Kisses

Kisses and hugs
And lady bugs
And all of those wonderful things
I love to dance and sing with you
Before the choir bell sings
I love to be around you
And hold you dear to me
And hug you so closely
To my heart you hold the key

And when you sing your sweet songs
I love to sing along
And when we sing
To the choir bells’ ring
I feel like I need to say
I love you so much
And I will always every day

Teenagers

We change
We mess up
We grow up
We love
We hurt
We're teenagers
We're still learning

Better Days

Children are crying

Soldiers are dying

Some people don't have a home

But I know there's sunshine behind that rain

I know there's good times hidden in the pain

I close my eyes and I can see a better day

Children are smiling

Soldiers are laughing

Everyone has a warm home to stay

Because I know there there's sunshine behind that rain

I know there's good times hidden in the pain

I close my eyes and I can see a better day

Suicide Blamer

It is just another normal day. You wake up. Get dressed. Go to school. Fall asleep in third period. And get on the bus to go to home. But when you get to your doorstep and see a package addressed to you by that girl that had just committed suicide the week before, you would start to get a little worried. Wouldn’t you? Jay Asher’s novel entitled “Th1rteen R3asons Why,” shows a deeply disturbing take on suicide and how some pathetic people use their own lives to get revenge on their enemies.

I am just going to be flat out here: “Th1rteen R3asons Why” is the most deeply disturbing, selfish, psychotic novel I have ever read. The plotline consists of a girl who is driven to kill herself by “13 people.” But the thing caught me was that this “Hannah Baker” girl has enough nerve to record herself, kill herself, and then send the “Thirteen Tapes” to everyone, telling them how THEY killed HER. And that was the thing that REALLY made me angry. First off, when people choose to kill themselves, they do not necessarily plan to as much as Hannah did. They also try to do it discreetly; where Hannah Baker followed all of the signs as though it was her job to. And most importantly, suicide victims should NEVER blame people for their actions. Hannah was almost using her body; her soul as a way to get revenge. Like it says in the novel, “Then Hannah’s voice tells Clay that his name is on the tapes – and in some way, responsible or her death.”

This poor girl did have a lot of rough times in her high school life. And I am not trying to say that she should not have been affected by this, because is this kind of stuff happened to me, I would be pretty torn apart too. But no matter how much you get bullied, you should never blame anyone else for your actions. When Hannah Baker killed herself, she did not have to make those tapes to get revenge. And some on the thirteen (now) victims of little Hannah’s trap, did not even do anything! Take Clay for example. Clay Jensen is the main character in this novel. All through the book we hear about how these teens are doing terrible things to Hannah Baker, and when it comes to Clay Jensen’s name, it turns out that he did nothing wrong. Hannah basically congratulated him for helping her make herself feel beautiful and such at a party a long time ago. When I read this, I think, “Couldn’t she have done this on a separate tape?” Or she could have easily not even said this at all. For the rest of poor Clay Jensen’s life, he will know all the secrets about the people who did wrong to her. And he is easily scarred for life.

Hannah Baker sacrificed herself for her own pleasure of getting back at others. She is a sick girl who is probably so, because she has gone through a lot the last couple years of her life. Even though I thought that “Th1rteen R3asons Why” is a strangely twisted novel, it does have a good moral: “One should never suffer for another’s actions.”

Cloning

Cloning

Cloning is never something that you would ever think would happen in real life. It is almost as believable as “a cloak of invisibility.” Some people believed that cloning only happens when the aliens come down to Earth and clone themselves. Science has been trying to crack the cloning case for centuries, and believed that is was impossible to do. But truth is, scientists have proved everyone wrong by solving the “cloning mystery.”

First off, do you know what cloning is? Cloning is basically a cell, cell product, or organism that is genetically identical to the unit or individual from which it was derived. Natural cloning is known as “Artificial Embryo Twinning,” which is formally known as “having identical twins.” This process comes to be when a fertilized egg tries to divide into a two cell embryo. This process is also known as mitosis, which was discovered in 1870 by a man named Walther Flemming.

In 1865, a man named Gregor Mendel discovered the basic law of genes, which lead to the 1908 discovery of mutations in fruit flies by Thomas Morgan. In 1944, three scientists that go by the name of Avery, Mcleo, and McCarty discovered DNA. Thanks to those men, in 1953, a man named James Watson duplicated genetic information in DNA. Then by the late 1950’s, scientists first started using a cloning procedure on frogs and salamanders, which were all unsuccessful. But, he biggest breakthrough is cloning history was in July of 1996, where a team of Scottish scientists had the first cloning success ever. The scientists took two sheep, and from one took some skin cells, and from the other an unfertilized egg. Afterwards, the cell grew with the second sheep and was born a duplicate. Dolly the sheep was released in February of 1997 and was the first clone ever. There was also a calf named Millie who was the first clone ever in the United States, who was born on August of 2000. This process of is known as Somatic Cell Transfer, or Manmade Mitosis.

There are five steps to cloning. The first step is to take a piece of DNA that contains the gene to be cloned and place it into a DNA molecule known as a vector, which is used to produce a recombined DNA molecule. The second step is to let the vector transport the gene to the “host” cell. Then, in the host cell the vector should multiply and make many identical copies of itself and the gene. Fourthly, the “host” cell should divide, so that the copies of the recombined DNA and the gene are now ready to be cloned. And after many cell divisions, clones of the host cells are produced. So that each cell has at least one copy of the recombined DNA, and the genes are now officially cloned.

Many people still believe that humans are impossible to clone. Yet, a Dr. Jerry Hall from George Washington University has been experimenting with human cloning, and believes that is it still possible. I believe that one day, hopefully soon, there will be a breakthrough in human cloning. And even though many say there are high risks when it comes to things as such, I still believe that it will one day happen.

Bibliography:

Dictionary. "Cloning." Dictionary. Cloning. 2011.

OCACLE. "Cloning." 2009. thinkquest. 9 May 2011 .

Utah, University Of. "Learn Genetics`." 2011. What is Cloning? 9 May 2011 .

Viruses

What comes to mind when you think of the word “Virus?” Usually, people like to think of these things as “gross” and “bad.”Yes, there are many viruses out there that are very bad for you, and can even kill you, but there are some out there that are very good for you too. Take mold for example. Most assume that they are just some nasty green stuff on your cheese; where they are actually a very good source of Vitamin D. And have you heard of something called Chemotherapy? Surprisingly enough there is a virus that makes this life saving form of therapy. There are a lot of hidden secrets about viruses that many people do not know; and some of them may surprise you.

Oddly, the biggest thing humans do not know about viruses, is what they actually are! Viruses consist of genetic materials (DNA/RNA) surrounded by a protective coat of protein. They are not able to multiply on their own, and that is why they cling on to things such as us humans, or plants. This is known as trying to find a “host” cell. Viruses are much too small to see with the naked eye, yet they are all around us all of the time. Viruses are also a non – living, because they are enable to produce waste, take in food, make food, or use energy to grow. Some of the most common organisms that viruses act on are humans and plants. Some of the known viruses that humans can get are influenza, STDS, chicken pox, and many more. Plants often get viruses that come in the form of mold and other causes that force the plant to rot.

Everyone knows what mold is, yet they do not know for sure all o its qualities. Mold is a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damper decaying organic matter. Which basically means that mold is a virus that gets its nutrients from often natural items that have moister to them. Mold spreads quickly, and travels through the air in tiny spores. Mold digests its food externally and absorbs the natural nutrient molecules into its cell. There are good and bad concepts to mold. People tend to look at the bad side of it, because they know that mold makes people sick and is an allergen that makes the eyes, ears, nose, and throat irritated. But there are many good things about mold. One good thing is that without it, there would be piles and piles of rotten food everywhere. Like I said before, mold takes up organisms and basically deteriorates it. SO when he mold takes over the food, it gets deteriorated and, in some sense, disappears. One other good thing about mold is that it makes mushrooms. Mushrooms are grown in the ground and get created from mold .Now, if mold ceased to exist, there would be no booming mushroom industry, and therefore, there would be a lot less money.

One of the most common viruses among humans is Influenza, commonly known as “the flu.” Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. There are two main types of the flu, which are Type A and Type B. Type A can be broken down into sub types, which means that there can be other types of Type A. The most common type of “Type A” flu’s is the Swine Flu. Many people get the flu every year, but the most vulnerable to get this virus are all kids six to eighteen years of age, fifty years and older, and people with asthma. Some symptoms of the flu are usually a cough, fever, chill, and headache. There are no good qualities to Influenza, because they have a shot to prevent it. The flu often comes in mild cases, but sometimes, usually older people, get deadly cases. Like I said before, this virus is highly contagious, and usually Influenza is often spread by infected droplets that have been sneezed and/or coughed on. The season of the flu is November through April, but of course, you are prone to this virus anytime of the year.

Mold and Influenza are only two of the millions of viruses out there. Some are bad, and some are good. But people choose to believe that the good viruses cease to exist. Viruses are everywhere, all around you. That is why you must be careful of what you touch. And make sure that you wash you your hand thoroughly, so no bacteria can get on you. After reading this, I hope that you gained a little more knowledge of viruses, and that not all of them are bad, if fact, sometimes we even tend to eat them!

Bibliography:

A.D.A.M. "Health Guide." 9 May 2011. New York Times. 9 May 2011 .

CDC. "Mold." 9 May 2011. CDC. 9 May 2011 .

Dictionary. "Mold." Dictionary. Dictionary. n.d.

Nemours. "Influenza." 1995 - 2011. Kids Health. 9 May 2011 .

Viruses. "Viruses." Viruses. 9 May 2011 .

Mary's Diary

In 1995, the family members came across diaries from their famous ancestor “Mary Bowser.” Mary had been an undercover female spy during the Civil War. When they found these diaries, it uncovered many unknown secrets behind the assumed “dull – witted black servant.” When the family decided to share Mary’s past, it landed her in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The diaries are now in the hands of Mary’s family.

This diary, which was written between the years of 1861 and 1865, was one of the most detailed and important diaries written in Mary’s life. She shared all of her methods and secrets she had never shared with anyone else. Therefore, Mary’s offspring wanted it to be known.

January 30, 1861

Today Mr. Van Lew died. His nice wife and kid are gunna set me free. (Hunter) They gunna do this cuz they never believed in slavery. I don’t know what I’m gunna do with my life after they let me be by myself. They promised they’d help me find work though. Elizabeth is such a fine lady, cuz she gave me an education, (Library) but I don’t know if that’ll be enough for me. I am hopin’ for the best.

March 18, 1861

I be strugglin’ to find good work. I have been given many good jobs, but they all fire me cuz they think I be to assertive and mean. All I’m doin’ is speakin’ my mind! Elizabeth still has been helpin’ me find good places to work though. She’s been very helpful. I owe her lots.

April 31, 1861

Elizabeth told me bout’ spies today. She says that she wants me to be one. (Congress) She told me how smart I am and how I can be a spy myself. Elizabeth gave me strategies and told me stuff that I needed to do. I think I’m gunna make a really good spy some day.

July 28, 1861

I got a job at a prison. (bgill) Elizabeth says that I gotta act stupid so people underestimate me. She told me she wants me to talk to myself and act all disoriented. (Taylor) She says his is what real spies do. So people don’t know how smart they are.

January 16, 1862

I have not written in a while. I have been workin’ in many differnt’ places and learnin’ a lot new stuff about spies. Elizabeth got me to meet Thomas McNiven, a baker who I am supposed to give all of the information to if Elizabeth aint around. (Month) Elizabeth is tryin’ her hardest to get me to work for the family of the Confederacy President Jefferson Davis. She says there’s a lot of information at that house.

March 2, 1862

She got me the job! Elizabeth talked the Davis family into having me work full time for them. (Library) Elizabeth tells me to make sure to look at all of the documents on the tables and take notes so I can report back to her. (Moyers) I am known by everyone as Ellen Bond. I listen to the President and his workers and take notes bout the war. They never expect me to be so smart.

June 30, 1862

I have not had much time to write. They do not know that I can read or write nothin’, so I have to do it secretly. I have not talked to Elizabeth lately, cuz they think that I do not like her much and that I wanted to get away from her. It has been very had to sneak letters into and out of the mail to and from Thomas and Elizabeth.

August 13, 1862

I aint gotta sneak around no more. Elizabeth got me in touch with the Union Army who stops by every once in a while. (Congress) They pretend to pull me to the side to ask any questions, and that’s when I gotta tell them everything I see and hear.

September 29, 1863

I aint written in a long time. Nothin’ has happened to write bout though. I have been in touch with the Union Army, Thomas, and Elizabeth. I have found out big news bout’ how the Confederates are plannin’ to attack in December. I get paid now from the Union. I get paid every big news story I find out. I am gunna spend the money when the war is over and I will find a new place.

December 12, 1863

The Confederates tried to attack on the sixth. We all were prepared because of me! I got paid lots for findin’ out that they were gunna attack, and Elizabeth is gunna hold the money for me because I trust her.

April 2, 1864

I have been writtin’ less and less these passed months. I feel the war is gunna end soon, and I can’t wait to quit this job. They say that I have been acting odd lately, and that I shouldn’t know as much as I should. I am startin’ to get a little worried they are on to me.

May 8, 1864

I went to Thomas’s bakery today. He told me that he wanted me to help him burn down the Confederate Capitol. (Moyers) I am plannin’ it with him now and we are gunna do it soon. I have got some ideas and am gunna go and get some more bread tomorrow so I can tell him my thoughts.

December 23, 1864

People are startin’ to suspect me as a spy. (Hunter) I do not know where people are gettin’ this, cuz I think I was bein’ very discreet. I have the plan for burnin’ down the Capitol, and we are gunna do it next month. Since the war is dyin’ down, I think I am gunna flee, cuz I don’t want people to figure out I have been a spy for the past three years.

January 13, 1865

The burnin’ of the capitol building was unsuccessful. (Month) We did not get enough fire and only made a dent in the building. Now everyone is on to me. I have decided to flee the state and never come back. (Taylor) Since the war is dyin’ down, I am not needed her anymore. I am gunna say goodbye to Elizabeth and Thomas tonight. This will be my last entry, and will give this diary to Elizabeth so I will not have any proof that I was ever a spy. I am takin’ my money also and will try to build a life for myself. I know how to read and write so I will be able to get a good job and hopefully have kids some day. I wish myself best of luck.

Bibliography

bgill. "Female Civil War Soldiers and Spies." 9 May 2007. Footnote. 8 May 2011 .

Congress, The Library Of. "Faces and Voices From The Presentation." 7 January 2009. The Library of Congress. 9 May 2011 .

Hunter, Ryan Ann. "Mary Bowser From Slave To Spy." 12 March 2005. History's Woman. 2011 May 2011 .

Library, Lakewood Public. "Mary Bowser." 8 May 2011. Women In History. 9 May 2011 .

Month, Woman's History. "Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser." 13 September 2009. Woman's History Month. 8 May 2011 .

Moyers, Bill. "The Spy Who Served Me." 19 April 2002. npr. 8 May 2011 .

Taylor, Ericka. "Black America Web News." 26 January 2011. Black America Web. 8 May 2011 .