outside reading #25

Today I read an article about the oldest man in the United States. His name was George Francis and he was 112 when he died on Saturday. George died at a nursing home in Sacramento because of heart failure. His son, Anthony Francis who is 81, says that George was born on June 6th, 1896 in New Orleans. George had to live through much of is life without his wife, Josephine Johnson Francis, who died at the age of 63. Although George Francis was the oldest man in the United States, the oldest person in the world is 115. Her name is Maria de Jesus and she lives in Portugal. This is according to a UCLA gerontologist, Dr. Stephen Coles, who keeps a list of the world’s oldest people.
It is hard to imagine living for 115+ years. So many people struggle to live a normal length life. This just goes to show that anything is possible and that any age can be met.

outside reading #24

Today I read an article about the Twins defense and their need for a third baseman. Even though the Twins are known for their exceptional defense, they struggled last season. They committed 108 errors, which is their highest total since 2001. Players like Carlos Gomez (center field), Delmon Young (left field), Alexi Casilla (second base), and Brian Buscher (third base); all had difficulties in the field. The Twins are especially having a hard time finding a solid third baseman. Cuddyer, Batista,and Punto each played in the position one year, but none of them were very good. Punto was definitely the best and he still plays around the infield and Cuddyer was moved to right field, where he is a star with one of the strongest arms in Major League Baseball. Lamb started out at third base year, but he didn't live up to the Twins standards, so Harris and Buscher traded off at the position. Neither of them were amazing, but they were definitely an improvement. The two of them have been getting exceptionally better at offense and are slowly improving their defensive skills. Even though the Twins had a poor defensive year last year, they still did really well. Hopefully this upcoming season will be better then the last.

outside reading #23

Today I read an article about Barack Obama’s appointments to his cabinet. The article talked about the fact that he was appointing people with a lot of experience. As Charles Babington, the author of the article stated, bringing people with him to the White House that have experience will make the American people feel safer. I completely agree with this. Having people that know what is going on and have dealt with it first hand makes me feel much more secure, but…. During Obama’s campaign he was all about change. Yes change is very popular right now, but when Obama appoints people to his cabinet that have been in Washington for a long time, doesn’t that go back on the CHANGE he spoke about. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that Obama is going to be working with people with experience, but I think that he didn’t really speak realistically during his campaign. Don’t take this the wrong way, I am not saying that Obama is wrong for appointing the people that he is (I am actually a relieved he picked people with experience), but I think that he should have been realistic during his campaign because he can’t cover up mistakes with wonderful speeches when he is president.

outside reading #22

I have continued to read Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
In the chapter that I read today, Bella is at the Cullen’s house. It is the day of the fight and Bella and Edward are alone. They are very glad they get to have time for just the two of them. After Jacob had given Bella the wolf charm at her graduation, Edward had been wanting to give her something too. He ends up giving her a jewel, diamond like, charm. To Bella, it is the most amazing thing that she has ever seen. Edward tells her that it was his moms and that makes it all the more special to Bella. As the two talk, Bella has something on her mind that she really wants to talk about. Edward doesn’t even have a clue about what it is. Finally Edward understands what Bella wants, but says they would have to be married first. After arguing, Bella finally agrees. Edward thinks this is good because, first of all he wants to get married and second of all it will make Bella more excited for their marriage. In the last part of the chapter, Edward shows Bella the ring that he is planning to give her when they get married. It was also Edward’s mom’s ring and it is the most beautiful thing that Bella has ever seen. Even though Bella already has the ring, Edward proposes to her and she accepts.

outside reading #21

I have continued to read Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
In the chapter that I read today, it is the day after Bella’s graduation party. Bella ends up sleeping for most of the day, but nonetheless, Edward stays with her the whole time. When she wakes up Edward tells her that she had been talking in her sleep. Bella isn’t too embarrassed about this, so she decides to go and have some breakfast. While she eats her Pop Tarts, Bella asks Edward about the fight. She says that either she has to be in the field or Edward can’t fight. Bella feels selfish about this, but she knows that she won’t be able to just sit and wait to see if Edward survives. Edward tells her that he wont fight and he says that it is probably the best thing to do from his perspective too. While Edward talks to jasper about the fight, Alice comes over to Bella’s house. She says that her whole family is going to be gone this weekend. Charlie offers that she could stay at their house. After many kicks in the foot, Bella says that there really wouldn’t be a comfortable place for her to sleep, so Charlie says that Bella should stay at the Cullen’s for the weekend. This is exactly what Alice wanted because she wanted Bella to be away from Charlie and with Edward during the fight. Later that night, Bella goes to the clearing to watch them prepare for the fight. When Edward goes off to help Jasper, Bella spends sometime talking to Jacob.

outside reading #20

I have continued reading Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer.
In the section that I read today, the Cullen's and the werewolves meet in the clearing. This is the same clearing where the Cullen's play baseball and where they first met James, Laurent, and Victoria. When the werewolves show up, there are four more then there were just the other day, which is good because that means there will be more of them to fight against the newborns. While the group is in the clearing they discuss what they are going to do. After jasper teaches the rest of the Cullen's how to fight newborns, Jacob and Edward decide what to do with Bella. Jacob insists that she stays in La Push. Edward thinks this is a bad idea because she will have a trail of her scent leading there. Jake decides that he will cover up her trail and it works,so they decided to let her stay in la Push along with Charlie. Edward is more comforted when he learns that three werewolves will be guarding Bella and because the werewolves can read each others minds, it will be like have a cell phone that can go any distance. They also decide to leave Bella scent in the clearing so that the newborns will be distracted by her. Jasper says that Bella should be in the clearing, so that killing the newborns will be extremely easy, but of course Edward would never agree to an idea that would put Bella in harms way.

outside reading #19

I have continued reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
In the chapter that I read today, Bella is having her graduation party. As the party goes on it isn't as bad as she thought it would be. She talked to pretty much everyone, but with Edward always at her side, going closer to her when he heard thoughts that he did not approve of. While Bella is talking to Jessica Edward goes into the kitchen to talk to Alice. Bella gets so preoccupied with what Alice and Edward were talking about that she left Jessica. When she got into the kitchen, Edward hurried up stairs to talk to Carlisle and Alice followed soon after. meanwhile, Jacob shows up at the party, so Bella goes to get him to leave. He refuses along with Quil and Embry, whom he brought along. After he gives Bella her gift, which was a bracelet with a carving a wolf on it, Alice returns to talk to Bella. Jacob thinks that he should be a part of whatever is going on, but Jasper makes him calm down. Alice explains that they must go to Seattle because the army is coming to Forks for Bella. When Jacob hears this he really wants to help and Alice agrees. Even though Bella doesn't want Jacob and his friends to get involved, the wolves and vampires make a plan to meet at three o'clock that morning near the Sheriffs building.

outside reading #18

I read another chapter in Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer today.
Not much happened. It was the day of Bella's High School Graduation. Before the ceremony, Bella is trying to find something to wear when Alice shows up. Alice brings her something to wear, but while they are talking Bella realizes something. She realizes that the vampire that was in her room and the one making the army of newborn vampires in Seattle are related. The vampire came to Bella's house to see if he or she could get past Alice's senses and to give to newborn vampires Bella's scent. Bella figures out that the newborn vampires are coming to kill her, not to hurt any of the Cullen's. After the ceremony, Bella tells Edward what she figured out. He realizes that he is right and is completely shocked and worried out of his mind. After Bella and Charlie go out to dinner, Bella goes to her party at the Cullen's, which she has been dreading ever since it was planned.