MICHEL HYNEK

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

After reading a number of books in grade ten English I came to enjoy reading on my own time, reading on my own terms and gaining awareness on different issues. My recent choice was the novel and inspired movie, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. Danica had recommended it and knowing that I was heading to Vancouver for the weekend I considered that the book would help take my mind of the flight. In the end it didn’t but I can’t complain because the book was very insightful and a good read.
“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a best seller about concentration camps in Germany during World War 2. It’s a very powerful novel that gives a unique view on how the war had affected the innocent people of Germany. John Boyne writes the book in the eyes of an eight-year-old boy whose father receives the promotion of commandant in a near by camp. The story, though fictional, is a beautiful tale of two boys who are meant to be enemies but instead form a friendship.
The Holocaust is a subject that could be considered risky to write about, especially through a Germans point of view. Though these were terrible and frightful times I can honestly say that I have never considered how the innocent people of Germany viewed the war. Reading the book made me realize that not all of them had the same values as Hitler and we tend to forget that, if ever we even think of it.
German children, as described in this book, were barricaded by propaganda and lies. Because they were sheltered from the truth, they grew up thinking that the actions of their families weren’t wrong. Growing up in Germany through that time may have created countless numbers of children who became insensitive to violence and corruption.
As I read the book I became increasingly angry and watching the movie only enhanced that feeling. How could humans display ideas and actions that were so inhuman? This book prompted many questions, some of which I can’t even answer. Where we draw the line for what is right or wrong? Why do we need to be better than others? How does a person cope with taking others lives? How do German children of that time feel today? And the list goes on. After I read the book and finished the movie I was telling my mom about one of the scenes that really stood out to me. When I told my mom that the commandants wife didn’t know about the activities taking place in the camp she was upset and told me it wasn’t true. She said they all knew what their husbands were doing to the Jews. Basically reading this book and seeing this movie made me less bias and more open to other sides, whereas my mom was instantly irritated that I even said it. I’d say the book has given me more knowledge and insight on the issue.

Politcal Leaders

To be a political leader you must have the proper characteristics. Not just anyone could take on the position of prime minister or president. It’s a dirty job where people make many friends and enemies. It’s one place where one mistake can ruin your career.

They must have compassion for the people. In the end the only way a political party can become successful is to win over the citizens. Many leaders must put themselves in others positions where they can connect with people by taking an interest in how they feel and what struggles they have. When they listen and open their ears to the public they then can help improve or correct issues that are causing up rises amongst people.

All political leaders should be confident and be able to answer any question thrown at them. They should speak assertively with absolute confidence that what they say is in the best interest for everyone. Even if they don’t have an answer they should be able to provide one. Determined leaders will have the behavior and personality that people can look up to yet they can see eye to eye with them. They have to be smart in all areas. Common sense, socially and mentally. They use all these areas to solve problems and to create practical decisions that will work in society.

The strongest political leaders would be the ones seeing a face instead of a vase. They will look outside the box and see what has worked in the past and what needs to be improved. They’ll need willingness and courage to change, even if drastic measures are needed. To overcome the fear of failing and take chances to make a better place for everyone to live. All leaders should be lenient and let others have their opinion and be open to learn ways they can improve themselves and the way they govern a country.

The Biggest Pressures We Face Today In Society

Except for one, all the books I read in English I enjoyed this year. Out of the eight that I read there was one book that I favored the most. Tangled up in Love by Heidi Betts.

Tangled up in love is the story of Ronnie and Dylan. They are both very competitive journalists and have competed for the same jobs in different companies many times. A hate forms between them and a revenge to bring the other down as well. They start writing challenges for one another in their columns. Just ever so slightly hinting that a women or a man can do it better. It quickly evolves into the battle of the sexes but each time they have been thrown a challenge they both seem to land it, giving their readers a run for their money. Ronnie decides that Dylan’s next challenge will be to see if he can crotchet his way to the finish line. Dylan gladly excepts her offer and has one month to complete a scarf made of wool. Ronnie is very good at crotchet and has her own group that meets together at the coffee house once a week. Dylan not knowing how to crotchet puts a twist in the challenge when he persuades Ronnie to teach him how to Crotchet and he’ll serve her a grand for her time. Taking the offer Ronnie knows that she’ll take the money and if he can’t do the crotchet she’ll get the glory as well. Ronnie and Dylan end up getting closer and closer as the lessons go on. But Ronnie has hidden many things from him about her growing up and her family. She doesn’t want Dylan to find out that she was poor and that her designer clothing and her exterior is all a lie.
In the end they end up together and Dylan finds out about her past but still loves her for who she is.

There were parts of Tangled up in Love that reminded me of my life. Ronnie, the main character, experiences many times when she hides her past to protect her reputation, which I have done as well. There are little things in my past, just as hers or any body elses, that I don’t want anyone to know. I hate when people look at me differently when they find out things about me. I remember one night I snuck out at a friends house and my parents found out. My dad barely spoke to me for a week and my mom held a grudge for ten times as long. When my sisters and my aunts and uncles all found out about it they looked at me differently because of a mistake I made. Looking back, I know that the only reason I did it was so I could be part of a popular group. I thought that if I snuck out and drank, people would think I was cool and would like me more. Everyone is always talking about how peer pressure is terrible and I knew it was bad I just didn’t care enough to stop myself back then.
Ronnie was worried about people knowing that she was poor growing up and most of her clothes were really cheap rip offs of the designers. It’s different and the same for me, even though my parents aren’t lawyers or doctors, I am not ashamed of them and don’t care about what people think of my family. But I know I like to buy the brands and have all the nice accessories because that’s what makes you excepted these days. When I was younger, brands and looks didn’t matter to me. It never took me more than 30 seconds to get ready. Back when I was thirteen it took me an hour to do my hair, get dressed and put on my makeup. I was always having to keep up with the trends and looks which is a very common and big pressure in life.

Tangled up in Love had some of the same characteristics as the first book I read. Can you Keep a Secret was based on the story of Emma, who occasionally lied to make herself look better. Both are about two girls trying to keep part of their identity hidden from the rest of the world to make them look superior. Tangled up in love had its own twists which made it different from the books I’ve read, but it still had much of the same drama that matched five of the other books. All five of them were mainly focused on a relationship between them and a man.
It seems like everyone always has a boyfriend or a love story, which I have written in more detail in one of my book reviews “Diary of A Crush“. Being with someone or liking someone is another common pressures in our lives. I haven’t dated anyone in a long time and even my friends have pressured me to start dating again. Pressure can come from friends too. I know that my friends are just trying to make me happy but when they tried to set me up with two people I said no to the idea and took my stand. If I don’t believe in doing something why should I?

I’m sure most people in the world have tried to make them selves look better at one point or have bought a fake designer bag. The story she writes happens all the time in the world. I see people following the crowd because they’re scared they might stand out too much. And 100% of the student body here feels the need to look their best for their peers every day. We see this kind of thing happening everywhere. Which brings me to how society has and will always determine a low, middle and high class. There will always be girls better looking than me, skinnier and more glamorous. I have compared myself to other girls, it’s a little thing called jealously, occurring more in the female gender. When the comparing gets going thats when the level of classes will be more defined, for girls and guys. It’s another one of the greatest pressures in life, which can also lead to more serious problems like bullying. Making sure that we look and dress the part, know the right people and try to maintain a perfect size is a common pressure. I felt this way the most when I was probably thirteen but now after growing up and going to a conference in Calgary I try not being one of those people. I don’t follow the crowd, and now I don’t care what brand and if people don’t like what I look like or not.

Heidi Betts revealed values of letting go of an ego or reputation. She implies through her story that it’s ok to let your guard down and not have to feel like you need to be perfect for everyone else and that no matter where you come from, how you dress, how you do your hair, your still worth just as much as the next person. I believe in equality and know that the pressures of the material and popular world can weigh me down. I liked how in the book Ronnie and Dylan left that behind them in the end and loved each other for who they were. Not because of each others clothes or status. I have grown to know that things like this aren’t too important though I like to do my makeup and dress once in a while but I do it for myself, not really to fit in but to feel good. Though I may not follow the crowd I know that the greatest pressure we face today in society is fitting in.

Caesar

Caesar was born with leadership in his blood and became a senate of Rome. He eventually worked his way up to the top but soon after was assinated on the 15th of March. Caesar, before his assassination, had defeated his comrades Pompey and Crassus. It began when he and Pompey had joined together to defeat Crassus, probably because he was thought to be in the wrong. When two agree, there’s no doubt that the one with the different opinion will be outwitted and voted off the island.

After they took out Crassus it was only a matter of time until Pompey and Caesar disagreed on a political matter.

Pompey was a Stoic. Stoics believe that nothing can come from something. That we have an immortal soul. They believed in God or a higher power and that after living without much free will, they would earn their place as a burning flame. When the flame got dimmer it didn’t mean that they no longer existed but that they faded into the universal flame. Everything that happened or was to happen, in a Stoics eyes, had a reason. Most Stoics were seen as miserable because they could only do things that made sense and had no free will to choose, only reason. Nothing happened of chance.

Caesar was not stoic, but Epicurean. Epicureans and Stoics are on the opposites sides of the spectrum. The philosophy of Epicureans was that nothing had a reason. Everything that happened, each thing that was made was created by chance. They believed that matter was made from matter, and that everything had always been. They had no souls, no God, but had all the free will in the world. Epicureans were people who wanted to feel good and didn’t care what they had to do to feel good. They didn’t have a care in the world.

These two philosophies are very different and with two leaders of opposite philosophies their came a time when there was no other way to settle disputes, but a civil war began.

There were senates and then there were Plebs. Plebs were known as the common people of Rome. Considering that they didn’t have much money or say in politics they were probably lost in their religion. But were more likely looking for a reason to live. Therefore they were probably more Stoic than Epicurean. When Caesar and Pompey battled each other I thought that Pompey was sure to win on account of being supported by the majority of the population, the plebs. But Caesar having the stronger army and tricks up his sleeve won the battle and the hearts of the plebs. He knew that the plebs could be easily bribed and could win them over with things. With parades and days off he knew that the plebs wouldn’t be able to resist following him.

We never finished the story but I’m guessing that when Caesar beat Pompey there were most likely some very angry stoics. And if made sense to kill Caesar, then they would do so.

I am personally more on the guidelines of Stoicism. I believe that I have an immortal soul, in God, and that we must have came from somewhere. But one thing I do have is free will. I was raised to believe that we have a choice and that we will sin but we will take our own paths. But also that God has a plan for us. Guilt is something that as a Catholic I feel a lot and I don’t think that I could be Epicurean, there’s just not enough questions answered in that philosophy.

My Dad’s Birthday

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday. He was born in 1954 and turned 55 that morning.

Before I went to sleep I left my dad a note wishing him a happy birhday and again when he woke up.

I went to school and and when I came home I felt extremely stressed about school but mostly a leadership project that was due in two days. As soon as I got in the door I went downstairs and got straight to work on my project. I had at least seven tabs going at once on my computer, while listening to songs that would work for the presentation.

When supper came around, which was leftovers, I had no time to stop and had to finish what I had started. After I had finished most of it I came upstairs to eat. My mom and dad were already done but saved me some food.

I asked my dad how his day went and he said it was long and he was the last one in from work and had to close up everything. He looked kind of sad when my mom told me that he felt lonely like everyone forgot his birthday and that he was looking forward to having a nice fancy dinner with us. I felt horrible and extremely insensitive about not coming up for dinner, especially since it was his birthday. Feeling that way I suggested my mom and I cheer him up singing Happy Birthday and I give him a hug and a kiss.

I felt like I had been at school for the entire day so I took a break and went to the gym for half an hour to blow off some steam. But before I left to go home form the gym I decided that I was going to buy him a little gift to make up for my behaviour earlier and on account of his hard day. I went out and bought him a water jug, a lighter, some flower seeds and a card with the money I had been saving for a dress. In the card I said how I was sorry I didn’t have enough time lately for him and that I hope my present would help make up for it.

When I gave my dad the present he was so happy and appreciated my efforts to make him feel better and special. All the little things like singing him happy birthday, giving him a hug and a kiss and cheering him up with a small token was a good deed that was worth while doing to make my dad’s birthday better.

Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Last year we read this poem of Robert Frosts. He writes a lovely story of how he took the less traveled path. This is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever read. The way he tells the story is so neat. It’s almost as though he isn’t literally talking about a trip he took in the woods, but more or less turning his story into a more interesting and approachable way. He tells a tale of which path he took in life. Frost makes you want to think further into the poem, he makes you try to figure out the real meaning behind the mask he makes.

The poem makes me want to choose the less traveled path in life. I don’t want to be a follower or the one that goes down the path of constant worrying, drama, hate and sadness. The poem is an inspiration. To know that taking the path of love, forgiveness and being relaxed and easy going makes all the difference in the long run is a wonderful feeling. In the end do any material or little things that make us upset or worry about even matter? I don’t want to take the path that takes me a life time to figure out that I shouldn’t have to worry and that one day I should live like each day was my last. I’d rather take my chances taking the path that already puts me there. I don’t have to waste what time I have left here criticizing and being angry at people that in the end won’t make a difference. I want to take the path that lets go of everything insignificant.
If a poem can make you think this indepth that’s when you know its a fantastic poem and poet.

Cell phones

The first cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper. It was known as the Motorola.
All the first cell phones were chunky and didn’t have any interesting features to them, just a simple phone that could be taken out of your home.

As cell phones became more and more popular they became more advanced, with new settings and benefits to them. From chunky, to smaller, to phones with screens, to phones with cameras, to phones that include everything from internet connections to music. Any body can get their hands on a black berry, i-phone, crazer, a chocolate flip etc. Phones these days have everything any one could possibly need.

I remember I had to beg my parents and even had to write out a paper on why I thought I should be able to get one. They have become so popular now a days that people as young as 10 have them. Which in my perspective is unnecessary because they don’t really need them. As you get older, get your license and start going out more thats when you need to be able to stay in contact with your parents, and thats when you may need to get a cell. It bothers me when young children ask for a cell phone, when they don’t desperately need one and they get one at the drop of a hat. Everyone knows that they don’t want one so they can call their parents to come pick them up from Timmy’s house, it’s because they want to text people and keep up with the Jones.

The cell phone is a very smart invention. It really is handy to have.

Mystical Metaphors

Doves are diamonds, very rare.

People are puppets.

People who worry too much are wilted flowers.

My heart is ice.

His voice is music to my ears.

Diary of a Crush 1- Best Book Review

When Edie moves to a different college she finds herself falling madly for Dylan, the mysterious, handsome art boy.

Edie faces many challenges with Dylan. They always seem to be friends that snog and they can never move past that point. Dylan is an enclosed person and Edie doesn’t know much about his personal life, but she’s sure she’s fallen head over heels.
They are very sweet, almost cute in the way that they get into constant fights and battle about whether they like each other and why its not ok to kiss and blah blah. It’s sweet but its almost an immature relationship.

In all honesty young lovers probably love in a mind game kind of way. It’s as if we try not to let our guard down or we play hard to get. I think Young people enjoy a challenge in their relationship or with crushes. I don’t know about other people but I like someone who is unpredictable, it keeps interest.

I guess it’s where you grow up. In stable countries like Canada or Britain love doesn’t have to be rushed. We have time to pick at others brains and make people more crazy about us. In third world countries I don’t think they have time to play with others feelings, you have to tell them how you feel because it could be your last day. And it could be for any body but people like us who live in some of the most safe and best countries in the world, forget that we could die at any time. Where as war torn and poor countries may encounter death every day. It’s in those times that we start to express our feelings. The fear of death can make us not afraid. Isn’t it odd how that works. Because we’re afraid of death, we are not afraid to speak our true feelings. Of course not everyone is afraid to die but many of us fear we will leave Earth unfullfilled, maybe that’s why people in those countries say their feelings, they could be trying to get everything out in the open.

Not all people in those countries just let their feelings free but in a way I think that it could be a possibility that they speak of their love maybe more than we do. I have never been to any of these countries but when you think about it many of those people know they live a hard life. There is love every where, in every country, people are always falling in love. Maybe it just depends on who you are and what you believe but I do believe they are more likely not to take others for granted and not share how they feel about a person.

I enjoyed the book very much even though it’s so dramatized. Our society doesn’t know any better than to play mind games in our relationships. We don’t live in many day to day fatal experiences and we don’t face death every day and night. It’s as if we make hardships in our relationships to compensate for something. Little things that really don’t make any difference, we enlarge as though its the end of the world. Perhaps we do it because we know that we have more time to make up for our behaviors, like we take our lives and relationships for granted.

That was my deep feelings into the matter. But I did like the book a lot. I loved reading it because the characters were similar to my friends and I and it was just like a chapter in our lives. You find the guy you like. You like each other on and off and then one day your dreams come true and you finally have the label of boy friend and girl friend. It was a simple book all wrapped up in drama that was sort of refreshing. In a I’m glad people have time to worry about drama and not worry about locking their doors because you live in a terrible neighborhood kind of way. It was an escape from reality.

Diary of a Crush 2

Edie and Dylan Finally end up together in the second book. And Edie is happy…until she’s not. Things go rotten with her and Dylan and they both end up seeing other people. But they rekindle their love.

This book is so dramatic, but I liked it a lot! It was comforting to sit down and read it. Reading it didn’t feel like work and it was the second of the three books so I was super psyched see what happened after she finally got Dylan.

I don’t have anything this dramatic in my life. She’s 18 near the end of the book but she has all these flings and that’s fine but she gets so caught up in all of it.
First she’s with Dylan, that ends, then she’s dating Dylans’ girlfriends brother Carter, they’re on and off, then her and Dylan are back on, then they’re not and she’s kind of back with Carter, then she’s with Dylan. I would be lying if I said that it got a bit annoying trying to keep up with them. Interesting and fun, but sometimes annoying.

I used to love hearing about all the flings and I was always crushing on someone, but it gets to be too much. It is quite exciting and fun in the beginning but I’ve started to realize that there’s more to life than finding the perfect guy. There’s so much I have yet to learn about life and new experiences and where I stand, that I don’t really want someone right now. Edie and Dylan are very cute and wild, and reading the second book was riveting. These books do influence me and the relationships that I want to have and when I read it looked so fun and there was always something new and dramatic, but now I don’t know if I would want a relationship like theirs. I enjoyed reading about them and I can’t wait to read the last book but living that life would be too much for me.

A great novel that I would reccommend to any girl in my class or in high school. It’s funny, I loved it but at the same time thought it was too dramatic. Weird how that works out.