Lit Circle Reflection

Looking back at the first discussion, I needed to improve in the overall energy category. I will try to improve for the next discussion by boosting my body language. Throughout the whole second discussion, I sat up straighter, paid more attention, and spoke with a firm voice.

As a whole group, we did well with having equal participation throughout the discussion. Everyone was sharing their thoughts while others listened. On the other hand, we could improve the depth of the discussion. We can accomplish this by knowing the text better; and being more prepared with thoughts and ideas to share. By using post-it notes and looking back at the text, our discussions will go more in depth.

A drawing of Animal Farm

One version of the book cover of Animal Farm

Tuesday Write #7

A leader who has made a difference in my life is one of my church youth group leaders, Josh. He was chosen because he interacts really well with teenagers, likes to have fun, and is simply a cool guy. Josh has many leadership qualities including: hardworking, positive, intelligent, helpful, and fun. For example, he will always gives us compliments and comes to our activities outside of youth group. My youth group leader has impacted my life in many ways by making me feel important, wants me to strive for excellence, and is a friend to all. Every time I see him he comes up to me and shakes my hand, gives me a compliment, and asks how I am. He is also so thoughtful. On many occasions, he has bought my dinner, lunch, and treats, like ice cream. He has drove me home and picked me up from my house. In addition, he is very creative. In presidency meetings for youth group, he comes up with so many fun ideas. He has a lot of things to add and so many stories to tell that we can relate to. Last time I saw him he said, “Hey Ryan! Man I love your costume! How’d you think of that? What a great idea! How have you been? How was school and your classes today?” Josh is so caring and makes me feel meaningful.

Examples of what a good leader does

 

What a good leader is

Ralph and my youth group leader have a lot in common, but have some differences as well. They both are wise, trustworthy, and hardworking. In addition, they both care about the people they lead and want the best for them. Yet they have differences. Ralph is a young and immature boy who blows up if things don’t go his way. My youth group leader is an adult who is mature and open to new ideas and activities. My youth group leader is awesome and has qualities that are similar and different from Ralph in Lord of the Flies. All in all, my youth group leader is a man who inspires me to do good things in my life.

“Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Ryan Nord

In a faithless world in the future, all hope has been lost in Panem. This nation holds a televised contest called the Hunger Games. Two teens from each district are picked in a drawing and must battle to the death until one winner stands. Catching Fire is an adventure about faith and hope for the future.

In the books predecessor Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, from District Twelve, outsmart the game makers resulting in both of them winning. Bending the rules, they both return home to much trouble. The leader of Panem, President Snow, stops by unexpectedly to visit Katniss. His message to her sends her off on a trail to think about what to do. She must convince everyone in the national that she is head over heels for Peeta. As the book continues on, Katniss and Peeta must go on a forced Victory Tour to all twelve districts to celebrate themselves as victors. Next, they must prepare for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, in which they will be coaching a tribute. And then the horrifying, bloody Hunger Games alone.

I found this book to be a gripping novel. Whether the book was moving along slow, or faster paced, there was always a interesting twist resulting in never wanting to put the book down. While other fiction stories often are different and almost too unreal, this book always seemed to “draw” the reader in. Throughout the book we watch how Katniss and Peeta’s feelings are towards each other, whether it be love or hate. “I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever” (Collins 245). Catching Fire brings fiction to the table while also having parts to a non-fiction novel. For instance, the competition itself would most likely never happen, but uprising and death do happen in reality. This book brings the perfect blend of both.

Catching Fire is a book that can spark ones interest within the first few pages. The details of every scene almost make one think they are there. It thoroughly describes every part of the book. The imagery is also factual it’s like one can see it perfectly in their mind. “ The smell of blood...it was on his breath. What does he do? I think. Drink it? I imagine him sipping it from a  teacup. Dipping a cookie into the stuff and pulling it out dripping red” (Collins 30). Collins is showing us how much Katniss hates and fears President Snow.

One problem with the book would be not having enough details in some parts. In the novel, Katniss is surrounded by fancy and intricate things that she didn’t have before she won the games. I wish it talked in more detail about some of the privileges she got. For instance the gourmet food, or perhaps the soft, warm clothes. All in all, Collins did a fabulous job in describing the book and providing just the right amount of information.

Catching Fire is a story of hope in the near coming. This book really demonstrates what it means to have true hope and faith. People in this book endure to the end and face hardships after hardships. Once there’s an army of hopeful people, that hope cannot be broken.

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.

Malcolm Gladwell Response

      What stood out to me in the chapter The Warren Harding Error: Why We Fall For Tall, Dark, and Handsome Men was the reality of implicit association with appearance and how we think of people. Malcolm Gladwell stated in the chapter that our unconscious values may be very different than our conscious values. Without us knowing, our minds jump to conclusions. It was fascinating to see and learn things about people that the average individual wouldn't have realized. The message to take away from this chapter is to be extra mindful of your judgements. Individuals need to contemplate before making decisions about others.

     

       A good leader is sometimes influenced by our thoughts of physical attractiveness. When choosing a leader, they need to have good qualities that stand out. Some good qualities include: hardworking, patient, trustworthy, helpful, brave, kind, and determined. Physical features should be an unimportant quality in determining whether an individual would be a good leader. We should not make an assumption about someone based on their looks. Many people have unconscious biases that are hard to eliminate. If one really wanted to control their unconscious bias, then it would be a daily choice to be particularly conscientious of the unconscious bias. When making judgements, we should not thin-slice. We need to think more deeply and try to understand people and what their backgrounds are better. Don't make hardline opinions until you have given the person an equal and fair chance.  Once again, we need to look for good qualities in a leader and never associate looks with a good leader.

Leadership skills

       After taking the IAT tests (race and career), my results showed I had a strong preference to European American children compared to African American children. I was actually very shocked with these results. I don't think of myself as racist at all and I was very surprised. I have always wanted little African American children of my own so I was blown away by the outcome of the test. In a way, I guess this makes sense because I am always surrounded by European American people and rarely ever by African American people. 

Picture from IAT race test

I also took the gender family career IAT. My results were moderate automatic response to male with career and female with family. This is not shocking to me since my family experience is that I live with a dad who works, and a mom who stays at home and cares for her family. I don't get that feeling of bias though because there is both male and females working around me.
      
      

Picture from IAT career test

Reality TV shows are harmful and have no value whatsoever. Most of them have edited, staged, and unrealistic stories. Others exploit people and some are very dangerous. First off, most reality TV shows contain edited, staged, and unrealistic material. For example, the show "Keeping up with the Kardashians," is completely edited.There will be scenes of Kim wearing something and then the next scene she has a whole different outfit on! Also, there will be unreal and strange fights that would never happen. These shows are all unreal, as in "Non-reality". In addition to that, the shows also exploit people. For instance, American Idol and X-Factor are both competitions that someone would audition for. The employees that edit the show specifically show the rude, ugly, pretty, fat, and scandalous competitors on to give entertainment. They also show the worst competitors to make sure the audience laughs. The shows make fun of people who are different. Lastly, some reality TV shows are dangerous. The shows "Wipeout" and "Fear Factor" are perfect examples of this. In "Wipeout", people can get seriously injured such as breaking bones their and losing teeth.The show attempts to make their injuries funny to us, but it is too dangerous. In addition, "Fear Factor" is worse. In this show people eat poisonous animals and alive spiders! They swim with crocodiles and sit in tanks full of snakes. And to top it off, they race cars till someone crashes, jump out of helicopters into icy lakes, and dangle by ropes over very tall buildings! These are not good, people could die or be paralyzed forever. These types of shows especially need to stop. Reality TV shows have no value, and are little of importance. These so-called "Reality TV shows" need to go down in numbers and not up!

Fear Factor logo. Shows some of the dangerous things contestants
have to do if they want to win the prize.

Some may argue that reality TV is just a way to relax and does have value. Also, quite a few of these shows help people's dreams come true. Some examples are "American Idol", "X-factor", "So You Think You Can Dance", and "The Biggest Loser". People would have no clue who Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Philip Philips, and David Archuleta are. All of these shows help average people meet their goal that maybe would have never happened. However, there are many other better things to do in someones life than to watch reality TV. For example, people could play a game or read a book! Just stop watching the trash and garbage of fake lives. Also, some people think that reality TV is a way to relax. They think that by watching other people's problems it will solve their own. The only problem is these shows are a huge waste of time. The truth is that these shows are untruthful. They look like they are helping a person reach a goal, but they ruin everyone else's dreams along the way. These shows need to come to end as soon as possible.

Carrie Underwood at an American Idol
event. Winner of 2005 season.

Introduction About Me!

Hello! My name is Ryan Nord and I will be posting on this from time to time my entries of writing for this 2013-2014 school year. I've never blogged before so... this should be interesting. My major writing goal for this year is to increase my use of words and to engage my reader with my stories. Truthfully, I never been a big reader at all. When I do read a good book that looks appealing, I can't stop reading it. My favorite book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because I think it's amazing how she could come up with a story like that. I think it's so creative and everything about it lures me in.

Gracie always wants
to play fetch.

Elko after a bath.

Besides homework of course (not), I love being outside. I enjoy biking, hiking, swimming, running, and the sun. I also like sports, which include soccer, track, and volleyball. The other things i love are: friends, family, traveling, sleeping, eating, cooking, singing, piano, and a good TV show. The last thing I love are my 2 dogs. One is named Gracie and the other is Elko. They are so fun and i love coming home to them at my door.




To conclude, this is a quote that I really like. I love to travel, explore, and be adventurous. My sister showed me it because she is also very adventurous. I think life is an adventure and a journey and you need to explore it.