Taking Opportunities by Rachel Raffino

As the daughter of a pilot, it’s safe to say I’ve held a few more monkeys, zip-lined over a few more jungles, and rode a few more donkeys along the beach than the average 15 year old. But I’ve only taken about an eighth of the amazing opportunities that I could have had. And the the main reason why this is, is school. Often times I will be invited to join my dad on trips to Europe, Mexico, tropical islands etc. and I always say "I can't." And his response is always a classic look of confusion. I explain to him that I "have a big history test coming up" or "I can't miss another Russian class I've already missed too many." But what I've realized is that 10 years from now I won’t remember having to go in for lunch to make up a test, or finishing up work I missed for an extra hour one night. I’ll remember the feeling of a parrots claws digging into my head, or buying souvenirs from local artisans, or climbing the stairs to the Anne Frank house. Kate Fontes explains that “school work can always be made up, but opportunities to travel and be with our families don’t come around all the time.” Morgan Saulys said that “one day the cities you visit may be gone and you would be sad you never went to visit them, and made great memories.” Mrs. Kopp shared with me a story about how she was nervous about missing a few days of school to take her kids to Disney World, but went on to say that it was the best decision she could have made. Dosomethingcool.net tells readers to “say yes more often, because great opportunities often come from your own great ideas so don’t say no to them. If you’re negative about yourself, you’ll just limit your own options. This is not a good state of mind to be in. Even though life is the longest thing we do, it’s still much too short to say “no” to things. Too short to spend time worrying about missing a day of work or school, when there's four corners of the world to explore containing a new adventure and new stories in every direction. So to quote one of my favorite disney movies, "adventure is out there," waiting for me to find it.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley Interpretation 

By Cynthia Loh

Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

      I am the captain of my soul. 

The idea of "killing the author" came up in English class recently. By kill, I don't mean to murder the author or having the author physically die. To "kill the author" means to destroy the identity of the author in your mind while reading and interpreting the piece of literature. This means to understand the message regardless of the author's personality or biography guiding you. For this blog, I will read and interpret the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley while "killing the author". Afterwards, I will use the author's biography to interpret the poem. 

My Interpretation

From my interpretation, the author is surrounded by oppression and conformity. In the sentence, "Out of the night that covers me," the night represents darkness and evil that the author is faced with in life. To be more specific, I view "night" as rejection from society and/or other people, for example, something like bullying, racism, or gender inequality. However, even in face of all this hate and rejection the author faces, he has an "unconquerable soul" which shows that the author won't back down to the evil in his life. The term unconquerable means incapable of being overcome by force and incapable of being subdued. This evil in his life will not overcome him or subdue him. Henley says, "My head is bloody, but unbowed" showing that even though the author is hurt and being constrained, he will not submit to his oppressors and he can not accept this reality as destiny. The author is currently in a place of hate and fear, but he will not be intimidated. The last two lines and undoubtedly the most important and striking lines in this poem, "I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul," Henley expresses his unshakable will to live a better life. By calling himself the master of his fate and the captain of his soul, Henley refutes the idea that others can control or rule over his life. The message that I brought out of this poem is to have perseverance through the hard times because in the end, the only one who truly has power over you is yourself.

Author's Biography

When Henley was 12 years old he was diagnosed tuberculosis. One of his legs had to be amputated just below the knee and his other leg was barely saved from his disease by a radical surgery performed by his doctor. Henley became an inmate of his hospital. In his poem, the sentence, "In the fell clutch of circumstance," Henley was referring to his tuberculosis and his circumstance of having one leg. Even though he suffered since he was a boy, Henley communicates his tenacity and strength from his unfortunate situation. His tuberculosis will not and can not control him. Unlike what I interpreted, the author wasn't facing rejection from society but he was dealing with an inner struggle with himself.

                     

First Day Driving by Julia Loewen

My First Day Driving

by Julia Loewen

At 4 years old, I was anxious to start kindergarten like my older cousins. At 8 years old, I had always dreamed about getting my very own cell phone. At 11 years old, I looked forward to having the freedom to go to restaurants, the movies, or the mall without my parents. At 15, just a few months ago, I had imagined how my life would be when I could drive. Today, as I cruised down the streets for the first two hours before I receive my permit, I realized that all of those things I had once desired, I have. I never imagined myself driving because I have become so accustomed to someone else driving me everywhere. It had never truly occurred until I had my hands on the wheel that I am already 16 years old, only 4 hours away from legally being able to drive (with an adult of course). Not only was I learning about how to drive, but I realized that I rarely live in the moment. As Mr. Gilmartin told me, "Stop looking so far ahead, focus on the road you are driving on" I realized that it is so easy for people to look too far ahead in life, so much so that they miss the things that they are driving through at that moment. Until this morning, I could not wait get my license, and I wished my 17th birthday would come faster. I was oblivious to all of the great things in my life as a 16 year old. Having a permit definitely has it's differences from having a license, but I am going to take my time with my permit, enjoying the views of the roads with an adult in the passenger seat.

Stranded on Deserted Island- by Abraham LaBelle

Imagine you wake up on a tropical island, unable to remember how and when you got there. But, this is not a paradise, for you are stranded there until you can survive, or die trying. So, what would you do?

Being stranded on an island is a very popular scenario. Countless movies, stories, and games have been based on this simple idea. The reason behind this is for the basic principle of the scenario, survival, and humans have always sought to survive in every situation throughout history.

Surviving alone, however, is not every story's problem, as many stories change the conflict by adding the factor of surviving with other people. For those who thrive by themselves, surviving on an island is not an impossible task, but adding other people to the mix can cause numerous complications. A simple conflict of interests can lead to arguing, death, and above all- not working together as a group to survive.

Lord of the Flies is one of the stories that demonstrates this, as the young boys must conquer these challenges in order to survive the island. But, as survival stories go, they rarely end with everyone living to tell the tale...

Inception Movie Review

Inception Movie Review By Beck Gozdenovich
Plot Summary: Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) are two men who are able to access people's dreams, and extract information from them. They gain this information, usually from big company CEO's, and sell it to big corporations for big bucks. But when a big corporation asks these men to do an inverse operation and plant an idea in someone's head, known as "inception", they are at first skeptical. But then the man promises to get Cobb back to his children. Cobb is overwhelmed and immediately agrees. Through this journey, we learn many things about Cobb's past that reveal why he was separated from his children in the first place, and why he struggles with doing these operations over and over again.

Rating and Reason: I give this movie a 9 out of 10. The slow beginning is a bit hard to get past, but if you stick it out, you won't be disappointed. The first hour and a half is dedicated to plot and character development, and it does a really good job of it. You learn so much about each and every character, their past, their capabilities, and their motives, all in depth. When the action starts, it is a bit overwhelming, starting with a train plowing through cars in the middle of a city street. The action doesn't stop there, it gets even more high-octane. My favorite scene was the changing-gravity fight scene with Arthur and the agent in the hotel. When you see how it was actually acted out and filmed, you are just mind-blown. Behind the Scenes. The ending is also very satisfying, unlike other Leonardo DiCaprio movies such as "Shutter Island". Overall, this movie was fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone, regardless of interests.

Euphemisms by Kate Fontes

By definition, a euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Up until about 5 minutes ago, I had no idea what a euphemism is. I just heard the word and thought, "wow, that sounds fancy!" After some brief research, I have discovered that I not only hear them, but use them ALL THE TIME. Some common euphemisms include...

• Passed away instead of died
• Letting someone go instead of firing them
• Between jobs instead of being unemployed
• Use the rest room instead of go to the bathroom
• Big boned instead of overweight
• Misspoke instead of lied
• Sanitation worker instead of garbage man
• Put to sleep instead of euthanized
• Lose your lunch instead of vomit
• Having words instead of arguing
• Pre-owned instead of used
• Unmotivated instead of lazy

As you can see, euphemisms add to the idea that the english is one confusing language. Clearly, there is more than one way to say the same thing. I see euphemisms as a way of sugar coating. They allow a more positive connotation to be put on words or phrases that usually are not seen that way. How often do you find yourself using euphemisms? 

Life by Julia Flake

LIFE

As each and everyday has been flying by, it may seem impossible for it to ever slow down. With the constant stress of school, sports, social life, family, friends and much more, it is hard to find a time to sit back and appreciate the life you live. For me personally, I am always so busy I barely have time to breath. However, I could not ask for a better life than the one I am living at this very moment. I am already 16 years old, and although that is very young, I still can't believe how fast the time is going. As a kid, you always wish to be an adult and finally be free. As I am getting older, I want nothing more but for it to slow down. Being an adult can wait. What everyone should do is make the most of every moment while it is still there. Before we know it, we will all be 75 and sitting in a rocking chair, thinking back on our past. Life is too short to take it for granted, so enjoy every second of it.