Critical Question #1 Blog post #2 For topic

"I was fourteen when when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." Lovely Bones is a perfect example for fairness. There are so many complexities to this story everyone's perspective is different. Buckley the youngest sibling only four. Lindsey is thirteen and perfect. Abigail mother of the Salmon's struggle keeping herself intact. All of the Salmon's have to learn to live without Susie. For that  I feel sorry for the characters. And say it is unfair. But the way some of the character deal with their situations  is unfair to each other.

 Buckley has to deal with not knowing Susie has died for some time. Even after having a close bond with her. Buckley believes in Susie's ability to appear in her ghostly form. Although he comes to resent he's parent's impotence to over come what's happened to Susie. But who's to acuse him of anything. When the parent's should try to be the back bone for their children at moment's like this. Keep them standing even they can't. For Buckley it's not fair considering his mom's left and his dad's practically mad, of his obsession to finding justice for his daughter.

Lindsey is what everyone views as flawless. She has trouble facing her actual emotions. When she's infront of everyone she's serious but in her room she's shedding tears. For both Salmon children. I feel it's terrible. " Of everyone in the family, it was Lindsey who had to deal with what Holly called the walking dead system when other people see you and not the other person."- Susie) When Susie says that you see how screwed Lindsey actually is by Susie.

Abigail ends up leaving her family and being torn up inside. Lacking actual emotions. The love for her daughter is very evident. Seeing how she ends up. Susie from heaven becomes understanding to her mother's scenario. But I guess it must be different having your mom leave the house after your dead rather then being alive. Grieving and very much in need.

In all of the character's perspectives these were the ones that really stuck her fathers was intense but it was obvious was cruel and truly unfair. I believe for Lindsey, Buckley, Abigail you can see they are torn. But you don't know if they if what they are dealing with is exactly fair or unfair. Due to their actions later or before. Of course any death of anyone would be considered unfair.

Critical Question #2

   “In newspaper photos of missing girls from the seventies, most looked like me: white girls with mousy brown hair. This was because before kids all races and genders started appearing on milk carton or on the daily mail. It was back when people believed things like that didn’t happen”- Susie Salmon. I read the lovely bones by Alice Sebold.  This story makes me think of justice very poorly. Not  justice but our society. Justice for  Susie is never granted.

   There are sick people in our society. Susie’s murder, Mr.Harvey was both a serial killer and a sexual predator. Mr.Harvey lured so many girls. “His body brushed past the  sturdy  green leaves, leaving traces of me behind him, smells the Gilbert’s dog would pick up and follow to find my elbow, smells the sleet and rain of the next three days would wash away before police dogs could even be thought of.”-Chapter four. How Mr. Harvey actually planned everything perfectly is amazing.  Because of  Mr.harvey’s experience there was barely any evidence but he knew when to run. 

   The little justice Susie was able to get was vey hard to achieve. Lindsey had to sneak into Mr.Harvey's home. She was able to find a book that incriminated all of Mr.Harvey's crimes. He was never captured. People get away sometimes. But what I found special was that Susie didn't leave when he was incriminated but when she was able to save a life and have her final goodbyes to everyone. They say most find peace when their problems are solved. Susie was able to really have a terrible happy ending.
   Mr.Harvey didn't go to jail but Susie from heaven. Got somewhat justice. Mr. Harvey was finding another victim when she saw from heaven an icicle. That's when she made it fall off he didn't only have it fall on top his head but he fill off the cliff. That was the end of Mr.Harvey. I feel there wasn't enough justice. If this topic had occurred in New York it would have been a similar process. But capturing the sexual predator would have been easier.

SOCIAL AWARENESS

As your walking along the streets of New York, particularly Park Slope. You’ve come to notice the diversity of people along with their different situations. You proceed along the streets viewing the different economical crisis’s and class’s. All depending in which street or avenue they live in, in which you’ve already been at the majority. Viewing both poverty and riches.

I was able to see that different parts of park slope, had very different environment’s. Im referring to different people and maintenance to the areas. For example if I were to walk on fifth street in comparison to fifteenth street both of fifth avenue. It would be a completely different  environment. There would be more caucasians on fifth street then 15 street. There would definitely be an increase of hispanic people as the streets go on. While I was being observant here were things that I rarely spotted stuff such as homeless, graffiti, and such.

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Middle School

Up

confident youngsters

all colors

all different

hatred 

drama 

LIFE

Teachers veer off

of every student 

while everyones banters 

yet we have the arrogance 

to name Middle School 

HOME

From my observations at school I realized this what happens at school. There’s always that one person that pushes another students buttons. The quiet one. The loud obnoxious students. Theres always a diversity of feelings and emotions. But we come back to the problems. DRAMA. That moment that everyone realizes the issues. Meanwhile the teacher tries to be the glue. 

I tried to stress with what I've seen all my years. Along with the notes I took of observations. I was able to see the impact of what popularity means to every student. All the click really helped make a more general observation that revolved for all the different clicks.

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“The people I work with fled civil war in their countries. I tell them, if you can survive that, you can fight for your rights as a tenant.”- Esther Portillio 2003

Interview

1)Why do you like being an activist?

Because helping other people that you know are completely helpless with their problem’s is the best feeling. Since the undocumented people get taken for granted and completely manipulated.

2) What have been some major cases you’ve experienced or are experiencing?

Well right now there’s this case of an undocumented father and a documented mother. It’s been my biggest case yet. Anyway he was caught driving and since he was illegal they immediately deported him not allowing him to appeal at any level. Since they’re really poor a immigration lawyer was out. After they investigated him they found his wife was using all sorts of anti depressants. Which is leading their children to foster care. Now after appealing he managed to get a two month visa. Now their all fighting for this case. And their solution is to go to mexico. Although the argument is that mexico’s environment isn’t.

3) What are some rights people commonly don’t know of?

 They don’t know to apply for citizenship.

4) How many years have you been an activist?

I’ve been an activist since 2003.

5) What something you find yourself telling these people that come to you?

I find myself  telling people that they need to stay strong and solid because the immigration people will not stop until they’ve gotten what they want.

6) What made you want to becoming an activist?

People’s situations really impacted me.

7) What do you particularly help people with?

I love helping families. But I mainly focus on immigration and labor.

8) Do you have projects/cases here in New York?

Cases in New york are really rare. Places I find to have a lot more cases are in small towns.

Esther Portillio is a perfect representation of how to live life. She’s an activist and helps inform people of there right’s. Esther’s a community organizer, and has plenty of experience organizing people to protest and stand up for their rights or causes. She mainly works with immigration and labor. She’s also has spent lots of time helping families. Either reuniting families or assisting them legally. A lot of people can have the opportunity to change the world. But they don’t want to risk their’s for other people. 

Im really glad to know Esther. And be proud to say of how she helps immigrants in need. Many people will not for their own reasons. That is what I feel makes her special because when she’s working on a case she pushes everything aside. To see the stress she has to help these cases is immense.

Reading Response

Imagine losing someone thats become part of your life. A lot of people don't realize how much they're cared for until they can't because they're gone. Susie Salmon wasn't unpopular but definitely no one expected her death. I've been reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It's made me see all the lessons she's learned and faced in heaven. In this case Susie Salmon mainly with her family. But also Ray her boyfriend and Mr.Harvey her murder.

Ray Singh, Sussie's first love, crush and kiss. Once Susie makes it to heaven she has closure and realizes him her first love.Susie and him started becoming closer to one an other right before she passed. The day she did he slipped this note into her locker.
"If I had but an hour of love
That be all that's given me
An hour of love upon this earth
I would give my love to thee"

The fact that they'd fallen in love so fast and separated is terrible. Later on Sussie occupy's Ruth's body making love to Ray for the first time. This moment gave a freeing sensation to both characters in my opinion instead of them keeping this unhealthy bounded relationship.

Her family was also really impacted.  Grandma Lynn Flying in to stay with the Salmons Basically being there to keep the family intact. "Of course we're a family. Your mother's in crisis, your father's a wreck." She has a funny way of looking at a life being a hard drinker and flirt.She also recognizes Mr.Harvey as her killer the day of her funeral. She realizes Grandma Lynn is really strong to manage what's in front of her.  Jack gets provoked by his daughters rapist, baseball batted by Brian Nelson, cheated in and heart attaked in that chronological order. Jack, her father, becomes the frustrated hero of the story. He ends up finding his daughters murder with no proof. There's nothing really to that changes Susie's always looked at Jack as an authority figure. Same with her sister she's always known as een her as a fierce amzing oerson.In the story later on Lindsey, (Sister) discovers, an important piece of infomation proof she'd gotten after breaking in to Mr.Harvey's house. He nevers ask because he wouldn't contain the guilt but truthfully thanks her. That scene really shows their bond and if that they'll get closure along with a better relationship. After becoming overly protective of him. Unlike Abagail, the mom who left the house fed up of everyone finding a solution to Susie's death some other way. Though Susie never blames her she understands her and views her as an important woman. Her family really lets go either because of Susie or one another.

Mr. Harvey's a sexual predator, a rapist, serial killer. He's the 36 year old neighbor who rapes and murders Susie. "I could not have what I wanted most: Mr.Harvey dead and me living. Heaven wasn't perfect." Susie repetitively say's Mr. Harvey even after he's raped her. When she says Mr. it makes me think as if she still views him as an authority figure, someone to obey. "I knew he was going to kill me. I did not realize then that I was an animal already dying." She's obviously referring to her brutal death. Which impacts her afterlife tremendously. As well propose that her injuries are serious enough to kill her before Mr.Harvey's murdered her with the knife. When she dies she realizes she's not the only one who's gone through this. His life's impacted because of everyone's suspicion and his disposal of the body.Once she's in heaven she finds out about the numerous murders he's had. Also what triggered him to be so screwed up. Also learning not to want hate him as a person but for what he's done.

Susie's managed to trespass into all these people's lives.  She doesn't really realize the impact until she's seen what they face. Susie leaves behind stuff to help them deal with the news. And find closure as she did with her her photo that gave a better understanding for her dad over her mom. This isn't typically whats faced. But is a perfect example that anything can change instantly. Susie, herself had to face lessons in order to face closure. As well as face her families issues. 

Hurricane Sandy Reading Response

 Hurricane Sandy brought great devastation to New York. All schools were closed for a week due to the impacts. The subway system was flooded,  con ed couldn't give back power and still hasn't retrieved it to many households. The majority of people were forced to evacuate depending in which zone they lived. (Zone A, B or C) Some households were completely wiped of the map others blown up from the intensity of wind, electrical problems et cetera. There were a lot of dangers to take precaution for. Though many didn't put any attention. Concluding to 37 lives lost in New York and a total of 111 lives in all the effected areas. How will this effect the election? The article "Storm Brings obstacles one week before vote." answers this.

 Voting is already hard enough when it comes to electing a new president. The voting ballots that once weren't operated by electricity. Hurricane Sandy brought many difficulties.  This effected NYC's voting process. Electricity is big problem but traffic and gas is well transport. Now that gas has become more expensive. Even though officials made sure voting was ensured.New York did have damaged areas. Obama has again won presidency there were also possible solutions if the disaster had hit New York worse. According to the article its possible to change the electoral dat. Legally simple but historically monstrous. Congress has the power to do so. This article was very well written and informative. I was able to get this information easily.

This article was able to give a lot of information.  Also really specify damages they were capable of not boring the reader with the news. I was able to gather all from the article by reading clearly. In conclusion there was lots of in formation disponible in this article I learned how to through stuff into an article at correct points.

Shiloh Reading Response Revision

Joby’s main conflict is dealing with his family and as well with the war. Throughout the story Joby starts worrying about his family, his life, the war. He lays  down by a cherry blossom tree. Later on he discusses his difficulties with the general. The civil war creates many problem for Joby it makes him fear death, feel alone, and question his role.

His own life is what he thinks about first. And throughout the story it’s displayed because of every worry he has. Everyone seems to be going away from his life slowly. “Me thought the boy I got only a drum and two sticks to beat it and no shield.” It shows how he feels defenseless because everyone around him is fighting meanwhile he has to “be the heart of the army” hoping nothing happens to him. If he truly is a very important contribution to the war why he is offered no protection. Then again who’d have enough soldiers. And even if they did wouldn’t they become a bigger target. His own life is everything. So many lives are relying on him at that point.

To be split up from family, is brutal to a child. During the story he lays down and imagines his family disappearing of into the distance. “The boy felt his family move yet further off in the dark, as if one of those great praire-burning trains had chanted them away, never to return-leaving him alone with his his two drum.” His family basically leaves his side unwillingly. Not as if he could leave with them either way. Although they still are leaving him to suffer the consequences. Whatever life has for him.  To either die in the war or live to tell the tale as the general would describe it. It’s tough for him to face that theres no one by his side, which is someone around my age would need. This somehow manages to be one of his minor problems. Even though family is important.

The war is the biggest thing on Joby’s mind. Throughout the story he has to face being drummer boy. He’s by the blossom tree thinking about the war. And then discusses with the general about the war. “You boy,’ said the general quietly. “You are the heart of the army think about that.” Joby’s realization comes into how important his role is. That other people need him. It’s really hard for a child his age. The fact that he has to act like a man at such a young age. Having to grow up because of his family. Becoming a man when he hasn’t even started puberty. Mentally he has to prepare himself for whatever happens due to the war. He has to learn about the power of being drummer boy.

His role as drummer boy is really crucial. He has so many worries. He’s been split up from family. Then the war is on top of him and everyone included in it. Also the fact that his life is at stake. His participation to the war is crucial because it’s not just his family relying on him its one whole group defending what they think is right . Which is most likely about 1000 people looking for a “heartbeat.” Now at my age I couldn’t imagine lives depending on me, because I am still depending on my parents something he should be doing. That’s why I think Joby is strong because he’s faced all his worries and realized his importance in the world.

Reading Response #5

I’ve always looked up to my parents for whatever problems I have, as skinners look up to Jude. Jude is significant to the other skinners lives. When all skinners have nothing, they’re welcome to stay with Jude. Riley, Ani, and Quinn are all friends with him. Lia and him have a somewhat mate relationship. Mean while Jude, Riley, and Ani have been best friends practically forever. Way back before they were turned into skinners. Jude’s a hero to everyone he has everyones respect. Lia was taken hostage over Riley and Jude’s problems; when she went to the corp town and never doubted either of them. Jude is as a fatherly figure to skinners. 
Jude and Lia are known as mates. When Lia is taken hostage she doesn’t question Jude entirely. She knows what Jude thinks of her, and once Ben speaks to Lia her thoughts don’t change. “ I saw where he was going. I’d already gotten there myself.  Jude was the one who’d seen the BioMax, it followed he was the one who most likely to have set me up. But he wasn’t the only on who knew about the corp-town trip. Call me Ben wanted me to believe Jude had set me up- and so, for the first time, I started to think maybe he hadn’t.” The reason Jude and Lia have a weird relationship is because I feel they’re similar characters. Which is why their relationship is so tense. It’s so hard for one another to understand their point of views when it’s exactly what they would do. Except they’re in different perspectives. Coming form to completely different lives. 
Jude, Riley, and Ani have great respect for one another. When Jude and Ani had disabilities, and they were all black and segregated living in corp-towns. “ In the picture, three teenagers grinned at the camera. Two sat side by side in wheelchairs, cheeks their sunken, their bodies withering away. The girl had no legs. The had all his limbs, But they were twited and gnarled. Useless.” That was them before becoming skinners. A trio of best friends. Jude as as a skinner fatherly figure but before that nothing close to mobile. Jude, Riley, and Ani all who care about one another.
Jude a machine made by BioMax. After being rescued from the corp-town. Lia was being driven by Ben.  All his interest were based on Jude. “Lia as far as im concerned, if Jude were who he claimed to be, he’d a hero. Our BioMax clients need someone like him, to ease the transition into life postdownload” Everyone thinks of him as a bigger person. Even Ben a creator/ employee of BioMax. Jude is a hero, after all he’s been through. He’s conquered everything. And is now helping new coming skinners. Making their lives feel real. Not robotic like, human almost. The sensation of pain what they desire to just to feel a piece of humanity inside. A life not controlled or changed by BioMax. Ben’s even managed to view Jude as a superior person even after rebelling BioMax.
If my life were taken away and I got another opportunity, I’m not sure Id take it. Even if it  is a second chance for the living. Not to be able to feel anything. Jude’s changed all of that he’s found a wa to out smart the system. To feel something. Helping Lia “his second half.” Not losing all his respect from Riley, Ani. But gaining much more. Loyalty, friendship,anything a person would need he offers it as well. But has a certain way of getting past people. Jude is a hero.

Shiloh Reading Response

As a three/four year old I started to see kids from my pre-k class throw tantrums once their parents were gone. Not that Joby’s that age. Although Joby’s main conflict is dealing with his family and as well with the war. Throughout the story Joby starts worrying about his family, his life, the war. He lays  down by a cherry blossom tree. Later on he discusses his difficulties with the general. “here’s a soldier crying before the fight. Good. Get it over with. Won’t be time once it starts.” Joby’s life seems  so complicated, and you see all the complex conflicts he has to go through. Such as letting his family go so he can participate in the war, technically saving his family. He has to let everything go and face the war. Since theres not much time anymore the battles right in front of him, his family’s gone, and his life will be at stake. Those are the greatest problems he has to deal with, not knowing what to do about his worries.

To be split up from family, is brutal to a child. During the story he lays down and imagines his family disappearing of into the distance. “But nonetheless firm and fiery devotion.” His family basically goes, leaving him alone. Not as if he could leave with them either way. Although they still are leaving him to suffer the consequences. Whatever life has for him.  To either die in the war or live to tell the tale as the general would describe it. It’s tough for him to face that theres no one by his side, which is someone around my age would need. This somehow manages to be one of his minor problems. Even though family is important.

The war is the biggest thing on Joby’s mind. Throughout the story he has to face being drummer boy. He’s by the blossom tree thinking about the war. And then discusses with the general about the war. “You boy,’ said the general quietly. “You are the heart of the army think about that.” Joby’s realization comes into how important his role is. That other people need him. It’s really hard for a child his age. The fact that he has to act like a man at such a young age. Having to grow up because of his family. Becoming a man when he hasn’t even started puberty. Mentally he has to prepare himself for whatever happens due to the war. He has to learn about the power of being drummer boy.

His own life is what he thinks about first. And throughout the story it’s displayed because of every worry he has. Everyone seems to be going away from his life slowly. “Me thought the boy I got only a drum and two sticks to beat it and no shield.” It shows how he feels defenseless because everyone around him is fighting meanwhile he has to “be the heart of the army” hoping nothing happens to him. If he truly is a very important contribution to the war why he is offered no protection. Then again who’d have enough soldiers. And even if they did wouldn’t they become a bigger target. His own life is everything. So many life’s are relying on him at that point.

His role as drummer boy is really crucial. He has so many worries. He’s been split up from family. Then the war is on top of him and everyone included in it. Also the fact that his life is at stake. His participation to the war is crucial because it’s not just his family relying on him its one whole group defending what they think is right . Which is most likely about 1000 people looking for a “heartbeat.” Now at my age I couldn’t imagine lives depending on me, because I am still depending on my parents something he should be doing.That’s why I think Joby is strong because he’s faced all his worries and he still is going to face whatever there is to come.

Blog Post #3 Theme

 The book "Shattered" by Robert Wasserman book 2 of the trilogy. Shows how Lia is trying to adapt. It's a book that shows how to get back on your feet when everything's completely changed. In the story Lia has finally given into Jude's skinner group, accepting what's happened to her. But Auden's come back into her life against her. Being a skinner has really impacted her life. The author makes the title relate to what's happening to Lia.

 While I was reading "Shattered" I was able to see how actually "shattered" Lia is throughout the book. She also tries to pick up the pieces of her life she's lost. And tried to recover them without still feeling the same sensations as she did with her old perfect life. But it's almost impossible. "Just as I believe the skinners don't want to damage society. They honestly believe they're harmless. But I learned that motives don't matter."-Auden. There's a point in life when everyone lose's their edge and they have to regain it.  Lia is a perfect example to recovering from all the pain caused from being a skinner.

 Lia's life is basically based on the title. Throughout  the book she's to find where she belongs obviously not with her family they're the reason this mess happened absolutely everything. But if the incident hadn't happened she wouldn't have seen all the different sides from her loved ones. Now she's finally getting her life straight. "They tell us we've stolen the lives of the dead- that were nothing but a mechanical copy of the people we used to be. And you know what they're right!"- Lia
She's gone through so much to truly find herself.

 Lias transformation was truly major. They're so many people out in the world in a similar situations. And how she can manage, just a little to stay back on top.  It's made her a stronger person. Similar to all runaways from abuse or some sort. 

I choose to read Sydney and Sophias blog. I loved the way Sophia summarized the book "Where she went" by Gale forman. She doesn't go into great detail that it bores you. But explains what's necessary from the most  important scenes. I also enjoyed how she summarizes clearly then jumps into the conclusion. Onto what she was able to comprehend. What was most important and make an idea. To top everything off stating her opinion.

Sydney also made a fantastic reading response. Based on "A long walk on water" by Linda Sue Parkit. I also loved the structure Sydney gave to her reading response. She list's the two different perspectives of her story Nya's and Salva's. I love how she puts both opinion and comments/ thoughts. Showing you how much she enjoyed the reading.

The difference between both response were different structures but they were both able to bring across the same ideas. Opinion and summary they were both showing their comprehension in little words. Which is a good skill they used in their responses.

The book I chose to read over the summer is called Frozen by Robbin Wasserman. Lia Kahn(main character) has what would be considered a perfect life. She’s absolutely gorgeous, wealthy, athletic, and well known. Until she makes the mistake of covering her sisters work shift. On the way there Lia dies in a car accident but it still alive. “Skinners. Computers-machines-that hijacked human identities, clothing themselves in human skins. Except the flesh was just artificial layer of whats left beneath. A skinner was nothing more then a computer that wore a human mask, hiding wiring and circuitry underneath a costume of synthetic flesh. A mechanical brain, duped into thinking it was real.” -page 31 Which alienates her from the rest, her boyfriend, family, and friends. All scared and filled with hatred for her kind. Discovering her sister has taken everything from her. Meanwhile Lia was learning how to walk and talk again. What in the end has saved her life has also destroyed it (becoming a skinner). Which will allow her to never age etc.

Lia has steps to grieving. “Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance.” These are the steps Lia ends up taking. But she mentions them really early in the book which is really good. On one hand it’s terrible she know the chronological order. Because it’s almost as she can force the feelings or excuse them unnecessarily. But on the other she knows what to expect. She’s not going to be in shock and most definitely not shut down. It makes it so much easier to tell her everything. Although it’s almost as if she has all stages, pressed under her finger. Which I think is different for everyone. Either way  Lia ends up making a discovery seeing the stages are similar to some. Or completely different to others. Just because she basically has to go back to her process making it longer due to her case.

Believers are the last people to believe in god. Even after all that’s happened to the world. “As far as most people were willing to admit, God was dead. The faith party was for all those leftover believers who-even after the nukes and the long winters and the water wars of the western drought and the quake that ate ate California and the wave that drowned DC- refused to give up the ghost.”-page 64 When Lia arrives home all believers are waiting for her. Which on one hand is terrible, just because she’s come back from the dead. They believe she’s suppose to go to heaven. Rise with God.  When on the other hand even though Lia doesn’t want a life in that form she’s living in. She still has a second chance to live again.

Throughout the book Zoie  (sister) and Lia have a complicated relationship before and after the accident. "You think I like it?" She asked, furious. "Wasting my time with this losers she called her friend? Joining the track team, being dads perfect? You think I like screwing my sisters boyfriend." It's great Zoie final has an outpour on all her feelings towards Lia. The so called machine how she didn't want "it" to take her sisters life. But the gut she has to say this things. It was also here fault Lia had the accident in the first place.

I compared Lia’s life to everyone else’s life in other words to the world. It made me think that people really do change both mentally and physically. Which is what Lia really goes through, throughout the book. And it’s not only her that goes through changes also the people around her. Even though in the end the the characters make a big turn around. Anyway what also really inspires me is the fact that Lia says “ Get by, Get through, Work, Win. I wasn’t a skinner. I wasn’t a mech head I was Lia Kahn. And it was about time I started acting like it.” Which truly is what I would call faith. The way the faithers see god, she sees a resolution. Also the way she set up the five stages of grief, she’s setting up stages in order to get out of her situation really proves. How after all her changes she’s willing to give one more step. Which is really what must happen in life. Once you fill like everything is unfamiliar or about to collapse you must step it up. In order to thrive.