The Inquiry Contract; Contract Proposal

• Subject: How media effects the life style of children and teenagers of today.

     To me this has a major effect of how children now days act towards their parents/family, school teachers, friends, and even strangers out in public. This is an important topic to approach because of the fact that not many people are taking this into consideration.
     Having the new reality shows of Jersey Shore, Tosh.0, Bad Girls Club, America's Next Top Model, American Idol and so many more are getting to younger children that they can indulge in being able to as much as an adult could do. Like, America's Next Top Model and Jersey Shore and showing that girls need to change their appearance to be beautiful or just to have guys attention.
     Shows like, 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom,and Secret Life of the American Teenager are not exactly encouraging teen pregnancy but also not portraying that it's not the best thing to do. However, we all know things happen and it's nothing we can change. But, kids having kids shouldn't be recommended and if such a thing happens it needs to be taught on how to protect these sorts of things. Along with being able to see that these are just reality shows not life styles that we need to take on.

• Why can't we see that we are beautiful the way we are?
• Why don't parents step in and take control over their children's actions instead of letting them get away with so much?

Bucket List

• Twisted by Laurie Anderson
  
  Going through high school just like Tyler in Twisted, marks the typical life of a weirdo until he pulls the stunt of the year that not only changes the way people see him but, also how in effects his family, his best friend, and the girl of his dreams. Where every guy has that one girl who never looks his way, same for every girl that has that one guy that never looks her way until she does something dramatic. I loved the way that this is not only talking of the hectic life of high school, peer pressure and everything that you think you're supposed to do in high school. I'm not the most popular person just like Tyler, but I learn to enjoy life as it is just as he does with his many obstacles.

• Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James
  
  I love a good love story that has a twist just like Fifty Shades of Grey when Anastasia Steele, a literature student, fills in for a sick friend to go interview a young entrepreneur that she's never heard of before, Christian Grey, she quickly realizes he's a very attractive, sophisticated, and intriguing young man. Don't you just love a twist in a book! I know I do. With this being a trilogy being much more thought out and sneaky out look to it.

• Spellbound by Nora Roberts
  
  I've always been into the stories of witch craft and all the superstitions. Spellbound is not only that but also a complicated love story as well, just what I enjoy.  While world-famous photographer Calin Farrell enjoys a much-needed vacation in Ireland, he becomes bewitched by the ravishingly beautiful Bryna Torrence. In fact, so bewitched that he refuses to believe in the spell that has brought them together—and could destroy them both. Ever since I could remember I've always loved the thought of being able to do something so incredible just by the blink of an eye or the twitch of a nose.

• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
  
  There comes a point in time where we all have to make sacrifices. I makes those choices on a daily basis. In If I Stay are choices a seventeen-year-old Mia has to make to stay true to her first love-music- even if that means losing her boyfriend and leaving friends and family behind. Reading the first page of the novel I could feel her confusion and hopelessness Mia was encountering. I know  all about the confusing situations and making choices that's going to effect everyone and everything around you. I love to read a book that I can relate to and some how or another it helps me make decisions that I know are better.

• The Shack by W. Paul Young, Wayne Jacobsen, and Brad Cummings
  
  I always see all these children being kidnapped on the news and how God can always help them. Well, in The Shack Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in this midst of his great sadness, Mack, Missy's dad,  receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Knowingly this must be a tragic thing to happen to a family. I always turn to God and look for signs to help get me through the day. I love to read books on how people juxtapose God's words from the Bible to reality.

• The White Forrest by Adam McOmber
  
  I always had a weird sense of taste for books, movies, and just anything that interests me. The White Forrest intrigued me from the start of just having a lady dressed from the 1800's. I love reading things from that particular time era to see how they thought and acted. In this hauntingly original debut novel about a young woman whose peculiar abilities help her infiltrate a mysterious secret society, which uses fantastical twists and dark turns to create a fast-paced, unforgettable story. That involves falling in love with her childhood best friend, Nathan then he disappears. To have a new novel setting to the 1800's and a love story all in one with a twist a supernatural to it makes this one of the books I look forward to.

• Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
  
  From the first two to three pages I read of the book already showed that this family had a very stressful life just to live in a small town. I've never read a Jodi Picoult book before and so far Nineteen Minutes seems unique and heartfelt. With Sterling, New Hampshire being the setting a  town where nothing ever happens. Not, until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened before her very own eyes. Seeing as Batesville's a small town where everyone knows every one's business, I can imagine Sterling being the same way. When something tremendous happens everyone knows.

• Desperation by Stephen King
  
  Stephen King is one of my all time favorite authors. He takes some small scenario and flips into a creepy, gruesome story. Desperation being the small town in Arizona where people just drive through to get to the Grand Canyon. However, there being a cop that pulls you over  for something so little. Just to take you back to the station and murdering you. Him being the only live person in the town of Desperation. Once more books that make your mind wonder and ponder some things you never thought a person would be capable of is the most amazing thing ever. Stephen King being one of the best novel writers ever for SyFy freaks out there, does an amazing job of creating scenarios to try and think if you were in that position what would you do?

• Perfectly Unique: Praising God from Head to Foot by Annie F. Downs.
  
  Now just from the title of this book I knew this had to be good. As I looked more into it I noticed that I was right. Perfectly Unique is about helping every girl across the nation become closer to our God and deal with our insecurities. Every girl has their insecurities and some more than others. Going through junior high and high school every girl wants to look like the girl from the cover of Seventeen magazine. I don't become jealous just to easily but I do have a very low self-esteem at  moments because of being made fun of all the way through middle school and up. But, having God by your side and helping you cope with things makes life ten times easier. This book will hopefully help me understand better and become closer to be a true daughter of my father in heaven.
  
  
• The Fault in Our Stars  by John Green
  
  Reading a book about one of the most incurable diseases never fails me to tear up. The Fault in Our Stars  is about a young girl named Hazel, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 13. By 14 she has been cured but has to live off of an oxygen tank. By joining and cancer support group she meets a boy who sees how beautiful she really is and helps her believe that she can live instead of setting an end date for herself. This is one of those well thought out heart touching books that everyone wants to read. I love realistic-fiction books that shows what most go through and yet we don't understand until we're in their position.

 

Summer Assignment; AP Lang.

Men's Men; Dr.Pepper Ten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iuG1OpnHP8

Surface Meaning:The Dr.Pepper Ten commercial has a macho ad campaign that proclaims "It's not for women." The TV commercials are heavy on the machismo, including one spot that shows muscular men in the jungle battling snakes and bad guys and appear to shoot lasers at each other.
The Advertisers Meaning:
The soft drink was developed after the company's research found that men shy away from diet drinks that aren't perceived as "manly" enough.
The Cultural:
The use of the phrase, "it's not for women", reflects that men are empowering and have been since the beginning of time.


Men's Women; Bud Light Wine and Cheese commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEWtTVaIH0M&feature=player_embedded

Surface Meaning:All of the women at the "wine and cheese party" were just the men's eye candy. And, with them bringing their husbands who all come together to have a twist to everything. They have the "Bud light" hidden inside a giant cheese wheel, along with a portable T.V hidden inside a box of wine. This of course is typical man doing typical man things with their women around.
Advertisement Meaning:
This come to show that men will go to length for therir wives or girlfriends because they love them. Howver, beign slick and sneaky at the same time and doing as they please as well.
The Cultural Meaning:
Football is the American sport. A man will go to the extremes such as this to watch their games and enjoy a Bud light at the same time.


Women's Women; Degree Ultra Clear commercial

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

Surface Meaning: A bellhop brings a women a golden box with her name brand black dress in it and then uses the him to try on her deodorant. And, further on walking out of the hotel with her elegant dress on with a sassy walk.
Advertisement Meaning: The very expensive hotel room and dress applies that women like to have the best there is. That nothing is too good for us. Along with the fact that we can use men at an angle to where they like it.
The Cultural Meaning:  Women have came a long way from meaning nothing more than dirt to high sophisticated living.


Women's Men; Stride Gum Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/user/stridechewinggum?v=ZC1qd4kxzg8

Surface Meaning:  A young man is in a coffee shopping looking to be the perfect man for this one particular girl. Showing that he would go to all extremes of the world to be with her. With "a little bit epic" moment by opening the coffee shop door for her.
Advertisement Meaning: The commercial is trying to promote that when you go for that epic moment you need to have everything in check. In this case focusing on mostly your breath. With it some what giving you that boost of courage that you normally wouldn't have.
The Cultural meaning:  Men are always looking for ways to become close to that one girl, or many. Gum can always be a conversation starter just by simply asking, "Can I have a piece?" Or, "do you have any gum?" This poetically showing a viking scene, to show off his manliness and fight off sea monsters. This meaning that women need men to support and protect them.

Forgive and Forget.

“The crux of the matter is, of course, the question of forgiveness. Forgetting is something that time alone takes care of, but forgiveness is an act of volition, and only the suffer is qualified to make the decision” (Wiesenthal, 98) Forgive and forget is a typical moral many live by. Where “time alone takes care of” the suffering of the past, the memories will forever be hold. Everyone questions weather or not they should forgive either a best friend, mom, dad, brother, or sister. And, even God at some point in time. There are things that happen where we'll blame God or someone that the matter had nothing to do with. "He who is incessantly tortured in spite of his innocence soon loses his faith..." (Wiesenthal, 80) Being tortured is nothing that is God's fault. Sometimes, things happen that we can't control. 

Fait.

Thoughts rummaging threw my head as I wonder if I'll survive this chaos. All the lights and power are turning off, I hear that the ship has hit an iceberg, everyone is saying there goodbyes and telling there loved ones everything is going to be okay. I have nobody to say my goodbyes to. I think of my family back home and wonder if they'll hear of what is going on. The now unsinkable ship is starting creek and crack. The crew members of the ship are telling everyone to hurry, there's pushing and shoving and I'm working my way to the edge to the line of people for the last life boat. All I can think about now is how they were so supportive of an "unsinkable" ship. The matter of this happeing is noone's fault, but fait.

Smiles turn to frowns.

The sun smile,
making it a beautiufl day.
All hope and glory
yet, soon to fade.
With little kindness left,
evanishes as if night turns to day.
A bitter feeling to hollow your day.
And, soon the sun to melt away.

"Characterizing your Dream" ; Character analysis essay.

            Everyone wants to be their own person.  Even if they're following the crowd.  In the 1930's woman were coming out of their shells, cutting their hair, and wearing short dresses.  But, most importantly, becoming independent. Curley's wife in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, a historical fiction novel, was just one of many  woman who strives for fame, fortune, and fabulous living.
          Curley's wife is one to be noticed strutting herself around the men. Curley's wife always looks her best with "tiny little sausage" curls and always looks "purty" with a "sweet and young" look to her. How could any man resist her?- Exactly why she flaunted her haughty-self in front of all the men. To get the attention she deserved and longed for.
          Instead of staying "the --- home where she belongs", Curley's wife is independent. Doing things and going places that she wants. Curley is always asking "too often" where she went. Why does Curley expect to have the guys look out for her? Isn't that his job?- Yes, buy she is an independent woman and shouldn't be treated as property.  Insecurity happened from many years of being treated as property. Being the only woman at the camp she didn't have anyone to talk to or suppress her feelings to. And, being next to the lowest in the social view at the camp didn't help either. She took it out on people who are under her own social being was the only way she could possibly get back. When all the other guys are our and she's left alone or "talkin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs- a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep." Crooks being the "nigger", she could have him "strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." Being a black man in the 1930's gave Crook's no authority over even a white woman. Making him the only person she could overpower to the most.
          Everyone wants to be their own person. Especially, woman of the 1930's. Who are just trying to gain equal rights. Wanting attention and having big dreams is all apart of life. Insecurity is something that shouldn't get in the way. Depending on one person shouldn't change what your dreams' destiny is. It's all a matter of determination and hard work getting your hopes and dreams made and making them worth while.