"The Autobiography"

      This week in class we read "The Autobiography" written by Benjamin Franklin. He began writing his autobiography when he was already well into his sixties. He was never even able to finish it because he was constantly politically active, or  working on something important. The portion of his autobiography we read in class was taken from when he was about seventeen years old. The main subject of Franklin's autobiography is moral perfection, and him striving to me a morally whole person. He wants to inform us about his life, and the various ways he tried to achieve moral perfection.
      Benjamin Franklin makes a list of thirteen virtues that he believes he needs to work on in order to achieve his goal. He makes a chart with all thirteen virtues, and marks what he accomplishes every day. In the end, although he believes he did not completely achieve moral perfection, he became a better person simply by being aware of what he had accomplished and what he still needed to work on. Throughout the autobiography, Franklin's tone is informative, descriptive, and also practical. He explains what he wants to achieve in life with simple, honest thoughts.

Next Stop: Hawaii!

     Do you want to know the most amazing place to travel to? Well, the answer to that is easy! The best place to travel to is Hawaii. If you are looking for a place with the best beaches, the best weather, and the best relaxation spots, then your place is Hawaii. It has always been known for being one of the most popular tourist spots, and there is a reason for that. Many people go to Hawaii if they want to relax, or to soak up the sun. It is also a great place to make everlasting memories. I have been there three times with my family, and have great memories and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. You would never regret visiting such a magical, interesting and soothing place. Do you want to have the best, only the best, and nothing but the best experience on your next trip? Then, Hawaii is your next stop. 

The Best Ice Cream in the World

      Have you ever heard of anyone who does not like ice cream? If you think about it, it is usually pretty difficult to actually find someone who does not like ice cream. Most people you know probably love ice cream. However, even though ice cream is amazing, there is one specific flavor that my taste buds always love. That is chocolate ice cream. Why is chocolate ice cream the best? The answer to that is simple. It has the richest flavor, the creamiest texture, and the warmest color. Chocolate ice cream is one of the more simpler ice cream flavors, but there is elegance in that simplicity. Chocolate is the classic flavor for ice cream. No other flavor compares, let me repeat, no other flavor! Chocolate ice cream is so good, it is like eating from flowing, heavenly pools of  creamy chocolate, frozen to the perfect temperature. Next time do not even bother thinking twice about which flavor to eat, because chocolate will never disappoint you.

"Speech in the Convention"

      This week in class, we have been focusing on speeches. We have read a sermon, and also an oratory. One of them was titled "Speech in the Convention". This speech was given by Benjamin Franklin at the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He gave this speech to the colonial representatives that were present at the convention. He wanted to persuade them into unity as well as into agreeing on the the Constitution.  At the time, Franklin was already eighty one years old, yet he was still fighting for what he believed in.

      Throughout the speech, Benjamin Franklin maintains a calm as well as a reasonable and logical tone. He is considered the "Father of the Constitution" because he was among the oldest and most experienced representatives present at the convention. He explained how the older he got, the more he began questioning other people's motives. Franklin explains how he may not agree with everything in the Constitution, however because he wants it to work, he is willing to put aside his doubts and urges the other delegates to do the same. Franklin stresses that the only way their Constitution is going to work is through unanimity and the well-administration of its laws.

"Mission Update"

This week one of the narratives we read in class was title "Mission Update." The author was Steve Squyres. He was writing about the landing of the spacecraft Opportunity on Mars in 2006. Squyres's purpose for writing this blog was to inform and interest his audience, which in this case is the entire world. He writes about how Opportunity lands on the Victoria Crater, and is going to take pictures of the land on Mars. He and his fellow astronauts want to move to a different part of Mars before communication is lost between NASA and their shuttle.

The tone of this narrative was completely different from the tone of some of the other narratives we have been reading lately. Steve Squyres wrote in a detailed and descriptive tone, but it was also more exited and enthusiastic. He was enjoying every second of being in space, and witnessing what Mars actually looks like. What made the experience even more amazing was that he could actually blog while all of this was happening. We live in a time now where an astronaut can actually blog from space, where only some time ago people believed that even going up to space would be almost impossible.

Beaches Along the California Coast May Soon Disappear

The title of this article is “Rising Seas Expected to Wash Out Key California Beaches” written by Emmet Berg. It was found on Yahoo! News. The article states that by the end of the century many of California’s most famous beaches will be washed away. These include Venice Beach, Malibu, Carpinteria, and other beaches along the San Diego coast. Researchers in the economic department of San Francisco State University have been conducting studies to understand how costly the damage could be and what can be done to be prevented. So far they have realized that Venice Beach would have the most expenses, resulting in about $96 million in losses over the next 90 years. They believe that building or improving sea walls and levees may prevent some of the damage, but doing so can cost up to $14 billion dollars.

Not only will the beaches be affected, but also many areas surrounding them. For example, real estate, property and roads will also be washed away, or damaged, drastically increasing the cost for repair. Economists from the San Francisco State University have been researching about this for approximately two years, and have discovered that increase in global climate has a huge effect on rising sea levels around the California coast. It is important for people to know about this, because economists have realized that an estimated number of about 500,000 people and $100 billion worth of property along the California coast may deal with the aftereffects of flooding that could occur because of the rising sea levels. Many of these people may want to move, or reconsider living in these areas because of the inevitable dangers.  

"A Journey Through Texas"

This week, one of the three narratives we read in class was titled "A Journey Through Texas", written by Cabeza de Vaca. Cabeza de Vaca writes about his explorations through Texas in 1528, as he travels along with his companions, meeting various Indian tribes. He writes about their culture, customs, and daily lives. Cabeza de Vaca mentions how they grow crops such as maize, squash and beans, and some tribes even have permanent settlements.  Some of his observations include the way one of the tribes cook their squash without even using a pot. He was interested in the type of lifestyle  the Indians led in Texas. He constantly refers to religion and God, because he knew that his story would be shown to the king and queen of Spain, who are Catholic and provide him the money for his explorations.

Throughout the narrative, the tone changes a few times. At first, it is more informative and descriptive. Cabeza de Vaca is writing about what he witnesses and experiences while spending time with the tribes. Later on, it becomes slightly angry. When Cabeza de Vaca and his companions wanted to visit another tribe, who were enemies to the current tribe they were living with, they had to send along women first who would not cause a fight. At one point when the women become hesitant, him and his companions become upset at them so they do what they want. However, the tones changes again and becomes happy. As de Vaca spends time with the new tribe, he learns about their customs, and sees that they lead comfortable lives. The narrative ends on a happy, content note.

Possible 9/11 Threat

As the anniversary of 9/11 nears, many people are put on edge. Everyone remembers the tragedy that took place approximately 10 years ago. As the date gets closer, people are becoming more cautious and weary, and new threats are not helping their situation. An article titled "Officials Confirm 'Credible but Unconfirmed' 9/11 Threat" found on CNN.com explains about this situation. This article was written by Barbara Starr, Mike M. Ahlers and Lesa Jansen.  The article goes on to talk about how U.S. officials recently received information about potential attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. The officials stated that they believe the threat involves three individuals, who would  attack using explosives found in vehicles. One of the three individuals is thought to be a U.S. citizen. U.S. officials have been busy increasing security and inspections all over the United States, especially in New York and Washington, D.C., although they are telling people to go on with their daily routines and not to panic.

This article is important, but the information discovered comes at a very critical and uncomfortable time. Sunday is the tenth anniversary of the disastrous 9/11 attacks, and people have already beginning to feel uneasy, but these threats add to their discomfort. It is important for everyone to be aware of what is going on, but also not to panic because that would only cause more trouble. Threats have always been targeted at the United States, and officials are prepared to deal with any problems that may occur. Although it is a tough time for everyone, especially those who lost loved ones in the attacks, they must believe that the government can protect them, while being alert themselves.

My Favorite Book

Reading books is one of my favorite things to do. I love to read and I do it any chance that I get. I have so many "favorite books" it is hard to pick just one. If I had to pick one of my favorite books it would be A Thousand Splendid Suns. This book was written by Khaled Hosseini, the same author of The Kite Runner which is also another of my favorite books. A Thousand Splendid Suns is his second book. This book is about two Afghani women, Mariam and Leila and how their lives intersect in the most unpredictable way. At first both lead a somewhat happy, comfortable life, but both their lives are turned upside down by heartwrenching events. Mariam's mother commits suicide, and afterwards she is sent to live with her father, who had kept her hidden for years, because she was his illegitamite child. Mariam is soon forced to marry a much older man, Rasheed, who becomes abusive after she can not have children. In the meantime, Leila is a much younger, beautiful, educated young woman who is enjoying her life. She had just fallen in love with her childhood friend, Tariq. As she is moving with her family because of the beginnings of war in Afghanistan, a bomb explodes on her home, killing her parents and destroying her life forever. Believing that Tariq has also died on the way out of the country, she is forced to marry Rasheed as her only means of survival, especially since she is already pregnant with Tariq's child. Leila and Mariam slowly begin a friendship over the years. Leila eventually finds out that Tariq was actually alilve and Rasheed kept this a secret from her. One day, when Rasheed becomes especially abusive, and becomes a deadly threat to them all, Mariams kills him with a shovel. Mariam confesses to killing Rasheed, so she can divert attention from Laila and her children, and she is executed.  Leila escapes with her children and finds Tariq, and soon they are married. 

This is one of my favorite books, because it shows the lenghts that people would go to to save their loved ones. Maria loved Leila and her children so much, that she even sacrificed her life for them, knowing that it was what she was meant to do. And in turn, Leila honored her memory by naming her third child after her. This book is inspiring. It shows no matter how terrible, terrifying, or hopless a situation may be, if only you have the faith and the strength to go on you can overcome anything.