Winning The Lottery

Jordan Miller
Mr. Beattie
English 1 Honors
30 September 2012

What does it feel like to have all that money?
It feels freeing to have all of that money. There would be a lot less my family and I would need to worry about in finances. I would be free from the burden of having to worry about money. It would also feel overwhelming to have all of that money all of a sudden. I might not know exactly what to do with it right away. I would feel a little frightened because there could be people who may try to harm my family to get the money.

What will you do with it?
First, my family would probably pay off all of our bills and whatnot. Then we would put most of it in the bank to save for when it is needed. With the rest if it we would donate to various charities to help those in need.

What conflicts might arise among family members and others?
I think the money could have both positive and negative outcomes. There are serious problems that could arise from this situation. For instance, people could try to break in and steal some money or something. Also, some might not agree what we do with the money and how we spend it which could create conflicts. Some people might try to get close to my family to try and receive some of the benefits of the money. This could also be problematic because we wouldn't know who is really friends with us or just in it for the money. In addition, others may think that we would become stuck up just because of this money which would be one of the negative results.

Symbol for Crooks

Essential Question #2 September 23, 2012

Jordan Miller

Mr. Beattie

English 1 Honors

23 September 2012

Having dreams is a necessary role in living a fulfilling life because they set boundaries, motivate people, and gives life a purpose. These themes apply to Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.  For example, when George says "But you ain't gonna get in no trouble, because if you do I won't let you tend to the rabbits" (Steinbeck 16). This shows that George is setting a rule of behaving so that Lennie won't get into trouble. This also proves that George is keeping Lennie on task by threatening to deprive him of his future pet. Furthermore, when George tells Lennie "We'd belong there. There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunk house" (Steinbeck 57). This reveals how George is motivating Lennie by explaining the details of their dream they have together. In addition, it demonstrates how George and Lennie will reach their goal and feels accomplished by the luxuries they will have. In addition, while discussing their dream, George says "O.K. Someday—we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs..." (Steinbeck 14). This exemplifies how they are dreaming and how it gives them a goal in life. It also shows how if they didn't have a dream they wouldn't have anything to work towards so they wouldn't ever accomplish anything. It is important to have dreams because they allow people to identify boundaries, motivate themselves, and to have a purpose to live. 

Relationship between George and Lennie

Jordan Miller

Mr. Beattie

English 1 Honors

22 September 2012

In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the relationship between George and Lennie relies on the dependence of the two. For example, when George says "Look Lennie. You try to keep away from him, will you? Don't never speak to him. If he comes in here you move clear across the room. Will you do that, Lennie?" (Steinbeck 29). This shows that George looks out for Lennie and is concerned about his well being. Also, it exemplifies that George depends on Lennie to not cause any trouble so they don't lose another job. Furthermore, George tells Lennie to "Hide til I come for you. Don't let nobody see you. Hide in the brush by the river" (Steinbeck 30). This displays that George and Lennie have a plan if anything happens to go wrong and they need an escape. It also demonstrates how Lennie depends on George to protect him even if Lennie is bigger and stronger. In addition, when talking to Slim, Lennie admits "We kinda look after each other. He ain't bright. Hell of a good worker, though. Hell of a nice fella, but he ain't bright. I've known him for a long time" (Steinbeck 34). This proves that it is a known relationship between the two friends, that they will protect each other when necessary. Also, it reveals that George depends on Lennie to be a hard worker, even though he isn't very smart, so they can maintain an income. Lennie and George's relationship consists on the reliance and dependence of one another which helps them stay together. 

Summer Reading Essay

Jordan Miller

Mr. Beattie

English 1 Honors

16 September 2012

Why Defending Jacob Should Be Read By Freshmen

 

Summer reading is an important thing to do because it keeps one's mind active while on a break. The book that one is assigned or that one has chosen could be very engaging and one might not be able to put it down. On the other hand it could be so dull one could not get through a single page let alone numerous chapters. Defending Jacob by William Landay was about a boy in a quiet town who was accused of murder which completely changed his life. Incoming freshmen should read Defending Jacob because it teaches important lessons, is informative on the United States legal system, and shows how a relationship can change.

Incoming freshmen should read Defending Jacob because it teaches important life lessons. For example, the author writes "The priest may be a pedophile, the cop a crook; the loving husband and father may harbor a filthy secret" (Landay 219). This exemplifies that people may not be what they appear on the outside. This also shows that even though one might think they know someone, buy they could be completely wrong. In addition, after the trial is over, the author says "Life goes on, probably too long if we're honest about it" (Landay 387). This reveals that even after a drastic event occurs, people move on and let go of what has happened. Also, this indicates that even though life may seem difficult at times, it will still continue on. Defending Jacob teaches important lessons which are why incoming freshmen should be required to read it.

Defending Jacob would be a good book for freshmen to read because it provides information in how the United States legal system works. For instance, Andy Barber told Neal Logiuduce "Never mind how weak your case is. Stick to the system. Play the game the same way it's been played the last five-hundred-odd years, use the same gutter tactic that has always governed cross-examination— lure, trap, f**k" (Landay 5). This demonstrates how the prosecutor must lure the witness and then trap them, using clever wordings and confusing questions. It also displays how that the prosecutor will go for the kill after the "trap" has been successful and then the defendant will be portrayed as guilty. Furthermore, the author explains "Twelve jurors, plus two alternates who would hear all the evidence but would not take part in the deliberations unless one of the jurors dropped out" (Landay 256). This clarifies how many jurors are present in a courtroom and the substitutions in the case of a loss in a juror. It being informative on the legal system in the United States makes Defending Jacob a wise choice for incoming freshmen.

Defending Jacob would be a well suited book for freshmen to read because it shows how a relationship can change. For example, Andrew Barber believes "A good marriage drags a long tail of memory behind it. A single word or gesture, a tone of voice can conjure up so many remembrances. Laurie and [he] had been flirting like this for thirty-odd years, since the day [they] met in college and [they] both went a little love-crazy" (Landay 26). This shows that before the whole deal in court happened, Laurie and Andy were happily married and had an intimate relationship. This also reveals that after all of those years, they still really loved each other even after all of the arguments and fights they may have had. Furthermore, Andrew observes "[They] had spoken very little in the morning as [they] ate, dressed and got read for court. It crossed [his] mind for the first time that [they] were headed for divorce. However the trial turned out, Laurie would leave [him] when it was over. [He] could tell she was eyeing [him], making up her mind. This displays how during the course of the trial, Andy was worried about his relationship with his wife and didn't think that it would survive. This proves that no matter how strong a relationship may seem, there are factors that can threaten to break it. Its demonstration of how a relationship can change makes Defending Jacob an excellent novel for freshmen to read.

In result of its important life lessons, information on the legal system, and display of how a relationship can change, Defending Jacob would be a fine book for freshmen to read. Over a long academic break, an engaging novel is a desired bridge to keep the brain active summer reading for freshmen is a gateway to high school which makes it very important. One's summer reading choice gives them a general idea of the level of expectation of them throughout their high school years.

Body Paragraphs (MEAT) and Conclusions: September 11, 2012

M: A negative impact is made on her social life after Cady Heron deceives the people around her.

E: Cady Heron pretends to be friends with Regina George and the other “Plastics” when really she is plotting against them.

A: For example, Regina and her friends hate Cady when they find out that all along, she was against them rather than being a genuine friend.

A: In addition, The Plastics do not want anything to do with Cady since she stabbed them in the back after they had welcomed her to their table which was obviously a rare occurrence.

E: After the “Burn Book” is released, Cady takes the fall for it and when everyone finds out, they hate her.

A: In the “Burn Book” Ms. Norbury was accused of selling drugs which required the police to search her house. In result, Ms. Norbury was obviously upset and as punishment forced Cady onto the Mathletes Team which was earlier labeled as “social suicide”.

A: Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels, who Cady stole from Regina, thought whoever wrote the book was just a stupid girl who made up rumors because they were bored with their own lame life. He then found out that it was indeed Cady and was very disappointed, and didn’t want to associate with her.

T: Cady’s fake act backfired on her and caused everyone to hate her.

M: Cady’s change in priorities caused her to be something that she is not.

E: Her goal to fit in with “The Plastics” caused Cady’s grades to decrease.

A: For instance, before she had formulated her plan with Janice, Cady did very well in school especially in math. One of the aspects of the plan included breaking up Aaron and Regina and this required Cady to act stupid so she could lure him away from her.

A: Furthermore, Cady was thinking of joining the Matheletes but after talking about “The Plastics” about it they convinced her not to because it was “social suicide” even though this would have kept her focused on her academics.

E: Her relationship with her parents was lost as Cady’s new priority was to overtake Regina.

A: For example, Cady’s declining grades disappointed her parents because they expected her to get better grades since she normally did very well.

A: Furthermore, her new attitude cause her mother to be intimidated by her and her father to be aggravated because she used to be a sweet girl who got along with them.

T: Cady’s new priorities changed her and made her become mean and fake.

M: Her new behavior caused her family and friends to no longer trust her.

E: Janice and Damien, the first two people who befriended her, lost their faith in her after she had been transformed.

A: For example, when asked by Janice and Damien if they could hang out together, Cady said that she had something devised to sabotage “The Plastics” which did not go along with the original plan. when Janice invited her to an art showing, Cady lied and said that she had to go to Madison with her parents. Janice and Damien found out she was throwing a party and was very angry that she had lied to them in order to live her fake life rather than spend time with them.

A: Furthermore, when Janice invited her to an art showing, Cady lied and said that she had to go to Madison with her parents. Janice and Damien found out she was throwing a party and was very angry that she had lied to them in order to live her fake life rather than spend time with them.

E: When the truth came out that Cady was secretly against “The Plastics” all along, Regina did not trust her anymore.

A: For instance, at the assembly that was held for all of the girls involved, Janice told everyone the truth about Cady which resulted in Regina being furious with Cady and fleeing the school.

A: In addition, Regina no longer socialized with Cady because of her betrayal after she had allowed herself to be vulnerable around Cady by bestowing trust in her.

T: Cady’s choice to abandon the trust of her friends and family negatively affected her.

Her decisions regarding her social life, priorities, and trust caused Cady to have to deal with some difficult consequences. She acted fake which caused her peers to hate her. Cady’s attempt at being a popular girl backfired on her. In high school, it can be difficult to fit in and also stay true to who you are. The choices we make and the chances we take can affect everyone around us and even change our entire lives.

Blog Assignment 2: Intro and Thesis

A bus zooms by as she crosses the street, nearly hitting her. At a new school, it can be very nerve-racking and some people would do anything to fit in. Decisions can affect everyone around you, whether they are big or small. In the movie Mean Girls, starring Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron, Cady makes a seemingly small decision that has huge consequences. Cady's decision to pretend to be someone she's not to fit in causes a negative impact on her social life, a change in priorities, and loss of trust.

Jordan Miller Blog Assignment #1: What do humans need in order to live a fulfilling life?

In order for humans to live a fulfilling life, they need many things. First, we need a life goal, or an ideal way we would like to turn out. This shapes how we live our life and we will spend our whole lives working towards that. On the way to that dream place, we will set numerous smaller goals that won't take as long to accomplish. Another thing that goes along with accomplishments is determination. If you work hard and truly believe that you can succeed at your goal then you most likely can. We as humans also need to feel acceptance. Whether its among peers, family, or whoever else, this feeling is needed. Acceptance can also be interpreted as love. In a lifetime, you will deal with love and relationships a lot and if you are successful in building strong relations, you will be content. When you are on your death bed, or maybe even now, and look at your life, if you have lived it fully then it will be one that you are proud and satisfied with.