Movie Review

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  Movie Review - “The Boy in the Stiped Pajamas”

  1. During World War II, The Holocaust.
  2. Bruno a German boy, relocates with his family to a farm land in Germany.
  3. Bruno an eight-year-old son, of a German Nazi Commandant.
  4. Bruno disobeys his parents and wonders off to the woods.
  5. He discovers a barbed wire fence surrounding a camp.
  6. Meets a Jewish boy held captive, in a concentration camp.
  7. Begins a forbidden friendship with Shmuel, a Jewish boy.
  8. Bruno very naïve; believes the Jewish boy is a farmer and wears a uniform, stripped Pajamas.
  9. One day, Bruno digs a whole and decides to join Shmuel, inside the camp. 
  10. Bruno discovers the reality and horror, the camp was never a farm it was a Nazi extermination Camp.

  
  Bruno was an eight-year-old boy, who moved to the outskirts of Germany, with his father who was a Nazi Commandant, during World War II. One day Bruno was out exploring the woods, when he stumbled into a camp, surrounded by a barbed wired fence. Bruno meets a boy with the strip pajamas and develops a secret friendship. The boy with the stripe pajamas was a Jewish boy named Shmuel. Bruno believed the boy with the striped pajamas was a farmer, but in reality he was a prisoner , in a Nazi concentration camp.        

The Pictures We Never See: Disney Star's Struggle with Depression and Eating Disorder - by Lemec Torres - English 09

Music Lyrics That Will Impact You!

Discussion Board #16 - Quote Sandwich - Demi Lovato - "Skyscraper."

While, in the studio, a year before entering rehab; singer, songwriter, Demi Lovato found herself sobbing in tears, as she recorded “Skyscraper.” One of her most powerful, emotional, and influential songs that launched her singing career. Through her lyrics, Demi breaks the silence, of her struggle with depression and her eating disorders, hoping to inspire other young girls to seek help. The song is about “Risinging  above” any difficult circumstance you might be going through. The powerful message, Demi tries to convey behind her lyrics states as follows “Go on and try to tear me down, I will be raising from the Ground like a Skyscraper.” The lesson behind Demi Lovato’s lyrics, is no matter how hard you hit rock-bottom; you can always rise above, and overcome any obstacle that is thrown your way. To my opinion Demi Lovato is truly inspirational, not only for overcoming her eating disorders, but also for using her voice as a platform to raise awareness to others.

"Stay Strong" Each Tattoo Has a Story!

 "Stay Strong"

      Extremely talented singer, songwriter and actress Demi Lovato posed all the qualities needed, on her rise to stardom. Debuting in her own Disney channel series as a child, Demi became an overnight sensation. Demi Lovato a famous pop artist, who became a public advocate, and supporter of all woman and men battling with depression and eating disorders. Demi Lovato used her powerful voice and self-image to set the platform for others to speak up and raise awareness. This tattoo of Demi Lovato’s encouraging words that read “Stay Strong” is a perfect example of what inspired me to write this paragraph. This tattoo has such important significance to her. That truly captivated my attention to find the meaning behind her tattoo. After learning that Demi Lovato was diagnosed with a mental and eating disorder, she was admitted to rehab and treated for deliberately cutting herself. This tattoo of Demi Lovato has really changed my perspective of tattoos and the way I view them. I personally do not have any tattoos myself, however I would probably consider tattoo my body with a tattoo that has a meaning as significant as this one.

       “Stay Strong” never give up is the powerful message behind Demi Lovato’s tattoo. After suffering from an eating disorder and depression, singer Demi Lovato was admitted to rehab for several months. The actress, songwriter, Disney channel star, openly admitted to cutting herself and performing self-harm due to fat-shaming and peer pressure from the media. As an artist and celebrity Demi Lovato has always been in the public eye. With her Tattoo she wanted to send a message, and make a statement for all those individuals suffering from a mental illness like herself to “Stay Strong”. To my opinion tattoos have always been an artistic way of self-expression and illustrate a vivid image of one’s individuality. For example, in Demi Lovato’s tattoo you can admire the powerful message and story behind her tattoo. The words “Stay Strong” are bold, loud and visible placed right on top of her wrist, to serve her a constant reminder to push through the darkest days and never give up and continue living and “Stay Strong”. I find truly inspiring about Demi Lovato’s tattoo is the fact that she took a negative experience, turned it to a positive and raised awareness about her mental illness and used her tattoo as a platform to inspire others to speak up and reach out for help. I always enjoy the meaning and story behind each tattoo, as I find them interesting and fascinating. All tattoos hold such strong sentimental value and characteristics that makes them unique, but by far Demi Lovato’s “Stay Strong” tattoo has changed my perspective and the way I view tattoos. As they teach me that there is more to a tattoo, that our keen-eye cannot see.

      The words “Stay Strong” are bold, loud, and the imprinted letters will impact you as you continue to analyze them and read them. As they are placed in the body, the back of the wrist to be precise where they can clearly be visible and admired. The design of the tattoo displays such beautiful pattern in cursive that draws your attention first time you see them. If you pay close attention you can observe the skin mark of scar tissue that was developed from self- harm in Demi Lovato’s cover up tattoo. Maybe that’s exactly why she chose the position and size of this powerful message to “Stay Strong” and to serve her as a constant reminder. I think the meaning and importance of this tattoo is to captivate an audience, draw attention to the public and send out a message letting others know that they are not alone. To my opinion this artistic tattoo can be viewed as self- expression and also raise attention about something you really care about like creating awareness to help others.  

      Tattoos like Demi Lovato’s “Stay Strong” will forever leave a mark on you and raise attention about something you really care about.  Tattoos in general have their own uniqueness and can be considered a way of self- expression. Some tattoos can be used as tribute; to honor a loved one, or simply serve you as a motivational statement. I believe tattoos now a day are more than just a beautiful image on your skin. Tattoos are a creative and artistic way that tell of story of your past, or an experience that has marked your life forever. In Demi Lovato’s powerful tattoo, you can clearly admire the message she’s trying to convey to others which is to “Stay Strong”. In my opinion all tattoos are considered beautiful, no matter the size, shape or color as they simply express a way of who you truly are. 

Girl, Interrupted by Sussana Kaysen Must Read!

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   Girl, Interrupted – MVP- Tunnels 

  By far one of the most memorable moments from the book “Girl, Interrupted,” making this part my (MVP) Most Valuable Part of the story; I nominate the conversation that took place between Susanna and her therapist, Dr. Melvin during her analysis. In the chapter, “The Shadow of the Real,” Susanna compares her life experience in the ward with famous philosopher Plato’s allegory “The Shadows on the Wall of the Cave.”  In such story Plato talks about a group of people living imprisoned in a cave; they always lived in seclusion, and knew nothing of the outside world. That’s exactly how Susanna felt about her life, at McLean Psychiatric Hospital. Susanna had a realization, towards the end of the chapter when she says, “I’d had it, finally, with all that messing with about in the shadows.” I believe this was her turning point in life; when she realizes that theirs is more to life, than her stay at the hospital. It all began with a walk through the “Tunnels,” that changed her perspective about life. From, Susanna’s Kaysen perspective, the tunnels underneath the ward, represented a connection to the outside world.  Susanna’s obsession with the tunnels, started as soon as she obtained her destination privileges inside the hospital. Each week, with the supervision of a nurse; Susanna was able to roam the hallways freely.   The tunnels aroused Susanna’s curiosity; as a result, she became fascinated how everything was interconnected, underneath the ward. Each tunnel had its own pathway and signs that pointed out to its destination.  Susana couldn’t contain her excitement, and she explained to her analyst how “There are tunnels under this entire hospital. Everything is connected by tunnels. You could get in them and to anywhere. It’s warm and cozy and quite.” Even though the tunnels were not a new discovery to the ward; Susanna was very fond of them. She couldn’t resist the great smell of fresh laundry, that pressed through as they opened the doors. The tunnels texture and lighting, captivated Susanna’s attention. Not only did the tunnels provide a different atmosphere underneath the ward, but also gave Susanna a little piece and quite from her daily routine at the ward. To my opinion the tunnels represented a guideline to her life in the ward. Even though Susanna didn’t know her destination, or her future, she felt a connection with the tunnels. In her interpretation the tunnels pointed to a pathway, towards the right direction in life.  

What Motivates You?

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  Book of Your Past – The Purpose Driven Life

  
  

           I encountered the following book “The Purpose Driven Life,” by Rick Warren during my freshman year in college. In life we all go through disappointments, setbacks, and trials we don’t understand. At that time, I was going through a difficult stage in my life, and I recall asking myself “What is my sole purpose in life, what am I destined for?”. After expressing my feelings to one of my dearest family member I trusted; my Godmother, she insisted we started our reading journey together. “The Purpose Driven Life- What On Earth Am I Here For” this book offers readers a forty day personal spiritual journey and presents God’s purposes for human life. The reason why I remember this book so much; this book saved me from a negative stage I was going through in my life. I had the tendency of holding on to negative experiences, dwelling on negative thoughts; this kind of attitude only opened the doors to bitterness, resentment and self- pity. By reading this book it changed my perspective in life and changed the way I viewed life in general. One of my favorite parts of the book is a quote that states the following “Where you are going is much more important, than where you’ve been. But if you stay focused on the past, you’ll get stuck right where you are”. This reflection inspired me to stop dwelling on the past; move forward and gave me hope for a better tomorrow. I would definitely recommend this book by Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life” to anybody who in interested in reading a spiritual and self-reflection book, that will motivate you to a fresh start. Think of your brain as inventory and be selective of what you read: You are what your read, so why not feed your brain with goodness and topics that are going to help your grow.