Blog # 3

I recently read part of a book called Studies on the Civilization of Islam that I found in my house about the similarities and differences between Christians and Muslim's culture. The main similarity I found was that they both believe in the divinity of Jesus. Some differences include that Muslims believe God is indivisible, while Christians believe in the Trinity. Christians believe that as a member of the Trinity, Jesus is the son of God. Muslims believe that Jesus was conceived by an act of God and though not the son of God, is like Muhammad, a highly respected Prophet. Christians believe that right after we die, we go straight up to heaven or straight down to hell, but Muslims believe Barzakh, which is somewhat like an afterlife. Christians have a more relaxed view about what foods may be eaten. Muslims, being conscious that God created man, consider it wrong to defile such a creation with a certain food and drink. Muslims are forbidden to eat pork or drink alcohol. These are many of the similarities and differences between the two religions, yet there are many differences the Christian religion is very similar to the Islamic religion.


Source Book: Studies on the Civilization of Islam

Blog # 2 q. 3

Something I watched a video on www.cnn.com about someone overcoming a struggle. It was about a woman from Saudi Arabia and how if a woman won't marry off her 13 and 14-year-old daughters then she will be divorced, and that is obviously a big deal for her culture. This isn't a rare event, however, because this is happening everywhere in Saudi Arabia. She is outraged and very angry with the way that their culture is forcing them to marry off their daughters at such a young age. She is also mad about her rights as a woman, and thinks women should have more rights in their culture especially about marriage. The Saudi government want to change the laws, but they like the power. So they are trying to educate parents to put their children first, and think of their children before themselves.



www.cnn.com
http://www.tofocus.info/images/flags/saudi-arabia-flag.gif

3rd Q. New Blog #1

For the blog on natural disasters, I went online to National Geographic and found some pretty interesting articles about a natural disaster itself. I decided to do it on Tsunamis. I looked up the word Tsunami and found out that it is a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance. Tsunami's can reach heights of over 100 ft. About 80% of these Tsunamis happen in the Pacific Ocean because of the tectonic shifts. Tsunami's can reach the speed of 500 mph and can cross the entire expanse of the Pacific Ocean in less than a day. Wow. Many people already know about that one famous Tsunami, Hiroshima, where about 150,000 people were killed in a single day. Out in the deep ocean, Tsunami's can appear little in height and slow, but as they come closer to shore, they built an increase in power and growth. To watch out for these Tsunamis, there are many systems used to protect costal areas around the world.


www.nationalgeographic.com

More Chicken Soup #27

(Chinese symbol for friendship)
I read this poem called "One Step Behind" in the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Some of it goes, " Each day is an endless parade to a destination unknown, life leading you on an unmarked path not clearly shown. Some parts of your path may be rugged and steep, and others have crevasses infinitely deep...I hope that you know, when you are lost in the mist, feeling unloved, and unmissed, that if you glance back, you will find, that I will be there, only one step behind." (Christy Vander Griendt 142). This poem means a lot to be because it is showing how important friendship is. Loyalty and always being there is very important when building a friendship. You especially want someone who will respect you and someone you can depend on. I have had many friendships that haven't worked out because those accentual things are missing. If you find someone you can really trust and someone that will have your back no matter what, you should stick with them because true friends aren't about being "popular" or anything, they are about sharing interests and liking the person for who they really are.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul # 26

Now that I have read all of the books in the Twilight Saga, I have decided to make a blog on a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love & Friendship. I just read a poem in the book and it goes (this is just a part of it), " You're my silly, mature, caring, thoughtful, bright and honest guy. The one who holds me tightly, when I need to cry. You are all I've ever wanted, you are all I need. You are all I've dreamed of, you are all of this to me." (Melissa Collette 23). Before the poem, this woman talks about how she met the perfect guy, and how he means everything to her till this day. This quote/poem really reminds me of love, and the theme of true love and being infatuated. This also relates to what we are learning right now about the play a Midsummer Night's Dream, and it reminded me of how true love can never break any two people apart and they will do anything to be together.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer #25 FINAL

Once and for all I finished the book! I am so happy, but also very mad about the ending. Although everything turns out good, that still leave you hanging on a few things. Like Jacob and Renesmee's relationship, and Edward and Bella's future. They say that all is well and everyone is safe and happy, but what if the Volturi ever come back? I wish Stephanie Meyer would make another book, I feel like there are so many more things so add on, and five books is better than four. The book ends with the Volturi deciding to leave, but they don't know if they will ever return. All of their faithful friends leave, and the Cullens are left in peace. But I wonder...what happens now? Even though it seems like a good time to end the book, I don't feel like it should be over, considering there are so many more things they said in the book that could add more onto the story. Oh well. Overall I thought all four of the books were absolutely amazing, and now I want to go buy her new book, The Host!

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer #24

Finally I understand now. Jasper and Alice came back to physically show the Volturi that there are other people/vampires in the world like Renesmee. This is great because now the Volturi can ask him questions, and see if he has really harmed the world in any way. Edward knew about Alice and Jasper leaving, but didn't tell Bella with fear that she would not be able to keep the secret. I was glad to hear that both Alice and Jasper didn't actually run away, but were helping their family, which is very important. Aro, leader of the Volturi, asked the question, "And your diet?"(Meyer 736). Nahuel responded, "Mostly blood, but some human food, too. I can survive on either." (Meyer 736). Aro also questioned with doubt, " And you reached maturity at what age?" (Meyer 736). "About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was full grown," said Nahuel. (Meyer 736). If I didn't explain before, this last question needed to be asked because Renesmee was growing at an abnormally fast rate, causing the Cullens to wonder if she would ever stop growing. Finally their question was answered. Once the Volturi asked all they could, they eventually understood that there was nothing they could do. This boy Nahuel, was not a threat to the outside world, so neither would Renesmee be. I think that there is nothing left for the Volturi to question, they have to let the Cullens go and live in peace.