Reading Response

I just started I Am Number by Pittacus Lore and I am obsessed. Lore starts off the novel with intensity and grabbed me with his first paragraph. I started this book and ended up reading to the sixth chapter in the first sitting! In the novel, there are eight children from the planet Lorien that have special powers. These eight children are now living on Earth, hiding from their enemies named the Morgadorians. According to a sacred Lorien charm, these eight children will be hunted down in order by the Morgadorians. The first three are dead and now the main character, number four, is next in line. Although, I said in the last two entries that I had wanted to read Mrs. Kennedy and Me, I changed my mind, and have become to adore this book. I have changed my question I want answered to: "How has the author made this book so addictive?"

I think I am doing really well with my personal literacy narrative. Mine is about how reading and sending letters at camp helped me overcome my separation anxiety from my parents in the fifth grade. I still feel like I still need to develop and edit my draft more. My description of me opening the first letter from my mom needed to be a lot more vivid. My opening paragraph also needs to grab the reader's attention, so that they will want to read the rest of my narrative.  I really like getting constructive criticism from other people. It makes me a better writer and helps me learn what I need to do better. Other than those minor edits, I feel like I am on the right path to a successful paper.

Reading Log for this week

8/26	Dollhouse	Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian	25 mins	142-157
8/28	Norton Narrative Reading	Richard Bullock, Maureen Daly Goggin, and Francine Weinberg	35 mins
8/30	Dollhouse	Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian	65 mins	158-208

Reading Response 2

Dollhouse by Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim Kardashian is a drama filled story. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first started reading this book. I usually don't read adult fiction novels, but I felt that I should finish it because I was so far along. I started this book before I thought about a question I wanted answered, but I know I want to pursue reading Mrs. Kennedy and Me which I find extremely fascinating. The Kennedy family went through so much. President Kennedy won the election and then was assassinated without any warning. Any family would have a hard time recovering from that much trauma and stress. I find Mrs. Kennedy to be a role-model because she always handled herself with such grace and eloquence. 

Anyways, going back to Dollhouse, The plot starts getting really dramatic because the main character Kamille is engaged to a professional athlete, Chase Goodall, and the wedding is getting closer and closer as the book goes on. Meanwhile, her sister, Kass, is pregnant with Chase's baby. She doesn't know if she should tell her beloved sister or not because she know it would really hurt her to know the truth. Kass is so close to telling Kamille her secret, but just can't muster up enough courage to spill. Chase has always had a history of cheating, but has supposively changed since spending so much time with Kamille. He has mysteriously become a "changed man." Pregnant Kass doesn't believe in any of these lies and is still dumbfounded on what to do about the situation she put herself. Her telling Kamille about the baby could ruin their friendship forever. But, if she doesn't tell her and Kamille finds out from someone else the truth could be twisted and make things even worse. Kass made a huge mistake and I think she should tell her sister before someone else beats her to it. I feel that it would just be the right thing to do. 

Ashton Kutcher Speech at the Teen's Choice Awards

         Ashton Kutcher made a motivational speech at the Teen Choice Awards this year. He talked a lot about what it means to be successful in life. He said there was three steps: hard work; being smart, thoughtful, and generous; and making your life for yourself. His speech was praised by a lot of well-known and respected people. It even reached over 3.2 million views on youtube. It was an inspiring speech towards young people, about hard work and opportunity. 

         What he means by making your own life is that anyone with a drive to start new without anyone telling them how to live is possible. Anything is possible. Anyone can create their own path.  Being smart, thoughtful, and generous are the most desired qualities when hiring or just being a good person in general. These characteristics can get you a long way in life. He said in his speech that Hard work isn't something that can just be given to a person. People who go the extra mile to do something usually end up getting whatever their heart desires because the effort never goes unseen. I really enjoyed this speech because I felt like it fueled my fire in some way. I feel like he was on my side and wants to me to succeed.  He has become one of my many role-models after seeing him with a powerful, positive message. 

Reading Log For: August 26

8/23	Dollhouse	Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian	55 mins	p. 99-142
8/20	Tutorial I came and asked Mrs. deGravelles questions and worked on my project	The Secret Life of Bees	25 mins
8/20	Martine and I worked on our prezi outside of class	The Secret Life of Bees	45 mins

What makes the Kennedy family so unique?

I chose Dollhouse by Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim Kardashian before I chose any type of question. This fictional story has similar attributes to the three sisters. For example, the three main characters in the story all have first names that start with a "K". However, I did find a book called Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin that I find very interesting. I have always been very intrigued by the Kennedy family and all of the tragedy that went along with them. What makes the Kennedy family so unique?

I first heard about this book in Washington, D.C. I was in a museum, and was captivated by the summary on the back of the book. It amazed me that this family had to deal with so much grief. I also find Mrs. Kennedy a role model. She had so much grace and poise. She was captivating. It is fascinating that her personal body guard experienced all of the hardships as though they were his own family. They developed such an amazing partnership and even friendship. This book seems like it might have the answer to my question.

Cupcake Disaster

Last Friday, Episcopal's football team was playing in a scrimmage against Tara. As a cheerleader, I am required to be at all football events. After the game, there was going to be a celebratory dinner that the cheerleader's were invited to go to. The Junior Varsity squad was required to bring deserts. At the last minute, I realized that I had not made or bought anything yet. So, I rushed into my pantry desperate at this point for anything that would taste good. Finally, I found cupcake mix. I started gathering all of the ingredients, and started to follow the recipe. Everything went well, and I put the cupcakes in the oven. After the cupcakes were done, I spread the icing on the cupcakes and tried a bite of my master piece for myself. I took my first bite, and immediately spit it out. The icing was old and had been expired for two years. I was so upset! I had worked so hard and this is what I get?!

My mom found me in the kitchen and instantly knew something was wrong. I explained to her what happened, and surprisingly she was proud of me; even though the cupcakes did not work out. We decided that we need to go to the store and let the professionals handle this task. We drove to Whole Foods and picked out a delicious Oreo Cake. The woman that worked in the bakery section wrote "Go Knights!" on it with blue and yellow icing. It looked awesome!