Mia looked out before her and felt uneasy. Tribes of warring rats, she obviously had never seen this before and there was no way they were going to get through.
"HOW WILL WE GET PAST THIS," questioned Javi in a frantic tone.
We look to the football players for help but they all had this clueless look on their face. This made me start to get nervous. There was noway we were going to be able to get through this.
I finally broke the science," Okay guys. Don't look at me weird but I have an idea. This morning something happened where when I got made I grew really huge, maybe if you all just got me really mad we could recreate it and I could step on all of them."
"That's a little cruel," mumbled Andrew.
Javi pondered for a while and then joined in," Okay, I agree with Andrew that is cruel but I have another idea. There are posters all around promoting this world's leader, Colonel Sanders. If we force the rats to all focus their hatred on them then we can get them to stop warring."
"YES," everyone agreed in unison, except 44, he didn't talk much.
Javi climbed on top of a near by table and said in an extremely loud voice,"Friends, Strangers, Country rats lend me your ears." And from there he continued into the most persuasive speech I had ever heard, even my self at the end was angry at the Colonel. By the end the rats were joined together paw in paw singing kumbaya. They had forgotten all their angst against each other at last.
Mia, Javi, Andrew, Donkey Teeth, D'jasper, and 44 were able to sneak through the crowd and out onto the other side. They now stood facing a deserted desert that went on for miles.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
CHARACTER STUDY 2
After her big event everything went black in Mia's brain. When she awoke she was back to normal size but suddenly found herself in the Equipment room down my the football stadium. Over to her left awoke Javier Solis and on her right was Andrew Alcazar, that was strange she barely even knew these two boys. There seemed to be a cohesive grogginess among the students as they tried to assess their surroundings. Before they were able question one another a voice suddenly roared.
"Hey youngins. I'm Donkey Teeth, over to my right is my best friend D' Jasper, he dont talk much but when he does his voice sure is lovely and on my left is 44."
Before Mia stood 3 gargantuan men dressed in football attire. The one in the middle by the name of Donkey Kong was the largest and obviously overtook the other two. While D'Jasper and 44 were almost too difficult to tell apart.
"What are we doing here, where are we?" piped up Javi.
"Like you don't know, you're here to escape and you're going to help us escape too," said Donkey Teeth.
"Escape from where," questioned Andrew.
"Aw come outside we'll show ya."
The three were then lead outside to what they believed to be an average football field but then turned out to be not. There was a fencelike dome incompassing their surroundings, the air was grey and the football field looked like nobody had played on it in years. They were lead pass rickety stairs and torn up ashphalt. Up half-reconstructed stairs and trash covered floors.
"We need to escape this place and to do that we must pass our first obstacale," said Donkey Kong.
"The rats," all three football players said.
Mia looked out infront of her and saw a desert that stretched for miles. At the beginning of the desert sat thousands of rats warring with one another. Greasy balls of what seemed like pizza were hurled at one another.
This was going to be difficult.
"Hey youngins. I'm Donkey Teeth, over to my right is my best friend D' Jasper, he dont talk much but when he does his voice sure is lovely and on my left is 44."
Before Mia stood 3 gargantuan men dressed in football attire. The one in the middle by the name of Donkey Kong was the largest and obviously overtook the other two. While D'Jasper and 44 were almost too difficult to tell apart.
"What are we doing here, where are we?" piped up Javi.
"Like you don't know, you're here to escape and you're going to help us escape too," said Donkey Teeth.
"Escape from where," questioned Andrew.
"Aw come outside we'll show ya."
The three were then lead outside to what they believed to be an average football field but then turned out to be not. There was a fencelike dome incompassing their surroundings, the air was grey and the football field looked like nobody had played on it in years. They were lead pass rickety stairs and torn up ashphalt. Up half-reconstructed stairs and trash covered floors.
"We need to escape this place and to do that we must pass our first obstacale," said Donkey Kong.
"The rats," all three football players said.
Mia looked out infront of her and saw a desert that stretched for miles. At the beginning of the desert sat thousands of rats warring with one another. Greasy balls of what seemed like pizza were hurled at one another.
This was going to be difficult.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Canterbury Tales 1
I didn't have many questions with Canterbury Tales that weren't already answered. Here were a few things I still wonder about:
Did Chaucer really embark on a pilmarage?
Where was the irony found in the Knight?
The most common literary technique used was that of irony which was extremely helpful because it made the work story interesting in that I had to search for every piece of irony in all the characters.
The use of many characters is really what stood out for me in this story, it kept my attention throught out and made me eager to read more.
Out of all the characters I am most looking forward to The Friar's story because from his description they sound like they will include plenty of romance and betrayal.
Did Chaucer really embark on a pilmarage?
Where was the irony found in the Knight?
The most common literary technique used was that of irony which was extremely helpful because it made the work story interesting in that I had to search for every piece of irony in all the characters.
The use of many characters is really what stood out for me in this story, it kept my attention throught out and made me eager to read more.
Out of all the characters I am most looking forward to The Friar's story because from his description they sound like they will include plenty of romance and betrayal.
Character Study 1
She grabbed her favorite pair of boots on her way out of the house. It was a normal day for Mia, late for school and constantly in a rush. She reached for the car door, arms full of books, food, etc. and suddenly reached back. "OW," she exclaimed dropping all of her things. She felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, figuring it was her immature sister throwing something at her. she grabbed her things and rushed off to school.
Once there Mia raced out of her without a worry in her mind of hitting the ceiling, that was the beneifit of being 5' 0". As height comes Mia saw hers as an advantage at time but stuck in a judgemental highschool her height caused her to never really to be taken seriously and that up set her. Who would ever listen to the angry elf? She ran to her 0 period only to find the gate to school locked. This made her angry because her height limitation made her unable to the hop the fence.
Unlike before though, storming off to the other side of school Mia suddenly began to grew. She witnessed herself becoming eyelevel with the top of the fence, then the top of the buliding, then she was at a level where she could see the whole school. Mia grew to where she was atleast 30 ft tall...
To be continued.
I apologized for the indirect characterization and the direct characterization through out the rest. I'm not really that great with creative writing.
Once there Mia raced out of her without a worry in her mind of hitting the ceiling, that was the beneifit of being 5' 0". As height comes Mia saw hers as an advantage at time but stuck in a judgemental highschool her height caused her to never really to be taken seriously and that up set her. Who would ever listen to the angry elf? She ran to her 0 period only to find the gate to school locked. This made her angry because her height limitation made her unable to the hop the fence.
Unlike before though, storming off to the other side of school Mia suddenly began to grew. She witnessed herself becoming eyelevel with the top of the fence, then the top of the buliding, then she was at a level where she could see the whole school. Mia grew to where she was atleast 30 ft tall...
To be continued.
I apologized for the indirect characterization and the direct characterization through out the rest. I'm not really that great with creative writing.
Dashboard
I used Netvibes to create my dashboard and so far I've been overwhelmed. I set it up in the following catagories Selling, Giving, Spending, and Passing time. I think I may have gone a little over board because each section has atleast 7 widgets and that might not seem like much but when you open your computer and 28 different little boxes are calling for your attention it's a little difficult. I'm sure after awhile I'll get used to it because it does provide extremely helpful to have one place with all my information instead of opening up 1700 tabs at a time.
Vocabulary 6
Beatitude: It is beatitude to live in America with free public education.
Spiders and cockroaches are my bête noire because I just cringe at the site of them.
Bode: Dogs are bodes of earthquakes because they always bark before an earthquake hits.
Dank:My cellar is dank because there is no are no lights and there is a pipe leak.
Ecumenical: Milk is an ecumenical grocery to find inside a fridge.
It feels as if every encounter is fervid and the atmosphere is electric.
Sometimes I detest living in Los Alamos because of the fetid smell of manure ever present.
Gargantuan:Gargantuan only begins to describe the Great of China.
Heyday: Eighth grade year was my heyday because I was involved in ASB, sports, and I was also valedictorian.
Incubus:One of my brothers' favorite bands is incubus and they love the song "Threshold".
Infrastructure:Employees are the infrastructure of a business. If the employees don't do their jobs, then the business will crumble.
Inveigle: Prostitutes usually inveigle a customer by sexual arrousement.
Kudos: Kudos to Jon for figuring out how to add music to a blog and for showing me as well.
Lagniappe: People who attend the VIP party will acquire a lagniappe which varies from an iPod to a certificate to a day spa.
Prolix: I found Hemingway’s writing style to be prolix when compared to Faulkner who used fewer words to describe a setting.
Protege: Joshua is my Protégé and I am his patron. I have bestowed him with my skill as a student and he has granted me his attentive ears.
Prototype: Terminator was only the prototype of the X9's that will invade the earth in the future.
Sycophant:Mycha is a sycophant known for kissing up to the teacher around grading period.
Tautology: Lance psyches me out sometimes with his tautology because he asks me if I want him to arrive at 12 am or to land at midnight at my doorstep.
Truckle:I truckle to any question or favor under her mesmerizing gaze of beauty.
Accolade: an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit
I was given an accolade for my perfect attendance.
Acerbity: sourness or acid of taste, character, or tone
There was acerbity in his mother-in-law’s tone.
Attrition: a rubbing away or wearing down by friction
Tires have to withstand great attrition.
Bromide: a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe, boring
She was a bromide while giving her presentation because of her monotone voice.
Chauvinist: a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism
The chauvinist showed aggression towards his peers.
Chronic: marked by long duration or frequent recurrence
. Chronic back pain makes me insomniac.
Expound: present and explain a theory or idea systematically and in detail
The professor expounded his new discovery to his passionate students.
Factionalism: a group of persons forming a cohesive
The factionalism of white male Republicans are held in the House of Representatives.
Immaculate: perfectly clean, neat, or tidy
The criminals made sure they were immaculate with their plan.
Imprecation: a spoken curse
The witch spelled an imprecation on her evil twin sister.
Ineluctable: unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable
The poor man was in an eneluctable situation; there was no way out.
Mercurial: changeable, volatile, having the quality of eloquence
I am mercurial when I give a speech about my life.
Palliate: make a disease or a symptoms less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause
The cream just palliated the rash, it didn’t fix it entirely.
Protocol: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
The protocol for the CIA is to call a number for an extraction.
Resplendent: attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
The painting was very resplendent and attracted many viewers.
Stigmatize: describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
I had a great stigmatize for cheating on test because it’s unfair.
Sub Rosa: happening or done in secret
The birthday surprise was sub rosa which was done by my friends.
Vainglory: inordinate pride in oneself or one’s achievements
.Her vainglory attitude drove away her friends.
Vestige: a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
Footprints are an example of a vestige.
Volition: the faculty or power of using one’s will
People use volition to get what they want.
There was acerbity in his mother-in-law’s tone.
Attrition: a rubbing away or wearing down by friction
Tires have to withstand great attrition.
Bromide: a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe, boring
She was a bromide while giving her presentation because of her monotone voice.
Chauvinist: a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism
The chauvinist showed aggression towards his peers.
Chronic: marked by long duration or frequent recurrence
. Chronic back pain makes me insomniac.
Expound: present and explain a theory or idea systematically and in detail
The professor expounded his new discovery to his passionate students.
Factionalism: a group of persons forming a cohesive
The factionalism of white male Republicans are held in the House of Representatives.
Immaculate: perfectly clean, neat, or tidy
The criminals made sure they were immaculate with their plan.
Imprecation: a spoken curse
The witch spelled an imprecation on her evil twin sister.
Ineluctable: unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable
The poor man was in an eneluctable situation; there was no way out.
Mercurial: changeable, volatile, having the quality of eloquence
I am mercurial when I give a speech about my life.
Palliate: make a disease or a symptoms less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause
The cream just palliated the rash, it didn’t fix it entirely.
Protocol: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
The protocol for the CIA is to call a number for an extraction.
Resplendent: attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
The painting was very resplendent and attracted many viewers.
Stigmatize: describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
I had a great stigmatize for cheating on test because it’s unfair.
Sub Rosa: happening or done in secret
The birthday surprise was sub rosa which was done by my friends.
Vainglory: inordinate pride in oneself or one’s achievements
.Her vainglory attitude drove away her friends.
Vestige: a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
Footprints are an example of a vestige.
Volition: the faculty or power of using one’s will
People use volition to get what they want.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
WHAT A CHARACTER
I've been ashamed of my favorite book since the 5th grade. I won it in 3rd grade and I've read atleast twice a year ever since and the worst part is it is at 4th grade reading level. Flipped by Wendelin van Draan contains my favorite character, who goes by the name of Julie.
Julie was the first person who introduced the idea that yourself is the best self. From the age of seven she did not change herself to make others like her and in the end. Reading this at such a young age really inspired me to not conform to society. I grew up with her character and through it I learned to stand up for what I believe in.
The author tells Julie's part of the story through 1st person this allows the diction to become very specified for that person which allowed a window into her thoughts.
Julie's tone is friendly and fearless, for the most part she is extremely optimistic through the most difficult of situations which again is a real inspiration.
On a side note, the movie for this book was an upset and I wish it was never made.
Julie was the first person who introduced the idea that yourself is the best self. From the age of seven she did not change herself to make others like her and in the end. Reading this at such a young age really inspired me to not conform to society. I grew up with her character and through it I learned to stand up for what I believe in.
The author tells Julie's part of the story through 1st person this allows the diction to become very specified for that person which allowed a window into her thoughts.
Julie's tone is friendly and fearless, for the most part she is extremely optimistic through the most difficult of situations which again is a real inspiration.
On a side note, the movie for this book was an upset and I wish it was never made.
Monday, September 16, 2013
DECLARATION OF LEARNING INDEPENDENCE.
Because of the vague assignment I'm going to infer that this post is directed torwards taking my actions into my own hands.
Therefore,
For right I will show my independence by leaving you with this quote from Charles Bukowski:
“We’re all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn’t. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.”
Therefore,
For right I will show my independence by leaving you with this quote from Charles Bukowski:
“We’re all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn’t. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.”
Vocab 5
obsequious: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
Her boyfriend was so obsequious towards her that he was deemed "clingy".
beatitude: supreme blessedness.
I felt a sense of beatitude when I earned an A on a test I did not take.
bete noire: a detested person
Nobody liked her so she was given the nickname bete noire.
bode: to be an omen of a particular outcome
Many say that a using a wiji board can lead to a bad bode.
dank: disagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold
The swamp was so dank it was hard to see.
ecumenical: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
The royal wedding was so ecumenical that many tuned in from all around the world to witness.
fervid: intensely enthusiastic or passionate, esp. to an excessive degree
My friend is considered fervid because he started his own club on campus.
fetid: smelling extremely unpleasant
The fetid odor kept me from entering the room.
gargantuan: enormous
The gargantuan chair made me feel smaller then I already am.
heyday: The period of greatest popularity, success, or power; prime
I believe America had it's heyday during the 1960s
incubus: a nightmare
Last night my incubus included me not getting in to college.
infrastructure: is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
It is certain for a building to be built it needs a sturdy infrastructure first.
inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery
He inveigled her to do his homework by giving her compliments
kudos: fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement
I gave him kudos for doing that, it took a lot of guts.
lagniappe:something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure
He was awarded the scholarship lagniappe because of his tremendous work.
prolix: (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
His prolix made the rest of the story boring.
protégé: a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person
Ben Franklin was a protege to a newpaper editor when he was younger.
prototype: an early sample, model or release of a product built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from
The Iphone released a prototype to allow users an userface interaction.
sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage
I consider him a sycophant but everyone else just calls him a teacher's pet..
tautology: needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
I need the tautology of vocabulary words to really remember them.
truckle: To be servile or submissive.
Every student is truckle to their teacher.
Her boyfriend was so obsequious towards her that he was deemed "clingy".
beatitude: supreme blessedness.
I felt a sense of beatitude when I earned an A on a test I did not take.
bete noire: a detested person
Nobody liked her so she was given the nickname bete noire.
bode: to be an omen of a particular outcome
Many say that a using a wiji board can lead to a bad bode.
dank: disagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold
The swamp was so dank it was hard to see.
ecumenical: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
The royal wedding was so ecumenical that many tuned in from all around the world to witness.
fervid: intensely enthusiastic or passionate, esp. to an excessive degree
My friend is considered fervid because he started his own club on campus.
fetid: smelling extremely unpleasant
The fetid odor kept me from entering the room.
gargantuan: enormous
The gargantuan chair made me feel smaller then I already am.
heyday: The period of greatest popularity, success, or power; prime
I believe America had it's heyday during the 1960s
incubus: a nightmare
Last night my incubus included me not getting in to college.
infrastructure: is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
It is certain for a building to be built it needs a sturdy infrastructure first.
inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery
He inveigled her to do his homework by giving her compliments
kudos: fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement
I gave him kudos for doing that, it took a lot of guts.
lagniappe:something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure
He was awarded the scholarship lagniappe because of his tremendous work.
prolix: (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
His prolix made the rest of the story boring.
protégé: a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person
Ben Franklin was a protege to a newpaper editor when he was younger.
prototype: an early sample, model or release of a product built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from
The Iphone released a prototype to allow users an userface interaction.
sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage
I consider him a sycophant but everyone else just calls him a teacher's pet..
tautology: needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
I need the tautology of vocabulary words to really remember them.
truckle: To be servile or submissive.
Every student is truckle to their teacher.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Literature Analysis #1 *SPOILER*
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini
1. Exposition
The story starts in 1958 Gul Daman, Pakistan, a small rural village located just outside of the town Herat. Then the story carries over to the capital Kabul, Pakistan where the story continues until it reaches present day. The Main settings are located inside a house because of the circumstances at the time.
Rising Action
Rising Action
We witness the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, how their lives are very different but incidentally wind up in the same house married to the same man. They deal with the tyranny of this man and although at first enemies, they soon learn that with the harsh circumstances of not only their home life but life under the Mujadeen and Taliban in Pakistan it would be better to stick together.
Inciting Incident
The Inciting Incident happens when the women try to escape Pakistan and try to board the train and realize they've been fooled out of their plan. The women are taken to an office and questioned and eventually sent home, where they know their husband, Rasheen will be extremely furious. (He previously threatened to kill them if they ever ran away.)
Climax
The Climax is when Mariam murders Rasheen.
Falling Action
Mariam is publicly executed for the death of her husband and Laila runs off to the country side with Tariq
\ Resolution
Through the rest of the story we witness how Laila copes with normal life. She and Tariq live in a beautiful house and raise a beautiful family, eventually moving back to Kabul.
I believe the authors purpose was to give an inside view of Pakistan during the 60s and 70s through a women's eyes. We witness abusive relationships, women stripped of their rights, and lies and secrets told to everyone. The story was extremely realistic and after coming away from reading it I knew more about the Mujaheddin and Taliban in Pakistan then I ever learned in History class.
2. I believe the theme of this story was the strength of women in repressive societies. From a very young age Mariam was ridiculed and she never gave up. The mujaheddin and Taliban stripped women of their rights because they didn't believe they were capable of it, they treated women like dogs. Through this story we witnessed the retaliation of women and in the end we watched them succeed.
3. I witnessed many tones throughout this story. Not only myself but the characters as well were on a major catharsis throughout the whole novel. Here are just a few examples of tone:
Desperate- "She ran up then down the street, panting, near tears now, began trying doors blindly."
This quote was taken from when Mariam first moved to Rasheed's house at the age of 14 and was completely lost on her way home one day. This tone is expressed a lot for Mariam, her desperate want for something whether it was to be accepted, be happy, or simply find her way home.
Condescending- '"You're a clumsy little harami (bastard). This is my reward for everything I've endured. An heirloom-breaking, clumsy little harami"'
This quote was said by Mariam's mother to Mariam when she was ten.
Desperate- "She ran up then down the street, panting, near tears now, began trying doors blindly."
This quote was taken from when Mariam first moved to Rasheed's house at the age of 14 and was completely lost on her way home one day. This tone is expressed a lot for Mariam, her desperate want for something whether it was to be accepted, be happy, or simply find her way home.
Condescending- '"You're a clumsy little harami (bastard). This is my reward for everything I've endured. An heirloom-breaking, clumsy little harami"'
This quote was said by Mariam's mother to Mariam when she was ten.
and
“Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.”
This quote was said by Rasheed to Mariam.
From many secondary characters (Mariam's mother and Rasheed especially) we witness a condescending tone to the girls. They will never be good enough and are a complete waste of space.
Hope-“Laila has moved on. Because in the end she knows that’s all she can do. That and hope.”
Hope-“Laila has moved on. Because in the end she knows that’s all she can do. That and hope.”
This quote explains it all, there really is no need for explanation. This is the main tone used for Mariam and Laila, their reason to live. Hope.
4.
Irony- Jalil would raise Mariam high and swing her in the air, Nana would tell Mariam that one day Jalil will surely drop her.
This is ironic because it said by Nana, Mariam's mother, who is usually never to be taken seriously and always over dramatic. But Jalil, Mariam's father, does end up abandoning her so in the end he does drop her.
Foreshadowing- Nana told Mariam that Jalil told his wives that "I forced myself on him. That is was my fault. .... This is what it means to be a women in this world."(pg.7) This foreshadows the way that Rasheed will treat Mariam after they are married.
Metaphors- "To Jalil and his wives, I was a pokeroot. A mugroot. You too. And you weren't even born yet." This quote is said by Nana to Mariam comparing them two to ugly weeds.
Pathos- There is only one, only one skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don't teach it in school. Look at me... Only one skill, and it's this: tahamul. Endure."
This quote was said by Mariam to Laila about education and is very relevant to the story. She gives off the feeling of giving up, that they will never amount to anything so just forget it. This provokes the audience to care and pity for the women.
This quote was said by Mariam to Laila about education and is very relevant to the story. She gives off the feeling of giving up, that they will never amount to anything so just forget it. This provokes the audience to care and pity for the women.
Personification- "And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them."
This quote brings to life the emotions of the women and paints an image for the audience.
This quote brings to life the emotions of the women and paints an image for the audience.
Imagery-"Shirts hurriedly buttoned, belts buckled, hair finger-combed."
The author used this technique quite a lot to paint a picture for the reader. This transported the reader into the story and made them more invested in their reading.
The author used this technique quite a lot to paint a picture for the reader. This transported the reader into the story and made them more invested in their reading.
Onomatopoeia- "the far-off boom of artillery, then, more closely, the stammering of gunfire"
This was another technique used by the author to transport the audience into the story.
This was another technique used by the author to transport the audience into the story.
Symbolism- The book ends with, "Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns...". The title, A Thousand Splendid Suns refers to a poem by the Persian poet Hafiz, in which he compares the mystical relationship with God to the power and brilliance of "A Thousand Splendid Suns" within you. On how has attained this mystical relationship cannot be harmed by evil, for they have joined eternity. This is symbolic of Mariam in that in that she has endured a difficult life herself, yet gives herself up for Laila, someone she loves. Mariam overcomes adversity in a world around her that is bleak she finds hope. Mariam has reached an eternal bond with Laila, and she is the symbol of hope for the future of Afghanistan.
Analogy- Hosseini uses the analogy between something as fragile and pure as a snowflake in order to emphasize the dark trials and tribulations forced upon women on a daily bases.
Simile- "like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman" This quote said by Nana is a direct example of gender inequality through out the story.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
ALL OF THE ABOVE
I found this topic vaguely familiar. Therefore I went back and looked through my blog and found a post that had everything we needed to answer for the topic assigned tonight. I'm not sure if I answered that topic wrong or this one but my responses respond to both. Since our focus this unit is time investment I found it counteractive to evaulate myself AGAIN. So please enjoy a paste and copy of my previous post below:
Unfortunately I did not achieve a 3 in the AP test and I believe this for various reasons.
Unfortunately I did not achieve a 3 in the AP test and I believe this for various reasons.
- I don't think I've acquired the hang of AP tests yet, last year I scored very low also. The use of time-management plus energy-management makes me overwhelmed so I tend to stress out and over think problems causing me to get the wrong answer.
- School just started back up again, this was the first test I've taken since finals last year and I'm not use to the rigorous use of my brain which caused me to give up and skip problems I found extremely difficult. A brush up on literary terms is greatly needed if I wish to do better.
- It's a weekend, and I'm a teenager. Need I explain more? The first weekend after summer has ended I believe is the laziest weekend of the year and extreme amount of homework I have has worn me out.
After taking this AP test I am definitely going to pay attention in class, I need all the help I can get. I'm impressed by Dr. Preston's gain of a 3, honestly I'm impressed when anyone passes an AP test, they're extremely difficult. I would say the area I need to work on the most would have to be my vocabulary and literary terms. I won't lie, there was probably an above average of words I was unable to comprehend. All in all I really hope I improve this year, because this test was almost embarrassing for me.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Vocabulary #4
accolade: an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit.
She was so proud of the accolade presented to her at Senior Awards Night that she told the story of it for years and years.
acerbity:a sharp bitterness
I could feel the acerbity of her tone and decided not to carry on conversation with her.
attrition: the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.
The Cold War was often seen as an attrition because at the end both countries were weakened and no progress was made
bromide:a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate.
We told him plenty of bromides to calm him down from his anxiety attack but all of them seemed too jaded to work.
chauvinist:a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
Americans are often considered chauvinists for their lack of knowledge of American action if foreign countries.
chronic:(of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
The flu is considered chronic because it reappears every year.expound:present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail.
I expounded my thought process to the class with a very organized power point
factionalism:The splitting of a group into factions; Conflict between factions
The class was underwent a factionalism because when put together they chatted way too much.
immaculate: perfection
The italian food was so immaculate I vowed to learn how to make it.
imprecation: a spoken curse.
When angered the elderly lady placed an imprecation on those who angered her.
ineluctable:unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable.
The women was ineluctable to men with her red lipstick and high heels
mercurial:(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
Many of those with bipolar disorder are considered mercurial in personality
palliate:make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
The doctors tried to palliate the extremeness of her headache by giving her medication to put her to sleep.:
protocol:the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
When becoming a new employee most business must stick to strict protocol and give the employee training days
.resplendent:attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.
Peacocks use their resplendent feathers to attract the opposite gender.
stigmatize:describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
In olden times criminals were stigmatized for their actions by being placed in the center of town in a box.
sub rosa:happening or done in secret.
The fight club was sub rosa because it was considered illegal.
vainglory:inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity.
I considered her to have vainglory because shes constantly looking in the mirror
vestige:a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.
The only vestige of extinct animals is seen in history books
volition:the faculty or power of using one's will.
The volition of Americans is so strongly regarded that we often form unions and go on strikes without taking a look from the governments perspective.
She was so proud of the accolade presented to her at Senior Awards Night that she told the story of it for years and years.
acerbity:a sharp bitterness
I could feel the acerbity of her tone and decided not to carry on conversation with her.
attrition: the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.
The Cold War was often seen as an attrition because at the end both countries were weakened and no progress was made
bromide:a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate.
We told him plenty of bromides to calm him down from his anxiety attack but all of them seemed too jaded to work.
chauvinist:a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
Americans are often considered chauvinists for their lack of knowledge of American action if foreign countries.
chronic:(of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
The flu is considered chronic because it reappears every year.expound:present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail.
I expounded my thought process to the class with a very organized power point
factionalism:The splitting of a group into factions; Conflict between factions
The class was underwent a factionalism because when put together they chatted way too much.
immaculate: perfection
The italian food was so immaculate I vowed to learn how to make it.
imprecation: a spoken curse.
When angered the elderly lady placed an imprecation on those who angered her.
ineluctable:unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable.
The women was ineluctable to men with her red lipstick and high heels
mercurial:(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
Many of those with bipolar disorder are considered mercurial in personality
palliate:make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
The doctors tried to palliate the extremeness of her headache by giving her medication to put her to sleep.:
protocol:the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
When becoming a new employee most business must stick to strict protocol and give the employee training days
.resplendent:attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.
Peacocks use their resplendent feathers to attract the opposite gender.
stigmatize:describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
In olden times criminals were stigmatized for their actions by being placed in the center of town in a box.
sub rosa:happening or done in secret.
The fight club was sub rosa because it was considered illegal.
vainglory:inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity.
I considered her to have vainglory because shes constantly looking in the mirror
vestige:a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.
The only vestige of extinct animals is seen in history books
volition:the faculty or power of using one's will.
The volition of Americans is so strongly regarded that we often form unions and go on strikes without taking a look from the governments perspective.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
BEOWULF ESSAY
Beowulf is seen as the anonymous gripping tale about a courageous hero that has been told to generations for hundreds of years. Spongebob Squarepants in The Spongebob Squarepants Movie is the unlikely story about a dopey hero who embarks on adventure for the first time in hopes of saving his friends. At a glance these two heroes couldn't be anymore different., but when taken into depth a reader would be surprised to find similar traits and actions between the two. Beowulf and Spongebob have similarities and differences in both their characteristics and the symbol they hold for their time period.
A person is defined by the personality traits they have. For instance Beowulf and Spongebob both use foreshadowing in their stories but the way the characters act to the foreshadowing is what separates them. For example when the minstrel tells the story of Sigemund fighting a dragon foreshadows the fight between the dragon and Beowulf. Although unlike Sigemund, Beowulf killed the dragon to protect his people which shows the selflessness of Beowulf, a characteristic both he and Spongebob have. When a scene showcasing a couple of hillbillies warning Spongebob of his risky travels, it's evident that Spongebob is bound to run into some troubles but he carries on with his duty to save his friends back home. Beowulf's use of pathos also shows his character. When he tells the story of his fight with Brecca, he emphasizes his troubles to gain the sympathy of his audience. Through this incident we see that Beowulf cares greatly about how he is seen by others. In the unforgettable climax of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie we witness a tear shed by best friends Spongebob and Patrick, who at the time were accepting the idea of an inevitable death, actually save their lives. This use of pathos is another attempt to gain sympathy from them audience. Although in this use we see that Spongebob is actually extremely vulnerable and perfectly capable of showing his true self to others.
Both Beowulf and Spongebob embody their times through their actions and plot line. Both stories are meant to be told to generations to teach them correct morals. Beowulf teaches the youth that heroic endeavors never go unrewarded and can be completely satisfying not just for those whose saved but the savior as well. Spongebob, on the other hand, teaches children that heroic duty should be done out of the kindness of your heart and in return you will have great success in friendship, which will lead to happiness. Beowulf uses the technique wergild in the story, this ancient Danish term states that a person's happiness in life is measured by their rank. For example, Beowulf states that in his dying wish he wants a monument erected in his honor. The last possible thing Beowulf wants on earth is to be remembered for heroic accomplishments and that shows the Danish idea of being successful can lead to a type of immortality. In Spongebob, wegild doesn't exist. Spongebob is a minimum wage, or perhaps even less, fry cook who conquers stereotypes and ends up with more respect then he intended to get.
The main similarity in both Beowulf and Spongebob is that they rise above the call of duty to help those who they weren't obligated to help. Different time periods drastically shape the personalities of the two and are perfect examples, for us as readers to clearly see the evolvement of entertainment throughout the decades. No longer do we speak of dragons and swords but of krabby patty automobiles and tacky seashell shops.
A person is defined by the personality traits they have. For instance Beowulf and Spongebob both use foreshadowing in their stories but the way the characters act to the foreshadowing is what separates them. For example when the minstrel tells the story of Sigemund fighting a dragon foreshadows the fight between the dragon and Beowulf. Although unlike Sigemund, Beowulf killed the dragon to protect his people which shows the selflessness of Beowulf, a characteristic both he and Spongebob have. When a scene showcasing a couple of hillbillies warning Spongebob of his risky travels, it's evident that Spongebob is bound to run into some troubles but he carries on with his duty to save his friends back home. Beowulf's use of pathos also shows his character. When he tells the story of his fight with Brecca, he emphasizes his troubles to gain the sympathy of his audience. Through this incident we see that Beowulf cares greatly about how he is seen by others. In the unforgettable climax of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie we witness a tear shed by best friends Spongebob and Patrick, who at the time were accepting the idea of an inevitable death, actually save their lives. This use of pathos is another attempt to gain sympathy from them audience. Although in this use we see that Spongebob is actually extremely vulnerable and perfectly capable of showing his true self to others.
Both Beowulf and Spongebob embody their times through their actions and plot line. Both stories are meant to be told to generations to teach them correct morals. Beowulf teaches the youth that heroic endeavors never go unrewarded and can be completely satisfying not just for those whose saved but the savior as well. Spongebob, on the other hand, teaches children that heroic duty should be done out of the kindness of your heart and in return you will have great success in friendship, which will lead to happiness. Beowulf uses the technique wergild in the story, this ancient Danish term states that a person's happiness in life is measured by their rank. For example, Beowulf states that in his dying wish he wants a monument erected in his honor. The last possible thing Beowulf wants on earth is to be remembered for heroic accomplishments and that shows the Danish idea of being successful can lead to a type of immortality. In Spongebob, wegild doesn't exist. Spongebob is a minimum wage, or perhaps even less, fry cook who conquers stereotypes and ends up with more respect then he intended to get.
The main similarity in both Beowulf and Spongebob is that they rise above the call of duty to help those who they weren't obligated to help. Different time periods drastically shape the personalities of the two and are perfect examples, for us as readers to clearly see the evolvement of entertainment throughout the decades. No longer do we speak of dragons and swords but of krabby patty automobiles and tacky seashell shops.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
WILL STUDY FOR FOOD
The scholarship I found tonight was
- $5,000 to attend a graduate-level academic institution
- $2,500 to attend a four-year academic institution
- $1,000 to attend a community college or AA/AS granting institution
Which I found very reassuring since I am from Latino decent and I do have a sturdy amount of community service hours.
My parents have come to the agreement that they will pay for the cost of a UC, nothing less. Which is wonderful, and I'm forever grateful but unfortunately my top choice costs more then a UC.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign which is approximately 7000 dollars more then the most expensive UC, therefore I need to make up $7000 dollars in scholarships. Of course, I could work and save up but at the moment I'm having a trouble finding a job so that option is put on hold.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship
The given description for this essay was :This premier scholarship opportunity is afforded to Latino students who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities and who plan to continue contributing in the future. There is no GPA or major requirement. Students with excellent leadership potential are encouraged to apply.Recipients will receive a one-time scholarship of:- $5,000 to attend a graduate-level academic institution
- $2,500 to attend a four-year academic institution
- $1,000 to attend a community college or AA/AS granting institution
Which I found very reassuring since I am from Latino decent and I do have a sturdy amount of community service hours.
My parents have come to the agreement that they will pay for the cost of a UC, nothing less. Which is wonderful, and I'm forever grateful but unfortunately my top choice costs more then a UC.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign which is approximately 7000 dollars more then the most expensive UC, therefore I need to make up $7000 dollars in scholarships. Of course, I could work and save up but at the moment I'm having a trouble finding a job so that option is put on hold.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
apostate:abandoning a religious or political belief or principle.
When scientific evidence comes out that In n Out Burgers are deadly I will then become an apostated In n Out goer.
effusive:expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
The man was effusive towards the dog when the puppy saved his life.
impasse:a situation in which no progress is possible, esp. because of disagreement; a deadlock.
In the game of chess when two pawns are face to face those two pawns are now in an impasse
euphoria:a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.
There was no way to explain the euphoria I felt when I won the spelling bee.
lugubrious:looking or sounding sad and dismal.
Im unsure on what contretemp happened to the lady but she looked lugubrious.
bravado:a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
When a male peacock encounters a possible mate he shows a bravado with his beautiful feathers.
consensus:general agreement.
The jury reached the consensus that the victim was innocent.
dichotomy:a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
The main dichotomy between Democratic and Republic ideas I believe is their views on state or federal governments.
constrict:make narrower, esp. by encircling pressure.
The water way was constricted when the mudslide made the stream more enclosed.
gothic: of or relating to the Goths or their extinct East Germanic language, which provides the earliest manuscript evidence of any Germanic language (4th–6th centuries AD).
It was easy to see that the buildings architecture was gothic from it's extensive use of gargoyles.
punctilio:a fine or petty point of conduct or procedure.
Many fail to see that the punctilios of life are what make it special.
metamorphosis:(in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
My favorite animal is the caterpillar because of it's metamorphosis into a butterfly.
raconteur:a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.
My grandfather is extremely raconteur, when he tells a story the whole room is silent.
sine qua non:an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.
Oxygen is a sine qua non of life.
quixotic:exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
I consider my sister's dream of being the CEO of starbucks completely quixotic
vendetta:a blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer or the murderer's family.
Many people go into an extreme fit of rage after the loss of a love one and partake in a vendetta
non sequitur:a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
When one makes a hasty generalization I point out how their fallacy is non sequitur to the arguement.
mystique:a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
I believe Harry Potter was so famous for it's unimpeachable mystique.
quagmire:a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.
I was upset when I stepped in the quagmire while wearing my new shoes.
parlous:full of danger or uncertainty; precarious.
Teenagers partake in risky behavior because of the parlous feeling.
When scientific evidence comes out that In n Out Burgers are deadly I will then become an apostated In n Out goer.
effusive:expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
The man was effusive towards the dog when the puppy saved his life.
impasse:a situation in which no progress is possible, esp. because of disagreement; a deadlock.
In the game of chess when two pawns are face to face those two pawns are now in an impasse
euphoria:a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.
There was no way to explain the euphoria I felt when I won the spelling bee.
lugubrious:looking or sounding sad and dismal.
Im unsure on what contretemp happened to the lady but she looked lugubrious.
bravado:a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
When a male peacock encounters a possible mate he shows a bravado with his beautiful feathers.
consensus:general agreement.
The jury reached the consensus that the victim was innocent.
dichotomy:a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
The main dichotomy between Democratic and Republic ideas I believe is their views on state or federal governments.
constrict:make narrower, esp. by encircling pressure.
The water way was constricted when the mudslide made the stream more enclosed.
gothic: of or relating to the Goths or their extinct East Germanic language, which provides the earliest manuscript evidence of any Germanic language (4th–6th centuries AD).
It was easy to see that the buildings architecture was gothic from it's extensive use of gargoyles.
punctilio:a fine or petty point of conduct or procedure.
Many fail to see that the punctilios of life are what make it special.
metamorphosis:(in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
My favorite animal is the caterpillar because of it's metamorphosis into a butterfly.
raconteur:a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.
My grandfather is extremely raconteur, when he tells a story the whole room is silent.
sine qua non:an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.
Oxygen is a sine qua non of life.
quixotic:exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
I consider my sister's dream of being the CEO of starbucks completely quixotic
vendetta:a blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer or the murderer's family.
Many people go into an extreme fit of rage after the loss of a love one and partake in a vendetta
non sequitur:a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
When one makes a hasty generalization I point out how their fallacy is non sequitur to the arguement.
mystique:a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
I believe Harry Potter was so famous for it's unimpeachable mystique.
quagmire:a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.
I was upset when I stepped in the quagmire while wearing my new shoes.
parlous:full of danger or uncertainty; precarious.
Teenagers partake in risky behavior because of the parlous feeling.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Sixteen Small Steps to Happiness
1. push yourself to get up before the rest of the world - start with 7am, then 6am, then 5:30am. go to the nearest hill with a big coat and a scarf and watch the sun rise.
2. push yourself to fall asleep earlier - start with 11pm, then 10pm, then 9pm. wake up in the morning feeling re-energized and comfortable.
3. erase processed food from your diet. start with no lollies, chips, biscuits, then erase pasta, rice, cereal, then bread. use the rule that if a child couldn’t identify what was in it, you don’t eat it.
4. get into the habit of cooking yourself a beautiful breakfast. fry tomatoes and mushrooms in real butter and garlic, fry an egg, slice up a fresh avocado and squirt way too much lemon on it. sit and eat it and do nothing else.
5. stretch. start by reaching for the sky as hard as you can, then trying to touch your toes. roll your head. stretch your fingers. stretch everything.
6. buy a 1L water bottle. start with pushing yourself to drink the whole thing in a day, then try drinking it twice.
7. buy a beautiful diary and a beautiful black pen. write down everything you do, including dinner dates, appointments, assignments, coffees, what you need to do that day. no detail is too small.
8. strip your bed of your sheets and empty your underwear draw into the washing machine. put a massive scoop of scented fabric softener in there and wash. make your bed in full.
9. organise your room. fold all your clothes (and bag what you don’t want), clean your mirror, your laptop, vacuum the floor. light a beautiful candle.
10. have a luxurious shower with your favourite music playing. wash your hair, scrub your body, brush your teeth. lather your whole body in moisturiser, get familiar with the part between your toes, your inner thighs, the back of your neck.
11. push yourself to go for a walk. take your headphones, go to the beach and walk. smile at strangers walking the other way and be surprised how many smile back. bring your dog and observe the dog’s behaviour. realise you can learn from your dog.
12. message old friends with personal jokes. reminisce. suggest a catch up soon, even if you don’t follow through. push yourself to follow through.
14. think long and hard about what interests you. crime? sex? boarding school? long-forgotten romance etiquette? find a book about it and read it. there is a book about literally everything.
15. become the person you would ideally fall in love with. let cars merge into your lane when driving. pay double for parking tickets and leave a second one in the machine. stick your tongue out at babies. compliment people on their cute clothes. challenge yourself to not ridicule anyone for a whole day. then two. then a week. walk with a straight posture. look people in the eye. ask people about their story. talk to acquaintances so they become friends.
16. lie in the sunshine. daydream about the life you would lead if failure wasn’t a thing. open your eyes. take small steps to make it happen for you. Sixteen Small Steps to Happiness
I thought this was nice, and wanted to share:) Enjoy
2. push yourself to fall asleep earlier - start with 11pm, then 10pm, then 9pm. wake up in the morning feeling re-energized and comfortable.
3. erase processed food from your diet. start with no lollies, chips, biscuits, then erase pasta, rice, cereal, then bread. use the rule that if a child couldn’t identify what was in it, you don’t eat it.
4. get into the habit of cooking yourself a beautiful breakfast. fry tomatoes and mushrooms in real butter and garlic, fry an egg, slice up a fresh avocado and squirt way too much lemon on it. sit and eat it and do nothing else.
5. stretch. start by reaching for the sky as hard as you can, then trying to touch your toes. roll your head. stretch your fingers. stretch everything.
6. buy a 1L water bottle. start with pushing yourself to drink the whole thing in a day, then try drinking it twice.
7. buy a beautiful diary and a beautiful black pen. write down everything you do, including dinner dates, appointments, assignments, coffees, what you need to do that day. no detail is too small.
8. strip your bed of your sheets and empty your underwear draw into the washing machine. put a massive scoop of scented fabric softener in there and wash. make your bed in full.
9. organise your room. fold all your clothes (and bag what you don’t want), clean your mirror, your laptop, vacuum the floor. light a beautiful candle.
10. have a luxurious shower with your favourite music playing. wash your hair, scrub your body, brush your teeth. lather your whole body in moisturiser, get familiar with the part between your toes, your inner thighs, the back of your neck.
11. push yourself to go for a walk. take your headphones, go to the beach and walk. smile at strangers walking the other way and be surprised how many smile back. bring your dog and observe the dog’s behaviour. realise you can learn from your dog.
12. message old friends with personal jokes. reminisce. suggest a catch up soon, even if you don’t follow through. push yourself to follow through.
14. think long and hard about what interests you. crime? sex? boarding school? long-forgotten romance etiquette? find a book about it and read it. there is a book about literally everything.
15. become the person you would ideally fall in love with. let cars merge into your lane when driving. pay double for parking tickets and leave a second one in the machine. stick your tongue out at babies. compliment people on their cute clothes. challenge yourself to not ridicule anyone for a whole day. then two. then a week. walk with a straight posture. look people in the eye. ask people about their story. talk to acquaintances so they become friends.
16. lie in the sunshine. daydream about the life you would lead if failure wasn’t a thing. open your eyes. take small steps to make it happen for you. Sixteen Small Steps to Happiness
I thought this was nice, and wanted to share:) Enjoy
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