Conclusion to the Story

Part 4:
Great thoughts, Brenda and Navid! Interesting how such three apprehensive young boys get enough bravery to somehow walk through fire. As Brenda said, Gardo was the one with his best foot forward throughout the story. He stepped up to the challenge and went ahead with the Marco "arrangement". Mouths must have dropped in Marco's reaction to Gardo. His attempt of getting Gardo caught was priceless. What type of person must you be if you rat someone out even after they do exactly what you wanted?

The newspapers were extremely opinionated. You can tell the writers were standing on one side of the argument. All 4 of the newspapers described the naive thinking of their Vice-President Senator, Regis Zapanta. I almost thought there was going to be some sort of riot, that involved only the publishers, which didn't end up happening.
Yes I've seen Castle, Brenda. I can see your point, both the show and the events in Trash have similar quick paced actions. They both take a short time to figure out their next step of the case. Definitely a connection there.
Media should most certainly be pushed as far away from you as possible. There's no need to have opinionated people scanning and filtering out all the details of your life, especially if you were someone that's in great danger.
Part 5:
I was very happy for the group at their retrieving the Bible. Now they were able to read the letter with little difficulty. The only issue: how to read it. With a matter of time, Raphael found a pattern that they all later agreed to. After officially reading the letter, the navigation to the location of the money was very emotional for all the boys. When finally finding the burial place of I felt sorry for Rat for feeling so let down. He knew it was for the best, but they ended up finding Pia (in life) standing, waiting for her father. That to me, was profound shock.

After the quick rescue, they ended up finding the coffin with all the cash just sitting there. Rat has also seemed to want to be called Jun-Jun instead. This name change, in my opinion states that he has become a new person. Not just through his actions, but through his eyes because he seems to be looking at the world differently now. He's no longer the invisible kid that hangs around asking for change in a country he never belonged in. He's now Jun-Jun, the boy with new eyes.

The last chapter war truly heart-felt, along with the letter that explained everything. Knowing the gratitude that the boys had for the writers of previous chapters was inspiring. They threw the backpacks of money in the air, the wind casually taking the money to the poverty-filled streets of Bahala. Then, there was a chapter explaining their living conditions now, living their dream-like they never had before.

The Three Musketeers, I'd call them. Raphael, Gardo, and Jun-Jun.
They might have been three young boys once living in poverty..now they're three young men, showing us how to read between the lines.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, we don't have much left. :DD

Last Post...

This post is a half and half deal. First, the book. i loved having something that would relate to my past. it was a good story with many personalities, problems and adventures.

Now the second half. This has been a really good experience. i have really learned a lot of things, from the situations and all the types of people in these enviourments. I have been happy and shell-shocked aswell as sad in the settings of this book and it really was a good beach read for me. but this has also helped me by making me realize at how much poverty these people go through. So this year, during ramadan, my parents donated for education aswell as jobs for people like these in bangladesh. aswell as others in my church.

So enjoy summer and i look foward to the next school year! ^.^

Parts 4 & 5♥

I Love Danboard! Just a cute reading picture.

Hey guys! I know you're savoring the last days of summer, but school starts in almost a week for me, so I'll just finish my responsibility as a blogger. Don't worry, these next two parts will be simplistic and painless if you're willing to continue.

Part 4;

-Stealing from someone who gave you everything, just imagine that. The emotional turbulence that had to cross Rat. Would you forgive yourself if you were in Rat's position?

-Gardo's dangerous stunt with Marco was unbelievable! No wonder he's the leader! I imagined he wouldn't be as guilt filled as Rat was though. I mean, why would he? Marco was a sure traitor but I winced as I read over the eye incident to let it all sink in. How gruesome was that event to you?

-If you ever saw "Castle" the television show on ABC7 it's relative to Trash due to the intriguing thoughts, cleverness, and quick action. I highly recommend watching the television show, (even if it steers away from reading for a bit) it brings you into a very analytical mindset.

-The newspapers were quite powerfully viewed and written! It showed what the cold hard facts of Behala, the senator, and the three dumpsite boys. Yet I'm not really in favor of media being a part of my life, what about your's?

Part 5; Whoot, Happy Endings~
-Who knew their perspective on the dead was nowhere near ours!

-Pia Dante might as well be Jun Jun's little sister seeing the compassion he has towards her.

-The opening of the coffin was quite horrendous, considering the negative effects and spirits they believed in. But they got through & conquered everything in harms way. Yay~~

-Rat no longer Rat but Jun? Interesting. Why do you suppose the he wanted to be referred to as his original name?

-I absolutely loved Jun's last ending!

-Andy Mulligan said we should fall in love with Manila, for they are living in such poverty. Maybe we don't have to wait and see about finding something. Why not just give the dumpsite people assistance? But first let's unlock the code from Josoe Angelico! (=

-What I loved the most was the closure from Josoe Angelico. It was a beautiful book.

Thanks for the recommendation of "Trash"! It truly shaped us all. Have a great two weeks left~ 

Part Three: In My Perspective

Honestly, I was surprised at how this part of the story turned out. The fact that Olivia would get herself into something so dramatic and unexpected is so appealing to the reader. Of course she had no idea what she was getting herself into, only being lied to by 3 fourteen year old boys. If I were her, I would need more profound evidence before coming anywhere close to something she so bravely did. I'm sure there was a part of her that was suspicious about it all, but for the love of the Bahalan children, specifically Jun Jun, Raphael, and Gardo, she did the unthinkable. It's weird how three under aged kids can trick a grown woman into such a dangerous act. They must have been VERY convincing.

Father Juilliard was also very disappointed at Olivia for going to the jail with Gardo. Like he says in Chapter 2 of Part 3:' I feel I ought to say that had I known what Olivia had agreed to do, I would have intervened and prevented it. I would have seen it for the scam it was.' Meaning he never wanted any of this to happen and get themselves stuck in what looked like a sticky situation. As of the kids, I think they did the right thing by not telling Father and Olivia the truth. If they hadn't done the lying, I'm pretty sure they'd all be in the same jail Raphael was interrogated in.

A part of me was proud of Olivia for not backing down even after the awkward confrontation with the prisoner, Gabriel Olondriz. She was dumbfounded once Gabriel told her he wasn't Gardo's grandfather. But the part that I was the most surprised about was The Bible. The code that Jose and Gabriel exchanged back and forth, now that was what you call a mystery! The way that Gabriel didn't know anything that happened between now and then was quite weird. Unexpectedly, it turns out that Jose was Gabriel's grandson. Now that sounds like a mind-boggler, doesn't it?

I felt it was sad how Olivia had to leave Bahala after the jail visit. It feels as if she was ripped apart from her home country, even if she wasn't a native. She got herself out, but I have a feeling she was proud to have contributed to the story. :))

Itching for Part Three?

"I fell in love with the eyes looking at me, and the smiles. I think charity work is the most seductive thing in the world and I've never done it before." -Olivia Weston.

That quote truly touched my emotional barrier and cracked it. In my mind I was playing out Ms. Weston as some type of angel, meant to come to Behala and alter the lives of these people. She was a vital character as the story progresses, without her the boys would be filled with information from the world wide web but wouldn't have access to private information.

"The whole neighborhood came out, apparently. Father Julliard says the people here are like that. When one of their number is hurt, everyone feels the wound." Now, imagine our society like that, with that compassion for one another. There wouldn't be no violence, for once we'd have peace. Yet there's always this negative force that pushes against that. The world can only wish.

It looks to me Olivia is quite aware of her budget, yet still seems to be able to negotiate and present Gardo what he wants. She's ever so kindhearted. Yet the writing in this book told by Father Julliard and Mother Olivia aren't until all the events had happened (in the beginning of every character introduction). As if they are aware of the whole plot and retells it when the deal has been done. That's quite an outstanding approach, wouldn't you agree?

The prisoner, Gabriel Olondriz was very polite, in fact all of the prisoners seemed to be. It surprised me if you dare to compare the inmates here. This is relative to the eighth grade field trip to the jail, and I advise you keep this story in mind when you visit there, it'll have you pity their lifestyle even more. They were good people, just in poverty. Do you believe our government would stoop so low to this level? Can you imagine? Gabriel was a great man, one for his country just hasn't been proven innocent.

The gardener is far too cool and loves to state what he feels! Actually I think I know a couple of straight forward people such as him. I loved his final words on p. 138 & 139. (Sorry I returned the book and I haven't copied those exact words in my notes.)

Jose Angelico's adoption consisting of thirteen boys, and nineteen girls, even four of his own was life changing. Truly life changing. It's like a classroom, but the fact that he saved those childrens' lives from becoming worse.

Can you imagine yourself recalling ever so much as Gardo had? That was breath taking!

Chapter ten of part three was fabulous. I wish the dead in peace, the bible to be in the right hands, and for some reason if you were in the boys' position, there was a great need of appreciation for Olivia. (See page 149.)

That wraps it up. Phew, longest post for me ><

Part Two: The Plot Thickens!

How exciting! The new characters... The dramatic arrest... The story of Jose... I think this section really developed our experience of the plot and the excitement of this awesome book! I really was intrigued by the boys' ability to manipulate the adults in the book, both Father Julliard and the police in the station. Is this a good trait of theirs or something that is detrimental? Also, do you think you would have been able to withstand being held out of the window? I hated that the police were so caviler about their ability to kill Raphael because he was "trash"... the author's metaphor really became poignant in this section.

QUESTION FOR ALL: During the course of the novel, Raphael, Gardo, and Rat learn that the world as they know it will never be the same. In what ways will it be better or worse for them? Have you had an experience that reshaped your life? In what ways have you changed due to this incident?

My View on Part 2

I was surprised at the events occurring in Part 2 of Trash. At the beginning, I was surprised at the change of writers, but ended up liking it. First, looking at how clever Rat, Raphael, and Gardo were, they seemed to get past the Father Julliard without much trouble. I find that Sister Olivia, someone so young, must be such a kind person to want to bring in a foreigner into her home and treating them like her own. What I found surprising was how the government restricts the children of their country to being "given" away, adoption, to other people outside of Bahala. I find that very ignorant of them to want to restrict their backgrounds to themselves and ONLY themselves.

Another surprising moment was Raphael's arrest. Unlike American officials, they arrested him without proper evidence. When they got to their destination, the main Police Station, I immediately though it was going to be an quick interrogation and nothing more. Actually, Raphael ended up having police push his buttons, though he was nowhere near telling them the truth. I find that brave of Raphael, to not only having nearly die for a bag during interrogation, but also fighting/speaking for the dead. In his case, it was Jose Angelico, he was fighting for. Something that the man himself wasn't able to do, even after clearly stating how he never stole the six million dollars he was accused of stealing. Raphael ended up going home, treasuring the anticipation of freedom.

I felt sympathy for Jose Angelico at the last chapter. After reading Grace's entry about her outlook on Jose Angelico, I found it was clear that somebody so honest and trustworthy would do anything like that. His daughter, Pia Dante wasn't found at the boarding house after his death. That made me wonder where she was. Most likely, she became one of the garbage people somewhere in town or the people at the house sent her away. It was quite obvious that her father didn't do anything wrong, but the police most certainly didn't see it that way.

Can't wait for posts on Part 3. :))

Part Two.

I won't go much in detail with my posts because I haven't equipped much notes but I feel Sosna & Navid & Mr. Rogers have gotten that handled. So here's my intake in Part Two.

We are introduced to a character, Pascal Aguila who to me sounds like a new Gandi in a sense. No offense if any taken! But really, he's like an ideal vigilante for the people. Which is wonderful really. A man who fought against corruption but no one ever found his murderers is unmistakeably depressing.

Spoiler; BE AWARE.
My heart dropped when I heard of Raphael's arrest. In the police station I was amazed by his clever prevarications! Yet for me personally I wouldn't approve of him swearing on his mother's soul of not having the bag in his possession. Which in a sense is true, but in a world where they have respect for the dead, I don't think that's acceptable. Goes to show the law enforcements need to utilize better techniques than just persistent demanding/accusing/threatening.

Can you picture yourself as a 13-14 year old smoking? I was blown away! The community finds that COMMON. Which goes to show the government is more horrendous than expected, not giving two seconds to look at the health of others, especially kids. I know this is not really relative, but I expect the life span for the citizens of Behala around fifty or earlier.

Here we had the introduction of many characters, Grace, Father Julliard, and Pia Dante. {As of my notes.} I'm very tempted to discuss of Part 3 but I shall wait to see what other bloggers compose.(:

My reaction on parts 1&2

Well, honestly, after reading the beginning chapter OVER AND OVER again, I have finally managed to like the book! I've read till part 2 so far and I'm getting sort of interested. If you ask me, I didn't want to read the book at first because it reminded me of Pakistan. Because I've lived there for 3 years, i had to see a lot of poverty. So some of these living conditions aren't new to me. The fact that even if someone wants to adopt a trash-child, they cannot is really dreadful. It is like the government snatching a birth right of happiness away from them and I am not comfortable with the though.
As for questions, I have one. You know the temporary house-mother, Olivia Weston, I found it weird how she went to University but ended up not using that "education" for her career at all! I found it kind of odd, personally. And also, the most important part of the story is the "locker scene" The author didn't really describe it. Just that Rat took the envelope out of the locker. I just have preferred a little bit more detail on the scenario that started it all.. Over all, I am enjoying it and will finish the book today.