Book Review

The world where every day is a dangerous game, Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins.

           Katniss lives in a time where they have The Hungar Games, games where one girl and boy from each district must fight to the death against other districts. Katniss and Peeta were hunger game victors, and they thought they were safe, until the capitol made a shocking decision for the quarter quell, the games every 25 years. The vistors had to return to the games. Then another shocking event occurred, the uprising of the citizens, Peeta being captured, Katniss becoming the Mocking Jay and much more.

O. Henry

• O. Henry is a pseudonym for William Sydney Porter

• Wrote one story per week
•  O. Henry published ten collections of stories in his career that was nearly even ten years.
•  His most famous stories had very ironic endings

• This style of ironic endings were in many movies and television programs.

•   O. Henry lived from 1862-1910
• Born in Greensboro, North Carolina
• Dropped out of school at age 15 to work in his uncles drug store.
• Did not actually start writing until his mids-30's
• Founded a weekly humor magazine, The Rolling Stone, in 1849

Picture is from - http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://campsmoke.fmallen.com/wp-

Information is from - Encarta

The Green Greed

Erin H

Mrs. Zurkowski

10/27/10

The Green Greed

            “The Masque of the Red Death”, by Edgar Allen Poe, has many colors that are very symbolic to the story. There are seven different rooms with seven different colors in each. The colors are blue, purple, orange, white, violet and black. Another one of the rooms was green, and had green casements and matching green window panes. Green is symbolic to many things; wealth, adolescence, energy, environmental, envy and sometimes it is even associated with evil and the devil. In the “Masque of the Red Death”, by Edgar Allen Poe, the green room symbolizes greed.

            The color green has to do with the earlier part of human life, around the ages of 13-20 years old. During those years people start to gain money and know what it is worth. They begin to become greedy and then want to have anything and everything. Once people start to gain their own well earned money they either spend it and want everything or save it and not spend it on anything. So, they become greedy with either wanting everything or greedy with wanting more money.

            This color relates to me very much since I am 14 and in that age group of 13-20 years old. I do not save my money at all; I like to spend it on everything. Whenever I get money, whether it’s from Christmas, my birthday or my allowance, I go right out and spend the money, usually on clothes or jewelry. But, on the other hand my brother saves his money very much. He never buys anything with his own money, he always asks my parents to buy it for him. When humans reach their teenage years, they want to own and have everything and they do not really think about the cost of it. Teenagers can be very greedy.

Edgar Allen Poe Web Quest

 

1. Edgar Allen Poe was born in  Boston on January 19, 1809. He died on Sunday  , October 7, 1849 in Baltimore Maryland.

2. Five theories of Poe's death are that he drank too much,  he had something wrong with his brain and suffered brain fever,  he had rabies,  the cooping theory, and there had been an early incident that had later implications for his health, TB, physically abused, murder. 
3. The state that Poe called his home was Virginia.
4. The famous military academy that expelled Poe in 1831 was the U.S Military Academy at West Point.

5. Poe married  Virginia, his cousin, and she was 13 years old.

6. I think that the marriage of Poe and Virginia is very strange. Usually two people do not get married where the man is more then twice the women's age.
7. "The Raven" was published in  late 1844.
8. "The Tell-Tale Heart" and  "The Black Cat" were both  written in late 1842.
9. Some tragic childhood event of his that influenced his writing was his mother dying and his father left the family before his mohe died.

10. I signed the guest book at Poestories.com

Picture from:

"Poestories Gallery: Portraits of Edgar Allan Poe." Edgar Allan Poe, Short Stories, Tales, and Poems. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://poestories.com/images.php?category=portraits of edgar allan poe>.

WE'RE BAAAAACCKKKKK!!!!!

Welcome back to Erin's Excitingly Exuberant English Blog! This quarter we are working on short stories and Shakespear. Many times the short stories are ended with a hook, which is very annoying. I like to know what happens to the characters at the end of the story. But on the subject of Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe, I do not know much. All I really know is that there are 3 mascot's named Edgar, Allen and Poe for ravens. As of Shakespeare, I do not know much about that either. I hope to learn more about these two people and the stories they have written.

My Position Research Paper

The Deadly Cancer

            It is estimated that there is more than 7 million deaths due to cancer each year (Pitot, Henry C.). There are numerous types of cancer that people can be diagnosed with. Some examples are breast cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. A lot of people get cancer and many are long time survivors. One cancer that few survive for is pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a very deadly cancer. One of the main problems is that the symptoms of this cancer are very unnoticeable until it’s too late to have the cancer removed. Another main thing is that cigarette smoking is the main cause to pancreatic cancer. Most of people who have pancreatic cancer smoked or have smoked at one point in time. People should not smoke and to help this happen the companies that make the cigarettes should be closed down because it is the cause of this very deadly disease.

            Pancreatic cancer is a disease that which cancerous cells are found within the tissues of the pancreas ("What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas."). The pancreas sits across the back of the abdomen right behind the stomach and is about 6 inches long ("What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas."). Pancreatic cancer is extremely deadly. There are very few people who survive this awful disease. After diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 10 – 15 percent live the first year and less than one present one percent live 5 years (Brody, Jane E). Pancreatic cancer is so deadly that 95% of its victims will die from it ("Pancreatic cancer"). “The American Cancer Society estimate that 33,730 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006. About 32,200 people will die of pancreatic cancer in 2006 ("Pancreatic cancer.").” So, that means only 1530 people will live survive this disease in 2006.

            Doctors think that there are many things that could possibly put people at risk for pancreatic cancer like age, family history, diabetes or even being African-American ("What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas."). But, there is only one known thing that can put you at risk for pancreatic cancer and that is cigarette smoking (Brody, Jane E) . Smoking causes many other things too like lung diseases, heart diseases and strokes. Some people don’t even realize how bad smoking is for them. People who do smoke are 2 – 3 more times likely to get pancreatic cancer than non-smokers (Brody, Jane E).  Dr. Mack, an authority on pancreatic cancer from the University of Southern California, was interviewed and said ''But at this point, all we can tell people about preventing pancreatic cancer is to quit smoking, which they've got plenty of other reasons to do anyway (Brody, Jane E).”

Pancreatic cancer is very hard to detect and that is why it is the second most deadly cancer (Brody, Jane E.). Some people might not even realize that they have pancreatic cancer because as it is forming it has very few symptoms and it takes very long for the symptoms to show. A tumor in the pancreas that is 1 centimeter had been growing from 9-20 years (Brody, Jane E.). Many times the few symptoms it does have, are the same as many other sicknesses, so the doctors don’t even think the patient has pancreatic cancer. If the cancer is found when it is small, it is still very difficult to completely remove the cancerous parts because it has a tendency to spread on surrounding tissues (Brody, Jane E.). Dr. Michael Hamilton, coordinator for gastrointestinal cancer at the National Cancer Institute, says ''The pancreas is so deep in the abdomen; a slow-growing cancer takes a long time to manifest itself (Brody, Jane E.).”

 Some people may reiterate that researchers say that there are a lot of other causes, not just smoking, that can give you pancreatic cancer. Well, there are other possible things that might be a risk for pancreatic cancer but smoking is a proven risk ("Pancreatic cancer."). It is said that smokers have a 70% increased chance for having pancreatic cancer (Brody, Jane E.). There have also been many studies about smoking and pancreatic cancer.  The author says that a new study is Los Angeles County revealed that “smoking a pack or more a day was associated with a fivefold to six fold increased risk to developing pancreatic cancer (Brody, Jane E).”

People might also say that since so many Americans smoke they cannot shut down the cigarette companies because the people who are addicted will be very mad. But, that is exactly it; 1 in every 5 Americans smoke ("Cigarette Smoking."), and that is too many. If these people are so addicted to the nicotine and the cigarette companies are closed it will force them to stop smoking. If not stopped, at least 30% of the people who smoke will be diagnosed with cancer ("Cigarette Smoking."). Yes, the people might be mad but they will be happy when they are not in the hospital getting a surgery that will take weeks to heal from.  So closing the cigarette manufacturers will help many people to not get pancreatic cancer and other diseases too.

Smoking is extremely dangerous. It causes many diseases that can be life threatening. One of those diseases is pancreatic cancer and smoking is a main cause for that specific cancer.  The companies that make the cigarettes need to be shut down to help prevent this. It will greatly decrease the large number of people who are victims of this extremely deadly cancer.   

Works Cited

Brody, Jane E. "PANCREATIC CANCER: CIGARETTE SMOKING IS STRONGEST LINK TO DEADLY DISEASE." New York Times 25 Mar. 1986. Gale Student Resources In       Context. Web. 27 Sept. 2010

"Cigarette Smoking." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 04 Oct. 2010.

            "Pancreatic cancer." World of Health. Gale, 2007. Gale Student Resources In Context.        Web. 16 Sept. 2010.

Pitot, Henry C. "Cancer (disease)." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2010. Grolier Online. 4       Oct. 2010 <http://gme.grolier.com/article?assetid=0050450-0>.

Unknown. "What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Pancreas." WHAT YOU NEED TO     KNOW ABOUT CANCER OF THE PANCREAS. Sept. 16 2002: n.p. SIRS   Government    Reporter. Web. 26 Sep 2010.

           

"Cigarette Smoking." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast,  Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 04 Oct. 2010.

Pancreatic Cancer Notes #3

Brody, Jane E. "PANCREATIC CANCER: CIGARETTE SMOKING IS STRONGEST LINK TO DEADLY DISEASE." New York Times 25 Mar. 1986. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 27 Sept. 2010

• Second most deadly cancer known

• Cigarette smoking; most suspected reason for pancreatic cancer

•  "a new study of 490 patients in Los Angeles County revealed that smoking a pack or more a day was associated with a fivefold to sixfold increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer"

• Coffee drinkers may also be at risk for pancreatic cancer

• ''But at this point, all we can tell people about preventing pancreatic cancer is to quit smoking, which they've got plenty of other reasons to do anyway,'' Dr. Mack said in an interview.

• Average patient lives 3 months after diagnosed

• 10 - 15 percent live the first year

• Less then 1 percent live after the first 5 years

• "The increase has occurred more among women than men, more in blacks than whites and more in the elderly than the young"

• 25,500 will be diagnoised this year and 24,000 will die from it

• Sometimes people don’t even know they have this cancer because it takes so long to form and it gives off very few signs as it is forming

• Can spread to surrounding tissues

• For evey 6 patients only 1 can even get surgery most are either too old, too sick or there disease is too far advanced.

• Radiation therapy sometimes doesn’t even work because it is too hard to get  a good amount to the cancer cells without damaging normal tissues

• Chemotherapy doesn’t necessarly work either.

• Dr. Glatstein put it: ''Right now we're all grasping for straws. This is a tumor against which we've not made one single improvement in the last 30 to 40 years.''

Pancreatic Cancer Notes #2

•  pancreas is a gland near the stomach and spine

• Pancreas produces insulin which helps the amount on sugar in your blood

• Diabetes is another thing that increases you chance of pancreatic cancer

• If anyone in your family had this cancer then you might too.

• There are many ways to diagnose pancreatic cancer like, biopsy, lab tests,

And ultrasound.

• "pancreatic cancer can be cured only when it is found at an  early stage, before it has spread."

• There are many different types of surgery that can try to remove the cancer from the pancreas.

• "Whipple procedure:  If the tumor is in the head (the widest part) of the  pancreas, the surgeon removes the head of the pancreas and part of the small intestine, bile duct, and stomach. The surgeon may also remove other nearby tissues."

•  Radiation therapy is also used. Uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells.

• If pancreases or part of it is removed then it will make it hard to digest food.

• May develop diabetes after the pancreases is removed.

Pancreatic cancer cell

Pancreatic Cancer Notes

Pancreatic cancer." World of Health. Gale, 2007. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 16 Sept. 2010.

Pancreatic Cancer

• Disease with cancerous cells in the tissue of pancreas
• 17,150 males and 16,580 females will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006.
• Exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known. But things like diets  that have a lot of red meats are a possible casue.
• Jaundice- a yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes and skin
• The way to cure pancreatic cancer is surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy

• Very fatal disease, 95% of people will die from this cancer
• No early symptoms
• Smoking is another thing that might cause this
• The American cancer says that you should eat a lot fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber.
• "The most definitive test for pancreatic cancer is a biopsy, in which a sample of the tumor is removed and examined microscopically."
• "Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are found within the tissues of the pancreas"

Questions on Pancreatic Cancer

1. Is it possible for teens to get pancreatic cancer?
2. How many people have died from this cancer in 2009?
3. Do more males or femals get this cancer?

Pancreatic Cancer

Erin H.

Mrs.Zurkowski

Purples- honors

9/13/10

Book: Going for the Record

Topic: Pancreatic cancer

Search Terms:

1.      Cancer

2.      Pancreas

3.      Results of smoking

4.       Results of obesity

5.      “deaths from pancreatic cancer”

6.      “Gastrointestinal cancers”

7.      “Results of excessive alcohol intake”

 A main issue in Going for the Record, by Julie A. Swanson, is pancreatic cancer. By the end of 2010 it is estimated that 43,140 will be diagnosed with this cancer. 36,800 of those people will die from pancreatic cancer in a matter of 3-6 months from when they are diagnosed. There are many causes of pancreatic cancer. Some causes are smoking, obesity, age (usually over 60), diets high of red meat, diets low of fruits and vegetable, and diets high in sugar-sweetened drinks. One way to have pancreatic cancer treated is surgery, but it depends on the stage of the cancer. Some ways you can prevent pancreatic cancer is to keep a healthy weight, have a stable diet of fruits, vegetable and whole grains, and taking vitamin D.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer)

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bodymindspiritintegration.com

Pancreas

Pen Pal Letter for Going for the Record

703 Churchville Road


Bel Air MD, 21024

September 3, 2010



Dear Leah,



My name is Erin H. and I really liked reading about your story in Going for the Record by Julie A. Swanson. I am in 9th grade at John Carroll and I love to play sports, just like you. I live in Forest Hill Maryland. My summer has been fun and exciting, and I hope yours was too. My basketball team went to Orlando to compete in a National YBOA tournament. I also went to Florida, North Carolina, and Deep Creek Lake with my friend Alex and her family.



I really liked reading Going for the Record, actually my friend had read it before and she said it was a really good book, so when I saw it on the list I was very excited. I really liked it when you thought you wouldn’t be able to play soccer anymore, because of your dad, you still tried to play because you love it. When you father was in his bed and you stayed with him the entire time, I thought that was very brave of you because I don’t think I would be able to stand to see my father like that and not cry all the time.

I think that Julia A. Swanson writes very realistically and it is full of details “Tweet! They play a quick touch forward and boot it long. It ricochets between several players before settling at a blue defenders feet. We’re in possession.” You can actually see the soccer game in your head. I also really like the way Swanson puts the dates in the beginning of the chapters and throughout the book. These dates helped me realize how much happened in a short amount of time.

Why did you get so mad at Clay when he asked if you had talked to any college coaches? Then when he wrote you that letter you got even angrier when he signed it “Love, Clay”. Was it that you were so upset about your dad you had to let it out somehow? But in the end I was very happy when you forgave him.

This story definitely made me really think about the issue of cancer. It’s amazing what cancer can do to a family, it can bring them closer together or it can tear them apart. One thing for sure is that cancer is a very frightening thing to go through. In our society today with all of the new technology and medical advances, we still don’t have a cure for all cancers, which is very surprising. Sometimes the inventors and doctors just need funding to get there cures tested to see if they work. So a good thing to do is to raise money for cancer. You could do a lot of things like a yard sale, ask a restaurant to give you some of their money from one day, or even just go around asking for money to support a certain type of cancer.

I hope that you are on a soccer team again and that everything is ok between you and Cay. Also I hope that your family isn’t taking you fathers passing to hard. I know how you felt during this difficult time when your dad had cancer. My mom had breast cancer but she fought through it and is now a 1 year survivor. So I know that you will be strong for your father and make something good out of this horrible tragedy.



Sincerely,





Erin H

Going for the Record

I read Going for the Record, by Julie A. Swanson. These are some questions that might help you with the book:

1. The main character is seventeen-year-old Leah Weiczynkowsk. She is very athletic, she cares greatly about her family and

2. In the beginning, Leah is on her way home from soccer when her father tells her that he has pancreatic cancer, which means he only has 3 months to live. Leah is invited to train for soccer in Colorado Springs by the middle of the story, but has to leave the excellent opportunity early to go home to be with her father who is getting sicker and weaker every day. By the end Leah’s older sister, Mary who was pregnant, has her baby, which is what they think Leah’s dad has been wait for, so he passes away 2 days later.

3. The author is trying to say that horrible things may come along in life but don’t let that one horrible thing effect you for the rest of your life and keep you from doing things you love.

4. One of the issues is cancer patients and treatments. This affects Leah because her father decides that he does not want any more treatments to help his cancer and Leah can’t understand why he doesn’t want to live even for a couple extra days. Another thing that affects her is that her father is a cancer patient, and he used to always take Leah to her soccer games so then she felt like she couldn’t play soccer because it reminded her so much of her father. And finally the thing that affects Leah the most is just the fact that her father has cancer and they are basically watching him die, so that puts her whole family in semi-depression and makes them not function.

5. One real and important event in this story is when her father is diagnosed with cancer and the other event is Leah’s decision to continue playing soccer or not. The author makes these issues immediate and personal because the cancer patient is her father who she is very close to and cares about him very much. For the choice to play soccer or not was changed because of her father’s illness and she felt like she should be home with her dying father instead of playing soccer.

Erin's Unique Profile

My name is Erin H. I am in 9th grade at John Carroll. I love to play sport, I play soccer and basketball. I have played soccer since I was 6 and basketball since I was 8. Basketball is my favorite sport. I play on an AAU team, Maryland Elite, that travels to places like Virginia and Pennsylvania to play in tournaments during the spring. This past summer we went to a national tournament in Orlando. I have an older brother, Alex, who goes to Calvert Hall. Since my brother is allergic to basically any animal that has fur, all we have are fish, but I really want a dog. I love listening to music on my i-pod. I listen to almost all kinds of music. I also love swimming and going to the beach, it’s my favorite thing to do in the summer.