Blog #6

This week in English class we have started the novel, Persepolis. Persepolis is written by Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian and French graphic novelist. This novel is one big comic book, filled with black and white pictures that help tell the story. This novel is about Satrapi's childhood in Iran, before and after the revolution. It takes place during the war between Iran and Iraq. The child in the novel is a very interesting child. She wants to become a prophet and attend demonstrations at the age of ten. Talk about a courageous young woman. I find this story very interesting because it about a revolution from a child's perspective. There are so many views and opinions that are from adults, but not many from children. I find that very odd, because children, the next generation, are the ones who will need to pick up the political messes made by adults. So our perspectives do matter. Persepolis is also very intriguing because it's about an area of the world that most Americans are not very fond of. Therefore the history of middle-east is very unrecognizable to many. I love reading this because before this story, I had no idea about the Iranian Revolution.

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. Paris, France: L' Association.2000

Blog #5

This week I have finished the famous novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, written by Julia Alverez.The story was very interesting, however it felt like I was reading more than one story. In this novel there are many characters. The characters who narrate the story are the four Mirabal sisters, Dede, Mate, Minerva, and Patria. Each has a different point of view on what is occuring in the story. For example during the movement Minerva is very involved and Dede is not at all. This caused two stories to form. One from Dede's perspective, not involved with the movement. And Minerva's perspective, a radical, deeply involved in the movement. This created a thruough but confusing story. What I found most interesting about this story was that it was based on a true story. When I read some of the details about the girls lives or about the shocking things that occured. I couldn't believe it. I was so appauled by some of the things that were occuring that it kept me reading. As terrible as it sounds, it's the truth. To anyone questioning to read this novel I highly reccommened it to history buffs.

Alvarez, Julia.In the Time of the Butterflies.1994, New York. Penguin Group.

Outside Reading #4

Don't worry Twilight fans, Edward will still be able to be seen on the big screen by November! Rumor has been flying around, especially EHS, that author of the Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer is being sued. Meyer was supposively being sued for stealing the idea of Twilight from a college roomate. Rumor also said that the production of New Moon the film was halted, meaning they would delay the release date or not even release it at all. This left thousands of teenage girls in terror. As i researched online and read through tabloids I concluded that the rumor was fiction. This was a sign of relief to myself as well to the thousands of other teenage girls who want to have their neck bit by Edward Cullen. Apparently there are many different stories to how this false information was released out into the public. One story said that it was a desperate tabloid writer. Other's say it was writers who were jealous of Meyer's fame.

New Moon. New York: Little Brown and Company,2006>

Outside Reading #3

This week I have began to read In the Time of the Butterflies written by Julia Alvarez. Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American poet and novelist. Alvarez was born in New York City in 1950. However, she spent the first ten years of her life in the Dominican Republic. Alvarez's family was obligated to move back to the United States after her father was involved in a political rebellion. Her father was apart of a group who had attempted to overthrow the military dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. In 1960 the Alvarezs moved back to the United States. When Julia Alvarez moved to the U.S. she experienced alienation, homesickness, and prejudice. Alvarez overcame her struggles. Today she is considered on of the most successful Latina writers. Alvarez has written famous novels such as How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents, In the Time of the Butterflies, ¡Yo!, and In the Name of Salome. Alvarez's novels are very intriguing. They are full of history, and Alvarez's personal experiences. She writes with Dominican and American contributes. Julia Alvarez has proven that hard good pays off.

Alvarez, Julia.In the Time of the Butterflies.1994, New York. Penguin Group.

Outside Reading #2

This week we watched the 1971 film Duel directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie was a very interesting film. It was very different than movies I have watched before. Duel was very suspenseful, however I would tend to get very bored. Almost every scene was a car chase, cat-and-mouse-like chase, between David Mann and a tanker truck. This film descended from a short story in Playboy magazine. Duel was Spielberg's feature-length directing debut. Many of the shots in Duel are medium shots of David Mann driving. These types of shots emphasized his point of view on the chase. It expressed his emotions, thoughts, strategies, etc... The other shots the film consisted of were extreme close ups of the tanker truck. This emphasized it's physical features which were suppose to be scary. As the movie progressed the chase did as well. David Mann seemed to have lost his mind by the end of the movie when he uses a strategy to get the truck to drive off a cliff. As he looks down at the destroyed truck and what is left of his little red car. The film ends, without putting any of the puzzle together. I was very frustrated at the end because their was all this tension, all this build up. And then you don't even get to know why.

Spielberg, Steven. Duel. 1971. George Eckstein, 1971

Outside Reading#1

For fourth quarter's outside reading I have decided to continue reading New Moon written by none other than the talented Stephenie Meyer. I have found myself half-way done with the book, and still loving every second of it. It's amazing how the story sucks me in and could keep me reading for hours. Hopefully no one is reading my blog who has yet to read New Moon because I would hate to spoil it! As of right now in the story Bella has just realized her good family friend, Jacob, is a werewolf. I personally believed everything was pretty slow moving in the book until this part. With Edward gone and nothing exciting occurring I began to grow pretty bored. Besides finding out that Jacob is a werewolf, Bella also finds out some very disturbing news. Jacob and his family know about the Cullens and their secret. Bella is in complete shock when she finds out. After successfully patching up the whole that Edward left in her heart, Bella feels that the whole has come back. Apparently the Cullens, vampires, and Jacob and his people, werewolves, do not mix well. Leaving Bella stuck in the middle. I cannot wait to read more!

New Moon. New York: Little Brown and Company,2006>

Effects of the Holocaust Paragraph

The Holocaust had nothing but a negative impact on the world. As a result to the Holocaust the Jewish people lost their rights and extermination camps were established. When German soldiers first invaded Jewish areas, they would take their rights away. The German soldiers would first force them into an unpleasant living situation, ghettos. Ghettos were established throughout 1941 and 1942, and held Jews until they were deported to the concentration camps. While living in ghettos Jews were not aloud out on the streets after a certain time. As well as living in ghettos, Jews were forced to wear a yellow badge that was in the shape of the Star of David. Theses badges marked Jews in public. Some even died before deportation, starvation and disease lurked in every ghetto. When the time of deportation came, all rights were taken away. Jewish people were deported to concentration camps. In 1933, with the cooperation of local authorities, the Nazis set up camps as concentration centers within Germany. At these camps prisoners would be tortured or killed. The conditions of the camps were unbearable. The most famous concentration camp was Aushwitz, located in Poland. Up to three million people were killed in Aushwitz. During the Holocaust a totaly of six million Jews were killed. That number was about seventy-eight percent of the 7.6 million Jews living in Europe at the time. However, Jews were not the only group executed during the Holocaust. Soviet POWs, Ethnic Poles, Romanians, the disabled, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and gypsies were also victims. In conclusion the results of the Holocaust affected the rights of Jewish people and the establishment of concentration camps.

Research Summary #2: Effects of Holocaust

The major effect of the Holocaust was that six million Jews died in the Holocaust. However, not only Jews were persecuted. Other groups were also persecuted and killed, including ethnic Poles, the Romani, Soviet civilians, Soviet prisoners of war, the disabled, homosexuals men, political and religious opponents.

In 1933, with the cooperation of local authorities, the Nazis set up camps as concentration centers within Germany. One of the first concentration camps was Dachau. Early camps were only meant to hold, torture, or kill only political political prisoners, such as Communists and Social Democrats. After 1939 the camps started to hold Jews and Poles. By 1942 six large exterminations camps were established in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Before Jews were deported to extermination camps they were held in ghettos. Ghettos were established throughout 1941 and 1942. The largest ghetto was the Warsaw Ghetto with 380,000 people. Some people even died in the ghettos before they were deported. They died of starvation and disease. Each ghetto was run by a Jewish council of German-appointed Jewish community leaders.

Sush, Darren. "A Final Solution with No End?" About. 2005. The New York Times Company. 25 Mar. 2009. [http://judaism.about.com/od/holocaust/a/darrensash_3.htm]

Research Summary #1

During the Holocaust over six million Jews were murdered. "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by fire." The cause of the Holocaust was that the Germans believed they were "racially supierier", and Jews were a threat to German society.

Germans not only target Jews, they targeted other groups as well. Including the diabled, Slavs, gypsies, and many more. "Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals."

By 1945 the Germans had killed about 2 out of every 3 Jews in Europe. The "Final Solution" was the Nazi policy to murder the Jews of Europe.

To monitor Jewish population and to prepare for deportation, Jews lived in ghettos. Jews were deported to concentration camps. Concentration camps were extermination camps, killing camps.

German arms surrendered on May 7, 1945. Many survivors found shelter in "displaced persons camp". Displaced persons camps were camps that the allied powers had created for survivors. Beginning in 1948 and last until 1951 almost 700,000 migrated to Israel. Jews also migrated to the U.S.

"The Holocaust." USHMM. 2009. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 24 Mar. 2009 [http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005143]

Blog #15: Overcomming Odds

On Saturday night Minneapolis South and Centennial battle for the class 4A girls state basketball title. The Minneapolis South team face obstacles As one starter left due to an injury, and another fouled out. However, Tayler Hill was still left in the game to lead the team to a championship. Tayler Hill is a two-time Metro PLayer of the Year. She is an incredible player with tremendous strength. Loosing two of her starting team-mates did not stop Tayler. Tayler played all thirty-six minutes and went 11-for-29 shooting, including 5-for-13 on three-pointers. She had twelve rebounds. " 'I know she was good, but tonight she was phenomenal,' Centennial coach Jill Becken said." In this game Hill really did overcome the odds. This proves she has incredible heart. She did not give up she kept pushing herself and her team until a first place medal would be placed around her neck. Playing all 36 minutes and scoring all the points that she did also proves she is physically an incredible player. To overcome the odds one must be mentally and emotionally strong. They must be driven.

La Vaque, David. "Tayler-Made." Star Tribune 22 Mar. 2009: C13

Persecution Project: Flow Map

Persecution Project

The article I read regarding persecution was based on Iraqi-Christians. People in Iraq who believe in Christianity are threatened everyday with violence attacks. In this country we have accepted the idea that everyone can practice their own religion. Therefore I cannot even imagine a society where a specific group of people are being prosecuted for their beliefs. Everyone should have the right to practice any religion. My question is how can one person hate another for practicing a specific religion, when it doesn't affect them in any way. Persecution really confuses me. I am excited to start the new project and go deeper into the subject.

Lyle, Jenna. "Iraqi Christians still face persecution." 18 Mar.2009.
http://www.christiantoday.com /article/iraqi.christians.still.face.persecution/22810.htm

Group Members
Annie- http://heyimannie.blogspot.com/
Beth- http://bethy-siddhartha-blog2.blogspot.com/
Gabs-http://gabriellem1.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Blog #14:Love

As I may have mentioned before in my previous blogs, I have been reading the Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer. I am currently on the second book, New Moon. The Twilight series is about a love story between a vampire and a human. Some may say love is complicated and doesn't always work. Well the love between Edward, a vampire, and Bella, a human, is more than complicated. However, it seems to suit and it does work. As I finished the first book, Twilight, I learned that love takes sacrifices. Edward loves Bella so much that he must restrain himself from drinking her blood. He must keep himself from killing her. As well as Edward, Bella must also make sacrifices. Bella must protect Edward and his family by keeping their unknown secret. The secret that they are all vampires. Whether it is love between a vampire and a human or the love between a human and another human. Love takes sacrifices. Now some may not even believe in the idea of love or soul mates. But doesn't every relationship of any sort take sacrifices? I believe they do. All relationships take sacrifices.

Meyer, Stephenie. New Moon.New York: Little Brown and Company,2005

Blog #13: War

For decades the Israelis and Palestinians have been at war. To us Americans, we believe the war we have been fighting has be going on for a very long time. Well the Israeli-Palestinian war began over fifty years ago. Today, the two enemies are not even close to an agreement of any sort. They continue to fight in a war that may never end. In Israel every young man and woman must participate in the army at least one time. I have family that lives in Israel that therefore many of them have or are participating in the war. In someways I feel as if I am apart of two wars. The war that the United State's is apart of, and the war that the Israelis are apart of. As much as I don't want to believe it or even say it, I have become used to the idea of war. It has become apart of our everyday lives. Since September 11th our country has changed dramatically, and becoming used to war is one of the dramatic changes. I hope that one day our entire world can live in peace, even if it takes centuries.

Stern, Lynn. "Still no peace in Jordan." Time 20 Oct. 2008:3-4

Blog #12:Colonialism

In the novel Nectar in a Sieve, written by Kamala Markandaya. An Indian village is colonized by the British. In the story the British come and build a tannery. For a woman named Rukmani, the tannery only brought suffer to her life. Because of the tannery her son Raja was killed. This is what got me thinking the most. I couldn't come to terms with the idea of colonialism. How can one group of people come in and conquer another without any hesitation or regret? It just didn't seem right to me. The people who conquered wanted to exterminate the traditional culture of the area. Religion, agriculture, living situations, every aspect of the native's life-styles. Looking from the other side of the spectrum, it was great for the people that conquered. They gained land, therefore they gained power. However, they came in and took over like there was nothing wrong. That is what disturbs me. Especially thinking that our country was built around colonization also scares me.

Markandaya, Kamala. Nectar in a Sieve. New York: Signet, 2002.

Blog #11:Global Issue

In my opinion global warming is an issue. And a global issue for that matter. Human activity has been driving this issue for the past fifty years. The release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from smokestacks, tailpipes, and burning forests has raised the average surface temperature. For a number of years now scientists, politicians, and citizens have talking about what is occurring due to global warming. I believe it's time to stop talking about what is occurring, and start to take action. We need to make a plan, and figure out what products hurt the earth, and what we can use to substitute. I understand that this issue has been brought to the government. However, we need to start making substitutions now. We need to start making harmful products illegal, and find a more "eco-friendly" substitution. Some do not believe in global warming, if anything they believe it is just a phase. How can you believe it is just a phase when there is hard evidence that global warming has been occurring for years. I understand everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, but when it comes to an issue like this. We need to take a stand together.

Carter, Bailey. "Global Warming." NewYork Times. 2009. United Nation Scientific Panel. 2 Feb. 2009 [http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/science /globalwarming]

Blog #10: Holidays

In English class, the class has been watching a movie called Namesake directed by Mira Nair. Namesake is based off the novel The Namesake written by Juhmpa Lahiri. Namesake is a film about an Indian family that lives in the United States. In this story the family learns to adapt to American customs, such as marring people outside of their religion. While I watched the movie I noticed something very interesting. I noticed the Indian family celebrated Christmas. Now obviously Christmas is not an Indian holiday, thats why I found it so interesting that they celebrated the holiday. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, Indians do not believe in Jesus. Indians believe in Hinduism by wich they believe in many gods and religious figures. My personal opinion on the reason why the family celebrated Christmas was to assimalte. When immigrants first started comming to America they wanted to blend in. This started the trend for many immagrants to accomadate to the ways of an American life style. Including holidays whether they are religious or not. Therefore Americans holidays such as Christmas are celebrated by those who may not even believe in what is being celebrated.

Namesake. Dir. Mira Nair. Perf. Kal Penn.Mira Nair, 2007

Blog #9: Bollywood

In the United States we have Hollywood. In India they have Bollywood. In the United States Sean Penn and Kate Winslet were nominated the best actor and actress of the year. While in India Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra were nominated best actor and actress of the year. Bollywood has an award ceremony called the Filmfare Awards. The Filmfare Awards are somewhat similar to the Oscars. After watching a Bollywood film for the first time I realized that they are not that different compared to movies here in the U.S. Yes, Bollywood and Hollywood have their similatirities, but they alsohave their differences. In Bollywood films there is more singing and dancing. While Hollywood films that have singing and dancing are known as musicals. Overall both actors and actresses of Bollywood and Hollywood are very talented people.

Mishrikt, Raja. "Best Bollywood actors/actress." Bollywood. 2009. Bollywood Films. 28 Feb. 2009 [http://www.bollywood.com/hrithik-priyanka-declared-best-actors-filmfare-awards-jodhaa-akbar-best-film]

Blog #8: Culture

In Minnesota hockey is more than just a game. It is a culture filled with many traditions that attract players and fans from all over the "state of hockey." To players, coaches and fans, late February to early March is the best time of the year. It is the peak of the season. It's play-off time. This time of the year is when the best-of-the-best come together. Rain or shine, or even a snow storm, cannot keep fans away from these games. Fans will park miles away from the rink just to get a parking spot. They will stand if no seats are available. These fact prove that hockey is a religion practiced by not only players in Minnesota. This time of year comes with much more than important play-off games. It comes with so many traditions that people all over the state have been doing for years. Like I have said before, hockey is a religion here that will never die.

Reusse, Patrick. "True hockey fans fill stands for big games." Star Tribune 1 Mar. 2009: C8.

Blog #7: Change

This year, 2009, is to be known as the year of change. Barack Obama is officially the fourty-forth president of the United States. Obama is the first African-American president of the United States. In order to become the fourty-forth president, Obama has to defeat one of the most powerful families in American-politics. He defeated Sen. John McCain. Besides being the first African-American president of the U.S., Obama has brought another type of change to this country. The United States has been lead by a republican president for the past eight two presidential terms. Barack Obama is a democrat, a democrat leader will dramatically change this country. As we all know our economy is in a recession, Obama plans to change that. He also plans to make other dramatic changes. In my opinion Obama is exactly what this country is ready for. He understands that what this country is going through and what needs to change in order to enhance the lives of Americans. His powerful faith in himself and the people are inspiring. Obama gives the United States, hope. Something that has not lurked this nation in many years. Barack Obama has already began to change this nation.

Frieden, Terry. "Obama-mania to Palin Power: 2008's top political stories." CNN. 31 Dec.
2008. CNN News. 22 Feb. 2009 [httpp://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/3
/2008.lookback/index.html#cnnSTCText]

Blog #7:

Blog #6: Hope

    For those who are in need of face transplants, there is hope. Many people have been brutally injured or have birth defects upon their faces. And most of those people have never regained or possessed confidence. Well now there is hope, the woman who received the first face transplant ever has reclaimed her confidence. The patient, who prefers to be anonymous, can finally eat, smell, and drink again. Victims and or people with deformed faces are usually very unhappy and lack confidence. The reconstructive surgery gives them hope in the sense that there is a possibility to lead a normal life. Our confidence comes from both our inside and outside beauty. Yes, inside beauty is more important that outside, but outside has a great influence on people's confidence. Imagine yourself with a deformed face from an accident. You would be one, emotionally disturbed from the actual accident, and two, you would loose a lot of your confidence.  Those who unfortunately posses this problem, just want to lead a normal life. They want to have a normal look. Looks may not be everything in life, but confidence is important. With facial reconstructive surgery, there is hope for those in need. There is hope for a better life.

         Landau, Elizabeth."CNN." 16 Feb. 2009. CNN News. 17 Feb. 2009

              [http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/16/face.transplant.patient/index.html]

Blog #5: Beliefs

Bishop, Richard Williamson, has strong beliefs regarding the Holocaust. " I believer there were no gas chambers," he admitted. After the interview the Roman Catholic Church revoked the excommunications he had been under. Also following the interview the Roman Catholic Church received severe criticism from Jewish leaders in Israel. When I read this article I was in shock. I understand and take into consideration that different people have different beliefs, however. How can a person say that millions of people did not die during the Holocaust when it has been recorded, observed and remembered by so many. According to the article he is ignoring the real facts and evidence. It is almost as if he is oblivious to common knowledge. The Holocaust is an excruciating and unforgettable time period in history. Because of the millions of deaths that took place due to starvation, torture, and being intoxicated with gas. Survivors, family members, and friends were left devastated and heart-broken. These people are the hard evidence that the gas chambers did exist. That six million Jews did die. In this case how can a man deny the fact that these people did die. In my opinion he has no right to deny the deaths of millions. I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. When it comes to the Holocaust, an event that has been documented and recorded in so many ways. You cannot deny death.

Allen Greene, Richard. "Holocaust denier strains Catholic-Jewish relations."CNN:Europe.2009.
CNN News. 12 Feb. 2009 [http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/12/catholic.jewish.relations/index.html?iref=newssearch]

Blog #4:Roles of Genders

I have finally begun the second book in the Twilight series, New Moon. The Twilight series is written by Stephenie Meyer. In this series a man, Edward Cullen, is the hero and also a vampire. The heroine is Bella Swan. Edward is always saving Bella's life through out the story. And therefore Bella is always getting into such trouble where she needs to be rescued. New Moon and the rest of the Twilight books are categorized as love stories. In love stories the man is always the one who saves the women, whether it be from an evil step-mother or from vampires who cannot control themselves. Therefore in love stories the gender role of a women is to give impression that she is helpless and in need of love and affection. While the gender role of a man is to save the women and be the hero, providing the love, protection, and affection. However, in this series there are good women vampires, heroines, that also protect Bella. In that case there are both heroes who are men and women. So men don't necessarily always have to be the "big shot" who saves the day. Both men and women can play the same role. 

Meyer, Stephenie. New Moon. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2o005

Blog #3: A Different Culture

On January 29th 2009, Pope Benedict XVI blessed two lambs in Vatican City. The Pope blessed the two animals because their wool will be used to make shawls for newly appointed archbishops to wear. The lambs were blessed while they laid in two baskets, and wore a crown of flowers. The shawls were presented to the archbishops eight days after the blessing. Growing up Jewish I understand that blessings in any and all religions are very important. I personally do not, but many Jews believe in keeping kosher. Part of keeping kosher is eating specific types of meat that are blessed. I understand that this totally points in the opposite direction, however. Both religions view animals as a gift. Gifts that people must show their appreciation for before using them to enhance their lives. While reading this article I realized there were some differences between Judaism and Christianity. For example the Pope is the head of the church, and is known by all christians around the world. I do not recall a famous rabbi that is known world-wide. Another difference is that Christianity has a number of holidays or traditions that are symbolized by an animal. Judaism does not have any symbolic animals apart of our culture. All religions have both similarities and differences. 

Associated Press. "Pope Benedict XVI blesses two lambs whose wool will be used for shawls for new archbishops."  Star Tribune. 8 Feb. 2009 [http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/37998594.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EPaL_V_9E7ODiUiD3Pc:_Yyc: aUU]

Blog #2: Overcoming Struggles

Just like every other teenage girl, I have been reading the Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer. In this series Bella Swan moves to from Arizona to Forks. Due to the move Bella must attend a new school, and make new friends. For Bella this is a difficult, she is very shy and humble. Therefore making new friends and adapting to a new life-style is challenging. I personally have gone through a transformation similar to Bella's situation. In ninth grade I opened enrolled in Edina. However I knew some girls through sports before attending Valley View. As the small group of girls did help me in some ways, it was still a challenging switch. Academically speaking the switch was difficult, I had more school and homework. Due to my personal experience I could perfectly imagine how Bella was feeling. That was until I got to the part where she becomes involved with a vampire, Edward Cullen. Along with adapting to new school and making new friends, Bella must change her life-style for Edward. And Edward must do the same for Bella. Bella cannot tell anyone about the Cullen family, therefore living with a large secret. Edward must keep himself from taking Bella's life. Together they overcome their struggles.

Meyer, Stepenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2004.

Blog #1: Natural Disaster

On Tuesday, January 27th, Louisville, Kentucky suffered from a brutal ice storm. Since the storm began twenty-one deaths have been reported, however they may not all be storm-related. The terrible storm left thousands without power. One official predicted that it could take up to two months to regain all the power that was lost. Kentucky's governor, Steve Beshear, called it "the biggest natural disaster that this state has ever experienced in modern history." As devistating as this natural disaster was for many, there are some positive affects. Communities are comming together and helping one-another to survive the after math of the storm. Residence are even opening their homes for others. I personally have never experienced an ice-storm, therefore I did some research on them. I learned ice-storms consist of freezing rain and high winds. One resident of Louisville said large branches had fallen from his front-yard trees numerous times. These events occur due to the weight of the ice that forms on trees, home, power lines, etc...Ice-storms usually occur with little to no warning, meteorologists have to be very careful when watching for and predicting ice-storms.

Outside Reading #15

"Bush:President's priority is preventing attack"

"The most important job I have had - and the most important job the next president is going to have - is to protect American people from another attack." A comment made by president George W. Bush during an interview with CNN's "Larry King Live" on Tuesday. During this interview Bush was accompanied by the first lady, Laura Bush. According to the "current" president, his administration has been involved with preventing and stopping specific threats against the United States. Bush's administration has been doing this since the first attack on September 11th, 2001. Since the first terrorist attack the president and his people have learned so much about other terrorists and possible terrorist attacks. The president's describes himself as "never tiring" for the past two terms. He has worked hard to gain this information and hopes Obama will take it and use it wisely. CNN's Larry King brought up the economic slump our country is facing. Bush criticized Obama for saying America is in for a bad year economically speaking. His opinion resulted in the idea that Obama should stay positive and explain the steps he is going to take. Overall Bush is excited for Obama's inauguration.

The entire article can be found here.  

Outside Reading #14

The British-based News of the World released two videos featuring Prince Harry and other soldiers on their website this weekend. In one video Prince Harry called a soldier a "Paki." And in the other he told another soldier with a cloth on is head that he looked "like a raghead." However these videos did not show the Prince, but his voice was to be heard making these comments in the background. The first video was filmed while the soldiers were waiting to board their flight to Cyprus. And the second video was filmed in Cyprus. On Saturday, after the videos were released. A spokesman of Harry's apologized in a statement released by St.James's Palace. In the statement Harry's spokesman apologized and explained that Prince Harry understands what he said was wrong and offending. It also said that the Prince had no intentions of offending his friends. Unfortunately this isn't the first time Prince Harry has had to apologize for offensive behavior. In 2005 he was photographed wearing a Nazi costume to a party. However friends and family of Harry believe he is not the man today that he was three years ago. 

This article was written by CNN's Katy Byron, and can be found here.

Outside Reading #13

On Friday, January 2nd. Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Was found unconscious while on vacation with his family in the Bahamas. The Travolta/Preston family was vacationing on the West End of the Bahamas. A local policeman said that Jett was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at arrival. Because the autopsy results have not been released, Jett's death remains a mystery. However the employees at the funeral home that handled Jetts body said that it was a "seizure" was listed as cause of death on the death certificate. The employees of the funeral home explained that Jetts body was in good condition and that there were no signs of head trauma. Jetts body was cremated, and the funeral is to take place on Thursday, January 8th. John and Kelly described Jett as an amazing son who will be terribly missed. "We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief," the couple said. Kelly and John are a very family oriented couple and will miss Jett terribly. Kelly and John also have an eight year-old girl, Ella. Today, January 6th Travolta and Preston returned to Ocala, Florida with their sons ashes.

This entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #12

On Sunday at 4:43 a.m. an earthquake took place in Indonesia. Eastern time the earthquake took place on Saturday at 2:43 p.m. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and struck ninty-five miles west-northwest of Manokwari, Indonesia. And almost one-hundred and five miles east-northeast of Sorong. Both are cities in the Indonesian province of West Papua. The earthquake killed a ten year old girl, and left thirty-five others seriously wounded. The toll was one fewer than the two dead recorded during the weekend. Many homes were damaged along with dozens of other buildings. According to an Indonesian agency four buildings totally collapsed. Military workers have been called upon to participate in rescue missions. However no one was left buried under the "rubble" after rescue workers took action minutes after the earthquake. The earthquake was centered at a depth of 21.7 miles. Following the earthquake a tsunami warning was issued but ended within an hour after the tsunami. I believe in global warming, therefore I believe global warming created the earthquake.

the entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #11

Today my sister left for Israel with a group called "Birth Right." Birth Right is a program supporting Jewish people from ages eight-teen to twenty-two to travel to Israel to be inspired by their culture. Due to the fact that the war in Israel is very serious right now, my family and I are constantly checking the internet, television, and family members for updates. In that case I came across this article on CNN.com. According to the article thousands of Israeli troops pushed into Gaza. The troops were backed by tanks and helicopters, and gained control in the northern part of Gaza. The crucial air attacks that Israel has conducted began on December 27th of 2008. Since then five-hundred Palestinians have been killed. And 2,600 Palestinians have been seriously injured. Since Israeli troops have invaded Gaza on Saturday, thirty-seven Palestinians have been killed. Those thirty-seven Palestinians killed were both militants and civilians. This entire event, and it's background is very depressing to me. Even though I was born in the U.S. and I live in the U.S. I feel as if I am apart of two wars. I have family and family friends that both live in Israel and participate in the Israeli Army. My hope is that one day my generation will solve today's problems, and make the world a better place.

the entire article can be found here.