made the distinction between people's private actions versus their public ones, he made it clear that people who do good deed only to get rich or famous are not brave. True bravery is helping people or animals simply because their actions benefit mankind. It seems that we often misunderstand this aspect of bravery and make the wrong people famous while forgetting about others who show bravery throughout their lives. And hard for everything they have.

    I don't know if I've shown bravery or not in my life yet. I haven't had any opportunities to save anyone or make a difference in the world. There have been times when I have stood up for my beliefs or said what I thought was right when it meant that I might not get to do something. I think I've been brave in these situations but to talk about what I've done and compare it to the actions of a man like Martin Luther King, Jr. is to compare apples and oranges, to make my actions greater than they were.

Bravery- In the Kite Runner (Extra Credit)

     The definition of bravery in the Dictionary Canadian Edition is, “the quality of mind or spirit enabling one to meet danger or opposition with fearlessness, calmness, and firmness.” Bravery is a quality that is shown by many of the characters in the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The characters are brave in their effort to protect physical well-being, personal values, their reputation and sanity. In the novel the characters exhibit genuine bravery in order to guard the things important to them.

     Firstly, the characters in the novel display bravery as they protect one another from physical harm. This can be seen in patterns between generations in families. Early on the reader learns that Amir’s grandfather protects Ali by, “adopting him into his own household, and telling the other students to tutor him.” Since Ali’s parents were killed and he is a Hazaras he would have most certainly been discriminated against at an orphanage. Ali is Hassan’s father. The reader learns near the end that he is not his biological father but he is the man who raised him. Hassan defends Amir from being beaten by Assef who has a reputation in Kabul of being a psychopath. When Assef threatens them Hassan does not hesitate to respond saying, “You are right, Agha. But perhaps you didn’t notice that I’m the one holding the slingshot. If you make a move, they’ll have to change your nickname from Assef ‘the Ear Eater’ to ‘One-Eyed Assef,’ because I have this rock pointed at your left eye.” Later on Amir stands up for Sohrab, Hassan’s son, as Hassan stood up for Amir countless times before. He demands to Assef, “All I want is the boy,” to take Sohrab to a safe place where he would no longer be sexually abused. In return, Sohrab is bold and prevents Amir from being slain. He points the slingshot at Assef’s face, “‘No more, Agha. Please,’ he says, his voice husky and trembling. ‘Stop hurting him.’” At this point Assef is a grown man... Read the book Mr.Ley to find out more.... 

Traveling to the Cavemen Age? How does that Sound!

     "As a caveman, it sounds a little redundant to say "I live in the Stone Age", but that’s how I feel. I have lived in the same cave for the past decade or more, and soot and sundry animal parts now obscure the brilliant cave art that used to cover the walls. I still use flints and damp moss to start a fire (try it on a windy day), clubs and stones to hunt animals only just bigger than me (and I am usually not very successful at it), and bare hands to dig for roots, ouch, there goes another fingernail. I also spend a considerable amount of time communicating in grunts and groans, by sign language and with drawings to help our younger clan members learn about life as a caveperson. I am usually quite content with my lot, until I look around and see what some of the other clans are doing. They are using the latest gadgets: Dura flame logs for fires, heat-seeking missiles fired from the comfort of their caves to bring down animals 20 times bigger than them, and quadruped-drawn cultivators to plant, grow and harvest a wide variety of crops." They all seem to be young adults who developed their initial skills in clans like mine.

    There appears to be little or no requirement for them to get involved in training. As a consequence they become very efficient hunter-gathers. What is mostly frustrating is that their rate of evolution is considerably faster than mine.

    I wish a can go back to the cavemen time. I bet their life was much easier than ours they could have done whatever they wanted to. Not pay for water, live anywhere they want, and a life without any war.

   Think of this, a day without rumors, wars, politics, money, bills, and especially school. Having a place where the water is clean and it doesn’t cost you a thing to drink and be able to enjoy it. Sitting by the riverbank and Think, and thank. Doing anything you want and going anywhere you want without someone telling you what to do, traveling around the world without a passport, and security checks. Wouldn’t that be great? Having enough knowledge to live a great life, but not too much to where you destroy everything there is. Yes there might not be technology, but at least there would have been hope to live a great life just in fear of dinosaurs, not of other humans.

    Most of our knowledge we have gained has helped us a lot in many ways, but most of it has turned against us and our environment. In their age no one cared about a eye color, skin color, or their race and or ethnicity. If we have all these powers they didn’t have in their ages we should be able to make this generation and on, be the best place to be. Then, why do we have fight for things such as oil, freedom, gold, or many? Especially freedom, we shouldn’t have to fight for it, WE ARE BORN WITH IT we shouldn’t have to fight for it. There should be no restrains and or rules/laws people would have nothing to act against. Knowledge is a great thing, but right now it is not helping us very much. Mother earth will always do what it wants and when it wants, we just have to work together and not let history to repeat its self!

My Mothers Story To Me and My Brother

    

     Generations have gone and there has been a lot of history made In my family. Imagine a perfect day turning to the worst nightmare in a person’s life. Well that is the story of Afghanistan and what happened to my family. A great war leaves the country with three armies - "an army of cripples, an army of mourners, and an army of thieves”, German Proverb helped explain the pain of a mother in Afghanistan.

    The war has started and taken many lives and destroyed many houses. The country known as Afghanistan getting destroyed by the Taliban’s right in front of my mom. There is no way for her newborn to survive all the noises like bombs rocket at midnight. That newborn was my sister Sadaf. She had to get away from all of that and had nobody to help her, but her sons because her husband dying at a young age.

     Well the way that poem goes a war leaves an army of thieves. That is what exactly that was going to be next. It was a regular war day and it was about to be dark. There was a red sky because of the sunset. My elder brother whom where in about their forties at the time were at work and on their way home. Suddenly, with a roaring noise we heard a gun which sounded like it was very close. I was too young to understand it, but my mom witnessed a group of men rushing towards our house. They were those robbers that a brutal war dragged to Afghanistan. We all were in a room and all of us had to hide because they would have killed us. But they took what they wanted and everybody was safe. After that my mom couldn’t live in Afghanistan because of too much fear.

     In a place where women do not have any power at all she took her kids to a better place in Pakistan. She took us from a place that there was a lot of bloodshed to a place where there was no humanity they were all like pigs. People over there could have done anything and if rich, nothing would happen to them as long as they paid the cops a little. Money started to become a problem and it wasn’t any better there. The education wasn’t any better. Now she had to feed her kids in place where she didn’t even know the language.

     As a perfect place turns into a person’s nightmare it can also turn back. Well that day came when she went and applied to go to the United States so she can get freedom and peace from the entire thing going on in those hell wholes. Something magical happened that day and she got approved to come to the United States of America. Most moms’ dreams are that their kids would grow up with a good education and live great lives full of happiness. Hers was the same and that nightmare was turning into something beautiful.

     People may think that now all of her problems were over, but it never ends. She Again faced challenges of learning the language. She got cancer and had to go to Seattle to get cured and she did. Now she can’t work because she is disabled and the welfare isn’t treating her very well. But now at least she doesn’t have to worry about her kid’s safety. Now at last she can do whatever she wants without fearing that she is a girl. This was how a nightmare turned to something beautiful. Generations of war has gone we need to make this a better place just as the Americans did with my mom.

A Letter To YOU

    

       My family never tried so hard to make things better for their kids but they did make things worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know how to hand me over homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would. I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed, wash the car and clean the house every weekend. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mom that you learn what soap tastes like. Skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and not thnk there old, go fishing with your Uncle. Feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Eid(Muslim celebration) time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand. These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life. Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you. I'll be looking at you so don't do something you woul not want me to see.

                                        I love you guys dearly,                        

                                                                              Sadaf Gulmohammad 4/1/10

NYC Cops Drive Drunk, Keep Their Jobs

    

  
    "Whether you're a truck driver or a lifeguard, if you're caught drinking, odds are good that you'll wind up losing your job -- right? Well, except, that is, if you're a New York City cop.

That's what today's edition of New York Daily News reports, in a story which finds that since 1999, fully 55 active-duty cops have been charged with drunk driving while serving on the force. All of them pleaded down to nonfelony charges -- and almost all of them kept their jobs.

On further inspection, the thin blue line starts to look wobblier and wobblier. At least one case included that of a sergeant who "seriously injured" passengers in another car. Another included a cop who was charged with resisting arrest. What's more, in at least four cases, the NYPD had no problem allowing cops with prior drunken-driving convictions onto the force.

Here's just a sampling of some of the recent headlines that have bruised the force's reputation. In September, one liquored-up officer ran down the Brooklyn daughter of a preacher, as she left a Flatlands wedding in the company of her 5-year-old god-daughter. Both the officer -- later found "reeking of alcohol" -- and his passengers (including a fellow-off-duty cop) absconded as the woman lay dying at the scene. (The officer's Facebook page boasted the slogan: "DRINK UP LIFE IS TOO SHORT!!!" Not making this up.)

The next month, Detective Kevin Spellman was busted for drunk driving after his night shift, when he mowed over a Bronx grandmother (while driving a government-owned Chevrolet Impala). The woman, a 67-year-old Albanian immigrant with nine grandchildren, was pushing a shopping cart through the street while collecting recyclable cans and bottles. (The officer refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene.)

Cops that are charged with drunk-driving misdemeanors or violations generally get to keep their jobs -- slapped only with a possible suspension, loss of vacation days, or time on probation. There's also no policy that requires police to submit to sobriety tests.

Cue talk of bad apples -- and of course, in a force numbering some 30,000 people, we are talking about what amounts to a few bad (deadly, reprehensible) apples here. But as the Daily News reports, it's more than that, too -- it's the institutional unwillingness to react to such cases that should leave New Yorkers truly outraged."

Opinion: I Don't care who you are, what you are, or what you do. Even if your a cop, if you get cought driving and drinking, or drunk and driving, the situation should be treated the same as others. If your a cop you should be in more trouble if anything. If any thing you should not be doing illegaly things. Come on now you put people who drink and drive who use drugs, behind bars everyday your their role models. It gets me very angry whencops abuse their power!!! 

The Starfish Story

    
     The smallest actions make the biggest differences! You might be playing on the beach and might face fish dying, starfishes far from home. You may not come to think or feel, if they are dying, but you might know that they can’t breathe without water, like we can’t breathe/live without oxygen.

     The moral to, “The Starfish Story” is; just bending down to pick up a starfish and rescue its life, by throwing it back in the ocean may not take long at all, but it saves it from dying. MY friend is having a bad day and I know it, I might make a difference to her day by just asking her, “What’s the matter” by giving her sympathy I might make a change and make her feel better. Same goes for me when my friends ask me questions like,” How my day is,” or if I’m sad they ask, “what’s wrong?” It makes me feel loved and happy because I’ll feel like I actually have someone there for me.

     The Author of the story, “the starfish” wisdom of teaching is be helpful even if the thought seems small, just think about it’ll take less time and make a big difference…

The Great Debaters

    

     There's an air of extreme predictability in the script - which takes liberties like moving the climactic debate from the University of Southern California to the grander precincts of Harvard. The fact that this movie is based on a true story gives it merit and credibility. It depicts very graphically the struggles African Americans went through in order to be recognized as valid contenders for a college debate team. Denzil Washington and Forrest Whitaker are excellent, as were all the actors.

Although it shows a redeeming ending, the graphic violence throughout much of the movie might be depressing, even for some adults. There was also some sensuality in the movie.

I recommend the film for older teens and adults.

Diego Rivera

    When I first glanced at this piece of art work it cought my heart. It goes back to where i was in Afghanistan and when women were treated like slaves. They had to do everything, cook clean and take care of every house member whom was a male. It was a very hurt ful moment in my life to see my mother go thrue those struggles, which for I was young therefor I didn't have to do work but i did a little to help my mother. This art shows that a woman trying so hard to pick up and hold the item for which ever use.

     He was a Mexican painter who produced murals on social themes. Between 1907 and 1921 he studied painting in Europe. Rivera was descended, on his mother's side, from Jews who converted to Roman Catholicism, and, on his father's side, from Spanish nobility. From the age of ten, Rivera studied art at the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City. He was sponsored to continue study in Europe by Teodoro A. Dehesa Méndez, the governor of the State of Veracruz.

     After, in Europe in 1907, Rivera initially went to study with Eduardo Chicharro in Madrid, Spain, and from there went to Paris, France, to live and work with the great gathering of artists in Montparnasse, especially at La Ruche, where his friend Amedeo Modigliani painted his portrait in 1914. His circle of close friends, which included Ilya Ehrenburg, Chaim Soutine, Amadeo Modigliani and Modigliani's wife Jeanne Hébuterne, Max Jacob, gallery owner Leopold Zborowski, and Moise Kisling, was captured for posterity by Marie Vorobieff-Stebelska, Marevna in her painting "Homage to Friends from Montparnasse," 1962.

     In those years, Paris was witnessing the beginning of cubism in paintings by such eminent painters as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. From 1913 to 1917, Rivera enthusiastically embraced this new school of art. Around 1917, inspired by Paul Cézanne's paintings, Rivera shifted toward Post-Impressionism with simple forms and large patches of vivid colors. His paintings began to attract attention, and he was able to display them at several exhibitions.

     He concentrated on creating large frescoes portraying the history and social problems of Mexico. Rivera also painted many oils and watercolours. His time in Europe enriched his style. Diego Rivera was married to the artist Frida Kahlo. Rivera remained a central force in the development of a national art in Mexico throughout his life. In 1957, at the age of seventy, Rivera died in Mexico City. 

Staute Of Liberty

Poem: Lazarus Emma

     The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognized symbols of American freedom. Standing on Liberty Island in the middle the of the Hudson River in New York City Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was given to the U. S. by the French in 1886. The French gave the Statue of Liberty, to the United States as a token of friendship. Lady Liberty's thorny crown has seven points representing the seven seas.The torch represents a burning passion for freedom and contains a flame that is coated in gold leaf. The broken shackles at the base of Lady Liberty's feet represent freedom from oppression.

Representaions:

Freedom

     The remains of broken chains, which lay at the feet of Lady Liberty, represented freedom to all immigrants who had traveled to America. The chains symbolized the breaking away from their particular countries and the tyrants who had ruled over them.

Opportunity

     Lady Liberty's open arms and kind words, inscribed by her feet, gave these immigrants a sense of opportunity. These immigrants were coming to the "land of wealth and opportunity" where their potential to be successful was as great as the effort they put forth.

Enlightenment

    The torch, which is forever-lit, that Lady Liberty holds is a sign of enlightenment. This torch represented the promise of knowledge and development to the immigrants. It also represented a country that brightens the lives of it's people.

Independence

    The tablet the Lady Liberty holds showed the immigrants that they had arrived in a country that was independent from all others. Inscribed on this tablet, which is held by Lady Liberty's left hand, is the date July, 4, 1776. This is the day that the United States won its independence.

Unity

    The crown that the Lady of Liberty wears has seven spikes. Each of these spikes represents the seven continents and the seven oceans that make up the world. The crown and its spikes are a symbol of world unity.

Beautiful Quotes

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart (Author, Unknown)."


"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say (Anon, unknown)."

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it (Mary, Engelbreit)."

"So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key (The Eagles, Already Gone)."


"If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I would be at the bottom to catch them (Anon, unknown)."


“Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again, skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts (Author, Unknown).”

 “Anybody who thinks talk is cheap should get some legal advice (Franklin P. Jones)."



“The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers (William,
Shakespeare)."


“I can't control my destiny, I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here. Give in to love or live in fear. No other path, no other way. No day but today ( Larson, Johnathan).”


"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become (Rohn, Jim)."


"Just when you thought you were the center of attention, I showed up (Author, Unknown)."


"You can't spell awesome without M-E (Author, Unknown)."

Industrial Revolutions

      

     

    

    

My Choice Hiku

The moment I turned, your eyes were all fixed on me, I just smiled right back.

November sun, a piece of pink sea glass sparkles.

Women and Girls in Afghanistan

     "As time advances, educated Afghani children have to take up cudgels  traditional practices of bartering girls. Only then the future of Afghani girls can be thought to be safe."

     A female, the most sublime creation of God, is merely an item of barter in Afghanistan. Although, the Taliban times has ended, but the side effects are still there. Debts are paid off, family feuds solved, murder accusation charges restrained, thanks to the daughters of the home who are exchanged for money and that takes tension from their home.

     The brutal Taliban regime was an era of women harassment in which the women were forced to be only a decorative item of their households and never let to leave the house. Years after the brutal masters were thrown out, women in Afghanistan continue to suffer, now at the hand of their family. Unable to see their family through pain, few of the girls of the house offer to sacrifice their much-cherished freedom for the sake of rest of the members of the family. While others are forced into marriages against their wishes, in which they have to suffer, some are married to a person equivalent to the age of their father or in some cases the groom is their grandfather’s age. It Sucks!!!

     The poor and battered Afghanis have no option to pay off their long drawn debts, but to lend their girls in exchange to evade away their overdue amounts.

     It is really sad, and emotional that even in this age, when women rights are very high and respected, females are traded off, forced into brothals, and married against their wish to live a life wiping their tears because of harassment at the hands of their in laws. Not only this, violence against the fair sex is still there, widespread in which they are beaten up to live a life of seclusion from the society. However, the lucky ones are those whose families have no debts to pay off or no disputes to settle. Only among the poor Afghani families, girls can dream to step out of their homes and make a life of their own and not forced into marriages.

     Times can be expected to change, with the women rights activities gaining in importance, females themselves realizing and getting their freedom, and getting involved in activities from household chores to earning their livelihood that has helped in shedding the long drawn conservative outlook of traditionalist

...You may not even care about this happening; (not just in Afghanistan but in all the middle east countries). but put you'r self in a females shoes and just take a minute to think about what you would do in such possition!

An afghan women burnned

Golden Sky

Moon love makes sun blush,  dancing under the gold sky, a day a lifetime.

Just Beyond The Sunset

Just beyond the sunset

Someone waits for me

Just beyond the sunset

Lies my destiny

Where the purple mountains

Lie in deep tranquillity

There I’ll find the treasure

Of love eternally

Just beyond the sunset

Waits someone so fair

Just beyond the sunset

All alone they wait there

Their hair is golden

The colour of the sand

Their eyes sparkle in the night

Like diamonds in your hand

Just beyond the sunset

Lies a home for me

Where the world is peaceful

Like a paradise should be

Just beyond the sunset
Someday is where you’ll find me

---
David Harris