Heart of Darkness (CRR)

In English class we have finished up the book the Heart of Darkness. In my opinion, I disliked reading the book, because it was very difficult for me as a reader to understand. That was my initial thought during the first few pages of reading the book. Once I finished the book, sort of, I began to understand the symbolism behind the book while also understanding the main character, Charles Marlow. This book isn't exactly the best book ever written, in my opinion at least, but this book did show how much the impact of your environment can truly consume your inner being and change you without you realizing how. Marlow was just an innocent being who had little to no experience of what it was like being surrounded by African natives in the Congo. Not only did he not know how to react towards them, he didn't know or understand the hatred they were getting by the Europeans who dehumanized and enslaved them. Marlow was an innocent soul who arrived to the congo at the wrong place at the wrong time. His ideal perception on life was completely turned over as the book continues to depict each timeline of his life there. Before I give away the entire book, this book was an utter disappointment but eventually found some place in me that made me understand why the characters were written the way they did, and why this book was written in the first place. This book is a version of how life is set up in the form of a semi-fictional tale. Greed and corruption basically sums up the story, but it is a perfect example of just how much people can easily change when these two things enter your system.

Hairs & Fibers (ID)

In my forensics class, we are currently studying the cuticle patterns, medullas, cortex, and hair origins of both human and animal hair samples. I never realized how interesting the human hair was. I was able to identify what my hair type was which i would have never known without this class. It was very interesting finding out how to identify the differences between hair types and specific classifications of hair. I'm not a huge fan of science but anatomical science is my favorite, and I feel like a little scientist in the making.

Endless Time By Rabindranath Tagore (FC)

Time is endless in thy hands, my lord.
There is none to count thy minutes.

Days and nights pass and ages bloom and fade like flowers.
Thou knowest how to wait.

Thy centuries follow each other perfecting a small wild flower.

We have no time to lose,
and having no time we must scramble for a chance.
We are too poor to be late.

And thus it is that time goes by
while I give it to every querulous man who claims it,
and thine altar is empty of all offerings to the last.

At the end of the day I hasten in fear lest thy gate be shut;
but I find that yet there is time.

Haitian-Dominicans stripped of their Citizenship. (PB)

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/28/247635908/many-haitians-leave-dominican-republic-after-court-decision

This weeks post will be about something I am passionate about, which is helping causes in hopes of gaining independence.

I have just recently heard of everything going on in my country. Apparently, anyone born after 1929 (basically around my grandma's age) who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic has to leave all that they're known and used to because a new Dominican Court Ruling said so. It bothers me that I can't do anything about this, not because it will affect me personally, but because it is unfair. no matter where you go you are treated unfairly. It is racist and what gets to me is how not many people are really doing something about it except for some of the Dominicans already living here in America. I have a cousin who is half Dominican half Haitian. I don't know her personally, but I wonder how this would be affecting her. I wish I could do something to help out these people, it bothers me I don't know where to begin to help out. It isn't fair, none of this is fair at all.

Deaths of 2013 ...RIP❤️ (SSR)

http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/12/05/paul-walker-nelson-mandela-death-tribute-fans-twitter/

In the amount of one week we lost two good souls. Nelson Mandela not only a man with a good heart, but a leader, a fighter, and man of honor fought against Apartheids Uprising during one of Africa's troubling eras of nonstop turmoil. Nelson was incarcerated for almost 30 years & after he was freed, he became the President of Africa and was was given nothing but respect & appraisal for all he's done for the lives of Africa. Nelson Mandela once said "I'm not a saint, but a sinner who never stops trying." On that note R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

Another man who lost his life but a well respected actor at that was the Fast & Furious movie series very own Paul Walker. Paul Walker gained fame starring as one of the main cast of the famous Car movies. The Fast & Furious movies were one of my favorite movies and it's sad that he is now gone. Paul Walker was acting prior to making these films and during his spare time he devoted his time to helping others, which is someone who's selflessness is worthy of respect. So, RIP Paul Walker you will be missed as well. 

Another soul lost this year has been Glee's very own Cory Monteith. He was a good actor, funny to watch on my tv every Thursdays, and was one of my favorites as well. RIP Cory <3 

Aside from all the deaths that have occurred this far, I lost my great aunt. Also, a lot of people I know have lost about one or two people close to them. On the behalf of everyone, RIP to all the lives lost in 2013. 

What's Lana Del Ray's National Anthem? (SSR)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sxDdEPED0h8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsxDdEPED0h8

In this video called National Anthem by Lana Del Ray, she reenacts the Assassination of JFK, and portrays herself as Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy. I watched this video, and felt like there was a sort of symbolism behind the video itself. As people may have heard, it has been rumored that Marilyn Monroe and Mr President Kennedy had an affair, from watching this video I feel as though Lana Del Ray doesn't know what kind of woman she is, whether she is the typically known American housewife, or the woman who comes between a man and his wife. I feel like she portrays both women because deep down whatever kind of woman she is, she doesn't want to be left without a man. I chose to talk about this video because this week is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK, and watching the video had me wondering what exactly Lana was trying to portray just from making this video. She sings Mr. President like Marilyn Monroe once did to Kennedy, but then walks out as the First Lady (Jackie Kennedy) beside her Husband (In this case, ASAP Rocky). In conclusion, I feel like Lana Del Ray created this video because she's confused within her own self, she doesn't know if she's either a housewife or a mistress. 

Senior Dedications (FC) 11/6/13

Just recently, most of the seniors had to take part in writing their senior dedications. In a matter of short words, you are asked to write something whether it is a quote, a few words on the behalf of your fellow classmates, or in general how you would like to express your final words for TMA in fine print. I never truly realized how much TMA has changed me. TMA has had it's ups and downs, but it never failed to shed some light on new things. When I first arrived to TMA in the summer going into 7th grade I thought it would be the best experience ever, and then came 7th grade and I basically really disliked my 7th grade year. Then came 8th and 9th grade, it wasn't so bad but I still felt like I hadn't really found my place until 10th grade hit. Things began to change for me in lots of ways and I began to see that TMA wasn't really all that bad, if anything it helped make me the person I am today. Overall, I guess the moral here is that it didn't hit me that I only have about 7 months left in TMA until I had to really sit down and start writing my senior dedications. On that note, I am glad to be apart of Class of 2014.