IRP Blog Post 2

This image is a room in the Dug-Out Underground Motel. It is located in the side of Smith's Hill in White Cliffs. Bill and his fellow traveller, Trevor pass through this town with their Australian tour Steve Garland and his wife Lisa.

The motel, as well as most homes in White Cliffs are built into the side of the hill in an attempt to cool off. Bill describes this town as unbearable and unreal. With a population of 80 and the recent discovery of electricity in 1993, Bill concludes that this is truly a different place.

When I saw this picture of the motel, it reminded me of the underwater hotel being built in Dubai.

IRB Blog Post 1

"'a swollen stinger that could give him 20 minutes of agony and, if he's unlucky, an unsightly allergic reaction to carry on his torso for life....' It occured to me that Australians are so surrounded with danger that they have evolved an entirely new vocabulary to deal with it" (Bryson 17).

The first part of this quote is a part of an article in the "Sydney Morning Herald" weekend magazine, written by Deirdre Macken. Deirdre and a photographer Glenn Hunt are acting as tour guides for Bill Bryson in his journey through Sydney. Although he has been to Australia many times before this adventure, he confesses that he never had a chance to truly see Sydney and "The Outback."

I decided to choose this passage because it demonstrates the intense and dangerous situations Bill has found himself in Australia thus far. In this passage a dangerous jelly fish is just a few feet away from him, and the Australians are simply telling him not to worry. I think this passage is important because it demonstrates the Australians non chalance way of life and easy going personalities.

180 Degrees South Reflection

"Books are a great start, but there is no substitute for just going there."

I believe that this quote relates to Jeff Johnson and his journey to Chile because it sums up the reason why he started the journey in the first place. Jeff Johnson was always an adventurous kid, and thrived for new experiences. But I believe the thing that truly inspired his journey, was the stories of Yvon and Doug. After reading and learning about their amazing accomplishments and journey to Chile, Jeff truly wanted to travel that same route and find the two in South America. This connects to the quote because Jeff had read about Yvon and Doug and their crazy adventures, but it was not enough. Reading it is not the same as actually experiencing it.

This quote has the same meaning for my life and future. In just six months, I will be embarking on an unfamiliar journey- college. After years of being taught about college and life after high school, I will finally experience it for myself. Last year, as I was searching for the right college I read countless texts about colleges and the lifestyles they each had to offer. Although I have read about college, it will not be the same as truly living it.

Independent Reading Book MP 3

Title: In A Sunburned Country
Author: Bill Bryson

Blog Post # 12- Swimming World Coach remains

Sean Hutchison, the coach of the USOC Professional and Post-Graduate Center in Southern California,will remain the coach. Earlier, there was a rumor that Hutchinson was resigning. He coaches swimmers who are a part of the Fullerton Aquatic Swim Team (FAST), associated with USOC. The rumor of his resignation began with reports that he acted inappropriate with his swimmers. But, after no evidence of this improper behavior showed up, the rumor of his resignation was dismissed.

Do you think that Hutchinson should leave the program after these rumors? How will he be able to recover after having so many allegations agasint him?

This websited describes in depth Hutchinson's work and goals as a coach:

http://www.teamunify.com/Contact.jsp?team=king

Blog Post # 11- NYT Books- Publisher Tinkers with Twain

This article describes the current controversial issue over a certain word used in the classic novel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The word "nigger" appears 219 times throughout the novel, which has cause some concern and discomfort among teachers. One professor from Alabama, Mr. Gribben brought the idea to have a new edition of the novel to a publisher in July. The term will now be replaced with "slave". Many people are angry at the fact that this classic will be changed and have a new edition. The usage of the word reflects the culture of life during that time. Yet, many book stores have already pre-ordered the book, which will be ready for publication in February. One teacher, who opposes the new edition, described how the language she hears in the hallways is more offensive than the language in this novel.


How do you feel about the new edition? Do you think this book should be banned from schools, or maybe just certain age groups?


In this link, the author of the blog voices his opinion about the new edition of the classic novel:

http://themoderatevoice.com/97181/huck-finn-censored-and-sanitized/

Blog Post #10- CNN Peace in Sudan

In Sudan, an upcoming election will decide whether Southern Sudan should seperate from Sudan and form a new country. After a civil was between the north and south, which ended in 2005, part of the peace deal was a referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan.
The voting will take place in three days, which makes actor George Clooney very excited. As as activists he is hopeful that there will soon be peace at such a chaotic time. George has frequently visited Sudan and even has an organization that will be monitoring violence related to the voting. They will be doing so by using satellite images to get a "birds eye view" of the situation in the country.

Do you think that the voting will be able to come to a clear decision and help the problems going on in Sudan? Do you think it is likely that Southern Sudan will become a seperate country? Also, I think it's nice how celebrities are getting involved in international affairs. Do you think George Clooney's involvement in this situation will affect it in anyway?

Here is a link describing teh atrocities of the Sudan civil war:

http://www.newsweek.com/2009/10/07/africa-s-last-next-war.html