I hear America Singing

Music is all around us. Whether it be singing or someone else. Music is everywhere. This poem emphasizes how important song is in our lives. I personally love music. I sing all the time. So i could relate to the poem.

This poem is special. It's about the many types of people that make up America, of the special qualities of each, and of the America because of them. The song is the ideal by which they live, how each adds to the greatness of the country. It speaks of the great variety that makes up America, from its city and country, different kinds of people, unified by that ideal of how they live their lives, contribute to the wealth of the nation. Each sings his own "song" and yet it combines into one song, the song of America.

Everypart of our society is put together as one. There isn't one job that is WAY more important then another. Sure, there are jobs that are more prominent in culture now. But, they all contribute to our everyday lives.  Not too sound all cheesy, but we are the composers of our musical life **HAYYY. That is so cheesy** Without music, i don't know where i'd be.

A true King

Martin Luther King Jr. Wow. What an important man. He was a civil rights leader. He stood up for what he believed for. But he stood up for it in peace. He lead us into a life of freedom an equality. This man decided to take into his hands the lives of millions of people who were being degraded. And because of this man, we now live in a better country. A king? Yes. A hero? Most definitely.

Times have changed since Martin Luther King was marching around the cities of the U.S. Who would have known that we would ever see the day that there was an African American President. He started us and helped us hit the ground running towards a country of equality.

Obviously, our country is not perfect. There is still racism and discrimination. But not as much. We have a day set aside for Martin Luther King Jr, a day where most kids just say 'Hey! A day off school!" but never fully appreciate. We have to apprecite this man. We have to acknowledge the fact that if it wasn't for his influence, we might not be where we are now.

YAY SHORT STORIES!

Let me start off by saying: THANK YOU. I love short stories. They don't drag on and on, describing pages of details, they don't get boring **cough cough HOTSG cough cough** Because they're short, they have to have constant action, for a good short story, there shouldn't be a boring spot.

The two stories I have to write a response on definetely weren't boring. Especially "Children of the Sea." The journals between the girl and the boy kept my attention the whole time. What they had to say, growing up in Haiti, was so touching. Both of their lives were hard and writing these journals were their escape from the real word. They loved each other, though they didn't always show it. The boy tended to be slightly more affectionate, showing compassion and care openly. The girl was slightly more distanced, not showing until the last journal that she loved him as well. These two children were living a nightmare they really knew nothing about. They lived in fear for what there future held. They were slaves, they could not determine their future.

I also enjoyed "This Sacred Soil." I can't imagine putting myself in that position. Foreigners coming into my home, destroying all that is important to me, dishonoring my family, I would be in complete despair. However, Chief Seattle was not. This speech showed that he was courageous and strong. Though the 'white people' were taking their land physical, the Native Americans were still emotionally connected to the land, and the foreigners could never take that away from them.

MUSIC REVIEWWWWWW!

Let me start off this blog by saying, Damn. This was a hard decision. Out of the bajillions of artists and cd’s there are in the world, I only got to pick ONE? How was I ever going to do this? I decided to put on my iPod and just listen to what I had, maybe an idea would come to me. Originally, I was thinking of writing about some unknown artist and expose them to all my peers. However, on my iPod shuffle a certain song from a cd I hadn’t heard in a while came on. I set my iPod on only that cd and just listened to it. That is how I came to the conclusion on what cd to write about. It may not be the most current or unknown artist/cd. It’s actually sorta the opposite, kinda, in a way. But this cd, it just makes me feel good.  Enough though, let’s get started with the cd. I present to you…Waking Up-OneRepublic.

                Imagine the pressure of being OneRepublic. Your producer works with megastars like Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and Missy Elliot. You’ve already made a slight mark on the Billboard charts with the overplayed sing Apologize. Your first cd “Dreaming Out Loud” sold over 1 million copies worldwide and you play at sold out concerts. Wow. I can’t imagine that.

                Ryan Tedder is the chief songwriter of the band. He definitely has a way with words.  I think his approach to this cd (Waking Up, in case you’ve forgotten) is sort of like telling a story. However, you don’t always catch the real meaning the first time you listen to the cd. Just like a book, sometimes you have to read it a few times before being able to appreciate it entirely. That’s exactly like this cd. The first time you listen to it, sure, pretty music, nice lyrics, blah blah blah. But listen to it again, and maybe one more time. There’s a story behind each song that links it in a way to the next.

                The songs that got the most “airtime” were All the Right Moves, Everybody Loves Me, Good Life, and recently, Secrets. These are all amazing songs. They’re a little bit…eh. Predictable. BUT. Listen to the less obvious songs on the album. These are the real treasures.  All this Time is a beautiful love song that just hits me straight to the heart (yes. I’m a hopeless romantic, but I’ve asked guys and they’ve said they like this song too!) The last song on the album is Lullaby…and boy is it a closer. Its haunting sound really makes you want more. 

                I love this cd, It just makes me feel calm. The dynamic instruments and sound gives each song its own separate personality. When I listen to music, my dad accuses me of having ADD. After  15 seconds of a song…it’s on to the next one! Let me just say though, I never skip a song on this cd. That’s saying a lot.

(This picture just makes me laugh. I want to know what they're staring at!)

Mr.Gatsby and...Mr.Gatsby's new friend!

Jay and Nick. Nick and Jay. Seems like a nice duo, huh? Both smart men, going somewhere with their lives. Jay seems like a good guy. He's the kind of "upper-class guy" that you'd want to be associated with. He knows what he's doing, he knows how to act and what to say. He's educated and likes to show it. But, like any other person, he has his weakness...which happens to be Daisy. He gets nervous around her and doesn't even have the ability to invite her over, he asks Nick too.
Now, ask yourself. Is this a good relationship as of now? Jay is sorta asking Nick to do his dirty work for him. Nick invites Daisy over, Jay gets to see Daisy, bada-bing bada-bang, Jay gets what he wants. This may seem like sneaky word, but honestly, i think Jay is just a scared man. He doesn't know what to do, so he asks for help, and now he's stuck with the guy he asked for help from. Sure, Nick may have been "used" but there's something else there. I personally can see a real connection between these two people. Nick see's who Gatsby actually as. Past the bookshelves of unread books and the war stories. Nick sees a man, a personable man, that he may have a friendship with in the future. These two are both very unique people, two one of a kind people. What do you get when you combine two different, yet very similar people? I don't know...we'll soon find out...

Winter Poem

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.”

Verna M. Kelly

---

Slowly falling down

Peacefully, gently

Landing on the cool ground

Cold, alone

No two are alike or so it’s been said

Unique, individual

Blown away, this way and that

Dizzy, Wild

Stay in one place, Please, stay in one place

Consistency, Need

The question of tomorrow

Mystery, Suspense

Sticking for a Moment

Calm, Secure

Melting Away as a memory

The past, goodbye

Starting all over again

The future, hello

A blog dedicated to the most beautiful, incredible, amazing, perfect person I know....Alaina.

     If I ever had to argue with someone on whether or not there is such thing as perfection, I would win without a doubt. If I ever had to argue with someone about whether or not there is such thing as an incredible friend, I would win. If I ever had to argue with someone on whether or not the sweetest person in the world exists, I would win that there was. All I had to do was mention one name...and that name is...Alaina.
     Now, I probably sound crazy or obsessed, but the moment you meet Alaina you can't help but just fall in love with her. She is such an incredible friend. If I never need someone to turn to, I know I can turn to her. She helps me think of things in class that otherwise I would have never thought of! She's such a positive contribution to the classroom and to my life! In the morning, when i'm half-dying and not looking forward to the day ahead, Alaina makes it so much more bearable. She always puts a smile on my face. And HER smile just lights up.
      Billy, Casey and I depend on her so much. She is the rock that keeps us up. She SAVES us. American Literature without Alaina? I would feel like there was an emptiness in my soul. Whenever she is absent, the class doesnt feel complete. But alas, we know she's doing something crazy like delivering a baby, so its all okay.
     Now that Alaina is in my life, I can't imagine a life without her. Our laughs, Harry Potter Jokes, sweet comments, everything. It means so much to me. Alaina, you are a real best friend. I love you(: <3