Reading Log Number 4

Title: Meet Facebook's Mr Nice

Text Type: Short Story

Author: Nick Bilton

Meet Facebook's Mr Nice is about a guy named Arturo Bejar and his job at Facebook. Arturo's job is to create a safe environment within Facebook by teaching users to be nice and respect others. Even though the internet can be a bad place Arturo still thinks he can make Facebook a safe friendly environment especially for us teens.

This short story is relevant to teenagers as the internet is a very big part of our lives. We all have Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat and we all see hate everyday and do nothing about it.  92 percent had witnessed someone get bullied and 65 percent people aged 18-29 have been have been harassed online. Mr Bejar created these Facebook tools because a lot of people get cyber bullied and some people are inconsiderate and don’t care about others feelings. With the Facebook tools it gets users interacting by reporting thing’s that they personally find offensive or hurts them or also others around them.

Something we can learn from this short story is that we should think before we post anything with our friends or anything in general. By asking your friends about posting photos from a good night out you’re being considerate about your friends opinions and feelings. Which means you wouldn’t need to use Mr Bejar’s tools.

In conclusion we should be more thoughtful about what we post on Facebook and any social platform in general because it could either create a good or bad reaction to you and others on the internet. I recommend this short story to all teenagers it's a big eye opener as the internet is a huge part of our lives.

Reading Log Number 6

Title: Shutter Island
Text: Movie
Author/Director: Martin Scrosese

Shutter Island directed by Martin Scrosese is about this US Marshall named Teddy Daniels who is assigned to investigate a disappearance of a patient called Rachel who has gone missing from shutter islands mental institution. Teddy wanted a assignment on the island for personal reasons, he's also still traumatised from what he saw when his army unit went to one of the Nazi concentration camps in World War 2 but also with the recent death of his wife who died in a fire. The head of the hospital gives Teddy a warm welcome but patients not so much. Teddy and his partner Chuck try to figure out who is the 67th patient at the institution. During the movie Teddy has flashbacks of his children haunting him and this ghost version of his wife telling him not to go into the lighthouse that is on the island which leads him to the lighthouse. He makes it to the top of the lighthouse and he sees the head of the hospital Dr John Crawley and all the mysteries of shutter island is answered.

A character that I found interesting was the main character Teddy Daniels. I found him interesting because he kept his delusion going for a very long time. At the start of the movie I honestly thought that he was just a US Marshall who was going to solve the mystery of Rachel's disappearance but he was really a demented killer called Andrew Laeddis who was actually a patient at the shutter island institution who was suggested to act out his delusion by his psychiatrist. Andrew had killed his wife because she had killed their 3 kids because she had mental issues of her own. What else that had surprised me was that the missing patient Rachel Solando was just a anagram of Andrews wife Dolores Chanal.

Something that was shown in the movie was denial. Teddy would have dreams and flashbacks of his wife. She'd keep telling him that Rachel is on the island and that her killer Andrew Laeddis is too. Near the end of the movie when Teddy is confronted by Dr John Crawley everything gets unfolded they were helping Andrew realise that he killed his wife because she killed their 3 kids and instead of helping her with her mental issues he killed her. Andrew breaks down because he realises that hes really Andrew Laeddis not Teddy Daniels. He killed his wife instead of getting her help and that he is the 67th patient of shutter islands institution. The denial in the movie made me feel sorry for Andrew because he had to make up a delusion to cover up the fact he had killed his wife because she had mental issues. The denial Andrew had to hold throughout the movie wasn't good for him as he kept thinking it was his fault his children died.

In conclusion the movie is very confusing and it takes a while to adjust and comprehend what is really happening and why it happened but it is a very good movie to watch and I recommend it if you like mysteries that really make you think. This movie convinced me to participate in the mental health awareness week which is next week for school and I can't wait.

Reading Log Number 5

Title : The Fault In Our Stars
Text : Novel
Author : John Green
Finished : 11/08/17

The Fault in our stars written by John Green is about a 16 year old girl called Hazel Grace Lancaster who is a cancer patient. In her mothers best interest Hazel reluctantly attends a cancer patients support group where she meets this boy called Augustus Waters who is their to support a mutual friend Isaac. After the meeting Augustus introduces himself properly to Hazel and invites her to hang at his house. They talk about their experiences with cancer, Hazel tells Gus that her thyroid cancer has spread to her lungs. Gus tells Hazel that he had osteosarcoma but is now free from cancer since he got his leg amputated. They recommend books for each other to read, Hazel recommends the book "An Imperial Affliction " which is short story about a girl called Anna who coincidentally has the same cancer as her. Hazel is concerned about Anna's mother, she figures that if Anna's mother can survive her daughters death then her own parents will be alright after Hazel dies. Gus sends a letter to the author of the book talking about how Hazel would like to know what happened to Anna's mother. The author Van Houton said he can't answer her questions over a letter but they should stop by if they're ever in Amsterdam. Hazel parents and doctors think that Hazel isn't strong enough to travel but Dr Maria a physician who has followed Hazel through her journey tells her parents that they should let Hazel go live life. So Her mum, Hazel and Gus go to Amsterdam. They arrive at Van Houton's apartment and get greatly disappointed as they were greeted by a drunk Van Houton. They then make love for the first and only time. Augustus tells Hazel that while he was waiting for her he had a scan and the results showed that he has cancer again and its spread everywhere in his body this is where Hazel realises that Augustus is now the grenade. Hazel would refer herself as a grenade now that Gus's cancer has come back he's become the grenade and he doesn't have much time to live, so they then have a prefuneral for Gus. Hazel says a beautiful speech about how she loves Gus and so does Isaac their friend. Gus dies 8 days later, Hazel is broken because Augustus was the person she felt who related to her the most.

Something that was shown throughout the whole novel was 'love'. It's shown majorly with Augustus and Hazel. Even though Hazel denied feelings for a bit because she saw herself as a grenade and felt that if she had a relationship with Augustus when she died she would hurt him and she didn't want that to happen. Hazel still took the chance and it lead to the most heartwarming but short relationship ever. Augustus used his wish from the cancer association because he cared for Hazel and wanted her to live her life to the potential she could. Even though Hazel's favourite author disappointed her Augustus still made their time in Amsterdam worth while because he loved and cared her.

The character I can relate to the most is Augustus Waters because he has the same cancer as my brother. In other words in the story Augustus was my brother Chris. My brother like Gus had his leg amputated and is soon to be cancer free. Some of Augustus characteristics are determination, drive and originality. As young as my brother is I find him inspiring because he's like Gus. Chris like Gus is determined and has the drive to not let one leg stop him from having a normal childhood. Chris is exactly the same as he was with two legs, he may be bald but he's still the same. He still likes playing outside with our sisters, he still likes playing on the tramp and in the sandpit, he's also determined to ride his bike again.

In conclusion even though the ending was tragic and made me sad, it was a beautiful book to read and it taught me to be more nicer and more grateful that I can live life normally and healthy. I recommend this book for people around my age because it shows a perspective of a cancer patient which is more challenging then our normal routine. I mean I wouldn't want to carry around a oxygen tank 24/7 because then I'd look weird and with society these days there are people who just mock you based on your look.

Reading Log Number 3

Title: She chose to die so she could give birth. Now her newborn is dead too.

Text: Article

Author/Source: Stuff.co.nz

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/97116334/she-chose-to-die-so-she-could-give-birth-now-her-newborn-is-dead-too

This article by stuff.co.nz is about this mother of 6 called Carrie DeKlyen who died giving birth. Carrie had really bad headaches and it got to the point where she had got admitted into hospital where her and her husband Nick found out that she had brain cancer and that she’d be lucky to live 5 years but her cancer was treatable. She underwent surgery in april and the tumor was taken out. A couple of weeks after the surgery Carrie got informed that the tumor was back, by this point Carrie was 8 weeks pregnant. She had the choice of having chemo and losing the baby or keeping the baby but not be able to watch the child grow up. With Carrie and Nick’s christian beliefs Carrie was determined to have the baby. Life Lynn DeKlyen was born september 6th, Carrie got buried 6 days later. Life then died 2 weeks after she was born.

The strongest person in this article was Carrie’s husband Nick because he had to plan not one but two funerals and look after his other 5 kids also he was there by his wife’s side supporting and respecting her decision.

I see this situation from both perspectives. If I was Carrie and I found out that my tumor had came back and I was pregnant, even though this is selfish and the purpose of life is to carry on your dna to your new generation, I would’ve had chemo because you still could’ve possibly lost the baby as she was only 8 weeks pregnant. But there’s also that motherly instinct/ purpose to have the child and you die, because you feel like that’s your job or duty to bring a child into the world.

In conclusion, this article was very sad because of carrie and Life dying. If my mother died then my sister I wouldn’t know how to cope. I’m grateful to have my five siblings, Mum and Dad and I wouldn’t wish on anyone or family to be put in this situation. I recommend this article for adults.

Reading Log Number 2

Title: Jolt
Text/Movie: Novel
Author: Bernard Beckett
Date finished: 3/04/17


Jolt written by Bernard Beckett is about this boy called Marko who just woke up from a drug induced coma. Dazed and confused Marko writes about what he remembers to how he got to the mental hospital. "An awful crack, the back of her skull against the tree. Her body crumples forward. Still I watch" Marko remembers how his teacher Ms Jenkins dies right in front of his eyes, he also remembers one of the guys that killed Ms Jenkins and seeks for revenge. By writing in his diary it keeps him sane but slightly dangerous as he plans to kill "the man" aka the doctor.

A character from the novel that I personally relate to is Marko because "If you asked them Im too quiet probably and a little bit soft". I relate to this quote because I'm a really quiet person especially if I barely talk to you. Later in the story Marko becomes more confident in what he's talking about and what he's doing because he realizes that if he doesn't have a say then his peers won't be able to understand how he's feeling. This is shown when Rebecca asks the whole group what they should do to get out of the forest . Marko says "yeah I'm with you" . I feel like this relates to us as teenagers because we are sometimes afraid to speak up and share our opinion with our peers, which means others just take control without knowing that maybe you're uncomfortable with the situation. Like if you were doing a group presentation and you didn't wanna speak in front of the class and your peers asked you what part you want to present and instead of telling them that you would rather not speak in front of the class you don't say anything. So your peers think you're being rude because you didn't answer them so they just choose what part you say.

An event in the novel I liked was when Ms Jenkins dies. The way the author describes the situation is basically how I'd handle it. "That was it. My last chance to act. I've played it out a thousand times since in my head and it is always then, in that split second, when she cracked and there was no more pretending, that I make my move. But there was no move, and my chance was gone" Marko felt angry for two reasons angry because of him,angry because he didn't do anything to save her. Which portrays what little you can do at the mere age of 15. For example if I was in that situation I'd be scared for my life but also feeling helpless because I can't help her and if I did help her I'm risking my life which if you think about it, it's kinda selfish but still the men would've harmed him which is why I understand why Marko sat there and observed.

Reading Log Number 1

Title: The Edge Of Seventeen
Text/movie: Movie
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
Date finished:  29/01/17

The Edge Of Seventeen directed by Kelly Fremon Craig is about the awkward but funny girl named Nadine Franklin. As she grows up she comes across challenges, her father died when she was 12, she became frustrated when she hit puberty. Now at the age of 17 shes still shy and awkward but has her best friend by her side.

The character I related to most was Nadine, because I'm really shy and I dislike socializing unless I'm close to the person or people. For example when I go out, I get my best friend Alyse to do the talking weather we are ordering food or going to the movies I relay on her because I feel like I will stuff up and mumble when I talk or just talk that quietly that no one will hear me. In the film you see Nadine and her best friend Krista always hanging out with each other and always being there for one another. For example the girls go to a cafe all the time after school drinking milkshakes. This shows that they care about each other and that they don't need other people to keep them company. I relate to this because, it's basically how Alyse and I are. We come in a pair, where she goes I go, when she's sad I'll be there to pick her up because that's what best friend's do for each other. You be there for the ups and downs. I think that when you have a really good best friend like that you should never let them go because wouldn't you rather have one true friend then a bunch of fakes?

 A scene in the film I personally liked was when Krista becomes Darian's (Nadine's brother) girlfriend. Nadine feels neglected because her best friend is paying more attention to her brother instead of her so she slams her locker and walks away. I relate to this because my best friend was in this situation where I had a boyfriend and she felt neglected because we wouldn't hang as much as we would and I'd always be with him. It got to a point where she didn't want to be friends with me which like broke my heart and made me really sad because I was losing a person really important to me. I think that if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, just remember your best friend because they have been in your life more then them and that they really care about you. Try and make time for your best friend and boyfriend/girlfriend and balance hanging out with them so you'll be happy and they'll be happy.