Reading Response #2: Ashfall

                 
                    In the last chapter Alex learned that the cause of destruction was the supervolcano underneath Yellowstone National Park.  Chapter two has only gotten better.  Soon after he found out why all of this was happening all power and signal reception was lost due to the mass amount of ash hurled into the atmosphere.  He was seeking refuge with his neighbors in his neighbors home when a gang of thugs attacked.  Alex is now alone, scared and unable to comprehend what has just happened to his life.
               
                    He reflects back on how easy life had been before when he states, "How easy life had been a week ago."  I found this quote to be very powerful.  It's more than just a surface-deep analysis of when things were better.  This quote touches on the idea that we don't really know what we have until we no longer have it.  Alex thought his life to be difficult before but now realizes just how much he would give to have it all back.  Maybe this is because the future instills in us the sense of plausibility and the unknown.  Whereas, the past provides comfort in it's predictability.  Alex longs for his old life but now has to journey into that place of unknowing.  I can't wait to read more.

                 
                   

Reading Response #1: Ashfall

       

       Ashfall is a science fiction story takes place in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  It opens up with Alex (the main character) talking about his "pre-Friday" life.  He's seems to be a normal teenager who argues with his parents and thinks his younger sister is the most annoying thing on the planet. Alex is the kind of person who doesn't participate in physical activities unless he's forced to.  However, one thing he has done in the past is taekwondo. He started taking self defense classes because he was being bullied at school. I can see this information becoming very important later in the book.

       As I previously stated, that was his "pre-Friday" life. Alex's parents and sister had just left for Warren when his whole world was literally rocked when a flaming boulder smashes into his house. A super volcano has erupted which has evoked a defining rumble and spit out flaming chunks of earth. While the rumble continues for days on end, the ash begins to fall.

       So far I'm very pleased with Mike Mullin's style of writing. It's written with detail and intense emotion. Alex says, "I was home alone that Friday evening. Those who survived know exactly which Friday I mean." This quote struck me pretty hard as I read this around 9/11. I believe that quote is referring to "Friday" as the start of a new world or the day the world changed. I can't wait to read more! 

101 Things About Me

I'm seventeen, turning eighteen on October 2nd.  I will be expecting a card from everyone reading this.(money will be greatly appreciated) Just kidding but seriously.

I have one younger brother who's named Sam.  He's an annoying freshman at Parkview, so if you see him in the hall try not to pick on him... too much.

I have two dogs. One is named Jake and the other is named Brown Dog.  Both names are attached to funny stories to be told at a later date.

(Brown Dog left, Jack right)

I'm very involved in my church.  Every year we go on mission trips around the country.  Lately its been natural disaster clean up.

My youth pastor, Tim Smith, is probably one of the coolest guys and friends I know.  When we go mountain biking together, he always hooks us us with sweet demo bikes from Springfield Bike Shop.

(Two Rivers)

I love the outdoors.  No matter if it's jumping, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, or climbing, I'm in 100%.

(Niangua River)

I do have a girlfriend.  She's active in both varsity tennis and varsity soccer at Kickapoo.  She's also beautiful and has an amazing personality.

(Kickapoo Football Game)

I work at Millwood Golf and Racquet Club as Golf and Pro-Shop staff.  It's pretty great. I get to be outside, drive the golf carts, and meet new people everyday.

I play varsity golf for Parkview.

I'm also involved and compete in DECA and FBLA for Parkview.

I do not believe there is a substantial difference between Qdoba and Chipotle to like one more than the other.  However, Qdoba has queso so I go there more often.

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast.  I could eat breakfast for every meal 24/7 if I had to.  Waffles are just too good.

My favorite dessert has got to be cheese cake and coffee. I also like a classic chocolate chip cookie with a glass of cold milk.

(Pre-game snackage, Cardinal's 2011)

Luke Johnson is one of my great friends.  We started hanging out in 8th grade during our basketball season. We played on the "Baller Team" aka B-Team.

My family does some pretty fun stuff together.

(Family Ice Bucket Challenge)