My Quintessential Surf Spot

All surfers seem to have their favorite spots but the quintessential surf spot of Oahu is North Beach. Because of its location on Kaneohe Marine Base this spot is at times barren and on epic days there is about 20 surfers maximum. As you walk onto the beach, signs are stuck permanently in the sand saying, "High Surf", "Dangerous Shore break", "Strong Current", but this just adds the quintessential features of this surf spot. This spot is not just quality because of its isolation from the rest of the island but there is never a day that it is flat. Like most surf spots they need a ground or wind swell to cause wave action but at this spot when the rest of the surf breaks are flat, tiny swells are joined together to break at this special spot. My favorite type of wave is a very fast, hollow, and at times crumbly for airs. North Beach is just that, along with its awesome rights and lefts, the water is consistently clear even if waters are turbulent. At the spot where you catch the wave, the bottom is about 15 feet and covered in coral but as you travel to the inside it becomes a sand bottom. This is good because you never have to worry about scratching yourself or your board on the reef.
This spot is very quintessential to me because it is such a special place. This place was also very sacred to the ancient Hawaiians because it was used as a burial area. Once walking down onto the beach you will be in awe at the waves power and beauty.

Class Discussion

In class on Friday we had a class discussion about the section entitled The Exodus. As a class we discussed whether we liked or disliked the section. Some people enjoyed this section because it really brought out the individuality of the sisters instead of seeing the family as a whole. But others disliked it because it seemed to tear apart the whole essence of the family which was what the whole book was about before the break up point. I personally disliked this section. Despite it having some very interesting and exciting moments it definitely changed the story so much that it seemed like I was reading a whole new book. This could be a good thing but it like such a huge change with the Price family the story becomes kind of bizarre.

We also discussed the father of the Price family named Nathan. Nathan Price is a very religious Baptist Preacher who took the Price family into the Congo for missionary work. After being warned many times to leave the Congo, Nathan and his family stay because he feels that God is testing him to leave. But after awhile the youngest daughter, Ruth May, dies from a snake bite. This causes Orleanna his wife and his children to leave him in Congo by himself. Not to much information is given to us about Nathan in The Exodus but we discover that he becomes very insanitary and mentally unstable. It kind of surprised me that Nathan stayed in the Congo by himself but when you think about it he probably thought that when his family left him, it was a test from God and he must stay. Baptism was very important for Nathan in the Congo. This is because the Baptist sect of Christianity believes that one must be baptized to be a member of the church. Nathan does not understand why people of the Congo do not want to be baptized and is later killed because of his views in Baptism.

Patrice Lumumba Leader of Congo

Within The Poisonwood Bible, Patrice Lumumba is a very significant person who shows leadership among the people of Congo. In the chapter titled Judges both Rachel Price and Adah Price discover that Patrice Lumumba is planned to be murdered and at the beginning of Bel And The Serpent, Orleanna describes in full detail how Lumumba was captured, beaten, and killed. After researching the life and death of Patrice Lumumba the book seems to give a historically correct overview of the situation.

Lumumba was the first elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After 67 days of being in power Patrice was placed in house arrest by the UN. And after being beat up multiple times he was then tied to a tree with his two other helpers and shot.

Patrice was really a hope for the Congolese people and signified rebirth for them. But do to many other greedy men, the Congo was overtaken for jealous reasons. Lumumba is still an inspirational figure for the people of Congo and always will be.

Fears

Everyone fears different things. Some fear heights, the dark, and loneliness but I fear sharks. Seeing sharks up close in a cage is not scary at all for me because while in protection sharks seem harmless, very majestic, and beautiful. I don't think that I would be scared of sharks if I were not in the ocean as often as I am. I am probably in the ocean twice to three times a week and it seems at times I am lucky because I have spotted the shark before it spotted me. In my whole life I have probably seen eight sharks while in the water surfing and just thinking about those instances send a tingle down my spine. Even though you are more likely to be hit by lightning than get attacked by a shark and your chances of getting bit by a shark are one in eight million I still am very nervous at times.
One way to get over my fear to buy a new item that came out recently called the SharkShield. This shield sends out electrical signals that scare all sharks within a 15 ft range. On their website they say it has been proven to work and has a 100% guarantee. I would definently think about using this item but it is extremely expensive.

SAT Practice Essay

A couple days ago in class we had a practice SAT essay about how schools are lacking in their responsibility to teach students about morals and social issues.


I believe that as a person, morals and social issues are very important. I personally believe that in our schools, moral choices and social issues are not necessary to teach. The learning of morals and social issues should be learned at places like church, home, and with people you know.
The main goal for high schools is for students to pass standardized tests and go to college prepared. Ideas like, what is a good choice and what is bad are not relevant to the curriculum and might stir up confusion causing people to take sides on the certain idea. For example many schools in Hawaii were prohibited to say God in the national anthem due to religious views a few years ago. This event stirred a lot of controversy but in reality sent to school to be educated and not to make choices or talk about their and others beliefs.
On the other hand morals and social issues can in a way, a student if he or she is a certain circumstance. But teacher should set up a group of morals and social issues that have a good point and do not stir up an argument so that students can learn in a positive way.
In conclusion, schools should try to address morals and social issues into the curriculum but only if they are thought out and helping the student. But I believe that it is not the schools responsibility to supply all morals because there are many more places designed to help young adults choices and morals.