Sarah M's CyberEnglish blog

For my third genre post while reading Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb, I have chosen to create a Web Quest. I chose this piece because the main character, Mia, has many problems and thinks about what she can do to fix them. I believe searching on the Internet for solutions is something she would do. By the end of reading the names of these 10 websites, you should know how careful and thoughtful Mia is of herself and her loved ones.

http://www.funeralplan.com/funeralplan/about/whattodo.html – I chose this website about planning funerals shortly after a loved one dies because Mia wasn’t sure what to do when her mother passed away. She should look at this site because she needed help planning the funeral; her father was lazy.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2320479_cope-after-losing-mom.html – This website is helps someone when they lose a mother. Mia desperately needed a website like this when she’s lost and confused after her mother’s unexpected death.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/25-top-heart-healthy-foods – After her father had his heart attack, Mia becomes increasingly worried about his health. She wants to make sure he doesn’t slip away. She’s already lost her mother and can’t seem to imagine life without her father.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/quiz.htm – Again, after her dad’s heart attack, she worries about her own health. She wonders if she has increased risk of a heart attack later in life. I think she would visit this website to find out.

http://teenadvice.about.com/od/loveanddating/Relationships_Love_Dating.htm – Mia would look at this website because for a while she’s obsessed with finding “true love”. She wants someone new in her life because she feels like she has no one.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stepmonster/200910/the-real-reason-kids-and-adults-hate-stepmom-part-2 – When she learns that her father is getting remarried, Mia hates the idea, but also wants her dad to be happy again. She would visit this site because it explains reasons that kids hate step-parents and she wants to get over that feeling.

http://www.terpparent.umd.edu/educating_parents/articles/?article=25 – This website is about adjusting when an older sibling goes away to college. This is another difficult adjustment that Mia has to make. She would visit this site when Alex goes away to college.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking – Mia would visit this site about hiking because she lied to someone about her hiking experience to impress him. She agreed to go hiking with him and now needs to act like she knows what she’s doing!

http://outdoorswithdave.com/hiking/hiking-boot-reviews – After she figured out more about hiking, Mia needed to buy a pair hiking boots. She wanted to find just the right pair, so she would search them on the Internet!

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/336097/jewish/Secrets-to-a-Successful-Second-Marriage.htm – This last site that I think Mia would visit is about remarriages. In the novel, she is having a difficult time dealing with her father’s remarriage after her mother’s death. I think she would visit this site to learn more and feel better about it.

I am currently reading Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb. For my genre piece, I chose to do a Dear Abby newspaper column. I chose this type of genre piece because the main character in my book, Mia, is lost and confused at this time in her life. I believe this is something she might do. I think it would help her cope with her loss and even anger she is feeling at this point in the book. This will help explain just how Mia is feeling and how she deals with her problems.

Dear Abby,

About a year ago, my mother died. I’ve been a wreck since then and failing my classes. What a mess I’ve been! Until recently, even though she’s completely different than me, I’ve at least had my sister Alex for support. A couple of weeks ago she left for college. I was all alone with my awkward father, lost in the world. Then he had a heart attack. A million things flashed through my mind when this happened. Would my dad die? Would I become an orphan? What would become of me? Thankfully, he recovered, but his health is suffering. I had no friends, no one to rely on in my time of need. Now I have one friend who actually took the time to know me since my mother passed away. Kelsey is a blessing. She knows what I’m going through because she never sees her parents either.

My father is dating a strange woman named Sylvia, and I don’t know what to make of her. She’s psychic and collects all sorts of weird things. I feel conflicted about my father seeing other people. I know my mom would want him to be happy, but a little part of me wants to hate her for thinking she can take my mother’s place. They are getting married next month, and I hate it. I hate her! She means well, but I can’t seem to get used to the fact that my dad has moved on, because I haven’t. Please help!

Sincerely,

Stuck in the past (Mia)

Dear “Stuck in the past”

First of all, I’m sorry for your loss. I understand that it’s tough to lose a parent and come close to losing the other. I would start by telling your father how you feel about Sylvia. Tell him that you’re not comfortable with him getting married so soon after your mother’s death. Make sure he understands this. You mean more to him than you think you do. If talking to your father is too hard at the moment, it may help to talk to Alex and Kelsey about this. Rehearse what you might say to your father. I’m sure they’d be glad to help, and maybe Alex is feeling the same way as you are at this troubling time.

If you can, step into your father’s shoes. It was probably even harder for him to accept your mother’s death than it was for you. He just wants to be happy again and provide a family for you. Give Sylvia a chance. I know step mothers don’t always work out so well, but try to learn to love her. She needs time to get used to all of this just as much as you do. If you feel comfortable enough, talk to her about taking your mother’s place. I’m sure she has some big shoes to fill! Try to be supportive of your father on the wedding day. It will be all for the better later.

Sincerely,

Abby

I am currently reading the novel Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb. I have chosen to write a eulogy for my genre post because in the story, Mia’s mother has just passed away. When someone finishes reading this eulogy, they should better understand just how Mia is feeling when she loses her mom, a role model in her life.  It’s a tough time for her and her family, and I could picture her writing a eulogy such as this for her mother.

A Eulogy for My Mom:

I miss her. Everywhere I look, there’s something that reminds me of her. The shelves of her trinkets she used to collect, the way she sat on the couch watching TV when she was tired after a long day. I’ll miss the way she took care of me when I was sick, responding to my every need. It hurts that I couldn’t take care of her the way she took care of me. There was nothing I could do, nothing I could say to help her. My father, my sister Alex, and I prayed for her and supported her, of course, but that’s all. The twelve days she spent in the hospital before her death – twelve short days – were the worst of my life. At the time they seemed to drag on forever, but looking back, they went all too quickly.

I remember the day she was diagnosed with cancer. She thought she had a stomachache. A simple stomachache. The doctors told us it was cancer, and we stared, disbelieving. Twelve days later, she’s gone.

When my father never wanted to go out, I would be my mother’s date. We would go to the theater, out to eat, or shopping. How I adored shopping with my mother! Bloomingdale’s was our favorite store. We worshipped the dresses on the mannequins in the windows, the bright pocketbooks swinging on silver racks, and the gleaming sky-high stilettos. I remember the sweet smell of the strong perfume, but it will never be the same without her. It’s difficult to think about. I miss her too much.