"He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself." -Great Gatsby (Chapter 3)Within this quote, the reader sees Nick, the narrator of the story, meet, analyze, and closely examine Gatsby, his character, and his appearance. Gatsby is a rich man whose story is not fully known or even understood. His name and money were the only things people knew about him. However, Nick is not one to judge someone for their money. Nick was a kind hearted person who saw Gatsby differently from everyone else. He saw Gatsby's character and qualities by seeing him smile. His smile was special; it was rare and genuine. This quote is important since it is the point where Gatsby, an important character is finally introduced, and it's when Nick's and Gatsby's relationship first begins. Nick saw hope in his smile and seemed fascinated and inspired by it. Gatsby had the ability to make anyone he smiles at feel special. This shows that Gatsby is a man full of hope and kindness. It leads the reader to think that only good will follow him.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
The Great Gatsby
State of the Union Address
The 2015 State of the Union Address was given by Barack Obama who is the 44th president of the United States. This took place on January 20, 2015, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House, John Boehner, sent President Obama a letter on December 19, formally inviting him to speak. It was addressed to the 114th United States Congress. The speech was broadcast on various television and radio stations and webcast from the White House. Webcasts were also provided by other sponsors, including a webcast from the U.S. Republican Party. In summary, the speech focused the following points: the improvement of the American economic situation, the fight against terrorism, especially against the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq, the call for free community college to provide education, and a new tax on Wall Street companies. He also announced that he would issue an executive order to guarantee workers up to seven days of paid sick leave. The most fascinating part for me was when he used the words "lesbian", "gay", "bisexual" and "transgender", being the first President to use them in a State of the Union Address, when talking about protecting the human rights of religious, sexual and gender minorities.By using these words, President Obama made a strong point of standing up for what is right and protecting the people he is leading.
Monday, January 19, 2015
History repeating itself...
"Baby survivor of Armenia shooting dies from injuries"
Source: BBC News
Armenia is going through another mourning period. A six-month-old baby, who was the only
survivor of a gun attack that killed six members of his Armenian family, has died
in the hospital. The baby's injuries were too much for the child to handle. The boy died from stab wounds. He lost his whole family a week ago and sadly lost his new life on Monday, January 19, 2015. The shooting took place in the
city of Gyumri. A Russian soldier serving at a military base, left his duties and committed the crime which shook all the people in Armenia. The murderer is
being held at the base. Thousands of angry Armenians protested in Gyumri last week. They were demanding he be handed over to the
Armenian authorities. Also, the security has been tightened in the city after the boy's death. Gyumri is Armenia's second largest city. Valery Permyakov, the Russian soldier who heartlessly murdered a whole family and caused the death of a poor Armenian baby deserves to be punished for his actions. The uproar in the city will hopefully be loud enough to bring justice. The reason for the attack is still not yet clear. "Armenia is a key ally of Moscow and has agreed to become a member of Russia's
new strategic bloc, the Eurasian Economic Union," says the reporter on BBC News. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has respectfully offered his condolences to his Armenian
counterpart, Serj Sarksyan, and promised a quick investigation that will bring justice to the loss of all the Armenians around the world.
The Private Island Party
Just imagine this: miles and miles of sand, the view of the clear ocean blue, the smell of khorovads. That sounds like a dream... Well, it's not a dream. It's a party. Thousands of people splashing around in the sea, people dancing around on the hot sand, thousands of plates of food being served on gold platters, a variety of fun dancing songs blasting through the speakers. Look up at the stage. Who do you recognize? Miley Cyrus is on the right, Armenchik is on the left. And isn't that that rapper you like so much? One place that should definitely be seen is the open buffet. Any type of food you could ever think of, served, hot or cold, served however you like it. It may be night time, but there's breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert! Oh and I almost forgot: there's a carnival next door! Now that's where the real party is. Teens and adults fill the jumpers, scream on the rollder coasters, go down the slides, stuff there faces with cotton candy and popcorn. On this island there is also the spa area. After a long night of partying and drinking, people leave the western beach area and enter the eastern spa and relaxation area where they get rid of hangovers and get all their stress 'massaged' away... From hot baths to saunas, every adult can calm their nerves before getting on with their weeks. Last but not least, the northern VIP area. That's where all the dreams come to life. Filled with only close friends and family, unlike the other sections of the island, is where all the magic happens. However, since it is a secret section, i'll let your imagination picture the rest...
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Woman President!
"Grabar-Kitarovic elected Croatia's first woman president"
Source: BBC News
By: N/A
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30765822
On January 11, 2015, Croatia applauded their first woman president when her name was announced. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has become the first female president of Croatia, "winning by the narrowest of margins" (BBC News). She was able to defeat Mr. Josipovic, who respectfully congradulated her and accepted his defeat. The election took place in a surrounding of pessimism about Croatia’s low economy. Croatia, being the newest member of the European Union, has one of the weakest economies in it. They have unemployment rate of nearly 20 percent. The youth unemployment is currently running at 41.5 percent. Mr Josipovic, who is a 57-year-old law expert and classical composer, has been the president of Croatia since 2010. Ms Grabar-Kitarovic was a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).She has been politically conservative and has pushed the country towards independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. "The challenger's win is a sign that Croatia may be shifting to the right after the centre-left coalition's failure to end six years of downturn," is what BBC News had to say about Ms. Kolinda Grabar- Kitarovic's victory. The BBC's Guy De Launey also says that Mr Josipovic had been so popular for so long that it seemed "impossible he could fail in a bid for re-election". "The problem was that he was backed by the governing, centre-left coalition that has failed to pull Croatia out of a six-year-long recession," (BBC News). Hopefully, with a new woman in charge, Croatia's situation will able to turn around and a better future will come their way.
Source: BBC News
By: N/A
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30765822
On January 11, 2015, Croatia applauded their first woman president when her name was announced. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has become the first female president of Croatia, "winning by the narrowest of margins" (BBC News). She was able to defeat Mr. Josipovic, who respectfully congradulated her and accepted his defeat. The election took place in a surrounding of pessimism about Croatia’s low economy. Croatia, being the newest member of the European Union, has one of the weakest economies in it. They have unemployment rate of nearly 20 percent. The youth unemployment is currently running at 41.5 percent. Mr Josipovic, who is a 57-year-old law expert and classical composer, has been the president of Croatia since 2010. Ms Grabar-Kitarovic was a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).She has been politically conservative and has pushed the country towards independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. "The challenger's win is a sign that Croatia may be shifting to the right after the centre-left coalition's failure to end six years of downturn," is what BBC News had to say about Ms. Kolinda Grabar- Kitarovic's victory. The BBC's Guy De Launey also says that Mr Josipovic had been so popular for so long that it seemed "impossible he could fail in a bid for re-election". "The problem was that he was backed by the governing, centre-left coalition that has failed to pull Croatia out of a six-year-long recession," (BBC News). Hopefully, with a new woman in charge, Croatia's situation will able to turn around and a better future will come their way.
The Jazz Age
The Roaring 20's: The Jazz Age
https://sites.google.com/site/historyfordummies2/unit-7/the-roaring-20-s-the-jazz-age
"Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world." Jazz was the music of the people, the youth. The birth of jazz music is often accredited to African Americans, but both black and white Americans alike are responsible for its immense rise in popularity.
There is a special time period dedicated to this beautiful type of music. The Jazz Age, during the 1920's, was a rebuilding time for the people who made it through the first World War. During a time of growth, jazz music rapidly developed. The Jazz Age not only changed music but also changed the lifestyles of many. "People became less conservative and wanted more to just have a good time," (History, 1). This is why older generations considered the music immoral and threatening to old cultural values. There was an introduction of large-scale radio broadcasts in 1922. Because of this, Americans can enjoy the music and explore this trend without even leaving their homes. Dances like the Charleston, developed by African Americans, instantly became popular among younger audience.The instruments that were mainly used in the jazz age include instruments from the reed and brass family which provided this different, musky sound of jazz. Jazz music had a different and new sound, which is why people enjoyed listening to it. "The Jazz Age not only transformed the music industry but social aspect of life," (History, 1). Some famous musicians who started the new era of Jazz are: Joe "King" Oliver, Edward "Kid" Ory, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Paul Whitman, and many more... Even female musicians like Bessie Smith or Billie Holiday emerged during this period of post-war equality and free sexuality. They paved the way for future female artists.
https://sites.google.com/site/historyfordummies2/unit-7/the-roaring-20-s-the-jazz-age
"Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world." Jazz was the music of the people, the youth. The birth of jazz music is often accredited to African Americans, but both black and white Americans alike are responsible for its immense rise in popularity.
There is a special time period dedicated to this beautiful type of music. The Jazz Age, during the 1920's, was a rebuilding time for the people who made it through the first World War. During a time of growth, jazz music rapidly developed. The Jazz Age not only changed music but also changed the lifestyles of many. "People became less conservative and wanted more to just have a good time," (History, 1). This is why older generations considered the music immoral and threatening to old cultural values. There was an introduction of large-scale radio broadcasts in 1922. Because of this, Americans can enjoy the music and explore this trend without even leaving their homes. Dances like the Charleston, developed by African Americans, instantly became popular among younger audience.The instruments that were mainly used in the jazz age include instruments from the reed and brass family which provided this different, musky sound of jazz. Jazz music had a different and new sound, which is why people enjoyed listening to it. "The Jazz Age not only transformed the music industry but social aspect of life," (History, 1). Some famous musicians who started the new era of Jazz are: Joe "King" Oliver, Edward "Kid" Ory, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Paul Whitman, and many more... Even female musicians like Bessie Smith or Billie Holiday emerged during this period of post-war equality and free sexuality. They paved the way for future female artists.
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