Secrets by One Republic

Secrets is the second single released from OneRepublic's second album. Even though "Secrets" was released in June 2010, this is still a nice song that not many take notice in. I decided to review this song and relating it to the recent WikiLeaks news. These two lines, "Til' all my sleeves are stained red/From all the truth that I've said" are prime examples for consequences of the recent releases of diplomatic cables on WikiLeaks. I visualize the red sleeves as a sign of blood and the act of terrorism. Also, the honesty and sincerity of our modern society is questioned through his song. On the other hand, others portray it as a man with a boring life who is starting a new "life". It is rare in our modern-day music to find a song that encourages the audience to find their own inner meaning. The narrator of the song no longer pay attention to the "perfect" set of guidelines and decide to reveal the secrets inside of him.
The song starts out with a moderate conversation and turns in a full vocal composition with a powerful chorus. Ryan Tedder, the writer and lead of the band, did a good job encouraging the public about following their ambitions. This songs can be simultaneously funky, symphonic, inspirational, and meaningful.

Friends or Not ?

Nick Carraway is presented as a quiet and reflective part of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s personality. On the other hand, Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy celebrity who is willing to do anything to pursue his goals. At first in Nick's perspective, Jay Gatsby almost treated him like a real friend/acquaintance. In chapter three, Gatsby started to approach Nick quickly by inviting him to one of Gatsby's parties. This allowed him to get more familiar with Nick. Later on, in a very truthful and friendly attitude, he drove Nick around in his Rolls-Royce and opened up his background to Nick. After when Jordan Baker revealed the past about Gatsby, he decided to take initiative to ask Nick about inviting Daisy and him over to Nick's house. Knowing that Nick was Daisy's neighbor and her cousin, Gatsby only used him as a way to get closer to obtaining Daisy. Personally, I think that he planned everything out so carefully from the start by first buying a house near Daisy and then approaching Nick in a extremely sociable way. After discovering that Gatsby used him to assist his own affair with Daisy, Nick felt that he was remotely forgotten and abandoned. Their relationship has grown incredibly distant when Gatsby reunites with Daisy. Gatsby treated Nick like a friend before his reunion but after, the true side of the friendship was revealed. He no longer finds Nick necessary and abandons him while he redevelops the relationship with Daisy.

A Flake of Snow

As I flutter on a chilly day
Where the sight bring sleighs
Kids smile to our delight
I float on top of Christmas lights
Jammed into one packed crowd
We get smashed onto fleshes of the proud
Wars are formed by our brisk conditions
Being a part of the old planet's traditions
A man can be made from our flurry
But they usually melt in a hurry
We are unappreciated by adults
And get pushed aside as a result
Some find it annoying
While others think it's enjoying
The ground is covered by blankets of us
Yet nothing grows out of our abundant success
We warm mankind's hearts
With a reminder about winter's start
I am a flake of snow

Thankful for Classmates

Altogether, I am very thankful for every single person in my whole American Literature class. We have a wonderful teacher that we should all be very thankful for his deep teachings and his humorous intellects. I'm not too familiar with this class even though I been in this class for over 12 weeks. Being thankful on Thanksgiving is all that you can ever ask for on such a holiday. There are several people that I would like to especially thank:

Sam Chu (he's not in our class but he also have Mr. McCarthy): You are a great friend with a big and kind heart and too bad that we aren't in the same American Lit. class. Without your assistance and reminders about homework for many classes, I wouldn't be able to survive high school. So, thank you! :)

Jia Jia: We had fun in our freshmen years in PE and I'm glad that we have became good buddies. You would always start extraordinary discussions. I'm very thankful for your help in all of the classes we have in common. XD

Clark: You are an awesome friend but sometimes you can be a bit annoying. Well, sometimes I can also be a bit bothersome. Having two literature classes together for two consecutive years, you helped me with a lot of my ridiculous questions. I am truly very thankful for your advices and being there as a friend. :]

To those who are reading my blog: May all of you have a fun and happy holiday season! I'm very thankful that you are taking your time to read this post. I will be even more thankful if you leave a comment. :D

I am a Plow

I am a plow that once had its glory on the field in the years of the 1800s. Before, I was able to plow over 10 acres of land in a day. I was used by many people and was traded around several neighborhoods. Back in the days, I was a very popular tool and my abilities were praised by the whole community. Humans ran me through their fields and used me for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for planting seeds. Now, I would just sit in a museum and display my glorious stains. Half the times, museum visitors would barely notice me in the corner of the agriculture display. I am no longer able to help humans cultivate with my rusty and old form. The next generation has already replaced me with their large tractors. Now, they are able to plow about ten times faster than me. I haven't been outside for decades. I would always reminisce over my young years of working on the field and the happiness I brought to humans. Unlike now, almost everyone depended on agriculture back then. Products from plants were the main source of trade and income of every nation, and that wouldn't be possible without the existence of us.

A Direction the Class Needs

I was very glad that I am in such an open minded and fun class with a humorous and interesting teacher. In my opinion, I don't think this class needs too many "directions" or advices. We get a lot done in a period, and discussion are very interesting and analytical.

A important piece of advice for the future is to keep away from procrastination. This is the act of putting aside tasks to a later time. Everyone should always have the habit of completing all their work and notes on the day it is assigned and before they are due. Managing your time wisely and avoiding distractions such as Facebook, video games, and etc. can help you stay focus on your tasks. Note-taking can be very problematic for certain people like me. Sometimes, I would forget to take notes on a chapter of a book and try to set it aside for days. I am trying my best to break this bad habit of delaying notes. Another reason is the endless amounts of work assigned by certain teachers of my classes, and I never get enough time to complete all the tasks that I hope to finish for that day. Also, using your weekends wisely will highly benefit you when you have projects and papers due.

Modern Slavery

Even though slavery is highly prohibited in most parts of the world, we still see this inhumane practice of slavery in South Asia and Africa. There are still currently about 27 million slaves in our modern world. They are forced to work without pay and in harsh environments. Modern slaves are consider servants in Sudan, carpet slaves in India, and cane cutter in Pakistan. Dinkas tribes in southern Sudan are invaded by Arab militants and, women and children are taken away from their home. Arab believe that it is traditional and justified to own Southern Sudan slaves as properties. In my opinion, that is a highly unjust and shocking custom. All human beings are suppose to be treated equally. The location and ethnic background of Northern Arabs does not make them any more different from the rest of the country. In India, children would be kidnapped from their homes and held captive in distant locations. They forced to work in order to survive. Many cane cutters in Pakistan are shackled in leg irons to prevent escaping. Surprised and astounded, I personally didn't know that slavery still existed in our 21st century, and didn't know that so many people are currently suffering from this. Even though this is now a minor and secretive issue, these shameful methods of labor should be eliminated as soon as possible.