Hatred
02 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
It’s hard to keep things from the ones you love but sometimes it’s just easier to say nothing and run away from your problems. This poem is for any girl who’s ever discovered theyve been cheated on and has faced the decision of whether to tell your boyfriend goodbye or try to pretend you never found out. While the choice is difficulting, trying to forget is never going to help you without forgiving as well.
HATRED
Hatred, resentment, bubbling inside
flooding in quick like an incoming tide
what should I do
how do I react
should I speak my thoughts
or hold them back?
it’s such a hard decision
but only cause it’s you
if it were anyone else
I would tell them my views
I would speak of my hatred
I would break their hearts
I would tell you goodbye
If I had any smarts
but I can’t do that
because I love you
so I pretend I don’t care
but I wish you knew
Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates: A Review
15 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
I recently just read the novel Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates. The novel is a look at mass murderers and serial killers through the eyes of a fictional one himself, Quentin P. The character Quentin is supposed to represent the child rapist and infamous cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer. In the beginning of Zombie, Quentin is a convicted child molester, however throughout the course of the book he becomes a secret killer and spends his life looking for his next victim. The book is written in with language and phrases that seem to come directly from the mind of a criminal and the author’s use of random capitalization and italicizing makes it all so realistic and believable. Oates really does a great job of making the main character seem human, so much so that I found myself slightly nervous and disgusted while reading. Her descriptive and vivid language puts the reader straight into the mind of a serial killer. This novel, while gruesome and disturbing at parts, is an extremely captivating read and sure to entertain (and possibly creep out) all who chose to read it. I wouldn’t recommend this book to those who are squeamish, but to anyone out there who’s looking for something truly interesting to read Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates is a great choice.
Americanism: Veteran’s Day 2011
07 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
Freedom. Hope. Pride. Courage. Sacrifice. Love. These words are what America represents to people all around the globe. Americanism is quite possibley one of the greatest things on this earth and as Veterans Day 2011 comes near I ask all of you to think about all the greatness our country has to offer. No one other than an American citizen has the ability to choose his/her own life path and live their own personal American Dream. Citizens of other countries lack the opportunities of those provided in this great country. Many take the wonderful gifts this country has provided for them for granted every day but countless brave men and women stand up and protect American ideals. Valiant soldiers risk their lives guarding our precious nation and protecting our freedoms. These soldiers, showing complete allegiance and loyalty to the American beliefs, are the epitome of Americanism. America, the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”, will remain the greatest country in the world thanks to Americanism and the dedicated soldiers who represent it.
Troy Davis: Tragedy or Triumph?
29 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
I have always been a supporter of the death penalty. In fact I supported capital punishment before I was old enough to grasp the concept, simply because my parents were “fans”. The topic had always interested me and I even wrote my sophomore research paper on the reasons it should remain legal. Ever since my research, my opinions were reinforced and I continued to support such a punishment. The Troy Davis case completely shattered my beliefs and opinions on the death penalty and I cannot believe I ever thought it was a great punishment. The fact that our government can go through with the execution of the Davis simply boggles my mind. Almost all of the witnesses came forward and said that they no longer believe Davis to be the killer, no DNA evidence linked him to the crime, and another man by the name of “Red” Coles actually admitted his guilt to another witness. How does not one of these cause reasonable doubt? Davis’s execution is tragic and it breaks my heart that he was not granted clemency and another chance to prove his innocence. The serious fallacies made in the case, the intense petitions, and pleas of reconsideration by important figures such as the Pope Benedict XVI and President Jimmy Carter should have lead to the clemency of Davis but the Georgian court systems would not budge. I strongly believe that in innocent man was executed on September 21, 2011 and this is a serious concern and tragedy. How can we feel safe in a government that executes without mercy? The answer is: we cannot. Capital Punishment today is such a failed process that it should be made illegal immediately. You might ask: what about those who really do deserve to die for the crimes? and my answer to that is: no one does. Killing a mass murderer, rapist, or abuser does not make you a better person – it makes you the same as those you kill. Such criminals deserve to rot in prison, not be killed. Elliminating the death penalty also ensures that no one innocent is ever killed. Capital punishment is immoral and that’s that. I just find it tragic that it took the loss of one man’s right to live to make me change my views. Rest in Peace Troy Davs.
How to Make the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Ever!
11 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
Tools you will need: Oven, large mixing bowl, baking sheets, electric mixer, spatula, fork, ingrediants
Step 1: Gather all your ingredients. You will need:
- ½ cup softened (not melted) butter
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar (granulated)
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ¼ cup flour
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 375°
Step3: Add the softened butter and peanut butter into a large mixing bowl and beat until mixed.
Step 4: Add the baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to the mixing bowl. Mix until combined.
Step 5: Beat in egg and vanilla until mixed.
Step 6: Using the mixer, add as much flour as possible. Do this by adding small amounts at a time. When no more can be added using the mixer, stir in remaining flour.
Step 7: Roll dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place evenly spaced on a non-greased cookie sheet lined with tinfoil.
Step 8: Flatten balls with the prongs of a fork, pressing it in gently so criss-cross marks appear.
Step 9: Place cookie sheet in preheated oven for approximately 7 minutes.
Step 10: Remove cookie sheet from oven, and wait ten minutes before removing cookies from sheet (they will break if you don’t).
Step 11: Enjoy!
Armaggedon 2012
30 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
Armeggedon 2012
A Short Story
September 23, 2012
“Turn on the news! Quick!…Oh just get off your butt and bring me the remote this is
important!” said my father anxiously as he rushed into the living room.
“Okay, okay it’s on!” I shouted back, as I tuned in to channel 6. Barack Obama materialized
on the screen appearing to be in the middle of an important message to the
country. Before I even got the chance to listen to the words exiting his mouth
my mind flashed back to September
11, 2001. On that terrible day in history, George W. Bush displayed
the same worried look on his face as did the current president. The same bolded
words slid across the bottom of the television screen. I immediately knew that
terrible and shocking news would soon fill my mind. And I was right.
“We have uncovered sufficient scientific evidence that global warming has finally come
for us. It is with a heavy heart that I inform you, America that the end of the world
is upon us.” The words “Armageddon Approaching 12-21-12” scrolled along the lower edge of the
screen.
“This can’t be happening. It all must be a big joke” I thought as I sat trembling on the
couch cushion. As optimistic as I wanted to be I knew the truth. The absolute
end was coming and there was nothing I, nor others could do to alter the past
and affect our future. After only minutes of quivering my body became numb and
I sat frozen in place listening to my father’s soft cries.
Somehow I must have fallen asleep and I awoke many hours later to find my mother, father,
and two sister’s eyes glued in the direction of the TV. The presidential speech
from the previous night had disappeared and been replaced with videos of
complete chaos. People were crying in streets, mobs formed in supermarkets as
everyone rushed to get food for their families, and then there were blank gazes
upon those who did not know what to do next.
As tragic as our fate appeared I knew something had to be done. “We need to get food
now!” I shouted to my family. My words broke the silence and startled everyone
in the room. “I’m serious look at the TV. Everyone is fighting for food and we
need to be in that fight if we expect to make it much longer.”
“It’s settled.” said my father, standing up and clearing his throat. “I will do all
that is in my power to gather the neighbors and we will all go together. It
will be safer”. We all arose from our seated positions and hugged my father. I
wished him good luck as tears formed in my eyes.
Only moments had passed since my father’s departure but I was already assuming the leadership position. “You know what, this is dumb. We still have three months. Do we want to spend it
wallowing and sorrow or do we want to make the best of what we’ve got? When life
gives you lemons you make lemonade right?” My sudden burst of optimism awakened
the tired looks on my sibling’s faces.
“You know what? You’re absolutely right. Rachael. Every minute we have is precious and we must not waste a single one. But right now we all need rest until your father gets back and then
tomorrow we will make a plan” said my mother. Her words gave us the excuse we
were looking for to slump our tired bodies on the floor and get some much
needed sleep.
“I’ve got food!” my father announced ten hours later as he and some neighbors walked into our home.
The food was barely stored when my mother walked into the kitchen demanding everyone to gather and plan a course of action. Neighbors and townspeople were called to meet in the nearby park to discuss the future.
As people started filing in the mayor stepped up to his podium. “Folks we are all aware of the coming events but we can’t just give up now. We’ve got time to live and rectify our past
mistakes. Daily life must continue on and we must all cooperate to keep this
town running. This is the time to come together and reflect upon our lives and
make the best of what we have left”. He continued on about the practicalities
of keeping the town organized in a world full of chaos but by then I had stopped
listening.
“How amazing it is that people can come together in a time of tragedy and despair to make better prospects. If only it could have been like this all the time. Maybe then the world would be
different” I thought.
December 21, 2012
It has been almost three months since the day the world became aware of our mistakes. Our selfishness has caused a global climate change and in hours we will all perish. There is no
escaping our fate. Of this I am absolutely certain. My family and friends have
spent everyday together enjoying the world and each other’s company before it
is too late. For the last week we have been forced to stay inside due to
weather conditions. There is no longer any heat and we have been doing all we
can to stay warm but our efforts wont last much longer. The snow and water is
piling up outside the window and the house shudders violently every few
seconds. My mother, father, and sisters sit in a clump, holding each other’s
hands tightly and struggling to keep warm. Just as I see a small crack begin to
form in the corner of the window my again flashes to previous times. Life’s
greatest hits are being replayed in my mind and suddenly I am at peace. I
cannot change what is about to happen but I have lived my life to the fullest
and I am please. A smile forms on my face as I squeeze my family’s hands and
watch the window burst. Water floods into the room and there is no escape. Just
as I am about to take my last breath I whisper “I love you”. I do not struggle
to survive because for the first time I have accepted my fate and I am happy I
did all I could to make my life mean something.
