Outside Reading SIXTEEN

This week I read a short story in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II titled Donna and Claudia by Carol Gallivan. The story was about how Donna was in a car accident and suffered a lot of head trauma, and had to shave off all her hair. As a result she had to get a wig, and look a little silly. Donna was occasionally teased by this one girl, and this girl made her feel awful. Claudia did her best to stick up for Donna and in then end it still was not enough. Finally Claudia made a decision she decided to shave her head and get a wig too. When she came to school the next day with her wig she set everyone straight, and no one teased them again. Claudia cared so much about her friend she was willing to do whatever it took to make her happy. This story showed me that a good friend does the unexpected and never wants you to suffer, and if you are they will suffer with you.

Outside Reading FIFTEEN

Today I read an article in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II titled A Call for Help by Jill Maxbauer. The story was about a girl and her very best friend and how her bestfriend called her before she attempted to commit suicide. The story taught me many important lessons. One lesson the story illustrated for me is the importance of close friends. Friends can get you through anything and when in doubt call them. The second thing i learned is no matter how big or how many problems you have they are always ways to fix them. Her friend had more problems than anyone could count but she somehow managed to work through them and become happier than ever. Also i learned that life is never as bad as it seems, someone always has it worse and even if you are going to complain just think about someone who is really in a bad place. This girl might have had it bad but it was her choice, someone with cancer doesn't have a choice. This story was depressing but taught me a lot about life.

Out Side Reading FOURTEEN

Today i read a story in Chicken Soup For the Teenage Soul II titled Hero in the 'Hood by Paula Mcdonald. The story discussed the Life of a boy Mike born in a rough part of South-Central Los Angeles. His life was less than perfect, when he was born his father was in jail for drug dealing and his mother was only fifteen. When his father was released from prison he was very strict on Mike and often hurt him. His mother left him and then began dating a cocaine addict and eventually became addicted herself, and had multiple children. Mike was forced to move out because his mother and his father were abusive and sold everything they had for drug money. Mike had to quit elementary school and some how support the family. He was strong and kept the kids of the street. He remained positive until one night he attempted suicide, but then a woman helped him back out. After his attempted suicide he went to a church and got help, eventually moving in with his grandparents. One quote that really struck me in the story was, "Whatever you have, be grateful, for it! Even if you have nothing, be grateful you're alive! Believe in yourself. Nobody is stopping you. Have a goal. Survive!" This quote taught me just how lucky I am and the simple things i take for granted.  This story was eye opening and inspirational. I realized that no matter the situation you determine the outcome.

outside reading THIRTEEN

Today i read an article in People magazine titled Barack Obama's College Years by Associated Press. This article was about the newly published article in Time Magazine about Obama's glory years. The article talked about how he once was a college boy and probably did some partying. There are many central messages to this article one including when you are young live life and do not have any regrets. I think this is a message of this article because even if you do some embarrassing or crazy things when you are young you can still be successful like Barack. Also I believe a message of this article was be careful what you do in your past it could haunt you. Although nothing shocking came up about Obama this sent red flags to people with dark pasts how easily that can be uncovered. Basically do not forget your morals in order to have fun.

outside reading

TWELVE. This week I read an article in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II titled A Friend for Life by Jennifer Love Hewitt. The story was about a young girl sick with cancer who made a wish in the Make a Wish Foundation to meet Jennifer Love Hewitt. The story talked about the girl's day with Jennifer and her amazing addituide towards dealing with cancer and her amazing energy and spark for life. The main point of this article is to never dwell on anything, life is what you make it. This girl did not want anyone to feel sorry for herself because she was already in enough physically pain that she wanted to live up what she had left of her life. This girl never let anything bring her down and attempted to live every day like it was her last. She lived with no regrets and didn't let her pain bring her down, she could teach us all a lesson about not letting the small things bring us down. This girl has really inspired me to have a more positive outlook on life, life is never as bad as it seems.

outside reading ELEVEN

Today I read a short story out of the book Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II titled The Ones in Front of Me by Lia Gay. This story was about having her parents being divorced and how it really affected her more than she ever knew. One quote really stuck out to me and that was "This is my family, and we are "together"". This quote was significant to the story because her parents had been split her entire life and she knew it was hurting. She wanted them back together but felt guilty for saying so her entire growing up. Finally towards the end of the story she realizes even though it may not be a traditional family, they all will always be there for each other and love one and other in a nontraditional way, and that is okay. This quote also is important because it shows the author has grown and matured as the story developed and that she is grateful for let alone having two parents. I think this quote teaches people that things may not always be perfect but to look on the bright side. This story allowed me to look into the life of a child with divorced parents, and gave me a new outlook towards my peers with divorced parents.

outside reading TEN

This week I read a short story in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II titled Visionary, by Jason Leib. The story was about how the author Jason is legally blind. He is blind because he has a condition called dry-eye syndrom. His eyes do not produce any tears which has left his eye super sacred over the years. As a result he will never be able to see normally. The central message of this story was over coming obstacles and being grateful for what we have. The author overcame so much just to graduate high school, let alone play on the basketball team being blind. He also has never let it stop him from pursuing his dreams of going to law school. I believe this article is also about being grateful because he says "Maybe he did what he did so I would appreciate what i have more." This quote means even though God did make Jason blind he believes he did it for a reason and he has so much that he is just lucky to be alive. This article was very eye opening.

outside reading NINE

Today I read an article titled Soulja Boy apologizes for using foul language, says he will clean up his act by the Associated Press. I found this article in the Star Tribune Minneapolis, MN. This article is about how Soulja Boy has recently met many of his fans and realized how he has a youth fan bass, upon meeting these fans he realized he has been using language much to vulgar for them. He has decided he is going to attempt to clean up his act and set a good example. He also told reporters he was not going to completely change, just clean it up. The main point of this article i believe is be careful who is watching you. I think this means you never know how might hear you or look up to you. When people look up to you, you gain an sense of power. That power can either set a negative or positive example, and I think Soulja Boy has learned he needs to set a positive example. This article was fun to read and enlightening to know some rappers out there do care about children and parents.