Reading Response 3: Eyes of a Child

Gun control is a very prevalent topic in our politics now. A lot of innocent children have been the victims of gun violence. From Columbine, to Sandy Hooks, and now the shooting of a Texas college. The topic of gun control came up in the book that I am reading. In my book, Terri is dating a man named Chris that has the opportunity to be the next Senator. On the way to the event where he would give his speech the news of a shooting came onto the radio. A man had walked into a play center and shot 7 children with his assault rifle. Two of the children were his and the other five were children who just happened to be at that same center. He made a notion that if he was going to be Senator, then things have to get more serious in politics. Here are a few quotes from the book that were in his speech.

"Since when, I wonder, is an AK-47 a tool for sportsman? Empty one into a deer, and there wouldn't be enough left to hang up on the wall. The truth is that other countries use assault weapons to fight wars; we use them to butcher people in our streets and stores and homes."

"In short, our politics isn't serious anymore. It's not about serious things. If anyone requires proof of that, consider that seven children died today because of our political system is too cowardly and indifferent to protect them."

In my opinion, there is truth to what he said. We as a people get a chance to vote and control what happens to our country. We know that everyone has their rights, but sometimes politics wants to sweep things under the rug because it is too serious of a subject. I think that the recent shootings that have happened should be enough to have outstanding gun control in our country and no more lost lives of innocent children.

Reading Response 2: Eyes of a Child

I enjoy reading books that follow a character through the events that have happened during a stressful time in their life. The main character, Terri, is going through a divorce and a custody battle. Her soon to be ex-husband, Richard, is basically a stay at home dad and lives off of Terri. Without her he has nothing so of course he uses that against her in court. He even uses the fact that he is a stay at home dad against her. She is a lawyer so she was not home a lot, but enough to be a great mother. Terri begins seeing her boss named Chris. This shakes Richard to the core and causes him to want to tear Terri's life apart.

Richard frequently uses their daughter Elena against Terri and says that her relationship with Chris is affecting Elena's behavior. Now, Terri only gets to see her daughter on the weekends and has to pay all of Richard's expenses. Richard does not work, because he has a great difficulty of working under people. When Terri got pregnant, he had her go back to law should to get a higher degree that will better take care of the family.

As of now, Richard has not been getting his way money wise. Since he is not getting what he wants, he plans to take Elena away from Terri at any cost. Richard accused Chris's son, Carlo, of molesting their daughter. Richard can not have Terri so he is trying his best to isolate her. He has taken this too far, but getting the children involved, but that is the least of his worried. Terri wishes that he was dead. He was never no good anyway. He was abusive, not supportive, and extremely jealous of Terri.

"Whether you hit me or not, I'm leaving. And if you do hit me, I'll make sure it's the last time you'll ever hit anyone."

 He stared at her, and then anger became another expression---embarrassment, exposure. His hand dropped to his side.

Don't let him see your fear, Terri told herself. She knew that this was not over; with Richie, things were never over until he won.

In that scene, Terri had finally stood up for herself and found the confidence to finally leave him. She knew that she had started a war, but it was all worth it to her if she did not have to be abused anymore.

In this picture I see a women putting on a fake smile, a soft spoken man that puts on a front and likes to be seen as the loving one (holding onto the child), and a little girl who is just trying to be happy and not aware of the crossfires between her parents. This is how I picture Terri, Richard, and Elena.

Research Question for Mob Wives

Why is America so facinated with violence between women?

Evaluative Argument Essay Proposal: Mob Wives

I will write an essay on the TV show Mob Wives. Mob Wives is a very popular docu-soap on VH1 that displays the lives of real women who have some type of affiliation with the mobs of New York.

In this essay I will argue about why docu-soaps are so popular and whether or not they are actually real. Part of the name makes the show seem a little fake, because a soap opera is always a fiction story. Also, I wonder if the show was real then why are they broadcasting the mobster lifestyle? Mobs move in secrecy and do not let outsiders into their world of crime.  

I plan to start off my essay by giving a statistic on how many women stay with their men after they go to prison. Next, I will explain what a docu-soap is and who the Mob Wives are. I will also give my opinion on why the Mob Wives show has aired and what the women do for us. Then, I will point out facts as to why people, women especially, like reality TV  shows even if they seem fake. 



From Left to Right: Renee Graziano, Drita D'avanzo, Carla Facciolo, and Karen Gravano





Reading Response 1:There Comes a Time When the Sorries and I Love Yous Arrive too Late

Men of power often choose to take their wives for granted. It is not until the end when a man can actually look back and realize what he has or is about to lose. Innocent people are always drug into the bad guys’ downfall unknowingly until it is too late. I guess women can take some fault in their demise, because she was not aware or did not try to be aware of her mans doings. In my book I, Alex Cross, Mr. Nicholson was a witness to numerous murders. He not only set up the meetings between Zeus and escorts, but recorded their interactions.  Angry men were coming after those who had the ability to unmask the identity of Zeus. Nicholson had the tapes so of course he was going to be one of the first to go. One of the intruders placed a plastic bag around Mrs., Nicholson’s head.

“Nicholson could see Charlotte’s expression change as she realized exactly what was happening. He even felt a pinch of pity, maybe even lost love, something emotional and, well, human. For the first time in years, he felt a connection to Charlotte.”

            Mr. Nicholson had no choice, but to sit there and watch his wife die. While watching her suffocate, he started to feel the love again. He was angry that the intruders had killed his wife, but in the end he had brought her into this situation along with his girlfriend. I find it very disturbing that Nicholson had saved his girlfriend, but not the wife he had been married to for decades. He could not tell Charlotte how sorry he was for all that he had caused or tell her what was really going on. Everything was a big blur to her and that just was not fair.

           

Life After High School...?

To be honest, I have no idea where I want to go to college at. Not continuing my education after high school is not an option. I have always known that I would have to go to college in order to have my dream job. A part of me wants to stay here in Missouri, but I also feel as if there are better opportunities for me in another location. Wherever I chose to go I will have to make it my mission to get involved. I do not want college just to be a part of my life that I had to do, but a total experience. After all, that is what I will be paying thousands of dollars for.

                Many people change their majors multiple times before they figure out what they really want to do. I am hoping that does not happen to me. I like to have things planned with no changes. That just makes my life a little easier. I do not have time to be in college forever, because I could not decide what I wanted to do. Like they say, “Time Is Money.” I think the best option for me is to study psychology. I love the study of people and have always wondered why they do the things they do. The thing is that I cannot decide if I want to be a personality and behavioral psychologist or a forensic psychologist. Both of them are very interesting to me and are something I want to be a part of.

                I can see myself living in a really nice condo that has a view of a beautiful city. I will not be alone though. I can always get the dog I have always wanted. That is my plan if “Mr. Right” never comes along. If he happens to find me, I want a big house; keep the dog, a few children, and a huge yard. That is pretty much what every girl wants, but it will take some work to keep it all together. There is no such thing as a perfect life.



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Back at it Again with James Patterson!

This semester I plan to continue to read a lot. For me, reading is a form of therapy and also a way to make me go to sleep. Before bed I always try to read something just so I can sleep more peacefully. This sounds strange, but it is true. My new book is by James Patterson of course. I have become a huge fan of his books and would like the library to purchase more of his work. This time around I am reading I, Alex Cross. I chose this book, because it is all about Alex Cross trying to solve the murder of a family member by himself. This book should be different than the others, because it is only Detective Cross going after the killer and there will not be any other view points.

Maybe after this James Patterson book I will switch to another author. There is a chance that I will not. I probably should try to read about something other than solving murders just to see is any other writings interest me. I have been reading a lot lately and plan to continue to make room for reading.