Final blog post-hurrah!

I can't believe tomorrow is my last day of Mrs. Gilman's English class! I have a total of 22 blog posts which seems pretty crazy! From reading my blogs, I can see my development throughout the year and the knowledge I've gained. My more recent blogs definitely are better than the first, mostly because I used more analysis and they are more than just a boring response to the prompt. Alot of my blogs, I noticed are somewhat sarcastic or I'm complaining about the current book we were reading, Great Expectations is the first thing that pops into my mind. As the year has gone by though, I've realized I have a greater understanding and respect of literature then the day before I entered the 9th grade. English is my strongest subject and I thought the class would be pretty easy, but boy was I wrong. My questions that were a response to something in the book were definitely my least favorite because it took the most thinking and time to write opposed to the other blogs. One of my favorites was the blog having to do with astrology signs and Romeo and Juliet, believe it or not I actually enjoyed writing the blog! Scrolling down the page as well, I smiled as I saw the blog about my best friends and why I love them: thankfully, they are still my best friends :) My biggest criticism of my blogs is I usually awkwardly word things and I can't write what I'm thinking: as alot of people say, it made sense in my head! This school, not just English, has been a very meaningful year in my life. I've had a lot of negatives and I think I've grown alot stronger. One of my favorite quotes is:

“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.”

This class has definitely been more than just an English class, it's tested what I know, expanded what I know and prepared me for Honors English next year. I will miss this class!

Essay Writing: Challenges and Conquests

Essays. The first thing that pops into my mind is I'd rather just read the book and answer some questions than try to tackle a five paragraph essay. I've usually been the type of person who has been able to whip out a pretty decent essay, but Honors English has definitely highlighted some of my writing flaws. So, with all the essays we've done and discussion in class I think I have improved my writing. Literary analysis is a deeper look into the book or play: why did the author use this, and what was the cause and affect? How did the certain device or motif show an overall theme? My main problem with essays is I always know what to say in my mind: as I am writing, tons of facts and commentary flood into my head, so I always have problems trying to word things (and not awkwardly at that) and I usually take a while to get into the flow of writing.

Thank goodness we have the weekend to work on our essay! I did try hard on it, but at this point in time I'm guessing my essay would fall into the B range. My hook is kind of weak and generic, and my thesis is pretty broad. I have 4 or 5 quotes, and probably not enough commentary to back them up. Also, I need to double check again for common grammar errors. I'm always very cautious when turning in my work, so i'll probably change quite a bit before turning it in. For now, I think my main focus is working on solid concrete details that relate back to my thesis. Here goes another essay!

Summer Reading List

The first book I want to read this summer is Burned by Ellen Hopkins. Its about a mormon teenager with an abusive father and the anger she feels for her parents. While obviously the book doesn't sound too happy-go-lucky, i've seen alot of people reading them and they sound like good books, there is even a whole series! The second book I would like to read this summer is The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. The book's plot consists of a 16 year old girl Macy Queen, whose boring summer turns into tragedy when her father passes. Later on, she meets a group of people called the Wish Catering crew,who change her life for the better. While I do like reading, I'm usually too lazy to do it unless necessary or if the book is so enticing I can't stop reading it. Hopefully that will change this summer and I'll get in a little reading time! :)

Fate.

My birthday being October 21st, 1994, my astrological sign is Libra (the balanced scales) According to my research, Libra's are very kind, easy going, loathe cruelty, and are quite impartial when giving judgement. They also are very dedicated and value their relationships, and are generally more artistic versus intellectual. Generally, the information I read is pretty accurate, and in a way, it reinstated my beliefs in I always try to be kind, I'm a passionate person, and I put a lot of effort into being rational and seeing two sides to a story. I also was happy to read Librans would most likely be good lawyers or writers, two jobs I would both aspire to have. I'm definitely an eccentric person and this blog proved it!

According to Libra, people in marriages are extremely romantic, sentimental, and empathetic, and they have a strong chance of staying together because of their "true minds." I feel this almost perfectly describes the romance between Romeo and Juliet! (of course excluding the death) It becomes evident in the play, despite all the arising problems their love is bound by fate, and it was their destiny to die not only for each other, but possibly to end the relentless hatred between the households. In Act 3, Juliet says: "Indeed I never shall be satisfied with Romeo till I behold him – dead – is my heart so for a kinsmen vexed." In this scene especially, it becomes clear no matter what happens, Juliet and Romeo will do whatever they can for each other and their love is so deeply wound by fate nothing it's permanent.

Culture Shock

Romeo and Juliet, in our culture, is known to be one of the most classic love stories of all time. The theme of "forbidden love", and star-crossed romance is appealing: it seems more passionate, dangerous, and exciting than a typical relationship. Some modern examples with a theme of forbidden love would be the Twilight saga or the movie The Notebook. While not direct Romeo and Juliet references, the love stories are heavily approved by the general public. Even silly little love songs like Hey Juliet by the boy band LMNT mainstreamed into culture. The desirable love expressed in this play will always be part of our culture.

One of the newest references to Romeo and Juliet is the new movie Letters to Juliet, released on May 14th, a romantic comedy (my favorites) set in beautiful Verona, Italy. Here is the link to the movie trailer! :)The movie reflects on the the forever lasting love between an old couple, and the budding romance of a new one.

English Reflection

I can definitely say honors English is different than what I expected. I chose the class because I love reading and writing, and that's definitely what we have done, perhaps more than I wanted. :P My favorite part of the class is the discussions, which are helpful if you don't understand what's going on in a book (Great Expectations..) or just to see other people's perspectives. My favorite unit so far was definitely when we read The Importance of Being Earnest, which would have been alot harder to read without knowing all the literary devices. The class has been more challenging then I thought it would be, and while of course I don't love homework or studying, I like learning new words and being able to analyze literature. Thank you Mrs. Gilman for your teaching :)

skit prep

One scene I would like to perform is when Pip first meets Miss Havisham and Estella- where he walks into their house and she asks him to play. I think it would be funny for the people acting it out and for the class to watch. Another scene that would be funny is to do when Mrs. Joe and Joe are introduced- where she gets the "Tickler" and there's brief dialogue. The final scene I think would be entertaining to do is when Miss Havisham catches on fire- I'm not sure how well that could be performed but if we could pull it off it would be awesome. :)

Question pertaining to Great Expectations.

In chapter 37, I do not understand the deal Wemmick and Pip are making, and the deal with Clarriker's house. The passage- "At length, the thing being done, and he having that day entered Clarriker's house, and he having talked to me for a whole evening in a flush of pleasure and success, I did really cry in good earnest when I went to bed, to think that my great expectations had done some good to somebody." It seems as if the chapter was significant, and I guess my mind did some wondering while reading it. Anyone care to explain what's going on?

Great Expectations-photo

http://www.jvwisdom.com/uploads/images/ladder.gif
The ladder is supposed to signify Pip's experience in society; he recognizes the fact that he has to "climb" up the social ladder to feel significant and worthy. The ladder represents once Pip arrives in London. He is thrust into high society and has difficulty trying to be proper and have manners, which Mr. Pocket kindly helps him correct. The ladder also shows his struggle: at the bottom (working with Joe) he was ashamed of who he was and was constantly striving to be at the top, where he could be respected and appreciated by Ms. Havisham and hopefully for Estella. At this point in the book, Pip would be somewhere in between on the ladder: not yet at the highest point in society but not at the bottom where Joe and Biddy would stand. We've seen Pip develop up to this point with education and manners. Overall, I think the ladder is a metaphor for Pip's struggle in the Victorian society.

Great Expectations: The First Stage

The last sentence in Chapter 9, I believe, is referring to when Pip lied to Joe and Mrs. Pumblechook. Pip was showered with guilt from his lying to Joe, because he realized how much Joe meant to him despite him being ignorant or common. Once he spilled the truth to Joe, he revealed his feelings of ignorance and being ashamed of who he is. While he gave him so words of encouragement ("If you can't get to be oncommon through going straight, you'll never get to do it through going crooked. So don't tell no more on 'em, Pip, and live well and die happy." ) he realized his experience at Miss Havisham's changed his view of everyone around him and most importantly, himself.
Ultimately, I think the quote means that the first link on a memorable day will blossom into your actions and shape and define you as a person. Therefore, I think the so called link refers to an experience we have as a child that will permanently define us in some sort.

Hmm. A memorable day in my life. I would say a memorable moment in my life was when I took my first baton lesson in 4th grade. I was extremely eager to twirl the shiny baton, and I remember coming home and showing my mom all the cool things I learned to do (and now when I look back I cringe at how bad I was when I started) I've realized how a simple hobby can develop into a passion and how sports and a strong work ethic can really shape your life.

Group Essay Collarboration

My topic is ironic lies, and while I don't have my full paragraph complete I have bits and pieces together. Mt topic sentence is: Ironic lies in The Importance of Beinf Earnest by Oscar Wilde show the motives of charscters and mocks the social ideals of the Victorian Era. My only concrete detail I have at the moment is how both Jack and Algernon go under the name of Earnest, which is ironic because the word ernest means sincerity and truth while in fact they are both lying to impress their peers.

Victorian Era Research

When we initially began studying the Victorian Era, I was actually a little happy because I love history; its my favorite subject besides English. Even though I got a little bored with the research, it developed my understanding of the social classes and marriage; especially the roles Victorian women played in society. The most significant topic I learned about was marriage, and I think without my prior knowledge before reading the play I wouldn't have understood alot of the humor. For example, Lady Bracknell said, ""I hadn't been there since her poor husband's death. She looks quite twenty years younger", it pointed out that Victorian marriage wasn't about love and she was actually happier being widowed.

While doing the Victorian Era research I was shocked to learn about the Industrial Revolution and its strong impact on society. With all of the labor needed the middle class grew dramatically in size, yet the people lived in poverty. Many children were forced to work in hazardous conditions, and the people lived in the slums and suffered from disease. Along with learning about class I also found out the wealthy did not have to work in this era and instead earned profit of their land and investments, which was slightly evident in the book. The ladies occupied their time with teaching and learning various things such as German, and the men spend a good amount of their time socializing amongst themselves and even shredding up bills. Learning about the Victorian era significantly helped me understand the class structure in the book as well as the satire of things like marriage.

Victorian Era Research

New Year's Resolution

To be honest, I've never been a firm believer in resolutions. It may be from lack of motivation, or the fact that I think people should set goals for themselves year-round. After some thinking into the topic, however, I have decided on a reasonable 2010 resolution: to become more responsible, which includes better time management. Since the school year's progressed, I felt I've become pretty lazy and sometimes don't complete easy homework or don't put full effort into assignments, which I now regret. As far as extracurricular activities, my injury has been the main problem. Being immobilized over the past couple months has been very frustrating since I haven't been able to dance or twirl, but now that I'm almost recovered I feel that I need to make some significant changes in my life.
I plan to follow my resolution mostly with planning: Once I'm back on track from my injury, I need to schedule going to the gym to practice and exercise, and dance practice twice a week. Responsibility sets in by making sure I'm organized; which means keeping all of my papers organized and to not procrastinate on assignments. Instead of cramming, I will set aside some time each to day to work on the project. School has always been important to me, and it's beginning to sink in that the choices I make now will heavily affect my future. Science and math have always been difficult classes for me, and I think that if I stick to my resolution school won't be a burden. With my dance and baton, I am serious about competing and I want to do my absolute best. I know I have a lot of time to make up for, but hopefully with a lot of hard work in the gym it will all pay off, especially with my goals intact.