Friday, December 12, 2008

Friendship

Julius Caesar, a play written by William Shakespeare, does not show very good friendship. The saying "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer" applies undoubtedly to the play.

Within the play, Brutus was persuaded, quite easily actually, to help in the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. Brutus was a beloved friend of Caesar's, yet he did not care to kill his friend. Brutus believed that the murder of Caesar was the best course of action he could take in protecting his country. He believed that Caesar had become too ambitious. Brutus became full of guilt from what he had done though. Brutus could finally withstand his conscience no more, and he killed himself.

Cassius was different though. He would be kind to people, but later he would begin to tare them down. Cassius did not care much for friendship, he just wanted power.

Julius Caesar was all too trustworthy of his 'friends'. He believed that all the other politicians were his friends, but they conspired against him and killed him. Caesar thought that he had loyal trustworthy friends, but he did not look close enough to tell that they were all frauds.

In the end, people do not need to decide so quickly who their friends are that they do not truly see them. A 'friend' could quickly turn around and stab them in the back.

Life as a Sophmore...So Far

When the school year first began, I was not sure if being in high school was so great. Ever since the first day of school, I have been assigned excessive amounts of homework each night. The homework is not very difficult, but the amount assigned is a little overboard. Some of my classes have turned out to be quite difficult as well. I struggle everyday to receive good grades in Chemistry, but the tests are extremely hard.

Not all high school life is dreadful though. The amount of extracurricular activities and clubs have doubled since my three years in junior high. I joined many clubs, six to be exact. I like the fact that the club meetings are during lunch. The lunch time meetings provide more time to discuss projects that are happening within each club. Some of my classes may have turned out difficult, but others are unthinkably easy. My Spanish class and my geometry class are two classes that I never dread going to. I have very good teachers for all of my classes which makes even the difficult classes seem easier.

All in all, high school is not as fun as everybody says, nor is it as difficult. I was lucky to receive great teachers who will always help me, and my friends are even greater.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Mark Antony

My English class has recently started reading Julius Caesar, a play written by William Shakespeare. In Julius Caesar, Mark Antony shows great leadership skills.

Within scene two of act three, Mark Antony speaks out to the people. Being able to speak out about Caesar's death, Mark Antony quickly calmed the ravenous crowd and grabbed their attention. Mark Antony was able to influence his fellow countrymen to follow him and to listen to him.

Mark Antony, being extremely influential, can be compared to the presidential candidates of our time. The Presidential candidates speak about ideas that could improve the country. The candidates tell their ideas for strengthening the country, and the most influential candidate wins the votes and gets elected.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Seek first to understand, Then to be understood

In the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey describes how to seek first to understand and then to be understood. According to the book, the replication of Sean Covey's ideas should improve relationship skills. I remember a time when I was at School and one of my friends needed a good ear, and all I did was exercise my selective hearing. I realized that she really needed my to understand her, and I felt extremely terrible.

Standing in the hallway at school, I realized that a geed friend of mine, Stacy, was walking toward me. When she arrived by my side, she began to talk. I was not really listening to anything she said, even though she seemed upset. Every time she would ask me what I thought of her situation, I would reply "Oh that sounds interesting:, of "Wow! That is not very good." Stacy realized that I was not paying her any attention, and became upset. She then walked off without another word.

The next day at school, Stacy did not even mutter a single word to me. I could not figure out what I had done to her. Then all of the sudden I remembered my inconsiderate behavior from the recent day. I felt so ashamed of what I had done, so I went and apologized to Stacy. She was a good friend, so she forgave me even though I had been so rude.

I now realize that I should be more considerate, and that I should try to understand people better.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

In the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey, the author, tells us that we should be proactive. I remember one time when I was proactive even though my brother would not stop bothering me.

I was sitting in my room doing my homework when my little brother barged in and started disturbing my belongings. He started picking up everything and placing each object in a new place. Once he realized that he was not having fun destroying my room, he started asking me really dumb questions to which he already knew the answers. My first reaction was to yell at him, and to tell him to "Leave my stuff alone! My things do not belong to you and I know you will break something because you break everything you touch!" At that moment I remembered what Sean said about being proactive, and instead of yelling at my brother, I told him to "Please stop, and when I finish my homework, I will play a game with you."

I felt good about what I had done, because I had told my brother to stop so I could finish my homework, and I had made him happy by telling him that I would play with him.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Why I Like Science Fiction

The novel The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells is a very interesting book that kept my interest of science fiction flowing http://www.bartleby.com/1003/. I have always enjoyed science fiction because I love the fact that anything can happen at any given point. When I was younger, my brother and I would always watch Star Treck on television in our spare time. All of the transporting, warp speed, and living on a ship in space really interested me, and still does. The suspense of science fiction books also interests me. I never know what will happen next and I like the surprise.If I were to recommend any genre to someone to read, the genre would be science fiction because the genre is very hard to lose interest in, and unlike most genres, getting bored while reading a science fiction novel rarely ever happens.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Letter to the Next Presiden

The upcoming presidential election is going to be a tough decision for the American people, and Barack Obama is the candidate of choice for many people.

I recently read on Obama's web page that he thinks that all people should have the right to affordable health care, and I agree 100%. No human being should be denied affordable health care just because they cannot pay the costs straight forward. I also agree with Obama on his thoughts about ending the war in Iraq. He wants to withdraw one to two brigades a month so our armed forces can return home quickly.


I may agree with Barack Obama about health care and the war, but his ideas about taxes I do not. Obama wants to get rid of all the tax cuts that President Bush and President Reagan have established, and raise the taxes. Barack Obama does not need to do this because the American family will not be able to afford to feed their selves.

If Barack Obama wins the presidential election, and carries out his ideas on health care and the war, he will be a valuable attribute to the United States economy, and he will be a good president. On the other hand, if Obama carries out his ideas about taxes, he could lower the value of the American dollar and the United States economy. I hope that the best, most experienced candidate wins.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

My Hero

ISSABELLA


Swoosh! Ruff! Slash! Who could it be? Issabella and her companion Browny are coming to save the day. Issabella has many powers, including the power to skate at lightning speed. She has the ability to make take a trip to Jupitor and back without anyone realizing she was ever gone. Issabella has a soft spot for animals. If she notices that an animal is in distress or being injured, Issabella will come to the rescue and save the poor creature no matter what. Issabella will then take the animal to someone that will love the creature forever. Issabella is the best archer in the world. Any target put in front of her, no matter what the distance, she can hit. Issabella is loved by her public, and with her super powers she can keep the town safe and happy.