"Finally"

Reading for me isn't always easy. I get bored really quickly if the book isn't interesting within the first few pages. Usually, I would have just set the book right back down. Recently though, I have been reading past the first few chapters, which I haven't done since I was little. I read a lot more when I was in elementary school, because my aunt had gotten me the entire Series of Unfortunate Events. I read every single one, right after another. That's the last time I can remember actually reading outside of school assignments. I find myself reading after I get my pajamas on and climb into bed. I turn my night stand light on and get out my book. I can only get in a few pages before I'm dozing off...so some of the time I had trouble meeting the quota of pages for the week. I don't like having a quota for reading, but I guess if I read into why we have a quota, it's a good life lesson. I just like going at my own pace though.
During the semester, I read a variety of books from Tina Fey's Bossypants to Nic Sheff's book Tweak. I normally only read magazines on my own or tweets (lol). I think I want to start reading more often though, just at my own pace and whenever I feel like reading.

Burm Baby, Burn!

The family made it to Mississippi only to come to a complete stop. Already the kids don't like it for various reasons including, it's too hot, boring, too hot, and people half naked. To add to the misery, the family finds out why traffic is stopped after cars start turning around. They reach the pit of the problem. A big truck had flipped over, and is now engulfed in flames. Daniel recognized the driver and ask if that was the man that had helped them pack earlier that day. As Daniel was asking the question, his father put two and two together, that was their truck with their stuff burning.
I could not imagine going to a whole new state and then not having anything and having to start all over. Also his father didn't get home owners insurance while their stuff was being moved, so they have no coverage. When I read that, the devastation and shock the family was feeling came through me as well.
 

"Currently"

Total pages read this two weeks: 217

I'm reading One Mississippi by Mark Childress as I had mentioned earlier.

Sentences of the Week:
1. "It would take you twice as long, time you went around."
This sentence reminds me of my dad because he is always thinking that he's right.

2. "Just lack I lack it!" (just like I like it)
I chose this sentence because I LOVE accents.

3. "Disorderly noise flooded out of the band hall, drums rat-a-tat-tatting like machine guns, horns and saxes blatting, flutes shrilling..."

Sentence number three is my favorite this week because it reminds me middle school. Although I was never in the band, as you walk down the band hallway this is exactly what you could hear.

New Quotes!

Integration.....




Integration protesters in the south

 During the time period of the book that I have been reading. The school that Daniel moves to has recently integrated. I researched integration last year in U.S. history, and being half black, this subject especially interests me. From what I found out, there were several fights and protesters everyday. Constant police sirens filled the atmosphere. Also, what some people don't realize some African Americans opposed integration of the schools because it implied the inferiority of the black culture. They believed that they should be taught in black schools by black teachers so that the students would better understand, relate, and meet the needs of the students. I could not imagine having to go through such stress and instability everyday of my life. Not knowing what could happen to you that day at school. Sometimes, the black students would get harassed and beat up with no penalty to the ones who beat them up. This is not right in anyway. I am very grateful for growing up in the time period that I'm growing up in. I also have much respect for the people that had to go through that and also want to thank them for being strong and standing up for my culture. Although, I am half white as well, during this time period I would be considered black because of the "one drop" rule. Sad but true.
Personally, I hate race jokes against anyone. Unfortunately its around everywhere. I had a bad experience my freshman year with racism. Kids were telling me that I couldn't drink out of a certain drinking fountain, and asking me if I rode a different bus..I was like are you serious right now? This is the 21st century and you're honestly asking me this? However, it's just made me a stronger person.

Now Reading...................

I'm now reading One Mississippi, a novel by Mark Childress. At first I didn't understand the book. Not that it's a difficult read, but I didn't know when the book was taking place, so it was hard to picture the text. However, I did a little research and it takes place in 1973. This is the time period right after the civil rights movements and integration of schools. The narrator is a 16 year old boy, who's father he says is just about as fun as "Hitler". His father is a traveling salesman, therefore, him and his family live life as a day to day basis...not knowing the next time he will be moving again. Currently, they are living in Indiana (his favorite place he's live so far). When I read that, I was like what????? how? and why? Apparently he likes it because he can ride his back for SO long, and theres no hills that get in his way. He comes home from high school one day, and the family has a meeting in the living room. He knows from past experiences that this can never be good news. His father begins to tell the family, that they are going to move to Mississippi that Monday. I can't even imagine finding out that big of news and then only having until Monday to adjust and pack up. He's probably used to it but still......NO WAY! Although I would be happy to leave Indiana and most of these people that go to Homestead, but I wouldn't know what to do without my friends. It's hard enough trying to fit into one high school, but then switching schools multiple times would be tough on a person.

Close Reading Bingo

long quotation 2. Baker describes as the escalator as "They were the free standing kind: a pair of integral signs swooping upward between the two floors they served without struts or piers to bear any intermediate weight" -TheyCallMeFreshMoney

"uses" 6. The exert The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker uses high language as he describes the lobby and escalators as, "area of shine where it fell against their brushed steel side panels." -Eddie

written in past tense 7.The Mezzanine, written by Nicholson Baker is elegant, elevated, and also scholarly in the verbs being used. This excerpt was not extremely musical. It was also literal in denotation, as while reading it. Throughout the excerpt Barker used excellent verbs and description to explain all of the sentences.-Let's Start!

talks about how the reader would feel 4. In the excerpt from Nicholson Baker’s novel, The Mezzanine, Baker’s literal tone, but relaxed voiced allows the reader to get inside the mind of the speaker, to be able to really understand what he is thinking. -Notoriously MoFulla 

 This is the best one I came across! 
The dignified formality of Nicholson Baker's The Mezzanine describes the unusual tolerance the narrator feels for escalators in his work place.  -My Everyday Sticky Waffle