I chose the virtue of tranquility because it is something I truly should work on. My plan to master the virtue was to think before I talk. I have a tendency to blurt things out before I think about what I'm actually saying.
Everyday of my week was pretty much the same.
Sunday I had to teach my Sunday school class by myself and I had extra kids. That was stress full at some points but I kept my cool. The rest of the day was pretty good. No big outbursts!
Monday through Thursday were exactly alike. My mom and I got up, went to breakfast, worked on yard sale stuff, then around 1 I would take a shower and then go to work until 8. My attitude sucked. I made no progress on my virtue at all.
Friday and Saturday we had the yard sale in the morning and that wasn't too bad. I had gotten tired throughout the week but overall I kept to myself. I had to sing at the fair Friday night so we walked around a little bit and that was fun.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Skiff
So as my second mini report I chose to research a skiff. Many times throughout the book we hear Cole talking about some sort of boat called a skiff.
A skiff is really any type of small boat, usually a sea-going fishing boat. They have flat bottoms and sterns and a pointed bow. They came about as an inexpensive and easy to make boat for inshore fishermen. Originally they were powered by sails or oars but today they have adapted to outboard motors as we see in the book when Cole hears the hum of the motor coming in from sea.
There are many different types of skiffs, most are used for competition. The 29er skiff first came out in 1998 and is designed for youth or trainees who are working towards the 49er skiff. The 49er skiff is very light weight and one of the best competing boats. The Astus 14.1 skiff is designed for more recreational sailing and racing and is about 147 feet long. The Musto skiff is designed for speed, capable of reaching over 20 knots making it one of the fastest sing-handed sailing boats.
A skiff is really any type of small boat, usually a sea-going fishing boat. They have flat bottoms and sterns and a pointed bow. They came about as an inexpensive and easy to make boat for inshore fishermen. Originally they were powered by sails or oars but today they have adapted to outboard motors as we see in the book when Cole hears the hum of the motor coming in from sea.
There are many different types of skiffs, most are used for competition. The 29er skiff first came out in 1998 and is designed for youth or trainees who are working towards the 49er skiff. The 49er skiff is very light weight and one of the best competing boats. The Astus 14.1 skiff is designed for more recreational sailing and racing and is about 147 feet long. The Musto skiff is designed for speed, capable of reaching over 20 knots making it one of the fastest sing-handed sailing boats.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Circle Sentencing
Circle Sentencing is a unique alternative to ordinary judicial sentencing. Cole chooses the circle sentencing or "justice circle" over ordinary judicial sentencing because he thinks he can fool everyone and that it will be easy. Circle Sentencing is anything but easy and could be seen as harder in some ways, but if the offender is committed the outcome can be great and could really turn their life around.
Circle Sentencing goes with the theme that "justice should heal, not punish". The offender must plead guilty to the crime and then a group of community members decides the sentence. The offender then applies to a community justice committee and if they are accepted they will meet with the committee to figure out exactly what they must do.
The whole point of this type of sentencing is to try and help the offender so that the problem gets helped and not just punished and so that the community can be involved and have a say in how it all works. The offender gets many chances to talk with the community and the victims about the crime committed and everything that has to do with the crime. The community acts as a support group and continually checks in on the offender to see his/her progress.
Circle Sentencing comes from an old Native American way of communication called "Talking Circles". In these circles there is a feather or some sort of object and only the person with this object can talk. There are absolutely no interruptions and the only comments that can be made are noises that can be made through the nose. In these circles anything can be discussed and everyone gets a chance to talk.
These circles are all about deep intensive listening. Eye contact is not made until the speaker is completely finished and most stare at the ground while talking. It is very emotional and spiritual and everyone is accepting. If done with commitment the circles can be very healing. The Justice Circle is a very good option for Cole. Even though at this point he couldn't care less I think he will end up "finding his soul".
Works Cited:
Circle Sentencing goes with the theme that "justice should heal, not punish". The offender must plead guilty to the crime and then a group of community members decides the sentence. The offender then applies to a community justice committee and if they are accepted they will meet with the committee to figure out exactly what they must do.
The whole point of this type of sentencing is to try and help the offender so that the problem gets helped and not just punished and so that the community can be involved and have a say in how it all works. The offender gets many chances to talk with the community and the victims about the crime committed and everything that has to do with the crime. The community acts as a support group and continually checks in on the offender to see his/her progress.
Circle Sentencing comes from an old Native American way of communication called "Talking Circles". In these circles there is a feather or some sort of object and only the person with this object can talk. There are absolutely no interruptions and the only comments that can be made are noises that can be made through the nose. In these circles anything can be discussed and everyone gets a chance to talk.
These circles are all about deep intensive listening. Eye contact is not made until the speaker is completely finished and most stare at the ground while talking. It is very emotional and spiritual and everyone is accepting. If done with commitment the circles can be very healing. The Justice Circle is a very good option for Cole. Even though at this point he couldn't care less I think he will end up "finding his soul".
Works Cited:
- Adams, Jim. "Circle of Justice." Twin Cities FreeNet. 18 Aug. 1998. Minneapolis Star Tribune. 28 June 2008
- "Circle Sentencing." ACF Newsource. 31 Dec. 2006. CBS Radio Network. 28 June 2008
- Dr. Loretta Standley. "Native American Talking Circles." Dr. Standley. 2008. 28 June 2008
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