2009-2010

This school year has been interesting. So many things has happened this year. For the school part of this year, it has been alright. The wost thing about school this year is not getting any sleep, so during the day I'm really tired. But the best thing that has happened is meeting all my new friends. I've known most of the people, but I didn't talk to them then. My favorite subject has been math because I love math. I like English, but it just isn't my thing. Biology is alright, but mot my favorite. History is, well, I hate it. Sorry, but it's the truth. The hardest thing about this year has been doing my homework and keeping my grades up. I don't do my homework and for a while, just by looking at my grade, you could tell. Next year is going to suck because some of my best friends are moving. I don't know what I'll do with out them. But I'll try to make the best of it.

Animal Farm.

Animal Farm was an okay book. It had many good qualities but it just wasn't my taste. The moral of the story was inspiring. Using the Russian Revolution as the inspiration for the book, made the book kind of interesting. I think where they were trying to point out is something that all people need to realize. Not all leaders are good or fair. Some people say," Well, they are a leader, so they must be right." But that's usually not right. The book is about the animals on the farm overthrowing their owner, And when the idea was first presented it was for a good reason, but when they got a new leader, everything goes to the way things were, but worse. Their new leader started changing the rules so he could do what he wants.

How are the animals in Animal farm not used their owner having control over them?

In the first chapter of the book Animal Farm, all the animals are in the barn having a meeting, talking about how to oversee their owner. But what I don't get is how can they not be used to him having power over them. At first, I can understand them trying to rebel, but after while it just doesn't make since to me. Yeah, I still rebel against my mom, but only on certain things. Only the things that I really want to do or things that my siblings got to do but my mom is changing the rules for me. So, I can partially understand where they are coming from. Think of someone that has power over you, maybe your parents, a judge or who ever, did you eventully accept the fact that they have power over you? I don't know about you, but I would just sit back and let them take control, like they always have.

How does someone gain or maintain power?

Have you noticed how some people seem to have power over other people? Well I have. I've been trying to think if why people let others have power over them. The main reason I can think of is because they are afraid of them. I mean, I know if I'm afraid of someone, i let them walk all over me because I don't want any problems. If you are really that afraid of someone, it is really easy for them to have control over you. They maintain power by instilling fear into you and so you don't have the mind set to tell them off. People that have power shouldn't abuse it. The people trust them enough to have power and when they abuse it, it;s so wrong. I don't understand how people can be so heartless.

Eating Disorders.

“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe she has been starving herself! Why would she do this?! I don’t understand!” While some argue the main reason for girls having eating disorders is to lose weight, the real reason is because they are depressed.

Some people argue the reason for girls having eating disorders is to lose weight. Another group think the reason is because they feel like they have lost control. Other groups sat that the reason is for psychological problems, like OCD, PTDS, and many others.

So many girls are suffering from eating disorders because they are depressed. Many addictions (cutting, drugs, alcohol, etc.) turn into eating disorders. When you cut or use drugs and alcohol as a copping strategy; and you quit that, many people use eating disorders as a replacement to the cutting, drugs, and alcohol.

In conclusion, the main reason for girls having eating disorders is because of depression, not because they are trying to lose weight.

How can someone be so heartless and send people to die?

I'm sure you know about the holocaust. But the thing i want to know is how can one person be so cold and heartless to sent people to a concentration camp (death). Don't they think about anyone other than themselves? Obviously they don't. It bugs me to know that people can purposely kill and still sleep at night. If I ever kill someone, or even hurt anyone, I would not be able to function, I would feel too bad, not only for the person, but their family. Honestly, I wish I never know what it takes to kill and not feel a thing. I hear about all these deaths and it makes me sick just thinking about it. All though, I don't think the people that are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan should be punished because they are fighting to protect their country and the people that are in it. If you ask me, it's all stupid. Yeah, there are gonna be people in this world that your not going to get along with, but you don't go out and kill them. You can let them know that you don't like them, but by words.

Islam

INTRO-
There are so many different religions in the world today. I’m choosing to talk about Islam. I’ve noticed that people sometimes have problems with people that are a different religion. If you compare Christianity to Islam, there are many differences.

FOUNDER-
The religion, Islam, was founded in 622 C.E. by Prophet Muhammad, in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 A.D. His father died shortly after Prophet was born. His mother died when he was six. After losing both of his parents, Muhammad’s uncle raised him. Muhammad’s uncle worked as a Shepard. When Prophet was nine(some sources say twelve) he joined his uncle on a caravan to Syria. As a young man, Muhammad worked as camel driver. At age twenty-five Prophet was employed by Khadija, a wealthy Meccan widowed, fifteen years his senior. Prophet and Khadija got married, and lived happily.

FOLLOWERS TODAY-
Today, there are 1.3 billion followers. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The most of the followers are in the Middle East and North Africa.

HOLY BOOK(S)/TEXT(S)-
The Qur’an (karan) is the primary text in Islam. It was revealed to Prophet in the beginning of the year in 610 B.C. The Qur’an is required reading for anyone who is Islam. Qur’an means “The Recital” in Arabic. The Qur’an is believed to be the literal word of god. The full length of the Qur’an is about the length of the new testament of the Christian bible. It is divided into 114 surahs (chapters)

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS-
In the Islam religion Ramadan is celebrated. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year. The expectations during Ramadan is fasting all day everyday for a month. Exceptions to fasting is; young children, people in poor health, pregnant women, nursing women, menstruating women, travelers, and if one feeds thirty poor people each day. The things prohibited during this event are; putting drops in eyes, saliva leaving the mouth and then reentering, sex, listening to music, harsh words/arguments. The days that are considered special in the month are; Battle of Badr, retaking of Mecca, deaths, births, laylat al-Qadr, Eid al fitr.
Eld al-Fitr is celebrated. Eld al-Fitr is a large feast celebrating the breaking of fasting of Ramadan. It is held on the first day of Shawwl, right after Ramadan.
Hijra is the emigration of Muhammad and his followers to the city of Medina. It lasts for 26 days.
Muhammam is the Islamic New Year. It’s celebrated on the twelfth day of the month of Rabi. This holiday is celebrated relatively quietly. The day is mostly taken up by prayers, readings and reflection upon the hegira.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated because the prophet was going to willingly sacrifice his son for Allah. This begins on the tenth day of Dhu’l-Hijja(the last month of the Islamic calendar)

RITUALS-
In the Islamic religion doesn’t have that many rituals. The few that they have are; Confession of Faith (Shahada), Ritual Prayer (Salat), Alms Tax (Zakat), Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). In the Confession of Faith, or Shahada, you pretty much say,”There is no god but god and Muhammad id the prophet of god.” But when you say it, you have to fully understand what it is supposed to mean. Ritual Prayer or Salat means that you pray five times a day; at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and evening. Every time you pray, you must me kneeling on the ground with your forehead touching the ground, and you must be facing toward the Ka’ba shrine in Mecca. A prayer mat is often used. Alms Tax or Zakat forces greedy people to give their things to people that are in need. Fasting during Ramadan means what it says. Pilgrimage to Mecca means that you have to go to the holy land (Mecca) and pray at the Ka’ba shrine, at least once in your life.

DRESSING-
When you are Islam you have a dress code. The women’s whole body have to be covered, especially the chest. Head covers also have to be worn. With men, they are more lenient. All the men have to cover is from their bellybutton to their knee. That doesn’t sound fare to me.