I hope that my freshman English teacher will include diverse questions in every class. I hope we will be allowed to discuss them as well, so that we feel that all aspects of a particular dilemna are clearly visible.

 533 pages

5 hardest words on a random page: genomic, ectopic, doggedly, electrifying, deferential

Known for the original medical thriller, Robin Cook crafted an interesting sense of suspense into his novel, Marker.  Starting out slowly and picking up the pace, this novel became an addiction of mine as I read on.  The suspense continued to build in all aspects of the story, as this novel was written from several viewpoints.  The pace became consistently faster as the killing rate began to accelerate.  I wish to use this model in my own writing.

 The stress in all settings rose exponentially, as the characters all underwent what was seemingly their worst fears.  This book was not predictable, and if so, only from about 5 pages previous to the actual event.  I found my eyes racing over the pages as I looked for the solutions to the dilemnas.  The answers I found were much later than one would have hoped, but the time delay was barely noticeable, as the plot was extremely complex and fascinating.  There was so much happening that I didn’t mind the extra pages thrown in, as I felt that they provided more information to the story, so that you had a fair chance to decipher it yourself. 

I hope to be able to mirror this way of writing in my weekly authentics, as I felt it was definitely a brilliant read.  I would highly recommend this book, as it also provided interesting medical input from the point of view of a doctor with a career in medicine.  It complimented what I learned in health class last quarter.  This book became an accessory of mine as I read it, therefore Robin Cook is one of my literary idols.

This leaves me behind the counter getting yelled at, and trying really hard to understand what the kids want.  It's not that I don't understand what 'grin sow pumsh shtwas' (green sour punch straws) are, or the occasional 'bwo pop an purple skitlz an pynapl pop an wred ayheds,' (blow pop, purple skittles, pineapple soda, and red airheads), but there's really an art to ordering the afternoon junk food fix.  First and foremostly, I personally feel that I can ask 'ummm…what?' once, which, if still not understood, leads to the point where I turn my back and pretend like I can't find it, and let the kid yell 'its on yer lef,' or 'no, up moh,'.  When worst comes to worst, smile and point at random candies and watch their face do the whole 'hot' or 'getting colder,' and 'freezing my a** off while this deaf wonder guesses at my 50 cent candy, while I'm busy missing my bus…ugh, just forget about it!'  Which is a great feeling, for the candy bartender, let me tell you.  The last and most severe step is to act dumb, forget about their order and move onto the next person, and let the slurred speacher get handled by the next unlucky soul.

The other problem is when the kids try to tell you that it costs less than it actually does.  Then they argue that it is really a dollar and fifty cents, while you know and don't know how to break it to them that, yes, they are actually a quarter short because water is more expensive this year than last year, which is really a tough point to argue, even with the pricing signs.

Although its really not that big of a deal, the absence of please and thank you starts to bother me sometimes.  They get to scream and point at me, who politely grabs their candies, and they pay, hold out the hand for change, laugh at the idiot candy grabber, and then split.  You are welcome, and fine, really, I enjoy this fantastic volunteering job.  I mean, well, yeah, I'm glad to get your candy without profit, really. 

don't say neato, or bummer

wear your pants at least 3 inches lower than your parents

its all good in the hood if your jeans are so tight that you cant bend over without popping seams

anything that could possibly be interpreted in a sexual manner, go ahead, and make fun on the person that said it

wear at least 2 ounces (or until you are bathing in it) of perfume or cologne (and for the select few, both)…never know who might get a whiff of you.  then you know everyone will.

gt=geeky, not necessarily smart

im not in orchestra.  im carrying my friends instrument, really.  i swear.

dont-o act-o like-o you-o know-o spanish-o

raise your hand a maximum of 1/15 questions

dont ask, dont tell

dont act smart.  hmm, i have no idea how i got an 'a' on that test…wow, lucky guessing, huh?

please, please, please, please, dont forget deodorant or underwear when it comes to p.e.  spare us all

fake hugs are fantastic!

forgetfulness is popular

straighten your hair until it stays that way, and is thin, hard and dry

The suspense in this book was terrific.  Although I was certain that Roger Bannister was the first, this book had me doubting my memory, and still wondering who would first run the accomplished mile.  I felt the disappointment of John Landy as he ran his 4:00.6, and also felt triumphant when I read of Roger Bannister’s 3:59.4 because this book was superbly written from the point of view of the athletes, making it an incredible page-turner.

 Throughout my own workouts, I felt that my times were no where near theirs, but also felt that their story pertained to my life.  I am familiar with feelings that your legs are numb, and you can’t stop, or that its not your day, or even sensations of complete exhaustion.  I also know how they feel to be disappointed and defeated, or to be balancing running and schoolwork, or to simply want something so badly that you know you have to do it no matter how hard it is, but these feelings were so beautifully and accurately described that they somehow felt adequate after I read this.