Injustice

There have been too many incidents between citizens and the ones who took an oath to serve and protect those citizens. These incidents can only be summed up as police brutality. The police have taken their roles as protectors of the city too far, to the point where they think they can get away with whatever they want. We must ask ourselves: when do we draw the line? Is there any excuse with this sudden outbreak of police brutality? This problem is not race specific. It happens to both black and white citizens. Treyvon Martin, Mike Brown, Sammy Yatim and many others have experienced police brutality. There are also countless videos that are leaked onto Youtube and Facebook that expose the dark and violent actions of police. I myself have watched these videos and anger is the only feeling I experienced. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I pray for justice for Mike Brown, Treyvon Martin, Sammy Yatim, and everyone else who lost their life to those who were supposed to serve and protect us. If I were part of a police committee and were faced to find a solution for this problem of killing unarmed citizens I would try and create stricter rules in terms of identifying what a threat really is. I would also find a way to give alternative methods of dealing with citizens that are a supposed threat. In other words, shooting the victim to death is not an answer to dealing with threats. Maybe copy the British police force and the ways they run duties. They don't carry guns. Why not try that? Whatever the case is, killing should never be the answer.

Odd Future

We all know who Gandhi is. Gandhi was the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Gandhi is a peace activist, and that is what made him so famous. We notice his quote, "The future depends on what we do in the present." The quote reflects my feelings towards my future. My future was moulded by my parents. They would make my decisions for me. I would let them do that because they knew me better than I knew myself, and they knew what I would excel at as well. They told me that if I wanted what I wanted in the future, I had to start now. I agree with this 100 percent. I realize that not everything comes easy in life. You have to put in hard work, dedication, and a love for what  you do. Why love? If you don't love what you do, why bother doing it? My goal for my future right now is to go to University. University of Guelph or Laurier. I realize that I won't get in by just easing by, doing nothing. I have to work hard. I am working hard in the present so that I can get to where I want to be in the future, and I won't give up because that is what I want. This rule applies to basically everything in life. For example, if you want to be rich, have a nice house, a couple fancy cars etc, you have to work hard for it, unless you win the lottery. You have to study hard to get a good job at work hard at that job to get a nice pay, and there you go. What I do in the present depends what we do in the future, so I will try my very best to not screw up the present. 

Dr. Bill Speaks the Truth

I was shocked to say the least. I was shocked by my realization about the truth behind war and what war does to people. Dr. Bill told us exactly what we needed to hear about war. The war itself does not kill the individual, but the impact after the war kills the individual. It's called shell-shock. The explosions, the gunfire, the screaming, the blood and gore, and the plethora of dead people, enemy or not, really impacts you as a person to the point you cannot recover. This leads to terrible consequences such as suicide. This is what Dr. Bill is stressing this Remembrance Day. I agree with him 100 percent. Afterward, he states that the government tries so hard to send their troops to serve and protect their country, but when they come back, the government does not show the consideration to welcome them back home with healthcare and financial backup, just because they consider the troops to have suffered from mental illness. This just angers me. It isn't fair for the troops at all. The government clearly does not understand what these soldiers have gone through and that they deserve all the financial compensation they can because they did the government a favour that was a life or death mission. The government needs to show a little appreciation and gratitude. Instead, they abandon them to fend for themselves because they suffer from mental illnesses. I hope this changes in the future, for the better. I end of with these last words to thank the soldiers. Freedom isn't free, but with our soldiers, our freedom is possible, and I thank those that took part in this war from the bottom of my heart. Lest we forget.

Halloweenies

I bet you're wondering about the unusual title. It comes from the type of dish my mother made on Halloween day. Basically a mini hotdog wrapped in bread, then baked. Therefore Halloweenies :) It's an excellent yet simple dish. Back on the subject. I never liked Halloween. I have never seen all the "hype" behind it. I do like dressing up though. I just dislike the outbreaks of shenanigans the teenagers do on this day. Smashing pumpkins, egging houses, and throwing toilet paper, basically mummifying people's homes just because it's Halloween. I don't think of Halloween as a day of hardcore devil worship. In fact, Halloween has nothing to do with that. Halloween, otherwise known as All Saints Eve is a day of worshipping the saints and martyrs. Although this is true, Halloween has been linked to the devil in the Bible. "The Druids invented the earliest Halloween celebrations. They were an order of Celtic sorcerers. The Bible condemns all sorcery and sorcerers (Rev 21:8; 22:15)." Even though Halloween has been linked to the devil, this day was used to pray for those who have died. We dress up on Halloween because back in the day on that day, they did too. They would sing, dance, and eat in commemoration of this day.  This old tradition has carried its way into the twentieth century for kids, teenagers and adults to enjoy. So dress up, have fun, eat happy and dance, but do not do things you would regret in the future just because it's Halloween.

The Language of the Soul

Poetry is the most complicated genre of literature to comprehend. You never know what the author has intended the poem to represent. The literal meaning or is there a deeper to it. You can get caught thinking about a poem a simple as a Haiku, that's only three lines long, but one-million lines of interpretation. That's no hyperbole. To me, poems are the perfect tool to express the unexplainable. Poems let you write everything you want to write about. Poems are stress relievers. Poems are not as strict or as technical as essays, stories etc. They are free-flowing, easy-listening. One stereotype that I usually hear about poems is that they have to rhyme. That isn't entirely true. Some of the best poems do not rhyme such as "Fog", by Carl Sandburg. That is one of the reasons I truly enjoy poems, reading and writing. Poems activate my cerebrum, the thinking and creative part of my brain. At the same time, I have been taught so many things about poetry. Poetry taught me that creativity is more important as technicality, structure etc. Even though those things are important as well. Poetry isn't supposed to be straight forward. What is the point of poetry if it has no message, deeper meaning. Poetry has given me a different side of literature, something that I was not taught in elementary, and I enjoy it. Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty and words - Edgar Allan Poe. This quote best represents my emotion towards poetry :)

Both Sides of Happiness

Thank you Em for this deep, inspirational quote. I truly enjoyed it. In terms of being happy with my final piece of literature without being paranoid with not meeting expectations with the instructor, is very difficult for me. There are constant thoughts always rushing through my brain thinking that she won't accept my work because it's inappropriate, contains vulgar content etc. That being said, I am always searching to find a solution, not an excuse for my problems. Whenever I think about a topic, I always run my idea through the Headmaster, Mrs.Reidel. That way, I do not have to continue my project without knowing my idea is considered unacceptable due to content, as well as saving Mrs.Reidel the trouble of saying my idea is not acceptable when the final copy is done. This is why we have things such as spider charts, rough drafts etc. We are given the chance to get ideas out and run them through the Headmaster for approval. Usually, I think of ideas that are pleasing to myself and acceptable to the instructor as well. Being in many English classes I am given a rough picture of what is considered acceptable and unacceptable. So when I start to write I already have many idea flowing and do not hesitate to get it all on paper. In the end, I have been taught how to write pieces of literature without being happy with it while satisfying the instructor.

The Heart, The Most Genuine of Sources

Ed Howe, born in the year 1853 in the Wabash County of Missouri where he lived with his father. His relationship with his father was rather unpleasant, causing Ed to move out when he was 15. He then got a job as a tramp writer until he was twenty, when he bought a newspaper company The Atchison Globe. Ed was then discovered by Pete Jones upon reading his articles. From there Pete published Ed's first book The Story of a Country Town, where Ed talks about his unpleasant life in Missouri. From there, his literary work became famous. I chose Ed as my blog topic because his quote, "Any man who will look into his heart and honestly write what he sees there, will find plenty of readers." Personally, this quote means a lot to me in terms of my literary capabilities. This quote is basically saying that originality in your literature, is what the readers look for. This work is genuine, interesting and from your heart. Whenever I try to write a story, I think too hard to find a topic, and usually someone has already written about it. So I take the easy way out and write about first dates, love stories etc. I never write about what is in my heart because I am paranoid on what people will say about me. Some topics include my hardships through elementary school, being the new kid in class, or my most embarrassing moment. Writers Craft however helps me realize now that if I stick with my gut and write what is truly in my heart, I will create a wonderful piece of literature! I am given the power to create a wonderful story, and the it will have the power to entertain because what is in my heart, readers will love to know about.

For You Buddy :)

Dear Mern,

I just wanted to sit down, and talk about how much you have been a great friend throughout my high school life. For the four years I have known you, the friendship between us has skyrocketed, words are beyond explanation on how much I appreciate you as a friend. From the stage when we started to get to know each other, to the point when started talking about making new brands of clothing. It has been amazing to get to know someone golden such as yourself. You were there when I was uncomfortable to share my issues with anyone else, as I was there for you. You have such a quirky attitude that it is refreshing when you make a joke here and there. It just brightens the mood. The positive vibe that radiates from your personality uplifts my spirit whenever I am down. You were there to motivate me whenever I began to doubt myself or when people thought what I did was silly or pointless. You were there for me as positive reinforcement to keep me going through the rough times. I can honestly say that you are like a brother to me, as I will act like a brother to you. Mern, you are a wonderful friend, and I know this friendship is just the beginning. Stay trill brotha <3
#blessedandbetrayforever

Zel

Is There A Limit?

In the two minute video "Banned Book Week: 13 Authors Speak Out", talks to us about the arbitrary nature of certain books being banned. In my opinion, no book, regardless of genre or content, should be banned. I think it is just silly and unnecessary for this to happen. I believe that no one really has the authority to ban a book because they do not know the consequences that follow after performing such a mindless action. You are basically banning thoughts, ideas and memories. If the reader does not want to read a specific kind of book due to its content, the reader simply does not have to read it, not go as far as banning it from everyone else to read. The fact that people do censor books is just not fair to everyone else. No one has the right to give a limitation to any type of literary work because that just reduces creativity and human identity. Joseph Caldwell stresses this fact beautifully. Joseph continues to say that literature is the national memory. I agree with him 100%. I believe that there is no limitation, no boundary to writing, and I will show no sympathy to those in favor of banning books. Funny enough, the books that are banned, are the ones that are worth reading. Books such as Zhuangzi, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and Our Family Tree: An Evolution Story by Lisa Westberg Peters. I hope there will be a day that the idea of banning books will cease to exist.

Me, Myself and I

Hello all. As you may or may not know my name is Renzel Villegas, others call me Zel or Renzie. I was born here in Guelph Ontario, Canada, on August 30, 1997. I am going to take this time to talk to you about myself and try my very best to familiarise myself to all of you and your beautiful faces.  To majority of people I am somewhat of an extrovert. Friendly and outgoing. This is very true. I am someone who enjoys adventure, adrenaline, and non-stop thrills. I can never handle a boring moment. The feeling of being bored just makes me sick. I am also a huge fan of music. I listen to most kinds of music but I usually listen to rap. To be honest the vulgarity in the lyrics is inappropriate for most rap songs, but the beat just keeps me hooked in. My favourite artists include G Eazy, Chance the Rapper, and ScHoolboy Q. Even though rap is my more preferred genre, I also admire a little alternative or house music just to mix it up a little. I am also a very athletic individual. I have played many sports but, my favourite sport is soccer. I have played soccer my whole life. I have played for Guelph and OLOL for quite a number of years now. Another activity I partake in is dance. I started dancing at a very young age. Now I am a competitive dancer at the Movement Dance Company and I enjoy every second of it. Apart from all my extracurricular activities, I also work part time at the West End Recreational Centre as a swimming instructor. I enjoy working there very much. I enjoy teaching individuals of all ages and watching their skills improve throughout the weeks. It gives you a really heartwarming feeling inside knowing that you have helped your students become better swimmers. As for my school life, it is amazing. The experiences have been memorable and I can't wait to see what grade 12 has in store for me. I have been in the honour roll for grades 10 and 11. I guess hard work, consistency and dedication surely pay off. At this point you are probably wondering why I decided to take this course. At first, I was a little bit skeptical of this course. I was unsure whether I wanted to stay in it. But, to be honest, the more I was familiarised with what I would be partaking in, my confidence level grew and I was beginning to enjoy this class. Little things like the class blog, creating my own blog, really interest me. Writing to me is just another way to express emotion. Writing to me is non-judgmental, care free, enjoyable, limitless, imaginative and wonderful. I like reading what people have to write as well as writing myself. This class will definitely help me become a better literary artist in the future. Thank you Mrs. Reidel for letting me be a part of this group. I promise I will work hard from beginning to the end.

Grit, The Special Ingredient

The TED talk given to us beautifully, by Angela Lee Duckworth, talks to us about the importance of specific social graces that helps us move forward and become successful in life. If we ask anyone the question, "what helps us succeed?" Some obvious answers covered by Angela include good looks, physical health, social intelligence and lastly (which may be a shocker to most), I.Q. Out of all those attributes, the one that really makes one succeed at really anything is the term "grit". Angela is stressing this fact. Angela also states that talent doesn’t necessarily make you great. This is correct. Talent is truly just an aid for success. Talent alone will not help you get where you want to be. In order to be great, you need to fail. When you get up after failing, shows an innumerable amount of greatness. From there you have been educated, to make you better. One cannot be truly great at the beginning. One can only get better, this process is called grit. My mother taught me everything I need to know about grit. She said to me that, "One should not walk into any situation. One should always run, chin down, eyes up, to show the world you mean business, to show the world you want it the most, to show the world you have grit." always think of this quote by my mother to motivate myself in everything and anything I want to do. Grit is the special ingredient for success.