CURRENTLY

Pages this week: 138

Pages last week: 130

Pages this semester: 797

Sentences of week:

1. She says that there are no gray areas in the revised code of conduct; there was no gray area in the events that transpired.

2. The front of  Tooke's journal cover displayed Tooke's first name, handwritten in beautiful callifgraphy. The spine of T-Mail Jail read DON'T KEEP OUT! The backside urged, INVADE MY PRIVACY - PLEASE! If one were inclined to follow these instructions, the cover challenged, I DARE YOU TO TURN THE PAGE.

            But no one dared ... or, more accurately, cared.

3. And for Tooke De La Creme, miracles were impossible to come by.

My favorite sentence is probably sentence two because everybody wants the exact opposite, and don't want their personal lives invaded. All Tooke wants is someone to notice her.

MODELLAND

M

So I’ve just started ModelLand by Tyra Banks, and so far it is a very different book and wild imagination. The main character is named Tooke De La Crème and has a lot of complicated things about her. She has untamable hair, an awkward body, and a large forehead. She wears mismatched clothes and has mismatched eyes: one green, one brown. She considers herself a Forgetta-Girl-invisible at school and a disappointment to her parents, who favor her stunning younger sister, Myrracle. Tookie has a big heart, an overactive imagination, and a talent for languages- 28 to be exact. She keeps a secret journal in which she writes her innermost thoughts in the form of letters to her friends, family, and enemies that she never mails.She is very self-conscience, and I think that is one of the main problems with her, and she says she will do anything to get attention, but really she is a soft-spoken girl who is just trying to find her place in life. 

http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/modelland/#

Finished!

The Mockingbirds
Daisy Whitney

Finally! I finished The Mockingbirds! It was a really good book, even though it takes a while to comprehend. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know. But I definitely would recommend it. So in the last few chapters, Carter finally goes to the Mockingbird court. The court is set up in the laundry room basement, where the Mockingbirds have their existence.

 Maia, Alex’s representative, starts off the case with her argument that Alex was drunk, and the sex was not consensual. She was sleeping and therefore not able to give consent. A lack of a yes is a no, plain and simple. She says that there are no gray areas in the revised code of conduct; there was no gray area in the events that transpired.

Kevin, Carter’s representative, backfires his argument saying that Alex and Carter had sex, because its what high school students do. He says they were a couple of teenagers having a good time, having good old-fashioned consensual sex. And says that Alex is known to engage in consensual sexual conduct, and tells the court about her and Martin’s secret dating, and they made-out in an empty classroom. If that really is a reason that she engages in sexual conduct . . .

I think that Kevin’s argument is very wrong and controversial. Just because a boyfriend and girlfriend kiss, doesn’t mean they engage in sexual conduct. I think in this book, Carter is a pig, and needs to face the consequences of date-rape, as any guy should. Carter is very lucky Alex didn’t go to the police, which he would have faced worst consequences.

I really recommend this book to people who are interested in courts and those who liked reading To Kill a Mockingbird. This book is actually inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird. At the beginning, it is hard to comprehend because the court system at Themis Academy is so advanced, but it’s a really good book. I left out many other details in the book including a teacher who really helped Alex out, Martin, and what Carter’s consequence. But, you’ll have to read the book to find out. (:

Flashbacks

The Mockingbirds

Daisy Whitney

So in the past two days, I have to have read at lease 60 pages. Much has gone on, and Carter has found out that he is going to go to the Mockingbirds trial for date rape. He called Alex and told her she was a liar, and that they weren’t going to believe her or anything, he said she was all over him and she wanted it.. Martin stopped by to give Alex dinner, since she still refuses to go to the caf. Throughout the book, you can tell that Alex has some feelings for Martin, and after they have dinner, she suggests they watch Law and Order. When she is in the middle of the show, she’s staring at her computer, but the only thing on her mind is that she wants to kiss Martin. Then, you can guess it. Martin ends up kissing her! (: I hope they end up together in the end, because Martin is such a good guy. If I haven’t mentioned Martin yet, he’s part of the Mockingbirds and a school friend who she’s had her eyes on for a while.

Every now and then throughout the book, Alex has a flashback to the night and remembers more and more what happened that night. When she has the latest flashback it says:

I hear a ripping sound . . . a wrapper for the condom. I press my palms hard against him and push him. I shake my head; I say no. And I keep my hands on his chest like that, like a bodybuilder holding back a car, a strong man holding up a bridge, trying to get him off me.

When I read these flashbacks, I feel like if I was put in that situation, I wouldn’t know what to think. I feel helpless reading this and know that date-rape happens often, and it is so unfair. 

Sentences of the Month

Currently!
Pages this week: 130
Pages last week: 134
Pages this semester: 659

Sentences of the Month!

1. Part of me feels like I'm walking into the lion's den. Another part of me knows I can't become the freak who eats in her room just to avoid other students.


2."You can lie to yourself if you want, but reality is going to catch up with you." 

3. Maybe we are too educated, too "smart," to name these creatures in the simple language of a child: monsters.


My favorite line is probably sentence number three, because of how children think so simply and plainly. Adults are all about education and learning new things all the time, when it is so easy to name something a "monster."

Code of Conduct

The Mockingbirds

By Daisy Whitney

Wow, I can’t believe its already Thursday, and I have another blog to write tomorrowL. I’ve had to work a lot this week and I have so many assignments this week I’ve been staying up late just to read my book. Its relaxing though, to say the least. So when I first started reading this book, I thought I was going to be instantly attracted to it, and wouldn’t be able to put it down, unfortunately, that isn’t the case. I think the reason is that I’m still trying to comprehend what really is going on in the story, and how its set up. This book would be easily understood if it were a movie, but hey, I’m still reading it right?

The Mockingbirds in Themis is basically a court system ran by the students, for the students. Whenever somebody comes to the Mockingbirds for justice, a trial is heard, and it will “punish” the accused if found guilty in some way or form. In the Mockingbirds, they needed to revise the code of conduct to include date rape, the original code was written broadly. The students at Themis Academy then votes on the revisions.

One day when Alex gets back to her dorm, the poll to the revisions for students to vote is under her door. It states:

Sexual assault is against the standards to which Themis

Students hold themselves. Sexual assault is sexual contact

(not just intercourse) where one of the parties has not given

Or cannot give active verbal consent, i.e., uttered a clear

“yes” to the action. If a person does not say “no” that does

not mean he or she said “yes.” Silence does not equal

consent. Silence could mean fear, confusion, and inebriation.

The only thing that means yes is yes. The lack of yes is a

No.

Alex got a yes for the date rape to be revised into the code of conduct, and I am now eager to hear the trial!

5 Claims

http://clayballl.blogspot.com/

CLAIM: In this dance from the show America's Best Dance Crew, the [crew's breath-taking yet crazy, loud and exciting choreography, fast paced music, and wide range of use of space] express [a dramatic explosion and loud abstruseness.]

 

http://mbutchko.blogspot.com/

CLAIM: The music group Ok GO and dance group Pilobolus' smooth and elegant costumes along with the modern aspects of movement portray the lyrically pleasant mood of the collaboration in the music video.

 

http://trevorblogging.blogspot.com/

CLAIM: In this scene you see Blake Griffin dunking a basketball, his expressions show his immense, powerful, and colossal body floating in the air, putting the extravagant crown into a short time of faint, quiet, and peaceful time before they erupted into a thundering and noisy crowd.

http://bradey.blogspot.com/
CLAIM: This dance battle shows a magical setting, energetic choreography, vibrant attire, and upbeat sound that captivates the crowd and all who watch.

http://mariahsetymologyblog.blogspot.com/
CLAIM: In Fighting Gravity’s final Performance on America’s Got Talent, the voiceless and light dancers use graceful, upbeat, and a unique technique that expresses a new and an explosive futuristic type of dance.
My favoirte is probably the fourth claim down because it describes the picture very well.

Claim for Cars

Observe:                                                                                    Infer:

Space:                                                                                       Animation

• Crowded                                                                          Playful
• Full                                
• Colossal                                                                            Happiness
• Lots of movement                                                                           

                                                                                                   Colorful
Setting: 

• Colorful                                                                            Amusement
• Route 66
• Attractive                                                                        Silly
• Noise  

Color:

• Bright
• Warm
• Beautiful
• Soft

Action: 

• Adventurous
• Excited
• Gleaming
• Crazy

[ In this movie poster from Cars by Disney Pixar,                      [ A sense of colorful animation and silly                                                        

 Disney's colossal use of space, attractive setting,                        amusement.]

 warm colors, and the adventurous and gleaming

 action the poster gives makes this movie a must see.]

CURRENTLY

The Mockingbirds

Daisy Whitney

 This week: 134

Last week: 105

This semester: 529

So for some reason, I have been calculating my pages wrong. I've read Heaven is for Real and The Duff, and now I've started to read The Mockingbirds.

Sentences of the week:

1. You take your assignments here like a man. 

2. So I just sink down into the crimson and tan diamonds.

3. Part of me feels like I'm walking into the lion's den. Another part of me knows I can't become the freak who eats in her room just to avoid other students.

I like the third one best because it is a feeling many people can relate to. That situation you're in when you don't want to see anybody you know, yet you don't want to be a coward.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

 Now that I’ve finished The Duff, I’ve started a new book called The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney. When I picked it up, the first thing that caught my eye was the subtitle on the top of the cover saying “Hush little students, don’t say a word. . . .” Once I read this I just had to pick it up.

This book takes place at Themis Academy, a boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way- the Themis way. Alex Patrick, the narrator and main character in the story is date-raped during her junior year of high school by a guy named Carter, someone she would never be caught dead talking to. She is raped by him when she is sleeping in Richardson Hall. He is part of the water-polo team, the arrogant jocks. When she tries to decide what to do about her conflict, her best friend T.S. suggests going to the aid of the Mockingbirds, which is a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of the student body. Not many people know who the Mockingbirds really are, they have bulletin on the walls saying:

Join the Mockingbirds! Stand up, sing out! We’re scouting

New singers, so run, run, run you way to our New

Nine where you can learn a simple trick...

Though the secret of this bulletin, its code-all code- the Mockingbirds aren’t a cappella singing group, as they say they are. And its tryout time for the Mockingbirds this term. The Mockingbirds are the law.

So I haven’t read too much of the book yet, I’m on page 89. Not much has happened with the involvement of the Mockingbirds; Alex has just decided to go to them for help. I’m really anxious to find out how the Mockingbird group handles it, and what they plan on doing to “right the wrong” of Carter.

Alex’s sister Casey who is now in college is the creator of the Mockingbirds, who gets the name from the book To Kill A Mockingbird. This book connects the idea of Tom Robinson being accused of rape, and she thinks maybe she accused Carter of raping her. My next chapter is called Atticus And Boo Rolled Into One. I’m excited to read this chapter because this is where I can find out what the Mockingbirds are really all about, and how they go about to solve the problem. I really look forward to continue reading this book (I’ve read 89 pages in the last day and a half) and I’m really thinking about doing it for our book project. 

The end

I have now finished The Duff, and I would recommend it to any girl who loves a little drama. In the last few pages of the book, Bianca realizes that she is supposed to be happy with Toby Tucker, he’s the perfect guy, and he’s smart, polite, loving, sensitive, and practical. But she still can’t stop thinking about Wesley. Now, I won’t tell you the end of the story, but you should read it to see if Bianca goes with her mind; to stay with the polite and perfect guy for her, or listens to her heart; and goes with Wesley who she can’t stop thinking about. The last scene of the book she is at the teen club on a date with Toby, although she sees Wesley and notices he won’t stop staring at her all night. She trips on her heel, and falls on her ankle. You’ll have to read the book to see who helps pick her up. Her boyfriend who is polite and goody-goody, or Welsey who doesn’t commit to girls and is a “bad boy?”

CURRENTLY

This week: 105
Last week: 138
Pages this semester:  343


The Duff by Kody Keplinger 


1. "No one else makes me WANT to embarrass myself by writing sappy letters like this one." 


2. "You can lie to yourself if you want, but reality is going to catch up with you." 


3. God, life had been so much easier when no one noticed me. 


My favorite quote is probably number two. This quote is so special because it is true in every way. You can't hide from everything, and it is warning you that when things to catch up, it won't be a happy ending. 

Date Time!

After continuing to read The Duff, much has changed. Bianca has decided to call it quits with Wesley, and completely get over him. Even though she might be in love with him, she has to get over him. When she tries to distract herself from thinking about him, all she does is think how she shouldn’t be thinking about him. Then, in the hallway, Toby Tucker (her crush for 3 years now) asks her on a date! So I’m really excited to see how the date goes, and unfortunately I’ve decided to stop reading right before she goes on the date. Good luck Bianca!

Distractions, distractions

My dad, soon-to-be step mom, and half sister paige! (p.s....its cute to coordinate colors right? (; ) 

My mom, dad, step sisters, sister, and brother on their wedding day!

Ever since my last post about Wesley and Bianca being partners for the English paper, I haven’t been able to put the book down! Turns out my excitement for what its like when Wesley and Bianca are alone together was predicted pretty well. Bianca went over to Wesley’s house (which by the way is a mansion, and his parents are never home, either on business trips, vacations, etc.) and the only computer was upstairs in his room….yep! Bet you can predict what is going to happen. Before they even start talking about their project, they start hooking up. I’m going to skip the details, but they continue to hook up for the next month and a half or so. (And yes, they did get an A on their project!)

After a while, they start learning more and more about each other and Wesley figures out that Bianca is using him as a distraction, but he can’t figure out why. He finally learns what he is distracting her from one night at her house. They walk down the stairs so Bianca can walk Wesley out to his car, when Bianca’s dad finds them. He is completely wasted, due to divorce papers sent to him from his wife, and starts calling Bianca a whore because she had a boy in her room. (While her father was home, they played Scrabble for three hours in her room.) Bianca is horrified to see her father like this, especially because her father had been sober for 18 years because before she was bon, when he got drinking, his anger became out of hand and he became destructive. He ends up slapping her across the face, and Wesley punches him in the mouth and leaves with Bianca to his house. At the house, he finally tells her he knows what she has been using him as a distraction from. The divorce.

This part of the story is very relevant to me, because I know exactly where she is coming from. Okay, maybe I don’t hook up with random guys to get my mind off of my parents divorce, but I did find things to distract myself. I have this one friend in particular where if anything ever goes wrong in my life, and I need to get away, I know that she and her mom will love my company. When my parents got divorced, I spent lots and lots of time there, simply because it hurt too badly because I couldn’t stand being in a broken household. My sister and I staying at her house for 3-4 days straight for the week during summer and school, just to get away from reality, and it worked, well most of the time. Everything is forgotten til you go back home and have to be bombarded back into reality. I know exactly where she is coming from, and I know many other people do.

By the way, my family is now split into to, and I absolutely love it! 

(Big familia right? (: )

CURRENTLY

This week: 100

Last week: 138

Pages this semester: 238

1: "And you daring, are the Duff." "Is that even a word?" "Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend," he clarified. "No offense, but that would be you."

2."Hey, Obama was kind of sexy for an old guy. Maybe I had a shot."

3. "Most girls find my jokes charming." "Those girls must have IQ's low enough to trip over."

My favorite sentence is probably the third one because its you're typical male-confidence that gets the best of them. In this book, Bianca lets him know, well tries to let him know, that she isn't one of those girls who are dumb enough  to tolerate Wesley Rush.

Teenage Girl Drama-Rama

             In The Duff, I have learned more about Bianca, and how she functions with her surroundings affecting every aspect of her life. Her mom is away on business trips 2 months at a time, and her father and mother doesn’t get a divorce, which might be the best situation in this case. I know that even when I didn’t want my parents to get divorced two years ago, it was the right thing to do. Next, not wanting to go to parties and have fun with her friends. Where she lives, there is a “teen club” which was once a bar, but now its for teenagers, and they only serve soft drinks and have loud music. When she is here, Wesley Rush decides he needs to pester her, and before Bianca knows it, she kisses him. And worse, she likes it. Now she has to forget that she ever kissed Wesley, and forget how incredibly much she liked kissing him.

            With all this happening around her, she still can’t forget when Wesley called her “Duff.” He refers to her Duffy, and when she can hardly stand to be in the same room as him (contrary to what she wants to think, she still wants to kiss him!) she now has to be his partner in a report about a novel they’ve just read in class. I’m eager to see what unfolds when they are alone and have to get together over the weekend.  I just know she’s going to fall for him, and in a way, I want Wesley to actually be a soft-spoken guy who has a heart when he’s not influenced to be the bad guy in a room full of over-obsessed high school girls. I know that I shouldn’t want them to be together because he’s a jerk and coward to her, but it’s what you see in the movies right?  All teenager girls wish that something like this would happen to them, where they are partners with the hottest guy in school and suddenly realize that they know nothing about the real “him.”