In the book I am Malala we follow the life of a young girl living in Pakistan. We see her life consists of education, as her father is trying to start a school, and passing onto her the importance of knowledge. Later, the Taliban invaded her beloved valley of Swat. A war zone has quickly become of her home, between the Militants and the Taliban. In the end of the book she gets shot by the Taliban, and is transferred to England where she lives in recovery. My rating of the book was a four out of five. It did keep me interested, and I enjoyed the active ending.

In the beginning of the movie, we see Nelson Mandela after he is elected. He first promotes his campaign of a “Unified Country”. After establishing himself as South Africa’s new president, and explaining his thoughts of unity to the country; he learns of the country’s Rugby team. and how the name of the team must not be changed. Once again expressing his idea of a Unified country after the end of Apartheid. He uses the team as a light and example fro the people of the country. After speaking to the captain of the team, confirming their mutual ideas on leadership. Almost a parallel between the team and the country happens, and an extended metaphor for what the country is going through. In the end of the movie the team wins the world cup, the country has a new beginning and a bondage between races. I would give about a three out of five, and I would recommend this movie.

Where I’m from. 

“When a heart breaks it doesn’t break even.” Often, when a relationship ends, one of the two people is more disturbed by the falling out of the relationship than the other person. In my opinion, the speaker is the person who is more disturbed. Hence the name of the song “Breakeven”. “Breakeven” by The Script includes this theme of uneven love, rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, throughout the entire song.

“I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing. Just prayin’ to a God that I don’t believe in. Cause’ I got time while she got freedom. Cause’ when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even.” This is the first line in the song, and is also the repeated chorus. This is where we see some of the repetition. The speaker is saying that he is living but he does not like his life. Right off the bat we see the word “breakeven”. We instantaneously know that this will be the theme of the rest of the song.

“Her best days were some of my worst. She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first. While I’m wide awake she’s no trouble sleeping. ‘Cause when a heart breaks, no it don’t break even, even, no.” The words “worst” and “first” are an example of the song’s rhyme scheme. We see a rhyme scheme often throughout the song. In the second stanza, the speaker had more trouble in the relationship than she did. She moved on while he still hasn’t let go. The chorus, “Breakeven”, is saying once again that in general relationships someone has to pay the price more than the other, mirroring the theme of the song.

“What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you. What am I supposed to say when I’m all chocked up, and you’re okay”. This is the third line of the song. What the speaker is saying, once again, is that he is still in love with whoever he is talking about, but the woman has maybe been bored for a while, and has moved on quite quickly. Also, I think he is somewhat saying that he doesn’t know what to do know that she is gone. Once again we see the rhyme scheme in the song, with the last lines of the stanza. We also start to see the rhythm of the song, and how it flows nicely, complementing the rhyme.

I did enjoy the song, As it had many literary elements, and a theme of uneven love. I rely liked the theme because the singer never got sidetracked, he always sticked to the purpose of the song. The emotional complex is what I think I liked most about it. The song has the right amount of personal, factual, and emotional reasoning to make the song relatable and somewhat encouraging. It is definitely one of my favorite songs. I think I am going to re-use this theme in one of my own writings.

Is that a mirror?
-No it is your reflection

Who are you?
-Who am I?

Is that me or is that you?
-Who is you, if I am you?

Am I a monster, a nightmare I have dreamt?
-I am, but you are not. Others’ are the ones who have dreamt

Am I Alive?
-Yes, but not awake

Then what am I?!
– You are asleep…

Where am I?
-You are in a nightmare, you and many others, have dreamt

Who are you, then?
-I am the monster

-Sleep… shhhh…. sleep. So I can haunt you, but only in just a dream

The Five Pillars of Islam

Shahadah-

The first Pillar of Islam is the Shahadah. The pillar says that you must make a testimony to your faith. Meaning that you must believe in one God (Allah). Also that Muhammad is God’s prophet.

Salah-

The second pillar is the Salah. Which obligates Muslims to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaaba. Regardless of weather, and previous obligations not related to faith. Praying to Muslims is a very important thing and they believe as a good Muslim they must do this.

Sawm-

The third pillar is the Sawm. This commands Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadhan. The month of Ramadhan is the month where in their religion it is said that the gates of hell are closed but the gates of heaven are open. Because of this they fast during the month.

Zakah

The fourth pillar is the Zakah. This pillar says to give charity to those in need. Money, clothes, or food can help the people in need. It is the Muslims duty to help out their fellow neighbor.

Hajj-

Finally, the fifth pillar is the Hajj. This pillar says to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Mecca is home to the Kaaba. Which is a black, square, building. The Kaaba is said to be the house of God. People from all over the world come to worship the Kaaba.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem the base
To three religions
And a well known place

Christianity is one
The birthplace God’s son
And Mary his mom

Judaism is another
With Abraham and his son
Who told of God as only one

Islam is the last
With Mohammad on a journey
Their culture based on the past

A sweet budding beauty
Soft and supple
Fragrant with a smell of fruity
And unable to ever crumple

That may be your closest relative
The one you hold most dear
A sweet little flower sensitive
Ridden with an unmistakeable fear

That’s who you are
That’s who you will always be
Wishing to be behind bars
So no one can see

Broken by the world
Regretting coming unfurled

Time passes
People change
Don’t give up yet
life is always strange

Life may fight
life may struggle
so keep on tugging

Live and keep living
When there is no hope
you will have to cope

Time passes
People change
Don’t give up yet
life is always strange

I’m from farmland that no one can name
From the unexpected back country
And long horse’s manes

I am from meaningful conversations
From young contemplation
And tired expressions

I’m from the days
When life didn’t hurt
Things were simple
People weren’t curt

I’m from worn leather saddle straps
From grass that has never been mowed
And unwilling dusty clothes

I’m from constant movement
And never a rest
From the unexplored
And fascinating nests’

I’m from the days
When life didn’t hurt
Things were simple
People weren’t curt