Blog #7

I finally finished Stephenie’s Meyer’s Eclipse! It was really good, definitely better than her second book, New Moon. After reading Eclipse it was obvious to see that New Moon was more of a transition from Twilight to Eclipse. But I still think my favorite out of the whole Twilight Saga is Twilight. It is a perfect mix of action, romance and creepiness. I can’t wait to read the next book, Breaking Dawn and also see the movie that is coming out soon. I guess you will just have to read them to truly understand what I’m saying.
In Eclipse Bella has a lot to worry about. Whether it’s hiding from a murderous vampire that is just waiting for the chance to suck Bella’s blood and win vengeance for the murder of her partner or her on going decision of life with Jacob or eternity with Edward, Eclipse is never boring. With a mix of suspense and romance, Eclipse is sure to keep the pages turning. I am not going to give anymore of the book away, all I’m going to say is, WOW! It doesn’t disappoint.

I really like Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. It isn’t hard to understand why the books became so popular. I mean the writing is great; it keeps the reader wondering and, in return, interested. Also, aside from the fact that most of the characters are vampires or werewolves, the characters are easy to relate to. From the clumsy, emotional teenage lead character Bella to the short-tempered, childish Jacob, it is safe to assume Meyer put a lot of thought into her characters and their similarities to modern teenagers. If you haven’t read the series yet, I would highly recommend you pick up a copy.

Blog #6: Rose Land

This week I read an article in the November issue of W magazine called Rose Land by Venessa Lau. The article talked about a fashion designer by the name of Thakoon Panichgul and an artist by the name of Laurie Simmons, working together to design a beautiful collection for the recent Fashion Week in New York. From a distance, Panichgul had admired Simmons’s work for years. And finally, in 2007, he got up the courage to talk to Simmons about her work and also ask her what she thought about the idea of using her artwork in Panichgul’s upcoming collection. Simmons was, of course, ecstatic. “A lot of people assume that artists don’t want to work outside their prescribed area, that making the jump into the commercial world is a step down. What they don’t know is that most artists are dying to collaborate with fashion people. It’s exciting that my work could have another incarnation in his clothes,” Simmons explained. Just a couple years after Panichgul and Simmons first met; Simmons was seeing her work, for the first, at Panichgul’s Thakoon show. As she watched beautiful models march by wearing all sorts of different flocks with her roses sprayed all over the fabric, she was amazed. “The first dress that had my pattern on it was a black jacquard so I couldn’t see if the roses were on it. Then the dress got close enough, and I almost jumped out of my seat! I was pretty pleased,” Simmons said after the show. After the designing was over and feeling of anticipation had faded, when everything was over with, both artist and designer were pleased with the outcome.
What I found interesting about this article was the fact that both Panichgul and Simmons could work together, to create this collection. Both were able to leave the area they felt most comfortable, merge both of their ideas, and come up with something new and creative. Not many people can do that, but obviously it was successful for Laurie and Thakoon.

Blog #5: Right Whales On the Brink On the Rebound

“They dive 600 feet, brushing their heads along the seafloor with raised, wartlike patches of skin, sometimes swimming upside down, big as sunken galleons, hot-blooded and holding their breath in cold and utter darkness while the greatest tides on Earth surge by.” This passage was the beginning of a seven-page article by Douglas H. Chadwick in the October issue of National Geographic. The article, named Right Whales On the Brink On the Rebound, was a sad but true story of the right whales’ long and slow recovery from possible extinction
Right whales, also known as Eubalaena glacialis, by the 20th century had decreased in population to the low dozens. Their recovery since then has been slow and the outcome, very uncertain. But because of the help of many willing volunteers, the right whales’ futures seem to be looking up. Although volunteers and researchers can’t protect every whale from possible hazards like ship collisions, fishing nets and or lines, they are improving the overall population of the whales. Thanks to the efforts of many, about 350 to 400 north Atlantic right whales exist today. The number may seem small but it is a big improvement from the 20th century population in the low dozens.
What I found interesting about this article was the amount of people (volunteers, researchers, etc.) invested in the whales and their recovery. I think people are starting to understand that since we hurt these whales, it’s our job to help them. Donna McCutchan, an enthusiastic volunteer, said “I once got to watch a mother roll onto her back, and bottlenose dolphins started jumping over her. Whales are addictive. Once you see them, you don’t want them to leave. Ever. “ Obviously whales have a big impact on people.

From:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/right-whales/chadwick-text

Blog #4: A Bleak Future for World’s Mammals

I read a one page article in the StarTribune (by Juliet Eilperin) called, A Bleak Future for World’s Mammals. The article discussed the rapidly declining number of animals, mostly land, because of over-harvesting and habitat destruction. A new study, which involved 1,700 experts in 130 countries, shows that 25 percent of land mammal’s species are being threatened with extinction. Marine mammals are also in danger but for different reasons. They are being affected by things like accidental killing through fishing, ship strikes and pollution. No matter what type of animal or how they are being affected, it is obvious we are hurting these creatures. “Mammals are definitely declining, and the driving factors are habitat destruction and over-harvesting, ” said the study’s lead author and the IUCN’s global mammals assessment coordinator, Jan Schipper. But the fight to save many species isn’t over, there are things we can do to improve the standing of a large number of land mammals. Conservation International President Russ Mittermeier says “It comes down to protecting habitats effectively, through protected areas, and preventing hunting and other forms of exploitation.”
This article was a real eye opener, it showed me that our actions are not only affecting our lives but they are also affecting the creatures that we share this earth with. In this day and age, where global warmin is a big issue, we have to take responsibility for our actions and understand that we are destroying the place we live.

From:
http://www.startribune.com/nation/30548144.html?elr=KArksUUUU

Blog #3: An Addiction

Dear Stephenie Meyer,
I am a huge fan of the Twilight Saga! I have read Twilight, New Moon and I just started the 629-page book, Eclipse. When my good friend recommended the books I was a bit skeptical, I mean how good could a vampire love story be? But I was interested; so many girls and even some boys at my school were reading the books. A few days later, after purchasing Twilight from Target, I had already finished the 468-page book. The plot may have pulled me into this newfound obsession I had towards the books, but I think the way you wrote is what turned the obsession into an addiction. Although the books are long your writing is definitely not boring. The events of the book, however small they may seem, come together to form a seamlessly passionate story about a girl and a boy fighting against all odds to stay together. While reading the books I wondered how you came up with such a plot. The books are unlike any thing out there. I think that is why so many people are eager to read Twilight and the 3 other books. They contain so much drama, action, suspense and romance; it is hard to put them down. With the much anticipated movie coming out and the large amount of attention the books received, has your life changed? Do you ever regret publishing the books or is the fame and attention the reason you wrote the books in the first place? These are just a few of the many questions I have and probably many other readers would love to know and understand. If you are willing I would love to hear back from you.
Sincerely Kyra Swenson,
An adoring fan