Emmah Money is eighteen and beautiful, with the world at her feet. She is also a survivor. Neither having cystic fibrosis nor being adopted out shortly after birth has caused her to be anything less...

Emmah Money’s life story is a remarkable one. Emmah hoped for a reunion with her biological parents - but the situation was complicated by the fact that her birth mother had been told her baby had died. In her own words, Emmah tells of the heartache encountered when two families – biological and adoptive - come together, and of her constant battle with cystic fibrosis. And how, despite the trauma, this inspirational teenager still managed to realise her dreams of winning ‘2005 Girlfriend of the Year’ competition and meeting her ‘soulmate’.

in putting up our best foot forward, we should also learn how to take a step back in order to correct mistakes in our life. then if time comes that the worst gets better, we have to put our best foot forward to let things go in their right place.. moreover, this book is very interesting and unpredictable. light but full of sense. (:

http://teluguvadini.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-earn-money-out-of-your-blog.html

reality, reality..
hm, it's hard to know whether you're doing the right thing or not.. esp. when you're torn between love and hate. but in the end, you'll realize that it's better if you first try to figure out what's wrong rather than make a conclusion on other persons' speculations.. love love, don't be afraid to think twice.. :) NEVER EXPECT to someone who has done nothing in the first place. there are no guarantees on LOVE. but LOVE has its own MAGIC :)

next time :) tired.. err >.<

OTHER BOOKS

THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM

-PAULO COELHO-


Background of the Author:
Paulo Coelho is one of the most beloved authors of our time. With sales of more than 75 million copies worldwide, his books have been translated into 61 languages and published in 150 countries. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards, among them The Crystal Award by The World Economic forum, France's Chevalierde I'ordre national de la Lgion d'Honneur and Germany's Bambi 2001 Awards. He was inducted at the Brazilian Academy of letters in 2002. Mr. Coelho also writes a weekly column syndicated throughout the world.


I. SETTING OF THE STORY

1. Where did the story happen?
- The setting of the story is in the village of Viscos.

2. When did the story happen?
- The story happened in the year 2000.

3. Do you like the setting of the story? Why?
- The setting has sort of strange things and events in it. It's scary because there was a stranger who went to the village and right after his arrival there, murder cases were increasing. Perhaps, I didn't actually want to be in that setting.

4. How did the setting contribute to the atmosphere?
- The setting contributes a lot for the story because the story was just all about the strange and weird state of the village of Viscos.


II. PLOT

1. What is the main problem of the story? How was it solved?
-The main problem was the villagers didn't know who the stranger was and what his motive on the village is. And as long as the stranger is not arrested, many people living in the village are missing and oftentimes, found dead.
2. If you were the main character. Should you have done the same thing? Why or why not?
-If I were Chantal Prym, I probably won't do the same, because honestly, I am not that courageous to risk my own life in searching for the stranger which I do not know exactly what he can do to me and what plans he had in his mind.

3. What events made the story realistic?
- The story is realistic because as far as we know, there are lots of unecessary violence or problems that came up in a village. Murder and diseases are in fact many common nowadays.

4. What is the most interesting part in the events of the story?
-For me, the most interesting part was the last part of the novel. Because in this part, Berta already knew that it wasn't the fault of the stranger on why the people were missing. There was a virus who went up and killed the people. And for the stranger, he had a mission: to search for the answer to the question, "Are human beings, in essence, good or evil?"


III. CHARACTERIZATION

1. Who are the main characters? Describe them.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Chantal Prym- A girl who searched for the identity of the stranger
- She had a flashback of her memory

Stranger - the peculiar man who had a mission in the village of Viscos

Grandmother Berta - in Chantal's memory, her grandmother warned her about the stranger and his mission.


2. Who are the other characters?

OTHER CHARACTERS

- The people whom the stranger encountered: workers, policeman, priest, little girl, landowner, military men, religious persons etc.

3. Who among the characters do you like best? Why?

-The character I liked best was Chantal Prym, because she is very courageous and probably, can become a good leader when she grows up.

4. Do you like or dislike the main character? Why?

-Obviously, I like the main character Chantal because on the latter part, I said that she was my most liked character in the story.

5. Is there any change in the attitude of the main character?

-On the first part of the story, Chantal is a kind of girl that easily judge people but as the story goes, she learned to know first the person before she says something to them.

6. What are some of the reasons that may influence the change in the in the attitude of the main character?

-The stranger greatly influenced the realizations of Chantal when it comes to being judgemental.


IV. POINT OF VIEW

What point of view did the author use in narrating the story? Give some lines to illustrate the answer.

The author used the omniscient narration. An ‘all knowing’ kind of narration is very commonly found in works of fiction written as third person narratives. The author has a full knowledge of the story's events and of the motives and unspoken thoughts of the various characters.

“Chantal smiled, gave her a kiss, and turned her back on Viscos for the last time. The old woman was right: there was no time to lose, though she hoped that her life would be very long indeed.”


V. THEME

1. What is the central idea of the story?
- “Are we good or are we bad? How do we deal with these contradictions?''
The book tries to answer the question that haunts our minds and hearts whenever we are in distress or sufferings, are we good or are we bad ? the story capers around a small remote village. The families live like one big family. There is love and peace till the Devil arives. The stranger or the devil proposes to offer the villagers bars of gold only if they can kill one of them within a week. The message is sent to the village through an orphan miss prym. Its the transition in thoughts of villagers. Its the Devil taking over the good. An old widow ( Bertha ) is chosen to be killed because she is old, an has no family.The most interesting and important characters in the story are the Stranger, Miss Prym and the old widow Bertha. The Stranger was once a noble man with a normal family. Something that happened in his life has changed him to Devil so powerful.The book is deep in meaning; It teaches one to believe in nature.It also makes man responsible for all the actions happening around him. It makes one realise, most of what is already known, but never realised. Its the age old fight between Good and Evil beautifuly potrayed with refernces to Bible and religion including the Last Supper. The story is typical of Coelho’s works, since it raises fundamental questions related to our very existence. It’s an emotional saga about the daily struggle between good and evil, within our souls. It inspires us to reflect on the choices we make and dares us to triumph over challenges to accomplish our dreams.

2. What main idea/message does the author want to convey?

-Paulo Coelho's sinister fable, his 10th novel dealing with religious and ethical dilemmas, is full of caustic fun, supernatural chills, religious pondering, and scathing critiques of human nature--a dark and delightful tale. . The story is typical of Coelho’s works, since it raises fundamental questions related to our very existence. It’s an emotional saga about the daily struggle between good and evil, within our souls. It inspires us to reflect on the choices we make and dares us to triumph over challenges to accomplish our dreams.

3. Do you think the ideas or values affect our dealings with our fellowmen?

- Yes, because the idea of the story connotes our distinct characteristics as human beings.


VI. PERSONAL REACTION

1. Do you like the ending of the story?
- Yes, because the stranger had realized that people have both good and evil in them, it’s ultimately a matter of choice.

2. What values could you derive from the story?
values – not being judgemental, kind and good to people around you and also to be courageous to fight for what you think is right.


VII. SUMMARY

A stranger arrives in the seemingly idyllic mountain town of Viscos and offers the villagers a devil's bargain: kill an innocent person in the next three days and the man will give the village a wealth in gold. The man, it turns out, is a former gun-runner whose family was murdered by the same guns he sold, and ever since, he has been obsessed with testing the limits of human decency. He chooses the local bartender, Chantal Prym, to witness the gold treasure herself, and Chantal finds herself caught in the middle of this diabolical offer. Worse, the town, led by a greedy priest, decides to accept the deal, and Miss Prym is at the top of the list of sacrificial lambs.


VIII. LANGUAGE GROWTH

1. VOCABULARY

a. Indignantly - filled with or marked by indignation; decently
He walks and speaks indignantly.

b. Flecked - to color as if by sprinkling with flecks; streak or spot
The curtains have foam-flecked designs.

c. Consciousness - the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought; the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself.
The man weakens the woman’s consciousness.

d. Opposed - to place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast; to place opposite or against something.
Rein didn’t want to oppose the teacher’s thoughts.

e. Futility - a useless act or gesture; the quality or state of being futile.
Futility is just like uselessness. So don’t act futile.

f. Gesture - a movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude.
Our gestures create the impression of others toward our attitudes.

g. Broach - any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts; to break the surface from below.
I didn’t mean to broach.

h. Dreadfully - extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking.
Van acts dreadfully nowadays.

i. Astonished - to strike with sudden and usually great wonder or surprise.
I was too astonished to speak.

j. Trigger - to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger.
He probably wants to trigger.

DAZ 4 ZOE
-ROBERT SWINDELLS-


Background of the Author:

Robert Swindells left school at the age of fifteen and joined the Royal Air Force at seventeen-and-a-half. After his discharge, he worked at a variety of jobs before training and working as a teacher. He is now a full time writer and lives with his wife, Brenda, on the Yorkshire moors. Robert Swindells has written many books for young people, and in 1984 was the winner of the Children’s Book award and the other award for his novel Brother in the Land. He won The Children’s Book award for the second time in 1990 with Room 13, and in 1994 Stone Cold won the Carnegie Medal and the Sheffield Book award.



I. SETTING OF THE STORY

1. Where did the story happen?

- The setting of the story is in the Silverdale Subdivision.

2. When did the story happen?

- The story happened in the year 1995.

3. Do you like the setting of the story? Why?

- Yes, because the setting of the story is quite complicated. There were two places involved in this story, first,the subdivision of the rich people called Suburbs or Silverdale and the place of poor and criminal-looking people. They call each other Subbies and Chippies and literally, they hate each other. Subbies living in Suburbs cannot leave their place without permission and Chippies can only go to Suburbs if they have work there. Oftentimes, they say the Chippies kill Subbies because they're jealous of them - their cars, houses and other stuffs.

4. How did the setting contribute to the atmosphere?

- The setting contributes a lot for the story because the story was just all about the competition and anger between the two different places of two different people regarding their way of living and standards in life.


II. PLOT

1. What is the main problem of the story? How was it solved?

- The main problem of the story goes like this. When Zoe went to the place of Chippies, she had encountered guy, Chippy guy who caught her attention. And so was Daz, they both cannot help to think about each other. They fell in love really fast with each other. And that's the problem, Subbies cannot love Chippies and vice versa and go with each other. But because of love, they took all the risks and fight for their love against Zoe's parents and the Policemen.

2. If you were the main character. Should you have done the same thing? Why or why not?

- Yes, because for me, love is everything. And I think it can change everything in this world.

3. What events made the story realistic?

- The event is very realistic because as we all know, everybody can do anything for the sake of love. Love is the most realistic thing in this world. All can happen in just a click.

4. What is the most interesting part in the events of the story?

- Probably, the most interesting part was when Zoe went to her grandmother and asked for advice. Her old grandmother knows well about her granddaughter and she is a good adviser.

5. Are the events in the story can happen in real life?

- Yes, because this novel is a love story between two different teenagers who risked their life because of their love for each other. This story can probably happen in real life. It’s a simple yet tragedic and complicated love story in which teenagers can relate to.


III. CHARACTERIZATION

1. Who are the main characters? Describe them.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Darren/Daz – a chippy or poor teenager who fall inlove with Zoe; He wants to join 'Dred', a subbie-killing gang, to get revenge on the subbies for murdering his brother Del. He is in the Blue Moon nightclub, speaking to the gang leader, Cal, when he spots Zoe. When he sees that she is in trouble, he rushes over to help her and, taking Larry by the arm, leads them outside and instructs them to run. Zoe quickly gives a kiss to Daz's cheek.

Zoe May Askew – a subby who went to the poor place just to be with her love, Daz; She lives in Silverdale, a large, rich gated community. Her dad hates Chippies but she has completely opposite opinions, when she meets Daz these opinions become much stronger.

2. Who are the other characters?

OTHER CHARACTERS

Grandmother of Zoe – Zoe’s defender and adviser
Father of Zoe – strict father of Zoe who dislike Chippies very much
Mother of Zoe – a kind mother who only wants the safety of her daughter
Mother of Daz – an old mother who lost her eldest child
Tabitha – Zoe’s best friend
Mr. Wentworth – father of Tabitha

3. Who among the characters do you like best? Why?

-The character I liked best was the grandmother of Zoe because even though she’s a hundred and four years old, she is very knowledgeable and she sees the realities in life. She’s an example of a great grandmother and adviser at the same time.

4. Do you like or dislike the main character? Why?

- Yes, because Daz and Zoe have a very good outlook in terms of love and are willing to die for the one they truly love.

5. Is there any change in the attitude of the main character?

- None. The main characters stick to their attitudes and practiced being a good role models for teenagers and youngsters.


IV. POINT OF VIEW

What point of view did the author use in narrating the story? Give some lines to illustrate the answer.

The author used the first person narration, a narrative or mode of storytelling in which the narrator appears as the ‘I’ recollecting his or her own part in the events related, either as a witness of the action or as an important participant in it. Moreover, Daz and Zoe were the story tellers of this novel.

“And it wasn’t only that. If it had been I could have it, but there was something else. It was like he’d gotten inside my head and I couldn’t get him out. His smile, I only saw it once across my crummy room, but it must’ve printed itself on my eyelids or something because everytime I closed them, there he was, smiling. I even saw him when my eyes are open. In fact, if you want the truth, I wasn’t seeing or thinking of anything else.”


V. THEME

1. What is the central idea of the story?

- Daz 4 Zoe a great realization on teen behavior and how the younger generation goes about living with very different backgrounds and how this affects their young love story. Daz is a broke city hard living mother’s boy who tries his best to help his mother and keep her safe. Zoe is a normal, well behaved teenage girl who lives in the suburbs and wants something more out of life. It was love at first sight after the first meeting they had to see each other and couldn’t stop thinking about each other. They both went through various events and Zoe decided to leave home and live with Daz and his mother in their poor home. This book shows great drama and real life situations.

2. What main idea/message does the author want to convey?

- Love can have the best of both worlds collide. ☺

3. Do you think the ideas or values affect our dealings with our fellowmen?

- Yes, because as we grow old, we will all experience how to love and how to be loved back.


VI. PERSONAL REACTION

1. Do you like the ending of the story?

- No, because the ending of the story lacks in what happened to Daz and Zoe when they left their homes.

2. If not, what ending do you wish the story be?

- It would be better if they will come home and see that the two places have been good to each other and had reconciled. And t last, they will realized that it’s because of them and their love for each other. I want the novel to be ended happy ever after.

3. What values could you derive from the story?

- Be good to other people even if they are poor or not in good condition. Love, just love with all your heart and you will attain happiness in your life. Be optimistic to things that you think are impossible for you to get it.


VII. SUMMARY

This book is based on a love story that happens to be prohibited because their lives are different. It is about forbidden love between Daz and Zoe. They both live in two different environments that hate each other. Daz lives in poverty while Zoe has the luxury of dwellings and a proper education. 'Subbies' live in the suburbs of Rawhampton, a large fictional city. 'Chippies' live in the run-down city. The subbie children like to go out 'chippying' (visiting nightclubs in Rawhampton). This prompts adverts on TV about the dangers of chippying. Meanwhile, Zoe is friends with Tabitha, the daughter of a very wealthy property developer. She encourages Zoe to go chippying with her, Ned and Larry. Ned drives them to the Blue Moon nightclub, where Daz is as well. In order to leave the suburb, they tell the guard on duty that they are visiting Zoe's cousin in the next suburb and are made to show their ID cards to the bouncers who guard Silverdale. When they are misunderstood by the Chippies, They attack them. Daz save Zoe From Bad people in that place. After that incident, they couldn’t let each other out of their minds. Zoe went to her grandmother to ask for advice regarding her love for Daz. On the other hand, Daz made a plan to get inside Silverdale to see Zoe. When Daz and Zoe fall in love, they come up against not just the prejudices of their own communities, but armed and dangerous security forces. Zoe went to daz’s place and hide against her parents and the authorities. The whole world is against their love for each other even their own families. They are on the run from the authorities trying to stay together. Their teenage love is a battle against all odds that make them believe that we can do all those things by just being in the side of each other and for each other’s sake as well. This is the kind of young love that made it through it all.


VIII. LANGUAGE GROWTH

1. VOCABULARY

a. ought - used to express obligation
You ought to know these things.

b. scarce - intentionally absent; deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand
The varieties of products are in scarce.

c. grin - to draw back the lips so as to show the teeth especially in amusement or laughter broadly
The girl grins at her friends very happily.

d. creep - the slow change of dimensions of an object from prolonged exposure to high temperature or stress; an unpleasant or obnoxious person
Why does she act like a creep?

e. alibi - the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission; the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time; an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence)
Darel always has her alibis whenever she had done something wrong.

f. stump - to go about making political speeches or supporting a cause
The guest stumps in the crowd.

g. agony - intense pain of mind or body; anguish, torture; the struggle that precedes death; a violent struggle or contest; a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight)
It’s just an agony of being in love.

h. bleak - exposed and barren and often windswept
The cat bleaks on the floor abruptly.

i. dilapidated - to bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin
The whole town has been dilapidated.

j. kidnap - to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
He has been kidnapped because his family is rich and famous.

• CHER NEGOTIATES NEW YORK (CLUELESS)

Novel by Jennifer Baker

• SETTING:

Los Angeles, California (Beverly Hills High school)

New York City

• MAIN CHARACTERS:

Cher Horowitz

Mr. Horowitz - Cher’s dad

Josh - Cher’s boyfriend

Tai and Dionne – Cher’s best friends

OTHERS:

Travis – Tai’s boyfriend

Murray – De’s boyfriend

Christian – Cher’s friend

Simone – the “mental” girl

Griffin – a New Yorker who used Cher

• CHARACTER I LIKE BEST:

Josh, Cher’s boyfriend who loves her very much

Mr. Horowitz, Cher’s dad, a slightly overweight man who cannot live without his one and only daughter.

• PART OF THE STORY I FIND INTERESTING:

“Cher, listen to me” Daddy pleaded. “I can’t find my blue linen shirt, my socks don’t match, I’ve got horrible indigestion. I’m lost in my own house, Cher. I need you back here.”

I figured it would be better not to press any harder on the issue of my staying in New York and pursuing a modeling career. “I’ll be home soon, Daddy. Just drink your juice and take your cholesterol medicine like a good boy, and everything will be okay.”

“Everything won’t be okay until I see you back here, safe and sound, Cher.”

“I’ll be home soon, Daddy. And don’t worry, I’ll find all your things, and don’t forget I’m going to bring you black and whites.”

“Just another reason you are going to hurry right home, young lady!”

REASON:

A father who missed her daughter a lot, he can’t live without her only daughter and wants her to go home as soon as she can. I like this part wherein they can’t help but miss each other and yet cares for each other.

• REACTION TO THE ENDING OF THE STORY

But at that moment, the first star of the night appeared like a beauty mark next to the moon. The world was a righteous place. “I’m so glad to be back,” I told Josh, the Malibu surf pounding below us. “All my natural body parts and all.”

Josh laughed. “Don’t ever be anyone but who you are.” He said softly.

I gave him a major hug. “I totally won’t.”

REACTION:

Indeed very sweet. And it’s true that no matter what, you are what you are and you can never change it.