Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project is a charity I was unfamiliar with until reading Chad Brumpton and Anthony Villareal frightening trials. Chad's decision to become a "below the knee amputee" was a difficult one that would benefit him later in life. The WWP supported him through the whole process, helping him make the decision to amputate and helping him follow through with it. Although Anthony's "rehab was long and painful" he managed to keep a good attitude and positive outlook on life. Through this charity he encourages other soldiers in their recovery process and wants to give back what WWP gave to him. Sodiers are able to carry on in their daily lives because of this inspiring charity, without which so many would still be recovering mentally and physically.

War is...

War is needed, protecting our rights.
War is tough, demanding our people.
War is violent, shedding blood.
War is persuasive, convincing the enemy.
War is united, strengthening our country.
War is expensive, spending our money.
War is selfless, defending the innocent.
War is unknown, praying for good news.
War is patriotic, standing for what you believe.
War is hope, believing in something bigger.

Book Review #1

"Anton grads go on to become U.S. senators, Nobel Prize and Academy Award winners, astronauts, Olympic athletes, and international chess champions." This book follows a teenage girl’s transition into a new school, and all the drama that comes with it. Tish Cohen's Little Black Lies captured my attention with the canny insight into a teenager's sea of emotion.

As I began reading, I noticed Cohen’s writing style was slightly different. She would often reflect back on the main character’s past experiences. Normally, this style wouldn’t bother me, but in this book the flashbacks didn’t seem to relate to the main point. They were boring and often random. The storyline would then get hard to follow.

Also, Lundon’s dad constantly bothered me. Every time I came to a part featuring him, I would fight the urge to skip it. He frustrated me with his OCD disease and even more so with his denial towards the problem. Even through this ordeal, Lundon still took her father’s side when her parents separated.

This book centered on a number-one-in-the-nation school with the only most elite students in the country attending. I would sometimes find myself stressing out over the insane amount of homework given. “A heavy workload I can handle. This workload is pulverizing. By the time I’m done I should be milled into a finely ground powder.” This would make Little Black Lies a great example of imagery. The anxiety and pressure of doing well in school was a common theme in this book. I could relate, since academics has always been a large part of my life.

I would definitely recommend this book to other teens. If people can get past the dull parts then the rest has a wildly entertaining story and message.

Remembering 9/11

Architects are making sure to pay tribute to the first World Trade Center. According to the inforgraphic, they will have a glass enclosure at the height of the former WTC 1 and an observation deck at the height of former WTC 2. Hundreds of years from now, the loss on 9/11 will still be remembered through these recognitions. The height similarity also shows that we Americans can pick ourselves up from tragedy and recreate even better towers. This new building will always stand as a beacon of what we have lost and gained throughout this tragedy.