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The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter Quote

" 'He did not send me!' cried she, positively. 'I have no Heavenly Father!' " 

(Hawthorne 67)

Since the day that Pearl was born, no one looked at her as an innocent infant. The girl was born into sin and was looked down upon and was scorned by all. Pearl was considered to be "a beautiful flower, growing out of sinful soil." Because of the acts that Hester was accused of, Pearl had to live a life in the shadows. Hester took the matter into her own hands and taught her daughter of God's word. Denying that God was her Heavenly Father, was a symbol of Pearl defying the  views of the Puritan community. What reason did she have to follow in the light of God, if all God had done was bring Hester and herself pain and suffering. The sole fact that Pearl was described to be an outcast and an imp, meant that she had no right to socialize with the other christened children in the community. Pearl being aware of her mother's mistakes, understood the way she was treated by others. The other children especially would act strange toward the Hester and Pearl, understanding that they may have not been good Puritan people, but instead followers of the devil. Since Pearl is having extremely assuring doubts that God is not the "almighty", can create a barrier between Hester and herself. The only way to find out, is to keep reading. 

Dead and Gone

"Widow Sleeps With Dead Husband's Decomposing Corpse For A Year After His Death"

-The Huffington Post

by Cavan Sieczkowski

In November of 2012, seventy-nine year old Marcel H. from Liege, Beligium passed away from an asthma attack, according to Carters News Agency. His wife was incredibly upset after her husband's death and failed to report the death to the authorities, or anyone else for that matter. One may ask, what is special about this news, but here is where it gets a bit bizarre. After avoiding the death report, the woman continuously slept next to her husband's decaying body for about a year now. Unfortunately for the woman, Belgian authorities discovered the behavior and took actions against it on the nineteenth of November, 2013. 

The authorities were led to the apartment because the landlord had been complaining that the residents had not been paying the rent since last Novemeber, after the man's death. The neighbors had reported a bad smell countless amount of times, not knowing that the smell might have been a mummified corpse. 

Although this entire scenario may seem unbelievable and rare, this case was not the first of it's kind. A year ago, a woman from Michigan was found sleeping with her boyfriend's decaying body, months after his death. She had been cashing in his Social Security checks after his death, howver refused to give the body away in fear of being left all alone. 

Death is undeniably one of the most difficult parts of life to overcome, but maybe this is going a bit too far. 

-November 20, 2013

Fashion Crisis? I think yes.

Looking back at the time of the Colonial Era, numerous aspects of life have evolved, physically and mentally. Fashion and clothing is one of the aspects to consider, if one was to travel back around four hundred years into the past. The clothing of men were equally as fancy and lavish as the clothing of women. However, the decorative and elegant clothing came with a price, which not all were able to pay. 

Traditionally the attire of women consisted of a long dress or gown. The dress often had a close-fitting top or bodice with a low or high neckline. Shawls were wrapped around the bust area to cover any exposed skin around the neckline. The bottom half of the gown was full and heavy, reaching down to the woman's ankles or to the floor. Most working women would have an apron wrapped around their waist. However in most cases, women had a more special attire for Sundays. Wealthier women afforded fancier and flimsier fabrics like silk, satin and velvet. In rare cases, their shoes would also be made of silk. Casually outdoors, thick and wooden shoes like clogs were worn in order to protect their feet on the rough surfaces outside. Indoors, delicate slippers were simply worn. As for adding the finishing touches to the outfits, hats with long feathers or bonnets were worn outside as opposed to wearing mob caps indoors. 

For colonial men, outfits consisted of breeches, stockings, a waistcoat or doublet and perhaps a coat.  Breeches took the place of todays pants, except more puffy and full. The stockings met the breeches at the knee, which are like knee-high socks. The waist coat was the main component of the man's upper area. It is almost like the shirts that men wear today. Depending on the man's wealth, the outfit would also include a coat or a "suit jacket." Like the women's clothing, the men's attire varied based on wealth and how much one could afford to buy. Overall, it is safe to say, that fashion has most definitely evolved from four hundred years ago.

Hungry Anyone?

"Suspected Cannibalism Shocks France As Man Confesses To Eating Victim's Heart and Tongue"

-The Huffington Post

by Sara Gates

French police suspect cannibalism after a man in southern France supposedly cut out a man's heart and tongue with the intentions of eating them. Nouilhan police arrested a twenty-six year old homeless man Thursday night. According to local news sources the man has been accused of breaking and entering into a ninety year old man's house and striking his skull with metal work equipment from the man's barn. The victim's body was found burned, with the heart and tongue cut out, which seemed as if they were cooked. 

When the authorities arrived to the scene of the crime, the old man's body was found calcinated, meaning the body was burned to dust. The bizarre part of the investigation was that the authorities also found cooked meant and white beans placed in a plate. 

While the twenty-six year old tried escaping the scene, he assaulted a man on a tractor, breaking his shoulder. He entered another home and got a hold of a shotgun before the resident was aware of his break in. Officers were unable to locate him during his efforts of running away. They arrested the man shortly before midnight of Thursday. 

During the process of the man's arrested he remained calm and passive. However after his statements, it was strongly believed to investigators that the man had intentions of consuming the heart and tongue of his first victim."It would seem he acted because of voices, messages that he was receiving and that were telling him to act in this way. Those are his first statements," local prosecutor Chantal Firmigier-Michel told the Agence France-Presse. The investigators are still digging into this case in order to prove the intentions of the murderer. 

-November 15, 2013

SOAPS-T

The SOAPS-T of a piece of literature is what truly breaks down what one is trying to convey through reading. Each and every aspect of SOAPS-T, the speaker, the occasion, the audience, the purpose, the subject and the tone aid one another through the process of digging through the piece of literature. For example, the subject, speaker and occasion basically go hand in hand together because the subject holds what one is trying to focus on through the speaker and the occasion. Without one part of SOAPS-T, all of the other aspects of it cannot work, therefore making it remarkably effective for one to use during analysis.
After analyzing "I Know Why The Caged Bird Cannot Read" it is clear that the use of SOAPS-T is a major factor of this piece. The speaker of this passage is a woman named Francine Prose, born in the late forties, who is now a reporter, essayist, critic and editor. The occasion of this piece was in September of 1999 and published in Harper's. Throughout the passage, Prose is not referring to any one person. She was trying to relay her message simply to anyone who reads it. The purpose that the speaker is trying to achieve is to inform and to persuade. The subject at hand is the critique of the quality of required reading in American high schools. Through the entirety of the passage she contains a sassy and familiar tone, which also emphasizes the disappointment she conveys through her diction. She questions why high school students are not asked to read more quality pieces nowadays. Overall, SOAPS-T was extremely efficient while analyzing this piece.

The Risk That Comes With Talent

"Cirque du Soleil Accident Leaves Performer Hospitalized"

-The Huffington Post

by Joanna Zelman

Another tragedy hit the stage of the world renowned Cirque du Soleil show "Zarkana." A Cirque du Soleil performer remains hospitalized after a deadly fall on Friday night's performance at Las Vegas resort Aria. The performance company settled a statement the next day, saying that the male acrobat and performer was appearing in the "Wheel of Death" act during the 7 p.m. performance as irony took its course and the artist slipped and fell off of the wheel. The name of the course,  "Wheel of Death" may have been a bit too literal for the act. The act features two acrobats who perform high-risk stunts atop and inside a pair of spinning wheels rotating high above the stage, which includes rope skipping and jumping. Following the accident, the show was immediatly adjourned and the victim was taken to the University Medical Center, where he was in a stable condition, hoping to be discharged out of the hospital's car within the next few days. The name of the male artist could not be revealed because of Cirque du Soleil's privacy policy.

To the company's misfortune, an accident with a more tragic ending occurred four months ago. During the Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" show in MGM  Grand in Las Vegas, an acrobat died after a fall during her performance. Thirty-one year old Sarah Guillot-Guyard fell ninety-four feet to the floor below on the twenty-ninth of June, when a wire rope she was suspended from was severed because of her rapid ascent. Guillot-Guyard was the first acrobat that died during a performance on stage, of Cirque du Soleil's twenty-nine years of history. The risk that this company sets forth during each performance is unimaginable, however some may pay a price. 

- November 2, 2013

ABC's

To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education?

I asked myself what the definition of education is. Education is general knowledge, useful for life decisions and reasoning, which prepares one intellectually and physically for the future. Schools have the tendency to coast off of the true meaning of education. Knowledge is not taken in through force and specific requirements. Schools need to provide an environment in which a student would be willing to learn new things, through trial and error, giving one a sense of accomplishment when reaching a certain goal. Schools pave the pathway for the futures of the world's youth.

 At times it feels as if the minds of students are being occupied by random and unnecessary facts and information that one will most probably never use throughout their lives. Instead of focusing on redundant material, classes with a more critical and strategic base, when one is required to use out-of-the-box reasoning in order to succeed. I find this teaching method more effective, rather than being lectured about facts, facts and more facts. Many of the world's most intelligent and successful people, have not received a formal education such as, William Shakespeare, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Amadeus Mozart. Math, History and Chemistry are not what create a mature individual. It is the general knowledge and understanding of life and being able to reason and make resourceful decisions. 

Students turn in assignments and study for exams and quizzes for one purpose only. That purpose is to get a good grade and not fail the course. Students are rewarded for their success, giving them the wrong reasons to study and learn. 

Schools need to gather their thoughts on this dilemma and form a type of educational system that digs through the true meaning of education. 

The City of Love

"Man Found Dead In His Apartment 8 Years After Apparent Suicide"

- The Huffington Post

by Sara Gates

Who knew that the only form of life one could find in Paris is not love? A man who recently purchased his new apartment in France, was in for quite a treat when he set foot into his new home. According to Le Parisien, a man was found dead in a busy Saint-Georges flat eight years after his suicide. On Wednesday, police identified his body as a man named Thomas Ngin, a Cambodian man who worked as a security guard before his death in 2005. Ngin would have lived to be fifty years of age today, however is believed he hung himself beause he was let go of his job. Since he had cut the tied between his family and himself, Ngin was not reported missing, according to the Radio France Internationale. 

His mummified corpse was found last Friday, when the locksmith and the new owner of the apartment entered the property. Ngin was found hanging with a bedsheet behind the front door. In the case of this man's death, none of the neighbors seemed to have attempted to enter the premises. This was apparent because of the piled up bills and mail that was left untouched. 

Recieving no response from the tenant, his associaton decided to sell the property. However, because of Ngin's overpowering debt, the bank seized the property and sold it at an auction earlier this month. It was not until days later that the new owner went to clean out the apartment and discovered the body. "This is the tragedy of the greater Paris area," a source familiar with the case told the Agence France-Presse, "the capacityof being isolated in the middle of a crowd."

-October 23, 2013

Breaking Bad?

"Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, Mexican Drug Lord, Killed By Assassin In Clown Costume"

- The Huffington Post

by Hunter Stuart

The member of a once-powerful drug clan was assasinated during a child's birthday party. Who knew that clowns do not always wear a smile on their faces. Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix was the oldest brother of the Arellano Felix Cartel. He was shot in the chest by a gunman disguised as a clown in a rental house at the Cabo San Lucas resort on the Baja California peninsula. The gunman's disguise included a standard and typical look of a clown with a colorful wig and a big, red nose. The motives of the assassination are not yet clear however. 

Beginning in the 1980's, the Arellano Felix cartel ran a lucrative drug business between California and the Mexican border city of Tijuana. This cartel was portrayed in the movie Traffic (2000), where the cartel was shown battling for power in the Mexican city of Juarez.

The cartel is said to have smuggled tons of cocaine and marijuana. However the crime did not stop there. The Arellano Felix cartel corrupted peoples lives with murder and bribed law enforcement officials and military officers. 

Recently, the power-hungry cartel began to slowly denature, as members were arrested and murdered. This might seem to be a relief to one, however the cartel is now slipping into the reigns of Francisco's sister Enedina and her son Fernando, otherwise known as "El Inginiero" (The Engineer.)

It might take a little more then the death of the Francisco, to terminate this dominant cartel. 

October 20, 2013

Lives Saved?

"Leatrice Brewer, Woman Who Drowned Her Three Children, Gives Birth to Her Fourth"

- The Huffington Post

by Taboola

October 11, 2013

It all began when Long Island mom, Leatrice Brewer called the Nassau County Police Department claiming that she murdered her three children. The police investigation that took place on February 24, 2008 was not an easy one to be apart of. The team found the woman's three children drowned in the bathtub of their New Cassel home in New York. The names of the children were Jewell Ward, 6, Michael Demesyeux, 5, and Innocent Demesyeux, 1.
Now this is where the news begins to come into place. According to the Mid- Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, where she has been incarcerated since 2008, thirty-three year old Leatrice Brewer has been impregnated, prepared for her fourth child. The center has refused to comment or answer any questions the reporters might have due to privacy laws. As of now it is unclear who the father of this baby is, or how the woman got pregnant in a closed off and secure facility.
In 2008, Brewer was found not guilty due to mental illnesses and was admitted to the center instead of serving time in prison. When the father of her deceased children was questioned about her pregnancy he responded, "This person's supposedly in a secure facility and she gets pregnant. This is the woman who had no idea what she was doing when she murdered our children." Psychiatrists who evaluated Brewer said she had a major depressive disorder and confirmed that she most likely killed her children to save them from deadly effects of the voodoo. According to Leatrice Brewer, she saved her children's lives. It is safe to say that the rest of the world, does not exactly have the same perspective as Brewer.

Class Speech Analysis

"The Ballot or Bullet"

- Malcolm X

Speech Analysis By:

Sam Ekimyan and Kevin Koseyan

"The Ballot or Bullet" speech simply demands immediate attention to it, because of the strength and power the title holds. Malcolm X, being the revolutionary speaker and civil rights activist that he is, showed justice to his audience. Sam and Kevin did an outstanding job analyzing his speech from every aspect. The SOAPS-T was constructed clearly and gave the class a brief idea of what the speech was about, its purpose and general information about Malcolm X. Even if one has not read or heard the speech that Malcolm X recited, Sam's and Kevin's powerpoint presentation gave a description of the speech and its main points. They kept their audience interested, since rascism had an immense role in this nations past in a negative way. Hearing about a civil rights leader persuading his people to take a stance and exercise their rights against violence leaves a fulfilling thought in one's mind. 

Sam and Kevin did a great job locating different literary devices in "The Ballot or Bullet" speech. The certainly caught one's attention by stating that the ethos was building and automatic. However the idea that they had behind the statement made sense, for Malcolm X had an obvious automatic ethos, but throughout his speech he builds a certain character with the audience which whom he is speaking to.  The classical oration was also clearly stated however there might have been an error in the use of the word 'induction' instead of 'introduction' in the first part of the classical oration. Other than that minor detail, an A+ for Sam and Kevin!

A Rough Past

"Congo's Conflict Mineral Fund Rebels' Brutal War, Use of Child Soldiers in Sub Saharan Africa"

- The Huffington Post

The device that one is using to read this blog post, is most probably an aspect of one's blood and suffering in the country of Congo. Diamonds are not the only minerals which are the source of violence and conflict in sub- Saharan Africa. In the October issue of National Geographic, Jefferey Gettlemen journeys to Congo, where the mines uncover treasures such as cobalt, copper and even gold. However one mineral, which is even more valuable than any stone and jewelry is a minerall called tantalum. Tantalum is used to make microchips for electronics. Unfortunately, these incredible  and powerful device creates the worlds most humanitarian crisis in one of the worlds most atrocious nations on the earth. 

Gettlemen's expedition to Congo was not exactly too much of an "adventure." While driving through the grassy terrains of the nation, child soldiers would be hiding in the tall bushes with a gun in one hand and a bundle of marijuana in the other. The children ranged from about fourteen to fifteen years with tattered clothes and dirt all over their fragile bodies. This scene that Jefferey Gettlemen witnessed was on the road to Bavi, a rebel-controlled gold mine on the Democratic- Republic of Congo's wild east. Congo is sub- Saharan Africa's richest country on paper, because of its contant flow of diamonds, gold, copper, tin, tantalum and most of the worlds widely used minerals. However because of the neverending wars and feuds, it is one of the most traumatized nations in the world. Understanding that the milita- controlled mines are feeding raw materials and minerals to the entire world for electronics and jewelry is what contributes to the chaos. Turns out that the phones, tablets and computers that are widely used by society in this day of age, has had a remarkably tragic and traumatizing past.

October 5, 2013
By: Kavitha A. Davidson

Declaration of Independence

In the year of 1776, on July 4th, the United States of America was never to be the same again. American heros of that time period constructed the first building block into shaping America into what it has become today. In the Declaration of Independence, the committee who drafted this document declared their independence through the words expressed on it. They formally voiced their concerns and grievances throughout its entirety.
One of the grievances states that, "He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." This complaint is absolutely plausible because of the measures that King George III would take in order to get his way. He would purposely convene meetings in places that would be a struggle to get to, in order for people to be tired and weak by the time they get there. This plan would be in favor of the King because the representatives would be in such a exasperated and distressed mood, that they would compromise with whatever the King would suggest. In todays day of age, the President of the United States would doubtlessly do no such thing.  President Barack Obama most definitely suggests meeting in appropriate places in order to hear the words and opinions of his trusted delegates and representatives.
Another grievance pronounced by the committee states that, "He had endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that prupose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage theire migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands." These acts suggested by King George are against the thought of the members of the committee. People who legally strive to migrate to the United States should be allowed to set foot into the country. Preventing the population to grow in the states is something that cannot be prevented. During the time period that is lived in today, issues such as this grievance have also arised. However a more suitable approach is being taken to control the migration of people in and out of the United States. Illegal immigrants are always on the governments lookout, and people legally trying to enter the country are surely given the chance to.
Our country has gone through many phases and changes from the time of its birth, as citizens of America, one can only hope for the better.

Shop Til' You Drop...Literally.

"Most Nairobi Mall Hostages Rescued, Kenyan Army Says"

- The Huffington Post

It certainly was not a regular shopping day on Saturday September 21st at the Westgate Centre Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack began at 12:00 pm when militants entered the mall throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons. Prior to their entry, two helicopters were circling on top of the mall, one skimming across the top of the building. Kenyan Defence Forces said that they had rescued most of the hostgaes and had control over the majority of the mall. Four of the Kenyan Military personnels were injured. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, the mall was filled with the sounds of gunfire and explosions. Al- Shababs militants, the criminals were not pleased about the actions being taken against them when they stated that by reacting in an offensive manner, the Kenyan army is endangering the lives of the hostages. The Kenyan army would not release the exact number of hostages however Kenya's Red Cross said in a statement that forty-nine people were reported as missing. Kenya's Red Cross team stated that the death toll on Sunday rose to sixty-eight as nine bodies were recovered in a rescue mission. 

Somalias, al-Qaida-linked rebel group, al- Shabab was held responsible for this criminal act. The attack was said to be specifically targeted on non- Muslims. The Islamic extremist group stated that this attack was retribution for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into neighboring Somalia. 

According to Ryan Craggs, who posted "Most Nairobi Mall Hostages Rescued, Kenyan Army Says" on September 22nd, Kenya's military had suggested that they had recued 'most' of the hostages in attempt to end the two-day operation that had already killed sixty-eight people.

Another Life Taken

"Jonathan Ferrell Killed: Man Shot in North Carolina was a Former FAMU Player"

- The Huffington Post

Tragedy hit for a young man named Jonathan Ferrell in the town of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina. After surviving a deadly car wreck, the former college football player was seeking help in the middle of the night. Headed toward the nearest house in the area, the owner of the home unable to recognize Ferrell, called the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Police Department. With the mere assumption that Ferrell was breaking and entering, one of the officers shot him after failing to tase the man, to keep him from approaching the officers. 

Within a few hours, investigators had determined that the shooting was excessive and charged Officer Randall Kerrick with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jonathan A. Ferrell, twenty-four year old former Florida A&M University football player. 

The Police stated that the first encounter of Ferrell and Kerrick was "lawful and appropriate." However in their statement late Saturday, they confirmed that Officer Kerrick's shooting was excessive and that he did not have a right to shoot an unarmed man. 

Officer Randall Kerrick turned himself in Sunday morning and was released on a $50,000 bond. His first hearing in court will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 according to Simon McCormack, who filed this article on September 15, 2013.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe described Ferrell's automobile accident in a news conference. He stated, "Ferrell was driving a vehicle that crashed into trees off a northwest Charlotte road early Saturday, and the wreck was so severe that he would have to climb out of the back window to escape." After walking half a mile to the nearest home, Jonathan Ferrell met the end of his road. 

Warrior

One may suggest that Warrior is merely another cliched fighting movie. However Rex Reed thought otherwise when he wrote his review on September 7, 2011 in the New York Observer. His review mainly consists of claim of value, since the article is based on his judgement of approval towards this movie. Reed applauds the director of this film, Gavin O'Connor, for his "direction and pungent screenplay." Reed seems to believe that nowadays all a man needs to have to land a movie is " a gym membership that twists and tortures a normal physique into that of Conan the Barbarian." However he explained how the roles for the movie were given to the absolute proper actors, Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, "the two meatheads who can really act."
Throughout the review article, one can immediately recognize the passion that Reed applies into his words for this movie. He states, "Skillfully made and adrenalin-fueled, Warrior is nothing like what I expected--leaves you thoroughly sated, energized and wanting more." His beliefs and views on the movie as a whole is considered to be claim of value, because it is arguable, since it is Reed's own expression of taste and preference. What may seem like "an excitng, well-made testosterone explosion called Warrior," may strike one as being simply another boxing and martial arts cliche. Rex Reed surely did not fail to attract to the minds of people searching for a thorough and remarkably written review for Warrior.

http://observer.com/2011/09/warrior-is-not-without-a-fight/

Life Lived Short

"Kenis Green, 12, Shot To Death in Detroit, Alvin Conwell Charged With Murder"

-The Huffington Post

A twelve year old boy, living in northwest Detroit was shot to death while playing with his friends outside his home. The mother of this young boy, Sunsearae Hall did not know of the tragedy to come, when she allowed her son to go out and play. The woman's boyfriend Greg Owens was also outside during the shooting and is now hospitalized with a wound in his stomach. According to WJBK-TV when Owens saw the suspects vehicle, he told all the children to run inside. Unfortunately one little boy, Kenis, did not make it on time and got shot in the head, the bullet instantly taking his life.

Kenis was described as hard-working, fun-loving, polite, and an athelete. He was going into the eighth grade and played as a lineman for the school football team. He was absolutely loved by everyone the was surrounded by him. 

Alvin Conwell, the thirty-three year old suspect was arrested and held at the Wayne County Jail.  He was charged with first degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and felony firearm in connection to Kenis Green's death and Greg Owens' injuries. 

The heart of the problem was initiated through adult jealousy. It stemmed from an earlier fight that took place, when Conwell suspected that Owens had been talking to his girlfriend. As a result of Conwell's assumptions, he acted upon his thoughts, killing an innocent and powerless boy. Kate-Abbey Lambertz wrote "Kenis Green, 12, Shot to Death in Detroit, Alvin Conwell Charged with Murder" on September 6, 2013, hoping to never write about an event as dreadful as this again. 

Cookies N' Cream Anyone?

Cookies N' Cream

Since 1978

Mmmmm... How I would love to devour a Cookies N' Cream ice cream cone. The creamy and crunchy and chocolatey goodness is definitely something people should strive for in their lives. (polysyndeton) You do not choose the cookies n' cream life, the cookies n' cream life chooses you. (chiasmus) The cookies n' cream ice cream flavor consists of the sweet and soothing creamy vanilla with a kick of the crunchy and rich Oreo cookies. One lick into this perfect combination of flavorful excellence and it is as if I am a little girl again, sitting on the park bench with my Uncle, enjoying an ice cream cone in the scorching summer sun. (pathos) Who would want to eat just any ordinary ice cream flavor? (rhetorical statement) Not me! Cookies n' cream was made for people who love the simplicity and savoriness of vanilla, but also the daring and luscious crunch of the Oreo cookies. The Cookies n' cream ice cream flavor is often known as the "King Kong of Ice Cream" because it immediately climbed to the top of the World Favorite Ice Cream Flavor List in 1983. There is a reason why this flavor has been a prized ever since it became known to mankind, it simply tastes heavenly.

A Diamond in the Rough

"Billy Ray Harris, Homeless Man Who Returned Diamond Ring, Gets a New Home!"

-The Huffington Post

Six months ago, a fifty-five year old man named Billy Ray Harris was homeless. He lived on a street corner in Kansas City, watching his life go past him, asking for spare change. Little did he know, that his life was going to take a drastic turn. One day in February, Sarah Darling was passing by Billy Ray, sitting in his usual spot and she decided to drop some change into his cup. The woman, not noticing that she had dropped her diamond engagement ring inside the cup, continued walking along her path. The idea of selling the ring for the appraised amount of $4,000 did cross Harris' mind. However he could not go through with it. Harris said in an interview with KCTV, "I am not trying to say that I am no saint, but I am no devil either." He decided to wait for Darling to return, to hand it back to her. Three days later, Darling came back to Harris, and asked if he had the ring. Harris took the ring out, and placed it on the woman's finger. 

Darling was incredibly grateful for the man's honesty and kindness, and she acted upon her emotions. Sarah Darling and her fiance Bill Krejci decided to launch a fundraiser for Billy Ray Harris. The goal that they hoped to reach was $1,000. As word got around, the couple were overwhelmed by the amount of money they were receiving. After only three months, they had collected $190,000 for this man. Harris now owns a car, put a down payment on a new home, and reconnected with his family which he had not seen in sixteen years. Harris told Today, "When I think of the past, I think-- thank God it's over, I feel human now." On September 2, 2013, Eleanor Goldberg wrote this article to prove that the good in humanity still exists in this world we live in. 

SOAPS-T

The Death of the Moth

Virginia Woolf

 

As individual beings, we all have a significant role in this world. Even the tiniest creature crawling around plays a role in our lives. The death of a moth, would probably not be a big deal to people, but the author Virginia Woolf is completely taken by the idea. The subject is the moths fight for freedom. It is trying to get passed the glass window, into the beautiful nature calling out to it. The occasion is Virginia Woolf observing this creature struggling to break passed a barrier. Her emotions elevate to different degrees throughout the story, from beauty and splendor to darkness and sullen. The author is not particularly reaching out to a specific audience because it is not directed at someone. This gives the author the opportunity to grab readers on a broader spectrum. The purpose that Virginia Woolf is trying to capture is to show people the struggles that we face throughout our lives. It may not be the same as the moth, but in some way, we as humans are like the moth. We see and know what we hope and want for but it is up to us to try and get to it some day. The author may not have directly put this in words, but after looking at the connotations and analyzing, there is a deeper meaning. The speaker of this story is simply, Virginia Woolf. The tone that she is using throughout the story completely changes from one end to the other. As the story quickly switches from pleasant to gloomy, the tone, along with the emotion of the reader is affected at a great scale. SOAPS-T completely changes a story and helps analyze any piece of literature, one minimal idea at a time.

Syria: Chemical Weapons Inspection

Chemical Attack: Syria

The recent chemical attack in Damascus, killing thousands, has been the worst chemical attack in twenty-five years. The article "Syria Chemical Inspections by the United Nations" adds on to the many vicious and life threatening occurrences in Syria. Oliver Holmes wrote a striking article about the responses to the attack. After the chemical weapon attack on Wednesday, Syria allowed the United Nations to further inspect the site. The United Nations said that Damascus had agreed to ceasefire until a specialized group of UN investigators enter the site. The investigation will begin on Monday the twenty-sixth of August. There were signs that the United States and its allies were going to take considerable measures towards the attack. President Barack Obama stated that the usage of chemical weapons was a "red line" and prompt serious consequences will follow. The Syrian government along with United States citizens are awaiting a response from Washington. President Obama met with his top military and national security advisers on Saturday to debate his options. U.S. naval forces had been repositioned in the Mediterranean to give Obama the option of an armed strike. Between 500 and well over 1000 civilians were killed this week by taking in the chemical toxins fired on the suburbs of Damascus. The results of this event are incredibly vital to the safety and well-being of the citizens of the United States. This article in The Huffington Post allows people to understand what the recent standing are in the events of this deadly event.

Girlfriend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOtfKiCr99g

Justin Bieber's
Girlfriend Fragrance Commercial

The Girlfriend Fragrance Commercial is any beliebers dream. I know this because, well, I am a belieber. This commercial is the slight glimpse of what a girls life would be like, being Mrs. Bieber. The commercial portrays different scenes of what Justin's and his girlfriend's life is like. The scenes show the two relaxing in the park as Justin plays his guitar, driving around in his car, watching movies together and romance in the simplest ways. What this means is that if a one wears the Girlfriend perfume, they will be one step closer to being his girlfriend. Yes, this commerical is manipulative because it makes Justins fans believe that they have a chance of being his girlfriend. The odds are that not even one of the thirty million fans will be in such an imaginable position. The subject of the commercial is simply Justin Bieber's girlfriend. The purpose is to tell all of Justin's fan base that if they wear the Girlfriend perfume, they will feel as if they were in the shoes of his girlfriend. It gives his fans who are madly in love with him, the chance to be able to feel how it will be like, as Justin's girlfriend. The speaker in this case is Justin Bieber himself. He is not actually talking in the commercial, instead he is speaking through one of his songs "Boyfriend." The ethos is automatic because of Justin Bieber's voice as he is singing one of his hit singles. A true fan would be able to recognize his voice. This commercial is however mainly depended on pathos because of the desires it causes one to have. The fragrance gives hope and it unlocks the secrets to a beliebers desires. Just by getting a girl to imagine themselves as Justin's girlfriend means that the commercial was effective and will result in a vast sale of the fragrance. A chance to be Justin Bieber's girlfriend.........yes, please!

  



And Then There Were None

I have read many books throughout my school years. However And Then There Were None is my all time favorite book. While reading this novel, I felt like I was part of the story, inside the house, stranded, just like the characters in the book. I was completely taken by the mystery and the horror of the disturbing occurances in the house. After reading each page, I did not want to stop even for a second to take a breath. Every time one of the guests in the mansion went missing, it gave a thrill not knowing how these horrible events were happening and who the next victim was. The urge to keep reading was fueled by the question of who the villain was behind it all. Questioning all of the people in the house, I carefully studied each of the characters, trying to figure out who was telling the truth, and who was not. After completing the book, and solving the big mystery, I took a second to look back on the novel. The author was truly able to keep the reader deep inside the story thoroughly until the end.  And Then There Were None was written for people who love to be on the edge of their seats waiting to move onto the next chapter, just to see what happens. Reading this novel was a great decision, because it completely blew me away, and trust me, that does not happen too often after reading a book.