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Sentence from book: He'd climb to the summit those of his avocation respected most, and he'd dedicate his climb to Christa's memory. (pg 45) Definition: An avocation is an activity that a person does as a hobby outside their main occupation. FORMS : avocation (noun) avocational (adjective) avocationally (adverb) My sentences: My mom is always busy at work and at home, but she escapes all the chaos with her AVOCATION, painting. My mom AVOCATIONALLY paints, when she has free time. Her paintings are AVOCATIONAL, she does them for fun. ****ANOTHER WAY TO REMEMBER: AVOCATION is sort of like VACATION, and on a VACATION you take time off from work. & AVOCATION is something you do besides work.**** 
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I found the book, Three Cups of Tea, to be really inspirational. It was great witnessing Morteson's dedication and will power. I mean the man, started off knowing nothing. He didn't know where to go, he didn't know whom to consult, and he didn't even know what to do. All he wanted was to keep a promise, a promise he made to villagers in Korphe, Pakistan.
After being treated in Korphe for a climbing accident, he came across children writing in the mud and was instantly moved. He came back to America with one sole mission in mind, to build a school. At the time Morteson had no money, so he tried fundraising but his lack of experience with fundraisers posed to be significant challenge. Morteson soon overcame financial issues with the help of his mom, a principle, and Tom Brokaw, a television anchor, who supported his cause. The book continues, further explaining how clueless Morteson really was, but how he filled in the gaps in his knowledge with the help of so many different people. With the help of the Balti people that lived in Korphe, and some other Pakistani people he met along the way, he successfully built the school. Soon after people from other villages started asking him to build a school in their village. This led him to co find a group, called the Central Asia Institute. His group is held responsible for the creation of 171 schools across Asia, providing higher education for boys and especially girls. Although this was an inspirational and moving book, I was kind of disappointed. This book basically only focused on Morteson's achievements, when I expected it to showcase stories. The book did talk a little about each characters background, but not to the caliber of my expectations. I was also VERY disappointed when I found out that Morteson did not contribute as much as I thought he did to the book. Relin is said to have written most of it, which saddens me because Morteson gets all the credit. :| I chose to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Both Morteson and Relin have been trying to reduce poverty and promote education for girls around Pakistan and Afghanistan. This book just basically depicts Morteson's shift from a mountain climber to a humanitarian.
What drew me to this book, was the three pious looking girls on the cover. Right off the bat you can tell that these girls are Muslim, because of their head scarfs. I've always been attracted to books that some how tie into my religion, Islam, so I was pretty quick to pick it up. The title also drew me in, because I could immediately tell where the author's got it from. The title comes from an old adage, that says that the first time you share tea with someone you are a stranger, the second time you share tea you become a guest, and then the third time you share tea you and that other person basically coalesce or become family. As I flipped through the book, I noticed that in the acknowledgments Mortenson thanked his father, Dempsey Morteson for "showing him the way". And I think that means, he's thanking his father for exposing him to international things and making more aware of the wider world. When looked at the table of contents, I found some of the chapter names to be odd. For instance chapter sixteen is called, "Red Velvet Box." That alone eludes to a bunch of different things. I mean when I see the words "red velvet", I think of blood but adding the word "box", kind of obfuscates things. The epigram for this book is also pretty puzzling. It starts off with, "THE LITTLE RED light had been flashing for five minutes before Bhangoo paid it any attention." As you continue to reading the introduction though, the epigram starts making sense. Since Morteson's actual journey started off with him adventuring to Pakistan for mountain climbing, the book starts off explaining his helicopter ride with Brigadier Bhangoo to the mountains. There were a few pictures, I came across while flipping through. Morteson took pictures of mountains, children, men, and of educated women (there were only two). All in all, I'm pretty excited to read this book!
March 6, 2011 | By: Cayote Blizter
A young man, by the name of James Moore, was removed from a Southwest Airlines plane at JFK International Airport today. Mr. Moore was escorted off the plane, due to his attire. Reporters on the scene found the young man disheveled. "What I can't believe this..." - said Moore, when approached by one of our reporters. "Can't believe what? Tell us what happened?" - asked NNC reporter Jason Carroll "Uhh, they took me off the plane." - responded Moore. "Why'd they take you off?" - asked Carroll. "I don't know ask them!" - Moore said angrily. Our NNC reporters asked airport security if they had any comments. "We apologize to the young man, but our other passengers did not feel safe with him on board." - stated security. "And why is that?" - asked Carroll. "Well he was wearing a black suit and he has a beard! He was just so suspicious looking!." - said security. "So instead of making sure he was up to something, you just assumed." - said Carroll. "Sir, we didn't assume anything. We just saw a possible problem and we took care of the problem, before it got any worse." - security responded. "Wait, what was the problem again, I don't understand." - said Carroll. "Our passengers didn't feel comfortable. That was the problem, we were getting complaints about him. I think its better to take one passenger off than all of them." - security. "I see." - said Carroll, ask he left to once again talk to Mr. Moore. "Security told me you were wearing a black suit, how come your not now?" - asked Carroll, approaching Moore. "Well you see I was only wearing a suit, because I had a business meeting to go to. They made me take off so they could inspect it." - he responded. "So you missed your business meeting? Unbelievable...but why are they inspecting your suit?" - Carroll questioned. "They're probably looking to see if I hid any bombs in it." - Moore said. "Oh so now they think your a suicide bomber? Oh these people." - Carroll said, in shock. "I think it might be because of my beard, should I shave?" - Moore asked jokingly. "Nah, don't do that. You shouldn't have to adjust what makes you, just to please people." - Carroll said. Our reporter Carroll, witnessing the discrimination first hand, discussed how unfair it was to take Mr. Moore off the flight with the airline. Feeling sorry for their poor judgment, the airline has apologized several times and given Moore a voucher for a free flight. Moore has accepted their apologies, but says that he will never again fly with the airline. He wants his ordeal to be spotlighted, so that he can show Americans how he faced discrimination just by having a beard and wearing a suit. This should make known, how wrong it is to doubt some one because of appearance or how wrong it is to associate some one with a negative thing because of appearance. After the dismantlement of the Ottoman Empire, several thousands of Muslims migrated to the United States (Curtis 119). High birth rates, wide-spread conversion, and rising immigration caused the small group to grow instantaneously (Wilgoren). As of now there's roughly 5 million Muslims living in the United States (American Muslim Council). However, life has always been transitional for these Muslims. The already deep-seeded ideology of the US's Christian majority always clashed with Muslim ideals and beliefs. So public opinion of Islam, has always been bad.However, life has always been transitional for these Muslims. The already deep-seeded ideology of the US's Christian majority always clashed with Muslim ideals and beliefs. So public opinion of Islam, has always been bad. People have always viewed them as backward. These opinions were only made worse by the September 11 attacks. Nearly three thousand Americans lost their lives on that day because of suicide bombers belonging to al-Queda, a radical Muslim group (Cynthia). Muslim involvement in these attacks, caused many US citizens to become skeptical. And soon enough, Muslims became the group to blame; people started blaming them for the war on terror. They even became the only group to be associated with terrorism as a whole. Drastic change of public opinion, increased the number of hate crimes against them. Infact right after 9/11 the number of hate crimes went from 354 to 1, 501, all in a matter of a year. There have been numerous reported incidents where Muslim women were harrassed for wearing hijabs. Although most of the hate crimes are nonviolent, there are a few extreme cases where peoples lives have been threatened, even taken. For instance, in California a Muslim woman was shot dead while walking her son to school (Rehab). So it is safe to say Muslims are one of the most discriminated groups in America.
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I waited so diligently...for the moment in which I would taste our hard work: the wedding cake. Tita and I spent so many days preparing it. From sunrise to sunset, we never missed a beat; wherever work called, we were there. I've spent so much time with this girl—so much time. Oh how I enjoy her company, but she worries me sick. All those days spent basking in her grief was unbearable; my heart ached. She should be credited happiness. I have lived a life of loneliness, because I was denied my happiness. Oh dear, I really don't want her to end up like me. I don't want her to watch from the shadows, as I did. I've grown up seeing everyone's wedding, never partaking in my own. My heart yearns for love, my heart yearns for lost love: my fiance.
 Out of a poll of 11 celebrities, Paris Hilton was voted number one for being the most conceited. Without a doubt most people all across America have categorized her as another egotistic rich girl. With shows like the "Simple Life." and "Paris Hilton's My New BFF." to further her status as an arrogant socialite. She is a prime example of narcissism. We've seen her unwind and get into trouble. Much like Narcissus in the greek myth, she has become obsessed with her own image. She is the ultimate "it" girl, so she lives a life of non stop partying and socializing. So much so that she's gotten into trouble with the law twice. You would think that she learned her lesson the 1st time, but Paris has to keep up appeareances. She has to live up to her title as the ultimate "it" girl.
The words of the carrier drift through the streets.
"Our rival has surrendered, we prevail as elites." Simutaneously residents sigh, a sigh of relief. All conflict has ceased leaving the city in disbelief. But a giant colt is gifted to them, clearing doubt. A sculpture so well crafted it required them to go all out. Citizens flocked the avenues to celebrate the end of their bloodshed. Too bad they had no idea what was to lie ahead. As the bash was done and as everyone was heading off to bed. A group of creatures lay inside the colt's belly unread. Patiently, they waited as the last torch was extinguished. They crept out one by one, blending into the shadows undistinguished. The creatures seemingly adopted human skin. Heavy armor lined their god like torsos and, Long blades rested in each of their firm grips. The citys slaughtering was about to begin. They wasted no time and the ear disturbing screaming began. Fear and confusion dispersed all around, chaos ensued as everyone ran. The city was alive again this time without a celebration. How foolish Troy was to accept their rivals gift without hesitation. |
