I don’t understand why Anne’s parents are being so strict about her and Peter. I know that Jewish people can be very religious especially about relationships, but you would think that with the situation they were in, all they would want is for them to be happy and keep growing up normally. My parents would be pushing for Peter and I to pursue a relationship. Hell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank could not have been that naïve that they were going to be able to live like that forever behind a bookcase with little food and growing children.
And just like that, its over ... Anne's story. Suddenly, abbruptly it just ends. It's no ones fault, and Anne would not want me to say it was Hitler's falt in the first place because if it weren't forhim she never would have been in the situation in the first place.
Well I finally did it: I read the Diary of Anne Frank. My Hebrew school teacher would be so proud. Anne Frank is a hero in so many ways, making this book a classic truly because she was original and an original beauty. Her heroic feets in this book were the overcommings of immaturity, war, and womanhood. Respectfull as anyone, Anne Frank is most respectful for being normal and overcomming the normalcies and faults we all face. I still cant decide however if we are born with the power to overcome those feats, or if we learn to face them … like an acquired taste.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Anne Frank 5
I am somewhat relieved that Anne starts to talk to Peter van Daan, the son of the other family in hiding with the Franks. Although Anne admits enjoying their talks and topics of conversation like sex, she still yearns to be alone. Maybe it is because she lives in a small space with too many people, especially people that don’t understand her. She mentioned getting along with her mother better and growing an understanding and tolerance for her, but still Anne needs someone her own age. And that is why Peter is good for her.
Anne’s mom should be happy for her and Peter and not be suspicious about their relationship. Even if they were more than just friends, they were two lonely kids in a miserable time where they couldn’t help but not try and keep up with the other kids and not miss out just because they were Jewish and in hiding. It’s not fair.
Peter and Anne seem to help each other. Anne helps Peter come out of his shell, while Peter helps Anne learn to trust someone and finally FINALLY talk to someone. I wonder if Anne would still let Margot, her sister, read her diary like she did when they first moved into the annex.
The more frequent scares that someone breaks into the annex or the people that bring the families food make noise start to worry everyone, especially Anne. She starts to think about the worst, but knowing her, she will definitely keep her head up.
Anne’s mom should be happy for her and Peter and not be suspicious about their relationship. Even if they were more than just friends, they were two lonely kids in a miserable time where they couldn’t help but not try and keep up with the other kids and not miss out just because they were Jewish and in hiding. It’s not fair.
Peter and Anne seem to help each other. Anne helps Peter come out of his shell, while Peter helps Anne learn to trust someone and finally FINALLY talk to someone. I wonder if Anne would still let Margot, her sister, read her diary like she did when they first moved into the annex.
The more frequent scares that someone breaks into the annex or the people that bring the families food make noise start to worry everyone, especially Anne. She starts to think about the worst, but knowing her, she will definitely keep her head up.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Anne Frank 4
I am surprised that Anne admits she feels lonely in the attic, and it makes her unhappy. It kind of feels like maybe she is growing up. With the arrival of her monthly period for the first time, Anne shows signs of maturity. I still wish her new roommate Mr. Dussel never told her about what he saw going on outside before he came into hiding, but I know she handled it well because she is so strong.
From what it sounds like, Anne plays the role of the unwanted center of attention … as in she is constantly nagged and picked on for habits or etiquette.
I am starting to see where Anne might get her optimism from: Her father. He always thinks the war is about to end soon. Anne mentioned at one point how she and her father were more alike than her and her mother. The brevity and optimism Anne and her father both practice make them seem so alike. If only she really talked to him more. I can’t imagine why they should not have the time to sit around and discuss.
The daily routine to which they abide by seems to have plenty of downtime accidently built in. Anne obviously uses it to write, but I wish maybe she would use it to talk to people instead of just write to a book.
Unlike what Mr. Frank has been predicting, the war ceases to end or get anywhere near ending. Anne’s mentioning she wants to be cremated when she dies scares me in that it just makes me think of how people were killed in the Holocaust, and why would she ever want her body to end up the same way. And, as a fellow Jewish person, I know that Jewish people normally don’t believe in being cremated, so I am kind of confused on where her plan is coming from.
From what it sounds like, Anne plays the role of the unwanted center of attention … as in she is constantly nagged and picked on for habits or etiquette.
I am starting to see where Anne might get her optimism from: Her father. He always thinks the war is about to end soon. Anne mentioned at one point how she and her father were more alike than her and her mother. The brevity and optimism Anne and her father both practice make them seem so alike. If only she really talked to him more. I can’t imagine why they should not have the time to sit around and discuss.
The daily routine to which they abide by seems to have plenty of downtime accidently built in. Anne obviously uses it to write, but I wish maybe she would use it to talk to people instead of just write to a book.
Unlike what Mr. Frank has been predicting, the war ceases to end or get anywhere near ending. Anne’s mentioning she wants to be cremated when she dies scares me in that it just makes me think of how people were killed in the Holocaust, and why would she ever want her body to end up the same way. And, as a fellow Jewish person, I know that Jewish people normally don’t believe in being cremated, so I am kind of confused on where her plan is coming from.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Anne Frank 3
Anne reminds me of my sister. I am close with both of my parents, but at times we would have to split into 2 v. 2 teams. While I would have liked to be with my dad sometimes, Jordan seemed to somehow always get to “pick first”. They both understood each other more than my mom or I could ever understand either of them. It is because they are so alike. And Anne feels the same way about her mother and sister how they are alike and how her and her dad are alike but different from them.
The arrival of the van Daan family sparks new hope for Anne and relief to know that some family friends are still alive. These two families, however seem to be a giant dysfunctional group. The mothers argue and Mr. van Daan just gets on everybody’s nerves. Anne should not have too much of a problem with everything that is going on in the annex because she keeps to herself so much. At times like these, when her parents argue or there is no respectable adult to talk to, I am glad Anne has her diary to confide in. My parents always tell me how unhealthy it is to not talk about something that is bothering you. I hope that Anne’s writing everything down is enough for her to take care of herself. I don’t know how close Anne is to Margot, but I hope that maybe these close quarters can help them resolve their differences. As for Anne and her mother, I am not so sure.
The arrival of the van Daan family sparks new hope for Anne and relief to know that some family friends are still alive. These two families, however seem to be a giant dysfunctional group. The mothers argue and Mr. van Daan just gets on everybody’s nerves. Anne should not have too much of a problem with everything that is going on in the annex because she keeps to herself so much. At times like these, when her parents argue or there is no respectable adult to talk to, I am glad Anne has her diary to confide in. My parents always tell me how unhealthy it is to not talk about something that is bothering you. I hope that Anne’s writing everything down is enough for her to take care of herself. I don’t know how close Anne is to Margot, but I hope that maybe these close quarters can help them resolve their differences. As for Anne and her mother, I am not so sure.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Anne Frank 2
I do not blame her for this, But Anne wastes no time in the next few entries referencing to the Holocaust and its effects on her and her family’s life. Having to attend a specific ice cream shop and not being permitted to use the ferry soon, however according to Anne, become not the fault of the Dutch. Immediately, Anne shows her true colors by not blaming anyone for why her people are being treated the way they are.
It is hard to understand how Anne can understand and accept other people, but she can’t ever trust them. Maybe because trust is far more intimate? Of course you can trust a book of paper because it always “keeps its mouth shut” unless you open it, and it is only “two sided” when you decide to write on the back. You never have to worry about two- faced people telling your secrets. Anne’s trust for her diary she named Kitty is cute, but it kind of makes me sad. She does not describe her family in great detail , but from what I have read her mother is her least favorite of all members.
Even though I am 16 years old and should have things I shouldn’t feel comfortable telling my parents, I don’t and I still continue to tell them everything in confidence. Anne’s mistrust for everyone except for Kitty worries me that she might become lonely.
Hopefully, their move into the annex for hiding will bring the family together, and force Anne to trust her family with her thoughts because they are the only people she has to listen. Kitty can not last forever; eventually she’ll run out of pages.
It is hard to understand how Anne can understand and accept other people, but she can’t ever trust them. Maybe because trust is far more intimate? Of course you can trust a book of paper because it always “keeps its mouth shut” unless you open it, and it is only “two sided” when you decide to write on the back. You never have to worry about two- faced people telling your secrets. Anne’s trust for her diary she named Kitty is cute, but it kind of makes me sad. She does not describe her family in great detail , but from what I have read her mother is her least favorite of all members.
Even though I am 16 years old and should have things I shouldn’t feel comfortable telling my parents, I don’t and I still continue to tell them everything in confidence. Anne’s mistrust for everyone except for Kitty worries me that she might become lonely.
Hopefully, their move into the annex for hiding will bring the family together, and force Anne to trust her family with her thoughts because they are the only people she has to listen. Kitty can not last forever; eventually she’ll run out of pages.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Anne Frank 1
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, 1995
I know, I know, I'm a Jewish girl and I have not read the Diary of Anne Frank? Well, I started it in Hebrew school about 5 or 6 years ago. Of course, the class never consistently read it, so I never actually even read the book. My Hebrew school went to see the Anne Frank exhibit, which was a bit more graphic than I expect this book to see. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I guess I already saw the picture, and now I am ready to read the thousand words. I get squeemish, so hopefully this book will be more my type.
My favorite quote by Anne Frank probably has to be "Despite everything, I truly believe that all people are good at heart." Starting this book, I am going into it with hopes that I can acquire some of Anne's wise outlooks on things and positive beliefs "despite everything."
And I can attest that this was one book I did not judge by its cover. Like I have mentioned before, covers do a lot for me. But in Anne Frank's case, her black and white picture along with what I have learned about her was enough for me.
Anne’s one –way conversation with her journal at in the opening entry makes me already fall in love with her. As a fellow writer, I know how much time it takes to write down what you are thinking and sometimes your thoughts are racing so fast you want to shorthand everything, but then you think about how you want to be able to look back on this and read everything word for word. I admire that Anne has the patience to introduce herself to a piece of paper that cannot shake hands in acceptance.
I know, I know, I'm a Jewish girl and I have not read the Diary of Anne Frank? Well, I started it in Hebrew school about 5 or 6 years ago. Of course, the class never consistently read it, so I never actually even read the book. My Hebrew school went to see the Anne Frank exhibit, which was a bit more graphic than I expect this book to see. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I guess I already saw the picture, and now I am ready to read the thousand words. I get squeemish, so hopefully this book will be more my type.
My favorite quote by Anne Frank probably has to be "Despite everything, I truly believe that all people are good at heart." Starting this book, I am going into it with hopes that I can acquire some of Anne's wise outlooks on things and positive beliefs "despite everything."
And I can attest that this was one book I did not judge by its cover. Like I have mentioned before, covers do a lot for me. But in Anne Frank's case, her black and white picture along with what I have learned about her was enough for me.
Anne’s one –way conversation with her journal at in the opening entry makes me already fall in love with her. As a fellow writer, I know how much time it takes to write down what you are thinking and sometimes your thoughts are racing so fast you want to shorthand everything, but then you think about how you want to be able to look back on this and read everything word for word. I admire that Anne has the patience to introduce herself to a piece of paper that cannot shake hands in acceptance.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Please Stop Laughing at Me 6
Prom is usually the perfect way to end high school. For Jodee, it seemed that possibly things would end the same way. But that one night was all. It was not over until high school was truly over ... that last day when Jodee asked Tyler to sign her yearbook and he wrote: You'll have to f*** yourself, we hate you b****.
Jodee was not stupid for trying to make one last effort to redeem herself, or redeem others in her own book. If only the people were more receptive. But then again, everyone is immature in high school. AND IF ONLY that could count as an excuse for what happened to Jodee Blanco. Hell if people are still immature in high school, they are merely babies that no no better in middle school and grade school. Once again though, if only that was an excuse. Truly, there is not one.
Blanco's final chapter brings me back to my first day of high school and the question I still ask myself: Why the hell did I ever get out of that car? HOW did I get out?
It seems like so far away, and for Jodee it was ten years at that reunion. To someone like her, you would think everything would be so overwhelmingly nightmarish ... you would think she would not have gotten out of the car. But I was so relieved to find out that she did.
There could have not been a more perfect ending to the worst beginning. Written beautifully throughout its entirety, “Please Stop Laughing at Me,” is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Although at times painful to imagine, the book hits you so close to home when you think about your own experiences with bullies, or people you have known. Hopefully, it will teach people to firstly stand up for themselves, and secondly for others.
Jodee was not stupid for trying to make one last effort to redeem herself, or redeem others in her own book. If only the people were more receptive. But then again, everyone is immature in high school. AND IF ONLY that could count as an excuse for what happened to Jodee Blanco. Hell if people are still immature in high school, they are merely babies that no no better in middle school and grade school. Once again though, if only that was an excuse. Truly, there is not one.
Blanco's final chapter brings me back to my first day of high school and the question I still ask myself: Why the hell did I ever get out of that car? HOW did I get out?
It seems like so far away, and for Jodee it was ten years at that reunion. To someone like her, you would think everything would be so overwhelmingly nightmarish ... you would think she would not have gotten out of the car. But I was so relieved to find out that she did.
There could have not been a more perfect ending to the worst beginning. Written beautifully throughout its entirety, “Please Stop Laughing at Me,” is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Although at times painful to imagine, the book hits you so close to home when you think about your own experiences with bullies, or people you have known. Hopefully, it will teach people to firstly stand up for themselves, and secondly for others.
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