http://animoto.com/play/Orw2OnMh11SvWq0DPYpLfQ
http://animoto.com/play/BP0Yb8VkBMPfK5h1YGRi6A
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Positive Criticism
My post to Emalee Meyerhoff's blog.
When I came to view your page and saw that you were blogging about this book, I knew I had to comment. I saw this book on the list and I didn't think much about it, but then I started to hear more and more people saying how they really enjoyed the book. I think its interesting that it's written in different poems, it's something different than all of the other books on the list. Did you only choose this book because it looked easy or did you actually have an interest in reading the book? I think it's probably something you would have to go into with an open mind because of the poem style. If you're not use to that, I could see how it could be annoying. Have you been enjoying the book so far? I don't think this would be a necessarily easy read for blogging because you have to dig deep into what the poem actually means. I wish you would go into a little more detail about your experience blogging and what you really thought of it. Other wise I enjoyed reading your other posts. The only other advice I would add is to have them longer in length, but they are very enjoyable. Keep it up!
My post to Alicia Donoghue's blog.
Hey Alicia, I love the idea of writing letters to the different characters. Out of the four books we read this year, this one was my favorite. The author did a great job of telling the story in a way that made it very easy and fun to read. Since the story is told from several different point of views, I like the idea of writing the letter to different characters. You did a great job of expressing her feelings towards each character. While reading your letters it felt like it could have been taken right out of the book. I especially like the one you wrote to Vera's father. It was very true to what she was feeling through out the book. She wants to tell her father all these things but he doesn't listen. In the letter you were able to tell Vera's father exactly what she was thinking. Great post, keep it up!
My post to Macie Wheeler's blog.
When I came to view your page and saw that you were blogging about this book, I knew I had to comment. I saw this book on the list and I didn't think much about it, but then I started to hear more and more people saying how they really enjoyed the book. I think its interesting that it's written in different poems, it's something different than all of the other books on the list. Did you only choose this book because it looked easy or did you actually have an interest in reading the book? I think it's probably something you would have to go into with an open mind because of the poem style. If you're not use to that, I could see how it could be annoying. Have you been enjoying the book so far? I don't think this would be a necessarily easy read for blogging because you have to dig deep into what the poem actually means. I wish you would go into a little more detail about your experience blogging and what you really thought of it. Other wise I enjoyed reading your other posts. The only other advice I would add is to have them longer in length, but they are very enjoyable. Keep it up!
My post to Alicia Donoghue's blog.
Hey Alicia, I love the idea of writing letters to the different characters. Out of the four books we read this year, this one was my favorite. The author did a great job of telling the story in a way that made it very easy and fun to read. Since the story is told from several different point of views, I like the idea of writing the letter to different characters. You did a great job of expressing her feelings towards each character. While reading your letters it felt like it could have been taken right out of the book. I especially like the one you wrote to Vera's father. It was very true to what she was feeling through out the book. She wants to tell her father all these things but he doesn't listen. In the letter you were able to tell Vera's father exactly what she was thinking. Great post, keep it up!
My post to Macie Wheeler's blog.
Hey Macie, I really enjoyed the topic of this blog. I read this book last quarter, and I really found that I related to Mclean's character by how afraid she was to get close to people. I didn't like this book as well as others that I had read, but I liked the realness of Mclean's character. You did a good job of explaining her character's fear in this post. Did you like the book as well as the others you read? Did you relate to Mclean in anyway? I have never heard the song you mentioned by Vanessa Hudgens, but now I'll have to go look it up. From the lyrics that you wrote about, it connects to Mclean perfectly. I was happy in the end that Mclean was able to let go of her fear and fall for Dave. I was rooting for them the entire time, were you? I had a feeling they would be together. Great post, keep it up!
Do you like these types of blogs?
Link Up Time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhEx0kaUlrU
This is a link to a movie trailer for the book.
http://booksintransit.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/review-rules-of-attraction-by-simone-elkeles/
Here is a blog with a full review of the book, which will be helpful before or after reading.
http://www.nationalconcernedofficers.com/mexican_gangs.htm
In the book Carlos is part of a Mexican gang. This is a site explaining the danger of Mexican gangs and general information about them.
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/11306/1/Dealing-With-Rebellious-Children.html
Carlos doesn't like to listen to rules and this site explains why kids often rebel against authority.
http://www.simoneelkeles.net/oldsite/home.html
This is Simone Elkeles personal site. It gives information on her and other books, so if you like Rules of Attraction you can check out her other books.
http://autorepair.about.com/
Kiara enjoys repairing cars and this site gives information on what type of labor goes into repairing a car.
http://www.expat-blog.com/en/destination/north-america/mexico/
Carlos leaves his mother and brother in Mexico and moves to Colorado with his oldest brother. This site gives information on leaving Mexico and moving to America and what it's like.
http://artofmanliness.com/2009/06/17/6-lessons-i-learned-about-being-a-man-from-growing-up-fatherless/
Carlos and his brothers have been growing up without a father after he was shot. Here is information on the affect of growing up without a father figure has on boys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking
Kiara likes to hike and if you didn't know much about hiking, this would be a good site to read.
http://www.livescience.com/7023-rules-attraction-game-love.html
In the book Kiara's best friend helps her to create a rules of attraction list. Here is a real list of what attracts us to other people.
http://martinabookaholic.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/review-perfect-chemistry/
This is a review and summary of the first book of the series, Perfect Chemistry. You do not have to read Perfect Chemistry before reading Rules of Attraction, but it might help give background information.
http://www.steadyhealth.com/Teen_parties_full_of_drugs_and_alcohol_t79113.html
Carlos goes to several parties with alcohol and drugs. Here is a site to show the effects of partying as a teenager.
http://www.womenofspirit.com/index.php?id=110
Kiara falls for the bad boy in the story. Here is a site to help understand why she fell for him even when she knew it was a bad idea.
http://www.simoneelkeles.net/oldsite/videos.html
Here is a site that has several videos to represent the book which could be helpful to watch before you begin reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Elkeles
Learning more about the author of the book you're reading helps to understand the story and where it came from much better.
Did you find these links to be helpful?
This is a link to a movie trailer for the book.
http://booksintransit.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/review-rules-of-attraction-by-simone-elkeles/
Here is a blog with a full review of the book, which will be helpful before or after reading.
http://www.nationalconcernedofficers.com/mexican_gangs.htm
In the book Carlos is part of a Mexican gang. This is a site explaining the danger of Mexican gangs and general information about them.
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/11306/1/Dealing-With-Rebellious-Children.html
Carlos doesn't like to listen to rules and this site explains why kids often rebel against authority.
http://www.simoneelkeles.net/oldsite/home.html
This is Simone Elkeles personal site. It gives information on her and other books, so if you like Rules of Attraction you can check out her other books.
http://autorepair.about.com/Kiara enjoys repairing cars and this site gives information on what type of labor goes into repairing a car.
http://www.expat-blog.com/en/destination/north-america/mexico/
Carlos leaves his mother and brother in Mexico and moves to Colorado with his oldest brother. This site gives information on leaving Mexico and moving to America and what it's like.
http://artofmanliness.com/2009/06/17/6-lessons-i-learned-about-being-a-man-from-growing-up-fatherless/
Carlos and his brothers have been growing up without a father after he was shot. Here is information on the affect of growing up without a father figure has on boys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking
Kiara likes to hike and if you didn't know much about hiking, this would be a good site to read.
http://www.livescience.com/7023-rules-attraction-game-love.html
In the book Kiara's best friend helps her to create a rules of attraction list. Here is a real list of what attracts us to other people.
http://martinabookaholic.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/review-perfect-chemistry/
This is a review and summary of the first book of the series, Perfect Chemistry. You do not have to read Perfect Chemistry before reading Rules of Attraction, but it might help give background information.
http://www.steadyhealth.com/Teen_parties_full_of_drugs_and_alcohol_t79113.html
Carlos goes to several parties with alcohol and drugs. Here is a site to show the effects of partying as a teenager.
http://www.womenofspirit.com/index.php?id=110
Kiara falls for the bad boy in the story. Here is a site to help understand why she fell for him even when she knew it was a bad idea.
http://www.simoneelkeles.net/oldsite/videos.html
Here is a site that has several videos to represent the book which could be helpful to watch before you begin reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Elkeles
Learning more about the author of the book you're reading helps to understand the story and where it came from much better.
Did you find these links to be helpful?
"Good Girl"
For my next blog I wanted to take a song and compare it to Carlos and Kiara's relationship. After much searching, I found the perfect song. The song I chose was "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood. The song is about a girl who is so smitten by a boy that she doesn't realize he isn't right for her. He's a typical bad boy and the song is trying to warn her that the boy is only going to break her heart. It's a very common thing for girls to fall for the "bad boy". There is something very mysterious and dangerous about the bad boy, but in the end you always end up with a broken heart. Maybe that's why girls are so drawn to the rebellious type, but we''ll never really know why. This song is to warn girls of the bad boys.
You want a white wedding
And a hand you can hold
Just like you should, girl
Like every good girl does
Want a fairytale ending, somebody to love.
If this song would have been around for Kiara to listen to, maybe Carlos and Kiara would never have beame what they did. Kiara might have realized that Carlos wasn't the kind of guy she was looking for and that she was wasting her time. Even though by the end of the story Carlos changes and becomes the man Kiara needs, it doesn't start out that way. Carlos is involved in a gang and starts out in Colorado hanging out with the wrong crowd. Carlos even knows of the type of guy he is and warns Kiara. Kiara is so rapped up in their attraction that she doesn't care. The song says:
Hey, good girl
You got a heart of goldYou want a white wedding
And a hand you can hold
Just like you should, girl
Like every good girl does
Want a fairytale ending, somebody to love.
Kiara is the typical good girl. She doesn't get into trouble, she's sweet, loves her family, always does her studies, and doesn't hang out with the wrong crowd. Then here comes Carlos and once Kiara falls for him, she wants the full relationship. The only problem is, Carlos doesn't want the same thing. He wants a girl he can hook up and not have any strings. The song also says, "better back away honey, you don't know where he's been". Carlos points out that he once had a very serious relationship and isn't a virgin, but now he only does meaningless hook ups. It's clear that Destiny, his ex-girlfriend, really damaged Carlos. He really cared for her but now he feels he is unworthy for any girl, especially Kiara. He has past damage that has caused him to be this way and after his several hook ups, no telling what he has done with who. Its much more safe is Kiara stays far far away. But of course that is impossible, because like I said, good girls love bad boys.
Heres the link to the song lyrics, http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/goodgirl.html
Do you think there is a better song to represent what Kiara and Carlos are going through?
Heres the link to the song lyrics, http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/goodgirl.html
Do you think there is a better song to represent what Kiara and Carlos are going through?
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
Carlos. The bad boy.
Alex. Carlos' brother.
Kiara. The good girl.
Carlos left is mom is Mexico to live with Alex in Colorado.
Madison Stone helps Carlos get involved with the wrong group.
The principal finds drugs in Carlos' locker.
Carlos goes to live with Kiara's dad, the Professor.
At first Kiara and Carlos don't get along.
It isn't long though until they are strongly attracted to one another.
Carlos stops Kiara before things get out of hand.
Carlos feels he isn't the type of guy Kiara needs.
They still pretend to be in a relationship at school so Madison will leave Carlos alone.
Carlos gets involved with a dangerous group and they want him to deal.
The family Carlos is staying with helps him out of trouble.
Attraction can break through all differences.
Can you think of a better theme than the power of attraction?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Final Intro Blog
It's finally time for the final blog assignment. It's the fourth quarter, and let me just say I'm relieved. Even though I'll miss blogging on thursday, this has as been a time consuming project. But what project isn't? I felt very pleased with my third quarter blog grade as a whole. I will admit that I started a little late, but I was able to pull it out. Maybe I'm finally starting to get the hang of this blogging thing. My response length has improved and I might even say I'm getting more creative. I still need to improve my analyzing skills, but those will come with time. As a whole though, I enjoyed the blogging project. I liked how it was more laid back than writing a paper, but I still feel it helped my writing and anazlying this year. Now with only one more quarter left I'm ready to finish strong and end on a good note. I think my fourth quarter book will help me end with a "bang", as well.
My final Read For A Lifetime book is Rules of Attraction. I read Perfect Chemistry when it first came out a couple years ago and loved it, so I thought I would enjoy Rules of Attraction just the same. My favorite genre to read for fun is teen romance novels. There is something very entertaining about a very unrealistic romantic story. What can I say, I'm a girl, I like to dream. the plot for Rules of Attraction is very similar to Perfect Chemistry. Or at least that's what I understood from reading the cover of the book. In Rules of Attraction, Carlos is the bad boy and Kiara is the good girl. Very similar to Perfect Chemistry with Alex, Carlos' order brother, bring the bad boy at first, and Brittany being the good girl. Alex changes into this sweet young man while Brittany and him fall madly in love. I have a feeling that Rules of Attraction will be very similar, but predictably makes it fun. I can't wait to share more with you guys about my feelings for the book.
Until next time, Simone
Have you read this book? If so, what do you think?
Until next time, Simone
Have you read this book? If so, what do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)