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Straight Talking

Think of a time when someone asked a stupid question and was looking for a serious answer that was right in front of their nose. For example, say someone is looking out their window at the snow covered ground and says “I think it is warm outside.” For a lot of people they would look at the speaker like they were crazy or realize that tit was sarcasm because clearly it is not warm outside. However, most people do not recognize this as a form of irony let alone verbal irony. So, what is irony, verbal irony, and how can a person decide whether a situation is ironic or not?

To begin it helps to know what irony is. Irony is defined as “a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words” ("Irony"). For example, when watching a movie and the viewer knows what is going to happen to the character before the character knows would be dramatic irony. Another example would be saying that the weather is warm when it is really snowing outside would be ironic: specifically verbal irony. There are other forms of irony as well but verbal irony can be the most fun if it is done correctly.

Verbal irony is when “a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning” (“Verbal Irony”). This is most commonly known as sarcasm. Normally people expect a straight answer but sometimes they get a twisted one because the straight answer is too obvious. So how can verbal irony be used? Remember the example above that talked about someone saying it was warm outside when it was really cold and snowy? This is ironic because, even though they said it was warm, one could simply look outside and see that it was not. While driving there are often many street signs that are ironic if one pays attention. For example, if there is a stop sign at an intersection and a sign that says “keep moving” right next to it this would be verbally ironic because the law says to stop there because of the stop sign but the other sign is telling the drive not to stop. Stores that have the lit open signs and the hanging open/closed sign can be ironic too as some will have their open sign lit but the hanging sign will say closed. Another example would be yelling at a child to get them to be quite because yelling is the opposite of being quiet. In short, basically anything that is meant to be sarcastic is verbal irony because the person is saying the opposite of what they mean.

Verbal irony can be fun because if two people realize it is being used, they can carry on a whole conversation that is verbally ironic. It is also a great way to answer stupid questions and confuse those who take it seriously. It is also a nice way to relieve frustration and anger because it allows the person to pick fun at something they do not want to do. For example, someone may say they are so excited to read a seventy page report when in reality they want to do anything but read it. But just in general, verbal irony is a fun way to share thoughts and feelings.

Verbal irony is just sarcasm and it is not difficult to identify. So the next time when someone is looking out their window at the snow covered ground and says “I think it is warm outside” remember that they are using verbal irony. Many people would take this seriously and that can make it more fun for the person using it. Recognize this as a form of verbal irony and respond back with something just as ironic. Why? Because the more people who recognize and use verbal irony, the more fun the world will be.

So I Want to Know...

Here on my blog, I tend to talk about all kinds of things. I share my honest opinions with you my readers about current news stories and other topics that are important to me. Sometimes, I share my essays for school with you when I find the topic interesting and I keep you up to date when it comes to my novels. But my main goal is to keep you coming back for more, my dear readers.

So I want to know...
When you read a blog what would you like to read about? Relationships? Food? Fashion? Politics? School/Education? Places to shop? Gift giving advice?

It is my desire to connect with all my readers so I urge you to respond to my posts start a conversation. But most of all, I want to write about thing that you want to know about or have questions about.

To send me your questions you can contact me at: contact.sarah.blogger@gmail.com When you do, please send me your question and tell me whether you would like me to answer it in a blog post or in an email back to you, or both. I am happy to do either of these.

Best wishes my dear readers.

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Copyright © 2016 by Sarah Fry All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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The Only Way

Here is an essay I wrote for school about the Christian Faith. (Note: I had to write my essay based off of a specific story I had to read for class which is why the Bible is not specifically referenced and why another book is... Never the less, if the book and author is removed the theme of this essay is... God is always here and always in control.)

The Only Way

To be honest, everyone wants to live forever. No, they do not want pain or turmoil but living and being able to be with those you love forever is a thought that appeals to almost everyone. Paradise Lost book X by John Milton tells of how men will be in pain and, eventually, will die. In his story, Milton shares a theme that most Christians hold true and believe. Milton’s theme in Paradise Lost book X is that God will always prevail and he will defeat Satan.

Everyone goes through many rough patches and discouraging places in their lives. Often during these times, people feel abandon and unloved. Adam, in Paradise Lost book X, can relate to this feeling after he eats the forbidden fruit from the forbidden tree. God specifically told Adam and Eve not to eat from that tree but, Satan tricked them into doing so. Adam feels horrible about what he did and he knows that God is not happy with him. Satan believes that he has defeated God by having caused Adam and Eve to sin. But, in correlation with his theme, Milton shares that this is not the case. God had allowed Satan onto Earth; but, He knew what he was doing and he had a plan to destroy Satan. God is still in control of the situation because He knows that at some point His Son would come and conquer Satan.

Satan does not stop there however. Believing that God had lost, Satan takes over Earth and begin to cause more people to sin. However, God knew all along that this would happen and He tells His angles that He will allow them to remain on Earth until Judgement Day when He would lock them in Hell forever. Although it did not seem like it to Adam and Eve, God was still in control of everything that was happening. The only reason He did not stop sin from entering the world was so that His creation could have free-will.

Just like Adam, many people look at the world today and ask themselves if God really exists. And if He does, why is he not intervening and stopping all the wars, financial debts, and death. Milton reminds his readers that God is still in control when times are tough because He wants His people to follow and obey Him because they want to; not because they are forced to. Christians believe that there is only one way to end death, war, etc. Asking God for His forgiveness, His mercy. God wants to have their permission to take full control of their lives because He is a loving, fair God who allows His people to have the free will to do what they want. But in the end, God will still be in control because He has way more power than Satan.

John Milton shares the theme that God is always in control in Paradise Lost book X. Adam messed up but God knew it would happen. Yes, He allowed for punishments because they disobeyed however, He was still in control of what happened to Adam and Eve as well as everyone who came after them. Milton reminds his readers that God is only letting Satan run free on Earth until Judgement Day, when God will defeat him forever. John also tells us that God will take full control of a person’s life if they are willing to admit they are a sinner and accept God as their Lord and Savior which, after Judgement Day, will lead to eternal life with God. The question is, are you willing to be like Adam and Eve and confess that you are a sinner and in need of God’s control?

What Love Really Means

It's been a little more than a year since my boyfriend and I started seeing each other regularly. If someone would have told me a year ago that he and I would end up in the best relationship we could ever imagine, I honestly think I would have laughed at them. But, we did. And I cannot ask for anything better. In the last week, I have learned a few things about what love really means and how love reveals itself. 

Kevin is the first thing I think about every morning and the last thing on my mind as I fall asleep. I think about him constantly throughout my day and enjoy the conversations we have. He has made me smile when it was the very last thing I wanted to do. Kevin has comforted me as I cried and has made me laugh more times that I can count. What does love really mean? Love means being there for someone no matter how they are feeling and being ready to help them through anything.

Love means not knowing what you would do without the person. I don't know what I would do without Kevin and I have no intention of finding out. He mean so much to me and I want him to continue to make such an amazing difference in my life. In the last week, I have had several days where all I wanted to do was give up. But, I talked to Kevin about what was bothering me and we even spent some time together so he could help cheer me up. Love is giving someone the confidence and support to move forward when they do not want to.

What is love? Love is what I feel for Kevin every day and I would not trade it for anything. Love is Kevin waking up at 10:00am (which he should do without an issue anyway...) to pick me up from school and spend the day with me. Love is what I feel every time I see Kevin and my heart skips a beat. Love is what I see shining in his eyes when he look at me. Love is something that just happens and I have learned that it forms a bond that cannot be easily torn apart. In the last week I have learned that love is not something we choose to feel. Love is something that we feel because we genuinely care about the other. Love cannot be forced. Love will willingly do anything for you. Love reveals itself in the darkest times and the lightest times but regardless, it is always there when you need it most.