post 6

The show is now stopped in oregon looking for new animals and acts. The old show there has many animals that are desired by the cirucs. Big Al is mostly desiring an elephant. In oregon there is an elephant named Rosie, They purchase her for a small sum because they think she is a dumb bull. Rosie is very smart and people friendly.They think she is dumb because she doesn't follow commands, and she is resistatn to her trainers. The show picks up with rosie and they move into Chicago. The animal director August has anger problems, so he continuously beats rosie. Jacob speaks out against his boss, and August becomes less violent. As a present August takes Jacob and Marlena to a night club, thsi is during the Prohibition era, so this club is underground and secret. While there Jthe club gets raided by police, and the gang is split up. Jacob and Marlena go into an alleyway, with no sight of August. They begin to dance, and then Jacob kisses her. She is frozen, because she is married to August. The two make an unspoken pact to keep this secret. Then next day they are unpacking, and rosie is set for the show. Marlena rides her into the set, but rosie uncontrobally starts running. In desperation Marlena graps onto a support over hang and gets off the elephant. Marlena is on the pole about 15 feet in the air. She begins swinging on it getteing ready for a dismount. She flips off and lands on her feet. She bruises her ankles,a nd she is hurt for a month. Rosie goes into a lady's garden and eats all of her vegetables. I think Jacob will form a special bond with rosie, because he feels bad for its miss treatment. I think Jacob will help solve Rosies troubles.

post #5

Jacob attends a dinner party with the upper echelon of the circus. He is given new clothes, along with a new status in the circus. He makes friends with the animal manager August, and the main horse rider Marlena. He gets very drunk and wakes up with a massive sickness in his body. He is faced right away with the toughest decision of his life. The Main attraction horse silver star's foot is to the point of no recovery, and it is in great pain. Even though Jacob's job is on the line he must decide what to do with it. He ends up putting down the horse and he goes into a depressed state of mind. The circus keeps on moving from town to town and jacob is still feeling blue. Marlena backs his decision, and that is how Jacob has kept his job. Jacob has fallen in love with Marlena. As a prank August makes Jacob feed the tigers. One of the tigers bites Jacob's hand. He is in pure shock to find that his hand is still there. He then sees August laughing and he finds that the tiger has no teeth. Jacob is well known in the circus now, and has gained a new family.

outside reading #4

Jacob is assigned the position of vetrenary, and his job is already on the line. The main show horse is injured, with a broken foot. This foot is very swollen and infected. The show has been wondering why the horse hasn't been performing well, and this is the reason. Big Al tells Jacob to have the horse better in one month, if not he is fired. The healing of this injury is very hard, becasue this is a delicate bone on the horse. Thsi ailment is life threatning, and Jacob is confused on how to treat it in the short time. He assigns a new diet for the horse, and has it lay down for this time instead of standing. Marlena, the show's horse rider, is very impressed with jacob's expertise in the vetrenary field. Jacob likes marlena a lot, and is almost in love. The show travels from stop to stop scrounging up new Freaks, and supplies. When one of the main circuses closes down the show adopts many of the Talents from the old show. Jacob's life in the circus is hanging in the balance of his medical skill, and the horses's recovery speed.

outside reading #3

Because of Jacob's previous performances in work he was asked to see the owner of the show. He was very nervous to see big Al, because he is notoriously known for being mean. Big Al fiercly questions the intent of Jacob being on this circus. Big Al is making fun of the fact that Jacob is a college boy, who ended up on a circus. Whe Al asks Jacob what college, and Jaconb says Cornell, Al is shocked in disbelief. When he asks Jacob what he was studying, and Jacob says to become a vet, a twinkle shines is Al's eye. Jacob is immediatley placed on the animal care staff, and punched in as a fulltime wage earning worker for the circus. Jacob is told to sleep down with the horses. To his suprise, one of the performers is living down there. The performer is a midget, who has red hair, and many freckels. The midget is very angry when the men tell him jacob must room with him. Jacob finally can rest in peace knowing that he has a job now. He sleeps very well, having no nightmares about his parents, and starts his new life in the circus. I believe Jacob will be very successful in this position, because this is what he has prepared himself to do.

outside reading #2

Jacob is moving up the ranks in the circus from where i left off. In the previous chapters he was a maitenence man, but now he is on staff for a certain venue. Before the show jacob peeks into the big tent, and sees large show animals. He sees tigers, horses,monkies, and girafees. He is perplexed at the reason why there is no elephant in the show. He then sees the horse trainer, who he is immediatley attracted to.when his exhibit starts it is pure chaos. His exhibit is the bearded lady exhibit, and jacob leads the people to it and helps keep order. When men and women want their refundsa fight breaks out between jacob's boss, and a man who is angry. Jacob jumps in to defend hsi boss and puts the man in a headlock, drags him away from the exhibit, and throws him on the ground. Seconds later the circus security takes the man away for his actions. Jacob gained positive recognition from his boss for defending his life. He promises Jacob a more secure position in the show. I believe Jacob will gain a tight relationship with the horse trainer, and she will help Jacob succeed in the circus. Jacob is gaining an identity in the circus and will become a large part in the future shows hopefully.

chapters 1-3

I just started water for elephants and it is already a page turner. A 90 year old man named Jacob Jankowski has a flashback on his past life in the circus. It starts when he is around 20 and is attending Cornell in order to become a vet. During preperation for his finals Jacob is notified that his parents had both died in a car accident. Jacob is so shaken by this news that he can't prepare for his test. On the day of the final Jacob sits and looks at his test for forty five minutes and then turns it in. He is basically blinded by his parents death and he just needs to get away. He walks for a few hours down the train tracks just looking to get away. He finds a train, and he has no money so he jumps on it. He finally gets in the car, only to find strange looking men who are work crew on the ringling Brothers circus. Jacob is shoked by this and is welcomed in. He starts his work as a muscle man who packs and un-packs the cars. Jacob was so overwhelmed by his parents deaths that he needed to get away. This blind movement led Jacon to this life in the circus. I think he will find sanctuary in the circus becasue they are closely knit, and it is a job to distract him. Hopefully Jacob's ivy league education will give him a higher status in teh circus world.
Gruen, Sara " Water for Elephants" Algonwuin books. 2007. April 21 2009.

Outside reading

I chose to read the book water for elephants because of the great reviews i have heard about it. My friends have requested it to me becasue it is supposed to be a fast read. The book is by Sarah Gruen, who is supposed to be a great author. I read the inside of the cover and I became instantly intrested in the book. I mainly chose to read this because of my friends around me telling me to read it. I am very excited to read the book.

post 15

Kevin Everett who was a tight end for the bufflao bills had a serious paralyzing spinal injury that ended his football career. His doctors told him that there would be around 5% chance he would be able to walk again after the surgery. Three months after the surgery Kevin is walking with the assistance of a person, and doing rehabilitation. Kevin is now living a normal life, but wiht no physical games or running. Kevin is one of the greatest stories in the NFL, because his injury shook the world. He speaks about what happened then, and all he remembers is waking up in a hospital with his mother by his side. this story is one of the greatest in history because Kevin overcame all odds to be able to walk again. Hopefully he will be able to keep this going for him becasue he is on the fast track to becoming a fully healed man. He was able to overcome all of the doubts in the world to show people that recovery form that injury can be done.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/12/11/everett1217/index.html
Layden, TIm "The Road Back". S.I. Magazine. december11 2007. 22 March 2009

True Love?

James Mason a 70 year old man who was janitor/ ex-military man. He married Chris three years ago. Chris was born a boy, but 6 years ago chris had a sexchange operation. Chris and James married soon after. When they married James was 70 and Chris was 30. Chris was swimming in a pool, then she pulled her frail husband(who had a serious heart condition) into the pool and forced him to do 2 hours of stressful work. The next day James was put on life support, Chris then pulled him off and James shortly after died. Chris was accused of killing her husband for his retirement benefits. Chris was lately sentenced to 4 years in prison for reckless homicide. This is a chilling tale of two very weird men, Chris went to large extents to just recieve a retirement check. This makes me question if this was true love, or just a scam to recieve benefits.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/us/22killing.html?_r=1&ref=us
Associated, Press"Woman gets prison in husband's death". N.Y Times. 21 MArch 2009. 22 March 2009

post 13

The U.S. nation has a policy of fighting one war at a time, as of right now the U.S. has 170,000 troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. These two countries have strained U.S. supplies an dhas been longer than World War 2. The pentagon is reviewing stratigies right now on what the future plans of war should be. Many senior advisors for the war are advising a smarter strategy by the president and his aids. These useless conflicts have been going on for 6 years, and all they have done is ruined American families and has been an endless pit for American money. The role of " Defender of the world" is coming to and end for the U.S.. This poor economy is also shaping inot the decision of the future plans of these conflicts. The U.S> should be devising a plan that will be able to pull all of the troops out of the danger area for many years to come.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/washington/15military.html?_r=1&ref=worldspecial
Shanker, Tom " Pentagon Rethinking old doctrine on 2 wars". N.Y times. 14 March 2009. 15 March 2009.

blog 12 colonialism

At the turn of the 20th century Africa was a cake filled with many treasures up for the taking. The Europeans were in a race for the most dominate power, and their imperialist ways started the scrammble for Africa. In 1884 the Berlin Confrence was held in order to split up the provinces of Africa. The europeans "took" what they wanted and moved in. The imperialistic nations tried to colonize in these areas, but they were already inhabitited with the indegenous tribes. With the European's superior weapons and technology they were able to move in, and force the indegenous out. This trend of Europeans moving in and the indegenous having to leave was also seen int eh colonization of America. The people of Africa were ravaged by the incomin g Europeans and had to migrate elsewhere or suffer great casualties. A theme for European colonization can be linked to that when they move in they have intentions of total control, with the domination of foreign markets.
3 pages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramble_for_Africa
Wikipedia. " Scramble for Africa". Wikipedia Online database. March 6 2009. March 10 2009

Famine in Africa

The war torn Continent of Africa has been struck with famine because of the high food prices, and banditry of aid sent to those areas. Areas like Somalia rely on the U.N. shipments, but bandits have been seizing the shipments. These stolen shipments are seen as a waste of resources, and disencourages the U.N. to keep sending support. The terrible economy has also made the nations that support Africa less wealthy,a nd they too are in danger of social crisis. The African nations food prices are rising out of control, making it virtually unaffordable to purchase any food. To add to this giant famine there are also huge civil wars that stem from the resource crisis. These civil wars create a state of chaos and insecuritiy which also make it hard for nations to support these war torn countries. The hot zones of war are where the food is needed, and the constant fighting makes it hard to help those in need. The famine in these areas create massive wars and social conflicts. These areas are in need but the conflict that has been created by the famine makes it ard to help the countries.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/17/world/africa/17somalia.html
Gettleman, Jeffrey. "Famine Looms as Wars Rend Horn of Africa". New York Times. 17 May 2008. 8 March 2009.
4 pages.

Christmas in schools

The subject of Christmas in schools is a commonly debated topic. People state that even though Christianity might be the prodemonint religion, its must not be forced on minorities by having it in chools. It used to be called "Christmas Break" then it was "holiday break", that second one still didn't please all minorities so now it is called " Winter Break. Some parents are filing law suits against schools that prohibit any type of expression of christmas cheer in any way. Parents are fighting against this with rage that children's voices are being silenced, and they are unable to feel happy for a holiday. Christianity may be the most common religion in America, but i think people should have the right o express other religous beliefs without being pressured by christians. The holiday of Christmas may spread cheer through most people as the best holiday in the world, but others believe taht their respective holidays should be respected as well
2 pages
Strom, Ron " District Prohibits Christmas Colors". World Net daily. 15 December 2004. 3 March 2009
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41955

Culture blog 8

The Sudanese president is going to be charged with counts of genocide and crimes against humanity by the Icc. This man has been splitting the culture of Darfur wiht large conflicts between groups of people. This conflict has been going on for a while,a dn is cery violent, and filled with hate. The two sides of the fighting have no intentions of stopping and are still battling today. The president Hassan Al Bashir is being indicted on such crimes that will remove him from office and help end this cultural warfare. The ofiicals of Sudan are implementing very strict security orders trying to protect the presidet. They are trying to convey total innocense, and have been hiding the evidence. The U.S. is torn by this tradegy in our cultue because we are protrayed as the world police and if we don't intervene, other crimanls will fell free to roam about. The U.S.'s culture remains strictly on saving human lives, but intervening on this genocide would create massive casualties of the U.S. as well.
3 pages
Wadhams, Nick "Sudan Braces for an indictment of its president over Darfur". March 3 2009. March 3 2009
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1882751,00.html

Bollywood?

Bollywood movies are ones that area made in India. They are very popular because India has very little access to T.V. and just cinemas. In India today there are around 600 of these films created each year. These films follow strict Hindu values. They all have large dancing scenes in them and are very long. The films are wrote in the Hindu language which is what most India people speak. The Hindu religion has very strict values and the films follow them very closely. There is no kissing allowed in the movies, the Indian values are firm against people showing affection in pubblic. The long singing and dancing elements of the film appeal to the Indian audiences. While this may seem strange to Americans, the Indian culture appeals to this style of movie.All of the actors in the films lip sing because they just plain can't do it. The producers hire background singers to fill in the parts. Most of the dancing styles are following old Hindu dances taht correspond to cultural events. Most of the actors in the movies are a lighter skinned Indian and some even european.
4 pages
http://www.time.com/time/columnist/corliss/article/0,9565,475407,00.html
Corliss, Richard " Bollywood: Frequently questioned answered". Time Magazine. 12 August 2003. 1 March 2009.

Finanacial aid

This 6 page packet was seen before as an underused resource, now in this economy this resource is being used at an all time high. The current state of the economy in the U.S. is forcing families to use this government aid. This form has some loop holes in it because it excludes personal assets like boats,and etc. and it also excludes cost of living in that residential area. This applicant number has rose more than 20% from last year. In this crisis some are trying to take advantage of this service and are ruining it for others. President Obama was asked about this form, and he said he is tring to remove the form in total. Other universities are trying to change the perameters of the form to fit it to the standards of the university. Experts say that the form can be simplified without making it flawable. This could create a more realistic system. This change is very weird because the U.S. is in an economic crisis where people need support, and the president is thinking about removing this system. This change could be for the better or for the worse we just need to see if the revoking of this system will solve this problem.
3 pages
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?ref=education
Lewin, Tamar "The big test before college? The financial aid form." New york times. 21 February 2009. 22 February 2009.

Obama

Today President Barack Obama signed the stimulus bill for homeowners. Barack's signing of the 50 billion dollar stimulus bill provides hope for the people who are about to lose their homes. This bill that was signed will hopefully help this economy get on the fast track. This bill also provides hope to all U.S. people because it shows that Barack is willing ot help those in need. The home market is at all time just falling lower and lower. There was little hope for U.S. homeowners who were in need of help until this bill was signed. The homeowners now have a safety blanket when they need it. I believe Barack's action will place hope into all Americans becasue he is willing and able to help get us out of this hardship. The hopes of U.S. citizens is very low, but after this day Barcak Obama provides hope for the future.
2 pages
Raum, Tom " Obama signs stimulus bill,readies homeowner plan". Comcast news. 17 February 2009. 17 February 2009.
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090217/Obama.Stimulus/

India

The thriving country of India is on a path leading to becoming a world power. The main religous conservative catholic beliefs in the early 2000's created a small window of experimentation. In India their main hindu religons had no boundries of stem cell reasearch. The people of India who investigated this new research are becoming very wealthy. The Americans who didn't take the chance to do this investigation of a new procedure hurt them in the long run. The religous bindings placed on them forced them to limit their work. People who are limited by religons or anyother things in life miss out on some of the greatest things. The Indians are capitalizing on everybody's mistakes and becoming stronger. The countries who can capitalize on others unableness to create new ideas will become powerful. Religous and many other bindings can restrict your success and outlook on life.
2 pages
Mishra, Pankaj " How India Reconciles with Hindu Values and Biotech". New York Times. 21 August 2005. February 16 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/21/weekinreview/21mishra.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Women in Kabul

Kabul Afghanistan is a very rough area of upper Asia that is controled by the Taliban. The Taliban enforce a very strict code for all to follow. Women must completley cover themselves and have no right to work outside of the traditional home. Women in this society are restricted to just cooking and cleaning. One Woman named Sara was able to open a clothing business in Kabul. Thsi goes strictly against the rule of the Taliban. These women are starting a revolution in this area for the betterment of Women. These few women are trying to better themselves and the lives of other women. this is a perfect example of the gender roles of Women in this society. The Taliban's codes rule against any free thinking woman and this is a revolutionary act.
2 pages
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-04-17-refashioning-burqa_x.htm
Guttenfelder, David "Breaking Taliban mold, women go into business in Afghanistan." USA Today. 17 April 2005. 11 February 2009.

African farmers

Farmers in West Africa are dependant on high food prices. These farmers invested all of their money and much of others money to create their fields. Just like in Nectar, these farmers invested thier lives into their crops. In order for the farmers to make a profit the 11o pound bags of rice need to be 20$, right now it is at 22$. The food prices were very high last year, and senegal relied on imports from other countries. When they couldn't afford any more there was no internal source of food. The president offered discounts on farming equipment for people to start working in the fields. The conditions for making rice in that area are perfect it is hot, large water supply, and a huge unemployed work force. This area of Africa is now dependant on a good harvest which could make or break this country.
2 pages
Polgreen, Lydia "West African Villagers stake their fortunes on the future price of rice". N.Y. Times. 25 January 2009. 8 February 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/world/africa/26senegal.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Jon Lester

Jon Lester is a young left handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He was having a good rookie season until he was diagnosed with non-hodgkins Lymphoma. After a few treaments his body was responding very well. His started again to pitch in games but couldn't throw for over 6 innings becasue of tiredness and cramping. Jon is very avid about spreading awarness about this disease. He overcame a monumental hill when he threw a no hitter last season. Jon percerviered throught eh pain and finished the game. Jon in that season also had a winning record, and started in the playoffs. It is hard enough as it is to get into the MLB, but also doing it with cnacer is just in a league of its own. Jon overcame so many hardships and struggle to make a bleak MLB career, into one with hall of fame potential.
3 pages
Davis,Ken "Disease fails to slow Jon Lester's drive to return" U.S.A Today. 15 April 2006. February 3 2009.

China

Some Chinese scientist believe that earthquakes can be predicted by natural phenomenons that occur. The day before a devastating earthquake occurred Chinese bloggers talked about how animals were acting very strange and out of sync. The people were stating that the government never notified to the outer parts of the region about the quake. The chinese officials arrested people who spoke out against the chinese officials who were hiding information. The earthquake created mass devastation, the chinese people were crushed by this natural disaster. This disaster severly hurt the souls of the native people. This quake destroyed this huge nation physically and mentally.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/world/asia/16rumors.html?fta=y
2 pages
Jacobs, Andrew. "superstitions about quake meet the web, irritating the Chinese authorities"New York Times. 16 May 2008. 1 February 2009

Inaguration

Today around the capitol in Washington D.C. the mood was very festive and upbeat. The gathering was held at the lincoln memorial. The day started of with Bruce springsteen playing then the entrance of the Obamas. Once the president was their the crowd even erupted more. With performances from Bono, Beyonce, James taylor, Bruce Springsteen, stevie Wonder, Usher, and many more. The crowd grew in size to around 500,000 people. This epic day of inaguration was a very unique day for this country. Obama is a new style president with a young following, this festival just shows how big and how important these next 4 years are going to be for America.
2 pages
http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20090118/Inauguration.Concert/

Post 14

Off the coast of India a ferry was caught in severe weather. The ferry was holding 250 passengers with 18 crew. 18 people were rescued by a fishing boat. One of them was the capitan who said he feared that Indonesian people generally can't swim and that he saw around 150 people jump off the sinking vessel. the 700 ton ship left for the port of parepare. The search for the missing 232 people has been hampered by the violent seas and terrible weather. Officials are stating a cause was the the regulations on boat passenger size isn't enforced very strong so overcrowding could have been a cause. Boats are a major part of transportation in the Archipelago of Indonesia. The population of 235 million people doesn't help the overcrowding problem either. I think that the country needs to be very firm with passenger count on ships.
1 pages
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world/20090111/AS.Indonesia.Ferry.Sinks/

Coleman

Today Norm Coleman filed a lawsuit challenging his apparent loss to Al Franken. He allegedly says that some votes were counted more than others and all of the re counts messed up the election. Coleman made his speech with cheering and clapping and the background today in front of many people. Coleman has been around forever and knows what a senator should be ( he has the experience). Al Franken is just a comedian with no political background. Minnesota is still trying to recover from the humalitation of electing Jessee Ventura. Minnesota just dug them selves into a super deep hole by choosing a dumb comedian who isn't even funny.
3 pages
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090106/Minnesota.Senate/

blog 12

On Friday a father in New Orleans picked up his son just like anyother day. The father called his ex wife and told her that their son had been kidnapped. The lady called the police and she talked with her husband again. When she called she received conflicting stories and she then becamse suspicious. When the police arrived they questioned the man about his stories. The man later admitted to killing his 4 year old son. He said it was because he had four thousand dollars in backed child support checks. The man told the police where the child was. The man was just taken into custody today for the murder of his four year old son.
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090104/New.Orleans.Child.Killed/
1 page

The war in Gaza

Israeli fighters entered Gaza todya to stop a missle attack from the Palestinian militants. These two countries have been warring for centuries and this new conflict shows no sign of slowing down. The Israeli troops just started the offensive manuervers after eight days of bombings from the Palestinian army. Thousands of troops accompanied by many tanks and helicopter gunships entered the highly populated area. This conflict just starts a new global mess that the U.S. will probabally play world police in, like they always do. The U.S. will probabally side with one side creating the other to wage war against our country. This new chapter of middle eastern conflicts just hurts the lives of many innocnet people and it also hurts the wallets of Americans.
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090103/ML.Israel.Palestinians/
3 pages