This year reading changed me and made me enjoy reading.  My personal reading goal at the beginning of the year was reading more than 9 books.   I accomplished my reading goal, and read 17 books this year.  Some of the books I read were, Exactly as I am, which was one of the easiest books because it shared the way teenage girls are, and their opinions of being confident. Dramarama, Debcaletti, Stay, Breathing Under Water, Street Love, were also some of the easiest, due to the fact they were fantasy, and love stories.  All I Need, No More Pranks, The Hunger Games, What I Saw and How I Lied, were some of the hardest to read, because if the length of the book, and the vocabulary it had in telling the a fantasy story.  The Pact, The Diary of A Young Girl, Loves Me Loves Me Not, Deadline, A Walk to Remember, Kissing In Manhattan,  and Code Name Verity were also the hardest, because of the imagery in the book, and understanding the way the stories were set up, emotionally, and in the setting.  I enjoyed reading Exactly as I am the most, because I was able to relate and understand the teenage girls, and celebrities in the book, explaining how being yourself, and having confident is a part of life.  I enjoyed reading this book, and seeing being able to feel better about myself.

There were also books that I read through out the year, that later I abandoned.  For example, Splintered, The Giver, Kite Runner, and  The Hobbit, due to the fact they were not as interesting as I expected.  I read at least 30 pages before I abandon a book.  Reading this year has helped me increase my knowledge, and made me smarter.  I have been able to enjoy reading more, it is a pleasure it entertains, and engrosses.  I feel that I have learned more from reading, and the words, imagery, and authors tone can make you want to keep reading and be a part of the story, I definitely recommend for everyone to read at least 2 hours a day.

“You know, the mind is a remarkable thing. Just because you can’t see the wound doesn’t mean it isn’t hurting. It scars all the time, but it heals.” ― Jodi Picoult, The Pact

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmI6ggx2Aiw

 

 

Love and Hate

Love has the power to do many things, it can be strong enough to overcome hate and challenge any obstacles that stand in the way.    Love is a challenge, but when it’s true love nothing can stand in the way.  It will challenge those who oppose it, and is stronger than hate.  There is nothing better than seeing someone’s flaws and still loving them, even when bad surrounds them, and changing the way it it seen.

When two people are truly in love not even hate surrounding them can bring them apart.  A couple will do anything to be together, even if their love is challenged.   One will cross mountains, skies, oceans, go through war just to be with the special one.  For example, Romeo and Juliet, even when they barely knew one another their love was stronger than  what was trying to keep them apart.  Love can make you blind, being in love is seeing your partner and yourself against the world.  It will cause you to do crazy things, things that you couldn’t of imagine doing for anyone before.  You are willing to loose people in your life for the person that makes you happy and makes you fall in love more, and more everyday.   Despite the differences a couple may have, love has no boundries.

The Romeo and Juliet play by, Shakespeare shares the conflict between a teenage couple coming together and making a change.  The message the play sends is unlike any other. Age, class, distance, do not matter when it is true love, like proven in Romeo and Juliet their love had the power to marry even when their own families were enemies, their age didn’t come between them, and they died to be peacefully together.  Their death was a lovely tragedy, only at the end to find out their love had the power to change their families hate, and open their eyes after seeing what this had caused.

There may be those, who believe love is not strong enough to challenge hate, but in my opinion since Shakespeare shared in many of his plays, how love could overcome many situations, until today reality has shown the same results.  Protests of peace, homosexuality, social classes, cultural etc, are a part of the power love challenging peoples opinions and their hate over differences.

There is nothing more pure and fascinating than being in love.  There are people who may think that love is about having a perfect relationship, but in order to have that there will obstacles challenging you to make that relationship stronger and give your love more power. “Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love.” (Sc 1, Act 1, 175 Romeo & Juliet), love will challenge hate, only to have a beautiful outcome and giving more power to love.

Civility

Civility is about kindness, and being respectful, I believe this is a very important characteristic on a daily basis.  Civility is a big part of how we treat others, and are seen by others.  The way we take upon this characteristic can have an affect on us positively or negatively.  Having civility is a way of showing manners, respect, kindness, or treating others the way you want to be treated.  Also it helps maintaining a job, school, and relationships.  Anybody can act with consideration, and manners if they desire.  It is very important that this is how people treat one another therefore there would be no problems caused.

There are many things civility is used for it is a part of finding employment, showing hospitality, or for future education.  It can always help you get somewhere and be treated with respect, civility is apart education system, is essential if we are to build vibrant and thriving communities.  I believe that if you want to be respected you have to show respect as well, this is part of showing you are well mannered and mature.  I have been raised to show civility to my elderly’s and to show manners with family , and in public.  This is important because it shows of how you were raised, or what kind of person you are.

Today, civility is not seen how it was, overtime gentlemen were gone,  some women seem to have lost respect for themselves, etc. Although we have overcome the problems of equality fighting for our right,s and peace. This  is also a part of requiring us to treat others with decency, regardless of our differences.  It is believed that it has declined in our time, based on more bullying, teens or adults behavior.  This is a part of uncivilized generation, but also a sign to work on our behavior.

Citizenship,  and civility is a behavior that recognizes the humanity of others and allows us to keep peace with people.  It is important to show this characteristic, without it we are reflected badly.  It is awareness and self control in ourselves there is more to a person who shows that they act with civility.

Courage

Courage is the ability to do something that is right when the wrong seems to produce better results, and taking a stand for what is correct.  There is courage in a person who’s words, and actions can change the way people look at the world.  It is powering , you are taking a stand for better rights, as well as bringing people together for good causes.  Having courage to me means to be able to stand up for myself and pushing myself to accomplish personal goals.

There is aspiration, risks, and motivation to give up and even if there is failure stand up stronger and wiser.  For example I have had the courage to speak my mind when I know something is not right.  I learned that I needed to have the courage to speak up even if I was the only one who disagreed with something, because every voice counts and it’s better to be different than be just another copy.  There is courage in this because many people are afraid to be their own and prefer to be the same as others.  I seek to be taken as I am and show others that being your own is better than anything, and to have the courage to do this.

In the article Leonard: Malala Youszai’s courage I learnerd that women are stonger than what we are seen as.  Malala showed courage, when she took a stand and spoke her mind.  She was standing up for those who didn’t have the courage to do so.  When the article described her with power and voice of a lion it was emotional and logical.  There is power in those who stand for what they deserve and are seen as fearless to show the world the right from the wrong.

Courage is growing confidence and seeing what should be done. It is not fair that others can step over you and over your rights, we have to build the courage to be the bigger person.

 

Luaghter Relieves Pain and Sorrow

Laughter can relieve the pain of tragedy and sorrow, for a moment we forget about the pain because laughter takes over and we are lighthearted.  There are no words to describe the horrible feeling of pain but it almost seems laughter is the perfect cure for it.  When we are feeling down a smile can fix any broken heart not matter who caused it.  Sometimes laughing when a tragedy has occurred can seem absurd, even though we are really hurting inside we use it as a way to show that we are strong or forget the hard situation we are in.  It is said that those who smile and laugh the hardest are the ones who are hurting the most.  I believe this is true, a smile can hide a lot but what you are feeling inside is still there.  You try to keep on laughing to feel better and sure it works for a while to relief the negative things but you still feel the sorrow and tragedy at the end of the day.  It sure is hard to explain what laughing can cause you feel but as your eyes close from how hard you are laughing it gives you a beautiful feeling.  It is happiness when you should be feeling down but  because of that you decide to laugh rather than feel the pain.  Have you ever laughed so hard that you cry? or been sad and laughed then cried but you don’t even know if it is tears of joy, or pain?  It makes you wonder doesn’t it?  I can definitely relate, but I know that it is unexplainable and laughing can make you feel like there is still light in the darkest moments, even if your laughing for the stupidest, or the most random thing.  You feel relieved and you cherish every moment even more.  Laughing can fix the most broken person, it gives them a chance of hope and joy feeling relieved such a grateful smile.

Mexico Drug Cartel Makes More Dealing Iron Ore

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexico-drug-cartel-makes-dealing-iron-ore-22935932

The article Mexico Drug Cartel Makes More Dealing Iron Ore briefly explains the sources and the process that the Mexico drug cartel use and the impact they have around the world.  It not only defines the Mexico Cartels, but the biggest money maker cartels in Mexico, after reading this source I found that the drug cartel has more or less power in Mexico and the government.  Based on research I have also found that Mexican drug cartels have moved beyond drug trafficking as their main source of income as well as The Knights Templar cartel in western Mexico has been a great part of making money after trafficking and processing, methamphetamine, or crystal meth, as part of Iron ore, logging and extortion: How the Mexican cartels have moved beyond drugs as their main source of income. I strongly believe that authorities are being taken over by this cartels due to the fact that cartel have too much power, and money which also benefits them to pay Mexican government/ authorities to be on the cartel side. The article states  
“It’s a criminal organization like the mafia,” said Antonio Mazzitelli it clearly states the type of organization this is. In other researches I have made articles state that there is nothing they wont do to keep business growing and having the $1 million profiting for example “They’re multinational corporations that will react to market pressures and do what they have to do to stay in business.”. Therefore these articles help express my opinion towards the Mexican drug cartel and the impact is currently having as well.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not

February 24, 24

Dear Anilu Bernardo,

I have finished reading Loves Me, Loves Me Not I can honestly say I enjoyed reading it, I could see from reading how being in love can cause you to do stupid things and fall for someone who can make you blinded and feel as if you’re not worth it.  In my opinion it is great book to read for teenage girls like Maggie Castillo who are Hispanic living in Americas society.  The conflict throughout the book gives many mixed feelings, but the end was captivating, and charismatic.                                                      

While I was reading Loves me, Loves Me Not I realized there where many events repeated.  For example, many times Maggie explained how Zach would sit next to her in German class, and how she would feel some type of way when they talked, or she saw him.  I would of enjoyed reading the book more if the situation between what Maggie felt, and described for Zach would have moved along faster.  After a while I came to see that Susie Dominguez, and Maggie would always talk about the same emotions about the guys in every setting, it could have made the situation more interesting if there was more drama or a bigger setting that would not give the story away so fast in little details that weren’t as important, or were already known.  The description given for the setting, and characters appearance and emotions, were able to create an image in my head, and feel what the characters felt.  For example “Look, I don’t want to hurt you.  Maybe Zach does like you.  But you’re lapping up every crumb he throws your way like a homeless puppy”(95). It describes the situation perfectly, and can be seen, but it has also been repeated differently and should be shown with something new or more excitement, and not be seen until the very end of the book.  Maggie talked more about the Jasmine flower at the end of the book which could have had more information about her feeling towards it at the beginning of the book.

I enjoyed reading this book due to the fact that I could relate to some situations Maggie, and Susie were stuck in.  When Susie dragged Maggie along for a double date, because she did not want to be alone was a situation I had experience.  Another event that also caught my attention is how mature Maggie is for her age, and how I could relate to that, and sometimes not being able to spend a holiday with my mother, and spending it with other family members.  I could relate to the feeling Maggie expressed, “My mother’s voice had filled the evenings with tales of magic and divining powers.”(15) It was also beautiful  how Maggie felt at the end being with Justin and how she felt safer in his arms. I had this experience and knew the wonderful feeling that would make me giggle and feel cared for too.  While reading the book it brought me memories, some that I didn’t want to remember, and some that made me feel happy again.

I could see that the argument in the book was about having the right people in life that would make you smile, and know your worth it.  It was about leaving those who had done you wrong, and loving yourself before you love someone.”(58).  Before judging someone or falling for anyone, it is important to know who they truly are, and how they can really make you feel and not be blinded to it.  This story affected me, because it made me remember how I learned my lesson in some situations like this a long time ago, and never repeated it again.  In order to find your feeling, and know who are the people that will proof to you’re worth it, and make you happy.

Sincerely,

Alexa Cardiel    

 

 

 

 

Loves Me, Loves Me Not

1. The title of my book is Loves Me, Loves Me Not and the other is Anilu Bernardo.  There are 169 pages in my novel, and I am currently on page 144.

2.The protagonist of my novel is Maggie Castillo, and the main conflict she faces is that she is in love with a boy named Zach from school, but she doesn’t know if he feels the same way about her.  He shows her many mixed feelings and she doesn’t want seem interested in him, so she tries to play it off smooth with him.  Some possible outcomes that I foresee for Maggie is that at the end she will realize that he is not looking for anything, and he is an ignorant boy, and she will fall for the new boy Justin in town after she sees everything he has done for her.

5. The quote that caught my attention was ” Tell me who you bang around with, and I’ll tell you who you are” pg.58 the reason why I liked this quote and it stood out to me was because it is relatable, and it describes the conflict perfectly.  It stands out to me because it is true that the people you hang out with can make you seem like them or have an effect on you.

6. The cultural setting of my novel is a Cuban family, and friends leaving the American life as well in Miami.  It describes the traditions Cubans have, variety of foods, and how their family is spread around the nation as well as how they have been living like Americans.  It is interesting reading a teenage girls’ culture lifestyle and they conflicts in life.  

Deadline Quote

The two quotes that caught my attention in the book Deadline are touching, and eye opening to me.  “Love, in the universal sense, is unconditional acceptance. In the individual sense, the one-on-one sense, try this: we can say we love each other if my life is better because you’re in it and your life is better because I’m in it. The intensity of the love is weighted by how much better.”   Ben thinks a lot about life due to him having a year to live.  I love the way the quote is set up it describes love on another level, and at the same time strongly relates to having a short time left in life, and for anybody else because with someone special in your life it can make you look at it in a brighter way just like Ben and Dallas.  “The first time I heard the saying ‘ Live every day like you’re going to live forever and every day like it’s going to be your last’ I thought it was one of those unsolvable story problems from my fifth-grade arithmetic book, but it turned out to be the truest thing about my year”  This was a part of Ben Wolfs speech, and I believe he couldn’t have said it better, it is relatable. The quote seems unsolvable, but if you can put your self in Ben’s shoes, you would be living everyday like it’s your last, because that day could be the last time you see the world. At the same time live it like you have many more to come. The way he was able to express so much in just this few words I was able to see his story, and emotion in a glance the words were strong, and sentimental.

Deadline

The book I am currently reading is Deadline by Chris Crutcher, and I am starting chapter 15.  I am really enjoying reading this book.  When I first heard what is was about I knew I was going to like reading it, but I didn’t think I was going to be hooked on it.  I really want to finish it already, and find out what happens at the end.

Ben Wolf, won the homecoming football game for his school.  He made a great catch, helping the team win, and everyone is congratulating him on it, even his dad. His brother Cody believes Ben has a chance of getting a scholarship in football.  Ben is proud of himself, but doesn’t think his day can get any better when his date to the homecoming dance is Dallas Suzuki.  That night Ben, and Dallas have deep conversation that brings them closer together.  There are many things that Ben is trying to control and change in his life due to remembering everyday he has a year to live.  Ben had been worrying about bothering his Government teacher, and getting what he wanted.  Also to find why he wasn’t pushed by Hey-Soos to get treatment.  Lastly Ben is thinking about his education, and football.  He wonders if football is just a game or more than that.  He has also found that he is not the only one with secrets, and problems.  I can’t wait to find out what happens next!