I am a very quiet person around people I don't know very well. I am especially quiet when it comes to expressing my opinion and views are specific, touchy subjects. I'm definitely not known in school or any other place in town as the girl who will always stand up for what she believes in. I feel that the reason I do not express my opinions well is because I don't have enough information to back it up or I fear I will be proven wrong or embarrassed. I can recall one time that I did stand up for what I believed or thought was correct.
A very sensitive subject for myself is alcohol. I feel very uncomfortable when that word even comes up in conversation so there is no way in the world I would ever want to say anything about it. Many underage kids do drink alcohol because they believe it's "fun" or helps them have more fun during their free times. I, on the other hand, completely disagree.
A person I knew confronted me about her weekends and her partying experiences. She asked if I would want to join her one weekend and I quickly responded no. Trying to avoid further conversation about the the subject, a question was proposed by her, a question I did not want to be asked at all, "why?" I began explaining to her that it was unhealthy for people under 21 to drink and reasons to back it up. I also added that many end up alcoholics and since I already had that to worry about it I didn't want to add to the chances anymore.
After a very small stand being taken by myself, I realized that it wasn't horrible. No, I didn't have as much information as I should have to completely convince her that she shouldn't party and drink in her spare time, but I don't think even if I would have had that information it would have changed her mind. Knowing that she knew my all my views on that subject and remembering how I had expressed them made me feel a lot more comfortable when an uncomfortable subject was brought up in the future.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar taught me about the history of Julius Caesar. This book is a play of the tragic death of Caesar and other events surrounding his death.
Since the style of this book is a play, it is unique from most books that I've read. There is no narrarator so all the information from the book comes from the characters lines or voices. The whole time of reading the book, I had many different types of voices running through my head which helped me keep the characters kept apart and kept the lines from all running together. The writing style also uses vanacular from the times of Caesar. This made the book harder to read, but also helped the reader remember what times the book was set in and what the language the characters were actually speaking in.
The setting is very different from the world today. Obviously since it was written a very long time ago about an event that happened even longer ago.
In this play, Caesar is about to be crowned king of Rome. Caesar is a very respected man, so no one dares to oppose. Brutus loves Rome and would do anything to prevent the fall of this city. When Cassius agrees with him that the only way to prevent that fall is to murder Caesar, Brutus feels like he has no other choice. Brutus and Cassius convince several others to agree with their idea and soon create a plan.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Shakespeare's plays or anyone who is interested in history, Rome, or Julius Caesar.
Since the style of this book is a play, it is unique from most books that I've read. There is no narrarator so all the information from the book comes from the characters lines or voices. The whole time of reading the book, I had many different types of voices running through my head which helped me keep the characters kept apart and kept the lines from all running together. The writing style also uses vanacular from the times of Caesar. This made the book harder to read, but also helped the reader remember what times the book was set in and what the language the characters were actually speaking in.
The setting is very different from the world today. Obviously since it was written a very long time ago about an event that happened even longer ago.
In this play, Caesar is about to be crowned king of Rome. Caesar is a very respected man, so no one dares to oppose. Brutus loves Rome and would do anything to prevent the fall of this city. When Cassius agrees with him that the only way to prevent that fall is to murder Caesar, Brutus feels like he has no other choice. Brutus and Cassius convince several others to agree with their idea and soon create a plan.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Shakespeare's plays or anyone who is interested in history, Rome, or Julius Caesar.
Perfect
Natasha Friend's Perfect taught me that no one is perfect. In Perfect, a young girl Isabelle has always wanted to be part of the "in" crowd. This would include being best friends with Ashley Barnum, the prettiest girl in school. Isabelle's looks and family just does work good enough to get her in. When Belle's mom catches her making herself throw up, she sends her to Group. Isabelle didn't know what to expect from group, but the last thing she expected was for Ashley Barnum to walk in.
The main characters in this book, like in most, are very important. These characters display average teenage students perfectly. They worry about the same things, and fear the same things as every day people. Isabelle is a young girl trying to be perfect at everything and getting jealous of everyone she sees. She feels like she would almost do anything to just fit in Ashley's group. Ashley is the perfect girl. She has the perfect hair, body, smile, face, clothes, anything anyone would ever want. But Isabelle will soon realize you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Isabelle is in high school. She is trying to figure out how to deal with her father's death. Her mother pretends like nothing is wrong and will never speak about Isabelle and her sister's father. Little does her mother know, Isabelle hears her crying and saying her father's name every night while they're suppose to be sleeping. Isabelle's sister who she refers to as Ape Face told on her when she found her sister pucking in the bathroom, Isabelle had forgotten to lock the door. When Isabelle is sent to Group she soon find out her and Ms. Perfect, Ashley, are not very different after all.
I strongly recommend this book for girls who struggle with self-confidence or struggle with being a perfectionist.
The main characters in this book, like in most, are very important. These characters display average teenage students perfectly. They worry about the same things, and fear the same things as every day people. Isabelle is a young girl trying to be perfect at everything and getting jealous of everyone she sees. She feels like she would almost do anything to just fit in Ashley's group. Ashley is the perfect girl. She has the perfect hair, body, smile, face, clothes, anything anyone would ever want. But Isabelle will soon realize you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Isabelle is in high school. She is trying to figure out how to deal with her father's death. Her mother pretends like nothing is wrong and will never speak about Isabelle and her sister's father. Little does her mother know, Isabelle hears her crying and saying her father's name every night while they're suppose to be sleeping. Isabelle's sister who she refers to as Ape Face told on her when she found her sister pucking in the bathroom, Isabelle had forgotten to lock the door. When Isabelle is sent to Group she soon find out her and Ms. Perfect, Ashley, are not very different after all.
I strongly recommend this book for girls who struggle with self-confidence or struggle with being a perfectionist.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Same Kind of Different As Me
Hall and Moore's Same Kind of Different As Me touched me with it's real life story of two very different men cecoming best friends.
This book demonstrates how real people overcome struggles thorugh putting their trust in God and accepting others who are different from themselves. One wealthy man and one very poor slave come together ny God displaying his love through a very special woman, Miss Debbie. This book is based on a true story, so it is easy to feel the characters coming to life throughout the book. By falling in love with the characerts, I could not stop reading. The way each character overcame the struggles they faced was very encouraging. In each chapter, one character would be speaking in a first person tone. This contributed to the book because it makes the reader read the book on a more personal level. Almost as if each character is talking to only them, not everyone else reading the book too.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for an over all good, encouraging book. Also, for people who have a hard time with pride and reaching out to others, and ones who are struggling understanding the power of God.
This book demonstrates how real people overcome struggles thorugh putting their trust in God and accepting others who are different from themselves. One wealthy man and one very poor slave come together ny God displaying his love through a very special woman, Miss Debbie. This book is based on a true story, so it is easy to feel the characters coming to life throughout the book. By falling in love with the characerts, I could not stop reading. The way each character overcame the struggles they faced was very encouraging. In each chapter, one character would be speaking in a first person tone. This contributed to the book because it makes the reader read the book on a more personal level. Almost as if each character is talking to only them, not everyone else reading the book too.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for an over all good, encouraging book. Also, for people who have a hard time with pride and reaching out to others, and ones who are struggling understanding the power of God.
Say My Name
Have you ever thought about themeaning behind your name? Many people don't realized how important a name to someone is. After all, it is what everyone calls you and what everyone will call you the rest of your life.
My name, Andrea, means "manly." Not as in manlike, but as in strong and courageous. In my opinion, my parents chose the completely wrong name. However, research shows that more people with the name of Andrea end up pursuing a career in the medical field. I have always wanted to be a surgeon. My first name was chosen by my dad because he wanted to be named after himself, Andy. They chose Andrea between Andrea and Andi.
My middle name, on the other hand, came from my grandmas on both sides of my family. One grandma's middle name is Jean, and the other's is Marie. Hence, Jean-Marie.
My last name, Davidson, along with very many others, was my fathers last name and my mother's also.
My name, Andrea, means "manly." Not as in manlike, but as in strong and courageous. In my opinion, my parents chose the completely wrong name. However, research shows that more people with the name of Andrea end up pursuing a career in the medical field. I have always wanted to be a surgeon. My first name was chosen by my dad because he wanted to be named after himself, Andy. They chose Andrea between Andrea and Andi.
My middle name, on the other hand, came from my grandmas on both sides of my family. One grandma's middle name is Jean, and the other's is Marie. Hence, Jean-Marie.
My last name, Davidson, along with very many others, was my fathers last name and my mother's also.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving
I believe anyone living in the United States has many things to be thankful for. Ten things I am most thankful for are:
1. Jesus- Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He has saved me from my sins and loves me more than anyone ever could.
2. My family- Without my family I wouldn't be here today. My parents are always there to encourage me in whatever I aim to do. My brother and sister have both set wonderful examples for me to follow, and are always there when i might need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.
3. My friends- It's hard for many people to get up and go to school everyday. If I did not have my friends I might not survive everyday at school. They're always there to cheer me up if I'm feeling down about going to school that day or even if I'm having a bad day.
4. Freedom
5. My education- I am very privileged to have the oppourtunity to go to school everyday and recieve an education that will help me be successful as I grow up.
6. Food- There are many people around the world who do not have more than 1 meal a day. I can be certain to have as much food as I need in one day.
7. Enough money- I never have to worry about my family running out of money or going in debt. I have always had confidence that we will have more than enough money to make it through.
8. My house.
9. My health- I have never had any major health problems or any problems that could cause me to die at a very young age.
10. My cell phone.
1. Jesus- Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He has saved me from my sins and loves me more than anyone ever could.
2. My family- Without my family I wouldn't be here today. My parents are always there to encourage me in whatever I aim to do. My brother and sister have both set wonderful examples for me to follow, and are always there when i might need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.
3. My friends- It's hard for many people to get up and go to school everyday. If I did not have my friends I might not survive everyday at school. They're always there to cheer me up if I'm feeling down about going to school that day or even if I'm having a bad day.
4. Freedom
5. My education- I am very privileged to have the oppourtunity to go to school everyday and recieve an education that will help me be successful as I grow up.
6. Food- There are many people around the world who do not have more than 1 meal a day. I can be certain to have as much food as I need in one day.
7. Enough money- I never have to worry about my family running out of money or going in debt. I have always had confidence that we will have more than enough money to make it through.
8. My house.
9. My health- I have never had any major health problems or any problems that could cause me to die at a very young age.
10. My cell phone.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
"We Are What We Repeatedly Do" -Aristotle
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey helped me realize some of my worst habits and some of my best habits.
My favorite habit was Habit 1: Be proactive. It was a really good way to begin the book and helped me get excited about reading the rest of the book. This habit talks about taking responsibility for your life and the decisions you make. A wonderful quote related to this habit was by Abraham Lincoln, "People are just about as happy as they make their mind to be." Some days whenever I first get up, I tell myself I'm just having a bad day. As that day comes to an end, I soon realize that if I would have changed my attitude that morning, I could have had a much more enjoyable day.
Habit 4: Win-win, needs some work in my life. Most of the time if things don't go my way I get very irritated. Especially when things don't go the way I want and the other person involved get exactly what they were wanting, maybe a little extra. I also get worked up when I have to "split" getting the way with another person. This habit showed me that having a win-win attitude can get you so much farther than a Win-Lose attitude.
One of my favorite quotes from this book was, "Differences create the challenges in life that open the door to discovery." Many times I find myself staying away from any type of change, but this quote kind of inspired me to go towards differences and discoveries.
This book helped me a lot in finding out what areas of life I need to improve on, and showing ways to make those improvements. It is very highly recommended for any type of student.
My favorite habit was Habit 1: Be proactive. It was a really good way to begin the book and helped me get excited about reading the rest of the book. This habit talks about taking responsibility for your life and the decisions you make. A wonderful quote related to this habit was by Abraham Lincoln, "People are just about as happy as they make their mind to be." Some days whenever I first get up, I tell myself I'm just having a bad day. As that day comes to an end, I soon realize that if I would have changed my attitude that morning, I could have had a much more enjoyable day.
Habit 4: Win-win, needs some work in my life. Most of the time if things don't go my way I get very irritated. Especially when things don't go the way I want and the other person involved get exactly what they were wanting, maybe a little extra. I also get worked up when I have to "split" getting the way with another person. This habit showed me that having a win-win attitude can get you so much farther than a Win-Lose attitude.
One of my favorite quotes from this book was, "Differences create the challenges in life that open the door to discovery." Many times I find myself staying away from any type of change, but this quote kind of inspired me to go towards differences and discoveries.
This book helped me a lot in finding out what areas of life I need to improve on, and showing ways to make those improvements. It is very highly recommended for any type of student.
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