Website Overview of Elie Wiesel's Book..."Night"

A Summary........

I found this internet site
to be most useful in understanding the profound context for Elie Wiesel's book,"Night".
It breaks the book down into several categories which help to better organize and bring more clarity for further in-depth study of the book. By learning much of the background information (aka "the back story") of the author, this internet link provides historical context from which to gain personal insight and connection into the motivation and mindset of Elie Wiesel, as he wrote his very poignant story about the Holocaust. The book "Night" was initially thought to be too pessimistic in it's subject matter, for publishers, yet now his "memoir stands as one of the most widely
read and taught accounts of the Holocaust. By reading this "overview" of the book, Night, I learned quite a few new things. Elie Wiesel found it easier to write about his horrific experiences by slightly altering the name of the main character in the book..."Eliezer". Even after waiting 10 years to write an account of his life in the concentration camps, it was still quite painful to resurrect those memories. He found it necessary to detach himself further, by mixing truth with some fiction in his writing. For instance, in the story, at one point the character, "Eliezer", wounds his foot, whereas in reality, the real-life Elie, wounded his knee. This study of the book portrays not only the tortuous survival of such a hellish nightmare, but also documents the story of a boy's "emotional journey from a believing Orthodox Jewish boy to a profoundly disenchanted young man who questions the existence of God and, by extension, the humanity of man."

Thoughts on "Night" by Elie Wiesel

The graphic detailed accounts of Elie Wiesel's journey into "hell on earth" has given me much to think about....I am riveted by the magnitude and sheer hatred that held millions hostage without mercy and without much hope for rescue. Hitler and the Nazi nation embodied all that is inhumane & evil. As Elie told about the arduous ordeal of so many families being torn apart & transported in train cars to "death camps"...where the stench of burning flesh permeated the air, and visions so morbid would assault the senses...it is all too much to wrap my head around! As I sat reading the first 47 pages of the book, I was drawn into the world of this young teen, as if I were watching a movie. This forced me to be transported into his reality if only for a brief moment in time, making the details of his life all the more powerful and emotionally evocative. The events that are recounted in this book make me ill, full of sadness and very frustrated that nobody could stop the mass murdering, at it's inception. Even though it is utterly painful to read about these horrific events, I am compelled to read on, so that perhaps I can find some solace at the end of the book...searching for vindication and redemption for a culture of people who never deserved the atrocities so violently thrust upon them.

The Impact of Nutrition on the Brain

Working Thesis:


Virginia Woolf, the famous writer once said, " One cannot think well, love well, or
sleep well if one has not dined well. " I am reminded of that old, familiar cliche'...."You are what you eat. " The very same ideology might well apply to the brain. The brain is what the brain eats! Our brain functions well only if we properly nourish it, feeding it the right combination of nutrients.

Research Paper Blueprint

In our "Writer's Reference" text book there's an excellent sampling on pg.#317, which outlines an ideal process by which to prepare to write a proper research paper. I fully intend on using this guideline as a "template" for pre-writing my paper.
My first step is to check out as many books relating to the brain ( my topic) as possible. I will then find, via the computer, any articles written about the brain as well as nutritional elements affecting the brain. The complete title of my research paper is: "How Nutrition Affects the Brain." After much reading and taking notes, I will then write an outline. From that outline, I will write a first draft of my paper. If I feel I need more resources for the paper, I will
seek out further information on my topic. After re-reading my first draft, I will revise and organize accordingly, and then write the final draft. I shall then proof-read the final draft looking for typos, spelling errors, and any grammar faux pas. Hopefully, by this stage, I will be very pleased with the way my research paper flows, and I will gladly hand in this arduous english assignment!

How Do You Write A Screenplay?

This topic has always intrigued me. I have often wondered how difficult it would be to put a story line into a screenplay format. I have seen many screenplays in the past, due to my brother's profession as an actor. Also, he has written a few screenplays to his credit. But to actually attempt this challenge myself, it would take much research and informed study, before I would even attempt such an ambitious endeavor!
I would imagine it would require alot of narrowing down the storyline, as well as, figuring out the mechanics of the actual written format, with constant dialogue and scene settings, needed for proper filming "setup".

A Topic I'd Love To Know More About.....The Brain

About a month ago, I was talking with my sister (a Theology Professor who lives in Newberg, Oregon) on the telephone. She told me the most amazing thing. She informed me that inside our brain there is a section that harbors all of our anxieties and feelings of fret and worry. She said there is also an area in the brain that stores our gratitude and thankfulness. Now here comes the interesting part.....These two diametrically opposing feelings are stored in the exact same location in our brain. Now comes the truly mind-blowing factoid. Did you know that it is biologically impossible for these two emotions/states of mind to co-exist in our brain at the same time. That magnificent little fact absolutely blew me away! The implications are awe inspiring. To think that our Creator designed our brains in such a way, that if we focus on our blessings and gratitude for things in this life, then it automatically cancels out any negative fretting and anxious worrying! This new discovery has inspired me to learn more about how the brain functions.
So, anything relating to how the brain works would be a most provocative topic for further research.

Ode to "Isabella"

It was 6 years ago that I created my first internet column. Back in 2002, the world had not yet latched onto the current "buzzword du jour"...BLOG....and so I, for lack of any better terminology, described my weekly internet rantings as....a column. I began these daily/weekly musings of mine as first, a creative outlet, but it evolved into something far more meaningful to me. I wrote about anything and everything, from current events to societal woes and political
platforms and ideologies. It became a full-time endeavor because I wrote monday thru friday, almost every week for a 2 year period....I did take some sabbaticals/ vacations from time to time, but the consistent nature of my writing became an obligation I happily fulfilled. You see, much to my amazement, I had a huge response, worldwide. People from Russia, China, Australia, Europe, and bizarre locations I've never heard of before, began to write back to me and including me in on the largest global communication network of my life! It was fascinating to hear comments from such a diverse crowd. There was even a family in Boston who would make my column part of their early morning routine, as they sat drinking their coffee around the breakfast table. I felt extremely honored and humbled by the gravity of that image.
Who knew that I was an early "blogger"...I just didn't have a name for it back then.
I eventually discontinued the webpage and my column...which I had entitled.."Do the 2 "by Isabella(my nom de plume)...It was difficult to maintain the consistent writing and I needed a
break. I did miss the feedback from my global community of friends, and it had become a bit addictive, in that regard. But alas, now there's this new forum by which to be creative and interact once again with others via this cyber family we've all joined...via our respective
blogsites. I look forward to this new avenue of creativity!