Tale of Two Cities Tale of Greatness

There are many reasons why one should read A Tale of Two Cities and why it should be adopted into the high school curriculum: it's historical, it gives the reader an in depth picture of the French Revolution, it's a classic by Charles Dickens, it teaches about correct and incorrect behaviors, and it is beautifully written with many excellent writing aspects.

If students take this novel to heart, it can truly change their personality and how they view themselves and the meaning of success. A Tale of Two Cities relates many attributes such as unbridled passions, revenge, anger, the carnal nature of men, influence, and how perspective can change everything. In the novel it expresses how the French people let their anger and physical passions corrupt them. What the French nobles did to them was definitely wrong and corrupt, but this book teaches how the French over-reacted and wanted not only freedom and happiness, but revenge. Revenge was at their core. They let that carnal want drive themselves so far that they ignored what would make them truly happy and eventually led to many of their deaths.

In the book the French nobles want for power led to the French rebelling and killing as many as they could lay their hands on. The Defarges led the revolution and killed so many that it left France in complete anarchy. Because of their want of revenge and their anger, they take it way to far in the other direction and Madame Defarge is killed.

"It was in vain for Madame Defarge to struggle and to strike; Miss Pross, with the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate, clasped her tight, and even lifted her from the floor."

This quote teaches us that fighting for something you love and having a good behavior will always give you more strength than hate or anger ever will.

This book also teaches how the true power of a nation lies in the people.

This book also has amazing writing styles that force the author to change their perspective. I found myself rooting for the rebels at the beginning of the book, but was forced to hate them at the end. This shows how perspective and only only seeing part of a picture can completely change your feelings towards it.

All of these things I think are essential for kids to learn while they are still young.

 

2 Articles That Strike Close To Something I Care About

I have so much that I want to say about this article, but I'll keep it short. It seems bizarre to me that someone so dedicated to running and making themselves physically and mentally healthy could be so insane. Breaking four minutes for the mile is an absolutely incredible accomplishement. Even today only 5 highschool kids have done it.

I can definitely see some of his character flaws though as well. As a runner myself, I know it is extremely depressing to accomplish something amazing while you're young and never be able to do it again. Runners survive and prosper off of the feeeling of constant improvement and progression, as do human kind in general. He probably had a very strong hope of getting at least one gold medal in the olympics for the mile, and not doing it probably destroyed him.

I also believe one of his biggest flaws was online dating and living with someone you're not married too. I think that can create huge relationship disorders and untrusting relationships that can, just like this one, turn exremely bad at any second. You can see where some of these things have led him to.

I can assure that he is more depressed now than ever. For someone who is used to that much excersice and freedom, being locked up and not beig able to ever see the sun must be horrible. it was also probably realing depressing for him when he broke the arch in his foot and was no longer able to run. All these things put together probably led to the depressed, suicidal man we see today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/sports/after-the-mile-the-tim-danielson-story.html?view=_lsquo_A_Sorry_Predicament_rsquo_

 


I have to agree on the fact that I do not think it was entirely the medias fault why Romney didn't win. I think most of it can be blamed on politics and the faults we face as a people. I think it was obvious to see that Romney would have been better for our economy and government. I believe he destroyed Obama in the presidental debates and that the democratic debate officials were bias and greatly helped Obama in them. While I believe he should've talked more about the two things you suggested, I also believe that anyone who actually would have taken the time to research the two candidates would have seen those things and realized that Romney was the right choice very quickly.

I believe that one of the main reasons Romney didn't win was the faults of man. These include racial discrimination and the want of money.  Many of the people who voted for Obama just wanted his free welfare and hand outs. What they don't realize is that if Obama continues to take from the rich and give to the poor more peopel are going to become lazy and eventually  Obama is going to have nothing left to give. Especially if the economy crashes and businesses go under.

The second part of this is that polls show that nearly ninety percent of african american ppeople voted for Obama and I think that parts pretty self-explanatory. I think that if people really studied the election and wanted what was best for the American people as a whole that the election would have greatly sided Romney.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/03/04/why-ann-romney-is-wrong/

 

NY Times political post

This is just another meaningless threat by North Korea. Starting a nuclear war or even deploying one nuclear bomb would be suicide for them. I believe that the only reason that North Korea is even still a country is because of China’s support and aid. Just the fact that China is mentioning  their annoyance with North Korea is a huge step in the right direction. Why does China even allince themselves to North Korea? What does North Korea even have to offer? North Korea doesn’t have any natural resources or land and their people are isolated and sickly. I think eventually China will ditch North Korea and let them be destroyed. If North Korea actually lived up to their nuclear threats, I think China would ditch them instantly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/world/asia/north-korea-warns-of-pre-emptive-nuclear-attack.html?hp



I kind of agree with this guy but at the same time not completely. I think that social security and medicare should be kept. But that social security shouldn't provide as much welfare as it currently is. I don't think social security is our biggest welfare problem right noew though. I think the biggest problems lies in our uneven taxes, which pretty much discourage people from being successful and helping our economy, and free hand outs to people that are too lazy to get a job. I know people that live off welfare and it is just wrong. I also think that we should slowly take away Indian payments, because it really just makes most of them lazy and alcoholics.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/the-war-on-entitlements/

About Me Poem

Tyler

Fearful, about what others may think of me,

 Obedient, to those who want what's best for me, 

Hard Working, while training and studying,

Cocky, when there are so many that can beat me

Valecia, David, Cindy, Anji, Richard, Ally, Mark, John and Summerisa

Love of agency, so I can prove myself worthy,

Love of Competition, to keep things interesting,

Love of passion, what drives us towards our goals,

Who feels loved when he's with those that he loves,

 proud when he scores a goal or breaks a PR,

 confident when he's doing something he loves.

Who needs sunshine to motivate and inspire him,

Family to love and support him,

The gospel to pick him up when he falls down.

Who gives judgement to those he shouldn't,

Compliments when he's feeling confident,

Joy to others when he can.

Who fears mockery, himself, for failing, and pain, both external and internal.

Who would like to see happiness in those around him, 

Laughter in those that are close to him,

and love to those that need it most.

Who lives in a nice house with a huge backyard in AF, Utah

Bell.

Who I Am Lists

Ten Things I Know to Be True

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

2. That soccer will always be better than golf

3. Being hit in the face with a bat is painful

4. You run faster on your feet than on your hands

5. Never eat ten minutes before you race

6. One is the derivative of x

7. There are 525,600 minutes in a regular year

8. The Eiffel tower is 324 meters tall

9. Ice cream is good for the soul

10. Praying is better than wishing

Ten Things I Can't Live Without 

1. A brain

2. Sunshine

3. Sports

4. Fast Food

5. Netflix

6. Happiness

7. At least one degree of kinetic energy

8. My family

9. Friends

10. Success 

Ten Things I Should Have Learned By Now

1. Just to be Happy

2. Always have a purpose

3. Do what you love

5. People don't really care if your cross country team is good

6. Life's not a competition

7. Wear gloves on winter runs even when it feels like you won't need them

8. Winning isn't everything

9. Don't procrastinate your homework

10. Always try your hardest

Ten of My Greatest Fears

1.  Going through a sanding machine

2. Being trapped alone on an island

3. My own imagination after scary movies

4. Being tortured

5. Being chased through a dark mansion by a man with an ax 

6. Being burned to death\

7. Chandler!

8. Failing a class

9. Missing a pk in a championship game

10. Trying my hardest but never improving

Ten Things that Make Me Happy

1. Psych

2. Mckay 

3. Pancakes

4. Shoes

5. Hair styles

6. Vacation

7. Beaches

8. Wakeboarding

9. My Family's Idaho Cabin

10. Laser tag

Ten Places I Will Visit Before I Die

1. Provo

2. Lehi

3. Austraila

4. China

5. My Grandma's house

6. Europe

7. Argentina

8. Salt Lake City

9. New York City

10. Wal-mart

 

How to Have Fun on a Run

Running stinks.

It's always either too hot or too cold.                 

It hurts!!!!!

It takes up valuable time.

It drains your energy.

How can this guy possibly say you can have fun running.

I used to share many of your same dilemmas. I know what's going through your head right now. It's impossible to have on a run, right. Many times, i share these thoughts. Running does at times stink, but you can make a lot of runs fun using some simple tricks. I didn't think that running could be enjoyable either, but I am here to tell you that it's not impossible.

Have you ever noticed that person that's outside running and smiling, looking like they're having the time of their lives. No? That's because there's not any. Some people sometimes grin or even smile on occasion, but typically most people look like they just want to kill themselves. This is the first thing you have to conquer to make running enjoyable.

Try to fake being happy!

The more you act like you're in pain, the worse your form will get and the more you will be in pain. You have to believe that running is good for you and that you can be happy on a run. Although it might seem inconvenient, smiling helps a ton. Smiling has been scientifically proven to release endorphins which raise your pain tolerance levels by taking up space in the brain and distracting your thoughts. If you can get it in your head that you enjoy running and being outside, enjoying nature, and smile then you've overcome the biggest step.

Yes, science actually approves enjoying running.

If this seems hard to do and you are running in a group, you can play running games. I have sometimes used running games on my runs and they help a lot. They also help distract you from the pain in a competitive and enjoyable way. Most of these may seem childish and embarrassing at times, but when you're on a run and your legs and lungs are killing you, you'll take almost any kind of escape.

These games include seeing how many people you can get to wave at you from their cars, trying to find slug bugs to hit your neighbor, or trying to kick a ball or a can to keep it in front of you while you run. Running games are pretty much anything you can think of to distract you from the pain. In the winter time, my team and I even have snowball fights over long stretches of road.

One of the most essential steps is having a purpose in your running, whether it's to become healthier, lose weight or prepare for a race. You have to set goals and actually try. I hated running as a freshman. That was because I never actually tried. I would just show up to practice and think that i would become fast just by showing up. No, you have to want something and actually try for it. By doing this you will see results and running will no longer be such a gloomy thing, but a gate to something better.

I've talked about the first thing you have to conquer, but this is a step that comes before that. It seems pretty basic, but I've seen people not follow it and be miserable. You have to be prepared for the run. By this I mean that you have to dress appropriately, eat right, and don't eat too much right before you run. I f you don't follow this rule, you will be miserable no matter how happy of a person you are. If it's freezing cold, don't go out in just shorts and a t-shirt. Don't be that guy that thinks he's so cool because he can run in sub thirty weather without a hat, jacket, gloves and, on rare occasions, a shirt.

 News flash, you're not cool unless you're talking temperature wise.

Also don't wear too many clothes. It may seem freezing, but running warms you up and if you wear too much, you will sweat until your body thinks that you are adequately cooled off. Once your body is cooled off, your sweat will freeze.

This is torture! Trust me, I've been there.

If you follow these tricks they will help you have actual fun on a run. It is not impossible. I promise.

              

How to Conquer One of the Biggest Time Wasters and, to Some People, Fears

To new comers it can be a pretty scary thing. To experienced fliers it can be upsetting how long new comers take. I am talking about an airport. If you're nervous about going through the airport for the first time or need to know how to get through it faster, this is the post for you. People spend hours trying to get through airports when really all that time can be saved by everyone following a few simple suggestions.

The first part of the airport is finding your correct terminal. Aviation companies can be in different terminals than others, depending on the size of the airport. Obviously somewhere like LAX or Dallas International Airport are going to have more terminals than a smaller airport such as Provo Airport. Get transportation to the terminal assigned to the aviation company (such as Jet Blue, Delta, United or South West) that you are flying with.

Once you are inside the correct terminal, the second part of the airport is usually checking in your bags and printing out your boarding pass. Boarding passes can be printed off at home or at a computer next to where you check in your bags. Make sure you have all the information you need before coming to the airport, such as your boarding code (used to print off your boarding pass).

The third step is going through security. This is the most feared and time wasting part of the airport. To save time, make sure all of your electronics are out of your bag and your liquids are less than three ounces and in a Ziploc bag. Hours could be saved by people taking off their shoes, belts and watches before they get to the security tables and scanners. This will save people time, help people make their flights, and in some cases, lower the time it takes to get through the airport by more than half. Make sure you also have everything out of your pockets, and all metal items removed from your person. Prepare ahead of time to put your small appliances into a bin that will be given to you at the security table.

Do not take anyone's luggage through the airport for them, especially not through security. Tip number two, never talk about bombs or terrorist attacks in an airport! That one's a biggy!

After this it's quite simple; all you need to do is look at the signs above your head to see where you need to go to find the gate assigned to your plane. There will be electronic boards telling you which flights are at
which gates and the gate number should be on your boarding pass.

Wait at the gate until it is announced for you to get on and find the seat that was assigned to you.

Store your carry-ons overhead and have a nice flight.

If you need help with any of this at the airport, besides having a nice flight, security officials should be there to help you.

    

An Amazing Running Blog!

This website gives runners everything they need to know. From food and nutritional subjects to professional runners and beautifully planned running routes, this well organized blog has both beginners and professionals covered. It has inspirational stories and videos, tips on how to most effectively become a better runner, and interesting articles about common things and things that one has never even thought about before. This blog shortly and precisely covers it all.

One of my favorite parts about this blog is the title itself: runaddicts.net. Speaking as one who has become addicted myself, I know what it feels like.

When one thinks about addictions, they usually think about drugs, alcohol or other life destroying things or behaviors. This is not one of those things. This addiction does quite the opposite. When your done fulfilling your crave, you feel healthy, amazing, and productive. You feel like you have accomplished something that will greatly help you in times to come (such as races). You don't immediately feel the crave again, but deep inside you know you are going to run again the next day with your eye on victory.

Yes, that is what it's all about. Not fulfilling a humanly crave that overwhelms your body, but tasting accomplishment and victory. You want to improve yourself and be the person that people look up too and say, "Wow that guys a beast. I wish that I could be as fast as him."

This website helps people to fulfill those dreams, become healthier, and develop this healthy craving in their lives. It helps people to feel accomplishment, purpose and self-worth. This blog helps addicts like me improve themselves and find even more happiness in something they love.

http://www.runaddicts.net/            
                                                                

One of the Few Soccer Blogs

I lied.

In my last post, I said that it was what the blog was about that really matters. That was before I looked at the soccer blogs. I couldn't find very many, but the one that I'm writing about was one of the best that I found. That's not saying much.

I really care about soccer and I love reading about international competitions and specifically about the U.S. soccer team. This blog was all about that kind of stuff, yet it was boring. It just showed pictures and gave a one sentence explanation for each one. The background was white and plain and the post titles were like the rest of it, boring.

It might sound like I'm being critical, but I really tried to like this blog and prove the point to myself that it doesn't matter what the blog looks like, as long as it's about something you love. I just couldn't do it. The titles didn't intrigue me or draw me in at all.

One thing that I think it definitely needed more of was stories. Over exaggerated, suspenseful, tie-breaking stories that everybody loves. It needed to tell nail biters and give their stories some character, not just tell the facts. It needed to bring in some excitement, tears and emotions. It needed to show amazing videos and act like the impossible had been done.

It looks like soccer players are just too busy playing and practicing to make blogs, or at least that's what I hope.

If not anything else, I learned the solid fact that blogs aren't nearly as interesting if they're not about yourself.

 http://soccerlens.com/

Pretty Cool Blog for One of the Best XC Teams Ever

I love this blog, but I'm definitely a little bias. It tells the facts how they are, which makes my cross country team look pretty good. And yes, I'm a little bit prideful in my cross country team. 

This blog helps me relive all the great moments of something that I have worked really hard for. The triumph, pain, mud, heat and victory all came flowing in from just looking at the pictures or reading comments that are personally related to myself. The hours spent riding on the bus, travelling to other states, hours of practice every day (except Sunday of course), and bonding as a team and family can all be portrayed by few words: hard work, time, dedication, pain, triumph, victory, friends and family. All in that order. 

All though this blog might be kind of plain at times or isn't very creative, It helps me to think back on something that I really care about and have experienced with far more than five senses. 

It might have boring xc videos, and it might not tell any amazingly illustrated stories, but it gives one like me just enough inspiration to want to live all of it over and over again, pain and all. 

Overall, I think to one that hasn't experienced the blog like I have, they may think that it's spacing is kind of weird and that it has a lot of videos with no comments. The stories of triumph aren't elaborated on and are given plainly as facts, but I love it more than any other blog, because it helps me relive things I really care about. To me, it's not the the spacing or creative words or stories in the blogs that matter most. It's what the blog stands for, what pain and hard work has been put into the blog and its stories, and how it makes you feel. Whether it makes you want to stand up for a cause or inspires you to work hard at another amazing cross country season. For me, this is as close to a perfect blog as you can get it.

http://cavemanxc.blogspot.com

My purpose and Mexico

Imagine a giant, hot, poverty stricken, filthy, Mexican city. Many people live in boxes, small huts or just on the streets. Diseases are everywhere, and you have come to serve those in need. This is part of what you will probably hear from other students that went to Mexico. As for me, I went to the sandy white beaches of Cabo San Lucas. The air was perfect temperature. The blue sea, five star hotels and the tourist city itself were all gorgeous. Where as other students may have gone to serve, my intentions were a little different. I went to be with family and have fun!

My days were filled with swimming, snorkeling, visiting the giant arch in the ocean, parasailing, and riding horses along the beach. It was amazing! The fish wee fluorescent colors, the water was clear and warm and the mood in the air was excitement, love and happiness. It felt so nice to get away from the stress of cross country, cold and school and just be with the people I love. 

From this I learned that while school and daily activities might be important, it's also important to spend time with family and sometimes do things out of our usual. 

I didn't learn this on my trip, but I know that I am a son of God, who's purpose is to build his kingdom, help others, and return to him again. This life may seem like the usual to us right now, but I know that our true purpose is to be with our Father in Heaven and with our family forever.  Sometimes we need to take a break from school and the world around us and spend time with the spirit and with our Father in Heaven (family) through prayer, scripture reading, church attendance, etc. 

Besides my own unwillingness to give all of myself to the Lord, I don't think anything is stopping me. Many things are helping me to progress forward, such as the gospel, school, friends, family, mission prep and the spirit. Through these things I know I can learn to be a better friend and help God's work to progress. For this I am thankful!!! 

         

Sports to Friendship to Media to Conversion

Cross country and soccer are huge parts of my life. I do one or the other for at least three hours every day. I commonly meet new people during these activities and many of them are not LDS. Many of the people at out of state tournaments or meets have not even met and LDS member before. It is my role to step in and be friendly and kind to everyone I meet. I can make friends with non-members and then further our friendships and stay in touch with them using the internet, facebook, email, texting, etc. This will at least plant a seed for missionaries to water and grow one day. If it all goes well, I could even invite or lead them to becoming members of the church.

A Sword or a Pen in the Lord's or Satan's Hands

"You have a great opportunity to be a powerful force for good in the church and in the world. There is truth in the old adage that 'the pen is mightier than the sword.' In many cases it is with words that you will accomplish the great things that you set out to do." - M. Russell Ballard

"The pen is mightier than the sword." The sword can only make something better by destroying or killing something else. The pen has the ability to edit and make everything better. We can either be a sword or a pen. We can try to build up and try to make everything better or we can try to improve only what we want too. A sword if put in the wrong hands (Satan's) can destroy many great things and harm many people. We should use our words and our knowledge to effectively build up the Lord's kingdom and make life for everyone better.

"Now some of these tools—like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand—can be dangerous. The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography. Computer applications like iTunes can be used to download uplifting and stirring music or the worst kind of antisocial lyrics full of profanity. Social networks on the Web can be used to expand healthy friendships as easily as they can be used by predators trying to trap the unwary."

- M. Russell Ballard

The difference between what makes one great and what makes one evil is but a thin line. Many times it starts out with one simple thought of whether one wants to do something good or wrong. It is commonly these initial decisions that decide the out come to one's existence. Children need to be taught to make good decisions from the very beginning of their lives. One can always repent and change their ways, but if they are taught right from the get go, they develop a routing and habits of being good and wanting to do what's right. It's always hard for on to recover and repent from sin if good habits or examples have never been in their lives. Teach your children from the beginning and set a good example.

  

My Perfect Day

In northern Idaho there's a lake. Streaming off of the lake is a river. On the edges of that river there's lush green forests, wild life and an amazing cabin where my family gets together for summer reunions. This brown, wooden cabin is surrounded by a pond, a gymnasium, a four-wheeler path through the pasts and miles of land to explore and be yourself in.  Many fond memories lay there waiting to be recreated and expounded on in future reunions and vacations. To many, this place is as close to perfection as you can get. This and what goes on there are the start, filling and conclusion of my perfect day.
You sleep in for as long as you want and wake up to laughter and the smell of bacon and pancakes. Kids are running around and everybody is having the time of their lives. After breakfast, we hit the lake. We take turns on the wave-runners and wake-boarding boat, flying across the perfectly glassy water at high speeds. The sun is brightly shining on us and the warm water below, completing this fun, peaceful environment of perfection. I take my turn wake-boarding, skiing and completing the wave-running speed course several times. When we our done with our swimming and exhilarations, we head back up to the cabin to a steak dinner, family games and four-wheeling. We laugh and play late into the night as this all fades into another perfect day to come

                                      .