Blog #17: The "Life-Altering" Trial

In the article, "Saga of O.J. Still Alters Our Lives" author Mitch Albom argues that the O.J. Simpson trial "may be the most important even in the past two decades." After reading this article, I'd have to disagree with Albom. Sure the trial held great controversies, and sparked the interest of many people around America, and even the world, but I don't believe it was the most important event within the past two decades.

Like Albom states in his article, I agree that the trial has sparked more pressure and tension on: the police, the courts and the media, but there have been many events within the past decades that also contribute to these, and maybe even more significant changes in culture. Of course, many of us won't forget the 9/11 attacks (but I'll disregard that, as it happened after the publishing of this article.) But if we look at important events in the 90's, surely there are many that qualify as significant breakthroughs in culture. Computers, the internet and even Genetic Engineering, can serve as impressive breakthroughs that not only change pop-culture, but life for the people as well. O.J. Simpson sure did provide some new ideas to people, but murders happen everyday, and if it weren't for his fame before the incident, many people would've regarded his trial as just another murder.

Blog #16:

Blog #15: A Network of Secrets

A Network of Secrets, a Web of Lies


    
     A secret is just information that one wouldn't want another to know about. With that definition, anything could be a secret. I believe that, unfortunately, as long as the internet stands, it will inevitably always be a place for secrets.
     The internet is a place to advertise, communicate and learn. It provides anybody, with virtually anything they would ever want to know; from how to make chicken noodle soup, to where celebrities went today, and even on how to make malicious programs to harm other people's computers. Sure, there are many "safe" websites that don't contribute as "enemies" to secrecy, but there aren't none.
     The Internet is filled with quidnuncs, scammers, and many others that seek to invade one's privacy. Gossipers and bloggers eagerly fill up their web pages with the latest news on what celebrities are doing 24/7.
Scammers create programs to trick you and buy their products, or even get hold of your personal information (addresses, card numbers, passwords, etc.), which we hold in secrecy to others.
     Examples of secrecy on the internet are everywhere. As anything can be a secret, a simple bit of information to one person, could be a secret to another who wasn't intended to see it. Other examples include leaks of unreleased media, like movies or music. Many people that don't want to pay to watch an expensive movie, or want to download an unreleased album for free, find their solution in retrieving these things on the internet. Obviously, the last thing media directors and producers would want is for everyone to get their hard work for free. Also, speaking on terms of media, people can easily find "spoilers", or the "secret ending" to movies, books, etc. Lastly, some people that use social networks, like MySpace, Facebook or Twitter to communicate, are simply asking for their privacy to be publicized. Regardless of whether we want certain bits of information to leak out into the public, the internet will always be a place full of secrets.

Blog #14: Ethics and Personal Values

     I believe that ethics and personal values should not be taught in schools. Students should decide for themselves what is right or wrong, even if they are the other. I also believe that students should learn good or bad morals from their parents or whom ever they were raised by. I think that teaching ethics and personal values proves useless, as we all have our own opinion on whatever is taught, and we can't be forced to believe whatever the curriculum tries to brainwash us with.
     However, certain morals should be reminded, for students to take into consideration. For example, health classes should remind students to choose abstinence, but there shouldn't be a whole lesson devoted to it. Things like: study for your test, don't do drugs, and be nice to people are some others that I feel are acceptable in classrooms, because they are widely accepted and are obviously the positive route.
     As far as morals, ethics and values go, highly controversial topics like religion, should not be taught in schools. There are many different religions, and is a topic of which the opinions differ from person to person.
     We should learn from our own mistakes and experiences, what "right" and "wrong" are. Unlike learning it in a classroom, students won't always agree to the same things or ideas. But who would want to live in a world where everyone always agrees to the same things?

Blog #13: Movies!

So I tend to write much more than I probably should, but I just can't help it...



     Movies. Surely, every one of us has watched at least one movie in our lifetime. Many of us have our favorite movies. Some just like anything funny, others love the thrill of scary movies, and then there are those who just love a good 'ole western film. Movies can be categorized in many ways.
     When my friends come over for a "movie-night" we take the longest time deciding what movie to watch. Do we want to laugh until we cry so hard we end the night with sore abs? Or do we want to sob because Jake broke up with Annie and use up all of my lotion-infused tissues?
     There are just too many genres to choose from: comedy, drama, thriller, historic, mystery, animation, Sci-Fi, western, romance/"chick-flick", just to name a few. We can draw into each of these categories to create an even more intracate web of movies. In comedies and romantic films, they're are the movies that we all know the ending of- even if we have only seen a two minute trailer of, the ones where they want you to think she ends up with the boy but she ends up with the girl, and anything else that falls into an uplifting story. Dramas, can be divided into crime dramas, war, medical, and basically anything tragic or meant to be taken seriously.
     We can also divide movies by the way they were produced. There are the low budget, independent (indie) films, that usually just make it to film festivals. And then there are the big-shot, 300 million dollar budget movies that make their way around the globe and is on everyone's list of must-watch movies.
     To me, a good movie is just one that entertains me. I don't limit myself to just funny movies, although I find them enjoyable. I personally love thrillers. Not to be confused with scary movies (with wasps flooding out of a demon-child's mouth, or whatnot.) I love the movies that really make you think the whole time, the ones constantly trying to trick you by adding cool special effects, like the Prestige or Inception, for example. Now documentaries and scary slasher films are another story. I personally steer clear from documentaries, as many of them (or at least the ones I've watched) put me to sleep. Sometimes, rarely, do I reach for a scary movie. I occasionally watch them with friends, just to see if I can handle it, but if they are "based on a true story" I am usually out of the room before you even make the popcorn. I am a fan of almost any type of movie, and I think a good movie is one that captivates and interests the watcher.

Blog #12: The Pink Flamingo

Debrief and Reflection on The Pink Flamingo

Self-Check:
1. I feel that I answered the prompt to the best of my ability within the given time period. I could have explained more because I feel I did not relate my interpretations to the prompt very well.
2. I do, however, have a clear thesis statement on how the author structures their essay.
3. My essay was focused around the theme of the United States and Pink Flamingos, both Bold and Beautiful. I feel that the paragraphs could have been structured and linked together better to follow the prompt.
4. I have focused on things like imagery and diction, and tried to explain myself as well as possible, but now looking back, I feel that I may have repeated myself a few times throughout the essay.
5. I used quotes from the essay that I felt supported my main point, and tried to explain my analysis of these exerpts.

Reflection:
1. I felt that the quotes I used helped explain my point fairly, and my introduction was strong. Also, I took some time to plan and brainstorm for my essay.
2. I felt panicked with a short amount of time, and resulted in me not exactly answering the prompt.
3. If given more time, I would explain myself more clearly and address the prompt better.
4. The organization of my essay, for the most part turned out almost exactly the way I had planned in my outline. I did change some of the details and supporting facts that i put in the beginning.
5. As I was writing, I noticed more things I could've added in my essay, since I don't always catch things the first time i read Price's essay.
6. Since the Pink Flamingo essay was my first blind timed write, I have learned what I need to do differently to prepare for the next timed write. I will read through the prompt carefully, and make sure to find supporting evidence throughout the essay/excerpt the first time. I will try to use less time to brainstorm, so I can focus on writing my essay, but try to have a general idea on what I am doing for each paragraph.

Blog #11: Metacognition Questions

Metacognition Questions on Definition Essay-

Culminating Writers Profile

1. Coming into this class, I didn't really know what to expect- I just knew we'd have a lot of writing to do. I think that after writing my first AP essay, the process helped me realize how I should change my writing style. The definition essay was especially difficult because I am so used to writing whatever is on my mind, not really organizing it. I think things that i need to work on are making my words flow better on paper, and structuring my essay better.
2. I feel that I do a good job on introductions and "hook" the reader. I reinforce them by tying my topic with the prompt in a (hopefully) insightful way.
3. My writing weaknesses are not elaborating on what I am trying to say, or wording it correctly. I try to sound formal, but my sentences just end up wordy. To strenghten these areas, I try to get more information to support my topic and focus on getting the point across in an informative way.

Evaluating Your Writing Process

1. If I could write one more draft on my definition essay, I would make my paragraphs flow better and elaborate on what a nerd is, and add more to my counterargument. I would also change my sentences to not include the "to-be" verbs.
2. I thought the easiest element to improve was rewording my sentences and dropping the formal tone.
3. My biggest problem was not having enough ways to "define" nerds. I wanted to make it interesting and define it in a new way, but I don't feel my essay was strong enough to make a big statement.

Evaluating Your Successes

1. My most successful large-scale revision was adding another paragraph to explain my argument more clearly.
2. I mainly used imagery to illustrate my definition essay.
3. I tried to create different arguments, so the readers could all find one they relate to or understand.

Being Honest with Self

1. I was most intimidated by the fact that I didn't really understand the concept of the essay. I went through multiple topics and found it really difficult to find one that I could support and still have a strong counterargument with. I read through examples and really thought about each topic, making little lists for which one I had more insight and information on.
2. From the texts we studied, I found the Box Man the most helpful for my essay. I liked the idea of taking something so simple (lonliness) and expanding it in ways that I never thought about together. The author made it so relatable with personal imagery and descriptions and really helped me in how to structure certain things.
3. After reading student essays, I liked how they added their personal stories and could relate to their topic on a personal level. I tried to make my essay personal as well.
4. My peers gave me general ideas on rewording and what sounded awkward, and overall what sounded good/bad.
5. After completing this assignment, I feel that I definitely need more practice to create much stronger essays. I know what i should do to write a good essay, but I am not quite sure how to incorporate these ideas in my writing.

Blog 10: Just a Nobody

     We've all had that feeling before. The feeling that we're Nobodies. We walk through the crowded school halls, but no one moves aside for us, and may even bump into us without apologizing. In class, no one knows our name, even though we've have classes with them ever since the sixth grade. Whatever we say to people goes in out ear and out the other. Some people get so tangled up in this feeling, they feel hopeless and invisible; like a Nobody.
     Nobodiness can be caused by many things. Not being acknowledged socially seems to be a main cause. Little things like not having enough money to spend, moving to a new town, depression, feeling confused or lost, all are factors in feeling like a Nobody. No one deserves to feel this way, but many of us do encounter this feeling every once in a while. Personally, when I feel like a Nobody, I think of it as a temporary thing and try to look at life in a different perspective.
    
    

Blog 9: Tuesdays with Morrie

     After hearing many positive reviews of Tuesdays with Morrie from past juniors, I was excited to read it, not exactly sure what it would be about. Honestly, this may be the only book that has ever made me cry so much! It really made me think twice about my place in life. Would I end up dying slowly like Morrie? Would I make an impact on people's lives?
     This book also taught me to never take life for granted. Teenagers often complain, there's no doubt about it. We complain about how little sleep we got, and compete to see who has more homework, but many of us are missing the big picture.
     Someone, in a third world country may not be able to go to school, even though they want to. Someone, possibly living next door to you, could be dangerously ill, but is too sick to even speak, let alone complain about how awful their day was. There is always someone having a worse day than you.
     There were many philosophies and lessons that I learned from reading Tuesdays with Morrie, but I really admired the fact that Morrie was thrown a rare disease, an inevitably slow painful death, and no reason to hope that he'll make it through, but he accepted it. Instead of complaint, (which I feel is something many of us 'over-do') Morrie openly tells Mitch and his guests, and teaches a lesson along with it.

Blog #8 I Say Potato, You Say... Potato?

     So I studied for a couple hours and only like to get A's on my report cards, does that really make me a bad person?
     Ever since I was little, I was raised to get good grades. A's were like the average, so it wasn't anything special. B's were OK, but I needed to try harder. C's put me in "Desperate-Mode" to get my grades back up. I stressed out over little quizzes and tests, and even cried when I got my first F in elementary school. I was called an Overachiever many times, but although my peers meant it in a negative way, I found myself proud to be an overachiever.
     I liked that I pushed myself to reach goals, and did anything I could to get that A, while others did nothing at all. To them, overachievers tried too hard and wasted their lives studying, rather than getting wasted. Overachievers get higher grades than they are 'supposed' to but aren't always happy with their results.
     Call me an overachiever if you'd like, because at the end of the day, a potato is still just a potato. I guess I am an overachiever... And I'm proud to be one. (:

   

Blog #7: The Great Gatsby

     The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald creates a whirlwind of messages he conveys throughout the book. It is about unrequited love, society, loneliness and the dangers of assumption. At the end of the book, Fitzgerald leaves it up to the reader to decide whether Daisy really did love Gatsby or not. The author argues that life isnt fair. Gatsby spends his time trying to impress Daisy and win her back, but ends up alone (and dead, also due to Daisy). Fitzgerald also argues that society isn't as great as its cracked up to be. Strangers attend every one of Gatsby's grand parties, assuming he's a murderer or a bootlegger, but are careless to actually get to know him personally. When Daisy ironically kills Mrytle, Wilson murders Gatsby, assuming he was responsible. After his death, only Nick and a very few others attend Gatsby's funeral. Fitzgerald argues that bad things happen to good people, because Gatsby was generally a good person who even worked on self improvement.

Blog #6: Nag, nag, nag, that's all they ever do!

     Do this, do that. Nagging can be a big annoying pain in the butt. It is known to be a negative thing, (described as someone "causing persistent mild pain" by Google) but without it, I would not have gotten so many things done in my life. My procrastination would catch up with me and I would always be running around in circles! I can honestly say, that even though it seems annoying or frusterating when someone is a Nagging Nancy, they usually nag with the best intention for the nag-ee.
     It may sound corny, as I have no authority to command anyone to do anything, but-
     Do that homework, do those chores! It will all work out in our benefit, I promise! (:

Blog #5: Solitude and Society

     In "the Box Man", the Box Man chooses to live happily homeless, even though society looks down upon it. I believe that there is such a thing as "nonconformity" but sometimes conformity isn't a bad thing. Of course we all have our own opinions on how we should do things, and sure, we should follow what we believe in. Unfortunately, life can't always be perfect, with everyone praising our every word and treating you like a god. Therefore, I believe that we should follow our own ideas, to the extend of ourselves, and let others follow their own as well. What I mean by that is, maybe we have an idea that everyone should wear their hair in pig tails everyday. Instead of degrading non-pigtail wearers, you should follow your own style, and keep in mind that others are doing the same.
     Today, we can find many examples of conformity in society by looking at high schoolers. Some students conform by doing what everyone else is doing. They wear what is "cool" and do whatever everyone else does. Then there are the "nonconforming" students. They strut their own style, oblivious to what others may think, and follow their own path through school.
     As a person, I know that I am free to act how I want to act and do what I want to do. We are all able of conforming and not conforming, its just a matter of which you choose. I dont try to do either, I just do what I think is best for me. Sometimes conforming seems like the right thing to do, and at other times it may be the exact opposite. At times I may feel out (or in) the loop, but I try to keep an open mind that even though i may not agree with something, doesn't mean that its wrong. I think this is a lesson that everyone (especially students in high school) need to learn, but hey, thats just my opinion. (:

Blog #4: Ironically Different, but Overall the Same

     "The Box Man" is a story that tells of a proud homeless man, and two lonely ladies. They are similar in many ways, but are also very different. The Box Man is the homeless man who takes pride in his lifestyle, whereas the ladies are sad and forced into loneliness. The women take their time, following the same routines they have every single day. But at the end of the day, they are all alone. They have no one to care for them, but themselves. When they go to bed, there is only one thing that sets them apart from each other: whether they embrace the fact that they are alone, or if they burden themselves with it.

     Another example of "ironically different, but overall the same" things are feathers and flowers. They are both obviously different, since a feather is a feather, and a flower is a flower. Feathers come from birds, whereas flowers come from the earth and soil. But although they are so different on the inside and outside, they can both make people feel relatively the same. Feathers and flowers resemble the idea of Hope. A feather symbolizes the idea that hope is coming for those who need it. Flowers give the hope that you will find true love, and that things will get better soon. Feathers can come from ugly birds, and flowers are just weeds that grow in multiple colors, but at the end of the day, they make people happy and hopeful.

Blog #3: Critical Review

Fast Food Nation By Eric Schlosser


     Before I give my review, here is a summary on this New York Times Bestseller. Eric Schlosser reveals some ugly truths in his book, Fast Food Nation. He tells us about how the whole fast food industry started, beginning with Mr. McDonalds and Mr. Carl Karcher (founder of Carl's Jr.) themselves, and elaborating on how and why this industry is so horrible. Schlosser tells the reader a bit of these founder's life stories, and one may find that these people, along with many others, started this whole fast food phenomenon from literally nothing. 
     This book is split into two parts; "The American Way" which told us about the beginning of fast food, and "Meat and Potatoes" which focused on what is really in the food and where the food comes from. In the second part of this book, Schlosser reveals that french fries taste so great because they are fried in beef tallow instead of oil. He elaborates on how the food sold in these "restaurants" are poor quality, and the meat packers allow tainted meat to be distributed to national restaurant chains. He goes into great detail about the worst and most dangerous jobs in the US: meatpacking and the people who clean the meat factories. This section of the book also focuses on the foodborne illnesses from E.Coli, Salmonella and Mad Cow Disease, which are common to catch in fast food places.
    
     When I saw that this book was listed as an option for summer reading, I knew that I had to read it. Being interested in food myself, I wanted to know more about what I eat. I expected it to be like Super Size Me, with more facts about the actual food rather than the industry and history. Fast Food Nation was not what I expected, but I wouldn't say it was any better. Schlosser has a great writing style, but after a couple chapters, I found myself bored and I just wanted to get straight to the point he wanted to make, rather than tie in multiple things into one detail. He was obviously very biased and very anti-fast food, to the point where I felt that at times his statistics and facts seemed overdramatic. Also, I noticed the author was very repetitive, especially towards the end of the book. Schlosser addresses many issues in today's fast food world, but concludes with a simple small speech saying that nobody needs to eat fast food.
     Eric Schlosser also includes an updated Afterword, which addressed more dangers of Mad Cow, and also tried to defend himself for the negative reviews on this book. The fact that he needed to clarify what Mad Cow is in the updated Afterword, rather than when he first published his book, made it seem like Schlosser was just ranting to get his point across to his readers, instead of throughly explaining everything in a professional way. Also, when he "defends" himself from the negative reviews from several reviewers, I find it very unprofessional. Lastly, he gives us an update on how policies for meat packing workers have changed. He tells us that his book didnt give a positive impact for the Boards, and that statistics have actually gotten worse.
     I came into this book, interested in what it had to say. I learned a lot from this book, but unless these topics are what you want to know, recommendation is a split decision for me. It had me turning pages at times but also left me skimming through certain sections. I was more interested in the actual facts, rather than Schlossers repetitive opinion, which left me unengaged in the stories. Read this book, don't read this book, you'll be informed and look at food in a slightly different perspective.

Blog #2: Nonfiction Literature

Nonfiction Books I have read:
autobiography- All But My Life By Gerda Weissmann Klein
diary- Diary of Anne Frank 
biography- ...
history- Founding Brothers By Joseph Ellis
criticism- ...
personal essay collection- ...
journalists- Fast Food Nation By Eric Schlosser
political commentary- ...
scientific topics- ...
nature topics- ...
humor- ...


   Nonfiction isn't a genre I usually choose to read, although I am finding these books more interesting than I used to think.
 In All But My Life, I remember feeling so much emotion when i read it! Gerda Weissman Klein wrote very detailed experiences and I could picture the scenes in my head. One part that really caught me was when one of Gerda's friends died a couple of days before the liberation of her camp. This book is one of the first nonfiction books I had ever read, and made me realize that nonfiction books arent bad!
 I read the Diary of Anne Frank a couple years ago, but I will recall what I can. Reading these Holocaust stories really made me think of how horrible it must have been for people back then. I remember not liking Anne's teenage attitude at times, but I couldn't blame her because I know that I get grumpy too, and would probably be worse if I were in her shoes.
 Founding Brothers was a historical novel, and included multiple short stories about important events in US history. I liked the way Ellis described everything in full detail, but it wasn't every engaging.
 I chose to read Fast Food Nation for one of my summer reading books, because I have an interest in food and wanted to learn more about what I eat. I really liked how Schlosser started the book with something that had nothing to do with fast food, but then slowly mentioned it and tied them together in a witty last sentence before the next section. It was amazing to learn about how the fast food industry really works. What surprised me the most was how the meatpacking industry cheats its way through Statistics tests and abuses their workers. After reading this book, it has informed me with what I am really putting in my mouth, and I have become more interested on the topic.
   
   A philosophy that has imparted to me is from All But My Life. It is so inspiring to read about someones brutal real-life experiences, and read about the sadness and trauma she has gone through, but she makes it through the end. She writes about how the people that she cared for, people that she loved, were all separated from her. Her story resonates with hope, and the philosophy that when all hope is gone, if you keep pushing, you might just turn out on the other side.

Blog #1: Intro

Hi I'm Mallory! My favorite things in life are traveling, making food and taking long naps. I love the beach and the color turquoise. I aspire to do great things, although I’m not sure exactly what yet. Hopefully, in the world of bloggers, I may find some inspiration. (: