Outside Reading #10

I finally began New Moon, the second book of the Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer. I only read about ten pages of the book today so I am taking the chance of judging the book. So far I believe the book is a bit boring. After the amazing ending to Twilight I expectedthe beginning of New Moon to be just as good. What I have heard from others that are reading the Twilight series is that the first, third, and fourth book are unbelievable. However the second is not the greatest. Therefore I wondered why. Why was the second book not as great as the first, third and fourth? Stephenie Meyer is an incredible writer in my opinion, but I just don't understand how she let down Twilight fans in the second book. My conclusion is that she  doesn't want too much to happen, and is saving the best events for last. I recall reading an article that was based off of an interview she did. I remember her explaining that Edward and Bella's relationship does not grow rapidly, it takes time. Their feelings for each other are obviously strong but the physical part and mental part of the relationship blooms slowly. Because of this statement I believe Meyer mad New Moon not as good as the others to help readers understand Edward and Bella's relationship better.

Outside Reading #9

Every year for Hannukah all the cousins in my family pick another cousin to give a gift to. This year I picked my seven-year-old cousin who desperately wants a new "Bratz" doll. As a result of her plead for the item I searched the internet for the specific type od Bratz doll she wanted. It was then when I came across this article on CNN.com. Due to the fact that Mattel sued Bratz manufacturer MGA Entertainment Inc., and last week a federal judge ordered MGA to stop making the dolls. Bratz will no longer be on the shelves after this shopping season ends. While many young girls are very disappointed to here the news, most moms feel relieved. Six-year-old Sierra Curry-Corcoran of Newport News, Virginia is a Bratz lover. Sierra prefers Bratz over Barbies. "I like Bratz better. They have more fancy clothes, and they look more cool," Sierra declared. Looking at the situation from a mom's point of view is the total opposite. Many moms believe Bratz are very risque. Mom, Kristi Cassell of Sandy Springs, Georgia is a non-supporter of the dolls. "Barbies come across more wholesome," Cassell said. Barbie has some "questionable" clothes, "but it seemed like all the Bratz dolls were on a darker side of Barbie," she said. In this cas moms aren't the only ones happy to see these "trashy dolls" leave the shelves. Bratz rival, Barbie, is relieved to see them discontinued. This will provide less competition for Barbie. In my opinion I also believe Bratz are a little too much. However when I was that age I didn't pay much attention to the appearance of the doll to the point where I would want to look like them. I knew they were unrealistic people. Now that I'm older I do understand the parental opinion better, and I do agree with it. Because of the unrealistic body images that are sadly considered "normal" in our society today. It is important that guardians teach their daughters at a young age to lead a healthy life style, with a well balanced self of esteem.

This entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #8

For my outside reading I read an article about the NFL having to lay off some of their workers. Due to the nations poor economy the league is cutting more than ten percent of its staff. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced this information on Tuesday in a memo to the league's employees. Goodell explained in the memo that the cuts were the results of the economy, and that they will help the NFL become stronger during this recession. Before the economy went down hill the NFL was considered the "the richest game" and the "the strongest sport in the world." Now that the economy has taken a downturn, and cuts are being made.They are at the same level as the NBA, NASCAR teams and the company that runs the Major League Baseball's internet division. The cuts will take place in the next sixty days or so. All thirty-two individual teams will need to make cuts and layoff employees. As of right now fans have not noticed the cutbacks, however the NFL announced last month that they will be reducing play-off tickets by ten percent. As well as the tickets sold for this season, Goodell does fear next season. His fear is due to the fact that prices of tickets will have increased, therefore not many will purchase them. My personal response to this article was a response full of frustration. I am very upset, as is everyone else, about our economy. I believe sports events such as football are events that keep people from being stressed about the economy. Now that the economy is involved with events such as it just makes me sick to my stomach. Americans need to pull it together and figure out our issues before anything else happens!

This entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #7

The article I read to day was about a memorial service that was held for a college prep school teacher, Lee Jones. Jones taught history at Shattuck-St.Mary's. Jones shot and killed himself with a handgun on campus this past Friday. Boys in seventh through ninth grade heard the gun shot from their dorms. Jones' co-workers tried to helped him, leaving students moved. Unfortunately he ignored the help. Jones was a popular teacher and lacrosse coach, and very well liked. When I read this article I created two points of view. One of the views is from Jones' perspective. As much as I don't even want to think about putting myself in Jones' position, I've realized he must have been in a great deal of pain. Enough pain to kill himself. This made me wonder, if I became that depressed would I want help? After reading this article I googled depression. The results I got included a very interesting fact. People with depression believe no one can help them. This fact gave me mixed feelings. Did Jones' do the right or the wrong thing? Then I came up with a conclusion, everyone has their own opinion about death. Maybe Jones felt like death would help him. My second point of view is from the people and loved ones Jones leaves behind. For all of them it's a very tragic event. When I put myself in their shoes the first thing I thought about was, what kind of impression did Jones leave on them? Do they look at life and death differently? My hopes are that they realize to ask for help when needed. Whether it's depression or homework everyone should ask for help.

This entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #6

Today I read an article on CNN.com. The article was based on a one on one interview between CNN's Denise Quan and pop sensation, Katy Perry. The article says Katy Perry began her career as a teenager. She was a Christian music singer known as Katy Hudson. After her teenage career ended Katy reinvented herself as Katy Perry. The last name Perry is Katy's mother's maiden name. Perry's first music video was "I Kissed a Girl". This first video of hers was one of the summer's number one hits. It was also number one in fifteen other countries besides the United States. Quan questioned Perry about the video, Perry responded. "Yeah, "I Kissed a Girl" got a lot of attention -- and that was my first video. It is kind of interesting when you are going for your first video and your first everything, you know, you are taking a lot of chances,...". Because "I Kissed a Girl" was her first video she took a chance, because not everyone succeeds with their first video or song. Fortunatley Perry's first time she was overly successful. Quan also asked Perry if the song had any meaning to Perry's past life. Perry admitted she had kissed a girl before and she enjoyed it. Perry also explained how she does not pay attention to tabloids or rumors. For instance the rumor that her parents didn't support her number one hit. As much as celebrities are viewed as rich, egocentric people, I admire Perry. Always being under the spot light would be very stressful in my opinion. Constatnley reminding yourself to think before acting or saying anything. Perry has the courage to ignore what people think about her.

This article was written by Denise Quan, and can be found here.