5.8

I recently read a short story by one of my friends. The story was about a young woman named Brook who was being abused by her father. She eventually runs away after he kills her mother. Brook was rescued by a young man named Duke who finds her hurt and unconscious in the woods. Duke takes care of her and helps her get a job in town. The two slowly fall for each other.  Brook’s father tries to find her and succeeds taking her home and hurting her. Duke finds her and decides the only way to protect her is to marry her.  She agrees because she loves him and knows he loves her. They start out their life together a little rough. Duke’s estranged father comes and tries to make amends. Duke is reluctant at first but eventually believes him because he protects Brook when her father attacks. Brook is also faced with someone from Duke’s past. Duke and Brook’s love is definitely tested. Duke is eventually proved innocent and Brook finds the courage to stand up and defend herself and her husband. Duke proves his love for Brook and saves her again along with the help of his father. Brook eventually becomes pregnant and she and her husband are both excited.  Duke is very happy and also very protective over his wife and unborn child. In order to protect his family Duke decides to settle the problem with his father-in-law. He basically threatens him and makes his leave his family alone. The story skips a couple years and tells of the happy family. Duke loves his wife Brook, his son Logan, and his unborn child which Brook suspects to be a girl.

I greatly enjoyed the story. My friend organized the events into the order they happened. I have to applause my friend, she did a great job. I can’t wait to read her next story. I loved the plot and the challenges they had to overcome. I am not one for romances but I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

4.08 Free Choice Blog

I am currently reading the Pearl. I can’t say I am enjoying the book but I am anxious to see how it ends. In the beginning of the book Kino’s son Coyotito is stung by a scorpion and the doctor won’t treat him because they do not have enough money to pay him. Kino his wife Juana go pearl diving. Kino finds the most perfect pearl he has ever seen. The doctor now treats Coyotito. The family now faces many attacks for the pearl. Juana thinks the pearl is evil but Kino is blinded by his greed. The pearl buyers try to trick Kino into thinking his pearl is worthless but Kino refuses to sell it to them. Juana tries to get rid of the pearl but Kino stops her and he beats her. Kino kills the man who attacks him and tries to flee with his family. Juana sets fire to there home and they end up hiding in Kino’s brother’s home. Kino’s brother and his family hide them and are going to try and help them flee. That is all I read so far. I can’t say I am surprised to what happened. At first they searched for the pearl in needs of it to save Coyotito but now that he is fine they imagine all the things the pearl can do for them. Others are jealous and also want it for themselves. I am not surprised that everyone turned greedy. It seems that the book is in chronological order and the author makes it really clear to what is going on. I just don’t feel surprised to anything that is going on.

3.7 Free choice blog

The last thing I read was a book on kendo. Kendo is basically Japanese Fencing. In the book it taught me the proper way to assemble my shinai which is the sword. I love kendo and this book taught me so much. I learned the proper striking and blocking techniques. The book also talked about the famous swords man Myamoto Musashi. He is known for being able to fight with swords in both of his hands. He first killed at a very young age. He was known as a ronin which is a rouge samurai. He developed nito which is when you fight with two swords. I am still learning how to fight using nito so this was very interesting. The book described the equipment you used when performing kendo. Their is the men which is the helmet/mask, the do, which is the chest plate, the gi and hakama, which you wear underneath the gear, the tare, which is the skirt, and the kote, which are the gloves. The equipment is so cool. The samurai designed this equipment so they would not hurt each other when they practiced. Most equipment is made of bamboo so it is very light yet very strong. You can get shark and manta ray skin dos'. The equipment can also come in various designs and colors. They can be very beautiful. The book also talked about how to care for your equipment. Every once in a while you must take apart your shinai, sand it, and wax it so it stays in pristine condition. You also must air out your gear so it stays clean and smells decent. At first kendo is an expensive sport but if you put time into it I promise you will not regret practicing kendo.

2.07 Free Choice Blog

Summerization

I read a couple of chapter of a book about an abused girl finding hope and learning to trust. In the book a girl named Grace Cooper lost her family in a car accident when she was eight. She was moved from foster home to foster home as she was growing up. Her current home is with a drunk named Jack and his wife named Candy. When Grace turned seventeen Candy died and left her all alone with her abuser Jack. Now Grace is all alone. Grace is smart but she doesn't apply herself and is a loner. At school she is bullied just because she is an easy target. After school she works as a waitress/cook at a local diner. When she returns home she has to make sure everything is perfect for Jack. If the house or supper is not perfect she will face consequences. At home she cooks and cleans. Her only safe haven is an abandoned theatre with an old piano. One day she finds a mysterious boy named Jed in her theatre. She tries to leave but he sees here. No matter what she does Jed continues to come back to the theatre and tries to listen to her play. He sees that she is hiding something but is stubborn and won't let him get close to her in fear of being hurt. The story goes on to Jed coming closer to finding out her secret and Grace continues to experience pain and tries to distance herself. Jed eventually sees the bruises and marks by accident when Grace almost falls while she was working. Grace plays it off like it was an accident and she fell but Jed is smarter than that. That was all I read I can’t wait for the next chapter.