Step one of Romeo and Juliet

          My topic is our world of romance compared and contast to Rome and Juliet. I chose this topic because, well I'm a teenager. Also since I'm a young teen, I want to have a deeper feel of teen romance. In this description I want to explore the way that teens react to difficult romance situation. I would also want to take a look at and see if I can explain Romeo and Juliet's love tragety.

The New York Times,Upfront: The Gun Debate

                The death of many was caused by a gun, it can happen again if the government doesn't do something. After the kill at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, people were left worrying if they were safe. Guns should be taken away from everyone, but the police.

               Are we safe. In the Sandy Hook shooting 20 children and 6 adults were killed. These children were killed by a mentally ill 20 year old named Adam Lanza. He also killed his own mother.This left many parents and friends in pain, but this isn't the only shooting that caused people to fear the use of guns. The story of Trayvon martin also struck fear into people. Trayvon Martin was black boy in Florida, age 17, was killed by a police officer. This police officer claimed that Martin had attack him, so he shot. Most people believed that because of Martin's race he was killed. Guns may be able to be used in a good way.

              Guns can protect if in the right hands. If your a single mother that just wants to protect her family in a bad area. That situation can start off in the right hands, but end up in the wrong. Two things. One, one of her children can try to act cool in front of their friends. So they take the gun, show it to their friends and sell it to a drug dealer Two, the mother might pull out the gun for protection, but the person she's protecting herself from can some how get the gun and shoot her. Eventually for each situation, the gun will end up in the wrong hands.

              Guns should only be accessed by the government and police should learn how to fight in combat. Guns have cause too much pain, hurt and murder. Guns should be taken away by everyone so we can prevent all these problems.

Nonfiction "The New York Times, Upfront: The young an the Reckless?"

      Is your sex the reason why you people look at you different. In the "New York Times" magazine, a girl gets her story shared. This girl gets a spot on the boys football team. Some people think it's crazy, others find it cool. What do you think? It's interesting how sexism affects a persons mind set.

      17 year-old senoir of South Plantation High School in Florida named Erin DiMeglio, is the third string quarter back on her football team, She is 5'5 and 140 pounds. When DiMeglio tried out in 2011 spring, the coach knew she was good. He worried for her saftey. If DiMeglio was  boy, the coach probably would't worry, If a boy was good, the coach would throw him on the team. Who says girls can't be as strong as boys.

      Those who are sexist believe that only boys can play sports and men can work. They believe that women are suppose to stay home so that they can cook and clean. What sexist people haven't realized yet is tht we don't live in the olden days anymore. It's 2013! A lot has happened since then. Women have their own businesses, make their own money and live on their own. But there are some people who aren't sexist. These people believe that if you are a women or man, and you really believe in it, you can do it.

     There are a lot of closed minded people in the world. Not only sexist people but racisted people to. So do yourself a favor and the world. Don't be closed minded and teach your kids to be open minded.

The Amputee QB

     Have you ever feared your success because someone told you that you couldn't do it. This article talks about Jacob Rainey, a football player, that had his lower leg amputated after a game gone wrong. Everyone thought that his football career was over. They said that he'd never be back in the game. There is always someone telling you that you can't do. Not only in Rainey's life, ours too and we shouldn't give up.

     The game of the injury Rainey is running with the ball when a tackler dives and grabbes his legs. Rainey tries to shake him off to get more yards, when he blacks out. The lower part of his right leg was dislocated, rupturing his artery and cutting of circulation. This makes the doctor amputate his leg. After the amputaion many people thought his football life was over. One of his teamates said, "There was no doubt in my mind that he was done." Rainey says, "When people tell me I can't do something, the stubbornness I have just pushes me forward."Rainey proves that if you truly believe it, then you can acheieve it.

    Many people these days focus on living safely, not taking chance. Parent take that role and tell there kids that, but it's usually based off fear. If you really thought about i, where would we be if we didn't take a chance. For example, look at gymnast. They risk their life and injuries for their amazing dreams. Or when motor cyclist ride fast up a sand dome. Not only are these things intertaining to us, they're are dreams at stake. People have to start being more supportive. Instead of saying you can't jump out of an air plain say, make sure all of the equipment is working right. Instead of saying you can't play football say, does your helmet fit right. Take a chance.

    You can see that the diffuculty of negativity doesn't get to everyone, like Rainey, but it does affect many.  There are so many people giving up on their beliefs and dreams because of this. If you believe in it go for it and take that chance. What do really have to loose.

Ninth Grade Slays

    In the book Ninth Grade Slays by Heahter Brewer is about a ninth grade boy named Valdimir Tod. Vlad is half human, half vampire. The idea of him being the "pravus,"( a legendary vampire that rules over all vampires and enslave human) is the main cause of problems in this story. Lies are used in amny ways, in our world and Vlad's.

    Vlad lies a lot in the story to hidee his biggest secret and keeo him alive. Egar, (a geeky that goes to Vlad's school) saw many unique things about Vlad. For example one day Edgar followed Vlad to Vlad's secret hide out and discovered that Vlad could fly. A that Vlad lied was when Vlad and Edgar were outside of a party and Edgar saw Vlad's eyes flash purple. Edgar was surtain that Vlad wasn't human, but Vlad said," I'm just a kid, like you. Now leave me alone, okay?"  Vlad also lied to one of his best friends named Joss who happens to be a vampire slayer. Joss said he was sent to Bathory, (where Vlad lives) because his boss said there was a Vampire there. That Vampire happened to be Vlad. Vlad had to lie, even if it had to be to someone he cared about. People lie a lot in our world.

    People lie in our world, too. A common reason to lie for teens involve grades. Teens lie about grades when they do bad on report cards or do bad on a test. People lie about their  personality. It's because they are are so different at home compard to they are in person. A lot of people lie for a lot of reasons, but it's usually not as bad Vlad's lying reasons.

    We all lie. It's apart of human nature even if it's just a white lie. Not all lies are bad, for example Vlad's lies. They life and death reasons. Lies like the ones that teens do aren't nessasirily bad, they're just not good reasoning backing it up. So if you are to lie, lie for an important reason, not just to do it.

Trayvon Martin

      
The story of Trayvon Martin has been heard by many and devistated others. The author of the article "When Is It OK to Kill" in 'Action' magazine talks of the different ideas and laws connectiing to this case. A lot of people outside of the law believe police officer Zimmerman killed Martin because of his race, that since he was black Martin looked suspious. I beieve police should look deeper into this case.

One night in February, 17 year old Trayvon Martin was on his way home and was spotted by police officer Zimmerman. Martin looked suspious to Zimmerman so he called back-up. "Zimmerman says that the unarmed teen attacked him," so he shot him ("When Is It OK to Kill" 2). Zimmerman was not arrested because of the law known as, "Stand Your Ground." It's used for self-defense murders like this one, but is the law always right?

The law "Stand Your Ground" was an excuse for many murders in Florida." Since 2005 24 other states have passed simliar laws"("When Is It OK to Kill"). An average of 35 murders a year in Florida use this law. I think people use it too lightly. Real murders can just be calling it self-defense when it's just them killing. Law makers need to make a stictor laws so it can't be bent in any way.

Based off of my information, you should be able to see the seriousness, conscicencess of bad law making. You should also see that based off of bad police and loose laws people can be hurt badly. Cases like these definetly need time of deep invetigation and deep thought.

The similarities and differences between Vampire council and Government power:

                In the book Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer Vladimir Tod is a half vampir,half human with dead parents and an aunt for  guardian. The  Elysian vampire council still believes that his parents are still alive, so the council target Vlad because his dad betrayed them. They want to take Vlad's father's punishment on Vlad. Sounds different from our gov't.

                 Elysia has a lot of  power. They decides who gets what punishment when they do something wrong. For example Vlad's father got into a relationship with a human, so he was sentenced to death. They also make all the rule. Like the on that says that vampires can't get involved with humans. They're like the the gov't but with no branches.
 
                 In our world today we have three branches of gov't executive, legislative and judicial. They have the power. People get a voice in gov't. We get a right to vote and speak oil. As you can see the vampire council doesn't do that, so vampires and human powers are very different.

                  In conclusion the vampire conucil and gov't are similar because they both own power. The difference between them are, that vampires don't give people a voice and our gov't does. I'd stick with the gov't any day.