4th Say, Mean, Matter Post

9/24/2013

Say, Mean, Matter Discussion Forum—You will contribute one Say, Mean, Matter post online each week. You may choose the content of your post. Consider the following possibilities:

a.     Important newspaper articles, which you can find online or in a print newspaper

b.     Textual quotes from the literature you are reading

c.     Any contemporary issue that intrigues you

You will then analyze the content in terms of “What does it (whatever you chose) SAY?” This is a summary, so put the content into your own words.

The next section will be titled, “What does it MEAN?” This is an interpretation. This is where you determine what the content means. This is YOUR interpretation based on your background knowledge and your knowledge of the subject matter, etc.

The final section is the “What does it MATTER?” This is the implication piece. What are the possible outcomes? How will this content impact you, the community, the nation, the world? See columns below. There will be a sample SAY, MEAN, MATTER post online for you to consider while you compose your own. Your SMM post is due online each Friday at midnight.

Please use your first name and last initial and YOUR CLASS PERIOD. You will NOT receive credit if there is no class period listed.

Example: Shelia S., period 1

SEE MODEL SAY, MEAN, MATTER POST BELOW!

Gregory Boyle, in TATTOOS ON THE HEART, wrote, "You stand with the belligerent, the surly, and the badly behaved until bad behavior is recognized for the language it is: the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear"(179). (This is cited in MLA format.)

Say:

This says that bad behavior is a way of communicating one's pain and that standing with the badly behaved is necessary until the pain is revealed and understood.

Mean:

My interpretation of this passage is that it means that when people act out and misbehave that they are doing so because they are in tremendous pain. Either they've been neglected and their own needs are not being met, or they have been abused or hurt in some way, or perhaps they've suffered a loss that is too big for them to bear. Instead of using their words about how much pain they're in, they act out by doing things that are inappropriate and often illegal (This is a book about gangs.)

Matter:

This passage matters because it offers an explanation for bad behavior and challenges us to see beyond the behavior to the heart of the matter. If we can do that, then we may feel more empathy, and as a result, be able to stick it out with those who are acting badly rather than quickly dismiss, judge and abandon them.

107 Comments

Shirley H., Period 2

9/24/2013 03:35:36 am

“I don’t forgive people because I’m weak. I forgive because them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.” - anonymous

Say: I forgive people not because I am weak but because I know people make mistakes.

Mean: We forgive people not because we have to or because we're too much of a pushover. We forgive them because we know people aren't perfect and we know they make mistakes just like we do.

Matter: No one's perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. We shouldn't be viewed as weak because we know that and decide to forgive them. Everyone deserves a second chance. It matters to know that people aren't perfect and that we should forgive eachother for our mistakes.

Jorge Sanchez Period 1

9/24/2013 01:05:00 pm

“As long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are - what others say is irrelevant.”
― Nic Sheff

What does it say?
Basically it is saying to be yourself, please yourself and do not try to please others by changing yourself. What others think of you should not matter, what you think of you is what matters, and others will eventually come to you.

Mean: What I think this quote means, is for people to be themselves and for them to stop changing themselves. A lot of people want to be either like others, or like someone the other person likes or approves of. In the search for having friends people stray away from who they are and that is a huge mistake because you will never find eternal happiness like that.

Matter: It matters a lot to me because in high school people struggle to belong. A lot of teenagers change their appearance and their personality to be apart of a group, mainly the popular group. Nic is stating that there is no need to change who you are because it will never end in happiness for yourself and you will never have true friends.

Jeny C., Per.5

9/24/2013 01:47:53 pm

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." –Mark Twain
Say:
We have two significant days in our lives: birthday, and the realization of our purpose in life.
Mean:
We are all born for a reason. We were placed on this earth to fulfill a goal.
Matter:
Many people are hopelessly wandering the earth, thinking they have no purpose. Time is the enemy in this case because people are left wondering whether or not they have a purpose on this earth for a very long time. However, when that time comes, I assume that moment is miraculous, and maybe that makes the wait worth it.

Lisa D., Period 5

9/24/2013 04:30:58 pm

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

SAY: Life goes on, despite anything that has happened.

MEAN: Don't get too stuck in the past. You must move forward along with the present.

MEAN: The world won't stop just because your life is going through some rough patches.

MATTER: Life doesn't stop to think about what happened yesterday, and looks forward to tomorrow. The life ahead of you has as many miracles and mysteries as the life behind. Even if you stop, life won't wait for you.

Jiayuan Z. Period 6

9/29/2013 04:26:50 am

I agreed with your statement that we should look forward to tomorrow disregarding what happened yesterday. We need to forget bad memories from the past and live a better life in the future.

Jimmy Nguyen, period 1

9/25/2013 12:50:21 am

Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.-Tyga

Say- This quote says that its up to you to choose when you succeed in anything.
Mean- This quote means you are the only one that is in control of your own success.
Matter- This quote matters because it lets people know that only they are the ones are in control of what to do and when to do it to succeed in anything.

Stacie L , Period 1

9/25/2013 12:50:41 am

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." - Oprah Winfrey.

Say: This quote literally says that one would want someone to take not just the limo with them, but also the bus.

Mean: This quote is on friendship, it talks about how the luxurious life is indeed wanted all the time and by EVERYONE, but when it comes to friendship, a friend should want to be with you .. even when youre riding a bus.

Matter: This could be test to the friendship. It doesnt apply to only limo and buses, but could further expand to other directions. There are friends that will come and go, and those are the ones who'll be with you for the limo ride, but after all the limo ride and the nice life, the real ones are the ones that will stay.

Brandon F., Period 1

9/25/2013 12:54:03 am

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Winston Churchill

SAY: A pessimist usually has a negative perspective on a situation whereas an optimist sees through a positive perspective.

MEAN: This means that, if you tend to see situations in a negative way, you are robbing yourself of an opportunity. A person who is fueled by optimism and motivation will receive the better end of every situation since he or she can maintain a positive attitude.

MATTER: This matters because many students of this generation are pessimists who tend to limit their potential with a negative approach to school. With a positive attitude and learning environment, students can better acquire the knowledge they need to become successful.

Adam D., Period 1

9/25/2013 12:54:45 am

"Don't fight the problem, decide it." -- George C.Marshall

Say-- When there is certain situation where there is going to be problems don't let those problems arise with no way to fix them. Imake a situation where you have control and decide the problems that you will have and plan a solution for them.

Mean--Make a situation where you have control and decide the problems that you will have and plan a solution for them.

Matter-- In life you do not always have control over what happens, this quote matters because it is saying that for the problems that you know will arise decide how they will let them affect you and your goals.

Rosakon C., Period 1

9/25/2013 01:00:07 am

“It is your responsibility to find fault with me, it is mine to hear you out. But don't expect me to change.”
- John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany

SAY:
This quote says that a person could listen to others' opinions about him but he should not be expected to change.

MEAN:
It means that despite all the things that people say are your faults, you shouldn't change yourself based on anyone's opinion.

MATTER:
Everybody wants to fit in, especially in high school. It is important to remember that people are going to talk about you and have an opinion of how you should change to better yourself, but you shouldn't change just to please others. If you were to change, do it for yourself because you want to better yourself, not for acceptance in your society.

Derrick L. Period 1

9/25/2013 01:02:34 am

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Ghandi

Say: If you want the world to change you must change also.

Mean: This means that if you want the world to be different you should also change too. There are the three degrees of influence. When you act a certain way it will affect friends, friends of friends, and completely random people that you don't know.

Matter: A lot of people in the world are very passive but they want change. However, they don't act out themselves so the change they want won't begin. Everything begins with yourself.

Jenn X P.1

9/25/2013 01:04:14 am

"Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become "-Mufasa (The Lion King)

Say: This quote says that you are so much more than what you think you are.

Mean: This quote means that you shouldn't underestimate yourself because you are a lot more than what you think you are.

Matter: Everyone underestimates what they do and don't think that what they have accomplished is a lot, but they shouldn't think like that. Every obstacle passed is a big step and people shouldn't belittle it.

Justin Saisho P.2

9/25/2013 02:08:50 am

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."- Mark Twain

Say: This quote is saying that when you find yourself of what most people think, are you really doing what you feel is correct?

Mean: This means that individuals who tend to think outside the box have a different point of view of things which makes them unique in their own sort of way. When they find themselves answering with people, they think about why they are choosing that answer.

Matter: There are beginning to be less individuals around that think with their own mind which is causing this society to fall to pieces. Many say that it is because we don't think with our own minds, by instead with other's minds.

clarissa h. period 5

9/25/2013 02:12:53 am

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want." -Muhammad Ali

SAY: You can be whatever you want to be.

MEAN: Once you figure out what you want in life, you will feel more like your own person who does not need others to guide them in life.

MATTER: This quote matters because lots of people do what others tell them to do, without thinking about what they want. Take charge of your life and become the type of person you wish to be.

Rico L. P.2

9/25/2013 02:13:16 am

"...we ask only this: that you remember us, not as enemies, but as tragic sisters, changed into a foul shape by fate or God or evolution."-Ender's Game

Say: The bugger queen that Ender meets asks him to persuade others that buggers are not monsters but their friends.

Mean: This means that you shouldn't take action against others just because you cannot communicate properly. You should get to know them first.

Matter: The humans communicated audibly while the buggers used their telepathic abilities. This matters because, in the story, the human vs bugger wars were a result of an inability to communicate between the two races.

kristyn g per2

9/25/2013 02:14:22 am

say:'300 signs will be placed on state roadways directing drivers to "Texting Zones." ...We are sending a clear message to drivers that there is no excuse to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road because your text can wait until the next Texting Zone'
mean: People can go to certain stops to text and these signs will help drivers not text and drive. there is no more excuse for texting and driving
matter: This should prevent more people from getting tickets from texting and driving. This would also make driving safer with people not being distracted by their phone.

Kalvin L. Period 2

9/25/2013 02:15:12 am

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

Say: Don't just look at your past and don't hope for something in the future just focus on what is in front of you right now.

Mean: Instead of constantly reminding ourselves of our past mistakes or success and dreaming of what we will do in the future, we should focus on accomplishing our goals that are here in the present.

Matter: We always restrict ourselves by always reminding ourselves of our past mistakes and we tend to not pay attention to our surrounding when we are thinking of the future. We should focus on our present and spend time with the people we love now because they might not be here in the future. Past is called past for a reason because it has already past so instead of dwelling on our past mistakes or achievements we should fix those mistakes or continue that success here in the present.

Karishma Bhakta, p.2

9/25/2013 02:40:23 am

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

Says: We can only be successful if we love what we do. If we do not find what we love to do then we cannot succeed.
Mean: So to be happy and live a successful life we must look for a job that we look forward to going to every day.This is the only way we can be happy. If we cannot find the job that we love to go to we should try to look for what we love to do.

Matters: This is a great piece of advice to students or young adults who have the time to find something they love to do. This advice comes from a create credible source who has loved reinventing technology. Sometimes we do not know what we love so we follow what ever our parents want us to do. Instead we should follow what we want to do to because we are the ones that will be living with the career for the rest of our lives not our parents or family.

Steven W. P.5.

9/25/2013 03:15:35 am

Sometimes I wish life had a fast-forward button.
- Dan Chopin

Say: It says that life should have a fast forward button for the times in life that are unbearable and unlivable.
Mean: it means that life cannot always be entertaining or an environment where everything is fun.
Matter: This matters because everybody in life has their own opinion on what is fun and what isnt. Reading a book or listening to a teachers lecture can be entertaining or a good use of time to some people, but to some it may just be a duration of time where you wish you could just use a fast forward button and get on with your day.

Yongmin M., Period 6

9/25/2013 05:41:18 am

Albert Einstein said, "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

Say:
This says that all of us live under danger all the time. We know our world is full of devil. Yet, it is a dangerous place because no one takes action to the evil people.

Mean:
My interpretation of this passage is that it means that we can usually tell who the evil people are. Yet, some people would rather forgiving them than punish them. Therefore, we live in such a dangerous place because of evil people. However, if we point out and punish those evil people, our world will be more peaceful.

Matter:
This passage matters because it offers an explanation for bad habit of our subconsciousness. We always tend to ignore the negative influences around us because we think that those influences will not affect us. Yet, they are gradually spreading through the society.

Dylan N., Period 5

9/25/2013 05:44:43 am

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!-
Audrey Hepburn

Say: This quote generally says that nothing is impossible and that in the word, "impossible" has I'm possible in it.

Mean: The speaker is trying to tell the audience that anything can be achieved if one puts effort into it. I'm possible means that an individual is capable of doing anything and that nothing is impossible.

Matter: This quote matters because it will give motivation and inspiration to the people who are put down by others. This tells the audience that nothing is possible because you, yourself is possible.

Dylan N., Period 5

9/25/2013 05:44:55 am

Victoria L., Period 5

9/25/2013 05:45:57 am

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand" -Confucius
Say: What Confucius is trying to say is the best way to understand something is to do it. If you hear it, you will forget it really easily, if you see it, you might remember it but only by doing it, you will understand.
Mean: It means that when you do something, you remember it most deeply, more than when you hear it, and more than when you see it. People remember only 20percent of what they hear, and they remember 90 percent of what they teach people.
Matters: This matters because if everyone does what they say, people can remember things better. People shouldn't rely on what they hear or what they see because what you hear and what you see may not always be true.

Vivian L. Period 5

9/25/2013 05:54:25 am

"If you're going through hell, keep going" by Winston Churchill

Say: When all odds are against you and you have been going through a lot of misfortune, you keep going until you fight up to the surface.

Mean: This means that when you are suffering and almost hit rock bottom, then you keep pushing until you have hit rock bottom, because only then you can only rise since nothing can push you any further then you already are.

Matter: Everyone needs motivation especially at their greatest hardship. Sometimes people think that there isn't any point and nothing could ever get better no matter what they try, but if they keep fighting, then they will rise once again.

Henry G., Period 5

9/25/2013 05:56:19 am

What we live by we die by. - Robert Frost

Say: This says that whatever we stand by or believe in will stay with us to the end.

Mean: This means that whatever thing that one believes in is something that will accompany them everywhere. When the quote says that we die by what we live by, it means that we will die while still believing in it.

Matter: This explains that we will continue until death, believing that what we stood by or believed in is correct. Whether it is a pointless debate or a heated argument, both sides will continue to believe that they are correct til death.

Eric V. Period 2

9/25/2013 06:26:22 am

"Yolo"

Says: You only live once

Mean: Life is too short to live in regret. Live today as if you were going to die tomorrow.

Matter: This motto makes people realize that they need to enjoy life while they still can because life is short, and there may not be other opportunities in life to do what you want.

Clara L, per 5

9/25/2013 08:43:17 am

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe

Say : This quote is pretty much saying don't live to anyone's expectations. Stop trying to be a perfectionist.

Meaning: This quote means that you should stay true to yourself and be yourselves. Don't change for anyone. The flaws that you have, is what makes you unique and different. This means that we are all humans, and have ups and downs, and our mood-swings, but all of that is because we are not perfect Stop being someone you are not, because you are just wasting time.

Matter : This matter to me because it what keeps me motivated in life and not give up easily. That you won't get along with every person you meet, or see, but you need to learn how to deal with them or just ignore them. This quote is so true and meaningful to me because it matters. We should never change for anyone, and stay true to ourselves. Its easier to be Real than to be Fake. Don't waste your time to be someone who you're not, because you only live once and you don't want to waste your time. Because there are no make ups in lives. One chance, after all.

Kami T. Period 1

9/25/2013 09:38:03 am

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten." -Lilo & Stitch

Say: You never leave behind family and they should never be forgotten.

Mean: Your family plays a big role in your life and they will always be by your side. They will care, love, and accept you for who you are. They will not judge you and leave you behind, they will stay by your side through thick and thin.

Matter: This matters because everyone has a family, even though people may be adopted. Your family will always be by your side and never forget you. They are a part of you and your life, so they should never be left behind or forgotten.

Zhi D., Period 1

9/25/2013 11:19:29 am

"Fear is the path to the Dark Side... Fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate leads to suffering..." - Yoda, Star Wars, Episode 1, the Phantom Menace

Say:
Fear can leads to many bad side or dark side. This kind of fear leads to anger, hate and suffering.

Mean:
This means that people should not have fear toward life or things that happen to you. The small fear that people have inside of them can cause the road toward the world's dark side. The dark side include hate, which can be a big issues in life because the power of hate can be so strong that no one can controls that hate. While later hate can be suffering, which can be a painful process that people have to went through.

Matter:
This matters because it teach people a lesson that don't look down at the power of fear and fear can actually leads to many dark part of life. The first one could be hate, with hate many bad or ugly stuff will happen and it could hurt many people in the present and in the future. Hate leads to suffering, while suffering can cause people to hurt in the inside and outside of themselves. Suffering can not be fix right away because they have to went through a painful road until the problem was solve.

Allissa S. period 1

9/25/2013 11:43:26 am

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
-Thomas Edison

Say: this quote says that your not failing, your just finding ways that aren't going to help you.

Mean: I think this quote means that your not failing by not doing something the right way and making a mistake, your just doing things that aren't going to help you, but your learning from it.

Matter: this matters because everyone should try new things even if your not sure if its going to help you achieve your goals. It doesn't mean your failing, it just means your trying new things and your learning that they won't help you.

Mindy S., Period 6

9/25/2013 12:07:08 pm

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
-Abraham Lincoln

Say :
Sometimes, to keep quiet and remain silent is better than speaking.

Mean :
To remain quiet and let other people think of you as a fool is better than saying something out loud and it is not right.

Matter :
To remain silent does not mean that you know nothing. People don't have to say what they know out loud. It doesn't matter what the others think of you.

Jorge C., period 1

9/25/2013 12:30:28 pm

When you're in a situation, you can complain about it, you can feel sorry for yourself, you can do a lot of things. But how are you gonna make the situation better? - Tony Dungy

Say: this quote says when your in a situation you complain, feel sorry for yourself, act like its the end of the world, but how are you going to make the situation better?

Mean: I think this quote is saying when your in a situation, it might feel like it's the end of the world, but instead of feeling sorry for yourself and giving up, you need to think about how your going to help the situation.

Matter: this matters because when someone's in a situation all they are worrying about are the bad things and all they are doing is acting like their life is over instead of finding ways they can make the situation better. When you come across hard times, don't give up, just find a way to help your situation and make things better

Jiamin Li period 1

9/25/2013 12:31:20 pm

"If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime." -Lao Tzu

Say: It is better to teach someone how to do something than to do it for them. Giving someone a fish is good for the short term, but it is better to teach them how to do it so that in the long term they can take care of themselves.

Mean: Now this does not say that you always have to do all your tasks yourself. But it does say you should know how to do it (in case you ever need to do it yourself).

Matter: It matters to everyone because we cannot always rely one someone else, even your parent would pass away someday. Therefore, we have to learn how to survive of the fittest.

Victor H. Period 5

9/25/2013 12:48:22 pm

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

Mark Twain

Say: This quote is saying that we should do things now so we will not regret later that we missed out on a good experience. Maybe later on in life, we won't be able to try the things we can when we are younger.

Mean: By doing more things now, we can have more experiences and get more out of life. Because they say, life's a b---- and then you die. So the best thing to do is to milk as much good experiences as you can out of it, and have no regrets later on.

Matter: This matters to me because it inspires me to try more new things so I will have memories that I won't regret. Win or lose, at least I will try new things. Life is too short to waste time on worrying about bad outcomes.

Judy U. period 5

9/25/2013 01:06:37 pm

"Think of all the joy you'll find when you leave the world behind and bid your cares goodbye"

Peter Pan

Say: This quote says we should care less about the things that put us down. These things are not important to us in life.

Mean: By caring less about the unimportant things in life, you will find yourself happier and more joyful.

Matter: This matters to me because I've been stressed out by the unimportant things that aren't even worth stressing out about. If I start to careless, I will find more joy to my life.

Luwei T., Per. 6

9/25/2013 01:58:46 pm

The article I've chosen this week is “Pope Francis starts key reshuffle in top Church ranks” by David Willey for BBC News. (The link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23913610.)

It provides an update of sorts to the other Rome-centric news I've written about earlier.

Say: The article describes various offices to be interchanged under the new pope, Pope Francis. In particular, Archbishop Pietro Parolin replacing Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as foreign policy advisor and deputy to the pope is mentioned in its opening. Parolin is a 58-year-old Vatican diplomat with much experience. The man he replaces is stated to be a controversial and divisive figure. This replacement is stated to be the start of a major reshuffling among the church ranks, as it later reveals, per tradition. “Whenever a Pope dies or steps down, as happened in the case of former Pope Benedict last February, all Vatican senior clerics automatically lose their jobs.” In Pope Francis' case though, he reinstated all church official department heads (including Bertone), but plans another major internal restructuring of the church.

In the future the pope also has planned to chair a council of eight cardinals he has appointed to advise him on church policy.

The article also states that the central government of the church (the Roman Curia) lacked coordination between its dicasteries or administrative sections during the past two decades. The late Pope John II who died in 2005 left much of decision making to his aides and his successor Pope Benedict has not been seen as a successful administrator. There was a scandal called the Vatileaks scandal when it was revealed that corruption was rampant among high Vatican administrators.
“Pope Francis has already set in motion the reform of the Vatican Bank which has allegedly been turning a blind eye to money-laundering by some of its clients. He has also appointed a committee of Catholic economists to advise him on improving accounting methods and financial transparency.
But the appointment of his new secretary of state is by the most important single administrative act carried out by the new Pope since his election last March.”
Mean: Simply said, this article is meant to provide the information that the pope is trying to change the church for the better and lists how he has so far proposed to do so. A new secretary of state is being declared and more forthcoming. All under the tradition of Vatican officials all being replaced upon the providing of a new pope. The old is being replaced, the church bureaucracy is being renewed.
Matter: This article is meaningful because it details ways that the church is trying to improve itself under Pope Francis. His actions are intended to be part of major initiative to make the church operate more fluidly and effectively and “bring the slow-moving papal court into the world of the 21st Century.” This is a major stepping stone for the church bureaucracy. This will be considered important in the future when people look back upon this and think of how the church has changed under Pope Francis.

Kathryn Pang, Period 1

9/25/2013 03:06:03 pm

"Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it." -Buddha

Say: Every experience means something, and we must figure out what it means.

Mean: All events that take place in a lifetime can be a blessing; it just depends on how a person views it.

Matter: This matters to me because I can completely relate to this quote. I have had some relatively bad events occur in my lifetime, but all I can really do is accept it and see a positive side to it, since I cannot change the past.

Lewen M., Period 6

9/25/2013 03:33:38 pm

I read the article “Man's 'Forehead Nose' a Common Reconstruction Technique” by Tia Ghose on Yahoo News. The quote is, “Despite his perhaps bizarre appearance, a man in China who is growing a new nose on his forehead is the beneficiary of a rather common nose reconstruction technique.”

Say:
A man in China is growing a nose on his forehead. Even though it is an extreme appearance, the nose on his forehead allows him to survive.

Mean:
The man suffered damage to his nose after a severe car accident. The infection in his nose ate away the cartilage in his nose. Doctors are unable to fix this man’s original nose, so instead, a team of doctors decided to grow a new nose on the man’s forehead. This method is not that different from plastic surgery techniques. By using tissue expanders, screws, and plates, the doctors were able to create a fully functioning nose on the man’s forehead to keep him alive.

Matter:
This matters because this technique can be used towards other people who also need a new nose in order to survive. This would save many lives even though it may look strange. Most importantly, this will allow researchers in this field to go more in depth and discover new techniques.

Michelle Z. Period 5

9/25/2013 03:36:42 pm

Thomas Jefferson says: "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. "

Say: Jefferson is saying that with the right attitude, a person can do anything. Without the right attitude, nothing in the world can help a person.

Mean: This means that with the right mind and attitude, a person is able to do anything he or she wants to do. It doesn't matter if the dream is impossible, by just believing, a person is much more closer to achieving their dreams. Without the attitude, a person, despite having all the resources in the world, cannot do what he or she dreams to do.

Matter: This matters because we should know that even though there are limitations to what we can do, if we attempt to reach our goals with the right attitude and outlook, we can reach our goal somehow. This means that we should always look at things positively because with just the wrong attitude, we ruin our chance of completing our goal.

Sandy Nhan Period 1

9/25/2013 03:45:29 pm

I got this quote, "Finally, old Sally started coming up the stairs, and I started down to meet her." from The Catcher In The Rye (page 124)

SAY: He sees her and decided to meet her halfway

MEAN: It means that he needs to be polite and not make her walk to him.

MATTER: It matters because he needs the friendship to grow and he needs to start being a gentleman.

Kevin T., Period 5

9/25/2013 05:29:58 pm

“I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth: the mythic truth about human nature in general, the particular truth about those life-communities that define our own identity, and the most specific truth of all: our own self-story. Fiction, because it is not about someone who lived in the real world, always has the possibility of being about oneself. ”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Say:
Most people read fiction in hope that they will find their own identities from the characters and the stories.

Mean:
People read fiction to explore the limitless possibilities and to avoid reality.

Matter:
Perhaps, each one of us dislikes some parts of ourselves. Therefore, we seek to find a perfect self-identity through fiction, where imagination takes over.

Brian Kaw Per. 6

9/25/2013 11:58:22 pm

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."
—Wayne Gretzky

Say:
Like a test, when a question is left blank, there is no possible way to get it right.

Mean:
With all opportunities, the risk of trying something out has no chance of success. Without taking the risk.

Matter:
This is a very inspirational quote as it shows how some who fear failure of experiencing something new is by default unable to have a chance with success.

Kara L. Period 1

9/26/2013 12:58:10 am

"Believe you can, and your halfway there" - Theodore Roosevelt

Say: Believe in hope and you'll almost reach your goal.

Mean: Everyone should never give up, they should always try and strive for what they want, and in the end you will be rewarded in some way.

Matter: It matters to everyone who feels hopeless, whether it deals with school academic, or sports, or helping others, they should never give up because it will always be worth it in the end.

Victoria Y. Period 1

9/26/2013 01:00:43 am

The world breaks us all. Afterward, some are stronger at the broken places." Ernest Hemingway- Farewell To Arms

Say: The world hurts everyone and some people become stronger at the places they were once weaker in.

Mean: Some events in life affect others more positively than others. They become stronger after their experience. Others fall down and don't ever come back up.

Matter: The experience they gain from the hardship is the most important factor. Those who fall down and never come back up will suffer in this world because these obstacles will always resurface.

Fandi Wang Period 1

9/26/2013 01:08:01 am

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
-Benjamin Franklin

Say: Don't be afraid of what is going to happen, it might not even happen for certain.

Mean: Live your life without fear

Matter: This is an important quote for everyone, because everyone should live without fear of what is going to happen, because it might not even happen, and if you worry about it, you're not spending your time wisely, enjoy now and worry about it when it actually happens.

Jacqueline W., Period 1

9/26/2013 01:08:43 am

Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.
-Tony Robbins

Say: Tony Robbins is saying that it is only when someone contributes to the community by acts of service and help, that someone will be able to enjoy life's most prize possession.
Mean: This means that everyday, it is best to learn more about being selfless and sincere towards others in order to achieve the feeling of true fulfillment.
Matter: This matters because people can learn how to become sincere towards others and if everyone performs this act of selflessness, then everyone can altogether bring happiness and feel life's true enjoyment.

Nicole G., Period 6

9/26/2013 01:35:37 am

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

Say: Words and actions may be inconsequential at times, but the impact of those words and actions is what matters. There's the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me," and it's true to a certain extent. It's not the words themselves that inflict pain upon others; but it is the emotions that it brings that affect people.

Mean: No matter the circumstance, never resort to tearing down anybody's emotional barriers. Different people are sensitive to different things, and many people will carry that burden with them forever. You can forget things that people say to you, but when someone gives you the ability to feel hurt or happy, it carries on for a long time.

Matter: Society would be less angry and more jubilant if every single person wasn't antagonized for little things. And with happiness, the harsh realities of life wouldn't be as bad. Confidence would build up with the good words, but self-doubt would break a person down over time. So the next time anybody opens their mouths, they should think about the affect it could make on a person's life; they have the option to make someone either happy or sad.

Yonshan M., Period 6

9/26/2013 02:33:57 am

Amy Tan, in ""Mother Tongue", wrote "I wanted to capture what language ability tests can never reveal: her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of the thoughts"(21).

Say: Standard tests cannot determine a person's intelligence. Her mother's intelligence is hidden behind her broken English.

Mean: While being classified or identified by standard tests, the foreigners' vivid, direct and imagery English is being ignored by the public.

Matter: When we talk to the ones who cannot speak fluent English, we should always be patient and kind. Because of their limited English, their nature of thoughts are not able to be expressed directly. However, the passion of the speeches should be perceived by everyone.

Chris (jae) E., P. 5

9/26/2013 05:52:29 am

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

say: God has sent his son down to this sinful world to save the sinners.
mean: Seek for faithful Jesus Chris and believe in him for eternal life.
matter: Jesus christ should be the role model for everybody who has come down to die for us to clean away our sins. He shall be praised for who HE is and what HE'S done for us.

Jin C. Period 5

9/26/2013 05:55:45 am

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steven Martin

SAY: Telling you what's it like without the sun.

MEAN: It'll just become night when the sun isn't there. Don't need to over think.

MATTER: Don't have to over think things. It's just simple as that.

Kristi L. period 5

9/26/2013 06:00:10 am

"It is never too late to be what you might have been," -George Eliot

SAY: Everyone has always dreamed of being a specific way or dreamed of having a specific job but people always think it's too late for them. Well the truth is, it's not too late.

MEAN: People should not give up on their dreams because it is never too late to do what you want. No one can control your life so make it how you want it to be.

MATTER: People have regrets of not going after their dreams. They live with the regret throughout their whole life. You will always have that question in your head asking what if ... but you can always change that by living your dreams or at least trying it. There is no harm in trying something. Without trying things, you have no experience of it and will regret never trying.

John H. Per 5

9/26/2013 07:33:57 am

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye -- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Say:
This quote is saying that the heart can sometimes find things that we do not see through our eyes.

Mean:
This means that when we fall in love, we can find reasons why a certain person acts on way or says on thing. We can then begin to find out things about that person that we may have never knew by just looking.

Matter:
This matters because if we follow this quote, we can find reasons to love someone for reasons other than beauty. This will help us create better bonds and allow us to find new and stronger love and relationships that we may have never been able to create when just using our eyes to see the world.

Chanel L., Period 6

9/26/2013 07:35:50 am

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
by Dalai Lama

Say: Happiness is made from yourselves.

Mean: Happiness isn't just given to you it mostly just happens by what you do.

Matter: Without happiness the world will be a sad place to be. Happiness makes peoples day. Life will be boring without happiness. You only live once so we should all enjoy it while it lasts.

Susan C.; Period 6 link

9/26/2013 08:19:11 am

"Your attitude and the choices you make today will be your life tomorrow."
-Unknown

Say: The choices and attitude you make will affect your future.

Mean: This means that your attitude and the choices you make will change the life you live in the future. For example if a person treats the other person with respect then most likely the other person would treat him/her the same way. If in the future you need help in return the person they treated with respect; might help that person.

Matter: It matters that if the attitude that each person makes and the choices they make are positive and good then their future would be bright. If they make bad choices then it wouldn't be as good.

Xinyi C. Period 5

9/26/2013 11:15:21 am

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu

Say: A journey starts with a single step.

Mean: Even if you have a dream, if you don't work for it, it will not come true.

Matter: What we need to do is do whatever we need to do to achieve our goal. We need to step out our first step in order to keep going. If we don't go the first step, then there will be no way we can keep going.

Jasmine K. Period 6

9/26/2013 11:15:29 am

John Green, in Looking For Alaska, wrote “Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. (...) You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.”

Say: This quote is saying how people always think about the future without doing anything to make what they want to happen.

Mean: My interpretation of this quote is that people often dream about what they want in the future, but they do not put any effort in achieving it.

Matter: This quote matters because people need to realize that if they really want to achieve their dreams, they are going to have to really work hard for it. This especially applies to high school students who want to go to a good college or have a good job. People should push themselves and do whatever it takes to get what they want.

Yela M., Period 5

9/26/2013 11:37:17 am

"I don’t want just words. If that’s all you have for me, you’d better go." by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Say: This quote is saying that, someone who's just all talk but no action is not worthy of anyone's time.

Mean: In my opinion, this quote is a very general idea of society. How many times have you heard someone say 'they want this or that' but don't do anything to accomplish it? It means that, it's rather worth more if the individual puts in their time to actually pursue what they want instead of always saying they're going to do it but actually don't.

Matters: This quote matters because the reality in this world is not an easy route. Everything is earned and gained. If you want to get somewhere in life, then go on and do it, instead of spreading words to people and not accomplishing it.

Ryan H., Period 6

9/26/2013 12:26:04 pm

In "How Much Will Obamacare Cost Me? Try Our Calcualtor, Scott Hensley states, "Nearly all Americans will be required to have health insurance starting Jan. 1, 2014, or else they'll be liable for a tax penalty. Even now, there is quite a bit of confusion about the law and how it will work."

Say: This quote says that although many people know that Obamacare will be enacted soon many still do not know how it is supposed to work.

Mean: My interpretation is that many people still have extreme confusion about what Obamacare even is. Not knowing how such a drastic system is going to be implemented really says something about America's preparedness to complete actions as of right now.

Matter: This quote matters as it is signifying that America needs to be clearer, and we need to be informing our citizens about things that are happening. Not knowing how Obamacare works will see dramatic changes and complaints from numerous citizens.

Leodarwin L. Per 1

9/26/2013 01:35:15 pm

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." -Michael Jordan.

Say: We have to keep trying no matter what.

Mean: Do not give up in whatever you do, at least give it a try. Strive for greatness.

Matter: This is matter to me because most of us do not try at their best. We have to keep trying our best to accomplish something. If we do not try and easily give up, we won't get anything from it.

Kathy F. Period 1

9/26/2013 01:47:45 pm

"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present."
Jim Rohn

Say: Live in the moment, enjoy happiness now rather than saving it for later.

Mean: I think he is trying to tell us that we should enjoy life and be happy. You can't just say that you are feeling miserable at the moment to make way for a happier future, every action that you do should be a relatively happy one.

Matter: This matters because in the past, I felt that school is just something I have to endure to make way for future happiness, but this isn't the case anymore. I feel that learning is actually enjoyable and I shouldn't sacrifice my happiness for anything not worth enduring.

Celine W., Period 5

9/26/2013 02:10:09 pm

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."
-James Dean

SAY: Dream of everything that you want to do in life. Try to do everything you want before it's your time.

MEAN: Dreaming is easy but hard to do. You can dream of everything you want to do but won't be able to do all of it unless you make it happen. If you were to die today, try to accomplish all the things you dreamed of.

MATTER: People have always dreamed of going to certain places or do certain things, but they are never able to accomplish them. But when time is almost up, they regret not being able to do the stuff they want. So when you're still young, make a list of all the things you want to do (it's called a bucketlist) and do most of it before you get too old to do it.

Tyler F. Period 6

9/26/2013 02:15:54 pm

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments ou make the better."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Say
This quote just says that you have to keep at life no matter how bad it is because it will get better.
Mean
I think this means that you have to try everything yourself because its your life. You have to experience everything so that whatever you think is bad, it will be better the next time you do it.
Matter
Many people in today's society give up on difficult things in life. This quote tells us we have to keep pushing in life and get up and keep trying no matter how bad it seems. Be doing it over and over, we can only get things better and better.

Jiayuan Z. Period 6

9/26/2013 03:26:08 pm

There’s only one reason I’m here: I’m here to make friends.

Say: The one most important reason we are in the society is to make more friends.

Mean: People find happiness and stress from their social world. So in order for people to feel happy and satisfied is make themselves to feel belonging, which can be achieved by making more friends.

Matter: The golden rule is even more golden in our hyperconnected world. The best way to vanquish enemies is to ignore them. And the best way to make friends is to say nice things about them. They will be happy to be friends with you. That way, you feel happy because you get what you want, more friends. Through this loop, everyone is happy.

Stanley Yang (Youwei) Period 6

9/26/2013 03:40:46 pm

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else’s life.” By Steve Job

Say: Our time is not forever, it will end eventually, so, don't waste it on someone.

Mean: There will come a day when your time is up, that's why you want to spend your time on what you want to do, not what people around you want you to do.

Matter: Many students now a day often listen to their parents or their friends on any advice. For example, what college to go to, and what to dress for school. Because of this, by the time you realize that you have done nothing YOU want to do, your time is up.

dolores r. period 1

9/26/2013 03:57:41 pm

"I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother's "limited" English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed" Amy Tan

Say
Amy says that she was ashamed of her mothers "limited" English.

Mean
The meaning of which , we as teenagers are basically ashamed of everything and everyone around us. Changing our way of seen a person.

Matter
Many families have their own mother tongue, we come from a different background. Which makes it a struggle for those of us that are bilingual. But the language isn't "broken" simply changed to a proper way. its important because many of us don't see how it can affect our life.

Christine Lee Period 6

9/26/2013 04:15:36 pm

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
Say: Baruch is telling us to ignore other people's judgement on us and just be ourselves. Don't listen to other people's opinions on us and be ourselves no matter what.
Mean: People that judge us are useless while those who are important to us don't care what others say about us.
Matters: We should stop listening to other people's judgement on us because they don't matter to us, they're not important. We should stop trying to fit in with everyone else because we're not really being ourselves if we were in that scenario. We have to just be ourselves and forget what other people say about us. If a person likes to dye their hair pink then they shouldn't let what others think stop them. We need to be ourselves.

Marjorie L., Period 5

9/26/2013 04:36:58 pm

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” -Oscar Wilde

SAY: People value things that costs but don’t value things that are free.

MEAN: People don't know the true value that some things deserve.

MATTER: People nowadays don't appreciate the things that come free to them. Things that are free include love, compassion, attention, etc. Simple gestures like a smile or a meaningful compliment can mean a lot to someone. However, we confuse their worth because these things are priceless.

Sharon Tang, Period 1

9/26/2013 04:57:30 pm

"We are all lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
-Oscar Wilde

SAY: We are all (metaphorically) in a "gutter", but some of us are (metaphorically) looking at the "stars".

Mean: The "gutter" he speaks of is this life, this world we are in. We are share it. We cannot change this place that we are born in. However, we can change our mindset on how we view and what we do with it. We can choose to see the "stars", the wonderful things, even though we are in the "gutter".

Matter: There are the optimists, and there are the pessimists. The optimist will always get more out of the world and living, because he is gazing at the metaphorical stars, seeing all that could be instead of all that is not. Oscar Wilde, here, illustrates beautifully why being an optimist is much more beneficial than being a pessimist.

Chapman L., Period 6

9/26/2013 05:09:52 pm

"For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." - Carl Sagan

Say: We humans can only bear existence through love.

Mean: Our mere existence in the large expanse of the universe is only made easier by loving.

Matter: With increasing stress, unemployment, crimes, etc., people are becoming more cold and inconsiderate. Losing the fundamental moral and ethical values that we once held highly. Sagan also points out that we are "small creatures" living in a large "vastness" which emphasize that we are insignificant to the amount of space and life out in the universe and beyond.

Wilson T., Period 5

9/26/2013 06:04:18 pm

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
-Albert Einstein

Say: Einstein is saying to take the past,present, and future into consideration with emphasis in all three. In addition, the questions we ask are what drives us to learn.

Mean: While living in the present, don't forget about the past or future. People need to be constantly asking questions to understand things.

Matter: When we stop questioning things, we become robots that just accept everything as it is. It is the ability to ask "why?" and other questions like that that drives us to achieve bigger things.

Amanda Cheng, Period 2

9/26/2013 06:52:16 pm

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."
-Confucius

Say: It says that it doesn't matter what pace you go as long as you do not stop.

Mean: We can do anything at any pace as long as we continue. It doesn't matter if we take longer than others as long as we continue to go towards that goal.

Matter: If we stop, we will never reach our goal. What matters is not how much time we spend on it, but the fact that we got there. In society, many feel pressured because of how fast others progress. They get overwhelmed and give up. This quote is telling us to not be bothered by the progress of others and take as much time we need as long we achieve what we want.

Jacob N. Period 5

9/27/2013 05:55:55 am

"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves."

SAY: Ender is telling Valentine why he hates himself for knowing his enemies well.

MEAN: Sometimes you feel pain when you see others in pain. Ender feels bad when he destroys people and he feels like he's killing apart of himself.

Matter: It matters because Ender soon learns that he can help the buggers. But he did destroy many of them, but then he can be happy because he has a chance to undo what he did to them.

Garrett H. Period 4

9/27/2013 05:56:14 am

"you can do anything, but not everything." -David Allen

Say:It says you can do whatever you want, but you won't be able to do everything.

Mean: This means that your free to do anything that you want but you won't be able to do everything you attempt to do because some things aren't possible to do.

Matter: If you try to do everything you'll end up failing most things you try to do. No matter what though, you can do anything you desire but some things have their limits in what your capable of. This quote is saying to be free to do anything but be smart when you can't do everything.

Cynthia L. per 5

9/27/2013 06:02:09 am

say: Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning--
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
-The Great Gatsby

mean: This means that Gatsby along with other human beings try to pursue a dream the American dream and end up going farther and farther from actually achieving it no matter what they are doing to try and make this possible they are failing because that dream they are trying to pursue is not meant to happen. Like Gatsby's affair with Daisy will never be the same as it was years ago sadly.

matter:This matters because this is an issue in today's society and the past as well. We try so hard and give our all to pursue an illusional dream that sometimes is not meant to be and we have to later attain the consequences of all the things done to get to that impossible dream.

Alex K. Period 6

9/27/2013 07:24:20 am

"The best way to predict the future is to create it"
--Peter Drucker

Say: Create your own path, don't wait for it to come to you.

Mean: We shouldn't just hope for a good future, but instead we should work hard and make a great future for ourselves. Our future is going to be what we make of it.

Matter: This matters to all of us because we still need to look forward to our future. We have to be the ones to decide what our future will probably be. If we don't try now, then we will never get to where we want. I personally believe it is never too late to start going on the right path because we will eventually get to it.

Eman Al-alami, Per.6

9/27/2013 07:26:56 am

“Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you.” Richard Branson

Says: It means its okay to be emotional or follow your instincts, it's naturally supposed to help you.

Mean: This means that people have the natural instincts to feel, sense something. No matter what, you try to cover it up or go with the flow but yourself was trying to tell you the answer all along! Follow your instincts!

Matters: This matters a whole big deal because people tend to not go by what the feel! They try to be cool, go with the flow, go with being a strong person and holding it all in and the list goes on and on. In order to satisfy yourself is to listen to yourself. They are there for a reason!

Ronald H. Period 6

9/27/2013 07:30:55 am

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker

Say: The future is created of what you do now, so what you do now does affect the future.

Mean: Many people said that they never know what their future would be like. It's true, but you can get a glimpse at it by knowing what you are doing now. The future isn't a surprise, because actions lead to more actions.

Matter: The future is very important because everyone wants to have a bright future. You can't have a bright future if you're not going to work for it. Unless you win the lottery or something, the future is created by what you are preparing for. Getting good grades in school is how we are creating our future, because then we get a good job and enjoy life. That's why the best way to predict the future is to create it with your own hands.

Qinfu G. (Period 6)

9/27/2013 07:36:12 am

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
-Albert Einstein

Say: Doing the same thing over and over again does not give different results.

Mean: People need to try something new, and change the way they are to get different results.

Matter: The world is based on this idea of creating something new. People like new things and change is involved in electronics, economy, and politics.

Tatiana C. Per. 5

9/27/2013 08:18:59 am

Ever morning, until you dead in the ground, you gone have to make this decision. You gone have to ask yourself, "Am I gone believe what them fools say about me today?" ---Kathryn Stockett, The Help.

SAY: What she saying is that every morning that you woke-up you until the moment of your death, you have to make the decision if you gotta believe what fools think about you.

MEAN: It means that every time that you woke-up you ask yourself what people might think about you. You will ask this question every single day.

MATTER: Its matter because why should you care what others say about you? I mean they're always would say something about you, it wouldn't stop, but you don't have to believe them. You have to believe in yourself and in the person that you are.

Natasha Nix p.6

9/27/2013 11:02:27 am

"Try to be like the turtle- at ease in your own shell" -Bill Copeland

Say: We should be comfortable and happy with who we are.

Mean: There are people-men and women alike- who are not comfortable with themselves. They have things that they would gladly change, inside and out. They feel that there is something wrong with who they but there never really is anything wrong with them. It's just something that they feel and truly believe. No one should feel like this. Everyone should love themselves and take care of themselves and just be happy that they are here on this earth and they have the amazing privilege of living and learning and heck, even finding love. We shouldn't want to change who we are for any reason. But some people can't help that feeling. And it really is sad because they just can't see how beautiful and fantastic they really are. And maybe if we look to the turtle, any animal really, and see just how happy they are with a shell that not many other species have, maybe we too can start to feel good about ourselves. We can finally see that we are all different and that is fantastic because we all have special things about us, Maybe you can draw, awesome! And maybe she can sing really well, that great! And maybe he's just really good at finishing an entire series in just a week, amazing! But we can all do something and we are all perfect just how we are and maybe it'll take just the smallest thing for us to finally see that.

Matter: This matters because so many people look down upon themselves. So many people feel badly about who they are. That should never happen. We should all grow up happy with no sadness and no stress or fear. But everyone knows that that cannot be. There will always be bad times and there will be times when we just can't stand ourselves. But we should be about to pass that time. We should be able to think it, shove it away, and continue on. We should all be happy with ourselves. No one deserves to ever feel like they aren't pretty or smart or good enough, Because we are all good enough. All of us. And maybe we just can't see it yet, but we are. One day, we will wake up and look at ourselves in the mirror and we'll tell ourselves, "I'm amazing. I'm fantastic. I love myself." And that time, it won't be a lie. It'll be true.

Cindy Tran Period 2

9/27/2013 11:08:43 am

"The finest of pleasures are always the unexpected ones."
-Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

Say: This passage says that all good things are from the unexpected things in life. The book that this passage is from is about magic and enchantment so you pretty much don't know what to expect. So this is one of the passages that very much explain what the book is about.

Mean: This means that if you don't expect too much, you'll just always be surprised by what you end up with. It's really true because I feel the same way and it really is true. A lot of unexpected things have happened to me that are probably one of the best moments of my life.

Matter: I think this matters because a lot of times this really is true. Most of the things that you enjoy in life are unexpected because you don't see it coming, but when it happens you're really happy about it and thats probably one of the best things ever.

My T. Period 2

9/27/2013 02:08:18 pm

"This too, shall pass. When things are bad, remember: It won't always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember: It won't always be this way. Enjoy every great moment." -Doe Zantamata

Say: Every moment in your life will pass sooner or later.

Mean: This quote means that whether you are having a bad time or good time, the moment will pass eventually.

Matter: We all have good moments and bad moments in our life. However, these moments will ultimately have to pass. In our good time, we should be happy and appreciate and enjoy the moment because the time ahead of this moment will not be as good and joyous. In our bad time, we need to persevere and be hopeful and positive that our road ahead will be better. If we fail to possess these qualities -- if we lose the hope and optimism, and if we surrender -- then we will be consumed by the darkness, and lose all the things that we hold dearly close to us.

Lillian L., Period 5

9/27/2013 02:48:08 pm

Nathaniel Hawthorn, in The Scarlet Letter, wrote "She had returned, therefore, and resumed,—of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale. Never afterwards did it quit her bosom."

Say
Heter has returned to her former home many years after with her own will. And when she does that, it demonstrates she has accepted the scarlet letter, which others would consider to represent the darkest part of life.

Mean
Hester resumes wearing the scarlet letter because to her, her past is an important part of her identity; it is not something that should be erased or denied because someone else has decided it is shameful.

Matter
What Hester undergoes is more akin to reconciliation than penitence. She creates a life in which the scarlet letter is a symbol of oversoming diversity and of knowledge gained rather than a sign of failure or shame.

Rainie X., per 1

9/27/2013 03:37:34 pm

"American artists and writers have often looked to the East. What is new in the age of globalization is that Asia is the active agent in the interaction, projecting its vision westward with confidence."--All things Asian are becoming us, Andrew Lam

Say
Asian cultures are influencing the world, and they affect the other countries deeply now, especially for the western countries. Also, many Americans are being easternized, such as the artists, writers, and movie director.

Mean
This quotation is from Andrew Lam, who found out that Asian countries have many impacts through out the world. This means that Asian countries are no longer weak, because their developments of technology, economy, and society have become so much better.

Matter
This matters because it tells us that western countries and eastern countries are connected with each other closely now. "Rudyard Kipling's famous line 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet' no longer applies" (Andrew Lam, p32). However, it is part of the process of the world to experience globalization, so both the sides should try to improve themselves in order to connect with others better.

Janet F. Per. 5

9/28/2013 02:24:47 am

Alana Semuels, in NEW JERSEY GOV. CHRISTIE TO APPEAL RULING BACKING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, wrote, "New Jersey violates the rights of same-sex couples by not allowing them to marry, a judge ruled Friday, saying the state's civil union law deprives them of benefits recently granted by the federal government."

SAY:
New Jersey was supported the same-sex marry but New Jersey state ruled that same-sex marriage is not allowed in New Jersey recently because the federal government said so.

MEAN:
In New Jersey, there was no law for the same-sex marriage but recently they make law that the same-sex marriage is not allowed. So people who are wish to allow that same-sex marriage start against to the New Jersey's government.

MATTER:
People who are couples of same-sex start against to the government to change the law to get marry with same-sex person.
And that happen because the U.S. government start testing that Defense of Marriage Act.

Anita Z., Period 06

9/28/2013 06:44:16 am

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” ― Albert Camus

SAY:
Searching for happiness is meaningless. Looking for a reason to live is meaningless. Searching for happiness and the meaning of life will get us nowhere.

MEAN:
Happiness and life isn’t something we look for, but rather just wait forward to. It just happens when the right time comes. There shouldn’t be a reason to find the answers to happiness and life. It’s just something unexpected!

MATTER:
We can’t live a fulfilled life by always asking questions. Those questions are answered by living through life naturally, not searching for answers. We live life for unexpected adventures and fun. We’ll be wasting time finding the meaning of life and happiness. YOLO!~~

Stephanie W., Period 06

9/29/2013 02:31:56 am

"Americans are perceived as being terribly wasteful. They discard food appliances, clothing, and so much more that other peoples and societies would find useful." - Andy Roobey

Say: Americans are perceived as being wasteful because they discard food, appliances, clothing, and many more things that people in other societies would find useful.

Mean: This quote means that Americans are one of the reason why Earth might end up as one huge, uninhabitable dump.

Matter: Since we know what is causing Earth to turn into a land of garbage, we can work together as a whole and do something to prevent this from happening.

Benjamin Trinh., Period 2

9/29/2013 06:05:06 am

"Learn who you are as an individual." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Say: This is saying that in order for a boy to truly become a man, you must learn who you are as an individual. This is not an easy task considering that we are still growing up, there is still so much that we haven't learned yet.

Mean: This means that there are boys all around the world who haven't learned who they truly are. In order to truly become a legit man, you need to understand who you are. Your limitations and your skills that put you above others.

Matter: Since we are all growing up, we need to understand who we are as an individual. This is not as easy as it seems, If we want to succeed in life, we need to understand who we are as an individual. This will truly take time to truly understand.

Kayleigh Hennert., Period 6

9/29/2013 12:50:28 pm

"If you don't build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs." by Dhirubhai Ambani

Say: Ambani is saying that if you don't try and make your dreams happen, you won't succeed and someone else who had the courage to do so will have you work for them.

Mean: I think it means that everyone should go after what they want. If you have a passion for something you should try your hardest to make your dreams come true. If you don't then someone else who worked hard to make their dream come true will hire you to help them keep their dream alive.

Matter: I think this matters because it's an important life lesson. You should always go after what you want. If you don't, you'll regret it for as long as you live. It's also important because you'll end up seeing someone else living the life you wan't and you'll always wonder if that could have been you.

Matthew Salazar., Period 6

9/29/2013 01:02:58 pm

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success."- Dale Carnegie

Say: This quote is saying that their's no success without some failures.

Mean: This means that when you want to achieve something, you need to keep trying even if you fail the first time. Never get discouraged by failure. Try until you get it right.

Matter: It matters because if everyone gave up on their first tries, their wouldn't be any successful people in the world. Even the smartest of people failed many times, but they were strong enough to keep trying.

Stephany F., period 2

9/29/2013 02:04:55 pm

"Why so much pain, so much suffering, thought the girl. "It's because they hate us," Rachel had told her with a deep hoarse voice. "They hate Jews." Such hate, thought the girl. Why such hate? She had never hated anyone in her life, except perhaps a teacher, once." – Sarah’s Key, Tatiana de Rosnay: page 87

SAY: Rachel told his to Sarah shortly after they had met. Even though she was only a year older than her, Rachel had to break it to Sarah that they were going through these hardships simply because the Nazis “hated the Jews”. Sarah, being so naive, still felt baffled at why these people would harm such innocent individuals like her. She thinks back and doesn’t recall ever felling any sort of angst against anyone before, maybe a teacher, but nothing serious at least.

MEAN: This quote lets the reader know just how harsh the reality for the Jewish children as a whole was while they were in the infamous concentration camps. Rachel, being just eleven years of age, knows that she will die sooner than later unless she escapes. She tries to get Sarah to join in with her, but she ends up taking the last bit of hope she has in the process by telling her that they are enduring so much pain and suffering just because they disliked Jews.

MATTER: This passage matters, because it is basically the sad mentality that most, if not all, children had to face at some point or another. They are still kids, and the fact that they had to live through such horrors is truly saddening in my opinion. No one deserves to be treated in such a horrible way, nor should their lives be shattered whatsoever.

Jean M., Period 2

9/29/2013 02:05:08 pm

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." -Les Miserables

Say:
Night will not always be dark because eventually, the sun will rise again.

Mean:
There are solution to every problems no matter how big or small it is and although some problems may seem like it is impossible to solve, everyone will eventually come occur with the solution in the end.

Matter:
This quote matters because it shows that there is always a solution to every problem, you just have to stay positive and not too concentrate on the problem, but instead, you should focus on the ways in finding solution to that problem.

Lin T., Per:2

9/29/2013 04:08:52 pm

“stereotyping is the practice of identifying a person or group by a single trait, or as a member of a certain group instead of as an individual. It is never wise to assume that all people in any group are the same:

Say: The statement says that we shouldn’t identify a person’s characteristics by the group that he or her belongs to.

Mean: It means that one person can not represent the whole group.

Matter: It indicates that no matter what we do, we shouldn’t ignore the broader picture.

Daphne L., Period 6

9/29/2013 06:06:37 pm

John Green, in THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, wrote, "'Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them,' I [Hazel] said. Isaac shot me a look. 'Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway. Don't you believe in true love?' [Isaac]" (60-61).

Say:
Hazel notes that people make promises without being completely aware of the content. People don't know everything they are promising and yet they are still making a promise to it. Isaac agrees with her and points out that that's what love is, that even though we don't know what we're promising to/about/for, we're doing so anyway.

Mean:
Once someone makes a promise, it's a promise. A promise is a given word requiring one's commitment forever (or the allotted time period according to the promise). Promises used to be taken very seriously. They still do, but I have noticed that many people have started to take it more and more lightly, just throwing it in the air like confetti and then forgetting it and running all over on top of it. Hazel noting that people are now making promises without fully being aware of the content is the author talking about the people now and their gradual loss of meaning in a promise.
Isaac's response can be interpreted as a separate message. He mentions that that's what love is, that we make the promise anyway. He notes the oblivion of the future. He says the part of the promise that we don't know what we're promising ourselves to is the "forever" in a promise. We can't foretell the future, but we still make promises, giving our word and assurance. Love is about making that promise anyway. We're all taking a giant leap of faith (as cliche as that sounds, eugh) and trust when we love someone. The promise is when we declare our love, when we say "I love you" to the significant other.

Matter:
This matters because love shows up in a life, some more often than others. I want to remind people, especially to the ones who already have a mindset that diminish the original meaning of a promise, that when we love someone, that's a promise, a pledge of forever into the oblivious future.

Tommy C., Period 5

9/29/2013 06:19:14 pm

Rick Riordan, in THE LAST OLYMPIAN, wrote, "There were too many names, but I was proud to wear the bead. I put it on my camp necklace - four beads now. I felt like an old-timer. I thought about the first campfire I'd ever attended, back when I was twelve, and how I'd felt so at home. That at least hasn't changed" (378).

Say: Despite all the drama one experiences in life, some things, however, never change.

Mean: What this passage means is that even though as years pass on, some things in life will always remain constant, such as home, family, and friends. Unforgettable moments in life are cherished as memories.

Matter: Many events can happen in life, good or bad. Naturally as humans, we will try to forget the bad things in life and treasure the good times. The bad times cannot be completely forgotten since remnants of such occasions will always remain with our memory, and as for the good times, we should not be sad that such experiences are over, but instead we should be glad that they happened. Until the day time machines will be invented, time will only move one in one direction, forward, waiting for no one; and our only way of revisiting the past will be through our memories.

Michael Qi, Period 1

9/29/2013 06:39:21 pm

Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.- Booker T. Washington

Say: Booker T. Washington is saying that it is better to be by yourself than be with people who are bad influences to you.

Mean: This quote means that loneliness is not always a bad thing. What is worse is hanging out with the wrong people that will misdirect your decisions that will ruin your life.

Matter: This quote promotes people to live above the influence. It is better to be the person who stands for something that is right than jump on the ban wagon for something terrible. Just because everyone does it, it does not necessarily mean that you will have to do it too.

Garin L. Period 1

9/30/2013 01:26:09 am

"The genius of America is that it permits children to leave home, it permits us to become different from our parents" -Richard Rodriguez

Say:
Richard is saying that America is free and that we leave our parents as children to go out making us independant.

Mean:
This means that we tend to be independant from our parents.

Matter:
This matters because mant of us leave home at the age of 18.

Patina H. Period 2

9/30/2013 02:01:19 am

"Learn from yesterday, live for today. The important thing is not to stop questioning."

Say: to keep on moving forward not live in the past and don't look back.

Mean: It doesn't matter the time or day or reason, never doubt yourself because when it comes to trust and motivation only you can keep yourself going in the end.

Matter: This matter because the more we look back in the past the worse our progress becomes and we can no longer overcome the things that hold us back in life. For example if we still grieved over the incident of nine eleven how would we get the strength to pull ourselves up and aid Syria in their time of need. That is why we must see each day as an opportunity for success because only we can keep ourselves going.

Helen Trang Period 2

9/30/2013 02:18:49 am

"Love and appreciate your parents. We are often so busy growing up, we forget they are also growing old."

Say: This quote says that us, as teenagers, we are busy, going out with friends and meeting other people that we forget that our parents are growing old before us.

Mean: It means that we should love our parents more and more everyday because one day they will be gone.

Matter: This quote matters because we need to love are parents everyday.

Johnny Mojica Period 2

9/30/2013 02:29:42 am

"when you go another round when you don't think you can that makes all the difference in life"-rocky

Say: you should never give up in life always keep pushing forward

Means: it means even when life gets tough you should always fight back go another round go another mile because you have heart and that's what this world needs people that are fighters and fighters that have heart

Matters: it matters because its a motivational quote that inspires people to fight on and never give up in life it did with me

kelly cuadra period 2

9/30/2013 09:33:26 am

"leaving" i say,"im going home"..."you belong to me"she says.Sold by Patricia McCormick
say: this quote says that this girl Lakshmi cant go home even if she wanted to because shee is trapped.
mean: This quote talks about Mumtaz not wanting to let Lakshmi leave because she was sold to her and now she has to pay off her debt by prostitution.
matter: this matters because these are true events that can happen to anyone

Joanna Lung link

9/30/2013 11:43:40 am

"Just Keep Swimming" Finding Nemo
Say- This quote keeps people going forward in life.
Means- Don't look back and keep going forward.
Matter- You only life once, you relive your past, you can only fix your present and look forward to your future.

Daniel Ly Per 2

9/30/2013 12:08:20 pm

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." -Confucius

Say:
This says that everything is beautiful.

Means:
Everything is beautiful in their own way even if they are not physically beautiful.

Matters:
This shows that society has changed it outlook on everything and everyone has become so judgmental. There are a lot of things that aren't beautiful attractively and beautiful in its own way.

Caitlin Lian Eckvahl, Period 2

9/30/2013 02:15:34 pm

"If you want crappy things to stop happening to you, then stop accepting crap and demand something more. " - Dr. Cristina Yang

Say: This says if you want bad things to stop happening, then stop accepting it.

Means: This means that if crappy things are constantly happening to you, then change it. Take charge of your destiny and change the results.

Matter: This matters to me, because it's like my favorite quote in the whole wide world, I got it from season one of Grey's Anatomy and its said by Sandrah Oh, who plays Dr. Cristina Yang. And shes saying it to George, and I just thought like, well hey...that makes a whole lot of sense. It instills this unknown form of confidence in me and makes me want to conquer the world and demand a better life for myself and just go out there and work my way to the top.

Rex Y Per 1

10/20/2013 02:11:51 pm

"If the only place where I could see you was in my dreams, I'd sleep forever."

Say: It means that that person is extremely valuable to you even if she/he isnt here with you.

Mean: Wants to see you everyday in lifetime.

Matter: Even if she/he is far away from you, but you still love him/her with all your heart.

Dannie Perez, Period 2

10/21/2013 10:41:28 am

"We'll talk about how your parents separated and how you don't want to make the same mistakes as them. I'll say its all about stickin' it out and trying to feel forever young" - All-Time Low
Say - This quote basically speaks out for every child that has ever been through or seen their own parents get a divorce or split up. The truth is, we hate it and all we want is to have a family. Weather or not we push people away, to be loved is all anyone ever wants.
Mean - This is our story. We want to be loved by that special someone and possibly even spend the rest of our life with them, the the hard part is, is letting them in. We see our parents go through constant fights and struggles, and as kids some of them dont think we see what is happening, but we do see. The worst part is we do understand. So kids see how their own parents are and take that as an example of what not to be. But sometimes all we want is to be loved so we give the love to the first person that sticks around. Its a constant circle.
Matter - Now in days, divorce is that key solution to everything. But some parents don't realize what they actually put their kids through when they make the decision. Maybe we can change our generation and by feeling "forever young", can result in happiness and joy. Freedom. Life and be lived again.

kalamsai link

3/3/2014 01:42:49 am

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