Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Where I'm From....

I am from the beach, From the coconut trees, and white sand. From the sparkless blue granite counter that smells like soap. I am from the sunflowers, And small lime trees that perfume the garden. I am from Sunday brunch, Crepes and Waffles. From my brother to my cousin to my Grandma. I am from Thursday Lunchs and Saturday night movies. From don't let the bed bugs bite, to sleep tight. I am from staying home on Sundays and not going to Church. I am from Miami and Panama, and Pizza and Pasta. From the stories of my parents childhood, to stories of me getting hurt. I am from the tropics, and that shall always be my home.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

book review

This Boys Life Book Review

Author: Tobias Wolff

Review

By:

Alejandro Amado

The title of This Boys Life is in my opinion is very adequate for the book. I think this because the whole memoir is based on the life of Toby Wolff, (Yes, he is the author.) The memoir is funny and suspenseful. The whole memoir is based on Toby and his mother moving from place to place and the challenges that await them. For example in almost the middle of the book Toby’s mother gets married, Toby’s step father is very abusive to Toby, this creates conflict in the book ultimately making it interesting.

The book was written in 1st person, and is written much like in the style of The Catcher in The Rye, because they both have that same crude writing style, it’s not a bad thing it’s just that type of style. But, personally I enjoyed This Boys Life better because a lot more things happen. This Boys Life takes you through the life of Toby since he was in elementary till high school. As in The Catcher in the Rye the whole book is in a matter of a few days.

I think Toby realizes that he could basically do anything he wants without getting in trouble, or very minor trouble. Toby has mastered the art of disguise, in front of the people he cares for he’s charming, nice, witty, and a lovely child. But, once you turn your back he vandalizing or doing something illegal. I do think Toby will grow up later, but it will take him a while.

My book is all about Toby, and his mother. Toby and his mother have a very close relationship since Toby’s father is not with them. They always have to stick together, this is very evident during the story because when Toby is out of his mothers sights he smokes, drinks, and has the I don’t care about any rules type of attitude. But, when he goes home at the end of the day to his mother, he becomes caring nice and the perfect child. Toby lived with his mother and step father a good part of the book, his abusive step father hit Toby and treated Toby horribly. Toby didn’t mention these things to his mother because he already saw how heart broken she was during the last divorce that he couldn’t let it occur again. He knew if he told all those horrible things they would probably leave his step father.

Lines I love:

“It was an ugly dog. Its short yellow coat was bare in patches, and once eat hung in pennant-like shreds. It had pink, and almost hairless tail.” –Pg. 169

“My Winchester is gone,” I said

“That dog is purebred Weimaraner,” Dwight said, keeping his eyes on the TV.

“I don’t want it. I want my Winchester.”

“Then you’re shit out of luck, because your Winchester is on its way to Seattle.” -Pg. 170

“When we are green, still half-created, we believe that our dreams are rights, that the world is disposed to act in our best interests, and that falling and dying are for quitters.” Pg. 286

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I didnt get fish

It was normal Friday evening, I was cruising the coast in search of fish for dinner. I decelerated to my favorite fishing spot, the color of the ocean was a azure turqoise, it was beutfiul. All of the sudden I felt the boat rock from side to side, I quickly grappled a metal pole in order not to fall. After about 30 minutes the rocking seemed to seize.

I wasnt very fastidious about what was going on at the city, so I thought it was just a small quake. Since I didn't have a copious amount of fish I set my line out again. 10 minutes later I heard the ocean roar, and the birds started to fly off towards the mountains. Then I saw what seemed like a wall of water coming at about 200 m/ph in the distnace. I quickly accelerated towards the beach it was crucial I got to higher grounds. Once I got to the beach the Tsunami was a few miles off shore. I ran as fast as I could to my motorcyle and started for the mountains. I glanced at my side mirrior, it was too late, a mountain of water and debre was soon to hit me. I felt a pang in my back and I was pushed over, I was being tossed in the water as if I were a toy.
I was able to grab onto a side of a walll I could barely hold on for the wave had too much force. Luickily I was pulled into the building by a resident. Follow me to the roof he ordered, we stayed there for a few hurs drifting through the water watching the chaos. Then when it had calmed down UN, Red Cross, and Japanese adept rescue teams were deployed. Later that day I found my way to the middle school which was now being used as a shelter, I hope they had put their names on the survivor list to facilitate the search for them.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

This Boys Life

This Boys Life Book Review

Author: Tobias Wolff

Review

By:

Alejandro Amado

The title of This Boys Life is in my opinion is very adequate for the book. I think this because the whole story is based on the life of Toby Wolff, (Yes, he is the author.) The story is funny and suspenseful. The whole story is based on Toby and his mother moving from place to place and the challenges that await them. For example in almost the middle of the book Toby’s mother gets married, Toby’s step father is very abusive to Toby, this creates conflict in the book ultimately making it interesting.

The book was written in 1st person, and is written much like in the style of The Catcher in The Rye, because they both have that same crude writing style, it’s not a bad thing it’s just that type of style. But, personally I enjoyed This Boys Life better because a lot more things happen. This Boys Life takes you through the life of Toby since he was in elementary till high school. As in The Catcher in the Rye the whole book is in a matter of a few days.

My book is all about Toby, and his mother. Toby and his mother have a very close relationship since Toby’s father is not with them. They always have to stick together, this is very evident during the story because when Toby is out of his mothers sights he smokes, drinks, and has the I don’t care about any rules type of attitude. But, when he goes home at the end of the day to his mother, he becomes caring nice and the perfect child. Toby lived with his mother and step father a good part of the book, his abusive step father hit Toby and treated Toby horribly. Toby didn’t mention these things to his mother because he already saw how heart broken she was during the last divorce that he couldn’t let it occur again. He knew if he told all those horrible things they would probably leave his step father.

Lines I love:

“It was an ugly dog. Its short yellow coat was bare in patches, and once eat hung in pennant-like shreds. It had pink, and almost hairless tail.” –Pg. 169

“My Winchester is gone,” I said

“That dog is purebred Weimaraner,” Dwight said, keeping his eyes on the TV.

“I don’t want it. I want my Winchester.”

“Then you’re shit out of luck, because your Winchester is on its way to Seattle.” -Pg. 170

“When we are green, still half-created, we believe that our dreams are rights, that the world is disposed to act in our best interests, and that falling and dying are for quitters.” Pg. 286