Climbing the Stairs by: Padma Venkatraman ( Final Blog)

    I currently finished the book "Climbing the Stairs" and overall I thought that this book was really strong and beautiful book. It talks about the life of Vidya and how she deals with hardships of her life.
Vidya is confused whether she likes( actuallly...loves) Raman . Raman is her only male friend and she shares her opinions with him and her feelings as well.Vidya and Raman gets closer throughout the book. Vidya's biggest fear is to get married. Back tthe girls who were younger than 18 would get married. (Link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage)  Vidya wants to complete her education, but her relatives doesn't except that from her. So Vidya's relationship with her relatives isn't that good.

     Vidya already has people insulting her dad because he can't talk after the British solider's hit his head (destroying the function her dad's brains). Vidya's life turns upside down after finding out that her only big brother is joining the army. Vidya tries to stop him, but her brother refuses. Vidya's mother is depressed how her family is breaking apart. Vidya  was extremely upset, but Raman comforted her.
Vidya finds out that Raman is leaving for 2 years. Vidya explains how Raman completed her life, but she doesn't  know what do with her life if Raman leaves. (Aweeee<3) Vidya is in love with Raman.

I thought that this book was a very good COA novel I chose. I even made my sister read it. This book is definitely worth reading.

2 Quotes on Philosophy COA Novel - Climbing the Stairs by: Padma Ventraman

1) "A nation dedicated to the idea of freedom,the i ideal for which we are fighting, all the way across half the Asian Continents" -Page 242-243 

This is one quote of philosophy because Vidya ( Main Character) is a strong young teenage girl. She is A Indian Girl who fights for her country and dealing with her once healthy father who is now  paralyzed. This quote was from a letter Vidya wrote to Rifka ( her Best friend) This quote shows me how much she cares for"  her country and wants freedom from the British occupied India. 

2) "Women are banished to an outhouse during their period. The extended family lives together with the women sleeping on the bottom floor and the men sleeping upstairs." 

Vidya gets new friends and she matures. Vidya meets Raman and tells him about him about how she's hit puberty. She tells Raman how Indian people are sexist people. When women have their periods... they are considered unsanitary and how its not fair. Like I've mentioned before how shes really independent and thinks beyond her opinions. Vidya is not scred to share her opinions with anyone.

Climbing the Stairs by: Padma Venkatraman ( Coming of Age)

    

          Vidya is the 15 year old teenager who lives in British occupied India during World War 2. Vidya dream is to go to college... not get married. Vidya had many struggles in her life, but still tries hard to succeed and go to college. Things are already bad because British people are taking over India and is proud of her dad because she thinks he is a hero because he is helping Indians fight for their freedom. 

Vidya's parents want her to get married. Back then, In South Asian countries your parents expected you to get married at a  young age. Vidya told her parents that she wanted to finish college and then she'll get married.                

        Vidya's father was a very close person to her. One day, A tragedy occurs in her life. Vidya and her father a re driving home and they run into a protest. Vidya is thrilled to hear that her parent gave her permission to go to college. Vidya runs into the crowd of protesters after her father warned her. Things went crazy and A British officer hits Vidya's dad in the head so many times that he damaged Vidya's dad head. 

A young Muslim guy helps Vidya's  father, but the doctor states that his brain is dead and so is his body ( meaning he is paralyzed) Vidya's father does not remember anyone at all. Vidya's dad canot make money so Vidya's family and her has to move her grandfathers house and leave school and her best friend (Rifka) behind and start a  new life. 

  In Vidya relatives household they expect marriage not education.Vidya feels as if her dream is forbidded in this household. Vidya has a cousin named Malati and is very selfish  most times. 

Vidya's father doesn't even remember  anyone and cant talk and Vidya's mother feels like a widow. Vidya hasd a new cruel teacher named Mrs.Rao who beats her with lathis ( sticks ). 

Vidya lies and tells Mrs.Roa  that British officers killed her father, but MAlati makes a whole entire announcement saying how Vidya is a liar and Mrs.Roa beats her. 

Malati teases her about how stupid Vidya's dad is because his brain doesn't function and Vidya has to hold in all then torture and pain just for her drean to come true.

(This is all I've read so far)

       

" Zimmerman Faces 2nd Degree Murder" ( Blog #3- Spring Break)< www.nytimes.com>

  " Zimmerman Faces 2nd Degree Murder" is an article from www.nytimes.com. This article is basically about how a man named George Zimmerman shot a boy named Trayvon Martin, but claims it was for self defense. I think that Zimmerman in guilty because in the article it states how Trayvon Martin was unarmed. So, why would Zimmerman want to shoot Martin for self defense?
     To begin with, Zimmerman was arrested on February 26th, 2012 for shooting teenager Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was unarmed when he was shot, Zimmerman claims he did the shooting for his own safety. Zimmerman says Trayvon Martin was stalking him on his way and had attacked him. "George Zimmerman, right, who said he was acting in self-defense.''( this quote was taken from a picture caption) Police also say that Zimmerman may not be lying because when police arrived they found Zimmerman bleeding from the nose.  People believe that Zimmerman shot him for racial issues. Witnesses also hear Trayvon Martin scream for help before he was shot. 
   Secondly, I think that Zimmerman is guilty because when Zimmerman called 911, the dispatcher asked Zimmerman if he was following the teen. The dispatcher told Zimmerman not to follow him, but he still did.
'' This guy looks like he is up to no good or he is on drugs or something." He further stated that the person he was observing had his hand in his waistband, was holding something in his other hand, and was walking around slowly in the rain looking at houses.^[85] On the recording of the call, Zimmerman is heard commenting "these assholes, they always get away." ( from  www.huffingpost.com),but it turns out that Trayvon Martin went outside of the grocery to buy some chips and skittles for his younger brother because he and his dad were watching football. Trayvon Martin's girlfriend speaks out as well. His girlfriend who was unidentified have said that he called her and said that a strange man was following him and she told him to run. She also heard Martin's saying to Zimmerman "Why you following me?" and Zimmerman pushed him to the ground hard and the line went dead. Zimmerman also called the police saying he was wearing a hoodie. Martin's girlfriend say that he told her that he was really scared and wore the hoodie to hide his face. 
     Furthermore, during this crime a lot people called 911 saying that they heard a gunshot and wrestling . Police also say that Trayvon could've have hit Zimmerman trying to protect himself. 
   To wrap up, Even if Zimmerman was trying to protect himself he has no right to shoot an unarmed teenager. I don't even know Trayvon Martin, but I hope he is resting in peace and that his family will get  all the support they need and I hope Zimmerman learns his lesson. 
    Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/us/zimmerman-faces-second-degree-murder-charge-in-florida.html?scp=1&sq=Zimmermanm%20faces%202nd%20degree%20murder&st=cse#

Plagiarizing Responce ( Blog #2 - Spring Break)

     Plagiarizing is a serious issue which most student intend to do. Students plagiarize because they are lazy, just want the grade, or are too busy to do their own work or the problem can be they don't know how to cite a source. Plagiarizing is really bad because you take other people's hard work and you get credit for it.
     To begin with, I read the example of student plagiarism on Ms.Galang's blog and when I read it briefly, at first I didn't understand anything. It didn't sound like a 8th grader would actually write like this. The sentence structure was way too sophisticated and complicated. I think what the anonymous student did wrong was copying and pasting the paragraph from another cite. I think if the student really liked this paragraph he/she should/ could have put quotations around it and should have cited the source. The student basically should have put it on her/his own words. For example if I were the student I would've written: 
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies.". I liked this sentence which was from www.vangoghgallery.com. I agree with this sentence because in " Starry Night" the colors Van Gogh uses are dark colors. He usesa dark navy blue and a light blue and sort of blends them together. He also uses fiery colors like yellow and a light shade of orange (agreeing with text) for the stars. Vincent van Gogh's drawing really does look peaceful because of the colors he chose.  So, I cited the source and put quotation marks around it and I also put this sentence in my own words too. 
       Secondly, Three ways to avoid plagiarism are to give your self some time and to avoid shortcuts. You should actually put as much as effort as you can to actually recieve your real grade. Another, way you can avoid plagiarism is get help from your teacher. If you do not know how to cite sources, then you should get help instead of being accused of plagiarism. The third way you can avoid plagiarism is you should cite sources and most importantly... PARAPHRASE! 
       To wrap up, Plagiarism is a crime and students should avoid plagiarism because plagiarizing won 't really benefit you. It will just bring your grade down lower and the teachers will obviously find out. It would be better if you just cite sources and paraphrase... you will get a much higher grade than you expect. 


      

2 Student Blogs I Liked. ( Blog #1 - Spring Break)

Aidan's blog "Unwinding a Life?" and Jamila's blog" Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger " are both blog's I truly enjoyed. Aidan and Jamila's blogs both have really good elements that made me enjoy their blogs and  have also taught me few things that I should add to my blog next time as well. 
    To begin with, Aidan's blog " Unwinding a Life?'' has very good details. I like the way Aidan actually explains how abortion is illegal at the age of 13 and it can be performed at the age of  18: "Connor is the kind of person that decides on his first impulse. Based on his instinctual behavior, you couls say he's daring and audicious" This is a part from Aidan's blog. I liked Aidan's sense of vocabulary here and how he showed his opinions for Connor. Aidan also uses textual evidence from the book which I thought was another fantastic element Aidan used: "Then once he turns eighteen he's home free.  After that, sure, they can throw him in jail, they can put him on trial - but they can't unwind them.  Surviving that long is the trick."  This quote shows that he plans to survive this journey with no mistakes occurring. Another Thing, I liked from Aidan's Blog was how he contrasted 3 different characters. ( Connor, Lev and Risa). 
        Aidan also wraps up his conclusion in a very nice way. In his conclusion he states how the 3 characters are different ( in a brief way) and  I like the way  he talks about his opinions about the book overall.
          Secondly, I liked Jamila's blog because she also uses textual evidence. I never read " Cacther in the Rye", but Jamila's responce made me actually want to read this book. I like how she describes Holden's personality. On the 2nd paragraph, of her blog she uses textual evidence. Mr. Antolini tells Holden: "This fall I think you're riding for-- it's a special kind of fall, a horrible kind. The man falling isn't permitted to feel or hear himself hit the bottom. He just keeps falling and falling," (p. 243). In this part I really like how she includes the page number. Most people don't even put the page number, but this tells me that Jamila actually went back to the text. On her blog, she talks about how Mr.Antolini  helps Holden understand about academic education. Jamila explains it using evidence and explains it in her own words. 
           To wrap up, I liked Aidan's and Jamla's blog because they both used specific details and Textual evidence. I've learned good techniques which I should use in my blogs in the future.
Good Job Jamila and Aidan!!

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins ( 2nd Book of Hunger Games)

        So, I finished the Hunger Games and this is the 2nd book. Catching Fire is filled with action, a little bit of romance, and suspence. Recently, Katniss and Peeta were the victors of the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta don't talk that much because of their "fake" love for each other. They only pretend to be in love with each other is because they can get more sponsors and money and food etc. District 12 has totally changed and the relationship between her and her old friend Gale has changed as well. President Snow  visits Katniss and warns her that he is watching her and if she doesn't "flirt" or marry Peeta he will kill Gale. 

Haymitch and Peeta and Katniss goes on the victory tour. Later on, Peeta publicly proposes Katniss ( They are on the camera), but Katniss is sort of worried that people will find out that they are faking it. Katniss and Gale later on, and meet and plan to run away, but they end up arguing.     

      Gale gets punished for hunting and is whipped and is about to die. The next day, Katniss is strolling in the woods and finds 2 strangers that are from District 8 and are going to District 13? The problem is as far as Katniss knows that there is no District 13 and there is only District 12. Even though, Katniss has a long going on, she is still finding clues about District 13.