"Will The War End?"

        A young girl named Bana Alabed currently lives in Syria on the eastern side of Aleppo with her family. She and her mother tweet to the world about the bombings in Aleppo. One tweet says, “My name is Bana, I’m 7 years old. I am talking to the world now live from East #Aleppo. This is my last moment to either live or die. - Bana.” A tweet from her mother says, “Dear world, there’s an intense bombing right now. Why are you silent? Why? Why? Why? Fear is killing me and my kids. - Fatemah #Aleppo.”
The people of Aleppo are in trouble.
        Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, is under attack. Aleppo has been under attack for four years. Aleppo has a population of 2.3 million people and Aleppo was famous for its 13th Century Citadel and its 12th Century Great Mosque. Aleppo was once a tourist destination with its cultural history, is now a seething war zone. This Syrian city has changed drastically over the course of four years.
        This whole problem started as the Syrian people protested peacefully in the streets asking for more freedom, democracy, and free press. The government of Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, promised that they would look into the matter. He started to give his people more access to the internet and a bit of free speech.
       The Syrian people weren't convinced and demanded more democracy, transparency, and freely elected government officials. The protests continued everywhere in Syria and the country was on the verge of collapsing. At this moment, the Syrian president ordered his army to shoot at the protesters to end the civilian unrest. Protesters then organized themselves as rebel groups and opposition leaders. They began to arm themselves so that they can defend their cause. Violence started to spread in Syria which then divided Aleppo into two sections. The western side of Aleppo is owned by the Syrian government, while the eastern side of Aleppo is owned by the rebel forces. Russia supports the Syrian government, but the U.S. supports the rebel forces.
Many Syrians homes have been destroyed during this ongoing war. This caused many families to leave Syria to find a safer place to stay. Many hospitals in Aleppo have been bombed killing many, many people.
        “Over the last six days, about 350 people have been killed, over 1,110 injured.” said Aref al-Aref, an eyewitness who describes the outcome of a hospital attack in Aleppo. “The catastrophe is huge. I saw a whole family die, except for two children. I saw a mother crying after the death of all her family. I saw another mother searching for her family under the rubble. People needed surgeries but there are no rooms to operate in. Only one hospital is functional now.”
        Next, Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, is interviewed at MSNBC and is asked how would he handle Aleppo as president. He responds with, “...that has to be the solution is joining hands with Russia to bring the civil war to an end.” Would you agree or disagree and what would you do?
        More than 4 million Syrian citizens have fled Syria to go to many other countries like Germany, the U.S., the U.K., etc to find another place to stay. More than 400,000 people were injured and more than 200,000 were killed, including children. At this point, ending the conflict between the government and the rebel forces would be the best option whether the Syrian government wins or the rebels forces wins.

Nonfiction Book

      The book I'm currently reading is Maya Angelou Greeting In The Morning by Sarah E. King. This is a biography about Maya Angelou. Marguerite Johnson, also know as, Maya Angelou, is one of America's most famous writers/poets. Growing up, Maya has been through tough experiences in her life, like racism, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming a writer. As a child, Maya was a very bright girl who loved many different writers. She's moved several different times to her mother and her grandmother. Maya grew up with her brother Bailey. They have a very strong relationship and they look out for one another. Maya loved writing and was a smart student in school.

      One passage that I found in the book that was interesting and stuck out to me was that, Maya, who had always been a good student, was given a scholarship to attend the California Labor School when she was 14 years old. She also took evening classes in drama and dance. This passage stuck out to me because when I read it, I felt really happy for her as if she was one of my friends. This also really stuck out to me because I'm also 14 and I haven't even accomplished something that big. I hope that I do. I also have always wanted to receive a scholarship, but that's a one in a million chance. All in all, Maya is a hardworking student and she really deserves that scholarship.

      Some things that I have learned that I will remember in the near future is how much of a great person Maya Angelou is and how creative her work is. I never really knew much about Maya Angelou till I read this book. I always thought she was just a great writer and she's known for her poems. Maya has a very interesting backstory that made me really interested in this book. She writes about self peace and love which I think is really interesting. I hope to read some of her pieces in the future. I also learned that she met Martin Luther King Jr. which I thought was really amazing. She's made it very far in life despite her past. Maya has also created a book called I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. I hope to read this book in the future and learn more about herself and more about her past.

I commented on Andrew's blog. 

I commented on Kiana's blog.
I commented on Lesly's blog. 

Who Am I Thankful For?

          There are so many people in my life that I'm thankful for and have changed my life for the better. The first person I am going to talk about is my best friend, Jaqlyn. I'm sure you know who she is, if not, she's a really funny person, she's quite tall (well to me she is), and she's very jumpy. I'm thankful for her because she has been there for me since 2007. She's everything that you could ask for in a best friend. She makes me laugh and she makes everything better. I must admit though, she gets on my nerves. No one annoys me more than her, but I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. We have so many similarities, but then again we have our differences. She's helped me through so much and I appreciate her so much. I can tell her anything without her judging me. I don't know what I would do without her. She's really made an impact on my life and I love her. Therefore, I'm thankful for my best friend, Jaqlyn.

          I'm also thankful for my parents. If it weren't for them I would be here, literally. My parents are the greatest. They're always supportive of me and they take good care of me. Yes, they do get annoying from time to time, but I'm very grateful for them. My parents give me some great advice which can really help me in the future. My parents have introduced me to amazing music and I'm very grateful for that, as well. My parents pay for basically everything that I need and even things that I don't need, so I'm very grateful for that. My parents have made many sacrifices for my sister and I. My parents care about my education as much as I do. They push me to do well in school so I can have a good future and get out of their hair. My parents really care about me and I care about them too. I'm very grateful that I have the amazing parents that I do.

          Lastly, I'm thankful for my older sister. She's a very weird person but I love her. I can tell her pretty much everything without her "snitching" on me. My sister also gives me some helpful life lessons and advice about things she's experienced. She helps me through a lot. My sister and I, have many differences, but we still love each other. She keeps her room dirty, while I keep my room organized. We have many memories together. Funny memories and some bad memories. We hardly argue anymore which is a positive. She's a good person, just don't get on her bad side. All in all, I love my sister no matter what and I'm grateful that I have an older sister to learn from.

I commented on Tammi's blog. 

What I Learned

     Today during our ELA gallery walk, I learned many things about the world around us. I learned that Donald Trump and Barack Obama had a scheduled meeting at the White House. The meeting was about 90 minutes long. Trump and Obama have had many issues with each other in the past. They've criticized each other several times. During the meeting, Obama and Trump agreed to put the past behind them and talk about future plans. Trump doesn't know what topic to start on. He can't decide if he should start on immigration or healthcare. If Trump sticks to his plan, he'll do more than what Obama has done during his presidency.
     Another thing I learned about was bonneted bats. They are very unusual, far from normal bats. Bonneted bats are located in Miami Florida and are endangered. These bats are called bonneted bats because their wings wrap around their arms. Also, these bats fly higher than usual bats, so they get caught in wind turbines.

Election 2016

What are your thoughts on this election in general?
      I think that some people are overreacting. Many people who are born in the U.S. keep saying that they're going to get deported. That really bothers me and it's starting to get on my nerves. I'm not trying to sound ignorant, but that's not even a joke. Saying that you're going to get deported even though you're born in the U.S. is not even logical. Just think of the many people who may get deported just because of Donald Trump won the election and what his plans are. Also, many students my age and older, hate on Donald Trump just because other people do. I highly doubt that they actually know what Trump's plans are for our country and his political ideas. Although, I sometimes agree with what many people say about him because Trump is a big mouth and he just makes blurts out some things that offend people. He probably doesn't think twice about what he says.

What are your thoughts on the election results?
      I think that it's whatever. It didn't really matter to me who won. But I also read an article about what Hillary's plan was on college and tuition. This article really persuaded me to want Hillary to win. This article persuaded me because I really care about my future and I really want to go to college, but I worry that I won't have enough for college. Hillary's plans seemed promising and they were well thought out. Although, all politicians say they're going to do this and that, but nothing ever happens.

Some of you will be voting in the NEXT election! Are you excited? Why or why not?
      I'm kind of excited and kind of not. I'm excited that I can finally vote and see what it feels like. I finally can make my own decision. I'm not as excited because what if the people that are running for president aren't the best options? For example, this year I was thinking, "What if I was old enough to vote? Would I?" I was highly debating on whether or not I should vote. I know I should vote, but Trump and Clinton are an embarrassment and just to think that they're going to run our country one day. Also, being able to vote puts a lot of pressure on you. Many people try changing your opinion and some people will push you to vote for who they want, not what you want. I hope that when I'm able to vote, I'll let no one change my opinion and I get to vote for who I want.

"My Father I Miss So Dearly"

He's gone away

To "a better place" they say

My father, I miss so dearly

Thanks to him, we all live freely

You fought with courage

You stood up tall

And you never let us fall

We thank you now

And take a bow

To my father, I miss so dearly

"It's Been 71 Years"

          The game ended. It was 5-0. There were rambunctious fireworks and a bunch of screaming that can be heard throughout the neighborhood and streets of Chicago. The fireworks lit up the sky followed by the loud roaring of adults who were celebrating. Many families hugged each other and celebrated together in their homes. Emotions fled through many Cubs fans like a steady river stream flowing into the ocean. W flags everywhere. On cars and hung on houses. People, even running on the streets holding these flags in the air. It was a marvelous day for Cubs fans.

          On this day, October 22nd, 2016, the Cubs had won a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're advancing to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. Many people were celebrating the triumph of the Cubs winning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

          The next day, newspaper articles all over had front page news about the Cubs. On this day, October 22nd, 2016, Chicago has made history.

First Quarter Reflection

       In my 10 book challenge, I'm on my fifth book. So far I've read, A Child Called "It", Chopsticks, The Giver, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I'm currently reading Walk Two Moons. I've enjoyed all these books and some of them either really blew me away, opened my eyes and made me realize something, or shocked/surprised me. I learned something important from each of these books. In the future, I hope to read Eleanor and Park, The Lost Boy, and Gump and Co. I've heard Eleanor and Park is a great book by many people. The Lost Boy is one of David Pelzer's books who also the author of A Child Called "It". Also, Gump and Co. is a sequel to the novel Forrest Gump (also a great movie).
       Two strategies that I learned and that benefited me this quarter was, time management and studying skills. During this first quarter, I've studied "harder" for tests this year than I have last year. I've realized that in order to get far in life, you need to work hard. Last year versus this year, I noticed that I hung out with my friends very often, while this year I barely have time to hang out with them. I'm in much more clubs and extracurricular activities now than I was last year. Every week, I go to my club, then go straight home afterwards and try finishing my homework. I only have time for my friends maybe once every week, but that's about it. Being in many clubs
       My writing has slightly progressed during the first quarter. I've learned more about 1st person, 2nd person, and 3rd person this quarter, I also learned many new words that I could use in my vocabulary, and I learned how to annotate a book and pick specific details that could come in hand further into the book. Last year, I knew that there was 2nd person, but I never knew what it was. Now, I know what 2nd person is and when to use it. Our vocabulary words and tests really helps me improve my vocabulary and my memorization skills. Studying the words and definitions help me learn new words and know the definitions. Many words I didn't know like assuage and palpable till we learned them and took tests.

Film vs. Book

     In the move versus the book, The Giver, they have many differences. In the book, while Jonas is escaping, he doesn't come in contact with Asher at all. In the movie, while Jonas is escaping, Asher tries to stop Jonas, but Jonas doesn't let anyone get in the way of his plan. Ultimately, Jonas punches Asher, because Asher wouldn't stop convincing Jonas to stay. In the book, Jonas leaves his dwellings to flee, but in the movie he leaves the Annex after talking to the Giver. Also, in the book, no one tries to stop Jonas or finds out that he's missing. These two are different because movies are made to entertain. The fact that Asher tries to stop Jonas adds to the plot and makes it more intense to the audience. On page 163, it says, "...making his way past the darkened dwellings and the empty Central Plaza, toward the river. Beyond the Plaza he could see the House of the Old, with the Annex behind it..." This quote shows that Jonas has left the dwelling and made it near the Annex without anyone finding out or chasing him, like the movie.
      I think that Brenton was probably not the best option for Jonas in the movie. He did cover the nervousness part like Jonas is in the book, but that's about it. Not just Jonas though. Asher and Fiona also were portrayed differently from the book versus the movie. What's different is that Jonas looks much older and more mature than how Jonas actually seemed in the book. I expected Jonas to look much younger. The actor portraying Jonas doesn't need to be exactly 12 but he should've been around 13-16 years old. Brenton look 17-19. I would've chosen someone kind of scrawny and young. Someone who is curious, but still nervous. There aren't many young actors out there that I would specifically choose. All in all, Brenton did do a nice job portraying Jonas, even though some of his appearances and mannerisms didn't match up in the book.
      I think that the film impacted my understanding more than the book. I feel this way because the movie was more straight forward and clear rather than the book. For example, in the beginning of the movie, they say what they're community is about and all the rules. In the book, the idea of the community is told throughout the book until you finally understand what the community is about. The book mostly drags on and kind of confuses the reader. In the movie, mostly towards the end, we don't just get Jonas's perspective, we also get everyone else's and what thy see after Jonas crosses the "memory board line." In the book, they don't explain how the memories go back to the community or how effects them when they get it back. Even though the film was more impactful, I still like the novel way better than the book.

The Giver Theme

Jonas is a dynamic character throughout the book The Giver. In the beginning of the book, Jonas was an innocent, quite nervous, and somewhat selfish child. Towards the end of the book, Jonas is very attentive, selfless, and starts to become defiant. As “December” arrives, “...he wasn’t frightened, but he was… eager, he decided. He was eager for it to come. And he was excited, certainly. (5)” This quotes explains that Jonas is very worried about himself and his career in the future. He’s selfish, but not in a bad way. Everyone worries about themselves and it’s okay. But, towards the end of the book, “He wept because he was afraid now that he could not save Gabriel. He no longer cared about himself. (174)” Jonas no longer cares about himself and his health. He only cares about Gabriel and if he’s going to make it and be okay.  Also, on page 130, it says, “He had not taken the pills, now, for four weeks. The Stirrings had returned, and he felt a little guilty and embarrassed…” This quote shows that Jonas is going against their rules and lying about the Stirring pills. Overall, Jonas has changed dramatically throughout the book after experiencing memories and learning the truth about his community.

The theme of the book, The Giver, is that in order to experience love and feel love, you need to go through hardships and hard times. In The Giver as Jonas gets the memories, he starts to feel love and emotions. Before that, Jonas was just like everyone in the community, he had no feelings or emotions. When Jonas is escaping the community, he says, “But the moment passed and was followed by an urge, a need, a passionate yearning to share the warmth with the one person left for him to love. Aching from the effort, he forced the memory of warmth into the thin, shivering body in his arms. (177)” This quote shows that Jonas felt love for Fiona, although he left her to save the community. If Jonas was not given memories, he would have not had any emotions like love or sadness. Memories, emotions, and feelings affects the community because everyone is the same. They don't have emotions or feelings. Only Jonas and the Giver have feelings. In the book The Giver, Jonas wasn’t the only one that felt emotions. The Giver felt emotions as well. When Jonas and the Giver talked about Rosemary he says, “It broke my heart, Jonas, to transfer pain to her. But it was my job. It was what I had to do, the way I’ve had to do it to you. (141)” This quote shows that the Giver really loved Rosemary and it affected him to see her hurt. He had no choice because it’s his job to transfer memories.

The Giver Blog

Signpost One: Contrasts and Contradictions
   In the book The Giver, there were many contrasts and contradictions between our society and the Giver's society. One contrast and contradiction was the word 'animals'. On page five, it shows that Jonas's family doesn't know what the word "animals" means or what it is. They refer to animals as, "...often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy, someone who didn't fit in." In our society, animals is a word that everyone knows and isn't an uncommon word for us. We have animals all over our world and we see and hear them almost everyday. In the book, I think that the Giver's society doesn't have animals at all and has never seen or hear one. This makes me wonder why isn't there animals and if not, do they not eat meat?

Signpost Two: Again and Again
   Another signpost I found in The Giver was again and again. There were many again and again moments that were repeated over and over again which could be important in the book. One again and again signpost I found in the book was 'hair ribbons'. On page 40, Lily explains that, "I don't like hair ribbons. I'm glad I have to wear them one more year,' Lily said irritably." This makes me wonder why is it necessary for girl to wear these "hair ribbons?" What do these hair ribbons do and what do they represent? I think that these ribbons could represent their ages. Also, why do the girls only have hair ribbons?

Introduction

Hi! My name is Dena. I go to Heritage Middle School and I'm currently in the 8th grade. I enjoy playing volleyball and I'm currently in cross country. I have many great friends and I hope this year is a great year!

In the future, I want to travel the world. I've only been to a couple of states and one country. I hope to travel to the Philippines and many other states and countries. In the future I also want to become a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons make a lot of money and I want to learn more about the brain and the spinal cord. I am currently reading the book The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. I'm enjoying it so far.

Thank you for reading my blog! See you next time!