"Dirty Mouth? Clean it up with Orbit Gum"

I think when an author uses obscene language, it is not randomly put in there, I think it is strategically placed to either set a mood, or show the strong motions of the characters. When obscene language is used, a lot of times it is through dialogue. When a character is very emotional whether it is upset or angry, they tend to use these words as a way to show the reader how emotional they really are. Honestly, I do not mind obscene language in books as long as its is not like every other word. There is a definite line between effective and not effective, and when an author continually uses such bad language, readers lose the purpose of the book because the language is so evident.

Independent Reading Blog #1

Three Cups Of Tea

Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

So far, this novel is very interesting and I really like that it is non-fiction. It begins with Greg, also the author of the book, making his way to Pakistan. He is on a mission to educate the children of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and he explains how he would do anything, including, dying for them. He makes a promise to a group of students that he would help them build a school, but this proves to be an almost impossible undertaking because after he makes this promise, the Taliban invades.

I am actually really excited to keep reading. In my eyes, Greg and David are heroes for trying to do what no one else would ever do. As Americans, I feel like we are self-centered and never reach out to other countries. I believe that Mortenson broke that selfishness and is willing to do anything to save the children suffereing in the Middle East.

I think I am going to really like this book because I think every person has the right to a good eduacation despite their heritage or ethnicity. I now look up to Mortenson and I dream that more people follow him and his promise.

Kite Fighting

I think that the Afghan people find hope and freedom in kite fighting. In the last video, the last part explains how kite running allows the people forget reality and truly feel free. I think with the harshness of the government in Afghanistan, kite fighting gives the people some pleasure and the feeling that some of that suppression is being broken. Kite Fighting is a way of life for the people in Afghanistan and many people even make a living out of it like Mohammad and his father. I think The author of the kite runner chose to make kite running and fighting the main focus of the book because it is how they express themselves and moreover, the aspect of their lives that are actually worth living for. In the United States, we have traditions like holidays and things of that nature, but nothing really as influential as kite fighting is to the people of Afghanistan.

Walk the Line

I think authors include powerful, shocking, and/ or disturbing events in their texts to set the mood of the story. I think these events trigger the reader's emotions and they really feel emotionally attached to the characters. I think they are necessary to add because it makes the reader a part of the action and plot. I also thinks it takes the story to a whole new level once you become attached to the characters. I think society has a large impact on the events that occur. Amir and Hassan are raised very differently, yet they are all the generation of the coup and the republic. Societal acceptance towards characters is really what makes these situations occur.

Free Write

The War rages on as I continue to defend my country. I exhaust myself and would do anything to save the people I love, but there are three people I especially love and they are my family. I have a wife and and two kids waiting for me back at home. I cannot remember when I talked to them last, maybe five months ago, but since that phone call, my three year old daughters voice has been a non stop record in my head. She said "Daddy, i fell and got a boo boo on my knee, but I know you must have a lot of boo boos and i wish i could kiss them and make you all better. I love you." Since that day, I can not stop thinking about my family, and today I thought I never would be able to see them again. Three of the guys in my division were sent to the place we called the rocky hill. We began to be attacked, and the two other guys told me to run ahead for my kids. That was the last time I saw or heard them because after I had rounded the mountain, I heard an excruciating explosion and a avalanche of rocks tumbled down the hill. They gave their lives for me and my family and I will never ever be able to thank them for their love and their gift of my life.

To Atone or Not To Atone...

I think atonement for sins is possible depending on the situation and more so, how you deal with the specific situation. Everyone inevitably makes mistakes and it helps shape your character. Besides the mistake itself, how you deal with the aftermath of the mistake is what really shapes a person. One of my most regrettable mistakes was when my best friend moved away and I refused to say goodbye because she had not told me they were moving until earlier that week. She lived next door to me, and I watched the movers pack the truck and then my parents lectured me on how much I was going to regret my decision and how disappointed they were in me. I think I was so upset that I used anger and avoidance to basically ignore the problem. Later that week, my best friend's mom called and said how much she missed me and how upset she had been since moving day. To make peace, we talked on the phone and decided to meet. We drove and hour away to meet her and we were able to explain to each other how upset we were. We forgave each others mistakes and we are still best friends today.

Decisions...Decisions

My decisions really depend on whether or not I am making a long or short term choice. Short term decisions like clothing, food, ect I really do not think about because it is like a second nature to me. I sometimes think about them but most of them are sub-conscience. Long term goals like friends and college are very critical to my life and moreover my future so I take many factors into consideration. I think about the consequences of my decision, how it will benefit me, and how it will impact my life and others around me. For example, what college we are attending next year is the most important decision i have had to make by far and i considered environment, people,education, after school job rate, ect. Hopefully I have made the right decision for me and my future.