Last Day, Can't Say I'm Sad!

One. More. Day. That's all I have to say. One more day until I'm on my way to the beach. And speaking of one more day....

For One More Day By Mitch Albom Pages 103-139
As Posey and Chick are eating lunch, she asks him about his wife Catherine. He confesses that they have split up and he almost tells her that that's why he tried to kill himself. But instead he asks her again how she can be here. She doesn't answer that though, she just tells him that things can be fixed.
Then Chick remembers how he used to dream about seeing his father again. He would picture him everytime he swung the bat, but then one day his dad did show up. He caught a glance of him in the stands, his father nodded at him, and everything seemed to freeze for Chick. He was so nervous to disappoint his dad, but he ended up hitting a home run.
Posey's next appointment that day was Thelma, who used to clean their house. In fact, she was the one who came up with the nickname "Chick." His father tried calling him "Chuck" but Posey hated it. Then one day Thelma, while the two were throwing a baseball back and forth, said "Chickadoodle-do, and it stuck.
He learned that Posey actually started cleaning houses with her to pay for Chick and Roberta to go to college. Chick was angered by this, and asked her why she didn't ask his dad for money. But she told him that she didn't want his help, and that she did what mattered to her, she was a mother. Chick starts to talk again, but Posey puts a finger to her lip because Thelma has laid down, and has started to die.

See you all in a week! Enjoy your break.
Goodnight.

Can you feel it?

Can you feel the excitement building, the anticipation of the last two days of school until the week on every ones mind?! I sure can. Which is why I want to get this blog done with so I can go pack my suitcase.

For One More Day Mitch Albom Pages 97-100
"Times I Did Not  Stand Up for My Mother":
Chick has to take Roberta Trick-or-Treating with his girlfriend, Joanie. When they arrive at a neighbors house, a woman drops a candy bar in Roberta's bag, and just as she is about to drop another one in, she asks who her parents are. She tells the woman, "Mrs. Benetto" to which she replies, "Don't you mean Miss Benetto." She continues, "Now you listen to me, sweetie. Tell your mother that my husband doesn't need to see her little fashion show by his shop every day. Tell her to not get any grand ideas, you hear me? No grand ideas."  Roberta still asks if she can have the other candy bar. The lady responds, "Must run in the family, You all want your hands on everything." Chick pulls Roberta away, but doesn't stand up for his mom.
Now back to Rose. Posey has just finished doing Rose's hair and makeup and her and Chick are getting ready to leave. Charley asks her what the special occasion is and she tells him she is going to see her husband. After they leave, Posey says to Chick, "She's dying, you know." Charley doesn't understand, "She seemed fine," he says. "She'll die tonight," she tells him. He still doesn't understand, "But she said she's going to see her husband." "She is," Rose tells him. "Mom," Charley says, "How do you know that?" As she smiles, she says, "I'm helping her get ready."

And with that ends chapter two. I know that was a very short summary but it seemed appropriate to stop at this point. The mystery of this book is very neat to come across. I like the way they don't bluntly say, "Rose is going to heaven tonight where she will see her husband," they leave it to the reader to figure out.

High School Interviews

Good mid-morning-almost-afternoon to everyone!
Today we have to watch interviews of high school seniors and write a short paragraph relating to it. The second thing we have to do is watch a video of a girl who is a free-style soccer specials and write our thoughts about that. So, first things first: HS seniors interviews.

Obviously, the marijuana baker was funny to me. I'm doubtful that he will ever be able to fulfill his dreams of baking goods with marijuana in them due to the fact that people will buy them who don't have medical needs. Plus, how will police make sure he doesn't use any of his products? I thought the actor was a little unrealistic too. Yes, someone will have to be the next Angelina Jolie but she would really have to be a great actor to accomplish that. Although it wasn't surprising, a lot of them were focused around money. But I guess that's natural to want to be wealthy when you grow up.

Next up, the soccer star! I thought it was really cool that she was so dedicated to her dream. The fact that her parents would find her in the garage practicing at night is eye opening. She's so passionate too! In the beginning when she's talking about pushing the limits on tricks her eyes light up. She even plays on a boys team to make sure she can be the best she can be. And heck, she has some pretty cool tricks!
Here she is doing her thing!

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/03/24/magazine/100000000742167/freestyle-soccer-star.html?ref=magazine

Three....

Straight to the chase today.

For One More Day Mitch Albom Pages 87-96

When we resume with Rose, Posey is doing her hair. She carefully washes it being sure to make everything is just as Rose wants it, even asking her about the temperature of the water. Rose tells Posey that when she would go to the beauty parlor years ago, she would always ask for Posey, and if she wasn't there that day, she would come back when she was. Rose asks Chick about his kids. Chick tells her that his one daughter is embarrassed of him. But Rose tells him, "Usually they're just in some kind of pain. They need to work it out. Remember, Charley. Sometimes, kids want you to hurt the way they hurt." This makes him wonder if he wanted to see the rejection on his mother's face that he felt from his father. Just as he's thinking this, the phone rang. Rose asked him to get it and when he picks it up, he hears someone calling his name, "CHARLES BENETTO? CHARLES BENETTO! CAN YOU HEAR ME, CHARLES? I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! CHARLES! THERE'S BEEN AN ACCIDENT! TALK TO ME!" He's so scares though, that he hangs up the phone.
"Times I Did Not  Stand Up for My Mother":
Chick wakes up to the sound of Roberta running down the hall. A few minutes later, after falling back asleep, his mother yells to him, "Charley! Where's your baseball bat?" He realizes that there is an intruder in the house and becomes terrified, thinking of all the worst possibilities. Posey goes downstairs, and after a few while Chick hears a mans voice, then a door closing. Once she comes upstairs, they ask who it was, but she tells them it was no one. Chick knows, however, that it was his father. And he holds a grudge against her for not letting him stay until the day he leaves her house.
"Times My Mother Stood Up for Me":
Charley needs to shave for the first time. His mother gives him everything he needs, and asks if he needs help. He tells her he knows how to do it, even though he has no clue how to. She gives him tips as he going. As he is shaving his chin, he feels it stick and cut him. She reaches to comfort him, but realizes that she should leave him alone. He tells her to stop worrying. Once he's done, she whispers in a British accent, "By George, you've got it." Which makes him feel good.

4 days.....!

Countdown Until Florida: 4 days. The anticipation is killing me! The beach is going to be so nice. Sun, relaxing, no homework, no swimming, just pure whatever I want to do!

But I'm not on spring break yet, so here is...
For One More Day By Mitch Albom Pages 78-87

At this point in the book we meet Rose. They have walked to her house and are standing at the door. Once Chick knocks a few times, an old, pale lady walks to the door. He doesn't know if she is a ghost, or if she's alive. But through his mother's conversation with her, she gathers that she will be doing her makeup. Rose mentions that her kids check up on her once a week, but it's like its a chore for them. Chick explains how his mother became a hairdresser: she liked taking care of people and always went the extra step to make people's hospital stay comfortable. She would help brush women's hair or put lipstick on, and the men enjoyed having some one young and pretty around. When Chick and Roberta were younger, sometimes they would all talk about the people at the hospital, but when Posey, which is their mom's name, would stop talking about them the kids would ask what they did today. Posey would answer, "They went home today." Of course, she meant they went to heaven. But she eventually lost her job. Some of the other workers felt that she was too much of a distraction now that she was single. They day she got fired, she went to pick the kids up from school and offered to take them out to get ice cream. Chick got mad at her and yelled at her for not remembering he had baseball practice. He knew something was wrong with her, from her scratchy voice and running makeup, but he yelled at her anyways.
"Times I Did Not  Stand Up for My Mother":
Chick's mother found his cigarettes and tells him it's the worst choice he can make to smoke. He calls her a hypocrite, which she is extremely offended by. She demands that he not call her that, to which he says, "Why not, Mom? You always want me to use big words in a sentence. There's a sentence. You smoke. I can't. My mother is a hypocrite!" He notices the clothes shes wearing, fashionable clothes that show off her figure. He tells her that she makes him sick because of the way she dresses. She slaps him in between each word of saying, "I what? I WHAT? I make you sick? I make you SICK? Is that what you said? Is it? Is that what you THINK OF ME?" He begs her to stop and takes back what he said. After she leaves, he takes the cigarettes she forgot to take, and smokes one.

Again and again as I read this I can't believe the way he treats his mother. And sadly, I know that I treat my mom like this a lot. It's almost sickening. She only tries to help. It's sad the consequences her divorce brought her, they aren't fair. But her passion for helping people is really neat. She goes the extra mile, which most people don't.

Well, that's all for tonight! See y'all tomorrow!

Last Week Before Spring Break!

Only one more week til spring break!! I can't wait to get to the beach.

For One More Day By Mitch Albom Pages 64-78

This section starts out with Chick explaining the struggles for his family after the divorce. Divorce wasn't common back then and his mom was very pretty. So all her female friends suddenly turned against her because the were scared she would steal their husbands. Somehow she stayed strong though. Then, once again, it flashes to present time and they're walking down a path. They get to a tree and she shows him where she once carved something, too. She carved, "PLEASE" as a prayer for Chick.
"Times I Did Not Stand Up for My Mother": As a child, we all believed in Santa Clause. The first Christmas after Chick's dad left them, Roberta was asking about Santa. She wanted to stay up and catch him leaving the presents. Roberta and Chick were sitting on the steps when Chick flips on his flash light and reveals someone dressed in a Santa suit. His mom tried to play it off, joyfully chanting, "Ho Ho Ho!" but Chick blew her cover and said, "It's just Mom." After that, Roberta started crying and his mom slumped off.

That must have been really hard for Chick's family to go through something like this, but it was so much worse because Chick did everything he possibly could to make it difficult for his mom. Instead of being her helper, he was making every little task, even the happy ones that would have brought joy to Roberta, challenging. I've never gone through something like this, and maybe it was his way of dealing with his emotions, but still he should have been his mom's support.

Reading Summary

For One More Day By Mitch Albom Pages 51-63

Again we start with "Times My Mother Stood Up for Me." Chick is nine years old and at a library where he is trying to check out "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne, but the librarian says he is too young and insists he pick something else. So he picks out a book he's already read and meets his mom. When she asks him why he got a book he's already read, Chick tells her that the librarian said it would be too hard for him. With this, Chick's mom marches back into the library and demands the book. When the librarian tells her he's too young, she snaps, "Don't you ever tell a child somethings too hard. And never-NEVER-this child."
Times Chick didn't stand up for his mom:
At dinner one night, Chick's dad is being hard on Chick's mom and says the dinner tastes bad. When his dad asks him if he likes it, he looks from his mom, to his dad, and back to his mom before saying it tastes bad too.
The next few pages explains Chick and his mom in the present sitting at the table eating lunch. She asks if he can stay all day, and he says he can. Then when he starts to say, "You can't be here..." she cuts him off and tells him to grab his coat because they're late to go somewhere. The next page is a letter written by his mom. It was on the day he had to get his tonsils out and she wrote it so right when he woke up she would be with him.

First of all, my reaction to the library story is, wow. Good for her for standing up for Chick like that. No one should discourage a growing kid like that, it only gives the less confidence to work hard.

Until Monday, goodbye!

For One More Day By: Mitch Albom page 36-50

So at this point Chick is back at his old house. He's looking around and sees left overs in the fridge and dishes in the sink and is really confused. Then, he hears his mother call his name. The next chapter is "Times I Did Not Stand Up for My Mother" and it tells the story of his 6 year old Halloween. His mother spend a long time making him a mummy costum and when it rained during trick-or-treating and fell apart he ended up telling her, "You ruined my life!" out of frustration. Then it flips back to real time and he finally sees his mother up close. She hugs him but he is aprehensive and has trouble deciding if it is a ghost or not. Once again, it changes into a chapter called, "Time My Mother Stood Up for Me" and tells a story about when Chick had to do a project over what causes an echo and when he asked his dad he responded, "I don't know, Chick." But his mother spend all night helping him make the perfect definition of what causes an echo and helped him practice it. Then it tells a story of Chick and his sister, Roberta. One day they decided it would be a good idea to carve their names into the kitchen table with steak knives. They only got as far as "CHAR" and "ROBER" until their mom got home, though. They tried to put an orange juice container over it but they were acting so suspicious that she figured it out. Of course, their mom was angered by this but later she laughed it off when Roberta says, "Should we finish, so at least we spell our names right?"

Man, if I ever did that I would be toast. My parents would probably make me buy a new kitchen table. But it shows the character of the mom and how even though she was frustrated, she still found the humor in the situation. It's sad that Chick got so easily mad at his mom about the Halloween custuom, even said she ruined his life. You know he didn't mean it, but I'm sure it still hurt her feelings. I know I do that a lot to my mom, but I don't mean it at all. I think sometimes its easiest to get mad at the people you love and are closest too, even though they should be the ones you treat the best. I guess life's ironic like that, though.

Anyways, I'm off to bed.

Tuesday's Response

Alrighty, folks! Today's To-do list includes two things! First, I visited 1000 awesome things, a site that simply lists 1000 awesome things in this world. The first thing I got was number 265, the smell of really, really clean air. This hit home for me. Smell is one of my biggest senses. I always connect smells to memories. For example, the smell of a certain lotion to a vacation I had because that's the lotion I used while on it. I especially love the smell of summer: freshly cut grass, the flowers, the hamburgers on the grill. It's one of my favorite things in this world!

Second item: my favorite poem of the first quarter. I really, really enjoyed Jack Gilbert's "Once Upon a Time." For all of you who have never read it, here it is:

We were young incidentally, stumbling
into joy, he said. The sweetness of
our bodies was natural in the way
the sun came out of the Mediterranean
fresh every morning. We were accidentally
alive. A shape without a form.
We were a music composed of melody,
without chords, played only on
the white keys. We thought excitement
was love, that intensity was a marriage.
We meant no harm, but could see the women
only a little through the ardor and hurry.
We were innocent, he said, baffled when
they let us kiss their tender mouths.
Sometimes they kissed back, even volunteered.


I think the way the lines are really simple get to me. The end: "sometimes they kissed back, even volunteered." It's so simple, yet says so much. I can't even really say more than that. Simply, the simplicity of the poem allows me to make a connection to it. 

For One More Day Summary

Well let's continue with my latest book summarizing! We left off on page 17...

For One More Day By: Mitch Albom Pages 18-36

The second part of the book starts with a chapter called "Chick's Mom." It talks about his relationship with his mom and how his dad told him, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy. But you can't be both." And from then on he longed for his fathers love and pushed his mother away, even though she was the one who always had his best intentions at heart. One the next page, Chick learns that his father has left and won't be returning. He is now a mama's boy. It then flashes back to real time and he is lying on the ground after jumping from the watertower. His mother has disappeared again and he decides he will walk to his house. It talks a little then about how his parents met, but this isn't really important. Then he goes into a memory of "Time My Mother Stood Up for Me." The first of many additions of these talks about how one time he was walking home from school and a dog jumped out and scared him and when he went home crying, Chick's mom drug him back there and started barking at the dog herself. She told him that he has to show the dog who's boss.

First off, I think it's sad that his father made him pick one parent over the other. It's almost as if they're in a competition when parents should be a team. And as I read father into the book I've realized this really tears him apart. He wants his father's approval and in the ends, makes a huge mistake to gain it. Ironically, he loses his approval too. Secondly, the way his mother took Chicks hand in hers and led him back to bark at the dog herself is eye opening. The way she doesn't care how she looks in order to help her son is really cool. It kind of makes me wonder what things my mom has done for me like that and I haven't even noticed. I guess it's just their instinct to help their children.

Anyways, I hope ya'll have a great rest of the weekend!!

Almost done with the week! I can't wait for the weekend! No plans yet, but I'm sure it'll be fun whatever I do! So I started a new book yesterday. Its called For One More Day by Mitch Albom. I've read the first part of the book! Its actually an easy read and so far not too shabby!

For One More Day By Mitch Albom pages 1-17

The first section of this book is called Midnight, but the first chapter within that section is called "Chick's Story." It starts off talking about his mother's funeral and his daughter holding onto him telling him, "I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to say bye, Daddy." I'm not sure what he's lying about, but he keeps talking about how he feels guilty so he lied. Then he talks about how his family life went downhill. He let a saleswoman talk him into going into an investment that of course didn't work so he lost a lot of money. Then he started drinking, and eventually he left his family, or they left him. He was a baseball player, it mentions how he actually played in the World Series! But what made him decide he was going to kill himself was the fact that he didn't even get invited to his daughter's wedding. In fact, he didn't know she was getting married until a letter came from her explaining that she couldn't invite him because he would have made a scene. That broke his heart. He decided he was worthless, and no one would miss him.
He called his wife from a pay phone. He wants to know why he didn't get invited and why she wouldn't stand up for him. But she doesn't answer his questions. He then tells her he's leaving. But when she asks where, he hangs up. After that, he went to a bar and got drunk, put his gun it the glove box, and drove off. He was headed to his home town, back where it all began.
He stopped at the gas station and bought more beer. As he's driving, he realized he missed his exit. So he turned around and began driving the wrong way down the highway. No cars were on it, but when he was going up the off ramp, a truck was headed his direction and he swerved off the road into a ditch, hitting a sign. He was able to climb out of the car, some how surviving. He actually decides to walk away from the scene and heads for his house. He stops at a water tower where he used to play when he was younger. He climbs up it, and jumps off. Somehow, he survives that too. However, he is going in and out of consciousness. Chick sees his mother. But she's dead. Somehow, he sees her standing in the baseball dugout nearby. He put his head down, and when he lifted it back up, she was gone.

This book is really weird so far! I don't get how he's seeing her. But I think his story is really sad. The downhill spiral of his life... he just couldn't get out of his rut! I'm curious to find out the rest of this story! I want to know what the deal is with his mother!

Last Summary for The Kite Runner!!

Hello, all! I can't believe it, I'm finally done with the book! It took a lot longer than I wanted it to because I've been so busy, but it was definitely a good read. Last time we left off Sohrab and Amir had just arrived in America and met Soraya. Here is the last few pages!

The Kite Runner By: Khaled Hosseini pages: 358-371

When Soraya finally sees Sohrab and Amir she runs up to Amir and they hug, then she turns her attention to Sohrab. She bends downs with tears in her eyes and says hello. His response? She keeps his head down and shifts his feet uncomfortably.  The next few pages summarize their first year with Sohrab. It can actually be summarized in one word: silence. Sohrab doesn't talk at all. He sits in his room, depressed. Amir never gives up on him and continually tries to reach out to him. On the other hand, it becomes too hard for Soraya to keep trying and she eventually stops trying. She longs to have a child of her own and it breaks her heart to not have a connection with Sohrab. But then, March of 2002, things start to brighten up a bit. The whole neighborhood is at a party at a nearby park. It's raining, but everyone is still enjoying themselves. Enventually, the sun comes out and they begin to fly kites. Amir buys one from the kite seller and begins to talk about how great Hassan was at kite running. Of course, Sohrab remains silent. Amir asks him if he wants to help him fly the kite, but he doesn't say anything so Amir begins to fly it by himself. After a while, Amir offered to let Sohrab try flying it, he accepted the offer and flew it for a while. Then, handing it back to Amir, another kite flew in closer, a battle was about to take place. Just as Hassan had always done, Amir waited for the other kite to make its move and then swoosh, he made his move, cutting the other kite down. At this, the crowd cheered! And even better, a small smile from Sohrab. In the end, Amir actually runs the kite for Sohrab.

The way this book ended was really great. The role switch is neat to see. Hassan had always been the runner for Amir, now Amir is doing something for Sohrab. Here's the last paragraph of the book, I think it's really touching:

"Do you want me to run that kite for you?"
His adam's apple rose and fell as he swallowed. The wind lifted his hair. I thought I saw him nod.
"For you, a thousand times over," I heard myself say.
Then I turned and ran.
It was only a little smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything alright. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight.
But I'll take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting.
I ran. A grown man running witha swarm of screaming children. But I didn't care. I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips.
I ran.

Well, do you agree? I think the way he wrote this, in simple and short sentences, really makes it moving. To me it shows how he changed. Now he is focused on other people instead of himself, and he loves Sohrab very much. I feel like he finally made up for all his sins of his younger days.

Jill and Jacob

So how many of you have watched the show Live to Dance? I know, I know. It's already over. But I really enjoyed it. I'm envious of their ability to dance. I wish I could do something artistic like that. I swim back and forth and a pool, that's the extend of my talent, ha! But watch this video. I think this couple is really talented. They don't make it to the finals, but they should have, in my opinion. I love the song they dance to as well, so maybe that is why I like this dance so much. But I think Jill does a good job of interpreting what the song means. I know, usually interpretive dancing is weird, right? I enjoyed this one thought, check it out. I think it's really neat to watch the passion she has during this song, but at the same time she is so fluid and artistic.

Finally, I'm Finished!

Well, I have finally finished The Kite Runner! I've been reading a book for school and another book at the same time so it's taken me a lot longer than normal, but I finished. I would recommend this book over and over again. It has a great deeper meaning to it, a lot of good morals. I think it also makes a lot of interesting points through few words. Like Baba telling Amir that the worst thing a man can do is steal, and that's the only sin. Because when you lie, you steal someones right to the truth, when you kill, you steal someones right to live, and so on. Also, I love the line, "For you, a thousand times over." The loyalty it takes for someone to say that is incredible, you can truly tell someone loves a person if they can say that and mean it. And in the end, another moral was brought up: never give up on someone. Amir never gave up on reaching out to Sohrab. It became too hard for Soraya to keep trying, but Amir was never angry with Sohrab for being distant. So, with that, the final summary for The Kite Runner.

The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini Pages 357-371

Homework. Homework. Homework.

Today I'm not going to be very chatty, straight to business. For some reason my teachers decided it would be a good idea to all give a ton of homework. I got so much that I'm actually starting my homework on Saturday! I usually do it Sunday afternoon, but not this weekend!

The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini Pages 344-357

Amir is once again in the hospital. They won't let him see Sohrab, who is in the E.R. Desperate, Amir grabs a spare bed sheet from the cart, asks a police officer which way is West, and prays. He can't remember all the words, since it's been 15 years, but he doesn't care. He wonders whos prayers will be heard tonight, his or an older lady sitting in a chair prayer in the same room. He promises Allah that he will do zakat and namaz and fast during Ramadan if Sohrab lives. Finally, after four hours, the doctor comes out and wakes Amir. He tells him the Sohrab cut himself deeply and lost a lot of blood, they had to transfuse several units of red cells, they revived him twice, and that they would have lost him if his heart weren't so yound and strong, but he is alive. At that, Amir kissed the doctor's hands and began to cry.

He was able to go visit Sohrab, but he was sleeping. Most of the time that Amir was by his side, he was sleeping. When he was awake, he hardly talked, just stared out of the window. He did speak a few times. Once when Amir asked him how he felt he said tired. Amir said the doctor told him the was to be expected. But Sohrab shook his head and said, "Tired of everything. I want my old life back. I want Father and Mother jan. I want Sasa. I want to play with Rahim Khan sahib in the garden. I want to live in our house again. I want my old life back. I wish you hadn't... I wish you had left me in the water." Amir asked for his forgiveness, to come to America with him. He promised he wouldn't let him go back to an orphanage. Sohrab didn't say anything, though. He just rolled over and fell asleep. But he never said no. So in August of 2001, they arrived in America where they met Soraya waiting for them at the airport.

My main question after reading this part in the book is how old is Sohrab. Attempts at suicide are sad no matter what. But in my opinion, it's a lot worse when the boy is younger. I think Sohrab is only 8 or so. I don't think I even knew what suicide was at that age, much less concidered it. I can't believe what he went through. And another bad thing, he will have the scares on his wrists for the rest of his life to be reminded of it. He's lost his parents, been physically abused, attempted suicide, and now he is in a unfirmiliar country with people he doesn't know. And he's so young. I just can't imagine going through what happens in this book!

Okay, that's one assignment done. Now onto my other 6 classes.....

Poor Sohrab...

I'm almost done with the book! I really enjoy this book, but I'm ready to move on to a new one! I think I'll finish it this weekend. But here's the rest of the last chapter I read:

The Kite Runner Pages 321-343

Amir and Sohrab were playing cards and talking about San Fransisco. They talked about the Golden Gate Bridge and the steep streets. Finally Amir asked him if he had given any more thought about moving to America with him. Sohrab confessed that is scared him. He was scared that Amir would get sick of him and send him back to an orphanage. Amir promised him that would never happen, and he would make sure he never went back to an orphanage... big mistake, remember this. Sohrab finally shook his head yes, he would go. Amir called Soraya to ask her. He explained everything, the whole story of Hassan: growing up together, betraying him, and now he having a chance to redeem himself. After lots of questions she agreed they didn't have a choice but to take Sohrab into their family. The next day, Amir and Sohrab went to the American embassy. Amir met with a man named Raymond Andrews. He questioned his reasoning for adoption Sohrab. And unexpectedly, told Amir that it was very unlikely that he would be able to adopt Sohrab. To adopt him he needed proof that his parents were dead, and there were no death certificates for Hassan and his Farazara. He suggested that he meet with an adoption lawyer but made it clear that his chances were very small. Amir was angered and walked out of his office. On his way out he mumbled to the secretary that they should get someone who has some manners. She replied, "Poor Ray. He's never been the same since his daughter died. Suicide."

Amir met with Omar Faisal a few days later. He had the same news for Amir that Raymond did. He gave a few more suggestions. One was that he put Sohrab back into an orphange and then file for and orphan petition. Amir decided this was his best chance. So, after Omar left he shared his news with Sohrab. He told Sohrab that Omar thought there was a way he could adopt him, but it would take a while. "I don't mind. I can wait," he said. But then Amir told him he would have to go back into an orphanage for a while. Sohrab cried and pleaded that he didn't do that,"Please! Please no! I'm scared of that place. They'll hurt me!" He fell asleep crying in Amirs arms. Then, in the middle of the night, Amir received a called from Soraya. She told him that she talked to someone in America that could get Sohrab a humanitarian visa for a year which would give them time to get the adoption figured out. Amir jumped out of bed to tell Sohrab, but he wasn't in his bed. So he went to the bathroom, where the light was on. When no one answered, he walked into the bathroom. "Suddenly I was on my knees, screaming. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip and my chest explode. Later, they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived."

This was one of those "dun dun dunnnnn" moments. Of course I couldn't stop reading here, but I think I'll save the next chapter for tomorrow! Just to make you wait. Poor Sohrab, he's gone through so much. And was traumatized in the last orphanage he was in, I understand him not wanting to go back. If only Amir had caught him before he hurt himself.

Blood tests...

I had morning practice this morning. For the past week I've really been struggling. I've been really slow and tired at practice. I figured I was just sore from dryland. But I've really been working on getting sleep and eating well. So today at morning practice, my coach pulled me out of the water and asked if I was feeling better. I told him that I wasn't feeling sick but I just feel really slow. I don't remember all of what he said, but I remember he said, "You're just not the same girl I've had in the water for the past two years. Things you used to be able to do easily, you can barely do now." That really hit me hard. It's frustrating because I really am trying, I'm just not swimming fast. He talked to my dad and we've decided to go get blood tests done. They're thinking I have mono or something. I've never gotten a blood test done before, so needless to say I'm really scared. I hate getting shots so I know this is going to be so much worse. I'm going to cry.... I already know that, ha! But maybe this will tell us something! Who knows, fingers crossed!!

Spellbound!

So in class we've been watching the movie Spellbound on and off. I'm supposed to compare two characters from the movie. My favorite, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this one, is Harry. He's a very outgoing young boy. He's quiet funny actually. Watching him up on stage at the National competition, he makes the quirkiest faces. Unfortunately, he gets out; I was rooting for him to win. Niel, another contestant, is very quiet and stays to himself. Except when his father is around. Then Niel tends to be more outgoing and cocky. He says he wants to win the spelling bee so he can feed 5,000 people in India.... I think. Sadly, he gets out too which means he won't be doing that. There motivation for spelling also seems to be different. Niel's older sister also competed in bees so he probably feels like obliged to do it as well. However, we can't ignore the outstanding fact that Neil's father is his main reason for his participation. His father is very proud of him and gets very involved in the competitions. Harry seems to be doing it simply because he loves it. Which I think is the best reason to do it!

Quick Catch Up

Well I just got home from bowling! It was pretty fun, I had to leave early to get home on time so I couldn't finish the second game. But anyways, I was just sitting in bed reading and I thought I would get a little of my summary done so I don't have to do it all Monday!

The Kite Runner By: Khaled Hosseini Pages 311-320

They have checked out of the hospital and traveled to Islamabad because they're afraid Assef has Talib men looking for him. This way, they at least have a better chance of not being spotted. Farid drops Sohrab and Amir off at a hotel, and returns to his family for good. They two settle down into the hotel and go to bed. In the morning, when Amir wakes up, he finds he is alone in the room. He hobbles down to the lobby to ask the manager if he's seen the boy. The manager hasn't but suggests he thinks of a place the boy is interested in, telling him that his boy will do anything to go see a movie. That reminds Amir of how Sohrab's face lit up when they passed the Mosque. Amir asks the manager to drive him there and he agrees. When they get there they see Sohrab sitting on a curb and Amir climbs out. Amir and Sohrab briefly talk about when Hassan took Sohrab to the Mosque years ago and he begins to cry. He misses his mother and father and can't remember what they look like. With this, Amir takes out the photo Rahim Khan gave him and handed it to Sohrab. Amir tries to pull Sohrab closer to him and comfort him but he pulls away. Amir tries again and Sohrab gives in and begins to cry on Amirs chest. The boy asks if Amir thinks he will go to Hell for hurting Assef, and if his father is disappointed in him for harming another person. Amir consoles him and reassures him that he won't be. After a long silence, Amir asks Sohrab if he would like to come live in America with him. But Sohrab doesn't answer and Amir lets it go for the time being.

YES! That was my reaction when Amir asked him to come live in America. I'm glad he's offering that. I mean after all, Soraya can't have kids so Sohrab can take the place of their child.

Well, it's pretty late now and I have church tomorrow, so goodnight!

Tired on Thursday

Well, I'm wiped! That's all I can say, ha. Swimming has been really hard lately. We started doing P90X at dryland. Man, is that hard. I know tomorrow I'll have trouble getting out of bed, sigh. But I'm looking forward to the weekend! I'm going bowling with some friends and going out to dinner with my family. Oh yeah, and babysitting Friday. So a busy weekend, but it should be fun!

The Kite Runner By: Khaled Hosseini pages 273-310

Let me tell you this, the book gets intense here. If you remember, a meeting is set with the Talib man for three. Amir goes to his home and waits to meet with him. When he gets called into his room, the man says, "You can do away with that now, you know." Amir has no clue what he is talking about until the man reaches to his face and rips off Amir's fake beard. Then he asks him how he liked the "show" today at Ghazi Stadium. Amir is angered by the fact he refers to it as that. The man tells Amir about going door to door killing Hazaras and leaving them in the streets for days so the dogs could eat them. Then the Talib asked if he wanted to see the boy. Amir answered yes, so he called Sohrab out. He was dressed his bells around his wrists and ankles and was made to dance. Then after he was done the man hugged him and rubbed his stomach as he said, " I've been wondering , whatever happened to old Babalu, anyways?" He was talking about Ali. "The question his me like a hammer between the eyes," Amir thinks. "What did you think? That you'd put on a fake beard and I wouldn't recognize you? Here's something I'll bet you never knew about me: I never forget a face. Not ever. I heard your father died. Tsk-tsk. I always did want to take him on. Looks like I'll have to settle for his weakling of a son," the man said. Amir was finally able to mutter the words, "Assef." Maybe you remember from previous posts the bully from back when Amir and Hassan were kids, the one who raped Hassan. Well, this is him. He goes on to explain how he became a Talib. Amir asks to leave with the boy. Assef agrees and just as Amir is walking out the door he says, "Of course, I didn't say you could have him for free." After this, Assef puts on his brass knuckles and tells the other gaurds that there will only be one person to walk out of this room, and if its Amir they must let him go for he has earned it. Also, no matter what they hear, they can't come in. Assef orders that Sohrab stay and watch. The next three pages describe the fight. Amir is getting beat up badly, he can hear his ribs cracking, feel the blood on his face, and he has swallowed many of his teeth. Assef has gotten him in a position and is about to kill him, but Sohrab begs him to stop. When he doesn't, he pulls out his slingshot and shoots Assef in the eye with a metal ball. Amir and Sohrab are able to escape, but they barely make it to the car because Amir is hurt so badly.

The next chapter Amir is in the hospital. He has wires all through his stomach and tubes in his chest, even wires the keep his jaw in place which makes it hard to speak. Sohrab is still very quiet toward Amir, but the begin to play cards and start to bond. Amir asks Farid to find the family whom Rahim Khan said would take care of Sohrab, but it turns out he made it up and there is no family.

This section of the book was very eye opening. Amir finally stood up for Hassan, indirectly. After all those years of Hassan sticking up for Amir, he finally repaid him. Oddly enough, Amir was happy that Assef beat him up; he finally feels that he has been punished for betraying Hassan all those years ago. Honestly, I don't know how he did that all for a boy. But I guess when your family is in need you'd do anything for them! I really hope that Amir ends up taking Sohrab home with him, but I guess we'll find out what happens!

Have a great day tomorrow! Night

3.1 Diction Exercise

"Once Upon a Time" by Jack Gilbert. Words that stick out to me that represent the diction of the poem are "stumbling," "excitement," "fresh," "innocent," "volunteered," "baffled," "tender," "natural," and "melody." These words are medium diction. They are all simple and familiar words, yet they convey Gilbert's meaning so well. I know it may sound weird, but the sound is very gentle and calm. So here is my claim: "Jack Gilbert's use of gentle and melodic language in "Once Upon a Time" conveys his emotional reaction toward a requited, hopeless love."